OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy and safety of Juan Bi Pill (JBP) in treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: From February 2017 to May 2018, 115 participants from 4 centers were randomly divided into JBP group (57 cases) and placebo group (58 cases) in a 1:1 ratio using a random number table method. Participants received a dose of JBP (4 g, twice a day, orally) combined with methotrexate (MTX, 10 mg per week) or placebo (4 g, twice a day, orally) combined with MTX for 12 weeks. Participants were required with follow-up visits at 24 and 48 weeks, attending 7 assessment visits. Participants were undergo disease activity assessment 7 times (at baseline and 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 weeks) and safety assessments 6 times (at baseline and 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 weeks). The primary endpoint was 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP). The secondary endpoints included American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for 20% and 50% improvement (ACR20/50), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), clinical disease activity index (CDAI), visual analog scale (VAS), Short Form-36 (SF-36) score, Medial Outcomes Study (MOS) sleep scale score, serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), tender joint count, swollen joint count, and morning stiffness. The adverse reactions were observed during the treatment. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of treatment, DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP scores in both groups were lower than before treatment (both P<0.01), while the remission rate of DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP and low disease activity of JBP group were higher than those in the placebo group (both P<0.01). JBP demonstrated better efficacy on ACR20 and ACR50 compliance rate at 12 and 48 weeks comparing to placebo (all P<0.05). The CDAI and HAQ-DI score, pain VAS and global VAS change of RA patients and physicians, the serum ESR and CRP levels, and the number of tenderness and swelling joints were lower than before treatment at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 weeks in both groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the reduction of above indices in the JBP group was more obvious than those in the placebo group at 12 weeks (ESR and CRP, both P<0.05) or at 12 and 48 weeks (all P<0.01). There was no difference in adverse reactions between the 2 groups during treatment (P=0.75). CONCLUSION JBP combined with MTX could effectively reduce disease activity in patients with RA in active stage, reduce the symptoms of arthritis, and improve the quality of life, while ensuring safety, reliability, and fewer adverse effects. (Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT02885597).
Humans ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Methotrexate/adverse effects* ; Female ; Double-Blind Method ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Adult ; Antirheumatic Agents/adverse effects* ; Aged

Long-term hypertension causes excessive vascular remodeling and leads to adverse cardiovascular events. Balance of ubiquitination and deubiquitination has been linked to several chronic conditions, including pathological vascular remodeling. In this study, we discovered that the expression of ubiquitin-specific protease 25 (USP25) is significantly up-regulated in angiotensin II (Ang II)-challenged mouse aorta. Knockout of Usp25 augments Ang II-induced vascular injury such as fibrosis and endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT). Mechanistically, we found that USP25 interacts directly with Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) and removes the K63-linked ubiquitin chain on the K258 site of FOXO3. We also showed that this USP25-mediated deubiquitination of FOXO3 increases its binding to light chain 3 beta isoform and autophagosomic-lysosomal degradation of FOXO3. In addition, we further validated the biological function of USP25 by overexpressing USP25 in the mouse aorta with AAV9 vectors. Our studies identified FOXO3 as a new substrate of USP25 and showed that USP25 may be a potential therapeutic target for excessive vascular remodeling-associated diseases.

Human brain banks use a standardized protocol to collect,process and store post-mortem human brains and related tissues,along with relevant clinical information,and to provide the tissue samples and data as a resource to foster neuroscience research according to a standardized operating protocols(SOP).Human brain bank serves as the foundation for neuroscience research and the diagnosis of neurological disorders,highlighting the crucial rule of ensuring the consistency of standardized quality for brain tissue samples.The first version of SOP in 2017 was published by the China Human Brain Bank Consortium.As members increases from different regions in China,a revised SOP was drafted by experts from the China Human Brain Bank Consortium to meet the growing demands for neuroscience research.The revised SOP places a strong emphasis on ethical standards,incorporates neuropathological evaluation of brain regions,and provides clarity on spinal cord sampling and pathological assessment.Notable enhancements in this updated version of the SOP include reinforced ethical guidelines,inclusion of matching controls in recruitment,and expansion of brain regions to be sampled for neuropathological evaluation.

