Objective: To analyze the regulatory effect of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. extract on the immune function of mice, so as to provide a reference for the study of the mechanism of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. regulating immune function. Methods: Forty-eight SPF healthy male ICR mice were randomly divided into control group and low (0.5 g/kg), medium (2.0 g/kg), and high (4.0 g/kg) dose groups, with 12 mice in each group. The mice in control group were given the pure water by gavage once a day, while the mice in each dose group were given the corresponding dose of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. extract by gavage once a day. The delayed allergy test was performed for 28 consecutive days. Sixty SPF healthy male ICR mice were randomly divided into a control group, polyinosinic acid injection group (model group), and low, medium, and high dose groups, with 12 mice in each group. The mice in control group were given the pure water by gavage once a day, while the mice in each dose group were given the corresponding dose of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. extract by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days. On days 13 and 14 of administration, the mice in the model group and each dose group were intraperitoneally injected with sterile polyinosinic acid solution to perform the immunosuppressive experiment induced by polyinosinic acid. The mouse ear pieces were weighed, and the thymus and spleen of the mice were weighed and stained with HE to calculate the pathological scores. Peripheral blood was collected for blood cell detection and T cell classification. Results: Mice in each group had normal feeding, activity, and growth status, and no abnormality was observed. In the delayed allergy test, compared with the control group, the degree and rate of ear swelling in the low, medium and high dose groups were higher, the white blood cell count in the medium dose group was higher, and the absolute values of lymphocytes in the low and medium dose groups were higher (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the pathological scores of the thymus and spleen in the model group were higher (both P<0.05). In the immunosuppressive experiments in mice induced by polyinosinic acid, compared with the model group, the pathological score of the thymus in the high dose group was lower (P<0.05), and the boundary between the thymus cortex and medulla was improved. Conclusions Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. extract can increase the degree of ear swelling and peripheral blood white blood cell count in mice. High dose of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. extract can improve the thymus injury induced by polyinosinic acid, and has an immunomodulatory effect.

Objective: To investigate the trend in disease burden of injuries among children and adolescents in China from 1990 to 2021, so as to provide a basis for formulating prevention and control strategies and reducing this disease burden. Methods: Data on mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALY) rate, incidence, and prevalence of injuries among children and adolescents aged <20 years in China from 1990 to 2021 were collected from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database. All rates were standardized using the GBD 2021 world standard population. The trend in incidence of disease burden of injuries among children and adolescents across differents genders and ages from 1990 to 2021 was evaluated using average annual percent change (AAPC). Results: From 1990 to 2021, the standardized mortality (AAPC=-5.435%), standardized DALY rate (AAPC=-5.311%), standardized incidence (AAPC=-0.466%), and standardized prevalence (AAPC=-0.810%) of injuries among children and adolescents in China showed downward trends (all P<0.05). Among these, the standardized mortality of animal contact (AAPC=-9.138%) and the standardized DALY rate of medical side effects (AAPC=-8.389%) decreased at a relatively fast pace, while the standardized incidence of falls (AAPC=0.083%) and the standardized prevalence of exposure to natural forces (AAPC=2.656%) showed upward trends (all P<0.05). The standardized mortality, standardized DALY rate, standardized incidence and standardized prevalence of injuries were higher in males than in females. The trend in males showed a downward trend (all P<0.05), consistent with the total population. The crude incidence of injuries in the group aged 15-<20 years showed an upward trend (AAPC=0.391%, P<0.05), while the trend in the group aged 10-<15 years was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The crude incidence of injuries in the groups aged 5-<10 years and <5 years showed downward trends (AAPC=-0.488% and -2.275%, both P<0.05). In 2021, the <5 years age group had the highest crude mortality and crude DALY rate of injuries, at 13.94/100 000 and 1 257.26/100 000, respectively. The 15-<20 years age group exhibited the highest crude incidence and crude prevalence, at 4 874.05/100 000and 4 050.35/100 000, respectively. Drowning and falls were major components of the disease burden across all age groups. Conclusions From 1990 to 2021, the disease burden of injuries among children and adolescents in China showed an overall downward trend. The disease burden was consistently higher in males than in females. Children aged <5 years face a high risk of fatality and disability, while adolescents aged 15-<20 years experience a high incidence and frequency of injuries. Drowning and falls were key priorities for prevention and control.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture at "pelvic floor six needles" for mild to moderate female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: A total of 60 patients with mild to moderate female SUI were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases each group. The control group received Kegel exercise. The observation group received acupuncture at "pelvic floor six needles" on the basis of the treatment as the control group, bilateral Zhongliao (BL33), Zhibian (BL54), Huiyang (BL35), Shuidao (ST28), Dahe (KI12) and Guanyuan (CV4) were selected, once every other day, 3 times a week, 4 weeks as a course of treatment, a total of 2 courses were required. Before treatment and after 4, 8 weeks of treatment, urine leakage in 1 hour, International Consultation on Incontinence questionnaire short form (ICI-Q-SF) score, and incontinence quality of life questionnaire (I-QOL) score were observed in the two groups, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: After 8 weeks of treatment, urine leakage in 1 hour and ICI-Q-SF scores in both groups were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and urine leakage in 1 hour and ICI-Q-SF score in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After 4, 8 weeks of treatment, I-QOL scores were increased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the I-QOL scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.001). The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.3% (28/30), which was higher than 73.3% (22/30) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture at "pelvic floor six needles" could improve the clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with mild to moderate female SUI to a certain degree.
Humans ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Exercise Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Pelvic Floor/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Quality of Life

Objective:To understand the tobacco use situation and related factors among the occupational population in Beijing in 2018.Methods:The data were obtained from a special survey on “Healthy Beijing People—Ten-year Action Plan for Health Promotion (2009—2018)”. From June to September 2018, 12 908 participants were recruited from 16 districts of Beijing using the stratified sampling method combined with the typical sampling method. Questionnaires were conducted to collect basic information, work situations, tobacco exposure in public places, and smoking cessation. The Chi-square test was used to compare the differences in current smoking rates, smoking cessation rates and second-hand smoke exposure rates among participants with different characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors of tobacco use.Results:The present smoking rate of the occupational population in Beijing was 18.0% (95% CI: 17.3%-18.7%), and the passive smoking exposure rate of non-smokers was 61.0% (95% CI: 60.1%-61.9%). The smoking cessation rate among the working population was 22.2% (95% CI: 20.7%-23.7%), and the proportion of current smokers with the intention to quit was 63.9% (1 485/2 325). The present smoking rate of employees of different genders, ages, education levels and occupational nature showed statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that in males, compared with the age group of 16-29 years old, the risk of smoking increased in the age groups of 30-39 years old, 40-49 years old and over 50 years old [ OR (95% CI) values were 1.49 (1.27-1.74), 1.34 (1.13-1.59) and 1.30 (1.06-1.59)]. Compared with those with junior high school or lower education, participants with high school/vocational/college education group had a higher risk of smoking ( OR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.13-1.69), while those with master′s degree or above had a lower risk of smoking ( OR=0.30, 95% CI: 0.22-0.42). The physical workers ( OR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.11-1.47) had a higher risk of smoking than the mental workers. Conclusion:The current smoking rate among the occupational population in Beijing is lower than the national level during the same period, but the exposure rate to second-hand smoke is relatively high. Age, educational level, job nature and gender are related factors of smoking.

