ObjectiveTo investigate the metabolic alterations of serum short chain fatty acids （SCFAs） in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis （AD） and their correlation with different clinical phenotypes using targeted metabolomics. MethodsThis study enrolled 87 AD patients and 67 healthy controls （HC）. Serum levels of eight SCFAs were quantified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The associations between SCFAs and AD were assessed using various statistical methods. ResultsCompared with the HC group， levels of acetic acid （AA）， propionic acid （PA）， and caproic acid （CA） （P=0.002，P=0.002，P=0.043） decreased in the AD group. Logistic regression analysis identified AA （OR=0.449， 95% CI： 0.289–0.698） and PA （OR = 0.487， 95% CI： 0.324–0.732） as protective factors against AD. The combination of AA and PA yielded an area under the curve （AUC） greater than 0.7， indicating good diagnostic efficacy. Age-stratified analysis revealed that AA reduction was predominant in childhood， whereas PA reduction was predominant in adolescence. Pathway enrichment analysis showed significant enrichment of fatty acid biosynthesis （FDR=0.341， P=0.003） and vitamin K metabolism （FDR=1， P=0.039） pathways. Furthermore， subgroup analyses based on disease severity， personal/family history of atopy， and sex revealed no significant differences in SCFAs levels among the groups. ConclusionDifferential serum SCFAs and their enriched metabolic pathways may be implicated in the pathogenesis of AD.

AIM: To analyze the pathological features, immunophenotype, and imaging findings of conjunctival lymphangiectasia(CL), and to explore the etiological mechanisms and provide a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. METHODS:This single-center descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled postoperative specimens from patients with CL who underwent surgical treatment in the hospital between Feb. 2023 and Sept. 2025. Routine hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining and immunohistochemical staining(D2-40, CD31, CD34, CK)were performed. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography(AS-OCT)was used to observe the lesion morphology. The pathological results were comprehensively analyzed combined with clinical data. RESULTS: A total of postoperative specimens from 32 eyes of 32 patients with CL were enrolled, including 23 females(72%)and 9 males(28%), with a mean age of 53.03±12.47 y. All patients presented with single or multiple transparent cystic elevations beneath the bulbar conjunctiva. The postoperative pathological manifestations were characterized by dilation of conjunctival lymphatic vessels lined with a single layer of flattened endothelial cells, accompanied by edema and inflammatory infiltration in the surrounding stroma. All cases were positive for D2-40, confirming a lymphatic origin; some cases also expressed CD31 and CD34. AS-OCT revealed the lesions as unilocular or multilocular cystic spaces with low reflectivity. After complete surgical resection, the mean follow-up period was 16.2 mo with no recurrence.CONCLUSION:CL is a benign ocular surface lesion characterized by lymphatic vessel dilation. The endothelium co-expresses lymphatic and some vascular markers, suggesting that CL may belong to the spectrum of vascular malformations. AS-OCT has adjunctive diagnostic value, and surgical resection has definitive therapeutic efficacy.

