ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Qingre Sanzhuo decoction in treating gouty arthritis （GA） combined with hyperuricaemia （HUA）. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomized into normal， model， colchicine （0.5 mg·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （17， 34， 68 g·kg^-1， respectively） Qingre Sanzhuo decoction groups （n=10）. The rats in other groups except the normal group were treated with the modified method for the modeling of GA combined with HUA. The drug intervention groups were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage in the afternoon every day and the normal group and the model group were administrated with an equal volume of sterile normal saline by gavage. The level of uric acid （SUA） in the serum was measured 2 h after the last administration. The degree of ankle joint swelling was calculated 0.5， 12， 24， 48 h after modeling， and joint inflammation was scored. The pathological changes of ankle joints were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining， and the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， C reactive protein （CRP）， and interleukin-18 （IL-18） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Real-time PCR was performed to determine the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD （ASC）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1）， gasdermin D （GSDMD）， and nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） in the synovial tissue of ankle joints. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， and Caspase-1 in ankle joints. The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of GSDMD and NF-κB in the synovial tissue of ankle joints. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed increased SUA in the serum （P<0.05）， ankle joint swelling and joint inflammation （P<0.05）， increased number of blood vessels in the synovium， inflammatory cell foci in the synovial bursa， elevated serum levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， CRP， and IL-18 （P<0.05）， and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， GSDMD， and NF-κB in the synovial tissue of ankle joints （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the medium- and high-dose Qingre Sanzhuo decoction groups showed reduced SUA in the serum （P<0.05）， alleviated ankle joint swelling and joint inflammation （P<0.05）， lowered serum levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， CRP， and IL-18 （P<0.05）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， GSDMD， and NF-κB in the synovial tissue of ankle joints （P<0.05）. However， in terms of ameliorating the pathological changes of ankle joints， only the high-dose Qingre Sanzhuo decoction group showed normal morphology of the synovial membrane of ankle joints and no obvious lesion in the articular cartilage. ConclusionQingre Sanzhuo decoction may play a role in preventing and controlling GA combined with HUA by down-regulating the activity of NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 pathway and inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines， such as TNF-α， IL-1β， CRP， and IL-18.

ObjectiveTo study the pharmacological substances and mechanisms through which sesquiterpene ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum improves neuroinflammation. MethodsBV-2 microglial cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide （LPS） to induce neuroinflammation. The cells were divided into the normal group， the model group， and the ZH-13 low- and high-dose treatment groups （10， 20 μmol·L^-1）. The model group was treated with 1 μmol·L^-1 LPS. Cell viability was assessed using the cell proliferation and activity assay （CCK-8 kit）. Nitric oxide （NO） release in the cell supernatant was measured using a nitric oxide kit （Griess method）. The mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） pathway proteins was assessed by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group， ZH-13 dose-dependently reduced NO release from BV-2 cells under LPS stimulation （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the 20 μmol·L^-1 ZH-13 treatment group， the mRNA expression levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， iNOS， and IL-6 were significantly reduced compared to the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In both the low- and high-dose ZH-13 groups， the expression of the inflammatory factor TNF-α and the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK） in the upstream MAPK pathway were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. After stimulation with the JNK agonist anisomycin （Ani）， both low- and high-dose ZH-13 treatment groups showed reduced phosphorylation of JNK proteins compared to the Ani-treated group （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe sesquiterpene compound ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum significantly ameliorates LPS-induced neuroinflammatory responses in BV-2 cells by inhibiting excessive JNK phosphorylation and reducing TNF-α expression. These findings elucidate the pharmacological substances and mechanisms underlying the sedative and calming effects of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of the Wulao Qisun prescription on pathological new bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis （AS）. MethodsSynovial fibroblasts were isolated from the hip joints of AS patients and observed under a microscope to assess cell morphology. The cells were identified using immunofluorescence staining. The isolated AS fibroblasts were divided into blank group， low drug-containing serum group， medium drug-containing serum group， high drug-containing serum group， and positive drug group. After drug intervention， cell proliferation was measured using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay to observe fibroblast growth and determine the optimal intervention time. Alkaline phosphatase （ALP） activity was measured using the alkaline phosphatase assay. Protein expression of osteocalcin （OCN）， osteopontin （OPN）， and runt-related transcription factor 2 （Runx2） was detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression levels of Wnt5a， β-catenin， and Dickkopf-1 （DKK-1） were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， each drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription and the positive drug group inhibited the proliferation of AS fibroblasts and reduced ALP expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription downregulated β-catenin mRNA expression （P<0.05）. The medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group significantly downregulated Wnt5a and β-catenin mRNA expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the positive drug group showing the most pronounced effect （P<0.01）. The high drug-containing serum group and the positive drug group significantly upregulated DKK-1 mRNA expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription inhibited the expression of OPN and Runx2 proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group inhibited the expression of OCN， OPN， and Runx2 proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Wulao Qisun prescription can inhibit the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of AS fibroblasts， thereby delaying the formation of pathological new bone in AS. The possible mechanism involves the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin-related gene expression， further inhibiting the transcription of downstream target genes.

Duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection， also known as Beger surgery， has a high incidence rate of bile duct injury after surgery， while the treatment modality for bile duct injury depends on the severity of the injury， and endoscopic therapy is often challenging in case of severe bile duct injury. Recently a patient with biliary fistula after Beger surgery was admitted to Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital， Westlake University， and successful diagnosis and treatment were achieved through oral choledochoscopy-assisted percutaneous-endoscopic rendezvous technique.

To analyze the distribution of serotypes and antimicrobial resistance of clinical Salmonella isolates from multiple centers across China.

Ankylosing spondylitis （AS） is an inflammatory autoimmune disease with chronic low back pain as the main clinical manifestation， which mainly affects the axial joints， peripheral joints and various organs. In severe cases， the spine is stiff or deformed， which affects the quality of life and health of patients. The pathogenic factors of AS are complex， which are related to heredity， immunity and intestinal flora. The pathogenesis of AS is not clear yet. Among them， inflammatory reaction， bone destruction and heterotopic ossification are the main pathological features of AS， which play an important role in the disease process of AS. Traditional Chinese medicine has multi-target， multi-channel and multi-component pharmacological effects， which can prevent and treat AS by anti-inflammation， inhibiting bone destruction and preventing heterotopic ossification， and the clinical effect is remarkable， but there is no relevant literature report. Therefore， this review expounds the relationship between inflammatory reaction， bone destruction and heterotopic ossification and the occurrence and development of AS， and summarizes the latest research reports of traditional Chinese medicine in treating AS from anti-inflammatory， inhibiting bone destruction and preventing heterotopic ossification， aiming at providing reference and new ideas and directions for further research on the prevention and treatment of AS by traditional Chinese medicine.

Background and purpose:In recent years,domestic radiotherapy equipment and related software have made great progress,and testing the functionality and stability of the equipment and software is an essential step.This paper focused on comparing the differences in intensity-modulated radiation therapy(IMRT)plans dosimetry and organ at risk(OAR)volume calculations for common cancers between uRT-treatment planning system(TPS)and Monaco-TPS,and to evaluate the feasibility of dose calculation for Infinity linac(linear accelerator,Elekta,Sweden)using uRT-TPS.Methods:Twenty cases of rectal cancer,lung cancer,breast cancer and nasopharyngeal carcinoma were selected.The IMRT plans were completed in uRT-TPS and Monaco-TPS.The dose uniformity and conformity,mean dose,maximum dose of planning target volume(PTV)and OAR between two plans under the same prescribed dose of PTV were compared.And the pass rates of two TPS plans validated at the same linear accelerator were compared.Meanwhile,monitor units(MU),source skin distance(SSD)and the volume of OAR in uRT-TPS and Monaco-TPS were compared.Results:Wonderful plans that met the clinical requirements were obtained in uRT-TPS and Monaco-TPS.Comparable uniformity and conformability was received in PTV,and the maximum dose of PTV was reduced by 1.1 Gy for uRT-TPS(P = 0.006).For breast cancer and lung cancer,the dose in lung was lower for Monaco-TPS(P＜0.05).For nasopharyngeal carcinoma,the dose indicators that oral cavity and throat in the uRT-TPS was reduced by 9.2%and 5.1%,respectively.The verification results of absolute point dose(＜3%)and three-dimensional surface dose(＞95%)for both plans met the clinical requirements.The region of interest in uRT-TPS was smaller compared with Monaco-TPS(P＜0.05).Conclusion:A comparable IMRT plan was obtained for common tumors in uRT-TPS and Monaco-TPS.It is feasible to calculate the dose of Infinity linac using uRT-TPS.

