Objective: To reveal the molecular mechanism underlying the compatibility of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge (S. miltiorrhiza, Dan Shen) and C. tinctorius L. (C. tinctorius, Hong Hua) as an herb pair through network pharmacology and subsequent experimental validation. Methods: Network pharmacology was applied to construct an active ingredient-efficacy target-disease protein network to reveal the unique regulation pattern of S. miltiorrhiza and C. tinctorius as herb pair. Molecular docking was used to verify the binding of the components of these herbs and their potential targets. An H9c2 glucose hypoxia model was used to evaluate the efficacy of the components and their synergistic effects, which were evaluated using the combination index. Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of these targets. Results: Network pharmacology analysis revealed 5 pathways and 8 core targets of S. miltiorrhiza and C. tinctorius in myocardial protection. Five of the core targets were enriched in the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway. S. miltiorrhiza-C. tinctorius achieved vascular tone mainly by regulating the target genes of the HIF-1 pathway. As an upstream gene of the HIF-1 pathway, STAT3 can be activated by the active ingredients cryptotanshinone (Ctan), salvianolic acid B (Sal. B), and myricetin (Myric). Cell experiments revealed that Myric, Sal. B, and Ctan also exhibited synergistic myocardial protective activity. Molecular docking verified the strong binding of Myric, Sal. B, and Ctan to STAT3. Western blot further showed that the active ingredients synergistically upregulated the protein expression of STAT3. Conclusion The pharmacodynamic transmission analysis revealed that the active ingredients of S. miltiorrhiza and C. tinctorius can synergistically resist ischemia through various targets and pathways. This study provides a methodological reference for interpreting traditional Chinese medicine compatibility.

AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of ZKY001 eye drops with different concentrations in the treatment of corneal epithelial defects(CED)after primary pterygium excision.METHODS: This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase II clinical trial. From March 15, 2022 to November 14, 2022, patients with primary pterygium who had undergone surgery were recruited from 12 tertiary hospitals across China. Using block randomization, 178 patients(178 eyes)were randomly assigned to 3 groups in a 1:1:1 ratio: 0.002% ZKY001 group(n=59), 0.004% ZKY001 group(n=59), and placebo group(n=60, receiving ZKY001 sham eye drops). Subjects in each group received 1 drop of the study drug 4 times per day for 4 d. The percentage of CED area recovery from baseline, the first complete healing time of CED area, the number of first complete healing cases of CED, and changes in visual analogue scale(VAS)scores for eye discomfort including eye pain, foreign body sensation, tearing and photophobia were observed.RESULTS: In terms of improvement in CED, there were no statistically significant differences among the three groups including the first healing time of CED, the percentage improvement in CED area compared to baseline, and the percentage of first healing cases at different follow-up visits(all P>0.05). Numerically, the first healing time of CED was shorter in the test groups compared to the placebo group(67.87±21.688 h for the 0.002% ZKY001 group, 61.48±22.091 h for the 0.004% ZKY001 group, and 68.85±20.851 h for the placebo group). On D1 morning, the percentage improvement in CED area compared to baseline was maximally different from the placebo group, and the numerical difference advantage was maintained at subsequent follow-up visits. The number of first healing cases in the CED area at different follow-up visits was higher in the test groups than the placebo group. In terms of improvement in ocular discomfort, the total VAS scores were lower in the test groups compared to the placebo group, mainly due to reductions in foreign body sensation and pain scores. At D3, the 0.004% ZKY001 group showed statistically significant improvement in foreign body sensation(P<0.017). In terms of safety, the overall incidence of adverse events was low(9.0%)and similar among groups.CONCLUSION: The use of ZKY001 eyedrops after primary pterygium surgery can safely improve the CED repair, and alleviate postoperative symptoms caused by CED.

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors for early tumor recurrence and the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) patients after curative-intent resection.Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 506 patients with GBC in 11 medical centers, including The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University et al, from January 2016 to December 2020 were collected. There were 168 males and 338 females, aged (62±11)years. All patients underwent curative-intent resection of GBC, and they were divided into patients with and without early recurrence based on time to postoperative recurrence. Observation indicators: (1) treatment; (2) follow-up and survival of patients; (3) analysis of influencing factors for early tumor recurrence after curative-intent resection of GBC; (4) efficacy of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Comparison of ordinal data was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Univariate analysis was conducted using the corresponding statistical methods based on data type. Multivariate analysis was conducted using the Logistic regression model with forward method. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curve and calculate survival rate, and Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. Results:(1) Treatment. Of 506 patients, there were 112 cases with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and 394 cases without postopera-tive adjuvant chemotherapy. They underwent 5(range, 3-9)cycles of postoperative adjuvant chemo-therapy. (2) Follow-up and survival of patients. All 506 patients underwent postoperative follow-up, with the follow-up time of 55(range, 34-93)months. During the follow-up, there were 248 patients with tumor recurrence, including 158 cases of early recurrence and 90 cases of late recurrence, and there were 258 patients without tumor recurrence. Of 506 patients, 275 cases survived, and 231 cases died of multiple organ failure caused by tumor recurrence and metastasis. The postoperative recurr-ence-free survival time, overall survival time were 52(range,1-93)months, 62(range, 2-93)months. The 1-, 3-, 5-year disease-free survival rates and 1-, 3-, 5-year overall survival rates of the 506 pati-ents were 68.8%, 53.8%, 47.9% and 78.3%, 58.7%, 51.6%, respectively. Results of survival analysis showed that the median overall survival time of 158 patients with postoperative early recurrence and 348 patients without postoperative early recurrence (including 90 cases of late recurrence and 258 cases of no tumor recurrence) were 9(range, 2-73)months and unreached, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=456.15, P<0.05). (3) Analysis of influencing factors for early tumor recurrence after curative-intent resection of GBC. Results of multivariate analysis showed that carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) >5.0 μg/L, poorly differentiated tumor, liver invasion, and tumor N staging as stage N1-N2 were independent risk factors influencing early tumor recurrence after cura-tive-intent resection of GBC ( odds ratio=2.74, 6.20, 1.81, 2.93, 4.82, 95% confidence interval as 1.62-4.64, 1.82-21.12, 1.15-3.08, 1.68-5.09, 1.91-12.18, P<0.05), while postoperative adjuvant chemo-therapy was an independent protect factor ( odds ratio=0.39, 95% confidence interval as 0.21-0.71, P<0.05). (4) Efficacy of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. The median overall survival time of 394 patients without postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and 112 patients with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were 57(range, 2-93)months and unreached, showing a significant differ-ence between them ( χ2=9.38, P<0.05). Of the 158 patients with postoperative early recurrence after curative-intent resection of GBC, 135 cases didn't receive adjuvant chemotherapy and 23 cases received adjuvant chemotherapy, with the overall survival time of 8(range, 2-73)months and 17(range, 8-61)months, respectively, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=7.68, P<0.05). Conclusions:CEA >5.0 μg/L, poorly differentiated tumor, liver invasion, and tumor N staging as stage N1-N2 are independent risk factors influencing early tumor recurrence after curative-intent resection of GBC, while postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is an independent protect factor. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy can prolong the overall survival time of patients with post-operative tumor early recurrence.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of recombinant human anti-severe acute respiratory syn-drome coronavirus 2(anti-SARS-CoV-2)monoclonal antibody injection(F61 injection)in the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)combined with renal damage.Methods Patients with COVID-19 and renal damage who visited the PLA General Hospital from January to February 2023 were selected.Subjects were randomly divided into two groups.Control group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy,while trial group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy combined with F61 injection.A 15-day follow-up was conducted after drug administration.Clinical symptoms,laboratory tests,electrocardiogram,and chest CT of pa-tients were performed to analyze the efficacy and safety of F61 injection.Results Twelve subjects(7 in trial group and 5 in control group)were included in study.Neither group had any clinical progression or death cases.The ave-rage time for negative conversion of nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2 in control group and trial group were 3.2 days and 1.57 days(P=0.046),respectively.The scores of COVID-19 related target symptom in the trial group on the 3rd and 5th day after medication were both lower than those of the control group(both P＜0.05).According to the clinical staging and World Health Organization 10-point graded disease progression scale,both groups of subjects improved but didn't show statistical differences(P＞0.05).For safety,trial group didn't present any infusion-re-lated adverse event.Subjects in both groups demonstrated varying degrees of elevated blood glucose,elevated urine glucose,elevated urobilinogen,positive urine casts,and cardiac arrhythmia,but the differences were not statistica-lly significant(all P＞0.05).Conclusion F61 injection has initially demonstrated safety and clinical benefit in trea-ting patients with COVID-19 combined with renal damage.As the domestically produced drug,it has good clinical accessibility and may provide more options for clinical practice.

ABSRACT The development of hepatocellular car-cinoma(HCC)is closely related to the formation of tumour blood vessels.VEGF-mediated angiogenesis is a major driver of the immune escape response in tumours.VEGF binds to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor2(VEGFR2)on endothelial cells,promoting endothelial cell proliferation and migration,inducing vascular changes in HCC,and thus promote the growth of hepatocellular carcino-ma cells.Anti-VEGF and its receptor-targeted mo-lecular drugs are currently effective new treat-ments for HCC.Monoclonal antibodies against VEGF and small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting VEGF have been shown to block its angio-genic activity,alleviate the inhibitory effect of the tumour microenvironment,and ultimately achieve tumour regression.This article provides a review of the research progress of VEGF/VEGFR inhibitors in HCC treatment.

ABSRACT The development of hepatocellular car-cinoma(HCC)is closely related to the formation of tumour blood vessels.VEGF-mediated angiogenesis is a major driver of the immune escape response in tumours.VEGF binds to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor2(VEGFR2)on endothelial cells,promoting endothelial cell proliferation and migration,inducing vascular changes in HCC,and thus promote the growth of hepatocellular carcino-ma cells.Anti-VEGF and its receptor-targeted mo-lecular drugs are currently effective new treat-ments for HCC.Monoclonal antibodies against VEGF and small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting VEGF have been shown to block its angio-genic activity,alleviate the inhibitory effect of the tumour microenvironment,and ultimately achieve tumour regression.This article provides a review of the research progress of VEGF/VEGFR inhibitors in HCC treatment.

ABSRACT The development of hepatocellular car-cinoma(HCC)is closely related to the formation of tumour blood vessels.VEGF-mediated angiogenesis is a major driver of the immune escape response in tumours.VEGF binds to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor2(VEGFR2)on endothelial cells,promoting endothelial cell proliferation and migration,inducing vascular changes in HCC,and thus promote the growth of hepatocellular carcino-ma cells.Anti-VEGF and its receptor-targeted mo-lecular drugs are currently effective new treat-ments for HCC.Monoclonal antibodies against VEGF and small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting VEGF have been shown to block its angio-genic activity,alleviate the inhibitory effect of the tumour microenvironment,and ultimately achieve tumour regression.This article provides a review of the research progress of VEGF/VEGFR inhibitors in HCC treatment.

ABSRACT The development of hepatocellular car-cinoma(HCC)is closely related to the formation of tumour blood vessels.VEGF-mediated angiogenesis is a major driver of the immune escape response in tumours.VEGF binds to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor2(VEGFR2)on endothelial cells,promoting endothelial cell proliferation and migration,inducing vascular changes in HCC,and thus promote the growth of hepatocellular carcino-ma cells.Anti-VEGF and its receptor-targeted mo-lecular drugs are currently effective new treat-ments for HCC.Monoclonal antibodies against VEGF and small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting VEGF have been shown to block its angio-genic activity,alleviate the inhibitory effect of the tumour microenvironment,and ultimately achieve tumour regression.This article provides a review of the research progress of VEGF/VEGFR inhibitors in HCC treatment.

ABSRACT The development of hepatocellular car-cinoma(HCC)is closely related to the formation of tumour blood vessels.VEGF-mediated angiogenesis is a major driver of the immune escape response in tumours.VEGF binds to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor2(VEGFR2)on endothelial cells,promoting endothelial cell proliferation and migration,inducing vascular changes in HCC,and thus promote the growth of hepatocellular carcino-ma cells.Anti-VEGF and its receptor-targeted mo-lecular drugs are currently effective new treat-ments for HCC.Monoclonal antibodies against VEGF and small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting VEGF have been shown to block its angio-genic activity,alleviate the inhibitory effect of the tumour microenvironment,and ultimately achieve tumour regression.This article provides a review of the research progress of VEGF/VEGFR inhibitors in HCC treatment.

ABSRACT The development of hepatocellular car-cinoma(HCC)is closely related to the formation of tumour blood vessels.VEGF-mediated angiogenesis is a major driver of the immune escape response in tumours.VEGF binds to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor2(VEGFR2)on endothelial cells,promoting endothelial cell proliferation and migration,inducing vascular changes in HCC,and thus promote the growth of hepatocellular carcino-ma cells.Anti-VEGF and its receptor-targeted mo-lecular drugs are currently effective new treat-ments for HCC.Monoclonal antibodies against VEGF and small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting VEGF have been shown to block its angio-genic activity,alleviate the inhibitory effect of the tumour microenvironment,and ultimately achieve tumour regression.This article provides a review of the research progress of VEGF/VEGFR inhibitors in HCC treatment.