Triptolide （TP）， the core active component of the traditional Chinese medicine Tripterygium wilfordii ， exhibits remarkable pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory， immunosuppressive and anti-tumor effects， and holds broad application prospects in the treatment of major diseases such as autoimmune diseases and malignant tumors. However， TP has a narrow therapeutic window and causes multi-organ toxicities including liver， kidney and reproductive toxicities， which severely restrict its safe clinical application and new drug development. Therefore， toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement has become a core scientific problem urgently to be solved in this field. This paper systematically reviews the four core strategies for TP toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement， including structural modification， dosage form improvement， herbal compatibility， and external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine. Among them， structural modification optimizes the toxic and efficacy characteristics of TP from the molecular structure level， with typica l derivatives including （5 R ）-5-hydroxy triptolide， ZT01， PG490-88， etc. Dosage form modification achieves toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement via targeted and sustained-controlled drug release of diverse delivery systems. It includes triptolide preparations such as nanoparticles， liposomes， microemulsion gels and liquid crystals， possessing favorable clinical transformation potential. The herbal compatibility and external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine conform to the holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine and have a profound clinical application foundation， but their mechanisms of action are insufficiently elucidated， and they lack unified standardized specifications and high-quality evidence-based proof. In the future， we should rely on multi-omics technology to elucidate the toxic and efficacy mechanisms， integrate technologies to optimize preparations， improve the evaluation system and promote clinical transformation.

The core pathogenesis of childhood IgA vasculitis nephritis （IgAVN） lies in the intermingled conditions of heat， stasis and deficiency. Deficiency is the fundamental cause， while heat acts as the predominant manifestation at the initial stage， and stasis serves as the key factor leading to protracted illness. Based on this understanding， the overall therapeutic principle of clearing heat and cooling blood， dissolving stasis and unblocking collaterals， reinforcing healthy qi and consolidating the root is established. A self-formulated Qingre Zhixue Formula （清热止血方） is used as the basic prescription. According to the characteristics of different disease stages， childhood IgAVN is further classified into three main syndrome types， including blood heat with stasis obstruction， deficiency of both qi and yin， and deficiency of both spleen and kidney， with corresponding syndrome-based treatments. Throughout the treatment process， emphasis is placed on dissolving stasis and unblocking collaterals， while protecting the spleen and stomach of children and maintaining healthy qi. This paper provides new perspectives for diagnosis and treatment of childhood IgAVN with traditional Chinese medicine.

The core pathogenesis of childhood IgA vasculitis nephritis （IgAVN） lies in the intermingled conditions of heat， stasis and deficiency. Deficiency is the fundamental cause， while heat acts as the predominant manifestation at the initial stage， and stasis serves as the key factor leading to protracted illness. Based on this understanding， the overall therapeutic principle of clearing heat and cooling blood， dissolving stasis and unblocking collaterals， reinforcing healthy qi and consolidating the root is established. A self-formulated Qingre Zhixue Formula （清热止血方） is used as the basic prescription. According to the characteristics of different disease stages， childhood IgAVN is further classified into three main syndrome types， including blood heat with stasis obstruction， deficiency of both qi and yin， and deficiency of both spleen and kidney， with corresponding syndrome-based treatments. Throughout the treatment process， emphasis is placed on dissolving stasis and unblocking collaterals， while protecting the spleen and stomach of children and maintaining healthy qi. This paper provides new perspectives for diagnosis and treatment of childhood IgAVN with traditional Chinese medicine.

