Objective To explore the symptom prevalence in the patients with pulmonary nodules in Lingnan area and to investigate the influencing factors,thus to provide data support for the construction of differentiation and treatment system of symptoms-syndrome elements-syndromes-constitutions for patients with pulmonary nodules,and to promote the establishment of secondary prevention system of lung cancer with the in-depth participation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).Methods A cross-sectional study was adopted to investigate patients with pulmonary nodules who admitted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from August 2023 to January 2024.Data collection covered the basic information,clinical characteristics and symptoms of the patients.Likert four-level scale was used for the grading of the severity of the symptoms,multivariate linear regression was adopted to construct three regression models,and then the factors influencing the severity of symptoms of patients with pulmonary nodules were explored.Results(1)A total of 274 patients were enrolled in the analysis,including 160 females and 114 males,with a mean age of(54.44±12.00)years old and the symptom scores averaging(3.97±3.80)point.The included patients with pulmonary nodules were characterized by females outnumbering males,a higher proportion of middle-aged and elderly people,multiple pulmonary nodules being more common.(2)The analysis of the symptoms of the 274 patients showed that symptoms with an incidence over 30%were fatigue(116 cases,42.34%),cough(105 cases,38.32%),expectoration of white sputum(89 cases,32.48%),and irritability and distress(87 cases,31.75%).(3)Multivariate linear regression analysis after variable adjustment suggested that the overall symptomatic severity in the male was milder than that in the female[β=-1.67,95%CI(-2.67,-0.68),P<0.001],and symptom score was positively correlated with age[β=0.07,95%CI(0.03,0.10),P<0.001],history of exposure to secondhand smoke[β=1.27,95%CI(0.26,2.27),P=0.015],history of exposure to other hazardous substances[β=1.96,95%CI(0.39,3.53),P=0.015],and history of allergy[β=2.38,95%CI(1.22,3.54),P<0.001]significantly.Conclusion The overall symptoms of patients with pulmonary nodules in Lingnan area are mild,and the high prevalence of symptoms are fatigue,cough,expectoration of white sputum,and irritability and distress.The symptom severity is correlated with gender,age,history of exposure to secondhand smoke,history of exposure to other hazardous substances,and history of allergy.

Objective: To analyze the association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure in the air and dyslipidemia among primary school students, in order to provide the evidencebased support for the prevention and control of chronic diseases in children. Methods: The random sampling method was used to select 625 students from two primary schools in Anhui Province and Tianjin City from May to June 2024. Based on the home address, the annual average exposure levels of PM2.5 were obtained in 3 years before investigation, 2 years before investigation, and the past year before investigation. Fasting blood samples were collected for the detection of total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol and lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol. Linear regression modeling was used to analyze the association between PM2.5 exposure and dyslipidemia among primary school students. Results: The rate of dyslipidemia among primary school students was 14.72% in the present study. The results of linear regression analysis showed that the TG increased by 0.019(95%CI=0.012-0.025)，0.023(95%CI=0.016-0.030) and 0.021(95%CI=0.014-0.027) mmol/L for every 1 μg/m3 increase of PM2.5 in the past year before investigation, 2 years before investigation and 3 years before investigation respectively (P<0.05). The results of binary Logisitic analysis showed that the risks of dyslipidemia in primary school students were positively correlated with PM2.5 mass concentration in the past year before investigation, 2 years before investigation, and 3 years before investigation [OR(95%CI)=1.06(1.02-1.11), 1.06(1.01-1.12), 1.06(1.01-1.11), P<0.05]. Conclusions PM2.5 exposure is associated with increased risk of dyslipidemia among primary school students. To protect the health of primary school students, effective measures should be taken to improve air quality.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM）external treatment methods in alleviating skin pruritus caused by eczema through a Meta-analysis. Methods Randomized clinical trials investigating the use of TCM external treatment methods for skin pruritus caused by eczema were searched in databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）, VIP, Wanfang, Sinomed, PubMed, Embase, LILACS, and Cochrane, up to December 2024. Two reviewers independently screened and entered the statistical data, conducted bias risk assessment by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, version 5.1.0, and performed Meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4.1. Results Ultimately, 14 studies involving 1 788 patients were included. Compared to the control group, TCM external treatment methods （treatment group）showed better improvement in pruritus scores （Z=11.88, P<0.000 01）, better improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index （EASI） scores （Z=23.15, P<0.000 01）, higher overall clinical efficacy rate （Z=6.21, P<0.000 01）, better improvement in TCM symptoms （Z=5.49, P<0.000 01）, and lower clinical recurrence rate （Z=2.88, P=0.004）. Three of the included studies mentioned adverse reactions, with the treatment group showing lower adverse reactions than the control group. Conclusion The external treatment of TCM was more effective in treating skin pruritus caused by eczema compared to the control group. Given the biases and heterogeneity in the included literature, this conclusion needs to be further substantiated by more large-scale, multi-center, randomized, controlled, and double-blind studies.

Objective To analyze the urban drinking water quality and its influencing factors in Anhui Province from 2014 to 2022, and to provide a scientific basis for water quality improvement and protection. Methods The data were collected, saved and monitored according to the Standard Test Method for Drinking Water (GB/T5750-2006) and evaluated according to the Hygienic Standard for Drinking Water (GB 5749-2006). Results A total of 20 941 samples were collected, and the overall qualified rate was 84.26%. The qualified rate of urban drinking water increased from 76.9% in 2014 to 93.3% in 2022, and the qualified rate of water quality was on the rise (χ²=544.43, P＜0.01). From 2014 to 2022, the qualified rate of water quality in dry season was higher than that in wet season (χ²=35.98, P<0.001), the qualified rate of surface water was higher than that of ground water (χ²=4440.8, P<0.001), and the qualified rate of peripheral tap water was higher than that of factory water (χ²=145.1, P<0.001). Among all kinds of disinfection methods, chlorination disinfection had the highest qualified rate (χ²=1483.8, P<0.001). The qualified rate of water quality increased with the increase of the scale of water plant. Among the inspected indicators, the main unqualified indicators were chlorine dioxide (7.72%), fluoride (7.41%), free residual chlorine (3.90%), and total bacterial count (2.13%). Conclusion The passing rate of urban drinking water quality in Anhui Province is on an upward trend, and the quality of urban drinking water has improved. However, it is still important to pay attention to the problem of excessive microorganism and fluoride in water, and the quality of drinking water varies from place to place.

Objective:To analyse the pathogenicity of a family with Fabry disease and to characterise its clinical phenotype and genetic variants.Methods:A proband with Fabry disease admitted to Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University in December 2021 was enrolled. Clinical data, including medical history, biochemical parameters, echocardiography, and electrocardiogram, were collected from the proband and family members. The proband and his daughter underwent α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) enzyme activity assay and Sanger sequencing of the GLA gene. Candidate variants were analyzed and classified according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines.Results:The male proband (69 years old) presented with chronic renal insufficiency, electrocardiogram findings of ST-T changes, bundle branch block, and left ventricular high voltage, and echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy. His α-Gal A activity was markedly reduced, and genetic testing identified a hemizygous GLA c.511G>C (p.Gly171Arg) variant on the X chromosome. The proband′s asymptomatic daughter also exhibited significantly decreased α-Gal A activity and carried the heterozygous GLA c.511G>C (p.Gly171Arg) variant. Based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines, this variant was classified as “likely pathogenic” and considered the underlying cause of Fabry disease in this family.Conclusion:The proband manifested chronic renal insufficiency and cardiac hypertrophy, with the GLA c.511G>C (p.Gly171Arg) variant identified as the likely-pathogenic cause of Fabry disease in this family.

Objective To identify the most significantly compressed areas and the areas with the best recovery effects by analyzing the changes in vertebral height after percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures(OVCF)through lateral radiographs.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the lateral X-rays of 186 injured vertebrae from 142 patients hospitalized in our hospital's intervertebral disc center.The sagittal height of the vertebrae was measured at five different points before and after surgery,and the collected data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software.Results There were statistically significant differences in the heights of the five measured points before and after surgery within OVCF injured vertebrae(P＜0.05),in the ascending order:central＜mid-anterior＜mid-posterior＜anterior edge＜posterior edge.Comparison of the height parameters of the five measured points before and after surgery showed statistically significant differences(P＜0.01).In comparing the height restoration differences of the five measured points after PVP,the differences between central and mid-anterior,central and anterior edge,and mid-posterior and anterior edge were found not to be statistically significant(P＞0.05).The differences in height restoration for the remaining groups were statistically significant(P＜0.05),with the height restoration differences from highest to lowest being:mid-anterior,central,anterior edge,mid-posterior,posterior edge.Conclusion In patients with OVCF,the compression of the injured vertebra is most pronounced in the central part,followed by the mid-anterior part.PVP surgery can effectively restore the height of various parts of the injured vertebra,especially in the mid-anterior and central parts of the vertebral body,where the recovery effect is particularly significant.

Objective:To explore the genetic basis of a patient suspected for Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS).Methods:An adult male patient with aneurysmal dilation of the aortic root identified during the treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia at Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University in 2021 was enrolled as the study subject. Clinical data of the patient were retrospectively collected. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the patient and his family members and subjected to whole-exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variant was verified by bioinformatic analysis, with a focus on the genes associated with hereditary aortic aneurysms. Candidate variant was validated by Sanger sequencing. The online SpliceAI software was used for the prediction of protein function. The results, combined with information from public databases, were used to classify the pathogenicity of the candidate variant according to the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Anzhen Hospital (Ethics No. 2023163X).Results:Imaging analysis revealed that the patient had aneurysmal dilation of the aortic root. Based on his clinical features and past history, a provisional diagnosis of LDS was established. WES revealed that the patient had harbored a heterozygous splice site variant c. 206+ 2T>G in the SMAD3 gene (NM_005902). The variant was not reported in public databases and was predicted to be pathogenic by SpliceAI. Sanger sequencing showed that the variant was also present in the patients mother, sister, nephew, and daughter, but not in his father. Based on the guidelines from the ACMG, the variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PVS1+ PM2_Supporting). Conclusion:The heterozygous splice site variant c. 206+ 2T>G of the SMAD3 gene probably underlay the disease of this patient. The discovery has enriched the mutational spectrum of LDS, which may facilitate delineation of the genotype-phenotype correlation and provide a basis for further risk stratification and personalized treatment of LDS.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis of a patient suspected for Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS). METHODS: A adult male patient with aneurysmal dilation of the aortic root identified during the treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia at Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University in 2021 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the patient were retrospectively collected. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the patient and his family members and subjected to whole-exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variant was verified by bioinformatic analysis, with a focus on the genes associated with hereditary aortic aneurysms. Candidate variant was validated by Sanger sequencing. The online SpliceAI software was used for the prediction of protein function. The results, combined with information from public databases, were used to classify the pathogenicity of the candidate variant according to the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Anzhen Hospital (Ethics No. 2023163X). RESULTS: Imaging analysis revealed that the patient had aneurysmal dilation of the aortic root. Based on his clinical features and past history, a provisional diagnosis of LDS was established. WES revealed that the patient had harbored a heterozygous splice site variant c.206+2T>G in the SMAD3 gene (NM_005902). The variant was not reported in public databases and was predicted to be pathogenic by SpliceAI. Sanger sequencing showed that the variant was also present in the proband's mother, sister, nephew, and daughter, but not in his father. Based on the guidelines from the ACMG, the variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PVS1+PM2_Supporting). CONCLUSION The heterozygous splice site variant c.206+2T>G of the SMAD3 gene probably underlay the disease in this patient. Above discovery has enriched the mutational spectrum of LDS, which may facilitate delineation of the genotype-phenotype correlation and provide a basis for further risk stratification and personalized treatment of LDS.
Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Exome Sequencing ; Loeys-Dietz Syndrome/genetics* ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Smad3 Protein/genetics*

Ulcerative colitis （UC） is a chronic intestinal autoimmune disease， with clinical manifestations including abdominal pain， diarrhea， mucus and bloody stools， and its pathogenesis is complex. The classic prescription Xianglian pills （XLP） has been widely used in the clinical treatment of UC in recent years. It has few adverse reactions， good patient tolerance， and shows significant potential for clinical application. However， there is currently no comprehensive integration of evidence on its clinical research and molecular mechanisms. Through a systematic review of the clinical research and molecular mechanisms of XLP in the treatment of UC， it is found that XLP and its modified formulas， when used in combination with chemical drugs， can significantly improve the symptoms of UC patients and reduce intestinal inflammation， with superior efficacy compared to chemical drugs alone. Its mechanism of action involves regulating pan-apoptosis， immune response， signaling pathways （hypoxia-inducible factor-1α， nuclear factor-κB， etc.）， intestinal flora， and repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier. Its medicinal materials， monomers and active components can also prevent the differentiation of helper T cells 17 and restore the balance of M1/M2 cells through regulating multiple pathways such as Wnt/β -catenin and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription， thereby reducing intestinal damage in UC.

Objective To identify the most significantly compressed areas and the areas with the best recovery effects by analyzing the changes in vertebral height after percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures(OVCF)through lateral radiographs.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the lateral X-rays of 186 injured vertebrae from 142 patients hospitalized in our hospital's intervertebral disc center.The sagittal height of the vertebrae was measured at five different points before and after surgery,and the collected data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software.Results There were statistically significant differences in the heights of the five measured points before and after surgery within OVCF injured vertebrae(P＜0.05),in the ascending order:central＜mid-anterior＜mid-posterior＜anterior edge＜posterior edge.Comparison of the height parameters of the five measured points before and after surgery showed statistically significant differences(P＜0.01).In comparing the height restoration differences of the five measured points after PVP,the differences between central and mid-anterior,central and anterior edge,and mid-posterior and anterior edge were found not to be statistically significant(P＞0.05).The differences in height restoration for the remaining groups were statistically significant(P＜0.05),with the height restoration differences from highest to lowest being:mid-anterior,central,anterior edge,mid-posterior,posterior edge.Conclusion In patients with OVCF,the compression of the injured vertebra is most pronounced in the central part,followed by the mid-anterior part.PVP surgery can effectively restore the height of various parts of the injured vertebra,especially in the mid-anterior and central parts of the vertebral body,where the recovery effect is particularly significant.