It is believed that there is a pathogenesis of yang deficiency in polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） infertility， and it is concluded that warm-yang method has a better effect in improving endometrial abnormality， enhancing the quality of follicles， correcting endocrine disorders， and resolving or alleviating clinical symptoms in PCOS infertility. Based on Yanghe Decoction （阳和汤）， a representative traditional Chinese medicine decoction for warming yang， Yanghe Xiaonang Decoction （阳和消囊汤） was formulated， combining with warm medicinals according to symptoms， and aerobic exercise was also advocated to help generate and develop yang qi， in order to provide ideas for clinical treatments.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and possible mechanisms of Xianglian Huazhuo Granules （香连化浊颗粒， XHG） in the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia. MethodsA total of 140 patients with chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group， with 70 cases in each group. The treatment group received 12.5 g of XHG orally， twice daily. The control group received 12.5 g of placebo orally， twice daily. Both groups were treated for 6 months. The traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） symptom scores， pathological types， serum tumor markers of the digestive system， and serum bile acids （TBA）， interleukin-23 （IL-23）， and Dickkopf-related protein 1 （DKK-1） levels were observed before and after treatment. Safety indicators and adverse events were recorded. After treatment， TCM syndrome efficacy and pathological types were evaluated， and patients were followed up for 18 months with gastric endoscopy and pathological results， which were compared with the results after treatment finished. ResultsTwo patients dropped out in the control group， and a total of 168 cases were included in the final analysis， 70 in the treatment group and 68 in the control group. The treatment group showed a significant reduction in TCM symptom scores， serum TBA， IL-23， and DKK-1 levels， and a significant increase in alpha-fetoprotein （AFP）， carbohydrate antigen 125 （CA125）， carbohydrate antigen 199 （CA199） levels； in the control group， carcinoembryonic antigen （CEA）， CA125， CA199 levels significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； and carbohydrate antigen 242 （CA242） level in both the treatment group and the control group decreased significantly （P＜0.01）. The treatment group had lower TCM symptom scores and lower levels of serum TBA， IL-23， and DKK-1 compared to the control group （P＜0.05）. The effective rate for TCM syndrome efficacy in the treatment group was 80.00% （56/70）， significantly higher than the 20.59% （14/68） in the control group （P < 0.05）. The effective rate for pathological classification in the treatment group was 72.73% （8/11） for mixed intestinal metaplasia， significantly better than 46.15% （6/13） in the control group （P＜0.05）. No adverse events were reported in either group. Among 40 patients who had a follow-up endoscopy after one year， 21 were from the treatment group， of whom 11 showed reduced intestinal metaplasia， 9 showed no significant changes， and 1 had worsened； while 19 patients in the control group had 4 with reduced intestinal metaplasia， 13 with no significant changes， and 2 with worsened conditions. No cancer was detected in either group. The treatment group showed significantly better improvement in intestinal metaplasia on follow-up gastric endoscopy pathology than the control group （P＜0.05）. ConclusionXHG can significantly improve the clinical symptoms in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia and reduce the degree of mixed intestinal metaplasia. The mechanism may involve lowering serum TBA， DKK-1， and IL-23 levles， thus delaying the progression from inflammation to cancer.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and potential mechanism of caffeic acid （CA） on severe acute pancreatitis （SAP） induced by caerulein combined with lipopolysaccharide （LPS）， and to provide a basis for the research on novel drugs for the treatment of SAP. MethodsC57BL/6J mice， aged 6 weeks， were divided into control group， model group， CA group， and octreotide acetate （OA） group， with 6 mice in each group. The mice in the control group were given injection of normal saline， and those in the other groups were given intraperitoneal injection of caerulein combined with LPS to establish a mouse model of SAP. At 1 hour after the first injection of caerulein， the mice in the CA group and the OA group were given intraperitoneal injection of CA or subcutaneous injection of OA at an interval of 8 hours. The general status of the mice was observed