This study aims to investigate the medication rules of patented traditional Chinese medi-cine(TCM)compound formulas and molecular mechanisms of core drugs for treating sepsis using data mining and network pharmacology approaches.In the present study,we first searched the PubMed database,Web of Science database,and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)since the establishment of the library to April 30,2024 for the relevant literature on the treatment of sepsis by traditional Chinese medicine.The prescriptions were then statistically ana-lyzed for drug frequency and association analysis to obtain the core drugs.Then we screened the ef-fective active ingredients of the core drugs by TCMSP and other database platforms,obtained sep-sis-related genes in GeneCards and other databases,and statistically intersected targets,and predic-ted the mechanism of action of the core TCMs by subjecting the intersected targets to PPI analy-sis,GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.Finally,the relationship between key tar-gets and herbal components was examined in reverse by molecular docking method.The results showed that 64 compound formulas were obtained,with a total of 150 Chinese medicines,which were mostly sweet in taste,cold in nature,and belonged to the spleen,stomach and intestinal me-ridians.According to the association rules,the core drugs were identified as"mirabilite-peach ker-nel-rheum officinale".There were 79 intersecting targets between the core drugs and sepsis,with core targets such as IL-1β,EGFR and SRC.MAPK,TNF,IL-17 and other signaling pathways are involved to mediate inflammatory responses,apoptosis and other biological processes to exert ther-apeutic effects on sepsis.The molecular docking results indicated that the docking activity of the key targets with the main components of the drug,and sennoside E_qt has the lowest binding ener-gy and the best docking activity with SRC.In conclusion,this study showed that the prescription of Chinese medicine for sepsis is mostly based on tonifying the spleen and clearing heat.The mecha-nism of action of the core drug"mirabilite-peach kernel-rheum officinale"in the treatment of sep-sis is multilevel and multifaceted,which provides a certain theoretical basis for the treatment of sepsis by traditional Chinese medicine.

Using a novel(OH)n-C60@SiO2@Tm2O3@Ca5(PO4)3(OH)quaternary nano-particles/cross-linked chitosan coated open-tubular capillary column(QNPsC-OTCC)as the analytical column,a new method for highly selective determination of taurine(TAU)in functional drinks using pre-column derivatization capillary electrochromatography coupled with electrochemiluminescence(CEC-ECL)detection was established.In the experiments,it was found that adding hexamethylenetetramine as a co-catalyst in N-methylation derivative reaction could quantitatively convert TAU into a single derivative product that cuold be detected by ECL.With the help of Ru(bpy)32+reagent,the ECL peak intensity of TAU derivative was increased by more than 1000 times compared to the original TAU.In addition,a Ru-containing d-f cyano-bridged heterometallic coordination polymer modified platinum electrode was used instead of a bare platinum electrode as working electrode for ECL detection,which resulted in a further increase of the peak response of TAU derivatives about 5.7 times.Under optimized analytical conditions,by using betastatin hydrochloride(BSH)as the internal standard and simultaneously derivatized with TAU,the relative ratio of peak intensity of TAU and BSH derivatives showed a linear relationship with the initial TAU concentration in a two-segment ranges of 0.2-6.0 mmol/L and 6.0-10 mmol/L.The limit of detection of TAU was 0.09 mmol/L(S/N=3).The developed method was applied to determination of TAU contents in four commercial functional drink samples,and the relative standard deviations(RSDs)for relative intensity ratio were less than 0.9％,and the recoveries were in the range of 95.0％～102.0％,indicating good practicability of the method.

Objective:To evaluate the association between postoperative delirium (POD) and preoperative frailty in elderly patients undergoing knee or hip arthroplasty.Methods:This nested case-control study utilized medical records from elderly patients who underwent knee or hip arthroplasty under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia at Qingdao Municipal Hospital between September 2021 and May 2023. Participants were divided into 2 groups based on clinically diagnosed POD: POD group ( n=53) and non-POD group ( n=256). Univariate analysis was conducted on suspected influencing factors, and logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify the risk factors for POD. Receiver operating characteristic and clinical decision curves were plotted to evaluate the predictive performance of these risk factors for POD. Mediation analysis was performed, and a clinically applicable nomogram was constructed to achieve visual prediction of outcomes. Results:There were statistically significant differences in age, preoperative frailty, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification, Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale scores, and concentrations of Aβ 42, Aβ 40, phosphorylated tau protein (p-tau protein) and tau protein, Aβ 42/tau ratio and Aβ 42/p-tau ratio in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between non-POD group and POD group ( P<0.05). Preoperative frailty was a risk factor for POD ( P<0.05). Mediation analysis revealed that the association between preoperative frailty and POD was mediated by CSF tau protein concentrations. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of preoperative frailty and CSF biomarker concentrations in predicting POD was 0.974 ( P<0.05). The clinical decision curve demonstrated that the model combining the preoperative frailty and CSF biomarker concentrations predicted a higher net benefit ( P<0.05). The clinical decision curve showed that the model combining preoperative frailty and CSF biomarker concentrations predicted a higher net benefit. Conclusions:Preoperative frailty is a risk factor for POD in elderly patients undergoing knee or hip arthroplasty, and its combination with CSF biomarker concentrations can effectively predict the occurrence of POD. CSF tau concentration mediates the association between preoperative frailty and development of POD.

Objective:To evaluate the association between the preoperative aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio and postoperative delirium (POD) in patients undergoing total knee/hip arthroplasty.Methods:In this nested case-control study, medical records from patients, aged ≥55 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ, with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale score >24 on preoperative day 1, scheduled for elective total knee/hip arthroplasty under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia at Qingdao Municipal Hospital between November 2021 and December 2023, were collected. POD was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method. Patients were categorized into POD and non-POD groups based on the occurrence of POD. Logistic regression was employed to identify protective and risk factors for POD. The predictive performance of preoperative AST/ALT ratio alone and its combination with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker concentrations for POD was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves, and the clinical utility of the prediction models was assessed using decision curve analysis. Mediation analysis was conducted to examine the mediation role of CSF biomarkers in the relationship between the preoperative AST/ALT ratio and POD. Restricted cubic splines were used to assess the nonlinear relationship between the preoperative AST/ALT ratio and POD.Results:A total of 460 patients were finally included, with 49 in POD group and 411 in non-POD group. After adjustment for multiple confounding factors including age, sex, educational level, MMSE score, history of hypertension, history of diabetes, history of smoking and history of alcohol use, multivariable logistic regression identified that the higher preoperative AST/ALT ratio, CSF total tau protein (t-tau) and phosphorylated tau protein (p-tau) concentrations were independent risk factors for POD, whereas lower CSF β-amyloid 42 (Aβ 42) concentration, Aβ 42/t-tau ratio and Aβ 42/p-tau ratio served as protective factors ( P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the preoperative AST/ALT ratio combined with CSF biomarkers in predicting POD was 0.939 ( P<0.001), demonstrating high clinical efficacy. After adjusting for age, educational level, sex, MMSE score, history of hypertension, history of diabetes, history of smoking, history of alcohol use and body mass index, restricted cubic splines revealed a nonlinear relationship between preoperative AST/ALT levels and the probability of POD, and the probability of POD increased with rising ratios when the preoperative AST/ALT ratio ranged from 1.09 to 1.40 ( Poverall < 0.05, Pnonlinear <0.05). After stratification by sex, the preoperative AST/ALT ratio demonstrated a linear relationship with the probability of POD ( Poverall <0.05, Pnonlinear>0.05). Mediation analysis indicated that the relationship between the preoperative AST/ALT ratio and POD was partially mediated by CSF p-tau concentration (proportion mediated 18.1%), CSF t-tau concentration (proportion mediated 12.0%), and the Aβ 42/t-tau ratio (proportion mediated 15.4%). Conclusions:A higher preoperative AST/ALT ratio is an independent risk factor for POD in total knee/hip arthroplasty patients. The concentrations of CSF t-tau and p-tau and Aβ 42/t-tau ratio have a mediating role in the relationship between the preoperative AST/ALT ratio and POD.

