Exploration of potential active ingredients and mechanism of action of Xihuang pill-medicated serum against glioma based on HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, network pharmacology and experimental verification / 药学学报

Qualitative analysis of the ingredients absorbed into blood and their metabolites of Xihuang pill (XHP) were conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) technology. Network pharmacology was used to explore the potential anticancer mechanisms of the ingredients against glioma, and their specific mechanisms were validated through molecular docking and experimental verification. SD rats were intragastrically administered with XHP, and rat serum samples were collected. Ingredients absorbed into blood and their metabolites were identified based on the retention time of chromatographic peaks, accurate molecular mass, characteristic fragment ions, and comparisons with reference substances and literature data. PharmMapper and SwissTarget Prediction databases were used to obtain the targets of the XHP-medicated serum, while GeneCards, OMIM, PharmGKB, TTD, and DrugBank databases were used to obtain glioma disease targets. The "component-target" network relationship diagram was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network diagram was constructed using the STRING database, and the targets were analyzed using GO and KEGG analyses. Molecular docking was used to verify the binding ability of core targets with their corresponding compounds in XHP-medicated serum. The potential mechanism of the anti-glioma effect of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA), a representative component of XHP-medicated serum, was verified using CCK-8 and Western blot assays. A total of 40 compounds were identified in the XHP-medicated serum, including 28 prototype components and 12 metabolites. The network pharmacology results showed that elemonic acid, 3-acetyl-β-boswellic acid, KBA, α-boswellic acid, and other 5 compounds might be the active ingredients of XHP-medicated serum in the treatment of glioma. Glutathione reductase (GSR), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY), aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B1 (AKR1B1) and glutaredoxin (GLRX) were identified as key targets, involving pathways such as glutathione metabolism and the pentose phosphate pathway. Further cell experiments showed that KBA significantly inhibited the proliferation of T98G cells with an IC50 of 30.96 μmol·L-1, and KBA (30 μmol·L-1) significantly downregulated the protein expression levels of GSR in T98G cells. In summary, XHP-medicated serum may exert its anti-glioma effect by regulating GSR and G6PD-targeted pathways involved in glutathione metabolism. These results provide valuable evidence for further investigating the mechanism of XHP in treating glioma. The animal welfare and experimental procedures were approved by the Ethical Committee of Laboratory Animals at Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (approval No. ACU221001).

Expert Consensus on Clinical Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine：Aural Vertigo / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Aural vertigo frequently encountered in the otolaryngology department of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） mainly involves peripheral vestibular diseases of Western medicine， such as Meniere's disease， benign paroxysmal positional vertigo， vestibular neuritis， and vestibular migraine， being a hot research topic in both TCM and Western medicine. Western medical therapies alone have unsatisfactory effects on recurrent aural vertigo， aural vertigo affecting the quality of life， aural vertigo not relieved after surgery， aural vertigo with complex causes， and children's aural vertigo. The literature records and clinical practice have proven that TCM demonstrates unique advantages in the treatment of aural vertigo. The China Association of Chinese medicine sponsored the "17th youth salon on the diseases responding specifically to TCM： Aural vertigo" and invited vertigo experts of TCM and Western medicine to discuss the difficulties and advantages of TCM diagnosis and treatment of aural vertigo. The experts deeply discussed the achievements and contributions of TCM and Western medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of aural vertigo， the control and mitigation of the symptoms， and the solutions to disease recurrence. The discussion clarified the positioning and advantages of TCM treatment and provided guidance for clinical and basic research on aural vertigo.

