Objective To compare the therapeutic effects of modified Shenqi Maiwei Dihuang Decoction combined with Buzhong Yiqi Pill and Buzhong Yiqi pill alone in the patients with cold and heat mixed type di-abetic foot.Methods A total of 123 patients with cold and heat mixed type diabetic foot receiving the treat-ment in this hospital from April 2022 to December 2023 were selected and divided into the modified Shenqi Mai-Dihuang Decoction and Buzhong Yiqi Pill group(combined group,60 cases)and Buzhong Yiqi Pill group(monotherapy group,63 cases).The wound healing,mean blood flow amount of foot dorsal artery,blood glu-cose and changes in vascular diameter,inflammatory factors and vascular endothelial growth factor after 2 courses of treatment were compared betweeb the 2 groups.Results The ulcer reduction rate in the combina-tion group was significantly higher than that in the monotherapy group(P=0.001).The fasting blood glu-cose and 2 h postprandial blood glucose after treatment in the combination group all were lower than those in the monotherapy group(P=0.001).The average blood flow of foot dorsal artery after treatment in combina-tion group was higher than that in the monotherapy group,and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.013).There were 34 cases of Wagner grade 3 in the combined group and 33 cases of Wagner grade 3 in the monotherapy subgroup respectively.There was statistically significant difference in the CRP level between the two subgroups(P=0.045).Conclusion Shenqi Maiwei Dihuang Decoction combined with Buzhong Yiqi Pill in treating diabetic foot ulcer is more effective than Buzhong Yiqi Pill alone,moreover the safety is high.

Objective:The clinicalpathological features of TAFRO syndrome were analyzed to clarify the similarities and differences between TAFRO syndrome and autoimmune diseases and to establish differential diagnosis.Methods:Six patients diagnosed with TAFRO syndrome in Shanxi Bethune Hospital from January 2014 to March 2022 were collected. The clinical, examination, pathology and treatment of TAFRO syndrome were analyzed and compared with autoimmune diseases, especially systemic lupus erythematosus and Sj?gren′s syndrome.Results:Among the 6 patients, 4 were males and 2 were females, with an average age of (57.5 ±9.8) years. All the 6 patients had fever, edema (including chest and abdominal effusion and systemic edema), thrombocytopenia (3 main criteria) and more than 2 secondary criteria.ESR and CRP were significantly elevated in 6 patients. There were 1 case of elevated IgA and IgG (IgA 4.10 g/L, IgG19.05 g/L), 1 case of elevated igg (IgG 19.33 g/L), 3 cases of normal and 1 case of undetected. Serum IgG4 was negative in 4 cases and undetected in 2 cases. Autoantibodies: 4 cases were ANA positive, including 1 case with anti-SSA/Ro52(+), anti-SSA/Ro60(+), anti-SSB (+), 1 case with anti-SSA /Ro60(+), and 2 untested. Bone marrow cytological examination was performed in 6 cases, all of which showed active hyperplasia, 2 cases showed elevated megakaryocytes, and 1 case was accompanied by interstitial fibrosis. Pathological examination of lymph nodes: 5 cases were consistent with Castleman′s disease, and 1 case was suggestive of reactive hyperplasia of lymph nodes. Conclusion:Although the diagnostic criteria of TAFRO syndrome should exclude autoimmune diseases, TAFRO syndrome and autoimmune diseases can coexist, and the connective tissue disease complicated with TAFRO syndrome has its specific clinical characteristics and treatment plan, which needs to be identified clinically.

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is a crucial technique currently used to improve embryo implantation rate, reduce miscarriage rate, and shorten the time to pregnancy for patients who are of advanced maternal age (≥35 years), have experienced repeated implantation failures, or have a history of recurrent miscarriages. Conventional PGT-A necessitates an invasive embryo biopsy, which may pose potential risks to subsequent embryo development and long-term health outcomes. Consequently, there is a growing interest among reproductive medicine professionals in developing non-invasive, safe, accurate, and effective methods for assessing embryo chromosomal status and quality. This paper provides an overview of recent advancements in the use of next-generation sequencing for detecting cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (niPGT-A). The review highlights both the potential of this approach and its existing limitations. Additionally, the paper proposes a novel hypothesis regarding the application of single-molecule nanopore technology for cfDNA detection in niPGT-A, offering new insights and serving as a reference for future research in this field.

