Hygroscopicity research has long been a key focus and hot topic in Chinese materia medica（CMM）. Elucidating hygroscopic mechanisms plays a vital role in formulation design， process optimization， and storage condition selection. Hygroscopic models serve as essential tools for characterizing CMM hygroscopic mechanisms， with various types available. The double exponential model is a kinetic mathematical model constructed based on the law of conservation of energy and Fick's first law of diffusion， tailored to the physical properties of CMM extracts. In recent years， this model has been extensively applied to simulate the dynamic moisture absorption behavior of CMM extracts and solid dosage forms under varying humidity conditions. It has revealed the correlation between moisture absorption kinetic parameters and material properties， offering a new perspective for characterizing the moisture uptake behavior of CMM. This paper systematically reviews the application progress of this model in the field of CMM， analyzes its advantages， disadvantages， and challenges in this domain， and explores its potential application trends in other fields. It aims to provide references for elucidating the moisture absorption mechanisms of CMM and researching moisture-proofing technologies， while also offering insights for its broader application in food and polymer materials.

[Objective] To perform genetic analysis on samples with weak agglutination and mixed agglutination of ABO blood group antigens in neonates, and to investigate the molecular biological characteristics of ABO subtypes in neonates. [Methods] Serological identification of ABO blood group was performed by tube method and microcolumn gel method. The ABO exons 2-7 were amplified by PCR, and the amplified products were sequenced by Sanger sequencing method to determine the genotype. [Results] Among the ABO blood group serological results of 14 neonates, 8 cases showed weakened A antigen, and 6 cases showed weakened B antigen. Seven samples were identified with ABO subtype alleles, with genotypes as A102/B101+c.538C>T, Aw26/B102, A205/O02, A205/B101(2 cases), Aw26/O02, B(A)06/O01, B101/O01(3 cases), A102/O01(2 cases), A102/B101 and B101/O02. Additionally, three other family members were also found to carry B(A)06 allele in a pedigree investigation. [Conclusion] For samples showing weakened antigens in ABO blood type identification of neonates, it is necessary to consider the possibility of ABO subtype in addition to age factors, and genetic testing can be used to prevent missed detection of ABO subtypes in neonates.

ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and efficacy of puncture cyanoacrylate selective seal （PCSS） under endoscopic ultrasound in the treatment of gastroesophageal varices （GOV）. MethodsA total of 100 patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent endoscopic therapy for the secondary prevention of GOV bleeding in Beijing Ditan Hospital， Capital Medical University， from March 1 to December 31， 2023 were enrolled and randomly divided into PCSS group and traditional endoscopy group. The patients were followed up for 6 months after surgery， and the two groups were compared in terms of clinical outcome and complications. The primary outcome measure was the rate of alleviation or disappearance of GOV， and the secondary outcome measure was variceal rebleeding and death. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed or approximately normally distributed quantitative data between two groups， and the Wilcoxon non-parametric test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed quantitative data between two groups； the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of qualitative data between two groups. ResultsThere were 50 patients in the PCSS group， among whom 1 patient was lost to follow-up， and there were 50 patients in the traditional endoscopy group， among whom 3 patients were lost to follow-up. There were no significant differences between the two groups in baseline data such as age， sex， Child-Pugh class， varices grade， and GOV typing （all P>0.05）. Compared with the traditional endoscopy group， the PCSS group had significantly better results of the number of endoscopic treatment sessions （t=-15.671， P=0.001）， the total amount of tissue adhesive used （t=-2.830， P=0.006）， and the rate of alleviation or eradication of varices sclerosis （χ²=7.078， P=0.029）. Both groups had low rates of postoperative rebleeding， adverse reactions， and complications， and there were no significant differences between the two groups （all P>0.05）. ConclusionCompared with traditional endoscopy， PCSS can significantly enhance treatment outcome while maintaining safety standards.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15189:2022 Medical laboratories-Requirements for quality and compence was officially released. Serving as the scientific foundation for the quality management and capacity construction of medical laboratories in China, the new standard edition will play a pivotal role in elevating the quality level of clinical laboratories in China. Internal quality control is an important component of quality monitoring system, which is of great importance in ensuring the effectiveness of test results. Simultaneously, ISO15189:2022 incorporates internal quality control methods of patient data as a quality control procedure, which is also a new trend in the development of internal quality control. With the continuous development of laboratory informatics and the release of the new standard ISO15189:2022, it is necessary for us to deeply rethink on internal quality control and explore the problems and challenges faced by internal quality control under the current situation.

