The purpose of this paper is to explore the decoction and dosing methods of rhubarb root and rhizome in classical prescriptions and to provide a reference basis for the clinical use of rhubarb root and rhizome. By collating the relevant classical prescriptions of rhubarb root and rhizome in Shanghan Lun and Jingui Yaolüe, the relationship between its decoction and dosing methods and the syndrome was analyzed. The decoction of rhubarb root and rhizome in classical prescriptions can be divided into three categories: simultaneous decoction, decoction later, and other methods (impregnation in Mafei decoction, decoction with water from the well spring first taken in the morning, and pills). If it enters the blood level or wants to slow down, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted at the same time with other drugs. If it enters the qi level and wants to speed up, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted later. If it wants to upwardly move, rhubarb root and rhizome should be immersed in Mafei decoction. If it wants to suppress liver yang, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted with water from the well spring first taken in the morning. If the disease is prolonged, rhubarb root and rhizome should be taken in pill form. The dosing methods of rhubarb root and rhizome can be divided into five categories: draught, twice, three times, before meals, and unspecified. For acute and serious illnesses with excess of pathogenic qi and adequate vital qi, we choose draught. For gastrointestinal diseases, we choose to take the medicine twice. For achieving a moderate and long-lasting effect, we choose to take the medicine three times. If the disease is located in the lower part of the heart and abdomen, we choose to take it before meals. The use of rhubarb root and rhizome in clinical practice requires the selection of the appropriate decoction and dosing methods according to the location of the disease, the severity of the disease, the patient′s constitution, and the condition after taking the medicine.

As people’s attention to health continues to increase, the market demand for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is growing steadily. The quality and safety of Chinese medicinal materials have attracted unprecedented social attention. In particular, the issue of exogenous harmful residue pollution in TCM has become a hot topic of concern for both regulatory authorities and society. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition further refines the detection methods and limit standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM. This not only reflects China’s high-level emphasis on the quality and safety of TCM but also demonstrates the continuous progress made by China in the field of TCM safety supervision. Basis on this study, by systematically reviewing the development history of the detection standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM and analyzing the revisions and updates of these detection standards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition, deeply explores the key points of the changes in the monitoring standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition. Moreover, it interprets the future development directions of the detection of exogenous residues in TCM, aiming to provide a reference for the formulation of TCM safety supervision policies.

This study aims to investigate the effect of Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula on the neuroinflammation of rats with insomnia complicated with depression through the regulation of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2(TREM2)/complement protein C1q signaling pathway. Rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a positive drug group, as well as a high, medium, and low-dose groups of Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, the other groups were injected with p-chlorophenylalanine and exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress to establish the rat model of insomnia complicated with depression. The sucrose preference experiment, open field experiment, and water maze test were performed to evaluate the depression in rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to detect serum 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), dopamine(DA), and norepinephrine(NE) levels. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the damage in nucleus accumbens neurons. Western blot and immunofluorescence were performed to detect TREM2, C1q, postsynaptic density 95(PSD-95), and synaptophysin 1(SYN1) expressions in rat nucleus accumbens, respectively. Golgi-Cox staining was utilized to observe the synaptic spine density of nucleus accumbens neurons. The results show that, compared with the model group, Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula can significantly increase the sucrose preference as well as the distance and number of voluntary activities, shorten the immobility time in forced swimming test and the successful incubation period of positioning navigation, and prolong the stay time of space exploration in the target quadrant test. The serum 5-HT, DA, and NE contents in the model group are significantly lower than those in the normal group, with the above contents significantly increased after the intervention of Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula. In addition, Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula can alleviate pathological damages such as swelling and loose arrangement of tissue cells in the nucleus accumbens, while increasing the Nissl body numbers. Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula can improve synaptic damage in the nucleus accumbens and increase the synaptic spine density. Compared to the normal group, the expression of C1q protein was significantly higher in the model group, while the expression of TREM2 protein was significantly lower. Compared to the model group, the intervention with Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula significantly downregulated the expression of C1q protein and significantly upregulated the expression of TREM2. Compared with the model group, the PSD-95 and SYN1 fluorescence intensity is significantly increased in the groups receiving different doses of Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula. In summary, Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula can reduce the C1q protein expression, relieve the TREM2 inhibition, and promote the synapse-related proteins PSD-95 and SNY1 expression. Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula improves synaptic injury of the nucleus accumbens neurons, thereby treating insomnia complicated with depression.
Animals ; Male ; Rats ; Nucleus Accumbens/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Depression/complications* ; Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/complications* ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Receptors, Immunologic/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Synapses/metabolism*

Radiochemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (OM) is a common oral complication in patients with tumors following head and neck radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Erosion and ulcers are the main features of OM that seriously affect the quality of life of patients and even the progress of tumor treatment. To date, differences in clinical prevention and treatment plans for OM have been noted among doctors of various specialties, which has increased the uncertainty of treatment effects. On the basis of current research evidence, this expert consensus outlines risk factors, clinical manifestations, clinical grading, ancillary examinations, diagnostic basis, prevention and treatment strategies and efficacy indicators for OM. In addition to strategies such as basic oral care, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents, anti-infective agents, pro-healing agents, and photobiotherapy recommended in previous guidelines, we also emphasize the role of traditional Chinese medicine in OM prevention and treatment. This expert consensus aims to provide references and guidance for dental physicians and oncologists in formulating strategies for OM prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, standardizing clinical practice, reducing OM occurrence, promoting healing, and improving the quality of life of patients.
Humans ; Chemoradiotherapy/adverse effects* ; Consensus ; Risk Factors ; Stomatitis/etiology*

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Taohong Siwutang （TSD） on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury （MIRI） in ovariectomized （OVX） female mice. MethodAfter the OVX model of female mice was established， the estradiol （E₂） level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） to verify the model. Sixty OVX mice were randomly divided into six groups： Sham operation group， model group， low， medium， and high dose groups （9， 18， 36 g·kg^-1） of TSD， and nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2） inhibitor group， with 10 mice in each group. The MIRI model was verified by a laser speckle flowmeter. The pathological changes in myocardial tissue were detected by 2，3， 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Serum creatine kinase isoenzyme （CK-MB）， cardiac troponin Ⅰ （CTnⅠ）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and interleukin-10 （IL-10） levels were detected by ELISA. The expression of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） were observed by immunofluorescence staining. The expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， apoptotic B-cell lymphomato-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax）， inflammatory cytokines interleukin-18 （IL-18）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） were detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with the sham operation group， the serum levels of CK-MB， CTnⅠ， MDA， and IL-6 in the model group were increased （P<0.01）， and the levels of SOD and IL-10 were decreased （P<0.01）. The damage scores of TTC and HE staining in myocardial tissue were increased （P<0.01）. The expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in myocardial tissue by immunofluorescence were decreased （P<0.01）， and the protein expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 in myocardial tissue were decreased. The protein expressions of Bax， IL-18， and IL-1β were increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， serum levels of CK-MB， CTnⅠ， MDA， and IL-6 of TSD groups were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and SOD and IL-10 were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. TTC staining and HE staining damage scores of myocardial tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in myocardial tissue by immunofluorescence were increased （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and those of Bax， IL-18， and IL-1β were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The effect of the high dose group of TSD was the most significant. The serum levels of CK-MB， CTnⅠ， MDA， and IL-6 in the Nrf2 inhibitor group were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the levels of SOD and IL-10 were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The damage scores of TTC and HE staining in myocardial tissue were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in myocardial tissue by immunofluorescence were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 in myocardial tissue were significantly decreased， and those of Bax， IL-18， and IL-1β were significantly increased （P<0.01）. ConclusionTSD can alleviate MIRI in OVX mice， reduce oxidative stress response and the release of inflammatory factors， and inhibit apoptosis， playing a protective role in OVX mice with MIRI， which may be related to the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Background Chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CIHH) can effectively alleviate type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this process, the underlying mechanism in its association with the epigenetic regulation of DNA methylation in the promoter regions of glucose metabolism key enzyme genes remains unclear yet. Objective To investigate the effects of CIHH on expression and promoter region methylation of key enzyme genes related to glucose metabolism in diabetes mice, and to explore the underlying mechanism by which CIHH regulates glucose metabolism. Methods Forty C57BL/6J male mice were divided randomly into a normobaric normoxic control (NN/CON) group, a chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia intervention control (CIHH/CON) group, a normobaric normoxic diabetic model (NN/DM) group, and a chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia intervention diabetic model (CIHH/DM) group. The mice in the NN/DM and the CIHH/DM groups were fed for 7 weeks with high-fat and high-sugar diet. Subsequently, these mice were intraperitoneally injected consecutively with 50 mmol·L⁻¹ streptozotocin (STZ) for 5 d at a dose of 40 mg·kg⁻¹ (body weight) per day to create T2DM model mice. The mice in the CIHH/DM and the CIHH/CON groups were intervened by simulating hypobaric hypoxia at 5000 m altitude for 6 h per day, while the mice in the NN/DM and the NN/CON groups were always placed in a normobaric normoxic environment. All mice were continuously treated for 4 weeks, and blood glucose were monitored during this period. After the CIHH intervention experiment, the glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity of mice were evaluated. A set of indicators involved in key glycolytic enzymes glucokinase (GK) and pyruvate kinase (PK), as well as key gluconeogenic enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxyl kinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P) were measured in the liver of mice, including enzyme activity, relative mRNA expression level, and DNA methylation level in the gene promoter regions. Results Compared with the mice in the NN/DM group, the blood glucose levels of the mice in the CIHH/DM group decreased after the 25^th day of the CIHH intervention (P<0.05). Regarding the diabetic glucose tolerance curves, the area under the curve (AUC) of the mice in the CIHH/DM group was lower than that of the NN/DM group (P<0.05). Compared with the mice in the NN/DM group, the mice in the CIHH/DM group showed that the serum insulin content and HOMA of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IRI) decreased (P<0.05), the enzyme activities of GK and PK increased and the relative mRNA expression levels of their genes were up-regulated (P<0.05), while the enzyme activities of PEPCK and G6P decreased and the relative mRNA expression levels of their genes were down-regulated (P<0.05) in liver. The average DNA methylation levels in the promoter regions of GK, PK, PEPCK, and G6P genes in liver of mice in each group were not significantly different (P>0.05), and their correlations with mRNA expression levels were also not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion CIHH intervention may reduce blood glucose level, improve glucose tolerance, alleviate insulin resistance, and regulate the key enzyme activities of glucose metabolism and the relative mRNA expression of their corresponding genes in T2DM mice, but the above phenomena are not related to the DNA methylation levels in the promoter regions of these key enzymes.

