Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays an important role in preventing and treating diseases and improving human health. However, the complex bioactive components and regulation of signaling pathway and network restrict the elucidation of the mechanisms of action of TCM. A human being is regarded as a super "symbiont" composed of body cells and commensal microorganisms. Gut microbiota is the core commensal microorganism system of a human body, being considered as "the second genome" and the new "organ". Alterations in gut microbiota reflect the state of body health and progression of diseases. Recent investigations have revealed that the TCM rich in polysaccharides and polyphenols can modulate gut microbiota metabolites to rehabilitate gut homeostasis, thus ameliorating diseases via regulating gut-liver axis or gut-brain axis. This review summarizes the causal relationship and mechanisms of action of TCM in the treatment of diseases from the perspective of gut microbiota metabolites. Our findings are expected to provide new insights into the mechanisms of TCM in preventing and treating diseases and guidance for TCM-based drug discovery in the future.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Polyphenols/pharmacology* ; Polysaccharides/pharmacology*

This study was aimed at investigating the infection status of orf virus(ORFV)and the genetic evolution characteristics of epidemic ORFV isolates from Anhui province.A total of 303 clinical samples collected from major meat sheep breeding cities in An-hui during 2021-2023 were subjected to ORFV detection with fluorescence quantitative PCR(qPCR).The full-length B2L and F1L genes of ORFV in the positive samples were amplified through conventional PCR and sequenced.Genetic evolution analysis of the B2L and F1L genes was conducted after sequencing.The qPCR results indicated a total ORFV positivity rate in the clinical samples of 48.8%(148/303).Multiple sequence comparisons indicated that the B2L genes of 56 sample isolates shared 96.7%-100.0%DNA and 97.4%-100.0%amino acid sequence identity.Moreover,the F2L genes of 56 sample isolates shared 95.1%-100.0%DNA and 95.0%-100.0%amino acid sequence identity.The genetic evolution tree constructed with the B2L gene DNA sequences indicated sample iso-lates and 21 reference strains located in subgroup 1,and 26 sheep-derived sample isolates and 17 reference strains located in sub-group 2.Among them,the goat-derived sample isolate FY-TYA was located in the same sub-branch as the human-derived reference strain Gansu,whereas the goat-derived sample isolate FY-XQC was located in the same sub-branch as the reference strains China Vaccine and OV-HLJ-04.The genetic evolution tree constructed with the F1L gene DNA sequences showed,the goat sample isolates FY-XQA and FY-XQC were located in the same sub-branch as the sheep-derived reference strain Xinjiang.ORFV infection was rela-tively widespread in the major meat sheep breeding areas of Anhui province,and the DNA and amino acid sequences of the B2L and F1L genes of current circulating ORFV isolates showed different degrees of genetic variation,among which F1L gene had a high de-gree of variation.Furthermore,some goat-derived sample isolates were closely related to human,vaccine,and sheep-derived refer-ence strains.These results may serve as a reference for the prevention and control of ORFV infection in Anhui province.

This study was aimed at investigating the infection status of orf virus(ORFV)and the genetic evolution characteristics of epidemic ORFV isolates from Anhui province.A total of 303 clinical samples collected from major meat sheep breeding cities in An-hui during 2021-2023 were subjected to ORFV detection with fluorescence quantitative PCR(qPCR).The full-length B2L and F1L genes of ORFV in the positive samples were amplified through conventional PCR and sequenced.Genetic evolution analysis of the B2L and F1L genes was conducted after sequencing.The qPCR results indicated a total ORFV positivity rate in the clinical samples of 48.8%(148/303).Multiple sequence comparisons indicated that the B2L genes of 56 sample isolates shared 96.7%-100.0%DNA and 97.4%-100.0%amino acid sequence identity.Moreover,the F2L genes of 56 sample isolates shared 95.1%-100.0%DNA and 95.0%-100.0%amino acid sequence identity.The genetic evolution tree constructed with the B2L gene DNA sequences indicated sample iso-lates and 21 reference strains located in subgroup 1,and 26 sheep-derived sample isolates and 17 reference strains located in sub-group 2.Among them,the goat-derived sample isolate FY-TYA was located in the same sub-branch as the human-derived reference strain Gansu,whereas the goat-derived sample isolate FY-XQC was located in the same sub-branch as the reference strains China Vaccine and OV-HLJ-04.The genetic evolution tree constructed with the F1L gene DNA sequences showed,the goat sample isolates FY-XQA and FY-XQC were located in the same sub-branch as the sheep-derived reference strain Xinjiang.ORFV infection was rela-tively widespread in the major meat sheep breeding areas of Anhui province,and the DNA and amino acid sequences of the B2L and F1L genes of current circulating ORFV isolates showed different degrees of genetic variation,among which F1L gene had a high de-gree of variation.Furthermore,some goat-derived sample isolates were closely related to human,vaccine,and sheep-derived refer-ence strains.These results may serve as a reference for the prevention and control of ORFV infection in Anhui province.

