Objective To investigate the temporal changes in pathological damage and macrophage polarization in liver and spleen tissues of mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis, and to preliminarily unravel the peripheral immune responses during the early stage of A. cantonensis infection. Methods Forty female BALB/c mice at ages of 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into four groups, including the control group and 7-, 14-, and 21-day infection groups, with 10 mice in each group. Each mouse in the infection groups was inoculated with 30 third-stage (L3) larvae of A. cantonensis by oral gavage, and five mice were randomly selected from each infection group on days 7, 14, and 21 post-infection, while mice in the control group were given the same volume of physiological saline and five mice were randomly selected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. Mouse liver and spleen tissues were sampled. The histopathological changes of mouse liver and spleen tissues were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and the percentage of positive staining area and the co-localization positive rates of the macrophage surface antigens F4/80, CD86, and CD206 were quantified in mouse liver and spleen tissues using immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining. In addition, five mice were collected from each infection group on days 7, 14, and 21 post-infection, and five mice were collected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. Mouse liver and spleen tissues were sampled for detection of macrophage markers CD86 and CD206 and macrophage phenotyping using flow cytometry, and the expression of M1 macrophage markers, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (Nos2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and M2 markers, including arginase 1 (Arg1), mannose receptor C-type 1 (Mrc1) and chitinase-like protein 3 (Chil3) was quantified in mouse liver and spleen tissues using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay. Results Proliferative lesions of the hepatocyte were observed in mouse liver tissues and the follicular structures of the mouse spleen white pulp were disrupted 21 days post-infection with A. cantonensis. Immunohistochemical staining showed that there were significant differences in the percentages of F4/80, CD86 and CD206 positive staining areas in the liver and spleen tissues among the four groups of mice (F = 242.40, 197.14, 183.19, 157.65, 242.35 and 146.24; all P values < 0.001), and the percentages of positive staining in the liver and spleen tissues of mice in the 14-day infection group [(4.45 ± 0.51)%, (3.74 ± 0.67)%, (8.32 ± 0.72)%, (16.56 ± 1.14)%, (11.62 ± 0.52)%, and (8.29 ± 0.72)%, respectively] and the 21-day infection group [(3.70 ± 0.11)%, (3.22 ± 0.43)%, (11.53 ± 1.03)%, (12.59 ± 1.05)%, (9.02 ± 0.83)%, and (11.67 ± 1.10)%, respectively] were higher than in the control group [(0.35 ± 0.16)%, (0.40 ± 0.02)%, (0.93 ± 0.05)%, (2.78 ± 0.26)%, (2.33 ± 0.20)%, and (1.85 ± 0.20)%, respectively] (all P values < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed significant differences in the positive rates of F4/80 co-localization with CD86 and CD206 in mouse liver and spleen tissues among the four groups (F = 24.42, 25.28, 54.51 and 130.55; all P values < 0.001). Flow cytometry detected significant differences in the proportions of CD86⁺ and CD206⁺ macrophages in mouse liver and spleen tissues among the four groups (F = 67.98, 18.41, 29.77, 172.80; all P values < 0.001), and the proportions of CD206⁺ macrophages in the liver and spleen of the 21-day infection group were significantly higher than those in the control group [(9.25 ± 2.55)% vs (3.83 ± 0.72)%, and (4.22 ± 0.56)% vs (0.47 ± 0.18)%, respectively] (both P values < 0.05). In addition, RT-qPCR assay quantified significant differences in the relative mRNA expression of M1 macrophage markers (IL-1β, TNF-α and Nos2) and M2 macrophage markers (Arg1, Chil3 and Mrc1) in mouse liver and spleen tissues among the four groups (F = 41.30, 31.82, 199.33, 19.96, 62.01, 119.76, 23.67, 95.90, 72.27, 82.59, 123.41 and 29.75; all P values < 0.05). Conclusions A. cantonensis infection may cause progressive pathological damage in mouse liver and spleen tissues, accompanied by dynamic temporal changes in macrophage polarization. M1 macrophage polarization predominates at the early stage of A. cantonensis infection and shifts towards M2 polarization at the later stages, suggesting that M2 polarization may participate in immune regulation at late stages of A. cantonensis infection by suppressing excessive inflammatory responses and promoting tissue repair.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of plasma exchange (PE) in thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis (MG), thereby to provide theoretical support for its application in the treatment of thymoma-associated MG. Methods: A total of 133 patients with thymoma-associated MG admitted from January 2018 to September 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were matched using propensity score to reduce selection bias, yielding 22 matched pairs for both PE group (n=22) and non-PE group (n=22). Patient characteristics including gender, age of disease onset, course of disease, history of thymoma resection, clinical absolute scores [clinical absolute scores (CAS) and clinical relative scores (CRS)], and synchronized immunotherapy regimen of the two groups were analyzed. The CAS scores before and after treatment were compared between the two groups, and the CRS was used to assess the treatment efficiency. Safety of the two treatment regimens were also compared. Continuous variables were compared using the t-test or ANOVA, while categorical data were compared by the chi-square test. Results: A total of 133 patients were included and divided into two groups according to whether they underwent plasma exchange treatment: the PE group (n=22) and the non-PE group (n=111). To exclude bias caused by large difference in the number of cases between the two groups, we performed propensity score matching. After matching, the number of cases in both groups was 22. There was no significant difference in baseline clinical characteristics between the two groups (P>0.05), including gender, age of onset, duration of disease course, history of thymectomy and baseline CAS score before treatment. Compared to the non-PE group, patients in the PE group showed more significant improvement in CAS score (5.09±1.95 vs 3.59±1.50, P<0.05) and a higher CRS score (75.00% vs 50.00%, P<0.001). Compared to the non-PE group, PE group had significantly longer ICU stay, longer hospital stay and higher hospitalization cost (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in adverse events between the two groups during treatment (P>0.05). During long-term follow-up, both the PE and non-PE groups showed relatively low 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence rate, with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study indicates that plasma exchange has clear value in the treatment of patients with thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis. It can not only significantly improve patients' muscle strength to alleviate motor dysfunction and enhance quality of life, but also does not significantly increase the incidence of adverse reactions. Therefore, it can be regarded as one of the preferred treatment options that achieve a "balance between efficacy and safety" for such patients, and provides an important basis for optimizing treatment strategies, improving prognosis, and promoting the application of subsequent treatment regimens.

Objective To analyze the correlation between lesion volume,lesion mass,and maximum lesion diameter in the assessment of advanced hepatocarcinoma with lung metastasis,and to evaluate the application value of total volume response and total mass response of lung metastatic lesions in efficacy assessment.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the CT imaging data of 20 patients clinically confirmed with hepatocarcinoma and lung metastases,followed by subsequent follow-up to monitor their survival outcomes.Volume measurement software was used to measure the volume of lesions before and after treatment.We recored lesion diameter,volume measurements and CT values,calculated the mass of the lesions.The correlation between lesion volume,mass and diameter was analyzed,as well as the correlation between the change rates of volume,mass and lesion diameter.Additionally,the total volume and total mass of all lesions were calculated.The correlation between the change rates of total volume/total mass and the change rate of pulmonary lesion diameter under the RECIST 1.1 criteria,as well as the correlation with changes in patients'tumor markers,were analyzed.Furthermore,the overall volume response and overall mass response of lesions were evaluated based on changes in total volume and total mass,and their consistencies with the RECIST 1.1 criteria for efficacy evaluation were analyzed.Finally,univariate Cox regression analysis was performed to explore the association between these variables and patient survival outcomes.Results There was strong correlation between lesion volume,mass and tumor diameter(r=0.771,0.775),between the rate of change in mass and the rate of change in lesion diameter(r=0.846),and between the rates of change in total volume/total mass and the rate of change in pulmonary lesion diameter under the RECIST 1.1 criteria(r=0.800,0.896).The correlation between the rates of change in total volume/total mass and patients'tumor markers was not statistically significant.There was moderate correlation between the rate of change in volume and the rate of change in lesion diameter(r=0.692).The evaluation results of total volume response and total mass response for pulmonary lesions in advanced hepatocarcinoma with lung metastasis were generally consistent with the RECIST 1.1 criteria(Kappa=0.486,0.426).Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that total lesion volume(P=0.047)and total lesion mass(P=0.049)were independent prognostic factors for survival outcomes.Conclusion Lesion volume,mass,and diameter,as well as their respective change rates,were found to be interrelated.Furthermore,total lesion volume and total lesion mass were identified as independent prognostic factors for survival outcomes.The total volume response and total mass response are promising evaluation methods in evaluating the efficacy of lung metastasis of hepatocarcinoma,which are different from the RECIST 1.1 evaluation criteria.

Objective:To investigation the situation of water improvement projects in villages affected by drinking water-type endemic fluorosis in Qinghai Province and the prevalence of dental fluorosis among children, in order to provide a basis for consolidating the achievements in prevention and control of drinking water-type endemic fluorosis and adjusting prevention and control measures.Methods:The monitoring data on drinking water-type endemic fluorosis were collected from the disease prevention and control centers in various counties of Qinghai Province from 2021 to 2023, the situation of water improvement projects, the fluorine content of domestic drinking water and the prevalence of dental fluorosis in children aged 8 to 12 years old were retrospectively analyzed.Results:From 2021 to 2023, the numbers of villages affected by drinking water-type endemic fluorosis in Qinghai Province were 338, 335, and 328, respectively. The numbers of water improvement projects were 125, 127 and 124, respectively. The normal operation rates were 100%, 100% and 99.19% (123/124), respectively. The qualified rates of water fluoride level were 100%, 99.21% (126/127) and 99.19% (123/124), respectively. The detection rates of dental fluorosis among children aged 8 to 12 were 4.34% (515/11 877), 5.70% (646/11 331) and 4.48% (490/10 943), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the detection rate of dental fluorosis among children in different years (χ 2 = 22.79, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The overall operation status of water improvement project in villages affected by drinking water-type endemic fluorosis in Qinghai Province is generally good, but there has been some relaxation in management and maintenance in the later stage, and there is a phenomenon of project intermittency. The detection rate of dental fluorosis among children aged 8 to 12 remains low, and endemic fluorosis caused by drinking water is under continuous control.

OBJECTIVE To establish a extraction process of Changyan Heji Ⅱ(CYHJ-Ⅱ)based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS technology combined with response surface analysis,and to optimize the extraction process.METHODS The chemical components in CYHJ-Ⅱ were qualitatively analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS technology,and the chemical components with good linear relation-ship in mass spectrometry response were selected as process investigation indicators;the extraction process parameters(water addition amount,extraction time and soaking time)were investigated by Box-Behnken design;the comprehensive score was obtained by princi-pal component analysis(PCA),and the optimal process was determined by the comprehensive score combined with response surface a-nalysis.RESULTS Through qualitative analysis,110 components were inferred and identified from CYHJ-Ⅱ,including 2 organic acids,82 flavonoids,13 terpenoids,and 13 alkaloids.Based on the results of qualitative analysis,48 index components with good lin-ear relationships were derived by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS combined with Masshunter mass spectrometry data analysis software.PCA was performed and the comprehensive score was calculated.Response surface analysis was performed with the comprehensive score as an indicator.The optimal extraction process obtained by combining the response surface prediction results and actual production was:soaking for 45 min,8 times the amount of solvent,2 extractions,each time for 120 min.CONCLUSION This study provides a new idea for the investigation of the extraction process of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescriptions and expands a new method for the development of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescriptions.

AIM To investigate the effects of Yiqi Juanbi Formula on chondrocyte pyroptosis in rat models of collagen-induced arthritis(CIA).METHODS Fifty rats were subcutaneously injected at the tail base with an emulsion containing equal volumes of bovine type Ⅱ collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant(IFA)to establish the CIA models.These rats were then randomly assigned to the model group,the methotrexate group(0.35 mg/kg),and the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose Yiqi Juanbi Formula groups(9.4,18.7,37.4 g/kg),in contrast to the ten intact rats serving in the normal control group.Following four weeks of intragastric administration,the rats had their general conditions observed;their joint swelling and arthritis indices measured;their ankle joint pathology assessed by HE staining;their serum levels of IL-1β,IL-18 and TNF-ɑ detected by ELISA;their mRNA expressions of NLRP3,Caspase-1,GSDMD,IL-1β,IL-18 and TNF-ɑ in ankle cartilage quantified by RT-qPCR;their protein expressions of NF-κB,NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in ankle cartilage analyzed by Western blot;and their NLRP3 and GSDMD positive expressions in ankle cartilage examined by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS Compared to the control group,the model group showed significantly increased joint swelling and arthritis indices(P＜0.01);elevated serum levels of IL-1 β,IL-18 and TNF-ɑ(P＜0.01);pathological changes including cartilage surface defects,reduced cell count,altered cellular morphology,irregular cell arrangement,and significant inflammatory cell infiltration in synovial tissue;upregulated mRNA expressions of NF-κB,NLRP3,Caspase-1,GSDMD,IL-1β,IL-18 and TNF-ɑ(P＜0.01)and increased protein expressions of NF-κB,NLRP3 and Caspase-1(P＜0.01)in ankle cartilage;enhanced positive expressions of NLRP3 and GSDMD in ankle cartilage(P＜0.01).Compared to the model group,the groups intervened with methotrexate or medium-or high-dose Yiqi Juanbi Formula exhibited reduced joint swelling and arthritis indices(P＜0.01);alleviated pathological damage in ankle joints;decreased serum levels of IL-1β,IL-18 and TNF-ɑ(P＜0.01);downregulated mRNA expressions of NF-κB,NLRP3,Caspase-1,GSDMD,IL-1β,IL-18 and TNF-ɑ(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and reduced protein expressions of NF-κB,NLRP3 and Caspase-1(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)in ankle cartilage;and diminished positive expressions of NLRP3 and GSDMD in ankle cartilage(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Yiqi Juanbi Formula alleviates inflammation in CIA rats,potentially by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway,thereby suppressing chondrocyte pyroptosis.

OBJECTIVE To establish a extraction process of Changyan Heji Ⅱ(CYHJ-Ⅱ)based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS technology combined with response surface analysis,and to optimize the extraction process.METHODS The chemical components in CYHJ-Ⅱ were qualitatively analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS technology,and the chemical components with good linear relation-ship in mass spectrometry response were selected as process investigation indicators;the extraction process parameters(water addition amount,extraction time and soaking time)were investigated by Box-Behnken design;the comprehensive score was obtained by princi-pal component analysis(PCA),and the optimal process was determined by the comprehensive score combined with response surface a-nalysis.RESULTS Through qualitative analysis,110 components were inferred and identified from CYHJ-Ⅱ,including 2 organic acids,82 flavonoids,13 terpenoids,and 13 alkaloids.Based on the results of qualitative analysis,48 index components with good lin-ear relationships were derived by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS combined with Masshunter mass spectrometry data analysis software.PCA was performed and the comprehensive score was calculated.Response surface analysis was performed with the comprehensive score as an indicator.The optimal extraction process obtained by combining the response surface prediction results and actual production was:soaking for 45 min,8 times the amount of solvent,2 extractions,each time for 120 min.CONCLUSION This study provides a new idea for the investigation of the extraction process of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescriptions and expands a new method for the development of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescriptions.

Objective To examine the expression levels of inflammatory factors,including IL-6,IL-10,MMP-9,IL-17A,and LDH,in the cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemor-rhage(sICH),and to investigate their associations with disease severity and clinical outcomes.Methods A total of 168 patients with sICH admitted to Tangshan GongRen Hospital between January 2023 and January 2025 were prospectively enrolled as the study group,while 30 non-sICH patients who underwent lumbar puncture during the same period served as the control group.Levels of inflammatory factors in CSF were compared between the two groups.Spearman's rank correlation analysis was performed to assess the association between inflammatory factor levels and clinical severity in sICH patients.Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of sICH prognosis.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was employed to evaluate the prognostic value of these inflammatory factors in sICH.Results The levels of IL-6,IL-10,MMP-9,IL-17A,and LDH in the CSF of patients with sICH were significantly higher than those in non-sICH patients(all P<0.05).Furthermore,among sICH patients,these biomarker levels exhibited a graded increase according to disease severity:severe>moderate>mild(all P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between CSF levels of IL-6,IL-10,MMP-9,IL-17A,and LDH and the NIHSS scores,with correlation coefficients(r)of 0.686,0.553,0.685,0.593,and 0.695,respectively(all P<0.05).When comparing the prognoses of sICH patients,hematoma size,NIHSS score,and CSF levels of IL-6,IL-10,MMP-9,IL-17A,and LDH were significantly higher in the deceased group than in the survival group(P<0.05),whereas ApoA1 levels were lower in the deceased group(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis revealed that hematoma size,NIHSS score,and elevated CSF levels of IL-6,IL-10,MMP-9,IL-17A,and LDH were independent risk factors for mortality in sICH patients(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC values for CSF IL-6,IL-10,MMP-9,IL-17A,and LDH in predicting sICH prognosis were 0.794,0.754,0.670,0.717,and 0.683,respectively.Notably,the combination of CSF inflammatory markers with hematoma size and NIHSS score yielded an AUC of 0.993,demonstrating significantly greater predictive accuracy than CSF inflammatory markers alone(P<0.05).Conclusions The levels of inflammatory factors in the CSF,including IL-6,IL-10,MMP-9,IL-17A,and LDH,were elevated in patients with sICH and positively correlated with disease severity.Combining CSF inflammatory markers with the NIHSS score and hematoma size improved the predictive accuracy for sICH prognosis.

Radiochemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (OM) is a common oral complication in patients with tumors following head and neck radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Erosion and ulcers are the main features of OM that seriously affect the quality of life of patients and even the progress of tumor treatment. To date, differences in clinical prevention and treatment plans for OM have been noted among doctors of various specialties, which has increased the uncertainty of treatment effects. On the basis of current research evidence, this expert consensus outlines risk factors, clinical manifestations, clinical grading, ancillary examinations, diagnostic basis, prevention and treatment strategies and efficacy indicators for OM. In addition to strategies such as basic oral care, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents, anti-infective agents, pro-healing agents, and photobiotherapy recommended in previous guidelines, we also emphasize the role of traditional Chinese medicine in OM prevention and treatment. This expert consensus aims to provide references and guidance for dental physicians and oncologists in formulating strategies for OM prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, standardizing clinical practice, reducing OM occurrence, promoting healing, and improving the quality of life of patients.
Humans ; Chemoradiotherapy/adverse effects* ; Consensus ; Risk Factors ; Stomatitis/etiology*

Jiuwei Xifeng Granules have become a Chinese patent medicine in the market. Because the formula contains Os Draconis, a top-level protected fossil of ancient organisms, the formula was to be improved by replacing Os Draconis with Ostreae Concha. To evaluate whether the improved formula has the same effectiveness and safety as the original formula, a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, equivalence clinical trial was conducted. This study enrolled 288 tic disorder(TD) of children and assigned them into two groups in 1∶1. The treatment group and control group took the modified formula and original formula, respectively. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks, and follow-up visits were conducted at weeks 2, 4, and 6. The primary efficacy endpoint was the difference in Yale global tic severity scale(YGTSS)-total tic severity(TTS) score from baseline after 6 weeks of treatment. The results showed that after 6 weeks of treatment, the declines in YGTSS-TSS score showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The difference in YGTSS-TSS score(treatment group-control group) and the 95%CI of the full analysis set(FAS) were-0.17[-1.42, 1.08] and those of per-protocol set(PPS) were 0.29[-0.97, 1.56], which were within the equivalence boundary [-3, 3]. The equivalence test was therefore concluded. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary efficacy endpoints of effective rate for TD, total score and factor scores of YGTSS, clinical global impressions-severity(CGI-S) score, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) response rate, or symptom disappearance rate, and thus a complete evidence chain with the primary outcome was formed. A total of 6 adverse reactions were reported, including 4(2.82%) cases in the treatment group and 2(1.41%) cases in the control group, which showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. No serious suspected unexpected adverse reactions were reported, and no laboratory test results indicated serious clinically significant abnormalities. The results support the replacement of Os Draconis by Ostreae Concha in the original formula, and the efficacy and safety of the modified formula are consistent with those of the original formula.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Tic Disorders/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome