Objective:To investigate the predictive value of mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) on poor prognosis of low-risk patients with sepsis.Methods:This was a prospective cohort study. Patients with sepsis admitted to the Emergency Intensive Care Unit of China Rehabilitation Research Center from December 2018 to December 2020 were included in this study. The patients were divided into the low-risk group (SOFA≤7) and medium-high-risk group (SOFA>7) according to the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, and the clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared. Proportional hazards regression model (COX regression model) was used to investigate the risk factors of 28-day mortality in the low-risk and medium-high-risk group. The predictive ability of MR-proADM, C-reactive protein (CRP), lactic acid (Lac), interleukin-6 (IL-6), SOFA score, and acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ (APACHE Ⅱ) score for the prognosis in each group was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The outcomes of patients with different concentration of MR-proADM in the low-risk group were compared.Results:Totally 205 patients with sepsis were included, and the 28-day mortality was 41.0% (84/205). There were significant differences in the number of organ dysfunction, acute kidney injury, use of vasoactive drugs, Lac, IL-6, SOFA score and APACHEⅡ score between the two groups ( P<0.05). Cox regression model showed that age, MR-proADM, mechanical ventilation, IL-6 and APACHEⅡ score were the risk factors of 28-day death in the low-risk group, while MR-proADM, Lac, SOFA score and APACHEⅡ score were the risk factors of 28-day mortality in the medium-high-risk group. In each group, MR-proADM had a good predictive ability for the prognosis of patients with sepsis ( P<0.001). Especially in low-risk patients with sepsis, the predictive ability of MR-proADM was better than other indicators. Kaplan-Meier survival curve suggested that the patients with MR-proADM >2.53 nmol/L had worse prognosis than those with MR-proADM ≤2.53 nmol/L, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). In the low-risk group, the mortality of patients increased from 7.8% to 58.2% if MR-proADM >2.53 nmol/L. Conclusions:MR-proADM is a risk factor for 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis, and MR-proADM can early identify the poor prognosis of low-risk patients with sepsis.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of Yishen Tongluo Formula in ameliorating renal pyroptosis in diabetic nephropathy mice by regulating the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Methods: Sixty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into control (10 mice) and intervention groups (50 mice) using random number table method. The diabetes nephropathy model was established by intraperitoneally injecting streptozotocin(50 mg/kg). After modeling, the intervention group was further divided into model, semaglutide (40 μg/kg), and high-, medium-, and low-dose Yishen Tongluo Formula groups (15.6, 7.8, and 3.9 g/kg, respectively) using random number table method. The high-, medium-, and low-dose Yishen Tongluo Formula groups were administered corresponding doses of medication by gavage, the semaglutide group received a subcutaneous injection of semaglutide injection, and the control group and model groups were administered distilled water by gavage for 12 consecutive weeks. Random blood glucose levels of mice in each group were monitored, and the 24-h urinary protein content was measured using biochemical method every 4 weeks; after treatment, the serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels were measured using biochemical method. The weight of the kidneys was measured, and the renal index was calculated. Hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, periodic Schiff-methenamine, and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes in renal tissue. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect urinary β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) levels. Western blotting and real-time fluorescence PCR were used to detect the relative protein and mRNA expression levels of nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1, gasdermin D (GSDMD), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in renal tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the proportion of protein staining area of the TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB in renal tissue. Results: Compared with the control group, the random blood glucose, 24-h urinary protein, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and renal index of the model group increased, and the urine β2-MG, NGAL, and KIM-1 levels increased. The relative protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-18 in renal tissue increased, and the proportion of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB protein positive staining areas increased (P<0.05). Pathological changes such as glomerular hypertrophy were observed in the renal tissue of the model group. Compared with the model group, the Yishen Tongluo Formula high-dose group showed a decrease in random blood glucose after 12 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). The Yishen Tongluo Formula high- and medium-dose groups showed a decrease in 24-h urinary protein, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and renal index, as well as decreased β2-MG, NGAL, and KIM-1 levels. NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1 β, and IL-18 relative protein and mRNA expression levels were also reduced, and the proportion of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB protein positive staining areas was reduced (P<0.05). Pathological damage to renal tissue was ameliorated. Conclusion Yishen Tongluo Formula may exert protective renal effects by inhibiting renal pyroptosis and alleviating tubular interstitial injury in diabetic nephropathy mice by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Linggui Zhugantang in the treatment of heart failure. MethodCNKI，Wanfang Data，VIP，CBM，PubMed，ClinicalKey，Cochrane Library ，Web of Science ，Medline and Embase were systematically searched to screen randomized controlled trials（RCT）of Linggui Zhugantang in the treatment of heart failure. Meta-analysis was performed on the included studies using RevMan 5.3 ResultTwenty-seven studies were included with a total sample size of 3 569 cases，including 1 816 in experimental group and 1 753 in control group. Meta-analysis showed that compared with conventional drugs alone，combination of Linggui Zhugantang and conventional drugs improved the marked effective rate [relative risk（RR）=1.41，95% confidence interval（CI）[1.29，1.54]，P<0.000 01] and the total effective rate（RR=1.21，95%CI[1.17，1.25]，P<0.000 01），decreased the levels of serum B-type brain natriuretic peptide （BNP）[mean difference（MD）=-390.08，95%CI[-538.84，-241.52]，P<0.000 01] and serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide（NT-proBNP）（MD=-713.83，95%CI[-828.41, -599.25]，P<0.000 01）， left ventricular end-diastolic diameter（LVDD）（MD=-5.23，95%CI[-7.18, -3.29]，P<0.000 01）, left ventricular end-systolic diameter（LVSD）（MD=-4.54，95%CI[-6.75，-2.33]，P<0.000 01）, tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）（MD=-37.53，95%CI [-50.72，-24.34]，P<0.000 01）and interleukin-6（IL-6）（MD=-23.64，95%CI [-47.40，0.11]，P=0.05）, increased left ventricular ejection fraction（LVEF）（MD=5.73，95%CI [3.33，8.14]，P<0.000 01），and cardiac output [stroke volume (SV) ]（MD=5.90，95%CI[4.56，7.25]，P<0.000 01）. In addition, the combination prolonged the 6 minute walking test distance（MD=51.08，95%CI [33.01，69.16]，P<0.000 01），reduced the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score（MD=-3.50，95%CI [-4.92，-2.07]，P<0.000 01），and improved quality of life（MD=-7.26，95%CI [-10.43，-4.09]，P<0.000 01），with higher safety（RR=0.36，95%CI [0.17，0.79]，P=0.01）. ConclusionLinggui Zhugantang combined with conventional drug therapy could improve cardiac function，reduce cardiac fibrosis，and improve prognosis, with high safety.

ObjectiveTo comprehensively assess the clinical value of Duliang soft capsules in the treatment of migraine with wind-cold blood stasis syndrome， and to provide guidance for national medical decision-making， clinical drug promotion， and pharmaceutical services. MethodThe evaluation of Duliang soft capsules' clinical value was conducted in accordance with the Guidelines for the Management of Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation of Drugs （Trial Version， 2021） using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Utilizing the CSC v2.0 software， this study conducted a comprehensive clinical evaluation of Duliang soft capsules across the "6+1" dimensions， including safety pre- and post-market launch， effectiveness in treating migraine， economy （cost-effectiveness）， and innovation， suitability， accessibility， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） characteristics in both its technology and clinical applications. ResultSafety： Duliang soft capsules were found to have good safety based on evidence from known adverse reactions （spontaneous reporting system （SRS） data， literature data， etc.）， pre-marketing toxicological research， and post-marketing drug monitoring. Effectiveness： A meta-analysis indicated that the combination of Duliang soft capsules and western medicine was more effective than Western medicine alone in the treatment of migraine. The product's effectiveness was rated as "Best" based on the quality and value of the evidence. Economy： Duliang soft capsules are moderately priced and categorized as a Type B medical insurance product. Economic research indicated that the combination of Western medicine and Duliang soft capsules was more cost-effective than Western medicine alone. The product's economy was rated as "Better". Innovation： Duliang soft capsules， with Angelicae Dahuricae Radix and Chuanxiong Rhizoma as the main components， hold one invention patent