A convenience sampling method was employed to recruit 445 food service employees from 67 Chinese restaurants across all 16 administrative districts of Beijing City from August to December in 2022. A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding salt reduction and hypertension. The results revealed that awareness was highest for the statement "Hypertensive patients should reduce salt intake" (88.3%), while awareness of "China′s diagnostic criteria for hypertension" was the lowest (23.8%). Positive attitude endorsement rates were 96.0% for willingness to reduce salt, 95.3% for perceived self-efficacy in salt reduction, and 93.0% for agreement with a low-salt diet. Regarding behaviors, the rates of actively reducing salt when ordering takeout or dining out, using low-sodium salt, and using salt-reducing spoons were 73.7%, 45.4%, and 55.5%, respectively. The overall compliance rate for salt-reduction related behaviors was 73.9%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that: compared to the 18-29 age group, employees aged 30-39 ( OR=2.19, 95% CI: 1.16-4.14), 40-49 ( OR=3.36, 95% CI: 1.52-7.42), and 50-59 ( OR=3.25, 95% CI: 1.25-8.50) were significantly more likely to achieve compliance with salt-reduction behaviors; chefs were significantly more likely to achieve behavioral compliance compared to managerial staff ( OR=2.08, 95% CI: 1.08-3.98); employees in catering with adequate knowledge about salt reduction and hypertension were significantly more likely to exhibit behavioral compliance compared to those with inadequate knowledge ( OR=3.32, 95% CI: 1.83-5.92); employees in catering with positive attitudes towards salt reduction were significantly more likely to achieve behavioral compliance compared to those with negative attitudes ( OR=5.81, 95% CI: 2.05-16.43). In conclusion, food service employees in Beijing exhibit insufficient knowledge about salt intake and hypertension. While they demonstrate strong willingness to reduce salt, this does not consistently translate into action. Compliance with salt-reduction behaviors is influenced by age, education level, and job position. There is an urgent need to strengthen the dissemination of knowledge regarding high salt intake and hypertension and to implement personalized interventions targeting salt-reduction behaviors and skills.

Objective:To analyze the immunization status of routine vaccines for children aged 0-7 years old with special health status in Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, from 2023 to 2024.Methods:From April 2023 to March 2024, 42 vaccination units in Tianhe District, Guangzhou, were organized to collect data on diseases and vaccination history of children with special health status. Vaccination rates were calculated, and multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore the impact of special health status on vaccination rates.Results:A total of 1 976 children aged 0-7 years old with special health status were included, with an average of (1.26±0.58) diseases per participant. The average number of vaccine doses administered for routine immunizations was (14.29±4.27), and the full vaccination coverage was 72.76%. The vaccination rate of 10 doses in the immunization program vaccine was less than 90.00%. The timely rate of the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB1) was 74.14%, and that of the first dose of measles vaccine (MCV1) was 63.93%. Compared with children with infectious diseases, those with neonatal diseases were more likely to miss the third dose of poliomyelitis vaccine (PV3), MCV1 and the second dose of Group A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV-A2). Those with neuromuscular system diseases were more likely to miss PV3, MPSV-A2 and the first dose of Japanese encephalitis vaccine, live (JE-L1). Those with congenital heart disease were more likely to miss PV3, the third dose of diphtheria tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP3), MCV1, MPSV-A2, and JE-L1. Those with hematological disorders were more likely to miss PV3, MCV1, MPSV-A2, and JE-L1. Those with genetic diseases were more likely to miss MPSV-A2. Those with comorbidities were more likely to miss MCV1 and MPSV-A2. Those with neonatal diseases, neuromuscular system diseases, congenital heart disease, hematopoietic system diseases, genetic diseases, or comorbidities had difficulties in completing the full vaccination process.Conclusion:Children with special health conditions have lower rates of routine immunization and timely vaccination. More measures are needed to improve vaccination rates.

