ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate and evaluate the staged efficacy and safety of the representative empirical prescription of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory， Qijia Rougan prescription， combined with entecavir in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B. MethodsA multicenter randomized controlled clinical study was conducted， and 101 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B-related hepatic fibrosis （CHB-HF） who met the diagnosis and inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to an observation group （Qijia Rougan prescription + entecavir） and a control group （entecavir）. The treatment duration was 24 weeks. Liver stiffness measurement （LSM）， fibrosis-4 index （FIB-4）， portal vein diameter， hepatitis B serology， biochemical indicators， hepatic fibrosis markers in serum ［hyaluronic acid （HA）， laminin （LN）， procollagen Ⅲ peptide （PⅢP）， and type Ⅳ collagen （Ⅳ-C）］， and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores were used as efficacy evaluation indicators. Efficacy assessments and explorations of different staged subgroups of Qijia Rougan prescription were conducted according to LSM values based on the Metavir pathological staging standard. ResultsA total of 98 cases were included for statistical analysis， with 49 cases in the observation group and 49 in the control group. The general data of the patients in both groups were comparable. Compared with the same group before treatment， the observation group showed a significant reduction in LSM and FIB-4 （P<0.01）， as well as notable improvements in LN， Ⅳ-C， and various TCM syndrome scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）. When compared to the control group after treatment， the observation group demonstrated significant improvements in LSM， FIB-4， and various TCM syndrome score indicators （P<0.05， P<0.01）， indicating that the observation group performed better than the control group. Subgroup analysis of the regression of hepatic fibrosis stages showed that compared to the same group before treatment， the observation group had better improvement in regression of stages F2 and F3 （P<0.05）. When compared to the control group after treatment， the observation group exhibited superior improvement in regression of stage F3 （P<0.05）. No adverse events occurred in either group during the treatment period. ConclusionCompared with entecavir alone， the combination of Qijia Rougan prescription and entecavir significantly improves the degree of hepatic fibrosis and clinical TCM symptoms in patients. The optimal intervention period is primarily during stage F3， which is a potential “interception” point of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory.

