ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Yishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment in managing stage G3A3 diabetic kidney disease （DKD） in the patients with the pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis， and to explore its mechanism of inhibiting the endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS）-apoptosis axis and delaying renal fibrosis （RF）. MethodsA single-center， randomized， parallel-controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 78 patients diagnosed with stage G3A3 DKD and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis and treated in the Department of Nephrology and the Department of Endocrinology of the People's Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2025 to February 2026 were enrolled. They were randomly assigned at a 1∶1 ratio into a control group （conventional Western medicine treatment） and an experimental group （Yishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment）， with 39 patients in each group. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. Basic demographic data and medical history were collected before and after treatment. The two groups before and after treatment were compared in terms of the following parameters： Blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， serum creatinine （SCr）， estimated glomerular filtration rate （eGFR）， urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio （UACR）， fasting blood glucose （FBG）， triglycerides （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） kits were used to measure serum glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， serum cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 （Caspase-3）， and serum and urinary transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁） levels before and after treatment. TCM symptom scores， TCM syndrome efficacy， and overall clinical efficacy were evaluated before and after treatment. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the correlations of serum levels of GRP78 and Caspase-3， as well as serum and urinary levels of TGF-β1， with renal function， proteinuria， and glucose and lipid metabolism indicators in patients with DKD. In addition， safety indicators were also monitored. ResultsA total of 75 patients completed the study （38 in the control group and 37 in the experimental group）. ① Baseline data： The two groups were comparable in terms of sex and age， with no statistically significant difference. ② Efficacy outcomes： Compared with baseline levels， both groups showed reductions in BUN， SCr， UACR， FBG， TG， TC， LDL-C， and TCM symptom scores （P<0.01） and increases in eGFR level （P<0.01）. Moreover， the experimental group outperformed the control group in altering the indicators above （P<0.05）. Regarding TCM syndrome efficacy， the total response rate in the experimental group was 83.78%， which was higher than that （57.89%） in the control group （P<0.05）. Regarding overall clinical efficacy， the total response rate in the experimental group was 78.38%， which was higher than that （50.00%） in the control group （P<0.05）. ③ Mechanism outcomes： Compared with baseline levels， both groups showed declined serum levels of GRP78， Caspase-3， and TGF-β₁ and urinary level of TGF-β₁ after treatment （P<0.01）. Moreover， the experimental group showed greater declines than the control group （P<0.05）. The serum levels of GRP78， Caspase-3，and TGF-β₁ and the urinary level of TGF-β₁ in DKD patients showed positive correlations with BUN， SCr， UACR， and FBG and negative correlations with eGFR （P<0.05）. ④ Safety outcomes： Neither group showed drug-related adverse reactions， and laboratory safety parameters remained within normal ranges. ConclusionYishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment may safely and effectively alleviate clinical symptoms， correct glucose and lipid metabolism disorders， and protect the renal function in patients with stage G3A3 DKD and the pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis. The mechanism may be associated with inhibition of the ERS-apoptosis axis and delay of the RF process.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Yishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment in managing stage G3A3 diabetic kidney disease （DKD） in the patients with the pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis， and to explore its mechanism of inhibiting the endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS）-apoptosis axis and delaying renal fibrosis （RF）. MethodsA single-center， randomized， parallel-controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 78 patients diagnosed with stage G3A3 DKD and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis and treated in the Department of Nephrology and the Department of Endocrinology of the People's Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2025 to February 2026 were enrolled. They were randomly assigned at a 1∶1 ratio into a control group （conventional Western medicine treatment） and an experimental group （Yishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment）， with 39 patients in each group. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. Basic demographic data and medical history were collected before and after treatment. The two groups before and after treatment were compared in terms of the following parameters： Blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， serum creatinine （SCr）， estimated glomerular filtration rate （eGFR）， urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio （UACR）， fasting blood glucose （FBG）， triglycerides （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） kits were used to measure serum glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， serum cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 （Caspase-3）， and serum and urinary transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁） levels before and after treatment. TCM symptom scores， TCM syndrome efficacy， and overall clinical efficacy were evaluated before and after treatment. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the correlations of serum levels of GRP78 and Caspase-3， as well as serum and urinary levels of TGF-β1， with renal function， proteinuria， and glucose and lipid metabolism indicators in patients with DKD. In addition， safety indicators were also monitored. ResultsA total of 75 patients completed the study （38 in the control group and 37 in the experimental group）. ① Baseline data： The two groups were comparable in terms of sex and age， with no statistically significant difference. ② Efficacy outcomes： Compared with baseline levels， both groups showed reductions in BUN， SCr， UACR， FBG， TG， TC， LDL-C， and TCM symptom scores （P<0.01） and increases in eGFR level （P<0.01）. Moreover， the experimental group outperformed the control group in altering the indicators above （P<0.05）. Regarding TCM syndrome efficacy， the total response rate in the experimental group was 83.78%， which was higher than that （57.89%） in the control group （P<0.05）. Regarding overall clinical efficacy， the total response rate in the experimental group was 78.38%， which was higher than that （50.00%） in the control group （P<0.05）. ③ Mechanism outcomes： Compared with baseline levels， both groups showed declined serum levels of GRP78， Caspase-3， and TGF-β₁ and urinary level of TGF-β₁ after treatment （P<0.01）. Moreover， the experimental group showed greater declines than the control group （P<0.05）. The serum levels of GRP78， Caspase-3，and TGF-β₁ and the urinary level of TGF-β₁ in DKD patients showed positive correlations with BUN， SCr， UACR， and FBG and negative correlations with eGFR （P<0.05）. ④ Safety outcomes： Neither group showed drug-related adverse reactions， and laboratory safety parameters remained within normal ranges. ConclusionYishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment may safely and effectively alleviate clinical symptoms， correct glucose and lipid metabolism disorders， and protect the renal function in patients with stage G3A3 DKD and the pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis. The mechanism may be associated with inhibition of the ERS-apoptosis axis and delay of the RF process.

"Upper deficiency leading to vertigo" is one of the representative discussions on deficiency vertigo in Huang Di Nei Jing, which has laid the foundation for the rich development of the theory of "deficiency causing vertigo" in later generations. The brain lymphatic system can remove metabolic wastes and provide nutrients for the brain, which is involved in the development of many brain diseases. This study believes that the broad definition of "upper deficiency leading to vertigo", that is to say, vertigo is triggered by abnormalities in the local physiological functions of the brain orifices, can be used as a platform for the pathogenesis of vertigo. Based on the findings of modern medicine on the lymphoid system, the authors discussed the possible interactions between the lymphoid system, phlegm, blood stasis, deficiency, and other pathological factors of vertigo. β-amyloid, neurotransmitters, inflammatory mediators and other "toxic pathogenic factors" may also be an important cause of vertigo. This article attempted to explain the pathogenesis of "upper deficiency leading to vertigo" with the help of lymphoid system, in order to provide new thinking direction for the development of TCM clinical diagnosis and treatment of vertigo.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory airway disease and intermittent hypoxia is increasingly recognized as a factor that may impact disease progression. The present study investigated whether intermittent hypoxia (IH) could aggravate asthma by promoting hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3)/interleukin (IL)-1β-dependent pyroptosis and the inflammatory response and further elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. METHODS: A total of 49 patients diagnosed with severe bronchial asthma and diagnosed by polysomnography were enrolled at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, between January 2022 and December 2022, and their general data and induced sputum were collected. BEAS-2B cells were treated with IL-13 and subjected to IH. An ovalbumin (OVA)-treated mouse model was also used to assess the effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) on asthma. Pyroptosis, the inflammatory response, and related signalling pathways were assessed in vivo and in vitro . RESULTS: In this study, as the apnoea and hypopnea index (AHI) increased, the proportion of patients with uncontrolled asthma increased. The proportions of neutrophils and the levels of IL-6, IL-8, HIF-1α and NLRP3 in induced sputum were related to the AHI. NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis, which could be mediated by the HIF-1α signalling pathway, was activated in IL-13 plus IH-treated BEAS-2B cells and in the lungs of OVA/CIH mice. HIF-1α downregulation significantly reduced lung pyroptosis and ameliorated neutrophil inflammation by modulating the NLRP3/IL-1β pathway both in vitro and in vivo . Similarly, pretreatment with LW6, an inhibitor of HIF-1α, effectively blocked the generation of inflammatory cytokines in neutrophils. In addition, administration of the NLRP3 activator nigericin obviously increased lung neutrophil inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a risk factor for asthma exacerbation. IH aggravates neutrophil inflammation in asthma via NLRP3/IL-1β-dependent pyroptosis mediated by the HIF-1α signalling pathway, which should be considered a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of asthma with OSAHS.
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Humans ; Asthma/metabolism* ; Animals ; Pyroptosis/physiology* ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/physiology* ; Male ; Hypoxia/metabolism* ; Female ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Adult ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective: To explore the types of medication adherence and their influencing factors among inpatients with chronic diseases based on latent profile analysis, so as to provide the basis for improving medication adherence among patients with chronic diseases. Methods: The inpatients with chronic diseases admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University were selected as the study subjects. Demographic information, chronic disease status, and health education were collected through questionnaire surveys. Medication adherence was assessed using the Medication Adherence Scale and categorized based on the scores of its eight items through latent profile analysis. Factors affecting medication adherence among inpatients with chronic diseases were analyzed using a multinomial logistic regression model. Results: Totally 290 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 97.64%. There were 157 males (54.14%) and 133 females (45.86%), with a median age of 61 (interquartile range, 21) years. The median score of medication adherence was 4.75 (interquartile range, 4.50). Based on latent profile analysis, medication adherence was categorized into three types: subjective neglect with poor adherence (38.97%), subjective confidence with fluctuating adherence (28.28%), and self-reflective with good adherence (32.76%). Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that compared to the subjective confidence with fluctuating adherence, family monthly income (5 000-10 000 yuan, OR=2.981, 95%CI: 1.055-8.429), comorbidity of chronic diseases (OR=3.478, 95%CI: 1.579-7.661), number of health education sessions received in the past year (≤1 session, OR=0.329, 95%CI: 0.120-0.907; 2 sessions, OR=0.363, 95%CI: 0.138-0.950), and health information literacy scores (<60 points, OR=2.596, 95%CI: 1.209-5.573) were statistically associated with subjective neglect with poor adherence (all P<0.05). Conclusion Subjective neglect with poor medication adherence among inpatients with chronic diseases is associated with family monthly income, comorbidity of chronic diseases, the number of health education sessions received, and health information literacy.

