Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) serves as a treasure trove of ancient knowledge, holding a crucial position in the medical field. However, the exploration of TCM's extensive information has been hindered by challenges related to data standardization, completeness, and accuracy, primarily due to the decentralized distribution of TCM resources. To address these issues, we developed a platform for TCM knowledge discovery (TCMKD, https://cbcb.cdutcm.edu.cn/TCMKD/). Seven types of data, including syndromes, formulas, Chinese patent drugs (CPDs), Chinese medicinal materials (CMMs), ingredients, targets, and diseases, were manually proofread and consolidated within TCMKD. To strengthen the integration of TCM with modern medicine, TCMKD employs analytical methods such as TCM data mining, enrichment analysis, and network localization and separation. These tools help elucidate the molecular-level commonalities between TCM and contemporary scientific insights. In addition to its analytical capabilities, a quick question and answer (Q&A) system is also embedded within TCMKD to query the database efficiently, thereby improving the interactivity of the platform. The platform also provides a TCM text annotation tool, offering a simple and efficient method for TCM text mining. Overall, TCMKD not only has the potential to become a pivotal repository for TCM, delving into the pharmacological foundations of TCM treatments, but its flexible embedded tools and algorithms can also be applied to the study of other traditional medical systems, extending beyond just TCM.

AIM:To investigate the alleviating effect of ethyl acetate extract from Platycladus orientalis leaves(EAEPOL)on diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM)and its mechanisms.METHODS:Healthy adult C57BL/6 mice were ran-domly divided into normal control group,DCM group,and EAEPOL group.Cardiac structure and function of the mice were assessed by echocardiography.Myocardial fibrosis was evaluated though myocardial hydroxyproline content determi-nation,myocardial Masson and Sirius red staining,and collagen type I(Col I)and collagen type Ⅲ(Col Ⅲ)immunohis-tochemistry.The degree of myocardial oxidative stress was assessed by measuring malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and total antioxidative capacity(T-AOC)levels using kits,as well as detection of nuclear factor E2-re-lated factor-2(Nrf-2)and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)expression by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Endothelial-mesenchy-mal transition(EndMT)was evaluated by detecting CD31 and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)protein expression by Western blot,and cadherin 5(CDH5)and fibroblast specific protein 1(FSP1)mRNA expression by qRT-PCR,as well as α-SMA immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS:(1)Mouse echocardiography revealed that compared with normal control group,heart rate(HR)and ejection fraction(EF)were significantly reduced in DCM group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while left ventricular anterior wall thickness at systole and diastole(LVAWs and LVAWd)and left ventricular pos-terior wall thickness at systole and diastole(LVPWs and LVPWd)were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with DCM group,the mice in EAEPOL group showed significant increases in HR and EF(P<0.01),and marked decreases in LVAWs,LVAWd,LVPWs and LVPWd(P<0.05).(2)Compared with normal control group,the content of hydroxypro-line in mouse myocardium,the collagen area ratio shown by Sirius red and Masson staining,and the immunohistochemical positive area ratio of Col I and Col Ⅲ in DCM group were significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with DCM group,the above myocardial fibrosis indicators in EAEPOL group were significantly reduced(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(3)Com-pared with normal control group,the myocardial MDA content and the expression of Nrf-2 in DCM group were significantly increased,while the SOD activity,the T-AOC and the expression of HO-1 was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Com-pared with DCM group,the myocardial MDA content in EAEPOL group was significantly reduced,while the SOD activity,the T-AOC,and the HO-1 and Nrf-2 expression were significantly enhanced(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(4)Compared with normal control group,the myocardial expression of CD31 and CDH5 in DCM group was significantly reduced,the expres-sion of α-SMA and FSP1 was significantly enhanced(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the α-SMA positive area ratio by immuno-fluorescence staining was also increased(P<0.01).Compared with DCM group,EAEPOL significantly up-regulated the expression of CD31 and CDH5 and down-regulated the expression of α-SMA and FSP1,and the α-SMA positive area ratio by immunofluorescence staining was evidently decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).CONCLUSION:EAEPOL may attenuate myocardial fibrosis and improve cardiac function in DCM mice by suppressing oxidative stress and alleviating EndMT.