Objective: To characterize longitudinal trajectories of testicular development in boys and breast development in girls, so as to provide reference data for understanding patterns of pubertal sexual maturation. Methods: Based on the Shanghai Pudong New Area Cohort Study on Growth, Development and Health in Children and Adolescents, a baseline survey was conducted in 2020 using a mult stage cluster random sampling method. A total of 2 184 children who completed all follow ups during the primary school period from 13 elementary schools in Pudong New Area,Shanghai,with annual follow ups during 2021-2025. Testicular volume and Tanner stage of breast development were assessed by professional physicians using standardized visual inspection and palpation. The age distribution of testicular volume and breast development was fitted by using cumulative link mixed models and Turnbull s nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation method. Results: Median ages for testicular volumes of 2, 3, 4 and 5 mL in boys were 7.07, 9.24, 10.29, and 11.57 years old, respectively. Median ages for Tanner breast stages Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, and Ⅴ in girls were 8.55 , 10.17, 11.18, and 13.78 years old, respectively. Based on overweight and obesity, stratified analysis showed that earlier pubertal onset among overweight/obesity children, and the key milestones for pubertal initiation were testicular volume reaching 4 mL in boys and breast Tanner II in girls for 10.29, 10.83; 8.18, 9.00 years. Conclusion Overweight and obesity are associated with earlier pubertal initiation,but there are certain gender and developmental stage specific patterns.

ObjectiveTo comprehensively identify the O-methyltransferase （OMT） genes in Carthamus tinctorius and explore the key OMTs that can catalyze the methylation of flavonoids， providing a basis for understanding the molecular formation mechanism of the structural diversity of flavonoids in C. tinctorius. MethodsThe hidden Markov model was used to systematically identify the type Ⅰ OMTs from the high-quality genome data of C. tinctorius. A suite of bioinformatics tools was employed to systematically analyze the physicochemical properties， gene structure， conserved motifs， chromosomal localization， gene replication events， and collinearity of the identified genes. The target gene was heterologously expressed through the prokaryotic expression system of E. coli， and the protein function was verified by in vitro enzymatic reactions. ResultsA total of 31 type Ⅰ OMTs were identified. CtFOMT1 was successfully cloned and expressed in a soluble form in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein was purified via Ni²⁺ affinity chromatography to obtain a high-concentration preparation. In vitro enzymatic assays demonstrated that CtFOMT1 utilized S-adenosylmethionine as the methyl donor to catalyze the methylation of the 4′-OH of naringenin， resulting in the production of isosakuranetin. A similar process occurred with the 4′-OH of luteolin， leading to the formation of diosmetin. Subsequent methylation of the 3′-OH group of diosmetin generated 4′-methylchrysoeriol. ConclusionCtFOMT1 can catalyze the methylation of 4′-/3′-OH in the flavonoid skeleton. It is hypothesized that CtFOMT1 may play a role in the biosynthesis of various 4′-/3′-oxymethyl flavonoids in C. tinctorius.

The construction of a training system for visiting physicians in the department of rare diseases in China is an important measure to improve the overall diagnosis and treatment capacity for rare diseases and address the critical challenge of insufficient knowledge and skills among clinicians in practice. This article systematically describes the visiting physician training system established by the Department of Rare Diseases at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. It summarizes the training objectives and positioning, design logic, and learning modules of the system, aiming to provide a reference for the construction of the specialized talent team for rare diseases in China.

Gorham-Stout disease(GSD) is a rare osteolytic disorder characterized by spontaneous and progressive osteolysis, along with abnormal angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, with no new bone formation. We present a case of a 15-year-old female admitted due to " recurrent right leg pain for 5 years, 11 months after undergoing right femoral fracture surgery". Through comprehensive integration of the patient's clinical phenotype, laboratory tests, imaging findings, pathological examinations, and molecular biological test results, GSD was considered highly likely. A multidisciplinary treatment approach was conducted, including a combination of zoledronic acid and sirolimus to inhibit osteolysis, along with rehabilitation training and orthopedic intervention, providing a personalized and comprehensive treatment strategy.

OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil （MMF） combined with Budesonide enteric capsules in the treatment of high-risk progressive immunoglobulin A nephropathy （IgAN）. METHODS A total of 150 adult patients with high-risk progressive IgAN who attended the Department of Nephrology， Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital， between August 1， 2024 and March 1， 2025 were enrolled in this study. The control group （ n ＝94） received MMF combined with glucocorticoid， while the observation group （ n ＝56） received MMF combined with Budesonide enteric capsules. The 24-hour urine protein （24 h UP）， estimated glomerular filtration rate （eGFR）， and albumin （ALB） levels of patients in both groups were compared at 1， 2， 3， and 6 months post-treatment. The complete response （CR） rate and overall response rate were calculated for both groups at 1， 2， 3， and 6 months post-treatment. Adverse reactions occurring during treatment were compared between the two groups. RESULTS Compared with before treatment， 24 h UP decreased significantly in both groups at different time points after treatment （ P ＜0.05）， and ALB increased significantly （ P ＜0.05）. However， there was no significant change in eGFR （ P ＞0.05）. The 24 h UP in the observation group at 1， 2， and 3 months after treatment was significantly lower than that of the control group （ P ＜0.05）， while the ALB level was significan tly higher （ P ＜0.05）. However， at 6 months after treatment， there was no statistically significant difference in these two indicators between the two groups （ P ＞0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in eGFR between the two groups at different time points after treatment （ P ＞0.05）. The overall response rates in the observation group at 1 and 2 months after treatment were significantly higher than those in the control group （ P ＜0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in the overall response rate at the remaining treatment time points and the CR rate at all time points between the two groups （ P ＞0.05）. Patients in the observation group had significantly lower rates of skin abnormalities， elevated blood glucose， and overall adverse reactions compared with the control group （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Compared with MMF combined with glucocorticoids， MMF combined with Budesonide enteric capsules for the treatment of high-risk progressive IgAN patients can reduce proteinuria and improve serum ALB levels more quickly， significantly increase the early overall response rate， and significantly reduce glucocorticoid-related skin adverse reactions， blood glucose elevation， and the overall incidence of adverse reactions， demonstrating a better short-term benefits.

Diabetic nephropathy（DN） is a common and severe microvascular complication of diabetes. In recent years， the classical herbal formula Shenqi dihuang decoction has demonstrated unique advantages in the clinical treatment of DN. This article conducts a systematic review of the mechanisms of action and clinical applications of Shenqi dihuang decoction in the treatment of DN. It reveals that the mechanism by which this formula improves DN involves multi-target synergistic regulation. For instance, Shenqi dihuang decoction exerts multiple pharmacological effects by regulating signaling pathways including phosphatidy linostiol 3-kinase/protein kinase B， AMP-activated protein kinase/silent information regulator 1/forkhead box O1， and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 pathways.These effects include regulating glucose and lipid metabolism， inhibiting oxidative stress， reducing inflammation， improving insulin resistance， modulating cell death （apoptosis/autophagy/ferroptosis/pyroptosis）， and preventing renal fibrosis. Existing clinical studies indicate that Shenqi dihuang decoction and its modified formulas， alone or in combination with other therapeutic methods， can significantly improve glucose and lipid metabolism， reduce proteinuria， and delay renal function decline in patients with DN. These effects are superior to those of Western medicines such as irbesartan， valsartan， and empagliflozin， and the treatment demonstrates good safety. Future research should leverage systems biology and artificial intelligence technologies to further elucidate the integrated mechanisms in the treatment of DN by Shenqi dihuang decoction， thereby advancing the precision and standardization of its clinical application.

