ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodoutang （MLC） improves obesity-type polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway. MethodsThirty-six female Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a blank control group （Con） and an obesity-type PCOS model preparation group. The model was induced by gavage with letrozole （1 mg·kg^-1） combined with a high-fat diet （HFD）. After model establishment， the obesity-type PCOS model preparation group was further divided into the model group （Mod， normal saline）， metformin group （Met， 0.3 g·kg^-1）， low-dose MLC group （MLC-L， 4.3 g·kg^-1）， medium-dose MLC group （MLC-M， 8.6 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose MLC group （MLC-H， 17.2 g·kg^-1）. Active components of MLC and targets of obesity-type PCOS were screened from databases， a protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed， and gene ontology（GO）and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis was performed. The gut microbiota structure was analyzed based on 16S rRNA sequencing and correlated with network pharmacology pathways. Body weight and estrous cycle were dynamically monitored. Ovarian morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect levels of follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， anti-Müllerian hormone （AMH）， testosterone （T）， and estradiol （E₂）. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of phosphorylated PI3K/PI3K （p-PI3K/PI3K）， phosphorylated Akt/Akt （p-Akt/Akt）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）. ResultsNetwork pharmacology screening identified 124 active components of MLC and 408 overlapping targets between the herbal formula and the disease. Core targets such as Akt1 and Bcl-2 were revealed. As indicated by 16S rRNA sequencing， the abundances of Lachnospiraceae， Lachnoclostridium， and Dorea were increased in the MLC groups （P<0.05）， while the abundance of Veillonella was decreased （P<0.05）. KEGG correlation analysis integrating network pharmacology and gut microbiota data showed significant enrichment of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Animal experiments showed that， compared with the Mod group， body weight decreased to normal levels in the Met， MLC-M， and MLC-H groups. The estrous cycle became regular. The number of corpora lutea increased and cystic follicles decreased. Serum levels of T， FSH， and LH/FSH were reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the E₂ level was increased （P<0.01）. Ovarian cell apoptosis was reduced （P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and Bcl-2 in ovarian tissue were significantly increased， whereas Bax protein expression was significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionMLC can regulate gut microbiota structure， effectively improve ovarian pathology in rats with obesity-type PCOS， and inhibit ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis. The mechanism may be associated with upregulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodoutang （MLC） improves obesity-type polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway. MethodsThirty-six female Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a blank control group （Con） and an obesity-type PCOS model preparation group. The model was induced by gavage with letrozole （1 mg·kg^-1） combined with a high-fat diet （HFD）. After model establishment， the obesity-type PCOS model preparation group was further divided into the model group （Mod， normal saline）， metformin group （Met， 0.3 g·kg^-1）， low-dose MLC group （MLC-L， 4.3 g·kg^-1）， medium-dose MLC group （MLC-M， 8.6 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose MLC group （MLC-H， 17.2 g·kg^-1）. Active components of MLC and targets of obesity-type PCOS were screened from databases， a protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed， and gene ontology（GO）and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis was performed. The gut microbiota structure was analyzed based on 16S rRNA sequencing and correlated with network pharmacology pathways. Body weight and estrous cycle were dynamically monitored. Ovarian morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect levels of follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， anti-Müllerian hormone （AMH）， testosterone （T）， and estradiol （E₂）. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of phosphorylated PI3K/PI3K （p-PI3K/PI3K）， phosphorylated Akt/Akt （p-Akt/Akt）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）. ResultsNetwork pharmacology screening identified 124 active components of MLC and 408 overlapping targets between the herbal formula and the disease. Core targets such as Akt1 and Bcl-2 were revealed. As indicated by 16S rRNA sequencing， the abundances of Lachnospiraceae， Lachnoclostridium， and Dorea were increased in the MLC groups （P<0.05）， while the abundance of Veillonella was decreased （P<0.05）. KEGG correlation analysis integrating network pharmacology and gut microbiota data showed significant enrichment of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Animal experiments showed that， compared with the Mod group， body weight decreased to normal levels in the Met， MLC-M， and MLC-H groups. The estrous cycle became regular. The number of corpora lutea increased and cystic follicles decreased. Serum levels of T， FSH， and LH/FSH were reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the E₂ level was increased （P<0.01）. Ovarian cell apoptosis was reduced （P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and Bcl-2 in ovarian tissue were significantly increased， whereas Bax protein expression was significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionMLC can regulate gut microbiota structure， effectively improve ovarian pathology in rats with obesity-type PCOS， and inhibit ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis. The mechanism may be associated with upregulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects of Demodex infection on clinical symptoms,signs,and tear MMP-9 levels in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD).Methods A total of 680 patients with MGD were selected from our hospital,including 162 males and 518 females,with an average age of(45.05±15.41)years old.The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of Demodex mite infestation:the Demodex positive group(340 cases)and the Demodex negative group(340 cases).All patients underwent evaluations using the OSDI questionnaire,SPEED questionnaire,eyelid margin alteration score,corneal fluorescein staining score,tear MMP-9 measurement,meibomian gland orifice score,meibomian gland excretion ability score,meibomian gland secretion score,meibomian gland loss score,tear film breakup time(BUT),and Schirmer I tear secretion test.The differences in these indicators between the two groups were compared.Results SPEED questionnaire score:Demodex positive group:(7.68±2.80),Demodex negative group:(6.28±1.99).There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups(t=2.582,P=0.012).Eyelid margin alteration score:Demodex positive group:(3.63±1.53),Demodex negative group:(2.85±0.77).A statistically significant difference was observed(t=2.861,P=0.006).Corneal fluorescein staining score:Demodex positive group:(2.25±1.86),Demodex negative group:(1.08±1.33).There was a statistically significant difference(t=3.247,P=0.002).Tear MMP-9 content:Demodex positive group:(30.76±43.14)ng/mL,Demodex negative group:(12.36±12.10)ng/mL.A statistically significant difference was found(t=2.598,P=0.013).No statistically significant differences were observed between the Demodex positive and negative groups in meibomian gland orifice score,meibomian gland excretion ability score,meibomian gland secretion score,meibomian gland loss score,BUT,tear secretion examination,and age comparison(P>0.05).Conclusions Demodex mite infestation in patients with MGD exhibits significant differ-ences across various clinical indicators,notably in SPEED questionnaire scores,eyelid margin alterations,corneal fluorescein staining,and tear MMP-9 levels.These changes are associated with mechanisms including inflammatory responses,cellular damage,and immune dysregulation.Demodex mite infestation may significantly influence the clinical progression of MGD by exacerbating inflammation and symptom severity,potentially playing a crucial role in disease development.

