OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and mechanism of Jingangteng capsules in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD）. METHODS Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into normal group and modeling group. The modeling group was fed a high-fat diet to establish a NAFLD model. The successfully modeled rats were then randomly divided into model group， atorvastatin group[positive control， 2 mg/（kg·d）]， and Jingangteng capsules low- and high-dose groups [0.63 and 2.52 mg/（kg·d）]， with 6 rats in each group. The pathological changes of the liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and oil red O staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine the serum levels of triglycerides （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， alanine transaminase （ALT）， aspartate transaminase （AST）， tumour necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6， IL-18. 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing and metabolomics techniques were applied to explore the effects of Jingangteng capsules on gut microbiota and metabolisms in NAFLD rats. Based on the E-mail：591146765@qq.com metabolomics results， Western blot analysis was performed to detect proteins related to the nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB）/NOD-like receptor family protein 3 （NLRP3） signaling pathway in the livers of NAFLD rats. RESULTS The experimental results showed that Jingangteng capsules could significantly reduce the serum levels of TG， TC， LDL-C， AST， ALT， TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， IL-18， while increased the level of HDL-C， and alleviated the hepatic cellular steatosis and inflammatory infiltration in NAFLD rats. They could regulate the gut microbiota disorders in NAFLD rats， significantly increased the relative abundance of Romboutsia and Oscillospira， and significantly decreased the relative abundance of Blautia （P＜0.05）. They also regulated metabolic disorders primarily by affecting secondary bile acid biosynthesis， fatty acid degradation， O-antigen nucleotide sugar biosynthesis， etc. Results of Western blot assay showed that they significantly reduced the phosphorylation levels of NF-κB p65 and NF-κB inhibitor α， and the protein expression levels of NLRP3， caspase-1 and ASC （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Jingangteng capsules could improve inflammation， lipid accumulation and liver injury in NAFLD rats， regulate the disorders of gut microbiota and metabolisms， and inhibit NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Their therapeutic effects against NAFLD are mediated through the inhibition of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the association of malnutrition based on Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria with the disease activity and clinical outcomes in hospitalized ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.Methods:Clinical data of 115 patients with UC hospitalized in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from September 2019 to March 2023 were prospectively analyzed. GLIM and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) 2015 criteria were used for the diagnosis of malnutrition, allowing the analysis of consistency between two diagnostic criteria for malnutrition. The relationship between malnutrition based on GLIM criteria and disease activity and clinical outcome was further investigated. The risk factors of adverse clinical outcomes in UC patients were analyzed using binary logistic regression.Results:GLIM and ESPEN 2015 diagnostic criteria showed high correlation and consistency (AUC=0.875, P<0.001; K=0.809, P<0.001). According to GLIM criteria, the prevalence of malnutrition among hospitalized UC patients was 32.17% (37 cases). Compared with non-malnourished UC patients, the modified Mayo score and C-reactive protein level of malnutrition patients were higher ( P<0.005), and the proportion of patients with severe disease activity was higher ( P=0.005). UC patients in the malnourished group had longer hospital stay ( P<0.001), higher hospitalization costs ( P<0.001), and higher rates of drug escalation/conversion therapy, re-admission and surgery at 12 weeks and 54 weeks ( P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that a high Mayo score ( OR=3.606, P=0.016), a high modified Mayo score ( OR=1.346, P=0.009) and malnutrition ( OR=1.430, P=0.012) were independent risk factors for adverse clinical outcomes of hospitalized UC patients at 12 weeks. A high modified Mayo score ( OR=6.491, P=0.011) and malnutrition as per GLIM criteria ( OR=6.693, P=0.033) were independent risk factors for adverse clinical outcomes of hospitalized UC patients at 54 weeks. Conclusions:GLIM and ESPEN 2015 diagnostic criteria show high consistency in the diagnosis of malnutrition in hospitalized UC inpatients. Malnutrition may imply adverse clinical outcomes of hospitalized UC patients, which is an independent risk factor for the adverse clinical outcome of hospitalized UC patients.

