Miao medicine is guided by the medical theories of the Miao ethnic group, and the drugs used by the Miao people are derived from natural plants and animals for the prevention and treatment of diseases and protection of health. In recent years, a large number of clinical studies have shown good clinical efficacy of traditional Miao medicine in the treatment of prostatic diseases, with the advantages of easy availability, low price, and minimal adverse reactions. However, currently no systematic literature review has been reported on the treatment of prostatic diseases with Miao medicine. This article focuses on the commonly used Miao drugs recorded in the Chinese Materia Medica－Miao Medicine, with a systematic review of relevant literature retrieved on the treatment of prostate diseases with Miao medicine in recent years and a summarization of the advances in the studies of its pharmacological effects, mechanisms of action and clinical application, aiming to provide some new perspectives and ideas for further academic research and clinical development of Miao medicine.
Humans ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Prostatic Diseases/drug therapy*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential effects and mechanisms of Liang-Ge-San (LGS) for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) through network pharmacology analysis and to verify LGS activity through biological experiments. METHODS: The key ingredients of LGS and related targets were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. ARDS-related targets were selected from GeneCards and DisGeNET databases. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were performed using the Metascape Database. Molecular docking analysis was used to confirm the binding affinity of the core compounds with key therapeutic targets. Finally, the effects of LGS on key signaling pathways and biological processes were determined by in vitro and in vivo experiments. RESULTS: A total of LGS-related targets and 496 ARDS-related targets were obtained from the databases. Network pharmacological analysis suggested that LGS could treat ARDS based on the following information: LGS ingredients luteolin, wogonin, and baicalein may be potential candidate agents. Mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14), recombinant V-Rel reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog A (RELA), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) may be potential therapeutic targets. Reactive oxygen species metabolic process and the apoptotic signaling pathway were the main biological processes. The p38MAPK/NF-κ B signaling pathway might be the key signaling pathway activated by LGS against ARDS. Moreover, molecular docking demonstrated that luteolin, wogonin, and baicalein had a good binding affinity with MAPK14, RELA, and TNF α. In vitro experiments, LGS inhibited the expression and entry of p38 and p65 into the nucleation in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBE) cells induced by LPS, inhibited the inflammatory response and oxidative stress response, and inhibited HBE cell apoptosis (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In vivo experiments, LGS improved lung injury caused by ligation and puncture, reduced inflammatory responses, and inhibited the activation of p38MAPK and p65 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION LGS could reduce reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokine production by inhibiting p38MAPK/NF-κ B signaling pathway, thus reducing apoptosis and attenuating ARDS.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome/enzymology* ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Animals ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Humans ; Male ; Network Pharmacology ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mice

OBJECTIVE: To identify the underlying mechanism by which quercetin (Que) alleviates sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were assigned to sham, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and CLP+Que (50 mg/kg) groups (n=15 per group) by using a random number table. The sepsisrelated ARDS mouse model was established using the CLP method. In vitro, the murine alveolar macrophages (MH-S) cells were classified into control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS+Que (10 μmol/L), and LPS+Que+acetylcysteine (NAC, 5 mmol/L) groups. The effect of Que on oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in mice lungs and MH-S cells was determined, and the mechanism with reactive oxygen species (ROS)/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was also explored both in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: Que alleviated lung injury in mice, as reflected by a reversal of pulmonary histopathologic changes as well as a reduction in lung wet/dry weight ratio and neutrophil infiltration (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Additionally, Que improved the survival rate and relieved gas exchange impairment in mice (P<0.01). Que treatment also remarkedly reduced malondialdehyde formation, superoxide dismutase and catalase depletion, and cell apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, Que treatment diminished the release of inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 both in vivo and in vitro (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Mechanistic investigation clarifified that Que administration led to a decline in the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in addition to the suppression of ROS expression (P<0.01). Furthermore, in LPS-induced MH-S cells, ROS inhibitor NAC further inhibited ROS/p38 MAPK pathway, as well as oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell apoptosis on the basis of Que treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION Que was found to exert anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects by suppressing the ROS/p38 MAPK pathway, thereby conferring protection for mice against sepsis-related ARDS.
Animals ; Sepsis/drug therapy* ; Quercetin/therapeutic use* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome/enzymology* ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Male ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Lung/drug effects* ; Mice ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Macrophages, Alveolar/pathology* ; Inflammation/pathology* ; Protective Agents/therapeutic use*

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common respiratory emergency, but current clinical treatment remains at the level of symptomatic support and there is a lack of effective targeted treatment measures. Our previous study confirmed that inhalation of hydrogen gas can reduce the acute lung injury of ARDS, but the application of hydrogen has flammable and explosive safety concerns. Drinking hydrogen-rich liquid or inhaling hydrogen gas has been shown to play an important role in scavenging reactive oxygen species and maintaining mitochondrial quality control balance, thus improving ARDS in patients and animal models. Coral calcium hydrogenation (CCH) is a new solid molecular hydrogen carrier prepared from coral calcium (CC). Whether and how CCH affects acute lung injury in ARDS remains unstudied. In this study, we observed the therapeutic effect of CCH on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced acute lung injury in ARDS mice. The survival rate of mice treated with CCH and hydrogen inhalation was found to be comparable, demonstrating a significant improvement compared to the untreated ARDS model group. CCH treatment significantly reduced pulmonary hemorrhage and edema, and improved pulmonary function and local microcirculation in ARDS mice. CCH promoted mitochondrial peripheral division in the early course of ARDS by activating mitochondrial thioredoxin 2 (Trx2), improved lung mitochondrial dysfunction induced by LPS, and reduced oxidative stress damage. The results indicate that CCH is a highly efficient hydrogen-rich agent that can attenuate acute lung injury of ARDS by improving the mitochondrial function through Trx2 activation.

AIM:To investigate the effect and mechanism of velvet antler polypeptide(VAP)on premature ovarian failure induced by cisplatin(DDP)in rats.METHODS:Female rats with normal estrous cycle were randomly di-vided into the control,model,and VAP groups,with 10 rats in each group.Premature ovarian failure was induced in the model and VAP groups by intraperitoneal injection of DDP(4 mg·kg-1·d-1)for 20 consecutive days,and the VAP group was treated with VAP(400 mg·kg-1·d-1)for 20 consecutive days.Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining was used to ob-serve the morphological manifestations of the ovary,and the number of developing follicles at all levels was counted.En-zyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was performed to detect serum estradiol(E2),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),and anti-Mullerian hormone(AMH)levels.The levels of glutathione(GSH)and malondialdehyde(MDA)in ovarian tissues were detected by biochemical methods.The level of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in ovarian tissue was detected by the probe labeling method.Prussian blue staining was performed to observe the iron accumulation in ovarian tissue,as well as the ferrous ion(Fe2+)level was detected by Fe2+content analysis kit.Immunohistochemistry and West-ern blot analysis were performed to detect the expressions of solute carrier family 7 member 11(SCL7A11),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4)in the ovarian tissue.The fertility of rats was monitored in each group.RESULTS:Compared with control group,the model group showed ovarian atrophy,iron accumulation(P<0.01),reduced development of follicles at all levels and total follicles(P<0.05),increased atretic follicles(P<0.01),reduced litter size(P<0.01),decreased serum E2 and AMH levels(P<0.01),increased FSH levels(P<0.01),decreased GSH level and SCL7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in the ovarian tissue(P<0.01),and increased levels of Fe2+,MDA,and ROS and expression levels of ACSL4(P<0.01).Compared with model group,the VAP group had improvement in these aforementioned changes caused by DDP(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Treatment with VAP can improve ovarian function,maintain normal follicle development,and improve fertility in cisplatin-induced premature ovarian failure rats,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis.

Objective To explore the imaging features, clinical outcome, and prognosis of indeterminate pulmonary nodules (IPN) in patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcoma. Methods A retrospective study of 82 patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcoma who have IPNs. The clinical characteristics, imaging features of IPN, and survival of patients were analyzed with statistical software. Results The IPN size of 82 patients was 6.453±0.864 mm. IPN diameter, shape, density, and nodule discovery interval may be CT imaging features related to malignancy tendency. Age (HR=1.047, 95%CI: 1.007-1.088) and interval between each nodule discovery (HR=3.194, 95%CI: 1.052-9.694) are independent factors that affect the survival of patients with malignant IPN. Conclusion The imaging features of chest CT may provide important guidance for determining the nature and survival prognosis of benign and malignant nodules.

