AIM: To establish HPLC fingerprint to make the difference between pre-and post processed Radix et Rhizoma Gentiana rigescen with wine-fried method. METHODS: Chromatographic fingerprint between pre-and post processed Radix et Rhizoma Gentiana rigescen with wine-fried was investigated by RP-HPLC and the gradient elution with acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acid was applied to chromatographic separation(Alltima C_18(4.6 mm ?250 mm,5 ?m) column) for 65 min,and detection wavelength of 225 nm.Data were analysed by fingerprint similarity evaluation software to compare the similarity among the samples. RESULTS: The similitude degree of the10 batches of pre-and post processed Radix et Rhizoma Gentiana rigescen with wine-fried method were between 0.935-0.997 and 0.964-0.999,respectively.Comparing with the common processing of the HPLC fingerprint of Radix et Rhizoma Gentiana rigescen,the similarity of Radix et Rhizoma Gentiana rigescen processed with wine-fried was greater than 0.900. CONCLUSION: There have no significant deviation between semipolarity components of the pre-and post processed Radix et Rhizoma Gentiana rigescen with wine-fried method. The proportion of the main relative peak area has changed.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the degree of basilar artery stenosis and the short-term prognosis in patients with isolated pontine infarction.Methods:One hundred and thirty-seven patients with isolated pontine infarction within 1 month after symptom onset admitted to our hospital from April 2016 to April 2018 were consecutively included.Based on modified Rankin scale(mRS)socres, patients were divided into the good outcome group(mRS score≤2)and the poor outcome group(mRS score>2). Venous blood samples were taken for biochemical testing on admission or the next day.Baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)scores and demographic data were recorded and compared between the two groups.The degree of basilar artery stenosis was assessed by magnetic resonance angiography(MRA), and subjects were divided into the non-stenosis, mild stenosis, middle stenosis and severe stenosis subgroups.Results:There were 108 patients in the good outcome group and 29 in the poor outcome group.The baseline NIHSS score(2.71±0.22 vs.7.10±0.59, t=6.99, P<0.01)and total cholesterol[(4.29±0.101)mmol/L vs.(4.76±0.17)mmol/L, t=2.21, P=0.03]were lower in the good outcome group than in the poor outcome group.The proportion of patients without stenosis was higher(76 or 70.4% vs.5 or 17.2%, χ2=26.70, P<0.01)and the proportion of patients with severe stenosis were lower(4 or 3.7% vs.7 or 24.1%, P=0.002)in the good outcome group than in the poor outcome group.Binary logistics regression analysis showed that baseline NIHSS score( OR=1.658, 95% CI: 1.327-2.071, P=0.000)and degree of basilar artery stenosis( OR=2.071, 95% CI: 1.159-3.701, P=0.014)were risk factors for the short-term prognosis. Conclusions:The degree of basilar artery stenosis is a risk factor for the short-term prognosis in patients with isolated pontine infarction, and patients with severer stenosis will have a poorer prognosis.

Objective To investigate the correlation between serum uric acid level and short-term outcome of acute isolated pontine infarction. Methods From April 2016 to April 2018, consecutive patients with acute isolated pontine infarction admitted to the Department of Neurology, Kaifeng Central Hospital were enrolled. The baseline clinical data were collected. Fasting venous blood was collected on the day of admission or the morning of the next day for blood biochemical tests. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to assess the severity of neurological deficit. According to the modified Rankin Scale score at discharge or 14 dafter onset, the patients were divided into good outcome group (≤2) and poor outcome group ( > 2 ). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for short-term poor outcome. Results A total of 137 patients were enrolled in the study, 108 (78.8% ) had a good outcome, and 29 (21.2% ) had a poor outcome. The baseline NIHSS score (median [ interquartile range]: 2.5 [1.0-4.0] vs. 8.5 [5.5-10.0 ]; Z= 6.092, P< 0.001 ) and total cholesterol levels (4.290 ± 0.101 mmol/L vs. 4.763 ± 0.171 mmol/L; t=2.214, P=0.028] in the good outcome group were significantly lower than those in the poor outcome group, while serum uric acid level (329.769 ± 8.122μmol/L vs. 257.103 ± 14.290μmol/L; t=4.190, P<0.001) was significantly higher than that in the poor outcome group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high serum uric acid levels were independently associated with short-term good outcomes in patients with isolated pontine infarction (odds ratio [ OR] 0.377, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 0.203-0.702; P=0.002), while high NIHSS score (OR 1.762, 95% CI 1.375-2.258; P<0.001) and hypertension (OR 5. 353, 95% CI 1.333-21.502; P= 0.018 ) were independently associated with short-term poor outcomes. Conclusion High baseline serum uric acid levels are associated with short-term good outcomes in patients with acute isolated pontine infarction.