Association between telomere length in the DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes and the propofol dose in anesthesia induction: an observational study

Abstract Introduction: Propofol is a widely used anesthetic and its dose is closely related to aging. Telomere length (TL) is a unique heritable trait, and emerging as a biomarker of aging, health and disease. Telomerase RNA component (TERC) plays an important role in maintaining TL. We proposed a hypothesis that propofol dose in general anesthesia can be predicted by measuring TL before operation, which greatly reduced the risk of anesthesia, especially the elderly. Methods: The association between the propofol dose in anesthesia induction and: TL in the DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes; body weight; sex; difference of the Bispectral Index (BIS) before and after anesthesia induction in patients was evaluated by multivariable linear regression analyses. The mutation at the 5'end or 3'end of TERC was detected. We recruited 100 patients of elective surgery. Results: We found that propofol dose in anesthesia induction was clearly correlated significantly with TL (r = 0.78, p < 0.001), body weight (r = 0.84, p = 0.004), sex (r = 0.83, p= 0.84, p = 0.004), sex (r = 0.83, p = 0.004), and difference of BIS before and after anesthesia induction (r = 0.85, p = 0.029). By comparing the absolute values of standardized regression coefficients (0.58, 0.21, 0.19, and 0.12) of the four variables, it can be seen that TL contributes the most to the propofol dose in anesthesia induction. However, the mutation at the 5' end or 3' end of TERC was not found. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary evidence that the propofol dose in anesthesia induction was clearly correlated with genetically determined TL. TL may be a promising predictor of the propofol dose, which is beneficial to improve the safety of anesthesia and reduce perioperative complications.

Epidemiological characteristics of the notifiable infectious diseases reported in Shanghai in 2020 / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo understand the epidemic characteristics of notifiable infectious diseases （NIDs） other than coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19） in Shanghai in 2020， and to provide evidence for formulating infectious disease prevention and control strategies. MethodsData of NIDs reported in Shanghai from 2015 to 2020 were collected through the National Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the incidence and prevalence characteristics of NIDs in Shanghai in 2020， and compared them with the average values of 2015 to 2019. ResultsA total of 45 574 cases of 23 kinds of NIDs were reported in Shanghai in 2020， except for COVID-19， with an incidence of 187.69/105， and a decrease rate of 50.58% compared with the average value of 2015 to 2019. The incidence of category B and C infectious diseases decreased by 38.07% and 57.47%， respectively （All P<0.001）. The top 3 reported infectious diseases with the highest incidence rate were influenza （64.58/105）， syphilis （39.09/105） and tuberculosis （24.90/105）. The incidence of most infectious diseases decreased compared with the average of 2015 to 2019， among which measles （97.15%）， rubella （88.81%）， pertussis （87.43%）， hand foot mouth disease （85.99%） and scarlet fever （79.84%） decreased significantly （all P<0.001）. In general， compared with the average from 2015 to 2019， respiratory infectious diseases declined most， followed by intestinal infectious diseases， insect-borne and natural focal infectious diseases， blood-borne and sexually transmitted diseases. Districts with higher incidence in 2020 were Fengxian District （310.23/105）， Xuhui District （271.93/105） and Hongkou District （254.38/105）. Respiratory infectious diseases in Fengxian District， intestinal infectious diseases in Jinshan District， blood-borne and sexually transmitted infectious diseases in Changning District， and insect-borne and natural focal infectious diseases in Yangpu District showed the highest incidence rate. Incidence of infectious diseases in 16 districts of Shanghai decreased with different degrees （all P<0.001）. Incidence of infectious diseases in males （209.44/105） was higher than that in females （164.89/105） （χ2=624.864， P<0.001）. Children aged 0-9 years had the highest incidence of respiratory and intestinal infectious diseases. People aged 70‒79 years and 20‒29 years had higher incidence of blood-borne and sexually transmitted infectious diseases， and people aged 20‒29 years had the highest incidence of insect-borne and natural focal infectious diseases. Majority of the patients were students （8 327 cases， 18.27%）， retired people （6 393 cases， 14.03%） and unemployed household workers （5 988 cases， 13.14%）. ConclusionUnder the COVID-19 prevention and control policies， the incidence of most NIDs in Shanghai decreased significantly in 2020.

Research progress on mechanism of tyrosine kinase inhibitor-induced liver injury / 中国药理学通报

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are a class of molecular targeted drugs that inhibit the activation of downstream signaling pathways by inhibiting oncogene-related receptor tyrosine kinases to exert anti-cancer effects. TKIs are superior to traditional chemotherapeutics in terms of selectivity, effectiveness and safety, and are widely used in the treatment of cancer. However, TKIs-induced liver injury is one of the difficult problems in its clinical application. In this article, relevant literatures from domestic and abroad are reviewed and the research progress in the classification, clinical application of TKIs and the mechanism of TKIs-induced liver injury are summarized. This review intends to provide a reference for further elucidating the mechanism of TKIs-induced liver injury, and seeking effective prevention and treatment methods.

