Objective To analyze the infection status and epidemic trends of soil-borne nematode infections in Yubei, Chongqing City, in 2010,2021, and 2022. Methods The local populations from four survey sites of four towns in 2010 and five sites of five towns in 2021 and 2022 were surveyed regarding their basic information using a unified form. Fecal samples of the participants were collected and tested for soil-borne nematode infections using the modified Kato-Katz thick smear method. Results In 2010, 2 049 participants were surveyed, followed by 1 000 participants in 2021 and 2022. The overall prevalence of parasitic infections declined significantly from 3.86% to 0.20%. In 2010, soil-transmitted nematode included hookworms(3.81%) and roundworms(0.29%). In 2021, the infection rates of roundworms and hookworms were 1.70% and 0.10% respectively. Notably, only Ascaris was identified in 2022(0.20%). The≥60 age group consistently exhibited the highest infection rates across all surveys, followed by the 40-59 age group. The infection rates of males in the three surveys were 3.31%,1.92%, and 0.20% respectively, and those of females were 4.37%, 1.46%, and 0.20% respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the infection rates between males and females. Educational attainment was inversely associated with infection; in 2010, the highest prevalence was observed among those with primary education or below, whereas in 2021, illiterate or semi-literate individuals showed the highest susceptibility. The occupational distribution of infections in 2010 indicated that retirees (8.33%), farmers(4.86%), and homemakers or unemployed individuals(3.45%)were the most affected. However, in 2021 and 2022, farmers emerged as the predominant occupational group with soil-transmitted nematode infections. Conclusions The infection rate of soil-borne nematodes showed a decreasing trend in Yubei, and the infection species changed from hookworms in 2010 to Ascaris in 2022. Farmers, the elderly, and people with low education levels should continue to be the focus of preventive and control efforts.

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common disabling condition in the elderly, and its clinical assessment relies not only on imaging and neurofunctional indicators but also on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation. To evaluate the concordance between existing LSS animal models and clinical characteristics of TCM and Western medicine, clarify their advantages and limitations, and explore their translational potential, Chinese and English databases, including CNKI, Wanfang Data, PubMed, and Web of Science, are searched using combinations of the terms "lumbar spinal stenosis," "model," "guideline," "consensus," and "norm" from inception to the end of June 2025. After screening, a total of 21 publications are included, of which 15 report animal experimental studies, and 6 are guidelines, consensus statements, or normative documents. Based on these, the existing modeling methods are summarized, diagnostic indicators are extracted from clinical guidelines and expert consensus, and clinical concordance is evaluated using an assessment system proposed in the relevant literature. The results show that the existing animal models are categorized into three concordance levels: high (laminectomy/spinous process removal with filling; laminectomy/spinous process + ligament/muscle removal with filling; autologous bone backfilling), moderate (nylon tape dural binding method, adjustable screws, fixation combined with removal of ligament/muscle), and low (balloon compression method, adjustable balloon compression method, bipedal standing, ligament/muscle resection, steel wire cerclage method). Overall, current animal models of LSS generally perform well in terms of structural construction but show clear limitations in replicating clinical diagnostic logic and TCM syndromes. Future research should enhance syndrome phenotype collection and enrich TCM-based evaluation systems based on existing models. Additionally, multifactorial integrated modeling strategies should be introduced to extend the depth of syndrome-level simulation. This study aims to analyze LSS animal models that can faithfully recapitulate disease pathogenesis, conform to clinical realities of both Western medicine and TCM clinical practice, and have broad application potential, so as to narrow the translational gap between experimental findings and clinical practice.

The Chinese Pharmacopoeia is the legal technical standard which should be followed during the research, production, use, and administration of drugs. At present, the new edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia is planned to be promulgated and implemented. This article summarizes and analyzes the main characteristics and the content of updates and amendments of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition(Volume Ⅰ), to provide a reference for the correct understanding and accurate implementation the new edition of the pharmacopoeia.

