Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）， the predominant subtype of primary liver cancer， ranks among the top in both incidence and mortality rates of malignant tumors in China. In its early stages， the disease may present with subtle or nonspecific symptoms， often leading to poor clinical prognosis and low patient survival rates， which makes it a significant public health concern. The pathogenesis is associated with multiple factors， including hepatitis virus infection， alcohol consumption， obesity， drug-induced liver injury， and immune disorders， which may interact synergistically to promote disease development. Currently， mainstream therapeutic approaches for HCC in modern medicine encompass surgical resection， liver transplantation， radiofrequency ablation， radiotherapy， and chemotherapy， but they all have certain limitations， such as large side effects and poor prognosis， imposing substantial psychological distress and financial strain on affected individuals. With a rich historical background in hepatic malignancy management， traditional Chinese medicine offers therapeutic benefits characterized by multi-targeted mechanisms， multi-level regulation， minimal adverse effects， and reduced likelihood of disease recurrence. It can not only enhance the curative effect， but also reduce the side effects of radiotherapy， chemotherapy， and surgery. Thus， it has attracted widespread attention. Extensive research has demonstrated that traditional Chinese medicine exhibits significant antitumor properties， along with notable anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress-reducing capabilities， and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） signaling pathway， which can affect multiple stages of hepatocarcinogenesis， such as cell proliferation， invasion， metastasis， and apoptosis. The mechanism of NF-κB signaling pathway in traditional Chinese medicine for HCC treatment has emerged as one of the pivotal research directions in current oncology studies. Based on the existing research foundation， a systematic literature review method was adopted to retrieve and analyze relevant Chinese and English literature in recent years. Integrating the molecular regulatory mechanisms of the NF-κB signaling pathway and its pivotal role in HCC pathogenesis and progression helped further explore the latest research advances in traditional Chinese medicine interventions targeting this pathway for HCC treatment. This approach may provide novel theoretical foundations and translational strategies for the prevention and management of HCC using traditional Chinese medicine.

BACKGROUND:Ilizarov bone transport is very effective in the treatment of open large tibial bone defects,but there are still complications,among which the difficulty of junction healing is one of the difficult points in treatment. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Ilizarov bone transport combined with antibiotic bone cement on junction healing after operation of open large tibial bone defect. METHODS:Totally 51 patients with open large tibial bone defect(bone defect>4 cm)admitted to Binzhou Medical University Hospital from August 2010 to January 2022 were selected,of which 28 received Ilizarov bone transport alone(control group)and 23 received Ilizarov bone transport combined with antibiotic bone cement treatment(trial group).External fixation time,bone healing time,bone healing index,visual analog scale score during bone removal,bone defect limb function,junction healing and complications at the final follow-up were statistically compared between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)All the 51 patients were followed up for a mean of(22.53±5.77)months.External fixation time,bone healing time,bone healing index,postoperative infection rate,and non-healing rate of junction were less in the trial group than those in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference between the two groups in visual analog scale scores at 6 months after the second surgery and in the functional excellence and good rate of limb with bone defect at the final follow-up(P>0.05).(2)These findings indicate that compared with the Ilizarov bone transport alone,Ilizarov bone transport combined with antibiotic bone cement treatment can promote the healing of open tibial fracture junction and increase the rate of bone healing.