Following the release of the Technical Requirements on Quality Control and Standard Establishment of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Granules by the National Medical Products Administration in 2021, Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission has promulgated 296 national drug standards so far, and most provinces have started the work of establishing provincial standards as supplements. The promulgation of standards fostered high-quality development of the industry. Since the implementation of national and provincial standards for more than three years, enterprises have gained deep understanding and hands-on experiences on the characteristics, technical requirements, production process, and quality control of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) formula granules. Meanwhile, challenges have emerged restricting the high-quality development of this industry, including how to formulate quality control strategies for medicinal materials and decoction pieces, how to reduce manufacturing costs, and how to improve the pass rate and product stability under high standards. Based on the work experiences from standard management and process research, this article analyzed the distribution of sources, processing methods, dry extract rate ranges, process requirements for volatile oil-containing decoction pieces, control measures of safety indices, characteristics and trends of setting characteristic chromatograms or fingerprints, characteristics and trends of setting content ranges, and main differences between national standards and provincial standards. On the one hand, this article aims to present main characteristics for deeply understanding different indicators in standards and provide basic ideas for establishing quality and process control systems. On the other hand, from the perspective of industrial practice, suggestions are put forward on the important aspects that need to be focused on in the quality and process control of TCM formula granules.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Quality Control ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; China ; Drug Industry/standards*

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Tongxie Yaofang on the function of tumor-related natural killer （NK） cells under chronic stress and explore the possible molecular mechanism. MethodFifty SPF-grade BABL/C male mice were randomized into normal， model， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （6.825， 13.65， and 27.3 g·kg^-1， respectively） Tongxie Yaofang groups， with 10 mice in each group. Other groups except the blank group were subjected to 7 days of chronic restraint stress， and then forced swimming and tail suspension tests were carried out to evaluate the modeling performance. After the successful modeling， rats in Tongxie Yaofang groups were administrated with low-， medium-， and high-doses of Tongxie Yaofang by gavage， while those in the other groups were administrated with normal saline by gavage. After 14 days， each group of mice was inoculated with subcutaneous colon cancer to establish the model of colon cancer under chronic stress. The pathological changes of the tumor tissue in each group of mice were observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The content of CD49b-positive cells in the peripheral blood and tumor tissue of mice was measured by flow cytometry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the content of molecules associated with NK cell activation in the peripheral blood. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of major histocompatibility complex class Ⅰ polypeptide-related sequences A and B （MICA+MICB） and UL-16-binding protein 1 （ULBP1） in the tumor tissue. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed a decrease in 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） content and an increase in corticosterone （CORT） content in the serum （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， Tongxie Yaofang increased the 5-HT content and decreased the CORT content （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the normal group， the modeling increased the tumor volume and weight （P<0.05）， while Tongxie Yaofang inhibited such increases with no statistical significance. The tumor cells in the model group presented neat arrangement， irregular shape， uneven size， obvious atypia， common nuclear division， and small necrotic area， and blood vessels were abundant surrounding the tumor cells. Compared with the model group， Tongxie Yaofang groups showed sparse arrangement of tumor cells， different degrees of patchy necrosis areas in the tumor， and karyorrhexis， dissolution， and nuclear debris in the necrotic part. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed reduced CD49b-positive cells in the peripheral blood and tumor tissue （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Tongxie Yaofang increased CD49b-positive cells （medium dose P<0.01， high dose P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the normal group， the modeling lowered the serum levels of granzymes-B （Gzms-B）， perforin （PF）， interferon （IFN）-γ， and tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， low-dose Tongxie Yaofang elevated the serum levels of PF， Gzms-B， and TNF-α （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and medium-dose Tongxie Yaofang elevated the serum levels of Gzms-B， PF， IFN-γ， and TNF-α （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， high-dose Tongxie Yaofang elevated the serum levels of PF， IFN-γ， and TNF-α （P<0.01）. Compared with the normal group， the model group presented down-regulated protein level of ULBP1 （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose Tongxie Yaofang up-regulated the protein level of ULBP1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and medium- and high-dose Tongxie Yaofang up-regulated the protein level of MICA+MICB （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionTongxie Yaofang may promote NK cell activation by up-regulating the expression of MICA+MICB and ULBP1， thereby delaying the progression of colon cancer under chronic stress.

Objective To observe the effect of Tongxie Yaofang-containing serum on the cell cycle and apoptosis of colon cancer HCT116 cells,and to explore its possible biological mechanism.Methods Colon cancer HCT116 cells were divided into blank group and Tongxie Yaofang-containing serum group with different concentrations.Cell proliferation and activity detection-8(CCK8)was used to detect the effect of each group on the viability of HCT116 cells at 24,48 and 72 h;Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis and cycle arrest of HCT116 cells induced by different concentrations of Tongxie Yaofang-containing serum;Western blot was used to detect the protein expression level of Cell Cycle Regulatory Protein P21(P21),Cyclin B1,cyclin-dependent protein kinases-1(CDK1),B-lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-related X protein(Bax),phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K),phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(p-PI3K),protein kinase B(Akt)and phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-Akt)after different concentrations of Tongxie Yaofang-containing serum intervention.Results CCK8 showed that compared with the 10%blank group,10%Tongxie Yaofang-containing serum had a significant inhibitory effect on the viability of HCT116 cells only at 48 h(P<0.01);Compared with the 20%blank group,20%Tongxie Yaofang-containing serum could inhibit the viability of HCT116 cells at 48 and 72 h(P<0.01,P<0.05),and the increase of blank serum will not inhibit the viability of HCT116 cell,so 10%blank serum and 48 h were selected as the drug control and intervention time in the subsequent experiment.Flow Cytometry showed that,compared with the blank group,10%and 20%Tongxie Yaofang-containing serum could arrest HCT116 cell cycle in G2/M phase after 48 h of intervention(P<0.01),and induce HCT116 cell apoptosis.At the same time,Western blot showed that Tongxie Yaofang-containing serum could increase the expression of P21 and Bax to varying degrees,and reduces Cyclin B1,CDK1,Bcl-2,p-PI3K,p-Akt expression(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Tongxie Yaofang can inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of colon cancer HCT116 cells,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

The prevalence and recurrence rate of depressive disorder are high, while the recognition and cure rate are low. Early intervention can improve the quality of life of patients with depression. In clinical practice, it has been found that psychological treatments can effectively improve the symptoms and prognosis of depression.Cognitive behavior therapy(CBT) has been widely used in the treatment of depression, however, its mechanisms are still unclear. In this paper, the neuroimaging studies of patients with depression before and after CBT were summarized, and the structural or functional changes of different brain regions in patients with depression before and after CBT were described. The findings suggest that CBT improved depressive symptoms by increasing gray matter volume, activation level, and functional connectivity strength in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, reducing activation levels in the amygdala and parahippocampal gyrus, and restoring abnormal brain network activity or functional connectivity. Larger gray matter volume in anterior cingulate gyrus and higher activation levels in hippocampus and amygdala before treatment can effectively predict the effect of CBT in depressed patients. In the future, machine learning could be combined with brain imaging data to more accurately predict the effectiveness of CBT in treating depression.

Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Statins delay the occurrence and development of ASCVD, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and death. Due to safety concerns, there exist insufficient use of lipid-lowering agents and a high withdrawal rate of the agents in the elderly. To promote the prevention and treatment of ASCVD, this expert consensus is issued and focuses on the management of dyslipidemia of Chinese elderly basing on the clinical evidence of the use of lipid-lowering drugs by the elderly, and the lipid management guidelines and expert consensus recommendations at home and abroad.

Objective:To investigate the pathological characteristics and the clinical significance of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)-infected pneumonia (termed by WHO as coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19).Methods:Minimally invasive autopsies from lung, heart, kidney, spleen, bone marrow, liver, pancreas, stomach, intestine, thyroid and skin were performed on three patients died of novel coronavirus pneumonia in Chongqing, China. Hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE), transmission electron microcopy, and histochemical staining were performed to investigate the pathological changes of indicated organs or tissues. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted to evaluate the infiltration of immune cells as well as the expression of 2019-nCoV proteins. Real time PCR was carried out to detect the RNA of 2019-nCoV.Results:Various damages were observed in the alveolar structure, with minor serous exudation and fibrin exudation. Hyaline membrane formation was observed in some alveoli. The infiltrated immune cells in alveoli were majorly macrophages and monocytes. Moderate multinucleated giant cells, minimal lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils were also observed. Most of infiltrated lymphocytes were CD4-positive T cells. Significant proliferation of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelia and focal desquamation of alveolar epithelia were also indicated. The blood vessels of alveolar septum were congested, edematous and widened, with modest infiltration of monocytes and lymphocytes. Hyaline thrombi were found in a minority of microvessels. Focal hemorrhage in lung tissue, organization of exudates in some alveolar cavities, and pulmonary interstitial fibrosis were observed. Part of the bronchial epithelia were exfoliated. Coronavirus particles in bronchial mucosal epithelia and type Ⅱ alveolar epithelia were observed under electron microscope. Immunohistochemical staining showed that part of the alveolar epithelia and macrophages were positive for 2019-nCoV antigen. Real time PCR analyses identified positive signals for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid. Decreased numbers of lymphocyte, cell degeneration and necrosis were observed in spleen. Furthermore, degeneration and necrosis of parenchymal cells, formation of hyaline thrombus in small vessels, and pathological changes of chronic diseases were observed in other organs and tissues, while no evidence of coronavirus infection was observed in these organs.Conclusions:The lungs from novel coronavirus pneumonia patients manifest significant pathological lesions, including the alveolar exudative inflammation and interstitial inflammation, alveolar epithelium proliferation and hyaline membrane formation. While the 2019-nCoV is mainly distributed in lung, the infection also involves in the damages of heart, vessels, liver, kidney and other organs. Further studies are warranted to investigate the mechanism underlying pathological changes of this disease.

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in subgingival microflora before and after Er:YAG laser treatment on diabetic patients with periodontitis, and to compare with the subgingival microflora of chronic periodontitis.

METHODSSubgingival plaque of 13 pairs of teeth (26 sites) was selected from type 2 diabetic patients at pretreatment, one month post-treatment, and three months post-treatment. Subgingival plaque was also obtained from 11 cases of moderate to severe chronic periodontitis with similar severity of periodontitis. The DNA of the subgingival plaque samples was extracted. Whole bacterial 16S rDNA gene fragments separated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Specific DNA bands were then chosen for retrieval and sequencing.

RESULTSThe gene sequencing results of the special DNA bands of subgingival plaque samples show that the pathogenic bacteria of both diabetic periodontitis and simple chronic periodontitis were Prevotella intermedia and Tannerella forsythia, respectively. The composition of the subgingival microflora before and after laser treatment changed. Some DNA bands, including that of Tannerella forsythia, disappeared or weakened one month after treatment. A new strip appeared, which belonged to Actinomyces sp.

CONCLUSIONThe profiles of the subgingival microflora changed after treatment, and one month was indicated as an important stage. Er:YAG laser may have an important function in delaying microflora recolonization.

Objective To observe the changes in subgingival microflora before and after Er: YAG laser treatment on dia-betic patients with periodontitis, and to compare with the subgingival microflora of chronic periodontitis. Methods Subgingival plaque of 13 pairs of teeth (26 sites) was selected from type 2 diabetic patients at pretreatment, one month post-treatment, and three months post-treatment. Subgingival plaque was also obtained from 11 cases of moderate to severe chronic periodon-titis with similar severity of periodontitis. The DNA of the subgingival plaque samples was extracted. Whole bacterial 16S rDNA gene fragments separated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Specific DNA bands were then chosen for retrieval and sequencing. Results The gene sequencing results of the special DNA bands of subgingival plaque samples show that the pathogenic bacteria of both diabetic periodontitis and simple chronic periodontitis were Prevotella intermedia and Tannerella forsythia, respectively. The composition of the subgingival microflora before and after laser treatment changed. Some DNA bands, including that of Tannerella forsythia, disappeared or weakened one month after treatment. A new strip appeared, which belonged to Actinomyces sp. Conclusion The profiles of the subgingival microflora changed after treatment, and one month was indicated as an important stage. Er: YAG laser may have an important function in delaying microflora recolonization.

Objective To investigate the relationship between promoter hypermethylation of secreted frizzled-related protein (SFRP) gene and acute leukemia (AL). Methods We examined the promoter methylation starus of SFRP1, 2, 4 and 5 in primary or relapsed AL patients, cell lines ( HL60,NB4, Molt-4 and Jurkat) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy people with methylationspecific PCR (MSP). Results None of the normal mononuclear cells showed methylation of any SFRP genes. The frequencies of aberrant methylation among the samples were 33.9% (20/59) for SFRP1,23.7%(14/59) for SFRP2, 6. 8% (4/59) for SFRP4 and 10. 2% (6/59) for SFRP5 in acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), and 39.3% (11/28) for SFRP1, 28.6% (8/28) for SFRP2, 25.0% (7/28) for SFRP4 and 32. 1% (9/28) for SFRP5 in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Hypermethylation of SFRP1, 2, 5genes were present in the 4 AL cell lines. SFRP4 was methylated in NB4, Molt-4 and Jurkat cell lines.However, methylation and unmethylation of SFRP4 were both detected in HL60. Conclusions Hypermethylation of SFRP genes is a common event in the evolution of AL. Methylation of SFRP genes might serve as potential independent biomarkers for early detection of AL.