Cinnabar(HgS) was widely used in ancient times for medicinal purposes, religious rituals, and pigments. A group of bright red powdery clumps was excavated from Mawangdui Tomb No.3 of the Han Dynasty. Early studies considered the clumps as evidence of cinnabar's medicinal use during the Qin-Han period. This study employed a range of archaeometric techniques, including extended-depth-of-field stereo imaging, micro-CT, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry FTIR, to systematically analyze the material composition and structural characteristics of these remains. The results revealed that the cinnabar particles were granular, finely ground, and tightly bound to silk matrix, with no detectable excipients typically associated with medicinal formulations. Micro-CT imaging indicated a well-preserved textile structure, with clear signs of sedimentary accumulation and mechanical damage. Based on historical and archaeological studies, this study suggested that these remains were more likely degraded accumulations of cinnabar-colored silk textiles rather than medicinal cinnabar. By clarifying the diversity of ancient cinnabar applications and preservation states, this study provides new insights for the archaeological identification of mineral medicinal materials and contributes to the standardized study of Chinese medicinal materials and understanding of the historical use of cinnabar.
History, Ancient ; China ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history* ; Archaeology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/history* ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Spectrum Analysis, Raman ; Mercury Compounds

AIM To explore the effects of praeruptorin A from Suhuang antitussive capsules on cough variant asthma(CVA).METHODS The rats were randomly divided into the normal group,the model group,the dexamethasone group(0.5 mg/kg),the Suhuang antitussive capsules group(7 g/kg)and the low,medium and high dose praeruptorin A groups(15,30 and 60 mg/kg).The rat model of CVA was established by intraperitoneal injection of sensitizer(1 mg/mL ovalbumin and 10 mg/mL aluminum hydroxide)and aerosol inhalation of 1%ovalbumin followed by the corresponding dosing of drugs by gavage initiated on the 14th day.Another 14 days later,the rats had their pathological pulmonary changes observed by HE,Masson and PAS stainings;their number of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)detected by hematology analyzer;and their levels of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13 and MUC5AC in BALF detected by ELISA.The RAW264.7 cell inflammatory model induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was treated with 4,8,16 μmol/L praeruptorin A or 0.25 mg/mL Suhuang antitussive capsules,respectively.And the cells had their NO level detected by Griess method,and their ROS expression observed using fluorescence microscopy.The detections of the pulmonary and cellular mRNA expressions of IL-6,IL-1β,COX-2,iNOS and PPAR-γ by RT-qPCR;and the protein expressions of p-P65,P65,p-IκBα,IκBα,NLRP3,caspase-1(p20)and IL-1β by Western blot were conducted in both the cells and the rats.RESULTS The in vivo result showed that praeruptorin A reduced the cough frequency(P＜0.01);prolonged the cough latency(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);reduced the number of eosinophils and neutrophils in BALF(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased the levels of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13 and MUC5AC in BALF and the pulmonary mRNA expressions of IL-6,IL-1β,COX-2 and iNOS(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and decreased the phosphorylation of P65 and IκBα protein and NLRP3,caspase-1(p20)and IL-1β protein expressions(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)as well.The in vitro result showed that praeruptorin A inhibited the release of LPS-induced NO and reduce the ROS level(P＜0.01);decreased the mRNA expressions of IL-1β,COX-2 and iNOS(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);increased PPAR-γ mRNA expression(P＜0.05),and decreased the phosphorylation of P65 and IκBα protein and the expression of NLRP3 protein(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Praeruptorin A,one of the main antitussive components of Suhuang antitussive capsules,may improve CVA because of its anti-inflammatory and antitussive role by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and reducing the expression of NLRP3 inflammatory corpuscles.

Objective:To investigate the concern about pollen broadcasting in Chinese population from multiple dimensions and to understand the information about allergic rhinitis (AR) in China by analyzing related factors.Methods:From March 1 to September 30, 2022, a large-scale multi-center cross-sectional survey was conducted based on the Questionnaire Star platform in 21 Chinese hospitals. A total of 7 056 subjects from 7 regions in China: Northeast, North, East, Central, South, Southwest, and Northwest China were included. Basic characteristics (including social demographic characteristics and disease characteristics of AR patients), concern about pollen broadcasting, the willingness of pollen-induced AR (PiAR) patients to receive pollen broadcasting, and the treatment satisfaction rate of AR patients were collected. The chi-square test, multivariate linear regression model, and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the concern about pollen broadcasting in the Chinese population and related factors from multiple dimensions.Results:Among 7 056 subjects, 23.02% were concerned about pollen broadcasting. Among 3 176 self-reported AR and 1 019 PiAR patients, 25.60% and 39.16% were concerned about pollen broadcasting, respectively, which was higher than that of non-AR or non-PiAR subjects ( χ2 value was 21.74 and 175.11, respectively, both P<0.001). Among AR patients, the proportion of spring and autumn allergen-positive patients concerned about pollen broadcasting was higher than that in perennial allergen-positive patients ( χ2 value was 20.90 and 19.51, respectively, both P<0.001). The proportion of AR patients with asthma, sinusitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases was higher than those without complications ( χ2 value was 50.83, 21.97, 56.78, 7.62, respectively, all P<0.05). The proportion of AR patients in North China who could find pollen broadcasting locally was 31.01%, significantly higher than those in other regions (all P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression model analysis showed that among PiAR patients, those with higher per capita household income and higher AR disease cognition levels had been concerned about pollen broadcasting in the past, and those complicated with allergic conjunctivitis had stronger intention to receive pollen broadcasting (B value was 0.24, 0.13, 0.66, 0.47, respectively, all P<0.05). The higher the disease cognition level of PiAR patients, the stronger their willingness to actively participate in treatment ( R2=0.72, P<0.001). Only 18.89% of AR patients felt satisfied with the treatment effect. Logistic regression analysis showed that in AR patients, the treatment satisfaction rate was significantly higher among those concerned about pollen broadcasting compared to those who were not ( OR=1.83, P<0.001). Conclusions:Currently, the dissemination of pollen broadcasting in China is hindered by various factors such as disease cognition level. The treatment satisfaction among AR patients remains unsatisfactory.

Objective: To analyze and compare therapy responses, outcomes, and incidence of severe hematologic adverse events of flumatinib and imatinib in patients newly diagnosed with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) . Methods: Data of patients with chronic phase CML diagnosed between January 2006 and November 2022 from 76 centers, aged ≥18 years, and received initial flumatinib or imatinib therapy within 6 months after diagnosis in China were retrospectively interrogated. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to reduce the bias of the initial TKI selection, and the therapy responses and outcomes of patients receiving initial flumatinib or imatinib therapy were compared. Results: A total of 4 833 adult patients with CML receiving initial imatinib (n=4 380) or flumatinib (n=453) therapy were included in the study. In the imatinib cohort, the median follow-up time was 54 [interquartile range (IQR), 31-85] months, and the 7-year cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) were 95.2%, 88.4%, 78.3%, and 63.0%, respectively. The 7-year FFS, PFS, and OS rates were 71.8%, 93.0%, and 96.9%, respectively. With the median follow-up of 18 (IQR, 13-25) months in the flumatinib cohort, the 2-year cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) were 95.4%, 86.5%, 58.4%, and 46.6%, respectively. The 2-year FFS, PFS, and OS rates were 80.1%, 95.0%, and 99.5%, respectively. The PSM analysis indicated that patients receiving initial flumatinib therapy had significantly higher cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) and higher probabilities of FFS than those receiving the initial imatinib therapy (all P<0.001), whereas the PFS (P=0.230) and OS (P=0.268) were comparable between the two cohorts. The incidence of severe hematologic adverse events (grade≥Ⅲ) was comparable in the two cohorts. Conclusion: Patients receiving initial flumatinib therapy had higher cumulative incidences of therapy responses and higher probability of FFS than those receiving initial imatinib therapy, whereas the incidence of severe hematologic adverse events was comparable between the two cohorts.
Adult ; Humans ; Adolescent ; Imatinib Mesylate/adverse effects* ; Incidence ; Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Pyrimidines/adverse effects* ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Benzamides/adverse effects* ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase/drug therapy* ; Aminopyridines/therapeutic use* ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

