ObjectiveTo establish a high-performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） for the quantitative analysis of multiple components in Gegen Qinlian tablets， and to comprehensively evaluate the quality of samples from different manufacturers by integrating chemical pattern recognition and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution（TOPSIS）， in order to provide a reference basis for quality evaluation and control of Gegen Qinlian tablets. MethodsHPLC was employed to determine the contents of 10 components in 28 batches of Gegen Qinlian tablets collected from 6 manufacturers， and taking the detection results as variables， SIMCA 14.1 and SPSS 26.0 were employed for cluster analysis（CA）， principal component analysis（PCA）， and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） to identify key components affecting the quality. Then， TOPSIS analysis was employed to rank the quality of Gegen Qinlian tablets from the 6 manufacturers and establish a comprehensive quality evaluation method. ResultsA quantitative method for Gegen Qinlian tablets was established. After methodological validation， the method was found to be stable and reliable， and could be used for the quantitative analysis of this preparation. The contents of 3′-hydroxy puerarin， puerarin， 3′-methoxy puerarin， daidzein， coptisine hydrochloride， epiberberine， jatrorrhizine hydrochloride， berberine hydrochloride， palmatine hydrochloride and baicalin in 28 batches of samples were 3.58-7.35， 24.88-42.32， 4.20-9.36， 4.33-7.60， 2.52-6.44， 0.93-4.10， 0.58-3.05， 10.68-22.92， 0.82-4.82， 11.73-60.16 mg·g^-1， respectively. Among them， puerarin， berberine hydrochloride and baicalin all met the limit requirements for this preparation specified in the 2025 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. CA and PCA clustered the 28 batches of samples into 5 categories， PCA extracted 2 principal components with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 90.588%， and OPLS-DA screened out 4 differential markers with variable importance in the projection（VIP） values>1.0， namely baicalin， 3′-hydroxy puerarin， coptisine hydrochloride and palmatine hydrochloride， which might be the main components affecting the quality of Gegen Qinlian tablets. TOPSIS analysis showed that the comprehensive score of each evaluation index（C_i） values of different manufacturers were different. Among them， the C_i of manufacturer B was ranked higher， indicating potentially superior quality， while the C_i of manufacturer A was ranked lower， suggesting potentially inferior quality. ConclusionThis study establishes a quantitative method for Gegen Qinlian tablets， and the content uniformity of the same manufacturer is good， while there are differences in the contents of active components among different manufacturers. Through the chemical pattern recognition analysis， it is found that the content differences of Gegen Qinlian tablets may be related to baicalin， 3′-hydroxy puerarin， coptisine hydrochloride and palmatine hydrochloride.

BACKGROUND:Early exercise treatment is the main prevention way for traumatic joint contracture and is also a research focus.Swimming may be a potential intervention for joint contracture due to the special physical properties of water. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of swimming on the development of joint contracture in a rat model and study its mechanisms. METHODS:Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank control group(n=8)and a joint contracture group(n=16).After the surgical operation of knee joint contracture rat models,the joint contracture group was randomly subdivided into a surgical control group(n=8)and a swimming treatment group(n=8).Swimming started in the swimming treatment group in the second week after surgery and lasted for a total of 5 weeks.At the 6th week after surgery,the body mass,knee joint range of motion,and quadriceps diameter were tested,and the diameter/body mass index was calculated.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to detect the pathological changes in the knee joint capsule and quadriceps muscle,and Masson staining was used to observe fibrotic changes in the knee joint capsule.Furthermore,the protein expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen in the knee joint capsule was quantified by immunohistochemical assay and western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of MuRF1 in the quadriceps femoris. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank control group,the knee range of motion decreased in the surgical control and swimming treatment groups(P<0.01),and knee extension deficit and arthrogenic extension deficit were significantly increased(P<0.01),the diameter of the quadriceps muscle was decreased(P<0.01),the joint capsule showed significant fibrosis,the quadriceps muscle was atrophied,and the diameter/body mass index was decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the surgical control group,the swimming treatment group showed a significant increase in knee joint range of motion and quadriceps diameter(P<0.01),and significant improvement in joint capsule fibrosis and quadriceps atrophy.Compared with the blank control group,collagen fiber content and expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen were increased in the joint capsule of rats in both the surgical control group and the swimming treatment group(P<0.01).Compared with the surgical control group,collagen fiber content and expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen protein in the joint capsule were decreased in the swimming treatment group.Compared with the blank control group,the expression of MuRF1 protein in the quadriceps muscle of rats in the surgical control group and the swimming treatment group was increased(P<0.05).Compared with the surgical control group,the expression of MuRF1 protein in the quadriceps muscle of rats in the swimming treatment group was decreased(P<0.05).To conclude,early swimming intervention reduces transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen expression in the joint capsule of traumatic joint contracture rats,decreases MuRF1 expression in the quadriceps muscle,and increases joint range of motion and quadriceps diameter,thereby inhibiting the development of joint contracture.

Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia are two types of parasites that can cause intestinal infections in humans. Patients can be transmitted through the ingestion of food and drinking water contaminated with cysts, and present symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea after infection. If Entamoeba histolytica infection is not actively and effectively treated, patients may also present with clinical manifestations such as purulent and bloody stools and colonic ulcers. This study reports a diarrhea case with concurrent infection of Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia. During the diagnostic process, the parasites were rapidly detected using the direct saline smear method. Subsequently, iodine staining and iron hematoxylin staining techniques were employed to meticulously observe the internal structures and morphological features of the parasites under a microscope, enabling successful identification of the parasite species. The diagnostic process in this case suggests that laboratory personnel should further enhance their ability to recognize the morphological characteristics of cysts and trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia, providing an effective basis for the clinical differential diagnosis between Entamoeba histolytica infection and ulcerative colitis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) combined regimens for hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients in Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan Province from 2022 to 2024, to analyze the characteristics of treatment failure patients, so as to provide a basis for discovering more effective treatment regimens in the future. MethodsData on HCV prevention and treatment in Dehong Prefecture was extracted from the China Disease Control and Prevention Information System. A total of 617 patients with HCV antiviral therapy were included, and the differences in variable characteristics among patients with different genotypes were analyzed using comparative statistical tests, including basic socio-demographic characteristics, biochemical testing indicators, and information on previous treatment and current treatment. In addition, the cure rate of HCV patients with diverse characteristics was compared, and the potential causes of treatment failure were explored simultaneously. ResultsThe cure rate of HCV was 96.8%, and statistically significant differences were observed in aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, previous antiviral therapy history and initial treatment regimens among patients with different HCV genotypes (all P<0.05). Among the multi-type combination regimens, the cure rate of sofosbuvir (SOF)-containing regimens was 97.00%, that of velpatasvir (VEL)-containing regimens was 95.45%, and the cure rate of other treatment regimens, including the regimens with ribavirin (RIB) intervention, was 93.10%. Among the patients with treatment failure, 45.00% had genotype 3, 40.00% had abnormal abdominal ultrasound results, and all presented with elevated baseline AST test levels. ConclusionThe clinical treatment of HCV patients should consider the differences in genotype and biochemical test results. DAAs combined regimens for HCV have achieved a high cure rate in Dehong Prefecture and are applicable to HCV patients with diverse clinical characteristics, providing research evidence for wider application.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of chicken-claw needling with blade needle for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). METHODS: A total of 30 patients with PHN were treated with chicken-claw needling with blade needle, the most painful area, costal angle on the same side with the affected intercostal nerve and the midpoint of the line connecting the first two points along the intercostal nerve were selected as treatment points, without needle retained, once a week, a total of 2 times were required. Before and after treatment, the scores of pain visual analogue scale (VAS) and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) were observed, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment. The recurrence rate of neuralgia was evaluated on the 60th day after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of VAS and DLQI were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05). Of 30 patients, 4 cases were cured, 20 cases showed markedly efficacy, 4 cases were improved, 2 cases were ineffective, the total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30). The recurrence rate of neuralgia was 6.7% (2/30). CONCLUSION Chicken-claw needling with blade needle could effectively relieve the pain in patients with PHN, improve the quality of life and reduce the recurrence rate of neuralgia.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic/therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome ; Needles ; Adult

Objective To determine the optimal extraction process for kaempferol from Alpinia officinarum Hance and to investigate its antioxidant activity.Methods Based on single-factor experimental data,this study employed the Box-Behnken central composite design and response surface methodology(RSM),combined with high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC),to plot response surface and contour maps using kaempferol content as the response value.The optimal parameters for ethanol concentration,solid-liquid ratio,extraction time,and extraction temperature were selected.The antioxidant activity of kaempferol was comprehensively evaluated by calculating the radical scavenging rate using the DPPH radical scavenging assays.Results The optimal extraction conditions were determined to be an ethanol concentration of 84%,a solid-liquid ratio of 1∶80,an extraction time of 2 hours,and an extraction temperature of 82℃.Under these conditions,the kaempferol content extracted from Alpinia officinarum Hance reached 0.034 16%.In the DPPH radical scavenging assay,the extract showed a scavenging rate of 91.20%at a concentration of 1 mg/mL.Conclusion The optimized extraction process for kaempferol from Alpinia officinarum Hance was obtained using the Box-Behnken response surface design method,and this process is practical and feasible.The DPPH radical scavenging assay demonstrated that kaempferol from Alpinia officinarum Hance possesses antioxidant activity.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and possible mechanism of shikonin on neuroinflammation in sepsis- associated encephalopathy （SAE） rats by regulating the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase （cGAS）-stimulator of interferon gene （STING） signaling pathway. METHODS Rats were randomly separated into SAE group， shikonin low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （1.33， 2.66， 5.32 mg/kg）， high dose of shikonin+Roc A group （5.32 mg/kg shikonin+0.67 mg/kg cGAS-STING signaling pathway activator Roc A）， and control group， with 12 rats in each group. Except for the control group， SAE models were constructed in all other groups. After successful modeling， administration began once a day for 14 days. After administration， the Y-maze experiment and open-field experiment were applied to evaluate the learning and memory ability and anxiety state of rats， respectively. The pathological changes of neurons in the dentate gyrus （DG） of the hippocampus were observed. The number of CD86 and CD206 positive cells， the levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， IL-4 and IL-10， and the protein expressions of cGAS and STING were detected in the brain tissue of the hippocampus DG region. RESULTS Compared with the SAE group， the neuronal damage of rats in shikonin low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups were improved； the percentage of activity distance in the “new arm”， the duration of stay in the central area， walking distance， the number of intact neurons and CD206 positive cells in the brain tissue of the hippocampal DG area， and the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 increased/rised/prolonged significantly （P＜0.05）； the number of CD86 positive cells in the brain tissue of the hippocampal DG region， the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α， and protein expressions of cGAS and STING were significantly reduced/decreased/down-regulated （P＜0.05）， and the effect of shikonin was dose-dependent （P＜0.05）. Roc A could significantly reverse the improvement effect of high-dose shikonin on neuroinflammation in SAE rats （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Shikonin can improve neuroinflammation in SAE rats by inhibiting cGAS-STING signaling pathway.

Objective: To analyze the HIV detection results through different detection routes in Jiading District, Shanghai Municipality from 2009 to 2023, so as to provide the reference for improving HIV detection measures. Methods: Data pertaining to HIV detection in Jiading District from 2009 to 2023 was collected through the HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Control System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The number of HIV detection and HIV positive rates through detection routes including voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clinics, sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics, pre-operation and blood transfusion (products), premarital and antenatal periods, other clinical outpatients and other populations were described. Results: A total of 1 729 347 HIV tests were conducted in Jiading District from 2009 to 2023, with an average annual growth rate of 7.55%. A total of 1 125 HIV positive cases were confirmed, with an HIV positive rate of 6.51/104. The number of HIV detection conducted in VCT clinics, STD clinics, pre-operation and blood transfusion (products), premarital and antenatal periods, other clinical outpatients and other populations were 11 516, 112 880, 692 609, 635 770, 196 315 and 80 257, respectively. The main detection routes were pre-operation and blood transfusion (products) as well as premarital and antenatal periods, accounting for 40.05% and 36.76%, respectively. The HIV positive rates in VCT clinics, STD clinics, pre-operation and blood transfusion (products), premarital and antenatal periods, other clinical outpatients and other populations were 336.05/104, 21.79/104, 2.93/104, 0.35/104, 10.95/104 and 6.48/104, respectively. The HIV positive rate in VCT clinics was higher than that in other detection routes (all P<0.001). Conclusions From 2009 to 2023, the number of HIV tests increased in Jiading District, mainly through pre-operation and blood transfusion (products) as well as premarital and antenatal periods. The HIV positive rate was the highest in VCT clinics.

Viral hepatitis is an important cause of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer， which has become a major public health problem in the world. Traditional Chinese medicine has unique advantages in treating viral hepatitis， which can inhibit virus replication and enhance immunity. It can effectively prevent liver fibrosis and canceration， improving liver function and symptoms significantly with definite clinical curative effects， a high level of safety， and seldom drug resistance. In addition， it reduces the side effects of western medicine， achieving the effect of synergy and attenuation while reducing the recurrence rate of patients after drug withdrawal. Attention has been paid to the research on the treatment of viral hepatitis with traditional Chinese medicine， and great progress has been made in experimental research and clinical practice. In this paper， the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of viral hepatitis at home and abroad in recent five years was systematically reviewed. Modern research has confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine can play a role in the treatment of viral hepatitis by directly or indirectly inhibiting the virus， anti-inflammatory， anti-fibrosis， anti-oxidation， regulating immunity， regulating autophagy， and other signal pathways. In clinics， traditional Chinese medicine compound or combined with western medicine is often adopted to ameliorate the clinical symptoms of patients such as fatigue and loss of appetite， improve the immune mechanism of the body， enhance the antiviral ability， shorten the treatment course of patients and improve their quality of life. The research provides a reference for pharmacological research， clinical research， and new drug development for viral hepatitis.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate （TDF） is a first-line treatment for chronic hepatitis B. With increasing use worldwide， the adverse events of renal injury caused by this drug have also attracted industry attention. This article reports a 61- year-old patient with liver cancer complicated with hepatitis B virus （HBV） infection. The patient started using TDF in mid-March 2022 and developed kidney injury after 2 months of treatment， during which he received 2 courses of donafenib combined with sintilimab chemotherapy and irregular administration of diclofenac for pain relief. In this paper， Naranjo’s assessment scale was used to evaluate the drugs that may be associated with renal injury， including TDF and sintilimab， and the drugs that are suspected to be associated with renal injury are donafenib and diclofenac. The renal injury caused by TDF can be judged according to the changes in the patient’s condition， the incidence of drug-induced renal injury， clinical manifestations， occurrence time， occurrence mechanism， drug combination， and high-risk factors. The changes of serum creatinine in patients with liver cancer complicated with HBV infection after TDF should be dynamically monitored in the clinic， and the dose of antiviral drugs should be adjusted if necessary and other antiviral drugs with less impact on renal function can be selected， to provide individualized medication recommendations for tumor patients， reduce the incidence of TDF-related renal injury.