Based on the ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS) technology, combined with related literature, databases, and reference material information, this study qualitatively analyzed the components of Dayuanyin in the tissue of rats after gavage and employed molecular docking technology to predict the rationality of the mechanism behind the antipyretic effect of the in vivo components in Dayuanyin. A total of 21, 26, 20, 21, 14, and 31 prototype components and 3, 16, 3, 7, 5, and 24 metabolites were identified from the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and hypothalamus of the rats, respectively, and the binding ability of key components and targets was further verified by molecular docking. The results showed that all components had good binding ability with targets. The established UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS could effectively and quickly identify the Dayuanyin components distributed in tissue and preliminarily identify their metabolites. Many components were identified in the hypothalamus, which suggested that the components delivered to the brain should be focused on in the study on Dayuanyin in the treatment of febrile diseases. The molecular docking technology was used to predict the rationality of the mechanism behind its antipyretic effect, which lays the foundation for the clarification of the material basis and action mechanism of Dayuanyin, the development of new preparations, and the prediction of quality markers.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Male ; Antipyretics/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Distribution ; Mass Spectrometry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Hypothalamus/metabolism*

With the growing awareness of public health, the value and importance of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) resources have become increasingly prominent. Despite the undeniable significance of TCM in medical treatment and healthcare, the protection, development, and utilization of TCM resources still face numerous challenges. Under the traditional model, the development and utilization of TCM resources heavily rely on manual labor and empirical decision-making, which not only leads to inefficiencies and high costs but also causes serious issues such as unstable drug quality and imbalances in market supply and demand. In the current era of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence(AI) and technology, AI has emerged as a new engine to address many challenges and difficulties throughout the entire TCM resource industry chain. By leveraging AI technology, intelligent management, precise production, and optimized utilization of TCM resources can be achieved, thereby improving efficiency, reducing costs, ensuring stable quality, and balancing market supply and demand. This article primarily explores the application of AI technology in the entire TCM resource industry chain from different perspectives and provides an in-depth analysis of the future development of AI in the TCM industry. It holds significant importance and value in promoting the intelligent development of the TCM sector and facilitating the healthy development of the entire TCM resource industry chain.
Artificial Intelligence ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/economics* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/economics* ; Drug Industry

This study aimed to characterize and identify the non-volatile components in aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the stems and leaves of Rhododendron tomentosum by using sensitive and efficient ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) combined with a self-built information database. By comparing with reference compounds, analyzing fragment ion information, searching relevant literature, and using a self-built information database, 118 compounds were identified from the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of R. tomentosum, including 35 flavonoid glycosides, 15 phenolic glycosides, 12 flavonoids, 7 phenolic acids, 7 phenylethanol glycosides, 6 tannins, 6 phospholipids, 5 coumarins, 5 monoterpene glycosides, 6 triterpenes, 3 fatty acids, and 11 other types of compounds. Among them, 102 compounds were reported in R. tomentosum for the first time, and 36 compounds were identified by comparing them with reference compounds. The chemical components in the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of R. tomentosum leaves and stems showed slight differences, with 84 common chemical components accounting for 71.2% of the total 118 compounds. This study systematically characterized and identified the non-volatile chemical components in the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of R. tomentosum for the first time. The findings provide a reference for active ingredient research, quality control, and product development of R. tomentosum.
Rhododendron/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Plant Leaves/chemistry*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-and med-term clinical efficacy of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty(UKA)for the treatment of medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) in elderly patients with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency(ACLD). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 31 patients aged over 75 years old with primary medial knee OA and ACLD who underwent UKA between January 2018 and December 2022. The cohort included 12 males and 19 females, aged from 75 to 91 years with an average age of (79.56±4.54) years, with 13 left knee, 16 right knee, and 2 bilateral knees. Clinical outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at final follow-up using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Hospital for Special Surgery(HSS) score, range of motion (ROM), hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), and tibial component posterior slope angle (TCPSA). Complications such as infection, prosthesis wear, prosthesis loosening, and dislocation were also recorded. RESULTS: All 31 patients were followed up from 12 to 63 months with an average of (28.34±10.56) months. The average postoperative TCPSA was (4.83±1.31)° ranged from 2.5° to 6.8°. At the final follow-up, there was significant improvement in VAS (3.24±0.53) vs. (6.59±0.69), HSS score (85.19±4.45) vs. (64.38±5.94), ROM (118.83±5.38)° vs. (98.85±4.08)°, and HKA (176.83±5.16)° vs. (169.57±6.28)° compared to preoperative values (P<0.05). No cases of infection, prosthesis loosening, or dislocation were reported. CONCLUSION UKA provides favorable short-and mid-term outcomes for elderly patients with medial knee OA and ACLD . However, long-term clinical efficacy needs further investigation through extended follow-up.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/methods* ; Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/physiopathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged, 80 and over ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) in immunoglobulin A (IgA) -mediated immune abnormalities in B lymphocytes of pediatric Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP). METHODS: One hundred HSP children admitted to Hengshui People's Hospital from January 2022 to January 2023 were selected as HSP group, and one hundred healthy children as control group. Sema4D expression was detected, and the relationship between Sema4D expression in children's serum and skin lesions and clinical characteristics of children was analyzed. Sema4D expression on the surface of lymphocytes of HSP children was detected. Different concentrations of human recombinant Sema4D protein was used to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells in HSP children in vitro. The expression level of IgA in the supernatant was detected to verify whether Sema4D mediates immune abnormalities through IgA secreted by B lymphocytes. RESULTS: The Sema4D level in the HSP group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P <0.001). Sema4D level in HSP children with severe, renal involvement, and joint involvement was higher than those with mild to moderate disease, and no renal or joint involvement (all P <0.001). Compared with control group, IgA level, CD8 ⁺ T lymphocyte proportion, and CD19 ⁺ B lymphocyte proportion in the HSP group were significantly higher but CD4 ⁺ T lymphocyte proportion was lower (all P <0.001). The expression levels of Sema4D on the surface of CD4 ⁺ T lymphocytes, CD8 ⁺ T lymphocytes, and CD19 ⁺ B lymphocytes in the HSP group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P <0.001). With the increase of human recombinant Sema4D protein concentration, the level of IgA expression in HSP children gradually increased (P <0.05). Correlation analysis showed that Sema4D was significantly positively correlated with IgA (r =0.667). CONCLUSION HSP children show high expression of Sema4D, especially on the surface of T and B lymphocytes. The shedding of Sema4D from membrane surface may stimulate B lymphocytes to secrete IgA by binding to CD72, leading to immune abnormalities.
Humans ; IgA Vasculitis/immunology* ; Semaphorins/metabolism* ; B-Lymphocytes/metabolism* ; Immunoglobulin A/immunology* ; Child ; Antigens, CD/metabolism* ; Male ; Female ; Child, Preschool

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and safety of novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis fusion strain protein derivatives,referred to as B/R strain active proteins.In cellular experiments,RAW264.7 cells were treated with each vaccine preparation,and apoptosis rates were measured.In subsequent animal experiments,C57BL/6 mice were immunized via subcutaneous injection,and their survival and body weight changes were monitored and recorded at 2,4,8,12,and 16 weeks.The lungs and spleens were harvested to calculate organ coefficients,and pathological examinations were conducted.At the eighth week of immunization,the mice were infected with high concentrations of BCG,and pathological changes in the lungs and spleens were observed 4 weeks post-infection.The apoptosis rate at 6 hours was significantly higher in the experimental group than the PBS group(P<0.05).At 12 and 24 hours,the apoptosis rate in the experimental group remained higher than that in the PBS group,although this difference was not statistically significant.After immunization,mice in all four groups exhibited normal growth patterns,as indicated by stable body weight changes.At 4 and 12 weeks post-immunization,the lung coefficients in the protein group were significantly higher than those in the PBS group at the same time points.Additionally,the lung coefficients in the BCG group were significantly elevated across all time periods(P<0.05).The spleen coefficients in the protein and BCG groups were significantly higher than those in the PBS group at 2,4,8,12,and 16 weeks,whereas the ICD B/R group showed higher spleen coefficients than the PBS group only at week 8(P<0.05).Pathological examination revealed normal lung and spleen tissues in the PBS group.However,during the 2-8 weeks immunization period,lung and spleen tissues in all experimental groups exhibited varying degrees of damage,which gradually diminished by 12-16 weeks.Notably,no tuberculosis nodules were observed in any experimental group.After infection with high concentrations of BCG,no overt pathological changes were observed on the surfaces of the lungs and spleens in any group.Microscopic examination revealed less severe pathological changes in the lungs and spleens of mice in the experimental groups than the PBS group.Furthermore,no statistically significant differences were observed between the protein group and the BCG group.Our findings suggested that the B/R strain active proteins'toxicity and safety profiles were comparable to those of BCG,and showed immunoprotective effects.This study provides an experimental foundation for the development of a novel tuberculosis vaccine.

