1.Active Ingredients of Bupleuri Radix in Treatment of Central Nervous System: A Review
Shuhuan YANG ; Xin JIANG ; Runda YUAN ; Fang LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):325-334
Diseases of the central nervous system have become a growing global health concern. At present, there are many adverse reactions in the treatment with Western medicine. In contrast, traditional Chinese medicine has shown unique efficacy and rich clinical practice accumulation in diseases of the central nervous system. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Bupleuri Radix has played an important role in the treatment of neurological diseases through multi-target regulation, multi-pathway intervention, and multi-pathway mechanism of action. In recent years, with the in-depth study of the pharmacological effects of Bupleuri Radix, it has been found that the active ingredients such as saikosaponin, baicalin, quercetin, and kaempferol in Bupleuri Radix can be used as the main material basis for the treatment of neurological diseases. The results of this study showed that in neurodegenerative diseases, active ingredients of Bupleuri Radix can inhibit β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and abnormal phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein (Tau protein) in Alzheimer's disease, regulate the nuclear factor-κB/nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (NF-κB/Nrf2) pathway to play the anti-inflammatory role, and alleviate α-Synuclein (α-Syn) aggregation and mitochondrial damage in Parkinson's disease. In epilepsy, depression, and cerebral ischemia, they can improve symptoms by regulating neurotransmitters, oxidative stress, and apoptosis pathways, and inhibit brain glioma proliferation. However, the mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated, and the complexity of compound components and poor blood-brain barrier penetration limit their clinical application. In the future, it is necessary to integrate multi-omics, network pharmacology, and nano-delivery technologies, focus on the optimization of active ingredient group compounds and the precise guidance of biomarkers, accelerate the development of innovative therapies for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other diseases for laying a solid theoretical foundation for further development and application and inspiring new research ideas.
2.Normal initial lactate level in sepsis patients: is lactate still useful for prognosis prediction?
World Journal of Emergency Medicine 2026;17(1):57-64
BACKGROUND Sepsis is a highly heterogeneous organ dysfunction syndrome. There is limited evidence regarding phenotypes and clinical outcomes in sepsis patients with initial normal lactate levels. We sought to identify the lactate-based clinical phenotypes and outcomes of sepsis patients.
METHODS: The Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) and eICU databases were used to conduct a retrospective cohort study. Adult sepsis patients were included. Lactate was measured via blood gas, and the same assay type was used across both databases. Serial lactate measurements were analyzed via a two-point classification system based on the highest values recorded during two consecutive 24-hour periods following ICU admission. The first measurement window (T1) comprised the initial 24 h post-admission, whereas the second window (T2) covered 24-48 h post-admission. The lactate difference was defined as the numerical change between the highest lactate level at T2 and the highest level at T1. The time interval between these two measurements was fixed, with T2 commencing immediately after T1, together encompassing the first 48 h post-ICU admission. A normal lactate level was defined as ≤2 mmol/L, and an elevated level was defined as >2 mmol/L. Sepsis patients were stratified into four trajectory phenotypes: (1) normal‒normal (N‒N); (2) normal-elevated (N‒E); (3) elevated-normal (E‒N); and (4) elevated-elevated (E‒E). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality.
RESULTS: This study enrolled 6,926 sepsis patients. The clinical phenotypes of the sepsis patients were as follows: N‒N (24.4%), N‒E (3.8%), E‒N (36.4%), and E‒E (35.3%). The in-hospital mortality rates of sepsis patients with the four phenotypes from the MIMIC-IV and eICU databases were as follows (N‒N: 18.9% vs. 17.6%, P=0.66; N‒E: 35.3% vs. 29.2%, P=0.45; E‒N: 16.6% vs. 14.2%, P=0.14; E‒E: 43.6% vs. 37.8%, P=0.01). After adjusting for age, sex, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, vasopressor therapy, and infection sites, the N‒E phenotype was associated with a higher risk of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.44; 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] 1.11-1.86; P=0.006; adjusted OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.23-2.11; P<0.001). The E‒N phenotype was associated with the most favorable outcomes for in-hospital mortality in the multivariable analysis (adjusted OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.36-0.46; P<0.001). The E‒E phenotype was associated with the highest risk of in-hospital mortality in the overall cohort (adjusted OR 3.00; 95% CI2.67-3.37; P<0.001).
CONCLUSION: In sepsis patients with normal initial lactate levels, serial lactate measurements could be valuable for prognostic assessment.
3.Effects and mechanism of short-acting exenatide on improving diabetic cognitive dysfunction
Xin LING ; Deming WANG ; Qi LU ; Jinyue HUANG ; Xian ZHENG ; Xiaona ZHU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(5):589-594
OBJECTIVE To investigate the ameliorative effect and mechanism of short-acting exenatide on diabetic cognitive dysfunction. METHODS Spontaneously diabetic db / db mice were randomly divided into model group (normal saline) and exenatide group (50 μg/kg), with db / m mice as the normal control group (normal saline), with 8 mice in each group. Mice in each group were subcutaneously injected with corresponding drugs or normal saline twice daily for 8 consecutive weeks. Body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured at a fixed time every week. Cognitive function was evaluated by Morris water maze test. The levels of oxidative st ress indicators [malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) ] , cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase A (PKA) were detected in hippocampus tissue of mice. The hippocampal neuronal HT22 cells of mice were divided into control group (25 mmol/L glucose), high glucose group (125 mmol/L glucose), high glucose+exenatide group (125 mmol/L glucose+20 nmol/L exenatide), high glucose+exenatide+H89 (PKA inhibitor) group (125 mmol/L glucose+20 nmol/L exenatide+10 μmol/L H89), and high glucose+H89 group (125 mmol/L glucose+10 μmol/L H89). After 48 h of intervention with corresponding solutions/culture medium, the levels of oxidative stress indicators, cAMP and PKA, the activities of mitochondrial respiratory enzymes Ⅱ and Ⅳ, and the phosphorylation level of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) were measured. RESULTS Animal experiments showed that compared with the normal control group, the model group exhibited significantly increased body weight, fasting blood glucose and MDA level in the hippocampus ( P <0.05), as well as significantly prolonged escape latency ( P <0.05); swimming speed significantly slowed down, the time spent in the target quadrant, the number of platform crossings, and the levels of SOD, GSH, cAMP and PKA in the hippocampus were significantly decreased ( P <0.05). Compared with model group, all the above indicators (except for swimming speed) in the exenatide group were significantly reversed ( P <0.05). Cell experiments showed that compared with high glucose group, the high glucose+exenatide group had significantly decreased MDA level ( P <0.05), and significantly increased levels of SOD, GSH, cAMP and PKA, the activities of mitochondrial respiratory enzymes Ⅱ and Ⅳ, and phosphorylation level of Drp1 ( P <0.05). Compared with high glucose+exenatide group, the above indicators in the high glucose+exenatide+H89 group were significantly reversed ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Short-acting exenatide can activate the cAMP/PKA pathway, promote Drp1 phosphorylation, and increase the activities of mitochondrial respiratory enzymes, thereby maintaining mitochondrial stability, reducing oxidative stress injury, and ultimately improving diabetic cognitive dysfunction.
4.Occupational fatigue and influencing factors of live-line power distribution workers
Ruijian PAN ; Conghan LIU ; Xin LU ; Chu CHEN ; Min LI ; Lei LIU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(2):196-200
Background Fatigue among distribution network live-line workers in complex operational environments has become increasingly severe and requires widespread attention. Objective To investigate the positive rates of fatigue and associated influencing factors of live-line power distribution workers, and to make a reasonable strategy to reduce the fatigue of front-line workers. Methods Power supply companies in Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan provinces were selected by cluster sampling in 2023, and all front-line live-line workers in the selected companies were recruited. The questionnaire used in this study consisted of two parts: one was the Fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14) for investigating fatigue status and the other was for associated influencing factors. A FS-14 score greater than 3 points was defined as fatigue.
5.Correlation of short sleep duration and screening myopia among primary and middle school students in Beijing
WANG Lu, ZHAO Hai, SUN Bingjie, XIA Zhiwei, GUO Xin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):14-17
Objective:
To study the correlation between short sleep duration and screening myopia among primary and middle school students in Beijing, so as to provide a scientific basis for the comprehensive prevention and control of myopia among students.
Methods:
Using a stratified cluster random sampling, 25 593 primary and middle school students from 16 districts of Beijing were selected from September to November 2023. The National Common Diseases and Health Influencing Factors Monitoring Survey Questionnaire was used to conduct a questionnaire survey, and visual acuity was tested according to the Specification for the Screening of Refractive Error in Primary and Middle School Students. The reporting rates of short sleep duration and detection rates of screening myopia among primary and middle school students were compared using the Chi square test. Binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between short sleep duration and screening myopia.
Results:
About 68.63% of students reported short sleep duration. There was a statistically significant difference in the reporting rate of short sleep duration among students in different school stages ( χ 2=981.18, P <0.01), with the lowest reporting rate of vocational high school students (47.07%) and the highest reporting rate of ordinary high school students (76.17%). The detection rates of screening myopia among primary school students ( 57.09% ) and middle school students (76.53%) who reported short sleep duration were higher than those who reported enough sleep duration (52.65%, 71.94%), with satistically significant differences ( χ 2=14.83, 17.96, P <0.01). The results of binary Logistic regression analysis showed that primary and middle school students with short sleep duration had a higher risk of developing screening myopia, compared to students with enough sleep duration ( OR =1.25); after adjusting for confounding factors such as educational stage, gender, region, boarding situation, primary and secondary school students with short sleep duration still had a higher risk of screening myopia ( OR =1.26) ( P <0.01). The analysis results stratified by educational stage showed that primary school students from grades 4-6 and middle school students with short sleep duration had a higher risk of screening myopia ( OR=1.18, 1.20, P <0.01).
Conclusions
Primary and secondary school students in Beijing with short sleep duration sleep have a higher risk of developing screening myopia. Families, schools, and society should ensure enough sleep duration to reduce the occurrence of myopia among students.
6.The constituent elements, experiences, and popularization significance of the palliative care model of integrated elderly care and medical services
Zehuan HUANG ; Mengdong XIN ; Lidan QI ; Long ZHAO ; Minyu WANG ; Lu QIN ; Zhenhua LU ; Zhao LI ; Yue HE ; Xi ZENG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(7):914-923
Under the trend of increasing aging, integrated elderly care and medical services is an important measure to optimize the supply of elderly care services and promote the good death of the elderly. Using the cooperative production theory and the classical grounded theory, a qualitative analysis was conducted on 38 cases of elderly palliative care and 25 cases of hospital-based palliative care under the integrated elderly care and medical services model from a hospital in Nanning City using Nvivo 20.0 software. This paper found that the integrated elderly care and medical services mode emphasized the deep integration of medical and elderly care services by integrating resources and improving service efficiency, to achieve the basic experience of comprehensive health care for the elderly. The promotion of these experiences has a positive significance for building a multi-agent cooperative production system, strengthening personnel training, perfecting the performance distribution mechanism, and further promoting the development of the national palliative care pilot.
7.Study on mechanism of Chanbao zhichuang suppository in treating hemorrhoids based on network pharmacology and metabolomics
Chunfeng GUO ; Xin JIANG ; Ruyang CHENG ; Shumin LIU ; Chunxiang XIE ; Fang LU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(13):1622-1628
OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of improvement effect of Chanbao zhichuang suppository (CBZCS) on hemorrhoids in rats through network pharmacology and metabolomics. METHODS A hemorrhoid model was established by subcutaneous injection of rhododendron oil to induce anal swelling. SD rats were divided into blank group (NC group, 0.32 g/kg vaseline), model group (Model group, 0.32 g/kg vaseline), CBZCS low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (CBZCS-L, CBZCS- M, CBZCS-H groups, with dosages of 0.16, 0.32, and 0.64 g/kg respectively), and Mayinglong musk hemorrhoids suppository group (Positive group, 0.32 g/kg), with 9 rats in each group. Anal administration was performed at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after modeling. After the last administration, the pathological changes of the anal tissues in rats were observed, and the serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in rats were detected. Differential metabolite analysis and enrichment analysis were conducted by metabolomics methods, and the target proteins of CBZCS in treating hemorrhoids were obtained by network pharmacology. The core metabolic pathways were screened by interaction and enrichment analysis of differential metabolites and proteins, and the core proteins were experimentally verified. RESULTS Compared with the NC group, the anal tissues of the Model group showed obvious lesions, and the levels of IL-6 and TNF- α in the serum were significantly increased (P<0.05); compared with the Model group, the pathological damage of the anal tissues in the treatment groups was alleviated to varying degrees, and serum levels of IL-6 in CBZCS-H group, CBZCS-M group, and Positive group as well as serum levels of TNF-α in CBZCS-H group were significantly reduced (P<0.05). The metabolomics results showed that 34 differential metabolites were screened from the anal tissues of rats, and 22 of them showed a return after CBZCS administration. The differential metabolites mainly enriched in arachidonic acid metabolism, histidine metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Through the network pharmacology, 138 intersection genes of CBZCS against hemorrhoids were determined. The analysis results showed that differential metabolites and target proteins were mainly enriched in the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway, and the regulation of this pathway might be related to cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Myc proto-oncogene protein (c-MYC), cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 protein expression. The experimental verification results showed that the expression levels of key proteins (COX-2, c-MYC, CYP1B1, IL-6, IL-1β) in the anal tissues of the Model group were significantly higher than those in the NC group (P<0.05), and the levels of the above proteins in the anal tissues of CBZCS-H group and Positive group were significantly lower than those in the Model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The mechanism of CBZCS in treating hemorrhoids may be to inhibit the expression of COX-2, c-MYC and CYP1B1 proteins, thereby inhibiting arachidonic acid metabolism and reducing the release of inflammatory factors IL-6 and IL-1β.
8.Analysis of classroom environment hygiene in primary and secondary schools in Guizhou Province from 2022 to 2024
HUANG Xiaoli, ZHANG Xiaoqin, LI Xin, PENG Xiying, WANG Zhuan, LU Xiujuan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(7):1032-1036
Objective:
To understand classroom environmental conditions and their association with spinal curvature abnormalities among students of primary and secondary schools in Guizhou Province, so as to provide a basis for formulating school health policies and scientific prevention and control measures for abnormal spinal curvature in students.
Methods:
Using a stratified random sampling method, 471 schools (2 811 classrooms) were selected annually across the province from 2022 to 2024 in order to monitor and evaluate classroom environment according to national standards. Spinal examinations were conducted for 196 606 (2022), 194 876 (2023), and 195 048 (2024) students, and χ 2 test was used to analyze the correlation of desk and chair compliance with student spinal curvature abnormalities.
Results:
The qualified rates of classroom blackboard illuminance uniformity ( 85.41 %) and the blackboard size (82.24%) were the highest in primary and secondary schools in Guizhou Province, while the average blackboard surface illumination qualified rate (20.10%) was the lowest. The average desk illumination (50.11%-58.63%), desk illumination uniformity (61.92%-72.27%) and qualified noise rate (50.04%-51.94%) increased significantly in 3 years; in addition, the compliance rate of desks and chairs decreased from 25.00% to 13.52%, and the differences were all statistically significant ( χ 2=42.48, 80.93, 46.09, 129.72, all P <0.05). Middle school classrooms outperformed primary schools in terms of per capita area, average blackboard illuminance, blackboard illuminance uniformity, average desktop illuminance, desktop illuminance uniformity, and noise compliance ( χ 2=311.55, 12.41, 20.64, 40.76, 10.25, 52.47), but had lower compliance for blackboard size and reflectance ( χ 2=537.29, 7.59) (all P <0.01). Urban schools had higher compliance than suburban schools for per capita area, average blackboard illuminance, average desktop illuminance, and desktop illuminance uniformity ( χ 2=73.71, 17.68, 29.30 , 36.03), but lower compliance for desk-chair suitability, blackboard size, and blackboard reflectance ( χ 2=4.72, 26.02, 5.43 ) (all P <0.05). The spinal curvature abnormality detection rate was 0.83%. A significant association was found between abnormality detection and desk-chair non compliance ( χ 2=223.85, P <0.01).
Conclusions
Classroom environment hygiene in Guizhou schools is suboptimal. Strengthening school environmental hygiene infrastructure and greater attention to its impact on student s health are essential.
9.Epidemiological characteristics of spinal curvature abnormalities in children and adolescents
LU Xiujuan, LI Xin, PENG Xiying, WANG Zhuan, HUANG Xiaoli, ZHANG Xiaoqin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(7):1046-1050
Objective:
To understand the epidemiological characteristics of abnormalities spinal curvature among children and adolescents in Karst landform in Guizhou Province, so as to provide a scientific basis for targeted comprehensive intervention.
Methods:
From September to December 2023, 194 875 children and adolescents aged 6-18 were selected from all countieldistricts of 9 cities (prefectures) in Guizhou Province by stratified random cluster sampling method according to the proportion of Karst landform area in Guizhou Province for carrying out spinal curvature abnormality screening, and a questionnaire survey was conducted on 139 449 students in the fourth grade and above of primary school. Binary Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis.
Results:
The detection rate of abnormal spinal curvature among children and adolescents aged 6-18 in Guizhou Province was 1.13%. The detection rates of abnormal spinal curvature in areas with a high proportion of Karst landform, areas with a low proportion of Karst landform, intercalation areas, and nonKarst landform areas were 1.10%, 2.00%, 0.90%, and 0.60%, respectively. Among them, the detection rates of abnormal spinal curvature in female students (2.40%, 1.60%, 0.90%) in areas with a low proportion of Karst landform, intercalation areas and nonKarst landform were higher than those in male students (1.60%, 0.10%, 0.30) (χ2=12.66, 112.69, 30.22, all P<0.05). The detection rates of abnormal spinal curvature among senior high school students (2.00%, 4.30%, 1.40%, 1.30%) in different Karst landform distributions were successively higher than those among junior high school students (1.40%, 3.20%, 1.00%, 0.60%) and primary school students (0.70%, 0.80%, 0.60%, 0.30%) (χ2=306.11, 175.80, 14.24, 39.57, all P<0.05). The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the detection rates of abnormal spinal curvature in both highproportion and lowproportion Karst landform areas were higher than those in nonKarst landform areas [OR(95%CI)=1.84(1.05-2.25), 1.60(1.23-2.09), both P<0.05].
Conclusion
The detection rate of abnormal spinal curvature in children and adolescents aged 6-18 in Guizhou Province is related to the distribution of Karst landform, so it is necessary to strengthen screening and appropriate comprehensive interventions.
10.Characterization of Medicinal Amber via Multispectral Analysis Combined with ICP-MS
Donghan BAI ; Zerun LI ; Xueying XIN ; Lu LUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):176-183
ObjectiveTo systematically investigate the identification characteristics of medicinal amber, elucidate its microscopic features, crystal structural properties, and elemental composition, and thereby provide a scientific foundation for quality control and authenticity verification. MethodsThirty-nine batches of amber samples were collected and analyzed through integrated techniques including morphological analysis, microscopic identification, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to evaluate their morphological attributes, phase composition, molecular vibrational modes, and trace element profiles. Among them, the XRD experiment used Cu Kα radiation (λ=1.540 6 Å), with a scanning angle range of 10° to 70° (2θ) and a step size of 0.02°, the Raman spectroscopy experiment employed a 785 nm laser, with a spectral measurement range of 3 400 to 50 cm-1, a laser power of 300 mW, a laser intensity of 30%, and a scanning time of 100 to 1 000 ms, the infrared spectroscopy experiment used a carbon-sulfur lamp, with a scanning range of 4 000 to 500 cm-1, a resolution of 4 cm-1, and 3 scans, the ICP-MS experiment utilized frequency power of 1.2 kW, a double-pass cyclonic spray chamber, a sample introduction system flow rate of 0.7-1.0 L·min-1, and an auxiliary gas flow of 0.2 L·min-1. ResultsUnder orthogonal polarized light microscopy, medicinal amber exhibited an isotropic homogeneous structure, with partial samples containing inorganic impurities such as AsS and SiO₂. FTIR spectra revealed characteristic absorption peaks at 2 932-2 939 cm-1 (C-H stretching vibrations), 1 705-1 728 cm-1 (C=O stretching vibrations), and 880-887 cm-1 (C=C deformation vibrations), confirming the oxidative polymerization of terpenoid resin. Raman spectroscopy further identified distinctive peaks at 2 925 cm-1, 2 870 cm-1 (saturated C-H stretching), and 1 648 cm-1 (C=C stretching), consistent with the structural features of oxidized-polymerized resin. ICP-MS analysis demonstrated that S, Al, Si, Fe, Na, and Ca were the predominant trace elements in medicinal amber. ConclusionThis study comprehensively evaluated medicinal amber's morphological attributes, phase composition, molecular vibrational modes, and trace elements through multimodal analytical techniques. The findings establish data support for establishing quality standards for medicinal amber and distinguishing it from synthetic resin imitations.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail