Background: Psoralea corylifolia L. (Buguzhi, BGZ), known for its efficacy in supporting pregnancy and preventing miscarriage, has been used in China for over 1000 years. Recently, BGZ has been identified as a potential cause of drug-induced liver injury. However, its safety during pregnancy remains unclear, which significantly hinders its routine clinical application. Objective: To investigate the effects of BGZ administration during pregnancy on the liver of mouse mothers and their weaned 21-day-old offspring. Methods: Mice were orally administered BGZ at doses of 2.5 and 10 g/kg during pregnancy, with BGZ withdrawal during the lactation period. Liver histopathology (hematoxylin-eosin staining), biochemical analysis, and evaluation of liver bile acid metabolism were performed after the lactation period. Results: BGZ administration at doses of 2.5 and 10 g/kg during pregnancy, followed by withdrawal during the lactation period, caused mild liver damage in both mothers and their 21-day-old offspring. Serum total bile acid (TBA) levels were elevated compared with those in the control group. Additionally, changes were observed in the levels and proportions of various bile acids (BAs) in the liver, suggesting mild effects on BA metabolism. Conclusion: BGZ administration during pregnancy caused mild liver damage and increased serum TBA levels in both mouse mothers and their 21-day-old offspring. This phenomenon may be associated with imbalanced BA metabolism in the liver. Based on the present study and the limited toxicological research on BGZ, pregnant women should avoid prolonged use of BGZ. If BGZ is administered during pregnancy, serum TBA levels should be monitored, and if elevated, BGZ should be discontinued.

Background: Aristolochic acid II (AAII), a major nephrotoxic and carcinogenic component of aristolochic acids (AAs), has been less studied compared with its well-characterized analog, aristolochic acid I (AAI). Although AAs are known to induce carcinogenesis via DNA adduct formation, the toxicity mechanisms, environmental prevalence, and long-term health impacts of AAII remain poorly understood. Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate AAII’s acute and chronic toxicity, carcinogenic mechanisms, and environmental exposure patterns using integrated murine models and phytochemical analyses to clarify its toxicological profile and associated health risks. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were used in the following experiments: (1) determination of AAII content in 3 commonly used Aristolochia medicinal materials via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry; (2) acute toxicity testing with single doses of 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg; and (3) chronic exposure with 1 or 10 mg/kg administered every other day for 24 weeks, followed by 21 to 40 weeks of postexposure monitoring. Histopathological examination, whole-exome sequencing, biochemical assays, and micronucleus tests were performed to assess multi-organ damage, tumorigenesis, genomic mutation signatures, and direct clastogenicity. Phytochemical analyses were used to evaluate environmental distribution. Results: (1) A single 40 mg/kg dose of AAII induced dose-dependent renal tubular degeneration without hepatotoxicity; (2) the 10 mg/kg group showed significant mortality (20%), tumor incidence (33.3%, primarily forestomach and bladder transitional cell carcinomas), persistent renal interstitial fibrosis, and subclinical hepatic injury. Chronic exposure to 1 mg/kg still induced 13.3% mortality and 15.5% tumor incidence over a 64-week period; (3) whole-exome sequencing revealed a predominance of C>T mutations and pathway enrichment in chemical carcinogenesis and cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism, indicating reactive metabolite-driven mechanisms distinct from classical AA-DNA adducts; and (4) no histopathological changes were observed in nontarget organs (brain, heart, and testes), and micronucleus assays confirmed the absence of direct clastogenicity. Conclusion: This study highlights the delayed carcinogenic risks of low-dose chronic AAII exposure and emphasizes the need to update regulatory frameworks to ensure the safe use of aristolochiaceae-containing herbal products.

This study analyzed the epidemiological characteristics and strain genotypic distribution of varicella in Fengtai District, Beijing, utilizing population-based surveillance data from March 2024 to February 2025 combined with laboratory nucleic acid detection and genotyping.We reported 522 varicella cases with male predominance (282 cases, 54.41%) and a majority aged >15 years (358 cases, 68.58%).A bimodal incidence pattern peaked in May and November, while 161 breakthrough infections (30.8%) occurred predominantly among students aged 6-20 years.The multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that, compared to the 0-5 years age group, individuals aged 6-14 years ( OR: 2.729, 95% CI: 1.083-6.88), 15-20 years ( OR: 2.495, 95% CI: 1.158-5.378), and>20 years ( OR: 5.382, 95% CI: 2.478-11.689) exhibited progressively higher odds of oderate-to-severe rash; females demonstrated a lower risk compared to males ( OR: 0.485, 95% CI: 0.286-0.822); regarding vaccination status, recipients of one vaccine dose ( OR: 0.301, 95% CI: 0.161-0.564) and two doses ( OR: 0.203, 95% CI: 0.086-0.48) showed significantly reduced risks relative to unvaccinated individuals. Genotyping of 174 specimens identified 161 VZV-positive samples, with successful ORF22/38/62 sequencing in 142 samples confirming Clade 2 predominance (141 strains, 99.3%) and one Clade 5 strain; local isolates exhibited high vaccine-strain homology (ORF22 nucleotide:99.5%-100%, amino acid:99.3%-100%) with mutation sites partially overlapping other Chinese regions.

This study analyzed the epidemiological characteristics and strain genotypic distribution of varicella in Fengtai District, Beijing, utilizing population-based surveillance data from March 2024 to February 2025 combined with laboratory nucleic acid detection and genotyping.We reported 522 varicella cases with male predominance (282 cases, 54.41%) and a majority aged >15 years (358 cases, 68.58%).A bimodal incidence pattern peaked in May and November, while 161 breakthrough infections (30.8%) occurred predominantly among students aged 6-20 years.The multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that, compared to the 0-5 years age group, individuals aged 6-14 years ( OR: 2.729, 95% CI: 1.083-6.88), 15-20 years ( OR: 2.495, 95% CI: 1.158-5.378), and>20 years ( OR: 5.382, 95% CI: 2.478-11.689) exhibited progressively higher odds of oderate-to-severe rash; females demonstrated a lower risk compared to males ( OR: 0.485, 95% CI: 0.286-0.822); regarding vaccination status, recipients of one vaccine dose ( OR: 0.301, 95% CI: 0.161-0.564) and two doses ( OR: 0.203, 95% CI: 0.086-0.48) showed significantly reduced risks relative to unvaccinated individuals. Genotyping of 174 specimens identified 161 VZV-positive samples, with successful ORF22/38/62 sequencing in 142 samples confirming Clade 2 predominance (141 strains, 99.3%) and one Clade 5 strain; local isolates exhibited high vaccine-strain homology (ORF22 nucleotide:99.5%-100%, amino acid:99.3%-100%) with mutation sites partially overlapping other Chinese regions.

Objective To investigate the frequency of staging behaviors involved in intimate partner homicide cases,as well as their correlation with the nature of death,medico-legal characteristics,and their correspondence with real causes of death.In order to improve the forensic understanding of staging behaviors in intimate partner homicide cases.Methods Using 100 investigated intimate homicides,forensic elements were statistically analyzed.The Chi square test was used to analyze the correlation between staging behavior and intimate partners,cause of death,injury weapons,time of death,degree of injury,resistance injury,postmortem intervals,and other specific elements and the occurrence of staging behavior.The corresponding partner between staging cause of death and real cause of death was clarified.Results Among the 100 intimate partner homicides,22 involved staging behaviors.Out of 10 cases of"staging"suicide,6 cases(60%)were attributed to staged causes of death.Among the 12"accidental"cases,there were 10 cases(83.33%)of staged causes of death.Staging manner of death appeared in 3 cases(30%)of"suicide"cases,and there was only one in"accidental"case(8.3%).The proportion of staged causes of death in strangulation cases was relatively high(35.71%,10/28).In cases with mild damage,the proportion of staging causes of death is higher(15/46).In cases without defense injuries,the proportion of staged causes of death was 23.19%(16/69).Among the true causes of death,strangulation in homicide was most commonly staged.Conclusion Different relationships of intimate partners did not affect the occurrence and distribution of staging behaviors.In cases involving staging behavior,the number of cases with staging as"accidental"nature of death is higher than that of"suicide"cases.The deaths with minor surface injuries such as strangulation and poisoning can be easily staging as suicide or accident.

Objective To investigate the frequency of staging behaviors involved in intimate partner homicide cases,as well as their correlation with the nature of death,medico-legal characteristics,and their correspondence with real causes of death.In order to improve the forensic understanding of staging behaviors in intimate partner homicide cases.Methods Using 100 investigated intimate homicides,forensic elements were statistically analyzed.The Chi square test was used to analyze the correlation between staging behavior and intimate partners,cause of death,injury weapons,time of death,degree of injury,resistance injury,postmortem intervals,and other specific elements and the occurrence of staging behavior.The corresponding partner between staging cause of death and real cause of death was clarified.Results Among the 100 intimate partner homicides,22 involved staging behaviors.Out of 10 cases of"staging"suicide,6 cases(60%)were attributed to staged causes of death.Among the 12"accidental"cases,there were 10 cases(83.33%)of staged causes of death.Staging manner of death appeared in 3 cases(30%)of"suicide"cases,and there was only one in"accidental"case(8.3%).The proportion of staged causes of death in strangulation cases was relatively high(35.71%,10/28).In cases with mild damage,the proportion of staging causes of death is higher(15/46).In cases without defense injuries,the proportion of staged causes of death was 23.19%(16/69).Among the true causes of death,strangulation in homicide was most commonly staged.Conclusion Different relationships of intimate partners did not affect the occurrence and distribution of staging behaviors.In cases involving staging behavior,the number of cases with staging as"accidental"nature of death is higher than that of"suicide"cases.The deaths with minor surface injuries such as strangulation and poisoning can be easily staging as suicide or accident.

ObjectiveBased on ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS^E） technique， we identified qualitatively the metabolites of aristolochic acid（AAs） in rat in order to analyze the metabolic differences between water extract of Aristolochiae fructus（AFE） and Aristolochic acid Ⅰ（AAⅠ）. MethodSD rats were selected and administered AFE（110 g·kg^-1·d^-1） or AAⅠ（5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） by oral for 5 days， respectively. Serum， urine and feces were collected after administration. Through sample pretreatment， ACQUITY UPLC BEH C₁₈ column（2.1 mm×100 mm， 1.7 μm） was used with the mobile phase of 0.01% formic acid methanol（A）-0.01% formic acid water（B， containing 5 mmol·L^-1 ammonium acetate） for gradient elution（0-1 min， 10%B； 1-7 min， 10%-75%B； 7-7.2 min， 75%-95%B； 7.2-10.2 min， 95%B； 10.2-10.3 min， 95%-10%B； 10.3-12 min， 10%B） at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min^-1. Positive ion mode of electrospray ionization（ESI⁺） was performed in the scanning range of m/z 100-1 200. In combination with UNIFI 1.9.4.053 system， the Pathway-MS^E was used to qualitatively analyze and identify the AAs prototype and related metabolites in biological samples（serum， urine and feces）， and to compare the similarities and differences of metabolites in rats in the subacute toxicity test between AFE group and AAⅠ group. ResultCompared with AAⅠ group， 6， 10， 13 common metabolites and 14， 20， 30 unique metabolites were identified in biological samples（serum， urine and feces） of AFE group， respectively. Moreover， the main AAs components always followed the metabolic processes of demethylation， nitrate reduction and conjugation. Compared with common metabolites in AAⅠ group， prototype components of AAⅠ in serum and most metabolic derivatives of AAⅠ［AAⅠa， aristolochic lactam Ⅰ（ALⅠ）a， 7-OHALⅠ and its conjugated derivatives］ in biological samples were significantly increased in AFE group（P<0.05， P<0.01）， except that the metabolic amount of ALⅠ in feces of AFE group was remarkably lowed than that of AAⅠ group（P<0.01）. In addition， a variety of special ALⅠ efflux derivatives were also identified in the urine and feces of the AFE group. ConclusionAlthough major AAs components in AFE all show similar metabolic rules as AAⅠ components in vivo， the coexistence of multiple AAs components in Aristolochiae Fructus may affect the metabolism of AAⅠ， and achieve the attenuating effect by increasing the metabolic effection of AAⅠ and ALⅠ.

Asari Radix et Rhizoma （AR） is a traditional Chinese medicine with a history of more than 2 000 years of medication and has been included in ancient herbal works in the past dynasties. It is effective in releasing the exterior， dispersing cold， dispelling wind， relieving pain， opening orifices， warming the lung， and resolving fluids， and is still widely used in the clinical treatment of influenza， coronavirus disease-2019 （COVID-19） pneumonia， asthma， allergic rhinitis， eye pain， headache， toothache， oral ulcer， eczema， etc. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that AR has antipyretic， anti-inflammatory， analgesic， antibacterial， antiviral， relieving cough and asthma， anti-allergy， and other effects. AR contains a variety of chemical components， in which essential oil is not only associated with functions such as dispelling cold， relieving heat， relieving pain， and resisting inflammation and allergy， but is also toxic. AR also contains lignans， flavonoids， amides， phenanthrenes， alkaloids， and other non-volatile oil components， which play an important role in immunity regulation， anti-inflammation， pain relief， heart strengthening， and blood vessel expansion. The phenanthrene compounds are mainly aristolochic acid analogues， such as aristolochic acid Ⅳ_a and aristolochic lactam Ⅰ. Aristolochic acid Ⅳ_a has been proven to have a significant anti-inflammatory effect. The toxicity of AR is related to safrole， aristolochic acids and their analogues， and is also affected by many factors， such as preparation method， dosage， origin， collection time， medicinal part， and decocting time， which should be comprehensively considered in clinical application. Based on the relevant literature in China and abroad， the present study reviewed the correlation of chemical composition and pharmacological and toxicological effects of AR， and the safety of AR， aristolochic acid， safrole， and other components to provide a new perspective for an objective understanding of AR safety， as well as references for rational clinical application， production risk prevention and control， and drug scientific supervision of AR.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of a single lateral-rectus approach (LRA) in the Ti-Robot-assisted treatment of acetabular fractures involving the posterior column.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 16 patients with acetabular fracture who had been admitted to Department of Trauma Orthopedics, Taihe Hospital from August 2021 to March 2023. There were 13 males and 3 females with a mean age of 51.5 (35.8, 56.8) years. By the Judet-Letournel classification, there were 4 anterior and posterior semi-transverse fractures, 2 T-shaped fractures, and 10 double-column fractures. The time from injury to operation was 6.0 (5.3, 7.8) d. All their acetabular fractures involving the posterior column were treated by a single LRA with the assistance of a Ti-Robot. Operation time, blood loss, complications, quality of fracture reduction, modified Merle d'Aubigné & Postel scores and acetabular recovery at the last follow-up were recorded.Results:In this cohort, the operation time was (4.1±0.6) h and the blood loss 400 (300, 575) mL. By the Matta evaluation, the fracture reduction was excellent in 10 cases, good in 5 cases, and poor in 1 case. The follow-up time was (11.3±3.9) months. Bone union was achieved in all fractures after 3.0 (2.3, 4.0) months. By the modified Merle d'Aubigné & Postel scores at the last follow-up, 9 cases were excellent, 6 cases were good and 1 case was fair. Injury to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve occurred in 1 patient, and deep venous thrombosis in 6 patients. Follow-ups revealed no iatrogenic vascular injury, loosening or rupture of internal fixation, or incision infection.Conclusion:A single LRA approach can be used in the minimally invasive treatment assisted by a Ti-Robot for acetabular fractures involving the posterior column, demonstrating advantages of minimal invasion, high reduction quality and good functional recovery of the hip joint.

An essential step for cancer vaccination is to break the immunosuppression and elicit a tumor-specific immunity. A major hurdle against cancer therapeutic vaccination is the insufficient immune stimulation of the cancer vaccines and lack of a safe and efficient adjuvant for human use. We discovered a novel cancer immunostimulant, trichosanthin (TCS), that is a clinically used protein drug in China, and developed a well-adaptable protein-engineering method for making recombinant protein vaccines by fusion of an antigenic peptide, TCS, and a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP), termed an "all-in-one" vaccine, for transcutaneous cancer immunization. The TCS adjuvant effect on antigen presentation was investigated and the antitumor immunity of the vaccines was investigated using the different tumor models. The vaccines were prepared