The differences in chemical quality characteristics between Xinjiang Rehmannia glutinosa and R. glutinosa were analyzed to provide a theoretical basis for the introduction and quality control of R. glutinosa. In this study, the high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) fingerprints of 6 batches of Xinjiang R. glutinosa and 10 batches of R. glutinosa samples were established. The content of iridoid glycosides, phenylethanoid glycosides, monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides in Xinjiang R. glutinosa and R. glutinosa was determined by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection(HPLC-DAD), high performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detection(HPLC-ELSD), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy(UV-Vis). The determination results were analyzed with by chemical pattern recognition and entropy weight TOPSIS method. The results showed that there were 19 common peaks in the HPLC fingerprints of the 16 batches of R. glutinosa, and catalpol, aucubin, rehmannioside D, rehmannioside A, hydroxytyrosol, leonuride, salidroside, cistanoside A, and verbascoside were identified. Hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA) and principal component analysis(PCA) showed that Qinyang R. glutinosa, Mengzhou R. glutinosa, and Xinjiang R. glutinosa were grouped into three different categories, and eight common components causing the chemical quality difference between Xinjiang R. glutinosa and R. glutinosa in Mengzhou and Qinyang of Henan province were screened out by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA). The results of content determination showed that there were glucose, sucrose, raffinose, stachyose, polysaccharides, and nine glycosides in Xinjiang R. glutinosa and R. glutinosa samples, and the content of catalpol, rehmannioside A, leonuride, cistanoside A, verbascoside, sucrose, and glucose was significantly different between Xinjiang R. glutinosa and R. glutinosa. The analysis with entropy weight TOPSIS method showed that the comprehensive quality of R. glutinosa in Mengzhou and Qinyang of Henan province was better than that of Xinjiang R. glutinosa. In conclusion, the types of main chemical components of R. glutinosa and Xinjiang R. glutinosa were the same, but their content was different. The chemical quality of R. glutinosa was better than Xinjiang R. glutinosa, and other components in R. glutinosa from two producing areas and their effects need further study.
Rehmannia/classification* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical symptoms and MRI outcomes of patients with ruptured lumbar disc herniation(LDH) through a multicenter randomized controlled study, and to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yiqi Huoxue formula() in the treatment of this disease. METHODS: A total of 160 outpatients and inpatients with ruptured LDH admitted to 4 medical centers from January 2023 to June 2023 were selected and randomly divided into the Yiqi Huoxue formula group and the control group, with 80 patients in each group. In the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, there were 43 males and 37 females, with an age of (41.03±9.56) years and a disease duration of (10.45±25.37) days, and the patients were treated with Yiqi Huoxue formula. In the control group, there were 34 males and 46 females, with an age of (42.14±8.73) years and a disease duration of (11.31±21.14) days;during the acute phase, patients in this group could take celecoxib capsules orally, and methylcobalamin orally at the same time. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), changes in the volume of herniated disc tissue on MRI, herniation rate, and absorption rate were recorded at the time of enrollment and during follow-ups at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th month after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients completed the clinical follow-up, and 4 patients withdrew midway. The clinical symptoms of all patients who completed the study were relieved to varying degrees, and reabsorption of herniated disc tissue was observed in all patients in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group after treatment. For the JOA score:in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, it was (10.73±2.76) points before treatment and (24.65±2.19) points at the 12th month after treatment;in the control group, it was (11.01±1.20) points before treatment and (17.07±3.26) points at the 12th month after treatment. For the ODI score:in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, it was (26.21±3.55) points before treatment and (5.65±2.19) points at the 12th month after treatment;in the control group, it was (27.92±2.51) points before treatment and (9.09±2.15) points at the 12th month after treatment. At the 12th month after treatment, the JOA and ODI scores of both groups were better than those before treatment, and the scores of the Yiqi Huoxue formula group were better than those of the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). In terms of the herniated disc volume and herniation rate on MRI, the Yiqi Huoxue formula group was superior to the control group, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05). Reabsorption occurred in 56.96%(45/79) of patients in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, which was significantly higher than the 37.66%(29/77) in the control group. CONCLUSION After treatment with Yiqi Huoxue formula, patients with ruptured LDH show significant improvement in clinical symptoms and a marked reduction in the volume of herniated discs. During the follow-up period, no obvious adverse drug reactions are observed in patients, and no recurrence of symptoms is found at the last follow-up, indicating that the formula has safe and reliable efficacy.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/drug therapy* ; Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae

Compounds isolated from Epimedium include the total flavonoids of Epimedium , icariin, and its metabolites (icaritin, icariside I, and icariside II), which have similar molecular structures. Modern pharmacological research and clinical practice have proved that Epimedium and its active components have a wide range of pharmacological effects, especially in improving sexual function, hormone regulation, anti-osteoporosis, immune function regulation, anti-oxidation, and anti-tumor activity. To date, we still need a comprehensive source of knowledge about the pharmacological effects of Epimedium and its bioactive compounds on the male reproductive system. However, their actions in other tissues have been reviewed in recent years. This review critically focuses on the Epimedium , its bioactive compounds, and the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that modulate vital pathways associated with the male reproductive system. Such intrinsic knowledge will significantly further studies on the Epimedium and its bioactive compounds that protect the male reproductive system and provide some guidances for clinical treatment of related male reproductive disorders.