and have been awarded the China Patent Excellence Award. The pharmaceutical company has introduced innovative extraction （CO₂ supercritical extraction technology） and formulation （soft capsule） processes. The product's innovation was rated as "Better". Suitability： A questionnaire survey on Duliang soft capsules showed that it was well-suited for both patients and healthcare professionals. The product received a comprehensive assessment of suitability through the "Evaluation of Chinese Patent Medicine Information Services". The product's suitability was rated as "Best". Accessibility： Duliang soft capsules are moderately priced， making them accessible and affordable. The product's accessibility was rated as "Good" based on evidence from these three aspects. TCM characteristics： The formulation of Duliang soft capsules can be traced back to WANG Qiu's Selected Formulas from the Praiseworthy Studio （Shi Zhai Bai Yi Xuan Fang） from the Song Dynasty， and it was documented in ZHANG Jiebin's The Complete Works of Zhang Jing-yue （Jing Yue Quan Shu） as "Duliangwan". The product has been extensively studied with over 2000 clinical cases since its market launch， and its TCM characteristics were rated as outstanding with sufficient evidence. ConclusionThe comprehensive clinical value evaluation of Duliang soft capsules demonstrated its high effectiveness， suitability， and accessibility， and outstanding TCM characteristics. The product's safety， economy， and innovation received good ratings. In summary， Duliang soft capsules exhibited significant clinical value and outstanding TCM characteristics， the evidence was sufficient， and the result was confirmed， providing crucial references for clinical decision-making and pharmaceutical management.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Yishen Tongluo prescription in protecting mice from oxidative stress injury in diabetic kidney disease （DKD） via the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）/NAD（P）H quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1） signaling pathway. MethodsSpecific pathogen-free （SPF） male C57BL/6 mice were assigned into a control group （n=10） and a modeling group （n=50）. The DKD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The mice in the modeling group were randomized into a model group， a semaglutide （40 μg·kg^-1） group， and high-， medium-， and low-dose （18.2， 9.1， 4.55 g·kg^-1， respectively） Yishen Tongluo prescription groups， with 10 mice in each group. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. Blood glucose and 24-h urine protein levels were measured， and the kidney index （KI） was calculated. Serum levels of creatinine （SCr）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） were assessed. The pathological changes in the renal tissue were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin， periodic acid-Schiff， periodic acid-silver methenamine， and Masson’s trichrome staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to measure the levels of β2-microglobulin （β2-MG）， neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin （NGAL）， kidney injury molecule-1 （KIM-1）， liver fatty acid-binding protein （L-FABP）， nitric oxide synthase （NOS）， glutathione （GSH）， total antioxidant capacity （T-AOC）， and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine （8-OHdG）. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to examine the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （Keap1） and malondialdehyde （MDA）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR） and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels， respectively， of factors in the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway. ResultsCompared with the control group， the DKD model group showed rises in blood glucose， 24-h urine protein， KI， SCr， BUN， and ALT levels， along with glomerular hypertrophy， renal tubular dilation， thickened basement membrane， mesangial expansion， and collagen deposition. Additionally， the model group showed elevated levels of β2-MG， NGAL， KIM-1， L-FABP， NOS， and 8-OHdG， lowered levels of GSH and T-AOC， up-regulated expression of MDA and Keap1， and down-regulated expression of Nrf2， HO-1， NQO1， and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit （GCLC） （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the semaglutide group and the medium- and high-dose Yishen Tongluo prescription groups showed reductions in blood glucose， 24-h urine protein， KI， SCr， BUN， and ALT levels， along with alleviated pathological injuries in the renal tissue. In addition， the three groups showed lowered levels of β2-MG， NGAL， KIM-1， L-FABP， NOS， and 8-OHdG， elevated levels of GSH and T-AOC， down-regulated expression of MDA and Keap1， and up-regulated expression of Nrf2， HO-1， NQO1， and GCLC （P<0.05）. ConclusionYishen Tongluo prescription exerts renoprotective effects in the mouse model of DKD by modulating the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway， mitigating oxidative stress， and reducing renal tubular injuries.