The paper summarizes the authorized invention patents, device registration and the relevant published articles of acupuncture medical devices of TCM in recent 5 years, and analyzes the current status and challenges in this field. It is discovered that the optimization and substitution in diagnosis and treatment of acupuncture are involved in the development of acupuncture medical devices. The technology application of these devices are composed of traditional and emerging engineering technologies; and the theoretical guidance for their development requires the integration of traditional acupuncture principles with modern medical theories. The development of acupuncture medical devices highlights the characteristics of multidimensional integration, treatment for specific ailments, portability and wearability, painlessness and non-invasion, precision and personalization, as well as intelligent automation. Upon analysis, it is shown that in the development and product transformation of acupuncture medical devices in recent years, the theoretical principles of acupuncture of TCM have not been fully utilized yet, the transformation of patented product is low, the clinical evidence of product is insufficient, and the market competitiveness needs improvement. In the future, The theoretic guidance of acupuncture of TCM should be enhanced in the development of acupuncture medical devices, a production-education- research model with the combination of medicine and engineering be constructed, clinical verification of product be emphasized, and product development paradigms be advanced, so as to meet the demands of the medical market.
Acupuncture Therapy/trends* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/instrumentation* ; Equipment and Supplies

This study aimed to explore the pharmacological mechanism of Yourenji Capsules(YRJ) in improving osteoporosis by combining network pharmacology and proteomics technologies. The SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group and a 700 mg·kg~(-1) YRJ group. The rats were subjected to gavage administration with the corresponding drugs, and the blank serum, drug-containing serum, and YRJ samples were compared using ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) to analyze the main components absorbed into blood. Network pharmacology analysis was conducted based on the YRJ components absorbed into blood to obtain related targets of the components and target genes involved in osteoporosis, and Venn diagrams were used to identify the intersection of drug action targets and disease targets. The STRING database was used for protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis of potential target proteins to construct a PPI network. Gene Ontology(GO) functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment were performed using Enrichr to investigate the potential mechanism of action of YRJ. Ovariectomy(OVX) was performed to establish a rat model of osteoporosis, and the rats were divided into a sham group, a model group, and a 700 mg·kg~(-1) YRJ group. The rats were given the corresponding drugs by gavage. The femurs of the rats were subjected to label-free proteomics analysis to detect differentially expressed proteins, and GO functional enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the differentially expressed proteins. With the help of network pharmacology and proteomics results, the mechanism by which YRJ improves osteoporosis was predicted. The analysis of the YRJ components absorbed into blood revealed 23 bioactive components of YRJ, and network pharmacology results indicated that key targets involved include tumor necrosis factor(TNF), tumor protein p53(TP53), protein kinase(AKT1), and matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9). These targets are mainly involved in osteoclast differentiation, estrogen signaling pathways, and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) signaling pathways. Additionally, the proteomics analysis highlighted important pathways such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(PPAR) signaling pathways, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathways, and β-alanine metabolism. The combined approaches of network pharmacology and proteomics have revealed that the mechanism by which YRJ improves osteoporosis may be closely related to the regulation of inflammation, osteoblast, and osteoclast metabolic pathways. The main pathways involved include the NF-κB signaling pathways, MAPK signaling pathways, and PPAR signaling pathways, among others.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Osteoporosis/metabolism* ; Proteomics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Network Pharmacology ; Female ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Capsules ; Humans ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: CRISPR-Cas protects bacteria from exogenous DNA invasion and is associated with bacterial biofilm formation and pathogenicity. METHODS: We analyzed the type I-F CRISPR-Cas system of Legionella pneumophila WX48, including Cas1, Cas2-Cas3, Csy1, Csy2, Csy3, and Cas6f, along with downstream CRISPR arrays. We explored the effects of the CRISPR-Cas system on the in vitro growth, biofilm-forming ability, and pathogenicity of L. pneumophila through constructing gene deletion mutants. RESULTS: The type I-F CRISPR-Cas system did not affect the in vitro growth of wild-type or mutant strains. The biofilm formation and intracellular proliferation of the mutant strains were weaker than those of the wild type owing to the regulation of type IV pili and Dot/Icm type IV secretion systems. In particular, Cas6f deletion strongly inhibited these processes. CONCLUSION The type I-F CRISPR-Cas system may reduce biofilm formation and intracellular proliferation in L. pneumophila.
Legionella pneumophila/pathogenicity* ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Biofilms/growth & development* ; Phenotype ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism* ; Gene Deletion

