ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the potential molecular biological mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction in treating hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology and preliminarily verify the mechanism through animal experiments. MethodsThe active ingredients and targets in the Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction were obtained by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） and ETCM databases. The DisGeNET and GeneCards databases were utilized to acquire disease targets associated with hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis. These disease targets were then intersected with drug targets to identify key targets. The R language ClusterProfiler package and Python were employed for conducting gene ontology（GO） enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes（KEGG） enrichment analysis. The regulatory network diagram of the drug-key target-function-pathway was visualized using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software， and the protein-protein interaction （PPI） network for key targets was depicted. Finally， the hub gene was determined through topological analysis. Auto Dock， PyMOL， and other software were used for molecular docking to explore the possible therapeutic mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction for hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis. In animal experiments， a composite rat model of hyperuricemia induced by intraperitoneal injection of oteracil potassium combined with gouty arthritis induced by the modified Coderre method was established. Through hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， uric acid test， enzyme linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）， Western blot， and real-time polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）， the molecular mechanism and key targets of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction for treating hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis were observed. ResultsAfter screening and removing duplicate values， 76 active ingredients and 15 key targets were finally obtained. GO enrichment analysis yielded that the treatment of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis with Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction was significantly associated with acute inflammatory response， astrocyte activation， regulation of interleukin （IL）-8 production， nuclear receptor activity， and binding of growth factor receptor. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis obtained that the key target genes were significantly associated with the IL-17 signaling pathway， advanced glycosylation end/receptor of advanced glycation endproducts（AGE/RAGE） signaling pathway， anti-inflammatory， and other pathways. PPI network indicated that albumin（ALB）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ （PPAR-γ）， IL-6， IL-1β， and C-reactive protein（CRP） were the key protein targets. The molecular docking results showed that ALB had the strongest binding force with beta-carotene （β-carotene）. Biochemical results showed that blood uric acid decreased in the Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction groups. HE staining results showed that the low-dose （7.76 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， medium-dose （15.53 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high-dose （31.05 g·kg^-1·d^-1） groups of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction had different degrees of remission， and the remission of the high-dose group was the most obvious. Fibroblastic tissue hyperplasia in synovial joints accompanied with inflammatory cell infiltration， as well as inflammatory cell infiltration in renal tissue of the high-dose group was significantly reduced， followed by the medium-dose and low-dose groups， and the expression of ALB， PPAR-γ， IL-6， IL-1β， and CRP was down-regulated to different degrees. ConclusionBy regulating the targets such as ALB， PPAR-γ， IL-6， IL-1β， and CRP， inhibiting the PPAR-γ/nuclear transcription factor （NF）-κB pathway， and reducing AGEs/RAGE-mediated inflammation， Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and activates blood circulation and diuresis in the treatment of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis.

The global burden of malignant tumors keeps increasing， and the increased morbidity and mortality make malignant tumors one of the major challenges to global health. Currently， malignant tumors are mainly managed by surgical resection， radiotherapy， chemotherapy， targeted therapy， and immunotherapy， which， however， usually cause serious adverse reactions， such as tissue damage， immune function inhibition， and multidrug resistance， affecting the prognosis and quality of life of the patients. Traditional Chinese medicine with low toxic and side effects and multi-target， multi-system， and multi-pathway therapeutic effects has shown positive therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. In particular， the traditional Chinese medicine with the effects of softening hardness and dissipating mass， which contains a variety of active ingredients， have shown strong inhibitory effects on tumor cells. Such medicine can not only directly attack tumor cells and inhibit their proliferation and invasion but also exert therapeutic effects by inducing apoptosis， blocking tumor-related signaling pathways， and inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. In addition， traditional Chinese medicine can improve the overall efficacy of cancer treatment by regulating the immune status of the body and reversing the drug resistance of tumor cells. Traditional Chinese medicine can exert the anti-tumor effect by regulating intracellular signaling pathways， which is one of the research hotspots in this field. Signaling pathways such as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， and mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） play a key role in the formation and development of tumors. Traditional Chinese medicine can regulate the growth， apoptosis， and metabolic process of tumor cells by affecting the activity of these signaling pathways， thus exerting the therapeutic effects on tumors. Based on these mechanisms， a large number of experimental studies and clinical trials have proved that traditional Chinese medicine has broad prospects in anti-tumor treatment. To further verify these research results and provide a basis for the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine and the development of new drugs， a systematic review and integrated analysis of the research reports on the anti-tumor effect of traditional Chinese medicine was carried out to summarize the anti-tumor mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine. This review is expected to promote the wide application of traditional Chinese medicine in anti-tumor treatment worldwide and bring more hope and possibility to cancer patients.

Prescription optimization is a crucial aspect in the study of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） compounds. In recent years， the introduction of mathematical methods， data mining techniques， and artificial neural networks has provided new tools for elucidating the compatibility rules of TCM compounds. The study of TCM compounds involves numerous variables， including the proportions of different herbs， the specific extraction parts of each ingredient， and the interactions among multiple components. These factors together create a complex nonlinear dose-effect relationship. In this context， it is essential to identify methods that suit the characteristics of TCM compounds and can leverage their advantages for effective application in new drug development. This paper provided a comprehensive review of the cutting-edge optimization experimental design methods applied in recent studies of TCM compound compatibilities. The key technical issues， such as the optimization of source material selection， dosage optimization of compatible herbs， and multi-objective optimization indicators， were discussed. Furthermore， the evaluation methods for component effects were summarized during the optimization process， so as to provide scientific and practical foundations for innovative research in TCM and the development of new drugs based on TCM compounds.

ObjectiveTo explore the dose-effect relationship and safety of high， medium， and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in the modified Huangqi Chifengtang （MHCD） for treating proteinuria in immunoglobulin A （IgA） nephropathy， and to provide scientific evidence for the clinical use of high-dose Astragali Radix in the treatment of proteinuria in IgA nephropathy. MethodsA total of 120 patients with IgA nephropathy， diagnosed with Qi deficiency and blood stasis combined with wind pathogen and heat toxicity， were randomly divided into a control group and three treatment groups. The control group received telmisartan combined with a Chinese medicine placebo， while the treatment groups were given telmisartan combined with MHCD containing different doses of raw Astragali Radix （60， 30， 15 g）. Each group contained 30 patients， and the treatment period was 12 weeks. Changes in 24-hour urinary protein （24 hUTP）， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores， effective rate， and renal function were observed before and after treatment. Safety was assessed by monitoring liver function and blood routine. ResultsAfter 12 weeks of treatment， 24 hUTP significantly decreased in the high， medium， and low-dose groups， as well as the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The TCM syndrome scores in the high， medium， and low-dose groups also significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Comparisons between groups showed that the 24 hUTP in the high-dose group was significantly lower than in the medium， low-dose， and control groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the 24 hUTP in the medium-dose group was significantly lower than in the control group （P<0.05）. The TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly lower than in the low-dose and control groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The total effective rates for proteinuria in the high， medium， low-dose， and control groups were 92.59% （25/27）， 85.19% （23/27）， 60.71% （17/28）， and 57.14% （16/28）， respectively. The effective rates in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly higher than in the low-dose and control groups （χ²=13.185， P<0.05， P<0.01）. The effective rates for TCM syndrome scores in the high， medium， low-dose， and control groups were 88.89% （24/27）， 81.48% （22/27）， 71.43% （20/28）， and 46.43% （13/28）， respectively. The efficacy of TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups was significantly higher than in the control group （χ²=14.053， P<0.01）. Compared with pre-treatment values， there was no statistically significant difference in eGFR and serum creatinine in the high and medium-dose groups. However， eGFR significantly decreased in the low-dose and control groups after treatment （P<0.05）， and serum creatinine levels increased significantly in the control group （P<0.05）. No statistically significant differences were observed in urea nitrogen， uric acid， albumin， total cholesterol， triglycerides， liver function， and blood routine before and after treatment in any group. ConclusionThere is a dose-effect relationship in the treatment of IgA nephropathy with high， medium， and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in MHCD. The high-dose group exhibited the best therapeutic effect and good safety profile.

Objective To compare the imaging characteristics and surgical methods of pulmonary nodules in the external 1/3 group and internal 2/3 group. Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical data from patients who underwent thoracoscopic preoperative CT-guided lung nodule localization at the Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from September 2020 to April 2022 was conducted. Results A total of 215 patients were enrolled (247 pulmonary nodules), including 70 males and 145 females, with a median age of 48 years. Based on the location of the nodules under CT guidance, those located in the external 1/3 area of the lung were classified into an external 1/3 group, while those located in the middle 1/3 and inner 1/3 areas were classified into an internal 2/3 group. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of general clinical data, nature of pulmonary nodules, distribution of pulmonary nodules in lobes, localization time, or localization complications (P>0.05). However, there were statistical differences in the distance of pulmonary nodules from the pleura [0.6 (0.0-1.9) cm vs. 1.8 (0.0-4.5) cm, P<0.001], size of pulmonary nodules [0.7 (0.2-1.8) cm vs. 1.0 (0.2-2.0) cm, P<0.001], and surgical methods (P=0.002). In the external 1/3 group, 92.1% of nodules underwent thoracoscopic wedge resection, while fewer patients underwent other procedures; in the internal 2/3 group, 77.1% of nodules underwent thoracoscopic wedge resection, and 19.3% underwent segmentectomy. Conclusion The diameter of pulmonary nodules, the distance of pulmonary nodules from the pleura, and surgical methods differ between the external 1/3 group and internal 2/3 group. Thoracic surgeons can develop more precise surgical plans based on the location and size of pulmonary nodules.

Objective: To explore the plasma metabonomic characteristics of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome. Methods: One hundred and three patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome were enrolled from November 2023 to February 2024 in the First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and 54 healthy individuals were recruited. The general data of the two groups were analyzed, and the plasma metabolite content was detected using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Orbitrap mass spectrometry. Construct an orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis model to screen metabolites with significant intergroup changes. The variable importance in projection≥ 1, |log2FC|>1, and P<0.05 were used as the criteria for the screening of differential metabolites. Annotate differential metabolites using internal databases and the human metabolome database, and perform pathway analysis using MetaboAnalyst website. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in gender and age between the two groups.Seventeen potential differential metabolites were identified. The D-4′-phosphopantothenate, 2, 6-dichloroindophenol, 4-methylphenol, hypoxanthine, 11, 12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, oleamide, 3-phenyllactic acid contents were higher in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome than in healthy individuals(P<0.05); 3-anisic acid, 3-iodo-octadecanoic acid, mebendazole, β-alanine, citric acid, trans-aconitic acid, geranyl diphosphate, lysophosphatidylcholine(18∶2), phosphatidylethanolamine(18∶1), and caprolactam contents were lower in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome than in healthy individuals(P<0.05). Ten metabolic pathways were identified, including the key metabolic pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis pathways. Conclusion Metabolic differences were observed between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome and healthy individuals, and the underlying mechanism may involve the pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis pathways, jointly mediated by D-4′-phosphopantothenate and β-alanine.

Aromatic inhalation therapy is a key traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） approach for preventing respiratory infectious diseases. Its foundational theory， "aromatics acting on the spleen"， is deeply rooted in TCM principles and supported by modern medical research. The theory posits that the aromatic properties of medicinals primarily act on the spleen， and the aromatic inhalation therapy achieved its protective effects by modulation of the spleen and spleen channel to enhance the regulation of wei qi， striae and interstices. In TCM， the spleen is considered the mother of the lungs， with the function of nurturing lung； it is also seen as the source of wei qi， responsible for external defense； and the root of healthy qi， forming the foundation of acquired （postnatal） constitution. Thus， preventive strategies for respiratory infectious diseases focus on strengthening the spleen. From a modern medical perspective， the spleen's role in regulating lung immune responses， the shared immune functions of the respiratory and gastrointestinal mucosa， and the spleen's overall immune modulation provide scientific evidence for using aromatic inhalation therapy to prevent respiratory infections. Additionally， aromatic inhalation therapy offers several advantages， including direct action， rapid onset， minimal side effects， controllable risks， convenience， and ease of dissemination， making it a practical and effective preventive measure for respiratory infectious diseases.

AIM: To evaluate the repeatability and accuracy of iCare IC100 tonometer in measuring intraocular pressure(IOP)by comparing the correlation and difference with Goldmann applanation tonometry(GAT)and non-contact tonometer(NCT), and to compare the correlation of the three types of IOP measurement with the central corneal thickness(CCT).METHODS: Prospective study. A total of 90 outpatients(90 eyes)in Liaoning Aier Eye Hospital from March 2019 to May 2019 were randomly selected as study subjects. All patients were measured IOP using iCare IC100, NCT, and GAT. The interclass correlation coefficient(ICC)was used to evaluate the repeatability of IOP measured 3 times consecutively using an intraocular tonometer. The correlation and consistency of iCare IC100, GAT and NCT were compared by one-way ANOVA, Pearson linear correlation analysis and Bland-Altman analysis. The linear regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation of the three tonometers with CCT.RESULTS: The mean IOP measured with iCare IC100, GAT and NCT was 19.74±6.90, 19.88±7.07 and 18.47±6.31 mmHg, respectively(F=1.180, P=0.309). The measurements of iCare IC100 with GAT, iCare IC100 with NCT and GAT with NCT were all positively correlated(r=0.930, 0.946, 0.918, all P<0.05), the Bland-Altman analysis showed that the mean differences between iCare IC100 and GAT, iCare IC100 and NCT, GAT and NCT were -0.142±2.61, 1.27±2.24, and 1.41±2.81 mmHg, respectively, with 97%(87/90), 96%(86/90), and 97%(87/90)IOP differences distributed within their 95% confidence intervals. The IOP measured with iCare IC100 and CCT, GAT and CCT and NCT and CCT were all positively correlated(r=0.426, 0.353, 0.451, all P<0.01). The linear regression equations between iCare IC100, GAT and NCT measurement and CCT were iCare IC100 IOP=-19.62+0.074×CCT; GAT IOP=-13.54+0.063×CCT; NCT IOP=-19.65+0.072×CCT; that is, for every 10 μm increase in CCT, iCare IC100 measurement increased by 0.74 mmHg, GAT measurement increased by 0.63 mmHg, and NCT measurement increased by 0.72 mmHg.CONCLUSION: The iCare IC100 tonometer has good repeatability and accuracy in measuring IOP, and the CCT has a greater impact on the measurement of iCare IC100 than the GAT and NCT.

AIM: To evaluate the repeatability and accuracy of iCare IC100 tonometer in measuring intraocular pressure(IOP)by comparing the correlation and difference with Goldmann applanation tonometry(GAT)and non-contact tonometer(NCT), and to compare the correlation of the three types of IOP measurement with the central corneal thickness(CCT).METHODS: Prospective study. A total of 90 outpatients(90 eyes)in Liaoning Aier Eye Hospital from March 2019 to May 2019 were randomly selected as study subjects. All patients were measured IOP using iCare IC100, NCT, and GAT. The interclass correlation coefficient(ICC)was used to evaluate the repeatability of IOP measured 3 times consecutively using an intraocular tonometer. The correlation and consistency of iCare IC100, GAT and NCT were compared by one-way ANOVA, Pearson linear correlation analysis and Bland-Altman analysis. The linear regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation of the three tonometers with CCT.RESULTS: The mean IOP measured with iCare IC100, GAT and NCT was 19.74±6.90, 19.88±7.07 and 18.47±6.31 mmHg, respectively(F=1.180, P=0.309). The measurements of iCare IC100 with GAT, iCare IC100 with NCT and GAT with NCT were all positively correlated(r=0.930, 0.946, 0.918, all P<0.05), the Bland-Altman analysis showed that the mean differences between iCare IC100 and GAT, iCare IC100 and NCT, GAT and NCT were -0.142±2.61, 1.27±2.24, and 1.41±2.81 mmHg, respectively, with 97%(87/90), 96%(86/90), and 97%(87/90)IOP differences distributed within their 95% confidence intervals. The IOP measured with iCare IC100 and CCT, GAT and CCT and NCT and CCT were all positively correlated(r=0.426, 0.353, 0.451, all P<0.01). The linear regression equations between iCare IC100, GAT and NCT measurement and CCT were iCare IC100 IOP=-19.62+0.074×CCT; GAT IOP=-13.54+0.063×CCT; NCT IOP=-19.65+0.072×CCT; that is, for every 10 μm increase in CCT, iCare IC100 measurement increased by 0.74 mmHg, GAT measurement increased by 0.63 mmHg, and NCT measurement increased by 0.72 mmHg.CONCLUSION: The iCare IC100 tonometer has good repeatability and accuracy in measuring IOP, and the CCT has a greater impact on the measurement of iCare IC100 than the GAT and NCT.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of action of Prim-O-glucosylcimifugin (POG) to improve cholesterol metabolism in osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes based on the long noncoding RNA nuclear-enriched transcript 1 (lncRNA NEAT1)/microRNA-128-3p (miR-128-3p) pathway. Methods: For in vivo experiments, 60 mice were divided into the normal, sham operation, model, and POG groups using the random number table method, with 15 mice per group. The osteoarthritis mouse model was constructed using the modified Hulth method in the model and POG groups. Mice in the POG group were administered 30 mg/(kg·d)POG by gavage. The other groups were administered an equal amount of normal saline for 8 weeks. The cartilage tissue structure of mice in each group was observed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Real-time PCR was used to detect changes in the lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-128-3p mRNA expression levels in the cartilage tissues of mice. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), liver X receptor β (LXRβ), matrix metalloprotein-3 (MMP-3), and B-lymphoblastoma-2-associated X protein (Bax) in articular cartilage of mice. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) content in the synovial fluid of mice. A biochemical microplate assay was used to measure the total cholesterol level in the synovial fluid of mice. The in vitro experiments were divided into the negative control, interleukin-1β(IL-1β), IL-1β+ POG, IL-1β+ oe-lncRNA NEAT1, IL-1β+ oe-lncRNA NEAT1 + POG, IL-1β + miR-128-3p inhibition, and IL-1β+ miR-128-3p inhibition+ POG groups. An OA model was established by inducing chondrocytes with IL-1β for 24 h, and 90 mg/L of POG and miR-128-3p inhibitor(50 nmol/L) were administered for 48 h as an intervention. lncRNA NEAT1 expression in chondrocytes was detected using fluorescence in situ hybridization. A dual luciferase assay was used to detect the targeting relationship between lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-128-3p. Lentiviral plasmids overexpressing lncRNA NEAT1 were used to transfect mouse chondrocytes. Real-time PCR was used to detect the effect of lncRNA NEAT1 overexpression on the mRNA level of miR-128-3p in chondrocytes. Western blotting was used to detect ABCA1, LXRβ, MMP-3, and Bax protein expression in chondrocytes after lncRNA NEAT1 overexpression and miR-128-3p inhibition. Results: POG significantly reduced OA cartilage tissue damage. Compared with the model group, the lncRNA NEAT1 mRNA level decreased, whereas the miR-128-3p mRNA level increased in the cartilage tissue of the POG group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, ABCA1 and LXRβ protein expression increased in the POG group, whereas MMP-3 and Bax protein expression decreased (P<0.05). The TNF-α levels decreased in the POG group compared to the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the total cholesterol level in the synovial fluid of the joint of mice in the POG group decreased (P<0.05). The mean fluorescence intensity of lncRNA NEAT1 in the IL-1β+ POG group decreased compared with the IL-1β group (P<0.05). The relative luciferase activity in the miR-128-3p mimics group bound to the lncRNA NEAT1-WT plasmid decreased compared with the miR-128-3p negative control group (P<0.05). The lncRNA NEAT1 mRNA levels decreased, whereas the miR-128-3p mRNA levels increased in the IL-1β+ oe-lncRNA NEAT1 + POG group compared with the IL-1β+ oe-lncRNA NEAT1 group (P<0.05). Compared with the IL-1β+ POG group, ABCA1 and LXRβ protein expression decreased, whereas MMP-3 and Bax protein expression increased (P<0.05). Conclusion POG mediates lncRNA NEAT1/miR-128-3p to improve cholesterol metabolism in OA chondrocytes.