ObjectiveBased on the clinical characteristics of chronic gouty arthritis （CGA） in both traditional Chinese and western medicine， this study aims to systematically evaluate the clinical concordance of existing CGA animal models， providing recommendations for establishing animal models that align with the pathological characteristics of CGA and the manifestations of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes. MethodsBy comprehensively retrieving Chinese and international databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure， Wanfang， VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database （VIP）， and PubMed， all relevant literature on CGA animal models was collected. Based on the guidelines， the diagnostic criteria of both traditional Chinese and western medicine were summarized and organized. The evaluation indicators for the CGA model were constructed with reference to existing evaluation modes， and the CGA animal models were analyzed to systematically evaluate the clinical concordance of existing models. ResultsThe current methods used to construct CGA animal models mainly include monosodium urate crystal induction， high-protein diet induction （poultry lack urate oxidase）， and high-fat diet combined with urate oxidase inhibitors and joint injection. Based on 11 pieces of included literature， the traditional Chinese and western medicine scoring data of each model were extracted， and the average scoring values of all models were ultimately calculated. The results show that the average clinical concordances of existing CGA animal models in both traditional Chinese and western medicine are 43.33% and 64.44%， respectively. Among them， the model with the highest clinical concordance rate is the one with a high-fat diet combined with potassium oxonate to induce hyperuricemia plus joint injection， achieving 83.33% clinical concordance in western medicine and 60% in traditional Chinese medicine. This model aligns well with the pathogenic characteristics and pathological changes of clinical CGA. ConclusionAlthough current CGA animal models can simulate some pathological characteristics of CGA， they struggle to comprehensively reflect the complex pathological processes of CGA and the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes. Therefore， in the future， it is necessary to establish the CGA animal models that incorporate the clinical disease and syndrome characteristics of traditional Chinese and western medicine and formulate the uniform model evaluation criteria， providing more precise tools for CGA mechanism research and the development of traditional Chinese medicine.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effect of Huazhuo SanJie Chubi presciption （HSCD） on chronic gouty arthritis （CGA） rats with low-grade inflammation and to explore the underlying mechanism with a focus on macrophage polarization. MethodsThe 41 male 6-week-old SD rats were randomly allocated， using the random number table， to a normal group （n=8） and a model group （n =33）. CGA with low-grade inflammation was induced in the model group by daily gavage of potassium oxonate （250 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） and hypoxanthine （300 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， combined with intra-articular injection of a monosodium urate （MSU） crystal suspension （50 μL， 25 g·L^-¹） into the left ankle twice weekly. After 4 weeks of modeling， 3 rats were randomly selected from each group for model validation. The remaining successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group， an HSCD group （10.35 g·kg^-1·d^-1， gavage once daily）， an M1 polarization agonist group （L-methionine sulfoximine， 300 mg·kg^-1， subcutaneous injection every other day）， an M1 polarization agonist + HSCD group， an M2 polarization inhibitor group （PD0325901， 10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， gavage once daily）， and M2 polarization inhibitor + HSCD group. The corresponding drug or drug combination was administered according to group assignment， whereas rats in the normal and model groups received 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium （CMC-Na） vehicle （10.35 g·kg^-1·d^-1， gavage once daily）. All interventions were continued for four weeks. During the intervention period， except for the normal group， potassium oxonate （250 mg·kg⁻¹） and hypoxanthine （300 mg·kg^-1） were co-administered by gavage every other day to maintain the model. At the end of treatment， serum uric acid （SUA）， ankle joint diameter and joint swelling index were measured. The levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 （CCL2）， S100 calcium-binding protein A8/A9 （S100A8/A9）， interleukin-10 （IL-10） and arginase-1 （Arg-1） in serum and joint fluid were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. High-frequency ultrasound was used to assess MSU deposition in the ankle joint. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to evaluate synovial histopathological changes. Quantitative Real-time PCR and immunofluorescence were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of the M1 macrophage polarization markers inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） and the M2 macrophage polarization marker scavenger receptor cysteine-rich type 1 protein M130 （CD163） in synovial tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly elevated SUA level and joint swelling index， and increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines， CCL2， and S100A8/A9 in both serum and joint fluid （P<0.05）， accompanied by MSU deposition and synovial inflammation in the ankle joint. The mRNA and protein expression levels of macrophage polarization M1/M2 markers iNOS and CD163 in synovial tissues were also significantly up-regulated （P<0.05）. Compared with model group， rats in HSCD group had significantly lower SUA levels， attenuated joint swelling， reduced serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines， and decreased levels of CCL2 and S100A8/A9 in both serum and joint fluid， accompanied with alleviated MSU deposition and synovial inflammation （P<0.05）. HSCD markedly downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of M1 marker iNOS （P<0.05）， whereas it had no significant effect on the expression of M2 marker CD163. Compared with the M1 polarization agonist group， the M1 polarization agonist + HSCD group showed significantly reduced joint swelling， lower serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines， and decreased levels of CCL2 and S100A8/A9 in joint fluid （P<0.05）. In addition， synovial inflammatory cell infiltration and angiogenesis were attenuated， and iNOS mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Compared with the M2 polarization inhibitor group， the M2 polarization inhibitor + HSCD group exhibited reduced joint swelling， decreased levels of CCL2 and S100A8/A9 in joint fluid and ameliorated synovial inflammation （P<0.05）， whereas the levels of anti-inflammatory mediators （IL-10， Arg-1） and CD163 mRNA and protein expression were not significantly increased. ConclusionHSCD alleviates low-grade inflammation in CGA rats， at least in part， by inhibiting macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Taishan Panshi powder （TSPSP） on inhibiting oxidative stress injury in human chorionic trophoblast cells （HTR-8/SVneo）， and to uelucidate the underlying mechanism of TSPSP in the treatment of spontaneous abortion （SA）. MethodsGene differential analysis of SA was performed using the Gene Expression Omnibus （GEO） database and correlated with oxidative stress. Network pharmacology was employed to screen the active components of TSPSP， and a "Chinese medicine-component-target-disease" network was constructed to predict the mechanism of action of TSPSP. For in vitro validation experiments， HTR-8/SVneo cells were divided into blank group， model group， TSPSP-containing serum 2.5%， 5%， 10% groups， and nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2） inhibitor group （ML385， 30 μmol·L^-1）. Except for the blank group， other groups were stimulated with 150 μmol·L^-1 H₂O₂ for 3 h to establish a cell oxidative stress injury model. After successful modeling， the blank group and model group were given 10% blank serum， each TSPSP-containing serum group was treated with the corresponding concentration of drug-containing serum， and the Nrf2 inhibitor group was additionally given 30 μmol·L^-1 ML385 on the basis of 10% TSPSP-containing serum. All groups of cells were continuously cultured under the above conditions for 24 h， and then samples were collected for subsequent detection. Cell viability in each group was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell migration rate was detected by scratch test. The contents of malondialdehyde （MDA）， Fe²⁺， and Glutathione （GSH） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Intracellular reactive oxygen species （ROS） level was detected by a fluorescent probe （DCF-DA）. The protein and mRNA expression levels of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （KEAP1）， Nrf2， and forkhead box protein O3 （FoxO3） in cells were detected by immunofluorescence （IF） and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The protein expression levels of KEAP1， Nrf2， FoxO3， Glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） in cells were detected by Western blot. ResultsThe GSE76862 and GSE22490 datasets were obtained from the GEO database. Differential gene analyses showed that the KEAP1， Nrf2， and FoxO3 genes were all associated with the disease. After matching with the oxidative stress pathway， nine significantly differential pathways were identified （P<0.05）， among which three contained the target genes Nrf2 and FoxO3. A total of 246 active ingredient targets of TSPSP and 2 804 SA-related targets were obtained through network pharmacology， and 154 potential action targets were obtained after taking the intersection. Topological analysis showed that targets such as KEAP1 and Nrf2 exhibited high degree values. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that the intersection targets were mainly involved in oxidative stress response， FOXO and MAPK signaling pathways， etc. In in vitro experiments， compared with the blank group， the cell viability in the model group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the cell viability in each TSPSP-containing serum group was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the 10% TSPSP-containing serum group， the cell viability in the ML385 group decreased to approximately 70% （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the model group showed significantly increased contents of MDA， Fe²⁺， and ROS， decreased GSH expression （P<0.01）， significantly reduced cell migration rate （P<0.01）， and increased protein and mRNA expression levels of KEAP1 and FoxO3 （P<0.01）， while decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of Nrf2， GPX4， and SOD （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， each TSPSP-containing serum group showed significantly decreased contents of MDA， Fe²⁺， and ROS， increased GSH expression （P<0.01）， significantly increased migration rate （P<0.01）， significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of KEAP1 and FoxO3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of Nrf2， GPX4， and SOD （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the 10% TSPSP-containing serum group， the ML385 group showed reversed trends in all indicators （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionTSPSP can inhibit H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress injury of trophoblast cells， and its mechanism of action may be related to the drug activating the KEAP1/Nrf2/FoxO3 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Taishan Panshi powder （TSPSP） on inhibiting oxidative stress injury in human chorionic trophoblast cells （HTR-8/SVneo）， and to uelucidate the underlying mechanism of TSPSP in the treatment of spontaneous abortion （SA）. MethodsGene differential analysis of SA was performed using the Gene Expression Omnibus （GEO） database and correlated with oxidative stress. Network pharmacology was employed to screen the active components of TSPSP， and a "Chinese medicine-component-target-disease" network was constructed to predict the mechanism of action of TSPSP. For in vitro validation experiments， HTR-8/SVneo cells were divided into blank group， model group， TSPSP-containing serum 2.5%， 5%， 10% groups， and nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2） inhibitor group （ML385， 30 μmol·L^-1）. Except for the blank group， other groups were stimulated with 150 μmol·L^-1 H₂O₂ for 3 h to establish a cell oxidative stress injury model. After successful modeling， the blank group and model group were given 10% blank serum， each TSPSP-containing serum group was treated with the corresponding concentration of drug-containing serum， and the Nrf2 inhibitor group was additionally given 30 μmol·L^-1 ML385 on the basis of 10% TSPSP-containing serum. All groups of cells were continuously cultured under the above conditions for 24 h， and then samples were collected for subsequent detection. Cell viability in each group was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell migration rate was detected by scratch test. The contents of malondialdehyde （MDA）， Fe²⁺， and Glutathione （GSH） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Intracellular reactive oxygen species （ROS） level was detected by a fluorescent probe （DCF-DA）. The protein and mRNA expression levels of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （KEAP1）， Nrf2， and forkhead box protein O3 （FoxO3） in cells were detected by immunofluorescence （IF） and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The protein expression levels of KEAP1， Nrf2， FoxO3， Glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） in cells were detected by Western blot. ResultsThe GSE76862 and GSE22490 datasets were obtained from the GEO database. Differential gene analyses showed that the KEAP1， Nrf2， and FoxO3 genes were all associated with the disease. After matching with the oxidative stress pathway， nine significantly differential pathways were identified （P<0.05）， among which three contained the target genes Nrf2 and FoxO3. A total of 246 active ingredient targets of TSPSP and 2 804 SA-related targets were obtained through network pharmacology， and 154 potential action targets were obtained after taking the intersection. Topological analysis showed that targets such as KEAP1 and Nrf2 exhibited high degree values. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that the intersection targets were mainly involved in oxidative stress response， FOXO and MAPK signaling pathways， etc. In in vitro experiments， compared with the blank group， the cell viability in the model group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the cell viability in each TSPSP-containing serum group was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the 10% TSPSP-containing serum group， the cell viability in the ML385 group decreased to approximately 70% （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the model group showed significantly increased contents of MDA， Fe²⁺， and ROS， decreased GSH expression （P<0.01）， significantly reduced cell migration rate （P<0.01）， and increased protein and mRNA expression levels of KEAP1 and FoxO3 （P<0.01）， while decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of Nrf2， GPX4， and SOD （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， each TSPSP-containing serum group showed significantly decreased contents of MDA， Fe²⁺， and ROS， increased GSH expression （P<0.01）， significantly increased migration rate （P<0.01）， significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of KEAP1 and FoxO3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of Nrf2， GPX4， and SOD （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the 10% TSPSP-containing serum group， the ML385 group showed reversed trends in all indicators （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionTSPSP can inhibit H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress injury of trophoblast cells， and its mechanism of action may be related to the drug activating the KEAP1/Nrf2/FoxO3 signaling pathway.

Objective To evaluate the role of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) testing in evaluating early hearing loss among noise-exposed workers. Methods A total of 174 noise-exposed workers in a metal shipbuilding enterprise were selected as the research subjects by the convenience sampling method. Pure tone audiometry (PTA), DPOAE and the level of noise exposure were conducted on the workers. The rank correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between DPOAE amplitude and PTA threshold. The multilevel model was used to analyze the effects of gender, age, noise exposure intensity, cumulative noise exposure (CNE), hearing loss classification and PTA threshold on DPOAE results. Results At the frequencies of 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, 3.00, 4.00, 6.00 and 8.00 kHz, the DPOAE amplitude was negatively correlated with the PTA threshold (rank correlation coefficients were -0.12, -0.48, -0.47, -0.18, -0.23, -0.44, -0.19, respectively, all P<0.01). At the most frequencies, DPOAE amplitude was negatively correlated with age and CNE (all P<0.05). The results of multilevel model analysis showed that there were significant differences in DPOAE amplitudes at certain frequencies across gender, age, noise intensity, CNE, and hearing loss classification (all P<0.05). Significant differences in DPOAE responses were found among different CNE and hearing loss groups (all P<0.01). Conclusion DPOAE testing can objectively reflect the hearing status of noise-exposed workers and could be considered for inclusion in routine hearing monitoring to facilitate early detection of noise-induced hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a hospital-made resuscitation pack, a Chinese medicinal herbal compound formula designed to enhance recovery in post-bronchoscopy patients. METHODS: In this randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, eligible patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to either the treatment or control groups. The patients in the treatment group applied the resuscitation pack, which contained aromatic compounded Chinese herbs. The patients in the control group applied a hospital-made, single herb placebo pack. Packs were placed on the Tiantu (CV 22) acupuncture point for 4 h as soon as the bronchoscopy finished. Efficacy indicators, such as recovery time, patients' symptoms including nausea and dizziness, and adverse events (AEs) were observed and compared. The outcome indices were evaluated at baseline, 1 and 24 h after the bronchoscopy. Subgroup analysis was further performed by patients' age and depth of sedation. RESULTS: When applying generalized estimating equations (GEE) to evaluate the intensity of post-bronchoscopy nausea and vomiting, the intensity was lower in the treatment group (163 cases) compared with the control group (162 cases; 95% CI: 0.004, 0.099, P=0.03]. Also, significantly lower intensity of nausea was observed in the 60-70 years of age subgroup (95% CI: 0.029, 0.169, P=0.006) and deep sedation subgroup (95% CI: 0.002, 0.124; P=0.04). There was no significant difference in dizziness between two groups by GEE (95% CI: -0.134, 0.297; P=0.459). In addition, no serious AEs were observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS Our study found that the resuscitation pack markedly improved patients' symptoms by reducing nausea and vomiting after bronchoscopy without AEs, compared with placebo in the perioperative period. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2000038299).