Humans ; Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis/pathology*

AIM: To analyze the effect of full-femtosecond small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)on the treatment of high myopia based on propensity score matching.METHODS: A total of 48 cases(48 eyes)of high myopia patients who underwent SMILE surgery in our hospital from May 2019 to May 2021 were selected as the observation group, and 48 cases(48 eyes)of high myopia patients who underwent FS-LASIK surgery were matched using propensity score matching as the control group. Follow up for 6mo after surgery, the changes in cylindrical, central corneal thickness, uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), corneal endothelial cell related indicators [percentage of hexagonal endothelial cells(6A), coefficient of variation(CV)of endothelial cell area, central corneal endothelial cell density(ECD)] and corneal biomechanical indicators [simulated Goldman intraocular pressure(IOPg), corneal hysteresis(CH), corneal resistance factor(CRF), corneal compensated intraocular pressure(IOPcc)] between the two groups were compared, and the incidence of complications in both groups of patients was recorded.RESULTS: Both groups of patients showed significant improvements in cylindrical and UCVA at 3 and 6mo after surgery, as well as decreased central corneal thickness, corneal endothelial cells, and corneal biomechanics related indicators. The changes in the observation group were more significant(all P<0.05). During the follow-up period, there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the observation group and the control group(8% vs. 17%, P>0.05).CONCLUSION: SMILE has a definite effect on patients with high myopia and is helpful to improve visual acuity.

Hepatotoxicity induced by bioactive constituents in traditional Chinese medicines or herbs,such as bavachin(BV)in Fructus Psoraleae,has a prolonged latency to overt drug-induced liver injury in the clinic.Several studies have described BV-induced liver damage and underlying toxicity mechanisms,but little attention has been paid to the deciphering of organisms or cellular responses to BV at no-observed-adverse-effect level,and the underlying molecular mechanisms and specific indicators are also lacking during the asymptomatic phase,making it much harder for early recognition of hepatotoxicity.Here,we treated mice with BV for 7 days and did not detect any abnormalities in biochemical tests,but found subtle steatosis in BV-treated hepatocytes.We then profiled the gene expression of hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells at single-cell resolution and discovered three types of hepatocyte subsets in the BV-treated liver.Among these,the hepa3 subtype suffered from a vast alteration in lipid metabolism,which was characterized by enhanced expression of apolipoproteins,carboxylesterases,and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1(Scd1).In particular,increased Scd1 promoted monounsaturated fatty acids(MUFAs)syn-thesis and was considered to be related to BV-induced steatosis and polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFAs)generation,which participates in the initiation of ferroptosis.Additionally,we demonstrated that mul-tiple intrinsic transcription factors,including Srebf1 and Hnf4a,and extrinsic signals from niche cells may regulate the above-mentioned molecular events in BV-treated hepatocytes.Collectively,our study deciphered the features of hepatocytes in response to BV insult,decoded the underlying molecular mechanisms,and suggested that Scd1 could be a hub molecule for the prediction of hepatotoxicity at an early stage.

To evaluate the data obtained from the external quality assurance program initiated by Chinese Rheumatism Data Center (CRDC-QAP) for autoantibodies detection in 2021, so as to assess the consensus and differences in cross-laboratory testing to autoantibodies in China. This is a retrospective study. After collecting data from the first half year (from May 15th to July 10th) and the second half year (from August 15th to November 19th) of CRDC-QAP program for autoantibody detection in 2021, it firstly analyzed the qualitative consensus of the cross-laboratory results. Secondly, it compared the positivity grade of numeric results according to the Sample to cut-off ratio (S/CO ratio) calculation. Finally, the mean and coefficient variation (CV) of numeric results from three major manufacturers were calculated. A total of 303 and 332 clinical labs voluntarily participated in the first half year and the second half year of CRDC-QAP program for autoantibody detection in 2021, respectively. Except for anti-β2 glycoprotein type I (aβ2-GPI) IgM, the cross-laboratory consensus of qualitative results for the other autoantibodies is greater than 96%. As for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP) and anti mitochondrial antibody-M2 (AMA-M2), the numeric results from more than 90% laboratories showed the same positivity grade. More than 50% of laboratories used chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) for quantitative evaluation of autoantibody. The CV of numeric results from different manufacturers showed certain differences(P<0.01) with the range from 0 to 238%. Although high consensus can be observed in term of qualitative result for autoantibody detection in cross-laboratory, there are still certain differences in numeric results in term of positivity grade and manufacturer-based CV.
Humans ; Autoantibodies ; Antibodies, Anticardiolipin/analysis* ; Retrospective Studies ; East Asian People ; beta 2-Glycoprotein I ; Rheumatic Diseases

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of total flavonoids of peony flower （TFPF） in protecting rats from gouty nephropathy and provide data support for the pharmaceutical research on the treatment of gouty nephropathy. MethodGouty nephropathy rat model was established by adenine combined with ethambutol. Rats were randomly assigned into blank control group， model group， allopurinol （42 mg·kg^-1） group， Tongfengshu tablets （600 mg·kg^-1， positive control） group， and TFPF （260， 130， and 65 mg·kg^-1） groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 （MCP-1）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-18 （IL-18） in rat serum and those of transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁） and IL-1β in renal homogenate. Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was carried out for observation of the morphological changes of renal cells. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） was conducted for observation of the DNA damage in renal cells. The expression of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， cysteine aspartic acid protease（Caspase）-1 and IL-1β were observed by immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1 and nuclear transcription factor -κB （NF-κB） in renal tissues were detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with blank group， the contents of TNF-α， MCP-1， IL-1β， IL-18， and TGF-β₁ in serum of model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expressions of NLRP3， Caspase-1， NF-κB and IL-1β in kidney of model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The renal tissue cells showed cytoplasmic swelling， cell membrane rupture， and the number of nuclear pyknotic fracture increased. The positive rate of TUNEL staining was significantly increased in model group （P<0.01）， and the contents of IL-1β and TGF-β₁ in renal tissue homogenate were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the contents of inflammatory factors TNF-α， IL-1β and IL-18 in serum of rats in TFPF high- and medium-dose groups could be decreased to different degrees （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the content of MCP-1 in TFPF high-dose group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The content of TGF-β₁ in renal tissue homogenate in TFPF high- and medium-dose groups was significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the content of IL-1β in renal tissue homogenate in TFPF medium-dose group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. HE staining showed that each dose group of TFPF could improve the status of renal tubular epithelial cells， reduce cytoplasmic swelling and the number of nuclear pyknosis to varying degrees. The positive rate of TUNEL staining was decreased （P<0.01） and DNA damage was decreased. The expression of NLRP3， Caspase-1， IL-1β and NF-κB protein in renal tissue cells was inhibited （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionTFPF protects rats from gouty nephropathy by inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Specifically， it may inhibit the activation of NF-κB and NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathways to reduce the expression， maturation， and release of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18 and further inhibit pyroptosis， thereby reversing the inflammatory injury of kidney in gouty nephropathy.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a common sports injury that has a significant impact on knee function and patients′ mobility. With the popularity of national fitness campaign in China, the incidence of ACL injury is increasing year by year. Currently, there still lacks clinical standards or guidelines on how to choose appropriate treatment methods, surgical plans and rehabilitation protocols for ACL injury. In order to timely reflect the new treatment concept of ACL injury, standardize its diagnosis and treatment and improve the curative effect, the Sports Medicine Society of Chinese Research Hospital Association and the Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Trauma organized domestic orthopedic and sports medicine experts to formulate the "clinical evidence-based guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of anterior cruciate ligament injury (2022 version)" based on the level of evidence-based medicine and in compliance with the principle of scientificity, practicability and advancement. The present guideline includes 12 recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of ACL injury in order to provide guidance and assistance for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of ACL injury in China.