Objective: To determine the clinical efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection combined with warm acupuncture and moxibustion for treating patients with knee osteoarthritis and cold dampness obstruction syndrome. Methods: One hundred and twenty-eight patients with knee osteoarthritis and cold dampness obstruction syndrome who visited the Rehabilitation Department and Orthopedics Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from January 2023 to March 2024 and who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly divided into an experimental (n=64) and control group (n=64) using the random number table method. The experimental group was treated with PRP injection combined with warm acupuncture and moxibustion, whereas the control group was treated with normal saline injection combined with warm acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. PRP and normal saline injections were administered once every two weeks, a total of four times. Patients were treated with warm acupuncture and moxibustion once a day, six times a week, for four consecutive weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome, visual analog scale (VAS), and Lysholm scores were determined before treatment, at week 4 and week 8 of treatment, and week 16 of follow-up. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), osteoprotegerin (OPG), bone gla protein(BGP), and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels were compared between the two groups before and after 8 weeks of treatment. The clinical efficacy and safety indicators between the two groups were also compared. Results: There was no statistical difference in baseline data such as gender, age, disease duration, and body mass index between the two groups of patients. Compared with before treatment, both groups showed decreased WOMAC total and subscale, TCM syndrome total score and symptom scores, and VAS scores, and an increase in Lysholm scores at 4, 8, and 16 weeks after treatment. After treatment, serum IL-6, MMP-3, TNF-α, and COMP levels decreased, whereas serum OPG and BGP levels increased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, patients in the experimental group showed decreased WOMAC total and subscale, TCM syndrome total score and symptom scores, and VAS scores, and an increase in Lysholm score at 4, 8, and 16 weeks after treatment. Compared with the control group, patients in the experimental group showed decreased serum IL-6, MMP-3, TNF-α, and COMP levels and an increase in serum OPG and BPG levels after treatment (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the experimental group was 91.94%, higher than that of the control group (81.97%; P<0.05). Conclusion PRP injection combined with warm acupuncture and moxibustion can improve various TCM symptoms, improve knee joint function and bone metabolism, and reduce inflammation in patients with knee osteoarthritis and cold dampness obstruction syndrome.

Ferroptosis, a programmed cell death modality discovered and defined in the last decade, is primarily induced by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. At present, it has been found that ferroptosis is involved in various physiological functions such as immune regulation, growth and development, aging, and tumor suppression. Especially its role in tumor biology has attracted extensive attention and research. Breast cancer is one of the most common female tumors, characterized by high heterogeneity and complex genetic background. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a special type of breast cancer, which lacks conventional breast cancer treatment targets and is prone to drug resistance to existing chemotherapy drugs and has a low cure rate after progression and metastasis. There is an urgent need to find new targets or develop new drugs. With the increase of studies on promoting ferroptosis in breast cancer, it has gradually attracted attention as a treatment strategy for breast cancer. Some studies have found that certain compounds and natural products can act on TNBC, promote their ferroptosis, inhibit cancer cells proliferation, enhance sensitivity to radiotherapy, and improve resistance to chemotherapy drugs. To promote the study of ferroptosis in TNBC, this article summarized and reviewed the compounds and natural products that induce ferroptosis in TNBC and their mechanisms of action. We started with the exploration of the pathways of ferroptosis, with particular attention to the System X_c^--cystine-GPX4 pathway and iron metabolism. Then, a series of compounds, including sulfasalazine (SAS), metformin, and statins, were described in terms of how they interact with cells to deplete glutathione (GSH), thereby inhibiting the activity of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and preventing the production of lipid peroxidases. The disruption of the cellular defense against oxidative stress ultimately results in the death of TNBC cells. We have also our focus to the realm of natural products, exploring the therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine extracts for TNBC. These herbal extracts exhibit multi-target effects and good safety, and have shown promising capabilities in inducing ferroptosis in TNBC cells. We believe that further exploration and characterization of these natural compounds could lead to the development of a new generation of cancer therapeutics. In addition to traditional chemotherapy, we discussed the role of drug delivery systems in enhancing the efficacy and reducing the toxicity of ferroptosis inducers. Nanoparticles such as exosomes and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can improve the solubility and bioavailability of these compounds, thereby expanding their therapeutic potential while minimizing systemic side effects. Although preclinical data on ferroptosis inducers are relatively robust, their translation into clinical practice remains in its early stages. We also emphasize the urgent need for more in-depth and comprehensive research to understand the complex mechanisms of ferroptosis in TNBC. This is crucial for the rational design and development of clinical trials, as well as for leveraging ferroptosis to improve patient outcomes. Hoping the above summarize and review could provide references for the research and development of lead compounds for the treatment for TNBC.