Objective To explore the regulatory effect of corilagin(COR)on Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome activation and chondrocyte pyroptosis induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)combined with nigericin(NIG).Methods Primary chondrocytes isolated from C57BL/6J mice were cultured to passage 3 for experiments.Cells were divided into control group,LPS group,LPS+NIG group,and LPS+NIG+COR(low-,medium-,and high-dose)groups.The chondrocytes were pre-sensitized with LPS for 4 h.Then the cells were treated with COR at different concentrations(10,20,and 40 μmol/L)for 30 min,and finally NIG(10 μmol/L)was supplemented for 1 h.Control cells were cultured in DMEM/F-12 medium supplemented with 1%FBS.Cell counting kit 8(CCK-8)was used to detect the effect of COR at different concentrations(10,20,40 μmol/L)on chondrocyte viability.Propidium iodide(PI)and Hoechst 33342 staining and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)release assay were used to analyze the effect of COR on chondrocyte death induced by LPS and NIG.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome activation marker cysteine aspartic acid specific protease 1(caspase 1)p20 in the cell supernatant and NLRP3,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC),caspase 1,interleukin-1β precursor(pro-IL-1β),and pyroptosis execution protein gasdermin D(GSDMD)in the cell lysate.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the level of IL-1β in cell culture supernatant.Reactive oxygen species(ROS)fluorescent probe 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate(H2DCFDA)staining was used to observe the effect of COR on ROS production,and Western blotting was used to detect the expression of intracellular glycolysis-related proteins hexokinase 2(HK2),glucose transporter 1(GLUT1),and lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA).Results COR exhibited slight effect on chondrocyte viability at the concentration≤40 μmol/L.COR(10-40 μmol/L)reduced the proportion of PI-positive cells(all P＜0.05)and the release of LDH(all P＜0.01)stimulated by LPS and NIG,inhibited the expression of GSDMD N-terminus domain in chondrocytes,and reduced the release of caspase 1 p20 and IL-1β from chondrocytes(all P＜0.01).Furthermore,COR(40 μmol/L)reduced the production of ROS(compared with the control group,P＜0.01)and inhibited the expression of glycolysis-related proteins HK2,GLUT1,and LDHA(all P＜0.05).Conclusion COR can inhibit NIG-induced glycolysis/ROS/NLRP3 signaling,thereby preventing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and chondrocyte pyroptosis.

Objective To investigate whether there exist differences in the improvement of left ventricular diastolic function between angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor(ARNI)and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor(ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blocker(ARB)in patients with hypertensive heart disease(HHD).Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on the HHD patients admitted in Department of Cardiovascular Diseases of our hospital from January 2021 to December 2024.The general information,echocardiographic parameters before and after treatment,and results of routine tests were collected.Finally,517 HHD patients were subjected,including 117 receiving ARNI treatment(ARNI group)and 400 getting ACEI/ARB treatment(ACEI/ARB group).A 1∶1 propensity score matching(PSM)was performed with a caliper value of 0.02,resulting in 89 matched cases for each group.Electrocardiography was performed to assess left ventricular diastolic dysfunction(LVDD),with various parameters,including left atrial volume index,early diastolic peak velocity at the interventricular septal portion of mitral annulus(septal e'),early diastolic peak velocity at the lateral wall portion of mitral annulus(lateral e'),tricuspid regurgitation velocity,and E/e'.These parameters were followed up and reassessed during the treatment period.Kaplan-Meier survival curve was plotted to compare the incidence of LVDD between the 2 groups.Multivariable logistic regression model was employed to identify the risk factors contributing to LVDD.Results The median follow-up time was 412(309,736)d in the whole cohort,and was 409(300,729)d for the patients after PSM.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that the incidence of LVDD was lower in the ARNI group than the ACEI/ARB group both before and after PSM(P<0.05).After treatment,the ARNI group obtained lower lateral e'[8.00(7.00,9.40)vs 9.00(7.10,10.30)cm/s,P<0.001],thinner left ventricular posterior wall thickness[12.20(10.80,12.80)vs 12.30(11.20,12.90)mm,P<0.048]when compared with the ACEI/ARB group.After adjusting for confounding factors,multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that advanced age(OR=1.082,P<0.001),increased systolic blood pressure(OR=1.009,P=0.005),thicker left ventricular posterior wall thickness(OR=1.462,P<0.001),left atrial enlargement(OR=1.081,P<0.001),and use of calcium channel blocker(OR=1.548,P=0.006)were independent risk factors for LVDD,and positively correlated with the risk of LVDD.While,male(OR=0.709,P=0.043)and BMI(OR=0.933,P=0.006)were protective factors,which were negatively correlated with LVDD risk.Conclusion In HHD patients,ARNI is superior to ACEI/ARB in reducing the incidence of LVDD.