ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms of Qingchang Wenzhong Decoction （清肠温中方， QWD） in treating ulcerative colitis （UC）. MethodsA total of 100 male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to a pseudo-germ-free group （n=45） and a conventional group （n=55） using a random number table. Pseudo-germ-free model was established by giving antibiotic treatment and subsequently subjected to acute UC induction. After the model was successfully established， the 45 pseudo-germ-free acute UC mice were randomly allocated to a pseudo-germ-free model group， a pseudo-germ-free QWD group， and a pseudo-germ-free mesalazine group， with 15 mice in each group. The 55 conventional mice were randomly divided into a normal control group （n=10）， as well as a conventional model group， a conventional QWD group， and a conventional mesalazine group， with 15 mice in each group. Except for the normal control group， acute UC models were established in all other groups. Mice in the control group received no intervention. From day 32 of the experiment， mice in the pseudo-germ-free QWD group and the conventional QWD group were administered with QWD granules at a dose of 9.71 g/（kg·d） by gavage with deionized water， while those in the pseudo-germ-free mesalazine group and the conventional mesalazine group were given mesalazine enteric-coated tablets at a dose of 151.67 mg/（kg·d） by gavage. Mice in the remaining groups received an equal volume of deionized water once daily for 7 consecutive days. On day 25 of the experiment， six mice were randomly selected from both the pseudo-germ-free group and the conventional group to measure body weight， and fecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing to compare differences in gut microbiota， including operational taxonomic units （OTUs）， Shannon index， Observed_species index， and phylogenetic diversity （PD whole tree）. On day 39， body weight was measured in all groups， and the disease activity index （DAI） was evaluated. Colon length and colon wet weight were recorded. Histopathological changes in colonic tissues were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining， and histological injury scores were determined. In addition， the expression levels of mucopolysaccharides and mucin 2 （MUC2） in colonic tissues were measured. ResultsOn day 25， there was no significant difference in body weight between the pseudo-germ-free group and the conventional microbiota group （P＞0.05）. Compared to the conventional microbiota group， the pseudo-germ-free group showed significantly reduced OTUs， Shannon index， Observed_species index， and PD whole tree （P＜0.01）. On day 39， compared to the normal control group， mice in the conventional model group showed a significant decrease in the body weight and an increase in DAI， along with increased colon wet weight， shortened colon length， markedly elevated histopathological scores， and reduced expression of mucopolysaccharides and MUC2 （P＜0.01）. In contrast， no significant differences were observed in these parameters in the pseudo-germ-free model group （P＞0.05）. Compared to the conventional model group， the conventional QWD group showed significant improvement in all measured parameters， whereas the conventional mesalazine group showed reductions only in DAI scores and colon wet weight （P＜0.01）. No statistically significant differences were observed among the pseudo-germ-free model group， the pseudo-germ-free QWD group， and the pseudo-germ-free mesalazine group （P＞0.05）. ConclusionQWD may promote the reconstruction of the intestinal mucus barrier by regulating the intestinal flora， thereby exerting a therapeutic effect on acute UC.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms of Qingchang Wenzhong Decoction （清肠温中方， QWD） in treating ulcerative colitis （UC）. MethodsA total of 100 male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to a pseudo-germ-free group （n=45） and a conventional group （n=55） using a random number table. Pseudo-germ-free model was established by giving antibiotic treatment and subsequently subjected to acute UC induction. After the model was successfully established， the 45 pseudo-germ-free acute UC mice were randomly allocated to a pseudo-germ-free model group， a pseudo-germ-free QWD group， and a pseudo-germ-free mesalazine group， with 15 mice in each group. The 55 conventional mice were randomly divided into a normal control group （n=10）， as well as a conventional model group， a conventional QWD group， and a conventional mesalazine group， with 15 mice in each group. Except for the normal control group， acute UC models were established in all other groups. Mice in the control group received no intervention. From day 32 of the experiment， mice in the pseudo-germ-free QWD group and the conventional QWD group were administered with QWD granules at a dose of 9.71 g/（kg·d） by gavage with deionized water， while those in the pseudo-germ-free mesalazine group and the conventional mesalazine group were given mesalazine enteric-coated tablets at a dose of 151.67 mg/（kg·d） by gavage. Mice in the remaining groups received an equal volume of deionized water once daily for 7 consecutive days. On day 25 of the experiment， six mice were randomly selected from both the pseudo-germ-free group and the conventional group to measure body weight， and fecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing to compare differences in gut microbiota， including operational taxonomic units （OTUs）， Shannon index， Observed_species index， and phylogenetic diversity （PD whole tree）. On day 39， body weight was measured in all groups， and the disease activity index （DAI） was evaluated. Colon length and colon wet weight were recorded. Histopathological changes in colonic tissues were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining， and histological injury scores were determined. In addition， the expression levels of mucopolysaccharides and mucin 2 （MUC2） in colonic tissues were measured. ResultsOn day 25， there was no significant difference in body weight between the pseudo-germ-free group and the conventional microbiota group （P＞0.05）. Compared to the conventional microbiota group， the pseudo-germ-free group showed significantly reduced OTUs， Shannon index， Observed_species index， and PD whole tree （P＜0.01）. On day 39， compared to the normal control group， mice in the conventional model group showed a significant decrease in the body weight and an increase in DAI， along with increased colon wet weight， shortened colon length， markedly elevated histopathological scores， and reduced expression of mucopolysaccharides and MUC2 （P＜0.01）. In contrast， no significant differences were observed in these parameters in the pseudo-germ-free model group （P＞0.05）. Compared to the conventional model group， the conventional QWD group showed significant improvement in all measured parameters， whereas the conventional mesalazine group showed reductions only in DAI scores and colon wet weight （P＜0.01）. No statistically significant differences were observed among the pseudo-germ-free model group， the pseudo-germ-free QWD group， and the pseudo-germ-free mesalazine group （P＞0.05）. ConclusionQWD may promote the reconstruction of the intestinal mucus barrier by regulating the intestinal flora， thereby exerting a therapeutic effect on acute UC.