after 24 hours of modeling， and serum， pancreas， lung， and colon samples were collected. HE staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of the pancreas and lungs， and the serum levels of α-amylase， lipase， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， alanine aminotransferase， aspartate aminotransferase， and creatinine were measured. RT-PCR was used to measure the expression of proinflammatory factors in the pancreas and lungs； myeloperoxidase （MPO） immunohistochemistry was used to observe the degree of neutrophil infiltration； Western blot was used to measure the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） and the level of citrullinated histone H3 （CitH3）， a marker for the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps （NETs）， in the pancreas and lungs， as well as the expression level of ZO-1 in colon tissue. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the Dunnett’s t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group had severe injury in the pancreas and lungs and significant increases in the activity of serum α- amylase and lipase and the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and TNF-α in serum and lung tissue （all P<0.05）， as well as significant increases in NF-κB activation， neutrophil infiltration， and the formation of NETs in the pancreas and lungs （all P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the CA group had alleviated pathological injury of the pancreas and lungs and significant reductions in the activity of serum α-amylase and the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α in serum and lung tissue （all P<0.05）， as well as significant reductions in NF-κB activation， neutrophil infiltration， and the formation of NETs in the pancreas and lungs （all P<0.05）. ConclusionCA can alleviate SAP induced by caerulein combined with LPS in mice， possibly by inhibiting neutrophil recruitment and the formation of NETs.

Objective: To investigate the association between habitual reading/writing postures and the co-occurrence of common health conditions (overweight/obesity, visual impairment, hypertension, and scoliosis) and comorbidities among children and adolescents, in order to provide data support for the joint prevention of common diseases and comorbidities among children and adolescents. Methods: From September 2021 to June 2022, a multi-stage cluster random sampling method was used to select a total of 4 577 children and adolescents from 16 primary and secondary schools in Ningxia: Jinfeng District of Yinchuan City, Shapotou District of Zhongwei City, Yanchi County of Wuzhong City, and Pingluo County of Shizuishan City. A weighted complex sampling design was used to investigate the association of habitual reading and writing postures with common comorbidities in children and adolescents. Results: The prevalence rates of common diseases among children and adolescents in Ningxia were as follows: overweight/obesity was 22.87%, visual impairment was 62.52%, scoliosis was 2.30%, and hypertension was 1.30%. The prevalence of multimorbidity (co-occurrence of ≥2 conditions) among Ningxia children and adolescents was 15.95%. Multivariate unconditional Logistic regression analysis showed that frequent/always collapsing waist and sitting forward with head lowered increased the risk of common comorbidities in children and adolescents ( OR =1.90, P <0.05). Compared with the corresponding reference group, male children and adolescents aged 9 to 12 years and boys had relatively lower risks of overweight/obesity ( OR =0.71, 0.70); the risk of poor vision among children and adolescents aged 9 to 12 years, male, and urban was relatively low ( OR =0.59, 0.60, 0.73)( P < 0.05 ). Children and adolescents who often/always sat leaning to the left or right were at higher risk of poor vision ( OR =1.78); urban children and adolescents had a higher risk of developing scoliosis ( OR =3.71); children and adolescents aged 9 to 12 had a relatively low risk of developing hypertension ( OR =0.09), and children and adolescents who often/always bent their backs and sat forward on their knees had a higher risk of hypertension ( OR =5.03)( P <0.05). Conclusions Ningxia has a high incidence of common diseases and multiple diseases among children and adolescents, frequent or always collapsing waist and sitting forward with head lowered is associated with common comorbidities in children and adolescents in Ningxia. Proper postural measures for reading and writing should be carried out as soon as possible to encourage children and adolescents to develop good reading and writing habits for effectively preventing and controlling the occurrence of common diseases.

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation of the serum levels of aminotransferases and their ratios with liver inflammation activity in pediatric chronic hepatitis B （pCHB） patients， and to provide a basis for selecting the dominant population for treatment. MethodsThis study was conducted among 1 267 pCHB patients who were admitted to The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2010 to August 2022 and these patients did not receive antiviral therapy. The patients were analyzed in terms of demographic features， blood routine， blood biochemistry， HBV serological markers， and liver biopsy data. According to liver inflammation activity based on liver biopsy， the patients were divided into no or mild inflammation activity （G0‍ ‍—‍ ‍G1） group and significant inflammation activity （G2‍ ‍—‍ ‍G4） group. The serum levels of aminotransferases and their ratios were compared between groups， and their correlation with liver inflammation activity in pCHB patients was analyzed. Additionally， the patients were stratified by the age， and the relationship between serum aminotransferase levels and liver inflammation activity was analyzed in each age group. For comparison of continuous data between two groups， the independent samples t-test was used when the data were normally distributed， while the Mann-Whitney U test was used when the data were not normally distributed； the chi-square test was employed for comparison of categorical data between two groups. A Spearman’s correlation analysis was performed for correlation assessment. ResultsAmong the 1 267 pCHB patients， there were 468 （36.9%） in the G0‍ ‍—‍ ‍G1 group and 799 （63.1%） in the G2‍ ‍—‍ ‍G4 group， and there were significant differences between the two groups in the levels of aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， AST/ALT ratio， gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase （GGT）， total bilirubin， direct bilirubin， HBeAg quantification， low-density lipoprotein， and platelet count （PLT） （all P<0.05）. The correlation analysis showed that liver inflammation activity was negatively correlated with PLT and low-density lipoprotein （both P<0.05） and was positively correlated with GGT， total bilirubin， direct bilirubin， and HBeAg titer （all P<0.05）， while it was not significantly correlated with ALT， AST， and AST/ALT ratio （all P>0.05）. In the 0‍ ‍—‍ ‍12 years group， the 13‍ ‍—‍ ‍18 years male group， and the 13‍ ‍—‍ ‍18 years female group， liver inflammation activity aggravated with the increases in the serum levels of ALT and AST， and there were significant differences between groups （all P<0.05）. In the 0‍ ‍—‍ ‍12 years group， there was a significant difference in significant liver inflammation activity between the AST/ALT ratio >1 group and the AST/ALT ratio ≤1 group （P<0.001）. Among the 1 267 patients， 447 （35.28%） had an ALT level of <2×upper limit of normal （ULN）， among whom 196 （43.85%） had G≥2 liver inflammation， accounting for 15.47% of all children enrolled. ConclusionLiver inflammation activity is not significantly correlated with ALT， AST， and AST/ALT ratio in pCHB patients， suggesting that the serum levels of aminotransferases cannot truly reflect liver inflammation activity in pCHB patients with an aminotransferase level of <2×ULN. In clinical practice， liver biopsy should be performed for children with an aminotransferase level of <2×ULN to clarify whether antiviral therapy should be performed.

Objective: To discuss the clinical value of neck circumference in screening for overweight and obesity in children and adolescents, so as to provide a theoretical basis and new ideas for overweight and obesity screening. Methods: From May to July 2023, a total of 2 493 children and adolescents aged 3 to 16 were sampled from three schools by the cluster random sampling method. General data, neck circumference, body mass index (BMI), waisttoheight ratio, and other information were collected. Mann-Whitney ranksum test, Spearman correlation analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to statistically analyze the data. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents aged 3 to 16 was 33.05%, and the prevalence of abdominal obesity was 28.33%.The neck circumferences of boys and girls in the overweight and obese group showed statistically significant differences from the normal weight group during the preschool, schoolage, and adolescence periods (Z=-16.69--4.54, P<0.05). The neck circumferences of children of different genders were moderately positively correlated with BMI (r=0.50-0.79, P<0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that neck circumference had good accuracy in assisting the screening for the occurrence of overweight and obesity in boys and girls during the preschool, schoolage, and adolescence periods [the AUC for boys:0.80(0.71-0.89), 0.89(0.86-0.91), 0.84(0.81-0.87); the AUC for girls:0.76(0.67-0.86), 0.81(0.74-0.88), 0.73(0.68-0.77), P<0.01], the optimal neck circumference cutoff values for boys were 26.95, 28.95, 33.55 cm, and for girls were 25.05, 26.55, 28.35 cm respectively. The neck circumferences of boys and girls were moderately positively correlated with the waisttoheight ratio during the schoolage and adolescence periods (r=0.41-0.70, P<0.01). ROC curves showed that neck circumferences had good accuracy in assisting the screening for the occurrence of abdominal obesity in boys and girls during the schoolage and adolescence periods [the AUC for boys:0.89(0.86-0.92), 0.82(0.78-0.85); the AUC for girls:0.84(0.75-0.93), 0.87(0.75-0.93)], the optimal cutoff values for boys were 28.95, 32.75 cm; for girls were 26.45, 31.85 cm respectively. Conclusion The neck circumference can be applied to screen for overweight and abdominal obesity in children and adolescents, and can provide new ideas for the prevention and control of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents.

【Objective】 To objectively evaluate the quality control level of blood testing process in blood banks through quantitative monitoring and trend analysis, and to promote the homogenization level and standardized management of blood testing laboratories in blood banks. 【Methods】 A quality monitoring indicator system covering the whole process of blood collection and supply, including blood donation service, blood component preparation, blood testing, blood supply and quality control was established. The questionnaire Quality Monitoring Indicators for Blood Collection and Supply Process with clear definition of indicators and calculation formulas was distributed to 17 blood banks in Shandong province. Quality monitoring indicators of each blood bank from January to December 2022 were collected, and 31 indicators in terms of blood testing were analyzed using SPSS25.0 software. 【Results】 The proportion of unqualified serological tests in 17 blood bank laboratories was 55.84% for ALT, 13.63% for HBsAg, 5.08% for anti HCV, 5.62% for anti HIV, 18.18% for anti TP, and 1.65% for other factors (mainly sample quality). The detection unqualified rate and median were (1.23±0.57)% and 1.11%, respectively. The ALT unqualified rate and median were (0.74±0.53)% and 0.60%, respectively. The detection unqualified rate was positively correlated with ALT unqualified rate (r=0.974, P<0.05). The unqualified rate of HBsAg, anti HCV, anti HIV and anti TP was (0.15±0.09)%, (0.05±0.04)%, (0.06±0.03)% and (0.20±0.05)% respectively. The average unqualified rate, average hemolysis rate, average insufficient volume rate and the abnormal hematocrit rate of samples in 17 blood bank laboratories was 0.21‰, 0.08‰, 0.01‰ and 0.02‰ respectively. There were differences in the retest concordance rates of four HBsAg, anti HCV and anti HIV reagents, and three anti TP reagents among 17 blood bank laboratories (P<0.05). The usage rate of ELISA reagents was (114.56±3.30)%, the outage rate of ELISA was (10.23±7.05) ‰, and the out of range rate of ELISA was (0.90±1.17) ‰. There was no correlation between the out of range rate, outrage rate and usage rate (all P>0.05), while the outrage rate was positively correlated with the usage rate (r=0.592, P<0.05). A total of 443 HBV DNA positive samples were detected in all blood banks, with an unqualified rate of 3.78/10 000; 15 HCV RNA positive samples were detected, with an unqualified rate of 0.13/10 000; 5 HIV RNA positive samples were detected, with an unqualified rate of 0.04/10 000. The unqualified rate of NAT was (0.72±0.04)‰, the single NAT reaction rate [(0.39±0.02)‰] was positively correlated with the single HBV DNA reaction rate [ (0.36±0.02) ‰] (r=0.886, P<0.05). There was a difference in the discriminated reactive rate by individual NAT among three blood bank laboratories (C, F, H) (P<0.05). The median resolution rate of 17 blood station laboratories by minipool test was 36.36%, the median rate of invalid batch of NAT was 0.67%, and the median rate of invalid result of NAT was 0.07‰. The consistency rate of ELISA dual reagent detection results was (99.63±0.24)%, and the median length of equipment failure was 14 days. The error rate of blood type testing in blood collection department was 0.14‰. 【Conclusion】 The quality monitoring indicator system for blood testing process in Shandong can monitor potential risks before, during and after the experiment, and has good applicability, feasibility, and effectiveness, and can facilitate the continuous improvement of laboratory quality control level. The application of blood testing quality monitoring indicators will promote the homogenization and standardization of blood quality management in Shandong, and lay the foundation for future comprehensive evaluations of blood banks.

【Objective】 To establish an effective quality monitoring indicator system for blood quality control in blood banks, in order to analyze the quality control indicators for blood collection and supply, and evaluate blood quality control process, thus promoting continuous improvement and standardizing management of blood quality control in blood banks. 【Methods】 A quality monitoring indicator system covering the whole process of blood collection and supply, including blood donation services, component preparation, blood testing, blood supply and quality control was established. The Questionnaire of Quality Monitoring Indicators for Blood Collection and Supply Process was distributed to 17 blood banks in Shandong, which clarified the definition and calculation formula of indicators. The quality monitoring indicator data from January to December 2022 in each blood bank were collected, and 20 quality control indicators data were analyzed by SPSS25.0 software. 【Results】 The average pass rate of key equipment monitoring, environment monitoring, key material monitoring, and blood testing item monitoring of 17 blood banks were 99.47%, 99.51%, 99.95% and 98.99%, respectively. Significant difference was noticed in the pass rate of environment monitoring among blood banks of varied scales(P<0.05), and the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) between the total number of blood quality testing items and the total amount of blood component preparation was 0.645 (P<0.05). The average discarding rates of blood testing or non-blood testing were 1.14% and 3.36% respectively, showing significant difference among blood banks of varied scales (P<0.05). The average discarding rate of lipemic blood was 3.07%, which had a positive correlation with the discarding rate of non testing (r=0.981 3, P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the discarding rate of lipemic blood between blood banks with lipemic blood control measures and those without (P<0.05). The average discarding rate of abnormal color, non-standard volume, blood bag damage, hemolysis, blood protein precipitation and blood clotting were 0.20%, 0.14%, 0.06%, 0.06%, 0.02% and 0.02% respectively, showing statistically significant differences among large, medium and small blood banks(P<0.05).The average discarding rates of expired blood, other factors, confidential unit exclusion and unqualified samples were 0.02%, 0.05%, 0.003% and 0.004%, respectively. The discarding rate of blood with air bubbles was 0.015%, while that of blood with foreign body and unqualified label were 0. 【Conclusion】 The quality control indicator system of blood banks in Shandong can monitor weak points in process management, with good applicability, feasibility, and effectiveness. It is conducive to evaluate different blood banks, continuously improve the quality control level of blood collection and supply, promote the homogenization and standardization of blood quality management, and lay the foundation for comprehensive evaluation of blood banks in Shandong.

【Objective】 To establish an effective quality indicator monitoring system, scientifically and objectively evaluate the quality management level of blood banks, and achieve continuous improvement of quality management in blood bank. 【Methods】 A quality monitoring indicator system that covers the whole process of blood collection and supply was established, the questionnaire of Quality Monitoring Indicators for Blood Collection and Supply Process with clear definition of indicators and calculation formulas was distributed to 17 blood banks in Shandong. Statistical analysis of 21 quality monitoring indicators in terms of blood donation service (10 indicators), blood component preparation (7 indicators ), and blood supply (4 indicators) from each blood bank from January to December 2022 were conducted using SPSS25.0 software The differences in quality monitoring indicators of blood banks of different scales were analyzed. 【Results】 The average values of quality monitoring indicators for blood donation service process of 17 blood banks were as follows: 44.66% (2 233/5 000) of regular donors proportion, 0.22% (11/50) of adverse reactions incidence, 0.46% (23/5 000) of non-standard whole blood collection rate, 0.052% (13/25 000) of missed HBsAg screening rate, 99.42% (4 971/5 000) of first, puncture successful rate, 86.49% (173/200) of double platelet collection rate, 66.50% (133/200) of 400 mL whole blood collection rate, 99.25% (397/400) of donor satisfaction rate, 82.68% (2 067/2 500) of use rate of whole blood collection bags with bypass system with sample tube, and 1 case of occupational exposure in blood collection.There was a strong positive correlation between the proportion of regular blood donors and the collection rate of 400 mL whole blood (P<0.05). The platelet collection rate, incidence of adverse reactions to blood donation, and non-standard whole blood collection rate in large blood banks were significantly lower than those in medium and small blood banks (P<0.05). The average quality monitoring indicators for blood component preparation process of 17 blood banks were as follows: the leakage rate of blood component preparation bags was 0.03% (3/10 000), the discarding rate of lipemic blood was 3.05% (61/2 000), the discarding rate of hemolysis blood was 0.13%(13/10 000). 0.06 case had labeling errors, 8 bags had blood catheter leaks, 2.76 bags had blood puncture/connection leaks, and 0.59 cases had non-conforming consumables. The discarding rate of hemolysis blood of large blood banks was significantly lower than that of medium and small blood banks (P<0.05), and the discarding rate of lipemic blood of large and medium blood banks was significantly lower than that of small blood banks (P<0.05). The average values of quality monitoring indicators for blood supply process of 17 blood banks were as follows: the discarding rate of expired blood was 0.023% (23/100 000), the leakage rate during storage and distribution was of 0.009%(9/100 000), the discarding rate of returned blood was 0.106% (53/50 000), the service satisfaction of hospitals was 99.16% (2 479/2 500). The leakage rate of blood components during storage and distribution was statistically different with that of blood component preparation bags between different blood banks (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the proportion of regular blood donors, incidence of adverse reactions, non-standard whole blood collection rate, 400 mL whole blood collection rate, double platelet collection rate, the blood bag leakage rate during preparation process, the blood components leakage rate during storage and distribution as well as the discarding rate of lipemic blood, hemolysis blood, expired blood and returned blood among large, medium and small blood banks (all P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 The establishment of a quality monitoring indicator system for blood donation services, blood component preparation and blood supply processes in Shandong has good applicability, feasibility and effectiveness. It can objectively evaluate the quality management level, facilitate the continuous improvement of the quality management system, promote the homogenization of blood management in the province and lay the foundation for future comprehensive evaluation of blood banks.

Objective We aimed to investigate the hemostatic effect and mechanism of modified Sijunzi Decoction(MSJZT),consisting of tangshen,India bread,largehead atractylodes rhizome,liquorice root,milkvetch root,ass hide glue,and India madder root,on the zebrafish intestinal bleeding model through 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)and its receptors(5-HT2aR,5-HT2bR).Methods Zebrafish at 4 days post fertilization were used as the research object.An intestinal bleeding model was established by induction with 6 μmol/L simvastatin for 24 hours.The zebrafish were divided into normal group,model group,MSJZT low-,mid-and high-concentration groups(55.6,167,500 mg/L),and after modeling,the corresponding concentration of MSJZT was administered.The samples were collected after 24 hours.Platelet count(PLT)and bleeding status were observed.The content of 5-HT and Caspase 3/7 activity were detected by colorimetry.The gene expressions of 5-HT2aR,5-HT2bR and serotonin transporter(SERT)were detected by real-time PCR.The protein expressions of protein kinase B(AKT),phosphorylated AKT(p-AKT),extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase(ERK),and phosphorylated ERK(p-ERK)were detected by Western blotting.Results The intestinal bleeding rate in the model group was 70.0%,and that in the MSJZT low-,mid-and high-concentration groups was 36.7%,40.0%,and 80.0%,respectively;the intestinal hemostatic effect was 54%,52%,and 7%,respectively.Compared with the model group,the PLT in the MSJZT low-and mid-concentration groups decreased;the content of 5-HT in all MSJZT groups increased,and the gene expressions of 5-HT2aR and 5-HT2bR were up-regulated.The gene expression of SERT was up-regulated in the low-and mid-concentration groups;the Caspase 3/7 activity in the mid-and high-concentration groups was reduced;the expressions of p-AKT and p-ERK proteins were up-regulated in the low-and mid-concentration groups(all P<0.05).Conclusion MSJZT can reduce the incidence and severity of intestinal bleeding in zebrafish intestinal bleeding models.The mechanism may be achieved by activating AKT and ERK signaling pathways through 5-HT and its receptors.