Hepatolenticular degeneration， also known as Wilson disease （WD）， is a hereditary disease caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene， leading to copper metabolism disorders. Gene mutations result in impaired synthesis of copper-binding protein， and abnormal excretion of copper through bile leads to pathological deposition of copper in various organs， ultimately causing multi-organ damage. The insidious onset and low specificity of symptoms make it difficult to diagnose this disease. On the basis of existing studies and the theory of latent toxin， this paper proposes that latent toxin in kidney collaterals is the main pathogenesis of renal injury in WD. It is pointed out that health Qi deficiency and latent pathogen are the premises for the occurrence of this disease， and the transformation of latent pathogen into toxin is the ley pathological process. Toxin damaging kidney collaterals is the ultimate result. According to the pathogenesis， this paper proposes the treatment principle of reinforcing healthy Qi and resolving toxin and treatment based on syndrome differentiation. This review provides new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of renal injury in WD with traditional Chinese medicine.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Gandouling decoction combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation （NMES） in the treatment of dysphagia in Wilson disease （WD） with combined phlegm and stasis. MethodsA total of 80 WD patients with dysphagia due to combined phlegm and stasis treated in the Department of Encephalopathy， the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine were randomized into a control group and an observation group， with 40 patients in each group. In addition， 40 healthy volunteers were recruited as the normal group. The control group was treated with basic copper drainage combined with NMES. The observation group was treated with Gandouling Decoction on the basis of the therapy in the control group. Each course of treatment lasted for 8 days， and the patients were treated for a total of 4 courses. All subjects underwent video fluoroscopic swallowing study （VFSS） before and after treatment. During the examination， contrast agents with 4 different characters were used for the swallowing action， and the passing time was recorded. The TCM syndrome score， water swallow test score， standard swallowing assessment （SSA） score， and 24-h urinary copper level before and after treatment were analyzed. ResultsWhen performing VFSS， the passing time of contrast agents of different characters in the oral stage was longer in the WD group than in the normal group （P<0.01）， while it had no significant difference in the pharyngeal stage. After treatment， the passing time in the oral stage shortened in the control and observation groups （P<0.01）， and the observation group outperformed the control group （P<0.01）. After treatment， both the control and observation groups showed declines in TCM syndrome score and SSA score （P<0.01） and an increase in water swallow test score （P<0.01）， and the changes were more obvious in the observation group than in the control group （P<0.01）. In addition， the treatment in the control and observation groups elevated the 24-h urinary copper level （P<0.01）， and the elevation in the observation group was more obvious than that in the control group （P<0.01）. Neither group showed obvious adverse reaction. ConclusionGandouling decoction combined with NMES can significantly ameliorate dysphagia in WD patients with the syndrome of combined phlegm and stasis regarding the TCM syndrome score， water swallow test score， and SSA score， demonstrating definite clinical efficacy and high safety.

Wilson disease is a copper metabolism disorder caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene， which encodes a copper-transporting ATPase β， and can result in multisystem damage. The kidneys are the third most commonly affected organs after the liver and brain. In recent years， numerous diagnostic and treatment guidelines for Wilson disease have emerged. However， most of these focus primarily on hepatic and neurological manifestations and their management， with limited coverage of renal involvement. The high incidence， low awareness， and lack of clinical specificity of Wilson disease-related renal damage （WDRD） have made early detection and intervention particularly challenging in clinical practice. To further optimize the treatment of patients with WDRD， improve clinical diagnosis and management， and enhance patients' quality of life， the Neurology Committee of the Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine， in April 2024， initiated a revision of the first expert consensus on the integrated diagnosis， treatment， and management of WDRD. This effort brought together experts in hepatology， encephalopathy （neurology）， and nephrology from many tertiary-level grade A hospitals and research institutions across China. Through comprehensive literature review and integration of frontline clinical experience， the expert group jointly developed Chinese Expert Consensus on Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Management of Wilson Disease-related Renal Damage （hereinafter referred to as the "Consensus"）. This article provides a detailed interpretation of the Consensus in terms of diagnostic criteria， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome differentiation and treatment classification， and comprehensive disease management， aiming to better guide clinical application. Regarding diagnostic criteria， the Consensus integrates the latest standards in China and abroad， highlights the importance of biochemical diagnosis， and compensates for the limitations of genetic testing. In the area of TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment， the Consensus refines four major syndrome types， introduces a newly defined syndrome， i.e.， phlegm， blood stasis， and heat accumulation， and elaborates on treatment principles， prescriptions， and clinical modification rules for each syndrome. For comprehensive disease management， the Consensus emphasizes multi-dimensional intervention strategies， including diet， exercise， emotional regulation， medication， and medical care， with the goal of maximally controlling the progression of renal dysfunction and helping patients achieve a better quality of life.

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of allele frequencies for 9 red blood cell (RBC) blood group systems in the Hui ethnic voluntary blood donor population of Suzhou using real-time fluorescence PCR technology, so as to provide technical support for establishing a RBC blood group genetic database. Methods: PCR-TaqMan technology was employed to perform genotyping detection for 9 RBC blood group systems using 144 samples from Hui voluntary blood donors in Suzhou, collected between October 2023 and August 2024. Results: Blood group allele frequencies among Suzhou Hui voluntary blood donors were distributed as follows: MNS system (M=0.566 0, N=0.434 0; S=0.079 9, s=0.920 1); Lutheran system (Lu =0.003 5, Lu =0.996 5; Au =0.895 8, Au =0.104 2); Kell system (K=0.000 0, k=1.000 0; Kp =0.003 5, Kp =0.996 5; JS =0.000 0, JS =1.000 0); Duffy system (Fy =0.899 3, Fy =0.100 7); Kidd system (JK =0.451 4, JK =0.548 6); Diego system (Di =0.041 7, Di =0.958 3); Yt system (Yt =0.996 5, Yt =0.003 5); Dombrock system (Do =0.128 5, Do =0.871 5); Colton system (Co =1.000 0, Co =0.000 0). The PCR-TaqMan-based RBC blood group genotyping technology successfully completed testing for all samples. Conclusion: The MNS, Lutheran, Duffy, Kidd, Diego, and Dombrock blood group systems in the Suzhou Hui population exhibited polymorphic distribution patterns, whereas the Colton system was monomorphic. Standardized application of PCR-TaqMan technology facilitates the establishment of an RBC blood group genetic database.

Objective To investigate the effects of Quyu Jiedu Prescription on iron autophagy in eutopic endometrial tissue of rats with endometriosis(EMS);To explore its mechanism in treating EMS.Methods A total of 50 female SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,Western medicine group,Quyu Jiedu Prescription high-and low-dosage groups,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,all other groups were modeled using autologous transplantation method,and corresponding solutions were given by gavage for 4 weeks.HE staining was used to observe the morphology of eutopic endometrial tissue,the reagent kit was used to detect the content of ferrous ions(Fe2+)in eutopic endometrial tissue,Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of nuclear receptor coactivator factor 4(NCOA4),ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1),LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ and p62 in eutopic endometrial tissue,the mRNA expressions of NCOA 4,FTH1,LC3B and p62 were detected by qPCR,immunofluorescence colocalization was used to detect the co-localization of NCOA4 and LC3B in eutopic endometrial tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the content of Fe2+in eutopic endometrial tissue of the model group decreased(P<0.01),the expression of NCOA4 protein and LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio decreased(P<0.01),the expressions of FTH1 and p62 protein increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the expression of NCOA4 mRNA decreased(P<0.01),the expression of p62 mRNA increased(P<0.01),and the co-localization of NCOA4-LC3B decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the content of Fe2+in eutopic endometrial tissue of each administration group increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the expressions of FTH1 and p62 protein in Western medicine group decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the ratio of LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ in Quyu Jiedu Prescription high-dosage group increased(P<0.01),the expression of FTH1 and p62 protein decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the expression of NCOA4 protein and LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio increased in Quyu Jiedu Prescription low-dosage group(P<0.05),while the expression of p62 protein decreased(P<0.05),the expression of NCOA4 mRNA increased in each administration group(P<0.01),and the co-localization of NCOA4-LC3B increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).There was no significant change in the morphology of eutopic endometrial tissue in each group.Conclusion Quyu Jiedu Prescription may activate the iron autophagy pathway mediated by NCOA4 to restore the activity of ferritin protein,increase the iron content,correct the imbalance of iron homeostasis in eutopic intima of EMS rats,and thus inhibit the development of EMS.

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Quyu Jiedu Formula （祛瘀解毒方） in the treatment of endometriosis in terms of iron autophagy mediated by nuclear receptor coactivator 4/nuclear factor κB （NCOA4/NF-κB） signalling pathway. MethodsFifty female SD rats were randomly divided into sham surgery group， model group， mifepristone group， low- and high-dose Quyu Jiedu Formula group， with 10 rats in each group. In the sham surgery group， only operation of opening and closing abdomen was performed， and in the remaining groups， the rat with endometriosis was modelled by autotransplantation. On the next day after successful modelling， saline 2 ml/d was given by gavage to the sham surgery group and the model group； mifepristone 1.05 mg/（kg·d） was given by gavage to the mifepristone group； Quyu Jiedu Formula 12.23 g/（kg·d） and 48.92 g/（kg·d） were given to the low- and high-dosage Quyu Jiedu Formula groups， respectively administered for 4 weeks consecutively. In the remaining 4 groups， all ectopic endometrial tissues were removed from the rats. The volume of ectopic lesions was measured in the model group， the mifepristone group， and the low- and high-dose Quyu Jiedu Formula groups， and the pathological changes of endometrial/ectopic tissues were observed by HE staining， and the protein expression and expression of NCOA4， Ferritin Heavy Chain 1 （FTH1）， Panax quinquefolium （P62）， Microtubule-associated Protein 1 Light Chain 3β （LC3B）， and P-NF-κB protein expression and NCOA4， FTH1， LC3B， P62 mRNA expression were detected in the endometrium and ectopic tissues； the co-localisation of NCOA4 and LC3B， free iron content， and levels of interleukin 6 （IL-6） and tumour necrosis factor α （TNF-α） in endometrial/eutopic endometrial tissues were also detected. ResultsNo ectopic lesions were seen in the sham surgery group. The ectopic tissues of rats in the model group showed obvious pathological damage， while the pathological damage of the ectopic tissues of rats in each admi-nistration group was reduced to different degrees. Compared with the model group， the volume of ectopic lesions was reduced in the mifepristone group and the high- and low-dose Quyu Jiedu Formula groups， and the volume of ectopic lesions in the high-dose Quyu Jiedu Formula group and the mifepristone group was significantly smaller than that in the low-dose Quyu Jiedu Formula group （P＜0.01）. Compared with the sham surgery group， the ectopic tissues of the model group showed up-regulation of LC3BⅡ/LC3B I values， NCOA4， and P-NF-κB protein expression， down-regulation of P62 and FTH1 protein expression， increase in free iron content and IL-6 and TNF-α levels， and increase in the co-localisation positivity rate and co-localised cell density of NCOA4 and LC3B （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the ectopic endothelial tissue LC3BⅡ/LC3BⅠ values and the expression of NCOA4 and P-NF-κB proteins were down-regulated in the low- and high-dose Quyu Jiedu Formula group and mifepristone group， the colocalisation positivity rate of NCOA4 and LC3B significantly reduced， and the content of free iron and the level of IL-6 decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the mifepristone group， P62 more obvious up-regulated and TNF-α level reduced in the high-dose Quyu Jiedu Formula group （P＜0.05）. Compared with the low-dose Quyu Jiedu Formula group， the free iron content of ectopic tissues and the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α reduced in the high-dose Quyu Jiedu Formula group （P＜0.01）. ConclusionThe mechanism of endometriosis treatment by Quyu Jiedu Formula may be related to the inhibition of iron autophagy mediated by the NCOA4/NF-κB signalling pathway in endometriotic tissues， which improves endometrial inflammation.

Background: Twenty-four-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC) measurement is the initial diagnostic test for Cushing’s syndrome (CS). We compared UFC determination by both direct and extraction immunoassays using Abbott Architect, Siemens Atellica Solution, and Beckman DxI800 with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In addition, we evaluated the value of 24-hr UFC measured by six methods for diagnosing CS. Methods: Residual 24-hr urine samples of 94 CS and 246 non-CS patients were collected.A laboratory-developed LC-MS/MS method was used as reference. UFC was measured by direct assays (D) using Abbott, Siemens, and Beckman platforms and by extraction assays (E) using Siemens and Beckman platforms. Method was compared using Passing–Bablok regression and Bland–Altman plot analyses. Cut-off values for the six assays and corresponding sensitivities and specificities were calculated by ROC analysis. Results: Abbott-D, Beckman-E, Siemens-E, and Siemens-D showed strong correlations with LC-MS/MS (Spearman coefficient r = 0.965, 0.922, 0.922, and 0.897, respectively), while Beckman-D showed weaker correlation (r = 0.755). All immunoassays showed proportionally positive bias. The areas under the curve were 0.975 for Abbott-D, 0.972 for LCMS/MS, 0.966 for Siemens-E, 0.948 for Siemens-D, 0.955 for Beckman-E, and 0.877 for Beckman-D. The cut-off values varied significantly (154.8–1,321.5 nmol/24 hrs). Assay sensitivity and specificity ranged from 76.1% to 93.2% and from 93.0% to 97.1%, respectively. Conclusions Commercially available immunoassays for measuring UFC show different levels of analytical consistency compared to LC-MS/MS. Abbott-D, Siemens-E, and Beckman-E have high diagnostic accuracy for CS.

The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes(EDS)are a group of rare hereditary connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility,skin hyperextensibility,and tissue fragility.The clinical and genetic hetero-geneity of EDS frequently leads to underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis.Genetic testing is an essential approach to clarify the underlying diagnosis.Recent research has preliminarily established genotype-phenotype correlations and introduced the novel concept of"disease spectrum"in some subtypes.These studies deepen our under-standing of EDS etiology and provide important insights into clinical management.Published in 2023,the Chinese Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes(the Guidelines)recommend performing genetic testing with deep phenotyping for patients who meet the clinical diagnostic criteria or are sus-pected of having EDS.However,it should be noted that the clinical diagnosis might differ from the molecular diagnosis.Furthermore,cutting-edge approaches such as periodic data reanalysis,integration of RNA sequen-cing into family-based whole-genome sequencing,and third-generation sequencing may facilitate the reclassifi-cation of variants of uncertain significance or resolve undiagnosed cases.This article summarizes recent progress in the genetics research of EDS,with the hope of offering a valuable resource for clinical diagnosis,treatment and scientific research to optimize the quality of life of patients with EDS.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Quyu Jiedu Decoction on the levels of free iron and NF-κB, IL-6 and TNF-α in ectopic tissues of rats with endometriosis.Methods:Totally 18 rats were divided into blank group, model group and Quyu Jiedu Decoction group according to the random number table method, with 6 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, the endometriosis model was prepared by autologous transplantation in the rest of the groups. Quyu Jiedu Decoction was given 13.23 g/kg of Quyu Jiedu Decoction, and the rats in the blank group and model group were gavaged with the same volume of normal saline for 4 consecutive weeks for consecutive 4 weeks. The pathological changes of endometriosis tissues of the three groups were observed by HE staining; the free iron content of the ectopic tissues of the rats was detected by ferrous ion colorimetric test box; ELISA was used to detect the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α; the expressions of NF-κB, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA of rat ectopic tissues were detected by q-PCR.Results:The results of HE staining showed that there was more inflammatory cell infiltration in ectopic lesions in the model group, and the inflammatory cell infiltration of ectopic lesions in the Quyu Jiedu Decoction group was significantly improved. Compared with the model group, the content of free iron in ectopic tissues decreased ( P<0.05), the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α decreased ( P<0.05), and the mRNA expressions of NF-κB and TNF-α were down-regulated ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Quyu Jiedu Decoction can improve the expressions of free iron, IL-6, TNF-α and NF-κB in ectopic tissues of rats with endometriosis, and has a certain effect on alleviating the inflammatory state of ectopic tissues in rats with endometriosis.

Objective To construct a predictive model for septic shock based on the propensity score matching (PSM) method and validate its effectiveness. Methods A total of 114 patients with sepsis were enrolled as study objects, and were divided into septic shock group (40 patients) and sepsis group (74 patients) according to whether they developed septic shock. PSM was performed with a ratio of septic shock to sepsis of 1∶2, resulting in the inclusion of 30 patients in the septic shock group and 60 patients in the sepsis group after matching. The levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum amyloid A (SAA), soluble endothelial protein C receptor (sEPCR), endothelial cell-specific molecule 1 (ESM-1), clusterin (CLU), and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score at admission were compared between the two groups. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify the factors influencing septic shock, and a predictive model for septic shock was constructed and internally validated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted to analyze the differences in survival prognosis among patients with different expression levels of the indicators. Results After matching, there were no statistically significant differences in general information between the two groups (P>0.05). At admission, the septic shock group had higher levels of serum PCT, CRP, SAA, IL-6, sEPCR, ESM-1, and higher APACHE Ⅱ and SOFA scores, as well as a lower level of serum CLU compared with the sepsis group (P < 0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that PCT, CRP, SAA, IL-6, sEPCR, ESM-1, APACHE Ⅱ score, and SOFA score were independent risk factors for septic shock (P < 0.05), while CLU was an independent protective factor (P < 0.05). The predictive model for septic shock, constructed based on these factors, showed an internal validation accuracy of 94.44%, an area under the curve of 0.950, a sensitivity of 93.33%, and a specificity of 96.67%. Dead patients had higher levels of PCT, CRP, SAA, IL-6, sEPCR, ESM-1, and higher APACHE Ⅱ and SOFA scores, as well as a lower level of CLU at admission compared with survivors (P < 0.05). Compared with patients with low expression levels or low scores, patients with high expression levels of PCT, CRP, SAA, IL-6, sEPCR, ESM-1, and high APACHE Ⅱ and SOFA scores had higher fatality rates, while patients with high CLU expression levels had a lower fatality rate (P < 0.05). Conclusion The serum biomarkers including PCT, CRP, SAA, IL-6, sEPCR, ESM-1, CLU, and the APACHE Ⅱ and SOFA scores in sepsis patients are closely related to the occurrence of septic shock and survival prognosis. The predictive model constructed by combining these indicators can accurately predict the occurrence of septic shock.