Objective To study the ability of radial basis function neural network(RBFNN)with different implementations for electrical impedance tomography(EIT)under real brain shapes,to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches,and to provide a reference for the selection of practical imaging methods.Methods COMSOL Multiphysics was used to establish a multilayer 2D model with real structure based on brain CT and an EIT simulation dataset.The effects of the exact RBFNN,the orthogonal least squares-based RBFNN(OLS RBFNN)and the K-Means-based BRFNN(K-Means RBFNN)on the image reconstruction result were explored with the dataset constructed.The root mean square error(RMSE)and image correlation coefficient(ICC)were adopted to evaluate the imaging results.Results EIT could be completed with all the three RBFNNs without noise,and the exact RBFNN had the best results with average ICC and RMSE of 0.784 and 0.467,respectively,in the test set.The OLS RBFNN had the best imaging results at a hidden node of 50,with an average ICC and RMSE of 0.788 and 0.462,respectively.The K-Means RBFNN achieved the best imaging results at noise levels of 30,40,50,60,70 and 80 dB with stable ICC and RMSE and high robustness.Conclusion All the three RBFNNs can be used for brain EIT image reconstruction with their own advantages and disadvantages,and the RBFNN has to be selected for EIT reconstruc-tion based on considerations on actual conditions.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(10):1-6]

Background and aim:Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI)is a significant challenge in liver trans-plantation,trauma,hypovolemic shock,and hepatectomy,with limited effective interventions available.This study aimed to investigate the role of leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2(LECT2)in hepatic IRI and assess the therapeutic potential of Lect2-short hairpin RNA(shRNA)delivered through adeno-associated virus(AAV)vectors. Materials and methods:This study analyzed human liver and serum samples from five patients under-going the Pringle maneuver.Lect2-knockout and C57BL/6J mice were used.Hepatic IRI was induced by clamping the hepatic pedicle.Treatments included recombinant human LECT2(rLECT2)and AAV-Lect2-shRNA.LECT2 expression levels and serum biomarkers including alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),creatinine,and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)were measured.Histological analysis of liver necrosis and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction were performed. Results:Serum and liver LECT2 levels were elevated during hepatic IRI.Serum LECT2 protein and mRNA levels increased post reperfusion.Lect2-knockout mice had reduced weight loss;hepatic necrosis;and serum ALT,AST,creatinine,and BUN levels.rLECT2 treatment exacerbated weight loss,hepatic necrosis,and serum biomarkers(ALT,AST,creatinine,and BUN).AAV-Lect2-shRNA treatment significantly reduced weight loss,hepatic necrosis,and serum biomarkers(ALT,AST,creatinine,and BUN),indicating thera-peutic potential. Conclusions:Elevated LECT2 levels during hepatic IRI increased liver damage.Genetic knockout or shRNA-mediated knockdown of Lect2 reduced liver damage,indicating its therapeutic potential.AAV-mediated Lect2-shRNA delivery mitigated hepatic IRI,offering a potential new treatment strategy to enhance clinical outcomes for patients undergoing liver-related surgeries or trauma.

Statistical analysis was conducted on the quantity of Chinese medicine material and sliced herbal medicine,the species types and medicinal parts of Chinese medicine material and sliced herbal medicine,and the quantity and composition of Chinese patent medicines and single-herb preparations in Chinese Pharmacopoeia of the 2020 edition.The statistical results are available on the web site(http://itcm.hzau.edu.cn/yd/zgyd.htm)for reference.The analysis results showed that:(1)Chinese Pharmacopoeia(Part I)contained a total of 616 kinds of Chinese medicine material and sliced herbal medicine and 47 kinds of plant oils and extracts.The 616 kinds of Chinese medicine material and sliced herbal medicine originated from plants,animals,minerals,microorganisms,artificial or synthetic raw materials,human-sourced products,and products having the origin of both animal and plants.Of the 47 kinds of plant oils and extracts,46 were made from plant sources,and the remaining one,i.e.Cornu Bubali concentrated powder,was made from the animal sources.(2)A total of 421(73.60%)from the 616 kinds of Chinese medicine material and sliced herbal medicine originated from the single species,96(16.78%)originated from 2 kinds of species,40(6.99%)originated from 3 kinds of species,11(1.92%)originated from 4 kinds of species,2(0.35%)originated from 5 kinds of species,and 2(0.35%)originated from 6 kinds of species.Of the 47 kinds of plant oils and extracts,34 originated from the single species,5 originated from 2 kinds of species and 5 originated from 3 kinds of species.(3)The Chinese Pharmacopoeia(Part I)contained a total of 1 605 Chinese patent medicines and single-herb preparations.Except that the composition of Yunnan Baiyao Powder and Yunnan Baiyao Capsules was not issued,the remaining 1 603 types of Chinese patent medicines and single-herb preparations involved a total of 14 329 kinds of medicinal materials.The Chinese medicines with the leading 20 frequency used in the Chinese patent medicines and single-herb preparations recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia of 2020 edition were Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Angelicae Sinensis Radix,Poria,Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Scutellariae Radix,Paeoniae Radix Alba,Astragali Radix,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,Rehmanniae Radix,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Borneolum Syntheticum,Platycodonis Radix,Rhei Radix et Rhizoma,Rehmanniae Radix Preparata,Aucklandiae Radix,Carthami Flos,Ophiopogonis Radix,Codonopsis Radix and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix.The results suggest that there were still problems existing in Chinese Pharmacopoeia of the 2020 edition,i.e.,some of the drugs of Chinese patent medicines were not listed in the Chinese medicine material and sliced herbal medicine,and some of the prepared drugs of Chinese patent medicines were not listed in the Chinese medicine material and sliced herbal medicine,either.The systemic analysis of the general information of Chinese medicinal materials as well as their correlation with Chinese patent medicines in Chinese Pharmacopoeia will provide a reference for further research on the production of Chinese medicine material and sliced herbal medicine and the complete list of drugs in Chinese patent medicines.

Biosensor analysis technology is a kind of technology with high specificity that can convert biological reactions into optical and electrical signals. In the development of drugs for Alzheimer's disease (AD), according to different disease hypotheses and targets, this technology plays an important role in confirming targets and screening active compounds. This paper briefly describes the pathogenesis of AD and the current situation of therapeutic drugs, introduces three biosensor analysis techniques commonly used in the discovery of AD drugs, such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR), biolayer interferometry (BLI) and fluorescence analysis technology, explains its basic principle and application progress, and summarizes their advantages and limitations respectively.

The occurrence and development of tumors are closely related to the body's immune function.It has been confirmed that immunotherapy plays a role in the treatment of various cancers.Some traditional Chinese medicines can control the growth and metastasis of tumors by enhancing anti-tumor immunity.Even in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment,traditional Chinese medicine can exert anti-tumor effects by upregulating immune responses.Further research on the regulation of the immune mechanisms by traditional Chinese medicine will provide new insights into how traditional Chinese medicine controls tumor growth and metastasis and help improve its effectiveness in the clinical treatment of various cancers.This article aims to provide a theoretical reference for the role of immunoregulation in tumors,summarize its mechanisms in tumors,and traditional Chinese medicine intervention research in tumors for the prevention and treatment of tumors with traditional Chinese medicine.

Studies have shown that a variety of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, renal disease and cancer are closely related to trimethylamine oxide (TMAO). Clinically, abnormal elevation of TMAO has been used as an evaluation index of atherosclerosis (AS) prior to imaging. In this study, we investigated the effects of lipid metabolism disorders as well as pharmacological interventions on urinary TMAO using a hyperlipidemic golden gopher model. The study used 48 Syrian golden hamster modeled with a high-fat diet for 2 weeks, and then ezetimibe, simvastatin, ezetimibe and simvastatin groups were administered for 4 consecutive weeks, as well as the clinical trial drug, IMM-H007, for pharmacological intervention. The animal experiment was conducted in accordance with the regulations of the Ethics Committee for Experimental Animal Management and Animal Welfare of Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (approval number: SCXK (Beijing) 2021-0011). Urine from rats was analyzed for 2D band selective heteronuclear single quantum coherence (2D bs-HSQC) at week 2 and 4 after drug administration. The results indicated that, in comparison to the control group, the high-fat diet significantly elevated urinary TMAO levels in the model group of hamsters after both 2 and 4 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05). Urinary TMAO levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in the model group after 2 or 4 weeks of intervention with ezetimibe, simvastatin, combination therapy, and IMM-H007, showing a marked decrease even after 2 weeks of treatment. The detection of TMAO could precede the measurement of serum biochemical indicators, facilitating earlier efficacy assessment. This study evaluated the modulatory effects of clinical drugs and clinical trial drugs on TMAO, which provides useful information for clinical drug use and drug research. It also provides a means of TMAO detection based on 2D NMR technology, which is helpful for the clinical application of TMAO detection index.