Objective:The clinicalpathological features of TAFRO syndrome were analyzed to clarify the similarities and differences between TAFRO syndrome and autoimmune diseases and to establish differential diagnosis.Methods:Six patients diagnosed with TAFRO syndrome in Shanxi Bethune Hospital from January 2014 to March 2022 were collected. The clinical, examination, pathology and treatment of TAFRO syndrome were analyzed and compared with autoimmune diseases, especially systemic lupus erythematosus and Sj?gren′s syndrome.Results:Among the 6 patients, 4 were males and 2 were females, with an average age of (57.5 ±9.8) years. All the 6 patients had fever, edema (including chest and abdominal effusion and systemic edema), thrombocytopenia (3 main criteria) and more than 2 secondary criteria.ESR and CRP were significantly elevated in 6 patients. There were 1 case of elevated IgA and IgG (IgA 4.10 g/L, IgG19.05 g/L), 1 case of elevated igg (IgG 19.33 g/L), 3 cases of normal and 1 case of undetected. Serum IgG4 was negative in 4 cases and undetected in 2 cases. Autoantibodies: 4 cases were ANA positive, including 1 case with anti-SSA/Ro52(+), anti-SSA/Ro60(+), anti-SSB (+), 1 case with anti-SSA /Ro60(+), and 2 untested. Bone marrow cytological examination was performed in 6 cases, all of which showed active hyperplasia, 2 cases showed elevated megakaryocytes, and 1 case was accompanied by interstitial fibrosis. Pathological examination of lymph nodes: 5 cases were consistent with Castleman′s disease, and 1 case was suggestive of reactive hyperplasia of lymph nodes. Conclusion:Although the diagnostic criteria of TAFRO syndrome should exclude autoimmune diseases, TAFRO syndrome and autoimmune diseases can coexist, and the connective tissue disease complicated with TAFRO syndrome has its specific clinical characteristics and treatment plan, which needs to be identified clinically.

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is a crucial technique currently used to improve embryo implantation rate, reduce miscarriage rate, and shorten the time to pregnancy for patients who are of advanced maternal age (≥35 years), have experienced repeated implantation failures, or have a history of recurrent miscarriages. Conventional PGT-A necessitates an invasive embryo biopsy, which may pose potential risks to subsequent embryo development and long-term health outcomes. Consequently, there is a growing interest among reproductive medicine professionals in developing non-invasive, safe, accurate, and effective methods for assessing embryo chromosomal status and quality. This paper provides an overview of recent advancements in the use of next-generation sequencing for detecting cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (niPGT-A). The review highlights both the potential of this approach and its existing limitations. Additionally, the paper proposes a novel hypothesis regarding the application of single-molecule nanopore technology for cfDNA detection in niPGT-A, offering new insights and serving as a reference for future research in this field.

Mastoparans (MP), a class of α-helix cationic insect-derived antimicrobial peptides, have a broad spectrum of biological activities including inhibiting bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Amino acid substitution, peptide modification, peptide chain cyclization, and dosage form modification can enhance the biological activities and target and reduce the toxicity of mastoparans. In this review, we summarize the structure, biological function and modification methods of mastoparans, and prospect the development of antibacterial drugs based on mastoparans, so as to provide reference for the research of mastoparans as a new antibacterial drug.
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/pharmacology* ; Peptides/chemistry* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry* ; Wasp Venoms/chemistry* ; Animals

Objective To observe the effects of ice-water swimming on pathological changes in model gouty rats,and investigate the relevant regulatory mechanism of the purinergic P2X7R receptor.Methods Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into normal(NORM)and experimental groups including gouty control(GC),ice-water swimming(IWS),and Brilliant Blue G(BBG,a P2X7R inhibitor)groups.Rats in the experimental groups were modeled to simulate hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis by inhibiting uric acid metabolism combined with the Coderre method.Rats in the ice-water swimming group were treated with 5 min of endurance swimming in an ice-water mixture at a depth of about 0.5 m for 0 h and 12 h after modeling by the Coderre method,while rats in the BBG group were injected intraperitoneally with BBG solution once after modeling.Ankle swelling index was calculated using a formula.Serum uric acid levels were detected by uricase assay,and serum levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-1β,1L-6,and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αwere detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The pathological status of the ankle joints was examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining.P2X7R and NLRP3 protein expression levels in synovial tissue were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry,respectively.Results Serum uric acid levels and the ankle joint swelling index were significantly higher in the experimental groups compared with the normal group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the synovial tissues showed different degrees of inflammatory infiltration.The ankle swelling index was significantly higher in the ice-water swimming group compared with the gouty control group at 12 h(P＜0.05).Serum IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α levels(P＜0.01)and P2X7R and NLRP3 protein levels in synovial tissues were all significantly elevated(P＜0.05).Histopathology showed that the cartilage surface was broken and the synovial tissue showed severe hyperplasia and erosion,accompanied by numerous inflammatory cell aggregates.There were no significant changes in P2X7R or NLRP3 protein expression or pathology in synovial tissues in the BBG group compared with the gouty control group(P＞0.05),but serum IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α levels were all significantly suppressed(P＜0.01).Conclusions Cold stimulation and strenuous exercise simulated by ice-water swimming may exacerbate pathological damage in gouty arthritis via a mechanism related to high P2X7R expression in the joints.

This paper discusses the application of MRN combined with 3D printing in SNM in neurogenic bladder patients with special comorbidities. In this study, 21 cases of neurogenic bladder patients with special comorbidities involved, including 14 cases into the control group and 7 cases in the experimental group. Traditional X-ray guidance was used in the control group, while the MRN combined with 3D printing navigation template positioning was used in the experimental group. Compared with those in the control group, the X-ray fluoroscopy, number of punctures, puncture time, intraoperative adjustment and testing time were significantly decreased in the experimental group. The difference of implantable pulse generator implantation rates between the two groups was statistically significant.

Objective:To explore whether left ventricular interstitial fibrosis is associated with left atrial enlargement and left atrial dysfunction in patients of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM) with preserved ejection fraction.Methods:From October 2018 to September 2021, 59 HCM including 30 with enlarged maximal left artrial volume index (LAVI max), 29 with normal LAVI max and 28 age-and gender-matched controls were retrospectively enrolled. Imaging protocol included cine sequence, late gadolinium enhancement and T 1 mapping.The relationships between left ventricular mass index (LVMI), quantitative myocardial fibrosis and left atrial-related indexes were analyzed. One-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc correction or Kruskal-Wallis was performed for continuous variables. Categorical variables were assessed using the Chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test. Pearson or Spearman analysis was used for linear or monotonic nonlinear correlations. Results:The left ventricular end-diastolic volume index, left ventricular end-systolic volume index, left ventricular cardiac output and LVMI of HCM with enlarged LAVI max group were higher than HCM with normal LAVI max group and control group( P<0.05).Correlation analysis showed that LVMI correlated positively with LAVI max( r=0.780, P<0.001) and minimal left artrial volume index (LAVI min) ( r=0.816, P<0.001), extracellular volume correlated positively with LAVI max( r=0.462, P<0.001) and LAVI min( r=0.483, P<0.001),%LGE was correlated positively with LAVI max( r=0.311, P<0.05) and LAVI min( r=0.327, P<0.05),left ventricular index interstitial volume was correlated negatively with left atrial ejection fraction of reservoir ( r=-0.669, P<0.001),left atrial ejection fraction of conduit ( r=-0.472, P<0.001),left atrial ejection fraction of pump ( r=-0.518, P<0.001)and left atrial expansion index( r=-0.626, P<0.001). Conclusion:There is association between LVMI and fibrosis and left atrial enlargement and phases dysfunction in HCM with preserved ejection fraction.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a child featuring unexplained rapid growth and heart malformation. METHODS: Whole exome sequencing (WES)was carried out for the patient. Suspected variant was verified by Sanger sequencing and subjected to bioinformatic analysis. RESULTS: The child was found to harbor a novel de novo c.5846_5848delATA (p. N1949del) variant in exon 48 of the FBN1 gene, which was predicted to be pathogenic by Mutation Taster. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with Marfan syndrome. CONCLUSION Above finding has enriched the spectrum of genetic variants associated with Marfan syndrome. WES has provided a powerful tool for the diagnosis of rare diseases.
Child ; Exons ; Fibrillin-1/genetics* ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Marfan Syndrome/genetics* ; Mutation ; Sequence Deletion ; Whole Exome Sequencing