Recent studies have shown that an imbalance in iron metabolism can affect the composition and microstructural changes of bone, disrupting bone homeostasis and leading to osteoporosis(OP). The imbalance in iron metabolism, along with its induced local abnormal microenvironment and cellular iron death, has become a new focal point in OP research, drawing increasing attention from the academic community regarding the regulation of iron metabolism to prevent and manage OP. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), iron metabolism imbalance has potential connections to TCM theories regarding internal organs, as well as treatments aimed at tonifying the kidney, strengthening the spleen, and activating blood circulation. Evidence is continually emerging that TCMs and effective components that tonify the kidney, strengthen the spleen, and activate blood circulation can prevent and manage OP by regulating iron metabolism. This article analyzes the relationship between iron and bone, as well as the effects of TCM formulations on improving iron metabolism and influencing bone metabolism, from the perspectives of iron metabolism mechanisms and TCM interventions, aiming to broaden existing clinical strategies for prevention and treatment and inject new momentum into the field of OP as it moves into a new era.
Osteoporosis/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Iron/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Bone and Bones/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy and complication rates of staged open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) and external fixation combined with limited internal fixation (EFLIF) in the treatment of high-energy Pilon fractures. METHODS: A retrospective selection was conducted on 78 patients diagnosed with high-energy tibial Pilon fractures who received treatment between January 2021 and October 2023. These patients were categorized into the staged ORIF group and the EFLIF group according to their respective treatment protocols. The staged ORIF group comprised 48 patients, including 29 males and 19 females, aged from 33 to 53 years old with a mean age of (43.25±4.67) years old. The time from injury to treatment averaged (6.54±2.21) hours. All patients received staged ORIF treatment. The EFLIF Group consisted of 30 patients, including 18 males and 12 females, aged from 36 to 54 years old with a mean age of (43.37±3.24) years old. The time from injury to treatment averaged (6.87±1.96) hours. All patients received EFLIF treatment. The recovery of ankle joint function, fracture reduction quality, fracture healing time, and surgical-related indicators between two groups were observed and compared six months after surgery. Additionally, the postoperative complications of the two groups were recorded. RESULTS: Both groups of patients were followed up and the duration ranged from 6 to 12 months, with an average of (8.97±1.26) months. At 6-month postoperative follow-up, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score in the ORIF group was (83.15±20.93), which did not show a statistically significant difference compared to the EFLIF group (81.88±20.67), P>0.05. The excellent and good rate of fracture reduction in the staged ORIF group was 33.33% (16/48), which did not show a statistically significant difference compared to the EFLIF group (30.00%, 9/30), P>0.05. The hospitalization duration and fracture healing time in the staged ORIF group were (16.57±1.25) days and (12.14±1.15) weeks, respectively. When compared to the EFLIF group, which demonstrated a hospitalization duration of (15.97±2.16 ) days and a fracture healing time of (12.36±1.17) weeks, no statistically significant differences were observed (P>0.05). The intraoperative blood loss in the staged ORIF group was (76.54±11.65) ml, which was significantly higher than that in the EFLIF group (70.15±10.29) ml, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The incidence of superficial tissue infection was 2.08%(1/48), which was significantly lower than that observed in the EFLIF group at 16.67% (5/30), and this difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Both staged ORIF and EFLIF were effective treatment options for high-energy closed Pilon fractures of the tibia. However, regarding the prevention of superficial tissue infection, staged ORIF demonstrates superior risk control compared to EFLIF.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Tibial Fractures/physiopathology* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; External Fixators ; Open Fracture Reduction/methods* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study assessed the methodological quality of systematic reviews (SRs) of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) published in Chinese between Jan 2021 and Sep 2022. METHODS: Chinese language CHM SRs were identified through literature searches across 3 international and 4 Chinese databases. Methodological quality was appraised using A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews 2. Logistic regressions were used to explore associations between bibliographical characteristics and quality. RESULTS: Analyses of methodological quality found that among the 213 sampled SRs, 69.5% were of critically low quality, 30.5% were of low quality, and none achieved high or moderate quality. Common shortcomings included the failure to identify the studies excluded from the analysis, failure to disclose funding