Objective : To explore whether chrysophanol(CHR) affects macrophage polarization by promoting mitochondrial biosynthesis through AMPK/PGC-1α pathway. Methods : The molecular docking and binding ability of CHR with AMPK and PGC-1α were predicted by Autodock vina software. Human monocytes(THP-1) were induced to M0 macrophages by phorbol myristate acetate(PMA), and to M1 macrophages by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) combined with interferon-γ(IFN-γ), which were set as Control group. M1 macrophages treated with CHR were set as CHR group. M1 macrophages treated with CHR combined with AMPK inhibitor(Compound C) were set as CHR+Compound C group. The mRNA expression levels of M1 macrophage markers(iNOS, CD86) and mitochondrial biosynthesis related genes(PGC-1α, NFR-1, TFAM) were detected by Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR). The expression level of M1 macrophage marker iNOS was detected by immunofluorescence. The protein expression levels of AMPK, p-AMPK and PGC-1α were detected by Western blot. Results : The docking results showed that the binding energies of CHR with AMPK and PGC-1α were-8.4 kcal/mol and-7.4 kcal/mol, respectively. qRT-PCR results showed that the in vitro model of M1 macrophages was successfully established. Compared with the Control group, CHR treatment significantly increased the mRNA expression of mitochondrial biosynthesis-related genes PGC-1α, NFR-1, and TFAM(P<0.001). Compared with CHR treatment group, CHR combined with Compound C treatment significantly decreased the mRNA expression levels of mitochondrial biosynthesis-related genes PGC-1α, NFR-1, and TFAM(P<0.05). Immunofluorescence results showed that CHR treatment inhibited the protein expression of iNOS compared with the Control group(P<0.001). Compared with CHR treatment group,CHR combined with Compound C treatment reversed the inhibitory effect of CHR on i NOS protein expression(P<0.05). Western blot results showed that compared with the Control group,the CHR treatment group had significant increase in the protein expression levels of p-AMPK and PGC-1α(P<0.001).Compared with CHR treatment group,CHR combined with Compound C treatment significantly decreased the protein expression levels of p-AMPK and PGC-1α(P<0.05). Conclusion Chrysophanol may inhibit macrophage polarization to M1 by activating AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway to promote mitochondrial biosynthesis.

ObjectiveTo analyze the diversity and structural characteristics of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased Andrographis paniculata and to explore the interactions of soil， plants， and microorganisms during the occurrence of diseases. MethodsThe physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A.paniculata were determined， and the composition and diversity of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil were analyzed by Illumina high-throughput sequencing. Furthermore， the correlations between physicochemical properties and microorganisms of the rhizosphere soil were explored. ResultsThe content of total nitrogen， total potassium， and available potassium in the rhizosphere soil of diseased A. paniculata was significantly higher than that of healthy A. paniculata. The alpha diversity and richness （operational taxonomic units） of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants decreased compared with those of healthy plants. The microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A. paniculata showed similar composition but different relative abundance. At the phylum level， the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Chytridiomycota significantly increased， while that of Bacteroidota significantly decreased in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. At the genus level， the relative abundance of Sphingomonas， Pseudomonas， and Bryobacter significantly increased， while that of RB41 showed a significant decrease in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. The correlation analysis showed different correlations of microbial phyla with physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil between healthy and diseased plants. Organic matter， alkaline nitrogen， available phosphorus， and total potassium were correlated with the relative abundance of some dominant bacterial and fungal phyla in the rhizosphere soil of healthy plants， while available nitrogen and total phosphorus were correlated with the relative abundance of some dominant bacterial and fungal phyla in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. ConclusionThere are differences in the diversity and richness of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A. paniculata. The physicochemical properties of soil may have an impact on the rhizosphere microorganisms of A. paniculata， leading to the development of diseases. The results provide a scientific basis for the prevention and ecological management of A. paniculata diseases.

ObjectiveTo analyze the diversity and structural characteristics of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased Andrographis paniculata and to explore the interactions of soil， plants， and microorganisms during the occurrence of diseases. MethodsThe physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A.paniculata were determined， and the composition and diversity of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil were analyzed by Illumina high-throughput sequencing. Furthermore， the correlations between physicochemical properties and microorganisms of the rhizosphere soil were explored. ResultsThe content of total nitrogen， total potassium， and available potassium in the rhizosphere soil of diseased A. paniculata was significantly higher than that of healthy A. paniculata. The alpha diversity and richness （operational taxonomic units） of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants decreased compared with those of healthy plants. The microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A. paniculata showed similar composition but different relative abundance. At the phylum level， the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Chytridiomycota significantly increased， while that of Bacteroidota significantly decreased in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. At the genus level， the relative abundance of Sphingomonas， Pseudomonas， and Bryobacter significantly increased， while that of RB41 showed a significant decrease in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. The correlation analysis showed different correlations of microbial phyla with physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil between healthy and diseased plants. Organic matter， alkaline nitrogen， available phosphorus， and total potassium were correlated with the relative abundance of some dominant bacterial and fungal phyla in the rhizosphere soil of healthy plants， while available nitrogen and total phosphorus were correlated with the relative abundance of some dominant bacterial and fungal phyla in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. ConclusionThere are differences in the diversity and richness of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A. paniculata. The physicochemical properties of soil may have an impact on the rhizosphere microorganisms of A. paniculata， leading to the development of diseases. The results provide a scientific basis for the prevention and ecological management of A. paniculata diseases.

Objectives:To investigate the physical growth status of pediatric patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) and analyze the effects of treatment-related and socioeconomic factors on physical growth.Methods:Based on the specialized thalassemia database from gene therapy clinical research at the Institute of Hematology & Hospital of Blood Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, we collected data on height and weight development, family economic status, and medical records of 338 pediatric patients with TDT from October 2023 to May 2024. The length/height-for-age and body mass index (BMI) -for-age were classified based on the Growth Standard for Children under 7 Years of Age, Standard for Height Level Classification among Children and Adolescents Aged 7-18 Years, and Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the effects of family economic status and disease-related treatment on length/height-for-age and BMI-for-age.Results:Among the 338 patients, 118 were children and 220 were adolescents (192 males and 146 females), with a median age of 12 years (range: 0.8-18) and a median diagnosis duration of 10.3 years (range: 0.5-17.9). Subtypes included α-thalassemia [21 cases (6.2%) ], β-thalassemia [288 cases (85.2%) ], and combined αβ-thalassemia[29 cases (8.6%) ]. The monthly household income of patients was concentrated in 3 000-5 000 yuan (39.9%) and 5 001-10 000 yuan (34.9%), whereas 67.2% of the families had monthly medical expenses of <3 000 yuan. Of the patients, 75.5% received their first transfusion before 1 year of age. The proportions of children and adolescents with pretransfusion hemoglobin (HGB) of ≤70 g/L were 4.2% and 6.4%, respectively. Adolescents demonstrated significantly higher rates of transfusion frequency of <4 weeks/session, monthly red blood cell infusion of >2 U, serum ferritin (SF) of ≥5 000 μg/L, iron chelation therapy, and splenectomy compared with children (all P<0.05). Of the 338 patients, 26.0%, 22.8%, and 8.9% demonstrated stunted growth, underweight, and concurrent stunted growth with underweight, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the stunted growth rates between children (22.9%) and adolescents (27.7%) ( P=0.402). However, the underweight rate in adolescents (26.8%) was significantly higher than that in children (15.3%) ( P=0.023). The multivariate analysis determined the following risk factors for stunted growth: monthly household income of <10 000 yuan (5 001-10 000 yuan: OR=5.49, 95% CI: 1.48-35.76; 3 000-5 000 yuan: OR=6.87, 95% CI: 1.88-44.60; <3 000 yuan: OR=9.29, 95% CI: 2.20-64.77), pretransfusion HGB of ≤70 g/L ( OR=3.25, 95% CI: 1.07-10.18), and SF of ≥5 000 μg/L ( OR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.20-7.70). Longer diagnostic duration was associated with underweight ( OR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.01-1.20) . Conclusions:Children and adolescents with TDT with pretransfusion SF of ≥5 000 μg/L, HGB of ≤70 g/L, low monthly household income, or longer diagnosis duration were significantly more likely to experience delayed physical growth.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and complications of external cephalic version(ECV)for term breech presentation and to explore factors influencing the occurrence of ECV-related complications.Methods:Pregnant women with term breech presentation who underwent ECV(ECV group,n=751)and those who under-went direct cesarean section(CS)without ECV(CS group,n=706)at Guangzhou Women and Children's Medi-cal Center of Guangzhou Medical University,from January 1,2018,to July 31,2024,were enrolled.Differences in maternal clinical characteristics and neonatal outcomes were compared between the two groups.The ECV group was further divided into a successful ECV subgroup(n=537)and a failed ECV subgroup(n=214)to compare complication rates.Based on the presence or absence of complications,the ECV group was divided into a compli-cation subgroup(n=86)and a no-complication subgroup(n=665).Univariate analysis was performed on the clinical data of these subgroups.Statistically significant factors identified in the univariate analysis were subse-quently included in a multivariate Logistic regression analysis to identify high-risk factors for ECV complications.Results:①Among the 751 women undergoing ECV,the success rate was 71.50％(537/751).The vaginal deliv-ery rate following successful ECV was 57.26％(430/751).The overall complication rate was 11.45％(86/751),with a perinatal mortality rate of 0.13％(1/751).