Erchentang is a classic formula widely used by medical practitioners throughout history. In this paper，ancient and modern literature of Erchentang were collected， and bibliometrics was employed to analyze its historic evolution，prescription meaning，herbs origin， processing method，preparation methods， and clinical application. A total of 84 pieces of data were collected， and 58 pieces of data involving 53 ancient medical Chinese books were screened， sorted， and processed. Combined with research of modern scholars，the research has found that the Erchentang originated from the Taiping Huimin Huiye Shijie Fang compiled by the Imperial Medical Bureau of the Song Dynasty. The basic information about the origin of the drugs is quite clear. Pinelliae rhizoma in the formula is the dried tuber of Pinellia ternata. Citri exocarpium rubrum is the dried mature peel of Citrus reticulata and its cultivated varieties， with the inner white membrane removed. Poria is the whitest dry sclerotia of Poria cocos； Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma is the dried root and rhizome of the Glycyrrhiza uralensis. The dosage is 5.70 g Pinelliae rhizome and Citri exocarpium rubrum， 3.43 g Poria， and 1.69 g Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma praeparata cum melle. During the decoction process， the above-mentioned herbs should be chopped， with 300 mL water， 7 g ginger in thick slices， and 2 g Mume fructus added， and it was then simmered together to 180 mL. After removing the medicinal residue， it can be taken warmly. Erchentang has the effect of drying dampness and resolving phlegm， regulating Qi and harmonizing the middle. It can be used in treating the syndrome of phlegm and dampness，as well as symptoms such as frequent cough，white phlegm，fullness in chest and diaphragm，nausea and vomiting，limb drowsiness，anorexia，dizziness，palpitations，white and greasy tongue coating， and slippery pulse. The above results provide reference for future research and development of Erchentang.

Patients with liver cirrhosis are more susceptible to various bacterial or viral infections due to immune dysfunction. Recent studies have shown that compared with the general population， individuals with liver cirrhosis show a significant increase in the incidence rate of adverse outcomes after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection， including the progression of liver injury and the increase in mortality rate. Vaccination can reduce the incidence rates of breakthrough infections and severe coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19） in patients with liver cirrhosis， but such patients have low immune response and thus require booster doses to enhance immunity. This article reviews the clinical features of cirrhotic patients with COVID-19 and related management strategies， in order to provide evidence-based guidance for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of such patients.

Objective To observe the allergic and irritant reactions of Xiaoyu Ointment on the skin and evaluate its safety for topical application.Methods(1)Thirty healthy guinea pigs were randomly divided into a blank base group,a positive drug(2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene)group,and low-,medium-,and high-dose Xiaoyu Ointment groups.On day 0,7,and 14,the left abdominal area of the guinea pigs was shaved and treated with the ointment for sensitization.On day 28,the right abdominal area was shaved and treated to induce an allergic reaction.Skin reactions were observed,and allergy scores and histopathological examinations were performed.(2)Thirty-six healthy New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into intact skin low-,medium-,and high-dose Xiaoyu Ointment groups and damaged skin low-,medium-,and high-dose Xiaoyu Ointment groups.Xiaoyu Ointment and a blank base were applied to both sides of the spine of each rabbit for 15 consecutive days,respectively.Skin reactions were observed,and irritation intensity scores and histopathological examinations were performed.Results Xiaoyu Ointment showed weak sensitization on guinea pig skin and did not cause irritation on intact rabbit skin.However,mild irritation was observed on damaged skin.Conclusion Xiaoyu Ointment has weak skin sensitization and no significant irritation,making it suitable for further clinical application and promotion.

Objective To investigatethe relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and clinicopathological characteristics, p53 expression, and survival of Chinese patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma. Methods A total of 3882 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, 970 matched patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and 970 matched patients with gastric cardia adenocarcinoma were included to compare the incidence of GERD symptoms. Patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma were divided into two groups according to the presence and absence of GERD symptoms. The differences in clinicopathological characteristics and p53 expression between the two groups were compared by chi-square test, and the differences in survival between the two groups were compared by landmark analysis. Results The incidence of GERD symptoms increased successively in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma. In patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, the proportions of male, less than 65 years old, lower thoracic tumors, tumors without squamous cell carcinoma, poorly differentiation, early tumors (stage 0-I), and p53-positive tumors in the group with GERD symptoms were higher than those in the group without GERD symptoms; moreover, the long-term survival (≥15 years) was better. Conclusion GERD symptom is an important clinical sign of esophageal adenocarcinoma. It is closely related to specific clinicopathological characteristics, p53 overexpression, and good long-term prognosis.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have found that growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible protein 45β(Gadd45b)is beneficial to the repair of acute cerebral ischemia,but the action mechanism is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect and mechanism of Gadd45b on white matter demyelinating lesions in rats with chronic cerebral ischemia.METHODS:SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:sham operation group,model group,empty vector group,and Gadd45b overexpression group,with 15 rats in each group.Gadd45b-overexpressing lentivirus and no-load lentivirus were injected into the bilateral hippocampus and bilateral ventricles of rats.One week after lentivirus transfection,the rat model of chronic hypoperfusion cerebral ischemia was established by bilateral common carotid artery ligation.Three weeks after the bilateral common carotid artery ligation,the learning and cognitive functions of rats were evaluated by novel object recognition test.Luxol fast blue staining was used to observe the changes of myelin structure in the corpus callosum of rats.Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the damage of the rat corpus callosum.Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of myelin basic protein and neurofilament protein 200 in the corpus callosum of rats.Immunofluorescence double staining was used to detect the expression of astrocyte markers GFAP/C3d and GFAP/S100A10 in rat brain tissue.ELISA was used to detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in the supernatant of brain tissue.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Gadd45b overexpression could significantly improve the learning and cognitive function of rats with chronic cerebral ischemia,and improve demyelination and pathological damage in the rat corpus callosum.(2)The results of immunofluorescence showed that Gadd45b overexpression significantly increased the expression levels of myelin basic protein and neurofilament protein 200 in the brain tissue of rats with chronic cerebral ischemia.(3)Gadd45b overexpression reduced GFAP/C3d double positive cells and increased GFAP/S100A10 double positive cells in the brain tissue of rats with chronic cerebral ischemia.(4)Gadd45b overexpression reduced the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in the brain tissue of rats with chronic cerebral ischemia.It is concluded that Gadd45b overexpression improves cognitive dysfunction by promoting the A2 phenotype transformation of astrocytes,alleviating white matter myelin structure damage and neuroinflammation in rats with chronic cerebral ischemia.

Objective Based on the national drug sampling inspection program,this study aims to comprehensively and systematically evaluate the quality of Xuanmai Ganjie preparations,analyze existing quality issues,and provide references and suggestions for quality control of this variety.Methods A total of 237 batches of Xuanmai Ganjie preparations were tested using legal standards,and methods were established for detecting adulteration of Ophiopogon japonicus with counterfeit varieties,paclobutrazol residue levels,and determining the content of platycodin D in Xuanmai Ganjie preparations.These methods were applied to the quality control and evaluation of Xuanmai Ganjie preparations.Results Through statutory inspection,one batch of Xuanmai Ganjie granules was found non-compliant.Specific batches were identified to contain the following irregularities:adulteration of Ophiopogon japonicus with counterfeit varieties,paclobutrazol residue levels exceeding proposed limits,and platycodin D content below the established threshold.Conclusion The overall quality of Xuanmai Ganjie granules was average,while the overall quality of Xuanmai Ganjie capsules and lozenges was relatively good.Manufacturing enterprises should strengthen their sense of primary responsibility and enhance control over the entire drug production process.

Objective:To evaluate the levels and source of cadmium exposure by dietary pathway among middle-aged and elderly people ≥40 in cadmium-contaminated areas of China.Methods:A total of 7 193 people aged 40-89 years from four typical cadmium-contaminated areas in China were selected as the study subjects. Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), Total Diet Study (TDS) and a 3-day-24-hour dietary recall survey were conducted. Dietary cadmium intake and food sources through dietary pathways were assessed based on cadmium content in foods, consumption amounts and intake frequencies.Results:The mean age of the participants was 63.39±12.21 years, with 50.05% being males. The average monthly dietary cadmium intake was 7.39 μg/(kg·BW). Staple foods and vegetables were the primary sources of dietary cadmium intake, accounting for 57.51% and 32.48%, respectively. The monthly dietary cadmium intake in all surveyed regions did not exceed the Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake (PTMI) recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).Conclusion:The monthly dietary cadmium intake among middle-aged and elderly people in cadmium-contaminated areas of China is relatively low, with the risk remaining at an acceptable level. Staple foods and vegetables are the most significant contributors to dietary cadmium intake.

Objective To observe the value of intravoxel incoherent motion(IVIM)histogram parameters for predicting perineural invasion(PNI)of rectal cancer.Methods Fifty-five patients with rectal cancer were retrospectively enrolled and divided into positive group(n=23)and negative group(n=32)according to PNI or not.Histogram parameters of apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC),perfusion fraction(f),true diffusion coefficient(D)and pseudo diffusion coefficient(D*)were obtained based on MR IVIM images,including the mean,skewness,kurtosis,entropy,as well as the 25th,50th and 75th percentiles(25th,50th,75th).The above IVIM histogram parameters were compared between groups,and those with significant difference were included in binary stepwise logistic regression analysis to screen independent factors for predicting PNI status of rectal cancer.Then a combined parameter model was established.Receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the efficacy of IVIM histogram parameters and combined parameter model for predicting PNI of rectal cancer.Results ADCmean,ADC25th,ADC50th,ADC75th,fmean,f25th,f50th,f75th and Dentropy in positive group were all lower than those in negative group(all P＜0.05).AUC of the above parameters for predicting PNI of rectal cancer was 0.693,0.665,0.701,0.675,0.831,0.847,0.835,0.722 and 0.785,respectively.The sensitivity,specificity and AUC of combined parameter model based on f25th and Dentropy for predicting PNI of rectal cancer was 95.65％,65.63％and 0.897,respectively.Conclusion IVIM histogram parameters could be used to predict PNI of rectal cancer effectively.

Objective:To evaluate the levels and source of cadmium exposure by dietary pathway among middle-aged and elderly people ≥40 in cadmium-contaminated areas of China.Methods:A total of 7 193 people aged 40-89 years from four typical cadmium-contaminated areas in China were selected as the study subjects. Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), Total Diet Study (TDS) and a 3-day-24-hour dietary recall survey were conducted. Dietary cadmium intake and food sources through dietary pathways were assessed based on cadmium content in foods, consumption amounts and intake frequencies.Results:The mean age of the participants was 63.39±12.21 years, with 50.05% being males. The average monthly dietary cadmium intake was 7.39 μg/(kg·BW). Staple foods and vegetables were the primary sources of dietary cadmium intake, accounting for 57.51% and 32.48%, respectively. The monthly dietary cadmium intake in all surveyed regions did not exceed the Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake (PTMI) recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).Conclusion:The monthly dietary cadmium intake among middle-aged and elderly people in cadmium-contaminated areas of China is relatively low, with the risk remaining at an acceptable level. Staple foods and vegetables are the most significant contributors to dietary cadmium intake.