Amber and subfossil resins are subjects of interdisciplinary research across multiple fields. However, due to their diverse origins and complex compositions, different disciplines vary in their definitions and functional interpretations. In traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), amber has been utilized as a medicinal material since ancient time, with extensive historical documentation. However, its classification, provenance, and nomenclature remain ambiguous, and authentic medicinal amber artifacts are exceedingly rare. This study employed Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) to characterize amber and subfossil resins from various geological sources and commercially "medicinal amber". Additionally, historical literature and market surveys were analyzed to explore their provenance, composition, and functional attributes. The results indicate that amber and subfossil resins from different sources and with different compositions exhibit distinct fingerprint characteristics in the FTIR spectral range of 1 800-700 cm~(-1). "Medicinal amber" available in the market primarily consists of subfossil or modern resins, significantly differing in composition and structure from geological amber. This study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research on amber identification and resource management. It is essential to establish a systematic database of amber and subfossil resin characteristics and integrate modern analytical techniques to enhance research on their composition, pharmacological mechanisms, and potential therapeutic effects, thereby promoting the standardized utilization of amber resources and advancing the modernization of TCM.
Amber/history* ; Archaeology ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of different traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)prescriptions combined with conventional western drugs to improve idiopathic membranous nephropathy(IMN)based on the Chinese medicine evidence system.Methods A computerized search of databases was conducted to collect randomized controlled trials(RCTs)of TCM compound formulas combined with conventional western medicines for the treatment of IMN,with a search timeframe from the establishment of the database to October 2023.Thirty-five RCTs involving six interventions and containing 2518 IMN patients were finally included.The quality of the included literature was evaluated.Reticulated Meta-analysis was performed,and surface under the cumulative ranking(SUCRA)curve was used to rank the clinical efficacy and safety of the six interventions,aiming to provide an evidence-based basis for the rational clinical selection of prescriptions for treating patients with IMN.Results The formula of tonifying deficiency and eliminating stasis combined with conventional western medicine showed significant effects in lowering 24-hour urine protein quantification(SUCRA=95.3％)and total cholesterol level(SUCRA=98.2％).The formula of tonifying deficiency,eliminating stasis,purging heat,and dispelling dampness combined with conventional western medicine was effective in lowering blood creatinine(SUCRA=80.4％)and increasing serum albumin level(SUCRA=72.9％).The formula of tonifying deficiency and clearing heat and dampness combined with conventional western medicine was more effective in lowering M-type phospholipase A2 receptor antibody titer(SUCRA=86.0％).Conclusion In terms of safety,the adverse effects of the TCM compound formula combined with conventional western drugs were overall less than those of conventional western drugs alone.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)with half-dose recombinant staphylokinase(r-SAK)in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)who are expected to undergo PCI within 120 minutes.Methods From October 2021 to August 2022,a total of 200 STEMI patients in eight centers were included and randomly assigned in a 1﹕1 ratio to either r-SAK group or control group.Patients received loading doses of aspirin and ticagrelor and intravenous heparin and were randomized to receive an intravenous bolus of either 5 mg r-SAK or normal saline prior to PCI.The outcomes were set as ST-segment resolution(STR)at 60-90 minutes after PCI,the proportion and transition of pathological Q waves on the 5th day after PCI,and the proportion of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T(hs-cTnT)peaking within 12 hours of onset.The safety outcome was major bleeding events defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium(BARC)≥type 3 bleeding during hospitalization.Results Compared with the control group,the r-SAK group had a higher proportion of STR≥70%within 60-90 minutes after PCI(58.3%vs.40.3%,P=0.009);a lower proportion of pathological Q waves(59.1%vs.74.1%,P=0.040);a lower rate of Q wave progression(14.8%vs.43.2%,P＜0.001);a higher rate of Q wave disappearance(12.5%vs.3.7%,P=0.027);and a higher proportion of hs-cTnT peaking within 12 hours of symptom onset[31/40(77.5%)vs.17/33(51.5%),P=0.027].Regarding the safety outcome,no significant difference in BARC≥type 3 bleeding was found between the two groups during hospitalization(P＞0.05).Conclusions For STEMI patients who were expected to undergo primary PCI within 120 minutes of symptom onset,the facilitated PCI with half-dose r-SAK significantly increased the proportion of STR≥70%at 60-90 minutes after PCI,reduced the formation of pathological Q waves,and shortened the time to peak hs-cTnT,without increasing the risk of bleeding,which should be an alternative reperfusion strategy worthy of further study.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of different traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)prescriptions combined with conventional western drugs to improve idiopathic membranous nephropathy(IMN)based on the Chinese medicine evidence system.Methods A computerized search of databases was conducted to collect randomized controlled trials(RCTs)of TCM compound formulas combined with conventional western medicines for the treatment of IMN,with a search timeframe from the establishment of the database to October 2023.Thirty-five RCTs involving six interventions and containing 2518 IMN patients were finally included.The quality of the included literature was evaluated.Reticulated Meta-analysis was performed,and surface under the cumulative ranking(SUCRA)curve was used to rank the clinical efficacy and safety of the six interventions,aiming to provide an evidence-based basis for the rational clinical selection of prescriptions for treating patients with IMN.Results The formula of tonifying deficiency and eliminating stasis combined with conventional western medicine showed significant effects in lowering 24-hour urine protein quantification(SUCRA=95.3％)and total cholesterol level(SUCRA=98.2％).The formula of tonifying deficiency,eliminating stasis,purging heat,and dispelling dampness combined with conventional western medicine was effective in lowering blood creatinine(SUCRA=80.4％)and increasing serum albumin level(SUCRA=72.9％).The formula of tonifying deficiency and clearing heat and dampness combined with conventional western medicine was more effective in lowering M-type phospholipase A2 receptor antibody titer(SUCRA=86.0％).Conclusion In terms of safety,the adverse effects of the TCM compound formula combined with conventional western drugs were overall less than those of conventional western drugs alone.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)with half-dose recombinant staphylokinase(r-SAK)in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)who are expected to undergo PCI within 120 minutes.Methods From October 2021 to August 2022,a total of 200 STEMI patients in eight centers were included and randomly assigned in a 1﹕1 ratio to either r-SAK group or control group.Patients received loading doses of aspirin and ticagrelor and intravenous heparin and were randomized to receive an intravenous bolus of either 5 mg r-SAK or normal saline prior to PCI.The outcomes were set as ST-segment resolution(STR)at 60-90 minutes after PCI,the proportion and transition of pathological Q waves on the 5th day after PCI,and the proportion of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T(hs-cTnT)peaking within 12 hours of onset.The safety outcome was major bleeding events defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium(BARC)≥type 3 bleeding during hospitalization.Results Compared with the control group,the r-SAK group had a higher proportion of STR≥70%within 60-90 minutes after PCI(58.3%vs.40.3%,P=0.009);a lower proportion of pathological Q waves(59.1%vs.74.1%,P=0.040);a lower rate of Q wave progression(14.8%vs.43.2%,P＜0.001);a higher rate of Q wave disappearance(12.5%vs.3.7%,P=0.027);and a higher proportion of hs-cTnT peaking within 12 hours of symptom onset[31/40(77.5%)vs.17/33(51.5%),P=0.027].Regarding the safety outcome,no significant difference in BARC≥type 3 bleeding was found between the two groups during hospitalization(P＞0.05).Conclusions For STEMI patients who were expected to undergo primary PCI within 120 minutes of symptom onset,the facilitated PCI with half-dose r-SAK significantly increased the proportion of STR≥70%at 60-90 minutes after PCI,reduced the formation of pathological Q waves,and shortened the time to peak hs-cTnT,without increasing the risk of bleeding,which should be an alternative reperfusion strategy worthy of further study.

Objective To propose a novel mechanical method and index to in-vivo characterize the health status of cancellous bone during the percutaneous kyphoplasty(PKP),and validate its feasibility and consistency.Methods According to the theory of elasticity,the expression and physical significance of the mechanical index K were given.Then using clinical images of the lumbar spine L4,three-dimensional finite element simulations were conducted to verify the validity of the theoretical results,as well as the consistency of the methodology and the indexes were verified for studies of different balloon shapes and puncture routes.Results The internal pressure of the balloon linearly varied with the injected fluid volume.The mechanical index K was closely related to the bone shear modulus and could well reflect the health status of cancellous bones.The balloon shape had a trivial influence on the Kresults,and the relative difference between the cylindrical and ellipsoidal shapes was less than 2％.The influence of surgical access route on the K results was also very small,and the relative difference between the routes by vertebral pedicle and by lateral margin of vertebral pedicle was less than 0.5％.Conclusions The in-vivo mechanical method and the mechanical index K can characterize the bone health of patients with good consistency.This study has a great significance for providing guidelines of the optimization of PKP operation plan and postoperative rehabilitation,collecting in vivo data of bone mechanical properties,and improving the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in clinic.

This study was aimed at determining the molecular characteristics of Yersinia pestis in the natural plague foci around Qinghai Lake through single nucleotide polymorphism technology,to lay a foundation for molecular epidemiological and source-tracing analysis of Y.pestis in this area.Using the whole genome sequencing technology,we obtained the whole genome sequences of 84 representative Y.pestis strains.Using the sequences of Y.pestis and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis IP32953 from the NCBI database as references,we compared and analyzed the 2 298 SNP loci of these strains.From 1957 to 2020,84 representative strains of Y.pestis from the natural plague foci around Qinghai Lake were divided into two clades:1.IN2 and 3.ANT1.The 1.IN2 clade was the characteristic population of Y.pestis throughout all epidemic years in this area.Additionally,analysis of the SNP distribution and hosts in the region indicated that the 1.IN2 clade was located in five counties except Wulan,whereas the 3.ANT1 clade was isolated from Himalayan marmot and dog in two counties.In conclusion,the population structure of SNP of Y.pestis in the natural plague foci around Qinghai Lake is relatively simple,and SNP analysis of Y.pestis provided a scientific basis for tracing plague epidemic sources and formulating plague prevention and control measures in this area.

This study was aimed at determining the molecular characteristics of Yersinia pestis in the natural plague foci around Qinghai Lake through single nucleotide polymorphism technology,to lay a foundation for molecular epidemiological and source-tracing analysis of Y.pestis in this area.Using the whole genome sequencing technology,we obtained the whole genome sequences of 84 representative Y.pestis strains.Using the sequences of Y.pestis and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis IP32953 from the NCBI database as references,we compared and analyzed the 2 298 SNP loci of these strains.From 1957 to 2020,84 representative strains of Y.pestis from the natural plague foci around Qinghai Lake were divided into two clades:1.IN2 and 3.ANT1.The 1.IN2 clade was the characteristic population of Y.pestis throughout all epidemic years in this area.Additionally,analysis of the SNP distribution and hosts in the region indicated that the 1.IN2 clade was located in five counties except Wulan,whereas the 3.ANT1 clade was isolated from Himalayan marmot and dog in two counties.In conclusion,the population structure of SNP of Y.pestis in the natural plague foci around Qinghai Lake is relatively simple,and SNP analysis of Y.pestis provided a scientific basis for tracing plague epidemic sources and formulating plague prevention and control measures in this area.

Objective To propose a novel mechanical method and index to in-vivo characterize the health status of cancellous bone during the percutaneous kyphoplasty(PKP),and validate its feasibility and consistency.Methods According to the theory of elasticity,the expression and physical significance of the mechanical index K were given.Then using clinical images of the lumbar spine L4,three-dimensional finite element simulations were conducted to verify the validity of the theoretical results,as well as the consistency of the methodology and the indexes were verified for studies of different balloon shapes and puncture routes.Results The internal pressure of the balloon linearly varied with the injected fluid volume.The mechanical index K was closely related to the bone shear modulus and could well reflect the health status of cancellous bones.The balloon shape had a trivial influence on the Kresults,and the relative difference between the cylindrical and ellipsoidal shapes was less than 2％.The influence of surgical access route on the K results was also very small,and the relative difference between the routes by vertebral pedicle and by lateral margin of vertebral pedicle was less than 0.5％.Conclusions The in-vivo mechanical method and the mechanical index K can characterize the bone health of patients with good consistency.This study has a great significance for providing guidelines of the optimization of PKP operation plan and postoperative rehabilitation,collecting in vivo data of bone mechanical properties,and improving the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in clinic.

Objective To investigate the current status and awareness of pharmaceutical services in hospitals in Guizhou province and to provide a reference for exploring and carrying out pharmaceutical service fees.Methods The questionnaire was designed by the"wjx.cn"website.Three kinds of questionnaires were designed for pharmacists,doctors,nurses,and patients as the research objects,with corresponding differences in some questions,and promoted on WeChat,Dingxiangyuan,and other network platforms.Results A total of 655 questionnaires were collected,and 639 valid questionnaires were recovered,with an effective recovery rate of 97.56%.324 pharmacists(50.70%),82 doctors and nurses(12.83%),233 patients(36.46%)were surveyed.The average approval score of these three groups of respondents on pharmaceutical service fees was 4.67,4.23,and 4.22,respectively(full score:5).Conclusions Overall,pharmacists'professional services have received support from medical staff and patients.However,patients'pharmaceutical service projects currently focus on dispensing services.The recognition of pharmacists'work and the public's awareness of pharmaceutical services can be improved by enhancing the professional ability of pharmacists,strengthening publicity and guidance,and exploring"Internet+pharmaceutical services",etc.,to promote the sustainable development of pharmaceutical services.