This article systematically reviews and examines the historical evolution of Bambusae Succus as a medicinal material， covering aspects such as nomenclature， origin， geographical distribution， harvesting and processing methods， quality assessment， therapeutic effects and indications， by consulting ancient herbal texts， medical compendia， and modern literature. The aim is to provide a reference for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. Research indicated that Bambusae Succus was first documented in the Shennong Bencaojing during the Han dynasty， with Zhuli being the standard name used throughout history， alongside aliases like Zhuzhi， Zhuyou and Huoquan. Historically， the primary source of Bambusae Succus has been Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis（Danzhu）， although other species such as Pleioblastus amarus and Bambusa emeiensis have also been used medicinally. Ancient records predominantly noted its origin in Yizhou（present-day Chengdu and surrounding areas in Sichuan） and the Wuling region（between present-day Hunan， Guangdong， Guangxi and Jiangxi provinces）， while contemporary sources are mainly from regions south of the Yangtze River and southwestern China. Traditionally， Bambusae Succus was harvested from bamboo that had grown for exactly one year， today， it can be collected year-round without strict age requirements. Ancient preparation methods included direct fire roasting or dry distillation， whereas modern industrial production employs dry distillation， reflux extraction， and percolation. In terms of quality evaluation， ancient texts considered a sweet taste to be superior， while today， clarity and transparency are prioritized. Historically， Bambusae Succus was characterized as sweet and cold nature， targeting the lung and stomach meridians， with uses evolving from clearing heat and resolving phlegm to nourishing Yin， moistening dryness， and relaxing tendons and unblocking meridians. Modern descriptions classify it as sweet， bitter， and cold in nature， affecting the heart， liver， and lung meridians， with functions including clearing heat， resolving phlegm， and facilitating orifices. It is indicated for conditions such as stroke with phlegm confusion， lung heat with phlegm congestion， convulsions， epilepsy， excessive phlegm in febrile diseases， high fever with thirst， irritability during pregnancy， and tetanus， with more clearly defined applications. Based on the results of the research， it is recommended that when developing and utilizing famous classical formulas containing Bambusae Succus， the one-year-old Phyllostachys nigra var. Henonis， which has been highly praised throughout history， should be selected as the source material. Industrial production should adopt the dry distillation method. Furthermore， in-depth research should be conducted on the modern technological characterization of the traditional quality control indicator of sweet taste， and reasonable modern quality control standards should be established.

By consulting ancient and modern literature， this article systematically reviews and verifies the historical evolution of the herbal medicine known as Baijiang across various dimensions， including name， origin， scientific name verification， medicinal parts， production area， quality， harvesting and processing， as well as its nature， taste， and therapeutic effects， in order to provide a reference for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing Patriniae Herba. Patriniae Herba has a long history of use. It derives its name from the distinctive musty odor of its roots， which resembles spoiled soy sauce. However， due to its alias Kucai， there has been much confusion with other plants. Since the Ming dynasty， various plants have been used interchangeably as Baijiang. Herbal textual research showed that Patriniae Herba was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing， and throughout history， Baijiang has been recognized as its standard name， though it has also been known by alternative names such as Luchang， Lujiang， and Suanyi. The main sources used throughout the ages were Patrinia scabiosaefolia or P. villosa， which is consistent with the 1977 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. However， while the roots were traditionally used medicinally， the whole plant is now more commonly used in modern practice. In addition， the whole plants of Thlaspi arvense from the Cruciferae family and Sonchus brachyotus from the Compositae family are commonly used as regional substitutes for Baijiang. According to ancient records， Patriniae Herba was primarily found in Jiangxia（present-day eastern Hubei province） and Jiangdong（the region south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River）， but modern literature shows that it is distributed throughout the country without a distinct geographical origin. In ancient times， the roots were harvested in August and sun-dried， today， the whole plant is typically dug up in summer or autumn and sun-dried. In recent times， the quality has been summarized as being best when the roots are long， the leaves are abundant and green， and the aroma is strong. Regarding the processing， ancient methods often involved baking（drying over fire）， while modern methods typically involve removing impurities， washing， and then cutting and drying the segments. The effects of Patriniae Herba are to clear heat and detoxify， eliminate blood stasis and drain pus. During the Han and Northern and Southern dynasties， it was used to treat skin diseases caused by heat， abscesses， postpartum diseases， and rheumatism， during the Five dynasties period， its therapeutic applications expanded to include diseases of the five senses， and by the modern era， conditions such as neurasthenia and insomnia were added. Regarding its properties and taste， it was recorded as bitter and neutral during the Han dynasty. By the Tang dynasty， it was slightly cold， with a taste of acrid and bitter. During the Yuan and Ming dynasties， it was mostly slightly cold and neutral， with a bitter and salty taste. In the Qing dynasty and modern times， it was mostly bitter and neutral， and in contemporary times， it has evolved to a taste of acrid， bitter， and cool. Based on the results of this study， it is recommended that when developing and utilizing famous classical formulas containing Patriniae Herba， one should select the entire herb of the historically mainstream sources， P. scabiosaefolia or P. villosa from the Valerianaceae family， and choose the processing method according to the prescription requirements. It is recommended to use raw products without specific requirements.

