ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Tongbian Decoction （通便汤， TD） in treating slow transit constipation （STC）. MethodsTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， TD group， and mosapride group， with 6 rats per group. Except for the normal group， STC models were established by intragastric administration of loperamide hydrochloride combined with normal saline. On the day following successful model establishment， rats in the TD group received 18.63 g·kg⁻¹ of TD by gavage， while those in the mosapride group received 1.605 mg·d⁻¹ of mosapride， and those in the normal group and the model group received 10 ml·kg⁻¹ of normal saline by gavage. All treatments were administered once daily for 7 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration， fecal pellet number and fecal water content were measured. After intragastric administration of a 10% activated charcoal suspension， the small intestinal transit rate was calculated 30 minutes later. Serum levels of gastrin （GAS） and motilin （MTL） were measured by ELISA. Colonic histopathology was observed by HE staining， and mucus secretion by Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff （AB-PAS） staining. Ultrastructure of colon tissue was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Protein expression levels of C-kit， stem cell factor （SCF）， autophagy-related protein 5 （ATG5）， Beclin1， vesicle-associated membrane protein B （VAPB）， and protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 （VAPB-PTPIP51） were measured by Western Blot， and the mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect SCF， C-kit， Beclin1， and ATG5 expression. The calcium content in colon tissue was determined by ELISA. ResultsCompared to the normal group， rats in the model group showed significantly reduced fecal pellet number， fecal water content， small intestinal transit rate， and serum GAS and MTL levels （P＜0.01）； the number of goblet cells decreased， and the mucosal and muscular layers of the colon became thinner； mRNA and protein expression levels of ATG5 and Beclin1 in colon tissue significantly increased， while calcium content decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； and electron microscopy revealed vacuolar degeneration and increased autophagosomes in colonic cells. Compared to the model group， both TD group and mosapride group showed increased fecal pellet number， fecal water content， small intestinal transit rate， serum GAS and MTL levels， and colonic calcium content， along with decreased Beclin1 and ATG5 protein levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the mucosal thickness and goblet cell number increased significantly， and autophagosomes decreased； in the TD group， ATG5 and Beclin1 mRNA levels decreased； in the mosapride group， SCF， VAPB， and PTPIP51 mRNA levels increased， while Beclin1 mRNA decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to the mosapride group， the TD group showed higher fecal pellet number， fecal water content， serum GAS levels， colonic calcium content， and C-kit expression， along with lower ATG5 and Beclin1 levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionTD may improve constipation symptoms by upregulating the VAPB-PTPIP51 complex during mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interactions， reducing autophagy of interstitial cells of Cajal， and promoting intestinal motility.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Tongbian Decoction （通便汤， TD） in treating slow transit constipation （STC）. MethodsTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， TD group， and mosapride group， with 6 rats per group. Except for the normal group， STC models were established by intragastric administration of loperamide hydrochloride combined with normal saline. On the day following successful model establishment， rats in the TD group received 18.63 g·kg⁻¹ of TD by gavage， while those in the mosapride group received 1.605 mg·d⁻¹ of mosapride， and those in the normal group and the model group received 10 ml·kg⁻¹ of normal saline by gavage. All treatments were administered once daily for 7 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration， fecal pellet number and fecal water content were measured. After intragastric administration of a 10% activated charcoal suspension， the small intestinal transit rate was calculated 30 minutes later. Serum levels of gastrin （GAS） and motilin （MTL） were measured by ELISA. Colonic histopathology was observed by HE staining， and mucus secretion by Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff （AB-PAS） staining. Ultrastructure of colon tissue was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Protein expression levels of C-kit， stem cell factor （SCF）， autophagy-related protein 5 （ATG5）， Beclin1， vesicle-associated membrane protein B （VAPB）， and protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 （VAPB-PTPIP51） were measured by Western Blot， and the mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect SCF， C-kit， Beclin1， and ATG5 expression. The calcium content in colon tissue was determined by ELISA. ResultsCompared to the normal group， rats in the model group showed significantly reduced fecal pellet number， fecal water content， small intestinal transit rate， and serum GAS and MTL levels （P＜0.01）； the number of goblet cells decreased， and the mucosal and muscular layers of the colon became thinner； mRNA and protein expression levels of ATG5 and Beclin1 in colon tissue significantly increased， while calcium content decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； and electron microscopy revealed vacuolar degeneration and increased autophagosomes in colonic cells. Compared to the model group， both TD group and mosapride group showed increased fecal pellet number， fecal water content， small intestinal transit rate， serum GAS and MTL levels， and colonic calcium content， along with decreased Beclin1 and ATG5 protein levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the mucosal thickness and goblet cell number increased significantly， and autophagosomes decreased； in the TD group， ATG5 and Beclin1 mRNA levels decreased； in the mosapride group， SCF， VAPB， and PTPIP51 mRNA levels increased， while Beclin1 mRNA decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to the mosapride group， the TD group showed higher fecal pellet number， fecal water content， serum GAS levels， colonic calcium content， and C-kit expression， along with lower ATG5 and Beclin1 levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionTD may improve constipation symptoms by upregulating the VAPB-PTPIP51 complex during mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interactions， reducing autophagy of interstitial cells of Cajal， and promoting intestinal motility.

Background: and Purpose Live cell-based assays (LCBA) are increasingly used for serological antibody detection due to their ability to preserve antigen conformation, offering moderately higher sensitivity than fixed cell-based assays. However, the clinical necessity of prioritizing LCBA for the detection of aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG) in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) remains unclear, especially when compared to its established role in diagnosing myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease. Methods: We compared the performance of live cell-based assays using immunofluorescence (LCBA-IF) and fixed cell-based assays using immunofluorescence (FCBA-IF) in detecting AQP4-IgG in 90 cases of NMOSD meeting 2015 International Panel for Neuromyelitis Optica Diagnosis criteria, alongside 40 controls. Additionally, we further investigated the relationship between AQP4-IgG titers as measured by LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF and clinical parameters in NMOSD patients. Results: Results showed 96.9% agreement between LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF (Cohen’s κ=0.935), with a strong Spearman correlation (0.977, p<0.001). Both methods demonstrated 100% specificity, with LCBA-IF showing slightly higher sensitivity compared to FCBA-IF. Within LCBAIF-tested groups, statistically significant differences in annualized relapse rates were observed across all pairwise comparisons (low-titer vs. moderate-titer, low-titer vs. high-titer, and moderate-titer vs. high-titer; all p<0.050). However, this association reached statistical significance in some FCBA-IF-tested groups. Conclusions Overall, there is a strong concordance between LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF in detecting AQP4-IgG, where LCBA-IF shows slightly higher sensitivity. Furthermore, there is a potential link between elevated AQP4-IgG titers and an increased risk of relapse, and this correlation may appear more pronounced when using LCBA-IF.

Kidney transplantation is widely recognized as the optimal treatment for children with end-stage renal disease(ESRD),offering significant improvements in growth,development,and long-term quality of life compared with prolonged dialysis.However,kidney transplantation in low-age(＜5 years old)and low-weight(＜15 kg)children presents significant clinical challenges due to their delicate vas-cular structures,limited surgical space,and complex perioperative management.This report presents two cases of kidney transplantation in low-age,low-weight children performed at Peking University People's Hospital.Case 1:a 2-year-3-month-old boy(8.8 kg),presenting a preoperative serum creatinine of 248μmol/L post-dialysis and the estimated glomerular filtration rates(eGFR)of 35.17 mL/(min·1.73 m2).Case 2:a 3-year-8-month-old girl(11.25 kg),presenting a preoperative creatinine of 281 μmol/L post-dialysis and the eGFR of 22.63 mL/(min·1.73 m2).Both recipients underwent transplantation via the extraperitoneal approach,with end-to-side anastomosis of the donor renal artery and vein to the recipient's common iliac artery and vein,respectively.The ureters were anastomosed to the bladder using the tunnel technique,and double-J stents were placed intraoperatively.The surgeries were uneventful,and both pa-tients exhibited rapid recovery of renal function.Postoperatively,serum creatinine levels decreased to 26μmol/L(Case 1)and 39 μmol/L(Case 2)by the third day,with the eGFR reaching 245.23 mL/(min·1.73 m2)and 164.12 mL/(min·1.73 m2),respectively.No complications,such as vascular thrombosis,ureteral stenosis,or abdominal compartment syndrome were observed during follow-up.A comprehensive literature review was conducted to contextualize these cases within global advancements in pediatric renal transplantation.Current evidence highlights the growing adoption of kidney transplantation for low-age,low-weight children,though debates persist regarding optimal surgical strategies(specifical-ly,the intraperitoneal versus extraperitoneal approaches).This case report underscores the feasibility of the extraperitoneal approach in overcoming anatomical limitations of low-weight pediatric recipients,with distinct advantages including reduced gastrointestinal complications and enhanced accessibility for post-operative ultrasound monitoring.Furthermore,mean arterial pressure(MAP)and central venous pressure(C VP)were systematically monitored intraoperatively to ensure optimal renal blood perfusion and graft viability.Our single-center experience provides valuable insights into surgical strategy selection and peri-operative management for this high-risk population.Nevertheless,larger multicenter studies are warranted to validate long-term outcomes and refine standardized protocols.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disorder involving complex immune regulation, where balancing localized and systemic immunosuppression is a key challenge. This study aimed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy by engineering the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN). We removed endogenous plasmids pMUT1 and pMUT2 from wild-type EcN and expressed the mPD-L1 (19‒238 aa)-mFc fusion protein on the bacterial surface using a cytolysin A (ClyA) fragment. This modification stabilized mPD-L1 (19‒238 aa) protein expression and promoted its recruitment to outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). The engineered strain, EcNΔ_pMUT1/2-ClyA-mPD-L1-mFc (EcN-ePD-L1-mFc), features conditional ePD-L1-mFc expression under the araBAD promoter, enhancing gut-targeted release and reducing systemic side effects. This strain improved treatment targeting and efficiency by enabling direct ePD-L1-mFc interaction with immune cells at inflammation sites. OMVs from this strain induced Treg proliferation, inhibited effector T cell proliferation in vitro, and significantly improved intestinal inflammation and colonic epithelial barrier repair in vivo. Additionally, the bacterium restored intestinal microbiota balance, increasing Lactobacillaceae and reducing Bacteroides. This study highlights the engineered bacterium's potential for targeted intestinal immune modulation and offers a novel local IBD treatment approach with promising clinical prospects.

Objective To investigate the correlation between indocyanine green(ICG)fluorescence imaging and lymph node metastasis of bladder cancer and its application value.Methods The clinicopathological data of 35 patients with bladder cancer(T1-T4aNxM0)treated in our hospital during Jun.2019 and Mar.2023 were collected.All patients underwent ICG submucous injection,and those with successful imaging received lymph node dissection under fluorescent guidance.After that,the remaining lymph tissue was cleared according to the standard lymph node dissection range,and the resected lymph tissue was subassembled for examination.Patients with non-imaging underwent standard pelvic lymph node dissection according to the routine procedure.Intraoperative lymph node imaging areas were recorded,and postoperative lymph node pathological data were collected.The correlation between fluorescence imaging patterns and lymph node metastasis in patients with different stages of bladder cancer was analyzed with correlation coefficients.Results The ICG fluorescence imaging rate was 91.43％(32/35),and there was no statistically significant difference in the imaging rate among patients with different stages of bladder cancer(P＞0.05).The fluorescence imaging range was significantly correlated with the stage(C=0.351,P=0.034).There was a significant correlation between the imaging range and lymph node metastasis in early-stage patients(C=0.619,P=0.022),but there was no significant difference in the lymph node metastasis rate in advanced patients with different imaging range(P＞0.05).In patients with full staging,the sensitivity of lymph nodes to predict metastasis was 60.00％(6/10),and the negative predictive value was 84.62％(22/26).In early-stage patients,the sensitivity and negative predictive value were 50.00％(1/2)and 93.75％(15/16),respectively.In advanced-stage patients,they were 62.50％(5/8)and 70.00％(7/10),respectively.Conclusion ICG fluorescence imaging rate of tracing lymph node metastasis is high,and the imaging range is significantly related to the tumor stage.For patients with early-stage(T1-T2)bladder cancer,the range of imaging helps to predict the risk of lymph node metastasis and guide the extent of lymph node dissection.Resection of multi-area imaged lymph nodes can comprehensively evaluate the lymphatic metastasis status of early-stage patients.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for complications following lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) surgery.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 196 patients who underwent LLIF surgery via the psoas major muscle approach in the Department of Spinal Surgery, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin University, from October 2018 to July 2024. The age, gender, body mass index (BMI), presence of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, history of lumbar surgery, history of abdominal surgery, history of abdominal inflammation, smoking status, operative time, surgical segments (whether the surgery was single-segment or multi-segments), and use of internal fixation or not were compared between patients with and without postoperative complications, the indicators with P<0.10 were included in the binary variable logistic regression analysis, and determine the independent risk factors for complications after LLIF surgery. Complications included anterior thigh symptoms (pain, numbness, weakness), cage subsidence, surgery-related complications (nerve injury, surgical site infection, postoperative buttock pain, urinary and fecal incontinence, etc.), and medical complications (cerebrovascular accident, deep vein thrombosis, urinary tract infection, etc.). Results:All 196 patients were followed up for 27.02 (12.6, 40.69) months. Postoperative complications occurred in 71 cases (96 times), and no complications occurred in 125 cases. In the complication group, there were 15 males and 56 females with a mean age of 61.82±7.57 years; in the non-complication group, there were 43 males and 82 females with a mean age of 62.00± 8.39 years. In the complication group, there were 43 cases of anterior thigh symptoms, 38 cases of cage subsidence, 11 cases of surgical operation-related complications, and 4 cases of medical complications. There were statistically significant differences in gender (χ 2=3.829, P=0.051), operation time ( t=2.391, P=0.018), and surgical segment (χ 2=4.245, P=0.039) between the complication group and the non-complication group. No statistically significant differences were found in age, gender, BMI, presence of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, history of lumbar surgery, history of abdominal surgery, history of abdominal inflammation, smoking status, or use of internal fixation ( P>0.10). Binary variable logistic regression analysis indicated that prolonged operative time [ OR=1.007, 95% CI(1.001, 1.013), P=0.019] and multilevel surgery [ OR=2.099, 95% CI(1.095, 4.025), P=0.026] were independent risk factors for complications following LLIF. Conclusion:Prolonged operative time and multi-segments surgery are independent risk factors for complications following LLIF.

The gradient field, one of the core magnetic fields in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, is generated by gradient coils and plays a critical role in spatial encoding and the generation of echo signals. The uniformity or linearity of the gradient field directly impacts the quality and distortion level of MRI images. However, traditional point measurement methods lack accuracy in assessing the linearity of gradient fields, making it difficult to provide effective parameters for image distortion correction. This paper introduced a spherical measurement-based method that involved measuring the magnetic field distribution on a sphere, followed by detailed magnetic field calculations and linearity analysis. This study, applied to assess the nonlinearity of asymmetric head gradient coils, demonstrated more comprehensive and precise results compared to point measurement methods. This advancement not only strengthens the scientific basis for the design of gradient coils but also provides more reliable parameters and methods for the accurate correction of MRI image distortions.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Nonlinear Dynamics ; Magnetic Fields ; Algorithms ; Phantoms, Imaging

Objective To investigate the correlation between indocyanine green(ICG)fluorescence imaging and lymph node metastasis of bladder cancer and its application value.Methods The clinicopathological data of 35 patients with bladder cancer(T1-T4aNxM0)treated in our hospital during Jun.2019 and Mar.2023 were collected.All patients underwent ICG submucous injection,and those with successful imaging received lymph node dissection under fluorescent guidance.After that,the remaining lymph tissue was cleared according to the standard lymph node dissection range,and the resected lymph tissue was subassembled for examination.Patients with non-imaging underwent standard pelvic lymph node dissection according to the routine procedure.Intraoperative lymph node imaging areas were recorded,and postoperative lymph node pathological data were collected.The correlation between fluorescence imaging patterns and lymph node metastasis in patients with different stages of bladder cancer was analyzed with correlation coefficients.Results The ICG fluorescence imaging rate was 91.43％(32/35),and there was no statistically significant difference in the imaging rate among patients with different stages of bladder cancer(P＞0.05).The fluorescence imaging range was significantly correlated with the stage(C=0.351,P=0.034).There was a significant correlation between the imaging range and lymph node metastasis in early-stage patients(C=0.619,P=0.022),but there was no significant difference in the lymph node metastasis rate in advanced patients with different imaging range(P＞0.05).In patients with full staging,the sensitivity of lymph nodes to predict metastasis was 60.00％(6/10),and the negative predictive value was 84.62％(22/26).In early-stage patients,the sensitivity and negative predictive value were 50.00％(1/2)and 93.75％(15/16),respectively.In advanced-stage patients,they were 62.50％(5/8)and 70.00％(7/10),respectively.Conclusion ICG fluorescence imaging rate of tracing lymph node metastasis is high,and the imaging range is significantly related to the tumor stage.For patients with early-stage(T1-T2)bladder cancer,the range of imaging helps to predict the risk of lymph node metastasis and guide the extent of lymph node dissection.Resection of multi-area imaged lymph nodes can comprehensively evaluate the lymphatic metastasis status of early-stage patients.

AIM:To analyze differential proteins associated with the pathogenesis of dry eye(DE)using bioinformatics methods, in order to reveal their potential molecular mechanisms.METHODS: Articles published in PubMed and EMBASE databases from the inception of the database to August 31, 2023, that used proteomic methods to detect protein expression in clinical samples of dry eye were searched. Differential proteins were selected and further analyzed using the STRING database and Cytoscape software for hub gene screening and module analysis. Protein-protein interaction(PPI)analysis, gene ontology(GO)functional annotation, and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis were performed.RESULTS: A total of 21 articles were included, identifying 74 differentially expressed proteins. The most frequently occurring differential proteins were calgranulin A(SA1008), lipocalin-1(LCN1), lysozyme C(LYZ), mammaglobin-B(SCGB2A1), proline-rich protein 4(PRR4), transferrin(TF), and calgranulinB(S100A9). The top 10 hub genes were serum albumin(ALB), tumor necrosis factor(TNF), interleukin 6(IL6), IL1B, IL8, matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9), alpha-1-antitrypsin(SERPINA1), IL10, complement component 3(C3), and lactotransferrin(LTF). Module analysis suggested MMP9 and PRR4 as seed genes. KEGG analysis showed that differential proteins were mainly enriched in the IL17 signaling pathway(61.9%).CONCLUSION: The results reveal potential molecular targets and pathways for DE and confirm the association between the pathogenesis of DE and inflammation. Further in-depth research is needed to confirm the significance of these biomarkers in clinical practice.