ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention mechanism of the traditional Chinese medicine Number 2 Feibi recipe （N2FBR） in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF）， focusing on its effects on endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress， apoptosis， stemness maintenance， and regenerative capacity of alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cells （AT2 cells）， and to validate the modern translational pathway of the theory of "deficiency of Zong Qi leading to pulmonary atelectasis and atrophy". MethodsA mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis was induced by bleomycin （BLM）. Mice were randomly divided into blank control， model， low-， and high-dose N2FBR intervention groups （9.1， 18.2 g·kg^-1）， and prednisolone intervention group （6.5 mg·kg^-1）. Pulmonary histopathological changes and collagen deposition were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Masson's trichrome staining. Hydroxyproline （HYP） content was measured by the alkaline hydrolysis method. Lung coefficient and pulmonary function parameters were evaluated. The mRNA expression levels of fibrosis-related factors， including collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 chain （ColIa1）， alpha-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 （Timp1）， were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. Cell apoptosis was assessed using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） assay. Apoptosis of AT2 cells was further evaluated by double immunofluorescence staining for surfactant protein C （SPC） and cysteine-aspartic protease-3 （Caspase-3）. Endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress in AT2 cells was examined by double staining for SPC and protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）. Ultrastructural changes of ER and lamellar bodies in AT2 cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The expression levels of key proteins involved in ER stress and apoptosis pathways， including PERK， activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4）， and Caspase-3， were detected by Western blot. Double immunofluorescence staining of SPC and Ki-67 antigen （Ki-67） was performed to evaluate the proliferative capacity of AT2 cells. Lineage tracing technology （labeling AT2 cells with GFP） combined with Krt8 labeling was used to evaluate intermediate differentiation states， and morphological transformation of AT2 cells into alveolar type Ⅰ epithelial cells （AT1） was observed. ResultsBLM-induced mice exhibited significant structural disruption of lung tissue， increased collagen deposition， elevated lung coefficient， decreased pulmonary function， and upregulation of fibrosis-related factors （P<0.01）. High-dose N2FBR treatment significantly ameliorated lung tissue damage and dysfunction， significantly reduced HYP content （P<0.01）， and significantly downregulated ColIa1， α-SMA， and Timp1 expression （P<0.01）. Apoptosis analysis showed increased TUNEL-positive and Caspase-3-positive AT2 cells in the model group， which was significantly reduced by high-dose N2FBR treatment. TEM revealed swollen ER structures in AT2 cells of the model group， which tended to return to normal following treatment. PERK protein staining analysis showed evident ER stress in AT2 cells of the model group， which were markedly alleviated in the treatment group. The expression levels of ER stress-related proteins PERK and ATF4， as well as the apoptosis-related protein Caspase-3， were elevated in the model group and significantly reduced after treatment. TEM also revealed disrupted lamellar body structures in the model group， which tended to recover in the treatment group. Regarding the proliferative capacity of AT2 cells， the proportion of Ki-67⁺SPC⁺ AT2 cells significantly increased in the treatment group （P<0.01）. Lineage tracing showed that the proportion of keratin 8-positive green fluorescent protein-positive （Krt8⁺GFP⁺） cells increased in the model group， indicating differentiation arrest. This proportion was significantly reduced in the treatment group， and the morphology of GFP⁺ cells exhibited a flattened， extended shape， suggesting restored differentiation toward AT1 cells. ConclusionN2FBR alleviates ER stress in AT2 cells， reduces AT2 cell apoptosis， restores lamellar body structure and function， enhances proliferation activity， and alleviates differentiation arrest to promote differentiation into AT1 cells， thereby repairing the alveolar epithelium and effectively blocking the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Its traditional Chinese medicine mechanism of "replenishing Zong Qi， harmonizing Qi and blood， and unblocking pulmonary meridians" closely aligns with the modern regulatory pathway of AT2 stem cells， providing a novel theoretical basis and experimental evidence for the intervention of IPF with traditional Chinese medicine.

ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention mechanism of the traditional Chinese medicine Number 2 Feibi recipe （N2FBR） in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF）， focusing on its effects on endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress， apoptosis， stemness maintenance， and regenerative capacity of alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cells （AT2 cells）， and to validate the modern translational pathway of the theory of "deficiency of Zong Qi leading to pulmonary atelectasis and atrophy". MethodsA mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis was induced by bleomycin （BLM）. Mice were randomly divided into blank control， model， low-， and high-dose N2FBR intervention groups （9.1， 18.2 g·kg^-1）， and prednisolone intervention group （6.5 mg·kg^-1）. Pulmonary histopathological changes and collagen deposition were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Masson's trichrome staining. Hydroxyproline （HYP） content was measured by the alkaline hydrolysis method. Lung coefficient and pulmonary function parameters were evaluated. The mRNA expression levels of fibrosis-related factors， including collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 chain （ColIa1）， alpha-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 （Timp1）， were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. Cell apoptosis was assessed using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） assay. Apoptosis of AT2 cells was further evaluated by double immunofluorescence staining for surfactant protein C （SPC） and cysteine-aspartic protease-3 （Caspase-3）. Endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress in AT2 cells was examined by double staining for SPC and protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）. Ultrastructural changes of ER and lamellar bodies in AT2 cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The expression levels of key proteins involved in ER stress and apoptosis pathways， including PERK， activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4）， and Caspase-3， were detected by Western blot. Double immunofluorescence staining of SPC and Ki-67 antigen （Ki-67） was performed to evaluate the proliferative capacity of AT2 cells. Lineage tracing technology （labeling AT2 cells with GFP） combined with Krt8 labeling was used to evaluate intermediate differentiation states， and morphological transformation of AT2 cells into alveolar type Ⅰ epithelial cells （AT1） was observed. ResultsBLM-induced mice exhibited significant structural disruption of lung tissue， increased collagen deposition， elevated lung coefficient， decreased pulmonary function， and upregulation of fibrosis-related factors （P<0.01）. High-dose N2FBR treatment significantly ameliorated lung tissue damage and dysfunction， significantly reduced HYP content （P<0.01）， and significantly downregulated ColIa1， α-SMA， and Timp1 expression （P<0.01）. Apoptosis analysis showed increased TUNEL-positive and Caspase-3-positive AT2 cells in the model group， which was significantly reduced by high-dose N2FBR treatment. TEM revealed swollen ER structures in AT2 cells of the model group， which tended to return to normal following treatment. PERK protein staining analysis showed evident ER stress in AT2 cells of the model group， which were markedly alleviated in the treatment group. The expression levels of ER stress-related proteins PERK and ATF4， as well as the apoptosis-related protein Caspase-3， were elevated in the model group and significantly reduced after treatment. TEM also revealed disrupted lamellar body structures in the model group， which tended to recover in the treatment group. Regarding the proliferative capacity of AT2 cells， the proportion of Ki-67⁺SPC⁺ AT2 cells significantly increased in the treatment group （P<0.01）. Lineage tracing showed that the proportion of keratin 8-positive green fluorescent protein-positive （Krt8⁺GFP⁺） cells increased in the model group， indicating differentiation arrest. This proportion was significantly reduced in the treatment group， and the morphology of GFP⁺ cells exhibited a flattened， extended shape， suggesting restored differentiation toward AT1 cells. ConclusionN2FBR alleviates ER stress in AT2 cells， reduces AT2 cell apoptosis， restores lamellar body structure and function， enhances proliferation activity， and alleviates differentiation arrest to promote differentiation into AT1 cells， thereby repairing the alveolar epithelium and effectively blocking the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Its traditional Chinese medicine mechanism of "replenishing Zong Qi， harmonizing Qi and blood， and unblocking pulmonary meridians" closely aligns with the modern regulatory pathway of AT2 stem cells， providing a novel theoretical basis and experimental evidence for the intervention of IPF with traditional Chinese medicine.

