This article systematically analyzed the historical evolution of the origin， scientific name， producing area， quality evaluation， harvesting and processing， and other aspects of Quisqualis Fructus by consulting the ancient materia medica， medical books， prescription books， local literature and combining with the modern literature and standards， summarized and explored the development rules of its medicinal properties and efficacy along with their underlying causes， in order to provide support for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. According to the textual research， Shijunzi was first recorded as Liuqiuzi in Nanfang Caomuzhuang of the Jin dynasty， and the name of Shijunzi was first used in Kaibao Bencao of the Song dynasty， which has been consistently used throughout subsequent dynasties， and there were also aliases such as Junziren， Sijunzi， and Dujilizi. The mainstream source of Quisqualis Fructus used in the past dynasties has been the dried mature fruits of Quisqualis indica， a plant belonging to the family Combretaceae. In modern times， its variety Q. indica var. villosa has also been recorded as the medicinal material of Quisqualis Fructus. In 2007， the Flora of China（English edition） designated Q. indica var. villosa as a synonym of Q. indica. Today， the accepted name of Shijunzi is updated to Combretum indicum. According to ancient herbal records， the producing areas of Quisqualis Fructus were Guangdong， Hong Kong， Macao， Guangxi， Hainan， Sichuan and Fujian， and then gradually expanded to Yunnan， Taiwan， Jiangxi and Guizhou. Since the Song dynasty， two major production regions have gradually emerged in Sichuan， Chongqing and Fujian. Currently， it is primarily cultivated in Chongqing， Guangxi and other areas， with Chongqing yielding the highest output. Since modern times， superior quality has been defined by large size， a purple-black surface， plump grains， and a yellowish-white kernel. According to ancient herbal records， the harvesting period of Quisqualis Fructus was the July and August of the lunar calendar， mostly used raw after shelling or with the shell intact， it underwent processing methods such as cleaning， slicing， mixing， steaming， roasting， stewing， and frying. Currently， the harvesting period is autumn， followed by sun-drying or low-heat drying， with processing methods including cleaning， stir-frying， and stewing. In ancient and modern literature， the records of the properties， functions and indications of Quisqualis Fructus are basically the same， that is， sweet in taste， warm in nature， predominantly non-toxic， belonging to the spleen and stomach meridians. It possesses effects of insecticide， decontamination and invigorating spleen for ascariasis， enterobiasis， abdominal pain due to worm accumulation and infantile malnutrition.The contraindications for use primarily include avoiding consumption by individuals without parasitic infestations， limiting use for those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold， refraining from drinking hot tea during medication， and avoiding excessive intake. Based on the textual research， it is suggested that the dried mature fruits of Q. indica should be used as the medicinal material for the development of famous classical formulas containing Quisqualis Fructus. Processing methods may be chosen according to prescription requirements， and the raw products is recommended for medicinal use if not specified.

Objective To explore the number of peripheral blood regulatory T cells (Treg) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its correlation with vascular calcification. Methods This was a single-center, cross-sectional, and observational study. Non-dialysis patients with CKD treated at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from March 2021 to March 2022 were enrolled. Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) was assessed using lateral abdominal X-ray. Number of Treg and cytokine levels were measured by flow cytometry. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the related factors for AAC in CKD patients. Results A total of 83 patients were included, aged 17–86 years, with 57 males (68.7%). The distribution of CKD stages was as follows: stage G1 in 7 patients (8.4%), stage G2 in 17 patients (20.5%), stage G3 in 21 patients (25.3%), stage G4 in 19 patients (22.9%), and stage G5 in 19 patients (22.9%). No AAC was observed in patients with stages G1 and G2, while the prevalence of AAC in patients with stages G3, G4, and G5 was 23.8%, 21.1%, and 26.3%, respectively. Compared with stage G1 patients, those with stages G3–5 showed decreased number of peripheral blood Treg and elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-17F (P＜0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for number of peripheral blood Treg in predicting AAC in CKD patients was 0.766 (95%CI 0.652–0.879, P＝0.002). Logistic regression analysis showed that decreased number of Treg was related factor for AAC in CKD patients (OR＝0.957, 95%CI 0.922–0.992, P＝0.018). Conclusion As CKD progresses, number of peripheral blood Treg significantly decreases, which is correlated with AAC in CKD patients.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the material basis of the anti-inflammatory efficacy and mechanism of action of Bushen Tongdu prescription （BSTDP）. MethodsThe chemical components of BSTDP and its blood-absorbed components in vivo were systematically identified by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry （UPLC-LIT-Orbitrap-MS）. Network pharmacology was employed to screen blood-absorbed bioactive components and potential targets of this formula. A protein-protein interaction （PPI） network of core targets was constructed to conduct enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was further utilized to verify the binding affinity between key components and targets. The inflammatory model was established and verified in vivo by using a transgenic zebrafish Tg （mpx： GFP）. At three days post-fertilization （3 dpf）， larvae of zebrafish were randomly assigned to blank group， model group， positive drug dexamethasone acetate group （75 μmol·L^-1）， and BSTDP groups with low， medium， and high doses （500， 1 000， and 2 000 mg·L^-1）. The distribution and quantity of neutrophils in the yolk sac region were observed under a fluorescence microscope. The mRNA expression levels of key genes in the toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）/nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） signaling pathway and inflammatory factors including interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsA total of 120 chemical components were identified in BSTDP， among which 26 original components were confirmed by using serum pharmacochemical methods. A total of 227 common targets linking rheumatoid arthritis （RA） and the blood-absorbed components were screened by network pharmacology. It is suggested that pseudobrucine， vomicine， sinapine， rehmannioside， cinnamyl alcohol glycoside， and methylephedrine exert anti-inflammatory effects by acting on core targets including protein kinase B1 （Akt1）， signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， TLR4， mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 （MAPK14）， and phosphatidylinositol-4，5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit α （PIK3CA）， thereby modulating multiple signaling pathways such as TLR4 and NF-κB. In vivo verification in zebrafish demonstrates that the maximum tolerable concentration of Bushen Tongdu Formula is 2 000 mg·L^-1. Compared to those in the blank group， zebrafish in the model group showed a significantly higher number of neutrophils in the yolk sac region （P<0.01） and rising mRNA levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β （P<0.01）. Compared to that in the model group， the number of neutrophils was significantly reduced in BSTDP groups with medium and high doses， as well as the dexamethasone acetate group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in the low dose group. The mRNA expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThis paper identifies the material basis of the efficacy of BSTDP， demonstrating that the formula can exert an anti-inflammatory effect through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. The results provide scientific experimental evidence for its further clinical application.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the material basis of the anti-inflammatory efficacy and mechanism of action of Bushen Tongdu prescription （BSTDP）. MethodsThe chemical components of BSTDP and its blood-absorbed components in vivo were systematically identified by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry （UPLC-LIT-Orbitrap-MS）. Network pharmacology was employed to screen blood-absorbed bioactive components and potential targets of this formula. A protein-protein interaction （PPI） network of core targets was constructed to conduct enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was further utilized to verify the binding affinity between key components and targets. The inflammatory model was established and verified in vivo by using a transgenic zebrafish Tg （mpx： GFP）. At three days post-fertilization （3 dpf）， larvae of zebrafish were randomly assigned to blank group， model group， positive drug dexamethasone acetate group （75 μmol·L^-1）， and BSTDP groups with low， medium， and high doses （500， 1 000， and 2 000 mg·L^-1）. The distribution and quantity of neutrophils in the yolk sac region were observed under a fluorescence microscope. The mRNA expression levels of key genes in the toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）/nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） signaling pathway and inflammatory factors including interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsA total of 120 chemical components were identified in BSTDP， among which 26 original components were confirmed by using serum pharmacochemical methods. A total of 227 common targets linking rheumatoid arthritis （RA） and the blood-absorbed components were screened by network pharmacology. It is suggested that pseudobrucine， vomicine， sinapine， rehmannioside， cinnamyl alcohol glycoside， and methylephedrine exert anti-inflammatory effects by acting on core targets including protein kinase B1 （Akt1）， signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， TLR4， mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 （MAPK14）， and phosphatidylinositol-4，5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit α （PIK3CA）， thereby modulating multiple signaling pathways such as TLR4 and NF-κB. In vivo verification in zebrafish demonstrates that the maximum tolerable concentration of Bushen Tongdu Formula is 2 000 mg·L^-1. Compared to those in the blank group， zebrafish in the model group showed a significantly higher number of neutrophils in the yolk sac region （P<0.01） and rising mRNA levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β （P<0.01）. Compared to that in the model group， the number of neutrophils was significantly reduced in BSTDP groups with medium and high doses， as well as the dexamethasone acetate group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in the low dose group. The mRNA expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThis paper identifies the material basis of the efficacy of BSTDP， demonstrating that the formula can exert an anti-inflammatory effect through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. The results provide scientific experimental evidence for its further clinical application.

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues. Results: We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts. Conclusion Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.

OBJECTIVE To provide scientific reference for perfecting the record-filing management policy of traditional Chinese medicine preparations formulated via traditional processes for medical applications （hereinafter referred to as “TCM preparations”） in medical institutions， and further promote the sound development of the research and record-filing work of such preparations. METHODS A literature review combined with cross-sectional research was carried out. We collected policy documents and preparation information related to the record-filing of TCM preparations issued by national and provincial drug administration authorities on official websites during 2018-2025. A comparative analysis was conducted on the implementation and revision of core policy documents for the registration management of TCM preparations across provinces， the scope of record-filing dosage forms， conditions for rejection of record-filing， and exemptions for registration materials. Statistical analysis on the quantity and dosage forms of record-filing preparations in each province was conducted by means of data induction and trend chart plotting， and targeted suggestions were put forward to optimize the management pathway of record-filing. RESULTS CONCLUSIONS There was obvious heterogeneity in record-filing policies among provinces. Twelve provinces refined the applicable dosage forms for record-filing， fifteen provinces supplemented conditions for rejection of record-filing （16 items in total）， and nine provinces expanded the scope of material exemptions. The number of recorded preparations presented a striking regional imbalance：Qinghai had the largest quantity of 4 269 varieties， while Hainan only had 14 varieties， with a gap of more than 300 times. The recorded preparations were mainly traditional dosage forms including pills （6 928 varieties） and powders （4 360 varieties）. Only 12 provinces formulated the provincial catalog for TCM preparations allocation. In most regions， preparation circulation was only permitted within medical consortia， leading to a low transformation rate of scientific and technological achievements of preparations. It is recommended to optimize the record-filing management pathway from three aspects： strengthening policy standardization while maintaining flexibility， streamlining record-filing procedures and documentary requirements， and reinforcing technical support and achievement transformation. These measures can reduce regional policy differences， improve work efficiency of record-filing， and advance the standardized development and clinical value transformation of hospital-made TCM preparations.

OBJECTIVE To provide scientific reference for perfecting the record-filing management policy of traditional Chinese medicine preparations formulated via traditional processes for medical applications （hereinafter referred to as “TCM preparations”） in medical institutions， and further promote the sound development of the research and record-filing work of such preparations. METHODS A literature review combined with cross-sectional research was carried out. We collected policy documents and preparation information related to the record-filing of TCM preparations issued by national and provincial drug administration authorities on official websites during 2018-2025. A comparative analysis was conducted on the implementation and revision of core policy documents for the registration management of TCM preparations across provinces， the scope of record-filing dosage forms， conditions for rejection of record-filing， and exemptions for registration materials. Statistical analysis on the quantity and dosage forms of record-filing preparations in each province was conducted by means of data induction and trend chart plotting， and targeted suggestions were put forward to optimize the management pathway of record-filing. RESULTS CONCLUSIONS There was obvious heterogeneity in record-filing policies among provinces. Twelve provinces refined the applicable dosage forms for record-filing， fifteen provinces supplemented conditions for rejection of record-filing （16 items in total）， and nine provinces expanded the scope of material exemptions. The number of recorded preparations presented a striking regional imbalance：Qinghai had the largest quantity of 4 269 varieties， while Hainan only had 14 varieties， with a gap of more than 300 times. The recorded preparations were mainly traditional dosage forms including pills （6 928 varieties） and powders （4 360 varieties）. Only 12 provinces formulated the provincial catalog for TCM preparations allocation. In most regions， preparation circulation was only permitted within medical consortia， leading to a low transformation rate of scientific and technological achievements of preparations. It is recommended to optimize the record-filing management pathway from three aspects： strengthening policy standardization while maintaining flexibility， streamlining record-filing procedures and documentary requirements， and reinforcing technical support and achievement transformation. These measures can reduce regional policy differences， improve work efficiency of record-filing， and advance the standardized development and clinical value transformation of hospital-made TCM preparations.

BACKGROUND:Deep muscle stimulation has the effects of releasing muscle adhesion,relieving muscle spasm,improving and restoring muscle compliance and elasticity.Electromyographic biofeedback therapy can promote nerve recovery and improve lower limb motor function and gait. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of the effect of deep muscle stimulation combined with electromyographic biofeedback therapy on the spasm of the triceps surae and gait changes after stroke by using a digital muscle detector and three-dimensional gait analysis system. METHODS:A total of 72 patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected from the Rehabilitation Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University from October 2020 to October 2023.And they were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups(n=36 per group):a control group and a combined group.The control group received routine rehabilitation therapies,electromyographic biofeedback and pseudo deep muscle stimulation,while the combined group received true deep muscle stimulation treatment on the basis of the control group,five times per week,for 4 consecutive weeks.The oscillation frequency and dynamic stiffness of the affected gastrocnemius muscle,active range of motion of the ankle dorsiflexion muscle,electromyographic signal of the tibialis anterior muscle,Fugl-Meyer assessment of the lower limbs,and three-dimensional gait analysis parameters were statistically analyzed before and after treatment in two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After treatment,oscillation frequency and dynamic stiffness values of the inner and outer sides of the affected gastrocnemius muscle in both groups of patients were significantly reduced compared with before treatment(P<0.05),and the combined group showed a more significant decrease compared with the control group(P<0.05).The active range of motion of the ankle dorsiflexion muscle,electromyographic signal of the tibialis anterior muscle,and Fugl-Meyer scores after treatment were significantly increased or improved compared with before treatment(P<0.05),while the combined group showed a more significant increase or improvement compared with the control group(P<0.05).In terms of gait parameters,the walking speed,frequency,and stride in both groups of patients were significantly increased compared with before treatment(P<0.05),while the combined group showed a more significant increase compared with the control group(P<0.05).The percentage time of support phase on the healthy side was shortened compared with before treatment(P<0.05),while the combined group showed a more significant decrease compared with the control group(P<0.05).In addition,there was no significant difference between the two groups except for the percentage of healthy side support(P>0.05).To conclude,the combination of deep muscle stimulation and electromyographic biofeedback can effectively alleviate triceps spasm in the short term after stroke,improve ankle dorsiflexion function,enhance lower limb motor function,and improve gait.The treatment effect is significant and worthy of clinical promotion and application.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of sequential administration of Dihuang Baoyuan granules （DHBY， the prescription for consolidating body resistance） and Fuling Yunhua granules （FLYH， the prescription for treating symptoms） on spontaneous type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） in mice. MethodsAccording to the fasting blood glucose （FBG） level， 12-week-old db/db mice were randomized into six groups： model， DHBY （18.02 g·kg^-1）， FLYH （14.80 g·kg^-1）， sequential administration 1 （SEQ-1， DHBY 18.02 g·kg^-1+FLYH 14.80 g·kg^-1）， sequential administration 2 （SEQ-2， FLYH 14.80 g·kg^-1+DHBY 18.02 g·kg^-1）， and dapagliflozin （Dapa， 1.3 mg·kg^-1）. The m/m mice in the same litter were selected as the normal group. The mice were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 8 consecutive weeks. During the 8 weeks of drug administration and 2 weeks after withdrawal， the retinal thickness， FBG， hemoglobin A1c （HbA1c）， and insulin were determined， and histopathological changes of the pancreas， liver， kidney， and retina were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. ResultsCompared with the model group， SEQ-1 for 4 weeks lowered the FBG level （P<0.05）， raised the insulin level， decreased the triglyceride （TG） level （P<0.05）， increased the number of optic ganglion cells and diminished vacuolar degeneration of pancreatic islet and liver. SEQ-2 lowered FBG and HbA1c levels （P<0.05）， rose the insulin level， increased the retinal thickness and the number of optic ganglion cells （P<0.05）， and alleviated vacuolar degeneration of pancreatic islet and liver. Two weeks after drug withdrawal， Dapa tended to increase FBG and HbA1c compared with those at the time of drug withdrawal. However， the levels of FBG and HbA1c in the SEQ-2 group remained decreasing （P<0.05）. ConclusionSEQ-1 and SEQ-2 can lower the blood glucose level and ameliorate diabetic retinopathy， and SEQ-2 outperformed DHBY and FLYH in lowering the blood glucose level. Moreover， SEQ-2 can maintain the blood glucose-lowering effect after drug withdrawal.

BACKGROUND: The available evidence regarding the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on patients receiving dialysis with coronary artery disease (CAD) is limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PCI and clinical outcomes as compared with medical therapy alone in patients undergoing dialysis with CAD in China. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in 30 tertiary medical centers across 12 provinces in China from January 2015 to June 2021 to include patients on dialysis with CAD. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke. Secondary outcomes included all-cause death, the individual components of MACE, and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria types 2, 3, or 5 bleeding. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between PCI and outcomes. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and propensity score matching (PSM) were performed to account for potential between-group differences. RESULTS: Of the 1146 patients on dialysis with significant CAD, 821 (71.6%) underwent PCI. After a median follow-up of 23.0 months, PCI was associated with a 43.0% significantly lower risk for MACE (33.9% [ n  = 278] vs . 43.7% [ n  = 142]; adjusted hazards ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.45-0.71), along with a slightly increased risk for bleeding outcomes that did not reach statistical significance (11.1% vs . 8.3%; adjusted hazards ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval, 0.82-2.11). Furthermore, PCI was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities. Subgroup analysis did not modify the association of PCI with patient outcomes. These primary findings were consistent across IPTW, PSM, and competing risk analyses. CONCLUSION This study indicated that PCI in patients on dialysis with CAD was significantly associated with lower MACE and mortality when comparing with those with medical therapy alone, albeit with a slightly increased risk for bleeding events that did not reach statistical significance.
Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Coronary Artery Disease/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; China ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Treatment Outcome