Male ; Epimedium/chemistry* ; Humans ; Genitalia, Male/drug effects* ; Flavonoids/therapeutic use* ; Animals

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC) in children with acute leukemia (AL) following chemotherapy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on children diagnosed with CDC (including confirmed, clinically diagnosed, and suspected cases) after AL chemotherapy from January 2015 to December 2023 at Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Zhangzhou Municipal Hospital, and Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University. Clinical characteristics and prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of CDC in children with AL following chemotherapy was 1.92% (32/1 668). Among the children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the incidence of CDC in the high-risk group was significantly higher than in the low-risk group (P=0.002). All patients presented with fever unresponsive to antibiotics during the neutropenic period, with 81% (26/32) involving the liver. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly elevated (≥50 mg/L) in 97% (31/32) of the patients. The efficacy of combined therapy with liposomal amphotericin B and caspofungin or posaconazole for CDC was 66% (19/29), higher than with caspofungin (9%, 2/22) or liposomal amphotericin B (18%, 2/11) monotherapy. The overall cure rate was 72% (23/32). The proportion of patients with CRP ≥50 mg/L and/or a positive β-D-glucan test for more than 2 weeks and breakthrough infections during caspofungin treatment was significantly higher in the treatment failure group compared to the successful treatment group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS CDC in children with AL after chemotherapy may be associated with prolonged neutropenia due to intensive chemotherapy. Combination antifungal regimens based on liposomal amphotericin B have a higher cure rate, while persistently high CRP levels and positive β-D-glucan tests may indicate poor prognosis.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use* ; Candidiasis/diagnosis* ; Chronic Disease ; Leukemia/complications* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/complications* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protective effects of gentiopicroside (GPS) against reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in endothelial cells, aiming to reduce atherosclerosis. METHODS: Eight-week-old male ApoE-deficient mice were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=10 per group): the vehicle group and the GPS treatment group. Both groups were fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. GPS (40 mg/kg per day) was administered by oral gavage to the GPS group, while the vehicle group received an equivalent volume of the vehicle solution. At the end of the treatment, blood and aortic tissues were collected for assessments of atherosclerosis, lipid profiles, oxidative stress, and molecular expressions related to NLRP3 inflammasome activation, ROS production, and apoptosis. Additionally, in vitro experiments on human aortic endothelial cells treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were conducted to evaluate the effects of GPS on NLRP3 inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, apoptosis, and ROS production, specifically examining the role of the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. SIRT1 and Nrf2 inhibitors were used to confirm the pathway's role. RESULTS: GPS treatment significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesions in the en face aorta (P<0.01), as well as in the thoracic and abdominal aortic regions, and markedly decreased sinus lesions within the aortic root (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Additionally, GPS reduced oxidative stress markers and proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1 β and IL-18, in lesion areas (P<0.05, P<0.01). In vitro, GPS inhibited ox-LDL-induced NLRP3 activation, as evidenced by reduced NLRP3 (P<0.01), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, cleaved-caspase-1, and cleaved-gasdermin D expressions (all P<0.01). GPS also decreased ROS production, apoptosis, and pyroptosis, with the beneficial effects being significantly reversed by SIRT1 or Nrf2 inhibitors. CONCLUSION GPS exerts an antiatherogenic effect by inhibiting ROS-dependent NLRP3 inflammasome activation via the SIRT1/Nrf2 pathway.
