1.Treatment of Idiopathic Olfactory Disorders from the Perspective of Heart and Lungs
Lei HAN ; Shanshan XUE ; Yongjun WU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):83-86
To summarize the clinical experience of treating idiopathic olfactory disorder from the perspective of heart and lungs. It is believed that the sense of olfaction is based on the nose, rooted in the heart, functioning through the lungs, and conveyed by pectoral qi. The key pathogenesis of idiopathic olfactory disorder lies in the accumulation of pathogenic factors in the heart and lungs, blood vessel obstruction, the failure of the lungs to disperse and descend, and the loss of control of pectoral qi. In treatment, internal and external therapies could be combined. The internal therapy can correct the imbalance of the zang-fu organs, using the self-prescribed Bilong Formula (鼻聋方) to dispel wind and diffuse the lung, invigorate blood and relieving stuffy orifices; the external therapy can clear nasal obstruction, supplemented by intradermal needle embedding at three acupoints, bilateral Yingxiang (LI 20), bilateral Shangyingxiang (EX-HN 8) and Yintang (GV 29), and integrated olfactory training for comprehensive treatment.
2.Research progress on oral microecological imbalance and intervention strategies after radiotherapy for head and neck tumors
LIU Xue ; LI Yufei ; YANG Xinyao ; LI Hao ; ZHANG Ailin ; CUI Lei ; HUANG Zhengwei ; HOU Lili
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(4):385-394
Radiotherapy is a crucial treatment modality for head and neck tumors. However, while effectively killing tumor cells, it significantly disrupts the homeostasis of the oral microecology, which is closely associated with various complications such as radiation-induced oral mucositis. Literature review indicates that as radiotherapy doses accumulate and treatment durations extend, the richness and diversity of the oral microbiota show a declining trend, with the genus Streptococcus decreasing most markedly. In contrast, radiotherapy selectively promotes the proliferation of bacterial phyla such as Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, which are rich in opportunistic pathogens. Mechanistically, radiotherapy activates the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway, triggering chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, damaging the epithelial barrier, suppressing local immunity, and causing damage to organs such as the salivary glands. It can also induce systemic diseases via the oral-gut axis, forming a multi-level, interconnected pathogenic network. In terms of interventions, treatment strategies including probiotics and prebiotics have shown promising efficacy against side effects such as radiation-induced oral mucositis. Saliva-based oral microbiota transplantation is an emerging strategy that is expected to become widely utilized for restoring oral microecological balance. Existing interventions provide preliminary pathways for clinical practice, but this field still faces several key scientific questions. The association between oral microecology and systemic diseases remains largely correlative, lacking causal evidence. Furthermore, critical parameters for oral microbiota transplantation, such as donor screening criteria, transplantation protocols, and long-term safety, are not yet well-defined. Therefore, future research should focus on conducting large-scale clinical trials to establish standardized protocols and safety evaluation systems for oral microecological interventions, and explore combined treatment therapies such as probiotics, prebiotics, and microbiota transplantation to advance the development of personalized precision modulation. These will enable more effective management of radiotherapy-induced oral microecological dysbiosis and improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients with head and neck tumors.
3.Comparative Study on the Effects of Qingchang Wenzhong Decoction (清肠温中方) on the Intestinal Mucus Barrier in Conventional and Pseudo-Germ-Free Model Mice of Acute Ulcerative Colitis
Mingxu GAO ; Leilei LIU ; Lijie LU ; Jiali WANG ; Juncong HU ; Yangzhe LIN ; Qirui LIU ; Yue DONG ; Luyue WANG ; Zeyu XUE ; Junxiang LI ; Lei SHI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(14):1528-1537
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms of Qingchang Wenzhong Decoction (清肠温中方, QWD) in treating ulcerative colitis (UC). MethodsA total of 100 male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to a pseudo-germ-free group (n=45) and a conventional group (n=55) using a random number table. Pseudo-germ-free model was established by giving antibiotic treatment and subsequently subjected to acute UC induction. After the model was successfully established, the 45 pseudo-germ-free acute UC mice were randomly allocated to a pseudo-germ-free model group, a pseudo-germ-free QWD group, and a pseudo-germ-free mesalazine group, with 15 mice in each group. The 55 conventional mice were randomly divided into a normal control group (n=10), as well as a conventional model group, a conventional QWD group, and a conventional mesalazine group, with 15 mice in each group. Except for the normal control group, acute UC models were established in all other groups. Mice in the control group received no intervention. From day 32 of the experiment, mice in the pseudo-germ-free QWD group and the conventional QWD group were administered with QWD granules at a dose of 9.71 g/(kg·d) by gavage with deionized water, while those in the pseudo-germ-free mesalazine group and the conventional mesalazine group were given mesalazine enteric-coated tablets at a dose of 151.67 mg/(kg·d) by gavage. Mice in the remaining groups received an equal volume of deionized water once daily for 7 consecutive days. On day 25 of the experiment, six mice were randomly selected from both the pseudo-germ-free group and the conventional group to measure body weight, and fecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing to compare differences in gut microbiota, including operational taxonomic units (OTUs), Shannon index, Observed_species index, and phylogenetic diversity (PD whole tree). On day 39, body weight was measured in all groups, and the disease activity index (DAI) was evaluated. Colon length and colon wet weight were recorded. Histopathological changes in colonic tissues were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and histological injury scores were determined. In addition, the expression levels of mucopolysaccharides and mucin 2 (MUC2) in colonic tissues were measured. ResultsOn day 25, there was no significant difference in body weight between the pseudo-germ-free group and the conventional microbiota group (P>0.05). Compared to the conventional microbiota group, the pseudo-germ-free group showed significantly reduced OTUs, Shannon index, Observed_species index, and PD whole tree (P<0.01). On day 39, compared to the normal control group, mice in the conventional model group showed a significant decrease in the body weight and an increase in DAI, along with increased colon wet weight, shortened colon length, markedly elevated histopathological scores, and reduced expression of mucopolysaccharides and MUC2 (P<0.01). In contrast, no significant differences were observed in these parameters in the pseudo-germ-free model group (P>0.05). Compared to the conventional model group, the conventional QWD group showed significant improvement in all measured parameters, whereas the conventional mesalazine group showed reductions only in DAI scores and colon wet weight (P<0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed among the pseudo-germ-free model group, the pseudo-germ-free QWD group, and the pseudo-germ-free mesalazine group (P>0.05). ConclusionQWD may promote the reconstruction of the intestinal mucus barrier by regulating the intestinal flora, thereby exerting a therapeutic effect on acute UC.
4.Comparative Study on the Effects of Qingchang Wenzhong Decoction (清肠温中方) on the Intestinal Mucus Barrier in Conventional and Pseudo-Germ-Free Model Mice of Acute Ulcerative Colitis
Mingxu GAO ; Leilei LIU ; Lijie LU ; Jiali WANG ; Juncong HU ; Yangzhe LIN ; Qirui LIU ; Yue DONG ; Luyue WANG ; Zeyu XUE ; Junxiang LI ; Lei SHI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(14):1528-1537
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms of Qingchang Wenzhong Decoction (清肠温中方, QWD) in treating ulcerative colitis (UC). MethodsA total of 100 male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to a pseudo-germ-free group (n=45) and a conventional group (n=55) using a random number table. Pseudo-germ-free model was established by giving antibiotic treatment and subsequently subjected to acute UC induction. After the model was successfully established, the 45 pseudo-germ-free acute UC mice were randomly allocated to a pseudo-germ-free model group, a pseudo-germ-free QWD group, and a pseudo-germ-free mesalazine group, with 15 mice in each group. The 55 conventional mice were randomly divided into a normal control group (n=10), as well as a conventional model group, a conventional QWD group, and a conventional mesalazine group, with 15 mice in each group. Except for the normal control group, acute UC models were established in all other groups. Mice in the control group received no intervention. From day 32 of the experiment, mice in the pseudo-germ-free QWD group and the conventional QWD group were administered with QWD granules at a dose of 9.71 g/(kg·d) by gavage with deionized water, while those in the pseudo-germ-free mesalazine group and the conventional mesalazine group were given mesalazine enteric-coated tablets at a dose of 151.67 mg/(kg·d) by gavage. Mice in the remaining groups received an equal volume of deionized water once daily for 7 consecutive days. On day 25 of the experiment, six mice were randomly selected from both the pseudo-germ-free group and the conventional group to measure body weight, and fecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing to compare differences in gut microbiota, including operational taxonomic units (OTUs), Shannon index, Observed_species index, and phylogenetic diversity (PD whole tree). On day 39, body weight was measured in all groups, and the disease activity index (DAI) was evaluated. Colon length and colon wet weight were recorded. Histopathological changes in colonic tissues were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and histological injury scores were determined. In addition, the expression levels of mucopolysaccharides and mucin 2 (MUC2) in colonic tissues were measured. ResultsOn day 25, there was no significant difference in body weight between the pseudo-germ-free group and the conventional microbiota group (P>0.05). Compared to the conventional microbiota group, the pseudo-germ-free group showed significantly reduced OTUs, Shannon index, Observed_species index, and PD whole tree (P<0.01). On day 39, compared to the normal control group, mice in the conventional model group showed a significant decrease in the body weight and an increase in DAI, along with increased colon wet weight, shortened colon length, markedly elevated histopathological scores, and reduced expression of mucopolysaccharides and MUC2 (P<0.01). In contrast, no significant differences were observed in these parameters in the pseudo-germ-free model group (P>0.05). Compared to the conventional model group, the conventional QWD group showed significant improvement in all measured parameters, whereas the conventional mesalazine group showed reductions only in DAI scores and colon wet weight (P<0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed among the pseudo-germ-free model group, the pseudo-germ-free QWD group, and the pseudo-germ-free mesalazine group (P>0.05). ConclusionQWD may promote the reconstruction of the intestinal mucus barrier by regulating the intestinal flora, thereby exerting a therapeutic effect on acute UC.
