This study employed the "disease-medicine-dose" pattern to mine the medication rules of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) prescriptions containing Astragali Radix in ancient Chinese medical books, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the clinical application of Astragali Radix and the development of new medicines. The TCM prescriptions containing Astragali Radix were retrieved from databases such as Chinese Medical Dictionary and imported into Excel 2020 to construct the prescription library. Statical analysis were performed for the prescriptions regarding the indications, syndromes, medicine use frequency, herb effects, nature and taste, meridian tropism, dosage forms, and dose. SPSS statistics 26.0 and IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0 were used for association rules analysis and cluster analysis. A total of 2 297 prescriptions containing Astragali Radix were collected, involving 233 indications, among which sore and ulcer, consumptive disease, sweating disorder, and apoplexy had high frequency(>25), and their syndromes were mainly Qi and blood deficiency, Qi and blood deficiency, Yin and Yang deficiency, and Qi deficiency and collateral obstruction, respectively. In the prescriptions, 98 medicines were used with the frequency >25 and they mainly included Qi-tonifying medicines and blood-tonifying medicines. Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium were frequently used. The medicines with high frequency mainly have warm or cold nature, and sweet, pungent, or bitter taste, with tropism to spleen, lung, heart, liver, and kidney meridians. In the treatment of sore and ulcer, Astragali Radix was mainly used with the dose of 3.73 g and combined with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to promote granulation and heal up sores. In the treatment of consumptive disease, Astragali Radix was mainly used with the dose of 37.30 g and combined with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma to tonify deficiency and replenish Qi. In the treatment of sweating disorder, Astragali Radix was mainly used with the dose of 3.73 g and combined with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to consolidate exterior and stop sweating. In the treatment of apoplexy, Astragali Radix was mainly used with the dose of 7.46 g and combined with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to dispell wind and stop convulsions. Astragali Radix can be used in the treatment of multiple system diseases, with the effects of tonifying Qi and ascending Yang, consolidating exterior and stopping sweating, and expressing toxin and promoting granulation. According to the manifestations of different diseases, when combined with other medicines, Astragali Radix was endowed with the effects of promoting granulation and healing up sores, tonifying deficiency and Qi, consolidating exterior and stopping sweating, and dispelling wind and replenishing Qi. The findings provide a theoretical reference and a scientific basis for the clinical application of Astragali Radix and the development of new medicines.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/history* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history* ; History, Ancient ; Astragalus Plant/chemistry* ; China ; Astragalus propinquus

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, is characterized by high mortality and recurrence rates. Common treatments include hepatectomy, liver transplantation, ablation therapy, interventional therapy, radiotherapy, systemic therapy, and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). While exhibiting specific advantages, these approaches are associated with varying degrees of adverse effects. To alleviate patients' suffering and burdens, it is crucial to explore additional treatments and elucidate the pathogenesis of HCC, laying a foundation for the development of new TCM-based drugs. With emerging research on gut microbiota, it has been revealed that microbiota plays a vital role in the development of HCC by influencing intestinal barrier function, microbial metabolites, and immune regulation. TCM, with its multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway characteristics, has been increasingly recognized as a vital therapeutic treatment for HCC, particularly in patients at intermediate or advanced stages, by prolonging survival and improving quality of life. Recent global studies demonstrate that TCM exerts anti-HCC effects by modulating gut microbiota, restoring intestinal barrier function, regulating microbial composition and its metabolites, suppressing inflammation, and enhancing immune responses, thereby inhibiting the malignant phenotype of HCC. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which gut microbiota contributes to the development and progression of HCC and highlight the regulatory effects of TCM, addressing the current gap in systematic understanding of the "TCM-gut microbiota-HCC" axis. The findings provide theoretical support for integrating TCM with western medicine in HCC treatment and promote the transition from basic research to precision clinical therapy through microbiota-targeted drug development and TCM-based interventions.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/microbiology* ; Liver Neoplasms/microbiology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical features and genetic etiology of a patient with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) retrospectively. METHODS: A severely oligospermic patient from the Reproductive Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University was selected as the study subject. Clinical data and examination results were collected. High-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics were used to analyze the genetic etiology. And Sanger sequencing was employed to validate findings in the family. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the sperm ultrastructure, and immunofluorescence analysis was performed to examine the localization of FSIP2 protein in the sperm. RESULTS: The patient presented with severe oligospermia, and sperm morphology displayed MMAF. TEM revealed fibrous sheath and 9+2 microtubule structural disruptions in the sperm. Sequencing identified compound heterozygous variants in the FSIP2 gene (c.17798C > T, c.5927T > G), inherited from the father and mother, respectively. According to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the variants were classified as pathogenic. The patient's spouse underwent intracytoplasmic single sperm injection, resulting in one embryo, but no clinical pregnancy occurred after embryo transfer. CONCLUSION This study reported the mutation of FSIP2 gene c.17798C > T, c.5927T > G in a patient with MMAF. These findings expand the mutational spectrum of the FSIP2 gene and provide insights for genetic and assisted reproductive counseling for patients with MMAF.
Humans ; Male ; Sperm Tail/pathology* ; Heterozygote ; Oligospermia/genetics* ; Spermatozoa ; Mutation ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Adult ; Pedigree ; Retrospective Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of Xuanshen Yishen Decoction (XYD) in the treatment of hypertension. METHODS: Hospital electronic medical records from 2019-2023 were utilized to emulate a randomized pragmatic clinical trial. Hypertensive participants were eligible if they were aged ⩾40 years with baseline systolic blood pressure (BP) ⩾140 mm Hg. Patients treated with XYD plus antihypertensive regimen were assigned to the treatment group, whereas those who followed only antihypertensive regimen were assigned to the control group. The primary outcome assessed was the attainment rate of intensive BP control at discharge, with the secondary outcome focusing on the 6-month all-cause readmission rate. RESULTS: The study included 3,302 patients, comprising 2,943 individuals in the control group and 359 in the treatment group. Compared with the control group, a higher proportion in the treatment group achieved the target BP for intensive BP control [8.09% vs. 17.5%; odds ratio (OR)=2.29, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.68 to 3.13; P<0.001], particularly in individuals with high homocysteine levels (OR=3.13; 95% CI=1.72 to 5.71; P<0.001; P for interaction=0.041). Furthermore, the 6-month all-cause readmission rate in the treatment group was lower than in the control group (hazard ratio=0.58; 95% CI=0.36 to 0.91; P=0.019), and the robustness of the results was confirmed by sensitivity analyse. CONCLUSIONS XYD could be a complementary therapy for intensive BP control. Our study offers real-world evidence and guides the choice of complementary and alternative therapies. (Registration No. ChiCTR2400086589).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents/pharmacology* ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Hypertension/physiopathology* ; Patient Readmission ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To detect the serum levels of 25(OH)D,miR-125b-5p,hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)and vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)in patients with multiple myeloma(MM),and explore the role of miR-125b-5p/HIF-1α pathway in the involvement of vitamin D deficiency in the pathogenesis of MM.Methods:Fifty three newly diagnosed/relapsed MM patients admitted to the department of hematology of our hospital from October 2021 to December 2023 were included.Meanwhile,25 healthy individuals matched in gender and age from our hospital's Health Management Center were selected as controls.The serum level of 25(OH)D was monitored by mass spectrometry,the serum level of miR-125b-5p was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR,and serum levels of HIF-1α and VEGFA were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The levels of 25(OH)D,miR-125b-5p,HIF-1α,and VEGFA were compared between the two groups.According to the level of 25(OH)D,the MM patients were divided into vitamin D deficiency group(＜20 ng/ml)and vitamin D non-deficiency group(≥ 20 ng/ml),and the levels of miR-125b-5p,HIF-1α,and VEGFA were compared between the two groups.The correlations between 25(OH)D,miR-125b-5p,HIF-1α and VEGFA were analyzed.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to determine the diagnostic value of25(OH)D combined with miR-125b-5p for newly diagnosed MM.Results:The level of 25(OH)D in MM patients was significantly lower than that in control group(P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in 25(OH)D level between newly diagnosed and relapsed MM patients(P＞0.05).Compared with the control group,the level of miR-125b-5p was significantly reduced in MM patients(P＜0.01),while the levels of HIF-1α and VEGFA were significantly increased(both P＜0.001).In MM patients,the miR-125b-5p level in the vitamin D deficiency group was significantly decreased than that in the non-deficiency group(P＜0.01),while the levels of HIF-1 α and VEGFA were significantly increased(both P＜0.05).In MM patients,25(OH)D was positively correlated with miR-125b-5p,while negatively correlated with HIF-1α and VEGFA(both P＜0.05).Moreover,miR-125b-5p was negatively correlated with HIF-1α and VEGFA(both P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)for diagnosing MM with 25(OH)D,miR-125b-5p,and their combination were 0.699,0.751,and 0.791,respectively.Conclusion:The incidence of vitamin D deficiency is high in MM patients.Vitamin D deficiency may promote angiogenesis and participate in the occurrence and development of MM by downregulating miR-125b-5p and upregulating HIF-1α and VEGFA expression.

