BACKGROUND:Preliminary research by our group suggests that targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor 1(FGFR1)may be an effective strategy for treating RA. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of an FGFR1 inhibitor(PD173074)on bone destruction in rats with collagen-induced arthritis. METHODS:Twenty-five female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups:normal control group,model group,methotrexate group,low-dose PD173074 group,and high-dose PD173074 group.Except for the normal control group,rat models of type Ⅱ collagen-induced arthritis were made in each group.After successful modeling,rats were injected intraperitoneally with sterile PBS in the normal and model groups,1.04 mg/kg methotrexate in the methotrexate group,and 5 and 20 mg/kg in the low-dose group and high-dose PD173074 groups,once a week.After 4 weeks of drug administration,clinical symptoms and joint swelling in rats were observed.Micro-CT was used for three-dimensional reconstruction and analysis of the ankle joints.Pathological changes in the ankle joints were observed.Periarticular angiogenesis and the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-Κb ligand were detected.The expression levels of p-FGFR1,vascular endothelial growth factor A,and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase in the synovial membrane were measured.Pathological changes in the liver,spleen,and kidney were observed and liver,spleen,and kidney indices were calculated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:PD173074 could alleviate clinical symptoms and joint swelling,delay bone loss,improve bone structure,reduce synovial invasion and cartilage bone erosion,reduce the number of periarticular osteoclasts,inhibit angiogenesis in synovial tissues,reduce the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-Κb ligand,and inhibit the expression of FGFR1 phosphorylated protein,tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and vascular endothelial growth factor A.Pathologic observation of the liver,spleen and kidney in rats showed no obvious toxic side effects after PD173074 treatment.To conclude,the FGFR1 inhibitor can delay the progression of joint inflammation and bone destruction and inhibit angiogenesis in the rat model of type Ⅱ collagen-induced arthritis.The therapeutic effect of PD173074 has been preliminarily validated in the type Ⅱ collagen-induced arthritis model and may act by inhibiting FGFR1 phosphorylation,which provides a direction for the search of new therapeutic targets for rheumatoid arthritis.

ObjectiveTo explore the distribution pattern of tongue image characteristics in patients with glucolipid metabolic disorders and its main syndromes. MethodsA total of 841 patients with glucolipid metabolic disorders （disease group）， and 380 healthy subjects （control group） were included. The disease group was classified into three syndrome types： 283 cases of liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome， 311 cases of phlegm-dampness obstruction syndrome， and 247 cases of qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome. Tongue image data were collected using the TFDA-1 Tongue Diagnosis Instrument， and the TDAS V3.0 software was used to analyze the color， texture， and morphological features of the tongue body （TB） and tongue coating （TC） in patents with different syndromes of disease group （including lightness （L）， red-green axis （a）， yellow-blue axis （b）， luminance （Y）， difference between red signal and brightness （Cr）， difference between blue signal and brightness （Cb）， contrast （CON）， angular second moment （ASM）， entropy （ENT）， mean value （MEAN）， tongue coating area/tongue surface area （perAll）， and tongue coating area/non-coated area （perPart））. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify influencing factors for different syndrome types of glucolipid metabolic disorders. ResultsThe tongue body indicators TB-L， TB-Y， and TB-Cb in the disease group were significantly higher than those in the control group， while TB-a， TB-b， and TB-Cr were significantly lower. The tongue coating indicators TC-L， TC-Y， TC-Cb， perAll， and perPart in the disease group were significantly higher than those in the control group， while TC-a， TC-b， and TC-Cr were significantly lower （P＜0.05）. Comparing with the different syndromes in disease group， the TB-L and TB-Y of the liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome， and the phlegm-damp obstruction syndrome were higher than those of the qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome； the TB-a and TB-Cr of the phlegm-damp obstruction syndrome were lower than those of the qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome； the perAll of the phlegm-damp obstruction syndrome was higher than that of the qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome （P＜0.05）. In the analysis of the morphological characteristics of tongue signs， more spotted tongue in disease group compared with control group， more teeth-marked tongue in liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome than the other two syndromes， more greasy coating in phlegm-damp obstruction syndrome， and more stasis spots of tongue in qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome （P＜0.05）. Logistic regression analysis identified that greasy coating， spotted tongue， stasis spots of tongue， tooth-marked tongue， perAll， and TB-Cb are the influencing factors of liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome； greasy coating， tooth-marked tongue， TC-Cb， and TC-Cr are the influencing factors of phlegm-damp obstruction syndrome； cracked tongue， stasis spots of tongue， tooth-marked tongue， and TB-Y are the influencing factors of qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome （P＜0.05）. ConclusionCompared to healthy individuals， patients with glycolipid metabolic disorder have darker tongue color and thicker， greasy tongue coating. Glycolipid metabolic disorder patients of liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome exhibit a reddish tongue with finer textures and more tooth marks； patients of phlegm-damp obstruction syndrome have lighter tongue coating with a coarser texture and a higher prevalence of greasy coating； patients of qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome display lower tongue brightness with a higher prevalence of blood stasis spots.