AIM To investigate the effects of Wuzi Yanzong Pills on subacute aging-induced testicular trauma and AMPK/mTOR pathway in rats.METHODS Rat models of subacute aging were induced by 8-week subcutaneous injection of D-gal(200 mg/kg)into the rat neck,followed by their random assignment into the model group,the metformin group(0.3 g/kg)and the low-dose and high-dose Wuzi Yanzong Pills groups(0.54,2.16 g/kg),with 9 rats in each group,in contrast to the 8 intact rats of the normal group.And the corresponding drug was given by gavage for 4 weeks after modeling,after which the rats had their levels of serum T,FSH,SOD,LH,8-OHdG and MDA detected by ELISA;their pathological changes of testes observed by HE and β-galactosidase staining;and their expressions of aging-related proteins(p16,p21,p53),testicle secretory function-related proteins(CYP11A1,HSD17B3,STAR),autophagy-related proteins(p62,ATG5,Beclin-1,LC3B)and AMPK/mTOR pathway-related protein detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.RESULTS Compared with the normal group,the model group displayed morphologically smaller testes and body surface;dry hair;overall atrophic testicular tissue structure;increased testicular protein expressions of γ-H2AX,p16,p21 andβ-galactosidase(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and decreased p53 protein expression(P＜0.05);suggesting the modeling success.Compared with the model group,the high-dose Wuzi Yanzong Pills group shared decreased levels of serum 8-OHdG,MDA,FSH and LH(P＜0.01);increased levels of SOD and T(P＜0.01);improved sperm damage and almost morphologically normal testicular tissue;decreased testicular protein expressions of p16,p21,p53,p62 and p-mTOR(P＜0.01);and increased protein expressions of CYP11A1,HSD17B3,STAR,ATG5,Beclin-1,LC3B and p-AMPK(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Wuzi Yanzong Pills can improve the subacute aging-induced testicular injury and testicular function in rats by reducing their oxidative stress through improving their autophagy level and testicle antioxidant capacity.

Postoperative infection of internal fixation of closed fractures the lower limbs in adults represents a devastating complication, characterized by diagnostic challenges, prolonged treatment duration and high disability rates. Current management of these infections faces multiple challenges, such as difficulties in early accurate diagnosis, and various controversies about the treatment plan, leading to poor overall diagnosis and treatment results. To address these issues, based on evidence-based medicine and principles with emphasis on scientific rigor, clinical applicability and innovation, the Trauma Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Orthopedics Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and Trauma Orthopedics and Polytrauma Group of the Resuscitation and Emergency Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association have collaboratively organized a panel of relevant experts to develop the Guideline for diagnosis and treatment of infection after internal fixation of closed lower limb fractures in adults ( version 2025). The guideline proposed 10 recommendations, aiming to provide a foundation for standardized diagnosis and treatment of postoperative infection in adults with closed lower limb fractures.

Objective To compare the long-term survival outcomes of patients with T_1-2N₀M₀ duodenal neuroendocrine tumor (DNET) after endoscopic resection (ER) or surgical resection (SR). Methods Patients diagnosed with T_1-2N₀M₀ DNET between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2015, were extracted from the SEER database. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test were used to compare overall survival (OS) rate and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate between patients undergoing ER or SR. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce grouping differences, and multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze factors affecting OS and CSS before and after PSM. Results A total of 656 patients were included, with 457 in ER group and 199 in SR group. Before PSM, there was no significant difference in the 5-year OS rate between the ER and SR groups (88.9% vs 89.6%), but there was a significant difference in the 5-year CSS rate (99.3% vs 96.9%, P＝0.017). Before PSM, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed advanced age was an independent risk factor for decreased OS (P＜0.001). After PSM, there was no significant difference between the ER group (n＝187) and SR group (n＝187) in 5-year OS rate (90.2% vs 88.9%) or CSS rate (98.9% vs 96.7%). After PSM, multivariate Cox regression also showed advanced age was an independent risk factor for decreased OS, while resection method was not an independent factor for OS or CSS. Conclusions There is no significant difference in OS or CSS after endoscopic treatment and surgical treatments for patients with T_1-2N₀M₀ DNET, and advanced age is an independent factor for OS.