OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effect and potential mechanism of Qingxue xiaozhi jiangtang formula on insulin resistance （IR） in type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） rats. METHODS T2DM rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg streptozotocin combined with high-fat and high-sugar diet. The rats were randomly divided into normal control group， model group， Qingxue xiaozhi jiangtang formula low-dose and high-dose groups （6.525， 13.05 g/kg， calculated by raw material） and metformin group （positive control， 0.18 g/kg）， with 8 rats in each group. Administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically； normal control group and model group were given constant volume of normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for consecutive 6 weeks. Body mass and fasting blood glucose （FBG） were determined， and oral glucose tolerance test was conducted. Serum fasting insulin （FINS） level was measured to calculate the insulin resistance index （HOMA-IR） and insulin sensitivity index （ISI）. Additionally， the level of serum lipids， liver function， oxidative stress indicators and inflammatory factors were assessed. The phosphorylation levels of kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK） and forkhead box O1 （FOXO1） protein in liver tissue of rats were determined. RESULTS Compared with model group， the body weight， ISI， the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and superoxide dismutase were increased significantly in Qingxue xiaozhi jiangtang formula high-dose group and metformin group （P＜0.05）； FBG， blood glucose level at 120 minutes of glucose loading， area under the curve of glucose， FINS， HOMA-IR， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol， total cholesterol， triglyceride， alanine transaminase， aspartate transaminase， alkaline phosphatase， malondialdehyde， interleukin-6， tumor necrosis factor-α， and C-reactive protein levels were significantly reduced （P＜ Δ0.05）； the pathological damage of liver tissue had significantlyimproved， and the phosphorylation levels of PERK and FOXO1 proteins in liver tissue were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Qingxue xiaozhi jiangtang formula can regulate glucose and lipid metabolism， inflammation factor and oxidative stress levels， and alleviate insulin resistance in T2DM rats. Its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the PERK/FOXO1 signaling pathway.

Objective:Clarify the correlation between the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy,changes in physical&mental health status,and health inequalities among the older adults,as well as exploring whether this correlation differs between urban and rural areas so as to determine the role played by the total cost of healthcare.Methods:Based on CFPS 2018 and 2020,DID and PSM-DID were used to verify the impact of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy on physical&mental health status and health inequalities of the elderly in urban and rural China.Three-step method and Sobel test were used to verify the mediating effect of total medical costs.Results:The pilot effect of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy was first realized among the urban elderly population,promoting their physical and mental health through the intermediary mechanism of reducing the total medical costs,but for the time being did not show a significant correlation with health inequalities within this group.Among the rural elderly population,none of the three dependent variables was significant(P＞0.1).Conclusion:The underlying logic of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy is right,but its future reform should focus on the rural elderly group,and consider the fairness of the effect within the group and between urban and rural areas,so as to improve the health level of the whole society in the longer term.

Objective:To explore the association between frailty index (FI) and the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and provide new evidence for the prevention of CVD in adults in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.Methods:The FI was constructed by using the data from a prospective cohort with a sample size of 25 055 individuals in 6 years of follow-up, and the prevalence of frailty in adults in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region was described by the FI, and Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate the association between the FI and the incidence of CVD in adults in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.Results:The FI of the study population was 0.24±0.09. The population in the pre-frail (FI: 0.21-0.27) and frail (FI≥0.28) phases had increased risk for CVD compared to non-frail (FI≤0.20) population [pre-frail: hazard ratio ( HR)=1.232, 95% CI: 1.127-1.347; frail phase: HR=1.418, 95% CI:1.299-1.548]. For every 0.10 increase in FI, the risk for cardiovascular disease increased by 20.3% ( HR=1.203,95% CI:1.156-1.252). Conclusions:In this study, we constructed a FI, which can suggest the risk for CVD. As the increase of frailty degree, the risk for CVD increases.

