Hygroscopicity research has long been a key focus and hot topic in Chinese materia medica（CMM）. Elucidating hygroscopic mechanisms plays a vital role in formulation design， process optimization， and storage condition selection. Hygroscopic models serve as essential tools for characterizing CMM hygroscopic mechanisms， with various types available. The double exponential model is a kinetic mathematical model constructed based on the law of conservation of energy and Fick's first law of diffusion， tailored to the physical properties of CMM extracts. In recent years， this model has been extensively applied to simulate the dynamic moisture absorption behavior of CMM extracts and solid dosage forms under varying humidity conditions. It has revealed the correlation between moisture absorption kinetic parameters and material properties， offering a new perspective for characterizing the moisture uptake behavior of CMM. This paper systematically reviews the application progress of this model in the field of CMM， analyzes its advantages， disadvantages， and challenges in this domain， and explores its potential application trends in other fields. It aims to provide references for elucidating the moisture absorption mechanisms of CMM and researching moisture-proofing technologies， while also offering insights for its broader application in food and polymer materials.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of the Yishen paidu formula on renal fibrosis in rats with chronic renal failure （CRF） through the reactive oxygen species （ROS）/thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）/NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 （NLRP3） pathway. METHODS Rats were randomly divided into control group， model group， Yishen paidu formula low-dose （Yishen paidu formula-L） group， Yishen paidu formula high-dose （Yishen paidu formula- H） group， Yishen paidu formula-H+pcDNA-NC group， and Yishen paidu formula-H+ pcDNA-TXNIP group， with 10 rats in each group. Except for control group， all other rats were fed a diet containing 0.5% adenine to establish a CRF model； the rats were then administered corresponding drugs or normal saline intragastrically or via tail vein， once daily， for 8 consecutive weeks. After the last administration， the levels of serum creatinine （Scr）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， ROS， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin （IL）-6， and IL-1β were measured in each group. Pathological changes in renal tissue were observed， and the protein expression levels of Collagen Ⅲ， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1）， TXNIP and NLRP3 in renal tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with model group， the renal histopathological damage and fibrosis of rats in Yishen paidu formula-L group and Yishen paidu formula-H group were significantly alleviated. The levels of Scr， BUN， ROS， MDA， TNF- α， IL-6 and IL-1β， and the protein expressions of Collagen Ⅲ， α-SMA， TGF-β1， TXNIP and NLRP3 were significantly decreased， while SOD levels were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. Moreover， the changes were more pronounced in the Yishen paidu formula-H group （P＜0.05）. Compared with Yishen paidu formula-H+pcDNA-NC group， above indexes of rats in Yishen paidu formula-H+pcDNA-TXNIP group were reversed significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Yishen paidu formula can inhibit renal fibrosis in CRF rats by suppressing the ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway.

Objective To investigate the clinical features， genetic basis， and phenotypic heterogeneity mechanism of normokalemic periodic paralysis （normoKPP） associated with SCN4A-T704M mutation in the Chinese population， and to clarify its basis as an independent disease subtype. Methods Two Chinese families （13 patients） with normoKPP were included， and related clinical data were collected， including medical history， test results， electrophysiology， and muscle pathology. Sanger sequencing was used to identify SCN4A gene mutations， and a family co-segregation analysis and ACMG pathogenicity rating were used to validate the pathogenicity of the mutations. A literature review was performed to compare genotype-phenotype associations， and phenotypic heterogeneity and racial differences were also compared. Results All patients carried the heterozygous mutation of c.2111C>T （p.T704M） in the SCN4A gene （SCN4A-T704M）， which was in line with autosomal dominant inheritance， and the core phenotypes included disease onset in childhood （with a mean age of 1.5‒10 years）， paroxysmal proximal muscle weakness （induced by cold/hunger/strenuous exercise）， and normal blood potassium during the ictal period （3.5‒5.5 mmol/L）， as well as gastrocnemius hypertrophy and persistent muscle weakness in some patients. Electrophysiology and muscle pathology suggested myogenic damage， with significant phenotypic heterogeneity within the family， and family 2 had a significantly higher mean annual number of attacks than family 1 [（16.4±11.4）times/year vs （9.5±9.2）times/year].Functional speculation showed that the mutation triggered resting leakage current through defective slow inactivation of the sodium channel， resulting in an abnormally low threshold for muscle membrane excitability.Conclusion SCN4A-T704M mutation is a key pathogenic factor for normoKPP in Chinese families， and its clinical symptoms have the features of both episodic and chronic myopathy. Normal blood potassium and a lack of myotonic discharges support its attribute as an independent disease subtype. Phenotypic heterogeneity may be associated with the interaction between genetic modification and environmental factors， and calcium overload caused by sodium channel dysfunction may be a key mechanism of muscle fiber injury. This study provides new evidence for the precise diagnosis and treatment of normoKPP.

