Objective: To investigate the objective characteristics of tongue manifestation in different stages of damp-heat syndrome in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 134 patients with DKD G3-5 stages who met the diagnostic criteria for damp-heat syndrome in DKD. The patients were treated at Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, from May 2023 to January 2024. The patients were divided into three groups: DKD G3, DKD G4, and DKD G5 stage, with 53, 33, and 48 patients in each group, respectively. Clinical general data (gender, age, and body mass index) and damp-heat syndrome scores were collected from the patients. The YZAI-02 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) AI Tongue Image Acquisition Device was used to capture tongue images from these patients. The accompanying AI Open Platform for TCM Tongue Diagnosis of the device was used to analyze and extract tongue manifestation features, including objective data on tongue color, tongue quality, coating color, and coating texture. Clinical data and objective tongue manifestation characteristics were compared among patients with DKD G3-5 based on their DKD damp-heat syndrome status. Results: No statistically significant difference in gender or body mass index was observed among the three patient groups. The DKD G3 stage group had the highest age (P<0.05). The DKD G3 stage group had a lower score for symptoms of poor appetite and anorexia(P<0.05) than the DKD G5 group. No statistically significant difference was observed in damp-heat syndrome scores among the three groups. Compared with the DKD G5 stage group, the DKD G3 stage group showed a decreased proportion of pale color at the tip and edges of the tongue (P<0.05). The DKD G4 stage group exhibited an increased proportion of crimson at the root of the tongue, a decreased proportion of thick white tongue coating at the root, a decreased proportion of pale color at the tip and edges of the tongue, an increased hue value (indicating color tone) of the tongue color in the middle, an increased brightness value (indicating color lightness) of the tongue coating color in the middle, and an increased thickness of the tongue coating (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in other tongue color proportions, color chroma values, body characteristics, coating color proportions, coating color chroma values, and coating texture characteristics among the three groups. Conclusion Tongue features differ in different stages of DKD damp-heat syndrome in multiple dimensions, enabling the inference that during the DKD G5 stage, the degree of qi and blood deficiency in the kidneys, heart, lungs, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and stomach is prominent. Dampness is more likely to accumulate in the lower jiao, particularly in the kidneys, whereas heat evil in the spleen and stomach is the most severe. These insights provide novel ideas for the clinical treatment of DKD.

Based on the viewpoint of "sweat pore-qi and liquid-kidney collaterals"， it is believed that children's nephrotic syndrome is caused by the core mechanism of sweat pore constraint and closure， qi and liquid imbalance， and kidney collaterals impairment， and it is proposed that the treatment principle is to nourish the sweat pore， regulate qi and fluid， and supplement the kidney and unblock the collaterals. In clinic， guided by sequential therapy and according to the different disease mechanism characteristics of the four stages， including early stage of the disease， hormone induction stage， hormone reduction stage， hormone maintenance stage， the staged dynamic identification and treatment was applied. For early stage of the disease with edema due to yang deficiency， modified Zhenwu Decoction （真武汤） was applied to warm yang and drain water； for hormone induction stage with yin deficiency resulting in effulgent fire， modified Zhibai Dihuang Pill （知柏地黄丸） plus Erzhi Pill （二至丸） was used to enrich yin and reduce fire； for hormone reduction stage with qi and yin deficiency， modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction （参芪地黄汤） was used to boost qi and nourish yin； for hormone maintenance stage， modified Shenqi Pill （肾气丸） was used to supplement yin and yang. Meanwhile， the treatment also attaches importance to the combination of vine-based or worm medicinals to dredge collaterals， so as to providing ideas for clinical treatment.

Tumor-associated macrophages （TAMs）， as the main immune cells in the human body， are key factors in maintaining the homeostasis of the tumor microenvironment. With high plasticity， they can polarize into the classically activated （M1） macrophages or alternatively activated （M2） macrophages under different conditions. M1 macrophages can inhibit tumor growth by phagocytosis， and M2 can inhibit the immune microenvironment to promote tumorigenesis and immune escape. Small molecules of traditional Chinese medicine have been widely studied in gastrointestinal tumors. These small molecules exert anti-tumor activity by enhancing TAM activity and promoting the polarization of macrophages. Targeted intervention in TAMs with these molecules has the potential to inhibit the development of gastrointestinal tumors. This article summarizes the research status and significance of small molecules of traditional Chinese medicine targeting TAMs against gastrointestinal tumors， aiming to provide reference for the future studies in this field.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect and safety of dapagliflozin on cardiac function and renal function， blood glucose， and quality of life in patients with heart failure （HF） combined with chronic kidney disease （CKD）. METHODS A total of 156 patients with HF combined with CKD admitted to Shangqiu First People’s Hospital from January 1， 2021 to January 1， 2023 were included. According to the random number table， the patients were randomly divided into conventional treatment group （n＝80） and dapagliflozin group （n＝76）. Conventional treatment group was given conventional treatment； dapagliflozin group was additionally given Dapagliflozin tablets 10 mg orally， once a day， based on conventional treatment group. Both groups were treated for 6 months. Cardiac function [left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， left ventricular end-systolic diameter （LVESD）， left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVEDD）， N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP）]， renal function [blood creatinine， urea nitrogen， urinary albumin excretion rate （UAER）， glomerular filtration rate （GFR）， creatinine 806731979@qq.com clearance rate （CCR）]， glycosylated hemoglobin， and the quality of life were observed in 2 groups before and after treatment. The occurrence of ADR was recorded. RESULTS After treatment， LVESD， LVEDD， NT-proBNP， blood creatinine， urea nitrogen， UAER in 2 groups as well as the level of glycosylated hemoglobin in dapagliflozin group were significantly lower than before treatment； the dapagliflozin group was significantly lower than the conventional treatment group. LVEF， GFR， CCR and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score were significantly higher than before treatment， and the dapagliflozin group was significantly higher than the conventional treatment group （P＜0.05）. There was no statistical significance in glycosylated hemoglobin of conventional treatment group before and after treatment （P＞ 0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of dizziness， rash， liver dysfunction， urinary system infection， new dialysis and hypotension between the two groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Dapagliflozin can improve the cardiac function and renal function of patients with HF complicated with CKD， improve patients’ quality of life and lower blood sugar levels without increasing the risk of adverse events.

Objective To analyze the short- and long-term therapeutic effects of heart transplantation in children. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on recipients and donors who underwent heart transplantation at the 7th People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou from May 2018 to August 2023, analyzing their clinical characteristics, surgical data, postoperative complications, and survival rates. Results A total of 22 children underwent heart transplantation, including 14 males and 8 females, with a median age of 13.5 (10.0, 15.0) years and a median weight of 41.9 (30.5, 55.4) kg. The primary diseases included: dilated cardiomyopathy in 16 patients, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 1 patient, myocardial dysplasia in 3 patients, right ventricular dysplasia in 1 patient, and congenital heart disease with abnormal coronary artery origin in 1 patient. The median age of the donors was 21.0 (13.0, 29.0) years, and the median weight was 50.5 (47.3, 75.0) kg. The blood types of the donors and recipients were the same, with type A in 10 patients, type B in 5 patients, type O in 5 patients, and type AB in 2 patients. Before transplantation, all children had a New York Heart Association cardiac function grade Ⅳ, with 1 patient assisted by intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), 3 patients assisted by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), 2 patients assisted by continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and 2 patients on mechanical ventilation. Nine patients met the criteria for emergency child status allocation, and the panel reactive antibody level in the patients was<10%. The median cold ischemic time of the donor heart was 355.0 (262.0, 395.5) min, the median aortic cross-clamping time was 45.0 (38.3, 51.3) min, the median mechanical ventilation time was 22.5 (16.8, 52.5) h, the median postoperative hospital stay was 29.5 (20.0, 43.0) d, and the median intensive care unit stay was 6.0 (5.0, 8.3) d. After surgery, 4 patients were assisted by ECMO, 2 patients by CRRT, and 7 patients developed complications, including lung fungal infection in 6 patients, liver and kidney dysfunction in 1 patient, local wound non-union and mediastinal infection in 1 patient, and multiple organ failure in 1 patient. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that the survival rates of children after surgery were 91.3% at 1 year and 3 years; the survival rates of adult heart transplant recipients at our center were 86.7% and 73.8% at 1 year and 3 years, respectively, indicating that the survival rate of children with heart transplantation was higher than that of adult patients. Conclusion Heart transplantation is an effective treatment for end-stage heart failure in children, and the short- and long-term survival rates of children with heart transplantation are superior to those of adults. There are still many difficulties to be solved in pediatric heart transplantation, requiring joint efforts from society and the medical community.

Gorham-Stout disease(GSD)is a sporadic chronic disease characterized by progressive bone dissolution,absorption,and disappearance along with lymphatic vessel infiltration in bone-marrow cavities.Although the osteolytic mechanism of GSD has been widely studied,the cause of lymphatic hyperplasia in GSD is rarely investigated.In this study,by comparing the RNA expression profile of osteoclasts(OCs)with that of OC precursors(OCPs)by RNA sequencing,we identified a new factor,semaphorin 3A(Sema3A),which is an osteoprotective factor involved in the lymphatic expansion of GSD.Compared to OCPs,OCs enhanced the growth,migration,and tube formation of lymphatic endothelial cells(LECs),in which the expression of Sema3A is low compared to that in OCPs.In the presence of recombinant Sema3A,the growth,migration,and tube formation of LECs were inhibited,further confirming the inhibitory effect of Sema3A on LECs in vitro.Using an LEC-induced GSD mouse model,the effect of Sema3A was examined by injecting lentivirus-expressing Sema3A into the tibiae in vivo.We found that the overexpression of Sema3A in tibiae suppressed the expansion of LECs and alleviated bone loss,whereas the injection of lentivirus expressing Sema3A short hairpin RNA(shRNA)into the tibiae caused GSD-like phenotypes.Histological staining further demonstrated that OCs decreased and osteocalcin increased after Sema3A lentiviral treatment,compared with the control.Based on the above results,we propose that reduced Sema3A in OCs is one of the mechanisms contributing to the pathogeneses of GSD and that expressing Sema3A represents a new approach for the treatment of GSD.

Background::Lung cancer is the most common cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and mortality of lung cancer worldwide in 2022 and to project the number of new cases and deaths due to lung cancer in China and the United States in 2050.Methods::In this study, data from the GLOBCAN 2022 database were used to analyze lung cancer incidence and mortality. The current status of lung cancer incidence and deaths was described by country/region, sex, age, and the human development index (HDI), and future lung cancer incidence and deaths in China and the United States were projected for 2050.Results::Globally, an estimated 2,480,675 new lung cancer cases and 1,817,469 lung cancer-related deaths occurred in 2022, with age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) and age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) of 23.6/100,000 and 16.8/100,000, respectively. In China, the ASIR and ASMR for male lung cancer patients were approximately 1.7 times and 2.7 times greater than those for female lung cancer patients, respectively. The ASIR and ASMR in high-HDI countries were approximately 8.5 times and 6.5 times those in low-HDI countries, respectively. It is estimated that in 2050, there will be approximately 1120 thousand new cases and 960 thousand deaths among Chinese men, 680 thousand new cases and 450 thousand deaths among Chinese women, approximately 170 thousand new cases and 110 thousand deaths among American men, and 160 thousand new cases and 90 thousand deaths among American women.Conclusions::There are significant differences in the incidence and mortality of lung cancer among different regions and sexes. Therefore, sex factors need to be considered in the prevention, screening, and treatment strategies of lung cancer, and the implementation of tertiary prevention measures for lung cancer, especially primary and secondary prevention, needs to be actively promoted.

Objective To investigate the sleep structure of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and its correlations with cognitive function, depressive state and motor function. Methods A total of 120 PD patients were enrolled in this study, and divided into PD+RBD group (n=45) and PD group (n=75) based on the presence or absence of RBD. Sleep structure was recorded for both groups. The scores of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part Ⅲ (UPDRS-Ⅲ) and Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease-Autonomic (SCOPA-AUT) were compared between the two groups. The correlations of MoCA, HAMA, HAMD, UPDRS-Ⅲ and SCOPA-AUT scores with sleep structure in the PD+RBD group were analyzed. Results The PD+RBD group showed significantly higher percentage of non-rapideye movement (NREM) at stage 1, arousal index, periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) compared to the PD group, while the percentages of NREM at stage 3, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, sleep efficiency and lowest oxygen saturation were significantly lower (P < 0.05). The PD+RBD group also had significantly higher HAMA, HAMD, UPDRS-Ⅲ and SCOPA-AUT scores, and significantly lower MoCA scores compared to the PD group (P < 0.05). In the PD+RBD group, the percentages of NREM at stage 1, arousal index, PLMS and AHI were positively correlated with HAMA, HAMD, UPDRS-Ⅲ and SCOPA-AUT scores, and negatively correlated with MoCA scores (P < 0.05). Conversely, the percentages of NREM at stage 3, REM sleep, sleep efficiency and lowest oxygen saturation were negatively correlated with HAMA, HAMD, UPDRS-Ⅲ and SCOPA-AUT scores, and positively correlated with MoCA scores (P < 0.05). Conclusion PD patients with RBD exhibit disrupted sleep structure, which is closely associated with cognitive function, depressive state, motor function, and autonomic nervous system function.

ObjectiveTo explore the inhibitory effect of different concentration of baicalin （0， 100， 200， 400 μmol·L^-1） on the proliferation of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells and the underlying mechanism. MethodSGC-7901 cells were treated with baicalin. Then methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay was employed to examine the inhibitory effect of baicalin on the cells. At the same time， ferrostatin-1 （Fer-1） was added to observe the viability of cells after baicalin treatment. The expression of ferroptosis-related genes was detected by Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot. The content of malondialdehyde （MDA） and the level of glutathione （GSH） were detected respectively by MTT assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The role of tumor protein 53 （p53）/solute carrier family 7 member 11 （SLC7A11） pathway in the regulation of ferroptosis was investigated respectively via overexpression and small interfering RNA （siRNA） methods. ResultCompared with the blank group， baicalin decreased the viability of SGC-7901 （P<0.05， P<0.01） in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The intervention of Fer-1 significantly alleviated the decrease of SGC-7901 cell viability caused by baicalin （P<0.01）. In addition， compared with the baicalin group， Fer-1+baicalin group showed decrease in MDA content and the mRNA and protein levels of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 （PTGS2） in the cells （P<0.01）， and increase in GSH activity and mRNA and protein levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） （P<0.01）. The protein level of SLC7A11 in the baicalin group was decreased compared with that in the blank group （P<0.05， P<0.01） in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the baicalin group， the reactive oxygen species （ROS） level and MDA content in SLC7A11-overexpressing cells were significantly decreased after baicalin treatment （P<0.01）， and the GSH activity was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The fluorescence intensity of p53 in the cells of the baicalin group was increased compared with that of the blank group （P<0.01）. Compared with the baicalin group， the expression level of p53 protein in the cells transfected with p53 siRNA was significantly decreased after baicalin treatment （P<0.01）， and the expression level of SLC7A11 was significantly increased （P<0.01）. ConclusionBaicalin can effectively inhibit the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells by regulating p53/SLC7A11-mediated ferroptosis.

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis