1.Fluorescence Suppression Method of Raman Spectroscopy and Its Application in Skin and Cosmetics Analysis
Yun-Xia CHEN ; Jia-Rong WANG ; Jian-Yu ZHU ; Shi-Wen LIN ; Ya-Nan LIU ; Xiao-Yue MA ; Guang-Cheng XI ; Juan LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1914-1926
Owing to its inherent advantages—such as being non-destructive, rapid, highly molecule-specific, and minimally interfered with by moisture—Raman spectroscopy has been widely adopted in the fields of skin barrier function assessment, monitoring the transdermal penetration of active cosmetic ingredients, and the identification and quality control of cosmetic products. Despite these strengths, the practical application of this technique faces a significant bottleneck: the strong fluorescence background generated by endogenous skin components and exogenous cosmetic additives. Endogenous skin substances, such as structural proteins (e.g., collagen and elastin), metabolic coenzymes (e.g., nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), and pigments (e.g., melanin), together with exogenous cosmetic constituents like organic colorants, chemical sunscreens, and fragrances, often possess strong absorption and emission characteristics. When excited by lasers, these components produce a fluorescence background that can be 106 to 108 times stronger than the Raman scattering signals, effectively masking the inherently weak vibrational fingerprint information. In recent years, driven by the rapid development of optoelectronic hardware and artificial intelligence algorithms, fluorescence suppression strategies have evolved from isolated, single-method approaches into comprehensive, multi-level synergistic systems. These systems are categorized into three distinct tiers: sample preparation, signal acquisition, and data processing. At the sample preparation level, techniques such as photobleaching and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) are employed to eliminate or bypass the generation of fluorescence at the source. At the signal acquisition level, instrumental improvements—including the use of long-wavelength near-infrared excitation (typically 785 nm or 1 064 nm), confocal spatial filtering, and shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy (SERDS)— are utilized to physically isolate Raman signals from the fluorescence background. Furthermore, at the data processing level, numerical baseline correction methods such as polynomial fitting, penalized least squares (e.g., airPLS, arPLS), wavelet transform, and derivative algorithms are increasingly integrated into the analytical pipeline to extract Raman spectral features from mixed signals without increasing hardware costs or acquisition time. This review provides a systematic categorization and critical evaluation of these fluorescence suppression methods, detailing their underlying principles, technical advantages, and inherent limitations in diverse experimental setups. By focusing on critical application scenarios—including skin barrier assessment, percutaneous absorption monitoring, the routine quality control of cosmetics, and the emerging field of portable on-site detection—this paper explores the current state of technique selection and optimization. Finally, the article discusses future development trends, emphasizing the necessity of constructing adaptive, tiered suppression strategies, developing intelligent and automated data processing algorithms, and promoting the integration of portable, multi-modal diagnostic devices. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive technical reference to facilitate the transition of Raman spectroscopy from a specialized laboratory tool into a routine, robust analytical platform for advancements in skin science and cosmetic research.
2.Mechanism of action of Qiangxin decoction in regulating the IκBα/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway-mediated M1 macrophage polarization for the treatment of chronic heart failure
Weiqi SHI ; Jianqi LU ; Zhide ZHU ; Meiling TANG ; Xiang XIAO ; Shanyun ZOU ; Yarou TU ; Lihui HU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(15):1966-1973
OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of Qiangxin decoction in the treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF) by regulating the inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB alpha/nuclear factor-κB p65 subunit (IκBα/NF-κB p65) signaling pathway-mediated M1 macrophage polarization. METHODS In animal experiments, mice were used as research subjects, and the CHF model was established via coronary artery ligation. Model mice were treated with Qiangxin decoction (21.69 g/kg) for 28 days. After intervention, pathological morphological changes of myocardial tissues and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were observed. Serum levels of inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), myocardial injury marker troponin I3 (TNNI3), and macrophage-related markers F4/80 and cluster of differentiation 80 (CD80) were detected. In cell experiments, monocyte-macrophage leukemia RAW264.7 cells were induced to undergo M1 polarization by 10 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide combined with 10 ng/mL interferon-γ, followed by 48 h intervention with 10% drug-containing serum of Qiangxin decoction. After intervention, the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p50 was observed. The positive rate of CD80 in cells was measured. The mRNA expression of inflammatory factors including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, TNF-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), C-C motif chemokine receptor 7 isoform 2 (CCR7-2), as well as the expression levels of proteins related to the IκBα/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway were detected. RESULTS Animal experimental results showed that Qiangxin decoction alleviated myocardial fibrosis in mice, and significantly reduced the cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6, as well as the protein expression of TNNI3, F4/80 and CD80 in myocardial tissues (P<0.05). Cell experimental results indicated that Qiangxin decoction significantly suppressed the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p50 (P<0.05). It significantly decreased the CD80 positive rate, mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, TNF-α, iNOS, COX2 and CCR7-2, total and nuclear expression of NF-κB p65, total, nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of phosphorylated NF-κB p65, total expression of phosphorylated IκBα (P<0.05). Meanwhile, it significantly elevated the total expression of IκBα and cytoplasmic expression of NF-κB p65 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can inhibit the activity of the IκBα/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway, reduce the release of pro-inflammatory factors, thereby restraining M1 macrophage polarization, mitigating myocardial fibrosis, and ultimately exerting therapeutic effects against CHF.
3.Traditional Chinese Medicine and Its Active Components Treat Pancreatic Cancer via Regulation of Programmed Cell Death: A Review
Wenna XIAO ; Hanqian SHI ; Xinqiu CHEN ; Xilin ZHAO ; Shuwei LIU ; Xiaoyu ZHU ; Junhai HUANG ; Chong ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(22):277-288
Pancreatic cancer (PC), a highly malignant tumor of the digestive system, is characterized by extremely high incidence and mortality rates, imposing a severe burden on the healthcare system. Despite significant advancements in comprehensive therapeutic strategies for PC, clinical benefits for patients remain limited due to the high heterogeneity and unique microenvironment of the tumor. Therefore, further elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying PC progression and developing novel, effective therapeutic strategies have become an urgent necessity in the current research. Programmed cell death (PCD) is a genetically orchestrated process of autonomous cell demise that is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Recent studies have demonstrated that tumor cells can remodel the tumor microenvironment by modulating various PCD pathways—including apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis—thereby driving tumor proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses unique advantages in anti-tumor therapy, characterized by multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway regulation. Accumulating evidence suggests that TCM formulas and their natural active compounds can effectively delay the malignant progression of PC by modulating PCD in tumor cells. This article systematically summarizes the molecular mechanisms of PCD in PC progression and reviews the mechanisms by which TCM formulas and natural active compounds intervene in PC through PCD modulation. This review aims to provide theoretical support and future research directions for the prevention and treatment of PC with TCM.
4.Microbial community mediated by microbial agents improves the quality of Epimedium pubescens Maxim.
Lai KUNYANG ; Wan XIUFU ; Xiao JIANCAI ; Wang HONGYANG ; Shi SHANGXUAN ; Yan BINBIN ; Lyu CHAOGENG ; Zhang CHENGCAI ; Zhang YUFEI ; Yuan FENG ; Zhao ZHE ; Zhu SHOUDONG ; Kang CHUANZHI ; Zhang YAN
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;3(3):270-281
Background:Optimizing cultivation techniques for traditional Chinese medicine has become a crucial means to improve the quality of medicinal materials.Microbial agents,as environmentally friendly and efficient plant growth promoters and soil conditioners,have increasingly attracted attention in eco-agriculture research.Objective:Our understanding remains limited regarding how the application of microbial agents,alone or in combination,affects changes in the rhizosphere microbiome and its association with the bioactive components of medicinal materials.Methods:In this study,Epimedium pubescens Maxim.was employed as a model plant to examine the effects of 2 microbial agents(Paenibacillus mucilaginosus and Bacillus subtilis)applied individually and in combination on plant growth and the accumulation of bioactive components.Additionally,this study explored the relationship between the rhizosphere microbiome and plant development.Results:The application of microbial agents increased the yield of E.pubescens leaves by 20.30%to 33.66%and enhanced the total flavonol glycosides content by 11.40%to 29.94%.Meanwhile,microbial treatments reshaped the rhizosphere microbiome,promoted the enrichment of beneficial microorganisms(e.g.,Frankia and Paenibacillus),suppressed phytopathogenic fungi such as Didymella and Scytalidium,and enhanced the stability of the soil microbial co-occurrence network.The partial least squares path model suggested that microbial agents not only directly impact the quality of medicinal herbs but also indirectly alter the accumula-tion of bioactive components by modulating the soil microbiome.Conclusion:These findings deepen our understanding of the relationship between medicinal plant quality and rhizosphere micro-biomes as mediated by microbial agents.They also provide a basis for designing and manipulating synthetic microbial communities to promote sustainable development in eco-agriculture.
5.Optimization of cellulase-assisted ultrasound extraction process for total flavonoids from Plumbago zeylanica and evaluation of their anti-oxidant activity
Xiao-lu GAO ; Wen-de CHENG ; Yue-yuan WEN ; Shang-ping XING ; Cheng SHI ; Dan ZHU ; Ya-nan XU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(11):3580-3585
AIM To optimize the cellulase-assisted ultrasound extraction process for total flavonoids from Plumbago zeylanica L.,and to evaluate their anti-oxidant activity.METHODS With extraction time,liquid-solid ratio,cellulase addition amount,extraction temperature and ultrasonic power as influencing factors,extraction rate of total flavonoids as an evaluation index,the extraction process was optimized by response surface method on the basis of single factor test.Subsequently,The scavenging rates of extract on DPPH,ABTS and OH free radicals were determined.RESULTS The optimal conditions were determined to be 34∶1 for liquid-solid ratio,3%for cellulase addition amount,51 ℃ for extraction temperature,38 min for extraction time,and 400 W for ultrasonic power,the extraction rate of total flavonoids was(33.411±0.97)%.The IC50 values of three free radicals were 0.13,0.042,3.29 mg/mL,respectively.CONCLUSION This reasonable and reliable method can be used for the cellulase-assisted ultrasound extraction of total flavonoids from P.zeylanica with strong anti-oxidant activity.
6.The Impacts of Climate Change on the Environment and Human Health in China: A Call for more Ambitious Action.
Shi Lu TONG ; Yu WANG ; Yong Long LU ; Cun de XIAO ; Qi Yong LIU ; Qi ZHAO ; Cun Rui HUANG ; Jia Yu XU ; Ning KANG ; Tong ZHU ; Dahe QIN ; Ying XU ; Buda SU ; Xiao Ming SHI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(2):127-143
As global greenhouse gases continue rising, the urgency of more ambitious action is clearer than ever before. China is the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases and one of the countries affected most by climate change. The evidence about the impacts of climate change on the environment and human health may encourage China to take more decisive action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts. This article aimed to review the evidence of environmental damages and health risks posed by climate change and to provide a new science-based perspective for the delivery of sustainable development goals. Over recent decades, China has experienced a strong warming pattern with a growing frequency of extreme weather events, and the impacts of climate change on China's environment and human health have been consistently observed, with increasing O 3 air pollution, decreases in water resources and availability, land degradation, and increased risks for both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Therefore, China's climate policy should target the key factors driving climate change and scale up strategic measures to curb carbon emissions and adapt to inevitable increasing climate impacts. It provides new insights for not only China but also other countries, particularly developing and emerging economies, to ensure climate and environmental sustainability whilst pursuing economic growth.
Climate Change
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China
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Humans
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Greenhouse Gases
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Air Pollution
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Sustainable Development
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Environment
7.Microbial community mediated by microbial agents improves the quality of Epimedium pubescens Maxim.
