ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Tongbian Decoction （通便汤， TD） in treating slow transit constipation （STC）. MethodsTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， TD group， and mosapride group， with 6 rats per group. Except for the normal group， STC models were established by intragastric administration of loperamide hydrochloride combined with normal saline. On the day following successful model establishment， rats in the TD group received 18.63 g·kg⁻¹ of TD by gavage， while those in the mosapride group received 1.605 mg·d⁻¹ of mosapride， and those in the normal group and the model group received 10 ml·kg⁻¹ of normal saline by gavage. All treatments were administered once daily for 7 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration， fecal pellet number and fecal water content were measured. After intragastric administration of a 10% activated charcoal suspension， the small intestinal transit rate was calculated 30 minutes later. Serum levels of gastrin （GAS） and motilin （MTL） were measured by ELISA. Colonic histopathology was observed by HE staining， and mucus secretion by Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff （AB-PAS） staining. Ultrastructure of colon tissue was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Protein expression levels of C-kit， stem cell factor （SCF）， autophagy-related protein 5 （ATG5）， Beclin1， vesicle-associated membrane protein B （VAPB）， and protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 （VAPB-PTPIP51） were measured by Western Blot， and the mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect SCF， C-kit， Beclin1， and ATG5 expression. The calcium content in colon tissue was determined by ELISA. ResultsCompared to the normal group， rats in the model group showed significantly reduced fecal pellet number， fecal water content， small intestinal transit rate， and serum GAS and MTL levels （P＜0.01）； the number of goblet cells decreased， and the mucosal and muscular layers of the colon became thinner； mRNA and protein expression levels of ATG5 and Beclin1 in colon tissue significantly increased， while calcium content decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； and electron microscopy revealed vacuolar degeneration and increased autophagosomes in colonic cells. Compared to the model group， both TD group and mosapride group showed increased fecal pellet number， fecal water content， small intestinal transit rate， serum GAS and MTL levels， and colonic calcium content， along with decreased Beclin1 and ATG5 protein levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the mucosal thickness and goblet cell number increased significantly， and autophagosomes decreased； in the TD group， ATG5 and Beclin1 mRNA levels decreased； in the mosapride group， SCF， VAPB， and PTPIP51 mRNA levels increased， while Beclin1 mRNA decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to the mosapride group， the TD group showed higher fecal pellet number， fecal water content， serum GAS levels， colonic calcium content， and C-kit expression， along with lower ATG5 and Beclin1 levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionTD may improve constipation symptoms by upregulating the VAPB-PTPIP51 complex during mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interactions， reducing autophagy of interstitial cells of Cajal， and promoting intestinal motility.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Tongbian Decoction （通便汤， TD） in treating slow transit constipation （STC）. MethodsTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， TD group， and mosapride group， with 6 rats per group. Except for the normal group， STC models were established by intragastric administration of loperamide hydrochloride combined with normal saline. On the day following successful model establishment， rats in the TD group received 18.63 g·kg⁻¹ of TD by gavage， while those in the mosapride group received 1.605 mg·d⁻¹ of mosapride， and those in the normal group and the model group received 10 ml·kg⁻¹ of normal saline by gavage. All treatments were administered once daily for 7 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration， fecal pellet number and fecal water content were measured. After intragastric administration of a 10% activated charcoal suspension， the small intestinal transit rate was calculated 30 minutes later. Serum levels of gastrin （GAS） and motilin （MTL） were measured by ELISA. Colonic histopathology was observed by HE staining， and mucus secretion by Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff （AB-PAS） staining. Ultrastructure of colon tissue was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Protein expression levels of C-kit， stem cell factor （SCF）， autophagy-related protein 5 （ATG5）， Beclin1， vesicle-associated membrane protein B （VAPB）， and protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 （VAPB-PTPIP51） were measured by Western Blot， and the mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect SCF， C-kit， Beclin1， and ATG5 expression. The calcium content in colon tissue was determined by ELISA. ResultsCompared to the normal group， rats in the model group showed significantly reduced fecal pellet number， fecal water content， small intestinal transit rate， and serum GAS and MTL levels （P＜0.01）； the number of goblet cells decreased， and the mucosal and muscular layers of the colon became thinner； mRNA and protein expression levels of ATG5 and Beclin1 in colon tissue significantly increased， while calcium content decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； and electron microscopy revealed vacuolar degeneration and increased autophagosomes in colonic cells. Compared to the model group， both TD group and mosapride group showed increased fecal pellet number， fecal water content， small intestinal transit rate， serum GAS and MTL levels， and colonic calcium content， along with decreased Beclin1 and ATG5 protein levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the mucosal thickness and goblet cell number increased significantly， and autophagosomes decreased； in the TD group， ATG5 and Beclin1 mRNA levels decreased； in the mosapride group， SCF， VAPB， and PTPIP51 mRNA levels increased， while Beclin1 mRNA decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to the mosapride group， the TD group showed higher fecal pellet number， fecal water content， serum GAS levels， colonic calcium content， and C-kit expression， along with lower ATG5 and Beclin1 levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionTD may improve constipation symptoms by upregulating the VAPB-PTPIP51 complex during mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interactions， reducing autophagy of interstitial cells of Cajal， and promoting intestinal motility.

ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and mechanism of Euphorbia humifusa on acute kidney injury （AKI） based on network pharmacology， molecular docking and experimental verification. MethodsThe active components and targets of E. humifusa were retrieved from TCMSP and SwissTargetPrediction database， and the AKI targets were screened by GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man（OMIM） databases. The drug targets and disease targets were intersected to construct a protein-protein interaction network， and the intersection targets were subjected to gene ontology （GO） and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes （KEGG） enrichment analysis. Discover Studio software was used to verify the molecular docking of key components and core targets. Gentamicin （GM） was used to induce AKI rat model. Control group， model group， verapamil （16 mg·kg^-1） group， E. humifusa extract （18， 54， 162 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） group and E. humifusa 70% ethanol extract （423 mg·kg^-1） group were continuously administered for 14 days. Urine volume was detected 24 h after modeling and administration. Serum creatinine （SCr）， Blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， 24-hour urine protein （24 hUTP） and uric acid （UA） content； the contents of malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione （GSH）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， carbon monoxide synthase （NOS） and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） in kidney were measured. The levels of interleukin （IL）-6 and tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α in serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） kit. The pathological changes of renal tissue were detected by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Masson staining. Western blot was used to detect the expression of PI3K/protein kinase B（Akt）/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins. ResultsIn this study， 13 active components such as kaempferol， luteolin， apigenin， gallic acid and quercetin were screened and identified from E. humifusa. Through bioinformatics analysis， these components and AKI have a total of 289 targets， of which 62 are core targets， including Akt1， TNF， tumor protein p53（TP53） and IL-1β. These targets are mainly involved in the regulation of biological processes such as NF-κB signaling pathway， HIF-1 signaling pathway， TNF signaling pathway， PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinase（MAPK） signaling pathway. In animal experiments， we successfully constructed a GM-induced AKI model in rats. Compared with the model group， E. humifusa extract could significantly reduce the levels of 24 hUTP， BUN and SCr in rats （P<0.01）， indicating its improvement effect on renal function. In addition， the extract of E. humifusa also significantly reduced LDH activity and MDA content in rat kidney tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and significantly increased SOD， NOS activity and GSH content （P<0.05）， indicating that the extract of E. humifusa has the potential of anti-oxidation and protection of renal function. Further analysis of inflammatory factors showed that the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in serum of rats treated with E. humifusa extract were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， indicating that E. humifusa extract had anti-inflammatory effects. In addition， the extract of E. humifusa can also regulate the protein expression of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway， which further confirmed its mechanism of reducing GM-induced AKI. ConclusionThe extract of E. humifusa has a significant therapeutic effect on acute kidney injury through its multi-component and multi-target mechanism. Its effect is reflected in improving renal function， anti-oxidation， anti-inflammation and regulating immune response. These findings provide a scientific basis for the application of E. humifusa in the treatment of acute kidney injury， and point out the direction for future drug development and clinical research.

To explore the role of the "Clinical Practice Guidelines" column and others in the Medical Joumnal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (Med J PUMCH) in promoting diseiplinary development.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by radical surgery has been a common practice for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, but the response rate varies among patients. This study aimed to develop a ResNet-Vision Transformer based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-endoscopy fusion model to precisely predict treatment response and provide personalized treatment. METHODS: In this multicenter study, 366 eligible patients who had undergone neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by radical surgery at eight Chinese tertiary hospitals between January 2017 and June 2024 were recruited, with 2928 pretreatment colonic endoscopic images and 366 pelvic MRI images. An MRI-endoscopy fusion model was constructed based on the ResNet backbone and Transformer network using pretreatment MRI and endoscopic images. Treatment response was defined as good response or non-good response based on the tumor regression grade. The Delong test and the Hanley-McNeil test were utilized to compare prediction performance among different models and different subgroups, respectively. The predictive performance of the MRI-endoscopy fusion model was comprehensively validated in the test sets and was further compared to that of the single-modal MRI model and single-modal endoscopy model. RESULTS: The MRI-endoscopy fusion model demonstrated favorable prediction performance. In the internal validation set, the area under the curve (AUC) and accuracy were 0.852 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.744-0.940) and 0.737 (95% CI: 0.712-0.844), respectively. Moreover, the AUC and accuracy reached 0.769 (95% CI: 0.678-0.861) and 0.729 (95% CI: 0.628-0.821), respectively, in the external test set. In addition, the MRI-endoscopy fusion model outperformed the single-modal MRI model (AUC: 0.692 [95% CI: 0.609-0.783], accuracy: 0.659 [95% CI: 0.565-0.775]) and the single-modal endoscopy model (AUC: 0.720 [95% CI: 0.617-0.823], accuracy: 0.713 [95% CI: 0.612-0.809]) in the external test set. CONCLUSION The MRI-endoscopy fusion model based on ResNet-Vision Transformer achieved favorable performance in predicting treatment response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and holds tremendous potential for enabling personalized treatment regimens for locally advanced rectal cancer patients.
