OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism by which Qingre antai decoction improves pregnancy outcomes of threatened abortion rats with blood heat syndrome. METHODS The pregnant rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， dydrogesterone group （0.002 g/kg）， and Qingre antai decoction group （44.1 g/kg）， with 13 rats in each group. Except for normal group， other groups were given warming-yang Chinese medicine and corresponding drugs intragastrically， once a day， for 12 consecutive days. On the 13th day of pregnancy， a single intragastric administration of mifepristone （5 mg/kg） was performed to establish a model of threatened abortion with blood heat syndrome. On the 14th day of pregnancy， the abortion rate and uterine coefficient were calculated； the pathological morphology of pregnant uterine was observed； the serum levels of 3，5，3′-triiodothyronine （T3）， thyroid hormone （T4）， thyroid stimulating hormone （TSH）， as well as the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and nitric oxide （NO） in the pregnant uterus were all determined； the expressions of mRNA and protein related to Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （AKT） pathways were detected. RESULTS Compared with normal group， the model group exhibited endometrial tissue damage， a reduced number of decidual cells， and a significant presence of blood stasis within the uterus； abortion rate， the serum levels of T3， T4 and TSH， the mRNA expressions of JAK2， STAT3 and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 （SOCS3） as well as protein expressions of p-JAK2， p-STAT3 and SOCS3 in the pregnant uterus were increased significantly （ P ＜0.05）； uterine coefficient， the levels of VEGF and NO in pregnant uterus， mRNA expressions of VEGFR2， PI3K， AKT and endothelial nitric oxide synthase（eNOS）， protein expressions of VEGFR2， PI3K and eNOS as well as phosphorylation level of AKT in the pregnant uterus were significantly reduced （ P ＜0.05）. Compared with model group， the endometrial tissue damage and congestion in the Qingre antai decoction group were significantly improved， and the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators were significantly reversed （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Qingre antai decoction can improve the pregnancy outcomes in rats with threatened abortion of blood heat syndrome， the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 pathway and activating PI3K/AKT pathway.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a hemorrhagic autoimmune disease characterized by antibody-mediated platelet injury. ITP has complicated immunopathological mechanisms that need further elucidation. It is well known that the costimulatory molecules OX40 ligand (OX40L) and OX40 play essential roles in the immunological mechanisms of autoimmune diseases. Previously, we discovered that the expression of OX40L and OX40 is significantly increased in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of ITP patients. In our present study, OX40L-induced follicular helper T (Tfh) cells exhibited an activated phenotype with elevated expression of inducible T-cell costimulator (ICOS), programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), and cluster of differentiation 40 ligand (CD40L) in vitro. Moreover, aberrant OX40L‒OX40 expression might promote the Tfh1-to-Tfh2 shift in vivo, inducing the generation of autoantibodies by enhancing the helper function of Tfh cells for B lymphocytes in a mouse model, which might accelerate the progression of ITP. Additionally, signal transduction through the OX40L‒OX40 axis might be related to the activation of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF)‒nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and Janus kinase (JAK)‒signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathways. Overall, OX40L‒OX40 signaling is proposed as a potential novel therapeutic target for ITP.
Animals ; OX40 Ligand/physiology* ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/immunology* ; Cell Differentiation ; Mice ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/cytology* ; T Follicular Helper Cells/cytology* ; Signal Transduction ; Receptors, OX40 ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Female

Objective:To investigate the clinical diagnosis and treatment of granulomatous prostatitis（GP）in patients with Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System（PI-RADS）scores ≥ 4 on magnetic resonance imaging（MRI）.Methods:The data of 12 GP patients with PI-RADS score ≥ 4 who were admitted to Beijing Chaoyang Hospital，Capital Medical University，from February 2015 to February 2025，were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were aged 51?73 years（mean 66 years）. Presenting complaints included elevated prostate-specific antigen（PSA）levels in 6 cases，prostatic mass in 2 cases，urinary retention in 3 cases，and gross hematuria in 1 case. All 12 patients had concomitant lower urinary tract symptoms. Medical history revealed pulmonary tuberculosis in 2 cases，testicular tuberculosis in 1 case，close contact with tuberculosis in 1 case（spouse diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis 5 years earlier），allergic granulomatous vasculitis in 1 case，and intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin（BCG）instillation in 1 case. Digital rectal examination（DRE）showed gradeⅠprostatic hyperplasia in 2 cases，grade Ⅱ in 9 cases，and grade Ⅲ in 1 case. Nodules were palpable in 6 patients. The median PSA was 7.20 ng/ml（ranging 1.11?21.90 ng/ml），with 2 cases < 4 ng/ml. Transrectal ultrasound was performed in 10 patients，and prostate volumes were ranging from 29.48 to 109.78 cm3，with 6 cases > 45 cm3. All 12 patients underwent MRI，and all demonstrated PI-RADS scores ≥ 4，typically presenting as low signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging，high signal on diffusion-weighted imaging（DWI），and low apparent diffusion coefficient（ADC）values. Contrast-enhanced MRI in 8 cases revealed heterogeneous enhancement. One patient underwent 68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography-computed tomography（ 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT），which showed band-like increased uptake in the central zone. All 12 patients were preoperatively suspected of prostate cancer，of whom 10 underwent transrectal biopsy and 2 underwent transperineal biopsy. Pathological characteristics and follow-up results were analyzed. Treatment outcomes were analyzed，The International Prostate Symptom Score（IPSS），quality of life（QOL）score，maximum urinary flow rate（Q max），and post-void residual urine（PVR）volume were compared before and 1 month after treatment. Results:Histopathology confirmed GP in all cases，with chronic inflammation in 11 cases and acute inflammation in 1 case. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated positivity for CD68（macrophage marker），high-molecular weight cytokeratin（HCK），and reticulin staining；periodic acid-Schiff（PAS）and acid-fast staining were positive in 2 cases，corresponding to 1 patient with a prior history of pulmonary tuberculosis and 1 with testicular tuberculosis. Two patients underwent thulium laser enucleation of the prostate，while 10 received conservative treatment，including 2 patients with tuberculosis infection who were referred for anti-tuberculosis therapy and 8 patients treated with oral tamsulosin 0.2 mg once daily. Follow-up was completed in 10 patients：9 were followed for 1 ? 3 months（mean 2.4 months），and 1 patient was followed for 9 years before being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Two additional patients，whose pathological findings suggested a possible diagnosis of tuberculous granulomatous prostatitis，were advised to undergo anti-tuberculosis treatment at another hospital and were subsequently lost to follow-up. Among the 2 patients who underwent thulium laser enucleation，IPSS decreased from 26 and 25 to 6 and 5 respectively，QOL scores decreased from 6 and 5 to 1 and 0 respectively，Q max increased from 4.5 and 4.3 ml/s to 23.0 and 21.9 ml/s respectively. In the 8 patients treated conservatively，IPSS decreased from 18.45±7.17 to 14.45±5.03，and QOL score decreased from 5.09±1.04 to 4.09±0.70 at 1 month after treatment，showing significant improvement（ P < 0.05）. Additionally，one patient initially diagnosed with GP and managed conservatively remained stable for 9 years，but subsequently developed urinary retention and underwent thulium laser enucleation，with postoperative pathology confirming prostate cancer. Conclusions:Clinical manifestations of GP are nonspecific，and the condition can easily be mistaken for prostate cancer due to elevated PSA levels and PI-RADS scores ≥4. Some patients may present with acute urinary retention，but definitive diagnosis still relies on prostate biopsy and immunohistochemistry. Treatment should be individualized according to the underlying etiology，with medication as the mainstay，while transurethral surgical intervention may be considered in cases with obstruction. Although GP is a benign lesion，its potential association with prostate cancer warrants vigilance and emphasizes the importance of long-term follow-up.

Objective:To construct an evaluation system for the operation quality of the equipment of the urological department based on the pressure-state-response(PSR)model,so as to explore it's application effect in the evaluation for the operation quality of the equipment of urological department.Methods:Based on the PSR model,the analytic hierarchy process was used to determine the weights of index,and the fuzzy evaluation method was adopted to evaluate the management efficiency for equipment.A total of 160 devices of clinical use in the Urological Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2022 to January 2024 were selected.According to different management modes,the random number table was adopted to equally distribute these devices into conventional management mode(80 devices)and management mode with evaluation system(model evaluation)for operation quality of the equipment of the urological department(80 devices).A self-made questionnaire was used to investigate the satisfaction of the usage managers in the urological department and operation room,department of medical equipment,and department of managing infection for the clinical services of the two kinds of management modes.The infection situations,management quality of equipment operation,and the score of operation quality in using equipment between two kinds of management modes were compared.Results:The average repair rate of equipment failure,risk rate of infection,inefficiency rate of cleaning,and problem rate of quality inspection in the management mode with model evaluation were respectively(1.58±0.69)%,(1.98±0.69)%,(1.10±0.78)%and(1.01±0.70)%,all of which were lower than those in the conventional management mode,and the differences of them were statistically significant(t=7.879,6.663,7.863,14.601,P<0.05).In the 120 patients who adopted the management mode with model evaluation,the infection rates of using equipment in laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery,endoscopic surgery for stone,resectoscopic surgery and flexible ureteroscope were respectively 2.50%,3.33%,4.17%and 3.33%,all of which were lower than those in the conventional management mode,and the differences between the two kinds of modes were statistically significant(x2=6.696,6.916,5.154,7.101,P<0.05).The scores of the standardization of using equipment,effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection,recognition of emergency management,and qualification of controlling infection in the management mode with model evaluation were significantly higher than those in the conventional management mode,and the differences were statistically significant(t=22.198,11.806,9.385,18.071,P<0.05).The satisfaction scores of the managers involved in using equipment in the operation room of urology,department of medical equipment and department of managing infection for the management mode with model evaluation were all higher than those of the conventional management mode,and the differences were statistically significant(t=14.426,14.916,14.707,P<0.05).Conclusion:The quality evaluation system of equipment operation of the urological department based on the PSR model can reduce the failure rate of equipment,and improve the usage efficiency of equipment,and ensure the medical safety of patients.

Objective To explore the relationship between hemorheology and Carotid Atherosclerosis.Methods The clinical data of 153 patients who underwent both hemorheological testing and carotid artery ultrasound were divided into a CAS group(n=96)and a non-CAS group(n=57)based on ultrasound findings.Clinical data and laboratory indicators were compared between two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of CAS.The ROC curves graph were drawn to observe the role of hemorheological indicators in predicting CAS and select the optimal cutoff value based on the maximum Youden index.Results The CAS group demonstrated higher levels in age,BMI,RBC aggregation index,low&high shear reduced viscosity of whole blood,plasma viscosity and fibrinogen compared to the non-CAS group(P<0.05).The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that plasma viscosity(OR=38.270,95%CI:1.206～1214.508),age(OR=1.119,95%CI:1.065～1.176)were risk factors for the occurrence of CAS(P<0.05).The ROC curves showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of plasma viscosity and age were 0.623、0.728.Conclusion CAS patients have high levels of plasma viscosity and advanged age compared to the patient without CAS.Elevated plasma viscosity and age is a risk factor for CAS,with plasma viscosity≥1.46 mPa·s,over the age of 56.5 as a significant value for predicting CAS.

Objective To explore the relationship between hemorheology and Carotid Atherosclerosis.Methods The clinical data of 153 patients who underwent both hemorheological testing and carotid artery ultrasound were divided into a CAS group(n=96)and a non-CAS group(n=57)based on ultrasound findings.Clinical data and laboratory indicators were compared between two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of CAS.The ROC curves graph were drawn to observe the role of hemorheological indicators in predicting CAS and select the optimal cutoff value based on the maximum Youden index.Results The CAS group demonstrated higher levels in age,BMI,RBC aggregation index,low&high shear reduced viscosity of whole blood,plasma viscosity and fibrinogen compared to the non-CAS group(P<0.05).The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that plasma viscosity(OR=38.270,95%CI:1.206～1214.508),age(OR=1.119,95%CI:1.065～1.176)were risk factors for the occurrence of CAS(P<0.05).The ROC curves showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of plasma viscosity and age were 0.623、0.728.Conclusion CAS patients have high levels of plasma viscosity and advanged age compared to the patient without CAS.Elevated plasma viscosity and age is a risk factor for CAS,with plasma viscosity≥1.46 mPa·s,over the age of 56.5 as a significant value for predicting CAS.

Objective:To construct an evaluation system for the operation quality of the equipment of the urological department based on the pressure-state-response(PSR)model,so as to explore it's application effect in the evaluation for the operation quality of the equipment of urological department.Methods:Based on the PSR model,the analytic hierarchy process was used to determine the weights of index,and the fuzzy evaluation method was adopted to evaluate the management efficiency for equipment.A total of 160 devices of clinical use in the Urological Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2022 to January 2024 were selected.According to different management modes,the random number table was adopted to equally distribute these devices into conventional management mode(80 devices)and management mode with evaluation system(model evaluation)for operation quality of the equipment of the urological department(80 devices).A self-made questionnaire was used to investigate the satisfaction of the usage managers in the urological department and operation room,department of medical equipment,and department of managing infection for the clinical services of the two kinds of management modes.The infection situations,management quality of equipment operation,and the score of operation quality in using equipment between two kinds of management modes were compared.Results:The average repair rate of equipment failure,risk rate of infection,inefficiency rate of cleaning,and problem rate of quality inspection in the management mode with model evaluation were respectively(1.58±0.69)%,(1.98±0.69)%,(1.10±0.78)%and(1.01±0.70)%,all of which were lower than those in the conventional management mode,and the differences of them were statistically significant(t=7.879,6.663,7.863,14.601,P<0.05).In the 120 patients who adopted the management mode with model evaluation,the infection rates of using equipment in laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery,endoscopic surgery for stone,resectoscopic surgery and flexible ureteroscope were respectively 2.50%,3.33%,4.17%and 3.33%,all of which were lower than those in the conventional management mode,and the differences between the two kinds of modes were statistically significant(x2=6.696,6.916,5.154,7.101,P<0.05).The scores of the standardization of using equipment,effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection,recognition of emergency management,and qualification of controlling infection in the management mode with model evaluation were significantly higher than those in the conventional management mode,and the differences were statistically significant(t=22.198,11.806,9.385,18.071,P<0.05).The satisfaction scores of the managers involved in using equipment in the operation room of urology,department of medical equipment and department of managing infection for the management mode with model evaluation were all higher than those of the conventional management mode,and the differences were statistically significant(t=14.426,14.916,14.707,P<0.05).Conclusion:The quality evaluation system of equipment operation of the urological department based on the PSR model can reduce the failure rate of equipment,and improve the usage efficiency of equipment,and ensure the medical safety of patients.

Objective:To investigate the clinical diagnosis and treatment of granulomatous prostatitis（GP）in patients with Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System（PI-RADS）scores ≥ 4 on magnetic resonance imaging（MRI）.Methods:The data of 12 GP patients with PI-RADS score ≥ 4 who were admitted to Beijing Chaoyang Hospital，Capital Medical University，from February 2015 to February 2025，were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were aged 51?73 years（mean 66 years）. Presenting complaints included elevated prostate-specific antigen（PSA）levels in 6 cases，prostatic mass in 2 cases，urinary retention in 3 cases，and gross hematuria in 1 case. All 12 patients had concomitant lower urinary tract symptoms. Medical history revealed pulmonary tuberculosis in 2 cases，testicular tuberculosis in 1 case，close contact with tuberculosis in 1 case（spouse diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis 5 years earlier），allergic granulomatous vasculitis in 1 case，and intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin（BCG）instillation in 1 case. Digital rectal examination（DRE）showed gradeⅠprostatic hyperplasia in 2 cases，grade Ⅱ in 9 cases，and grade Ⅲ in 1 case. Nodules were palpable in 6 patients. The median PSA was 7.20 ng/ml（ranging 1.11?21.90 ng/ml），with 2 cases < 4 ng/ml. Transrectal ultrasound was performed in 10 patients，and prostate volumes were ranging from 29.48 to 109.78 cm3，with 6 cases > 45 cm3. All 12 patients underwent MRI，and all demonstrated PI-RADS scores ≥ 4，typically presenting as low signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging，high signal on diffusion-weighted imaging（DWI），and low apparent diffusion coefficient（ADC）values. Contrast-enhanced MRI in 8 cases revealed heterogeneous enhancement. One patient underwent 68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography-computed tomography（ 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT），which showed band-like increased uptake in the central zone. All 12 patients were preoperatively suspected of prostate cancer，of whom 10 underwent transrectal biopsy and 2 underwent transperineal biopsy. Pathological characteristics and follow-up results were analyzed. Treatment outcomes were analyzed，The International Prostate Symptom Score（IPSS），quality of life（QOL）score，maximum urinary flow rate（Q max），and post-void residual urine（PVR）volume were compared before and 1 month after treatment. Results:Histopathology confirmed GP in all cases，with chronic inflammation in 11 cases and acute inflammation in 1 case. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated positivity for CD68（macrophage marker），high-molecular weight cytokeratin（HCK），and reticulin staining；periodic acid-Schiff（PAS）and acid-fast staining were positive in 2 cases，corresponding to 1 patient with a prior history of pulmonary tuberculosis and 1 with testicular tuberculosis. Two patients underwent thulium laser enucleation of the prostate，while 10 received conservative treatment，including 2 patients with tuberculosis infection who were referred for anti-tuberculosis therapy and 8 patients treated with oral tamsulosin 0.2 mg once daily. Follow-up was completed in 10 patients：9 were followed for 1 ? 3 months（mean 2.4 months），and 1 patient was followed for 9 years before being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Two additional patients，whose pathological findings suggested a possible diagnosis of tuberculous granulomatous prostatitis，were advised to undergo anti-tuberculosis treatment at another hospital and were subsequently lost to follow-up. Among the 2 patients who underwent thulium laser enucleation，IPSS decreased from 26 and 25 to 6 and 5 respectively，QOL scores decreased from 6 and 5 to 1 and 0 respectively，Q max increased from 4.5 and 4.3 ml/s to 23.0 and 21.9 ml/s respectively. In the 8 patients treated conservatively，IPSS decreased from 18.45±7.17 to 14.45±5.03，and QOL score decreased from 5.09±1.04 to 4.09±0.70 at 1 month after treatment，showing significant improvement（ P < 0.05）. Additionally，one patient initially diagnosed with GP and managed conservatively remained stable for 9 years，but subsequently developed urinary retention and underwent thulium laser enucleation，with postoperative pathology confirming prostate cancer. Conclusions:Clinical manifestations of GP are nonspecific，and the condition can easily be mistaken for prostate cancer due to elevated PSA levels and PI-RADS scores ≥4. Some patients may present with acute urinary retention，but definitive diagnosis still relies on prostate biopsy and immunohistochemistry. Treatment should be individualized according to the underlying etiology，with medication as the mainstay，while transurethral surgical intervention may be considered in cases with obstruction. Although GP is a benign lesion，its potential association with prostate cancer warrants vigilance and emphasizes the importance of long-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of Pangshi antai zhixue decoction in the improvement of spontaneous abortion with heat syndrome by regulating the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome.METHODS The binding activities of 13 main components in Pangshi antai zhixue decoction with NLRP3,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC),and caspase-1 precursor (pro-caspase-1) were predicted by molecular docking.Sixty 1-day-old pregnant rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,dexamethasone group (0.002 g/kg),and Pangshi antai zhixue decoction low-,medium-,and high-dose groups (11.025,22.05,44.10 g/kg),with 10 rats in each group.Each group was given distilled water/corresponding medicinal solution intragastrically,once a day,for 12 consecutive days.Except for normal group,other groups were given traditional Chinese medicine for warming yang and mifepristone to establish a model of spontaneous abortion with heat syndrome.24 h after the last medication,serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3),thyroxine (T4),interleukin-2 (IL-2),IL-4,IL-6,IL-10,and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were all detected;the abortion rate and uterine coefficient were calculated;the pathological morphology of the pregnant uterus was observed;protein expressions of NLRP3,ASC and caspase-1 were detected.RESULTS The molecular docking results showed that the binding energies of 13 main components of Pangshi antai zhixue decoction with NLRP3,ASC,and pro-caspase-1 were all less than-5 kJ/moL.The animal experiment results showed that compared with normal group,the uterine coefficient and serum levels of IL-4,IL-6 and IL-10 were decreased significantly in model group (P<0.05);the abortion rate and serum levels of T3,T4,IL-2 and IFN-γ as well as protein expressions of NLRP3,ASC and caspase-1 were increased significantly (P<0.05);there were abortion lesions in the pregnant endometrium.Compared with the model group,most of the quantitative indicators mentioned above were significantly reversed in Pangshi antai zhixue decoction groups (P<0.05),and the endometrial miscarriage lesions in pregnancy were improved to varying degrees.CONCLUSIONS Pangshi antai zhixue decoction influences the immune balance between mother and fetus by regulating the formation of NLRP3 inflammasome,down-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ and IL-2,and up-regulating anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4,IL-6 and IL-10,thereby improving spontaneous abortion with heat syndrome.

Primary prostate signet ring cell carcinoma (PPSRCC) is one of the extremely rare malignant tumors in the male urogenital system, and its diagnosis mainly relies on pathological and immunohistochemical examination. Compared with typical prostate cancer, PPSRCC is characterized by more aggressive with less treatment response and poor prognosis. Current researches on the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of PPSRCC were reviewed.