By consulting ancient and modern literature， this article systematically reviews and verifies the historical evolution of the herbal medicine known as Baijiang across various dimensions， including name， origin， scientific name verification， medicinal parts， production area， quality， harvesting and processing， as well as its nature， taste， and therapeutic effects， in order to provide a reference for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing Patriniae Herba. Patriniae Herba has a long history of use. It derives its name from the distinctive musty odor of its roots， which resembles spoiled soy sauce. However， due to its alias Kucai， there has been much confusion with other plants. Since the Ming dynasty， various plants have been used interchangeably as Baijiang. Herbal textual research showed that Patriniae Herba was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing， and throughout history， Baijiang has been recognized as its standard name， though it has also been known by alternative names such as Luchang， Lujiang， and Suanyi. The main sources used throughout the ages were Patrinia scabiosaefolia or P. villosa， which is consistent with the 1977 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. However， while the roots were traditionally used medicinally， the whole plant is now more commonly used in modern practice. In addition， the whole plants of Thlaspi arvense from the Cruciferae family and Sonchus brachyotus from the Compositae family are commonly used as regional substitutes for Baijiang. According to ancient records， Patriniae Herba was primarily found in Jiangxia（present-day eastern Hubei province） and Jiangdong（the region south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River）， but modern literature shows that it is distributed throughout the country without a distinct geographical origin. In ancient times， the roots were harvested in August and sun-dried， today， the whole plant is typically dug up in summer or autumn and sun-dried. In recent times， the quality has been summarized as being best when the roots are long， the leaves are abundant and green， and the aroma is strong. Regarding the processing， ancient methods often involved baking（drying over fire）， while modern methods typically involve removing impurities， washing， and then cutting and drying the segments. The effects of Patriniae Herba are to clear heat and detoxify， eliminate blood stasis and drain pus. During the Han and Northern and Southern dynasties， it was used to treat skin diseases caused by heat， abscesses， postpartum diseases， and rheumatism， during the Five dynasties period， its therapeutic applications expanded to include diseases of the five senses， and by the modern era， conditions such as neurasthenia and insomnia were added. Regarding its properties and taste， it was recorded as bitter and neutral during the Han dynasty. By the Tang dynasty， it was slightly cold， with a taste of acrid and bitter. During the Yuan and Ming dynasties， it was mostly slightly cold and neutral， with a bitter and salty taste. In the Qing dynasty and modern times， it was mostly bitter and neutral， and in contemporary times， it has evolved to a taste of acrid， bitter， and cool. Based on the results of this study， it is recommended that when developing and utilizing famous classical formulas containing Patriniae Herba， one should select the entire herb of the historically mainstream sources， P. scabiosaefolia or P. villosa from the Valerianaceae family， and choose the processing method according to the prescription requirements. It is recommended to use raw products without specific requirements.

To explore the correlation between human body fat distribution and carotid athero-sclerosis.