This study aimed to address the limitations of current diagnostic methods for well leg compartment syndrome(WLCS),including invasiveness,high costs,and insufficient accuracy,by proposing a solution based on electrical impedance tomography(EIT)technology.The electrical response characteristics of the human calf muscle to changes in compartment pressure using EIT were investigated,aiming to visualize the effects of pressure variations on the electrical properties within the compartment and to provide technical support for early non-invasive detection of WLCS.EIT sensors were placed on the right calf of the experimental subjects,with pressure applied externally to the right thigh.Measurements were conducted in two phases:pre-pressure(pre)and post-pressure(post).Pre-pressure,the conductivity distribution image σpre was measured when the calf was placed horizontally.Post-pressure,the calf was raised at an angle of approximately 30°,and pressures of 0,40,80,and 120 mmHg were applied to the right thigh,and the corresponding conductivity distribution images σP=0,σP=40,σP=80,andσP=120were recorded.To quantitatively analyze the pressure effects on the compartment response,paired sample t-test was used to assess the spatial-mean conductivity((σ))from the EIT reconstructed images.Compared to the horizontal position of the right calf,raising the calf at approximately 30° resulted in a significant increase in the spatial-mean conductivity(σ)of the M1 compartment.Furthermore,when pressure was applied to the right thigh while the calf remained at a 30° angle,the spatial-mean conductivity of the M1 compartment σM1 showed an increasing trend with rising pressure.The results indicated that as compartment pressure increased,the volume of extracellular fluid and ion concentration significantly increased,leading to an increase in conductivity,which reflected ischemia and hypoxia in muscle tissue and the related pathophysiological changes.EIT,due to its high sensitivity to conductivity changes,offered a potential effective diagnostic method for non-invasively monitoring the onset and progression of muscle compartment syndrome.

Doxorubicin is a commonly used antitumor drug for the treatment of various cancers.How-ever,its clinical application is greatly restricted by its severe cardiotoxicity.At present,doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity is categorized into acute and chronic forms,depending on the dosage and dura-tion of exposure,which may eventually lead to the occurrence of heart failure.The pathogenesis of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity is associated with oxidative stress,mitochondrial damage,calcium overload,dysregulation of autophagy,and apoptosis.In forensic medical practice,cases of poisoning or even car-diac death caused by doxorubicin showed no obvious changes in cardiac morphology through routine forensic pathological examinations.The paper aims to summarize the research on the mechanisms of action of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in recent years,analyze and discuss the possible pathways of cardiomyocyte injury caused by doxorubicin,and provide references for research on the mechanisms of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and forensic application.

Objective To detect the expression changes of citrullinated histone H3(CitH3)during the development of deep vein thrombosis(DVT)in mice,and to explore its value in estimating the time to thrombosis.Methods The inferior vena cava(IVC)of mice was ligated to establish a thrombosis model induced by congestion.Mice were sacrificed under excessive anesthesia at 0 h,1 d,3 d,5 d,7 d,10 d,14 d and 21 d after the modeling,respectively.The congested IVC segments(0 h after modeling)and the thrombosed IVC segments(1-21 days after modeling)were extracted.Immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence staining were used to observe the number of neutrophils and the ex-pression of CitH3 during thrombosis.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression level of CitH3.Results During thrombosis,CitH3 was mainly expressed in neutrophils within the thrombus.A small number of neutrophils and a few CitH3-positive cells were observed at 0 h after modeling in the congested IVC.Between 1 d and 21 d after modeling,the number of neutrophils reached a peak at 1 d and gradually decreased.The number of CitH3-positive cells and their ratio to neutrophils began to increase at 1 d,reached a peak at 5 d after modeling,and then decreased.The expression level of CitH3 protein began to increase at 1 d and reached a peak at 5 d after modeling.Conclusion The expres-sion of CitH3 during DVI shows temporal changes,and is expected to become a biological marker for estimating the formation time of thrombosis.

Objective:To analyze the reoperation rate and causes during the early adoption phase of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE).Methods:The clinical data of 180 patients who underwent UBE performed by a single surgeon at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from October 2021 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and imaging data of patients who underwent reoperation were collected to analyze the causes of reoperation, and the clinical efficacy of the reoperations was also followed up. Measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation ( ± s), and t-test was used before and after treatment. Results:A total of 180 patients who underwent UBE were included in this study, of which 6 patients underwent reoperation, and the reoperation rate was 3.33%. Among them, 3 cases occurred in the first 90 surgeries and the other 3 occurred in the subsequent 90 surgeries. The causes of reoperation were as follows: recurrent lumbar disc herniation at the same segment postoperatively in 2 cases, insufficient decompression in 2 cases, disc herniation following isolated decompression in 1 case, and immediate postoperative perianal numbness in 1 case. The time between the initial surgery and reoperation ranged from 0 to 187 days, with an average of 63.3 days. The average follow-up time after reoperation was 18.3 months. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores of the patients at the last follow-up were significantly improved compared with those before operation (VAS score of low back pain: 5.2 ± 1.7 before operation, 1.2 ± 0.8 at the last follow-up, P<0.001; VAS score of leg pain: 7.2 ± 1.5 before operation, 1.2 ± 1.2 at the last follow-up, P<0.001; ODI score: 67.3 ± 5.7 before operation, 20.2 ± 8.2 at the last follow-up, P<0.001). The postoperative modified MacNab scores were generally satisfactory (4 cases were rated as excellent, accounting for 66.7%; 2 cases were rated as good, accounting for 33.3%). Except for one patient who experienced dural injury during open revision surgery, there were no serious complications such as nerve damage. Conclusions:In the early stages of UBE surgery, recurrent lumbar disc herniation and inadequate decompression are the primary reasons for reoperation, typically occurring within the first three months postoperatively. Reoperation does not significantly increase the risk of nerve injury. Enhanced early postoperative follow-up is recommended. For symptomatic patients, a second surgery with thorough decompression can yield satisfactory treatment outcomes.

Circadian rhythms are core regulatory mechanisms that evolved to align biological functions with the Earth's rotation. These rhythms are conserved across organisms from unicellular life to multicellular species and play essential roles in metabolism, immune responses, and sleep-wake cycle. Circadian disruptions are strongly associated with various diseases. Over the past decades, genetic studies in Drosophila and mice have identified key conserved clock genes and uncovered transcription-translation feedback loops governing circadian regulation. Additionally, rhythmic neurons in the brain integrate complex neural circuits to precisely regulate physiological and behavioral rhythms. This review highlights recent advances in understanding the neuronal circuit mechanisms of rhythmic neurons in the Drosophila brain and discusses future directions for translating circadian rhythm research into chronomedicine and precision therapies.
Animals ; Circadian Rhythm/genetics* ; Neurons/physiology* ; Drosophila/physiology* ; Brain/physiology* ; Nerve Net/physiology*

Grounded in the theory of "all marrows dominated by brain", this study explored the therapeutic mechanism of Zuogui Pills in modulating the oxytocin(OXT)/oxytocin receptor(OXTR) feed-forward loop in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis(PMOP). A PMOP rat model was established using ovariectomy, and 70 Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly divided into the following groups: sham operation group, model group, estradiol group(17β-estradiol, 0.05 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), Zuogui Pills low, medium, and high dose groups(0.2, 0.4, 0.8 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1), respectively), and an antagonist group(atosiban 0.9 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) + 17β-estradiol 0.05 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) + Zuogui Pills 0.4 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). After 12 weeks of model establishment, treatment was administered by gavage once daily for another 12 weeks, followed by sample collection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure serum levels of estrogen(E_2), OXT, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRACP-5b), and bone alkaline phosphatase(BALP). Histopathological changes in the left distal femur were observed through hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining. Micro-computed tomography(micro-CT) was used to analyze the microstructure of the right distal femur. Western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of OXTR, small GTP-binding protein Ras, Raf1 proto-oncogene(Raf1), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2(MEK1/2), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2), and their phosphorylated forms in tibial tissues. Compared with the model group, the Zuogui Pills medium and high dose groups showed significantly increased levels of E_2, OXT, and BALP, with a notable decrease in TRACP-5b levels. Morphologically, the trabeculae in the left distal femur were more tightly arranged. The fibrous structure in the right distal femur was significantly improved in the Zuogui Pills high dose group. Additionally, the expression of OXTR, Ras, p-Raf1, p-MEK1/2, and p-ERK1/2 proteins in tibial tissues was significantly increased. The therapeutic effect of the Zuogui Pills high dose group was partially inhibited when an OXTR antagonist was administered. These findings suggest that Zuogui Pills can regulate the OXT/OXTR feed-forward loop, activate the phosphorylation of the downstream Ras/Raf1/MEK/ERK signaling pathway, and ultimately improve bone mineral density, thereby exerting therapeutic effects in PMOP.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Female ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Oxytocin/genetics* ; Receptors, Oxytocin/genetics* ; Humans ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/genetics* ; Bone and Bones/drug effects* ; Brain/drug effects* ; Bone Marrow/drug effects*

As a new type of production factor that can empower the development of new quality productivity, the data element is an important engine to promote the high quality development of the industry. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) dispensing is the most basic work of TCM clinical pharmacy, and its quality directly affects the clinical efficacy of TCM. The integration of data elements and TCM dispensing can stimulate the innovation and vitality of the TCM dispensing industry and promote the high-quality and sustainable development of the industry. A large-scale, detailed, and systematic study on TCM dispensing was conducted. The innovative practice path of data fusion construction in the whole process of TCM dispensing was investigated by integrating the digital resources "nine full activities" of TCM dispensing, creating the digital dictionary of "TCM clinical information data elements", and exploring innovative applications of TCM dispensing driven by data and technology, so as to promote the standardized, digital, and intelligent development of TCM dispensing in medical health services. The research content of this project was successfully selected as the second batch of "Data element×" typical cases of National Data Administration in 2024, which is the only selected case in the field of TCM.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans

The chemical components of Carthami Flos were investigated by using macroporous resin, silica gel column chromatography, reversed-phase octadecylsilane(ODS) column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The planar structures of the compounds were established based on their physicochemical properties and ultraviolet-visible(UV-Vis), infrared(IR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry(HR-ESI-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) spectroscopic technology. The absolute configurations were determined by comparing the calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroism(ECD). Six flavonoid C-glycosides were isolated from the 30% ethanol elution fraction of macroporous resin obtained from the 95% ethanol extract of Carthami Flos, and identified as saffloquinoside F(1), 5-hydroxysaffloneoside(2), iso-5-hydroxysaffloneoside(3), isosafflomin C(4), safflomin C(5), and vicenin 2(6). Among these, the compounds 1 to 3 were new chalcone C-glycosides. The compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 could significantly increase the viability of H9c2 cardiomyocytes damaged by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R) at a concentration of 50 μmol·L~(-1), showing their good cardioprotective activity.
Glycosides/pharmacology* ; Flowers/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Carthamus tinctorius/chemistry* ; Chalcones/pharmacology* ; Animals