ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effectiveness and safety of Qingfei Shenshi Decoction （清肺渗湿汤） combined with western medicine for patients with bronchial asthma of heat wheezing syndrome， and to explore its potential mechanism of action. MethodsEighty-six participants with bronchial asthma of heat wheezing syndrome were randomly divided into treatment group and control group， each group with 43 participants. The control group received conventional western medicine， and the treatment group was additionally administered Qingfei Shenshi Decoction orally on the basis of the control group， 1 dose per day. Both groups were treated for 14 days. The primary outcome measure was clinical effectiveness； secondary outcome measures included traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score， asthma control test （ACT） score， pulmonary function indices such as forced expiratory volume in 1 second （FEV₁）， forced vital capacity （FVC）， peak expiratory flow （PEF）， serum inflammatory factor levels including interleukin-4 （IL-4）， tumour necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， and immune function indices including CD3⁺， CD4⁺， CD8⁺， CD4⁺/CD8⁺. All outcome measures were evaluated before and after treatment. Vital signs were monitored， and electrocardiography， blood routine， urine routine， liver function， and renal function tests were performed before and after treatment. Adverse events and reactions during the study were recorded. ResultsA total of 80 patients completed the trial with 40 in each group. The total clinical effective rate of the treatment group was 97.5% （39/40）， which was significantly higher than that of the control group （85.0%， 34/40， P＜0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed decreased TCM syndrome scores， IL-4， TNF-α， hs-CRP， and CD8⁺ levels， as well as increased ACT scores， CD3⁺， CD4⁺， CD4⁺/CD8⁺， FEV₁， FVC， and PEF levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Moreover， the improvements in these indices were more significant in the treatment group than in the control group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. No significant abnormalities in safety indicators were observed in either group， and no adverse events or reactions occurred. ConclusionQingfei Shenshi Decoction combined with conventional western medicine for patients with bronchial asthma of heat wheezing syndrome can effectively improve the clinical symptoms， pulmonary function， and clinical effectiveness， with good safety. Its mechanism may be related to reducing inflammatory factor levels and regulating T lymphocyte subsets to improve immune function.

[Objective] To study the molecular biological mechanism for a case of ABO blood group B subtype, and perform three-dimensional modeling of the mutant enzyme. [Methods] The ABO phenotype was identified by the tube method and microcolumn gel method; the ABO gene of the proband was detected by sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR-SSP), and the exon 6 and 7 of the ABO gene were sequenced and analyzed. Homologous modeling of Bw.03 glycosyltransferase (GT) was carried out by Modeller and analyzed by PyMOL2.5.0 software. [Results] The weakening B antigen was detected in the proband sample by forward typing, and anti-B antibody was detected by reverse typing. PCR-SSP detection showed B, O gene, and the sequencing results showed c.721 C>T mutation in exon 7 of the B gene, resulting in p. Arg 241 Trp. Compared with the wild type, the structure of Bw.03GT was partially changed, and the intermolecular force analysis showed that the original three hydrogen bonds at 241 position disappeared. [Conclusion] Blood group molecular biology examination is helpful for the accurate identification of ambiguous blood group. Homologous modeling more intuitively shows the key site for the weakening of Bw.03 GT activity. The intermolecular force analysis can explain the root cause of enzyme activity weakening.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of sorafenib and donafenib on the pharmacokinetics of ertugliflozin in rats， and to provide a theoretical basis for drug combination in clinical practice. MethodsA total of 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into groups A， B， C， and D， with 6 rats in each group. The rats in groups A and B were given sorafenib control solvent and sorafenib （100 mg/kg）， respectively， by gavage for 7 consecutive days， followed by ertugliflozin （1.5 mg/kg） by gavage on day 7. Blood samples were collected from the angular vein plexus at different time points， and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine the mass concentration of ertugliflozin and plot the plasma concentration-time curves， while the non-compartment model in DAS 2.1.1 software was used to calculate related pharmacokinetic parameters. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups. ResultsCompared with group A， group B had significant increases in the AUC_0-t and AUC_0-∞ of the plasma concentration-time curve of ertugliflozin （both P<0.05）， significant prolongation of t_1/2， MRT_0-t， and MRT_0-∞ （all P<0.05）， and a significant reduction in CL_Z/F （P<0.05）. Compared with group C， group D had significant increases in the AUC_0-t and AUC_0-∞ of ertugliflozin （both P<0.05）， significant prolongation of T_max， t_1/2， MRT_0-t， and MRT_0-∞ （all P<0.01）， and significant reductions in V_Z/F and CL_Z/F （both P<0.05）. ConclusionBoth sorafenib and donafenib can affect the pharmacokinetics of ertugliflozin in rats and significantly increase the plasma exposure of ertugliflozin. The efficacy and adverse drug reactions of ertugliflozin should be closely monitored during combined use in clinical practice and the dose should be adjusted when necessary to avoid the potential risk of drug interaction.

ObjectiveTo investigate the changing trend of hemoglobin （Hb） and related influencing factors in patients with liver failure after artificial liver support system （ALSS） therapy. MethodsA total of 106 patients with liver failure who were hospitalized and received ALSS therapy in our hospital from January to December 2018 were enrolled and analyzed in terms of clinical data and red blood cell parameters such as Hb， mean corpuscular volume （MCV）， mean corpuscular hemoglobin （MCH）， mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration （MCHC）， and red blood cell distribution width-coefficient of variation （RDW-CV）. A one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data with repeated measurement between groups， and the paired t-test was used for comparison between two groups. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data with skewed distribution between multiple groups， the Mann-Whitney U test was used for further comparison between two groups. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to identify the influencing factors for the reduction in Hb after ALSS therapy. ResultsThe 106 patients with liver failure received 606 sessions of ALSS therapy， and Hb was measured for 402 sessions before and after treatment. There was a significant reduction in Hb after ALSS therapy in the patients with liver failure （97.49±20.51 g/L vs 109.38±20.22 g/L， t=32.764， P<0.001）. Longitudinal observation was further performed for 14 patients with liver failure， and the results showed that the level of Hb was 108.50±21.61 g/L before the last session of ALSS therapy， with certain recovery compared with the level of Hb （103.14±19.15 g/L） on the second day after ALSS， and there was an increase in Hb on day 3 （102.57±21.73 g/L） and day 7 （105.57±22.04 g/L） after surgery. The level of Hb in patients with liver failure on the second day after ALSS decreased with the increase in the number of ALSS sessions （F=8.996， P<0.001）， while MCV and MCH gradually increased with the increase in the number of ALSS sessions （F=9.154 and 13.460， P=0.004 and P<0.001）， and RDW-CV first gradually increased and then gradually decreased （F=4.520， P=0.032）； MCHC showed fluctuations with no clear trend （F=0.811， P=0.494）. The multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the duration of ALSS therapy， the mode of ALSS therapy， and initial treatment were independent risk factors for the reduction in Hb after ALSS therapy. ConclusionALSS therapy can influence the level of peripheral blood Hb in patients with liver failure， and patient blood management should be strengthened for patients with liver failure who are receiving ALSS therapy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of Xingpi capsules （XPC） in treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-D） with spleen deficiency and elucidate its potential molecular mechanisms. MethodsA rat model of IBS-D with spleen deficiency was established by administering senna leaf in combination with restrained stress and swimming fatigue for 14 d. Ten specific pathogen free （SPF）-grade healthy rats were used as the normal control group. After successful modeling， SPF-grade rats were randomly divided into a model group， a pinaverium bromide group （1.5 mg·kg^-1）， and low- and high-dose XPC groups （0.135 and 0.54 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal control group and the model group were given distilled water by gavage， while the remaining groups were administered corresponding drug solutions by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days. The rat body weights and fecal condition were observed every day， and the Bristol score was recorded. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） in serum and colon tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the microvilli and tight junctions in the colon. The integrity of the colonic barrier， intestinal motility， and expression of related pathway proteins were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， immunohistochemistry， and Western blot. ResultsCompared with those in the normal control group， rats in the model group showed a significantly decreased body weight and increased diarrhea rate， diarrhea grade， and Bristol score （P<0.01）. HE staining revealed incomplete colonic mucosa in the model group， with evident congestion and edema observed. Electron microscopy results indicated decreased density and integrity of the colonic barrier， shedding and disappearance of microvilli， and significant widening of tight junctions. The expression levels of colonic tight junction proteins Occludin and Claudin-5 were downregulated （P<0.01）， and the levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue were elevated （P<0.01）. The small intestine propulsion rate significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression of contractile proteins Ras homolog family member A （RhoA） and Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 （ROCK2） in colon and phosphorylation of myosin light chain （MLC₂₀） were upregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the treatment groups showed alleviated diarrhea， diarrhea-associated symptoms， and pathological manifestations of colon tissue to varying degrees. Specifically， high-dose XPC exhibited effectively relieved diarrhea， promoted recovery of colonic mucosal structure， significantly reduced congestion and edema， upregulated expression of Occludin and Claudin-5 （P<0.01）， decreased levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue （P<0.05，P<0.01）， significantly slowed small intestine propulsion rate （P<0.01）， and significantly downregulated expression of contractile proteins RhoA and ROCK2 in colon and phosphorylation of MLC₂₀ （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionXPC effectively alleviates symptoms of spleen deficiency and diarrhea and regulates the secretion of brain-gut peptide. The characteristics of XPC are mainly manifested in alleviating IBS-D with spleen deficiency from the aspects of protecting intestinal mucosa and inhibiting smooth muscle contraction， and the mechanism is closely related to the regulation of the 5-HT-RhoA/ROCK2 pathway expression.

