Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a novel sleep-aid decoction in treating elderly insomnia patients with different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutional types, and its effects on neurotransmitter and inflammatory factor levels. Methods A total of 200 patients with four different TCM constitutions-peaceful, Qi-deficient, Yin-deficient, and Yang-deficient-were recruited. Peripheral blood neurotransmitter and inflammatory factor levels were measured for variations among insomnia patients across different constitutions. These patients were treated using the novel sleep-aid decoction, the effects of which were evaluated based on changes in neurotransmitters and inflammatory factors. Results Compared to the peaceful constitution group, insomnia patients with Qi-deficient, Yin-deficient, and Yang-deficient constitutions exhibited significantly elevated baseline levels of neurotransmitters (5-HT, GABA) and inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, CRP). Following the treatment, the Qi-deficient and Yin-deficient groups showed a marked increase in 5-HT levels, restored balance of Glu, GABA, and melatonin, and significant reductions in IL-6 and TNF-α levels. The overall effective rate was 83.5%, with optimal efficacy observed in the Qi-deficient (97.72%) and Yin-deficient (95.34%) groups. Conclusion The novel sleep-aid decoction is effective in treating insomnia in elderly patients, with the best results observed in the Qi-deficient and Yin-deficient constitution groups.
Humans ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/blood* ; Aged ; Male ; Female ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood* ; Sleep Aids, Pharmaceutical/therapeutic use* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use* ; Interleukin-6/blood* ; Interleukin-1beta/blood* ; Neurotransmitter Agents/blood* ; Aged, 80 and over ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Huachansu (Cinobufacini) is active extract isolated from the dry skin of Bufo Bufo gargarizans. It has now been widely used in clinical treatment of cancer, this study is to clarify the material basis of down-regulation of thymidylate synthase (TYMS) induced by Huachansu. METHODS: Our study utilized UPLC-MS/MS to identify major bioactive components from Huachansu. Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8) assay and clone formation assay were used to examine the cell viability of tumor cells. TYMS and γ-H2AX level were detected by using quantitative real-time RT-PCR and/or western blotting. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection was used to explore whether inhibition of TYMS could enhance the suppressive effect of Huachansu on cell growth of HCC cells. RESULTS: In our study, firstly, we identify 21 major bioactive components from Huachansu. CCK-8 assay results showed that Huachansu and its bioactive bufadienolides (Bufalin, Bufotalin, Cinobufotalin, Desacetylcinobufagin, Arenobufagin, Telocinobufagin, and Resibufogenin) significantly inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 and SK-HEP-1 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Further molecular mechanistic investigation demonstrates that Huachansu significantly suppresses thymidylate synthase (TYMS), the enzyme which provides the sole de novo source of thymidylate for DNA synthesis. The inhibition of TYMS could lead to cell-cycle block and DNA damage of HCC cells. Furthermore, we identified that Huachansu markedly increased γ-H2AX expression, which indicated the presence of DNA damage. Moreover, we confirmed that transfection of cells with small interfering RNA specific to TYMS could increase the suppressive effects of Huachansu on the HCC cells proliferation. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that Huachansu treatment had no effect on the transcription level of TYMS. Furthermore, proteasomal inhibitor MG132 could block TYMS inhibition induced by Huachansu, and concomitant administration of protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) with Huachansu could further suppress the protein level of TYMS, indicating that Huachansu promotes proteasome-dependent degradation of TYMS in liver cancer cells. More importantly, the bioactive bufadienolides of Huachansu such as Bufalin, Bufotalin, Cinobufotalin, Desacetylcinobufagin, Arenobufagin, Telocinobufagin, and Resibufogenin could also significantly restrain the protein level of TYMS, revealing the material basis of inhibition of TYMS exposed to Huachansu. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a TYMS inhibitor, we also evaluate the effects of the combined treatment of Huachansu with 5-FU, the results show that interactions between Huachansu and 5-FU are synergistic or antagonistic. Thus, in clinical, attention should be paid to the dosage of Huachansu in combination with 5-FU. CONCLUSION Huachansu inhibits the growth and induces DNA damage of human HCC cells through proteasome-dependent degradation of TYMS, bioactive bufadienolides are the material basis of down-regulation of TYMS induced by Huachansu.