Lai KUNYANG ; Wan XIUFU ; Xiao JIANCAI ; Wang HONGYANG ; Shi SHANGXUAN ; Yan BINBIN ; Lyu CHAOGENG ; Zhang CHENGCAI ; Zhang YUFEI ; Yuan FENG ; Zhao ZHE ; Zhu SHOUDONG ; Kang CHUANZHI ; Zhang YAN
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;3(3):270-281
Background:Optimizing cultivation techniques for traditional Chinese medicine has become a crucial means to improve the quality of medicinal materials.Microbial agents,as environmentally friendly and efficient plant growth promoters and soil conditioners,have increasingly attracted attention in eco-agriculture research.Objective:Our understanding remains limited regarding how the application of microbial agents,alone or in combination,affects changes in the rhizosphere microbiome and its association with the bioactive components of medicinal materials.Methods:In this study,Epimedium pubescens Maxim.was employed as a model plant to examine the effects of 2 microbial agents(Paenibacillus mucilaginosus and Bacillus subtilis)applied individually and in combination on plant growth and the accumulation of bioactive components.Additionally,this study explored the relationship between the rhizosphere microbiome and plant development.Results:The application of microbial agents increased the yield of E.pubescens leaves by 20.30%to 33.66%and enhanced the total flavonol glycosides content by 11.40%to 29.94%.Meanwhile,microbial treatments reshaped the rhizosphere microbiome,promoted the enrichment of beneficial microorganisms(e.g.,Frankia and Paenibacillus),suppressed phytopathogenic fungi such as Didymella and Scytalidium,and enhanced the stability of the soil microbial co-occurrence network.The partial least squares path model suggested that microbial agents not only directly impact the quality of medicinal herbs but also indirectly alter the accumula-tion of bioactive components by modulating the soil microbiome.Conclusion:These findings deepen our understanding of the relationship between medicinal plant quality and rhizosphere micro-biomes as mediated by microbial agents.They also provide a basis for designing and manipulating synthetic microbial communities to promote sustainable development in eco-agriculture.
8.Application effect of gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via axillary approach in early thyroid tumor
Yan HE ; Mian ZHOU ; Tong SHI ; Qi ZHANG ; Xiao-chao ZHU
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(4):329-332
Objective To explore the effects of gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via axillary approach on neck function and aesthetic effect in patients with early thyroid tumor.Methods A prospective study was conducted on 116 patients with early thyroid tumor admitted to our hospital from December 2020 to December 2023.They were divided into the observation group and the control group according to block random method,with 58 cases in each group.Patients in the control group underwent open thyroidectomy,while patients in the observation group underwent gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via axillary approach.The surgical indicators,neck function,cosmetic effect,and complications of patients in the two groups were compared.Results Compared with the control group,the observation group had a longer surgical time(P<0.05),less intraoperative bleeding and postoperative drainage volume(P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in terms of the time point,inter-group and interaction effects of the neck injury index and the time point and inter-group effects of swallowing disorder index of patients between the two groups(P<0.05).Compared with 3 days after surgery,the neck injury index and swallowing disorder index at 6 months and 12 months after surgery of patients in both groups decreased(P<0.05),and the neck injury index and swallowing disorder index at 6 months and 12 months after surgery of patients in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the observation group had better cosmetic effects(P<0.05).The total incidence of complications of patients in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via axillary approach has better efficacy for early thyroid tumor,which can effectively improve neck function and aesthetic effect,promote the recovery of patients,and has high safety and patient satisfaction.
9.Effects and mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure
Meiling MAO ; Jianqi LU ; Zhide ZHU ; Yan PANG ; Liyu XIE ; Jiayong CHEN ; Xinyu WU ; Xiang XIAO ; Junshen LU ; Weiqi SHI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(2):160-165
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure(CHF).METHODS The CHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery.Modeled rats were divided into model group,Qiangxin decoction low-dose and high-dose groups(12.25,24.50 g/kg,calculated by crude drug),and chemical medicine group(Sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets,10.42 mg/kg),with 10 rats in each group;control group was set up without treatment.Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication or normal saline twice a day for 28 consecutive days.After the last medication,the contents of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)and adenosine triphosphate(ATP)in serum and phosphatidic acid(PA)and cardiolipin(CL)in myocardial tissue were all detected;the pathological damage and collagen fibrosis of rat myocardial tissue were observed;the apoptosis of myocardial cells was determined;the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed;the protein expressions of mitofusin 1(Mfn1),Mfn2,optic atrophy protein 1(OPA1)and dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1)were all detected in myocardial tissue.RESULTS Compared with control group,the serum content of NT-proBNP,apoptotic rate of myocardial cells,and relative expressions of S-OPA1 and Drp1 proteins were all increased significantly;serum content of ATP,contents of PA and CL,and relative expressions of Mfn1,Mfn2 and L-OPA1 proteins were all significantly reduced(P<0.05).There were abnormal membrane tissue structure in various layers of myocardial tissue,degeneration and necrosis of myocardial cells,and severe fibrosis;the mitochondria were swollen,with reduced or absent cristae,and uneven matrix density.After intervention with Qiangxin decoction,the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators in serum and myocardial tissue of rats(excluding CL content in the Qiangxin decoction low-dose group)were significantly reversed(P<0.05);the pathological damage of myocardial tissue had significantly improved,fibrosis had significantly reduced,mitochondrial morphology tended to be normal,cristae had increased,and matrix density was uniform.CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can regulate myocardial mitochondrial function and structural integrity of CHF rats,thereby improving myocardial energy metabolism and antagonizing myocardial fibrosis,the mechanism of which may be associated with activating PA/Mfn/CL signaling pathway.
10.Guideline for Adult Weight Management in China
Weiqing WANG ; Qin WAN ; Jianhua MA ; Guang WANG ; Yufan WANG ; Guixia WANG ; Yongquan SHI ; Tingjun YE ; Xiaoguang SHI ; Jian KUANG ; Bo FENG ; Xiuyan FENG ; Guang NING ; Yiming MU ; Hongyu KUANG ; Xiaoping XING ; Chunli PIAO ; Xingbo CHENG ; Zhifeng CHENG ; Yufang BI ; Yan BI ; Wenshan LYU ; Dalong ZHU ; Cuiyan ZHU ; Wei ZHU ; Fei HUA ; Fei XIANG ; Shuang YAN ; Zilin SUN ; Yadong SUN ; Liqin SUN ; Luying SUN ; Li YAN ; Yanbing LI ; Hong LI ; Shu LI ; Ling LI ; Yiming LI ; Chenzhong LI ; Hua YANG ; Jinkui YANG ; Ling YANG ; Ying YANG ; Tao YANG ; Xiao YANG ; Xinhua XIAO ; Dan WU ; Jinsong KUANG ; Lanjie HE ; Wei GU ; Jie SHEN ; Yongfeng SONG ; Qiao ZHANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Yuwei ZHANG ; Junqing ZHANG ; Xianfeng ZHANG ; Miao ZHANG ; Yifei ZHANG ; Yingli LU ; Hong CHEN ; Li CHEN ; Bing CHEN ; Shihong CHEN ; Guiyan CHEN ; Haibing CHEN ; Lei CHEN ; Yanyan CHEN ; Genben CHEN ; Yikun ZHOU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Qiang ZHOU ; Jiaqiang ZHOU ; Hongting ZHENG ; Zhongyan SHAN ; Jiajun ZHAO ; Dong ZHAO ; Ji HU ; Jiang HU ; Xinguo HOU ; Bimin SHI ; Tianpei HONG ; Mingxia YUAN ; Weibo XIA ; Xuejiang GU ; Yong XU ; Shuguang PANG ; Tianshu GAO ; Zuhua GAO ; Xiaohui GUO ; Hongyi CAO ; Mingfeng CAO ; Xiaopei CAO ; Jing MA ; Bin LU ; Zhen LIANG ; Jun LIANG ; Min LONG ; Yongde PENG ; Jin LU ; Hongyun LU ; Yan LU ; Chunping ZENG ; Binhong WEN ; Xueyong LOU ; Qingbo GUAN ; Lin LIAO ; Xin LIAO ; Ping XIONG ; Yaoming XUE
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(11):891-907
Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

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