With the aging of the global population， osteoporosis （OP） is becoming a major public health concern worldwide. Currently， the commonly used anti-osteoporosis drugs in clinical practice have limited application due to many side effects. Therefore， developing more effective and safer strategies for the prevention and treatment of OP has become a research focus in this field. In recent years， the clinical efficacy and advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in treating OP have been gradually recognized. With the deepening pharmacological research on TCM for OP prevention and treatment， it is found that the active ingredients of Scutellaria baicalensis can promote bone formation or inhibit bone resorption by regulating signaling pathways， including Wnt/β-catenin， osteoprotegerin （OB）/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand （RANKL）/RANK （OPG/RANKL/RANK）， and bone morphogenetic protein 2 （BMP-2）/Smad， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， and mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）. However， existing research on active ingredients of S. baicalensis for OP treatment is scattered， making it difficult for scholars to gain a systematic understanding of its research and application. This review summarized the literature on the active ingredients of S. baicalensis in OP treatment worldwide， clarified their mechanisms of action， and explored some issues， providing references for the integration of TCM in OP prevention and treatment.

With the aging of the global population， osteoporosis （OP） is becoming a major public health concern worldwide. Currently， the commonly used anti-osteoporosis drugs in clinical practice have limited application due to many side effects. Therefore， developing more effective and safer strategies for the prevention and treatment of OP has become a research focus in this field. In recent years， the clinical efficacy and advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in treating OP have been gradually recognized. With the deepening pharmacological research on TCM for OP prevention and treatment， it is found that the active ingredients of Scutellaria baicalensis can promote bone formation or inhibit bone resorption by regulating signaling pathways， including Wnt/β-catenin， osteoprotegerin （OB）/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand （RANKL）/RANK （OPG/RANKL/RANK）， and bone morphogenetic protein 2 （BMP-2）/Smad， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， and mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）. However， existing research on active ingredients of S. baicalensis for OP treatment is scattered， making it difficult for scholars to gain a systematic understanding of its research and application. This review summarized the literature on the active ingredients of S. baicalensis in OP treatment worldwide， clarified their mechanisms of action， and explored some issues， providing references for the integration of TCM in OP prevention and treatment.

Objective To examine the current status and trends of colorectal cancer (CRC) burden among Chinese residents from 1990 to 2021. Methods Data on CRC burden in China, Asia, and the global population from 1990 to 2021 were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease database for descriptive analysis. An age-period-cohort model was employed to estimate the effects of age, period, and cohort on CRC mortality and to forecast changes in disease burden. Results In 2021, China’s age-standardized mortality rate, prevalence rate, and DALY rate for CRC were higher than global and Asian averages. The estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) from 1990 to 2021 were −0.49% (95%CI: −0.55% to −0.43%) for mortality, 3.17% (95%CI: 3.03%−3.31%) for prevalence, and −0.62% (95%CI: −0.71% to −0.54%) for DALYs. Areas with high and medium-high sociodemographic indexes (SDIs) showed significant decreases in standardized mortality and DALY rates, but these rates remained higher compared with other regions. CRC mortality increased with age in the Chinese population, more prominently in males than in females. Using the 2002–2006 period as a reference (RR=1), the period effect on CRC mortality risk for women was higher than that for men until 2004, after which it declined considerably. With the 1957 birth cohort as a reference (RR=1), CRC mortality risk generally decreased across subsequent birth cohorts. Predictions indicate that by 2035, the standardized prevalence rate will be 267.21 per 100 000, and the standardized mortality rate will be 12.29 per 100 000. Conclusion From 1990 to 2021, China’s age-standardized CRC mortality and DALY rates have decreased, while the standardized prevalence rate has increased. These findings suggest the government to establish a comprehensive multi-level CRC prevention network.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Objective To establish a chronic kidney disease-associated aortic calcification model in SD rats using different nephrectomy surgical methods, and to compare and evaluate surgical duration and survival time to explore a more optimized modeling method. Methods According to different surgical methods, the SD rats were divided into four groups: Group A: intraperitoneal resection of 2/3 of the left kidney followed by right total nephrectomy in the second stage; Group B: intraperitoneal resection of 2/3 of the left kidney and simultaneous right total nephrectomy; Group C: dorsal approach right total nephrectomy followed by resection of 2/3 of the left kidney in the second stage; Group D: dorsal approach resection of 2/3 of the left kidney followed by right total nephrectomy in the second stage. After comparing survival curves of SD rats undergoing intraperitoneal versus dorsal approaches, and staged versus single-stage nephrectomy, the optimal nephrectomy surgical method was determined. Then, twenty-four 8-week-old SPF-grade male SD rats were selected for nephrectomy combined with calcitriol-induced calcification. Experimental group (12 rats): the dorsal approach left 2/3 nephrectomy followed by right total nephrectomy, with intraperitoneal injection of 1 μg/kg calcitriol administered one week later to induce aortic calcification. Control group (12 rats): the intraperitoneal injection of 250 μL/kg physiological saline containing 1% DMSO one week after sham surgery. After intraperitoneal injection of drugs for 3 months, the survival status of rats in each group was observed. Under anesthesia, blood samples were collected from each group to measure serum phosphorus and calcium ion concentrations, as well as serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. After euthanizing the rats, a post-mortem examination was performed to observe the residual kidney morphology, and HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the coronal section of the kidney. Additionally, the entire aorta of each group was taken, and the degree of aortic calcification was observed by staining with Alizarin red S and von Kossa. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the gene expression of smooth muscle actin-associated protein alpha (Sm22), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and osteopontin (OPN) in rat aortic tissue to evaluate the effectiveness of the model. Results The exploratory optimization experiment of different surgical procedures found that the survival rate of group D rats,which underwent 2/3 left kidney resection followed by right whole kidney resection via the dorsal approach, was the highest, indicating that this surgical procedure was the best method for establishing a chronic kidney disease model with renal dysfunction. The experimental group rats treated with this surgical procedure combined with high-dose calcitriol injection had significantly lower serum calcium ion concentration than those in the sham-operated control group (P<0.05), while serum phosphorus ion concentration, serum creatinine, and serum urea nitrogen levels were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). HE staining of the kidneys showed significant organic changes in the kidneys of the experimental group rats, with a significant decrease in glomerular count compared to that of the control group (P<0.05), indicating the successful establishment of a renal failure model. Alizarin red S staining showed significant pigment deposition in the aortic media of the experimental group rats, while von Kossa staining showed significant silver nitrate deposition in the aortic media of the experimental group rats, which was consistent with the manifestation of aortic calcification in renal failure. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that the expression level of Sm22 in the aortic tissue of the experimental group rats decreased (P<0.05), while the expression levels of OPN and Runx2 increased (P<0.05), indicating a transition of aortic smooth muscle cells from smooth muscle phenotype to bone-like phenotype and successful induction of an aortic calcification model. Conclusion The method of establishing an aortic calcification model of chronic kidney disease in SD rats by first removing two-thirds of the left kidney via the dorsal approach followed by right total nephrectomy, combined with high-dose calcitriol administration, shortens the surgical time, improves the success rate of modeling, and increases the animal survival rate.

Objective To establish a chronic kidney disease-associated aortic calcification model in SD rats using different nephrectomy surgical methods, and to compare and evaluate surgical duration and survival time to explore a more optimized modeling method. Methods According to different surgical methods, the SD rats were divided into four groups: Group A: intraperitoneal resection of 2/3 of the left kidney followed by right total nephrectomy in the second stage; Group B: intraperitoneal resection of 2/3 of the left kidney and simultaneous right total nephrectomy; Group C: dorsal approach right total nephrectomy followed by resection of 2/3 of the left kidney in the second stage; Group D: dorsal approach resection of 2/3 of the left kidney followed by right total nephrectomy in the second stage. After comparing survival curves of SD rats undergoing intraperitoneal versus dorsal approaches, and staged versus single-stage nephrectomy, the optimal nephrectomy surgical method was determined. Then, twenty-four 8-week-old SPF-grade male SD rats were selected for nephrectomy combined with calcitriol-induced calcification. Experimental group (12 rats): the dorsal approach left 2/3 nephrectomy followed by right total nephrectomy, with intraperitoneal injection of 1 μg/kg calcitriol administered one week later to induce aortic calcification. Control group (12 rats): the intraperitoneal injection of 250 μL/kg physiological saline containing 1% DMSO one week after sham surgery. After intraperitoneal injection of drugs for 3 months, the survival status of rats in each group was observed. Under anesthesia, blood samples were collected from each group to measure serum phosphorus and calcium ion concentrations, as well as serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. After euthanizing the rats, a post-mortem examination was performed to observe the residual kidney morphology, and HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the coronal section of the kidney. Additionally, the entire aorta of each group was taken, and the degree of aortic calcification was observed by staining with Alizarin red S and von Kossa. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the gene expression of smooth muscle actin-associated protein alpha (Sm22), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and osteopontin (OPN) in rat aortic tissue to evaluate the effectiveness of the model. Results The exploratory optimization experiment of different surgical procedures found that the survival rate of group D rats,which underwent 2/3 left kidney resection followed by right whole kidney resection via the dorsal approach, was the highest, indicating that this surgical procedure was the best method for establishing a chronic kidney disease model with renal dysfunction. The experimental group rats treated with this surgical procedure combined with high-dose calcitriol injection had significantly lower serum calcium ion concentration than those in the sham-operated control group (P<0.05), while serum phosphorus ion concentration, serum creatinine, and serum urea nitrogen levels were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). HE staining of the kidneys showed significant organic changes in the kidneys of the experimental group rats, with a significant decrease in glomerular count compared to that of the control group (P<0.05), indicating the successful establishment of a renal failure model. Alizarin red S staining showed significant pigment deposition in the aortic media of the experimental group rats, while von Kossa staining showed significant silver nitrate deposition in the aortic media of the experimental group rats, which was consistent with the manifestation of aortic calcification in renal failure. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that the expression level of Sm22 in the aortic tissue of the experimental group rats decreased (P<0.05), while the expression levels of OPN and Runx2 increased (P<0.05), indicating a transition of aortic smooth muscle cells from smooth muscle phenotype to bone-like phenotype and successful induction of an aortic calcification model. Conclusion The method of establishing an aortic calcification model of chronic kidney disease in SD rats by first removing two-thirds of the left kidney via the dorsal approach followed by right total nephrectomy, combined with high-dose calcitriol administration, shortens the surgical time, improves the success rate of modeling, and increases the animal survival rate.