Fecal microbiota transplantation （FMT） has been widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders， particularly Clostridium difficile infection， while there are few reports of its application in the diagnosis and treatment of cirrhotic ascites. This article reports a case of a patient with cirrhotic ascites and chronic diarrhea who received FMT with oral capsules， demonstrating significant short-term efficacy without any adverse reactions， in order to provide a reference for the application of FMT in the treatment of liver diseases.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the mechanism by which astragaloside IV (AS-IV) alleviates D-galactose (D-GAL)-induced senescence in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: Cultured HUVECs were treated with D-GAL (40 g/L), AS-IV (200 μmol/L), D-GAL+AS-IV, or D-GAL+AS-IV+MTK458 (a mitochondrial autophagy agonist, 25 μmol/L) for 48 h, and the changes in cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis capacity were evaluated. Cell apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential, and expressions of autophagy-related proteins (LC3-II/LC3-I) and PINK1/Parkin pathway proteins in the treated cells were detected. RESULTS: AS-IV treatment significantly reduced the inhibitory effect of D-GAL on HUVEC viability, effectively alleviated D-GAL-induced impairment of tube-forming ability, and promoted angiogenesis and migration ability of the cells. AS-IV also significantly reduced the rate of D-GAL-induced HUVECs positive for senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining and inhibited the expression of senescence-related genes P21 and P53. AS-IV restored mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced intracellular ROS levels in D-GAL-induced HUVECs, and inhibited the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes to prevent the completion of autophagic flux. In HUVECs treated with both D-GAL and AS-IV, the application MTK458 significantly increased the number of yellow spots and enhanced the expressions of P21, P53, PINK1, Parkin, LC3, and Beclin proteins. CONCLUSIONS AS-IV alleviates D-GAL-induced endothelial cell senescence by inhibiting the PINK1/Parkin pathway to regulate mitochondrial autophagy.
Humans ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/drug effects* ; Cellular Senescence/drug effects* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism* ; Mitochondria/drug effects* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Galactose/pharmacology* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Cells, Cultured ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects*

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of interleukin 23p19(IL-23p19) monoclonal antibody in the MRL/lpr lupus-like mouse model. Methods A total of 36 female MRL/lpr mice aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into 6 groups: PBS group (blank control), IgG group (isotype IgG), dexamethasone (DEX) group (positive control), and three IL-23p19 monoclonal antibody treatment groups with different dose gradients: low dose (LD, 1 mg/kg), medium dose (MD, 3 mg/kg), and high dose (HD, 10 mg/kg). Drug intervention began at 12 weeks of age via tail vein injection. Urine protein levels were measured using urine protein test strips; serum anti-dsDNA antibody levels were detected by ELISA; serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer; renal histopathological changes were analyzed by H&E and PAS staining; immunofluorescence was used to assess IgG and C3 immune complex deposition in kidney tissues; flow cytometry was employed to examine the expression of T helper 1(Th1), Th2, Th17, T follicular helper (Tfh), and regulatory T cells(Treg) cell subsets in the spleen; and RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of related transcription factors in the spleen. Results IL-23p19 monoclonal antibody reduced urine protein levels, alleviated splenomegaly, improved renal function, and decreased anti-dsDNA antibody levels in MRL/lpr mice. It also mitigated glomerulonephritis and reduced renal immune complex deposition. Furthermore, IL-23p19 monoclonal antibody significantly suppressed the proportion of Th1 and Th17 cells while upregulating Treg cell proportion in the spleen. Additionally, it downregulated T-bet and retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) mRNA levels and upregulated forkhead box P3(FOXP3) mRNA levels in the spleen. Conclusions IL-23p19 monoclonal antibody demonstrates significant therapeutic effects in MRL/lpr mice, likely through modulation of the Th17/Treg cell balance.
Animals ; Female ; Mice, Inbred MRL lpr ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects* ; Th17 Cells/drug effects* ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use* ; Interleukin-23 Subunit p19/immunology* ; Mice ; Lupus Nephritis/drug therapy* ; Kidney/drug effects* ; Antibodies, Antinuclear/blood*

Objective:To explore the effect of scalp electroacupuncture (EA) on central pain sensitization in rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods:Thirty-two 8-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank control group, a model group, an electroacupuncture (EA) group and a sham EA group, each of 8. All of the rats except those in the control group had KOA induced through intra-articular monosodium iodoacetate injections in the right knee. Two weeks later the EA group rats began receiving daily head EA sessions 6 days/week for 2 weeks. The sham EA group received identical but non-therapeutic stimulation. The blank control and model groups received no EA intervention. Before the modelling and 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days later, all of the rats completed bipedal balance pain tests and mechanical allodynia evaluations. After the testing on day 28, all of the rats were euthanized for molecular analyses. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were performed to examine protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), and cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) in both the periaqueductal gray (PAG) matter and spinal dorsal horns (SDHs). Serum levels of substance P (SP) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were also quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Results:Three days after successful modeling, the average weight-bearing capacity of the right hind limb in the model, sham EA and EA groups was significantly lower than that of the blank controls. It reached its lowest level on the 14th day after modeling. Concurrently, the pain responses in those three groups were significantly higher than among the controls, also peaking on the 14th day after modeling. After two weeks of electroacupuncture, the electroacupuncture group showed significant improvement in both right hind limb weight-bearing capacity and pain response compared to the model group. Meanwhile, the levels of BDNF and TrkB protein in the periaqueductal gray matter were significantly higher in the model group than among the blank controls, while the electroacupuncture group exhibited significantly reduced expression of BDNF and TrkB proteins compared to the model group, along with significantly increased CB1R protein expression. The model group showed significantly elevated expression of both BDNF and TrkB proteins in the spinal dorsal horn compared to the blank control group, while there were significant differences between the EA and model groups in the expression of BDNF, TrkB and CB1R proteins. Immunohistochemical analysis on day 28 revealed that the EA group had significantly fewer BDNF- and TrkB-positive cells in the PAG compared to the model group, with significantly more CB1R-positive cells. In the SDH, the model group exhibited significantly increased numbers of BDNF- and TrkB-positive cells compared to the blank control group, whereas significant differences were found between the EA and blank control groups in the numbers of BDNF-, TrkB- and CB1R-positive cells. Serum analysis on day 28 demonstrated that substance P and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in the model, sham EA and EA groups were significantly higher than in the blank control group, on average. However, no significant differences were observed in serum SP and 5-HT levels between the EA and model groups.Conclusions:Scalp EA significantly alleviates central pain sensitization in KOA, at least in rats, potentially by suppressing BDNF and TrkB expression while upregulating CB1R expression in the PAG matter and the SDH.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of Tongnaoyin on the blood-brain barrier status and neurological impairment in acute ischemic stroke （AIS） patients with the syndrome of phlegm-stasis blocking collaterals by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging （DCE-MRI）. MethodsA total of 63 patients diagnosed with AIS in the Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine from October 2022 to December 2023 were enrolled in this study. According to random number table method，the patients were assigned into a control group （32 cases） and an observation group （31 cases）. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment，and the observation group took 200 mL Tongnaoyin after meals，twice a day from day 2 of admission on the basis of the treatment in the control group. After 7 days of treatment，the patients were examined by DCE-MRI. The baseline data for two groups of patients before treatment were compared. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale （NIHSS） score and modified Rankin Scale （mRS） score were recorded before treatment and after 90 days of treatment for both groups. The rKtrans，rKep，and rVe values were obtained from the region of interest （ROI） of the infarct zone/mirror area and compared between the two groups. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the NIHSS or mRS score between the two groups before treatment. After 90 days of treatment，the NIHSS and mRS scores declined in both groups，and the observation group had lower scores than the control group （P<0.05）. After treatment，the rKtrans and rVe in the observation group were lower than those in the control group （P<0.01）. ConclusionCompared with conventional Western medical treatment alone，conventional Western medical treatment combined with Tongnaoyin accelerates the repair of the blood-brain barrier in AIS patients，thereby ameliorating neurological impairment after AIS to improve the prognosis.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between cumulative ecological risks and physical activity behaviors of junior high school students, so as to provide theoretical support for promoting the physical and mental health development of junior high school students. Methods: From March to April 2023, a multistage random cluster sampling method was used to conduct an online survey of 3 502 middle school students in Henan Province. Physical activity levels and cumulative ecological risk were measured using the Physical Activity Rating Scale-3 and the Cumulative Ecological Risk Scale. Chisquare test and multiple Logistic regression were employed to examine the distribution and influencing factors of physical exercise behaviors among different student groups. Results: Slight physical exercise had the highest proportion of physical activity in tensity among junior high school students (48.5%), with 80.4% engaging in low levels of physical activity. Only 16.8% of students exercised ≥1 time daily, and the most common frequency was 1-2 times per week (44.1%). Gender, residential area, parental education, and peer support were all significantly associated with physical activity levels among junior high school students (χ2=122.53, 6.49, 7.49, 10.17, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that higher cumulative ecological risk scores were associated with a greater likelihood of engaging in low levels of physical activity compared to high levels (OR=1.12, 95%CI=1.02-1.23, P<0.05), but no significant association was found for moderate physical activity (OR=1.08, 95%CI=0.97-1.21, P>0.05). Conclusions Junior high school students in Henan Province generally engage in insufficient physical exercise. Cumulative ecological risk negatively predicts their physical activity behaviors.

Objective:To explore the effectiveness of find-organize-clarify-understand- select-plan-do-check-act (FOCUS-PDCA) cycle management in improving the accuracy of Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) scoring in inpatients.Methods:This study was a retrospective study. Data from a continuous quality improvement project, namely Improving the Accuracy of Nutritional Risk Screening for Inpatients from People's Hospital of Longhua in 2021 were selected. The NRS 2002 scores of newly admitted patients from 8 departments with relatively high nutritional risk (departments of gstroenterology, neurology, nephrology, respiratory medicine, oncology and hematology, neurosurgery, gastrointestinal surgery, and critical care medicine) from April 10, 2021 to April 29, 2021 (before intervention) were collected. The NRS 2002 scores were evaluated by a multidisciplinary nutrition support team in terms of accuracy and error types. Possible issues in the process of nutritional screening were analyzed and mitigated using the FOCUS-PDCA cycle management method. The NRS 2002 scores from July 18, 2021 to August 8, 2021 (after intervention) were collected in real time to summary the data on accuracy and error types and to evaluate the effect of FOCUS-PDCA.Results:The accuracy of NRS 2002 score in the 8 departments was increased from 52.97% (294/555) to 81.13% (473/583) after intervention, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=102.606, P<0.001). The accuracy of nutritional status impairment score was 64.14% before intervention, compared with 90.57% after intervention ( χ2=114.484, P<0.001). The accuracy of disease severity score was 78.56%, compared with 89.54% after intervention( χ2=25.736, P<0.001). The false-negative rate was 68.02% before intervention and 31.87% after intervention, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=31.501, P<0.001). Conclusion:FOCUS-PDCA can improve the accuracy of NRS 2002 scoring in inpatients, reduce the risk of failing to identify patients at nutritional risk, and contribute to further nutritional diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To explore the effectiveness of find-organize-clarify-understand- select-plan-do-check-act (FOCUS-PDCA) cycle management in improving the accuracy of Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) scoring in inpatients.Methods:This study was a retrospective study. Data from a continuous quality improvement project, namely Improving the Accuracy of Nutritional Risk Screening for Inpatients from People's Hospital of Longhua in 2021 were selected. The NRS 2002 scores of newly admitted patients from 8 departments with relatively high nutritional risk (departments of gstroenterology, neurology, nephrology, respiratory medicine, oncology and hematology, neurosurgery, gastrointestinal surgery, and critical care medicine) from April 10, 2021 to April 29, 2021 (before intervention) were collected. The NRS 2002 scores were evaluated by a multidisciplinary nutrition support team in terms of accuracy and error types. Possible issues in the process of nutritional screening were analyzed and mitigated using the FOCUS-PDCA cycle management method. The NRS 2002 scores from July 18, 2021 to August 8, 2021 (after intervention) were collected in real time to summary the data on accuracy and error types and to evaluate the effect of FOCUS-PDCA.Results:The accuracy of NRS 2002 score in the 8 departments was increased from 52.97% (294/555) to 81.13% (473/583) after intervention, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=102.606, P<0.001). The accuracy of nutritional status impairment score was 64.14% before intervention, compared with 90.57% after intervention ( χ2=114.484, P<0.001). The accuracy of disease severity score was 78.56%, compared with 89.54% after intervention( χ2=25.736, P<0.001). The false-negative rate was 68.02% before intervention and 31.87% after intervention, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=31.501, P<0.001). Conclusion:FOCUS-PDCA can improve the accuracy of NRS 2002 scoring in inpatients, reduce the risk of failing to identify patients at nutritional risk, and contribute to further nutritional diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To explore the advantages of individualized 3D-printed vaginal cylinder template-guided interstitial brachytherapy (3D-p-VC-ISBT) in locally advanced cervical cancer, aiming to provide reference for