OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical efficacy of Wenshen Chushi Decoction combined with low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on erectile dysfunction (ED) caused by renal deficiency and phlegm-dampness syndrome. METHODS: One hundred and twenty ED patients were included from the Department of Andrology in the First Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The patients in control group were treated with Wenshen Chushi Decoction. While the patients in observation group were treated with Wenshen Chushi Decoction combined with LIPUS for 8 consecutive weeks. After the treatment, the efficacy was evaluated using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) score, Penile Flow Index (PFI), Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Score, Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) score, and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) score. Safety was also observed. And the efficacy was followed up 4 weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS: Fifty-seven cases were enrolled into control group finally with 55 cases in the treatment group. After the treatment, all the patients in both of groups showed an improvement in IIEF-5 scores (P<0.01). Compared with the control group (19.09 ± 2.22), the IIEF-5 score in observation group (20.42 ± 2.39) increased significantly (P<0.01). After the treatment, the scores of PFI, TCM syndrome and SDS in both groups decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the control group (［3.77 ± 1.21］, ［9.91 ± 1.71］ and ［39.88 ± 2.63］ points), the observation group (［2.92 ± 1.08］, ［4.78 ± 1.45］, and ［34.51 ± 2.09］ points） showed a more significant decrease (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in total effective rate between the two groups (P>0.05). During follow-up, the IIEF-5 scores of both groups of patients were higher than those before (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the observation group score was higher than that in the control group (［17.15 ± 3.37］ vs ［13.63 ± 1.96］, P<0.01). No adverse reaction and abnormality of indicators occurred in both of two groups. CONCLUSION Wenshen Chushi Decoction has a significant therapeutic effect on ED caused by renal deficiency and phlegm-dampness syndrome. It can not only improve the quality of erection, but also improve the physical and mental symptoms associated with ED， which makes therapeutic effect lasting longer.
Humans ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Erectile Dysfunction/etiology* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Ultrasonic Therapy ; Phytotherapy

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the most prevalent chronic liver condition globally, lacks adequate and effective therapeutic remedies in clinical practice. Recent studies have increasingly highlighted the close connection between the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and the progression of MASLD. This relationship is crucial for understanding the disease's underlying mechanism. As a sophisticated process, the UPS govern protein stability and function, maintaining protein homeostasis, thus influencing a multitude of elements and biological events of eukaryotic cells. It comprises four enzyme families, namely, ubiquitin-activating enzymes (E1), ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2), ubiquitin-protein ligases (E3), and deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). This review aims to delve into the array of pathways and therapeutic targets implicated in the ubiquitination within the pathogenesis of MASLD. Therefore, this review unveils the role of ubiquitination in MASLD while spotlighting potential therapeutic targets within the context of this disease.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exerts integrative effects on complex diseases owing to the characteristics of multiple components with multiple targets. However, the syndrome-based system of diagnosis and treatment in TCM can easily lead to bias because of varying medication preferences among physicians, which has been a major challenge in the global acceptance and application of TCM. Therefore, a standardized TCM prescription system needs to be explored to promote its clinical application. In this study, we first developed a gradient weighted disease-target-herbal ingredient-herb network to aid TCM formulation. We tested its efficacy against intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). First, the top 100 ICH targets in the GeneCards database were screened according to their relevance scores. Then, SymMap and Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) databases were applied to find out the target-related ingredients and ingredient-containing herbs, respectively. The relevance of the resulting ingredients and herbs to ICH was determined by adding the relevance scores of the corresponding targets. The top five ICH therapeutic herbs were combined to form a tailored TCM prescriptions. The absorbed components in the serum were detected. In a mouse model of ICH, the new prescription exerted multifaceted effects, including improved neurological function, as well as attenuated neuronal damage, cell apoptosis, vascular leakage, and neuroinflammation. These effects matched well with the core pathological changes in ICH. The multi-targets-directed gradient-weighting strategy presents a promising avenue for tailoring precise, multipronged, unbiased, and standardized TCM prescriptions for complex diseases. This study provides a paradigm for advanced achievements-driven modern innovation in TCM concepts.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

