Cardiovascular diseases （CVD），a group of common diseases in clinical practice，are witnessing a steady rise in both incidence and mortality rates，posing a challenge to public health. Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang，originating from Synopsis of the Golden Chamber （《金匮要略》），was initially used to treat severe cases of chest impediment. The formula consists of Trichosanthis Fructus，Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus，Pinelliae Rhizoma，and Baijiu. It has a wide range of clinical applications，with therapeutic effects including moving Qi to relieve depression，activating Yang to dissipate mass，and expelling phlegm to alleviate chest congestion. In recent years，clinical research has confirmed that Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang，with or without modification，used alone or in combination with Western medicine，has definite effects in the treatment of CVD such as hyperlipidemia，coronary atherosclerotic heart disease，hypertension，heart failure，and arrhythmia. It can alleviate disease symptoms and reduce the risk of re-hospitalization. Basic research indicates that the mechanisms of Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang include improving endothelial functions，exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties，countering oxidative stress，preventing apoptosis，inhibiting ventricular remodeling，regulating mitochondrial functions，improving hemorheology，and modulating autophagy and neurotransmitters. This article reviews relevant articles in recent years with focuses on the compatibility，clinical application，and mechanism of Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang. This review is expected to provide a theoretical basis for the mechanism research and clinical application of this formula in treating CVD and to offer ideas and reference for in-depth research.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Naoqingtong decoction （NQT） on the kidney damage and the inflammatory factors NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a C-terminal caspase recruitment domain （ASC）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 （Caspase-1）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHRs）. MethodsTwenty-four SHRs were randomized into a model group， a low-dose （12.9 g·kg^-1·d^-1） NQT （NQT-L） group， a high-dose （25.8 g·kg^-1·d^-1） NQT group （NQT-H）， and a captopril （CTP， 20 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） group， with 6 rats in each group. In addition， 6 homozygous male Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as the control group. The control and model groups were administrated with the same amount of normal saline by gavage for 8 weeks. General behaviors of rats were observed during the intervention period， and the blood pressure was measured periodically. At the end of intervention， the body mass was weighed， and both kidneys were collected and weighed for the calculation of the renal index. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the kidney tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were employed to determine the expression levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-6， and TNF-α in the kidney tissue. ResultsDuring the experiment period， the control group had normal mental status， food intake， and activity， while the model group showed thinning of hair， loss of luster， reduced activity， loss of appetite， fecal adhesion， and irritability， and some of the skin had scratches or blood scabs. The above symptoms were alleviated to different degrees after 8 weeks of NQT administration. An intelligent non-invasive sphygmomanometer was used to measure the tail artery pressure of rats， which showed that the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of rats in the model group was higher than that in the control group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， drug interventions lowered the systolic and diastolic blood pressure （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the control group， the model group showed severe pathological damage in the kidney tissue， which was alleviated in each drug intervention group. Compared with the control group， the model group showed up-regulated expression levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-6， and TNF-α in the kidney tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the drug intervention groups showed down-regulated expression levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-6， and TNF-α in the kidney tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionNQT can lower the blood pressure in SHRs by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes， suppressing renal inflammation， and ameliorating hypertensive kidney damage.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Filipino farmers face unique occupational challenges that increase the risk of mental health issues, particularly anxiety. This study aims to determine the different personal, environmental, socioeconomic, occupational, and psychosocial factors associated with anxiety symptoms among Filipino farmers in Central Luzon.

Chain referral sampling method was used to recruit participants for the study, who underwent screening based on the eligibility criteria. Eligible participants were then asked about anxiety symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), while the validated, researcher-constructed Data Collection Tool for Factors Associated with Anxiety Symptoms (DCFAAS) was used to determine the farmers’ exposure to a variety of factors. Microsoft Excel was utilized in computing for frequency and percent distribution of participants, in each factor. Binary logistic regression was used to compute crude and adjusted odds ratio of each factor thru IBM SPSS Statistics®.

Among the 113 eligible farmers enrolled in the study, only 19 (16.8%) experienced anxiety symptoms, with excessive worrying, which was seen among 45 participants (39.8%). The mental health of Filipino farmers was significantly affected by the presence of physical illness (OR = 10.70 [95% CI 1.367, 83.773]) and having relatives affecting work completion (OR = 6.45 [95% CI 1.346, 30.896]). 

Despite the low prevalence of anxiety symptoms in this study, the findings suggest government policies to improve mental health service access to farmers, to integrate psychosocial support into agricultural programs, and to address family-related work pressures. By addressing these factors, it can improve farmer productivity and promote overall well-being, putting emphasis on the mental health of the Filipino farmers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Filipino farmers face unique occupational challenges that increase the risk of mental health issues, particularly anxiety. This study aims to determine the different personal, environmental, socioeconomic, occupational, and psychosocial factors associated with anxiety symptoms among Filipino farmers in Central Luzon.

Chain referral sampling method was used to recruit participants for the study, who underwent screening based on the eligibility criteria. Eligible participants were then asked about anxiety symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), while the validated, researcher-constructed Data Collection Tool for Factors Associated with Anxiety Symptoms (DCFAAS) was used to determine the farmers’ exposure to a variety of factors. Microsoft Excel was utilized in computing for frequency and percent distribution of participants, in each factor. Binary logistic regression was used to compute crude and adjusted odds ratio of each factor thru IBM SPSS Statistics®.

Among the 113 eligible farmers enrolled in the study, only 19 (16.8%) experienced anxiety symptoms, with excessive worrying, which was seen among 45 participants (39.8%). The mental health of Filipino farmers was significantly affected by the presence of physical illness (OR = 10.70 [95% CI 1.367, 83.773]) and having relatives affecting work completion (OR = 6.45 [95% CI 1.346, 30.896]). 

Despite the low prevalence of anxiety symptoms in this study, the findings suggest government policies to improve mental health service access to farmers, to integrate psychosocial support into agricultural programs, and to address family-related work pressures. By addressing these factors, it can improve farmer productivity and promote overall well-being, putting emphasis on the mental health of the Filipino farmers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of stretch on long non-coding RNA taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1)-mediated miR-545-3p/cannbinoida receptor 2 (CNR2) pathway regulating bone regeneration in the distraction area of rats during distraction osteogenesis. METHODS: Thirty-six 10-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n=12 in each group): group A (femoral fracture+injection of interfering RNA), group B (distraction osteogenesis+injection of interfering RNA), and group C (distraction osteogenesis+injection of TUG1). Groups A and B were injected with 60 μg of interfering RNA at the beginning of incubation period (immediate after operation), the beginning of distraction phase (7 days after operation), and the end of distraction phase (21 days after operation), and group C was injected with 60 μg of synthetic TUG1 in vivo interfering sequence at the same time. The general situation of rats in each group was observed during the experiment. The mineralization of fracture space or distraction area was observed by X-ray films at 21, 35, and 49 days after operation. At 49 days after operation, the samples of the distraction area were taken for HE staining to observe the mineralization, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expressions of osteoblast-related genes such as TUG1, miR-545-3p, CNR2, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN), and osteopontin (OPN). Blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta of the rats, and the expressions of ALP and C terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ (CTX-Ⅰ) protein were detected by ELISA assay. RESULTS: The results of X-ray film and HE staining observations showed that osteogenesis in group C was superior to groups A and B at the same time point. The results of qRT-PCR showed that the relative mRNA expressions of TUG1, CNR2, ALP, OCN, and OPN in group C were significantly higher than those in group A and group B, and the relative mRNA expression of miR-545-3p in group C was significantly lower than that in group A and group B ( P<0.05). The relative mRNA expressions of TUG1 and ALP in group B were significantly higher than those in group A, and the relative mRNA expression of miR-545-3p in group B was significantly lower than that in group A ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the relative mRNA expressions of CNR2, OCN, and OPN between group A and group B ( P>0.05). The results of ELISA showed that the expressions of ALP and CTX-Ⅰ protein were significantly higher in group C than in group A and group B, and in group B than in group A ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION Under the action of stretch, the expression of TUG1 in the femoral distraction area of rats increases, which promotes the expression of CNR2 by inhibiting the expression of miR-545-3P, which is helpful to the mineralization of the extension area and osteogenesis.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Osteogenesis, Distraction/methods* ; Rats ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; Osteopontin/genetics* ; Osteogenesis ; Bone Regeneration ; RNA, Small Interfering/genetics* ; Osteocalcin/genetics* ; Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism* ; Osteoblasts/cytology* ; Signal Transduction ; Femoral Fractures/surgery*

Objective:To investigate the induction effect of different concentrations of glucose on the polarization of Raw264.7 macrophages in vitro.Methods:The Raw264.7 cells cultured in DMEM medium were divided into control group(5.5 mmol·L-1 glucose),different high-glucose groups(15.0,25.0,35.0,and 45.0 mmol·L-1 glucose),and positive control group[lipopolysaccharide(LPS)].The cells were cultured for 3,6,and 9 h,respectively.Cell morphology was observed in various groups.Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method was used to assess the survival rates of cells in various groups.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and interleukin-10(IL-10)mRNA in cells in various groups.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to measure the levels of IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-10 in the cell supernatants in various groups.Flow cytometry was used to determine the percentages of M1 and M2 macrophage markers,CD86+and CD163+cells,in various groups.Results:In control group,theRaw264.7 cells adhered to the culture dish,with a predominantly round morphology.The cells in 35.0 mmol·L-1 high-glucose group and positive control group showed elongated shapes and pseudopodium formation,indicating inflammatory changes.Compared with control group,the survival rates in different high-glucose groups at 6,12,24,and 48 h after treatment were increased(P＜0.05).Compared with control group,after 3 h of treatment,the expression levels of IL-6 and IL-10 mRNA in the cells in 35.0 mmol·L-1 high-glucose group were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),while no significant changes were observed in IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-10 levels in the cell supernatants(P＞0.05);after 6 h of treatment,the expression level of TNF-α mRNA in the cells in 35.0 mmol·L-1 high-glucose group was increased(P＜0.001),and the levels of IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-10 in the cell supernatants were significantly increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.001);after 3 h of treatment,the percentages of macrophage markers CD86+cells and CD163+cells in 35.0 mmolL-1 high-glucose group were significantly increased(P＜0.01 or P＜0.001).Conclusion:A certain high concentration of glucose may induce the polarization of Raw264.7 macrophages towards the M1 subtype in vitro.

Objective To investigate the application effect of postural gravity traction combined with floss and titanium clip pulley external traction in endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)for early intestinal lesions.Methods A total of 100 patients with early colorectal lesions admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from January 2022 to September 2024 were selected as the research subjects and divided in-to the observation group and the control group,with 50 cases in each group.The control group underwent con-ventional intestinal ESD treatment,while the observation group used positional gravity traction combined with dental floss and titanium clips to form pulley external traction in ESD treatment.Clinical data including opera-tion time,number of submucosal injections,intraoperative blood loss,lesion resection effect,complication inci-dence,and hospital stay were compared between the two groups.Results The total operation time in the ob-servation group was shorter than that in the control group,and the total number of submucosal injections was less than that in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).There were no signifi-cant differences in intraoperative blood loss,complete resection rate,complication incidence,en bloc resection rate,and hospital stay between the two groups(P>0.05).For lesions≤1 cm or>5 cm in size,there were no significant differences in operation time,complete resection rate and en bloc resection rate between the two groups(P>0.05).For lesions>1-3 cm or>3-5 cm in size and laterally spreading lesions,significant differences were observed in operation time,number of submucosal injections,complete resection rate,and en bloc resection rate between the two groups(P<0.05).For pedunculated polyps,there were no significant differences in the number of submucosal injections,complete resection rate and en bloc resection rate between the two groups(P>0.05),but the operation time differed significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion Postural gravity traction combined with dental floss and titanium clip to form pulley external traction is simple to oper-ate in ESD for early intestinal lesions.It can maintain a clear field of view,shorten operation time,reduce the incidence of complications,and is safe and effective.

Hypoglycemic drugs are an important means of treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes.However,poor,ineffective and even adverse drug reactions often occur in clinical treatment.With the develop-ment of pharmacogenomics,the link between individual genetic variation and drug dose and treatment re-sponse is becoming clearer,resulting in better efficacy and fewer adverse reactions for patients.This article fo-cuses on hypoglycemic drugs and reviews the latest advances in pharmacogenomics,so as to provide references for individualized treatment of type 2 diabetes and prevention of corresponding complications until the realiza-tion of precision medicine

Objective To investigate the relationship between the five-circuit and six-qi characteristics of birth dates and the prevalence of endometriosis(EMs).Methods Clinical data from 333 EMs patients treated at the Department of Reproductive Medicine,The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine between March 2022 and March 2025 were collected.Statistical analysis was performed on parameters of the five circuits and six qi of patients' birth dates.Results No statistically significant differences were found in the distribution of heavenly stems,dominant circuits,guest circuits,dominant qi,guest qi,joining of guest qi with dominant qi,or Sitian-Zaiquan among the 333 EMs patients(all P＞0.05).However,significant differences were observed in the distribution of earthly branches,yearly circuits,and circuit-qi combinations(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Specifically:(1)The most frequent earthly branch was the"Wei"year(12.3％,41/333);(2)The most common annual circuit was"deficient water circuit"(14.7％,49/333);(3)The predominant circuit-qi combination was"Tong Sui Hui"(23.1％,77/333).Conclusion The development of EMs is associated with specific five circuits and six qi characteristics at birth:(1)Earthly branch of"Wei"year;(2)Annual circuit of"deficient water circuit";(3)Circuit-qi combination of"Tong Sui Hui".These patterns suggest that congenital endowmentl deficiencies in the spleen and kidney systems may predispose individuals to EMs.

Objective:To analyze the mutation spectrum and hematological phenotype of hemoglobin subunit delta(HBD) gene among prenatal population in Xiangtan City, and to provide scientific basis for screening and diagnosis of rare and complex hemoglobinopathia.Methods:Prenatal population underwent screening and genetic testing for thalassemia at Xiangtan Maternal and Child Health Hospital from October 2022 to December 2023 were selected as the study subjects, combined with capillary electrophoresis results, further HBD gene sequencing was performed to identify specific genotypes.Results:A total of 5 371 subjects were enrolled, 22 cases of HBD gene mutations were detected, with a mutation carrier rate of 0.41% (22/5 371). Among them, 14 cases were diagnosed with δ thalassemia, 7 cases were δ abnormal hemoglobin, and 1 case was δ thalassemia combined with δ abnormal hemoglobin. There were 7 HBD mutant genotypes were included, with -77(T>C) being the most common, followed by hemoglobin (Hb) A 2-Huadu and CD34(+GGT); accounting for 68.2% (15/22), 9.1% (2/22), 9.1% (2/22). CD34(+GGT) was a newly discovered genotype, and CD7(GAG>TAG) was the first reported genotype in Chinese population. The Hb content, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin content were normal or nearly normal in 22 carriers of the HBD gene mutation; capillary electrophoresis demonstrated reduced Hb A 2 content in all cases. Conclusions:HBD gene mutations have been detected in the prenatal population in Xiangtan City, with -77(T>C) being the most common mutation genotype. None of the mutation carriers showed anemia.