Transient receptor potential vanilloid-1(TRPV1) channel is a non-selective ligand-gated cationic channel with multiple activation mechanisms in the transient receptor potential subfamily. In recent years, a large number of studies have found that TRPV1 plays an important role in the field of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. With the in-depth study of traditional Chinese medicine, it has been found that Chinese medicine monomers and their active components can activate or inhibit TRPV1 channels, which has certain potential in the study of cardiovascular diseases. In this paper, the role of TRPV1 channel in cardiovascular diseases and the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases based on TRPV1 channel are reviewed, in order to provide new ideas for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular system diseases.

Microbial fuel cells(MFCs)offer a potential solution for sustainable electricity generation by directly converting organic matter in wastewater into electrical energy.However,MFCs face challenges in practical applications,such as low bacterial loading capacity and relatively poor efficiency of extracellular electron transfer(EET)between the anode and the electrochemically active biofilm.In this study,a green and efficient microwave-assisted method combined with high-temperature annealing was successfully employed to prepare iron-based nanoparticle-modified carbon cloth(Fe3C/Fe@CC).This composite material exhibited excellent biocompatibility and electrocatalytic activity.When used as an anode material for MFCs,the Fe3C/Fe@CC-based MFCs demonstrated superior performance,achieving a power density of 2209 mW/m2,which was a 17%increase compared to MFCs with pure carbon cloth anodes(1933 mW/m2).This enhancement was primarily attributed to the effective improvement in EET efficiency between the microbes and the electrode,the increased electrochemically active surface area,and the promotion of the enrichment of the exoelectrogen Geobacter.This study utilized microwave assistance and high-temperature annealing to achieve rapid preparation of highly conductive composite anodes,providing a universal method for the large-scale production of anodes for MFCs.

Objective:To observe the effect of 3D-printed guide plate-assisted percutaneous bone cement-augmented sacroiliac screw fixation in the treatment of pelvic fragility fractures in the elderly.Methods:A total of 11 elderly patients with pelvic fragility fractures who underwent 3D-printed guide plate-assisted percutaneous cement-enhanced sacroiliac screw fixation (cemented group) in the Department of Traumatic Orthopaedics of the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from December 2022 to April 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 3 males and 8 females, aged 73.18±4.42 years (range, 67-80 years). There were 4 cases of typeⅡand 7 cases of typeⅢ. At the same time, 10 elderly patients with pelvic fragility fractures who underwent percutaneous sacroiliac screw fixation assisted by 3D-printed guide plate (cementless group) were selected as control group, including 5 males and 5 females, aged 73.90±6.51 years (range, 67-85 years). Pelvic fragility fractures were classified as typeⅡin 5 cases and typeⅢin 5 cases. The perioperative indicators, visual analogue scale (VAS), Barthel index and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results:All patients successfully completed the operation and were followed up for 17.05±5.48 months (range, 9-27 months). The operation time and fluoroscopy frequency in the bone cement group were 72.09±3.95 min and 12.45±0.93 times, which were significantly higher than those in the non-bone cement group 57.00±4.24 min and 8.50±0.97 times, the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). All patients' fractures healed in one stage, the healing time was 97.09±7.15 d in the cemented group and 103.00±13.14 d in the uncemented group, the difference was not statistically significant ( t=1.297, P=0.210), and there was no case of delayed healing or non-healing. The postoperative weight-bearing time of the bone cement group was 44.73±3.72 d, which was shorter than that of the non-bone cement group 59.10±7.37 d, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The VAS scores of the bone cement group at 1 day, 1 week and 3 weeks after operation were 5.73±0.65, 4.64±0.51 and 3.27±0.65, respectively, which were lower than those of the non-bone cement group 6.80±0.42, 5.30±0.48 and 4.00±0.67. The difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The Barthel index of bone cement group was higher than that of non-bone cement group at 1 day, 1 week, 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 2 months after operation, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Bone cement leakage occurred in 2 patients in the bone cement group, and they did not complain of special discomfort and were not treated. In the non-cemented group, two cases showed screw withdrawal and the sacroiliac screws were removed in a second operation; one case showed sacral plexus nerve injury, and the screws were removed and treated with oral methylcobalamin symptomatic therapy one month after the operation, and the symptoms were relieved after three months. Conclusion:3D-printed guide plate-assisted percutaneous cement-augmented sacroiliac screw fixation for the treatment of elderly pelvic fragility fracture can alleviate postoperative pain, shorten the weight-bearing time, and help to promote early recovery and improve postoperative quality of life.

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was established and validated for determining the concentrations of costunolide(CO), piperine(PI), agarotetrol(AG), glycyrrhizic acid(GL), vanillic acid(VA), and glycyrrhetinic acid(GA) in rat plasma. This method was then applied to the toxicokinetic study of these six compounds in rats with chronic cerebral ischemia(CCI) following multiple oral doses of Zhachong Shisanwei Pills. Finally, the effects of continuous multiple-dose administration of Zhachong Shisanwei Pills on the liver of CCI rats were investigated. The results showed that after oral administration of different doses of Zhachong Shisanwei Pills, the in vivo exposure of AG, VA, and GA was relatively high, with AUC_(0-∞) values ranging from 604.0-2 494.2, 1 305.4-4 634.5, and 2 177.5-4 045.7 h·ng·mL~(-1), respectively, while the exposure of CO, PI, and GL was relatively low, with AUC_(0-∞) values ranging from 37.8-238.2, 2.4-17.0, and 146.9-408.5 h·ng·mL~(-1), respectively. The C_(max) and AUC_(0-∞) of the six compounds were positively correlated with the administered dose. The T_(max) of PI and AG ranged from 0.3 to 2.0 h, their T_(1/2) ranged from 0.8 to 2.9 h, and their mean residence time(MRT) ranged from 1.0 to 3.7 h. The T_(max) of GL and VA was shorter(0.4-1.9 h), while their T_(1/2)(2.6-5.9 h) and MRT(2.5-8.5 h) were longer. Both CO and GA exhibited a bimodal phenomenon, with T_(max) ranging from 1.6 to 6.6 h, T_(1/2) ranging from 2.8 to 7.7 h, and MRT ranging from 4.1 to 12.9 h. Liver histopathology after 28 days of continuous multiple-dose administration of Zhachong Shisanwei Pills showed that the liver tissue remained normal at a low dose(crude drug 0.8 g·kg~(-1), approximately 5 times the clinical equivalent dose). However, as the dose increased(crude drug 1.1-3.0 g·kg~(-1), 6.9-18.8 times the clinical equivalent dose), varying degrees of liver damage were observed. Blood biochemical tests revealed no significant changes in the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), and total bile acid(TBA) in CCI rats from administration groups 1 to 3(crude drug 0.8, 1.1, 1.5 g·kg~(-1)). However, ALT, AST, ALP, and TBA levels in groups 4 and 5(crude drug 2.1, 3.0 g·kg~(-1)) showed significant increases. This study preliminarily elucidated the toxicokinetic characteristics of the six compounds in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills and their effects on liver tissue in CCI rats, providing data as a reference for clinical use.
Animals ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Rats ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/toxicity* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Brain Ischemia/blood* ; Chromatography, Liquid/methods* ; Polyunsaturated Alkamides/blood* ; Piperidines/toxicity* ; Benzodioxoles/toxicity* ; Alkaloids/blood* ; Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

[摘 要] 目的：探讨中药地黄提取物梓醇（Cat）对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖与凋亡，以及裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响及其机制。方法：以不同质量浓度（0、5、25、50、100、200 μg/mL）Cat处理人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞，用MTT法筛选Cat给药浓度。将MCF-7细胞分为空白对照组、Cat低剂量组、Cat中剂量组、Cat高剂量组、Cat+sh-NC组和Cat+sh-FOXO3组，采用Edu细胞增殖实验、平板克隆实验、流式细胞术分别检测各组细胞的增殖与克隆形成能力、凋亡率和细胞周期，WB法检测各组细胞中FOXO3、FOXM1、caspase-3和caspase-8蛋白表达。构建乳腺癌MCF-7细胞裸鼠移植瘤模型，观察Cat对移植瘤生长的影响，WB法检测移植瘤组织中FOXO3和FOXM1蛋白表达。结果：Cat低（50 μg/mL）、中（100 μg/mL）、高（200 μg/mL）剂量处理的MCF-7细胞的增殖能力均显著下降（均P<0.05）。与空白对照组比较，Cat低、中、高剂量组Edu阳性细胞率、克隆形成数、S期与G2/M期细胞比例及FOXO3蛋白表达均显著降低（均P<0.05），细胞凋亡率、G0/G1期细胞比例及FOXM1、caspase-3、caspase-8蛋白表达均显著升高（均P<0.05）；与Cat+sh-NC组比较，Cat+sh-FOXO3组Edu阳性细胞率、克隆形成数、S期与G2/M期细胞比例及FOXO3蛋白表达均显著升高（均P<0.05），细胞凋亡率、G0/G1期细胞比例及FOXM1、caspase-3和caspase-8蛋白表达均显著下降（均P<0.05）。Cat组MCF-7细胞裸鼠移植瘤体积、质量和FOXO3蛋白表达均显著降低（均P<0.05），FOXM1的蛋白表达显著升高（P<0.05）。结论：Cat抑制乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖并促进凋亡，在体内抑制裸鼠移植瘤的生长，其机制可能与上调FOXO3、下调FOXM1的表达有关。

