ObjectiveTo explore the dose-effect relationship and safety of high， medium， and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in the modified Huangqi Chifengtang （MHCD） for treating proteinuria in immunoglobulin A （IgA） nephropathy， and to provide scientific evidence for the clinical use of high-dose Astragali Radix in the treatment of proteinuria in IgA nephropathy. MethodsA total of 120 patients with IgA nephropathy， diagnosed with Qi deficiency and blood stasis combined with wind pathogen and heat toxicity， were randomly divided into a control group and three treatment groups. The control group received telmisartan combined with a Chinese medicine placebo， while the treatment groups were given telmisartan combined with MHCD containing different doses of raw Astragali Radix （60， 30， 15 g）. Each group contained 30 patients， and the treatment period was 12 weeks. Changes in 24-hour urinary protein （24 hUTP）， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores， effective rate， and renal function were observed before and after treatment. Safety was assessed by monitoring liver function and blood routine. ResultsAfter 12 weeks of treatment， 24 hUTP significantly decreased in the high， medium， and low-dose groups， as well as the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The TCM syndrome scores in the high， medium， and low-dose groups also significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Comparisons between groups showed that the 24 hUTP in the high-dose group was significantly lower than in the medium， low-dose， and control groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the 24 hUTP in the medium-dose group was significantly lower than in the control group （P<0.05）. The TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly lower than in the low-dose and control groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The total effective rates for proteinuria in the high， medium， low-dose， and control groups were 92.59% （25/27）， 85.19% （23/27）， 60.71% （17/28）， and 57.14% （16/28）， respectively. The effective rates in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly higher than in the low-dose and control groups （χ²=13.185， P<0.05， P<0.01）. The effective rates for TCM syndrome scores in the high， medium， low-dose， and control groups were 88.89% （24/27）， 81.48% （22/27）， 71.43% （20/28）， and 46.43% （13/28）， respectively. The efficacy of TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups was significantly higher than in the control group （χ²=14.053， P<0.01）. Compared with pre-treatment values， there was no statistically significant difference in eGFR and serum creatinine in the high and medium-dose groups. However， eGFR significantly decreased in the low-dose and control groups after treatment （P<0.05）， and serum creatinine levels increased significantly in the control group （P<0.05）. No statistically significant differences were observed in urea nitrogen， uric acid， albumin， total cholesterol， triglycerides， liver function， and blood routine before and after treatment in any group. ConclusionThere is a dose-effect relationship in the treatment of IgA nephropathy with high， medium， and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in MHCD. The high-dose group exhibited the best therapeutic effect and good safety profile.

Asarum forbesii is a perennial herb born in a shaded and humid environment, which is warm in nature. With the efficacy of warming lung, resolving fluid retention, and relieving coughs, it can be used to treat the syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. To investigate the effects of different shading conditions on the composition and efficacy of A. forbesii, this study planted A. forbesii under 20% natural light(NL20), 40% natural light(NL40), 60% natural light(NL60), and 80% natural light(NL80) and utilized ultra performance liquid chromatography(UPLC) and micro broth 2-fold dilution method to detect the volatile chemical compounds and the minimum inhibitory concentration. At the same time, the study investigated the effects of A. forbesii grown under different shading conditions on the signs, pathological changes of lung tissues, serum cytokine levels, activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ-Ⅴ in lung tissues, and relative expression of related genes of mice with syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. The results indicated that with the increase of shading, the content of kakuol, methyl eugenol, and asarinin in A. forbesii and the antibacterial effect showed a tendency of increasing first and then decreasing, and the NL40 group was significantly better than the other groups. Under the conditions of NL20 and NL40, A. forbesii significantly alleviated the pathological damage to lung tissues, restored the homeostasis of the lung, and enhanced the energy metabolism level of mice with syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. In addition, A. forbesii planted under the two conditions reduced the content of interleukin-8(IL-8), interleukin-13(IL-13), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and mucin 5AC(MUC5AC), increased the levels of interleukin-10(IL-10) and aquaporin 1(AQP1), lowered the expression of MMP9, VEGF, TGF-β, and MAPK3. In conclusion, the therapeutic effect of A. forbesii on the syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung was positively correlated with the degree of shading, and the chemical composition and efficacy of warming lung and resolving fluid retention were optimal under the conditions of NL20-NL40. This study can provide reference for the pharmacological research and cultivation of A. forbesii.
Animals ; Mice ; Lung/pathology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Light ; Cytokines/genetics* ; Humans

The dried mature peel of Citrus reticulata, a plant in the Rutaceae family and its cultivated varieties, is a commonly used Chinese medicinal material known as Chenpi(Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium). It is rich in nutritional components and medicinal value, with pharmacological effects including relieving cough and eliminating phlegm, strengthening the spleen and drying dampness, protecting the liver and benefiting the stomach, tonifying Qi, and calming the mind. Huanglongbing(HLB), also known as Citrus Huanglongbing, is a destructive disease in citrus production that seriously threatens the development of the citrus industry. HLB causes symptoms such as the inability of Rutaceae plants to produce mature fruit, gradual weakening of the tree, and eventual death, posing a significant threat to the yield and quality of Chenpi. Due to the uneven distribution of the HLB pathogen in infected plants, accurate detection of the pathogen requires the collection of a large number of plant samples. Current sample pretreatment methods, such as traditional extraction methods and commercial extraction kits, are time-consuming and involve multiple steps, which significantly increase the difficulty and workload of HLB diagnosis and have become a bottleneck in HLB detection. In this study, a rapid high-throughput detection method combining alkali lysis and TaqMan qPCR was developed. This method allows the pretreatment of multiple samples within 5 min, and the entire detection process can be completed within 45 min, with a detection limit of 6.67 fg·μL~(-1). The alkali lysis method and commercial kits were used for parallel detection of field-collected citrus samples, and the results showed no significant difference. The sample pretreatment method established in this study is characterized by low cost, simplicity, and high efficiency. Combined with TaqMan qPCR, it can provide technical support for early and on-site diagnosis of HLB. This method is of great significance for disease prevention and control in the citrus industry and is expected to help improve the yield and quality of citrus medicinal materials.
Citrus/microbiology* ; Plant Diseases/microbiology* ; Rhizobiaceae/physiology* ; High-Throughput Screening Assays/methods* ; Liberibacter/physiology*

Objective To investigate the protective effect of spermidine against lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced myocardial injury in mice and the underlying mechanism.Methods C57BL/6 mice subjected to intraperitoneal LPS injection with or without pretreatment with daily gavage of spermidine for 2 weeks were examined for myocardial pathologies using HE staining and transmission electron microscopy.In the cell experiment,cultured rat cardiomyocytes(H9c2 cells)were pretreated with 10 or 20 μmol/L spermidine before LPS exposure for 2 h,and the changes in cell viability and levels of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and cardiac troponin Ⅰ(cTNI)were assessed using CCK-8 kit,LDH detection kit and ELISA,respectively.Western blotting was performed to detect the changes in the expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,cleaved caspase-3,SLC7A11 and GPX4;the changes in reactive oxygen species(ROS)and Fe2+ levels were detected using fluorescent probes,and mitochondrial membrane potential of the cells was measured using JC-1 staining.Results Treatment of the mice with LPS induced obvious myocardial and mitochondrial damages,which were significantly alleviated by pretreatment with spermidine.In H9c2 cells,LPS exposure significantly lowered the cell viability,increased LDH and cTNI levels and expressions of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 levels,decreased expressions of Bcl-2,SLC7A11 and GPX4,increased ROS production and Fe2+ level(P<0.05),and lowered mitochondrial membrane potential(all P<0.05).These effects were significantly alleviated by SPD pretreatment of the cells prior to LPS exposure.Conclusion Spermidine alleviates LPS-induced myocardial injury by suppressing cell apoptosis and inhibiting cellular ROS production and ferroptosis.

Following the principles of evidence-based medicine,in accordance with the structure and drafting rules of standardized documents,based on literature research,according to the characteristics of chronic cough in children and issues that need to form a consensus,the TCM Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough in Children was formulated based on the Delphi method,expert discussion meetings,and public solicitation of opinions.The guideline includes scope of application,terms and definitions,eti-ology and diagnosis,auxiliary examination,treatment,prevention and care.The aim is to clarify the optimal treatment plan of Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease,and to provide guidance for improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in children with Chinese medicine.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of spermidine against lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced myocardial injury in mice and the underlying mechanism.Methods C57BL/6 mice subjected to intraperitoneal LPS injection with or without pretreatment with daily gavage of spermidine for 2 weeks were examined for myocardial pathologies using HE staining and transmission electron microscopy.In the cell experiment,cultured rat cardiomyocytes(H9c2 cells)were pretreated with 10 or 20 μmol/L spermidine before LPS exposure for 2 h,and the changes in cell viability and levels of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and cardiac troponin Ⅰ(cTNI)were assessed using CCK-8 kit,LDH detection kit and ELISA,respectively.Western blotting was performed to detect the changes in the expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,cleaved caspase-3,SLC7A11 and GPX4;the changes in reactive oxygen species(ROS)and Fe2+ levels were detected using fluorescent probes,and mitochondrial membrane potential of the cells was measured using JC-1 staining.Results Treatment of the mice with LPS induced obvious myocardial and mitochondrial damages,which were significantly alleviated by pretreatment with spermidine.In H9c2 cells,LPS exposure significantly lowered the cell viability,increased LDH and cTNI levels and expressions of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 levels,decreased expressions of Bcl-2,SLC7A11 and GPX4,increased ROS production and Fe2+ level(P<0.05),and lowered mitochondrial membrane potential(all P<0.05).These effects were significantly alleviated by SPD pretreatment of the cells prior to LPS exposure.Conclusion Spermidine alleviates LPS-induced myocardial injury by suppressing cell apoptosis and inhibiting cellular ROS production and ferroptosis.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect difference between first-line treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) and chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) rare mutation.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was performed. Data of NSCLC patients with rare EGFR mutation who were treated in Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from January 2013 to October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. EGFR mutations in living tissues or blood were detected by using amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) before first-line treatment. According to first-line treatment methods,they were divided into EGFR-TKI treatment group and chemotherapy group. Objective remission rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) of both groups were compared. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw progression-free survival (PFS) and the overall survival (OS) curves. Log-rank test was used for comparison among groups. Single-factor and multi-factor Cox proportional risk models were used to analyze the influencing factors of PFS and OS.Results:A total of 169 patients with EGFR rare mutations were included, and the age [ M (IQR)] was 63 years (12 years); there were 96 cases (56.8%) < 65 years and 73 cases (43.2%) ≥65 years; 70 (41.4%)males and 99 (58.6%) females; 55 cases (32.5%) had EGFR G719X mutation,45 cases (26.6%) had L861Q mutation, 17 cases (10.1%) had S768I mutation, and 52 cases (30.8%) had complex mutation; 55 cases (32.5%) received the first-line chemotherapy and 114 cases (67.5%) received the first-line EGFR-TKI treatment. In the chemotherapy group, ORR was 36.4% (20/55) and DCR was 85.5% (47/55); in EGFR-TKI treatment group, ORR was 72.8% (83/114) and DCR was 90.4% (103/114). The ORR of EGFR-TKI treatment group was higher than that of chemotherapy group ( χ2 = 20.70, P = 0.001), and there was no statistically significant difference in DCR between two groups ( χ2 = 1.76, P = 0.184). Subgroup analysis showed that ORR in EGFR-TKI treatment group with G719X, L861Q and complex mutations was higher than that of the corresponding mutations in chemotherapy group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences in DCR among subgroups (all P > 0.05). The median PFS time was 9.7 months (95% CI: 6.0-13.4 months) and 3.8 months (95% CI: 3.1-7.1 months), respectively in EGFR-TKI treatment group and chemotherapy group, and there was a statistically significant difference in PFS between the two groups ( P < 0.001). The median OS time was 25.6 months (95% CI: 18.0-37.9 months) and 31.7 months (95% CI: 18.0-42.8 months), respectively in EGFR-TKI treatment group and chemotherapy group, and there was no statistically significant difference in OS between the two groups ( P = 0.231). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that brain metastasis [with vs. without: HR = 2.306, 95% CI: 1.452-3.661, P < 0.001] and the first-line treatment methods (EGFR-TKI vs. chemotherapy: HR = 0.457, 95% CI:0.317-0.658, P < 0.001) were independent influencing factors for PFS of NSCLC patients with EGFR rare mutation; brain metastasis (with vs. without: HR = 2.087, 95% CI: 1.102-3.953, P = 0.024; unknown vs. without: HR = 2.118,95% CI: 1.274-3.520, P = 0.004) were independent influencing factors for OS of NSCLC patients with EGFR rare mutation. Conclusions:Compared with the first-line chemotherapy, EGFR-TKI first-line treatment could improve objective remission and PFS of NSCLC patients with EGFR rare mutation, while no OS benefit is observed.

