ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu Huayu prescription on minimal hepatic encephalopathy in liver cirrhosis based on intestinal metabolomics. MethodsA total of 11 patients with liver cirrhosis who were hospitalized in Beijing Ditan Hospital， Capital Medical University， from March to May 2024， and were diagnosed with MHE based on psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score were enrolled as subjects， and 11 healthy family members of the patients were enrolled as control group. Fecal samples were collected for metabolomics analysis from the control group and the patients with MHE before and after treatment with Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu Huayu prescription， and a population cohort study was conducted to investigate the effect of Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu Huayu prescription on intestinal metabolism of patients with MHE. The Fisher’s exact test was used for categorical data between two groups； the independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， the paired t-test was used for comparision before and after treatment within the same group， and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups. ResultsA total of 29 differentially expressed metabolites were detected between the MHE group and the control group， mainly amino acids， organic acids， organic amines， carbohydrates， fatty acids， and vitamins， and there were 12 upregulated metabolites and 17 downregulated metabolites in the MHE group， which were mainly enriched in the metabolic pathways of ornithine， branched-chain amino acid， and aromatic amino acid. After the treatment with Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu Huayu prescription， 80 differentially expressed metabolites were detected in the patients with MHE， mainly carbohydrates， organic acids， and amino acids， and there were 56 upregulated metabolites and 24 downregulated metabolites， which were mainly enriched in the metabolic pathways of ornithine， branched-chain amino acid， and aromatic amino acid. ConclusionYiqi Yangyin Jiedu Huayu prescription can exert a therapeutic effect on patients with MHE by regulating intestinal metabolism.

Objective To analyze the economic cost of self-monitoring of gestational diabetes mellitus, and provide a basis for measuring the economic burden of gestational diabetes mellitus, and to provide a reference for the formulation of intervention development and the adjustment of resource allocation. Methods The individual economic cost of self-monitoring for gestational diabetes mellitus was measured based on a decision tree model, and the total economic cost of self-monitoring for gestational diabetes mellitus in Beijing was estimated. The uncertainty of the model parameters was analyzed using one-way sensitivity analysis. Results The average individual economic cost of gestational diabetes self-monitoring was 1184 RMB, and the individual cost incurred by choosing different types of blood glucose meters ranged from 403 to 18 000 RMB. The average individual economic cost of finger-stick blood glucose monitoring was 606 RMB and the average individual economic cost of continuous glucose monitoring was 2 374 RMB. The total economic cost of gestational diabetes self-monitoring in Beijing was 23.818 0 million RMB, and the total economic cost incurred by choosing different types of blood glucose meters ranged from 0.292 5 to 9.027 9 million RMB. The proportion of the finger-stick blood glucose monitoring had the greatest impact on the robustness of the results. Conclusion Finger-stick blood glucose monitoring is still the dominant self-monitoring method and is less costly than continuous glucose monitoring. Self-monitoring of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus incurs certain economic cost and causes an economic burden on society.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical course of two children with PICALM-MLLT10-positive acute leukemia treated at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, between July 2021 and July 2023. The patients were diagnosed with acute T-lymphoblastic leukemia with central nervous system involvement and high-risk acute myeloid leukemia, respectively. Both achieved bone marrow complete remission after conventional chemotherapy combined with venetoclax. Following conversion to molecular negativity, they underwent sequential allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. At the latest follow-up, both patients were alive and in good clinical condition. These observations suggest that proceeding to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after venetoclax-based chemotherapy may improve the long-term survival of children with PICALM-MLLT10-positive leukemia.
Humans ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Male ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Child ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics* ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic significance of plasma fibrinogen（FIB） levels in patients of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 203 newly diagnosed with DLBCL patients who met the study requirements from November 2016 to May 2024. Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of plasma FIB levels during diagnosis, the critical value of FIB was determined, and patients were divided into high FIB and low FIB groups. The clinical characteristics and relevant laboratory indicators of two groups were compared. The impact of plasma FIB levels on overall survival (OS) were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves as well as univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. The differences in FIB and other laboratory indicators under different disease states were compared. RESULTS: According to the ROC curve, the optimal cut-off value of FIB was 3.49 g/L. Compared with the high FIB group (>3.49 g/L), the low FIB group (≤3.49 g/L) had a significant decrease in neutrophil count (ANC) (P =0.001) and platelet count (PLT) (P =0.027), and a significant increase in prealbumin (PA) (P =0.001). A high FIB level was associated with decreased OS (P =0.005). Univariate analysis results showed that FIB had an impact on survival of patients(HR＝2.031，95%CI : 1.221-3.375, P =0.006). Multivariate analysis showed that higher FIB level was an independent adverse prognostic factor affecting patients survival （HR＝2.684， 95%CI :1.478-4.875, P =0.001）. Compared with patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent DLBCL, patients with complete remission showed a significant decrease in FIB (P _ND < 0.001, P _R=0.001) and ANC (P _ND < 0.001, P _R=0.021), as well as an increase in albumin (ALB) (P _ND < 0.001, P _R=0.018) and PA (P _ND < 0.001, P _R < 0.001). CONCLUSION Elevated FIB is a poor prognostic factor for DLBCL patients. The plasma FIB level is correlated with laboratory indicators such as ANC, PLT, PA, and disease status in DLBCL patients. Dynamic monitoring can assist in the early detection of changes in the condition.
Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/diagnosis* ; Fibrinogen/metabolism* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; ROC Curve ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Adult