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xiao′er Huangjin Zhike Granules in the treatment of cough caused by acute bronchitis in children, which is defined in TCM terms as a syndrome of phlegm-heat obstructing the lung.Methods:This was a block-randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial.From January 2022 to September 2023, 359 children aged 3 to 7 years old diagnosed as acute bronchitis (lung-obstructing phlegm-heat syndrome) were enrolled from 21 participating hospitals and randomly assigned to the experimental group and placebo group in a 3︰1 ratio, and respectively treated with Xiao′er Huangjin Zhike Granules and its matching placebo.Cough resolution/general resolution rate after 7 days of treatment was used as the primary efficacy outcome for both groups.Results:(1)On the seventh day of treatment, the rate of cough disappearance/basically disappearance in the experimental group and placebo group were 73.95% and 57.61% retrospectively, which had statistically significance ( P=0.001).(2)After 7 days of treatment, the median duration of cough disappearance/basic disappearance were 5 days and 6 days in the two groups , with a statistically significant difference ( P=0.006).The area under the curve of cough symptom severity time was 7.20 ± 3.79 in the experimental group and 8.20±4.42 in the placebo group.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P=0.039).(3) After 7 days of treatment, the difference between TCM syndrome score and baseline was -16.0 (-20.0, -15.0) points in the experimental group and -15.0 (-18.0, -12.0) points in the placebo group, with significant difference between the two groups ( P=0.004).In the experimental group, the clinical control rate, the markedly effective rate, the effective rate and the ineffective rate were 49.04%, 28.35%, 16.48% and 6.13% severally; and in the placebo group, the clinical control rate, the markedly effective rate, the effective rate and the ineffective rate were 38.04%, 26.09%, 29.35%, and 6.52% separately, which had statistically significant ( P=0.014).(4) There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events or adverse reactions during the trial between both groups.Moreover, while adverse reactions in the form of vomiting and diarrhea were occasionally reported, no serious drug-related adverse event or adverse reaction was reported.(5)The tested drug provided good treatment compliance, showing no statistically significant difference from the placebo in terms of compliance rate. Conclusions:Based on the above findings, it can be concluded that Xiao′er Huangjin Zhike Granules provides good safety, efficacy, and treatment compliance in the treatment of cough caused by acute bronchitis, and lung-obstructing phlegm-heat syndrome, in children.

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases aged 15 years and older in Shangcheng District, Hangzhou City from 2006 to 2022, so as to provide the basis for improving AIDS prevention and control strategies. Methods: Data of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases aged 15 years and older in Shangcheng District from 2006 to 2022 were collected through HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Control System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Population distribution and transmission routes were analyzed, and changing trends in case number were analyzed using average annual percent change (AAPC) and annual percent change (APC). Results: A total of 4 409 HIV/AIDS cases aged 15 years and older were newly reported in Shangcheng District from 2006 to 2022, including 3 932 males (89.18%). There were 3 447 cases (78.18%) under 50 years old and 962 cases (21.82%) being 50 years and older. Sexual contact was a predominant transmission route, with 4 326 cases accounting for 98.12%, including 2 626 cases (59.56%) with homosexual contact and 1 700 cases (38.56%) with heterosexual contact. The number of HIV/AIDS cases showed an overall upward trend from 2006 to 2022 (AAPC=13.038%, P<0.05), with an upward trend from 2006 to 2015 (APC=42.578%, P<0.05) and a downward trend from 2015 to 2022 (APC=-19.713%, P<0.05). The increase in the number of cases aged 50 years and older group was faster than that of cases aged under 50 years (AAPC=22.641% vs. 11.162%, both P<0.05). The increase in the number of cases with homosexual contact transmission was faster than that of cases with heterosexual contact transmission (AAPC=20.417% vs. 7.455%, both P<0.05). Conclusions The number of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases aged 15 years and older in Shangcheng District performed an overall upward trend from 2006 to 2022. The cases aged 50 years and older and transmitted through homosexual contact increased rapidly, which should be taken seriously.

Objective:To analyze the safety and therapeutic efficacy of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) and laparoscopic total pancreatectomy (LTP) in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.Methods:Clinical data of 87 patients with pancreatic head and neck cancer who underwent LPD or LTP in the Department of General Surgery at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from December 2018 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The surgical approach, operative time, intraoperative blood loss volume, conversion rate to open surgery, perioperative mortality, re-operative rate, rate of major postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay, number of lymph nodes harvested, tumor pathological stage, R 0 resection rate, initiation of postoperative chemotherapy and survival outcomes were recorded. The follow-up period extended until September 2023. Results:Among the 87 patients, 78(89.7%) underwent LPD and 9(10.3%) underwent LTP. PV-SMV vascular resection and reconstruction was performed in 16 cases (18.4%), and 11 cases totally underwent laparoscopy. Five cases (5.7%) required conversion to open surgery. The mean operative time was 279.8±74.0 minutes, and the mean intraoperative blood loss volume was 520.1±743.2 ml. The overall length of hospital stay was 15.9±6.3 days, with a mean postoperative hospital stay of 11.5±6.0 days. The rate of major postoperative complications was 19.5%, including 4 cases (4.6%) of postoperative bile leakage, 6 cases (6.9%) of postoperative gastric emptying disorders, and 3 cases (3.4%) of postoperative bleeding. There was one case (1.1%) with secondary surgery and one case (1.1%) with perioperative death. Among LPD patients, 5 cases (6.4%) had postoperative grade B or higher pancreatic fistula. Advanced age (≥70 years) did not increase the incidence of perioperative complications. All patients achieved R 0 resection. The mean number of lymph nodes harvested was 25.9±11.4. The median time to initiation of postoperative chemotherapy was 2.13±1.43 months. The median overall survival was 16 months. Conclusions:In a high-volume center for pancreatic diseases, LPD and LTP are safe and feasible for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, which could achieve satisfactory anti-tumor efficacy and improve patients' prognosis.

Objective:To identify the development trajectories of self-neglect behavior in older adults and explore the associated influencing factors.Methods:A fixed cohort was constructed based on the data from three surveys of Chinese longitudinal healthy longevity survey (CLHLS) from 2011 to 2018. A total of eight variables from 4 dimensions including living environment, lifestyle, social interaction, and health care were selected to evaluate self-neglect. Group-based trajectory model was used to identify the development trajectory of self-neglect behavior in the older adults, and polynomial Logistic regression model was used to explore its influencing factors by Stata 16.1.Results:Finally, 2 754 older adults aged 60 and above were included.The development trajectory of self-neglect behavior in older adults, based on the group-based trajectory model, can be classified into stable-low group ( n=268, 9.7%), descending-moderate group ( n=2 224, 80.8%), and decreasing-high group ( n=262, 9.5%). Polynomial Logistic regression showed that, compared with stable-low group, living in rural areas ( B=1.116, OR=3.053, 95% CI= 2.278-4.091) and higher activities of daily living scores( B=0.137, OR=1.147, 95% CI=1.046-1.258) were the risk factors of descending-moderate group. Education levels with 1-6 years( B=-0.398, OR=0.672, 95% CI=0.469-0.963), >6 years( B=-1.072, OR=0.342, 95% CI=0.229-0.513), being married( B=-0.476, OR=0.621, 95% CI=0.444-0.870), self-reported good health( B=-0.808, OR=0.446, 95% CI= 0.213-0.932), improved health status( B=-0.704, OR=0.495, 95% CI=0.320-0.766), self-reported average economic status( B=-1.065, OR=0.345, 95% CI=0.148-0.802), self-reported good economic status( B=-1.634, OR=0.195, 95% CI=0.082-0.467), and a higher cognition score( B=-0.142, OR=0.867, 95% CI=0.798-0.942) served as protective factors of descending-moderate group. In addition to the above factors, being in the age group of 75-89 years( B=0.481, OR=1.617, 95% CI=1.057-2.473) was a risk factor for decreasing-high group compared to stable-low group. Conclusions:Three types of self-neglect behavior trajectories among older adults were identified in this study, suggesting that physical health and economy are the influencing factors of the development trajectory of self-neglect of the elderly.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of bardoxolone methyl(CDDO-Me)on activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and its mechanism for alleviating acute liver injury(ALI).Methods Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDM)and THP-1 cells were pre-treated with CDDO-Me followed by treatment with Nigericin,ATP,MSU,intracellular LPS transfection for activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes,or poly A:T for activation of AIM2 inflammasomes.The levels of caspase-1 and IL-1β in the cell culture supernatant was determined with Western blotting and ELISA to assess the inhibitory effect of CDDO-Me on NLRP3 inflammasomes and its specificity.In the animal experiment,male C57BL/6J mouse models of acetaminophen-induced ALI were treated with low-dose(20 mg/kg)and high-dose(40 mg/kg)CDDO-Me,and the changes in serum levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,AST and ALT were measured by ELISA and liver tissue pathology was observed using HE staining.Results In mouse BMDM and THP-1 cells,CDDO-Me dose-dependently inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes without significantly affecting the secretion of non-inflammasome-related inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α or AIM2 inflammasome activation.In the mouse models of ALI,CDDO-Me treatment at both the low and high doses significantly reduced serum levels of IL-1β,AST and ALT,ameliorated histological changes and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver tissue,and the effects exhibited a distinct dose dependence.Conclusion CDDO-Me can specifically inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes to alleviate acetaminophen-induced ALI in mice.