Cervical spinal cord injury without fracture-dislocation (CSCIWFD) is referred to as a special type of cervical spinal cord injury characterized by traumatic spinal cord dysfunction and no significant bony structural abnormalities on imagines. Duo to the high risk of missed diagnosis during the initial consultation, CSCIWFD may lead to progressive neurological deterioration or even complete paralysis, severely impacting patients′ prognosis. Currently, there are no established consensuses over the diagnosis and treatment of CSCIWFD, such as the lack of evidence-based standards for indications of non-surgical treatment and risk of secondary neurological injury, as well as debates over the optimal timing for surgical intervention and indications for different surgical approaches. To address these issues, the Spine Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the relevant fields to formulate Diagnosis and treatment guideline for acute cervical spinal cord injury without fracture- dislocation in adults ( version 2025) . Based on evidence-based medicine and the principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability, the guidelines proposed 11 recommendations covering terminology, diagnosis, evaluation treatment, and rehabilitation, etc., aiming to standardize the management of CSCIWFD.

Vertebral refracture following percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) is commonly seen in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures (OTLCF). It can lead to recurrent pain, loss of vertebral height, progression of kyphosis, and even neurological dysfunction, significantly impairing patients′ quality of life. Current diagnosis and treatment face multiple challenges, including high misdiagnosis rate, difficulty in choosing between surgical and non-surgical treatment options, lack of standardized surgical protocols, interference from intralesional bone cement during procedures, inadequate stability of internal fixation in osteoporotic bone, and suboptimal compliance of anti-osteoporotic therapy. Establishing a standardized diagnostic and therapeutic framework is urgently needed. To standardize the management process and improve outcomes for vertebral refractures after PVA in elderly OTLCF patients, Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field to develop Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of vertebral refracture after percutaneous vertebral augmentation in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025), based on current literature and clinical experience, and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability. A total of 11 recommendations were proposed, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of vertebral refracture after PVA in elderly patients with OTLCF, aiming to provide a foundation for a standardized management.

Severe open tibiofibular fractures account for approximately 28.1% of all open fractures. Among them, Gustilo-Anderson type IIIB/C fractures present significant clinical challenges due to associated bone and soft tissue defects, high infection rates, and risk of amputation. Inadequate preoperative assessment may lead to suboptimal emergency surgical planning or intraoperative complications. Historically, external fixation was often preferred, but this approach has been associated with limitations such as restricted joint mobility, delayed bone union, joint stiffness, and disuse osteoporosis, resulting in poor functional recovery. With advancements of debridement techniques, standardization of antibiotic use, and popularization of early soft tissue coverage, early internal fixation has gained broader acceptance. Nevertheless, controversies persist regarding the choice of fixation method, timing of definitive fixation, use of reamed versus unreamed intramedullary nailing, and necessity of fibular fixation. To standardize the diagnosis and early management of severe open tibiofibular fractures, reduce complication rates, and improve functional recovery, the Society of Microsurgery of the Chinese Medical Association organized a panel of domestic experts to develop the Evidence-based guideline for the diagnosis and early fixation of severe open tibiofibular fractures ( version 2025), using evidence-based methodology. The guidelines provided 12 recommendations covering diagnostic and early fixation strategies of severe open tibiofibular fractures, aiming to provide clinicians with scientifically grounded and standardized guidance.