OBJECTIVE To predict and validate the mechanisms of Chaiqi yigan granules （CQYG） improving hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. METHODS The signaling pathways of CQYG intervention in HCC were predicted using network pharmacology. A mice model of transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma was established by injecting H22 hepatoma cells into the axilla. Successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into model group （normal saline）， sorafenib group （positive control， 50 mg/kg）， and CQYG low-， medium- and high-dose groups （24.83， 49.66， 99.32 g/kg）， with 10 mice in each group. Mice in each group were administered the corresponding drug solution or normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. After last administration， pathological morphological changes in the tumor tissues of mice were observed in each group. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of the nuclear proliferation antigen Ki-67 in tumor tissues of mice. Western blot assay was used to measure the expression of proteins related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） [N-cadherin， E-cadherin， Vimentin， matrix metalloproteinase 7 （MMP7）] and the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） signaling pathway [p38 MAPK， phosphorylated p38 MAPK， c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK）， phosphorylated JNK， extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2）， phosphorylated ERK1/2] in tumor tissue of mice. RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis revealed that metabolic pathways， pathways in cancer， and the MAPK signaling pathway were key signaling pathways through which CQYG exert their anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects. In animal experiments， the tumor tissues of mice in the model group exhibited dense tumor cells and vigorous growth. Compared with model group， CQYG high-dose group showed a decreased density of tumor cells in the tumor tissues of mice. Moreover， the expression levels of Ki-67， N-cadherin， MMP7 and Vimentin proteins， along with the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and JNK proteins， were all significantly reduced （ P ＜0.05）. The expression level of E-cadherin protein was significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）， the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK protein was increased， the difference was not statistically significant （ P ＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS CQYG can inhibit EMT by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway， thereby suppressing tumor cell invasion and metastasis and ultimately exerting a therapeutic effect in improving HCC.

Autoimmune liver diseases （AILD） are a group of chronic liver diseases caused by abnormal activation of the immune system， mainly including autoimmune hepatitis， primary biliary cholangitis， primary sclerosing cholangitis， IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis， and overlap syndrome. Clinical studies have shown that patients with AILD are often comorbid with thyroid diseases， especially autoimmune thyroid diseases （AITD）， such as Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This article systematically reviews the epidemiological association， potential shared pathogenesis， and overlapping features between AILD and thyroid diseases. A deeper understanding of the immunological links between AILD and AITD may provide a theoretical basis for precision medicine and future research.

ObjectiveTo apply and systematically evaluate the care-need grading assessment tool for adults with disabilities in welfare institutions. MethodsFrom June to July, 2025, four disability care institutions in Shanghai were selected, and a total of 1 002 adults with disabilities were assessed using the self-developed care-need grading assessment tool for adults with disabilities in welfare institutions. The application effectiveness of the tool was evaluated by analyzing the classification results of care need grading and the reclassification in grade distribution. The application validity was assessed through score differences across functional dimensions, reduced-dimension clustering scatter plots for each grade, and external variables. The application efficiency was evaluated based on the average assessment duration and learning curves. The application utility value was assessed through the distribution characteristics and mapping relationships of service lists across different grades. ResultsThe distribution across disability levels was 84 in Level 1, 298 in Level 2, 92 in Level 3, 246 in Level 4, and 282 in Level 5, indicating a trend where individuals from higher levels in the original system shifted toward the middle and lower levels of the new system. The tool demonstrated strong discriminatory power across the four functional dimensions (P < 0.001), indicating favorable discriminant validity. The five classified levels exhibited clear clustering boundaries in the reduced-dimension space, reflecting robust structural validity. The classification results were consistent with theoretical expectations regarding external variables, including age, disability type, disability grade, number of comorbidities, and primary clinical diagnoses (P < 0.05), demonstrating sound external validity. The median assessment duration was 5.80 minutes, with a significant learning effect (P = 0.037), showcasing high efficiency. Finally, service lists tailored to different care levels were developed, where service content exhibited graded differences across care levels and accurately mapped the care-need characteristics of each grade, reflecting substantial utility value. ConclusionThis tool can classify the care needs of adults with disabilities into five levels, with sound validity and high assessment efficiency; while the resulting service lists for different care levels can be used to guide practical implementation, which can be used for the graded assessment of care needs among adults with disabilities.

AIM: To investigate the effect of intense pulsed light(IPL)combined with Yuyin Runmu formula fumigation and meibomian gland massage on the treatment of patients with meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD)-related dry eye.METHODS: Prospectively selected 198 cases(396 eyes)of MGD-related dry eye patients admitted to our hospital from November 2021 to November 2023, and they were randomly divided into 99 cases(198 eyes)in control group treated with fumigation of Yuyin Runmu formula and meibomian gland massage, and 99 cases(198 eyes)in observation group treated with combined IPL on the basis of the control group. The efficacy of the two groups was compared, as well as the changes in the levels of ocular indexes [tear film break-up time(BUT), Schirmer I test(SⅠt)], visual quality [objective scattering index(OSI), Strehl ratio(SR), and modulation transfer function(MTF)], lipid layer thickness(LLT)of the tear film, and changes in tear fluid levels of inflammatory factors [tumour necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-β1)].RESULTS: All the patients completely received the treatment and follow-up. The levels of BUT, SⅠt, SR, MTF, and LLT increased and the levels of OSI, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 decreased in the two groups at 2 mo after treatment(all P<0.001), and the observation group was more favourable(all P<0.001).CONCLUSION: IPL combined with Yuyin Runmu formula fumigation and meibomian gland massage is effective in treating MGD-related dry eye, improving patients' ocular parameters, visual quality, and LLT, and decreasing the levels of inflammatory factors in the tear fluid.

BACKGROUND:The treatment of early knee osteoarthritis can be achieved through two knee preservation treatments:Unicondylar knee arthroplasty and high tibial osteotomy.However,further exploration is needed to determine whether there are differences in knee joint recovery between the two knee preservation surgeries at different stages after surgery. OBJECTIVE:To compare the efficacy and related complications of unicondylar knee arthroplasty and high tibial osteotomy in the treatment of varus osteoarthropathy of the knee,and to provide a reference for clinical decision. METHODS:A total of 103 patients with varus osteoarthritis of the knee underwent surgical treatment in the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from September 2018 to September 2022 were selected.Among them,86 patients were followed up for more than 1 year.According to different surgical methods,the patients were divided into unicondylar knee arthroplasty group(49 cases)and high tibial osteotomy group(37 cases).Knee function,pain,and line of force correction were evaluated before surgery,4 weeks,3 months,6 months,and 1 year after surgery in both groups.Hospital for special surgery knee score,functional score of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index,changes of lateral space of the knee joint,range of motion,proprioception(position sense),and postoperative activity recovery speed were evaluated comprehensively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There were no significant differences in preoperative hospital for special surgery knee score,Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score and lateral knee compartment size between the two groups.(2)The hospital for special surgery knee score of patients undergoing unicondylar knee arthroplasty was better than that of patients undergoing high tibial osteotomy within 4 weeks after surgery(P<0.05).At 3 and 6 months after surgery,compared with the improvement of the two groups,the hospital for special surgery knee score in the unicondylar knee arthroplasty group was lower than that in the high tibial osteotomy group,and the difference was significant(P<0.05).The range of motion flexion value and position perception of patients undergoing high tibial osteotomy were significantly better than those undergoing unicondylar knee arthroplasty 6 months after surgery(P<0.05).(3)The unicondylar knee arthroplasty group was better than the high tibial osteotomy group in terms of the speed of knee movement recovery(P<0.05).(4)However,there was no significant difference between the two groups in the change of hospital for special surgery knee score,range of motion,and the width of lateral knee space during 1-year follow-up.(5)All patients were followed up for more than 1 year,and no adverse complications were found during the follow-up.(6)It is indicated that the short-term effect of knee functional recovery in patients with high tibial osteotomy is better than that in patients with unicondylar knee arthroplasty,but there is no significant difference in medium-and long-term efficacy between the two kinds of surgery for medial knee arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of colostrum oral immune therapy (COIT) on clinical outcomes in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: A computer-based search was conducted in databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, Weipu Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and CINAHL for randomized controlled trials regarding the application of COIT in VLBW infants published from the establishment of the database to February 2024. Meta analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 14 randomized controlled trials were included, involving 1 386 VLBW infants, with 690 in the COIT group and 696 in the control group. The results showed that COIT significantly reduced the incidence of clinical late-onset sepsis (LOS) (RR=0.75, 95%CI: 0.64-0.88, P<0.001), the incidence of blood culture-proven LOS (RR=0.72, 95%CI: 0.57-0.92, P=0.008), mortality rate (RR=0.70, 95%CI: 0.52-0.95, P=0.020), the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (RR=0.65, 95%CI: 0.46-0.92, P=0.020), and the incidence of feeding intolerance (RR=0.49, 95%CI: 0.29-0.80, P=0.004). It also shortened the time to achieve full enteral nutrition (MD=-2.13, 95%CI: -4.03 to -0.23, P=0.030). CONCLUSIONS COIT can reduce the incidence rates of LOS, necrotizing enterocolitis, and feeding intolerance, as well as the mortality rate, while also shortening the time to achieve full enteral nutrition in VLBW infants.
Humans ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Colostrum/immunology* ; Infant, Newborn ; Sepsis/prevention & control* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Administration, Oral

OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between white matter injury (WMI) and cerebral perfusion in preterm infants using arterial spin labeling (ASL). METHODS: A total of 293 preterm infants (gestational age <34 weeks) hospitalized at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between June 2022 and June 2024 were included. After achieving clinical stability, the infants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ASL. Based on MRI findings, infants were classified into WMI (n=66) and non-WMI (n=227) groups. Cerebral perfusion parameters were compared between groups, and the association between WMI and perfusion alterations was evaluated. RESULTS: The WMI group showed a higher incidence of mild intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) than the non-WMI group (P<0.05). Significantly lower cerebral perfusion was observed in the WMI group across bilateral frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes, as well as the basal ganglia and thalamus (P<0.05). After adjusting for gestational age, corrected gestational age at ASL scan, and mild IVH, WMI remained significantly associated with reduced regional perfusion (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS WMI in preterm infants correlates with localized cerebral hypoperfusion. ASL-detected perfusion abnormalities may provide novel insights into WMI pathogenesis.
Humans ; White Matter/blood supply* ; Infant, Newborn ; Spin Labels ; Infant, Premature ; Female ; Male ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) is a multifunctional protein involved in diverse cellular functions, notably DNA damage repair. Pharmacological inhibition of PARP1 has therapeutic benefits for various pathologies. Despite the increased use of PARP inhibitors, challenges persist in achieving PARP1 selectivity and effective blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. The development of a PARP1-specific positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand is crucial for understanding disease biology and performing target occupancy studies, which may aid in the development of PARP1-specific inhibitors. In this study, we leverage the recently identified PARP1 inhibitor, AZD9574, to introduce the design and development of its ¹⁸F-isotopologue ([¹⁸F]AZD9574). Our comprehensive approach, encompassing pharmacological, cellular, autoradiographic, and in vivo PET imaging evaluations in non-human primates, demonstrates the capacity of [¹⁸F]AZD9574 to specifically bind to PARP1 and to successfully penetrate the BBB. These findings position [¹⁸F]AZD9574 as a viable molecular imaging tool, poised to facilitate the exploration of pathophysiological changes in PARP1 tissue abundance across various diseases.