Objective:To investigate the optimal processing technology for Sophorae Fructus Carbonisata(char-coal-processed immature fruit of Sophora japonica)by integrating thermal analysis,response surface methodology(RSM),and intelligent sensory technology.Methods:The thermal analysis technology was used to simulate the processing process of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),the pyrolysis characteristics of Sophorae Fructus powder were studied,and the processing process was discussed by intelligent sensory analysis to determine the temperature range.Using the contents of genistein,kaempferol,and quercetin as comprehensive evaluation indices,the RSM was applied to optimize the processing technology for Sophorae Fructus Carbonisata.Results:The optimal process-ing technology for Sophorae Fructus Carbonisata was identified as:Stir-frying temperature was 290 ℃,Stir-frying time was 14 min.Conclusion:The integrated approach of thermal analysis-RSM and intelligent sensory technology has successfully established an accurate predictive model for active components in Sophorae Fructus.The optimized processing technology not only enhances the reproducibility of charcoal processing but also lays a foundation for the formulation of national quality standards for this TCM.

Objective To explore the mechanism of the intervention effect of Qizhu Xiaozheng Fang(QZXZF),a representative prescription of Yiqi Jianpi Jiedu(replenishing qi,strengthening spleen,and removing toxicity),in treating HBx-mediated liver cancer stem cells(LCSCs).Methods The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to investigate the effects of Yiqi Jianpi Jiedu on the prognosis of patients with HBV-HCC.The network pharmacology method was utilized to predict the targets and pathways of QZXZF in treating HBx-related LCSCs(HBx-LCSCs).HBx-LCSCs cells were screened by stably transfecting HBx and serum-free culture.The therapeutic effect of QZXZF on HBx-LCSCs was tested in vitro,and its effect on stemness markers and PI3K/Akt pathway was verified by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Results Yiqi Jianpi Jiedu could improve the overall survival time of HBV-HCC patients.Combined with the results of network pharmacology,the mechanism of action of QZXZF against HBx-LCSCs was explored from the PI3K/Akt pathway.Compared with the blank vector group,HBx can promote the expression of stemness markers in HBx-LCSCs cells;compared with the HBx-LCSCs control group,QZXZF could significantly inhibit the proliferation and colony formation of HBx-LCSCs cells(in a concentration-dependent manner),and could reduce the expression of stemness markers(EpCAM,NANOG,SOX2,and OCT4),phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K)and phosphorylated AKT(p-AKT)proteins.Conclusion QZXZF may regulate HBx-mediated LCSCs through PI3K/AKT pathways,providing a reference for the mechanism of TCM intervention in LCSCs.

Objective:To investigate the optimal processing technology for Sophorae Fructus Carbonisata(char-coal-processed immature fruit of Sophora japonica)by integrating thermal analysis,response surface methodology(RSM),and intelligent sensory technology.Methods:The thermal analysis technology was used to simulate the processing process of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),the pyrolysis characteristics of Sophorae Fructus powder were studied,and the processing process was discussed by intelligent sensory analysis to determine the temperature range.Using the contents of genistein,kaempferol,and quercetin as comprehensive evaluation indices,the RSM was applied to optimize the processing technology for Sophorae Fructus Carbonisata.Results:The optimal process-ing technology for Sophorae Fructus Carbonisata was identified as:Stir-frying temperature was 290 ℃,Stir-frying time was 14 min.Conclusion:The integrated approach of thermal analysis-RSM and intelligent sensory technology has successfully established an accurate predictive model for active components in Sophorae Fructus.The optimized processing technology not only enhances the reproducibility of charcoal processing but also lays a foundation for the formulation of national quality standards for this TCM.

Objective To explore the mechanism of the intervention effect of Qizhu Xiaozheng Fang(QZXZF),a representative prescription of Yiqi Jianpi Jiedu(replenishing qi,strengthening spleen,and removing toxicity),in treating HBx-mediated liver cancer stem cells(LCSCs).Methods The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to investigate the effects of Yiqi Jianpi Jiedu on the prognosis of patients with HBV-HCC.The network pharmacology method was utilized to predict the targets and pathways of QZXZF in treating HBx-related LCSCs(HBx-LCSCs).HBx-LCSCs cells were screened by stably transfecting HBx and serum-free culture.The therapeutic effect of QZXZF on HBx-LCSCs was tested in vitro,and its effect on stemness markers and PI3K/Akt pathway was verified by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Results Yiqi Jianpi Jiedu could improve the overall survival time of HBV-HCC patients.Combined with the results of network pharmacology,the mechanism of action of QZXZF against HBx-LCSCs was explored from the PI3K/Akt pathway.Compared with the blank vector group,HBx can promote the expression of stemness markers in HBx-LCSCs cells;compared with the HBx-LCSCs control group,QZXZF could significantly inhibit the proliferation and colony formation of HBx-LCSCs cells(in a concentration-dependent manner),and could reduce the expression of stemness markers(EpCAM,NANOG,SOX2,and OCT4),phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K)and phosphorylated AKT(p-AKT)proteins.Conclusion QZXZF may regulate HBx-mediated LCSCs through PI3K/AKT pathways,providing a reference for the mechanism of TCM intervention in LCSCs.

Background Air pollution is a major public health concern. Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a very important air quality risk communication tool. However, AQHI is usually constructed by single-pollutant model, which has obvious disadvantages. Objective To construct an AQHI based on the joint effects of multiple air pollutants (J-AQHI), and to provide a scientific tool for health risk warning and risk communication of air pollution. Methods Data on non-accidental deaths in Yunnan, Guangdong, Hunan, Zhejiang, and Jilin provinces from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2018 were obtained from the corresponding provincial disease surveillance points systems (DSPS), including date of death, age, gender, and cause of death. Daily meteorological (temperature and relative humidity) and air pollution data (SO₂, NO₂, CO, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and maximum 8 h O₃ concentrations) at the same period were respectively derived from China Meteorological Data Sharing Service System and National Urban Air Quality Real-time Publishing Platform. Lasso regression was first applied to select air pollutants, then a time-stratified case-crossover design was applied. Each case was matched to 3 or 4 control days which were selected on the same days of the week in the same calendar month. Then a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was used to estimate the exposure-response relationship between selected air pollutants and mortality, which was used to construct the AQHI. Finally, AQHI was classified into four levels according to the air pollutant guidance limit values from World Health Organization Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQG 2021), and the excess risks (ERs) were calculated to compare the AQHI based on single-pollutant model and the J-AQHI based on multi-pollutant model. Results PM_2.5, NO₂, SO₂, and O₃ were selected by Lasso regression to establish DLNM model. The ERs for an interquartile range (IQR) increase and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for PM_2.5, NO₂, SO₂ and O₃ were 0.71% (0.34%–1.09%), 2.46% (1.78%–3.15%), 1.25% (0.9%–1.6%), and 0.27% (−0.11%–0.65%) respectively. The distribution of J-AQHI was right-skewed, and it was divided into four levels, with ranges of 0-1 for low risk, 2-3 for moderate risk, 4-5 for high health risk, and ≥6 for severe risk, and the corresponding proportions were 11.25%, 64.61%, 19.33%, and 4.81%, respectively. The ER (95%CI) of mortality risk increased by 3.61% (2.93–4.29) for each IQR increase of the multi-pollutant based J-AQHI , while it was 3.39% (2.68–4.11) for the single-pollutant based AQHI . Conclusion The J-AQHI generated by multi-pollutant model demonstrates the actual exposure health risk of air pollution in the population and provides new ideas for further improvement of AQHI calculation methods.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of Kangai injection combined with Chemotherapy in treating Colorectal cancer. Methods The CNKI, Wanfang, CBM, VIP, Medline and Cochrane Library from inception to the August 17th 2017 were searched, and all the relevant journals, and the literature of RCTs were enrolled. The quality of RCTs was assessed by Jadad scores, meta-analyses were performed by Review Manager 5.3 software. Results 21 Chinese articles were enrolled, including three high quality article, and the Jadad average score is 2.7. 1 879 patients were included. The result of Meta-analyses showed that intervention could improve the quality of life [OR=3.29, 95% CI (2.53-4.27), P＜0.01]; improve the short-term effects [OR=1.79, 95% CI (1.36-2.37),P＜0.001]; reduce the gastrointestinal reactions [OR=0.36,95% CI (0.29-0.45), P＜0.01], reduce bone marrow suppression reaction [OR=0.35, 95% CI (0.27-0.44),P＜0.01]. reduce the peripheral neurotoxicity [OR=0.57, 95% CI (0.41-0.78), P＜0.01], improve the abnormal liver function [OR=0.0.41,95% CI (0.26-0.65), P＜0.01], and improve the abnormal renal function [OR=0.55,95% CI (0.31-0.98), P=0.04]. Conclusions The combination of Kangai injection and Chemotherapy in treating Colorectal cancer is better than only using chemotherapy. However, we need more high-quality RCTs to improve the research.

Objective To set up a living mice colonoscopy platform to establish an orthotopic model of colorectal cancer in mice under direct vision,and to observe its biological behavior such as metastasis.Methods Eighteen-week-old male C57/BL mice were anesthetized,and the intestinal lumen of the mice was examined by a self-developed living mice colonoscopy and Olympus URF-P5 ureteroscopy,respectively.The imaging effects of the two methods were compared.Human colon cancer HT-29 cells were injected into the colonic mucosa of BALB/c-nu mice under direct vision.The colonoscopy was performed on the 3rd,7th and 15th day after the injection to observe the tumor formation in the intestinal lumen.The mice were sacrificed when the body weight decreased significantly or cachexia appeared,and then the abdominal cavity was examined including the tumor formation and metastasis.Results The self-developed living mice colonoscopy platform can provide clear vision of enteric cavity,and no mice died in the colonoscopy examination.In vivo subcutaneous injection of HT-29 cells in mice was performed with a perforation rate of 15％,a mortality rate of 33.3％,a tumor formation rate of 62.5％,an abdominal metastasis rate of 60％,a liver metastasis rate of 25％,and an abdominal wall transfer rate of 25％.Conclusion The self-developed mice colonoscopy platform can be used for the study of colorectum in living mice.The imaging effect is no less than that of Olympus URF-P5 ureteroscopy.In addition,an orthotopic colorectal cancer model can be established by this platform combing with submucosal injection technology.

Objective To analyze and compare the characteristics and differences of corneal endothelial cells of rhesus monkey and tree shrew eyes.Methods Corneal endothelial cells of 6 healthy rhesus monkeys (12 eyes) and 20 healthy tree shrews (40 eyes) were measured using a non-contact SP3000P specular microscope.Eight parameters were de-termined and compared with relevant parameters of human eyes reported in the literature, including minimum cell area (Smin), maximum cell area (Smax), average cell area (Savg), standard deviation of cell area (SD), coefficient of variabili-ty ( CV) , cell density ( CD) , hexagonality percentage ( HG%) and central corneal thickness ( CCT) .Results The ima-ging and measurement of all parameters could be completed in a short time both in rhesus monkeys and tree shrews.The time spent in the two kinds of animals was not significantly different.The CCT was ( 449.2 ±12.8 ) μm and ( 262.4 ± 24.6) μm, Smin was (120.4 ±26.3) S/μm2 and (153.2 ±42.9) S/μm2 , Smax was (705.0 ±130.8) S/μm2 and (468.7 ±109.3) S/μm2 , Savg was (351.1 ±26.1) and (295.4 ±18.9) S/μm2 , SSD was (113.1 ±27.4) and (75.9 ±27.3) S/μm2, CV was (31.9 ±6.0) and (25.3 ±8.3), CD was (2874.2 ±203.8) p/cell· mm-2 and (3399.3 ±224.7) p/cell· mm-2 , and the HG% was (58.6 ±9.1) and (94.0 ±9.7) in the rhesus monkeys andt tree shrews, respectively. The differences of all the above parameters between rhesus monkeys and tree shrews were statistically significant ( P<0.05 for all) .The cornea of tree shrews was significantly thinner than that of rhesus monkeys.The area and coefficient of varia-bility of tree shrews were smaller to those of rhesus monkeys, while the cell density and hexagonality percentage were higher than those of rhesus monkeys.Compared with human eyes, the CCT, CV and HG%in rhesus monkeys were highly simi-lar, while the CD was lower than that of human eyes.The CCT in tree shrew was only 60%of the rhesus monkey eyes and 50%of human eyes, while the CD and Savg were similar to that of human eyes in the 10-20 years old group.Conclu-sions The morphology and parameters of corneal endothelial cells in rhesus monkeys and tree shrews are significantly dif-ferent.There are similarities and differences among the human, rhesus monkey and tree shrew corneal endothelial cells. Both rhesus monkeys and tree shrews are appropriate experimental animals feasible for researches on human corneal endo-thelial diseases.

OBJECTIVE:To systematically review the efficacy and safety of Xiyanping injection versus Ribavirin injection in the treatment of herpangina in children,and provide evidence-based reference for clinical treatment. METHODS:Retrieved from PubMed,Cochrane Library,EMBase,VIP Database,CJFD,Wanfang Database and CBM,randomized controlled trials (RCT) about efficacy and safety of Xiyanping injection versus Ribavirin injection in the treatment of herpangina in children were collected. Meta-analysis was performed by using Rev Man 5.3 software after data extracting and quality evaluating by modified Jadad. RE-SULTS:Totally 14 RCTs were enrolled,involving 1 939 patients. Results of Meta-analysis showed total effective rate [OR=4.69, 95%CI(3.36,6.55),P<0.001],fever clearance time [MD=-1.36,95% CI(-1.60,-1.12),P<0.001],herpes regression time [MD=-1.34,95%CI(-1.61,-1.06),P<0.001],hospitalization time [MD=-1.88,95% CI(-3.68,-0.07),P=0.04] and sali-vation disappearance time [MD=-1.07,95% CI(-1.30,-0.84),P<0.001] of Xiyanping injection were significantly better than Ribavirin injection,there were statistically significant differences. And there was no significant difference in the incidence of ad-verse reactions [OR=0.56,95% CI(0.31,1.03),P=0.06]. CONCLUSIONS:The efficacy of Xiyanping injection is better than Rib-avirin injection in the treatment of herpangina in children,with similar safety.

Amyloidosis ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; Humans