Radiation-associated sarcomas of bone and soft tissue: a clinicopathological analysis of 46 cases / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical, imaging, histological, and molecular features and the differential diagnosis of radiation-associated sarcomas of bone and soft tissue. Methods: Forty-six cases of radiation-associated sarcomas of the bone and soft tissue in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 2010 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed; and the imaging, histological features and immunophenotype were examined. Results: There were 33 females and 13 males, aged from 18 to 74 years, with a mean of 52 years. The most common site of radiation-associated sarcomas were the limbs and spine (15 cases), followed by the chest (9 cases). The primary diseases included epithelial tumors (15 breast cancer, 6 cervical cancer, and 5 bowel cancer), hematolymphoid tumors, bone and soft tissue tumors and infectious lesions. The latent period of radiation-associated sarcomas ranged from 2-22 years, with an average of 11.6 years. Histopathologically, the morphology was divergent from the primary tumor. The most common malignant tumor type was undifferentiated sarcoma (22 cases), followed by osteosarcoma (16 cases). The immunophenotype of radiation-related sarcoma was almost the same as the corresponding soft tissue sarcoma. Conclusions: Radiation-induced sarcoma has a wide range of primary tumor types and its imaging, morphology and immunohistochemical features are similar to those of the primary sarcoma of bone and soft tissue. Clinical correlation is often recommended for the differential diagnosis.

Intrinsic "self-consistent" phenomenon based on holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

The fundamental principle of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is holism, and it is crucial for TCM to address the key issue of the "holistic view" of Chinese herbal medicine. While the overall regulatory effects of Chinese herbal medicine have been widely recognized, the holistic internal logic of individual ingredients of Chinese herbal medicines require further clarification. In order to comprehensively understand the mechanism of action of Chinese herbal medicine, this paper combined the holistic view of Chinese herbal medicine with differentiation thinking to explore the intrinsic logical relationships within Chinese herbal medicine. Starting from the perspective of the coexistence of multiple components in Chinese herbal medicine, this paper systematically examined the "self-consistent" phenomenon within single Chinese herbal medicine. This phenomenon refers to the consistent or opposing actions of various components in terms of their physical and chemical properties, pharmacokinetic effects, biological effects, flavors and properties, and TCM efficacy. The paper summarized various logical relationships of syndrome differentiation exhibited by the same Chinese herbal medicine, analyzed the underlying reasons, and focused on analyzing external factors affecting the "self-consistent" phenomenon in the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine, aiming to better elucidate the theoretical basis of the pharmacological effects of Chinese herbal medicine, further enrich the scientific connotation of the holistic view of Chinese herbal medicine, and provide theoretical guidance for the preparation process, compatibility patterns, and formulation design of Chinese herbal medicine.

Effect of posture on total hip arthroplasty through direct anterior approach / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of different postures on direct anterior approach(DAA) total hip arthroplasty.@*METHODS@#Total of 94 patients who underwent DAA total hip arthroplasty from July 2016 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into two groups according to different positions during the operation, including 45 cases in lateral position and 49 cases in supine position (with the aid of stent). The general data such as gender, affected limb, body mass index(BMI), incision length, operation time, intraoperative bleeding volume, drainage volume 24 hours after operation, hemoglobin difference before and after operation, first landing time after operation, postoperative hospitalization time, postoperative complications, visual analogue scale(VAS) at 1 day, 1, 2 weeks, 1, 3 and 6 months after operation, Harris score at 1, 2 weeks, 1, 3 and 6 months after operation were observed and compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Patients in both groups were followed up for 6 to 12 months with an average of (8.31±2.22) months. There was no significant difference between two groups in gender, affected limb, age, height, weight, body mass index(BMI), preoperative VAS score and preoperative Harris score(P>0.05). The incision length, operation time, intraoperative bleeding volume, 24-hour drainage volume, hemoglobin difference before and after operation, first time to the ground and postoperative hospitalization time of patients in supine position (assisted by stent) group were all better than those in lateral position group(P<0.05);There was no significant difference in the number of blood transfusions during and after operation(P=0.550). There was no significant difference in anteversion angle and abduction angle in the supine position(with the aid of stent) group during and after operation (P=0.825, P=0.066);There was significant difference in anteversion angle and abduction angle in the lateral position group during and after operation(P<0.05). VAS of patients in supine position (assisted by stent) group were lower than those in lateral position group at 1 day, 1, 2 weeks and 1 month after operation(P<0.05), and there was no statistical difference between two groups at 3 and 6 months after operation(P>0.05). Harris scores of patients in supine position(assisted by stent) group were higher than those in lateral position group at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after operation(P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between two groups at 6 months after operation(P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Compared with the lateral position, the supine position DAA total hip arthroplasty has the advantages of small incision, short operation time, less bleeding, early landing time, short hospitalization time, and small intraoperative acetabular cup position judgment error. It has the advantage of fast postoperative recovery, but the recovery of hip joint function is the same after 6 months.

Comparative study on the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment between foldable capsular body and scleral buckling / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To compare the effectiveness and complications of treating rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD)with foldable capsule body(FCB)and scleral buckling(SB).METHODS: The clinical data of 81 patients(82 eyes)with RRD who underwent surgery at our hospital from March 2019 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The differences in retinal reattachment rate, best-corrected visual acuity, the absorption of subretinal fluid, postoperative discomfort and incidence of complications between the two treatments were compared.RESULTS: The retinal reattachment rate was 96% in the FCB group and 92% in the SB group, with no significant difference between the two groups(P&#x003E;0.05). The best corrected visual acuity of the affected macular eyes was different in the both groups(P&#x003C;0.01). Both groups effectively promoted the absorption of subretinal fluid. The operation time of FCB group was 16.50(12.75, 25.00)min, while it was 38.00(36.25, 41.75)min in the SB group(P&#x003C;0.001). Patients in the FCB group also had significantly lower eyelid swelling and pain symptoms than those in the SB group(P&#x003C;0.001). The visual analogue scale(VAS)score at 1d after operation was 1.00(0.00, 2.00)in the FCB group and 3.00(2.00, 3.00)in the SB group(P&#x003C;0.001).CONCLUSION: FCB is a safe and effective surgical method to treat RRD that can alleviate patient's pain. Furthermore, FCB has a significantly shorter operation time and milder postoperative adverse reactions than SB.

The regulatory role and related mechanisms of macrophages in wound healing / 中华烧伤杂志

Wound healing is a complex process under precise regulation, including multiple stages such as inflammation, anti-inflammatory, and regeneration. Macrophages play an important regulatory role in the differentiated process of wound healing due to their obvious plasticity. If macrophages fail to express specific functions in a timely manner, it will affect the healing function of tissues and lead to pathological tissue healing. Therefore, it is of great significance to understand the different functions of different types of macrophages and to regulate them specifically in different stages of wound healing to promote the healing and regeneration of wound tissue. In this paper, we illustrate the different functions of macrophages in the wound and their basic mechanisms, according to the basic process of wound healing, and emphasize the strategies of macrophage regulation that may be applied to clinical treatment in the future.

Three-dimensional finite element analysis of cement flow in abutment margin-crown platform switching / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the cement flow in the abutment margin-crown platform switching structure by using the three-dimensional finite element analysis, in order to prove that whether the abutment margin-crown platform switching structure can reduce the inflow depth of cement in the implantation adhesive retention.@*METHODS@#By using ANSYS 19.0 software, two models were created, including the one with regular margin and crown (Model one, the traditional group), and the other one with abutment margin-crown platform switching structure (Model two, the platform switching group). Both abutments of the two models were wrapped by gingiva, and the depth of the abutment margins was 1.5 mm submucosal. Two-way fluid structure coupling calculations were produced in two models by using ANSYS 19.0 software. In the two models, the same amount of cement were put between the inner side of the crowns and the abutments. The process of cementing the crown to the abutment was simulated when the crown was 0.6 mm above the abutment. The crown was falling at a constant speed in the whole process spending 0.1 s. Then we observed the cement flow outside the crowns at the time of 0.025 s, 0.05 s, 0.075 s, 0.1 s, and measured the depth of cement over the margins at the time of 0.1 s.@*RESULTS@#At the time of 0 s, 0.025 s, 0.05 s, the cements in the two models were all above the abutment margins. At the time of 0.075 s, in Model one, the gingiva was squeezed by the cement and became deformed, and then a gap was formed between the gingiva and the abutment into which the cement started to flow. In Model two, because of the narrow neck of the crown, the cement flowed out from the gingival as it was pressed by the upward counterforce from the gingival and the abutment margin. At the time of 0.1 s, in Model one, the cement continued to flow deep inside with the gravity force and pressure, and the depth of the cement over the margin was 1 mm. In Model two, the cement continued to flow out from the gingival at the time of 0.075 s, and the depth of the cement over the margin was 0 mm.@*CONCLUSION@#When the abutment was wrapped by the gingiva, the inflow depth of cement in the implantation adhesive retention can be reduced in the abutment margin-crown platform switching structure.

Management of liver transplantation perioperative period in acute-on-chronic liver failure / 中华肝脏病杂志

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a potentially reversible entity that occurs in patients with chronic liver disease accompanied with or without cirrhosis and is characterized by extrahepatic organ failure and high short-term mortality. Currently, the most effective treatment method for patients with ACLF is liver transplantation; therefore, admission timing and contraindications must be emphasized. The function of vital organs such as the heart, brain, lungs, and kidneys should be actively supported and protected during the liver transplantation perioperative period in patients with ACLF. Focusing on the anesthesia management level during anesthesia selection, intraoperative monitoring, three-stage management, prevention and treatment of post-perfusion syndrome, monitoring and management of coagulation function, volume monitoring and management, and body temperature monitoring management for liver transplantation should strengthen anesthesia management. Additionally, standard postoperative intensive care treatment should be recommended, and grafts and other vital organ functions should be monitored throughout the perioperative period to promote early postoperative recovery in patients with ACLF.

Construction of a prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma based on pyroptosis-related genes / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To study the construction of a prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs). Methods: HCC patient datasets were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and a prognostic model was constructed by applying univariate Cox and least absolute shrinkages and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis. According to the median risk score, HCC patients in the TCGA dataset were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, univariate and multivariate Cox analysis, and nomograms were used to evaluate the predictive ability of the prognostic models. Functional enrichment analysis and immune infiltration analysis were performed on differentially expressed genes between the two groups. Finally, two HCC datasets (GSE76427 and GSE54236) from the Gene Expression Omnibus database were used to externally validate the prognostic value of the model. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis or Wilcoxon tests were performed on the data. Results: A total of 366 HCC patients were included after screening the HCC patient dataset obtained from the TCGA database. A prognostic model related to HCC was established using univariate Cox regression analysis, LASSO regression analysis, and seven genes (CASP8, GPX4, GSDME, NLRC4, NLRP6, NOD2, and SCAF11). 366 cases were evenly divided into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the median risk score. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in the survival time between patients in the high-risk and low-risk groups in the TCGA, GSE76427, and GSE54236 datasets (median overall survival time was 1 149 d vs. 2 131 d, 4.8 years vs. 6.3 years, and 20 months vs. 28 months, with P = 0.000 8, 0.034 0, and 0.0018, respectively). ROC curves showed good survival predictive value in both the TCGA dataset and two externally validated datasets. The areas under the ROC curves of 1, 2, and 3 years were 0.719, 0.65, and 0.657, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the risk score of the prognostic model was an independent predictor of overall survival time in HCC patients. The risk model score accurately predicted the survival probability of HCC patients according to the established nomogram. Functional enrichment analysis and immune infiltration analysis showed that the immune status of the high-risk group was significantly decreased. Conclusion: The prognostic model constructed in this study based on seven PRGs accurately predicts the prognosis of HCC patients.

Mechanism of active components of "Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma-Drynariae Rhizoma" in treatment of osteoporosis based on network pharmacology and in vitro cell experiment / 中国中药杂志

The present study aimed to explore the main active components and potential mechanisms of Panax notoginseng saponins(PNS) and osteopractic total flavone(OTF) in the treatment of osteoporosis(OP) through network pharmacology, molecular docking and in vitro cell experiments, which was expected to provide a theoretical basis for clinical applications. The blood-entering components of PNS and OTF were obtained from literature search and online database, and their potential targets were obtained from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP) and SwissTargetPrediction. The OP targets were obtained by means of searching Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM) and GeneCards. The common targets of the drug and disease were screened by Venn. Cytoscape was used to construct a "drug-component-target-disease" network, and the core components were screened according to the node degree. The protein-protein interaction(PPI) network of the common targets was constructed by STRING and Cytoscape, and the core targets were screened according to the node degree. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of potential therapeutic targets were carried out by R language. Molecular docking was used to determine the binding activity of some active components to key targets by AutoDock Vina. Finally, HIF-1 signaling pathway was selected for in vitro experimental verification according to the results of KEGG pathway analysis. Network pharmacology showed that there were 45 active components such as leachianone A, kurarinone, 20(R)-protopanaxatriol, 20(S)-protopanaxatriol, and kaempferol, and 103 therapeutic targets such as IL6, AKT1, TNF, VEGFA and MAPK3 involved. PI3K-AKT, HIF-1, TNF and other signaling pathways were enriched. Molecular docking revealed that the core components had good binding ability to the core targets. In vitro experiments found that PNS-OTF could up-regulate the mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGFA and Runx2, indicating that the mechanism of PNS-OTF in treating OP may be related to the activation of HIF-1 signaling pathway, and thus PNS-OTF played a role in promoting angiogenesis and osteogenic differentiation. In conclusion, this study predicted the core targets and pathways of PNS-OTF in treating OP based on network pharmacology and carried out in vitro experimental verification, which reflected the characteristics of multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway synergy of PNS-OTF, and provided new ideas for the future clinical treatment of OP.

Modern research progress in external application of traditional Chinese medicine to acupoints / 中国中药杂志

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has a long history and abundant experience in external therapy, which marks human wisdom. In the early history of human, people found that fumigation, coating, and sticking of some tree branches and herb stems can help alleviate scabies and remove parasites in productive labor, which indicates the emergence of external therapy. Pathogen usually enters the body through the surface, so external therapy can be used to treat the disease. External therapy is among the major characteristic of surgery of TCM. As one of the external therapies in TCM, external application to acupoints smooths the zang-fu organs through meridians and collaterals, thereby harmonizing yin and yang. This therapy emerged in the early society, formed the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, improved in the Song and Ming dynasties, and matured in the Qing dynasty. With the efforts of experts in history, it has had a mature theory. According to modern research, it can avoid the first-pass effect of liver and the gastrointestinal irritation and improve the bioavailability of Chinese medicine. Based on the effect of Chinese medicine and the theory of meridian and collateral, it can stimulate the acupoints, exert regulatory effect on acupoints, and give full play to the efficacy of TCM and the interaction of the two. Thereby, it can regulate qi and blood and balance yin and yang, thus being widely used in the treatment of diseases. In this paper, the use of external application to acupoints, the effect on skin immunity, the regulation of neuro-inflammatory mechanism, the relationship between acupoint application and human circulation network, and the development of its dosage form were summarized through literature review. On this basis, this study is expected to lay a foundation for further research.