Objective To establish a method for the simultaneous determination of peimine,peiminine,and hupehenine in Juhong pills,to investigate the raw material usage of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.,and to preliminarily develop a detection approach for identifying adulteration with Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C.Hsia.Methods The high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadruple mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS)was performed on an Agilent Poroshell 120 SB C18 column(2.1 mm×100 mm,2.7 μm)with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-methanol(1∶1)and 0.1%formic acid under gradient elution.The flow rate was set at 0.3 mL·min-1.The column temperature was maintained at 35℃,and the injection volume was 2 μL.Electrospray ionization(ESI)in positive ion mode and multiple reaction monitoring were employed to quantify the three components in 170 batches of Juhong pills.Simulated positive samples with varying adulteration ratios of Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C.Hsia were prepared to establish a simple yet efficient detection limit for adulteration.Results Three components showed good linear correlation within their ranges(r≥0.997 5),and the averaged recoveries ranged from 92.0%-106.2%.A total of 61 batches were suspected of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.adulteration with Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C.Hsia in raw material inputs,with the peimine to peiminine ratio below 1.15.Among these samples,27 batches were large honey-bound pills with hupehenine levels of 2.636-9.939 μg·g-1;34 batches were water-honeyed pills showing significantly higher hupehenine contamination at 6.752-48.137 μg·g-1.Conclusion The established method is simple,reliable,and accurate for the quality control of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.adulteration in Juhong pills without imposing significant additional costs.

Objective To observe changes in voltage-dependent anion channel 3(VDAC3)in a mouse model of sepsis-induced myocardial injury and to explore its potential mechanism.Methods Twenty male C57BL/6J mice were divided randomly into a Sham group and Sepsis group,respectively(n=10 mice per group).Sepsis was induced by the cecal ligation and puncture(CLP).Serum levels of interleukin(IL)-6,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,creatine kinase MB(CK-MB),and cardiac troponin T(cTnT)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Pathological changes in heart tissue were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Structural and functional changes in the heart were evaluated by echocardiography.Changes in total glutathione,reduced glutathione(GSH),oxidized glutathione,and malondialdehyde(MDA)in heart tissue were detected by spectrophotometry.The morphological structure of mitochondria in mouse cardiomyocytes was observed by transmission electron microscopy.Expression levels of IL-6,IL-1β,VDAC3,glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),lipocalin-2(LCN2),and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2)mRNA were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and the localization and expression of VDAC3 and GPX4 proteins in mouse heart tissue were detected by immunofluorescence staining.The correlations between VDAC3 mRNA and GPX4,SLC7A11,PTGS2,LCN2,IL-6,and IL-1β mRNA were analyzed.Expression levels of VDAC3,GPX4,and SLC7A11 proteins were detected by Western blot.Results IL-6,TNF-α,CK-MB,and cTnT levels were significantly higher in the Sepsis group compared with the Sham group(P＜0.05).In the Sepsis group,myocardial fibers were torn,the ventricular wall was thickened and edematous,the mitochondrial membrane was ruptured,and mitochondrial cristae were broken or absent.GSH levels were significantly reduced in the Sepsis group(P＜0.05)and the lipid peroxide MDA was increased in the Sepsis group(P＜0.05)compared with the Sham group.VDAC3,GPX4 and SLC7A11 mRNA and protein levels were all lower in the Sepsis group compared with the Sham group(P＜0.05),while expression levels of IL-6,IL-1β,LCN2,and PTGS2 mRNA were increased(P＜0.05).VDAC3 mRNA was positively correlated with GPX4 and SLC7A11 mRNA levels,and negatively correlated with LCN2,PTGS2,IL-6,and IL-1β.Conclusions VDAC3 expression decreases in myocardial injury,and it may participate in the occurrence of sepsis-induced myocardial injury by regulating ferroptosis.

Promoting the international acceptance of clinical studies about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions is a key strategy for internationalization of TCM. However, the complexities of TCM interventions—in terms of the theories, practice patterns, and components—pose challenges to the design and implementation of clinical studies that are well accepted by the international community. This article summarized the current status of clinical studies about TCM interventions that were published in international journals, explored underlying barriers hindering the international acceptance, and discussed potential strategies for future development.

Promoting the international acceptance of clinical studies about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions is a key strategy for internationalization of TCM. However, the complexities of TCM interventions—in terms of the theories, practice patterns, and components—pose challenges to the design and implementation of clinical studies that are well accepted by the international community. This article summarized the current status of clinical studies about TCM interventions that were published in international journals, explored underlying barriers hindering the international acceptance, and discussed potential strategies for future development.