Objective To investigate alexithymia , personality characteristic and mental condition in patients with essential hypertension. Methods Fifty-one patients with essential hypertension were assessed using Eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ), Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20) and the symptom checklist-90 (SCL-90). The results were compared with those of Chinese ordinary model. Results The E score of EPQ of the patients with essential hypertension was lower than that of the Chinese ordinary model, while the N, P and L scores was higher. The total score and the scores of all factors of SCL-90 were significantly higher than that of Chinese ordinary model. The total score of TAS-20 and score of factor 1, factor 2 were positively correlated with the scores of all factors of SCL-90, while factor 3 score had no significant correlation with SCL-90. The E score of EPQ was negatively correlated with the scores of all factors of SCL-90, while N and P score were positively correlated with them. Conclusion Patients with essential hypertension were inner personality, unstable psychological status and neuroticism showing alexithymia and obvious psychological symptoms.

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanisms of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to preliminarily identify the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome element characteristics of FMT in the treatment of T2DM. Methods: Between March 25, 2023 and September 30, 2024, T2DM patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled at the Department of Rheumatology and Endocrinology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Participants received oral microbiota capsules as an adjunct to metformin therapy. Information obtained by four diagnostic methods of TCM, along with clinical and laboratory parameters, was collected before and after the intervention. Metagenomic sequencing was employed to analyze the gut microbiota, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between laboratory indicators and differential bacterial genera. According to the post-treatment reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), patients were categorized into a response (R) group and a non-response (NR) group. Treatment outcomes, safety indicators, gut microbiota changes, and TCM syndrome element features were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 53 T2DM patients were included in the final analysis, and 30 patients were assigned to R group and 23 to NR group. After treatment, the R group exhibited significant reductions in HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPG) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The NR group also showed significant decreases in HbA1c and FPG levels P < 0.01 or P < 0.05. Compared with the NR group, after treatment, FPG level in the R group demonstrated significant reductions (P < 0.01). As compared with before treatment, pancreatic islet function demonstrated enhancement in the R group, a significant increase in the 2-hour pastprandial C-peptide (2hC-P) levels in R group (P < 0.05), whereas no marked change was observed in the NR group. Regarding body composition indicators, the R group showed significantly lower waist-hip ratio (WHR), visceral fat (VF), and subcutaneous fat (SF) levels compared with the NR group (P < 0.01). After treatment, the NR group exhibited a significant elevation in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (P < 0.05). Other safety-related indicators fluctuated within normal reference ranges, and no other adverse events, such as diarrhea, fever, or nausea, were reported. Metagenomic sequencing showed that FMT improved the diversity and richness of the gut microbiota, remodeling its overall structure. At the phylum level, the abundance of p_Firmicutes decreased significantly (P < 0.01), while the abundances of p_Bacteroidota and p_Proteobacteria increased significantly (P < 0.01). At the family level, among the 125 identified taxa, the abundances of f_Bacteroidaceae, f_Lactobacillaceae, and f_Sutterellaceae were significantly elevated, whereas six families, including f_Lachnospiraceae, f_Ruminococcaceae, and f_Coriobacteriaceae, were significantly decreased (all P < 0.05). Among the 367 taxa at the genus level, the top 10 differential genera showed significantly increased abundances of g_Bacteroides and g_Sutterella, and significantly decreased abundances in eight genera, including g_Faecalibacterium, g_Ruminococcus, g_Blautia, and g_Collinsella (all P < 0.05). Correlation analysis suggested that the phylum p_Bacillota was positively correlated with improvements in T2DM laboratory parameters, g_norank_f_Prevotellaceae was significantly positively correlated with fasting C-peptide (FC-P) and 2hC-P (P < 0.05). HbA1c demonstrated a significantly positive correlation with g_Blautia and g_Gemmiger (P < 0.05) and a significantly negative correlation with g_Bacteroides and g_Collinsella (P > 0.05). Analysis of syndrome element characteristics revealed that the R group was primarily characterized by pathological patterns of dampness, phlegm, and Yang deficiency. Before treatment, statistically significant reductions in syndrome element scores were observed for dampness, Yang deficiency, spleen, phlegm, Qi deficiency, Qi stagnation, and Yin deficiency (P < 0.01), as well as for heat and liver (P < 0.05). The NR group was mainly featured with Qi deficiency and Yin deficiency. Statistically significant changes in their syndrome element scores after treatment were noted for Qi deficiency (P < 0.01), and for spleen, Qi stagnation, liver, and blood deficiency (P < 0.05). In this group, the score changes for Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency, heat, and dampness were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion The principles of syndrome element differentiation can be effectively applied to predict treatment efficacy and facilitate patient selection for FMT in the treatment of T2DM. Patients with T2DM presented with specific TCM syndrome element characteristics, notably dampness, phlegm, and Yang deficiency, represent a highly responsive population to FMT therapy.