Objective To assess the tear film stability and morphological characteristics of the tarsal gland in myopic children.Methods In this prospective descriptive study,myopic children who performed refractive examinations in the Pediatric Ophthalmology & Refraction Clinic,Jinan Mingshui Eye Hospital from November 2021 to November 2022 were in-cluded.An Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI)questionnaire survey was carried out;tear meniscus height(TMH),non-invasive first breakup time(NIf-BUT)and images of the tarsal glands were obtained by OCULUS Keratograph 5M compre-hensive ocular surface analyzer.In addition,the atrophy and tortuosity of tarsal glands were scored to analyze the tear film stability and clinical characteristics of tarsal glands in myopic children.Results A total of 48 myopic children(91 eyes)aged from 7 to 16(10.25±2.23)years were recruited,including 27 males(56.25％)and 21 females(43.75％).The aver-age TMH was(0.19±0.04)mm(95％CI:0.18-0.19)and the average NIf-BUT was(5.40±2.62)s(95％CI:4.90-5.94);the TMH was positively correlated with NIf-BUT(r=0.223,P=0.034).The tarsal gland atrophy score was 1(0,1).The tortuosity score of the upper and lower tarsal gland was 0(0,1)and 0(0,0),respectively,with a statistically significant difference(Z=3.692,P＜0.001).In all subjects,49 eyes(53.85％)had tarsal gland atrophy,and 37 eyes(40.66％)had tarsal gland tortuosity.There were significant differences in TMH and NIf-BUT between children aged＜12 years and children aged ≥12 years(both P＜0.05).There was a significant difference in TMH between children with an OSDI score＜13 and children with an OSDI score ≥ 13(t=2.305,P=0.026).There was a significant difference in NIf-BUT between mild and moderate myopia children(t=2.300,P=0.024);the spherical equivalent was positively correlated with NIf-BUT(r=0.283,P=0.023).Conclusion Children with mild to moderate myopia show low tear film stability and a certain proportion of abnormal morphology in tarsal glands.In addition to the refractive status of children,attention should also be paid to ocular surface health in the refraction clinic.

In the context of delayed marriage and parenthood, decreased willingness in having children, and population aging in China, maternal and child health has become an important and urgent issue. Being essential platforms for research in maternal and child health, the importance of birth cohorts has been widely recognized. In the past 20 years, tens of birth cohorts have been established in major cities and regions of China, with cohorts ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands. These cohorts, particularly those large ones launched in recent years, have collected a wide spectrum of data and biological samples from mothers and children. Although they have made considerable preliminary achievements, there remain difficulties and challenges. The significant challenges include small and medium-sized cohorts' lacking of clear research themes; insufficient recognition of and emphasis on behavioral and social determinants of health while emphasizing biological determinants of health; variations in types of variables and quality of data collected, which make it difficult for cohorts to be merged and shared; lack of and difficulties in long-term follow-up; significant uncertainties in resources for long-term sustention of the cohorts, and so on. So, we argue that birth cohorts should focus on essential and urgent issues in maternal and child health in the country and seek recognition and support from the government and the entire society. Last but not least, the overall success of birth cohorts in the country requires scientists to be not only academically capable, but also realistic, persistent, altruistic, and collaborative.

Establishing a comprehensive mechanism for the initiation and review of investigator-initiated trial(IIT) plays an important role in ensuring the scientific validity of clinical research and improving research quality.Since 2021, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University had actively explored improvements in the project management of IIT. The hospital had established a standardized grading review management process, developed an integrated clinical research management system, established a three-level clinical research training system, built a methodological support platform, and formulated research plan templates, gradually formed a standardized grading project approval review management mode. As of February 2024, the hospital had completed 400 quick reviews and more than 400 expert letter reviews based on the integrated clinical research management system. The efficiency and quality of IIT project approval had been improved. At the same time, over 40 academic salons and forums had been held, cultivating a group of young clinical research talents, providing data management training for more than 30 clinical departments, and promoting the improvement of the quality of research protocol. In the future, hospitals should further optimize their information systems, expand the influence of their training systems, enhance the capabilities of their methodological support platforms, and improve the efficiency of the application of clinical research protocol templates, so as to escort the establishment and implementation of high-quality clinical research projects and provide references for other hospitals′ IIT project management.

Objective: To investigate the pathological changes and conduct viral gene analysis of OPA and MVD co-occurrence in Inner Mongolia, China. Methods: Using gross pathology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, ultrastructural pathology, PCR, and sequence analysis, we investigated the concurrent infection of JSRV and MVV in 319 Dorper rams slaughtered in a private slaughterhouse in Inner Mongolia, in 2022. Results: Of the 319 rams included, 3 showed concurrent JSRV and MVV infection. Gross lung pathology showed diffuse enlargement, consolidation, and greyish-white miliary nodules on the lung surface; the trachea was filled with a white foamy fluid; hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes were significantly enlarged. Histopathology results revealed typical OPA and MVD lesions in the lung tissue. Immunohistochemical results were positive for JSRV envelope protein (Env) in the tumor cells and MVV CA in alveolar macrophages. Transmission electron microscopy showed several virions and autophagosomes in the lung tissue, severely damaged mitochondria, and the induced mitophagy. Nucleotide sequences obtained for JSRV env and MVV gag showed the highest homology with the Inner Mongolian strains of JSRV env (JQ837489) and MVV gag (MW248464). Conclusions and Relevance: Our study confirmed that OPA and MVD co-occurrence and identified the pathological changes in Inner Mongolia, China, thereby providing references for the identification of concurrent JSRV and MVV infections.