OBJECTIVE To optimize the simmering technology of Rheum palmatum from Menghe Medical School and compare the difference of chemical components before and after processing. METHODS Using appearance score， the contents of gallic acid， 5-hydroxymethylfurfural （5-HMF）， sennoside A+sennoside B， combined anthraquinone and free anthraquinone as indexes， analytic hierarchy process （AHP）-entropy weight method was used to calculate the comprehensive score of evaluation indicators； the orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize the processing technology of simmering R. palmatum with fire temperature， simmering time， paper layer number and paper wrapping time as factors； validation test was conducted. The changes in the contents of five anthraquinones （aloe-emodin， rhein， emodin， chrysophanol， physcion）， five anthraquinone glycosides （barbaloin， rheinoside， rhubarb glycoside， emodin glycoside， and emodin methyl ether glycoside）， two sennosides （sennoside A， sennoside B）， gallic acid and 5-HMF were compared between simmered R. palmatum prepared by optimized technology and R. palmatum. RESULTS The optimal processing conditions of R. palmatum was as follows: each 80 g R. palmatum was wrapped with a layer of wet paper for 0.5 h， simmered on high heat for 20 min and then simmered at 140 ℃， the total simmering time was 2.5 h. The average comprehensive score of 3 validation tests was 94.10 （RSD＜1.0%）. After simmering， the contents of five anthraquinones and two sennosides were decreased significantly， while those of 5 free anthraquinones and gallic acid were increased to different extents； a new component 5-HMF was formed. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully optimizes the simmering technology of R. palmatum. There is a significant difference in the chemical components before and after processing， which can explain that simmering technology slows down the relase of R. palmatum and beneficiate it.