Objective: To examine the clinical value of fluorescence-guided indocyanine green (ICG) laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy in the treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: Data from patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma and who underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy with ICG fluorescence navigation in the Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center of West China Hospital between September 2020 and May 2022 were retrospectively collected. There were 53 males and 19 females, with an age of (55.5±12.9)years(range:42.6 to 68.4 years). Among them, 13 of the cases underwent laparoscopic anatomical liver resection(LALR) guided by tans-arterial ICG,43 of the cases received LAIR guided by portal vein negative ICG, and 16 of the cases received LALR positive by portal vein. Comparison among the three groups was performed by one-way ANOVA; and the rank sum test was used for comparison between groups. The counting data was expressed as percentage,and the χ² test or Fisher's exact probability method was used for comparison between groups. Results: (1) Postoperative pathology: Resection R0 was achieved in all operations. The maximum tumor diameter of the patients in the arterial staining group, the reverse staining group, and the positive staining group(M (IQR)) was 2.5 (2.4) cm, 3.0 (2.5) cm and 3.0(2.4) cm,respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the maximum tumor diameter between the three groups (P=0.364). The minimum tumor margin was 1.1 (1.1) cm, 1.0 (1.0) cm, 1.1 (1.6) cm in the the arterial staining group, reverse staining group and the positive staining group, respectively. There was no significant difference in the margin among the three groups (P=0.878). (2) Operation conditions: the operation time of the arterial staining group, the negative staining group, and the positive portal staining group was (348±93)minutes,(277±112)minutes,and (295±116)minutes,respectively. There were no significant differences in operation time among the three groups (P=0.134). The intraoperative blood loss of the three groups was 80(150)ml,200(350)ml,and 100(150)ml,respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in intraoperative bleeding volume between the three groups(P=0.743). All cases were not transfused during the operation and were not converted to laparotomy. ALT in the arterial staining group was higher than in the negative staining group in the first two days after the operation ((559±398)IU/L307(257) IU/L, q=235.5,P=0.004;(611±389)IU/L(331±242) IU/L, q=265.2, P=0.002). There was only one case of a grade III complication (Clavien-Dindo grading system) postoperative complication in the negative and positive staining group of the portal vein, respectively. Tumor markers in all patients decreased to the normal range after 2 months of operation. Conclusion: Laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy guided by ICG fluorescence through arterial staining and portal vein staining is safe and feasible for primary hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.

Objective:To investigate the value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of intraneural perineurioma.Methods:From June 2015 to June 2022, 11 patients with intraneural perineurioma confirmed by surgery or biopsy in Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University were retrospectively collected, all of whom underwent high-frequency ultrasound examination. Clinical data and sonographic characteristics were collected. The maximum cross-sectional area of the affected nerve was recorded and compared with the corresponding site of the contralateral nerve.Results:All the 11 cases of intraneural perineurioma were single neuropathy. The sonogram showed that the affected nerve was spindle shaped and thickened. There was a statistical difference between the maximum cross-sectional area of the thickened intraneural perineurioma and the corresponding site of the contralateral nerve [(0.158±0.043)cm vs (0.044±0.012)cm, t=8.669, P<0.001]. The fascicles of the affected nerve were thickened with loss of normal fascicular definition, but there were still hyperechoic linear separation among the fascicles. Conclusions:High-frequency ultrasound may be a valuable technique for the diagnosis of intraneural perineurioma.