Epidemiological characteristics and secular trend of the HIV/AIDS cases among 15-24 years old population in Hefei from 2004 to 2022 / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate the characteristics of HIV/AIDS cases among 15-24 year old population reported in Hefei from 2004 to 2022, so as to provide insights into AIDS control among adolescents.@*Methods@#The epidemiological data regarding HIV/AIDS cases between 15 and 24 years old reported in Hefei from 2004 to 2022 were captured from the AIDS comprehensive prevention and control information system of Chinese disease prevention and control information system, and data regarding temporal distribution, population distribution, and routes of infections and detection were descriptively analyzed by descriptive epidemiological methods.@*Results@#From 2004 to 2022, 865 cases of HIV/AIDS were reported in Hefei among 15-24 years old youth, accounting for 21.80% of the total reported cases. Among the HIV/AIDS patients, males accounted for 92.60%(801 cases), the unmarried ones accounted for 93.41% (808 cases)，those with college degree or above accounted for 60.12% (520 cases)，and 25.78%(223 cases) of them were students. The proportion of student cases increased annually( χ 2 trends =47.67, P <0.01). Homosexual transmission accounted for 81.39%, both showed an increasing trend( χ 2 trends =51.23, P <0.01)．Totally 55.49% of cases were found through testing and consultation, and the proportion of cases increased by year( χ 2 trends =112.18, P <0.01). In 2004-2022，the number of newly reported cases among people aged 15-24 showed a rising trend at an average rate of 24.46% by year( Z=4.92, P <0.01), which was higher than the average rate of 21.54% for the entire population( Z=12.75, P <0.01).@*Conclusion@#The epidemic of HIV/AIDS among population aged 15-24 years is serious in Hefei. Comprehensive measures for HIV education and prevention intervention are desperately needed to be reinforced among targeted students.

The Exploration of Glymphatic System Alteration in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Using DTI-ALPS Method / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectiveThe glymphatic system regulates cerebral spinal fluid and interstitial fluid transport which might be one of the pathways of central nervous system （CNS） leukemia at the early stage. This study aimed to investigate the alteration of glymphatic system based on diffusion tensor image-analysis along the perivascular space （DTI-ALPS） in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia （ALL） without clinically diagnosed CNS infiltration. MethodsTwenty-five ALL and typically developing （TD） children were prospectively recruited， and all subjects underwent DTI. Group differences in brain water diffusivities and ALPS-index were evaluated using the analysis of covariance. The Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between biological characteristics and significant parameters in pediatric ALL. ResultsCompared with TDs， decreased Dxassoc value （PFDR-corrected = 0.048） and increased Dzassoc value （PFDR-corrected = 0.033） were found in pediatric ALL. Hence， lower ALPS-index was found in children with ALL （PFDR-corrected < 0.001）. ALPS-index was negatively associated with the risk classification （rs = -0.47， P = 0.018） as well as immunophenotype （rs = -0.40， P = 0.046） in pediatric ALL. ConclusionsOur results show dysfunction of the glymphatic system is presented in pediatric ALL without clinically diagnosed CNS infiltration， which suggests that the glymphatic system might be one of pathway in the early-stage of ALL CNS infiltration. The DTI-ALPS method can be used to evaluate the change of glymphatic system， providing a new method for exploring the underlying mechanisms and early detection of pediatric ALL CNS infiltration.

Preparation and in vitro property evaluation of β-cyclodextrin-daidzein/PEG_(20000)/Carbomer_(940) nanocrystals / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to improve the solubility and bioavailability of daidzein by preparing the β-cyclodextrin-daidzein/PEG_(20000)/Carbomer_(940) nanocrystals. Specifically, the nanocrystals were prepared with daidzein as a model drug, PEG_(20000), Carbomer_(940), and NaOH as a plasticizer, a gelling agent, and a crosslinking agent, respectively. A two-step method was employed to prepare the β-cyclodextrin-daidzein/PEG_(20000)/Carbomer_(940) nanocystals. First, the insoluble drug daidzein was embedded in β-cyclodextrin to form inclusion complexes, which were then encapsulated in the PEG_(20000)/Carbomer_(940) nanocrystals. The optimal mass fraction of NaOH was determined as 0.8% by the drug release rate, redispersability, SEM morphology, encapsulation rate, and drug loading. The inclusion status of daidzein nanocrystals was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis(TGA), and X-ray diffraction(XRD) analysis to verify the feasibility of the preparation. The prepared nanocrystals showed the average Zeta potential of(-30.77±0.15)mV and(-37.47±0.64)mV and the particle sizes of(333.60±3.81)nm and(544.60±7.66)nm before and after daidzein loading, respectively. The irregular distribution of nanocrystals before and after daidzein loading was observed under SEM. The redispersability experiment showed high dispersion efficiency of the nanocrystals. The in vitro dissolution rate of nanocrystals in intestinal fluid was significantly faster than that of daidzein, and followed the first-order drug release kinetic model. XRD, FTIR, and TGA were employed to determine the polycrystalline properties, drug loading, and thermal stability of the nanocrystals before and after drug loading. The nanocrystals loaded with daidzein demonstrated obvious antibacterial effect. The nanocrystals had more significant inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa than daidzein because of the improved solubility of daidzein. The prepared nanocrystals can significantly increase the dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of the insoluble drug daidzein.

Current status, trends, and challenges of continuous manufacturing technology for oral traditional Chinese medicine solid preparations / 中国中药杂志

In recent years, continuous manufacturing technology has attracted considerable attention in the pharmaceutical industry. This technology is highly sought after for its significant advantages in cost reduction, increased efficiency, and improved productivity, making it a growing trend in the future of the pharmaceutical industry. Compared to traditional batch production methods, continuous manufacturing technology features real-time control and environmentally friendly intelligence, enabling pharmaceutical companies to produce drugs more efficiently. However, the adoption of continuous manufacturing technology has been slow in the field of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) pharmaceuticals. On the one hand, there is insufficient research on continuous manufacturing equipment and technology that align with the characteristics of TCM preparations. On the other hand, the scarcity of talent with diverse expertise hampers its development. Therefore, in order to promote the modernization and upgrading of the TCM pharmaceutical industry, this article combined the current development status of the TCM industry to outline the development status and regulatory requirements of continuous manufacturing technology. At the same time, it analyzed the problems with existing TCM manufacturing models and explored the prospects and challenges of applying continuous manufacturing technology in the field of TCM pharmaceuticals. The analysis focused on continuous manufacturing control strategies, technical tools, and pharmaceutical equipment, aiming to provide targeted recommendations to drive the development of the TCM pharmaceutical industry.

Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and tissue distribution of oral co-loaded puerarin/daidzein mixed micelles in rats / 中国中药杂志

This study investigated the drug delivery performance of oral co-loaded puerarin(PUE) and daidzein(DAZ) mixed micelles(PUE/DAZ-FS/PMMs) from the perspectives of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and tissue distribution. The changes in PUE plasma concentration in rats were evaluated based on PUE suspension, single drug-loaded micelles(PUE-FS/PMMs), and co-loaded micelles(PUE/DAZ-FS/PMMs). Spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) were used to monitor systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure for 10 weeks after administration by tail volume manometry. The content of PUE in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, and testes was determined using LC-MS/MS. The results showed that compared with PUE suspension and PUE-FS/PMMs, PUE/DAZ-FS/PMMs significantly increased C_(max) in rats(P<0.01) and had a relative bioavailability of 122%. The C_(max), AUC_(0-t), AUC_(0-∞), t_(1/2), and MRT of PUE/DAZ-FS/PMMs were 1.77, 1.22, 1.22, 1.17, and 1.13 times higher than those of PUE suspension, and 1.76, 1.16, 1.08, 0.84, and 0.78 times higher than those of PUE-FS/PMMs, respectively. Compared with the model control group, PUE/DAZ-FS/PMMs significantly reduced systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure in SHR rats(P<0.05). The antihypertensive effect of PUE/DAZ-FS/PMMs was greater than that of PUE suspension, and even greater than that of PUE-FS/PMMs at high doses. Additionally, the distribution of PMMs in various tissues showed dose dependency. The distribution of PMMs in the kidney and liver, which are metabolically related tissues, was lower than that in the suspension group, while the distribution in the brain was higher than that in the conventional dose group. In conclusion, PUE/DAZ-FS/PMMs not only improved the bioavailability of PUE and synergistically enhanced its therapeutic effect but also prolonged the elimination of the drug to some extent. Furthermore, the micelles facilitated drug penetration through the blood-brain barrier. This study provides a foundation for the development of co-loaded mixed micelles containing homologous components.