ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of the Wulao Qisun prescription on pathological new bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis （AS）. MethodsSynovial fibroblasts were isolated from the hip joints of AS patients and observed under a microscope to assess cell morphology. The cells were identified using immunofluorescence staining. The isolated AS fibroblasts were divided into blank group， low drug-containing serum group， medium drug-containing serum group， high drug-containing serum group， and positive drug group. After drug intervention， cell proliferation was measured using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay to observe fibroblast growth and determine the optimal intervention time. Alkaline phosphatase （ALP） activity was measured using the alkaline phosphatase assay. Protein expression of osteocalcin （OCN）， osteopontin （OPN）， and runt-related transcription factor 2 （Runx2） was detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression levels of Wnt5a， β-catenin， and Dickkopf-1 （DKK-1） were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， each drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription and the positive drug group inhibited the proliferation of AS fibroblasts and reduced ALP expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription downregulated β-catenin mRNA expression （P<0.05）. The medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group significantly downregulated Wnt5a and β-catenin mRNA expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the positive drug group showing the most pronounced effect （P<0.01）. The high drug-containing serum group and the positive drug group significantly upregulated DKK-1 mRNA expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription inhibited the expression of OPN and Runx2 proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group inhibited the expression of OCN， OPN， and Runx2 proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Wulao Qisun prescription can inhibit the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of AS fibroblasts， thereby delaying the formation of pathological new bone in AS. The possible mechanism involves the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin-related gene expression， further inhibiting the transcription of downstream target genes.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Qingre Sanzhuo decoction in treating gouty arthritis （GA） combined with hyperuricaemia （HUA）. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomized into normal， model， colchicine （0.5 mg·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （17， 34， 68 g·kg^-1， respectively） Qingre Sanzhuo decoction groups （n=10）. The rats in other groups except the normal group were treated with the modified method for the modeling of GA combined with HUA. The drug intervention groups were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage in the afternoon every day and the normal group and the model group were administrated with an equal volume of sterile normal saline by gavage. The level of uric acid （SUA） in the serum was measured 2 h after the last administration. The degree of ankle joint swelling was calculated 0.5， 12， 24， 48 h after modeling， and joint inflammation was scored. The pathological changes of ankle joints were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining， and the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， C reactive protein （CRP）， and interleukin-18 （IL-18） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Real-time PCR was performed to determine the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD （ASC）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1）， gasdermin D （GSDMD）， and nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） in the synovial tissue of ankle joints. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， and Caspase-1 in ankle joints. The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of GSDMD and NF-κB in the synovial tissue of ankle joints. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed increased SUA in the serum （P<0.05）， ankle joint swelling and joint inflammation （P<0.05）， increased number of blood vessels in the synovium， inflammatory cell foci in the synovial bursa， elevated serum levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， CRP， and IL-18 （P<0.05）， and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， GSDMD， and NF-κB in the synovial tissue of ankle joints （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the medium- and high-dose Qingre Sanzhuo decoction groups showed reduced SUA in the serum （P<0.05）， alleviated ankle joint swelling and joint inflammation （P<0.05）， lowered serum levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， CRP， and IL-18 （P<0.05）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， GSDMD， and NF-κB in the synovial tissue of ankle joints （P<0.05）. However， in terms of ameliorating the pathological changes of ankle joints， only the high-dose Qingre Sanzhuo decoction group showed normal morphology of the synovial membrane of ankle joints and no obvious lesion in the articular cartilage. ConclusionQingre Sanzhuo decoction may play a role in preventing and controlling GA combined with HUA by down-regulating the activity of NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 pathway and inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines， such as TNF-α， IL-1β， CRP， and IL-18.

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among voluntary blood donors in Qinghai Province over a ten-year period and to provide evidence for refining blood safety screening strategies. Methods: Blood samples from 362 066 blood donors in Qinghai collected between January 2015 and April 2024 were simultaneously screened using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and nucleic acid testing (NAT). Follow-up was conducted for donors with reactive HCV RNA screening results, and alanine transaminase (ALT) was detected by rate method. Results: The HCV positive rate among blood donors in Qinghai was 0.22%. Gender, marital status, number of blood donations, and educational level were associated with HCV infection. Significant differences in HCV positive rates were observed among donors across regions and ethnic groups. The HCV positive rate among donors in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (with an average altitude of 4 330 m) was significantly higher than that in Xining (0.52% vs 0.21%, P<0.001). Positivity rates were also significantly higher in Salar (0.84%), Hui (0.81%), Zang (0.60%), and Tu (0.45%) ethnic groups compared to the Han ethnic group (0.17%) (P<0.001). The abnormal rate of ALT in HCV-positive donors was higher than in non-HCV donors (6.13% vs 1.55%) (P<0.001). Conclusion: The relatively high HCV positivity rate among blood donors in Qinghai highlights the need for further investigation into viral sources, risk factors, and transmission routes. Optimized screening strategies are essential to ensure blood safety.

OBJECTIVE To systematically evaluate medication risk prediction models for hospitalized adult patients and provide references for their development and clinical application. METHODS Databases including PubMed， Embase， Web of Science， CNKI， Wanfang data， VIP and CBM were searched for studies on medication risk prediction models from their inception to May 2024. After screening the literature， extracting data， and evaluating the quality of the literature， descriptive analysis was performed on the results of the included studies. RESULTS A total of 13 studies were included， involving 12 models. Nine studies used Logistic regression algorithm for modeling， and the number of included predictive factors ranged from 3 to 11； the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ranged from 0.65 to 0.865. The literature quality evaluation results showed that 10 studies had high risk of bias； 10 studies had high applicability risk. A total of 31 predictive factors were extracted， including 15 items of basic patient information， 3 test indicators， and 5 items of medication information， and 8 others. CONCLUSIONS The existing medication risk prediction models for hospitalized adult inpatients are mainly Logistic regression algorithm， with predictive factors mainly focusing on basic indicators such as demographics. The overall prediction performance of the models needs to be improved， and the overall risk of bias is relatively high.

This study explores the diagnosis and treatment of needle knife therapy for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) at middle and advanced stage based on the theory of meridian tendons, from a holistic perspective and syndrome differentiation. The treatment strategy includes "harmonizing yin and yang" to address root causes and "tendons-based release" to harmonize qi and blood, with the "tendons nodule points" as the core acupoint selection criterion. Based on this approach, the study systematically elaborates on two needle knife methods for AS: "governor vessel bone-piercing technique" and "below-the-umbilicus release technique", covering indications, acupoint location, and procedures. Clinical case examples are provided to enrich needle knife therapy guided by the theory of meridian tendons, offering insights for clinical and research work on AS.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Meridians ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing/physiopathology* ; Tendons/physiopathology*

This article reported a case of a newborn with congenital absence of the penis. The prenatal examinations were unremarkable. Physical examination of the newborn revealed abnormal external genitalia, with well-developed scrotum and fully descended testicle in normal size, but without the penis. Postnatal ultrasound showed no obvious signals of uterus and ovaries in pelvis and had normal bilateral testicles and urinary system. The diagnosis was congenital absence of the penis.

Synovium is the target organ of rheumatoid arthritis.The excessive proliferation of synovial cells and insufficient apoptosis lead to synovial hyperplasia,which in turn causes damage to the surrounding tissues of the joint and bone destruction."Yang transforming qi and yin forming elements"is derived from Su Wen and is a highly summarized description of the functions of yin and yang,which runs through the entire course of the disease.This article elucidated the theoretical connotation of"yang transforming qi and yin forming elements"and its connection with synovial hyperplasia,proposing that the insufficiency of"yang transforming qi"is the root of synovial hyperplasia,while the excess of"yin forming elements"is the manifestation of synovial hyperplasia.Based on this,it put forward that"assisting yang qi as the priority,and according to the bias of pathogenic factors of yin,supplementing the method of reducing yin forming elements"is an important principle for treating this disease,which could provide new ideas for the treatment of the disease.