Objective:To assess the goal fulfillment in terms of blood glucose, blood pressure, blood lipid, and the composite indicator of these three in patients with diabetes who received intensified treatment at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and regular follow-up for 12 months, analyze the influencing factors, and explore the comprehensive management model for intensive diabetes treatment outpatient services.Methods:This study was a prospective, observational cohort study. The diabetes patients who received long-term regular follow-up at the intensive diabetes treatment outpatient clinic of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2012 to 2023 were selected as the research subjects. They were followed up and clinical data were collected at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months of follow-up. The study assessed the goal fulfillment rates in terms of blood glucose, blood pressure, blood lipid, and the composite indicator of these three, with the goals of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)<7%, blood pressure<130/80 mmHg, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)<2.6 mmol/L. The study also analyzed the impact of factors, including gender, age, type of diabetes, duration of diabetes, body mass index, comorbidities, complications, and treatment regimens, on the outcomes of comprehensive diabetes management.Results:A total of 232 patients were included in the study, of whom 210 were with type 2 diabetes (90.5%), 13 with type 1 diabetes (5.6%), 5 with latent autoimmune diabetes of the adult (2.2%), 3 with diabetes after total pancreatectomy (1.3%), and 1 with mitochondrial diabetes (0.4%). After 3 months of intensified management, the goal fulfillment rates of blood glucose (67.7% vs. 34.1%, Kappa=0.336, P<0.001), blood pressure (53.4% vs. 37.5%, Kappa=0.159, P=0.001), blood lipid (59.1% vs. 39.2%, Kappa=0.198, P<0.001), and the composite indicator (20.7% vs. 3.0%, Kappa=0.177, P<0.001) were significantly increased. Continued treatment at 6, 9, and 12 months showed stable and sustained increases in the goal fulfillment rates of blood glucose, blood pressure, blood lipid, and the composite indicator. Logistic regression analysis showed that baseline hyperglycemia ( P=0.002), disease duration ≥5 years ( P<0.001), smoking ( P=0.009), alcohol consumption ( P=0.038), presence of diabetic complications ( P=0.001), combination therapy with oral antidiabetic drugs and insulin ( P<0.001), and use of antiplatelet drugs ( P=0.037) were risk factors for uncontrolled HbA1c. Baseline hypertension ( P<0.001), alcohol consumption ( P=0.030), and comorbid dyslipidemia ( P=0.028) were risk factors for uncontrolled blood pressure. Baseline uncontrolled LDL-C ( P=0.020) and non-use of statins ( P<0.001) were risk factors for uncontrolled blood lipid. Conclusions:Among patients with the long-term follow-up at our intensive diabetes treatment clinic, the goal fulfillment rates of blood glucose, blood lipid, blood pressure, and the composite indicator of these three are relatively higher. However, it is still necessary to improve patient compliance as much as possible, emphasize weight management, and persist on the comprehensive diabetes treatment.

Hydration status refers to the balance between the intake and discharge of water in the body. When the ingested and discharged water are roughly equal and the body is in water balance, it is the normal hydration status, and when the water intake is too little or too much, it is the "dehydration" or "overhydration status". The hydration status of the body not only affects metabolism, but also affects the functions of the urinary system, cardiovascular system, nervous system, etc. In order to further clarify the relationship between body hydration status and decompression sickness (DCS), this paper reviewed relevant studies and analyzed the interaction between hydration and decompression safety during diving. The primary causes of dehydration in diving are "hyperbaric diuresis", "immersion diuresis", breathing dry gas, heat, and cold. Dehydration not only promotes the occurrence of DCS but also reduces the aerobic work efficiency and athletic performance of divers, as well as affects cognition and mood. A study found that appropriate rehydration before and during diving can reduce the risk of DCS, which possibly associates with the increase of blood volume, plasma surface tension, and vasoconstriction. Fluid therapy is also important for those who already have DCS. This paper analyzed the amount, nature, timing, and effect of rehydration involved in the above links, comprehensively sorted out the relationship between hydration and diving safety, summarized the existing problems, and provided reference for practical application and future research.

Background:Recurrence after stone removal is common in patients with choledocholithiasis.Recent studies have indicated that dysbiosis in gut microbiota plays an important role in the formation of cholesterol gallstones.Aims:To explore the effect of probiotics supplementation on serum lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and the indicators of bile acid metabolism in patients with a high risk of cholesterol gallstone formation.Methods:Sixty choledocholithiasis patients undergoing ERCP lithotomy were recruited at the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University from June 2021 to June 2023.Bile and stool samples were collected for bacterial culture.Then the patients were randomly allocated into two groups:patients in control group received conventional supportive therapy after calculus removal,while those in probiotics intervention group were given oral bifid triple viable enteric capsule 420 mg,twice a day for 6 months based on conventional therapy.Changes in serum levels of LPS,the cell wall component of Gram-negative bacteria,fibroblast growth factor 19(FGF19),the key molecule in bile acid metabolism,and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase(CYP7A1),the rate-limiting enzyme of bile acid synthesis,were determined and compared between the two groups.Results:Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the main pathogens in bile and stool of patients with choledocholithiasis.Six months after ERCP lithotomy,the serum levels of LPS and FGF19 were decreased,and the serum level of CYP7A1 was increased in both groups(all P<0.05),especially in probiotics intervention group(all P<0.05).Conclusions:Oral probiotics supplementation can reduce the serum LPS level and modulate the canonical pathway of enterohepatic circulation of bile acids--farnesoid X receptor(FXR)-FGF19 pathway in high-risk patients of cholesterol gallstone formation.These alterations reduce the cholesterol supersaturation in bile and inhibit the probability of cholesterol gallstone formation.