Jiegeng decoction is a classic prescription composed of two Chinese medicinal herbs： Platycodon grandiflorum and Glycyrrhiza uralensis. It has the efficacy of diffusing lung qi， resolving phlegm， relieving sore throat and discharging pus， and is commonly used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as cough and pharyngodynia. This article reviews the chemical components， pharmacological mechanisms and clinical applications of Jiegeng decoction. It was found that Jiegeng decoction contains triterpenoid saponins， flavonoids， glycosides， acids， and other components， with platycodin D， platycodin D2， glycyrrhizic acid， glycyrrhetinic acid， liquiritin， etc.， serving as the main active pharmaceutical ingredients. Jiegeng decoction and its chemical constituents exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting signaling pathways such as nuclear factor-κB and mitogen- activated protein kinases， and demonstrate anti-tumor activities through mechanisms like modulating the tumor immune microenvironment and promoting cancer cell apoptosis. Additionally， it exhibits various pharmacological actions including antibacterial， antiviral， and antioxidant effects. Clinically， Jiegeng decoction， its modified prescription and compound combinations are widely used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as cough， pneumonia， and pharyngitis， as well as digestive system disorders like constipation.

Humans ; Tranexamic Acid/therapeutic use* ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Antifibrinolytic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Postoperative Hemorrhage

Tumor cells use glycolysis to provide material and energy under hypoxic conditions to meet the energy requirements for rapid growth and proliferation， namely the Warburg effect. Even under aerobic conditions， tumor cells mainly rely on glycolysis to provide energy. Therefore， glucose transporter protein 1（GLUT1）， which is involved in the process of glucose metabolism， plays an important role in tumorigenesis， development and drug resistance， and is considered to be one of the important targets in the treatment of malignant tumors. In recent years， research on tumor glucose metabolism has gradually become a hot spot. It has been shown that various factors are involved in the regulation of tumor energy metabolism， among which the role of GLUT1 is the most critical. In this paper， the authors reviewed the latest research progress of GLUT1-targeted traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） active ingredient nano-delivery system in tumor therapy， aiming to reveal the feasibility and effectiveness of this system in the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs. The GLUT1-targeted TCM active ingredient nano-delivery system can overcome the bottleneck of the traditional targeting strategy as well as the high-permeability long retention（EPR） effect. In summary， the authors believe that the GLUT1-targeted TCM active ingredient nano-delivery system provides a new strategy for targeted treatment of tumors and has a broad application prospect in tumor prevention and treatment.

With enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), research and application of knee revision protheses and customized components or prostheses in the past decade, revision of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is developing rapidly. However, periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) has always been a major clinical challenge. A comprehensive preoperative examination to find any potential infection sites should be conducted. The overall condition of the patients should be improved. Surgeons should evaluate the classification and degree of soft tissue and bone defects comprehensively and carefully select appropriate surgical approaches, bone reconstruction strategies, and revision prostheses to ultimately restore the alignment, stability, and the range of motion of the knee joint. In the future, efforts should be made to build a team of experts for the support of revisions of TKAs, including preoperative planning, 3D printing, surgical techniques, and ERAS. Nevertheless, primary TKAs protocols should always be firmly sticked to, which are a key to a low rate of revision surgeries. Prevention of PJIs and periprosthetic fractures, as well as establishing a high-quality follow-up system are of the same importance.

BACKGROUND: The screening of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in patients with inflammatory diseases before revision arthroplasty remains uncertain. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), plasma fibrinogen (FIB), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can help screening PJI, but their values in patients with inflammatory diseases have not been determined. METHODS: Patients with inflammatory diseases who underwent revision hip or knee arthroplasty at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, from January 2008 to September 2020 were divided into infected and non-infected groups based on the 2013 International Consensus Meeting criteria. Sensitivity and specificity of the tested biomarkers for diagnosing infection were determined based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and optimal cutoffs were determined based on the Youden index. The diagnostic ability of these biomarkers was re-assessed after combining them with each other. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients with inflammatory diseases were studied; of them 30 were infected. The area under the ROC curve was 0.813 for CRP, 0.638 for ESR, 0.795 for FIB, and 0.656 for NLR. The optimal predictive cutoff of CRP was 14.04 mg/L with a sensitivity of 86.2% and a specificity of 68.7%, while FIB had a sensitivity of 72.4% and a specificity of 81.2% with the optimal predictive cutoff of 4.04 g/L. The combinations of CRP with FIB produced a sensitivity of 86.2% and specificity of 78.1%. CONCLUSION: CRP with a slightly higher predictive cutoff and FIB are useful for screening PJI in patients with inflammatory diseases, and the combination of CRP and FIB may further improve the diagnostic values. TRIAL REGISTRATION ChiCTR.org.cn, ChiCTR2000039989.
Humans ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis* ; Prosthesis-Related Infections/diagnosis* ; Fibrinogen ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Arthritis, Infectious/surgery* ; Blood Sedimentation ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Biomarkers ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To investigate the status and influencing factors of application, project approval and scientific research output of innovation and entrepreneurship training program in medical undergraduates.Methods:A self-made questionnaire was used to investigate the application reasons, topic selection sources, project initiation, project type, implementation, progress, scientific research output and conclusion status of full-time medical undergraduates from Batch 2016 to 2020 in West China School of Medicine of Sichuan University. They were divided into two groups according to the situation whether they applied, whether they were approved and whether they had scientific research output. And the differences between the two groups were compared by chi-square test or t- test. Results:A total of 316 valid questionnaires were collected, of which 68.04% (215/316) applied for the innovation projects, 76.28% (164/215) obtained approval and 32.93% (54/164) had research output. The main reason that hindered students from applying for projects was the lack of guidance (70/101, 69.31%), and the main reason that prompted students to apply for projects was to increase the opportunities for postgraduate recommendation (147/215, 68.37%) and evaluation and award (151/215, 70.23%, 70.23%). 62.79% (135/215) of the project topics were inspired by tutor assignment, while independent topic selection was more conducive to project initiation (68/164, 41.46% vs. 12/51, 23.53%, P=0.021). Conclusion:The medical undergraduates have relatively high application and approval rate of innovation training program, but less scientific research output. Strengthening project application and topic selection guidance and process management can further improve the quality of innovation and entrepreneurship education for college students.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics of elderly patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis.Methods:Data of 62 patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis admitted to Second Xiangya Hospital from May 2016 to December 2019 were collected and patients were divided into an elderly group(≥60 years old, 17 cases)and a non-elderly group(<60 years old, 45 cases). The clinical manifestations, laboratory test resuls, treatment and prognosis of the patients in both groups were statistically analyzed.Results:A total of 62 patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis were included in this study, including 17 elderly patients(27.4%)with an average age of(65.5±5.3)years and 45 non-elderly patients(72.6%)with an average age of(46.5±8.4)years.Compared with non-elderly patients, older patients had a shorter disease duration[(1.6±1.0)months vs.(3.7±3.3)months, t=3.883, P<0.001], a higher proportion of patients with exertional dyspnea(15/17 or 88.2% vs.26/45 or 57.8%, χ2=5.11, P=0.024)and with combined positive anti-Ro-52 antibodies(15/17 or 88.2% vs.26/45 or 57.8%, χ2=5.11, P=0.024), and a higher mortality rate[(12/17 or 70.6%) vs.(8/45 or 17.8%, χ2=15.748, P<0.001)]. In contrast, fewer elderly patients than non-elderly patients had the Heliotrope's sign(9/17 or 41.2% vs.38/45 or 57.8%), χ2=5.07, P=0.024). Conclusions:Elderly patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis have a unique clinical phenotype with an acute onset, atypical rashes, severe pulmonary lesions, making treatment difficult, and have a poor prognosis.

To investigate the relationship of both DNA methylation level and methylenetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR)gene polymorphism with ankylosing spondylitis(AS). Totally 200 Chinese AS patients with HLA-B27(+)and 120 healthy controls were included from Hunan Province.All the cases were diagnosed according to the 1984 modified New York criteria for AS.The DNA methylation was examined by cytosine extension method,while the MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism was analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP).The plasma homocysteine(Hcy)level was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),while the red blood folate level was analyzed by the specific immunoassays. The ratio of the T/T genotype mutation in the AS group was significantly higher than in the control group(17.0% 5.0%;=9.874, =0.002).The plasma homocysteine concentration of AS group was(18.71 ± 2.42)μmol/L,which was significantly higher than that in normal control group [(10.97 ± 2.93)μmol/L](=24.402, <0.001).The plasma Hcy concentration of the T/T genotype [(21.70±1.80)μmol/L] was significantly higher than that of the C/C genotype[(18.31±1.94)μmol/L](=12.088, =0.01)and the C/T genotype [(17.80±2.18)μmol/L](=6.496, =0.01)in the AS group.The DNA methylation level of the T/T genotype in AS group was significantly lower than that in normal control group(=5.655, <0.001)and also significantly lower than those of the C/C genotype(=11.514, <0.001)and the C/T genotype in AS group(=10.287, <0.001). In the Han population in Hunan Province,the C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene is associated with the onset of AS.The T/T mutation at position 677 of the MTHFR gene is an important influencing factor for hyperhcyemia in the AS patients.The T/T mutation at position 677 of the MTHFR gene is associated with genomic DNA hypomethylation.Thus,hypomethylation of DNA may be one of the pathogenic mechanisms of AS.
DNA ; DNA Methylation ; Genomics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing

Objective:To evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of HA280 immunoadsorption (IA) column in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM).Methods:The clinical data of 72 patients with IIM admitted to the Department of Rheumatology of Xiangya No.2 Hospital of Central South University from January 2015 to March 2018 were analyzed. Of these patients, 22 patients were treated with HA280 immunoadsorption column for three times (the immunoadsorption group) and 50 patients were treated with drugs only (the control group). The changes of clinical symptoms and signs, autoimmune antibodies, myocardial enzyme spectrum, the inflammatory markers [erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin], immunoglobulin, complement, other biochemical indexes and pulmonary images of the patients were detected and analyzed before and after the treatment. And then the data were analyzed by Chi-square test, samples t testand Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results:Compared with the control group, the symptoms and signs were obviously improved after treatment with HA280 immunoadsorption column. In particular, the clinical improvement rate of non-specific myositis (89%, 16/18) was higher than that of the control group [(58%, 22/38), χ2=5.379, P<0.05]. And the clearance of autoantibody (control group) was grade 39.41 in average, 28.38 in average in the immunoadsorption group( Z=-2.51, P=0.01), myocardial enzyme spectrum [control 717(1 564) U/L, immunoadsorption group 126(432) U/L , Z=3.09, P<0.01], the inflammatory markers such as ESR [the control group was 24(22) mm/1 h, the immunoadsorption group was 10(7) mm/1 h, Z=-3.0, P=0.003] and immunoglobulin G [the control group was 11(5) g/L, the immunoadsorption group was 9(2) g/L, Z=-4.8, P=0.001] and immunoglobulin M [the control group was 0.9(0.4) g/L, the immunoadsorption group was 1.2(0.8) g/L, Z=-2.0, P=0.05]. Moreover, the lung CT scan showed that pulmonary lesions of the patients in the immunoadsorption group (89%, 17/19) was much more improved than the control group [(61%, 27/44), χ2=4.98, P<0.05]. No serious adverse reactions occurred. Conclusion:HA280 immunoadsorption therapy can significantly clear the autoantibodies, decrease muscle enzymes, inflammatory markers and immunoglobulin, improve lung images of some patients in a short time. It has been shown that it is safein patients with IIM. HA280 immunoadsorption therapy could be an effective treatment for IIM.

Objective To investigate the effect ofbiglycan (BGN) on neural apoptosis in mice with early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).Methods SAH models were induced by endovascular perforation in young male C57BL/6J mice.(1) Totally,48 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group,SAH 6 h group,SAH 12 h group,SAH 24 h group,SAH 48 h group,and SAH 72 h group (n=8);the BGN protein and mRNA expressions were detected by Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR).(2) Totally,16 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group and SAH 48 h group (n=8);immunofluorescent double staining was conducted to explore the BGN expression in the neurons of brain tissues.(3) Totally,24 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group,sham+control lentivirus group,and sham+BGN lentivirus group (n=8);BGN lentiviral vector and control lentivirus were administered intracerebroventricularly 7 d before sham-operation;qRT-PCR was performed to explore the BGN mRNA expression.(4) Totally,48 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group,SAH+control lentivirus group,and SAH+BGN lentivirus group (n=16);BGN lentiviral vector and control lentivirus were administered intracerebroventricularly 7 d before SAH;neurological scores were detected by modified Garcia scale and beam balance tests;TUNEL was used to detect the neuronal apoptosis,and Western blotting was performed to explore the expressions of nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB) and phosphorylated-(p-) NF-κB.Results (1) Mice in the SAH 48 h group had the highest BGN protein and mRNA expressions,which showed statistical differences as compared with the sham-operated group (P＜0.05).(2) A majority of BGN expressions were detected in the neurons 48 h after SAH.(3) The sham+BGN lentivirus group had statistically lower BGN mRNA expression than the sham+control lentivirus group (P＜0.05).(4) As compared with those in the SAH+control lentivirus group,both scores of modified Garcia scale and beam balance tests were significantly higher in SAH+BGN lentivirus group (6.125±1.246 vs.13.000±1.309;1.125±1.126 vs.2.875±0.835),and neural apoptosis ratio and ratio of p-NF-κB/NF-κB were significantly lower in the SAH+BGN lentivirus group (51.950％±11.166％ vs.31.938％±7.705％;1.161±0.156 vs.0.886±0.142,P＜0.05).Conclusion Inhibition of BGN can effectively reduce neuronal apoptosis in mice with EBI after SAH,and attenuate neurological deficits.