ObjectiveBased on the concept of quality by design（QbD）， the processing process of calcined Pyritum was optimized， and its X-ray diffraction（XRD） fingerprint was established. MethodsThe safety， effectiveness and quality controllability of calcined Pyritum were taken as the quality profile（QTPP）， the color， hardness， metallic luster， phase composition， the contents of heavy metals and hazardous elements were taken as the critical quality attributes（CQAs）， and the calcination temperature， calcination time， paving thickness and particle size were determined as the critical process parameters（CPPs）. Differential thermal analysis， X-ray diffraction（XRD） and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry（ICP-MS） were used to analyze the correlation between the calcination temperature and CQAs of calcined Pyritum. Then， based on the criteria importance through intercriteria correlation（CRITIC）-entropy weight method， the optimal processing process of calcined Pyritum was optimized by orthogonal test. Powder XRD was used to analyze the phase of calcined Pyritum samples processed according to the best process， and the mean and median maps of calcined Pyritum were established by the superposition of geometric topological figures， and similarity evaluation and cluster analysis were carried out. ResultsThe results of single factor experiments showed that the physical phase of Pyritum changed from FeS₂ to Fe₇S₈ during the process of temperature increase， the color gradually deepened from dark yellow， and the contents of heavy metals and harmful elements decreased. The optimized processing process of calcined Pyritum was as follows：calcination temperature at 750 ℃， calcination time of 2.5 h， paving thickness of 3 cm， particle size of 0.8-1.2 cm， vinegar quenching 1 time［Pyritum-vinegar（10∶3）］. After calcination， the internal structure of Pyritum was honeycomb-shaped， which was conducive to the dissolution of active ingredients. XRD fingerprints of 13 batches of calcined Pyritum characterized by 10 common peaks were established. The similarities of the relative peak intensities of the XRD fingerprints of the analyzed samples were>0.96， and it could effectively distinguish the raw products and unqualified products. ConclusionTemperature is the main factor affecting the quality of calcined Pyritum. After processing， the dissolution of the effective components in Pyritum increases， and the contents of heavy metals and harmful substances decrease， reflecting the function of processing to increase efficiency and reduce toxicity. The optimized processing process is stable and feasible， and the established XRD fingerprint can be used as one of the quality control standards of calcined Pyritum.

ObjectiveBased on the concept of quality by design（QbD）， the processing process of calcined Pyritum was optimized， and its X-ray diffraction（XRD） fingerprint was established. MethodsThe safety， effectiveness and quality controllability of calcined Pyritum were taken as the quality profile（QTPP）， the color， hardness， metallic luster， phase composition， the contents of heavy metals and hazardous elements were taken as the critical quality attributes（CQAs）， and the calcination temperature， calcination time， paving thickness and particle size were determined as the critical process parameters（CPPs）. Differential thermal analysis， X-ray diffraction（XRD） and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry（ICP-MS） were used to analyze the correlation between the calcination temperature and CQAs of calcined Pyritum. Then， based on the criteria importance through intercriteria correlation（CRITIC）-entropy weight method， the optimal processing process of calcined Pyritum was optimized by orthogonal test. Powder XRD was used to analyze the phase of calcined Pyritum samples processed according to the best process， and the mean and median maps of calcined Pyritum were established by the superposition of geometric topological figures， and similarity evaluation and cluster analysis were carried out. ResultsThe results of single factor experiments showed that the physical phase of Pyritum changed from FeS₂ to Fe₇S₈ during the process of temperature increase， the color gradually deepened from dark yellow， and the contents of heavy metals and harmful elements decreased. The optimized processing process of calcined Pyritum was as follows：calcination temperature at 750 ℃， calcination time of 2.5 h， paving thickness of 3 cm， particle size of 0.8-1.2 cm， vinegar quenching 1 time［Pyritum-vinegar（10∶3）］. After calcination， the internal structure of Pyritum was honeycomb-shaped， which was conducive to the dissolution of active ingredients. XRD fingerprints of 13 batches of calcined Pyritum characterized by 10 common peaks were established. The similarities of the relative peak intensities of the XRD fingerprints of the analyzed samples were>0.96， and it could effectively distinguish the raw products and unqualified products. ConclusionTemperature is the main factor affecting the quality of calcined Pyritum. After processing， the dissolution of the effective components in Pyritum increases， and the contents of heavy metals and harmful substances decrease， reflecting the function of processing to increase efficiency and reduce toxicity. The optimized processing process is stable and feasible， and the established XRD fingerprint can be used as one of the quality control standards of calcined Pyritum.

In recent years,the demand for single enantiomer drugs has gradually increased,and the separation technology of chiral drugs has also been developed rapidly.In this article,we summarized the application and progress of cocrystal technology in chiral drug resolution,focusing on the existence forms of cocrystal former formations(single compound molecules,ions,and claths),the common preparation methods of cocrystal resolution,the physical and chemical factors affecting the resolution efficiency(co-formed chirality,solvent system,temperature)and the computer-aided prediction method of chiral cocrystal in the process of chiral drug resolution,to provide a reference for related research on chiral resolution using cocrystal technology.

BACKGROUND:It has been found that anterior knee pain is related to the biomechanics of the lower limbs,but there is still a lack of research on the effects of gluteal muscle training on the knee joint and daily activities of the lower limbs.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of gluteal muscle activation exercise therapy on the muscle strength of hip and knee joint muscle groups and pain in young male patients with anterior knee pain.METHODS:Twenty-five young male patients with anterior knee pain were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups:gluteal muscle activation group(n=12)and blank control group(n=13).The gluteal muscle activation group performed gluteal muscle activation exercises,40 minutes each,3 times/week,for 6 weeks.The blank control group did not perform any intervention.Assessments were conducted at the time of enrollment and again after 6 weeks.The relative peak torque,total work,ratio of flexors and extensors,and muscle endurance values of the affected hip and knee joints were evaluated through isokinetic flexion and extension tests at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s.At the same time,floors at which climbing was stopped in the stair-climbing test were detected and the visual analog scale score was assessed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Isokinetic knee extension and flexion test:For the hip joint,the gluteal muscle activation group showed a significant increase in the relative peak torque at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s by 29.74%and 25.95%respectively after intervention(P=0.022,P=0.024);the blank control group showed a 12.12%decrease in muscle endurance at 180(°)/s compared to before intervention(P=0.000).For the knee joints,the gluteal muscle activation group had a significant increase in the relative peak torque at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s by 18.69%and 7.27%respectively after intervention(P=0.006,P=0.033);there were no significant changes in the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).(2)Stair-climbing test:The number of floors climbed to cessation in the gluteal muscle activation group was(6.41±6.1)floors,which was higher than that in the blank control group(P=0.024),and increased by 33.11%compared with before intervention(P=0.016);there were no significant changes in all the indicators of the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).(3)Pain assessment:After intervention,the visual analogue scale score of the gluteal muscle activation group was significantly lower than that of the blank control(P=0.036),and also decreased compared to before intervention(P=0.000);there were no significant changes in the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).To conclude,the 6-week gluteal activation exercise therapy can improve the explosive power and endurance of the lower limb muscles,and reduce the degree of anterior knee pain.For patients with anterior knee pain,gluteal muscle training is necessary to promote recovery.

Background and Aims:Microsatellite-stable(MSS)colorectal cancer(CRC)generally exhibits poor responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs),and effective immunotherapy strategies remain lacking.Anti-angiogenic agents such as bevacizumab(BEV)can improve the tumor immune microenvironment and act synergistically with ICIs.This multicenter real-world study compared the efficacy of different immunotherapy-based combination regimens in patients with MSS/MSI-L/pMMR advanced CRC,aiming to identify the optimal treatment strategy.Methods:A total of 100 patients with MSS/MSI-L/pMMR advanced CRC who received systemic treatment between November 2019 and February 2025 at four tertiary hospitals in Hunan,China,were retrospectively enrolled.Patients were classified into six treatment groups:chemotherapy alone,chemotherapy+targeted therapy,immunotherapy alone,immunotherapy+chemotherapy,immunotherapy+targeted therapy,and immunotherapy+chemotherapy+targeted therapy.The primary endpoints were overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS),while secondary endpoints were objective response rate(ORR)and disease control rate(DCR).Additionally,among patients receiving immunotherapy,subgroup analysis was performed according to BEV administration.Results:Among all 100 patients,the immunotherapy+chemotherapy+targeted therapy group achieved the highest ORR(32.0%)and DCR(76.0%)and was the only regimen yielding a complete response(CR).Compared with chemotherapy or immunotherapy alone,the triplet regimen significantly improved OS(P<0.05);although PFS improvement did not reach statistical significance,a clear late-stage separation of survival curves was observed.In the immunotherapy subgroup,BEV-containing regimens achieved markedly better outcomes than non-BEV regimens,with DCR of 75.0%vs.48.8%,median OS of 18.9 vs.11.5 months,and median PFS of 13.8 vs.7.2 months(all P<0.001).Cox regression analysis showed that compared with chemotherapy alone,the triplet regimen significantly reduced the risk of death(HR=0.11)and disease progression(HR=0.25)(both P=0.002).Vascular invasion was identified as an adverse prognostic factor for PFS(HR=3.0,P=0.007).Conclusion:This multicenter real-world study demonstrated that combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy and targeted therapy significantly improves DCR and survival outcomes in patients with MSS/MSI-L/pMMR advanced CRC,with BEV-containing triplet regimens providing the most pronounced benefit.BEV may enhance immune responsiveness by modulating the tumor microenvironment and promoting effector T-cell infiltration,offering a promising therapeutic direction for"immune-cold"CRC.Prospective randomized studies are warranted to further validate its clinical value and define appropriate patient populations.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of serum soluble semaphorin 4D (sSema4D) and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with primary hypertension (EH).Methods:Eighty-four patients with EH combined with LVH admitted to Qingdao Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from December 2022 to December 2023 were prospectively selected as the study group, and 84 patients with EH and without LVH admitted to Qingdao Hospital of Shandong First Medical University during the same period were regarded as the control group. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was applied to detect the levels of sSema4D and sCD40L. Employing Pearson correlation coefficient, the study assessed the association between concentrations of sSema4D and sCD40L in serum and various echocardiographic measurements. A multivariate Logistic regression model was engaged to probe into the contributing factors for the development of LVH. ROC curve was plotted to analyze the diagnostic value of serum sSema4D and sCD40L for EH combined with LVH.Results:Serum sSema4D and sCD40L levels were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group: (8.56 ± 2.19) μg/L vs. (5.12 ± 1.43) μg/L, (4.02 ± 1.03) μg/L vs. (3.22 ± 0.98) μg/L, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The duration of hypertension, LVEDD, IVSTD, LVPWT, and LVMI were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group: (7.33 ± 1.53) years vs. (4.26 ± 1.35) years, (50.28 ± 3.33) mm vs. (44.45 ± 3.76) mm, (11.64 ± 3.21) mm vs. (9.53 ± 2.89) mm, (12.45 ± 1.52) mm vs. (9.13 ± 0.98) mm, (126.11 ± 15.28) g/m 2 vs. (81.15 ± 11.31) g/m 2, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). According to Pearson correlation analysis, it was known that both serum sSema4D and sCD40L were positively correlated with LVEDD, IVSTD, LVPWT and LVMI ( r = 0.425 and 0.533, 0.612 and 0.436, 0.513 and 0.628, 0.589 and 0.618; P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension duration, LVEDD, IVSTD, LVPWT, LVMI, sSema4D, sCD40L were risk factors for LVH in EH patients ( P<0.05). According to the ROC curve, the AUC for diagnosing EH combined with LVH with serum sSema4D was 0.848, the AUC for diagnosing EH combined with LVH with serum sCD40L was 0.725, and the AUC for diagnosing EH combined with LVH with serum sCD40L was 0.888, the combination of sCD40L and sCD40L was superior to their respective individual diagnoses ( Z = 2.651 and 2.526, P<0.05). Conclusions:The serum levels of sSema4D and sCD40L in patients with EH combined with LVH are obviously elevated, which are influencing factors for the occurrence of EH combined with LVH. Combined testing of the two has high diagnostic value for EH combined with LVH.

In recent years,the demand for single enantiomer drugs has gradually increased,and the separation technology of chiral drugs has also been developed rapidly.In this article,we summarized the application and progress of cocrystal technology in chiral drug resolution,focusing on the existence forms of cocrystal former formations(single compound molecules,ions,and claths),the common preparation methods of cocrystal resolution,the physical and chemical factors affecting the resolution efficiency(co-formed chirality,solvent system,temperature)and the computer-aided prediction method of chiral cocrystal in the process of chiral drug resolution,to provide a reference for related research on chiral resolution using cocrystal technology.

Background and Aims:Microsatellite-stable(MSS)colorectal cancer(CRC)generally exhibits poor responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs),and effective immunotherapy strategies remain lacking.Anti-angiogenic agents such as bevacizumab(BEV)can improve the tumor immune microenvironment and act synergistically with ICIs.This multicenter real-world study compared the efficacy of different immunotherapy-based combination regimens in patients with MSS/MSI-L/pMMR advanced CRC,aiming to identify the optimal treatment strategy.Methods:A total of 100 patients with MSS/MSI-L/pMMR advanced CRC who received systemic treatment between November 2019 and February 2025 at four tertiary hospitals in Hunan,China,were retrospectively enrolled.Patients were classified into six treatment groups:chemotherapy alone,chemotherapy+targeted therapy,immunotherapy alone,immunotherapy+chemotherapy,immunotherapy+targeted therapy,and immunotherapy+chemotherapy+targeted therapy.The primary endpoints were overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS),while secondary endpoints were objective response rate(ORR)and disease control rate(DCR).Additionally,among patients receiving immunotherapy,subgroup analysis was performed according to BEV administration.Results:Among all 100 patients,the immunotherapy+chemotherapy+targeted therapy group achieved the highest ORR(32.0%)and DCR(76.0%)and was the only regimen yielding a complete response(CR).Compared with chemotherapy or immunotherapy alone,the triplet regimen significantly improved OS(P<0.05);although PFS improvement did not reach statistical significance,a clear late-stage separation of survival curves was observed.In the immunotherapy subgroup,BEV-containing regimens achieved markedly better outcomes than non-BEV regimens,with DCR of 75.0%vs.48.8%,median OS of 18.9 vs.11.5 months,and median PFS of 13.8 vs.7.2 months(all P<0.001).Cox regression analysis showed that compared with chemotherapy alone,the triplet regimen significantly reduced the risk of death(HR=0.11)and disease progression(HR=0.25)(both P=0.002).Vascular invasion was identified as an adverse prognostic factor for PFS(HR=3.0,P=0.007).Conclusion:This multicenter real-world study demonstrated that combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy and targeted therapy significantly improves DCR and survival outcomes in patients with MSS/MSI-L/pMMR advanced CRC,with BEV-containing triplet regimens providing the most pronounced benefit.BEV may enhance immune responsiveness by modulating the tumor microenvironment and promoting effector T-cell infiltration,offering a promising therapeutic direction for"immune-cold"CRC.Prospective randomized studies are warranted to further validate its clinical value and define appropriate patient populations.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of serum soluble semaphorin 4D (sSema4D) and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with primary hypertension (EH).Methods:Eighty-four patients with EH combined with LVH admitted to Qingdao Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from December 2022 to December 2023 were prospectively selected as the study group, and 84 patients with EH and without LVH admitted to Qingdao Hospital of Shandong First Medical University during the same period were regarded as the control group. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was applied to detect the levels of sSema4D and sCD40L. Employing Pearson correlation coefficient, the study assessed the association between concentrations of sSema4D and sCD40L in serum and various echocardiographic measurements. A multivariate Logistic regression model was engaged to probe into the contributing factors for the development of LVH. ROC curve was plotted to analyze the diagnostic value of serum sSema4D and sCD40L for EH combined with LVH.Results:Serum sSema4D and sCD40L levels were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group: (8.56 ± 2.19) μg/L vs. (5.12 ± 1.43) μg/L, (4.02 ± 1.03) μg/L vs. (3.22 ± 0.98) μg/L, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The duration of hypertension, LVEDD, IVSTD, LVPWT, and LVMI were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group: (7.33 ± 1.53) years vs. (4.26 ± 1.35) years, (50.28 ± 3.33) mm vs. (44.45 ± 3.76) mm, (11.64 ± 3.21) mm vs. (9.53 ± 2.89) mm, (12.45 ± 1.52) mm vs. (9.13 ± 0.98) mm, (126.11 ± 15.28) g/m 2 vs. (81.15 ± 11.31) g/m 2, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). According to Pearson correlation analysis, it was known that both serum sSema4D and sCD40L were positively correlated with LVEDD, IVSTD, LVPWT and LVMI ( r = 0.425 and 0.533, 0.612 and 0.436, 0.513 and 0.628, 0.589 and 0.618; P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension duration, LVEDD, IVSTD, LVPWT, LVMI, sSema4D, sCD40L were risk factors for LVH in EH patients ( P<0.05). According to the ROC curve, the AUC for diagnosing EH combined with LVH with serum sSema4D was 0.848, the AUC for diagnosing EH combined with LVH with serum sCD40L was 0.725, and the AUC for diagnosing EH combined with LVH with serum sCD40L was 0.888, the combination of sCD40L and sCD40L was superior to their respective individual diagnoses ( Z = 2.651 and 2.526, P<0.05). Conclusions:The serum levels of sSema4D and sCD40L in patients with EH combined with LVH are obviously elevated, which are influencing factors for the occurrence of EH combined with LVH. Combined testing of the two has high diagnostic value for EH combined with LVH.

BACKGROUND:It has been found that anterior knee pain is related to the biomechanics of the lower limbs,but there is still a lack of research on the effects of gluteal muscle training on the knee joint and daily activities of the lower limbs.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of gluteal muscle activation exercise therapy on the muscle strength of hip and knee joint muscle groups and pain in young male patients with anterior knee pain.METHODS:Twenty-five young male patients with anterior knee pain were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups:gluteal muscle activation group(n=12)and blank control group(n=13).The gluteal muscle activation group performed gluteal muscle activation exercises,40 minutes each,3 times/week,for 6 weeks.The blank control group did not perform any intervention.Assessments were conducted at the time of enrollment and again after 6 weeks.The relative peak torque,total work,ratio of flexors and extensors,and muscle endurance values of the affected hip and knee joints were evaluated through isokinetic flexion and extension tests at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s.At the same time,floors at which climbing was stopped in the stair-climbing test were detected and the visual analog scale score was assessed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Isokinetic knee extension and flexion test:For the hip joint,the gluteal muscle activation group showed a significant increase in the relative peak torque at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s by 29.74%and 25.95%respectively after intervention(P=0.022,P=0.024);the blank control group showed a 12.12%decrease in muscle endurance at 180(°)/s compared to before intervention(P=0.000).For the knee joints,the gluteal muscle activation group had a significant increase in the relative peak torque at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s by 18.69%and 7.27%respectively after intervention(P=0.006,P=0.033);there were no significant changes in the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).(2)Stair-climbing test:The number of floors climbed to cessation in the gluteal muscle activation group was(6.41±6.1)floors,which was higher than that in the blank control group(P=0.024),and increased by 33.11%compared with before intervention(P=0.016);there were no significant changes in all the indicators of the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).(3)Pain assessment:After intervention,the visual analogue scale score of the gluteal muscle activation group was significantly lower than that of the blank control(P=0.036),and also decreased compared to before intervention(P=0.000);there were no significant changes in the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).To conclude,the 6-week gluteal activation exercise therapy can improve the explosive power and endurance of the lower limb muscles,and reduce the degree of anterior knee pain.For patients with anterior knee pain,gluteal muscle training is necessary to promote recovery.