Objective: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Chinese patent medicines and classic traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions were systematically reviewed from both Chinese and English journals published in 2023. A preliminary summary and evaluation were conducted on the generation and translation of clinical evidence for these treatments. This analysis aims to inform future research on clinical efficacy evaluation and guide the rational application of evidence. Methods: RCTs of Chinese patent medicines and classic traditional Chinese prescriptions published in 2023 were comprehensively retrieved from the Artificial Intelligence Clinical Evidence Database for Chinese Patent Medicine (AICED-CPM), with supplementary searches conducted in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed), Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. The study characteristics and methodological quality of these RCTs were systematically analyzed and evaluated. Results: A total of 1 443 RCTs of Chinese patent medicines were included, comprising 1 399 Chinese articles and 44 English articles. Additionally, 334 RCTs of classic traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions were found, with 331 published in Chinese and 3 in English. 196 567 participants were included, covering 585 types of Chinese patent medicines (487 oral, 61 injectable, and 37 topical) and 179 classic traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. The involved studies encompassed 22 types of diseases, with research primarily focusing on diseases of the circulatory system, the respiratory system, and the genitourinary system. The sample sizes ranged from 18 to 3 777 participants, and most studies were conducted at a single center. Methodologically, the implementation of allocation concealment and blinding remained insufficiently emphasized. Conclusion Overall, compared with 2022, both the number of RCT publications and their methodological quality have improved in 2023, with heightened attention to research on diseases of the genitourinary system. However, quality control and standardized management in the design and implementation processes still require enhancement to produce more high-quality clinical evidence and accelerate the translation and application of this evidence.

SARS-CoV-2 and its emerging variants continue to pose a significant global public health threat. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M^pro) is a critical target for the development of antiviral agents that can inhibit viral replication and transcription. In this study, we identified chebulagic acid (CHLA), isolated from Terminalia chebula Retz., as a potent non-peptidomimetic and non-covalent M^pro inhibitor. CHLA exhibited intermolecular interactions and provided significant protection to Vero E6 cells against a range of SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the wild-type, Delta, Omicron BA.1.1, BA.2.3, BA.4, and BA.5, with EC₅₀ values below 2 μmol/L. Moreover, in vivo studies confirmed the antiviral efficacy of CHLA in K18-hACE2 mice. Notably, CHLA bound to a unique groove at the interface between M^pro domains I and II, which was revealed by the high-resolution crystal structure (1.4 Å) of the M^pro-CHLA complex, shrinking the substrate binding pocket of M^pro and inducing M^pro aggregation. CHLA was proposed to act as an allosteric inhibitor. Pharmacokinetic profiling and safety assessments underscore CHLA's potential as a promising broad-spectrum antiviral candidate. These findings report a novel binding site on M^pro and identify antiviral activity of CHLA, providing a robust framework for lead compounds discovery and elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms of inhibition.

Objective To investigate the application value of metronidazole combined with cefuroxime sodium in the laparoscopic treatment of patients with acute non-simple appendicitis.Methods The subjects were 80 patients with acute non-simple appendicitis who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy from July 2020 to June 2023.Among them,41 patients with acute non-simple appendicitis who were treated with metronidazole combined with cefuroxime sodium for laparoscopic surgery were used as the observation group,and 39 patients with acute non-simple appendicitis who were treated with metronidazole combined with ceftriaxone sodium for laparoscopic surgery were used as the control group.The intraoperative situation,inflammation control before and after surgery,postoperative recovery status,and adverse reactions after medication were compared between the two groups.Results There were no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of periappendiceal abscess/peritonitis,surgical time,and intraoperative bleeding,the differences were not statistically significant(P>0.05);The inflammatory indexes of acute non-simple appendicitis in both groups gradually returned to normal after surgery,and the white blood cell count,procalcitonin(PCT)and C-reaction protein(CRP)levels in the observation group showed greater decrease than those in the control group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05)on the first day and the third day after surgery.The duration of analgesics use and hospital stay in the observation group were(1.8±1.2)and(3.5±0.7)d,respectively,which were significantly shorter than those of(2.7±1.4)and(4.6±0.4)d,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The incidence of intra-abdominal infection in the observation group was 7.7%,which was significantly lower than that of 24.4%in the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The adverse reactions in the two groups were 4.9%and 7.7%,respectively,and the difference was not significant(P>0.05).Conclusion Metronidazole combined with cefuroxime sodium combined with laparoscopic appendectomy can significantly reduce the incidence of abdominal infection in patients with acute non-simple appendicitis,it has high safety.

As the smallest combination unit of Chinese medicinals， herbal pairs serve as the bridge between medicinals and formulas， whose combination theory reflects the basic characteristics of Chinese medicinals combination and the core essence of prescription composition. Simultaneously， as a key combination of medicinals in clinical treatment of diseases， syndromes， and symptoms， herbal pairs are the main form of clinical medication in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） as well as the characteristic advantage of treating diseases. This article summarized that “mutual complement of medicinals of same or antagonism flavor and nature” theory is the theoretical origin， and efficacy-enhancement and toxicity-attenuation is the core purpose of the combination of herbal pairs. The property theory of Chinese medicinals and the thought of differentiation and treatment are the main basis of the combination of herbal pairs， and pertinence and flexibility are the key points in clinical application. All mentioned above are expected to provide theoretical guidance for the clinical use and modern research of herbal pairs.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history in treating infectious diseases, and the form of intervention varies with different medical conditions and disease types. "The battle field of Chinese doctor for anti-epidemic" was formed in fighting against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemics in China, and from the battle, valuable experiences of using TCM for prevention and treatment had been obtained. During responding to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemics, we followed the principle of keeping summary and perfection while treament. And a whole process of TCM pattern or a model was organized, including early prevention in communities, cluster intervention in isolated places, comprehensive intervention in mobile cabin hospitals, centralized treatment in designated hospitals and rehabilitation support in rehabilitation posts. Thus, the innovation of whole process of TCM intervention was involved in the "trench warfare" strategy and platform system for prevention and treatment of new infectious COVID-19 epidemics. At different stages or conditions, different TCMs were used to play advantageous roles to solve various problems and elevate the effects of prevention and treatment of the disease. The construction of TCM mobile cabin hospitals was an innovation of organization form that might offset the constraints in technology and scale of simple community isolation or simple hospital treatment, exploring a new way for TCM to cope with public health emergencies.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis in patients with prostate specific antigen (PSA) abnormal prostate disease. Methods The patients who had abnormal PSA from January 2017 to December 2018 in Weifang People′s Hospital were selected. Patients with prostate puncture indications were as research target. A total of 137 patients including 44 patients with prostate cancer and 93 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were diagnosed by puncture. All patients underwent magnetic resonance scan and enhancement and spectroscopy before surgery. The comparative value of magnetic resonance scan + enhancement, magnetic resonance spectroscopy and joint examination was obtained. Results Sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging and enhancement was 77.3% (34/44), specificity was 86.0% (80/93), and accuracy was 83.2% (114/137). Sensitivity of magnetic resonance spectroscopy was 52.3% (23/44), specificity was 77.4% (72/93), and accuracy was 69.3% (95/137). The sensitivity of the combined application was 90.9% (40/44), specificity was 91.4% (85/93), and accuracy was 91.2% (125/137). Conclusions The application of magnetic resonance spectroscopy can increase the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of magnetic resonance plain scan and intensive examination for diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Objective To determine clinical features and rupture risk of anterior communicating artery (AComA) aneurysms in different age groups. Methods The clinical data of 519 consecutive patients with AComA aneurysms in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between December 2007 and February 2015 were reviewed and divided into younger group (<65 years) and older group (≥65 years). The clinical characteristics and aneurysm morphologies were compared between the two groups. Results There were 390 aneurysms in younger group, and 129 in older groups. For the younger group, hypertension,the size of the aneurysms, maximum height, perpendicular height, size ratio (SR), aspect ratio (AR), aneurysm angle, A1 segment configuration, morphology showed significantly differences in ruptured aneurysms group compared with those in unruptured aneurysms (P<0.05). The multivariate analysis showed that significant difference between the two groups was aneurysm size ( OR＝1.461,95% CI 1.027-2.079, P＝0.035). For the older group, there were statistically significant differences in hypertension,size of the aneurysms, maximum height, perpendicular height, SR, aneurysm angle, vessel size and the distribution of aneurysm projection between the ruptured aneurysms group and unruptured aneurysms group (P<0.05). The multivariate analysis showed that SR ( OR＝11.516,95% CI 1.782-74.445,P＝0.01) was the only significant predictor of aneurysm rupture. Between the younger and older groups,the distributions of sex, hypertension, smoke, vessel size and SR were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions For younger people, the males who smoked are more likely to have AcomA aneurysms and the size of the aneurysms is independent risk of aneurysm rupture. For older people, the females with hypertension also more often have AcomA aneurysms and the SR is independently associated with aneurysm rupture.

Objective To investigate the incidence and predictors of cerebral infarction in patients with ruptured ACoA aneurysms, and to provide diagnostic and therapeutic information.Methods A total of 319 patients with ruptured ACoA aneurysms in our hospital from January 2009 to February 2015 were reviewed in this study. The author collected data regarding clinical characteristics, and measured the aneurysm morphologies on CTA images. Age, flow angle, vessel angle were analyzed by independent-samples t tests in patients with or without cerebral infarction. Mann-Whitney U tests were used for aneurysm size, aneurysm height, perpendicular height, neck size, size ratio, aspect ratio, aneurysm angle , World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grade at admission and Fisher grade. Chi-square tests and Fisher's exact tests were used for sex, histories of hypertension, smoking and stroke, treatment modalities, anterior cerebral A1 segment configuration and angiographic vasospasm on CTA images. The multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the independent risk factors of cerebral infarction using the stepwise regression method. Results Of the 319 patients, there were 253 without and 66 patients with cerebral infarction. Differences of age(53±11 vs 57±12,respectively;t=-2.415, P=0.016), Fisher grade [Ⅰ 23(9.1%), Ⅱ 27(10.7%), Ⅲ 74(29.2%), Ⅳ 129(51.0%) vs Ⅰ 1(1.5%), Ⅱ 7 (10.6% ), Ⅲ 13(19.7% ), Ⅳ 45(68.2% ), respectively;Z=-2.541, P=0.035] and treatment modalities [endovascular coil embolization 155(61.3% ), neurosurgical clipping 98(38.7% ) vs endovascular coil embolization 23(34.8%), neurosurgical clipping 43(65.2%), respectively;χ2=14.810, P<0.001] reached statistical significance. Multivariate analysis showed that Fisher grade Ⅳ(OR=10.36,95%CI 1.34-80.29, P=0.025) and neurosurgical clipping (OR=3.28, 95% CI 1.84-5.86,P<0.001)still had statistical significance. Conclusions Cerebral infarction in patients with ruptured ACoA aneurysms may be associated with Fisher grade and treatment modalities. Although there is difference between the two groups in age, it is not a predictor of the occurrence of cerebral infarction.

Objective To investigate the morphological factors related to the rupture of very small (≤3mm) anterior communicating artery (AComA) aneurysms, which provides basis for decision-making of whether or not taking intervention in very small un-ruptured AComA aneurysms. Methods (1) One hundred patients with primary AComA aneurysms, admitted to our hospital from January 2008 to June 2013, were enrolled; 84 AComA aneurysms were ruptured while 16 were un-ruptured; the morphological parameters of aneurysms were obtained by three-dimensional reconstruction with CT angiography (CTA) of the patients, and the clinical data and aneurysm morphological parameters were compared between the ruptured aneurysm group and the un-ruptured aneurysm group; multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of small aneurysm rupture in the AComA, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive efficacy of size ratio (SR) of maximum tumor depth to proximal carrier artery diameter in rupture of small aneurysms in the AComA. (2) Ninety-nine patients with primary AComA aneurysms, admitted to our hospital from June 2013 to January 2016, were enrolled; the parameters from the above analyses were applied to these patients to verify their predictive effectiveness. Results (1) Perpendicular height, AR value (Height/Neck), SR value and vessel angle were significantly different between ruptured aneurysm group and un-ruptured aneurysm group (P<0.05); multivariate Logistic analysis indicated that SR value was the independent risk factor of rupture of very small AComA aneurysms (OR=4.201, 95％CI: 1.175-15.019, P=0.012), and the lager the SR value, the higher the risk of rupture; ROC curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve was 0.699 with the optimal cut-off value being 0.9, and its diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy was 0.786, 0.625 and 0.760, respectively. (2) The SR value was then applied to the 99 patients, showing a stable predictive potential with sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 0.676, 0.714 and 0.687, respectively. Conclusion SR value (≥0.9) is identified as independent morphological risk factor for rupture of very small AComA aneurysms; SR value is closely related to the state of aneurysms, which help make a better individualized and effective decision on the treatment of very small AComA aneurysms in clinic.

Objective To investigate the effects of berberine on tumor-associated macrophages (TAM)and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)of intestinal polyps in Apc(Min/+) mice.Methods A total of 20 Apc(Min/+) mice,four weeks old,were equally divided into the control group and the berberine group,10 in each group.The mice of the control group drank plain water,while the mice of berberine group drank water with 0.1 % berberine.After 12 weeks,all the mice were sacrificed.The intestine and colon were isolated,and the numbers of polyps were counted.The expression of F4/80,inducible nitric oxide synthase-2 (iNOS),macrophage mannose receptor (MR)and COX-2 was detected by immunohisto-chemistry method.The relative expression of COX-2 at protein level was measured by Western blotting. The t test was performed for comparison between two independent groups.Results The total number of intestinal polyps,the number of small intestinal polyps and the number of colon polyps of the berberine group (11 .50±2.05 ,10.50±1 .77 and 1 .00±0.46,respectively)were all less than those of the control group (30.63±1 .69,28.00±2.00 and 2.63±0.74,respectively),and the differences were statistically significant (t=16.727,16.952 and 3.162,P =0.001 ,0.001 and 0.010,respectively).The percentage of F4/80 positive cells in the stroma of polyps of the berberine group ((17.40 ±4.23 )%)was less than that of the control group ((31 .24±6.34)%),and the difference was statistically significant (t =5 .327, P =0.043).The percentage of iNOS positive cells in the stroma of polyps of the berberine group ((7.43± 1 .78 )%) was higher than that of the control group ((2.72±0.68)%), and the difference was statistically significant (t=7.335 ,P =0.004).The percentage of MR positive cells in stroma of polyps of the berberine group ((19.52±1 .54)%)was less than that of the control group ((12.63±0.68)%),and the difference was statistically significant (t=5 .634,P =0.016).The percentage of COX-2 positive cells in stroma of polyps of berberine group ((3.38 ± 0.51 )%)was less than that of the control group ((7.60±0.57 )%),and the difference was statistically significant (t = 7.234,P = 0.001 ).The relative expression of COX-2 at protein level of polyps of the berberine group was lower than that of the control group. Conclusion Berberine may take the role in inhibiting the growth of intestinal polyps in Apc(Min/+) mice through interfering the differentiation of TAM in polyps and suppression the expression of COX-2.