Introduction: Chronic tophaceous gout is a rare cause of parathyroid hormone (PTH)-independent hypercalcemia. This is due to increased 1-alpha hydroxylase activity within granulomatous inflammation surrounding gouty tophi, resulting in excess calcitriol production. In advanced disease, immobilization from pain and joint deformity may further exacerbate hypercalcemia due to immobilizationrelated bone resorption, leading to clinically significant symptoms and complications. Case: A 59-year-old male with chronic tophaceous gout complicated with CKD and nephrocalcinosis was referred for inpatient evaluation of hypercalcemia. He had an episode of acute pancreatitis attributed to hypercalcemia 1 month prior. Serum calcium levels have risen progressively over the preceding year, from 2.48 mmol/L (reference 2.0–2.65) to 3.17 mmol/L. His gout was poorly controlled with uric acid levels ranging 641–709 umol/L, with extensive tophi over the upper and lower limbs and gluteal regions. He had been maintained on low-dose allopurinol 150 mg/day for 2 years. Functionally, he was largely bedbound and wheelchair-dependent. On admission, corrected calcium was 3.48 mmol/L with suppressed intact parathyroid hormone (<0.6 pmol/L) consistent with PTH-independent hypercalcemia. Malignancy and myeloma workup, including tumor markers, was unremarkable. Serum phosphate (0.9 mmol/L) and alkaline phosphatase (152 IU/L) were normal. Hypercalcemia persisted despite intravenous hydration and calcitonin. Low-dose prednisolone was then initiated, followed by pamidronate, resulting in normalization of corrected calcium to 2.17 mmol/L. He remained normocalcemic while on tapering prednisolone for a month. However, calcium rebounded months after cessation. Gradual escalation of allopurinol to 900 mg/day improves uric acid levels to 389–429 umol/L with better functional status (standing unsupported briefly and mobilizing with assistance). However, calcium remains moderately elevated 2.65–2.85 mmol/L. Conclusion This case highlights severe tophaceous gout as a rare but significant cause of PTH-independent hypercalcemia, in which glucocorticoids can be effective in treating refractory hypercalcemia. It also underscores the importance of addressing the underlying disease through optimization of urate-lowering therapy and functional rehabilitation.

The phase changes and quantity-quality transfer of 17 batches of Ostreae Concha(Ostrea rivularis) during the raw material-calcined decoction pieces-standard decoction process were analyzed. The content of calcium carbonate(CaCO_3), the main component, was determined by chemical titration, and the extract yield and transfer rate were calculated. The CaCO_3 content in the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction was 94.39%-98.80%, 95.03%-99.22%, and 84.58%-90.47%, respectively. The process of raw material to calcined decoction pieces showed the yield range of 96.85% to 98.55% and the CaCO_3 transfer rate range of 96.92% to 99.27%. The process of calcined decoction pieces to standard decoction showed the extract yield range of 2.86% to 5.48% and the CaCO_3 transfer rate range of 2.59% to 5.13%. The results of X-ray fluorescence(XRF) assay showed that the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction mainly contained Ca, Na, Mg, Si, Br, Cl, Al, Fe, Cr, Mn, and K. The chemometric results showed an increase in the relative content of Cr, Fe, and Si from raw material to calcined decoction pieces and an increase in the relative content of Mg, Al, Br, K, Cl, and Na from calcined decoction pieces to standard decoction. X-ray diffraction(XRD) was employed to establish XRD characteristic patterns of the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction. The XRD results showed that the main phase of all three was calcite, and no transformation of crystalline form or generation of new phase was observed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) was employed to establish the FTIR characteristic spectra of the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction. The FTIR results showed that the raw material had internal vibrations of O-H, C-H, C=O, C-O, and CO■ groups. Due to the loss of organic matter components after calcination, no information about the vibrations of C-H, C=O, and C-O groups was observed in the spectra of calcined decoction pieces and standard decoction. In summary, this study elucidated the quantity-quality transfer and phase changes in the raw material-calcined decoction pieces-standard decoction process by determining the CaCO_3 content, calculating the extract yield and transfer rate, and comparing the element changes, FTIR characteristic spectra, and XRD characteristic pattern. The results were reasonable and reliable, laying a foundation for the subsequent process research and quality control of the formula granules of calcined Ostreae Concha(O. rivularis Gould), and providing ideas and methods for the quality control of the whole process of raw material-decoction pieces-standard decoction-formula granules of Ostreae Concha and other testacean traditional Chinese medicine.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Calcium Carbonate/analysis* ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between fish consumption and stroke is inconsistent, and it is uncertain whether this association varies across predicted stroke risks. METHODS: A cohort study comprising 95,800 participants from the Prediction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China project was conducted. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect data on fish consumption. Participants were stratified into low- and moderate-to-high-risk categories based on their 10-year stroke risk prediction scores. Hazard ratios ( HRs) and 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models and additive interaction by relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy index (SI). RESULTS: During 703,869 person-years of follow-up, 2,773 incident stroke events were identified. Higher fish consumption was associated with a lower risk of stroke, particularly among moderate-to-high-risk individuals ( HR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.47-0.60) than among low-risk individuals ( HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.49-0.85). A significant additive interaction between fish consumption and predicted stroke risk was observed (RERI = 4.08, 95% CI: 2.80-5.36; SI = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.42-1.89; AP = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.28-0.43). CONCLUSION Higher fish consumption was associated with a lower risk of stroke, and this beneficial association was more pronounced in individuals with moderate-to-high stroke risk.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Stroke/etiology* ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Incidence ; Aged ; Animals ; Fishes ; Risk Factors ; Diet ; Seafood ; Adult ; Cohort Studies

Objective:To establish fingerprint spectra of Pinelliae Rhizoma from different production areas; To comprehensively evaluate the quality of Pinelliae Rhizoma and Su Pinelliae Rhizoma from other main producing areas by screening and content determination of different components combined with chemometrics.Methods:Shimadzu Shim pack GIST C18-AQ (250 mm ×4.6 mm, 5 μm) chromatography column was used, with acetonitrile aqueous solution as the mobile phase, gradient elution, flow rate of 0.8 ml/min, detection wavelength of 260 nm, column temperature of 25 ℃, and injection volume of 20 μl. Chemometric analysis were performed using SIMCA 14.1 and SPSS 22.0 software. Heterogeneous indicator components were screened out basing on a VIP value greater than 1. Some components were identified and determined the contents. Three principal components were extract basing on the characteristic value λ>1 and cumulative variance contribution rate greater than 85%. Linear weighted sum was performed by variance contribution rate. The samples were calculated the comprehensive score and ranked to evaluated the overall quality.Results:There were a total of 11 common peaks in the fingerprint spectra of 16 batches of Pinelliae Rhizoma, and the results of methodological investigation met the technical requirements of fingerprints, with a similarity of 0.623-0.975. 5 chromatographic peaks were identified, which were cytidine (peak 3), uridine (peak 4), adenine (peak 5), guanosine (peak 6) and adenosine (peak 8), respectively. 16 batches of Pinelliae Rhizoma were grouped into 2 categories: S1, S4, S5, S7, S9-S18 were grouped into one category, and S2, S3, S6, and S8 batches of Su Pinelliae Rhizoma were grouped into another. The comprehensive score showed that the overall quality of wild Pinelliae Rhizoma in Dangshan, wild Pinelliae Rhizoma in Zhijin, Guizhou, and Pinelliae Rhizoma in Xihe, Gansu was good. Seven differential components with VIP values greater than 1 were screened out, and the active contents of uridine, guanosine and adenosine were determined. The results showed that in 5 batches of Su Pinelliae Rhizoma (S2, S3, S6, S7, S8) samples, the total amount of uridine, guanosine and adenosine(0.450-1.177 mg/g) was significantly higher than that of Pinelliae Rhizoma from other regions, especially the Su Pinelliae Rhizoma planted in Suixi County.Conclusions:The fingerprint spectrum combined with chemometrics and content determination of differential component is a stable and reliable method for evaluating the quality of Pinelliae Rhizoma from different regions. It can provide references for the overall quality control and evaluation of Pinelliae Rhizoma, as well as research on artificial cultivation and introduction of Su Pinelliae Rhizoma.

