Objective:To investigate the prognostic value of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) immunohistochemical expression in adrenal specimens for surgical outcomes of primary aldosteronism (PA).Methods:The clinical data of 99 patients who underwent total unilateral adrenalectomy from June 2022 to January 2023 at Beijing Anzhen Hospital was retrospectively analysed. The clinical data of 99 patients who underwent unilateral total adrenalectomy at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from June 2022 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 59 patients in the PA group, age (53.02±10.56) years, body mass index (BMI) (26.28±4.33) kg/m 2, preoperative aldosterone 29.0(15.9, 61.5)ng/dl, plasma renin 1.3(0.6, 2.8)μIU/ml, aldosterone renin ratio (ARR) 19.3(9.1, 59.2) μg/μIU, preoperative potassium (3.60±0.69) mmol/L, and systolic blood pressure (156.54±21.39) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa).There were 40 cases in the nonfunctioning adenoma (NFA) group, age (57.23±9.39) years, BMI (27.07±3.46) kg/m 2, preoperative aldosterone 9.0(7.2, 14.1) ng/dl, plasma renin 18.0(5.2, 47.6)μIU/ml, ARR 0.6(0.2, 1.4) μg/μIU, preoperative potassium (4.17±0.41) mmol/L, and systolic blood pressure (157.97±26.87) mmHg. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant for potassium ( P<0.01), aldosterone ( P=0.012), renin ( P<0.01), and ARR ( P<0.01).Surgical outcomes were assessed using the Consensus on the Outcome of Surgery for Primary Aldosteronism (PASO) (complete/partial/no success for clinical and biochemical outcomes). CYP11B2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using the 2022 World Health Organization's histopathology of primary aldosteronism (HISTALDO) criteria. The correlation between the expression of CYP11B2 and surgical outcomes was assessed. Results:The mean follow-up of 99 patients was (11.73±4.92) months. Of these, 36 out of 59 PA patients had positive CYP11B2 expression in their adrenal specimens, while 23 were negative; all 40 NFA patients were negative for CYP11B2. Among the 36 CYP11B2-positive PA patients, there were 19 cases of aldosterone-producing adenomas, 3 aldosterone-producing nodules, 4 aldosterone-producing micronodules, 8 multiple aldosterone-producing micronodules, and 2 aldosterone-producing diffuse hyperplasia. 36 cases of CYP11B2-positive PA patients had complete clinical success in 15 cases, partial success in 20 cases, and no success in 1 case, and complete biochemical success in 24 cases, partial success in 11 cases, and no success in 1 case; 23 CYP11B2-negative PA patients had complete clinical success in 4 cases, partial success in 15 cases, and no success in 4 cases, and complete biochemical success in 6 cases, partial success in 15 cases, and no success in 2 cases. Adrenal specimens from CYP11B2-positive PA patients had significantly better clinical ( P=0.038) and biochemical ( P=0.008) success rates than CYP11B2-negative PA patients. Patients with aldosterone-producing adenomas had complete clinical success in 8 cases, partial success in 11 cases, and no success in 0 cases, and biochemical success was completely achieved in 16 cases, partially achieved in 2 cases, and not successful in 1 case. They also had significantly higher clinical ( P=0.028) and biochemical ( P<0.01) success rates compared to CYP11B2-negative PA patients. Conclusions:Patients with PA who had immunohistochemical staining for CYP11B2 positivity and high expression in adrenal specimens had a better postoperative clinical and biochemical prognosis. Patients with aldosterone-producing adenomas had the greatest postoperative outcome of all pathological subtypes of PA.

Objective:To explore the risk factors of adverse events during the perioperative period of transurethral resection of bladder tumor(TURBT)in bladder cancer patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease(CAD).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of bladder cancer patients who underwent TURBT in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from June 2022 to September 2024.All patients with bladder cancer and CAD underwent coronary computed tomography angiography(CCTA)for diagnosis and assessment of CAD before surgery.Based on the CCTA results,the patients with bladder cancer and CAD were divided into two groups:those with mild to moderate coronary stenosis and those with severe coronary stenosis.The severe coronary stenosis group was further divided into two subgroups based on whether they received low-molecular-weight heparin(LMWH)bridging therapy or continued their anti-platelet treatment before surgery.Perioperative anticoagulation and antiplatelet strategies were adjusted according to the opinions of the specialists.The incidence of adverse events within 30 days postoperative-ly was followed up and analyzed.Results:A total of 80 bladder cancer patients with CAD who underwent TURBT were included in the study.Among the 80 patients with CAD,55(68.8％)had mild to moder-ate coronary stenosis,and 25(31.2％)had severe coronary stenosis.Compared with those had mild to moderate coronary stenosis,the patients who had severe coronary stenosis had a higher incidence of post-operative bleeding and pulmonary embolism,although the differences were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).However,the incidence of postoperative myocardial infarction was significantly higher in the patients who had severe coronary stenosis(P=0.034).Among the patients with severe coronary stenosis,8(32.0％)received LMWH bridging therapy before TURBT,and 17(68.0％)continued their previous antiplatelet treatment.Compared with those who continued antiplatelet treatment,the patients who re-ceived LMWH bridging therapy had a higher incidence of postoperative bleeding and pulmonary embo-lism,although the differences were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).However,the incidence of postoperative myocardial infarction was significantly higher in the LMWH bridging group(P=0.032).Conclusion:Patients with mild-to-moderate coronary stenosis demonstrate relatively low perioperative risk during TURBT procedures and may safely undergo TURBT following antiplatelet therapy discontinuation.Conversely,those with severe coronary stenosis exhibit significantly higher perioperative risk and require intensive monitoring.In bladder cancer patients with concomitant severe coronary stenosis,perioperative LMWH bridging therapy is associated with increased myocardial infarction risk,whereas continued anti-platelet therapy does not elevate postoperative bleeding risk.Current evidence therefore supports maintai-ning antiplatelet therapy in these patients,with appropriate bleeding risk assessment.

Objective:To explore the risk factors of adverse events during the perioperative period of transurethral resection of bladder tumor(TURBT)in bladder cancer patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease(CAD).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of bladder cancer patients who underwent TURBT in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from June 2022 to September 2024.All patients with bladder cancer and CAD underwent coronary computed tomography angiography(CCTA)for diagnosis and assessment of CAD before surgery.Based on the CCTA results,the patients with bladder cancer and CAD were divided into two groups:those with mild to moderate coronary stenosis and those with severe coronary stenosis.The severe coronary stenosis group was further divided into two subgroups based on whether they received low-molecular-weight heparin(LMWH)bridging therapy or continued their anti-platelet treatment before surgery.Perioperative anticoagulation and antiplatelet strategies were adjusted according to the opinions of the specialists.The incidence of adverse events within 30 days postoperative-ly was followed up and analyzed.Results:A total of 80 bladder cancer patients with CAD who underwent TURBT were included in the study.Among the 80 patients with CAD,55(68.8％)had mild to moder-ate coronary stenosis,and 25(31.2％)had severe coronary stenosis.Compared with those had mild to moderate coronary stenosis,the patients who had severe coronary stenosis had a higher incidence of post-operative bleeding and pulmonary embolism,although the differences were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).However,the incidence of postoperative myocardial infarction was significantly higher in the patients who had severe coronary stenosis(P=0.034).Among the patients with severe coronary stenosis,8(32.0％)received LMWH bridging therapy before TURBT,and 17(68.0％)continued their previous antiplatelet treatment.Compared with those who continued antiplatelet treatment,the patients who re-ceived LMWH bridging therapy had a higher incidence of postoperative bleeding and pulmonary embo-lism,although the differences were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).However,the incidence of postoperative myocardial infarction was significantly higher in the LMWH bridging group(P=0.032).Conclusion:Patients with mild-to-moderate coronary stenosis demonstrate relatively low perioperative risk during TURBT procedures and may safely undergo TURBT following antiplatelet therapy discontinuation.Conversely,those with severe coronary stenosis exhibit significantly higher perioperative risk and require intensive monitoring.In bladder cancer patients with concomitant severe coronary stenosis,perioperative LMWH bridging therapy is associated with increased myocardial infarction risk,whereas continued anti-platelet therapy does not elevate postoperative bleeding risk.Current evidence therefore supports maintai-ning antiplatelet therapy in these patients,with appropriate bleeding risk assessment.

Objective:To investigate the prognostic value of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) immunohistochemical expression in adrenal specimens for surgical outcomes of primary aldosteronism (PA).Methods:The clinical data of 99 patients who underwent total unilateral adrenalectomy from June 2022 to January 2023 at Beijing Anzhen Hospital was retrospectively analysed. The clinical data of 99 patients who underwent unilateral total adrenalectomy at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from June 2022 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 59 patients in the PA group, age (53.02±10.56) years, body mass index (BMI) (26.28±4.33) kg/m 2, preoperative aldosterone 29.0(15.9, 61.5)ng/dl, plasma renin 1.3(0.6, 2.8)μIU/ml, aldosterone renin ratio (ARR) 19.3(9.1, 59.2) μg/μIU, preoperative potassium (3.60±0.69) mmol/L, and systolic blood pressure (156.54±21.39) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa).There were 40 cases in the nonfunctioning adenoma (NFA) group, age (57.23±9.39) years, BMI (27.07±3.46) kg/m 2, preoperative aldosterone 9.0(7.2, 14.1) ng/dl, plasma renin 18.0(5.2, 47.6)μIU/ml, ARR 0.6(0.2, 1.4) μg/μIU, preoperative potassium (4.17±0.41) mmol/L, and systolic blood pressure (157.97±26.87) mmHg. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant for potassium ( P<0.01), aldosterone ( P=0.012), renin ( P<0.01), and ARR ( P<0.01).Surgical outcomes were assessed using the Consensus on the Outcome of Surgery for Primary Aldosteronism (PASO) (complete/partial/no success for clinical and biochemical outcomes). CYP11B2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using the 2022 World Health Organization's histopathology of primary aldosteronism (HISTALDO) criteria. The correlation between the expression of CYP11B2 and surgical outcomes was assessed. Results:The mean follow-up of 99 patients was (11.73±4.92) months. Of these, 36 out of 59 PA patients had positive CYP11B2 expression in their adrenal specimens, while 23 were negative; all 40 NFA patients were negative for CYP11B2. Among the 36 CYP11B2-positive PA patients, there were 19 cases of aldosterone-producing adenomas, 3 aldosterone-producing nodules, 4 aldosterone-producing micronodules, 8 multiple aldosterone-producing micronodules, and 2 aldosterone-producing diffuse hyperplasia. 36 cases of CYP11B2-positive PA patients had complete clinical success in 15 cases, partial success in 20 cases, and no success in 1 case, and complete biochemical success in 24 cases, partial success in 11 cases, and no success in 1 case; 23 CYP11B2-negative PA patients had complete clinical success in 4 cases, partial success in 15 cases, and no success in 4 cases, and complete biochemical success in 6 cases, partial success in 15 cases, and no success in 2 cases. Adrenal specimens from CYP11B2-positive PA patients had significantly better clinical ( P=0.038) and biochemical ( P=0.008) success rates than CYP11B2-negative PA patients. Patients with aldosterone-producing adenomas had complete clinical success in 8 cases, partial success in 11 cases, and no success in 0 cases, and biochemical success was completely achieved in 16 cases, partially achieved in 2 cases, and not successful in 1 case. They also had significantly higher clinical ( P=0.028) and biochemical ( P<0.01) success rates compared to CYP11B2-negative PA patients. Conclusions:Patients with PA who had immunohistochemical staining for CYP11B2 positivity and high expression in adrenal specimens had a better postoperative clinical and biochemical prognosis. Patients with aldosterone-producing adenomas had the greatest postoperative outcome of all pathological subtypes of PA.

ObjectiveThis study explores the efficacy and pharmacological mechanism of Wujiwan in rats with inflammatory bowel disease （IBD） from the perspectives of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ （PPARγ） signaling pathway and T-cell immunity， providing reference for the treatment of IBD with traditional Chinese medicine. MethodThe study involved administering 2，4，6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid （TNBS） enemas to 35 rats to induce acute IBD. After 24 hours， the animals were divided into the following groups： normal group， model group， Wujiwan treatment group， and positive drug control group. Each group received gastric gavage for 8 consecutive days before the rats were dissected to compare the disease activity index （DAI） of the rat colon tissue， the colon mucosal damage index （CMDI）， and the spleen index. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-10 （IL-10）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the serum. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of T-bet （T-box expressed in T cells） and Gata3 （Gata-binding protein-3） in the colon tissue. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the protein expression levels of PPARγ， T-bet， and nuclear factor-κB p65 （NF-κB p65） in the rat colon. ResultThe rat model of IBD was successfully established. Compared with the model group， the Wujiwan treatment group showed reduced DAI， CMDI， and spleen index， decreased content of TNF-α in the serum（P<0.01）， significantly increased content of IL-10（P<0.01）， and elevated mRNA content of T-bet and Gata3（P<0.05） in the colon tissue. The expression of PPARγ protein was augmented（P<0.05）， and the expression of T-bet and NF-κB p65 protein was decreased（P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionWujiwan activates or upregulates PPARγ expression in IBD rats to inhibit the generation of pro-inflammatory factors， participates in the inflammatory immune process， and alleviates inflammatory reactions. Its mechanism may involve regulating the NF-κB pathway through PPARγ， enhancing Th2 cell transcription expression， and reducing Th1 cell transcription.

Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has a long history of application in China and has consistently played a vital role in treating diseases and saving lives. TCM prescriptions （compounds） constitute the primary form of clinical TCM treatment and significantly differ from western medicine （chemicals） due to the diverse composition and chemical constituents of TCM （compounds）. Nevertheless， the potential multi-component， multi-target， and multi-pathway action characteristics of TCM prescriptions also demonstrate their possible （complementary） therapeutic advantages when compared with single-component chemical drugs. Therefore， driven by the development of modern science and technology and the demands of the modernization and internationalization of TCM， modern theories regarding the complexity of TCM prescription effects have been continuously proposed： Different from the abstract language of traditional prescription theory， the modern TCM prescription theory is more inclined to illustrate the connotation of prescription compatibility concretely and vividly from an experimental and scientific perspective. In this paper， new theories on the complexity of TCM prescriptions proposed in recent years are summarized to provide research references and ideas for the greater role of TCM prescriptions and a better scientific understanding.

Objective We aimed to compared matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in synovial fluid,the phosphorylation level of Smad3 in articular cartilage (P-Smad3),and their correlation with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) patterns in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) of liver-kidney deficiency pattern and pattern of intermingled phlegm and blood stasis.Methods Using a cross-sectional field investigation method,KOA patients hospitalized in the Orthopedics Department of Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from September 2019 to February 2023 were collected. A total of 112 KOA patients were included,among which 63 cases were diagnosed with liver-kidney deficiency pattern,and 49 cases were diagnosed with pattern of intermingled phlegm and blood stasis. The intensity of knee pain,function,and X-ray imaging result were quantified using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS),Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale,and Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) Grading Scale,respectively. The TCM pattern was identified and quantified using a TCM Pattern Scoring Scale. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the phosphorylation characteristics of Smad3 in articular cartilage,and ELISA was used to measure the contents of MMP-13 and TGF-β1 in synovial fluid. The level characteristics and their correlation with the degree of syndrome were analyzed.Results (i) There was no statistically significant difference in VAS scores,Lysholm scores,and K-L grades between KOA patients with different TCM patterns. (ii) Compared with KOA patients with pattern of intermingled phlegm and blood stasis,patients with pattern of liver-kidney deficiency had higher levels of MMP-13 in synovial fluid and lower levels of TGF-β1 in synovial fluid (P<0.05). (iii) In KOA patients with liver-kidney deficiency pattern,there was a positive correlation between the level of MMP-13 in synovial fluid and the score of TCM pattern (r=0.292,P=0.020),while there was a negative correlation between the level of TGF-β1 in synovial fluid and the score of TCM pattern (r=-0.781,P<0.001). In KOA patients with pattern of intermingled phlegm and blood stasis,there was also a positive correlation between the level of MMP-13 in synovial fluid and the score of TCM pattern (r=0.936,P<0.001). (iv) The mean optical density value of P-Smad3 in articular cartilage was lower in KOA patients with liver-kidney deficiency pattern than in pattern of intermingled phlegm and blood stasis (P<0.05).Conclusion KOA patients with liver-kidney deficiency pattern or pattern of intermingled phlegm and blood stasis have different levels of TGF-β1 and MMP-13 in synovial fluid,as well as varying degrees of Smad3 phosphorylation in articular cartilage,which is consistent with the analysis of etiology and pathogenesis under different patterns. The levels of TGF-β1 and MMP-13 in synovial fluid of patients with liver-kidney deficiency pattern can reflect the severity of the pattern to a certain extent,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the activation level of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. This study enriches the research content of the material basis of TCM patterns.

Objective:To assess the rationality of the maximum lesion diameter of 15 mm in prostate imaging reporting and data system(PI-RADS)as a criterion for upgrading a lesion from category 4 to 5 and improve it to enhance the prediction of clinically significant prostate cancer(csPCa).Methods:In this study,the patients who underwent prostate magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and prostate biopsy at Peking University First Hospital from 2019 to 2022 as a development cohort,and the patients in 2023 as a validation cohort were reviewed.The localization and maximum diameter of the lesion were fully evalua-ted.The area under the curve(AUC)and the cut-off value of the maximum diameter of the lesion to pre-dict the detection of csPCa were calculated from the receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve.Confounding factors were reduced by propensity score matching(PSM).Diagnostic efficacy was com-pared in the validation cohort.Results:Of the 589 patients in the development cohort,358(60.8％)lesions were located in the peripheral zone and 231(39.2％)were located in the transition zone,and 496(84.2％)patients detected csPCa.The median diameter of the lesions in the peripheral zone was smaller than that in the transition zone(14 mm vs.19 mm,P＜0.001).In the ROC analysis of the maximal diameter on the csPCa prediction,there was no statistically significant difference between the peri-pheral zone(AUC=0.709)and the transition zone(AUC=0.673,P=0.585),and the cut-off values were calculated to be 11.5 mm for the peripheral zone and 16.5 mm for the migrating zone.By calcula-ting the Youden index for the cut-off values in the validation cohort,we found that the categorisation by lesion location led to better predictive results.Finally,the net reclassification index(NRI)was 0.170.Conclusion:15 mm as a criterion for upgrading the PI-RADS score from 4 to 5 is reasonable but too general.The cut-off value for peripheral zone lesions is smaller than that in transitional zone.In the future consideration could be given to setting separate cut-off values for lesions in different locations.

AIM:To explore the impact of Delta-like ligand 3(DLL3)on the progression of prostate cancer(Pca)and to elucidate its potential molecular mechanisms.METHODS:Overexpression and interference plasmids of DLL3 gene were constructed,and the effects of DLL3 on the proliferation,migration and invasion of Pca cells were as-sessed.Tumorigenesis assay was employed to determine whether DLL3 influenced the proliferation of PC-3 cells in vivo.The impact of DLL3 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling was investigated through Western blotting.RESULTS:Overexpression of DLL3 significantly enhanced the proliferation,migration,invasion and EMT processes of Pca cells compared with empty vector group and blank control group(P＜0.05).Conversely,knockdown of DLL3 expression yielded opposite effects(P＜0.05).Moreover,up-regulation of DLL3 promoted tumor growth in the nude mouse xenograft model(P＜0.05).Further investigation demonstrated that DLL3 up-regulation led to increases in the levels of MAPK signaling pathway-related proteins.Interestingly,MAPK inhibitor effec-tively reduced the proliferation,migration and invasion of Pca cells caused by DLL3 overexpression(P＜0.05).CON-CLUSION:DLL3 promotes the proliferation,migration and invasion of Pca through the MAPK pathway.

Background: During hot environment work tasks with whole-body enclosed anti-bioaerosol suit, the combined effect of heavy sweating and exhaled hot humid air may cause the N95 medical respirator to saturate with water/sweat (i.e., water-blocking). Methods: 32 young male subjects with different body mass indexes (BMI) in whole-body protection (N95 medical respirator + one-piece protective suit + head covering + protective face screen + gloves + shoe covers) were asked to simulate waste collecting from each isolated room in a seven-story building at 27-28°C, and the weight, inhalation resistance (Rf), and aerosol penetration of the respirator before worn and after water-blocking were analyzed. Results: All subjects reported water-blocking asphyxia of the N95 respirators within 36-67 min of the task. When water-blocking occurred, the Rf and 10-200 nm total aerosol penetration (Pt) of the respirators reached up to 1270-1810 Pa and 17.3-23.3%, respectively, which were 10 and 8 times of that before wearing. The most penetration particle size of the respirators increased from 49-65 nm before worn to 115-154 nm under water-blocking condition, and the corresponding maximum size-dependent aerosol penetration increased from 2.5-3.5% to 20-27%. With the increase of BMI, the water-blocking occurrence time firstly increased then reduced, while the Rf, Pt, and absorbed water all increased significantly. Conclusions This study reveals respirator water-blocking and its serious negative impacts on respiratory protection. When performing moderate-to-high-load tasks with whole-body protection in a hot environment, it is recommended that respirator be replaced with a new one at least every hour to avoid water-blocking asphyxia.