OBJECTIVE To study the improvement effect and mechanism of Tripterygium wilfordii multiglucoside （TWM） on nephrotic syndrome in rats. METHODS The nephrotic syndrome model was established by intravenous injection of adriamycin via the tail vein. The modeling rats were randomly divided into the model group （distilled water）， prednisone group （10 mg/kg）， and TWM high- and low-dose groups （10 and 5 mg/kg， respectively）. Additionally， blank group （distilled water） without model induction was established. Each group consisted of 9 rats. Rats in each group were administered the corresponding drugs or distilled water by gavage， once a day， for 6 consecutive weeks. The histopathological morphology of kidney tissues in rats was observed； the levels of 24-hour urinary protein （24 h-UTP） and serum biochemical indicators [albumin （ALB）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， serum creatinine （SCr）， cholesterol （CHOL）， and triglyceride （TG）] in rats were determined； the levels of oxidative stress indicators [superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）] in kidney tissue of rats were determined； expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）/microRNA-155-5p （miR-155-5p）/nuclear factor erythriod 2- related factor 2 （Nrf2） signaling pathway-related mRNA and protein in the renal tissues of rats were detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group， the rats in the model group exhibited disordered renal tissue structure， with a small amount of glomerular necrosis and edema of the renal tubular epithelial cells. 24 h-UTP， serum levels of SCr， BUN， CHOL and TG， MDA content， mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-1α and Keap1 as well as the expression of miR-155-5p in renal tissues were increased significantly （ P ＜0.05）. Serum level of ALB， SOD level in renal tissue as well as mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2 were decreased significantly （ P ＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， TWM high-dose and low-dose groups exhibited significant improvements in renal injury， with notable reversals in the levels of the above quantitative indicators （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS TWM can alleviate oxidative stress-induced damage and thereby improve nephrotic syndrome in rats by regulating the HIF-1α/miR-155-5p/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and efficacy of transparent cap-assisted peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy （EHL）. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 60 patients with large common bile duct stones who were admitted to Department of Gastroenterology， Jilin People’s Hospital， from May 1， 2023 to January 31， 2026， and according to the treatment method， the patients were divided into transparent cap-assisted peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy group and peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy group， with 30 patients in each group. The two groups were compared in terms of the rate of successful single-session stone fragmentation and removal， procedural time， duration of electrohydraulic lithotripsy， clinical success rate， and complications. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups， and the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. ResultsCompared with the peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy group， the transparent cap-assisted peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy group had a significantly higher technical success rate （83.33% vs 60.00%， χ²=4.022， P=0.045） and significantly shorter procedural time ［46.00 （42.25 — 49.00） min vs 54.50 （42.00 — 65.00） min， Z=2.012， P=0.044］ and duration of electrohydraulic lithotripsy ［8.00 （6.25 — 11.75） min vs 13.50 （9.25 — 17.75） min， Z=2.749， P=0.006］. Both groups achieved a clinical success rate of 100%， with no significant difference in the incidence rate of complications （P>0.05）. ConclusionTransparent cap-assisted peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy has a high rate of successful single-session stone fragmentation and removal and a short procedural time， with good safety and efficacy， and therefore， it holds promise for clinical application.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP)combined with the Evaluation of Guidelines in Syncope Study(EGSYS)score for cardiogenic syncope(CS), and to provide evidence for rapid clinical identification of high-risk patients.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 366 patients with syncope hospitalized in the department of cardiovascular medicine of Beijing Hospital from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2022.Based on the international guideline diagnostic criteria, the patients were categorized into four groups: neutrally mediated reflex syncope(NMS)group, orthostatic hypotension(OH)group, cardiogenic syncope(CS)group, and syncope of unknown origin(US)group.BNP levels were measured at admission and EGSYS scores were calculated.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic efficacy of individual and combined indices for CS.Results:A total of 366 syncope patients were included, among which 70 patients(19.1%)were diagnosed with NMS, 25 patients(6.8%)with OH, 44 patients(12.0%)with CS, and 227 patients(62.0%)with US.Patients in the CS group had significantly higher BNP levels and EGSYS scores compared to those in the NMS, OH, and US groups(all P<0.001). The AUC of EGSYS score for diagnosing CS was 0.783(95% CI: 0.711-0.855), while the AUC of BNP level for diagnosing CS was 0.805(95% CI: 0.727-0.884). When BNP level was combined with EGSYS score, diagnostic performance was significantly improved, with the AUC increasing to 0.855(95% CI: 0.792-0.918). Conclusions:The combination of BNP and EGSYS score significantly can improve the diagnostic accuracy of cardiogenic syncope, providing a practical diagnostic strategy for the early identification of high-risk syncope patients in clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Fumai Zhuyu Decoction combined with radial shock wave therapy(RSWT)in treating convalescent stroke patients with lower limb spasm,and to observe its effect on serum neuron-specific enolase(NSE)and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1).Methods From January 2022 to January 2024,a total of 111 convalescent stroke patients with lower limb spasm of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were selected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University.According to the treatment method,the patients were divided into two groups.The 55 patients in the western medicine(WM)group were treated with RSWT,and 56 patients in the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)group were treated with Fumai Zhuyu Decoction orally and RSWT.The course of treatment for the two groups covered 6 months.Before and after treatment,the two groups were observed in the changes of modified Ashworth Scale(MAS)score for the evaluation of muscle tone of hemiplegic limbs,Clinical Spasticity Index(CSI)score,Barthel Index(BI)score for the evaluation of activities of daily living,three-dimensional gait parameters(velocity,cadence,step length),serum levels of NSE and TGF-β1,and hemorheological indicators of plasma viscosity(PV),low-shear blood viscosity(LBV),high-shear blood viscosity(HBV)and platelet aggregation rate(PAR).After treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.Results(1)After 6 months of treatment,the total effective rate of the TCM group was 94.64%(53/56),and that of the WM group was 76.36%(42/55).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the TCM group was significantly superior to that of the WM group(P＜0.01).(2)After treatment,the MAS and CSI scores of the two groups were lowered(P＜0.05)and the BI scores were increased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05).The decrease of MAS and CSI scores and the increase of BI scores in the TCM group were significantly superior to those in the WM group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the three-dimensional gait parameters of velocity,cadence,and step length in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the increase of gait parameters in the TCM group was significantly superior to that in the WM group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the serum NSE level of the two groups was significantly decreased that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the serum TGF-β1 level was significantly increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05).The decrease of serum NSE level and the increase of serum TGF-β1 level in the TCM group were significantly superior to those in the WM group(P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,the hemorheological indexes such as PV,LBV,HBV and PAR in the two groups were significantly lowered compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease in the TCM group was significantly superior to that in the WM group(P＜0.01).Conclusion Fumai Zhuyu Decoction combined with RSWT can effectively improve the limb spasm degree and walking function,reduce serum NSE level,increase serum TGF-β1 level,and correct the abnormal blood hemorheology in convalescent stroke patients with lower limb spasm of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.The curative effect of the combined treatment is significantly superior to that of RSWT alone.

Objective To evaluate the effects of Qitan Decoction(QTD)combined with radial shockwave therapy(RSWT)on walking ability,balance function,and neural injury markers in stroke patients with lower limb spasticity during convalescence.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 100 stroke patients with lower limb spasticity of qi deficiency and blood stasis type treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from December 2021 to December 2023.Patients were divided into a conventional group(n=49,receiving RSWT alone)and an trial group(n=51,receiving RSWT plus QTD)based on treatment protocols.Both groups received standard stroke care(including cerebral metabolism improvement,neurotrophic support,and antiplatelet therapy).The intervention lasted 6 months.The changes in Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS)scores,Functional Gait Assessment(FGA)scores,Berg Balance Scale(BBS)scores,Stroke-Specific Quality of Life(SS-QOL)scores,serum neural injury markers[gama-aminobutyric acid(GABA),brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)],and kinematic parameters(peak knee flexion,peak hip flexion)were observed,and the clinical efficacy was compared between groups.Results(1)After 6 months of treatment,the total effective rate of the trial group was 94.12％(48/51),and that of the conventional group was 75.51％(37/49),and the intergroup(by chi-square test)comparison showed that the efficacy of the trial group was significantly superior to that of the conventional group(P＜0.01).(2)After treatment,the MAS scores of patients in the two groups were lower than before treatment(P＜0.05),and the FGA,BBS,and SS-QOL scores were higher than before treatment(P＜0.05),and the reduction of the MAS scores and the increase of the FGA,BBS,and SS-QOL scores of the trial group were significantly superior to those of the conventional group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the serum GABA and BDNF levels of patients in the two groups were higher than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the increase in serum GABA and BDNF levels in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the conventional group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the peak knee flexion and peak hip flexion of patients in the two groups were elevated compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the trial group's elevation of peak knee flexion and peak hip flexion was significantly superior to that of the conventional group(P＜0.01).Conclusion QTD combined with RSWT effectively alleviates spasticity,enhances walking/balance function,mitigates neural injury,and improves quality of life in stroke patients with lower limb spasticity of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome during convalescence.

Three evaluation methods were recommended for the key properties of the intravascular catheter lubricating coating such as stability,lubricity and integrity,including insoluble particle test method,friction test procedure and appearance detection method.Fifteen batches of microcatheters produced by different manufacturers were selected for testing to clarify the three methods in test principle,step,result,characteristic.References were provided for the design,production,evaluation and regulation of intravascular catheters with lubricant coatings.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(1):66-72]

Objective:To explore the association between A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and sarcopenia in Chinese older adults.Methods:Totally 1 728 participants in waves 1 and 3 of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS) were enrolled in this cohort-based cross-sectional analysis. ABSI was calculated by using anthropometric measurements from CHARLS. According to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 consensus update on sarcopenia, low muscle strength and low muscle mass were used as the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) were used to assess the relationship between ABSI and sarcopenia, and subgroup and interaction analyses were conducted to evaluate the influence of other factors on this association.Results:High ABSI showed a significant association with the risk of sarcopenia among older adults in China, and RCS analysis demonstrated a positive linear correlation between ABSI and sarcopenia. Additionally, the relationship of ABSI with sarcopenia was significantly modified by educational level and depressive status.Conclusion:ABSI, a novel anthropometric measure, serves as an effective threshold for assessing sarcopenia risk in the Chinese older population, providing a basis for developing clinical interventions and public health strategies for the prevention and early identification of sarcopenia.

This study aims to delve into the influences and underlying mechanisms of Banxia Xiexin Decoction(BXD) on the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration of colon cancer cells. Firstly, the components of BXD in blood were identified by UPLC-MS/MS, and subsequently the content of these components were determined by HPLC. Then, different concentrations of BXD were used to treat both the normal intestinal epithelial cells(NCM460) and the colon cancer cells(HT29 and HCT116). The cell viability and apoptosis were examined by the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) and flow cytometry, respectively. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of the apoptosis regulators B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X(Bax). The cell wound healing assay and Transwell assay were employed to measure the cell migration and invasion, respectively. Additionally, Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-associated proteins, including epithelial cadherin(E-cadherin), neural cadherin(N-cadherin), and vimentin. The protein and mRNA levels of the factors in the poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase(PARG)/poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1(PARP1)/nuclear factor kappa-B p65(NF-κB p65) signaling pathway were determined by Western blot and RT-qPCR, respectively. The results demonstrated that following BXD intervention, the proliferation of HT29 and HCT116 cells was significantly reduced. Furthermore, BXD promoted the apoptosis, enhanced the expression of Bcl-2, and suppressed the expression of Bax in colon cancer cells. At the same time, BXD suppressed the cell migration and invasion and augmented the expression of E-cadherin while diminishing the expression of N-cadherin and vimentin. In addition, BXD down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of PARG, PARP1, and NF-κB p65. In conclusion, BXD may inhibit the malignant phenotypes of colon cancer cells by mediating the PARG/PARP1/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Colonic Neoplasms/pathology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Phenotype ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Apoptosis ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; HCT116 Cells ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/biosynthesis* ; Humans ; Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 ; Glycoside Hydrolases ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; NF-kappa B p50 Subunit