1.A meta-analysis of risk factors for residual back pain after vertebral augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
Peng YANG ; Chenghan XU ; Yingjie ZHOU ; Xubin CHAI ; Hanjie ZHUO ; Lin LI ; Jinyu SHI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(3):731-739
OBJECTIVE:Patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures still have residual back pain after vertebral augmentation.The current research is characterized by limited sample size,complex confounding factors,and inconsistent research results.To gain a deeper understanding of this phenomenon,the aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the risk factors for residual back pain after surgery through a systematic review and meta-analysis.METHODS:A comprehensive search was conducted in CNKI,VIP,WanFang,CBMdisc,PubMed,The Cochrane Library,Embase,and Web of Science for case-control studies on residual back pain after vertebral body augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures from database inception to July 2024.The search terms were a combination of subject terms and free terms.The basic information,patient characteristics,surgical-related indicators,and risk factors for surgical back pain of the included studies were extracted.After evaluating the bias risk of all included studies,a meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 14.0 software on the relevant indicators.RESULTS:(1)21 case-control studies with a total of 8 043 patients were included.Among them,965 patients developed back pain.The quality score of all 21 studies was ≥7.(2)The meta-analysis results showed that age(WMD=0.98,95%CI:0.40-1.56,P=0.010),bone mineral density(WMD=-0.28,95%CI:-0.34 to-0.21,P=0.000),the number of vertebral fractures(OR=3.50,95%CI:2.65-4.62,P=0.000),thoracolumbar fracture index(OR=3.65,95%CI:2.61-5.11,P=0.000),cement volume(OR=6.89,95%CI:2.62-18.17,P=0.000),and cement distribution(OR=2.38,95%CI:1.93-2.93,P=0.000)were risk factors for the development of back pain after vertebral body augmentation in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.CONCLUSION:Current evidence indicates that age,bone mineral density,the number of vertebral fractures,thoracolumbar fracture index,bone cement injection volume,and the distribution of bone cement are risk factors for low back pain.Specifically,bone mineral density,the number of vertebral fractures,thoracolumbar fracture index,and non-uniform distribution of bone cement are identified as independent risk factors for low back pain.Patients exhibiting these high-risk factors require vigilant monitoring and prompt intervention to mitigate the occurrence of clinical low back pain,thereby enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life.
2.A meta-analysis of risk factors for residual back pain after vertebral augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
Peng YANG ; Chenghan XU ; Yingjie ZHOU ; Xubin CHAI ; Hanjie ZHUO ; Lin LI ; Jinyu SHI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(3):731-739
OBJECTIVE:Patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures still have residual back pain after vertebral augmentation.The current research is characterized by limited sample size,complex confounding factors,and inconsistent research results.To gain a deeper understanding of this phenomenon,the aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the risk factors for residual back pain after surgery through a systematic review and meta-analysis.METHODS:A comprehensive search was conducted in CNKI,VIP,WanFang,CBMdisc,PubMed,The Cochrane Library,Embase,and Web of Science for case-control studies on residual back pain after vertebral body augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures from database inception to July 2024.The search terms were a combination of subject terms and free terms.The basic information,patient characteristics,surgical-related indicators,and risk factors for surgical back pain of the included studies were extracted.After evaluating the bias risk of all included studies,a meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 14.0 software on the relevant indicators.RESULTS:(1)21 case-control studies with a total of 8 043 patients were included.Among them,965 patients developed back pain.The quality score of all 21 studies was ≥7.(2)The meta-analysis results showed that age(WMD=0.98,95%CI:0.40-1.56,P=0.010),bone mineral density(WMD=-0.28,95%CI:-0.34 to-0.21,P=0.000),the number of vertebral fractures(OR=3.50,95%CI:2.65-4.62,P=0.000),thoracolumbar fracture index(OR=3.65,95%CI:2.61-5.11,P=0.000),cement volume(OR=6.89,95%CI:2.62-18.17,P=0.000),and cement distribution(OR=2.38,95%CI:1.93-2.93,P=0.000)were risk factors for the development of back pain after vertebral body augmentation in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.CONCLUSION:Current evidence indicates that age,bone mineral density,the number of vertebral fractures,thoracolumbar fracture index,bone cement injection volume,and the distribution of bone cement are risk factors for low back pain.Specifically,bone mineral density,the number of vertebral fractures,thoracolumbar fracture index,and non-uniform distribution of bone cement are identified as independent risk factors for low back pain.Patients exhibiting these high-risk factors require vigilant monitoring and prompt intervention to mitigate the occurrence of clinical low back pain,thereby enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life.
