ObjectiveThis paper aims to clarify the material basis of Gualou Niubangtang and establish a quantitative analysis method for its main constituents， providing a reference for the overall quality control of this preparation. MethodsThe constituents in the formula were systematically characterized based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS）. Identification was performed by matching with the UNIFI 9.6 software and utilizing database platforms such as PubChem， ChemicalBook， and ChemSpider， combined with relevant literature reports. A quantitative analysis method for the seven main constituents in Gualou Niubangtang was established by using high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）. ResultsUPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis identified 155 constituents， including 69 flavonoids， 36 terpenoids， 23 phenylpropanoids， 8 phenylethanoid glycosides， and 19 other types of constituents. In the established quantitative analysis method， the seven main constituents showed good linearity within their respective linear ranges. The precision， repeatability， stability， and spike recovery all met the required standards. The results showed that the content ranges of geniposide， liquiritin， hesperidin， arctiin， baicalin， oroxylin A-7-O-β-D-glucuronide， and wogonoside in 15 batches of Gualou Niubangtang were 13.67-21.25， 1.20-7.64， 5.45-7.45， 22.97-33.51， 29.95-39.07， 2.58-4.80， and 6.56-9.31 mg·g^-1， respectively. ConclusionThis study successfully characterizes and attributes multi-category constituents in Gualou Niubangtang， clarifying that its material basis is primarily composed of flavonoids， terpenoids， phenylethanoid glycosides， and phenylpropanoids. Furthermore， it enables the quantification of seven constituents within the formula. This work lays a foundation for research on the quality control， action mechanism， and clinical application of this formula.

Objective To investigate the correlation between gut microbiota characteristics and immunotherapy efficacy in patients with advanced microsatellite stable (MSS) advanced gastrointestinal tumors. Methods Thirty patients with advanced MSS gastrointestinal tumors, including fourteen cases of gastric cancer and sixteen cases of colorectal cancer, who were admitted from November 1, 2022, to July 31, 2025 were enrolled. All patients underwent gut microbiota testing and received corresponding interventions on the basis of the results, followed by treatment with antiangiogenic agents combined with immunotherapy. Some patients additionally received probiotics or fecal microbiota transplantation. The primary endpoints were disease control rate (DCR) and objective response rate (ORR). The secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to assess potential prognostic factors. Results Among the thirty patients, no complete response was observed. Two cases of partial response (PR), twelve cases of stable disease, and sixteen cases of progressive disease were recorded. The ORR was 6.7%, and the DCR was 46.7%. The median PFS was 6.4 months, and the median OS was 8.3 months. Both PR patients were classified as having a medium risk of gut microbiota dysbiosis and exhibited a Bacteroides-dominated enterotype. Multivariate analysis indicated that tumor type, liver metastasis, and bone metastasis were potential prognostic factors for PFS and OS. Conclusion Patients with a medium risk of gut dysbiosis may exhibit a relatively favorable response to immunotherapy, suggesting that gut microbiota status could serve as a potential biomarker for predicting treatment efficacy in advanced MSS gastrointestinal tumors.

Objective:To observe the characteristics of gastrointestinal tract symptoms in patients with Parkinson′s disease (PD) and analyze the characteristics of these symptoms in patients with different PD subtypes.Methods:A total of 297 PD patients who were admitted to the Neurology Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from November 2022 to March 2024 were enrolled. The gastrointestinal symptoms of PD patients were evaluated using Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale (DSFS), Sialorrhea Clinical Scale for Parkinson′s disease (SCS-PD), Drooling Rating Scale (DRS), Eating Assessment Tool 10 (EAT-10), Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI), and Rome Ⅳ diagnostic criteria. The patients were grouped based on the presence or absence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Additionally, they were stratified according to disease duration (≤2 years, 2-5 years, 5-10 years, and>10 years) and motor symptom subtype [tremor-dominant (TD) vs. postural instability and gait difficulty (PIGD)]. One-way ANOVA and logistic regression analysis were applied to examine between-group differences while Spearman correlation analysis was employed to assess correlations between clinical symptoms.Results:The average age of the patients with PD was 67.0 (60.0, 72.0) years, and 161 (54.2%) were male. The incidence of PD combined with gastrointestinal symptoms was, in descending order: constipation (191, 64.3%), salivation (155, 52.2%), gastroparesis (93, 31.3%), and dysphagia (68, 22.9%). Compared with PD patients without gastrointestinal symptoms, those with symptoms had higher scores in the RBD-HK [12.0 (5.0, 21.5) vs. 5.0 (0.0, 9.0), Z=-3.74, P=0.017], ESS [6.0 (2.0, 12.0) vs. 3.0 (0.0, 6.0), Z=-3.20, P=0.023], and MDS-UPDRS Part Ⅰ [9.0 (5.0, 14.0) vs. 5.0 (2.3, 9.0), Z=-3.61, P=0.014]. The severity of sialorrhea and deglutition disorders, along with the incidence of constipation, all increased with longer disease duration. Patients with the PIGD subtype had higher GCSI scores than those with the TD subtype [0.0 (0.0, 1.9) vs. 0.0 (0.0, 0.0), Z=-3.57, P=0.007]. Across the cohort, sialorrhea, deglutition disorders, gastroparesis, and constipation were positively associated with the H-Y stage, MDS-UPDRS Ⅰ, HAMD, NMSQ, and SCOPA-AUT; EAT-10 scores were negatively correlated with MoCA ( r=-0.171, P<0.05); and GCSI scores were negatively correlated with MMSE and MoCA ( r=-0.154, r=-0.169, both P<0.05). Conclusions:Overall, 84.5% of the patients with PD had one or more gastrointestinal symptoms, and the incidence and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms increased with disease duration. The severity of gastroparesis was higher in the PIGD group than in the TD group. The scores of all gastrointestinal symptoms were positively correlated with the H-Y stage and MDS-UPDRS Ⅰ, while the GCSI scores were negatively correlated with the cognitive scores.

Objective:To determine the prevalence of self-reported food allergies among children in the grasslands of North China and to analyze its associated risk factors.Methods:In this study, a cross-sectional epidemiological survey method was used to select children under 14 years old by multi-stage, stratified and random cluster sampling in the grassland ecological area of Zhangbei County, Hebei Province, China from May to July 2018. Face-to-face questionnaires were administered to gather food allergy-related information from the participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors associated with self-reported food allergy.Results:A total of 2 086 children completed the survey. The prevalence of self-reported food allergies was 22.0%(459/2 086). The prevalence of multiple food allergies (≥3 types) was 3.1%(64/2 086) versus 16.3% (341/2 086) for a single food allergy among all children. Mango allergy (6.1%, 127/2 086) was the most common, followed by peach allergy (4.1%, 85/2 086). Children who reported food allergies had a significantly higher prevalence of all 4 atopic disorders (eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and allergic conjunctivitis than those without food allergies(35.73% vs. 20.65%, 5.88% vs. 2.77%, 17.86% vs. 7.38%, 16.78% vs. 10.45%, χ2 =44.663 1, 10.434 3, 45.038 3, 13.728 4, all P<0.001).Significantly associated risk factors of food allergy were found to be pollen allergy ( OR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.80-2.92) and drug allergy ( OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.12-2.09). Conclusions:The prevalence of self-reported food allergies among children in the Zhangbei County area of the North China Grassland was relatively high. Pollen allergy and drug allergy are major risk factors.

Objectives:To explore the relationship between carboxymethyl lysine (CML) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with myopenia, so as to provide some clinical reference for clinical prevention and early intervention of myopenia.Methods:A case-control study was conducted, selecting 142 T2DM patients admitted to the Endocrinology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from November 2022 to November 2023. According to the diagnostic criteria of the 2019 consensus of experts on the diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia, the patients were divided into a case group (T2DM with sarcopenia, 58 cases) and a control group (T2DM without sarcopenia, 84 cases). Collect and compare general information, serological data, and body composition data of two groups of patients. Two independent sample t-test is used for inter group comparison of metric data that conforms to normal distribution; Non parametric tests are used for inter group comparisons of non normally distributed quantitative data; The comparison of count data between groups is conducted using χ2 test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between carboxymethyl lysine and type 2 diabetes with myopenia. Draw receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and analyze the efficacy of carboxymethyllysine in diagnosing T2DM with muscle atrophy. Results:Univariate analysis showed the BMI ((21.59±3.04) kg/m 2), FINS (4.49 (1.85,9.03) U/L), and FCP ((1.45±0.96) mg/L) levels of the patients in the case group were lower than those in the control group(27.32±3.74) kg/m 2, 6.91 (3.74, 11.99) U/L, (2.64±1.23) mg/L), while age, ((64.67±6.75) years old) of disease duration(12.16±6.69) years, and CML (5.70±2.14 μg/L) were higher than those in the control group ((62.23±7.33) years old, (8.70±8.01) years, (2.38±0.73) μg/L), and the differences were statistically significant (Statistical values were t=9.66, Z=2.86, t=6.46, t=2.02, t=2.70, t=13.17; P values were <0.001, 0.004, <0.001, 0.046, 0.008, <0.001). Multifactorial binary logistic regression analysis showed that CML ( OR(95%CI):3.242 (1.933-5.437)) and BMI ( OR(95%CI):0.636 (0.505-0.801)) were associated with T2DM combined with sarcopenia (all P<0.001). The results of the ROC curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of CML was 0.934, and the corresponding optimal cut-off value was 3.038 μg/L. The diagnostic efficacy of CML for the diagnosis of T2DM combined with myasthenia gravis was high, and the diagnostic results were in good agreement with the actual results. Conclusions:Carboxymethyl lysine is associated with T2DM combined with muscle atrophy. CML has a high diagnostic efficacy in diagnosing T2DM combined with muscle atrophy, and it has certain practical value in diagnosing T2DM combined with muscle atrophy.

Objective To observe the efficacy of a nomogram based on conventional ultrasonic manifestations for predicting malignant risk of breast non-mass lesions(NML).Methods A total of 120 NML diagnosed with ultrasound in 113 female patients were retrospectively included and divided into malignant group(n=44)and benign group(n=76)based on pathological results.Patients' age,ultrasonic manifestations of NML and ipsilateral axillary lymph node were compared between groups.Then a nomogram was constructed using a multivariable logistic regression model,and its diagnostic performance and accuracy were validated.Results The ratios of patients' aged≥45 years,with abnormal ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes,NML with maximum diameter≥2 cm,posterior echo attenuation,rich blood flow signals,architectural distortion and microcalcification were significantly different between groups(all P＜0.05).Patient's age≥45 years,with abnormal ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes,and NML with rich blood flow signals,architectural distortion and microcalcification were all independent predictive factors for high malignant risk of breast NML(all P＜0.05).The constructed nomogram achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.901 for predicting malignant risk of breast NML,and its predicting probabilities demonstrated good agreement with the actual probabilities(Hosmer-Lemeshow test P＞0.05).Conclusion The nomogram incorporating patient's age,ultrasonic manifestations of NML and ipsilateral axillary lymph node could effectively quantify malignancy risk of breast NML.

AIM To explore the relieving effect of Er Miao Wan on atopic dermatitis in mice.METHODS In vivo experiment:BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal group,model group,dexamethasone group(2 mg/kg)and high,medium and low dose groups of Er Miao Wan(4.68,2.34 and 1.17 g/kg).The mouse model of atopic dermatitis was established by repeatedly smearing DNCB solution,and the model was given orally for 21 days.The skin lesion condition on the back of mice,ear swelling degree,and the weight difference between ear lobes were observed and recorded.HE staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the skin lesion tissues of mice.Toluidine blue(TB)staining was used to observe the infiltration of mast cells in skin lesions.The expression of macrophage marker F4/80 in skin lesions was detected by IHC.The serum levels of TSLP,IL-4,IL-5 and total IgE were detected by ELISA.In vitro experiment:RAW264.7 cells in logarithmic growth period were given 400,200 and 100 μg/mL Er Miao Wan for intervention.Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 method.NO level in cell supernatant was detected by Griess method.TNF-α,IL-1 β and IL-6 levels in cell supernatant were detected by ELISA method.The expressions of proteins related to the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway in cells was detected by Western blot.RESULTS In vivo experiment:Compared with the model group,the scores of back skin lesions,the swelling degree of right ear and the weight difference between left and right ear pieces in the high-dose group of Er Miao Wan decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),the thickness of skin lesions decreased,the infiltration of mast cells and macrophages decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the inflammatory factors TSLP,IL-4,IL-5 and total IgE levels in serum decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the expression of F4/80 in the skin lesions decreased(P＜0.01).In vitro experiment:Compared with the model group,the levels of NO,TNF-α,IL-1 β and IL-6 in Er Miao Wan 400 and 200 μg/mL groups decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the phosphorylation levels of P38,JNK and P65 proteins decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Er Miao Wan can alleviate skin lesion inflammation in DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis mice,and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the activation of MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway of macrophage,reducing macrophage infiltration and reducing Th2 cytokines.

BACKGROUND:The pelvis has abundant trabecular bone content,but the ability of conventional sacroiliac percutaneous fixation to control trabecular bone is limited,leading to fixation failure.Therefore,the development of devices that can more effectively control trabecular bone tension is of significant importance.OBJECTIVE:The mechanical properties of a novel sacroiliac tension screw were investigated using biomechanical testing and numerical modeling analysis,along with an assessment of the reliability of the pull-out force numerical model.METHODS:A mechanical model was established based on the working principle of the novel sacroiliac tension screw.Numerical methods were employed to analyze its pull-out performance,validated through mechanical testing with polyurethane material to assess the reliability of the pull-out force numerical model.Using pelvic specimens,the mechanical effectiveness of the novel sacroiliac tension screw in repairing sacroiliac joint injuries was analyzed under normal standing posture,along with an evaluation of the load stiffness of different pelvic models in the standing position.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The average error between the computed values of the numerical model and the measured values was 13.19％,indicating a certain level of validity for the numerical model.(2)The damage to the polyurethane material after the extraction of the screw was less pronounced in the novel screw group.(3)The average effective holding displacement for the novel screw was approximately(9.24±0.27)mm,significantly greater than the average displacement of(1.71±0.57)mm observed with the lag screws.However,the maximum resistance to pullout for the lag screws was significantly higher than that for the novel screws.(4)The novel screw effectively repaired sacroiliac joint injuries.(5)The stiffness after repair of sacroiliac joint injuries was equivalent when using a single novel screw compared to using two lag screws.(6)These results prove that the theoretical model for the maximum resistance to pullout of the screws established in this study has a certain level of validity and can guide the design of them with improved mechanical performance.The novel sacroiliac spiral blade screw can effectively hold trabecular bone and has practical clinical utility.

Objective To summarize the imaging characteristics of occult rib fracture(ORF),analyze the causes of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of ORF,and explore strategies to improve the detection rate of ORF.Methods A total of 142 patients with rib fractures who underwent multi spiral computed tomography(MSCT)were selected.The initial examination was conducted within 1 week after the injury,and follow-up examinations were performed at multiple time points after 1 week post-injury.A retrospective analysis was conducted to review the fracture detection and locations during the follow-up period.The time of fracture edge sclerosis or callus growth was observed in the young group(17 cases),middle-aged group(64 cases),and elderly group(61 cases).Results The anterior segment of the ribs was the predilection site for occult fractures,with 199 cases(53.4％).The missed diagnosis rates of fracture were higher for fractures near the costal cartilage segment and the posterior segment of the ribs,with missed diagnosis rates of 49.4％and 58.8％,respectively.Compared with the number of rib fractures identified in the initial examination,there was a statistically significant difference in the number of rib fractures at 3-6 weeks after injury(P＜0.05).The time of local sclerosis or callus growth in the young,middle-aged and elderly groups was(18.76±3.849)d,(26.14±6.597)d,and(37.69±5.726)d,respectively,with statistically significantl differences between the groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion MSCT has certain limits in diagnosing ORF in the short term after injury.Primarily observing the predilection sites and missed sites of occult fractures,systematically recognizing the imaging characteristics of ORF,and adopting the optimal detection-time window for patients of different age groups can reduce the missed diagnosis rate and misdiagnosis rate of ORF and improve the detection rate of fractures.This provides accurate and objective basis for clinical and forensic identification,with significant clinical importance and application value.

OBJECTIVE: Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) is a common complication of prolonged glucocorticoid therapy. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a polyphenol with antioxidant properties that is extracted from traditional Chinese medicines such as Eucommiae Cortex, has potential anti-osteoporotic activity. This study aimed to investigate the possible effects of CGA on GIOP in mice and murine long bone osteocyte Y4 (MLO-Y4) cells and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: The protective effects of CGA were initially evaluated in the GIOP mouse model induced by dexamethasone (Dex). The micro-computed tomography, hematoxylin-eosin staining, silver nitrate staining, and serum detection were used to assess the efficacy of CGA for improving bone formation in vivo. Then, network pharmacology analysis was used to predict the potential targets and molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of CGA against GIOP. After that, 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate staining, flow cytometry, real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting were used to verify the mechanisms of CGA against GIOP in vitro. RESULTS: Animal experiments showed that CGA treatment effectively attenuated Dex-induced decreases in bone mass and strength and improved disrupted osteocyte morphology in mice. The protein-protein interaction analysis highlighted erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase (ERBB2), which is also known as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), caspase-3, kinase insert domain receptor, matrix metallopeptidase 9, matrix metallopeptidase 2, proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src, and epidermal growth factor receptor as core targets. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed several significantly enriched pathways (P < 0.05), including the ERBB, phosphoinositide 3 kinase-AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT), and mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (mTOR) pathways. Cellular experiments verified that CGA enhanced bone formation and promoted autophagy while inhibiting apoptosis in MLO-Y4 cells exposed to Dex, which was associated with the upregulated expression of HER2 and activation of the HER2/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. CONCLUSION CGA exerted anti-osteoporotic effects against GIOP, partially through targeting osteocytes and modulating the HER2/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Please cite this article as: Xie AN, Zhang SZY, Zhang Y, Cao JL, Wang CL, Wang LB, Wu HJ, Zhang J, Dai WW. Chlorogenic acid mitigates glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis via modulation of HER2/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):670-682.
Animals ; Chlorogenic Acid/therapeutic use* ; Osteoporosis/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice ; Glucocorticoids/adverse effects* ; Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Mas ; Dexamethasone/adverse effects* ; Osteocytes/drug effects* ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Male ; Cell Line ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans