OBJECTIVES: End stage renal disease (ESRD) is a major disease that seriously threatens the health of young people, and kidney transplantation is an effective treatment method to improve its prognosis.Young ESRD patients at a critical stage of life development often face significant physical and psychological challenges while waiting for kidney transplantation. Their psychological state directly affects treatment compliance and transplantation outcomes.This study aims to explore the psychological experiences of young patients with end stage renal disease during the waiting period for kidney transplantation, and provide a reference for formulating relevant psychological intervention measures. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative research design was adopted. Using purposive sampling, 20 young ESRD patients awaiting for kidney transplantation at the Transplantation Center of Xiangya Third Hospital, Central South University, from June to August 2024, were recruited. Based on the socio-ecological systems theory, a semi-structured interview outline was developed, and directed content analysis was applied to analyze the interview data. RESULTS: According to the results of qualitative interviews, 3 themes and 9 sub-themes were summarized as follows: Microsystem (disease pain experience, anxiety during transplantation waiting period, cognitive differentiation and coping differences), mesosystem (imbalance of family roles and dependent guilt, physician-patient trust dynamics, ambivalence toward peer support), and macrosystem (decision-making powerlessness caused by information asymmetry, sociocultural stigma and public bias, institutional dependence and passive behavior). CONCLUSIONS Young ESRD patients experience complex psychological experiences during the waiting period for kidney transplantation. Healthcare providers should explore corresponding intervention measures based on patients' psychological status to improve their waiting period experience and promote both physical and mental health.
Humans ; Kidney Transplantation/psychology* ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/surgery* ; Qualitative Research ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Adaptation, Psychological ; Waiting Lists ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Anxiety/psychology*

Increasing evidence has underscored the significance of post-stroke alterations along gut-brain axis, while its role in pathogenesis and treatment of ischemic stroke (IS) remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic effects and action targets of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on IS and explore a novel pathogenesis and treatment strategy of IS via profiling the microbial community and metabolic characteristics along gut-brain axis. Our findings revealed for the first time that the therapeutic effect of PNS on IS was microbiota-dependent. Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) modeling significantly down-regulated Lactobacilli in rats, and PNS markedly recovered Lactobacilli, particularly Lactobacillus reuteri (L.Reu). Metabolomics showed a significant reduction in serum histidine (HIS) in clinical obsolete IS patients and rehabilitation period I/R rats. Meanwhile, the L.Reu colonization in I/R rats exhibited significant neuroprotective activity and greatly increased HIS in serum, gut microbiota, and brain. Moreover, exogenous HIS demonstrated indirect neuroprotective effects through metabolizing to histamine. Notably, vagus nerve severance in I/R rats was performed to investigate HIS's neuroprotective mechanism. The results innovatively revealed that PNS could promote HIS synthesis in gut by enhancing L.Reu proportion, thereby increasing intracerebral HIS through peripheral pathway. Consequently, our data provided novel insights into HIS metabolism mediated by L.Reu in the pathogenesis and treatment of IS.

Prescription optimization is a crucial aspect in the study of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） compounds. In recent years， the introduction of mathematical methods， data mining techniques， and artificial neural networks has provided new tools for elucidating the compatibility rules of TCM compounds. The study of TCM compounds involves numerous variables， including the proportions of different herbs， the specific extraction parts of each ingredient， and the interactions among multiple components. These factors together create a complex nonlinear dose-effect relationship. In this context， it is essential to identify methods that suit the characteristics of TCM compounds and can leverage their advantages for effective application in new drug development. This paper provided a comprehensive review of the cutting-edge optimization experimental design methods applied in recent studies of TCM compound compatibilities. The key technical issues， such as the optimization of source material selection， dosage optimization of compatible herbs， and multi-objective optimization indicators， were discussed. Furthermore， the evaluation methods for component effects were summarized during the optimization process， so as to provide scientific and practical foundations for innovative research in TCM and the development of new drugs based on TCM compounds.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of modified Huatan Tongluo Decoction(mainly composed of Chinese medicines of Pinelliae Rhizoma,Citri Grandis Exocarpium,Poria,Aurantii Fructus Immaturus,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Carthami Flos,Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma,and Polygalae Radix)in the treatment of angina pectoris of phlegm blended with blood stasis type after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)for coronary heart disease(CHD),and to observe its effect on patients'quality of life(QOL).Methods Eighty patients with angina pectoris of phlegm blended with blood stasis type after PCI for CHD admitted to Yangjiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine between January 2023 and January 2024 were randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group according to the random number table method,with 40 patients in each group.The control group was treated with conventional western medicine,and the treatment group was treated with modified Huatan Tongluo Decoction orally on the basis of treatment for the control group,and the treatment covered one month.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores and Seattle Angina Questionnaire(SAQ)scores for QOL before and after treatment in the two groups were observed.After treatment,the TCM syndrome efficacy and electrocardiogram efficacy in the two groups of patients were evaluated.Results(1)After treatment,the scores of various items of SAQ such as the physical limitation(PL),anginal stability(AS),anginal frequency(AF),treatment satisfaction(TS),and disease perception(DP)in the two groups of patients were all increased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the increase of scores of PL,AS,AF,TS,and DP in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores in the two groups of patients were decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)After one month of treatment,the total effective rate for TCM syndrome efficacy of the treatment group was 90.00%(36/40),and that of the control group was 82.50%(33/40).The intergroup comparison showed that the overall efficacy of the treatment group(tested by rank sum test)was significantly superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).However,the total effective rate of the treatment group(tested by chi-square test)tended to be better than that of the control group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).(4)After one month of treatment,the results of electrocardiogram in the two groups of patients were improved,with a total effective rate of 87.50%(35/40)in the treatment group and 70.00%(28/40)in the control group.The intergroup comparison showed that the overall efficacy(tested by rank sum test)and the total effective rate(tested by chi-square test)of the treatment group were significantly superior to those of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion For patients with angina pectoris of phlegm blended with blood stasis type after PCI for CHD,the combined use of modified Huatan Tongluo Decoction and conventional western medicine exerts a positive impact on improving the clinical efficacy and QOL of the patients.

By comparing the quality standards of histidine hydrochloride in pharmacopoeias of various countries,the optimization and improvement projects for the quality standards of histidine hydrochloride for pharmaceutical ex-cipients in the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia are clarified,and the description of this standard is standardized according to the requirements of the"Detailed Rules for the Compilation of National Pharmaceutical excipient Standards".This article aims to clarify the key research content of the quality standard formulation process for medicinal excipient histidine hydrochloride,to provide a deeper understanding of this standard for drug regulatory agencies,production enterprises,and other practitioners.

Objective:To investigate the impact of the number of examined lymph nodes (ELN) on survival outcomes in gastric cancer patients with postoperative pathological stage pN3b.Methods:This retrospective cohort study included 279 pN3b gastric cancer patients who underwent D2 gastrectomy at Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University (September 2008 to April 2023), with 35 patients receiving combination chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 therapy (immunotherapy group) and 244 receiving adjuvant chemotherapy alone (nonimmunotherapy group). Additionally, 422 patients with pN3b from the SEER database (2005 to 2020) were collected as an external validation cohort to determine the optimal cutoff value for the number of lymph nodes examined in the nonimmunotherapy group. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in the nonimmunotherapy group of the Nanfang Hospital cohort, stratified by whether the number of examined lymph nodes was above or below the ELN optimal cutoff value. These findings were subsequently validated in the SEER cohort.Results:The optimal ELN cutoff value (34 nodes) was determined using X-tile software and by constructing an ELN-HR fitting model with inflection point identification. In the nonimmunotherapy group, patients with ELN >34 exhibited significantly prolonged survival compared to ELN ≤34 (median OS: 25.0 (95%CI:20.5-29.5) to 17.0 (95%CI:12.7-21.3) months, P=0.004; median RFS: 19.0 (95%CI:15.6-22.4) to 13.0 (95%CI:9.5-16.5) months, P=0.048). Multivariate Cox analysis also showed ELN >34 to be an independent protective factor for both OS (HR=0.576, 95%CI: 0.397-0.836) and RFS (HR=0.701, 95%CI: 0.492-0.998). In the SEER cohort, ELN >34 was associated with a 5-month OS extension (19 to 14 months, P=0.065), with multivariate analysis supporting its independent prognostic significance (HR=0.729, 95%CI: 0.580-0.915, P=0.006). Notably, in the immunotherapy group, patients with ELN >34 ( n=30) achieved a median OS of 41 months, but the median OS had not been reached in the ELN ≤34 group ( n=5) (1 death at 48 months). Conclusion:Higher ELN (>34) correlates with improved survival in nonimmunotherapy-treated pN3b gastric cancer patients. However, in pN3b gastric cancer patients treated with immunotherapy, the optimal ELN threshold requires further exploration to determine.

Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease（NIID）is a rare hereditary neurodegenerative disorder that can affect multiple systems. However，it is uncommon for urinary dysfunction to be the initial symptom. This article reports five cases. The five patients began to experience voiding dysfunction such as frequent urination，weak urination，and incomplete urination at the mean ages of 55.4（47 - 65）years old. Four months to twelve years after urinary onset，neurological symptoms such as headache，memory decline，transient loss of consciousness，and unsteady gait began to appear. Four of the five cases had a family history. Brain MRI revealed the “ribbon sign” or “crest sign” in all cases. Skin biopsy revealed eosinophilic inclusions in the cell nuclei，and NOTCH2NLC gene testing identified abnormal GGC mutations. Three of the five patients underwent cystostomy due to secondary hydronephrosis，while the other two received no special treatment. After a follow-up of 18 to 35 months since diagnosis，the patients who underwent cystostomy had normal renal function. Neurological symptoms in all five patients worsened to varying degrees.

Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease（NIID）is a rare hereditary neurodegenerative disorder that can affect multiple systems. However，it is uncommon for urinary dysfunction to be the initial symptom. This article reports five cases. The five patients began to experience voiding dysfunction such as frequent urination，weak urination，and incomplete urination at the mean ages of 55.4（47 - 65）years old. Four months to twelve years after urinary onset，neurological symptoms such as headache，memory decline，transient loss of consciousness，and unsteady gait began to appear. Four of the five cases had a family history. Brain MRI revealed the “ribbon sign” or “crest sign” in all cases. Skin biopsy revealed eosinophilic inclusions in the cell nuclei，and NOTCH2NLC gene testing identified abnormal GGC mutations. Three of the five patients underwent cystostomy due to secondary hydronephrosis，while the other two received no special treatment. After a follow-up of 18 to 35 months since diagnosis，the patients who underwent cystostomy had normal renal function. Neurological symptoms in all five patients worsened to varying degrees.

By comparing the quality standards of histidine hydrochloride in pharmacopoeias of various countries,the optimization and improvement projects for the quality standards of histidine hydrochloride for pharmaceutical ex-cipients in the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia are clarified,and the description of this standard is standardized according to the requirements of the"Detailed Rules for the Compilation of National Pharmaceutical excipient Standards".This article aims to clarify the key research content of the quality standard formulation process for medicinal excipient histidine hydrochloride,to provide a deeper understanding of this standard for drug regulatory agencies,production enterprises,and other practitioners.

Objective:To investigate the impact of the number of examined lymph nodes (ELN) on survival outcomes in gastric cancer patients with postoperative pathological stage pN3b.Methods:This retrospective cohort study included 279 pN3b gastric cancer patients who underwent D2 gastrectomy at Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University (September 2008 to April 2023), with 35 patients receiving combination chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 therapy (immunotherapy group) and 244 receiving adjuvant chemotherapy alone (nonimmunotherapy group). Additionally, 422 patients with pN3b from the SEER database (2005 to 2020) were collected as an external validation cohort to determine the optimal cutoff value for the number of lymph nodes examined in the nonimmunotherapy group. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in the nonimmunotherapy group of the Nanfang Hospital cohort, stratified by whether the number of examined lymph nodes was above or below the ELN optimal cutoff value. These findings were subsequently validated in the SEER cohort.Results:The optimal ELN cutoff value (34 nodes) was determined using X-tile software and by constructing an ELN-HR fitting model with inflection point identification. In the nonimmunotherapy group, patients with ELN >34 exhibited significantly prolonged survival compared to ELN ≤34 (median OS: 25.0 (95%CI:20.5-29.5) to 17.0 (95%CI:12.7-21.3) months, P=0.004; median RFS: 19.0 (95%CI:15.6-22.4) to 13.0 (95%CI:9.5-16.5) months, P=0.048). Multivariate Cox analysis also showed ELN >34 to be an independent protective factor for both OS (HR=0.576, 95%CI: 0.397-0.836) and RFS (HR=0.701, 95%CI: 0.492-0.998). In the SEER cohort, ELN >34 was associated with a 5-month OS extension (19 to 14 months, P=0.065), with multivariate analysis supporting its independent prognostic significance (HR=0.729, 95%CI: 0.580-0.915, P=0.006). Notably, in the immunotherapy group, patients with ELN >34 ( n=30) achieved a median OS of 41 months, but the median OS had not been reached in the ELN ≤34 group ( n=5) (1 death at 48 months). Conclusion:Higher ELN (>34) correlates with improved survival in nonimmunotherapy-treated pN3b gastric cancer patients. However, in pN3b gastric cancer patients treated with immunotherapy, the optimal ELN threshold requires further exploration to determine.