Cardiovascular diseases （CVD），a group of common diseases in clinical practice，are witnessing a steady rise in both incidence and mortality rates，posing a challenge to public health. Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang，originating from Synopsis of the Golden Chamber （《金匮要略》），was initially used to treat severe cases of chest impediment. The formula consists of Trichosanthis Fructus，Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus，Pinelliae Rhizoma，and Baijiu. It has a wide range of clinical applications，with therapeutic effects including moving Qi to relieve depression，activating Yang to dissipate mass，and expelling phlegm to alleviate chest congestion. In recent years，clinical research has confirmed that Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang，with or without modification，used alone or in combination with Western medicine，has definite effects in the treatment of CVD such as hyperlipidemia，coronary atherosclerotic heart disease，hypertension，heart failure，and arrhythmia. It can alleviate disease symptoms and reduce the risk of re-hospitalization. Basic research indicates that the mechanisms of Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang include improving endothelial functions，exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties，countering oxidative stress，preventing apoptosis，inhibiting ventricular remodeling，regulating mitochondrial functions，improving hemorheology，and modulating autophagy and neurotransmitters. This article reviews relevant articles in recent years with focuses on the compatibility，clinical application，and mechanism of Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang. This review is expected to provide a theoretical basis for the mechanism research and clinical application of this formula in treating CVD and to offer ideas and reference for in-depth research.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which modified Shaofu Zhuyutang inhibits angiogenesis in endometriosis via the vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS）-nitric oxide （NO） signaling pathway. MethodsEighty-four female SD rats were randomly assigned into blank， sham operation， model， positive control （gestrinone， 0.25 mg·kg^-1）， high-， medium-， and low-dose （30， 15， 7.5 g·kg^-1， respectively） traditional Chinese medicine （TCM， modified Shaofu Zhuyutang） groups. A rat model of endometriosis was established by the autotransplantation method. After successful modeling， rats in the drug intervention groups were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage， and those in the blank， sham operation， and model groups received an equal volume of distilled water. After 28 days of gavage， rats were administrated with oxytocin， and the number and latency period of writhing responses were observed. Serum samples from each group， ectopic lesions from modeling groups， and uteri from blank and sham operation groups were collected. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of endometriotic lesions. Immunohistochemistry was employed to observe the expression of angiogenesis-specific markers cluster of differentiation 34 antigen （CD34） and friend leukemia virus integration-1 （FLI-1）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the nitrate reductase method were employed to determine the serum levels of VEGF and NO， respectively. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of VEGF， PI3K， phosphorylated PI3K （p-PI3K）， Akt， phosphorylated Akt （p-Akt）， eNOS， and phosphorylated eNOS （p-eNOS）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of VEGF， PI3K， Akt， and eNOS. ResultsThe blank group and the sham operation group had no significant changes in the number and latency period of writhing responses， serum VEGF and NO levels， protein levels of VEGF， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-eNOS/eNOS， and mRNA levels of VEGF， PI3K， Akt， and eNOS. The model group showed an increase in the number and a reduction in the latency period of writhing responses， enlargement of ectopic endometrial tissue in the abdominal wall， with stromal hyperplasia， glandular dilation， and increased vasculature. In addition， the modeling led to increased positive expression of CD34 and FLI-1， elevated serum VEGF and NO levels， and up-regulated protein levels of VEGF， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-eNOS/eNOS and mRNA levels of VEGF， PI3K， Akt， and eNOS （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the gestrinone and high-， medium-， and low-dose TCM groups showed a significant reduction in the number of writhing responses， a significant prolongation of the latency period， reduced ectopic endometrial tissue in the abdominal wall， alleviated pathological damage， and reduced positive expression of CD34 and FLI-1. The gestrinone group and the high- and medium-dose TCM groups showed lowered serum VEGF and NO levels as well as down-regulated protein levels of VEGF， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-eNOS/eNOS and mRNA levels of VEGF， PI3K， Akt， and eNOS. Moreover， the low-dose TCM group showed reductions in the serum VEGF level， the protein levels of VEGF， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-eNOS/eNOS， and the mRNA levels of VEGF and eNOS （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionModified SShaofu Zhuyutang can inhibit angiogenesis in endometriosis by antagonizing the abnormal activation of the VEGF/PI3K/Akt/eNOS-NO signaling pathway， thereby preventing the occurrence， development， and deterioration of endometriosis.