Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute infectious respiratory disease that has been prevalent since December 2019. Chinese medicine (CM) has demonstrated its unique advantages in the fight against COVID-19 in the areas of disease prevention, improvement of clinical symptoms, and control of disease progression. This review summarized the relevant material components of CM in the treatment of COVID-19 by searching the relevant literature and reports on CM in the treatment of COVID-19 and combining with the physiological and pathological characteristics of the novel coronavirus. On the basis of sorting out experimental methods in vivo and in vitro, the mechanism of herb action was further clarified in terms of inhibiting virus invasion and replication and improving related complications. The aim of the article is to explore the strengths and characteristics of CM in the treatment of COVID-19, and to provide a basis for the research and scientific, standardized treatment of COVID-19 with CM.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; SARS-CoV-2/drug effects* ; COVID-19/therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology* ; Animals

OBJECTIVES: To explore the underlying pharmacological mechanisms and its potential effects of Chinese medicine herbal formula Sini Powder (SNP) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: The active components of SNP and their in vivo distribution were identified using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Construction of component-target-disease networks, protein-protein interaction network, Gene Ontology function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis, and molecular docking were employed to analyze the active components and anti-HCC mechanisms of SNP. Cell viability assay and wound healing assay were utilized to confirm the effect of SNP-containing serum (2.5%, 5.0%, 10%, 20%, and 40%), isoprenaline or propranolol (both 10, 100, and 1,000 µ mol/L) on proliferation and migration of HepG 2 or Huh7 cells. Meanwhile, the effect of isoprenaline or propranolol on the β 2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) mRNA expression on HepG2 cells were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription (RT-qPCR). Mice with subcutaneous tumors were either subjected to chronic restraint stress (CRS) followed by SNP administration (364 mg/mL) or directly treated with SNP (364 mg/mL). These two parallel experiments were performed to validate the effects of SNP on stress responses. Stress-related proteins and hormones were quantified using RT-qPCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry. Metagenomic sequencing was performed to confirm the influence of SNP on the gut microbiota in the tumor-bearing CRS mice. RESULTS: The distribution of the 12 active components of SNP was confirmed in various tissues and feces. Network pharmacology analysis confirmed the anti-HCC effects of the 5 active components. The potential anti-HCC mechanisms of SNP may involve the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (SRC) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathways. SNP-containing serum inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 and Huh7 cells at concentrations of 2.5% and 5.0%, respectively, after 24 h of treatment. Furthermore, SNP suppressed tumor progression in tumor-bearing mice exposed to CRS. SNP treatment also downregulated the expressions of stress-related proteins and pro-inflammatory cytokines, primarily by modulating the gut microbiota. Specifically, the abundance of Alistipes and Prevotella, which belong to the phylum Bacteroidetes, increased in the SNP-treated group, whereas Lachnospira, in the phylum Firmicutes, decreased. CONCLUSION SNP can combat HCC by alleviating stress responses through the regulation of gut microbiota.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Liver Neoplasms/microbiology* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/microbiology* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Powders ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Mice ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Hep G2 Cells ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2/genetics* ; Stress, Physiological/drug effects* ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Male ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Cell Survival/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Mas

Acute kidney injury (AKI) has high morbidity and mortality, but effective clinical drugs and management are lacking. Previous studies have suggested that macrophages play a crucial role in the inflammatory response to AKI and may serve as potential therapeutic targets. Emerging evidence has highlighted the importance of forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) in mediating macrophage activation and polarization in various diseases, but the specific mechanisms by which FoxO1 regulates macrophages during AKI remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the role of FoxO1 in macrophages in the pathogenesis of AKI. We observed a significant upregulation of FoxO1 in kidney macrophages following ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Additionally, our findings demonstrated that the administration of FoxO1 inhibitor AS1842856-encapsulated liposome (AS-Lipo), mainly acting on macrophages, effectively mitigated renal injury induced by I/R injury in mice. By generating myeloid-specific FoxO1-knockout mice, we further observed that the deficiency of FoxO1 in myeloid cells protected against I/R injury-induced AKI. Furthermore, our study provided evidence of FoxO1's pivotal role in macrophage chemotaxis, inflammation, and migration. Moreover, the impact of FoxO1 on the regulation of macrophage migration was mediated through RhoA guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 (ARHGEF1), indicating that ARHGEF1 may serve as a potential intermediary between FoxO1 and the activity of the RhoA pathway. Consequently, our findings propose that FoxO1 plays a crucial role as a mediator and biomarker in the context of AKI. Targeting macrophage FoxO1 pharmacologically could potentially offer a promising therapeutic approach for AKI.

Objective Through a multi-software visual analysis of the literature on the influence of T cells on rheumatoid arthritis(RA)in recent ten years,the research hotspot and frontier development in this field were summarized.Methods The Chinese and English literature on the influence of T cells on RA from 2012 to 2022 years was retrieved from CNKI and Web of Science database as the research object.CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were used to analyze the number of publications,authors and keywords.Results 519 articles in Chinese and 861 in English were retrieved.The results showed that the number of articles in Chinese increased slowly from 2020 to 2022 years,while the overall trend in English was stable.Keyword analysis shows that it is predicted that future research in this field will focus on the pathogenesis of T cells in RA,the mechanism of bone destruction in RA,disease activity,oxidative stress.Conclusion The influence of T cells on RA has attracted much attention in the past,present and future,and has great research value.However,due to the differences in research priorities at home and abroad,the teams should interact positively and communicate with each other to reveal the internal mechanism of RA and provide theoretical basis for targeted therapy.

Objective To investigate the geographical distribution and seasonal fluctuations of visceral leishmaniasis vectors sandflies in Henan Province in 2023, so as to provide insights into the prevention and control of visceral leishmaniasis vectors. Methods A total of 23 counties (districts) were sampled from 18 cities of Henan Province from May to September, 2023 as sandfly surveillance sites, and sandflies were captured using human capture and light trapping methods. Following morphological identification, the changes in the sandfly density were calculated at different months and in different breeding habitats. Results A total of 406 light traps were set at sandfly surveillance sites in Henan Province from May to September, 2023, and a total of 3 137 female sandlies were captured, with an average density of 7.73 sandlies/(light·night). A total of 1 494 Phlebotomus chinensis sandflies were captured, including 1 222 female sandflies, with an average density of 3.01 sandflies/(light·night), and the highest density of P. chinensis was found in Gongyi City [17.00 sandflies/(light·night)]. A total of 5 544 sandflies were captured using the human capture method, including 230 P. chinensis, and the density of P. chinensis appeared a unimodal distribution, with a peak in early July [5.81 sandflies/(light·night)]. Among different breeding habitats, the highest P. chinensis density was detected in pigpens [4.50 sandflies/(light·night)]. Conclusions P. chinensis was predominantly distributed in hilly areas of northern and central-western Henan Province in 2023, and the sandfly density appeared a unimodal distribution. Intensified monitoring of visceral leishmaniasis vectors is recommended.

Objective To characterize the species of common sandflies in Henan Province using DNA barcoding with cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene as the molecular marker, and to analyze the genetic polymorphisms of sandflies, so as to provide insights into visceral leishmaniasis prevention and control in Henan Province. Methods Sandfly specimens were sampled from 13 sandflies surveillance sites from 2021 to 2023 in Anyang City, Zhengzhou, Luoyang and Xuchang cities (Zhengzhou-Luoyang-Xuchang areas) where visceral leishmaniasis cases were reported and in Jiaozuo and Xinxiang cities (Jiaozuo-Xinxiang areas) without visceral leishmaniasis cases reported. Genomic DNA was extracted from a single sandfly, and COI gene was amplified. The amplification product was subjected to bidirectional sequencing. Following sequence assembly, the species of sandflies was characterized through sequence alignment using the BLAST tool. The intra-specific and inter-specific genetic distances of sandflies were estimated among different areas using the software Mega 11, and phylogenetic trees were created. The polymorphisms of nucleotide sequences in the sandflies COI gene were estimated using the software DnaSP. The fixation index (F_ST) of different geographical isolates of sandflies was calculated using the Arlequin software, and the gene flow value (Nm) was used to measure the gene flow in the sandflies populations. In addition, the population genetic structure of different geographical populations of Phlebotomus chinensis was analyzed using the STRUCTURE software. Results A total of 978 sandflies were collected from 13 sandflies surveillance sites in Zhengzhou-Luoyang-Xuchang areas, Jiaozuo-Xinxiang areas and Anyang City of Henan Province from 2021 to 2023, and 475 sandflies were randomly sampled for subsequent detections. A total of 304 Ph. chinensis, 162 Se. squamirostris and 9 Se. bailyi were identified based on molecular biological detection of the COI gene, and Se. bailyi was reported for the first time in Henan Province. The intraspecific genetic distances of sandflies were 0.000 to 0.040, and the inter-specific genetic distances ranged from 0.133 to 0.161. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that each of the three sandfly species was clustered into a clade. The genetic polymorphisms of Ph. chinensis populations varied among different areas, with the highest haplotype diversity (0.966 ± 0.007) and the greatest nucleotide diversity (0.011) in Zhengzhou-Luoyang-Xuchang areas, and the lowest haplotype diversity (0.720 ± 0.091) and nucleotide diversity (0.004) in Anyang City. The dominant haplotype of Ph. chinensis populations was Pch_Hap_2 in Anyang City and Jiaozuo-Xinxiang areas, with moderate genetic differentiation (0.05 < F_ST < 0.15) and frequent gene exchange (Nm value > 1) between Ph. chinensis populations sampled from Anyang City, and Jiaozuo-Xinxiang areas. Population genetic structure analysis showed that the dominant component of Ph. chinensis populations was K5 in Anyang City and Jiaozuo-Xinxiang areas. No obvious dominant haplotype was observed in Ph. chinensis populations sampled from Zhengzhou-Luoyang-Xuchang areas, which had very high genetic differentiation (F_ST > 0.25) and little gene exchange (Nm value < 1) with Ph. chinensis populations from Anyang City, and Jiaozuo-Xinxiang areas, with K3 as the dominant component. In addition, there was no significant difference in the genetic polymorphism level among Se. squamirostris populations from the three areas. Conclusions There are Ph. chinensis, Se. squamirostris and Se. bailyi in Henan Province, and S. bailyi is recorded for the first time in Henan Province by molecular biological assays. There are different levels of genetic differentiation and gene exchange among P. chinensis populations in different areas of Henan Province.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of visceral leishmaniasis cases in Henan Province, so as to provide insights into formulation of the visceral leishmaniasis control srtrategy. Methods All epidemiological data of reported visceral leishmaniasis cases in Henan Province from 2021 to 2023 were retrieved from the National Notifiable Disease Report Information Management System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the epidemiological features and diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis cases were descriptively analyzed. Results A total of 93 visceral leishmaniasis cases were reported in Henan Province from 2021 to 2023, with a male to female ratio of 2.58∶1, and including 2 imported cases from other provinces and 91 local cases. The number of visceral leishmaniasis cases peaked during the period between March and May, and between July and October. The reported visceral leishmaniasis cases had ages of 7 months to 74 years, with the largest number of cases found at ages of 0 to 9 years (26 cases, 27.96%), followed by at ages of 60 to 70 years (24 cases, 25.81%). Farmer (47 cases, 50.54%) and diaspora children (19 cases, 20.43%) were predominant occupations, and 91 local visceral leishmaniasis cases were found in 6 cities of Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Anyang, Hebi, Sanmenxia and Xuchang. The median duration from onset of visceral leishmaniasis to diagnosis was 20 days, and there were 25.81% (24/93) cases with 10 days and less duration from onset to diagnosis, 38.71% (36/93) cases receiving diagnosis at 11 to 30 days following onset, and 35.48% (33/93) cases receiving diagnosis for more than 30 days following onset. All cases were predominantly diagnosed in province- (60.00%) and city-level (28.89%) medical institutions. Conclusions The number of visceral leishmaniasis is on the rise in Henan Province, with a gradually expanding coverage. Intensified monitoring of visceral leishmaniasis cases, dogs, and vectors, dog management, sandflies control and improved individual protection are recommended to prevent the spread of visceral leishmaniasis.

Objective:To investigate value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)in predicting ischemic-type biliary lesions(ITBLs)in patients with thickened hilar bile duct wall at early stage after liver transplantation.Methods:A total of 45 patients,who underwent liver transplantation at the Liver Transplantation Center of Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from June 25,2020 to December 28,2022,and occurred hilar bile duct wall thickening at early stage after surgery,were prospectively included.CEUS was performed on biliary tract when the thickened hilar bile duct wall was first detected by routine ultrasound,and the enhanced mode of duct wall at each phase was recorded.Subsequently,according to the results of cholangiography,these patients were divided into ITBLs group(15 cases)and non-ITBLS group(30 cases).The enhanced degree of each phase of CEUS of two groups was qualitatively analyzed and compared,and the diagnostic efficacy of CEUS for ITBLs after liver transplantation was evaluated.Results:There were no significant differences in source of liver donor,biliary anastomosis,autoimmune liver disease,hepatic artery occlusion(HAO),rejection,cytomegalovirus infection and cholangitis between the two groups(P>0.05).The compared results of the enhanced mode of CEUS at arterial phase between the two groups indicated that 25 patients(83.3%)were hyper-enhancement,and 5 patients(16.7%)were iso-enhancement,and 0 patient was hypo-enhancement or non-enhancement in non-ITBLS group.The compared results also indicated that 3 patients(20.0%)were hyper-enhancement,and 4 patients(26.7%)were iso-enhancement,and 8 patients(53.3%)were hypo-enhancement or non-enhancement in ITBLs group.The difference of above results between the two groups was statistically significant(x2=22.946,P<0.000).There was no significant difference between the two groups in the enhanced mode at the late phase(P>0.05).The accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positively predictive value and negatively predictive value of the prompted hypo-enhancement or non-enhancement at arterial phase of CEUS on biliary tract were respectively 84.4%,53.3%,100%,100%and 84.4%in diagnosing ITBLs.For 8 patients who were diagnosed as ITBLs by CEUS,the diagnostic time of CEUS for ITBLs was 1 to 6 months[3.0(1-5)months]ahead of that of cholangiography.Conclusion:CEUS can more accurately predict ITBLs before the biliary tract occurs significant morphological change,which can significantly advance the diagnostic time for ITBLs.

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.