Hyperthyroidism （HT） is frequently complicated by atrial fibrillation （AF） in clinical practice. Based on traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） zang-xiang （藏象） theory and clinical experience， both HT and AF are closely associated with dysfunction of the liver. The pathogenesis is initiated by the liver failing to govern the free flow of qi， and liver constraint and qi stagnation， with the key turning points being liver constraint transforming into fire and the internal stirring of liver wind， ultimately leading to liver blood depletion and insufficient nourishment of the heart spirit. Thus， it is proposed to treat the disease from the liver， with stage-specific therapeutic approaches according to the evolution of the disease. In the early stage， the treatment should focus on soothing the liver and relieving constraint to reduce goiter and calm the heart， while in the progressive stage， the method of clearing liver and draining fire is suggested to subdue yang and stabilize palpitations. In the acute stage， the strategy is calming the liver and nourishing yin to subdue yang and extinguish wind. In the later stage， it is suggested to soften the liver and benefit qi， so as to nourish yin and restore pulse. These methods are sequentially applied to synergistically reduce goiter and stabilize palpitations， providing a therapeutic approach for HT complicated by AF.

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*

Soil cadmium pollution can adversely affect the cultivation of the ornamental plant, Coleus scutellarioides. Upon cadmium contamination of the soil, the growth of C. scutellarioides is impeded, and it may even succumb to the toxic accumulation of cadmium. In this study, we investigated the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the adaptation of C. scutellarioides to cadmium stress, by measuring the physiological metabolism and the degree of root damage of C. scutellarioides, with Aspergillus oryzae as the test fungi. The results indicated that cadmium stress increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline (Pro) within the cells of C. scutellarioides, but inhibited mycorrhizal infestation rate, root vigour and growth rate to a great degree. With the same cadmium concentration, the inoculation of AMF significantly improved the physiological indexes of C. scutellarioides. The maximum decrease of MDA content was 42.16%, and the content of secondary metabolites rosemarinic acid and anthocyanosides could be increased by up to 27.43% and 25.72%, respectively. Meanwhile, the increase of root vigour was as high as 35.35%, and the DNA damage of the root system was obviously repaired. In conclusion, the inoculation of AMF can promote the accumulation of secondary metabolites, alleviate root damage, and enhance the tolerance to cadmium stress in C. scutellarioides.
Cadmium/toxicity* ; Mycorrhizae/physiology* ; Plant Roots/drug effects* ; Soil Pollutants/toxicity* ; Stress, Physiological ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

Objective:To compare the prognostic values of different classification by using transpulmonary pressure gradient (TPG), diastolic pressure gradient (DPG) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in patients with pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease (PH-LHD), and investigated hemodynamic and clinical factors associated with mortality in patients with PH-LHD.Methods:This was a single-center prospective cohort study. In-hospital patients diagnosed with PH-LHD via right heart catheterization at the Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, from September 2013 to December 2019 were enrolled. Patients were divided according to TPG (cutoff value 12 mmHg; 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), DPG (cutoff value 7 mmHg), PVR (cutoff value 3 Wood Units), and the combination of TPG and PVR. Baseline characteristic was recorded. All patients were followed up until the occurrence of endpoint event, defined as all-cause death that occurred during the follow-up period, or until April 18, 2022. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to compare the predictive value of 3 classification methods for all-cause death in PH-LHD patients. The optimal cutoff values were calculated using Jorden index. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis, and log-rank test was used to compare the predictive efficacy of classification methods based on optimal cutoff values or guidance-recommended thresholds for the survival of PH-LHD patients. Variables showing statistical significance in the univariate analysis were incorporated into multivariate Cox regression model to analyze the independent risk factors for all-cause mortality.Results:A total of 243 patients were enrolled, aged (54.9±12.7) years old, including 169 (69.5%) males. During a median follow-up of 57 months, there were 101 (41.6%) deaths occurred. Grouping results were as follows: (1) TPG: TPG≤12 mmHg group 115 patients, TPG>12 mmHg group 128 patients; (2) DPG: DPG<7 mmHg group 193 patients, DPG≥7 mmHg group 50 patients; (3) PVR: PVR≤3 Wood Units group 108 patients, PVR>3 Wood Units group 135 patients; (4) TPG and PVR: TPG≤12 mmHg and PVR≤3 Wood Units group 89 patients, TPG>12 mmHg and PVR>3 Wood Units group 109 patients. PVR ( AUC=0. 698,95% CI:0.631-0.766) had better predictive value for all-cause mortality than TPG ( AUC=0.596, 95% CI: 0.523-0.669) and DPG ( AUC=0.526, 95% CI: 0.452-0.601) (all P<0.05). The optimal cutoff values for TPG, DPG, and PVR were13.9 mmHg, 2.8 mmHg, and 3.8 Wood Units, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis based on the optimal cutoff values or guidance-recommended thresholds showed that PVR and TPG were the predictors of survival ( P<0.05), while DPG did not showed significance ( P>0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, PVR and log 2N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in PH-LHD patients (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Classification according to PVR was most valuable in predicting all-cause death in PH-LHD patients, while TPG showed moderate predictive ability and DPG had no predictive value.

Objective:To analyze the cognitive changes and alterations in the topological properties of functional and structural brain networks in elderly women with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and explore the relationship between brain network and cognitive function, and find the neuroimaging mechanism of cognitive decline in female patients with MCI.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted, collecting clinical data from 38 elderly women with MCI, aged 60-79, recruited between October 1, 2019 and May 31, 2021, through community visits, online advertisements, free consultations by experts at the First Hospital of China Medical University and outpatient promotions. A matched control group of 37 healthy women of similar age was also recruited. Both groups underwent comprehensive neuropsychological assessments and MRI data collection, Brain functional and structural networks were constructed, and the corresponding global and nodal topological metrics were calculated. Differences in general demographic data, cognitive function scores, and network topology attribute indexes were compared. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between the altered topological properties of brain networks and cognitive function differences.Results:Cognitive function assessments showed that compared to the healthy control group, elderly women with MCI scored lower on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test-N5 (AVLT-N5), Digit Span Test (DST), Clock Drawing Test (CDT), and Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) (1.95±1.02 vs 6.42±1.63, t=14.85; 7.14±1.58 vs 8.08±1.29, t=2.93; 3.30±1.12 vs 3.73±0.55, t=2.20; 15.49±3.87 vs 18.53±3.80, t=3.60; all P<0.05). The results of brain functional and structural network nodal topological properties indicated that the left inferior parietal angular gyri, left supramarginal gyrus, right orbital inferior frontal gyrus, and right insula showed incomplete white matter network structure or reduced efficiency in brain network functional transmission ( P<0.05). Conversely, regions such as the left cuneus, left superior frontal gyrus orbital part, left middle occipital gyrus, left precuneus, right superior parietal gyrus, and left paracentral lobule showed enhanced structural integrity of white matter network or increased efficiency in brain network functional transmission ( P<0.05). Correlation analysis suggested that abnormal nodal topological attributes were associated with language function (VFT), short-term memory (AVLT-N5), and visuospatial ability (CDT) in patients with MCI(All P<0.05). Conclusion:Elderly women with MCI exhibit declines in short-term memory, linguistic function, attention, and visuospatial abilities. Changes in the topological properties of brain function and structural networks occur in regions such as the orbital superior frontal gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, and cuneus in the elderly women.

Objective:To analyze the cognitive changes and alterations in the topological properties of functional and structural brain networks in elderly women with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and explore the relationship between brain network and cognitive function, and find the neuroimaging mechanism of cognitive decline in female patients with MCI.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted, collecting clinical data from 38 elderly women with MCI, aged 60-79, recruited between October 1, 2019 and May 31, 2021, through community visits, online advertisements, free consultations by experts at the First Hospital of China Medical University and outpatient promotions. A matched control group of 37 healthy women of similar age was also recruited. Both groups underwent comprehensive neuropsychological assessments and MRI data collection, Brain functional and structural networks were constructed, and the corresponding global and nodal topological metrics were calculated. Differences in general demographic data, cognitive function scores, and network topology attribute indexes were compared. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between the altered topological properties of brain networks and cognitive function differences.Results:Cognitive function assessments showed that compared to the healthy control group, elderly women with MCI scored lower on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test-N5 (AVLT-N5), Digit Span Test (DST), Clock Drawing Test (CDT), and Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) (1.95±1.02 vs 6.42±1.63, t=14.85; 7.14±1.58 vs 8.08±1.29, t=2.93; 3.30±1.12 vs 3.73±0.55, t=2.20; 15.49±3.87 vs 18.53±3.80, t=3.60; all P<0.05). The results of brain functional and structural network nodal topological properties indicated that the left inferior parietal angular gyri, left supramarginal gyrus, right orbital inferior frontal gyrus, and right insula showed incomplete white matter network structure or reduced efficiency in brain network functional transmission ( P<0.05). Conversely, regions such as the left cuneus, left superior frontal gyrus orbital part, left middle occipital gyrus, left precuneus, right superior parietal gyrus, and left paracentral lobule showed enhanced structural integrity of white matter network or increased efficiency in brain network functional transmission ( P<0.05). Correlation analysis suggested that abnormal nodal topological attributes were associated with language function (VFT), short-term memory (AVLT-N5), and visuospatial ability (CDT) in patients with MCI(All P<0.05). Conclusion:Elderly women with MCI exhibit declines in short-term memory, linguistic function, attention, and visuospatial abilities. Changes in the topological properties of brain function and structural networks occur in regions such as the orbital superior frontal gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, and cuneus in the elderly women.

Objective:To analyze the molecular mechanism of Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsules in the adjuvant treatment of AIDS by network pharmacology method and molecular docking technology.Methods:The active components and targets of Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsules were obtained through TCMSP, and the AIDS-related targets were obtained through GeneCards, OMIM and DrugBank databases. The intersection target PPI network was constructed through STRING 11.5 database, and Cytoscape 3.9.1 software was used for network topology analysis; Metascape database was used for GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of core targets; Cytoscape 3.9.1 was used to construct Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsules component-target-pathway network; Autodock Tools software was used to carry out molecular docking of core targets and active components.Results:Totally 31 active components and 180 targets of Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsules were screened out. TNF, IL6, AKT1, IL1B, TP53, VEGFA, RELA, EGFR and CASP3 were identified as the core targets. GO functional enrichment analysis obtained 1 436 biological processes, 53 cellular components, and 117 molecular functions. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis obtained 167 pathways, which were related to pathways in cancer, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, and IL-17 signaling pathway was closely related. Molecular docking results showed that core targets such as AKT1 and TNF had good binding activity to quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin.Conclusion:The main active components of Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsules in the adjuvant treatment of AIDS are quercetin, kaempferol and luteolin, which may treat AIDS through the IL-17 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Sishenwan-containing serum on aerobic glycolysis in human colon cancer HCT116 cells. MethodCell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） was used to detect the cell viability of colon cancer HCT116 cells after treatment with Sishenwan-containing serum （2.5%， 5%， and 10%） for 24， 48， 72 h. The concentration of lactic acid， the content of intracellular glucose， and the activity of hexokinase （HK） and fructose-6-phosphate kinase （PFK） in the cell culture medium were detected by the micro-method. The content of glucose transporter 1 （GluT1） mRNA was detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The protein expression of GluT1 and methyltransferase-like 3 （MettL3） was detected by Western blot. The expression of GluT1 in cells was detected by immunofluorescence and the level of N6-methyladenosine （m⁶A） RNA methylation was detected by colorimetry. ResultCompared with the normal serum， 2.5%， 5%， and 10% Sishenwan-containing serum had no significant effect on the viability of HCT116 cells at 24 h， while 10% Sishenwan-containing serum showed a significant inhibitory effect on the viability of HCT116 cells at 48 h （P<0.05）. Hence， 10% Sishenwan-containing serum was used in subsequent experiments， and the intervention time was 48 h. Compared with the normal serum， 10% Sishenwan-containing serum could reduce lactate production （P<0.05）， down-regulate glucose uptake （P<0.05）， and blunt the activities of HK and PFK， the key rate-limiting enzymes of glycolysis （P<0.05）. Meanwhile， 10% Sishenwan-containing serum could decrease the expression of GluT1 protein （P<0.01） and mRNA （P<0.05） and reduce the proportion of cells expressing GluT1 （P<0.01）. Compared with the normal serum， Sishenwan-containing serum also decreased the protein content of MettL3 （P<0.05） and the methylation level of m⁶A RNA （P<0.01）. ConclusionSishenwan can inhibit glycolysis in colon cancer cells， and its inhibitory mechanism may be related to reducing MettL3 overexpression， inhibiting m⁶A RNA methylation， and down-regulating GluT1 and the activities of intracellular aerobic glycolysis-related enzymes such as HK and PFK.

