Addressing the enduring challenge of evaluating traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), the integrated evidence chain-based effectiveness evaluation of TCMs (Eff-iEC) has emerged. This paper explored its capacity through a demonstration study that evaluated the effectiveness evidence of six commonly used anti-hepatic fibrosis Chinese patent medicines (CPMs), including Biejiajian Pill (BP), Dahuang Zhechong Pill (DZP), Biejia Ruangan Compound (BRC), Fuzheng Huayu Capsule (FHC), Anluo Huaxian Pill (AHP), and Heluo Shugan Capsule (HSC), using both Eff-iEC and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. The recognition of these CPMs within the TCM academic community was also assessed through their inclusion in relevant medical documents. Results showed that the evidence of BRC and FHC received higher assessments in both Eff-iEC and GRADE system, while the assessments for others varied. Analysis of community recognition revealed that Eff-iEC more accurately reflects the clinical value of these CPMs, exhibiting superior evaluative capabilities. By breaking through the conventional pattern of TCMs effectiveness evaluation, Eff-iEC offers a novel epistemology that better aligns with the clinical realities and reasoning of TCMs, providing a coherent methodology for clinical decision-making, new drug evaluations, and health policy formulation.

The liver performs multiple life-sustaining functions. Hepatic diseases, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatoma, pose significant health and economic burdens globally. Along with the advances in nanotechnology, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) exhibiting diversiform size and shape, distinct morphological properties, and favorable physico-chemical features have become an ideal choice for drug delivery systems and inspire alternative thinking for the management of hepatic diseases. Initially, we introduce the physiological structure of the liver and highlight its intrinsic cell types and correlative functions. Next, we detail the synthesis methods and physicochemical properties of MSNs and their capacity for controlled drug loading and release. Particularly, we discuss the interactions between liver and MSNs with respect to the passive targeting mechanisms of MSNs within the liver by adjusting their particle size, pore diameter, surface charge, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, and surface functionalization. Subsequently, we emphasize the role of MSNs in regulating liver pathophysiology, exploring their value in addressing liver pathological states, such as tumors and inflammation, combined with multi-functional designs and intelligent modes to enhance drug targeting and minimize side effects. Lastly, we put forward the problems, challenges, opportunities, as well as clinical translational issues faced by MSNs in the management of liver diseases.

Arthritis, encompassing osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and gouty arthritis (GA), is a prevalent inflammatory disease that significantly impacts quality of life. Natural products (NPs), derived from animals, plants, marine organisms, and microorganisms, have demonstrated beneficial effects in arthritis treatment both domestically and internationally. These natural compounds offer advantages in drug discovery due to their skeletal diversity, structural complexity, and multi-effect, multi-target, and low-toxicity properties compared to conventional small-molecule medicines. However, unclear mechanisms have hindered the development and clinical application of NPs. This review summarizes recent experimental studies from the past decade on natural medicine for arthritis treatment, emphasizing key NPs with therapeutic effects on OA, RA, and GA. It examines the effects and molecular mechanisms of NPs acting on different cells to treat arthritis. Furthermore, this review provides insights into the future prospects of NP research in this field, which is crucial for advancing NP-based arthritis treatments.
Humans ; Biological Products/therapeutic use* ; Animals ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Arthritis, Gouty/drug therapy* ; Arthritis/drug therapy* ; Osteoarthritis/drug therapy*

Objective:To analyze the correlation between the grouping and weighting of two sets of disease combination systems, namely diagnosis-related groups(DRG) and diagnosis-intervention packet(DIP), and to establish a multidimensional analysis and evaluation mode by applying DRG, DIP, and clinical pathway to guide the standardized diagnosis and treatment and management of disease types.Methods:DRG grouping and DIP simulation full enrollment were applied to patients discharged from a tertiary Grade A general hospital in 2019. The correlation analysis between DRG, DIP, and clinical pathway inclusion(entry), correlation analysis between relative weight of DRG group and DIP standard score, and correlation analysis between clinical pathway entry and cost structure of the two disease groups were conducted by using chi-square test, Pearson correlation analysis, t-test, structural change value, degree of structural change, and incremental contribution rate. Results:Among the 130 395 patients, 41 460 cases entered the clinical pathway, 127 535 cases were enrolled in DRG, and 104 227 cases were enrolled in DIP. There was a correlation between the enrollment of DRG, DIP, and clinical pathway( P<0.05), and there was also a correlation between the relative weight of DRG groups and the enrollment of clinical pathway. The relative weight of the DRG disease group was positively correlated with the DIP standard score( r2=0.761 7, P<0.001). There was a significant difference in hospitalization costs between patients with and without clinical pathway access for some diseases( P<0.05), and different cost categories had different impacts on the total costs. Conclusions:The weight assignment and value orientation of DRG and DIP disease types are consistent, and the multi-dimensional fusion evaluation mode for DRG-DIP-clinical pathway is feasible. The correlation analysis of DRG, DIP, and clinical pathways can serve as the basis for disease classification and cost structure evaluation, which could help to carry out hospital′s refined management and optimize disease structure.

