Objective To explore the relationship between IgA nephropathy(IgAN)and intestinal flora and mucosal immune response disorder based on the theory of"intestinal-kidney axis",and to summarize and enumerate the measures of Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of IgAN by regulating intestinal flora,mucosal immune response and improving intestinal microecology.Methods Through literature search,the changes of intestinal flora between healthy people and IgAN patients and their effects on intestinal mucosal immunity were compared and analyzed,and then the relationship between different intestinal flora and IgAN was summarized.Results This paper summarizes that different floras including Firmicutes,Escherichia coli,Bifidobacterium and Enterococcus faecalis are closely related to the occurrence and development of IgAN.Conclusions Intestinal flora imbalance can negatively regulate IgAN,regulate intestinal flora and improve intestinal microecological environment,which may become a new target for the treatment of IgAN.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the time-effect relationship of ginger-partitioned moxibustion in treating fecal inconti-nence in patients with mild to moderate active Crohn's disease so as to optimize moxibustion duration and provide a basis for clinical application.METHODS A total of 128 patients with Crohn's disease complicated by fecal incontinence who met the inclusion crite-ria were selected as the study subjects.They were divided into a control group and three experimental groups(experimental group Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ)of 32 patients each using a stratified random method(with 1 dropout in experimental group Ⅰ).Patients in the control group received routine anti-tumor necrosis factor-α monoclonal antibody(adalimumab)treatment,while patients in the experimental groups received ginger moxibustion therapy in addition to the treatment provided to the control group.Among them,experimental groupⅠ received treatment for 20 minutes,experimental group Ⅱ for 40 minutes,and experimental group Ⅲ for 60 minutes.The course of treatment for all four groups was 3 months.Changes in TCM syndrome scores were compared before and after treatment in the four groups to assess clinical efficacy.The cleveland clinic incontinence score(CCIS)was used to assess the severity of fecal incontinence,the Crohn's disease activity index(CDAI)was used to assess the degree of disease activity,and the inflammatory bowel disease ques-tionnaire(IBDQ)was used to evaluate the quality of life.Anal pressure index and peripheral blood CRP and ESR levels were mea-sured,and the relationship between moxibustion time and effect was analyzed.RESULTS After 3 months of treatment,the total TCM syndrome scores of all four groups improved to varying degrees(P<0.05,P<0.01).The total scores of groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ were supe-rior to those of the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01),while group Ⅱ had the lowest total TCM syndrome score.Group Ⅱ had the high-est overall clinical effective rate,significantly better than both the control and group Ⅰ(P<0.05,P<0.01).CCIS scores,IBDQ scores and total scores,and peripheral blood ESR levels were significantly reduced in all four groups(P<0.01),with group Ⅱ having the low-est score,lower than both the control and group Ⅰ(P<0.05,P<0.01).CRP levels were significantly reduced in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ(P<0.05,P<0.01),both lower than the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01),with group Ⅱ lower than group Ⅰ(P<0.01).Intestinal symptom scores in the IBDQ of groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ were significantly higher than those in the control group and group Ⅰ(P<0.05,P<0.01).The maximum resting pressure of the anal canal,rectal defecation threshold,and maximum tolerance capacity all increased significantly in the four groups(P<0.05,P<0.01),but there were no significant differences among the groups(P>0.05).During the treatment,two cases of mild skin redness occurred in group Ⅲ,which resolved after treatment,with no serious adverse reactions.CONCLUSION Ginger moxibustion in the treatment of Crohn's disease complicated by fecal incontinence exhibits a time-effect relationship,with 40 minutes as the optimal duration.It can effectively improve symptoms,control inflammation,enhance quality of life,and has good safety.

