Based on Professor YANG Zhen's theory of "qi dynamics of ministerial fire"， this paper systematically elucidates the pathogenesis of jueyin （厥阴） disease and the clinical rationale for applying Wumei Pill （乌梅丸）. Jueyin disease is characterized by dysfunction of the middle earth in regulating qi dynamics and disruption of the pivot mechanism， leading to an upward disturbance of ministerial fire and an underlying pattern of deficiency-cold of true yang， thereby forming a state of cold and heat in complexity. Wumei Pill fully exerts the synergistic effects of sour-astringency， bitter-descending， and acrid-warm medicinals， reflecting the therapeutic principle of regulating the pivot mechanism and restraining the upward rebellion of ministerial fire， with the aim of returning fire to its source and restoring the circulation of qi. Based on the four-dimensional pathological evolution of Jueyin disease， namely disorder of pivot qi harmonization， failure of ying （营）-blood nourishment and containment， loss of yin sustenance and balance， and instabi-lity of ministerial fire， the paper systematically reveals the underlying logic of Wumei Pill in treating different diseases with the same therapeutic principle. In addition， a clinical case of hemoptysis treated with modified Wumei Pill is presented， providing insights into its formulation principles and expanding its application in complex and refractory multi-system diseases.

Based on Professor YANG Zhen's theory of "qi dynamics of ministerial fire"， this paper systematically elucidates the pathogenesis of jueyin （厥阴） disease and the clinical rationale for applying Wumei Pill （乌梅丸）. Jueyin disease is characterized by dysfunction of the middle earth in regulating qi dynamics and disruption of the pivot mechanism， leading to an upward disturbance of ministerial fire and an underlying pattern of deficiency-cold of true yang， thereby forming a state of cold and heat in complexity. Wumei Pill fully exerts the synergistic effects of sour-astringency， bitter-descending， and acrid-warm medicinals， reflecting the therapeutic principle of regulating the pivot mechanism and restraining the upward rebellion of ministerial fire， with the aim of returning fire to its source and restoring the circulation of qi. Based on the four-dimensional pathological evolution of Jueyin disease， namely disorder of pivot qi harmonization， failure of ying （营）-blood nourishment and containment， loss of yin sustenance and balance， and instabi-lity of ministerial fire， the paper systematically reveals the underlying logic of Wumei Pill in treating different diseases with the same therapeutic principle. In addition， a clinical case of hemoptysis treated with modified Wumei Pill is presented， providing insights into its formulation principles and expanding its application in complex and refractory multi-system diseases.

OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of remimazolam and propofol in general anesthesia induction and maintenance for elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy. METHODS A total of 86 elderly lung cancer patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy at Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital from February to July 2024 were selected and divided into the propofol group and the remimazolam group according to the randomized numerical table method， with 43 cases in each group. During anesthesia induction， patients in the propofol group and the remimazolam group were intravenously administered 2 mg/kg of Propofol medium- and long-chain fat emulsion injection or 0.25 mg/kg of Remimazolam tosilate for injection， respectively； during anesthesia maintenance， the two groups received intravenous infusion of 6-10 mg/（kg·h） of Propofol medium- and long- chain fat emulsion injection or 1-3 mg/（kg·h） of Remimazolam tosilate for injection， respectively. The anesthesia effects， anesthesia-related indicators， intraoperative opioid and muscle relaxant dosages， Ramsay sedation score， numerical rating scale （NRS） score， and hemodynamic parameters were compared between the two groups， and the occurrence of adverse drug reactions was recorded. RESULTS A total of 41 patients in the propofol group and 43 patients in the remimazolam group completed the trial. The proportion of patients with grade Ⅰ anesthesia effect in the remimazolam group was significantly higher than that in the propofol group， while the proportion of patients with grade Ⅱ anesthesia effect was significantly lower