Background Gestational weight gain is closely related to maternal and infant health outcomes. Pregnant women are simultaneously exposed to four metals—lithium (Li), vanadium (V), uranium (U), and bismuth (Bi)—through inhalation of fine particulate matter and consumption of contaminated food and water. Existing studies suggest that exposure to these metals may be associated with gestational weight gain. However, no study has yet explored the complex relationships between exposure to mixtures of these four metals and weight gain at different stages of pregnancy. Objective To investigate the associations between mixed exposure to Li, V, U, and Bi in early pregnancy and the average weekly gestational weight gain during both early pregnancy and mid-to-late pregnancy. Methods This prospective study recruited eligible women in early pregnancy from an obstetrics clinic of a tertiary hospital in Jinan, China, between September 2021 and July 2023. Pre-pregnancy weight, current weight (at 11⁺⁰ to 13⁺⁶ weeks of gestation), and spot urine samples (≥5.0 mL) were collected at enrollment. Urinary concentrations of Li, V, Bi, and U were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Participants were followed up in late pregnancy (≥28 weeks of gestation) to collect information on physical activity via questionnaire; weight measurements at the last antenatal visit (35⁺⁰ to 37⁺⁶ weeks of gestation) were obtained from the hospital information system. After adjusting for covariates, multiple linear regression and generalized additive models were used to assess the associations of individual metals with weekly weight gain in early pregnancy and in mid-to-late pregnancy. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) and quantile-based g-computation (Qgcomp) were applied to evaluate the joint effects of the metal mixture exposure on weekly weight gain at the two gestational stages. Results A total of 313 pregnant women were included. The geometric means of urinary Li, V, U, and Bi concentrations were 37.07, 0.20, 0.06, and 0.04 μg·L⁻¹, respectively; after creatinine adjustment, the corresponding values were 46.82, 0.25, 0.07, and 0.05 μg·g⁻¹ (Cr). The mean weekly gestational weight gain was (0.19±0.25) kg in early pregnancy and (0.53 ± 0.18) kg in mid-to-late pregnancy. Both multiple linear regression and generalized additive models showed that urinary V concentration was positively associated with average weekly gestational weight gain in early pregnancy, while no significant associations were found for other metals or for gestational weight gain in mid-to-late pregnancy. In the BKMR model with early-pregnancy weight gain as the outcome, V had the strongest association [posterior inclusion probability (PIP)=0.773]. When other metals were fixed at their medians, V showed a positive non-linear association with the outcome. A significant single-metal effect of V and its interaction with Li were observed. Compared with the 50th percentile of the metal mixture, the average weekly weight gain in early pregnancy increased by 0.016 (95%CI: 0.003, 0.029) and 0.018 (95%CI: 0.001, 0.036) at the 60th and 65th percentiles, respectively; conversely, at the 25th percentile, it decreased by 0.026 (95%CI: 0.002, 0.050). Overall, the joint effect of the metal mixture on early- pregnancy weight gain showed an upward trend. In the BKMR model for mid-to-late pregnancy gestational weight gain, all PIPs were<0.5, and no significant single-metal effects, interactions, or joint effects were identified. Qgcomp results confirmed a positive association between the metal mixture and early-pregnancy weight gain (b=0.031, 95%CI: 0.010, 0.051; P<0.01), with V contributing the highest positive weight (0.71). No significant association was found for weight gain in mid-to-late pregnancy (b=0.007, P=0.339). Conclusion Higher levels of co-exposure to the Li, V, Bi, and U metal mixture during early pregnancy may be associated with increased average weekly weight gain in early pregnancy. Among these metals, V exhibits a predominant role and appears to interact with Li. No association is observed between early-pregnancy metal mixture exposure and average weekly gestational weight gain in mid-to-late pregnancy. These findings suggest that monitoring and managing metal exposure during early pregnancy may be crucial for the rational regulation of gestational weight gain.