OBJECTIVE:At present,there are a variety of treatment methods for scoliosis using specific exercise therapy,but there is a lack of comparison of efficacy between different specific exercise therapy.This article compared the effectiveness of different specific exercise therapies to treat adolescent idiopathic scoliosis through a network meta-analysis. METHODS:Domestic and foreign electronic databases of relevant studies were searched for randomized controlled trials of specific exercise therapy for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.Search time was from January 2000 to July 2023.The literature was screened by two reviewers using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 16.0 software to extract data and assess the bias risk of of inclusion studies. RESULTS:(1)This article includes 20 randomized controlled trials with 1 377 patients.Of them,12 studies involved Schroth therapy;2 studies involved BSPTS therapy,and 6 studies involved SEAS therapy.(2)The network meta-analysis indicated that in terms of improving Cobb angle and reducing trunk rotation angle in scoliosis patients,the BSPTS therapy group and Schroth therapy group were better than the conventional control group[WMD=-4.60,95%CI(-8.37,-0.82),P<0.05;WMD=-3.37,95%CI(-4.98,-1.75),P<0.05;WMD=-3.20,95%CI(-5.50,-0.90),P<0.05;WMD=-2.13,95%CI(-3.16,-1.09),P<0.05].The Schroth therapy group performed better than the conventional control group effective in improving the International Society for Scoliosis Research-22 Questionnaire quality of life score[WMD=1.41,95%CI(0.07,2.75),P<0.05]. CONCLUSION:Given the current evidence,BSPTS therapy group and Schroth therapy group were better than the conventional control group in improving Cobb angle and reducing trunk rotation angle.In the comparison of different specific exercise therapies,BSPTS therapy can be preferred to improve Cobb angle and reduce trunk rotation angle in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.In addition,Schroth therapy may be the best treatment to improve the quality of life of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.Limited by the quantity and quality of the included studies,the above conclusions should be interpreted with caution and need more high-quality studies to further validation.

Objective To investigate the effect of subanesthetic dose of esketamine for postoperative analgesia on early recovery in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer.Methods Elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer were included,and they were divided into the AS group(61 cases received esketamine for intravenous self-controlled analgesia)and the SF group(60 cases received sufentanil for intravenous self-controlled analgesia)by random number table method.The operation time,intraoperative infusion volume,urine output,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative rescue analgesia,tramadol dosage and the number of patient controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA)compressions within 48 hours after surgery,postoperative visual analogue scale(VAS)score,Ramsay sedation score,first ambulation time after surgery,first gas passage time after surgery,and first feeding time after surgery were compared between the two groups.The occurrence of adverse reactions in the two groups was recorded.The levels of interleukin-6(IL-6)and C-reactive protein(CRP)immediately after surgery,24 hours and 72 hours after surgery in the two groups were detected by ELISA.The scores of anxiety and depression 3 days,1 week and 1 month after surgery were compared between the two groups.Results There was no significant difference in the operation time,intraoperative infusion volume,urine output,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative rescue analgesia,tramadol dosage or PCIA compressions within 48 hours after surgery between the two groups(P＞0.05).The levels of IL-6 and CRP gradually increased immediately after surgery and 24 hours and 72 hours after surgery in the two groups(P＜0.05),and the levels of IL-6 and CRP 24 hours and 72 hours after surgery in the AS group were significantly lower than those in the SF group(P＜0.05).The first ambulation time after surgery,first gas passage time after surgery,and first feeding time after surgery in the AS group were earlier than those in the SF group(P＜0.05).The incidences of nausea,vomiting and dizziness in the AS group were significantly lower than those in the SF group(P＜0.05).The levels of IL-6 and CRP 24 hours and 72 hours after surgery in the AS group were significantly lower than those in the SF group(P＜0.05).The scores of anxiety and depression 3 days and 1 week after surgery in the AS group were significantly lower than those in the SF group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Subanesthetic dose of esketamine for postoperative analgesia can alleviate short-term postoperative anxiety and depression in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer,relieve postoperative pain and inflammatory responses and have a low incidence of adverse reactions,which contribute to early recovery of patients.

Objective With the widespread of transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis(AS),the life-cycle management has become a major determinant of prognosis.Methods A total of 408 AS patients who underwent successfully TAVR from June 2021 to August 2023 were consecutively enrolled in Hospital Valve Intervention Center.Patients were assigned to the Usual Care(UC)group between June 2021 and October 2022,while patients were assigned to the Heart Multi-parameter Monitoring(HMM)group between November 2022 and August 2023.The primary endpoint was defined as composite endpoint within 6 months post-TAVR,including all-cause death,cardiovascular death,stroke/transient ischemic attack,conduction block,myocardial infarction,heart failure rehospitalization,and major bleeding events.Secondary endpoints were the time interval(in hours)from event occurrence to medical consultation or advice and patient satisfaction.Statistical analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.Results The incidence of primary endpoint in HMM group was significantly lower than that in UC group(8.9％vs.17.7％,P=0.016),the driving event was the rate of diagnosis and recognition of conduction block.The average time intervals from event occurrence to receiving medical advice were 3.02 h in HHM group vs.97.09 h in UC group(P＜0.001).Using cardiac monitoring devices and smart healthcare platforms provided significant improving in patients long-term management(HR 0.439,95％CI 0.244-0.790,P=0.006).Conclusions The utilization of cardiac monitoring devices and smart healthcare platforms effectively alerted clinical events and improved postoperative quality of life during long-term management post TAVR.