1.Analysis of depressive symptoms and predictive factors in children and adolescents in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Guiwei CHEN ; Lu TONG ; Ziyu LI ; Xiaojuan GAO ; Ruiqi WANG ; Xiaolu ZHANG ; Le LIU ; Yinxia BAI
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(1):83-88
BackgroundIn recent years, the incidence of depression among adolescents has been increasing steadily, posing a serious threat to their physical and mental health and even leading to severe consequences such as self-harm and suicide. At the same time, the detection rate of subclinical depression symptoms among adolescents is even higher. Although these symptoms do not meet the clinical diagnostic criteria, they have significantly affected their quality of life, and their persistence over time may further develop into depression. Therefore, in-depth exploration of adolescent depression symptoms and the predictive factors holds significant practical significance and research value. However, up to now, no large-scale investigation and research on depression symptoms among children and adolescents has been conducted in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. ObjectiveTo understand the prevalence of depressive symptoms among children and adolescents in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, in order to provide references for formulating scientific and effective prevention strategies and intervention measures. MethodsBy using the cluster stratified random sampling method, 6 281 students from the third grade of primary school to the second grade of high school in 12 leagues and cities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were selected in March 2024. A self-designed questionnaire and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used for on-site investigation. ResultsA total of 6 058 (96.45%) children and adolescents completed the valid questionnaire survey, and 2 728 cases (45.03%) were found to have depressive symptoms. There were statistically significant differences in the detection rates of depressive symptoms among children and adolescents of different genders, ages, whether they were only children, different family types, family monthly income, parents' educational levels, and whether the mother was employed (χ2=33.769, 40.618, 48.593, 29.972, 142.648, 195.999, 168.190, 5.445, P<0.05 or 0.01).The results of the Logistic regression analysis showed that for children and adolescents, being female, aged between 12 and 16, over 16 years old, not being an only child, living in a reconstituted family, having a monthly family income of less than 5 000 yuan, and having parents with an education level of primary school or below were predictors of depressive symptoms (OR=1.241, 1.427, 1.273, 1.177, 1.549, 1.278, 1.462, 1.417, 1.514, 1.929, 1.660, 1.528, P<0.05 or 0.01). ConclusionThe detection rate of depressive symptoms among children and adolescents in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is relatively high. Factors that may predict depressive symptoms in children and adolescents include female gender, ages between 12 and 16, ages over 16 years old, non-only children, families with a restructured structure, monthly family income of less than 5 000 yuan, and parents with an education level of primary school or below. [Funded by Science and Technology Planning Project of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (number, 2022YFSH0119)]
2.Longitudinal cohort study on pubertal development trajectories of testicular and breast development among children
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):408-412
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.
3.Design Strategies and Antitumor Applications of Zinc-based Nanomaterials for Achieving “Zinc Overload”
Rong WANG ; Lu ZHAO ; Yun-Feng BAI ; Feng FENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1896-1913
“Zinc overload” has emerged as a promising strategy in tumor nanomedicine, wherein exogenous modulation of metal ion homeostasis selectively triggers cancer cell death. Among various bioactive ions, zinc (Zn2+) stands out due to its unique ability to simultaneously disrupt energy metabolism, damage mitochondria, degrade mutant p53, and activate antitumor immunity. Notably, tumor cells exhibit greater sensitivity to Zn2+ overload while normal cells maintain higher tolerance. This review systematically summarizes design strategies for achieving “zinc overload” using biodegradable zinc-based nanomaterials, focusing on two fundamental questions: how to specifically deliver Zn2+ to tumors (targeted delivery), and how to trigger controlled release at the tumor site (release strategies). Current challenges are critically analyzed and future perspectives are offered. For targeted delivery, the strategies are categorized into passive, active, and biomimetic approaches. Passive targeting relies on the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect but suffers from poor enrichment efficiency and rapid clearance. Active targeting conjugates ligands (e.g., folic acid, hyaluronic acid) to recognize overexpressed receptors, significantly enhancing cellular uptake. It is emphasized that hyaluronic acid-modified ZIF-8 can co-deliver siRNA for GLUT1 silencing, achieving systematic energy exhaustion. Biomimetic delivery using cell membranes confers immune evasion, prolonged circulation, and homologous targeting, exhibiting the lowest off-target toxicity. This approach is considered to guide future nanocarrier design. For Zn2+ release, 4 mechanisms are discussed. Endogenous environment-responsive release exploits acidic pH to degrade materials like ZIF-8 or ZnO, causing mitochondrial dysfunction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst, and autophagic blockade. Incorporation of other ions (Ca2+, Mn2+, Ni2+) enables synergistic metabolic interference and immune activation. Exogenous responsive release using near-infrared light offers spatiotemporally precise activation. For example, a nanorobot combining black phosphorus with ZIF-8 accelerates Zn2+ release under dual acid and light stimuli. Ion exchange represents an elegant trigger: zinc complexes (e.g., Zn-carnosine) have higher affinity for Cu2+; competitive coordination releases Zn2+ while depleting Cu2+, dually inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis. This mechanism is proposed to hold promise for overcoming metabolic reprogramming. Finally, biological regulation—silencing the ZnT1 zinc transporter to block Zn2+ efflux—represents a paradigm shift from passive delivery to active homeostatic disruption. This “block and attack” strategy may prevent acquired resistance. The therapeutic consequences of zinc overload are multifaceted. Zn2+ causes lysosomal membrane permeabilization and impaired SNARE complex formation, blocking autophagic flux and inducing a distinct cell death termed “zincosis”. In mitochondria, Zn2+ inhibits glutathione reductase, causing oxidative stress and electron transport chain blockade. Meanwhile, Zn2+ suppresses glycolytic enzymes (GAPDH, LDHA), leading to ATP depletion and reversing drug resistance by downregulating P-glycoprotein. Moreover, zinc overload triggers immunogenic cell death, promoting dendritic cell maturation and CD8+ T cell infiltration. Combined with cGAS-STING activation, this reshapes the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and inhibits distant metastasis. These interconnected mechanisms endow zinc overload with a unique advantage over single-modality treatments. Despite remarkable preclinical efficacy, challenges remain: systemic toxicity from off-target release, potential zinc tolerance via metallothionein upregulation, and insufficient pharmacokinetic data. Future directions should prioritize: (1) intelligent stimuli-responsive materials; (2) combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors;(3) theragnostic integration; (4) deeper mechanistic studies; and (5) artificial intelligence-assisted screening. Zinc overload therapy is expected to become an indispensable component of integrated tumor treatment.
4.Mendelian randomization study of sleep duration and sleep disorders in relation to age at menarche in females
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(7):1021-1025
Objective:
To determine the potential genetic causal relationship between sleep related phenotypes and female pubertal onset using the two sample Mendelian randomization approach.
Methods:
Genetic instrumental variables for sleep and age at menarche were sourced from FinnGen, IEU Open GWAS and GWAS Catalog three publicly available Genome Wide Association Study databases. Causal effects were estimated using the inverse variance weighted method, supplemented by sensitivity analyses and tests for heterogeneity, pleiotropy, and direction.
Results:
Genetically predicted sleep duration was positively associated with age at menarche ( β =0.61, 95% CI =0.30-0.91, P <0.01). Conversely, overall sleep problems ( β =-0.13, 95% CI =-0.20 to -0.07 ), two specific types of sleep disorders (sleep apnea: β =-0.10, 95% CI =-0.16 to -0.03; insomnia: β =-0.40, 95% CI = -0.69 to -0.11) were causally associated with earlier age at menarche (all P <0.01). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings with consistent effect directions and no evidence of significant directional pleiotropy.
Conclusions
The study reveales a genetic causal relationship between sleep and pubertal onset. Adequate sleep duration appears to have a protective effect. These findings suggest that sleep may have a critical regulatory role in the initiation of pubertal development.
5.Clinical effect of arthroscopic combined fixation in acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation
Han WANG ; Yuxi BAI ; Guoshuai LIU ; Kunming YANG ; Guozheng HU ; Wei WANG ; Yang LU ; Fei LIU
International Journal of Surgery 2025;52(7):444-449
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of arthroscopic combined fixation of acromioclavicular joint in the treatment of acute acromioclavicular dislocation.Methods:A retrospective controlled analysis was conducted on 40 patients with acute dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint were treated in Qinhuangdao First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from February 2021 to December 2023. There were 30 males and 10 females, aged from 22 to 54 years, with an average age of (40.55±7.75) years. The patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical method used. The observation group included 19 patients who were treated with Tightrope and suture to reconstruct the coracoclavicular ligament and acromioclavicular ligament, while the control group included 21 patients who were treated with Tightrope to reconstruct the coracoclavicular ligament only. All patients were followed up postoperatively, and their preoperative and postoperative data were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, Constant score and coracoclavicular distance values of the two groups of patients before surgery and one year after surgery were recorded and compared. The changes of the internal fixation devices were observed. The measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s), and the t-test was used for comparison between groups, skewed continuous data were presented as [ M( Q1, Q3)], and intergroup comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test; the count data were expressed as cases and percentages [ n(%)], and the chi-square test was used for comparison between groups. Results:There was no significant difference in the general information (gender, age, affected side, time from injury to operation) between the two groups ( P>0.05). The last follow-up showed that two patients in the control group had early failure of the implant, one of whom had an infection after surgery, and one of whom had obvious displacement of the Tightrope early on. All patients in the observation group were healed by first intention, without any postoperative early complications such as wound infection, early failure of internal fixation, etc. There was no statistically significant difference in the VAS score between the two groups ( P>0.05); the Constant score 85(84, 89) of the observation group was higher than that of the control group 82(80, 85), and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05); the VAS score and Constant score of both groups after surgery were significantly improved compared with those before surgery ( P<0.05). One year after operation the coracoclavicular distance was 8.5(8.0-8.8) mm in observation group, and 10.3(9.7, 10.6) mm in control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The method of reconstructing the coracoclavicular ligament and acromioclavicular ligament complex fixation with Tightrope and suture using arthroscopy is reliable and has fewer postoperative complications. It is a better method than using Tightrope alone to fix the coracoclavicular ligament for the treatment of acute Rockwood Ⅲ to Ⅴ type acromioclavicular dislocation.
6.Exploration on the Clinical Experience of Wang Yan'gang in Treating Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Based on Data Mining
Jingjing LYU ; Haiyan BAI ; Zhixiu HAN ; Zeqi YANG ; Lishan LU ; Yan'gang WANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(6):1503-1509
Objective To explore the clinical experience of Professor Wang Yan'gang in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)using data mining methods.Methods SPSS 23.0 was used to statistically analyze the frequency,properties,flavors,and meridian tropism of Chinese herbal medicines in the prescriptions of effective GERD cases treated by Professor Wang Yan'gang in outpatient clinics from January 2020 to December 2022.Cluster analysis,factor analysis,and association rule analysis were performed on the relevant drugs.Results A total of 294 outpatient prescriptions for the treatment of GERD were collected,including 174 Chinese herbal medicines.The top 10 frequently-used drugs were Sepiae Endoconcha(Haipiaoxiao),Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus(Zhebeimu),Scutellariae Radix(Huangqin),Coptidis Rhizoma(Huanglian),Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum Cum Alumine(Qingbanxia),Arecae Semen Tostum(Chaobinglang),Artemisiae Scopariae Herba(Yinchen),Gypsum Fibrosum(Shigao),Aurantii Fructus Immaturus(Zhishi),and Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex(Houpo).After cluster analysis,factor analysis,and association rule analysis,16 commonly-used herb pairs,such as Huangqin-Huanglian,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium(Chenpi)-Zhuru(Bambusae Caulis in Taenia),Haipiaoxiao-Zhebeimu,Shichangpu(Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma)-Yujin(Curcumae Radix),and Zhishi-Houpo were identified,and 9 herb groups such as"Huangqin,Huanglian,Yinchen"and"Chenpi,Zhuru,Qingbanxia"were obtained.Factor analysis was performed on 22 drugs with a usage frequency more than 110 times,and then 6 common factors were extracted after principal component analysis.Conclusion In differentiating and treating GERD,Professor Wang Yan'gang suggests that stagnated heat injuring yin should be taken as the core pathogenesis,and therapy of clearing heat and nourishing yin should be used as the core treatment method.Additionally,auxiliary methods such as soothing the throat,regulating the liver and stomach,and nourishing the heart and spirit can be adopted according to the accompanying symptoms during the disease progression.
7.Astragalus polysaccharide regulates exosomes derived from breast cancer cells and its effects on macrophage polarization and antitumor effects
Chenjuan Guan ; Caixia Xie ; Xiaojiao Zheng ; Nana Bao ; Lu Wang ; Wenhui Bai ; Shu Qiao ; Haonan Zhang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(10):1790-1798
Objective:
To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Astragalus Polysacharin(APS) on the proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cells by regulating miR-107 and miR-346-mediated macrophage polarization in breast cancer-derived exosomes.
Methods:
Forty 8-week-old female BALB/c mice were selected and breast cancer xenograft models and 4T1 transplanted tumor models were established. The mice were divided into the control group and the APS group. The APS group mice received daily intragastric administration of APS for 25 days, while the control group mice were given the same amount of normal saline. After all treatments were completed, the mice were euthanized, and tumor tissues were isolated. Western blot and flow cytometry were used to detect the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), Ki-67, CD206, CD163, inducible nitric-oxide synthase(iNOS), and CD86. The apoptosis of single-cell suspensions in tumor tissues was analyzed. Human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 was cultured and stimulated with APS, and exosomes from the cell culture medium were collected. The proliferation, migration, and invasion of cells were detected by CCK-8 assay, scratch assay, permeability chamber cell invasion assay, and qRT-PCR. Differentially expressed genes were screened by bioinformatics.
Results :
By measuring the expressions of molecules related to breast cancer cell proliferation and metastasis, it was shown that APS treatment reduced the expressions of proliferation-related proteins(PCNA and Ki-67) and metastasis-related proteins(Vimentin) in MDA-MB-231 xenograft tumor tissues; and the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages was observed. APS treatment of 4T1 transplanted tumor tissues could reduce the number of M2 macrophages and increase the number of M1 macrophages, resulting in a decrease in the ratio of M2/M1 macrophages and an increase in cell apoptosis in 4T1 transplanted tumor tissues. The expressions of related proteins iNOS and CD86 increased, and CD206 and CD163 decreased. After APS treatment, the exosomes produced by MDA-MB-231 reduced the polarization of M2 macrophages and affected the expressions of miR-107 and miR-346.
Conclusion
APS inhibits the polarization of M2 macrophages by regulating the expression of miR-107 or miR-346 in breast cancer cell-derived exosomes, ultimately inhibiting the proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cells.
8.Enhancement of quality of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. through chitosan induction for use as medicine and food: Insights from metabolomics and proteomics
Yingquan Kang ; Guangxi Ren ; Li Wang ; Dan Jiang ; Qingyi Xu ; Jiayang Zhang ; Zhenfang Bai ; Mingqing Chang ; Chunsheng Lu
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2025;2025(2):175-190
ObjectiveTo explore the impact of exogenous chitosan on the growth and metabolism of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (G. uralensis) and to improve the quality of cultivated G. uralensis for both medicine and food and aid in the increase in the content of effective components in G. uralensis.MethodsIn this study, whole G. uralensis plants were treated with exogenous chitosan, and comprehensive analyses of secondary metabolites and proteins were conducted using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation, respectively. Effects of chitosan induction on endogenous hormones of G. uralensis were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gene ontology function annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway annotation were conducted to study the effect of chitosan induction on the proteome.ResultsChitosan induction significantly increased the levels of flavonoids in G. uralensis; however, the variation in triterpenoids was not substantial. Biological processes, including photosynthesis, secondary metabolism, and abiotic stress responses, were significantly enriched. Additionally, the photosynthetic pathway, photosynthesis-antenna protein pathway, and plant hormone signal transduction pathway were significantly enriched. In the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, the upstream-related enzyme phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and the downstream-related enzymes chalcone synthase (CHS), polyketide reductase (PKR), chalcone isomerase (CHI), and vestitone reductase (VR) were significantly upregulated.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that chitosan induction may promote the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and the TCA cycle enhancement significantly upregulated PAL, CHS, PKR, CHI, and VR, the five key enzymes involved in flavonoid synthesis of G. uralensis, indicating that chitosan induction activated the entire metabolic pathway associated with flavonoids in G. uralensis. Our findings provide a reference for improving the quality of cultivated G. uralensis from the perspective of pharmacodynamic components.
9.Clinical effects of Jiawei Yanghe Decoction combined with Budesonide and Formoterol Fumarate Powder for Inhalation on patients with mild to moderate bronchial asthma in chronic and persistent period
Yu WANG ; Hui-yong ZHANG ; Lin-jin CHEN ; Zheng-yi ZHANG ; Cui LI ; Jie CUI ; Ben SU ; Ping BAI ; Zi-feng MA ; Zhen-hui LU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(1):81-86
AIM To explore the clinical effects of Jiawei Yanghe Decoction combined with Budesonide and Formoterol Fumarate Powder for Inhalation on patients with mild to moderate bronchial asthma in chronic and persistent period.METHODS One hundred and eighteen patients were randomly assigned into control group(59 cases)for 4-week administration of Budesonide and Formoterol Fumarate Powder for Inhalation,and observation group(59 cases)for 4-week administration of both Jiawei Yanghe Decoction and Budesonide and Formoterol Fumarate Powder for Inhalation.The changes in clinical effects,ACT score,bronchial asthma control rate,pulmonary function indices(FEV1,PEF,FEV1%,PEF%),inflammatory indices(EOS,EOS%,FeNO),TCM syndrome score and incidence of adverse reactions were detected.RESULTS The observation group demonstrated higher total effective rate than the control group(P<0.05).After the treatment,the two groups displayed increased bronchial asthma control rate,ACT score,PEF(P<0.05),and decreased TCM syndrome score(P<0.05),especially for the observation group(P<0.05);the observation group exhibited increased FEV1,FEV1%,PEF%(P<0.05),among which FEV1,PEF%were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05);the observation group showed decreased inflammatory indices(P<0.05),among which FeNO was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).No significant difference in incidence of adverse reactions was found between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION For the patients with mild to moderate bronchial asthma in chronic and persistent period,Jiawei Yanghe Decoction combined with Budesonide and Formoterol Fumarate Powder for Inhalation can safely and effectively alleviate clinical symptoms,improve pulmonary functions,airway inflammatory reactions,and enhance bronchial asthma control rate.
10.Traditional Chinese medicine compound in treating idiopathic membranous nephropathy network Meta-analysis
Jingxue BAI ; Genping LEI ; Ting WANG ; Sheng DONG ; Jiongdong XIE ; Xian LU ; Dong YANG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(5):62-68
Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of different traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)prescriptions combined with conventional western drugs to improve idiopathic membranous nephropathy(IMN)based on the Chinese medicine evidence system.Methods A computerized search of databases was conducted to collect randomized controlled trials(RCTs)of TCM compound formulas combined with conventional western medicines for the treatment of IMN,with a search timeframe from the establishment of the database to October 2023.Thirty-five RCTs involving six interventions and containing 2518 IMN patients were finally included.The quality of the included literature was evaluated.Reticulated Meta-analysis was performed,and surface under the cumulative ranking(SUCRA)curve was used to rank the clinical efficacy and safety of the six interventions,aiming to provide an evidence-based basis for the rational clinical selection of prescriptions for treating patients with IMN.Results The formula of tonifying deficiency and eliminating stasis combined with conventional western medicine showed significant effects in lowering 24-hour urine protein quantification(SUCRA=95.3%)and total cholesterol level(SUCRA=98.2%).The formula of tonifying deficiency,eliminating stasis,purging heat,and dispelling dampness combined with conventional western medicine was effective in lowering blood creatinine(SUCRA=80.4%)and increasing serum albumin level(SUCRA=72.9%).The formula of tonifying deficiency and clearing heat and dampness combined with conventional western medicine was more effective in lowering M-type phospholipase A2 receptor antibody titer(SUCRA=86.0%).Conclusion In terms of safety,the adverse effects of the TCM compound formula combined with conventional western drugs were overall less than those of conventional western drugs alone.


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