Objectives:Using data from the heart transplant patient dataset of our center,we aimed to develop a preoperative risk scoring model specifically suitable for the Chinese population undergoing heart transplantation.This model was established to predict the likelihood of graft failure within the first year post-surgery and classify recipients according to their risk level.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted at a single center on 1 210 consecutive heart transplant recipients between June 2004 and December 2022.Risk factor screening was performed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.Variable selection was carried out through a stepwise backward procedure based on the Akaike Information Criterion(AIC).The regression coefficients obtained from the final model were employed as weighting factors in the multifactor analysis.The study utilized the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)area under curve(AUC)as a metric to evaluate the performance of the model.Patients were stratified into low,medium,and high-risk groups based on the distribution of the calculated scores.Survival analysis was conducted on the various risk groups using the Kaplan-Meier method,with statistical comparisons performed using the log-rank test.A significance level of P<0.05 was deemed statistically significant.Results:A risk scoring model,denoted as the heart transplant(HTx)score,was developed,comprising 11 variables and yielding a total score of 20.6 points.In comparison to the low-risk group,the OR for 1-year graft failure in the medium-risk group was 2.0(95%CI:1.1-3.6,P=0.02),while the high-risk group had an OR of 9.8(95%CI:5.4-17.7,P<0.01).The risk scoring model exhibited strong discriminative ability with an AUC of 0.712(95%CI:0.646-0.778)and an internally validated bias-corrected AUC of 0.713.The results of the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test indicated that the predictive model demonstrated a strong calibration ability(Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2=2.92,P=0.71).Within the cohort,the AUC values for the IMPACT score,UNOS score,RSS score,Mayo score,BO score,and TRS score models were 0.645,0.651,0.632,0.589,0.610,and 0.604,respectively.These findings suggest that the HTx scoring model exhibited superior predictive performance compared to the aforementioned models in forecasting outcomes within our cohort.The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed statistically significant differences in long-term survival rates between the three risk groups,a noticeable decrease in long-term survival rates were observed with increasing levels of HTx risk stratification(P<0.05).Conclusions:Present results indicate a significant association between the developed HTx risk scores and graft failure within the initial year post-surgery,present model effectively categorizes the heart transplant recipients into low,medium,and high-risk groups and is valuable for risk stratification.

Objective To analyze the clinical data of patients with neurosyphilis(NS)and explore factors influencing their activity of daily living(ADL).Methods The clinical data of 90 patients with NS was retrospectively analyzed,and the ADL scores at admission were assessed by using the Barthel index(BI).The patients were divided into no-dependency,mild-dependency,and moderate-to-severe-dependency groups.The influencing factors of ADL were explored through comparative analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of clinical indicators for poor ADL recovery(BI score≤60)at discharge in patients.Results Among the 90 NS patients,the average age was 54.17±12.45 years,with 70 males(77.78%).The most common clinical manifestation was abnormal mental behavior(44.44%),followed by limb sensory or motor disorders(25.56%)and dysarthria(16.67%).Based on the BI scores,41 patients(45.6%)were independent,31 patients(34.4%)had mild dependence,and 18 patients(20.0%)had moderate to severe dependence.The comparison results of the three groups showed that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)was gradually increased[2.80(1.97,4.73)vs.3.80(2.28,4.89)vs.5.37(3.76,7.20)]which was higher in the moderate-to-severe-dependency group than in the independent and the mildly-dependent group(P<0.05);cerebrospinal fluid protein concentration[427(341,644)mg/L vs.553(425,830)mg/L vs.933(641,1706.5)mg/L]was gradually increased and there were significant differences in pairwise comparisons(P<0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that NLR(β=-0.242,P=0.018)and cerebrospinal fluid protein concentration(β=-0.461,P<0.001)were negatively correlated with ADL at admission.The area under curve(AUC)for cerebrospinal fluid protein concentration in predicting poor ADL recovery at discharge was 0.806(95%CI:0.708-0.883,P<0.001),with an optimal cutoff value of 620 mg/L,sensitivity of 86.7%,and specificity of 69.4%.Conclusion The main clinical manifestations of NS patients are psychiatric/behavioral abnormalities.Elevated NLR and cerebrospinal fluid protein concentration may be associated with the decreased ADL.Early active intervention of inflammatory response and cerebrospinal fluid protein abnormalities may provide a new way to improve the prognosis of patients.

Objectives:When heparin-induced thrombocytopenia(HIT)is diagnosed before heart transplantation,recommendation varies according to small sample observations from other countries.In China,recent HIT is considered as a relative contradiction for heart transplantation and clinical study results is not yet available.Methods:A total of 325 patients who received heart transplantation in Fuwai Hospital from January 1,2022 to July 31,2024 were retrospectively analyzed,124 of whom received instrumental circulation and heparin before transplantation,and 15 of whom had suspected HIT before surgery.Diagnostic strategy was based on clinical investigation,antibody detection and expert opinion.Results:All 15 patients used intra-aortic balloon pump(IABP)preoperatively,6 were diagnosed with HIT,contributing 4.8%of those who used mechanical circulation support before heart transplantation.Three patients were tested positive for HIT-Ab just before surgery.Three different anticoagulation strategies:bivalirudin,heparin,and combined bivalirudin and heparin was used in each of the 3 patients,respectively.Their clinical features varied significantly.The first patient experienced challenging bleeding issue and cervical vein embolization.The second patient experienced low-limb embolization and the third patient experienced spleen artery embolization.Thrombocyte count returned to normal range at day 8,6 and 10 respectively post operation.Conclusions:HIT is not rare in patients using IABP and other mechanical circulation support devices before heart transplantation.Diagnosis and treatment of HIT is challenging for patients awaiting heart transplantation.

Objective To construct a risk prediction model for intraoperative acquired pressure injury(IAPI)during neurosurgery in pediatric patients,and verify the predictive effect of the model,to provide a reference for preventing IAPI during neurosurgery in pediatric patients.Methods The clinical data of 776 pediatric patients undergoing neurosurgery in a tertiary-level hospital in Chongqing from January to June 2023 were retrospectively collected.The risk factors for IAPI were explored through univariate analysis and binary Logistic regression analysis.The fitting degree and predictive effect of the model were verified by Hosmer-Lemeshow test and receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve,respectively.The model was validated internally by Bootstrap.Results The incidence of IAPI during neurosurgery in pediatric patients was 7.99％.Logistic regression analysis showed that bleeding volume,anesthesia time,age,intraoperative use of instruments such as drills and milling cutters that increase external force,and surgical position were the factors influencing IAPI in neurosurgical children(all P＜0.05).The results of the Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that x2=3.636,P=0.888.The results of internal verification showed that the sensitivity of the model was 0.59;the specificity was 0.81;the area under the ROC curve was 0.79.Conclusion This study analyzes the risk factors for IAPI during neurosurgery in pediatric patients and constructs a line chart prediction model with good predictive performance,which can provide a reference for individualized prediction of the risk of IAPI during neurosurgery in pediatric patients.It can provide a scientific basis for clinical nursing staff to identify high-risk children with IAPI early and take personalized preventive measures in time.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy and safety of doxycycline in the treatment of macrolide-unresponsive Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MUMPP)in children under 8 years of age.METHODS The medical records of children with MUMPP admitted to the Women and Children's Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University were collected from January 1st,2023 to December 31st,2023.They were divided into doxycycline group(44 cases),doxycycline combined with methylprednisolone group(35 cases),and azithromycin combined with methylprednisolone group(35 cases)according to the treatment methods.Doxycycline group was given Doxycycline hyclate enteric-coated capsules;doxycycline combined with methylprednisolone group was given Doxycycline hyclate enteric-coated capsules and Methylprednisolone sodium succinate for injection;azithromycin combined with methylprednisolone group was given Azithromycin for injection and Methylprednisolone sodium succinate for injection.Treatment courses of 3 groups lasted for 10 d.The fever reduction rate,the time of fever reduction and improvement rate of lung infection absorption were compared among the three groups.The occurrence of adverse drug reactions was recorded during their hospitalization and followed up within 5 months after discharge.RESULTS The fever reduction rats 48,72 h after treatment and improvement rate of lung infection absorption in doxycycline group and doxycycline combined with methylprednisolone group were significantly higher than azithromycin combined with methylprednisolone group;the time of fever reduction was significantly shorter than azithromycin combined with methylprednisolone group(P＜0.05);there was no statistical significance in the difference between the doxycycline group and the doxycycline combined with methylprednisolone group(P＞0.05).There was no statistical significance in the incidence of rash,vomiting,abdominal pain,diarrhea,and elevated transaminases among the three groups during hospitalization and within 5 months after discharge(P＞0.05).None of the children treated with doxycycline suffered from tooth discoloration or enamel hypoplasia.CONCLUSIONS Doxycycline has good efficacy and safety in therapy of MUMPP in children under 8 years of age;adjunctive coadministration of low-dose glucocorticoids does not necessarily result in significant additional efficacy.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae ( Mp) infection among hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in a single center in Beijing and provide reference for the prevention and treatment of Mp infection. Methods:Nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) samples of hospitalized children with ARTIs were collected from Beijing Friendship Hospital during two periods: from April 2018 to March 2019 and from September 2020 to August 2022. qPCR was used to detect Mp nucleic acids, and for Mp-positive samples, the mixed infections with 15 common respiratory viruses were detected. Statistical analysis was conducted using Chi-square test, Fisher′s exact test, and independent samples t-test. Results:From April 2018 to March 2019, 1 572 NPA samples were collected, with 104 positive for Mp (6.62%). From September 2020 to August 2022, 622 samples were collected, with 22 Mp-positive samples (3.54%). There was statistically significant difference in the positive rates between the two time periods ( P<0.05). From April 2018 to March 2019, the positive rate of Mp was higher in children aged ≥5 years than in those <5 years [13.03% (46/353) vs 4.76% (58/1 219), P<0.05]; the positive rates in summer (9.54%, 35/367) and autumn (7.93%, 33/416) were higher than those in spring (3.03%, 11/363) and winter (5.87%, 25/426), with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05); co-infections with other respiratory viruses were detected in 42 out of the 104 Mp-positive cases (40.38%), primarily with human rhinovirus (35.71%, 15/42) or human coronavirus NL63 (19.05%, 8/42). From September 2020 to August 2022, Mp infections mainly occurred in children aged ≥5 years [72.73% (16/22)], and co-infections with other respiratory viruses were detected in four cases (18.18%, 4/22). The Mp-infected children were mainly diagnosed with pneumonia, and there was no significant difference in clinical symptoms between Mp-infected patients with or without viral coinfection. Conclusions:The positive rate of Mp among hospitalized children with ARTIs in Beijing from September 2020 to August 2022 is significantly lower than that observed from April 2018 to March 2019. Mp is an important cause of ARTIs in children, especially in patients aged ≥5 years. Mp infection is often accompanied by viral co-infections, with high incidence in summer and autumn.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features of postnatal cytomegalovirus (pCMV) infection in very preterm infants or very low birth weight infants.Methods:This was a case-control study. A total of 50 very preterm or very low birth weight infants who were hospitalized and diagnosed with pCMV infection in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Children′s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2019 to June 2024, were enrolled as the pCMV group. Meanwhile, through propensity score matching, each infant in the pCMV group was paired with a very preterm or very low birth weight infant without cytomegalovirus infection during the same period, constituting the control group, also consisting of 50 cases. Subsequently, the pCMV group was divided into a treated subgroup and an untreated subgroup according to antiviral treatment. Clinical data of all enrolled infants, including clinical features, laboratory test results, and clinical outcomes were collected. Differences in relevant parameters were analyzed using with χ2 test or continuity-corrected χ2 test or Fisher′s exact test, independent-samples t test, Mann-Whitney U test as appropriate. Logistic regression was employed to analyze the risk factors, and Spearman correlation analysis was applied for non-normal distribution data or ordinal data. Results:There were no significant differences between the pCMV group and the control group in terms of gestational age, birth weight, proportion of male infants, Apgar score at the 1 st minute and 5 th minute and days of breastfeeding during the first 3 weeks of life (all P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the duration of hospital stay and invasive mechanical ventilation were both longer in the pCMV group (both P<0.05). The risks of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, and hearing impairment were all higher in the pCMV group when compared with the control group(all P<0.05). The body weight and body length of the infants in the pCMV group were both lower than those of in the control group at the corrected gestational age of 36 weeks (both P<0.05). pCMV infections were associated with the increased incidence of both necrotizing enterocolitis ( OR=11.50, 95% CI 1.94-68.30, P=0.007) and severe intraventricular hemorrhage ( OR=6.82, 95% CI 1.19-38.97, P=0.031) in very preterm infants or very low birth weight infants. In the treated group, the platelet count was significantly improved after 6-8 weeks of antiviral treatment compared with that before treatment ((245±19)×10 9/L vs. (119±14)×10 9/L, t=5.37, P<0.001). Conclusions:Very preterm infants or very low birth weight infants with postnatal cytomegalovirus infection have longer hospital stay and duration of invasive mechanical ventilation, and are highly susceptible to bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, hearing impairment, and growth restriction. Antiviral treatment can effectively ameliorate thrombocytopenia in these infants.