By systematically combing ancient and modern literature， this paper examined Tribuli Fructus and Astragali Complanati Semen（ACS） used in the famous classical formulas from the aspects of name， origin， production area， harvesting and processing， clinical efficacy， so as to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing such medicinal materials. The results showed that the names of Tribuli Fructus in the past dynasties were mostly derived from its morphology， and there were nicknames such as Baijili， Cijili and Dujili. The name of ACS in the past dynasties were mostly originated from its production areas， and there were nicknames such as Baijili， Shayuan Jili and Tongjili. Because both of them had the name of Baijili， confusion began to appear in the Song dynasty. In ancient and modern times， the main origin of Tribuli Fructus were Tribulus terrestris， and ancient literature recorded the genuine producing areas of Tribuli Fructus was Dali in Shaanxi and Tianshui in Gansu， but today it is mainly cultivated in Anhui and Shandong. The fruit is the medicinal part， harvested in autumn throughout history. There is no description of the quality of Tribuli Fructus in ancient times， and the plump， firm texture， grayish-white color is the best in modern times. Traditional processing methods for Tribuli Fructus included stir-frying and wine processing， while modern commonly used is purified， fried and salt-processed. The ancient records of Tribuli Fructus were spicy， bitter， and warm in nature， with modern research adding that it is slightly toxic. The main effects of ancient and modern times include treating wind disorders， improving vision， promoting muscle growth， and treating vitiligo. The mainstream base of ACS used throughout history is Astragalus complanatus. Ancient texts indicated ACS primarily originated from Shaanxi province. Today， the finest varieties come from Tongguan and Dali in Shaanxi. The medicinal part is the seed， traditionally harvested in autumn. Modern harvesting occurs in late autumn or early winter， followed by sun-drying. Ancient texts valued seeds with a fragrant aroma as superior， while modern standards prioritize plump， uniform and free of impurities. Traditional processing methods for ACS included frying until blackened and wine-frying， while modern practice commonly employs purification methods. In terms of medicinal properties， the ancient and modern records are sweet and warm in nature. Due to originally classified under Tribuli Fructus， its effects were thus regarded as equivalent to those of Tribuli Fructus， serving as the medicine for treating wind disorders， additional functions included tonifying the kidneys and treating vitiligo. The present record of its efficacy is to tonify the kidney and promote Yang， solidify sperm and reduce urine， nourish the liver and brighten the eye， etc. Based on the textual research results， it is suggested that when developing the famous classical formulas of Tribuli Fructus medicinal materials， we should pay attention to the specific reference object of Baijili， T. terrestris and A. complanatus should be identified and selected， and the processing method should be in accordance with the requirements of the formulas.

Objective To explore the CD27 expression level of abnormal plasma cells in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and immune phenotype and the relationships with tumor prognosis. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 61 newly diagnosed MM patients to evaluate the expression level of CD27 in abnormal plasma cells, and the differences in clinical indicators between CD27-positive and CD27-negative MM patients were compared. The efficacy of CD27-positive and CD27-negative MM patients was analyzed after four cycles of chemotherapy, and all patients receiving treatment in the hospital were followed up for survival analysis. Results Among the 61 patients, 21 had positive expression of CD27 in abnormal bone marrow plasma cells (CD27-positive group), and 40 had negative expression (CD27-negative group). The CD27-positive group had a lower proportion of CD56+ abnormal plasma cells and creatinine levels in peripheral blood and a higher lymphocyte count than the CD27-negative group (P < 0.05). The CD27-positive group also exhibited lower levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), β₂-microglobulin, and β₂-globulin proportion than the CD27-negative group (P < 0.05). The proportion of IGH rearrangement patients was higher in the CD27-negative group than that in the CD27-positive group (P < 0.05). The CD27-negative group had a higher proportion of patients with partial response (PR) and PR+stable disease (SD)+progressive disease (PD), and a lower proportion of patients with complete response (CR) and very good partial response (VGPR) compared to the CD27-positive group(P < 0.05). The 1- and 2-year survival rates were higher in the CD27-positive group than in the CD27-negative group (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that the median overall survival and median progression-free survival were 28 and 27 months, respectively, in the CD27-positive group, which was longer than the 24 and 23 months in the CD27-negative group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Low expression of CD27 in abnormal plasma cells of multiple myeloma patients may be associated with poor prognosis.

