Diabetic kidney disease（DKD） is a chronic kidney structural and functional disorder caused by diabetes. With the global prevalence of diabetes continuing to rise， DKD has gradually become a major cause of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease（ESRD）， posing a serious threat to patients' quality of life and long-term health outcomes. Studies have shown that apoptosis plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of DKD， with its mechanisms involving abnormal activation of multiple signaling pathways such as Toll-like receptor 4（TLR4）/nuclear transcription factor-κB（NF-κB）/B-cell lymphoma-2（Bcl-2）/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase（Caspase）-3， protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase（PERK）/eukaryotic initiation factor 2α（eIF2α）/activating transcript factor 4（ATF4）/CCAAT enhancer-binding protein homologous protein（CHOP）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase（PI3K）/protein kinase B（Akt）/glycogen synthase kinase-3β（GSK-3β）， Janus kinase 2（JAK2）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3（STAT3）， adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase（AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin（mTOR） and silent information regulator 1（SIRT1）/tumor suppressor protein 53（p53）， thereby accelerating renal pathological damage in DKD. Extensive evidence-based medical studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）， leveraging its unique therapeutic advantages of multi-target， multi-component and multi-pathway approaches， has demonstrated remarkable efficacy and favorable safety profiles in treating DKD. Recent studies have demonstrated that active components of TCM can specifically target and modulate key effectors in apoptotic signaling pathways. Meanwhile， traditional compound formulations exert synergistic effects through multiple approaches such as replenishing deficiency and activating blood circulation， detoxifying and dredging collaterals， tonifying kidney essence， and removing stasis and purging turbidity， thereby comprehensively regulating critical pathological processes including endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. This combined therapeutic approach of molecular targeting and holistic regulation provides novel strategies for delaying the progression of DKD. Based on this， this paper provides an in-depth analysis of key apoptotic signaling pathways and their regulatory mechanisms， while systematically summarizing recent research advances regarding the therapeutic effects of TCM active components， compound formulations， and proprietary Chinese medicines on DKD through modulation of these pathways， with particular emphasis on their underlying molecular mechanisms. These findings not only elucidate the modern scientific connotation and theoretical basis of TCM in treating DKD but also establish a solid theoretical and practical foundation for promoting the wider clinical application and further research of TCM in the field of DKD treatment.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Yishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment in managing stage G3A3 diabetic kidney disease （DKD） in the patients with the pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis， and to explore its mechanism of inhibiting the endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS）-apoptosis axis and delaying renal fibrosis （RF）. MethodsA single-center， randomized， parallel-controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 78 patients diagnosed with stage G3A3 DKD and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis and treated in the Department of Nephrology and the Department of Endocrinology of the People's Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2025 to February 2026 were enrolled. They were randomly assigned at a 1∶1 ratio into a control group （conventional Western medicine treatment） and an experimental group （Yishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment）， with 39 patients in each group. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. Basic demographic data and medical history were collected before and after treatment. The two groups before and after treatment were compared in terms of the following parameters： Blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， serum creatinine （SCr）， estimated glomerular filtration rate （eGFR）， urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio （UACR）， fasting blood glucose （FBG）， triglycerides （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） kits were used to measure serum glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， serum cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 （Caspase-3）， and serum and urinary transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁） levels before and after treatment. TCM symptom scores， TCM syndrome efficacy， and overall clinical efficacy were evaluated before and after treatment. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the correlations of serum levels of GRP78 and Caspase-3， as well as serum and urinary levels of TGF-β1， with renal function， proteinuria， and glucose and lipid metabolism indicators in patients with DKD. In addition， safety indicators were also monitored. ResultsA total of 75 patients completed the study （38 in the control group and 37 in the experimental group）. ① Baseline data： The two groups were comparable in terms of sex and age， with no statistically significant difference. ② Efficacy outcomes： Compared with baseline levels， both groups showed reductions in BUN， SCr， UACR， FBG， TG， TC， LDL-C， and TCM symptom scores （P<0.01） and increases in eGFR level （P<0.01）. Moreover， the experimental group outperformed the control group in altering the indicators above （P<0.05）. Regarding TCM syndrome efficacy， the total response rate in the experimental group was 83.78%， which was higher than that （57.89%） in the control group （P<0.05）. Regarding overall clinical efficacy， the total response rate in the experimental group was 78.38%， which was higher than that （50.00%） in the control group （P<0.05）. ③ Mechanism outcomes： Compared with baseline levels， both groups showed declined serum levels of GRP78， Caspase-3， and TGF-β₁ and urinary level of TGF-β₁ after treatment （P<0.01）. Moreover， the experimental group showed greater declines than the control group （P<0.05）. The serum levels of GRP78， Caspase-3，and TGF-β₁ and the urinary level of TGF-β₁ in DKD patients showed positive correlations with BUN， SCr， UACR， and FBG and negative correlations with eGFR （P<0.05）. ④ Safety outcomes： Neither group showed drug-related adverse reactions， and laboratory safety parameters remained within normal ranges. ConclusionYishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment may safely and effectively alleviate clinical symptoms， correct glucose and lipid metabolism disorders， and protect the renal function in patients with stage G3A3 DKD and the pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis. The mechanism may be associated with inhibition of the ERS-apoptosis axis and delay of the RF process.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Yishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment in managing stage G3A3 diabetic kidney disease （DKD） in the patients with the pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis， and to explore its mechanism of inhibiting the endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS）-apoptosis axis and delaying renal fibrosis （RF）. MethodsA single-center， randomized， parallel-controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 78 patients diagnosed with stage G3A3 DKD and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis and treated in the Department of Nephrology and the Department of Endocrinology of the People's Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2025 to February 2026 were enrolled. They were randomly assigned at a 1∶1 ratio into a control group （conventional Western medicine treatment） and an experimental group （Yishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment）， with 39 patients in each group. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. Basic demographic data and medical history were collected before and after treatment. The two groups before and after treatment were compared in terms of the following parameters： Blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， serum creatinine （SCr）， estimated glomerular filtration rate （eGFR）， urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio （UACR）， fasting blood glucose （FBG）， triglycerides （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） kits were used to measure serum glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， serum cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 （Caspase-3）， and serum and urinary transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁） levels before and after treatment. TCM symptom scores， TCM syndrome efficacy， and overall clinical efficacy were evaluated before and after treatment. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the correlations of serum levels of GRP78 and Caspase-3， as well as serum and urinary levels of TGF-β1， with renal function， proteinuria， and glucose and lipid metabolism indicators in patients with DKD. In addition， safety indicators were also monitored. ResultsA total of 75 patients completed the study （38 in the control group and 37 in the experimental group）. ① Baseline data： The two groups were comparable in terms of sex and age， with no statistically significant difference. ② Efficacy outcomes： Compared with baseline levels， both groups showed reductions in BUN， SCr， UACR， FBG， TG， TC， LDL-C， and TCM symptom scores （P<0.01） and increases in eGFR level （P<0.01）. Moreover， the experimental group outperformed the control group in altering the indicators above （P<0.05）. Regarding TCM syndrome efficacy， the total response rate in the experimental group was 83.78%， which was higher than that （57.89%） in the control group （P<0.05）. Regarding overall clinical efficacy， the total response rate in the experimental group was 78.38%， which was higher than that （50.00%） in the control group （P<0.05）. ③ Mechanism outcomes： Compared with baseline levels， both groups showed declined serum levels of GRP78， Caspase-3， and TGF-β₁ and urinary level of TGF-β₁ after treatment （P<0.01）. Moreover， the experimental group showed greater declines than the control group （P<0.05）. The serum levels of GRP78， Caspase-3，and TGF-β₁ and the urinary level of TGF-β₁ in DKD patients showed positive correlations with BUN， SCr， UACR， and FBG and negative correlations with eGFR （P<0.05）. ④ Safety outcomes： Neither group showed drug-related adverse reactions， and laboratory safety parameters remained within normal ranges. ConclusionYishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment may safely and effectively alleviate clinical symptoms， correct glucose and lipid metabolism disorders， and protect the renal function in patients with stage G3A3 DKD and the pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis. The mechanism may be associated with inhibition of the ERS-apoptosis axis and delay of the RF process.

BACKGROUND:The development of calcium phosphate bone cement is limited due to its poor mechanical properties and weak osteogenic ability.Silicate bioactive glass is highly favored due to its excellent biological activity and osteogenic ability.Simultaneously,fiber structures can enhance the mechanical strength of materials.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the mechanical properties,biocompatibility,and osteogenic effect of silicate bioactive glass fiber composite calcium phosphate bone cement.METHODS:Different mass percentages(0％,10％,and 20％)of silicate bioactive glass fiber were added to the solid phase of calcium phosphate bone cement,mixed with the liquid phase and cured for 48 hours to obtain silicate bioactive glass fiber composite calcium phosphate bone cement.The mechanical properties,setting time,and ion precipitation of the cement were characterized.The three groups of bone cement extracts were co-cultured with MC3T3-E1 cells.The cell compatibility of the materials was evaluated by CCK-8 assay,live/dead staining,and phalloidin staining.After osteogenic induction,the osteogenic induction ability of the materials was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase staining,alizarin red staining,RUNX2 immunofluorescence staining,and RT-PCR.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)With the increase of silicate bioactive glass fiber content,the compressive strength and flexural strength of bone cement increased,and the setting time was prolonged.When bone cement was immersed in simulated body fluid,the precipitation of silicon ions,calcium ions,and phosphorus ions could be detected.Moreover,with the increase of silicate bioactive glass fiber content,the mass concentration of silicon ions and phosphorus ions released by bone cement increased,and the mass concentration of calcium ions decreased.(2)Live/dead staining and phalloidin staining results exhibited that silicate bioactive glass fiber composite calcium phosphate bone cement had no toxic effect on MC3T3-E1 cells.CCK-8 assay results showed that silicate bioactive glass fiber composite calcium phosphate bone cement could promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells.(3)With the increase of silicate bioactive glass fiber content in bone cement,the alkaline phosphatase activity and extracellular calcium deposition of MC3T3-E1 cells increased,the expression of RUNX2 protein increased,and the expression of alkaline phosphatase,osteocalcin,osteopontin,and RUNX2 mRNA expression increased.(4)The results indicate that silicate bioactive glass fibers can enhance the mechanical properties and osteogenic induction ability of calcium phosphate bone cement,among which 20％silicate bioactive glass fibers have a more obvious effect.

BACKGROUND:The development of calcium phosphate bone cement is limited due to its poor mechanical properties and weak osteogenic ability.Silicate bioactive glass is highly favored due to its excellent biological activity and osteogenic ability.Simultaneously,fiber structures can enhance the mechanical strength of materials.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the mechanical properties,biocompatibility,and osteogenic effect of silicate bioactive glass fiber composite calcium phosphate bone cement.METHODS:Different mass percentages(0％,10％,and 20％)of silicate bioactive glass fiber were added to the solid phase of calcium phosphate bone cement,mixed with the liquid phase and cured for 48 hours to obtain silicate bioactive glass fiber composite calcium phosphate bone cement.The mechanical properties,setting time,and ion precipitation of the cement were characterized.The three groups of bone cement extracts were co-cultured with MC3T3-E1 cells.The cell compatibility of the materials was evaluated by CCK-8 assay,live/dead staining,and phalloidin staining.After osteogenic induction,the osteogenic induction ability of the materials was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase staining,alizarin red staining,RUNX2 immunofluorescence staining,and RT-PCR.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)With the increase of silicate bioactive glass fiber content,the compressive strength and flexural strength of bone cement increased,and the setting time was prolonged.When bone cement was immersed in simulated body fluid,the precipitation of silicon ions,calcium ions,and phosphorus ions could be detected.Moreover,with the increase of silicate bioactive glass fiber content,the mass concentration of silicon ions and phosphorus ions released by bone cement increased,and the mass concentration of calcium ions decreased.(2)Live/dead staining and phalloidin staining results exhibited that silicate bioactive glass fiber composite calcium phosphate bone cement had no toxic effect on MC3T3-E1 cells.CCK-8 assay results showed that silicate bioactive glass fiber composite calcium phosphate bone cement could promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells.(3)With the increase of silicate bioactive glass fiber content in bone cement,the alkaline phosphatase activity and extracellular calcium deposition of MC3T3-E1 cells increased,the expression of RUNX2 protein increased,and the expression of alkaline phosphatase,osteocalcin,osteopontin,and RUNX2 mRNA expression increased.(4)The results indicate that silicate bioactive glass fibers can enhance the mechanical properties and osteogenic induction ability of calcium phosphate bone cement,among which 20％silicate bioactive glass fibers have a more obvious effect.

Objective To explore the effect of formononetin on immunity of mice with transplanted H22 hepatocarcinoma. Methods Male C57BL/6 mice were subcutaneously inoculated with H22 cells (4×10⁵) to establish a tumor-bearing mouse model. The mice were treated with formononetin [10 mg/(kg.d)] or [50 mg/(kg.d)] for 28 days, and then the tumor inhibition rate was calculated. Carrilizumab was used as a positive control drug. The expressions of CD8, granzyme B and forkbox transcription factor 3 (FOXP3) in HCC tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA and protein expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand 1 (PD-L1) in HCC tissues were detected by real-time PCR or Western blot analysis, respectively. The serum levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were detected by ELISA. Results Formononetin increased the tumor inhibition rate and the positive rate of CD8 and granzyme B staining in tumor-bearing mice. There was no significant difference in the positive rate of FOXP3 staining in tumor tissues of mice in each group. Formononetin decreased the levels of IL-10 and TGF-β in serum of tumor-bearing mice, and decreased the relative expression of mRNA and protein of PD-1 and PD-L1 in tumor tissue of tumor-bearing mice. Conclusion Formononetin can activate CD8⁺ T cells and reduce the release of immunosuppressive factors in regulatory T cells by blocking PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and play an antitumor role.
Male ; Animals ; Mice ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology* ; Liver Neoplasms/genetics* ; Interleukin-10/genetics* ; B7-H1 Antigen ; Granzymes/genetics* ; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/metabolism* ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor

Objective:To investigate the value of transperineal ultrasound assessment of levator hiatal antero-posterior (LHap) diameter changes in the diagnosis of pelvic floor dysfunction.Methods:The clinical data of 246 patients with suspected pelvic floor dysfunction who received treatment in Yuyao People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province from October 2020 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. All these patients underwent clinical examination and modified Oxford score (MOS) evaluation. They were divided into observation group (low pelvic floor muscle contractility) and control group (normal pelvic floor muscle contractility) according to MOS. All patients were subjected to ultrasound examination and LHap diameter measurement under three conditions (at rest, pelvic floor muscle contraction, and maximal Valsalva maneuver). The percentage of shortening of LHap diameter (PDC%) and the percentage of elongation of LHap diameter (PIV%) were calculated. The differences of PDC% and PIV% were compared between the observation and control groups. The receiver operating curve was used to evaluate the values of PDC% and PIV% in the diagnosis of pelvic floor dysfunction.Results:Age, body mass index, the proportion of parturient women among included patients, and the proportion of patients who underwent vaginal delivery were significantly higher in the observation group than those in the control group (all P < 0.001). LHap diameters measured when patients were at rest, pelvic floor muscle contraction, and maximal Valsalva maneuver as well as PIV% in the observation group were (45.23 ± 5.74) mm], (37.71 ± 8.44) mm, (51.03 ± 7.41) mm and (11.42 ± 4.79)%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group [(41.78 ± 4.56) mm, (29.15 ± 4.64) mm, (44.28 ± 4.87) mm, (6.05 ± 2.13)%, t = -4.62, -8.29, -7.26, -9.36, all P < 0.001]. PDC% in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group [(17.52 ± 5.58)% vs. (32.19 ± 4.27)%, t = 20.39, P < 0.001]. MOS was positively correlated with PDC% ( r = 0.56, P < 0.001) and it was negatively correlated with PIV% ( r = -0.49, P < 0.001). Taking PDC% < 35.36% as the cut-off value, the area under the receiver operating curve was 0.85, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values were 66.40%, 97.38%, and 73.90%, respectively. Taking PIV% > 5.18% as the cut-off value, the area under the curve was 0.70, and the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values were 71.45%, 57.90% and 68.15%, respectively. When PDC% and PIV% were used together, the area under the curve was 0.73 and the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values were 84.57%, 55.05% and 77.32%, respectively. Conclusion:Transperineal ultrasound assessment of LHap diameter changes are of certain value in the prediction of pelvic floor dysfunction and can provide objective and quantitative data support for clinicians to diagnose pelvic floor dysfunction. This study is highly innovative and scientific.

Objective:To observe the efficacy of drug combined with red-blue light irradiation, chemical peeling by glycolic acid and intense pulsed light (IPL) in the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris.Methods:A total of 187 patients with moderate acne vulgaris were divided into five groups. There were 59 males and 128 females, aged from 16 to 29 years (21.79±2.52). In group A, patients were treated with oral medicines; the patients were treated with oral medicines combined with red-blue light irradiation, chemical peeling by glycolic acid and IPL respectively in group B, group C and group D. In group E, patients were treated with oral medicines combined with chemical peeling by glycolic acid and IPL. The number of different types of skin lesions (comedoes, papules, pustules) were compared between before and after treatment in five groups. The clinical effect of five treatment groups was evaluated by comparing regression rates of different types of skin lesions and total skin lesions and treatment efficiency.Results:All the patients with moderate acne vulgaris were brought into this study. The regression rates of comedoes, papules and total skin lesions were (86.37±9.64)%, (94.25±9.79)% and (88.80±9.40)% respectively in group E, and significantly higher than that of other four groups ( P<0.05). The treatment efficiency of group E also were significantly higher than that of other four groups ( P<0.05). Then, the regression rates of comedoes (70.91±18.52) in group C was significantly higher than that of group A and group B ( P<0.05). The regression rates of papules (91.42±13.86) in group D was significantly higher than that of group A and group B ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Oral medicines combined with chemical peeling by glycolic acid and IPL has obvious clinical efficacy in treatment of patients with moderate acne vulgaris. Oral medicines combined with chemical peeling by glycolic acid can obviously improve comedoes, and oral medicines combined with IPL can obviously improve papules.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a radioactive sewage purification device that can effectively filter the nuclides in low-level nuclide-contaminated wastewater. METHODS: The radioactive sewage purification device was composed of lifting pump, stack filter, multi-medium filter, security filter, tubular ultrafiltration membrane, high-pressure pump and reverse osmotic membrane. The combined process of adsorption-ultrafiltration-reverse osmosis was used to separate radioactive elements from wastewater by reverse osmosis membrane separation system. Through two-stage multi-medium filter circulation system circulation treatment, radioactive sewage was purified. The flow rate of water treatment is 20 L/min. The filtration efficiency and purification efficiency of the device were tested by filtration experiments on elements containing radionuclide and purification experiments on radionuclide.RESULTS: The filtration efficiency on iodine, potassium, strontium and cesium, that are the common elements in radioactive sewage samples were 97.88%, 98.38%, 99.99% and 99.80%, respectively. The single purification efficiency of radionuclide ~(40)K in low-level radioactive sewage was over 90.00%. CONCLUSION: The device has high filtering efficiency for common elements such as iodine, potassium, strontium and cesium in sewage and high removal rate of radioactive activity for sewage containing ~(40)K. It can be further optimized and transformed into a suitable radioactive sewage water purifier.

Objective To analyze the characteristics and treatment of aortic intramural hematoma ( IMH) in non-traumat-ic elderly patients, and to provide clinical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease .Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical data of 36 elderly patients without trauma during the period from March 2013 to May 2017 in our hospital , to clarify the characteristics of pathogenesis and imaging feature , and to evaluate treatment options.Results 36 patients were followed up and the outcomes of them were satisfactory .Of which 17 asymptomatic patients were given conservative treatment . 19 cases of emergency patients, 7 patients received the emergency operation, 9 patients were given interventional treatment after initial conservative medical treatment, 3 patients received drug treatment, of which 1 patient was conservatively successful, and 2 patients progressed.During follow-up, the imaging data of most of the patients were obtained.The aortic enhanced CT indi-cated that the hematoma disappeared or decreased markedly, and the asymptomatic patients were in stable condition, and the dilatation of aorta was not obvious in patients who have access to imaging examination .Conclusion Elderly patients with IMH are more common in men, especially Stanford B type.IMH in asymptomatic elderly patients with multiple penetrating aortic ul-cer(PAU), but the range of hematoma is limited, no significant progress.And this type of patients can be considered only for conservative treatment.On the contrary, IMH of symptomatic elderly patients usually involve a wide range of aorta , and most of them were caused by single small ulcer.Although the patients have been treated with conservative medicine , the disease is still progress and endovascular treatment repair of aorta can be considered .