ObjectiveTo analyze the trend and influencing factors of low birth weight (LBW) among newborns in Chongming District of Shanghai from 2008 to 2022, so as to provide references for the development of intervention measures reducing the rate of LBW. MethodsBirth surveillance data of Chongming District of Shanghai from 2008 to 2022 were collected and organized, and the annual percentage change (APC) of LBW was calculated by using Joinpoint 5.0.2 software for trend change analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of LBW. ResultsThe overall incidence of LBW was 3.71% in Chongming District, Shanghai from 2008 to 2022. Joinpoint trend analysis showed that the incidence of LBW in Chongming District had an upward trend (APC=5.49%, 95%CI: 3.31%‒7.72%, P<0.001).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that preterm birth, multiple births, female infants, birth defects, first pregnancy, primiparity, and a young father age (<20 years) were risk factors for LBW in Chongming District. Among the term infants, female infants, birth defects, and first pregnancy were risk factors for LBW (P<0.05). Female infants, birth defects, first pregnancy, primiparity, advanced maternal age (≥35 years), and a young father age (<20 years) were risk factors in singleton neonates. ConclusionThe incidence of LBW among newborns is on the rise in Chongming District of Shanghai. Therefore, high risk groups need to be identified, and prenatal check-ups and pregnancy care should be strengthened to reduce the risk of neonatal LBW.

Objective To investigate the effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (empagliflozin, EMPA) on myocardial remodeling in a mouse uremic cardiomyopathy (UCM) model induced by 5/6 nephrectomy, through the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB/AKT)/p65 signaling pathway. Methods The animals were divided into three groups: Sham group (n=6), UCM group (n=8), and UCM＋EMPA group (n=8). A UCM model was established in C57BL/6N mice using the 5/6 nephrectomy. Starting from 5 weeks post-surgery, EMPA or a placebo was administered. After 16 weeks, blood pressure, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, 24-hour urine glucose and urine sodium were measured. Cardiac structure and function were assessed by echocardiography. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson trichrome staining were used to observe pathological changes in the heart and kidneys. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining was used to evaluate myocardial hypertrophy. The real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of myocardial hypertrophy- and fibrosis-related mRNAs. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of PI3K, AKT and p65 in myocardial tissues. Results After 16 weeks, UCM group exhibited significantly higher blood pressure, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen than sham group (P＜0.01); UCM＋EMPA group exhibited lower blood pressure, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and higher 24 h urine sodium and glucose than UCM group (P＜0.05). Echocardiographic results showed ventricular remodeling in the UCM group, evidenced by left ventricular wall thickening, left ventricular enlargement, increased left ventricular mass, and decreased systolic function (P＜0.05); ventricular remodeling was alleviated (P＜0.05), though there was no significant improvement in systolic function in UCM＋EMPA group. HE and Masson stainings revealed myocardial degeneration, necrosis, and interstitial fibrosis in UCM group (P＜0.01); the myocardial pathology improved with reduced collagen deposition in UCM＋EMPA group (P＜0.01). WGA staining confirmed myocardial hypertrophy in UCM group (P＜0.01), while myocardial hypertrophy was alleviated in UCM＋EMPA group (P＜0.01). RT-qPCR results showed myocardial hypertrophy- and fibrosis-related genes (NPPA, NPPB, MYH7, COL1A1, COL3A1, TGF-β1) were upregulated in UCM group (P＜0.05), but downregulated in UCM＋EMPA group. Western blotting showed PI3K, p-AKT/AKT ratio, and p-p65/p65 ratio were increased in UCM group, but decreased in UCM＋EMPA group (P＜0.05). Conclusion EMPA can improve myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in the UCM mouse model, and it may play the role through inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/p65 signaling pathway.

[Objective] To compare the efficacy and safety of deglycerolized red blood cells (DRBC) and suspended red blood cells (SRBC) based on the propensity score matching (PSM) method, so as to provide evidence for the rational use of DRBC resources in clinical practice. [Methods] A total of 89 patients who received DRBC transfusion and 2 916 patients who received SRBC transfusion in our hospital from January 2023 to September 2024 were included. A 1∶1 nearest neighbor PSM was used to balance covariates such as gender, age, and body mass index (BMI). The changes of hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) count, hematocrit (HCT), and inflammatory markers such as white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil (NE) count, C-reactive protein (CRP), and Interleukin-6(IL-6) in the last 72 hours after transfusion were analyzed by SPSS 26.0 and R software to evaluate clinical efficacy and transfusion safety. [Results] The baseline of the two groups was balanced after PSM (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the total effective rate between the DRBC group (80.9%) and the SRBC group (86.5%) (P>0.05). In the SRBC group, WBC (×10 /L) increased from 9.634±6.742 to 10.147±6.835, CRP (mg/dL) increased from 5.468±4.647 to 6.174±6.114, and IL-6(pg/mL) decreased from 213.733±587.191 to 157.255±552.626. In the DRBC group, WBC (×10 /L) decreased from 11.123±7.880 to 11.011±8.549, CRP (mg/dL) decreased from 5.729±4.761 to 5.326±4.466, and IL-6(pg/mL) decreased from 238.806±639.060 to 152.255±266.558. Compared with the before treatment, the differences between the SRBC group and DRBC group were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Among all patients included in the statistics, the overall incidence of transfusion adverse reactions was 0.205% (6/2 916) in the SRBC group, and no adverse reactions occurred in the DRBC group. The incidence in the SRBC group was higher than that in the DRBC group. [Conclusion] Based on PSM analysis, there was no significant difference in the efficacy and safety of DRBC transfusion compared with SRBC transfusion, which can provide evidence-based support for routine application.

Objective: To investigate the objective characteristics of tongue manifestation in different stages of damp-heat syndrome in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 134 patients with DKD G3-5 stages who met the diagnostic criteria for damp-heat syndrome in DKD. The patients were treated at Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, from May 2023 to January 2024. The patients were divided into three groups: DKD G3, DKD G4, and DKD G5 stage, with 53, 33, and 48 patients in each group, respectively. Clinical general data (gender, age, and body mass index) and damp-heat syndrome scores were collected from the patients. The YZAI-02 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) AI Tongue Image Acquisition Device was used to capture tongue images from these patients. The accompanying AI Open Platform for TCM Tongue Diagnosis of the device was used to analyze and extract tongue manifestation features, including objective data on tongue color, tongue quality, coating color, and coating texture. Clinical data and objective tongue manifestation characteristics were compared among patients with DKD G3-5 based on their DKD damp-heat syndrome status. Results: No statistically significant difference in gender or body mass index was observed among the three patient groups. The DKD G3 stage group had the highest age (P<0.05). The DKD G3 stage group had a lower score for symptoms of poor appetite and anorexia(P<0.05) than the DKD G5 group. No statistically significant difference was observed in damp-heat syndrome scores among the three groups. Compared with the DKD G5 stage group, the DKD G3 stage group showed a decreased proportion of pale color at the tip and edges of the tongue (P<0.05). The DKD G4 stage group exhibited an increased proportion of crimson at the root of the tongue, a decreased proportion of thick white tongue coating at the root, a decreased proportion of pale color at the tip and edges of the tongue, an increased hue value (indicating color tone) of the tongue color in the middle, an increased brightness value (indicating color lightness) of the tongue coating color in the middle, and an increased thickness of the tongue coating (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in other tongue color proportions, color chroma values, body characteristics, coating color proportions, coating color chroma values, and coating texture characteristics among the three groups. Conclusion Tongue features differ in different stages of DKD damp-heat syndrome in multiple dimensions, enabling the inference that during the DKD G5 stage, the degree of qi and blood deficiency in the kidneys, heart, lungs, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and stomach is prominent. Dampness is more likely to accumulate in the lower jiao, particularly in the kidneys, whereas heat evil in the spleen and stomach is the most severe. These insights provide novel ideas for the clinical treatment of DKD.

