ObjectiveThrough qualitatively and quantitatively analysis of the differences in chemical composition between the combined decoction and single decoction of Huaganjian and comparison of their core efficacy， to explore the rationality of the flexible clinical application of Huaganjian compound preparations and single-flavored dispensing granules. MethodsUltra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS） was used to qualitatively analyze the combined decoction and single decoction samples of Huaganjian， and meanwhile， the contents of four index components（geniposide， paeoniflorin， hesperidin and paeonol） were quantitatively analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography（HPLC）. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease（NAFLD） rat model induced by high-fat diet was applied to compare the efficacy of combined decoction and single decoction of Huaganjian. A total of 30 male SD rats were randomly divided into the control group， model group， lovastatin group（1.8 mg·kg^-1）， combined decoction group（1.26 g·kg^-1） and single decoction group（1.18 g·kg^-1）. After successful modeling， lovastatin group， combined decoction group and single decoction group were given corresponding doses of drugs by intragastric administration every day， and the control group and model group were given equal amounts of normal saline by intragastric administration， after 4 weeks of administration， the serum and liver tissues were collected， and the contents of alanine aminotransferase（ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase（AST）， total cholesterol（TC）， triglyceride（TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol（LDL-C） and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol（HDL-C） in serum of rats were detected， and the liver pathological examination was carried out by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining and oil red O staining， so as to compare differences of their efficacy. ResultsSeventy chemical components were initially identified and attributed from the lyophilized powder of the combined decoction and single decoction samples of Huaganjian， and there was no obvious difference in composition between the two. Further quantitative analysis showed that the contents of geniposide， paeoniflorin， hesperidin and paeonol in the combined decoction samples were significantly increased when compared with those of the single decoction samples（P<0.01）. The pharmacodynamic results showed that compared with the model group， both the combined and single decoction groups of Huaganjian could improve the liver index of NAFLD rats， reduce the serum levels of AST， ALT， TC， TG and LDL-C， increase the serum level of HDL-C， and ameliorate the pathological changes of liver cell steatosis and fat accumulation. However， there was no significant difference in pharmacodynamic effects between the combined decoction group and the single decoction group. ConclusionThere is no significant difference between the combined decoction and single decoction of Huaganjian in terms of chemical composition， but the contents of the four index components show significantly difference. Both of them can significantly improve the fat accumulation and liver function in NAFLD rats. This study provides a reference basis for the rational clinical application and evaluation of famous classical formula compound preparations and single-flavored dispensing granules.

OBJECITVE: To investigate the effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D) printing-assisted vascularized fibular graft for repairing metatarsal defects. METHODS: Between November 2021 and February 2024, 11 patients with varying degrees of metatarsal defects caused by trauma were treated. There were 10 males and 1 female, aged 22-67 years, with a mean age of 51.2 years. The defect locations were as follows: the first metatarsal in 4 cases, the fifth metatarsal in 2 cases, the first and the second metatarsals in 1 case, the first to third metatarsals in 1 case, the third and the fourth metatarsals in 1 case, the third to fifth metatarsals in 1 case, and the first to fifth metatarsals in 1 case. The preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 67.0 (48.5, 72.5). Based on 3D-printed bilateral feet models and mirrored healthy-side foot arch angles for preoperative planning and design, the vascularized fibular graft was performed to repair the metatarsal defects. At last follow-up, the medial and lateral longitudinal arches of bilateral feet were measured on weight-bearing X-ray films, and functional assessment was conducted using the AOFAS score. RESULTS: All operations were successfully completed, with an operation time ranging from 180 to 465 minutes (mean, 246.8 minutes). All incisions healed by first intention, with no occurrence of osteomyelitis. All patients were followed up 6-22 months (mean, 10 months). X-ray film reviews showed bone graft healing in all cases, with a healing time of 3-6 months (mean, 5 months). All patients underwent internal fixator removal at 6-12 months after operation. At last follow-up, no significant difference was observed in the medial and lateral longitudinal arches between the healthy and affected feet ( P>0.05). The AOFAS score of the affected foot was 78.0 (73.5, 84.0), showing a significant improvement compared to the preoperative score ( P<0.05). The effectiveness was rated as excellent in 1 case, good in 7 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case. Linear scarring remained at the donor site, with no functional impairment in adjacent joint movement. CONCLUSION 3D printing-assisted vascularized fibular graft for repairing metatarsal defects can effectively restore the physiological angle of the foot arch, facilitate the recovery of weight-bearing alignment, promote good bone healing, and yield satisfactory clinical outcomes.
