Following the release of the Technical Requirements on Quality Control and Standard Establishment of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Granules by the National Medical Products Administration in 2021, Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission has promulgated 296 national drug standards so far, and most provinces have started the work of establishing provincial standards as supplements. The promulgation of standards fostered high-quality development of the industry. Since the implementation of national and provincial standards for more than three years, enterprises have gained deep understanding and hands-on experiences on the characteristics, technical requirements, production process, and quality control of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) formula granules. Meanwhile, challenges have emerged restricting the high-quality development of this industry, including how to formulate quality control strategies for medicinal materials and decoction pieces, how to reduce manufacturing costs, and how to improve the pass rate and product stability under high standards. Based on the work experiences from standard management and process research, this article analyzed the distribution of sources, processing methods, dry extract rate ranges, process requirements for volatile oil-containing decoction pieces, control measures of safety indices, characteristics and trends of setting characteristic chromatograms or fingerprints, characteristics and trends of setting content ranges, and main differences between national standards and provincial standards. On the one hand, this article aims to present main characteristics for deeply understanding different indicators in standards and provide basic ideas for establishing quality and process control systems. On the other hand, from the perspective of industrial practice, suggestions are put forward on the important aspects that need to be focused on in the quality and process control of TCM formula granules.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Quality Control ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; China ; Drug Industry/standards*

The concept of "qi deficiency with stagnation" refers to a pathological state characterized by the depletion of primordial qi， impaired qi transformation， and the development of internal stagnation. Under the cyclic chemotherapy regimen in oncology， chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression follows a progressive pathological course from qi deficiency to increasing stagnation. This sequential evolution from mild to severe myelosuppression closely aligns with the dynamic syndrome differentiation and treatment framework of "qi deficiency with stagnation". "Qi deficiency" reflects the gradual depletion of qi， blood， and essence， while "stagnation" refers to the accumulation of phlegm， turbid dampness， and blood stasis. These two components interact reciprocally， forming a vicious cycle where deficiency leads to stagnation， and stagnation further damages the healthy qi. In the early stage of mild myelosuppression， chemotoxicity begins to accumulate in the bone marrow， leading to qi consumption， blood deficiency， yin injury， and the gradual formation of turbid phlegm and damp stagnation. In the advanced stage of severe myelosuppression， the accumulation of toxicity causes qi sinking， exhaustion of essence， and marrow depletion， along with blood stasis obstructing the collaterals. Treatment strategies should be based on syndrome differentiation， with an emphasis on assessing the severity of the condition， balancing deficiency and excess， and achieving both symptomatic relief and root cause resolution.

Laccases (LACs), belonging to the multicopper oxidase family, are closely associated with various biological functions including lignin synthesis and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. However, few studies have reported the laccase genes in China rose (Rosa chinensis). Prickles cause difficulties to the management and harvest of R. chinensis and have become a trait concerned in the breeding. To investigate the expression patterns of laccase genes in roses, we cloned a laccase gene from an ancient variety R. chinensis 'Old Blush' and named it RcLAC15. The expression level of RcLAC15 in prickles was significantly higher than those in roots, stems, and leaves. Fifty-eight laccase genes were identified in the genome of R. chinensis, and bioinformatics analysis revealed that RcLAC15 was a homolog of AtLAC15, predicting that RcLAC15 was a stable hydrophilic protein without transmembrane structures. The recombinant expression vector pBI121-proRcLAC15:: GUS was introduced into Arabidopsis, and GUS staining results showed that the RcLAC15 promoter specifically drove GUS gene expression at the edges of Arabidopsis leaves. In summary, RcLAC15 is a gene specifically expressed in the prickles of R. chinensis. This discovery provides a reference for exploring the biological functions of laccase genes in the prickles of R. chinensis.
Laccase/metabolism* ; Rosa/enzymology* ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Arabidopsis/metabolism* ; Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism*