Liumotang comes from the Yuan dynasty's Effective Prescription Handed Down for Generations of Physicians. It is composed of six medicinal materials： Arecae Semen， Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum， Aucklandiae Radix， Linderae Radix， Rhei Radix et Rhizoma， and Aurantii Fructus. It is a classical formula for treating abdominal pain due to Qi stagnation and constipation accompanied by heat. This study systematically collated the records of Liumotang in ancient medical books and modern clinical literature and conducted in-depth analysis and textual research on its formula source， main diseases， composition， dosage， medical books， container capacity， processing， preparation method， usage， drug basis， formula meaning， and other key information， so as to provide a powerful reference for the development and clinical application of compound preparations of the classical formula Liumotang. The results show that Liumotang was first seen in Effective Prescription Handed Down for Generations of Physicians， and many medical books of the past dynasties have imitated this. In terms of drug basis， the dried and mature seeds of the palm plant Areca catechu， resin-containing wood of the Daphneaceae plant Aquilaria sinensis， the dried roots of the Asteraceae plant woody Aucklandia lappa， the dried tuber root of the Lauraceae plant Lindera aggregata， the dried roots and rhizomes of the knotweed plant， R. palmatum， R.tangutikum， and R. officinale， and the dried and unripe fruits of the citrus genus C. aurantium and its cultivated varieties from the family Rutaceae were selected. In terms of dosage， through the textual research on bowls in the Ming and Qing dynasties， combined with the conversion of medicines and bowl capacity in the Qing dynasty， it was estimated that the dosage of each drug in the Yuan dynasty was 10.86 g. In the Ming and Qing dynasties， the dosage of drugs was mostly equal， but the dosage of drugs was somewhat different. In terms of processing， preparation method， and usage， in the medical books of the past dynasties， the processing of drugs has slightly changed， but raw drugs are used in all preparations. The preparation method and usage did not change much during the Yuan， Ming， and Qing dynasties， except for certain differences in dosage. In terms of syndrome， Liumotang was first used to treat abdominal pain due to Qi stagnation and constipation accompanied by heat. Medical books of the past dynasties often omit the symptoms of heat. In modern clinical practice， Liumotang is mainly used in the digestive system and urinary system diseases and is mostly used to treat constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome， biliary reflux gastritis， functional constipation， slow transit constipation， and other diseases， with no adverse reactions found yet. The above results provide a reliable scientific basis for the development and clinical treatment of Liumotang compound preparations.

Articular cartilage is a crucial tissue structure in humans.With ongoing exploration of joint tissue structure and the emergence of innovative biotechnological organoids,various sources of stem cells can be selected for induction to differentiate into articular cartilaginous organoids based on the articular cartilage tissue structure,which can be applied to the treatment of cartilage defects,drug testing,and precision medicine and biological development.This article presents a review of the research progress concerning articular cartilaginous organoids,in order to provide a reference for clinical practice.

Objectives:This study aims to investigate the association between Chinese visceral adiposity index(CVAI)and the risk of cardiovascular disease(CVD),and explore the sex differences.Methods:Participants were screened from the three sub-cohorts of Prediction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China(China-PAR)project,baseline information on body measure and biochemistry examinations were collected from 1998,2000-2001,and 2007-2008,separately.Participants were followed up to 2015.Cohort-stratified Cox proportional risk models were used to analyze the relationship between CVAI,both in continuous(per standard deviation increase)and categorical(quartiles,with Q1 as reference)scales,and CVD risk in the total population,men and women.The multiplicative interaction between sex and CVAI on CVD risk were calculated.Restricted cubic spline regression was employed to investigate the dose-response relationship.Results:A total of 98 464 participants without CVD at baseline were included.During the 723 508 person-years of follow-up,3 605 CVD events were recorded.After multivariate adjustment,the HRs(95％CIs)of CVD were 1.25(1.20-1.29),1.09(1.04-1.15),and 1.54(1.46-1.64)for per standard deviation increment in CVAI in the general population,men and women,respectively.Besides,compared with Q1 group,the HRs(95％CIs)in Q4 group were 1.87(1.67-2.10),1.33(1.14-1.54)and 3.84(3.09-4.78),correspondingly,and the effect of CVAI on the risk of CVD was significantly higher in women than in men(Pinteraction<0.05).Additionally,there was a positive dose-response relationship between CVAI and the risk of CVD.Conclusions:Elevated CVAI is an independent risk factor for CVD,especially in women.

OBJECTIVE To understand the drug resistance genes,virulence genes and molecular epidemiological characteristics of extensively drug-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae(XDR-hvKP)strains causing hospital-associated infection.METHODS The clinical isolates of XDR-hvKP were collected from Tongling People's Hospital from Jul.2020 to Dec.2022.The strains were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight(MALDI-TOF)mass spectrometry,the common drug resistance genes and virulence genes were an-alyzed by Sanger sequencing,the capsular serotypes were determined by wzi gene sequencing;the drug resistance genes,virulence genes and ST subtypes were observed by means of whole-genome sequencing(WGS)technique.RESULTS Totally 18 strains of XDR-hvKP were collected,55.56％(10/18)of which were isolated from blood specimens,and 61.11％(11/18)were isolated from critical care medicine department.Sanger sequen-cing analysis showed that all of the strains carried blaKPC-2 drug resistance gene;rmpA2(100.00％)and rmpA,i-roN,iutA(94.44％,17/18)were the major virulence genes carried by the strains.WGS analysis indicated that all of the 18 XDR-hvKP isolates carried multiple drug resistance genes such as blaKPC-2 carbapenemase and the viru-lence genes like capsule(rmpA/rmpA2),aerobacterin(iucABCD-iutA),Salmonella(iroN)and yersinin(ybt).All of the ST subtypes were ST 11,and all of the capsular serotypes were KL 64.CONCLUSIONS The ST11-KL64 type XDR-hvKP strains carry blaKPC-2;rmpA,rmpA2,iroN and iutA are the major virulence genes.It is necessary to strengthen the monitoring of key population of the key departments and make joint efforts of multiple departments to contain the transmission of the strains.

Objective To investigate the effects of cucurbitacin B (CucB) on alleviating skin lesions and inflammation in psoriasis mice via the cGAS-STING signaling pathway. Methods The expression of genes associated with the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in psoriatic lesions and non-lesional skin was analyzed, and hallmark gene set enrichment analysis was performed. The cytotoxicity of CucB on BMDMs was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The expression levels of genes and proteins related to the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, along with the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, were measured at different concentrations of CucB using quantitative PCR, Western blotting, and ELISA. Imiquimod-induced psoriasis BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: normal group, model group, low-dose CucB group [0.1 mg/ (kg.d)], and high-dose CucB group [0.4 mg/ (kg.d)], with five mice per group. PASI scoring was performed to assess the severity of psoriasis after 6 days of treatment, and HE staining was conducted to observe pathological damage. Meanwhile, the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines and their secretion were detected by qPCR and ELISA. Results Most cGAS-STING signaling-related genes were upregulated in lesional skin of psoriasis patients, and the hallmark gene set enrichment analysis revealed that the most significantly upregulated genes were primarily associated with immune response signaling pathways. CucB inhibited dsDNA-induced phosphorylation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and STING proteins in both bone-marrow derived macrophages(BMDMs) and THP-1 cells. CucB also suppressed dsDNA-induced mRNA expression of IFNB1, TNF, IFIT1, CXCL10, ISG15, and reduced the secretion of cytokines such as IFN-β, IL-1β, and TNF-α in THP-1 cells. In the imiquimod-induced psoriasis mouse model, CucB treatment reduced psoriatic symptoms, alleviated skin lesions, and attenuated inflammation. ELISA and qPCR results showed that CucB significantly reduced serum secretion levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β, as well as the mRNA levels of IL23A, IL1B, IL6, TNF, and IFNB1. Conclusion CucB inhibits cytoplasmic DNA-induced activationc of the GAS-STING pathway. CucB significantly attenuates skin lesions and inflammation in IMQ-induced psoriatic mice, and the potential molecular mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of the cGAS-STING pathway.
Animals ; Psoriasis/pathology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Mice ; Nucleotidyltransferases/genetics* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Skin/metabolism* ; Triterpenes/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Male