Objective: To explore the association between warning signs of psychological and behavioral development problems with emotional and behavioral problems in preschool children in Bao an District, Shenzhen, so as to provide an empirical basis for optimizing psychological screening strategies in kindergartens. Methods: From September 2023 to August 2024, a total of 49 804 preschool children aged 4-6 years from all 401 kindergartens in Bao an District were enrolled as study subjects. The Warning Signs Checklist for Screening Psychological, Behavioral and Developmental Problems of Children and the parent version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were used to assess children s developmental status and emotional and behavioral problems, respectively. Multivariable Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between warning signs and emotional and behavioral problems, stratified by sex. Results: The overall positive screening rate for developmental warning signs was 1.5%, and the detection rate for high risk in the SDQ total difficulties score was 6.3%. Multivariable Logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjusting for age, children who screened positive for warning signs exhibited a significantly higher risk of elevated SDQ total difficulties and subscale scores compared to those who screened negative, across both sexes (a OR boys =1.66-13.42, a OR girls =2.04-22.15, all P <0.01). The only exceptions were gross motor skills and conduct problems in boys, and personal social skills and conduct problems in girls. Notably, abnormalities in the personal social domain demonstrated the strongest association with emotional/behavioral problems (a OR boys =7.72-13.42, a OR girls =3.88-22.15), followed by the language domain (a OR boys =4.63-9.23, a OR girls =3.78-14.41) (all P <0.01). Conclusion A positive screening result for warning signs, particularly in the personal social and language domains, serves as a strong indicator of emotional and behavioral problems in preschool children.

Objective: To examine the association of sleep duration, physical activity, and their joint effects on depressive and anxiety symptoms among college students, and to provide evidence for the prevention and intervention of emotional symptoms in the population. Methods: From October to December 2023, a total of 7 684 college students aged 18-22 years, who were selected from nine universities in Hubei, Jiangxi, and Anhui provinces by using convenience sampling, underwent questionnaire surveys and physical examinations. Chi-square test and Logistic regression model were used to analyze the associations of meeting sleep duration and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) recommendations, as well as their joint effects, with depressive and anxiety symptoms. Results: The prevalence rates of depressive and anxiety symptoms were 25.78% and 35.59%, respectively. The prevalence rates of both depressive and anxiety symptoms differed significantly across sleep duration and physical activity groups ( χ 2= 9.32 -127.01, all P <0.01). Logistic regression analyses showed that insufficient sleep duration and failure to meet the physical activity recommendation were associated with higher odds of depressive symptoms ( OR =1.67, 1.20) and anxiety symptoms ( OR = 1.74 , 1.21 ) (all P <0.01). Further joint effects analyses showed that the combination of insufficient sleep and insufficient MVPA and that of insufficient sleep and sufficient MVPA were associated with higher odds of depressive symptoms ( OR =1.94, 1.38 ) and anxiety symptoms ( OR =2.09, 1.59) (all P <0.05). The combination of sufficient sleep and insufficient MVPA was also associated with higher odds of anxiety symptoms ( OR =1.16, P <0.05). Conclusions Sleep duration, physical activity, and their joint effects are associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms among college students. Joint interventions targeting both sleep and physical activity should be emphasized to reduce the risk of emotional symptoms.

Primary osteoporosis （POP） is a metabolic bone disease characterized by reduced bone mass， degenerated bone microstructure， and increased bone fragility. Its pathogenesis involves the interaction of multiple factors such as genetics， aging， endocrine， and environment， which remain incompletely elucidated. Mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to insufficient adenosine triphosphate （ATP） production and abnormal accumulation of reactive oxygen species （ROS）， activating oxidative stress and inflammation pathways， thereby inhibiting osteoblast differentiation and promoting osteoclast activation， exacerbating the negative bone metabolism balance in POP. Mitochondrial autophagy， as the core mechanism of mitochondrial quality control， selectively identifies and clears damaged mitochondria to effectively reduce ROS accumulation and energy metabolism disorders， thus maintaining the balance between osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation. It plays a critical role in maintaining bone homeostasis and the prevention and treatment of POP. The traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） theory of Qi transformation shares similarities with the functions of mitochondria in energy generation and substance conversion. The pathological state of Qi deficiency and stagnation may be associated with mitochondrial autophagy dysfunction， and the pathogenic characteristics of combined phlegm and stasis align with the metabolic waste accumulation induced by obstructed autophagy flow. This article explores the correlation of the theory of Qi deficiency and stagnation with mitochondrial autophagy and elucidates its potential role in the pathogenesis of POP. Additionally， considering the pathogenesis features of POP， which involve deficiency causing stagnation and a mixture of deficiency and excess， this article proposes a novel therapeutic approach： tonifying Qi to support the body and unblocking collaterals to resolve stagnation from the perspective of mitochondrial autophagy. This article aims to provide theoretical support and research insights for further exploration of TCM in the prevention and treatment of POP.