Objective To investigate the effects of neurotrophic factor Neuritin overexpression on the angiogenic effects of chicken embryonic allantoic membrane (CAM) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs),and to provide a new direction for the treatment of angiogenic diseases. Methods Thirty fresh yellow-skinned breeding eggs were selected to establish a CAM model,which were divided into three groups by randomized numerical table method:positive control group (bFGF),negative control group (NS) and experimental group (Neuritin),with 10 eggs in each group. The positive control group was loaded with 2500 U/mL of bFGF,the experimental group was loaded with 10 μg/mL of Neuritin protein,and the negative control group was loaded with NS. 10 μL loading volume was loaded into each group,and all CAMs were incubated at the same temperature,relative humidity,and time,and the vascular branching,number,and size of the CAMs in each group were recorded after 72 h of incubation. Fresh umbilical cords from healthy pregnant women were selected to produce primary HUVECs,which were divided into three groups:transfected with recombinant plasmid (HUVEC-neu group),transfected with empty vector (HUVEC-3.1 group),and untransfected (HUVEC group). Primary HUVECs in the HUVEC-neu group were transfected with the recombinant plasmid Neuritin,and those in the HUVEC-3.1 group were transfected with the empty vector. HUVEC-3.1 group was transfected with the empty vector plasmid,and HUVEC group was not given any special treatment,and all three groups received the same culture regimen. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression level of Neuritin in HUVEC-3.1 and HUVEC-neu groups. CCK-8 assay,cell scratch assay,Transwell assay,and tube formation assay were used to detect protein expression level of Neuritin in HUVEC-3.1 group and HUVEC-neu group,and HUVEC-neu groups for cell proliferation,migration and tube formation. Results (1) The number of CAM vessel branch points and microvessels in the experimental group was significantly increased compared with that in the negative control group (P<0.01),but there was no statistically significant difference in the number of large and medium-sized vessels between the two groups (P>0.05);(2) Neuritin was successfully overexpressed in HUVECs in the HUVEC-neu group. (3) Compared with the HUVEC-3.1 group,the proliferation vigor of cells in the HUVEC-neu group was decreased (P<0.05),but their migration and tube formation abilities were significantly enhanced (P<0.01). Conclusion Neuritin overexpression promotes angiogenesis and participates in the regulation of neovascularization by affecting cell prolif-eration,migration,and tube formation ability.

Objective To investigate the effects of extracellular vesicles(EVs)derived from synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)patients on angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells,and to preliminarily explore the underlying mechanisms.Methods Synovial fluid samples of knee joint were collected from 20 patients with RA and 20 patients with osteoarthritis(OA)in this study.EVs were purified using ultracentrifugation.The morphology and size of EVs were observed by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis.CD9,CD63,cytochrome c(Cyt-c),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),lysyl oxidase(LOX),matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2),tumour necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α),transforming growth factor beta1(TGF-β1)in EVs were detected using Western blot.Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)were treated with the EVs.The growth,migration and angiogenesis of HUVEC were observed by CCK8 assay,TranswellTM chamber assay,scratch test and matrigel angiogenesis assay,respectively.The effect of EVs on the PI3K/AKT pathway in HUVEC was assessed using Western blot.Results Both EVs from RA synovial fluid(RA-EVs)and OA synovial fluid(OA-EVs)were cup-shaped,mainly between 30-400 nm in diameter,expressing CD63 and CD9,but not Cyt-c.RA-EVs carried more VEGF,LOX,MMP2,TNF-α and TGF-β1 than OA-EVs.Compared with the OA-EVs intervention,RA-EVs significantly promoted the proliferation,migration,and angiogenesis of HUVECs,as well as upregulated PI3K/AKT phosphorylation.The inhibitor of PI3K suppressed angiogenesis induced by EVs.Conclusion EVs in synovial fluid of RA carried more cytokines and enzymes that related angiogenesis and inflammation.These EVs exert their pro-angiogenic effects by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway,then contributing to the pathological progression of RA.