ObjectiveZheng’s San Qi San (ZSQS) power, a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is used for treating soft tissue injuries involving muscles, tendons, and ligaments. However, its underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to screen and identify pharmaceutically active ingredients and their candidate biomolecule targets, and further elucidate the molecular mechanism of ZSQS in the treatment of skeletal muscle injury. MethodsNetwork pharmacology was employed to construct “ZSQS-component-target”, “protein-protein interaction (PPI)” and “active ingredient-core protein-pathway” networks to predict the key active ingredients and potential core targets of ZSQS for skeletal muscle injury. The predicted results were then validated via microarray data from the GEO database. Molecular docking was then performed to assess the binding ability between the screened active ingredients of ZSQS and the candidate core targets. Moreover, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis to verify the active components of the drug and ZSQS serum. Finally, an animal model of eccentric exercise-induced skeletal muscle injury and a myotube cell model of oxidative stress-induced injury were established to validate the effects of ZSQS and its interventional effects on the biological functions of critical targets, thereby demonstrating the potential therapeutic mechanism of ZSQS. ResultsAmong the 111 active components identified in ZSQS and their corresponding 204 targets related to the skeletal muscle injury repair process, 14 core targets (including AKT1) and 4 core active components (quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, and β‑sitosterol) were screened out, while the corresponding metabolites of quercetin, luteolin and kaempferol were detected in the ZSQS serum. Among these targets, 5 candidate genes (IL-6, CASP3, HIF1A, STAT3, and JUN) overlapped with the differential expression screening results with GEO data, and IL-6 was confirmed to be enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway. Combined with the prediction results of the AKT expression levels, these findings suggest that the phosphorylation level of AKT1 plays a core role in the therapeutic mechanism of ZSQS. Molecular docking analysis further revealed that the PH domain of AKT1 had high binding energy with all 4 core active components, as verified by LC-MS. Finally, animal model studies have shown the promoting effect of ZSQS administration on skeletal muscle injury repair and its possible antioxidant damage mechanism. Cell model studies further demonstrated that ZSQS-containing serum, core active ingredient combination therapy, and quercetin monomer could increase the phosphorylation level of AKT, promote the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, upregulate the expression of downstream antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and GR), and inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α), thereby alleviating oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. ConclusionZSQS alleviates skeletal muscle injury mainly by activating the AKT/Nrf2 signaling pathway, enhancing cellular antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the clinical application and modernized development of ZSQS.

Wilson disease （WD） is one of the few treatable neurogenetic disorders. Currently， Western medicine remains the main treatment method for WD， while since the 1990s， multiple studies conducted by Professor Yang Renmin and his team have shown that traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） also has a favorable therapeutic effect. Based on the principle of low-copper diet for WD， this article systematically elaborates on the advantages， limitations， and key considerations of current Western medicine therapies （pharmacotherapy， liver transplantation， and splenectomy） and reviews the research findings of TCM in China， especially the wide application of Gandou Decoction in clinical practice. Studies have shown that Gandou Decoction can effectively improve neurological symptoms， protect hepatic and renal function， and avoid the adverse drug reactions associated with metal chelating agents， and therefore， it can be used an effective long-term adjuvant therapy for WD. It should be noted that symptoms and signs should be considered in integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy for WD， and high-copper TCM drugs should be avoided to prevent deterioration.

Background: The hypotension prediction index (HPI) is an algorithm designed to predict hypotension. Some studies have reported that HPI-guided hemodynamic management strategies decrease intraoperative hypotension and complications; however, the effect of HPI on reducing perioperative complications is controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of the HPI in reducing major complications and intraoperative hypotension. Methods: We conducted this meta-analysis according to the PRISMA statement and Cochrane Handbook guidelines. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify studies focusing on the efficacy of HPI-guided management in reducing intraoperative hypotension and postoperative complications. The PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched, and the resulting data were combined to calculate the pooled mean differences or risk ratios (RRs) with 95% CIs of both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective studies, as appropriate. Heterogeneity and potential publication bias were also assessed. Results: Nineteen articles (12 RCTs and 7 retrospective studies) with 2570 recruited patients were included in this meta-analysis. The critical evaluation of the study quality revealed a low risk of bias in the included RCTs. Among the non-randomized trials, one was rated 7, two were rated 8, and the remaining four were rated 9 on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, indicating high quality and a low risk of bias. HPI-guided management significantly reduced intraoperative hypotension and associated major complications (RR = 0.79, 95% CI [0.69–0.90], I2 = 0, P < 0.001). Blood loss and length of hospital stay were comparable between the groups. Conclusions HPI-guided management significantly reduced intraoperative hypotension and major complications.

Objective: To determine the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Piwei Peiyuan Pill (PPP) combined with moxibustion for treating patients with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) with spleen and stomach weakness syndrome. Methods: Ninety-six CAG patients with spleen and stomach weakness syndrome who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled at the Department of Spleen and Stomach Diseases of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from June 2022 to December 2023. The patients were randomly divided into a control, a Chinese medicine, and a combined group using a random number table method, with 32 cases in each group (two cases per group were excluded). The control group was treated with rabeprazole combined with folic acid tablets (both thrice daily), the Chinese medicine group was treated with PPP (8 g, thrice daily), and the combined group was treated with moxa stick moxibustion (once daily) on the basis of the Chinese medicine group for 12 consecutive weeks. Gastric mucosa atrophy in the three groups was observed before and after treatment. The gastric mucosal pathological score was evaluated. The Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) scale was used to evaluate the patients′ physical and mental health status and quality of life.An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-10, IL-37, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β levels in each group. Real-time fluorescence PCR was used to detect the relative expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) mRNA in each group. Western blotting was used to detect the relative expression levels of proteins related to the STAT3/mTOR signaling pathway, and the adverse drug reactions and events were recorded and compared. Results: There was no statistical difference in age, gender, disease duration, family history of gastrointestinal tumors, alcohol consumption history, and body mass index among the three groups of patients.The total therapeutic efficacy rates of the control, Chinese medicine, and combined groups in treating gastric mucosal atrophy were 66.67% (20/30), 86.67% (26/30), and 90.00% (27/30), respectively (P<0.05). Compared to before treatment, the pathological and PRO scale scores of gastric mucosa in each group decreased after treatment, and TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-37, and TGF-β levels decreased. The relative STAT3 and mTOR mRNA expression levels, as well as the relative STAT3, p-STAT3, mTOR, and p-mTOR protein expression levels decreased (P<0.05), whereas the IL-4 and IL-10 levels increased (P<0.05). After treatment, compared to the control group, the pathological score of gastric mucosa, PRO scale score, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-37, TGF-β content, relative STAT3 and mTOR mRNA expression levels, and relative STAT3, p-STAT3, mTOR, and p-mTOR protein expression levels in the Chinese medicine and combined groups after treatment were reduced (P<0.05), whereas the IL-4 and IL-10 levels increased (P<0.05). After treatment, compared to the Chinese medicine group, the combined group showed a decrease in relative STAT3, mTOR mRNA expression levels, and STAT3, p-STAT3, mTOR, and p-mTOR protein expression levels (P<0.05). Conclusion The combination of PPP and moxibustion may regulate the inflammatory mechanism of the body by inhibiting the abnormal activation of the STAT3/mTOR signaling pathway, upregulating related anti-inflammatory factor levels, downregulating pro-inflammatory factor expression, and increasing related repair factor expression, thereby promoting the recovery of atrophic gastric mucosa, reducing discomfort symptoms, and improving the physical and mental state of CAG patients with spleen and stomach weakness syndrome.

