The use of wastewater analysis, or wastewater-based epidemiology, to assess and monitor the situation of drug abuse is now widely used at home and abroad. However, there is currently a lack of effective evaluation methods and effective ways of comparison, supervision and standardization, which is not conducive to the analysis and comparisons of data in different countries and regions. Quality control techniques can control the laboratory's analytical errors, safeguard the consistency and comparability of identification conclusions, and promote the further improvement of the level and capacity of urban drug governance, thus playing significant roles. This paper provides an overview of sample collection, sample preservation and transportation, laboratory analysis, back-calculation of drug use and external laboratory quality control in the process of wastewater analysis, with a view to exploring more comprehensive scientific and objective methods and approaches suitable for examining and evaluating qualitative and quantitative analysis of drugs in wastewater among laboratories.

Based on copper death, this study investigates the effect and mechanism of Shenmai Injection on isoproterenol(ISO)-induced myocardial fibrosis(MF) in rats. SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, model group, captopril(5 mg·kg~(-1)) positive control group, and Shenmai Injection low(6 mL·kg~(-1)), medium(9 mL·kg~(-1)), and high(12 mL·kg~(-1)) dose groups. Except for the normal group, the rats in the other groups were subcutaneously injected with ISO(5 mg·kg~(-1)) once a day for 10 consecutive days to establish an MF model. Starting from the second day after successful modeling, intraperitoneal injections of the respective treatments were administered for 28 consecutive days. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Masson staining were used to observe pathological changes and fibrosis levels in the myocardial tissue. Colorimetry was employed to detect serum Cu~(2+) concentration in rats. The levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-18(IL-18), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), as well as mitochondrial energy metabolites adenosine triphosphate(ATP), adenosine diphosphate(ADP), and adenosine monophosphate(AMP) in serum were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Western blot was performed to detect the expression of collagen Ⅰ(Col-Ⅰ), collagen Ⅲ(Col-Ⅲ), and copper death-related proteins dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase(DLAT), ferredoxin 1(FDX1), lipoic acid synthetase(LIAS), and heat shock protein 70(HSP70) in myocardial tissue. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of DLAT, FDX1, and HSP70, while immunohistochemistry was conducted to examine the expressions of DLAT, FDX1, LIAS, and HSP70. The results showed that, compared to the model group, the myocardial structure disorder and collagen fiber deposition in the drug treatment groups were significantly improved, the cardiac index level was reduced, serum Cu~(2+), IL-6, IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, ADP, and AMP levels were significantly decreased, ATP levels were significantly increased, and the expressions of Col-Ⅰ, Col-Ⅲ, and HSP70 proteins in myocardial tissue were significantly reduced, while the expressions of DLAT, FDX1, and LIAS proteins were significantly elevated. In conclusion, Shenmai Injection effectively alleviates myocardial structure disorder and interstitial collagen fiber deposition in ISO-induced MF rats, promotes copper excretion, and reduces copper death in the ISO-induced rat MF model.
Animals ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Drug Combinations ; Fibrosis/metabolism* ; Copper/blood* ; Cardiomyopathies/genetics* ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effects of Banxia Xiexin Decoction (BXD), a herbal medicine formula, on inflammation and the imbalance of the gut microbiota in a rat model of colorectal cancer (CRC) induced by azoxymethane (AOM) /dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). METHODS: A total of 75 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group (NC), model group (MODEL), low-dose BXD treatment group (L-BXD), high-dose BXD treatment (H-BXD) group and MS treatment group (MS). BXD and MS were used in CRC mice at the doses of 3.915 g/kg, 15.66 g/kg, 0.6 g/kg for 3 weeks consecutively. Histopathological changes in the colon were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The content of inflammatory factors in serum was detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression of mRNA and protein of genes related to immunity, apoptosis, inflammation, and inflammatory factors was evaluated. Changes in the intestinal flora of mouse fecal were determined based on high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA microbial gene. RESULTS: Compared to the model group, the low-dose BXD and high-dose BXD groups decreased the number of colon tumors, reversed weight loss, and shortened colon length of mice. The pathological examination showed that BXD alleviated the malignancy of intestinal tumors. It also suppressed signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) expression, while increasing the expression of the tight junction protein ZO-1 in colon tissues. Additionally, the levels of key pathway proteins involved in inflammation (phosphorylated-STAT3, Bcl-2, COX-2) and cell cycle regulatory molecules (c-Myc and PCNA) were reduced. According to 16S rRNA sequence analysis, BXD enhanced the relative abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria, while that of cancer-related bacteria decreased. CONCLUSION BXD plays a preventive role in developing colorectal cancer; its mechanisms are related to the inhibition of inflammation and tumor proliferation, as well as maintenance of intestinal homeostasis.

BACKGROUND: There is a gap in understanding the effects of different acupoints and treatment methods (acupuncture and moxibustion) on microcirculatory changes in the lumbar region. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the thermal effects of acupuncture at Weizhong (BL40), with acupuncture at Chize (LU5) and moxibustion at both acupoints as control interventions. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: In this randomized controlled trial, 140 healthy participants were equally divided into four groups: acupuncture at BL40 (Acu-BL40), acupuncture at LU5 (Acu-LU5), moxibustion at BL40 (Mox-BL40) and moxibustion at LU5 (Mox-LU5). Participants underwent a 30-minute session of their assigned treatment. Infrared thermal imaging was used to collect temperature data on the areas of interest for analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary measure was the change in average temperature of the observed area after the intervention. The secondary measures included periodic temperature changes every 5 min and the temperature changes of the Governor Vessel and Bladder Meridian in the observed area after the intervention. RESULTS: Significant interactions were observed between treatments and acupoints affecting temperature (P < 0.001). The Acu-BL40 group showed a notably higher increase in mean temperature after 30 min compared to the Acu-LU5 and Mox-BL40 groups, with increases of 0.29 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.17 to 0.41) and 0.24 (95% CI = 0.08 to 0.41) °C, respectively. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at BL40 acupoint can significantly increase the mean temperature in the observed area, highlighting the specific thermal effect of acupuncture compared to moxibustion in the lumbar area. This suggests a potential therapeutic benefit of acupuncture at BL40 for managing lumbar conditions. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05665426). Please cite this article as: Zheng SY, Wang XY, Lin LN, Liu S, Huang XX, Liu YY, Yu XS, Pan W, Fang JQ, Liang Y. Lumbar temperature change after acupuncture or moxibustion at Weizhong (BL40) or Chize (LU5) in healthy adults: A randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(2): 145-151.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Young Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Body Temperature ; Healthy Volunteers ; Lumbosacral Region/physiology* ; Moxibustion ; Adolescent

Polycystic ovary syndrome（PCOS） is a common reproductive endocrine and metabolic disorder， affecting about 6%-10% of women of childbearing age worldwide， and has always been a major challenge in clinical treatment. Guizhi Fulingwan， derived from the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber（《金匮要略》）， has the effect of promoting blood circulation， removing blood stasis， and alleviating blockages. In recent years， many studies have found that it has a good therapeutic effect on PCOS. By sorting out the research literature on the mechanism of Guizhi Fulingwan treating PCOS， it is found that this formula can decrease the autophagy and apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells， correct endocrine hormone disorder， improve the inflammatory environment， alleviate oxidative stress. Moreover， it regulates phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase（PI3K）/protein kinase B（Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin（mTOR）， lncRNA H19/miR-29b-3p， nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2（Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1（HO-1）， PI3K/Akt/nuclear factor-κB（NF-κB）， and other signaling pathways. And also effects the regulator expression of matrix metallopeptidase-9（MMP-9）， matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor-1（TIMP-1）， cytochrome P45019A1 enzyme（CYP19A1）， glucose transporter protein 4（GLUT4）， regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted（RANTES）， monocyte chemoattractant protein-1（MCP-1）. Thus， Guizhi Fulingwan is confirmed to treat PCOS based on these molecular mechanisms. Besides， the main active ingredients of the formula such as cinnamic aldehyde， （+）-catechin， stigmasterol， also have the effect of anti-oxidant， anti-inflammatory， regulating mitochondrial function， regulating endocrine， and regulating metabolism. According to the summary of clinical literature on Guizhi Fulingwan， it is found that the use of the formula alone or in combination with other drugs can significantly alleviate the clinical symptoms and complications of PCOS. Thus， it is safe with no adverse reactions in long-term use， which is worthily further promoted in clinical application. This paper comprehensively analyzed the current research status of Guizhi Fulingwan for the treatment of PCOS through the mechanism and clinical studies， summarized the limitations in current research， and put forward suggestions， aiming to provide the strong literature support for the future in-depth research on and clinical application of the formula.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of Banxia Xiexin decoction(BXD) on colitis associated cancer(CAC) mice and its related mechanism. METHODS Seventy-five C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, Banxia Xiexin decoction low-dose group, high-dose group and mesalazine group. Except for the normal group, the mice in the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with azoxymethane combined with oral dextran sodium sulfate to establish the CAC model. BXD and mesalazine were given respectively for intervention. The general conditions of all mice were observed and recorded, and the changes of body weight, disease activity index, colon length and tumor number were monitored. HE staining was utilized to observe the pathological changes of colon tissue. The expression levels of PCNA, NF-κB P65 and IκB-α were detected by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA levels of IL-17A, N-cadherin, E-cadherin and Bcl-2 were detected by qRT-PCR. Macrophage infiltration was measured using immunostaining analysis. Western blotting was applied to analyze the expression of NF-κB, E-cadherin and N-cadherin proteins in colon tissues of each group. RESULTS There was no significant tumor occurrence in the normal group, while the body weight of the model group mice was significantly reduced and the number of colon tumors increased. The colon length, number of tumors, and degree of inflammatory cell infiltration in the BXD group were significantly improved compared to the model group. Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of PCNA, NF-κB P65 and IκB-α protein in colon tissue of model group was remarkably increased (P<0.01). Immunofluorescence results showed that the number of F4/80, CD80 and CD206 positive macrophages in the colon tissue of the model group increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The results of RT-PCR demonstrated that the levels of IL-17A, N-cadherin and Bcl-2 mRNA in the colon tissue of the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the level of E-cadherin mRNA was fundamentally decreased (P<0.01). Western blotting results displayed that the expression levels of NF-κB and N-cadherin protein in colon tissue of model group were up-regulated (P<0.01), while E-cadherin was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the changes of the above indexes in the BXD and mesalazine groups were ameliorated, with statistical differences (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the changes in the BXD high-dose group were more significant. CONCLUSION BXD exhibits strong anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor benefits in CAC mice, inhibiting macrophage activation in colon tissue and promoting M2 polarization, while reducing the expression of tumor associated proteins PCNA and Bcl-2, and block the progression of EMT related proteins (E-cadherin and N-cadherin). The mechanism may connect to suppressing NF-κB P65 and IκB-α activation to regulate the NF-κB signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of Banxia Xiexin decoction(BXD) on colitis associated cancer(CAC) mice and its related mechanism. METHODS Seventy-five C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, Banxia Xiexin decoction low-dose group, high-dose group and mesalazine group. Except for the normal group, the mice in the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with azoxymethane combined with oral dextran sodium sulfate to establish the CAC model. BXD and mesalazine were given respectively for intervention. The general conditions of all mice were observed and recorded, and the changes of body weight, disease activity index, colon length and tumor number were monitored. HE staining was utilized to observe the pathological changes of colon tissue. The expression levels of PCNA, NF-κB P65 and IκB-α were detected by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA levels of IL-17A, N-cadherin, E-cadherin and Bcl-2 were detected by qRT-PCR. Macrophage infiltration was measured using immunostaining analysis. Western blotting was applied to analyze the expression of NF-κB, E-cadherin and N-cadherin proteins in colon tissues of each group. RESULTS There was no significant tumor occurrence in the normal group, while the body weight of the model group mice was significantly reduced and the number of colon tumors increased. The colon length, number of tumors, and degree of inflammatory cell infiltration in the BXD group were significantly improved compared to the model group. Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of PCNA, NF-κB P65 and IκB-α protein in colon tissue of model group was remarkably increased (P<0.01). Immunofluorescence results showed that the number of F4/80, CD80 and CD206 positive macrophages in the colon tissue of the model group increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The results of RT-PCR demonstrated that the levels of IL-17A, N-cadherin and Bcl-2 mRNA in the colon tissue of the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the level of E-cadherin mRNA was fundamentally decreased (P<0.01). Western blotting results displayed that the expression levels of NF-κB and N-cadherin protein in colon tissue of model group were up-regulated (P<0.01), while E-cadherin was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the changes of the above indexes in the BXD and mesalazine groups were ameliorated, with statistical differences (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the changes in the BXD high-dose group were more significant. CONCLUSION BXD exhibits strong anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor benefits in CAC mice, inhibiting macrophage activation in colon tissue and promoting M2 polarization, while reducing the expression of tumor associated proteins PCNA and Bcl-2, and block the progression of EMT related proteins (E-cadherin and N-cadherin). The mechanism may connect to suppressing NF-κB P65 and IκB-α activation to regulate the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of constructing the risk index of Echinococcus infection based on the classification of echinococcosis lesions, so as to provide insights into the management of echinococcosis. Methods The imaging data of echinococcosis cases were collected from epidemiological surveys of echinococcosis in China from 2012 to 2016, and the detection of incident echinococcosis cases was captured from the annual echinococcosis prevention and control reports across provinces (autonomous regions) and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps in China from 2017 to 2022. After echinococcosis lesions were classified, a risk index of Echinococcus infection was constructed based on the principle of discrete distribution marginal probability and multi-group classification data tests. The correlation between the risk index of Echinococcus infection and the detection of incident echinococcosis cases was evaluated in the provinces (autonomous regions and corps) from 2017 to 2022, and the correlations between the short and medium-term risk indices and between the medium and long-term risk indices of Echinococcus infection were examined using a univariate linear regression model. Results A total of 4 014 echinococcosis cases in China from 2012 to 2016 were included in this study. The short-, medium- and long-term risk indices of E. granulosus infection varied in echinococcosis-endemic provinces (autonomous regions and corps) of China (χ² = 4.12 to 708.65, all P values < 0.05), with high short- (0.058), medium- (0.137) and long-term risk indices (0.104) in Tibet Autonomous Region, and the short-, medium- and long-term risk indices of E. multilocularis infection varied in echinococcosis-endemic provinces (autonomous regions and corps) of China (χ² = 6.74 to 122.60, all P values < 0.05), with a high short-term risk index in Sichuan Province (0.016) and high medium- (0.009) and long-term risk indices in Qinghai Province (0.018). There were no significant correlations between the risk index of E. granulosus infection and the detection of incident cystic echinococcosis cases during the study period (t = −0.518 to 2.265, all P values > 0.05), and strong correlations were found between the risk indices of E. multilocularis infection and the detection of incident alveolar echinococcosis cases (including mixed type) in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, during the period from 2017 through 2020, from 2017 through 2021, from 2017 through 2022 (all r values > 0.7, t = 2.521 to 3.692, all P values < 0.05). Linear regression models were established between the risk index of E. multilocular infection and the detection of alveolar echinococcosis cases (including mixed type), and the models were all statistically significant (b = 0.214 to 2.168, t = 2.458 to 3.692, F = 6.044 to 13.629, all P values < 0.05). The regression coefficients for the correlations between the medium- and short-term, and between the long- and medium-term risk indices of E. granulosus infection were 2.339 and 0.765, and the regression coefficients for the correlations between the medium- and short-term, and between the long- and medium-term risk indices of E. multilocular infection were 0.280 and 1.842, with statistical significance seen in both the regression coefficients and regression models (t = 16.479 to 197.304, F = 271.570 to 38 928.860, all P values < 0.05). Conclusions The risk index of Echinococcus infection has been successfully established based on the classification of echinococcosis lesions, which may provide insights into the prevention and control, prediction, diagnosis and treatment, and classified management of echinococcosis.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the personal burden rate incerebral ische-mic patients,compare the difference in the burden rate among the patients with varying degrees of cerebral ischemia,provide a reference for establishing a personal burden rate evaluation,and propose suggestions for control its increase.Methods The medi-cal insurance data were collected from 8164 discharged patients in a tertiary hospital in Tianjin between January and December 2022.With the data,the Generalized Linear Model was utilized to analyze the factors affecting the personal burden rate across different Diagnosis Related Groups(DRGs).Results Statistically significant differences were observed in the cost structure a-mong different DRGs.Age,length of hospital stays,total hospitalization cost,hospital admission mode,number of hospitaliza-tions,and type of medical insurance significantly impacted the personal burden rate.The personal burden rate was inversely cor-related with age and length of hospital stays,but directly correlated with the total hospitalization cost.The patients admitted from emergency,first-time hospitalization,and those covered by the basic medical insurance program for urban employees had a lower personal burden rate.Conclusion Hospitals should establish diverse personal burden rate performance evaluation standards for patients with different types of medical insurance,incorporating factors such as average length of hospital stays and average hospi-talization cost.A more equitable hospital internal assessment plan should be developed by considering patients admitted to differ-ent departments and aligning with the characteristics of clinical pathways.Medical institutions should minimize self-funded pro-jects under declared medical insurance,increase the enrollment of cases in DRGs,and promote tiered diagnosis and treatment to reduce the personal burden rate for patients.

Objective:To study the early predictors of refractory septic shock (RSS) in neonates.Methods:From July 2020 to December 2021, clinical data of neonates with septic shock admitted to the Neonatal Department of our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. According to the maximum septic shock score (SSS) during clinical course, the neonates were assigned into RSS group and non-RSS group. Perinatal data, laboratory results and hemodynamic parameters at diagnosis were compared between the two groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors of RSS and septic shock-related death. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to evaluate the early predictors of poor prognosis.Results:A total of 130 neonates were enrolled, including 54 in RSS group and 76 in non-RSS group. Compared with the non-RSS group, the RSS group had significantly lower pH, base excess (BE), stroke volume index (SVI), cardiac output (CO) and cardiac index (CI).Meanwhile, the RSS group had significantly higher mean arterial pressure (MAP) to CI ratio (MAP/CI) and SSS [including bedside SSS (bSSS), computed SSS (cSSS) and modified version of cSSS (mcSSS)] (all P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that increased MAP/CI was an independent predictor of RSS. The cut-off value of MAP/CI was 11.6 [sensitivity 62%, specificity 87%, positive predictive value (PPV) 79% and negative predictive value (NPV) 77%], with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.734. Increased mcSSS was an independent predictor of septic shock-related death. The cut-off value of mcSSS was 5.8 (sensitivity 83%, specificity 72%, PPV 21% and NPV 97%), with an AUC of 0.845. Conclusions:Increased MAP/CI (≥11.6) and mcSSS (≥5.8) may be early predictors of RSS and septic shock-related death in neonates.