AIM:To investigate the clinical fea-tures of acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pul-monary disease(AECOPD)of complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),and analyze the relat-ed clinical features and risk factors.METHODS:This was a single-center cross-sectional study.From March 2020 to January 2023,479 hospitalized pa-tients with AECOPD in the department of respirato-ry and critical care medicine,Suining Central Hospi-tal were included.There were 215 patients in AE-COPD group and 60 patients in AECOPD with T2DM group.The collected variables included demograph-ic data,complications,blood routine,infection in-dex,random blood glucose,blood gas analysis and lung function.The adoption rate and constituent ra-tio of the basic description classification data were expressed as mean standard deviation for the nor-mal distribution measurement data and median in-terquartile range for the skew distribution measure-ment data.T-test was used for normal distribution and non-parameter test was used for non-normal distribution.The categorical variables were tested by chi-square test.Rank sum test was used for rank variable data.Binary logistic regression model was used to investigate the independent factors associ-ated with T2DM in patients with AECOPD.Finally,the results of logistic regression were verified and visualized by nomogram,validation curve,ROC curve and DCA curve.P＜0.05 was a significant sta-tistical difference.RESULTS:Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in body mass index(BMI),essential hypertension,cor-onary heart disease,atrial fibrillation(AF),pulmo-nary function(GOLD stage),blood neutrophil(NS),blood lymphocyte(LYM),arterial blood gas PaCO2,Alanine transaminase(ALT)and random blood glu-cose(RBG)between the two groups(P＜0.05).The binary logistic regression model(C-index=0.847)was constructed with the above 10 variables,the results showed that BMI(OR=1.309),Af(OR=8.188),LYM counts(OR=0.474),PaCO2(OR=1.082)and RBG(OR=1.434)were independently associat-ed with type 2 diabetes in patients with AECOPD(all P＞0.05).The results of logistic regression were verified and visualized by Nomogram and its-associ-ated ccurves.The MAE and AUC curves were 0.021 and 0.847 respectively,indicating that the model had good prediction consistency and accuracy.The DCA curve showed that Nomogram's risk threshold ranged from 0.01 to 0.99,suggesting that nomo-gram's model had better clinical predictive value.CONCLUSION:Our results showed that increased BMI,PaCO2 and random glucose,decreased blood lymphocyte,and atrial fibrillation is an indepen-dent clinical feature of AECOPD with T2DM.These results suggest that the immune function of pa-tients with AECOPD and T2DM are more severely impaired and more likely to be accompanied by atrial fibrillation,which is a potential cause of poor prognosis in these patients.Meanwhile,this conclu-sion needs to be further verified in multicenter study with large sample size.

Objective To analyze the burden and changing trend of testicular cancer in China from 1990 to 2019.Methods Based on the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Database(GBD 2019),analyze the incidence,mortality,disability-adjusted life years(DALYs),years of life lost(YLLs),years lived with disability(YLDs)and their variation trend of testicular cancer in Chinese population from 1990 to 2019.Evaluating changes in age standardized rate(ASR)by calculating annual estimated percentage change(EAPC).According to the age grouping,analyze the age distribution characteristics of testicular cancer disease burden by age group.Results In 2019,the incident cases,deaths,age-standardized incidence rate,and age-standardized mortality rate of testicular cancer in China were 17.17×103,1.21×103,2.39/105,and 0.16/105,respectively.Compared to 1990,incident cases,deaths,and age-standardized incidence rate increased obviously in China,which was consistent with the global change trend,while the increase was higher than the global level.However,both Chinese and global age-standardized mortality rate showed a downward trend.From 1990 to 2019,DALYs,YLLs and YLDs of testicular cancer increased by 29.66%,9.83%and 720.91%respectively in China.The two age groups,0-15 years group and 30-35 years group,were with highest incidence of testicular cancer,while the highest disease burden of testicular cancer was 30-35 years.Conclusion From 1990 to 2019,the disease burden of testicular cancer in China showed an upward trend.Adolescents and young adults should be the priority population for screening and prevention due to their higher incidence and disease burden.

AIM: To investigate the clinical features of acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) of complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and analyze the related clinical features and risk factors. METHODS: This was a single-center cross-sectional study. From March 2020 to January 2023, 479 hospitalized patients with AECOPD in the department of respiratory and critical care medicine, Suining Central Hospital were included. There were 215 patients in AECOPD group and 60 patients in AECOPD with T2DM group. The collected variables included demographic data, complications, blood routine, infection index, random blood glucose, blood gas analysis and lung function. The adoption rate and constituent ratio of the basic description classification data were expressed as mean standard deviation for the normal distribution measurement data and median interquartile range for the skew distribution measurement data. T-test was used for normal distribution and non - parameter test was used for non-normal distribution. The categorical variables were tested by chi-square test. Rank sum test was used for rank variable data. Binary logistic regression model was used to investigate the independent factors associated with T2DM in patients with AECOPD. Finally, the results of logistic regression were verified and visualized by nomogram, validation curve, ROC curve and DCA curve. P<0.05 was a significant statistical difference. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in body mass index (BMI), essential hypertension, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation (AF), pulmonary function (GOLD stage), blood neutrophil (NS), blood lymphocyte (LYM), arterial blood gas PaCO2, Alanine transaminase (ALT) and random blood glucose (RBG) between the two groups (P<0.05). The binary logistic regression model (C-index=0.847) was constructed with the above 10 variables, the results showed that BMI (OR=1.309), Af (OR= 8.188), LYM counts (OR=0.474), PaCO2 (OR=1.082) and RBG (OR=1.434) were independently associated with type 2 diabetes in patients with AECOPD (all P>0.05). The results of logistic regression were verified and visualized by Nomogram and its-associated ccurves. The MAE and AUC curves were 0.021 and 0.847 respectively, indicating that the model had good prediction consistency and accuracy. The DCA curve showed that Nomogram's risk threshold ranged from 0.01 to 0.99, suggesting that nomogram's model had better clinical predictive value. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that increased BMI, PaCO2 and random glucose, decreased blood lymphocyte, and atrial fibrillation is an independent clinical feature of AECOPD with T2DM. These results suggest that the immune function of patients with AECOPD and T2DM are more severely impaired and more likely to be accompanied by atrial fibrillation, which is a potential cause of poor prognosis in these patients. Meanwhile, this conclusion needs to be further verified in multicenter study with large sample size.

