Primary biliary cholangitis （PBC） is an autoimmune liver disease characterized by intrahepatic cholestasis， while fatigue is a common symptom of PBC that significantly affects the quality of life of patients. The pathogenesis of fatigue is complex and may be associated with the factors such as cholestasis-induced inflammation， gut microbiota dysbiosis， brain structural and functional abnormalities， and mitochondrial dysfunction. At present， first-line therapies and liver transplantation have a limited effect in alleviating fatigue， and there is still a lack of standardized comprehensive assessment system. Emerging drugs and non-pharmaceutical interventions， including lifestyle modifications， have shown potential application prospects. This article systematically reviews the research advances in the clinical manifestations， pathogenesis， clinical assessment， and intervention of fatigue in PBC patients， in order to provide a reference for optimizing treatment strategies and promoting the research and development of new therapies.

Background: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE), a common complication of advanced cancers, is associated with poor prognosis and reduced quality of life. Although host–tumor interactions are known to drive MPE development, the associated immune dynamics during disease progression remain unclear. Using a Lewis lung carcinoma-induced MPE model in C57BL/6JNidfc mice, we systematically evaluated general parameters and immune cell changes at two-day intervals throughout disease progression. Results: The day of Lewis lung carcinoma cell injection into the pleural space was designated as day 0. By day 10 post-injection (p.i.), MPE-bearing mice exhibited ~ 10% body weight loss, marking the experimental endpoint. Pleural tumor mass and pleural effusion volume were minimal up to day 4 p.i. but increased sharply from day 6 onward.CD45⁺ immune cell counts rose over time, and days 6, 8, and 10 p.i. marked key stages of MPE progression. On day 6, B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells, but not macrophages and neutrophils, increased significantly compared to earlier timepoints. By day 8, all immune cell subsets except T cells exceeded day 6 levels, and at day 10, natural killer cell numbers declined while others continued to increase. Besides, the numbers of CD8⁺ T cells, Th1 cells, regulatory T cells, and M2 macrophages progressively increased from day 6 to 10. Based on these data, days 6 and 10 were defined as early and advanced MPE stages, respectively, with distinct immune phenotypes. In advanced MPE, CD8⁺ T cells displayed reduced IFN-γ, TNF-α, Granzyme B, Perforin, FasL, and Ki-67, but upregulated PD-1 and CTLA-4 relative to early stage. Similarly, Th1 cells showed decreased IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 production along with reduced Ki-67 expression. Advanced-stage M2 macrophages exhibited lower MHC-II levels and impaired phagocytosis, but higher PD-L1 and IL-10 production, while neutrophils showed reduced TNF-α release and phagocytic activity. Conclusions Our findings characterize the temporal immune dynamics associated with MPE progression in a mouse model, revealing a transition from an early immunostimulatory state to a late immunosuppressive state. This study enhances our understanding of MPE immunopathogenesis and provides a foundation for developing precise, stagespecific therapeutic strategies.

ObjectiveTo assess the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of the traditional Chinese medicine compound Shenlong decoction in addressing the symptoms of pulmonary deficiency and stasis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF）. MethodsSixty eligible patients with lung deficiency and collateral stasis syndrome of IPF were randomly assigned to the observation （30 patients） and control groups （30 patients）. All patients underwent standard Western medical therapy. Additionally，the observation group received Shenlong decoction granules，while the control group received a placebo. Both treatments were packaged in four doses of 10.5 g each，taken twice daily for three months. The indexes of the patients during the treatment cycle were observed，and the main indexes include traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores and 6 min walk test （6MWT）. The secondary indexes include pulmonary function test ［actual value/expected value of total lung volume （TLC%），actual value/expected value of vital capacity（FVC%），actual/predicted diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide（DLCO%），actual/predicted forced expiratory volume in one second （FEV₁%），and FEV₁/ forced vital capacity （FVC）］，blood gas analysis ［arterial blood diathesis partial pressure of oxygen （PaO₂），partial pressure of carbon dioxide （PaCO₂），and arterial oxygen saturation （SaO₂）］，serum inflammatory factors ［transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁），interleukin-4 （IL-4），interleukin-13 （IL-13），interleukin-12 （IL-12），and gamma-interferon （IFN-γ）］，and quality of survival evaluation ［St George's Respiratory Questionnaire （SGRQ） score］. The patients' clinical manifestations were determined at the end of the treatment， and the occurrence of adverse events was recorded. ResultsA total of 53 patients completed the study，comprising 27 in the control group and 26 in the observation group. Upon completion of the treatment period，the control group achieved a total effective rate of 33.33% （9/27），whereas the observation group demonstrated a total effective rate of 53.85% （14/26），which was statistically superior to the control group （χ²=4.034，P<0.05）. After the treatment，the TCM syndrome scores，6MWT，DLCO%，FEV₁%，PaO₂，PaCO₂，TGF-β₁，IL-4，IL-13，IL-12，and IFN-γ in the two groups were all significantly improved （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the control group after treatment at the same period，the TCM syndrome scores，6MWT，PaO₂，and PaCO₂ were significantly improved in the observation group after 60 days and 90 days of medication （P<0.01）. Three months after the end of medication，the SGRQ score in the observation group showed significant improvement when compared to that in the control group （P<0.05），and no severe adverse events were reported during the follow-up period. ConclusionCompound Shenlong decoction can alleviate clinical symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing in patients with lung deficiency and collateral stasis syndrome of IPF，enhance exercise tolerance，improve the quality of life，and have certain potential advantages in improving pulmonary function.