②There were no significant differences with regard to severe neonatal asphyxia and neonatal intensive care admission rate between ECV group and CS group(P＞0.05).③The total complication rate,incidence of cesarean delivery(CS)within 24 h,and incidence of uterine contrac-tions were significantly higher in the failed ECV group compared to the successful ECV group(P＜0.05).Howev-er,there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of severe complications(fetal demise,placental abruption,emergency CS)between the two groups(P＞0.05).④Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses revealed that three factors were associated with a reduced risk of ECV complications(P＜0.05):a high-er amniotic fluid index(AFI),non-engagement of the presenting part,and a palpable fetal head.Conversely,the use of anesthesia and the use of nifedipine as the tocolytic were associated with an increased risk of ECV compli-cations(P＜0.05).Conclusions:ECV does not increase the adverse outcomes of full-term neonates with breech presentation.But failed ECV can increase complications.Higher amniotic fluid index,not engaged of fetal presen-tation,touchable of fetal head and appropriate tocolytic agent application can reduce the complications while anes-thesia during ECV procedure can increase the complications of ECV.

AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effect of Qingre sanzhuo decoction on rats with hyperuri-caemia combined with gouty arthritis and its effect on TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB signalling pathway.METHODS:Forty-eight SD male rats were randomly divided into blank,model,and colchicine groups(0.3 mg·kg-1·d-1),and Origre sanzhou decotion low,medium and high-dosage groups(7.42,14.85,29.70 g·kg-1·d-1),which were treated with the modified Coderre method for hyperuricemia combined with acute gouty arthritis via gavage of yeast paste combined with potassium oxa-late,which was used for the treatment of acute gouty arthritis combined with hyperuricemia.A composite rat model of acute gouty arthritis was constructed by combining yeast paste with potassium oxalate gavage to cause hyperuricaemia,combined with the modified Coderre method.After 7 days of intervention,the circumference of the right ankle joint of rats was measured and the swelling of the ankle joint was calculated,the blood uric acid(HUA)level of rats was determined by biochemical method,the histopatho-logical and morphological changes of the synovial membrane of the ankle joint of rats were examined by HE staining,and the serum levels of inflammatory factors,tumour necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),inter-leukin-6(IL-6),and IL-1β were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and Western blotting was performed to determine the levels of inflammatory factors,TNF-α,and IL-1β.The protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(Myd88),and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)in the synovial tissues of the ankle joints of the rats were determined by Western blot method,and the mRNA expression of TLR4,Myd88,and NF-κB in the rat was determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR).RESULTS:Compared with the blank group,rats in the model group showed significantly lower ankle joint swelling(P<0.01),increased levels of HUA,dis-organised synovial tissue structure,large number of inflammatory cells infiltration,and significantly higher serum levels of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β(P<0.01),and the protein and mRNA expression levels of TLR4,Myd88,and NF-κB in the synovial membrane of the ankle joints of the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01).levels were significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with the model group,joint swelling was significantly reduced in the colchicine group,and the medium-and high-dose groups of Qingre sanzhuo decoction(P<0.05);synovial hyperplasia and inflam-matory cell infiltration were improved in the colchicine group and the medium-and high-dose groups of Qingre sanzhuo decoction,and the HUA and the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β were significantly decreased in the dosing groups(P<0.05,P<0.01),and compared with the model group,the medium-and high-dose groups of Qingre sanzhuo decoction could significantly reduce the expression of TLR4,Myd88,and NF-κB protein and mRNA(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Qingre sanzhuo decoction reduces the release of inflamma-tory factors by inhibiting the TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB pathway,and plays a role in the treatment of hyper-uricaemia combined with gouty arthritis.

Objective:To examine the validity and reliability of the DSM-5 Social Anxiety Disorder Severity Scale(SAD-D)in a Chinese adult population.Methods:The Chinese version of the DSM-5 Social Anxiety Disor-der Severity Scale was administered via online data collection platform Credamo to 300 adults(Sample 1,for item analysis,exploratory factor analysis and item selection of brief version of SAD-D)and 528 adults(Sample 2,for confirmatory factor analysis,criterion validity test,measurement invariance analysis and internal consistency reliabil-ity analysis for both SAD-D and its brief version).Criterion validity was tested with the Social Phobia Scale(SPIN)and Personal Report of Confidence as a Speaker(PRCS).A brief version of the scale was developed by u-sing the Ant Colony Optimization(ACO).A retest was conducted with 152 participants from Sample 2 after three weeks.Results:Exploratory factor analysis indicated that the SAD-D was a unidimensional scale with factor load-ings ranging from 0.49 to 0.82,and the results of the confirmatory factor analysis also supported the unidimension-al structure(x2/df=3.49,RMSEA=0.069,CFI=0.971,TLI=0.962,SRMR=0.028).The scores of Chinese version of the SAD-D were positively correlated with the SPIN scores(ICC=0.70,P＜0.001)and PRCS scores(ICC=0.73,P＜0.001).The Cronbach'α of the scale was 0.92,and the retest reliability was 0.85.The scale dem-onstrated cross-gender measurement invariance(△CFI＜0.01,△RMSEA＜0.01).The brief version of the SAD-D was selected as items 2,5,and 6,and its Cronbach'α coefficient was 0.86.Conclusion:The Chinese version of the SAD-D has satisfactoryvalidity andreliability,making it suitable for the assessment of social anxiety symptoms with Chinese adults.

Objectives:To analyze the clinical application effect of the preloaded snare technique in patients with risk of atrial septal occluder migration during percutaneous atrial septal defect(ASD)occlusion.Methods:The clinical data of 24 patients with secundum ASD who underwent preloaded snare-assisted transcatheter closure in Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital between December 2022 and August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.The preprocedural echocardiography revealed that all patients presented with large secundum ASD or insufficient margins,indicating potential risk of device migration during percutaneous ASD occlusion.Consequently,preloaded snare technique was applied for ASD closure.Postprocedural evaluations were conducted to assess device stability(migration or shedding),residual shunt,pericardial effusion,and new-onset arrhythmia during the procedure,immediately after intervention,and at 1-month follow-up.Results:Among 24 patients,there were 4 males,with an average age of(37.88±13.18)years and an average weight of(59.70±10.78)kg.Twenty-two cases underwent successful interventional closure.Two cases occurred atrial septal occluder migration during the procedure,both were successfully retrieved using the preloaded snare and subsequently scheduled for surgical repair.Postprocedural electrocardiograms and echocardiograms(obtained immediately and at 1-month follow-up)demonstrated no device migration,residual shunt,occluder dislodgement,pericardial effusion,or new-onset arrhythmias.Conclusions:The preloaded snare technique can reduce the risk of atrial septal occluder migration and shedding,simplify the process of retrieving the occluder,enhance the safety of the intervention,and avoid emergency surgical intervention in high-risk populations.