1.Herbal Textual Research on Kochiae Fructus in Famous Classical Formulas
Huifang HU ; Liping YANG ; Fei CHEN ; Xiaohui MA ; Ling JIN ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):247-257
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Kochiae Fructus has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, distribution of production areas, quality specification, taste and efficacy, harvesting time, processing and compatibility taboo, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of related famous classical formulas. According to the investigation, it can be seen that Difuzi was first published in Sheng Nong's Herbal Classic, and has been used as the official name throughout history. It is also known by other names such as Dimai, Dikui, and Luozhou. The mainstream source of Difuzi in materia medica throughout history is the dried ripe fruit of Kochia scoparia, which is consistent throughout history. In the Han dynasty, it was recorded that Kochiae Fructus was produced in Jingzhou(Hubei province), while modern literature records its distribution throughout the country, so it does not have obvious geoherbalism. The harvesting period of Kochiae Fructus is mostly in the late autumn, and the quality is best when it is full, gray green in color, and no impurities. There are two processing methods for its origin:from the Southern and Northern dynasties to the Ming dynasty, it was dried in the shade, and after the founding of the People's Republic of China, it was dried in the sun. There are few records about the processing of Kochiae Fructus, and its clinical application is mostly based on raw products as medicine. The seedlings are harvested in February of the lunar calendar, and the leaves are taken in April and May, processing in the place of origin is shade drying, the processing methods include burning ash and frying frost, pounding juice and wine soaking. For internal use, it is mostly decocted or mashed, while for external use, it is mostly washed with decoction or taken in a soup bath. Throughout history, it has been recorded that Kochiae Fructus is bitter and cold, and is mainly used for treating bladder fever. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, most of the literature classified it as damp-clearing medicine. Since the 1985 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, it has been recorded that Kochiae Fructus has a pungent and bitter taste, and a cold nature. Returning to the kidney and bladder meridians with functions of clearing heat and dampness, dispelling wind and relieving itching. The clinical contraindications are mainly prohibited for those with deficiency and no dampness and heat. Throughout history, it has been recorded that the taste of the seedlings and leaves is bitter and cold for treatment of dysentery. Since modern times, it has been used to regulate the liver, spleen and large intestine meridians, with functions such as clearing heat and detoxifying, and diuresis. Based on the textual research, it is recommended to use the dried ripe fruit of K. scoparia when developing the famous classical formulas containing Kochiae Fructus, and processing shall be carried out according to the original processing requirements. If the original formula does not specify the processing requirements, the raw products is taken into medicine.
2.Herbal Textual Research on Cnidii Fructus in Famous Classical Formulas
Huifang HU ; Liping YANG ; Fei CHEN ; Xiaohui MA ; Ling JIN ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):243-253
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Cnidii Fructus has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, distribution of production areas, quality specification, nature and flavour, efficacy, harvesting and processing, compatibility taboo and others, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of the relevant famous classical formulas. After textual research, it can be verified that Cnidii Fructus was first published in Sheng Nong's Herbal Classic, the materia medica of all dynasties was named Shechuangzi, and there are also aliases such as Shesu, Shemi, and Qiangmi. The main source for generations was the dried ripe fruit of Cnidium monnieri, and ancient and modern consistent. From the Eastern Han dynasty to Tang dynasty, the origin of Cnidii Fructus was Zibo, Shandong province. During the Five dynasties, it expanded to Yangzhou in Jiangsu province and Xiangyang in Hubei province, the Song dynasty added Shangqiu in Henan province, and it was considered that Yangzhou, Xiangyang and Shangqiu were its genuine producing areas. It was more widely distributed in Ming and Qing dynasties. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the origin is clearly distributed throughout the country. For its quality evaluation, generally full grain, gray yellow color, strong aroma is the best. The harvesting period in the past dynasties was mostly the fifth lunar month, and the fruit was collected to remove impurities and dry. The mainstream processing in producing area of the past dynasties was net selection of raw products, mixing and steaming with the juice of Rehmanniae Radix and stir-frying were the mainstream processing methods in the past, there were also stir-frying with honey, stir-frying with salt and rice wine, immersing and steaming with rice wine and other methods. In recent times, it has been used in raw products as medicine. Sheng Nong's Herbal Classic recorded Cnidii Fructus was bitter, Supplementary Records of Famous Physicians recorded its acrid for the first time. It was recorded in the Ming dynasty that its nature was warm, acted on the kidney meridian, and had small toxicity. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, most of the literature classified it as a medicine to attack poison, kill insects and relieve itching with the functions of dispelling pathogenic wind and removing dampness, destroying parasites and elieving itching, warming kidney and activating Yang. Clinical contraindications are mainly contraindicated for people with damp-heat from the lower-jiao or kidney heat. Based on the textual research, it is suggested that when developing the famous classical formulas containing Cnidii Fructus, the source shall be the dried ripe fruit of C. monnieri, and then it shall be processed according to the original formulas. If there is no requirement for processing in the formulas, the raw products can be taken into medicine.
3.A Randomized Controlled,Double-Blind Study on Huaban Jiedu Formulation (化斑解毒方) in the Treatment of Psoriasis Vulgaris with Blood-Heat Syndrome
Xuewen REN ; Yutong DENG ; Huishang FENG ; Bo HU ; Jianqing WANG ; Zhan CHEN ; Xiaodong LIU ; Xinhui YU ; Yuanwen LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(16):1679-1686
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Huaban Jiedu Formulation (化斑解毒方, HJF) in treating psoriasis vulgaris with blood-heat syndrome. MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted with 60 patients diagnosed with psoriasis vulgaris of blood-heat syndrome. Patients were randomly assigned to either a treatment group or a control group, with 30 cases in each. The treatment group received HJF granules orally, one dose a day, combined with topical Qingshi Zhiyang Ointment (青石止痒软膏), while the control group received placebo granules, one dose a day, combined with the same topical ointment. Both groups were topically treated twice daily of 28 days treatment cours. Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), visual analogue scale for pruritus (VAS), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, dermatology life quality index (DLQI), and psoriasis life stress inventory (PLSI) were assessed before treatment and on day 14 and day 28. Response rates for PASI 50 (≥50% reduction) and PASI 75 (≥75% reduction), as well as overall clinical efficacy, were compared between groups. Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) were measured before and after 28 days of treatment. Adverse reactions during treatment were recorded. ResultsAfter 28 days of treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in PASI total score, lesion area score, erythema, scaling, and infiltration scores, pruritus VAS score, TCM syndrome score, DLQI, PLSI, and serum IL-6 and IL-17 levels (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the treatment group had significantly greater improvements in PASI total score and erythema score, TCM syndrome score, serum IL-6 and IL-17 levels, and PASI 50 response rate after 28 days (P<0.05). Between-group comparisons of score differences before and after 28-day treatment revealed that the treatment group showed significantly better improvements in PASI total, lesion area score, erythema score, TCM syndrome score, DLQI, PLSI, and inflammatory markers (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The total effective rate on day 14 and day 28 was 40.00% (12/30) and 83.33% (25/30) in the treatment group, versus 6.90% (2/29) and 41.38% (12/29) in the control group, respectively. The clinical efficacy in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). Mild gastric discomfort occurred in 3 patients in the treatment group and 1 in the control group. ConclusionHJF can effectively improve skin lesions and TCM symptoms relieve pruritus, enhance quality of life, and reduce inflammatory markers IL-6 and IL-17, in patients with blood-heat syndrome of psoriasis vulgaris, with a good safety profile.
