ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Bupi Qingfei prescription （BPQF） in treating stable bronchiectasis in the patients with syndromes of lung-spleen Qi deficiency and phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs. MethodsA randomized， double-blind， placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Patients were randomized into BPQF and placebo control （PC） groups. On the basis of conventional Western medicine treatment， the BPQF granules and placebo were respectively administered at 10 g each time， twice a day， for a course of 24 weeks. The TCM symptom scores， Quality of Life Questionnaire for Bronchiectasis （QOL-B） scores， lung function indicators， T lymphocyte subsets， level of inflammatory factors in the sputum， level of neutrophil elastase （NE） in the sputum， and occurrence of adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. ResultsA total of 64 patients completed the study， encompassing 32 in the BPQF group and 32 in the PC group. After treatment， the BPQF group showed decreased TCM symptom scores （P<0.01）， increased QOL-B scores （P<0.01）， and declined levels of tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α and NE （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The PC group showed decreased TCM symptom （except spleen deficiency） scores （P<0.01）， increased the QOL-B health cognition and respiratory symptom domain scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and a declined TNF-α level （P<0.01）. Moreover， the BPQF group had lower TCM symptom （except chest tightness） scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， higher QOL-B （except treatment burden） scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and lower levels of interleukin-6 and TNF-α （P<0.05） than the PC group. Neither group showed serious adverse reactions during the treatment process. ConclusionBPQF can ameliorate the clinical symptoms of stable bronchiectasis patients who have lung-spleen Qi deficiency or phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs by regulating the immune balance and inhibiting airway inflammatory responses.

OBJECTIVE To provide standardized guidance for the homogenization construction and management of pharmaceutical care in urban medical groups. METHODS This consensus was jointly initiated by the Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Professional Committee of the Chinese Pharmacological Society and the Expert Committee on Precision Clinical Medication of the Guangdong Pharmaceutical Association. Led by Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital， a drafting group of 7 members and an expert group of 36 members were organized. The outline of the Expert Consensus on Homogeneous Construction and Management of Pharmaceutical Care in Urban Medical Groups （hereinafter referred to as the “Consensus”） was discussed and finalized using the nominal group technique， and a preliminary draft was formed. The Delphi method was used for online c orrespondence review， and 12 external experts were invited for evaluation. After analyzing and revising expert opinions， the final Consensus was formed. RESULTS &CONCLUSIONS This Consensus defines the position setting and appointment procedures for the chief pharmacist， and establishes a three-tier professional guidance network of “chief pharmacist-regional/specialist pharmacist-pharmaceutical liaison of member institutions”. It formulates unified management standards for the drug supply catalog， establishes a full-process homogenization mechanism for prescription review， prescription commentation and comprehensive pharmaceutical care， and specifies the core functions and performance requirements of the prescription review system. It also supports by long-term mechanisms including cost allocation and performance assessment. This consensus can serve as a systematic reference for the homogeneous construction and management of pharmaceutical care systems in urban medical groups.

Purpose: Diagnosing sarcopenia necessitates the measurement of skeletal muscle mass. However, guidelines lack a standardized imaging modality with thresholds validated among Asians. This systematic review compared ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)/body composition monitoring in the detection of sarcopenia within Asian populations. Methods: PubMed and Embase were systematically searched for studies analyzing ultrasonography, CT, MRI, and BIA in diagnosing sarcopenia among Asians. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Results: Pooled findings from 21,598 patients across 25 studies were examined. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, ultrasound displayed a pooled mean area under the curve (AUC) of 0.767 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.709–0.806), with mean sensitivity of 81.1% (95% CI, 0.744–0.846) and specificity of 73.1% (95% CI, 0.648–0.774), for detecting sarcopenia in Asian populations. CT exhibited an AUC of 0.720 (sensitivity, 54.0%; specificity, 92.0%). MRI demonstrated an AUC of 0.839 (sensitivity, 67.0%; specificity, 66.0%). BIA displayed an AUC of 0.905 (95% CI, 0.842–0.968), 80.7% sensitivity (95% CI, 0.129–0.679), and 82.4% specificity (95% CI, 0.191–0.633). Conclusion Various modalities aid in diagnosing sarcopenia, and selection should be individualized. Although only BIA and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry are recommended by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia and the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People, ultrasound imaging may hold diagnostic value for sarcopenia in the Asian population. In certain groups, diagnostic use of CT and MRI is warranted. Future research can standardize and validate modality-specific thresholds and protocols within Asian populations.

Purpose: Diagnosing sarcopenia necessitates the measurement of skeletal muscle mass. However, guidelines lack a standardized imaging modality with thresholds validated among Asians. This systematic review compared ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)/body composition monitoring in the detection of sarcopenia within Asian populations. Methods: PubMed and Embase were systematically searched for studies analyzing ultrasonography, CT, MRI, and BIA in diagnosing sarcopenia among Asians. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Results: Pooled findings from 21,598 patients across 25 studies were examined. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, ultrasound displayed a pooled mean area under the curve (AUC) of 0.767 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.709–0.806), with mean sensitivity of 81.1% (95% CI, 0.744–0.846) and specificity of 73.1% (95% CI, 0.648–0.774), for detecting sarcopenia in Asian populations. CT exhibited an AUC of 0.720 (sensitivity, 54.0%; specificity, 92.0%). MRI demonstrated an AUC of 0.839 (sensitivity, 67.0%; specificity, 66.0%). BIA displayed an AUC of 0.905 (95% CI, 0.842–0.968), 80.7% sensitivity (95% CI, 0.129–0.679), and 82.4% specificity (95% CI, 0.191–0.633). Conclusion Various modalities aid in diagnosing sarcopenia, and selection should be individualized. Although only BIA and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry are recommended by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia and the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People, ultrasound imaging may hold diagnostic value for sarcopenia in the Asian population. In certain groups, diagnostic use of CT and MRI is warranted. Future research can standardize and validate modality-specific thresholds and protocols within Asian populations.

Objective To explore the predictive value of MRI parameters of carotid artery plaque combined with low density lipoprotein cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C/HDL-C)ratio for predicting ischemic stroke in young patients with carotid atherosclerosis.Methods Totally 125 young patients with carotid atherosclerosis were prospectively included and divided into stroke group and non-stroke group based on whether ischemic stroke occurred within 3 months.Clinical data,laboratory indicators and carotid plaque-related MRI parameters were compared between groups.Based on carotid plaque-related MRI parameters being statistically different between groups,combined model 1 was constructed using multivariable logistic regression analysis,while combined model 2 was constructed combined with LDL-C/HDL-C ratio.The efficacy of each parameter and model for predicting ischemic stroke in young adults was analyzed.Results There were 48 cases in stroke group and 77 cases in non-stroke group.The levels of glycosylated hemoglobin,LDL-C,LDL-C/HDL-C ratio,carotid artery stenosis rate,plaque eccentricity index and plaque enhancement rate in stroke group were all higher than those in non-stroke group(all P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of LDL-C/HDL-C ratio,carotid artery stenosis rate,plaque eccentricity index,plaque enhancement rate,combined model 1 and 2 for predicting ischemic stroke in young adults was 0.816,0.757,0.768,0.805,0.883 and 0.936,respectively,of combined model 1 was higher than those of single parameter(all P＜0.05),while of combined model 2 was higher than that of combined model 1(Z=2.336,P=0.020).Conclusion MRI parameters of carotid artery plaque combined with LDL-C/HDL-C ratio could effectively predict ischemic stroke in young patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of fatty acid binding protein 4(FABP4)on ferroptosis in human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2)treated with hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R).Methods HK-2 cells were cultured in vitro and subjected to hypoxia for 24 hours followed by reoxygenation for different durations(1,3,6 h).The messenger RNA(mRNA)and protein levels of FABP4 in HK-2 cells were detected at each time point using real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.Small interfering RNA(siRNA)technology was used to silence the expression of FABP4 gene in HK-2 cells,which were then treated with H/R(24 h of hypoxia and 6 h of reoxygenation)or treated with the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385.Cell proliferation activity was assessed using cell counting kit-8(CCK-8).Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)levels were measured by enzyme-linked immune absorbent assay.Malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione(GSH)and ferrous ion(Fe2+)levels were determined by biochemical technology.Reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were detected using the 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescence probe.Protein expression levels of FABP4,nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2),heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)and solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)were measured by Western blotting.Results The mRNA and protein levels of FABP4 in HK-2 cells increased with prolonged reoxygenation time(all P<0.05).H/R treatment reduced cell proliferation activity,increased LDH levels in the cell supernatant,and elevated MDA,Fe2+and ROS levels in HK-2 cells while decreasing GSH levels and the protein levels of Nrf2,HO-1,GPX4 and SLC7A11(all P<0.05).Silencing FABP4 enhanced the proliferation activity of H/R-treated HK-2 cells(P<0.05),reduced MDA,Fe2+and ROS levels,increased GSH levels,and elevated the protein levels of Nrf2,HO-1,GPX4 and SLC7A11(all P<0.05).However,these beneficial effects of FABP4 silencing on H/R-induced ferroptosis in HK-2 cells were reversed by co-treatment with ML385.Conclusions Silencing FABP4 alleviated H/R-induced ferroptosis in HK-2 cells,possibly by activating the Nrf2/GPX4 axis.

Primary aldosteronism(PA)is the most common cause of secondary hypertension,yet its diagnosis remains under-recognized,with a high rate of missed diagnoses.This condition significantly impacts multiple systems,including the cardiovascular,renal,metabolic,and skeletal systems,resulting in notable complications.Patients with Klinefelter syndrome(KS)exhibit a markedly higher prevalence of metabolic disorders,which may further exacerbate cardiovascular and endocrine dysfunction.Here we report a patient who presented with refractory hypertension and an incidentally discovered adrenal mass,and was ultimately diagnosed with a left adrenal aldosterone-producing adenoma combined with KS.We provide a detailed description of the patient's clinical manifestations,biochemical indices,diagnostic process,and postoperative histopathological findings in order to enhance the understanding of PA and KS and their potential interconnections,which offers diagnostic insights to reduce misdiagnosis and missed diagnoses.

Objective:To investigate the effects of wheat-grain moxibustion at the Guanyuan point on testosterone(T)synthe-sis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal(HPG)axis in naturally aged mice.Methods:We fed 40 twelve-month-old SPF male C57BL/6J mice with a normal diet for 3 months,randomized them into a moxibustion and an aged group of an equal number,and se-lected 7 four-month-old ones as young controls.We treated the animals of the moxibustion group by wheat-grain moxibustion at the Guanyuan point,once 5 moxibustion sticks,qd,5 times a week,and fed those of the aged group normally,all for 12 weeks.After treatment,we obtained the testicular index of the mice,observed the histomorphology of the testis tissue by HE staining,measured the contents of T in the testis,gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH)in the hypothalamus and total T(tT),free T(fT),luteinizing hormone(LH)and follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)in the serum by ELISA,and determined the expressions of silence information regulator-1(SIRT1),P53,glutathione peroxidase(GPX4)and cholesterol side-chain?cleavage enzym e(CYP11A1)in the testis by Western blot.Results:Compared with the young controls,the mice in the aged group showed obviously losing and dull hair,energy declination,loose structure of the spermatogenic tubule with different degrees of cell loss and rupture,reduced testicular index,and ev-ident aging phenotype.In comparison with the aged mice,the animals of the moxibustion group were fairly energetic and exhibited dis-tinct structure of the spermatogenic tubules,orderly arranged and highly differentiated cells at all levels,significantly increased T lev-el,up-regulated expressions of SIRT1,GPX4 and CYP11 A1,and down-regulated expression of P53 in testis tissue,and elevated levels of GnRH,FSH,LH,tT and fT in the HPG axis.Conclusion:Wheat-grain moxibustion at the Guanyuan point protects testosterone synthesis in the testis tissue of naturally aged mice,promotes negative feedback regulation of the HPG axis,and improves low testoster-one.

Prostaglandin D2(PGD2)is a biologically active substance with important roles in a variety of physiological and pathological processes.PGD2 exerts its biological functions mainly through prostaglandin D2 synthase(PGDS),which is closely related to inflammation and immune regulation.Recent studies have found that PGD2 and its synthase,PGDS,are able to directly inhibit tumor cell proliferation,induce apoptosis,suppress migration and invasion,and further regulate the tumor immune microenvironment to affect the immunotherapy of tumors,demonstrating good tumor therapeutic potential.In this paper,we review the biological properties of PGD2 and its synthase,focusing on its role in the immunotherapy of tumor models.We explore the immunotherapeutic efficacy of PGD2 and its synthase,and their roles in promoting immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment,and discuss their potential as new targets for tumor therapy.

Objective To explore the impact of peptidylarginine deiminase 2(Padi2)-knockout on depressive-like behaviors in socially isolated mice.Methods Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology,a Padi2-knockout(Padi2-/-)mouse model with a C57BL/6J background was established,and the effect of Padi2 knockout was identified by genotyping and RT-qPCR detection.Six-week-old male Padi2-/- mice and wild-type C57BL/6J mice were selected and divided into normal rearing and social isolation groups,with 15 mice per group.The normal rearing group mice were housed with 5 mice per cage,and the social isolation group was housed with 1 mouse per cage,and weighed once a week.After 4 weeks,forced swimming and open field tests were conducted.After the behavioral experiments,brain tissues were taken from mice in each group,and changes in microglia in the brains were detected by immunofluorescence.Results We successfully established Padi2-/- mice.There was no difference in behavior between Padi2-/- mice and C57BL/6J mice in the normal rearing group.After social isolation,compared with C57BL/6J mice,Padi2-/- mice showed a significant increase in depressive symptoms,obvious weight gain,and a significant increase in the number of microglia in brain tissue.Conclusions Padi2 knockout exacerbated depressive-like behaviors and obesity in socially isolated mice,indicating that Padi2 is involved in the progression of depression and may be an effective target for the prevention and treatment of depression.