In this study, potential quality markers(Q-markers) of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus for treating bronchial asthma were predicted based on analytic hierarchy process(AHP), entropy weight method(EWM), fingerprint, and network pharmacology. AHPEWM was employed to quantitatively identify the Q-markers of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus. AHP was used to weight the primary indicators(effectiveness, measurability, and specificity), while EWM was employed to analyze the secondary indicators of each primer indicator. Further, through fingerprint combined with network pharmacology, a ″component-target-pathway″ network was constructed to screen the components of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus for treating bronchial asthma. It was finally determined that schisandrol A,schisandrin A, and schisandrin B were potential Q-markers of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus in the treatment of bronchial asthma. This study is the first to comprehensively use AHP-EWM, fingerprint, and network pharmacology to screen the key Q-markers of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus in the treatment of bronchial asthma. This study provides a scientific basis for improving the quality standard of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus and lays a foundation for studying its material basis in treating bronchial asthma.
Schisandra/chemistry* ; Asthma/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Network Pharmacology ; Humans ; Entropy ; Lignans/analysis* ; Fruit/chemistry* ; Quality Control ; Cyclooctanes ; Polycyclic Compounds/analysis*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: To utilize machine learning(ML) algorithms to develop accurate and effective prediction models for TAC dose/weight-adjusted trough concentration(C0/D). Methods: Data were collected on 264 TAC blood concentration monitoring data from 72 patients undergoing kidney transplantation. The effects of population statistical data, clinical features, combined medication, and ultrasound feature parameters on TAC C0/D were analyzed. Features with a significance level less than 0.05 in the univariate analysis of TAC C0/D were selected for inclusion in the random forest(RF) algorithm to identify significant features. These features were interpreted using partial dependency plots. Five ML algorithms, including RF, support vector regression(SVR), extreme gradient boosting(XGBoost), decision trees(DT) and artificial neural networks(ANN), were employed to establish the TAC C0/D prediction model. Hyper-parameter tuning was performed on the RF model that performed the best. Results : Ten characteristic variables with importance scores>5 were retained and included in the ML model: transglutaminase, red blood cell count, blood urea nitrogen, weight, serum creatinine, renal segmental arterial resistance index, renal aortic resistance index, hematocrit, renal pelvic Young′s modulus value, and time after transplantation. The partial dependence plots showed that all 10 important variables screened were positively correlated with TAC C0/D. The tuned RF model outperformed the other models with aR2of 0.81, aRMSEof 43.93, and aMAEof 29.97. Conclusion The ML models demonstrate good performance in predicting TAC C0/D and provide innovative interpretations using partial dependence plot. The optimized RF model shows optimal performance and offers a novel tool for individualized medication adjustment for TAC in renal transplant patients.

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of Chir99021 on osteogenic differentiation of rat dental pulp stem cells. Methods Primary rat dental pulp stem cells were isolated from rat dental pulp and verified by fluorescence immunoassay. Different concentrations of Chir99021 were set, and the cell proliferation was detected by CCK⁃8 to select the optimal concentration. Osteogenic differentiation was detected by alizarin red staining. The expression of osteogenic differentiation related genes and proteins recombinant wingless type MMTV integration site famity member 1 (Wnt1), Wnt3a and Wnt3a β⁃expression of catenin, axis inhibition protein 2(Axin 2), dentin sialophosphoprotein(OCN) and dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein 1(DMP1) was detected by Real⁃time PCR and Western blotting. Results The positive expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and vimentin indicated that rat dental pulp stem cells were successfully isolated. After osteogenic induction of rat dental pulp stem cells, calcium deposits significantly increased with the addition of glycogen synthase kinase⁃3β(GSK⁃3β) inhibitor Chir99021, calcium deposits were significanted reduced. After osteogenic differentiation of rat dental pulp stem cells, the expression of Wnt1, Wnt3a, β⁃catenin, Axin2, OCN and DMP1 increased, while the expression of Wnt1, Axin2, OCN and DMP1 decreased with the addition of Chir99021. Conclusion Chir99021 can inhibit the osteogenic differentiation of rat dental pulp stem cells after 7 days of induction.

Objective To investigate the attributable risk(AR)of Acinetobacter baumannii(AB)infection in criti-cally ill patients.Methods A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted among adult patients in inten-sive care unit(ICU).Patients with AB isolated from sterile body fluid and confirmed with AB infection in each cen-ter were selected as the infected group.According to the matching criteria that patients should be from the same pe-riod,in the same ICU,as well as with similar APACHE Ⅱ score(±5 points)and primary diagnosis,patients who did not infect with AB were selected as the non-infected group in a 1:2 ratio.The AR was calculated.Results The in-hospital mortality of patients with AB infection in sterile body fluid was 33.3％,and that of non-infected group was 23.1％,with no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P=0.069).The AR was 10.2％(95％CI:-2.3％-22.8％).There is no statistically significant difference in mortality between non-infected pa-tients and infected patients from whose blood,cerebrospinal fluid and other specimen sources AB were isolated(P＞0.05).After infected with AB,critically ill patients with the major diagnosis of pulmonary infection had the high-est AR.There was no statistically significant difference in mortality between patients in the infected and non-infec-ted groups(P＞0.05),or between other diagnostic classifications.Conclusion The prognosis of AB infection in critically ill patients is highly overestimated,but active healthcare-associated infection control for AB in the ICU should still be carried out.

Objective　To understand the impact of early and timely treatment and initial antiviral treatment regimen on mortality and attrition of antiretroviral therapy. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using download data on antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected patients in Liuzhou City, Guangxi Province, from the database of the Basic Information System for AIDS Control and Prevention (BISAC) from 2010 to 2020. The Cox proportional risk regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of mortality and attrition. Results A total of 15 713 infected patients were included, including 53.4% aged 18-<50 years, 69.4% male, 61.0% farmer, 75.1% CD4 count <350 cells /μL before initial antiviral treatment, the overall mortality rate was 4.30/100 person-years, and the overall attrition was 2.42/100 person-years. The results of Cox regression analysis showed that the influencing factors of mortality were pretreatment CD4 counts of 350-<500 cells/μL(AHR=0.72, 95%CI: 0.63-0.81) and ≥500 cells/μL (AHR= 0.64, 95%CI: 0.55-0.76); duration from diagnosis to initial antiviral treatment 91-180 days (AHR=1.25, 95%CI: 1.08-1.45), 181-365 days (AHR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.08-1.47), and ≥365 days (AHR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.11-1.44); initial antiviral treatment regimens of D4T+3TC+EFV/NVP (AHR=1.47, 95%CI: 1.32-1.63) and AZT/D4T/TDF+3TC+LPV/r (AHR=1.73, 95%CI: 1.50-1.99). Factors affecting attrition were pretreatment CD4 counts of 350-499 cells/μL (AHR=1.32, 95%CI: 1.16-1.50) and ≥500 cells/μL (AHR=1.28, 95%CI: 1.10-1.50); interval from HIV positivity confirmation to initial dosing ≥365 days (AHR=1.21, 95%CI: 1.04-1.40), initial antiviral treatment regimens of TDF+3TC+NVP (AHR=1.32, 95%CI: 1.13-1.55), AZT+3TC+EFV/NVP (AHR=1.43, 95%CI: 1.26-1.62) and AZT/D4T/TDF+3TC+LPV/r (AHR=1.33, 95CI%: 1.06-1.67). Conclusions　Early and timely treatment and the initial antiviral treatment regimen of TDF+3TC+EFV have good efficacy, but attention should be paid to the high risk of attrition of HIV-infected people with high CD4 count before treatment.

Ensifentrine is the first-class of dual inhibitors targeting phosphodiesterase 3 and 4(PDE3/4),a new bifunctional drug that can combine Bronchiectasis and anti-inflammatory activity in one molecule,and the only PDE3/4 inhibitor that successfully passed the Phase Ⅲclinical trial.Verona Pharma has submitted its marketing application to the Food and Drug Administration(FDA)as a COPD maintenance drug,It is expected to become the world's first new mechanism therapy for treating COPD in the past decade.Clinical trials have shown that Ensifentraine can improve lung function in COPD,while also having a wide range of anti-inflammatory effects,good tolerance,and generally mild adverse events,mainly headache,vomiting,etc.This article introduces the mechanism of action,pharmacodynamics,pharmacological effects,clinical research,and safety of Ensifentraine.

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.

Objective Electromagnetic navigation was used to observe and measure important anatomical structures through endoscopic endoscopic approach (EEA) to the ventral skull base to provide data for clinical surgery. Methods Using electromagnetic navigation to measure the anatomical structure of the central and paracentral ventral skull base on 10 fresh cadavers, the internal carotid artery (ICA) was the most important. Results Electromagnetic navigation helped to determine the course of important neurovascular. The ICA of the ventral skull base was divided into 5 segments+ 7 major branches, and the length and course of each were measured and recorded. Conclusion The identification and protection of ICA is the key to EEA treatment of ventral skull base lesions, and electromagnetic navigation assistance can improve the efficiency and safety of EEA surgery.

AIM: To investigate the effect of peripheral defocus spectacles and orthokeratology lenses on the control of axial length in children and adolescents with myopia.METHODS: Prospective study. A total of 71 cases(134 eyes)of children and adolescents with myopia who visited the Second Hospital of Longyan from June 2019 to June 2021 were selected. They were fitted with peripheral defocus spectacles for 12mo and then switched to orthokeratology lenses. The growth of axial length was observed at 3, 6, and 12mo after wearing peripheral defocus spectacles and orthokeratology lenses.RESULTS: The median axial length growth after wearing peripheral defocus spectacles and orthokeratology lenses for 12mo was 0.35 and 0.14mm, respectively. The axial growth at 3, 6, and 12mo after wearing orthokeratology lenses was lower than those after wearing peripheral defocus spectacles(P<0.001), and the growth rate of axial length was significantly reduced. The patients were divided into a rapid progression group(axial growth ≥0.4 mm, 29 cases, 54 eyes)and a non-rapid progression group(axial growth <0.4mm, 42 cases, 80 eyes)according to the axial growth of peripheral defocus spectacles for 12mo. The median axial growth after wearing peripheral defocus spectacles for 12mo in the two groups was 0.70 and 0.24mm, respectively, while the median axial growth after wearing orthokeratology lenses was 0.31 and 0.09mm, respectively. The growth rate was reduced by 56% and 63% respectively in the two groups after wearing orthokeratology lens. The axial growth of cases wearing orthokeratology lenses for 12mo in the non-rapid progression group was lower than that in the rapid progression group, and it did not change with age or diopter. There was no significant difference among different ages and different diopters in the rapid progression group(P>0.05). In the non-rapid progression group, axial growth of cases aged 7-12 years was higher than those aged 13-16 years(P<0.05), but there was no significant difference among different diopters(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Orthokeratology lens is more effective than peripheral defocus spectacles in controlling axial growth in children and adolescents with myopia, and the control effect of orthokeratology lens on rapid-progressing myopia is remarkable.