OBJECTIVE To study the protective effect and potential mechanism of chikusetsu saponin Ⅳ a （chsⅣ） on renal function in diabetic nephropathy （DN） model rats. METHODS DN rat model was established by high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin injection. Thirty-six model rats were randomly divided into model group （i.g. administration of normal saline， high-fat diet）， chsⅣ low-dose and high-dose groups （i.g. administration of 90， 180 mg/kg chsⅣ， high-fat diet）， with 12 rats in each group. Additionally， 10 normal rats were set as the control group （i.g. administration of normal saline， regular diet）. From the 5th to the 12th week after streptozotocin injection， they were given intragastric administration of relevant drug or normal saline， once a day. After the last medication， the levels of fasting blood glucose， fasting insulin， blood urea nitrogen， serum creatinine and urine protein as well as the levels of reduced glutathione （GSH）， superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） in renal tissues were measured. Additionally， the insulin resistance index was calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin， periodic acid-Schiff， and Masson staining techniques were employed to examine the histopathological alterations in the renal tissue. The expressions of Notch signaling pathway-related proteins in renal tissue were detected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot methods. RESULTS Compared with model group， the histomorphological of renal tissues in the chsⅣ low- and high-dose groups were significantly improved， with significant decreases in renal histological scores， mesangial expansion index， and glomerulosclerosis scores （ P ＜0.05）； the levels of fasting blood glucose， fasting insulin， blood urea nitrogen， serum creatinine， urine protein and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance， as well as MDA content， the expression levels of Notch1， Notch intracellular domain， hairy and enhancer of Split 1 and Delta-like protein 1 in renal tissue were all significantly decreased （ P ＜0.05）. The levels of GSH and SOD in renal tissue were significantly elevated （ P ＜0.05）. Moreover， the improvement in these indicators was significantly more pronounced in the chsⅣ high-dose group compared to the chsⅣ low-dose group （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ChsⅣ can ameliorate renal pathological damage and functional impairment in DN rats. Its underlying mechanisms include restoration of glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity， attenuation of renal oxidative stress， and suppression of aberrant Notch signaling pathway activation.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to explore the risk factors for chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome and establish a prediction model. MethodsClinical data of 180 patients with CAG who participated in the "clinical study of Xianglian Huazhuo Particles blocking CAG cancer transformation" of Hebei Sheng Zhong Yi Yuan from July 2021 to March 2022 were collected. After confounding factors were controlled by propensity score matching， patients were divided into a training set （namely dev） and a validation set （namely vad） in a seven to three ratio. The risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome in the training set were investigated by using univariate Logistic regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator （namely Lasso） regression algorithms. Subsequently， a model， named model 1se， was developed by using the training set data to predict the risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome. The accuracy of the prediction model was assessed by using various methods， including the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve， Hosmer-Lemeshow test （H-L）， calibration plot， and decision curve analysis （DCA）. ResultsAge， body mass index （BMI）， family history of cancer， job and life satisfaction， yellow and greasy fur with slippery pulse， and heavy body sensation were independent risk factors of the model. The prediction model showed excellent predictive value for both the training and validation sets. ConclusionThe established prediction model for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome has high discrimination and excellent calibration， which could provide an excellent clinical basis for disease diagnosis and individualized treatment of patients.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to explore the risk factors for chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome and establish a prediction model. MethodsClinical data of 180 patients with CAG who participated in the "clinical study of Xianglian Huazhuo Particles blocking CAG cancer transformation" of Hebei Sheng Zhong Yi Yuan from July 2021 to March 2022 were collected. After confounding factors were controlled by propensity score matching， patients were divided into a training set （namely dev） and a validation set （namely vad） in a seven to three ratio. The risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome in the training set were investigated by using univariate Logistic regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator （namely Lasso） regression algorithms. Subsequently， a model， named model 1se， was developed by using the training set data to predict the risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome. The accuracy of the prediction model was assessed by using various methods， including the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve， Hosmer-Lemeshow test （H-L）， calibration plot， and decision curve analysis （DCA）. ResultsAge， body mass index （BMI）， family history of cancer， job and life satisfaction， yellow and greasy fur with slippery pulse， and heavy body sensation were independent risk factors of the model. The prediction model showed excellent predictive value for both the training and validation sets. ConclusionThe established prediction model for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome has high discrimination and excellent calibration， which could provide an excellent clinical basis for disease diagnosis and individualized treatment of patients.

PROPOSE: To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: GSE21164 was extracted from an online database, followed by an investigation of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between IPC treatment samples at 2 time points (T0T and T1T). Function and pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the DEGs. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed to identify hub genes according to 5 different algorithms, followed by enrichment analysis. In addition, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were identified between the T0T and T1T samples. Furthermore, a competing endogenous RNA network was predicted based on the identified lncRNA-messenger RNA (mRNA), lncRNA-microRNA (miRNA), and mRNA-miRNA relationships revealed in this study. Finally, a drug-gene network was investigated. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 8.0. Differences between groups were determined using an unpaired t-test. p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 343 DEGs at T0 and 10 DEGs at T1 were identified and compared with their respective control groups, followed by 100 DEGs between T0T and T1T. Based on these 100 DEGs, protein-protein interaction network analysis revealed 9 hub genes, mainly with mitochondria-related functions and the carbon metabolism pathway. Six differentially expressed lncRNAs were investigated between T0T and T1T. A competing endogenous RNA network was constructed using 259 lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interactions, including alpha-2-macroglobulin antisense RNA 1-miR-7161-5p-iron-sulfur cluster scaffold. Finally, 13 chemical drugs associated with the hub genes were explored. CONCLUSION Iron-sulfur cluster scaffold may promote IPC-induced ischemic tolerance mediated by alpha-2-macroglobulin antisense RNA 1-miR-7161-5p axis. Moreover, IPC may induce a protective response after total knee arthroplasty via mitochondria-related functions and the carbon metabolism pathway, which should be further validated in the near future.
Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Protein Interaction Maps ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; RNA, Messenger/genetics* ; Gene Regulatory Networks

