ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Huatan Quyu formula in treating cerebral small vessel disease （CSVD） with phlegm and blood stasis blocking collateral pattern via randomized controlled trial， and explore its mechanism of improving CSVD by regulating glymphatic system （GS） circulation. MethodsSixty-eight CSVD patients with phlegm and blood stasis blocking collateral pattern in the Department of Encephalopathy， Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine from April to December 2024 were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group （34 cases） and a control group， with 34 cases in each group. Both groups received basic Western medicine treatment， while the experimental group additionally received Huatan Quyu formula. After a course of 12 weeks， the following parameters were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Tinetti performance-oriented mobility assessment （POMA）， Montreal Cognitive Assessment （MoCA）， Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease-Autonomic （SCOPA-AUT）， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores of phlegm and blood stasis blocking collateral pattern. Perivascular space （PVS） in the frontal lobe/basal ganglia and cerebrospinal fluid （CSF） flow parameters in the cerebral aqueduct were evaluated by 3.0T brain MRI， cerebrospinal fluid flow imaging， and phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging （PC-MRI）. Then， safety indicators were monitored， and SPSS 25.0 was used for statistical analysis. ResultsSixty-four patients completed the study （32 in each group）. ①Baseline data： No statistically significant difference was found between the two group. ②Efficacy indicators： After treatment， the experimental group exhibited significantly improved total POMA， SCOPA-AUT， and TCM syndrome scores （P<0.01）， outperforming the control group （P<0.05）. No significant change was observed in MoCA scores between the two groups. ③Imaging indicators： The experimental group showed a reduced PVS area alongside significantly increased CSF flow parameters （including downward flow during the systolic period， and upward flow during the diastolic period） （P<0.01）， which were superior to the control group （P<0.01）. ④Safety： The laboratory indicators were normal in both groups， with no drug-related adverse reactions. ConclusionFor CSVD patients with phlegm and blood stasis blocking collateral pattern， Huatan Quyu formula can safely and effectively improve motor function， autonomic nerve function， and TCM syndromes， with potential mechanisms related to pulsatile CSF flow enhancement and GS circulation efficiency improvement.

Objective To investigate the lifestyle and cardiovascular disease in the elderly and analyze their association. Methods A simple random sampling method was used to select the elderly aged 60 years and above in a community of Xining from September 2022 to September 2023 as the study subjects. General demographic characteristics, prevalence of cardiovascular disease, living habits and activity status were collected by questionnaire. Demographic characteristics and life behavior habits were compared between the diseased and non-diseased groups, and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of cardiovascular disease in the elderly. Results A total of 784 subjects, 259 (33.04%) suffered from cardiovascular disease, with coronary heart disease and hypertension being the most common. In terms of disease risk, males were 1.378 times higher than females, non-income groups were 1.394 times higher than income groups, receiving health education/popular science < 1 time/month groups were 1.533 times higher than ≥ 2 times/month groups, combined diabetes or obesity groups were 1.490 times and 1.470 times higher than non-diabetes or obesity groups, salty fresh taste groups were 1.690 times higher than light taste groups, fresh fruit intake frequency ≤ 3 times/week groups were 1.492 times higher than ＞7 times/week groups, smoking ≥ 30 cigarettes/month groups were 2.257 times higher than non-smoking groups, drinking ≥ 2 liquors or 500 ml beer/day groups were 1.569 times higher than non-drinking groups, irregular physical examination habits groups were 1.619 times higher than regular physical examination habits groups, aerobic exercise did not reach the standard groups were 1.454 times higher than the standard groups. Conclusion Lifestyle is associated with cardiovascular disease in the elderly. It is important to carry out targeted health education and advocate healthy behavior lifestyle to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease.

In the pathological process of acute lung injury,uncontrolled inflammatory response will lead to severe consequences,and pyroptosis plays a vital factor in a cell programmed inflammatory necrosis.When the body is imbalanced due to excessive pyroptosis,it can lead to lung injury in the lungs.TCM emphasizes the balance of the body and the balance of yin and yang.Based on the"yin-yang"theory and"pathogenic factors and healthy qi"theory of TCM,this article discussed the yin-yang changes,growth and decline,and opposing constraints of cell pyroptosis in the occurrence and development of acute lung injury at the cellular level,and explained the possible basis of TCM in preventing and treating cell pyroptosis,providing theoretical reference for the intervention of TCM in the prevention and treatment of acute lung injury with cell pyroptosis.

Objective:To detect the microbial signals in the synovial fluid from knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients using long-read metagenomic sequencing and assess the impact of intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate on the detection.Methods:This retrospective study enrolled 28 KOA patients [set as a KOA group: 13 males, 15 females; mean age of (65.5±5.7) years] who had undergone primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) at Department of Knee Joint Surgery, Honghui Hospital between January 2021 and January 2023. At the same time, samples of instrument cleaning water used for the 28 KOA patients were collected (set as a rinse solution group), and the knee synovial fluid was collected from 10 healthy adult volunteers [set as a control group: 5 males and 5 females; mean age of (29.7±12.1) years]. The KOA patients were stratified into an injection group ( n=5) and a non-injection group ( n=23) according to the history of injection of sodium hyaluronate within 6 months before operation. All samples were subjected to standard procedures for nucleic acid extraction and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) metagenomic sequencing to compare microbial taxa and detection frequencies. Results:No periprosthetic joint infections or infection-related clinical events occurred in the KOA patients during the 12-month postoperative follow-up. A total of 10 microbial species (30 isolates) were identified in the KOA synovial fluid (5 Gram-positive and 5 Gram-negative). The species with the top 5 detection rates were Escherichia coli (20.0%), Propionibacterium spp. (20.0%), Staphylococcus spp. (16.7%), Acinetobacter spp. (13.3%), and Pseudomonas spp. (6.7%). From the samples in the rinse solution group, 9 species (11 isolates) were detected, reflecting background contamination. All the joint fluid from the healthy volunteers in the control group was negative. Six species of microorganisms were detected in the injection group while 3 species in the non-injection group, showing a statistically significant difference ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Long-read metagenomic sequencing detects diverse microbial signatures in the synovial fluid from KOA patients, and preoperative injection of sodium hyaluronate is associated with increased detection of microbial species.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of the fifth metatarsal perforator flap of the lateral plantar artery in repairing the wounds on the anterolateral side of the foot.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. Eight patients with skin and soft tissue defects on the anterolateral side of the foot and conformed to the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Plastic Surgery of Hanzhong Central Hospital from July 2020 to July 2023. There were 6 males and 2 females, aged 22 to 72 years. Among the patients, there were three patients with electrical burns, four patients with trauma, and one patient with plantar wart. Preoperatively, a Doppler blood flow detector was used to clarify the number and location of the fifth metatarsal perforating vessels. The area of the wounds measured during the operation ranged from 4.0 cm×3.0 cm to 7.0 cm×5.0 cm, and the fifth metatarsal perforator flaps of the lateral plantar artery with area of 4.0 cm×4.0 cm to 9.0 cm×6.0 cm were designed and harvested to repair the wounds. The wounds in the flap donor sites were repaired with medium-thickness skin grafts from lower limb on the same side. The duration of surgery and intraoperative blood loss volume were recorded. The survivals of the transplanted flap and skin graft were observed after surgery. At the last follow-up, the appearance of the flap and the occurrence of complication were observed, the two-point discrimination distance of the flap was measured, and the shape of the flap donor site as well as the sensation and other functions of the affected foot were observed.Results:The duration of surgery ranged from 70 to 100 min, with an average of 84.6 min. The intraoperative blood loss volume ranged from 30 to 80 mL, with an average of 53.5 mL. After surgery, all flaps survived completely; only one patient developed partial necrosis of the skin graft in the wound in flap donor site, and the wound healed completely after dressing change and re-grafting medium-thickness skin graft from lower limb on the same side. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for 6 to 24 months, with an average of 13.8 months. At the last follow-up, none of the patients developed bloated and deformed flaps or pressure ulcers, and the two-point discrimination distance of the flap ranged from 5 to 13 mm. No tendon adhesion or scar hyperplasia was observed in the flap donor sites, and the sensation, weight-bearing, and walking functions of the affected feet were normal.Conclusions:The use of the fifth metatarsal perforator flap of the lateral plantar artery for repairing the wounds on the anterolateral side of the foot has the advantages of flexible flap design, minimal damage to the flap donor site, simple and feasible surgical operation, and good postoperative foot appearance and function, which is worthy of clinical application and promotion.