Objective To evaluate the changes in 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signal transduction pathway in hippocampal neurons of aged rats during transient global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R).Methods Ninety-six aged male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 18-22 months,weighing 450-600 g,were randomly allocated to one of two groups (n=48 each):sham operation group (group OS) and transient global cerebral I/R group (group OTIR).Ninety-six yong male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 3 months,weighing 200-250 g,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=48 each):sham operation group (group AS) and transient global cerebral I/R group (group ATIR).The global cerebral I/R was produced by 3 min four-vessel occlusion followed by reperfusion according to Pulsinelli.On 3,5 and 7 days of reperfusion,12 rats in each group were chosen and sacrificed.Their brains were removed and hippocampal CA1 region was dissected for detection of neuronal apoptosis (by TUNEL) and expression of phosphorylated AMPKα (p-AMPKα) (by Western blot).The apoptotic rate (AR) was calculated.Results Compared with OS group,the AR was significantly increased and the expression of p-AMPKα was up-regulated at each time point in OTIR group,and the AR was significantly decreased and the expression of p-AMPKα was down-regulated at each time point in AS group (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with AS groupthe AR was significantly increased at each time point and the expression of p-AMPKα was up-regulated on day 3 and 5 of reperfusion in ATIR group (P ＜ 0.05).The AR was significantly lower at each time point and the expression of p-AMPKα was down-regulated on day 5 and 7 of reperfusion in ATIR group than in OTIR group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Transient global cerebral I/R can activate AMPK signal transduction pathway in hippocampus of aged rats.The activation of AMPK signal transduction pathway is stronger and the cerebral I/R injury is more severe in aged rats than in young rats.

Objective To observe effects of Naotaifang on MMP-9, NF-κB and TIMP-1 after focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Methods The rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, and Naotaifang low- (3 g/kg), medium- (9 g/kg), high- dose (27 g/kg) group. After 3 days of corresponding therapy by intragastric administration once a day, the regional cerebral ischemia model was made by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with suture method. Following 3 days, the rats were treated with previous method. On the third day, hippocampal C2 region of ischemic tissue was detected by HE dyeing. And the contents of MMP-9, NF-κB and TIMP1 proteins in hippocampal C2 region were measured by immunohistochemical method. Results The number of normal brain cells in high dose group of Naotaifang was more than that of the model group, and only a few cells appeared nucleus pycnosis. The MMP-9 expression of all dose groups of Naotaifang were significantly decreased than model group (P<0.05). The NF-κB expression of high and medium dose groups of Naotaifang were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The TIMP1 expression of all dose groups of Naotaifang were significantly increased compared with sham operation group (P<0.05). Conclusion The mechanism of Naotaifang protecting blood brain barrier against injury of cerebral ischemia may be involved in ameliorating MMP, NF-κB and increasing TIMP1 expression.

Objective:To determine the clinical efficacy of posterior intervertebral surgery for single-segment thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis.Methods:Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed in 62 patients with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis who underwent posterior intervertebral surgery (A group) or posterior and anterior combined intervertebral surgery (B group) from January 2010 to January 2015 in Department of Spinal Surgery,General Hospital,Ningxia Medical University.The operative time,blood loss,length of hospital stay,erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),C-reactive protein (CRP) level,neurological function,VAS score,vertebral Cobb angle,bone healing,and postoperative complications were compared between the 2 groups.Results:All patients were followed up for 10 to 30 (average 22) months after the operation.In the A group,operative time,blood loss,and hospital stay were less than those in the B group (P＜0.05).In the follow-up,the pain of patients was alleviated and nervous function was improved obviously in the 2 groups compared with pre-operation.The ESR and CRP at the 6 months after operation returned to the normal range in patients of the 2 groups.There were significant differences in the ESR and CRP among the pre-operation,the 6 months after operation,and the end of follow-up within the group (P＜0.05),while there were no significant differences in ESR and CRP between the 6 months after operation and the end of follow-up (P＞0.05).There were no significant differences in the ESR and CRP among the pre-operation,the 6 months after operation,and the end of follow-up in the 2 group (P＞0.05).The Cobb angles after the operation and the end of follow-up were significanthy smaller than those before the operation (P＜0.01),while there were no significant differences in Cobb angle before operation,after the operation,and the end of follow-up between the 2 groups (P＞0.05).There were no significant differences in the bone healing rate at 6 months or 1 year after operation between the A group and B group (P＞0.05) and the complication rate of the A group was lower than the B group (P＜0.01).Conclusion:Clinical efficacy of posterior intervertebral surgery is satisfatory in treating single-segment thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis with less complications.

Objective To study the relation between point mutations at nt3243 and nt8344 of muscle mitochondrial DNA from patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathies and phenotypes. Methods DNA was extracted from muscle specimens from 5 patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathies and amplified by PCR method, using corresponding oligonucleotide primers. DNA fragments were digested with restriction enzymes BglⅠ and ApaⅠ, then the digested DNA fragments were analyzed with an electrophoresis method.Results The point mutation at nt3243 of mtDNA was found in 2 patients, one with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) and another with myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibers (MERRF). The point mutation at nt8344 was found in 2 patients with MERRF, including the one with point mutation at nt3243.Conclusion The point mutation of DNA at nt3243 correlated with MELAS and nt8344 correlated with MERRF. In addition, the detection of point mutations at both nt3243 and nt8344 in a patient with MERRF shows the association of mutation with diversity in clinical manifestations of mitochondrial encephalomyopathies.

To summarize Professor TU Jinwen's clinical experience in the treatment of severe influenza based on the “heat toxin theory”. He believed that “heat toxin” is the main disease mechanism of severe influenza， emphasized the pathogenesis process that toxin enters with the pathogenic qi， heat generates by the toxin， and changes initiate from the toxin， and proposed simultaneous treatment of warmth and toxin and combination of multiple methods as the treatment principles. Syndrome differentiation in clinic should combine with wei-qi-ying-blood. The disease in the early stage located in wei （defensive） and qi level， treated by clearing heat and resolving toxins， releasing the exterior and expelling pathogen， harmonizing the exterior and interior， dredging the bowels with diarrhea， and combining other methods to get rid of the heat and toxin， and modified Self-Prescribed Tuire No. 1 Formula （自拟退热1号方） is recommended； the disease in progression stage located in ying-blood， treated by relieving heat and resolving toxins， and clearing the ying level and cool the blood， with prescriptions as modified Self-Prescribed Tuire No. 1 Formula plus Qingying Decoction （清营汤）， or Xijiao Dihuang Decoction （犀角地黄汤）； the disease in the late stage with of yin fluid consumption， and heat toxin in the blood level， treated by eliminating heat and resolving toxins， and enriching yin and cooling the blood， with prescriptions as modified Shashen Maidong Decoction （沙参麦冬汤） and Zhuye Shigao Decoction （竹叶石膏汤）. At the same time， it is emphasised that heat-clearing and fire-draining method and harmonising methods are important， and that dispelling pathogen should not injure healthy qi， and that the selection of prescriptions and medicines need consider syndrome differentiation and treatment.