3.Olfactory Receptors Expressed in The Intestine and Their Functions
Pei-Wen YANG ; Meng-Meng YUAN ; Ying ZHOU ; Peng LI ; Gui-Hong QI ; Ying YANG ; Zhong-Yi MAO ; Meng-Sha ZHOU ; Xiao-Shuang MAO ; Jian-Ping XIE ; Yi-Nan YANG ; Shi-Hao SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):534-549
Olfactory receptors (ORs) form the largest superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Traditionally recognized for their role in the nasal olfactory epithelium, where they mediate the sense of smell, accumulating evidence has firmly established their ectopic expression in non-olfactory tissues, including the intestine, lungs, and kidneys. The intestine, as the primary site for nutrient digestion and absorption, harbors a highly complex chemical environment. To adapt to this environment, the gut employs a sophisticated network of “chemosensors” to monitor luminal contents and maintain homeostasis. Among these sensors, intestinal ORs have emerged as crucial functional components, serving as a molecular bridge that connects environmental chemical signals—such as food-derived odorants—to specific physiological responses. This discovery has significantly deepened our understanding of how dietary flavors and compounds influence intestinal physiology at the molecular level. This review systematically summarizes the expression profiles, ligand classification, and biological functions of ORs within the gastrointestinal tract. Studies indicate that intestinal ORs exhibit distinct spatial distribution patterns across different gut segments and display cell-type specificity, particularly within enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells. These receptors function as versatile sensors capable of recognizing a wide variety of ligands, including exogenous dietary components, gut microbiota metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, and endogenous small molecules like azelaic acid. Upon activation by specific ligands, intestinal ORs trigger intracellular signaling cascades, primarily involving the AC-cAMP-PKA pathway or calcium influx channels. A major focus of this review is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these receptors regulate the secretion of gut hormones. Activation of specific ORs in enteroendocrine cells has been shown to stimulate the release of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and serotonin (5-HT), thereby modulating systemic energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and gastrointestinal motility. Furthermore, the review addresses the critical roles of ORs in immune regulation and pathology. Evidence suggests that specific ORs contribute to the maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis and may offer protection against inflammation. Beyond their involvement in inflammatory responses, ORs such as Olfr78 have been shown to regulate the differentiation and function of intestinal endocrine cells. Similarly, Olfr544 has been demonstrated to alleviate intestinal inflammation by remodeling the gut microbiome and metabolome. These findings collectively suggest that specific ORs hold promise as therapeutic targets for mitigating intestinal inflammation and maintaining gut homeostasis. Additionally, the review explores the emerging role of ORs in cancer. Although OR expression is often downregulated in tumor tissues compared to normal mucosa, activation of specific ORs by certain ligands can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis via pathways such as MEK/ERK and p38 MAPK. Conversely, other receptors, such as OR7C1, may serve as biomarkers for cancer-initiating cells. In conclusion, intestinal ORs represent a vital component of the gut’s sensory network. The review also discusses the translational potential of these findings. By elucidating the precise pairing relationships between dietary components and specific ORs, novel therapeutic strategies could be developed. Intestinal ORs may thus emerge as promising targets for nutritional and pharmacological interventions in metabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and malignancies.
