Synergistic effect of schizandrin A and DNase I knockdown on high glucose induced beta cell apoptosis by decreasing intracellular calcium concentration.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the synergistic effect of deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) knockdown combined with Schizandrin A (Sch A) in protecting islet beta-cells (ß-cells) from apoptosis under high-glucose (HG) conditions. METHODS: The concentration of Sch A was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). High glucose-cultured rat insulinoma beta cell line (RIN-M5F) cells were treated with Sch A and transfected with DNase I small interfering RNA (siRNA). Cell apoptosis rate and apoptosis-related protein level were examined by flow cytometry and Western blot method respectively. In addition, Na-K-adenosine triphosphatease (Na-K-ATPase) and Ca-Mg-ATPase activity, cell membrane potential, and intracellular Ca concentration was also examined respectively. RESULTS: Our study revealed that HG stimulation can cause a significant increase in DNase I level and cell apoptosis rate. However, Sch A combined with DNase I knockdown can significantly decrease the cell apoptosis rate and apoptosis-related protein levels such as BAX ( 0.05) and Caspase-3 ( 0.01). In addition, we also found that the combination of Sch A and DNase I knockdown can dramatically increase cell membrane potential level, Na-K-ATPase, and Ca-Mg-ATPase activity. Meanwhile, intracellular Ca concentration was also found to be significantly decreased by the synergistic effect of Sch A and DNase I knockdown. CONCLUSION: Overall, our study reveals a synergistic effect of Sch A and DNase I knockdown in protecting ß-cells from HG-induced apoptosis.

Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic periarticular fracture of the shoulder in the elderly (version 2023) / 中华创伤杂志

Periarticular fracture of the shoulder is a common type of fractures in the elderly. Postoperative adverse events such as internal fixation failure, humeral head ischemic necrosis and upper limb dysfunction occur frequently, which seriously endangers the exercise and health of the elderly. Compared with the fracture with normal bone mass, the osteoporotic periarticular fracture of the shoulder is complicated with slow healing and poor rehabilitation, so the clinical management becomes more difficult. At present, there is no targeted guideline or consensus for this type of fracture in China. In such context, experts from Youth Osteoporosis Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Orthopedic Expert Committee of Geriatrics Branch of Chinese Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Osteoporosis Group of Youth Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons and Osteoporosis Committee of Shanghai Association of Chinese Integrative Medicine developed the Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic periarticular fracture of the shoulder in the elderly ( version 2023). Nine recommendations were put forward from the aspects of diagnosis, treatment strategies and rehabilitation of osteoporotic periarticular fracture of the shoulder, hoping to promote the standardized, systematic and personalized diagnosis and treatment concept and improve functional outcomes and quality of life in elderly patients with osteoporotic periarticular fracture of the shoulder.

Clinical characteristics of dry eye in patients with type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the clinical features of dry eye in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with peripheral neuropathy.METHOD: Prospective cohort study. A total of 192 patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in the Department of Endocrinology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2021 to March 2022. The right eyes of all patients were selected as the observation eye, among which 122 patients were diagnosed with diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN)and 70 patients were diagnosed with non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy(NDPN). The score of ocular surface disease index(OSDI), tear meniscus height, tear meniscus width, corneal epithelial thickness, corneal endothelial cell density, tear secretion test(Schirmer Ⅰ test, SⅠt), corneal sensitivity, meibomian gland function status score, tear film breakup time(BUT), corneal fluorescein sodium staining score and Toronto clinical scoring system(TCSS)score were compared between two groups. The correlation between OSDI score and TCSS score in type 2 diabetes patients was analyzed as well.RESULTS: The morbidity of dry eye in the DPN group(55 eyes, 45.1%)was significantly higher than that of NDPN group(20 eyes, 28.6%; χ2=5.094, P=0.024), BUT and corneal sensitivity score of DPN were lower than NDPN group(P<0.001), meanwhile, corneal staining score and meibomian gland function score were higher than NDPN group(P<0.001). OSDI scores of all subjects were negatively correlated with TCSS scores(rs=-0.233, P=0.002), and OSDI scores of DPN group were negatively correlated with TCSS scores(rs=-0.511, P<0.001), but there was no significant correlation between the two scores of NDPN patients(rs=0.007, P=0.957).CONCLUSIONS: DPN patients are more likely to develop dry eye than NDPN patients. OSDI score is not an accurate evaluation index for type 2 diabetes patients, especially for DPN patients.

