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

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical characteristics of pediatric Behçet syndrome (BS). METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on the medical records of children hospitalized in the Department of Pediatrics at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University between December 2014 and December 2024 who met diagnostic criteria for BS. RESULTS: Among 45 children with BS, 26 (58%) were male. Oral aphthous ulcers were the most common manifestation (43/45, 96%), followed by genital ulcers (23/45, 51%) and gastrointestinal involvement (18/45, 40%). Genital ulcers were more frequent in girls, whereas ocular involvement was more common in boys (P<0.05). The pathergy test was positive in 10 (22%), and HLA-B51 was positive in 13 (29%). Fecal calprotectin (FC) was elevated in 16 (36%); gastrointestinal involvement was more frequent in children with elevated FC than in those with normal FC (P<0.05). According to the respective criteria, 17 (38%) patients met the International Study Group criteria (1990), 33 (73%) met the International Criteria for Behçet Disease (2014), and 13 (29%) met the Pediatric Behçet Disease criteria (2015). CONCLUSIONS Pediatric BS shows marked clinical heterogeneity. HLA-B51 is associated with disease susceptibility.
Humans ; Behcet Syndrome/genetics* ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Retrospective Studies ; Adolescent ; Child, Preschool ; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex/analysis* ; HLA-B51 Antigen

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of Zhuangdan Yanshi Decoction combined with dapoxetine hydrochloride in the treatment of premature ejaculation with cholestasis and phlegm disturbance. METHODS: A total of 120 patients diagnosed with premature ejaculation and treated in the Andrology Outpatient Department of Shaanxi Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March to December in 2022 were selected and randomly divided into treatment group and control group, with 60 cases in each group. The incubation period of intravaginal ejaculation (IELT), the Diagnostic Scale of Premature Ejaculation (PEDT), the Premature Ejaculation Assessment Scale (PEP), the 5-item Sexual Function Evaluation of Chinese Premature Ejaculation Patients (CIPE-5) and the improvement of traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores were compared before and after the treatment. And the adverse reactions were recorded as well. RESULTS: A total of 105 cases were ultimately included, with 55 cases in the treatment group and 50 cases in the control group. Measurable improvements in IELT, PEDT scores, PEP scores, CIPE scores and TCM symptom scores had been found after treatment in both of two groups (P<0.05). Moreover, the improvement in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the treatment group was 89.1%, which was higher than that(84%) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the treatment group was 9.1%, which was 24% in the control group. There was significantly difference between two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The combination therapy with Zhuangdan Yanshi Decoction and dapoxetine hydrochloride for premature ejaculation associated with cholestasis and phlegm disturbance syndrome is definite, and it can reduce the side effects of drugs, which is better than oral dapoxetine hydrochloride alone.
Humans ; Premature Ejaculation/drug therapy* ; Benzylamines/therapeutic use* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Naphthalenes/therapeutic use* ; Cholestasis/complications* ; Adult ; Benzyl Compounds/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Treatment Outcome

Patients suffering from nerve injury often experience exacerbated pain responses and complain of memory deficits. The dorsal hippocampus (dHPC), a well-defined region responsible for learning and memory, displays maladaptive plasticity upon injury, which is assumed to underlie pain hypersensitivity and cognitive deficits. However, much attention has thus far been paid to intracellular mechanisms of plasticity rather than extracellular alterations that might trigger and facilitate intracellular changes. Emerging evidence has shown that nerve injury alters the microarchitecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and decreases ECM rigidity in the dHPC. Despite this, it remains elusive which element of the ECM in the dHPC is affected and how it contributes to neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits. Laminin, a key element of the ECM, consists of α-, β-, and γ-chains and has been implicated in several pathophysiological processes. Here, we showed that peripheral nerve injury downregulates laminin β1 (LAMB1) in the dHPC. Silencing of hippocampal LAMB1 exacerbates pain sensitivity and induces cognitive dysfunction. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that loss of hippocampal LAMB1 causes dysregulated Src/NR2A signaling cascades via interaction with integrin β1, leading to decreased Ca²⁺ levels in pyramidal neurons, which in turn orchestrates structural and functional plasticity and eventually results in exaggerated pain responses and cognitive deficits. In this study, we shed new light on the functional capability of hippocampal ECM LAMB1 in the modulation of neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits, and reveal a mechanism that conveys extracellular alterations to intracellular plasticity. Moreover, we identified hippocampal LAMB1/integrin β1 signaling as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neuropathic pain and related memory loss.
Animals ; Laminin/genetics* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Neuralgia/metabolism* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology* ; Male ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries/metabolism* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Integrin beta1/metabolism* ; Pyramidal Cells/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction

Exosomal circular RNA (circRNAs) are pivotal in cancer biology, and tumor pathophysiology. These stable, non-coding RNAs encapsulated in exosomes participated in cancer progression, tumor growth, metastasis, drug sensitivity and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Their presence in bodily fluids positions them as potential non-invasive biomarkers, revealing the molecular dynamics of cancers. Research in exosomal circRNAs is reshaping our understanding of neoplastic intercellular communication. Exploiting the natural properties of exosomes for targeted drug delivery and disrupting circRNA-mediated pro-tumorigenic signaling can develop new treatment modalities. Therefore, ongoing exploration of exosomal circRNAs in cancer research is poised to revolutionize clinical management of cancer. This emerging field offers hope for significant breakthroughs in cancer care. This review underscores the critical role of exosomal circRNAs in cancer biology and drug resistance, highlighting their potential as non-invasive biomarkers and therapeutic targets that could transform the clinical management of cancer.

Pectus excavatum (PE) is a common congenital chest malformation in children, manifested by inward depression of the anteriorthorax wall, which can compress the normal tissues and organs in the chest and cause adverse effects on the physiology and psychology of patients. Surgery is the most important means of treating PE, and with the invention of Nuss surgery, the surgical treatment of PE has entered the minimally invasive era. At present, there are many indexes to evaluate the severity of thoracic malformations in PE patients, and selecting appropriate evaluation indexes is of great significance for the formulation of surgical protocols. As a physical and mental disease, PE's deformed thoracic appearance not only affects the function of thoracic organs, but also affects the psychological state of patients. Therefore, there is still controversy over whether the role of orthopedic surgery is to improve function or cosmetic plastic surgery. At the same time, the orthopedic efficacy and postoperative complications of the existing modified and novel surgical methods need to be further observed and evaluated. In addition, the design of surgical plan and the selection of surgical timing for PE combined with other diseases are also critical and controversial issues in clinical practice. Therefore, this article explores and reviews the controversial points in the current surgical treatment of PE.

Exosomal circular RNA(circRNAs)are pivotal in cancer biology,and tumor pathophysiology.These stable,non-coding RNAs encapsulated in exosomes participated in cancer progression,tumor growth,metas-tasis,drug sensitivity and the tumor microenvironment(TME).Their presence in bodily fluids positions them as potential non-invasive biomarkers,revealing the molecular dynamics of cancers.Research in exosomal circRNAs is reshaping our understanding of neoplastic intercellular communication.Exploiting the natural properties of exosomes for targeted drug delivery and disrupting circRNA-mediated pro-tumorigenic signaling can develop new treatment modalities.Therefore,ongoing exploration of exoso-mal circRNAs in cancer research is poised to revolutionize clinical management of cancer.This emerging field offers hope for significant breakthroughs in cancer care.This review underscores the critical role of exosomal circRNAs in cancer biology and drug resistance,highlighting their potential as non-invasive biomarkers and therapeutic targets that could transform the clinical management of cancer.

Objective The leptin receptor,encoded by the LEPR gene,is involved in tumorigenesis.A potential functional variant of LEPR,rs1137101(Gln223Arg),has been extensively investigated for its contribution to the risk of digestive system(DS)cancers,but results remain conflicting rather than conclusive.Here,we performed a case-control study and subsequent meta-analysis to examine the association between rs1137101 and DS cancer risk. Methods A total of 1,727 patients with cancer(gastric/liver/colorectal:460/480/787)and 800 healthy controls were recruited.Genotyping of rs1137101 was conducted using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP)assay and confirmed using Sanger sequencing.Twenty-four eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis. Results After Bonferroni correction,the case-control study revealed that rs1137101 was significantly associated with the risk of liver cancer in the Hubei Chinese population.The meta-analysis suggested that rs1137101 is significantly associated with the risk of overall DS,gastric,and liver cancer in the Chinese population. Conclusion The LEPR rs1137101 variant may be a genetic biomarker for susceptibility to DS cancers(especially liver and gastric cancer)in the Chinese population.

Cancerous fever is a non-infectious fever that occurs during the progression of malignant tumors,which is directly related to the tumor or is caused by tumor treatment.Based on the yin-fire theory,Professor WANG Xi-Xing believes that the qi deficiency of spleen and stomach and the upward flaming of yin-fire are the key pathogenesis of cancerous fever.The cancerous fever involves the three zang-organs of liver,spleen and kidney,and its treatment should be achieved mainly by replenishing qi with warm-sweet medicinals,invigorating spleen and elevating yang,and clearing and purging yin-fire.Moreover,the correlation between earth(spleen)and wood(liver)should be taken into account,and harmonizing spleen and stomach can be achieved by nourishing blood and relieving depression,and soothing liver to disperse fire;the transmission of yin-fire should be blocked through the method of nourishing yin and clearing heat,and inducing fire to return to the source.After years of clinical experience,Professor WANG Xi-Xing establised Buzhong Tiaogan Decoction(mainly composed of Astragali Radix,Codonopsis Radix,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Cimicifugae Rhizoma,Bupleuri Radix,Angelicae Sinensis Radix,Paeoniae Radix Alba,Ophiopogonis Radix,Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,Scolopendra,Salviae Chinensis Herba,Fructus Akebiae,and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle),which is derived from Buzhong Yiqi Decoction.Buzhong Tiaogan Decoction is effective on relieving the symptoms of cancerous fever in cancer patients by benefiting the middle energizer qi,nourishing liver blood,regulating liver qi,eliminating abdominal mass and dissipating mass,so as to correct the cold,heat,yin and yang of the human body.

Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training in the treatment of post-stroke hemiplegia.Methods A retrospective study was conducted to select 121 cases of post-stroke hemiplegia patients who attended Haikou People's Hospital,Haikou Affiliated Hospital of Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine from January 2021 to January 2023,and were divided into the control group and the acupuncture group according to whether acupuncture treatment was performed or not;59 cases in the control group were given conventional rehabilitation training methods of treatment,and 62 cases in the acupuncture group were added with acupuncture treatment on the basis of the conventional rehabilitation treatment.The course of treatment was 1 month.The changes in the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores of the patients in the two groups were observed before and after treatment,as well as the cerebrovascular resistance values,including carotid artery mean blood flow(Qmean),mean velocity(Vmean),cerebrovascular bed characteristic impedance(Zc),and peripheral vascular resistance(R),and the changes in the Stroke Impact Scale(SIS),China Stroke Scale(CSS),and Fugl-Meyer Assessment(FMA)in the patients in the two groups were observed before and after treatment,and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.Results(1)The total effective rate was 93.55%(58/62)in the acupuncture group and 79.66%(47/59)in the control group.The efficacy of the acupuncture group was superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,all TCM syndrome scores and total scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the acupuncture group was significantly superior to the control group in improving TCM syndrome scores,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the cerebral circulatory kinetic parameters of the patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the acupuncture group was significantly superior to the control group in improving the cerebral circulatory kinetic parameters,with a statistically significant difference(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the SIS,CSS,and FMA scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the acupuncture group was significantly superior to the control group in improving the SIS,CSS,and FMA scores,and the differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of post-stroke hemiplegia is remarkable,and its efficacy is better than that of simple conventional rehabilitation training.