“Chinese Pharmacopoeia” is the legal basis for drug development, production, operation, use and management in China, and the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition is going to be issued and implemented. This article introduces the revision and amendment situations, analyzes the characteristics of the new edition of the Pharmacopoeia and the future development direction of national standards for better understanding and implementation of the latest edition of pharmacopoeia.

Objective To introduce an innovative technique, the "balance-shaped sternal elevation device" and its application in the subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for anterior mediastinal masses resection. Methods Patients who underwent single-port thoracoscopic assisted anterior mediastinal tumor resection through the xiphoid process at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from May to June 2024 were included, and their clinical data were analyzed. Results A total of 7 patients were included, with 3 males and 4 females, aged 28-72 years. The diameter of the tumor was 1.9-17.0 cm. The operation time was 62-308 min, intraoperative blood loss was 5-100 mL, postoperative chest drainage tube retention time was 0-9 days, pain score on the 7th day after surgery was 0-2 points, and postoperative hospital stay was 3-12 days. All patients underwent successful and complete resection of the masses and thymus, with favorable postoperative recovery. Conclusion The "balance-shaped sternal elevation device" effectively expands the retrosternal space, providing surgeons with satisfactory surgical views and operating space. This technique significantly enhances the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive surgery for anterior mediastinal masses, reduces trauma and postoperative pain, and accelerates patient recovery, demonstrating important clinical significance and application value.

OBJECTIVE:Anterior cervical decompression and fusion is a classic surgical method for the treatment of degenerative cervical spondylosis.The use of nail plates increases the fusion rate and stability and indirectly leads to adjacent vertebral degeneration and postoperative dysphagia.In this paper,the clinical results and complications of ROI-CTM self-locking system and traditional cage combined with screw-plate internal fixation in the treatment of degenerative cervical spondylosis were compared by meta-analysis to provide evidence-based support for the selection of internal fixation methods in anterior cervical decompression and fusion. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang,VIP,PubMed,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,and Embase databases were searched for Chinese and English literature on the application of ROI-CTM self-locking system and fusion cage combined with screw plate internal fixation in the treatment of degenerative cervical spondylosis.The retrieval time range was from inception to July 2023.Two researchers selected the literature strictly according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.The Cochrane bias risk tool was used to evaluate the quality of randomized controlled trials.Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of cohort studies.Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software.Outcome indicators included operation time,intraoperative blood loss,Japanese Orthopaedic Association score,Neck Disability Index,C2-C7 Cobb angle,fusion rate,incidence of adjacent vertebral degeneration,cage subsidence rate,and incidence of dysphagia. RESULTS:Thirteen articles were included,including eleven retrospective cohort studies and two randomized controlled trials,with 1 136 patients,569 in the ROI-C group,and 567 in the cage combined with the nail plate group.Meta-analysis results showed that the operation time(MD=-15.52,95%CI:-18.62 to-12.42,P<0.000 01)and intraoperative blood loss(MD=-24.53,95%CI:-32.46 to-16.61,P<0.000 01)in the ROI-C group and the fusion device combined with nail plate group.Postoperative adjacent segment degeneration rate(RR=0.40,95%CI:0.27-0.60,P<0.000 01)and postoperative total dysphagia rate(RR=0.18,95%CI:0.13-0.26),P<0.000 01)were statistically different.The two groups had no significant difference in Japanese Orthopaedic Association score,Neck Disability Index,C2-C7 Cobb angle,fusion rate,or cage subsidence rate(P≥0.05). CONCLUSION:Applying an ROI-CTM self-locking system and traditional cage combined with plate internal fixation in anterior cervical decompression and fusion can achieve satisfactory clinical results in treating degenerative cervical spondylosis.The operation of the ROI-CTM self-locking system is more straightforward.Compared with a cage combined with plate internal fixation,the ROI-CTM self-locking system can significantly reduce the operation time and intraoperative blood loss and has obvious advantages in reducing the incidence of postoperative dysphagia and adjacent segment degeneration.The ROI-CTM self-locking system is recommended for patients with skip cervical spondylosis and adjacent vertebral disease.However,given its possible high settlement rate,using a fusion cage combined with screw-plate internal fixation is still recommended for patients with degenerative cervical spondylosis with multiple segments and high-risk factors of fusion cage settlement,such as osteoporosis and vertebral endplate damage.

