The medicinal use of Malvae Semen has a long history. In this paper， by consulting the ancient materia medica， prescription， agronomy， literature and other aspects of the classics， the name， origin， evolution of scientific name， quality， harvesting and processing， functions and indications and others of Malvae Semen were systematically sorted out and verified， so as to provide a basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. According to the textual research， Shennong Bencaojing began to use Dongkuizi as the correct name， which was used in the past dynasties， and there were also aliases such as Kuicaizi， Huacai， and Kuizi. Through the original research， it can be seen that Kuicai is the mainstream original plant of Malvae Semen， that is， Malva verticillata var. crispa， the Alcea rosea and M. cathayensis are also used. In modern times， the seeds of Abutilon theophrasti have been passed off as Malvae Semen， while the seeds of M. verticillata var. crispa have rarely been used in medicine. And Abutili Semen has been another medicinal material with different efficacy since the collection of Newly Revised Materia Medica in the Tang dynasty. Since the Ming and Qing dynasties， the cultivation of Kuicai has been decreasing， while A. theophrasti is more common and easy to obtain， and Abutili Semen and Malvae Semen are similar in morphology and confused， which should be corrected. In addition， Malvae Fructus is a Mongolian customary medicinal herb， which is different from the traditional use of seeds in traditional Chinese medicine. Kuicai， as an important vegetable in history， was widely cultivated and gradually shrunk after the Song dynasty， it is now mainly produced in southern provinces. The quality evaluation of Malvae Semen is better for those with dry bodies， full grain， grayish brown color， no mud， and no impurities. The harvesting is generally in the autumn and winter. After drying， it is seeded， sieved peel and impurities， mashed， or slightly stir-fried to yellow-white color with gentle fire. It is sweet， cold and slippery in nature and taste， with the main effects of laxation， diuresis， lactation and elimination of swelling. The efficacy of Abutili Semen is clearing heat and removing toxicity， promoting diuresis and removing nebula， the efficacy is quite different from that of Malvae Semen. Based on the results of textual research， it is suggested that M. verticillata var. crispa should be used as the medicinal source of Malvae Semen in the development of famous classical formulas， the corresponding processing methods should be selected according to the requirements of drug processing in the formulas， while the raw products are recommended to be used if the processing is not specified.

The medicinal use of Malvae Semen has a long history. In this paper， by consulting the ancient materia medica， prescription， agronomy， literature and other aspects of the classics， the name， origin， evolution of scientific name， quality， harvesting and processing， functions and indications and others of Malvae Semen were systematically sorted out and verified， so as to provide a basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. According to the textual research， Shennong Bencaojing began to use Dongkuizi as the correct name， which was used in the past dynasties， and there were also aliases such as Kuicaizi， Huacai， and Kuizi. Through the original research， it can be seen that Kuicai is the mainstream original plant of Malvae Semen， that is， Malva verticillata var. crispa， the Alcea rosea and M. cathayensis are also used. In modern times， the seeds of Abutilon theophrasti have been passed off as Malvae Semen， while the seeds of M. verticillata var. crispa have rarely been used in medicine. And Abutili Semen has been another medicinal material with different efficacy since the collection of Newly Revised Materia Medica in the Tang dynasty. Since the Ming and Qing dynasties， the cultivation of Kuicai has been decreasing， while A. theophrasti is more common and easy to obtain， and Abutili Semen and Malvae Semen are similar in morphology and confused， which should be corrected. In addition， Malvae Fructus is a Mongolian customary medicinal herb， which is different from the traditional use of seeds in traditional Chinese medicine. Kuicai， as an important vegetable in history， was widely cultivated and gradually shrunk after the Song dynasty， it is now mainly produced in southern provinces. The quality evaluation of Malvae Semen is better for those with dry bodies， full grain， grayish brown color， no mud， and no impurities. The harvesting is generally in the autumn and winter. After drying， it is seeded， sieved peel and impurities， mashed， or slightly stir-fried to yellow-white color with gentle fire. It is sweet， cold and slippery in nature and taste， with the main effects of laxation， diuresis， lactation and elimination of swelling. The efficacy of Abutili Semen is clearing heat and removing toxicity， promoting diuresis and removing nebula， the efficacy is quite different from that of Malvae Semen. Based on the results of textual research， it is suggested that M. verticillata var. crispa should be used as the medicinal source of Malvae Semen in the development of famous classical formulas， the corresponding processing methods should be selected according to the requirements of drug processing in the formulas， while the raw products are recommended to be used if the processing is not specified.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of different volumes of ropivacaine for iliopsoas muscle plane block on quadriceps strength in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty.Methods:In this prospective study, 75 patients of either sex, aged 40-80 yr, with a body mass index of 18.5-30.0 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ-Ⅲ, undergoing elective hip arthroplasty from June to December 2023 at Baoding First Central Hospital, were randomized into 3 groups ( n=25 each) by using a computer-generated randomization sequence: ropivacaine 5 ml group (group Ⅰ), ropivacaine 10 ml group (group Ⅱ), and ropivacaine 15 ml group (group Ⅲ). Before induction of anesthesia, iliopsoas muscle plane block was performed with 0.5% ropivacaine 5, 10 and 15 ml in Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups, respectively. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block was carried out using 0.5% ropivacaine 5 ml in all the three groups. The quadriceps muscle strength and status of quadriceps motor block in the affected limb were assessed on admission to postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and at 2, 4, 6, 24 and 48 h after surgery. The consumption of dezocine, score for patient′s satisfaction with analgesia, and occurrence of complications were recorded. Results:Compared with group Ⅰ, the quadriceps muscle strength scores were significantly decreased on admission to PACU and at 2, 4 and 6 h postoperatively in group Ⅲ, the rate of quadriceps motor block was significantly increased on admission to PACU in group Ⅱ, and the rate of quadriceps motor block was significantly increased on admission to PACU and at 2 and 4 h postoperatively in group Ⅲ ( P<0.05), and the consumption of dezocine was significantly decreased in group Ⅱ and group Ⅲ ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The recommended volume of ropivacaine for iliopsoas plane block is 10 ml in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty.

Objective To characterize the clinical features of the group of gout patients to facilitate earlier identifi-cation,and optimize the diagnosis and treatment of the condition.Methods The retrospective study analyzed 24 gout patients with shoulder joint(s)involved and consulted by physicians of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from March 2021 to April 2025,while 70 outpatient gout patients matched by clinical course duration and sex were enrolled as control group.Clinical data including medical history,laboratory tests,therapeutic interventions.Prog-nosis was systematically collected to delineate the distinctive clinical manifestations of the patients.Results All 24 gout patients with shoulder joints involved were male,aged(43.16±13.13)years and had an average BMI of 27.70±4.63.The duration of gout was 8(5,12)years while of those patients had an early onset before 30 years old.The maximal serum uric acid concentration was(754.15±175.79)μmol/L.It was shown by case review that 16.67％of the patients were asymptomatic,and 79.17％suffered from shoulder pain.A quarter of the patients developed subcutaneous tophi.All the patients affected(P＜0.05).The affected joints ascended from lower extremities to the upper averagely took 4.72±2.80 years and had heavier burden of hyperuricemia(P＜0.05),while no significant difference was found in renal function and inflammation level.Conclusions Gout patients with shoulder joints involvement are older and have atypical manifestation.The diagnosis needs support of imaging or ar-throcentesis.

The excessive accumulation of advanced glycosylation end products(AGEs), the end products of non-enzymatic glycosylation reactions, can be involved in the pathological processes of various ocular diseases through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammatory responses and apoptosis. In this paper, we systematically reviewed the key role of AGEs in diabetic keratopathy, cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration(ARMD)and diabetic retinopathy(DR). It was found that AGEs activate signalling pathways such as NADPH oxidase, MAPK and NF-κB by binding to the receptor RAGE, leading to reactive oxygen species(ROS)generation, release of inflammatory factors, and vascular endothelial dysfunction, which in turn induces delayed corneal healing, cross-linking of lens proteins, optic nerve degeneration, formation of choroidal neovascularisation(CNV), and blood-retinal barrier(BRB)disruption. For example, in diabetic keratopathy, AGEs delay wound healing via the ROS/NLRP3 inflammatory vesicle axis; in cataract, ascorbic acid-mediated cross-linking of lens proteins due to AGEs directly impairs lens transparency; and in DR, AGEs exacerbate microvascular damage by regulating vasucular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)expression and pericyte apoptosis. In addition, this article discusses the advances and limitations of AGEs detection techniques, such as the potential application of lens AGEscan fluorescence assay in screening for diabetic complications, and the need to develop tissue-specific assays for aqueous humour and vitreous. For therapeutic strategies, the research directions of inhibiting AGEs production, blocking RAGE signalling pathway and developing anti-glycosylation drugs are proposed to emphasise their clinical value in delaying disease progression. This review not only integrates the molecular mechanisms and clinical associations of AGEs in ocular diseases, but also provides a theoretical basis for targeted interventions, which is of great significance in exploring novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of cathepsin B(CTSB)/NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3)pathway on the polarization of macrophages induced by LPS.Methods:The well-growing RAW264.7 mouse mononuclear macrophage lines were cultured in vitro and divided into 3 groups(n=6)according to the random number table method:control group(C group),LPS group(L group)and LPS+CA074-me(CTSB inhibitors)group(B group).C group was cultured normally for 24 h,L group was cultured with LPS concentration of 1 μg/ml medium for 24 h.B group was pretreated with CTSB inhibitor CA074-me 30 μmol/L for 1 h before LPS induction,and co-cultured with LPS concentration of 1 μg/ml medium for 24 h.After 24 hours,the morphological changes of the cells were observed by microscope,the concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatant were determined by ELISA.The ex-pressions of cathepsin B precursor(pro-CTSB),mature cathepsin B(mature-CTSB),NLRP3,apoptosis-related speck protein(ASC)and apoptosis-related speck protein-1(caspase-1)were detected by Western blot.The mRNA expression levels of CD32,inducible ni-tric oxide synthase(iNOS),arginase 1(Arg-1)and CD206 were detected by qRT-PCR.The positive expression rates of M1 macro-phage surface marker CD86 and M2 macrophage surface marker CD206 were detected by flow cytometry.Results:Compared with group C,the morphology of cells in groups L and B became larger and pseudopodia appeared.The concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatant were increased,the expressions of pro-CTSB,mature-CTSB,NLRP3,ASC and caspase-1 were increased,and the expressions of CD32,iNOS mRNA were up-regulated and the positive rates of CD86 and CD206 were increased(P<0.01).Arg-1 and CD206 mRNA in group B were up-regulated(P<0.01).Compared with group L,the pseudopodia of group B were reduced,and the morphology was closer to group C.The concentration of IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatant,the expression of mature-CTSB,NLRP3,ASC and caspase-1,CD32 and iNOS mRNA and the positive rate of CD86 were down-regulated in group B.The expression of pro-CTSB,Arg-1 and CD206 mRNA and the positive rate of CD206 were increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Inhibition of CTSB/NLRP3 pathway can reduce the inflammatory response,reduce the LPS-induced polarization of RAW264.7 cells to M1 macrophages,and pro-mote their polarization to M2 macrophages.

Adenosine triphosphate(ATP),as a rich energy currency in cells,is released into the extracellular space through a variety of regulatory mechanisms.The role of extracellular ATP(eATP)and related purine and pyrimidine nucleotides as extracellu-lar signal molecules regulating immune cell function has been reported as evidence of purine signal transduction and has become the focus of attention as a therapeutic target for various diseases.Mast cells(MC)are distributed in tissues that come into contact with the external environment and are the first immune cells to respond to non-microbial environmental antigens.Although eATP is considered to be an activator of MC,the details remain to be further elucidated.This article describes the role of purine receptor signaling in MC degranulation.It expands the further understanding of the mechanism of allergic diseases,and further provides ideas for finding new targets for the treatment of allergic diseases and formulating new treatment strategies.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of cathepsin B(CTSB)/NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3)pathway on the polarization of macrophages induced by LPS.Methods:The well-growing RAW264.7 mouse mononuclear macrophage lines were cultured in vitro and divided into 3 groups(n=6)according to the random number table method:control group(C group),LPS group(L group)and LPS+CA074-me(CTSB inhibitors)group(B group).C group was cultured normally for 24 h,L group was cultured with LPS concentration of 1 μg/ml medium for 24 h.B group was pretreated with CTSB inhibitor CA074-me 30 μmol/L for 1 h before LPS induction,and co-cultured with LPS concentration of 1 μg/ml medium for 24 h.After 24 hours,the morphological changes of the cells were observed by microscope,the concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatant were determined by ELISA.The ex-pressions of cathepsin B precursor(pro-CTSB),mature cathepsin B(mature-CTSB),NLRP3,apoptosis-related speck protein(ASC)and apoptosis-related speck protein-1(caspase-1)were detected by Western blot.The mRNA expression levels of CD32,inducible ni-tric oxide synthase(iNOS),arginase 1(Arg-1)and CD206 were detected by qRT-PCR.The positive expression rates of M1 macro-phage surface marker CD86 and M2 macrophage surface marker CD206 were detected by flow cytometry.Results:Compared with group C,the morphology of cells in groups L and B became larger and pseudopodia appeared.The concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatant were increased,the expressions of pro-CTSB,mature-CTSB,NLRP3,ASC and caspase-1 were increased,and the expressions of CD32,iNOS mRNA were up-regulated and the positive rates of CD86 and CD206 were increased(P<0.01).Arg-1 and CD206 mRNA in group B were up-regulated(P<0.01).Compared with group L,the pseudopodia of group B were reduced,and the morphology was closer to group C.The concentration of IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatant,the expression of mature-CTSB,NLRP3,ASC and caspase-1,CD32 and iNOS mRNA and the positive rate of CD86 were down-regulated in group B.The expression of pro-CTSB,Arg-1 and CD206 mRNA and the positive rate of CD206 were increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Inhibition of CTSB/NLRP3 pathway can reduce the inflammatory response,reduce the LPS-induced polarization of RAW264.7 cells to M1 macrophages,and pro-mote their polarization to M2 macrophages.

Adenosine triphosphate(ATP),as a rich energy currency in cells,is released into the extracellular space through a variety of regulatory mechanisms.The role of extracellular ATP(eATP)and related purine and pyrimidine nucleotides as extracellu-lar signal molecules regulating immune cell function has been reported as evidence of purine signal transduction and has become the focus of attention as a therapeutic target for various diseases.Mast cells(MC)are distributed in tissues that come into contact with the external environment and are the first immune cells to respond to non-microbial environmental antigens.Although eATP is considered to be an activator of MC,the details remain to be further elucidated.This article describes the role of purine receptor signaling in MC degranulation.It expands the further understanding of the mechanism of allergic diseases,and further provides ideas for finding new targets for the treatment of allergic diseases and formulating new treatment strategies.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of different volumes of ropivacaine for iliopsoas muscle plane block on quadriceps strength in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty.Methods:In this prospective study, 75 patients of either sex, aged 40-80 yr, with a body mass index of 18.5-30.0 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ-Ⅲ, undergoing elective hip arthroplasty from June to December 2023 at Baoding First Central Hospital, were randomized into 3 groups ( n=25 each) by using a computer-generated randomization sequence: ropivacaine 5 ml group (group Ⅰ), ropivacaine 10 ml group (group Ⅱ), and ropivacaine 15 ml group (group Ⅲ). Before induction of anesthesia, iliopsoas muscle plane block was performed with 0.5% ropivacaine 5, 10 and 15 ml in Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups, respectively. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block was carried out using 0.5% ropivacaine 5 ml in all the three groups. The quadriceps muscle strength and status of quadriceps motor block in the affected limb were assessed on admission to postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and at 2, 4, 6, 24 and 48 h after surgery. The consumption of dezocine, score for patient′s satisfaction with analgesia, and occurrence of complications were recorded. Results:Compared with group Ⅰ, the quadriceps muscle strength scores were significantly decreased on admission to PACU and at 2, 4 and 6 h postoperatively in group Ⅲ, the rate of quadriceps motor block was significantly increased on admission to PACU in group Ⅱ, and the rate of quadriceps motor block was significantly increased on admission to PACU and at 2 and 4 h postoperatively in group Ⅲ ( P<0.05), and the consumption of dezocine was significantly decreased in group Ⅱ and group Ⅲ ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The recommended volume of ropivacaine for iliopsoas plane block is 10 ml in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty.