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

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) decoction pieces are a core carrier for the inheritance and innovation of TCM, and their quality and safety are critical to public health and the sustainable development of the industry. Conventional quality control models, while having established a well-developed system through long-term practice, still face challenges such as relatively long inspection cycles, insufficient objectivity in characterizing complex traits, and urgent needs for improving the efficiency of integrating multidimensional quality information when confronted with the dual demands of large-scale production and precision quality control. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, machine learning can deeply analyze multidimensional data of the morphology, spectroscopy, and chemical fingerprints of decoction pieces by constructing high-dimensional feature space analysis models, significantly improving the standardization level and decision-making efficiency of quality evaluation. This article reviews the research progress in the application of machine learning in the processing, production, and rapid quality evaluation of TCM decoction pieces. It further analyzes current challenges in technological implementation and proposes potential solutions, offering theoretical and technical references to advance the digital and intelligent transformation of the industry.
Machine Learning ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards* ; Quality Control ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; Humans

To improve the quality evaluation system of Hibisci Mutabilis Folium, this study established high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) fingerprints of Hibisci Mutabilis Folium and evaluated the quality differences of medicinal materials from different places of production by chemometrics. Furthermore, a content measurement method of differential components was established based on quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker(QAMS). The fingerprints of 17 batches of Hibisci Mutabilis Folium from different places of production were constructed, with a total of 19 common peaks marked and seven components confirmed. The similarity between the sample fingerprints and the reference fingerprints ranged from 0.890 to 0.974. By utilizing principal component analysis(PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), the chemical patterns of fingerprints were identified. Five components that could be used to evaluate the quality differences of Hibisci Mutabilis Folium were screened, namely peak 6(quercetin 3-O-β-robinobioside), peak 7(rutin), peak 9(kaempferol-3-O-β-robinobioside), peak 10(kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside), and peak 14(tiliroside). The relative correction factors of isoquercitrin, kaempferol-3-O-β-robinobioside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucoside, and tiliroside were measured with rutin as the internal reference. The QAMS method was established for the content measurement of six flavonoids, and the results showed there was no significant difference compared to the results obtained by an external standard method. In summary, the HPLC fingerprints and QAMS method established in the study, demonstrating stability and accuracy, can provide a reference for the overall quality evaluation of Hibisci Mutabilis Folium.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Quality Control ; Principal Component Analysis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differences between high-frequency ultrasound-guided manual detorsion combined with surgery (MD+S) and surgery alone in the treatment of testicular torsion, and to provide some new evidence for the timely diagnosis and treatment of the disease. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 134 cases of unilateral testicular torsion within 48 hours treated in our hospital by MD+S or by surgery alone from January 2015 to May 2022. We statistically analyzed the age distribution, and duration and degrees of testicular torsion, followed by comparison between the two groups. RESULTS: In the 134 cases, the median age of onset was 15 (13－19) years old, the median onset-to-visit time was 15 (8－25) hours, and the median degree of torsion was 360° (180°－1080°). Of the total number of patients, 21 underwent testicular excision and the other 113 were treated with the testis preserved, with no statistically significant difference in age distribution between the two groups (P>0.05), and a higher rate of testis resection in those with longer duration and greater angle of torsion (P<0.05). Totally, 33 of the patients were assigned to the MD+S group and 101 to the surgery alone group. According to the actual clinical conditions and excluding those with torsion time longer than 24 hours and torsion angle greater than 720 °, 28 of the patients underwent ultrasound-guided MD+S (with 1 case of testis resection, 3.6%), and 68 received surgery alone (with 7 cases of testis resection, 10.3%). The rate of testis resection was higher in the surgery alone than that in the MD+S group, but with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05), which was considered to be related to the small sample size in this study. CONCLUSION The popularization of testicular torsion knowledge can shorten the onset-to-visit time, and reasonable manual detorsion before emergency surgery can reduce the rate of testis resection.