5.Mechanistic study on alleviation of Schistosoma japonicum infection-induced hepatic damages by macrophage efferocytosis
Yuxin ZHANG ; Junyao SHEN ; Weijie XUE ; Chenxu MAO ; Ziling WANG ; Zhigang LEI ; Sha ZHOU ; Chuan SU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(3):274-286
Objective To investigate the development, role, and regulatory mechanism of macrophage efferocytosis in the liver of hosts infected with Schistosoma japonicum. Methods The expression of efferocytosis-related gene like efferocytosis receptors, efferocytosis-related bridging molecules,“eat me” signal and “don’t eat me” signal was detected in the livers of patients and mice infected with S. japonicum in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Ten wild-type (WT) male mice (6 ~ 8 weeks old, weighing 20 ~ 25 g) were randomly divided into a Schistosoma japonicum infection (SJ) group and a normal control (NC) group, with 5 mice in each group. The efferocytosis of neutrophils and T cells by liver macrophages was detected in mice from SJ group and NC group using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence assay, respectively. The expression of efferocytosis-related Mer receptor tyrosine kinase (MerTK) and Axl receptor tyrosine kinase (Axl) proteins was determined in mouse liver tissues using Western blotting assay, and the proportion of MerTK+ macrophages and the average fluorescence intensity of macrophage MerTK were detected in mouse livers using flow cytometry. Changes in liver granulomas and fibrosis were observed in mice infected with S. japonicum following injection of efferocytosis inhibitors, and S. japonicum-infected mice without injection of efferocytosis inhibitors served as controls. Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were isolated from macrophage scavenger receptor class A (SR-A) conditional knockout (CKO) and wild-type (WT) mice, and changes in apoptotic neutrophils were detected in SR-A CKO mouse macrophages in vitro using flow cytometry. Then, BMDMs was divided into the WT mono-culture group, the WT and apoptotic neutrophils co-culture group, the SR-A CKO mono-culture group, and the SR-A CKO and neutrophils co-culture group, and the expression of MerTK and Axl was quantified in vitro using Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays during neutrophil efferocytosis. The efferocytosis of neutrophils and T cells by mouse liver macrophages was detected in the SR-A CKO SJ group and the WT SJ group using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence assay, and the expression of MerTK and Axl proteins was determined in mouse liver tissues in both groups using Western blotting. In addition, the proportion of MerTK+ macrophages and the average fluorescence intensity of macrophage MerTK were detected in mouse livers in both groups using flow cytometry. Results Data from the GEO database showed that the expression of some efferocytosis receptors and efferocytosis-related bridging molecules, and “eat me” and “don’t eat me” signals all appeared a tendency towards a rise in livers of patients and mice in the SJ group relative to the NC group, suggesting that S. japonicum infection-induced liver diseases may be associated with efferocytosis. Flow cytometry detected higher proportions of Ly6G+ cells [(13.13 ± 0.45)% vs. (6.48 ± 0.25)%; t = 22.30, P < 0.05] and CD3+ cells [(7.60 ± 0.33)% vs. (3.30 ± 0.42)%; t = 13.98, P < 0.05] in mouse liver macrophages in the SJ group than in the NJ group, and the expression of MerTK protein [(2.30 ± 0.14) vs. (1.14 ± 0.46); t = 4.19, P < 0.05], the mean fluorescence intensity of macrophages [(160.67 ± 15.28) vs. (94.50 ± 19.61); t = 4.81, P < 0.05], and the proportion of MerTK+ macrophages [(20.78 ± 4.17)% vs. (6.85 ± 0.39)%; t = 6.57, P < 0.05] were significantly higher in mouse liver tissues in the SJ group than in the NC group. The Axl expression was lower in mouse liver tissues in the SJ group than in the NC group [(1.25 ± 0.08) vs. (1.93 ± 0.37); t = 2.79, P < 0.05], and the area of granulomas around single eggs [(9.18 ± 1.81) × 104μm2 vs. (5.24 ± 1.35) × 104 μm2; t = 3.03, P < 0.05] and proportion of collagen fibers [(25.27 ± 3.99)% vs. (15.14 ± 4.02)%; t = 3.10, P < 0.05] were significantly greater in livers of S. japonicum-infected mice with injection of efferocytosis inhibitors than in mice without injection of efferocytosis inhibitors. The in vitro efferocytosis efficiency of BMDMs [(32.83 ± 3.17)% vs. (45.43 ± 2.34)%; t = 5.54, P < 0.05], and the proportions of Ly6G+ [(9.37 ± 0.48)% vs. (13.13 ± 0.72)%; t = 7.50, P < 0.05] and CD3+ cells [(4.95 ± 0.17)% vs. (7.64 ± 0.50)%; t = 8.87, P < 0.05] in liver macrophages post-infection with S. japonicum were significantly lower in SR-A CKO mice than in WT mice, and the expression of MerTK protein [(0.65 ± 0.25) vs. (1.96 ± 0.69); t = 3.10, P < 0.05], the average fluorescence intensity of macrophages [(138.33 ± 8.39) vs. (160.67 ± 15.28); t = 3.03, P < 0.05] and the proportion of MerTK+ macrophages [(13.17 ± 5.01)% vs. (22.63 ± 2.06)%; t = 3.56, P < 0.05] were significantly lower in mouse liver tissues in the SR-A CKO SJ group than in the WT group. Western blotting detected no significant difference in the Axl protein expression in mouse liver tissues between the SR-A CKO SJ group and the WT SJ group [(0.48 ± 0.07) vs. (0.68 ± 0.30); t = 1.09, P > 0.05]. There were significant differences in the relative MerTK mRNA and protein expression during efferocytosis of BMDMs among the WT monoculture group, the WT and apoptotic neutrophils co-culture group, the SR-A CKO mono-culture group, and the SR-A CKO and neutrophils co-culture group (F = 9.41 and 40.68, both P values < 0.05). In addition, there was a significant difference in the relative Axl mRNA expression during efferocytosis of BMDMs among the four groups (F = 13.62, P < 0.05); however, no significant difference was seen in the relative Axl protein expression (F = 1.27, P > 0.05). Conclusions Efferocytosis of liver macrophages is seen in mice infected with S. japonicum and inhibits liver fibrosis. SR-A may up-regulate the efficiency of macrophage efferocytosis through regulating the expression of efferocytosis receptors.
6.Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of influenza A (H3N2) cases in Tangshan City in 2023 - 2025
Xiaojing SONG ; Jing SUN ; Lichao MAO ; Xue' ; er BAI ; Xin ZHOU ; Da LI ; Lei QIN
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(5):82-86
Objective To analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of influenza A(H3N2) in Tangshan City, Hebei Province, from 2023 to 2025, and to provide a scientific basis for precise prevention and control of local influenza. Methods The influenza-like cases and influenza outbreak cases in the influenza surveillance sentinel hospitals in Tangshan City from January 2023 to December 2025 were included in this study. The clinical characteristics and epidemic characteristics of H3N2 influenza patients were analyzed by descriptive epidemiological methods and chi-square test. Results A total of 11 567 influenza case samples were tested in the study, with a positive rate of 9.34% (1 080/11 567). Influenza A (H3N2) remained the predominant circulating subtype throughout the study period. January 2023 to February 2023 marked the tailing end of the previous season’s H3N2. Then, a minor peak dominated by H1N1 occurred from March to June, and H3N2 circulated again from October to December, peaking in December. From September 2024 to December 2024, H1N1 and H3N2 circulated concurrently, with H3N2 as the dominant strain, peaking in January of the following year. From March 2025 to September 2025, influenza activity remained at low level, and activity began to rise in October, with H1N1 peaking in November before declining, and H3N2 becoming the dominant strain in December. H3N2 mainly occurred in the 5-14 years old group. Cases in the 0–4-year-old group were primarily characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms, with high fever being common. Cases in the 5–59-year-old group were primarily characterized by systemic and respiratory symptoms, with better clinical outcomes. Cases aged 60 and older exhibited the highest rates of hospitalization, severe illness, and incidence of complications. Conclusion From 2023 to 2025, the influenza virus in Tangshan City, Hebei Province is dominated by influenza A (H3N2). The epidemic is characterized by a peak incidence during autumn and winter, co-circulation with H1N1, and fluctuations during the peak period. It is necessary to pay attention to the clinical management and prevention and control of influenza A (H3N2) in infants and the elderly.
7.Ethical exploration of medical academic conferences based on field theory
Lei ZHANG ; Wenhua WANG ; Xue WANG ; Yi LUO ; Xiaoxiao YUAN
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(9):1254-1258
Medical academic conferences represent one of the important carriers of scientific and technological exchanges, promoting the progress of medical science and technology and the dissemination of knowledge. However, the surge in the number of conferences has not been matched by a corresponding improvement in academic quality, leading to widespread doubts about their academic nature. The standardization of medical academic conferences urgently requires clarifying the core value standards of high-quality medical academic conferences from the perspective of academic ethics. Based on the perspective of academic ethics and employing Bourdieu’s field theory, this study systematically analyzed the functional positioning and value norms of medical academic conferences. It argued that they were committed to “pursuing truth” in knowledge production at the individual level, focused on “pursuing goodness” in communication and dissemination at the academic community level, and strove for “pursuing innovation” in innovative influence at the social level. Taking a professional annual conference as a typical case, this study further delved into the operational processes and internal mechanisms of academic annual conferences in the medical field. On this basis, optimization recommendations were proposed, including strengthening the principle of academic priority, promoting equal participation mechanisms, fostering innovative development models, and other aspects, with a view to providing a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the high-quality development of medical academic conferences.
8.Advances in the management of postoperative gastroesophageal reflux in patients with esophageal cancer
Xue ZHAO ; Lei LUO ; Yongtao HAN ; Yan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(10):1683-1690
Gastroesophageal reflux is one of the most prevalent postoperative complications in patients with esophageal cancer, mainly manifested as heartburn and acid regurgitation. It can disturb sleep and trigger negative emotions, seriously impairing patients’ postoperative recovery process and long-term quality of life. This article reviews gastroesophageal reflux from five aspects: main clinical manifestations, hazards, assessment tools, influencing factors, and non-pharmacological interventions. It sorts out the advantages and disadvantages of existing assessment scales, analyzes risk factors related to surgery and individual patients, and summarizes the research status of non-pharmacological interventions including posture adjustment, diet modification and exercise. It aims to raise clinical healthcare professionals’ awareness of identifying and managing patients with postoperative reflux, and provide references for conducting assessments and formulating individualized comprehensive intervention schemes.
9.Morphologic and functional effect of core training combined with respiratory training on multifidus and transversus abdominis in patients with lumbar disc herniation
Jianing SONG ; Xiaole LOU ; Huan LIU ; Xue HAN ; Lei XU ; Min WANG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(1):107-116
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of respiratory training based on core stabilization training on lumbar disc herniation. MethodsFrom January, 2023 to October, 2024, 96 patients with lumbar disc herniation admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University were divided into control group (n = 32), core group (n = 32) and respiratory group (n = 32). All the groups underwent conventional rehabilitation therapy, with core stabilization training in the core group and respiratory training combined with core stabilization training in the respiratory group, additionally, for four weeks. Before and after training, the scores of Visual Analogue Scale, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and Oswestry Dysfunction Index (ODI) were compared, the average electromyographic value (AEMG) and root mean square (RMS) value of the multifidus and transversus abdominis were detected by surface electromyography (sEMG); and the thickness of the multifidus and transversus abdominis were measured by musculoskeletal ultrasonography bilaterally. ResultsThe intra-group effect (F > 597.796, P < 0.001), inter-group effect (F > 16.535, P < 0.001) and interaction effect (F > 49.622, P < 0.001) were significant in the scores of VAS, JOA and ODI; which were better in the respiratory group than in the control group and the core group (P < 0.05), and were better in the core group than in the control group (P < 0.001). The intra-group effect (F > 7971.631, P < 0.001), inter-group effect (F > 177.760, P < 0.001) and interaction effect (F > 478.771, P < 0.001) were significant in the thickness of the transversus abdominis and multifidus; which were better in the respiratory group than in the control group and the core group (P < 0.001), and were better in the core group than in the control group (P < 0.001). The intra-group effect (F > 144303.007, P < 0.001), inter-group effect (F > 1495.458, P < 0.001) and interaction effect (F > 3121.361, P < 0.001) were significant in the RMS of the multifidus and transversus abdominis; which were better in the respiratory group than in the control group and the core group (P < 0.001), and were better in the core group than in the control group (P < 0.001). The intra-group effect (F > 1890.532, P < 0.001), inter-group effect (F > 607.132, P < 0.001) and interaction effect (F > 824.923, P < 0.001) were significant in the AEMG of the multifidus and transversus abdominis; which were better in the respiratory group than in the control group and core group (P < 0.001), and were better in the core group than in the control group (P < 0.001). ConclusionCore training combined with respiratory training can more effectively reduce pain and improve dysfunction by enhancing the strength and control of the core muscles, thus improving the quality of life of patients with lumbar disc herniation.
10.Health risk assessment of oral exposure to metals and metalloids in drinking water supplies within a region of Fuchun River Basin from 2017 to 2024
Yuwei HONG ; Ming XUE ; Lei WANG ; Huizhen GUO ; Junlin WANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(11):1322-1329
Background Water serves as an indispensable resource for human survival and constitutes one of the primary means through which humans are exposed to environmental chemicals. Consequently, the safety of drinking water is critical to safeguarding public health. Objective To analyze the levels of the 10 metal/metalloid indicators [Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Cr(VI), Pb, and Hg] in drinking water from a region of the Fuchun River Basin, and to evaluate the health risks in drinking water through oral ingestion. Methods In accordance with the national Standard Examination Method for Drinking Water – Part 2: Collection and Preservation of Water Samples (GB/T 5750-2006 and GB/T 5750-2023), a total of 2016 drinking water samples were collected from urban and rural water supply systems in a region of the Fuchun Basin from 2017 to 2024. Two batches of water samples were collected annually during the dry and wet seasons, with each batch comprising 72 samples from the urban water supply system and 54 samples from the rural water supply system. These samples were analyzed according to the Standard Examination Method for Drinking Water – Part 6: Metal and Metalloid Indicators (GB/T 5750-2006 and GB/T 5750-2023) and the results were compared with the limits specified in the Standards for Drinking Water Quality (GB 5749-2022). Health risks were evaluated using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health risk assessment model. Results All tested metal/metalloid elements in the drinking water samples of the area met the national standards. The results of risk assessment showed that the non-carcinogenic risks associated with oral intake of drinking water, ranked from highest to lowest, were as follows: As>Cr(VI)>Pb>Cd>Hg>Mn>Cu>Zn>Fe>Al, with values of 4.55×10−2, 2.79×10−2, 2.06×10−2, 1.20×10−2, 4.95×10−3, 4.58×10−3, 2.85×10−3, 1.95×10−3, 1.52×10−3, and 9.21×10−4, respectively. The non-carcinogenic risk of each indicator was less than 1, which suggested no potential risk to population health. The carcinogenic risks ranked as Cr(VI)>As>Cd>Pb, with values of 4.18×10−5, 2.05×10−5, 3.85×10−6, and 2.45×10−7, respectively. The carcinogenic risks of Cr(VI), As, and Cd were between 10−6 and 10−4, which suggested an acceptable carcinogenic risk, while the carcinogenic risk of Pb was relatively negligible. Children's total non-carcinogenic/total carcinogenic risks were comparable to those of adult males, both higher than those of adult females. Additionally, rural areas exhibited higher non-carcinogenic/carcinogenic risks for Cr(VI), while those risks for As and Pb were lower than those in urban water samples, and those risks for Cd were comparable between the two. Conclusion The concentrations of the 10 metal/metalloid indicators in drinking water from the studied region in the Fuchun River Basin comply with the national standards from 2017 to 2024. There is a certain carcinogenic risk associated with oral intake of drinking water, but it is still within the acceptable range. In terms of non-carcinogenic risk, no potential threat to population health is anticipated.


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