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Luofuoshan-Baicao oil (LBO) and wind medicated oil for the treatment of Aedes albopictus bites. Methods:A paired self-controlled study was conducted. Thirty-six healthy volunteers were recruited from Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2023 to March 2023. Each participant's forearms were subjected to Aedes albopictus bites, with 3 bites on each arm. For the first 18 participants, LBO was applied to the left arm, and wind medicated oil to the right arm; for the latter 18 participants, wind medicated oil was applied to the left arm, and LBO to the right arm. The observation period was 24 hours. Within the first 3 hours after the mosquito bites, the topical agents were applied once every other hour for a total of 3 sessions, with an applicator centered on the bite site at a dose of approximately 50 μl, covering a skin area of about 2 cm in diameter; after 3 hours, participants applied the topical agents themselves until symptoms subsided or the 24-hour observation period ended. All subjects were followed up at the occurrence of skin lesions after mosquito bites, 0 to 3 hours after the first treatment, as well as 24 hours after the first treatment. During the follow-up, the effects of both topical agents on pruritus, erythema, papules, or wheals were evaluated, differences in treatment frequency were analyzed, and treatment-related adverse events were recorded. The time to disappearance of pruritus after treatment was statistically analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and intergroup differences were analyzed using the log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. Two independent samples t-test was used for comparisons of other measurement data, and Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used for comparisons of count data between groups. Results:Within 3 hours after the first treatment, the time to initial disappearance of pruritus was significantly shorter in the LBO group (20.71 ± 1.92 min) than in the wind medicated oil group (28.30 ± 2.20 min, P < 0.05). The cumulative pruritus rate (the proportion of participants with pruritus among all participants) over time showed an overall stable fluctuation, and the cumulative pruritus rates at all observation points were significantly lower in the LBO group than in the wind medicated oil group ( P<0.05). After 3 hours of treatment, the mean values of changes in erythema diameters were 25.83 mm in the LBO group and 26.24 mm in the wind medicated oil group, while the mean values of changes in papule or wheal diameters were 8.25 mm in the LBO group and 9.18 mm in the wind medicated oil group; within 24 hours after the first treatment, the average time to disappearance of papules or wheals was 71.85 minutes in the LBO group and 73.01 minutes in the wind medicated oil group, while the average time to disappearance of erythema was 82.27 minutes in the LBO group and 84.86 minutes in the wind medicated oil group; there were no significant differences in the above observational indices between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The number of pruritus episodes within 24 hours of treatment was 56 in both the LBO group and wind medicated oil group, and the treatment frequency was 107 in both two groups; there were also no significant differences in the frequencies of pruritus episodes or treatment (both P > 0.05). No adverse events or reactions occurred during the trial. Conclusion:LBO was more effective than wind medicated oil in reducing the time to disappearance of pruritus after Aedes albopictus bites, with a high safety profile.

OBJECTIVE To understand the drug resistance,serotypes,virulence-associated genes and epidemiologi-cal characteristics of group B Streptococcus(GBS)isolated from puerpera in this area so as to provide bases for prevention of mother-to-infant infections.METHODS Totally 67 strains of GBS were isolated from obstetrics out-patient department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from Jan.2023 to Dec.2023.The spe-cies of the strains were identified by VITEK MS,the drug susceptibility testing was carried out by disc diffu-sion method.Multilocus sequencing types,capsular types,virulence genes and drug resistance genes were analyzed by means of whole genome sequencing technique.RESULTS The 67 strains of GBS were sensitive to penicillin,vancomycin,ceftriaxone and linezolid;the drug resistance rates to erythromycin and clindamycin were 76.12％and 55.22％,respectively.All strains fell into 7 serotypes,with serotype V predominant;21 sequence types were in-volved,with ST529 most prevalent;8 clonal complexes(CCs)were involved,with CC12 most common.Totally 17 types of drug resistance genes were identified,and the carrying rate of macrolide resistance gene ErmB was highest.Among all the virulence genes except for the adhesion genes fbsA and fbsB,the carrying rates of 18 genes involving in invasion,adhesion,and immune evasion-associated virulence genes were more than 86.57％;67.16％of the strains co-expressed both PI-1 and PI-2a pilus islands.CONCLUSIONS The drug resistance rate of the GBS strains isolated from the puerpera is high,and the strains carry multiple drug resistance genes and viru-lence genes and present with molecular clonal diversity.The serotype V/ST529 is the predominant clone,for which the prevention and control should be strengthened.

