1.Strategies and challenges for hepatitis D prevention and control
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):260-264
Hepatitis D is an inflammatory liver disease caused by hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection, and co-infection of HDV and hepatitis B virus dramatically accelerates the progression of liver disease and significantly increases the risk of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, due to insufficient awareness and concern about hepatitis D among the public, clinicians, and public health workers, the screening rate of hepatitis D remains at a relatively low level around the world. The true disease burden of hepatitis D has been seriously underestimated, and it has become one of the major challenges in the global campaign of hepatitis elimination. This article systematically reviews the current epidemiological situation of hepatitis D, prevention and control strategies, and related issues and challenges and analyzes the future strategies and measures for prevention and control, in order to provide a reference for promoting the achievement of the goal to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat.
2.Herbal Textual Research on Inulae Flos in Famous Classical Formulas
Caixia LIU ; Yue HAN ; Yanzhu MA ; Lei GAO ; Sheng WANG ; Yan YANG ; Wenchuan LUO ; Ling JIN ; Jing SHAO ; Zhijia CUI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):210-221
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, production area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and others, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties, Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name, and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao, Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica, and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species, there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia, I. helianthus-aquatili, and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan, Hubei and other places, and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower, the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months, and dried in the sun, and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom, in order to remove impurities, dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition, the roots, whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times, there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos, and in modern times, it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure, small receptacles, large blooms, yellow petals, long filaments, many fluffs, no fragments, and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning, steaming, and sun-drying, supplemented by techniques such as boiling, roasting, burning, simmering, stir-frying, and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties, ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter, pungent, and salty in taste, with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras, including descending Qi, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos, either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements, where no processing instructions are specified, the raw products may be used after cleaning.
3.Herbal Textual Research on Inulae Flos in Famous Classical Formulas
Caixia LIU ; Yue HAN ; Yanzhu MA ; Lei GAO ; Sheng WANG ; Yan YANG ; Wenchuan LUO ; Ling JIN ; Jing SHAO ; Zhijia CUI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):210-221
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, production area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and others, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties, Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name, and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao, Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica, and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species, there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia, I. helianthus-aquatili, and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan, Hubei and other places, and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower, the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months, and dried in the sun, and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom, in order to remove impurities, dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition, the roots, whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times, there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos, and in modern times, it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure, small receptacles, large blooms, yellow petals, long filaments, many fluffs, no fragments, and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning, steaming, and sun-drying, supplemented by techniques such as boiling, roasting, burning, simmering, stir-frying, and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties, ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter, pungent, and salty in taste, with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras, including descending Qi, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos, either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements, where no processing instructions are specified, the raw products may be used after cleaning.
4.Change in the number of peripheral blood regulatory T cells in patients with chronic kidney disease and its correlation with vascular calcification
Di ZHANG ; Hui WU ; Jing CHEN ; Liyu LIN ; Shaomin GONG ; Xiaoyan ZHANG ; Xiaoqiang DING ; Han ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(2):285-292
Objective To explore the number of peripheral blood regulatory T cells (Treg) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its correlation with vascular calcification. Methods This was a single-center, cross-sectional, and observational study. Non-dialysis patients with CKD treated at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from March 2021 to March 2022 were enrolled. Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) was assessed using lateral abdominal X-ray. Number of Treg and cytokine levels were measured by flow cytometry. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the related factors for AAC in CKD patients. Results A total of 83 patients were included, aged 17–86 years, with 57 males (68.7%). The distribution of CKD stages was as follows: stage G1 in 7 patients (8.4%), stage G2 in 17 patients (20.5%), stage G3 in 21 patients (25.3%), stage G4 in 19 patients (22.9%), and stage G5 in 19 patients (22.9%). No AAC was observed in patients with stages G1 and G2, while the prevalence of AAC in patients with stages G3, G4, and G5 was 23.8%, 21.1%, and 26.3%, respectively. Compared with stage G1 patients, those with stages G3–5 showed decreased number of peripheral blood Treg and elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-17F (P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for number of peripheral blood Treg in predicting AAC in CKD patients was 0.766 (95%CI 0.652–0.879, P=0.002). Logistic regression analysis showed that decreased number of Treg was related factor for AAC in CKD patients (OR=0.957, 95%CI 0.922–0.992, P=0.018). Conclusion As CKD progresses, number of peripheral blood Treg significantly decreases, which is correlated with AAC in CKD patients.
5.Efficacy and safety of injectable platelet-rich fibrin in the treatment of mild to moderate female pattern hair loss
Man LI ; Yue BAI ; Zhenzhen YE ; Di ZHANG ; Zixuan HE ; Ziwei GE ; Ansheng TAN ; Yu HAN ; Anxin CHEN ; Wenhui WANG ; Fenglin ZHUO
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(7):853-858
Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) in the treatment of mild to moderate female pattern hair loss (FPHL), and to analyze the related clinical factors affecting the therapeutic efficacy of i-PRF. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a prospective, randomized controlled trial. A total of 29 FPHL patients with Sinclair grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ, who attended the outpatient clinics of Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University and Peking University Third Hospital from March 2024 to April 2025, were enrolled. All patients received i-PRF treatment once every 4 weeks for a total of 4 sessions, with follow-up up to 24 weeks. Standardized clinical photographs were taken at baseline, week 12 and week 24. Trichoscopic examination was performed to measure the non-vellus target area hair count (TAHC) and hair diameter (HD) in the target area, and all adverse events were recorded. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the intergroup differences in efficacy for categorical influencing factors; Spearman rank correlation analysis was employed to assess the correlation between continuous influencing factors and efficacy; and multiple linear regression (enter method) was performed to identify independent influencing factors of efficacy. Results: A total of 27 patients completed the trial. At week 12, TAHC significantly increased from 112 (105, 120) hairs/cm
at baseline to 128 (110, 150) hairs/cm
, with a median increase of 12 (5, 28) hairs/cm
and a median growth rate of 10.5 (4.2, 24.5)% (P=0.045); hair diameter significantly increased from 42.5 (39.8, 45.2) μm to 52.0 (47.0, 58.0) μm, with a median increase of 7.5 (3.0, 12.5) μm and a median growth rate of 18.0 (7.5, 29.0)% (P<0.001). At week 24, TAHC further significantly increased to 141 (125, 158) hairs/cm
(P<0.001), with a median growth rate of 24.8 (18.5, 32.0)%; hair diameter continued to improve to 55.0 (50.0, 61.0) μm (P=0.008), with a median growth rate of 21.5 (16.0, 27.0)%. The overall incidence of adverse events was 10.34% (3/29), mainly presenting as mild scalp pruritus and transient headache, without severe adverse effects. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that baseline TAHC was an independent influencing factor for i-PRF efficacy (P<0.05), while age, BMI, disease duration, Sinclair grade, family history of AGA, and baseline HD showed no significant independent effect on efficacy in this model (P>0.05). Conclusion: This preliminary study indicates that i-PRF can improve hair density and hair shaft diameter in patients with FPHL with a favorable safety profile. Patients with FPHL and lower baseline TAHC may achieve greater clinical improvement.
6.Astragaloside Ⅳ inhibited NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis and alleviated renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway
Xiaofeng LI ; Yuhang HAN ; Di ZHANG ; Guoxin ZHANG ; Lingyun ZHANG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(5):772-782
Objective To investigate the effect of astragaloside Ⅳ (AS-Ⅳ) on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) and its specific mechanism. Methods Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, with 8 rats in each group: sham operation group (Sham group), RIRI group, RIRI + AS-Ⅳ (10 mg/kg) group, RIRI + AS-Ⅳ (20 mg/kg) group, RIRI + AS-Ⅳ (40 mg/kg) group and RIRI + AS-Ⅳ + Brusatol group [Brusatol is a nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) inhibitor]. Serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels of rats were detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer; the pathological damage degree of rats kidney tissue was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining and scored; the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in rats serum, and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 in rats kidney tissue were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; the degree of cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling; real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to determine the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway and cell pyroptosis regulatory factors in rats kidney tissue. Results Compared with the Sham group, the BUN and Scr levels in the RIRI group were increased, the renal function and tissue damage were more severe, the degree of cell apoptosis was aggravated, the MDA level was increased, and the SOD activity was decreased, the Nrf2 and HO-1 protein and mRNA levels were downregulated, the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), Cle-Caspase-1 (the activated form of Caspase-1) and gasdermin D (GSDMD)-N protein levels were upregulated, the NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD-N mRNA levels were increased, and the release of IL-1β and IL-18 was increased. Compared with the RIRI group, the BUN and Scr levels in rats after AS-Ⅳ treatment were decreased, the degree of renal function and tissue damage was reduced, the degree of cell apoptosis was decreased, the MDA level was decreased, and the SOD activity was increased, the Nrf2 and HO-1 protein and mRNA levels were increased, the NLRP3, Cle-Caspase-1 and GSDMD-N protein levels were decreased, the NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD-N mRNA levels were decreased, and the release of IL-1β and IL-18 was reduced. Compared with the RIRI + AS-Ⅳ (20 mg/kg) group, the MDA level and SOD activity in rats of the RIRI + AS-Ⅳ + Brusatol group were increased, the Nrf2 and HO-1 protein and mRNA levels were decreased, the NLRP3, Cle-Caspase-1 and GSDMD-N protein levels were upregulated, the NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD-N mRNA levels were increased, and the release of IL-1β and IL-18 was increased. Conclusions AS-Ⅳ may alleviate RIRI in rats by inhibiting oxidative stress response and pyroptosis, and this mechanism is related to the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
7.The impact of different surgical methods on the surgical outcomes and short-term prognosis of pig-to-pig kidney transplantation
Xiaoyan ZHANG ; Di WEI ; Guohui WANG ; Shichao HAN ; Ruochen QI ; Kepu LIU ; Xiaoyan FAN ; Xiaojian YANG ; Shuaijun MA ; Weijun QIN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(4):538-544
Objective To investigate the impact of two different surgical methods, orthotopic kidney transplantation and abdominal heterotopic kidney transplantation, on the surgical outcomes of pig-to-pig kidney transplantation and the short-term survival of recipient pigs after surgery. Methods Twenty-four Bama miniature pigs were divided into two groups, with 12 pigs in each group, and underwent orthotopic kidney transplantation and abdominal heterotopic kidney transplantation, respectively. The perioperative indicators of the recipient pigs, renal blood perfusion, the overall incidence rate of complications and survival rate were compared between the two surgical methods. Results The total surgical time, renal artery anastomosis time, renal vein anastomosis time, cold ischemia time and total ischemia time were all shorter in the abdominal heterotopic kidney transplantation group than in the orthotopic kidney transplantation group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The number of satisfactory renal perfusion cases was higher in the abdominal heterotopic kidney transplantation group than in the orthotopic kidney transplantation group (83% vs. 75%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The total incidence of postoperative complications was 33% in the heterotopic kidney transplantation group, with a survival rate of 92%, and the cause of death was rupture of the vascular anastomosis. The total incidence of postoperative complications was 50% in the orthotopic kidney transplantation group, with a survival rate of 83%, and the causes of death were renal vein thrombosis and renal artery thrombosis. There were no statistically significant differences in the total incidence of postoperative complications and survival rates between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions Compared with orthotopic kidney transplantation, abdominal heterotopic kidney transplantation showes better surgical outcomes in pig-to-pig kidney transplantation and is more beneficial for the short-term survival of recipient pigs after surgery. This provides experience for improving the stability of pig-to-non-human primate kidney xenotransplantation models in the future.
8.Exploring Quality Makers of Xiaoqinglong Granules in Treating Bronchial Asthma Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process-entropy Weight Method, Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Huijuan XIE ; Zhuqian TANG ; Dan HU ; Yingbi XU ; Li HAN ; Bin YANG ; Hua LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):192-200
ObjectiveTo investigate the quality markers of Xiaoqinglong granules(XQLG) for treating bronchial asthma using the analytic hierarchy process(AHP)-entropy weight method(EWM), network pharmacology and high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) content determination. MethodsEffectiveness, testability and peculiarity component data of XQLG in treating bronchial asthma were constructed through database retrieval, literature review, and network pharmacology. Subsequently, AHP-EWM was used to quantitatively identify and weight the control layer and element layer, the relevant compounds were selected as candidate quality markers based on comprehensive scores. Further comparison of reference substances and establishment of HPLC content determination method were used to determine the potential quality markers of XQLG, which were verified by molecular docking with disease targets. ResultsA total of 13 components, including glycyrrhizic acid, paeoniflorin, schisandrol A, isoliquiritigenin, 6-gingerol, ephedrine, liquiritin, albiflorin, liquiritigenin, 6-shogaol, pseudoephedrine, cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde, were identified as potential quality markers of XQLG by AHP-EWM. Quantitative analysis indicated that all aforementioned quality markers could be detected in 13 batches of XQLG, indicating that it had stable testability as a quality marker. Among these 13 batches of samples, ephedrine and paeoniflorin exhibited good consistency in content, while pseudoephedrine and cinnamaldehyde showed poor consistency. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the 13 compounds exhibited binding energies with the core targets -2.11 kcal·mol-1, indicating that the 13 compounds could spontaneously bind to the disease targets, which may be the material basis for the treatment of bronchial asthma with XQLG. ConclusionIn this study, 13 compounds were screened by AHP-EWM combined with network pharmacology and HPLC as quality markers for the treatment of bronchial asthma by XQLG, laying the foundation for enhancing the quality standards of this preparation.
9.Association between pubertal timing and depressive symptoms among high school students in Suzhou City
HU Jiale, ZHANG Liye, LING Ruizhe, HAN Di, WANG Xi, HU Jia, SHEN Hui
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(10):1469-1473
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 ), ontime 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.
10.Challenges of continuous cropping obstacles in Panax ginseng: Formation and response mechanisms
Kang CHEN ; Yuru TONG ; Tielin WANG ; Xiuteng ZHOU ; Junhui ZHOU ; Yang GE ; Han ZHENG ; Muyao YU ; Yunfeng LUO ; Ruifeng JI
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;3(1):8-14
Panax ginseng, a perennial herbaceous plant and a representative of the Panax genus, is renowned for its exceptional medicinal value and economic benefits, often referred to as the “King of Herbs.” With the increasing market demand and the limited availability of suitable cultivation land, the issue of continuous cropping obstacles for P. ginseng has become increasingly prominent, directly hindering the sustainable development of the ginseng industry. This article summarizes the concept and hazards of continuous cropping obstacles and, drawing on the latest research, provides an in-depth analysis of the causes and response mechanisms. This work aims to establish a solid foundation for future research into the mechanisms of continuous cropping obstacles in P. ginseng.


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