Background Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of persistent organic pollu-tants. Industrial production and consumer use of PFAS are the primary sources of exposure in urban areas. E-waste recycling activities are also a significant source of environmental PFAS exposure. Objective To compare exposure profiles between traditional and emerging PFAS in neonatal cord blood collected from an e-waste recycling area and a general exposure area characterized by modern economic development (hereafter referred to as general exposure area). Methods Based on a birth cohort study conducted in 2018, 85 pregnant women were recruited (36 participants from an e-waste recycling area and 49 participants from a general exposure area). Neonatal cord blood was collected at delivery. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used to detect 28 common PFAS in the blood. A structured questionnaire was used to gather sociodemographic characteristics of the pregnant women. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare PFAS exposure levels in neonatal cord blood between the e-waste recycling area and the general exposure area. Multiple linear regression models were used to explore the influence of residing in the e-waste recycling area on neonatal PFAS exposure, with area as the independent variable and the natural logarithm of PFAS exposure levels as the dependent variable. Results A total of 22 PFAS were positive in neonatal cord blood, of which 13 congeners were 100% detectable in the samples from both areas. The median ∑PFAS exposure levels in neonatal cord blood were 14.19 ng·mL⁻¹ and 14.02 ng·mL⁻¹ for the e-waste recycling area and the general exposure area, respectively, with linear perfluorooctanoic acid (L-PFOA) showing the highest median concentration (5.49 ng·mL⁻¹ and 6.39 ng·mL⁻¹, respectively). The results of Mann-Whitney U tests showed that the median exposure levels of long-chain perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA), and perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA), as well as emerging alternatives 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA) and 8:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (8:2 Cl-PFESA), were higher in the e-waste recycling area than in the general exposure area. In contrast, the median exposure levels of short-chain perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), as well as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) branched isomers, including perfluoro-6-methylheptanoic acid (iso-PFOA), perfluoro-5-methylheptanoic acid (5m-PFOA), and perfluoro-4-methylheptanoic acid (4m-PFOA), were lower in the e-waste recycling area than in the general exposure area (P<0.05). The multiple linear regression models showed that, compared to the general exposure area, neonatal cord blood in the e-waste recycling area had significantly higher exposure levels of long-chain PFDA, PFUnDA, PFDoDA, PFTrDA, and emerging alternatives 6:2 Cl-PFESA and 8:2 Cl-PFESA, with odds ratios of 1.95 (95%CI: 1.39-2.75), 2.10 (95%CI: 1.58-2.75), 2.12 (95%CI: 1.39-3.25), 2.64 (95%CI: 1.63-4.22), 3.46 (95%CI: 2.34-5.10), and 3.25 (95%CI: 2.01-5.26), respectively. Conversely, the exposure levels of short-chain PFPeA, PFHxA, and branched PFOA (br-PFOA) were significantly lower, with odds ratios of 0.44 (95%CI: 0.38-0.52), 0.30 (95%CI: 0.16-0.57), and 0.50 (95%CI: 0.38-0.67), respectively. Conclusion PFAS are widely present in neonatal cord blood in both the e-waste recycling area and the general exposure area. Compared to the general exposure area, the neonatal cord blood samples in the e-waste recycling area show higher exposure levels of certain long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA) and emerging PFAS alternatives, while the neonatal cord blood samples in the general exposure area show higher exposure levels of some short-chain PFCA and PFOA branched isomers.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Naoxintong capsules' intervention in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion by building a mouse cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model based on short-chain fatty acids. MethodC57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into the sham group， model group， Naoxintong group （158.9 mg∙kg^-1）， and Ginaton group （12.1 mg∙kg^-1） according to the random number table method. The model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion （MCAO/R） was prepared via the filament occlusion method. The effect of Naoxintong capsules on brain injury in MCAO/R mice was evaluated by the neuroethological score， cerebral infarction area determination， Nissl staining， and immunofluorescence staining. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Western blot were employed to evaluate the effect of Naoxintong capsules on the intestinal barrier in MCAO/R mice. The content of short-chain fatty acids in mouse feces was detected by LC-MS/MS. ResultCompared to the sham group， the model group exhibited significant increases in the cerebral infarction area， neuroethological score， and cell apoptosis rate （P<0.01）， with a notable decrease in the number of Nissl bodies （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Claudin-1 and Occludin were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the intervention of Naoxintong capsules significantly decreased the cerebral infarction area （P<0.05） and improved the neuroethological score （P<0.01） and cell apoptosis rate （P<0.01）， with the number of Nissl bodies （P<0.01） and expression levels of Claudin-1 and Occludin proteins （P<0.01） increased. LC-MS/MS results showed that compared to the sham group， the model group featured a significantly reduced content of acetic acid， propionic acid， and butyric acid in feces （P<0.01）， while valeric acid， isovaleric acid， and isobutyric acid levels were increased （P<0.01）. The intervention of Naoxintong capsules notably lowered the content of valeric acid， isovaleric acid， and isobutyric acid （P<0.01）. ConclusionNaoxintong capsules can improve brain and intestinal barrier damage and play a protective role in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion by regulating the content of short-chain fatty acids.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of different drying aids on the hygroscopic property of extract powder of modified Liujunzi decoction （MLJZD）， and screen the best drying aid. METHODS MLJZD extract was mixed with β-cyclodextrin， microcrystalline cellulose， lactose， arabic gum， maltodextrin， corn starch， mannitol， dextrin， soluble starch and pre-gelatinized starch at the mass ratio of 1∶0.3 and 1∶0.5， respectively. The extract powder was prepared after vacuum drying. Physical fingerprints were established with 8 physical indexes， including moisture content， bulk density， vibrating-solid density， gap rate， Carr index， Hausner ratio， angle of rest and hygroscopicity， and then similarity evaluation was performed. The matrix hotspot map was drawn to analyze the influence of physical indexes on hygroscopicity. The moisture absorption rate of MLJZD extract powder was measured at room temperature for 2， 4， 8， 10 h and 1， 2， 3， 7 d. The moisture absorption rate-time curve was drawn， and the best auxiliary materials were selected by comparison. RESULTS The similarity evaluation results of physical fingerprint showed that the prepared MLJZD extract powder were stable and the similarities were above 0.90. The matrix hotspot analysis showed that there was significant correlation between bulk density and vibratory density and the moisture absorption rate of the MLJZD extract powder （P＜0.05）. The moisture absorption rate-time curve analysis showed that the moisture absorption rate of MLJZD extract powder prepared with the mass ratio of 1∶0.5 was lower than prepared with the mass ratio of 1∶0.3. Under both ratios， lactose showed the best drying aid effect， followed by soluble starch and mannitol. CONCLUSIONS Lactose， as the drying aid （under the mass ratio of 1∶0.5）， can obviously improve the hygroabsorbance effect of the extract powder of MLJZD， which provides a reference for the selection of auxiliary materials for MLJZD solid preparations.

Objective:Clarify the correlation between the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy,changes in physical&mental health status,and health inequalities among the older adults,as well as exploring whether this correlation differs between urban and rural areas so as to determine the role played by the total cost of healthcare.Methods:Based on CFPS 2018 and 2020,DID and PSM-DID were used to verify the impact of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy on physical&mental health status and health inequalities of the elderly in urban and rural China.Three-step method and Sobel test were used to verify the mediating effect of total medical costs.Results:The pilot effect of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy was first realized among the urban elderly population,promoting their physical and mental health through the intermediary mechanism of reducing the total medical costs,but for the time being did not show a significant correlation with health inequalities within this group.Among the rural elderly population,none of the three dependent variables was significant(P＞0.1).Conclusion:The underlying logic of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy is right,but its future reform should focus on the rural elderly group,and consider the fairness of the effect within the group and between urban and rural areas,so as to improve the health level of the whole society in the longer term.

Objective:Clarify the correlation between the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy,changes in physical&mental health status,and health inequalities among the older adults,as well as exploring whether this correlation differs between urban and rural areas so as to determine the role played by the total cost of healthcare.Methods:Based on CFPS 2018 and 2020,DID and PSM-DID were used to verify the impact of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy on physical&mental health status and health inequalities of the elderly in urban and rural China.Three-step method and Sobel test were used to verify the mediating effect of total medical costs.Results:The pilot effect of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy was first realized among the urban elderly population,promoting their physical and mental health through the intermediary mechanism of reducing the total medical costs,but for the time being did not show a significant correlation with health inequalities within this group.Among the rural elderly population,none of the three dependent variables was significant(P＞0.1).Conclusion:The underlying logic of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy is right,but its future reform should focus on the rural elderly group,and consider the fairness of the effect within the group and between urban and rural areas,so as to improve the health level of the whole society in the longer term.

Objective:Clarify the correlation between the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy,changes in physical&mental health status,and health inequalities among the older adults,as well as exploring whether this correlation differs between urban and rural areas so as to determine the role played by the total cost of healthcare.Methods:Based on CFPS 2018 and 2020,DID and PSM-DID were used to verify the impact of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy on physical&mental health status and health inequalities of the elderly in urban and rural China.Three-step method and Sobel test were used to verify the mediating effect of total medical costs.Results:The pilot effect of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy was first realized among the urban elderly population,promoting their physical and mental health through the intermediary mechanism of reducing the total medical costs,but for the time being did not show a significant correlation with health inequalities within this group.Among the rural elderly population,none of the three dependent variables was significant(P＞0.1).Conclusion:The underlying logic of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy is right,but its future reform should focus on the rural elderly group,and consider the fairness of the effect within the group and between urban and rural areas,so as to improve the health level of the whole society in the longer term.

Objective:Clarify the correlation between the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy,changes in physical&mental health status,and health inequalities among the older adults,as well as exploring whether this correlation differs between urban and rural areas so as to determine the role played by the total cost of healthcare.Methods:Based on CFPS 2018 and 2020,DID and PSM-DID were used to verify the impact of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy on physical&mental health status and health inequalities of the elderly in urban and rural China.Three-step method and Sobel test were used to verify the mediating effect of total medical costs.Results:The pilot effect of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy was first realized among the urban elderly population,promoting their physical and mental health through the intermediary mechanism of reducing the total medical costs,but for the time being did not show a significant correlation with health inequalities within this group.Among the rural elderly population,none of the three dependent variables was significant(P＞0.1).Conclusion:The underlying logic of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy is right,but its future reform should focus on the rural elderly group,and consider the fairness of the effect within the group and between urban and rural areas,so as to improve the health level of the whole society in the longer term.