ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Yuyin Lidan granules （YYLD） in preventing the recurrence of common bile duct stones （CBDS） in patients with liver and gallbladder dampness-heat syndrome following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography （ERCP）. MethodsThis randomized， parallel， controlled trial enrolled postoperative CBDS-ERCP patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Sixty-four patients were randomly assigned to an observation group or a control group， with 32 cases in each. Both groups received conventional Western medical treatment after ERCP， while the observation group additionally received YYLD for 8 weeks. The follow-up period lasted for 1 year. The efficacy indicators included bile bilirubin levels， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores， clinical efficacy rate， pancreatitis and inflammation markers， postoperative liver function， and CBDS recurrence rate at 1-year follow-up， which were used to jointly evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of both groups. ResultsA total of 56 patients completed the study and were included in the final analysis， i.e.， 29 in the observation group and 27 in the control group. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Compared with pre-treatment and with the control group after treatment， the bile bilirubin level in the observation group significantly decreased （P<0.05）. After treatment， the clinical cure and marked improvement rates were higher in the observation group than in the control group， showing a statistically significant difference in overall clinical efficacy （P<0.05）. Compared with pre-treatment， the primary and secondary symptoms in the observation group， as well as the primary symptom and the secondary symptom of nausea and vomiting in the control group （weeks 4 and 8）， were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group after treatment， the observation group showed significant reductions in the primary symptom of loose stools/constipation （day 5 and week 4） and in three secondary symptoms， i.e.， bitter taste and sticky dry mouth， abdominal distension and poor appetite （throughout the treatment period）， and general heaviness and fatigue （day 5 and week 4）， with statistical differences （P<0.05）. Compared with pre-treatment， both groups showed decreased lipase and urinary amylase levels （P<0.05）. However， no significant between-group differences were observed in pancreatitis or inflammation-related indices after treatment. Compared with pre-treatment， all liver function indicators in the observation group and alanine aminotransferase （ ALT ）， γ-glutamyl transferase （ γ-GT ）， alkaline phosphatase （ALP）， and conjugated bilirubin in the control group significantly decreased at weeks 4 and 8 （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group after treatment， only serum total bilirubin and unconjugated bilirubin were significantly reduced in the observation group during the treatment period （P<0.05）. ConclusionYYLD combined with conventional Western medical treatment can effectively regulate bilirubin metabolism （in bile and serum）， improve TCM clinical symptoms， and prevent CBDS recurrence after ERCP in patients with liver and gallbladder dampness-heat syndrome. This regimen is safe and effective and is worthy of further clinical research and promotion.

This article provides a systematic interpretation and review of the Society of Critical Care Medicine 2024 Guidelines on Adult ICU Design. Developed based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology, the guideline address five core themes: ICU layout, room design, infection control, infrastructure, and staff spaces, and put forward 17 evidence-based recommendations, including 5 good practice statements. This article briefly introduces the guideline development methods and evidence characteristics, and focuses on summarizing key recommendations, including high-visibility layouts, single-bed ward settings, natural lighting and noise reduction strategies, integrated infection prevention and control design, remote monitoring, and flexible capacity expansion capabilities. Furthermore, it delves into the applicability and localized implementation pathways within China's healthcare environment, analyzing limitations in terms of evidence quality, specialty applicability, and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, by integrating the Chinese Guidelines for the Construction and Development of Critical Care Medicine (2025 Edition) and current domestic practices, the article proposes tiered and phased implementation recommendations. This article aims to provide domestic healthcare institutions with a scientific reference that balances international cutting-edge concepts with China's real-world conditions for the construction and renovation of ICUs, thereby promoting the development of intensive care environments centered on patient safety, healthcare worker well-being, and infection control.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Huangqi Jianzhongtang （HQJZ） on macrophage polarization and fat consumption in cancer cachexia （CC） mice. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS） was used to control the quality of HQJZ. （1） In vitro experiment： HQJZ-containing serum was prepared， and the optimal concentration was determined by cytotoxicity assay. Mouse monocyte-derived macrophages （RAW264.7） were cultured and randomly divided into six groups， including a blank group， a classically activated macrophages （M1） group， an alternatively activated macrophages （M2） group， a HQJZ + blank group， a HQJZ+M1 group， and a HQJZ + M2 group. The relative expression of macrophage marker genes CD86， inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， CD206， and arginase-1 （Arg1） was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR ）. （2） In vivo experiment： Thirty-two BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a control group， a model group， a medroxyprogesterone acetate （MPA） group， and a HQJZ group. Except for the control group， the other mice were injected with CT-26 colon cancer cells to establish a CC model. Mice in the MPA and HQJZ groups were given MPA （0.13 g·kg^-1·d^-1） or HQJZ （13.13 g·kg^-1·d^-1） by gavage， respectively， while mice in the control and model groups were given an equal volume of saline by gavage， with interventions continued for 10 d. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of macrophage markers （iNOS， Arg1， CD86， CD206） and fat browning-related genes uncoupling protein 1 （UCP1） and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ （PPARγ） in epididymal adipose tissue. Western blot （WB） was used to detect protein expression levels of UCP1 and PPARγ. Micro-computed tomography （micro-CT） was used to measure residual fat volume， and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to assess fat browning and calculate pathological scores. ResultsIn vitro， the dominant effective concentration of HQJZ-containing serum was 12.5%. Real-time PCR results showed that， compared with the blank group， Arg1 expression decreased in the HQJZ+blank group （P<0.05）， CD206 showed a downward trend without statistical significance， while iNOS and CD86 expression were significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the M1 group， Arg1 and CD206 expression decreased in the HQJZ+M1 group （P<0.05）. Compared with the M2 group， CD206 expression decreased in the HQJZ+M2 group （P<0.05）， CD86 expression increased significantly （P<0.01）. In vivo， Real-time PCR results showed that， compared with the control group， CD86 and CD206 expression levels were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， CD206 expression in the MPA group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. In the HQJZ group， CD206 was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. WB results showed that， compared with the model group， protein expression of UCP1 and PPARγ was significantly reduced in the HQJZ group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. micro-CT results showed that the total white fat volume in the HQJZ group was greater than that in the model group （P<0.05）. HE staining results showed that pathological scores in the HQJZ group were lower than those in the model group （P<0.05）. ConclusionHQJZ may inhibit white adipose tissue browning by promoting macrophage M1 polarization and suppressing M2 polarization， thereby delaying fat consumption in CC mice.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness and safety of coblopasvir hydrochloride combined with sofosbuvir （CLP/SOF） in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C （CHC） and those with genotype 3b in terms of virologic response rate， changes in liver and renal function parameters， and adverse events， and to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. MethodsThe patients with CHC who were admitted to Maanshan Fourth People’s Hospital from March 1， 2023 to July 31， 2024 were enrolled and treated with CLP/SOF for a course of 12 weeks. Follow-up assessments were conducted at weeks 4， 8， and 12 of treatment and at 12 weeks after the end of treatment， and related data were collected， including HCV RNA， routine blood test results， and liver and renal function parameters. Sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after treatment （SVR12） and safety profile were evaluated. The Friedman test was used for comparison of liver and renal function parameters， routine blood test results， and liver fibrosis score at different time points. ResultsA total of 107 CHC patients treated with CLP/SOF were enrolled， with an age of 22 — 92 years， and there were 55 male patients. The predominant genotypes were 1b （46.73%） and 3b （28.97%）. Comorbidities mainly included liver cirrhosis （15 patients）， fatty liver disease （27 patients）， syphilis （15 patients）， HBV infection （8 patients）， and HIV infection （2 patients）. The overall SVR12 rate was 100% （107/107）， with an SVR12 rate of 100% for subgroups with different genotypes and those with liver cirrhosis， fatty liver disease， syphilis， HBV infection， or HIV infection. The patients with HCV genotype 3b comorbid with liver cirrhosis， fatty liver disease， syphilis， HBV infection， hypertension or diabetes also achieved an SVR12 rate of 100%. After CLP/SOF treatment， the patients showed significant reductions in the levels of the liver function parameters alanine aminotransferase， aspartate aminotransferase， total bilirubin， and hemoglobin （all P<0.001） and significant reductions in the liver fibrosis scores fibrosis-4 and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index （both P<0.001）. The median creatinine level was 66 μmol/L before treatment， which decreased to 52 μmol/L at week 12 of treatment （P<0.001）. No adverse events were reported. ConclusionPatients with CHC achieve a high SVR12 rate and significant improvements in liver function parameters and liver fibrosis markers after treatment with the CLP/SOF regimen， and this regimen has no significant impact on renal function and shows a favorable safety profile. Therefore， it holds promise for clinical application.

Biomolecular condensates are formed through phase separation of biomacromolecules such as proteins and RNAs. These condensates exhibit liquid-like properties that can futher transition into more stable material states. They form complex internal structures via multivalent weak interactions, enabling precise spatiotemporal regulations. However, the use of inconsistent and non-standardized terminology has become increasingly problematic, hindering academic exchange and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the terminology related to biomolecular condensates in order to clarify concepts, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, enhance research efficiency, and support the healthy development of this field.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on pregnancy outcomes after assisted reproduction and mitochondrial function of granulosa cells (GCs) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and phlegm-dampness syndrome. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 90 infertile women with PCOS and phlegm-dampness syndrome were recruited between August 2022 and December 2022. Patients were randomly assigned to the EA and control groups using a random sequence of codes in the order of enrolment, with 45 in in each group. Both groups underwent the ovarian stimulation protocol. The patients in the EA group received EA therapy including Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), bilateral Xuehai (SP 10), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36), and Fenglong (ST 40), and the patients in the control group was treated with pseudo-acupuncture. The intervention was 25 min twice a week for a total of 6 times until the trigger day after menstruation had ended in the cycle before oocyte retrieval. The primary outcomes were clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and the number of high-quality embryos. The secondary outcomes were (1) pregnancy-related indicators, including fresh embryo transfer rate (ETR), ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) rate, early pregnancy loss rate (ePLR), ectopic pregnancy rate, live birth rate (LBR), and cumulative CPR; (2) mitochondrial autophagy and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in GCs; and (3) scoring for Chinese medicine syndrome. Adverse events to assess clinical safety were also monitored. RESULTS: The cumulative CPR was significantly higher in the EA group (42/45, 93.3%) than in the control group (38/45, 84.4%, P=0.036). The number of high-quality embryos and fresh ETR in the EA group were higher than those in the control group (3.80±1.65 vs. 2.44±1.34, P<0.001; 46.7% vs 24.4%, P=0.028). Ectopic pregnancies were not observed in either group. There were no significant differences in the fresh CPR, OHSS rate, ePLR or LBR between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the EA group showed lower expression levels of miR-146a-5p mRNA and P62 protein in GCs and higher levels of MMP and the LC3-II/LC3-I protein ratio (all P<0.01). The phlegm-dampness syndrome scores of the EA group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS EA significantly improved pregnancy outcomes in patients with PCOS and phlegm dampness syndrome. Mechanistically, this effect may be related to EA in decreasing miR-146a-5p mRNA expression, promoting mitochondrial autophagy in GCs, and improving mitochondrial function, which may contribute to improved oocyte quality. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2200062915).
Humans ; Female ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/therapy* ; Pregnancy ; Electroacupuncture ; Granulosa Cells/metabolism* ; Adult ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Infertility, Female/therapy*

Objective: To explore the iodine nutrition status of children in Wuhan from 2019 to 2023, and to evaluate the effect of iodine deficiency disorders control in focus groups in Wuhan, so as to provide a basis for consolidating elimination of iodine deficiency disorders. Methods: A total of 13 000 non boarding primary school students aged 8-10 were selected from 13 districts of Wuhan by stratified random sampling method.Household salt samples were collected to measure salt iodine content, random urine samples were analyzed for urinary iodine concentration. And B ultrasound was used to measure thyroid volume in students. The median of salt iodine, coverage rate of iodized salt, consumption rate of qualified iodized salt, median of urinary iodine, and the goiter rate were calculated. And Mann-Whitney U- test, Kruskal-Wallis H- test and Chi-square test were applied to compare between groups. Chi-square trend test was used to analyze the changing trends of coverage rate of iodized salt, consumption rate of qualified iodized salt and goiter rate among children in Wuhan. Results: The median of iodine content of children s household salt was 23.8 (21.7, 26.1) mg/kg, and the coverage rate of iodized salt was 98.7%, and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 94.5 %. The consumption rates of qualified iodized salt showed an overall upward trend from 2019 to 2023 ( χ 2 trend =5.57， P <0.05). The median of urinary iodine of children was 220.1 (136.7, 326.0) μg/L,and boys had higher median of urinary iodine than girls [228.3(143.2, 336.0),210.2(129.1, 315.7) μg/L] ( Z =6.60, P <0.01). The median of urinary iodine of children in suburbs was higher than those in urban areas [236.3 (150.7, 342.2) , 207.1 (124.5, 309.8) μg/L]( Z =11.00, P <0.01). A total of 4 600 children were examined for thyroid volume, and the range of goiter rates were 1.1% to 3.4%, with an average goiter rate of 2.5%, which showed an overall downward trend from 2019 to 2023 ( χ 2 trend =5.11, P <0.05). Conclusions The iodine nutrition is sufficient and iodine nutrition status is good among children in Wuhan. It should continue to carry out monitoring and evaluation of children s iodine nutrition, guide the public to supplement iodine scientifically,so as to maintain the appropriate level of iodine for children.

