ObjectiveBased on the clinical characteristics of chronic gouty arthritis （CGA） in both traditional Chinese and western medicine， this study aims to systematically evaluate the clinical concordance of existing CGA animal models， providing recommendations for establishing animal models that align with the pathological characteristics of CGA and the manifestations of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes. MethodsBy comprehensively retrieving Chinese and international databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure， Wanfang， VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database （VIP）， and PubMed， all relevant literature on CGA animal models was collected. Based on the guidelines， the diagnostic criteria of both traditional Chinese and western medicine were summarized and organized. The evaluation indicators for the CGA model were constructed with reference to existing evaluation modes， and the CGA animal models were analyzed to systematically evaluate the clinical concordance of existing models. ResultsThe current methods used to construct CGA animal models mainly include monosodium urate crystal induction， high-protein diet induction （poultry lack urate oxidase）， and high-fat diet combined with urate oxidase inhibitors and joint injection. Based on 11 pieces of included literature， the traditional Chinese and western medicine scoring data of each model were extracted， and the average scoring values of all models were ultimately calculated. The results show that the average clinical concordances of existing CGA animal models in both traditional Chinese and western medicine are 43.33% and 64.44%， respectively. Among them， the model with the highest clinical concordance rate is the one with a high-fat diet combined with potassium oxonate to induce hyperuricemia plus joint injection， achieving 83.33% clinical concordance in western medicine and 60% in traditional Chinese medicine. This model aligns well with the pathogenic characteristics and pathological changes of clinical CGA. ConclusionAlthough current CGA animal models can simulate some pathological characteristics of CGA， they struggle to comprehensively reflect the complex pathological processes of CGA and the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes. Therefore， in the future， it is necessary to establish the CGA animal models that incorporate the clinical disease and syndrome characteristics of traditional Chinese and western medicine and formulate the uniform model evaluation criteria， providing more precise tools for CGA mechanism research and the development of traditional Chinese medicine.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effect of Huazhuo SanJie Chubi presciption （HSCD） on chronic gouty arthritis （CGA） rats with low-grade inflammation and to explore the underlying mechanism with a focus on macrophage polarization. MethodsThe 41 male 6-week-old SD rats were randomly allocated， using the random number table， to a normal group （n=8） and a model group （n =33）. CGA with low-grade inflammation was induced in the model group by daily gavage of potassium oxonate （250 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） and hypoxanthine （300 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， combined with intra-articular injection of a monosodium urate （MSU） crystal suspension （50 μL， 25 g·L^-¹） into the left ankle twice weekly. After 4 weeks of modeling， 3 rats were randomly selected from each group for model validation. The remaining successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group， an HSCD group （10.35 g·kg^-1·d^-1， gavage once daily）， an M1 polarization agonist group （L-methionine sulfoximine， 300 mg·kg^-1， subcutaneous injection every other day）， an M1 polarization agonist + HSCD group， an M2 polarization inhibitor group （PD0325901， 10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， gavage once daily）， and M2 polarization inhibitor + HSCD group. The corresponding drug or drug combination was administered according to group assignment， whereas rats in the normal and model groups received 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium （CMC-Na） vehicle （10.35 g·kg^-1·d^-1， gavage once daily）. All interventions were continued for four weeks. During the intervention period， except for the normal group， potassium oxonate （250 mg·kg⁻¹） and hypoxanthine （300 mg·kg^-1） were co-administered by gavage every other day to maintain the model. At the end of treatment， serum uric acid （SUA）， ankle joint diameter and joint swelling index were measured. The levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 （CCL2）， S100 calcium-binding protein A8/A9 （S100A8/A9）， interleukin-10 （IL-10） and arginase-1 （Arg-1） in serum and joint fluid were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. High-frequency ultrasound was used to assess MSU deposition in the ankle joint. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to evaluate synovial histopathological changes. Quantitative Real-time PCR and immunofluorescence were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of the M1 macrophage polarization markers inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） and the M2 macrophage polarization marker scavenger receptor cysteine-rich type 1 protein M130 （CD163） in synovial tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly elevated SUA level and joint swelling index， and increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines， CCL2， and S100A8/A9 in both serum and joint fluid （P<0.05）， accompanied by MSU deposition and synovial inflammation in the ankle joint. The mRNA and protein expression levels of macrophage polarization M1/M2 markers iNOS and CD163 in synovial tissues were also significantly up-regulated （P<0.05）. Compared with model group， rats in HSCD group had significantly lower SUA levels， attenuated joint swelling， reduced serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines， and decreased levels of CCL2 and S100A8/A9 in both serum and joint fluid， accompanied with alleviated MSU deposition and synovial inflammation （P<0.05）. HSCD markedly downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of M1 marker iNOS （P<0.05）， whereas it had no significant effect on the expression of M2 marker CD163. Compared with the M1 polarization agonist group， the M1 polarization agonist + HSCD group showed significantly reduced joint swelling， lower serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines， and decreased levels of CCL2 and S100A8/A9 in joint fluid （P<0.05）. In addition， synovial inflammatory cell infiltration and angiogenesis were attenuated， and iNOS mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Compared with the M2 polarization inhibitor group， the M2 polarization inhibitor + HSCD group exhibited reduced joint swelling， decreased levels of CCL2 and S100A8/A9 in joint fluid and ameliorated synovial inflammation （P<0.05）， whereas the levels of anti-inflammatory mediators （IL-10， Arg-1） and CD163 mRNA and protein expression were not significantly increased. ConclusionHSCD alleviates low-grade inflammation in CGA rats， at least in part， by inhibiting macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the effect of Huazhuo Sanjie Chubi prescription （HSCD） on the gouty bone erosion model rats and investigate its action mechanism. MethodsThirty-six two-month-old male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group with nine rats and the modeling group with 27 rats. The rats in the modeling group were administered hypoxanthine solution at 300 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 and potassium oxonate solution at 250 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， combined with intra-articular injection of 200 μL monosodium urate （MSU） crystal suspension at 25 g·L^-1 into the right ankle joint （joint injection once every three days）， so as to induce the gouty bone erosion model. After four weeks of modeling， three rats were selected from these two groups to validate the model. The modeled 24 rats were randomly divided into the model group， HSCD group （10.35 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， allopurinol group （20 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and inhibitor group （LY294002， 10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， with six rats per group. Except for the blank group， rats in all other groups continued to receive hypoxanthine solution at 300 mg·kg^-1 and potassium oxonate solution at 250 mg·kg^-1 via gavage concurrently with administration to maintain modeling intervention. The rats in the HSCD group and allopurinol group received administration by gavage at the above doses. The rats in the inhibitor group received an intraperitoneal injection at the above dose. The rats in the blank group and model group received saline （10.35 g·kg^-1·d^-1） by gavage for four consecutive weeks. After administration， ankle joint swelling of the rats in all groups was observed， and the diameters were measured. Bone volume fraction （BV/TV） and bone surface area to bone volume （BS/BV） were observed and quantitatively analyzed by Micro-CT. Histopathological changes in the ankle joint were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and safranin O-fast green staining. The uric acid in the rats' serum was determined by enzyme colorimetry. The levels of inflammatory factors， including tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin （IL）-1β， and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The protein expressions of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand （RANKL） and phosphorylated （p）-phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase （PI3K） in ankle joint tissues of rats were detected by immunofluorescence staining. The mRNA levels of the proteins related to the bone erosion， including RANKL， tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase （TRAP）， cathepsin K （CTSK）， and matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9） in the ankle joint tissues of rats were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The expressions of the proteins related to the bone erosion， including RANKL， CTSK， TRAP， MMP-9， and the proteins related to the PI3K/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway， including PI3K， Akt， mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， p-PI3K， phosphorylated protein kinase B （p-Akt）， and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin （p-mTOR）， were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the modeling group showed marked ankle swelling and increased diameter. Micro-CT revealed an uneven articular surface and honeycomb-like bone erosion in the ankle joint. Quantitative analysis showed decreased BV/TV and increased BS/BV （P<0.05）. HE staining revealed a narrowed joint space， rough and discontinuous cartilage surfaces， reduced and unevenly distributed chondrocytes， partial hypertrophy， and blurred tidemarks， confirming successful model establishment. After four weeks of intervention， compared with those in the blank group， the rats in the model group exhibited severe ankle swelling and increased diameters （P<0.05）. Micro‑CT showed that the ankle joint surface was irregular， and bone erosion exhibited a honeycomb‑like morphology. The microstructural parameters of the bone revealed a decreased BV/TV and an increased BS/BV （P<0.05）. Histopathological examination revealed a narrowed joint space and severe articular cartilage destruction. The levels of uric acid in the serum and inflammatory factors （IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α） were increased （P<0.05）. The mRNA and protein levels of the proteins related to bone erosion in joint tissue， including RANKL， CTSK， TRAP， and MMP-9， were upregulated （P<0.05）. The ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-mTOR/mTOR in the proteins related to the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway were increased （P<0.05）. RANKL and p-PI3K protein fluorescence intensities were elevated （P<0.05）. Compared with those in the model group， the above indicators in all other administration groups showed varying degrees of improvement. The HSCD group and inhibitor groups exhibited more significant effects in reducing ankle swelling， improving bone erosion， bone microstructure （significant decrease in BV/TV and increase in BS/BV）， and the pathology of cartilage erosion， lowering inflammatory factor levels， downregulating the proteins related to the bone erosion， and suppressing activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway （P<0.05）. The uric acid levels in rats' serum were reduced in both HSCD and allopurinol groups （P<0.05）. Compared with those in the HSCD group， the rats in the allopurinol group had larger ankle diameters （P<0.05）， more severe bone erosion and bone microstructure damage （P<0.05）， worse improvement of the pathology of cartilage erosion， higher levels of IL-6 and TNF-α （P<0.05）， elevated expressions of the proteins related to the bone erosion， higher expression ratio of proteins related to the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway （P<0.05）， and higher fluorescence intensities of RANKL and p-PI3K proteins （P<0.05）. The inhibitor group achieved comparable results to the HSCD group in improvements of bone microstructure and the reduction of IL-1β and IL-6， stronger suppression of TNF-α and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway activation （P<0.05）， but weaker effects on cartilage repair and serum uric acid reduction （P<0.05）. ConclusionHSCD effectively reduces uric acid levels in serum， suppresses inflammatory factor secretion， and downregulates the expressions of proteins related to bone erosion， including RANKL， CTSK， TRAP， and MMP-9 in the joint tissues. Its action mechanism of improving gouty bone erosion may be associated with inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Objective: To explore the association between vegetable intake with glucose and lipid metabolism levels among school aged children, so as to provide scientific basis for dietary intervention on children s metabolic health. Methods: Based on a natural population cohort in Jiulongpo District and Fengdu County of Chongqing, 2 133 school aged children aged 6-9 years were enrolled in the baseline survey in 2014, and 2 029 children completed the follow up in 2019. Questionnaire surveys were used to collect vegetable intake, general demographic and lifestyle data. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured, and glucose and lipid metabolism indicators such as fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), low densith lipoprotein triglyceride (LDL-C), high densith lipoprotein triglyceride (HDL-C) were detected. Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used for intergroup comparisons in multivariate analysis, and mixed effects linear regression model was used to analyze the association between vegetable intake and glucose and lipid metabolism. Results: The levels of FBG, TG, TC, HDL-C and LDL-C at baseline and follow up were [4.09(3.90,4.48), 0.84(0.60,1.14), 3.49(3.09,3.91), 1.25(1.09,1.46), 1.69 ( 1.39 ,2.02)；4.31(4.00,4.64), 0.92(0.71,1.22), 3.49(3.12,3.87), 1.36(1.16,1.57), 1.77(1.51,2.06)] mmol/L, respectively. Among these indicators, FBG, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C all increased significantly ( Z =-12.08, -7.82, -9.82, -5.37, all P < 0.01 ). The detection rate of low HDL-C levels at follow up (13.11%) was significantly lower than that at baseline (18.10%) ( χ 2=19.57, P <0.05). At baseline, there were significant differences in FBG, TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C among children with different vegetable intake levels ( H =68.47, 30.16, 11.02, 13.27, 44.70); at followup, only HDL-C showed significant intergroup differences ( H =13.10)(all P <0.05). Mixed effects linear regression model showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, vegetable intake was significantly negatively correlated with blood glucose levels among school aged children ( β=-0.03, 95%CI = -0.05 to -0.01, P <0.01). Conclusion Higher vegetable intake can independently reduce the risk of abnormal blood glucose in school aged children, which is of great significance for maintaining glucose metabolic health.

Objective: To investigate the association between body weight standardized vitamin B intakes and blood pressure among school aged children, so as to provide evidence for developing dietary guidance and intervention strategies of promoting healthy blood pressure in children. Methods: The data were derived from a pediatric health cohort established in both urban and rural areas of Chongqing. A total of 1 368 primary school students in grades one to three were recruited for the baseline survey between October and November 2014 by using a stratified cluster random sampling design. From February to March 2019, 1 283 participants completed the first follow up assessment. Dietary intake and sociodemographic characteristics were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and a self administered questionnaire. Blood pressure, height, weight, and other anthropometric indicators were measured. Body weight standardized intakes of six B vitamins(B 1, B 2, B 3, B 6, B 9, and B 12 )were categorized into tertiles( T1-T 3). Linear mixed effects models were applied to examine the associations between body weight standardized vitamin B intakes and changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP). In addition, mixed effects Logistic regression models were used to assess the risk of elevated blood pressure. Results: Linear mixed effects model regression analyses showed that, after adjusting for potential confounders including age, sex, and family history of obesity, body weight standardized B vitamin intake was negatively associated with SBP, DBP, and MAP in school aged children ( β =-7.79 to -0.68, all P <0.05). Results from the mixed effects Logistic regression models showed that, compared with the T 1 group, children in the T 3 group had a lower risk of elevated blood pressure for vitamin B 1 ( OR=0.40, 95%CI =0.25-0.64), B 2 ( OR=0.36, 95%CI =0.23-0.58), B 3 ( OR=0.47, 95%CI =0.31-0.72, B 6 ( OR=0.37, 95%CI =0.22-0.60), B 9 ( OR=0.36, 95%CI =0.21-0.60), and B 12 ( OR= 0.56 , 95%CI =0.37-0.86)(all P <0.05). Conclusions Body weight standardized B vitamins were associated with changes in blood pressure levels and the risk of elevated blood pressure among school aged children. Ensuring sufficient dietary intakes of vitamin B may help prevent and control of abnormal blood pressure in children.

Despite of the widespread use of hydrogen and methane breath test, the variability in testing protocols, gas measurement techniques, and interpretation criteria continues to challenge the reproducibility and comparability across centers, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. The Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association hence presents the first Asian monograph guiding application and interpretation of breath test. The monograph was formulated according to the framework of indications, preparatory process, performance, and interpretation of results, as well as future direction for research.

Background/Aims: Chronic constipation is prevalent yet under-diagnosed across Asia, compromising quality of life and burdening healthcare systems. Cultural stigma, varied diets, and limited access to standardized diagnostic tools delay timely care. Methods: The Bali Chronic Constipation Roundtable in November 2024, brought together experts from 11 Asian countries. The group reviewed epidemiological data, analyzed multinational questionnaire on clinical practice pattern, and conducted structured discussions to identify key barriers and propose region-specific recommendations. Results: Chronic constipation prevalence varies across Asia, ranging from 1.8% in India to 16.6% in Japan, with women and the elderly disproportionately affected. Under-reporting persists owing to cultural taboos and widespread self treatment with laxatives and traditional medications. Although the Rome IV criteria remains the global standard, they may not fully reflect Asian symptom profiles, and diagnosis is limited by scarce motility laboratories. First line therapies such as dietary-fiber optimization and osmotic laxatives are widely available, but newer pharmacotherapies (prucalopride, linaclotide, lubiprostone, and elobixibat) remain costly and unevenly accessible. Biofeedback for dyssynergic defecation is underutilized due to limited availability. Experts recommend expanded regional research on to refine diagnostic criteria, coupled with enhanced physician education and public awareness. They advocate accessibility to second-line and novel therapies that incorporate culturally attuned regional guidelines, and improved access to gastrointestinal motility testing. Conclusions The Bali Chronic Constipation Roundtable highlighted Asia’s need for region specific diagnostics and management. Addressing diagnostic and treatment gaps will improve outcomes, while ongoing researcher clinician policy collaboration must standardize guidelines, advance research, and ensure equitable care across Asia.

Objective:To explore the in vitro radiation levels and in vivo neutron activation after patients receiving boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Methods:Totally 29 BNCT treatments were performed for 21 patients with head and neck and brain cancer using the NeuPex accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (AB-BNCT) system in Xiamen Humanity Hospital from October, 2022 to April, 2024. The ambient dose equivalent rate around the patients was measured with an X/gamma dose rate survey meter. The gamma radiation dose rates were measured at 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 m from the irradiation position, at 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 m from the opposite side of the irradiation position, and at the navel and the affected knee, respectively. Meanwhile, a portable high-purity germanium gamma spectrometer was used to measure the spectrum of activated nuclides in the bodies of patients who had underwent the treatment, and the types of radionuclides generated by neutron activation during each BNCT treatment were analyzed.Results:The radionuclides 24Na, 38Cl, and 49Ca were mainly produced in the bodies of patients treated with BNCT. 20 minutes after BNCT treatment, the ambient dose equivalent rate at a distance of 1.0 m from the irradiation position was lower than 2.5 μSv/h. Conclusions:The dose delivered to the staff and family members by the patients undergoing BNCT is relatively low, and the resulting radiation risk is low. According to the ALARA principle, it is recommended that certain control actions be taken for patients having received BNCT treatment to minimize the exposure doses of both patients and staff as much as possible.

ObjectiveTo develop a reliable and valid health self-management competence assessment questionnaire for primary and secondary school students in Shanghai, so as to provide an effective tool to evaluate and improve their health management competencies. MethodsBased on the theory and process of scale development, an initial item pool was formed. After two rounds of Delphi consultation with 22 experts in related fields, assessment indicators suitable for evaluating the health self-management ability of Shanghai primary and secondary school students were determined. A total of 666 students were selected using stratified cluster sampling method to carry out the survey. The questionnaire content was refined and items were screened for reliability and validity analyses. ResultsAfter the two rounds of Delphi expert consultation, the original three-dimensional structure (individual management behaviors, personal health cognition and self-management environment) was revised into four dimensions: self-health cognition, self-health skills, self-will quality and self-action level. The initial 50 items were reduced, merged, or newly created, yielding a final 30-item questionnaire. Expert response rates for the two rounds of Delphi consultation were 86.36% and 90.91%, respectively, with an expert authority coefficient of 0.91. The KMO value was 0.936 and Bartlett’s sphericity test yielded a P value of <0.001, indicating that the questionnaire demonstrated good construct validity. The results of internal consistency testing showed that the overall Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.932, and the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.920. The Cronbach’s α coefficient of each dimension ranged from 0.716 to 0.884, and the split-half reliability coefficient ranged from 0.733 to 0.900. Finally, an evaluation scale with 30 items across 4 dimensions was constructed. ConclusionThe health self-management competence evaluation scale for primary and secondary school students in Shanghai demonstrates good homogeneity and high reliability. It can be used as a tool for evaluating the health self-management competency of primary and secondary school students in Shanghai and provide theoretical support for targeted health interventions.

Objective:To explore the in vitro radiation levels and in vivo neutron activation after patients receiving boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Methods:Totally 29 BNCT treatments were performed for 21 patients with head and neck and brain cancer using the NeuPex accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (AB-BNCT) system in Xiamen Humanity Hospital from October, 2022 to April, 2024. The ambient dose equivalent rate around the patients was measured with an X/gamma dose rate survey meter. The gamma radiation dose rates were measured at 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 m from the irradiation position, at 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 m from the opposite side of the irradiation position, and at the navel and the affected knee, respectively. Meanwhile, a portable high-purity germanium gamma spectrometer was used to measure the spectrum of activated nuclides in the bodies of patients who had underwent the treatment, and the types of radionuclides generated by neutron activation during each BNCT treatment were analyzed.Results:The radionuclides 24Na, 38Cl, and 49Ca were mainly produced in the bodies of patients treated with BNCT. 20 minutes after BNCT treatment, the ambient dose equivalent rate at a distance of 1.0 m from the irradiation position was lower than 2.5 μSv/h. Conclusions:The dose delivered to the staff and family members by the patients undergoing BNCT is relatively low, and the resulting radiation risk is low. According to the ALARA principle, it is recommended that certain control actions be taken for patients having received BNCT treatment to minimize the exposure doses of both patients and staff as much as possible.