Objective To explore the clinical factors influencing complete response in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). Methods Clinical data of LARC patients treated in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Beijing Shijitan Hospital between January 2013 and December 2024 were retrospectively collected. All patients received nCRT, after which surgery or a watch-and-wait approach was adopted based on treatment response. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors influencing complete response. A clinical prediction model was constructed based on the multivariable analysis results, and its predictive performance was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results A total of 113 eligible patients were included. After nCRT, 19 patients (16.8%) achieved complete response, including 3 with clinical complete response and 16 with pathological complete response. Univariable analysis indicated that pretreatment clinical N stage, extramural venous invasion, carcinoembryonic antigen level, and neoadjuvant treatment regimen were associated with complete response after nCRT (P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified pretreatment extramural venous invasion, carcinoembryonic antigen level, and neoadjuvant treatment regimen as independent influencing factors for complete response (P<0.05). A prediction model incorporating these independent factors yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.813 (95% confidence interval: 0.713-0.913), with a sensitivity of 89.5% and a specificity of 60.6%, demonstrating good predictive performance. Conclusion Pretreatment extramural venous invasion, carcinoembryonic antigen level, and neoadjuvant treatment regimen are independent factors influencing complete response after nCRT in LARC patients. The prediction model combining these factors may assist in evaluating treatment efficacy following nCRT in LARC patients.

ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effect of Wendantang combined with Danshenyin and Dushentang （WDD） on mice with ischemic heart disease （IHD） presenting phlegm-stasis syndrome based on the inflammatory phenotype and differentiation of circulating monocytes. MethodsA model of IHD with phlegm-stasis syndrome was established using left anterior descending coronary artery ligation supplemented with a high-fat diet. Eighty model mice were randomly assigned to the model group， WDD low-dose group （WDD-L）， WDD medium-dose group （WDD-M）， WDD high-dose group （WDD-H）， and atorvastatin calcium tablet group， with 16 mice in each group. An additional 16 C57BL/6J mice were designated as the sham-operation group. The WDD groups received intragastric administration at doses of 8.91， 17.81， 35.62 g·kg^-1， and the atorvastatin calcium tablet group received the corresponding drug at 1.3 mg·kg^-1， twice daily. The sham-operation and model groups were given the same volume of pure water by gavage each day. After 5 consecutive weeks of administration， the cardiac index was calculated. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Myocardial histopathology was examined by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （pro-BNP） content was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Hemorheological parameters were analyzed using an automated hemorheology analyzer. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein （LDL）， and high-density lipoprotein （HDL） were determined using an automated biochemical analyzer. Changes in circulating monocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated in vitro and divided into blank group， model serum group， WDD-L drug-containing serum group， WDD-M drug-containing serum group， and WDD-H drug-containing serum group. CD36 expression and macrophage differentiation in each group were assessed by flow cytometry. The mechanism by which WDD mediates circulating monocyte differentiation was further explored using CD36 knockdown/overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines. ResultsCompared with the sham-operation group， the model group showed a significantly increased cardiac index （P0.01）， significantly decreased fractional shortening （FS） （P0.01）， and significantly increased left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter （LVDD） and left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter （LVDS） （P0.01）. Cardiomyocytes exhibited marked deformation and necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration. Serum pro-BNP levels were significantly elevated （P0.01）， and whole-blood viscosity （BV） at high， medium， and low shear rates was significantly increased （P0.01）. Compared with the model group， the WDD groups showed significantly reduced cardiac index （P0.05， P0.01）， significantly increased FS （P0.05， P0.01）， significantly decreased LVDD and LVDS （P0.01）， markedly improved cardiomyocyte morphology， significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration， significantly decreased serum pro-BNP levels （P0.01）， and significantly decreased BV at high， medium， and low shear rates （P0.01）， with the most pronounced improvement observed in the WDD-M group. Compared with the sham-operation group， TC， TG， and LDL levels were significantly increased in the model group （P0.05， P0.01）， while HDL levels were significantly decreased （P0.05）. After WDD-H treatment， TC， TG， and LDL levels were significantly reduced and HDL levels were significantly increased in mice （P0.05， P0.01）. Compared with the sham-operation group， classical monocytes in blood and bone marrow and intermediate monocytes in blood were significantly increased in the model group （P0.01）， whereas intermediate monocytes in bone marrow and non-classical monocytes in blood were significantly decreased （P0.01）. After WDD administration， all circulating monocyte subsets in blood and bone marrow were significantly alleviated （P0.05， P0.01）， with the WDD-M group showing the optimal effect. In vitro， compared with the blank group， CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and the proportion of differentiated macrophages were significantly increased in the model serum group （P0.01）， and CD36 expression was significantly upregulated on RAW264.7 cells （P0.01）. Compared with the model serum group， all drug-containing serum groups exhibited significantly reduced CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and significantly reduced macrophage differentiation （P0.01）. WDD downregulated CD36 expression in both CD36 knockdown and overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines （P0.05， P0.01）， with the strongest regulatory effect observed in the WDD-M drug-containing serum group. ConclusionWDD can significantly improve the manifestations of phlegm-stasis syndrome in IHD mice and reduce the proportion of classical circulating monocytes. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of CD36 expression on classical circulating monocytes.

ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effect of Wendantang combined with Danshenyin and Dushentang （WDD） on mice with ischemic heart disease （IHD） presenting phlegm-stasis syndrome based on the inflammatory phenotype and differentiation of circulating monocytes. MethodsA model of IHD with phlegm-stasis syndrome was established using left anterior descending coronary artery ligation supplemented with a high-fat diet. Eighty model mice were randomly assigned to the model group， WDD low-dose group （WDD-L）， WDD medium-dose group （WDD-M）， WDD high-dose group （WDD-H）， and atorvastatin calcium tablet group， with 16 mice in each group. An additional 16 C57BL/6J mice were designated as the sham-operation group. The WDD groups received intragastric administration at doses of 8.91， 17.81， 35.62 g·kg^-1， and the atorvastatin calcium tablet group received the corresponding drug at 1.3 mg·kg^-1， twice daily. The sham-operation and model groups were given the same volume of pure water by gavage each day. After 5 consecutive weeks of administration， the cardiac index was calculated. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Myocardial histopathology was examined by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （pro-BNP） content was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Hemorheological parameters were analyzed using an automated hemorheology analyzer. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein （LDL）， and high-density lipoprotein （HDL） were determined using an automated biochemical analyzer. Changes in circulating monocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated in vitro and divided into blank group， model serum group， WDD-L drug-containing serum group， WDD-M drug-containing serum group， and WDD-H drug-containing serum group. CD36 expression and macrophage differentiation in each group were assessed by flow cytometry. The mechanism by which WDD mediates circulating monocyte differentiation was further explored using CD36 knockdown/overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines. ResultsCompared with the sham-operation group， the model group showed a significantly increased cardiac index （P<0.01）， significantly decreased fractional shortening （FS） （P<0.01）， and significantly increased left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter （LVDD） and left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter （LVDS） （P<0.01）. Cardiomyocytes exhibited marked deformation and necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration. Serum pro-BNP levels were significantly elevated （P<0.01）， and whole-blood viscosity （BV） at high， medium， and low shear rates was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the WDD groups showed significantly reduced cardiac index （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significantly increased FS （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significantly decreased LVDD and LVDS （P<0.01）， markedly improved cardiomyocyte morphology， significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration， significantly decreased serum pro-BNP levels （P<0.01）， and significantly decreased BV at high， medium， and low shear rates （P<0.01）， with the most pronounced improvement observed in the WDD-M group. Compared with the sham-operation group， TC， TG， and LDL levels were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while HDL levels were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. After WDD-H treatment， TC， TG， and LDL levels were significantly reduced and HDL levels were significantly increased in mice （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the sham-operation group， classical monocytes in blood and bone marrow and intermediate monocytes in blood were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）， whereas intermediate monocytes in bone marrow and non-classical monocytes in blood were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. After WDD administration， all circulating monocyte subsets in blood and bone marrow were significantly alleviated （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the WDD-M group showing the optimal effect. In vitro， compared with the blank group， CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and the proportion of differentiated macrophages were significantly increased in the model serum group （P<0.01）， and CD36 expression was significantly upregulated on RAW264.7 cells （P<0.01）. Compared with the model serum group， all drug-containing serum groups exhibited significantly reduced CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and significantly reduced macrophage differentiation （P<0.01）. WDD downregulated CD36 expression in both CD36 knockdown and overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the strongest regulatory effect observed in the WDD-M drug-containing serum group. ConclusionWDD can significantly improve the manifestations of phlegm-stasis syndrome in IHD mice and reduce the proportion of classical circulating monocytes. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of CD36 expression on classical circulating monocytes.

ObjectiveTo observe the activation patterns and functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex of patients with post-stroke anxiety (PSA) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, in order to explore the underlying neural mechanism. MethodsFrom December, 2024 to September, 2025, 120 stroke patients were selected in Changzhou De'an Hospital. They were divided into PSA group (n = 60) and non-PSA group (n = 60) according to the score of Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). All patients wore an 18-channel fNIRS acquisition cap for detection. The differences in resting-state functional connectivity between the frontopolar cortex (FPC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were examined in both groups, as well as task-related activation in these brain regions. ResultsResting-state functional connectivity analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in network connectivity between two groups in the FPC and DLPFC regions (|t| < 1.301, P > 0.05). Task-related activation results revealed significantly reduced activation in the contralateral FPC of PSA group compared to the non-PSA group (Z = -2.063, P < 0.05). Activation levels in this region showed a negative correlation with the scores of HAMA (ρ = -0.201, P = 0.028). ConclusionActivation decreased in the contralateral frontal pole during the task state for patients with PSA, and the activation levels negatively correlates with anxiety severities.

ObjectiveTo observe the activation patterns and functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex of patients with post-stroke anxiety (PSA) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, in order to explore the underlying neural mechanism. MethodsFrom December, 2024 to September, 2025, 120 stroke patients were selected in Changzhou De'an Hospital. They were divided into PSA group (n = 60) and non-PSA group (n = 60) according to the score of Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). All patients wore an 18-channel fNIRS acquisition cap for detection. The differences in resting-state functional connectivity between the frontopolar cortex (FPC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were examined in both groups, as well as task-related activation in these brain regions. ResultsResting-state functional connectivity analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in network connectivity between two groups in the FPC and DLPFC regions (|t| < 1.301, P > 0.05). Task-related activation results revealed significantly reduced activation in the contralateral FPC of PSA group compared to the non-PSA group (Z = -2.063, P < 0.05). Activation levels in this region showed a negative correlation with the scores of HAMA (ρ = -0.201, P = 0.028). ConclusionActivation decreased in the contralateral frontal pole during the task state for patients with PSA, and the activation levels negatively correlates with anxiety severities.

ObjectiveTo observe the activation patterns and functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex of patients with post-stroke anxiety (PSA) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, in order to explore the underlying neural mechanism. MethodsFrom December, 2024 to September, 2025, 120 stroke patients were selected in Changzhou De'an Hospital. They were divided into PSA group (n = 60) and non-PSA group (n = 60) according to the score of Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). All patients wore an 18-channel fNIRS acquisition cap for detection. The differences in resting-state functional connectivity between the frontopolar cortex (FPC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were examined in both groups, as well as task-related activation in these brain regions. ResultsResting-state functional connectivity analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in network connectivity between two groups in the FPC and DLPFC regions (|t| < 1.301, P > 0.05). Task-related activation results revealed significantly reduced activation in the contralateral FPC of PSA group compared to the non-PSA group (Z = -2.063, P < 0.05). Activation levels in this region showed a negative correlation with the scores of HAMA (ρ = -0.201, P = 0.028). ConclusionActivation decreased in the contralateral frontal pole during the task state for patients with PSA, and the activation levels negatively correlates with anxiety severities.

Wilson disease （WD） is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism， and decoppering therapy and symptomatic treatment are the main Western medicine therapies for WD. This article systematically reviews the understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of WD in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and points out that abnormal natural endowment is the core etiology and pathogenesis of WD， with internal accumulation of copper toxicity as the manifestation， liver/spleen/kidney dysfunction as the root cause， and intermingled “toxin， stasis， phlegm， and deficiency” as the key pathogenesis. Literature research and clinical observation are conducted to summarize the common TCM syndromes of WD， including stagnation of liver Qi， internal retention of damp-heat， phlegm-stasis-heat accumulation syndrome， liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome， spleen-kidney Yang deficiency， and syndrome of deficiency damage and phlegm stasis. This article proposes the corresponding therapies and representative prescriptions for each syndrome and discusses the advantages of treatment by stage and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy. This article aims to provide a systematic reference for the syndrome differentiation-based treatment of WD in clinical practice of TCM， thereby giving full play to the advantages of TCM in the treatment of this disease.

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of Ras-GTPase-activating protein SH3 domain-binding protein 2 （G3BP2） in regulating the activation， proliferation， and migration of hepatic stellate cells （HSCs）. MethodsThe mouse HSCs （JS-1 cell line） were treated with 5 μg/L transforming growth factor-beta 1（TGF-β1） for 24 hours to establish an HSC activation and proliferation model. A G3BP2 knockdown system was constructed using siRNA interference technology. The experiment was divided into four groups： Control， TGF-β1 treatment， TGF-β1+si-NC， and TGF-β1+ G3BP2-siRNA. The expression levels of key fibrosis indicators， including type I collagen （Collagen I）， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， and G3BP2， were detected by Western blot and RT-qPCR. Cell proliferation activity was assessed using the CCK-8 proliferation assay kit and EdU fluorescence labeling technology. Cell migration ability was analyzed by scratch wound healing assay and Transwell migration assay. The formation level of stress granules was quantified by immunofluorescence microscopy to investigate the effects of G3BP2 on stress granule formation in activated HSCs. ResultsStimulation with TGF-β1 upregulated the expression of G3BP2 in JS-1 cells （RT-qPCR： P0.000 1； Western blot： P0.000 1）， while a downward trend in its expression was observed in the G3BP2‑silenced group （RT-qPCR： P0.01； Western blot： P0.000 1）. Compared with the control group， the TGF-β1 group exhibited increased protein expression levels of α-SMA and Collagen I （RT-qPCR： both P0.01； Western blot： P0.01 and P0.05， respectively）， concomitant with an increased number of stress granules and enhanced cell proliferation and migration capacity （all P0.001）. The experimental results demonstrated that G3BP2 knockout effectively reversed the aforementioned phenotypes， with the G3BP2-silenced group showing reduced expression of fibrotic markers （all P0.01）， decreased stress granule formation （P0.01）， and reduced cell proliferation and migration capacity （all P0.05）， compared to the negative control group. ConclusionG3BP2 enhances the activation， proliferation， and migration of HSCs by promoting the formation of stress granules， thereby accelerating the pathological progression of liver fibrosis. This suggests that stress granules may serve as important regulators in controlling the activation， proliferation， and migration of HSCs.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to use the digital muscle function assessment system Myoton PRO to assess the correlation between muscle tension，clinical characteristics， and traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） syndromes in patients with hepatolenticular degeneration ［also known as Wilson disease（WD）］. MethodsA total of 104 patients with WD accompanied by abnormal muscle tension（increased or decreased，hereinafter the same） who were hospitalized in the Brain Disease Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from April 2021 to November 2023 were selected，all of whom were subjected to TCM syndrome diagnosis and Myoton PRO for the measurement of F value of muscle tension，Goldstein， and UWDRS-N scales. The age of onset of the disease and disease duration were analyzed，and the differences and correlations of the above indexes in different TCM syndromes of WD were analyzed ResultsAmong the 104 patients with WD ，the phlegm and stasis syndrome was the most common（60 patients），followed by the damp-heat syndrome（33 patients），and the least common was the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome（11 patients）. The F value of the phlegm and stasis syndrome group was higher than that of the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group and the damp-heat syndrome group（P<0.01）. The F value of the damp-heat syndrome group was higher than that of the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group（P<0.05），and the F value of the lower limbs of each group was higher than that of the upper limbs（P<0.01）. Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores of the patients in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group were higher than those in the damp-heat syndrome group and the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group（P<0.05）. There was no significant difference between the Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores of patients in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group and the damp-heat syndrome group. Correlation analysis revealed that the age of onset and duration of the disease were positively correlated with the F values of the lower limbs（r=0.20，P<0.05，r=0.38，P<0.01）and had no significant correlation with those of the upper limbs. The F value levels of muscle tension of all limbs in the three groups of patients were positively correlated with the Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores（muscle tension of the upper limbs in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group，r=0.36，P<0.01，r=0.42，P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group，r=0.70，P<0.01，r=0.60，P<0.01. muscle tension of the upper limbs in the damp-heat syndrome group，r=0.64，P<0.01，r=0.53，P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the damp-heat syndrome group，r=0.59，P<0.01，r=0.70，P<0.01. muscle tension of the upper limbs in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group，r=0.70，P<0.01，r=0.74，P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group，r=0.85，P<0.01，r=0.62，P<0.01）. Conlusion： The digital muscle function assessment system Myoton PRO can objectively evaluate the muscle tension level of patients with WD accompanied by abnormal muscle tension. This level has significant differences among different TCM syndromes and can evaluate the patient's condition to some extent.

Objective: To analyze the implementation status and challenges of sex education in special education schools, so as to provide a scientific basis for formulating effective promotion strategies. Methods: From November 2023 to January 2024, a census survey was conducted among 120 in service teachers from 7 special education schools in Luzhou. The questionnaire covered the current status of sex education in schools, teachers attitudes and knowledge toward sex education, and their coping methods for students inappropriate sexual behaviors. Results: About 77.5% of teachers reported having provided sex education to students, but 93.2% indicated a lack of specialized sex education textbooks for special children, 90.4% reported no full time teachers for sex education, and the methods of sex education were relatively limited (50.0% mainly based on lecture method). Nearly 95.8% of teachers held a positive attitude toward sex education, with 98.3% supporting its implementation. Only 26.7% of teachers demonstrated a good grasp of sex education knowledge, with the best understood topic being "recognition and protection of private parts" (21.6%). When dealing with students inappropriate sexual behaviors, the active response rate of teachers was 23.9%, with the highest active response rate observed for "intentionally hugging or kissing the opposite sex" (39.7%). Conclusions The special education schools in Luzhou lack comprehensive sex education curricula, teaching materials and full time teachers, sufficient knowledge among teachers, and adequate proactive responses to students inappropriate sexual behaviors. Greater emphasis should be placed on sex education for special children, including the training of dedicated teachers, to provide comprehensive and high quality sex education services for special children.