ObjectiveTo investigate the inhibitory effect of Biejiajian Pills （BJJW） on the growth of liver cancer， as well as its potential mechanism in mediating the AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） pathway through mitochondrial energy metabolism. MethodsHuman hepatoma Huh7 cells were used to establish a nude mouse model of subcutaneous xenograft tumor. A total of 18 tumor-bearing nude mice were randomly divided into model group， BJJW group （2.2 g/kg）， and metformin group （250 mg/kg）， and the corresponding drug was given by gavage for 14 consecutive days. Tumor volume and weight were monitored during the experiment； HE staining was used to observe histopathological changes； the levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in tumor tissue were measured； immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to measure the expression levels of proteins associated with the AMPK/mTOR pathway. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups， and the Tukey’s test was used for further comparison between two groups； the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups， and the Dunn’s test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the model group， the BJJW group had a tumor inhibition rate of 45.73%， with significant reductions in both tumor volume and weight （P<0.01）. Pathological examination showed that compared with the model group， the BJJW group had a significant reduction in the number of tumor cells and the presence of extensive necrosis. Mechanistic studies showed that compared with the model group， the BJJW group had a significant increase in ROS level （P<0.001） and a significant reduction in ATP level （P<0.001）， as well as significant increases in p-AMPK/AMPK ratio （0.81±0.20 vs 0.13±0.04， P<0.01） and p-ULK1/ULK1 ratio （0.69±0.17 vs 0.18±0.13， P<0.01） and a significant reduction in p-mTOR/mTOR ratio （1.34±0.16 vs 3.20±0.62， P<0.01）. ConclusionBJJW may inhibit the growth of liver cancer by inducing mitochondrial energy metabolism dysfunction， increasing the level of ROS， reducing the level of ATP， and activating the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio （NLR）， platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio （PLR）， systemic immune-inflammation index （SII） and the severity of intrauterine adhesions （IUA）. MethodsThe retrospective study included 380 patients who underwent transcervical resection of adhesions （TCRA） from December 2019 to March 2025. Based on the American Fertility Society （AFS） classification， patients were divided into mild （n=61）， moderate （n=225）， and severe （n=94） groups. NLR， PLR， and SII were calculated from preoperative blood tests. Statistical analyses included Kruskal-Wallis test and ordinal Logistic regression. ResultsNLR， PLR， and SII were significantly higher in the severe IUA group compared to the mild group （P<0.05）， with SII showing the strongest predictive ability （OR=1.004， P=0.001）. The number of intrauterine procedures was an independent risk factor （OR=1.27/level， P=0.016）. The predictive model ［Logit（P）=-0.676+0.241×operation times+0.004×SII］ effectively identified severe IUA cases. ConclusionInflammatory markers （particularly SII） are correlated with IUA severity and may serve as non-invasive tools for clinical assessment.

