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.

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.

Objective:To investigate the effect of preoperative old muscular calf vein thrombosis on the safety and efficacy of total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods:A total of 411 patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis who underwent primary TKA in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2021 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 89 males and 322 females, aged 68.05±5.91 years (range, 50-82 years). The body mass index was 26.8±3.7 kg/m 2 (range, 17.4-39.8 kg/m 2). The group was divided into a preoperative thrombosis group (47 cases) and a preoperative none-thrombosis group (364 cases) according to whether or not there was a combination of old muscular calf vein thrombosis before TKA. The clinical characteristics (location and size) and lower limb swelling were observed, and the American Knee Society (AKS) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Villalta score were recorded to compare the differences between the two groups. Results:All patients successfully completed the operation and were followed up for 7.4±1.1 months (range, 6-9 months). Postoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) occurred in 96% (45/47) of the patients in the preoperative thrombus group, which was greater than the 38.5% (140/364) in the preoperative none-thrombus group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=55.184, P<0.001). 29% (13/45) of the patients who developed DVT postoperatively in the preoperative thrombus group had DVT located in the main vein, which was greater than the 9% (12/140) in the preoperative none-thrombus group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=12.028, P<0.001). 51% (23/45) of patients with DVT after operation had thrombosis ≥6 mm, which was higher than 34% (47/140) of patients in the preoperative none-thrombus group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=4.454, P=0.035). The rate of thigh swelling on postoperative day 3 was 8.42%±3.50% in the group with preoperative thrombus and 7.80%±4.12% in the preoperative none-thrombus group, and the differences were not statistically significant ( t=-0.995, P=0.320). The rate of calf swelling on postoperative day 3 was 8.14%±3.40% in the preoperative thrombus group, which was greater than the 5.51%±3.45% in the preoperative none-thrombus group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-4.923, P<0.001). Postoperative AKS scores were elevated in both groups and were greater than preoperative scores at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in AKS score between the two groups before operation ( P>0.05), and the AKS scores in the preoperative thrombus group were smaller than those in the preoperative none-thrombus group at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). Postoperative VAS scores were reduced in both groups and were smaller than preoperative scores at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in preoperative VAS scores between the two groups ( P<0.05), and the VAS scores in the preoperative thrombus group were greater than those in the preoperative none-thrombus group at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). The Villalta score of patients with DVT after operation in the preoperative thrombus group was 4.47±2.47 at the last follow-up, which was greater than that of the preoperative none-thrombus group, which was 2.90±1.92, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-4.395, P<0.001). Conclusion:Preoperative combined old muscular calf vein thrombosis increases the incidence of postoperative DVT and the dangerousness of DVT is higher.

Objective To explore the selection strategy of diagnostic and therapeutic regimens and assess the efficacy for postoperative infection following internal fixation of patellar fractures. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 12 patients with postoperative infection after internal fixation of patellar fractures. Results A total of 6 patients underwent complete removal of the internal fixation devices during debridement and were subsequently fixed with knee braces, while the other 6 had their original internal fixation devices removed and replaced with Kirschner wire fixation. Three patients developed septic arthritis and underwent knee arthroscopic lavage treatment. All 12 patients underwent bacterial culture and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) testing, and the key pathogenic bacteria were successfully identified by mNGS. All wounds achieved primary healing within 2 weeks after closure. At the final follow-up, all patients exhibited good fracture healing, with Böstman patellar fracture function scores ranging from 24 to 29 (mean score of 26.58), and the outcomes were evaluated as excellent in 7 cases and good in 5, resulting in an excellent and good rate of 100.0%. Conclusion For patients with early and delayed postoperative infections following internal fixation of patellar fractures, removal of the internal fixation devices can help reduce the risk of infection recurrence. For patients with concurrent septic arthritis, early diagnosis and timely implementation of arthroscopic joint debridement and irrigation and drainage are crucial.

Objective:To evaluate right atrial (RA) volume and function in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis by four-dimensional automatic quantitation analysis technique, and to explore its correlation with liver function grading.Methods:Ninety patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis who were clinically confirmed in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from December 2020 to July 2021 were randomly enrolled as the research subjects. According to Child-Pugh liver function score criteria, the patients were divided into three groups: Child-Pugh A group ( n=31), Child-Pugh B group ( n=31), Child-Pugh C group ( n=28). Another 30 healthy volunteers with gender and age matched at the same period were selected as the control group. The RA maximum volume (RAVmax), RA minimum volume (RAVmin), RA presystolic volume (RAVpreA), RA maximum volume index (RAVImax), RA emptying volume (RAEV), RA ejection fraction (RAEF), RA reservoir longitudinal and circumferential strains (RASr, RASr-c), RA conduit longitudinal and circumferential strains (RAScd, RAScd-c), RA contraction longitudinal and circumferential strains (RASct, RASct-c) were obtained by four-dimensional automatic quantitation analysis technique. Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between the volume and strain parameters of right atrium and liver function grading, and the independent correlation factors of RASr-c were analyzed by univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses. Results:Compared with the control group, Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh B groups, RAVmax, RAVmin, RAVpreA, RAVImax, and RAEV were all increased in Child-Pugh C group (all P<0.05). Compared with control group, the absolute values of RASr, RASct, RASr-c and RASct-c were increased, and the absolute values of RAScd and RAScd-c were decreased in Child-Pugh A group (all P<0.05). Compared with control group, Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh B groups, the absolute values of RASr, RAScd, RASct, RASr-c, RAScd-c and RASct-c were decreased in the Child-Pugh C group (all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the volume and strain parameters of the right atrium were correlated with liver function grading. RASr-c was independently correlated with E/e, ALB and BNP(β=-0.543, 0.521, and -0.562 respectively, all P<0.05). Conclusions:During the compensatory stage in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis, the RA functions of reservoir and contractile were increased, but the function of conduit was decreased. With the aggravation of liver cirrhosis, the RA functions of reservoir, conduit and contractile were all decreased. The four-dimensional volume and strain parameters of the right atrium were correlated with Child-Pugh liver function grading, and RASr-c was independently correlated with E/e, ALB and BNP.

Objective:To investigate the change of left atrial volume and function in patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) by four-dimensional automatic left atrial quantitative analysis (4D LAQ) and analyze the predictive value of risk stratification.Methods:A total of 60 patients diagnosed with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from March to December 2021 were randomly enrolled, which were divided into gestational hypertension group (low risk group, n=30) and preeclampsia group (medium and high risk group, n=30) according to the disease development and risk stratification method reported in the literature; another 30 healthy pregnant women matched for age, gestational weeks and body mass index were selected as the control group. Left atrial anteroposterior diameter (LAd), interventricular septum thickness (IVSd), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVd), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular myocardial mass index (LVMI), peak early diastolic (E) and late diastolic (A) velocities of mitral inflow, and e′ values on the septal and lateral mitral annulus sides were routinely measured to calculate E/A and E/e′ values. Left atrial volume and strain parameters were obtained using 4D LAQ technique, including left atrial minimum volume (LAVmin), left atrial maximum volume (LAVmax), left atrial presystolic volume (LAVpreA), left atrial maximum volume index (LAVImax), left atrial inflation index (LAEI), left atrial stroke volume (LAEV), left atrial fraction (LAEF), longitudinal strain of left atrial reserve, conduit and systolic period (LASr, LAScd, LASct), circumferential strain of left atrial reserve, conduit and systolic period(LASr-c, LAScd-c, LASct-c). The differences among the three groups were compared. Multiple Logistics regression analysis was used to obtain the relevant indicators of risk stratification of HDPs and ROC curves were used for assessment. Results:Compared with the control group, E/e′, LAVmin, LAVpreA, LAScd, and LAScd-c increased, and LAEI, LAEF, LApEF, LASr, and LASr-c decreased in the gestational hypertension group (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group and gestational hypertension group, LAd, IVSd, LVd, LVMI, E/e′ LAVmin, LAVmax, LAVpreA, LAVImax, LAEV, LAScd, and LAScd-c increased, and LVEF, LAEF, LAEI, LApEF, LASr, and LASr-c decreased in the preeclamptic group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The results of multiple Logistics regression showed that LAVmax, LAScd-c and LASr were the indicators relevant to risk stratification of HDPs(β=0.344, 0.216 and -0.249, respectively, all P<0.05). ROC analysis showed when the cut-off value of left atrial strain parameter LASr was 30.5%, the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.725, 0.58, 0.90, respectively; when the cut-off value of LAVmax was 44.5 ml, the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.662, 0.80, and 0.56, respectively; and when the cut-off value of LAScd-c was -17.5%, the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.706, 0.56, and 0.78, respectively. Conclusions:Left atrial remodeling occured in pregnant women with hypertensive disorders, their reserve and conduit function were impaired, and aggravated with the progress of the disease. The four-dimensional parameters LASr, LAVmax, and LAScd-c were relevant indicators for risk stratification of HDPs. In predicting the severity of HDPs, LASr has high diagnostic value and good specificity; LAVmax and LAScd-c can be considered as supplementary parameters to predict the risk stratification of HDPs.

In the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or AD animal models, β-amyloid (Aβ), tau protein, presenilin (PS)1, PS2 and apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) would affect the calcium channels on neuronal cell membrane, endoplasmic reticulum membrane and mitochondrial membrane, and eventually lead to the imbalance of calcium homeostasis in neurons. Aβ can also act on the endoplasmic reticulum of astrocytes and cause abnormal calcium signal. Abnormal calcium signals in the brain in turn act on neurons and promote Aβ and tau protein phosphorylation, which aggravates the disease. This study focuses on the changes of calcium signals in neurons and astrocytes in AD, in order to clarify the relationship between the calcium dyshomeostasis in neurons and astrocytes and the pathogenesis of AD, thus provides new idea for the prevention and treatment of AD.

Objective To determine the radiation dose of sensitive organs under different protective methods in lung CT scanning environment, and to explore the best protective scheme of corresponding organs. Methods Annealed thermoluminescence dose elements were placed in the stomach, liver, colon, and thyroid gland of a simulated human body model. The dose effect experiment of protective methods included non-protective group, half lead apron group, and full lead apron group. The dose effect experiment of protective thickness included 0.50 mmpb full lead apron group and 0.35 mmpb full lead apron group. The same exposure conditions of lung CT scan were used in the above experiments. Results Compared with the non-protective group, the exposure dose of the stomach, liver, colon, and thyroid gland increased significantly in the half lead apron group (P < 0.05), and the exposure dose of the thyroid gland and colon decreased significantly in the full lead apron group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the exposure dose of the liver, stomach, and colon in the simulated human body model between the 0.35 mmpb full lead apron group and the 0.50 mmpb full lead apron group. Conclusion For lung CT scan, the protective measure of lead apron may not reduce the exposure dose of subjects. The protective thickness of lead apron does not necessarily have a substantial influence on the exposure dose of human body.

The existing doctor-patient communication pattern often falls prey to insufficient informed consent and even medical disputes. In the patient centered perspective, Zhejiang Provincial People′s Hospital explored a new communication mode centering on patients. Based on diagnosis-related groups catalogues and high-frequency surgeries catalogues of the departments, multimedia technology was called into play to produce dubbed PPTs and videos that were easy to understand, standardized and homogeneous, which were embedded into medical records system. Following observation of the PPT or video, patients could directly sign an informed consent on the computer. This practice not only deepens patient′s understanding and achieves homogeneous level of the communication, but also elevates doctor′s work efficiency, contributing to building a harmonious doctor-patient relationship.

Objective:To summarize the clinical features and therapeutic outcomes of patients with hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (HH) auxiliarily diagnosed by 18F-DOPA positron emission tomography (PET) CT scanning. Methods:The clinical data of 123 patients who were diagnosed with hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia by comprehensive clinical diagnostic procedures in the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Children′s Hospital of Fudan University between January 2016 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical data such as gender, age of onset, province, concurrent serum insulin level measured during hypoglycemia, lesion type of pancreas by 18F-DOPA-PET CT scanning, genetic test results, and treatment were collected successively. The clinical features and therapeutic outcomes were compared between patients with focal and diffuse pancreatic lesions. T test, Rank sum test, and χ2 test were used for comparison between groups. Results:A total of 123 patients with hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (72 males and 51 females), whose average age of onset was 3 days (ranging from 1 day to 4 860 days), were recruited from 24 provinces. The concurrent serum insulin level was 7.1 (0.4-303.0) mU/L during hypoglycemia. 18F-DOPA-PET CT scanning identified focal lesions in 25.2% (31/123) and diffuse lesions in 74.8% (92/123) of the patients; 64.2% (79/123) of the HH cases were found to have pathogenic gene variants, in which 88.6% (70/79) were found to have K ATP channel related genes (61 in ABCC8 and 9 in KCNJ11 mutations). Thirty-seven patients (17 focal and 20 diffuse) received surgical treatment with a success rate of 67.6% (25/37). The effective rate of diazoxide for children with diffuse type was significantly higher than that of children with focal group (28.3% (26/92) vs. 9.7% (3/31), χ2=10.31, P=0.001). Conclusions:18F-DOPA-PET CT scan can improve the success rate of surgery. Comprehensive diagnosis of the etiology of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia by genetic analysis and 18F-DOPA-PET CT scanning can result in better treatment and prognosis.