sources, and limited evaluation of the potential impact of bias on conclusions. Logistic regressions revealed that SRs led by corresponding authors affiliated with universities or academic institutions tended to be of lower quality than SRs led by authors affiliated with hospitals or clinical facilities. CONCLUSION Recent Chinese language CHM SRs exhibited limited methodological quality, making them unlikely to support the development of clinical practice guidelines. Urgent initiatives are needed to enhance training for researchers, peer-reviewers and editors involved in the preparation and publication of SRs. Adoption of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guidelines in Chinese language journals is crucial to improve the relevance of SRs for Chinese medicine development. Addressing deficiencies in methodology and reporting is essential for promoting evidence-based practices and informed clinical decisions in Chinese medicine. Please cite this article as: Jiang Y, Zhong CC, Wang BH, Xu SS, Ho FF, Kwong MH, Ho L, Zhou JHS, Lam KC, Liu JP, Zhang BT, Chung VCH. Methodological quality of systematic reviews on orally administered Chinese herbal medicine published in Chinese between 2021 and 2022: A cross-sectional study. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):492-501.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Systematic Reviews as Topic/standards* ; Humans ; China ; Administration, Oral ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Abstract In recent years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has risen rapidly, posing a serious threat to their physical and mental health. To provide scientific, systematic, and standardized weight management guidance for overweight and obese children and adolescents, the study focuses on the core concept of healthy lifestyle intervention, integrates multidisciplinary expert opinions and research findings,and proposes a comprehensive multidisciplinary intervention framework covering scientific exercise intervention, precise nutrition and diet, optimized sleep management, and standardized psychological support. It calls for the establishment of a multi agent collaborative management mechanism led by the government, implemented by families, fostered by schools, initiated by individuals, optimized by communities, reinforced by healthcare, and coordinated by multiple stakeholders. Emphasizing a child and adolescent centered approach, the consensus advocates for comprehensive, multi level, and personalized guidance strategies to promote the internalization and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. It serves as a reference and provides recommendations for the effective prevention and control of overweight and obesity, and enhancing the health level of children and adolescents.

Objective·To identify relevant biomarkers for patients with coronavirus disease 2019-associated kidney injury(COVID-19-associated KI)and explore the mechanisms underlying the involvement of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2)proteins in infection-related KI by affecting the interactions between renal cells and macrophages.Methods·A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with KI treated in Shanghai Ninth,People's,hospital from December 2022 to February 2023.Serum levels of inflammatory factors and chemokines were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).In vitro,human macrophage cell line THP-1 cells were stimulated with recombinant S1 subunit protein derived from SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.The cells and culture supernatants were collected to detect the levels of inflammatory factors and chemokines by using quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)and ELISA.Conditioned medium was prepared from the cell culture supernatants of S1-stimulated THP-1 cells and used to stimulate human renal epithelial cells(HK-2)in vitro to assess cytokine secretion.Antibody blocking experiments were performed to analyze the effects of the conditioned medium on the production of cytokines in HK-2 cells.Results·Among 39 patients with COVID-19,8(20.50%)had creatinine levels above the reference interval,which indicated the occurrence of KI.The levels of peripheral tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the COVID-19 patient with KI group[(18.33±8.20)pg/mL]were significantly higher than those in the non-KI group[(11.88±6.50)pg/mL](P=0.015).In vitro assay has shown that S1-spike protein stimulation promoted the level of gene transcription and production of TNF-α,interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 10(CXCL10)in THP-1 macrophage cells(P＜0.001).Furthermore,the conditioned medium from S1-stimulated THP-1 cells promoted the secretion of TNF-α,IL-1β and CXCL10 by HK-2 cells(P=0.005).When anti-TNF-α antibody(Infliximab)was used to block TNF-α in the culture supernatants from S1-stimulated THP-1 cells,the secretion level of TNF-α by HK-2 cells decreased dramatically(P＜0.001).Conclusion·TNF-α levels increase significantly in COVID-19 patients with KI,implying the significance of TNF-α in the occurrence of COVID-19-associated KI.In vitro experiments confirm that the S1 protein induces TNF-α secretion from THP-1 cells,leading to increased inflammatory responses in renal cells,which may contribute to the development of COVID-19-associated KI.Therefore,targeting TNF-α may become an alternative strategy to reduce the occurrence of COVID-19-associated KI.

Objective:To investigate the the differential expression of EIF5A2 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell lines RBE,HCCC9810,and HUCCT1,and its effects on HCCC9810 cell migration and invasion,epithelial mesenchymal transition,and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.Methods:The differential expression of EIF5A2 in RBE,HCCC9810,and HUCCT1 cell lines was detected using WB method.The HCCC9810 cell line,with the highest expression of EIF5A2,was selected for this experiment.The expression of EIF5A2 in HCCC9810 cell line was silenced by transient transfection of small interfering RNA.The best silencing effect of small interfering RNA was screened by WB.Scratch assay and Tran-swell migration invasion assay were used to detect the effect of silencing EIF5A2 on the migration and invasion ability of HCCC9810 cells.WB was used to detect the effect of silencing EIF5A2 on PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and epithelial mesenchymal transition in HCCC9810 cells.Results:The WB results showed that EIF5A2 had the highest expression in the HCCC9810 cell line,and siRNA1 had the best silencing effect on EIF5A2 in the HCCC9810 cell line.Scratch assay and Transwell migration invasion assay results showed that silencing EIF5A2 in the HCCC9810 cell line resulted in a decrease in cell invasion and metastasis ability(P＜0.05).At the same time,the expression of p-PI3K and p-AKT in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),while the epithelial cell marker E-cadherin expression increased(P＜0.05)and the stromal cell marker N-cadherin expression decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:EIF5A2 may promote epi-thelial mesenchymal transition and enhance the migration and invasion ability of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cells through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Aim To design and synthesize a series of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives by using glycyrrhetinic acid as the parent nucleus,screen their antitumor activ-ities,and investigate the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects and mechanisms of the most active compound.Methods MTT assay was used to screen for the com-pound with the most potent antitumor activity.MTT as-say,wound healing assay,colony formation assay and Transwell migration assay were used to evaluate the effects of the compound on tumor cell viability and mi-gration.Flow cytometry was employed to assess the im-pact of the compound on tumor cell cycle progression and apoptosis.Western blot was conducted to verify the effects on the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax,caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3.A mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma ascites tumor was estab-lished to examine the antitumor effects of the compound in vivo.Results Compound C22 was identified as having the most significant inhibitory effect on hepato-cellular carcinoma cells.C22 inhibited the viability and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner.C22 upreg-ulated the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax,caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 in hepatocellular car-cinoma cells,induced apoptosis,and arrested the cell cycle in the G0/G1 and S phases.C22 significantly re-duced the growth of mouse hepatocellular carcinoma as-cites tumors and prolonged survival.Conclusion Glycyrrhetinic acid derivative C22 significantly inhibits the viability and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo,and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

Objective:To investigate the the differential expression of EIF5A2 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell lines RBE,HCCC9810,and HUCCT1,and its effects on HCCC9810 cell migration and invasion,epithelial mesenchymal transition,and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.Methods:The differential expression of EIF5A2 in RBE,HCCC9810,and HUCCT1 cell lines was detected using WB method.The HCCC9810 cell line,with the highest expression of EIF5A2,was selected for this experiment.The expression of EIF5A2 in HCCC9810 cell line was silenced by transient transfection of small interfering RNA.The best silencing effect of small interfering RNA was screened by WB.Scratch assay and Tran-swell migration invasion assay were used to detect the effect of silencing EIF5A2 on the migration and invasion ability of HCCC9810 cells.WB was used to detect the effect of silencing EIF5A2 on PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and epithelial mesenchymal transition in HCCC9810 cells.Results:The WB results showed that EIF5A2 had the highest expression in the HCCC9810 cell line,and siRNA1 had the best silencing effect on EIF5A2 in the HCCC9810 cell line.Scratch assay and Transwell migration invasion assay results showed that silencing EIF5A2 in the HCCC9810 cell line resulted in a decrease in cell invasion and metastasis ability(P＜0.05).At the same time,the expression of p-PI3K and p-AKT in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),while the epithelial cell marker E-cadherin expression increased(P＜0.05)and the stromal cell marker N-cadherin expression decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:EIF5A2 may promote epi-thelial mesenchymal transition and enhance the migration and invasion ability of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cells through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Aim To design and synthesize a series of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives by using glycyrrhetinic acid as the parent nucleus,screen their antitumor activ-ities,and investigate the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects and mechanisms of the most active compound.Methods MTT assay was used to screen for the com-pound with the most potent antitumor activity.MTT as-say,wound healing assay,colony formation assay and Transwell migration assay were used to evaluate the effects of the compound on tumor cell viability and mi-gration.Flow cytometry was employed to assess the im-pact of the compound on tumor cell cycle progression and apoptosis.Western blot was conducted to verify the effects on the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax,caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3.A mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma ascites tumor was estab-lished to examine the antitumor effects of the compound in vivo.Results Compound C22 was identified as having the most significant inhibitory effect on hepato-cellular carcinoma cells.C22 inhibited the viability and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner.C22 upreg-ulated the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax,caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 in hepatocellular car-cinoma cells,induced apoptosis,and arrested the cell cycle in the G0/G1 and S phases.C22 significantly re-duced the growth of mouse hepatocellular carcinoma as-cites tumors and prolonged survival.Conclusion Glycyrrhetinic acid derivative C22 significantly inhibits the viability and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo,and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

Objective·To identify relevant biomarkers for patients with coronavirus disease 2019-associated kidney injury(COVID-19-associated KI)and explore the mechanisms underlying the involvement of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2)proteins in infection-related KI by affecting the interactions between renal cells and macrophages.Methods·A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with KI treated in Shanghai Ninth,People's,hospital from December 2022 to February 2023.Serum levels of inflammatory factors and chemokines were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).In vitro,human macrophage cell line THP-1 cells were stimulated with recombinant S1 subunit protein derived from SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.The cells and culture supernatants were collected to detect the levels of inflammatory factors and chemokines by using quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)and ELISA.Conditioned medium was prepared from the cell culture supernatants of S1-stimulated THP-1 cells and used to stimulate human renal epithelial cells(HK-2)in vitro to assess cytokine secretion.Antibody blocking experiments were performed to analyze the effects of the conditioned medium on the production of cytokines in HK-2 cells.Results·Among 39 patients with COVID-19,8(20.50%)had creatinine levels above the reference interval,which indicated the occurrence of KI.The levels of peripheral tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the COVID-19 patient with KI group[(18.33±8.20)pg/mL]were significantly higher than those in the non-KI group[(11.88±6.50)pg/mL](P=0.015).In vitro assay has shown that S1-spike protein stimulation promoted the level of gene transcription and production of TNF-α,interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 10(CXCL10)in THP-1 macrophage cells(P＜0.001).Furthermore,the conditioned medium from S1-stimulated THP-1 cells promoted the secretion of TNF-α,IL-1β and CXCL10 by HK-2 cells(P=0.005).When anti-TNF-α antibody(Infliximab)was used to block TNF-α in the culture supernatants from S1-stimulated THP-1 cells,the secretion level of TNF-α by HK-2 cells decreased dramatically(P＜0.001).Conclusion·TNF-α levels increase significantly in COVID-19 patients with KI,implying the significance of TNF-α in the occurrence of COVID-19-associated KI.In vitro experiments confirm that the S1 protein induces TNF-α secretion from THP-1 cells,leading to increased inflammatory responses in renal cells,which may contribute to the development of COVID-19-associated KI.Therefore,targeting TNF-α may become an alternative strategy to reduce the occurrence of COVID-19-associated KI.