Objective To investigate the effect of Tongsheng Prescription on trimethylamine N-oxide(TMAO)and related metabolites substrate in patients with acute cerebral infarction after intervention and to evaluate its clinical efficacy.Methods A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in 48 patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion(AIS-LVO)who had received endovascular treatment(EVT).The patients were divided into an observation group(25 cases)and a control group(23 cases).After emergency EVT,the control group was treated with routine western medicine,and the observation group was treated with nasogastric feeding or oral use of Tongsheng Prescription on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment lasted for seven days,and then the patients were followed up for three months.Before operation,7 days and 90 days after operation,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)scores in the two groups were observed.The functional prognosis evaluated with Modified Rankin Scale(MRS)scores was compared between the two groups,and the effects of Tongsheng Prescription on serum TM AO and related metabolites choline,betaine and L-carnitine were investigated.Results(1)On the postoperative day 7 and 90,the NIHSS scores of the two groups were decreased compared with those before operation(P＜0.01),and the decrease of NIHSS scores on the postoperative day 7 and 90 in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(2)On the postoperative day 90,the rate of good functional outcome in the observation group was 96.00％(24/25),which was significantly higher than 69.57％(16/23)in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)On the postoperative day 7 and 90,the levels of TMAO,L-carnitine and betaine in the observation group tended to decrease compared with those before operation,but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).However,the levels of TMAO,L-carnitine and betaine in the control group were significantly increased compared with those before operation(P＜0.01).On the postoperative day 7,the levels of TMAO,L-carnitine and betaine in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)Spearman correlation analysis showed that TMAO was positively correlated with NIHSS score,L-carnitine and choline(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion Tongsheng Prescription has a significant effect on AIS-LVO patients seven days after EVT.The Prescription is beneficial to obtain a good functional outcome,and its mechanism may be related to the decrease of TMAO level through L-carnitine and betaine pathways,so as to improve the neurological deficit symptoms of stroke patients.

Objective To investigate the effects of Tianma Jiannao Granules(derived from Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction)combined with hyperbaric oxygen on cognitive function,activities of daily living(ADL),and the expression levels of serum inflammatory factors,matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9),homocysteine(Hcy)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)in patients with vascular dementia(VD).Methods A total of 100 VD patients with wind-phlegm and stasis obstruction type were randomly divided into a trial group and a control group,50 cases in each group.The patients in the two groups were given symptomatic treatment such as controlling blood pressure,lowering blood glucose and regulating blood lipid.Additionally,the control group was given Oxiracetam Capsules orally,and the trial group was given Tianma Jiannao Granules orally combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment covered 12 weeks.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)scores,ADL scores,and the expression levels of serum inflammatory factors,neurotransmitters,apoptosis-related factors,MMP-9,Hcy and SOD in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.Results(1)The scale scoring showed that after treatment,the TCM syndrome scores and ADL scores of the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the MMSE scores were significantly increased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05).The decrease of TCM syndrome scores and ADL scores and the increase of MMSE scores in the trial group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＜0.01).(2)After treatment,the serum levels of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),C-reactive protein(CRP)and interleukin 6(IL-6)in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of serum TNF-α,CRP and IL-6 levels in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the serum levels of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine(NE),dopamine(DA)and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)in the two groups were significantly increased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the increase of serum NE,DA and 5-HT levels in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the serum level of apoptosis-related factor of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)in the two groups was significantly increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the levels of serum soluble apoptosis-related factors(sFAS)and their ligands(sFASL)were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05).The increase of serum HO-1 level and the decrease of serum sFAS and sFASL levels in the trial group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,the serum SOD level in the two groups was significantly increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the levels of serum MMP-9 and Hcy were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05).The increase of serum SOD level and the decrease of serum MMP-9 and Hcy levels in the trial group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion Tianma Jiannao Granules combined with hyperbaric oxygen is effective on improving the cognitive function and ADL of VD patients,and has certain effects on counteracting inflammatory response and oxidation and on regulating the expression of neurotransmitters.

Objective To understand the current situation of human brain donation in Hebei Province by analyzing the basic information of Human Brain Bank samples of Hebei Medical University in order to provide basic data support for subsequent scientific research.Methods The samples collected from the Human Brain Bank of Hebei Medical University were analyzed(from December 2019 to February 2024),including gender,age,cause of death,as well as quality control data such as postmortem delay time,pH value of cerebrospinal fluid and and RNA integrity number and result of neuropathological diagnosis.Results Until February 2024,30 human brain samples were collected and stored in the Human Brain Bank of Hebei Medical University,with a male to female ratio of 9∶1.Donors over 70 years old accounted for 53％.Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases(36.67％)and nervous system diseases(23.33％)accounted for a high proportion of the death causes.The location of brain tissue donors in Shijiazhuang accounted for 90％donations,and the others were from outside the city.The postmortem delay time was relatively short,90％within 12 hours and 10％more than 12 hours.69.23％of the brain samples had RNA integrity values greater than 6.Cerebrospinal fluid pH values ranged from 5.8 to 7.5,with an average value of 6.60±0.45.Brain weights ranged from 906-1496 g,with an average value of(1210.78±197.84)g.Three apolipoprotein E(APOE)alleles were detected including five genotypes(ε2/ε3,ε2/ε4,ε3/ε3,ε3/ε4,ε4/ε4).Eleven staining methods related to neuropathological diagnosis had been established and used.A total of 12 cases were diagnosed as neurodegenerative diseases(including Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease,multiple system atrophy,corticobasal degeneration and progressive supranuclear palsy,etc.),accounting for 40％donated brains.The comorbidity rate of samples over 80 years old was 100％.Conclusion The summary and analyses of the data of brain donors in the Human Brain Bank of Hebei Medical University can reflect the current situation of the construction and operation of the brain bank in Hebei Province,and it can also be more targeted to understand and identify potential donors.Our information can provide reference for the construction of brain bank and provides more reliable materials and data support for scientific research.

Abstract: Objective　To analyze the laboratory indexes of patients infected with malaria patients and COVID-19, so as to provide reliable evidence for the diagnosis of mixed infection of both. Methods　The routine clinical laboratory items such as routine blood, biochemistry and lymphocyte subsets were tested in three cases of COVID-19 complicated with falciparum malaria who admitted to Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University from July to December 2020 were tested. Laboratory data were stage-wise analyzed in conjunction with changes in the course of disease. Results　Three patients confirmed COVID-19 infection recruited all had malaria infection history. Fever, headache, and other symptoms emerged on the 4rd to 11th day after admission. Malaria parasite was detected by malaria parasite antigen testing and blood smear testing, and all three patients had re-ignition of malaria after being confirmed COVID-19 infection. In the early stage of malaria relapse, lymphocytes decreased, CRP and SAA increased, and gradually returned to normal level after antimalarial treatment. Interestingly, we only found one patient at the initial stage of malaria detection showed PLT decreased, no other unnormal changes in other routine blood results (WBC, ESO) and liver function results (ALT, AST, GGT, TBIL, DBIL, CG) were found from the beginning to end course of the disease. Conclusion　COVID-19 infection may promote the resurgence of malaria, so the relapse of malaria should be monitored especially for the patient with malaria infection history who begin to develop fever and other symptoms a few days after the diagnosis of COVID-19. The inflammatory indicators would be worth able as an auxiliary judgment basis for the effective treatment of the two combined infection.

Objective To establish a method for the determination of 10 organophosphorus flame retardants in drinking water by on-line solid phase extraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (On-line SPE-UPLC-MS/MS). Methods After adding the internal standard, the water sample was filtered by Millipore filtration, and then concentrated and detected by Online SPE-UPLC-MS/MS. Samples were concentrated by C₈ SPE column and separated by C₁₈ column with acetonitrile-water-formic acid as the mobile phases gradient elution，and were detected by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) acquisition under anion mode. Results The 10 organophosphorus flame retardants all displayed good linear relationships within a certain range of concentrations, with the correlation coefficients being more than 0.990. The method detection limits were 0.60-5.50 ng/L, and the spiked recoveries of low, medium and high concentrations were 64%-106% , 83%-104% and 85%-99%, respectively. Conclusion The method is simple, sensitive, rapid, accurate and reliable, so it is applicable for the determination of 10 organophosphorus flame retardants in drinking water.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) during clopidogrel treatment in patients with ischemic stroke.Methods:Patients with ischemic stroke who received maintenance dose of clopidogrel (75 mg/d) in the Department of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from January 2017 to March 2021 were retrospectively included. The highest quartile (Q4) of the TyG index was defined as insulin resistance. Platelet reactivity was assessed by thromboelastogram and clopidogrel HTPR was defined as the clot strength induced by adenosine diphosphate (MA ADP) >47 mm. Multivariate regression model was used to analyze the independent correlation between TyG index and platelet reactivity. Results:A total of 83 patients were included. The TyG index showed a linear correlation with MA ADP. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the quartile of TyG index. The incidence of clopidogrel HTPR increased significantly with the increase of the quartile of the TyG index ( Ptrend=0.017). Multivariate analysis showed that there was a significant independent correlation between insulin resistance and clopidogrel HTPR (odds ratio 4.597, 95% confidence interval 1.285-16.446; P=0.019). Conclusions:In patients with ischemic stroke treated with clopidogrel, the incidence of clopidogrel HTPR gradually increases with the increase of the quartile of the TyG index. The insulin resistance assessed by the TyG index is independently associated with clopidogrel HTPR.

