Kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome is a common geriatric disease that underlies chronic conditions such as diabetic nephropathy, chronic kidney disease, and osteoporosis. As age progresses, the kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome showcases increasingly pronounced manifestations, emerging as a key factor in the comorbidities experienced by elderly patients and affecting their quality of life and overall health status. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has been extensively utilized in the treatment of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome, with Epimedii Folium, Cinnamomi Cortex, and Lycii Fructus widely used in clinical settings. Despite the complexity of the molecular mechanisms involved in treating kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome, the potential therapeutic value of TCM remains compelling. Delving into the mechanisms of TCM treatment of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome by regulating the neuro-endocrine-immune system can provide a scientific basis for targeted treatments of this syndrome and lay a foundation for the modernization of TCM. The pathophysiology of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome involves multiple systems, including the interaction of the neuro-endocrine-immune system, the decline in renal function, the intensification of oxidative stress responses, and energy metabolism disorders. Understanding these mechanisms and their interrelationships can help untangle the etiology of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome, aiding clinicians in making more precise diagnoses and treatments. Furthermore, the research on the specific applications of TCM in research on these pathological mechanisms can enhance the international recognition and status of TCM, enabling it to exert a greater global influence.
Humans ; Yang Deficiency/physiopathology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Kidney Diseases/physiopathology* ; Neurosecretory Systems/physiopathology* ; Animals ; Kidney/physiopathology* ; Endocrine System/physiopathology* ; Immune System/physiopathology*

In recent years,significant breakthroughs have been achieved in the immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease.In line with global advancements,two anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibodies have been approved and successfully launched in China for clinical use.Lecanemab and Donanemab were officially used in June 2024 and April 2025 in China,respectively.In order to standardize the rational and safe application of anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibodies for Alzheimer's disease in China,this article integrates recom-mendations from the clinical trials and real-world experience from the author's team and domestic peers to further update the recom-mendations for the clinical use of anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibody based on the 2024 version.It includes indications for therapy,pre-treatment evaluation and preparation,administration protocols and safety measures during treatment,and post-treatment monitor-ing strategies.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hypertension/pathology* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Rats ; Inflammation/pathology*

In the general population, obesity (high BMI) is often considered as an important risk factor for many diseases and premature death. However, in patients with a certain disease, the risk of death in people with obesity was lower than that in people with normal weight. This abnormal correlation has caused widespread discussion, and different explanations have been given by physiology and epidemiology. Based on causal inference theory, this study used directed acyclic graphs to introduce the collision bias (also called collision-stratification bias). Through example demonstrations, this study explored whether and why the abnormal correlation between obesity and higher survival rates in patients with hyperglycemia exists. Finally, it was concluded that this abnormal correlation among patients with a certain disease (e.g., hyperglycemia in the current analysis) was partly or even totally caused by collider bias.

BACKGROUND: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), a rare and recurrent autoinflammatory disease, imposes a substantial burden on patients and society. Awareness of GPP in China remains limited. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey, conducted between September 2021 and May 2023 across 14 hospitals in China, included GPP patients of all ages and disease phases. Data collected encompassed demographics, clinical characteristics, economic impact, disease severity, quality of life, and treatment-related complications. Risk factors for GPP recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 127 patients (female/male ratio = 1.35:1), the mean age of disease onset was 25 years (1st quartile [Q1]-3rd quartile [Q3]: 11-44 years); 29.2% had experienced GPP for more than 10 years. Recurrence occurred in 75.6% of patients, and nearly half reported no identifiable triggers. Younger age at disease onset ( P  = 0.021) and transitioning to plaque psoriasis ( P  = 0.022) were associated with higher recurrence rates. The median diagnostic delay was 8 months (Q1-Q3: 2-41 months), and 32.3% of patients reported misdiagnoses. Comorbidities were present in 53.5% of patients, whereas 51.1% experienced systemic complications during treatment. Depression and anxiety affected 84.5% and 95.6% of patients, respectively. During GPP flares, the median Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 19.0 (Q1-Q3: 13.0-23.5). This score showed significant differences between patients with and without systemic symptoms; it demonstrated correlations with both depression and anxiety scores. Treatment costs caused financial hardship in 55.9% of patients, underscoring the burden associated with GPP. CONCLUSIONS The substantial disease and economic burdens among Chinese GPP patients warrant increased attention. Patients with early onset disease and those transitioning to plaque psoriasis require targeted interventions to mitigate the high recurrence risk.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Psoriasis/pathology* ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adolescent ; Child ; Young Adult ; Quality of Life ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; East Asian People

Objective To analyze the gene expression characteristics of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps(CRSwNP)using bioinformatics methods,aim to investigate the potential biomarkers and their diagnostic value of CRSwNP.Methods(1)The CRSwNP Gene expression data set was downloaded from the American Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database.The differentially expressed genes(DEGs)between CRSwNP patients and healthy controls were screened through data analysis.Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analysis were performed on the identified DEGs.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks were constructed utilizing the STRING database,and the key genes were identified by using the cytoHubba plugin.The"Cibersort"package was used to analyze the influence of key genes on common immune cells.(2)Thirty-two patients diagnosed with CRSwNP in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from June 2022 to June 2023 were selected as the CRSwNP group,and 21 patients with simple deviation of nasal septum without a history of sinusitis during the same period were selected as control group.The pathological characteristics of specimens in the two groups were examined using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the expression levels of key genes in CRSwNP.The levels of key proteins in plasma were detected using ELISA,and ROC curve was used to analyze its efficacy in diagnosing CRSwNP.Results(1)Analysis of three gene expression database sets(GSE36830,GSE23552,and GSE194282)showed that there were 156 DEGs in CRSwNP.GO functional enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the functions of the above DEGs were mostly related to immune functions.Key genes such as cytochrome b-245 β chain(CYBB)and colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor(CSF1R)were identified.(2)The results of HE staining revealed that the epithelial of CRSwNP tissue was metaplastic into stratified squamous epithelium with interstitial edema.Both immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analyses indicated that the expression levels of CYBB and CSF1R in the CRSwNP group were significantly increased compared to control group(P＜0.05).ELISA results demonstrated that CYBB[(21.20±3.00)μg/ml vs.(17.66±1.66)μg/ml,P＜0.05]and CSF1[(477.37±86.63)pg/ml vs.(370.71±66.24)pg/ml,P＜0.05]in CRSwNP group were significantly increased compare to control group.ROC curve analysis showed that plasma concentrations of CYBB and CSF1 had AUCs of 0.888(95%CI 0.802-0.974)and 0.821(95%CI 0.711-0.931)for diagnosing of CRSwNP,respectively;their combined AUC was 0.927(95%CI 0.851-1.000).Conclusions CYBB and CSF1R may be involved in the occurrence and development of CRSwNP.Plasma CYBB and CSF1 have high diagnostic value for CRSwNP.

In the general population, obesity (high BMI) is often considered as an important risk factor for many diseases and premature death. However, in patients with a certain disease, the risk of death in people with obesity was lower than that in people with normal weight. This abnormal correlation has caused widespread discussion, and different explanations have been given by physiology and epidemiology. Based on causal inference theory, this study used directed acyclic graphs to introduce the collision bias (also called collision-stratification bias). Through example demonstrations, this study explored whether and why the abnormal correlation between obesity and higher survival rates in patients with hyperglycemia exists. Finally, it was concluded that this abnormal correlation among patients with a certain disease (e.g., hyperglycemia in the current analysis) was partly or even totally caused by collider bias.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of intensive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (irTMS) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and its impact on cognitive function and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII).Methods:Forty-eight TRD patients were divided into observation group and control group using random number table method, with 24 patients in each group. The observation group was treated with irTMS, and the stimulation site was the left dorsolateral prefrontal lobe. The stimulation intensity was 110% of the motor threshold, and the stimulation frequency was 15 Hz. The stimulation interval was 26 s, and 3 000 pulses were stimulated each time. Stimulating 5 times per day, with an interval of 50 min, and continuous treatment for 5 days. The total stimulation amount for 5 days was 75 000 pulses. The control group was treated with pseudo stimulation. Before treatment (T0), 5 days after treatment (T1), and 1 month after treatment (T2), 17-item Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17) was used to assess depressive mood. Evaluating cognitive function using the Wisconsin card sorting test.A fully automated blood cell analyzer was used to detect platelet count (PLT), neutrophil count (NC), and lymphocyte count (LC), calculate the systemic immune inflammation index (SII), SII=PLT × NC/LC. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 20.0 software. The comparison between two sets of repeated measurement data was performed using repeated measurement analysis of variance.Simple effect analysis was performed if the interaction effect was significant.Pearson analysis was used for correlation testing.Results:The interaction effect between the time and group of HAMD-17 scores was significant ( F=121.784, P<0.05). The results of simple effects analysis showed that the HAMD-17 scores of the observation group at T1 and T2 ((12.07±4.08) and (14.78±4.99), respectively) were lower than those of the control group ((23.78±5.87) and (24.67±7.00), P<0.05). The treatment response rate and remission rate of the observation group at T1 were higher than those of the control group ( χ2=4.090, 7.378, both P<0.05).The treatment response rate and remission rate of the observation group at T2 were higher than those of the control group ( χ2=4.463, 4.547, both P<0.05). The time and group interaction effects of the percentage of correct response and conceptualization level in the Wisconsin card sorting test were significant ( F=30.087, 20.004, P<0.05). The results of simple effects analysis showed that the percentage of correct response and conceptualization level in the observation group at T1 and T2 were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The time and group interaction effect of SII was significant ( F=8.173, P<0.05). The results of simple effects analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference in SII between the two groups at T0 ( P>0.05). The SII at T1 and T2 in the observation group was lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05). In the observation group, the changes in SII from T2 to T0 was positively correlated with the change in HAMD-17 scores ( r=0.527, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with the percentage of correct responses to the Wisconsin card sorting test ( r=-0.412, P<0.05) and the percentage of conceptualization level ( r=-0.411, P<0.05). Conclusion:irTMS is effective in treating TRD and can improve patients' cognitive function and immune inflammation damage.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of intensive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (irTMS) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and its impact on cognitive function and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII).Methods:Forty-eight TRD patients were divided into observation group and control group using random number table method, with 24 patients in each group. The observation group was treated with irTMS, and the stimulation site was the left dorsolateral prefrontal lobe. The stimulation intensity was 110% of the motor threshold, and the stimulation frequency was 15 Hz. The stimulation interval was 26 s, and 3 000 pulses were stimulated each time. Stimulating 5 times per day, with an interval of 50 min, and continuous treatment for 5 days. The total stimulation amount for 5 days was 75 000 pulses. The control group was treated with pseudo stimulation. Before treatment (T0), 5 days after treatment (T1), and 1 month after treatment (T2), 17-item Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17) was used to assess depressive mood. Evaluating cognitive function using the Wisconsin card sorting test.A fully automated blood cell analyzer was used to detect platelet count (PLT), neutrophil count (NC), and lymphocyte count (LC), calculate the systemic immune inflammation index (SII), SII=PLT × NC/LC. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 20.0 software. The comparison between two sets of repeated measurement data was performed using repeated measurement analysis of variance.Simple effect analysis was performed if the interaction effect was significant.Pearson analysis was used for correlation testing.Results:The interaction effect between the time and group of HAMD-17 scores was significant ( F=121.784, P<0.05). The results of simple effects analysis showed that the HAMD-17 scores of the observation group at T1 and T2 ((12.07±4.08) and (14.78±4.99), respectively) were lower than those of the control group ((23.78±5.87) and (24.67±7.00), P<0.05). The treatment response rate and remission rate of the observation group at T1 were higher than those of the control group ( χ2=4.090, 7.378, both P<0.05).The treatment response rate and remission rate of the observation group at T2 were higher than those of the control group ( χ2=4.463, 4.547, both P<0.05). The time and group interaction effects of the percentage of correct response and conceptualization level in the Wisconsin card sorting test were significant ( F=30.087, 20.004, P<0.05). The results of simple effects analysis showed that the percentage of correct response and conceptualization level in the observation group at T1 and T2 were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The time and group interaction effect of SII was significant ( F=8.173, P<0.05). The results of simple effects analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference in SII between the two groups at T0 ( P>0.05). The SII at T1 and T2 in the observation group was lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05). In the observation group, the changes in SII from T2 to T0 was positively correlated with the change in HAMD-17 scores ( r=0.527, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with the percentage of correct responses to the Wisconsin card sorting test ( r=-0.412, P<0.05) and the percentage of conceptualization level ( r=-0.411, P<0.05). Conclusion:irTMS is effective in treating TRD and can improve patients' cognitive function and immune inflammation damage.