than that in the propofol group （P＜0.05）. In this group， the disappearance time of eyelash reflex， the time taken for the bispectral index to drop to 60， and the Ramsay sedation scores （2 and 6 hours after operation） were all significantly prolonged or increased， while the recovery time， NRS scores （2 and 6 hours after operation）， and the incidence of intraoperative hypotension were all significantly shortened or reduced； moreover， the improvements of the above sedation/NRS scores exhibited a time-dependent pattern within 2 to 24 hours after operation （P＜0.05）. Compared with before anesthesia induction （T0）， the heart rate [except at 2 min after medication （T1）， 60 min after anesthesia （T4）， and at the end of surgery （T5） in the remimazolam group] and mean arterial pressure [except at T1 in the remimazolam group] of patients in both groups significantly decreased at T1， 5 min after medication （T2）， at the start of surgery （T3）， T4， and T5 （P＜0.05）. Meanwhile， regional cerebral oxygen saturation significantly increased in both groups. Furthermore， the heart rate and mean arterial pressure of patients in the remimazolam group were significantly higher than those in the propofol group at T1， T2 and T4 （P＜0.05）. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of postanesthesia care unit stay time， dosage of opioids and muscle relaxants， regional cerebral oxygen saturation， or peripheral oxygen saturation at various time points （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Compared to propofol， remimazolam demonstrates superior anesthesia effects when used for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy. It not only provides more stable intraoperative hemodynamics and shortens the postoperative recovery time but also effectively reduces the incidence of intraoperative hypotension.

Objective:To compare gamma pass rates for ultra-long target volumes of cervical cancer between individual measurements by moving the phantom isocenter and segmented measurements combined with merging and to assess the influence of scattering blocks on verification result during segmented measurements.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 24 cervical cancer patients with ultra-long target volumes (lengths: 23.5–36.0 cm) treated using helical tomotherapy. Two measurement methods were used to verify the gamma pass rates: individual measurements by moving the phantom isocenter and segmented measurements combined with merging. For the first measurement method, the patients′ treatment plans were transferred to the ArcCheck phantom. After the dose distribution was calculated and exported, the gamma pass rates measured and calculated were compared. For the segmented measurements, a 50-cm-long virtual phantom was imported, and the treatment plans of patients were then transferred to the virtual phantom. Afterward, the dose distribution of the virtual phantom was calculated and exported. Then, two dose measurements were conducted under upward and downward setup of the ArcCheck phantom. Two dose measurement files were obtained and then fused to produce a merged file. Then, the γ pass rates were calculated. Repeated measurements were conducted after scattering blocks were installed. The γ-pass rates were assessed using varying dose criteria.Results:Under various evaluation criteria, no statistically significant differences in γ pass rates were observed between the individual measurements by moving the phantom isocenter and the segmented measurement in the presence of scattering blocks ( P > 0.05). In contrast, there existed statistically significant differences in γ pass rates between the individual measurements by moving the phantom isocenter and the segmented measurement in the absence of scattering blocks according to the (global) criterion of 3%/2 mm absolute dose ( Z = -2.31, P = 0.02). Additionally, the segmented measurement in the presence of scattering blocks enhanced pass rates, with statistical significant difference under the criterion of 3%/2 mm relative dose ( Z = -2.11, P = 0.04). Conclusions:In the case where ArcCheck is used to measure the dose distribution of ultra-long target volumes in cervical cancer, it is advisable to preferentially use individual measurements by moving the phantom isocenter. When segmented measurements combined with merging are required, it is necessary to install scattering blocks during measurements. This will improve γ-pass rates during verification and ensure the accuracy of dose verification.

Objective:To compare gamma pass rates for ultra-long target volumes of cervical cancer between individual measurements by moving the phantom isocenter and segmented measurements combined with merging and to assess the influence of scattering blocks on verification result during segmented measurements.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 24 cervical cancer patients with ultra-long target volumes (lengths: 23.5–36.0 cm) treated using helical tomotherapy. Two measurement methods were used to verify the gamma pass rates: individual measurements by moving the phantom isocenter and segmented measurements combined with merging. For the first measurement method, the patients′ treatment plans were transferred to the ArcCheck phantom. After the dose distribution was calculated and exported, the gamma pass rates measured and calculated were compared. For the segmented measurements, a 50-cm-long virtual phantom was imported, and the treatment plans of patients were then transferred to the virtual phantom. Afterward, the dose distribution of the virtual phantom was calculated and exported. Then, two dose measurements were conducted under upward and downward setup of the ArcCheck phantom. Two dose measurement files were obtained and then fused to produce a merged file. Then, the γ pass rates were calculated. Repeated measurements were conducted after scattering blocks were installed. The γ-pass rates were assessed using varying dose criteria.Results:Under various evaluation criteria, no statistically significant differences in γ pass rates were observed between the individual measurements by moving the phantom isocenter and the segmented measurement in the presence of scattering blocks ( P > 0.05). In contrast, there existed statistically significant differences in γ pass rates between the individual measurements by moving the phantom isocenter and the segmented measurement in the absence of scattering blocks according to the (global) criterion of 3%/2 mm absolute dose ( Z = -2.31, P = 0.02). Additionally, the segmented measurement in the presence of scattering blocks enhanced pass rates, with statistical significant difference under the criterion of 3%/2 mm relative dose ( Z = -2.11, P = 0.04). Conclusions:In the case where ArcCheck is used to measure the dose distribution of ultra-long target volumes in cervical cancer, it is advisable to preferentially use individual measurements by moving the phantom isocenter. When segmented measurements combined with merging are required, it is necessary to install scattering blocks during measurements. This will improve γ-pass rates during verification and ensure the accuracy of dose verification.

Objective::This study aimed to elucidate the effect of the lipopolysaccharides/toll-like receptor 4 (LPS/TLR4) pathway on early atherosclerosis (AS) development and its associated changes in fecal metabolites, thereby providing an experimental foundation for strategies to prevent and treat early AS.Methods::Twelve Tibetan miniature pigs aged 4-5 months were divided into normal control (NC) group and AS group (6 pigs in each). The group assignment was primarily based on body weight; Secondary criteria, including glucose, lipid profiles, and inflammatory indices, were considered to ensure balanced baseline characteristics between the 2 groups (all P > 0.05). AS group received a high-fat diet for 16 weeks to establish an AS model, while the NC group received a normal diet. Subsequently, serum levels of lipids and various inflammation and oxidative stress markers were measured. Pathological changes in the aorta and colon tissue, LPS/TLR4 pathway-associated protein expressions in the aorta, as well as occludin and zonula occludens-1 in the colon were also assessed. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra technology was employed for the metabolomic analysis of fecal extracts. Results::The lipid metabolism was disrupted in AS group, with significantly higher total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels ((12.24 ± 5.24) mmol/L vs. (1.86 ± 0.27) mmol/L, P = 0.004,6; (2.39 ± 0.50) mmol/L vs. (0.83 ± 0.07) mmol/L, P = 0.000,5; (6.94 ± 2.87) mmol/L vs. (0.77 ± 0.18) mmol/L, P = 0.003,3), as compared to that in NC group. Serum factors, including LPS, tumor necrosis factor-α, and malondialdehyde levels of AS group were significantly higher than that of NC group ((1,230.00 ± 192.70) EU/L vs. (695.70 ± 213.70) EU/L), P = 0.001,1; (424.20 ± 176.90) ng/L vs. (51.20 ± 26.61) ng/L, P = 0.023,5; (3.60 ± 0.77) nmol/mL vs. (2.62 ± 0.21) nmol/mL, P = 0.025,4). Pathological evaluations revealed prominent lipid deposition area in the aortic arch, thoracic aorta, and abdominal aorta of the AS group compared with that of the NC group (4.17% ± 2.30% vs. 0, P = 0.006,7; 6.23% ± 2.95% vs. 0, P = 0.003,6; 3.78% ± 2.18% vs. 0, P = 0.008,1). TLR4, nuclear factor kappa-B p65, and tumor necrosis factor-α expression in the aorta tissue of the AS group were upregulated, whereas occludin and zonula occludens-1 expression in colon tissues was downregulated. Additionally, metabolomics identified significant differences in 21 metabolites in the feces of the AS group compared to the NC group, with further analysis linking these differences to amino acid metabolism. Conclusions::The Tibetan miniature pig model of early AS induced by high-fat intake displayed pronounced chronic inflammation. Preliminary findings suggest that the underlying mechanisms may be associated with the LPS/TLR4 pathway and intestinal metabolic disorders.

Objective::This study aimed to elucidate the effect of the lipopolysaccharides/toll-like receptor 4 (LPS/TLR4) pathway on early atherosclerosis (AS) development and its associated changes in fecal metabolites, thereby providing an experimental foundation for strategies to prevent and treat early AS.Methods::Twelve Tibetan miniature pigs aged 4-5 months were divided into normal control (NC) group and AS group (6 pigs in each). The group assignment was primarily based on body weight; Secondary criteria, including glucose, lipid profiles, and inflammatory indices, were considered to ensure balanced baseline characteristics between the 2 groups (all P > 0.05). AS group received a high-fat diet for 16 weeks to establish an AS model, while the NC group received a normal diet. Subsequently, serum levels of lipids and various inflammation and oxidative stress markers were measured. Pathological changes in the aorta and colon tissue, LPS/TLR4 pathway-associated protein expressions in the aorta, as well as occludin and zonula occludens-1 in the colon were also assessed. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra technology was employed for the metabolomic analysis of fecal extracts. Results::The lipid metabolism was disrupted in AS group, with significantly higher total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels ((12.24 ± 5.24) mmol/L vs. (1.86 ± 0.27) mmol/L, P = 0.004,6; (2.39 ± 0.50) mmol/L vs. (0.83 ± 0.07) mmol/L, P = 0.000,5; (6.94 ± 2.87) mmol/L vs. (0.77 ± 0.18) mmol/L, P = 0.003,3), as compared to that in NC group. Serum factors, including LPS, tumor necrosis factor-α, and malondialdehyde levels of AS group were significantly higher than that of NC group ((1,230.00 ± 192.70) EU/L vs. (695.70 ± 213.70) EU/L), P = 0.001,1; (424.20 ± 176.90) ng/L vs. (51.20 ± 26.61) ng/L, P = 0.023,5; (3.60 ± 0.77) nmol/mL vs. (2.62 ± 0.21) nmol/mL, P = 0.025,4). Pathological evaluations revealed prominent lipid deposition area in the aortic arch, thoracic aorta, and abdominal aorta of the AS group compared with that of the NC group (4.17% ± 2.30% vs. 0, P = 0.006,7; 6.23% ± 2.95% vs. 0, P = 0.003,6; 3.78% ± 2.18% vs. 0, P = 0.008,1). TLR4, nuclear factor kappa-B p65, and tumor necrosis factor-α expression in the aorta tissue of the AS group were upregulated, whereas occludin and zonula occludens-1 expression in colon tissues was downregulated. Additionally, metabolomics identified significant differences in 21 metabolites in the feces of the AS group compared to the NC group, with further analysis linking these differences to amino acid metabolism. Conclusions::The Tibetan miniature pig model of early AS induced by high-fat intake displayed pronounced chronic inflammation. Preliminary findings suggest that the underlying mechanisms may be associated with the LPS/TLR4 pathway and intestinal metabolic disorders.