BACKGROUND: The onset and clinical presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are sex-related. Few studies have investigated the distinctions in clinical characteristics and treatment preferences in male and female SLE patients in the initial cohort. This study aimed to improve the understanding of Chinese SLE patients by characterizing the different sexes of SLE patients in the inception cohort. METHODS: Based on the initial patient cohort established by the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research Group, a total of 8713 patients (795 men and 7918 women) with newly diagnosed SLE were enrolled between April 2009 and March 2021. Of these, 2900 patients (347 men and 2553 women) were eligible for lupus nephritis (LN). A cross-sectional analysis of the baseline demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory parameters, organ damage, initial treatment regimens, and renal pathology classification was performed according to sex. RESULTS: In the SLE group, as compared to female patients, male patients had a later age of onset (male vs. female: 37.0 ± 15.8 years vs. 35.1 ± 13.7 years, P  = 0.006) and a higher SLE International Collaborative Clinic/American College of Rheumatology damage index score (male vs. female: 0.47 ± 1.13 vs. 0.34 ± 0.81, P  = 0.015), LN (male vs. female: 43.6% vs. 32.2%, P < 0.001), fever (male vs. female: 18.0% vs. 14.6%, P  = 0.010), thrombocytopenia (male vs. female: 21.4% vs. 18.5%, P  = 0.050), serositis (male vs. female: 14.7% vs. 11.7%, P  = 0.013), renal damage (male vs. female: 11.1% vs. 7.4%, P < 0.001), and treatment with cyclophosphamide (CYC) (P < 0.001). The frequency of leukopenia (male vs. female: 20.5% vs. 25.4%, P  = 0.002) and arthritis (male vs. female: 22.0% vs. 29.9%, P < 0.001) was less in male patients with SLE. In LN, no differences were observed in disease duration, SLE Disease Activity Index score, renal biopsy pathological typing, or 24-h urine protein quantification among the sexes. In comparisons with female patients with LN, male patients had later onset ages (P  = 0.026), high serum creatinine (P < 0.001), higher end-stage renal failure rates (P  = 0.002), musculoskeletal damage (P  = 0.023), cardiovascular impairment (P  = 0.009), and CYC use (P  = 0.001); while leukopenia (P  = 0.017), arthritis (P  = 0.014), and mycophenolate usage (P  = 0.013) rates were lower. CONCLUSIONS Male SLE patients had more severe organ damage and a higher LN incidence compared with female SLE patients; therefore, they may require more aggressive initial treatment compared to female patients.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Sex Characteristics ; East Asian People ; Severity of Illness Index ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/diagnosis* ; Lupus Nephritis/pathology* ; Registries ; Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use* ; Thrombocytopenia ; Leukopenia/drug therapy* ; Arthritis

Imported medicinal materials are an important part of Chinese medicinal resources. To be specific, about 10% of the around 600 commonly used Chinese medicinal materials are from abroad, and the introduction of foreign medicinal materials has promoted the development of Chinese medicine. Amid the advancement of reform and opening up and the "Belt and Road" Initiative, major headway has been made in the cross-border trade in China, bringing opportunities for the import of medicinal materials from border ports. However, for a long time, there is a lack of systematic investigation on the types of exotic medicinal materials at border ports. In the fourth national census of traditional Chinese medicine resources, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, together with several organizations, investigated the nearly 40 border ports, Chinese medicinal material markets, and border trade markets in 6 provinces/autonomous regions in China for the first time and recorded the types, sources, circulation, and the transaction characteristics of imported medicinal materials. Moreover, they invited experts to identify the origins of the collected 237 medicinal materials. In addition, the status quo and the problems of the medicinal materials were summarized. This study is expected to lay a basis for clarifying the market and origins of imported medicinal materials as well as the scientific research on and supervision of them.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Materia Medica ; Records ; Censuses ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

Through consulting the ancient herbs， medical books and modern literature， this paper made textual research on the name， origin， producing area， quality evaluation， collection and processing of medicinal materials of Sang （Mori Folium， Mori Cortex， Mori Ramulus， Mori Fructus） in famous classical formulas， in order to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing medicinal materials of Sang. According to the research， Mori Folium and Mori Cortex were first used as medicines in Shengnong Bencaojing ， Mori Ramulus was first used as medicine in Jinxiaofang， and Mori Fructus was first used as medicine in Xinxiu Bencao. Before the Tang dynasty， there were Nyusang and Shansang. Since Tang dynasty， there were many sources of medicinal materials of Sang， including Baisang （Morus alba）， Jisang （M. australis）， Shansang （M. mongolica）， etc. According to textual research， the mainstream varieties were M. australis， M. alba and their cultivated varieties. In modern times， according to the relevant information and the Chinese Pharmacopoeia， M. alba is the original base. In ancient times， the origin of mulberry changed with the development of sericulture， mulberry has been widely planted since the Song dynasty. In the Ming and Qing dynasties， mulberry has been planted most in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. In modern times， they are mainly produced in Jiangsu， Zhejiang， Anhui， Hunan and other places. In recent years， due to the related policies and strategies such as "moving silkworms from east to west"， the center of silkworm breeding has gradually transferred to the west. As for the quality evaluation and harvesting and processing of mulberry medicinal materials， Most of the ancient and modern records of Mori Folium are the same. They are harvested after frost， and dried after removing impurities. The quality is better when the leaves are large and thick， yellowish green， holding prickly hands and undergoing frost. The harvesting period of Mori Cortex is slightly different in ancient and modern records. Ancient books record that it can be harvested all the year round， but in modern times， it is mostly harvested from late autumn to the next spring. The processing methods include removing soil and fibrous roots， scraping off yellow-brown rough skin， peeling off white skin and drying in the sun. The quality is better when they are white， thick， flexible， free of rough skin and full of powder. There are few records about the collection， processing and quality evaluation of Mori Ramulus and Mori Fructus in ancient Chinese herbal books. According to modern literature， Mori Ramulus is usually collected in late spring and early summer， with leaves removed， slightly dried， sliced while fresh， and dried in the sun. The best quality of Mori Ramulus is fine and tender with the yellow and white section. Mori Fructus is harvested from April to June when the fruit turns red， and dried in the sun， or slightly steamed and dried in the sun， and it is better to be big， dark purple， oily and thick. There are many processing methods of mulberry medicinal materials. Ancient books record stir frying， baking， burning and steaming of Mori Folium， in modern times， there is honey-roasted method， but most of them are used as raw products. In ancient materia medica， Mori Cortex has firing method， baking method， stir-frying method， honey-fried method， etc. In modern times， there are stir-fried and honey-fried methods， and most of them are used as raw products. Ancient books record that Mori Ramulus has cutting and frying methods， while modern ones have cutting， frying， wine-processed and bran-processed methods. Processing methods of Mori Fructus are consistent in ancient and modern times， and they are mostly dried after being cleaned or steamed. Based on the research results， it is suggested that M. alba should be selected as mulberry medicinal materials in the famous classical formulas， and appropriate medicinal parts and processing methods can be selected according to the indications of the famous classical formulas.

The name， origin， place of origin， medicinal parts， harvesting and processing of lotus are verified by consulting ancient Chinese herbal medicines and medical books， combined with modern literature， providing a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing lotus. According to textual research， the original base of lotus is Nelumbo nucifera since ancient times， rhizome （Nelumbinis Rhizomatis Nodus）， leaf （Nelumbinis Folium）， seed （Nelumbinis Semen）， embryo （Nelumbinis Plumula）， receptacle （Nelumbinis Receptaculum）， stamen （Nelumbinis Stamen） and other medicinal parts of N. nucifera can be used as medicine and have different clinical effects. Nelumbinis Semen was originally produced in Henan， and then gradually expanded to Jiangnan. Today， it can be cultivated and planted throughout the country， with Fujian， Hunan， and Jiangxi as the authentic production areas. After combing the medicinal parts of N. nucifera and the historical evolution of its processing， it is suggested that the dried and mature fruits of N. nucifera taking in autumn and removing the shell and Nelumbinis Plumula should be used in Qingxin Lianziyin. Nelumbinis Folium in Erdongtang should be harvested in summer and autumn， and the raw products was used as medicine and processed in accordance with the provision of the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia.