To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on the climacteric syndrome, patients with climacteric syndrome were treated by acupuncture and moxibustion and randomly compared with the patients in control group treated by Chinese herbs. There was a significant difference between two groups (P＜0.05). The results showed that the therapeutic effect in acupuncture and moxibustion group was obviously better than that in Chinese herbs group.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the role of hydrogen sulfide ( H2 S) on impaired wound healing in ob/ob mice and the underlying mechanism.METHODS:The ob/ob mice were randomly divided into 3 groups, including vehicle, in-sulin and NaHS for treatment.C57BL/6 mice were treated with vehicle as control.Full-thickness punch biopsy wounds were created on the mice.Firstly, H2 S concentrations in the skins and granulation tissues were measured.The mRNA ex-pression of cystathionineγ-lyase ( CSE) was detected by RT-qPCR.The protein expression of CSE and MMP-9 were deter-mined by Western blot.The neutrophil and monocyte/macrophage infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemistry me-thod.The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-αand interleukin (IL)-6 were measured by ELISA.Collagen formation was measured by Masson staining.RESULTS:The H2 S levels in the skin and granulation were significantly decreased in ob/ob mice and increased in the NaHS-treated mice ( P<0.05 ) .CSE expression at mRNA and protein levels was significantly decreased in ob/ob mice compared with the control mice (P<0.05).The wound healing period was significantly shorter in NaHS group than that in vehicle-treated ob/ob mice group (P<0.05), in which the insulin group had no difference with vehicle ob/ob mice group.The neutrophil and monocyte/macrophage infiltration, and TNF-αand IL-6 levels were signifi-cantly increased in ob/ob groups, but were decreased in NaHS group ( P<0.01 or P<0.05 ) .Meanwhile, NaHS in-creased collagen formation in the granulation tissues of ob/ob mice.CONCLUSION:H2 S/CSE down-regulation contributes
to impaired wound healing in diabetes, which is alleviated by exogenous H2 S possibly through anti-inflammation.

Objective To validate the four chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) predictive equations based on serum creatinine (SCr) and cystatin C (Cys C) in Chinese CKD patients,and try to develop the GFR predictive equations for Chinese CKD patients.Methods254 CKD patients were randomly selected from four Grade ⅢA hospitals in different regions in China from September 2007 to December 2010.Clearance of dual plasma sampling 99mTc-DTPA was used to measure glomerular filtration rate (rGFR) in 254 CKD patients.The serum concentration of Cr and Cys C were measured.CKD-EPI SCr equation,Cys C equation,Cys C equation adjusted for age,sex and race,SCr/Cys C combinated equation adjusted for age,sex and race were used to estimate GRF ( labeled as eGFR1,eGFR2,eGFR3 and eGFR4,respectively).The correlation,bias and precision of eGFRs were compared with rGFR by Wilcoxon signed rank test,intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Spearman correlation analysis.The deviation degree between rGFR and different eGFRs was compared via Bland-Altman graph.The accuracy within 15％,25％,30％ ( P15,P25,P30) and the staging correctness of eGFR against CKD at different stages was calculated.ResultsThe rGFR in 254 CKD participants was [ 48.07 (26.19 -92.97 )] ml · min -1·(1.73 m2) -1.The Spearman correlatiou coefficients (CC) of eGFR and rGFR varied within the range of 0.873 - 0.896 ( P =0.000 ).The intra-class CC ( ICC ) varied within the range of 0.920 - 0.942.The correlation of eGFR4 was the best.The absolute deviations of 4 eGFRs and deviation precision were eGFR4 ＜eGFR3 ＜ eGFR2 ＜ eGFR1.The 95％ confidence intervals for the regression line of 4 eGFRs shown by Bland-Altman graphs were 92.5,87.3,83.0 and 76.1 ml · min-1 · ( 1.73 m2 ) -1,respectively,with the best result of eGFR4.For P30,the correctness of 4 eGFRs were eGFR4 ＞ eGFR3 ＞ eGFR2 ＞ eGFR1,but no significant difference was found by Chi square test (x2 =6.448,P =0.092).The overall correctness rate in 4 eGFRs against CKD stages were 48.4％ -57.5％,with the highest consistency of eGFR4,but their staging correctnessratewerenotideal(Kappa values were 0.405,0.348,0.366 and 0.463,respectively).Conclusions Compared with CKD-EPI SCr equation,no advantage was found in CKD-EPI Cys C equation.The Cys C equation adjusted by age and sex shows a little advantages over CKD-EPI Cys C equation in bias,precision,correlation and accuracy.The CKD-EPI SCr/Cys C combinated equation adjusted by age,sex and race has advantage over other three equations not only in bias,precision,correlation and accuracy,but also in staging correctness.However,the validation of this equation is still not fairly ideal for Chinese CKD patients.Based on these findings,it is essential for the Chinese CKD patients to develop SCr/Cys C combined predictive equation which adjusted by age,sex or other factors.(Chin J Lab Med,2012,35:798-804)

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship of lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR) and classical nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation pathway in the pathogenesis and progress of cystitis and bladder cancer.MethodsThe LTβR and P65 mRNA expression were detected by Real-time quantitative PCR in 108 cases of fresh bladder tissue specimens (75 cases of bladder cancer,10 cases of inflammation and 23 normal bladder mucosa cases grouped by the tissue classification ),and protein expression were analyzed by immunohistochemistry assay in 118 cases of paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens (73 cases of bladder cancer,30 cases of cysitis and 15 normal bladder mucosa cases).The correlation analysis between the expressions of LTβR and P65 with clinical pathological data was then performed.Differences between LTβR and P65 mRNA and protein expression level were compared in different groups of bladder tissues using Kruskal-Wallis H test and the Chi-square test.Results( 1 )The mRNA expressions of LTβR and NF-κB/P65were higher in bladder cancer than those in normal group ( LTβR:29.4 ( 14.2 - 46.7 ) × 10 - 3/1.2 ( 0.3 -7.0) ×10-3,Z=-5.508; P65:9.7 (2.7 -21.1) ×10-3/1.0(0.8 ～1.8) ×10-3,Z=-5.030,P＜0.05 ).There were significantly differences between bladder cancer with different histological grades ( LTβR:18.2(2.1-31.3) × 10-3/ 28.4(16.6-36.2) × 10-3/47.9(34.3 -70.5) ×10-3,x2K-W=20.378;P65:4.9(1.3 - 12.0) × 10-3/7.4(3.0-21.9) × 10-3/17.0(10.0 ～28.3)× 10-3 ,x2K-W2 =15.219,P all ＜0.05) and lymph node metastasis (LTβR:27.2(9.7-40.1) ×10-3/39.4(26.7 -52.6) ×10-3,Z=-2.552; P65:7.4(2.3-15.6) ×10-3/13.4(6.7-23.3) ×10-3,Z=-2.026,P＜0.05).(2)The positive rates of LTβR and phosphorylated P65 ( p-P65 ) protein in cancer were higber than those of normal group (LTβR:69.8％/13.3％,x2 =16.600 ; p-P65:56.2％/6.7％,x2 =12.220,P ＜ 0.05 ).Upregulation of LTβR and p-P65 were associated with the histological grade (LTβR:56.3％/70.0％/90.4％,x2 =7.055; p-P65:40.6％ /60.0％/76.2％,x2 =6.679,P ＜0.05) and with lymph node metastasis (LTβR:58.3％/92.0％,x2 =8.849; p-P65:52.1％/64.0％,x2 =5.088,P ＜0.05).(3)There was a positive correlation between LTβR and P65 expression ( mRNA:r =0.654,P ＜ 0.05,protein:r =0.399,P ＜ 0.05 )in the bladder cancer and cystitis (r =0.521,P＜0.05).ConclusionsThe activation of LTβR and P65 was associated with progression and metastasis of bladder cancer.The activation of classical NF-κB pathway by LTβR may be achieved by P65.

OBJECTIVE:To study the improvement effect and mechanism of Meng medicine Wuwei Shaji powder(WSP)on smoke-induced lung inflammation injury in mice. METHODS:ICR mice were randomly divided into blank group(normal saline), model group (normal saline) and WSP group (2 g/kg). Mice in model group and WSP group received passive smoking to induce model of lung inflammation injury,and intragastrically administrated relevant medicine when modeling,once a day,for 28 d. Af-ter administration,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6,IL-10 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids(BALF);the pathological changes of lung tissue were observed by op-tical microscope after hematoxylin-eosin staining;Western blot was adopted to detect the protein expressions of extracellular sig-nal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2),phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2),p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK),phos-phorylated p38 MAPK(p-p38 MAPK),nuclear factor kappaB p65(NF-κB p65)and phosphorylated NF-κB p65(p-NF-κB p65)in lung tissue of mice. RESULTS:Compared with blank group,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6 levels in BALF in model group were obviously increased (P<0.01);lung tissue showed significant inflammatory lesions;and the protein expressions of p-ERK1/2, p-p38 MAPK,p-NF-κB p65 in lung tissue were obviously increased (P<0.01). Compared with model group,TNF-α,IL-1β levels in BALF in WSP group were obviously decreased(P<0.05);inflammation injury in lung tissue was obviously improved;and protein expressions of p-p38 MAPK and p-NF-κB p65 in lung tissue were obviously decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:WSP shows improvement effect on smoke-induced lung inflammation injury in mice,which might be by blocking the p38 MAPK,NF-κB p65 phosphorycation to inhibit the high expression of inflammatory factors as TNF-αand IL-6.

Purpose: This study aims to elucidate the longitudinal alterations in frailty and health-related quality of life experienced by elderly patients undergoing surgical treatment for esophageal cancer. Additionally, it seeks to ascertain the impact of preoperative frailty on postoperative health-related quality of life over time. Methods: 131 patients were included in the prospective study. Patients' frailty and health-related quality-of-life were assessed utilizing the Tilburg and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 at preoperative, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months, postoperatively. Statistical analyses were performed using generalized estimating equations, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and linear mixed models (LMMs). Results: Out of 131 patients, 28.2% had frailty before surgery, and the prevalence of frailty consistently higher after surgery compared with baseline (67.9%, 51.9%, and 39.7%). There was no significant change in frailty scores in preoperative frail patients within 3 months following surgery (p = .496, p < .999, p < .999); whereas in preoperative non-frail patients, the frailty scores increased at 1 week (p < .001) and then decreased at 1 month (p = .014), followed by no change at 3 months. In addition, preoperative frail patients had significantly worse global quality-of-life (β = −4.24 (−8.31; −.18), p = .041), physical functioning (β = −9.87 (−14.59; −5.16), p < .001), role functioning (β = −10.04 (−15.76; −4.33), p = .001), and social functioning (β = −8.58 (−15.49; −1.68), p = .015), compared with non-frail patients. Conclusions A significant proportion of participants exhibited a high prevalence of preoperative frailty. These patients, who were preoperatively frail, exhibited a marked reduction in health-related quality-of-life, a more gradual recovery across various functional domains, and an increased symptom burden during the follow-up period. Therefore, it is crucial to meticulously identify and closely monitor patients with preoperative frailty for any changes in their postoperative physiology, role, and social functioning.

Lupus nephritis (LN), a severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus, poses a substantial risk of progression to end-stage renal disease, with increased mortality. Conventional therapy for LN relies on broad-spectrum immunosuppressants such as glucocorticoids, mycophenolate mofetil, and calcineurin inhibitors. Although therapeutic regimens have evolved over the years, they have inherent limitations, including non-specific targeting, substantial adverse effects, high relapse rates, and prolonged maintenance and remission courses. These drawbacks underscore the need for targeted therapeutic strategies for LN. Recent advancements in our understanding of LN pathogenesis have led to the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the emergence of biological agents and small-molecule inhibitors with improved specificity and reduced toxicity. This review provides an overview of the current evidence on targeted therapies for LN, elucidates the biological mechanisms of responses and failure, highlights the challenges ahead, and outlines strategies for subsequent clinical trials and integrated immunomodulatory approaches.

ObjectiveRoot rot is one of the most serious diseases in the cultivation and production of Atractylodes lancea. Trichoderma spp. are effective in the biocontrol of root rot without causing environmental pollution. This study aims to isolate and study a Trichoderma strain capable preventing and controlling root rot from the rhizosphere of A. lancea and to solve the problem of disease prevention and control in the planting and production of A. lancea. MethodTrichoderma T2204 was isolated by the dilution-coating method and identified by ITS sequencing. The inhibitory activities of T2204 and its volatiles against two pathogenic fungal strains were examined by dual-culture and co-culture experiments. The biocontrol potential of T2204 on root rot of A. lancea and the effect of T2204 on the accumulation of medicinal compounds in the rhizosphere of A. lancea were investigated by pot experiments and GC-MS， respectively. In addition， the optimal medium， photoperiod， temperature， pH， and carbon and nitrogen sources for the culture of T2204 were explored. ResultThe Trichoderma isolate T2204 was identified as T. citrinoviride and had direct inhibitory effects on two highly pathogenic strains causing root rot. In the dual-culture experiments with the two pathogenic strains， T2204 showcased the inhibition rates of 77.90% and 76.80%， respectively. In the co-culture experiments with the two pathogenic strains， the volatile organic compounds produced by T2204 showed the inhibition rates of 57.11% and 81.11%， respectively. The pot experiments showed that the survival rate of A. lancea seedlings infected by root rot reached 100% after inoculation with T2204 and was only 50% in the case without inoculation of T2204. After 150 days of cultivation， the dry weight and atractylodin content of the rhizome of A. lancea plants treated with T2204 increased by 32% （P<0.05） and 11%， respectively， compared with the untreated group. The optimal conditions for the growth of T2204 were PDA or PSA medium， photoperiod of 12 h dark/12 h light， 25-30 °C， pH 5-6， carbon sources of glucose， D-fructose， soluble starch， and maltose， and the nitrogen sources of ammonium sulfate and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate. The optimal conditions for the sporulation of T2204 were PSA or CMA medium， photoperiod of 12 h dark/12 h light， 20-30 °C， pH 8， carbon source of sucrose， and nitrogen source of sodium nitrate. ConclusionT2204 could improve the growth and root rot resistance of A. lancea and promote the accumulation of medicinal compounds. The findings laid a foundation for the industrialized production and application of T2204 in the production of A. lancea in the future.