Six compounds were isolated from the roots of Ephedra sinica Stapf using various chromatographic techniques such as silica gel column chromatography, thin layer chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC. Their chemical structures were identified by analysis of physicochemical properties and spectral data, and determined as (Z)-docosanylferulate (1), (E)-docosanylferulate (2), bis (2-ethylheptyl) phythalate (3), 2,2′-oxybis (1,4-di-tert-butylbenzene) (4), diisobutyl phthalate (5), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (6). Among them, compound 1 is a new compound, compounds 2-4 were first isolated from Ephedra. A corticosterone-induced PC-12 cell injury model was used for compound activity screening. The results showed that compounds 1 and 5 significantly improved corticosterone-induced PC-12 cell injury and significantly increased 5-HT₇ receptor protein expression in the cells, indicating potential antidepressant activity.

The n-butanol fraction of Alpinia oxyphylla Fructus 70% ethanol extract was separated and purified using column chromatography with MCI Gel CHP-20, Sephadex LH-20, ODS, and silica gel, combined with semi preparative liquid phase and TLC separation methods. One new halogenated 4,5-seco-eudesmane sesquiterpenoid and two new eremophilane sesquiterpenoids were isolated and purified from the n-butanol fraction of Alpinia oxyphylla Fructus. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified using modern spectroscopic methods (1D, 2D NMR, UV, IR, MS, etc.), and the absolute configuration of the new compounds were determined using the methods of calculated ECD and induced ECD.

AIM:To investigate the clinical fea-tures of acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pul-monary disease(AECOPD)of complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),and analyze the relat-ed clinical features and risk factors.METHODS:This was a single-center cross-sectional study.From March 2020 to January 2023,479 hospitalized pa-tients with AECOPD in the department of respirato-ry and critical care medicine,Suining Central Hospi-tal were included.There were 215 patients in AE-COPD group and 60 patients in AECOPD with T2DM group.The collected variables included demograph-ic data,complications,blood routine,infection in-dex,random blood glucose,blood gas analysis and lung function.The adoption rate and constituent ra-tio of the basic description classification data were expressed as mean standard deviation for the nor-mal distribution measurement data and median in-terquartile range for the skew distribution measure-ment data.T-test was used for normal distribution and non-parameter test was used for non-normal distribution.The categorical variables were tested by chi-square test.Rank sum test was used for rank variable data.Binary logistic regression model was used to investigate the independent factors associ-ated with T2DM in patients with AECOPD.Finally,the results of logistic regression were verified and visualized by nomogram,validation curve,ROC curve and DCA curve.P＜0.05 was a significant sta-tistical difference.RESULTS:Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in body mass index(BMI),essential hypertension,cor-onary heart disease,atrial fibrillation(AF),pulmo-nary function(GOLD stage),blood neutrophil(NS),blood lymphocyte(LYM),arterial blood gas PaCO2,Alanine transaminase(ALT)and random blood glu-cose(RBG)between the two groups(P＜0.05).The binary logistic regression model(C-index=0.847)was constructed with the above 10 variables,the results showed that BMI(OR=1.309),Af(OR=8.188),LYM counts(OR=0.474),PaCO2(OR=1.082)and RBG(OR=1.434)were independently associat-ed with type 2 diabetes in patients with AECOPD(all P＞0.05).The results of logistic regression were verified and visualized by Nomogram and its-associ-ated ccurves.The MAE and AUC curves were 0.021 and 0.847 respectively,indicating that the model had good prediction consistency and accuracy.The DCA curve showed that Nomogram's risk threshold ranged from 0.01 to 0.99,suggesting that nomo-gram's model had better clinical predictive value.CONCLUSION:Our results showed that increased BMI,PaCO2 and random glucose,decreased blood lymphocyte,and atrial fibrillation is an indepen-dent clinical feature of AECOPD with T2DM.These results suggest that the immune function of pa-tients with AECOPD and T2DM are more severely impaired and more likely to be accompanied by atrial fibrillation,which is a potential cause of poor prognosis in these patients.Meanwhile,this conclu-sion needs to be further verified in multicenter study with large sample size.