Psoraleae Fructus is derived from the dried fruit of the Psoralea corylifolia L. It has the effects of tonifying the kidney, strengthening the Yang, warming the spleen and stopping diarrhea, and is used for the treatment of kidney deficiency and impotence, lumbar soreness and cold pain, osteoporosis and other diseases, and it is a commonly used tonic traditional Chinese medicine in Chinese medicine clinics in China. However, in recent years, the clinical adverse reactions of Psoraleae Fructus (PF) and related preparations have been increasingly reported, especially hepatotoxicity, which has become a bottleneck in the clinical application of PF and associated preparations. The safety of PF was rarely recorded in ancient texts, but modern clinical and experimental research has shown that PF not only has direct toxicity but also has immune-idiosyncratic toxicity. For this reason, this study comprehensively analyzes the evolution of PF effect/toxicity records in ancient and modern canonical literature, and combines with the progress of modern pharmacology and toxicology research, to conduct an in-depth discussion on the clinical characteristics, causative mechanisms and risk factors of PF hepatotoxicity. On this basis, based on the three-dimensional "human-medicine-use" precise prevention and control strategy for the safety risk of traditional Chinese medicine proposed by the author's team, safety risk prevention and control measures for PF and related preparations were developed, aiming at guiding the safe and rational use of PF and related preparations in the clinic and promoting the healthy and sustainable development of PF-related industries.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of aristolochic acid (AA)-associated cancer in patients with AA nephropathy (AAN). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with AAN at Peking University First Hospital from January 1997 to December 2014. Long-term surveillance and follow-up data were analyzed to investigate the influence of different factors on the prevalence of cancer. The primary endpoint was the incidence of liver cancer, and the secondary endpoint was the incidence of urinary cancer during 1 year after taking AA-containing medication to 2014. RESULTS: A total of 337 patients diagnosed with AAN were included in this study. From the initiation of taking AA to the termination of follow-up, 39 patients were diagnosed with cancer. No cases of liver cancer were observed throughout the entire follow-up period, with urinary cancer being the predominant type (34/39, 87.17%). Logistic regression analysis showed that age, follow-up period, and diabetes were potential risk factors, however, the dosage of the drug was not significantly associated with urinary cancer. CONCLUSIONS No cases of liver cancer were observed at the end of follow-up. However, a high prevalence of urinary cancer was observed in AAN patients. Establishing a direct causality between AA and HCC is challenging.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Incidence ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Liver Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Kidney Diseases/chemically induced* ; Aristolochic Acids/adverse effects*

Nucleic acid-based molecular diagnostic methods are considered the gold standard for detecting infectious pathogens.However,when applied to portable or on-site rapid diagnostics,they still face various limitations and challenges,such as poor specificity,cumbersome operation,and portability difficulties.The CRISPR(Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/CRISPR-associated protein(Cas)-fluorescence detection method holds the potential to significantly enhance the specificity and signal-to-noise ratio of nucleic acid detection.In this study,we developed a portable grayscale reader detection system based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP)-CRISPR/Cas.On one hand,in the presence of CRISPR RNA(crRNA),the CRISPR/Cas12a system was employed to achieve precise fluorescent detection of self-designed LAMP amplification reactions for influenza A and influenza B viruses.This further validated the high selectivity and versatility of the CRISPR/Cas system.On the other hand,the accompanying independently developed portable grayscale reader allowed for low-cost collection of fluorescence signals and high-reliability visual interpretation.At the end of the detection process,it directly provided positive or negative results.Practical sample analyses using this detection system have verified its reliability and utility,demonstrating that this system can achieve highly sensitive and highly specific portable analysis of influenza viruses.

Perimenopausal syndrome （MPS）， a common endocrine system disease， is one of the diseases responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. The China Association of Chinese Medicine organized experts in endocrinology， gynecology， and interdisciplinary fields of both Western and Chinese medicine to discuss the advantages and challenges of diagnosing and treating MPS with Western medicine， TCM， and integrative medicine. Experts at the conference believe that MPS is initiated by estrogen decline and rooted in deficiency， with the pathogenesis being imbalance between Yin and Yang in the kidney. The hormone replacement therapy in Western medicine for menopause can rapidly alleviate related symptoms by quickly restoring the estrogen level and timely detect and delay complications of menopause， whereas such a therapy has certain risks， necessitating close monitoring of adverse reactions. Moreover， the various contraindications and precautions limit the clinical application of the hormone replacement therapy. TCM has advantages in synergistically alleviating symptoms such as hot flashes， sweating， sleep disorders， and emotional abnormalities of MPS without causing obvious adverse reactions. However， its efficacy is slower than the hormone replacement therapy， and the TCM evidence for preventing and treating complications of menopause remains unclear. Three suggestions were proposed for the future development of both Western and TCM for ameliorating MPS. First， an integrated diagnosis and treatment system for MPS with both Western and Chinese medicine should be established. Second， high-quality evidence-based interventions for MPS should be developed with TCM alone or in combination with Western medicine. Third， efforts should be made to promote the new TCM drug development and the interdisciplinary cooperation for treating MPS.

ObjectiveTo simulate the microstructure and mechanical properties of tendon tissue and promote its regeneration and repair, electrospinning technology was used to prepare L-polylactic acid (PLLA) fiber membranes loaded with different nano zinc oxide contents and with oriented structures. Physical and chemical characterization and biological performance evaluation were carried out to explore their effects on tendon cell proliferation and differentiation. MethodsPreparation of PLLA fiber scaffolds and PLLA/ZnO fiber scaffolds containing different mass fractions of nano ZnO was performed using electrospinning technology. The physicochemical properties of the scaffold were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, mechanical stretching, and EDS spectroscopy. The scaffold was co-cultured with mouse tendon cells to detect its biocompatibility and regulatory effects on cell differentiation behavior. ResultsThe fiber scaffolds were arranged in an oriented manner, and zinc elements were uniformly distributed in the fibers. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of PLLA/0.1%ZnO fiber scaffolds were significantly higher than PLLA fiber scaffolds. The number of cells on the surface of PLLA/0.1%ZnO fiber scaffold was significantly higher than that of the PLLA group, and the activity was better; mouse tendon cells exhibit directional adhesion and growth along the fiber arrangement direction. ConclusionThe oriented PLLA/0.1%ZnO fiber scaffold had excellent physicochemical properties, which can significantly promote the oriented growth, proliferation and differentiation of tendon cells. It is expected to be used for tendon tissue regeneration and repair in the future.

Objective To evaluate the potential risk of transmission of angiostrongyliasis by common freshwater snails in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, so as to provide insights into local surveillance of angiostrongyliasis. Methods Common freshwater snails were collected from Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province from March to April, 2020, and identified and bred in laboratory. SD rats were infected with third-stage larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis that were isolated from commercially available Pomacea canaliculata snails in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, and freshwater snails were infected with the first-stage larvae of A. cantonensis that were isolated from the feces of SD rats 39 days post-infection at room temperature. The developmental process and morphological characteristics of worms in hosts were observed, and the percentages of A. cantonensis infections in different species of freshwater snails were calculated. Then, SD rats were infected with the third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis that were isolated from A. cantonensis-infected freshwater snails, and the larval development and reproduction was observed. Results More than 3 000 freshwater snail samples were collected from farmlands, ditches and wetlands around Erhai Lake in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, and Cipangopaludina chinensis, P. canaliculata, Parafossarulus striatulus, Oncomelania hupensis robertsoni, Galba pervia, Physa acuta, Radix swinhoei, Assiminea spp., Tricula spp. and Bellamya spp. were morphologically identified. A total of 105 commercially available P. canaliculata snails were tested for A. cantonensis infections, and 2 P. canaliculata snails were found to be infected with A. cantonensis, in which the third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis were isolated. Ten species of freshwater snails were artificially infected with the third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis, and all 10 species of freshwater snails were found to be infected with A. cantonensis, with the highest positive rate of A. cantonensis infections in Bellamya spp. (62.3%, 137/204), and the lowest in C. chinensis (35.5%, 11/31). After SD rats were infected with the third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis isolated from different species of freshwater snails, mature adult worms of A. cantonensis were yielded. Conclusions Multiple species of freshwater snails may serve as intermediate hosts of A. cantonensis under laboratory conditions in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province. Further investigations on natural infection of A. cantonensis in wild snails in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture seem justified.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are common clinical conditions. The number of patients with TMJ diseases is large, and the etiology, epidemiology, disease spectrum, and treatment of the disease remain controversial and unknown. To understand and master the current situation of the occurrence, development and prevention of TMJ diseases, as well as to identify the patterns in etiology, incidence, drug sensitivity, and prognosis is crucial for alleviating patients′suffering.This will facilitate in-depth medical research, effective disease prevention measures, and the formulation of corresponding health policies. Cohort construction and research has an irreplaceable role in precise disease prevention and significant improvement in diagnosis and treatment levels. Large-scale cohort studies are needed to explore the relationship between potential risk factors and outcomes of TMJ diseases, and to observe disease prognoses through long-term follw-ups. The consensus aims to establish a standard conceptual frame work for a cohort study on patients with TMJ disease while providing ideas for cohort data standards to this condition. TMJ disease cohort data consists of both common data standards applicable to all specific disease cohorts as well as disease-specific data standards. Common data were available for each specific disease cohort. By integrating different cohort research resources, standard problems or study variables can be unified. Long-term follow-up can be performed using consistent definitions and criteria across different projects for better core data collection. It is hoped that this consensus will be facilitate the development cohort studies of TMJ diseases.

Objective To investigate the effect of Xiao Chaihu Decoction and Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction on the changes of gastric mucosal pathological score and gastrointestinal hormones in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG)of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency type.Methods A total of 156 cases of CAG patients with liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group,78 cases in each group.The control group was treated with conventional western medicine,and the observation group was treated with Xiao Chaihu Decoction and Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment covered four weeks.The changes in the scores of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptoms such as epigastric distention and pain,poor appetite,loose stools,limb weakness,belching and acid regurgitation,gastric mucosal pathological scores and serum levels of gastrointestinal hormones of motilin(MTL)and gastrin(GAS)in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.The negative conversion rate of Helicobacter pylori(Hp)in the two groups was compared,and the clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After four weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 93.59％(73/78),which was significantly higher than 82.05％(64/78)of the control group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the scores of TCM symptoms such as epigastric distention and pain,poor appetite,loose stool,limb weakness,belching and acid regurgitation in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the pathological scores of gastric mucosa in the two groups were significantly decreased when compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was more significant than that in the control group(P＜0.01).(4)After four weeks of treatment,the negative conversion rate of Hp in the observation group was 91.03％(71/78),which was significantly higher than that in the control group(75.64％,59/78),and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(5)After treatment,the level of serum GAS in the two groups was significantly decreased(P＜0.05)and the serum MTL level was significantly increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05);the decrease of serum GAS level and the increase of serum MTL level in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＜0.05).(6)There were no obvious abnormalities in the routine test of blood,urine,stool,kidney function,and liver function,electrocardiograph and other safety indicators during the treatment of the two groups of patients,no adverse reactions such as dizziness,rash and chest distress occurred either,with high safety.Conclusion Xiao Chaihu Decoction combined with Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction exerts a significant therapeutic effect on GAS of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency type,which can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms,improve the pathological changes of gastric mucosa and promote Hp negative conversion.The therapeutic mechanism may be related to the regulation of gastrointestinal hormone levels.

The impact of prenatal exposure to a mixture of heavy metals on birth weight in newborns has been a topic of ongoing interest. In this study, 258 mothers and infants from the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS) were selected as the study subjects, and the concentrations of seven heavy metals in the placenta, including Aluminum (Al), Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Plumbum (Pb), Selenium (Se) and Arsenic (As) were collected. And the birth weight of newborns, the relevant covariates of mothers and newborns were collected. Three analytical methods, Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression, Quantile g-computation (QGC) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were employed. After adjusting for maternal gestational age, pre-pregnancy BMI, smoking status, education level, parity, gestational age and newborn gender, the combined three methods showed that the total effect of mixed exposure of seven heavy metals on birth weight was negative. Specifically, the WQS analysis revealed that Se had the greatest impact on birth weight, followed by Al. The QGC results showed that the heavy metal associated with the reduction of birth weight was mainly Se and Al in female and male infants, respectively. The BKMR analysis demonstrated a negative combined effect of the seven heavy metals on birth weight in both male and female infants, with Se having the highest posterior inclusion probabilities (PIPs) for female infants (0.45), and Al having the highest PIPs for male infants (0.64) after stratification by gender. In summary, mixed exposure to heavy metals during pregnancy was associated with a decrease in newborn birth weight. Furthermore, there are gender effects with Se and Al associated with decreased birth weight in female and male infants, respectively. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the development of public health policies aimed at preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes and improving the health of newborns.

The impact of prenatal exposure to a mixture of heavy metals on birth weight in newborns has been a topic of ongoing interest. In this study, 258 mothers and infants from the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS) were selected as the study subjects, and the concentrations of seven heavy metals in the placenta, including Aluminum (Al), Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Plumbum (Pb), Selenium (Se) and Arsenic (As) were collected. And the birth weight of newborns, the relevant covariates of mothers and newborns were collected. Three analytical methods, Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression, Quantile g-computation (QGC) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were employed. After adjusting for maternal gestational age, pre-pregnancy BMI, smoking status, education level, parity, gestational age and newborn gender, the combined three methods showed that the total effect of mixed exposure of seven heavy metals on birth weight was negative. Specifically, the WQS analysis revealed that Se had the greatest impact on birth weight, followed by Al. The QGC results showed that the heavy metal associated with the reduction of birth weight was mainly Se and Al in female and male infants, respectively. The BKMR analysis demonstrated a negative combined effect of the seven heavy metals on birth weight in both male and female infants, with Se having the highest posterior inclusion probabilities (PIPs) for female infants (0.45), and Al having the highest PIPs for male infants (0.64) after stratification by gender. In summary, mixed exposure to heavy metals during pregnancy was associated with a decrease in newborn birth weight. Furthermore, there are gender effects with Se and Al associated with decreased birth weight in female and male infants, respectively. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the development of public health policies aimed at preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes and improving the health of newborns.