Objective:To investigate the survival outcomes and prognostic factors of patients with double primary breast cancer (BC) and endometrial cancer (EC).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data for the period 1992-2018 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. There were 3 465 patients with BC as the first primary cancer (BC-EC group) and 2 804 patients with EC as the first primary cancer (EC-BC group). Kaplan-Meier analysis and cumulative incidence function were used to estimate overall mortality, breast cancer-specific mortality, and endometrial cancer-specific mortality, respectively. Cox regression and Fine-Gray regression were used to analyze the prognostic factors of overall mortality, breast cancer-specific mortality, and endometrial cancer-specific mortality, respectively.Results:During a median follow-up of 160 months, 1 616 deaths occurred in the BC-EC group, with EC being the leading cause of death (37.69%); 994 deaths occurred in the EC-BC group, with BC being the leading cause of death (28.77%). Cox regression identified patients with older ages at first primary cancer diagnosis (54-61 years: HR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.26-1.69; 62-68 years: HR=2.64, 95% CI: 2.29-3.03; ≥69 years: HR=4.89, 95% CI: 4.27-5.60), shorter time interval between the diagnoses (0-5 months: HR=6.13, 95% CI: 5.21-7.21; 6-23 months: HR=5.69, 95% CI: 4.95-6.55; 24-59 months: HR=3.44, 95% CI: 3.04-3.89; 60-119 months: HR=2.32, 95% CI: 2.07-2.59), mixed ductal-lobular BC ( HR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.11-1.48), endometrial mixed cell adenocarcinoma ( HR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.01-1.50), advanced tumor grade (grade Ⅱ BC: HR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.01-1.27; grade Ⅲ BC: HR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.10-1.41; grade Ⅱ EC: HR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.06-1.33; grade Ⅲ EC: HR=1.68, 95% CI: 1.48-1.90), advanced tumor stage of the two cancers (distant BC: HR=3.14, 95% CI: 2.50-3.94; regional EC: HR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.36-1.71; distant EC: HR=3.00, 95% CI: 2.59-3.47) had increased risk of overall mortality. Fine-Gray regression showed that compared with BC-EC patients, EC-BC patients had a higher risk of breast cancer-specific mortality [sub-distribution hazard ratio (s HR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.04-1.47], but a lower risk of endometrial cancer-specific mortality (s HR=0.37, 95% CI: 0.30-0.46). Older ages at first cancer diagnosis, shorter intervals between the diagnoses, negative ER and PR status, and advanced BC grades/stages were associated with increased breast cancer-specific mortality ( P＜0.05). Similarly, older ages, shorter intervals, endometrial serous carcinoma/mixed cell adenocarcinoma, and advanced EC grades/stages correlated with elevated endometrial cancer-specific mortality ( P＜0.05). Conclusion:The management of double primary BC and EC patients requires multidisciplinary strategies, with particular attention to patients presenting older ages at first cancer diagnosis, shorter intervals between the diagnoses, and unfavorable tumor characteristics.

Objective To explore the preventive effect of auricular point bean embedding on sufentanil-induced cough reflex during induction of general anesthesia undergoing breast mass resection.Methods Clinical data of patients undergoing elective mammary mass resection with general anesthesia from June 2021 to May 2023 were retrospectively collected.The patients who received auricular point bean embedding therapy before surgery were included in the observation group,and patients who did not receive auricular point bean embedding therapy before surgery were included in the control group.The propensity score matching(PSM)method was used to perform 1∶1 matching based on basic data.The time effect,intergroup effect and interaction effect of vital signs parameters were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance.The GEE was used to analyze visual analogue scale(VAS)at different time points after operation.The Log-binomial regression model was used to analyze the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions and the association between subtypes.Results After PSM,50 patients were included in the observation and control groups.The time effect,intergroup effect and interaction effect of systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP),mean arterial pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR)and blood oxygen saturation(SpO2)in 2 groups were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Within the same group,SBP,DBP,MAP,HR and SpO2 were statistically significant at immediately after intravenous sufentanil injection(T1),2 min after injection(T2),1 min before intubation(T3)and 1 min after intubation(T4)(P＜0.05).At T2,SBP,DBP,MAP and HR in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group,and SpO2 was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).The cough control,VAS score and total incidence of postoperative adverse reactions in the observation group were significantly better than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The result of GEE model analysis showed that the improvement of postoperative VAS scores of patients in the observation group was better than that in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Preoperative auricular point bean embedding has a specific preventive effect on sufentanil induced cough reaction in patients with breast mass resection under general anesthesia.

Frailty and depressive disorders exhibit a high prevalence and comorbidity rate in the elderly population.Their coexistence significantly reduces patients'quality of life,increases the risk of disability and mortality,and substantially exacerbates the socioeconomic burden.Emerging evidence indicates a significant bidirectional causal relationship between frailty and depressive disorders.The underlying comorbid mechanisms may be related to elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as C-reactive protein,neutrophils,and white blood cells.Grey matter volume reduces in specific brain regions including the bilateral thalamus and right precentral gyrus.And abnormal hormone secretion,such as cortisol,resulting from the overactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.Exercise interventions demonstrate positive effects in preventing and managing both frailty and depressive disorders,indicating broad application prospects.However,the underlying mechanisms require further validation.In summary,the comorbidity of frailty and depressive disorders in the elderly requires greater attention.Current evidence supports exercise intervention as an effective therapeutic strategy for improving health outcomes in this population.

Objective To investigate the regularity and characteristics of lithium carbonate-induced thyroid adverse drug reaction(ADR),to provide reference for clinical rational drug use.Methods The case reports of thyroid ADR caused by lithium carbonate in National Center for ADR Monitoring,China were retrieved,and the gender and age of patients,medication reasons,combined medication,dosage and clinical manifestations of thyroid ADR were retrospectively analyzed.Results A total of 237 cases of thyroid ADR caused by lithium carbonate were reported,the ratio of male to female was 1∶1.7,the frequency was higher in the age group of 20 to 29 years,and the proportion of drug use within the range of instruction dosage was 97.8％.According to the statistics of drugs used in combination,the most drugs were for mental disorders,and the time of ADR occurrence was mostly 10 to 30 days after taking the drug.The main clinical manifestations of thyroid ADR were hypothyroidism,goiter and hyperthyroidism.Conclusion Lithium carbonate-induced thyroid ADR mostly occurred at the therapeutic dose,which was related to the patient's gender,age,combined medication and other factors.Clinicians and pharmacists should master the rules and characteristics of thyroid ADR caused by lithium carbonate,timely detect and treat ADR,to provide guarantee for the safety of patients' medication.

Objective To investigate the relationship between platelet distribution width(PDW)and coronary artery calcification(CAC)in overweight and obese populations.Methods Clinical and chest CT data of 10 838 subjects with overweight or obesity(body mass index[BMI]≥24 kg/m2)were retrospectively analyzed.The subjects were divided into CAC group(n=4 237)and non-CAC group(n=6 601)based on CAC scores obtained from chest CT.The relationship between PDW and CAC in overweight and obese populations was analyzed after controlling confounding variables.A threshold effect analysis was conducted using a two-stage logistic model to find the non-linear inflection point.Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were conducted to validate the stability of the relationship between PDW and CAC.Results Non-linear relationship was observed between PDW and CAC risk in overweight and obese populations.The risk of CAC decreased with the increase of PDW which ≤17.80％(OR=0.82),but increased with the increase of PDW(OR=1.04)which＞17.80％.Subgroup analysis showed that the relationship between PDW and CAC remained stable in subgroups of different genders,BMI(＜28 kg/m2,≥28 kg/m2)and hypertension(all P＞0.05).Compared with aged＜40 years or ≥60 years subgroups,under the same PDW,aged≥40 and＜60 years subgroups had higher risk of CAC(interaction P=0.015).Conclusion Nonlinear relationship existed between PDW and CAC in overweight and obese populations.Both excessively high and low PDW were risk factors of CAC.