Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal condition characterized by reduced bone mass and strength, leading to increased fragility. Buqi-Tongluo (BQTL) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has yet to be fully evaluated for its potential in treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis. To investigate the mechanism by which BQTL decoction inhibits osteoclast differentiation in vitro and validate these findings through in vivo experiments. We employed MTS assays to assess the potential proliferative or toxic effects of BQTL on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) at various concentrations. TRAcP experiments were conducted to examine BQTL's impact on osteoclast differentiation. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were utilized to evaluate the relative expression levels of osteoclast-specific genes and proteins under BQTL stimulation. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed using an osteoporosis model to further validate the in vitro findings. This study revealed that BQTL suppressed receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorption activity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner without observable cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects of BQTL on osteoclast formation and function were attributed to the downregulation of NFATc1 and c-fos activity, primarily through attenuation of the MAPK, NF-κB, and Calcineurin signaling pathways. BQTL's inhibitory capacity was further examined in vivo using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, demonstrating a strong protective effect against bone loss. BQTL may serve as an effective therapeutic TCM for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the alleviation of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and related conditions.
Animals ; NFATC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ovariectomy ; Osteoclasts/metabolism* ; Female ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Osteoporosis/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Bone Resorption/genetics* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Humans ; RANK Ligand/metabolism* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Transcription Factors

In the process of conducting implementation research on health service issues, stakeholders' preference for contents related to evidence-based practice (EBP) and implementation strategies is closely related to whether EBP can be effectively implemented.However, multiple preference assessment methods exist, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and application scenarios, which makes it challenging for researchers to select appropriate and effective preference assessment methods. This paper aims to review the origins, characteristics, and application scenarios of commonly used preference assessment methods, with the hope of providing valuable reference and lessons for domestic scholars to select and apply appropriate preference assessment methods in implementation research.

In the process of conducting implementation research on health service issues, stakeholders' preference for contents related to evidence-based practice (EBP) and implementation strategies is closely related to whether EBP can be effectively implemented.However, multiple preference assessment methods exist, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and application scenarios, which makes it challenging for researchers to select appropriate and effective preference assessment methods. This paper aims to review the origins, characteristics, and application scenarios of commonly used preference assessment methods, with the hope of providing valuable reference and lessons for domestic scholars to select and apply appropriate preference assessment methods in implementation research.

Objective:To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) as a preoperative planning strategy for lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) in improving the quality of LVA and the outcome of short-term limb volume reduction in patients with secondary upper limb lymphedema.Methods:Patients with breast cancer-related upper extremity lymphedema who underwent LVA at the Department of General Surgery Cancer Center Division of Breast Surgery of Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital from August 2021 to August 2023 were enrolled retrospectively. According to whether preoperative ultrasound lymphography was performed, the patients were divided into CEUS assisted group and control group. In the CEUS assisted group, preoperative CEUS lymphography combined with high-frequency ultrasound color Doppler imaging was utilized for precise localization of lymphatic vessels and recipient veins, as well as surgical target planning for LVA. In the control group, preoperative indocyanine green lymphography was employed to guide surgical exploration. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the number of LVA surgical exploration incisions per limb and the number of successful anastomoses per limb between the two groups. The success rate of anastomosis (total number of successful anastomoses/total number of surgical exploration incisions) was compared by the chi-square test. The duration of single anastomosis, mean arm circumference, and the difference between preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference were compared by independent sample t-test. Paired-sample t-test was used to compare the improvement of the mean arm circumference of the operated limb of the two groups after 3 months of follow-up. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 47 female patients were enrolled, including 27 patients in the CEUS assisted group, with an average age of (57.1±9.0) years and a median edema course of 2 years. There were 20 cases in the control group, with an average age of (58.1±9.6) years and a median duration of edema of 2 years. The CEUS group, compared with the control group, exhibited a higher number of surgical exploration incisions per limb [6.0 (4.0, 7.0) cases vs. 5.0 (3.0, 6.0) cases], a greater number of successful anastomoses per limb [5.0 (3.0, 6v0) cases vs. 3.0 (2.0, 3.0) cases], and a significantly increased overall success rate of anastomosis [82.8% (125/151) vs. 61.4% (54/88)]. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference difference [(6.2±3.3) cm vs. (3.9±1.9) cm]. The duration of single anastomosis was significantly shortened [(57.4±16.0) min vs. (92.8±18.5) min], with statistically significant differences observed in all comparisons (all P < 0.05). The preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference were compared between the CEUS group [(31.4±4.6) cm vs. (25.3±4.7) cm] and the control group [(31.3±4.3) cm vs. (27.5±3.8) cm], respectively, with statistically significant differences observed in both groups (both P < 0.01). Conclusion:CEUS lymphography, as a preoperative planning strategy for LVA, can significantly increase the number and success rate of LVA anastomosis in patients with secondary upper limb lymphedema, shorten the duration of single anastomosis, and improve the short-term effect of limb volume reduction after LVA.

