The expert consensus on the clinical treatment of herpes zoster with fire needling was developed, and the commonly used fire needling treatment scheme verified by clinical research was selected to form a standardized diagnosis and treatment scheme for acute herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), so as to answer the core problems in clinical application. The consensus focuses on patients with herpes zoster, and forms recommendations for 9 key clinical issues, covering simple fire needling and TCM comprehensive therapy based on fire needling, including fire needling combined with cupping, fire needling combined with Chinese herb, fire needling combined with cupping and Chinese herb, fire needling combined with filiform needling, fire needling combined with moxibustion, and provides specific recommendations and operational guidelines for various therapies.
Humans ; Herpes Zoster/therapy* ; Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Consensus ; Clinical Protocols

Testicular histology based on testicular biopsy is an important factor for determining appropriate testicular sperm extraction surgery and predicting sperm retrieval outcomes in patients with azoospermia. Therefore, we developed a deep learning (DL) model to establish the associations between testicular grayscale ultrasound images and testicular histology. We retrospectively included two-dimensional testicular grayscale ultrasound from patients with azoospermia (353 men with 4357 images between July 2017 and December 2021 in The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China) to develop a DL model. We obtained testicular histology during conventional testicular sperm extraction. Our DL model was trained based on ultrasound images or fusion data (ultrasound images fused with the corresponding testicular volume) to distinguish spermatozoa presence in pathology (SPP) and spermatozoa absence in pathology (SAP) and to classify maturation arrest (MA) and Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) in patients with SAP. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were used to analyze model performance. DL based on images achieved an AUC of 0.922 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.908-0.935), a sensitivity of 80.9%, a specificity of 84.6%, and an accuracy of 83.5% in predicting SPP (including normal spermatogenesis and hypospermatogenesis) and SAP (including MA and SCOS). In the identification of SCOS and MA, DL on fusion data yielded better diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.979 (95% CI: 0.969-0.989), a sensitivity of 89.7%, a specificity of 97.1%, and an accuracy of 92.1%. Our study provides a noninvasive method to predict testicular histology for patients with azoospermia, which would avoid unnecessary testicular biopsy.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/diagnostic imaging* ; Deep Learning ; Testis/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Ultrasonography/methods* ; Sperm Retrieval ; Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome/diagnostic imaging*

Gene therapy, harnessing the power of CRISPR-Cas9 and/or DNAzyme systems, stands as a pivotal approach in cancer therapy, enabling the meticulous manipulation of genes pivotal to tumorigenesis and immunity. However, the pursuit of precise gene therapy encounters formidable hurdles. Herein, a near-infrared upconversion theranostic nanomachine is devised and tailors for CRISPR-Cas9/DNAzyme systems mediate precise gene therapy. An ingenious logic DNAzyme system consists of Chain 1 (C1)/Chain 2 (C2) and endogenous lncRNA is designed. We employ manganese modified upconversion nanoparticles for carrying ultraviolet-responsive C1-PC linker-C2 (C₂P) chain and Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP), with outermost coats with hyaluronic acid. Upon reaching tumor microenvironment (TME), the released Mn²⁺ ions orchestrate a trifecta: facilitating endosomal escape, activating cGAS-STING signaling, and enabling T1-magnetic resonance imaging. Under near-infrared irradiation, Cas9 RNP/C₂P complex dissociates, releasing Cas9 RNP into the nucleus to perform gene editing of Ptpn2, while C1/C2 chains self-assemble with endogenous lncRNA to form a functional DNAzyme system, targeting PD-L1 mRNA for gene silencing. This strategy remodels the TME by activating cGAS-STING signaling and dual immune checkpoints blockade, thus realizing tumor elimination. Our theranostic nanomachine armed with the CRISPR-Cas9/DNAzyme logic systems, represents a resourceful and promising strategy for advancing cancer systemic immunotherapy and precise gene therapy.

One of the basic questions in the aging field is whether there is a fundamental difference between the aging of lower invertebrates and mammals. A major difference between the lower invertebrates and mammals is the abundancy of noncoding RNAs, most of which are not conserved. We have previously identified a noncoding RNA Terc-53 that is derived from the RNA component of telomerase Terc. To study its physiological functions, we generated two transgenic mouse models overexpressing the RNA in wild-type and early-aging Terc-/- backgrounds. Terc-53 mice showed age-related cognition decline and shortened life span, even though no developmental defects or physiological abnormality at an early age was observed, indicating its involvement in normal aging of mammals. Subsequent mechanistic study identified hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (Hmmr) as the main effector of Terc-53. Terc-53 mediates the degradation of Hmmr, leading to an increase of inflammation in the affected tissues, accelerating organismal aging. adeno-associated virus delivered supplementation of Hmmr in the hippocampus reversed the cognition decline in Terc-53 transgenic mice. Neither Terc-53 nor Hmmr has homologs in C. elegans. Neither do arthropods express hyaluronan. These findings demonstrate the complexity of aging in mammals and open new paths for exploring noncoding RNA and Hmmr as means of treating age-related physical debilities and improving healthspan.
Animals ; Mice ; RNA, Untranslated/metabolism* ; Aging/genetics* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Telomerase/metabolism* ; RNA/genetics* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Humans ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of recombinant human anti-severe acute respiratory syn-drome coronavirus 2(anti-SARS-CoV-2)monoclonal antibody injection(F61 injection)in the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)combined with renal damage.Methods Patients with COVID-19 and renal damage who visited the PLA General Hospital from January to February 2023 were selected.Subjects were randomly divided into two groups.Control group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy,while trial group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy combined with F61 injection.A 15-day follow-up was conducted after drug administration.Clinical symptoms,laboratory tests,electrocardiogram,and chest CT of pa-tients were performed to analyze the efficacy and safety of F61 injection.Results Twelve subjects(7 in trial group and 5 in control group)were included in study.Neither group had any clinical progression or death cases.The ave-rage time for negative conversion of nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2 in control group and trial group were 3.2 days and 1.57 days(P=0.046),respectively.The scores of COVID-19 related target symptom in the trial group on the 3rd and 5th day after medication were both lower than those of the control group(both P＜0.05).According to the clinical staging and World Health Organization 10-point graded disease progression scale,both groups of subjects improved but didn't show statistical differences(P＞0.05).For safety,trial group didn't present any infusion-re-lated adverse event.Subjects in both groups demonstrated varying degrees of elevated blood glucose,elevated urine glucose,elevated urobilinogen,positive urine casts,and cardiac arrhythmia,but the differences were not statistica-lly significant(all P＞0.05).Conclusion F61 injection has initially demonstrated safety and clinical benefit in trea-ting patients with COVID-19 combined with renal damage.As the domestically produced drug,it has good clinical accessibility and may provide more options for clinical practice.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Qinggan Sanjie Xiaoying Decoction in the treatment of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with syndrome of stagnation heat of liver meridian and stagnation of spleen deficiency and phlegm.Methods Totally 70 patients were divided into control group and medicine group according to their wishes,with 35 patients in each group.Both groups were restricted to an iodine diet.The medicine group was given Qinggan Sanjie Xiaoying Granules,1 sachet at a time,twice a day,orally.The treatment for both groups lasted for 4 weeks.20 healthy people were chosen as the healthy group.The clinical efficacy of both groups was observed.TCM symptom score,thyroid antibody titer levels(TPOAb,TGAb),changes in thyroid volume and isthmus of both groups before and after treatment were compared.Levels of serum IKKα,IKBα and TNF-α of the three groups were compared.Adverse reactions of patients daring the treatment period were monitored.Results The total effective rate of the medicine group was 85.71%(30/35),while the control group was 20.00%(7/35).The medicine group was superior to the control group(P<0.05).Compared with before treatment,the medication group showed significant improvement in TCM symptom scores,TPOAb and TGAb titer levels,thyroid volume,and thyroid isthmus thickness after treatment(P<0.05).After treatment,TCM symptom score,thyroid volume in the medicine group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05),and the decrease rate of TPOAb titer was higher than that in the group(P<0.05).The levels of IKKα and TNF-α before treatment of medicine group and control group were higher than that in the healthy control group,and the level of IKBα was lower than that of the healthy control group(P<0.05);compared with before treatment,the levels of IKKα and TNF-α in the medicine group decreased,and the level of IKBα increased(P<0.05);after treatment,the levels of IKKα and TNF-α in the medicine group were lower than that in the control group,and IKBα was higher than the control group(P<0.05).No adverse events were observed during the treatment period in both groups of patients.Conclusion Qinggan Sanjie Xiaoying Decoction can reduce the antibody titer level,thyroid enlargement,isthmus thickness,and TCM syndrome score in the treatment of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.It is safe and effective in clinical practice.Qinggan Sanjie Xiaoying Decoction may play a therapeutic role by interfering with NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the impact of the interval period between biopsy and MR examination on tumor detection and extraprostatic extension (EPE) assessment for prostate cancer (PCa) using multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI).Methods:The study was cross-sectional and retrospectively included 130 patients with PCa who underwent RP and preoperative systematic biopsies followed by mpMRI between January 2021 and December 2022 in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to interval following biopsy (group A,<3 weeks, 31 cases; group B, 3-6 weeks, 67 cases; group C,>6 weeks, 32 cases). The percentages of hemorrhage volume in the total prostate were drawn on T 1WI and calculated. The junior, senior and expert radiologists independently localized the index lesions and calculated the accuracy for tumor detection, in addition to assessing the probabilities of EPE according to EPE grade. The correlation between the hemorrhage extent and interval was analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient. The accuracy for tumor detection was compared using χ2 test among groups. The diagnostic performance of the radiologists for EPE prediction was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the differences between the corresponding area under the curve (AUC) were compared using the DeLong test. Results:The percentage of hemorrhage was correlated with the interval between biopsy and MR examination ( r=-0.325, P<0.001). The detection accuracy of junior radiologist was 83.9% (26/31), 76.1% (51/67), and 78.1% (25/32) in group A, B and C, respectively; no differences were observed in the detection accuracy among three groups ( χ2=0.76, P=0.685). The detection accuracy of senior radiologist was 83.9% (26/31), 80.6% (54/67), and 71.9% (23/32) in 3 groups with no differences ( χ2=1.53, P=0.464). The detection accuracy of expert radiologist was 80.6% (25/31), 77.6% (52/67), and 93.8% (30/32) with no differences ( χ2=3.95, P=0.139). The AUC (95% CI) for predicting EPE were 0.830 (0.652-0.940), 0.704 (0.580-0.809), 0.800 (0.621-0.920) in the group A, B and C for junior radiologist; 0.876 (0.708-0.966), 0.768 (0.659-0.863), 0.896 (0.736-0.975) for senior radiologist; and 0.866 (0.695-0.961), 0.813 (0.699-0.895), 0.852 (0.682-0.952) for expert radiologist, respectively. No differences were observed among the subgroups in each radiologist ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The interval period does not significantly affect the detection accuracy and EPE assessment of PCa using mpMRI. There is probably no necessity for prolonged intervals following systematic biopsy to preserve the clarity of MRI interpretation for PCa.

Objective To analyze the consistency between computer tomography angiography(CTA)and digital subtraction angiography(DSA)in evaluating the global limb anatomic staging system(GLASS)stage of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia(CLTI).Methods The clinical data of patients with CLTI,who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University of China to receive treatment between January 2017 and December 2020,were retrospectively analyzed.Taking the DSA assessment as the gold standard,the consistency of CTA and DSA in evaluating the GLASS stage of patients with CLTI was analyzed.Results In the assessment of GLASS stage of CLTI,CTA showed strong agreement with DSA.The weighted Kappa coefficient of CTA and DSA for the staging of femoropopliteal segment was 0.798(95％CI=0.722-0.873,P＜0.01),and the weighted Kappa coefficient of CTA and DSA for the staging of infrapopliteal artery segment was 0.785(95％ CI=0.725-0.845,P＜0.0l).For the overall staging of GLASS,the weighted Kappa coefficient of CTA and DSA was 0.832(95％ CI=0.752-0.91 1,P＜0.01).All the above results indicated that a very strong consistency existed between CTA and DSA in evaluating the GLASS stage of patients with CLTI.Conclusion CTA examination of lower limb can accurately evaluate GLASS score and stage of CLTI patient's target lesions,which is helpful in diagnosing lower extremity arteriosclerosis occlusion disease as well as in assessing the technical difficulty degree of its revascularization operation.(J Intervent Radiol,2024,33:300-303)

Objective As a signaling molecule,NO regulates key physiological processes and is closely related to periodontitis.To investigate the effect of flavonoid NO donor composite nanoparticles(G10@HAP/MSN@ZnO@COS)on osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells(PDLSCs)by regulating macrophage polarization.Methods The novel NO donor drug G10 was loaded on hydroxyapatite/mesoporous silicanant particles(HAP/MSN),filled with zinc oxide(ZnO),and then coated with chitosan(COS)to prepare composite nanoparticles(G10@HAP/MSN@ZnO@COS).The best concentration of G10@HAP/MSN@ZnO@COS was screened to promote cell proliferation by CCK-8 cell experiment.After the mouse mononuclear macrophages were stimulated by lipopo-lysaccharide,the mice were divided into four groups:Control group,G10 group,HAP/MSN@ZnO@COS group and G10@HAP/MSN@ZnO@COS group.Each group was cultured with fresh medium,5 μg/mL G10,5 μg/mL HAP/MSN@ZnO@COS and 5 μg/mL G10@HAP/MSN@ZnO@COS for 72 h respectively.ELISA and RT-qPCR were used to detect the expression of cytokines(TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,iNOS,IL-10)and mRNA expression in each group,and the phenotypic changes of M1/M2 were evaluated.The supernatant of each culture medium was used as conditioned medium to culture PDLSCs,and the osteogenic ability and cell miner-alization were evaluated by alkaline phosphatase activity test and alizarin red staining.Results CCK-8 experiment showed that G10@HAP/MSN@ZnO@COS of 5 μg/mL could significantly promote the proliferation of PDLSCs.The results of ELISA showed that compared with Control group,the expression of M1 type marker IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α and iNOS in G10@HAP/MSN@ZnO@COS group was significantly decreased(P＜0.000 1),while the expression of M2 type marker IL-10 was significantly increased(P＜0.000 1).The results of RT-qPCR were consistent with those of ELISA,which showed that the expression of M1-related genes in G10@HAP/MSN@ZnO@COS group decreased significantly(P＜0.01).The results of alizarin red staining and alkaline phosphatase activity test showed that the number of mineralized nodules and alkaline phosphatase activity in G10@HAP/MSN@ZnO@COS-CM group were significantly higher than those in other groups(P＜0.000 1).Conclusion Composite nanoparticles(G10@HAP/MSN@ZnO@COS)can effectively inhibit the polarization of macrophages to M1 phenotype and promote it to M2 phenotypic polarization.The anti-inflammatory microenvironment regulated by G10@HAP/MSN@ZnO@COS can en-hance the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Professor Ding Zhiguo's internal and external combined treatment of Hashimoto's disease, and to explore its mechanism.Methods:Prospective cohort study. A total of 85 patients of professor Ding Zhiguo from Sun Simmiao Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from August 2022 to March 2023 were selected and divided into control group (43 cases) and drug group (42 cases) by random number table method. Another 20 healthy volunteers were recruited for health control observation. The control group was given iodine restricted diet, the drug group was treated with Qinggan Sanjie Xiaoying Prescription combined with Liqi Sanjie Xiaoying Ointment, and the healthy control group was not treated with any intervention. Both drug group and control group were observed continuously for 4 weeks. TCM syndrome scores were performed before and after treatment. Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) were used to assess the degree of anxiety and depression, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality, and fatigue severity Scale (FSS) was used to assess the degree of fatigue. Lower limb lymphedema self-sensory symptoms assessment questionnaire was used to evaluate the symptoms of lower limb lymphedema. The serum levels of thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) were measured by automatic electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, and the reduction rate was calculated. The levels of serum Akt, ERK and protein kinase C (PKC) were detected by ELISA. The thyroid volume was calculated and the anterior and posterior diameter of the isthmus was recorded. The clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated.Results:The total effective rate was 71.43% (30/42) in the drug group and 27.91% (12/43) in the control group, with statistical significance ( χ2=16.10, P<0.01). The serum TPOAb [137.95 (141.44) IU/ml vs. 153.40 (154.93) IU/ml, Z=-4.37] and TGAb [182.00 (238.52) IU/ml vs. 190.50 (257.55) IU/ml, Z=-2.13] levels in the drug group were lower after treatment ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the decrease rate of TPOAb [15.62 (21.90)% vs. -6.42 (32.89)%, Z=-4.12] and TGAb [5.25 (20.49)% vs. -0.72 (17.67)%, Z=-2.67] were higher than that in the control group ( P<0.01). The thyroid volume [11.37 (6.48) cm 3vs. 12.89 (6.63) cm 3, Z=-2.95] and isthmus thickness [0.27 (0.14) cm vs. 0.28 (0.15) cm, Z=-2.18] in the drug group were reduced after treatment compared with that before treatment ( P<0.05). TCM syndrome scores (6.10±1.38 vs. 14.42±7.35, t=-7.29), HAMA (5.21±1.32 vs. 9.28±2.25, Z=-7.02), HAMD (8.28±3.17 vs. 10.42±5.28, t=-2.26), PSQI (6.00±2.16 vs. 9.47±3.08, t=-6.01), FSS (34.71±5.51 vs. 38.23±8.35, t=-2.30), lower limb lymphedema self-induced symptom evaluation questionnaire scores (4.95±2.56 vs. 7.86±3.07, t=-4.74) after treatment were lower than before treatment and lower than control group ( P<0.001 or P<0.05).The serum levels of Akt [52.28 (17.72) μmol/L vs. 44.38 (2.75) μmol/L],ERK [2 843.43 (607.90) ng/L vs. 2 648.25 (290.74) ng/L],PKC [8.87 (3.10) pmol/L vs. 7.88 (1.25) pmol/L] in drug group were higher than those in the healthy control group before treatment ( P<0.05), the levels of Akt [37.37 (7.90) μmol/L vs. 44.38 (2.75) μmol/L], ERK [2 432.74 (402.56) ng/L vs. 2 648.25 (290.74) ng/L] in drug group were lower than those in the healthy group after treatment ( P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of Akt [37.37 (7.90) μmol/L vs. 52.28 (17.72) μmol/L, 49.56 (9.12) μmol/L], ERK [2 432.74 (402.56) ng/L vs. 2 843.43 (607.90) ng/L, 3 021.76 (360.22) ng/L], PKC [7.37 (1.84) pmol/L vs. 8.87 (3.10) pmol/L, 10.00 (2.42) pmol/L] in drug group were lower than before treatment and lower than control group ( P<0.01). There were no adverse events during treatment in both groups. Conclusion:The internal and external treatment of Hashimoto's disease by Professor Ding Zhiguo can effectively reduce the level of thyroid antibody titer, reduce the thyroid swelling and isthmus thickness, improve the clinical symptoms of patients with Hashimoto's disease, and may play a therapeutic role by interfering with MAPK signaling pathway.