Following the principles of evidence-based medicine,in accordance with the structure and drafting rules of standardized documents,based on literature research,according to the characteristics of chronic cough in children and issues that need to form a consensus,the TCM Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough in Children was formulated based on the Delphi method,expert discussion meetings,and public solicitation of opinions.The guideline includes scope of application,terms and definitions,eti-ology and diagnosis,auxiliary examination,treatment,prevention and care.The aim is to clarify the optimal treatment plan of Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease,and to provide guidance for improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in children with Chinese medicine.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of bardoxolone methyl(CDDO-Me)on activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and its mechanism for alleviating acute liver injury(ALI).Methods Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDM)and THP-1 cells were pre-treated with CDDO-Me followed by treatment with Nigericin,ATP,MSU,intracellular LPS transfection for activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes,or poly A:T for activation of AIM2 inflammasomes.The levels of caspase-1 and IL-1β in the cell culture supernatant was determined with Western blotting and ELISA to assess the inhibitory effect of CDDO-Me on NLRP3 inflammasomes and its specificity.In the animal experiment,male C57BL/6J mouse models of acetaminophen-induced ALI were treated with low-dose(20 mg/kg)and high-dose(40 mg/kg)CDDO-Me,and the changes in serum levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,AST and ALT were measured by ELISA and liver tissue pathology was observed using HE staining.Results In mouse BMDM and THP-1 cells,CDDO-Me dose-dependently inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes without significantly affecting the secretion of non-inflammasome-related inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α or AIM2 inflammasome activation.In the mouse models of ALI,CDDO-Me treatment at both the low and high doses significantly reduced serum levels of IL-1β,AST and ALT,ameliorated histological changes and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver tissue,and the effects exhibited a distinct dose dependence.Conclusion CDDO-Me can specifically inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes to alleviate acetaminophen-induced ALI in mice.

Objective Recent studies have indicated potential anti-inflammatory effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists(GLP-1RAs)on asthma,which is often comorbid with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and obesity.Therefore,we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the association between the administration of glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1)receptor-based agonists and the incidence of asthma in patients with T2DM and/or obesity. Methods PubMed,Web of Science,Embase,the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,and Clinicaltrial.gov were systematically searched from inception to July 2023.Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)of GLP-1 receptor-based agonists(GLP-1RA,GLP-1 based dual and triple receptor agonist)with reports of asthma events were included.Outcomes were computed as risk ratios(RR)using a fixed-effects model. Results Overall,39 RCTs with a total of 85,755 participants were included.Compared to non-GLP-1 receptor-based agonist users,a trend of reduced risk of asthma was observed in patients with T2DM or obesity using GLP-1 receptor-based agonist treatments,although the difference was not statistically significant[RR=0.91,95%confidence interval(CI):0.68 to 1.24].Further Subgroup analyses indicated that the use of light-molecular-weight GLP-1RAs might be associated with a reduced the risk of asthma when compared with non-users(RR=0.65,95%CI:0.43 to 0.99,P=0.043).We also performed sensitivity analyses for participant characteristics,study design,drug structure,duration of action,and drug subtypes.However,no significant associations were observed. Conclusion Compared with non-users,a modest reduction in the incidence of asthma was observed in patients with T2DM or obesity using GLP-1 receptor-based agonist treatments.Further investigations are warranted to assess the association between GLP-1 receptor-based agonists and the risk of asthma.