This paper summarizes Professor HAN Mingxiang's clinical experience in the use of Zeqi （Euphorbia HelioscopiaL.）. It is believed that Zeqi （Euphorbia HelioscopiaL.） has the effects of promoting qi， relieving water retention and swelling， resolving phlegm， stopping cough， dissipating masses， activating blood， removing stasis， and detoxifying. In clinical practice， Zeqi （Euphorbia HelioscopiaL.） is flexibly applied in the treatment of skin diseases， respiratory diseases， tumors， etc. For instance， in treating psoriasis with the pathogenesis of damp-heat toxin， a compound prescription of Zeqi Decoction （泽漆汤） is formulated. For bronchial asthma with kidney deficiency and water retention， Zeqi Decoction is commonly combined with Wuling Powder （五苓散） in adjusted doses. For lung nodules with a combination of deficiency， phlegm， stasis， and toxin， a Lung Nodule Prescription is proposed. For advanced lung cancer with both qi and yin deficiency and toxin accumulation， Qiyu Sanlong Decoction （芪玉三龙汤） is suggested， and for cancer-related ascites with qi deficiency and water retention， Wuling Powder combined with Zeqi （Euphorbia HelioscopiaL.）is chosen.

This paper summarizes Professor HAN Mingxiang's clinical experience in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）. He believes that the key pathomechanism of COPD in the acute exacerbation stage is the invasion of external pathogens triggering latent illness， while lung qi deficiency is the primary mechanism in the stable stage. The core pathological factors throughout disease progression are deficiency， phlegm， and blood stasis. Treatment emphasizes a staged and syndrome-based approach. During the acute exacerbation stage， for wind-cold invading the lung syndrome， the self-formulated Sanzi Wenfei Decoction （三子温肺汤） is used to relieve the exterior， dispel cold， warm the lung， and resolve phlegm. For phlegm-dampness obstructing the lung syndrome， Huatan Jiangqi Fomulation （化痰降气方） is prescribed to warm the lung， transform phlegm， descend qi， and calm wheezing. For phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome， Qingfei Huatan Fomulation （清肺化痰方） is applied to clear heat， resolve phlegm， moisten the lung， and stop coughing. For phlegm and blood stasis interlocking syndrome， Qibai Pingfei Fomulation （芪白平肺方） is used to tonify qi， resolve phlegm， and activate blood circulation to remove stasis. During the stable stage， for lung qi deficiency syndrome， Shenqi Wenfei Decoction （参芪温肺汤） is employed to warm the lung， tonify qi， resolve phlegm， and eliminate turbidity. For lung-spleen qi deficiency syndrome， Shenqi Buzhong Decoction （参芪补中汤） is utilized to strengthen the spleen， tonify qi， and reinforce metal （lung） from earth （spleen）. For lung-kidney deficiency syndrome， Shenqi Tiaoshen Fomulation （参芪调肾方） is prescribed to tonify the lung， warm yang， and regulate kidney function to calm wheezing. These strategies provide insights into the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of COPD.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the effects of Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsules-containing serum on the expression of CircRNA_0001543/nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） in co-cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs） and human fibroblast-like synoviocytes （FLSs） from patients with ankylosing spondylitis （AS）. MethodsVenous blood was collected from patients with AS to isolate PBMCs. FLSs were co-cultured with AS patients' PBMCs， and FLSs were harvested after co-culture for subsequent experiments. The normal control group consisted of normal FLSs， while the model group comprised co-cultured AS PBMCs and FLSs to simulate AS pathology. The Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsules group involved adding Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsules-containing serum to the co-cultured cells（6.48 g·kg^-1）. To investigate the effect of HQC-containing serum on the viability of co-cultured cells， and the experiment was divided into the following groups based on the dilution concentration： blank group， 10% HQC group， 20% HQC group， and 30% HQC group.To study the influence of the optimal concentration of HQC-containing serum on cytokine and pathway indicators in each group， the experiment was divided into three groups： normal group， model group， and optimal concentration HQC-containing serum group.For the validation of the transfection efficiency of the CircRNA_0001543 interference plasmid， the experiment was divided into the following groups： blank group， si-NC group （with transfection reagent）， si-circ_0001543-1 group （with transfection reagent and interference plasmid No. 1 targeting circ_0001543）， si-circ_0001543-2 group （with transfection reagent and interference plasmid No. 2 targeting circ_0001543）， and si-circ_0001543-3 group （with transfection reagent and interference plasmid No. 3 targeting circ_0001543）.For the validation of the transfection efficiency of the CircRNA_0001543 overexpression plasmid， the experiment was divided into the following groups： blank group， OE-NC group （with transfection reagent）， and OE-circ_0001543 group （with transfection reagent and overexpression plasmid targeting circ_0001543）.To study the effects of CircRNA_0001543 interference/overexpression on cytokine and pathway indicators in each group， the experiment was divided into the following groups： si-NC group， si-CircRNA_0001543 group， OE-NC group， and OE-CircRNA_0001543 group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-10， IL-37， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was utilized to measure the expression of CircRNA_0001543， IκBα， and NF-κB p65. ResultsAfter 48 hours， 30% Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules-containing serum significantly inhibited the proliferation of co-cultured PBMCs and FLSs， which was determined to be the optimal experimental drug-containing serum concentration. Compared with those in the normal group， the expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA， IκBα mRNA， IL-1β， and TNF-α in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the expressions of CircRNA_0001543 mRNA， IL-10， and IL-37 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA， IκBα mRNA， IL-1β， and TNF-α in the Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules-containing serum group were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and the expressions of CircRNA_0001543 mRNA， IL-10， and IL-37 were significantly increased （P<0.05）， with the most prominent changes in the 30% drug-containing serum group （P<0.01）. Compared with that in the si-NC group， the expression of CircRNA_0001543 was significantly reduced in the si-CircRNA_0001543 group （P<0.01）. Compared with that in the OE-NC group， the expression of CircRNA_0001543 was significantly increased in the OE-CircRNA_0001543 group （P<0.01）， indicating that the si-CircRNA_0001543 and OE-CircRNA_0001543 plasmids were successfully transfected. Based on the optimal drug-containing serum of Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules， si-CircRNA_0001543 transfection led to significantly increased expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA， IκBα mRNA， IL-1β， and TNF-α and decreased the expressions of IL-10 and IL-37 （P<0.01）. In contrast， OE-CircRNA_0001543 transfection significantly decreased the expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA， IκBα mRNA， IL-1β， and TNF-α （P<0.01） and increased the expressions of IL-10 and IL-37 （P<0.01）. ConclusionHuangqin Qingre Chubi capsules-containing serum can improve immune inflammation in AS by increasing the expression of CircRNA_0001543， regulating the NF-κB pathway， suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines， and enhancing anti-inflammatory cytokine expression.

Under the background of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, together with 15 national ministries and commissions, has formulated the Implementation Plan on Establishing a Carbon Footprint Management System, and it is urgent for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) pharmaceutical enterprises to carry out research on carbon footprint accounting methods of related products. Based on the life cycle assessment(LCA) theory, taking mulberry leaf extract produced by a certain enterprise as an example, this study analyzed the carbon footprint of TCM extracts during the life cycle. The results show that for every 1 kg of product produced, the carbon emissions from the stages of raw material acquisition, transportation, and extract production are-20.569, 1.205, and 173.577 kgCO_2eq(CO_2 equivalent), respectively. The carbon footprint of the product is 154.213 kgCO_2eq·kg~(-1). In addition, the carbon emission is the highest in the production stage, in which the consumption of ethanol solvents makes the greatest contribution to the carbon footprint, accounting for 25.71%, more than one-fourth of the total carbon footprint. The second contribution was from the treatment process of TCM residues, accounting for 19.67%, closely followed by wastewater treatment(17.71%), the consumption of hot steam(17.43%), and drinking water(16.90%). The consumption of electric power and packaging materials has a smaller carbon emission of 2.58%. In particular, the carbon emission caused by the consumption of packaging materials is only 0.04%, which is negligible. The results of the study are expected to provide a reference for TCM enterprises to carry out research on the carbon footprint of products, offer ideas for collaborative innovation in reducing pollution and carbon emissions throughout the entire industry chain of TCM, and develop new quality productivity of modern TCM industry based on green and low-carbon manufacturing.
Morus/chemistry* ; Plant Leaves/chemistry* ; Carbon Footprint ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/analysis* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Investigating the correlation between micronucleus formation and male infertility has the potential to improve clinical diagnosis and deepen our understanding of pathological progression. Our study enrolled 2252 male patients whose semen was analyzed from March 2023 to July 2023. Their clinical data, including semen parameters and age, were also collected. Genetic analysis was used to determine whether the sex chromosome involved in male infertility was abnormal (including the increase, deletion, and translocation of the X and Y chromosomes), and subsequent semen analysis was conducted for clinical grouping purposes. The participants were categorized into five groups: normozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia, and azoospermia. Patients were randomly selected for further study; 41 patients with normozoospermia were included in the control group and 117 patients with non-normozoospermia were included in the study group according to the proportions of all enrolled patients. Cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) screening was conducted through peripheral blood. Statistical analysis was used to determine the differences in micronuclei (MNi) among the groups and the relationships between MNi and clinical data. There was a significant increase in MNi in infertile men, including those with azoospermia, compared with normozoospermic patients, but there was no significant difference between the genetic and nongenetic groups in azoospermic men. The presence of MNi was associated with sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, immotile spermatozoa, malformed spermatozoa, total sperm count, and total sperm motility. This study underscores the potential utility of MNi as a diagnostic tool and highlights the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of male infertility.
Humans ; Male ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Adult ; Micronucleus Tests ; Semen Analysis ; Oligospermia/genetics* ; Azoospermia/genetics* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Sperm Count ; Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective ; Middle Aged