Humans ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Fibula/blood supply* ; Female ; Metatarsal Bones/injuries* ; Adult ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Aged ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome

The clinical antiprotozoal drug nitazoxanide has been demonstrated to improve the experimental diabetes mellitus, lipid metabolism disorders, atherosclerosis and inhibit inflammation. Since the pathogenesis of heart failure with preserved ejection (HFpEF) is multifactorial and closely associated with the aforementioned diseases, we aim to study the effect of nitazoxanide on high-fat diet (HFD) plus L-NAME (N ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester)-induced HFpEF and metabolic syndrome in mice. We found that oral nitazoxanide improved cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis, cardiac diastolic dysfunction, increased blood pressure, impaired exercise tolerance, impaired glucose handling, serum lipid disorders, hepatic steatosis, increased weight of white adipose tissues and kidney fibrosis in HFD + L-NAME-treated mice. In the established HFD + L-NAME-induced HFpEF and metabolic syndrome mouse model, therapeutic treatment with nitazoxanide rescued HFD + L-NAME-induced pathological phenotypes as mentioned above. The in vitro experiments revealed that tizoxanide, the active metabolite of nitazoxanide, increased the basal mitochondria metabolism of cardiomyocytes, inhibited cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and collagen secretion from cardiac fibroblasts, and relaxed phenylephrine- and U46619-induced constriction of rat mesenteric arteries, indicating that the direct effect of tizoxanide might partly contribute to the protective effect of nitazoxanide against HFpEF in vivo. The present study suggests that nitazoxanide might be a potential drug for HFpEF and metabolic syndrome therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the therapeutic mechanism of compound Centella asiatica formula (CCA) for alleviating Schistosoma japonicum (Sj)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. METHODS: The active components and targets of CCA were identified using the TCMSP database with cross-analysis of Sj-related liver fibrosis targets. A "drug-component-target-pathway-disease" network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1. Functional enrichment analysis (GO/KEGG) was performed using DAVID. Molecular docking study was carried out to validate interactions between the core targets and the key compounds. For experimental validation of the results, 36 mice were divided into control group, Sj-infected model group, and CCA-treated groups. In the latter two groups, liver fibrosis was induced via abdominal infection with Sj cercariae for 8 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of daily treatment with CCA decoction or saline. Hepatic pathology of the mice was assessedwith HE and Masson staining, and hepatic expressions of collagen-I and collagen-III were detected using immunohistochemistry; serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were determined with ELISA. Hepatic expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 proteins were analyzed with Western blotting. RESULTS: We identified a total of 107 bioactive CCA components and 791 targets, including 37 intersection targets linked to Sj-induced fibrosis. The core targets included TNF, TP53, JUN, MMP9, and CXCL8, involving the IL-17 signaling, lipid metabolism, TLR4/MyD88 axis, and cancer pathways. Molecular docking study confirmed strong binding affinity between quercetin (a primary CCA component) and TNF/TP53/JUN/MMP9. In Sj-infected mouse models, CCA treatment significantly attenuated hepatic inflammatory cell infiltration, reduced collagen-I and collagen-III deposition, improved tissue architecture, reduced serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and downregulated TLR4 and MyD88 expressions in the liver. CONCLUSIONS CCA mitigates Sj-induced liver fibrosis by targeting TNF, TP53, JUN, and MMP9 to modulate the TLR4/MyD88 pathway, thereby suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine release, inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation, reducing collagen deposition, and preventing granuloma formation in the liver.
Animals ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Mice ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism* ; Schistosoma japonicum ; Liver Cirrhosis/parasitology* ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; Signal Transduction ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Inflammation ; Centella/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with hematologic tumors combined with Fusarium infection and analyze the prevention and control measures.METHODS Six patients with hematologic neo-plasms combined with Fusarium infection diagnosed at the First Medical Center of the People's Liberation Army General Hospital from Apr.2019 to Dec.2023 were selected as research objects.Through retrospective analysis of patients' clinical data,the clinical manifestations,diagnosis,treatment and prevention strategies of Fusarium in-fection in hematologic neoplasms were analyzed.RESULTS All six patients with hematologic neoplasms combined with Fusarium infection were neutropenic or deficient patients,with main symptoms including moderate fever,painful skin nodules,rash,skin broken and crusted,and scrotal swelling and pain.Patients with severe neutrophil deficiency were susceptible to blood-borne Fusobacterium infections.Four patients had a markedly elevated G-test and Fusorium was first detected by microbiome metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS)in blood,earli-er than traditional pathogenic culture methods.Five patients had Fusarium detected in urine or stool cultures.All six patients received empirical antibacterial and antifungal treatments,but the fungal infection treatment effects were poor.Treatment was adjusted according to the pathogenetic findings,mainly using a combination regimen based on liposomal amphotericin B or posaconazole tablets,with three patients cured and three death.Two pa-tients were from the same ward with a sixteen-day interval.Although no evidence of infection transmission was found,there was still a risk of cross-infection in patients with hematological malignancies and severe immunodefi-ciency.Measures for the prevention and control of hospital-acquired infections were implemented for patients with Fusarium infection and the ward.CONCLUSIONS The clinical manifestations of patients with hematological tumors combined with Fusarium infection are complex and varied with high mortality rates.MNGS testing is valuable in the early diagnosis of Fusarium infection,and it is necessary to explore new treatment options and hospital-ac-quired infectious disease prevention and control measures to improve the prognosis.

Objective:To detect the expression levels of long non-coding RNAs(lncRNA)in elderly patients with pulmonary tuberculosis(PTB)and those with non-tuberculous lung diseases(non-TB), and to assess the performance of these lncRNA in the differential diagnosis of PTB.Methods:A total of 300 elderly patients with suspected PTB were recruited from Beijing Chest Hospital between January 2024 and September 2024, and were further divided into the PTB group and the non-TB lung disease group based on the results of mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB)pathogenicity testing.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated using a lymphocyte separation solution, and RNA was extracted using the TRIzol method.Nine lncRNAs, previously identified as differentially expressed in PTB through our group's microarray analysis, were selected and detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction to evaluate the expression levels of these lncRNAs between the PTB and non-TB lung disease groups.The overall patients were randomly divided into training and validation sets in a 7∶3 ratio.Lasso regression was employed to select the characteristic variables, and a random forest algorithm was then used to construct the lncRNA diagnostic portfolio.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were generated to evaluate the diagnostic performance of individual lncRNAs and the combined panel in differentiating elderly patients with PTB from those with other non-TB lung diseases.Results:A total of 201 cases were included, with 105 confirmed elderly patients diagnosed with PTB(52.2%)and 96 elderly patients suffering from non-TB lung disease(47.8%).Compared to the elderly patients with non-TB lung disease, the expression levels of ENST00000417346.1, ENST00000620744.1, lncRNA PWP1, ENST00000583184.1, lncRNA ABHD17B, ENST00000607464.1, ENST00000516057.1, and NR_003000 were significantly downregulated in the PTB patients, whereas the expression level of lncRNA BCL2L10 was significantly upregulated in the PTB patients.ROC analysis revealed that the area under the curve(AUC)for each lncRNA ranged from 0.659 to 0.848.The diagnostic panel, which included NR_003000, ENST00000607464.1, ENST00000583184.1, and ENST00000620744.1 as determined by Lasso analysis, exhibited AUC values of 0.917 and 0.906 in the training and validation sets, respectively.The performance of this panel was superior to that of each individual lncRNA.Conclusions:The random forest model, which incorporates NR_003000, ENST00000607464.1, ENST00000583184.1, and ENST00000620744.1, demonstrates potential in differentiating between PTB and non-TB lung diseases.

Objective:To investigate differences in serum lipid profiles between patients with dermatomyositis (DM) and healthy controls.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and serum samples collected from 51 patients with DM who visited the First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University from September 2020 to January 2022. Serum samples were also collected from 66 healthy controls during the same period. Serum lipid profiles were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in both groups. Differential lipids were screened using principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis. The predictive value of these differential lipids for DM was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and their correlations with clinical indicators were also evaluated.Results:A total of 51 patients with DM were enrolled, including 27 males and 24 females, with ages ( M[ Q1, Q3]) of 55.00 (47.00, 66.00) years and body mass index (BMI) values of 22.64 (19.79, 24.75) . The control group included 66 healthy individuals (33 males and 33 females) , with ages of 51.00 (43.75, 56.00) years and BMI values of 23.60 (21.18, 25.19) . No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of sex, age, or BMI (all P > 0.05) . A total of 341 lipid metabolites were identified, and 16 lipid metabolites such as ceramides (Cer) , sphingomyelins, phosphatidylcholines (PC) , phosphatidylethanolamines, lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC) , and triglycerides (TG) significantly differed between the DM group and the control group, of which 8 were upregulated and 8 were downregulated in the DM group. ROC curve analysis identified 7 differential lipids with area under the curve (AUC) values of > 0.9, of which 2 were Cer, 3 were TG, 1 was phosphatidylethanolamine, and 1 was LPC. In the DM patients, serum LPC (22∶1) levels were negatively correlated with creatine kinase isoenzyme MB levels ( r = -0.276, P < 0.05) , serum PC (15∶1/16∶0) levels were negatively correlated with aspartate aminotransferase levels ( r = -0.305, P < 0.05) , and serum Cer (d18∶1/18∶0) levels were positively correlated with C-reactive protein levels ( r = 0.283, P < 0.05) . Significant differences in serum lipid levels were observed between some DM subgroups (all P < 0.05) : sphingomyelin (d24∶0) levels significantly differed between anti-Sj?gren syndrome type A/Ro52 antibody-positive and -negative DM patients; LPC (17∶1) levels significantly differed between anti-PM-SCL75 antibody-positive and -negative DM patients; LPC (20∶0) and PC (32∶1p) levels significantly differed between anti-Mi-2 antibody-positive and -negative DM patients; LPC (22∶1) and TG (9∶0/9∶0/9∶0) levels significantly differed between anti-TIF1-γ antibody-positive and -negative DM patients; Cer (d18∶1/18∶0) levels significantly differed between DM patients with and without Heliotrope's sign. Conclusion:Lipid profiles were significantly altered in DM patients compared with healthy controls, and some lipids showed potential diagnostic value for DM.

Objective:To establish a modified one-stage clotting assay (mOSA) based on the STA-R Evolution coagulation analyzer for quantifying emicizumab (EMI) concentration and to preliminarily evaluate its analytical performance; meanwhile to explore the clinical utility of the standard one-stage clotting assay (sOSA) in indirectly predicting EMI levels through surrogate factor Ⅷ (FⅧ) activity.Methods:A total of 30 pediatric patients with hemophilia A (HA) treated with EMI in the Hemophilia Treatment Center of Shenzhen Children′s Hospital from January 2023 to March 2025 were enrolled, and 48 post-treatment plasma samples were collected. EMI standards (2.5~100 μg/ml) were prepared using FⅧ-deficient plasma to establish the mOSA detection system. The linearity, accuracy, and precision of the method were evaluated. Surrogate FⅧ activity was measured by sOSA to estimate EMI concentrations, and its correlation with mOSA-derived EMI concentrations was analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis. The equivalent FⅧ activity in patient plasma samples was measured using a human chromogenic substrate assay-based FⅧ activity detection reagent, and Spearman correlation analysis was employed to evaluate its correlations with both the EMI concentrations measured by the mOSA method and estimated by the sOSA method respectively.Results:The established mOSA method for EMI detection showed excellent linearity in the range of 2.5?100 μg/ml ( Y=1.047 X?1.033, R 2=0.995, P<0.001). Average spike recovery rates at 25, 50, and 75 μg/ml were 101.55%(25.39/25.00), 105.31%(52.66/50.00), and 98.20%(73.65/75.00), respectively. Coefficients of variations of within-and inter-batch were 3.47%?4.80% and 6.30%?8.96%, respectively. A prediction model for EMI concentration was established as follows: estimated EMI concentration (μg/ml)=0.095×[alternative FⅧ activity (%) measured by sOSA]+2.652 ( R2=0.999, P<0.001). Validation demonstrated a strong correlation between the EMI concentration measured by the mOSA method and the EMI concentration estimated by the sOSA method ( r=0.989, P<0.001), with good consistency ( Y=1.014 X+0.684, R2=0.972, P<0.001). Both the EMI concentration measured by the mOSA method and the EMI concentration estimated by the sOSA method showed extremely strong correlations with the equivalent FⅧ activity ( r=0.986 and 0.987, respectively; P<0.001 for both). Conclusions:The mOSA system established on the STA-R Evolution analyzer demonstrates robust linearity, accuracy, and reproducibility, fulfilling clinical requirements for therapeutic drug monitoring of EMI. The sOSA method provides reliable indirect estimation of EMI concentrations through surrogate FⅧ activity, offering critical support for emergency decision-making.

Objective To analyze the differences and connections between the current grading and classification methods for nuclear medicine workplaces, and to provide technical guidance for environmental impact assessments and technical reviews. Methods By comparing the objects, purposes, and computational approaches between the two methods, this article illustrates the usage of both methods through specific examples and analyzes the relationship between them. Results The two methods differed in objects, purposes, and computational approaches. The A, B, and C grading scheme was primarily used to establish the level of administrative supervision for an entire nuclear medicine workplace. In contrast, the I, II, and III classification system specifies the hardware facilities and engineering protection requirements of internal places or rooms. Conclusion These two methods are complementary and collectively provide a complete framework for the assessment of nuclear medicine workplaces.