Short-term efficacy observation of venetoclax combined with azacitidine in treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective:To explore the clinical short-term efficacy of venetoclax (Ven) combined with azacitidine (AZA) in treatment of newly treated and relapsed/refractory patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods:The data of 18 newly treated and relapsed/refractory patients with AML who received Ven+AZA treatment in Suzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from April 2020 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The complete remission or complete remission with incomplete recovery of blood cell count (CR/CRi) and objective remission rate (ORR) [calculated as CR/CRi+partial remission (PR)] were analyzed in newly treated and relapsed/refractory patients or patients with different gene mutations. The patients were followed up until June 30, 2022, and the overall survival (OS) of relapsed/refractory patients was analyzed. The occurrence of adverse reactions was summarized.Results:The median age of the 18 patients was 58 years old (23-81 years old), 8 were males and 10 were females; 6 were newly treated and 12 were relapsed/refractory; the median follow-up time was 3 months (1-15 months). In 6 newly treated patients, after the first cycle of Ven+AZA, 5 cases achieved CR/CRi, and the ORR was 83.3% (5/6). In 12 relapsed/refractory patients, after the first cycle of Ven+AZA, 5 cases achieved CR/CRi, 3 achieved PR, and the ORR was 66.7% (8/12). Among the 18 patients, 7 cases had FLT3-ITD/TKD mutation, after the first cycle of Ven+AZA, 1 case achieved CR/CRi, 1 case achieved PR, and the ORR was 28.6% (2/7); 3 cases had NPM1 mutation combined with FLT3-ITD/TKD mutation, 1 case achieved CR/CRi, and the ORR was 33.3% (1/3); 4 cases had IDH1/2 mutation, and 3 cases of them combined with FLT3-ITD/TKD mutation, all of which were non-remission, and the other 1 relapsed/refractory patient combined with K/NRAS mutation achieved CR/CRi; among the 4 cases with K/NRAS mutation, 2 cases combined with FLT3-ITD/TKD mutation, including 1 case of NR and 1 case of PR, and the other 2 cases achieved CR/CRi, the ORR was 75.0% (3/4). Of the 12 relapsed/refractory patients, 6 died by the end of follow-up, with a median OS time of 2.6 months (1- 8 months), including 4 cases of disease progression and 2 cases of disease relapse; the 6 surviving patients had stable disease. All the 18 patients had ≥grade 3 hematologic adverse reactions, and non-hematologic adverse reactions included lung infection, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.Conclusions:Ven+AZA treatment for newly treated and relapsed/refractory AML patients results in a high response rate with tolerable adverse reactions, but it is not effective in AML patients with FLT3-ITD/TKD mutation.

Benefits of Mindfulness Training on the Mental Health of Women During Pregnancy and Early Motherhood: A Randomized Controlled Trial / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a mindfulness-based psychosomatic intervention on depression, anxiety, fear of childbirth (FOC), and life satisfaction of pregnant women in China.@*METHODS@#Women experiencing first-time pregnancy ( n = 104) were randomly allocated to the intervention group or a parallel active control group. We collected data at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), 3 days after delivery (T2), and 42 days after delivery (T3). The participants completed questionnaires for the assessment of the levels of depression, anxiety, FOC, life satisfaction, and mindfulness. Differences between the two groups and changes within the same group were analyzed at four time points using repeated-measures analysis of variance.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the active control group, the intervention group reported lower depression levels at T2 ( P = 0.038) and T3 ( P = 0.013); reduced anxiety at T1 ( P = 0.001) and T2 ( P = 0.003); reduced FOC at T1 ( P < 0.001) and T2 ( P = 0.04); increased life satisfaction at T1 ( P < 0.001) and T3 ( P = 0.015); and increased mindfulness at T1 ( P = 0.01) and T2 ( P = 0.006).@*CONCLUSION@#The mindfulness-based psychosomatic intervention effectively increased life satisfaction and reduced perinatal depression, anxiety, and FOC.

Thoughts of treatment of tumor diseases based on toxic pathogen theory / 中国中药杂志

The toxic pathogen theory, an important part of the theories of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), began in the Qin and Han dynasties, formed in the Jin, Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties, developed rapidly in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and conti-nued to develop in contemporary times based on the achievements of its predecessors. The continuous exploration, practice, and inheri-tance of many medical practitioners over the generations have facilitated the enrichment of its connotation. The toxic pathogen is violent, fierce, dangerous, prolonged, rapid in transmission, easy to hurt the internal organs, hidden, and latent, with many changes, and it is closely related to the development of tumor diseases. TCM has a history of thousands of years in the prevention and treatment of tumor diseases. It is gradually realized that the etiology of tumor is mainly attributed to the deficiency of healthy Qi and excess of to-xic pathogen, and the struggle between healthy Qi and toxic pathogen runs through the whole course of tumor, with the deficiency of healthy Qi as the prerequisite and the invasion of toxic pathogen as the root of the occurrence. The toxic pathogen has a strong carcinogenic effect and is involved in the whole process of tumor development, which is closely related to the malignant behaviors of tumors, including proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. This study discussed the historical origin and modern interpretation of the toxic pathogen theory in the prevention and treatment of tumors, with aims of sorting out the theoretical system based on the toxic pathogen theory in the treatment of tumor diseases, and illustrating the importance of the toxic pathogen theory in the treatment of tumors in the context of modern research on pharmacological mechanisms and the development and marketing of relevant anti-tumor Chinese medicinal preparations.

Comparison of Effects of Liuzijue Exercise and Conventional Respiratory Training on Patients after Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the feasibility and safety of Liuzijue exercise (LE) for the clinical effect in patients after cardiac surgery.@*METHODS@#Totally 120 patients who underwent cardiac surgery and were admitted to the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between July and Oclober, 2022 were allocated to the LE group, the conventional respiratory training (CRT) group, and the control group by a random number table at a ratio of 1:1:1; 40 patients in each group. All patients received routine treatment and cardiac rehabilitation. LE group and CRT group respectively performed LE and CRT once a day for 30 min for 7 days. Control group did not receive specialized respiratory training. The forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, peak inspiratory flow rate, peak expiratory flow rate, maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, modified Barthel index (MBI), and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) were evaluated before, after 3 and 7 days of intervention. In addition, the postoperative length of hospital stay (LOS) and the adverse events that occurred during the intervention period were compared.@*RESULTS@#A total of 107 patients completed the study, 120 patients were included in the analysis. After 3 days of intervention, the pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, MBI and HAM-A of all 3 groups improved compared with that before the intervention (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the control group, pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength were significantly improved in the CRT and LE groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). MBI and HAM-A were significantly improved in the LE group compared with the control and CRT groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). On the 7th day after intervention, the difference was still statistically significant (P<0.01), and was significantly different from that on the 3rd day (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, on the 7th day of intervention, the pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength in the LE group were significantly improved compared with those in the CRT group (P<0.01). MBI and HAM-A were significantly improved in the CRT group compared with the control group (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in postoperative LOS among the 3 groups (P>0.05). No training-related adverse events occurred during the intervention period.@*CONCLUSIONS@#LE is safe and feasible for improving pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, the ability to complete activities of daily living and for relieving anxiety of patients after cardiac surgery (Registration No. ChiCTR2200062964).

Development of traditional Chinese medicine rehabilitation curriculum based on World Health Organization rehabilitation competency framework / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo develop a high-quality rehabilitation major curriculum using the World Health Organization rehabilitation competency framework (RCF), to improve the level of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) rehabilitation major, to meet the requirements of competency-based education development. MethodsThe competence requirements of rehabilitation professionals of higher traditional TCM colleges and universities were analyzed using the theory and method of RCF. ResultsThe competency structure of TCM rehabilitation talents based on RCF was built, and the curriculum setting of TCM rehabilitation based on RCF was proposed. According to the characteristics of the educational environment of colleges and universities, a competency model suitable for undergraduate-level TCM rehabilitation major was established. ConclusionThe theory and methods of RCF are of great significance for the construction of competency-based education system of TCM rehabilitation major. Based on RCF, this study constructs the basic and practical curriculum system of TCM rehabilitation at the undergraduate level to promote the training of applied talents in TCM rehabilitation.

Patent analysis of new target oral drugs for type 2 diabetes mellitus / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To analyze the patents of new target oral drugs for type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM）， and to provide references for the research and development direction and patent layout of new domestic diabetes drugs. METHODS Based on global patent data in the HimmPat database， from multiple perspectives such as the number of patent applications and authorization， development trend， regional distribution and main applicants， statistics and analysis were performed for the patents related to 3 types of new target oral drugs for T2DM， such as glucokinase activator （GKA）， protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitor （PTP-1B-IN）， and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 inhibitor （11β-HSD1-IN）. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS A total of 1 649 patents of GKA， 709 patents of PTP-1B-IN， 592 patents of 11β-HSD1-IN were obtained， the main applicants were well-known pharmaceutical companies， which possessed the core patents of pharmaceutical compounds. The research on GKA drugs was more mature， with a larger number of patent applications and a more comprehensive enterprise layout. Domestic enterprises， universities and research institutions had advantages in the field of PTP-1B-IN. Domestic enterprises and research institutions can leverage the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine and resources to enhance their research capabilities and improve technological competitiveness through core technology exploration， the exploration of process route， patent layout， industry- university-research cooperation and the establishment of patent pool.

Effect of light therapy on psychological stress and sleep quality in elderly patients with coronary heart disease combine with dsychological barriers / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To investigate application effect of light therapy in elderly patients with coronary heart disease combine with dsychological barriers.Methods:Totally, 112 coronary heart desease patients combine with dsychological barriers treated in Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Xinjiang Medical University from October 2018 to December 2019 were selected, and they were divided into experimental group and control group according to random number table method, each group including 56 patients. The control group received routine care. On the basis of this, the experimental group received light therapy for 4 weeks. Before and after intervention, the effects were assessed by Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively.Results:After intervention, the scores of somatization, compulsion, depression, anxiety, fear and total scores of SCL-90 in the experimental group were (1.26 ± 0.13), (1.43 ± 0.08), (1.17 ± 0.13), (1.14 ± 0.10), (1.34 ± 0.07), (120.55 ± 11.87) points, significantly lower than (1.83 ± 0.53), (1.66 ± 0.59), (1.71 ± 0.12), (1.76 ± 0.13), (1.41 ± 0.12), (130.69 ± 14.16) points in the control group, the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 2.88-27.79, all P<0.05); and the scores of subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, daytime dysfunction and total scores of PSQI in the experimental group were (0.96 ± 0.19), (1.74 ± 0.36), (1.12 ± 0.22), (10.22 ± 0.60) points, significantly lower than (1.12 ± 0.20), (1.89 ± 0.25), (1.33 ± 0.32), (10.81 ± 0.73) points in the control group, the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 2.44-4.54, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Light therapy can effectively alleviate the psychological stress response in elderly patients with coronary heart disease combine with dsychological barriers, and improve sleep quality.

Longitudinal study on the trajectory and influencing factors of cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To investigate the longitudinal trajectory and influencing factors of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy.Methods:From March 2019 to January 2020, breast cancer patients in Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Peking Union Medical College Hospital were selected as the research objects to conduct follow-up investigation. The survey tools included general information questionnaire, Cancer-related Fatigue Assessment Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale.Results:A total of 91 patients were included in the study. The incidence of severe CRF at each time point before chemotherapy, 3 weeks after chemotherapy and 6 weeks after chemotherapy were 1.1% (1/91), 8.8% (5/57) and 2.1% (1/48), respectively. The results of the generalized estimation equation showed that the trajectory of the total score CRF firstly increased and then decreased, reaching a peak at 3 weeks after chemotherapy (35.45±13.07), and mild CRF change showed statistical difference ( P<0.05). In addition, BMI and sleep and daytime dysfunction were the influencing factors of the total score of CRF. Disease stage, sleep disturbance and daytime dysfunction were the influencing factors of CRF with different severity. Conclusions:CRF is a prominent problem in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy. Attention should be paid to high-risk individuals with abnormal BMI and daytime function by medical staff.

Cinobufagin disrupts mitosis and microtubule polymerization via targeting KATNB1 in cancer cells / 药学学报

Huachansu is a traditional Chinese medicine widely used in the clinic for cancer therapy, while the underlying mechanism is not fully clarified. This study was to investigate the targets and mechanisms of cinobufagin (CBG), an active component of Huachansu, in terms of blocking mitosis of cancer cells. Propidium iodide (PI) DNA staining was used to analyze the effect of CBG on cell cycle. The effect of CBG on mitosis of cancer cells was examined by α-tubulin and pericentrin staining after synchronization by a double thymidine block. Tubulin turbidity, tubulin polymerization and α‍-tubulin immunofluorescence assays were used to evaluate the effect of CBG on microtubule polymerization. CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology was used to knockout microtubule-severing protein Katanin regulatory subunit B1 (KATNB1) in HCT116 cells, and the inhibitory effect of CBG on wild-type cells and knockout cells was measured by CCK-8. The engagement of CBG with KATNB1 was measured by CETSA and DARTS assays. The effect of CBG on KATNB1 protein and mRNA level was examined by Western blot and real-time PCR, respectively. Our data showed that CBG arrested HCT116 cell cycle at the G2/M phase, disrupted mitosis and induced centriole overduplication. CBG significantly inhibited tubulin polymerization in vitro and in vivo. The cytotoxicity of CBG inhibition on HCT116 was significantly attenuated upon KATNB1 depletion. Moreover, CBG bound to KATNB1 and decreased its protein level, while mutated KATNB1 weakened this effect. In conclusion, CBG inhibited microtubule polymerization via targeting KATNB1, thereby disrupting mitosis in cancer cells.

Extracts of Poria cocos polysaccharides improves alcoholic liver disease in mice via CYP2E1 and NF-κB inflammatory pathways / 中国中药杂志

The present study investigated the effect of extract of Poria cocos polysaccharides(PCP) on cytochrome P450 2 E1(CYP2 E1) and nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) inflammatory signaling pathways in alcoholic liver disease(ALD) mice and explored its protective effect and mechanism. Sixty male C57 BL/6 N mice of SPF grade were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a positive drug group(bifendate, 200 mg·kg~(-1)), and high-(200 mg·kg~(-1)) and low-dose(50 mg·kg~(-1)) PCP groups. Gao-binge mo-del was induced and the mice in each group were treated correspondingly. Liver morphological and pathological changes were observed and organ index was calculated. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) were detected. Malondialdehyde(MDA) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in liver tissues were detected by assay kits. The levels of interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were detected by ELISA. The activation of macrophages was observed by immunofluorescence staining and protein expression of CYP2 E1, Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4), NF-κB p65, and phosphorylated NF-κB p65(p-NF-κB p65) were analyzed by Western blot. The ALD model was properly induced. Compared with the model group, the PCP groups significantly improved the pathological injury of liver tissues. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that compared with the model group, the groups with drug intervention showed decreased macrophages in liver tissues. Additionally, the PCP groups showed reduced ALT, AST, MDA, IL-6, and TNF-α(P<0.05), and potentiated activity of SOD(P<0.01). PCP extract has the protective effect against alcoholic liver injury in mice, and the underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression of CYP2 E1 and inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway to reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory injury, thereby inhibiting the development of ALD.

Clinical evidence analysis report of Chinese patent medicine in 2020 / 中国中药杂志

The present study collected, collated, analyzed, and evaluated randomized controlled trial(RCT) of Chinese patent medicine published in Chinese and English journals in 2020, and summarized clinical evidence of Chinese patent medicine in stages, providing references for follow-up clinical research and evidence transformation and application. On the basis of the collection in the Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) Clinical Evidence Database System(EVDS), CNKI, Wanfang, SinoMed, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMbase were searched for RCTs of Chinese patent medicine published in 2020, and their research characteristics and methodological quality were analyzed and evaluated. A total of 1 285 research papers on Chinese patent medicine(1 257 in Chinese/28 in English) were included, involving 146 054 patients and 639 Chinese patent medicines, including 526 oral drugs, 68 injections, and 45 external drugs. A total of 412 diseases in 23 types were involved, which were dominated by circulatory system diseases and respiratory system diseases, specifically, cerebral infarction and angina pectoris. The sample size ranged from 20 cases to 2 673 cases, and 57.67% of RCTs had samples sizes less than 100. Single-center trials were the main ones, and multi-center trials only accounted for 4.75%(n=61). In terms of methodological quality, 52.91% of the RCTs had unclear descriptions or incorrect application of randomization methods, and the implementation of allocation concealment and blinding methods has not been paid much attention. In conclusion, compared with the conditions in 2019, the number of RCTs published in 2020 has decreased, and the research interest in respiratory diseases has increased, while the quality control in the process of research design and implementation has not been improved. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the methodological training of researchers and promote the output of high-quality research evidence.

Clinical trials and evaluation of Chinese patent medicine for heart failure / 中国中药杂志

The present study systematically collected, analyzed, and evaluated randomized controlled trial(RCT) of Chinese patent medicine in the treatment of heart failure to provide references for follow-up clinical research design, guideline update, and policy formulation, and promote the improvement of clinical evidence quality. On the basis of the collection in the Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) Clinical Evidence Database System(EVDS), CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, SinoMed, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched for RCTs of Chinese patent medicine in the treatment of heart failure from database inception to December 31, 2020. The di-sease type, publication time, sample size, intervention/control setting, course of treatment, evaluation indexes, and methodological quality were analyzed and evaluated. A total of 1 631 RCTs were included, including 1 622 in Chinese and 9 in English. It was first published in 1995, with the largest number of publications in 2016. There were only 56 RCTs(3.43%) with a sample size≥200. Seventy-eight types of Chinese patent medicines were involved, including 49 types of oral drugs and 29 types of injections. There were 34 intervention/control protocols, which were dominated by Chinese patent medicine+conventional treatment vs conventional treatment, accounting for 28.51%(n=465). About 94.0% of RCTs reported the course of treatment, mainly 14-56 days. The evaluation indexes were mainly physical and chemical tests and symptoms/signs, and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) was the most frequently used measurement index. In enumeration indexes, clinical efficacy(response rate) was used the most frequently. Methodologically, 92.0% of the research subjects were rated as high risk of blindness. There were only 13 RCTs(0.80%) reporting registered information. It is necessary to further standardize the design, implementation, and quality control of clinical studies in order to improve the quality of evidence and avoid research waste.

Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Depressive-related Syndromes Based on Intestinal Flora： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

The depressive state， as an emotional disorder， has common symptoms of lack of interest， self-denial， unresponsiveness， unwillingness to communicate， and even extreme misanthropy or suicidal tendency. The depressive state involves a variety of diseases， such as depression， post-stroke depression， postpartum depression， irritable bowel syndrome， major depression， and schizophrenia， which affects the treatment effect and prognosis of the disease， seriously reduces the quality of life and increases the economic burden of patients. At present， the mechanism of depressive state is complex， and the pathophysiological mechanism is unclear. The mechanism of depressive state may be related to abnormal expression of monoamine neurotransmitters， neuronal damage， changes in transduction pathways， hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal （HPA） axis， release of inflammatory cytokines， etc. An increasing number of studies in recent years have confirmed that the occurrence of depression is closely related to intestinal flora disorder， and they interact with each other. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） is effective in preventing and treating depressive state with few adverse reactions and a low recurrence rate. TCM also has the effect of regulating the homeostasis of intestinal flora. At the same time， intestinal flora affects the absorption and efficacy of active components of Chinese medicine through metabolic transformation. With the development of microecology， in-depth studies are conducted on the effect of intestinal flora on the occurrence and development of depressive state and brain-gut axis. Intestinal flora has become another potential target for the study of TCM treating depressive state. Starting from the theory and clinical practice of TCM， this paper summarized the mechanism of TCM in treating depressive state by Chinese medicine monomers， compound prescriptions， and acupuncture based on the theory of intestinal flora in recent years. This paper provided information for the profound study of the pathogenesis of depressive state and the scientific connotation of TCM in treating depressive state and ideas for the systematic exploration of the microbiological basis of symptom changes.

Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Depressive-related Syndromes Based on Intestinal Flora： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

The depressive state， as an emotional disorder， has common symptoms of lack of interest， self-denial， unresponsiveness， unwillingness to communicate， and even extreme misanthropy or suicidal tendency. The depressive state involves a variety of diseases， such as depression， post-stroke depression， postpartum depression， irritable bowel syndrome， major depression， and schizophrenia， which affects the treatment effect and prognosis of the disease， seriously reduces the quality of life and increases the economic burden of patients. At present， the mechanism of depressive state is complex， and the pathophysiological mechanism is unclear. The mechanism of depressive state may be related to abnormal expression of monoamine neurotransmitters， neuronal damage， changes in transduction pathways， hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal （HPA） axis， release of inflammatory cytokines， etc. An increasing number of studies in recent years have confirmed that the occurrence of depression is closely related to intestinal flora disorder， and they interact with each other. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） is effective in preventing and treating depressive state with few adverse reactions and a low recurrence rate. TCM also has the effect of regulating the homeostasis of intestinal flora. At the same time， intestinal flora affects the absorption and efficacy of active components of Chinese medicine through metabolic transformation. With the development of microecology， in-depth studies are conducted on the effect of intestinal flora on the occurrence and development of depressive state and brain-gut axis. Intestinal flora has become another potential target for the study of TCM treating depressive state. Starting from the theory and clinical practice of TCM， this paper summarized the mechanism of TCM in treating depressive state by Chinese medicine monomers， compound prescriptions， and acupuncture based on the theory of intestinal flora in recent years. This paper provided information for the profound study of the pathogenesis of depressive state and the scientific connotation of TCM in treating depressive state and ideas for the systematic exploration of the microbiological basis of symptom changes.

Historical Evolution and Clinical Application of Classical Prescription Xiao Xumingtang / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Xiao Xumingtang in The Catalogue of Famous Ancient Classics （The First Batch） issued by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine is derived from the Important Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergency （Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang） written by SUN Si-miao in the Tang dynasty. The present study systematically explored the origin， development， historical evolution， and clinical application of Xiao Xumingtang. As revealed by the results， Xiao Xumingtang as well as its analogues are primary prescriptions indicated for apoplexy before the Tang and Song dynasties and serve as the benchmark for the treatment of apoplexy. After the Song dynasty， due to the changes in the understanding of the pathogenesis of apoplexy and the limitations of the understanding of Xiao Xumingtang， its clinical application to apoplexy gradually decreased. In modern times， it has been re-recognized and applied， during which its clinical applications have undergone great changes. Its clinical applications are extensive， involving a variety of diseases related to the brain and nervous systems， such as stroke and its sequelae， peripheral facial paralysis， rheumatoid arthritis， hypertension， and other diseases related to the motor nervous system. Its primary indications are stroke and its sequelae， followed by peripheral facial paralysis. Other new indications are gradually found. This study is expected to provide references for the clinical application of Xiao Xumingtang and the transformation of new drugs.

Mechanism of Tongbi Jiangu Prescription in Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Tongbi Jiangu prescription （TBJG） in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis （KOA） based on network pharmacology and molecular docking，and further verify it by cell experiments. MethodThe active components and the corresponding targets of TBJG were screened out according to the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform（TCMSP）. The targets of KOA were obtained from GeneCards，online mendelian inheritance in man（OMIM）， and DrugBank. The common targets of active components of TBJG and KOA were the targets of TBJG against KOA. The active component-target network and protein-protein interaction （PPI） network were constructed by Cytoscape 3.7.2. STRING was used for PPI network analysis. DAVID was used for gene ontology （GO） and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes （KEGG） enrichment analyses. Key targets and core active components were selected for molecular docking by AutoDock. The results of network pharmacology were verified by cell experiments and the pharmacodynamic responses were observed. ResultThe prediction of network pharmacology showed that there were 111 active components of TBJG in the treatment of KOA. The core active components were quercetin，kaempferol， and β-sitosterol，and the key targets were interleukin-1β（IL-1β）， matrix metalloproteinase-3 （MMP-3），and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）. Biological processes （BP） in GO analysis mainly involved inflammatory response，response to lipopolysaccharide，apoptosis signaling pathway，and regulation of DNA activity in binding transcription factor. Cellular components （CC） included plasma membrane protein complex，RNA polymerase Ⅱ transcription factor complex，membrane raft，and serine/threonine protein kinase complex. Molecular functions （MF） were mainly enriched in cytokine receptor binding，nuclear receptor activity，protein domain specific binding，serine hydrolase activity，chemokine receptor binding，and activity of nitric oxide synthase regulator. As revealed by the KEGG analysis， the relevant signaling pathways were nuclear factor（NF）-κB， Janus kinase（JAK）/signal transducer and activator of transcription（STAT）， and Wnt signaling pathways. Molecular docking results showed that the core active components had good binding activities with key targets. The experimental results showed that TBJG could down-regulate IL-1β， MMP-3，TNF-α， and NF-κB p65 expression levels （P<0.05），and up-regulated NF-κB inhibitor（IκB）-α（P<0.05）. ConclusionThe mechanism of TBJG in the treatment of KOA lies in the application of active components such as quercetin，kaempferol， and β-sitosterol with IL-1β，MMP-3， and TNF-α as key targets through the NF-κB，JAK/STAT， and Wnt signaling pathways.

Integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine diagnosis and treatment of cirrhotic ascites / 临床肝胆病杂志

Ascites is the most common complication of decompensated liver cirrhosis. Recurrent massive ascites seriously affects the quality of life and prognosis of patients, and therefore, effective control of ascites is an important link in the treatment of liver cirrhosis. Based on the clinical reports in recent years, this article reviews the advances in the integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine diagnosis of cirrhotic ascites, conventional Western medicine treatment such as salt restriction, diuresis, and albumin supplementation, and the application of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, ascites pump, and liver transplantation in the treatment of refractory ascites. In addition, this article introduces the application of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine combining disease and syndrome with staged treatment and external treatment methods with traditional Chinese medicine characteristics, as well as the perspectives of future research including real-world study.