1.Longitudinal cohort study on pubertal development trajectories of testicular and breast development among children
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):408-412
Objective:
To characterize longitudinal trajectories of testicular development in boys and breast development in girls, so as to provide reference data for understanding patterns of pubertal sexual maturation.
Methods:
Based on the Shanghai Pudong New Area Cohort Study on Growth, Development and Health in Children and Adolescents, a baseline survey was conducted in 2020 using a mult stage cluster random sampling method. A total of 2 184 children who completed all follow ups during the primary school period from 13 elementary schools in Pudong New Area,Shanghai,with annual follow ups during 2021-2025. Testicular volume and Tanner stage of breast development were assessed by professional physicians using standardized visual inspection and palpation. The age distribution of testicular volume and breast development was fitted by using cumulative link mixed models and Turnbull s nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation method.
Results:
Median ages for testicular volumes of 2, 3, 4 and 5 mL in boys were 7.07, 9.24, 10.29, and 11.57 years old, respectively. Median ages for Tanner breast stages Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, and Ⅴ in girls were 8.55 , 10.17, 11.18, and 13.78 years old, respectively. Based on overweight and obesity, stratified analysis showed that earlier pubertal onset among overweight/obesity children, and the key milestones for pubertal initiation were testicular volume reaching 4 mL in boys and breast Tanner II in girls for 10.29, 10.83; 8.18, 9.00 years.
Conclusion
Overweight and obesity are associated with earlier pubertal initiation,but there are certain gender and developmental stage specific patterns.
2.A Case of Multidisciplinary Treatment for a Patient with Gorham-Stout Disease
Jing HU ; Ying JIN ; Yan ZHANG ; Ji LI ; Wenhui WANG ; Yue CHI ; Chunxu LI ; Zhenjie ZHANG ; Yaping LIU ; Xiaotian CHU ; Jin XU ; Min SHEN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(1):52-59
Gorham-Stout disease(GSD) is a rare osteolytic disorder characterized by spontaneous and progressive osteolysis, along with abnormal angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, with no new bone formation. We present a case of a 15-year-old female admitted due to " recurrent right leg pain for 5 years, 11 months after undergoing right femoral fracture surgery". Through comprehensive integration of the patient's clinical phenotype, laboratory tests, imaging findings, pathological examinations, and molecular biological test results, GSD was considered highly likely. A multidisciplinary treatment approach was conducted, including a combination of zoledronic acid and sirolimus to inhibit osteolysis, along with rehabilitation training and orthopedic intervention, providing a personalized and comprehensive treatment strategy.
3.A Case of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex with Multiple Organ Involvement Caused by TSC2 Gene Mutation
Hongli ZHANG ; Jiayuan DAI ; Yan WANG ; Weihong ZHANG ; Wenbin MA ; Hanhui FU ; Chunxia HE ; Jun ZHENG ; Wenda WANG ; Wei ZUO ; Yaping LIU ; Min SHEN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(1):60-67
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder primarily caused by pathogenic variants in the
4.Research progress on the mechanism of action and clinical application of Shenqi dihuang decoction in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy
Jiajie LI ; Jiaqi WANG ; Jie ZHAO ; Zezhu LI ; Yaping WANG ; Guirong ZHANG ; Heguo YAN ; Jiabao LIAO ; Weibo WEN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(8):1085-1091
Diabetic nephropathy(DN) is a common and severe microvascular complication of diabetes. In recent years, the classical herbal formula Shenqi dihuang decoction has demonstrated unique advantages in the clinical treatment of DN. This article conducts a systematic review of the mechanisms of action and clinical applications of Shenqi dihuang decoction in the treatment of DN. It reveals that the mechanism by which this formula improves DN involves multi-target synergistic regulation. For instance, Shenqi dihuang decoction exerts multiple pharmacological effects by regulating signaling pathways including phosphatidy linostiol 3-kinase/protein kinase B, AMP-activated protein kinase/silent information regulator 1/forkhead box O1, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 pathways.These effects include regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, inhibiting oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, improving insulin resistance, modulating cell death (apoptosis/autophagy/ferroptosis/pyroptosis), and preventing renal fibrosis. Existing clinical studies indicate that Shenqi dihuang decoction and its modified formulas, alone or in combination with other therapeutic methods, can significantly improve glucose and lipid metabolism, reduce proteinuria, and delay renal function decline in patients with DN. These effects are superior to those of Western medicines such as irbesartan, valsartan, and empagliflozin, and the treatment demonstrates good safety. Future research should leverage systems biology and artificial intelligence technologies to further elucidate the integrated mechanisms in the treatment of DN by Shenqi dihuang decoction, thereby advancing the precision and standardization of its clinical application.
5.Zishen Tiaogan Prescription Treats Diminished Ovarian Reserve in Rats via Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway
Zhongtong LI ; Yaping ZHANG ; Chen YOU ; Qingqing LI ; Yingjie WANG ; Siwen OU ; Taomei XUE ; Chuqi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):72-80
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Zishen Tiaogan prescription on the oxidative stress injury in the rat model of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and explore the role of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway. MethodsForty-eight female SD rats were randomly assigned into a normal group (n=12) and a modeling group (n=36). The rats in the modeling group received subcutaneous injection of galactose (350 mg·kg-1) combined with immobilization stress daily. After 28 days of modeling, 6 rats in the normal group and 6 rats in the modeling group were sacrificed to examine the modeling results. The successfully modeled rats were assigned into model, estradiol valerate (0.09 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (6.39, 12.78, 25.56 g·kg-1, respectively) Zishen Tiaogan prescription groups. The intervention lasted for 4 weeks with 6 animals per group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the estrous cycle and the pathological changes in the ovarian tissue. The ovarian index was calculated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of sex hormones and oxidative stress-related indexes. Western blot and real-time PCR were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels, respectively, of Nrf2, Keap1 and HO-1 in the ovarian tissue. The positive expression of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) in the ovarian tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed reduced follicles in the ovary, loose arrangement of the follicle granule layer, declined levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and estradiol (E2) in the serum, elevated levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (P<0.01), lowered levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) (P<0.01), and increased accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) (P<0.01). In addition, the modeling led to up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Keap1 (P<0.01), the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein was significantly decreased (P<0.01), the mRNA expression of Nrf2 was significantly decreased (P<0.05), the mRNA expression of HO-1 was significantly decreased (P<0.01), in the ovarian tissue. Compared with model group, the estradiol valerate and low-, medium-, and high-dose Zishen Tiaogan prescription groups showed increases in the ovarian index (P<0.01) and serum E2 and AMH levels (P<0.01), declined levels of FSH and LH (P<0.01), increased follicles in the ovary, elevated levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH, and reduced accumulation of MDA (P<0.05, P<0.01). Furthermore, these groups showcased down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Keap1 (P<0.01), the expression of Nrf2 protein was significantly increased (P<0.01), the expression level of HO-1 protein was increased (P<0.05,P<0.01), and increased positive expression of SOD2 (P<0.01). ConclusionZishen Tiaogan prescription can regulate the serum levels of hormones, down-regulate the expression of Keap1, up-regulate the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and SOD2, enhance the antioxidant capacity, and reduce the peroxidation damage in the ovarian tissue to improve the ovarian reserve function in the rat model of DOR. High-dose Zishen Tiaogan prescription demonstrated the best effect and the mechanism is associated with the regulation of the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
6.Zishen Tiaogan Prescription Treats Diminished Ovarian Reserve in Rats via Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway
Zhongtong LI ; Yaping ZHANG ; Chen YOU ; Qingqing LI ; Yingjie WANG ; Siwen OU ; Taomei XUE ; Chuqi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):72-80
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Zishen Tiaogan prescription on the oxidative stress injury in the rat model of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and explore the role of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway. MethodsForty-eight female SD rats were randomly assigned into a normal group (n=12) and a modeling group (n=36). The rats in the modeling group received subcutaneous injection of galactose (350 mg·kg-1) combined with immobilization stress daily. After 28 days of modeling, 6 rats in the normal group and 6 rats in the modeling group were sacrificed to examine the modeling results. The successfully modeled rats were assigned into model, estradiol valerate (0.09 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (6.39, 12.78, 25.56 g·kg-1, respectively) Zishen Tiaogan prescription groups. The intervention lasted for 4 weeks with 6 animals per group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the estrous cycle and the pathological changes in the ovarian tissue. The ovarian index was calculated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of sex hormones and oxidative stress-related indexes. Western blot and real-time PCR were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels, respectively, of Nrf2, Keap1 and HO-1 in the ovarian tissue. The positive expression of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) in the ovarian tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed reduced follicles in the ovary, loose arrangement of the follicle granule layer, declined levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and estradiol (E2) in the serum, elevated levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (P<0.01), lowered levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) (P<0.01), and increased accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) (P<0.01). In addition, the modeling led to up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Keap1 (P<0.01), the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein was significantly decreased (P<0.01), the mRNA expression of Nrf2 was significantly decreased (P<0.05), the mRNA expression of HO-1 was significantly decreased (P<0.01), in the ovarian tissue. Compared with model group, the estradiol valerate and low-, medium-, and high-dose Zishen Tiaogan prescription groups showed increases in the ovarian index (P<0.01) and serum E2 and AMH levels (P<0.01), declined levels of FSH and LH (P<0.01), increased follicles in the ovary, elevated levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH, and reduced accumulation of MDA (P<0.05, P<0.01). Furthermore, these groups showcased down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Keap1 (P<0.01), the expression of Nrf2 protein was significantly increased (P<0.01), the expression level of HO-1 protein was increased (P<0.05,P<0.01), and increased positive expression of SOD2 (P<0.01). ConclusionZishen Tiaogan prescription can regulate the serum levels of hormones, down-regulate the expression of Keap1, up-regulate the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and SOD2, enhance the antioxidant capacity, and reduce the peroxidation damage in the ovarian tissue to improve the ovarian reserve function in the rat model of DOR. High-dose Zishen Tiaogan prescription demonstrated the best effect and the mechanism is associated with the regulation of the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
7.Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Steroid-Induced Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head via Regulating PI3K/Akt Pathway: A Review
Yaqi ZHANG ; Bo LI ; Jiancheng TANG ; Ran DING ; Cheng HUANG ; Yaping XU ; Qidong ZHANG ; Weiguo WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):141-149
Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH) is a severe musculoskeletal disorder often induced by the prolonged or excessive use of glucocorticoids. Characterized by ischemia of bone cells, necrosis, and trabecular fractures, SONFH is accompanied by pain, femoral head collapse, and joint dysfunction, which can lead to disability in severe cases. The pathogenesis of SONFH involves hormone-induced osteoblast apoptosis, bone microvascular endothelial cell (BMEC) apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in the development of the disease. Modulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway can promote Akt phosphorylation, thereby stimulating the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts, promoting angiogenesis in BMECs, and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis. The research on the treatment of SONFH with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained increasing attention. Recent studies have shown that TCM monomers and compounds have potential therapeutic effect on SONFH by intervening in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These studies not only provide a scientific basis for the application of TCM in the treatment of SONFH but also offer new ideas for the development of new therapeutic strategies. This review summarized the progress in Chinese and international research on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in SONFH over the past five years. It involved the composition and transmission mechanisms of the signaling pathway, as well as its regulatory effects on osteoblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, osteoclasts, BMECs, and other cells. Additionally, the review explored the TCM understanding of SONFH and the application of TCM monomers and compounds in the intervention of the PI3K/Akt pathway. By systematically analyzing and organizing these research findings, this article aimed to provide references and point out directions for the clinical prevention and treatment of SONFH and promote further development of TCM in this field. With in-depth research on the PI3K/Akt pathway and the modern application of TCM, it is expected to bring safer and more effective treatment options for patients with SONFH.
8.Study on stir-frying process of Platycodon grandiflorum and its protective effect on acute lung injury in mice before and after stir-frying
Xiaotian HAN ; Lei WANG ; Yaping WANG ; Yaling YANG ; Bin QI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(13):1587-1592
OBJECTIVE To optimize the stir-frying process of Platycodon grandiflorum, compare the protective effect of P. grandiflorum on lung injury in mice before and after stir-frying, and preliminarily explore the characteristics of “enhanced efficacy through processing” of stir-frying P. grandiflorum. METHODS On the basis of single-factor experiment, the stir-frying time, temperature and frequency were taken as factors, and the comprehensive scores of appearance traits, platycodin D content and alcohol extract content were taken as indexes. Box-Behnken response surface experiment was designed to optimize the stir-frying process of P. grandiflorum and verify it. The mice were divided into blank control group, model group, dexamethasone group (positive control drug, 5 mg/kg), P. grandiflorum low-dose and high-dose groups (0.6,1.2 g/kg), fried P. grandiflorum low and high dose groups (0.6, 1.2 g/kg), with 8 mice in each group. The treatment was given once a day for 10 consecutive days. After the last administration, acute lung injury model was established by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in serum and superoxide dismutase (SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in lung tissue were detected, lung wet/dry weight ratio and thymus index were calculated, and the pathological changes of lung tissue were observed. RESULTS The optimum processing conditions were as follows:stir- frying temperature of 120 ℃, stir-frying time of 12 min, stir-frying frequency of 19 r/min; the comprehensive scores of the three batches of process verification were all greater than 97 points, RSD<3% (n=3). The results of pharmacodynamic experiments showed that compared with blank control group, the lung dry-wet weight ratio as well as the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, MPO and MDA in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01), the thymus index and SOD level were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the lung tissue was significantly damaged. Compared with model group, above indexes of the mice in each administration group were significantly improved (P<0.01), and the lung tissue injury was significantly reduced. At the same dose, except for the lung dry-wet weight ratio, the above indexes of the mice in the stir-fried P. grandiflorum groups were significantly improved compared with P. grandiflorum 涵。E-mail:495758271@qq.com groups (P<0.05), and the lung tissue damage was further reduced. CONCLUSIONS The optimized stir-frying process is stable and feasible. The protective effect of stir-fried P.grandiflorum on acute lung injury in mice is better than that of raw products at the same dosage.
9.A Case of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Complicated with Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Ruzhen GAO ; Xinmiao FAN ; Wei GU ; Tengyu YANG ; Zhuhua ZHANG ; Tao WANG ; Mingsheng MA ; Zenan XIA ; Hanhui FU ; Yaping LIU ; Xiaowei CHEN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(3):348-354
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) presents with a diverse range of symptoms that can affect the skin, bones, eyes, central nervous system, and other organs. This article reports the diagnosis and treatment process of a patient with NF1 complicated by bilateral severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss. Genetic testing revealed a heterozygous variant of
10.Clinical features of hepatitis B virus-related early-onset and late-onset liver cancer: A comparative analysis
Songlian LIU ; Bo LI ; Yaping WANG ; Aiqi LU ; Chujing LI ; Lihua LIN ; Qikai NING ; Ganqiu LIN ; Pei ZHOU ; Yujuan GUAN ; Jianping LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(9):1837-1844
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical features of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related early-onset liver cancer and those with late-onset liver cancer, to assess the severity of the disease, and to provide a theoretical basis for the early diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 695 patients who were diagnosed with HBV-related liver cancer for the first time in Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, from January 2019 to August 2023, among whom 93 had early-onset liver cancer (defined as an age of50 years for female patients and40 years for male patients) and 602 had late-onset liver cancer (defined as an age of ≥50 years for female patients and ≥40 years for male patients). Related clinical data were collected, including demographic data, clinical symptoms at initial diagnosis, comorbidities, smoking history, drinking history, family history, routine blood test results, biochemical parameters of liver function, serum alpha-fetoprotein(AFP), virological indicators, coagulation function, and imaging findings. The pan-inflammatory indices neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) were calculated, as well as FIB-4 index, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), S index, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score, albumin-bilirubin (AIBL) grade, and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test were used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. ResultsThere were significant differences between the two groups in the proportion of male patients and the incidence rates of diabetes, hypertension, and fatty liver disease (χ2=6.357, 15.230, 11.467, and 14.204, all P0.05), and compared with the late-onset liver cancer group, the early-onset liver cancer group had a significantly higher proportion of patients progressing to liver cancer without underlying cirrhosis (χ2=24.657, P0.001) and a significantly higher proportion of patients with advanced BCLC stage (χ2=6.172, P=0.046). For the overall population, the most common clinical symptoms included abdominal distension, abdominal pain, poor appetite, weakness, a reduction in body weight, edema of both lower limbs, jaundice, yellow urine, and nausea, and 55 patients (7.9%) had no obvious symptoms at the time of diagnosis and were found to have liver cancer by routine reexamination, physical examination suggesting an increase in AFP, or radiological examination indicating hepatic space-occupying lesion; compared with the late-onset liver cancer group, the patients in the early-onset liver cancer group were more likely to have the symptoms of abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and jaundice (all P0.05). Compared with the late-onset liver cancer group, the early-onset liver cancer group had a significantly larger tumor diameter (Z=2.845, P=0.034), with higher prevalence rates of multiple tumors and intrahepatic, perihepatic, or distant metastasis (χ2=5.889 and 4.079, both P0.05), and there were significant differences between the two groups in tumor location and size (χ2=3.948 and 11.317, both P0.05). Compared with the late-onset liver cancer group, the early-onset liver cancer group had significantly lower FIB-4 index, proportion of patients with HBsAg ≤1 500 IU/mL, and levels of LMR and Cr (all P0.05), as well as significantly higher positive rate of HBeAg and levels of log10 HBV DNA, AFP, WBC, Hb, PLT, NLR, PLR, TBil, ALT, Alb, and TC (all P0.05). ConclusionCompared with late-onset liver cancer, patients with early-onset liver cancer tend to develop liver cancer without liver cirrhosis and have multiple tumors, obvious clinical symptoms, and advanced BCLC stage, which indicates a poor prognosis.


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