Objective:To investigate the efficacy of Saussurea involucrata injection (SII) in alleviating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to explore the mechanism of action of SII in alleviating RA through the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappaBp65 (NF-κBp65) pathway-mediated M1 macrophage polarization.Methods:In vivo experiments were conducted using a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model. After successful modeling, the CIA rats were randomly assigned into five groups ( n=10 per group): CIA control group, MTX group, low-dose SII (L-SII) group, medium-dose SII (M-SII) group, and high-dose SII (H-SII) group. The efficacy of SII in alleviating RA was evaluated using arthritis index scores, histopathology, and ELISA to measure serum levels of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Subsequently, Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and CD86 proteins in synovial tissue. In vitro experiments involved first isolating and inducing rat bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). Then, BMDMs were polarized toward the M1 phenotype using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) combined with interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Concurrently, cells were treated with SII and the TLR4 inhibitor TAK242. Subsequently, ELISA was used to detect NO, IL-1β, TNF-α levels in the cell culture supernatant via ELISA. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of IL-1b, IL-6, and TNF-α genes in each group of cells. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of iNOS, CD86, TLR4, myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), and p-NF-κBp65/NF-κBp65 proteins in the cells. Data analysis between multiple groups was performed using one-way analysis of variance, and between pairs using LSD- t-tests. Results:In vivo experimental results showed that compared with the CIA group(7.90 ± 0.70), MTX and SII both improved the pathological symptoms of rats and reduced the ankle joint pathological score [MTX (4.40 ± 0.92), L-SII (7.00 ± 0.89), M-SII (5.10 ± 1.30), H-SII (4.90 ± 0.94), t=33.86, P<0.001; t=9.10, P<0.001; t=2.38, P=0.029; t=5.69, P<0.001; t=7.66, P<0.001], while downregulating serum levels of NO, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in serum, as well as iNOS [ t=30.01, P<0.001; t=6.17, P=0.003; t=10.86, P<0.001; t=28.95, P<0.001; t=19.03, P<0.001] and CD86 [ t=65.61, P<0.001; t=8.76, P<0.001; t=13.18, P<0.001; t=13.22, P<0.001; t=18.91, P<0.001] expression. In vitro experimental results showed that compared with BMDMs treated with LPS and IFN-γ, SII and TAK242 treatment reduced the levels of NO, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the supernatant and decreased the expression of IL-1b, IL-6, and TNF-α genes. Additionally, SII and TAK242 treatment downregulated the expression of iNOS and CD86 proteins in cells, and simultaneously downregulated TLR4, MYD88, and p-NF-κBp65/NF-κBp65 expression ( t=35.84, P<0.001; t=15.69, P<0.001; t=21.99, P<0.001; t=23.64, P<0.001; t=22.50, P<0.001). Additionally, compared with the TAK242 group alone, TAK242 + H-SII showed no significant differences in the modulation of M1 macrophage polarization and TLR4/NF-κBp65 pathway-related indicators. Conclusion:SII exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-RA effects by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κBp65-mediated M1 macrophage polarization.

Although standardized diagnosis and treatment procedures and appropriate therapy have been recommended for hematological malignancies under the practice of evidence-based medicine,due to heterogeneity of the disease and individual differences in the population,different patients may get dif-ferent clinical efficacy and treatment-related toxicities under the same therapy.How to predict the toler-ance of an individual with hematological malignancy to a specific regimen accurately is critical.This pa-per reviews the evaluation methods of treatment tolerance in patients with hematological malignancies,assisting clinicians in making scientific evaluation of tolerance for different patients and choosing the most suitable regimen.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

This study aims to explore the pharmacodynamic material basis of Jinbei Oral Liquid(JBOL) against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF) based on serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology. The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) technology was employed to analyze and identify the components absorbed into rat blood after oral administration of JBOL. Combined with network pharmacology, the study explored the pharmacodynamic material basis and potential mechanism of JBOL against IPF through protein-protein interaction(PPI) network construction, "component-target-pathway" analysis, Gene Ontology(GO) functional enrichment, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. First, a total of 114 compounds were rapidly identified in JBOL extract according to the exact relative molecular mass, fragment ions, and other information of the compounds with the use of reference substances and a self-built compound database. Second, on this basis, 70 prototype components in blood were recognized by comparing blank serum with drug-containing serum samples, including 28 flavonoids, 25 organic acids, 4 saponins, 4 alkaloids, and 9 others. Finally, using these components absorbed into blood as candidates, the study obtained 212 potential targets of JBOL against IPF. The anti-IPF mechanism might involve the action of active ingredients such as glycyrrhetinic acid, cryptotanshinone, salvianolic acid B, and forsythoside A on core targets like AKT1, TNF, and ALB and thereby the regulation of multiple signaling pathways including PI3K/AKT, HIF-1, and TNF. In conclusion, JBOL exerts the anti-IPF effect through multiple components, targets, and pathways. The results would provide a reference for further study on pharmacodynamic material basis and pharmacological mechanism of JBOL.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacokinetics* ; Animals ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Network Pharmacology ; Rats ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis/metabolism* ; Humans ; Administration, Oral ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