Objective:To explore the effects of body mass index (BMI) on the incidence of nocturnal hypertension in patients with hypertension.Methods:Totally 341 hospitalized hypertensive patients treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from February to May 2023 were selected by convenience sampling. Patients' general information, clinical data, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure results were collected. A binomial Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the factors affecting the occurrence of nocturnal hypertension in these patients. The relationship between BMI and the incidence of nocturnal hypertension was examined using threshold effect tests and smooth curve fitting.Results:The binomial Logistic regression analysis indicated that blood phosphate level was a factor influencing the occurrence of nocturnal hypertension in hypertensive patients ( P<0.05). Smooth curve fitting and threshold effect test results showed that the relationship between BMI and the incidence of nocturnal hypertension was curve-correlated, with a turning point at 24.61 kg/m 2. To the left of the turning point, there was no correlation ( P=0.130) ; to the right, there was a correlation ( P=0.016) . Conclusions:When the BMI of hypertensive patients exceeds 24.61 kg/m 2, the likelihood of nocturnal hypertension increases with rising BMI, providing a precise intervention target for weight management-based patient care in hypertension.

Purpose: This study examined the diagnostic value of high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) features in differentiating between benign and malignant skin lesions. Methods: A total of 1,392 patients with 1,422 skin lesions who underwent HFUS examinations were included in an initial dataset (cohort 1) to identify features indicative of malignancy. Qualitative clinical and HFUS characteristics were recorded for all lesions. To determine which HFUS and clinical features were suggestive of malignancy, univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed. The diagnostic performance of HFUS features combined with clinical information was evaluated. This assessment was validated using internal data (cohort 2) and multicenter external data (cohort 3). Results: Features significantly associated with malignancy included age above 60 years; lesion location in the head, face, and neck or genital regions; changes in macroscopic appearance; crawling or irregular growth pattern; convex or irregular base; punctate hyperechogenicity; blood flow signals; and feeding arteries. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity of HFUS features combined with clinical information were 0.946, 92.5%, and 86.9% in cohort 1; 0.870, 93.1%, and 80.8% in cohort 2 (610 lesions); and 0.864, 86.2%, and 86.6% in cohort 3 (170 lesions), respectively. However, HFUS is not suitable for evaluating lesions less than 0.1 mm in thickness or lesions exhibiting surface hyperkeratosis. Conclusion In a clinical setting, the integration of HFUS with clinical information exhibited good diagnostic performance in differentiating malignant and benign skin lesions. However, its utility was limited in evaluating extremely thin lesions and those exhibiting hyperkeratosis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive memory deficits and cognitive decline. Previous studies of peripheral blood biomarkers in AD have been focused on alterations of β-amyloid (Aβ) and phosphorylated (p)-tau. This article reviews the research progress of new biomarkers, such as inflammatory factors, metabolic indicators, and non-coding RNA, in peripheral blood of AD in recent years, in order to provide references for AD diagnosis.

Purpose: This study examined the diagnostic value of high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) features in differentiating between benign and malignant skin lesions. Methods: A total of 1,392 patients with 1,422 skin lesions who underwent HFUS examinations were included in an initial dataset (cohort 1) to identify features indicative of malignancy. Qualitative clinical and HFUS characteristics were recorded for all lesions. To determine which HFUS and clinical features were suggestive of malignancy, univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed. The diagnostic performance of HFUS features combined with clinical information was evaluated. This assessment was validated using internal data (cohort 2) and multicenter external data (cohort 3). Results: Features significantly associated with malignancy included age above 60 years; lesion location in the head, face, and neck or genital regions; changes in macroscopic appearance; crawling or irregular growth pattern; convex or irregular base; punctate hyperechogenicity; blood flow signals; and feeding arteries. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity of HFUS features combined with clinical information were 0.946, 92.5%, and 86.9% in cohort 1; 0.870, 93.1%, and 80.8% in cohort 2 (610 lesions); and 0.864, 86.2%, and 86.6% in cohort 3 (170 lesions), respectively. However, HFUS is not suitable for evaluating lesions less than 0.1 mm in thickness or lesions exhibiting surface hyperkeratosis. Conclusion In a clinical setting, the integration of HFUS with clinical information exhibited good diagnostic performance in differentiating malignant and benign skin lesions. However, its utility was limited in evaluating extremely thin lesions and those exhibiting hyperkeratosis.

Purpose: This study examined the diagnostic value of high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) features in differentiating between benign and malignant skin lesions. Methods: A total of 1,392 patients with 1,422 skin lesions who underwent HFUS examinations were included in an initial dataset (cohort 1) to identify features indicative of malignancy. Qualitative clinical and HFUS characteristics were recorded for all lesions. To determine which HFUS and clinical features were suggestive of malignancy, univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed. The diagnostic performance of HFUS features combined with clinical information was evaluated. This assessment was validated using internal data (cohort 2) and multicenter external data (cohort 3). Results: Features significantly associated with malignancy included age above 60 years; lesion location in the head, face, and neck or genital regions; changes in macroscopic appearance; crawling or irregular growth pattern; convex or irregular base; punctate hyperechogenicity; blood flow signals; and feeding arteries. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity of HFUS features combined with clinical information were 0.946, 92.5%, and 86.9% in cohort 1; 0.870, 93.1%, and 80.8% in cohort 2 (610 lesions); and 0.864, 86.2%, and 86.6% in cohort 3 (170 lesions), respectively. However, HFUS is not suitable for evaluating lesions less than 0.1 mm in thickness or lesions exhibiting surface hyperkeratosis. Conclusion In a clinical setting, the integration of HFUS with clinical information exhibited good diagnostic performance in differentiating malignant and benign skin lesions. However, its utility was limited in evaluating extremely thin lesions and those exhibiting hyperkeratosis.

Objective To investigate serum levels of soluble apoptosis-related factor ligand(sFasL)and stromal cell derived factor 1(SDF-1)in patients with aplastic anemia(AA)and their correlation with immunosuppressive treatment.Methods Forty-three AA patients who received immunosuppressive therapy for half a year were selected as the observation group,and another 43 healthy subjects at the same period were selected as the control group.Patients in the observation group received immunosuppressive therapy and hematopoietic propoietic therapy,and patients were divided into the ineffective group and the effective group according to the efficacy.Clinical data of patients were collected,and serum levels of sFasL,SDF-1,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-8(IL-8)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The correlation between serum sFasL and SDF-1 levels was analyzed.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze influencing factors of immunosuppressive treatment in AA patients.The predictive values of serum sFasL and SDF-1 on immunosuppressive treatment were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results Serum levels of sFasL and SDF-1 were higher in the observation group than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Serum levels of TNF-α,IL-8,sFasL and SDF-1 were higher in the ineffective group than those in the effective group(P＜0.05).Serum sFasL level was positively correlated with SDF-1 level in AA patients(r=0.534,P＜0.001).Increased serum sFasL and SDF-1 levels were independent risk factors for ineffective immunosuppressive therapy in AA patients(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of serum sFasL and SDF-1 combined to predict the immunosuppressive treatment effect of AA patients was 0.973(95%CI:0.872-0.999),which was better than that of single diagnosis(P＜0.05),and its sensitivity and specificity were 94.44%and 96.00%,respectively.Conclusion Serum levels of sFasL and SDF-1 are significantly increased in patients with AA.The combined detection of sFasL and SDF-1 has high predictive value for the immunosuppressive treatment effect of AA.

T1 mapping is a widely-used magnetic resonance technology in recent years.By quantifying the T1 value and extracellular volume of myocardial tissue,T1 mapping can evaluate the cardiovascular diseases leading to myocardial fibrosis.The basic principle,scanning sequence and application of T1 mapping are reviewed in diseases leading to myocardial fibrosis,mainly including:myocardial infarction,hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,dilated cardiomyopathy,congenital heart disease,aortic stenosis,hypertensive heart disease,diabetic cardiomyopathy,uremic cardiomyopathy,heart failure with preserved ejection fraction,heart transplantation,etc.

The goal of achieving elimination of schistosomiasis across all endemic counties in China by 2030 was proposed in the Outline of the Healthy China 2030 Plan. On June 16, 2023, the Action Plan to Accelerate the Elimination of Schistosomiasis in China (2023—2030) was jointly issued by National Disease Control and Prevention Administration and other 10 ministries, which deployed the targets and key tasks of the national schistosomiasis elimination programme in China. This article describes the progress of the national schistosomiasis control programme, analyzes the opportunities to eliminate schistosomiasis, and proposes targeted recommendations to tackle the challenges of schistosomiasis elimination, so as to accelerate the process towards schistosomiasis elimination and facilitate the building of a healthy China.