ObjectiveTaking Aurantii Fructus Immaturus juice（AFI）-processed Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma（AMR） as an example， this study aims to systematically compare the volatile and non-volatile components of AMR and its processed products， investigate the key differential components， evaluate their anti-inflammatory activities， and elucidate the synergistic mechanism of processing. MethodsThe chemical compositions of volatile and non-volatile components in AMR and AFI-processed AMR were systematically characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（GC-MS） and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS）， with relative mass fractions and response values determined separately. Volatile components were identified through searches in the National Institute of Standards and Technology（NIST）17 database， comparison with retention index（RI） and fragmentation pattern matching. Non-volatile components were identified by searching Waters Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） spectral library， in conjunction with PubChem and MassBank， characteristic fragmentation patterns and response values were also used to support identification. Differential components were screened using principal component analysis（PCA）， orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA）， with variable importance in the projection（VIP） value >1. Components with high log₂fold change（FC） among major differential groups were selected as those exhibiting significant changes before and after processing. The anti-inflammatory activity of the differential compounds was evaluated by assessing their effects on nitric oxide（NO） production in a lipopolysaccharide（LPS）-induced RAW264.7 macrophage model. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） was used to detect the effects of the differential components on tumor necrosis factor（TNF）-α， interleukin（IL）-1β， IL-6， and monocyte chemotactic protein（MCP）-1 levels， and immunofluorescence（IF） was employed to assess their effects on nuclear transcription factor（NF）-κB p65 translocation， thereby elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms. ResultsA total of 36 compounds were identified in the volatile components of AMR and AFI-processed AMR， among which， sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes were significantly increased after processing. In the non-volatile components， 36 compounds were identified， and the main differential components were flavonoids， sesquiterpenoids， and triterpenoids. Flavonoids were the primary differential components distinguishing AMR from its processed products， representing compounds directly introduced during processing. Five compounds， including atractylenolide Ⅲ， tangeritin， nobiletin， hesperidin and narirutin， were selected as representatives of three classes based on their most prominent differential expression among different compound types for subsequent anti-inflammatory activity studies. The results showed that 100 μmol·L^-1 tangerine and narirutin could significantly inhibit LPS-induced NO production（P<0.01） in a concentration-dependent manner. Tangeritin was able to significantly inhibit the levels of TNF-α and MCP-1 secreted by RAW264.7（P<0.05）， while narirutin significantly inhibited the levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， MCP-1 and IL-6（P<0.01）. IF revealed that both tangeritin and narirutin significantly blocked the translocation of NF-κB p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. ConclusionAFI-processed AMR significantly alters the chemical composition profile of AMR， and the newly introduced flavonoid components during processing may be key to its enhanced anti-inflammatory effects.

Objective: To discuss the epidemiological characteristics of hand foot mouth disease (HFMD) among children in Jiujiang City, and its correlation with meteorological factors, so as to provide scientific evidence for developing targeted HFMD prevention and control measures. Methods: HFMD incidence data among children and meteorological factor records from Jiujiang City during 2019-2023 were collected. Pearson correlation analysis and Quasi-Poisson regression analysis of generalized additive model were used to analyze the relationship between the number of cases and meteorological factors, calculating correlation coefficients (r) and excess risk (ER). Results: The annual reported children HFMD cases in Jiujiang City during 2019-2023 were 4 299, 4 671, 2 560, 3 230, and 3 584, respectively. Except for a peak in autumn-winter in 2020, outbreaks occurred mainly in spring and summer in other years. The majority of cases involved scattered children (71.11%) and children in daycare centers (26.64%). Pearson correlation analysis showed that total case counts, cases among scattered children, and cases among children in daycare centers were positively correlated with average temperature ( r =0.36, 0.39, 0.23), maximum temperature ( r =0.32, 0.36, 0.20), minimum temperature ( r =0.37, 0.41, 0.24), and average relative humidity ( r =0.19, 0.20, 0.15) (all P <0.05). Quasi-Poisson regression analysis of generalized additive model revealed that total cases, cases among scattered children, and cases among daycare children were positively associated with average temperature ( r =0.05, 0.06, 0.03) and average relative humidity ( r =0.03, 0.02, 0.02) (all P <0.01). Excess incidence risk analysis indicated that for every 10 ℃ increase in average temperature, the ER (95% CI ) values were 72.16 (45.91-103.14), 79.76 (52.99- 111.23 ) and 39.30 (14.45-69.54) among total children, scattered children and daycare children, respectively; for every 10% increase in average relative humidity, the ER (95% CI ) values were 28.69 (12.22-47.56), 27.81 (12.01-45.84) and 24.42 (5.56-46.65), respectively. Conclusions The incidence level of HFMD among children in Jiujiang City is positively correlated with the average temperature and average relative humidity. Higher temperature and humidity are associated with an increased risk of excess HFMD incidence in scattered children compared to children in daycare centers.

