OBJECTIVE To analyze the distribution characteristics of mirtazapine steady-state trough concentration and concentration-to-dose ratio （ C / D ）， and to investigate the influence of clinical and genetic factors on C / D . METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on hospitalized patients with depression who received mirtazapine treatment and underwent therapeutic drug monitoring at the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from May 2022 to May 2025. The collected data included patients’ gender， age， body mass index， daily dose， steady-state trough concentration， smoking status， history of liver disease， drug type， concomitant medications， and CYP2D6 metabolic phenotype. The C / D was calculated. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the relationship between mirtazapine steady-state trough concentration and daily dose. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression model were employed to screen the factors potentially influencing the C / D of mirtazapine. RESULTS A total of 226 patients were included. The daily dose of mirtazapine was 25.00 （24.82， 30.00） mg/d， the steady-state trough concentration was 44.46 （20.00， 70.00） ng/mL， and the C / D was 1.83 （1.00， 2.00） （ng·d）/（mL·mg）. Steady-state trough concentrations were within the reference range （30-80 ng/mL） in 121 patients （53.54%）， below the lower limit in 80 patients （35.40%）， and above the upper limit in 25 patients （11.06%）. A positive correlation was observed between mirtazapine steady-state trough concentration and daily dose （coefficient of determination was 0.320 8， P ＜0.001）. Gender， smoking status， and CYP2D6 metabolic phenotype were significantly associated with the mirtazapine C / D （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Significant interindividual variability exists in mirtazapine steady-state trough concentrations. Gender， smoking status， and CYP2D6 metabolic phenotype are identified as independent influencing factors for the mirtazapine C / D ， with higher C / D ratios observed in females， non-smokers， and intermediate metabolizers.

Rheumatoid arthritis （RA） is a common autoimmune disease characterised clinically by symmetrical joint pain， swelling， and stiffness. Long-term chronic synovial inflammation can lead to severe joint damage and even disability， thereby affecting quality of life for patients. Current clinical treatment of RA emphasises an integrated approach combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine， with traditional Chinese medicine offering certain advantages in reducing disease activity of RA， preventing relapses， and other aspects. Modern clinical evidence confirms that Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimutang （GSZT） is effective in improving symptoms such as immune metabolism， joint stiffness， and joint pain in RA patients. Pharmacological studies have revealed that GSZT primarily contains components such as cinnamaldehyde， total glucosides of paeony， total alkaloids of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata， glycyrrhetinic acid， zingiberone， isoimperatorin， ephedra polysaccharides， and cedrol. It improves RA symptoms via multiple mechanisms and targets， including enhancing immune responses， exerting anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects， regulating relevant signalling pathways， inhibiting cell apoptosis， and suppressing bone destruction. This paper reviewed the syndrome patterns and pharmacological basis of GSZT in the treatment of RA， as well as its clinical applications and related mechanisms， thereby providing a theoretical basis and reference for the further development and utilisation of GSZT in the treatment of RA.

Rheumatoid arthritis （RA） is a common autoimmune disease characterised clinically by symmetrical joint pain， swelling， and stiffness. Long-term chronic synovial inflammation can lead to severe joint damage and even disability， thereby affecting quality of life for patients. Current clinical treatment of RA emphasises an integrated approach combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine， with traditional Chinese medicine offering certain advantages in reducing disease activity of RA， preventing relapses， and other aspects. Modern clinical evidence confirms that Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimutang （GSZT） is effective in improving symptoms such as immune metabolism， joint stiffness， and joint pain in RA patients. Pharmacological studies have revealed that GSZT primarily contains components such as cinnamaldehyde， total glucosides of paeony， total alkaloids of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata， glycyrrhetinic acid， zingiberone， isoimperatorin， ephedra polysaccharides， and cedrol. It improves RA symptoms via multiple mechanisms and targets， including enhancing immune responses， exerting anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects， regulating relevant signalling pathways， inhibiting cell apoptosis， and suppressing bone destruction. This paper reviewed the syndrome patterns and pharmacological basis of GSZT in the treatment of RA， as well as its clinical applications and related mechanisms， thereby providing a theoretical basis and reference for the further development and utilisation of GSZT in the treatment of RA.

ObjectiveHeadspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（HS-SPME-GC-MS） and GC-triple quadrupole MS（GC-QqQ-MS） in combination with non-targeted and targeted metabolomics were employed to systematically analyze the chemical composition differences of Xihuangwan prepared with natural musk and artificial musk， and establish an identification system for them. MethodsThe volatile components of 9 batches of Xihuangwan samples from 8 manufacturers were analyzed by HS-SPME-GC-MS non-targeted metabolomics， and identified by comparing their MS data with the National Institute of Standards and Technology（NIST） spectral library. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） was used to identify differential volatile components of Xihuangwan prepared with natural musk and artificial musk. Additionally， GC-QqQ-MS targeted metabolomics was applied to quantify the levels of α-pinene， β-elemene， muscone， dehydroepiandrosterone， bornyl acetate， and octyl acetate in 27 batches of samples from 9 manufacturers. Cluster analysis， principal component analysis（PCA）， and partial least squares-discriminant analysis（PLS-DA） were conducted to further explore the differences in volatile components between Xihuangwan samples prepared with natural musk and artificial musk. ResultsNon-targeted metabolomics identified 291 volatile compounds in Xihuangwan， including alkanes， esters， alkanes， alcohols， ketones， naphthalenes and others. OPLS-DA analysis revealed distinct separation between Xihuangwan samples containing artificial musk（A1， C1， D1， E1， F1， G1， I1） and those containing natural musk（H1， H3）. A total of 30 differential metabolites were identified. The relative contents of these 30 differential metabolites were visualized using a radar chart， revealing significant differences in the levels of octanol， borneol acetate and muscone. Cluster analysis and PCA results from targeted metabolomics indicated that Xihuangwan could be classified into two distinct groups：one composed of natural musk（H1， H3） and the other of artificial musk， sample H2. PLS-DA identified muscone， octyl acetate， and dehydroepiandrosterone as key differential volatile components. Although no significant difference was observed in the content of octyl acetate between the two groups， statistically significant differences were found for muscone and dehydroepiandrosterone（P<0.05）. ConclusionMuscone and dehydroepiandrosterone can be used for the differentiation of Xihuangwan samples containing natural musk from those containing artificial musk. This study systematically and comprehensively analyzed the differences in the types and contents of major volatile components in Xihuangwan prepared with natural musk and artificial musk， providing a scientific basis for quality evaluation and control of Xihuangwan.

ObjectiveHeadspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（HS-SPME-GC-MS） and GC-triple quadrupole MS（GC-QqQ-MS） in combination with non-targeted and targeted metabolomics were employed to systematically analyze the chemical composition differences of Xihuangwan prepared with natural musk and artificial musk， and establish an identification system for them. MethodsThe volatile components of 9 batches of Xihuangwan samples from 8 manufacturers were analyzed by HS-SPME-GC-MS non-targeted metabolomics， and identified by comparing their MS data with the National Institute of Standards and Technology（NIST） spectral library. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） was used to identify differential volatile components of Xihuangwan prepared with natural musk and artificial musk. Additionally， GC-QqQ-MS targeted metabolomics was applied to quantify the levels of α-pinene， β-elemene， muscone， dehydroepiandrosterone， bornyl acetate， and octyl acetate in 27 batches of samples from 9 manufacturers. Cluster analysis， principal component analysis（PCA）， and partial least squares-discriminant analysis（PLS-DA） were conducted to further explore the differences in volatile components between Xihuangwan samples prepared with natural musk and artificial musk. ResultsNon-targeted metabolomics identified 291 volatile compounds in Xihuangwan， including alkanes， esters， alkanes， alcohols， ketones， naphthalenes and others. OPLS-DA analysis revealed distinct separation between Xihuangwan samples containing artificial musk（A1， C1， D1， E1， F1， G1， I1） and those containing natural musk（H1， H3）. A total of 30 differential metabolites were identified. The relative contents of these 30 differential metabolites were visualized using a radar chart， revealing significant differences in the levels of octanol， borneol acetate and muscone. Cluster analysis and PCA results from targeted metabolomics indicated that Xihuangwan could be classified into two distinct groups：one composed of natural musk（H1， H3） and the other of artificial musk， sample H2. PLS-DA identified muscone， octyl acetate， and dehydroepiandrosterone as key differential volatile components. Although no significant difference was observed in the content of octyl acetate between the two groups， statistically significant differences were found for muscone and dehydroepiandrosterone（P<0.05）. ConclusionMuscone and dehydroepiandrosterone can be used for the differentiation of Xihuangwan samples containing natural musk from those containing artificial musk. This study systematically and comprehensively analyzed the differences in the types and contents of major volatile components in Xihuangwan prepared with natural musk and artificial musk， providing a scientific basis for quality evaluation and control of Xihuangwan.

Objective: To investigate the factors influencing the co-prevalence of allergic rhinitis and obesity among primary and secondary school students in Inner Mongolia, so as to provide a data foundation and theoretical basis for developing targeted intervention measures. Methods: In September and October 2024, a stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to select 139 102 students from 539 schools across 12 leagues/cities and 103 banners/counties in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Participants who were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis by a doctor at least once within one year and had a body mass index ≥ 28 kg/m 2 were considered to have comorbid conditions. Results: The coprevalence rate of allergic rhinitis and obesity among primary and secondary school students in Inner Mongolia was 6.4% (8 931 cases). Lasso-Logistic regression revealed that nonboarding status, higher maternal education, consuming high protein foods ≥1 time daily, occasionally or never eating breakfast, engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity for ≥60 minutes on fewer than half of holidays, and having been exposed to second hand smoke in person within the past seven days were associated with higher odds ratios for co-prevalence of allergic rhinitis and obesity( OR = 1.23 , 1.22-1.63, 1.20, 1.19, 1.38, 1.35); being female, higher grade level, residence in flag/county/district areas, non only child status, never having consumed a full glass of alcohol, non hypertensive status, and households without pets were associated with lower co-prevalence risks ( OR =0.65, 0.67-0.77, 0.81, 0.87, 0.73, 0.41, 0.68) (all P <0.05). The ROC curve indicated an area under the curve of 0.64 for the predictive model, demonstrating satisfactory discriminatory ability. The calibration curve showed consistency between predicted and actual occurrence probabilities. Conclusions The co-prevalence of allergic rhinitis and obesity among primary and secondary school students in Inner Mongolia is closely associated with demographic characteristics, dietary behaviours, and lifestyle habits. Future prevention and control strategies should prioritize these factors to implement targeted interventions.

ObjectiveThe Golgi apparatus serves as a central hub in the eukaryotic secretory pathway, responsible for the processing, sorting, and trafficking of proteins and lipids. In mammalian cells, the Golgi typically forms a perinuclear ribbon-like structure composed of laterally connected cisternae stacks.The maintenance of Golgi ribbon structure depends on the balance of membrane flux across multiple intracellular trafficking pathways, yet the specific contributions of distinct trafficking branches to Golgi macroscopic morphology remain elusive. In mammalian cells, the Golgi ribbon is typically organized as a perinuclear, laterally connected structure composed of stacked cisternae, and its integrity is highly dynamic and sensitive to perturbations in membrane trafficking. This study aims to elucidate the role of coat protein complex I (COPI)-mediated retrograde transport in maintaining the Golgi ribbon and to dissect the functional relationship between the transmembrane cargo receptors LEPROT/LEPROTL1 (LEPROTs) and the COPI adaptor GOLPH3. MethodsUsing siRNA interference and gene-deficient cell lines, we selectively perturbed COPI- or adaptor protein complex 1 (AP-1)-mediated trafficking pathways in HeLa cells. To quantitatively evaluate Golgi morphology, we employed a “Golgi Angle”-based measurement to assess its circumferential distribution around the nucleus. The spatial distribution of the Golgi ribbon was quantitatively analyzed using confocal microscopy, while Golgi ultrastructure and vesicle density were examined via transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, the subcellular distribution of COPI components was assessed by immunofluorescence co-localization. ResultsSelective inhibition of COPI retrograde transport significantly induced the circumferential extension of the Golgi ribbon around the nucleus, whereas blocking AP-1-mediated anterograde transport resulted in Golgi compaction, indicating opposing roles. These results suggest that different trafficking branches downstream of ARF1 exert distinct and even antagonistic effects on Golgi morphology. LEPROTs-deficient cells exhibited a Golgi extension phenotype highly consistent with COPI impairment. Furthermore, knockdown of GOLPH3 in a LEPROTs double-knockout background produced a significant additive effect on Golgi extension, suggesting that LEPROTs and GOLPH3 play non-redundant roles in regulating COPI-related trafficking processes. Mechanistically, loss of either LEPROTs or GOLPH3 led to the aberrant accumulation of COPI components at endoplasmic reticulum exit sites, accompanied by a reduction in COPI-like vesicles around the Golgi. This redistribution indicates a defect in COPI recycling between the ER-Golgi interface and the Golgi apparatus. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that Golgi cisternae in defective cells became shorter and thicker while maintaining a stable number of stacks. In parallel, the density of Golgi-associated vesicles was markedly decreased, further supporting an impairment in COPI vesicle formation or budding processes. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that active COPI retrograde transport is a critical factor in restricting the over-connection of the Golgi ribbon and maintaining its compactness. Rather than causing fragmentation, partial disruption of COPI function leads to a distinct morphological outcome characterized by Golgi ribbon extension at the light microscopy level and cisternal remodeling at the ultrastructural level. LEPROTs and GOLPH3 cooperatively promote the recycling and vesiculation of COPI components, thereby imposing a structural constraint on the Golgi periphery. Our findings support a model in which multiple adaptor proteins act in parallel to sustain efficient COPI cycling, thereby maintaining Golgi structural homeostasis. These findings provide new cell biological evidence for the membrane trafficking basis of Golgi morphological homeostasis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) activity of total alkaloids from Gelsemium elegans Benth. (TAG) in vivo and in vitro and to elucidate their potential mechanisms of action through transcriptomic analysis. METHODS: TAG extraction was conducted, and the primary components were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effects of TAG (100, 150, and 200 µg/mL) on various tumor cells, including SMMC-7721, HepG2, H22, CAL27, MCF7, HT29, and HCT116, were assessed. Effects of TAG on HCC proliferation and apoptosis were detected by colony formation assays and cell stainings. Caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax protein levels were detected by Western blotting. In vivo, a tumor xenograft model was developed using H22 cells. Totally 40 Kunming mice were randomly assigned to model, cyclophosphamide (20 mg/kg), TAG low-dose (TAG-L, 0.5 mg/kg), and TAG high-dose (TAG-H, 1 mg/kg) groups, with 10 mice in each group. Tumor volume, body weight, and tumor weight were recorded and compared during 14-day treatment. Immune organ index were calculated. Tissue changes were oberseved by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Additionally, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, as well as quatitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), were performed to detect mRNA and metabolite expressions. RESULTS: HPLC successfully identified the components of TAG extraction. Live cell imaging and analysis, along with cell viability assays, demonstrated that TAG inhibited the proliferation of SMMC-7721, HepG2, H22, CAL27, MCF7, HT29, and HCT116 cells. Colony formation assays, Hoechst 33258 staining, Rhodamine 123 staining, and Western blotting revealed that TAG not only inhibited HCC proliferation but also promoted apoptosis (P<0.05). In vivo experiments showed that TAG inhibited the growth of solid tumors in HCC in mice (P<0.05). Transcriptomic analysis and RT-qPCR indicated that the inhibition of HCC by TAG was associated with the regulation of the key gene CXCL13. CONCLUSION TAG inhibits HCC both in vivo and in vitro, with its inhibitory effect linked to the regulation of the key gene CXCL13.
Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Liver Neoplasms/genetics* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics* ; Humans ; Alkaloids/therapeutic use* ; Gelsemium/chemistry* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Mice ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

The patient, a 10-year-old and 4-month-old boy, was admitted to the hospital "with a history of 19 days since tonsil surgery and 11 days of recurrent hematemesis". 19 days ago, bilateral endoscopic tonsil + adenoid plasma melting and bilateral tonsil fossa inferior pole suture were performed in the outer hospital, and recurrent hematemesis occurred 11 days ago, accompanied by transient fatigue and abdominal pain, diagnosis: ①Hematemesis to be investigated: postoperative tonsil bleeding? Upper gastrointestinal bleeding?②Acute moderate hemorrhagic anemia. On the first and third days of admission, the child had two sudden episodes of massive hematemesis, both of which were more than 1 000 mL, with pale lips, fatigue, and hemorrhagic shock. Bleeding was rapid and can terminate spontaneously, and emergency physical examination does not reveal a clear point of bleeding. Bilateral inferior pole sutures in the tonsillar fossa are in place. There were no obvious abnormalities in the emergency digestive endoscopy, no obvious bleeding points were detected in the tonsils and adenoids surgical area, and no obvious abnormalities were found in the neck CT angiography（CTA）. Emergency DSA-guided percutaneous selective external carotid artery intervention was performed, during which about 5 mm contrast agent overflowed at the origin of the facial artery, and a coil was implanted. The child had no active bleeding after the operation, and his life was as usual at 2 months of follow-up.
Humans ; Male ; Child ; Tonsillectomy/adverse effects* ; Postoperative Hemorrhage/therapy* ; Palatine Tonsil/surgery* ; Recurrence

Instrument separation is a critical complication during root canal therapy, impacting treatment success and long-term tooth preservation. The etiology of instrument separation is multifactorial, involving the intricate anatomy of the root canal system, instrument-related factors, and instrumentation techniques. Instrument separation can hinder thorough cleaning, shaping, and obturation of the root canal, posing challenges to successful treatment outcomes. Although retrieval of separated instrument is often feasible, it carries risks including perforation, excessive removal of tooth structure and root fractures. Effective management of separated instruments requires a comprehensive understanding of the contributing factors, meticulous preoperative assessment, and precise evaluation of the retrieval difficulty. The application of appropriate retrieval techniques is essential to minimize complications and optimize clinical outcomes. The current manuscript provides a framework for understanding the causes, risk factors, and clinical management principles of instrument separation. By integrating effective strategies, endodontists can enhance decision-making, improve endodontic treatment success and ensure the preservation of natural dentition.
Humans ; Root Canal Therapy/adverse effects* ; Consensus ; Root Canal Preparation/adverse effects*