Objective : To investigate the impact of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on the composition of 15 intestinal-derived estrogens and their metabolites (EMs) and its correlation with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) . Methods: Thirty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into a normal control group (Control) , a high- sugar high-fat diet combined with low-dose CCl4 -induced NAFLD model group ( Model) , and a group of model mice treated with fecal microbiota from normal female mice (FMT) . After 17 weeks of modeling , liver pathology in each group was observed using HE staining , biochemical methods were used to measure serum alanine aminotrans- ferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels , as well as hepatic triglyceride (TG) and total choles- terol (TC) levels. and the content of 15 EMs in portal vein serum was detected using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) . The correlation between disease phenotype and intesti- nal EMs was analyzed using Pearson ′s method. Results: The NAFLD model was successfully established , and the FMT group showed improved liver structure and morphology , with significant decreases in liver function and hepatic lipids compared to the Model group. In NAFLD mice , the contents of E1 , E2 , and their 2- and 4-position metabo- lites in portal vein blood serum was reduced compared to normal mice , while the content of most 16- and 17-posi- tion metabolites ( except 16α-OHE1) increased compared to normal mice. Correlation analysis showed that ALT was strongly positively correlated with E3 and 17-epiE3 , and strongly negatively correlated with E1 , E2 , 4- MeOE1 , and 16α-OHE1 . The TC was strongly positively correlated with 17-epiE3 and strongly negatively correla- ted with E1 , 4-MeOE1 , and 16α-OHE1 . Conclusion FMT restores the disrupted composition of intestinal EMs and improves NAFLD.

Metabonomics and proteomics were employed to investigate the mechanism of Yuzhi Zhixue Granules in treating polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance(PCOS-IR). The disease model was established by feeding a high-fat diet and gavage of letrozole solution and it was then treated with different doses of Yuzhi Zhixue Granules. The therapeutic effect of Yuzhi Zhixue Granules was evaluated based on the body mass, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity index, serum levels of adipokines, and histopathological changes of rats. Metabolomics and proteomics were employed to find the action pathways of Yuzhi Zhixue Granules. The results showed that Yuzhi Zhixue Granules reduced the body mass, improved the insulin sensitivity and aromatase activity, improved the levels of leptin, adiponectin and other adipokines, and alleviated insulin resistance, histopathological changes, and metabolic disorders in PCOS-IR rats. Metabolomics results revealed 14 metabolites with altered levels in the ovarian tissue, which were closely related to glutathione metabolism and pyruvate metabolism. Proteomics results showed that the therapeutic effect of Yuzhi Zhixue Granules was mainly related to the adipokine, adenosine 5'-monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt), forkhead box protein O(FoxO), and mechanistic target of rapamycin(mTOR) signaling pathways. Western blot results showed that compared with the model group, Yuzhi Zhixue Granules treatment decreased the p-AMPK/AMPK and p-FoxO1/FoxO1 levels, increased the p-mTOR/mTOR level, and up-regulated the expression level of recombinant glucose transporter 4(GLUT4). Yuzhi Zhixue Granules can balance amino acid metabolism and pyruvate metabolism by regulating the AMPK/mTOR/FoxO/GLUT pathway to maintain the homeostasis of the ovarian environment and alleviate insulin resistance, thus treating PCOS-IR.
Animals ; Female ; Insulin Resistance ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Metabolomics ; Proteomics ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Ovary/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*