Objective:To evaluate the role of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) in renal fibrosis in a mouse model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods:Twelve male C57BL/6J wild-type mice and 12 macrophage IRF3 conditional knockout C57BL/6J mice, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 2 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: wild-type sham operation group (WT-Sham group) and wild-type renal ischemia-reperfusion injury group (WT-I/R group); IRF3 conditional knockout sham operation group (cKO-Sham group) and IRF3 conditional knockout I/R group (cKO-I/R group). The model of renal I/R injury was established by occluding bilateral renal pedicles for 45 min followed by reperfusion in anesthetized animals. The orbital blood samples and renal tissues were collected at 14 days of reperfusion for determination of the concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) in serum, expression of fibronectin, collagen-I, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) (by immunofluorescence), F4/80-α-SMA double positive cell count, and mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in renal tissues (by real-time polymerase chain reaction) and for observation of pathological changes which were scored. The area of renal fibrosis was measured. Results:For two types of mice, compared with group Sham, the levels of serum BUN and Cr, area of renal fibrosis and renal injury score were significantly increased, the expression of fibronectin, COL-Ⅰ and α-SMA protein and IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and TGF-β1 mRNA was up-regulated, and the F4/80-α-SMA dual positive cell count was increased in group WT-I/R ( P<0.05). Compared with group WT-I/R, the concentrations of BUN and Cr in serum, area of renal fibrosis and renal injury score were significantly decreased, the expression of fibronectin, COL-Ⅰ and α-SMA protein and IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and TGF-β1 mRNA was down-regulated, and the F4/80-α-SMA dual positive cell count was decreased in cKO-I/R group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:IRF3 is involved in the process of renal fibrosis in a mouse model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the mechanism may be associated with the promotion of inflammatory responses and the transformation of macrophages into myofibroblasts.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of different myotomy procedures during peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia (AC).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted involving patients diagnosed as having achalasia and underwent POEM at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from April 2020 to October 2023. Patients were divided into conventional myotomy group, short myotomy group and full-thickness myotomy group according to myotomy length and depth. Outcomes including operation duration, procedure-related complications, efficacy and incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis were compared between conventional vs. short, and conventional vs. full-thickness groups.Results:Among 70 patients, 26 underwent conventional myotomy, 19 short myotomy, and 25 full-thickness myotomy. The short myotomy group demonstrated significantly shorter procedure duration (72.89±20.57 min) compared to the conventional group (91.81±36.70 min, t=2.197, P=0.034). There were no statistically significant differences in procedure-related complications [26.3% (5/19) VS 34.6% (9/26), χ2=0.353, P=0.553], treatment efficacy [94.7% (18/19) VS 96.2% (25/26), χ2=0.052, P=0.820], or incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis [50.0% (5/10) VS 41.7% (5/12), χ2=0.306, P=0.580] between the short and conventional myotomy groups. No statistically significant differences were observed between the conventional and full-thickness myotomy group in procedure duration (99.64±29.13 min VS 91.81±36.70 min, t=0.336, P=0.404), procedure-related complications [28.0% (7/25) VS 34.6% (9/26), χ2=0.259, P=0.611], treatment efficacy [96.0% (24/25) VS 96.2% (25/26), χ2=0.001, P=0.977], or incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis [35.7% (5/14) VS 41.7% (5/12), χ2=0.022, P=0.883]. Conclusion:Short myotomy POEM achieves comparable efficacy to conventional myotomy with reduced operative time and no increased complication risk. Full-thickness myotomy demonstrates similar efficacy, operative duration, and safety to conventional myotomy.

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of RANK/RANKL/OPG signaling path-way in gerbil external auditory canal cholesteatoma(EACC).Methods Twenty-five mongolian long-clawed gerbils were divided into an experimental group(n=15)and a control group(n=10),and an EACC model was constructed by external auditory canal ligation method in the experimental group.Three months later,the external auditory ca-nal tissues of the control group and the experimental group(10 ears)were collected,and RT-qPCR and Western blot were performed to detect the expression levels of receptor activator of NF-κB(RANK),receptor activator of NF-κB ligand(RANKL),osteoprotegerin(OPG)mRNA and protein in the signaling pathway.Results Two ger-bils in the experimental group died during the modeling process,and cholesteatoma of the external auditory canal was formed in 10 ears 3 months after the operation,with a modeling success rate of 76.9％(10/13).Compared with the normal control group,there was no statistically significant difference in the expression of RANK mRNA in gerbil external auditory canal tissues(P=0.08).The expression of RANK protein was upregulated,the expression of RANKL mRNA and protein was upregulated,while the expression of OPG mRNA and protein was downregulat-ed,the ratio of RANKL/OPG was upregulated,with a statistically significant difference between the two groups(P＜0.01).Conclusion The RANK/RANKL/OPG signaling system may play an important role in the formation of gerbil EACC and bone destruction.