This paper summarized Professor PENG Peichu's experience in the differentiation and treatment of prostate cancer in three phases and four stages. It is considered that prostatic cancer is categorized into root deficiency and branch excess， with depletion of healthy qi as the root， and the accumulation of cancer toxin as the minifestation. Clinical diagnosis and treatment of prostatic cancer can be divided into three phases and four stages according to the exuberance and decline of pathogenic and healthy qi and the changes of deficiency and excess of yin and yang. In the initial accumulation phase of cancer toxin （yang excess stage）， the key pathogenesis is the accumulation of dampness， heat and static blood， and internal generation of cancer toxin， and the treatment should be resolving toxins， fighting cancer and dispelling yang excess. In the phase of healthy qi deficiency and toxin accumulation （yin deficiency stage）， with the lung and kidney yin deficiency， dampness， heat and static toxin accumulation as the key pathogenesis， the treatment should be centered on mutual generation between metal and water to nourish kidney yin， supplemented with the method of clearing heat and draining dampness， activating blood and resolving toxins， for which self-made Nanbei Formula（南北方）is usually used. In the phase of yang deficiency and cold stagnation （yang deficiency stage and yin excess stage）， with the spleen and kidney yang deficiency， cold dampness stagnation， static heat and toxin accumulation as the key pathogenesis， the treatment should be warming and tonifying spleen and kidney to dissipate cold accumulation； for deficiency of both yin and yang， and excess pathogen obstruction， modified Yanghe Decoction（阳和汤） is recommended， while for yang deficiency， cold congealing and blood stasis， self-made Wenshen Sanjie Formula（温肾散结方） can be used， and for cold dampness binding with cancer toxin， and cold complex with heat， self-made Quanan Formula （泉安方） is advised.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of pachymic acid (PA) against TNBS-induced Crohn's disease (CD)-like colitis in mice and explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: Twenty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomized equally into control group, TNBS-induced colitis model group and PA treatment group. PA treatment was administered via intraperitoneal injection at the daily dose of 5 mg/kg for 7 days, and the mice in the control and model groups were treated with saline. After the treatments, the mice were euthanized for examination of the disease activity index (DAI) of colitis, body weight changes, colon length, intestinal inflammation, intestinal barrier function and apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells, and the expressions of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in the colonic mucosa were detected using ELISA. The possible treatment targets of PA in CD were predicted by network pharmacology. String platform and Cytoscape 3.7.2 software were used to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. David database was used to analyze the GO function and KEGG pathway; The phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT in the colonic mucosal was detected with Western blotting. RESULTS: PA significantly alleviated colitis in TNBS-treated mice as shown by improvements in the DAI, body weight loss, colon length, and histological inflammation score and lowered levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. PA treatment also significantly improved FITC-dextran permeability, serum I-FABP level and colonic transepithelial electrical resistance, and inhibited apoptosis of the intestinal epithelial cells in TNBS-treated mice. A total of 248 intersection targets were identified between PA and CD, and the core targets included EGFR, HRAS, SRC, MMP9, STAT3, AKT1, CASP3, ALB, HSP90AA1 and HIF1A. GO and KEGG analysis showed that PA negatively regulated apoptosis in close relation with PI3K/AKT signaling. Molecular docking showed that PA had a strong binding ability with AKT1, ALB, EGFR, HSP90AA1, SRC and STAT3. In TNBS-treated mice, PA significantly decreased p-PI3K and p-AKT expressions in the colonic mucosa. CONCLUSION PA ameliorates TNBS-induced intestinal barrier injury in mice by antagonizing apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells possibly by inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling.
Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Crohn Disease ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Interleukin-6 ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Colitis/chemically induced* ; Inflammation ; Apoptosis ; ErbB Receptors

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of plumbagin as a novel ferroptosis inducer in bladder cancer inhibition. MethodBladder cancer T24 cells were used in this study. The effect of different concentrations of plumbagin （0.1， 1， 2， 3， 6， 12， 24， 48 μmol·L^-1） on the viability of T24 cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）. The effect of different concentrations of plumbagin （1.5， 3， 6 μmol·L^-1） on the apoptosis of T24 cells was detected by annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate （Annexin V FITC）/PI apoptosis kit. Different inhibitors （ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1， apoptosis inhibitor VAD， and necroptosis inhibitor Nec-1） were used in combination with plumbagin （6 μmol·L^-1）. Reactive oxygen species （ROS） fluorescent probe （DCFH-DA）， malonaldehyde （MDA）， and glutathione （GSH） kits were used to detect the effects of different concentrations of plumbagin （1.5， 3， 6 μmol·L^-1） on the level of ROS and the content of MDA and GSH in T24 cells， respectively. The effect of different concentrations of plumbagin （1.5， 3， 6 μmol·L^-1） on peroxide levels in T24 cells was detected by C11-BODIPY fluorescent probe. Western blot was used to detect the effect of different concentrations of plumbagin （1.5， 3， 6 μmol·L^-1） on the protein expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 （SLC7A11）， glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， nuclear factor E₂-related factor-2 （Nrf-2）， and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （Keap1）. ResultCompared with the blank group， plumbagin could inhibit the activity of T24 cells （P<0.05） with IC₅₀ of 3.52 μmol·L^-1. At the concentrations of 1.5， 3， 6 μmol·L^-1， plumbagin significantly promoted the apoptosis of T24 cells （P<0.05） as compared with the blank group. Compared with the plumbagin group at 6 μmol·L^-1， the ferroptosis inhibitor and apoptosis inhibitor groups could reverse the inhibitory effect of 6 μmol·L^-1 plumbagin on the proliferation of T24 cells （P<0.05）. Compared with the blank group， the plumbagin groups at 1.5， 3， 6 μmol·L^-1 showed increased content of ROS， MDA， and lipid peroxides in T24 cells， decreased GSH level， and reduced SLC7A11， GPX4， and Nrf-2/Keap1 （P<0.05）. Conclusionplumbagin can induce ferroptosis， and its mechanism is related to the Nrf-2/Keap1 signaling pathway.

