As a mercury-containing elixir， Hongshengdan has been known as a sacred medicine for surgery by ancient medical practitioners because of its precise curative effects. It originated from Yizong Shuoyue in the Qing dynasty， Qing dynasty and modern medical practitioners have adapted and modified its formula for clinical application. Employing bibliometric methods， the authors systematically organized relevant ancient literature of the Qing dynasty and modern literature， and analyzed the composition and dosage， preparation method， and clinical application. Among the 25 ancient books concerning Hongshengdan， a total of 12 medicinal formulas， 15 refining methods and 9 clinical applications were obtained. Research confirms that Hongshengdan consisted of mercury， saltpeter， alum， soap alum， cinnabar and realgar. Using measurement conversion standards of Qing dynasty， the modern single-batch formulation comprised 37.30 g of mercury， 149.20 g of saltpeter， 37.30 g of alum， 22.38 g of soap alum， 18.65 g of cinnabar， and 18.65 g of realgar. In modern refining of Hongshengdan， most medical practitioners take the core medicines， with dosages approximately 30 g of mercury， 30 g of saltpeter， and 30 g of alum. Refining method involves pretreatment stewing the materials during preparation， and alum， soap alum， and saltpeter are first ground together， then combined with mercury， cinnabar， and realgar for grinding until mercury and other drugs grind to the degree of no star points. The mixture is then placed in a pot or vessel by cold-forming method. After covering， the opening is sealed using either raw gypsum salt mud or honey-dipped cotton paper strips. Sand is packed around the vessel and then pressurized. During the calcination process， begin with a low flame（30 min）， then increase to a medium flame（30 min）， followed by a high flame（30 min）， after removing fire toxins， collect the final product. Hongshengdan has the efficacy of lifting the poison， removing the corrosion， producing muscle and dispersing， and is often used in the treatment of surgical sore and carbuncle type of diseases. Modern research indicates that Hongshengdan is commonly used to treat skin system diseases such as ulcers and herpes. The aforementioned findings provide a reference basis for the subsequent refining method and clinical application of Hongshengdan.

This study aims to research the relationship between arterial stiffness and serum indirect bilirub in levels(IBIL)in patients with type 2 diabetes by measuring brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). The clinical data of 1 327 patients with T2DM admitted to Qingdao Huangdao District People′s Hospital from July 1st, 2018 to March 1st, 2024 were retrospectively and cross-sectionally analyzed (609 men and 718 women; age range, 45.3-79.5 years; median age, 60.3 years; mean age, 61.4 years). The subjects were stratified based on gender-specific quartiles of IBIL values(male, Q1:<6.7 μmol/L, Q2:6.7-8.9 μmol/L, Q3:8.9-12.3 μmol/L, Q4:≥12.3 μmol/L;female, Q1:<6.4 μmol/L, Q2:6.4-7.9 μmol/L, Q3:7.9-10.4 μmol/L, Q4:≥10.4 μmol/L), and a high baPWV was defined as greater than 18.37 m/s (75th percentile). The results showed that the serum IBIL concentration was negatively correlated with the duration of diabetes ( r=-0.142, P=0.010), the SBP ( r=-0.158, P=0.005) and the baPWV ( r=-0.194, P<0.001) in women and was positively correlated with TC (men: r=0.282, P<0.001; women: r=0.237, P<0.001), HDL-C (men: r=0.171, P=0.011; women: r=0.287, P<0.001) and LDL-C (men: r=0.196, P=0.009; women: r=0.233, P<0.001) levels in both genders. Dividing IBIL levels into quartiles, there were significant statistical differences in the incidence of high baPWV among different subgroups of female patients ( χ 2=36.468, P<0.001), and the incidence of high baPWV showed a decreasing trend with increasing IBIL levels. After adjusting for confounding factors, the IB levels were inversely associated with a greater risk of a high baPWV both as a continuous variable [a 1-SD difference; odds ratio ( OR):0.836; 95% confidence interval ( CI):0.774-0.942; P=0.009] and when categorized in quartiles (the highest vs. the lowest quartile; OR:0.381; 95% CI:0.162-0.897; P=0.025) in women but not in men. Low IBIL levels were significantly associated with arterial stiffness in middle-aged and elderly women with type 2 diabetes. In conclusion, the serum IBIL levels were independent protective factors for macrovascular disease in middle-aged and elderly diabetic women.

Pyroptosis is a kind of programmed cell death,which is not only related to colorectal cancer,bladder cancer,gastric cancer,breast cancer and other tumors,but also related to cervical cancer,ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer.In recent years,the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological tumors have been improved,but their incidence and mortality are still high,which seriously threaten women's health.The current difficulty in treating gynecological tumors is reflected in the chemotherapy resistance of cervical cancer,the difficulty in early detection of ovarian cancer,the rapid progression and easy recurrence of late stage ovarian cancer,and the poor prognosis of late stage endometrial cancer.Therefore,this article reviews the roles of pyroptosis in the occurrence and development of gynecologic tumors,in order to provide clues for early diagnosis and treatment of gynecological tumors.

Pyroptosis is a kind of programmed cell death,which is not only related to colorectal cancer,bladder cancer,gastric cancer,breast cancer and other tumors,but also related to cervical cancer,ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer.In recent years,the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological tumors have been improved,but their incidence and mortality are still high,which seriously threaten women's health.The current difficulty in treating gynecological tumors is reflected in the chemotherapy resistance of cervical cancer,the difficulty in early detection of ovarian cancer,the rapid progression and easy recurrence of late stage ovarian cancer,and the poor prognosis of late stage endometrial cancer.Therefore,this article reviews the roles of pyroptosis in the occurrence and development of gynecologic tumors,in order to provide clues for early diagnosis and treatment of gynecological tumors.

This study aims to research the relationship between arterial stiffness and serum indirect bilirub in levels(IBIL)in patients with type 2 diabetes by measuring brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). The clinical data of 1 327 patients with T2DM admitted to Qingdao Huangdao District People′s Hospital from July 1st, 2018 to March 1st, 2024 were retrospectively and cross-sectionally analyzed (609 men and 718 women; age range, 45.3-79.5 years; median age, 60.3 years; mean age, 61.4 years). The subjects were stratified based on gender-specific quartiles of IBIL values(male, Q1:<6.7 μmol/L, Q2:6.7-8.9 μmol/L, Q3:8.9-12.3 μmol/L, Q4:≥12.3 μmol/L;female, Q1:<6.4 μmol/L, Q2:6.4-7.9 μmol/L, Q3:7.9-10.4 μmol/L, Q4:≥10.4 μmol/L), and a high baPWV was defined as greater than 18.37 m/s (75th percentile). The results showed that the serum IBIL concentration was negatively correlated with the duration of diabetes ( r=-0.142, P=0.010), the SBP ( r=-0.158, P=0.005) and the baPWV ( r=-0.194, P<0.001) in women and was positively correlated with TC (men: r=0.282, P<0.001; women: r=0.237, P<0.001), HDL-C (men: r=0.171, P=0.011; women: r=0.287, P<0.001) and LDL-C (men: r=0.196, P=0.009; women: r=0.233, P<0.001) levels in both genders. Dividing IBIL levels into quartiles, there were significant statistical differences in the incidence of high baPWV among different subgroups of female patients ( χ 2=36.468, P<0.001), and the incidence of high baPWV showed a decreasing trend with increasing IBIL levels. After adjusting for confounding factors, the IB levels were inversely associated with a greater risk of a high baPWV both as a continuous variable [a 1-SD difference; odds ratio ( OR):0.836; 95% confidence interval ( CI):0.774-0.942; P=0.009] and when categorized in quartiles (the highest vs. the lowest quartile; OR:0.381; 95% CI:0.162-0.897; P=0.025) in women but not in men. Low IBIL levels were significantly associated with arterial stiffness in middle-aged and elderly women with type 2 diabetes. In conclusion, the serum IBIL levels were independent protective factors for macrovascular disease in middle-aged and elderly diabetic women.

Objective: To investigate the prognostic utility of radiomics features extracted from 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT combined with clinical factors and metabolic parameters in predicting progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in individuals diagnosed with extranodal nasal-type NK/T cell lymphoma (ENKTCL). Materials and Methods: A total of 126 adults with ENKTCL who underwent 18 F-FDG PET/CT examination before treatment were retrospectively included and randomly divided into training (n = 88) and validation cohorts (n = 38) at a ratio of 7:3.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operation Cox regression analysis was used to select the best radiomics features and calculate each patient’s radiomics scores (RadPFS and RadOS). Kaplan–Meier curve and Log-rank test were used to compare survival between patient groups risk-stratified by the radiomics scores. Various models to predict PFS and OS were constructed, including clinical, metabolic, clinical + metabolic, and clinical + metabolic + radiomics models. The discriminative ability of each model was evaluated using Harrell’s C index. The performance of each model in predicting PFS and OS for 1-, 3-, and 5-years was evaluated using the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: Kaplan–Meier curve analysis demonstrated that the radiomics scores effectively identified high- and low-risk patients (all P < 0.05). Multivariable Cox analysis showed that the Ann Arbor stage, maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), and RadPFS were independent risk factors associated with PFS. Further, β2-microglobulin, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score, SUVmax, and RadOS were independent risk factors for OS. The clinical + metabolic + radiomics model exhibited the greatest discriminative ability for both PFS (Harrell’s C-index: 0.805 in the validation cohort) and OS (Harrell’s C-index: 0.833 in the validation cohort). The time-dependent ROC analysis indicated that the clinical + metabolic + radiomics model had the best predictive performance. Conclusion The PET/CT-based clinical + metabolic + radiomics model can enhance prognostication among patients with ENKTCL and may be a non-invasive and efficient risk stratification tool for clinical practice.

Acylcarnitines are metabolic intermediates of fatty acids and branched-chain amino acids having vital biofunctions and pathophysiological significances.Here,we developed a high-throughput method for quantifying hundreds of acylcarnitines in one run using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS).This enabled simultaneous quantification of 1136 acyl-carnitines(C0-C26)within 10-min with good sensitivity(limit of detection＜0.7 fmol),linearity(cor-relation coefficient＞0.992),accuracy(relative error＜20％),precision(coefficient of variation(CV),CV＜15％),stability(CV＜15％),and inter-technician consistency(CV＜20％,n=6).We also established a quantitative structure-retention relationship(goodness of fit＞0.998)for predicting retention time(tR)of acylcarnitines with no standards and built a database of their multiple reaction monitoring parameters(tR,ion-pairs,and collision energy).Furthermore,we quantified 514 acylcarnitines in human plasma and urine,mouse kidney,liver,heart,lung,and muscle.This provides a rapid method for quantifying acyl-carnitines in multiple biological matrices.

BACKGROUND: Numerous researches indicated that electromagnetic pulses (EMP) possessed advantages such as strong targeting, minimal side-effects and low treatment cost in tumor therapy, but its optimum parameters for treatment and the relationship between EMP and tumor-derived exosomes remains unclear. This study aims to clarify the effects of EMP with different parameters on the quantity and miRNA (microRNA) of exosomes secreted by human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells, providing beneficial reference for the clinical application of EMP and related research. METHODS: A549 cells were randomly divided into control group and different EMP radiation groups with respective intensity of 400, 600 and 800 kV/m. EMP was performed with 2000 pulses once, 20 Hz of repetition frequency and 120 ns of pulse width. A549 cells were radiated once per day for continuous 3 days. After radiation, exosomes were collected and identified; cell number was measured by trypan blue staining; the concentration of exosomes was measured by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA); the abundance of miRNAs was determined by miRNA sequencing. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the morphology and cell viability of A549 cells in radiation group was not different, but the quantity of exosomes in 400 or 800 kV/m radiation group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), in contrast with obvious increase in 600 kV/m radiation group (P<0.05). The abundance of exosomal miRNAs between control group and each EMP group was obviously different (P<0.05) and target genes of differentially abundant miRNAs enriched in different pathways. CONCLUSIONS Under the experimental condition, the quantity and miRNA abundance of exosomes could be changed by EMP radiation, which could further influence the function of tumor-derived exosomes.
Humans ; Exosomes/genetics* ; A549 Cells ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Cell Survival/radiation effects* ; Electromagnetic Fields

Objective To explore the effect of Jiawei Liujunzi decoction in improving volume overload and residual renal protection in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis(CAPD)patients with spleen deficiency.Methods A total of 82 patients treated in the Peritoneal Dialysis Center of Dongyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University from July 2022 to April 2023 were selected as study objects.According to random number table method,the patients were divided into control group and treatment group,41 cases in each group.The control group was given basic western medicine treatment,and the treatment group was given supplemented with Jiawei Liujunzi decoction on the basis of control group,and the treatment course was 8 weeks.The percentage of extracellular water to total body water(ECW％),urea clearance index of residual kidney(Kt/V)and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)of two groups were compared,and safety of the drug was evaluated.Results After treatment,ECW％and BNP in two groups were significantly lower than before treatment(P＜0.05).The urine volume of control group was significantly lower than that before treatment(P＜0.05).After treatment,there were no significant differences in ECW％,BNP,Kt/V and urine volume between two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,there were no significant differences in alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,albumin,phosphorus,calcium and potassium between two groups(P＞0.05),indicating good safety.After 12 months of follow-up,the survival rate of treatment group was significantly higher than that of control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Jiawei Liujunzi decoction can improve the volume overload of CAPD patients with spleen deficiency to a certain extent,with good safety,and can improve the long-term survival rate of patients.

The role of microbiota in human reproduction has become the “the second genome of humanity”. In fact, more and more researches have investigated the microbiota in reproduction, including the lower and upper reproductive tracts, and even the interactions with gametogenesis. The microbiota not only plays a crucial role in the pathological states caused by health and microecological disorders, but may also play an important role in successful fertilization and healthy pregnancy. Currently, researches on the relationship between microbiota and human reproductive axis are attracting widespread attention. This article reviews the impact of microbiota on reproductive outcomes, as well as the impact and possible mechanisms of microbiota in the uterine cavity on immune tolerance. It explores that dysbiosis of microbiota may play a role through immune tolerance. This may play a guiding role in regulating the microecology and exploring new methods for treating reproductive diseases.