Objective To evaluate the current situation of disease control in middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and analyze the relationship with disease cognition. Methods Among the 360 middle-aged and elderly COPD patients diagnosed and treated in our hospital from January 2022 to June 2024 were retrospectively selected as research subjects, and the COPD Assessment Test Questionnaire (CAT), COPD Patient Knowledge Questionnaire (BCKQ) and the hampion Health Belief Model Scale were used to evaluate disease control, disease cognition and health beliefs in COPD patients. The Pearson chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between disease control level and disease cognition and health beliefs in older patients with COPD. Results A total of 360 middle-aged and elderly COPD patients, 112 were in the complete control group, 189 were in the partial control group, and 59 were in the uncontrolled group, the disease control rate was 83.61%. The differences in disease cognitive scores, severity cognition, susceptibility cognition, disorder cognition, benefit cognition, health motivation, self-efficacy score and total health belief scores in middle-aged and elderly COPD patients with different disease control conditions are statistically significant. The scores of the complete control group were higher than those of partial control group and uncontrolled group, and the scores of partial control group were higher than those of the uncontrolled group (P <0.05). The disease control level of middle-aged and elderly patients with COPD is positively correlated with disease cognitive level and health belief in all dimensions. The higher the disease control level, the higher the disease cognitive level and health belief in the patient . Conclusions Middle-aged and elderly COPD patients still have insufficient awareness of the disease, and the level of disease control needs to be improved. There is a significant correlation between disease cognition, health beliefs and the level of disease control, and the improved cognitive level may help to improve the disease management and control effect. For middle-aged and elderly COPD patients, the community can provide health education courses, personalized health guidance and self-management training to enhance their awareness of diseases, so as to improve the long-term management of COPD and the quality of life of patients.

Objective To evaluate the current situation of disease control in middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and analyze the relationship with disease cognition. Methods Among the 360 middle-aged and elderly COPD patients diagnosed and treated in our hospital from January 2022 to June 2024 were retrospectively selected as research subjects, and the COPD Assessment Test Questionnaire (CAT), COPD Patient Knowledge Questionnaire (BCKQ) and the hampion Health Belief Model Scale were used to evaluate disease control, disease cognition and health beliefs in COPD patients. The Pearson chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between disease control level and disease cognition and health beliefs in older patients with COPD. Results A total of 360 middle-aged and elderly COPD patients, 112 were in the complete control group, 189 were in the partial control group, and 59 were in the uncontrolled group, the disease control rate was 83.61%. The differences in disease cognitive scores, severity cognition, susceptibility cognition, disorder cognition, benefit cognition, health motivation, self-efficacy score and total health belief scores in middle-aged and elderly COPD patients with different disease control conditions are statistically significant. The scores of the complete control group were higher than those of partial control group and uncontrolled group, and the scores of partial control group were higher than those of the uncontrolled group (P <0.05). The disease control level of middle-aged and elderly patients with COPD is positively correlated with disease cognitive level and health belief in all dimensions. The higher the disease control level, the higher the disease cognitive level and health belief in the patient . Conclusions Middle-aged and elderly COPD patients still have insufficient awareness of the disease, and the level of disease control needs to be improved. There is a significant correlation between disease cognition, health beliefs and the level of disease control, and the improved cognitive level may help to improve the disease management and control effect. For middle-aged and elderly COPD patients, the community can provide health education courses, personalized health guidance and self-management training to enhance their awareness of diseases, so as to improve the long-term management of COPD and the quality of life of patients.

According to the work goals and tasks determined by edition outline of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition has been completed. Among them, 52 new pharmaceutical excipients monographs have been added, an increase of 15.5% compared with the 2020 Edition, and the total number has reached 387. This article focuses on the general framework and the main characteristics of the standards of pharmaceutical excipients in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition, which can contribute to accurately understand and utilize the standards in Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the decoction and dosing methods of rhubarb root and rhizome in classical prescriptions and to provide a reference basis for the clinical use of rhubarb root and rhizome. By collating the relevant classical prescriptions of rhubarb root and rhizome in Shanghan Lun and Jingui Yaolüe, the relationship between its decoction and dosing methods and the syndrome was analyzed. The decoction of rhubarb root and rhizome in classical prescriptions can be divided into three categories: simultaneous decoction, decoction later, and other methods (impregnation in Mafei decoction, decoction with water from the well spring first taken in the morning, and pills). If it enters the blood level or wants to slow down, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted at the same time with other drugs. If it enters the qi level and wants to speed up, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted later. If it wants to upwardly move, rhubarb root and rhizome should be immersed in Mafei decoction. If it wants to suppress liver yang, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted with water from the well spring first taken in the morning. If the disease is prolonged, rhubarb root and rhizome should be taken in pill form. The dosing methods of rhubarb root and rhizome can be divided into five categories: draught, twice, three times, before meals, and unspecified. For acute and serious illnesses with excess of pathogenic qi and adequate vital qi, we choose draught. For gastrointestinal diseases, we choose to take the medicine twice. For achieving a moderate and long-lasting effect, we choose to take the medicine three times. If the disease is located in the lower part of the heart and abdomen, we choose to take it before meals. The use of rhubarb root and rhizome in clinical practice requires the selection of the appropriate decoction and dosing methods according to the location of the disease, the severity of the disease, the patient′s constitution, and the condition after taking the medicine.

Background The positive rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among coal mine workers remains high, which seriously affects the quality of life of the workers. Objective To estimate the prevalence of WMSDs among coal miners in Shanxi Province and analyze their influencing factors. Methods From May to December 2023, 2315 coal miners from a coal mine enterprise inShanxi Province were selected by convenience sampling, and the self-administered Basic Situation Survey Scale, Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire, Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale were used to evaluate general demographic characteristics, work organization characteristics, living habits, sleep quality, occupational stress, and occurrence of WMSDs symptoms and the corresponding absences (sickness absence) in past 1 year. The positive rate and absenteeism rate of WMSDs were caculated, and Pearson's chi-square test was used for identify influencing factors of WMSDs, and finally a binary logistic regression method was used to further studying the factors. Results A total of 2577 questionnaires were distributed in this survey, and 2315 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 89.9%. The positive rate of WMSDs symptoms was 48.7% (1127/2315), the absenteeism rate due to WMSDs was 22.6% (523/2315), and the waist (17.5%), neck (11.7%), and knee (9.0%) were the most common areas presenting WMSDs symptoms. The results of logistic regression showed that compared with ≤10 years of service, the risk of WMSDs was higher for those with > 20 years of service (OR=2.167, 95%CI: 1.419, 3.311). Compared with the daily working time of ≤8 h, the risk of WMSDs was higher for those >8 h daily working time (OR=1.463, 95%CI: 1.211, 1.767). A higher risk of WMSDs was reported in workers with moderate labor intensity (OR=1.247, 95%CI: 1.009, 1.542) or heavy labor intensity (OR=1.570, 95%CI: 1.215, 2.027) than those with light labor intensity. The higher the education level (OR _{high school and technical secondary school}=1.866, 95%CI: 1.435, 2.425; OR _{junior college/bachelor degree or above}=1.953, 95%CI: 1.445, 2.639), the higher the risk of WMSDs. The risk of WMSDs was higher in workers reporting smoking (OR=1.225, 95%CI: 1.021, 1.470) or alcohol consumption (OR=1.345, 95%CI: 1.122, 1.612). The risk of WMSDs in coal miners with high occupational stress (OR=1.229, 95%CI:1.030, 1.466) or those with sleep disorders (OR=3.616, 95%CI:2.824, 4.629) was higher than that in workers with low occupational stress or no sleep disorders respectively. Conclusion The positive rate of WMSDs among coal mine personnel in Shanxi Province is high, and education level, length of service, daily working hours, smoking, alcohol consumption, labor intensity, sleep disorders, and occupational stress are influencing factors for WMSDs.

Objective: To retrospectively assess whether a lower hematocrit level (between 18% and 20%) had any impact on the safety of patients undergoing therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), and to further determine the threshold for red blood cell supplementation prior to TPE. Methods: Clinical data from 181 adult patients who underwent TPE treatment at the Department of Blood Transfusion of our hospital from March 2023 to July 2024 were collected. The patients were divided into a study group of 44 patients (Hct ≥18% and <20%) and a control group of 137 patients (Hct≥20%). In two groups, blood volume-related safety indicators including respiration rate, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and blood oxygen saturation levels before and after TPE were compared using t-test. Between-group differences in the grading of adverse reactions such as allergies and hypotension were analyzed using chi-square test. Results: A total of 659 TPE treatments were performed on 181 patients, with 169 TPE treatments on 44 patients in the study group (Hct≥18% and <20%) and 490 TPE treatments on 137 patients in the control group (Hct≥20%). There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, BMI category, and the presence of cardiac insufficiency between the two groups. In the study group, there were no statistically significant differences in safety indicators such as respiration rate, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and blood oxygen saturation level before and after TPE. In the control group, there were no statistically significant differences in heart rate and systolic blood pressure before and after TPE, but there were statistically significant differences in respiration rate and blood oxygen saturation level (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the grading of adverse reactions such as allergic reactions and hypotension between the two groups. Conclusion: For adult patients with stable conditions, maintaining a lower hematocrit level (Hct ≥18% and <20%) during TPE is relatively safe. It is feasible to lower the TPE red blood cell supplementation threshold to 18%≤Hct<20%，which may save blood resources while potentially benefit patients by avoiding unnecessary red blood cell transfusion.

Background/Aims: Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood. Methods: In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches. Results: DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.

Background/Aims: Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood. Methods: In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches. Results: DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.

Background/Aims: Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood. Methods: In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches. Results: DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.

Background/Aims: Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood. Methods: In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches. Results: DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.