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum cathepsin S (Cat S) and cystatin C(Cys C) expression levels with carotid arterial plaque property in the patients with ischemic stroke(IS).Methods A total of 336 cases of atherosclerotic cerebral infarction were divided into the stable plaque and unstable plaque group according to the carotid arterial ultrasound.Contemporaneous 114 individuals undergoing healthy physical examination served as the control group.Fasting blood was collected from all subjects entering the groups for detecting serum Cat S and Cys C.Results The serum Cat S and Cys C levels and Cat S/Cys C ratio (Cat S/Cys C) had statistically significant difference between the two groups (P＜0.05),moreover the Cat S level in the unstable plaque group of the patients with cerebral infarction was increased compared with that in the stable plaque group,while serum Cys C level was decreased compared with that in the stable plaque group (P＜0.05).The Cat S levels were (75.34-±-15.45)pg/mL and (60.12±18.53)pg/mL and the Cys C levels were (0.73±0.62)mg/L and (0.93±0.53)mg/L,the Cat S/Cys C ratios were (103.68±2.52) and (64.64± 9.24) respectively,the difference between the two groups had statistical significance (P＜0.05).The Spearman correlation analysis showed that the serum Cat S level and Cat S/Cys C ratio had obviously positive correlation with carotid arterial unstable plaque (r=0.498,P＜0.05;r=0.753,P＜0.01);while the level of serum Cys C was negatively correlated with the unstable plaque (r=-0.213,P＜0.05).Conclusion Serum Cat S/Cys C level has a certain correlation with carotid arterial plaque property in ischemic stroke patients,which may become the serological indicators for predicting carotid arterial plaque.

BACKGROUND:Currently,there have been a variety of conservative and surgical treatment plans for spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee,achieving excellent results.However,a broad consensus on indication and guide of surgical treatment has not been announced.In clinical practice,there is still a misunderstanding that unicondylar replacement or total knee arthroplasty should be performed upon the discovery of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee,while an urgent need for universal access to the concept of stepwise therapy. OBJECTIVE:To summarize and find the factors leading to the poor effect of conservative treatment in spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee,which occurred on the medial femoral condyle,from the literature and clinical cases,at the same time,combined with the Koshino stage,to propose the strategy of stepwise spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee treatment on the medial femoral condyle. METHODS:A systematic search of the literature database was conducted to summarize the factors leading to poor outcomes of conservative treatment in spontaneous osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle.Meanwhile,according to the Clinical&Health Records for analytics&Sharing system,the cases receiving conservative and surgical treatment in spontaneous osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle in the Department of Orthopedics of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from January 2017 to January 2023 were analyzed retrospectively,then the causes of success and failure in typical cases were summarized and analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Early diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee were very important for prognosis.For sudden knee pain in some patients,if no obvious abnormality was found in the X-ray examination,and the symptoms persisted and could not be relieved for more than 1 week,an MRI examination was recommended to detect early spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee.(2)The X-ray images of Koshino stage 1 and stage 2 of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle were difficult to be distinguished,which needed to be probed by MRI.MRI images of Koshino stage 1 were mainly characterized by bone marrow edema,and an osteonecrosis area with a clear boundary was not formed,while MR images of Koshino stage 2 showed a necrotic area with a clear boundary.(3)Five factors leading to the poor effect of conservative treatment on spontaneous osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle were summarized:a.The necrotic area was＞5 cm2;b.The necrotic area accounted for more than 40%of the condyle;c.relative compression percentage of medial meniscus≥33%(with or without medial meniscus injury and subchondral bone marrow edema);d.MRI depth of necrotic area(anterior-posterior diameter of sagittal necrotic area)＞20 mm;e.varus deformity of lower limb＞6°.(4)Conservative treatment of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee in Koshino stage 1 was good.For spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee in Koshino stage 2,conservative treatment was preferred or combined with drilling decompression.If there was no relief or improvement of symptoms or in MRI after 3 months,while the patient had any of the previous five factors,then knee preservation surgery should be considered.For spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee in Koshino stage 3 and stage 4,knee preservation surgery should be selected based on the previous five factors,including age,gender and activity level of the patient.Total knee arthroplasty was used for spontaneous osteonecrosis in Koshino stage 4,which was associated with symptomatic patellofemoral arthritis,valgus alignment,or necrotic area,which greatly affected the stability of unicondyle prosthesis.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Tongluo Mingmu capsules in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy with blood stasis， collateral obstruction， and Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome. MethodA randomized， double-blind， positive-control， and multi-center clinical trial design method was used. 416 patients with diabetic retinopathy with blood stasis， collateral obstruction， and Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome in four test centers were included （the ratio of the treatment group to the control group was 3∶1）. On the basis of standardized hypoglycemic treatment， the treatment group was given both four Tongluo Mingmu capsules and two Calcium Dobesilate capsule agents three times a day， while the control group were given both two Calcium Dobesilate capsules and four Tongluo Mingmu capsule agents three times a day. The course of treatment was 12 weeks. The curative effect of Tongluo Mingmu capsules was evaluated by comparing the comprehensive curative effect of diabetic retinopathy， traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） syndrome score， corrected visual acuity， fundus changes， fundus fluorescence angiography， and other curative effect indexes before and after treatment in the two groups. At the same time， general examination， laboratory examination， and adverse events were performed to evaluate the safety of the drug. ResultThe baseline demographic data and disease characteristics of the treatment group and the control group were balanced and comparable， with the difference not statistically significant. After 12 weeks of treatment， the total effective rate of the comprehensive curative effect of diabetic retinopathy in the treatment group （61.0%， 189/310） was better than that in the control group （44.1%， 45/102）， and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=8.880， P<0.01）. The total effective rate of TCM syndromes in the treatment group （88.4%， 259/293） was better than that in the control group （69.9%， 65/93）， and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=17.927， P<0.01）. The disappearance rate of dry eyes （χ²=8.305）， dull complexion （χ²=4.053）， lassitude （χ²=10.267）， shortness of breath （χ²=8.494）， and dry stool （χ²=8.657） in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group， and the difference between the groups was statistically significant （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In terms of improving corrected visual acuity （χ²=8.382）， fundus changes （χ²=6.026） ， the treatment group was significantly better than the control group （P<0.05）. During the trial， the incidence of adverse events in the treatment group and the control group was 1.3% and 2.9%， respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups. In addition， there were no serious adverse events and adverse events leading to withdrawal in both groups. ConclusionTongluo Mingmu capsules can improve the comprehensive curative effect of diabetic retinopathy and enhance the efficacy of TCM syndromes， visual acuity， fundus changes， and fundus fluorescein angiography， with great safety. Therefore， it can provide a new alternative therapeutic drug for patients with diabetic retinopathy.

ObjectiveTo confirm the clinical efficacy and safety of Yishen Yangxin Anshen tablets in the treatment of insomnia （heart-blood deficiency and kidney-essence insufficiency syndrome）. MethodA randomized block， double-blind， placebo-controlled， multi-center clinical trial design method was adopted， and a total of 480 patients with insomnia due to deficiency of heart blood and insufficiency of kidney essence （treatment group-control group 3∶1） from seven hospitals （Guang'anmen Hospital， China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences， The First Clinical Hospital， Jilin Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine（TCM）， The Second Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of TCM， The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine， Henan Province Hospital of TCM， Hebei General Hospital， The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine） were enrolled. The treatment group was given Yishen Yangxin Anshen tablets and the control group received placebo tablets （4 tablets/time， 3 times/day， 4 weeks of administration， 4 weeks of follow-up after drug withdrawal）. The sleep dysfunction rating scale （SDRS） score， pittsburgh sleep quality index （PSQI） score， TCM， polysomnography （PSG） indicators from four hospital （Guang'anmen Hospital， China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences， Henan Province Hospital of TCM， Hebei General Hospital， The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine）， and other efficacy indicators were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Through general physical examination， laboratory examination， and observation of adverse events， the safety of the drugs was evaluated. ResultThe baseline indexes of the two groups showed no significant difference and thus the two groups were comparable. After treatment， the total score of SDRS in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group （P<0.01）. After drug withdrawal for 4 weeks， the total score of SDRS demonstrated no significant change in the treatment group as compared with that at the end of treatment， indicating that the rebound change of curative effect was not obvious. After treatment， the total score of PSQI in the treatment group decreased as compared with that in the control group （P<0.01）， and the change of total score of PSQI in the treatment group was statistically significant （P<0.05） after drug withdrawal for 4 weeks but small， indicating that the rebound change of curative effect was not obvious. After treatment， the total effective rate about the TCM symptoms in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group （χ²=137.521，P<0.01）. After treatment， the disappearance rates of single indexes in the treatment group， such as difficulty in falling asleep， easily waking up after sleeping， early awakening， short sleep time， dreamfulness， palpitation， forgetfulness， dizziness， mental fatigue， and weakness of waist and knee， increased compared with those in the control group （P<0.01）. After treatment， the treatment group demonstrated fewer awaking times （AT）， longer total sleep time （TST）， lower ATA/TST ratio， and higher sleep efficiency （%） than the control group （P<0.05）. No abnormal value or aggravation related to drugs was observed in either group. The incidence of adverse events in the treatment group and the control group was 5.57% and 8.40% respectively. No serious adverse events or adverse events leading to withdrawal happened in either group. ConclusionYishen Yangxin Anshen tablets is effective and safe for patients with insomnia of deficiency of heart-blood and insufficiency of kidney-essence.

OBJECTIVE： To study the effects of ligustrazine on miR-20b/VEGF and BMP2/Smad1 pathways in subchondral bone of knee osteoarthritis （KOA） model rats， and to investigate the mechanism of ligustrazine for KOA prevention and treatment. METHODS： Totally 18 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group， model group and ligustrazine group， with 6 rats in each group. The rats in the latter two groups were used to establish KOA model by intra-articular injection of 4％ papain solution. From the 2nd day after the last injection， ligustrazine group was given intragastrical administration of Ligustrazine suspension （100 mg/kg） 2 mL； normal control group and model group were given intragastrical administration of isometrical normal saline， once a day， for consecutive 6 weeks. After the last after medication， the situation of bilateral knee articular cartilage of rats were observed after exposure. The knee joints of rats were sectioned and stained with HE. The pathological change of articular cartilage were observed by microscope and scored by modified Mankin’s score. mRNA expression of VEGF， BMP2 and Smad1， and the expression of miR-20b were detected by RT-PCR； the protein expression of VEGF， BMP2 and Smad1 were detected by Western blot assay. RESULTS： Model group and ligustrazine group suffered from cartilage injury of knee joint at varying degrees. Compared with normal control group， Mankin’s scores of knee joint and cartilage tissue were increased significantly in model group （P＜0.01）； mRNA and protein expression of BMP and Smad1， the expression of miR-20b in subchondral bone of model group were decreased significantly， while mRNA and protein expression of VEGF were increased significantly （P＜0.01）. Compared with model group， Mankin’s score of cartilage tissue were decreased significantly in ligustrazine group （P＜0.01）； mRNA and protein expression of BMP and Smad1， the expression of miR-20b in subchondral bone were increased significantly， while mRNA and protein expression of VEGF were decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS： Ligustrazine can repair damaged articular cartilage in KOA model rats， the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting the protein expression of VEGF and activating BMP-2/Smad1 signaling pathway via up-regulating the expression of miR-20b， and promoting the degradation of VEGF mRNA in subchondral bone.

OBJECTIVE：To ex plore the protective effects of Longbie capsule contained serum （called“LBJN”for short ）on the apoptosis of chondrocytes induced by YAP inhibitor verteporfin and its mechanism. METHODS ：Primary human knee osteoarthritis（OA）chondrocytes were extracted by two-step enzymatic digestion ，and then identif ied by toluidine blue staining and type Ⅱ collagen immunofluorescence staining. The effects of 2，5 μmol/L verteporfin alone or combined with 5％LBJN on cell apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Solvent control （0.1％ DMSO）and 5％ LBJN were set. Western blot assay was adopted to detect the expression of apoptosis related proteins （YAP，Bcl-2，cleaved-caspase-3） after treated with 0.1％DMSO（solvent control ），2 μmol/L verteporfin，2 μmol/L verteporfin+5％LBJN 和 0（blank control ），2.5％ LBJN and 5％ LBJN for 48 h. The expression of autophagy related proteins （mTOR，Beclin-1，LC3A/B） after treated with 0 （blank control ），2.5％，5％ LBJN for 48 h were det ected by Western blot assay. RESULTS ：The isolated cells accorded with the characteristics of chondrocytes. Compared with 0.1％DMSO， the apoptosis rates of cells were increased significantly after treated with 2，5 μmol/L verteporfin（P＜0.05），and the effects of the two concentrations were similar （P＞0.05）. Compared with verteporfin alone ，2，5 μmol/L verteporfin combined with 5％LBJN could significantly decrease the apoptotic rate of cells （P＜0.05）. Compared with 0.1％DMSO，the protein expression of YAP and Bcl-2 were decreased significantly after treated with 2 μ mol/L verteporfin （P＜0.05）， while the protein expression of cleaved-caspase-3 were increased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with 2 μmol/L verteporfin，protein expression of YAP and Bcl-2 were increased significantly after treated with 2 μmol/L verteporfin+5％LBJN（P＜0.05），while the protein expression of cleaved-caspase-3 were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with blank control ，the protein expression of YAP ，Bcl-2 and Beclin-1 were increased significantly after treated with 2.5％，5％LBJN（P＜0.05），while protein expression of cleaved-caspase- 3 and mTOR were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ：LBJN can block the apoptosis of chondrocytes induced by YAP inhibitor verteporfin ，and its mechanism may be related to regulating the expression of apoptosis related proteins and enhancing autophagy of chondrocytes.