OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects and mechanism of astragaloside Ⅳ （AS- Ⅳ ） on lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced neuroinflammation. METHODS BV2 cells were divided into control group， LPS group， AS-Ⅳ groups at concentrations of 20 and 40 μmol/L， and dexamethasone group （2 μmol/L）. Except for control group， neuroinflammation model was established with LPS （1 μg/mL） in other groups after medication. The levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and nitric oxide （NO）] in cell supernatant were measured in each group. Mice were randomly divided into normal group， model group， positive control group （Aspirin enteric-coated tablet， 20 mg/kg）， AS-Ⅳ low- and high-dose groups （10， 20 mg/kg）， with 6 mice in each group. Mice in each group were administered the corresponding drug/normal saline via gavage/intraperitoneal injection， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. Except for normal group， other groups were intraperitoneally injected with LPS （250 μg/kg） 1 hour after daily administration of the drug/normal saline to establish neuroinflammation model. Serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were measured 2 h after the last medication； histopathological morphology of cerebral tissue in mice were observed； the co-localization of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）/ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1 （Iba1） and CD206/Iba1 in the cerebral cortex region of mice was observed； the expressions of proteins related to the nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）/mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） signaling pathway in brain tissue of mice were also determined， including NF-κB p65， phosphorylated NF-κB p65（p-NF-κB p65）， p38 MAPK， phosphorylated p38 MAPK （p-p38 MAPK）， extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK）， and phosphorylated ERK （p-ERK）. RESULTS In the cell experiments， compared with control group， the levels of IL-6， TNF- α and NO in the cell supernatant of the LPS group were increased significantly （P＜0.05）； compared with LPS group， the levels of IL-6， TNF-α and NO were decreased significantly in the administration groups （P＜0.05）. In the animal experiments， compared with the normal group， the serum levels of IL-6 and TNF- α， the number of iNOS/Iba1 co-localization positive cells in the cerebral cortex， and the phosphorylation levels of p38 MAPK， NF- κB p65 and ERK proteins in brain tissue were all significantly increased/elevated in model group （P＜0.05）； the number of CD206/ Iba1 co-localization positive cells in the cerebral cortex region significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. The neurons in the cerebral cortex and the CA3 region of the hippocampus displayed a disordered arrangement. Compared with model group， above quantitative indexes of mice were all reversed significantly in administration groups （P＜0.05）； the neuronal cells in the cerebral cortex and the CA3 region of the hippocampus exhibited a relatively orderly arrangement. CONCLUSIONS AS-Ⅳ may inhibit the activation of the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway， promote the M2-type polarization of microglia， and thereby suppress neuroinflammatory responses.

OBJECTIVE To study the ameliorative effect and mechanism of Forsythia suspensa-Lonicera japonica herb pair on acute lung injury （ALI） based on serum exosomal microRNA （miRNA）. METHODS The rats were randomly divided into a blank group （normal saline）， model group （nomal saline）， and F. suspensa-L. japonica herb pair group （2.55 g/kg）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for the blank group， the other groups were used to establish an ALI model by intratracheal dripping of 5 mg/ mL lipopolysaccharides. After modeling， each group was given relevant medicine/normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for 3 consecutive days. After the last medication， the pathological status of lung tissue was observed； lung wet-to-dry weight ratio and leukocyte counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） were determined. The levels of inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-10] in BALF were determined. Exosomes were isolated from rat serum， and high- throughput sequencing technology was employed to screen differentially expressed miRNA within the exosomes， followed by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） enrichment analysis. Based on the screened differentially expressed miRNA and the enriched KEGG pathways， in vitro cellular experiments were conducted for validation. RESULTS The animal experimental results demonstrated that after intervention with the F. suspensa-L. japonica herb pair， the wet-to-dry weight ratio， the number of leukocytes in BALF， as well as the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in BALF of ALI rats were all significantly reduced （P＜0.01）， while the level of IL-10 was significantly increased （P＜0.01）. The results of high-throughput sequencing experiments revealed that the F. suspensa-L. japonica herb pair could significantly up-regulate the expressions of miR-345-3p， miR-194-5p， miR-653-5p， and others in exosomes. Among them， the KEGG pathways involved in the target genes of differentially expressed miRNA included the hypoxia-inducible factor-1（HIF-1） signaling pathway， among others. The results of cellular E-mail：huang.haiying@126.com validation experiments showed that overexpressed miR-345-3p could significantly elevate the level of IL-10 in the cell supernatant （P＜0.01）， while significantly reducing the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the cell supernatant， as well as the mRNA and protein expression levels of protein kinase B1， phosphatidylinositol 3- kinase， and HIF-1α （P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS F. suspensa-L. japonica herb pair can alleviate inflammatory responses and thereby exert a therapeutic effect in improving ALI by up-regulating the expression of miR-345-3p in serum exosomes and inhibiting the activity of the HIF-1 signaling pathway.

Objective To analyze the unexamined items and situations in occupational health examinations of radiation workers, and provide a reference for the revision of occupational health examination standards for radiation workers. Methods A total of 29 630 radiation workers who underwent occupational health examinations at The Third People’s Hospital of Henan Province in 2023 were selected, and the non-examination rates were statistically analyzed according to occupation, gender, and age. Results The overall non-examination rate of non-medical radiation workers was significantly lower than that of the medical radiation workers (P<0.05). The non-examination rate of chest X-rays among medical radiation workers was significantly higher than that of non-medical radiation workers (P<0.05), while no significant differences were found in other items (P>0.05). Gender-stratified analysis showed that the non-examination rate of routine urine tests was higher in females than in males in both medical and non-medical radiation workers (P<0.05). Age-stratified analysis revealed no significant differences in non-examination rates among different age groups in non-medical radiation workers (P>0.05), whereas the chest X-ray non-examination rate was relatively high in medical radiation workers under 30 years old (P<0.05). Conclusion Significant differences were observed in the non-examination rates of occupational health examinations among radiation workers based on occupation, gender, and age. The overall non-examination rate was relatively low in non-medical radiation workers.

OBJECTIVE To form an expert consensus on the clinical application of parenteral direct thrombin inhibitors （DTIs） in patients during the perioperative period. METHODS Led by Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital （the Affiliated Hospital of UESTC）， a multidisciplinary working group was established. Through literature review and the Delphi method， clinical questions related to the rational perioperative use of parenteral DTIs were identified. A structured design was adopted using the “Population-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome” framework； systematic searches were conducted in CNKI， Medline， Embase and other databases. Relevant evidence from randomized controlled trials and cohort studies was included and synthesized. Evidence quality was assessed using the Grades of Recommendations Assessment，Development and Evaluation （GRADE） approach， and recommendations were formulated through multiple rounds of Delphi surveys and expert consensus meetings. RESULTS &CONCLUSIONS Seven recommendations （each with an expert consensus rate exceeding 90%） on the use of parenteral DTIs in perioperative patients were developed. These recommendations specify drug selection， dosing ranges， key monitoring points， and safety management strategies for parenteral DTIs in various scenarios， including the perioperative period of ventricular assist device implantation， the perioperative period of cardiac surgery， perioperative patients with lower-extremity atherosclerotic disease， the perioperative period of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome， the perioperative period of carotid artery stenting in patients with carotid stenosis， the perioperative period of patients with right heart thrombosis， and patients who develop related thrombosis and dysfunction after a central venous catheter insertion. In addition， warning and management pathways for perioperative bleeding and thrombotic events were proposed. This expert consensus， which is formulated based on the best available evidence， provides evidence-based guidance for standardized and individualized use of parenteral DTIs in perioperative period.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of Bushen huoxue formula in improving pregnancy outcomes in mice with antiphospholipid antibody-related recurrent spontaneous abortion （aPL-RSA）. METHODS SPF female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group， adjuvant control group， model group， and Bushen huoxue formula group. The aPL-RSA mouse model was established by immunization with β 2 glycoproteinⅠcombined with Freund’s adjuvant. From gestational day 0， the Bushen huoxue formula group was administered 1.653 6 g/（kg·d） of the prescription by gavage， while the other three groups received an equal volume of normal saline， twice daily for 15 consecutive days. The uterine appearance of pregnant mice was observed； individual embryo weight was recorded， and the embryo resorption rate was calculated. The proportion of activated CD41 + CD62p + platelets in platelet-rich plasma （PRP） was detected. Serum levels of thromboxane B2 （TXB2） and platelet factor 4 （PF4） were measured. Morphological changes of placental tissue were observed. The cell apoptosis rate of placental tissue was detected. The levels of malondialdehyde （MDA） content， tot al superoxide dismutase （T-SOD） activity， the interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and IL-18， the protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-3 （MMP-3）， MMP-9， nuclear proliferation antigen-67 （Ki67）， superoxide dismutase 2 （SOD2）， Nod-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， and caspase-1， as well as the mRNA expressions of superoxide dismutase 2（SOD2）， NLRP3， ASC and caspase-1 of placental tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with the normal control group and adjuvant control group， the model group showed significant decreases in individual embryo weight， T-SOD activity of placental tissue， and relative expression levels of SOD2 mRNA and protein （ P ＜0.05）； while significant increases were observed in embryo resorption rate， proportion of activated CD41 + CD62p + platelets in PRP， serum levels of TXB2 and PF4， placental cell apoptosis rate， MDA content in placental tissue， relative protein expressions of MMP-3， MMP-9 and Ki67， relative protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3， ASC and caspase-1 as well as IL-1β and IL-18 levels （ P ＜0.05）. The model group also exhibited irregular uterine morphology with localized atrophy in some uterine horns； placental tissue showed fragmentation of decidual cells， extensive vacuolization and necrosis of trophoblast cells in the labyrinthine zone， accompanied by vascular reduction. After intervention with Bushen huoxue formula， the above indicators were significantly reversed （ P ＜0.05）， and uterine morphology and pathological damage were markedly improved. CONCLUSIONS Bushen huoxue formula can effectively improve pregnancy outcomes in aPL-RSA model mice， and its mechanism may be closely related to inhibiting platelet activation， reducing oxidative stress injury， enhancing trophoblast cell function， and suppressing the inflammatory response mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

Triptolide （TP）， the core active component of the traditional Chinese medicine Tripterygium wilfordii ， exhibits remarkable pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory， immunosuppressive and anti-tumor effects， and holds broad application prospects in the treatment of major diseases such as autoimmune diseases and malignant tumors. However， TP has a narrow therapeutic window and causes multi-organ toxicities including liver， kidney and reproductive toxicities， which severely restrict its safe clinical application and new drug development. Therefore， toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement has become a core scientific problem urgently to be solved in this field. This paper systematically reviews the four core strategies for TP toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement， including structural modification， dosage form improvement， herbal compatibility， and external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine. Among them， structural modification optimizes the toxic and efficacy characteristics of TP from the molecular structure level， with typica l derivatives including （5 R ）-5-hydroxy triptolide， ZT01， PG490-88， etc. Dosage form modification achieves toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement via targeted and sustained-controlled drug release of diverse delivery systems. It includes triptolide preparations such as nanoparticles， liposomes， microemulsion gels and liquid crystals， possessing favorable clinical transformation potential. The herbal compatibility and external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine conform to the holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine and have a profound clinical application foundation， but their mechanisms of action are insufficiently elucidated， and they lack unified standardized specifications and high-quality evidence-based proof. In the future， we should rely on multi-omics technology to elucidate the toxic and efficacy mechanisms， integrate technologies to optimize preparations， improve the evaluation system and promote clinical transformation.

Objective To investigate the screening results and factors affecting abnormal detection rates among high-risk groups of esophageal cancer and to explore effective intervention measures. Methods We investigated and collected the information on gender, education level, age, marital status, symptoms of reflux esophagitis (heartburn, acid reflux, belching, hiccup, foreign body sensation in the pharynx, and difficulty swallowing), consumption of pickled vegetables, salt use, and esophageal cancer incidence of villagers in a natural village in Wenfeng District, Anyang City, Henan Province. Changes in reflux esophagitis symptoms in the high-incidence area of esophageal cancer before and after 16 years were observed, and the relationship of such changes with esophageal cancer was analyzed. Results In 2008, 711 cases were epidemiologically investigated, including 213 cases with one of the symptoms of reflux esophagitis such as heartburn, acid reflux, belching, hiccups, foreign body sensation in the pharynx, and difficulty swallowing (sorted in accordance with the abovementioned symptoms; if there are multiple symptoms, then the former is taken); 55 cases with at least two related symptoms, among which the most symptom was heartburn in 108 cases (15.1%); followed by acid reflux, belching, etc. In 2024, the same group of people was investigated, and eight people were missing because of relocation. A total of 703 people were successfully investigated, of which 189 cases (26.8%) had one of the symptoms of reflux esophagitis, such as heartburn (sorted in accordance with relevant symptoms, if there are multiple symptoms, then the former will be selected); 167 cases (23.7%) had at least two related symptoms, among which the most symptom was heartburn in 139 cases (19.7%); followed by acid reflux. Over 16 years, among the 703 people investigated, 45 cases had esophageal cancer and they had one or more of the abovementioned symptoms. No significant differences in the reflux esophagitis-like symptoms were found between 2008 and 2024 (P=0.26); no significant differences in the composition of reflux esophagitis-like symptoms were found between 2008 and 2024 (P=0.299). Conclusion The detection rate of reflux esophagitis-related symptoms in the population in a high-risk area of esophageal cancer has not decreased in the past 16 years, and the high-risk factors still exist. Esophageal cancer is closely related to reflux esophagitis, and clinical practice can provide early diagnosis and treatment for high-risk population.

Regulatory T cells （Tregs） can clear autoreactive lymphocytes， induce self-tolerance， and suppress inflammatory response. As the energy factories of cells， mitochondria are critical for the function， differentiation， and survival of Tregs. Studies have found Treg abnormalities and mitochondrial damage in patients with central nervous system autoimmune diseases， such as multiple sclerosis， neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder， and autoimmune encephalitis. However， the role of mitochondrial-regulated Tregs in central nervous system autoimmune diseases remains inconclusive. Therefore， this review focuses on the effects of mitochondrial damage on Tregs in central nervous system autoimmune diseases and the possible mitochondrial therapeutic targets.

Objective To investigate the relationship between tooth loss and the occurrence of esophageal cancer in a natural village in Wenfeng District, Anyang City, Henan Province. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted to observe the occurrence of tooth loss and esophageal cancer among the asymptomatic residents of the natural village for 16 years from January 2008 to July 2024. Data were analyzed by chi-square test, binary logistic regression, and restricted cubic spline. Results Among the total population of 711 cases, 136 cases were lost to follow-up and 575 cases were included in the final statistics, including 45 cases with esophageal cancer. Significant statistical difference was found between esophageal cancer patients with and without tooth loss (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that tooth loss was associated with the occurrence of esophageal cancer (OR=3.977, 95%CI: 1.543-10.255). After the adjustment for confounders, tooth loss remained significantly associated with the occurrence of esophageal cancer (OR=3.038, 95%CI: 1.035-8.914). A nonlinear dose-response relationship was observed between the number of teeth lost and the incidence of esophageal cancer. When the number of teeth lost was less than 12, the risk of esophageal cancer increased with the number of teeth lost. When more than 12 teeth were lost, the risk of esophageal cancer decreased as the number of teeth lost increased. Conclusion Tooth loss is a risk factor for the occurrence of esophageal cancer in this natural village. When the number of teeth lost is less than 12, the risk of esophageal cancer increases with the number of teeth lost.

Methods: The clinical data of 26 patients diagnosed with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation complicated by atlantodental bony obstruction were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty, followed by posterior occipitocervical fusion. Details including surgical duration and blood loss volume were recorded. Radiographic data such as the anterior atlantodental interval, O–C2 angle, space available for the cord, clivus–canal angle, and cervical medullary angle, and clinical data including the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score were assessed. The fusion time of the grafted bone and the development of complications were examined. Results: In patients undergoing anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty, the surgical duration and blood loss volume were 120.1±16.4 minutes and 100.6±33.5 mL, respectively. The anterior atlantodental interval decreased significantly after the surgery (p <0.001). The O–C2 angle, space available for the cord, clivus–canal angle, and cervical medullary angle increased significantly after the surgery (p <0.001). The JOA score during the latest follow-up significantly increased compared with that before the surgery (p <0.001). The improvement rate of the JOA score was 80.8%±18.1%. The fusion time of the grafted bone was 3–8 months, with an average of 5.7±1.5 months. In total, 11 patients presented with postoperative dysphagia and three with irritating cough. However, none of them exhibited other major complications. Conclusions Anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty can anatomically reduce the atlantoaxial joint with a satisfactory clinical outcome in patients with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation with atlantodental bony obstruction.