With the continuous development of medical technology,the clinical demand for medical consumables is steadily increasing.The management of medical consumables directly impacts both patient safety and institutional operational effi-ciency.By conducting in-depth analysis of the current status and existing problems in medical consumables warehouse manage-ment,this research proposes measures to improve the management system.These measures include optimizing the layout of ware-houses,improving the informatization of warehouse management,strengthening the inventory management of medical consuma-bles,enhancing the management of secondary warehouses,and offering professional skills training for warehouse staff.Manage-ment methods such as PDCA(Plan-Do-Check-Act)are used to continuously optimize warehouse management,enhance the man-agement efficiency of medical consumables management,and ultimately achieve refined management of medical consumables warehouses.

With the increasing global recognition of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture, as a non-pharmacological treatment, has demonstrated promising potential in alleviating symptoms, improving quality of life, and modulating immune and neurological system functions in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). This review summarizes the theoretical foundations and recent research progress on acupuncture for CD, and introduces a personalized "Three Discriminations" diagnostic and therapeutic strategy based on syndrome differentiation, meridian differentiation, and acupoint selection. It also identifies the target patient populations and clinical application value of acupuncture in CD treatment. Despite preliminary progress, acupuncture treatment for CD still faces multiple challenges, including limited high-quality clinical research evidence, uneven resource distribution, non-standardized efficacy evaluation systems, insufficiently standardized treatment strategies, and an incomplete understanding of its underlying mechanisms. Future efforts should focus on establishing high-quality evidence systems, optimizing integrative treatment strategies combining acupuncture with conventional medicine, and conducting deep exploration of multi-dimensional mechanisms, with the goal of promoting the standardized integration of acupuncture into the management of CD and providing patients with safer, more precise, and sustainable therapeutic options.

Objective To investigate the effects of super early enteral nutrition support on postoperative serum miR-124 levels,inflammatory markers,immune function,nutritional status,and short-term and long-term rehabilitation outcomes in patients with severe traumatic brain injury(STBI).Methods A total of123 STBI patients admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected.According to the start time of enteral nutrition,patients were divided into super early enteral nutrition group,late enteral nutrition group and parenteral nutrition group.We collect clinical data from each group and detected serum miR-124 and inflammatory factors,immune indicator,nutritional indicators levels before and after treatment,as well as postoperative complications and prognosis.Results Compared with the parenteral group and the late intestinal group,the levels of miR-124,inflammatory factors and the proportion of CD8+T cells in the super early intestinal group were significantly reduced,while the proportion of CD4+/CD8+cells was significantly increased,with statistical differences(all P＜0.05).Compared with the parenteral group,the levels of albumin,prealbumin,and transferrin in intestinal groups were significantly increased with statistical differences(both P＜0.05).Compared with the late intestinal group,the levels of albumin and prealbumin in the super early intestinal group were significantly increased,with statistical differences(both P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference in transferrin levels between two groups(P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of various complications during hospitalization among all groups(all P＞0.05).The total incidence of complications in the super early intestinal group was significantly lower than that in the parenteral group and late intestinal group with statistical differences(both P＜0.05).During the follow-up period,there was no significant difference in prognosis,disability,and mortality among three groups(all P＞0.05).Compared with the parenteral group,the GOS scores of the intestinal groups were significantly reduced with statistical differences(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in GOS scores between two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Super early enteral nutrition support is effective in treating patients with STBI,which can effectively improve the patient's nutritional status,enhance immune function,suppress inflammatory reactions,help repair nerve injuries,and enhance rehabilitation effects.

Objective To investigate the effects of super early enteral nutrition support on postoperative serum miR-124 levels,inflammatory markers,immune function,nutritional status,and short-term and long-term rehabilitation outcomes in patients with severe traumatic brain injury(STBI).Methods A total of123 STBI patients admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected.According to the start time of enteral nutrition,patients were divided into super early enteral nutrition group,late enteral nutrition group and parenteral nutrition group.We collect clinical data from each group and detected serum miR-124 and inflammatory factors,immune indicator,nutritional indicators levels before and after treatment,as well as postoperative complications and prognosis.Results Compared with the parenteral group and the late intestinal group,the levels of miR-124,inflammatory factors and the proportion of CD8+T cells in the super early intestinal group were significantly reduced,while the proportion of CD4+/CD8+cells was significantly increased,with statistical differences(all P＜0.05).Compared with the parenteral group,the levels of albumin,prealbumin,and transferrin in intestinal groups were significantly increased with statistical differences(both P＜0.05).Compared with the late intestinal group,the levels of albumin and prealbumin in the super early intestinal group were significantly increased,with statistical differences(both P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference in transferrin levels between two groups(P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of various complications during hospitalization among all groups(all P＞0.05).The total incidence of complications in the super early intestinal group was significantly lower than that in the parenteral group and late intestinal group with statistical differences(both P＜0.05).During the follow-up period,there was no significant difference in prognosis,disability,and mortality among three groups(all P＞0.05).Compared with the parenteral group,the GOS scores of the intestinal groups were significantly reduced with statistical differences(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in GOS scores between two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Super early enteral nutrition support is effective in treating patients with STBI,which can effectively improve the patient's nutritional status,enhance immune function,suppress inflammatory reactions,help repair nerve injuries,and enhance rehabilitation effects.

Objective:To investigate the impact of immunosuppressive therapy on the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection and cytokine levels in pediatric patients with kidney diseases.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 40 hospitalized pediatric patients who were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection at the 900th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistic Support Force from December 2022 to February 2023. Based on their immunosuppressive status prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection, these patients were categorized into immunosuppressive group and non-immunosuppressive group. Independent sample t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and χ2 test were employed to compare the clinical baseline characteristics and laboratory data, the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the levels of cytokines between the 2 groups. Results:Among the 40 patients, 11 were in the immunosuppressive group (aged 13 (8, 14) years, 9 males and 2 females) and 29 in the non-immunosuppressive group (aged 2 (1, 4) years, 15 males and 14 females). In the immunosuppressive group, 2 were asymptomatic cases, 8 were mild cases, and 1 was moderate case, and there was no severe or critical cases. In the non-immunosuppressive group, 8 were mild cases, 5 were moderate, 15 were severe cases, 1 was critical case, and no asymptomatic cases. The underlying diseases in the immunosuppressive group included nephrotic syndrome (6 cases), IgA vasculitis nephritis (2 cases), lupus nephritis (1 case), post-renal transplantation (1 case), and renal failure (1 case), with a mean total immunosuppression score (TIS) of (3.6±1.4) points. In the non-immunosuppressive group, 2 patients had a history of epilepsy, and the remaining 27 cases had no underlying conditions, all with TIS scores of 0. Compared to the children in the non-immunosuppressive group, those in the immunosuppressive group were more likely to exhibit asymptomatic or mild infection, with lower risks of severe disease, cytokine storm, fever, and cough, but a higher risk of fatigue ( OR=1.22, 2.66, 0.48, 0.12, 0.12, 0.13, 1.22; 95% CI 0.93-1.62, 0.99-7.15, 0.33-0.70, 0.03-0.57, 0.03-0.57, 0.03-0.65, 0.93-1.62; all P<0.05). The levels of cytokine IL-6, interferon-α and interferon-γ in the immunosuppressive group were all lower than those in the non-immunosuppressive group ( Z=2.23, 2.51, 2.92, respectively; all P<0.05). Conclusion:Pediatric patients with kidney diseases receiving appropriate immunosuppressive therapy may mitigate the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection by suppressing the expression of cytokines.

Objective:To explore the risk factors for bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) after Mycoplasma pneumoniae bronchiolitis in children. Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 122 children diagnosed with Mycoplasma pneumoniae bronchiolitis in Department No.2 of Respiratory Medicine of Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, from March 2017 to December 2024. Clinical data, including general information, clinical manifestations, imaging findings, laboratory tests, and outcomes, were analyzed. Patients were divided into BO and non-BO groups based on the presence of BO. Differences between groups were assessed using Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test, or Fisher exact test. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were employed to identify risk factors and evaluate predictive performance. Results:Among 122 children (73 males, 49 females), the age at onset was 5.0 (2.4, 7.1) years. The BO group included 21 patients, and the non-BO group 101. The BO group exhibited significantly longer durations of persistent high fever and higher peak levels of C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and D-dimer compared to the non-BO group (9 (7, 11) vs. 4 (2, 6) d, 19 (7, 35) vs. 10 (7, 18) mg/L, 438 (337, 498) vs. 315 (274, 351) U/L, 0.36 (0.27, 0.91) vs. 0.21 (0.15, 0.29) mg/L, U=295.00, 743.50, 463.50, 470.50, all P<0.05). The BO group also had higher proportions of resting oxygen saturation <0.95 on room air (100.0% (21/21) vs. 43.6% (44/101)), inspiratory retractions (57.1% (12/21) vs. 18.8% (19/101), χ2=11.53), and adenovirus co-infection (38.1% (8/21) vs. 5.0% (5/101)) (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression identified prolonged high fever ( OR=1.83, 95% CI 1.31-2.58, P<0.001), inspiratory retractions ( OR=10.48, 95% CI 1.72-63.85, P=0.011), and adenovirus co-infection ( OR=42.47, 95% CI 4.04-446.87, P=0.002) as independent risk factors for BO. ROC curve analysis revealed that a fever duration cutoff of 7.5 days predicted BO with 0.71 sensitivity and 0.92 specificity. Conclusions:Prolonged high fever (≥7.5 days), inspiratory retractions, and adenovirus co-infection are significant predictors of BO after Mycoplasma pneumoniae bronchiolitis in children, which are helpful for early clinical identification.

Objective:To explore the value of amide proton transfer weighted imaging (APTWI) combined with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression in predicting pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer.Methods:The study was a cross-sectional study. Clinicopathological [estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2, Ki-67 status, and molecular subtypes] and imaging data were retrospectively analyzed in 100 female patients who had invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast confirmed pathologically by preoperative puncture in the Henan Cancer Hospital from May 2023 to May 2024. All patients underwent MRI, including enhanced MRI, APTWI, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) before NAC. The reference enhanced MRI images were segmented into lesions using the threshold extraction method, and the three-dimensional region of interest within the tumor was automatically outlined by the software and replicated in the amide proton transfer map generated by APTWI and the apparent diffuse coefficient (ADC) map generated by DWI. The magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym) value and the ADC value were measured, respectively. Tumor response to NAC was assessed using the Miller-Payne grading system, where Grade 5 indicated pCR and Grades 1-4 were classified as non-pCR. Independent sample t-tests and χ2 tests were used to compare clinical pathological and imaging parameters between pCR and non-pCR patients. Statistically significant variables were included in multivariate logistic regression to identify independent predictors of pCR. The diagnostic performance of individual and combined indicators for pCR was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves and the area under the curve (AUC). DeLong′s test was used to compare AUCs. Results:There were 39 pCR and 61 non-pCR patients. Significant differences were observed between the pCR and non-pCR patients in molecular subtypes, ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 statuses ( P<0.05). Pre-treatment MTRasym values were significantly higher in the pCR patients compared to the non-pCR patients ( P=0.005), whereas ADC values showed no statistical difference ( P=0.372). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed HER2 positivity ( OR=5.87, 95% CI 1.99-17.30, P=0.001) and MTRasym values>2.61% (OR=4.39, 95% CI 1.37-14.08, P=0.013) was independent predictors of pCR after NAC. HER2 positivity combined with MTRasym value>2.61% predicted pCR after NAC in breast cancer with AUC of 0.819, which was superior to HER2 positivity and MTRasym value alone in predicting efficacy ( Z=3.91, P<0.001; Z=2.63, P=0.009). Conclusions:The MTRasym value of pre-treatment APTWI is valuable in predicting pCR after NAC in breast cancer. APTWI combined with HER2 expression status can further enhance the predictive efficacy.