ObjectiveTo assess the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of the traditional Chinese medicine compound Shenlong decoction in addressing the symptoms of pulmonary deficiency and stasis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF）. MethodsSixty eligible patients with lung deficiency and collateral stasis syndrome of IPF were randomly assigned to the observation （30 patients） and control groups （30 patients）. All patients underwent standard Western medical therapy. Additionally，the observation group received Shenlong decoction granules，while the control group received a placebo. Both treatments were packaged in four doses of 10.5 g each，taken twice daily for three months. The indexes of the patients during the treatment cycle were observed，and the main indexes include traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores and 6 min walk test （6MWT）. The secondary indexes include pulmonary function test ［actual value/expected value of total lung volume （TLC%），actual value/expected value of vital capacity（FVC%），actual/predicted diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide（DLCO%），actual/predicted forced expiratory volume in one second （FEV₁%），and FEV₁/ forced vital capacity （FVC）］，blood gas analysis ［arterial blood diathesis partial pressure of oxygen （PaO₂），partial pressure of carbon dioxide （PaCO₂），and arterial oxygen saturation （SaO₂）］，serum inflammatory factors ［transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁），interleukin-4 （IL-4），interleukin-13 （IL-13），interleukin-12 （IL-12），and gamma-interferon （IFN-γ）］，and quality of survival evaluation ［St George's Respiratory Questionnaire （SGRQ） score］. The patients' clinical manifestations were determined at the end of the treatment， and the occurrence of adverse events was recorded. ResultsA total of 53 patients completed the study，comprising 27 in the control group and 26 in the observation group. Upon completion of the treatment period，the control group achieved a total effective rate of 33.33% （9/27），whereas the observation group demonstrated a total effective rate of 53.85% （14/26），which was statistically superior to the control group （χ²=4.034，P<0.05）. After the treatment，the TCM syndrome scores，6MWT，DLCO%，FEV₁%，PaO₂，PaCO₂，TGF-β₁，IL-4，IL-13，IL-12，and IFN-γ in the two groups were all significantly improved （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the control group after treatment at the same period，the TCM syndrome scores，6MWT，PaO₂，and PaCO₂ were significantly improved in the observation group after 60 days and 90 days of medication （P<0.01）. Three months after the end of medication，the SGRQ score in the observation group showed significant improvement when compared to that in the control group （P<0.05），and no severe adverse events were reported during the follow-up period. ConclusionCompound Shenlong decoction can alleviate clinical symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing in patients with lung deficiency and collateral stasis syndrome of IPF，enhance exercise tolerance，improve the quality of life，and have certain potential advantages in improving pulmonary function.