Objective To explore the relationship between IgA nephropathy(IgAN)and intestinal flora and mucosal immune response disorder based on the theory of"intestinal-kidney axis",and to summarize and enumerate the measures of Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of IgAN by regulating intestinal flora,mucosal immune response and improving intestinal microecology.Methods Through literature search,the changes of intestinal flora between healthy people and IgAN patients and their effects on intestinal mucosal immunity were compared and analyzed,and then the relationship between different intestinal flora and IgAN was summarized.Results This paper summarizes that different floras including Firmicutes,Escherichia coli,Bifidobacterium and Enterococcus faecalis are closely related to the occurrence and development of IgAN.Conclusions Intestinal flora imbalance can negatively regulate IgAN,regulate intestinal flora and improve intestinal microecological environment,which may become a new target for the treatment of IgAN.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the time-effect relationship of ginger-partitioned moxibustion in treating fecal inconti-nence in patients with mild to moderate active Crohn's disease so as to optimize moxibustion duration and provide a basis for clinical application.METHODS A total of 128 patients with Crohn's disease complicated by fecal incontinence who met the inclusion crite-ria were selected as the study subjects.They were divided into a control group and three experimental groups(experimental group Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ)of 32 patients each using a stratified random method(with 1 dropout in experimental group Ⅰ).Patients in the control group received routine anti-tumor necrosis factor-α monoclonal antibody(adalimumab)treatment,while patients in the experimental groups received ginger moxibustion therapy in addition to the treatment provided to the control group.Among them,experimental groupⅠ received treatment for 20 minutes,experimental group Ⅱ for 40 minutes,and experimental group Ⅲ for 60 minutes.The course of treatment for all four groups was 3 months.Changes in TCM syndrome scores were compared before and after treatment in the four groups to assess clinical efficacy.The cleveland clinic incontinence score(CCIS)was used to assess the severity of fecal incontinence,the Crohn's disease activity index(CDAI)was used to assess the degree of disease activity,and the inflammatory bowel disease ques-tionnaire(IBDQ)was used to evaluate the quality of life.Anal pressure index and peripheral blood CRP and ESR levels were mea-sured,and the relationship between moxibustion time and effect was analyzed.RESULTS After 3 months of treatment,the total TCM syndrome scores of all four groups improved to varying degrees(P<0.05,P<0.01).The total scores of groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ were supe-rior to those of the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01),while group Ⅱ had the lowest total TCM syndrome score.Group Ⅱ had the high-est overall clinical effective rate,significantly better than both the control and group Ⅰ(P<0.05,P<0.01).CCIS scores,IBDQ scores and total scores,and peripheral blood ESR levels were significantly reduced in all four groups(P<0.01),with group Ⅱ having the low-est score,lower than both the control and group Ⅰ(P<0.05,P<0.01).CRP levels were significantly reduced in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ(P<0.05,P<0.01),both lower than the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01),with group Ⅱ lower than group Ⅰ(P<0.01).Intestinal symptom scores in the IBDQ of groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ were significantly higher than those in the control group and group Ⅰ(P<0.05,P<0.01).The maximum resting pressure of the anal canal,rectal defecation threshold,and maximum tolerance capacity all increased significantly in the four groups(P<0.05,P<0.01),but there were no significant differences among the groups(P>0.05).During the treatment,two cases of mild skin redness occurred in group Ⅲ,which resolved after treatment,with no serious adverse reactions.CONCLUSION Ginger moxibustion in the treatment of Crohn's disease complicated by fecal incontinence exhibits a time-effect relationship,with 40 minutes as the optimal duration.It can effectively improve symptoms,control inflammation,enhance quality of life,and has good safety.

OBJECTIVE: To standardize the operative procedure for tissue-engineered cartilage repair, by demonstrating surgical technique of arthroscopic implantation of decalcified cortex-cancellous bone scaffolds, and summarizing the surgical experience of the sports medicine department team at Peking University Third Hospital. METHODS: This article elaborates on surgical techniques and skills, focusing on the unabridged implantation technology and surgical procedure of decalcified cortex-cancellous bone scaffolds under arthroscopy: First, the patient was placed in the supine position. After anesthesia had been established, the surgeon established an arthroscope and explored the damaged area under the scope. After confirming the size and location of the injury site, the surgeon cleaned the damaged cartilage, and also trimmed the edges of the cartilage to ensure that the cut surface was smooth and stable. the surgeon performed the micro-fracture surgery in the area of cartilage injury, and then measured the size of the injured area under the scope. Next, the surgeon manually trimmed the tissue-engineered scaffold based on the measurements taken under the arthroscope, and then directly implanted the scaffold using a sleeve. A honeycomb-shaped fixator was used to implant absorbable nails to fix the scaffold. After the scaffold was installed, the knee was repeatedly flexed and extended for 10-20 times to ensure stability and range of motion. Finally, the arthroscope was withdrawn and the wound was closed. RESULTS: Decalcified cortex-cancellous bone scaffolds possessed unparalleled advantages over synthetic materials in terms of morphology and biomechanics. The cancellous bone part of the scaffold provided a three-dimensional, porous space for cell growth, while the cortical bone part offered the necessary mechanical strength. The surgery was performed entirely under arthroscopy to minimize invasiveness to the patient. Absorbable pins were used for fixation to ensure the stability of the scaffold. This technique could effectively improve the prognosis of the patients with cartilage injuries and standardized the surgical procedures for arthroscopic tissue-engineered scaffold operations in the patients with cartilage damage. CONCLUSION With the standard arthroscopic tissue-engineered scaffold repair technique, it is possible to successfully repair damaged cartilage, alleviate symptoms in the short term, and provide a more ideal long-term prognosis. The author and their team explain the surgical procedures for tissue-engineered scaffolds under arthroscopy, with the aim of guiding future clinical practice.
Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Humans ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Arthroscopy/methods* ; Cartilage, Articular/surgery*

OBJECTIVES: To develop an early atrial fibrillation (AF) risk prediction model based on large-scale electrocardiogram (ECG) data from the Chinese population. METHODS: The data of multiple ECG records of 30 383 patients admitted in the Chinese PLA General Hospital between 2009 and 2023 were randomly divided into the training set and the internal testing set in a 7:3 ratio. The predictive factors were selected based on the training set using univariate analysis, LASSO regression, and the Boruta algorithm. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to establish the ECG model and the composite model incorporating age, gender, and ECG model score. The discrimination power, calibration, and clinical net benefits of the models were evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), calibration curves, and decision curves. RESULTS: The cohort included 51.1% male patients with a median age of the patients of 51 (36, 62) years and an AF incidence of 4.5% (1370/30 383). In the ECG model, the parameters related to the P wave and QRS complex were identified as significant predictors. In the testing set, the AUROC of the ECG model for predicting 5-year AF risk was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.74-0.80), which was increased to 0.81 (95% CI: 0.78-0.83) after incorporating age and gender, with a net reclassification improvement of 0.123 and an integrated discrimination improvement of 0.04 (P<0.05). The calibration curve of the model was close to the diagonal line. Decision curve analysis showed that the clinical net benefit of the composite model was higher than that of the ECG model across the majority of threshold probability. CONCLUSIONS The composite model incorporating quantitative ECG features during sinus rhythm, along with age and gender, can effectively predict AF risk in the Chinese population, thus providing a low-cost screening tool for early AF risk assessment and management.
Humans ; Atrial Fibrillation/epidemiology* ; Electrocardiography ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; China/epidemiology* ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Adult ; Risk Factors ; Risk Assessment ; East Asian People

Objective:To evaluate the role of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) in renal fibrosis in a mouse model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods:Twelve male C57BL/6J wild-type mice and 12 macrophage IRF3 conditional knockout C57BL/6J mice, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 2 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: wild-type sham operation group (WT-Sham group) and wild-type renal ischemia-reperfusion injury group (WT-I/R group); IRF3 conditional knockout sham operation group (cKO-Sham group) and IRF3 conditional knockout I/R group (cKO-I/R group). The model of renal I/R injury was established by occluding bilateral renal pedicles for 45 min followed by reperfusion in anesthetized animals. The orbital blood samples and renal tissues were collected at 14 days of reperfusion for determination of the concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) in serum, expression of fibronectin, collagen-I, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) (by immunofluorescence), F4/80-α-SMA double positive cell count, and mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in renal tissues (by real-time polymerase chain reaction) and for observation of pathological changes which were scored. The area of renal fibrosis was measured. Results:For two types of mice, compared with group Sham, the levels of serum BUN and Cr, area of renal fibrosis and renal injury score were significantly increased, the expression of fibronectin, COL-Ⅰ and α-SMA protein and IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and TGF-β1 mRNA was up-regulated, and the F4/80-α-SMA dual positive cell count was increased in group WT-I/R ( P<0.05). Compared with group WT-I/R, the concentrations of BUN and Cr in serum, area of renal fibrosis and renal injury score were significantly decreased, the expression of fibronectin, COL-Ⅰ and α-SMA protein and IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and TGF-β1 mRNA was down-regulated, and the F4/80-α-SMA dual positive cell count was decreased in cKO-I/R group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:IRF3 is involved in the process of renal fibrosis in a mouse model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the mechanism may be associated with the promotion of inflammatory responses and the transformation of macrophages into myofibroblasts.