Both cathartic colon （CC） and cathartic-dependent constipation （CDC） are caused by the abuse of stimulant laxatives， while their concepts are not completely the same.Starting from the disease name of CC， this article traced the origin and evolution of the concept of CC， summarizes and compared the similarities and differences between CC， CDC， and slow transit constipation （STC）， and called for strict differentiation among the three.Furthermore， this article explored the specific contents of Western medicine clinical subtypes and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome differentiation of CDC and delved into the TCM pathogenesis of CDC according to both literature and clinical practice.The relationship between clinical subtypes and TCM syndromes was established， and the syndrome characteristics of CDC of different clinical subtypes and TCM syndromes were summarized.The recommended prescriptions for corresponding syndromes were listed.A systematic CDC diagnosis and treatment approach of "clinical subtypes-syndrome differentiation-syndrome characteristics-recommended prescriptions" was thus formed.Additionally， the paper provides an overview of current research on CDC in both Western medicine and TCM contexts， identifies future research directions， and suggests research pathways for refining and advancing CDC studies.

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the study of the complex pathophysiology of sepsis. However, sepsis remains the main cause of high mortality among critically ill patients worldwide. Early diagnosis, timely treatment, and accurate prediction of the prognosis are crucial for the successful treatment of septic patients. Lactic acid not only serves as a diagnostic indicator for septic shock but also participates in the immune response process of sepsis. It regulates gene epigenetic regulation through lactylation, thereby affecting the expression of related genes, cellular metabolism, and the immune response of the body. Therefore, it may become a new target for the treatment of sepsis. Lactate-related indicators, such as lactic acid/albumin ratio (LAR) and lactic acid/hematocrit ratio (LHR), also have important value in the prognosis assessment of septic patients and are superior to the evaluation efficacy of a single indicator. This is of great significance for timely detection of the changes in the condition of septic patients and their risk stratification and precise treatment. This review focused on the relationship between lactylation, lactatization, lactate-related indicators and sepsis, as well as the latest research progress. By revealing their roles in the occurrence, development and prognosis of sepsis, it provided new ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment, uncovered new mechanisms of disease onset, guided disease risk stratification, optimized existing treatment strategies, and also offered new references and directions for basic research on lactate-related indicators.
Humans ; Sepsis/metabolism* ; Lactic Acid/metabolism* ; Prognosis ; Biomarkers/blood*

OBJECTIVE To investigate the selection strategy for recipient vessels in free flap reconstruction of head and neck defects.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 96 patients who underwent 99 free flap reconstructions for head and neck defects between January 2020 and December 2024.Recipient vessel selection,flap survival,and postoperative complications were analyzed based on defect location and flap type.RESULTS In 99 cases microvessel anastomosis,the recipient arteries were superior thyroid artery in 49 branches,facial artery in 28 branches,superficial temporal artery in 14 branches,lingual artery in 5 branches.external carotid artery in 1 branch,transverse cervical artery in 1 branch,and superior laryngeal artery in 1 branch.Venous anastomosis was performed in 104 branches,with 94 cases in 1 venous anastomosis and 5 cases in 2 venous anastomoses.The recipient veins selected were facial vein in 62 branches,external jugular vein in 21 branches,superficial temporal vein in 12 branches,retromandibular vein in 3 branches,middle thyroid vein in 2 branches,internal jugular vein in 2 branches,middle temporal vein in 1 branch,and superior thyroid vein in 1 branch.Complete flap necrosis occurred in 5 cases,and partial necrosis occurred in 4 cases.When the recipient vessels were deficient,the lingual artery was chosen in 3 cases,the facial artery in 1 case,the external jugular vein in 3 cases,the internal jugular vein with end-to-side anastomosis in 1 case,and the common facial vein with end-to-side anastomosis in 1 case.CONCLUSION In free flap reconstruction for head and neck defects,the superior thyroid artery,facial artery,and superficial temporal artery are commonly used as recipient arteries,while the facial vein,external jugular vein,and superficial temporal vein are frequently selected as recipient veins.When recipient vessels are scarce,the ipsilateral lingual artery,transverse cervical artery,and main trunk of the internal jugular vein can serve as alternative recipient vessels.

Objective To investigate the impact of ultrasound intervention combined with tripterygium for ovarian endometriosis cyst(OEC)on the ovarian function of patients.Methods The clinical data of 107 patients with clinically-conformed OEC,who received treatment at the Yuyao Municipal People's Hospital of China from December 2022 to June 2024,were retrospectively analyzed.According to different treatment methods,the patients were divided into control group(n=53)and observation group(n=54).The patients of control group were treated with laparoscopic cystectomy,while the patients of observation group were treated with ultrasound intervention combined with tripterygium therapy.The uterine artery blood flow parameters,sex hormone levels,tumor marker levels,ovarian reserve function were compared between the two groups.Results After treatment,uterine artery blood flow parameters were decreased in both groups,the levels of uterine artery blood flow parameters in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05);the levels of sex hormones were elevated in both groups,the levels of sex hormones in the observation group were obviously higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the tumor-related indicators generally decreased,especially in the observation group receiving combination therapy,the levels of tumor-related indicators were significantly lower than those in the control group receiving simple surgical treatment(P＜0.05),indicating that the therapeutic effect of the observation group was better than that of the control group.After treatment,the ovarian reserve function of both groups were increased when compared with their preoperative values,and the ovarian reserve function of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion In treating OEC patients,ultrasound intervention combined with tripterygium can regulate the levels of sex hormones,reduce tumor marker levels,improve local uterine blood flow status,and protect ovarian reserve function.This therapy is worth promoting and applying in clinical practice.

Objective:To systematically compares the medial plantar venous flap (MPVF) and the lateral toe flap (LTF) reconstruction of digit-pulp defect, aiming to establish whether there exist significant differences between the 2 flaps in flap survival rate, two-point discrimination (TPD), score of Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and score of digit-pulp defect reconstruction evaluation.Methods:With a prospective cohort design, this study enrolled 36 patients who were admitted in Department of Hand Surgery, Longgang Eighth People's Hospital of Shenzhen for digit-pulp defects with bone or tendon exposure between January 2024 and September 2024. According to the random grouping method, participants were divided into 2 groups. The MPVF group comprised 18 patients (21 digits) of 13 males (15 digits) and 5 females (6 digits), aged 13-58 (mean 44±12) years. The MPVF group included 9 left and 12 right digits, with distribution as follows: 2 thumbs, 5 index fingers, 7 middle fingers, 5 ring fingers and 2 little fingers. The soft tissue defect area ranged from 2.0 cm × 1.0 cm to 9.2 cm × 3.3 cm (mean 6.69 cm 2± 6.69 cm 2). Flap dimensions ranged from 2.1 cm×1.1 cm to 9.5 cm×3.5 cm (mean 7.54 cm 2±7.22 cm 2). Donor sites were closed primarily or by full-thickness skin grafts harvested from the leg. The LTF group included 18 patients (21 digits) of 15 males (17 digits) and 3 females (4 digits), aged 22-62 (mean 41±12) years. The affected digits in LTF group comprised 12 left and 9 right digits, with a distribution of: 3 thumbs, 9 index fingers, 5 middle fingers, 2 ring fingers and 2 little fingers. The area of soft tissue defect ranges from 1.4 cm × 1.0 cm to 3.9 cm × 1.8 cm (mean 3.93 cm 2± 1.80 cm 2). Flap dimensions ranged from 1.5 cm×1.2 cm to 4.0 cm×1.9 cm (mean 4.52 cm 2±1.89 cm 2). Donor sites were closed primarily, or by full-thickness skin grafts harvested through extension of proximal wound extension or from calf for defect coverage. Patients were contacted for postoperative follow-up by telephone or WeChat to arrange a visit of outpatient clinic or a home visit by surgeon. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare the 2 groups regarding: gender, age and flap dimensions, flap survival rate at 2 weeks after surgery and TPD of flaps, VSS scores, and digit-pulp defect reconstruction evaluation scale scores at 4 months and 6 months postoperatively. P<0.05 indicates a statistically significant difference. Results:The comparative analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between 2 groups in baseline characteristics: gender distribution ( χ2=0.53, P=0.47), mean age ( t=0.75, P=0.46), flap dimensions ( t=1.86, P=0.08), confirming a demographic and surgical parameter equivalence in subsequent outcome comparisons ( P>0.05). All flaps survived at 2 weeks after surgery. All skin grafts at donor sites demonstrated complete viability with uneventful primary wound healing. At 4 months after surgey, the TPD in the MPVF group were 14.71 mm±1.90 mm and 7.81 mm±1.78 mm, respectively, compared to 14.48 mm±1.57 mm and 7.67 mm±1.39 mm in the LTF group at 6 months after surgery. The VSS scores were 1.67±1.11 and 1.29±0.72 for MPVF versus 1.86±1.15 and 1.38±0.81 for LTF at corresponding time points. The digit-pulp defects reconstruction evaluation scale scores showed 88.43±2.62 and 91.43±3.59 for MPVF versus 88.19±2.70 and 91.19±3.50 for LTF. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences (all P>0.05) at 2 postoperative time points. Conclusion:The MPVF demonstrated non-inferior clinical efficacy to the LTF in reconstruction of digit-pulp defects, with comparable outcomes in flap survival rate at 2 weeks, and in TPD, VSS scores, digit-pulp defect reconstruction evaluation scale scores at 4 months and at 6 month after surgey.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and trends of birth defects related to assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Jiangxi Province from 2014 to 2023, and to explore the correlation factors of birth defect occurrence.Methods:A retrospective collection of ART treatment data and follow-up results from January 2014 to December 2023 across 18 reproductive centers in Jiangxi Province was conducted. The trend of birth defects and the rank order of defect types were analyzed. Exact probability methods were used to estimate the 95% confidence intervals ( CI) of the incidence rates, and Poisson regression was applied to identify independent correlation factors. Results:A total of 65 003 ART offspring were included in this study, comprising 2 025 offspring from intrauterine insemination (IUI) and 62 978 from in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). The overall incidence of birth defects was 13.46‰ (95% CI: 12.59‰-14.38‰), with 9.38‰ (95% CI: 5.66‰-14.61‰) for IUI and 13.59‰ (95% CI:12.70‰-14.53‰) for IVF-ET. The incidence of birth defects showed a decreasing trend from 2014 to 2023 (17.11‰ to 11.47‰, Ptrend=0.003). The top three birth defect types were circulatory system defects (3.71‰, 95% CI: 3.25‰-4.21‰), musculoskeletal system defects (2.37‰, 95% CI: 2.01‰-2.77‰), and congenital malformations of the face, ears, eyes, and neck (1.23‰, 95% CI: 0.98‰-1.53‰). Univariate analysis indicated that male offspring from IVF-ET had a higher incidence of birth defects than that in female offspring (14.72‰ vs. 12.31‰, P=0.009). Additionally, gestational age, birth weight, fetal number, cause of infertility, and year of delivery were significantly associated with birth defect incidence in IVF-ET offspring ( P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.025, P=0.037). Multivariate analysis showed that in singleton pregnancies, male offspring, gestational age 32-36 weeks birth weight <1 500 g, and infertility with bilateral factors were independent risk factors for birth defects ( OR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.00-1.47, P=0.046; OR=1.90,95% CI: 1.41-2.56, P<0.001; OR=3.37, 95% CI: 1.33-8.51, P=0.010; OR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.12-1.69, P=0.003), while in multiple pregnancies, male offspring, gestational age <32 weeks, gestational age 32-36 weeks, birth weight <1 500 g, birth weight 1 500-2 499 g, maternal age 25-29 years and maternal age 30-34 years were independent risk factors ( OR=1.25, 95% CI: 1.03-1.52, P=0.023; OR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.35-3.15, P=0.001; OR=1.32,95% CI: 1.05-1.66, P=0.016; OR=1.98,95% CI: 1.19-3.28, P=0.009; OR=2.06,95% CI: 1.64-2.60, P<0.001; OR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.31-3.06, P=0.001; OR=1.90,95% CI: 1.24-2.92, P=0.003). Conclusion:Over the past 10 years, the incidence of birth defects in ART offspring in Jiangxi Province has shown a decreasing trend annually, with circulatory system malformations being the most common. The occurrence of birth defects in IVF offspring is primarily associated with maternal and infant characteristics, such as gender, gestational age, birth weight, number of fetuses, and cause of infertility, independent of ART treatment factors.

Objective:To explore the potential mechanisms of autophagy suppressing the activation of pro-inflammatory macro-phages.Methods:Macrophage-specific knockout mice(Atg5△mye)was generated by the hybridization of Lyz2-Cre mice and Atg 5flox/+mice.Bone marrow cells were differentiated into bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDMs)induced by monocyte colony-stimulating factor.The expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ER stress)-related proteins,such as glucose regulatory protein 78(GRP78),autophagy-related marker LC3-Ⅱ and p62,and pro-inflammatory iNOS,were detected by Western blot.GO analysis was performed on BMDMs from Atg5flox/flox and Atg5△mye mice stimulated by LPS.Tauroursodeoxycholate(TUDCA)or ATF6 inhibitor Ceapin-A7 was used to suppress the ER stress in BMDMs.Results:LPS promoted the expression of ER stress-related proteins and the activation of pro-in-flammatory macrophages,while inhibiting autophagy in BMDMs.By utilizing proteomic detection and GO enrichment analysis,it was found that the autophagy deficiency in BMDMs caused changes in the ATF6 pathway,a key downstream pathway of ER stress.Inhibi-tion of ER stress by TUDCA significantly down-regulated the expression of iNOS and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-18 and IL-1β in autophagy-deficient BMDMs.ATF6-specific inhibitor(Ceapin-A7)was used to exculpate LPS-stimulated BMDMs,and it was found that Ceapin-A7 significantly down-regulated the elevated expression of iNOS and inflammatory factors caused by Atg5 deletion in BMDMs.Conclusion:Autophagy inhibits the activation of pro-inflammatory macrophages by suppressing ATF6 pathway.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and trends of birth defects related to assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Jiangxi Province from 2014 to 2023, and to explore the correlation factors of birth defect occurrence.Methods:A retrospective collection of ART treatment data and follow-up results from January 2014 to December 2023 across 18 reproductive centers in Jiangxi Province was conducted. The trend of birth defects and the rank order of defect types were analyzed. Exact probability methods were used to estimate the 95% confidence intervals ( CI) of the incidence rates, and Poisson regression was applied to identify independent correlation factors. Results:A total of 65 003 ART offspring were included in this study, comprising 2 025 offspring from intrauterine insemination (IUI) and 62 978 from in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). The overall incidence of birth defects was 13.46‰ (95% CI: 12.59‰-14.38‰), with 9.38‰ (95% CI: 5.66‰-14.61‰) for IUI and 13.59‰ (95% CI:12.70‰-14.53‰) for IVF-ET. The incidence of birth defects showed a decreasing trend from 2014 to 2023 (17.11‰ to 11.47‰, Ptrend=0.003). The top three birth defect types were circulatory system defects (3.71‰, 95% CI: 3.25‰-4.21‰), musculoskeletal system defects (2.37‰, 95% CI: 2.01‰-2.77‰), and congenital malformations of the face, ears, eyes, and neck (1.23‰, 95% CI: 0.98‰-1.53‰). Univariate analysis indicated that male offspring from IVF-ET had a higher incidence of birth defects than that in female offspring (14.72‰ vs. 12.31‰, P=0.009). Additionally, gestational age, birth weight, fetal number, cause of infertility, and year of delivery were significantly associated with birth defect incidence in IVF-ET offspring ( P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.025, P=0.037). Multivariate analysis showed that in singleton pregnancies, male offspring, gestational age 32-36 weeks birth weight <1 500 g, and infertility with bilateral factors were independent risk factors for birth defects ( OR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.00-1.47, P=0.046; OR=1.90,95% CI: 1.41-2.56, P<0.001; OR=3.37, 95% CI: 1.33-8.51, P=0.010; OR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.12-1.69, P=0.003), while in multiple pregnancies, male offspring, gestational age <32 weeks, gestational age 32-36 weeks, birth weight <1 500 g, birth weight 1 500-2 499 g, maternal age 25-29 years and maternal age 30-34 years were independent risk factors ( OR=1.25, 95% CI: 1.03-1.52, P=0.023; OR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.35-3.15, P=0.001; OR=1.32,95% CI: 1.05-1.66, P=0.016; OR=1.98,95% CI: 1.19-3.28, P=0.009; OR=2.06,95% CI: 1.64-2.60, P<0.001; OR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.31-3.06, P=0.001; OR=1.90,95% CI: 1.24-2.92, P=0.003). Conclusion:Over the past 10 years, the incidence of birth defects in ART offspring in Jiangxi Province has shown a decreasing trend annually, with circulatory system malformations being the most common. The occurrence of birth defects in IVF offspring is primarily associated with maternal and infant characteristics, such as gender, gestational age, birth weight, number of fetuses, and cause of infertility, independent of ART treatment factors.

Objective:To explore the potential mechanisms of autophagy suppressing the activation of pro-inflammatory macro-phages.Methods:Macrophage-specific knockout mice(Atg5△mye)was generated by the hybridization of Lyz2-Cre mice and Atg 5flox/+mice.Bone marrow cells were differentiated into bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDMs)induced by monocyte colony-stimulating factor.The expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ER stress)-related proteins,such as glucose regulatory protein 78(GRP78),autophagy-related marker LC3-Ⅱ and p62,and pro-inflammatory iNOS,were detected by Western blot.GO analysis was performed on BMDMs from Atg5flox/flox and Atg5△mye mice stimulated by LPS.Tauroursodeoxycholate(TUDCA)or ATF6 inhibitor Ceapin-A7 was used to suppress the ER stress in BMDMs.Results:LPS promoted the expression of ER stress-related proteins and the activation of pro-in-flammatory macrophages,while inhibiting autophagy in BMDMs.By utilizing proteomic detection and GO enrichment analysis,it was found that the autophagy deficiency in BMDMs caused changes in the ATF6 pathway,a key downstream pathway of ER stress.Inhibi-tion of ER stress by TUDCA significantly down-regulated the expression of iNOS and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-18 and IL-1β in autophagy-deficient BMDMs.ATF6-specific inhibitor(Ceapin-A7)was used to exculpate LPS-stimulated BMDMs,and it was found that Ceapin-A7 significantly down-regulated the elevated expression of iNOS and inflammatory factors caused by Atg5 deletion in BMDMs.Conclusion:Autophagy inhibits the activation of pro-inflammatory macrophages by suppressing ATF6 pathway.

Objective:To systematically compares the medial plantar venous flap (MPVF) and the lateral toe flap (LTF) reconstruction of digit-pulp defect, aiming to establish whether there exist significant differences between the 2 flaps in flap survival rate, two-point discrimination (TPD), score of Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and score of digit-pulp defect reconstruction evaluation.Methods:With a prospective cohort design, this study enrolled 36 patients who were admitted in Department of Hand Surgery, Longgang Eighth People's Hospital of Shenzhen for digit-pulp defects with bone or tendon exposure between January 2024 and September 2024. According to the random grouping method, participants were divided into 2 groups. The MPVF group comprised 18 patients (21 digits) of 13 males (15 digits) and 5 females (6 digits), aged 13-58 (mean 44±12) years. The MPVF group included 9 left and 12 right digits, with distribution as follows: 2 thumbs, 5 index fingers, 7 middle fingers, 5 ring fingers and 2 little fingers. The soft tissue defect area ranged from 2.0 cm × 1.0 cm to 9.2 cm × 3.3 cm (mean 6.69 cm 2± 6.69 cm 2). Flap dimensions ranged from 2.1 cm×1.1 cm to 9.5 cm×3.5 cm (mean 7.54 cm 2±7.22 cm 2). Donor sites were closed primarily or by full-thickness skin grafts harvested from the leg. The LTF group included 18 patients (21 digits) of 15 males (17 digits) and 3 females (4 digits), aged 22-62 (mean 41±12) years. The affected digits in LTF group comprised 12 left and 9 right digits, with a distribution of: 3 thumbs, 9 index fingers, 5 middle fingers, 2 ring fingers and 2 little fingers. The area of soft tissue defect ranges from 1.4 cm × 1.0 cm to 3.9 cm × 1.8 cm (mean 3.93 cm 2± 1.80 cm 2). Flap dimensions ranged from 1.5 cm×1.2 cm to 4.0 cm×1.9 cm (mean 4.52 cm 2±1.89 cm 2). Donor sites were closed primarily, or by full-thickness skin grafts harvested through extension of proximal wound extension or from calf for defect coverage. Patients were contacted for postoperative follow-up by telephone or WeChat to arrange a visit of outpatient clinic or a home visit by surgeon. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare the 2 groups regarding: gender, age and flap dimensions, flap survival rate at 2 weeks after surgery and TPD of flaps, VSS scores, and digit-pulp defect reconstruction evaluation scale scores at 4 months and 6 months postoperatively. P<0.05 indicates a statistically significant difference. Results:The comparative analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between 2 groups in baseline characteristics: gender distribution ( χ2=0.53, P=0.47), mean age ( t=0.75, P=0.46), flap dimensions ( t=1.86, P=0.08), confirming a demographic and surgical parameter equivalence in subsequent outcome comparisons ( P>0.05). All flaps survived at 2 weeks after surgery. All skin grafts at donor sites demonstrated complete viability with uneventful primary wound healing. At 4 months after surgey, the TPD in the MPVF group were 14.71 mm±1.90 mm and 7.81 mm±1.78 mm, respectively, compared to 14.48 mm±1.57 mm and 7.67 mm±1.39 mm in the LTF group at 6 months after surgery. The VSS scores were 1.67±1.11 and 1.29±0.72 for MPVF versus 1.86±1.15 and 1.38±0.81 for LTF at corresponding time points. The digit-pulp defects reconstruction evaluation scale scores showed 88.43±2.62 and 91.43±3.59 for MPVF versus 88.19±2.70 and 91.19±3.50 for LTF. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences (all P>0.05) at 2 postoperative time points. Conclusion:The MPVF demonstrated non-inferior clinical efficacy to the LTF in reconstruction of digit-pulp defects, with comparable outcomes in flap survival rate at 2 weeks, and in TPD, VSS scores, digit-pulp defect reconstruction evaluation scale scores at 4 months and at 6 month after surgey.