BACKGROUND:Osteoporotic vertebral fractures are the most common complication in patients with osteoporosis.As a new imaging technique,spine magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)is much more sensitive than X-ray film in the diagnosis of osteoporotic vertebral fractures.However,total spine MRI is costly and takes a long time to scan.Therefore,there is no consensus on whether all patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures need to undergo total spine MRI scan and which patients need to undergo total spine MRI. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the distribution characteristics of vertebral fractures and explore their clinical significance by observing the whole spine MRI data of osteoporotic vertebral fractures patients. METHODS:Data of cases and MRI images of all patients diagnosed with fresh osteoporotic vertebral fractures who visited the Department of Orthopedics,Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from August 2018 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.903 patients were included in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.General information(age,gender,and body mass index),medical history characteristics(duration of illness,history of trauma surgery,percussion pain area,and pain score)were collected.The characteristics of vertebral fractures were analyzed through whole spine magnetic resonance imaging.Firstly,based on the number of vertebral fractures in patients,they were divided into the single vertebral fracture group(484 cases)and the multi-vertebral fracture group(419 cases),and the differences were analyzed between the two groups.Then,based on whether the farthest interval between the fractured vertebrae was greater than or equal to 5,the multi vertebral fracture group was further divided into two subgroups.Among them,Group A(the farthest interval between the fractured vertebrae was less than 5)contained 306 cases;Group B(with the farthest interval between fractured vertebral bodies greater than 5)included 113 cases.The differences were analyzed between two subgroups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Among 903 patients,419 patients(46.4%)had more than two fractured vertebrae.There were 654 patients(72.4%)with thoracolumbar fractures,and 54 patients(6%)with fractures in the thoracic plus lumbar region and the entire thoracic to lumbar region.In group B,96.5%of patients had multiregional percussion pain.(2)Compared with the patients in the single vertebral fracture group and the multi-vertebral fracture group,there were significant differences in bone mineral density,whether the medical history was greater than or equal to 1 month,the history of low energy injury,and the distribution and number of axial percussion pain areas in the spine during physical examination between the two groups(P<0.05).Age,gender,body mass index,whether there was underlying disease,pain visual analog scale score,whether there was a history of elderly thoracolumbar fracture,and whether there was a history of thoracolumbar surgery,and the number of fractured vertebrae had no statistical significance(P>0.05).(3)There were statistically significant differences between the Groups A and B in bone mineral density,the distribution and quantity of percussion pain area,and the history of low energy injury(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in age,gender,history of old fractures,visual analog scale score,body mass index,whether the medical history was longer than or equal to 1 month,history of underlying diseases,and history of thoracolumbar surgery between the two groups(P>0.05).(4)Patients with multiple low-energy trauma history,history of more than 1 month,multiple percussion pain,and the lower bone mineral density should be alert to the occurrence of multiple vertebral fracture and jump fracture.We recommend the whole spinal MRI for these patients.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that patients with premature ovarian failure have changes in the structure of intestinal flora and that imbalance of intestinal microbiota may be one of the important mechanisms in the development of premature ovarian failure. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Liuwei Dihuang Wan on oxidative stress and intestinal microbiota in premature ovarian failure mice induced by cyclophosphamide. METHODS:Forty-five female ICR mice were randomized into three groups:blank group(normal mice),model group(premature ovarian failure mice),and Liuwei Dihuang Wan group.A mouse model of premature ovarian failure was prepared by one-time intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide(120 mg/kg)in the latter two groups.After successful modeling,the Liuwei Dihuang Wan group was intragastrically administered for 28 continuous days,and the other two groups were intragastrically administered with the same amount of normal saline for 28 days.Mouse body mass was recorded weekly and ovarian index was calculated.The development of mouse follicles was observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining.ELISA method was used to detect serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone,estradiol,follicle stimulating hormone,superoxide dismutase,glutathione peroxidase,and malondialdehyde.Meanwhile,the gut microbiome of all mice was detected through 16S rDNA sequencing. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The mice in the model group had loose hair,decreased vigor and grip strength,almost no increase in body mass,and decreased ovarian index.Whereas,the mouse body mass and ovarian index were increased after treatment with Liuwei Dihuang Wan(P<0.05).The estrous cycle of mice in the model group was disorganized;Liuwei Dihuang Wan could restore the estrous cycle and reduce the number of atretic follicles in mice with premature ovarian failure.The serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone and malondialdehyde in the model group significantly increased(P<0.01),while the levels of estradiol,anti-Mullerian hormone,superoxide dismutase,and glutathione peroxidase significantly decreased(P<0.01).Liuwei Dihuang Wan could significantly decrease the serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone and malondialdehyde(P<0.01),and increase the levels of estradiol,anti-Mullerian hormone,superoxide dismutase,and glutathione peroxidase.According to the 16S rDNA sequencing results,Liuwei Dihuang Wan could regulate the abundance and diversity of intestinal microbiota,and increase the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria.KEGG pathway analysis showed that the intestinal microbiota and metabolic pathways,biosynthesis of secondary metabolites,microbial metabolism in different environments,and biosynthesis of amino acids were regulated by Liuwei Dihuang Wan.To conclude,the changes in the structure of intestinal microbiome may be one of the potential mechanisms of Liuwei Dihuang Wan in treating premature ovarian failure.Liuwei Dihuang Wan can regulate the structure of intestinal microbiome,increase the number of beneficial bacteria,reduce the number of harmful bacteria,and thus improve the balance of intestinal microbiota.This regulatory effect helps to reduce oxidative stress levels and further inhibit ovarian oxidative stress in mice with premature ovarian failure.

Alzheimer's disease （AD）， a degenerative disease of the central nervous system， is characterized by progressive degradation of learning， memory， and cognitive functions. Currently， few drugs are available for treating AD， and their effects are limited. Berberine （BBR） is a natural isoquinoline （quaternary ammonium-like） with a wide range of pharmacological effects. Studies have proven that BBR has good potential in the treatment of AD. Specifically， BBR can inhibit the generation， aggregation， and neurotoxicity of amyloid-β and the hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein， promote the clearance of phosphorylated Tau protein， reduce the cholinesterase activity， neuroinflammation， and oxidative stress， regulate neuronal apoptosis， improve the mitochondrial function and glucose and lipid metabolism， suppress the monoamine oxidase activity， and modulate gut microbiota. In addition， researchers have ameliorated the low bioavailability of BBR. Probing into the potential targets is hoped to provide a reference for further research on the prevention and treatment of AD by BBR.