Objective To explore the activation of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)signaling pathway and the expressions of the associated inflammatory factors in NPHP1-defective renal tubular epithelial cells.Methods A human proximal renal tubular cell(HK2)model of lentivirus-mediated NPHP1 knockdown(NPHP1KD)was constructed,and the expressions of TNF-α,p38,and C/EBPβ and the inflammatory factors CXCL5,CCL20,IL-1β,IL-6 and MCP-1 were detected using RT-qPCR,Western blotting or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.A small interfering RNA(siRNA)was transfected in wild-type and NPHP1KDHK2 cells,and the changes in the expressions of TNF-α,p38,and C/EBPβ and the inflammatory factors were examined.Results NPHP1KDHK2 cells showed significantly increased mRNA expressions of TNF-α,C/EBPβ,CXCL5,IL-1β,and IL-6(P<0.05),protein expressions of phospho-p38 and C/EBPβ(P<0.05),and IL-6 level in the culture supernatant(P<0.05),and these changes were significantly blocked by transfection of cells with siRNA-C/EBPβ(P<0.05).Conclusion TNF-α signaling pathway is activated and its associated inflammatory factors are upregulated in NPHP1KDHK2 cells,and C/EBPβ may serve as a key transcription factor to mediate these changes.

Objective To explore the activation of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)signaling pathway and the expressions of the associated inflammatory factors in NPHP1-defective renal tubular epithelial cells.Methods A human proximal renal tubular cell(HK2)model of lentivirus-mediated NPHP1 knockdown(NPHP1KD)was constructed,and the expressions of TNF-α,p38,and C/EBPβ and the inflammatory factors CXCL5,CCL20,IL-1β,IL-6 and MCP-1 were detected using RT-qPCR,Western blotting or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.A small interfering RNA(siRNA)was transfected in wild-type and NPHP1KDHK2 cells,and the changes in the expressions of TNF-α,p38,and C/EBPβ and the inflammatory factors were examined.Results NPHP1KDHK2 cells showed significantly increased mRNA expressions of TNF-α,C/EBPβ,CXCL5,IL-1β,and IL-6(P<0.05),protein expressions of phospho-p38 and C/EBPβ(P<0.05),and IL-6 level in the culture supernatant(P<0.05),and these changes were significantly blocked by transfection of cells with siRNA-C/EBPβ(P<0.05).Conclusion TNF-α signaling pathway is activated and its associated inflammatory factors are upregulated in NPHP1KDHK2 cells,and C/EBPβ may serve as a key transcription factor to mediate these changes.

Objective:To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) as a preoperative planning strategy for lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) in improving the quality of LVA and the outcome of short-term limb volume reduction in patients with secondary upper limb lymphedema.Methods:Patients with breast cancer-related upper extremity lymphedema who underwent LVA at the Department of General Surgery Cancer Center Division of Breast Surgery of Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital from August 2021 to August 2023 were enrolled retrospectively. According to whether preoperative ultrasound lymphography was performed, the patients were divided into CEUS assisted group and control group. In the CEUS assisted group, preoperative CEUS lymphography combined with high-frequency ultrasound color Doppler imaging was utilized for precise localization of lymphatic vessels and recipient veins, as well as surgical target planning for LVA. In the control group, preoperative indocyanine green lymphography was employed to guide surgical exploration. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the number of LVA surgical exploration incisions per limb and the number of successful anastomoses per limb between the two groups. The success rate of anastomosis (total number of successful anastomoses/total number of surgical exploration incisions) was compared by the chi-square test. The duration of single anastomosis, mean arm circumference, and the difference between preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference were compared by independent sample t-test. Paired-sample t-test was used to compare the improvement of the mean arm circumference of the operated limb of the two groups after 3 months of follow-up. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 47 female patients were enrolled, including 27 patients in the CEUS assisted group, with an average age of (57.1±9.0) years and a median edema course of 2 years. There were 20 cases in the control group, with an average age of (58.1±9.6) years and a median duration of edema of 2 years. The CEUS group, compared with the control group, exhibited a higher number of surgical exploration incisions per limb [6.0 (4.0, 7.0) cases vs. 5.0 (3.0, 6.0) cases], a greater number of successful anastomoses per limb [5.0 (3.0, 6v0) cases vs. 3.0 (2.0, 3.0) cases], and a significantly increased overall success rate of anastomosis [82.8% (125/151) vs. 61.4% (54/88)]. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference difference [(6.2±3.3) cm vs. (3.9±1.9) cm]. The duration of single anastomosis was significantly shortened [(57.4±16.0) min vs. (92.8±18.5) min], with statistically significant differences observed in all comparisons (all P < 0.05). The preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference were compared between the CEUS group [(31.4±4.6) cm vs. (25.3±4.7) cm] and the control group [(31.3±4.3) cm vs. (27.5±3.8) cm], respectively, with statistically significant differences observed in both groups (both P < 0.01). Conclusion:CEUS lymphography, as a preoperative planning strategy for LVA, can significantly increase the number and success rate of LVA anastomosis in patients with secondary upper limb lymphedema, shorten the duration of single anastomosis, and improve the short-term effect of limb volume reduction after LVA.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) has a wide range of symptoms, and it is difficult for clinicians to make a quick and correct diagnosis. On November 11, 2021, a 36-year-old male patient with AAV was admitted to the emergency and critical care department of Yichang Central People's Hospital. He was admitted to the emergency intensive care unit (EICU) with gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, black stool) as the main physical signs, and was initially diagnosed as AAV with gastrointestinal hemorrhage (GIH). No bleeding point was found after repeated gastroscopy and colonoscopy. Abdominal emission CT (ECT) showed diffuse hemorrhage in the ileum, ascending colon and transverse colon. Multi-disciplinary consultation in the whole hospital considered the diffuse hemorrhage caused by small vascular lesions in the digestive tract caused by AAV. Pulse therapy with methylprednisolone 1 000 mg/d and immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide (CTX) 0.2 g/d were administered. The patient's symptoms quickly relieved and transferred out of the EICU. After 17 days of treatment, the patient finally died of massive gastrointestinal bleeding. A systematic review of relevant literatures combined with the case diagnosis and treatment process found that only a minority of AAV patients present with gastrointestinal symptoms as their first symptoms, and patients with GIH were very rare. Such patients had a poor prognosis. This patient delayed the use of induced remission and immunosuppressive agents due to the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding, which may be the main cause of life-threatening GIH secondary to AAV. Gastrointestinal bleeding is a rare and fatal complication of vasculitis. Timely and effective induction and remission treatment is the key to survival. Whether patients should receive maintenance therapy, the duration of maintenance therapy, and the search for markers of disease diagnosis and treatment response are directions and challenges for further research.
Male ; Humans ; Adult ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis ; Critical Care ; Cyclophosphamide ; Death

