Coptis chinensis Franch. and Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. are traditional herbal medicines with millennia of documented use and broad therapeutic applications, including anti-diabetic properties. However, the synergistic effect of total alkaloids from Coptis chinensis and total ginsenosides from Panax ginseng on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its underlying mechanism remain unclear. The research demonstrated that the optimal ratio of total alkaloids from Coptis chinensis and total ginsenosides from Panax ginseng was 4∶1, exhibiting maximal efficacy in improving insulin resistance and gluconeogenesis in primary mouse hepatocytes. This combination demonstrated significant synergistic effects in improving glucose tolerance, reducing fasting blood glucose (FBG), the weight ratio of epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in leptin receptor-deficient (db/db) mice. Subsequently, a T2DM liver-specific network was constructed based on RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) experiments and public databases by integrating transcriptional properties of disease-associated proteins and protein-protein interactions (PPIs). The network recovery index (NRI) score of the combined treatment group with a 4∶1 ratio exceeded that of groups treated with individual components. The research identified that activated adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) signaling in the liver played a crucial role in the synergistic treatment of T2DM, as verified by western blot experiment in db/db mice. These findings demonstrate that the 4∶1 combination of total alkaloids from Coptis chinensis and total ginsenosides from Panax ginseng significantly improves insulin resistance and glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in db/db mice, surpassing the efficacy of individual treatments. The synergistic mechanism correlates with enhanced AMPK/ACC signaling pathway activity.
Animals ; Panax/chemistry* ; Ginsenosides/administration & dosage* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism* ; Mice ; Male ; Alkaloids/pharmacology* ; Coptis/chemistry* ; Drug Synergism ; Insulin Resistance ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Transcriptome/drug effects* ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Hypoglycemic Agents/administration & dosage* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Hepatocytes/metabolism*

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of acupotomology combined with Bushenzhuanggu prescription in the treatment of residual lumbar pain after percutaneous kyphoplasty(PKP)for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.Methods A total of 77 patients with PKP postoperative residual lumbar pain admitted to the Department of Orthopedics,Ningbo Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University from January 2018 to December 2021 were randomly divided into control group and observation group.Patients in control group were treated with calcitriol soft capsules and calcium carbonate D3 tablets,and patients in observation group were treated with acupotomy combined with Bushenzhuanggu prescription.The pain degree,lumbar function and self-care ability of the two groups were compared.Results After treatment,the pain level,lumbar function,and self-care abilityof the two groups of patients improved compared to before treatment.Compared with control group,the visual analogue score(VAS)score and Oswestry disability index(ODI)index of observation group decreased more significantly,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05);The Barthel index of observation group increased more significantly in the early stage(3 days and 1 month after treatment),with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).However,there was no statistically significant difference in Barthel index between the two groups at 3 months after treatment(P>0.05).Conclusion Acupotomy combined with Bushenzhuanggu prescription has satisfactory clinical efficacy in the treatment of residual lumbar pain after PKP operation of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.It can significantly reduce pain,improve lumbar function,shorten the improvement time of patients'self-care ability,improve patients'quality of life,and effectively promote patients'rapid recovery.

AIM: To observe the clinical efficacy of Yishen Yanggan Mingmu formula combined with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration(wARMD).METHODS: A total of 58 patients(58 eyes)with wARMD who were treated in Ningbo Eye Hospital from September 2020 to November 2022 were collected. They were divided into two groups according to randomized digital table: 29 patients(29 eyes)for the combination group and the other 29 patients(29 eyes)for the injection group. The injection group was only given intravitreal injection of conbercept; the combination group was orally administrated with Yishen Yanggan Mingmu formula combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central macular thickness(CMT)and the improvement of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndromes after 3mo of treatment were observed and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.RESULTS: After 3mo of treatment, the total improved effective rate of the combination group(76%)was higher than the rate of the injection group(66%). After the treatment, the BCVA of the two groups was both higher than that before treatment(P<0.05), the CMT in both groups was lower than that before the treatment(P<0.05), and the improvement of CMT of the combination group was better than the injection group(-155.93±143.79μm vs. -95.36±56.81μm, P<0.05). After 3mo of treatment, each kinds of TCM syndrome in the combination group were significantly improved compared with those syndromes before the treatment(P<0.001). In the injection group, only blurred vision was improved(P<0.05). After the treatment, the scores of dizziness and insomnia, soreness and weakness of waist and knees, paleness and cold limbs, dry eyes and fatigue in the combination group were significantly lower than the injection group(P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS: The Yishen Yanggan Mingmu formula combined with intravitreal anti-VEGF drug injection is effective in the treatment of wARMD.

Cross-Sectional Studies ; Urodynamics ; China

With the development of sequencing technology and in-depth research on tRNA-derived small molecules (tsRNAs)‚ more and more tRNAs and their functions have been identified in various species. tsRNAs can be divided into tRNA-derived fragment (tRF) and tRNA-derived stress-induced RNA (tiRNA) according to different cleavage sites. And we will focus on tRF‚ which is a kind of non-coding RNA with regulatory function. To deepen the research of tRF‚ a large number of tRF identification methods based on sequencing data and corresponding databases are being constructed in recent years. The former mainly includes the method of Telonis et al. and tDRmapper‚ while the latter mainly includes tRFdb‚ tRF2Cancer and MINTbase. At the same time‚ both provide a more effective tool for the in-depth research of tRF. The regulation mechanisms of tRF are also being illustrated in many studies. tRF mainly regulates the expression of RNA‚ DNA and proteins in a miRNA-like manner. With further investigations‚ researchers have found that tRF also plays a specific regulatory role in various biological processes of human diseases‚ suggesting its role as a potential biomarker. Herein we mainly summarize the identification methods‚ databases‚ regulation mechanisms of tRF and its role in human diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the safety and feasibility of posterior pars interarticularis screw fixation on axis by CT measurement. METHODS: The CT data of 137 patients with complete upper cervical spine who underwent full cervical spine CT examination from January 2016 to December 2019 were collected, including 71 males and 66 females, aged from 22 to 65 years old with an average of (41.8±17.4) years old. Mimics 19.0 software was used to measure anatomical data related to the pars interarticularis screw, including the pars width, pars vertical length, pars vertical height, length of pars screw trajectory, upward inclination angle of pars screw trajectory. And the correlation between each index was analyzed. RESULTS: The axis pars has an average width of (9.05±1.63) mm, an average vertical length of (11.21±1.43) mm, and an average vertical height of (17.53±2.93) mm. The mean length of pars screw trajectory was(19.07±3.20) mm. Regarding to the length of pars screw trajectory, 94.53% of pars measured more than 14 mm, 82.12% of pars measured at 14-16 mm, 63.14% of pars measured at 16-18 mm, 39.78% of pars measured at 18-20 mm. The upward inclination angle of pars screw was 30°-68° with an average of (46.06±8.06) °. There was a highly positive correlation between the length of screw trajectory and upward inclination angle(r=0.965, P=0.000). The vertical length of pars was weakly positively correlated with length of screw trajectory and upward inclination angle(r=0.240, P=0.000;r=0.163, P=0.007). Pars width was moderately negative correlated with length of scrwe trajectory and upward inclination angle(r =-0.333, P=0.000;r=-0.380, P=0.000). CONCLUSION The posterior pars interarticularis screw fixation is safe and reliable. It has a more wider applicability than pedicle screw fixation and can be used as an alternative to pedicle screws.
Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedicle Screws ; Software ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effecty of Wiltse approach combined with contralateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and traditional TLIF in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation and its affect on injury of multifidus muscle. METHODS: From June 2014 to September 2017, 90 patients with lumbar disc herniation combined with lumbar spine instability were divided into two groups (Wiltse approach group and traditional group) depend on the procedure of operation. Wiltse approach group was treated with Wiltse approach screw placement in one side combined with contralateral TLIF. There were 50 patients in Wiltse approach group, including 36 males and 14 females, aged 45 to 72 yearswith an average of (60.4± 3.1) years. The traditional group was treated with traditional TLIF operation. There were 40 patients in the traditional group, including 25 males and 15 females, aged 45 to 74 years with an average of (62.1±3.4) years. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, accuracy of screw implantation, postoperative drainage volume and drainage tube removal time were recorded in two groups. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)were observed before and 12 months after operation. All patients underwent CT examination preoperative and 12 months postoperative, and the CT values of bilateral multifidus muscle were measured. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up, 40 patients in traditional group were 12 to 18 months with an average of (15.3±4.3) months; and 50 patients in Wiltse approach group were 13 to 24 months with an average of (16.5± 4.1) months. There were no statistically significant differences in operative time and intraoperative blood loss between two groups ( CONCLUSION Compared with traditional surgical procedures, the Wiltse approach nail placement combined with contralateral TLIF has the advantage of accurate nail placement, reducing multifidus muscle damage, and reducing the incidence of postoperative intractable low back pain.
Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of foodborne disease outbreaks in schools in Zhejiang province, and to provide evidence for effective prevention and control of foodborne disease outbreaks in schools. Methods: A descriptive analysis was conducted on foodborne disease outbreaks in Zhejiang schools reported by the national foodborne disease outbreaks surveillance system from 2010 to 2019. Results: During the past 10 years, a total of 86 foodborne disease outbreaks in schools were reported, with 1 755 illnesses, 240 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Pathogenic bacteria and their toxins were the main causes of foodborne disease outbreaks in schools, accounting for 83.0%(44/53) of all identified causes. The top four types of pathogenic bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus. Meat products and mixed foods were the main foods that caused the outbreaks, each accounting for 16.3%(14/86) of total incidents. High school cafeterias were places with the highest incidence, accounting for 38.4%(33/86) of the total. School concession stands caused the largest number of hospitalizations, accounting for 37.1%(89/240) of the total. The peak month of foodborne disease outbreaks in schools was September, followed by June, May, and October. Crosscontamination and improper storage were the main causes of foodborne disease outbreaks in schools. Conclusion Bacterial foodborne disease is a major food safety issue in schools in Zhejiang Province. In summer and fall, school cafeterias and food stores should take effective measures to prevent bacterial foodborne disease outbreaks caused by cross-contamination and improper storage of high-risk foods such as meat products and cold-processed bakeries.

Objective: To understand the health literacy and relevant factors of cancer prevention consciousness in Chinese urban residents from 2015 to 2017. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 16 provinces covered by the Cancer Screening Program in Urban China from 2015 to 2017. A total of 32 257 local residents aged ≥18 years old who could understand the investigation procedure were included in the study by using the cluster sampling method and convenient sampling method. All local residents were categorized into four groups, which contained 15 524 community residents, 8 016 cancer risk assessment/screening population, 2 289 cancer patients and 6 428 occupational population, respectively. The self-designed questionnaire was used to collect the information of demographic characteristics and cancer prevention consciousness focusing on nine common risk factors, including smoking, alcohol, fiber food, food in hot temperature or pickled food, chewing betel nut, helicobacter pylori, moldy food, hepatitis B infection, estrogen, and exercise. The logistic regression model was adopted to identify the influencing factors. Results: The overall health literacy of the cancer prevention consciousness was 77.4% (24 980 participants), with 77.4% (12 018 participants), 79.9% (6 406 participants), 77.2% (1 766 participants) and 74.5% (4 709 participants) in each group (P<0.001). The correct response rates for nine risk factors ranged from 55.2% to 93.0%. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with community residents, people with primary school level education or below, and the number of people living together in the family <3, the cancer risk assessment/screening intervention population, cancer patients, those with junior high school level educationor above and the number of people living in the family ≥3 had better health literacy of the cancer prevention consciousness (all P values <0.05). Compared with females, 39 years old and below, government-affiliated institutions or civil servants, from the eastern region, males, older than 40 years, company or enterprise employees, and from the middle or western region had worse health literacy of the cancer prevention consciousness (all P values <0.05). Conclusion The health literacy of the cancer prevention consciousness in Chinese urban residents should be improved. The cancer screening intervention, gender, age, education, occupation, the number of people co-living in the family, and residential region were associated with the health literacy of the cancer prevention consciousness.

Objective: To understand the consciousness of the cancer early detection among urban residents and identify the influencing factors from 2015 to 2017. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 16 provinces covered by the Cancer Screening Program in Urban China from 2015 to 2017. A total of 32 257 local residents aged ≥18 years old who could understand the investigation procedure were included in the study by using the cluster sampling method and convenient sampling method. All local residents were categorized into four groups, which contained 15 524 community residents, 8 016 cancer risk assessment/screening population, 2 289 cancer patients and 6 428 occupational population, respectively. Self-designed questionnaires were used to collect population, socioeconomic indicators, self-cancer risk assessment, regular participation in physical examination and other information. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the factors of people who had not regularly participated in the regular physical examination in the past five years. Results: The self-assessment results of 32 357 residents showed that there were 27.54% (8 882) of total study population with self-reported cancer risk, 45.48% (14 671) without cancer risk and 26.98% (8 704) with unclear judgement on their own cancer risk. Among population with cancer risk, 79.84% (7 091) considered physical examination accounted. In the past five years, there were 21 105 (65.43%) residents participated in regular physical examination and 11 148 (34.56%) participated in non-scheduled one, respectively. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with unmarried and western region residents, divorced, middle and eastern region residents had a stronger consciousness to participate in the regular physical examination (P<0.05). Compare with residents with annual household income less than 20 000 CNY in 2014, cancer risk assessment/screening intervention population, and self-assessment with cancer risk, residents with annual household income between 20 000 CNY and 59 000 CNY in 2014, occupational population, community residents, cancer patients, self-reported cancer-free risk, and self-assessment with unclear judgement of cancer risk were less likely to participate in the regular physical examination (all P values <0.05). Conclusion From 2015 to 2017, the Chinese urban residents had a acceptable consciousness of the cancer early detection. The marital status, annual household income, population group and self-assessment of cancer risk were related to the consciousness of the cancer early detection of people who had not participated in the regular physical examination in the past five years.