ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and safety of the Qi-regulating and phlegm-removing method（Liu Junzitang Combined with Linggang Wuwei Jiangxintang） for treating acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （AECOPD） with increased eosinophils （EOS）. MethodsSixty-eight AECOPD patients with increased EOS who were hospitalized in the Department of Pulmonary Diseases of Jinhua Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from April 2023 to April 2024 were recruited and randomly assigned to an experimental group （EG） or a control group （CG）. Both groups received conventional Western medicine， with the EG additionally receiving Liujunzitang and Linggan Wuwei Jiangxintang. The therapeutic efficacy indicators were measured after the treatment. The main therapeutic efficacy indicators included partial pressure of oxygen （PaO₂） and partial pressure of carbon dioxide （PaCO₂）. The secondary efficacy indicators included the TCM symptom scores， the COPD Assessment Test （CAT） score， the Modified Medical Research Council （mMRC） Dyspnea Scale score， and the length of hospital stay. The indicators were measured at baseline and on days 3 and 7 of intervention. The safety was evaluated based on the adverse events. ResultsBaseline characteristics were not statistically different between the two groups. Compared with CG， EG showed no significant difference in PaO₂ （P=0.773）， PaCO₂ （P=0.632） and or CAT score （P=0.336） at on day 3 but better PaO₂ （P=0.004）， PaCO₂ （P=0.008）， and CAT score （P=0.013） were significantly better at on day 7. Compared with CGAfter treatment， EG had lower TCM syndrome scores of than CG EG on day 3 （P=0.005） and day 7 were significantly decreased （P0.001）. There was no significant difference in mMRC score between the two groups on day 3 （P=0.514） and day 7 （P=0.176） as wasor the length of hospital stay （P=0.915）. The generalized linear mixed model （GLMM） showed that compared with CG， EG had significant improvements over time in PaO₂， PaCO₂， TCM syndrome symptom scores， CAT score， and mMRC score. ConclusionRegulating qi Qi and removing phlegm combined with conventional Western medicine can significantly alleviateimprove the clinical symptoms and improve the lung function of AECOPD patients with increased EOS increased AECOPDwhich has and demonstrates good safety.

ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and safety of the Qi-regulating and phlegm-removing method（Liu Junzitang Combined with Linggang Wuwei Jiangxintang） for treating acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （AECOPD） with increased eosinophils （EOS）. MethodsSixty-eight AECOPD patients with increased EOS who were hospitalized in the Department of Pulmonary Diseases of Jinhua Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from April 2023 to April 2024 were recruited and randomly assigned to an experimental group （EG） or a control group （CG）. Both groups received conventional Western medicine， with the EG additionally receiving Liujunzitang and Linggan Wuwei Jiangxintang. The therapeutic efficacy indicators were measured after the treatment. The main therapeutic efficacy indicators included partial pressure of oxygen （PaO₂） and partial pressure of carbon dioxide （PaCO₂）. The secondary efficacy indicators included the TCM symptom scores， the COPD Assessment Test （CAT） score， the Modified Medical Research Council （mMRC） Dyspnea Scale score， and the length of hospital stay. The indicators were measured at baseline and on days 3 and 7 of intervention. The safety was evaluated based on the adverse events. ResultsBaseline characteristics were not statistically different between the two groups. Compared with CG， EG showed no significant difference in PaO₂ （P=0.773）， PaCO₂ （P=0.632） and or CAT score （P=0.336） at on day 3 but better PaO₂ （P=0.004）， PaCO₂ （P=0.008）， and CAT score （P=0.013） were significantly better at on day 7. Compared with CGAfter treatment， EG had lower TCM syndrome scores of than CG EG on day 3 （P=0.005） and day 7 were significantly decreased （P0.001）. There was no significant difference in mMRC score between the two groups on day 3 （P=0.514） and day 7 （P=0.176） as wasor the length of hospital stay （P=0.915）. The generalized linear mixed model （GLMM） showed that compared with CG， EG had significant improvements over time in PaO₂， PaCO₂， TCM syndrome symptom scores， CAT score， and mMRC score. ConclusionRegulating qi Qi and removing phlegm combined with conventional Western medicine can significantly alleviateimprove the clinical symptoms and improve the lung function of AECOPD patients with increased EOS increased AECOPDwhich has and demonstrates good safety.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of artemisinin （ART） on histopathological damage and salivary secretion in the submandibular gland （SMG） of mice with Sjögren's syndrome （SS） model，and on the expression of aquaporin 5 （AQP5） in SMG cells. MethodsThe NOD/Ltj mice were used as a model of SS and randomly divided into the SS model group，the ART group，and the hydroxychloroquine sulfate （HCQ） group，with six mice per group. Another 6 female BALB/c mice at the same week were selected as the control group. Mice in the ART group was fed with the ART solution daily in the dosage of 50 mg·kg^-1，and mice in the HCQ group was given with the HCQ solution （1 300 mg·kg^-1）. Mice in the SS model and control groups were given saline daily. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks. The 24-hour average water intake，salivary flow rate，SMG pathology scores of mice in each group were measured，as well as the expression levels of AQP5 protein and gene in the SMG tissues. ResultsCompared with the control group，the 24-hour average water intake of mice in the model group was significantly increased （P<0.01），and the saliva flow rate was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared to the SS model group，the 24-hour average water intake of mice in the ART and HCQ groups was significantly reduced （P<0.01），and the salivary flow rate was significantly increased in the ART group（P<0.01），comparisons between groups showed that the ART was superior to the HCQ in reducing water intake and improving saliva flow rate in SS model mice （P<0.05）. The HE staining results showed that，compared with the normal group，the number of lymphocyte infiltration foci in SMG tissue in the model group increased，and the pathological score increased （P<0.01）. Compared to the SS model group，after the intervention of the ART and HCQ，the number of lymphocytic infiltration foci in the SMG tissue decreased，the area of the lymphocytic infiltration foci was reduced，and the pathology score of the SMG tissues was lowered in the ART group（P<0.01）. However，there was no difference in pathological scores between the ART and HCQ groups . The results of IHC，Western blot，and Real-time PCR showed that，compared with the normal group，the expression levels of AQP5 protein and gene in SMG tissue in the model group significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Comparing with the SS model group，the ART and HCQ groups could significantly up-regulated the expression levels of AQP5 protein and mRNA in the SMG tissue，and the treatment effect was better than that of HCQ. ConclusionART was able to ameliorate SMG structural damage and salivary secretion function in SS model mice，and its mechanism of action may be related to the up-regulation of AQP5 protein and gene expression levels in SMG cells.

Currently, the drug delivery system (DDS) based on nanomaterials has become a hot interdisciplinary research topic. One of the core issues is drug loading and controlled release, in which the key lever is carriers. Vaterite, as an inorganic porous nano-material, is one metastable structure of calcium carbonate, full of micro or nano porous. Recently, vaterite has attracted more and more attention, due to its significant advantages, such as rich resources, easy preparations, low cost, simple loading procedures, good biocompatibility and many other good points. Vaterite, gained from suitable preparation strategies, can not only possess the good drug carrying performance, like high loading capacity and stable loading efficiency, but also improve the drug release ability, showing the better drug delivery effects, such as targeting release, pH sensitive release, photothermal controlled release, magnetic assistant release, optothermal controlled release. At the same time, the vaterite carriers, with good safety itself, can protect proteins, enzymes, or other drugs from degradation or inactivation, help imaging or visualization with loading fluorescent drugs in vitro and in vivo, and play synergistic effects with other therapy approaches, like photodynamic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, and thermochemotherapy. Latterly, some renewed reports in drug loading and controlled release have led to their widespread applications in diverse fields, from cell level to clinical studies. This review introduces the basic characteristics of vaterite and briefly summarizes its research history, followed by synthesis strategies. We subsequently highlight recent developments in drug loading and controlled release, with an emphasis on the advantages, quantity capacity, and comparations. Furthermore, new opportunities for using vaterite in cell level and animal level are detailed. Finally, the possible problems and development trends are discussed.

BACKGROUND: The achievement of an optimal return to sport (RTS) has remained a key goal after sports-related injuries, with the ongoing debate on the effectiveness of different surgical approaches for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. This study aims to assess clinical outcomes and RTS across various surgical methods, such as anatomical single-bundle reconstruction (ASBR), central-axial single-bundle reconstruction (CASBR), and double-bundle reconstruction (DBR). METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted, comprising 191 patients who underwent ACL rupture. These patients were divided into three groups based on the ACL reconstruction techniques they received (ASBR, CASBR, DBR). Over the 2-year follow-up period, the study assessed RTS through four single-hop tests, isokinetic extension tests, and limb asymmetry indices. Postoperative graft status was determined using the signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ), while knee function was evaluated using the International Knee Documentation Committee 2000 (IKDC-2000) score, Lysholm score, Tegner score, and degree of knee laxity. A binary logistic regression model was developed to forecast the factors influencing ideal RTS. RESULTS: DBR (67.63%) and CASBR (58.00%) exhibited higher RTS passing rates compared to ASBR (30.39%; χ2 = 19.57, P <0.05). Quadriceps strength symmetry in the lower limbs was identified as the key determinant of RTS ( χ2 = 17.08, P <0.05). The RTS rate was influenced by SNQs of the graft's tibial site (odds ratio: 0.544) and quadriceps strength of the reconstructed knee joint at 60°/s (odds ratio: 6.346). Notably, the DBR group showed enhanced knee stability, evidenced by superior results in the Lachman test ( χ2 = 13.49, P <0.01), objective IKDC-2000 ( χ2 = 27.02, P = 0.002), and anterior instability test ( χ2 = 9.46, P <0.01). Furthermore, DBR demonstrated superior clinical outcomes based on the Lysholm score (DBR: 89.57 ± 7.72, CASBR: 83.00 ± 12.71, ASBR: 83.21 ± 11.95; F = 10.452, P <0.01) and IKDC-2000 score (DBR: 90.95 ± 7.00, CASBR: 84.64 ± 12.68, ASBR: 83.63 ± 11.41; F = 11.78, P <0.01). CONCLUSION: For patients with ACL rupture, more ideal RTS rate and clinical outcomes were shown in the DBR group than in the ASBR and CASBR groups. Autograft status and quadriceps strength are postively related to RTS. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05400460).
Humans ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery* ; Young Adult ; Return to Sport ; Adolescent ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: While emotional distress, encompassing anxiety and depression, has been associated with negative clinical outcomes, its impact across various clinical departments and general hospitals has been less explored. Previous studies with limited sample sizes have examined the effectiveness of specific treatments (e.g., antidepressants) rather than a systemic management strategy for outcome improvement in non-psychiatric inpatients. To enhance the understanding of the importance of addressing mental health care needs among non-psychiatric patients in general hospitals, this study retrospectively investigated the impacts of emotional distress and the effects of early detection and management of depression and anxiety on hospital length of stay (LOS) and rate of long LOS (LLOS, i.e., LOS >30 days) in a large sample of non-psychiatric inpatients. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 487,871 inpatients from 20 non-psychiatric departments of a general hospital. They were divided, according to whether they underwent a novel strategy to manage emotional distress which deployed the Huaxi Emotional Distress Index (HEI) for brief screening with grading psychological services (BS-GPS), into BS-GPS ( n = 178,883) and non-BS-GPS ( n = 308,988) cohorts. The LOS and rate of LLOS between the BS-GPS and non-BS-GPS cohorts and between subcohorts with and without clinically significant anxiety and/or depression (CSAD, i.e., HEI score ≥11 on admission to the hospital) in the BS-GPS cohort were compared using univariable analyses, multilevel analyses, and/or propensity score-matched analyses, respectively. RESULTS: The detection rate of CSAD in the BS-GPS cohort varied from 2.64% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.49%-2.81%) to 20.50% (95% CI: 19.43%-21.62%) across the 20 departments, with a average rate of 5.36%. Significant differences were observed in both the LOS and LLOS rates between the subcohorts with CSAD (12.7 days, 535/9590) and without CSAD (9.5 days, 3800/169,293) and between the BS-GPS (9.6 days, 4335/178,883) and non-BS-GPS (10.8 days, 11,483/308,988) cohorts. These differences remained significant after controlling for confounders using propensity score-matched comparisons. A multilevel analysis indicated that BS-GPS was negatively associated with both LOS and LLOS after controlling for sociodemographics and the departments of patient discharge and remained negatively associated with LLOS after controlling additionally for the year of patient discharge. CONCLUSION Emotional distress significantly prolonged the LOS and increased the LLOS of non-psychiatric inpatients across most departments and general hospitals. These impacts were moderated by the implementation of BS-GPS. Thus, BS-GPS has the potential as an effective, resource-saving strategy for enhancing mental health care and optimizing medical resources in general hospitals.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Psychological Distress ; Inpatients/psychology* ; Aged ; Anxiety/diagnosis* ; Depression/diagnosis*

Continuous manufacturing, as an innovative pharmaceutical production model, offers advantages such as high production efficiency and ease of control compared to traditional batch production, aligning with the future trend of drug production moving toward greater efficiency and intelligence. However, the development of continuous manufacturing technology in wet granulation has been slow. On one hand, this is closely related to its high technical complexity, substantial equipment investment costs, and stringent process control requirements. On the other hand, the long-term use of the traditional batch production model has created strong path dependence, and the lack of mature standardized processes further increases the difficulty of technological transformation. To promote the deep integration of wet granulation technology with continuous manufacturing, this review systematically outlines the current application of wet granulation in continuous manufacturing. It focuses on the development of key technologies such as online detection, process modeling, and process scale-up, with the aim of providing a reference for process innovation and application in wet granulation.
Drug Compounding/instrumentation* ; Technology, Pharmaceutical/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Models, Theoretical

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of the Focused Solution Model Nursing intervention on quality of life, negative emotions of the patients with prostate cancer. Methods： A total of 82 prostate cancer patients who were diagnosed and treated at the General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command between September 2022 and September 2024 were included and randomly divided into study group and control group by the method of random number table, with 41 patients in each group. The patients in the study group were treated with Focused Solution Model Nursing intervention. And the routine care was used in the control group The quality of life and negative emotions were compared between the two groups by using the scales of World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF), HAMA and HAMD. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the patients in the study group exhibited significantly higher scores in the physiological, psychological, environmental, and social relationship domains of the WHOQOL-BREF scale (P<0.05). The scores of HAMA and HAMD in study group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). Additionally, all subscales of the Social Impact Scale including social exclusion, internalized shame, social isolation and economic discrimination were significantly lower than those of the study group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Focused Solution Model Nursing intervention can effectively improve the quality of life and negative emotions of the prostate cancer patients in the clinical treatment.
Humans ; Male ; Quality of Life ; Prostatic Neoplasms/nursing* ; Emotions ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies