ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.

ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.

The blood-brain barrier （BBB） is a physical and biochemical barrier that precisely regulates brain homeostasis and plays a central role in controlling the transport of endogenous and exogenous drugs and related metabolites across the blood-brain interface. These functions of the BBB are mediated by its major components， including brain microvascular endothelial cells （BMECs）， tight junction protein complexes， and influx and efflux transporter proteins. One of the pathological features of ischemic stroke （IS） is BBB disruption， which plays an important role in the development of post-stroke brain injury and subsequent neurological dysfunction. Therefore， given the increasing incidence of IS， there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic strategies to prevent BBB dysfunction and thereby protect injured brain tissue after IS. This study describes the pathological mechanisms by which BMEC injury after IS leads to BBB dysfunction and elucidates the association between BMECs and IS， including the regulation of apoptosis， autophagy， inflammatory responses， oxidative stress， neurotoxic effects， and cerebral edema. In addition， this article summarizes Chinese herbal medicines that may prevent and treat IS by targeting BMECs. These include monomeric compounds and single herbs such as flavonoids， glycosides， phenols， phthalides， terpenoids， and Styrax. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） compound formulas and preparations include oral formulations such as Buyang Huanwu decoction， Sailuotong， Naoxintong capsules， Dandeng Tongnao capsules， and Shexiang Tongxin dropping pills， as well as injectable preparations such as Tongluo Jiunao injection， Xingnaojing injection， Danshen polyphenolic acid for injection， Yiqi Fumai injection， and Shuxuetong injection. This study aims to explore the protective effects of TCM against IS through targeted regulation of BMEC function， providing new insights into the mechanisms of IS and endovascular therapeutic strategies.

This paper summarized professor ZHANG Boli's experience in syndrome differentiation and treatment of metabolic syndrome （MetS） based on the theory of "diseases related to damp， turbidity， phlegm， and rheum". It is considered that damp， turbidity， phlegm， and rheum are the key pathological factors in the onset of MetS. The core pathogenesis of this disease includes the failure of the liver to govern the free flow of qi， the depletion of spleen and kidney， and the accumulation and impairment caused by damp， turbidity， phlegm， and rheum. It is important to emphasize early intervention， sequential treatment， and thorough elimination of pathogenic factors. The treatment takes fortifying the spleen and promoting middle jiao （焦）， soothing the liver and regulating qi， and tonifying the kidney to restore transformation as the fundamental principles. Furthermore， targeted treatments are implemented according to the evolution of damp， turbidity， phlegm， and rheum， including treating damp early， examining the tongue coating to eliminate turbidity， differentiating and treating concurrent phlegm， and applying warm dredging moderately. At the same time， specific medicinals are combined based on abnormal indicators such as blood glucose， blood lipids， blood pressure， and uric acid， aiming to address both root causes and symptoms simultaneously.

ObjectiveTo summarize the research results on the toxic mechanism and the relevant regulatory policies at home and abroad of pyrrolizidine alkaloids （PAs）， the main toxic components， in Senecionis Scandentis Herba， thereby providing insights into the clinical use and scientific regulation of Senecionis Scandentis Herba. MethodsMultiple Chinese and English databases including PubMed， ScienceDirect， Elsevier， China national knowledge infrastructure （CNKI）， Wanfang Data， and VIP were searched， with "Senecio，" "PSenecio scandens，" and "pyrrolizidine alkaloids" as search terms. The relevant articles published from 1959 to 2025 were retrieved and analyzed， and 79 articles were finally selected for review. ResultsThe chemical components of Senecionis Scandentis Herba include alkaloids， flavonoids， volatile oils， sesquiterpenes， jacaranone derivatives， and organic acids， among which alkaloids are the most toxic components， followed by jacaranone derivatives. PAs are metabolized into highly active pyrrole derivatives in the liver， which can cause serious adverse reactions such as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome and DNA damage. The content of PAs varies significantly due to the origin， harvest period， and medicinal parts. There have been reports of clinical liver injury caused by preparations containing Senecionis Scandentis Herba， and some preparations have a daily intake of PAs exceeding the international safety threshold. Currently， international organizations have set limited standards for PAs， while China only controls the content of adonifoline， and the supervision is not yet perfect. ConclusionAlthough Senecionis Scandentis Herba has medicinal value， its PAs have significant toxicological properties. This is a problem that cannot be ignored and needs to be overcome in the use of Senecionis Scandentis Herba. Therefore， it is necessary to strengthen the quality control of raw materials， establish a more comprehensive limited standard for PAs， and optimize the medication strategy in combination with traditional Chinese medicine theory to ensure the safety of clinical medication.