Precancerous lesions of gastric cancer （PLGC） are a group of pathological changes caused by abnormalities in the structure， morphology， and differentiation of gastric mucosal epithelial cells. Since the early symptoms are hidden and non-specific， PLGC is not easy to be diagnosed and it has often developed into intermediate or advanced gastric cancer once being diagnosed and missed the best time for treatment. Accordingly， the incidence of this disease is increasing year by year， which lifts a heavy burden on the patients. The pathogenesis of PLGC is complex， involving inflammatory microenvironment， bile reflux， glycolysis， autophagy， and apoptosis. Currently， PLGC is mainly treated with anti-inflammatory and endoscopic therapies， which are difficult to curb the development of PLGC. Therefore， seeking a safe and effective therapy is an important topic of modern research. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， characterized by treatment based on syndrome differentiation and a holistic view， exerts effects via multiple pathways， mechanisms， and targets. Recent studies have confirmed that TCM can regulate the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin （PI3K/Akt/mTOR）， Wnt/β-catenin， Sonic Hedgehog， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription （JAK/STAT）， hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）， neurogenic locus notch homolog protein （Notch）， nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2） and other signaling pathways. By targeting these pathways， TCM can inhibit aerobic glycolysis， reduce oxidative stress， repair the inflammatory microenvironment， regulate cellular autophagy， and promote vascular normalization， thereby delaying or reversing PLGC. However， few researchers have systematically summarized the TCM regulation of PLGC-associated pathways. By reviewing the relevant articles at home and abroad， this paper summarized the roles of the above signaling pathways in the development of PLGC and the research progress in the regulation of signaling pathways by TCM in the treatment of PLGC， with a view to providing a new theoretical basis for the clinical research on PLGC and the drug development for this disease.

Colorectal cancer is a common and malignant tumor in the digestive tract. Invasion and metastasis of cancer cells are key factors leading to the high mortality rate and postoperative recurrence of colorectal cancer. Chemotherapy is the main treatment method for preventing recurrence of this disease. However， there are many toxic side effects in clinical application， which seriously hinder the treatment process. Therefore， it is imperative to search for efficient and low-toxicity drugs. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has a long history of treating colorectal cancer and offers advantages such as safety， effectiveness， multiple targets， multiple pathways and minimal toxic side effects， which have made it increasingly popular worldwide. According to TCM， the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer is rooted in both deficiency and excess. TCM formulas mainly focus on tonifying the body to address the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer， such as Jianpi compound， Jianpi Xiaoai decoction， and Bushen Jiedu Sanjie decoction. TCM monomers， such as emodin， berberine， and tanshinone， mainly focus on clearing heat and removing toxin， circulating blood and transforming stasis， and resolving swelling and dispersing nodules. Signaling pathways play a crucial role for analyzing invasion and metastasis， and research has shown that pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin， phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase （PI3K/Akt）， Janus kinase 2/signal transduction and transcription activating factor 3 （JAK2/STAT3）， nuclear factors-κB （NF-κB）， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） play important roles in the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer. The invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer can be inhibited via regulating the key proteins and related factors in these pathways. In this review， we searched various literature databases， such as PubMed， China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， and VIP， using keywords such as "colorectal cancer"， "signaling pathway"， "invasion and metastasis"， and "traditional Chinese medicine"， to summarize and analyze the relevant pathways of TCM compounds and monomers against invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer published in the past five years. The review aims to provide new insights and references for in-depth research on the therapy for invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer and new drug development.

In recent years, with the endless emergence of meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD)diagnostic equipment, rich treatment methods, and in-depth clinical and basic research on MGD at home and abroad, the understanding of MGD has entered a new stage. MGD-related dry eye is considered to be the main cause of lipid abnormal dry eye, and its occurrence and development is a chronic and multi-factorial pathological process. This article reviews the pathogenesis, imaging analysis and clinical treatment progress of MGD-related dry eye, in order to provide scientific evidence and ideas for clinical diagnosis and therapy of MGD-related dry eye.

Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide, and although synergistic and comprehensive treatment with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has made some promising achievements in recent years, the prevention and treatment situation remains considerably serious. For optimizing the role of Chinese medicine in the clinic to fight against cancer, inheriting and innovating at the same time are necessary. The author, inspired by clinical and classical theories, innovatively put forward the theory of “cancer state” and proposed that the root of cancer treatment is to change the “cancer state”. In this study, I reflect on the current situation of TCM synergistic treatment of malignant tumors and analyze “cancer state theory”, with the hope of enriching the theoretical base of TCM evidence-based treatment of malignant tumors and providing new ideas and references for the individualized use of medicines in the clinical TCM evidence-based treatment of malignant tumors.

[Objective] To compare the clinical efficacy of super pulse thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (SPThuLEP) with "open tunnel" and transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), in order to provide reference for the treatment options of BPH. [Methods] The clinical data of 112 BPH patients treated in our hospital during Jan.2023 and Jul.2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 65 treated with SPThuLEP with "open tunnel" and 57 with HoLEP.The operation time, postoperative hemoglobin decrease, postoperative bladder irrigation, catheter indwelling time, hospitalization time and complications were compared between the two groups.The changes of maximum urine flow rate (Qmax), international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life score (QoL), postvoid residual (PVR) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were compared between the two groups before operation and one month after operation. [Results] All operations were successful without conversion to open or transurethral plasmakinetic resection.The postoperative decrease of hemoglobin in SPThuLEP group was lower than that in HoLEP group [(13.12±6.72) g/L vs. (21.02±6.51) g/L], with statistical difference (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the operation time [(63.35±15.73) min vs.(61.02±17.55) min], postoperative bladder irrigation time [(1.07±0.45) d vs. (1.06±0.36) d], catheter indwelling time [(2.98±0.56) d vs. (3.01±0.63) d] and hospitalization time [(3.63±0.61) d vs.(3.79±0.76) d] between the two groups (P>0.05). No blood transfusion, secondary bleeding or unplanned hospitalization occurred, and there were no serious complications such as transurethral electroresection syndrome (TURS), urethral stricture and urinary incontinence.One month after operation, the Qmax, IPSS, QoL, PVR and PSA of the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before operation (P<0.05), but with no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). [Conclusion] SPThuLEP with "open tunnel" has comparable efficacy as HoLEP in the treatment of BPH.With advantages of small amount of bleeding and high safety, this minimally invasive technique can be widely popularized in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE To study the mechanism of Xinnao shutong capsule alleviating cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury （CIRI） in rats by regulating the ferroptosis pathway. METHODS SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group， model group， Xinnao shutong low-dose， high-dose group （220， 440 mg/kg）， Ginkgo biloba leaves extract group （positive control， 150 mg/kg）. Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication/normal saline for 7 consecutive days. Transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery was adopted to induce the CIRI model； the samples were taken 24 h after the operation； the cerebral infarction area of rats was detected， and the cerebral infarction rate was calculated. The pathological changes of brain tissues were observed， and the levels of lipid peroxide （LPO）， malondialdehyde （MDA） and glutathione （GSH） in cerebral tissue were detected； mRNA and protein expressions of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， heme oxygenase 1（HO-1） and glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） were all detected in cerebral tissue of rats. RESULTS Compared with model group， the cerebral infarction rate， the content of total iron in cerebral tissue and serum level of LPO （except for Ginkgo biloba leaves extract group and Xinnao shutong low-dose group） were all decreased significantly in G. biloba leaves extract group and Xinnao shutong groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the serum level of GSH， the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2， HO-1 and GPX4 were all increased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The pathological damage to brain tissue was reduced， the number of nerve cells increased， the edema was alleviated， and the nuclear membrane was flattened. CONCLUSIONS Xinnao shutong capsule can inhibit ferroptosis and reduce CIRI， the mechanism of which may be associated with the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 signaling pathway.