Liver injury has become an increasingly serious global health problem， and existing chemical drugs face the limitations in efficacy and adverse reactions， resulting in the urgent need to develop safe and effective drugs. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of flavonoids from natural medicinal plants in the prevention and treatment of liver injury. As a typical natural flavonoid， luteolin shows a good protective effect against liver injury due to various etiologies， but there is still a lack of systematic elaboration on its mechanism of action. This article summarizes related research advances in China and globally and reviews the mechanism of action of luteolin in inhibiting oxidative stress， exerting an anti-inflammatory effect， regulating cell death， alleviating hepatic fibrosis， modulating lipid metabolism disorders， and regulating the gut-liver axis， as well as the application prospect of luteolin in the treatment of liver injury， in order to provide a scientific reference for further research on this compound.

Liver injury has become an increasingly serious global health problem， and existing chemical drugs face the limitations in efficacy and adverse reactions， resulting in the urgent need to develop safe and effective drugs. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of flavonoids from natural medicinal plants in the prevention and treatment of liver injury. As a typical natural flavonoid， luteolin shows a good protective effect against liver injury due to various etiologies， but there is still a lack of systematic elaboration on its mechanism of action. This article summarizes related research advances in China and globally and reviews the mechanism of action of luteolin in inhibiting oxidative stress， exerting an anti-inflammatory effect， regulating cell death， alleviating hepatic fibrosis， modulating lipid metabolism disorders， and regulating the gut-liver axis， as well as the application prospect of luteolin in the treatment of liver injury， in order to provide a scientific reference for further research on this compound.

ObjectiveTo investigate microbial contamination status and distribution characteristics in laboratory animal barrier facilities, so as to provide a scientific basis for environmental quality control in barrier facilities. MethodsIn accordance with the national standard "Laboratory Animals—Environment and Housing Facilities" and the "Standard Operating Procedures" of the barrier facility, bacterial monitoring was performed on samples of air-settling bacteria, materials, and personnel gloves in the single-corridor barrier facility of the Animal Core Facility, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CEMCS). The monitoring data from January 2020 to December 2024 were collected, organized and statistically analyzed, and partial samples were subjected to species identification using PCR and sequencing methods. ResultsA total of 7 898 samples were collected from 2020 to 2024, including 3 175 air-settling bacteria samples, 3 353 material samples, and 1 370 glove samples. The overall compliance rate was 95.7% (7 559/7 898), among which the compliance rate of air-settling bacteria was 97.1% (3 084/3 175), that of materials was 93.2% (3 125/3 353), and that of personnel gloves was 98.5% (1 350/1 370). Over the five years, the compliance rates of all three types of monitored samples were above 90%. There were statistically significant differences in the compliance rates of air-settling bacteria and material samples among different quarters (P<0.05). Further investigation was conducted on samples collected from January to March 2024, and 190 bacterial strains were obtained through isolation and culture, including 126 strains from air-settling bacteria, 52 strains from materials, and 12 strains from personnel gloves. The strains were identified by PCR amplification and sequencing, and the 190 bacterial strains belonged to 9 genera and 20 species. Gram-positive bacteria accounted for the majority, with Staphylococcus as the dominant genus, accounting for 77.9% (148/190). ConclusionMicroorganisms carried by air, materials, and personnel gloves in barrier facilities are mainly Gram-positive bacteria. Regular monitoring of air-settling bacteria, materials, and personnel gloves in barrier facilities enables timely detection and control of potential risks during husbandry management and facility operation, which is of great significance for maintaining the sound operation of the barrier facility system and ensuring the quality of animal experiments.

Objective: To investigate the incidence, characteristics, and influencing factors of resolution discrepancies within the minipool (MP) testing model across Chinese blood station laboratories in 2024. Methods: A nationwide, multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted, including 334 blood station laboratories that reported nucleic acid reactive data among enzyme immunoassay non-reactive samples. Of these, 296 laboratories adopted the pool resolution model, with a total of 12 536 273 samples tested. Systematic analysis was performed on resolution data, focusing on the MP-NAT reactivity rate, the pool resolution concordance rate, and the resolution discrepancy rate. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on reagent types, viral targets, and Ct values. Potential causes were further explored through laboratory surveys and re-examination of raw amplification curves. Results: In 2024, the national average MP-NAT reactivity rate was 0.15%. The overall pool resolution concordance rate was 57.86%, which showed a gradual decline as Ct values increased across all reagents. The national average resolution discrepancy rate was 0.081‱(102/12 536 273), with 17.91%(53/296) of laboratories reporting at least one discrepancy. Nine reagent types were associated with these events, exhibiting reagent-specific patterns. For Reagent A2, the predominant discrepancy was HBV reactive pools resolving as HIV (36.36%); for Reagent D1, HBV pools frequently resolved as HCV (38.89%); and for Reagent E, the most common pattern was HIV pools resolving as HBV (48.00%). These resolution discrepancies were strongly associated with high Ct values: the median pool Ct for HBV exceeded 38, while those for HCV and HIV both exceeded 40. Investigations across 16 laboratories revealed that most discrepant samples exhibited “tailing” amplification curves, with some cases linked to cross-contamination or reagent batch-specific issues. Conclusion: While the incidence of resolution discrepancies in the MP-NAT model remains low in China, variations exist across different reagents and laboratories. These discrepancies are closely associated with low viral load, reagent performance, and laboratory operational practices.

AIM:To investigate the current status of astigmatism and its associated factors among children and adolescents from kindergarten through senior high school in Yangpu District, Shanghai, and to provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of refractive errors.METHODS:A cluster sampling method was employed. From September to November 2024, students from 14 randomly selected schools in Yangpu District, Shanghai, were enrolled as study subjects. Autorefraction and ocular biometry were performed under non-cycloplegic conditions, and questionnaire surveys were administered. Comparisons of astigmatism degree, detection rate, and axis were made across age groups, educational stages, and sexes. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with astigmatism.RESULTS:A total of 7 233 students aged 4-18 y were enrolled including 3 731 males, 3 502 females, with the mean age 10.13±4.18 y, astigmatism -0.76±0.82 D, and the detection rate(≤-1.00 D)was 29.23%. Both the degree and detection rate of astigmatism were correlated with age and educational stage, peaking in senior high school, with the most pronounced changes observed during primary school. Besides age, astigmatic refractive power was influenced by spherical equivalent(β=0.105, P<0.001), mean keratometry(β=-0.118, P<0.001), sex(with boys as the reference, girls: β=0.054, P<0.001), frequent sustained near work for 30-40 min(with “almost never” as the reference, β=-0.030, P=0.038), preterm birth(β=-0.023, P=0.044), maternal myopia(β=-0.028, P=0.020), and homework completion time on rest days(β=-0.035, P=0.041). The detection rate of astigmatism was associated with maternal myopia(OR=1.130, P=0.039), male sex(OR=0.773, P<0.001), shorter sleep duration on school days(OR=0.909, P=0.028), shorter sleep duration on rest days(OR=0.937, P=0.046), preterm birth(OR=1.382, P=0.012), frequent excessive head lowering(OR=1.216, P=0.045), homework completion time on rest days(OR=1.043, P=0.046), higher spherical equivalent(OR=0.891, P<0.001), and higher mean keratometry(OR=1.188, P<0.001).CONCLUSION:The degree and detection rate of astigmatism among children and adolescents from kindergarten to senior high school in Yangpu District, Shanghai are correlated with educational stage, and primary school may represent a critical period for astigmatism prevention and control. Male sex, maternal myopia, preterm birth, high-intensity near work, and insufficient sleep and other factors may be associated with the onset and progression of astigmatism. It is recommended that education and health departments strengthen visual health screening during primary school, while promoting behavioral interventions such as scientific eye-use habits and adequate sleep across different educational stages to delay the onset and progression of astigmatism.

Background Both productive dust and noise are occupational hazards, and each can induce changes in blood glucose levels among workers. Objective To explore the potential interactive effects of exposure to productive dust and noise on the risk of hyperglycemia among automobile manufacturing workers. Methods Using a cluster sampling method, workers undergoing occupational health examination from three automobile manufacturing plants in Wuhan in 2022 were selected. Basic information was collected using a questionnaire designed by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Exposure history was obtained through occupational history interviews. Clinic indicators such as blood pressure, blood lipids, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and fatty liver status, were retrieved from examination records. Hyperglycemia was defined as FBG > 6.1 mmol·L^-1. Logistic regression models analyzed the independent effects of occupational noise and dust exposure, while additive and multiplicative interaction models assessed their interactive effects on hyperglycemia. Results The prevalence of hyperglycemia among the 1223 participants was 7.7%. Logistic regression showed that using workers without exposure as reference, the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for hyperglycemia among workers exposed only to dust, only to noise, and to both were 2.15 (1.90, 4.23), 2.23 (1.40, 5.08), and 3.75 (1.95, 7.24), respectively. A linear association was observed between the duration of noise exposure and blood glucose levels (P<0.05). Interaction analysis showed no multiplicative interaction or additive interaction. Conclusion Exposure to productive dust and noise are independent risk factors for hyperglycemia among workers. While both contribute to increased risk, no significant synergistic interaction is observed.

BACKGROUND:Psoralen has a strong anti-osteoporotic activity and may have a restorative effect on chemotherapy-induced osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:To explore the restorative effect of psoralen on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in mice inhibited by cyclophosphamide and its mechanism. METHODS:C57BL/6 mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured.Effect of psoralen on viability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was detected by MTT assay.Osteogenic induction combined with alkaline phosphatase staining was used to determine the optimal dose of psoralen to restore the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells inhibited by cyclophosphamide.The mRNA expression levels of Runx2,alkaline phosphatase,Osteocalcin,osteoprotegerin,and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related genes Wnt1,Wnt4,Wnt10b,β-catenin,and c-MYC were measured by RT-qPCR at different time points under the intervention with psoralen.The protein expression of osteogenic specific transcription factor Runx2 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway related genes Active β-catenin,DKK1,c-MYC,and Cyclin D1 was determined by western blot assay at different time points under the intervention with psoralen. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no significant effect of different concentrations of psoralen on the viability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.The best recovery of the inhibition of osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells caused by cyclophosphamide was under the intervention of psoralen at a concentration of 200 μmol/L.(2)Psoralen reversed the reduction in osteogenic differentiation marker genes Runx2,alkaline phosphatase,Osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin mRNA expression and Runx2 protein expression in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells caused by cyclophosphamide conditioned medium.(3)Psoralen reversed the decrease in Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related genes Wnt4,β-catenin,c-MYC mRNA and Active β-catenin,c-MYC,and Cyclin D1 protein expression and the increase in DKK1 protein expression in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells caused by cyclophosphamide conditioned medium.(4)The results showed that cyclophosphamide inhibited osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in mice,and psoralen had a restorative effect on it.The best intervention effect was achieved at a concentration of 200 μmol/L psoralen,and this protective effect might be related to the activation of Wnt4/β-catenin signaling pathway by psoralen.

As an important part of Chinese traditional culture， the processing technology of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） carries the wisdom of TCM for thousands of years， and its process is complex and rigorous. With the popularization of modern production technology， traditional processing techiques are facing the dual pressures from technological innovation and production standardization under the perspective of intangible cultural heritage. The modernization of TCM processing technology is an inevitable trend for industrial upgrading， but it cannot be separated from the foundation of traditional skills and ignore the core concepts and cultural values it embodies. Therefore， by analyzing the core characteristics of TCM processing technology and its differences with modern production， this paper discusses the establishment of a synergistic innovation mechanism between traditional techniques and modern technologies， the promotion of joint research and development between scientific research institutes and the industry， the strengthening of standardization of processing techniques， and the enhancement of social education and industry training to improve the recognition and inheritance of processing techniques in order to achieve the goal of innovation and protection of TCM processing technologies in the context of modernization， and to promote the high-quality development of the TCM processing industry.

Objective: To investigate the changing trends for associations of anxiety and depressive symptoms with smartphone addiction among middle school students, so as to provide a scientific basis for preventing smartphone addiction in middle school students. Methods: From 2022 to 2023, a method of combining convenient sampling with cluster sampling was used to select 8 923 middle school students from 27 junior high schools and 3 senior high schools in a district of Shenzhen City between September 2022 (baseline, T1) and September 2023 (follow up, T2). The Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV), Patients Health Questionnaire-9 Item (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7) were administered to assess smartphone addiction, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Mixed effects models were used to analyze the association of anxiety and depressive symptoms with smartphone addiction among middle school students. Results: From September 2022 to September 2023, the reported prevalence of smartphone addiction increased from 24.22% to 25.25% ( χ 2=45.71); and smartphone addiction scores [ 24.00 (16.00, 32.00),25.00(16.00, 33.00)], anxiety symptom scores [2.00(0.00, 7.00),3.00(0.00, 7.00)] and depressive symptom scores[3.00(0.00, 8.00),5.00(0.00, 9.00)] all significantly increased ( Z =-17.43, -42.38, -41.57) (all P <0.05). There were statistically significant difference in the distribution of anxiety and depression symptom levels among middle school students in 2022 and 2023 ( χ 2=85.15, 106.85, both P <0.05). After adjusting for covariates such as age, gender and family background, mixed effects models revealed dose response associations of anxiety and depressive symptoms with smartphone addiction among middle school students:mild anxiety symptom( OR =3.22), moderate to severe anxiety symptom ( OR =5.36), mild depressive symptom ( OR =3.32) and moderate to severe depressive symptom ( OR =6.13) were significantly associated with higher risks of smartphone addiction (all P <0.05). Interaction effect analysis found that co existing anxiety and depressive symptoms synergistically increased addiction risk by 5.60 times ( OR =5.60) compared to the asymptomatic group, with 32% of the combined risk attributable to their interaction ( S=1.64, AP =0.32)(both P < 0.05 ). Conclusions Anxiety and depressive symptoms are significantly associated with smartphone addiction, exhibiting a synergistic effect. Attention should be paid to emotional issues and smartphone addiction among middle school students.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupuncture on podocyte autophagy and long non-coding RNA SOX2 overlapping transcript (LncRNA SOX2OT)/mammalian target of rapamycin C1 (mTORC1)/Unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) pathway in rats with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and to explore the mechanism by which acupuncture reduces urinary protein. METHODS: A total of 40 SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=30). The DKD model was established by feeding a high-fat, high-sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in the modeling group. Twenty rats with successful DKD model were randomly divided into a model group (n=10) and an acupuncture group (n=10). The acupuncture group received "spleen and stomach-regulating" acupuncture at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST36), "Fenglong" (ST40), "Yinlingquan" (SP9), and "Zhongwan" (CV12), 30 min per session, once daily, five times per week, for four weeks. The general condition, fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPG), serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), 24-hour urinary protein quantification, and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) were compared before and after the intervention. After intervention, urinary podocyte injury marker SPON2 was measured by ELISA. Podocyte autophagosomes and glomerular basement membrane ultrastructure in renal tissue were observed via transmission electron microscopy. Podocyte apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining. The protein expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3Ⅱ (LC3-Ⅱ), mTORC1, ULK1, Beclin-1, and p62 in renal tissue was detected by Western blot. LncRNA SOX2OT expression in renal tissue was measured by real-time PCR. RESULTS: After the intervention, compared with the control group, the model group exhibited increased food and water intake, increased urine output, weight loss, and loose stools; compared with the model group, the food and water intake, urine volume, and loose stools were improved in the acupuncture group. Compared with the control group, FBG, 2hPG, SCr, BUN, 24-hour urinary protein quantification, UACR, and urinary SPON2 were all higher in the model group (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the FBG, 2hPG, SCr, BUN, 24-hour urinary protein quantification, UACR, and urinary SPON2 were all lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the model group showed reduced podocyte autophagosomes and thickened glomerular basement membrane; compared with the model group, the acupuncture group had increased podocyte autophagosomes and less thickened basement membrane. Compared with the control group, the podocyte apoptosis index (AI) was higher in the model group (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the AI was lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the expression of ULK1, Beclin-1, and LC3-Ⅱ proteins was lower, and the expression of mTORC1 and p62 proteins was higher in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of ULK1, Beclin-1, and LC3-Ⅱ proteins was higher, and the expression of mTORC1 and p62 proteins was lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the LncRNA SOX2OT expression was lower in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, LncRNA SOX2OT expression was higher in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION The "spleen and stomach-regulating" acupuncture method could improve renal function in DKD rats, reduce blood glucose and urinary protein excretion, alleviate podocyte injury, and enhance podocyte autophagy. The mechanism may be related to modulation of the renal LncRNA SOX2OT/mTORC1/ULK1 pathway.
Animals ; Podocytes/cytology* ; Diabetic Nephropathies/physiopathology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Rats ; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/genetics* ; Autophagy ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog/genetics* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; Humans ; Signal Transduction