Food additives are a kind of chemical substances added to food to enhance the taste,color and shelf life of food,and have become an indispensable part of the modern food industry.However,growing researches showed that synthetic chemicals used as food additives can be potentially harmful to health.Some food additives may be closely related to asthma,attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,heart disease,cancer,obesity and other health problems.In addition,some food additives may also interfere with hormone secretion,affect growth and development,and affect the healthy growth of children.This study reviews the damage effects of various food additives,such as preservatives,antioxidants,and colorants on body,and proposes the need to improve the safety evaluation of food additives from the perspective of the combined action of chemicals,in order to provide a scientific basis for food safety supervision and consumer health protection.

Objective We aimed to study the protective effect of total glucosides of paeony (TGP) on chemical liver injury with pattern of liver yin deficiency in rats and determine whether it exerts these effects through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway.Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: (i) the blank group, (ii) the model group, (iii) the Yiguan Jian group, and (iv) the TGP group (10 rats per group). For 6 weeks, rats in all groups except for the blank group were injected intraperitoneally with 20％ carbon tetrachloride olive oil solution and were given thyroid tablets (30mg/kg) by gavage in order to establish the model of chemical liver injury with pattern of liver yin deficiency. During the modeling period, rats in the blank and model groups were gavaged daily with distilled water, while rats in the Yiguan Jian group and the TGP group were gavaged with 635mg/kg of Yiguan Jian decoction and 50mg/kg of TGP suspension, respectively. During the administration period, the body weight and rectal temperature of rats were measured every 2 weeks. After the administration, 24-hour food intake, 24-hour water intake, and moisture capacity in tongue surface were recorded. Serum cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) contents were measured by ELISA and the cAMP/cGMP ratio was calculated. Changes in the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alanine transaminase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), and total bile acids (TBA) were detected using colorimetric method. Masson staining was performed to observe the degree of liver fibrosis and to calculate the relative collagen area. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were conducted to determine the PI3K, AKT, and mTOR mRNA and protein expression levels in rat liver.Results Compared with the blank group, rats in the model group had a lower body weight at weeks 2, 4, and 6, a higher rectal temperature at weeks 2, 4, and 6, and a higher 24-hour food intake; the cAMP level was elevated, the cGMP level was decreased, and the cAMP/cGMP ratio was elevated; the contents of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α were elevated, and the contents of IL-10 and IL-1Ra were decreased; ALT, AST, γ-GT, ALP, TBIL, and TBA levels were elevated; the percentage of collagen area in the liver was increased; and the mRNA and protein phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR were elevated ( P<0.05). Compared with the model group, rats in the TGP group showed a decrease in rectal temperature at weeks 2, 4, and 6, a decrease in 24-hour food intake and water intake, and an increase in the moisture capacity in tongue surface; rats in the Yiguan Jian and TGP groups showed a decrease in cAMP, an increase in cGMP, and a decrease in the cAMP/cGMP, the contents of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α were decreased and the content of IL-10 was increased, the percentage of collagen area in the liver was decreased; ALT, AST, γ-GT, ALP, and TBIL levels were decreased in the TGP group, and PI3K, AKT, and mTOR were downregulated at the mRNA and protein levels(P<0.05).Conclusion TGP has a good protective effect on chemical liver injury with pattern of liver yin deficiency in rats. TGP may regulate the balance of yin and yang by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and increasing the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Objective:To explore the research status, hotspots, and directions in traditional Chinese medicine treatment for postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction both domestically and internationally.Methods:The bibliometric software CiteSpace 5.7.R5 was used to visually analyze literature published on the China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Web of Science core collection from establishment until 2022, and to draw the knowledge graph of authors, research institutions, and keywords.Results:After screening by two