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which modified Shaofu Zhuyutang inhibits angiogenesis in endometriosis via the vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS）-nitric oxide （NO） signaling pathway. MethodsEighty-four female SD rats were randomly assigned into blank， sham operation， model， positive control （gestrinone， 0.25 mg·kg^-1）， high-， medium-， and low-dose （30， 15， 7.5 g·kg^-1， respectively） traditional Chinese medicine （TCM， modified Shaofu Zhuyutang） groups. A rat model of endometriosis was established by the autotransplantation method. After successful modeling， rats in the drug intervention groups were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage， and those in the blank， sham operation， and model groups received an equal volume of distilled water. After 28 days of gavage， rats were administrated with oxytocin， and the number and latency period of writhing responses were observed. Serum samples from each group， ectopic lesions from modeling groups， and uteri from blank and sham operation groups were collected. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of endometriotic lesions. Immunohistochemistry was employed to observe the expression of angiogenesis-specific markers cluster of differentiation 34 antigen （CD34） and friend leukemia virus integration-1 （FLI-1）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the nitrate reductase method were employed to determine the serum levels of VEGF and NO， respectively. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of VEGF， PI3K， phosphorylated PI3K （p-PI3K）， Akt， phosphorylated Akt （p-Akt）， eNOS， and phosphorylated eNOS （p-eNOS）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of VEGF， PI3K， Akt， and eNOS. ResultsThe blank group and the sham operation group had no significant changes in the number and latency period of writhing responses， serum VEGF and NO levels， protein levels of VEGF， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-eNOS/eNOS， and mRNA levels of VEGF， PI3K， Akt， and eNOS. The model group showed an increase in the number and a reduction in the latency period of writhing responses， enlargement of ectopic endometrial tissue in the abdominal wall， with stromal hyperplasia， glandular dilation， and increased vasculature. In addition， the modeling led to increased positive expression of CD34 and FLI-1， elevated serum VEGF and NO levels， and up-regulated protein levels of VEGF， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-eNOS/eNOS and mRNA levels of VEGF， PI3K， Akt， and eNOS （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the gestrinone and high-， medium-， and low-dose TCM groups showed a significant reduction in the number of writhing responses， a significant prolongation of the latency period， reduced ectopic endometrial tissue in the abdominal wall， alleviated pathological damage， and reduced positive expression of CD34 and FLI-1. The gestrinone group and the high- and medium-dose TCM groups showed lowered serum VEGF and NO levels as well as down-regulated protein levels of VEGF， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-eNOS/eNOS and mRNA levels of VEGF， PI3K， Akt， and eNOS. Moreover， the low-dose TCM group showed reductions in the serum VEGF level， the protein levels of VEGF， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-eNOS/eNOS， and the mRNA levels of VEGF and eNOS （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionModified SShaofu Zhuyutang can inhibit angiogenesis in endometriosis by antagonizing the abnormal activation of the VEGF/PI3K/Akt/eNOS-NO signaling pathway， thereby preventing the occurrence， development， and deterioration of endometriosis.

Objective To evaluate value of combined detection of cerebrospinal fluid synaptosom-al-associated protein 25(SNAP-25)and long non-coding RNA nuclear-enriched transcript 1(NEAT1)in assessing cognitive impairment severity and disease progression in patients with Alzhei-mer's disease.Methods A total of 650 patients with Alzheimer's disease were selected as research subjects and divided into normal group(n=162),mild cognitive impairment group(n=380)and dementia group(n=108)according to their cognitive function.The correlations of the levels of SNAP-25 and NEAT1 in cerebrospinal fluid with the scores of Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale(CDR)were analyzed.According to whether the patients in the mild cognitive impairment group progressed to dementia(followed up for 6 months),they were divided into disease progression group(progressed to dementia)and stable disease group(did not progress to dementia).The levels of SNAP-25 and NEAT1 in cerebrospinal fluid of patients in each group were compared.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of cerebrospinal fluid SNAP-25 combined with NEAT1 for dementia and its predictive efficacy for the progression of mild cognitive impairment to dementia.Results The levels of SNAP-25 and NEAT1 mRNA in cerebrospinal fluid in the mild cognitive impairment group and the dementia group were significantly higher than those in the normal group;the levels of cerebrospinal fluid SNAP-25 and NEAT1 mRNA in the dementia group were significantly higher than those in the mild cognitive impairment group(P＜0.05).The levels of cerebrospinal fluid SNAP-25 and NEAT1 mRNA in pa-tients of the mild cognitive impairment group and the dementia group were negatively correlated with the MMSE score(P＜0.05),and positively correlated with the CDR score(P＜0.05).In the mild cognitive impairment group,133 patients' conditions progressed from mild cognitive impairment to dementia.The levels of cerebrospinal fluid SNAP-25 and NEAT1 mRNA in the disease progres-sion group were significantly higher than those in the stable disease group(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity of cerebrospinal fluid SNAP-25 combined with NEAT1 in diagno-sing dementia was 89.63％,the specificity was 54.08％,and the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.884.The sensitivity of cerebrospinal fluid SNAP-25 combined with NEAT1 in predicting the pro-gression of mild cognitive impairment to dementia was 83.41％,the specificity was 56.70％,and the AUC was 0.867.Conclusion The levels of SNAP-25 and NEAT1 in cerebrospinal fluid in-crease significantly with the aggravation of cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer's dis-ease.The combined detection of SNAP-25 and NEAT1 has relatively high diagnostic efficacy for de-mentia and predictive value for the progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the methods of ankle hinge position design in the correction of clubfoot deformity by Ilizarov method, and to explore its application value in the prevention of ankle dislocation. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted including 28 patients with rigid clubfoot deformity (34 feet) who met the selection criteria and admitted between September 2021 and December 2024. There were 19 males and 9 females with an average age of 31.8 years (range, 19-47 years). According to Dimeglio classification, there were 21 feet of degree Ⅲ and 13 feet of degree Ⅳ. The causes were traumatic sequelae in 9 cases, congenital foot deformity in 15 cases, spina bifida sequelae in 1 case, peripheral neuropathy in 1 case, and cerebral palsy sequelae in 2 cases. The malformation lasted from 6 to 46 years, with an average of 29.3 years. All patients were treated with Ilizarov circular external fixator, and the hinge position of ankle joint was planned according to the standard lateral X-ray film of foot and ankle and the principle of Ilizarov limb deformity correction center of rotation angulation (CORA) before operation. The 2008 International Clubfoot Study Group (ICFSG) scoring system was used to evaluate the efficacy. RESULTS: The deformity of rigid clubfoot was completely corrected in all patients, and the patients could walk with plantar weight-bearing, and the ankle weight-bearing walking significantly improved when compared with that before operation. There was no complication such as ankle dislocation, talus impact or extrusion, local skin necrosis, needle tract infection, or numbness of extremities during the correction process. All patients were followed up 5-39 months, with an average of 18.1 months. At last follow-up, according to the ICFSG scoring system, 23 feet were excellent, 10 feet were good, and 1 foot was fair, and the excellent and good rate was 97%. CONCLUSION Designing the position of the ankle hinge according to the principle of CORA can effectively avoid ankle dislocation, talus impingement, tibiotalar joint extrusion, and other ankle adverse events in the process of correcting clubfoot deformity, which has good application value in clinical practice.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Clubfoot/diagnostic imaging* ; Ilizarov Technique/instrumentation* ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; External Fixators ; Ankle Joint/diagnostic imaging* ; Middle Aged ; Joint Dislocations/prevention & control* ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness and feasibility of two osteotomy guides in medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO). METHODS: Clinical data of 103 patients who underwent routine MOWHTO surgery between January 2020 and December 2022 were collected for retrospective analysis. The patients were divided into two groups based on the method of osteotomy guide plate. The control group of 51 patients received traditional osteotomy guide plate technique, including 17 males and 34 females, aged from 48 to 68 years old with an average of(57.93±4.82) years old, with a disease duration ranged from 1 to 8 years with an average of (4.89±1.49) years. The observation group of 52 patients received personalized osteotomy guide plate technique, including 23 males and 29 females, aged from 48 to 69 with an average of (58.22±5.10) years, with a disease duration ranged from 1 to 9 years with an average of(5.10±1.55) years. The perioperative indicators, complications, and knee joint recovery rate were statistically analyzed for both groups, as well as the preoperative and postoperative coagulation function, fibrinogen (FIB), D-dimer (D-D), gait parameters (step frequency, step length, step speed), biomechanical indicators, weight bearing line (WBL), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), joint line conergence angle (JLCA), and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) function (body width, tibial anterior displacement). RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 6 months. The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, and number of fluoroscopic views in the observation group were (358.58±93.76) ml, (84.42±8.17) min, and (2.00±0.44) times, respectively, which were all less than those in the control group (465.55±105.38) ml, (96.53±10.51) min, and (6.31±0.58) times (P<0.05). Three days after surgery, the FIB and D-D levels in the observation group were (4.21±0.48) g·L^-1 and (204.47±35.59) μg·L^-1, respectively, which were both lower than those in the control group (5.56±0.57) g·L^-1 and (311.12±42.23) μg·L^-1 (P<0.05). Three months after surgery, the step frequency, step length, and step speed in the observation group were (1.89±0.23) steps·s^-1, (0.57±0.15) m, and (0.99±0.11) m·s^-1, respectively, which were all higher than those in the control group (1.80±0.18) steps·s^-1, (0.50±0.14) m, and (0.95±0.09) m·s^-1 (P<0.05). Three months after surgery, the WBL and MPTA in the observation group were (45.53±4.41)% and (87.03±8.15)°, respectively, which were both higher than those in the control group (38.38±4.36)% and (83.68±8.50)°, and the JLCA was (2.36±0.24)°, which was lower than that in the control group (2.61±0.33)° (P<0.05). The ACL body width during internal fixation removal was (5.60±0.51) mm, which was greater than that in the control group (5.08±0.56) mm, and the tibial migration was (5.70±0.42) mm, which was less than that in the control group (6.33±0.48) mm (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P>0.05). Six months after surgery, there was no significant difference in the recovery rate of knee joint between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The application of personalized osteotomy guide technique in MOWHTO can help improve knee biomechanics and ACL function, and has less effect on coagulation function and no increase in complications.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Osteotomy/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Tibia/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Retrospective Studies ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/physiopathology*

Eight compounds were isolated and purified from the ethyl acetate part of 70% acetone extract of Rehmannia glutinosa by various chromatographic techniques such as silica gel, MCI gel CHP-20, ODS, Toyopearl HW-40C, combined with TLC and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by modern spectroscopy techniques (NMR, MS, UV, IR), and identified as neomartynoside A (1), osmanthuside B₆ (2), martynoside (3), isomartynoside (4), (E)-p-hydroxycinnamic acid (5), caffeic acid (6), ferulic acid (7), and methyl caffeate (8). Compound 1 is a new phenylethanol glycoside, which was identified as neomartynoside A. Compound 2 was isolated from Rehmannia glutinosa for the first time. In addition, compounds 2, 6 and 7 significantly increased relative glucose consumption, showing potential hypoglycemic activity.

Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.

Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.

ObjectiveBased on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), we investigated the brain activity characteristics of gross motor tasks in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and motor dysfunctions (MDs) to provide a theoretical basis for further understanding the mechanism of MDs in children with ASD and designing targeted intervention programs from a central perspective. MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 48 children with ASD accompanied by MDs were recruited into the ASD group and 40 children with typically developing (TD) into the TD group. The fNIRS device was used to collect the information of blood oxygen changes in the cortical motor-related brain regions during single-handed bag throwing and tiptoe walking, and the differences in brain activation and functional connectivity between the two groups of children were analyzed from the perspective of brain activation and functional connectivity. ResultsCompared to the TD group, in the object manipulative motor task (one-handed bag throwing), the ASD group showed significantly reduced activation in both left sensorimotor cortex (SMC) and right secondary visual cortex (V2) (P<0.05), whereas the right pre-motor and supplementary motor cortex (PMC&SMA) had significantly higher activation (P<0.01) and showed bilateral brain region activity; in terms of brain functional integration, there was a significant decrease in the strength of brain functional connectivity (P<0.05) and was mainly associated with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and V2. In the body stability motor task (tiptoe walking), the ASD group had significantly higher activation in motor-related brain regions such as the DLPFC, SMC, and PMC&SMA (P<0.05) and showed bilateral brain region activity; in terms of brain functional integration, the ASD group had lower strength of brain functional connectivity (P<0.05) and was mainly associated with PMC&SMA and V2. ConclusionChildren with ASD exhibit abnormal brain functional activity characteristics specific to different gross motor tasks in object manipulative and body stability, reflecting insufficient or excessive compensatory activation of local brain regions and impaired cross-regions integration, which may be a potential reason for the poorer gross motor performance of children with ASD, and meanwhile provides data support for further unraveling the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of MDs in the context of ASD and designing targeted intervention programs from a central perspective.