ObjectiveTo summarize the research results on the toxic mechanism and the relevant regulatory policies at home and abroad of pyrrolizidine alkaloids （PAs）， the main toxic components， in Senecionis Scandentis Herba， thereby providing insights into the clinical use and scientific regulation of Senecionis Scandentis Herba. MethodsMultiple Chinese and English databases including PubMed， ScienceDirect， Elsevier， China national knowledge infrastructure （CNKI）， Wanfang Data， and VIP were searched， with "Senecio，" "PSenecio scandens，" and "pyrrolizidine alkaloids" as search terms. The relevant articles published from 1959 to 2025 were retrieved and analyzed， and 79 articles were finally selected for review. ResultsThe chemical components of Senecionis Scandentis Herba include alkaloids， flavonoids， volatile oils， sesquiterpenes， jacaranone derivatives， and organic acids， among which alkaloids are the most toxic components， followed by jacaranone derivatives. PAs are metabolized into highly active pyrrole derivatives in the liver， which can cause serious adverse reactions such as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome and DNA damage. The content of PAs varies significantly due to the origin， harvest period， and medicinal parts. There have been reports of clinical liver injury caused by preparations containing Senecionis Scandentis Herba， and some preparations have a daily intake of PAs exceeding the international safety threshold. Currently， international organizations have set limited standards for PAs， while China only controls the content of adonifoline， and the supervision is not yet perfect. ConclusionAlthough Senecionis Scandentis Herba has medicinal value， its PAs have significant toxicological properties. This is a problem that cannot be ignored and needs to be overcome in the use of Senecionis Scandentis Herba. Therefore， it is necessary to strengthen the quality control of raw materials， establish a more comprehensive limited standard for PAs， and optimize the medication strategy in combination with traditional Chinese medicine theory to ensure the safety of clinical medication.

Objective To compare postoperative major adverse events in patients with triple-vessel disease undergoing complete versus incomplete revascularization during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patient data from Tianjin Chest Hospital who underwent primary isolated CABG surgery between 2019 and 2020. Patients were divided into a complete revascularization group and an incomplete revascularization group based on the revascularization status. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used for risk adjustment. Results A total of 1 419 patients were included in the study, with 1 086 (76.5%) undergoing complete revascularization. IPTW analysis showed that complete revascularization could reduce the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events [HR=0.596, 95%CI (0.404, 0.880), P=0.010] and angina [HR=0.560, 95%CI (0.377, 0.823), P=0.004]. Conclusion In patients with multivessel coronary artery disease, complete revascularization may be associated with improved patient outcomes.

With the aging of the global population， osteoporosis （OP） is becoming a major public health concern worldwide. Currently， the commonly used anti-osteoporosis drugs in clinical practice have limited application due to many side effects. Therefore， developing more effective and safer strategies for the prevention and treatment of OP has become a research focus in this field. In recent years， the clinical efficacy and advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in treating OP have been gradually recognized. With the deepening pharmacological research on TCM for OP prevention and treatment， it is found that the active ingredients of Scutellaria baicalensis can promote bone formation or inhibit bone resorption by regulating signaling pathways， including Wnt/β-catenin， osteoprotegerin （OB）/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand （RANKL）/RANK （OPG/RANKL/RANK）， and bone morphogenetic protein 2 （BMP-2）/Smad， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， and mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）. However， existing research on active ingredients of S. baicalensis for OP treatment is scattered， making it difficult for scholars to gain a systematic understanding of its research and application. This review summarized the literature on the active ingredients of S. baicalensis in OP treatment worldwide， clarified their mechanisms of action， and explored some issues， providing references for the integration of TCM in OP prevention and treatment.

With the aging of the global population， osteoporosis （OP） is becoming a major public health concern worldwide. Currently， the commonly used anti-osteoporosis drugs in clinical practice have limited application due to many side effects. Therefore， developing more effective and safer strategies for the prevention and treatment of OP has become a research focus in this field. In recent years， the clinical efficacy and advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in treating OP have been gradually recognized. With the deepening pharmacological research on TCM for OP prevention and treatment， it is found that the active ingredients of Scutellaria baicalensis can promote bone formation or inhibit bone resorption by regulating signaling pathways， including Wnt/β-catenin， osteoprotegerin （OB）/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand （RANKL）/RANK （OPG/RANKL/RANK）， and bone morphogenetic protein 2 （BMP-2）/Smad， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， and mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）. However， existing research on active ingredients of S. baicalensis for OP treatment is scattered， making it difficult for scholars to gain a systematic understanding of its research and application. This review summarized the literature on the active ingredients of S. baicalensis in OP treatment worldwide， clarified their mechanisms of action， and explored some issues， providing references for the integration of TCM in OP prevention and treatment.

Objective: To investigate the basic situation of pre-analytical quality management in blood station laboratories in North China, and to provide baseline data for promoting the homogenization and standardization of these pre-analytical processes in each blood station laboratory. Methods: A cross-sectional status survey was designed based on the quality management regulations of blood stations, ISO15189 standards and relevant quality management requirements. This survey covering various aspects including laboratory general situation, sample collection and temporary storage, transportation, reception, and quality continuous improvement situations. Data analysis was performed on the survey results of each laboratory. Results: All the 38 blood station laboratories in North China had established a pre-analytical quality management system framework and implemented basic pre-analytical quality control activities; however, there were differences in implementation. 1) Among the 12 basic quality items, 3 items were monitored by all the investigated laboratories (100%), 6 items were monitored by the vast majority of laboratories (about 90%), and 3 items were monitored by a portion of laboratories (about 60%). There were no significant differences in the monitoring index among the three regions and among different types of laboratories (P>0.05). 2) Among the total of 26 items in the three key processes before testing (sample collection and storage, transportation, reception and processing), 12 items were monitored by all laboratories (100%), 11 items were monitored by the vast majority of laboratories (about 90%), and 3 items were monitored by a portion of laboratories (about 75%). There were no significant differences in monitoring index among different regions and types of laboratories (P>0.05). Conclusion: This survey provides a reference and basis for the gap analysis of the pre-analytical process quality management in 38 blood station laboratories across North China. It facilitates laboratories in identifying pre-analytical quality problems, resolving problems, preventing errors, and ensuring that the quality of blood samples before testing meets the established requirements. It lays a foundation for the homogenization of pre-analytical quality management in regional blood stations.