researchers, a total of 1 012 Chinese articles and 111 English articles were included. The analysis of annual publication volume showed that this field was showing an upward trend both domestically and internationally. The co-occurrence analysis of authors displayed that Hu Kaiwen and Jingwen Yang had the highest number of publications. Institutional co-occurrence analysis indicated that there were relatively few mature and influential teams formed domestically and internationally, and research institutions had limited cross-regional cooperation. Keyword clustering analysis revealed that the research hotspots mainly focused on integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine nursing, clinical research, and traditional Chinese medicine external treatment methods.Conclusions:The research on the treatment of postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction with traditional Chinese medicine is mainly concentrated in China, but there are few closely cooperating and stable research teams. Research in this field is still in its developmental stage both domestically and internationally, close cooperation between multiple institutions and authors is needed to form influential teams to conduct in-depth research on the mechanisms and principles of this field, making significant contributions to its development.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of curcumin (Cur) against arsenic-induced neuroimmune toxicity and the underlying molecular mechanisms in vivo. Methods Eighty SPF female C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups: a control group, an arsenic-treated group, a Cur-treated group and an arsenic+Cur group, with 20 mice in each group. The control group received distilled water; the arsenic-treated group was given 50 mg/L NaAsO₂ in the drinking water; the Cur-treated group was gavaged with 200 mg/kg of curcumin for 45 days; and the arsenic+Cur group received distilled water and was gavaged with 200 mg/kg of curcumin. Y-maze and Morris water maze experiments were conducted to assess the learning and memory ability of the mice. Western blot analysis was used to detect protein levels of blood-brain barrier tight junction proteins zonula occludens protein 1(ZO-1) and claudin 5, T lymphocyte subpopulation CD4 and CD8, Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway-related molecules JAK2 and STAT3. Real-time PCR was used to assess the mRNA levels of CD4⁺ T lymphocyte subsets type 1 T helper (Th1), Th2, Th17 and regulatory T cells (Treg) transcription factors and cytokines in hippocampus. Results Compared with the control group, the arsenic-treated group showed a significantly decreased correct rate, increased latency to reach the platform on the third and fifth days, and reduced times of crossing the platform. The expression of ZO-1 and claudin 5 protein decreased significantly, and the protein levels of CD4 and CD8 were up-regulated. The mRNA levels of Th1, Th17, and Treg transcription factor T-box expressed in T cell(T-bet), retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma t(RORγt), and forkhead box protein 3(FOXP3) in the arsenic-treated group were decreased. Th1 and Th17 cytokines interferon γ(IFN-γ) and interleukin 17(IL-17) were markedly decreased. In contrast, the mRNA levels of the Th2 transcription factor GATA binding protein 3(GATA3) and cytokine IL-4 in arsenic-treated group were higher than those in the control group. Furthermore, the protein levels of phosphorylated JAK2 (p-JAK2) and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) increased. Compared with the arsenic-treated group, the arsenic+Cur group demonstrated a significantly increased correct rate, decreased latency to reach the platform on the third and fifth days, and increased times of crossing the platform. The protein expression levels of ZO-1 and claudin 5 increased significantly, and the protein levels of CD4 and CD8 were down-regulated. The mRNA levels of Th2 transcription factor GATA3 and cytokine IL-4 were decreased. The mRNA levels of Th17 transcription factor RORγt and cytokine IL-17 were markedly increased. Furthermore, the protein levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 decreased. Conclusion Through inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, curcumin could improve arsenic-induced decline in learning and memory abilities in mice, reverse the destruction of blood-brain barrier permeability of innate immune system components in arsenic-exposed mice, and antagonize arsenic-induced increase in the number of renal CD4 and CD8 molecule as well as the imbalance of CD4⁺ T lymphocyte subsets (Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg), ultimately counteracting arsenic-induced neurotoxicity.
Animals ; Janus Kinase 2/genetics* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics* ; Female ; Curcumin/pharmacology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Arsenic/toxicity*

Objective:To implement the teaching activities for cultivating the four characteristics (innovation, development, integration, and ecology) and the four abilities (political ability, learning ability, cross-border ability, and driving force), and to provide a reference for improving the capability of service-based education in basic teaching organizations.Methods:The basic teaching organization in School of Basic Medical Sciences, Qiqihar Medical University, was selected for research, and the action research method and the focus group interview method were used to carry out characteristic teaching activities around the cultivation of the four characteristics and the four abilities. After the implementation of these activities, Sojump, a questionnaire platform, was used to conduct a survey among full-time and part-time teachers and teaching administrators, and the effect of each activity on the cultivation of the four characteristics and the four abilities was analyzed. The strategies to enhance abilities were improved based on the results of the above analyses. SPSS 25.0 software was used for data processing, and categorical data were expressed as frequency and percentage.Results:The data analysis showed that through cultivation of the four characteristics and the four abilities, each designed activity had a remarkable effect on improving the capability of service-based education in the basic teaching organization, with a mean value of 80.77%(63/78)- 91.03%(71/78), and only the activities centered on "integration" had a relatively low value of "obvious effect", which accounted for 64.10%(50/78).Conclusion:Under the guidance of the new concept of "New Medicine" and with the opportunity of capacity building, a series of teaching activities focusing on the four characteristics and the four abilities can effectively improve the capability of service-based education in basic teaching organizations in colleges and universities through targeted ability training.

Objective:Under the background of "new medical science", to construct a whole-process education path with "education as the driving force - moral cultivation as the core", and to provide a decision-making basis for the reform, innovation, and development of humanistic quality education in medical colleges.Methods:Five-year clinical medical students (freshman to fifth graders) from Qiqihar Medical University were selected as the research objects. The evaluation model and questionnaire of humanistic quality of clinical medical students were constructed by literature analysis. The Questionnaire Star platform was used to investigate and collect data by random sampling of clinical medical undergraduates, and the data results were analyzed by SPSS 26.0 to explore the path of building the whole-process education.Results:The empirical research on the cultivation of humanistic quality of medical students showed that the average humanistic attitude score of medical students was (3.47±0.75) points. From the perspective of gender, the scores of humanistic cognition, attitude, and behavior of male students were 2.81, 3.68, and 3.22 points, respectively, which were all significantly higher than those of female students (2.52, 3.22, and 2.95 points, respectively) ( P<0.05). The data from freshmen to the fifth graders showed that humanistic cognition, attitude, and behavior scores all presented an increasing trend with the grade. Using the "Knowledge, Attitude/Belief, Practice" model, it was found that the cognitive rate of humanistic quality of medical students was relatively ideal, and the awareness rate of medical students in different grades was different. The cross analysis showed that the effect of ideological morality and political literacy education on medical students in medical colleges had a significant cross-relationship with multiple choice questions. Conclusion:The humanistic quality of clinical medical students needs to be improved, and the cultivation of medical humanistic quality should run through the whole process from the first year to the fifth year, so as to improve the comprehensive training of professional ability and promote the all-round development of medical students.

Exosomes are vesicles released into extracellular cells by fusion of intracellular polyvesicles and cell membranes. Exosomes are secreted by a variety of cells and exist in a variety of body fluids. Exosomes contain proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, which can participate in the information exchange between cells. Exosomes secreted by CNS cells are involved in the occurrence and development of CNS diseases. Recent studies have shown that exosomes can not only serve as early diagnostic markers for CNS diseases, but also have therapeutic potential for CNS diseases. In this paper, the development, diagnosis and treatment of CSF exosomes in CNS diseases were reviewed.

Objective To evaluate the value of magnetic resonance black-blood thrombus imaging (BTI) of the stage of disease in intracranial venous and sinus thrombosis(CVT).Methods From June 2015 to October 2016,37 patients with CVT diagnosed with routine imaging examinations in Beijing Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University were enrolled prospectively,and they also underwent BTI examination.The patients were randomly divided into either a acute group (≤14 d,n=23) or a chronic group (>15 d,n=14) according to the time from the onset of symptoms to BTI.Signal to noise ratio(SNR) and contrast to noise ratio(CNR) difference between acute and chronic CVT groups were compared.The magnetic resonance venography (MRV) examination was used as a reference to calculate the accuracy of BTI on per-segment level.Results (1) The SNR and CNR of thrombosis in the acute group and chronic group were 206±97 and 94±41,201±96 and 86±40,respectively.There was significant difference between two groups (t=4.9 and 5.0 respectively;all P<0.01).(2) In 37 patients with CVT,the thrombi in 159 cerebral veins and venous sinus segments were detected with MRV.BTI identified the thrombi accurately in 152 vascular segments,and the thrombi in 352 vascular segments were eliminated.The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 95.6% (152/159) and 98.0% (352/359) respectively.Conclusion Achieving direct angiography of cerebral venous thrombosis,BTI technique can accurately differentiate acute or chronic thrombus.It has higher accuracy.

Objective:To observethe influence of electroacupuncture (EA) on histomorphologies of lacrimal glands, cornea and conjunctiva in experimental dry eye syndrome, and to explore the repair effects of EA on lacrimal glands and ocular surface damage. Methods:Twenty-four healthy male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an EA group and a medication group, 6 rabbits in each group. Experimental dry eye syndrome models were prepared in rabbits by using 0.1% benzalkonium chloride for eye drops. Tear secretion volume, break-up time of tear film (BUT) and corneal fluorescein staining score were observed before and after the treatment. Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining method was used to observe the changes of conjunctival goblet cells in rabbits. After hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining, morphological changes of rabbit cornea, conjunctiva and lacrimal gland tissues were observed under light microscope. Results: Compared with the normal group, tear secretion volume and BUT were significantly reduced (bothP<0.01), while the corneal fluorescein staining score was significantly increased (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, tear secretion volume and BUT were significantly increased, while the corneal fluorescein staining score was significantly decreased in the EA group and the medication group (allP<0.01). Compared with the normal group, the number of conjunctival goblet cells in the model group was significantly reduced; compared with the model group, the numbers of conjunctival goblet cells were all relatively higher in the EA group and the medication group. Pathological lesions of cornea, conjunctiva and lacrimal glands all showed improvement by HE staining in the EA group and the medication group after the intervention. Conclusion:EA can improve tear secretion and tear film stability of rabbit dry eye syndrome, and repair the pathologic lesions of conjunctival goblet cells, corneal epithelia, cornea, conjunctiva and lacrimal glands.

Objective To explore the basic ingredients of the tree shrew’ s( Tupaia belangeri) milk and compare with the dairy ingredients of other milks.Methods We select ten seed tree shrews after delivery ( 1 ~21 ) d with lactation mother tree shrews, and use artificial passive breastfeeding method let the young tree shrews suck breast milk,we took the milk from the young tree shrews in the stomach, directly using aseptic operation with a syringe immediately, once every two days, for consecutive three to five times, and a total of 18 mL milk was taken from each seed tree shrew.Then the milk was detected according to the national standard method for component testing.Results The total solid content of the tree shrew’ s milk was 43.63%, including 26.01%of fat, 10.41%of protein, 0.45% of lactose and 0.99%of ash content.Compared with cow's milk, the tree shrew’ s milk contained 3.36 times of total solid contents, 1.24 times of ash, 2.74 times of protein, 6.67 times of fat, and 0.09 times of lactose.Compare with baby formula milk, the tree shrew’ s milk contained 1.44 times of total solid contents, 0.20 times of ash, 0.58 times of protein, 1.53 times of fat, and 0.06 times of lactose.The trace mineral composition of the tree shrew’ s milk showed that the calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, and iron contents were 1.83 times, 2.73 times, 1.25 times, 1.93 times, 1.28 times, and 1.48 times higher than those in the cow's milk, and were 0.66 times, 0.85 times, 0.34 times, 0.26 times, 0.85 times, 0.24 times lower than those in baby formula milk.Conclusions The main nutrients of tree shrew’ s milk is of high fat, high protein and low sugar, and it can provide a basis for tree shrews artificial brood and breeding work.