Objective To investigate the effects of dimethyl itaconate(DMI)on the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors in dendritic cells(DCs)and on the interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein(IRBP)1-20-specific T helper 17(Th17)cells in mice with experimental autoimmune uveitis(EAU).Methods Bilateral femur and tibia of C57BL/6J mice were isolated to obtain bone marrow cells,and these bone marrow cells were directionally induced with granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF)and interleukin(IL)-4 to differentiate DCs.After 6 days,DCs were ran-domly divided into the DMI group and the phosphate-buffered saline(PBS)group.Cells in the DMI group were pretreated with 250 μmol·L-1 DMI,and cells in the PBS group were pretreated with the same volume of PBS for 3 hours.After-wards,100 μg·L-1 lipopolysaccharide was added in the every group to stimulate cells for 24 hours.The relative mRNA ex-pression levels of IL-6,IL-1 β,and IL-23 in DCs were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).The EAU model was constructed by actively immunizing mice with IRBP1-20,Freund's incomplete adjuvant,and my-cobacterium tuberculosis H37RA.Thirteen days after immunization,T cells in the spleen and lymph node isolated from EAU mice were cocultured with DMI-treatedor PBS-treated DCs in the medium containing IRBP1-20.They polarized toward Th17 cells.The percentage of Th17 cells in the cocultured cells was detected by flow cytometry.The IL-17 level in the coculture supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).qRT-PCR was performed to detect the relative mRNA expression levels of retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma t(RORγt),IL-17,IL-23R,and GM-CSF in the cocultured cells.Results qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the relative mRNA expression levels of IL-6,IL-1β,and IL-23 in the DMI group were significantly lower thanthose in the PBS group(all P＜0.05).Flow cytometry analysis showed that the proportion of Th17 cells in the cocultured cells in the DMI group was significantly lower than that in the PBS group(P＜0.05).ELISA analysis exhibited that the IL-17 level in the coculture supernatant in the DMI group was significantly lower than that in the PBS group(P＜0.05).The relative mRNA expression levels of IL-17,ROR-γt,IL-23R and GM-CSF in cocultured cells in the DMI group significantly decreased compared with the PBS group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion DMI can reduce the expression of IL-6,IL-1β and IL-23 in DCs,thus negatively modulating the responses of IRBP1-20-specific Th17 cells.

Objective:To summarize the distributional characteristics of postoperative occurrence of multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO) infections and their risk factors in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) recipients and examine the impact of MDRO infections on the survival of SPK recipients.Method:From January 2016 to December 2022, the relevant clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 218 SPK recipients. The source of donor-recipient specimens and the composition percentage of MDRO pathogens were examined. According to whether or not MDRO infection occurred post-transplantation, they were assigned into two groups of MDRO (98 cases) and non-MDRO (120 cases). The clinical data of two groups of donors and recipients were analyzed. And the risk factors for an onset of MDRO infection were examined by binary Logistic regression. The survival rate of two recipient groups was compared by Kaplan-Meier method.Result:A total of 98/218 recipients (45%) developed MDRO infections. And 46 (46.9%) of sputum and 34 (34.7%) of urine were cultured positively and 49 (50%) pathogens expressed extended spectrum beta-lactamase. There were pneumonia (46 cases, 46.9%), urinary tract infections (34 cases, 34.7%), abdominal infections (16 cases, 16.3%) and bloodstream infections (2 cases, 2.0%). Univariate regression analysis revealed that length of renal failure ( P=0.037), length of hospitalization ( P<0.001), length of antibiotic use ( P<0.001), novel antibiotics ( P=0.014), albumin ( P<0.001) and leukocyte count ( P<0.001) were risk factors for an onset of MDRO infections. The results of multifactorial regression indicated that low albumin ( OR=0.855, 95% CI: 0.790~0.925, P<0.001) and leukopenia ( OR=0.656, 95% CI: 0.550~0.783, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for an onset of MDRO infections. The survival rates of recipients in MDRO group at Year 1/3 post-operation were 92.9% (91/98) and 89.8% (88/98). And the survival rate of recipients in non-MDRO group was 96.7% (116/120) at Year 1/3 post-operation. Inter-group difference was not statistically significant in 1-year survival rate of two recipient groups ( P=0.201); statistically significant inter-group difference in 3-year survival rate between two recipient groups ( P=0.041) . Conclusion:Low albumin and leukopenia are risk factors for MDRO infection. Infection with MDRO has some impact on the survival of recipients.

Objective:To investigate the ultrasonographic features of medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs) of different sizes and supply valid information for separating MTCs from papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs).Methods:There were 87 patients with MTC and 220 patients with PTC detected by ultrasonography and confirmed by pathology at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from June 2018 to March 2022. Nodules were divided into the large nodule group (the maximum diameter of the tumor was＞1 cm) and the small nodule group (the maximum diameter of the tumor was ≤1 cm). There were 97 cases in the small nodule group, including 28 cases of MTC and 69 cases of PTC. There were 210 cases in the large nodule group, including 59 cases of MTC and 151 cases of PTC. After stratification by thyroid nodules, ultrasonographic features of thyroid nodules and metastatic lymph nodes, preoperative serum calcitonin (CT) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were compared between MTC and PTC patients.Results:In the small nodule group, the proportion of MTCs exhibiting hypoecho, smooth margins, and having blood flow signals was higher than that of PTCs, with statistically significant differences (all P＜0.05). In the large nodule group, the proportion of MTCs showing cystic solidity, hypoecho, smooth margins, blood flow, and the type Ⅳvascular distribution was higher than PTCs, and the difference of calcification type between them was also statistically significant (all P＜0.05). In contrast, the differences in the number of lesions and aspect ratio between MTCs and PTCs were not statistically significant regardless of nodule size (all P＞0.05). In the small nodule group,6 metastatic lymph nodes of medullary thyroid carcinoma (LNM-MTC) and 11 metastatic lymph nodes of papillary thyroid carcinoma (LNM-PTC) were correctly diagnosed by ultrasound, respectively. The diagnostic compliance rate of ultrasound was 78.6% (22/28) and 78.3% (54/69), respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( P=0.973). In the large nodule group, 28 LNM-MTC and 11 LNM-PTC were correctly diagnosed by ultrasound, respectively. The diagnostic compliance of ultrasound was 88.1% (52/59) and 73.5% (111/151), respectively, which was statistically significant ( P=0.022). Among them, 82.1% of LNM-MTC and 56.6% of LNM-PTC showed abnormal blood flow signals, with a statistically significant difference ( P=0.016). There were significant differences in preoperative serum CT and CEA levels of different sizes of MTCs (all P＜0.05). Conclusions:Different sizes of MTCs require diverse demonstrative criteria. Abnormal blood flow signal is of great significance in the diagnosis of LNM-MTC. Within the absence of ultrasonic characteristics, preoperative serum CT test can provide confidence for the diagnosis of MTC.

Objective We aimed to investigate the hemostatic effect and mechanism of modified Sijunzi Decoction(MSJZT),consisting of tangshen,India bread,largehead atractylodes rhizome,liquorice root,milkvetch root,ass hide glue,and India madder root,on the zebrafish intestinal bleeding model through 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)and its receptors(5-HT2aR,5-HT2bR).Methods Zebrafish at 4 days post fertilization were used as the research object.An intestinal bleeding model was established by induction with 6 μmol/L simvastatin for 24 hours.The zebrafish were divided into normal group,model group,MSJZT low-,mid-and high-concentration groups(55.6,167,500 mg/L),and after modeling,the corresponding concentration of MSJZT was administered.The samples were collected after 24 hours.Platelet count(PLT)and bleeding status were observed.The content of 5-HT and Caspase 3/7 activity were detected by colorimetry.The gene expressions of 5-HT2aR,5-HT2bR and serotonin transporter(SERT)were detected by real-time PCR.The protein expressions of protein kinase B(AKT),phosphorylated AKT(p-AKT),extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase(ERK),and phosphorylated ERK(p-ERK)were detected by Western blotting.Results The intestinal bleeding rate in the model group was 70.0%,and that in the MSJZT low-,mid-and high-concentration groups was 36.7%,40.0%,and 80.0%,respectively;the intestinal hemostatic effect was 54%,52%,and 7%,respectively.Compared with the model group,the PLT in the MSJZT low-and mid-concentration groups decreased;the content of 5-HT in all MSJZT groups increased,and the gene expressions of 5-HT2aR and 5-HT2bR were up-regulated.The gene expression of SERT was up-regulated in the low-and mid-concentration groups;the Caspase 3/7 activity in the mid-and high-concentration groups was reduced;the expressions of p-AKT and p-ERK proteins were up-regulated in the low-and mid-concentration groups(all P<0.05).Conclusion MSJZT can reduce the incidence and severity of intestinal bleeding in zebrafish intestinal bleeding models.The mechanism may be achieved by activating AKT and ERK signaling pathways through 5-HT and its receptors.

Objective:To investigate the ultrasonographic features of medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs) of different sizes and supply valid information for separating MTCs from papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs).Methods:There were 87 patients with MTC and 220 patients with PTC detected by ultrasonography and confirmed by pathology at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from June 2018 to March 2022. Nodules were divided into the large nodule group (the maximum diameter of the tumor was＞1 cm) and the small nodule group (the maximum diameter of the tumor was ≤1 cm). There were 97 cases in the small nodule group, including 28 cases of MTC and 69 cases of PTC. There were 210 cases in the large nodule group, including 59 cases of MTC and 151 cases of PTC. After stratification by thyroid nodules, ultrasonographic features of thyroid nodules and metastatic lymph nodes, preoperative serum calcitonin (CT) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were compared between MTC and PTC patients.Results:In the small nodule group, the proportion of MTCs exhibiting hypoecho, smooth margins, and having blood flow signals was higher than that of PTCs, with statistically significant differences (all P＜0.05). In the large nodule group, the proportion of MTCs showing cystic solidity, hypoecho, smooth margins, blood flow, and the type Ⅳvascular distribution was higher than PTCs, and the difference of calcification type between them was also statistically significant (all P＜0.05). In contrast, the differences in the number of lesions and aspect ratio between MTCs and PTCs were not statistically significant regardless of nodule size (all P＞0.05). In the small nodule group,6 metastatic lymph nodes of medullary thyroid carcinoma (LNM-MTC) and 11 metastatic lymph nodes of papillary thyroid carcinoma (LNM-PTC) were correctly diagnosed by ultrasound, respectively. The diagnostic compliance rate of ultrasound was 78.6% (22/28) and 78.3% (54/69), respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( P=0.973). In the large nodule group, 28 LNM-MTC and 11 LNM-PTC were correctly diagnosed by ultrasound, respectively. The diagnostic compliance of ultrasound was 88.1% (52/59) and 73.5% (111/151), respectively, which was statistically significant ( P=0.022). Among them, 82.1% of LNM-MTC and 56.6% of LNM-PTC showed abnormal blood flow signals, with a statistically significant difference ( P=0.016). There were significant differences in preoperative serum CT and CEA levels of different sizes of MTCs (all P＜0.05). Conclusions:Different sizes of MTCs require diverse demonstrative criteria. Abnormal blood flow signal is of great significance in the diagnosis of LNM-MTC. Within the absence of ultrasonic characteristics, preoperative serum CT test can provide confidence for the diagnosis of MTC.

ObjectiveTo analyze the correlation between 11 small molecule active components and 1 protein component of characteristic processed products with porcine cardiac blood and other products of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma（SMRR） from Menghe medical school and anti-cerebral ischemic oxidative damage， and to identify its key component markers of characteristic processed products with porcine cardiac blood for anti-cerebral ischemic oxidative damage. MethodHigh performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） was established to simultaneously determine the contents of 11 active ingredients in SMRR and its processed products［processed with porcine cardiac blood， porcine blood， wine and transferrin（Tf） in porcine cardiac blood］， and the content of Tf in different processed products of SMRR was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. Furthermore， A zebrafish ischemic stroke model was constructed to evaluate the effects of different processed products of SMRR on the behavioral trajectory of cerebral ischemic zebrafish， the neuronal damage of transgenic zebrafish Tg（elavl3：eGFP） brain， as well as the levels of malondialdehyde（MDA） and superoxide dismutase（SOD） in the brain tissues. The hippocampal neurons oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation（OGD/R）-induced ischemia-hypoxia model was constructed to evaluate the effects of different processed products of SMRR on oxidative damage of neuronal cells by taking lactate dehydrogenase（LDH）， reactive oxygen species（ROS）， MDA and SOD as indexes. Finally， principal component analysis（PCA）， partial least squares-discriminant analysis（PLS-DA） and Spearman correlation analysis were used to analyze the 11 small molecule active components and 1 protein component with efficacy indicators， in order to screen the key components of the characteristic processed products with porcine cardiac blood for cerebral ischemic oxidative damage. ResultCompared with the raw products， the contents of water-soluble and fat-soluble components in processed products of SMRR increased to different degrees， while the content of salvianolic acid A decreased. Compared with the wine-processed products， the contents of salvianolic acid B， danshensu， rosmarinic acid and other components in the porcine cardiac blood-processed products， porcine blood-processed products， Tf-processed products were increased， while the content of salvianolic acid A was decreased. ELISA results showed that there was no significant difference in Tf content between the porcine cardiac blood-processed products， porcine blood-processed products， Tf-processed products. Pharmacological results showed that different processed products of SMRR could improve the behavioral deficits， brain neuronal injury and oxidative stress after ischemic stroke in zebrafish， and the effect of the porcine cardiac blood-processed products was most pronounced. PCA results showed that salvianolic acid B， salvianolic acid A， rosmarinic acid， lithospermic acid， danshensu， tanshinone Ⅱ_A， caffeic acid， cryptotanshinone and tanshinone Ⅰ were the main contributing components of SMRR and its processed products. And the results of correlation analysis showed that the contents of cryptotanshinone， rosmarinic acid， caffeic acid， dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ， salvianolic acid B， tanshinone Ⅱ_A and tanshinone Ⅰ were negatively correlated with MDA level in zebrafish brain tissue， while the contents of lithospermic acid， protocatechuic aldehyde， rosmarinic acid， dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ， salvianolic acid B and Tf were positively correlated with SOD level， and the contents of rosmarinic acid， caffeic acid， dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ， salvianolic acid B， tanshinone Ⅱ_A， tanshinone Ⅰ， danshensu， Tf were positively correlated with neuronal fluorescence intensity in the zebrafish brain. And the contents of lithospermic acid， protocatechuic aldehyde， rosmarinic acid， dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ， salvianolic acid B， tanshinone Ⅱ_A and Tf were negatively correlated with LDH， ROS and MDA levels and positively correlated with SOD level. ConclusionThere are differences in the anti-ischemic oxidative damage effects of SMRR and its different processed products， among which the porcine cardiac blood-processed products has the strongest effect on improving oxidative damage， which may be related to the content changes of salvianolic acid B， danshensu， rosmarinic acid and other components. This study can provide a basis for clarifying the quality markers of SMRR processed with porcine cardiac blood for cerebral ischemia and elucidating its processing mechanism.