Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a critical clinical condition characterized by rapid renal function decline, with high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown potential effects on mitigating oxidative stress and programmed cell death in AKI models. Scutellaria barbata D. Don (SB) and Scleromitrion diffusum (Willd.) R. J. Wang (SD), a classic TCM herbal pair exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Using advanced chromatographic separation technology, we enriched the effective fractions of water extracts from SB-SD, obtaining self-assembled herbal nanoparticles (SB and SD nanoparticles, SSNPs) rich in flavonoids and terpenoids. These SSNPs demonstrated robust antioxidant properties in vitro and mitigated AKI progression in vivo by activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. Oral administration of SSNPs in mice resulted in absorption into the bloodstream, formation of a protein corona, reduced macrophage phagocytosis, and enhanced bioavailability and renal targeting. Furthermore, we investigated the self-assembly principle of SSNPs using representative flavonoids and terpenoids. Kinetic studies and in situ transmission electron microscopy (in situ TEM) revealed that these compounds self-assemble via supramolecular forces like hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions, forming stable nanostructures. This study elucidates the renoprotective effects and mechanisms of SB and SD, and provides a novel approach for the development of TCM-based nanomedicines, highlighting the potential of nano-TCM in AKI treatment.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Modified Guomin Decoction （加味过敏煎， MGD） in patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis （AD） of the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） pattern of heart fire and spleen deficiency， and to explore its possible mechanisms. MethodsIn this randomized， double-blind， placebo-controlled study， 72 patients with mild to moderate AD and the TCM pattern of heart fire and spleen deficiency were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group， with 36 cases in each group. The treatment group received oral MGD granules combined with topical vitamin E emulsion， while the control group received oral placebo granules combined with topical vitamin E treatment. Both groups were treated twice daily for 4 weeks. Clinical efficacy， TCM syndrome scores， Visual Analogue Scale （VAS） for pruritus， Dermatology Life Quality Index （DLQI） scores， Scoring Atopic Dermatitis （SCORAD） and serum biomarkers， including interleukin-33 （IL-33）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， immunoglobulin E （IgE）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were compared before and after treatment. Safety indexes was also assessed. ResultsThe total clinical effective rates were 77.78% （28/36） in the treatment group and 38.89% （14/36） in the control group， with cure rates of 19.44% （7/36） and 2.78% （1/36）， respectively. The treatment group showed significantly better clinical outcomes compared to the control group （P＜0.05）. The treatment group exhibited significant reductions in total TCM syndrome scores， including erythema， edema， papules， scaling， lichenification， pruritus， irritability， insomnia， abdominal distension， and fatigue scores， as well as reductions in VAS， DLQI， SCORAD， and serum IgE and IL-33 levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to the control group， the treatment group had significantly better improvements in all indicators except for insomnia （P＜0.05）. No adverse events occurred in either group. ConclusionMGD is effective and safe in treating mild to moderate AD patients with heart fire and spleen deficiency pattern. It significantly alleviates pruritus， improves TCM syndromes and quality of life， and enhances clinical efficacy， possibly through modulation of immune responses.

Objective:To investigate the effects of propionic acid produced by Akkermansia muciniphila on the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer and the underlying mechanism. Methods:Normal human colon mucosal epithelial cells (NCM460) were used to determine the appropriate concentration of propionic acid. Human colorectal cancer cells (HCT-8) were treated with A. muciniphila-conditioned medium or propionic acid, followed by exposure to 6 Gy γ-ray irradiation, and cell survival and proliferation were measured by clone formation assay and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, respectively. A mouse model of colorectal cancer was established using azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate. The mice were divided into control model group, irradiation group, and irradiation+ propionic acid group. Their body weight, colorectal length, tumor count, and tumor area were recorded. The radiosensitizing effect of propionic acid was assessed with HE staining, immunohistochemical staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mechanism was explored by using RT-PCR and flow cytometry. Results:CCK-8 assay showed that 1-mmol/L propionic acid had no significant effect on the proliferation of NCM460 cells ( P>0.05), which was used for subsequent experiments. Pretreated with A. muciniphila-conditioned medium or propionic acid, the survival and proliferation abilities of irradiated HCT cells were significantly decreased ( t=3.14-34.98, P<0.05). Compared with the irradiation group, the colorectal cancer mice in the irradiation+ propionic acid group showed a significantly longer colorectal length ( t=3.50, P<0.05) and a significantly smaller number of tumors ( t=3.48, P<0.05); the two groups had significantly smaller tumor areas than the control model group ( t=5.97, 7.30, P<0.05). HE staining and immunohistochemical staining showed that propionic acid restored colorectal structure, and decreased Ki67 expression in colorectal tissue ( t=14.50, 3.40, P<0.05). Propionic acid treatment significantly reduced the levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, as compared with the mice receiving irradiation alone ( t=4.86, 5.06, P<0.05). Irradiation plus propionic acid treatment significantly increased p53 expression and significantly aggravated G 2/M phase block and cell apoptosis ( t=20.35, 13.05, P<0.05). Conclusions:The A. muciniphila metabolite propionic acid plays a sensitizing role in radiation therapy for colorectal cancer by promoting G 2/M phase block and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.

Objective: To explore the effects of sleep on subsequent day physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents, so as to provide a reference for refining PA intervention strategies and further investigating their underlying mechanisms. Methods: Through searching databases including Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed, EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP cross sectional, cohort and experimental studies on sleep and subsequent day PA among children and adolescents were identified, with the searching period spanning from database inception to June, 2025. Based on the characteristics of the included literature, two sleep variables[sleep duration (SD) and sleep efficiency (SE)] and three physical activity variables[moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA), and total physical activity (TPA)] were selected. The relationship between these two types of variables was analyzed for pooled effect sizes using Stata 17.0. Results: A total of 14 studies were included, with 64.3% published in 2018 or later, involving 11 361 children and adolescents from 17 countries. Meta analysis results showed that both SD ( ES=0.04, 95%CI =0.01-0.07) and SE ( ES=0.24, 95%CI =0.01-0.47) were positively correlated with subsequent day MVPA (both P <0.05). However, no statistically significant associations were found with LPA ( ES=-0.04, 95%CI =-0.13 to 0.06; ES=-0.02, 95%CI =-0.15 to 0.11) or TPA( ES=0.09, 95%CI =-0.02 to 0.20; ES=0.02, 95%CI = -0.03 to 0.06)(all P >0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that in the "≤6 years" subgroup, SD and SE were positively correlated with TPA ( ES=0.22, 95%CI =0.09-0.35) and MVPA ( ES=1.19, 95%CI =1.06-1.32), respectively; in the "6-12 years" subgroup, SD was positively correlated with MVPA ( ES=0.05, 95%CI =0.02-0.08); in the "≥12 years" subgroup, SE was positively correlated with LPA ( ES=0.08, 95%CI =0.00-0.16), while SD was negatively correlated with LPA ( ES=-0.23, 95%CI = -0.31 to -0.16) (all P <0.05). Conclusion Adequate SD and good SE can effectively enhance subsequent day MVPA among children and adolescents, although these sleep effects vary by age group.

Objective:To investigate the effects of propionic acid produced by Akkermansia muciniphila on the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer and the underlying mechanism. Methods:Normal human colon mucosal epithelial cells (NCM460) were used to determine the appropriate concentration of propionic acid. Human colorectal cancer cells (HCT-8) were treated with A. muciniphila-conditioned medium or propionic acid, followed by exposure to 6 Gy γ-ray irradiation, and cell survival and proliferation were measured by clone formation assay and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, respectively. A mouse model of colorectal cancer was established using azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate. The mice were divided into control model group, irradiation group, and irradiation+ propionic acid group. Their body weight, colorectal length, tumor count, and tumor area were recorded. The radiosensitizing effect of propionic acid was assessed with HE staining, immunohistochemical staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mechanism was explored by using RT-PCR and flow cytometry. Results:CCK-8 assay showed that 1-mmol/L propionic acid had no significant effect on the proliferation of NCM460 cells ( P>0.05), which was used for subsequent experiments. Pretreated with A. muciniphila-conditioned medium or propionic acid, the survival and proliferation abilities of irradiated HCT cells were significantly decreased ( t=3.14-34.98, P<0.05). Compared with the irradiation group, the colorectal cancer mice in the irradiation+ propionic acid group showed a significantly longer colorectal length ( t=3.50, P<0.05) and a significantly smaller number of tumors ( t=3.48, P<0.05); the two groups had significantly smaller tumor areas than the control model group ( t=5.97, 7.30, P<0.05). HE staining and immunohistochemical staining showed that propionic acid restored colorectal structure, and decreased Ki67 expression in colorectal tissue ( t=14.50, 3.40, P<0.05). Propionic acid treatment significantly reduced the levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, as compared with the mice receiving irradiation alone ( t=4.86, 5.06, P<0.05). Irradiation plus propionic acid treatment significantly increased p53 expression and significantly aggravated G 2/M phase block and cell apoptosis ( t=20.35, 13.05, P<0.05). Conclusions:The A. muciniphila metabolite propionic acid plays a sensitizing role in radiation therapy for colorectal cancer by promoting G 2/M phase block and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological features and influencing factors of rabies in Shanxi Province，and to provide evidence to further promote the elimination of rabies in Shanxi Province. MethodsThe incidence data of rabies in Shanxi from 2011 to 2022 were collected and subjected to descriptive analysis. ResultsFrom 2011 to 2022， a total of 348 rabies cases were reported in Shanxi Province， with an average annual incidence of 0.080 3/10⁵. The incidence of rabies showed a downward trend overall. The highest incidence was in August. The cases were mainly farmers， mostly males， and most cases were reported between 50 and 69 years old. The data of cases showed that dogs were the main animals attacking human （93.96%）. The incubation period of most cases was 1‒3 months （37.37%）.The main exposure site was hand（51.33%）. Only 2.66% cases with grade Ⅲ exposure were injected with passive immune agents. ConclusionThe incidence of rabies in Shanxi Province continues to decrease， but there are still loopholes in prevention and control measures. It is necessary to strengthen the management and immunization of dogs，health education， and standardized procedures after exposure to maintain the achievements in the prevention and control of rabies.

Circadian rhythm is one of the biorhythms formed by organisms in the process of evolution to adapt to the rotation of the earth,which is manifested as a cyclical biorhythm of about 24 hours produced by the body under the control of the internal biological clock,coordinating sleep/wakefulness,body temperature regulation,endocrine time and other activities.Long-term circadian rhythm disorders can cause increased risk of metabolic disorders,gastrointestinal diseases,neurodegenerative diseasesand other illnesses.As a typical model animal,the aquatic organism zebrafish(Danio rerio)has been widely used in experimental studies of circadian rhythm.This paper introduces in detailthe operating mechanism of zebrafish circadian clock,the influencing factors of the input system,the genes and pathways of the circadian clock,and the physiological output,summarizes the application and advantages in circadian rhythm research,finally looks forward to future research and development,in order to provide theoretical support for circadian rhythm regulation mechanism research,related drug development and disease treatment strategies.

Laboratory animals are the foundational conditions and indispensable technical support in life science research and biomedical industry development. The scientific development of animal models of diseases is of great significance to biomedical research and industrial development. In light of the booming development of multiple emerging in vitro modelling technologies over the past decade, in 2022, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the bill FDA Modernization Act 2.0. This bill rescinded the requirement for animal testing in investigating the safety and effectiveness of a drug—a federal mandate since 1938, and highlighted the potential of various in vitro disease modeling approaches in future biomedical fields. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the latest advances and applications of in vitro disease modeling approaches in academia and industry followed by an interpretation of the FDA bill, namely cell culture, organoid, organ-on-a-chip, 3D bio-printing model and computer-based model. The paper next introduces the crossed applications of various disease models and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each system, thereby providing insights into future trends in the use of animal disease models in China.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of PEG-rhG-CSF therapy in the primary and secondary prevention of chemo-therapy-induced neutropenia . Methods: This single-center, one-arm, and open-label clinical study involved 217 patients with non-my-eloid malignant tumors. These patients included 18 gynecologic oncology (3 endometrial and 15 ovarian cancer), 50 breast cancer, 30 bone tumor, and 119 lymphoma patients who underwent a total of 774 cycles of chemotherapy, comprising 146 primary and 71 sec-ondary prevention patients. The patients ≥45 kg and those <45 kg received a single subcutaneous injection of 6 mg and 3 mg PEG-rhG-CSF, respectively, 24-48 h after the chemotherapy was completed. All patients received only one dose of PEG-rhG-CSF admin-istration per chemotherapy cycle. Results: The overall incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) was found to be 5.7%, with rates of 4.9% and 7.2% in the primary and secondary prevention groups, respectively. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses re-vealed that the longer PEG-rhG-CSF was sustained in the treatment cycle, the lower the incidence of FN was. The incidence of FN was significantly lower in the second cycle of the treatment than in the first in both the primary and secondary prevention groups (cycle 1 vs. cycle 2: 11.6% vs. 4.4%, respectively, P=0.039, in the primary group; 16.9% vs. 5.6%, respectively, P=0.034, in the secondary group). The overall incidence of gradeⅣneutropenia was 10.3% (80/774), with rates of 6.7% (34/510) and 17.4% (46/264) in the primary and secondary prevention groups, respectively (P<0.001). The incidence of gradeⅣneutropenia was significantly lower in the second cy-cle of the treatment than in the first (cycle 1 vs. cycle 2: 17.1% vs. 5.3%, respectively, P=0.004, in the primary group; 46.5% vs. 11.3%, respectively, P<0.001, in the secondary group). The treatment-induced toxicity mainly involved bone pain, with 3.7% (8/217) and 1.8% (4/217) incidence rates for grade 1-2 and 3-4 bone pain, respectively. Conclusions: PEG-rhG-CSF administration can effectively reduce the incidence of FN (5.7%) when prophylactically applied to patients with non-myeloid malignant tumors. Primary prevention can sig- nificantly reduce the risk of grade IV neutropenia in all chemotherapy cycles relative to the secondary prevention.

Isolation rearing (IR) enhances aggressive behavior, and the central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) system has been linked to IR-induced aggression. However, whether the alteration of central serotonin is the cause or consequence of enhanced aggression is still unknown. In the present study, using mice deficient in central serotonin Tph2 and Lmx1b, we examined the association between central serotonin and aggression with or without social isolation. We demonstrated that central serotonergic neurons are critical for the enhanced aggression after IR. 5-HT depletion in wild-type mice increased aggression. On the other hand, application of 5-HT in Lmx1b mice inhibited the enhancement of aggression under social isolation conditions. Dopamine was downregulated in Lmx1b mice. Similar to 5-HT, L-DOPA decreased aggression in Lmx1b mice. Our results link the serotoninergic system directly to aggression and this may have clinical implications for aggression-related human conditions.