Objective: To investigate the microbial mechanisms of Banxia Xiexin Decoction (半夏泻心汤, BXXXD) in the treatment of esophageal precancerous lesions. Methods: A total of 30 specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade female C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 6) and a 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO)-exposed group (n = 24). Esophageal precancerous lesions were induced by providing the 4-NQO-exposed group with 4-NQO in drinking water (100 μg/mL) for 17 consecutive weeks, whereas control group received sterile drinking water. After model establishment, the mice in 4-NQO-exposed group were further randomized into model group and three BXXXD-treated groups: low-dose (BXXXD-L, 3.7 g/kg), medium-dose (BXXXD-M, 7.4 g/kg), and high-dose (BXXXD-H, 14.8 g/kg) groups (n = 6 per group). During the subsequent intervention period, mice in control and model groups were gavaged with sterile water, while mice in BXXXD groups were gavaged once daily with the corresponding dose of BXXXD aqueous extract for 4 weeks. Histopathological changes in esophageal tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The fecal and esophageal microbiota were profiled via 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing to evaluate bacterial diversity, community structure, and co-occurrence networks. BXXXD chemical fingerprints were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole QExactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS). Serum short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) level was quantified by targeted metabolomics using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Transcriptomic analysis of esophageal tissues was performed to assess gene expression profiles. Results: Compared with model group, BXXXD-M group exhibited reduced mucosal hyperplasia and more orderly epithelial cell arrangement, with superior therapeutic effects in comparison with both BXXXD-L and BXXXD-H groups (P < 0.01). Microbiota analysis revealed that BXXXD increased the abundance of beneficial Enterococcus and reduced pathogenic Escherichia-Shigella in the esophagus. In the gut, BXXXD elevated the relative abundance of beneficial taxa, including Lactobacillus, Dubosiella, Bacteroides, and Faecalibacterium. Targeted metabolomics showed that BXXXD significantly reduced total serum SCFA level (P < 0.01). Transcriptomic analysis indicated that BXXXD downregulated the expression of genes associated with the progression, migration, and invasion of esophageal cancer, which were identified as kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (Klk6), defensin beta 4 (Defb4), family with sequence similarity 3 member B (Fam3b), carboxypeptidase A4 (Cpa4), serum amyloid A1 (Saa1), and chitinase-like 1 (Chil1) (P < 0.05). Conclusion BXXXD may reduce the expression levels of esophageal cancer-related genes and improve esophageal precancerous lesions through modulation of the gut microbiota and metabolites.

Background Lead is a typical persistent environmental pollutant that can accumulate in bones for decades. During pregnancy, alterations in calcium metabolism promote the mobilization of bone lead, resulting in secondary exposure; however, the mechanisms by which pregnancy-associated bone lead mobilization affects maternal renal function remain unclear. Objective To investigate the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in pregnancy-related bone lead mobilization-induced renal injury. Methods Newly weaned female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a control or a lead-exposed group administered either 0.05% sodium acetate or 0.05% lead acetate in drinking water. Following a 4-week lead exposure and a 4-week washout period, the females were co-housed with healthy age-matched males for mating. Rats were sacrificed at early (gestational day 3) and late (gestational day 17) pregnancystages, respectively. Renal histopathology was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining staining. Mitochondria-related indicators, including oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and energy metabolism, were measured. Differential metabolites were identified using serum metabolomics. Results Renal injury in the lead-exposed pregnant rats progressed in a time-dependent manner, characterized by degeneration of proximal tubular epithelial cells, glomerular hyaline changes, and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant interaction between the treatment factor (lead exposure) and the temporal factor (gestational stage) on renal injury (P<0.001). Further analysis of mitochondrial function-related indicators in late-pregnancy renal tissue revealed that the lead exposure group exhibited significantly increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (P<0.05), accompanied by a reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities (P<0.05); regarding inflammatory markers, levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were elevated (P<0.01), whereas interleukin-33 (IL-33) was decreased in the lead-exposed group (P<0.05); energy metabolism-related indicators, including adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase activities, and mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, III, and V activities, were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in the lead-exposed gorup. The typical differential metabolite N-methylisoleucine, identified through serum metabolomics analysis, was negatively correlated with blood lead levels, kidney injury scores, and IL-1β, while positively correlated with catalase (CAT) activity and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase. Conclusions Mitochondrial dysfunction may play a critical role in renal injury induced by bone lead mobilization during late gestation.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of sequential tenofovir alafenamide fumarate （TAF） therapy versus the regimen of entecavir （ETV） combined with TAF in chronic hepatitis B （CHB） patients experiencing low-level viremia （LLV） after ETV therapy， as well as their impact on virologic response， liver and renal function， and blood lipid levels. MethodsA total of 217 CHB patients with LLV after ETV treatment who were admitted to Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2020 to December 2023 were enrolled， and according to the treatment regimen， they were divided into TAF group （180 patients receiving sequential TAF therapy） and combined group （37 patients receiving ETV+TAF therapy）. The propensity score matching （PSM） method was used to match the patients at a ratio of 1∶1， and finally 37 patients were included in each group to balance the baseline confounding factors. The two groups were compared in terms of hepatitis B virus DNA （HBV DNA） clearance rate， hepatitis B envelope antigen （HBeAg） clearance rate， liver and renal function parameters （liver stiffness measurement ［LSM］， platelet count ［PLT］， aspartate aminotransferase ［AST］， alanine aminotransferase ［ALT］， and creatinine ［Cr］）， blood lipid levels （total cholesterol ［TC］， triglyceride ［TG］， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ［HDL-C］， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ［LDL-C］）， and the incidence rate of adverse reactions. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the paired t-test was used for comparison within each group； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsAfter 48 weeks of treatment， compared with the TAF group， the combined group had significantly higher HBV DNA clearance rate （86.49% vs 59.46%， χ²=6.852， P=0.009） and HBeAg clearance rate （59.46% vs 35.14%， χ²=4.391， P=0.036）. After treatment， compared with the TAF group， the combined group had significantly lower levels of LSM （7.01±1.50 kPa vs 7.90±1.68 kPa， t=2.404， P=0.019）， AST （18.02±2.28 U/L vs 21.12±2.85 U/L， t=5.166， P<0.001）， and ALT （19.85±3.86 U/L vs 22.00±3.90 U/L， t=2.383， P=0.020） and significantly higher levels of PLT ［（218.35±42.60）×10⁹/L vs （192.82±44.13）×10⁹/L， t=2.532， P=0.014］ and Cr （70.92±6.54 μmoL/L vs 67.60±6.13 μmoL/L， t=2.253， P=0.027）. After treatment， there was a slight increase in the level of TC in both the TAF group （5.60±0.89 mmol/L vs 5.18±0.85 mmol/L， t=2.076， P=0.041） and the combined group （5.45±0.80 mmol/L vs 5.02±0.83 mmol/L， t=2.269， P=0.026）. There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of adverse reactions between the TAF group and the combined group （21.62% vs 18.92%， χ²=0.084， P=0.772）. ConclusionFor ETV-treated CHB patients experiencing LLV， compared with sequential TAF therapy， the ETV+TAF combined therapy can effectively increase virologic response rate， alleviate liver fibrosis， and improve liver function， whereas sequential TAF therapy has less impact on renal function. Sequential or combined therapy with TAF may induce a slight increase in the level of TC， which should be taken seriously in clinical practice.

Depression is a common psychiatric disorder characterized by persistent low mood or mental disorders. Current treatments primarily focus on regulating neurotransmitter levels， but their effectiveness is limited. The mechanisms underlying its onset are complex， and there is no unified consensus. Abnormal signaling pathway transmission plays a crucial role in the development of depression， involving multiple pathways， including Toll-like receptor 4/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 （TLR4/NLRP3）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription （JAK/STAT）， mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase （MAPK/ERK）， brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tyrosine kinase receptor B （BDNF/TrkB）， cyclic AMP/protein kinase A/cAMP response element-binding protein （cAMP/PKA/CREB）， and others. Traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） is based on a holistic approach and the principle of treatment based on the differentiation of syndromes， regulating the balance of multiple systems and organ functions from a macroscopic perspective. This approach has shown unique advantages in the treatment of depression. TCM attributes the onset of depression to dysfunction of the organ systems， involving liver Qi stagnation， heart spirit deficiency， kidney essence depletion， and spleen dysfunction. TCM compound treatments focus on soothing the liver， strengthening the spleen， calming the heart， and replenishing essence， with formulas such as Xiaoyaosan， Zishui Qinggan Yin， and Chahu Jia Guizhi Longgu Muli Tang. The active components of Chinese herbs mainly aim to tonify and regulate Qi， such as salidroside， ginsenoside Rb₁， astragaloside， and muscone. External TCM treatments， primarily acupuncture， aim to open the orifices and invigorate the spirit. Acupoints such as Baihui， Shenting， and Yintang are commonly used. Additionally， massage and moxibustion therapy can intervene in depression by regulating signaling pathways. This article reviews the core role of signaling pathways in the development of depression and the mechanism of TCM regulation of signaling pathways to intervene in depression， aiming to discover new therapeutic approaches that can improve the symptoms of depressed patients.

Natural arabinogalactan， an important polysaccharide， has a wide range of sources， a complex structure， various biological activities， and great application potential. Natural arabinogalactan is mainly rich in plants and microorganisms， and its structure varies due to different sources， including types Ⅰ， type Ⅱ， type Ⅱ-related types， and new configurations. Natural arabinogalactan has shown a variety of biological activities， such as anti-tumor， anti-oxidation， anti-coagulation， anti-aging， blood glucose-lowering， intestinal health-maintaining， anti-inflammatory， and immunomodulatory activities. In addition， natural arabinogalactan shows good biocompatibility and low toxicity， serving as a potential material in the biomedical field. Natural arabinogalactan has been designed as a carrier in the drug delivery system to effectively improve drug stability and targeting. Natural arabinogalactan is often added to skin care products to help delay skin aging and enhance skin barrier function because of their moisturizing and antioxidant properties. Additionally， natural arabinogalactan acts as a thickener， stabilizer， and emulsifier to improve the texture and taste while enhancing the nutritional value of food products. The review of latest research reports is helpful to further understand the relationship between the structure， biological activity， and functional application of natural arabinogalactan and provides an important reference for future research and development.

Real-time,noninvasive programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1)testing using molecular imaging has enhanced our understanding of the immune environments of neoplasms and has served as a guide for immunotherapy.However,the utilization of radiotracers in the imaging of human brain tumors using positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT)remains limited.This investigation involved the synthesis of[18F]AlF-NOTA-PCP2,which is a novel peptide-based radiolabeled tracer that targets PD-L1,and evaluated its imaging capabilities in orthotopic glioblastoma(GBM)models.Using this tracer,we could noninvasively monitor radiation-induced PD-L1 changes in GBM.[18F]AlF-NOTA-PCP2 exhibited high radiochemical purity(＞95％)and stability up to 4 h after synthesis.It demonstrated specific,high-affinity binding to PD-L1 in vitro and in vivo,with a dissociation constant of 0.24 nM.PET/CT imaging,integrated with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging,revealed significant accumulation of[18F]AlF-NOTA-PCP2 in orthotopic tumors,correlating with blood-brain barrier disruption.After radiotherapy(15 Gy),[18F]AlF-NOTA-PCP2 uptake in tumors increased from 9.51％±0.73％to 12.04％±1.43％,indicating enhanced PD-L1 expression consistent with immunohisto-chemistry findings.Fractionated radiation(5 Gy × 3)further amplified PD-L1 upregulation(13.9％±1.54％ID/cc)compared with a single dose(11.48％±1.05％ID/cc).Taken together,[18F]AlF-NOTA-PCP2 may be a valuable tool for noninvasively monitoring PD-L1 expression in brain tumors after radiotherapy.

Objective To investigate the effect of Haematococcus pluvialis(HP)on bleomycin(BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice and on TGF-β1-induced human fetal lung fibroblasts(HFL1).Methods Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis model group,low-and high-dose HP treatment groups(3 and 21 mg/kg,respectively),and 300 mg/kg pirfenidone(positive control)group.The effects of drug treatment for 21 days were assessed by examining respiratory function,lung histopathology,and expression of fibrosis markers in the lung tissues of the mouse models.In TGF-β1-induced HFL1 cell cultures,the effects of treatment with 120,180 and 240 μg/mL HP or 1.85 μg/mL pirfenidone for 48 h on expression levels of fibrosis markers were evaluated.Transcriptome analysis was carried out using the control cells and cells treated with TGF-β1 and 240 μg/mL HP.Results HP obviously alleviated BLM-induced lung function damage and fibrotic changes in mice,evidenced by improved respiratory function,lung tissue morphology and structure,inflammatory infiltration,and collagen deposition and reduced expressions of fibrotic proteins.HP at the high dose produced similar effect to PFD.In TGF-β1-induced HFL1 cells,treatment with 240 μg/mL HP significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA and FN.Transcriptome analysis revealed that multiple key genes and pathways mediated the protective effect of HP against pulmonary fibrosis.Conclusion HP alleviates pulmonary fibrosis in both the mouse model and cell model,possibly as the result of the synergistic effects of its multiple active components.

Objective:To evaluate the radiological and functional outcomes of moderate to severe hallux valgus patients with enlarged distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) underwent modified Chevron osteotomy.Methods:The clinical data of patients with moderate and severe hallux valgus with increased distal metatarsal joint angle who accepted surgery operation in the Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery of Yantaishan Hospital from October 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent modified Chevron osteotomy. Taking the proximal end of the metatarsal head centre as the osteotomy apex, the vertical arm osteotomy line in the sagittal plane made an angle of ≤80° with the metatarsal stem, the horizontal plane was inclined to the lateral distal end of the metatarsal head by about 10°, and the sagittal plane metatarsal arm osteotomy line made an angle of ≥90° with the vertical arm osteotomy line; at the proximal osteotomy surface, another cuneiform bone with its base on the medial and its apex on the lateral was resected. The deformity correction was insufficient and Akin osteotomy was performed in combination. Weil osteotomy was performed in combination with metatarsalgia. Radiological assessment including the hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), DMAA, the joint congruity angle (JCA), forefoot bone width and soft tissue width was performed preoperatively and at last follow-up postoperatively. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society/hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale (AOFAS/HMIS) was used for clinical and functional evaluation, total score from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better function.Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for pain valuation, total score from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating more pain. A questionnaire survey on patient satisfaction was conducted at the last follow-up. Shapiro-Wilk test was used for normal distribution test, and measurement data following normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD. Paired t-test was used for comparison before and after operation. Other indicators conformed to non-normal distribution were denoted by M( Q1, Q3) and were tested by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:Fifty-two feet of 48 patients (5 males, 43 females; mean age (52.4±14.9) years; range, 24 to 78 years) were enrolled. Before the operation, 8 feet combined with metatarsalgia, among them, 7 feet underwent modified Chevron+ Akin+ Weil osteotomy, and 1 foot underwent modified Chevron+ Weil osteotomy. Among the 44 feet without metatarsalgia, 11 feet underwent modified Chevron osteotomy and 33 feet underwent modified Chevron+ Akin osteotomy. The mean follow-up time was 17.8 months (12-24 months). The HVA angle decreased from 38.30°±7.59° before surgery to 10.00°±5.73° at the last follow-up; the IMA angle decreased from 16.08°(12.89°, 18.24°) to 4.81°(3.62°, 7.57°); the DMAA angle decreased from 18.35°(13.03°, 27.47°) to 4.52°(2.68°, 7.09°); JCA decreased significantly from 15.93°(10.25°, 23.06°) to 3.56°(1.71°, 6.98°); forefoot bone width decreased from (90.05±6.12) mm to (82.75±5.01) mm; forefoot soft tissue width decrease from 102.25(96.77, 107.15) mm to 98.08(91.01, 100.60) mm; the VAS decreased from 6(5.5, 7) points to 0(0, 0) points; the score according to the AOFAS/HMIS forefoot was increased from 49(42, 52.5) points to 90(83.5, 95) points; which were statistically significant compared with that before the operation (all P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the first metatarsal length before the operation and at the last follow-up [54.60(52.86, 56.42) mm vs. 54.29(51.85, 56.35) mm, P>0.05]. In the post-operative period, there were 8 feet had limited metatarsophalangeal joint movement, 3 feet had limited interphalangeal joint movement, 5 feet had limited movement in both joints, which did not affect walking and function; 3 feet of partial recurrence of hallux valgus, 2 feet of screw irritation pain, 1 foot of cystic degeneration of the first metatarsal head, and no complications such as metastatic metatarsalgia. The satisfaction survey showed that the satisfaction rate of patients with the orthopedic effect was 90.4% (47/52). Conclusion:The modified Chevron osteotomy is effective in the treatment of moderate to severe hallux valgus with enlarged DMAA. Careful intraoperative operation and standardized postoperative rehabilitation training can reduce complications.

Marking the 110th anniversary of the Chinese Medical Association, this article commemorates the foundational contributions of Professor Wang Damei (1920-2003) for her life-long dedication to the development of plastic surgery. In 1949, she helped establish New China’s first department of plastic surgery at Peking University Hospital (now Peking University First Hospital). From 1952 to 1953, she organised and taught the inaugural national advanced courses in plastic surgery. In November 1965, when the department was incorporated into Peking University Third Hospital, she transferred with it and continued her clinical work there until retirement. Clinically, she completed several landmark procedures, including China’s first craniofacial surgery (1973), the resection of a parasitic cranial twin in Yunnan (1979), and the country’s first male-to-female surgery (1983). She also promoted copper-needle indwelling therapy for cavernous haemangioma in 1991, and supervised a modified implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter in 1999. Academically, she translated and edited key textbooks, standardised clinical pathways, and helped shaping a practice that was "teachable, learnable, and reproducible". Through initiatives such as seven missions to Yunnan, she integrated standardization with humanistic care, exemplifying the professional ideal encapsulated in "Renew Faces with Healing Hands, Passing on Excellence" .

Objective To explore the reliability of the reagent burstbead for field blood transfusion compatibility testing by applying it to bloodtype detection,antibody screening and cross matching tests and conduting parallel contrast with the existing arrays.Methods A field treatment shelter was used as the testing site to simulate the scene of emergency blood transfusion for the wounded under the conditions of field blood station,and 1 358 pieces of blood samples sent to some hospital for examination before transfusion were considered as the objects.Parallel contrast tests were carried out between the reagent burstbead method and the tube method for bloodtype detection and between the reagent burstbead method and the manual polybrene method for antibody screening and cross matching.The reagent burstbead method was compared with other methods in terms of the coin-cidence rate of the bloodtype detection results,the detection rate of positive samples for antibody screening and crossmatch incompatibility.Results The reagent burstbead method and the tube method had high consistency when used for bloodtype detection,with the coincidence rate being 100％.During antibody screening and cross matching tests,the reagent burstbead method found 5 cases of antibody-positive samples leading to major crossmatch incompatibility(positive rate being 0.37％),the manual polybrene method detected 2 cases of irregular antibody-positive samples(positive rate being 0.15％),and the two methods both identified 3 cases of minor crossmatch incompatibility.Conclusion The reagent burstbead has high accuracy and reliability when applied to bloodtype detection,antibody screening and cross matching tests,and thus can be used for blood transfusion compatibility testing in field conditions.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(2):39-42]