Objective:To investigate the concern about pollen broadcasting in Chinese population from multiple dimensions and to understand the information about allergic rhinitis (AR) in China by analyzing related factors.Methods:From March 1 to September 30, 2022, a large-scale multi-center cross-sectional survey was conducted based on the Questionnaire Star platform in 21 Chinese hospitals. A total of 7 056 subjects from 7 regions in China: Northeast, North, East, Central, South, Southwest, and Northwest China were included. Basic characteristics (including social demographic characteristics and disease characteristics of AR patients), concern about pollen broadcasting, the willingness of pollen-induced AR (PiAR) patients to receive pollen broadcasting, and the treatment satisfaction rate of AR patients were collected. The chi-square test, multivariate linear regression model, and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the concern about pollen broadcasting in the Chinese population and related factors from multiple dimensions.Results:Among 7 056 subjects, 23.02% were concerned about pollen broadcasting. Among 3 176 self-reported AR and 1 019 PiAR patients, 25.60% and 39.16% were concerned about pollen broadcasting, respectively, which was higher than that of non-AR or non-PiAR subjects ( χ2 value was 21.74 and 175.11, respectively, both P<0.001). Among AR patients, the proportion of spring and autumn allergen-positive patients concerned about pollen broadcasting was higher than that in perennial allergen-positive patients ( χ2 value was 20.90 and 19.51, respectively, both P<0.001). The proportion of AR patients with asthma, sinusitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases was higher than those without complications ( χ2 value was 50.83, 21.97, 56.78, 7.62, respectively, all P<0.05). The proportion of AR patients in North China who could find pollen broadcasting locally was 31.01%, significantly higher than those in other regions (all P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression model analysis showed that among PiAR patients, those with higher per capita household income and higher AR disease cognition levels had been concerned about pollen broadcasting in the past, and those complicated with allergic conjunctivitis had stronger intention to receive pollen broadcasting (B value was 0.24, 0.13, 0.66, 0.47, respectively, all P<0.05). The higher the disease cognition level of PiAR patients, the stronger their willingness to actively participate in treatment ( R2=0.72, P<0.001). Only 18.89% of AR patients felt satisfied with the treatment effect. Logistic regression analysis showed that in AR patients, the treatment satisfaction rate was significantly higher among those concerned about pollen broadcasting compared to those who were not ( OR=1.83, P<0.001). Conclusions:Currently, the dissemination of pollen broadcasting in China is hindered by various factors such as disease cognition level. The treatment satisfaction among AR patients remains unsatisfactory.

