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.

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China emphasized the expansion of international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation. Against this backdrop, the radiological health research institutions bear important responsibilities in the field of international radiological health. As a key institution in the industry, the National Institute for Radiological Protection (NIRP), Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention shoulders the important mission of promoting international exchanges in radiation health in China. A case study was conducted on the NIRP using data of official overseas visits from 2010 to 2024. The SWOT analysis was used to comprehensively and systematically examine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of NIRP in international cooperation and exchanges. To effectively enhance the depth and scope of international exchanges, this article proposes a series of innovative optimization strategies such as establishing dedicated personnel positions to ensure efficient handling of affairs, implementing stringent approval procedures to guarantee the rationality and compliance of overseas visits, strengthening pre-departure training to improve the professionalism of outbound personnel, conducting follow-up evaluations to continuously refine management practices, and centralizing the management of official passports to ensure their secure use. This article aims to provide practical optimization strategies for the management of official overseas visits for NIRP and other similar institutions, promote international exchanges and cooperation in the field of radiation health, and help China play a more important role in the global radiation health field.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of different acupuncture methods in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) at different stages. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with AS were treated with acupuncture at ashi points (tendon focus), triple acupuncture method was used in the acute phase, accompanied needling method was used in the remission phase, once a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. The Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) score, Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI) score and TCM symptom grade quantitative standard score before and after treatment were observed, and the efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the BASDAI score, BASFI score and TCM symptom grade quantitative standard score were reduced compared with those before treatment (P<0.01), the effective rate was 96.9% (31/32). CONCLUSION Different acupuncture methods in the treatment of AS at different stages could improve signs and symptoms, such as pain, activity limitation and morning stiffness.
Humans ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome

The small intestine is essential for digestion, nutrient absorption, immune regulation, and microbial balance. Its epithelial lining, containing specialized cells like Paneth cells and tuft cells, is crucial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Paneth cells produce antimicrobial peptides and growth factors that support microbial regulation and intestinal stem cells, while tuft cells act as chemosensors, detecting environmental changes and modulating immune responses. Along with immune cells such as intraepithelial lymphocytes, innate lymphoid cells, T cells, and macrophages, they form a strong defense system that protects the epithelial barrier. Disruptions in this balance contribute to chronic inflammation, microbial dysbiosis, and compromised barrier function-key features of inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and metabolic syndromes. Furthermore, dysfunctions in the small intestine and immune cells are linked to systemic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. Recent research highlights promising therapeutic strategies, including modulation of epithelial and immune cell functions, probiotics, and gene editing to restore gut health and address systemic effects. This review emphasizes the pivotal roles of small intestinal epithelia and immune cells in maintaining intestinal homeostasis, their involvement in disease development, and emerging treatments for intestinal and systemic disorders.
Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa/cytology* ; Intestine, Small/cytology* ; Animals ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/immunology* ; Celiac Disease/immunology* ; Paneth Cells/immunology*

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of interleukin 23p19(IL-23p19) monoclonal antibody in the MRL/lpr lupus-like mouse model. Methods A total of 36 female MRL/lpr mice aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into 6 groups: PBS group (blank control), IgG group (isotype IgG), dexamethasone (DEX) group (positive control), and three IL-23p19 monoclonal antibody treatment groups with different dose gradients: low dose (LD, 1 mg/kg), medium dose (MD, 3 mg/kg), and high dose (HD, 10 mg/kg). Drug intervention began at 12 weeks of age via tail vein injection. Urine protein levels were measured using urine protein test strips; serum anti-dsDNA antibody levels were detected by ELISA; serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer; renal histopathological changes were analyzed by H&E and PAS staining; immunofluorescence was used to assess IgG and C3 immune complex deposition in kidney tissues; flow cytometry was employed to examine the expression of T helper 1(Th1), Th2, Th17, T follicular helper (Tfh), and regulatory T cells(Treg) cell subsets in the spleen; and RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of related transcription factors in the spleen. Results IL-23p19 monoclonal antibody reduced urine protein levels, alleviated splenomegaly, improved renal function, and decreased anti-dsDNA antibody levels in MRL/lpr mice. It also mitigated glomerulonephritis and reduced renal immune complex deposition. Furthermore, IL-23p19 monoclonal antibody significantly suppressed the proportion of Th1 and Th17 cells while upregulating Treg cell proportion in the spleen. Additionally, it downregulated T-bet and retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) mRNA levels and upregulated forkhead box P3(FOXP3) mRNA levels in the spleen. Conclusions IL-23p19 monoclonal antibody demonstrates significant therapeutic effects in MRL/lpr mice, likely through modulation of the Th17/Treg cell balance.
Animals ; Female ; Mice, Inbred MRL lpr ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects* ; Th17 Cells/drug effects* ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use* ; Interleukin-23 Subunit p19/immunology* ; Mice ; Lupus Nephritis/drug therapy* ; Kidney/drug effects* ; Antibodies, Antinuclear/blood*

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in cerebral blood perfusion in patients with acute cerebral infarction after taking Tongnaoyin， a traditional Chinese medicine， based on head and neck computed tomography （CT） angiography （CTA） combined with brain CT perfusion imaging （CTP）. MethodA total of 240 patients with cerebral infarction of phlegm and blood stasis syndrome treated in Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2018 to September 2023 were randomly divided into a control group （99 cases） and a Tongnaoyin group （141 cases）. Based on the guidelines， the control group was treated with conventional treatment such as anti-aggregation， anticoagulation， lipid-lowering and plaque stabilization， brain protection， and supportive treatment. The Tongnaoyin group was treated with Tongnaoyin of 200 mL in warm conditions in the morning and evening on the basis of the control group. Both groups underwent CTA combined with CTP within 24 hours after admission， and they were reexamined by CTA and CTP in the sixth month after admission. The degree of intracranial artery stenosis was determined according to the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial （NASCET） method. The relative cerebral blood volume （rCBV）， relative cerebral blood flow （rCBF）， mean transit time （MTT）， and time to peak （TTP） of the lesion area before and after treatment were compared. The adverse outcomes of the two groups within six months after discharge were compared. ResultCompared with the group before treatment， the degree of vascular stenosis in the Tongnaoyin group was significantly reduced， and the difference was statistically significant （Z=105.369，P<0.05）. Compared with the control group after treatment， the improvement rate of vascular stenosis in the Tongnaoyin group was higher （χ²=84.179，P<0.01）， and the curative effect was better.After treatment， the rCBV and rCBF of patients in the Tongnaoyin group were significantly increased， and the difference was statistically significant （P<0.01）. MTT and TTP showed a trend of shortening， but the difference was not statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference in rCBV， rCBF， MTT， and TTP in the control group. Compared with those in the control group after treatment， the rCBV and rCBF in the Tongnaoyin group were significantly increased， while MTT and TTP were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. After six months of discharge， the risk of poor prognosis in the Tongnaoyin group was significantly reduced compared with the control group （P<0.05）. ConclusionTongnaoyin has a good effect on improving cerebral blood perfusion in patients with acute cerebral infarction. It can be used as an effective supplement for the conventional treatment of ischemic stroke to improve clinical efficacy.

AIM: To compare the binocular and monocular accommodation among normal group, premyopia group and mild myopia group, and to study the characteristics of accommodation in the premyopia group, thus providing clinical evidence for the delay/prevention of myopia and the effective decrease of the incidence of myopia.METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of 179 children who had abnormal/high-risk visual acuity indicated by the vision screening in school from October 2021 to February 2023 were selected, including 92 males and 87 females, aged from 6 to 12(mean 8.55±1.66)years old, then they were referred to the Juvenile Myopia Prevention and Control Center in Cuizu Community Health Service Center. They were divided into normal group(+0.75 D<SE≤+2.00 D), the premyopia group(-0.50 D<SE≤+0.75 D)and the mild myopia group(-3.00 D≤SE≤-0.50 D)according to the diopters after cycloplegia, and binocular myopia grouping is defined by the eye with lower diopter. Binocular positive relative accommodation(PRA), negative relative accommodation(NRA), accommodative facility(AF), and monocular AF and amplitude of accommodation(AA)were examined. The age, binocular and monocular accommodation of different groups were compared.RESULTS: There were no difference in the sex ratio of different groups(χ2=0.167, P=0.920). There was no difference in age between the normal group and the premyopia group(P=0.310), but there were differences between the mild myopia group and the normal group and premyopia group(P=0.018, <0.01); Binocular NRA, PRA, and AF had significance between the normal group and the premyopia group(P<0.01), while there was no significance between the premyopia group and the mild myopia(P>0.05). Monocular AF had significance between the normal group and the premyopia group(P<0.01), while there was no significance between the premyopia group and the mild myopia group(P>0.05); The monocular AA had significance among the three groups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Although the diopters was normal, binocular NRA, PRA, monocular and binocular AF had significantly decreased in the premyopia group, and there was no significant difference compared with mild myopia group; monocular AA had decreased in the premyopia group and it was also significantly different from the mild myopia group. The accommodation function should be examined in premyopic children. Recovering the abnormal visual function through visual training may be a way to prevent and control premyopia from progressing to myopia.

Objective:To investigate the effect of roxadustat combined with levocarnitine in the treatment of renal anemia in hemodialysis patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and its effects on iron metabolism, microinflammation status and microvascular complications.Methods:The clinical data of 89 hemodialysis renal anemia patients with DKD from January 2020 to October 2021 in Beijing Geriatric Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 44 patients (control group)were treated with recombinant human erythropoietin and levocarnitine for renal anemia, and 45 patients (study group) were treated with recombinant human erythropoietin, levocarnitine and roxadustat for renal anemia. Both groups were treated for 3 months. The efficacy was compared between two groups. The laboratory indexes were measured before treatment and after 1, 3 months of treatment, including anemia related indexes such as hemoglobin, red blood cell count and mean corpuscular volume (MCV); iron metabolism indexes such as serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT); inflammatory indexes such as interleukin-8 (IL-8), C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The adverse reactions were recorded. The patients were followed up for 1 year after treatment, the incidence of diabetic microvascular complications, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and diabetic retinopathy (DR), was recorded.Results:The total effective rate in study group was significantly higher than that in control group: 93.33% (42/45) vs. 77.27% (34/44), and there was statistical difference ( χ2 = 4.60, P<0.05). There were no statistical differences in the laboratory indexes before treatment between two groups ( P<0.05); the hemoglobin, red blood cell count, MCV, serum iron, ferritin and TSAT after 1 and 3 months of treatment in study group were significantly higher than those in control group, the IL-8, CRP and TNF-α were significantly lower than those in control group, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 or <0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between two groups ( P>0.05). After 1 year follow-up, 2 cases were lost in study group and 3 cases in the control group. The incidence of DR and DPN in study group were significantly lower than those in control group: 0 vs. 14.63% (6/41) and 2.33% (1/43) vs. 19.51% (8/41), and there were statistical differences ( χ2 = 4.75 and 4.81, P<0.05). Conclusions:Roxadustat combined with levocarnitine in the treatment of renal anemia in hemodialysis patients with DKD is reliable and safe, and can effectively relieve anemia symptoms, improve iron metabolism, reduce inflammatory response, and reduce the risk of diabetic microvascular complications.

Objective:To describe the epidemiological characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in preschool children and explore the risk factors for severe pneumonia.Methods:Epidemiological data of 279 preschool children with RSV infection were investigated. The children were screened for severe pneumonia and separated into ordinary and severe types. General data and laboratory test data from both groups were compared, and binary logistic regression model analysis was applied to determine the risk factors for severe pneumonia.Results:Preschool children with RSV infection were mostly male (63.08%), <6 months old (65.95%) and had poor living environment (53.05%), with main symptoms of cough (91.04%) and wheezing (69.18%), the lung auscultation was mainly characterized by wheezing (86.74%), and imaging findings were mainly patchy shadows (76.34%), the onset season was concentrated in autumn (31.18%) and winter (43.37%). The detection rate of severe pneumonia in 279 pediatric patients was 20.27% (56/279). The proportions of onset season being autumn or winter, low birth weight infants, history of respiratory infections within 3 months, delayed treatment, neutrophils count <10×10 9/L, C-reactive protein≥10 mg/L, procalcitonin≥1.5 ng/mL, albumin<30 g/L, CD4 + /CD8 + <1.2 in the severe types were higher than those in the normal types ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the onset season was autumn or winter ( OR=2.316, 95% CI: 1.235-4.345), low birth weight infants ( OR=2.679, 95% CI: 1.442-4.977), history of respiratory infections within 3 months ( OR=2.815, 95% CI: 1.539-5.148), delayed treatment ( OR=2.869, 95% CI: 1.581-5.206), low albumin<30 g/L ( OR=2.756, 95% CI: 1.495-5.080), and low CD4 + /CD8 + <1.2 ( OR=3.016, 95% CI: 1.695-5.366) were risk factors for severe RSV pneumonia in preschool children ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Autumn and winter, low birth weight infants, history of respiratory infections within 3 months, delayed treatment, low albumin, and low CD4 + /CD8 + are related to the occurrence of severe RSV pneumonia in preschool children. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the attention to the condition of preschool RSV infected children with the above risk factors, and actively intervene in controllable factors to reduce the risk of severe pneumonia.

Objective To study the effect of IL-22 on the colonic barrier and its relationship with Nrf2 pathway in liver fibrosis mice.Methods The mice were divided into four groups:the control group(CON group),the model group(MOD group),the interleukin-22 group(IL-22 group),and the IL-22+ML385 group(ML385,an inhibitor of Nrf2),with 10 mice in each group,and the modeling cycle was 8 weeks.Liquid feed containing alcohol and carbon tetrachloride olive oil were given intraperitoneally in all groups except the CON group;IL-22 was given on top of this in the IL-22 group;and ML385 was injected intraperitoneally in the IL-22+ML385 group one hour before IL-22 treatment.At the end of modeling,the livers were stained with HE and Masson staining to clarify whether fibrosis occurred in the mice;the feces were collected to detect the cocci to bacillus ratio and observe the growth of intestinal flora;the colons were stained with HE staining,immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry,and analyzed for the expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1,Occludin,and the Nrf2 pathway proteins(Nrf2,HO-1,and NQO1).The expression of these proteins was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with the CON group,mice in the MOD group showed significant fibrosis in the liver tissue,inflammatory cell infiltration in the colon tissue,and decreased expression of tight junction proteins(P<0.05).No overgrowth of various pathogenic bacteria was seen in fecal media.And there was no significant difference in the bulb-to-bar ratio.Compared with the MOD group,both liver and colon histopathologic damage were reduced in the IL-22 group,and tight junction protein expression was elevated,in addition,the expression levels of Nrf2,NQO1,and HO-1 were also elevated(P<0.05),whereas there was no significant change in the IL-22+ML385 group.Conclusion IL-22 improved the colonic barrier function in liver fibrosis mice,and the mechanism was related to the activation of Nrf2 anti-oxidative stress pathway.