Baihuasheshecao(Hedyotis diffusa) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine derived from the whole herb of H. diffusa and has been widely utilized in folk medicine. It possesses anti-tumor, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it one of the frequently used herbs in TCM clinical practice. However, Shuixiancao(H. corymbosa) and Xianhuaercao(H. tenelliflora), species of the same genus, are often used as substitutes for Baihuasheshecao. To substantiate the medicinal basis of Baihuasheshecao, this study systematically reviewed classical herbal texts and modern literature, examining its nomenclature, botanical origin, harvesting, processing, properties, meridian tropism, pharmacological effects, and clinical applications. The results indicate that Baihuasheshecao was initially recorded as "Shuixiancao" in Preface to the Indexes to the Great Chinese Botany(Zhi Wu Ming Shi Tu Kao). Based on its morphological characteristics and habitat description, it was identified as H. diffusa in the Rubiaceae family. Subsequent records predominantly refer to it as Baihuasheshecao as its official name. In most regions, Baihuasheshecao is recognized as the authentic medicinal material, distinct from Shuixiancao and Xianhuaercao. Baihuasheshecao is harvested in late summer and early autumn, and the dried whole plant, including its roots, is used medicinally. The standard processing method involves cutting. It is known for its effects in clearing heat, removing toxins, reducing swelling and pain, and promoting diuresis to resolve abscesses. Initially, it was mainly used for treating appendicitis, intestinal abscesses, and venomous snake bites, and later, it became a treatment for cancer. The excavation of its clinical value followed a process in which overseas Chinese introduced the herb from Chinese folk medicine to other countries. After its unique anti-cancer effects were recognized abroad, it was reintroduced to China and gradually became a crucial TCM for cancer treatment. The findings of this study help clarify the historical and contemporary uses of Baihuasheshecao, providing literature support and a scientific basis for its rational development and precise clinical application.
Humans ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Hedyotis/classification* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history*

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

The present study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of Isodon terricolous-medicated serum on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced hepatic stellate cell(HSC) activation. LPS-induced HSCs were divided into a blank control group, an LPS model group, a colchicine-medicated serum group, an LPS + blank serum group, an I. terricolous-medicated serum group, a Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) blocker group, and a TLR4 blocker + I. terricolous-medicated serum group. HSC proliferation was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure type Ⅰ collagen(COL Ⅰ), COL Ⅲ, transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1(caspase-1), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1). Real-time PCR(RT-PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression of TLR4, IκBα, and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3), nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) p65, gasdermin D(GSDMD), and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD(ASC) in HSCs. Western blot(WB) was used to detect the protein levels of TLR4, p-IκBα, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, ASC, and GSDMD in HSCs. The results showed that I. terricolous-medicated serum could inhibit the proliferation activity of HSCs and inhibit the secretion of COL Ⅰ, COL Ⅲ, α-SMA, TGF-β1, caspase-1, MCP-1, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 in HSCs. Compared with the LPS model group, the I. terricolous-medicated serum group, the colchicine-medicated serum group, and the TLR4 blocker group showed down-regulated expression of p-IκBα, NLRP3, NF-κB p65, GSDMD, and ASC, and up-regulated expression of IκBα. Compared with the TLR4 blocker group, the TLR4 blocker + I. terricolous-medicated serum group showed decreased expression of TLR4, p-IκBα, NLRP3, NF-κB p65, GSDMD, and ASC, and increased expression of IκBα. In conclusion, I. terricolous-medicated serum down-regulates HSC activation by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha/metabolism* ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism* ; Isodon ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Signal Transduction ; Colchicine/pharmacology* ; Caspases

Objective: To investigate the incidence and treatment of perioperative anemia in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms in Hubei Province. Methods: The clinicopathological data of 7 474 patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms in 62 hospitals in 15 cities (state) of Hubei Province in 2019 were collected in the form of network database. There were 4 749 males and 2 725 females. The median age of the patients was 62 years (range: 17 to 96 years). The hemoglobin value of the first time in hospital and the first day after operation was used as the criterion of preoperative anemia and postoperative anemia. Anemia was defined as male hemoglobin <120 g/L and female hemoglobin <110.0 g/L, mild anemia as 90 to normal, moderate anemia as 60 to <90 g/L, severe anemia as <60 g/L. The t test and χ² test were used for inter-group comparison. Results: The overall incidence of preoperative anemia was 38.60%(2 885/7 474), and the incidences of mild anemia, moderate anemia and severe anemia were 25.09%(1 875/7 474), 11.37%(850/7 474) and 2.14%(160/7 474), respectively. The overall incidence of postoperative anemia was 61.40%(4 589/7 474). The incidence of mild anemia, moderate anemia and severe anemia were 48.73%(3 642/7 474), 12.20%(912/7 474) and 0.47%(35/7 474), respectively. The proportion of preoperative anemia patients receiving treatment was 26.86% (775/2 885), and the proportion of postoperative anemia patients receiving treatment was 14.93% (685/4 589). The proportions of preoperative anemia patients in grade ⅢA, grade ⅢB, and grade ⅡA hospitals receiving treatment were 26.12% (649/2 485), 32.32% (85/263), and 29.93% (41/137), and the proportions of postoperative anemia patients receiving treatment were 14.61% (592/4 052), 22.05% (73/331), and 9.71% (20/206). The proportion of intraoperative blood transfusion (16.74% (483/2 885) vs. 3.05% (140/4 589), χ²=434.555, P<0.01) and the incidence of postoperative complications (17.78% (513/2 885) vs. 14.08% (646/4 589), χ²=18.553, P<0.01) in the preoperative anemia group were higher than those in the non-anemia group, and the postoperative hospital stay in the preoperative anemia group was longer than that in the non-anemia group ((14.1±7.3) days vs. (13.3±6.2) days, t=5.202, P<0.01). Conclusions: The incidence of perioperative anemia in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms is high. Preoperative anemia can increase the demand for intraoperative blood transfusion and affect the short-term prognosis of patients. At present, the concept of standardized treatment of perioperative anemia among gastrointestinal surgeons in Hubei Province needs to be improved.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anemia/epidemiology* ; Blood Transfusion ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective: To describe the distribution characteristics of tea consumption in adult twins recruited in the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR) and provide clues to genetic and environmental influences on tea consumption. Methods: Enrolled in CNTR during 2010-2018, 25 264 twin pairs aged 18 years and above were included in subsequent analysis. Random effect models were used to estimate tea consumption in the population and regional distribution characteristics. The concordance rate of the behavior and difference in consumption volume of tea within pairs were also described. Results: The mean age of all subjects was (35.38±12.45) years old. The weekly tea consumers accounted for 17.0%, with an average tea consumption of (3.36±2.44) cups per day. The proportion of weekly tea consumers was higher among males, 50-59 years old, southern, urban, educated, and the first-born in the twin pair (P<0.05), and lower among unmarried individuals (P<0.001). Within-pair analysis showed that the concordance rate of tea consumption of monozygotic (MZ) twins was higher than that of dizygotic (DZ) twins and the overall heritability of tea consumption was 13.45% (11.38%-15.51%). Stratified by the characteristics mentioned above, only in males, the concordance rate of MZ showed a tendency to be greater than that of DZ (all P<0.05). The differences in consumption volume of tea within twin pairs were minor in MZ among males (P<0.05), while the differences were not significant in female twins. Conclusion: There were discrepancies in the distribution of tea consumption among twins of different demographic and regional characteristics. Tea consumption was mainly influenced by environmental factors and slightly influenced by genetic factors. The size of genetic factors varied with gender, age, and region, and gender was a potential modified factor.
Adult ; China ; Diet ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tea ; Twins, Dizygotic ; Twins, Monozygotic ; Young Adult