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of the Tai Chi training on bone density， bone turnover markers， and heart rate variability for people with high-risk osteoporosis， and to provide evidence for the prevention of osteoporosis at early stage. MethodsSixty-six cases of people with high risk of osteoporosis were included， and they were divided into 33 cases each in the intervention group and the control group using the random number table method. The control group received osteoporosis health education three times a week， and the intervention group received Tai Chi training under the guidance of a trainer three times a week for 40 mins each time on the basis of the control group， and both groups were intervened for 12 weeks. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure the bone density of L₁~L₄ vertebrae， bilateral femoral necks and bilateral total hips in the two groups before and after the intervention； enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine bone turnover markers before and after the intervention， including pro-collagen type Ⅰ pro-amino-terminal prepropyl peptide （P1NP） and β-collagen type Ⅰ cross-linking carboxy-terminal peptide （β-CTX）. Seven cases with good compliance in the intervention group were selected. After wearing the heart rate sensor， they successively performed Tai Chi training and walking activities recommended by the guideline for 20 mins each， and the heart rate variability （HRV） during exercise was collected， including time-domain indexes such as standard deviation of normal sinus intervals （SDNN）， root-mean-square of the difference between adjacent RR intervals （RMSSD）， frequency-domain metrics such as low-frequency power （LF）， high-frequency power （HF）， and low-frequency/high-frequency power ratio （LF/HF）， as well as nonlinear metrics such as approximate entropy （ApEn）， sample entropy （SampEn）. ResultsFinally， 63 cases were included in the outcome analysis， including 30 cases in the intervention group and 33 cases in the control group. After the intervention， the differences of L₁~L₄ vertebrae， bone density of bilateral femoral neck and bilateral total hip in the intervention group were not statistically significant when compared with those before intervention （P＞0.05）， while the bone density of all parts of the control group decreased significantly compared with that before intervention （P＜0.05）， and the difference in the bone density of the L₁~L₄ vertebrae， bilateral femoral neck， and the right total hip before and after the intervention of the intervention group was smaller than that of the control group （P＜0.05）. The differences in P1NP and β-CTX between groups before and after intervention was not statistically significant （P＞0.05）. Compared with walking exercise， LF decreased， HF increased and LF/HF decreased during Tai Chi exercise （P＜0.05）； the time domain indexes and non-linear indexes between groups had no statistically significant difference （P＞0.05）. ConclusionTai Chi exercise can maintain lumbar， hip， and femoral bone density and improve sympathetic/parasympathetic balance in people at high risk for osteoporosis， but cannot significantly improve bone turnover markers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effects of two traditional mineral medicines (TMMs), Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao, GF) and Terra Flava Usta (Zaoxintu, TFU), on gut-beneficial bacteria in mice, and preliminarily explore their mechanisms of action. METHODS: Mice were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10 per group): the control group (standard diet), the GF group (diet supplemented with 2% GF), and the TFU group (diet supplemented with 2% TFU). After 4-week intervention, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the changes in the gut microbiota (GM). Scanning electron microscopy, in combination with coumarin A tetramethyl rhodamine conjugate and Hoechst stainings, was used to observe the bacteria and biofilm formation. RESULTS: Principal coordinate analysis revealed that GF and TFU significantly altered the GM composition in mice. Further analysis revealed that GF and TFU affected different types of gut bacteria, suggesting that different TMMs may selectively modulate specific bacterial populations. For certain bacteria, such as Faecalibaculum and Ileibacterium, both GF and TFU exhibited growth-promoting effects, implying that they may be sensitive to TMMs and that different TMMs can increase their abundance through their respective mechanisms. Notably, Lactobacillus reuteri, a widely recognized and used probiotic, was significantly enriched in the GF group. Random forest analysis identified Ileibacterium valens as a potential indicator bacterium for TMMs' impact on GM. Further mechanistic studies showed that gut bacteria formed biofilm structures on the TFU surface. CONCLUSIONS This study provides new insights into the interaction between TMMs and GM. As safe and effective natural clays, GF and TFU hold promise as potential candidates for prebiotic development.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Bacteria/growth & development* ; Mice ; Biofilms/drug effects* ; Male ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets