ObjectiveTo investigate the accuracy of multiple discriminant analysis （MDA） versus fibrosis-4 （FIB-4） in assessing liver fibrosis degree in patients with HBV infection， as well as the possibility of MDA as an indicator for disease progression. MethodsA total of 263 patients with HBV infection who underwent liver biopsy in The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from April 2010 to April 2024 were included， and their clinical data were collected. According to the results of pathological examination， they were divided into non-significant fibrosis group （F<2） with 126 patients and significant fibrosis group （F≥2） with 137 patients. The correlation of MDA and FIB-4 with liver fibrosis degree was analyzed， and MDA and FIB-4 were compared in terms of their accuracy in assessing significant liver fibrosis. A total of 62 patients completed follow-up， and according to the presence or absence of progression to liver cirrhosis at the last follow-up visit， they were divided into progressive group with 21 patients and non-progressive group with 41 patients； the efficacy of MDA and FIB-4 in diagnosing disease progression was analyzed and compared. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups； the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the Bonferroni method was used for further comparison between two groups. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data. The Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used for correlation analysis. The Wilcoxon signed rank sum test was used for the analysis of baseline data and data at the end of follow-up， and the binary Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors for progression to liver cirrhosis. The receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve was used to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of indicators， the Z-test was used for comparison of the area under the ROC curve （AUC）， and the paired chi-square test was used for comparison of the sensitivity， specificity， and accuracy of the two indicators. ResultsThe correlation coefficient between FIB-4 and liver fibrosis degree was 0.378， while the correlation coefficient between MDA and liver fibrosis degree was -0.325 （both P<0.001）. FIB-4 had an AUC of 0.688， a sensitivity of 64.96%， a specificity of 68.87%， a positive predictive value of 67.42%， a negative predictive value of 63.36%， an accuracy of 65.40%， and a cut-off value of 1.01， while MDA had an AUC of 0.653， a sensitivity of 52.55%， a specificity of 78.57%， a positive predictive value of 72.73%， a negative predictive value of 60.37%， an accuracy of 65.02%， and a cut-off value of 0.29， suggesting that compared with FIB-4， MDA had a lower sensitivity （P=0.004） and a higher specificity （P=0.001）. The progressive group had a significantly higher age than the non-progressive group at baseline （t=2.611， P=0.011）. For the progressive group， there was an increase in FIB-4 and a reduction in MDA from baseline to the end of follow-up （both P<0.001）， while the non-progressive group showed no significant changes （both P>0.05）. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that aspartate aminotransferase （odds ratio ［OR］=0.940， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 0.885‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.998， P<0.05） and MDA （OR=0.445， 95%CI： 0.279‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.710， P<0.001） were independent influencing factors for disease progression. MDA had an AUC of 0.893 and an optimal cut-off value of -0.01 in diagnosing the disease progression of liver cirrhosis. ConclusionMDA has a comparable accuracy to FIB-4 in the diagnosis of significant liver fibrosis， and MDA<-0.01 has a high accuracy in diagnosing the progression of liver fibrosis to liver cirrhosis， which can help to reduce the need for liver biopsy in clinical practice.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of Tongnaoyin on the blood-brain barrier status and neurological impairment in acute ischemic stroke （AIS） patients with the syndrome of phlegm-stasis blocking collaterals by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging （DCE-MRI）. MethodsA total of 63 patients diagnosed with AIS in the Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine from October 2022 to December 2023 were enrolled in this study. According to random number table method，the patients were assigned into a control group （32 cases） and an observation group （31 cases）. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment，and the observation group took 200 mL Tongnaoyin after meals，twice a day from day 2 of admission on the basis of the treatment in the control group. After 7 days of treatment，the patients were examined by DCE-MRI. The baseline data for two groups of patients before treatment were compared. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale （NIHSS） score and modified Rankin Scale （mRS） score were recorded before treatment and after 90 days of treatment for both groups. The rKtrans，rKep，and rVe values were obtained from the region of interest （ROI） of the infarct zone/mirror area and compared between the two groups. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the NIHSS or mRS score between the two groups before treatment. After 90 days of treatment，the NIHSS and mRS scores declined in both groups，and the observation group had lower scores than the control group （P<0.05）. After treatment，the rKtrans and rVe in the observation group were lower than those in the control group （P<0.01）. ConclusionCompared with conventional Western medical treatment alone，conventional Western medical treatment combined with Tongnaoyin accelerates the repair of the blood-brain barrier in AIS patients，thereby ameliorating neurological impairment after AIS to improve the prognosis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of asperuloside （Asp） on the pyroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in rats with ulcerative colitis （UC）. METHODS The male SD rats were randomly divided into Control group， model group （UC group）， ASP low-dose and high-dose groups [Asp-L， Asp-H groups， Asp 35， 70 mg/（kg·d）]， ASP high-dose group+AMPK inhibitor Compound C group [Asp-H+Compound C group， Asp 70 mg/（kg·d）+Compound C 0.2 mg/（kg·d）]， with 12 rats in each group. Except for Control group， the other groups were injected with 50% ethanol （0.25 mL）+5% 2，4， 6- trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid solution （2 mL/kg） into the intestinal cavity to construct UC model. After modeling， the rats in each drug group were given corresponding drug solution by gavage or （and） tail vein injection， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. After the last administration， the weight of rats in each group was measured， and the length of their colons was measured； disease activity index （DAI） score and colonic mucosal damage index （CMDI） score were performed， and the serum levels of inflammatory factors （interleukin-18， -1β， -6） were detected. The pathological changes of the colon tissue were observed. The expressions of pyroptosis-related proteins [caspase-1， gasdermin D （GSDMD）] in colon tissue， and pathway-related proteins such as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC） were all detected. RESULTS Compared with Control group， the colon tissue structure of rats in UC group was damaged， with obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells and edema. Their body weight， colon length and phosphorylation level of AMPK protein were significantly reduced or shortened； DAI and CMDI scores， serum levels of inflammatory factors， and the protein expressions of caspase-1， GSDMD， TXNIP， NLRP3 and ASC in colon tissue were increased or upregulated significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with UC group， the pathological damage of colon tissue in rats was relieved in Asp-L and Asp-H groups， and all quantitative indicators were significantly improved （P＜0.05）； the improvement effect of Asp-H group was more significant （P＜0.05）. Compound C could significantly reverse the improvement effect of high-dose of Asp on the above indicators in UC rats （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Asp can improve inflammatory damage in colon tissue and inhibit pyroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in UC rats， which is associated with the activation of AMPK and inhibition of TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of asperuloside （Asp） on the pyroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in rats with ulcerative colitis （UC）. METHODS The male SD rats were randomly divided into Control group， model group （UC group）， ASP low-dose and high-dose groups [Asp-L， Asp-H groups， Asp 35， 70 mg/（kg·d）]， ASP high-dose group+AMPK inhibitor Compound C group [Asp-H+Compound C group， Asp 70 mg/（kg·d）+Compound C 0.2 mg/（kg·d）]， with 12 rats in each group. Except for Control group， the other groups were injected with 50% ethanol （0.25 mL）+5% 2，4， 6- trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid solution （2 mL/kg） into the intestinal cavity to construct UC model. After modeling， the rats in each drug group were given corresponding drug solution by gavage or （and） tail vein injection， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. After the last administration， the weight of rats in each group was measured， and the length of their colons was measured； disease activity index （DAI） score and colonic mucosal damage index （CMDI） score were performed， and the serum levels of inflammatory factors （interleukin-18， -1β， -6） were detected. The pathological changes of the colon tissue were observed. The expressions of pyroptosis-related proteins [caspase-1， gasdermin D （GSDMD）] in colon tissue， and pathway-related proteins such as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC） were all detected. RESULTS Compared with Control group， the colon tissue structure of rats in UC group was damaged， with obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells and edema. Their body weight， colon length and phosphorylation level of AMPK protein were significantly reduced or shortened； DAI and CMDI scores， serum levels of inflammatory factors， and the protein expressions of caspase-1， GSDMD， TXNIP， NLRP3 and ASC in colon tissue were increased or upregulated significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with UC group， the pathological damage of colon tissue in rats was relieved in Asp-L and Asp-H groups， and all quantitative indicators were significantly improved （P＜0.05）； the improvement effect of Asp-H group was more significant （P＜0.05）. Compound C could significantly reverse the improvement effect of high-dose of Asp on the above indicators in UC rats （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Asp can improve inflammatory damage in colon tissue and inhibit pyroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in UC rats， which is associated with the activation of AMPK and inhibition of TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Based on clinical epidemiological data， it is believed that qi deficiency constitution is closely related to allergic diseases. According to the fundamental principles of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） constitution theory， the intrinsic connection between qi deficiency constitution and allergic diseases is analyzed from the perspectives of inherited endowment， life process， environmental restriction， and the interplay of form and spirit. This paper discusses the key points of regulating qi deficiency constitution to prevent allergic diseases in three stages， prevention before illness， prevention of disease progression， and prevention of recurrence after recovery. It also distinguishes the treatment directions for regulating qi deficiency constitution to treat allergic diseases based on different disease locations such as the lung， spleen， and kidney. This aims to expand new ideas for the research on qi deficiency constitution and allergic diseases as well as the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.

Objective: To explore the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution and depressive symptom among school aged children and adolescents, so as to provide evidences for informing constitution based regulation and prevention of depressive symptom. Methods: From June to December 2024, a total of 4 729 students aged 6-14 were recruited by cluster random sampling from 10 primary schools in Baoding (Hebei Province), Heze and Liaocheng (Shandong Province). General information, TCM constitution and depressive symptom were collected. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used to analyze related factors and threshold effects of depressive symptom. Binary Logistic regression was applied to examine the association between depressive symptom and TCM constitution, with subgroup analyses conducted. Results: The detection rate of depressive symptom among the included children and adolescents was 25.82%. RCS analyses indicated non linear associations between depressive symptom and age (inflection point at 10 years old), bedtime (inflection point at 22:00), and wake up time (inflection point at 6:30 ) (all P non linearity <0.01). Linear associations were observed with body mass index (BMI) and sleep duration (all P non linearity > 0.05 ). After adjusting for covariates such as age, BMI and sleep status, binary Logistic regression analyses showed that Yin deficient constitution ( OR =1.26, 95% CI =1.09-1.45) and Phlegm-dampness constitution ( OR =1.42, 95% CI =1.11-1.82) were significantly associated with depressive symptom among children and adolescents (all P <0.05). Conclusions Depressive symptom among school aged children and adolescents is primarily associated with Yin deficiency and Phlegm dampness constitutions in TCM constitution. Active attention should be paid to susceptible TCM constitution among children and adolescents. Targeted health guidance and interventions should be implemented to improve TCM constitution health status for preventing the occurrence of depressive symptom.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.07.004.].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of the active components of Alpinia katsumadai （ACAK） on tumor xenograft growth and tumor angiogenesis of human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells in nude mice. METHODS A tumor xenograft model in nude mice was established using human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells. The mice were randomly divided into model control group （intragastric administration of 0.9% normal saline）， solvent control group （intragastric administration of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium）， positive control group （intraperitoneal injection of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium+bevacizumab suspension 5 mg/kg ）， and ACAK 50， 100， and 200 mg/kg groups （intragastric administration of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium+ACAK suspension 50， 100， 200 mg/kg）. The administration was carried out for 5 consecutive days followed by a 2-day interval， and this cycle was repeated for a total duration of 28 days. The tumor volume （TV）， relative tumor volume （RTV）， and relative tumor proliferation rate （T/C） at various time points from day 1 to day 28 after drug administration were measured and calculated for each group of nude mice. After the drug administration， the tumor weights were measured， and microvessel density （MVD） in the tumor xenograft tissues of nude mice， as well as relative protein expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and its receptor [fas-like tyrosine kinase-1 （Flt-1）， kinase insert domain receptor （KDR）] were detected. RESULTS On the 24th day of ACAK administration，compared with the model control group， the TV and RTV （except for ACAK 50 and 100 mg/kg groups） of nude mice in the positive control group and ACAK dose groups were significantly decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）， and the T/C of ACAK dose groups showed a dose-dependent decrease； the microvascular distribution of nude mice in the positive control group and ACAK dose groups was relatively sparse， and the tumor weight （except for the ACAK 50 mg/kg group）， MVD， and relative expression levels of VEGF， KDR， and Flt-1 in the tumor xenograft tissues were significantly reduced （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS ACAK has a good anti-pancreatic cancer effect， and its mechanism may be related to its inhibition of VEGF/ VEGFR signaling pathway， thereby inhibiting angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer.

Objective:To investigate the application and teaching effect of a new residency training model for emergency medicine in the context of sub-specialty zoning.Methods:A total of 30 emergency medicine residents were randomly divided into experimental group and control group, with 15 residents in each group. The residents in the experimental group received teaching based on the sub-specialty zoning model, while those in the control group received traditional teaching. SPSS 26.0 software was used for the t-test and the chi-square test, and the two groups were compared in terms of demographic variables, training assessment scores, and teaching feedback. Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups in the demographic variables such as age, sex, education background, and years of clinical work, and there was also no significant difference between the two groups in the final assessment score of Chongqing ( P>0.05), but there was a significant difference between the two groups in the score of intra-department theoretical examination before the final assessment [(81.20±2.83) vs. (89.73±3.01), P<0.001]. The survey of teaching feedback showed that both groups had high confidence in independent duty and a high degree of satisfaction with teaching, with no significant differences between the two groups ( P>0.05); however, compared with the control group, the experimental group had a significantly higher recognition of the development of emergency sub-specialties and significantly better orientations of scientific research and self-development. Conclusions:The new residency training model for emergency medicine in the context of sub-specialty zoning may help with the long-term development of emergency medicine and should be further promoted and validated in emergency medicine residency training.

Objectives:To observe the exercise tolerance and cardiopulmonary function characteristics of patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) combined with cardiovascular disease,in order to assess the cardiorespiratory reserve and health status of untreated OSAHS,and to provide a clinical evidence for the phase Ⅱ cardiac rehabilitation. Methods:This retrospective analysis included 134 cardiovascular disease patients who attended the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center of Fuwai Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from November 2021 to April 2024 and received home sleep apnea monitoring (HSAT).According to the apnea hypopnea index (AHI),the patients were divided into the non-OSAHS (AHI<5 times/h) group (n=24),the mild-OSAHS (5 times/h ≤AHI<15 times/h) group (n=65),and moderate-to-severe OSAHS (AHI ≥15 times/h) group (n=45),and the body composition,pulmonary function characteristics,exercise tolerance,and ventilatory response to exercise were compared among the three groups. Results:A total of 110 (82.1％) patients had comorbid OSAHS,with a higher proportion of male patients (80.0％).Height,weight,body mass index,lean body mass,skeletal muscle mass,body water content,and basal metabolic rate increased progressively with increasing OSAHS severity in three groups (all P<0.05),while cardiovascular disease comorbidity was similar.Static lung function,exercise tolerance and ventilatory function at maximal exercise were similar between the patients in the mild OSAHS group and the moderate-severe OSAHS group as compared to the non-OSAHS group (all P>0.05).With the increase in the severity of OSAHS,the cardiorespiratory fitness showed a decreasing trend among patients in the three groups,and the forced vital capacity and the maximum vital capacity of patients in the moderate-severe OSAHS group were significantly higher than that of the mild OSAHS group,while peak O2 pulse％pred was significantly lower than that of the mild OSAHS group (all P<0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that the body fat mass (β=0.307,95％CI:0.263-0.823,P<0.001),minute ventilation at rest (β=0.259,95％CI:0.429-1.785,P=0.002) were the independent influencing factors of AHI. Conclusions:The prevalence of OSAHS is high in patients with cardiovascular disease,and patients with moderate-to-severe OSAHS have reduced cardiorespiratory fitness,OSAHS is not associated with additional cardiac impairment and ventilatory function impairment in patients with cardiovascular disease.Weight loss should be the primary rehabilitation goal in patients with OSAHS combined with cardiovascular disease.