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Bronchoscopy/adverse effects* ; Single-Blind Method ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Treatment Outcome ; Resuscitation ; Adult ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

The progression from gastric mucosal inflammation to cancer signifies a pivotal event in the trajectory of gastric cancer (GC) development. Chinese medicine (CM) exhibits unique advantages and holds significant promise in inhibiting carcinogenesis of the gastric mucosa. This review intricately examines the critical pathological events during the transition from gastric mucosal inflammation-cancer transformation (GMICT), with a particular focus on pathological evolution mechanisms of spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia (SPEM). Moreover, it investigates the pioneering applications and advancements of CM in intervening within the medical research domain of precancerous transformations leading to GC. Furthermore, the analysis extends to major shortcomings and challenges confronted by current research in gastric precancerous lesions, and innovative studies related to CM are presented. We offer a highly succinct yet optimistic outlook on future developmental trends. This paper endeavors to foster a profound understanding of forefront dynamics in GMICT research and scientific implications of modernizing CM. It also introduces a novel perspective for establishing a collaborative secondary prevention system for GC that integrates both Western and Chinese medicines.
Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Humans ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology* ; Gastric Mucosa/pathology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Inflammation/pathology* ; Animals

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a crucial role in regulating many physiological processes. Activating the AhR-CYP1A1 axis has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy against various inflammatory diseases. Here, a practical in situ cell-based fluorometric assay was constructed to screen AhR-CYP1A1 axis modulators, via functional sensing of CYP1A1 activities in live cells. Firstly, a cell-permeable, isoform-specific enzyme-activable fluorogenic substrate for CYP1A1 was rationally constructed for in-situ visualizing the dynamic changes of CYP1A1 function in living systems, which was subsequently used for discovering the efficacious modulators of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis. Following screening of a compound library, LAC-7 was identified as an efficacious activator of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis, which dose-dependently up-regulated the expression levels of both CYP1A1 and AhR in multiple cell lines. LAC-7 also suppressed macrophage M1 polarization and reduced the levels of inflammatory factors in LPS-induced bone marrow-derived macrophages. Animal tests showed that LAC-7 could significantly mitigate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis and LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice, and markedly reduced the levels of multiple inflammatory factors. Collectively, an optimized fluorometric cell-based assay was devised for in situ functional imaging of CYP1A1 activities in living systems, which strongly facilitated the discovery of efficacious modulators of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis as novel anti-inflammatory agents.

A 71-year-old male presented with esophageal cancer and severe aortic valve regurgitation. Treatment strategies for such patients are controversial. Considering the risks of cardiopulmonary bypass and potential esophageal cancer metastasis, we successfully performed transcatheter aortic valve implantation and minimally invasive three-incision thoracolaparoscopy combined with radical resection of esophageal cancer (McKeown) simultaneously in the elderly patient who did not require neoadjuvant treatment. This dual minimally invasive procedure took 6 hours and the patient recovered smoothly without any surgical complications.

The tumor microenvironment is a crucial factor in tumor occurrence and progression. The hypoxic microenvironment is widely present in tumor tissue and is a key endogenous factor accelerating tumor deterioration. The "blood stasis toxin" theory, as an emerging perspective in tumor research, is regarded as the unique "soil" in tumor progression from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) due to its dynamic evolution mechanism, which closely resembles the formation of the hypoxic microenvironment. Scientifically integrating TCM theories with the biological characteristics of tumors and exploring precise syndrome differentiation and treatment strategies are key to achieving comprehensive tumor prevention and control. This article focused on the hypoxic microenvironment of the tumor, elucidating its formation mechanisms and evolutionary processes and carefully analyzing the internal relationship between the "blood stasis toxin" theory and the hypoxic microenvironment. Additionally, it explored the interaction among blood stasis, toxic pathogens, and hypoxic environment and proposed micro-level prevention and treatment strategies targeting the hypoxic microenvironment based on the "blood stasis toxin" theory, aiming to provide TCM-based theoretical support and therapeutic approaches for precise regulation of the hypoxic microenvironment.
Humans ; Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects* ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Disease Progression ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal