ObjectiveMicrotube associated protein-2 （MAP-2）， alpha-tubulin （α-tubulin）， and synaptophysin （SYP） are important proteins in neuronal signal communication. This paper observed the effects of modified Zhigancao Tang on the expression of serum α-Synuclein （α-Syn） and its oligomers， MAP-2， α-tubulin， and SYP of patients with liver and kidney deficiency of Parkinson's disease （PD）， analyzed their correlation， and evaluated the therapeutic effect of modified Zhigancao Tang in patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD based on α-Syn transmission pathway mediated by neuronal communication in vivo. MethodsA total of 60 patients with PD who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group （30 cases） and a control group （30 cases）. Both groups were treated on the basis of PD medicine， and the treatment group was treated with modified Zhigancao Tang. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The changes in UPDRS score， TCM syndrome score， and expression of serum α-Syn and its oligomers， MAP-2， α-tubulin， and SYP were observed before and after 12 weeks of treatment in each group. The correlation between the above-mentioned serum biological indexes and the levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers was analyzed. ResultsAfter treatment， the TCM syndrome score， UPDRS score， UPDRS-Ⅱ score， and UPDRS-Ⅲ score of the treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The UPDRS score， UPDRS-Ⅱ score， and UPDRS-Ⅲ scores in the treatment group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment （P<0.05）. After treatment， the total effective rate of the control group was 63.3% （19/30）， and that of the treatment group was 86.7% （26/30）. The clinical effect of the observation group was better than the control group （Z=-2.03， P<0.05）. The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group， and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=5.136， P<0.05）. After treatment， the oligomer level of serum α-Syn and MAP-2 level in the treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers， as well as α-tubulin in the treatment group， were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum α-Syn was correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-Syn oligomer in patients with PD （P<0.05， P<0.01） but not correlated with serum SYP . Serum α-Syn oligomers of patients with PD were correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-tubulin （P<0.05， P<0.01） but not correlated with serum SYP level. Serum SYP of patients with PD was correlated with serum MAP-2 （P<0.05）. ConclusionModified Zhigancao Tang has a therapeutic effect on patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD by inhibiting the production of α-Syn oligomers and intervening α-Syn microtubule transport pathway in vivo.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare neurodegenerative disease with complex clinical manifestations, presenting substantial challenges in clinical diagnosis and treatment. Its symptoms and the eight extraordinary meridians are potentially correlated; therefore, this article explores the association between MSA symptom clusters and the eight extraordinary meridians based on their circulation and physiological functions, as well as their treatment strategies. The progression from deficiency to damage in the eight extraordinary meridians aligns with the core pathogenesis of MSA, which is characterized by "the continuous accumulation of impacts from the vital qi deficiency leading to eventual damage". Liver and kidney deficiency and the emptiness of the eight extraordinary meridians are required for the onset of MSA; the stagnation of qi deficiency and the gradual damage to the eight extraordinary meridians are the key stages in the prolonged progression of MSA. The disease often begins with the involvement of the yin and yang qiao mai, governor vessel, thoroughfare vessel, and conception vessel before progressing to multiple meridian involvements, ultimately affecting all eight extraordinary meridians simultaneously. The treatment approach emphasizes that "the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect method will be needed in order to secure victory" and focuses on "eliminate pathogenic factors and reinforce healthy qi". Distinguishing the extraordinary meridians and focusing on the primary symptoms are pivotal to improving efficacy. Clinical treatment is aimed at the target, and tailored treatment based on careful clinical observation ensures precision in targeting the disease using the eight extraordinary meridians as the framework and core symptoms as the specific focus. Additionally, combining acupuncture, daoyin therapy, and other method may help prolong survival. This article classifies clinical manifestations based on the theory of the eight extraordinary meridians and explores treatment.

In recent years, the reform of the registration, evaluation, and approval system for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has been promoted at the national level, with establishment of an evaluation evidence system for TCM registration that combines TCM theory, human use experience, and clinical trials(known as the "three-combined" evaluation evidence system). This system, which aligns with the characteristics of TCM clinical practice and the laws of TCM research and development, recognizes the unique value of human use experience in medicine and returns to the essence of medicine as an applied science, thus receiving widespread recognition from both academia and industry. However, it meanwhile poses new and higher challenges. This article delves into the value and challenges faced by the "three-combined" evaluation evidence system from three perspectives: registration management, medical institutions, and the TCM industry. Furthermore, it discusses how the China Association of Chinese Medicine, leveraging its academic platform advantages and leading roles, has made exploratory and practical efforts to facilitate the research and development of new TCM drugs and the implementation of the "three-combined" evaluation evidence system.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; China ; Drug Development

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To establish a risk prediction model for dialysis disequilibrium syndrome in hemodialysis patients using the Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) decision tree algorithm. Methods A total of 200 hemodialysis patients were enrolled as study subjects. Patients who developed dialysis disequilibrium syndrome after hemodialysis were included in occurrence group, while those who did not develop dialysis disequilibrium syndrome were included in non-occurrence group. Clinical data were collected and analyzed, and univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to screen independent influencing factors of dialysis disequilibrium syndrome in hemodialysis patients. Based on these independent factors and the decision tree model, a risk prediction model for dialysis disequilibrium syndrome in hemodialysis patients was constructed. Results Among 200 hemodialysis patients, 40 developed dialysis disequilibrium syndrome, while 160 did not. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that age and urea nitrogen were independent risk factors for dialysis disequilibrium syndrome in hemodialysis patients (OR > 1, P < 0.05), while albumin was an independent protective factor against DDS (OR < 1, P < 0.05). The decision tree model showed that age, located at the first level, was a most important influencing factor for dialysis disequilibrium syndrome (the sample was divided into three subgroups, with an incidence rate of 95.0% in patients older than 56.5 years, which was significantly higher than that in patients aged ≤56.5 years). Albumin and urea nitrogen were influencing factors for patients aged > 55.5 to 56.5 and > 56.5 years, respectively, located at the second level. Conclusion Analyzing the independent influencing factors of dialysis disequilibrium syndrome and risk prediction model constructed based on the decision tree algorithm can predict the probability of dialysis disequilibrium syndrome in hemodialysis patients.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Tibetan medicine Ershiwuwei Guijiuwan against osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats through the classical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. MethodForty-eight 3-month-old SD female rats were randomized into model group （equivalent volume of normal saline）， sham operation group （equivalent volume of normal saline）， estradiol group （0.1 mg·kg^-1 estradiol valerate）， and high-， medium-， low-dose Ershiwuwei Guijiuwan groups （800， 400， 200 mg·kg^-1， respectively）. For the modeling， some adipose tissue near the ovaries was removed in the sham operation group， and ovaries were excised in other groups. Administration （ig， once a day） started two weeks after the operation and lasted 12 weeks. After sampling， based on hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining， the morphological changes of the right femur and lumbar spine of the rats were observed. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to detect the serum levels of rat tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b （TRAP5b）， collagen type Ⅰ C-terminal peptide （CTX-Ⅰ）， bone alkaline phosphatase （BALP）， amino-terminal propeptide of type Ⅰ procollagen （PINP）， and bone Gla-protein （BGP）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was performed to examine the mRNA expression of β-catenin and Runt-related transcription factor 2 （Runx2） in femur， and Western blot to detect the protein expression of β-catenin， Runx2， and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-5 （Lrp-5）. ResultCompared with the sham operation group， the model group showed disordered and sparse bone trabecula with fewer connections， decrease in serum levels of BALP， BGP， and PINP （P<0.01）， increase in levels of CTX-Ⅰ and TRAP5b （P<0.01）， reduction in mRNA expression of β-catenin and Runx2 in femoral tissue （P<0.01） and protein expression of Lrp-5， β-catenin， and Runx2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， estradiol and each dose of Ershiwuwei Guijiuwan increased the volume of bone trabecula， made thebone trabecula closely arranged， reduced the loss of the trabecular meshwork， raised the serum levels of BALP and BGP （P<0.01）， and lowered TRAP5b level （P<0.01）. PINP level was significantly increased in the high-dose Ershiwuwei Guijiuwan group and estradiol group （P<0.01） and CTX-Ⅰ level was significantly decreased in the high-dose Erwenwuwei Guijiuwan group and the estradiol group （P<0.01） compared with those in the model group. The mRNA expression of β-catenin in femoral tissue and protein expression of Lrp-5 and β-catenin in estradiol group and three Ershiwuwei Guijiuwan groups were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the levels of Runx2 mRNA and protein were significantly increased in the high-dose Ershiwuwei Guijiuwan group and the estradiol group （P<0.01） compared with those in the model group. ConclusionTibetan medicine Ershiwuwei Guijiuwan is effective for the osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats， which may be related to the classic Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. It affects bone metabolism by up-regulating the expression of osteogenesis-related genes in the signaling pathway.

Under the national policy background of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）registration review and approval reform， TCM preparations in medical institutions（hereinafter referred to as medical institution preparations） have human use experience， conform to the characteristics of TCM clinical practice， and have advantages in the research and development of innovative Chinese medicines. Therefore， the research and development mode based on clinical experience prescription-medical institution preparations-innovative Chinese medicines has attracted widespread attention from the industry. However， in the process of development and use of medical institution preparations， there are generally clinical problems that restrict their transformation into innovative Chinese medicines， resulting in a relatively weak collection basis of human use experience and insufficient clinical evidence for supporting the research and development of new TCM medicines. In this paper， on the basis of sorting out the supporting regulations and relevant technical requirements of human use experience， and analyzing the clinical problems restricting the transformation of medical institution preparations， it provides suggestions for medical institutions to carry out high-quality research on human use experience of preparations in the process of TCM clinical practice from the aspects of continuously exploring clinical value， improving the construction of information system， focusing on the TCM clinical practice and giving full play to the advantages of discipline cooperation. By realizing the whole life cycle management of medical institution preparations based on three-combination evaluation evidence system， we can promote the transformation of medical institution preparations into innovative Chinese medicines.

BACKGROUND: Management of gastric leak after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is challenging due to its unpredictable outcomes. We aimed to summarize the characteristics of SG leaks and analyze interventions and corresponding outcomes in a real-world setting. METHODS: To retrospectively review of 15,721 SG procedures from 2010 to 2020 based on a national registry. A cumulative sum analysis was used to identify a fitting curve of gastric leak rate. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests were performed to calculate and compare the probabilities of relevant outcomes. The logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of acute leaks. RESULTS: A total of 78 cases of SG leaks were collected with an incidence of 0.5% (78/15,721) from this registry (6 patients who had the primary SG in non-participating centers). After accumulating 260 cases in a bariatric surgery center, the leak rate decreased to a stably low value of under 1.17%. The significant differences presented in sex, waist circumference, and the proportion of hypoproteinemia and type 2 diabetes at baseline between patients with SG leak and the whole registry population ( P = 0.005, = 0.026, <0.001, and = 0.001, respectively). Moreover, 83.1% (59/71) of the leakage was near the esophagogastric junction region. Leakage healed in 64 (88.9%, 64/72) patients. The median healing time of acute and non-acute leaks was 5.93 months and 8.12 months, respectively. Acute leak (38/72, 52.8%) was the predominant type with a cumulative reoperation rate >50%, whereas the cumulative healing probability in the patients who required surgical treatment was significantly lower than those requring non-surgical treatment ( P = 0.013). Precise dissection in the His angle area was independently associated with a lower acute leak rate, whereas preservation ≥2 cm distance from the His angle area was an independent risk factor. CONCLUSIONS Male sex, elevated waist circumference, hypoproteinaemia, and type 2 diabetes are risk factors of gastric leaks after SG. Optimizing surgical techniques, including precise dissection of His angle area and preservation of smaller gastric fundus, should be suggested to prevent acute leaks.
Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications* ; Obesity, Morbid ; Anastomotic Leak/epidemiology* ; Gastrectomy/methods* ; Reoperation/methods* ; Registries ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome

Aim To investigate the effect of overexpression of silent information regulator 1 (Sirtl) on cardiac function in mice with myocardial ischemia. Methods Myocardial specific Sirtl overexpression transgenic mice (Sirtl-Tg) and littermate control mice (C57BL/6J), half male and half female, were randomly divided into control sham operation group (Con), control model group (Con +ISO), Sirtl overexpression sham operation group (Sirtl-Tg) and Sirtl overexpression model group (Sirtl-Tg + ISO). Isoproterenol (ISO) was injected subcutaneously into the back of the neck at 100 mg • kg

OBJECTIVE To establish the quality standard of the leaves of Litchi chinensis Sonn.. METHODS The identification of medicinal properties, microscopic characteristics, TLC and content determination method of the leaves of Litchi chinensis Sonn. was conducted. The moisture, total ash, acid insoluble ash and extract of the leaves of Litchi chinensis Sonn. were determined according to Chinese Pharmacopoeia(Volume IV), 2020. RESULTS The leaves of Litchi chinensis Sonn. under forest exhibited specific properties in characteristics, microscopic features and TLC results. The moisture content of the medicinal materials was 2.66%-6.42%, the total ash content was 2.96%-4.52%, the acid insoluble ash content was 0.17%-0.94%, the water soluble extract was 15.38%-19.87%, and the alcohol soluble extract was 24.94%-30.33%. The eight components of gallic acid, protocatechin, catechin, epicatechin, rutin, astragalin, quercetin and kaempferol had a good linear relationship in 0.003 3-0.052 0 mg·mL-1, 0.006 9-0.109 6 mg·mL-1, 0.013 0-0.208 0 mg·mL-1, 0.057 5-0.920 0 mg·mL-1, 0.013 4-0.213 6 mg·mL-1, 0.013 2-0.211 2 mg·mL-1, 0.002 9-0.045 6 mg·mL-1, 0.003 6-0.056 8 mg·mL-1(r>0.999). The average sample recovery rate was 97.43%-102.97% and the RSD was 1.70%-2.90%. CONCLUSION The established quality standard of the leaves of Litchi chinensis Sonn. medicinal material has good specificity, accuracy and reproducibility, which can be used for quality control research of the leaves of Litchi chinensis Sonn..