Hygroscopicity research has long been a key focus and hot topic in Chinese materia medica（CMM）. Elucidating hygroscopic mechanisms plays a vital role in formulation design， process optimization， and storage condition selection. Hygroscopic models serve as essential tools for characterizing CMM hygroscopic mechanisms， with various types available. The double exponential model is a kinetic mathematical model constructed based on the law of conservation of energy and Fick's first law of diffusion， tailored to the physical properties of CMM extracts. In recent years， this model has been extensively applied to simulate the dynamic moisture absorption behavior of CMM extracts and solid dosage forms under varying humidity conditions. It has revealed the correlation between moisture absorption kinetic parameters and material properties， offering a new perspective for characterizing the moisture uptake behavior of CMM. This paper systematically reviews the application progress of this model in the field of CMM， analyzes its advantages， disadvantages， and challenges in this domain， and explores its potential application trends in other fields. It aims to provide references for elucidating the moisture absorption mechanisms of CMM and researching moisture-proofing technologies， while also offering insights for its broader application in food and polymer materials.

Deep brain stimulation （DBS） has been widely applied in treating neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease， with corresponding evidence of safety and efficacy. However， when DBS is experimentally applied in the field of mental disorders， the uncertainty of its therapeutic mechanisms and targets becomes prominent， and there are peculiarities such as the lack of substantive informed consent， partial deprivation of autonomy， and the impact on the homogeneity of personality for research participants or patients. In response to the above situations， the current normative documents are still insufficient， the ethical review re-examination procedure has not yet formed a perfect system， the substantive informed consent of research participants or patients has not yet been clearly guaranteed， as well as the technical scope and regulatory boundaries are not clear. For the new application of DBS in the field of mental disorders， the principle of prudent supervision should be upheld， and appropriate regulation should be carried out to prevent the dilemma of “Collingridge”. Specifically， the ethical review system should be innovated and refined， whole-process informed consent of research participants or patients and guardian assistance in decision-making should be ensured， the legal nature of “experimental treatment” should be clarified， as well as the relevant provisions in the Mental Health Law of the People’s Republic of China should be improved， with a view to providing legal theoretical support and practical operational guidelines for the legalization and standardization of DBS’s application in mental disorder research.

ObjectiveTo explore the regulatory effects and mechanisms of Astragali Radix polysaccharide （APS） on inhibitor of differentiation1 （ID1） and protein kinase B （Akt） in gastric cancer. MethodsImmunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of ID1 and Akt in 61 gastric cancer tissue samples and 20 adjacent normal gastric tissue samples. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the localization of ID1 and Akt. The effects of APS at the concentrations of 0.625， 1.25， 2.5， 5， 10， 20 mg·L^-1 on the proliferation of gastric cancer MGC-803 cells were examined by the cell counting kit-8（CCK-8） method and the colony formation assay. The target information of APS was retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology and Analysis Platform and Swiss Target Prediction. Keywords such as gastric cancer， gastric tumor， and stomach cancer were searched against GeneCards， UniProt， DisGeNET， and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM） for the screening of gastric cancer-related targets. The online tool jvenn was used to create the Venn diagram to identify the common targets， and STRING and Cytoscape were used to construct the protein-protein interaction network. Gene Ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analyses were conducted via R 4.2.2 to predict the potential roles of APS in the development of gastric cancer. The cell scratch assay was employed to assess the effect of APS on the migration of MGC-803 cells. The protein and mRNA levels of ID1 and Akt in the cells treated with APS were determined by Western blot and Real-time PCR， respectively. ResultsCompared with the adjacent normal gastric tissue， the gastric adenocarcinoma tissue showed increased positive expression of ID1 （χ² =81.00， P<0.01）. Immunofluorescence detection showed that ID1 and Akt were mainly located in the cytoplasm of gastric adenocarcinoma cells. Bioinformatics analysis identified 14 common genes shared between APS and gastric cancer. The average degree of protein-protein interaction network nodes was 14.29. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment results showed that ID1 and Akt were significantly enriched in the Rap1 and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase （PI3K） /Akt signaling pathways. Cell experiments demonstrated that 5-fluorouracil （0.1 mg·L^-1） and APS （10， 20 mg·L^-1） groups showed decreased cell proliferation， migration， and colony formation. Compared with the control group， 10， 20 mg·L^-1 APS inhibited the proliferation of MGC-803 cells （P<0.01）， with 10 mg·L^-1 APS demonstrating stronger inhibitory effect. In addition， APS at 10， 20 mg·L^-1 inhibited the migration （P<0.01） and colony formation （P<0.05， P<0.01） of MGC-803 cells. Compared with the control group， APS at 10， 20 mg·L^-1 down-regulated the protein levels of ID1 （P<0.01） and Akt （P<0.05） and the mRNA levels of ID1 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and Akt （P<0.05， P<0.01） in MGC-803 cells. ConclusionID1 and Akt are highly expressed in the gastric adenocarcinoma tissue， which may be related to the development of gastric cancer. APS can down-regulate the protein and mRNA levels of ID1 and Akt to exert anti-tumor effects， which is expected to provide new therapeutic targets for gastric cancer treatment.

Objective:To investigate the water improvement status and current disease situation in drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis areas of Taiyuan City, evaluate the effect of prevention and control measures, and provide a basis for optimizing control measures.Methods:Monitoring data from 2019 to 2024 for drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis in the diseased areas in Taiyuan City were collected from the Taiyuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention. A retrospective analysis was conducted on water improvement status, water fluoride content, dental fluorosis in children aged 8 - 12, skeletal fluorosis, and urinary fluoride monitoring results in all endemic villages.Results:From 2019 to 2024, all endemic villages in the six endemic counties (districts) of Taiyuan City completed water improvement. The number of water improvement projects each year was 75, 75, 72, 68, 64, and 57, respectively, with all projects operating normally. The qualified rates of water fluoride content each year were 81.33% (61/75), 100% (75/75), 98.61% (71/72), 75.00% (51/68), 87.50% (56/64), and 75.44% (43/57), respectively, with statistical significant differences ( χ2 = 36.99, P < 0.001). The detection rates of dental fluorosis each year were 18.19% (600/3 298), 14.42% (530/3 676), 11.14% (435/3 904), 11.13% (421/3 781), 11.59% (435/3 754), and 5.37% (299/5 567), respectively, with statistical significant differences ( χ2 = 386.42, P < 0.001). In 2024, 824 people were screened for skeletal fluorosis, with 250 cases showing positive symptoms and signs. Among the 250 positive cases, 210 underwent X-ray examination, detecting 170 skeletal fluorosis patients, with an X-ray positive rate of 80.95% (170/210) and a skeletal fluorosis detection rate of 20.63% (170/824). Urinary fluoride monitoring results showed that the geometric mean of urinary fluoride in villages with excessive water fluoride content was 2.95 mg/L, which was higher than the normal upper limit (1.60 mg/L). However, there was no statistically significant difference in urinary fluoride levels between skeletal fluorosis patients and non-skeletal fluorosis individuals ( Z = 0.78, P = 0.434). Conclusions:From 2019 to 2024, the drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis areas in Taiyuan City have undergone comprehensive water improvement and the water improvement projects are operating well. The qualified rate of water fluoride content has fluctuated, while the detection rate of dental fluorosis has decreased. Continuous monitoring is needed in the future to implement long-term water improvement measures and strengthen screening and treatment efforts for patients with fluorosis.

Objective:To explore the application value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) combined with non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD), compare it with conventional pathogen detection methods, and analyze its clinical characteristics.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 72 patients with PTB complicated by NTM-PD who were admitted to Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (Nanjing Second Hospital) from November 2021 to November 2023. All patients were diagnosed using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) mNGS and compared with traditional culture methods. Data on patient demographics, clinical manifestations, imaging features, and treatment outcomes were collected to analyze the advantages and clinical significance of mNGS in diagnosis.Results:The positive detection rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by mNGS was 100% (72/72), significantly higher than that of traditional culture 27.8%(20/72). The diagnostic time of mNGS was significantly shorter (2 d vs. 45 - 60 d, P<0.001). The majority of patients were elderly (mean age: 55.92 years) and often had underlying structural lung diseases (e.g., bronchiectasis, COPD) or immunocompromised conditions (e.g., diabetes). The main clinical manifestations were cough (68.06%) and sputum production (52.78%). Imaging features included bronchiectasis (63.89%), nodular shadows (47.22%), and tree-in-bud signs (25.00%). After 6 months of follow-up, 73.8% of patients showed significant improvement in lung lesions, while 26.2% had no significant change or disease progression. Conclusions:mNGS demonstrates rapid and accurate diagnostic advantages for PTB combined with NTM-PD, significantly outperforming traditional culture methods, and provides critical support for precise clinical treatment.

Objective:To analyze the efficacy and prognostic factors of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) for patients with breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM).Methods:Medical records and follow-up data of BCBM patients who underwent FSRT in Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen Center and Shenzhen People's Hospital from August 2019 to May 2023 were collected. The R Studio platform of the R version 4.2.1 statistical software was applied to analyze patients' baseline characteristics, 1- and 2-year local brain control (LBC), overall survival (OS) and distant brain control (DBC) and corresponding median failure-free survival, draw survival curve using Kaplan-Meier method. Prognostic factors were screened by univariate analysis and multivariate analysis (Cox regression).Results:Cumulatively, 52 patients (163 metastases in total) had a median survival follow-up of 22.1 months, 83% were<60 years old. Molecular typing: 13 cases (25%) were positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2+) / hormone receptor negative (HR-), 2 cases (4%) were luminal A, 26 cases (50%) were luminal B, and 11 cases (21%) were triple negative. The median number of brain metastases was 2 (range: 1 - 17). Follow-up outcomes: the median OS was 34.0 months, with 1- and 2-year OS rates of 85.6% and 65.4%, respectively; the median LBC was 20.6 months, with 1- and 2-year LBC rates of 79.2% and 45.2%, respectively; and the median DBC was 10.3 months, with 1- and 2-year DBC rates of 46.7% and 28.9%, respectively. During follow-up, 13 patients underwent salvage local therapy (10 FSRT); 5 developed radiation necrosis (1 symptomatic). Prognostic factor analysis: absence of extracranial organ metastases (compared with ≥3) was a protective factor for OS, P<0.05. For LBC, fewer (1 - 2) extracranial organ metastases (compared with ≥3), and single brain metastasis (compared with ≥2) were favorable prognostic factors , while N 3 staging upon initial diagnosis was a poor prognostic factor (all P<0.05). For DBC, brain metastasis after surgery was a good prognostic factor, while complicated with lung metastasis and asymptomatic brain metastasis at the first diagnosis were poor prognostic factors (all P<0.05). Conclusions:FSRT yields relatively good LBC and poor DBC for BCBM patients. A certain percentage of patients require salvage FSRT during follow-up, but OS is maintained acceptable and the radiation necrosis is tolerable. Among the prognostic factors, the absence of extracranial metastatic organs is a good prognostic factor for OS; patients with single brain metastasis, fewer extracranial metastatic organs, and non-N 3 staging upon initial diagnosis can obtain better LBC after FSRT.

This paper reported a type 1 diabetes patient who had severe diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, hypertension, and hypothyroidism before pregnancy. The patient's blood glucose control was poor before pregnancy, and the complications were not properly treated. This was an unintended pregnancy, with a pre-pregnancy glycated hemoglobin A1c of 7.8% and early pregnancy urine protein of 3.81-4.53 g/24 h. Considering the patient's poor blood glucose control before pregnancy and the lack of proper treatment for multiple complications including nephropathy, a multidisciplinary consultation at an external hospital recommended termination of the pregnancy. However, the patient was determined to continue the pregnancy and was referred to Peking University First Hospital. Through strict blood glucose control, monitoring and evaluation of complications, and comprehensive management, the patient's blood glucose and blood pressure were well controlled during pregnancy. Regular monitoring of urine protein, renal function, and ocular fundus was conducted. At 31 weeks and 4 days of gestation, the patient's 24-hour urine protein significantly increased. After promoting fetal lung maturity, a cesarean section was performed at 34 weeks and 1 day of gestation, resulting in a successful delivery with good maternal and neonatal outcomes. At the 42-day postpartum follow-up, the patient's blood glucose and blood pressure were stable, urine protein returned to pre-pregnancy levels, and the infant was in good general condition.

Objective To explore the effects and potential mechanism of electroacupuncture at acute phase on cognitive dysfunction at later stage in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO).Methods Totally 39 SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group,model group and electroacupuncture group,with 13 rats in each group.MCAO model was established by Zea Longa thread embolism method in model group and electroacupuncture group.The sham-operation group only separated blood vessels.Electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at"Baihui"and"Shenting"acupoints at 5 min and 6 h after model establishment respectively,for 30 min.The body mass,modified neuropathy severity scale(mNSS),and percentage of stiff immobility time of rats were monitored weekly,Nissl staining was used to observe the morphology of hippocampal tissue on the 28 d,immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of Ki67,dual cortin(DCX)and neuronal differentiation factor 1(NeuroD1)in dentate gyrus of the hippocampus,the expression of synaptic vesicle protein 2A(SV2A)protein in dentate gyrus of hippocampus was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,on the first day after operation,the body mass of the model group rats decreased,then gradually increased,and on the 28th day,the body mass was still lower than that of the sham-operation group(P<0.05);on the first day after operation,the mNSS score significantly increased,gradually decreased thereafter,and remained higher than the sham-operation group until the 28th day(P<0.01);the percentage of stiff immobility time significantly decreased on the first day after operation,gradually stabilized,and remained lower than the sham-operation group on the 28th day(P<0.05);the hippocampal tissue structure was significantly damaged,and the density of Ki67+DCX+NeuroD1 positive cells in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus was significantly increased(P<0.05),the expression of SV2A protein in the dentate gyrus of hippocampal was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the body mass of rats in the electroacupuncture group showed an increasing trend(P<0.05),the mNSS score decreased(P<0.01),and the percentage of stiff immobility time increased(P<0.05);the ischemic injury area was significantly reduced,the structure was clearer,and the disordered and irregularly cells arrangement were reduced,the density of Ki67+DCX+NeuroD1 positive cells in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus significantly increased(P<0.05),and the expression of SV2A protein in the dentate gyrus of hippocampal significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at acute phase at"Baihui"and"Shenting"can promote the recovery of cognitive dysfunction in MCAO rats in the later stage,and its mechanism may be related to enhancing the proliferation and differentiation of neural precursor cells in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus,promoting neurogenesis.

This paper reported a type 1 diabetes patient who had severe diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, hypertension, and hypothyroidism before pregnancy. The patient's blood glucose control was poor before pregnancy, and the complications were not properly treated. This was an unintended pregnancy, with a pre-pregnancy glycated hemoglobin A1c of 7.8% and early pregnancy urine protein of 3.81-4.53 g/24 h. Considering the patient's poor blood glucose control before pregnancy and the lack of proper treatment for multiple complications including nephropathy, a multidisciplinary consultation at an external hospital recommended termination of the pregnancy. However, the patient was determined to continue the pregnancy and was referred to Peking University First Hospital. Through strict blood glucose control, monitoring and evaluation of complications, and comprehensive management, the patient's blood glucose and blood pressure were well controlled during pregnancy. Regular monitoring of urine protein, renal function, and ocular fundus was conducted. At 31 weeks and 4 days of gestation, the patient's 24-hour urine protein significantly increased. After promoting fetal lung maturity, a cesarean section was performed at 34 weeks and 1 day of gestation, resulting in a successful delivery with good maternal and neonatal outcomes. At the 42-day postpartum follow-up, the patient's blood glucose and blood pressure were stable, urine protein returned to pre-pregnancy levels, and the infant was in good general condition.

Objective:To investigate the water improvement status and current disease situation in drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis areas of Taiyuan City, evaluate the effect of prevention and control measures, and provide a basis for optimizing control measures.Methods:Monitoring data from 2019 to 2024 for drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis in the diseased areas in Taiyuan City were collected from the Taiyuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention. A retrospective analysis was conducted on water improvement status, water fluoride content, dental fluorosis in children aged 8 - 12, skeletal fluorosis, and urinary fluoride monitoring results in all endemic villages.Results:From 2019 to 2024, all endemic villages in the six endemic counties (districts) of Taiyuan City completed water improvement. The number of water improvement projects each year was 75, 75, 72, 68, 64, and 57, respectively, with all projects operating normally. The qualified rates of water fluoride content each year were 81.33% (61/75), 100% (75/75), 98.61% (71/72), 75.00% (51/68), 87.50% (56/64), and 75.44% (43/57), respectively, with statistical significant differences ( χ2 = 36.99, P < 0.001). The detection rates of dental fluorosis each year were 18.19% (600/3 298), 14.42% (530/3 676), 11.14% (435/3 904), 11.13% (421/3 781), 11.59% (435/3 754), and 5.37% (299/5 567), respectively, with statistical significant differences ( χ2 = 386.42, P < 0.001). In 2024, 824 people were screened for skeletal fluorosis, with 250 cases showing positive symptoms and signs. Among the 250 positive cases, 210 underwent X-ray examination, detecting 170 skeletal fluorosis patients, with an X-ray positive rate of 80.95% (170/210) and a skeletal fluorosis detection rate of 20.63% (170/824). Urinary fluoride monitoring results showed that the geometric mean of urinary fluoride in villages with excessive water fluoride content was 2.95 mg/L, which was higher than the normal upper limit (1.60 mg/L). However, there was no statistically significant difference in urinary fluoride levels between skeletal fluorosis patients and non-skeletal fluorosis individuals ( Z = 0.78, P = 0.434). Conclusions:From 2019 to 2024, the drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis areas in Taiyuan City have undergone comprehensive water improvement and the water improvement projects are operating well. The qualified rate of water fluoride content has fluctuated, while the detection rate of dental fluorosis has decreased. Continuous monitoring is needed in the future to implement long-term water improvement measures and strengthen screening and treatment efforts for patients with fluorosis.