Dipsaci Radix is a commonly used yang tonifying medicine in clinical practice.Ancient books record that its preparation methods are diverse,mainly concentrated in the Ming and Qing dynasties,including wine soaking,wine washing,wine baking,wine stir frying,stir frying,wine mixing,and salt water stir frying.Wine roasting can promote blood circulation,dispel cold stagnation,and has been used throughout history;salt roasting has been seen in modern times,which can induce Chinese materia medica to descend and enhance liver and kidney tonifying effects;at present,it is mainly used for slicing raw materials,but there are also processed products such as wine fried products,salt fried products,stir fried slices,and charcoal slices.This article reviewed the herbal monographs,TCM ancient books,processing standards and modern literature,and combed the related elaboration of the processing history and modern processing research of Dipsaci Radix in the literature,so as to provide references for the processing mechanism,method research,clinical application and resource development and utilization of Dipsaci Radix.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Huoxue Rongluo prescription （HXRLP） in repairing the blood-brain barrier （BBB） after ischemic stroke （IS）. MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham operation （Sham） group， cerebral infarction model （MCAO） group， environmental circadian disruption with cerebral infarction model （ECD-MCAO） group， low-， medium-， and high-dose HXRLP （HXRLP-L， M， and H） groups （8.5， 17， 34 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively）， and positive drug butylphthalide （NBP） group （0.23 mL·d^-1）. In the Sham group， only the exposed blood vessels were isolated without suture insertion. In the other groups， the middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） model of mice was prepared. In the ECD-MCAO group， HXRLP groups， and NBP group， the environmental circadian disruption （ECD） model was prepared. The mice in the Sham group， MCAO group， and ECD-MCAO group were given the same volume of soybean oil by gavage， while those in the other groups were given the corresponding drugs by gavage. Samples were collected after 7 consecutive days of administration. The mNSS score was used to evaluate the repair effect of HXRLP on neurological deficits after IS. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to assess the impact of HXRLP on the pathological damage of brain tissue after IS. 2，3，5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining and cerebral blood perfusion status were used to evaluate the repair effect of HXRLP on brain tissue damage after IS. Evans blue staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to evaluate the improvement effect of HXRLP on the permeability injury of BBB after IS. Immunofluorescence （IF） staining was used to observe the expression of von Willebrand Factor （vWF）， brain and muscle Arnt-like 1 （Bmal1）， and Occludin in brain tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Bmal1， Occludin， tight junction protein （Claudin-5）， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， and angiopoietins（Ang）， and related analysis was conducted. ResultsCompared with the Sham group， the MCAO group exhibited significantly aggravated neurological deficits， cerebral infarction volume， brain pathological damage， and BBB leakage （P0.01） and significantly reduced cerebral blood perfusion （P0.01）. The expression of Bmal1， vWF， vascular endothelial growth factor A （VEGFA）， and Ang in brain tissue was significantly enhanced （P0.01）， while the expression of Occludin and Claudin-5 was significantly weakened （P0.01）. Compared with the MCAO group， the ECD-MCAO group showed significantly aggravated neurological deficits， cerebral infarction volume， and BBB leakage （P0.01）， obviously worsened brain pathological damage （P0.05）， significantly reduced cerebral blood perfusion （P0.01）， and significantly decreased expression of Bmal1， vWF， VEGFA， Ang， Occludin， and Claudin-5 in brain tissue （P0.01）. Compared with the ECD-MCAO group， the HXRLP groups of all doses presented significantly improved neurological deficits， cerebral infarction volume， brain pathological damage， and BBB leakage （P0.01）， significantly increased cerebral blood perfusion （P0.01）， and enhanced expression levels of Bmal1， vWF， VEGFA， Ang， Occludin， and Claudin-5 in brain tissue （P0.01）. ConclusionHXRLP can regulate the clock protein Bmal1 and promote the expression of VEGFA， Ang， Occludin， and Claudin-5， thereby improving BBB damage after IS.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects and its mechanism of Bazheng powder on chronic urinary tract infection （CUTI） induced by Escherichia coli in rats. METHODS The rats were divided into normal control group， model group， levofloxacin group （45 mg/kg） and Bazheng powder group （4.95 g/kg）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal control group， other groups were administered an intravesical injection of Escherichia coli suspension （1×10⁸ cfu/mL） via the urethra to establish CUTI model； at the same time， rats in each group were administered the corresponding medicinal solution or water by gavage once a day for 4 consecutive weeks. After the last medication， blood routine tests （white blood cell count and lymphocyte percentage）， the levels of serum inflammatory factors [interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6， IL-8， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）]， and immune indicators [CD4， CD8， secretory immunoglobulin A （SIgA）]， renal function indicators [cystatin C （Cys-C）， α1- microglobulin （α1-MG）， urea and creatinine] were all determined； the pathological changes in renal and bladder tissues in rats were observed. The protein expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， and nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 （NLRP3） in rat bladder tissues were detected. RESULTS Compared with the normal control group， the levels of IL-1β， IL-6， IL-8， TNF-α， CD8， Cys-C， α1-MG， urea and creatinine in serum， as well as the protein expressions of TLR4， NF-κB and NLRP3 in bladder tissues， were significantly elevated in the model group （P＜0.05）. Conversely， the levels of CD4 and SIgA were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. Pathological changes， such as extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells， were observed in both renal and bladder tissues. Compared with the model group， the above quantitative indicators in the Bazheng powder group were significantly improved （P＜0.05）， with no obvious inflammatory lesions observed in either renal or bladder tissues. CONCLUSIONS Bazheng powder can alleviate inflammatory reaction and improve the immune function of CUTI rats， and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB/ NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Objective: To investigate smoking attitudes and behaviors among middle school students in Shijingshan District, Beijing Municipality, so as to provide the evidence for implementing tobacco control interventions for students. Methods: In 2019 and 2023, students from three junior high schools, two senior high schools and one vocational high school in Shijingshan District were selected using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method. Data of basic information, smoking attitudes, cigarette use, e-cigarette use and secondhand smoke exposure were collected using questionnaire surveys. The changes in smoking attitudes and behaviors among middle school students between the two surveys were analyzed. Results: A total of 671 students were surveyed in 2019, including 343 males (51.12%) and 328 females (48.88%). A total of 759 students were surveyed in 2023, including 352 males (46.38%) and 407 females (53.62%). The proportion of students who thought that smoking made young people more attractive in 2023 was 3.29%, lower than 6.56% in 2019 (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the proportions of those who believed that secondhand smoke was definitely harmful, those who thought that quitting smoking was definitely difficult, and those who felt that smoking in social situations made them more comfortable between 2019 and 2023 (all P>0.05). In 2023, the proportions of current smoking rate and the attempted smoking rate were 0.66% and 5.53%, respectively, which were lower than 2.24% and 8.94% in 2019 (both P<0.05). The awareness rate of electronic cigarettes was 96.18% in 2023, higher than 88.97% in 2019 (P<0.05). The usage rate of electronic cigarettes was 5.01% in 2023, lower than 10.28% in 2019 (P<0.05). The proportion of exposure to secondhand smoke in family and public places was 73.25% in 2023, higher than 66.77% in 2019 (P<0.05). The proportion of those who saw someone smoking on campus within the past 30 days was 15.81% in 2023, lower than 29.96% in 2019 (P<0.05). Conclusions Compared with 2019, the smoking behaviors of middle school students in Shijingshan District decreased in 2023, and the awareness rate of electronic cigarettes and the proportion of secondhand smoke exposure in family and public places increased. Health education should be strengthened.