ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Xinfeng capsules combined with chronic disease management of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） on rapid disease control and short-term prognosis of patients with rheumatoid arthritis （RA）. MethodsA total of 80 RA patients hospitalized in the Department of Rheumatology of The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from January 2022 to March 2024 were enrolled and randomly divided into an observation group （40 cases） and a control group （40 cases）. The control group was treated with conventional methotrexate combined with standard chronic disease management， while the observation group was additionally treated with Xinfeng Capsules combined with TCM chronic disease management. The treatment course lasted 24 weeks. The outcomes were compared between two groups， including disease activity ［28-joint disease activity score （DAS28）， clinical disease activity index （CDAI）， simplified disease activity index （SDAI）］， visual analogue scale （VAS） for pain， TCM syndrome score， tender joint count （TJC）， swollen joint count （SJC）， morning stiffness duration， Health Assessment Questionnaire （HAQ）， Self-Rating Anxiety Scale （SAS）， Self-Rating Depression Scale （SDS）， American College of Rheumatology （ACR） 20%， 50% and 70% response rates （ACR20/50/70）， erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR）， high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， rheumatoid factor （RF）， anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody （CCP-Ab）， interleukin （IL）-6， IL-1β， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and serum immunoglobulin G （IgG）. The Chronic Disease Self-Management Scale （CDSMS） was used to evaluate patients’ self-management ability， self-care ability， and nursing satisfaction. Patients were followed up for 12 weeks to assess prognosis， and COX regression analysis was performed to determine the impact on short-term prognosis. ResultsAfter treatment， TJC， SJC， morning stiffness duration， DAS28， CDAI， SDAI， VAS， TCM syndrome score， ESR， hs-CRP， RF， CCP-Ab， IL-6， IL-1β， TNF-α， IgG， HAQ， SAS， SDS， chronic disease self-management behavior， self-efficacy， and self-care ability all improved significantly in both groups compared with baseline （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with the control group， the observation group showed more significant improvements in TJC， SJC， morning stiffness duration， DAS28， CDAI， SDAI， VAS， TCM syndrome score， ESR， IL-1β， IgG， HAQ， SAS， SDS， self-care ability， chronic disease self-management behavior， and self-efficacy （P<0.05 or P<0.01）. The ACR70 response rate and nursing satisfaction were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group （P<0.01）. COX regression analysis showed that Xinfeng capsules combined with TCM chronic disease management reduced the risk of poor short-term prognosis in RA patients. ConclusionXinfeng capsules combined with TCM chronic disease management facilitates rapid disease control in RA patients， effectively improves short-term prognosis， and plays an important role in the treatment of the disease.

【Objective】 To investigate the association between genetic variations in the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) gene and BP responses to sodium and potassium intake. 【Methods】 A total of 514 subjects from 124 families were recruited in Meixian County, Shaanxi Province, in 2004, resulting in the establishment of a "salt-sensitive hypertension study cohort" . The subjects followed a dietary regimen which involved a normal diet for 3 days, a low-salt diet for 7 days, a high-salt diet for 7 days, and a high-salt potassium-supplemented diet for 7 days. BP measurement was conducted at different intervention periods, and peripheral blood samples were collected. Additionally, eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the GLP-1R gene were genotyped using the MassARRAY detection platform. 【Results】 The GLP-1R gene SNP rs9462472 exhibited a significant association with systolic BP, diastolic BP, and mean arterial pressure response to high-salt intervention. Similarly, SNP rs2268637 showed a significant association with systolic BP response to high-salt intervention. Furthermore, SNP rs2268637 was significantly associated with systolic BP and mean arterial pressure responses to high-salt plus potassium supplementation intervention. 【Conclusion】 Our findings indicate a significant association of genetic variations in the GLP-1R gene with BP responses to sodium and potassium intake. This suggests that the GLP-1R gene plays a role in the regulation of BP salt sensitivity and potassium sensitivity.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effectiveness of anastomosis fixation method of lifting the suborbicularis oculi fat (SOOF) and fixing with the orbital septum and fat to correct eyelid bags with tear trough deformity.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients treated at Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University) from January 2019 to January 2021. The patients underwent lower eyelid blepharoplasty via a sub-lower eyelid skin approach. During the surgery, the SOOF was lifted and fixed with the orbital septum and fat, correcting the eye bags, filling the tear troughs, and lifting the midface. Postoperative observations included incision healing and complications. The correction of eye bags, tear troughs, and midface sagging was followed up. Adobe Photoshop CS6 software was used to measure the vertical distance from the nasolabial and buccal fat prominent point to the lower eyelid margin before surgery and at the last follow-up to evaluate the correction of midface sagging. Data were expressed as Mean ± SD, and pre- and post-operative comparisons were analyzed using paired t-test, with P<0.05 indicating statistical significance. Patients’ and nurses’ satisfaction evaluations of surgical outcomes were classified into three levels: satisfied, basically satisfied, and dissatisfied, requiring consensus between the two evaluators. Results:A total of 132 patients (264 eyes) were included, consisting of 23 males and 109 females, with an average age of (50.3±6.0) years. Hirmand tear trough classification included 178 type Ⅱeyes and 86 type Ⅲ eyes. Postoperative wound healing was well, with no hematoma, infection, diplopia, corneal foreign body sensation, and discomfort from external eye corner tightness. Follow-up ranged from 6-12 months, with 252 out of 264 eye bags disappeared and 12 eye bags reduced. Among the 86 type Ⅲ tear trough eyes, 10 improved to type Ⅰ, while the remaining 76 type Ⅲ and 178 type Ⅱ tear troughs disappeared postoperatively. All 264 midface sagging cases showed improvement, with the vertical distance from the nasolabial fat prominence point to the lower eyelid margin significantly shortening postoperatively [(29.23±1.58) mm vs. (34.08±3.23) mm, t=22.88, P<0.001)]. Satisfaction evaluation result showed 118 cases were satisfied (satisfaction rate of 89.4%), and 14 cases were basically satisfied. Conclusion:The anastomosis fixation method of lifting the SOOF and fixing with the orbital septum and fat effectively removes eyelid bags, smooths tear troughs, and lifts the midface, achieving a rejuvenated appearance and renders a high patient satisfaction rate.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effectiveness of anastomosis fixation method of lifting the suborbicularis oculi fat (SOOF) and fixing with the orbital septum and fat to correct eyelid bags with tear trough deformity.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients treated at Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University) from January 2019 to January 2021. The patients underwent lower eyelid blepharoplasty via a sub-lower eyelid skin approach. During the surgery, the SOOF was lifted and fixed with the orbital septum and fat, correcting the eye bags, filling the tear troughs, and lifting the midface. Postoperative observations included incision healing and complications. The correction of eye bags, tear troughs, and midface sagging was followed up. Adobe Photoshop CS6 software was used to measure the vertical distance from the nasolabial and buccal fat prominent point to the lower eyelid margin before surgery and at the last follow-up to evaluate the correction of midface sagging. Data were expressed as Mean ± SD, and pre- and post-operative comparisons were analyzed using paired t-test, with P<0.05 indicating statistical significance. Patients’ and nurses’ satisfaction evaluations of surgical outcomes were classified into three levels: satisfied, basically satisfied, and dissatisfied, requiring consensus between the two evaluators. Results:A total of 132 patients (264 eyes) were included, consisting of 23 males and 109 females, with an average age of (50.3±6.0) years. Hirmand tear trough classification included 178 type Ⅱeyes and 86 type Ⅲ eyes. Postoperative wound healing was well, with no hematoma, infection, diplopia, corneal foreign body sensation, and discomfort from external eye corner tightness. Follow-up ranged from 6-12 months, with 252 out of 264 eye bags disappeared and 12 eye bags reduced. Among the 86 type Ⅲ tear trough eyes, 10 improved to type Ⅰ, while the remaining 76 type Ⅲ and 178 type Ⅱ tear troughs disappeared postoperatively. All 264 midface sagging cases showed improvement, with the vertical distance from the nasolabial fat prominence point to the lower eyelid margin significantly shortening postoperatively [(29.23±1.58) mm vs. (34.08±3.23) mm, t=22.88, P<0.001)]. Satisfaction evaluation result showed 118 cases were satisfied (satisfaction rate of 89.4%), and 14 cases were basically satisfied. Conclusion:The anastomosis fixation method of lifting the SOOF and fixing with the orbital septum and fat effectively removes eyelid bags, smooths tear troughs, and lifts the midface, achieving a rejuvenated appearance and renders a high patient satisfaction rate.

AIM:To investigate the effects of sodium hydrosulfide(NaHS)on hexokinase 2(HK2)-nucleo-tide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)-gasdermin D(GSDMD)pathway and pyroptosis in-duced by lung ischemia/reperfusion(I/R)in rats.METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups:control group,control+NaHS group,I/R group,low-dose NaHS+I/R(L+I/R)group,medium-dose NaHS+I/R(M+I/R)group,and high-dose NaHS+I/R(H+I/R)group,with 6 rats in each group.The NaHS was administered via intraperi-toneal injection at 1.5 mL,30 min before modeling.The left lung tissues were collected 30 min after ischemia and 1 h af-ter reperfusion,and the wet/dry weight ratio and total lung water content were recorded.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to examine lung tissue morphological changes.The levels of malondialdehyde(MDA),myeloperoxidase(MPO)and lactate in lung tissues were measured with test kits.ELISA was employed to determine the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18.The expression of glycolysis-and pyroptosis-related indicators was analyzed by Western blot,qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS:Compared with control group,the rats in NaHS group showed no signifi-cant differences in all laboratory tests(P>0.05).The rats in I/R group exhibited significant lung injury,oxidative stress,increased lactate level,and up-regulated glycolysis and pyroptosis(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with I/R group,the indicators in L+I/R group showed a downward trend(P<0.01)or no difference(P>0.05),while those in M+I/R group dis-played a significant reduction(P<0.05 or P<0.01).However,the indexes in H+I/R group exhibited no significant dif-ferences in these tests(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION:A moderate dose(56 μmol·L-1·kg-1)of NaHS mitigated the oc-currence of pyroptosis by inhibiting the HK2-NLRP3-GSDMD pathway,thus contributing to the attenuation of lung I/R in-jury in rats.

AIM To study endophytic fungi from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi.and the enzyme inhibitory activities of their secondary metabolites.METHODS Six different media were used to isolate and purify endophytic fungi from S.baicalensis by tissue homogenate method.The activities of secondary metabolites were evaluated by targeting different enzymes.The highly active strains were identified by molecular biology combined with morphology,and the highly active chemical components were tracked and separated by modern chromatographic separation technology.RESULTS Sixty-four endophytic fungal strains were isolated from S.baicalensis,and one hundred and twenty-eight secondary metabolites were obtained by fermentation.The samples with certain inhibitory activities against adenosine deaminase(ADA),β-lactamase and tyrosinase(TYR)accounted for 14.06%,3.91%and 18.75%,respectively.Strain HTS-23-2 showed high TYR inhibitory activity,and 99%homology with Aspergillus flavus by molecular identification.One compound was isolated from the fermentation samples and identified as kojic acid.CONCLUSION S.baicalensis harbors a rich diversity of endophytic fungi,which serve as a valuable resource for active substances.

Deconvolution of potential drug targets of the central nervous system (CNS) is particularly challenging because of the complicated structure and function of the brain. Here, a spatiotemporally resolved metabolomics and isotope tracing strategy was proposed and demonstrated to be powerful for deconvoluting and localizing potential targets of CNS drugs by using ambient mass spectrometry imaging. This strategy can map various substances including exogenous drugs, isotopically labeled metabolites, and various types of endogenous metabolites in the brain tissue sections to illustrate their microregional distribution pattern in the brain and locate drug action-related metabolic nodes and pathways. The strategy revealed that the sedative-hypnotic drug candidate YZG-331 was prominently distributed in the pineal gland and entered the thalamus and hypothalamus in relatively small amounts, and can increase glutamate decarboxylase activity to elevate γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the hypothalamus, agonize organic cation transporter 3 to release extracellular histamine into peripheral circulation. These findings emphasize the promising capability of spatiotemporally resolved metabolomics and isotope tracing to help elucidate the multiple targets and the mechanisms of action of CNS drugs.

Tumor-associated tertiary lymphoid structures(TLSs)are ectopic lymphoid formations within tumor tissue,with mainly B and T cell populations forming the organic aggregates.The presence of TLSs in tumors has been strongly associated with patient responsiveness to immunotherapy regimens and improving tumor prognosis.Researchers have been motivated to actively explore TLSs due to their bright clinical application prospects.Various studies have attempted to decipher TLSs regarding their formation mechanism,structural composition,induction generation,predictive markers,and clinical utilization.Meanwhile,the scientific approaches to qualitative and quantitative descriptions are crucial for TLS studies.In terms of detection,hematoxylin and eosin(H&E),multiplex immunohistochemistry(mIHC),multiplex immunofluorescence(mIF),and 12-chemokine gene signature have been the top approved methods.However,no standard methods exist for the quantitative analysis of TLSs,such as absolute TLS count,analysis of TLS constituent cells,structural features,TLS spatial location,density,and maturity.This study reviews the latest research progress on TLS detection and quantification,proposes new directions for TLS assessment,and addresses issues for the quantitative application of TLSs in the clinic.

In this study, the ovarian surgery (ovariectomy, OVX) was used to establish the osteoporosis mice model of primary menstruation, in order to evaluate the protective effects and mechanisms of Zhibai Dihuang decotion on postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP). The animal experimental protocol has been reviewed and approved by Laboratory Animal Ethics Committee of Jinan University (number: 20210315-03), in compliance with the Institutional Animal Care Guidelines. C57BL/6 mice were divided into five groups, including Sham group, OVX group, low (32 g·kg^-1·day^-1) and high dose (64 g·kg^-1·day^-1) of Zhibai Dihuang decotion groups, positive drug group (alendronate, 9.9 mg·kg^-1·q3d). After modeling, mice were given medication intervention for 8 weeks, and then femoral and tibial tissues were taken to detect indicators such as bone microstructure, bone resorption, and oxidative stress. The experimental results showed that after Zhibai Dihuang decotion administration, the bone microstructure damage caused by OVX surgery was alleviated, and the relevant parameters bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume/total volume (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb. N) and connectivity density (Conn. D) both significantly increased. At the same time, the number of TRAP positive osteoclasts decreased significantly, and the levels of proteins and genes related to osteoclast differentiation decreased, indicating that Zhibai Dihuang decoction could inhibit the increased activity of osteoclast caused by OVX. Afterwards, network pharmacology was used to construct the active compound action target network of Zhibai Dihuang decotion, and it was found that the target genes of its active ingredients were closely related to the oxidative stress pathway. Finally, the detection results of oxidative stress levels in bone tissues showed that after treatment with Zhibai Dihuang decotion, the levels of oxidative stress products 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in bone tissues of mice significantly decreased, while the levels of antioxidant stress substance L-glutathione (GSH) increased. These above results indicated that Zhibai Dihuang decotion can regulate the level of oxidative stress in the body and inhibit osteoclast activity, which played a therapeutic role in PMOP, as well as provided theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of PMOP with traditional Chinese medicine.

Abstract: Objective　To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of 151 cases of melioidosis and the drug resistance of Burkholderia pseudomallei (BP), in order to provide the basis for diagnosis, treatment and reasonable prevention of melioidosis. Methods　A total of 151 inpatients and outpatients from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University from January 1, 2013 to August 31, 2022 were collected, and clinical specimens were submitted for examination to isolate and identify BP strains. The clinical data of 151cases of melioidosis and the drug resistance characteristics of pathogenic bacteria were retrospectively analyzed, and using SPSS26.0 software for statistical analysis. Results　Among 151 cases with BP infection, there were 138 males (91.4%) and 13 females (8.6%); the most patients were aged from 45-<60 years old, accounting for 74 cases (49.0%); melioidosis incidence was concentrated in October (19.2%), November (19.2%), August (9.9%) and July (8.6%), and; the number of confirmed cases showed an increasing trend and the time for confirmation was <10 d; Internal medicine system (31.1%), surgery system (26.5%) and intensive care department (20.5%) were the common departments for treating melioidosis; blood (49.0%), sputum (9.9%) and wound secretion (8.6%) were the main clinical specimens for detecting BP; pulmonary infection (68.2%), sepsis (35.1%) and local suppurative infection (23.8%) were the top clinical manifestations in patients with BP infection; the effective rate of treating melioidosis was 74.8%; abnormal liver function was a risk factor for the curative effect of melioidosis (χ2=5.010, P<0.05); the sensitivity rates of BP strains to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SXT), doxycycline (DOX), imipenem(IPM), ceftazidime (CAZ), amoxicillin/clavulanate (AMC) and tetracycline (TCY) were generally more than 90%, with sensitivities of 98.7%, 97.2%, 96.7%, 94.0%, 93.2% and 90.7%, respectively. Conclusions　It can be concluded that misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis of melioidosis is easy to occur, and the understanding of the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors in this area should be strengthened. The sensitivity of BP to commonly used antibiotics has shown a certain downward trend, clinical use should be standardized, and drug resistance monitoring should be strengthened to improve the efficacy of melioidosis treatment.