Radix et Rhizoma Rhei is one of the major Chinese medicinal herbs,with a long medicinal history and extensive clinical application.It has the effects of purgation,clearing heat and fire,cooling blood and detoxifying,expelling stasis and channeling meridian,diuresis and retreating yellow,etc.Its chemical constituents mainly include anthraquinones,anthrones,stilbenes,benzophenones,polysaccharides,tannins,and volatile oils.The pharmacological effects mainly include purgation,anti-inflammation,anti-tumor,lipid regulation,renal protection,liver protection,and anti-angiogenesis.This article summarizes the main chemical constituents and modern pharmacological effects of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei,aiming to provide a reference for the research of clinical use and pharmacological effects of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei.

Objective:To establish a nomogram to evaluate the adequacy of bowel preparation before colonoscopy and to guide clinical decision-making.Methods:A total of 1 023 valid questionnaires from subjects who underwent diagnosis and treatment of colonoscopy at the digestive endoscopy center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from September 2020 to March 2021 were finally returned. The contents of the questionnaire mainly included the clinical characteristics, defecation habits, the number of defecation and the time of the last defecation after taking the medicine and the self-assessment results of bowel preparation before colonoscopy. Subjects' bowel preparation was graded with the Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS) by a designated endoscopist in a single blinded method. Multivariate analyse was used to explore the influencing factors for bowel preparation adequacy, and a nomogram was drawn accordingly.Results:Based on BBPS scores, bowel preparation of 674 subjects were adequate and 349 were inadequate. Multivariate analyse identified the number of defecation per week ( OR=1.649,95% CI:1.233-2.204, P=0.001), the number of defecation after medication ( OR=3.963, 95% CI: 1.851-8.485, P<0.001), the time of the last defecation after medication ( OR=5.151, 95% CI: 1.152-23.037, P=0.032), and self-assessment of bowel preparation before examination ( OR=8.284, 95% CI: 2.042-33.601, P=0.003) were influencing factors for the adequacy of bowel preparation for colonoscopy. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of assessment of colonoscopic bowel preparation adequacy with nomogram visualization according to influencing factors was 0.913, optimal cutoff value was 0.824, the sensitivity was 0.746, and the specificity was 0.971 under the internal validation cohort. Conclusion:The nomogram based on the number of defecation per week, the number of defecation after medication, the time of the last defecation after medication, and self-assessment of bowel preparation before examination could evaluate the adequacy of bowel preparation before colonoscopy, which is worthy of application.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical Bisaitong （鼻塞通） in treating moderate-to-severe allergic rhinitis （AR）. MethodsA randomized， positive-controlled， non-inferiority clinical trial design was adopted. Totally， 108 cases of moderate-to-severe AR were randomly divided into Bisaitong group and mometasone furoate group，with 54 cases in each group. The Bisaitong group was treated with Bisaitong smeared at the nasal cavity twice a day， and the mometasone furoate group received inhalation of mometasone furoate nasal spray 100 μg in each nostril， once a day. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks and followed up after additional 4 weeks. Both groups were compared on the rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire （RQLQ）， rhinoconjunctivitis total symptom score （RTSS）， visual analogue score （VAS） of sneezing， runny nose， nasal itching， nasal congestion degree， days of AR episodes at enrollment， after 2- and 4-week， and at follow-up. The peripheral blood eosinophil （EOS） count and percentage （EOS%）， serum eosinophil cationic protein （ECP）， serum dust mite， dermatophagoides farinae， and cockroach allergen-specific IgE （sIgE） levels were compared between groups at enrollment and after 4-week treatment. Drug overuse rate was calculated， and the safety was evaluated. The analysis of all efficacy outcomes was based on both full analysis set （FAS） and per-protocol set （PPS）. ResultsThe lower limit of the 95% confidence interval for the differences in RQLQ scores were greater than -0.6 measured after 2- and 4-week treatment and at follow-up compared to that measured at the enrollment in both groups， indicating of the Bisaitong group being non-inferior to the mometasone furoate group. There was no statistically significant difference between groups on RTSS score， VAS scores of sneezing， runny nose， nasal itching， nasal congestion degree and days of episodes at all timepoints （P＞0.05）， but each outcome changed significantly over time in both groups （P＜0.01）. The differences between groups in EOS count， EOS%， ECP levels， serum dust mite， dermatophagoides farinae， cockroach sIgE levels， and drug overuse rate were not statistically significant at enrollment and after 4-week treatment （P＞0.05）. Adverse events occurred in eight cases （15.10%） in the Bisaitong group and five cases （9.30%） in the mometasone furoate group， showing no significant difference between groups （P＞0.05）. ConclusionTopical Bisaitong is non-inferior to mometasone furoate nasal spray in the treatment of moderate to severe AR in terms of clinical symptom relief，reduction in the episodes， improvement of quality of life， and sound safety.

Boiling is a common processing method of Chinese medicine. Based on the book of Summary of Processing Methods Data of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Past Dynasties， the authors consulted herbal books in all ages， combined with modern processing laws and regulations in various provinces and cities， the boiling methods and Chinese medicine varieties in ancient and modern times， judgment method of the endpoint of processing， as well as the study on boiling methods of representative Chinese medicines were compiled and analyzed. After sorting， it was found that the application of boiling methods began in the Han dynasty， enriched and developed in the Northern and Southern dynasties， Tang， Song and Yuan dynasties， and reached its heyday in the Ming and Qing dynasties. However， the number of modern boiling varieties decreased and mainly focused on toxic Chinese medicines or those that need to change or moderate their medicinal properties， indicating the development of boiling methods entered a stable period. The varieties of excipients used in the modern age mainly considered factors such as convenience of use and easy access， and the boiling degree， time and times were commonly used to judge the endpoint of boiling process. The main purposes of using boiling method for Chinese medicines were to remove impurities， remove non-medicinal parts， change or moderate the medicinal properties， and eliminate or reduce adverse reactions， which can provide a reference for carrying out the common research of boiling method for Chinese medicines.

Objective:To explore the short-term outcomes of dual kidney transplantation and summarize its safety and feasibility.Methods:From September 2018 to September 2019, a total of 7 dual kidney transplantations were performed. And retrospective analysis was performed for baseline profiles, clinical data and postoperative complications.Results:The mean age was (62.7±8.5) years for donors and (43.9±9.3) years for recipients. The Remuzzi score of 6 paired kidneys ranged from 4 to 6 points. During follow-ups, the survival rate of 7 dual kidney transplantation grafts and recipients was 100%. The median follow-up period was 16 months. Renal function of 6 recipients normalized within 1 week and delayed graft function (DGF) occurred in one case. All of them underwent unilateral kidney transplantation with an average operative duration of (5.6±1.4) hours. There was no onset of operative complications. One case of rejection was not confirmed by biopsy. Among three patients of lung infections, there was one case of severe pneumonia. In 3 cases, lateral plasma flow of transplanted kidney exceeded that of medial plasma flow.Conclusions:Dual kidney transplantation in adults is both safe and feasible so as to expand the availability of donated kidney.

Objective To explore the safety and effectiveness of central venous catheter for thoracic drainage after esoph-agectomy.Methods We prospectively analyzed 95 patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma in our de-partment from August 2016 to August 2017.Forty-six patients with central venous catheter drainage were observation group, and 49 patients with traditional chest-tube closed drainage were control group.Compared the differences of drainage amount, pain score, postoperative patient quality of life score, duration of drainage and chest tube incision healing between the two groups.Results There were no significant differences in daily drainage volume and patency of drainage tube between the two groups(P>0.05).Compared with the control group, the duration of thoracic drainage in the observation group was significant shorter, the pain intensity score was significant lower , and the emotional function of postoperative patient quality of life was sig-nificant better(P<0.01).There were more patients suffered uncomfortable symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, pain, in-somnia in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion The application of central venous catheter in thoracic drainage can de-crease the postoperative pain and improve the postoperative quality of life for esophageal carcinoma patients after esophagecto-my.It is safe and feasible for thoracic drainage after esophagectomy .

Objective To explore the interaction between folate and the expression of HPV16 E6/E7 mRNA in the progression of cervix carcinogenesis.Methods Subjects were selected from the participants who were diagnosed pathologically,including 64 patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC),55 patients with low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (CIN1),55 patients with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (CIN2 +) and 80 with normal cervix (NC).The levels of serum folate and RBC folate were detected by microbiological assay,and the expression levels of HPV16 E6/E7 mRNA were measured,using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR).Data was analyzed by methods as chi-square test,analysis of variance (ANOVA),Welch test,Kruskal-Wallis H test and ordinal logistic regression.Spearman correlation was tested using the SPSS statistical software (version 16.0) while the interaction effects were evaluated by additive model.Results There was a positive correlation seen between the serum folate and RBC folate (r=0.41,P＜0.001).The levels of serum folate and RBC folate decreased gradually along with the severity of cervical lesions (x2=32.71,P＜0.001;x2=16.32,P＜0.001).The expression levels of HPV 16 E6/E7 mRNA increased gradually with the severity of cervical lesions (x2 =30.11,P＜ 0.001;x2 =38.99,P＜0.001).There was a negative correlation between the levels of RBC folate,expression levels of HPV16 E6 (E6:r=-0.14,P=0.009) and HPV16 E7 mRNA (E7:r=-0.21,P=0.001),respectively.Both RBC folate deficiency and HPV16 E6/E7 mRNA high expression showed additive interaction in CIN 1,CIN2 + and SCC.Conclusion Folate deficiency and high expression of HPV16 E6/E7 mRNA might increase the risk of cervical cancer and cervix precancerous lesions,and having a synergistic action in the progression of cervix carcinogenesis.

OBJECTIVETo compare thoracoscopic esophagectomy with traditional esophagectomy in radical mediastinal lymphadenectomy for esophageal cancer, and to explore the feasibility and safety of thoracoscopic mediastinal lymphadenectomy for esophagectomy.

METHODSClinical data associated with perioperation and mediastinal lymph nodes clearance of 304 patients undergoing radical operation of esophageal cancer via left neck-right chest-upper abdomen in our department from June 2009 to June 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. Among 304 cases, 199 received traditional open radical resection and 105 thoracoscopic esophagectomy. The intrathoracic mediastinal lymph node metastasis rate, extent of metastasis, time of operation, blood loss and complications between two groups were compared.

RESULTSAll the 304 cases completed their operations successfully. A total of 3724 mediastinal lymph nodes were removed, mean 12.3±7.0 per case, including 1065 in thoracoscopic group, mean 10.1±5.5 per case, and 2659 in open group, mean 13.3±7.5 per case, whose difference was significant. But further analysis according to the postoperative pathologic staging showed no significant difference of above lymph nodes removed between two groups. Mediastinal lymph node metastasis was found in 126 patients with a rate of 41.4%, which was 35.6% and 44.7% in thoracoscopic and open groups respectively without significant difference(P>0.05). The left laryngeal recurrent nerve lymph node metastasis rate in open group and thoracoscopic group was 16.1% and 6.7% respectively, and the difference was significant(P<0.05). Differences of lymph node metastasis rate in other regions were not significant between the two groups. There were 365 positive lymph nodes, and the lymph node metastasis degree was 9.8%. which was 8.2% and 10.5% in thoracoscopic group and open group respectively(P<0.05), besides metastasis degree of open group was much higher in right laryngeal recurrent nerve and subcarinal lymph node region. The overall complication rate was 36.8%, which was 28.6% in thoracoscopic group and 41.2% in open group respectively with significant difference(P<0.05). There were no significant differences in operative time and blood loss between the two groups(both P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONRadical mediastinal lymphadenectomy with thoracoscopic esophagectomy is technically safe and feasible for early to moderate stage esophageal cancer with similar lymph nodes removed and lower complication morbidity. In the early period of carrying out thoracoscopic radical mediastinal lymphadenectomy, laryngeal recurrent nerve and subcarinal lymph node region should be identified to prevent incidental injury.

Blood Loss, Surgical ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; pathology ; Mediastinum ; pathology ; Operative Time ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To investigate the influence of electroacupuncturing Neiguan points on mitochondrial Ca2+release and cardiomyocyte apoptosis of diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats. Methods 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and a treatment group(10 in each group). In the treatment group, after eight weeks electroacupuncture Neiguan point treating diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats, the myocardium was quickly removed,mitochondrial was extracted,dual-beam UV spectrophotometer was adopted to detecting Ca2+transportation by testing Ca2+indicator A Ⅲ absorbance, and Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was evaluated by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxy-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Results Ca2+ indicator A Ⅲ absorbance detection(0.051±0.014) and cardiomyocyte apoptosis(0.49±0.36)were more depressed in the treatment group than in the model group[(0.077±0.025), (0.53±0.04)], there were significantly different(P<0.05) Conclusion Effect of Electroacupuncturing Neiguan points decreased myocardial apoptosis index in rats with diabetic cardiomyopathy, which may be related to the reduction of mitochondrial Ca2+influx.

Objective To compare thoracoscopic esophagectomy with traditional esophagectomy in radical mediastinal lymphadenectomy for esophageal cancer , and to explore the feasibility and safety of thoracoscopic mediastinal lymphadenectomy for esophagectomy. Methods Clinical data associated with perioperation and mediastinal lymph nodes clearance of 304 patients undergoing radical operation of esophageal cancer via left neck-right chest-upper abdomen in our department from June 2009 to June 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. Among 304 cases, 199 received traditional open radical resection and 105 thoracoscopic esophagectomy. The intrathoracic mediastinal lymph node metastasis rate , extent of metastasis, time of operation, blood loss and complications between two groups were compared. Results All the 304 cases completed their operations successfully. A total of 3724 mediastinal lymph nodes were removed, mean 12.3±7.0 per case, including 1065 in thoracoscopic group, mean 10.1±5.5 per case, and 2659 in open group, mean 13.3 ±7.5 per case, whose difference was significant. But further analysis according to the postoperative pathologic staging showed no significant difference of above lymph nodes removed between two groups. Mediastinal lymph node metastasis was found in 126 patients with a rate of 41.4%, which was 35.6% and 44.7% in thoracoscopic and open groups respectively without significant difference (P>0.05). The left laryngeal recurrent nerve lymph node metastasis rate in open group and thoracoscopic group was 16.1% and 6.7% respectively , and the difference was significant (P<0.05). Differences of lymph node metastasis rate in other regions were not significant between the two groups. There were 365 positive lymph nodes , and the lymph node metastasis degree was 9.8%. which was 8.2% and 10.5% in thoracoscopic group and open group respectively (P<0.05), besides metastasis degree of open group was much higher in right laryngeal recurrent nerve and subcarinal lymph node region. The overall complication rate was 36.8%, which was 28.6% in thoracoscopic group and 41.2% in open group respectively with significant difference (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in operative time and blood loss between the two groups (both P>0.05). Conclusion Radical mediastinal lymphadenectomy with thoracoscopic esophagectomy is technically safe and feasible for early to moderate stage esophageal cancer with similar lymph nodes removed and lower complication morbidity. In the early period of carrying out thoracoscopic radical mediastinal lymphadenectomy, laryngeal recurrent nerve and subcarinal lymph node region should be identified to prevent incidental injury.