Objective To investigate the effects of extracellular vesicles(EVs)derived from synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)patients on angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells,and to preliminarily explore the underlying mechanisms.Methods Synovial fluid samples of knee joint were collected from 20 patients with RA and 20 patients with osteoarthritis(OA)in this study.EVs were purified using ultracentrifugation.The morphology and size of EVs were observed by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis.CD9,CD63,cytochrome c(Cyt-c),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),lysyl oxidase(LOX),matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2),tumour necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α),transforming growth factor beta1(TGF-β1)in EVs were detected using Western blot.Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)were treated with the EVs.The growth,migration and angiogenesis of HUVEC were observed by CCK8 assay,TranswellTM chamber assay,scratch test and matrigel angiogenesis assay,respectively.The effect of EVs on the PI3K/AKT pathway in HUVEC was assessed using Western blot.Results Both EVs from RA synovial fluid(RA-EVs)and OA synovial fluid(OA-EVs)were cup-shaped,mainly between 30-400 nm in diameter,expressing CD63 and CD9,but not Cyt-c.RA-EVs carried more VEGF,LOX,MMP2,TNF-α and TGF-β1 than OA-EVs.Compared with the OA-EVs intervention,RA-EVs significantly promoted the proliferation,migration,and angiogenesis of HUVECs,as well as upregulated PI3K/AKT phosphorylation.The inhibitor of PI3K suppressed angiogenesis induced by EVs.Conclusion EVs in synovial fluid of RA carried more cytokines and enzymes that related angiogenesis and inflammation.These EVs exert their pro-angiogenic effects by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway,then contributing to the pathological progression of RA.

Objective To investigate the effects of neurotrophic factor Neuritin overexpression on the angiogenic effects of chicken embryonic allantoic membrane (CAM) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs),and to provide a new direction for the treatment of angiogenic diseases. Methods Thirty fresh yellow-skinned breeding eggs were selected to establish a CAM model,which were divided into three groups by randomized numerical table method:positive control group (bFGF),negative control group (NS) and experimental group (Neuritin),with 10 eggs in each group. The positive control group was loaded with 2500 U/mL of bFGF,the experimental group was loaded with 10 μg/mL of Neuritin protein,and the negative control group was loaded with NS. 10 μL loading volume was loaded into each group,and all CAMs were incubated at the same temperature,relative humidity,and time,and the vascular branching,number,and size of the CAMs in each group were recorded after 72 h of incubation. Fresh umbilical cords from healthy pregnant women were selected to produce primary HUVECs,which were divided into three groups:transfected with recombinant plasmid (HUVEC-neu group),transfected with empty vector (HUVEC-3.1 group),and untransfected (HUVEC group). Primary HUVECs in the HUVEC-neu group were transfected with the recombinant plasmid Neuritin,and those in the HUVEC-3.1 group were transfected with the empty vector. HUVEC-3.1 group was transfected with the empty vector plasmid,and HUVEC group was not given any special treatment,and all three groups received the same culture regimen. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression level of Neuritin in HUVEC-3.1 and HUVEC-neu groups. CCK-8 assay,cell scratch assay,Transwell assay,and tube formation assay were used to detect protein expression level of Neuritin in HUVEC-3.1 group and HUVEC-neu group,and HUVEC-neu groups for cell proliferation,migration and tube formation. Results (1) The number of CAM vessel branch points and microvessels in the experimental group was significantly increased compared with that in the negative control group (P<0.01),but there was no statistically significant difference in the number of large and medium-sized vessels between the two groups (P>0.05);(2) Neuritin was successfully overexpressed in HUVECs in the HUVEC-neu group. (3) Compared with the HUVEC-3.1 group,the proliferation vigor of cells in the HUVEC-neu group was decreased (P<0.05),but their migration and tube formation abilities were significantly enhanced (P<0.01). Conclusion Neuritin overexpression promotes angiogenesis and participates in the regulation of neovascularization by affecting cell prolif-eration,migration,and tube formation ability.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of serological indicators and evaluate the diagnostic value of a new established combined serological model on identifying the minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in patients with compensated cirrhosis.Methods:This prospective multicenter study enrolled 263 compensated cirrhotic patients from 23 hospitals in 15 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China between October 2021 and August 2022. Clinical data and laboratory test results were collected, and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was calculated. Ammonia level was corrected to the upper limit of normal (AMM-ULN) by the baseline blood ammonia measurements/upper limit of the normal reference value. MHE was diagnosed by combined abnormal number connection test-A and abnormal digit symbol test as suggested by Guidelines on the management of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis. The patients were randomly divided (7∶3) into training set ( n=185) and validation set ( n=78) based on caret package of R language. Logistic regression was used to establish a combined model of MHE diagnosis. The diagnostic performance was evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve. The internal verification was carried out by the Bootstrap method ( n=200). AUC comparisons were achieved using the Delong test. Results:In the training set, prevalence of MHE was 37.8% (70/185). There were statistically significant differences in AMM-ULN, albumin, platelet, alkaline phosphatase, international normalized ratio, MELD score and education between non-MHE group and MHE group (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that AMM-ULN [odds ratio ( OR)=1.78, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.05-3.14, P=0.038] and MELD score ( OR=1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.20, P=0.002) were independent risk factors for MHE, and the AUC for predicting MHE were 0.663, 0.625, respectively. Compared with the use of blood AMM-ULN and MELD score alone, the AUC of the combined model of AMM-ULN, MELD score and education exhibited better predictive performance in determining the presence of MHE was 0.755, the specificity and sensitivity was 85.2% and 55.7%, respectively. Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve showed that the model had good calibration ( P=0.733). The AUC for internal validation of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.752. In the validation set, the AUC of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.794, and Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed good calibration ( P=0.841). Conclusion:Use of the combined model including AMM-ULN, MELD score and education could improve the predictive efficiency of MHE among patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Objective:To compare the differences in the prevalence of mild micro-hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) among patients with cirrhosis by using the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) and the Stroop smartphone application (Encephal App) test.Methods:This prospective, multi-center, real-world study was initiated by the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Infectious Diseases and the Portal Hypertension Alliance and registered with International ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05140837). 354 cases of cirrhosis were enrolled in 19 hospitals across the country. PHES (including digital connection tests A and B, digital symbol tests, trajectory drawing tests, and serial management tests) and the Stroop test were conducted in all of them. PHES was differentiated using standard diagnostic criteria established by the two studies in China and South Korea. The Stroop test was evaluated based on the criteria of the research and development team. The impact of different diagnostic standards or methods on the incidence of MHE in patients with cirrhosis was analyzed. Data between groups were differentiated using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ2 test. A kappa test was used to compare the consistency between groups. Results:After PHES, the prevalence of MHE among 354 cases of cirrhosis was 78.53% and 15.25%, respectively, based on Chinese research standards and Korean research normal value standards. However, the prevalence of MHE was 56.78% based on the Stroop test, and the differences in pairwise comparisons among the three groups were statistically significant (kappa = -0.064, P < 0.001). Stratified analysis revealed that the MHE prevalence in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C was 74.14%, 83.33%, and 88.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Chinese researchers, while the MHE prevalence rates in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C were 8.29%, 23.53%, and 38.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Korean researchers. Furthermore, the prevalence rates of MHE in the three groups of patients with Child-Pugh grades A, B, and C were 52.68%, 58.82%, and 73.53%, respectively, according to the Stroop test standard. However, among the results of each diagnostic standard, the prevalence of MHE showed an increasing trend with an increasing Child-Pugh grade. Further comparison demonstrated that the scores obtained by the number connection test A and the number symbol test were consistent according to the normal value standards of the two studies in China and South Korea ( Z = -0.982, -1.702; P = 0.326, 0.089), while the other three sub-tests had significant differences ( P < 0.001). Conclusion:The prevalence rate of MHE in the cirrhotic population is high, but the prevalence of MHE obtained by using different diagnostic criteria or methods varies greatly. Therefore, in line with the current changes in demographics and disease spectrum, it is necessary to enroll a larger sample size of a healthy population as a control. Moreover, the establishment of more reliable diagnostic scoring criteria will serve as a basis for obtaining accurate MHE incidence and formulating diagnosis and treatment strategies in cirrhotic populations.