Objective: To examine the relationship between self-management behaviors and time perspective among patients with comorbid diabetes, so as to provide the evidence for improving self-management behaviors among patients with comorbid diabetes. Methods: The patients with comorbid diabetes who were registered in the chronic disease health management system of Minhang District, Shanghai Municipality in 2021, followed up regularly, and lived in Meilong Town were recruited. Demographic information and family history of diabetes were collected through questionnaire surveys. Time perspective and self-management behaviors were assessed using the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory and Diabetes Self-Management Behavior Scale, respectively. The relationship between self-management behaviors and time perspective was analyzed using a multivariable ordinal logistic regression model. Results: A total of 907 patients with comorbid diabetes were enrolled, including 472 males (52.04%) and 435 females (47.96%). There were 652 cases aged 65 years and above, accounting for 71.89%. In terms of the types of time perspective, 280 patients were future-oriented (30.87%), 236 were balanced (26.02%), 162 were sensation-seeking (17.86%), 123 were fatalistic (13.56%), and 106 were negative (11.69%). In terms of the self-management behaviors, 46 patients were good (5.07%), 643 were moderate (70.89%), and 218 were poor (24.04%). Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age, gender, educational level, marital status, occupation status, monthly income, and family history of diabetes, the patients with comorbid diabetes who had a future-oriented time perspective had better self-management behaviors (OR=1.874, 95%CI: 1.204-2.915). Conclusion The self-management behaviors among patients with comorbid diabetes are moderate to poor, and patients with a future-oriented time perspective can better engage in self-management behaviors.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Zishen Tiaogan prescription on the oxidative stress injury in the rat model of diminished ovarian reserve （DOR） and explore the role of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （Keap1）/nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） signaling pathway. MethodsForty-eight female SD rats were randomly assigned into a normal group （n=12） and a modeling group （n=36）. The rats in the modeling group received subcutaneous injection of galactose （350 mg·kg^-1） combined with immobilization stress daily. After 28 days of modeling， 6 rats in the normal group and 6 rats in the modeling group were sacrificed to examine the modeling results. The successfully modeled rats were assigned into model， estradiol valerate （0.09 mg·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （6.39， 12.78， 25.56 g·kg^-1， respectively） Zishen Tiaogan prescription groups. The intervention lasted for 4 weeks with 6 animals per group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the estrous cycle and the pathological changes in the ovarian tissue. The ovarian index was calculated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of sex hormones and oxidative stress-related indexes. Western blot and real-time PCR were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels， respectively， of Nrf2， Keap1 and HO-1 in the ovarian tissue. The positive expression of superoxide dismutase 2 （SOD2） in the ovarian tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed reduced follicles in the ovary， loose arrangement of the follicle granule layer， declined levels of anti-Mullerian hormone （AMH） and estradiol （E₂） in the serum， elevated levels of luteinizing hormone （LH） and follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH） （P<0.01）， lowered levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， catalase （CAT）， and glutathione （GSH） （P<0.01）， and increased accumulation of malondialdehyde （MDA） （P<0.01）. In addition， the modeling led to up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Keap1 （P<0.01）， the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， the mRNA expression of Nrf2 was significantly decreased （P<0.05）， the mRNA expression of HO-1 was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， in the ovarian tissue. Compared with model group， the estradiol valerate and low-， medium-， and high-dose Zishen Tiaogan prescription groups showed increases in the ovarian index （P<0.01） and serum E₂ and AMH levels （P<0.01）， declined levels of FSH and LH （P<0.01）， increased follicles in the ovary， elevated levels of SOD， CAT， and GSH， and reduced accumulation of MDA （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， these groups showcased down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Keap1 （P<0.01）， the expression of Nrf2 protein was significantly increased （P<0.01）， the expression level of HO-1 protein was increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and increased positive expression of SOD2 （P<0.01）. ConclusionZishen Tiaogan prescription can regulate the serum levels of hormones， down-regulate the expression of Keap1， up-regulate the expression of Nrf2， HO-1， and SOD2， enhance the antioxidant capacity， and reduce the peroxidation damage in the ovarian tissue to improve the ovarian reserve function in the rat model of DOR. High-dose Zishen Tiaogan prescription demonstrated the best effect and the mechanism is associated with the regulation of the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Zishen Tiaogan prescription on the oxidative stress injury in the rat model of diminished ovarian reserve （DOR） and explore the role of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （Keap1）/nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） signaling pathway. MethodsForty-eight female SD rats were randomly assigned into a normal group （n=12） and a modeling group （n=36）. The rats in the modeling group received subcutaneous injection of galactose （350 mg·kg^-1） combined with immobilization stress daily. After 28 days of modeling， 6 rats in the normal group and 6 rats in the modeling group were sacrificed to examine the modeling results. The successfully modeled rats were assigned into model， estradiol valerate （0.09 mg·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （6.39， 12.78， 25.56 g·kg^-1， respectively） Zishen Tiaogan prescription groups. The intervention lasted for 4 weeks with 6 animals per group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the estrous cycle and the pathological changes in the ovarian tissue. The ovarian index was calculated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of sex hormones and oxidative stress-related indexes. Western blot and real-time PCR were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels， respectively， of Nrf2， Keap1 and HO-1 in the ovarian tissue. The positive expression of superoxide dismutase 2 （SOD2） in the ovarian tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed reduced follicles in the ovary， loose arrangement of the follicle granule layer， declined levels of anti-Mullerian hormone （AMH） and estradiol （E₂） in the serum， elevated levels of luteinizing hormone （LH） and follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH） （P<0.01）， lowered levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， catalase （CAT）， and glutathione （GSH） （P<0.01）， and increased accumulation of malondialdehyde （MDA） （P<0.01）. In addition， the modeling led to up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Keap1 （P<0.01）， the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， the mRNA expression of Nrf2 was significantly decreased （P<0.05）， the mRNA expression of HO-1 was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， in the ovarian tissue. Compared with model group， the estradiol valerate and low-， medium-， and high-dose Zishen Tiaogan prescription groups showed increases in the ovarian index （P<0.01） and serum E₂ and AMH levels （P<0.01）， declined levels of FSH and LH （P<0.01）， increased follicles in the ovary， elevated levels of SOD， CAT， and GSH， and reduced accumulation of MDA （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， these groups showcased down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Keap1 （P<0.01）， the expression of Nrf2 protein was significantly increased （P<0.01）， the expression level of HO-1 protein was increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and increased positive expression of SOD2 （P<0.01）. ConclusionZishen Tiaogan prescription can regulate the serum levels of hormones， down-regulate the expression of Keap1， up-regulate the expression of Nrf2， HO-1， and SOD2， enhance the antioxidant capacity， and reduce the peroxidation damage in the ovarian tissue to improve the ovarian reserve function in the rat model of DOR. High-dose Zishen Tiaogan prescription demonstrated the best effect and the mechanism is associated with the regulation of the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head （SONFH） is a severe musculoskeletal disorder often induced by the prolonged or excessive use of glucocorticoids. Characterized by ischemia of bone cells， necrosis， and trabecular fractures， SONFH is accompanied by pain， femoral head collapse， and joint dysfunction， which can lead to disability in severe cases. The pathogenesis of SONFH involves hormone-induced osteoblast apoptosis， bone microvascular endothelial cell （BMEC） apoptosis， oxidative stress， and inflammatory responses. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in the development of the disease. Modulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway can promote Akt phosphorylation， thereby stimulating the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts， promoting angiogenesis in BMECs， and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis. The research on the treatment of SONFH with traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has gained increasing attention. Recent studies have shown that TCM monomers and compounds have potential therapeutic effect on SONFH by intervening in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These studies not only provide a scientific basis for the application of TCM in the treatment of SONFH but also offer new ideas for the development of new therapeutic strategies. This review summarized the progress in Chinese and international research on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in SONFH over the past five years. It involved the composition and transmission mechanisms of the signaling pathway， as well as its regulatory effects on osteoblasts， mesenchymal stem cells， osteoclasts， BMECs， and other cells. Additionally， the review explored the TCM understanding of SONFH and the application of TCM monomers and compounds in the intervention of the PI3K/Akt pathway. By systematically analyzing and organizing these research findings， this article aimed to provide references and point out directions for the clinical prevention and treatment of SONFH and promote further development of TCM in this field. With in-depth research on the PI3K/Akt pathway and the modern application of TCM， it is expected to bring safer and more effective treatment options for patients with SONFH.