4.Chufeng Yisuntang Ameliorates PM2.5-induced Dry Eye via ROS/p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway
Yuan ZHONG ; Pan ZHAO ; Shi TAN ; Yu TANG ; Dongdong LI ; Lihao CHEN ; Jun PENG ; Qinghua PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):191-200
ObjectiveTo establish a mouse model of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5)-induced dry eye and investigate whether Chufeng Yisuntang can ameliorate the PM2.5-induced ocular surface damage by regulating the reactive oxygen species (ROS)/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were used. Ten were randomly selected as the control group. The remaining 50 mice received topical instillation of 1 drop (0.1 mL) of 5 g·L-1 PM2.5 suspension in both eyes, four times daily. Successfully modeled mice were randomized into four groups (n=10): Model, p38 MAPK inhibitor, Chufeng Yisuntang, and combination (Chufeng Yisuntang at 7.3 g·kg-1 + p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 at 5 mg·kg-1). Chufeng Yisuntang was administered via gavage, and the inhibitor group via intraperitoneal injection. The control and model groups received equal volumes of distilled water by gavage. All treatments lasted for 4 weeks. General conditions were dynamically observed. Tear secretion, tear film break-up time, and corneal fluorescein staining were assessed. After intervention for 4 weeks, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to examine the histopathological changes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure serum levels of ROS, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) 1, and SOD2. Western blot and Real-time PCR were employed to determine the protein and gene levels, respectively, of p38 MAPK, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3) in the corneal tissue. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited reduced tear secretion volume and tear film breakup time, along with increased corneal fluorescein staining scores (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Chufeng Yisuntang group, p38 MAPK inhibitor group, and combination group demonstrated increased tear secretion volume and tear film breakup time, along with decreased corneal fluorescein staining scores (P<0.01). HE staining revealed that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited marked increases in corneal epithelial cell layers and epithelial thickness, along with reduced meibomian gland acini and intensely stained, densely packed nuclei around the acini. Compared with the model group, the Chufeng Yisuntang group, p38 MAPK inhibitor group, and combination group showed intact corneal structure, improved cell morphology, and reduced damage severity. ELISA revealed elevated ROS and MDA levels (P<0.01) and decreased SOD1 and SOD2 levels (P<0.01) in the model group compared with the control group. Compared with the model group, Chufeng Yisuntang, p38 MAPK inhibitor, and the combination lowered ROS and MDA levels (P<0.01), while raising SOD1 and SOD2 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). Western blot revealed that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited increased protein levels of p38 MAPK, Bax, and Caspase-3 (P<0.01) and reduced protein level of Bcl-2 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Chufeng Yisuntang, p38 MAPK inhibitor, and the combination down-regulated the protein levels of p38 MAPK, Bax, and Caspase-3 (P<0.01), while up-regulating the protein level of Bcl-2 (P<0.01). Compared with the Chufeng Yisuntang group, the combination group exhibited decreased protein levels of p38 MAPK, Bax, and Caspase-3 (P<0.01) and increased protein level of Bcl-2 (P<0.01). Real-time PCR revealed that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited upregulated mRNA levels of p38 MAPK, Bax, and Caspase-3 (P<0.01), and downregulated mRNA level of Bcl-2 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Chufeng Yisuntang, p38 MAPK inhibitor, and the combination down-regulated the mRNA levels of p38 MAPK, Bax, and Caspase-3 (P<0.01), while up-regulating the mRNA level of Bcl-2 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the Chufeng Yisuntang group, the combination group exhibited decreased mRNA levels of p38 MAPK, Bax, and Caspase-3 expression (P<0.05, P<0.01) and increased mRNA level of Bcl-2 (P<0.01). ConclusionChufeng Yisuntang may partially protect against PM2.5-induced corneal injury by inhibiting the ROS/p38 MAPK pathway, enhancing antioxidant defense, and reducing epithelial apoptosis.
5.Expert consensus on the application of artificial intelligence in lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment (2026 edition)
Wenzhao ZHONG ; Haibo WANG ; Yi HU ; Hao ZHANG ; Jigang DAI ; Junqiang FAN ; Guibin QIAO ; Fan YANG ; Jian HU ; Fengwei TAN ; Xuening YANG ; Qiang PU ; Zihao CHEN ; Hongxia TIAN ; Lunxu LIU ; Hecheng LI ; Xiaolong YAN ; Zongyang YU ; Zhenbin QIU ; Yihua SUN ; Jing HU ; Yuhang SHI ; Zhifei GUO ; Peng ZHANG ; Kezhong CHEN ; Shugeng GAO ; Yilong WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):848-856
With the continuous deepening of the concept of precision diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer, how to achieve higher efficiency and accuracy in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment pathways in clinical practice has become an important issue that urgently needs to be overcome. The current clinical difficulty lies in the fact that despite continuous advancements in imaging and molecular diagnostic technologies, there are still limitations in manual efficiency and subjective experience when it comes to massive data analysis and multi-scale feature extraction. Artificial intelligence (AI), especially algorithm systems based on deep learning, is an innovative technology capable of deeply empowering medical big data. This method utilizes algorithms such as convolutional neural networks, combined with radiomics, pathomics, and multi-modal data fusion analysis, demonstrating immense potential in early precise detection and benign-malignant differentiation of pulmonary nodules, digital pathological subtype recognition and non-invasive prediction of driver genes, precise 3D surgical planning and automatic delineation of radiotherapy target volumes, as well as dynamic risk warning during follow-up. This innovative technology provides a brand-new solution for realizing intelligent and individualized lung cancer diagnosis and treatment models. This consensus, based on the latest evidence from evidence-based medicine and combined with the development trends in the AI field and real-world clinical needs, was ultimately formed by gathering the consensus opinions of multidisciplinary experts in radiology, pathology, thoracic surgery, and other fields. The main content covers the application specifications of AI in the three core scenarios of lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment, the technical standards for data collection and algorithm validation, as well as the ethical and regulatory challenges faced at the current stage. It aims to clarify the applicable boundaries of AI as a clinical auxiliary decision support tool, providing scientific guidance and standardized exploration directions for peers currently engaged in or planning to carry out AI-assisted clinical diagnosis, treatment, and translation of lung cancer.
6.A Personalized Brain-computer Interface Paradigm and Decoding Method for The Objective Evaluation of Auditory Frequency Difference Limen
Sheng-Ye LI ; Xiao-Lin XIAO ; Shi-Hang YU ; Bei-Bei ZHANG ; Xing-Wei AN ; Min-Peng XU ; Dong MING
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1927-1941
ObjectiveThe frequency difference limen (FDL) serves as a fundamental metric utilized for effectively quantifying the precise perceptual capabilities of the central auditory system. However, traditional measurement methods rely heavily on the active behavioral responses of subjects and are consequently highly susceptible to the negative influence of confounding subjective factors. Furthermore, existing research paradigms frequently employ uniform stimulus configurations that overlook critical individual perceptual differences. Based on brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, this comprehensive study aims to establish an objective and quantitative evaluation method for auditory frequency discrimination by systematically analyzing and decoding the specific neural responses elicited at the exact threshold state. MethodsWe designed a personalized rapid serial auditory presentation (RSAP) paradigm customized based on each individual’s precise FDL. A cohort of eleven healthy participants was recruited to evaluate the paradigm using pure-tone sequences at a baseline frequency of 4 000 Hz. This experimental paradigm simulates a realistic auditory perception environment through the continuous presentation of acoustic stimuli, thereby allowing for an in-depth investigation into the specific neural representations evoked by weak frequency deviations at the threshold state. Given that auditory stimulus-evoked response features exhibit complex and differentiated spatiotemporal distribution patterns across multiple frequency domains, this study further deeply integrates the cross-scale feature interaction module with the dynamic spatiotemporal attention allocation strategy, innovatively proposing the Multi-Scale Spatial-Temporal Dual Attention Network (MS-STAMNet). Specifically, the network constructs parallel processing branches with multiple receptive fields and introduces a dynamic adaptive weighting strategy to precisely localize core neural activity signals, further deeply integrating multi-scale information through cross-branch feature information interaction to achieve robust single-trial decoding of weak auditory evoked responses. ResultsThe comprehensive electrophysiological data analysis demonstrated that subtle auditory frequency deviation stimuli presented at the threshold level successfully elicited pronounced N2 and P3 event-related potential features, reflecting pre-attentive mismatch detection and subsequent cognitive evaluation, which were prominently distributed over the frontal, central, and temporal regions of the scalp. In the complex time-frequency domain, the extracted neural response characteristics exhibited distinct, statistically significant event-related synchronization within both the low-frequency δ and θ frequency bands, which was simultaneously accompanied by a widespread, prominent event-related desynchronization within the higher α band. A comparative analysis of model performance demonstrated that MS-STAMNet achieved an average unweighted average recall (UAR) of (69.67±6.12)% and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.761 8±0.07, significantly outperforming the established baseline models such as EEGNet and PLNet. Furthermore, a distinct dissociation phenomenon was verified between neural decoding and behavioral performance through regression analysis (R2=0.016, P=0.709), indicating that this model can effectively capture the implicit features of subtle frequency deviations, even when they fail to trigger explicit conscious responses. Additionally, attention weight visualization analysis further reveals the highly accurate focus of the network on key features concentrated over the bilateral temporal and fronto-parietal regions. ConclusionThis study systematically and comprehensively uncovers the multi-dimensional spatiotemporal evolutionary patterns of complex neural responses processing subtle acoustic variations under long-sequence threshold auditory stimulation. Concurrently, it verifies the efficacy and robustness of the proposed MS-STAMNet architecture in accurately deciphering weak, single-trial electroencephalogram signals amidst complex background noise. Ultimately, these neurophysiological and algorithmic findings lay a solid theoretical and methodological foundation for the objective and quantitative evaluation of individual auditory cognitive capabilities in clinical applications, transcending the fundamental limitations of traditional behavioral paradigms and providing robust technical support for future auditory research and related clinical assessments.
7.Mechanism study of Xibining Ⅱ formula in alleviating synovial inflammation and fibrosis in KOA rats via JAK2/STAT3 pathway
Jiachen SONG ; Peng WU ; Li ZHANG ; Deren LIU ; Lei SHI ; Jiangyu LIU ; Yaotian SHI ; Jun MAO
China Pharmacy 2026;37(14):1838-1844
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of Xibining Ⅱ formula in alleviating synovial inflammation and fibrosis in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rats based on Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway. METHODS Seventy-five male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (Sham group), KOA group, Xibining Ⅱ low-dose group (XBNⅡ-L group, 4 g/kg), Xibining Ⅱ high-dose group (XBNⅡ-H group, 8 g/kg), and Xibining Ⅱ high-dose combined with STAT3 activator Colivelin trifluoroacetate (C-TFA) group [C-TFA group, 8 g/kg Xibining Ⅱ+ 1.0 mg/(kg·d) C-TFA], with 15 rats in each group. Except for the Sham group, the KOA model was established by anterior cruciate ligament transection in the other groups. After successful modeling, each group was given corresponding drugs by intragastric administration and (or) intraperitoneal injection once daily for 28 consecutive days. After the last medication, the pathological changes of synovial tissue of knee joint in each group were evaluated and the indicators were calculated. The levels of serum inflammatory factors were detected. The positive expressions of phosphorylated JAK2 (p-JAK2) and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) in synovial tissue of the knee joint were detected. The expressions of JAK2/STAT3 pathway-related proteins and mRNAs in synovial tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with the Sham group, the synovial lining cells in the KOA group showed significant proliferation and disordered arrangement; the Krenn score, fibrosis ratio, positive area percentage of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3, p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3, protein expression of Collagen-Ⅰ and α -smooth muscle actin, the mRNA expression of JAK2, STAT3, Collagen-Ⅰ and α -smooth muscle actin, as well as serum levels of interleukin-1β and interleukin-18 were significantly increased ( P <0.05). Compared with the KOA group, the above pathological changes were significantly improved in each dose group of Xibining Ⅱ formula, and all indicators were significantly decreased ( P <0.05), with the XBNⅡ-H group showing better effects than the XBNⅡ-L group ( P <0.05). Compared with the XBNⅡ-H group, the above pathological damages were aggravated in the C-TFA group, and all indicators were significantly worsened ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Xibining Ⅱ formula can alleviate synovial inflammation and fibrosis in KOA rats, and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the activation of JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
8.A survey on Chinese physicians’cognition,attitudes,and practices regarding biosimilars and their clinical switching
Liyang GAO ; Lijuan ZUO ; Huiting PENG ; Weixin XU ; Li ZHANG ; Haisheng CHEN ; Jing SHI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(18):2363-2368
OBJECTIVE To investigate the cognition, attitudes, and current practices of Chinese physicians regarding biosimilars and their clinical switching, so as to provide a basis for the rational clinical application of biosimilars in China and the improvement of related policies.METHODS A national cross-sectional online questionnaire survey was conducted in 2025. Quota sampling was adopted, with quotas based on physicians’ sex, city tier, and specialty. Questionnaire invitations were distributed to licensed physicians, and physicians who had prescribed monoclonal antibody biosimilars were included for analysis. The questionnaire covered their familiarity with biosimilars, attitudes, clinical switching practices, and reasons. Data were processed using reliability and validity tests, dispersion analysis, and cross-tabulation analysis.RESULTS The questionnaire scale showed good reliability and validity, with Cronbach’s α coefficient >0.7 and KMO value >0.6. A total of 2 071 survey invitations were distributed, and 300 valid questionnaires were returned, with an effective response rate of 14.5%. Among the respondents, 75.3% had prescribed 3-5 types of monoclonal antibody biosimilars; only 35.3% were aware that China currently has no clear regulatory provisions on biosimilar switching; 46.3% and 47.3% of respondents believed that there was no difference in safety and efficacy, respectively, between biosimilars and originator products; 63.0% of respondents were concerned about the immunogenicity risk of long-term switching between originator drugs and biosimilars. A total of 92.3% of respondents had experience with biosimilar switching, 87.7% of which involved switching from originator products to biosimilars, and 28.2% of respondents had completed three or more switches in the same patient. Among the primary reasons for switching, non-medical factors accounted for 57.4%, higher than medical factors at 42.6%; “lower treatment cost after switching” was the most important reason for switching; 95.3% of respondents believed that informed consent should be obtained from patients before switching.CONCLUSIONS The surveyed physicians had basic knowledge of biosimilars, but their understanding of the relevant regulations of the national drug regulatory authority was insufficient. Although most physicians were concerned about the risks of non-medical switching, clinical switching was mostly driven by non-medical factors. It is recommended to strengthen policy education for medical professionals and standardize clinical switching behavior. The National Medical Products Administration should also promptly improve the interchangeability review standards and post-marketing surveillance system for biosimilars, so as to promote the rational use of biosimilars.
9.Pollution characteristics, source apportionment, and health risk assessment of PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Guangzhou City from 2016 to 2024
Yan WU ; Zhi LI ; Jiayun LYU ; Jie SHI ; Yongquan PENG ; Wenru FENG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(9):1116-1122
Background Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are significant organic components of PM2.5 and exhibit carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. Long-term exposure to high level of atmospheric particulate matter and particle-bound PAHs may contribute to the burden of environmentally related diseases in China. Objective To characterize PM2.5 concentrations and PM2.5-bound PAHs in three districts of Guangzhou from 2016 to 2024, and to assess the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) associated with inhalation exposure to PAHs among different population groups. Methods PM2.5 samples were collected monthly from the 10th to the 16th day of each month at rooftop monitoring sites on office buildings in Yuexiu, Conghua, and Panyu districts between 2016 and 2024. PM2.5 concentrations were measured, and 16 priority PAHs were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Seasonal and regional variations in PM2.5 and PAH concentrations were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Potential PAH sources were identified using diagnostic ratio analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). The ILCR model was employed to estimate inhalation-related cancer risks for different population groups. Results From 2016 to 2024, the annual median PM2.5 concentrations in Guangzhou were 51.0, 46.0, 45.0, 41.5, 31.0, 32.0, 30.0, 26.0, and 37.5 μg·m−3, respectively, showing an overall declining trend. PM2.5 concentrations varied significantly by season, following the order of winter > spring/autumn > summer (H=475.341, P < 0.001). Spatially, PM2.5 concentrations were highest in Yuexiu, followed by Panyu and Conghua (H=36.226, P < 0.001). The annual median PAH concentrations were 3.95, 4.22, 3.73, 3.13, 2.54, 2.16, 2.78, 2.36, and 1.75 ng·m−3, respectively. PAH concentrations showed a similar seasonal pattern (winter > spring/autumn > summer; H=320.392, P < 0.001). However, their spatial distribution differed from that of PM2.5: Conghua > Panyu > Yuexiu (H=55.938, P < 0.001). Diagnostic ratios and PCA indicated that the major sources of PAHs were traffic-related emissions (gasoline and diesel combustion) and coal combustion, with additional contributions from petroleum volatilization and biomass burning. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) toxic equivalent concentrations declined over time and remained below the Chinese standard limit of 1 ng·m−3 after 2018. The median inhalation-related ILCRs were 0.094×10−6 for children, 0.035×10−6 for adolescents, and 0.293×10−6 for adults. Conclusion From 2016 to 2024, PM2.5 and PM2.5-bound PAH pollution levels in Guangzhou generally declined. Suburban areas had the lowest PM2.5 concentrations but the highest PAHs concentrations. Both PM2.5 and PM2.5-bound PAHs exhibited significant seasonal variations, with the highest levels in winter and the lowest levels in summer. The primary sources of PAHs were vehicular emissions and coal combustion, and PAHs posed no significant carcinogenic risk to the study population.
10.Effects of Bushen Huoxue Formula on myelin and cognitive function of mice with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion
Xinru LI ; Jing PENG ; Ting LI ; Mingqing WEI ; Jingnian NI ; Jing SHI ; Jinzhou TIAN
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(8):1088-1092
Objective To determine the effects of Bushen Huoxue Formula(BHF),a clinically vali-dated traditional Chinese herbal compound,on myelin integrity and cognitive function in mice with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion(CCH).Methods A total of 30 SPF male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into sham operation group(n=8)and model group(n=22).Bilateral com-mon carotid artery stenosis was inflicted to establish a mouse model of CCH,while the mice in the sham operation group only received separation of bilateral vagus nerves.In the model group,6 mice died in 2 d after surgery,the left 16 mice were then randomly divided into a model group and a treatment group,with 8 animals in each group.In 2 weeks after surgery,BHF(0.2 ml/d)or pure water was administered via gavage for 60 d to the corresponding groups.Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze(MWM)test.White matter lesions were evaluated by diffu-sion tensor imaging-fractional anisotropy(DTI-FA).Demyelination in the corpus callosum was visualized using Luxol fast blue(LFB)staining,while neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA1 region was analyzed with Nissl staining.Results Compared to the sham group,the model group exhibited significantly prolonged swimming distance and escape latency on day 5 and reduced platform crossings on day 6 in Morris water maze test,decreased DTI-FA value,lower absorbance value of myelin in LFB staining,and fewer Nissl-stained neurons in the hippocampal region(P<0.05,P<0.01).In contrast,the treatment group showed significantly shorter swimming distance[188.14(105.19,342.00)cm vs 280.22(168.47,501.37)cm,P<0.05]and escape latency[10.22(5.77,19.47)s vs 19.39(13.57,31.09)s,P<0.01]on day 5,increased platform crossings on day 6[3.00(2.00,4.00)times vs 2.00(1.00,3.00)times,P<0.05],elevated DTI-FA value(0.340±0.014 vs 0.313±0.012,P<0.01),enhanced absorbance value of myelin[0.353(0.328,0.364)vs 0.305(0.290,0.350),P<0.05],and greater neuronal counts(9.94±2.22 cells vs 7.11±2.02 cells,P<0.01)when compared to the model group.Conclusion BHF can alleviate CCH-induced cogni-tive deficits in mice by promoting repair of white matter microstructure and rescue of neuronal loss.

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