Objective: To analyze the clinical epidemiological characteristics including composition of pathogens , clinical characteristics, and disease prognosis acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in Chinese children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and laboratory data of 1 610 children <15 years of age with ABM in 33 tertiary hospitals in China from January 2019 to December 2020. Patients were divided into different groups according to age,<28 days group, 28 days to <3 months group, 3 months to <1 year group, 1-<5 years of age group, 5-<15 years of age group; etiology confirmed group and clinically diagnosed group according to etiology diagnosis. Non-numeric variables were analyzed with the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, while non-normal distrituction numeric variables were compared with nonparametric test. Results: Among 1 610 children with ABM, 955 were male and 650 were female (5 cases were not provided with gender information), and the age of onset was 1.5 (0.5, 5.5) months. There were 588 cases age from <28 days, 462 cases age from 28 days to <3 months, 302 cases age from 3 months to <1 year of age group, 156 cases in the 1-<5 years of age and 101 cases in the 5-<15 years of age. The detection rates were 38.8% (95/245) and 31.5% (70/222) of Escherichia coli and 27.8% (68/245) and 35.1% (78/222) of Streptococcus agalactiae in infants younger than 28 days of age and 28 days to 3 months of age; the detection rates of Streptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus agalactiae were 34.3% (61/178), 14.0% (25/178) and 13.5% (24/178) in the 3 months of age to <1 year of age group; the dominant pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae and the detection rate were 67.9% (74/109) and 44.4% (16/36) in the 1-<5 years of age and 5-<15 years of age . There were 9.7% (19/195) strains of Escherichia coli producing ultra-broad-spectrum β-lactamases. The positive rates of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and blood culture were 32.2% (515/1 598) and 25.0% (400/1 598), while 38.2% (126/330)and 25.3% (21/83) in CSF metagenomics next generation sequencing and Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen detection. There were 4.3% (32/790) cases of which CSF white blood cell counts were normal in etiology confirmed group. Among 1 610 children with ABM, main intracranial imaging complications were subdural effusion and (or) empyema in 349 cases (21.7%), hydrocephalus in 233 cases (14.5%), brain abscess in 178 cases (11.1%), and other cerebrovascular diseases, including encephalomalacia, cerebral infarction, and encephalatrophy, in 174 cases (10.8%). Among the 166 cases (10.3%) with unfavorable outcome, 32 cases (2.0%) died among whom 24 cases died before 1 year of age, and 37 cases (2.3%) had recurrence among whom 25 cases had recurrence within 3 weeks. The incidences of subdural effusion and (or) empyema, brain abscess and ependymitis in the etiology confirmed group were significantly higher than those in the clinically diagnosed group (26.2% (207/790) vs. 17.3% (142/820), 13.0% (103/790) vs. 9.1% (75/820), 4.6% (36/790) vs. 2.7% (22/820), χ²=18.71, 6.20, 4.07, all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the unfavorable outcomes, mortility, and recurrence between these 2 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The onset age of ABM in children is usually within 1 year of age, especially <3 months. The common pathogens in infants <3 months of age are Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae, and the dominant pathogen in infant ≥3 months is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Subdural effusion and (or) empyema and hydrocephalus are common complications. ABM should not be excluded even if CSF white blood cell counts is within normal range. Standardized bacteriological examination should be paid more attention to increase the pathogenic detection rate. Non-culture CSF detection methods may facilitate the pathogenic diagnosis.
Adolescent ; Brain Abscess ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meningitis, Bacterial/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptococcus agalactiae ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Subdural Effusion ; beta-Lactamases

Objective To investigate the effects of bolus thickness and use frequency on skin dose in postmastectomy intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 20 cases receiving postmastectomy fixed-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy, to analyze the homogeneity index (HI) and conformity index (CI) of the target volume and the skin dose (D_max, D_mean, and D_min) of radiotherapy plans with 0.5 cm-thick bolus or 1 cm-thick bolus alone at a use frequency of 5 F, 10 F, 15 F, 20 F, and 25 F versus a combination of 0.5 cm and 1 cm-thick bolus, and fit the relationship between skin dose and bolus use frequency. Results As the bolus use frequency increased, the skin dose increased, the hot spot of the target volume decreased, and the low-dose volume decreased. The HI of the target volume with the 1 cm bolus was better than that with the 0.5 cm bolus at all use frequencies (P < 0.05), and HI decreased with the increase of bolus use frequency. For both 0.5 cm and 1 cm bolus, the CI of the target volume increased initially and then decreased, reaching the maximum value at a frequency of around 15 F; the CI showed significant differences only at 20 F and 25 F between the two types of bolus (P < 0.05). The skin D_max and D_mean were significant higher with the 0.5 cm bolus than with the 1 cm bolus (P < 0.05). The equation for the relationship between skin dose (D) and bolus use frequency (F) was D = A × F + B × F² + C. The D_max and HI with the combination of 0.5 cm bolus (6 F) plus 1 cm bolus (8 F) fell between those with the 0.5 cm bolus (15 F) and those with the 1 cm bolus (15 F) (P < 0.05). Conclusion In postmastectomy fixed-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy, skin dose can be calculated based on bolus use frequency. Mixed use of bolus may be more suitable than use of 0.5 cm bolus or 1 cm bolus alone.

Aging ; Animals ; Autophagy ; Electroacupuncture ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipids ; Liver ; Male ; Mice

Objective To evaluate the significance of liver biopsy and B ultrasonograpgy in the diagnosis of fatty liver. Methods The results of 62 patients with liver steatosis diagnosed by liver puncture biopsy but not by B-ultrasonograpgy were contrastively analyzed and combined with liver function, blood lipids, blood glucose, and body mass index. Results The 62 cases which were not diagnosed as fatty liver by B-ultrasonograpgy were proved to be 5％-33％liver steatosis after liver puncture biopsy. Among the 62 cases, 23 cases were indicated by the B-ultrasonograpgy that the liver parenchyma echo did not see abnormalities, 18 cases showed the liver parenchyma echo slightly was enlarged, 17 cases showed the liver parenchyma echo density was a bit enhanced and 4 cases were diffuse liver damage,which respectively were 37.01％、29.03％、27.42％and 6.45％. Pathologically it indicated that 45 cases were 5％≤liver steatosis≤19％. Among the 45 cases, 18 cases were indicated by the B-ultrasonograpgy that the liver parenchyma echo was not seen abnormalities, 8 cases showed the liver parenchyma echo slightly was enlarged, 17 cases showed the liver parenchyma echo density was a bit enhanced, and 2 cases were diffuse liver damage, and the change of ultrasound was mainly showed by the liver parenchyma echo not seen abnormalities and the enhanced liver parenchyma echo density. Pathologically it indicated that 17 cases were 20％≤liver steatosis≤33％, 6 cases were indicated by the B-ultrasonograpgy that the liver parenchyma echo did not see abnormalities, 5 cases showed the liver parenchyma echo slightly was enlarged, 5 cases showed the liver parenchyma echo density was a bit enhanced, and 1 case was diffuse liver damage, and the change of ultrasound was mainly showed by the liver parenchyma echo not seen abnormalities, the slightly enlarged liver parenchyma echo and the enhanced liver parenchyma echo density. By analyzing the influence to the ultrasound changes by patients' liver function, body mass index, blood fat and blood sugar, and with logistic regression analysis through a disorderly classification, it was found that the larger value of the glutamine transferase, alkaline phosphatase, body mass index, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, the higher possibility of diffuse liver damage, and the higher level of fatty degeneration, the higher possibility of diffuse liver damage. Conclusion In the diagnosis of fatty liver, when the fatty degeneration is below 1/3, B-ultrasonic examination can't show characteristic changes of fatty liver. It should be closely observed or take liver puncture biopsy to make a definite diagnosis of fatty liver.

Objective To investigate the role of rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) and the relative signal molecules in sensing the mechanical stimulation from tensile strain and regulating the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Methods Physiological cyclic strain with magnitude of 10% and at frequency of 1.25 Hz was applied to VSMCs in vitro by using strain loading system. The proliferation level of VSMCs was analyzed by BrdU ELISA; the expression level of ROCK1, phosphorylations of protein kinase C (PKC) α/β II, protein kinase D (PKD) and extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) in VSMCs modulated by cyclic strain were detected with Western blotting; the expression of ROCK1 was specifically repressed by using RNA interference (RNAi). Results Compared with the static control, 10% cyclic strain significantly decreased the expression of ROCK1 and phosphorylations of PKD and ERK. The phosphorylation of PKCα/βII was decreased significantly under 10% cyclic strain for 12 h, but returned to normal level after 24 h-loading. Repressed expression of ROCK1 with RNAi significantly down-regulated VSMC proliferation, suppressed phosphorylations of PKCα/βII and PKD, but no obvious change was found in phosphorylation of ERK. Conclusions Physiological cyclic strain with magnitude of 10% may repress the phosphorylation of PKCα/βII and PKD via inhibiting the expression of ROCK1, which subsequently affect VSMC proliferation and maintain vascular hemostasis. The investigation on intracellular mechanotransduction network of VSMCs under mechanical stimulation of cyclic strain may contribute to the physiological and pathological mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases.