Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal condition characterized by reduced bone mass and strength, leading to increased fragility. Buqi-Tongluo (BQTL) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has yet to be fully evaluated for its potential in treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis. To investigate the mechanism by which BQTL decoction inhibits osteoclast differentiation in vitro and validate these findings through in vivo experiments. We employed MTS assays to assess the potential proliferative or toxic effects of BQTL on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) at various concentrations. TRAcP experiments were conducted to examine BQTL's impact on osteoclast differentiation. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were utilized to evaluate the relative expression levels of osteoclast-specific genes and proteins under BQTL stimulation. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed using an osteoporosis model to further validate the in vitro findings. This study revealed that BQTL suppressed receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorption activity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner without observable cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects of BQTL on osteoclast formation and function were attributed to the downregulation of NFATc1 and c-fos activity, primarily through attenuation of the MAPK, NF-κB, and Calcineurin signaling pathways. BQTL's inhibitory capacity was further examined in vivo using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, demonstrating a strong protective effect against bone loss. BQTL may serve as an effective therapeutic TCM for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the alleviation of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and related conditions.
Animals ; NFATC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ovariectomy ; Osteoclasts/metabolism* ; Female ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Osteoporosis/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Bone Resorption/genetics* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Humans ; RANK Ligand/metabolism* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Transcription Factors

One of the key components of adsorbents for blood purification is the microsphere adsorbent. Microsphere adsorbents should meet the following requirements: stable physical and chemical structures, easy for functional modification to endow the adsorbents with specific adsorption functions or characteristics, with good biocompatibility and with low non-specific adsorption, as well as with enough mechanical strength. Microsphere adsorbents prepared from polysaccharide bio-based materials fulfill the above requirements and have been widely used in the field of blood adsorption. In this article, adsorbents prepared from polysaccharide bio-based materials such as cellulose, agarose, alginate, as well as adsorbents prepared from the aforementioned materials and carbon materials and the application of the said bio-based adsorbents in blood adsorption is reviewed. The future development is also discussed, aiming to provide guidance and reference for the preparation, functional modification and application research of bio-based adsorbents for blood adsorption.
Microspheres ; Adsorption ; Humans

Objective:To investigate the longitudinal patterns and influencing factors of platelet counts among healthy adults in Sichuan Province from 2010 to 2021, and to inform the establishment of region-specific reference intervals for platelet counts.Methods:This study is a retrospective study. A total of 7 808 healthy adults who underwent annual physical examinations at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, between January 2010 and December 2021 were included. All participants were permanent Chengdu residents and completed consecutive complete blood count tests. Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) was used to identify distinct trajectories of platelet count over the ten-year period. One-way analyses were then conducted to compare baseline demographic characteristics (sex and age) among the different trajectory groups.Results:Among 7 808 participants, 4 589 (58.8%) were male and 3 219 (41.2%) were female. Four platelet count trajectories were identified by GBTM: steadily increasing group [27.4% (2 139/7 808)], early increase-plateau group [44.1% (3 445/7 808)], early decrease-subsequent increase group [5.4% (422/7 808)], and steadily decreasing group [23.1% (1 802/7 808)], with an average growth rate of 3.3%, 1.6%, 0.7%, and -0.6%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in both sex and age distributions among the four trajectory groups. Sex-distribution differed significantly across the four trajectory groups ( χ2=73.3, P<0.001). The male proportions in the four trajectory groups were 59.6% (1 275/2 139), 62.8% (2 165/3 445), 48.1% (203/422), and 52.5% (946/1 802), respectively. The baseline ages were 45 (36, 55), 43 (35, 53), 50 (40, 60), and 47 (39, 58) years, respectively (H=121.0, P<0.001). Conclusions:Healthy adults in Sichuan Province exhibit four longitudinal trajectories of platelet counts: steadily increasing, early increase-plateau, early decrease-subsequent increase, and steadily decreasing. The two trajectories characterized by rising platelet counts (steadily increasing group and early increase-plateau group) exhibited higher male predominance and lower median ages, whereas the early decrease-subsequent increase group and the steadily decreasing group exhibited lower male proportions and higher median ages. Therefore, while establishing reference intervals and developing health management strategies for platelet counts, it is essential to account for the sex, age characteristics and the population′s dynamic changes.

To formulate an expert consensus on the principles of preoperative hair removal and provide scientific guidance for standardized removal of hair before surgical procedures so as to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections.METHODS Led by the Hospital Management Institute of National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China,this consensus was reached with the joint efforts from the expects of relevant fields such as surgeries,interventional therapies,nursing,and infection prevention and control.The consensus facilitates the classification and evaluation of literatures by following the evidence grade formulated by Oxford Evidence-based Medicine Center and focuses on the association of preoperative hair removal with surgical site infection,it reaches the evidence grade of expert consensus and recommendation intensity by integrating with discussions on meetings and clinical experience of the expects from relevant fields.RESULTS A total of 6 items of consensus were reached by summarizing the latest evidence on the aspects including the indications for preoperative hair removal,tools,range,timing and places.CONCLUSION The consensus,to some extent,make supplements to and complete the exiting regulations and standards.It provides guidance for the medical institutions to carry out the preoperative hair removal.

To formulate an expert consensus on the principles of preoperative hair removal and provide scientific guidance for standardized removal of hair before surgical procedures so as to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections.METHODS Led by the Hospital Management Institute of National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China,this consensus was reached with the joint efforts from the expects of relevant fields such as surgeries,interventional therapies,nursing,and infection prevention and control.The consensus facilitates the classification and evaluation of literatures by following the evidence grade formulated by Oxford Evidence-based Medicine Center and focuses on the association of preoperative hair removal with surgical site infection,it reaches the evidence grade of expert consensus and recommendation intensity by integrating with discussions on meetings and clinical experience of the expects from relevant fields.RESULTS A total of 6 items of consensus were reached by summarizing the latest evidence on the aspects including the indications for preoperative hair removal,tools,range,timing and places.CONCLUSION The consensus,to some extent,make supplements to and complete the exiting regulations and standards.It provides guidance for the medical institutions to carry out the preoperative hair removal.

Objective:To investigate the longitudinal patterns and influencing factors of platelet counts among healthy adults in Sichuan Province from 2010 to 2021, and to inform the establishment of region-specific reference intervals for platelet counts.Methods:This study is a retrospective study. A total of 7 808 healthy adults who underwent annual physical examinations at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, between January 2010 and December 2021 were included. All participants were permanent Chengdu residents and completed consecutive complete blood count tests. Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) was used to identify distinct trajectories of platelet count over the ten-year period. One-way analyses were then conducted to compare baseline demographic characteristics (sex and age) among the different trajectory groups.Results:Among 7 808 participants, 4 589 (58.8%) were male and 3 219 (41.2%) were female. Four platelet count trajectories were identified by GBTM: steadily increasing group [27.4% (2 139/7 808)], early increase-plateau group [44.1% (3 445/7 808)], early decrease-subsequent increase group [5.4% (422/7 808)], and steadily decreasing group [23.1% (1 802/7 808)], with an average growth rate of 3.3%, 1.6%, 0.7%, and -0.6%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in both sex and age distributions among the four trajectory groups. Sex-distribution differed significantly across the four trajectory groups ( χ2=73.3, P<0.001). The male proportions in the four trajectory groups were 59.6% (1 275/2 139), 62.8% (2 165/3 445), 48.1% (203/422), and 52.5% (946/1 802), respectively. The baseline ages were 45 (36, 55), 43 (35, 53), 50 (40, 60), and 47 (39, 58) years, respectively (H=121.0, P<0.001). Conclusions:Healthy adults in Sichuan Province exhibit four longitudinal trajectories of platelet counts: steadily increasing, early increase-plateau, early decrease-subsequent increase, and steadily decreasing. The two trajectories characterized by rising platelet counts (steadily increasing group and early increase-plateau group) exhibited higher male predominance and lower median ages, whereas the early decrease-subsequent increase group and the steadily decreasing group exhibited lower male proportions and higher median ages. Therefore, while establishing reference intervals and developing health management strategies for platelet counts, it is essential to account for the sex, age characteristics and the population′s dynamic changes.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of coptisine on chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） in rats based on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. MethodA CAG rat model was induced by multiple factors， including sodium salicylate， N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG）， and irregular feeding. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group， folic acid group， and high- and low-dose coptisine groups. The high- and low-dose coptisine groups were given coptisine （50， 10 mg·kg^-1， respectively）， and the folic acid group was given folic acid at 2 mg·kg^-1 for 60 days. The pathological changes were detected by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal cells was observed by electron microscopy. Serum pepsinogen Ⅰ （PGⅠ）， pepsinogen Ⅱ （PGⅡ）， and PGⅠ/PGⅡ ratio （PGR） were detected by immunoturbidimetry. Serum gastrin-17 （G-17） level was detected by radioimmunoassay. The content of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in serum of rats was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELSIA）. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression levels of TGF-β₁， PI3K， phosphorylated-Akt （p-Akt）， mTOR， and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 （PTEN） in gastric mucosa. The mRNA levels of TGF-β₁， PI3K， Akt， mTOR， PTEN， microtubule-associated protein light chain 3Ⅱ （LC3Ⅱ）， and Beclin-1 were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed atrophy and reduced number of intrinsic glands in the gastric mucosal tissues， as well as inflammatory cell infiltration. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal cells in the model group displayed nuclear condensation， reduced and swollen mitochondria， and abnormal structure. The serum levels of G-17， PGⅠ， PGR， and the protein and mRNA levels of PTEN in gastric tissues were significantly lower in the model group （P<0.01）， while serum levels of IL-6， IL-1β， TNF-α， and the protein and mRNA levels of TGF-β₁， PI3K， Akt， and mTOR in gastric tissues were significantly higher （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， various drug intervention groups showed different degrees of improvement in pathological damage and gastric mucosal cell ultrastructure， significantly increased serum levels of G-17， PGⅠ， and PGR （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and significantly decreased levels of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The high-dose coptisine group significantly downregulated the protein and mRNA levels of TGF-β₁， PI3K， Akt， and mTOR （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionBerberine has a therapeutic effect on CAG in rats， possibly exerting a protective effect on gastric mucosa by inhibiting inflammation and blocking the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)for renal artery stenosis in elderly patients and the imaging features.Methods:Clinical and imaging data of 1 074 patients aged 60 years or older receiving renal artery CEUS in our hospital between September 2017 and October 2022 were retrospectively and consecutively collected, and the results of renal artery CEUS were summarized and comparatively analyzed.Results:Among the 1 074 elderly patients, 588(54.7%)patients showed normal renal artery imaging on CEUS, while 486(45.3%)patients exhibited renal artery stenosis.Of the 486 patients diagnosed with renal artery stenosis by CEUS, 94 elderly patients with complete clinical data then underwent DSA.Comparison of CEUS and DSA results from the 94 patients revealed that CEUS was in good agreement with DSA in evaluating different degrees of renal artery stenosis( Kappa value: 0.739, P<0.001). Of the 486 patients with renal artery stenosis diagnosed by CEUS, a total of 684 renal arteries had varying degrees of stenosis(including 288 with unilateral stenosis and 198 with bilateral stenosis), of which 55(8.0%)had diffuse stenosis of the main renal artery, and 629(92.0%)had confined stenosis of renal arteries(609 stenosis sites were located in the proximal segment/entry point, 12 in the middle segment, and 8 in the hilar or segmental renal arteries). Ultrasonography of confined renal artery stenosis showed narrowing of the contrast agent sound beam at the stenosis site, with or without enhancement of contrast intensity; ultrasonography of diffuse renal artery stenosis showed a thin contrast sound beam throughout the length of the renal artery, with either continuous linear changes or intermittently punctuated changes. Conclusions:There is a high detection rate of renal artery stenosis in the elderly, and ultrasonography can not only determine the degree of renal artery stenosis, but also show the location of stenosis and the extent of involvement, with fairly clear imaging characteristics.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common tumors of primary hepatic carcinoma, and one of the major causes of cancer related deaths worldwide. HCC has high incidence and mortality, with limited treatment. The prevention and treatment of HCC faces great challenges. At present, interventional therapy combined with immune plus targeted therapy has a synergistic effect and a significant effect in prolonging the survival time of patients and controlling tumors, which brings a brand-new therapeutic hope to patients with advanced HCC. The authors report a case of advanced HCC with lung metastasis who underwent hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with immune plus targeted therapy, with a result of good clinical effect on tumor controlling in a short time.

Objective:To establish and validate a prognostic model of a contrast-enhanced ultrasound scoring(CEUS)system for evaluating renal artery stenosis(RAS)in the elderly.Methods:This was a single-center retrospective study.A total of 324 elderly RAS patients admitted to Beijing Hospital from October 2017 to July 2020 were randomly assigned into the model group(n=174)and the validation group(150)in a 1∶1 ratio.Clinical and imaging data of patients on admission including general conditions, previous medical history, blood pressure, blood creatinine, renal artery stenosis and cortical blood perfusion in the affected kidney and renal function(GFR)at 1-year follow-up were collected.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to establish a model of the CEUS scoring system.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and area under the ROC curve(AUC)were used to evaluate prediction accuracy.Clinical application value of the CEUS scoring system model was evaluated via decision curve analysis using a nomogram.Results:Baseline clinical and radiomic data had no significant difference between the model group and the validation group( P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis results showed that age( OR=1.242, 95% CI: 1.081-1.427, P<0.01), diabetes( OR=1.545, 95% CI: 1.107-2.156, P<0.05), blood pressure( OR=1.328, 95% CI: 1.056-1.670, P<0.05), renal function( OR=2.374, 95% CI: 1.216-3.887, P<0.01)and cortical blood perfusion parameter( OR=2.646, 95% CI: 1.553-6.369, P<0.01)were risk factors for the deterioration of renal function during 1 year follow-up.Based on these results, a nomogram for the CEUS scoring system model was drawn, and its consistency index, the C-Index, was 0.725(95% CI: 0.653-0.776). The AUC of the CEUS scoring system was 0.824 and the Youden index was 0.711 in the model group, with a specificity of 0.774 and a sensitivity of 0.837.The AUC of the CEUS scoring system was 0.853 and the Youden index was 0.715 in the validation group, with a specificity of 0.684 and a sensitivity of 0.889.There was no significant difference in ROC curve between the two groups( D=1.387, P>0.05). In addition, calibration charts of the two models showed that the calibration curve of the CEUS scoring system was close to the standard curve, with no statistically significant difference( P>0.05). Conclusions:The CEUS scoring system model can be used to predict the risk of worsening renal function in elderly RAS patients during 1-year follow-up.