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of methadone-related poisoning cases and provide a reference for forensic identification.Methods A total of 71 cases of methadone-related poisoning re-ported from 1998 to 2023 in China and 26 cases of methadone-related deaths reported from 2013 to 2018 in Italy were retrieved from databases including PubMed,Wanfang and CNKI.The general infor-mation,forensic pathological and toxicological characteristics were analyzed.Results Among the 71 methadone-related poisoning cases in China,there were 54 cases(76.06%)of poisoning without death and 17 cases(23.94%)of death from poisoning.There were 54 male cases(76.06%),and 51 cases(71.83%)aged 19 to 39 years old.There were 35 cases(49.30%)of poisoning caused by methadone alone,and 32 cases(45.07%)were poisoning caused by methadone combined with other substances or drugs including heroin and benzodiazepines.Most of the poisoned showed coma,respiratory depres-sion and miosis.Signs of asphyxia were often found by autopsy.The mass concentration of methadone detected in the blood of 6 deceased ranged from 0.112 to 3.000 mg/L.Among the 26 methadone-related deaths in Italy,22 cases were male(84.62%).There were 6 cases(23.08%)caused by methadone alone,and 20 cases(76.92%)died from methadone combined with other substances or drugs.The mass concentration of methadone in blood ranged from 0.181 to 4.059 mg/L.Conclusion The propor-tions of poisoning cases caused by methadone alone and methadone combined with other substances or drugs are comparable in China.The majority of deceased caused by methadone poisoning shows typi-cal triad of coma,respiratory depression and miosis,which helps forensic experts determine the cause of death related to methadone.Additionally,it is necessary to increase the routine testing of the con-centration of methadone and its combined substances or drugs in deceased,and collect data for the in-terpretation of the results of related cases.

Insulin is an important protein hormone that participates in multiple metabolic pathways.Biosynthetic insulin has been widely used in the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.Currently,the number of reported cases of insulin overdose both at home and abroad is gradually increasing,and insulin homicide is no longer a means of"committing murder without leaving a trace".At present,there are no systematic protocols for the identification of insulin overdose in the field of forensic medi-cine in China.This article introduces the causes,toxicological characteristics,forensic examination,labo-ratory testing methods and indicator reference of insulin overdose.Based on the identification practice and research results and referring to relevant studies on insulin overdose at home and abroad,this pa-per aims to provide recommendations and references for the formulation of forensic identification guide-lines for insulin overdose cases.

Objective:To investigate the influence of different ratios of contrast agent(CA)to saline on image quality of coronary computed tomography angiography(CCTA)in dual-flow injection technique.Methods:A prospective study included 102 patients who were clinically diagnosed as suspected coronary heart disease(CHD)to undergo CCTA scan at Beijing Friendship Hospital,Capital Medical University,between March 2024 and October 2024.Ultimately,90 patients were enrolled,who adopted CA injection protocol of dual-flow injection technique.Patients were randomly divided into three groups using a random number table,with 30 patients in each group.The different ratios of CA to saline were adopted,which were respectively Group A(1:9),Group B(2:8),and Group C(3:7).For the reconstructed images,the computed tomography(CT)values of heart-related anatomical structures,which included superior vena cava,right atrium,right ventricle,left atrium,left ventricle,interventricular septum and each segment of the coronary artery,were measured respectively.At the same time,two radiologists,who possessed over 10 years of diagnostic experience of CCTA examination,conducted subjective evaluations for image quality.For the cases of disagreement,the consensus between them was reached through discussion.Results:In three groups,the total CA doses were respectively(42.75±5.22)ml,(47.08±5.83)ml and(50.64±6.29)ml,and the differences of that among the three groups was statistically significant(F=13.964,P<0.05).The differences of CT values of superior vena cava,right atrium,right ventricle,left atrium,left ventricle and aorta among three groups were significant(F=29.141,24.194,39.308,9.643,8.178,6.881,P<0.05).There were significant differences in the CT values of the proximal,mid,and distal segments of the left anterior descending(LAD),and the proximal and mid segments of the left circumflex(LCx)and right coronary artery(RCA)among three groups(F=7.114,9.106,3.851,6.075,4.025,7.349,5.756,P<0.05).However,there was not statistically significant difference was found among the three groups in the CT value of the distal segments of the LCx and RCA(P>0.05).There were significant differences in the subjective scores for the superior vena cava,right atrium and right ventricle among the three groups(H=8.939,29.105,32.180,P<0.05).The number of cases with 3-4 points at the superior vena cava,right atrium and right ventricle were respectively 25(83.3%),29(96.7%)and 30(100%)in group B,there was no case with 1 point.In addition,the imaging quality of right heart in group B was better than that in group A and C.There were no significant differences at left atrium,left ventricle,and each segment of coronary artery among three groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:For patients with clinically non-extreme body weight,the selection of the ratio(2:8)of CA to saline can effectively show relevantly anatomic structures of heart,and coronary artery vessels,including the right heart system,which belongs to the optimal solution.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of Erzhu Jiedu Decoction (EZJDD) Granules in treating mid-advanced hepatitis B virus-associated primary liver cancer (HBV-PLC) patients with Pi (Spleen)-deficiency and dampness-heat syndrome. METHODS: From January 2021 to June 2023, a cohort of 132 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to a control group or a EZJDD group according to the random numbers, with 66 patients in each group. The patients in the control group received conventional treatment for 3 months, followed by a 3-month follow-up. In addition to the conventional treatment, patients in the EZJDD group were administered EZJDD Granules (10.9 g/pack, 2 packs twice per day) orally for same duration. Progression-free survival (PFS) as primary outcome was evaluated by Kaplan Meier method. Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scores were used to assess the quality of life in two groups before and after treatment, and survival rates were determined as well. The efficacy of Chinese medicine syndrome was calculated with Nimodipine method. Liver function, tumor indicators and T lymphocyte subsets were measured, respectively. Safety indicators were recorded and assessed. RESULTS: Of the 116 patients who completed the study, 57 were in the control group and 59 in the EZJDD group. The median PFS was 3.53 months (106 days) in the EZJDD group compared to 2.33 months (70 days) in the control group (P=0.005). Six-month survival rate was 52.63% (30/57) in the control group and 69.49% (41/59) in the EZJDD group (P=0.039). The median KPS score in the EZJDD group [70(63, 90)] was higher than that in the control group [70(60, 80)] (P=0.013). The total effective rate of CM syndrome was 52.63% (30/57) in the control group and 77.97% (46/59) in the EZJDD group (P=0.005). The levels of alpha fetoprotein, alpha fetoprotein-L3, alpha-L-fucosidase and protein induced by Vitamin K absence or antagonist- II in the EZJDD group increased less than the control group (P>0.05). CD8⁺ levels were decreased, while CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ levels, as well as CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio were significantly increased in the EZZJD group (P<0.05). No treatment-related adverse reactions were observed during the study. CONCLUSION EZJDD Granules significantly prolonged the median PFS and improved 6-month survival rate in patients with mid-advanced HBV-PLC (Registration No. ChiCTR2200056922).
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Liver Neoplasms/complications* ; Hepatitis B virus/physiology* ; Hepatitis B/complications* ; Treatment Outcome ; Adult ; Spleen/drug effects* ; Quality of Life ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Aged ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: Acupuncture therapies are known for their effectiveness in treating a variety of gastric diseases, although the mechanisms underlying these effects are not fully understood. This study tested the effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) at acupoints Zhongwan (RN12) and Weishu (BL21) for managing gastric motility disorder (GMD) and investigated the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: A GMD model was used to evaluate the impact of EA on various aspects of gastric function including the amplitude of gastric motility, electrogastrogram, food intake, and the rate of gastric emptying. Immunofluorescence techniques were used to explore the activation of spinal neurons by EA, specifically examining the presence of cholera toxin B subunit (CTB)-positive neurons and fibers emanating from acupoints RN12 and BL21. The stimulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons in the spinal dorsal horn, the inhibition of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal lateral horn, and their collective effects on the activity of sympathetic nerves were examined. RESULTS: EA at RN12 and BL21 significantly improved gastric motility compromised by GMD. Notably, EA activated spinal neurons, with CTB-positive neurons and fibers from RN12 and BL21 being detectable in both the dorsal root ganglia and the spinal dorsal horn. Further analysis revealed that EA at these acupoints not only stimulated GABAergic neurons in the spinal dorsal horn but also suppressed sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal lateral horn, effectively reducing excessive activity of sympathetic nerves triggered by GMD. CONCLUSION EA treatment at RN12 and BL21 effectively enhances gastric motility in a GMD model. The therapeutic efficacy of this approach is attributed to the activation of spinal neurons and the modulation of the spinal GABAergic-sympathetic pathway, providing a neurobiological foundation for the role of acupuncture in treating gastric disorders. Please cite this article as: Zhang MT, Liang YF, Dai Q, Gao HR, Wang H, Chen L, Huang S, Wang XY, Shen GM. A spinal neural circuit for electroacupuncture that regulates gastric functional disorders. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 56-65.
Electroacupuncture ; Animals ; Male ; Acupuncture Points ; Stomach Diseases/physiopathology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Rats ; Gastric Emptying ; Neurons ; Spinal Cord ; Stomach/physiopathology*