ObjectiveTo investigate the present situation of input, output, outcome and impact of all registered community-based rehabilitation stations in Inner Mongolia in China, and analyze how the input predict the output, outcome and impact. MethodsFrom March 1st to April 30th, 2025, a questionnaire survey was conducted on all registered community-based rehabilitation stations in Inner Mongolia, covering four dimensions: input, output, outcome and impact. A total of 1 365 questionnaires were distributed. The input included four items: laws and policies, human resources, equipment and facilities, and rehabilitation information management. The output included two items: technical paths and benefits/effectiveness. The outcome included three items: coverage rates, rehabilitation interventions and functional results. The impact included two items: health and sustainability. Each item contained several questions, all of which were described in a positive way. Each question was scored from one to five. A lower score indicated that the situation of the community-based rehabilitation station was more in line with the content described in the question. Regression analysis was performed using the total score of each item of input dimension as independent variables, and the total scores of the output, outcome and impact dimensions as dependent variables. ResultsA total of 1 262 valid questionnaires were collected. The mean values of input, output, outcome and impact of community-based rehabilitation stations were 1.827 to 1.904, with coefficient of variation of 45.892% to 49.239%. The regression analysis showed that, rehabilitation information management, human resources, and laws and policies significantly predicted the output dimension (R² = 0.910, P < 0.001). Meanwhile, all four items in the input dimension predicted both the outcome (R² = 0.850, P < 0.001) and impact dimensions (R² = 0.833, P < 0.001). ConclusionInput, output, outcome and impact of the community-based rehabilitation stations in Inner Mongolia were generally in line with the content of the questions, although some imbalances were observed. Additionally, the input of community-based rehabilitation stations could significantly predict their output, outcome and impact.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between noninvasive liver fibrosis markers and carotid plaque （CP） in patients with lean metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD）， and to provide a basis for screening high-risk populations. MethodsA total of 957 patients with lean MAFLD who underwent physical examination in Subei People’s Hospital from January 2021 to June 2023 was enrolled as the observation cohort， with the presence or absence of CP as the outcome， and fibrosis-4 （FIB-4） index and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score （NFS） were used to assess liver fibrosis degree. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The multivariate logistic regression analysis， the restricted cubic spline analysis， the receiver operating characteristic curve， and the mediation effect analysis were used to investigate the association between liver fibrosis degree and CP. ResultsThe prevalence rate of CP was 36.6% in the lean MAFLD population. Compared with the non-CP group（n=607）， the CP group （n=350） had a significantly higher proportion of male patients， a significantly higher proportion of patients with smoking/diabetes/hypertension， and significantly higher levels of age， creatinine， blood urea nitrogen， triglycerides， fasting blood glucose， aspartate aminotransferase， aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio， NFS， and FIB-4 index， as well as significantly lower levels of platelet count and albumin （all P<0.05）. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjustment for confounding factors， FIB-4 index （odds ratio［OR］=2.979， 95% confidence interval［CI］：2.141 — 4.219， P<0.001） and NFS （OR=1.747， 95%CI： 1.499 — 2.046， P<0.001） were positively correlated with CP. Both FIB-4 index and NFS had a good value in predicting CP. Hypertension had a significant indirect effect on the prevalence rate of CP through its impact on liver fibrosis markers， and its mediating effect accounted for 39.5% — 40.8% of the total effect （P<0.001）. ConclusionIn patients with lean MAFLD， NFS and FIB-4 index are significantly positively correlated with the prevalence rate of CP， and they can be used as potential epidemiological predictive indicators. Liver fibrosis markers may play a mediating role in the association between hypertension and CP. Interventions targeting hypertension and liver fibrosis markers may help to prevent and delay the progression of CP.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Xuefu Zhuyutang （XFZYT） for metabolic-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） through integrated network pharmacology and animal experiments. MethodsNetwork pharmacology was utilized to predict the core components， key therapeutic targets， and signaling pathways of XFZYT in the treatment of MAFLD. For animal experiments， a rat model of MAFLD was established by feeding a high-cholesterol diet for 4 weeks. Intervention was then administered with low-dose （2 g·kg^-1） and high-dose （4 g·kg^-1） XFZYT for 2 weeks. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， high-density lipoprotein （HDL）， and low-density lipoprotein （LDL）. In addition， the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and catalase （CAT） and levels of malondialdehyde （MDA） and glutathione （GSH） in the serum were measured. The same way was adopted to measure the levels of TC and TG in the liver tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to quantify the serum levels of interleukin （IL）-6， IL-1β， and tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）. Histopathological evaluations included hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining for liver tissue morphology， Oil Red O staining for lipid deposition， and dihydroethidium （DHE） probe staining for reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels. Western blot analysis was conducted to assess the protein levels of AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， phosphorylated （p）-AMPK， nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB）， and p-NF-κB in the liver tissue. Untargeted metabolomics analysis of the serum was performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS）. ResultsNetwork pharmacology analysis predicted 155 potential targets of XFZYT for MAFLD treatment， with core targets including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， protein kinase B1 （Akt1）， TNF， and IL-6. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment primarily implicated the AMPK signaling pathway. Animal experiments demonstrated that compared with the normal group， the model group exhibited dyslipidemia， hepatic function impairment， pronounced hepatic lipid deposition， and inflammatory manifestations， with elevated serum levels of AST， ALT， TC， TG， LDL， and MDA （P<0.05）， reduced HDL and GSH levels plus decreased SOD and CAT activities （P<0.05）， downregulated protein levels of Nrf2， HO-1， and p-AMPK （P<0.05）， and upregulated protein level of p-NF-κB （P<0.05） in the liver tissue. Compared with the model group， XFZYT intervention groups showed significant amelioration of dyslipidemia and hepatic function impairment， markedly reduced hepatic lipid deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration， decreased serum levels of AST， ALT， TC， TG， LDL， and MDA （P<0.05）， increased HDL and GSH levels plus enhanced SOD and CAT activities （P<0.05）， upregulated protein levels of Nrf2， HO-1， and p-AMPK （P<0.05）， and downregulated protein level of p-NF-κB （P<0.05）. Serum metabolomics revealed 511 differentially expressed metabolites （231 upregulated and 280 downregulated） between normal and model groups， while XFZYT groups versus model group showed 94 differential metabolites （51 upregulated and 43 downregulated）. Among them， 11 metabolites displayed the most significant alterations， with enriched pathways including glycerolipid metabolism， cholesterol metabolism， and insulin resistance， multiple of which demonstrated AMPK association. ConclusionXFZYT alleviates MAFLD by regulating the AMPK signaling pathway and associated metabolic networks.

According to the work goals and tasks determined by edition outline of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 has been completed. Among them, 52 new pharmaceutical excipients monographs have been added, and the total number has reached 387. 245 pharmaceutical excipients monographs have been revised, of which 109 monographs have only textual revisions and 136 monographs have substantive revisions. This article focuses on the general framework and the main characteristics of the standards of pharmaceutical excipients in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025, which can contribute to accurately understand and utilize the standards in Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

According to the work goals and tasks determined by edition outline of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition has been completed. Among them, 52 new pharmaceutical excipients monographs have been added, an increase of 15.5% compared with the 2020 Edition, and the total number has reached 387. This article focuses on the general framework and the main characteristics of the standards of pharmaceutical excipients in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition, which can contribute to accurately understand and utilize the standards in Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

Objective: To analyze the spatio-temporal distribution of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among students in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province from 2015 to 2023, so as to provide the evidence for the prevention and control of PTB in schools. Methods: Data of PTB cases among students in Suzhou City from 2015 to 2023 were collected from Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System and Suzhou Report of Investigation and Disposal of Tuberculosis in Schools. The seasonal incidence of PTB among students was analyzed using seasonal index (SI). The spatio-temporal clustering characteristics of PTB among students were analyzed using spatial autocorrelation and retrospective spatio-temporal permutation scanning. Results: Totally 1 374 PTB cases among students were reported in Suzhou City from 2015 to 2023. PTB cases were reported in each month, and the SIs were 100.69%, 124.38%, 108.98%, 135.04%, 106.61% and 106.61% in April, May, July, September, October and November, respectively, indicating the prevalence of PTB among students. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed there was a positive spatial correlation of PTB among students in 2019 and 2020 (Moran's I=0.053 and 0.089, both P<0.05). From 2015 to 2023, there were high-high clustering sites mainly in Hengtang Street and Shishan Street. Retrospective spatio-temporal permutation scanning showed a primary cluster in Hengtang Street, with aggregation time in 2017, and 6 secondary clusters covering 25 towns (streets). Conclusion From 2015 to 2023, the PTB cases among students in Suzhou City were mainly concentrated in summer and autumn, and were predominantly clustered in Hengtang Street and Shishan Street.

In recent years, the deep integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into medical education has created new opportunities for teaching Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, while also offering innovative solutions to the pedagogical challenges associated with protein structure and function. Focusing on the case of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), this study integrates AI into case-based learning (CBL) to develop an AI-CBL hybrid teaching model. This model features an intelligent case-generation system that dynamically constructs ALK mutation scenarios using real-world clinical data, closely linking molecular biology concepts with clinical applications. It incorporates AI-powered protein structure prediction tools to accurately visualize the three-dimensional structures of both wild-type and mutant ALK proteins, dynamically simulating functional abnormalities resulting from conformational changes. Additionally, a virtual simulation platform replicates the ALK gene detection workflow, bridging theoretical knowledge with practical skills. As a result, a multidimensional teaching system is established—driven by clinical cases and integrating molecular structural analysis with experimental validation. Teaching outcomes indicate that the three-dimensional visualization, dynamic interactivity, and intelligent analytical capabilities provided by AI significantly enhance students’ understanding of molecular mechanisms, classroom engagement, and capacity for innovative research. This model establishes a coherent training pathway linking “fundamental theory-scientific research thinking-clinical practice”, offering an effective approach to addressing teaching challenges and advancing the intelligent transformation of medical education.

In most types of erectile dysfunction, particularly in advanced stages, typical pathological features observed are reduced parenchymal cells coupled with increased tissue fibrosis. However, the current treatment methods have shown limited success in reversing these pathologic changes. Recent research has revealed that changes in autophagy levels, along with alterations in apoptosis and fibrosis-related proteins, are linked to the progression of erectile dysfunction, suggesting a significant association. Autophagy, known to significantly affect cell fate and tissue fibrosis, is currently being explored as a potential treatment modality for erectile dysfunction. However, these present studies are still in their nascent stage, and there are limited experimental data available. This review analyzes erectile dysfunction from a pathological perspective. It provides an in-depth overview of how autophagy is involved in the apoptotic processes of smooth muscle and endothelial cells and its role in the fibrotic processes occurring in the cavernosum. This study aimed to develop a theoretical framework for the potential effectiveness of autophagy in preventing and treating erectile dysfunction, thus encouraging further investigation among researchers in this area.
Male ; Humans ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Apoptosis/physiology* ; Erectile Dysfunction/physiopathology* ; Fibrosis ; Penis/pathology* ; Animals ; Endothelial Cells/pathology* ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology*

Investigating the correlation between micronucleus formation and male infertility has the potential to improve clinical diagnosis and deepen our understanding of pathological progression. Our study enrolled 2252 male patients whose semen was analyzed from March 2023 to July 2023. Their clinical data, including semen parameters and age, were also collected. Genetic analysis was used to determine whether the sex chromosome involved in male infertility was abnormal (including the increase, deletion, and translocation of the X and Y chromosomes), and subsequent semen analysis was conducted for clinical grouping purposes. The participants were categorized into five groups: normozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia, and azoospermia. Patients were randomly selected for further study; 41 patients with normozoospermia were included in the control group and 117 patients with non-normozoospermia were included in the study group according to the proportions of all enrolled patients. Cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) screening was conducted through peripheral blood. Statistical analysis was used to determine the differences in micronuclei (MNi) among the groups and the relationships between MNi and clinical data. There was a significant increase in MNi in infertile men, including those with azoospermia, compared with normozoospermic patients, but there was no significant difference between the genetic and nongenetic groups in azoospermic men. The presence of MNi was associated with sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, immotile spermatozoa, malformed spermatozoa, total sperm count, and total sperm motility. This study underscores the potential utility of MNi as a diagnostic tool and highlights the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of male infertility.
Humans ; Male ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Adult ; Micronucleus Tests ; Semen Analysis ; Oligospermia/genetics* ; Azoospermia/genetics* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Sperm Count ; Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective ; Middle Aged

Extensive studies have identified potential adverse effects on semen quality of obesity, based on body mass index, but the association between body fat distribution, a more relevant indicator for obesity, and semen quality remains less clear. We conducted a longitudinal study of 4304 sperm donors from the Guangdong Provincial Human Sperm Bank (Guangzhou, China) during 2017-2021. A body composition analyzer was used to measure total and local body fat percentage for each participant. Generalized estimating equations were employed to assess the association between body fat percentage and sperm count, motility, and morphology. We estimated that each 10% increase in total body fat percentage (estimated change [95% confidence interval, 95% CI]) was significantly associated with a 0.18 × 10 6 (0.09 × 10 6 -0.27 × 10 6 ) ml and 12.21 × 10 6 (4.52 × 10 6 -19.91 × 10 6 ) reduction in semen volume and total sperm count, respectively. Categorical analyses and exposure-response curves showed that the association of body fat distribution with semen volume and total sperm count was stronger at higher body fat percentages. In addition, the association still held among normal weight and overweight participants. We observed similar associations for upper limb, trunk, and lower limb body fact distributions. In conclusion, we found that a higher body fat distribution was significantly associated with lower semen quality (especially semen volume) even in men with a normal weight. These findings provide useful clues in exploring body fat as a risk factor for semen quality decline and add to evidence for improving semen quality for those who are expected to conceive.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Semen Analysis ; China ; Body Fat Distribution ; Longitudinal Studies ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Body Mass Index ; Tissue Donors ; Obesity/complications* ; Spermatozoa ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; East Asian People