Background::Transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) is a vascular complication after kidney transplantation associated with poor outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of low-dose aspirin for preventing TRAS.Methods::After kidney transplantation, patients were enrolled from January 2018 to December 2020 in Henan Provincial People’s Hospital. A total of 351 enrolled recipients were randomized to an aspirin group with low-dose intake of aspirin in addition to standard treatment ( n = 178), or a control group with only standard treatment ( n = 173). The patients was initially diagnosed as TRAS (id-TRAS) by Doppler ultrasound, and confirmed cases were diagnosed by DSA (c-TRAS). Results::In the aspirin and control groups, 15.7% (28/178) and 22.0% (38/173) of the recipients developed id-TRAS, respectively, with no statistical difference. However, for c-TRAS, the difference of incidence and cumulative incidence was statistically significant. The incidence of c-TRAS was lower in the aspirin group compared with the control group (2.8% [5/178] vs. 11.6% [20/173], P = 0.001). Kaplan–Meier estimates and Cox regression model identified the cumulative incidence and hazard ratio (HR) of TRAS over time in two groups, showing that recipients treated with aspirin had a significantly lower risk of c-TRAS than those who were not treated (log-rank P = 0.001, HR = 0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.09–0.62). The levels of platelet aggregation rate ( P < 0.001), cholesterol ( P = 0.028), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( P = 0.003) in the aspirin group were decreased compared with the control group in the third-month post-transplantation. For the incidence of adverse events, there was no statistical difference. Conclusion::Clinical application of low-dose aspirin after renal transplant could prevent the development of TRAS with no significant increase in adverse effects.Trial Registration::Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04260828.

Objective:To investigate clinical and histopathological features and differential diagnostic considerations of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) .Methods:A retrospective study was carried out on clinical manifestations, histopathological and immunohistochemical features, treatment and prognosis of 8 patients with MEC, who were collected from Department of Pathology, Hospital of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College during 2018 - 2021.Results:Among the 8 patients, 5 were males and 3 were females, and their age at onset ranged from 19 to 67 years. Skin lesions were located on the lip mucosa in 5 cases, on the cheek in 2 cases, and on the nose in 1 case. Tumors were all located in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, parts of which were connected to the epidermis; different proportions of mucous cells, epidermoid cells and intermediate cells were arranged in nests or clumps, and formed solid or cystic structures accompanied by varying degrees of formation of ducts and mucus lakes; all epidermoid cells and intermediate cells expressed cytokeratins AE1/AE3, CK5/6, P63, carcinoembryonic antigen and epithelial membrane antigen. According to the current Chinese grading system, 1 of the 8 patients was diagnosed with intermediate-grade MEC, and others were diagnosed with low-grade MEC. No abnormalities were found by systemic examination. All patients received surgical resections. After the follow-up of 12 - 36 months, no recurrence or distant metastasis was observed.Conclusion:MEC presents no characteristic clinical manifestations, its diagnosis mainly depends on histopathological features, and mucus in the cytoplasm of mucous cells as shown by alcian blue staining is specific for MEC.

Objective:To study the macrolides resistance of Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP) in Suzhou area, and try to explore the relationship between drug resistance and refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP). Methods:From a series of hospitalized children who were diagnosed as Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) from October 2013 to September 2014 in Suzhou area, 48 children were treated with Azithromycin (10 mg/kg, once a day, intravenous drip for 5-7 days), and the clinical symptoms and chest imaging were still progressing so they were clinically diagnosed as RMPP, and 34 children who were successfully treated with macrolides antibiotics (MA) were clinically diagnosed as general MPP (GMPP). MP DNA was extracted from the airway secretion of children in the two groups, and the point mutations of 2063 and 2064 of 23S rRNA were sequenced, and according to the MP 23S rRNA sequencing results, the children were divided into macrolides antibiotic resistant MP group (MRMP) and macrolides antibiotic sensitive MP group (MSMP). The clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared. Results:In the MRMP group, the incidence of RMPP was 62.2% (46/74 cases), while in MSMP group, the incidence of RMPP was 25.0% (2/8 cases). The point mutation of MP 23S rRNA had no significant effect on the occurrence of RMPP ( χ2=2.719, P=0.099). Compared with MRMP group, MSMP group presented shorter fever time and less glucocorticoid use.No significant differences between the two groups were found in chest imaging examination, as well as some laboratory results, including the total number and classification of white blood cell (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB). Conclusions:The fever duration of MPP lasted more than 1 week, suggesting the possibility of macrolides resistance of MP, but macrolides resistance did not aggravate the occurrence of RMPP.It is unreliable to judge the MRMP by chest imaging features and laboratory results.

Objective:To analyze the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of traumatic spinal cord injury in China in 2018.Methods:Multi-stage stratified cluster sampling was used to randomly select hospitals capable of treating patients with spinal cord injury from 3 regions，9 provinces and 27 cities in China to retrospectively investigate eligible patients with traumatic spinal cord injury admitted in 2018. National and regional incidence rates were calculated. The data of cause of injury，injury level，severity of injury，segment and type of fracture，complications，death and other data were collected by medical record questionnaire，and analyzed according to geographical region，age and gender.Results:Medical records of 4，134 patients were included in this study，with a male-to-female ratio of 2.99∶1. The incidence of traumatic spinal cord injury in China in 2018 was 50.484 / 1 million （95% CI 50.122-50.846）. The highest incidence in the Eastern region was 53.791 / 1 million （95% CI 53.217-54.365）. In the whole country，the main causes of injury were high falls （29.58%），as well as in the Western region （40.68%），while the main causes of injury in the Eastern and Central regions were traffic injuries （31.22%，30.10%）. The main injury level was cervical spinal cord in the whole country （64.49%），and the proportion of cervical spinal cord injury in the Central region was the highest （74.68%），and the proportion of lumbosacral spinal cord injury in the Western region was the highest （32.30%）. The highest proportion of degree of injury was incomplete quadriplegia （55.20%），and the distribution pattern was the same in each region. A total of 65.87% of the patients were complicated with fracture or dislocation，77.95% in the Western region and only 54.77% in the Central region. In the whole country，the head was the main combined injury （37.87%），as well as in the Eastern and Central regions，while the proportion of chest combined injury in the Western region was the highest （38.57%）. A total of 32.90% of the patients were complicated with respiratory complications. There were 23 patients （0.56%） died in hospital，of which 17（73.91%） died of respiratory dysfunction. Conclusions:The Eastern region of China has a high incidence of traumatic spinal cord injury. Other epidemiological features include high fall as the main cause of injury cervical spinal cord injury as the main injury level，incomplete quadriplegia as the main degree of injury，head as the main combined injury，and respiratory complications as the main complication.

Objective:To study the predictive value of central venous-arterial CO 2 difference (Pv-aCO 2)/arterial-central venous O 2 difference (Ca-vO 2) ratio for progressive organ dysfunction in patients with septic shock after resuscitation. Methods:Septic shock patients receiving resuscitation in ICU were retrospectively enrolled from July 2018 to June 2019 at the First Affiliated Hospital Anhui Medical University. Hemodynamic and laboratory data were collected. Single and multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to explore the independent risk factors of progressive organ dysfunction. The predictive value of hemodynamic parameters to progression of organ dysfunction was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC)curve analysis.Results:A total of 99 patients were enrolled with 25 patients (25.25%) progressing to organ dysfunction. The norepinephrine dose [0.61 (0.27,1.42) μg·kg -1·min -1 vs. 0.91 (0.47,2.87) μg·kg -1·min -1], blood lactic acid [2.93 (1.77,5.88) mmol/L vs. 6.15 (2.56,8.59) mmol/L], Pv-aCO 2 [5.00 (3.98,7.85) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) vs. 7.00 (5.00,8.35) mmHg] and Pv-aCO 2/Ca-vO 2 [1.36(1.17,1.69) vs. 2.23 (1.83,2.78)] in patients with progressive organ dysfunction were significantly higher than those in patients without( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that Pv-aCO 2/Ca-vO 2 ( OR=20.48,95 %CI 5.25-79.93, P<0.001) was independent risk factors for predicting organ dysfunction. The cutoff value of Pv-aCO 2/Ca-vO 2 was equal or more than 1.77 with a sensitivity of 80.00% and a specificity of 79.73%. Compared with those with Pv-aCO 2/Ca-vO 2<1.77, patients with Pv-aCO 2/Ca-vO 2≥1.77 had a greater probability of progressive organ dysfunction (47.37% vs. 8.20%, P<0.001). Conclusion:The progression of organ dysfunction in septic patients after resuscitation is associated with poor prognosis. Pv-aCO 2/Ca-vO 2 is a good indicator to evaluate oxygen metabolism and predict the progression of organ dysfunction.