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Iridoid Glucosides/therapeutic use* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Animals ; Atherosclerosis/metabolism* ; Inflammasomes/drug effects* ; Male ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Humans ; Endothelial Cells/pathology* ; Mice ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

This study was aimed at analyzing the biotypes and genetic diversity characteristics of five non-major Brucella species,to provide a scientific basis for understanding the species diversity of Brucella and strengthening pathogen monitoring and control.According to the biotypes(species,hosts,isolation locations,and time)and MLVA-16 genotypes(MLVA-16 lo-cus data,MLVA-11 genotypes)of five non-major pathogenic Brucella in the international MLVA database,we used Bionu-merics 8.0 software and PHYLOVIZ2.0 online software to analyze the geographical origin and genetic diversity characteristics of strains.A total of 227 strains were studied,including 121 Brucella ceti,47 B.pinnipedialis,37 Brucella ovis,11 B.mi-croti,and Brucella neotomae.The greatest host diversity was observed for B.ceti,followed by B.pinnipedialis and B.mi-croti.B.ceti was distributed in European and South American countries;B.pinnipedialiswas distributed in Europe;and B.microti.was distributed in the Czech Republic,Austria,and Hungary in Central Europe.B.ovis was widely distributed in Af-rica,Argentina,Australia,Brazil,Greece,the United States,Spain,and France.The MLVA-11 genotypes of different types of Brucella showed high polymorphism and large differences,thus suggesting that the strains have different geographical ori-gins.MST analysis indicated that the studied strains were divided into four branches(BCⅠ-Ⅳ),among which B.ceti was di-vided into two different branches(BC-Ⅰ and BC-Ⅱ),the strains of other types formed different branches(or sub-branches),and the strains of different types showed clear regional and dominant host characteristics.Genetic correlation analysis of strains of the Brucella genus revealed that non-major pathogenic Brucella had clear genetic,distribution,and host spectrum differ-ences with respect to four classical pathogenic Brucella species.Five non-major pathogenic Brucella strains presented unique genetic evolutionary patterns,geographical distributions,and host tropism characteristics,thereby providing new insight for understanding the biological and genetic diversity of those Brucella strains.

Objective To explore the predictive efficacy of several multimodal MRI-based machine learning models for the promoter methylation states of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase(MGMT)of glioblastoma muliforme(GBM)patients in terms of the GBM heterogeneity and the complexity of the tumor microenvironment.Methods Firstly,the multimodal MRI images of 317 GBM patients from The University of Pennsylvania Glioblastoma(UPENN-GBM)dataset were pre-processed,with four sequences involved in including T1-weighted imaging(T1WI)sequence,T1-weighted contrast-enhanced imaging(T1CE)sequence,T2-weighted imaging(T2WI)sequence and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery(FLAIR)sequence,and the radiomics features were extracted for two regions of interest(ROIs)such as the tumor core region and the tumor edema region.Secondly,the data of the 317 GBM patients were randomly divided into a training set(254 cases)and a test set(63 cases),which underwent normalization with Z-scores and feature selection and dimensionality reduction with Lasso regression.Finally,three models were established respectively with particle swarm optimization-support vector machine(PSO-SVM),C-support vector classification(C-SVC)and adaptive boosting(adaptive boosting(Adaboost)algorithms,and the predictive efficacy of the three models for glioblastoma multiforme MGMT promoter methylation states were evaluated in terms of accuracy and AUC.Results The Adaboost model based on T2WI sequence and radiomics features of the tumor core region had the highest predictive efficacy with accuracy and AUC values of 67％and 0.74,respectively,higher than those of other combinations of sequences,models and regions of interest.Conclusion The multimodal MRI-based machine learning models can be used for the prediction of glioblastoma multiforme MGMT promoter methylation states,which provides powerful support for personalized treatment and prognostic assessment of GBM.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(6):7-13]

In view of the characteristics of H5N6 subtype avian influenza virus(AIV)that it has both high pathogenicity and the risk of cross-species transmission,posing a serious threat to the poultry farming industry and public health security,in order to effectively prevent and control the spread of H5N6 avian influenza,a rapid,sensitive and specific detection technolo-gy was established in this study.The specific monoclonal antibodies against the neuraminidase N6 protein of avian influenza A virus subtype H5N6 were obtained through hybridoma and monoclonal antibody technology.These antibodies were coupled and labeled with carboxyl-functionalized fluorescent quantum dots,along with previously prepared specific antibodies against the hemagglutinin H5 protein.A rapid fluorescence immunochromatographic detection method for the H5N6 subtype of avian influ-enza virus was established according to the principle of double-antibody sandwich immunochromatography.This method a-chieved a detection sensitivity of 1 ng/mL for recombinant hemagglutinin H5 subtype protein and 0.1 ng/mL for recombinant neuraminidase N6 subtype protein.Moreover,the method exhibited no cross-reactivity with other influenza subtypes or patho-gens,such as Newcastle disease(ND),infectious bronchitis(IB),and infectious laryngotracheitis(ILT),thus demonstrating good specificity.The method effectively identified the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5 subtype and directly distin-guished the H5N6 subtype with good accuracy.The fluorescent quantum dot immunochromatographic typing detection method established herein met the sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy requirements for H5N6 subtype detection,and can be further used for rapid detection of the H5 and H5N6 subtypes of avian influenza virus.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)with half-dose recombinant staphylokinase(r-SAK)in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)who are expected to undergo PCI within 120 minutes.Methods From October 2021 to August 2022,a total of 200 STEMI patients in eight centers were included and randomly assigned in a 1﹕1 ratio to either r-SAK group or control group.Patients received loading doses of aspirin and ticagrelor and intravenous heparin and were randomized to receive an intravenous bolus of either 5 mg r-SAK or normal saline prior to PCI.The outcomes were set as ST-segment resolution(STR)at 60-90 minutes after PCI,the proportion and transition of pathological Q waves on the 5th day after PCI,and the proportion of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T(hs-cTnT)peaking within 12 hours of onset.The safety outcome was major bleeding events defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium(BARC)≥type 3 bleeding during hospitalization.Results Compared with the control group,the r-SAK group had a higher proportion of STR≥70%within 60-90 minutes after PCI(58.3%vs.40.3%,P=0.009);a lower proportion of pathological Q waves(59.1%vs.74.1%,P=0.040);a lower rate of Q wave progression(14.8%vs.43.2%,P＜0.001);a higher rate of Q wave disappearance(12.5%vs.3.7%,P=0.027);and a higher proportion of hs-cTnT peaking within 12 hours of symptom onset[31/40(77.5%)vs.17/33(51.5%),P=0.027].Regarding the safety outcome,no significant difference in BARC≥type 3 bleeding was found between the two groups during hospitalization(P＞0.05).Conclusions For STEMI patients who were expected to undergo primary PCI within 120 minutes of symptom onset,the facilitated PCI with half-dose r-SAK significantly increased the proportion of STR≥70%at 60-90 minutes after PCI,reduced the formation of pathological Q waves,and shortened the time to peak hs-cTnT,without increasing the risk of bleeding,which should be an alternative reperfusion strategy worthy of further study.

AIM To investigate the effects of Qifu Yixin Granules on cardiac inflammation in a rat model of heart failure.METHODS The rats were induced into chronic heart failure(CHF)models by 6-week intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin followed by the random assignment of the successful rat models into the model group,the captopril group(22.5 mg/kg),and the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose Qifu Yixin Granules groups(2.84,5.67,11.34 g/kg),in contrast to the normal rats of the blank group.The rats had their body weight monitored;their cardiac function assessed by echocardiography;their serum levels of NT-proBNP,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1 and CRP measured by ELISA;their cardiac morphological alterations observed by HE and Masson staining;their cardiac protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot;and their cardiac mRNA expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB measured by RT-qPCR.RESULTS Compared to the blank group,the model group exhibited significantly reduced body weight,LVEF and LVFS(P＜0.01),alongside significantly elevated LVEDD,LVESD,and serum concentrations of NT-proBNP,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1 and CRP(P＜0.01).Additionally,the model group displayed greater myocardial inflammatory cell aggregation,increased collagen deposition(P＜0.01);and upregulated myocardial protein and mRNA expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB(P＜0.01).Compared to the model group,the groups intervened with captopril or medium/high dose Qifu Yixin Granules demonstrated significantly increased body weight,LVEF and LVFS(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);significantly reduced LVEDD,LVESD,and serum levels of the aforementioned indicators(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);mitigated inflammation and collagen deposition(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and downregulated myocardial protein and mRNA expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Qifu Yixin Granules attenuate cardiac inflammation and improve cardiac function in doxorubicin-induced CHF rats;this therapeutic effect is mediated by inhibiting the activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.