Primary osteoporosis （POP） is a metabolic bone disease characterized by reduced bone mass， degenerated bone microstructure， and increased bone fragility. Its pathogenesis involves the interaction of multiple factors such as genetics， aging， endocrine， and environment， which remain incompletely elucidated. Mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to insufficient adenosine triphosphate （ATP） production and abnormal accumulation of reactive oxygen species （ROS）， activating oxidative stress and inflammation pathways， thereby inhibiting osteoblast differentiation and promoting osteoclast activation， exacerbating the negative bone metabolism balance in POP. Mitochondrial autophagy， as the core mechanism of mitochondrial quality control， selectively identifies and clears damaged mitochondria to effectively reduce ROS accumulation and energy metabolism disorders， thus maintaining the balance between osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation. It plays a critical role in maintaining bone homeostasis and the prevention and treatment of POP. The traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） theory of Qi transformation shares similarities with the functions of mitochondria in energy generation and substance conversion. The pathological state of Qi deficiency and stagnation may be associated with mitochondrial autophagy dysfunction， and the pathogenic characteristics of combined phlegm and stasis align with the metabolic waste accumulation induced by obstructed autophagy flow. This article explores the correlation of the theory of Qi deficiency and stagnation with mitochondrial autophagy and elucidates its potential role in the pathogenesis of POP. Additionally， considering the pathogenesis features of POP， which involve deficiency causing stagnation and a mixture of deficiency and excess， this article proposes a novel therapeutic approach： tonifying Qi to support the body and unblocking collaterals to resolve stagnation from the perspective of mitochondrial autophagy. This article aims to provide theoretical support and research insights for further exploration of TCM in the prevention and treatment of POP.

ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of action of the Qufeng Tongqiao Cough-relieving Decoction （祛风通窍止咳方， QTCD） in the treatment of upper airway cough syndrome （UACS）. MethodsTwenty-four guinea pigs were randomly divided into blank group， model group， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） group， and inhibitor group， with six guinea pigs in each group. Except for the blank group， guinea pigs were sensitized with ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide via intraperitoneal injection， followed by ovalbumin nasal drops combined with smoke exposure to establish the UACS model. After modeling， the TCM group was administered QTCD 0.9 g/（100 g·d） by gavage， the inhibitor group received the transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 4 （TRPV4） inhibitor GSK2193874 1 mmol/L， 5 min by nebulisation， and the blank group and model group were given 2 ml/（100 g·d） normal saline by gavage once daily. After 7 days of treatment， a cough provocation test was performed using 0.4 mol/L citric acid. The levels of IgE in serum and inflammatory cytokines， including interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-8 （IL-8） in serum， bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF）， and nasal lavage fluid （NLF） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Histopathological changes in lung and nasal mucosal tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein levels of TRPV4， substance P （SP）， and calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP） in lung and nasal mucosal tissues. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of TRPV4， SP， and CGRP in lung tissues. ResultsHE staining showed significant structural damage and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lung and nasal mucosal tissues in the model group， while the TCM group and inhibitor group showed improved pathological changes. Compared with the blank group， the model group showed increased cough frequency， serum IgE level， and IL-6 and IL-8 levels in serum， BALF， and NLF. The protein levels of TRPV4， SP， and CGRP in lung and nasal mucosal tissues and their mRNA expression were elevated （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the TCM group and inhibitor group showed reduced cough frequency， serum IgE level， and TRPV4 and SP mRNA expression in lung tissues. The TCM group showed reduced IL-6 and IL-8 levels in serum， BALF， and NLF， and reduced TRPV4 and CGRP protein levels in lung and nasal mucosal tissues. The inhibitor group showed reduced IL-6 and IL-8 levels in serum， BALF， and NLF， reduced IL-6 in BALF， reduced IL-8 in NLF， and decreased TRPV4， SP， and CGRP protein levels in lung tissues and SP and CGRP protein levels in nasal mucosal tissues （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the TCM group， the inhibitor group had increased serum IgE， IL-6， and IL-8 levels， increased IL-6 level in BALF， and increased IL-8 levle in NLF， but decreased SP protein level in lung tissues and increased TRPV4 and SP mRNA expression in lung tissues （P＜0.01）. ConclusionQTCD effectively reduces cough frequency in the UACS guinea pig model. Its mechanism may involve inhibiting the activation of the TRPV4 pathway， improving airway neurogenic inflammation， alleviating inflammatory responses， and reducing cough hypersensitivity.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Tripterygium wilfordii multiglycoside （TWM） on renal injury in diabetic nephropathy （DN） rats through tumor protein p53/microRNA-214 （miR-214）/UNC-51-like kinase 1 （ULK1） axis. METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group （n＝6） and modeling group （n＝28）； the modeling group was fed with high fat and high glucose plus intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to establish DN model. The modeled rats were randomly divided into model group， valsartan group [8.33 mg/（kg·d）] and TWM group[6.25 mg/（kg·d）]， with 8 rats in each group. Rats in each group were gavaged with the corresponding medication or normal saline， once a day， for 6 consecutive weeks. After the last medication， liver and renal function indexes [24 h urinary total protein （24 h-UTP）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， serum creatinine （SCr）， albumin （ALB）， alanine transaminase （ALT）]， blood lipid indexes （triglycerides， total cholesterol） and blood glucose index （fasting blood glucose） in urine/blood sample of rats were detected in each group. Renal pathologic change was observed， protein and mRNA expressions of p53， ULK1， Beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3）， and expression of miR-214 in renal tissue were also determined. RESULTS Compared with the normal group， the renal tubular epithelium of rats in the model group showed obvious edema， cell swelling， accompanied by lymphocyte infiltration； the levels of 24h-UTP， BUN， SCr， ALT and glycolipid indexes， the expressions of p53 protein and mRNA， as well as the expression of miR-214 in rats in the model group and administration groups were significantly increased or up-regulated， while ALB level， LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ， the expressions of LC3 mRNA， the expressions of ULK1， Beclin-1 protein and mRNA were significantly decreased or down-regulated （P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the histopathological damage of the kidney in rats was improved in administration groups； the levels of 24 h-UTP， BUN， SCr， ALT and glycolipid indexes， the expressions of p53 protein and mRNA， as well as the expression of miR-214 were all significantly decreased or down-regulated， while ALB level， LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ， the expressions of LC3 mRNA， the expressions of ULK1 and Beclin-1 protein and mRNA were significantly increased or up-regulated （P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS TG can alleviate renal damage in DN rats， and improve their liver and renal function， as well as glucose and lipid levels. These effects may be related to the regulation of the p53/miR-214/ULK1 axis and the restoration of cellular autophagy.

On the premise of respecting the objective law of the occurrence and development of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） dispensing granules， relevant national departments have gradually formed the research and formulation ideas of national drug standards for dispensing granules based on the experiences and lessons learned in the development process of quality standards， as well as the formation mechanism of national standards for dispensing granules. This has certain reference significance for the formulation path of TCM quality standards. Combined with the general situation of the published standards and specific cases， the research concepts of the national standards for dispensing granules were analyzed and summarized in this paper， and the analysis of the technical characteristics of the issued national standards was focused， including the introduction of standard decoction， the overall quality control of TCM， the whole process quality control and other research ideas. At the same time， it summarized the industry common problems in the research and development process of national standards for dispensing granules， such as the source and process control of medicinal materials， and strived to solve them together， encouraging the demonstration and application of new technological means in the field of TCM dispensing granules. Finally， based on the literature analysis， the shortcomings of the current national standards were discussed， and relevant suggestions were put forward to further improve the national standards for dispensing granules. Through the overall analysis， it is helpful to comprehensively understand the technical characteristics of the national standards for TCM dispensing granules， and provide reference for the scientific exploration and practice of quality control methods for TCM.

BACKGROUND:Spinal canal decompression using uniportal endoscopic surgery is a new minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.However,this technique needs a steep learning curve and high requirements for surgical equipment and instruments,which limits its clinical application.We previously use the spinal endoscopy as a monitoring endoscopy and combined with unilateral biportal endoscopy to propose a hybrid technique of spinal endoscopy to achieve coaxial endoscopic operation and hands-separate operation. OBJECTIVE:To compare the clinical outcome of hybrid technique and uniportal endoscopic surgery in treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with bilateral lower limb pain symptoms. METHODS:Ninety patients diagnosed of lumbar spinal stenosis with bilateral symptoms were included and retrospectively analyzed at First People's Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University from August 2020 to August 2022.44 cases were included in group A(hybrid technique group),while 46 cases were included in group B(uniportal endoscopic surgery).The nerve decompression was observed during the surgery.Operation time,hospital stay time,and expenses were recorded in both groups.The visual analog scale scores of lower back pain and both lower extremities pain,Oswestry disability index scores of quality of life and excellent and good rate of modified Macnab criteria were recorded and compared at preoperative,postoperative 3 days,and postoperative 3 and 6 months. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The operation time of group A was significantly shorter than that of group B(P<0.05).(2)The lower back pain and lower extremity pain of the severe side at postoperative 3 days,and 3 and 6 months were significantly relieved in both groups(P<0.05).The visual analog scale score of lower extremity pain on the mild side was significantly decreased at postoperative 3 days,3 and 6 months than preoperative score in the group A(P<0.05).The visual analog scale score of lower extremity pain on the mild side was significantly decreased at postoperative 3 days than preoperative score in the group B(P<0.05).The visual analog scale scores of lower extremity pain on the mild side at postoperative 3 and 6 months did not show significant difference than preoperative score in the group B.The comparison between the two groups showed that there was no significant difference in the visual analog scale scores of postoperative lower back pain and lower extremity pain of the severe side(P>0.05).The visual analog scale scores of lower extremity pain on the mild side in the group A were significantly lower than those of group B at postoperative 3 and 6 months(P<0.05).(3)The Oswestry disability index scores of both groups at postoperative 3 day were significantly lower than preoperative score(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference between the two groups 3 days after operation.Oswestry disability index scores of group A at postoperative 3 and 6 months were significantly decreased than preoperative score(P<0.05).The Oswestry disability index scores of group B at postoperative 3 and 6 months did not show significant differences than preoperative score(P>0.05).The comparison between the two groups showed the Oswestry disability index scores of group A were significantly lower than group B at postoperative 3 and 6 months(P<0.05).(4)The results of modified Macnab showed that the excellent and good rate of group A was significantly higher than that of group B(95%,78%,P<0.05).(5)It is indicated that the hybrid technique is a new spinal endoscopy technique,which has the advantages of less trauma and faster recovery as a minimally invasive surgery.The clinical outcome of hybrid technique is superior to that of uniportal endoscopic surgery in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with bilateral symptoms.Additionally,it also has the advantages of good operational flexibility and high decompression efficiency as an open surgery.

Flap surgery is a complex surgical procedure that has become an effective method for the treatment of many diseases and traumas.Flap survival is closely related to a variety of factors including cellular autophagy,oxidative stress,inflammatory response,mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)function,and vascular regeneration.Cellular autophagy maintains intracellular homeostasis and plays a key role in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation and promoting injury repair.Excessive oxidative stress and inflammatory responses pose a threat to flaps,affecting their survival and successful transplantation.Endothelial cells are involved in vascu-lar regeneration through proliferation,migration,and production of angiogenic factors,and vascular endothelial growth factor directly promotes blood vessel formation and maintains endothelial cell function.MSCs play an important role in promoting flap survival and tissue repair due to their unique biological properties and multiple mechanisms of action.The multiple roles played by cellular autophagy,oxidative stress,inflammatory response,MSCs function,and vascular regeneration in influencing postoperative flap survival are hereby elaborated.The aim is to provide a basis for the clinical application of regulating the above factors to improve postoperative flap survival,improve the success rate of flap surgery,reduce complications,and bring more hope for the recovery and quality of life of patients.