The study focuses on the concept of multifunctional traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas and aims to evaluate the efficacy of the classical formula Xiaoyao San (逍遥散). Study employs the integrated evidence chain (Eff-iEC) method to organize, integrate, and evaluate its therapeutic efficacy in treating different diseases with the same therapy, and to investigate the feasibility of using Eff-iEC to evaluate the multifunctionality of TCM formulas. The evaluation covered Xiaoyao San's therapeutic effects on depression, premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and menopausal syndrome. Concurrently, the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used for evaluation, and authoritative medical documents were incorporated to corroborate the recognition of Xiaoyao San within the medical community. Depression and menopausal syndrome received higher ratings than other conditions in the Eff-iEC, GRADE, and Medical Community Recognition assessments. The Eff-iEC evidence grade for Xiaoyao San was rated as "High" or above for chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and menopausal syndrome. Premenstrual syndrome received a "Moderate ⁺" rating. The GRADE evidence level was "Low-〇〇⨁⨁" for depression, premenstrual syndrome, and chronic hepatitis; "Moderate-〇⨁⨁⨁" for dyspepsia and menopausal syndrome; and "Very Low-〇〇〇⨁" for irritable bowel syndrome. Depression and menopausal syndrome had the highest inclusion frequency, appearing in all 4 categories. Premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, and dyspepsia are not recommended in Western medical guidelines, but they are included in TCM guidelines, the China National Basic Medical Insurance Drug List, and the China National Essential Drug List. Irritable bowel syndrome appears only in the China National Basic Medical Insurance Drug List and China National Essential Drug List. The evaluation results obtained using the Eff-iEC method align with Medical Community Recognition, providing an objective and comprehensive assessment of Xiaoyao San's efficacy. The findings suggest that Xiaoyao San has strong evidence for treating depression and menopausal syndrome. However, further experimental and clinical trials are needed to assess its efficacy in treating premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and dyspepsia. These results support the clinical efficacy and rational use of Xiaoyao San, expand the application scope of the Eff-iEC method, and offer valuable insights and methodological references for the comparative evaluation of multifunctional TCM formulas.

Background: The previous research has confirmed the existence of idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (IDILI) caused by Polygonum multiflorum (PM-IDILI), and demonstrated that PM-IDILI is an immune-mediated injury, with HLA-B*35:01 identified as a genetic susceptibility marker. Additionally, emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside (EG) and 2, 3, 5, 4′-tetrahyd roxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside have been proposed as potential contributory ingredients in the pathogenesis of PM-IDILI. However, the precise mechanisms through which these susceptible factors contribute to the development of PM-IDILI remain unclear. Objectives: This study aims to explore the molecular characteristics of HLA-B*35:01 that contribute to PM-DILI and to propose a mechanistic hypothesis based on our previous research on PM-induced protein adducts. Methods: Key differences between HLA-B*35:01 and general Chinese HLA-B alleles were identified by comparing protein sequences, peptide binding motifs, and protein structures. Molecular docking was employed to assess whether PM-induced haptenated peptides can be presented by HLA-B*35:01 and other related alleles. Additionally, a simplified dipeptide model was used to evaluate the binding affinity of HLA-B*35:01 to EG-haptenated peptides. Results: Our findings revealed significant differences in the residues of the B and F peptide binding pockets of HLA-B*35:01 compared to general Chinese HLA-B alleles. Further analysis suggested that the F pocket of HLA-B*35:01 was capable of binding EG-cysteine adducts and might be a key feature in the PM-IDILI pathogenesis. Peptide docking using DINC and molecular dynamics simulations indicated that HLA-B*35:01 could form stable complexes with EG-haptenated peptides. Molecular dynamics simulations also highlighted the critical roles of both the B and F pockets in peptide binding. Specifically, the F pocket binds the EG-modified residue in haptenated peptides, while the B pocket, despite lacking shared features among PM-IDILI patients, may indirectly influence the incidence of PM-IDILI by filtering haptenated peptides. The binding affinity of HLA-B*35:01 to EG-modified cysteine residues was experimentally validated through a dipeptide-based assay, confirming that HLA-B*35:01 could bind EG-haptenated peptides. Conclusions: This study identified the unique B and F binding pockets of HLA-B*35:01 as key factors in PM-IDILI pathogenesis and demonstrated that HLA-B*35:01 could bind EG-haptenated peptides. These findings suggest that PM-IDILI may be a hapten-based drug hypersensitivity reaction driven by EG, providing a theoretical framework for further research aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying PM-IDILI.

Background: The previous research has confirmed the existence of idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (IDILI) caused by Polygonum multiflorum (PM-IDILI), and demonstrated that PM-IDILI is an immune-mediated injury, with HLA-B*35:01 identified as a genetic susceptibility marker. Additionally, emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside (EG) and 2, 3, 5, 4′-tetrahyd roxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside have been proposed as potential contributory ingredients in the pathogenesis of PM-IDILI. However, the precise mechanisms through which these susceptible factors contribute to the development of PM-IDILI remain unclear. Objectives: This study aims to explore the molecular characteristics of HLA-B*35:01 that contribute to PM-DILI and to propose a mechanistic hypothesis based on our previous research on PM-induced protein adducts. Methods: Key differences between HLA-B*35:01 and general Chinese HLA-B alleles were identified by comparing protein sequences, peptide binding motifs, and protein structures. Molecular docking was employed to assess whether PM-induced haptenated peptides can be presented by HLA-B*35:01 and other related alleles. Additionally, a simplified dipeptide model was used to evaluate the binding affinity of HLA-B*35:01 to EG-haptenated peptides. Results: Our findings revealed significant differences in the residues of the B and F peptide binding pockets of HLA-B*35:01 compared to general Chinese HLA-B alleles. Further analysis suggested that the F pocket of HLA-B*35:01 was capable of binding EG-cysteine adducts and might be a key feature in the PM-IDILI pathogenesis. Peptide docking using DINC and molecular dynamics simulations indicated that HLA-B*35:01 could form stable complexes with EG-haptenated peptides. Molecular dynamics simulations also highlighted the critical roles of both the B and F pockets in peptide binding. Specifically, the F pocket binds the EG-modified residue in haptenated peptides, while the B pocket, despite lacking shared features among PM-IDILI patients, may indirectly influence the incidence of PM-IDILI by filtering haptenated peptides. The binding affinity of HLA-B*35:01 to EG-modified cysteine residues was experimentally validated through a dipeptide-based assay, confirming that HLA-B*35:01 could bind EG-haptenated peptides. Conclusions: This study identified the unique B and F binding pockets of HLA-B*35:01 as key factors in PM-IDILI pathogenesis and demonstrated that HLA-B*35:01 could bind EG-haptenated peptides. These findings suggest that PM-IDILI may be a hapten-based drug hypersensitivity reaction driven by EG, providing a theoretical framework for further research aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying PM-IDILI.

Background: The previous research has confirmed the existence of idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (IDILI) caused by Polygonum multiflorum (PM-IDILI), and demonstrated that PM-IDILI is an immune-mediated injury, with HLA-B*35:01 identified as a genetic susceptibility marker. Additionally, emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside (EG) and 2, 3, 5, 4′-tetrahyd roxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside have been proposed as potential contributory ingredients in the pathogenesis of PM-IDILI. However, the precise mechanisms through which these susceptible factors contribute to the development of PM-IDILI remain unclear. Objectives: This study aims to explore the molecular characteristics of HLA-B*35:01 that contribute to PM-DILI and to propose a mechanistic hypothesis based on our previous research on PM-induced protein adducts. Methods: Key differences between HLA-B*35:01 and general Chinese HLA-B alleles were identified by comparing protein sequences, peptide binding motifs, and protein structures. Molecular docking was employed to assess whether PM-induced haptenated peptides can be presented by HLA-B*35:01 and other related alleles. Additionally, a simplified dipeptide model was used to evaluate the binding affinity of HLA-B*35:01 to EG-haptenated peptides. Results: Our findings revealed significant differences in the residues of the B and F peptide binding pockets of HLA-B*35:01 compared to general Chinese HLA-B alleles. Further analysis suggested that the F pocket of HLA-B*35:01 was capable of binding EG-cysteine adducts and might be a key feature in the PM-IDILI pathogenesis. Peptide docking using DINC and molecular dynamics simulations indicated that HLA-B*35:01 could form stable complexes with EG-haptenated peptides. Molecular dynamics simulations also highlighted the critical roles of both the B and F pockets in peptide binding. Specifically, the F pocket binds the EG-modified residue in haptenated peptides, while the B pocket, despite lacking shared features among PM-IDILI patients, may indirectly influence the incidence of PM-IDILI by filtering haptenated peptides. The binding affinity of HLA-B*35:01 to EG-modified cysteine residues was experimentally validated through a dipeptide-based assay, confirming that HLA-B*35:01 could bind EG-haptenated peptides. Conclusions: This study identified the unique B and F binding pockets of HLA-B*35:01 as key factors in PM-IDILI pathogenesis and demonstrated that HLA-B*35:01 could bind EG-haptenated peptides. These findings suggest that PM-IDILI may be a hapten-based drug hypersensitivity reaction driven by EG, providing a theoretical framework for further research aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying PM-IDILI.

Objective: To explore the potential category patterns of risk prevention and control behaviors of HIV infection among young students who have sex with men (MSM) and their impact on HIV infection and late detection, aiming to optimize intervention strategies. Methods: From September 2017 to December 2024, a total of 1 637 MSM young students in Tianjin were recruited through both online and offline channels. Latent class analysis was applied to classify 11 HIV risk prevention and control behaviors [condom use during the most recent anal sex in the past 6 months, consistent condom use, use of water based lubricants, abstinence from recreational drugs, regular on site professional testing, fixed sexual partners, partner testing, awareness of partner s HIV testing results, testing before sexual activity, nucleic acid testing, and use of pre exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post exposure prophylaxis (PEP)]. Multivariate Logistic regression analyzed associations between demographic characteristics/intervention services factors and latent classes. Differences in HIV infection and late detection across behavior patterns were compared. Results: HIV risk prevention and control behaviors among MSM students were classified into three latent classes:condom dependent group (38.42%), low prevention group (27.73%), and comprehensive prevention group (33.85%). Students who received condom promotion/testing services were more likely to belong to the comprehensive prevention group ( OR =5.58), while those who received peer education were less likely to the comprehensive prevention group ( OR =0.43) (both P <0.01). Among the MSM student population, the HIV infection rate was 4.83%, with 2.26% of cases detected late. The HIV infection rate (1.45%) and late detection proportion (0.82%) in the comprehensive prevention group were lower than those in the low prevention group (7.89% and 3.83%, respectively) ( χ 2=16.20, 7.31, both P <0.01). Conclusions HIV risk prevention and control behaviors among MSM young students exhibit significant heterogeneity. Comprehensive prevention strategies can effectively reduce HIV infection and late detection risks. It is necessary to optimize peer education content and improve the accessibility of diversified prevention measures such as PrEP/PEP to enhance HIV prevention and control.

Objective:To observe and analyze the levels of vitamin D（VD） and their influencing factors in children undergoing adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy. Methods:A total of 147 children who received adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy in our hospital from November 2018 to March 2019 were selected as the experimental groups, gender and age matched 147 healthy children of the same period were selected as the control group. The differences of VD levels between the two groups were compared, the factors affecting VD levels were investigated, and patients with VD deficiency/insufficiency in the experimental groups were followed up postoperatively. Results:The VD levels of the experimental groups were（19.6±6.6） ng/mL and those of the control groups were （22.5±6.5）ng/mL, which was significantly different （P<0.01）. The experimental groups were divided into inflammation groups and Sleeping disorder breathing（SDB）groups. The VD levels of the two groups were （19.1±6.7）ng/mL and （21.9±6.4）ng/mL, which was significantly different （P<0.05）. Regression analysis showed that VD levels were negatively correlated with age, body mass index （BMI）, adenoid hypertrophy, tonsil hypertrophy and Anti-streptolysin O（ASO）levels （P<0.05）. VD values were remeasured one year postoperatively in 23 of 72 children in the VD deficiency/deficiency groups, and there was a statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative VD values[（14.3±3.9）ng/mL and （17.1±5.5） ng/mL, respectively, P<0.05]. There was a significant difference in postoperative VD value between the inflammation groups and the SDB groups[ （15.6±5.9） ng/mL and （20.5±2.1） ng/mL, respectively, P<0.05]. Conclusion:Children who underwent adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy had lower VD levels than healthy children.VD levels decreased with increasing age,BMI and ASO values,and associated with the size of adenoid and tonsil. Preoperative VD levels were lower in the inflammation groups, adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy improved VD deficiency/insufficiency status, and postoperative elevation of VD levels was more pronounced in the SDB groups.
Humans ; Tonsillectomy ; Adenoidectomy ; Vitamin D/blood* ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Male ; Female ; Postoperative Period ; Child ; Case-Control Studies ; Child, Preschool

Addressing the enduring challenge of evaluating traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), the integrated evidence chain-based effectiveness evaluation of TCMs (Eff-iEC) has emerged. This paper explored its capacity through a demonstration study that evaluated the effectiveness evidence of six commonly used anti-hepatic fibrosis Chinese patent medicines (CPMs), including Biejiajian Pill (BP), Dahuang Zhechong Pill (DZP), Biejia Ruangan Compound (BRC), Fuzheng Huayu Capsule (FHC), Anluo Huaxian Pill (AHP), and Heluo Shugan Capsule (HSC), using both Eff-iEC and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. The recognition of these CPMs within the TCM academic community was also assessed through their inclusion in relevant medical documents. Results showed that the evidence of BRC and FHC received higher assessments in both Eff-iEC and GRADE system, while the assessments for others varied. Analysis of community recognition revealed that Eff-iEC more accurately reflects the clinical value of these CPMs, exhibiting superior evaluative capabilities. By breaking through the conventional pattern of TCMs effectiveness evaluation, Eff-iEC offers a novel epistemology that better aligns with the clinical realities and reasoning of TCMs, providing a coherent methodology for clinical decision-making, new drug evaluations, and health policy formulation.

Objective:To explore the relevant factors affecting the accuracy of scanning glucose monitoring (FGM) technology in critically ill patients.Methods:A total of 53 patients who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and used FGM glucose monitoring from September 2022 to December 2023 were selected by means of a convenience sampling method. The paired data of arterial blood glucose and FGM glucose were analysed. The accuracy of FGM blood glucose measurement in critically ill patients was evaluated using Bland-Altman analysis. The blood glucose data were divided into two groups: the FGM monitoring accuracy group and the FGM monitoring non-accuracy group.. The t-test and χ2 test were used for the comparison of one-way analysis of arterial versus FGM accuracy among critically ill patients with different demographic characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors influencing the accuracy of FGM. Results:The results of Bland-Altman analysis of the 53 patients indicated that the mean bias value of FGM blood glucose was elevated at 1.215 mmol/L in comparison with arterial-blood gas analysis blood glucose values. An incidence of exceeding the upper and lower limits of the range was observed, amounting to 6.349%. The discrepancy between the studies was found to be statistically significant (95% CI:1.0394~1.3908, P<0.001). The effects of the changes in height ( OR=0.877, 95% CI:0.780~0.987, P=0.029), changes in leukocyte counts( OR=0.917, 95% CI:0.868~0.969, P=0.002), changes in C-reactive protein( OR=1.009, 95% CI:1.002~1.017, P=0.016), changes in albumin counts( OR=0.986, 95% CI:0.974~0.999, P=0.031), and whether or not sepsis ( OR=3.937, 95% CI:1.192~13.008, P=0.025) on the accuracy of FGM had a statistically significant. Conclusion:The mean bias value of the accuracy of FGM was relatively higher compared with that of arterial blood gas analysis blood glucose values, and the influencing factors involved height, white blood cells, C-reactive protein, albumin, and whether or not sepsis was present. With the development of science and technology, applying the FGM system to critically ill patients has an absolute advantage in determining the overall glycemic trend, and the application value of FGM technology deserves further study.

ObjectiveTo conduct a systematic comparative study on wild and cultivated Codonopsis pilosula（CP） from three aspects， including characters， microscopy， and contents of primary and secondary metabolites. MethodWild and cultivated CP samples were collected， their characters were measured using vernier caliper， tape measure and balance， the paraffin sections were stained with safranin-fixed green dyeing， and their microstructure were observed under the optical microscope. The content of alcohol-soluble extracts in wild and cultivated CP was determined according to the method for determination of extract under CP in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia， the starch content was determined by anthrone colorimetry， the content of total polysaccharides was determined by kit method， Fiber analyzer was used to determine the content of fiber components， and ultra performance liquid chromatography（UPLC） was used to determine the content of monosaccharides， disaccharides and some secondary metabolites. Multivariate statistical analysis methods such as principal component analysis（PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） were employed to screen key differential components between wild and cultivated CP on the basis of variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1 and P<0.05. ResultIn terms of morphological characteristics， the "lion's head-like" shape， longitudinal wrinkles， and circumferential wrinkles below the root cap of wild CP were more pronounced in wild CP compared to the cultivated ones. Regarding transverse sectional features， wild CP had more fissures on the outer side of the cortex and a larger duramen. Under microscopic examination， wild CP had more stone cells， a larger proportion of xylem， and the presence of cork cells arranged in rings in the xylem， while cultivated CP has a larger proportion of phloem， smaller vessel diameters， and a more loosely arranged vascular system. In terms of primary metabolites， the contents of 45% ethanol-soluble extract and total polysaccharides in cultivated CP were significantly higher than those in the wild ones（P<0.05）， the contents of lignin， hemicellulose， cellulose， fructose and glucose in wild CP were significantly higher than those in the cultivated ones（P<0.05）， while sucrose content in the cultivated CP was significantly higher than that in the wild ones（P<0.05）. Concerning secondary metabolites， the contents of tryptophan and tangshenoside Ⅰ in cultivated CP were significantly higher than those in the wild ones（P<0.05）， whereas the contents of lobetyolinin， lobetyol and atractylenolide Ⅲ in wild CP were significantly higher than those in the cultivated ones（P<0.05）. ConclusionThere are significant differences between wild and cultivated CP in terms of morphological characteristics， microscopic features and chemical composition. Glucose， fructose， sucrose， tangshenoside Ⅰ， tryptophan and cellulose components are the key differential components between wild and cultivated CP. Wild CP contains more polyacetylenes and fructose， whereas cultivated CP has higher levels of tangshenoside Ⅰ and sucrose， with noticeably lower cellulose content. These distinctions may be related to their growth conditions， growth years and cultivation techniques. Based on the results of this study， it is recommended to increase polyacetylenes and the content ratio of fructose to sucrose as an indicators to characterize different production methods of CP， in order to guide the high-quality production of CP.

ObjectiveTo compare wild and cultivated Paeoniae Radix Rubra（PRR） in three aspects， including character， microscope， determination of primary and secondary metabolites. MethodSeventeen batches of wild and nine batches of cultivated PRR were collected，their character data were measured by vernier caliper and scales， and their paraffin sections were made by safranin-fixed green dyeing for the observation of microscopic features. The content of ethanol-soluble extracts and total tannin from wild and cultivated PRR was determined by the method of general principle 2201 and 2202 in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia， the content of polysaccharides was determined by phenol-sulfuric acid method. Anthrone colorimetry was used to determine the content of starch， and Van Soest method of washing fiber was used to determine the content of fiber. The contents of fructose， glucose and sucrose in wild and cultivated PRR were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography evaporative light scattering detection（UPLC-ELSD）， and the secondary metabolites（gallic acid， methyl gallate， catechin， oxypaeoniflorin， albiflorin， paeoniflorin， ellagic acid， 1，3，4，6-tetragalloylglucose， galloylpaeoniflorin， 1，2，3，4，6-O-pentagalloylglucose， naringenin， benzoylpaeoniflorin and benzoylalbiflorin） were determined by UPLC. Principal component analysis（PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） were used to analyze the data of wild and cultivated PRR， the contribution of different factors to the difference was determined according to the variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1 and P<0.05. ResultIn term of characters， wild PRR showed the traditional characteristic of Zaopi Fencha， its outer skin was loose and easy to fall off， its surface had longitudinal furrow and wrinkle， but the outer skin of cultivated PRR was not easy to fall off， and its surface was relatively smooth. The radial texture of xylem of wild PRR cross-section was more obvious， showing radial striations， vacuoles and more cracks， while the radial texture of xylem of cultivated PRR cross-section was not obvious， dense and some had cracks. Microscopically， the number of radial vessels arranged in the xylem of wild PRR was more than that of cultivated PRR， the number of calcium oxalate clusters in the phloem and xylem of wild PRR was more than that of cultivated PRR， while the number of starch grains was significantly higher in cultivated PRR. In terms of the content of primary chemical constituents， the contents of polysaccharides and starch of cultivated PRR were significantly higher than those of wild PRR（P<0.05）， while the contents of cellulose， lignin， fructose and glucose of wild PRR were significantly higher than those of cultivated PRR（P<0.05）. The results of determination of 13 secondary metabolites showed that the contents of paeoniflorin， methyl gallate， catechin and oxypaeoniflorin in wild PRR were significantly higher than those in cultivated PRR（P<0.05）， while the contents of albiflorin， gallic acid， ellagic acid， naringenin， benzoylpaeoniflorin and benzoylalbiflorin were significantly lower than those of cultivated PRR（P<0.05）. A total of 10 variables contributing to the differentiation between wild and cultivated PRR were screened， including albiflorin， cellulose， benzoylpaeoniflorin， oxypaeoniflorin， naringenin， ellagic acid， starch， lignin， paeoniflorin and total tannins. ConclusionThere are significant differences between wild and cultivated PRR in characters， microscopic characteristics， contents of primary and secondary metabolites. It is suggested that the content ratio of paeoniflorin and albiflorin， the contents of oxypaeoniflorin and cellulose can be used as indicators to characterize production methods of PRR so as to improve the quality standard of PRR. This study can provide reference for the improvement of quality standard of PRR and the guidance of high quality production of PRR.