ObjectiveTo investigate the epigenetic mechanism of Diwu Yanggan Capsule in improving liver regeneration microenvironment in a rat model of liver cancer by regulating DNA methylation， and to provide a basis for scientific clinical medication. MethodsA total of 48 specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal group， model group， and Diwu Yanggan Capsule group using a random number table， with 16 rats in each group. The Solt-Farber two-step method was used to establish a rat model of liver cancer. The rats in the Diwu Yanggan Capsule group were given Diwu Yanggan Capsule at a dose of 750 mg/kg/d by gavage， and those in the normal group and the model group were given an equal volume of normal saline by gavage. Liver tissue samples were collected from each group of rats after 16 weeks of continuous intervention； DNA methylation chips were used to analyze the change in DNA methylation in liver tissue， and gene ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） analyses were used for data analysis. In addition， the MeDIP-PCR technique was used to detect the changes in candidate differentially methylated genes such as YWHAB， ADCK2， ERLIN2， SEMA3B， and TPH2 in the liver tissue of rats， and Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to verify the expression of key methylated genes. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups， and a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups， while the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsThe DNA methylation chip analysis showed that compared with the normal group， the model group had significant methylation changes in the promoter region of 2 422 genes in liver tissue of rats. The GO functional enrichment analysis and the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that these differentially methylated genes were significantly enriched in metabolic pathways such as steroid hormone biosynthesis and drug metabolism-cytochrome P450. Compared with the model group， the Diwu Yanggan Capsule group had significant reversal of promoter methylation in 1 650 genes， and the KEGG enrichment analysis showed that these genes were mainly involved in the pathways closely associated with cell proliferation， apoptosis， and microenvironment regulation， such as the calcium ion signaling pathway， the cAMP signaling pathway， and the extracellular factor signaling pathway. Compared with the model group， the Diwu Yanggan Capsule group had a significant increase in the promoter methylation level of the ADCK2 gene （P<0.05） and significant reductions in the promoter methylation levels of the ERLIN2 and TPH2 genes （all P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the Diwu Yanggan Capsule group had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels and the protein expression levels of the ADCK2 （all P<0.05）. ConclusionAbnormal DNA methylation in liver tissue participates in the development and progression of liver cancer. The effect of Diwu Yanggan Capsule on DNA methylation level is an important epigenetic mechanism for its effect in the prevention and treatment of liver cancer.

BACKGROUND:In recent years,numerous studies have shown that autophagy and mitophagy play an important role in the regulation of bone metabolism.Under non-physiological conditions,mitophagy breaks the balance of bone metabolism and triggers metabolism disorders,which affect osteoblasts,osteoclasts,osteocytes,chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,etc. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the mechanism of mitophagy in regulating bone metabolic diseases and its application in clinical treatment. METHODS:PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,WanFang and VIP databases were searched by computer using the keywords of"mitophagy,bone metabolism,osteoblasts,osteoclasts,osteocytes,chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells"in English and Chinese.The search time was from 2008 to 2023.According to the inclusion criteria,90 articles were finally included for review and analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Mitophagy promotes the generation of osteoblasts through SIRT1,PINK1/Parkin,FOXO3 and PI3K signaling pathways,while inhibiting osteoclast function through PINK1/Parkin and SIRT1 signaling pathways.Mitophagy leads to bone loss by increasing calcium phosphate particles and tissue protein kinase K in bone tissue.Mitophagy improves the function of chondrocytes through PINK1/Parkin,PI3K/AKT/mTOR and AMPK signaling pathways.Modulation of mitophagy shows great potential in the treatment of bone diseases,but there are still some issues to be further explored,such as different stages of drug-activated mitophagy,and the regulatory mechanisms of different signaling pathways.

Objective:To gain insight into the multidimensional needs of adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis at different stages of disease progression diagnostic and treatment dynamics based on patient journey maps, providing a basis for developing precise intervention strategies and optimizing care throughout the journey.Methods:From September to October 2024, 14 adult patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis admitted to the Department of Dermatology of the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were selected by purposive sampling method for semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was used to analyze the data, drawing on theory of "timing it right" to depict a patient journey map that was reviewed and improved by the research team and patients.Results:Patient journey map was developed and condensed into four themes of experiences and challenges from pre-diagnosis to adaptation, complex emotional experiences, experiential pain points at each stage of the diagnosis and treatment, and opportunity points to improve the experience and quality of the diagnosis and treatment.Conclusions:At different stages of disease progression, the diagnosis and treatment needs of adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis are characterized by dynamic evolution and multidimensional integration. The journey map can accurately identify patients' differentiated experiences and needs, and can provide a reference for healthcare professionals and policy makers to optimize patients' diagnostic and treatment experiences and focus on patients' health management.

Objective:To gain insight into the multidimensional needs of adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis at different stages of disease progression diagnostic and treatment dynamics based on patient journey maps, providing a basis for developing precise intervention strategies and optimizing care throughout the journey.Methods:From September to October 2024, 14 adult patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis admitted to the Department of Dermatology of the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were selected by purposive sampling method for semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was used to analyze the data, drawing on theory of "timing it right" to depict a patient journey map that was reviewed and improved by the research team and patients.Results:Patient journey map was developed and condensed into four themes of experiences and challenges from pre-diagnosis to adaptation, complex emotional experiences, experiential pain points at each stage of the diagnosis and treatment, and opportunity points to improve the experience and quality of the diagnosis and treatment.Conclusions:At different stages of disease progression, the diagnosis and treatment needs of adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis are characterized by dynamic evolution and multidimensional integration. The journey map can accurately identify patients' differentiated experiences and needs, and can provide a reference for healthcare professionals and policy makers to optimize patients' diagnostic and treatment experiences and focus on patients' health management.

Objective:To evaluate the role of lactate dehydrogenase in diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) and the relationship with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) in mice.Methods:SPF-grade healthy male C57BL/6J mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 18-22 g, were used to establish diabetes mellitus model by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) 120 mg/kg. Twenty-four mice with diabetes mellitus were divided into 2 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: DNP group and DNP + oxamate group (OXA group). Another 12 SPF-grade healthy male C57BL/6J mice were selected as control group (C group). In OXA group, oxamate 750 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected once a day for 28 consecutive days. The equal volume of normal saline was given instead in C group and DNP group. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT), blood glucose and body weight were measured at 3 days before STZ injection and at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after STZ injection (T 0-4). After the last behavioural test was completed, blood samples were collected from the posterior orbits of anesthetized mice for determination of serum lactate concentrations. The animals were then sacrificed and the tissues from the prefrontal cortex of the brain were taken for determination of lactate content, mitochondrial membrane potential (by the JC-1), content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (using dihydroethidium probes), and level of histone lactylation and expression of PGC-1α (by Western blot). Results:Compared with C group, the MWT was significantly decreased at T 2-4, the serum lactate concentrations, contents of lactate and ROS and level of histone lactylation were increased, the mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased, and the expression of PGC-1α was down-regulated in DNP and OXA groups ( P<0.05). Compared with DNP group, no significant change was found in blood glucose and body weight ( P>0.05), the MWT was significantly increased at T 2-4, the serum lactate concentrations, contents of lactate and ROS and level of histone lactylation were decreased, the mitochondrial membrane potential was increased, and the expression of PGC-1α was up-regulated in OXA group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Lactate dehydrogenase promotes the development of DNP, and the mechanism is related to promotion of increase in histone lactfication and down-regulation of PGC-1α expression in the prefrontal cortex of mice.

Objective:To evaluate the role of spinal cord neuron Src-associated-in-mitosis-68-kDa (SAM68)-transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 channel (TRPV1) signaling pathway in diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) in mice.Methods:Forty SPF male C57BL/6 mice, aged 8 weeks, weighing 18-22 g, were used in this study. Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal streptozotocin 0.12 mg/g, and successful DNP model was defined as decrease in the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) of the hind limb≥50% of the baseline value. Twenty-four mice with DNP at 4 weeks after developing the model were divided into 3 groups ( n=8 each) using a simple random sampling: DNP group, SAM68 knocked down group (KD group) and virus control group (VC group). Eight diabetic mice with decrease in MWT <50% were randomly selected as non-DNP group (ND group), and 8 normal mice were randomly selected as control group (NC group). At 4 weeks after developing the diabetes mellitus model, SAM68 gene silencing virus and empty virus were injected into the lumbar enlargement of the spinal cord in KD group and VC group, respectively. MWT was measured before developing the diabetes mellitus model and at 4 and 6 weeks after developing the diabetes mellitus model. The mice were sacrificed after the end of MWT measurement at week 6 after developing the model, spinal cord tissues were collected and the expression of SAM68 and TRPV1 was detected by Western blot, and their localization in the spinal cord was observed by immunofluorescence. Results:Compared with NC and ND groups, the MWT was significantly decreased at 4 and 6 weeks after developing the model, and the expression of SAM68 and TRPV1 in spinal cord tissues was up-regulated in DNP group ( P<0.05). Compared with DNP group, the MWT was significantly increased at 6 weeks after developing the model, the expression of SAM68 and TRPV1 in spinal cord tissues was down-regulated, and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in VC group ( P>0.05). SAM68 and TRPV1 were expressed in neurons in the same region of the spinal cord. Conclusions:Activation of SAM68-TRPV1 signaling pathway in spinal cord neurons is involved in the pathophysiological mechanism of DNP in mice.

Objective:To analyze the status of respiratory pathogen detection and the clinical features in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP). Methods:A prospective, multicenter study was conducted to collect clinical data, including medical history, laboratory examinations and multiplex PCR tests of children diagnosed with MPP from 4 hospitals in China between November 15 th and December 20 th, 2023. The multiplex PCR results and clinical characteristics of MPP children in different regions were analyzed. The children were divided into severe and mild groups according to the severity of the disease. Patients in the severe group were further divided into Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) alone and Multi-pathogen co-detection groups based on whether other pathogens were detected besides MP, to analyze the influence of respiratory pathogen co-detection rate on the severity of the disease. Mann-Whitney rank sum test and Chi-square test were used to compare data between independent groups. Results:A total of 298 children, 136 males and 162 females, were enrolled in this study, including 204 children in the severe group with an onset age of 7.0 (6.0, 8.0) years, and 94 children in the mild group with an onset age of 6.5 (4.0, 7.8) years. The level of C-reactive protein, D-dimer, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly higher (10.0 (5.0, 18.0) vs. 5.0 (5.0, 7.5) mg/L, 0.6 (0.4, 1.1) vs. 0.5 (0.3, 0.6) mg/L, 337 (286, 431) vs. 314 (271, 393) U/L, Z=2.02, 2.50, 3.05, all P<0.05), and the length of hospitalization was significantly longer in the severe group compared with those in mild group (6.0 (6.0, 7.0) vs. 5.0 (4.0, 6.0) d, Z=4.37, P<0.05). The time from onset to admission in severe MPP children was significantly shorter than that in mild MPP children (6.0 (5.0, 9.5) vs. 9.0 (7.0, 13.0) d, Z=2.23, P=0.026). All patients completed the multiplex PCR test, with 142 cases (47.7%) MPP children detected with 21 pathogens including adenovirus 25 cases (8.4%), human coronavirus 23 cases (7.7%), rhinovirus 21 cases (7.0%), Streptococcus pneumoniae 21 cases (7.0%), influenza A virus 18 cases (6.0%). The pathogens with the highest detection rates in Tianjin, Shanghai, Wenzhou and Chengdu were Staphylococcus aureus at 10.7% (8/75), adenovirus at 13.0% (10/77), adenovirus at 15.3% (9/59), and both rhinovirus and Haemophilus influenzae at 11.5% (10/87) each. The multi-pathogen co-detection rate in severe MPP children was significantly higher than that in mild MPP group (52.9% (108/204) vs. 36.2% (34/94), χ2=10.62, P=0.005). Among severe MPP children, there are 89 cases in the multi-pathogen co-detection group and 73 cases in the simple MPP group. The levels of LDH, D-dimer and neutrophil counts in the multi-pathogen co-detection group were significantly higher than those in the simple MPP group (348 (284, 422) vs. 307 (270, 358) U/L, 0.8 (0.5, 1.5) vs. 0.6 (0.4, 1.0) mg/L, 4.99 (3.66, 6.89)×10 9vs. 4.06 (2.91, 5.65)×10 9/L, Z=5.17, 4.99, 6.11, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The co-detection rate of respiratory pathogens, LDH and D-dimer in children with severe MPP were higher than those with mild MPP. Among severe MPP children the stress response of children in co-detection group was more serious than that of children with simple MPP.

ObjectiveTo explore the syndrome elements and evolving patterns of patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute on chronic liver failure （HBV-ACLF） at different stages. MethodsClinical information of 1,058 hospitalized HBV-ACLF patients， including 618 in the early stage， 355 in the middle stage， and 85 in the late stage， were collected from 18 clinical centers across 12 regions nationwide from January 1， 2012 to February 28， 2015. The “Hepatitis B-related Chronic and Acute Liver Failure Chinese Medicine Clinical Questionnaire” were designed to investigate the basic information of the patients， like the four diagnostic information （including symptoms， tongue， pulse） of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， and to count the frequency of the appearance of the four diagnostic information. Factor analysis and cluster analysis were employed to determine and statistically analyze the syndrome elements and patterns of HBV-ACLF patients at different stages. ResultsThere were 76 four diagnostic information from 1058 HBV-ACLF patients， and 53 four diagnostic information with a frequency of occurrence ≥ 5% were used as factor analysis entries， including 36 symptom information， 12 tongue information， and 5 pulse information. Four types of TCM patterns were identified in HBV-ACLF， which were liver-gallbladder damp-heat pattern， qi deficiency and blood stasis pattern， liver-kidney yin deficiency pattern， and spleen-kidney yang-deficiency pattern. In the early stage， heat （39.4%， 359/912） and dampness （27.5%， 251/912） were most common， and the pattern of the disease was dominated by liver-gallbladder damp-heat pattern （74.6%， 461/618）； in the middle stage， dampness （30.2%， 187/619） and blood stasis （20.7%， 128/619） were most common， and the patterns of the disease were dominated by liver-gallbladder damp-heat pattern （53.2%， 189/355）， and qi deficiency and blood stasis pattern （27.6%， 98/355）； and in the late stage， the pattern of the disease was dominated by qi deficiency （26.3%， 40/152） and yin deficiency （20.4%， 31/152）， and the patterns were dominated by qi deficiency and blood stasis pattern （36.5%， 31/85）， and liver-gallbladder damp-heat pattern （25.9%， 22/85）. ConclusionThere are significant differences in the distribution of syndrome elements and patterns at different stages of HBV-ACLF， presenting an overall trend of evolving patterns as "from excess to deficiency， transforming from excess to deficiency"， which is damp-heat → blood stasis → qi-blood yin-yang deficiency.

Objective:To explore the risk factors of acute kidney injury(stage 3)developed within 48 hours in elderly patients with sepsis, and to use them to develop a risk prediction model and then evaluate and externally validate the model.Methods:Clinical data of all elderly patients(age≥ 60 years)with sepsis in the intensive care medicine information database(MIMIC-Ⅳ v1.0)were extracted.Independent risk factors were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis.A risk prediction model was constructed, a nomogram was drawn, and the receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)and the Hosmer-Lemeshow(H-L)test were used to evaluate the model's prediction accuracy and R-squared.Clinical data of elderly patients(age≥ 60 years)with sepsis admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine of the Second People's Hospital of Hefei from May 2019 to October 2021 were retrospectively collected and fed into the prediction model to conduct external validation.Results:A total of 1 977 elderly patients with sepsis were screened out from the MIMIC-IV database and included in the training set, of whom, 544 developed AKI-stage 3 within 48 hours.Univariate analysis was performed for factors that might be associated with acute kidney injury in elderly patients with sepsis.Compared with the normal group that did not progress to AKI stage 3, there were statistically significant differences in 28 indicators, such as the duration of ICU stay, intravenous fluid intake in 24 hours, and use of vasoactive drugs[5(3, 9)d vs.7(4, 12)d; 2.05(1.17, 3.27)ml·kg -1·h -1vs.2.37(1.47, 4.10)ml·kg -1·h -1; 761(53.11%) vs.375(68.93%), P<0.001]. Based on the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis, a prediction model was finally constructed with 9 variables: albumin( OR=0.983, 95% CI: 0.966-0.999, P=0.040), aspartate transaminase( OR=1.000, 95% CI: 1.000-1.000, P<0.001), APTT( OR=1.005, 95% CI: 1.001-1.009, P=0.028), total bilirubin( OR=1.003, 95% CI: 1.001-1.004, P=0.001), serum creatinine( OR=1.005, 95% CI: 1.004~1.007, P<0.001), Charlson score( OR=1.117, 95% CI: 1.061-1.177, P<0.001), intravenous fluid intake in 24 hours( OR=1.101, 95% CI: 1.034-1.173, P=0.003), weight( OR=1.023, 95% CI: 1.018-1.029, P<0.001), and mechanical ventilation( OR=2.412, 95% CI: 1.843-3.157, P<0.001). Then a nomogram was generated.The area under the ROC curve(AUC)of the prediction model was 0.755(95% CI: 0.731-0.780), and the H-L test was conducted( χ2=10.89, P=0.208>0.05), indicating a good fit.Data from 102 elderly patients were included in the validation set, with 27 cases that had developed AKI-stage3 within 48 hours, and were fed into the prediction model, with an AUC of 0.778(95% CI: 0.676-0.880)and χ2=3.72 and P=0.882>0.05 from the H-L test, consistent with the results of the training set. Conclusions:The model has some predictive value for acute kidney injury in elderly patients with sepsis.