Objective To investigate the role of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in order to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying BPH progression. Methods Firstly, we analyzed the correlation between the expression of ATF4 and the volume of prostate transition zone in BPH tissues using publicly available datasets. Subsequently, we explored the potential association among ATF4, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and BPH through single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Finally, we validated the findings by silencing ATF4 and treating BPH cells with ATF4 protein inhibitors, followed by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), CCK-8 assay, and Western blot. Results The expression of ATF4 in BPH tissues exhibited a significant positive correlation with the volume of prostate transition zone (r=0.64, P＜0.05). scRNA-seq analysis revealed that ATF4 was significantly upregulated in the prostate epithelial cells of BPH patients (P＜0.05), and its expression demonstrated a significant positive correlation with the Hallmark EMT singscore (r=0.14, P＜0.05). In vitro experiments further indicated that knockdown of ATF4 led to a significant reduction in the proliferative activity of BPH-1 cells (P＜0.05). Similarly, inhibition of ATF4 activity resulted in a marked decrease in the proliferative capacity and EMT of BPH-1 cells (P＜0.05). Conclusion ATF4 may exert a promoting effect on BPH by modulating the EMT signaling pathway;therefore, ATF4 may serve as a novel therapeutic target of BPH.

To investigate the therapeutic effect and related mechanisms of hordenine on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) in rats, HE and AB-PAS staining were used to detect the improvement of pathological damage to the nasal mucosa induced by hordenine. ELISA was employed to detect the effect of hordenine on OVA-sIgE in serum and IL-4 in the nasal mucosa supernatant of rats. IHC and Western blot experiments were undertaken to examine the effect of hordenine on Th1/Th2 cell balance. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to predict pathways, which were verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments. The experimental results showed that hordenine could alleviate the behavioral manifestations of OVA-induced AR rats, alleviate nasal mucosal pathological damage caused by AR, and reduce the secretion of OVA-sIgE and IL-4. In addition, hordenine could regulate the Th1/Th2 balance. Bioinformatics analysis results showed that the potential pathway of action of hordenine on AR was the phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. The in vivo experimental results showed that the expression of PI3K and p-Akt proteins in the nasal mucosa of the model group rats was significantly increased (P < 0.01), and that the protein expression level was significantly decreased after the administration of hordenine, which was also confirmed by an in vitro experiment. This study suggests that hordenine may regulate Th1/Th2 cell balance through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby exerting an alleviating effect on OVA-induced AR.

OBJECTIVE To provide technical support for improving recognition rate of adverse drug events （ADEs） related to traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） formula granules and decoction pieces among inpatient patients. METHODS By referencing the global trigger tool （GTT） whitepaper， literature on adverse reactions to TCM， and expert review opinions， ADE trigger items for TCM formula granules and decoction pieces used in the inpatients were established. GTT was applied to analyze ADEs in inpatients who had used TCM formula granules and decoction pieces in our hospital from August 2013 to August 2023， utilizing the Chinese Hospital Pharmacovigilance System. The effectiveness of GTT and the characteristics of these ADEs were analyzed. RESULTS A total of forty-eight triggers were established， including thirty-two laboratory test indexes， thirteen clinical symptoms， and three antidotes. Among the 1 682 patients included， GTT identified 652 potential ADEs， 284 true positive ADEs，with a trigger rate of 38.76% and a positive predictive value of 43.56%. After review by the auditor， 278 cases of ADEs were finally confirmed， with an incidence rate of 16.53%， significantly higher than the number of spontaneously reported ADEs during the same period （0）. The 278 cases of ADEs were mostly grade 1 （223 cases）， mainly involving hepatobiliary system， gastrointestinal system， blood- lymphatic system， etc；a total of 219 types of TCMs are involved，and the top five suspected TCMs used at a frequency higher than 1% were Poria cocos， Codonopsis pilosula， Atractylodes macrocephala， fried Glycyrrhiza uralensis， and Scutellaria baicalensis. CONCLUSIONS The established GTT can improve the recognition rate of ADEs for hospitalized patients using traditional Chinese medicine formula granules and decoction pieces.

Objective To explore the ability of different regions of interest(ROI)location settings for the detection of bronchial artery and pulmonary vascular lesions in children with hemoptysis via computed tomography angiography(CTA)examination.Methods The hemoptysis group(79 cases)who underwent chest CTA examination and the control group(79 cases)with negative CTA results were retrospectively selected.The ROI of the hemoptysis group were placed in the pulmonary trunk,left ventricle,ascending aorta and descending aorta,which were defined as groups 1,2,3 and 4 respectively.Clinical data(age,sex)and CT parameters,including bronchial artery diameter,ascending aorta CT value,pulmonary artery CT value,△CTA-PA,bronchial artery image score,pulmonary artery image score,were recorded and analyzed,respectively.Results There was a statistically significant difference in the diameter of the left and right bronchial arteries between the hemoptysis group and the control group(P＜0.05).In the hemoptysis group,there were statistically significant differences in the image scores of the left and right bronchial arteries,pulmonary artery image scores,and△CTA-PA among the four subgroups(P＜0.05).According to post-hoc comparison results,there was a statistically significant difference in the overall mean scores of the right bronchial artery image score(x2=11.333,P＜0.05)and left bronchial artery image score(x2=8.111,P＜0.05)between groups 2 and 3.Conclusion When ROI is placed in the ascending aorta,bronchial artery lesions and pulmonary vascular lesions can be detected simultaneously in CTA examination,which is helpful for the diagnosis of hemoptysis vascular etiology in children.

Cushing′s syndrome refers to a group of disorders caused by excessive secretion of adrenal glucocorticoid due to various underlying etiologies. Among these, ACTH-dependent Cushing′s syndrome, in which the source of ACTH-secretion remains unclear for extended periods, poses significant challenges in clinical management. This article presents a patient with ACTH-dependent Cushing′s syndrome where the ACTH-secreting source could not be definitively localized from our hospital. Additionally, the article reviews recent advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of such cases, both domestically and internationally, with the aim of enhancing clinicians′ understanding and improving the management of this condition.

Objective:To explore the effect of staged pressure therapy, in addition to rehabilitation training, on scar hyperplasia and motor function after a deep hand burn.Methods:Sixty patients with deep hand burns were randomly divided into a control group ( n=30) and an observation group ( n=30). In addition to specialized burn treatment and early rehabilitation training, the control group was given routine pressure treatment, while the observation group was provided with staged pressure therapy for 6 months. Before the treatment and after 3 and 6 months of treatment, scar hyperplasia and hand function in both groups was evaluated using the Vancouver scar scale (VSS), grip strength and pinch strength tests, and the Jebsen hand function test (JHFT). Total active motion (TAM) and total passive motion (TPM) of the finger joints was quantified, and any complications during the treatment were recorded. Results:After 3 and 6 months of the treatment, all of the observations in both groups had improved significantly, but the improvements were significantly better among the treatment group, on average.Conclusions:Staged pressure therapy can more effectively inhibit scar hyperplasia after a deep hand burn. In conjunction with rehabilitation training, it better improves the mobility of the finger joints, hand muscle strength and the recovery of hand function. It is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Cushing′s syndrome refers to a group of disorders caused by excessive secretion of adrenal glucocorticoid due to various underlying etiologies. Among these, ACTH-dependent Cushing′s syndrome, in which the source of ACTH-secretion remains unclear for extended periods, poses significant challenges in clinical management. This article presents a patient with ACTH-dependent Cushing′s syndrome where the ACTH-secreting source could not be definitively localized from our hospital. Additionally, the article reviews recent advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of such cases, both domestically and internationally, with the aim of enhancing clinicians′ understanding and improving the management of this condition.

Objective To explore the ability of different regions of interest(ROI)location settings for the detection of bronchial artery and pulmonary vascular lesions in children with hemoptysis via computed tomography angiography(CTA)examination.Methods The hemoptysis group(79 cases)who underwent chest CTA examination and the control group(79 cases)with negative CTA results were retrospectively selected.The ROI of the hemoptysis group were placed in the pulmonary trunk,left ventricle,ascending aorta and descending aorta,which were defined as groups 1,2,3 and 4 respectively.Clinical data(age,sex)and CT parameters,including bronchial artery diameter,ascending aorta CT value,pulmonary artery CT value,△CTA-PA,bronchial artery image score,pulmonary artery image score,were recorded and analyzed,respectively.Results There was a statistically significant difference in the diameter of the left and right bronchial arteries between the hemoptysis group and the control group(P＜0.05).In the hemoptysis group,there were statistically significant differences in the image scores of the left and right bronchial arteries,pulmonary artery image scores,and△CTA-PA among the four subgroups(P＜0.05).According to post-hoc comparison results,there was a statistically significant difference in the overall mean scores of the right bronchial artery image score(x2=11.333,P＜0.05)and left bronchial artery image score(x2=8.111,P＜0.05)between groups 2 and 3.Conclusion When ROI is placed in the ascending aorta,bronchial artery lesions and pulmonary vascular lesions can be detected simultaneously in CTA examination,which is helpful for the diagnosis of hemoptysis vascular etiology in children.

Objective:To explore the effect of staged pressure therapy, in addition to rehabilitation training, on scar hyperplasia and motor function after a deep hand burn.Methods:Sixty patients with deep hand burns were randomly divided into a control group ( n=30) and an observation group ( n=30). In addition to specialized burn treatment and early rehabilitation training, the control group was given routine pressure treatment, while the observation group was provided with staged pressure therapy for 6 months. Before the treatment and after 3 and 6 months of treatment, scar hyperplasia and hand function in both groups was evaluated using the Vancouver scar scale (VSS), grip strength and pinch strength tests, and the Jebsen hand function test (JHFT). Total active motion (TAM) and total passive motion (TPM) of the finger joints was quantified, and any complications during the treatment were recorded. Results:After 3 and 6 months of the treatment, all of the observations in both groups had improved significantly, but the improvements were significantly better among the treatment group, on average.Conclusions:Staged pressure therapy can more effectively inhibit scar hyperplasia after a deep hand burn. In conjunction with rehabilitation training, it better improves the mobility of the finger joints, hand muscle strength and the recovery of hand function. It is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Objective:To investigate the impact of small extracellular vesicles(sEVs) derived from perirenal adipose cells on the biological behavior of renal tubular epithelial cells under diabetic conditions and the underlying molecular mechanisms.Methods:Primary perirenal adipose cells were extracted from db/m and db/db mice for in vitro culture. The culture supernatant was collected and sEVs(NDM-sEVs PRAT-Adipo, DM-sEVs PRAT-Adipo) were extracted by ultracentrifugation. The sEVs were incubated with human renal tubular epithelial cell line(HK-2) to observe changes in their proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) levels. The protein composition of sEVs was analyzed using mass spectrometry to explore the molecular mechanisms. Results:CCK8 results showed that the proliferation level of HK-2 cells after DM-sEVs PRAT-Adipo intervention did not change significantly compared with the two control groups(Ctrl group and NDM-sEVs PRAT-Adipo intervention group). Western Blot(WB) results indicated that there were no significant changes in apoptosis levels(Bcl-2, Cleaved-caspase 3, Caspase 3) and autophagy levels(p62, LC3BⅠ, LC3BⅡ) in the DM-sEVs PRAT-Adipo intervention group compared with the two control groups. WB and immunofluorescence results demonstrated that DM-sEVs PRAT-Adipo intervention upregulated the expression levels of mesenchymal cell marker proteins(Vimentin, α-SMA, Snail2) and downregulated the expression level of epithelial cell marker protein ZO-1 in HK-2 cells compared with the two control groups. Mass spectrometry analysis of sEVs revealed that the differential proteins between DM-sEVs PRAT-Adipo and NDM-sEVs PRAT-Adipo were enriched in EMT-related pathways. Among them, the enrichment of thrombospondin(THBS1) in DM-sEVs PRAT-Adipo might be involved in the regulation of EMT in HK-2 cells. Conclusion:Under diabetic conditions, sEVs secreted by PRAT-derived adipocytes promote the upregulation of EMT in renal tubular epithelial cells, a process that may be mediated by the enrichment of THBS1 in sEVs.