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.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the risk factors for sodium valproate （VPA）-induced hyperammonemia in neurocritical patients， and to construct a risk prediction model. METHODS Clinical data were retrospectively collected from 172 neurocritical patients who received VPA treatment in the Department of Critical Care Medicine， the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2022 to June 2025. Patients were divided into the hyperammonemia group （73 cases） and the normal group （99 cases） based on their blood ammonia levels. Univariate analysis and LASSO regression analysis were used to screen for predictive variables. Independent factors were identified through multivariate Logistic regression analysis， and a nomogram was constructed accordingly. The performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve， calibration curve， and decision curve analysis （DCA）. RESULTS Combination of univariate analysis and LASSO regression analysis screened out seven predictive variables： body mass index （BMI）≥24.0 kg/m 2 ， concomitant use of benzodiazepines， VPA blood concentration， hemoglobin， serum urea， average daily VPA dose， and albumin. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that concomitant use of benzodiazepines， BMI≥24.0 kg/m 2 ， VPA blood concentration， albumin and serum urea level （with odds ratios of 1.615， 1.538， 1.623， 1.942 and 0.637， respectively； 95% confidence intervals of 1.128-2.359， 1.059-2.251， 1.112-2.431， 1.106-3.598 and 0.402-0.980， respectively） were all significantly associated with VPA-induced hyperammonemia in neurocritical patients （ P ＜0.05）. The nomogram prediction model constructed based on these variables was evaluated， showing that the area under the ROC curve was 0.810 for the test set and 0.844 for the validation set. The calibration curves closely approximated t he actual curves， and the application of this model could improve the clinical net benefit. CONCLUSIONS Concomitant use of benzodiazepines， BMI≥24.0 kg/m 2 ， high VPA blood concentration and high albumin level are independent risk factors for VPA-induced hyperammonemia in neurocritical patients， while high serum urea level is an independent protective factor. The risk prediction model constructed based on these factors exhibits good discrimination， consistency， and clinical applicability， making it applicable for predicting the risk of VPA-induced hyperammonemia in neurocritical patients.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of combining the replenishing qi and nourishing yin empirical formula with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 59 patients diagnosed with DME at Tongji Hospital of Tongji University or Shanghai Nanxiang Hospital, Jiading District from June 2019 to December 2022. Among them, 29 cases received intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (anti-VEGF group), while 30 cases received both intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and oral administration of the replenishing qi and nourishing yin empirical formula (combined treatment group). The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score were compared between the two groups before treatment and at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks after treatment. Results Compared with before treatment, BCVA significantly improved (P＜0.05) and CMT significantly decreased (P＜0.05) at different time points after treatment in both groups. At 16, 20, and 24 weeks after treatment, BCVA in the combined treatment group was superior to that in the anti-VEGF group (P＜0.01). At 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks after treatment, CMT in the combined treatment group was lower than that in the anti-VEGF group (P＜0.01). Starting from week 8 after treatment, the TCM syndrome scores in the combined treatment group were lower than those in the anti-VEGF group (P＜0.01). Conclusions The replenishing qi and nourishing yin empirical formula could improve the efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy in DME patients, indicating that integrating traditional Chinese and Western medicine has certain clinical application value in treating DME.

Objective To investigate the situation and influencing factors of preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) among dust-exposed workers in a wooden furniture manufacturing enterprise. Methods A total of 562 dust-exposed workers from a wooden furniture enterprise in Guangdong Province were selected as the study subjects using the convenience sampling method. The result of health-status questionnaire and occupational medical examinations among the participants were studied, and the influencing factors of PRISm were studied using the binary logistic regression analysis method. Results The detection rate of PRISm was 22.1% (124/562) among the study subjects. Binary logistic regression result showed that male workers had a higher risk of PRISm than female workers (P<0.01). Current smokers had a higher risk of PRISm than non-smokers (P<0.05). Workers with longer duration of exposure to occupational hazards had a higher risk of PRISm (P<0.05), those with higher grade of small-airway dysfunction had a higher risk of PRISm (P<0.01). In terms of body mass index, overweight or obese workers showed a higher detection rate of PRISm than those with normal weight (P<0.01). Greater amount of smoking pack per year had a higher risk of PRISm (P<0.01). Conclusion Dust-exposed workers in the wooden furniture manufacturing industry show a relatively high detection rate of PRISm. Male, current smoker, longer duration of exposure to occupational hazards, small airway dysfunction, overweight or obese, and smoking pack per year are influencing factors of PRISm among the dust-exposed workers in the wooden furniture manufacturing industry.

Objective To explore the safety and effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in patients with ischemic heart failure (IHF). Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was designed (ClinicalTrial.gov registration number NCT03491969). From January 2019 to January 2023, 300 patients with IHF were enrolled in four medical centers in China, and were randomly assigned at a 1∶1 ratio to receive ALA (600 mg daily) or placebo on top of standard care for 24 months. The primary outcome was the composite outcome of hospitalization for heart failure (HF) or all-cause mortality events. The second outcome included non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal stroke, changes of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) from baseline to 24 months after randomization. Results Finally, 138 patients of the ALA group and 139 patients of the placebo group attained the primary outcome. Hospitalization for HF or all-cause mortality events occurred in 32 patients (23.2%) of the ALA group and in 40 patients (28.8%) of the placebo group (HR＝0.753, 95%CI 0.473-1.198, P＝0.231; Figure 1A-1C). The absolute risk reduction (ARR) was 5.6%, the relative risk reduction (RRR) associated with ALA therapy was approximately 19.4% compared to placebo, corresponding to a number needed to treat (NNT) of 18 patients to prevent one event. In the secondary outcome analysis, the composite outcome of the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including the hospitalization for HF, all-cause mortality events, non-fatal MI or non-fatal stroke occurred in 35 patients (25.4%) in the ALA group and 47 patients (33.8%) in the placebo group (HR＝0.685, 95%CI 0.442-1.062, P＝0.091; Figure 1D). Moreover, greater improvement in LVEF (β＝3.20, 95%CI 1.14-5.23, P＝0.002) and 6MWD (β＝31.7, 95%CI 8.3-54.7, P＝0.008) from baseline to 24 months after randomization were observed in the ALA group as compared to the placebo group. There were no differences in adverse events between the study groups. Conclusions These results show potential long-term beneficial effects of adding ALA to IHF patients. ALA could significantly improve LVEF and 6MWD compared to the placebo group in IHF patients.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a multidisciplinary weight management intervention, so as to provide a reference for the formulation of overweight and obesity intervention measures. Methods: From April to September 2025, overweight and obese residents aged 18-60 years who participated in a weight loss competition at the Health Management Center of Beilun People's Hospital in Ningbo City were selected as study subjects. They were divided into a control group and an intervention group. The control group received conventional weight management, while the intervention group received the multidisciplinary integrated weight management in addition to the conventional weight management, for a total intervention period of 8 weeks. Weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and blood pressure were collected before and after the intervention through physical examinations and laboratory tests. The generalized estimating equations (GEE) method was employed to analyze the differences in indicators between the two groups before and after the intervention. Results: The control group comprised 241 participants, including 161 females (66.80%), with a mean age of (35.66±7.80) years. The intervention group consisted of 127 participants, including 86 females (67.72%), with a mean age of (36.80±7.05) years. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups at baseline in terms of age, gender, weight, BMI, or waist-to-hip ratio (all P>0.05). Results from the GEE analysis indicated significant interactions between group and time for weight, BMI, waist circumference, and hip circumference (all P<0.05) with greater reductions in these parameters observed in the intervention group compared to the control group before and after the intervention. Similarly, significant interactions between group and time were observed for FBG, TG, TC, and LDL-C (all P<0.05), with the intervention group demonstrating larger decreases in these markers compared to the control group. However, no statistically significant interactions between group and time were observed for waist-to-hip ratio, HDL-C, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure (all P>0.05). Following the intervention, a weight loss exceeding 10% was achieved by 13 participants (5.39%) in the control group and 62 participants (48.82%) in the intervention group. The proportion of individuals with a weight loss exceeding 10% was significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Compared to conventional weight management, multidisciplinary integrated weight management demonstrated greater efficacy in improving weight-related indicators and blood glucose, blood lipids, and enhancing weight loss outcomes among overweight and obese residents.