Atherosclerosis is usually the underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases. With the change in diet structure and living environment, it has become an increasingly serious global health problem, posing a huge challenge to public health. Berberine, also known as flavonidol, is an isoquinoline-type quaternary alkaloid with purgative and detoxifying effects. Berberine and its derivatives have antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and atherosclerosis prevention effects, etc. Recent research results showed that berberine and its derivatives can play an important role in atherosclerosis prevention through a hypolipidemic effect, anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory activity, improvement of vascular endothelial dysfunction, and regulation of intestinal microbiota. In this review paper, the research progress on the mechanism of action of berberine and its derivatives in the prevention of atherosclerosis was reviewed from the perspectives of a lipid-regulating effect, inhibition of oxidative stress and the inflammatory response, improvement of vascular endothelial dysfunction, and regulation of intestinal microbiota. The aim of this paper is to provide a theoretical basis for reducing the occurrence of atherosclerosis, improving the clinical symptoms of patients, and further developing berberine-based drugs.

Objective:To evaluate the cerebral blood flow circulation time (CCT) by contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and to explore the change rule of CCT in different degree of intracranial pressure, so as to provide a new method for non-invasive monitoring of intracranial pressure.Methods:Ten patients with hemorrhagic stroke or acute craniocerebral trauma with increased intracranial pressure were selected from Tangdu Hospital, the Air Force Military Medical University from January to December 2019. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound was performed when the invasive intracranial pressure (iICP) increased (>20 mmHg, iICP increased group) and decreased to normal (≤20 mmHg, iICP normal group), CCT was measured and analyzed. The differences of CCTs between different iICP groups were compared and the relationship between CCT and iICP was analyzed.Results:①The CCT on the lesion sides of the same patients in the iICP increased group was significantly longer than in the iICP normal group[(9.34±2.58)s vs (6.48±1.91)s, P=0.002]. ②When iICP was increased in patients with hemorrhagic stroke or acute craniocerebral trauma, the CCTs of the diseased side and the non-pathological side were not statistically significant [(9.34±2.58)s vs (9.01±3.22)s, P=0.809]. ③Pearson correlation analysis and Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that there were no correlations between patient′s breathing, heart rate, carbon dioxide partial pressure, body temperature, GCS score and CCT (all P>0.05). Age, mean arterial pressure and CCT were moderately correlated ( r=0.518, 0.463 and P=0.023, 0.046, respectively). ④Logistic regression analysis showed that CCT was an independent risk factor related to intracranial hypertension( OR=0.7, 95% CI=0.47-0.95, P=0.036). The area under ROC curve (AUC) predicted by logistic regression was 0.750(0.588~0.912). Conclusions:Contrast-enhanced ultrasound noninvasive assessment of CCT can reflect the intracranial pressure in patients with hemorrhagic stroke or acute traumatic brain injury, and CCT has a predictive value for intracranial hypertension. When the patient has limited conditions for invasive intracranial pressure monitoring, or when the invasive monitoring probe is pulled out but still needs to evaluate intracranial pressure, the change of CCT can provide an effective reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.