Flowering and bolting are important agronomic traits in cruciferous crops such as Brassica juncea. Timely flowering can ensure the crop organ yield and quality, as well as seed propagation. The WRKY family plays an important role in regulating plant bolting and flowering, while the function and mechanism of WRKY12 in B. juncea remain unknown. To explore its function and mechanism in bolting and flowering of B. juncea, we cloned and characterized the BjuWRKY12 gene in B. juncea and found that its expression levels were significantly higher in flowers and inflorescences than in leaves. BjuWRKY12 belonged to the Ⅱc subfamily of the WRKY family, and subcellular localization indicated that the protein was located in the nucleus. Ectopic overexpression of BjuWRKY12 in transgenic lines promoted bolting and flowering, leading to significant increases in the expression levels of flowering integrators SOC1 and FUL. Furthermore, yeast one-hybrid and dual luciferase reporter system assays confirmed that BjuWRKY12 directly bound to the promoters of BjuSOC1 and BjuFUL, undergoing protein-DNA interactions. This discovery gives new insights into the regulation network and molecular mechanisms of BjuWRKY12, laying a theoretical foundation for the breeding of high-yield and high-quality varieties of B. juncea.
Mustard Plant/metabolism* ; Flowers/growth & development* ; Plant Proteins/physiology* ; Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; MADS Domain Proteins/metabolism*

Objective To investigate the effects of hypoxia on the transcriptional phenotype and ultrastructure of tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)in glioma.Methods CD14+monocytes were isolated from healthy human peripheral blood samples collected from the Blood Bank of the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University,and the cells were induced to differentiate into TAMs through co-culture with glioma cell-conditioned medium.Hypoxic TAM models were established using varying concentrations of cobalt chloride hexahydrate(CoCl2,50～400 μmol/L)or hypoxic conditions(1%,5%,10%O2)for 48 h,while normoxic TAM models(21%O2)served as controls.RT-qPCR and transcriptome sequencing were employed to analyze transcriptional changes in TAMs under normoxic and hypoxic conditions.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was applied to compare the differences in angiogenesis,glycolysis and other hypoxia-responsive pathways between the 2 conditions.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)or immunofluorescence staining was conducted to assess the ultrastructural alterations in cytoskeleton,endoplasmic reticulum(ER),and mitochondria in normoxic and hypoxic TAMs(1%O2).Results Hypoxic TAMs exhibited up-regulated transcription of hypoxia-responsive markers(oxygen transport,glycolysis,pro-angiogenesis),with the effects correlating with hypoxia severity(P<0.05).GSEA revealed significant up-regulation of hypoxia,angiogenesis regulation,glycolysis and gluconeogenesis,and starvation stress pathways,alongside down-regulation of innate immunity,macrophage activation,cytoskeleton,and protein maturation pathways in hypoxic TAMs(P<0.05).TEM and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated obvious ultrastructure changes,including disrupted cytoskeletal organization,shortened rough ER with reduced ribosomes,mitochondrial swelling with cristae damage,and diminished ER-mitochondria contacts in hypoxic TAMs.Conclusion CoCl2 and hypoxia induce a hypoxic transcriptional phenotype in TAMs,which may potentially associated with ultrastructural remodeling of the cytoskeleton,ER,and mitochondria.

Objective: To investigate the status of passive smoking among pregnant women in Jinshan District, Shanghai Municipality, so as to provide insights into developing targeted smoking control measures and promoting maternal and infant health. Methods: Pregnant women who had early pregnancy registration at Jinshan District Community Health Service Center from April 2021 to December 2023 were selected as subjects. The basic information, passive smoking and awareness of passive smoking hazards among pregnant women were collected through questionnaire surveys, and passive smoking rate and awareness rate of passive smoking hazards were analyzed. Results: Totally 8 273 questionnaires were allocated, and 8 216 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective rate of 99.31%. The mean age of participants was (29.52±4.60) years. There were 4 991 participants with an education of college degree or above, accounting for 60.75%; 3 565 participants with the first pregnancy, accounting for 43.39%; 3 990 primiparas, accounting for 48.56%; 3 193 participants living with smokers, accounting for 38.86%. A total of 3 710 participants passively smoked, with a passive smoking rate of 45.16%. There were 2 817 participants passively smoked in public places, accounting for 75.93%; 2 253 participants passively smoked in workplaces, accounting for 60.73%; 1 563 participants that passively smoked at home, accounting for 42.13%. The awareness rates regarding the hazards of passive smoking to health, causing lung cancer in adults, causing lung diseases in children, causing preterm birth and low birth weight infants, and causing heart diseases in adults were 92.13%, 88.85%, 87.99%, 82.05% and 62.56%, respectively. Conclusion The rate of passive smoking among pregnant women in Jinshan District is comparatively high, while their awareness regarding non-respiratory diseases emanating from passive smoking is comparatively low.

Objective:To discuss the differences in serum proline dehydrogenase(ProDH)levels among chronic heart failure(CHF)patients with different ejection fraction types,and to clarify the effect of ProDH levels on cardiac function.Methods:A retrospective analysis of clinical data of 118 CHF patients was conducted.These patients were divided into heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF)group(n=39),heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction group(HFmrEF)(n=42),and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF)group(n=37).A total of 45 non-CHF patients hospitalized during the same period were collected as control group.The general data of all the subjects in various groups were collected,and the levels of biochemical indicators and cardiac structure indicators in serum of all the subjects were detected.Spearman correlation analysis and point-biserial correlation analysis were used to analyze the correlation between serum ProDH levels and various biochemical indicators;multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors influencing HFrEF and HFmrEF.Results:Compared with control group,the usage rate of beta-blockers of the patients in HFpEF group was significantly increased(P<0.05);in HFmrEF group,the percentage of male patients,the usage rate of statins,and the usage rate of beta-blockers were all significantly increased(P<0.05);in HFrEF group,the age and systolic blood pressure(SBP)of the patients were significantly decreased(P<0.05),while the usage rates of statins and beta-blockers of the patients were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with HFpEF group,the age of the patients in HFmrEF group was significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the percentage of male patients and the usage rate of statins were significantly increased(P<0.05);the age of the patients in the HFrEF group was significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the usage rate of statins was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with HFmrEF group,the SBP of the patients in HFrEF group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c)of the patients in HFpEF and HFmrEF groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05),while the levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)were significantly increased(P<0.05);the serum levels of glomerular filtration rate(GFR)and ProDH of the patients in HFrEF group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the levels of fasting blood glucose(FBG)and NT-proBNP were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with HFpEF group,the serum hemoglobin(Hb)level of the patients in HFmrEF group was significantly increased(P<0.05);the serum NT-proBNP level of the patients in HFrEF group was significantly increased(P<0.05),while the ProDH level was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with HFmrEF group,the serum NT-proBNP level of the patients in HFrEF group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the left atrial diameter(LAD)and the ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity(E/Em)of the patients in HFpEF,HFmrEF,and HFrEF groups were significantly increased(P<0.05);the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD)of the patients in HFmrEF and HFrEF groups were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with HFpEF group,the LVEDD of the patients in HFmrEF and HFrEF groups were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the LVEF were significantly decreased(P<0.05);the LAD of the patients In HFrEF group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with HFmrEF group,the E/Em ratio of the patients in HFrEF group was significantly increased(P<0.05),and the LVEF was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The serum ProDH levels of the patients were negatively correlated with LVEDD(r=-0.210,P=0.007)and positively correlated with LVEF(r=0.220,P=0.005).Male and elevated FBG levels were the risk factors for cardiac function,while the increasing serum GFR and ProDH levels were the protective factors for cardiac function.Conclusion:There are differences in ProDH levels among the CHF patients with different ejection fraction types.The patients with poorer cardiac function have lower serum ProDH levels,and higher ProDH levels may be beneficial for improving the left ventricular systolic function in the CHF patients.

AIM:To investigate the alleviating effect of ethyl acetate extract from Platycladus orientalis leaves(EAEPOL)on diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM)and its mechanisms.METHODS:Healthy adult C57BL/6 mice were ran-domly divided into normal control group,DCM group,and EAEPOL group.Cardiac structure and function of the mice were assessed by echocardiography.Myocardial fibrosis was evaluated though myocardial hydroxyproline content determi-nation,myocardial Masson and Sirius red staining,and collagen type I(Col I)and collagen type Ⅲ(Col Ⅲ)immunohis-tochemistry.The degree of myocardial oxidative stress was assessed by measuring malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and total antioxidative capacity(T-AOC)levels using kits,as well as detection of nuclear factor E2-re-lated factor-2(Nrf-2)and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)expression by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Endothelial-mesenchy-mal transition(EndMT)was evaluated by detecting CD31 and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)protein expression by Western blot,and cadherin 5(CDH5)and fibroblast specific protein 1(FSP1)mRNA expression by qRT-PCR,as well as α-SMA immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS:(1)Mouse echocardiography revealed that compared with normal control group,heart rate(HR)and ejection fraction(EF)were significantly reduced in DCM group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while left ventricular anterior wall thickness at systole and diastole(LVAWs and LVAWd)and left ventricular pos-terior wall thickness at systole and diastole(LVPWs and LVPWd)were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with DCM group,the mice in EAEPOL group showed significant increases in HR and EF(P<0.01),and marked decreases in LVAWs,LVAWd,LVPWs and LVPWd(P<0.05).(2)Compared with normal control group,the content of hydroxypro-line in mouse myocardium,the collagen area ratio shown by Sirius red and Masson staining,and the immunohistochemical positive area ratio of Col I and Col Ⅲ in DCM group were significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with DCM group,the above myocardial fibrosis indicators in EAEPOL group were significantly reduced(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(3)Com-pared with normal control group,the myocardial MDA content and the expression of Nrf-2 in DCM group were significantly increased,while the SOD activity,the T-AOC and the expression of HO-1 was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Com-pared with DCM group,the myocardial MDA content in EAEPOL group was significantly reduced,while the SOD activity,the T-AOC,and the HO-1 and Nrf-2 expression were significantly enhanced(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(4)Compared with normal control group,the myocardial expression of CD31 and CDH5 in DCM group was significantly reduced,the expres-sion of α-SMA and FSP1 was significantly enhanced(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the α-SMA positive area ratio by immuno-fluorescence staining was also increased(P<0.01).Compared with DCM group,EAEPOL significantly up-regulated the expression of CD31 and CDH5 and down-regulated the expression of α-SMA and FSP1,and the α-SMA positive area ratio by immunofluorescence staining was evidently decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).CONCLUSION:EAEPOL may attenuate myocardial fibrosis and improve cardiac function in DCM mice by suppressing oxidative stress and alleviating EndMT.

Objective To explore the potential mechanism of artemisinin in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Methods The corresponding targets of natural product artemisinin were obtained from PubChem, Swiss Target Prediction and PharmMapper databases, targets related to PCOS were obtained through GeneCards and DisGeNET databases; the intersection target genes of Artemisinin and PCOS were screened by Draw Venn diagram. Then the protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed according to the intersection target genes through the STRING Database, and the core targets were screened by Cytoscape. Besides, gene ontology (GO) function and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis was performed by DAVID Database, and finally the data were analyzed visually by the online platform. Molecular docking of artemisinin and core targets were performed by Chemdraw, Pymol, Auto Dock Tools and RCSB PDB database. Results A total of 229 targets of artemisinin and 1292 targets of PCOS were screened out, 90 overlapping targets were obtained by Draw Venn diagram, and 5 potential core targets, AKT1, ESR1, MMP9, PPARG, MMP2, were mainly act on PI3K Akt, MAPK, RAS, endocrine resistance and other signal pathways. Molecular docking results showed that there were molecular binding sites between artemisinin and core targets. Conclusion It is preliminarily analyzed that artemisinin may play a therapeutic role in PCOS through multiple targets and mechanisms.