Objective:To understand the coverage and information consistency rate of National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines among children born during 2020-2021 in Zhejiang Province, Chongqing City, and Shanxi Province (3 provinces) of China .Methods:A simple random sampling method was used to randomly select 3 counties (districts) from each of the 3 provinces, 5 townships from each county (district), and 5 villages from each township. Vaccination information for seven NIP vaccines was collected for children born between 2020 and 2021 in each village. The vaccination coverage, timely coverage, and consistency rates between the survey data and the Immunization Planning Information System data were analyzed.Results:A total of 1 117 children were investigated. The vaccination coverage for each dose of NIP vaccine ranged from 99.10% to 100.00%, with those in Zhejiang Province, Chongqing City, and Shanxi Province ranging from 99.19% to 100.00%, 98.92% to 100.00%, and 99.20% to 100.00%, respectively. The timely coverage of each dose of NIP vaccine ranged from 89.79% to 99.82%, with those in Zhejiang Province, Chongqing City, and Shanxi Province ranging from 94.09% to 99.73%, 89.52% to 99.73%, and 78.55% to 100.00%, respectively. The consistency rate of information on each dose of NIP vaccine ranged from 94.36% to 99.91%, with those in Zhejiang Province, Chongqing City, and Shanxi Province ranging from 97.85% to 99.73%, 98.92% to 100.00%, and 86.06% to 100.00%, respectively.Conclusions:Coverage of NIP vaccines was generally high among children born during 2020-2021 in the 3 provinces of China, but there were regional differences in the timely coverage of some vaccine doses and the vaccination information consistency rate. It is necessary to strengthen the timely vaccination of children's vaccine booster doses and optimize the management of vaccination services.

Objective:To detect the serum levels of 25(OH)D,miR-125b-5p,hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)and vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)in patients with multiple myeloma(MM),and explore the role of miR-125b-5p/HIF-1α pathway in the involvement of vitamin D deficiency in the pathogenesis of MM.Methods:Fifty three newly diagnosed/relapsed MM patients admitted to the department of hematology of our hospital from October 2021 to December 2023 were included.Meanwhile,25 healthy individuals matched in gender and age from our hospital's Health Management Center were selected as controls.The serum level of 25(OH)D was monitored by mass spectrometry,the serum level of miR-125b-5p was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR,and serum levels of HIF-1α and VEGFA were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The levels of 25(OH)D,miR-125b-5p,HIF-1α,and VEGFA were compared between the two groups.According to the level of 25(OH)D,the MM patients were divided into vitamin D deficiency group(＜20 ng/ml)and vitamin D non-deficiency group(≥ 20 ng/ml),and the levels of miR-125b-5p,HIF-1α,and VEGFA were compared between the two groups.The correlations between 25(OH)D,miR-125b-5p,HIF-1α and VEGFA were analyzed.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to determine the diagnostic value of25(OH)D combined with miR-125b-5p for newly diagnosed MM.Results:The level of 25(OH)D in MM patients was significantly lower than that in control group(P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in 25(OH)D level between newly diagnosed and relapsed MM patients(P＞0.05).Compared with the control group,the level of miR-125b-5p was significantly reduced in MM patients(P＜0.01),while the levels of HIF-1α and VEGFA were significantly increased(both P＜0.001).In MM patients,the miR-125b-5p level in the vitamin D deficiency group was significantly decreased than that in the non-deficiency group(P＜0.01),while the levels of HIF-1 α and VEGFA were significantly increased(both P＜0.05).In MM patients,25(OH)D was positively correlated with miR-125b-5p,while negatively correlated with HIF-1α and VEGFA(both P＜0.05).Moreover,miR-125b-5p was negatively correlated with HIF-1α and VEGFA(both P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)for diagnosing MM with 25(OH)D,miR-125b-5p,and their combination were 0.699,0.751,and 0.791,respectively.Conclusion:The incidence of vitamin D deficiency is high in MM patients.Vitamin D deficiency may promote angiogenesis and participate in the occurrence and development of MM by downregulating miR-125b-5p and upregulating HIF-1α and VEGFA expression.

Objective:To explore the role and possible mechanism of ACOT11 in renal fibrosis model mice.Methods:A mouse model of renal fibrosis was established by unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)(Sham group and UUO7 group),and the expression of ACOT11 in the kidneys of UUO induced fibrosis mouse models was detected by protein immunoblotting and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR).Subsequently,immunohistochemistry,Masson staining,H&E staining,PAS staining,and other experimental methods were used to detect the expression levels of fibrosis biomarkers fibronectin,α-SMA,and COL-1 in the kidneys of control and experimental group mice.In addition,by constructing ACOT11 gene knockout model mice and using the gene knockout model mice to construct a renal fibrosis model,the expression levels of fibrosis biomarkers such as fibronectin,α-SMA,COL-1,as well as fibrosis mechanism pathway related indicators TGF-β and Smad2 in the kidneys of each group of mice were further detected.Results:The results of WB and qRT-PCR experiments showed that the expression of ACOT11 in the kidney tissue of UUO model mice was significantly reduced compared to the Sham group.After knocking out the ACOT11 gene,H&E staining,PAS staining,and Masson staining showed that pathological inflammatory reactions such as abnormal glomerular and tubular structures,inflammatory cell infiltration and interstitial fibrous tissue proliferation in mice were significantly aggravated compared to the control group,and the expression of fibrosis markers Fibronectin,α-SMA,and COL-1 was significantly higher than that of the control group.Conclusion:ACOT11 plays a protective role in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction model.After ACOT11 gene knockout,the fibrosis biomarkers of the mouse kidney increases and the degree of fibrosis worsens.

Objective:To understand the coverage and information consistency rate of National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines among children born during 2020-2021 in Zhejiang Province, Chongqing City, and Shanxi Province (3 provinces) of China .Methods:A simple random sampling method was used to randomly select 3 counties (districts) from each of the 3 provinces, 5 townships from each county (district), and 5 villages from each township. Vaccination information for seven NIP vaccines was collected for children born between 2020 and 2021 in each village. The vaccination coverage, timely coverage, and consistency rates between the survey data and the Immunization Planning Information System data were analyzed.Results:A total of 1 117 children were investigated. The vaccination coverage for each dose of NIP vaccine ranged from 99.10% to 100.00%, with those in Zhejiang Province, Chongqing City, and Shanxi Province ranging from 99.19% to 100.00%, 98.92% to 100.00%, and 99.20% to 100.00%, respectively. The timely coverage of each dose of NIP vaccine ranged from 89.79% to 99.82%, with those in Zhejiang Province, Chongqing City, and Shanxi Province ranging from 94.09% to 99.73%, 89.52% to 99.73%, and 78.55% to 100.00%, respectively. The consistency rate of information on each dose of NIP vaccine ranged from 94.36% to 99.91%, with those in Zhejiang Province, Chongqing City, and Shanxi Province ranging from 97.85% to 99.73%, 98.92% to 100.00%, and 86.06% to 100.00%, respectively.Conclusions:Coverage of NIP vaccines was generally high among children born during 2020-2021 in the 3 provinces of China, but there were regional differences in the timely coverage of some vaccine doses and the vaccination information consistency rate. It is necessary to strengthen the timely vaccination of children's vaccine booster doses and optimize the management of vaccination services.