Thyroid diseases are common clinical endocrine disorders， and their pathogenesis is generally considered to be closely related to genetic predisposition factors， immune system disorders， hormone levels， etc. Xiaoyaosan is widely used in the treatment of various thyroid diseases with excellent effects. This study summarized the relevant literature on the treatment of thyroid diseases with modified Xiaoyaosan prescriptions and their active ingredients from aspects such as theoretical analysis， clinical research， and mechanism research. Theoretical analysis revealed that Xiaoyaosan could not only disperse stagnated liver qi but also replenish deficient spleen Qi， which was consistent with the etiology and pathogenesis of thyroid diseases. Clinical studies found that Xiaoyaosan and its modified prescriptions could be widely used in the treatment of multiple thyroid diseases， such as hyperthyroidism， Hashimoto's thyroiditis， and thyroid nodules. Both the use of modified Xiaoyaosan alone and in combination with medications such as methimazole， propylthiouracil， and euthyrox could effectively improve patients' clinical symptoms. In the mechanism research， this study discovered that the whole formula of Xiaoyaosan and its modified prescriptions could inhibit inflammatory reactions， regulate immune balance， and delay liver damage during the treatment of thyroid diseases. The research on Xiaoyaosan for treating thyroid diseases mainly focused on thyroid cancer， autoimmune thyroiditis， hyperthyroidism， and hypothyroidism. The mechanisms of action mainly involved promoting cell apoptosis， inhibiting cell proliferation and migration， arresting the cell cycle， and regulating thyroid hormone levels. In conclusion， this study systematically combs and summarizes the research status of Xiaoyaosan in treating thyroid diseases through literature retrieval， aiming to provide new perspectives and new ideas for the prevention and treatment of thyroid diseases with traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective To investigate the regulatory role of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) signaling on the subtypes and functions of natural killer (NK) cells at the maternal-fetal interface during the second trimester in mice following Toxoplasma gondii infection during the first trimester. Methods Twelve 6- to 8-week-old female mice of the C57BL/6J strain were divided into a control group and an infection group, of 6 mice in each group. On the 6.5th day of pregnancy (Gd6.5), each pregnant mouse in the infection group was intraperitoneally injected with 150 tachyzoites of the Toxoplasma gondii PRU strain, while mice in the control group were injected with an equal volume of physiological saline. On the 12.5th day of pregnancy (Gd12.5), uterus and placenta tissues were sampled from pregnant mice for pathological observations, and the mRNA expression levels of PD-1, PD-L1, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were quantified in uterus and placenta tissues. The PD-1 and DX5 expression was measured on NK cells at the maternal-fetal interface using flow cytometry. In addition, the in vitro JEG-3 trophoblast cells and NK-92MI cells co-culture system was established as the control group, and the addition of T. gondii tachyzoites in the co-culture system served as the infection group. The PD-1, PD-L1, and DX5 mRNA expression was quantified in cells using real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay, and the TNF-α concentration was measured in the cell culture supernatant using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results On Gd12.5, clear and intact cellular structures of placental decidual tissues were seen in pregnant mice in the control group, with no remarkable abnormal changes found in the uterine columnar epithelial cells, and inflammatory cell infiltration and blood stasis at varying degrees were found in uterine and placental tissues from pregnant mice in the infection group. The relative PD-1, PD-L1, and TNF-α mRNA expression was (1.004 ± 0.004), (1.001 ± 0.001), and (1.001 ± 0.001) in uterine tissues from pregnant mice in the control group and (2.480 ± 0.720), (3.355 ± 0.920), and (2.391 ± 0.073) in the infection group, respectively. The relative PD-1, PD-L1, and TNF-α mRNA expression was (1.007 ± 0.010), (1.006 ± 0.006), and (1.001 ± 0.001) in the uterine tissues in the control group and (6.948 ± 1.918), (3.225 ± 1.034), and (1.536 ± 0.150) in the infection group, respectively. The relative PD-1, PD-L1, and TNF-α mRNA expression was higher in both the uterine (t = 3.55, 4.43 and 33.02, all P values < 0.05) and placental tissues (t = 5.36, 3.72 and 6.18, all P values < 0.05) in the infection group than in the control group. Flow cytometry showed that the proportions of PD-1⁺ NK cells, PD-1⁺ DX5⁺ NK cells, and DX5⁺ NK cells were (12.200 ± 1.082)%, (9.373 ± 7.728)%, and (44.000 ± 4.095)% in uterine tissues from pregnant mice in the control group, and (21.733 ± 1.630)%, (18.767 ± 1.242)%, and (73.367 ± 0.611)% in the infection group, respectively. The proportions of PD-1⁺ NK cells, PD-1⁺ DX5⁺ NK cells, and DX5⁺ NK cells were (1.100 ± 0.510)%, (2.277 ± 1.337)%, and (96.167 ± 2.831)% in placental tissues from mice in the control group, and (26.867 ± 9.722)%, (23.433 ± 6.983)%, and (82.467 ± 2.248)% in the infection group, respectively. The proportions of PD-1⁺ NK cells (t = 8.45, P < 0.05) and DX5⁺ NK cells (t = 12.29, P < 0.05) were higher in uterine tissues from pregnant mice in the infection group than in the control group, and no significant difference was seen in the proportion of PD-1⁺ DX5⁺ NK cells (Z = -1.09, P > 0.05). The proportions of PD-1⁺ NK cells (t = 4.58, P < 0.05) and PD-1⁺ DX5⁺ NK cells (t = 5.15, P < 0.05) were higher in placental tissues from pregnant mice in the infection group than in the control group, while the proportion of DX5⁺ NK cells was lower in the infection group than in the control group (t = -6.56, P < 0.05). RT-qPCR assay revealed that the relative PD-1, PD-L1, and DX5 mRNA expression was (1.010 ± 0.005), (1.002 ± 0.003), and (1.001 ± 0.001) in the JEG-3 cells and NK92MI cells co-culture system and (3.638 ± 1.258), (0.397 ± 0.158), and (4.267 ± 1.750) in the control group, and ELISA measured that the TNF-α concentration was higher in the cell culture supernatant in the infection group [(22.056 ± 3.205) pg/mL] than in the control group [(12.441 ± 0.001) pg/mL] (t = 5.20, P < 0.05). The PD-1(t = 3.62, P < 0.05) and DX5 mRNA expression (t = 3.23, P < 0.05) was higher in the infection group than in the control group, and the PD-L1 mRNA expression was lower in the infection group than in the control group (t = -6.63, P < 0.05). Conclusions Following T. gondii infection, both PD-L1 expression and PD-1 expression on DX5⁺ NK cells at the maternal-fetal interface are upregulated in mice during the second trimester; however, the proportion of DX5⁺ NK cells decreases. These findings suggest that PD-1/PD-L1 signaling may suppress NK cell functions by modulating DX5⁺ NK cell subsets.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prognostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin (Alb) ratio combined with platelet count (PLT) and Glasgow coma score (GCS) in patients with heat stroke (HS). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of HS patients admitted to the department of intensive care unit (ICU) of Nanchong Central Hospital from May 1, 2020 to October 31, 2023. This included general information, admission GCS, laboratory indicators and 28-day prognosis. The differences in the above indicators were compared between two groups of patients with different prognoses. Statistically significant indicators from univariate analysis were included in multivariate Logistic regression analysis to screen for factors influencing 28-day mortality in HS patients. The predictive value of various influencing factors on the 28 days prognosis of HS patients were analyzed by receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve). RESULTS: A total of 73 HS patients were included, of whom 41 survived for 28-day and 32 died. There were no statistically significant differences in gender and age between the two groups of HS patients with different prognoses. The white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEU), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), CRP, and CRP/Alb ratio in the death group were significantly higher than those of the survival group, and the admission GCS score, platelet count (PLT), total bilirubin (TBil) and Alb were significantly lower than the survival group [WBC (×10⁹/L): 14.80 (11.44, 17.15) vs. 11.96 (9.47, 14.82), NEU (×10⁹/L): 13.05 (8.56, 15.67) vs. 9.50 (6.68, 12.09), AST (U/L): 108.00 (52.70, 291.50) vs. 64.50 (38.25, 110.50), ALT (U/L): 62.00 (19.50, 159.00) vs. 34.50 (20.75, 70.75), CRP (mg/L): 22.49 (3.42, 58.93) vs. 3.68 (1.01, 11.46), CRP/Alb ratio: 0.53 (0.08, 1.77) vs. 0.08 (0.02, 0.44), GCS score: 7.0 (5.0, 8.0) vs. 8.5 (7.0, 11.0), PLT (×10⁹/L): 107.00 (73.50, 126.00) vs. 131.50 (107.50, 176.25), TBil (mmol/L): 15.60 (10.00, 25.30) vs. 21.40 (14.80, 30.05), Alb (g/L): 32.65 (32.53, 49.30) vs. 38.70 (36.20, 40.40), all P < 0.05]. Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the GCS score [odds ratio (OR) = 0.686, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.491-0.959, P = 0.028], PLT (OR = 0.973, 95%CI was 0.954-0.992, P = 0.005), NEU (OR = 1.312, 95%CI was 1.072-1.606, P = 0.009) and CRP/Alb ratio (OR = 7.652, 95%CI was 1.632-35.881, P = 0.010) were independent influencing factors for 28-day mortality in HS patients. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of GCS score, PLT, and CRP/Alb ratio for single prediction of 28-day prognosis in HS patients was 0.705, 0.752, and 0.729, and the combination of all three predicted the highest AUC of 28-day prognosis in HS patients (0.917), with a sensitivity and specificity of 86.2% and 81.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION CRP/Alb ratio, PLT, and GCS score are independent influencing factors affecting the prognosis of HS patients, and all of them have a certain predictive value for the prognosis of HS patients, in which the combination of the three has a higher predictive value for the prognosis of HS patients.
Humans ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis* ; Prognosis ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Retrospective Studies ; Heat Stroke/diagnosis* ; Platelet Count ; Male ; Female ; Serum Albumin/analysis* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Adult ; ROC Curve

The plant F-box protein more axillary growth 2 (MAX2) is a key factor in the signal transduction of strigolactones (SLs) and karrinkins (KARs). As the main component of the SKP1-CUL1-FBX (SCF) complex ubiquitin ligase E3, MAX2 is responsible for specifically recognizing the target proteins, suppressor of MAX2 1/SMAX1-like proteins (SMAX1/SMXLs), which would be degraded after ubiquitination. It can thereby regulate plant morphogenesis and stress responses. There exist homologous genes of MAX2 in the important grain and oil crop soybean (Glycine max). However, its role in plant defense responses has not been investigated yet. Here, GmMAX2b, a homologous gene of MAX2, was successfully cloned from stressed soybean. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that there were two MAX2 homologous genes, GmMAX2a and GmMAX2b, with a similarity of 96.2% in soybean. Their F-box regions were highly conserved. The sequence alignment and cluster analysis of plant MAX2 homologous proteins basically reflected the evolutionary relationship of plants and also suggested that soybean MAX2 might be a multifunctional protein. Expression analysis showed that plant pathogen infection and salicylic acid treatment induced the expression of GmMAX2b in soybean, which is consistent with that of MAX2 in Arabidopsis. Ectopic expression of GmMAX2b compensated for the susceptibility of Arabidopsis max2-2 mutant to pathogen, indicating that GmMAX2b positively regulated plant disease resistance. In addition, yeast two hybrid technology was used to explore the potential target proteins of GmMAX2b. The results showed that GmMAX2b interacted with SMXL6 and weakly interacted with SMXL2. In summary, GmMAX2b is a positive regulator in plant defense responses, and its expression is induced by pathogen infection and salicylic acid treatment. GmMAX2b might exert its effect through interaction with SMXL6 and SMXL2. This study expands the theoretical exploration of soybean disease resistant F-box and provides a scientific basis for future soybean disease resistant breeding.
Glycine max/metabolism* ; Disease Resistance/genetics* ; Plant Diseases/immunology* ; Plant Proteins/genetics* ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; F-Box Proteins/genetics* ; Arabidopsis/genetics* ; Phylogeny

Recently,the substance P(SP)/neurokinin-1 receptor(NK-1R)system has been found to be involved in various human pathophysiological disorders including the symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).Besides,studies in the oncological field have demonstrated an intricate correlation between the upregulation of NK-1R and the activation of SP/NK-1R system with the progression of multiple carcinoma types and poor clinical prognosis.These findings indicate that the modulation of SP/NK-1R system with NK-1R antagonists can be a potential broad-spectrum antitumor strategy.This review updates the latest potential and applications of NK-1R antagonists in the treatment of human diseases and cancers,as well as the underlying mechanisms.Furthermore,the strategies to improve the bioavailability and efficacy of NK-1R antagonist drugs are summarized,such as solid dispersion systems,nanonization,and nanoencapsulation.As a radiopharmaceutical therapeutic,the NK-1R antagonist aprepitant was originally developed as radioligand receptor to target NK-1R-overexpressing tumors.However,combining NK-1R antagonists with other drugs can produce a synergistic effect,thereby enhancing the therapeutic effect,alleviating the symptoms,and improving patients'quality of life in several diseases and cancers.

Objective:To evaluate the centralized endoscopy management at the disinfection supply center based on an intelligent traceable information system.Methods:From January 2021 to June 2022, 252 colonoscopes were selected after routine colonoscopy at the endoscopy center, and 126 colonoscopes were assigned to the observation group and 126 to the control group. The intelligent traceable information system was used for information input and access in the process of disinfection, washing, recycling and access. The control group administered decentralized management from the endoscopy center, while the observation group administered centralized management from the disinfection supply center. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) biofluorescence detection method was used to compare the relative light unit values of the surface, the valve and the cavity of endoscopes of the two groups. The positive rate of microbe culture on the surface, the cavity, the biopsy mouth, the air injection mouth and the suction mouth were compared between the two groups. The contents of aerosol particles in endoscope cleaning environment were compared between the two groups. Staff satisfaction with recycling and usage were compared. The labor cost, operating cost and endoscope maintenance rate of centralized management and decentralized management were compared.Results:The qualified rates of valve and cavity cleaning in the observation group [94.4% (119/126), 93.7% (118/126)] were higher than those in the control group [90.5% (114/126), 88.9% (112/126); χ2=5.686, χ2=8.841, P<0.05]. The positive rates of microbial colony growth in the endoscopic cavity, biopsy mouth, air injection mouth and negative pressure suction mouth in the observation group [19.0% (24/126), 17.5% (22/126), 1.6% (2/126), 12.7% (16/126)] were lower than those in the control group [30.2% (38/126), 24.6% (31/126), 4.8% (6/126), 19.8% (25/126); χ2=12.215, χ2=9.003, χ2=6.446, χ2=9.106, P<0.05]. The 0.5 μm and 2.5 μm aerosol particles produced by air in the observation group (40 706 874 ±12 563 749 /m 3, 226 530±87 632 /m 3) were lower than those in the control group (46 892 654±13 209 872 /m 3, 263 281±45 219 /m 3; t=8.223, t=4.265, P<0.05). The labor cost and the operating cost of the observation group were 63 128.45 yuan and 56 320.13 yuan respectively, which were lower than 208 258.25 yuan and 208 415.22 yuan in the control group. The satisfaction with recycling and usage in the observation group [96.1% (98/102), 97.1% (100/103)] was higher than that in the control group [78.4% (80/102), 82.5% (85/103); χ2=13.211, χ2=15.223, P<0.05]. There was no endoscopic maintenance in the observation group, and 2 cases of endoscopic maintenance in the control group. Conclusion:The centralized endoscopy management based on the intelligent traceable information system can improve the level of endoscopy cleaning, disinfection, and storage, reduce labor and operating costs, improve work efficiency and satisfaction with disinfection supply centers and endoscopy departments, and reduce the risk of iatrogenic infection of endoscopes.

Objective:To understand the current situation of psychological crisis vulnerability among elderly individuals with multimorbidity and analyze the factors that influence it, to provide insights for improving their coping abilities.Methods:A cross-sectional survey design was conducted at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from May 1 to November 30, 2022.The attitudes toward aging, sense of meaning of life, and vulnerability to psychological crisis were analysed among outpatients and inpatients.Statistical analysis was performed on the questionnaire results, and the influencing factors of vulnerability to psychological crisis in elderly patients with co-morbidities were analyzed using one-way linear regression and multivariate linear regression.Additionally, the correlation between aging attitudes, sense of meaning of life, and vulnerability to psychological crisis was examined using Pearson correlation analysis.Results:A total of 685 questionnaires were distributed, and 602 valid questionnaires were collected, resulting in a valid recovery rate of 87.9%.The total score for the sense of meaning of life in elderly co-morbid patients was(39.2±8.3), while the total score for aging attitudes was(80.2±13.5).The total score for psychological crisis vulnerability was(69.4±12.8), indicating a medium-high level of vulnerability.The results of multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the factors influencing psychological crisis vulnerability in elderly multimorbidity, in descending order, were residence status, economic situation, marital status, age, type of chronic disease, and hospitalization history in the past six months.Psychological crisis vulnerability in elderly multimorbidity showed a negative correlation with the sense of meaning of life and the attitude of aging( r=-0.315, -0.264, both P<0.01), while the attitude of aging exhibited a positive correlation with the sense of meaning of life( r=0.515, P<0.01). Conclusions:The vulnerability of elderly individuals with multimorbidity to psychological crises is influenced by several factors.Healthcare professionals should prioritize individuals who are elderly, residing in nursing institutions, widowed, financially disadvantaged, experiencing multiple illnesses, and not currently hospitalized.

The theory of yin and yang is the modest differentiation thought of the traditional Chinese medicine under the guidance of overall dialectics,and the dynamic changes of yin and yang profit and loss can reflect the life activities of the human body.In the early literature research and clinical practice,the author's team found that the"yang deficiency and yin stagnation"is the key pathogen of colorectal cancer,the yang qi is insufficient,and the metabolites of the yin such as phlegm,wetness and stasis are lost in gasification and accumulate to form a"yin tumor",which is stagnant in the intestine and forms colorectal cancer.Yang Qi is the process of normal cell metabolism to produce energy,Yang Qi is insufficient,the"yin knot"of the thing in the body polymerizes into tumors,The imbalance of yin and yang can cause changes in energy or substance metabolism in the body,and glutamine is one of the amino acid which is the largest consumption of tumor cells,and its metabolic process not only provides a material basis for tumor cell growth,but also creates an acidic microenvironment of hypoxia to promote the proliferation and growth of tumor cells.This paper discusses the characteristics of glutamine metabolism of colorectal cancer cells in detail,aiming to explain the occurrence of colorectal cancer from the pathogenesis of"yang deficiency yin knot",and to explain the scientific theory of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of coloral cancer with the principle of Wenyang Tongxia,aiming to provide new ideas and methods for the comprehensive treatment of CRC.

Objective:To investigate the distribution patterns of TCM syndrome elements and syndrome types in cancer-related fatigue (CRF).Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted on tumor patients attending the outpatient clinic and wards of the Department of Oncology, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from January to December 2021. Descriptive analysis was used to compare the distribution difference of TCM syndrome elements, symptoms and tongue symptoms of CRF and non-CRF patients. The TCM symptoms of CRF were clustered to summarize the common TCM syndromes of CRF.Results:A total of 306 tumor patients were finally included, of which 229 (75%) were CRF and 77 (25%) were non-CRF. Qi deficiency, blood deficiency, and cold-dampness were the most common deficiency and excess syndrome elements in CRF, and liver deficiency, yin deficiency, and blood stasis syndrome elements occurred more frequently in non-CRF than in CRF. TCM symptoms with a frequency greater than 50% in CRF patients, from high to low, were: fatigue > shortness of breath > insomnia or dreaminess > mental fatigue > forgetfulness>lazy speech > impatience, irritability, depression with sighing. The most frequent tongue symptoms, tongue coating, and pulse symptoms were respectively pale tongue, white and greasy coating or smooth white, and pulse deficiency. The symptoms with greater than 30% frequency in 77 non-CRF patients were, from highest to lowest: impatience and irritability or depression with sighing > insomnia or dreaminess > shortness of breath > dry mouth and throat > lumbar spine pain (excluding traumatic) > numbness of limbs > forgetfulness. The highest-ranked tongue, tongue coating, and pulse symptoms were pale tongue, red tongue or less coating, no coating, and thin pulse, respectively. Through clustering analysis, six common syndromes of CRF were obtained, including qi and blood deficiency syndrome, heart and liver blood deficiency syndrome, kidney yang deficiency syndrome, qi and yin deficiency syndrome, spleen deficiency and qi stagnation syndrome, and cold dampness and spleen stagnation syndrome.Conclusions:CRF is a common symptom of different types of tumors. Generally, deficiency syndrome is the main symptom. Qi deficiency and blood deficiency are the common syndrome elements. Common symptoms of high frequency and tongue and pulse are fatigue, shortness of breath, mental fatigue, forgetfulness, pale tongue and thin pulse. The common TCM syndrome types can be preliminarily summarized into 6 types: qi and blood deficiency syndrome, heart and liver blood deficiency syndrome, kidney yang deficiency syndrome, qi and yin deficiency syndrome, spleen deficiency and qi stagnation syndrome, cold dampness and spleen stagnation syndrome.