Objective To analyze the application value of assisted compressed sensing(ACS)combined with deep reconstruction(DR)(ACS+DR)algorithm in MR abdominal T2WI.Methods A total of 60 patients were prospectively selected to undergo three types of respiratory-triggered transverse T2 sequence scans:fast spin echo(FSE),propeller scanning(ARMS),and ACS+DR.Two radiologists independently evaluated the images for respiratory motion artifacts,gastrointestinal peristalsis artifacts,sharpness of intrahepatic vessel and bile duct,lesion clarity,and overall image quality.Additionally,the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR),and contrast ratio(CR)between lesions and liver parenchyma signal intensity were calculated.Wilcoxon and independent sample Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare objective scores and subjective evaluations among different groups.Results The scan time for the ACS+DR sequence was 35 s,for the ARMS sequence 180 s,and for the FSE sequence 210 s.The ACS+DR sequence showed superior performance over the other sequences in terms of scan time,respiratory motion artifacts,intrahepatic vessel and bile duct sharpness,lesion clarity,and overall image quality(P＜0.05).Compared with FSE sequence,the ARMS and ACS+DR sequences exhibited higher SNR,CNR,and CR(P＜0.05).The ACS+DR sequence showed better SNR and CNR than the ARMS sequence(P＜0.05);however,there was no significant difference between the two sequences in CR(P＞0.05).No significant difference was found among the three sequences in the number of detected lesions(P＞0.05).Conclusion The ACS+DR reconstruction algorithm for upper abdominal imaging not only ensures high image quality but also significantly improves scan speed,making it valuable for clinical application.

Objective To analyze the prescription patterns of Professor Chen Bin in treating chronic superficial gastritis(CSG)with data mining methods.Methods Prescription data from effective medical records of outpatients with CSG treated by Professor Chen Bin at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from October of 2022 to April of 2023 were collected.R language,SPSS,and IBM SPSS Modeler were used to perform frequency statistics,association rule analysis,and systematic cluster analysis on the prescription data,and then the medication and prescription patterns of Professor Chen Bin in treating CSG were explored.Results A total of 64 outpatient prescriptions formulated by Professor Chen Bin were included,involving 95 Chinese herbal medicines.The top 10 frequently-used herbs were Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle(Zhigancao),Bupleuri Radix(Chaihu),Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum(Fabanxia),Jujubae Fructus(Dazao),Zingiberis Rhizoma(Ganjiang),Codonopsis Radix(Dangshen),Scutellariae Radix(Huangqin),Paederiae Herba(Jishiteng),Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium(Chenpi),and Taraxaci Herba(Pugongying).Most of the herbs were warm,cold,and mild in nature,and were sweet in flavor.And the herbs mainly had the meridian tropism of spleen,stomach,and liver meridians,and had the primary therapeutic effects of strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi,regulating qi,and resolving dampness.Based on the results of association rule analysis,a total of 21 core herb combinations were screened out,and cluster analysis yielded 4 clustered prescriptions.Combining the results of high-frequency herb statistics and cluster analysis and based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory,the core herbs for treating CSG was identified as Zhigancao,Chaihu,Fabanxia,Dazao,Ganjiang,Dangshen,Huangqin,Jishiteng,Chenpi,and Pugongying.Conclusion In treating CSG,Professor Chen Bin adheres to the treatment principle of replenishing qi and regulating the pivot,and the therapeutic methods of regulating qi movement,strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach are applied with Xiaochaihu Decoction as the fundamental prescriptions.His view of treatment by focusing on the spleen and stomach,emphasizing the combination of herbs with cold and warm properties and based on syndrome differentiation will provide a reference for the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine in treating CSG.

Objective To analyze the application value of assisted compressed sensing(ACS)combined with deep reconstruction(DR)(ACS+DR)algorithm in MR abdominal T2WI.Methods A total of 60 patients were prospectively selected to undergo three types of respiratory-triggered transverse T2 sequence scans:fast spin echo(FSE),propeller scanning(ARMS),and ACS+DR.Two radiologists independently evaluated the images for respiratory motion artifacts,gastrointestinal peristalsis artifacts,sharpness of intrahepatic vessel and bile duct,lesion clarity,and overall image quality.Additionally,the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR),and contrast ratio(CR)between lesions and liver parenchyma signal intensity were calculated.Wilcoxon and independent sample Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare objective scores and subjective evaluations among different groups.Results The scan time for the ACS+DR sequence was 35 s,for the ARMS sequence 180 s,and for the FSE sequence 210 s.The ACS+DR sequence showed superior performance over the other sequences in terms of scan time,respiratory motion artifacts,intrahepatic vessel and bile duct sharpness,lesion clarity,and overall image quality(P＜0.05).Compared with FSE sequence,the ARMS and ACS+DR sequences exhibited higher SNR,CNR,and CR(P＜0.05).The ACS+DR sequence showed better SNR and CNR than the ARMS sequence(P＜0.05);however,there was no significant difference between the two sequences in CR(P＞0.05).No significant difference was found among the three sequences in the number of detected lesions(P＞0.05).Conclusion The ACS+DR reconstruction algorithm for upper abdominal imaging not only ensures high image quality but also significantly improves scan speed,making it valuable for clinical application.

Objective:To establish an irritant contact dermatitis(ICD)model induced by sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS)in mice,and explore its endotype to provide an experimental and theoretical basis for subsequent precise treatment.Methods:Mice were randomly divided into two groups(model group and control group),4%SDS was topically applied to induce ICD in mice,saline was used on control group,the dose and frequency were consistent with model group,and the skin lesions of mice were observed.Epidermal thickness and inflammatory cell infiltration were analyzed by HE staining,toluidine blue staining and immunofluorescence staining.Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to investigate mRNA expression levels of cytokines.Results:Compared with control group,mice in ICD model group showed epidermal thickness on the back of neck,and the numbers of inflammatory cells were increased in dermis.The number of neutrophils,macrophages and T cells were increased.Expressions of Il17a and Il17f mRNA levels were increased.Conclusion:SDS-induced ICD model is successfully established,with the elevated infiltration of neutrophils,macrophages and T cells,and secretion of type 17 cytokines.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oliceridine for treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery with general anesthesia in patients.Methods:The patients with moderate to severe pain (numeric pain rating scale ≥4) after abdominal surgery with general anesthesia from 14 hospitals between July 6, 2021 and November 9, 2021 were included in this study. The patients were assigned to either experiment group or control group using a random number table method. Experiment group received oliceridine, while control group received morphine, and both groups were treated with a loading dose plus patient-controlled analgesia and supplemental doses for 24 h. The primary efficacy endpoint was the drug response rate within 24 h after giving the loading dose. Secondary efficacy endpoints included early (within 1 h after giving the loading dose) drug response rates and use of rescue medication. Safety endpoints encompassed the development of respiratory depression and other adverse reactions during treatment.Results:After randomization, both the full analysis set and safety analysis set comprised 180 cases, with 92 in experiment group and 88 in control group. The per-protocol set included 170 cases, with 86 in experiment group and 84 in control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in 24-h drug response rates, rescue analgesia rates, respiratory depression, and incidence of other adverse reactions ( P>0.05). The analysis of full analysis set showed that the experiment group had a higher drug response rate at 5-30 min after giving the loading dose compared to control group ( P<0.05). The per-protocol set analysis indicated that experiment group had a higher drug response rate at 5-15 min after giving the loading dose than control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:When used for treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery with general anesthesia in patients, oliceridine provides comparable analgesic efficacy to morphine, with a faster onset.

In recent years, the incidence rate of tubal infertility has been rising. In China, most patients with tubal infertility prioritize conservative management or tubal reconstruction surgery in order to preserve fallopian tubes as far as possible. In order to meet the reproductive needs of tubal infertile patients, clinicians in the reproductive field need to evaluate various infertility risk factors comprehensively, weigh the pros and cons, and explore individualized reproductive programs which are more in line with the interests of patients. Correspondingly, higher requirements for the imaging evaluation efficiency of the fallopian tubes have been put forward. Hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy), as a first-line imaging technique for evaluating tubal patency, still faces many controversies and dilemmas despite its value being widely recognized in clinical practice. This paper aims to provide viewpoints for the advancement of HyCoSy by reviewing literature and summarizing experiences.

In recent years, the incidence rate of tubal infertility has been rising. In China, most patients with tubal infertility prioritize conservative management or tubal reconstruction surgery in order to preserve fallopian tubes as far as possible. In order to meet the reproductive needs of tubal infertile patients, clinicians in the reproductive field need to evaluate various infertility risk factors comprehensively, weigh the pros and cons, and explore individualized reproductive programs which are more in line with the interests of patients. Correspondingly, higher requirements for the imaging evaluation efficiency of the fallopian tubes have been put forward. Hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy), as a first-line imaging technique for evaluating tubal patency, still faces many controversies and dilemmas despite its value being widely recognized in clinical practice. This paper aims to provide viewpoints for the advancement of HyCoSy by reviewing literature and summarizing experiences.

Objective:To summarize the evidence of cold therapy for patients after knee joint replacement, so as to provide theoretical support for the practical implementation of cold therapy in patients after knee joint replacement in clinical practice.Methods:The literature on cold therapy for patients after knee joint replacement was systematically searched in relevant databases and websites at home and abroad. The search period was from database establishment to September 2022. The evaluation of literature quality and evidence extraction were independently completed by two researchers.Results:A total of 17 articles were included, including two clinical practice guidelines, five systematic reviews, six randomized controlled trials, and four expert consensuses. After independent evaluation and evidence extraction by two researchers, a total of 19 pieces of evidence were collected from 5 aspects: evaluation and education, observation of cold therapy, cold therapy tools, cold therapy parameters, and cold therapy effects. Among them, 8 pieces of A-level recommended evidence and 11 pieces of B-level recommended evidence.Conclusions:Cold therapy for patients after knee joint replacement is widely accepted and applied. Medical and nursing personnel should prioritize patient safety and formulate scientific cold therapy plans based on various factors such as individual differences, patient preferences, actual clinical scenarios, differences in medical equipment, medical and nursing personnel technical level, and cost-effectiveness, in order to maximize patient benefits.