Humans ; Rectal Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy/methods* ; Aged ; Adult ; Chemoradiotherapy/methods* ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Gushang External Wash Granules combined with extracorporeal shockwave therapy(ESWT)in treating early-to-middle-stage knee osteoarthritis(KOA)with cold-damp obstruction syndrome.Methods A total of 84 patients diagnosed as early-to-middle-stage KOA(cold-damp obstruction syndrome)at the Orthopedic Outpatient Clinic of Dongguan Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine(Dongguan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital)from July 2022 to July 2023 were enrolled.Patients were randomly assigned to either the observation group or control group using a random number table,with 42 cases in each group.Both groups received ESWT,while the observation group additionally underwent topical washing with Gushang External Wash Granules.The treatment course lasted 4 weeks for both groups.The changes in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)scores for pain,and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC)scores in the two groups were measured before and after treatment,and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment.Results(1)After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate was 95.24%(40/42)in the observation group versus 76.19%(32/42)in the control group.Intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed significantly superior efficacy in the observation group(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,both groups demonstrated significant reductions in VAS pain scores compared to those before treatment(P＜0.01),while no statistically significant difference was found between groups(P＞0.05).(3)WOMAC scores were decreased significantly in both groups after treatment(P＜0.01),and the observation group showed significantly greater reduction than the control group(P＜0.01),with statistically significance.(4)After treatment,the scores for the TCM symptoms of intolerance of cold and limb chilling,restricted flexion-extension,and stiffness and numbness in the extremities were significantly reduced in both groups(P＜0.01),and the observation group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in all TCM syndrome scores than the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion The combination of Gushang External Wash Granules and ESWT demonstrates significant efficacy for the patients with early-to-middle-stage KOA of cold-damp obstruction type,and is effective on alleviating clinical symptoms and improving knee function and quality of life of the patients.

Objective:To identify the main components of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction(HLJDD)using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS),and to explore the potential mechanism of action of HLJDD in the treatment of gouty arthritis(GA)using network pharmacology and molecular docking methods.Methods:We identi-fied the chemical components of HLJDD by combining UPLC-Q-TOF-MS data acquired in both positive and negative ion modes with reference standards,relevant literature,and database searches.We analyzed the potential therapeutic mechanism of HLJDD for GA by using network pharmacology to determine the intersection targets between the active ingredients of HLJDD and GA for further enrich-ment analysis and visual network mapping.The binding affinity of the active ingredients with the intersection targets was validated through molecular docking.Results:A total of 47 components were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS;54 key components of HLJDD for GA treatment and 37 intersection targets were determined by net-work pharmacology;and the top 10 key targets by Degree value were obtained by protein-protein interaction analysis.The Gene On-tology functional enrichment analysis revealed 20 biological pro-cesses,7 cellular components,and 8 molecular functions.The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated 96 GA-related intervention pathways,in which inflammatory signaling pathways such as interleukin-17(IL-17)and tu-mor necrosis factor(TNF)were involved.Molecular docking verified that the key components of HLJDD had high binding affinity with the core targets.Conclusion:The identified key components in HLJDD,such as phellodendrine,coptisine,wogonin,and β-sitosterol,may alleviate GA by regulating multiple core targets in the IL-17 and TNF pathways,such as PTSG2,which provides a theoretical ba-sis for future investigation into the mechanism of action of HLJDD.

ObjectiveTo find out whether there is any difference in the monitoring results of mosq-ovitraps placed in different orientations in multi-storey residential areas, so as to provide a scientific basis for routine and emergency monitoring of Aedes albopictus with mosq-ovitraps in residential areas. MethodsFrom July 6th to October 26th 2023, one mosquito ovitrap was set up in each of the 4 orientations of east, south, west and north around the buildings in a multi-storey residential area in Jinhui Town, Fengxian District, Shanghai. Data was collected and recorded 72 hours after placement. The chi-square test was used to compare the mosquito ovitrap indices (MOIs) of two independent samples, and the Kruskal⁃Wallis H test was used to compare the MOIs of multiple independent samples. ResultsAfter 16 weeks of surveillance, 997 mosquito ovitraps were recovered, of which 211 were positive, with the mosquito ovitrap index (MOI) of 21.16% and the Aedes albopictus density index of 1.03 mosquitoes·ovitrap^-1. The MOIs were higher in September (24.22%) and October (23.96%), and the MOIs in the west, south and north within the two months were all above 20.00%. From July to October, the MOIs in the east, west, south and north were 20.70%, 22.20%, 25.50% and 16.20%, respectively, and the difference in MOIs among the 4 orientations was not statistically significant (χ²=6.647, P=0.084). Stratified analysis by month showed that in August, the south side of the multi-storey residential areas had the highest MOI (31.30%), the north side had the lowest MOI (1.30%), and there was a statistically significant difference in MOI in the east, west, south and north (χ²=25.986, P<0.001). In October, the MOI in the west was the highest (33.30%) and the MOI in the east was the lowest (6.30%), the difference in MOIs of the 4 orientations was statistically significant (χ²=12.007, P=0.007). The MOIs in the south side of the building in the outskirts of the residential area from the 1st week in July to the 4th week in October was lower (19.20%) than that in the south side of the inner building (31.70%), and the difference in MOI was statistically significant (χ²=5.118, P=0.024). ConclusionThe study of MOI in different orientations in a multi-storey residential area is a preliminary exploration based on field work, and the results show that there is a difference in MOIs in different orientations during the peak breeding period of mosquitoes. Further indicators such as temperature, humidity and wind speed in different orientations can be collected to explore the influencing factors of MOIs.

Objective:To construct a temperature-sensitive hydrogel (PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel) composed of Pluronic F-127 (PF-127)/calcium alginate (CA) loaded with astragaloside IV (AS-IV), and to explore its repair effect and potential mechanism on diabetic skin ulcers (DSU).Methods:The PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel loaded with AS-IV and gelling at 37 ℃ was prepared. Its temperature sensitivity, rheological properties, and morphology were characterized. A rat model of DSU was established, and the rats were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, AS-IV spray group, PF-CA hydrogel group, and PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel group ( n=5 each). After 21 days of intervention, the wound healing rate of each group was evaluated. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of granulation tissue, and immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression level of CD34, a marker of new blood vessels. Results:Rheological analysis showed that the storage modulus (G′) of PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel began to exceed the loss modulus (G″) at 33 ℃, and a stable three-dimensional network structure was formed at 37 ℃. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed its loose and porous microstructure. Animal experiment results indicated that compared with the blank control group, the model group had a significantly lower wound healing rate, massive infiltration of inflammatory cells, and fewer new capillaries and CD34 expression (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, each treatment group can promote wound healing, reduce inflammatory infiltration and increase the positive expression of CD34 to varying degrees (all P<0.05), and the curative effect of PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel group is the most significant, which is better than that of AS-IV spray group and PF-CA hydrogel group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel can effectively regulate inflammatory response and promote angiogenesis through sustained release of AS-IV, thereby accelerating DSU healing, and has good translational potential in the field of chronic wound repair.

Objective:To explore the possibility of using a inferior gluteal artery perforator flap (IGAPF) for breast reconstruction in the patient who did not have suitable donor site in back and abdomen.Methods:In November 2024, a 25-year-old unmarried and childless woman with right breast cancer received immediate right breast reconstruction by a right free IGAPF after modified right mastectomy in the Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University. The locations of perforators were confirmed by both Multi-detector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) and portable Doppler blood flow detector before surgery. The IGAPF was designed to take the inferior gluteal wrinkle as the lower edge, the axis of the flap was parallel to the inferior gluteal wrinkle, and the width of the flap was estimated where the incision could be directly closed. The size of right IGAPF was 6.0 cm×19.0 cm. Sharp dissection was performed between the sarcolemma and muscle fibres of gluteus, then the perforators were dissected along the direction of muscle fibres of gluteus. The vascular pedicle was kept at about 8.0 cm in length. The diameter of artery was about 2.0 mm and that for the veins was about 1.5 mm. End-to-end anastomoses with the right thoracodorsal artery and vein were successfully carried out. The donor site was directly closed, and it was hidden in the inferior gluteal wrinkle. Postoperative outpatient clinical review was made.Results:Pathological examination reported: an invasive carcinoma of right breast, axillary lymph node metastasis (2/10). The patient recovered well and the flap survived without any complication, i.e. ischemic necrosis, infection and haematoma. The patient was off-bed at 3 days and discharged at 13 days after surgery. At the 40 days of postoperative follow-up, the patient achieved a good recovery and the lower limb activity was not affected by the surgery. The patient was satisfied with the reconstructed breast and donor site recovery. The patient followed with scheduled chemotherapy and subsequent radiotherapy. The volume of reconstructed breast was smaller than the other breast, of which the patient was fully informed before the surgery.Conclusion:A free IGAPF provides an alternative donor sites for achieving a breast reconstruction due to the reliable pedicle vessels and invisible donor scars.