Objective:To compare the protective effects of the static cold storage (SCS) and normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) on the skeletal muscle of the amputated limbs of pigs.Methods:Four Landrace pigs were selected, from which eight limbs were amputated and divided into SCS group ( n=5) and NMP group ( n=3) according to the random number table method. After blood collection from the carotid artery, an amputated limb model was established by amputating the limbs at the scapulohumeral joints. The limbs in the SCS group were wrapped in sterile cloth and stored at 4 ℃ for 24 hours. In the NMP group, the limbs were mechanically perfused with a red blood cell-containing perfusion fluid at 37 ℃ for 24 hours, with 70% of the perfusion fluid replaced every 6 hours. Before the experiment, cross-matching tests with the saline medium were conducted between donor and recipient pigs to evaluate blood coagulation and blood safety in the NMP group. An allogeneic red blood cell perfusion fluid was prepared and the levels of pH, Na +, K +, Cl -, Ca 2+, glucose (Glu), hematocrit (Hct), lactic acid (Lac) and osmotic pressure of the perfusion fluid were measured. At 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after perfusion, the skin temperature and oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO 2) levels in the NMP group were monitored and the levels of pH, Glu, creatine kinase (Ck), K +, Ca 2+, and Na +levels of the perfusion fluid were analyzed to evaluate the metabolism of the skeletal muscle in the amputated limbs. The mean intercellular distance and apoptosis index of the myocytes were quantitatively analyzed and histopathological changes were observed by performing HE staining and TUNEL staining on the skeletal muscle of the amputated limbs in both groups at 0 and 24 hours after perfusion. After perfusion was ended, the weight gain rate and swelling degree of the amputated limbs were compared between the two groups and the overall state of the amputated limbs was evaluated. Results:The result of the cross-matching test between donor and recipient pig blood was negative. The parameters in the prepared red blood cell-containing perfusion fluid generally maintained within a normal range: pH 7.38±0.04, Na + concentration (138.30±4.48)mmol/L, K + concentration (3.50±0.26)mmol/L, Glu concentration (6.11±2.08)mmol/L, and osmotic pressure (305.67±3.79)mmol/L. However, slightly higher Cl - and Ca 2+ concentrations [(118.34±12.00)mmol/L and (2.00±0.15)mmol/L] and lower Hct and lactate concentrations [0.30±0.03 and (1.54±0.38)mmol/L] were detected when compared with the reference range. During the perfusion, the average skin temperature of the amputated limbs in the NMP group was (36.13±0.98)℃, with the skin temperatures at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after perfusion being significantly higher than that at 0 hour ( P<0.01), while no significant difference among the skin temperatures at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after perfusion was observed ( P>0.05). The SaO 2 levels in the skin of the amputated limbs in the NMP group averaged over 95%, which showed no significant difference at 0, 12, 18, and 24 hours after perfusion ( P>0.05), while a significant elevation was observed at 6 hours compared with that at 0 hour ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in pH, Glu, Na +, and Ca 2+ levels in the NMP group at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after perfusion ( P>0.05), while the Ck levels at 18 and 24 hours were both significantly higher than that at 6 hours after perfusion ( P<0.05), and the Ck levels at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours were all significantly higher than that at 0 hour ( P<0.05). The K + level progressively increased with the perfusion time, with significant elevations at 18 and 24 hours after perfusion compared with that at 0 hour ( P<0.05). HE staining revealed well-preserved muscle fiber continuity and regular arrangement in the NMP group and the SCS group at 0 hour, with an intercellular distance of (8.95±0.60)μm. At 24 hours, the NMP group exhibited slight skeletal muscle fiber rupture and swelling, with a slightly increased intercellular distance of (14.75±0.90)μm, significantly greater than that at 0 hour ( P<0.01). At 24 hours, the SCS group showed marked skeletal muscle fiber rupture and swelling, with a significantly increased intercellular distance of (23.51±1.49)μm, significantly larger than those at 0 hour in the same group and at 24 hours in the NMP group ( P<0.01). TUNEL immunofluorescence staining indicated a tiny amount of apoptotic cells in the skeletal muscle in both groups at 0 hour, with an apoptotic index of (4.26±1.62)%. There was a small number of apoptotic cells in the skeletal muscle in the NMP group at 24 hours, with an apoptotic index of (25.94±2.69)%, significantly larger than that in the same group at 0 hour ( P<0.01). The SCS group exhibited a large number of apoptotic cells at 24 hours, with an apoptotic index of (62.97±3.22)%, significantly larger than those at 0 hour in the same group and at 24 hours in the NMP group ( P<0.01). In comparison with the SCS group at 24 hours, the amputated limbs in the NMP group showed red color in the appearance, no symptoms of ischemic muscle contracture and good joint movement despite slight edema in the subcutaneous layer. At 24 hours, the weight gain rate of the amputated limbs was (15.82±0.89)% in the NMP group, significantly higher than (0.97±0.28)% in the SCS group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Compared with SCS, NMP with the red blood cell-containing perfusion fluid prepared with the allogeneic blood for the amputated limbs of pigs can alleviate the ischemic injury of the muscle fibers and inhibit the apoptosis of the muscle cells by sustaining stable energy and oxygen supply and balancing ion homeostasis and pH of the perfusion fluid.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Luofuoshan-Baicao oil (LBO) and wind medicated oil for the treatment of Aedes albopictus bites. Methods:A paired self-controlled study was conducted. Thirty-six healthy volunteers were recruited from Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2023 to March 2023. Each participant's forearms were subjected to Aedes albopictus bites, with 3 bites on each arm. For the first 18 participants, LBO was applied to the left arm, and wind medicated oil to the right arm; for the latter 18 participants, wind medicated oil was applied to the left arm, and LBO to the right arm. The observation period was 24 hours. Within the first 3 hours after the mosquito bites, the topical agents were applied once every other hour for a total of 3 sessions, with an applicator centered on the bite site at a dose of approximately 50 μl, covering a skin area of about 2 cm in diameter; after 3 hours, participants applied the topical agents themselves until symptoms subsided or the 24-hour observation period ended. All subjects were followed up at the occurrence of skin lesions after mosquito bites, 0 to 3 hours after the first treatment, as well as 24 hours after the first treatment. During the follow-up, the effects of both topical agents on pruritus, erythema, papules, or wheals were evaluated, differences in treatment frequency were analyzed, and treatment-related adverse events were recorded. The time to disappearance of pruritus after treatment was statistically analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and intergroup differences were analyzed using the log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. Two independent samples t-test was used for comparisons of other measurement data, and Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used for comparisons of count data between groups. Results:Within 3 hours after the first treatment, the time to initial disappearance of pruritus was significantly shorter in the LBO group (20.71 ± 1.92 min) than in the wind medicated oil group (28.30 ± 2.20 min, P < 0.05). The cumulative pruritus rate (the proportion of participants with pruritus among all participants) over time showed an overall stable fluctuation, and the cumulative pruritus rates at all observation points were significantly lower in the LBO group than in the wind medicated oil group ( P<0.05). After 3 hours of treatment, the mean values of changes in erythema diameters were 25.83 mm in the LBO group and 26.24 mm in the wind medicated oil group, while the mean values of changes in papule or wheal diameters were 8.25 mm in the LBO group and 9.18 mm in the wind medicated oil group; within 24 hours after the first treatment, the average time to disappearance of papules or wheals was 71.85 minutes in the LBO group and 73.01 minutes in the wind medicated oil group, while the average time to disappearance of erythema was 82.27 minutes in the LBO group and 84.86 minutes in the wind medicated oil group; there were no significant differences in the above observational indices between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The number of pruritus episodes within 24 hours of treatment was 56 in both the LBO group and wind medicated oil group, and the treatment frequency was 107 in both two groups; there were also no significant differences in the frequencies of pruritus episodes or treatment (both P > 0.05). No adverse events or reactions occurred during the trial. Conclusion:LBO was more effective than wind medicated oil in reducing the time to disappearance of pruritus after Aedes albopictus bites, with a high safety profile.

The paper summarizes Professor YANG Jun's thoughts on clinical treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion. Professor YANG Jun puts forward the "refined mode for diagnosis and treatment of diseases with acupuncture and moxibustion", aiming to improve the capacity of diagnosis and treatment in clinical practice. He advocates that the diagnosis and treatment should be guided by the identification of etiologies, syndromes and meridians; in accordance with regulating the shape/form, balancing yin and yang, and harmonizing the mind; and by means of skillful techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion, simplified selection of acupoints and delicate manipulations. Besides, he stresses on the combination of multiple techniques of acupuncture (such as penetrating technique with long needle, stuck needling by lifting and pulling, and micro-acupuncture systems) with moxibustion techniques (moxibustion for resolving stasis and unblocking collaterals, pressing moxibustion, borneol moxibustion, moxibustion with medicinal plaster) in clinical practice, so as to enhance the therapeutic effects.
Moxibustion/methods* ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Humans ; China ; Acupuncture Points

To investigate the correlation between vitamin D nutritional status and insulin resistance in pubertal adolescents.

OBJECTIVE To understand the drug resistance,serotypes,virulence-associated genes and epidemiologi-cal characteristics of group B Streptococcus(GBS)isolated from puerpera in this area so as to provide bases for prevention of mother-to-infant infections.METHODS Totally 67 strains of GBS were isolated from obstetrics out-patient department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from Jan.2023 to Dec.2023.The spe-cies of the strains were identified by VITEK MS,the drug susceptibility testing was carried out by disc diffu-sion method.Multilocus sequencing types,capsular types,virulence genes and drug resistance genes were analyzed by means of whole genome sequencing technique.RESULTS The 67 strains of GBS were sensitive to penicillin,vancomycin,ceftriaxone and linezolid;the drug resistance rates to erythromycin and clindamycin were 76.12％and 55.22％,respectively.All strains fell into 7 serotypes,with serotype V predominant;21 sequence types were in-volved,with ST529 most prevalent;8 clonal complexes(CCs)were involved,with CC12 most common.Totally 17 types of drug resistance genes were identified,and the carrying rate of macrolide resistance gene ErmB was highest.Among all the virulence genes except for the adhesion genes fbsA and fbsB,the carrying rates of 18 genes involving in invasion,adhesion,and immune evasion-associated virulence genes were more than 86.57％;67.16％of the strains co-expressed both PI-1 and PI-2a pilus islands.CONCLUSIONS The drug resistance rate of the GBS strains isolated from the puerpera is high,and the strains carry multiple drug resistance genes and viru-lence genes and present with molecular clonal diversity.The serotype V/ST529 is the predominant clone,for which the prevention and control should be strengthened.

Objective:To compare the protective effects of the static cold storage (SCS) and normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) on the skeletal muscle of the amputated limbs of pigs.Methods:Four Landrace pigs were selected, from which eight limbs were amputated and divided into SCS group ( n=5) and NMP group ( n=3) according to the random number table method. After blood collection from the carotid artery, an amputated limb model was established by amputating the limbs at the scapulohumeral joints. The limbs in the SCS group were wrapped in sterile cloth and stored at 4 ℃ for 24 hours. In the NMP group, the limbs were mechanically perfused with a red blood cell-containing perfusion fluid at 37 ℃ for 24 hours, with 70% of the perfusion fluid replaced every 6 hours. Before the experiment, cross-matching tests with the saline medium were conducted between donor and recipient pigs to evaluate blood coagulation and blood safety in the NMP group. An allogeneic red blood cell perfusion fluid was prepared and the levels of pH, Na +, K +, Cl -, Ca 2+, glucose (Glu), hematocrit (Hct), lactic acid (Lac) and osmotic pressure of the perfusion fluid were measured. At 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after perfusion, the skin temperature and oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO 2) levels in the NMP group were monitored and the levels of pH, Glu, creatine kinase (Ck), K +, Ca 2+, and Na +levels of the perfusion fluid were analyzed to evaluate the metabolism of the skeletal muscle in the amputated limbs. The mean intercellular distance and apoptosis index of the myocytes were quantitatively analyzed and histopathological changes were observed by performing HE staining and TUNEL staining on the skeletal muscle of the amputated limbs in both groups at 0 and 24 hours after perfusion. After perfusion was ended, the weight gain rate and swelling degree of the amputated limbs were compared between the two groups and the overall state of the amputated limbs was evaluated. Results:The result of the cross-matching test between donor and recipient pig blood was negative. The parameters in the prepared red blood cell-containing perfusion fluid generally maintained within a normal range: pH 7.38±0.04, Na + concentration (138.30±4.48)mmol/L, K + concentration (3.50±0.26)mmol/L, Glu concentration (6.11±2.08)mmol/L, and osmotic pressure (305.67±3.79)mmol/L. However, slightly higher Cl - and Ca 2+ concentrations [(118.34±12.00)mmol/L and (2.00±0.15)mmol/L] and lower Hct and lactate concentrations [0.30±0.03 and (1.54±0.38)mmol/L] were detected when compared with the reference range. During the perfusion, the average skin temperature of the amputated limbs in the NMP group was (36.13±0.98)℃, with the skin temperatures at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after perfusion being significantly higher than that at 0 hour ( P<0.01), while no significant difference among the skin temperatures at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after perfusion was observed ( P>0.05). The SaO 2 levels in the skin of the amputated limbs in the NMP group averaged over 95%, which showed no significant difference at 0, 12, 18, and 24 hours after perfusion ( P>0.05), while a significant elevation was observed at 6 hours compared with that at 0 hour ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in pH, Glu, Na +, and Ca 2+ levels in the NMP group at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after perfusion ( P>0.05), while the Ck levels at 18 and 24 hours were both significantly higher than that at 6 hours after perfusion ( P<0.05), and the Ck levels at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours were all significantly higher than that at 0 hour ( P<0.05). The K + level progressively increased with the perfusion time, with significant elevations at 18 and 24 hours after perfusion compared with that at 0 hour ( P<0.05). HE staining revealed well-preserved muscle fiber continuity and regular arrangement in the NMP group and the SCS group at 0 hour, with an intercellular distance of (8.95±0.60)μm. At 24 hours, the NMP group exhibited slight skeletal muscle fiber rupture and swelling, with a slightly increased intercellular distance of (14.75±0.90)μm, significantly greater than that at 0 hour ( P<0.01). At 24 hours, the SCS group showed marked skeletal muscle fiber rupture and swelling, with a significantly increased intercellular distance of (23.51±1.49)μm, significantly larger than those at 0 hour in the same group and at 24 hours in the NMP group ( P<0.01). TUNEL immunofluorescence staining indicated a tiny amount of apoptotic cells in the skeletal muscle in both groups at 0 hour, with an apoptotic index of (4.26±1.62)%. There was a small number of apoptotic cells in the skeletal muscle in the NMP group at 24 hours, with an apoptotic index of (25.94±2.69)%, significantly larger than that in the same group at 0 hour ( P<0.01). The SCS group exhibited a large number of apoptotic cells at 24 hours, with an apoptotic index of (62.97±3.22)%, significantly larger than those at 0 hour in the same group and at 24 hours in the NMP group ( P<0.01). In comparison with the SCS group at 24 hours, the amputated limbs in the NMP group showed red color in the appearance, no symptoms of ischemic muscle contracture and good joint movement despite slight edema in the subcutaneous layer. At 24 hours, the weight gain rate of the amputated limbs was (15.82±0.89)% in the NMP group, significantly higher than (0.97±0.28)% in the SCS group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Compared with SCS, NMP with the red blood cell-containing perfusion fluid prepared with the allogeneic blood for the amputated limbs of pigs can alleviate the ischemic injury of the muscle fibers and inhibit the apoptosis of the muscle cells by sustaining stable energy and oxygen supply and balancing ion homeostasis and pH of the perfusion fluid.