Objective:To explore brain network properties and their relationship with cognitive function in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) based graph theory analysis.Methods:The study was a cross-sectional study. Clinical and imaging data of 21 children with SCP (SCP group) and 32 healthy children (control group) who underwent cranial MRI at the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from August 2020 to April 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. 3D-T 1WI, DTI and Wechsler Intelligence Scale were assessed for all subjects. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale included the verbal comprehension index (VCI), the processing speed index (PSI), the work memory index (WMI), and the perceptual reasoning index (PRI), etc., and ultimately the full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) scores were obtained based on the indices of each subscale. Independent samples t-test was used to analyze the differences in the small world attributes [small-world index (σ), normalized shortest path length (λ), normalized clustering coefficients (γ)], global attributes [global efficiency (Eglob), local efficiency (Eloc), characteristic path length (Lp), clustering efficiency (Cp)] and node attributes [degree centrality(DC), nodal efficiency (Ne), betweeness centrality (Bc), nodal shortest path length (NLp), nodal clustering efficiency, nodal local efficiency] between two groups of children′s brain networks. Brain network indicators with statistically significant differences between the 2 groups were correlated with Wechsler Intelligence Scale scores using Spearman. Results:The FSIQ scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale and the VCI, WMI, PSI, and PRI were lower in the SCP group than in the control group, and the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). Both groups of children′s brain networks had small world properties. Compared with the control group, Eglob decreased, Lp and λ increased in the SCP group (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, DC and Ne in multiple brain regions decreased, NLp increased in the SCP group (all P<0.05, FDR corrected). Correlation analysis showed that DC in the right parsopercularis was positively correlated with FSIQ, VCI, WMI and PRI( r=0.53, 0.47, 0.47, 0.60, P=0.019, 0.045, 0.044, 0.020, respectively); NLp in the right parsopercularis was negatively correlated with PRI( r=-0.56, P=0.030); Ne in left paracentral, the right parsopercularis, right precentral, right postcentra were positively correlated with PRI( r=0.62, 0.56, 0.53, 0.54, P=0.015, 0.031, 0.044, 0.039, respectively); Ne in the right precentral was positively correlated with WMI ( r=0.48, P=0.039) in the SCP group. Conclusions:There are changes in the topological attributes of global and multiple regional brain networks in SCP. The changes in the attributes of nodes in the right parsopercularis, right precentral, right postcentral, and left paracentral could reflect cognitive dysfunction in children with SCP.

AIM To explore the clinical effects of Bushen Huoxue Ointment Formula on patients with ankylosing spondylitis of Kidney Deficiency and Blood Stasis Pattern.METHODS One hundred and sixty-seven patients were randomly assigned into control group(55 cases)for 2-year intervention of conventional treatment,exposure group(54 cases)for 2-year intervention of both Bushen Huoxue Decoction and conventional treatment,and high exposure group(58 cases)for 2-year intervention of Bushen Huoxue Ointment Formula,Bushen Huoxue Decoction and conventional treatment.The changes in clinical effects,BASDAI score,ASDAS-CRP,BASFI score,spinal pain score,PGA score,BASMI score,ASQoL score,SPARCC score,Kidney Deficiency and Blood Stasis Pattern score,ESR,CRP,IL-6,TNF-α,IL-17,IL-23,IL-35,NLR,PLR and safety indices were detected.RESULTS The high exposure group demonstrated more ASAS40,ASASAS5/6,BASDAI50 cases than the exposure group and the control group(P<0.05).After the treatment,the high exposure group displayed lower BASDAI score,ASDAS-CRP,BASFI score,spinal pain score,PGA score,BASMI score,SPARCC score,ASQoL score,Kidney Deficiency and Blood Stasis Pattern score,ESR,CRP,IL-6,TNF-α,IL-17,IL-23 than the other two groups(P<0.05),and higher IL-35(P<0.05).After adjusting confounding factors by logistic regression analysis,Bushen Huoxue Decoction and Bushen Huoxue Ointment Formula reduced BASDAI score,ASDAS-CRP(P<0.05),and enhanced clinical effects(P<0.05).No serious adverse reactions were found in the three groups.CONCLUSION For the patients with ankylosing spondylitis of Kidney Deficiency and Blood Stasis Pattern,Bushen Huoxue Ointment Formula can safely and effectively inhibit inflammation,reduce disease activity,alleviate bone marrow edema,improve clinical symptoms,and enhance joint functions and life quality.

Objective:To evaluate the predictive value of postnatal esophageal deviation index for clinical outcomes of fetuses with left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (L-CDH).Methods:This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of 103 neonates with prenatally diagnosed L-CDH who were admitted to Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from January 2016 to February 2023. These patients were divided into the survival group ( n=82) and the death group ( n=21) according to the outcomes, and the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) group ( n=25) and the non-ECMO group ( n=78) according to whether ECMO support was required. Thoracoabdominal X-ray screening was performed on all neonates within 24 h after admission and the esophageal deviation index and cardiac deviation index were calculated. Independent sample t-test or Fisher's exact probability test were used to analyze the differences in general condition and postnatal imaging features between different groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the value of postnatal imaging features in predicting the prognosis of L-CDH. Results:The esophageal deviation index and the cardiac deviation index of neonates in the survival group were lower than those in the death group [(10.5±5.3)% vs. (18.0±4.5)%, t=－5.47; (37.7±7.1)% vs. (42.8±8.2)%, t=－2.62; both P<0.05], while that were both higher in the ECMO group compared with the non-ECMO group [(18.0±4.3)% vs. (10.1±5.2)%, t=6.34; (42.4±7.9)% vs. (37.6±7.1)%, t=2.63; both P<0.05]. ROC curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for predicting the need for ECMO support was 0.879 (95% CI: 0.805-0.953) for esophageal deviation index and 0.712 (95% CI: 0.570-0.854) for cardiac deviation index, with the optimal cut-off values of 11.7% and 41.7%, respectively. The AUC for predicting the survival rate in patients with L-CDH by esophageal deviation index and cardiac deviation index were 0.854 (95% CI: 0.761-0.947) and 0.735 (95% CI: 0.582-0.887), respectively, with the corresponding optimal cut-off values of 15.8% and 41.7%. Conclusion:Postnatal esophageal deviation index is of value in predicting the need for ECMO support and survival rate in patients with L-CDH.