ObjectiveTo decipher the mechanism by which Zuoguiwan （ZGW） treat hyperthyroidism in rats with kidney-Yin deficiency based on the dopamine receptor D4 （DRD4）/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate （NADPH） oxidase 4 （NOX4） signaling pathway. MethodsThe rat model of kidney-Yin deficiency was induced by unilateral intramuscular injection of dexamethasone （0.35 mg·kg^-1）. After successful modeling， the rats were randomized into model， methimazole （positive control， 5 mg·kg^-1）， low-， medium-， and high-dose （1.85， 3.70， 7.40 g·kg^-1， respectively） ZGW， and normal control groups. After 21 days of continuous gavage， the behavioral indexes and body weight changes of rats were evaluated. The pathological changes of the renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The serum levels of thyroid hormones ［triiodothyronine （T₃）， thyroxine （T₄）， thyroid-stimulating hormone （TSH）］， renal function indexes ［serum creatine （Scr） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN）］， energy metabolism markers ［cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP） and cyclic guanosine monophosphate （cGMP）］， and oxidative stress-related factors ［superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and NADPH）］ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of DRD4， NOX4， mitochondrial respiratory chain complex proteins ［NADH：ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit S4 （NDUFS4） and cytochrome C oxidase subunit 4 （COX4）］， and inflammation-related protein ［tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）］ pathway in the renal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed mental malaise， body weight decreases （P<0.01）， inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal tissue， a few residual parotid glands in the thyroid， elevations in serum levels of T₃， T₄， Scr， BUN， cAMP， cAMP/cGMP， MDA， and NADPH （P<0.01）， down-regulation in protein levels of TSH， SOD， and DRD4 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and up-regulation in expression of NOX4， p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK， and inflammatory factors （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， ZGW increased the body weight （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced the infiltration of renal interstitial inflammatory cells， restored the thyroid structure and follicle size， lowered the serum levels of T₃， T₄， Scr， BUN， cAMP， cAMP/cGMP， MDA and NADPH （P<0.05， P<0.01）， up-regulated the expression of TSH， SOD and DRD4 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated the expression of NOX4， p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK， and inflammatory factors （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， high-dose ZGW outperformed methimazole （P<0.05）. ConclusionBy activating DRD4， ZGW can inhibit the expression of NOX4 mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway， reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response， thereby ameliorating the pathological state of hyperthyroidism due to kidney-Yin deficiency. This study provides new molecular mechanism support for the clinical application of ZGW.

Objective: To investigate the emotional and behavioral problems among preschool children and the correlations with maternal parenting competence and family rearing environment, so as to provide a scientific basis and practical guidance for the physical and mental health development of preschool children. Methods: In June 2025, 660 preschool children aged 3-6 years old were selected from 10 kindergartens in Hefei, Anqing, and Tongling in Anhui Province by using a stratified cluster random sampling method. A questionnaire survey was conducted among all parents of preschool children using the Parent version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Child Family Rearing Environment Scale, and the Chinese version of the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale. Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the related factors of emotional and behavioral problems among preschool children. SPSS macro program Process 4.1 and Bootstrap method were used to test the mediating effect of family parenting environment between emotional and behavioral problems among preschool children and maternal parenting competence. Results: The detection rate of emotional and behavioral problems among preschool children was 20.15%. The total scores of family rearing environment and maternal parenting competence were negatively correlated with emotional and behavioral problems among preschool children ( r =-0.45,-0.79), and the total score of family rearing environment was positively correlated with the total score of maternal parenting competence ( r =0.43) (all P <0.01). Multiple linear regression showed that, after controlling whether being only child, parents educational level, registered residence location and other variables, family rearing environment, self efficacy and satisfaction were all negative predictors of emotional and behavioral problems among preschool children ( B =-0.07, -0.42, -0.42, all P <0.01). The mediation effect results showed that maternal parenting competence could positively predict the family rearing environment ( B =0.75), while maternal parenting competence and family rearing environment could both negatively predict emotional and behavioral problems among preschool children ( B =-0.49, -0.06 ) (all P <0.05). The Bootstrap sampling method test results showed that the effect value of the indirect effect of maternal parenting competence on emotional and behavioral problems through the family rearing environment was -0.04, and the effect proportion was 8.21 %. Conclusion Preschool children with a better family rearing environment and stronger maternal parenting competence are less likely to have emotional and behavioral problems, among which the family rearing environment has a mediating effect.

Diabetic cognitive impairment （DCI） has an insidious onset and progressive and irreversible development. There is currently no first-line treatment for DCI. Early intervention of diabetes with traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） can effectively control blood sugar and improve cognitive impairment， which has significant advantages. As a representative of bitter and cold heat-clearing medicines， Coptidis Rhizoma， known for its abilities to clear heat and dampness and remove turbidity and toxins， has been widely used in the clinical prevention and treatment of diabetes， Alzheimer's disease， vascular dementia， and other cognitive impairments. This article systematically summarized relevant literature and observed that Coptidis Rhizoma has shown good potential in the prevention and treatment of DCI with its active ingredients such as berberine and quercetin， drug pairs such as Coptidis Rhizoma-Scutellariae Radix， Coptidis Rhizoma-Acorus Tatarinowii Rhizoma， Coptidis Rhizoma-Pinelliae Rhizoma， Coptidis Rhizoma-Zingiberis Rhizoma， and prescriptions such as Gegen Qinliantang， Huanglian Jiedutang， Banxia Xiexintang， Huanglian Wendantang， Jiaotai Wan， Danggui liuhuangtang， and related Chinese patent medicines. Its mechanism may be related to regulating glucose metabolism， improving insulin resistance， improving amyloid β-protein （Aβ） deposition and tau protein phosphorylation， inhibiting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress， and regulating the "microbe-gut-brain axis". The article systematically reviewed the research progress of Coptidis Rhizoma and its prescriptions in the prevention and treatment of DCI， aiming to preliminarily explain the scientific connotation of Coptidis Rhizoma and provide a basis for its clinical application in the prevention and treatment of DCI.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between pubertal timing and depressive symptoms among high school students in Suzhou, so as to provide scientific evidence for promoting adolescents mental health. Methods: From October 2023 to January 2024, 3 369 students were selected from 20 high schools in Suzhou using stratified cluster random sampling method. Physical examinations and questionnaire surveys were conducted. The Preece & Baines growth Model 1 was used to calculate the age at take off of height velocity (ATO) and age at peak height velocity (APHV), categorizing students into three groups: early pubertal timing group (< P 15 ), ontime group ( P 15 - P 85 ), and delayed group (> P 85 ). Binary Logistic regression was used to analyze its association with depressive symptoms. Results: The ATO for male and female high school students in Suzhou was (9.35±1.23) and ( 8.12 ±1.52) years old, respectively. The mean APHV was (12.35±0.74) years old for boys and (10.91±0.82) years old for girls. The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms was 34.22%, with no statistically significant gender difference ( χ 2=0.42, P =0.52). Significant differences in depressive symptom prevalence were observed across grade levels, breakfast frequency, weekly days of moderate to vigorous physical activity, daily sleep duration, history of school bullying, and the presence of Internet addiction ( χ 2=5.03-69.21, all P < 0.05 ). After adjusting for age, body mass index, region, boarding status, breakfast frequency, weekly moderate to vigorous physical activity days, sleep duration, campus bullying, and presence of Internet addiction, Logistic regression analysis revealed that when ATO was used to evaluate pubertal timing, the risk of depressive symptoms in the delayed group of boys was 1.65 times that of the on time group (95% CI =1.24-2.19); when APHV was used to evaluate pubertal timing, the risks of depressive symptoms in the early pubertal timing group and delayed group of boys were 1.43 times (95% CI =1.07-1.91) and 1.41 times (95% CI =1.05-1.88) of that of the on time group, respectively (all P <0.05). No statistically significant associations were found among females (all P > 0.05 ). Conclusion The prevalence of depressive symptoms among high school students in Suzhou is relatively high, and both early and delayed puberty timing in boys are associated with depressive symptoms.

Objective: To analyze the changes in classroom lighting environment of schools in Suzhou and their impact on refractive progression among primary and secondary school students, so as to provide the basis for accurate provention and control of myopia. Methods: A baseline investigation was conducted in October 2022 by using a stratified cluster random sampling method to recruit primary and secondary school students from Suzhou. A follow up visit was performed in October 2023. A total of 12 302 students and 360 classrooms that participated in both surveys were included analysis. The visual acuity progression over one year and classroom lighting conditions were assessed. Group comparisons were performed by using the Wilcoxon or Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum, and Chi-square tests. Multivariate Logistic regression was employed to identify the major factors influencing refractive changes. Results: The compliance rate of average illuminance on classroom blackboard surface increased from 72.22% to 75.28%, while the compliance rate of average illuminance on desks decreased from 89.44% to 87.22%, the overall myopia rate among students rose from 59.63% to 66.99% from 2022 to 2023. The average annual progression of equivalent spherical power(SE) in the right eye of students was -0.25(-0.75,0.06)D. Significant statistical differences were observed in the annual mean changes across different school levels, regions, baseline refractive statuses, and classroom lighting environment change groups ( Z/H =316.59, -8.27, 38.80 , 51.01, all P <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that pre myopia, low myopia, junior high school, senior high school, vocational high school, and improved classroom lighting environment were protective factors of reducing the risk of rapid progression in refractive error ( OR =0.58, 0.69, 0.81, 0.50, 0.28, 0.82, all P <0.05). Conversely, female students and rural students had higher risks of rapid myopia progression ( OR =1.09, 1.42, both P <0.05). Conclusions Over one year follow up, the complance rate of classroom lighting indicators in Suzhou remaines stable, while students refractive status shows a trend toward myopia. Improving classroom lighting environment can reduce the risk of rapid myopia progression.

BACKGROUND: Spicy food consumption has been reported to be inversely associated with mortality from multiple diseases. However, the effect of spicy food intake on the incidence of vascular diseases in the Chinese population remains unclear. This study was conducted to explore this association. METHODS: This study was performed using the large-scale China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) prospective cohort of 486,335 participants. The primary outcomes were vascular disease, ischemic heart disease (IHD), major coronary events (MCEs), cerebrovascular disease, stroke, and non-stroke cerebrovascular disease. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the association between spicy food consumption and incident vascular diseases. Subgroup analysis was also performed to evaluate the heterogeneity of the association between spicy food consumption and the risk of vascular disease stratified by several basic characteristics. In addition, the joint effects of spicy food consumption and the healthy lifestyle score on the risk of vascular disease were also evaluated, and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the reliability of the association results. RESULTS: During a median follow-up time of 12.1 years, a total of 136,125 patients with vascular disease, 46,689 patients with IHD, 10,097 patients with MCEs, 80,114 patients with cerebrovascular disease, 56,726 patients with stroke, and 40,098 patients with non-stroke cerebrovascular disease were identified. Participants who consumed spicy food 1-2 days/week (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.95, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = [0.93, 0.97], P <0.001), 3-5 days/week (HR = 0.96, 95% CI = [0.94, 0.99], P = 0.003), and 6-7 days/week (HR = 0.97, 95% CI = [0.95, 0.99], P = 0.002) had a significantly lower risk of vascular disease than those who consumed spicy food less than once a week ( Ptrend <0.001), especially in those who were younger and living in rural areas. Notably, the disease-based subgroup analysis indicated that the inverse associations remained in IHD ( Ptrend = 0.011) and MCEs ( Ptrend = 0.002) risk. Intriguingly, there was an interaction effect between spicy food consumption and the healthy lifestyle score on the risk of IHD ( Pinteraction = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS Our findings support an inverse association between spicy food consumption and vascular disease in the Chinese population, which may provide additional dietary guidance for the prevention of vascular diseases.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Prospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Vascular Diseases/etiology* ; Risk Factors ; China/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Cerebrovascular Disorders/epidemiology* ; East Asian People

ObjectiveTo explore the pharmacological mechanism involved in the treatment of allergic cough （AC） by Xiaoer Huatan Zhike granules （XEHT） based on proteomics and network pharmacology. MethodsAfter sensitization by intraperitoneal injection of 1 mL suspension containing 2 mg ovalbumin （OVA） and 100 mg aluminum hydroxide， a guinea pig model of allergic cough was constructed by nebulization with 1% OVA. The modeled guinea pigs were randomized into the model， low-， medium- and high-dose （1， 5， 20 g·kg^-1， respectively） XEHT， and sodium montelukast （1 mg·kg^-1） groups （n=6）， and another 6 guinea pigs were selected as the blank group. The guinea pigs in drug administration groups were administrated with the corresponding drugs by gavage， and those in the blank and model groups received the same volume of normal saline by gavage， 1 time·d^-1. After 10 consecutive days of drug administration， the guinea pigs were stimulated by 1% OVA nebulization， and the coughs were observed. The pathological changes in the lung tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to measure the levels of C-reactive protein （CRP）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and malondialdehyde （MDA） in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） and immunoglobulin G （IgG） and immunoglobulin A （IgA） in the serum. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was employed to observe the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in the lung tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was employed observe the alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cell ultrastructure. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of IL-6， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and TNF-α in the lung tissue. Label-free proteomics was used to detect the differential proteins among groups. Network pharmacology was used to predict the targets of XEHT in treating AC. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） enrichment analysis was performed to search for the same pathways from the results of proteomics and network pharmacology. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed increased coughs （P<0.01）， elevated levels of CRP， TNF-α， IL-6， and MDA and lowered level of SOD in the BALF （P<0.05， P<0.01）， elevated levels of IgA and IgG in the serum （P<0.05， P<0.01）， congestion of the lung tissue and infiltration of inflammatory cells， increased expression of IL-6 and TNF-α （P<0.01）， large areas of low electron density edema in type Ⅱ epithelial cells， obvious swelling and vacuolization of the organelles， karyopyknosis or sparse and dissolved chromatin， and up-regulated mRNA levels of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the drug administration groups showed reduced coughs （P<0.01）， lowered levels of CRP， TNF-α， IL-6， and MDA and elevated level of SOD in the BALF （P<0.05， P<0.01）， alleviated lung tissue congestion， inflammatory cell infiltration， and type Ⅱ epithelial cell injury， and decreased expression of IL-6 and TNF-α （P<0.01）. In addition， the medium-dose XEHT group and the montelukast sodium group showcased lowered serum levels of IgA and IgG （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The medium- and high-dose XEHT groups and the montelukast sodium showed down-regulated mRNA levels of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α and the low-dose XEHT group showed down-regulated mRNA levels of IL-6 and TNF-α （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Phospholipase D， mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， and epidermal growth factor receptor family of receptor tyrosine kinase （ErbB） signaling pathways were the common pathways predicted by both proteomics and network pharmacology. ConclusionProteomics combined with network pharmacology reveal that XEHT can ameliorate AC by regulating the phospholipase D， mTOR， and ErbB signaling pathways.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most common and severe nephropathy syndromes in clinical practice and also one of the most common serious complications after organ transplantation, with high incidence and fatality. Iron is an essential trace element in the body. Ferroptosis is a form of programmed cell death induced by the accumulation of iron-mediated lipid peroxidation, and its occurrence is closely related to iron metabolism, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism and multiple signaling pathways. Recent studies have shown that ferroptosis plays a key role in the occurrence and development of AKI and provides therapeutic targets for AKI. This article summarizes the regulatory mechanism of ferroptosis and its role in AKI, as well as the compounds that play an important role in the prevention and treatment of AKI by inhibiting ferroptosis, providing new ideas for the future treatment and research of AKI.

In this report, the protective effect and molecular mechanism of Chaihu Shugan San-containing serum on corticosterone(CORT)-induced mitochondrial damage in pheochromocytoma(PC12) cells was studied based on CORT-induced rat PC12 cell model. The cultured cells were divided into five groups: blank control group, CORT group(400 μmol·L~(-1) CORT), Chaihu Shugan San-containing serum group(400 μmol·L~(-1) CORT + 10% Chaihu Shugan San-containing serum), control serum group(400 μmol·L~(-1) CORT + 10% control serum), and fluoxetine group(400 μmol·L~(-1) CORT + 10% fluoxetine-containing serum). The study was carried out by cell activity detection, mitochondrial morphology observation, membrane potential measurement, energy metabolism analysis, and mitochondrial dynamics-related protein detection. The results showed that CORT treatment significantly reduced the survival rate of PC12 cells, altered mitochondrial morphology, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and adenosine triphosphate(ATP) synthetic rate. Both Chaihu Shugan San-and fluoxetine-containing serum significantly increased the survival rate of CORT-treated PC12 cells and the ATP synthetic rate in the mitochondria. Unlike fluoxetine, Chaihu Shugan San-containing serum significantly inhibited the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential caused by CORT and increased the oxygen consumption rate(OCR) values of both mitochondrial maximum respiration and reserve respiration capacity. Western blot analysis showed that CORT induced upregulated protein expressions of dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1α(PGC-1α) in PC12 cells and specific protein expression of optic atrophy protein 1(OPA1), yet it repressed the protein expressions of silent information regulator 1(SIRT1) and mitochondrial fusion protein 1(Mfn1) in PC12 cells. Both Chaihu Shugan San-and fluoxetine-containing serum significantly inhibited the protein expression of Drp1. However, only Chaihu Shugan San-containing serum could significantly inhibit the CORT-induced upregulation protein of PGC-1α. RESULTS:: herein suggest that Chaihu Shugan San-containing serum can alleviate CORT-induced damage in PC12 cells, which may be related to the mitochondrial fragmentation/lipid peroxidation protection by Drp1 inhibition, as well as mitochondrial dynamics and energy metabolism mediated by PGC-1α/SIRT1 signaling pathway.
Animals ; PC12 Cells ; Rats ; Mitochondrial Dynamics/drug effects* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Corticosterone/adverse effects* ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Protective Agents/pharmacology* ; Cell Survival/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) load in different lymphocyte subsets, as well as clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies experiencing EBV reactivation. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples from patients were collected. B, T, and NK cells were isolated sorting with magnetic beads by flow cytometry. The EBV load in each subset was quantitated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Clinical data were colleted from electronic medical records. Survival status was followed up through outpatient visits and telephone calls. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0. RESULTS: A total of 39 patients with hematologic malignancies were included, among whom 35 patients had undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The median time to EBV reactivation was 4.8 months (range: 1.7-57.1 months) after allo-HSCT. EBV was detected in B, T, and NK cells in 20 patients, in B and T cells in 11 patients, and only in B cells in 4 patients. In the 35 patients, the median EBV load in B cells was 2.19×10⁴ copies/ml, significantly higher than that in T cells (4.00×10³ copies/ml, P <0.01) and NK cells (2.85×10² copies/ml, P <0.01). Rituximab (RTX) was administered for 32 patients, resulting in EBV negativity in 32 patients with a median time of 8 days (range: 2-39 days). Post-treatment analysis of 13 patients showed EBV were all negative in B, T, and NK cells. In the four non-transplant patients, the median time to EBV reactivation was 35 days (range: 1-328 days) after diagnosis of the primary disease. EBV was detected in one or two subsets of B, T, or NK cells, but not simultaneously in all three subsets. These patients received a combination chemotherapy targeting at the primary disease, with 3 patients achieving EBV negativity, and the median time to be negative was 40 days (range: 13-75 days). CONCLUSION In hematologic malignancy patients after allo-HSCT, EBV reactivation commonly involves B, T, and NK cells, with a significantly higher viral load in B cells compared to T and NK cells. Rituximab is effective for EBV clearance. In non-transplant patients, EBV reactivation is restricted to one or two lymphocyte subsets, and clearance is slower, highlighting the need for prompt anti-tumor therapy.
Humans ; Hematologic Neoplasms/virology* ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/physiology* ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Virus Activation ; Lymphocyte Subsets/virology* ; Flow Cytometry ; Killer Cells, Natural/virology* ; Male ; Female ; B-Lymphocytes/virology* ; Viral Load ; Adult ; T-Lymphocytes/virology* ; Middle Aged