ObjectiveTo characterize the systemically absorbed components of Zhengqi prescription （ZQP） and investigate its therapeutic effects and mechanisms against cancer-related fatigue （CRF） through an integrated approach of network pharmacology and animal experiments. MethodsThe systemically absorbed components of ZQP were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS）. Network pharmacology was employed to predict the potential targets and signaling pathways involved in the anti-CRF effects of ZQP. A mouse model of paclitaxel-induced CRF， mimicking breast cancer-related fatigue， was established. Mice were administered different doses of ZQP extract. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated based on fatigue-related indicators， behavioral test results， and energy metabolism parameters. Western blot analysis was conducted to validate the regulation of core signaling pathways. ResultsA total of 48 systemically absorbed components were identified. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 124 intersecting targets （including Akt1） and implicated signaling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase （PI3K/Akt）. Pharmacodynamic studies with the established CRF model demonstrated that ZQP alleviated fatigue symptoms. Specifically， ZQP-treated mice exhibited increased exhaustive swimming time （P<0.05）， prolonged struggling time in the tail suspension test， and enhanced movement duration and distance in the open field test （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， ZQP treatment decreased serum lactate and blood urea nitrogen levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased liver and muscle glycogen content （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and upregulated the expression of phosphorylated （p）-Akt and p-PI3K in the gastrocnemius muscle （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionZQP exerts significant therapeutic effects on paclitaxel-induced breast cancer-related fatigue by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Furthermore， this study provides a preliminary foundation for subsequent quality control of the formula and further investigation into its mechanism against CRF.

BACKGROUND:Lifespan of prosthetic joint was being influenced by periprosthetic infection after total hip arthroplasty. Combination of debridement,antibiotics,and implant retention with the replacement of assembled components represents a novel approach in the management of acute prosthetic joint infection after total hip arthroplasty.OBJECTIVE:To observe the efficacy of debridement,antibiotics,and implant retention combined with the replacement of assembled components in the treatment of acute prosthetic joint infection after total hip arthroplasty.METHODS:Twenty-two patients with acute prosthetic joint infection after initial total hip arthroplasty at the Department of Orthopedics,Huangshi Central Hospital,China,between July 2018 and February 2022 were enrolled. The infection time of all patients was less than 3 weeks after the initial arthroplasty. Intraoperative joint fluid extraction and bacterial culture of infected synovium proved to be acute stage infection. They were treated using debridement,antibiotics,and implant retention combined with the replacement of assembled components. Infections were assessed using leukocyte count,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,and C-reactive protein levels before,3 and 6 months after surgery. Improvements in hip joint function were evaluated using Harris hip score. Pain relief was assessed using visual analog scale score. Paired sample t-test was used to analyze the improvement of each index before and after operation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) One patient died of non-periprosthesis infection and was subsequently lost to follow-up,which was excluded. The remaining 21 patients received clinical follow-up,and the follow-up time was more than 1 year,with a mean follow-up time of (19.52±3.88) months. Among them,20 patients were successfully treated with surgery and 1 patient failed,and the infection control rate was 95％. (2) The levels of leukocyte count,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,and C-reactive protein were lower in 3 and 6 months after surgery (P<0.05);Harris hip function scores were higher than those before surgery (P<0.05);pain visual analog scale scores were lower than those before surgery (P<0.05),and the differences were significant (P<0.05). (3) It is indicated that debridement,antibiotics,and implant retention combined with the replacement of assembled components after total hip arthroplasty in patients with acute prosthetic joint infection can effectively control prosthetic joint infection,improve hip function,and relieve hip pain caused by infection.

BACKGROUND:Lifespan of prosthetic joint was being influenced by periprosthetic infection after total hip arthroplasty. Combination of debridement,antibiotics,and implant retention with the replacement of assembled components represents a novel approach in the management of acute prosthetic joint infection after total hip arthroplasty.OBJECTIVE:To observe the efficacy of debridement,antibiotics,and implant retention combined with the replacement of assembled components in the treatment of acute prosthetic joint infection after total hip arthroplasty.METHODS:Twenty-two patients with acute prosthetic joint infection after initial total hip arthroplasty at the Department of Orthopedics,Huangshi Central Hospital,China,between July 2018 and February 2022 were enrolled. The infection time of all patients was less than 3 weeks after the initial arthroplasty. Intraoperative joint fluid extraction and bacterial culture of infected synovium proved to be acute stage infection. They were treated using debridement,antibiotics,and implant retention combined with the replacement of assembled components. Infections were assessed using leukocyte count,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,and C-reactive protein levels before,3 and 6 months after surgery. Improvements in hip joint function were evaluated using Harris hip score. Pain relief was assessed using visual analog scale score. Paired sample t-test was used to analyze the improvement of each index before and after operation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) One patient died of non-periprosthesis infection and was subsequently lost to follow-up,which was excluded. The remaining 21 patients received clinical follow-up,and the follow-up time was more than 1 year,with a mean follow-up time of (19.52±3.88) months. Among them,20 patients were successfully treated with surgery and 1 patient failed,and the infection control rate was 95％. (2) The levels of leukocyte count,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,and C-reactive protein were lower in 3 and 6 months after surgery (P<0.05);Harris hip function scores were higher than those before surgery (P<0.05);pain visual analog scale scores were lower than those before surgery (P<0.05),and the differences were significant (P<0.05). (3) It is indicated that debridement,antibiotics,and implant retention combined with the replacement of assembled components after total hip arthroplasty in patients with acute prosthetic joint infection can effectively control prosthetic joint infection,improve hip function,and relieve hip pain caused by infection.