[Objective] To explore the current status, influencing factors, and serological characteristics of occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) among blood donors in Xuzhou, so as to provide data support for improving blood safety screening strategies. [Methods] Blood samples from blood donors from January 2019 to December 2023 in Xuzhou were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serological markers and transaminase levels. Qualified samples were then subjected to nucleic acid testing (NAT). Statistical analysis was performed on the gender, age, education level, and occupation of HBV-infected donors. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors and epidemiological trends in OBI donors. Chemiluminescence immunoassay was used to quantify the levels of anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe, and anti-HBc in OBI donors and eligible donors (control group). [Results] Among the 545 292 blood donors, there were 388 OBI donors were identified, with a positive rate of 0.07%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male gender, age >45 years, education below college level, and occupation as a farmer were associated risk factors for OBI infection. Among the 388 OBI donors, the predominant serological patterns were anti-HBs and anti-HBc positive (48.71%), anti-HBs, anti-HBe, and anti-HBc positive (16.75%), and anti-HBc alone positive (16.49%). In contrast, the most common patterns among eligible donors were anti-HBs alone positive (46.96%) and serologically negative (26.52%). Anti-HBs levels in OBI donors were significantly lower than those in eligible donors across all patterns (P<0.05). For donors positive for anti-HBc, the distribution of anti-HBs levels in OBI donors was predominantly <100 IU/L, significantly lower than that in eligible donors (P<0.05), while and the proportion of eligible donors with anti-HBs levels >1 000 IU/L was higher than that in OBI donors (P<0.05). [Conclusion] There is a certain proportion of OBI infections among blood donors in Xuzhou, with an overall declining trend. NAT contributes to improved detection rates of HBV infections. The epidemiological distribution of OBI donors in terms of gender, age, education, and occupation differs from that of eligible donors, and there are also differences in serological characteristics between the two groups.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the efficacy and safety of luspatercept in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes （MDS） anemia， and provide reference for clinical medication. METHODS The literature related to luspatercept for MDS anemia in PubMed， Cochrane Library， Embase and Web of Science were searched by computer， and the search time was from the establishment of the database to January 2024. The quality of literature was evaluated after they were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria， the single-group rate meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed by using RevMan 5.4 software， and the subgroup analysis was conducted. RESULTS A total of 756 patients in 9 articles were included in this study. The results of meta-analysis showed that the proportion of MDS patients who reached ≥8 weeks of red blood cell transfusion independence （RBC-TI） was 46% after using luspatercept [95%CI （0.28， 0.64）， P＜0.000 01]. The proportion of MDS patients whose hematological improvement in erythrocyte （HI-E） was 59% [95%CI （0.43， 0.74）， P＜0.000 01]. Among them， 5 articles reported that the proportion of MDS patients with grade 3-4 adverse reactions was 14% [95%CI （0.07， 0.22）， P＝0.000 2]， and the poor general condition， infection， blood and lymphatic system disease were the common adverse reactions. Subgroup analysis showed that the source of heterogeneity was the blood transfusion burden in the proportion of MDS patients with RBC-TI≥8 weeks， and the source of heterogeneity was the 0931-8356251。revised international prognostic scoring system （IPSS-R） risk grade， SF3B1 mutation status and blood transfusion burden in the proportion of MDS patients with HI-E. Sensitivity analysis showed that the results of this study were stable. CONCLUSIONS Luspatercept can significantly improve blood transfusion dependence， reduce blood transfusion burden and promote hematology improvement in MDS patients. But attention should be paid to the occurrence of grade 3-4 adverse events； adverse events such as poor general condition， infection， blood and lymphatic system diseases are more common.

Guided by "triple-yang combination of diseases"， it is believed that the core pathogenesis of acute respiratory infection in children is external cold and internal heat， and triple-yang combination， and its transmission can be divided into two forms. First， the taiyang syndrome usually happens earlier， presenting as the exterior cold in taiyang is not yet resolved， and inward penetration of exterior cold transfers into heat， which combines the disease of shaoyang and yangming； second， yangming meridian already has internal heat， then meets with taiyang meridian externally infected with pathogenic qi， both internal and external pathogens accumulated in the two meridians and affected shaoyang meridian. It is proposed that the therapeutic method should release the exterior and clean the interior， and treat the triple-yang at the same time， with self-prescribed Chaige Gaore Formula （柴葛高热方） as the empirical formula for the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.