clinical adaptive brachytherapy.Methods:Clinical data of 20 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer admitted to Renji Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from September, 2021 to August, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The median age was 54 years old (32-69 years). Among them, 3 patients were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma and 17 cases of squamous cell carcinoma. According to the treatment method, all patients were divided into intracavitary brachytherapy group (ICBT-plan group, n=10) and 3D-p-VC-ISBT group (3D-p-VC-ISBT treatment-plan group, n=10). A pretreatment plan was designed for each patient undergoing 3D-p-VC-ISBT. The pretreatment plans were formed as the pretreatment-plan group. Dose volume histogram was used to evaluate dose distribution of the targets and organs at risk (OAR). Comparison between two groups was analyzed by Mann-Whitney test and comparison among three treatment plans (ICBT, 3D-p-VC-ISBT treatment-plan and 3D-p-VC-ISBT pretreatment-plan) was analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test. Results:The mean D 90rel (representing the dose received by 90% volume of the target area divided by the prescription dose) of high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) in 3D-p-VC-ISBT, pretreatment-plan and ICBT-plan groups were 100.47%, 104.66% and 85.91%, respectively. The conformity indexes were 0.66, 0.72 and 0.68, respectively. There was no significant difference in D 0.01 cm3, D 2 cm3 and D 5 cm3 of bladder, rectum and sigmoid colon among the three groups (all P>0.05). For the 3D-p-VC-ISBT treatment-plan group, the D 2 cm3 values of the small intestine at 6 Gy and 7 Gy prescription doses were 169.51 cGy and 111.93 cGy respectively, which were superior to those of the ICBT-plan group (343.07 cGy at 6 Gy prescription, P<0.01). Conclusions:Individualized 3D-p-VC-ISBT is superior to ICBT in terms of dose distribution of HR-CTV, and it can adaptively adjust the insertion plan according to changes in tumor volume and position, making the operation safer and more efficient.

Objective:To explore the advantages of individualized 3D-printed vaginal cylinder template-guided interstitial brachytherapy (3D-p-VC-ISBT) in locally advanced cervical cancer, aiming to provide reference for clinical adaptive brachytherapy.Methods:Clinical data of 20 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer admitted to Renji Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from September, 2021 to August, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The median age was 54 years old (32-69 years). Among them, 3 patients were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma and 17 cases of squamous cell carcinoma. According to the treatment method, all patients were divided into intracavitary brachytherapy group (ICBT-plan group, n=10) and 3D-p-VC-ISBT group (3D-p-VC-ISBT treatment-plan group, n=10). A pretreatment plan was designed for each patient undergoing 3D-p-VC-ISBT. The pretreatment plans were formed as the pretreatment-plan group. Dose volume histogram was used to evaluate dose distribution of the targets and organs at risk (OAR). Comparison between two groups was analyzed by Mann-Whitney test and comparison among three treatment plans (ICBT, 3D-p-VC-ISBT treatment-plan and 3D-p-VC-ISBT pretreatment-plan) was analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test. Results:The mean D 90rel (representing the dose received by 90% volume of the target area divided by the prescription dose) of high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) in 3D-p-VC-ISBT, pretreatment-plan and ICBT-plan groups were 100.47%, 104.66% and 85.91%, respectively. The conformity indexes were 0.66, 0.72 and 0.68, respectively. There was no significant difference in D 0.01 cm3, D 2 cm3 and D 5 cm3 of bladder, rectum and sigmoid colon among the three groups (all P>0.05). For the 3D-p-VC-ISBT treatment-plan group, the D 2 cm3 values of the small intestine at 6 Gy and 7 Gy prescription doses were 169.51 cGy and 111.93 cGy respectively, which were superior to those of the ICBT-plan group (343.07 cGy at 6 Gy prescription, P<0.01). Conclusions:Individualized 3D-p-VC-ISBT is superior to ICBT in terms of dose distribution of HR-CTV, and it can adaptively adjust the insertion plan according to changes in tumor volume and position, making the operation safer and more efficient.