Objective:To assess the effectiveness of a 6-month Ba Duan Jin exercise program in improving the balance of community-dwelling older adults.Methods:A two arms, parallel-group, cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in 1 028 community residents aged 60-80 years in 40 communities in 5 provinces of China. Participants in the intervention group (20 communities, 523 people) received Ba Duan Jin exercise 5 days/week, 1 hour/day for 6 months, and three times of falls prevention health education, and the control group (20 communities, 505 people) received falls prevention health education same as the intervention group. The Berg balance scale (BBS) score was the leading outcome indicator, and the secondary outcome indicators included the length of time of standing on one foot (with eyes open and closed), standing in a tandem stance (with eyes open and closed), the closed circle test, and the timed up to test.Results:A total of 1 028 participants were included in the final analysis, including 731 women (71.11%) and 297 men (28.89%), and the age was (69.87±5.67) years. After the 3-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 3.05 (95% CI: 2.23-3.88) points ( P<0.001). After the 6-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 4.70 (95% CI: 4.03-5.37) points ( P<0.001). Ba Duan Jin showed significant improvement ( P<0.05) in all secondary outcomes after 6 months of exercise in the intervention group compared with the control group. Conclusions:This study showed that Ba Duan Jin exercise can improve balance in community-dwelling older adults aged 60-80. The longer the exercise time, the better the improvement.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM)is a unique myocardial disease caused by diabetes mellitus,which can increase the risk of heart failure and death,and is one of the main causes of death of diabetes mellitus patients worldwide.Although the research on the pathogenesis of DCM has made great progress,it has not yet been fully clarified.Many studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs(lncRNAs)can interact with microRNAs(miRNAs)as competitive endogenous RNAs(ceRNAs),participate in the regulation of gene expression,and then affect the development of DCM.This article gives an overview of lncRNAs and its biological functions as well as ceRNA hypothesis,and focuses on the role of lncRNAs as ceRNAs in regulating the occurrence and development of DCM.

ObjectiveThe hygroscopic properties of Mume Flos decoction pieces were studied from the perspectives of macroscopic［water activity（A_w）］ and microscopic（water molecular mobility）， which provided a theoretical basis for the determination of the safe storage moisture content. MethodAdsorption isotherm of Mume Flos decoction pieces was obtained by static weighing method， and seven common hygroscopic models were fitted and estimated. The best model was selected according to the principle that determination coefficient（R²） was closer to 1， residual sum of squares（RSS） was closer to 0 and Akaike information criterion（AIC） was smaller. According to the optimal model， the absolute and relative safe moisture contents of Mume Flos decoction pieces at 25， 35， 45 ℃ was calculated. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance（LF-NMR） was used to measure the water molecular mobility in the hygroscopic process of Mume Flos decoction pieces. ResultThe best model to describe the adsorption isotherm of Mume Flos decoction pieces was the Peleg model. According to the model expression， the absolute safe moisture contents of Mume Flos decoction pieces at 25， 35， 45 ℃ were 9.59%， 7.96% and 7.68%， and the relative safe moisture contents were 13.05%， 11.99%， 11.77%， respectively. Mume Flos decoction pieces all contained two water states during the process of hygroscopic absorption at different temperatures， namely bound water T₂₁ and free water T₂₂. During the process of hygroscopic absorption， bound water had the largest increase in peak area. The sum of peak areas of the bound water and free water had a good linear relationship with the moisture contents， and the R² were 0.959 9， 0.911 8 and 0.974 7 at 25， 35， 45 ℃， respectively. When A_w<0.57， T₂₁ did not change， and the water molecular mobility remained unchanged. When A_w>0.57， T₂₁ showed an increasing trend， and the water molecular mobility increased. The moisture contents of Mume Flos decoction pieces were 8.44%， 6.81% and 6.25% when the water molecular mobility increased at 25， 35， 45 ℃， respectively. ConclusionCombined with the theory of water activity and water molecular mobility， 6.25% is recommended as the safe storage moisture content of Mume Flos decoction pieces， this study can provide reference for determining the safe storage moisture content of other decoction pieces.

OBJECTIVE: To preliminarily verify the effectiveness of self-designed artificial condyle-mandibular distraction (AC-MD) complex in the treatment of Pruzansky type ⅡB and Ⅲ hemifacial microsomia (HFM) through model test. METHODS: Five children with Pruzansky type ⅡB and Ⅲ HFM who were treated with mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) between December 2016 and December 2021 were selected as the subjects. There were 3 boys and 2 girls wih an average age of 8.4 years (range, 6-10 years). Virtual surgery and model test of AC-MD complex were performed according to preoperative skull CT of children. The model was obtained by three-dimensional (3D) printing according to the children's CT data at a ratio of 1∶1. The occlusal guide plate was designed and 3D printed according to the children's toothpaste model. The results of the model test and the virtual surgery were matched in three dimensions to calculate the error of the residual condyle on the affected side, and the model test was matched with the actual skull CT after MDO to measure and compare the inclination rotation of the mandible, the distance between the condylar of the healthy side and the residual condyle of the affected side, and the lengthening length of the mandible. RESULTS: The error of residual condyle was (1.07±0.78) mm. The inclination rotation of the mandible, the distance between the condylar of the healthy side and the residual condyle of the affected side, and the lengthening length of the mandible after 3D printing model test were significantly larger than those after MDO ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION In the model test, the implantation of AC-MD complex can immediately rotate the mandible to the horizontal position and improve facial symmetry, and the residual condyle segment can be guided close to the articular fossa or the preset pseudoarticular position of the skull base after operation.
Male ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Goldenhar Syndrome/surgery* ; Mandible/surgery* ; Osteogenesis, Distraction/methods* ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Facial Asymmetry/surgery*

Background In recent years, the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS) is increasing significantly in China. Some studies have found that temperature is related to single metabolic index, but there is a lack of research on associated mechanism and identifying path of the influence of temperature on MS. Objective Based on the data of Guangdong Province, to investigate the effect of temperature on MS and its pathway. Methods A total of 8524 residents were enrolled by multi-stage random sampling from October 2015 to January 2016 in Guangdong. Basic characteristics, behavioral characteristics, health status, and physical activity level were obtained through questionnaires and physical examinations, and meteorological data were obtained from meteorological monitoring sites. We matched individual data both with the temperature data of the physical examination day and of a lag of 14 d. A generalized additive model was used to explore the exposure-effect relationship between temperature and MS and its indexes, calculate effect values, and explore the effects of single-day lag temperature. Based on the literature and the results of generalized additive model analysis, a path analysis was conducted to explore the pathways of temperature influencing MS. Results The association between daily average temperature on the current day or lag 14 day and MS risk was not statistically significant. When daily average temperature increased by 1 ℃, the change values of fasting blood-glucose (FBG), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were −0.033 (95%CI: −0.040-−0.026) mmol·L⁻¹, −0.662 (95%CI: −0.741-−0.583) mmHg, −0.277 (95%CI: −0.323-−0.230) mmHg, and −0.005 (95%CI: −0.007-−0.004) mmol·L⁻¹ respectively. The effects of average daily temperature on FBG, blood pressure, HDL-C, and waist circumference lasted until lag 14 day. The effects of daily average temperature on SBP and DBP were the largest on the current day. Daily average temperature of current day had direct and indirect effects on FBG and SBP. Temperature had an indirect effect on TG, and the intermediate variables were waist circumference and FBG, with an indirect effect value of −0.011 (95%CI: −0.020-−0.002). The indirect effects of daily average temperature on SBP, FBG, and TG were weak. Conclusion There is no significant correlation between temperature and risk of MS, and daily average temperature of current day could significantly affected blood pressure and FBG with a lag effect. Daily average temperature of current day has indirect effects on FBG and TG.

ObjectiveTo compare the brain imaging characteristics in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and low back pain (LBP) based on amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) of functional magnetic resonance imaging. MethodsFrom August, 2015 to September, 2021, 16 KOA patients and 16 healthy subjects (controls 1) with similar age and gender were recruited from the communities of Fuzhou, Fujian. Other 27 patients with LBP and 32 healthy subjects (controls 2) with similar age and gender were obtained from the Openpain database. The ALFF were analyzed. KOA patients were assessed the pain with Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and LBP patients were assessed with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The correlation between ALFF and pain scores was analyzed. ResultsCompared with their own controls, the ALFF decreased in the left anterior insula for both KOA and LBP patients. The ALFF decreased in the hippocampus and posterior cingulate cortex in KOA patients, while increased in LBP patients. ALFF in the left precuneus, left middle cingulate cortex and right periaqueductal gray matter decreased in KOA patients, and ALFF increased in the right precentral/postcentral gyrus. ALFF of bilateral anterior cingulate cortex, bilateral orbital anterior frontal cortex, left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and right medial prefrontal cortex decreased in LBP patients, and ALFF increased in the right parahippocampal gyrus and right amygdala. ALFF of the left middle cingulate cortex negatively correlated with BPI score in KOA patients (r = -0.73, P = 0.003), and ALFF of the right hippocampus/amygdala positively correlated with VAS score in LBP patients (r = 0.73, P = 0.003). ConclusionThere are common and specific brain imaging features in different types of chronic pain. The alteration in the left anterior insula, hippocampus and posterior cingulate gyrus may be the common mechanism for KOA and LBP.