This study investigated the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Modified Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder on ulcerative colitis(UC) in rats from the perspective of dampness. SD rats were randomly allocated into six groups(n=10): control, model, mesalazine, and Modified Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder at low(3.96 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), medium(7.92 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and high(15.84 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) doses. UC was induced in all groups except the control by administration with 3% dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) solution for 7 days. The disease activity index(DAI) was recorded, and the colon tissue was collected for analysis. Histopathological changes were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Serum levels of D-lactic acid(D-LA) and diamine oxidase(DAO) were measured by ELISA. Immunohistochemistry and PCR were employed to evaluate the expression of aquaporins(AQP3, AQP4) and tight junction proteins [zonula occludens-1(ZO-1) and occludin] at both protein and mRNA levels. Compared with the control group, the model group showed an increased DAI scores(P<0.05), intestinal mucosal damage, elevated serum levels of DAO and D-LA(P<0.05), and decreased expression of AQP3, AQP4, ZO-1, and occludin(P<0.05). Treatment with Modified Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder reduced the DAI scores(P<0.05), lowered the serum levels of D-LA and DAO(P<0.05), and upregulated the expression of AQP3, AQP4, ZO-1, and occludin at both protein and mRNA levels compared with the model group. These findings suggest that Modified Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder exerts therapeutic effects on UC by reducing the intestinal mucosal permeability, promoting colonic mucosal repair, and regulating abnormal intestinal water metabolism, which may involve the upregulation of AQP3 and AQP4 expression.
Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism* ; Male ; Aquaporin 3/metabolism* ; Aquaporin 4/metabolism* ; Permeability/drug effects* ; Humans ; Powders ; Intestinal Barrier Function

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

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.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of varying doses of methylprednisolone(MP)on mice with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)induced with influenza A virus(IAV).Methods Mouse model of COPD was established using LPS combined with smoking for 12 weeks,and then these COPD mice were treated with administration of 40 μL IAV via nasal drip to establish a AECOPD model.A total of 15 AECOPD mice were randomly divided into low-,medium-and high-dose MP groups,oseltamivir group and blank group.The body weight and survival time were monitored within 10 d after IAV infection.On days 1,3,and 5 post-treatment,lung function was assessed using whole-body plethysmography(WBP),inflammatory factors in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were quantified with ELISA,viral titers in BALF were determined using plaque assays,and colony-forming units were evaluated with blood agar plates.Immunofluorescence analysis:① Pulmonary immunofluorescence assay:Mice were randomly categorized into(n=4):LPS 1-day group,LPS 3-day group,and LPS+MP treatment group.All groups received an initial dose of LPS via atomization;subsequently,the LPS+MP treatment group received a single gavage dose of MP.Lung tissues were harvested from the 1-day LPS group on 1 d post-treatment,and from the 3-day LPS and LPS+MP groups on 3 d for immunofluorescence staining.② Cellular immunofluorescence assay:Mouse bone marrow neutrophils were classified into blank control(no intervention),LPS stimulation(LPS group),MP intervention with LPS stimulation(LPS+MP group),and MP intervention alone(MP group).The above cells were collected in 4 h after corresponding interventions for subsequent cellular immunofluorescence analysis.Results ①The medium-dose MP group demonstrated the most significant improvement in survival rate,weight recovery,and lung function when compared to other groups(P＜0.05).② Treatment of medium-dose MP obviously reduced the levels of IL-6 and neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs)(P＜0.05),while,elevated inflammatory factors and NETs were observed in the high-dose MP group on day 5 post-treatment.③ Notable decline in the lung injury score was found in the medium-dose MP group than the other groups(P＜0.05).④The high-dose MP group exhibited substantial bacterial proliferation and delayed viral clearance since day 5 after treatment.Conclusion Medium-dose MP shows best efficacy in treatment of IAV-induced AECOPD,and the dose neither delays viral clearance nor increases the risk of bacterial infection following viral infection.

Forensic medicine has been designated as a first-level discipline,presenting new opportunities and challenges for the development of forensic medicine.Since the 1980s,the establishment of foren-sic medicine discipline and the cultivation of high-level forensic talents have become hot topics in the development of forensic medicine in China.Since the 13th Five-Year Plan,the forensic team of Shanxi Medical University has been aiming at the forefront,proposing the development goals of"Five First-class"and the discipline development path"Six Major Achievements".It has selected benchmark disci-plines,identified gaps in disciplinary development,unified thoughts,formulated completion timelines,concentrated superior resources,assigned tasks to individuals,and created an"Organized Fill-in-the-Blank Format"forensic medicine discipline construction model with the characteristics of the new era.The construction model of forensic medicine has achieved good results in the goals,discipline frame-work,scientific research,talent cultivation,discipline team and platform construction,forming a rela-tively complete discipline construction and management system,and accumulating valuable experience for the construction of first-level discipline and high-level talent cultivation of forensic medicine.

Objective To establish a clinical-CT model,and to observe its value for evaluating lymphovascular invasion(LVI)and/or perineural invasion(PNI)in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Methods Data of 156 ESCC patients were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into positive group(n=58,LVI[+]and/or PNI[+])and negative group(n=98,LVI[-]and PNI[-])according to postoperative pathological results.Clinical and CT data were compared between groups.Logistic regression analysis was performed to establish a model,and its efficacy of evaluating ESCC LVI and/or PNI was analyzed.Results Significant differences of carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),carbohydrate antigen 199(CA199),tumor thickness,tumor volume and CT venous phase value(CTV),the difference between CTV and CT plain phase value(CTP)(△CTV-P)and venous phase enhancement rate(V％)were found between groups(all P＜0.05),and the area under the curve(AUC)of the above parameters for evaluating ESCC LVI and/or PNI was 0.702,0.690,0.731,0.744,0.621,0.631 and 0.599,respectively.CEA,CA199,tumor thickness,tumor volume and CTV were all independent predictive factors for ESCC LVI and/or PNI.A combined model was established based on the above features,and its accuracy,sensitivity and specificity for evaluating ESCC LVI and/or PNI was 82.05％,65.52％and 91.84％,respectively,with AUC of 0.838,higher than that of each single parameter(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The established clinical-CT model could effectively evaluate ESCC LVI and/or PNI.

AIM To evaluate the quality of Beidougen Formula Granules.METHODS Fifteen batches of standard decoctions and three batches of formula granules were prepared,after which paste rate and contents,transfer rates of magnoflorine,daurisoline,dauricine were determined.HPLC specific chromatograms were established,and cluster analysis was adopted in chemical pattern recognition.RESULTS For three batches of formula granules,the paste rates were 15.1%-16.6%,the contents of magnoflorine,daurisoline,dauricine were 18.93-19.39,9.42-9.60,6.79-6.85 mg/g with the transfer rates of 34.42%-35.25%,43.81%-44.65%,27.27%-27.51%from decoction pieces to formula granules,respectively,and there were seven characteristic peaks in the specific chromatograms with the similarities of more than 0.95,which demonstrated good consistence with those of standard decoctions and accorded with related limit requirements.Fifteen batches of standard decoctions were clustered into two types,and the medicinal materials produced from Jilin,Hebei,Shangdong could be used for the preparation of formula granules.CONCLUSION This reasonable and reliable method can provide references for the quality control and clinical application of Beidougen Formula Granules.

AIM To investigate the variation rules of main secondary metabolites in Hedysari Radix before and after rubbing strip.METHODS UPLC-MS/MS was adopted in the content determination of formononetin,ononin,calycosin,calycosin-7-glucoside,medicarpin,genistein,luteolin,liquiritigenin,isoliquiritigenin,vanillic acid,ferulic acid,γ-aminobutyric acid,adenosine and betaine,after which cluster analysis,principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were used for chemical pattern recognition to explore differential components.RESULTS After rubbing strip,formononetin,calycosin,liquiritigenin and γ-aminobutynic acid demonstrated increased contents,along with decreased contents of ononin,calycosin-7-glucoside and vanillic acid.The samples with and without rubbing strip were clustered into two types,calycosin-7-glucoside,formononetin,γ-aminobutynic acid,vanillic acid,calycosin-7-glucoside and formononetin were differential components.CONCLUSION This experiment clarifies the differences of chemical constituents in Hedysari Radix before and after rubbing strip,which can provide a reference for the research on rubbing strip mechanism of other medicinal materials.

In recent years, nucleic acid therapy, as a revolutionary therapeutic tool, has shown great potential in the treatment of genetic diseases, infectious diseases and cancer. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are currently the most advanced mRNA delivery carriers, and their emergence is an important reason for the rapid approval and use of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and the development of mRNA therapy. Currently, mRNA therapeutics using LNP as a carrier have been widely used in protein replacement therapy, vaccines and gene editing. Conventional LNP is composed of four components: ionizable lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) lipids, which can effectively load mRNA to improve the stability of mRNA and promote the delivery of mRNA to the cytoplasm. However, in the face of the complexity and diversity of clinical diseases, the structure, properties and functions of existing LNPs are too homogeneous, and the lack of targeted delivery capability may result in the risk of off-targeting. LNPs are flexibly designed and structurally stable vectors, and the adjustment of the types or proportions of their components can give them additional functions without affecting the ability of LNPs to deliver mRNAs. For example, by replacing and optimizing the basic components of LNP, introducing a fifth component, and modifying its surface, LNP can be made to have more precise targeting ability to reduce the side effects caused by treatment, or be given additional functions to synergistically enhance the efficacy of mRNA therapy to respond to the clinical demand for nucleic acid therapy. It is also possible to further improve the efficiency of LNP delivery of mRNA through machine learning-assisted LNP iteration. This review can provide a reference method for the rational design of engineered lipid nanoparticles delivering mRNA to treat diseases.