Real-time acquisition of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion information through thoracic electrical impedance tomography (EIT) holds significant clinical value. This study proposes a novel method based on the rime (RIME) algorithm-optimized variational mode decomposition (VMD) to separate lung ventilation and perfusion signals directly from raw voltage data prior to EIT image reconstruction, enabling independent imaging of both parameters. To validate this approach, EIT data were collected from 16 healthy volunteers under normal breathing and inspiratory breath-holding conditions. The RIME algorithm was employed to optimize VMD parameters by minimizing envelope entropy as the fitness function. The optimized VMD was then applied to separate raw data across all measurement channels in EIT, with spectral analysis identifying relevant components to reconstruct ventilation and perfusion signals. Results demonstrated that the structural similarity index (SSIM) between perfusion images derived from normal breathing and breath-holding states averaged approximately 84% across all 16 subjects, significantly outperforming traditional frequency-domain filtering methods in perfusion imaging accuracy. This method offers a promising technical advancement for real-time monitoring of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion, holding significant value for advancing the clinical application of EIT in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases.
Humans ; Electric Impedance ; Algorithms ; Tomography/methods* ; Pulmonary Ventilation/physiology* ; Lung/diagnostic imaging* ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Adult

In October 2024， the 75th World Medical Association General Assembly adopted the tenth revised version of the Declaration of Helsinki. Using textual analysis， this paper systematically compared the changes between the 2024 version and the 2013 version of the Declaration of Helsinki. This study found that， while maintaining the original framework， the new version incorporated the common achievements of the values and civilizational development of human society in recent years， mainly presenting changes in three aspects. First， the core terms were updated， and new concepts such as vulnerability， structural inequality， and environmental sustainability were introduced to further emphasize human dignity， rights and interests， and autonomy in terms of values. Second， the contents of the provisions were refined， especially focusing on the vulnerability of research subjects， free and full informed consent， ethical principles in public health emergencies， and the responsibilities of the ethics committee， as well as the standardization of implementation continued to be improved in the research process. Third， mandatory expressions were strengthened， and the justice of value pursuit was further reinforced in terms of research responsibilities. The revised contents reflected the “human-oriented” fundamental principle in medical research ethics， indicating the direction for future ethical development in medical research. In the future， China should strengthen the construction of ethics committees， actively build a protection system for research participants， and continuously promote international cooperation in medical ethics， to contribute Chinese wisdom to global medical research.

Immunotherapy based on immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) has shown remarkable efficacy in the treatment of microsatellite instability (MSI)-high CRC. However, the monotherapy of ICI in microsatellite stable (MSS) CRC has not been satisfactory. Some patients with MSS CRC can benefit from various combination immunotherapy regimens. Identifying appropriate biomarkers to select MSS-type CRC patients who will benefit from ICI treatment prior to therapy initiation and dynamically monitoring treatment efficacy during the therapeutic course have become crucial components of precision medicine in clinical practice. This article reviews the current research status of traditional biomarkers such as tumor mutation burden (TMB) and PD-L1 expression. It also explores the latest research progress and clinical translation potential of emerging biomarkers, including POLE/POLD1 mutations, immune score, circulating tumor DNA, and gut microbiome. Furthermore, it addresses the challenges in the clinical application of biomarkers, such as the controversy over TMB cutoff values and the heterogeneity of PD-L1 expression. Finally, it outlines future research directions with the aim of providing a basis for clinical decision-making in immunotherapy and facilitating the realization of precision medicine.

Objective:To explore the relationship between the morphology of the carotid siphon, its related risk factors, and cerebral blood flow perfusion in patients with arteriosclerotic cerebral small vessel disease (aCSVD), and provide imaging evidence for the etiology of aCSVD.Methods:A total of 130 aCSVD patients hospitalized in the Department of Neurology of the First People′s Hospital of Hefei from March 2022 to June 2024, all of whom underwent multimodal imaging assessments, were enrolled. The baseline data were collected, and the morphology of the carotid siphon was visually evaluated using post-processing of head and neck computed tomography angiography (CTA), which was categorized into U-type ( n=63), C-type ( n=32), and V-type ( n=35). Calcification degree was semi-quantitatively assessed based on transverse CTA images. Cerebral perfusion was measured using magnetic resonance arterial spin labeling. The relationship between different siphon segment morphologies, calcification degrees, their risk factors, and cerebral blood flow perfusion was analyzed using analysis of variance and multinomial Logistic regression. Results:Univariate analysis of the 3 siphon types showed significant differences in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [U-type (2.44±0.84) mmol/L,V-type (2.21±0.57) mmol/L, C-type (2.89±1.07) mmol/L, F=5.578, P=0.005], calcification degree [Among the 63 cases in the U-type group, 19 cases (30.15%) had mild calcification, 20 cases (31.75%) had moderate calcification, and 24 cases (38.10%) had severe calcification; among the 35 cases in the V-type group, 20 cases (57.14%) had mild calcification, 10 cases (28.57%) had moderate calcification, and 5 cases (14.29%) had severe calcification; among the 32 cases in the C-type group, 12 cases (37.50%) had mild calcification, 14 cases (43.75%) had moderate calcification, and 6 cases (18.75%) had severe calcification; χ2=13.092, P=0.011], and total aCSVD load [modified aCSVD load score: U-type 4.00(1.00, 4.00),V-type 3.00(1.00, 4.00),C-type 2.00(2.00, 4.00), H=9.997, P=0.007]. Multivariate Logistic regression revealed that patients with U-shaped siphons had a significantly higher overall aCSVD load than those with C-shaped siphons, with a regression coefficient of 0.728, and a statistically significant difference ( OR=2.070 ,95% CI 1.026-4.178, P=0.042). Additionally, total brain and white matter cerebral blood flow were decreased in patients with U-type siphons compared to those with C-type and V-type, primarily involving bilateral superior frontal gyri, left orbital frontal gyrus, and left straight gyrus regions (false discovery rate correction, P<0.05). Conclusions:The imaging manifestations of aCSVD are closely related to the shape of the internal carotid artery siphon.The U type siphon is more likely to lead to hemodynamic changes, resulting in decreased global and regional cerebral blood flow, and demonstrating a higher overall burden of aCSVD, which has certain clinical reference value for assessing the etiology of aCSVD.

Immunotherapy based on immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) has shown remarkable efficacy in the treatment of microsatellite instability (MSI)-high CRC. However, the monotherapy of ICI in microsatellite stable (MSS) CRC has not been satisfactory. Some patients with MSS CRC can benefit from various combination immunotherapy regimens. Identifying appropriate biomarkers to select MSS-type CRC patients who will benefit from ICI treatment prior to therapy initiation and dynamically monitoring treatment efficacy during the therapeutic course have become crucial components of precision medicine in clinical practice. This article reviews the current research status of traditional biomarkers such as tumor mutation burden (TMB) and PD-L1 expression. It also explores the latest research progress and clinical translation potential of emerging biomarkers, including POLE/POLD1 mutations, immune score, circulating tumor DNA, and gut microbiome. Furthermore, it addresses the challenges in the clinical application of biomarkers, such as the controversy over TMB cutoff values and the heterogeneity of PD-L1 expression. Finally, it outlines future research directions with the aim of providing a basis for clinical decision-making in immunotherapy and facilitating the realization of precision medicine.

Objective:To explore the relationship between the morphology of the carotid siphon, its related risk factors, and cerebral blood flow perfusion in patients with arteriosclerotic cerebral small vessel disease (aCSVD), and provide imaging evidence for the etiology of aCSVD.Methods:A total of 130 aCSVD patients hospitalized in the Department of Neurology of the First People′s Hospital of Hefei from March 2022 to June 2024, all of whom underwent multimodal imaging assessments, were enrolled. The baseline data were collected, and the morphology of the carotid siphon was visually evaluated using post-processing of head and neck computed tomography angiography (CTA), which was categorized into U-type ( n=63), C-type ( n=32), and V-type ( n=35). Calcification degree was semi-quantitatively assessed based on transverse CTA images. Cerebral perfusion was measured using magnetic resonance arterial spin labeling. The relationship between different siphon segment morphologies, calcification degrees, their risk factors, and cerebral blood flow perfusion was analyzed using analysis of variance and multinomial Logistic regression. Results:Univariate analysis of the 3 siphon types showed significant differences in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [U-type (2.44±0.84) mmol/L,V-type (2.21±0.57) mmol/L, C-type (2.89±1.07) mmol/L, F=5.578, P=0.005], calcification degree [Among the 63 cases in the U-type group, 19 cases (30.15%) had mild calcification, 20 cases (31.75%) had moderate calcification, and 24 cases (38.10%) had severe calcification; among the 35 cases in the V-type group, 20 cases (57.14%) had mild calcification, 10 cases (28.57%) had moderate calcification, and 5 cases (14.29%) had severe calcification; among the 32 cases in the C-type group, 12 cases (37.50%) had mild calcification, 14 cases (43.75%) had moderate calcification, and 6 cases (18.75%) had severe calcification; χ2=13.092, P=0.011], and total aCSVD load [modified aCSVD load score: U-type 4.00(1.00, 4.00),V-type 3.00(1.00, 4.00),C-type 2.00(2.00, 4.00), H=9.997, P=0.007]. Multivariate Logistic regression revealed that patients with U-shaped siphons had a significantly higher overall aCSVD load than those with C-shaped siphons, with a regression coefficient of 0.728, and a statistically significant difference ( OR=2.070 ,95% CI 1.026-4.178, P=0.042). Additionally, total brain and white matter cerebral blood flow were decreased in patients with U-type siphons compared to those with C-type and V-type, primarily involving bilateral superior frontal gyri, left orbital frontal gyrus, and left straight gyrus regions (false discovery rate correction, P<0.05). Conclusions:The imaging manifestations of aCSVD are closely related to the shape of the internal carotid artery siphon.The U type siphon is more likely to lead to hemodynamic changes, resulting in decreased global and regional cerebral blood flow, and demonstrating a higher overall burden of aCSVD, which has certain clinical reference value for assessing the etiology of aCSVD.

Objective: Astragali Radix, commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, is subjected to an analysis of the habitat distribution of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China under climate change. This analysis is crucial for the conservation ofmedicinal plants, the assessment of their adaptability to climate change, and the promotion of sustainable development in the ecological environment. Methods: This study explores the currently suitable habitats for A. membranaceus var. mongholicus using a random forest species distribution model on the Google earth engine platform. Based on future climate data, the study predicts distribution dynamics for 4 time periods (2021–2040, 2041–2060, 2061–2080, and 2081–2100) under three climate change scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585). Results: The results indicate that under current climatic conditions, the suitable habitat distribution of A. membranaceus var. mongholicus is mainly concentrated in the southwestern region of Inner Mongolia. Under future climate change scenarios, there is a varying degree of contraction in suitable habitats, with notable reductions. Particularly, under the SSP126 scenario (2081–2100), there is a significant decrease of 22.77% in suitable habitat. The SSP245 scenario (2041–2060) exhibits the most pronounced habitat loss, with a reduction of 36.38%. Additionally, with climate change, the overall suitable range of A. membranaceus var. mongholicus is expected to shift toward higher latitudes and contract. Conclusion: This study can be used to improve conservation efforts for wild A. membranaceus var. mongholicus. It also provides a scientific basis for the cultivation of this medicinal plant in the context of climate change. This, in turn, can encourage more industries to achieve both sustainable development and economic benefits, providing valuable insights for building a low-carbon economy.

Objective To analyze the demographic data,CT characteristics,treatment methods and follow-up results of patients with spontaneous isolated dissection of celiac artery(SIDCA)and to explore the selection of treatment strategy for SIDCA.Methods Medical records of 31 patients diagnosed as SIDCA were selected.The patients were divided into 2 groups,symptomatic group and asymptotic group.Demographic data,morbidity season,CT characteristics(type,distance of the entry site from the origin of the artery,dissection length,compression rate of the true lumen,branches involvement,organ ischemia,coexisting vasculopathy),treatment methods,and follow-up results were analyzed.Results Thirty-one patients were identified by CT contrast scan,22 were symptomatic and 9 were asymptomatic.22 patients were first diagnosed in cooler season,compared with 9 patients in warmer season(22 vs 9,Fisher's exact test,P=0.029).The difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic groups about branches involvement in patients was significant(8/14 vs 0/9,Fisher's exact test,P=0.007).Treatment included observation in 24,endovascular intervention in 6 patients and surgical repair in 1 patient.No patient required bowel resection.The mean follow-up period was 13.75 months.Except for 2 patients,the condition of the remaining patients improved or stabilized during follow-up.Conclusion The difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic groups about branches involvement in patients is significant.Initial conservative treatment may be adequate for patients without end organ malperfusion or aneurysm formation or aneurysm rupture in SIDCA.Additionally,during the cooler season,visceral artery should be observed carefully on abdominal contrast CT,especially in the patient with abdominal pain,to avoid misdiagnosis.