A previous study showed that the length of the foreskin plays a role in the risk of sexually transmitted infections and chronic prostatitis, which can lead to poor quality of sexual life. Here, the association between foreskin length and sexual dysfunction was evaluated. A total of 5700 participants were recruited from the andrology clinic at The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (Hefei, China). Clinical characteristics, including foreskin length, were collected, and sexual function was assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) questionnaires. Men with sexual dysfunction were more likely to have redundant foreskin than men without sexual dysfunction. Among the 2721 erectile dysfunction (ED) patients and 1064 premature ejaculation (PE) patients, 301 (11.1%) ED patients and 135 (12.7%) PE patients had redundant foreskin, respectively. Men in the PE group were more likely to have redundant foreskin than men in the non-PE group ( P = 0.004). Logistic regression analyses revealed that the presence of redundant foreskin was associated with increased odds of moderate/severe ED (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.31, adjusted P = 0.04), moderate PE (aOR = 1.38, adjusted P = 0.02), and probable PE (aOR = 1.37, adjusted P = 0.03) after adjusting for confounding variables. Our study revealed a positive correlation between the presence of redundant foreskin and the risk of sexual dysfunction, especially in PE patients. Assessment of the length of the foreskin during routine clinical diagnosis may provide information for patients with sexual dysfunction.
Humans ; Male ; Foreskin ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adult ; Erectile Dysfunction/epidemiology* ; Premature Ejaculation/epidemiology* ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/epidemiology* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: To explore the measures to improve the follow-up rate of preterm infants after discharge, and to evaluate the effectiveness of these measures using quality improvement methodology. METHODS: The follow-up status of preterm infants discharged from March to May 2017 was used as the baseline before quality improvement, and a specific quality improvement goal for the follow-up rate was proposed. The Pareto chart was used to analyze the causes of follow-up failure, and a key driver diagram was constructed based on the links involved in improving follow-up rate. The causes of failure were analyzed to determine the key links and intervention measures for quality improvement, and the follow-up rate was monitored weekly using a control chart until the quality improvement goal was achieved. RESULTS: The follow-up rate of preterm infants after discharge was 57.92% (117/202) at baseline before quality improvement, and the quality improvement goal was set to increase the follow-up rate of preterm infants from baseline to more than 80% within 12 months. The Pareto chart analysis showed that the main causes of follow-up failure were deficiencies in follow-up file management and irregular follow-up times (33.70%, 31/92), insufficient follow-up education and poor communication (25.00%, 23/92), and the inability to meet the diverse needs of parents (18.48%, 17/92). Based on the key links for quality improvement and the main causes of follow-up failure, the following intervention measures were adopted: (1) strengthen follow-up publicity and education; (2) build a follow-up team; and (3) establish a follow-up platform and system. The control chart indicated that with the implementation of the above intervention measures, the weekly follow-up rate increased to 74.09% (306/413) in July 2017 and 83.09% (511/615) in December 2017, finally achieving the quality improvement goal. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the follow-up rate of preterm infants fluctuated between 23.54% (460/1 954) and 70.97% (1 931/2 721), and subsequently, it returned to pre-pandemic levels starting in February 2023. CONCLUSIONS The application of quality improvement methodology can help to formulate intervention measures based on the main causes of follow-up failure, thereby improving the follow-up rate of preterm infants after discharge. This quality improvement method is feasible and practical and thus holds promise for clinical application.
Humans ; Quality Improvement ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Newborn ; Patient Discharge ; Follow-Up Studies ; Female ; Male

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy and apoptosis of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with ASXL1 mutation. METHODS: The clinical data of 80 AML patients with ASXL1 mutation treated in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical characteristics of the patients were summarized, and the therapeutic effect and prognostic factors of allo-HSCT for the patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 80 patients, 38 were males and 42 were females, and the median age was 39(14-65) years. There were 17 patients in low-risk group, 25 patients in medium-risk group and 38 patients in high-risk group. ASXL1 mutation co-occurred with many other gene mutations, and the frequent mutated genes were TET2 (71.25%), NRAS (18.75%), DNMT3A (16.25%), NPM1 (15.00%), CEBPA (13.75%). Among medium and high-risk patients, 29 underwent allo-HSCT, while 34 received chemotherapy. The 2-year overall survival (OS) rate and disease-free survival (DFS) rate of the allo-HSCT group were 72.4% and 70.2%, while those of the chemotherapy group were 44.1% and 34.0%, respectively. The statistical analysis showed significant differences between the two groups (both P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that age at transplantation >50- years and occurrence of acute graft-versus-host disease after transplantation were poor prognostic factors for OS and DFS in transplantation patients. CONCLUSION Allo-HSCT can improve the prognosis of AML patients with ASXL1 mutation.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Adult ; Repressor Proteins/genetics* ; Adolescent ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged ; Nucleophosmin ; Young Adult ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) load in different lymphocyte subsets, as well as clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies experiencing EBV reactivation. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples from patients were collected. B, T, and NK cells were isolated sorting with magnetic beads by flow cytometry. The EBV load in each subset was quantitated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Clinical data were colleted from electronic medical records. Survival status was followed up through outpatient visits and telephone calls. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0. RESULTS: A total of 39 patients with hematologic malignancies were included, among whom 35 patients had undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The median time to EBV reactivation was 4.8 months (range: 1.7-57.1 months) after allo-HSCT. EBV was detected in B, T, and NK cells in 20 patients, in B and T cells in 11 patients, and only in B cells in 4 patients. In the 35 patients, the median EBV load in B cells was 2.19×10⁴ copies/ml, significantly higher than that in T cells (4.00×10³ copies/ml, P <0.01) and NK cells (2.85×10² copies/ml, P <0.01). Rituximab (RTX) was administered for 32 patients, resulting in EBV negativity in 32 patients with a median time of 8 days (range: 2-39 days). Post-treatment analysis of 13 patients showed EBV were all negative in B, T, and NK cells. In the four non-transplant patients, the median time to EBV reactivation was 35 days (range: 1-328 days) after diagnosis of the primary disease. EBV was detected in one or two subsets of B, T, or NK cells, but not simultaneously in all three subsets. These patients received a combination chemotherapy targeting at the primary disease, with 3 patients achieving EBV negativity, and the median time to be negative was 40 days (range: 13-75 days). CONCLUSION In hematologic malignancy patients after allo-HSCT, EBV reactivation commonly involves B, T, and NK cells, with a significantly higher viral load in B cells compared to T and NK cells. Rituximab is effective for EBV clearance. In non-transplant patients, EBV reactivation is restricted to one or two lymphocyte subsets, and clearance is slower, highlighting the need for prompt anti-tumor therapy.
Humans ; Hematologic Neoplasms/virology* ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/physiology* ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Virus Activation ; Lymphocyte Subsets/virology* ; Flow Cytometry ; Killer Cells, Natural/virology* ; Male ; Female ; B-Lymphocytes/virology* ; Viral Load ; Adult ; T-Lymphocytes/virology* ; Middle Aged

AIM:To investigate the potential mechanism of neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs)in the pla-centa during the pathogenesis of preeclampsia(PE).METHODS:Differential neutrophil infiltration in PE versus normo-tensive placentas was assessed using placental transcriptome sequencing data.Single-cell sequencing analysis of GSE173193 dataset was conducted to evaluate the expression of NETs formation-related genes in neutrophils from PE pla-centa and control placenta.Immunofluorescence and ELISA were used to measure NETs levels in placental tissues.Fol-lowing NETs generation and treatment of human extravillous trophoblast(EVT)HTR8/Svneo strain with NETs,RNA se-quencing was utilized to identify potential signaling pathways through which NETs regulate trophoblast function.RE-SULTS:Neutrophil infiltration,and expression of NETs formation critical genes,MPO(myeloperoxidase)and ELANE(elastase,neutrophil expressed),in neutrophils were significantly increased in PE placentas compared with controls.The level of NETs was elevated in PE placentas as well.The NETs significantly inhibited the migration of HTR8/Svneo cells.Disrupted F-actin arrangement,aggregate formation,and reduced paxillin expression were observed in NETs-treated HTR8/Svneo cells.Single-cell sequencing analysis revealed that focal adhesion and stress fiber pathways were down-regu-lated in the EVT of PE placenta.CONCLUSION:Neutrophil infiltration and NETs formation were increased in PE.The NETs may inhibit EVT migration by inducing stress fiber disassembly and down-regulating paxillin expression,thereby dis-rupting cytoskeletal organization and focal adhesion formation.

Objective:To analyze the coupling coordination relationship and spatial correlation among the service demand,resource allocation and utilization efficiency of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM),aiming to provide theoretical support and optimization strategies for achieving the coordinated operation of the TCM systems in various provinces and promoting the coordinated development of TCM in different provinces.Methods:The data were collected from the China Health and Family Planning Statistical Yearbook(2013-2017)and the China Health Statistics Yearbook(2018-2023),the entropy method was employed to determine the weight of each evaluation index within the subsystems.A coupling coordination degree model and spatial econometric model were applied to assess the coupling coordination values and spatial correlations of the TCM system across various provinces in China.Results:In 2022,the national average coupling coordination degree was 0.603,with values of 0.648,0.577,and 0.563 for the eastern,central,and western regions,respectively.The western region had the highest number of provinces classified as"disordered type".A spatial clustering effect of the coupling coordination degree across 30 provinces.Conclusions:While the allocation of TCM resources has shown steady improvement,the demand for TCM services and utilization efficiency have exhibited a declining trend.The coupling coordination degree follows a decreasing gradient from east to west and exhibits significant spatial effects,a regional collaborative development mechanism for TCM should be established.