The ambiguity of symptom information in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome differentiation can be amplified in the direct reasoning process from symptoms to syndromes in the absence of constraints， which affects the accuracy and stability of intelligent syndrome differentiation. TCM disease concepts， while historically rational， are structurally ambiguous in both their connotation and extension， making it difficult to serve as stable prior knowledge in intelligent modeling. In contrast， modern medical diseases， based on objective testing and quantifiable indicators， have relatively clear boundaries and reproducible standards. This study proposes a disease-syndrome combination model， adopting modern medical diseases as structural prior variables to reconstruct the hierarchical relationships among disease， symptoms， and syndromes. By applying disease constraints， effective screening of information from the four examinations and compressing the reasoning space are achieved. Furthermore， by integrating artificial intelligence technologies， such as multimodal fusion and knowledge graphs， an intelligent syndrome differentiation model driven by both prior knowledge and clinical data is constructed， providing a feasible path to enhance the accuracy of syndrome differentiation and realize the intelligentization of TCM diagnosis and treatment.

Background: and Purpose Therapeutic target selection in noninvasive brain stimulation for poststroke motor recovery typically relies on the interhemispheric inhibition model, which is effective for mildly affected patients but offers limited benefits for severely affected individuals. The mechanisms governing recovery from moderate-to-severe stroke remain poorly understood, which hinders the development of targeted interventions. Methods: We analyzed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from patients with unilateral subcortical stroke and moderate-to-severe upper limb deficits, both pre- and postintervention, along with data from healthy controls. We developed a novel dynamic lag analysis method for identifying recovery-related homotopic sensorimotor regions with altered interhemispheric interactions. To further uncover the global reorganization pathway, we developed dynamic lateralization approaches to detect large-scale functional connectivity (FC) alterations associated with the identified regions in transient lateralization states. Results: Dynamic time-lag analysis revealed significantly reduced synchronized states in the homotopic dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) post-intervention compared with pre-intervention, which correlated with motor recovery. Further dynamic lateralization analysis revealed a prolonged segregation state in patients, characterized by weakened interhemispheric and strengthened intrahemispheric interactions. In this state, patients showed decreased FC in the ipsilesional PMd and increased FC in the contralesional PMd with bilateral subcortical networks. These recoveryrelated alterations were absent in the traditional static analysis. Conclusions Dynamic analyses targeting interhemispheric interactions are valuable for understanding neural reorganization after stroke. The diminished interactions between the homotopic PMd indicate a compensatory mechanism. Importantly, a state-dependent compensatory pathway was identified, wherein the contralesional PMd assumes the functions of the ipsilesional PMd through enhanced interactions with subcortical structures, potentially guiding more effective interventions.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of the macrophage activation syndrome/systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis（MS）score in macrophage activation syndrome（MAS）associated with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis（sJIA），and to provide a reference for clinical work.Methods:This study was a retrospective case-control analysis，conducted on the patients initially diagnosed as sJIA-associated with MAS and admitted into the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of Children's Hospital Affiliated to Xi 'an Jiaotong University from July 1st，2016 to June 30th，2023. All of the patients met the diagnostic criteria for patients with MAS associated with sJIA according to the 2016 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology（EULAR）/American College of Rheumatology（ACR）/Pediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organization（PRINTO）standards. The basic information at baseline，clinical manifestations，and auxiliary examination results were collected. The MS score was applied to re-evaluate the children diagnosed as sJIA-associated with MAS. When the MS score ≥-2.1，the possibility of sJIA with MAS was high. Thirty cases of sJIA without MAS were randomly selected as the control group.Results:There were 28 cases in the MAS group，including 13 males（46.43%）and 15 females（53.57%），with an average age of（7.51±4.01）years. Compared with the control group，the MAS group were significantly more likely to have high fever（ χ2=8.539， P=0.003），hepatomegaly（ χ2=11.621， P<0.001），splenomegaly（ χ2=11.710， P<0.001）and neurological involvement（ χ2=27.619， P<0.001），with the differences being statistically significant. Meanwhile，there were statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of white blood cell count（ Z=-4.001， P<0.001），neutrophil count（ Z=-3.659， P<0.001），platelet count（ Z=-4.687， P<0.001），albumin level（ Z=-4.018， P<0.001），alanine aminotransferase（ Z=-3.846， P<0.001），aspartate aminotransferase（ Z=-5.932， P<0.001），lactate dehydrogenase（ Z=-6.150， P<0.001），triglycerides（ Z=-5.874， P<0.001），fibrinogen（ Z=-5.808， P<0.001），ferritin（ Z=-5.280， P<0.001），erythrocyte sedimentation rate（ Z=-3.971， P<0.001），ferritin/erythrocyte sedimentation rate（ Z=-5.433， P<0.001），reduction of two-line cells in blood（ χ2=11.408， P<0.001）and the presence of hemophagocytosis in bone marrow smears（ χ2=28.260， P<0.001）. Moreover，there was a statistically significant difference in MS scores between the two groups（ Z=-6.148， P<0.001），with higher MS scores in the MAS group. Nevertheless，this study showed the median MS scores of both groups ≥-2.1. Conclusion:The MS score was significant to a certain degree as reference for the diagnosis of MAS，and this study showed that the MS score in the MAS group was significantly higher than the control group. However，the median MS scores in both groups were no less than -2.1. This might be related to the influence of factors during the assessment，which made it necessary to optimize the cutoff values of the MS score. Therefore，prospective studies should be carried out on the role of MS score in early identification of MAS.

Mechanical pain is one of the most common causes of clinical pain, but there remains a lack of effective treatment for debilitating mechanical and chronic forms of neuropathic pain. Recently, neurotoxin GsMTx4, a selective mechanosensitive (MS) channel inhibitor, has been found to be effective, while the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, with multiple rodent pain models, we demonstrated that a GsMTx4-based 17-residue peptide, which we call P10581, was able to reduce mechanical hyperalgesia and neuropathic pain. The analgesic effects of P10581 can be as strong as morphine but is not toxic in animal models. The anti-hyperalgesic effect of the peptide was resistant to naloxone (an μ-opioid receptor antagonist) and showed no side effects of morphine, including tolerance, motor impairment, and conditioned place preference. Pharmacological inhibition of TRPV4 by P10581 in a heterogeneous expression system, combined with the use of Trpv4 knockout mice indicates that TRPV4 channels may act as the potential target for the analgesic effect of P10581. Our study identified a potential drug for curing mechanical pain and exposed its mechanism.

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a highly aggressive hematologic malignancy with a poor prognosis, despite advancements in treatment. Many patients struggle with relapse or refractory disease. Investigating the role of the super-enhancer (SE) regulated gene ubiquitin-specific protease 20 (USP20) in T-ALL could enhance targeted therapies and improve clinical outcomes. Analysis of histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) data from six T-ALL cell lines and seven pediatric samples identified USP20 as an SE-regulated driver gene. Utilizing the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and BloodSpot databases, it was found that USP20 is specifically highly expressed in T-ALL. Knocking down USP20 with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) increased apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in T-ALL cells. In vivo studies showed that USP20 knockdown reduced tumor growth and improved survival. The USP20 inhibitor GSK2643943A demonstrated similar anti-tumor effects. Mass spectrometry, RNA-Seq, and immunoprecipitation revealed that USP20 interacted with hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF1A) and stabilized it by deubiquitination. Cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) results indicated that USP20 co-localized with HIF1A, jointly modulating target genes in T-ALL. This study identifies USP20 as a therapeutic target in T-ALL and suggests GSK2643943A as a potential treatment strategy.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the role of C1q, the promoter of the classical pathway of the complement system, in regulating postpartum depressive-like behaviors in mice and the therapeutic mechanism of C1q-neutralizing antibodies. METHODS: Female C57BL/6 mouse models of postpartum depression established by hormone-simulated pregnancy (HSP) were evaluated for depression-like behaviors, and peripheral blood levels and hippocampal expressions of C1q were detected using ELISA and Western blotting. Immunofluorescence staining was used for detecting co-labeling of C1q and microglia, and the differentially expressed mRNAs in the hippocampus of HSP mice were analyzed using RNA sequencing. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to screen patients with postpartum depression, from whom peripheral blood mononuclear cells were extracted for detecting C1q expression levels with Western blotting. The HSP mice were subjected to stereotactic injection of C1q-neutralizing antibody or a control IgG in the hippocampus, and the changes in depressive-like behaviors and hippocampal expression of C3 were examined. RESULTS: The HSP mice exhibited obvious depressive behaviors, demonstrated by significantly decreased preference for sugar water and increased forced swimming and tail suspension time. The mouse models showed significantly increased peripheral blood C1q level and hippocampal expression level of C1q, accompanied by an increase in Iba1 and C1q co-labeling in the hippocampus. The expression level of C1q in peripheral monocytes was also significantly increased in patients with postpartum depression. In HSP mice, stereotactic injection of C1q-neutralizing antibody, but not the control IgG, obviously alleviated depressive-like behaviors, shown by significantly increased preference for sugar water and decreased forced swimming and tail suspension time, resulting also in decreased expression of C3 in the hippocampus and lowered serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α. CONCLUSIONS C1q-neutralizing antibodies improve postpartum depressive-like behaviors in mice possibly by regulating the C1q/C3 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Female ; Depression, Postpartum ; Complement C1q/metabolism* ; Antibodies, Neutralizing/pharmacology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Pregnancy ; Disease Models, Animal

OBJECTIVE To construct novel central nervous system(CNS)-targeted lipid nanoparti-cles for the treatment of organophosphorus-induced brain injury in mice.METHODS(1)Preparation,screening,and characterization of lipid nanoparticles.① Lipid nanoreactivators were prepared using the thin-film hydration method,with asoxime(HI-6)as the therapeutic drug and lipid carriers composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine(POPS),1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-choline(DPPC),and cholesterol(CHOL)(PDC)at varying molar ratios(1∶6∶3,3∶4∶3,5∶2∶3 and 7∶0∶3)(HI-6@PDC 1∶6∶3,3∶4∶3,5∶2∶3 and 7∶0∶3).② FLU-labeled lipid nanocarriers(FLU@PDC 1∶6∶3,3∶4∶3,5∶2∶3,and 7∶0∶3)were prepared and physically mixed with phospholipase A2(PLA2)solution(at the final PLA2 concentration of 10 kU·L-1)to obtain FLU@PDC+PLA2.Male KM mice were randomly divided into normal control(PBS),FLU,and FLU@PDC+PLA2(1∶6∶3,3∶4∶3,5∶2∶3,and 7∶0∶3)groups(n=7 per group).After intravenous(iv)administration(FLU dose:1 mg·kg-1,carrier dose:80 mg·kg-1),brain tissues were collected at 1 h,homogenized,centrifuged,and analyzed via fluorescence spectrophotom-etry to screen the optimal CNS-targeted lipid carrier composition.③ The morphology of HI-6@PDC 5∶2∶3 was characterized by transmission electron microscope(TEM).The particle size,polydispersity index(PDI),and zeta potential of HI-6@PDC 5∶2∶3 were measured using a Zeta potential and particle size analyzer.Encapsulation efficiency and loading efficiency of HI-6@PDC 5∶2∶3 were determined using an ultrafiltration centrifugation method combined with high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).In vitro release kinetics of HI-6@PDC 5∶2∶3 and HI-6@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3 were assessed using a dialysis bag diffusion method combined with fluorescence spectrophotometry.(2)Validation of CNS targeting.① Cyanine7(Cy7)-labeled PDC 5∶2∶3(Cy7@PDC)was prepared and mixed with PLA2 solution(Cy7@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3).Mice were divided into normal control,Cy7,Cy7@PDC 5∶2∶3 and Cy7@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3 groups(n=3 per group).After iv injection(Cy7 dose:1 mg·kg-1,carrier dose:80 mg·kg-1),brain fluorescence was visualized at 3 h using a small animal in vivo imaging(IVIS)system.② Cyanine 3(Cy3)-labeled PDC 5∶2∶3(Cy3@PDC 5∶2∶3)was prepared and mixed with PLA2 solution(Cy3@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3).Mice were divided into Cy3@PDC 5∶2∶3 and Cy3@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3 groups(n=3 per group).After iv injection(Cy3 dose:1 mg·kg-1,carrier dose:80 mg·kg-1),brain tissues were collected at 2 h for fluorescent staining and Cy3 fluorescence observation.(3)Therapeutic efficacy eval-uation.① Male KM mice were randomly divided into normal control,brain injury,HI-6 treatment,and HI-6@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3 treatment groups(n=6 per group).Except for the normal control,all the mice were subcutaneously(sc)injected with soman(120 μg·kg-1),followed by immediate iv treatment(HI-6 dose:22 mg·kg-1,carrier dose:80 mg·kg-1).At 10 min,orbital blood and brain tissues were collected before brain weight was recorded.Acetylcholinesterase(AChE)reactivation in blood and brain was measured using the Ellman method.② Grouping and treatment were identical to ①(n=3 per group).At 24 h,brain tissues were collected for HE staining to assess histopathological damage.③ Mice were divided into brain injury and HI-6@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3 treatment groups(n=10 per group)and treated as in ①(soman dose:220 ug·kg-1).Survival rates,neurotoxic symptoms(tremors,salivation),and seizure latency were recorded,and survival curves were plotted.RESULTS(1)PDC 5∶2∶3 exhibited the highest brain fluorescence,indicating optimal CNS targeting.HI-6@PDC 5∶2∶3 appeared in regular spherical shapes,and were negatively charged,with a size of(219.4±3.1)nm,PDI of 0.4±0.02,entrapment effi-ciency of 72.9％and loading efficiency of 49.7％.HI-6@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3 showed a cumulative release of 43.5％at 60 min,which was lower than that of rhodamine B(RB)but sufficient for CNS therapeutic timelines.(2)In vivo fluorescence and pathological fluorescence confirmed PLA2-mediated CNS delivery.(3)HI-6@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3 significantly enhanced AChE reactivation in the blood and brain compared to HI-6.Histopathology revealed mitigated brain injury in treated mice.HI-6@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3 prolonged survival,reduced convulsions,alleviated neurotoxicity,and extended seizure latency.CONCLUSION HI-6@PDC 5∶2∶3 can effectively cross the blood-brain barrier via PLA2 mediation,demonstrating strong CNS targeting.It can significantly improve AChE reactivation in peripheral and central tissues and offers potent therapeutic efficacy against organophosphate-induced brain injury.

Objective To develop an innovative minimally invasive rotary-cutting surgical system for axillary osmidrosis,and conduct clinical validation.Methods The design concept,technical principles and system composition of the innovative minimally invasive rotary-cutting surgical system for axillary osmidrosis were introduced.A total of 73 patients(146 axillae)with axillary osmidrosis were enrolled as subjects,and underwent surgery using the newly developed surgical system.Clinical validation of the system was performed by evaluating postoperative scarring,odor elimination rate,postoperative complication incidence,and patient satisfaction.Results The study demonstrated favorable clinical outcomes in the following aspects:postoperative scarring,odor elimination rate,postoperative complication incidence,and patient satisfaction.Conclusion The minimally invasive rotary-cutting surgical system for axillary osmidrosis is rationally designed.The rotary-cutting puncture device is safe,effective,minimally invasive,and convenient for axillary osmidrosis surgery,warranting further clinical validation and widespread application.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of dienogest (DNG) and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in the treatment of intrinsic and extrinsic subtypes of adenomyosis.Methods:Totally 232 patients were enrolled in the study who were diagnosed as adenomyosis by ultrasound or pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and were classified into intrinsic and extrinsic subtypes according to different locations of lesions in MRI, treated with DNG (DNG group) or LNG-IUS (LNG-IUS group) in Peking University Third Hospital from July 2019 to December 2023. Clinical data of patients were retrospectively collected to analyze the clinical and imaging characteristics of different MRI subtypes of adenomyosis and whether there were differences in the therapeutic effects of DNG and LNG-IUS.Results:(1) Among the 232 patients enrolled, 129 were intrinsic subtype and 103 were extrinsic subtype. Among the 129 patients treated with DNG, the numbers of intrinsic and extrinsic subtype were 69 and 60, respectively. And among the 103 patients treated with LNG-IUS, the numbers of intrinsic and extrinsic subtype were 60 and 43, respectively. The mean age in DNG group [(37.5±5.6) years] was lower than that in LNG-IUS group [(40.3±4.3) years, P<0.001]. There were no significant differences in other clinical features (all P>0.05). (2) The visual analog scale (VAS) scores of dysmenorrhea and cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) levels in DNG group and LNG-IUS group were significantly decreased after treatment (all P<0.001), and hemoglobin levels were increased (both P<0.01). Compared between the two groups, the VAS score after treatment was lower in DNG group ( P<0.001), and the hemoglobin level was increased more significantly in DNG group ( P=0.016). The complete remission rates of dysmenorrhea in DNG group and LNG-IUS group were 73.0% (89/122) and 29.5% (28/95), respectively ( P=0.039). The incidence of irregular bleeding in DNG group was higher than LNG-IUS group, but there was no statistical significance [62.8% (81/129) vs 52.4% (54/103), P=0.112]. (3) Among patients with intrinsic adenomyosis, the incidence of menorrhagia was significantly higher than in those with extrinsic adenomyosis ( P<0.001), while the incidence and severity of dysmenorrhea were lower compared to extrinsic adenomyosis ( P=0.004, P=0.007, respectively). After treatment with DNG and LNG-IUS, there were no statistically significant differences in VAS scores between patients with intrinsic and extrinsic adenomyosis (all P>0.05). The incidence of irregular bleeding after DNG treatment was 78.3% (54/69) in intrinsic adenomyosis, which was higher than the 45.0% (27/60) observed in extrinsic adenomyosis ( P<0.01). Similarly, the incidence of irregular bleeding after LNG-IUS treatment was 63.3% (38/60) in intrinsic adenomyosis, higher than the 37.2% (16/43) in extrinsic adenomyosis ( P=0.009). (4) DNG treatment ( OR=19.163, 95% CI: 7.564-48.544; P<0.01) and duration of treatment ( OR=1.043, 95% CI: 1.012-1.075; P=0.007) were independent positive factors for complete remission of dysmenorrhea, while VAS score before treatment ( OR=0.654, 95% CI: 0.454-0.942; P=0.023) was negative factor. Intrinsic subtype was an independent risk factor for irregular bleeding ( OR=0.436, 95% CI: 0.235-0.811; P=0.009). Conclusions:DNG demonstrates greater advantages over LNG-IUS in terms of complete relief of dysmenorrhea and the degree of symptom alleviation. The incidence of irregular vaginal bleeding in patients with intrinsic adenomyosis is higher than in those with extrinsic adenomyosis. For patients with extrinsic adenomyosis, particularly those with prominent dysmenorrhea symptoms, DNG treatment offers greater benefits. However, for patients with intrinsic adenomyosis and those with significant menstrual disorders, a more cautious approach is required when selecting progestin therapy, along with enhanced monitoring and management.

Objective:To analyze the differences in the clinical characteristics of patients with adenomyosis of different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) types and the differences in treatment effects after the application of dienogest.Methods:A total of 176 patients with adenomyosis who were admitted to Peking University Third Hospital from June 2017 to February 2023 were included in the study, and all of them were clearly classified by pelvic MRI and treated with dienogest. The clinical characteristics and treatment of the patients were retrospectively collected, and the patients were divided into endogenous type, exogenous type and penetrating type by MRI. The differences in clinical symptoms, imaging features and treatment effect of patients with adenomyosis of different MRI types were analyzed.Results:(1) The percentages of patients with endogenous, exogenous, and penetrating types were 40.9% (72/176), 35.2% (62/176) and 23.9% (42/176), respectively. The proportion of dysmenorrhea in patients with endogenous type (90.3%, 65/72) was significantly lower than those of exogenous type (100.0%, 62/62) and penetrating type (97.6%, 41/42; χ2=7.853, P=0.020), while there was no significant difference between exogenous type and penetrating type ( P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in menarche time, menstrual cycle and menstrual period among the three types of patients (all P>0.05), there was also no statistically significant difference in the proportion of menstrual abnormalities (including heavy and irregular menstrual bleeding; P>0.05). The proportions of ovarian endometrioma and deep infiltrating endometriosis in exogenous and penetrating types were significantly higher than that in endogenous type (all P<0.05). (2) The pain scores of all patients were significantly lower than those before treatment (all P<0.001), the proportion of patients with exogenous type (62.9%, 39/62) who had complete remission after treatment was higher than those of endogenous type (49.2%, 32/65) and penetrating type (46.3%, 19/41), but there was no significant difference in pain relief (i.e. the variation in the pain scores) between the three types ( P>0.05). (3) Endogenous type ( OR=0.361, 95% CI: 0.147-0.883; P=0.026), failure to apply gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) in advance ( OR=0.208, 95% CI: 0.083-0.518; P<0.001), cystic changes ( OR=2.671, 95% CI: 1.108-6.437; P=0.029) and abnormal menstruation ( OR=3.466, 95% CI: 1.464-8.209; P=0.005) were independent risk factors for irregular bleeding after dienogest treatment. Conclusions:(1) There are obvious differences in the clinical characteristics of patients with adenomyosis of different MRI types, and patients with exogenous and penetrating types are more likely to have dysmenorrhea symptoms. (2) Dienogest could significantly alleviate the symptoms of dysmenorrhea in patients with adenomyosis. (3) Endogenous type, failure to take GnRH-a in advance and associated menstrual abnormalities are independent risk factors for irregular bleeding after dienogest treatment.