AIM:To analyze the characteristics and correlation of phacoemulsification parameters and anterior segment parameters in cataract patients with different blood glucose levels.METHODS:A total of 45 type 2 diabetic cataract patients(45 eyes)treated in our hospital from March 2023 to April 2024 were stratified into two groups based on glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c)levels: group A: HbA1c <7%(n=18)and group B: 7%≤HbA1c<8.5%(n=27); a total of 94 age-matched age-related cataract patients(94 eyes)were enrolled as the control group(group C). All underwent phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. Anterior segment parameters, including corneal, lens and anterior chamber measurements, were recorded. Correlations between phacoemulsification parameters and anterior segment parameters were analyzed, and differences among groups were compared.RESULTS: In groups A and B, effective phacoemulsification time(EPT)negatively correlated with corneal endothelial cell density(CECD)(r=-0.315, P=0.035). Average phacoemulsification time(APT)positively correlated with the anterior corneal surface radius of curvature(Rm; r=0.402, P=0.006)and negatively correlated with the flat axis meridian curvature(K1), steep axis meridian curvature(K2), mean curvature(Km)of the anterior corneal surface, and lens density at 6 mm zones(PDZ3; all P<0.05). Average phacoemulsification energy(AVE)positively correlated with mean lens density(LD-mean), lens density at 2 mm zones(PDZ1), lens density at 4 mm zones(PDZ2), and PDZ3(all P<0.05), and negatively with pupil diameter(r=-0.385, P=0.009). In the group C, EPT showed a positive correlation with Pentacam nucleus staging(PNS)density grade, PDZ1, PDZ2, and PDZ3(all P<0.05). A positive correlation was observed between AVE and PNS classification(r=0.246, P=0.018). Conversely, AVE exhibited a negative correlation with CECD(r=-0.245, P=0.018). EPT in groups A and B was higher than that in the group C(P<0.05). Both EPT and APT in the group B were higher than those in the group A(P<0.05). In diabetic cataract patients, CECD, corneal density(CD), and posterior corneal surface height positively correlated with diabetes duration(P<0.05). Posterior corneal surface K1 and Rm positively correlated with 7%≤HbA1c<8.5%(P<0.05). Total corneal astigmatism negatively correlated with HbA1c, 2-hour post-breakfast blood glucose(2hPBG), and fasting insulin(FINS; P<0.05). CD and lens thickness(LT)positively correlated with FINS(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification parameters and blood glucose-related indices exhibited varying degrees of correlation with anterior segment parameters in cataract patients with different blood glucose levels. EPT in diabetic cataract patients was higher than that in age-related cataract patients, while EPT and APT in diabetic cataract patients with poor glycemic control were higher than those with good glycemic control.

AIM: To investigate the influence of relevant inflammatory markers in peripheral blood on the progression of neovascular glaucoma(NVG)secondary to diabetic retinopathy(DR)patients.METHODS: Retrospective case-control study. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of NVG: those with proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)alone(PDR group, n=148)and those with NVG secondary to PDR(NVG secondary to PDR group, n=142). Peripheral blood inflammatory markers were evaluated, including white blood cell-related indices, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio(MLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index(SII). The distinctions in peripheral blood inflammatory markers between the two groups of patients and their relationships with NVG secondary to PDR were analyzed.RESULTS:No statistically significant differences were observed in basic characteristics between the two groups, confirming their comparability. However, significant differences were found in eosinophil percentage and MLR between the PDR group and the NVG secondary to PDR group(all P<0.05), with both values being significantly higher in the NVG secondary to PDR group. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that the eosinophil percentage and the MLR were factors influencing the development of patients with NVG secondary to PDR.CONCLUSION: Eosinophil percentage and MLR may be associated with the progression of PDR to NVG, and could serve as potential predictive markers for NVG development in PDR patients.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of Shuanghua drink in treating primary dysmenorrhea in the rat model and explore its mechanism of action. MethodsAn oxytocin-induced writhing mouse model was established to evaluate the analgesic effect of Shuanghua drink. Forty-eight non-pregnant female institute of cancer research （ICR） mice were randomly divided into six groups， including a blank group， a model group， an ibuprofen group （85.00 mg·kg^-1）， a low-dose group of Shuanghua drink （7.14 mL·kg^-1）， a medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink （14.28 mL·kg^-1）， and a high-dose group of Shuanghua drink （28.57 mL·kg^-1）. Each group consisted of eight mice. All treatment groups received daily intragastric administration at corresponding doses for 10 consecutive days. One hour after the final administration， 2 U of oxytocin was intraperitoneally injected per mouse. The writhing latency and number of writhing within 20 minutes were recorded. A primary dysmenorrhea rat model was established by using estradiol benzoate and oxytocin to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Shuanghua drink on the contraction of uterine smooth muscle. Forty-eight non-pregnant female Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were divided into six groups， including a blank group， a model group， an ibuprofen group （51.00 mg·kg^-1）， a low-dose group of Shuanghua drink （4.28 mL·kg^-1）， a medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink （8.57 mL·kg^-1）， and a high-dose group of Shuanghua drink （17.10 mL·kg^-1）. Each group consisted of eight rats. Rats received subcutaneous injections of estradiol benzoate for 10 consecutive days to enhance uterine sensitivity. On the eleventh day， oxytocin （2 U/rat） was intraperitoneally administered to induce abnormal uterine contractions for establishing the primary dysmenorrhea model. All treatment groups received daily intragastric administration from the second day of modeling for 10 days. The effects of Shuanghua drink were evaluated by using parameters including uterine motility and the variation rate of uterine motility. The mechanism of action was investigated in rats with primary dysmenorrhea. The content of prostaglandin F_2α （PGF_2α）， prostaglandin E₂ （PGE₂）， thromboxane B₂ （TXB₂）， prostacyclin metabolite （6-keto-PGF_1α）， and β-endorphin （β-EP） in uterine tissue of rats was detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The changes in the content of nitric oxide （NO） and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） were analyzed via colorimetric assay. Western blot was performed to determine the content of phosphorylated inhibitor of kappa B kinase beta （p-IKKβ）/IKKβ， phosphorylated inhibitor of kappa B alpha （p-IκBα）， IκBα， phosphorylated p65 （p-p65）， p65， and cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） proteins in uterine tissue of rats. ResultsIn the oxytocin-induced writhing mouse model， the model group exhibited significantly shortened writhing latency and increased writhing frequency compared to the control group （P<0.01）. Both the ibuprofen group and the high-dose group of Shuanghua drink displayed prolonged writhing latency （P<0.05）， while the ibuprofen group and the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink exhibited reduced writhing frequency （P<0.01）. In the primary dysmenorrhea rat model， the uterine motility and its variation rate in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group （P<0.01）. These parameters were markedly suppressed by ibuprofen and Shuanghua drink at all tested doses （P<0.01）. For the mechanism of action， the model group showed significantly increased PGF_2α/PGE₂， TXB₂/6-keto-PGF_1α， NO， and iNOS in uterine tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01） and significantly decreased β-EP （P<0.01）. These parameters were significantly attenuated in the ibuprofen group and the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink. The PGF_2α/PGE₂ （P<0.01）， TXB₂/6-keto-PGF_1α （P<0.01）， NO （medium-dose group P<0.05）， and iNOS （P<0.01） were reduced， and the β-EP （medium-dose group P<0.05） was up-regulated. Compared to the model group， the ibuprofen group and medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink showed significantly increased content of β-EP in the serum of rats （P<0.05）. Compared to the blank group， the model group showed significantly elevated expressions of COX-2， p-IKKβ/IKKβ， p-IκBα/IκBα， and p-p65/p65 proteins （P<0.01） and significantly reduced anti-inflammatory protein IκBα （P<0.05）. Compared to the model group， the ibuprofen group and the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink showed significantly reduced expressions of COX-2 （P<0.01）， p-IKKβ/IKKβ （P<0.01）， p-IκBα/IκBα （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and p-p65/p65（P<0.01） and up-regulated expression of IκBα protein （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionShuanghua drink effectively alleviates primary dysmenorrhea through analgesia and suppression of abnormal contractions of uterine smooth muscle. Its mechanism may be mediated by reduced levels of PGF_2α/PGE₂， TXB₂/6-keto-PGF_1α， iNOS， and NO， elevated β-EP level， and inhibited COX-2/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Taste is a sensation produced by the reaction of substances in the mouth with taste receptor cells， and a normal taste function is essential for our daily life and health. As receivers of taste molecules， taste receptors include sour， bitter， sweet， salty， and umami receptors， which are mainly distributed in the oral cavity， gastrointestinal tract， respiratory tract epithelium and other organs and play a physiological role. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has five flavors （sour， bitter， sweet， pungent， and salty）， which are closely related to the efficacy. Except the pungent flavor and umami taste receptors， the other five taste receptors correspond to the five flavors in the TCM theory， while the correlations between them have not been studied， such as those between bitter receptors and bitter TCM and between sweet receptors and sweet TCM. This article reviews the research reports on taste receptors in recent years. By analyzing the relationships of taste receptors with five flavors of TCM， signaling mechanisms， and diseases based on "receptor-TCM" correlations， this article puts forward the possibility of combining the TCM theory of five flavors with modern biomedical research， providing a reference for the research on "flavors" in TCM and the correlations between TCM and taste receptors.