Objective To investigate the expression characteristics and clinical diagnostic value of programmed death receptor 1(PD-1)and its corresponding ligand(PD-L1)in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD).Methods One hundred and sixty COPD patients who visited Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from April 2024 to November 2024 were included and divided into an acute exacerbation group of 100 cases and a stable group of 60 cases according to the severity of the disease.Additionally,40 healthy volunteers during the same period were recruited as the control group.The general clinical data of the patients were collected.Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test(CAT)and Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Questionnaire(mMRC)Scale were used to test the severity of the disease;respiratory function testing was performed and fasting venous blood was collected for serum PD-1 and PD-L1 testing.Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between serum PD-1,PD-L1,CAT,and mMRC,and multiple logistic regression analysis to identify the influencing factors of AECOPD.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum PD-1 and PD-L1 level for AECOPD.Results Serum PD-1 level in the stable COPD group and AECOPD group was significantly increased compared with that in the control group,while serum PD-L1 level was significantly decreased,showing statistical significance(P<0.05);The level of PD-1 gradually increased with the grading of lung function and the deterioration of AECOPD,with statistical significance(P<0.05);Pearson correlation showed that serum PD-1 level was positively correlated with CAT scores in COPD patients,while negatively with CAT scores,showing statistical significance(P<0.05);Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that elevated levels of serum inter-leukin-6(IL-6),neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR),and PD-1 were risk factors for AECOPD,while elevated level of PD-L1 was protective factor for AECOPD(P<0.05);ROC curve showed that the levels of PD-1,PD-L1,IL-6,NLR,and the area under the ROC curve(AUC)for their combined prediction of AECOPD diagnosis were 0.884,0.867,0.868,0.802,and 0.995,respectively.Conclusion Serum PD-1 and PD-L1 in AECOPD patients have presented certain expression characteristics,with elevated PD-1 level while decreased PD-L1 level.Both have good clinical diagnostic value for AECOPD.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of serum intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) for the formation and development of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) cirrhosis complicated with esophageal varices (EV).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of patients with CHB cirrhosis complicated with EV who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University from September 2020 to October 2023 in this cohort study. PVT was diagnosed and graded according to the imaging examination, and patients were divided into PVT group and non-PVT group. The thrombus recanalization of PVT in PVT group and newly occurring PVT events in non-PVT group was observed during twelve-month follow-up. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the baseline level of I-FABP. Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between two groups. Kaplan-Meier curves and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluated the predictive performance of I-FABP for newly occurring PVT event. The cumulative incidence was compared by log-rank test. Results:A total of 161 patients with CHB cirrhosis complicated with EV were included, with an average age of (57.71±11.12) years old, including 46 patients with PVT and 115 patients without PVT. During the follow-up period, 11 PVT patients had thrombus recanalization. Meanwhile, 17 patients without PVT had newly occurring PVT events. The I-FABP level was 2.59 (1.63, 3.18) μmol/L in the PVT group and 1.94 (1.44, 2.81) μmol/L in the non-PVT group, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=2.12, P=0.034). The baseline I-FABP level in patients with newly occurring PVT event was higher than that in patients without PVT (2.78(1.86, 3.20) μmol/L vs 1.92 (1.18, 2.74) μmol/L), while the I-FABP level in patients with thrombus recanalization was lower than that in patients without thrombus recanalization (2.06 (1.16, 2.69) μmol/L vs 2.84 (1.92, 3.27) μmol/L). The differences were both statistically significant ( Z=2.61 and 2.25, respectively, both P<0.05). The non-PVT patients were stratified according to the median level of I-FABP, and the Kaplan-Meier curve showed that patients with I-FABP<1.94 μmol/L in the non-PVT group had a significantly lower cumulative rate of newly occurring PVT during follow-up compared to those with I-FABP≥1.94 μmol/L (7.1% (4/56) vs 22.0% (13/59), χ2=5.03, P=0.025). The ROC curve showed that I-FABP had a certain predictive efficacy for the occurrence PVT. The area under the curve were 0.698 (95% confidence interval 0.606 to 0.780) and the optimal cut-off of 2.36 μmol/L, with sensitivity of 70.59% and specificity of 69.39%. Conclusion:I-FABP is not only associated with PVT recanalization in CHB cirrhosis, but also a potential biomarker for predicting PVT formation and development.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Maxing Loushi decoction in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （AECOPD） with phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome， and to investigate its effects on inflammatory factors， immune function， and the programmed death-1（PD-1）/programmed death-ligand 1 （PD-L1） signaling pathway. MethodsA randomized controlled study was conducted， enrolling 90 hospitalized patients with AECOPD and phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome in the Respiratory and Emergency Departments of Dongzhimen Hospital， Beijing University of Chinese Medicine， from April 2024 to December 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to a control group and an observation group using a random number table， with 45 patients in each group. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment， while the observation group received additional Maxing Loushi decoction for 14 days. Clinical efficacy， COPD Assessment Test （CAT） score， modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale （mMRC）， 6-minute walk test （6MWT）， serum inflammatory factors， T lymphocyte subsets， and serum PD-1/PD-L1 levels were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. ResultsThe total clinical effective rate was 78.57% （33/42） in the control group and 95.35% （41/43） in the observation group， with the observation group showing significantly higher efficacy than that of the control group. The difference was statistically significant （χ² = 5.136， P<0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed significant reductions in CAT and mMRC scores （P<0.05， P<0.01） and significant increases in 6MWT compared to baseline （P<0.01）. The observation group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than the control group in this regard. Levels of inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein （CRP）， procalcitonin （PCT）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， monocyte chemoattractant protein-1（MCP-1）， and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α （MIP-1α） were significantly reduced in both groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with greater reductions in the observation group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. CD8⁺ levels were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， while CD3⁺， CD4⁺， and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ levels were significantly increased in both groups after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with more significant improvements observed in the observation group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum PD-1 levels were reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and PD-L1 levels were increased significantly in both groups after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with more pronounced changes in the observation group （P<0.05）. ConclusionMaxing Loushi decoction demonstrates definite therapeutic efficacy as an adjunctive treatment for patients with AECOPD and phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome. It contributes to reducing serum inflammatory factors， improving immune function， and regulating the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Maxing Loushi decoction in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （AECOPD） with phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome， and to investigate its effects on inflammatory factors， immune function， and the programmed death-1（PD-1）/programmed death-ligand 1 （PD-L1） signaling pathway. MethodsA randomized controlled study was conducted， enrolling 90 hospitalized patients with AECOPD and phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome in the Respiratory and Emergency Departments of Dongzhimen Hospital， Beijing University of Chinese Medicine， from April 2024 to December 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to a control group and an observation group using a random number table， with 45 patients in each group. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment， while the observation group received additional Maxing Loushi decoction for 14 days. Clinical efficacy， COPD Assessment Test （CAT） score， modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale （mMRC）， 6-minute walk test （6MWT）， serum inflammatory factors， T lymphocyte subsets， and serum PD-1/PD-L1 levels were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. ResultsThe total clinical effective rate was 78.57% （33/42） in the control group and 95.35% （41/43） in the observation group， with the observation group showing significantly higher efficacy than that of the control group. The difference was statistically significant （χ² = 5.136， P<0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed significant reductions in CAT and mMRC scores （P<0.05， P<0.01） and significant increases in 6MWT compared to baseline （P<0.01）. The observation group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than the control group in this regard. Levels of inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein （CRP）， procalcitonin （PCT）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， monocyte chemoattractant protein-1（MCP-1）， and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α （MIP-1α） were significantly reduced in both groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with greater reductions in the observation group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. CD8⁺ levels were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， while CD3⁺， CD4⁺， and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ levels were significantly increased in both groups after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with more significant improvements observed in the observation group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum PD-1 levels were reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and PD-L1 levels were increased significantly in both groups after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with more pronounced changes in the observation group （P<0.05）. ConclusionMaxing Loushi decoction demonstrates definite therapeutic efficacy as an adjunctive treatment for patients with AECOPD and phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome. It contributes to reducing serum inflammatory factors， improving immune function， and regulating the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Relatively or absolutely active bone resorption function of osteoclasts is one of the causative factors of osteoporosis. Therefore,how to inhibit the formation of osteoclasts and reduce the bone resorption activity is a key element in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Liquiritin,which is derived from licorice,plays a role in the clinical treatment of bone diseases,but there are fewer studies addressing the application of liquiritin in osteoporosis and the mechanism is unknown.OBJECTIVE:To confirm,through both in vivo and in vitro experiments,that liquiritin inhibits osteoclast differentiation and alleviates bone loss.METHODS:Cell counting kit-8 was used to detect whether Liquiritin exerts toxic or proliferative effects on mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages,and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining was performed to observe the effect of liquiritin in inhibiting osteoclast differentiation. The affinity of liquiritin binding to proteins related to osteoclast differentiation was verified by network pharmacology. RT-PCR and western blot assays were performed to detect the inhibitory effects of liquiritin on osteoclast-specific protein and gene expression as well as relevant signaling pathways. Finally,the mitigating effect of liquiritin on bone loss was verified in the C57BL/6J mouse osteoporosis model.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Liquiritin,at concentrations of 20 μmol/L and below,could inhibit the formation and differentiation of osteoclasts. Concurrently,it exhibited a high affinity with osteoclast-specific proteins such as nuclear factor of activated T-cells 1,Cathepsin K,c-Fos,and matrix metalloproteinase 9,and reduced the relative expression levels of these genes and proteins. Liquiritin could also effectively lower the phosphorylation expression level of JNK in the MAPK signaling pathway at the 15th,30th,45th,and 60th minutes,and it could salvage the degradation of nuclear factor-κB inhibitor α in the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway at the 60th minute. In vivo experiments demonstrated that liquiritin could mitigate bone loss caused by osteoclasts and improve parameters related to trabecular bone. To conclude,liquiritin possesses the capacity to inhibit osteoclast differentiation and alleviate bone loss,thereby exerting a protective role against osteoporosis.

Objective To explore the clinical effect of transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS)treatment strategy based on bi-modal balance model on upper limb dysfunction after ischemic stroke.Methods From October,2023 to December,2024,60 patients with ischemic stroke in General Hospital of Ningxia Medi-cal University were randomly divided into control group(n=30)and experimental group(n=30).Both groups received basic rehabilitation,the control group received tDCS based on the theory of interhemispheric competi-tion model,and the experimental group received tDCS based on the theory of bimodal equilibrium model,for four weeks.Before and after intervention,the effect of both groups was evaluated using Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities(FMA-UE),modified Ashworth Scale(MAS),Action Research Arm Test(ARAT)and modi-fied Barthel Index(MBI).Neurophysiological parameters such as cortical latency(CL)and central motor conduc-tion time(CMCT)were detected and correlated analysis was performed.Results Two cases in the control group and one in the experimental group dropped down.After intervention,the scores of FMA-UE,ARAT and MBI increased in both groups(|t|>13.748,P<0.001),and the above scores were higher in the experimental group than in the control group(|t|>2.321,P<0.05);the MAS grade of the elbow flexor muscle group improved in the experimental group(|Z|=2.095,P<0.05).The CL and CMCT in both groups de-creased(|t|>2.752,P<0.001),and they were better in the experimental group than in the control group(|t|>2.082,P<0.05).There was a correlation between FMA-UE and CMCT(r=-0.433,P<0.05).Conclusion tDCS based on bimodal balance model can improve upper limb dysfunction more effectively in patients with ischemic stroke.

Objective:To explore the application value of integrated Chinese and western medicine in the treatment of sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) induced by bacterial pneumonia sepsis.Methods:A total of 60 inpatients with bacterial pneumonia and sepsis admitted to the Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from October 2023 to June 2024 were collected in a cross-sectional study. Serum samples were collected, and immune indexes, coagulation function and some laboratory test results of the patients were detected or recorded. Sepsis Associated Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score were evaluated.Results:Among the 60 patients, 71.7%( n=43) were associated with coagulation disorder, 65%( n=39) showed hemorrhagic SIC; A total of 37 patients (61.7%) were treated with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine, and 23 patients (38.3%) were treated with Western medicine. The main types of syndrome differentiation were toxic-heat syndrome ( n=48, 80.0%) and blood-stasis syndrome ( n=11, 18.3%). Serum human monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and platelet count (PLT) in patients with blood stasis syndrome were significantly lower than those in toxic-heat syndrome (all P<0.05). In patients with bacterial pneumonia sepsis, the total score of syndrome of excess of fu-viscera (Fu-shi-zheng) was positively correlated with programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) ( r=0.293, P=0.023) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) ( r=0.436, P=0.001). The total score of toxin-heat syndrome ( r=0.323, P=0.016) and excess of fu-viscera syndrome ( r=0.354, P=0.008) were positively correlated with prothrombin time (PT). PD-1 was positively correlated with SOFA score ( r=0.343, P=0.007) and APACHE Ⅱ score ( r=0.354, P=0.006). The PD-1 level and SOFA and APACHE Ⅱ scores of the patients treated with integrated Chinese and western medicine were significantly lower than those treated with Western medicine alone (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The combined intervention of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine based on " Fuzheng Touxie Jiedu (The method of strengthening the body and removing the toxin)" has strong clinical guiding significance, and can effectively improve the immune function and prognosis of bacterial pneumonia SIC.

Objective:To observe the effects of Maxing Loushi decoction on the inflammatory response and inflammatory indicators in mice with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) models.Methods:Thirty-six BALB/C mice were randomly divided into 4 groups by random number table method: 10 mice in the COPD model group (referred to as the model group), 10 mice in the Maxing Loushi decoction group (referred to as the traditional Chinese medicine group), 10 mice in the programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitor group (referred to as the control group), and 6 mice in the normal group. The COPD models of mice in the model group, the traditional Chinese medicine group and the control group were prepared by cigarette smoking combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction method. During the modeling process, the model group and the traditional Chinese medicine group were respectively given normal saline and Maxing Loushi decoction by gavage. The control group was given intraperitoneal injection of PD-1 inhibitor, while the normal group was given intragastric administration of normal saline. Pathological changes of lung tissues in each group of mice were detected by HE staining. The levels of inflammatory factors [monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)] in the plasma and alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice in each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effects of Maxing Loushi decoction intervention on inflammatory responses and inflammatory factors were evaluated.Results:The lung tissue structure in the normal group was basically normal. There was no thickening of the alveolar walls, no infiltration of neutrophils in the tissues, and no obvious inflammatory infiltration. In the model group, the lung tissue structure was slightly abnormal. A small amount of alveolar atrophy could be observed, the alveolar walls were slightly thickened, and inflammatory infiltration could be seen. In the traditional Chinese medicine group, the lung tissue structure was slightly abnormal. A small amount of alveolar atrophy and collapse could be observed, the alveolar walls were not thickened, and individual neutrophil infiltration could be seen in the tissue. In the control group, the lung tissue structure was slightly abnormal, some alveoli atrophied, and a small amount of neutrophil infiltration could be seen in the tissue. The levels of MCP-1 and MIP-1α in plasma and lavage fluid of the model group were significantly higher than those of the normal group (all P<0.05), while the levels of MCP-1 and MIP-1α in plasma and lavage fluid of the traditional Chinese medicine group and the control group were significantly lower than those of the model group (all P<0.05). Moreover, the levels of plasma MCP-1 and MIP-1α in the traditional Chinese medicine group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05), while there was no statistically significant difference in the levels of MCP-1 and MIP-1α in alveolar lavage fluid between the traditional Chinese medicine group and the control group (all P>0.05). The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in plasma and alveolar lavage fluid of the model group were significantly higher than those of the normal group (all P<0.05), while the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in plasma and alveolar lavage fluid of the traditional Chinese medicine group and the control group were significantly lower than those of the model group (all P<0.05). Moreover, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in plasma and alveolar lavage fluid of the traditional Chinese medicine group were significantly lower than those of the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The intervention of Maxing Loushi decoction has a significant improvement effect on the inflammatory response of COPD model mice. Inflammatory factors such as MCP-1, MIP-1α, IL-6, and TNF-α can be used as indicators to determine the degree of COPD inflammation.

Objective To explore the clinical effect of transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS)treatment strategy based on bi-modal balance model on upper limb dysfunction after ischemic stroke.Methods From October,2023 to December,2024,60 patients with ischemic stroke in General Hospital of Ningxia Medi-cal University were randomly divided into control group(n=30)and experimental group(n=30).Both groups received basic rehabilitation,the control group received tDCS based on the theory of interhemispheric competi-tion model,and the experimental group received tDCS based on the theory of bimodal equilibrium model,for four weeks.Before and after intervention,the effect of both groups was evaluated using Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities(FMA-UE),modified Ashworth Scale(MAS),Action Research Arm Test(ARAT)and modi-fied Barthel Index(MBI).Neurophysiological parameters such as cortical latency(CL)and central motor conduc-tion time(CMCT)were detected and correlated analysis was performed.Results Two cases in the control group and one in the experimental group dropped down.After intervention,the scores of FMA-UE,ARAT and MBI increased in both groups(|t|>13.748,P<0.001),and the above scores were higher in the experimental group than in the control group(|t|>2.321,P<0.05);the MAS grade of the elbow flexor muscle group improved in the experimental group(|Z|=2.095,P<0.05).The CL and CMCT in both groups de-creased(|t|>2.752,P<0.001),and they were better in the experimental group than in the control group(|t|>2.082,P<0.05).There was a correlation between FMA-UE and CMCT(r=-0.433,P<0.05).Conclusion tDCS based on bimodal balance model can improve upper limb dysfunction more effectively in patients with ischemic stroke.