The chemical composition of Paeoniae Radix Alba(PRA) is complex, with primary secondary metabolites including monoterpenoids, tannins, triterpenoids, and flavonoids. In previous studies on the material basis of PRA, it was found that, in addition to the widely studied characteristic monoterpene glycosides, tannic acid components also play an important role in the efficacy of PRA. However, their pharmacological effects have not been thoroughly investigated. This paper reviews the tannic acid components in PRA, including pentagaloyl glucose(PGG), tetragaloyl glucose(TGG), trigaloyl glucose(TriGG), and gallic acid, along with their structures, properties, and characteristics to provide a detailed discussion of their pharmacological activities and related mechanisms, aiming to offer a theoretical basis for the material basis research and clinical application of PRA.
Paeonia/chemistry* ; Tannins/chemistry* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Animals ; Plant Extracts

Periodontitis is a common oral disease caused by bacteria coupled with an excessive host immune response. Stem cell therapy can be a promising treatment strategy for periodontitis, but the relevant mechanism is complicated. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of mitochondria from human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hESC-MSCs) for the treatment of periodontitis. The gingival tissues of periodontitis patients are characterized by abnormal mitochondrial structure. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were exposed to 5 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h to establish a cell injury model. When treated with hESC-MSCs or mitochondria derived from hESC-MSCs, HGFs showed reduced expression of inflammatory genes, increased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level, decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and enhanced mitochondrial function compared to the control. The average efficiency of isolated mitochondrial transfer by hESC-MSCs was determined to be 8.93%. Besides, a therapy of local mitochondrial injection in mice with LPS-induced periodontitis showed a reduction in inflammatory gene expression, as well as an increase in both the mitochondrial number and the aspect ratio in gingival tissues. In conclusion, our results indicate that mitochondria derived from hESC-MSCs can reduce the inflammatory response and improve mitochondrial function in HGFs, suggesting that the transfer of mitochondria between hESC-MSCs and HGFs serves as a potential mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of stem cells.
Humans ; Gingiva/cytology* ; Fibroblasts/metabolism* ; Mitochondria/physiology* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology* ; Animals ; Periodontitis/therapy* ; Mice ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Inflammation ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Human Embryonic Stem Cells/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism* ; Male

Objective To analyze serum characteristics and determine the reference range for thyroid function among healthy 11～16 year-old teenagers in Xi'an in order to offer a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis and therapy.Methods A sum of 1 378 healthy 11～16 year-old teenagers who met the inclusion criteria from the First Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Medical University(Xijing Hospital)between January 2020 and December 2022 were selected as research subjects,including 628 males and 750 females.They were divided into three groups based on age:Group 1:11～＜13 year-olds(433 cases),Group 2:13～＜15 year-olds(425 cases),and Group 3:15～≤16 year-olds(520 cases).Differences in serum thyroid function indices among different genders and age groups were analyzed,the reference ranges for these indices were established,and 99 healthy 11-16 year-old teenagers who met the inclusion criteria were chosen for verification.Results There were no significant differences between different genders in thyroid stimulating hormone[TSH,2.56(1.80,3.63)μIU/ml vs 2.43(1.68,3.48)μIU/ml]and total thyroxine[TT4,97.84(85.34,111.00)nmol/L vs 98.20(87.16,111.23)nmol/L],the differences were statistically significant(Z=-1.881,-0.638,all P＞0.05).Meanwhile,the differences in free thyroxine[FT4,16.93(15.49,18.60)pmol/L vs 16.26(14.80,17.83)pmol/L],free triiodothyronine[FT3,6.21(5.66,6.80)pmol/L vs 5.59(4.98,6.19)pmol/L],and total triiodothyronine[TT3,2.24(1.96,2.55)nmol/L vs 2.04(1.78,2.34)nmol/L]between different genders were significant(Z=-5.368,-11.994,-6.417 all P＜0.01).The differences in thyroid function indices were significant among different age groups(Z=10.649～261.003,all P＜0.05).The reference ranges for thyroid function indices across different age groups and genders were established,in which thyroid function indicators were verified to be within the established reference range by 99 samples.Conclusion Teenage hormone secretion varies greatly,and the secretion of thyroid hormones is influenced by various factors.Thus,the diagnosis and treatment of teenage thyroid diseases cannot fully rely on the reference ranges provided by adults or manufacturers.This study established the reference range of the thyroid function indices of 11～16 year-old teenagers in Xi'an,offering clinical doctors'diagnosis and treatment data support.

ObjectiveTo compare the effect of toe-spread-out exercises (TSO) and modified TSO in females with hallux valgus. MethodsFrom September to December, 2023, a total of 45 females with hallux valgus were recruited in Capital University of Physical Education and Sports and randomly divided into blank control group (n = 15), TSO group (n = 15), and modified TSO group (n = 15). The blank control group received no intervention, the TSO group received routine TSO, and the modified TSO group received fibularis longus fascia release followed by TSO, for eight weeks. Changes in the hallux valgus angle (HVA) and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the abductor hallucis muscle were measured before intervention, and four and eight weeks after intervention, respectively. ResultsOne case dropped out from the blank control group. The changes of HVA in the TSO and modified TSO groups were significantly greater than in the blank control group (F > 15.263, P < 0.05). After four weeks of intervention, the change of left HVA in the modified TSO group was significantly greater than in the TSO group (P < 0.05). The main effect of time was significant on the CSA of the abductor hallucis muscle (F > 13.245, P < 0.05). The main effect of group was significant on the left foot's CSA of the abductor hallucis (F = 3.798, P < 0.05). The interaction effect of time and group was also significant (F > 4.744, P < 0.05). The CSA of the abductor hallucis in both the TSO and modified TSO groups after four weeks and eight weeks of intervention was significantly greater than before intervention (P < 0.05). At eight weeks, the CSA of the right foot in the modified TSO group was significantly greater than in the blank control group (P < 0.05). ConclusionBoth TSO and modified TSO can improve HVA and the CSA of the abductor hallucis muscle in females with hallux valgus, and modified TSO is better.

Partial nephrectomy (PN) is primarily used to treat small size renal cell carcinoma (RCC), aiming to minimize the impact on kidney function. Although the recurrence rate post-PN is low, vigilance in diagnosing recurrence is crucial to differentiate it from inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) and therefore prevent unnecessary interventions. In the case of a 56-year-old female patient who underwent PN for RCC of the right kidney, a mass was identified in the original surgical site over a year later, raising concerns of local recurrence based on imaging findings. However, when the patient declined puncture biopsy, a Radical Nephrectomy (RN) was performed instead. Subsequent pathology results revealed the presence of IPT, not tumor recurrence. This case underscores the importance of a comprehensive analysis of imaging features to accurately diagnose postoperative recurrence following PN. Where uncertainty persists, puncture biopsy should be considered to provide a definitive diagnosis. Moreover, emphasizing ongoing training in PN techniques and adherence to established protocols is essential to minimize the likelihood of complications such as trauma and infection, thereby reducing the occurrence of both postoperative PN recurrence and IPT.