4.Clinical features and early warning indicators of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure and bacterial infection
Zhanhu BI ; Linxu WANG ; Haifeng HU ; Hong DU ; Yidi DING ; Xiaofei YANG ; Jiayi ZHAN ; Fei HU ; Denghui YU ; Hongkai XU ; Jianqi LIAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(4):760-766
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and bacterial infection and early warning indicators associated with multidrug-resistant infections. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 130 patients with ACLF and bacterial infection who attended The Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2021, and according to the drug susceptibility results, the patients were divided into multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infection group with 80 patients and non-MDR bacterial infection group with 50 patients. General information and laboratory examination results were compared between the two groups to screen for the early warning indicators associated with MDR bacterial infection. The Student’s t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data with homogeneity of variance between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data or continuous data with heterogeneity of variance between two groups; the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The binary logistic regression analysis and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to assess the predictive value of early warning indicators. ResultsAmong the 130 patients with ACLF and bacterial infection, sputum (27.7%) was the most common specimen for detection, followed by blood (24.6%), urine (18.5%), and ascites (17.7%). Bacterial infections were dominated by Gram-negative bacteria (58.5%). Of all bacteria, Escherichia coli (18.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.6%), and Enterococcus faecium (13.8%) were the most common pathogens. Gram-positive bacteria had a high resistance rate to the antibacterial drugs such as erythromycin (72.2%), penicillin (57.4%), ampicillin (55.6%), and ciprofloxacin (53.7%), while Gram-negative bacteria had a high resistance rate to the antibacterial drugs such as ampicillin (73.3%), cefazolin (50.0%), and cefepime (47.4%). The patients with ACLF and bacterial infection had a relatively high rate of MDR bacterial infection (61.5%). Comparison of clinical data between the two groups showed that compared with the patients with non-MDR bacterial infection, the patients with MDR bacterial infection had significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (Z=2.089, P=0.037), aspartate aminotransferase (Z=2.063, P=0.039), white blood cell count (Z=2.207, P=0.027), and monocyte count (Z=4.413, P<0.001). The binary logistic regression analysis showed that monocyte count was an independent risk factor for MDR bacterial infection (odds ratio=7.120, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.478 — 20.456,P<0.001) and had an area under the ROC curve of 0.686 (95%CI: 0.597 — 0.776) in predicting ACLF with MDR bacterial infection(P<0.001), with the optimal cut-off value of 0.50×109/L, a sensitivity of 0.725, and a specificity of 0.400. ConclusionACLF combined with bacterial infections is mainly caused by Gram-negative bacteria, with the common pathogens of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae and a relatively high MDR rate in clinical practice. An increase in monocyte count can be used as an early warning indicator to distinguish MDR bacterial infection from non-MDR bacterial infection.
5.Recent advances in drug screening methods of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
Li-de HU ; Chuan-feng LIU ; Ping LI ; Guan-yu DONG ; Xin-yong LIU ; Peng ZHAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):298-312
The pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a serious impact on global public health and the economy. SARS-CoV-2 infiltrates host cells
6.Association Between V1 Lead r'Wave Amplitude and Impedance Changes With Left Bundle Branch Pacing Electrode Implantation Depth
Qianghui HUANG ; Yueping JIANG ; Biming ZHAN ; Qianwei HUANG ; Jinzhu HU
Chinese Circulation Journal 2024;39(3):273-278
Objectives:To explore the association between the r'wave amplitude in lead V1 and impedance changes with left bundle branch pacing electrode implantation depth. Methods:A total of 78 patients with normal heart structure and underwent left bundle branch area pacing(LBBAP)in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from January 1,2019 to December 31,2021 were included in this retrospective analysis.Baseline data,intraoperative and imaging data,and 3,6,9 and 12 months of follow-up results were collected.Correlation and regression analysis were performed to define the feasibility using the r'wave in lead V1 during pacing and impedance changes to estimate the electrode depth. Results:r'waves at the end of the QRS complex in lead V1 during pacing were found in 70 cases(89.7%),and 8 cases(10.3%)showed rS,RS type QRS waves,or no r'wave at the end.Correlation analysis showed that r'wave amplitude was positively correlated with electrode depth(r=0.424,P<0.01),negatively correlated with impedance(r=-0.256,P=0.03).There was no significant statistical correlation between electrode implantation depth and impedance(r=-0.132,P=0.27).Regression analysis found that electrode depth was an important factor affecting r'wave amplitude(regression coefficient=0.056,P=0.000).Combined with the established regression model and impedance,it was found that the amplitude of the r'wave in lead V1 is at the range of 0.24-0.69 mV,and the impedance ranges from 648.30 to 828.90 Ω,and the electrode implantation depth is 6-11 mm,which is most suitable.The risk of perforation is low,and the left bundle branch can be successfully captured with a high probability.The pacing parameters are satisfactory,and the pacing QRS wave duration is narrow.During the intraoperative,postoperative 48 hours,and 12-month follow-up period,the patient did not experience complications such as electrode perforation,thromboembolism,cardiac tamponade,infection,or wire dislocation. Conclusions:Left bundle branch region pacing is a safe and feasible pacing method.During LBBAP,the amplitude of the r'wave in lead V1 at the range of 0.24-0.69 mV,and the impedance ranges from 648.30 to 828.90 Ω can be used to guide the pacing in the left bundle branch region and reduce the risk of electrode perforation.
7.Clinical and CT radiomics features for predicting microsatellite instability-high status of gastric cancer
Pengchao ZHAN ; Liming LI ; Dongbo LYU ; Chenglong LUO ; Zhiwei HU ; Pan LIANG ; Jianbo GAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2024;40(1):77-82
Objective To observe the value of clinical and CT radiomics features for predicting microsatellite instability-high(MSI-H)status of gastric cancer.Methods Totally 150 gastric cancer patients including 30 cases of MSI-H positive and 120 cases of MSI-H negative were enrolled and divided into training set(n=105)or validation set(n=45)at the ratio of 7∶3.Based on abdominal vein phase enhanced CT images,lesions radiomics features were extracted and screened,and radiomics scores(Radscore)was calculated.Clinical data and Radscores were compared between MSI-H positive and negative patients in training set and validation set.Based on clinical factors and Radscores being significant different between MSI-H positive and negative ones,clinical model,CT radiomics model and clinical-CT radiomics combination model were constructed,and their predictive value for MSI-H status of gastric cancer were observed.Results Significant differences of tumor location and Radscore were found between MSI-H positive and negative patients in both training and validation sets(all P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of clinical model,CT radiomics model and combination model for evaluating MSI-H status of gastric cancer in training set was 0.760,0.799 and 0.864,respectively,of that in validation set was 0.735,0.812 and 0.849,respectively.AUC of clinical-CT radiomics combination model was greater than that of the other 2 single models(all P<0.05).Conclusion Clinical-CT radiomics combination model based on tumor location and Radscore could effectively predict MSI-H status of gastric cancer.
8.Investigation on Current Biosafety Management Status in Laboratory Animal Institutions in Hunan Province
Meitong LIU ; Zhang CHEN ; Zhaoqiang ZHANG ; Di FAN ; Zhan HU ; Hailing MA
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2024;44(2):202-208
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the current status of biosafety management in laboratory animal institutions in Hunan Province, identify management shortcomings, and provide targeted recommendations for improvement. MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted in July 2023 among 40 laboratory animal institutions in Hunan Province, covering topics such as the establishment of laboratory management system and its overall operation status, emergency management for incidents, medical waste disposal, animal transportation, personnel practitioner management, environmental disinfection, and equipment maintenance. The awareness of biosafety, animal bite incidents, and vaccination history was surveyed from at least one animal feeder or experimental operation practitioner from each institution, totaling 50 practitioners. Through literature review and comparative analysis, this paper analyzed the current status of biosafety management in production, transportation, and use of laboratory animals in Hunan Province from aspects such as biosafety management systems, personnel training, disinfection of environmental facilities and waste disposal, and provided recommendations. ResultsAmong the 40 laboratory animal institutions in Hunan Province,39 institutions (97.5%) had established laboratory management systems, 37 (92.5%) had emergency response plans for incidents of to transport laboratory animals, 15 (37.5%) had complete records of emergency drills for laboratory animal biosafety, and 39 (97.5%) had established protocols for carcass and waste management. Moreover, 26 institutions (65.0%) had laboratory biosafety risk assessment reports. 4 out of 8 (50.0%) production units had emergency plans for animal transportation, with 7 (87.5%) using special vehicles to transport laboratory animals. 2 (4.0%) of the 50 practitioners were unaware of emergency response plans, 6 participants (12.0%) did not consistently wear personal protective equipment, and 38 participants (76.0%) had been bitten or scratched by laboratory animals. The results of the survey showed that emergency management, transportation management and personnel management of laboratory animal incidents still need improvement in Hunan Province. Relevant functional departments should strengthen supervision and management efforts, establish local regulations for the transportation management of laboratory animals, ensure strict compliance with relevant documents, conduct emergency drills in all units, and strengthen training for practitioners. ConclusionWhile daily management practices in the 40 laboratory animal institutions in Hunan Province are generally satisfactory, there remains a need for further improvement in emergency management, transportation management, personnel management, etc. Gradually enhancing the level of laboratory animal safety management is essential to collectively safeguard public health safety.
9.Comparison of Wild and Cultivated Paeoniae Radix Rubra Based on Traditional Quality Evaluation
Chunfang TIAN ; Qiannan HU ; Zhilai ZHAN ; Xiaoyan LAN ; Xiang LI ; Li ZHOU ; Tiegui NAN ; Zidong QIU ; Liping KANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(14):165-174
ObjectiveTo compare wild and cultivated Paeoniae Radix Rubra(PRR) in three aspects, including character, microscope, determination of primary and secondary metabolites. MethodSeventeen batches of wild and nine batches of cultivated PRR were collected,their character data were measured by vernier caliper and scales, and their paraffin sections were made by safranin-fixed green dyeing for the observation of microscopic features. The content of ethanol-soluble extracts and total tannin from wild and cultivated PRR was determined by the method of general principle 2201 and 2202 in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the content of polysaccharides was determined by phenol-sulfuric acid method. Anthrone colorimetry was used to determine the content of starch, and Van Soest method of washing fiber was used to determine the content of fiber. The contents of fructose, glucose and sucrose in wild and cultivated PRR were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography evaporative light scattering detection(UPLC-ELSD), and the secondary metabolites(gallic acid, methyl gallate, catechin, oxypaeoniflorin, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, ellagic acid, 1,3,4,6-tetragalloylglucose, galloylpaeoniflorin, 1,2,3,4,6-O-pentagalloylglucose, naringenin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and benzoylalbiflorin) were determined by UPLC. Principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were used to analyze the data of wild and cultivated PRR, the contribution of different factors to the difference was determined according to the variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 and P<0.05. ResultIn term of characters, wild PRR showed the traditional characteristic of Zaopi Fencha, its outer skin was loose and easy to fall off, its surface had longitudinal furrow and wrinkle, but the outer skin of cultivated PRR was not easy to fall off, and its surface was relatively smooth. The radial texture of xylem of wild PRR cross-section was more obvious, showing radial striations, vacuoles and more cracks, while the radial texture of xylem of cultivated PRR cross-section was not obvious, dense and some had cracks. Microscopically, the number of radial vessels arranged in the xylem of wild PRR was more than that of cultivated PRR, the number of calcium oxalate clusters in the phloem and xylem of wild PRR was more than that of cultivated PRR, while the number of starch grains was significantly higher in cultivated PRR. In terms of the content of primary chemical constituents, the contents of polysaccharides and starch of cultivated PRR were significantly higher than those of wild PRR(P<0.05), while the contents of cellulose, lignin, fructose and glucose of wild PRR were significantly higher than those of cultivated PRR(P<0.05). The results of determination of 13 secondary metabolites showed that the contents of paeoniflorin, methyl gallate, catechin and oxypaeoniflorin in wild PRR were significantly higher than those in cultivated PRR(P<0.05), while the contents of albiflorin, gallic acid, ellagic acid, naringenin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and benzoylalbiflorin were significantly lower than those of cultivated PRR(P<0.05). A total of 10 variables contributing to the differentiation between wild and cultivated PRR were screened, including albiflorin, cellulose, benzoylpaeoniflorin, oxypaeoniflorin, naringenin, ellagic acid, starch, lignin, paeoniflorin and total tannins. ConclusionThere are significant differences between wild and cultivated PRR in characters, microscopic characteristics, contents of primary and secondary metabolites. It is suggested that the content ratio of paeoniflorin and albiflorin, the contents of oxypaeoniflorin and cellulose can be used as indicators to characterize production methods of PRR so as to improve the quality standard of PRR. This study can provide reference for the improvement of quality standard of PRR and the guidance of high quality production of PRR.
10.Labor participation of Chinese older people and construction of age-friendly occupational health protection system
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(9):967-970
Population aging has become a normal state in China, and actively responding to the aging of the population has been elevated to a "national strategy" in China. The communique of the fifth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China emphasized "developing elderly human resources and developing silver economy," which means that capable older people are encouraged to actively participate in economic construction through labor participation; at the same time, promoting the participation of older persons in the process of development and sharing the fruits of development are also crucial for the balanced development and common prosperity of the whole society. Based on the necessity, feasibility, and reality of the elderly's labor participation, this paper proposed the construction of an age-friendly occupational health protection system from two aspects: environmental support and internal capacity support. A sufficient volume of low-aged older people with good quality should be a basic driving force for promoting high-quality economic development, while the current proportion of actively employed elderly people is low, their average education level is far from what we expected, and the channels for employment are limited. In the future construction of an age-friendly occupational health protection system, the institutional environment and occupational environment support for elderly workers should be improved, laws and regulations on the employment of the elderly should be formulated, and an age-friendly work environment should be constructed; at the same time, internal capacity support should be provided for older workers to maintain their working ability in aging process, stimulate their subjective initiative, and pay attention to the career development of the whole life cycle to realize the better participation of the working population in economic development in the process of aging. Through these measures, a more inclusive and sustainable society can be anticipated, making the labor participation of older people an important force to promote social progress.

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