ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription （XLHZ） in treating chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） by regulating cell cycle and inhibiting proliferation， using bioinformatics technology and animal experiments. MethodsDifferential expressed genes （DEGs） related to CAG were screened using GEO database and GEO2R tool. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis （WGCNA） was employed to search for hub genes of CAG. These hub genes were intersected with cell cycle proliferation based on GeneCards database. Eenrichment analysis of the intersecting genes was performed to obtain signaling pathways and biological processes related to CAG. Protein protein interaction （PPI） analysis of genes was conducted using the Protein Interaction Platform （STRING） database to search the super hub gene （hub 2.0）， and animal experiments were conducted for further validation. Fourteen of 70 male Wistar rats were randomly selected as the normal group， and the remaining 56 rats were prepared by the combined modeling method of "starvation disorder+N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG） + sodium salicylate". The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group， XLHZ-H， XLHZ-M， and XLHZ-L groups （36， 18， 9 g·kg^-1， respectively）， and Morodan group （1.4 g·kg^-1）. Each group was given corresponding intervention for 60 days. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of gastric mucosa in rats. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal tissue cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The relative expression levels of TGF-β₁， Smad2 and Smad3 proteins， S/G₂/M phase marker geminin and proliferation marker MCM2 were detected by Western blot in gastric mucosal tissue， and Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 15 hub 2.0 genes were identified， including TGF-β₁， suggesting the involvement of the TGF-β₁ signaling pathway in the CAG pathogenesis. Compared with the normal group， the expressions of TGF-β₁， Smad2， geminin and MCM2 proteins in the gastric mucosa tissue of the model group were increased （P<0.05）， and the expression of Smad3 protein was decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the expressions of TGF-β₁ and geminin in the gastric mucosa were decreased in the drug groups （P<0.05）. The XLHZ-M group， XLHZ-H group and Morodan group had significantly decreased protein expression of Smad2 and MCM2 （P<0.05）. The protein expression of Smad3 was significantly increased in XLHZ-M， XLHZ-H， and Morodan groups （P<0.05）. Spearman correlation analysis showed that Smad3 was negatively correlated with other indicators， and positively correlated with other indicators （P<0.01）. ConclusionXLHZ may inhibit TGF-β₁/Smads signaling pathway， regulate cell cycle， and inhibit proliferation in the treatment of CAG.

ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription （XLHZ） in treating chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） by regulating cell cycle and inhibiting proliferation， using bioinformatics technology and animal experiments. MethodsDifferential expressed genes （DEGs） related to CAG were screened using GEO database and GEO2R tool. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis （WGCNA） was employed to search for hub genes of CAG. These hub genes were intersected with cell cycle proliferation based on GeneCards database. Eenrichment analysis of the intersecting genes was performed to obtain signaling pathways and biological processes related to CAG. Protein protein interaction （PPI） analysis of genes was conducted using the Protein Interaction Platform （STRING） database to search the super hub gene （hub 2.0）， and animal experiments were conducted for further validation. Fourteen of 70 male Wistar rats were randomly selected as the normal group， and the remaining 56 rats were prepared by the combined modeling method of "starvation disorder+N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG） + sodium salicylate". The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group， XLHZ-H， XLHZ-M， and XLHZ-L groups （36， 18， 9 g·kg^-1， respectively）， and Morodan group （1.4 g·kg^-1）. Each group was given corresponding intervention for 60 days. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of gastric mucosa in rats. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal tissue cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The relative expression levels of TGF-β₁， Smad2 and Smad3 proteins， S/G₂/M phase marker geminin and proliferation marker MCM2 were detected by Western blot in gastric mucosal tissue， and Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 15 hub 2.0 genes were identified， including TGF-β₁， suggesting the involvement of the TGF-β₁ signaling pathway in the CAG pathogenesis. Compared with the normal group， the expressions of TGF-β₁， Smad2， geminin and MCM2 proteins in the gastric mucosa tissue of the model group were increased （P<0.05）， and the expression of Smad3 protein was decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the expressions of TGF-β₁ and geminin in the gastric mucosa were decreased in the drug groups （P<0.05）. The XLHZ-M group， XLHZ-H group and Morodan group had significantly decreased protein expression of Smad2 and MCM2 （P<0.05）. The protein expression of Smad3 was significantly increased in XLHZ-M， XLHZ-H， and Morodan groups （P<0.05）. Spearman correlation analysis showed that Smad3 was negatively correlated with other indicators， and positively correlated with other indicators （P<0.01）. ConclusionXLHZ may inhibit TGF-β₁/Smads signaling pathway， regulate cell cycle， and inhibit proliferation in the treatment of CAG.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Tongbian Decoction （通便汤， TD） in treating slow transit constipation （STC）. MethodsTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， TD group， and mosapride group， with 6 rats per group. Except for the normal group， STC models were established by intragastric administration of loperamide hydrochloride combined with normal saline. On the day following successful model establishment， rats in the TD group received 18.63 g·kg⁻¹ of TD by gavage， while those in the mosapride group received 1.605 mg·d⁻¹ of mosapride， and those in the normal group and the model group received 10 ml·kg⁻¹ of normal saline by gavage. All treatments were administered once daily for 7 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration， fecal pellet number and fecal water content were measured. After intragastric administration of a 10% activated charcoal suspension， the small intestinal transit rate was calculated 30 minutes later. Serum levels of gastrin （GAS） and motilin （MTL） were measured by ELISA. Colonic histopathology was observed by HE staining， and mucus secretion by Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff （AB-PAS） staining. Ultrastructure of colon tissue was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Protein expression levels of C-kit， stem cell factor （SCF）， autophagy-related protein 5 （ATG5）， Beclin1， vesicle-associated membrane protein B （VAPB）， and protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 （VAPB-PTPIP51） were measured by Western Blot， and the mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect SCF， C-kit， Beclin1， and ATG5 expression. The calcium content in colon tissue was determined by ELISA. ResultsCompared to the normal group， rats in the model group showed significantly reduced fecal pellet number， fecal water content， small intestinal transit rate， and serum GAS and MTL levels （P＜0.01）； the number of goblet cells decreased， and the mucosal and muscular layers of the colon became thinner； mRNA and protein expression levels of ATG5 and Beclin1 in colon tissue significantly increased， while calcium content decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； and electron microscopy revealed vacuolar degeneration and increased autophagosomes in colonic cells. Compared to the model group， both TD group and mosapride group showed increased fecal pellet number， fecal water content， small intestinal transit rate， serum GAS and MTL levels， and colonic calcium content， along with decreased Beclin1 and ATG5 protein levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the mucosal thickness and goblet cell number increased significantly， and autophagosomes decreased； in the TD group， ATG5 and Beclin1 mRNA levels decreased； in the mosapride group， SCF， VAPB， and PTPIP51 mRNA levels increased， while Beclin1 mRNA decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to the mosapride group， the TD group showed higher fecal pellet number， fecal water content， serum GAS levels， colonic calcium content， and C-kit expression， along with lower ATG5 and Beclin1 levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionTD may improve constipation symptoms by upregulating the VAPB-PTPIP51 complex during mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interactions， reducing autophagy of interstitial cells of Cajal， and promoting intestinal motility.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Tongbian Decoction （通便汤， TD） in treating slow transit constipation （STC）. MethodsTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， TD group， and mosapride group， with 6 rats per group. Except for the normal group， STC models were established by intragastric administration of loperamide hydrochloride combined with normal saline. On the day following successful model establishment， rats in the TD group received 18.63 g·kg⁻¹ of TD by gavage， while those in the mosapride group received 1.605 mg·d⁻¹ of mosapride， and those in the normal group and the model group received 10 ml·kg⁻¹ of normal saline by gavage. All treatments were administered once daily for 7 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration， fecal pellet number and fecal water content were measured. After intragastric administration of a 10% activated charcoal suspension， the small intestinal transit rate was calculated 30 minutes later. Serum levels of gastrin （GAS） and motilin （MTL） were measured by ELISA. Colonic histopathology was observed by HE staining， and mucus secretion by Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff （AB-PAS） staining. Ultrastructure of colon tissue was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Protein expression levels of C-kit， stem cell factor （SCF）， autophagy-related protein 5 （ATG5）， Beclin1， vesicle-associated membrane protein B （VAPB）， and protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 （VAPB-PTPIP51） were measured by Western Blot， and the mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect SCF， C-kit， Beclin1， and ATG5 expression. The calcium content in colon tissue was determined by ELISA. ResultsCompared to the normal group， rats in the model group showed significantly reduced fecal pellet number， fecal water content， small intestinal transit rate， and serum GAS and MTL levels （P＜0.01）； the number of goblet cells decreased， and the mucosal and muscular layers of the colon became thinner； mRNA and protein expression levels of ATG5 and Beclin1 in colon tissue significantly increased， while calcium content decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； and electron microscopy revealed vacuolar degeneration and increased autophagosomes in colonic cells. Compared to the model group， both TD group and mosapride group showed increased fecal pellet number， fecal water content， small intestinal transit rate， serum GAS and MTL levels， and colonic calcium content， along with decreased Beclin1 and ATG5 protein levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the mucosal thickness and goblet cell number increased significantly， and autophagosomes decreased； in the TD group， ATG5 and Beclin1 mRNA levels decreased； in the mosapride group， SCF， VAPB， and PTPIP51 mRNA levels increased， while Beclin1 mRNA decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to the mosapride group， the TD group showed higher fecal pellet number， fecal water content， serum GAS levels， colonic calcium content， and C-kit expression， along with lower ATG5 and Beclin1 levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionTD may improve constipation symptoms by upregulating the VAPB-PTPIP51 complex during mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interactions， reducing autophagy of interstitial cells of Cajal， and promoting intestinal motility.

Objective: To investigate the scientific research capacity building of administrative offices of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs) across 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities), the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and 5 separately listed cities in China, so as to provide the reference for improving the positioning of office functions and promoting the enhancement of scientific research capabilities. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among heads and staff members of administrative offices in 37 CDCs. Data on office setup, general information, staffing, scientific research incentive measures and outputs were collected and analyzed. Results: The 37 administrative offices of the CDCs had an average authorized staffing size of 12 personnel. There were 17 of them setting independently allocated budgets. A total of 511 staff members were surveyed, comprising 238 males and 273 females, resulting in a male-to-female ratio of 0.87∶1. In terms of educational attainment, the majority held bachelor's degrees (225 individuals, 44.03%) or master's degrees and above (157 individuals, 30.72%). Professional technical personnel constituted the main occupational category, 302 individuals accounting for 59.10%. Intermediate professional titles were most common, 138 individuals accounting for 27.00%. From 2021 to 2023, a total of 68 research incentive measures have been implemented, and 579 personnel have received further training. These offices cumulatively led or participated in 80 scientific research projects and published 253 papers. Sixteen offices reported 10 and above scientific research outputs. These offices generally exhibited higher proportions of independently allocated budgets, greater numbers of senior professional titles, more staff with master's degrees or above, more implemented research incentive measures, and higher frequencies of staff further trainings. Conclusions The staff in the administrative offices of CDCs generally have a high level of educational attainment and include a significant number of professional technical personnel. However, their scientific research capacity remains relatively underdeveloped. It is recommended to conduct targeted professional training and research-focused lectures to enhance research literacy, leverage the strengths of multidisciplinary backgrounds, and promote cross-departmental and cross-institutional scientific research activities.

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China emphasized the expansion of international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation. Against this backdrop, the radiological health research institutions bear important responsibilities in the field of international radiological health. As a key institution in the industry, the National Institute for Radiological Protection (NIRP), Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention shoulders the important mission of promoting international exchanges in radiation health in China. A case study was conducted on the NIRP using data of official overseas visits from 2010 to 2024. The SWOT analysis was used to comprehensively and systematically examine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of NIRP in international cooperation and exchanges. To effectively enhance the depth and scope of international exchanges, this article proposes a series of innovative optimization strategies such as establishing dedicated personnel positions to ensure efficient handling of affairs, implementing stringent approval procedures to guarantee the rationality and compliance of overseas visits, strengthening pre-departure training to improve the professionalism of outbound personnel, conducting follow-up evaluations to continuously refine management practices, and centralizing the management of official passports to ensure their secure use. This article aims to provide practical optimization strategies for the management of official overseas visits for NIRP and other similar institutions, promote international exchanges and cooperation in the field of radiation health, and help China play a more important role in the global radiation health field.

Background With the progression of industrialization, an increasing number of emerging contaminants are entering aquatic environments, posing significant threats to the safety of drinking water. Therefore, establishing a system for identifying unknown hazardous factors and implementing safety warning mechanisms for drinking water is of paramount importance. Among these efforts, non-target screening plays a critical role, but its effectiveness is largely constrained by the scope of coverage of sample pre-treatment methods. Objective To integrate modern chromatography/mass spectrometry techniques with advanced data mining methods to develop a non-discriminatory sample pre-treatment method for comprehensive enrichment of unknown contaminants in drinking water, laying a technical foundation for the discovery and identification of unknown organic hazardous factors in drinking water. Methods A non-discriminatory pre-treatment method based on supramolecular and solid-phase extraction was developed. The final target compounds including 333 pesticides, 194 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), and 59 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were used for optimizing the pre-treatment method, confirming its coverage. The impacts of different eluents on the absolute recovery rates of target compounds were compared to select the conditions with the highest recovery for sample pre-treatment. The effects of different supramolecular solvents and salt concentrations on target compound recovery were also evaluated to determine the most suitable solvent and salt concentration. Results The solid-phase extraction elution solvents, supramolecular extraction solvents, and salt concentrations were optimized based on the target compound recovery rates. The optimal recovery conditions were achieved using 2 mL methanol, 2 mL methanol (containing 1% formic acid), 2 mL ethyl acetate, 2 mL dichloromethane, hexanediol supramolecular solvent, and 426 mg salt. The detection method developed based on these conditions showed a good linear relationship for all target compounds in the range of 0.1-100.0 ng·mL⁻¹, with R² > 0.99. The method’s limit of detection ranged from 0.01 ng⁻¹ to 0.95 ng⁻¹, and 95% of target compounds were recovered in the range of 20%-120%, with relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 30%, indicating good precision. Conclusion The combined pre-treatment method of solid-phase extraction and supramolecular solvent extraction can effectively enrich contaminants in drinking water across low, medium, and high polarities, enabling broad-spectrum enrichment of diverse trace contaminants in drinking water. It provides technical support for broad-spectrum, high-throughput screening and identification of organic pollutants in drinking water, and also serves as a reference for establishing urban drinking water public safety warning systems.

ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription on chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） in rats based on the Hedgehog signaling pathway. MethodsThe CAG rat model was established by sodium salicylate， N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitroguanidine （MNNG）， and irregular feeding. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group （180 mg·L^-1）， a moradan group （1.4 g·kg^-1）， and Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription groups with high， medium， and low doses （36， 9， 18 g·kg^-1）， followed by drug intervention. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe morphological changes in the gastric mucosa. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of gastric mucosa cells. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of Sonic Hedgehog （Shh）， Patched 1 （Ptch1）， and Glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 （Gli1）. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of Shh， Ptch1， and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the protein expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the CAG model group showed a reduction in gastric mucosal intrinsic glands and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal cells showed nuclear pyknosis， fewer mitochondria， and abnormal mitochondrial structure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh， Ptch1， and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and E-cadherin protein expression was decreased. Compared with the model group， the intervention groups showed varying degrees of improvement in histopathological morphology and cellular ultrastructure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh， Ptch1， Gli1， and E-cadherin increased to varying degrees. Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription upregulated the expression of key Hedgehog pathway factors and E-cadherin at both the mRNA and protein levels （P<0.05）. ConclusionXianglian Huazhuo prescription has a therapeutic effect on CAG in rats， and its mechanism may be related to activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway and inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）.

Based on the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED) from the meridian-zangfu relationship and the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis, it proposes that dysfunction of the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis is closely related to the occurrence of ED. Among these, brain-heart disharmony is the key pathogenic factor, kidney deficiency and essence depletion constitute an important basis, and essence chamber stasis is a critical mechanism. The treatment approach emphasizes harmonizing the brain and heart, regulating the mind, tonifying the kidney and replenishing qi, unblocking qi and blood to harmonize the essence chamber. The primary acupoints include Baihui (GV20)-Neiguan (PC6)-Shenmen (HT7), Taixi (KI3)-Guanyuan (CV4)-Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Zhongji (CV3)-Dahe (KI12)-Gongsun (SP4), with additional acupoints selected based on syndrome differentiation. This approach aims to restore the clarity of the brain and heart, replenish kidney qi, and unblock the essence chamber, thereby facilitating the restoration of normal functions of the brain, heart, kidney, and essence chamber, and alleviating ED symptoms and improving overall clinical efficacy.
Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Erectile Dysfunction/physiopathology* ; Kidney/physiopathology* ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Heart/physiopathology*

OBJECTIVE: To provide the experience and demonstration for the transformation of acupuncture-moxibustion techniques standards from Chinese national standards to international standards. METHODS: Questionnaire research, literature research, semi-structured interviews and expert consultation were used. RESULTS: The safety of acupuncture-moxibustion techniques was evaluated through literature research, and based on the results of the questionnaire survey, expert interviews, and expert consultation, 11 main bodies and structure of the former Chinese national standard, Technical Benchmark of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: General Rules for Drafting, were adjusted and optimized in accordance with the requirements of international standard (including the language, normative references, purpose, scope, applicable environment, target population, work team, terms and definitions, general principles and basic requirements, structural elements and text structure, and compilation process); and the first international standard, World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societis (WFAS) Technical Benchmark of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: General Rules for Drafting was formulated to specify the general rules for drafting. CONCLUSION The 3 key questions, "international compatibility", "technical operability" and "safety" should be solved technically on the basis of explicit international requirements. It is the core technical issue during transforming the national standards of technical benchmark of acupuncture and moxibustion into international standards.
Moxibustion/methods* ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Humans ; Translational Research, Biomedical/standards* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; China ; Benchmarking/standards*