BACKGROUND:We have successfully established an animal model of small ear pig in southern Yunnan province with internal tension relieving technique combined with autologous Achilles tendon for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction,and verified the stability and reliability of the model.However,whether internal tension relieving technique can promote the ligamentalization process of autologous Achilles tendon graft has not been studied. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the differences in the process of ligamentalization between conventional reconstruction and internal reduction reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament by gross view,histology and electron microscopy. METHODS:Thirty adult female small ear pigs in southern Yunnan province were selected.Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed on the left knee joint with the ipsilateral knee Achilles tendon(n=30 in the normal group),and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed on the right knee joint with the ipsilateral knee Achilles tendon combined with the internal relaxation and enhancement system(n=30 in the relaxation group).The autogenous right forelimb was used as the control group;the anterior cruciate ligament was exposed but not severed or surgically treated.At 12,24,and 48 weeks after surgery,10 animals were sacrificed,respectively.The left and right knee joint specimens were taken for gross morphological observation to evaluate the graft morphology.MAS score was used to evaluate the excellent and good rate of the ligament at each time point.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate the degree of ligament graft vascularization.Collagen fibers and nuclear morphology were observed,and nuclear morphology was scored.Ultrastructural remodeling was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The ligament healing shape of the relaxation group was better at various time points after surgery,and the excellent and good rate of MAS score was higher(P<0.05).Moreover,the relaxation group could obtain higher ligament vascularization score(P<0.05).(2)The arrangement of collagen bundles and fiber bundles in the two groups gradually tended to be orderly,and the transverse fiber connections between collagen gradually increased and thickened,suggesting that the strength and shape degree of the grafts were gradually improved,but the ligament remodeling in the relaxation group was always faster than that in the normal group at various time points after surgery.(3)The diameter,distribution density,and arrangement degree of collagen fibers in the relaxation group were better than those in the normal group at all time points,especially in the comparison of collagen fiber diameter between and within the relaxation group(P<0.05).

BACKGROUND:Acupuncture is an effective method for lumbar pain in lumbar disc herniation,but its mechanism has not yet been clarified.Factors related to the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway regulate the body's inflammatory response and are involved in the process of neuropathic pain. OBJECTIVE:To study the mechanism of acupuncture on lumbar disc herniation in a rat model based on the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. METHODS:Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups:sham operation group,model group,acupuncture group,and acupuncture+agonist group,with 10 rats in each group.Animal models of L5 lumbar disc herniation was constructed through autologous disc cell transplantation in the model group,acupuncture group,and acupuncture+agonist group.Rats in the acupuncture group and the acupuncture+agonist group received acupuncture treatment(Yanglingquan,Shenshu,Huantiao,and Dachangshu acupoints)at 3 days after modeling,and acupuncture treatment was given once a day,20 minutes each,for 15 consecutive days.Rats in the acupuncture+agonist group were injected intrathecally with coumermycin A1,a JAK2 agonist,into the L4/L5 intervertebral space,once a day,20 minutes each,prior to the acupuncture at 6,12,and 18 days after modeling.Paw withdrawal mechanical threshold was detected before and 3,6,9,12,15,and 18 days after modeling.At 18 days after modeling,serum inflammatory factor levels were detected,hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe the morphology of L5-L6 tissues,RT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of JAK2 and STAT3 mRNAs in L5-L6 tissues,and western blot was performed to detect the expression of JAK2,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 proteins in L5-L6 tissues. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The paw withdrawal mechanical thresholds of rats in the model group at different time points after modeling were lower than those in the sham operation group(P<0.05),the paw withdrawal mechanical thresholds of rats in the acupuncture group were higher than those in the model group at 9,12,15,and 18 days after modeling(P<0.05),and the paw withdrawal mechanical thresholds of rats in the acupuncture+agonist group were lower than those in the acupuncture group at 9,12,15,and 18 days after modeling(P<0.05).The levels of interleukin 6,tumor necrosis factor α,neurotransmitter substance P,and brain neuropeptide Y were elevated in the model group compared with the sham operation group(P<0.05);the levels of all four inflammatory factors were reduced in the acupuncture group compared with the model group(P<0.05);and the levels of all four inflammatory factors were elevated in the acupuncture+agonist group compared with the acupuncture group(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that lumbar degeneration was obvious in the model group but reduced in the acupuncture group and the acupuncture+agonist group.Moreover,the reduction was more obvious in the acupuncture group compared with the acupuncture+agonist group.The JAK2 and STAT3 mRNA expression as well as the p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 protein expression were elevated in the model group compared with the sham operation group(P<0.05),were decreased in the acupuncture group compared with the model group(P<0.05),and were increased in the acupuncture+agonist group compared with the acupuncture group(P<0.05).To conclude,acupuncture can alleviate inflammation to exert analgesic effects in the rat model of lumbar disc herniation,and its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Immunosuppression leads to impaired body immune function and aggravates the disease.Herb-partitioned moxibustion can effectively regulate immune function and improve immunity in the body,but its regulatory mechanism has not been elucidated. OBJECTIVE:To sequence immunosuppressed model rats treated with herb-partitioned moxibustion using bioinformatics techniques based on transcriptomics and to explore the mechanisms by which it regulates immunity. METHODS:Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups:control,model,and herb-partitioned moxibustion groups,with eight rats in each group.The model and herb-partitioned moxibustion groups were subjected to establishment of an immune suppression model by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide at a dose of 35 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days.No interventions were administered to the control and model groups after modeling.In contrast,the herb-partitioned moxibustion group received moxibustion treatment at Zhongwan,Shenque,Guanyuan,and Zusanli acupoints using a combination of moxa and herbal cakes,once a day,for 10 consecutive days,with samples being collected the day after the end of the intervention.Peripheral blood was collected from all groups of rats to measure their white blood cell count.RNA-seq was performed on the Illumina sequencing platform,and differentially expressed genes were selected for bioinformatics analysis using the GO and KEGG databases. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group,the model group exhibited a significant decrease in white blood cell count(P<0.001).RNA-seq analysis identified 3 026 differentially expressed genes between the model and control groups,with 1 565 upregulated and 1 461 downregulated.There were 535 differentially expressed genes identified between the herb-partitioned moxibustion group and the model group,with 280 upregulated and 255 downregulated.The Venn diagram analysis revealed that 159 genes were downregulated in the model group compared with the control group.However,after moxibustion with herbal cakes,these genes were upregulated.Protein-protein interaction network analysis identified 10 core targets,including Oasl,Oas2,Isg15,Herc6,Mx2,Helz2,Mx1,Syk,Hspa1a,and Ret.According to GO and KEGG analyses,moxibustion with herbal cakes regulated the body through pathways related to immune response,viruses,angiogenesis,and the autoimmune system.To conclude,there is a significant association between herbal cake-separated moxibustion intervention and immune suppression targets,including Oasl,Oas2,Isg15,Herc6,Mx2,Helz2,and Mx1.The intervention exhibits regulatory effects in the pathways related to immune responses,viral activities,and angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND:Buqi Huoxue Compounds have significant clinical efficacy in treating ischemic stroke with Qi deficiency and phlegm stasis;however,the exact mechanism of action is not clear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of Buqi Huoxue Compounds on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor,basic fibroblast growth factor,brain-derived neurotrophic factor and autophagy related protein Beclin1 and p62 in a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. METHODS:Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,Buqi Huoxue Compounds group and autophagy inhibitor group,with 10 rats in each group.In the latter three groups,a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was established.The Buqi Huoxue Compounds group was intragastrically given Buqi Huoxue Compounds(6.49 g/kg,administered three times a day)2 hours after reperfusion;the autophagy inhibitor group was intragastrically given Buqi Huoxue Compounds(6.49 g/kg,administered three times a day)2 hours after reperfusion and intraperitoneally given 3-methyladenine 2 hours before gavage and at days 1-3 of gavage.The sham operation group and model group were given equal amounts of saline by gavage for 7 consecutive days.Neurological function,cerebral infarct volume,brain tissue morphology and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor,basic fibroblast growth factor,brain-derived neurotrophic factor and autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and p62 in the ischemic cortical region of rats were detected at 24 hours after the final administration. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Zea-Longa scoring results showed that the neurological function of rats was severely damaged after modeling and neurological deficit of rats in the Buqi Huoxue Compounds group was less than that in the model group and the autophagy inhibitor group(P＜0.05).TTC staining showed that cerebral infarct foci were observed in the model group,Buqi Huoxue Compounds group,and autophagy inhibitor group,and the cerebral infarct volume in the Buqi Huoxue Compounds group was lower than that in the model group and the autophagy inhibitor group(P＜0.05).The results of hematoxylin-eosin staining in ischemic brain tissues showed that there were large gaps between nerve cells in the model group and cell arrangement was not neat,and cytoplasmic agglutination and pyknosis were observed.Immunohistochemical staining results showed that vascular endothelial growth factor was mostly expressed in neuronal cells,glial cells and capillary endothelium;basic fibroblast growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were mostly expressed in neuronal cells and glial cells;and there was no significant difference in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor,basic fibroblast growth factor,and brain-derived neurotrophic factor among the four groups(P＞0.05).The results of western blot assay showed that compared with the sham operation group,Beclin1 protein expression was decreased(P＜0.05)and p62 protein expression was elevated(P＜0.05)in the model group;compared with the model group,Beclin1 protein expression was increased(P＜0.05)and p62 protein expression was reduced(P＜0.05)in the Buqi Huoxue Compounds group;compared with the Buqi Huoxue Compounds group,Beclin1 protein expression was decreased(P＜0.05)and p62 protein expression was elevated(P＜0.05)in the autophagy inhibitor group.To conclude,Buqi Huoxue Compounds attenuate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by promoting autophagy.