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to explore the clinical efficacy and safety of endocrinotherapy combined with Shenqi Pills on hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC). METHODS: Eighty patients who were diagnosed with HSPC and renal-yang deficiency at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Mayang Miao Autonomous County from 1st April 2021 to 30th April 2024 were randomly divided into 2 groups. The patients in the control group were treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). And the patients in treatment group were treated with Shenqi Pills orally on the basis of the control group. The baseline data of the two groups were analyzed. After 36 months of treatment, the differences between the two groups were compared in terms of overall survival (OS), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, PSA response rate, Functional Assessment Scale for Prostate Cancer Therapy (FACT-P), Chinese medicine evidence scores, testosterone level and safety. RESULTS: A total of 80 study subjects were included in this study, including 42 cases in the treatment group and 38 cases in the control group. There was no statistical difference in the baseline data between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). At the end of the observation period, a statistically significant difference in OS was found in the treatment group compared to the control group in the subgroup of patients with a disease duration ranged of 0-6 months (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in PSA levels in the treatment group at 3 months (P>0.05). And the differences in the proportion of PSA50 (98.1% vs 91.4%), PSA90 (92.9% vs 84.6%) and the proportion of decrease in PSA (56.7% vs 33.8%) in the treatment group were found compared to those in the control group after 6 months of tre atment. After 12 months of treatment, the scores of FACT-4 and renal-yang deficiency in the treatment group were (95.28±7.93) and (15.73±5.70) respectively, compared to the scores in the control group (［85.46±10.12］ and ［18.20±4.27］ (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in serum testosterone (［0.60±0.24］ nmol/L vs ［1.09±2.10］ nmol/L) between the two groups (P>0.05). After 24 months of treatment, there were significant differences in in the FACT-4 total score (［97.95±7.54］ vs ［80.33±8.58］), renal-yang deficiency syndrome score (［14.64±5.15］ vs ［24.94±8.75］) between the treatment group and the control group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in serum testosterone ( ［0.73±1.01］ nmol/L vs ［0.59±0.25］ nmol/L) between the two groups (P> 0.05). Better therapeutic results were showed in the treatment group in terms of total FACT-P score, physical situation score, social and family situation score, emotional state score, functional state score, additional score and renal-yang deficiency symptom score (P<0.05). After treatment, there was no serious adverse reaction in the course of treatment, and no obvious abnormality was found in the liver and kidney function of the patients from two groups. CONCLUSION Endocrinotherapy combined with Shenqi Pills is safe and effective in HSPC and can reduce the risk of death in HSPC patients, and the earlier the intervention, the longer the overall survival of the patients. In addition, this treatment regimen can increase the PSA response rate, improve patients' quality of life, and reduce the renal-yang deficiency syndrome score without the risk of elevating serum testosterone levels.
Humans ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Androgen Antagonists/therapeutic use* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood* ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Testosterone

This consensus will introduce the characteristics of fillers used in the surgical cavities of domestic nasal surgery patients based on relevant literature and expert opinions. It will also provide recommendations for the selection of cavity fillers for different nasal diseases, with chronic sinusitis as a representative example.
Humans ; Nasal Cavity/surgery* ; Nasal Surgical Procedures ; China ; Consensus ; Sinusitis/surgery* ; Dermal Fillers

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the effects of deep acupuncture at Weizhong acupoint (BL40) on bladder function and brain activity in a rat model of overactive bladder (OAB), and investigated the possible mechanisms around the acupuncture area that initiate the effects of acupuncture. METHODS: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups, comprising a control group, model group, group treated with deep acupuncture at BL40, group treated with shallow acupuncture at BL40, group treated with acupuncture at non-acupoint next to BL40, and group treated with acupuncture at Xuanzhong (GB39). Urodynamic evaluation was used to observe the urination, and functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to observe the brain activation. The mechanism of acupuncture at BL40 in regulating bladder function was explored by toluidine blue staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the mechanism was verified by stabilizing mast cells (MCs) or blocking tibial nerve. RESULTS: Deep acupuncture at BL40 significantly increased the intercontraction interval in OAB rats and enhanced the mean amplitude of low frequency fluctuation of primary motor cortex (M1), periaquaductal gray matter (PAG), and pontine micturition center (PMC). It also increased the zero-lag functional connectivity between M1 and PAG and between PAG and PMC. Shallow acupuncture at BL40 and acupuncture at non-acupoint or GB39 had no effect on these indexes. Further studies suggested that deep acupuncture at BL40 increased the number and degranulation rate of MCs as well as the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine, substance P, and histamine in the tissues around BL40. Blocking the tibial nerve by lidocaine injection or inhibiting MC degranulation by sodium cromoglycate injection obstructed the effects of acupuncture on restoring urinary function and modulating brain activation in OAB rats. CONCLUSION Deep acupuncture at BL40 may be more effective for inhibiting OAB by promoting degranulation of MCs around the acupoint and stimulating tibial nerve, thereby regulating the activation of the brain area that controls the lower urinary tract. Please cite this article as: Liu X, Zhang CY, Du XY, Li SS, Wang YQ, Zheng Y, Deng HZ, Fang XQ, Li JY, Wang ZQ, Xu SF, Mi YQ. Acupuncture at Weizhong (BL40) attenuates acetic acid-induced overactive bladder in rats by regulating brain neural activity through the modulation of mast cells and tibial nerves. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 46-55.
Animals ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive/physiopathology* ; Mast Cells/physiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Rats ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Tibial Nerve/physiopathology* ; Acetic Acid ; Urinary Bladder/physiopathology*

Pristimerin, which is one of the compounds present in Celastraceae and Hippocrateaceae, has antitumor effects. However, its mechanism of action in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of pristimerin on ESCC in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effect of pristimerin on cell growth was assessed using trypan blue exclusion and colony formation assays. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Gene and protein expressions were analyzed through quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was employed to identify significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Cell transfection and RNA interference assays were utilized to examine the role of key proteins in pristimerin?s effect. Xenograft models were established to evaluate the antitumor efficiency of pristimerin in vivo. Pristimerin inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in ESCC cells. Upregulation of Noxa was crucial for pristimerin-induced apoptosis. Pristimerin activated the Forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) signaling pathway and triggered FoxO3a recruitment to the Noxa promoter, leading to Noxa transcription. Blocking FoxO3a reversed pristimerin-induced Noxa upregulation and cell apoptosis. Pristimerin treatment suppressed xenograft tumors in nude mice, but these effects were largely negated in Noxa-KO tumors. Furthermore, the chemosensitization effects of pristimerin in vitro and in vivo were mediated by Noxa. This study demonstrates that pristimerin exerts an antitumor effect on ESCC by inducing AKT/FoxO3a-mediated Noxa upregulation. These findings suggest that pristimerin may serve as a potent anticancer agent for ESCC treatment.
Forkhead Box Protein O3/genetics* ; Humans ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/physiopathology* ; Esophageal Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Pentacyclic Triterpenes ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice, Nude ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Male ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects*

ObjectiveThe detection of RNA single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is of great importance due to their association with protein expression related to various diseases and drug responses. At present, splintR ligase-assisted methods are important approaches for RNA direct detection, but its specificity will be limited when the fidelity of ligases is not ideal. The aim of this study was to create a method to improve the specificity of splintR ligase for RNA detection. MethodsIn this study, a dual-competitive-padlock-probe (DCPLP) assay without the need for additional enzymes or reactions is proposed to improve specificity of splintR ligase ligation. To verify the method, we employed dual competitive padlock probe-mediated rolling circle amplification (DCPLP-RCA) to genotype the CYP2C9 gene. ResultsThe specificity was well improved through the competition and strand displacement of dual padlock probe, with an 83.26% reduction in nonspecific signal. By detecting synthetic RNA samples, the method demonstrated a dynamic detection range of 10 pmol/L-1 nmol/L. Furthermore, clinical samples were applied to the method to evaluate its performance, and the genotyping results were consistent with those obtained using the qPCR method. ConclusionThis study has successfully established a highly specific direct RNA SNP detection method, and provided a novel avenue for accurate identification of various types of RNAs.

Objective: To learn the levels of thyroid hormone indicators among interventional and diagnostic radiologists, so as to provide insights into occupational health monitoring of radiologists. Methods: Demographic information, body mass index (BMI), thyroid hormone indicators and cumulative individual doses over 5 years among interventional and diagnostic radiologists were collected through the personal dosimetry monitoring database of Ningbo Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Health Examination Center of a tertiary hospital in Ningbo City. The thyroid hormone indicators of different job types and cumulative individual doses over 5 years were analyzed, and factors affecting the thyroid hormone indicators were identified using a multivariable ordinal logistic regression model. Results: There were 159 interventional and 159 diagnostic radiologists included, and the proportions of abnormal thyroid hormone indicators were 9.43% and 12.26%, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). The levels of triiodothyronine and free triiodothyronine in interventional radiologists were lower than those in diagnostic radiologists [(1.54±0.41) vs. (1.68±0.34) nmol/L, (5.13±1.07) vs. (5.55±0.87) pmol/L; both P<0.05]. The levels of triiodothyronine and free triiodothyronine were significantly different among radiologists with cumulative individual doses over 5 years of <1.5 mSv, 1.5-<3.0 mSv and ≥3.0 mSv [(1.69±0.31), (1.69±0.40) vs. (1.52±0.41) nmol/L, (5.60±0.83), (5.32±0.94) vs. (5.14±1.09) pmol/L; both P<0.05]. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis identified BMI (<18.5 kg/m2, OR=0.111, 95%CI: 0.028-0.436) and cumulative individual doses over 5 years (<1.5 mSv, OR=6.259, 95%CI: 2.368-16.547) as the factors affecting triiodothyronine, and job types (diagnostic radiologists, OR=3.171, 95%CI: 1.529-6.574), BMI (18.5-<24.0 kg/m2, OR=0.393, 95%CI: 0.184-0.842), and gender (men, OR=3.449, 95%CI: 1.294-9.190) as the factors affecting free triiodothyronine. Conclusion Occupational exposure has a certain impact on the thyroid hormone indicators among interventional and diagnostic radiologists, and the main influencing factors include BMI, radiation dose, job type and gender.