Jianghuanglian is one of the representative processed products of Coptidis Rhizoma for treating cold syndrome with drugs of heat nature， and ginger is used to restrict the bitter cold of Coptidis Rhizoma， which can be traced back to Bojifang， and it is suitable for stagnation of damp-heat in middle-jiao， cold-heat mutual knots and other symptoms. Jianghuanglian retains the alkaloids， phenylpropanoids and flavonoids of Coptidis Rhizoma， and also introduces gingerol components such as 6-gingerol in ginger， which has pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory， antibacterial， anti-tumor， and improving gastrointestinal function. The 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia and many local processing specifications have included the traditional processing process and quality standards of Jianghuanglian， but the specific process parameters and quality standards are incomplete， which limits the production and clinical application of this processed product. By summarizing the processing history， process research， quality evaluation， pharmacodynamic and medicinal property changes and application of Jianghuanglian in the past 20 years， there are differences in the processing methods and standards in various provinces and cities， which are mainly reflected in the preparation method， dosage， processing process and quantitative standards of ginger juice. In addition， there are also certain differences in the changes of the main components of Jianghuanglian prepared from ginger or dried ginger， as well as their efficacy and medicinal properties. The research on the processing process of Jianghuanglian plays an important role in improving its quality standards， and this review can provide a reference for improving the quality evaluation system of Jianghuanglian.

Corneal alkali burns are a common form of corneal trauma, and their treatment has been a challenge in ophthalmology. Traditional treatments include anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and corneal transplantation, with limited results. This review focuses on the research progress of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)and their derived extracellular vesicles(MSCs-EVs)in the treatment of corneal alkali burns. MSCs have the ability of self-renewal, multidirectional differentiation, and immunomodulation, and the MSCs-EVs inherit its function from MSCs. MSCs-EVs inherit the functions of MSCs and has lower immunogenicity and better biocompatibility, which provides a new avenue for ophthalmic treatment. In addition, bioscaffolds are used as scaffolds or drug delivery systems in tissue engineering to promote tissue regeneration due to their excellent biocompatibility and degradability. This article reviews the mechanism of action and research progress of MSCs-EVs and combined bioscaffolds in the treatment of corneal alkali burns, and explores their potential in promoting the repair of corneal alkali burns and improving vision. These findings provide new strategies for the treatment of corneal alkali burns and are expected to improve the prognosis of patients.

Corneal alkali burns are a common form of corneal trauma, and their treatment has been a challenge in ophthalmology. Traditional treatments include anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and corneal transplantation, with limited results. This review focuses on the research progress of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)and their derived extracellular vesicles(MSCs-EVs)in the treatment of corneal alkali burns. MSCs have the ability of self-renewal, multidirectional differentiation, and immunomodulation, and the MSCs-EVs inherit its function from MSCs. MSCs-EVs inherit the functions of MSCs and has lower immunogenicity and better biocompatibility, which provides a new avenue for ophthalmic treatment. In addition, bioscaffolds are used as scaffolds or drug delivery systems in tissue engineering to promote tissue regeneration due to their excellent biocompatibility and degradability. This article reviews the mechanism of action and research progress of MSCs-EVs and combined bioscaffolds in the treatment of corneal alkali burns, and explores their potential in promoting the repair of corneal alkali burns and improving vision. These findings provide new strategies for the treatment of corneal alkali burns and are expected to improve the prognosis of patients.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the decoction and dosing methods of rhubarb root and rhizome in classical prescriptions and to provide a reference basis for the clinical use of rhubarb root and rhizome. By collating the relevant classical prescriptions of rhubarb root and rhizome in Shanghan Lun and Jingui Yaolüe, the relationship between its decoction and dosing methods and the syndrome was analyzed. The decoction of rhubarb root and rhizome in classical prescriptions can be divided into three categories: simultaneous decoction, decoction later, and other methods (impregnation in Mafei decoction, decoction with water from the well spring first taken in the morning, and pills). If it enters the blood level or wants to slow down, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted at the same time with other drugs. If it enters the qi level and wants to speed up, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted later. If it wants to upwardly move, rhubarb root and rhizome should be immersed in Mafei decoction. If it wants to suppress liver yang, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted with water from the well spring first taken in the morning. If the disease is prolonged, rhubarb root and rhizome should be taken in pill form. The dosing methods of rhubarb root and rhizome can be divided into five categories: draught, twice, three times, before meals, and unspecified. For acute and serious illnesses with excess of pathogenic qi and adequate vital qi, we choose draught. For gastrointestinal diseases, we choose to take the medicine twice. For achieving a moderate and long-lasting effect, we choose to take the medicine three times. If the disease is located in the lower part of the heart and abdomen, we choose to take it before meals. The use of rhubarb root and rhizome in clinical practice requires the selection of the appropriate decoction and dosing methods according to the location of the disease, the severity of the disease, the patient′s constitution, and the condition after taking the medicine.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy, safety, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) medication patterns of rituximab (RTX) combined with TCM on treating children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS). Methods: One hundred and forty-three children with SDNS who visited the Pediatric Nephrology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from January 2018 to December 2022 were enrolled. A cohort study design was adopted, with " RTX treatment" as the exposure factor. Children who met this exposure factor were assigned to the RTX cohort (RTX, glucocorticoid, immunosuppressive agent, combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation treatment), whereas those who did not were assigned to the basic treatment cohort (glucocorticoid, immunosuppressive agent, combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation treatment ), and followed up for 6 months. The frequency of urinary protein recurrences, urinary protein remission duration, proportion and duration of steroid reduction and cessation, cumulative usage of steroids, proportion of recurrence, recurrence amount of steroid used, efficacy of TCM syndrome, and laboratory and safety indicators after treatment, and height and CD19+ B cell count before and after treatment were compared between the two cohorts. The medication patterns of TCM in the two cohorts were analyzed using frequency statistics, association rule analysis, and systematic clustering analysis. Results: Compared with the basic treatment cohort, the RTX cohort showed a decrease in the frequency of urinary protein recurrence, extended sustained remission of urinary protein, an increase in the proportion of steroid reduction and cessation, a shorter duration of steroid reduction and cessation, a decrease in cumulative steroid dosage, a lower recurrence rate, a decrease in CD19+ B cell count, and a decrease in 24-h urinary total protein quantification and the level of cholesterol (P<0.05). No significant difference in the recurrence amount of steroid used, height, TCM syndrome efficacy, albumin, aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, platelet count, and safety indicators between the two cohorts. Children with SDNS were mostly characterized by qi and yin deficiency syndrome, followed by spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome. A total of 175 TCMs were included, including 28 high-frequency drugs such as Huangqi, Fuling, Gancao, Baizhu, Dangshen, and Jiuyurou. The primary use of medication is to nourish the qi and spleen, nourish the kidney, and warm yang. The analysis of association rules yielded eight binary associations and ten three-phase associations, with Huangqi, Baizhu, Fuling, and Dangshen, being the most closely related. Cluster analysis identified four TCM combinations, primarily focusing on tonifying kidney and replenishing essence, benefiting qi and nourishing yin, and removing blood stasis. Conclusion RTX combined with TCM syndrome differentiation treatment can reduce the recurrence frequency of SDNS, prolong the remission period, reduce the glucocorticoid dosage, and have no marked effect on height growth. No apparent adverse reactions were observed. TCM should focus on nourishing qi and yin while removing blood stasis.