Purpose: The prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is extremely poor, and systemic therapy is currently the mainstream treatment. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib combined with anti–programmed cell death-1 antibodies and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (triple therapy) in patients with HCC and PVTT. Materials and Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included patients with HCC and PVTT who received triple therapy, were aged between 18 and 75 years, classified as Child-Pugh class A or B, and had at least one measurable lesion. The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rates, and disease control rates were analyzed to assess efficacy. Treatment-related adverse events were analyzed to assess safety profiles. Results: During a median follow-up of 11.23 months (range, 3.07 to 34.37 months), the median OS was greater than 24 months, and median PFS was 12.53 months. The 2-year OS rate was 54.9%. The objective response rate and disease control rate were 69.8% (74/106) and 84.0% (89/106), respectively; 20.8% (22/106) of the patients experienced grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events and no treatment-related deaths occurred. The conversion rate to liver resection was 31.1% (33/106), with manageable postoperative complications. The median OS was not reached in the surgery group, but was 19.08 months in the non-surgery group. The median PFS in the surgery and non-surgery groups were 20.50 and 9.00 months, respectively. Conclusion Triple therapy showed promising survival benefits and high response rates in patients with HCC and PVTT, with manageable adverse effects.

Objective:To explore the clinical effects of anterolateral femoral or anteromedial femoral perforator flaps in repairing skin and soft tissue defects after resection of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From July 2015 to July 2022, 21 patients with CSCC were treated in the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, including 15 males and 6 females, aged from 27 to 74 years. The area of skin and soft tissue defects after extended resection of CSCC was 7.5 cm×4.0 cm to 23.0 cm×8.5 cm. The wounds in 18 patients were repaired with anterolateral femoral perforator flaps; variations of perforating branch of the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery were observed in 3 patients during the operation, and the wounds were repaired with anteromedial femoral perforator flaps. The flap areas were 8.0 cm×5.0 cm to 25.0 cm×10.0 cm. The wounds in the donor areas were sutured directly in 19 patients, and the wounds in the donor areas were repaired with thin and medium-thickness skin grafts in the contralateral thigh in 2 patients. The postoperative survival of flaps and the occurrence of vascular crisis were observed. The length of operation and the hospitalization day were recorded. The recurrence of tumor, the appearances of the donor and recipient areas of flaps, the function of the flap donor area were followed up. At the last follow-up, the satisfaction degree of patients for the curative effects was evaluated.Results:The flaps survived in 20 patients, while the vascular crisis occurred in 1 patient within 48 hours after operation, and the flap survived after immediate emergency operation. The length of operation was 4 to 5 hours, and the hospitalization day was 15 to 38 days. The patients were followed up for 1 to 6 years after operation, there was no local tumor recurrence, the color and texture of the flaps were with no obvious differences to those of the surrounding tissue, and the elasticity and appearance were good. The skin grafts in the flap donor areas of 2 patients survived well with local pigmentation. There was only linear scar in the flap donor areas of all patients, and there were no significant effects on sensory and motor functions. At the last follow-up, fifteen patients were satisfied with the curative effect, and 6 patients were generally satisfied with the curative effect.Conclusions:For skin and soft tissue defects after CSCC resection, the anterolateral femoral perforator flaps can be used preferentially. In the case of variation of the perforating branch of descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, the anteromedial femoral perforator flap is selected. The areas of the two flaps are large and can be adjusted according to the amount of defect tissue, thus accurately and effectively repairing skin and soft tissue defects after CSCC resection. The postoperative appearance and function are good.

Rats ; Animals ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction/pathology* ; Survivin/genetics* ; Urinary Bladder/pathology* ; Fibrosis

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of injection of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) for female urethral pain syndrome (UPS).Methods:This study retrospectively included 8 women with UPS who were treated by injection of BTX-A in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from February 2021 to September 2021. The average age was (47.87±11.33) years old, the median disease duration was 3(1.0, 10.8) years. Before treatment, The visual analogue scale (VAS) was (5.38±1.92), the Pain, Urgency, Frequency score (PUF) was (10.75±5.12), and the female sexual function index (FSFI) was (14.53±11.63). 100U BTX-A was injected at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock positions of the urethral meatus, as well as at the mid-urethra and the left and right sides of the bladder neck, totaling 10 injections. The VAS, PUF score, FSFI score, and complications were recorded at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment.Results:The VAS score decreased to (3.25±2.12), (2.88±2.23)and(2.88±2.23) at 1, 3, and 6 months, showing statistically significant differences compared to the pre-treatment scores ( P<0.05); post-treatment PUF score declined to (6.63±3.93), (6.25±4.03)and(5.13±3.31), respectively, with only the 6-month score showing a statistically significant difference compared to the pre-treatment score ( P=0.03). The FSFI score increased slightly to (14.68±11.56), (16.76±12.17) and (16.76±12.17)at 1, 3, and 6 months post-injection, respectively, with no statistically significant differences compared to the pre-treatment scores ( P>0.05). Only 1 patient had transient dysuria. Conclusion:BTX-A injection is a safe and effective treatment for UPS, and it can be used for UPS patients who are unresponsive to conservative therapy.

Objective:To explore any effect of repeated application of low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on depression and the cognition of depressed elderly persons.Methods:Eighty-six elderly persons with depression were randomly divided into an rTMS group and a control group, each of 43. In addition to anti-depressant treatment, the rTMS group was given 20 minutes of 1Hz rTMS daily applied over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, five times a week for 4 weeks. The control group was given sham treatment on the same schedule. Before the experiment and after 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of the treatment, depression in both groups was evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24). At the 4- and 8-week evaluations the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the Trail Making Test Part A (TMT-A) were also administered.Results:Before the treatment there were no significant differences in the 2 groups′ average HAMD or WCST scores. At each subsequent evaluation both groups′ average HAMD score had decreased significantly. After 3 weeks the average HAMD score of the rTMS group consistently remained significantly lower than the control group′s average. At the 4- and 8-week evaluations both groups′ WCST and TMT-A scores had improved significantly compared with before the treatment, with significantly greater improvement in the rTMS group′s average WCST result, though not in their TPT-A result. There was no signi-ficant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the 2 groups.Conclusion:As a supplement to antidepressant treatment, right-side low-frequency rTMS can relieve depressive symptoms and improve the cognitive functioning of depressed elderly persons. It is well tolerated with few adverse reactions.

Objective:To explore the effect of the new model of "5G cloud plus medicine" network and linkage in improving the therapeutic effect for patients with severe trauma.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 410 patients with severe trauma admitted to Qingzhou People′s Hospital affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from November 2016 to November 2020. There were 258 males and 152 females, aged 16-80 years [(45.7±16.1)years]. The injury severity score (ISS) ranged from 17 to 55 points [(28.1±7.6)points]. A total of 210 patients with severe trauma were rescued by using the new model of "5G cloud plus medicine" network and linkage from November 1, 2018 to November 30, 2020 (observation group), and another 200 patients with severe trauma were rescued by the traditional treatment mode from November 1, 2016 to October 31, 2018 were selected as the control group. Time to start rescue (time from admission to the start of rescue), CT examination time (time from consultation to completion of CT scan), time to receive blood transfusion (time from blood transfusion request to execution), residence time in emergency room, ISS at postoperative 28 days, proportion of patients with blood transfusion, success rate of rescue and mortality rate were compared between the two groups.Results:Time to start rescue [(2.4±1.1)minutes], CT examination time [(29.1±10.3)minutes], time to receive blood transfusion [(28.1±10.2)minutes] and residence time in emergency room [(3.0±1.1)hours] in observation group were significantly shorter than those in control group [(5.5±1.2)minutes, (42.8±10.1)minutes, (48.5±13.1)minutes, (5.0±1.4)hours] (all P<0.05 or 0.01). ISS was (18.7±2.8)points in observation group, significantly lower than (22.1±3.4)points in control group ( P<0.05). Proportion of patients with blood transfusion was 49.5% (104/210) in observation group, similar with 42.5% (85/200) in control group ( P>0.05). Success rate of rescue was 99.0% (208/210) in observation group, significantly higher than 93.0% (186/200) in control group ( P<0.05). The mortality rate was 4.3% (9/200) in observation group, significantly lower than 8.5% (17/200) in control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:For patients with severe trauma, the new model of "5G cloud plus medicine" network and linkage can effectively shorten the time to start rescue, CT examination time, time to receive blood transfusion and residence time in emergency room, improve the success rate of rescue and reduce the mortality rate, which is worthy of further promotion.