Methods:Cultured human alveolar epithelial A549 cells were assigned into LPS group and blank control group. LPS group was stimulated with LPS and adenosine triphosphate to induce pyroptosis and inflammation. A549 cells were divided into 4 groups: miR-20a mimics group, mimics-negative control (NC) group, inhibitor group and inhibitor-NC group. MiRNA-20a mimics, mimics-NC, inhibitor, and inhibitor-NC were transfected respectively into A549 cells, and after 24 h, the cells were collected to verify transfection efficiency by qPCR. MiRNA-20a mimics and the constructed TLR4-3'UTR double luciferase reporter plasmid were co-transfected into A549 cells, and luciferase activity was analyzed. MiRNA-20a mimics/inhibitors were transfected into A549 cells, and then the cells were stimulated by LPS for 8 h followed by adenosine triphosphate for 30 min. QPCR, Western Blot and ELISA were used to detect the expression of GSDMD, inflammatory factors (ASC, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β) and Signaling molecules (TLR4、NF-κB) in A549 cells at mRNA level and protein level. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of TLR4 in the A549 cells and NF-κB in the nucleus of A549 cells after transfecting with miRNA-20a mimics/inhibitor.Results:The mRNA and protein expression of pyroptosis marker molecule (GSDMD) and inflammatory factors (ASC, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β) in A549 cells stimulated with LPS were significantly higher than those in the blank control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The expression of miRNA-20 in the mimics group was significantly higher than that in the mimic-NC group ( P<0.05), while the expression of miRNA-20a in the inhibitor group was lower than that in the inhibitor-NC group ( P<0.01). The double luciferase reporter gene experiment showed that the relative fluorescence value of the co-transfection group for TLR4-3'UTR-WT and miRNA-20a mimics was significantly lower than the co-transfection group for TLR4-3'UTR-WT and miRNA-20a mimics-NC ( P<0.05). The mRNA and protein levels of pyroptosis marker molecule (GSDMD) , inflammatory factors (ASC, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β) and signaling molecules (TLR4, NF-κB) were decreased in the mimics group compared to the mimics-NC group, and increased in inhibitor group compared to inhibitor-NC group. Conclusions:miRNA-20a may inhibit LPS-induced pyroptosis and inflammation of A549 cells via TLR4/NF-κB signal pathway.Objetive:To explore the potential role of miRNA-20a in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced pyroptosis and inflamation of human alveolar epithelial A549 cells and its regulation mechanisim.

Objective To comprehensively characterize the diterpene alkaloids in Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii.Methods The diterpene alkaloids were isolated and purified by strong acid cation exchange resin solid phase extraction column(SCX-SPE),and identified by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS).Results A total of 99 diterpene alkaloids were identified from Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii,including 27 diester diterpene alkaloids(DDA),29 monoester diterpene alkaloids(MDA),40 amide diterpene alkaloids(ADA),2 polyester diterpene alkaloids(PDA)and 1 long-chain ester diterpene alkaloid(LDA).Conclusion The SCX-SPE combined with UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS method,established in this paper,can rapidly identify a large number of diterpene alkaloids in Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii,which provides scientific proof for the study of pharmacodynamic substance basis and quality control of Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii.