Objective:This study aimed to investigate the role of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2)/Smad8 signaling pathway in T-2 toxin-induced apoptosis of rat articular chondrocytes.Methods:Primary chondrocytes from SD rats were cultured in vitro and exposed to varying concentrations of T-2 toxin (0.00, 0.32, 1.60, 8.00 ng/ml). The changes in chondrocytes survival rate were determined by CCK8, and the apoptosis changes of chondrocytes were determined by TUNEL assay kit. Using a group design, chondrocytes were cultured in complete culture media and culture media containing T-2 toxin (1.60 ng/ml), BMP2 cytokine (500 ng/ml), or T-2 toxin (1.60 ng/ml) + BMP2 cytokine (500 ng/ml), referred to as the control group, T-2 toxin group, BMP2 group, and T-2 toxin + BMP2 group, respectively. The survival rate and apoptosis changes of chondrocytes in each group were determined. The expression levels of Caspase-3, BMP2, BMP receptor Ⅱ (BMP-R Ⅱ), and Smad1/4/5/8 were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Results:Compared with the 0.00 ng/ml of T-2 toxin group [(100.00 ± 0.00)%, (4.33 ± 0.32)%], the chondrocyte survival rates [(85.77 ± 2.96)%, (72.79 ± 2.31)%, (48.87 ± 1.83)%] of the 0.32, 1.60, and 8.00 ng/ml of T-2 toxin groups were significantly lower ( P < 0.05), and the apoptosis rates [(5.43 ± 0.32)%, (6.17 ± 0.15)%, (5.07 ± 0.13)%] were significantly higher ( P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the T-2 toxin group had a lower survival rate and a higher apoptosis rate of chondrocytes ( P < 0.05). Compared with the T-2 toxin group, the T-2 toxin + BMP2 group had a higher survival rate and lower apoptosis rate of chondrocytes ( P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the T-2 toxin group showed higher expression level of Caspase-3 mRNA in chondrocytes, while the expression levels of BMP2, BMP-R Ⅱ, and Smad1/4/8 mRNA were lower ( P < 0.05). Compared with the T-2 toxin group, the expression level of Caspase-3 mRNA was lower in the T-2 toxin + BMP2 group, while the expression levels of BMP2 and Smad8 mRNA were higher ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:BMP2 may partially block the apoptosis of chondrocytes caused by T-2 toxin by regulating the BMP2/Smad8 signaling pathway.

This paper summarizes the academic thought and clinical experience of Professor Gu Ning in diagnosing and treating hy-peruricemia(HUA)based on the Waterway Theory.He proposes that the waterway is a pathway regulated by the Sanjiao and multiple organs,responsible for body fluid metabolism,and that turbid fluids produced after metabolism must be excreted through this pathway.Based on the Water Theory,Professor Gu Ning proposes that the pathogenesis of HUA involves dysfunction of the organs and impaired waterway due to external exposure to the six exogenous pathogens or internal injuries from the seven emotions.The key patho-logical mechanism lies in the accumulation of dampness-turbidity,which subsequently gives rise to various syndrome patterns.Profes-sor Gu Ning developed a therapeutic strategy of eliminating dampness and reducing turbidity for HUA based on the Waterway Theory.By combining and modifying two classical prescriptions,Simiao San and Wuling San,he formulated the Huashi Jiangzhuo For-mula,offering a novel diagnostic and therapeutic approach as well as a theoretical foundation for the treatment of HUA.

Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of combined lienal polypeptide injection therapy in the treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia（MPP）in children aged 3 to 14 years old in multiple clinical centers.Methods:A randomized，controlled，multi-center clinical study design was adopted.A total of 240 hospitalized children aged 3 to 14 years old with MPP from 7 hospitals from September 1，2023 to January 31，2024 were included.According to the severity of pneumonia，they were divided into the mild MPP group with 80 cases and the severe MPP/refractory MPP（SMPP/RMPP）group with 160 cases，and then randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group at a ratio of 1 ∶1，using the random number table method.After screening，subjects entered a treatment period of 5 to 7 days.The control group was treated with azithromycin，while the experimental group was treated with azithromycin plus lienal polypeptide injection .The recovery of lung CT，length of hospital stay，duration of fever，cough score，whether mild cases developed into severe or refractory cases，duration of hormone use，use of intravenous immunoglobulin（IVIG），bronchoscopy treatment，and immune function were observed between the two groups to evaluate the efficacy of lienal polypeptide injection.Adverse events after medication，vital signs，blood routine，urine routine，liver function，myocardial enzymes，renal function，and electrocardiogram were observed to evaluate the safety. Results:A total of 231 subjects have completed the trial in the 7 hospitals，including 118 cases in the experimental group and 113 cases in the control group.Main observation index：the rate of lung CT aggravation in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group（2.6% vs 15.3%， P<0.01），and the difference was statistically significant.Secondary indexes：there were no statistically significant differences in the length of hospital stay，duration of fever，cough score，duration of hormone use，whether IVIG treatment was used，the number of bronchoscopy treatment cases，and immunoglobulin between the two groups（all P>0.05）.However，the rate of cases of plastic bronchitis（PB）found under bronchoscopy in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group（0 vs 18.8%， P=0.03），and the difference was statistically significant.Among the mild MPP（72 cases），there were no statistically significant differences in the length of hospital stay，duration of fever，cough score，duration of hormone use，whether IVIG treatment was used，the number of bronchoscopy treatment cases，and the improvement rate of lung CT between the two groups（all P>0.05）.However，compared with the control group，the rate of cases developing into SMPP/RMPP in the experimental group was less（24.3% vs 48.6%， P=0.03），and the difference in IgG before and after treatment was small［0.53（-0.04，1.18）g/L vs 1.33（0.48，2.25）g/L， P=0.01］.Among the SMPP/RMPP cases（159 cases），the rate of cases of PB found under bronchoscopy in the experimental group was less than that in the control group（0 vs 20%， P=0.04），and the rate of cases with aggravated lung CT in the experimental group was less than that in the control group（1.3% vs 19.5%， P<0.01），and the improvement rate of lung CT in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group（88.8% vs 75.3%， P=0.03），with statistically significant differences.There were no statistically significant differences in the length of hospital stay，duration of fever，cough score，duration of hormone use，whether IVIG treatment was used，the number of bronchoscopy treatment cases，and immunoglobulin between the two groups（all P>0.05）.Two cases in the experimental group developed rashes，which improved after the drug was discontinued.There were no serious adverse reactions such as abnormal vital signs like dyspnea and cyanosis due to the use of lienal polypeptide injection.There were no obvious changes in blood routine，liver function，myocardial enzymes，renal function，electrocardiogram，and urine routine values before and after medication compared with the baseline. Conclusion:The combined use of lienal polypeptide injection in the treatment of MPP in children can reduce the probability of the transformation from mild cases to SMPP/RMPP，reduce the rate of aggravation of the image findings，promote the absorption of lung inflammation，reduce the rate of PB found under bronchoscopy，and has good safety.

Objective:To compare the clinical outcomes of APTT-HTO and Biplanar-high tibial osteotomy (Biplanar-HTO) in treating medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.Methods:A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted. Twenty-eight patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis who underwent HTO at the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from August 2021 to January 2022 were enrolled. Based on the patients' surgical preference, they were assigned to either the APTT-HTO group ( n=15) or the Biplanar-HTO group ( n=13), followed up for 12 months postoperatively. Postoperative pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, Knee Society Score (KSS), changes in patellar height (Caton-Deschamps Index, CDI), and posterior tibial slope (PTS) were compared between the two groups. Results:The APTT-HTO group demonstrated a significantly shorter operative time (64.13±4.85 min) compared to the Biplanar-HTO group (81.54±6.09 min) ( P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in intraoperative correction (APTT-HTO: 12.19°±4.85°; Biplanar-HTO: 11.23°±3.02°) or postoperative drainage volume (APTT-HTO: 47.00±13.79 ml; Biplanar-HTO: 47.00±11.17 ml) ( P>0.05). At 12-month follow-up (APTT-HTO: 13.93±2.05 months; Biplanar-HTO: 14.08±2.14 months; no dropouts), the APTT-HTO group showed no significant changes in PTS (9.32°±2.04° vs. preoperative 8.82°±1.89°) or CDI (0.95±0.11 vs. 0.98±0.11) ( P>0.05), while the Biplanar-HTO group exhibited increased PTS (13.27°±1.99° vs. 8.86°±1.99°) and decreased CDI (0.64±0.10 vs. 0.97±0.16) ( P<0.05). The differences in PTS and CDI between the APTT HTO group and the Biplanar HTO group at 12 months after surgery were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Both groups achieved significant clinical improvements: in APTT-HTO, VAS decreased (preopreation 4.80±1.01 to postopreation 1.06±0.88), KSS knee scores increased (47.67±12.03 to 87.93±4.38), and KSS function scores improved (48.00±4.93 to 67.00±5.91); in Biplanar-HTO, VAS reduced (5.08±1.12 to 1.85±1.14), KSS knee scores rose (46.85±11.48 to 85.85±5.11), and KSS function scores enhanced (46.92±5.60 to 66.92±5.22) ( P<0.05 for all). Complications included soft tissue irritation (2 cases per group), with Biplanar-HTO additionally reporting deep vein thrombosis (1 case), hinge fracture (1 case), and patella baja (3 cases). Conclusions:Both APTT-HTO and Biplanar-HTO effectively treat medial compartment knee osteoarthritis. However, APTT-HTO outperforms Biplanar-HTO in preventing postoperative patella infera and minimizing alterations in PTS.

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics of varicella-zoster virus（VZV）in Anhui province from 2022 to 2023.Methods:Vesicle fluid and throat swab samples were collected from suspected varicella patients in Anhui province during 2022—2023. Fresh vesicle fluid samples were selected for VZV isolation，and real-time PCR was used for VZV nucleic acid detection. For positive samples，the region containing five single nucleotide polymorphism（SNP）sites in the open reading frame 22（ORF22）fragment was amplified，and PCR products were sequenced to identify viral genotypes. Reference sequences of VZV genotypes were downloaded from GenBank，sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree analysis were performed using Sequencher and MEGA5.0 software. Additionally，four SNP sites in ORF38 and ORF62 fragments were detected to distinguish vaccine strains from wild strains.Results:Among 96 samples from suspected varicella cases，55 of 61 vesicle fluid samples and 21 of 35 throat swab samples were positive for VZV nucleic acid. The virus isolation rate for vesicle fluid samples was 14.75%. Genetic sequencing was successful for 51 strains，all of which were wild strains belonging to the clade 2 genetic branch. Compared with the reference strain of clade 2，the nucleotide and amino acid homologies of the ORF22 fragment were 99.46%~100% and 98.39%~100%，respectively. One strain（2023VZVCZ45）exhibited an A→G mutation at site 37916.Conclusion:The prevalent VZV strains detected in Anhui province during 2022—2023 were all wild strains of clade 2，with no vaccine-associated cases identified.

This paper summarizes the academic thought and clinical experience of Professor Gu Ning in diagnosing and treating hy-peruricemia(HUA)based on the Waterway Theory.He proposes that the waterway is a pathway regulated by the Sanjiao and multiple organs,responsible for body fluid metabolism,and that turbid fluids produced after metabolism must be excreted through this pathway.Based on the Water Theory,Professor Gu Ning proposes that the pathogenesis of HUA involves dysfunction of the organs and impaired waterway due to external exposure to the six exogenous pathogens or internal injuries from the seven emotions.The key patho-logical mechanism lies in the accumulation of dampness-turbidity,which subsequently gives rise to various syndrome patterns.Profes-sor Gu Ning developed a therapeutic strategy of eliminating dampness and reducing turbidity for HUA based on the Waterway Theory.By combining and modifying two classical prescriptions,Simiao San and Wuling San,he formulated the Huashi Jiangzhuo For-mula,offering a novel diagnostic and therapeutic approach as well as a theoretical foundation for the treatment of HUA.

Objective:To compare the clinical outcomes of APTT-HTO and Biplanar-high tibial osteotomy (Biplanar-HTO) in treating medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.Methods:A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted. Twenty-eight patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis who underwent HTO at the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from August 2021 to January 2022 were enrolled. Based on the patients' surgical preference, they were assigned to either the APTT-HTO group ( n=15) or the Biplanar-HTO group ( n=13), followed up for 12 months postoperatively. Postoperative pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, Knee Society Score (KSS), changes in patellar height (Caton-Deschamps Index, CDI), and posterior tibial slope (PTS) were compared between the two groups. Results:The APTT-HTO group demonstrated a significantly shorter operative time (64.13±4.85 min) compared to the Biplanar-HTO group (81.54±6.09 min) ( P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in intraoperative correction (APTT-HTO: 12.19°±4.85°; Biplanar-HTO: 11.23°±3.02°) or postoperative drainage volume (APTT-HTO: 47.00±13.79 ml; Biplanar-HTO: 47.00±11.17 ml) ( P>0.05). At 12-month follow-up (APTT-HTO: 13.93±2.05 months; Biplanar-HTO: 14.08±2.14 months; no dropouts), the APTT-HTO group showed no significant changes in PTS (9.32°±2.04° vs. preoperative 8.82°±1.89°) or CDI (0.95±0.11 vs. 0.98±0.11) ( P>0.05), while the Biplanar-HTO group exhibited increased PTS (13.27°±1.99° vs. 8.86°±1.99°) and decreased CDI (0.64±0.10 vs. 0.97±0.16) ( P<0.05). The differences in PTS and CDI between the APTT HTO group and the Biplanar HTO group at 12 months after surgery were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Both groups achieved significant clinical improvements: in APTT-HTO, VAS decreased (preopreation 4.80±1.01 to postopreation 1.06±0.88), KSS knee scores increased (47.67±12.03 to 87.93±4.38), and KSS function scores improved (48.00±4.93 to 67.00±5.91); in Biplanar-HTO, VAS reduced (5.08±1.12 to 1.85±1.14), KSS knee scores rose (46.85±11.48 to 85.85±5.11), and KSS function scores enhanced (46.92±5.60 to 66.92±5.22) ( P<0.05 for all). Complications included soft tissue irritation (2 cases per group), with Biplanar-HTO additionally reporting deep vein thrombosis (1 case), hinge fracture (1 case), and patella baja (3 cases). Conclusions:Both APTT-HTO and Biplanar-HTO effectively treat medial compartment knee osteoarthritis. However, APTT-HTO outperforms Biplanar-HTO in preventing postoperative patella infera and minimizing alterations in PTS.

Objective:This study aimed to investigate the role of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2)/Smad8 signaling pathway in T-2 toxin-induced apoptosis of rat articular chondrocytes.Methods:Primary chondrocytes from SD rats were cultured in vitro and exposed to varying concentrations of T-2 toxin (0.00, 0.32, 1.60, 8.00 ng/ml). The changes in chondrocytes survival rate were determined by CCK8, and the apoptosis changes of chondrocytes were determined by TUNEL assay kit. Using a group design, chondrocytes were cultured in complete culture media and culture media containing T-2 toxin (1.60 ng/ml), BMP2 cytokine (500 ng/ml), or T-2 toxin (1.60 ng/ml) + BMP2 cytokine (500 ng/ml), referred to as the control group, T-2 toxin group, BMP2 group, and T-2 toxin + BMP2 group, respectively. The survival rate and apoptosis changes of chondrocytes in each group were determined. The expression levels of Caspase-3, BMP2, BMP receptor Ⅱ (BMP-R Ⅱ), and Smad1/4/5/8 were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Results:Compared with the 0.00 ng/ml of T-2 toxin group [(100.00 ± 0.00)%, (4.33 ± 0.32)%], the chondrocyte survival rates [(85.77 ± 2.96)%, (72.79 ± 2.31)%, (48.87 ± 1.83)%] of the 0.32, 1.60, and 8.00 ng/ml of T-2 toxin groups were significantly lower ( P < 0.05), and the apoptosis rates [(5.43 ± 0.32)%, (6.17 ± 0.15)%, (5.07 ± 0.13)%] were significantly higher ( P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the T-2 toxin group had a lower survival rate and a higher apoptosis rate of chondrocytes ( P < 0.05). Compared with the T-2 toxin group, the T-2 toxin + BMP2 group had a higher survival rate and lower apoptosis rate of chondrocytes ( P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the T-2 toxin group showed higher expression level of Caspase-3 mRNA in chondrocytes, while the expression levels of BMP2, BMP-R Ⅱ, and Smad1/4/8 mRNA were lower ( P < 0.05). Compared with the T-2 toxin group, the expression level of Caspase-3 mRNA was lower in the T-2 toxin + BMP2 group, while the expression levels of BMP2 and Smad8 mRNA were higher ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:BMP2 may partially block the apoptosis of chondrocytes caused by T-2 toxin by regulating the BMP2/Smad8 signaling pathway.

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics of varicella-zoster virus（VZV）in Anhui province from 2022 to 2023.Methods:Vesicle fluid and throat swab samples were collected from suspected varicella patients in Anhui province during 2022—2023. Fresh vesicle fluid samples were selected for VZV isolation，and real-time PCR was used for VZV nucleic acid detection. For positive samples，the region containing five single nucleotide polymorphism（SNP）sites in the open reading frame 22（ORF22）fragment was amplified，and PCR products were sequenced to identify viral genotypes. Reference sequences of VZV genotypes were downloaded from GenBank，sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree analysis were performed using Sequencher and MEGA5.0 software. Additionally，four SNP sites in ORF38 and ORF62 fragments were detected to distinguish vaccine strains from wild strains.Results:Among 96 samples from suspected varicella cases，55 of 61 vesicle fluid samples and 21 of 35 throat swab samples were positive for VZV nucleic acid. The virus isolation rate for vesicle fluid samples was 14.75%. Genetic sequencing was successful for 51 strains，all of which were wild strains belonging to the clade 2 genetic branch. Compared with the reference strain of clade 2，the nucleotide and amino acid homologies of the ORF22 fragment were 99.46%~100% and 98.39%~100%，respectively. One strain（2023VZVCZ45）exhibited an A→G mutation at site 37916.Conclusion:The prevalent VZV strains detected in Anhui province during 2022—2023 were all wild strains of clade 2，with no vaccine-associated cases identified.

Objective:To explore the adverse outcomes of pregnant women with overt diabetes mellitus(ODM).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 1321 pregnant women delivered in Peking Universi-ty International Hospital.Pregnant women were divided into normal blood glucose group(NGDM),gestational di-abetes mellitus group(GDM)and overt diabetes mellitus group(ODM).Maternal and neonatal adverse out-comes were compared.Results:The age,early pregnancy glycosylated hemoglobin,uric acid,triglycerides and late pregnancy glycosylated hemoglobin levels of women in ODM group were significantly higher than those in NGDM group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.01).The risk of developing gestation hyper-tension(OR 6.32,P＜0.01)and cesarean section(OR 1.87,P＜0.05)in the ODM group was significantly high-er than that in the NGDM group.The rate of preterm birth(OR 2.73,P＜0.05)and macrosomia(OR 3.45,P＜0.01)in the ODM group was significantly higher than that in the NGDM group.Compared with the GDM group,the ODM group did not significantly increase the risk of hypertension,eclampsia or preeclampsia,shoulder dysto-cia,premature rupture of placenta,cesarean section,preterm birth,macrosomia,and low body mass infants(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Pregnant women with ODM increase the risk of gestational hypertension,cesarean section,preterm birth and macrosomia.Active management is needed in pregnant women with ODM.