The purpose of this paper is to explore the decoction and dosing methods of rhubarb root and rhizome in classical prescriptions and to provide a reference basis for the clinical use of rhubarb root and rhizome. By collating the relevant classical prescriptions of rhubarb root and rhizome in Shanghan Lun and Jingui Yaolüe, the relationship between its decoction and dosing methods and the syndrome was analyzed. The decoction of rhubarb root and rhizome in classical prescriptions can be divided into three categories: simultaneous decoction, decoction later, and other methods (impregnation in Mafei decoction, decoction with water from the well spring first taken in the morning, and pills). If it enters the blood level or wants to slow down, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted at the same time with other drugs. If it enters the qi level and wants to speed up, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted later. If it wants to upwardly move, rhubarb root and rhizome should be immersed in Mafei decoction. If it wants to suppress liver yang, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted with water from the well spring first taken in the morning. If the disease is prolonged, rhubarb root and rhizome should be taken in pill form. The dosing methods of rhubarb root and rhizome can be divided into five categories: draught, twice, three times, before meals, and unspecified. For acute and serious illnesses with excess of pathogenic qi and adequate vital qi, we choose draught. For gastrointestinal diseases, we choose to take the medicine twice. For achieving a moderate and long-lasting effect, we choose to take the medicine three times. If the disease is located in the lower part of the heart and abdomen, we choose to take it before meals. The use of rhubarb root and rhizome in clinical practice requires the selection of the appropriate decoction and dosing methods according to the location of the disease, the severity of the disease, the patient′s constitution, and the condition after taking the medicine.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Forsythiae Fructus-Lonicerae Japonicae Flos（FF） in the treatment of acute lung injury（ALI） by investigating the effects of FF on serum metabolomics of rats with ALI. MethodsThirty male SD rats were acclimated for 1 week， and 6 rats were randomly selected as the blank group. The other 24 rats were injected with lipopolysaccharide（LPS） solution by tracheal drip to establish an ALI model. After successful model establishment， the rats were randomly divided into the model group， the FF low-dose group（3.0 g·kg^-1）， the FF high-dose group（6.0 g·kg^-1）， and the dexamethasone group（5 mg·kg^-1）， with six rats in each group. The FF low- and high-dose groups and the dexamethasone group were received daily oral administration of the corresponding drug solution， and the blank group and the model group were gavaged with an equal amount of saline， treatment was administered continuously for 3 d. The pathological conditions of rat lung tissues were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， wet/dry mass ratio（W/D） of the lung tissues， and protein concentration in rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid（BALF）. Metabolomic analysis of rat serum was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS）， combined with multivariate statistical analysis， the potential biomarkers of FF in treating ALI were screened by variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1， P<0.05 from t-test， and log₂fold change（FC）>1 or log₂FC<-1. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG） database combined with MetaboAnalyst were used for pathway analysis of the screened differential metabolites. The protein expression levels of sphingosine-1-phosphate（S1P）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase（PI3K）， protein kinase B1（Akt1）， and phosphorylated Akt1（p-Akt1） were examined by Western bolt. The expression levels of interleukin（IL）-6， IL-1β， and tumor necrosis factor（TNF）-α in BALF were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， rats in the model group showed ALI pathological features such as alveolar lumen dilatation， interstitial hemorrhage and massive inflammatory cell infiltration， and the protein concentration in BALF and W/D of the lung tissues were significantly elevated（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the low- and high-dose groups of FF as well as the dexamethasone group exhibited reduced pulmonary bronchial hemorrhage in rats， and the protein concentration in BALF and W/D were significantly decreased（P<0.05）， and the lung injury was significantly alleviated. Analysis of rat serum metabolomics revealed that FF downregulated 38 biomarkers. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that FF primarily exerted therapeutic effects through 7 key metabolic pathways， including arginine biosynthesis， sphingomyelin metabolism， alanine， aspartate and glutamate metabolism， taurine and hypotaurine metabolism， α-linolenic acid metabolism， niacin and nicotinamide metabolism， and retinol metabolism. The results of Western bolt and ELISA showed that， compared with the blank group， the model group exhibited significantly elevated expression levels of S1P， PI3K， Akt1 and p-Akt1 proteins in the lung tissues， as well as increased expression levels of IL-6， IL-1β and TNF-α in BALF（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the expression levels of the aforementioned indicators were significantly downregulated in the low- and high-dose FF groups as well as the dexamethasone group（P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionFF may play a role in ALI by regulating amino acid metabolism and lipid metabolism， and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of S1P/PI3K/Akt1 signaling pathway to attenuate the inflammatory response caused by ALI.

Objective    To predict the probability of lymph node metastasis after thoracoscopic surgery in patients with lung adenocarcinoma based on nomogram. Methods    We analyzed the clinical data of the patients with lung adenocarcinoma treated in the department of thoracic surgery of our hospital from June 2018 to May 2021. The patients were randomly divided into a training group and a validation group. The variables that may affect the lymph node metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma were screened out by univariate logistic regression, and then the clinical prediction model was constructed by multivariate logistic regression. The nomogram was used to show the model visually, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve and clinical decision curve to evaluate the calibration degree and practicability of the model. Results    Finally 249 patients were collected, including 117 males aged 53.15±13.95 years and 132 females aged 47.36±13.10 years. There were 180 patients in the training group, and 69 patients in the validation group. There was a significant correlation between the 6 clinicopathological characteristics and lymph node metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma in the univariate logistic regression. The area under the ROC curve in the training group was 0.863, suggesting the ability to distinguish lymph node metastasis, which was confirmed in the validation group (area under the ROC curve was 0.847). The nomogram and clinical decision curve also performed well in the follow-up analysis, which proved its potential clinical value. Conclusion    This study provides a nomogram combined with clinicopathological characteristics, which can be used to predict the risk of lymph node metastasis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma with a diameter≤3 cm.

Objective:To analyze the external quality control assessment results of fluoride testing laboratories in endemic disease prevention and control institutions nationwide from 2006 to 2023, investigate the quality control capabilities of these laboratories in various provinces, prefectures, cities, and counties nationwide, and ensure the accuracy and reliability of surveillance data on endemic fluorosis nationwide.Methods:Using retrospective analysis, the external quality control assessment results of all participating fluoride testing laboratories of national endemic disease prevention and control institutions from 2006 to 2023 were summarized and analyzed. The assessment results from 2006 to 2008 were tested for outliers using Grubbs method, homogeneity of variance using Cochran method, excluding the assessment data of unqualified laboratories, calculating the total mean and total standard deviation, Z-score method was used to test the assessment of laboratories, and statistical analysis and judgment were done when the result of │Z│ < 3. The assessment results from 2009 - 2023 were obtained from all laboratories. In 2010, two tests were conducted in the first and second half of the year, and the Z-ratio scores of each laboratory were calculated using robust statistics. When │Z│≤2, the assessment was qualified; when 2 < │Z│ < 3, the assessment was basically qualified; when│Z│≥3, the assessment was unqualified, and the consensus value came from all participating laboratories in the assessment.Results:From the beginning of quality control operation in 2006 to 2023, the number of laboratories participated in external quality control assessments had significantly increased. The number of laboratories participated in water fluoride assessment increased from 30 in 2006 to 1 277 in 2023, and the number of laboratories participated in urine fluoride assessment increased from 29 to 497. The number of laboratories participated in the brick tea fluorine assessment had increased from 43 in 2014 to 193 in 2023. The assessment results showed that when │Z│ < 3, the total qualified rate of fluoride external quality control in fluoride testing laboratories of national endemic disease control institutions was 95.2%, with the lowest being 87.1% (27/31) in 2008 and the highest being 100.0% (394/394) in 2014. When │Z│≤2, the total feedback pass rate was 88.4%, with the lowest being 79.3% (288/363) in the first half of 2010 and the highest being 99.5% (392/394) in 2014. The assessment results showed that when │Z│ < 3, the total pass rate of urine fluoride external quality control in fluoride testing laboratories of national endemic disease control institutions was 98.0%, with the lowest being 86.2% (25/29) in 2006 and 2007, respectively, and the highest being 100.0% (68/68) in 2014. When │Z│≤2, the total qualification rate was 93.7%, with the lowest being 86.5% (64/74) in the second half of 2010 and the highest being 100.0% (68/68) in 2014. The assessment results showed that when│Z│ < 3, the total pass rate of extra-fluoride quality control of brick tea in fluoride testing laboratories of national endemic disease control institutions was 95.4%, with the lowest being 85.0% (164/193) in 2023, and the highest being 100.0% (43/43, 51/51, 79/79) in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. When │Z│≤2, the total pass rate was 89.2%, with the lowest being 72.7% (32/44) in 2017 and the highest being 100.0% (43/43) in 2014. From 2009 to 2023, there were a total of 21 provincial-level laboratories that passed the water fluoride detection assessment, including 3 provinces where all prefecture level and county-level laboratories were qualified. The assessment results of urinary fluorine showed that there were 11 qualified provincial-level laboratories and 1 prefecture-level laboratory. From 2014 to 2023, the assessment results of brick-tea fluorine showed that there were 5 provincial-level laboratories that passed the tea fluorine testing assessment and no prefecture-level laboratory.Conclusions:Conclusion: From 2006 to 2023, the number of fluoride testing laboratories participating in external quality control assessment has increased year by year, and most provincial, municipal and county-level laboratories have good fluoride testing capabilities, which can meet the testing needs of endemic disease prevention and monitoring. For some laboratories with problems, targeted rectification should be carried out to improve the quality of detection, in order to provide better technical support for the monitoring of endemic fluorosis areas.

Objective: To explore the association between light intensity physical activity (LPA) and sedentary behavior (SB) with body composition, so as to provide data references for improving adolescent physical health. Methods: From August 2020 to January 2021, general information of 694 students in grade one of a high school in Foshan City was collected, and the 24 hour activity behavior and body composition of the students were measured objectively by triaxial accelerometer and bioelectrical impedance tester. Dual component multivariate regression and dual compositional isotemporal substitution model were used to explore the relationship between LPA and SB and body composition. Results: LPA was associated with lower fat relative dominance (FRD) (male weekends FRD=-21.44%, female weekly FRD=-17.83%, weekdays FRD=-18.27%, P <0.05), and LPA was also associated with higher muscle relative dominance (MRD) and bone relative dominance (BRD) (male weekends MRD=12.78%, BRD= 12.87 %; female weekly MRD=11.64%, BRD=9.01%; female weekdays MRD=12.02%, BRD=9.23%, P <0.05). Replacing sedentary behavior (SB) with 10 minutes of LPA could reduce fat proportion [male:weekly -0.15(-0.26--0.04), weekdays -0.12 (-0.22--0.02); female:weekly -0.18(-0.27--0.08), weekdays -0.16(-0.25--0.07)) and increase muscle proportion (male:weekly 0.14(0.03-0.24), weekdays 0.11(0.02-0.21); female:weekly 0.17(0.07-0.26), weekdays 0.15(0.07-0.24)]. Conclusion Interrupting continuous SB with LPA can serve as an intervention measure to promote physical health and fitness in adolescents. School should encourage students to engage in frequent LPA during breaks and after school activities, while avoiding prolonged SB.

Transcription, Genetic

Arsenic is an environmental toxicant widely present in nature, which can enter the human body through drinking water, respiration, and skin contact. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is an important barrier that restricts the entry of toxins, metabolites, and other substances in the blood into the brain, thereby maintaining the homeostasis of the brain microenvironment. Different forms of arsenic may cross BBB in different ways, resulting in cognitive dysfunction in humans or animals. Therefore, BBB may play an important role in arsenic-induced cognitive dysfunction. This article provides a brief overview of the structure and function of the BBB, the transport mode of the BBB, experimental methods for evaluating the integrity of the BBB, and the relationship between arsenic-induced cognitive dysfunction and the integrity of the BBB. It provides reference for the subsequent search for the way arsenic passes through the BBB, and the determination of the role and mechanism of BBB damage in arsenic induced cognitive dysfunction.

Objective:To analyze the gene mutation, clinical manifestations and prognosis of children with steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), and to provide reference for the treatment of hereditary SRNS in children.Methods:The clinical data of 29 patients with SRNS and whole exon sequencing (WES) diagnosed in Xi′an Children′s Hospital from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:In 29 cases of SRNS with genetic testing, 10 cases (34.5%) were gene mutations, including 2 cases of congenital nephrotic syndrome. The onset age of the patients with gene mutation ranged from 0.1 to 10.7(4.06±3.73)years, and the median age of onset was 3.3 years. The clinical type was mainly nephritis (8/10), and the pathological type was mainly focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) (5/7). The main mutant genes were NPHS1 (2 cases), NPHS2 (2 cases), WT1 (2 cases), SMARCAL1 (1 case), COQ8B (1 case), TRPC6 (1 case) and COL4A3 gene (1 case). The main types of genetic variation were missense mutations, and 6 (60%) cases were new mutations that had never been reported in the database containing human pathogenic mutations before. Compared with the non-gene mutation group, 24 hour urinary protein was higher [(177.92±164.59)mg/(kg·24 h) vs (84.99±40.79)mg/(kg·24 h)] in gene mutation group, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). In the gene mutation group, there were 2 cases of complete remission, including 1 case of complete remission treated with coenzyme Q10, 1 case of partial remission, and 8 cases of immunosuppression treatment, with an effective rate of 2/8, while in the non-gene mutation group, the effective rate of immunosuppression treatment was 17/19, with statistically significant difference in prognosis between the two groups ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The pathological type of children with hereditary SRNS is mainly FSGS, which are often ineffective to immunosuppressive therapy, poor prognosis and easy to progress to end-stage renal disease. Gene detection is of great significance for etiological diagnosis, treatment and prognosis evaluation in children with SRNS.

Objective:The aims of the study were to investigate the relationship among atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and inflammatory adipocytokines with the severity of coronary artery calcification (CAC) score in coronary artery disease (CAD). And then we analyzed the diagnostic value of the new markers on CAC.Methods:A total of 241 patients with CAD diagnosed by coronary CT angiography (CTA) and coronary angiography in Baoding First Central Hospital from June 2019 to June 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. According to the presence of calcification in coronary CTA, they were divided into CAC group ( n=63) and non-CAC group ( n=178). The clinical data of the patients were collected, and the levels of serum inflammatory factors were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlation between CAC score and AIP and inflammatory cytokines was analyzed. The diagnostic value of AIP and inflammatory factors in the formation of CAC in patients with CAD. Results:The levels of AIP, serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) and oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in CAC group were higher than those in non-CAC group, while the levels of serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) were lower than those in non-CAC group, with statistically significant difference (all P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed that CAC score of CAD patients was positively correlated with AIP, OPG and COMP ( r=0.581, 0.451, 0.326, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with FGF21 ( r=-0.294, P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that AIP, OPG, COMP and FGF21 had diagnostic value for CAC in CAD patients (all P<0.05). AIP>0.387, OPG>5.150 ng/ml, FGF21>136.35 pg/ml, COMP>733.16 ng/ml were independent factors affecting the formation of CAC (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The increase of AIP and the change of inflammatory factors can be used as markers for the diagnosis of CAC formation in CAD patients.

Objective:To explore the effects of general anesthesia and combined spinal and epidural anesthesia on inflammatory factors and pain in patients with osteoarthritis after total knee arthroplasty.Methods:A total of 84 patients with osteoarthritis who underwent unilateral total knee arthroplasty in Hulunbuir People's Hospital from January 2020 to May 2021 were selected as the research subjects. They were randomly divided into general anesthesia group (40 cases) and combined spinal and epidural anesthesia group (44 cases). Venous blood samples of 5 ml were collected before operation and 6, 24, 48 hours after operation, and the contents of inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6] in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The visual analogue pain scale (VAS) of the two groups at 30 min, 6, 24 and 48 hours after operation was compared.Results:At 6 and 24 hours after operation, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels in the combined spinal and epidural anesthesia group were lower than those in the general anesthesia group ( t = 4.17, 3.85, 8.95, 10.98, 10.04, 9.87, P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 at different time points between the general anesthesia group and combined spinal and epidural anesthesia group ( F = 271.67, 149.26, 81.70, 189.36, 102.44, 157.32, P < 0.001). At 6 and 24 hours after operation, the VAS scores of patients in the combined spinal and epidural anesthesia group were significantly lower than those in the general anesthesia group ( t = 6.60, 3.66, P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in VSA scores between the two groups at different time points ( F = 67.47, 52.37, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The effect of combined spinal and epidural anesthesia is significantly higher than general anesthesia in inhibiting the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in patients with osteoarthritis after operation, and the effect of analgesia is obvious.