Objective: The phase 2, open-label, randomized, 3-arm study (NCT03776812) found that intermittently dosed relacorilant + nab-paclitaxel improved progression-free survival, duration of response, and overall survival compared with nab-paclitaxel monotherapy with minimal additional toxicity. This study analyzed the cost-effectiveness of intermittent relacorilant + nab-paclitaxel (IN), continuous relacorilant + nab-paclitaxel (CN) and nabpaclitaxel monotherapy (N) from the payer’s perspective over a 5-year time horizon. Methods: The health outcome is expressed in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). IN, CN and N were evaluated using QALYs and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). The data for this model come from the NCT03776812 trial and other published literature. The impact of the variables is studied using a one-way deterministic sensitivity analysis and a probabilistic sensitivity analysis based on a second-order Monte Carlo simulation. Results: N was the least costly strategy, at $ 4606.05, followed by IN ($22,597.75) and CN ($44,276.86). Based on a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000/QALY, IN was costeffective compared with N, with an ICER of $21,418.69 per QALY gained for N, whereas CN was ruled out by extended dominance (less effective, more costly), compared with N. The incremental benefits of IN compared to CN and N were 0.72 QALYs and 0.84 QALYs. Conclusion From a US health care system perspective, IN may be cost-effective compared to CN for patients with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, and IN is also better than CN and N in terms of efficacy. Therefore, IN is a high-quality regimen for clinicians to treat patients with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the accumulation law of saponins during growth in Paris polyphylla Smith var. chinensis (Franch.) Hara, determine the content of the main saponins in different cultivation years, age groups, cultivation modes and provenances. METHODS The content of 5 kinds saponins(I, II, VI, VII, H) was simultaneous determined by HPLC. RESULTS The total saponins in P. polyphylla Smith var. chinensis (Franch.) Hara were mainly composed of saponin VII and H, supplemented by saponin VI, I and II. The content of saponins(I, II, VII) was significantly different among different cultivation years rhizome, while it reached the standard of Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 Edition after 6 years old, 8-year-old rhizome was the highest. The saponins(I, II, VII) content in 4a rhizome and 5a rhizome was significant higher than others, and it ranged from 0.354% to 0.765% in different cultivation modes, from high to low as follows: coniferous forest>bamboo forest>broadleaf forest>greenhouse. In different provenances, it ranged from 0.592% to 0.741%, reached the highest level in Qingyuan Baikan, and was slightly lower than the standard of Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 Edition in Sanming Fujian. CONCLUSION There are remarkable correlations among saponins accumulation amounts and cultivation years, age groups, cultivation modes and provenances, which can provide reference for the artificial culvication of P. polyphylla Smith var. chinensis (Franch.) Hara.

Objectives:To compare the efficacy of the combination of excimer laser coronary angioplasty(ELCA)and drug-coated balloon(DCB)for in-stent restenosis(ISR)and to evaluate the impact of neointimal tissue characteristics on treatment outcomes. Methods:A total of 96 ISR lesions from 86 patients who underwent optical coherence tomography(OCT)evaluation and DCB with or without ELCA treatment at The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2019 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.ISR lesions were divided into ELCA+DCB group(n=30)and DCB group(n=66).Additionally,ISR lesions were classified as homogeneous and non-heterogeneous patterns based on the OCT characteristics of the neointimal tissue,and the impact on acute lumen gains was compared between different ISR patterns.Acute lumen gain(ΔMLA)was defined as the changes in minimum lumen area before and after the intervention. Results:The ELCA+DCB group had a significantly greater ΔMLA than the DCB group([3.2±0.8]mm2 vs.[2.6±1.4]mm2,P=0.015).Among the ISR with a homogeneous pattern,the ΔMLA of the ELCA+DCB group was significantly greater than that of the DCB group([3.0±0.9]mm2 vs.[2.2±1.1]mm2,P=0.030).There was no significant difference in ΔMLA between the two ISR groups with the non-homogeneous pattern([3.4±0.7]mm2 vs.[3.2±1.5]mm2,P=0.533).There was no death,the rate of target lesion revascularization was similar between the patients with lesions receiving DCB treatment and patients receiving ELCA +DCB treatment(7.4%vs.4.2%,P＞0.05). Conclusions:The combination of ELCA and DCB is an effective strategy for treating ISR,which can achieve greater acute lumen gain compared to DCB treatment alone,especially for the treatment of homogenous ISR pattern characterized by OCT.