Objective:To explore the time variations of the influence of the ultra-high dose rate irradiation (FLASH irradiation, FLASH-IR) and conventional dose rate irradiation (CONV-IR) of electron beams under different doses on the energy metabolism of triple-negative breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231.Methods:The basal metabolism of the MDA-MB-231 cells and normal breast epithelial cells MCF-10A was compared using a Seahorse XF Pro Metabolic Analyzer. Based on an irradiation platform with a thermionic cathode electron accelerator (6 MeV), the MDA-MB-231 cells were exposed to FLASH-IR (106 Gy/s) and CONV-IR (0.1 Gy/s) at 2 and 14 Gy, respectively. Meanwhile, a sham irradiation group was established under identical culture conditions. The mitochondrial metabolism and glycolytic metabolism of the cells at 4, 24, and 48 h post-irradiation were analyzed.Results:Compared to the MCF-10A cells, the MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited a greater reliance on glycolytic metabolism. Compared to those of the sham irradiation group, MDA-MB-231 cells in the 2 Gy CONV-IR group showed up-regulated ATP-linked respiration at 4, 24, and 48 h post-irradiation ( t = 2.69-3.70, P < 0.05). Their glycolytic level and glycolytic capacity were up-regulated only at 4 h post-irradiation and were down-regulated at 48 h ( t = 2.79, -4.44, P < 0.05). In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference in these indicators between the FLASH-IR and CONV-IR groups ( P > 0.05). However, the proton leak of the MDA-MB-231 cells in the FLASH-IR group was relatively down-regulated at 4 h post-irradiation and was significantly up-regulated at 24 h and 48 h post-irradiation compared with the CONV-IR group ( t = -2.45, 3.19, 6.51, P < 0.05). At 14 Gy, the MDA-MB-231 cells in the CONV-IR group showed progressively increased mitochondrial and glycolytic metabolism across all time points ( t = 2.48-12.14, P < 0.05). Notably, compared with the CONV-IR group, the MDA-MB-231 cells in the FLASH-IR group exhibited more significantly up-regulated basal respiration, ATP-linked respiration, and non-mitochondrial oxygen consumption ( t = 2.56-6.51, P < 0.05), as well as a higher glycolytic capacity at 24 h post-irradiation ( t = 2.86, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Low-dose (2 Gy) FLASH-IR induces relatively up-regulated proton leak in breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 at 24 h post-irradiation. In contrast, under high-dose (14 Gy) FLASH-IR, the MDA-MB-231 cells show more pronounced mitochondrial metabolic stress and a higher demand for energy metabolism.

Objective:To study the consistency between post-processing bone mineral density(BMD)values of multi-slice spiral computed tomography(MSCT)scan and the BMD value of quantitative computed tomography(QCT)for lumbar vertebra,so as to explore the feasibility of utilizing MSCT scan-based post-processing BMD values for lumbar vertebra in clinical practice.Methods:The MSCT equipment and QCT equipment were respectively adopted to conduct imaging scan for the L2-L4 of lumber vertebra of QRM-ESP145 European Spine Phantom(ESP),and L2-L4 of lumbar vertebra of adult sheep,and L2-L4 of lumbar vertebra of adult volunteer.The L2-L4 of ESP lumber vertebra and L2-L4 of lumbar vertebra of adult sheep were scanned respectively MSCT and QCT for three times,so as to measure BMD values.The L2-L4 of lumbar vertebrae of volunteers were scanned respectively by the two methods for one time according to the standard of clinical examination,which were reconstructed by three times so as to obtain mean of them.The BMD values of QCT scan were set as control group,and the BMD values of MSCT scan were set as experiment group.The experiment group was further divided into experiment 1 group[two dimension(2D)regional volumetric BMD values of the lumbar vertebra]and experiment 2 group[three dimension(3D)global volumetric BMD post-processing of the lumbar vertebra]according to the reliability of experiment.Then,the consistency between the MSCT 3D post-processing BMD values of three groups and QCT-measured BMD values was compared and analyzed.Results:The MSCT 3D post-processing BMD values of L2-L4 of ESP lumbar vertebra of three groups were respectively(120.83±0.97),(199.57±0.54)and(119.19±1.04)mg/cm3,and that of L2-L4 of lumbar vertebra of adult sheep of three groups were respectively(414.89±1.72),(410.50±0.77)and(420.25±2.71)mg/cm3,and that of L2-L4 of lumbar vertebra of volunteer were respectively(141.22±0.09),(137.38±0.37)and(152.03±1.03)mg/cm3.There were not statistically significant differences in BMD values between MSCT examination and QCT examination(P＞0.05).Conclusion:MSCT 3D post-processing BMD values on lumbar vertebra has high consistency with that of QCT measurements,which post-processing technique can replace QCT to conduct BMD examination,and reduce unnecessary radiation exposure and examination costs for patients.

To analyze the relationship between serum non-HDL-C levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in community populations. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Yuecheng District Health Information Platform in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province. The study cohort included individuals aged 40 years or older with no prior history of CVD who underwent physical examinations at Yuecheng District healthcare institutions between January and December 2019. A total of 39 038 participants were included, including 19 085 males (48.9%) and 19 953 females (51.1%), with a mean age of (73.64±9.10) years. The mean follow-up duration was 52.3 months. During follow-up, 1 227 CVD death events occurred. The results indicated a significant overall association between non-HDL-C levels and the risk of CVD mortality, including coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. Cox models indicated that, using the ideal level of non-HDL-C as the reference, the hazard ratios (HRs) for risk of CVD death in the suitable level, borderline elevated level and elevated level groups were 1.24 (95% CI: 1.08-1.42), 1.57 (95% CI: 1.34-1.85) and 2.31 (95% CI: 1.87-2.86), respectively. The corresponding HRs for CHD death were 1.39 (95% CI: 1.10-1.76), 1.69 (95% CI: 1.28-2.12) and 2.53 (95% CI: 1.76-3.64), respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed significant interaction effects between non-HDL-C and sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, and diabetes (all P interaction<0.05). Sensitivity analyses confirmed that results were consistent with the primary findings regarding the association between non-HDL-C and CVD mortality risk. In conclusion, increasing non-HDL-C levels are associated with higher risks of death from cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and CHD. The risk of CVD death associated with elevated non-HDL-C is greater among males, individuals with a history of diabetes, smokers or drinkers. In the future, attention should be paid to the monitoring of non-HDL-C in community health management, and the intensive and personalized management of blood lipids in high-risk population should be strengthened.

Objective:This study systematically summarized the construction experience of the immunology platform at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Third Hospital, aiming to provide theoretical references and practical guidance for research-oriented hospitals in building high-quality research platforms.Methods:This study employed case study analysis to elaborate on the platform development initiatives, integrating literature analysis and in-depth interviews to conduct a horizontal comparison of management models among peer research platforms.Results:Through five years of development, the platform had achieved remarkable outcomes via a model integrating ″Talent cultivation-Technological innovation-Equipment procurement″ Research talents had demonstrated breakthroughs in securing national-level research grants, publishing high-impact papers, and obtaining scientific awards. The technical service system had achieved enhancement in both service scope and professional depth, fostering robust interdisciplinary synergy. The platform had effectively expanded its societal engagement capacity.Conclusions:The sustainable advancement of research-oriented hospital immunology platform necessitates establishing standardized flow cytometry databases and implementing high-dimensional data integration. Building upon multidisciplinary convergence, it is imperative to pioneer innovative operational mechanisms characterized by efficiency, open-access, and shared frameworks.

Objective To investigate the risk factors and intervention measures for surgical site infec-tion following posterolateral approach lumbar fusion surgery.Methods A total of 1 078 patients who under-went posterolateral approach lumbar fusion surgery in the department of spine surgery from January 1,2022 to December 31,2023 were included.Patient related information was collected through the real-time nosocomi-al infection monitoring system,while medical visit information was obtained via the outpatient electronic med-ical record system.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for surgical site infection.Results Among the 1 078 patients,34 cases(3.15%)developed surgical site infections,while 1 044 cases did not.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age,smoking,hypertension,diabetes,concurrent hospital stay,operative time,duration of postoperative antimicrobial use after initial surgery,and total antimicrobial use duration were significant risk factors for surgical site infection(P＜0.05).Among the 34 infected patients,the duration of antimicrobial use varied significantly across different infection sites(P＜0.05),with the longest duration observed in patients with deep space infections.Conclusion Targeted surveil-lance of surgical site infections should be reinforced based on these risk factors.Perioperative infection control measures must be strictly implemented to improve the scientific,precise,and standardized management of sur-gical-related nosocomial infections.