Humans ; Male ; Spermatic Cord Torsion/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Ultrasonography ; Testis/surgery* ; Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection's effect on gestational liver function, pregnancy and delivery complications, and neonatal development. METHODS: A total of 157 HCV antibody-positive (anti-HCV[+]) and HCV RNA(+) patients (Group C) and 121 anti-HCV(+) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group B) were included as study participants, while 142 anti-HCV(-) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group A) were the control group. Data on biochemical indices during pregnancy, pregnancy complications, delivery-related information, and neonatal complications were also collected. RESULTS: Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) rates in Group C during early, middle, and late pregnancy were 59.87%, 43.95%, and 42.04%, respectively-significantly higher than Groups B (26.45%, 15.70%, 10.74%) and A (23.94%, 19.01%, 6.34%) ( P < 0.05). Median ALT levels in Group C were significantly higher than in Groups A and B at all pregnancy stages ( P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in neonatal malformation rates across groups ( P > 0.05). However, neonatal jaundice incidence was significantly greater in Group C (75.16%) compared to Groups A (42.25%) and B (57.02%) ( χ ² = 33.552, P < 0.001). HCV RNA positivity during pregnancy was an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice ( OR = 2.111, 95% CI 1.242-3.588, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Chronic HCV infection can affect the liver function of pregnant women, but does not increase the pregnancy or delivery complication risks. HCV RNA(+) is an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Adult ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Infant, Newborn ; Viremia/virology* ; Hepatitis C ; Hepacivirus/physiology* ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology* ; Young Adult ; Alanine Transaminase/blood*

On September 3,2020,the U.S.Food and Drug Administration(FDA)granted formal approval to Copper Cu 64 dotatate(commercially known as Detectnet),for its pivotal role in diagnosing somatostatin receptor(SSTR)positive neuroendocrine tumors(NETs)in adult patients.This innovative diagnostic agent,Copper Cu 64 dotatate,is a sophisticated radionuclide that selectively targets somatostatin receptors,facilitating the emission of positron(β+)radionuclides in a quantity conducive for high-resolution positron emission tomography(PET)imaging.This review delves into the intricate mechanisms of action,the dynamic pharmacokinetics,comprehensive clinical studies,and the safety profile of Copper Cu 64 dotatate,highlighting its significance in the realm of medical diagnostics.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of farrerol on inflammation and abnormal muscle tone of cerebral basilar artery in mice induced by high salt and its molecular mechanism based on the Janus kinase 2(JAK2)/Transcription activator 3(STAT3)pathway.Methods A total of fifty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal group(normal feeding),model group(high salt diet),experimental-L group(high salt diet+oral administration of 12.5 mg·kg-1·d-1 farrerol),experimental-M group(high salt diet+oral administration of 25 mg·kg-1·d-1 farrerol)and experimental-H group(high salt diet+oral administration of 50 mg·kg-1·d-1 farrerol).The model was prepared for 12 weeks.The contractile response of the cerebral basilar artery of mice in each group to vasoconstrictor was recorded with myographs.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)were used to detect the levels of inflammatory factor.The protein expression levels of JAK2/STAT3 pathway related proteins were detected by Western blot.Results In the normal group,model group,experimental-L group,experimental-M group,experimental-H group,the contraction effects of the cerebral basilar artery to 60 mmol·L-1 potassium chloride(KCl)were(2.19±0.13),(2.66±0.11),(2.52±0.09),(2.41±0.08)and(2.25±0.10)mN;the contraction effects to 10-5 mol·L-1 vasopressiu(AVP)were(1.98±0.09),(2.46±0.08),(2.33±0.12),(2.11±0.10)and(2.05±0.06)mN;the contraction effects to 2.5 mmol·L-1 calcium chloride(CaCl2)were(1.77±0.08),(2.09±0.09),(2.03±0.08),(1.94±0.05)and(1.86±0.06)mN;in the serum,the levels of interleukin(IL)-1β were(10.10±3.21),(47.28±4.78),(40.16±3.98),(35.87±4.12)and(20.32±3.17)pg·mL-1;the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were(60.26±5.43),(134.32±4.15),(110.65±3.56),(90.79±5.25)and(81.54±6.23)pg·mL-1;the levels of chemokine ligand 3(CCL3)were(68.93±4.16),(146.37±5.73),(128.29±4.38),(100.25±6.82)and(84.16±3.89)pg·mL-1;the protein expression levels of JAK2 were 0.52±0.05,1.28±0.07,1.11±0.06,0.88±0.09 and 0.75±0.04;the protein expression levels of STAT3 were 0.58±0.07,1.93±0.10,1.62±0.04,1.34±0.06 and 0.88±0.09,respectively.The above indicators in the model group were significantly higher than the normal group(all P＜0.01);compared to the model group,the above indicators in the experimental-M and-H groups were significantly reduced(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion Farrerol maybe improve the inflammation and abnormal muscle tone of cerebral basilar artery in mice induced by high salt by downregulating JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Objective To observe the protective effects of codonopsis pilosulae polysaccharide on lung tissues in mice with acute lung injury(ALI)induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and its mechanism.Methods Fifty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,dexamethasone group,codonopsis polysaccharide high-dose group(300 mg/kg)and codonopsis polysaccharide low-dose group(150 mg/kg).The ALI model was established by intraperitoneal injection of LPS.All mice were given gavage administration according to the grouping except for the control group.0.3 s force expiratory volume(FEV 0.3)and force spirometry(FVC)and their ratios were measured using multiparametric lung function test system.The histopathology change of mouse lung was detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,and the classification and count of inflammatory cells in alveolar lavage fluid(BALF)was detected by Richter-Giemsa staining.Levels of IL-1β,IL-6,MPO and TNF-α were measured by ELISA in BALF,and Western blot was used to detect the protein expression level of p-p38,p-IκB-α and p-p65.Results Compared with those in the control group,lung histopathological damage was more pronounced in the model mice,with significantly lower FEV 0.3,FVC,FEV0.3/FVC assay value,but signifi-cantly higher lung tissue wet mass/dry mass(W/D),neutrophils,lymphocytes,IL-1β,IL-6,MPO,TNF-α,p-p38 MAPK,p-IκB-α,and p-p65(P<0.05);while codonopsis pilosulae polysaccharide could significantly reverse these effects.Conclusion Codonopsis pilosulae polysaccharide plays a protective role against LPS-induced ALI via inhibiting MAPK/NF-κB pathway to reduce the pathological damage of lung tissue,and the level of inflammatory factors,thus to improve lung function in ALI model mice.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic and progressive lung disease that poses a threat to human health. Current treatment options are limited, highlighting the urgent need for more effective therapeutic strategies. Tetrandrine (TET), a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Stephania tetrandra, has been known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects, but its specific mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the anti-fibrotic effects of TET in a chronic model of pulmonary fibrosis, aiming to delineate the molecular mechanisms underlying TET-mediated inhibition of fibroblast activation. The results showed that TET significantly alleviated the pathological changes in a murine model of multiple bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and effectively inhibited TGF-β1-induced fibroblast activation. Mechanistically, TET predominantly inhibited the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway and diminished intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 library screening, we identified that angiotensin II type 1 receptor associated protein (AGTRAP) and membrane palmitoylated protein 6 (MPP6) played important roles in TET's suppressive impact of ROS levels, with the knockout of two genes attenuating TET's antifibrotic activity. All animal treatment procedures were approved according to the Committee on the Ethics of Animal Experiments of the Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (IMB-20230406D507). This research not only elucidates the pharmacological mechanism of TET but also provides a novel therapeutic avenue for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and influence of co-mutated gene on acute myeloid leukemia patients(AML)with FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3(FLT3)mutations.Methods:A total of 273 FLT3+AML patients were enrolled,and the co-mutation gene data of the patients were collected to further analyze the prognosis of the patients.FLT3 and other common mutations were quantified by PCR amplification products direct sequencing and second-generation sequencing(NGS).Results:When patients were divided into FLT3 ITD+,FLT3 TKD+,FLT3 ITD++TKD+and FLT3 ITD-+TKD-group according to the type of FLT3 mutations,it was found that the frequencies of TET2,GATA2,NRAS and ASXL1 mutation were significantly different among the 4 groups(all P＜0.05).When patients were divided into allelic ratio(AR)≥0.5 and＜0.5 group,it was found that the frequencies of FLT3 ITD+,FLT3 ITD-+TKD-,NPM1,NRAS and C-kit were significantly different between the two groups(all P＜0.05).When patients were divided into normal and abnormal karyotype group,it was found that the frequencies of FLT3 ITD+,FLT3 TKD+,NPM1,GATA2 and C-kit were significantly different between the two groups(all P＜0.05).The median overall survival(OS)of AML patients with FLT3 TKD+(including FLT3 ITD++TKD+)was longer than that of patients with FLT3 ITD+alone(P＜0.05).The OS and relapse-free survival(RFS)of AML patients with FLT3++TET2+were both shorter than those of patients with FLT3++TET2-(both P＜0.05).Conclusion:The mutation frequencies of co-mutated genes are correlated with subtypes of FLT3,karyotype and AR.AML patients with FLT3 TKD+have longer OS than patients with FLT3 ITD+alone,and patients with co-mutation of TET2 have shorter median OS and RFS.