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) after moderate to severe brain injury.Methods:Clinical data describing 580 patients of the Rehabilitation Center of Fuxing Hospital with moderate to severe brain injury were analyzed retrospectively. They were divided into a PSH group and a non-PSH group depending on whether PSH attacks occurred. Propensity score matching was performed to create a 1∶1 ratio between the two groups. The patients′ baseline characteristics were analyzed before the matching and with the matched cohorts, and the clinical outcomes of the patients in the matched cohorts were compared.Results:Seventy-five of the patients experienced PSH attacks and were included in the PSH group, while the others formed the non-PSH group. Before matching, the two groups had significant differences in age, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, chest trauma, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, tracheotomy, hydrocephalus, heart rate at admission, respiration rate, muscle tone, and limited joint activity. After the propensity score matching, 67 patients were included in the PSH and non-PSH groups. The differences in heart rate, respiration rate, muscle tone, and limited joint activity between the two groups at admission were then statistically significant. However, unlike the non-PSH group, the PSH group showed a significant decrease in its average GCS score and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at discharge, as well as a significant increase in its average Disability Rating Scale score. Compared with the non-PSH group at the same time point, the GOS score of the PSH group had decreased by 0.47 at discharge ( CI: 0.41-0.56). Then, three months after discharge the average GOS score of the PSH group had decreased by 0.55 ( CI: 0.48-0.61. By six months that was 0.75 ( CI: 0.66-0.82) and by twelve months 0.87 ( CI: 0.77-0.97). Conclusions:PSH can affect the consciousness of patients with moderate to severe brain injury and their ability in the activities of daily life. The prognosis of PSH patients is relatively poor.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of serum solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), urinary retinol-binding protein (RBP) and transferrin (TRF) for acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with sepsis.Methods:The clinical data of 204 patients with sepsis from January 2020 to December 2023 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Medical College were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 102 patients complicated with AKI (AKI group), including Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) classification Ⅰ stage 43 cases, Ⅱ stage 36 cases, Ⅲ stage 23 cases; 102 patients did not complicate with AKI (non-AKI group). Additionally, 102 healthy individuals from the same period were selected as a healthy control group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the serum expression level of SLC7A11, and fully automatic biochemical analyzers were used to detect urinary RBP and TRF levels. For patients in AKI group and non-AKI group, the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) was recorded; fully automatic analyzers were used to test hematological indicators, including creatinine, hemoglobin, platelet, albumin, uric acid, lactate, procalcitonin and C-reactive protein, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors of AKI in patients with sepsis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to analyze the values of serum SLC7A11 and urinary RBP, TRF in assessing the risk of AKI in patients with sepsis.Results:The serum SLC7A11 and urinary RBP, TRF in non-AKI group and AKI group were significantly higher than those in healthy control group: (28.66 ± 6.22) and (36.18 ± 7.29) ng/L vs. (14.32 ± 2.63) ng/L, (1.20 ± 0.25) and (1.47 ± 0.31) mg/L vs. (0.44 ± 0.08) mg/L, (1.82 ± 0.39) and (2.26 ± 0.45) mg/L vs. (1.08 ± 0.19) mg/L, furthermore the indexes in AKI group were significantly higher than those in non-AKI group, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The serum SLC7A11 and urinary RBP, TRF in patients with KDIGO Ⅱ stage and Ⅲ stage were significantly higher than those in patients with KDIGO Ⅰ stage: (37.16 ± 7.41) and (45.20 ± 8.29) ng/L vs. (30.53 ± 6.46) ng/L, (1.50 ± 0.28) and (1.72 ± 0.35) mg/L vs. (1.31 ± 0.26) mg/L, (2.26 ± 0.46) and (2.77 ± 0.59) mg/L vs. (1.99 ± 0.40) mg/L, furthermore the indexes in patients with KDIGO Ⅲ stage were significantly higher than those in patients with KDIGO Ⅱ stage, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The SOFA, creatinine and lactate in AKI group were significantly higher than those in non-AKI group: 12 (9, 15) scores vs. 7 (5, 9) scores, (133.71 ± 13.58) μmol/L vs. (108.18 ± 14.32) μmol/L and (13.61 ± 3.57) mmol/L vs. (10.95 ± 3.10) mmol/L, the albumin and eGFR were significantly lower than those in non-AKI group: (21.48 ± 2.48) g/L vs. (24.85 ± 2.83) g/L and (51.57 ± 9.64) ml/(min·1.73 m 2) vs. (59.21 ± 10.67) ml/(min·1.73 m 2), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01); there were no statistical differences in hemoglobin, platelet, uric acid, procalcitonin and C-reactive protein between two groups ( P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis result showed that the high SOFA, creatinine, lactate, SLC7A11, urinary RBP, urinary TRF, and low eGFR, albumin were independent risk factors for AKI in patients with sepsis ( OR = 4.864, 5.631, 2.315, 5.862, 6.852, 6.218, 0.328 and 0.226; 95% CI 1.701 to 13.907, 1.803 to 17.585, 1.350 to 3.969, 2.115 to 16.242, 2.177 to 21.566, 1.900 to 20.353, 0.151 to 0.713 and 0.092 to 0.555; P<0.01). The ROC curve analysis result showed that the area under the curve of the combined assessment of serum SLC7A11 and urinary RBP, TRF for AKI in patients with sepsis was significantly larger than serum SLC7A11 and urinary RBP, TRF alone (0.892 vs. 0.774, 0.765 and 0.755), and there was statistical difference ( Z = 2.97, 3.20 and 3.38; P<0.01). Conclusions:The elevated expression levels of serum SLC7A11 and urinary RBP and TRF in patients with sepsis have a high value for the combined detection and assessment of AKI.

Objective:To analyze the clinical value of delayed solidification of cement at freezing point combined with establishment of cement channels in the treatment of further leakage of cement in percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the medical records of 261 patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture in the thoracolumbar segment who underwent PKP treatment in Beijing Puren Hospital from April 2019 to April 2023. According to the method of dealing with PKP cement leakage, it was divided into freezing point group (using bone cement combined with cement channel reconstruction treatment at freezing point temperature) and temperature gradient group (using temperature gradient method). There were 128 cases in the freezing point group, including 37 males and 91 females, aged 75.57±4.60 years (range, 65-85 years), and fracture locations were 18 cases in T 10, 30 cases in T 11, 44 cases in T 12, 23 cases in L 1 and 13 cases in L 2. There were 133 cases in the temperature gradient group, including 36 males and 97 females, aged 75.66±4.51 years (range, 65-85 years), and fracture locations were 17 cases in T 10, 32 cases in T 11, 51 cases in T 12, 22 cases in L 1, and 11 cases in L 2. The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, intravertebral cement area, cement leakage area, cement leakage area increase, cement bolus time and incidence of injection difficulty, as well as the pain visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), kyphosis angle, the height of the anterior edge of the injured vertebral body and the difference between it before and after surgery were compared. Results:All patients were followed up for 3 consecutive months. The intraoperative blood loss and initial cement leakage area were 9.48±2.64 ml and 32.56±7.05 mm 2 in the freezing point group and 9.04±2.25 ml and 32.86±7.00 mm 2 in the temperature gradient group, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05) ; The operation time, the area of bone cement in the vertebral body, the final leakage area of bone cement, and the increase of bone cement leakage in the freezing point group were 55.08±4.13 min, 1 175.45±117.11 mm 2, 35.84±8.67 mm 2, and 0.00(0.00, 13.32) mm 2, respectively, and the temperature gradient group were 53.02±3.96 min, 823.70±144.79 mm 2, and 73.38±29.16 mm 2 and 44.39(20.13, 56.61) mm 2, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The height of the anterior edge of the vertebral body was 21.54±2.06 mm and 21.24±2.33 mm immediately after surgery and 3 months after surgery in the freezing point group, which were higher than those in the temperature gradient group 21.10±1.60 mm and 18.92±1.51 mm, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The VAS scores of the freezing point group were 2.29±0.62 and 1.03±0.66 points, ODI were 23.20%±3.97%, 10.43%±4.33%, and the kyphosis angles were 9.09°±2.80° and 9.44°±2.93°, respectively, which were lower than those of the temperature gradient group (4.11±0.79 and 2.79±0.65 points), ODI (35.97%±6.42%, and 23.73%±5.72%), and the kyphosis angles (10.24°±2.33° and 13.22°±2.56°), the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The operating time of bone cement in the freezing point group was 10.89±2.35 min, which was longer than that in the temperature gradient group 5.77±0.52 min, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=24.021, P<0.001). The incidence of cement injection difficulty was 0 in the freezing point group and 27.1% (36/133) in the temperature gradient group. Conclusion:The establishment of bone cement combined with bone cement channel at freezing point temperature can effectively prolong the bolus time of bone cement and reduce the re-leakage of bone cement, which is conducive to increasing the injection volume and distribution area of bone cement in the vertebral body, effectively reducing the amount of bone cement leakage and obtaining better clinical efficacy.