ObjectiveTo compare the effect of three kinds of intrinsic foot muscle exercise on flatfoot. MethodsFrom September to November, 2022, 45 subjects with flatfoot from Capital University of Physical Education and Sports were randomly divided into short foot exercise (SFE) group (n = 15), toe-spread-out exercise (TSOE) group (n = 15) and short foot & toe-spread-out exercise (SF+TSOE) group (n = 15), who received SFE, TSOE and SF+TSOE, respectively, for eight weeks. The cross-sectional area of abductor hallucis muscle, navicular drop test (NDT) and Chippaux-Smirak index (CSI) were measured before treatment, four weeks after treatment and eight weeks after treatment. ResultsThree subjects dropped out in each group. The main effect of time was significant for left and right cross-sectional area of abductor hallucis muscle, NDT and CSI (F > 13.906, P < 0.001). The main effect of group was not significant for left and right cross-sectional area of abductor hallucis muscle, NDT and CSI (F < 1.934, P > 0.05). The interaction effect of group and time was significant for left and right NDT (F > 3.044，P < 0.05), and it was better in SF+TSOE group than in SFE group and TSOE group (P < 0.05). ConclusionSF and TSOE can improve the cross-sectional area of abductor hallucis muscle and foot morphology in subjects with flatfoot, and the combination of them may be more effective.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of 99Tc m-methylene diphosphonate (MDP) at different stages of bone injury repair. Methods:A total of 30 rabbit models of femur injury were established by the method of electric drill and perforation of femur. According to the different stages of bone injury repair (at 1, 2 and 3 week), rabbits were divided into group A, B and C ( n=10 each group). Femoral SPECT/CT imaging was performed on the last day of different stages of bone injury repair to obtain radioactivity counts in the region of interest (ROI) on the test side and control side and to calculate target/background ratio (T/B). The light intensity of 3 groups was analyzed by phosphor screen imaging and the distribution of 99Tc m-MDP in bone cells was observed by autoradiography. One-way analysis of variance and paired t test were used to analyze the data. Results:The T/B values of group A, B and C were 1.16±0.14, 1.39±0.23 and 1.18±0.10, respectively ( F=5.83, P<0.01). There were significant differences of the maximum radiation count between the test side (50.00±12.45, 59.50±12.83 and 55.10±9.26) and the control side (43.20±9.57, 50.00±12.30 and 44.30± 6.50) in group A, B and C ( t values: 3.24, 2.28 and 5.77, all P<0.05). There were significant differences in the light intensity of bone specimens in group A, B and C by phosphor screen imaging (37 324.67±6 481.50, 60 950.33±9 781.72 and 43 905.00±4 957.92; F=8.25, P=0.02). 99Tc m-MDP were deposited in both intracellular and extracellular during different stages of bone repair in osteocytes and osteoblasts under autoradiography. Conclusion:At different stages of bone injury repair, the concentration of 99Tc m-MDP is significantly distributed, suggesting that there are other ways of concentration mechanism of 99Tc m-MDP in bone tissue besides the chemical adsorption with hydroxyapatite.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma with rhabdoid differentiation(mRCC-R) or sarcomatoid differentiation(mRCC-S)and the survival of the patients.Methods:The clinicopathological and postoperative follow-up data of 5 patients with mRCC-R and 9 with mRCC-S confirmed by pathology from February 2016 to December 2018 in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital were reviewed. There were 3 male and 2 female patients in mRCC-R group, with the average age of (60.2±7.1)years old. The clinic manifestation included back or abdominal pain in 2 cases, loss of appetite and weight in one case and founding during physical examination in 2 cases, with the average maximum diameter was (8.8±4.1)cm. The site of tumor included left kidney in 3 cases and right kidney in 2 cases. Lung metastasis was found in 4 cases. Lung and peritoneum metastasis was found in one case. There were 8 male and 1 female patients in mRCC-S group, with the average age of (58.0±8.0)years old. The clinic manifestation included back or abdominal pain in one case, loss of weight in one case, gross hematuria in one case and founding during physical examination in 6 cases. The average diameter of tumor was (8.9±3.5)cm. The site of tumor included left kidney in 4 cases and right kidney in 5 cases. Postoperative metastasis included lung in 3 cases, bone in one case, retroperitoneal lymph node in one case, brain in one case, lung associated with bone in one case. All of the patients were pathologically diagnosed with renal clear cell carcinoma. After metastasis, 5 cases of mRCC-R and 6 cases of mRCC-S were treated with Sorafenib, 2 cases of mRCC-S were treated with Sunitinib, and 1 case of mRCC-S was treated with Axitinib. The efficacy of TKI for the two specific pathological types and for single pathological type at the early postoperative period (within 3 months) and 3 months later was compared. Meanwhile, subgroup analysis was performed on the efficacy of TKI and survival of patients with same metastatic sites in the two groups.Results:The mean overall survival(OS) of mRCC-R and mRCC-S treated with TKI was (26.5±5.5)months and (20.7±4.7) months( P=0.329), and the mean progression-free survival (PFS) was (21.9±5.5) months and (6.3±2.1)months( P=0.013), respectively. Comparing the efficacy of using TKI in the early postoperative period and after 3 months, the mean OS was (27.5±6.5)months and (16.8±6.1)months ( P=0.619), and the mean PFS was (12.3±3.3)months and (3.3±1.7)months ( P=0.096), respectively. There was only 1 patient with mRCC-R who used TKI within 3 months after surgery, and the result was disease progressed and eventually died, OS was 3 months. Comparing the efficacy of TKI in mRCC-R and mRCC-S with lung metastasis alone, the mean OS was (33.3±2.2) months and (19.5±8.9)months ( P=0.118), and the mean PFS was (27.3±3.1) months and (7.8±4.2) months ( P=0.009), respectively. Patients with liver, bone or brain metastasis only occurred in mRCC-S, so it is unable to identify the efficacy of TKI in the two groups. Conclusions:The efficacy of TKI in the treatment of mRCC-R was better than mRCC-S, and there was statistically significant difference in PFS, especially in patients with lung metastasis alone in the two groups. There was no significant difference in the efficacy between patients with mRCC-R who took TKI in the early postoperative period (within 3 months)and those who took TKI after 3 months.

Migraine is a common disease that can cause disability, whose pathogeneses included traditional theory of vascular origin, cortical diffusion inhibition and trigeminal neurovascular reflex. Recent studies have found that there is a close relationship between patent foramen ovale (PFO) and migraine. With the development of cardiac catheterization technology, PFO closure has been used in treatment of migraine. A number of clinical studies have shown that PFO closure improves the symptoms of patients with migraine, especially the onset of migraine with aura. This article will review the research progress of PFO closure in the treatment of migraine.