BACKGROUND:The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase(PI3K/AKT)signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in regulating osteoclast activation,which is essential for maintaining bone homeostasis.Bone destruction in osteoarticular tuberculosis is caused by aberrant osteoclastogenesis induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.However,the role of the PI3K signaling pathway in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced aberrant osteoclastogenesis remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects and mechanisms of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway inhibitor BYL-719 on aberrant osteoclastogenesis induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. METHODS:RAW264.7 cells were infected with bovine Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacillus calmette-cuerin vaccine,and Ag85B was used for cellular immunofluorescence staining.The cell counting kit-8 assay was employed to determine the safe concentration of BYL-719.There were four groups in the experiment:blank control group,BYL-719 group,BCG group,and BCG+BYL-719 group.Under the induction of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand,the effects of BYL-719 on post-infection osteoclast differentiation and fusion were explored through tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and phalloidin staining.RT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of osteoclast-related genes and proteins,and further investigate the mechanism of action. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Immunofluorescence staining showed that RAW264.7 cells phagocytosed Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Cell counting kit-8 data indicated that 40 nmol/L BYL-719 was non-toxic to cells.Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and phalloidin staining showed that BYL-719 inhibited the generation and fusion ability of osteoclasts following infection.RT-PCR and western blot results also indicated that BYL-719 suppressed the upregulation of osteoclast-specific genes(including c-Fos,NFATc1,matrix metalloproteinase 9,and CtsK)induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection(P<0.05).Western blot and immunofluorescence staining revealed that BYL-719 inhibited excessive osteoclast differentiation induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis by downregulating the expression of IκBα-p65.To conclude,BYL-719 inhibits aberrant osteoclastogenesis induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis through the downregulation of IκBα/p65.Therefore,the IκBα/p65 signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic target for osteoarticular tuberculosis,and BYL-719 holds potential value for the preventing and amelioration of bone destruction in osteoarticular tuberculosis.BYL-719 has the potential to prevent and ameliorate bone destruction in osteoarticular tuberculosis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of medium-chain fatty acids(MC-FAs)caprylic acid(C8∶0)on lipid metabolism of calf hepatocytes.Primary calf hepatocytes were extracted and cultured,and 1.2 mmol/L nonesterified fatty acids(NEFAs)were added to the hep-atocytes to construct a model of hepatic lipid deposition in primary calf hepatocytes,Five process-ing groups have been set up:Control group(Ctrl),NEFA added group(NEFA),C8∶0 1.2 mmol/L treatment group(C8∶0 1.2),NEFA+C8∶0 0.2 mmol/L treatment group(NEFA+C8∶00.2),C8∶0 0.2 mmol/L treatment group(C8∶0 0.2).Stimulate calf liver cells for 12 hours,and the levels of triglyceride(TG),lipid oxidation(MDA),hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)and total SOD activity were detected by biochemical kit,and FAS,a protein related to lipid synthesis,was detec-ted by Western blot.The results showed that compared with the control group,the concentrations of TG,MDA and H2O2 in NEFA group increased significantly(P＜0.01),and the activity of SOD decreased significantly(P＜0.05).The protein expression levels of FAS,ACC1,DGAT2 and SREBP-1C were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01),while the expression level of CPT1A was significantly down-regulated(P＜0.01).Compared with the NEFA group,the protein expression levels of SREBP-1C and DGAT2 in the NEFA+C8∶0(concentration 0.2 mmol/L)group de-creased significantly(P＜0.05),and the protein expression level of fatty acid β-oxidation related molecule CPT1A was slightly higher than that in the NEFA group,but there was no statistical sig-nificance(P＞0.05),and the MDA level in hepatocytes decreased significantly(P＜0.05).In a word,the results of this study show that C8∶0 has antioxidant effect,which can effectively reduce the liver injury caused by oxidative stress,regulate the expression of liver fat gene,and then pro-tect liver injury.

Objective:To investigate the molecular mechanism of miR-886-5p targeting BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX) to inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of liver cancer cells.Methods:mRNA expression data of HCC patients were obtained from the Starbase database, including 370 liver cancer samples and 50 normal liver tissue samples adjacent to the cancer. Analyze the expression of miR-886-5p in the previously obtained data and investigate the relationship between miR-886-5p and BAX in liver cancer samples. After transfection of the corresponding plasmids into Huh7 and HepG2 cells, the following groups were established. Analyze the interaction between miR-886-5p and BAX in vitro, detect the protein expression by Western blotting, and verify the targeting relationship between the two by dual luciferase reporter gene assay.Results:Starbase database analysis found that the standardized expression level of miR-886-5p in 370 liver cancer samples was lower than that in normal liver tissue samples (0.12±0.07 vs. 0.73±0.27, t=-15.71, P<0.001), and the expression level of miR-886-5p was positively correlated with the expression level of BAX ( r=0.152, P=0.003). qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression level of miR-886-5p in HL-7702 cells was higher than that in Huh7 (4.57±0.06 vs. 1.61±0.40, t=32.48) and HepG2 (4.57±0.06 vs. 1.03±0.13, t=143.9), and the expression level of BAX in HL-7702 cells was higher than that in Huh7 (4.01±0.12 vs. 1.28±0.09, t=82.20) and HepG2 (4.01±0.12 vs. 1.30±0.11, t=80.76), the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.001). The proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of Huh7 and HepG2 cells decreased after transfection with miR-886-5p mimics, while the expression levels of BAX at the mRNA and protein levels increased. However, after inhibiting the expression of miR-886-5p, the above indicators of cells were the opposite, and the dif-ferences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The viability, EdU positivity rate, cell migration rate, and number of transmembrane cells in the miR-886-5p+ BAX group were lower than those in the BAX group, and the relative expression levels of miR-886-5p, BAX mRNA, and BAX protein were higher than those in the BAX group. However, the above indicators in the Sponge+ BAX group showed opposite trends, and all differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). There was a targeted binding site between miR-886-5p and BAX. Conclusion:Both miR-886-5p and BAX are downregulated in liver cancer, and miR-886-5p inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of liver cancer cells by targeting BAX.

Objective:To explore the application value of diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF) and lung ultrasound score (LUS) in predicting the weaning outcome of elderly patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) under mechanical ventilation, and to analyze their correlation, thereby providing evidence for clinical decision-making.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on elderly ARDS patients admitted to the ICU of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University from January 2020 to December 2023. The inclusion criteria included age > 60 years, endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation time >24 h, and a diagnosis of ARDS based on the Berlin definition. Exclusion criteria included neuromuscular diseases, spinal cord injury, post-thoracoabdominal surgery, thoracic or tracheal deformity, and mid-course tracheostomy conversion. Patients were divided into a success group and a failure group based on weaning outcomes. Demographic data, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health EvaluationⅡ (APACHEⅡ) scores, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, oxygenation index at ICU admission, and pre-extubation DTF, LUS, and oxygenation index were recorded. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors affecting weaning outcomes. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of DTF and LUS for weaning outcomes. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between DTF and LUS.Results:A total of 317 patients were included, including 212 in the success group and 105 in the failure group. There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, APACHEⅡ score, SOFA score, etc., between the two groups (all P>0.05). Pre-weaning LUS was higher in the failure group than in the success group [(17.26±3.04) vs. (13.69±4.06), P<0.001], and the DTF was significantly lower than that of the successful group [(27.83%±6.37%) vs. (40.15%±6.49%), P<0.001]. Binary logistic regression identified LUS and DTF as independent influencing factors for weaning outcomes (both P<0.05). ROC analysis revealed that LUS predicted weaning failure with an AUC of 0.748 (95% CI: 0.695-0.801, P<0.001), sensitivity of 83.81% and specificity of 56.60%. DTF predicted weaning success with an AUC of 0.935 (95% CI: 0.909-0.961, P<0.001), sensitivity of 83.02% and specificity of 89.52%. A negative correlation was observed between LUS and DTF before weaning ( r=-0.385, P<0.001). Conclusions:Both DTF and LUS are effective indicators for assessing weaning outcomes in elderly ARDS patients, offering complementary clinical insights. Higher LUS reflects more severe pulmonary pathology and increased weaning risk, while lower DTF indicates impaired diaphragmatic function and reduced likelihood of successful extubation. Integration of these parameters provides a comprehensive foundation for clinical decision-making.

Objective To explore the value of CT signs and quantitative parameters of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Methods A total of 349 colorectal cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy at Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Hebei Province from January 2022 to January 2025 were selected and and divided into the effective group (n = 267) and the ineffective group (n = 82) according to the evaluation criteria for the efficacy of solid tumors. Conduct a CT examination and extract AI quantitative parameters from the CT images based on the lesion. The data were analyzed using SPSS21.0 software, Logistic regression was used to screen the influencing factors of ineffective neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer, and separate and combined models of CT signs and AI quantitative parameters were established. The predictive effect of the model was verified by using the ROC curve, calibration curve and decision curve. Results Compared with the effective group, the proportion of regular tumor morphology and the proportion of non-enlarged lymph nodesin the ineffective group were smaller. The tumor volume, peak value and entropy value were larger (P < 0.05). Multivariable analysis showed that irregular shape (OR= 4.216), presence of lymph node enlargement (OR = 8.998), larger tumor volume (OR = 1.109), higher average CT value (OR = 1.120), elevated peak value (OR = 2.528), and increased entropy value (OR = 1.390) were independent risk factors for ineffective neoadjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer (P < 0.05). The areas under the ROC curves of the individual and combined models of CT signs and AI quantitative parameters were 0.777, 0.818, and 0.877, respectively(P < 0.05). The calibration curve showed a Brier score of 0.091. The decision curve showed that the threshold was between 0.10 and 0.85, and the combined model achieved a relatively high net clinical benefit. Conclusion CT signs combined with AI quantitative parameters has a predictive value for the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer. To provide evidence-based basis for clinical screening of the population benefiting from chemotherapy and optimization of treatment strategies.

Fermented traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has a long history of medicinal use, such as Sojae Semen Praeparatum, Arisaema Cum Bile, Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentata, red yeast rice, and Jianqu. Fermentation technology was recorded in the earliest TCM work, Shen Nong's Classic of the Materia Medica. Microorganisms are essential components of the fermentation process. However, the contamination of fermented TCM by toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins due to unstandardized fermentation processes seriously affects the quality of TCM and poses a threat to the life and health of consumers. In this paper, the characteristics, microbial composition, and mycotoxin profile of fermented TCM are systematically summarized to provide a theoretical basis for its quality and safety control.
Fermentation ; Mycotoxins/analysis* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Fungi/classification* ; Bacteria/genetics* ; Drug Contamination ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional