Based on the concept of "regulating the five zang organs and harmonizing the spleen and stomach"， globus hystericus is believed to originate from dysfunction of the five zang organs and disharmony of the spleen and stomach. Treatment primarily focuses on regulating the spleen and stomach while also considering other affected organs， with a self-prescribed Anpiwei Jingyan Formula （安脾胃经验方） for harmonizing the spleen and stomach as the foundational treatment. Additionally， syndrome-based modifications are applied according to imbalances in the heart， lung， kidney， or liver. For heart-yang deficiency， modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction （苓桂术甘汤） could be combined； for heart-yin deficiency， modified Tianwang Buxin Pill （天王补心丹） could be combined. For lung failing to disperse and descend and fluid retention， modified Sanao Decoction （三拗汤） could be combined； for lung and stomach yin deficiency， modified Shashen Maidong Decoction （沙参麦冬汤） could be combined. For kidney-yang deficiency with ascending counterflow of cold water， modified Jingui Shensi Pill （金匮肾气丸） could be combined； for kidney-yin deficiency， modified Liuwei Dihuang Pill （六味地黄丸） could be combined. For liver constraint and spleen deficiency， modified Sini Powder （四逆散） could be combined； for liver-yin deficiency or liver stagnation transforming into fire and attacking the stomach， modified Yiguan Decoction （一贯煎） could be combined.

Background Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most prevalent environmental endocrine disruptor among phthalate acid esters (PAEs) worldwide. Previous studies have indicated that exposure to DEHP may disrupt glucose metabolism. Objective To investigate the impact of DEHP on glucose homeostasis in rats, focusing on oxidative stress-induced impairment of autophagy in islet β cells. Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly assigned to four groups, receiving DEHP doses of 0, 187, 375, and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ for 12 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) and insulin tolerance tests (ITT) were conducted 24 h after the final exposure. Pancreatic microstructural alterations were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Commercial ELISA kits were employed to quantify the levels of insulin, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in rat serum, as well as the protein expression level of activated caspase-3 in pancreatic tissue. Additionally, commercial microplate kits were utilized to measure the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) in serum, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) using water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) by thiobarbituric acid method, and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in pancreatic tissue by chemical fluorescence method. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure sequestosome1 (SQSTM1/p62), Beclin1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-8 (Caspase-8) mRNA levels. Western blot analysis was applied to detect the protein relative expression levels of p62, Beclin-1, LC3-I, LC3 II, AMPK, p-AMPK, mTOR, p-mTOR, ULK1, and Caspase-8. Results Compared to the 0 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group, the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group exhibited a significant increase in fasting blood glucose levels at 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks (P<0.05). The OGTT showed that, following high-glucose gavage, the 187 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group had elevated blood glucose at 30 min (P<0.05), the 375 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group showed increased glucose levels at 15, 30, and 180 min (P<0.05), and the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group exhibited elevated levels at 15, 30, 60, and 180 min (P<0.05). The 375 and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP groups demonstrated significantly increased OGTT area under the curve (AUC) values (P<0.05). In contrast, ITT results indicated no significant differences in blood glucose levels or AUC among the DEHP exposure groups at all time points (P>0.05). Compared to the 0 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group, the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group exhibited significantly higher HOMA-IR levels and markedly lower HOMA-ISI values (P<0.05). HE and TEM showed that in each DEHP exposure group, the number of islet cells decreased, the islet area reduced, and chromatin condensation occurred. The endocrine granules in the cytoplasm of islet β cells decreased, and there were varying degrees of widening of the nuclear membrane gap, flattening and expansion of the Golgi complex, and expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum. Ribosome separation was observed, and autophagosomes were visible. In the 375 and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP groups, the mitochondria were deformed to varying degrees, and some cristae structures disappeared, presenting vacuolization. Moreover, the chromatin condensation in the nuclei was more severe in the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group. The serum SOD activity was significantly elevated in the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group (P<0.05). Both the 375 mg·kg⁻¹ and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP groups exhibited a significant increase in the relative ROS content in pancreatic tissue (P<0.05). In DEHP-treated groups, the MDA content increased (P<0.05), while the GSH content decreased (P<0.05). Additionally, in the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group, the AMP/ATP ratio in serum was significantly raised (P<0.05), and the expression of cleaved Caspase-3 protein in pancreatic tissue was also significantly increased (P<0.05). The relative mRNA levels of p62, Beclin-1, LC3, and Caspase-8 in the pancreatic tissue of rats exposed to DEHP were significantly elevated (P<0.05). The relative expression levels of p-AMPK/AMPK, p-ULK1/ULK1, and Beclin-1 proteins in the DEHP-treated groups were significantly increased (P<0.05). In the 375 mg·kg⁻¹ and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP treatment groups, the relative expression levels of p62, LC3 II/LC1, and Caspase-8 proteins were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the relative expression level of p-mTOR/mTOR was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion DEHP can disrupt glucose homeostasis by inducing oxidative stress, which subsequently activates autophagy via the ROS/AMPK/ULK1 pathway, impairing autophagic flux and promoting apoptosis of islet β cells, ultimately decreasing their function and number.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of toric implantable collamer lens (Toric-ICL) and femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) for myopia correction in patients with moderate to high myopia complicated with astigmatism. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from 64 patients (aged 18-42 years) with moderate to high myopia complicated with astigmatism (128 eyes) undergoing either Toric-ICL (28 patients/56 eyes) or FS-LASIK (36 patients/72 eyes) at our department between January, 2019 and December, 2020. The changes of uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCVA), spherical equivalent (SE), mean astigmatism correction index (CI), corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) and intraocular pressure (IOP) following the procedures were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In FS-LASIK group, all the eyes (72/72) achieved an UCVA≥1.0, similar to the rate in Toric-ICL group (55/56 eyes; P=0.2374). The postoperative SE was also comparable between FS-LASIK and Toric-ICL groups [0.43±0.06 D (range: -1.0 to 1.50 D) vs 0.38±0.05 D (range: -0.75 to 1.00 D); P=0.56]. The mean astigmatism CI was significantly higher in FS-LASIK group than in Toric-ICL group (0.8561 vs 0.7176; P<0.0001), and 88.89% of the eyes in FS-LASIK group and 69.64% in Toric-ICL group had postoperative astigmatism ≤0.50 D. No significant changes were observed in postoperative corneal ECD in FS-LASIK group, whereas ECD decreased significantly after the procedure in Toric-ICL group (P=0.0057). The patients undergoing Toric-ICL exhibited no significant changes of postoperative IOP, but the patients receiving FS-LASIK had significantly reduced IOP after the procedure (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Although the patients included in Toric-ICL group had higher myopia and astigmatism, Toric-ICL still showed better predictability and efficacy for astigmatic correction in Toric-ICL group. Toric-ICL is an effective and safe equivalent of FS-LASIK for correcting moderate myopia but can be more advantageous for correcting high myopia with astigmatism.
Humans ; Astigmatism/complications* ; Myopia/complications* ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Visual Acuity ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Male ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular/methods* ; Female ; Phakic Intraocular Lenses ; Intraocular Pressure

OBJECTIVES: To explore the molecular mechanism of Jiangzhi Huaban Decoction (JZHBD) for improving atherosclerosis through the "qi meridian-blood channels" pathway. METHODS: ApoE^-/- mouse models of atherosclerosis were established by high-fat diet feeding for 8 weeks, with C57BL/6 mice on a normal diet as the controls. Forty ApoE^-/- mouse models were randomized into model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose JZHBD treatment groups, and atorvastatin treatment group (n=8) for their respective treatments for 8 weeks. The changes in body weight and overall condition of the mice were monitored weekly. After the treatments, serum levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, TBA, ALT, and AST of the mice were measured, pathological changes in the liver and aortic root plaques were examined with HE staining, and lipid accumulation in the liver and aortic wall was assessed using Oil Red O staining. The core molecular mechanism was studied through transcriptomics, and the expressions of the key pathway proteins were confirmed using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Treatment with JZHBD significantly reduced blood lipid and total bile acid levels, improved liver function and hepatic steatosis, and decreased aortic lipid deposition and plaque area in the mouse models of atherosclerosis. Transcriptomic analysis suggested that the therapeutic mechanism of JZHBD involved reverse cholesterol transport, PPAR signaling, and the inflammatory pathways. In atherosclerotic mice, JZHBD treatment obviously up-regulated hepatic expressions of PPARγ, LXRα, ABCA1, ABCG1, and CYP7A1, down-regulated hepatic expressions of p-p65/p65, IL-6, IL1β in the liver, increased ABCG5 and ABCG8 expressions in the intestines, and decreased ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expressions in the aortic plaques. CONCLUSIONS JZHBD improves atherosclerotic vascular damage and plaque formation possibly by regulating hepatic reverse cholesterol transport and inflammation via modulating the hepatic PPARγ/LXRα/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/metabolism* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Mice ; Atherosclerosis/metabolism* ; Cholesterol/metabolism* ; PPAR gamma/metabolism* ; Male ; Diet, High-Fat ; Biological Transport

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) is a severe dose-limiting adverse event of chemotherapy. Presently, the mechanism underlying the induction of CIPN remains unclear, and no effective treatment is available. In this study, through metabolomics analyses, we found that nab-paclitaxel therapy markedly increased serum serotonin [5-hydroxtryptamine (5-HT)] levels in both cancer patients and mice compared to the respective controls. Furthermore, nab-paclitaxel-treated enterochromaffin (EC) cells showed increased 5-HT synthesis, and serotonin-treated Schwann cells showed damage, as indicated by the activation of CREB3L3/MMP3/FAS signaling. Venlafaxine, an inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake, was found to protect against nerve injury by suppressing the activation of CREB3L3/MMP3/FAS signaling in Schwann cells. Remarkably, venlafaxine was found to significantly alleviate nab-paclitaxel-induced CIPN in patients without affecting the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy. In summary, our study reveals that EC cell-derived 5-HT plays a critical role in nab-paclitaxel-related neurotoxic lesions, and venlafaxine co-administration represents a novel approach to treating chronic cumulative neurotoxicity commonly reported in nab-paclitaxel-based chemotherapy.
Paclitaxel/toxicity* ; Animals ; Albumins/adverse effects* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Mice ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride/therapeutic use* ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Schwann Cells/metabolism* ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/drug therapy* ; Antineoplastic Agents

[Abstract] [Objective] To establish a detection method for complement C3d-sensitized platelets. [Methods] Parallel detection of the same platelet sample under conditions of complement C3d sensitization and non-sensitization was conducted using microcolumn gel immunoagglutination inhibition assay technology. The supernatant obtained after the reaction between anti-C3d monoclonal antibodies and platelet samples was then reacted with C3d-sensitized red blood cells to observe whether agglutination occurs. Subsequently, this method was used to test samples from 22 clinical patients to determine whether their platelets were sensitized by complement C3d. [Results] The same platelet sample, after being sensitized with complement C3d, showed negative or weakened aggregation, which was determined as a positive result, whereas platelets that were not sensitized with complement C3d exhibited aggregation, which was determined as a negative result. A total of 22 clinical patient samples were tested, of which 16 were negative and 6 were positive. [Conclusion] A microcolumn gel immunoagglutination inhibition test was established to detect whether platelets are sensitized by complement C3d, which aids in the auxiliary diagnosis of complement-related immune diseases involving platelets.

Objective To evaluate the effect of driving pressure(DP)-guided individualized positive end-expiratory pressure(PEEP)combined with regular lung recruitment maneuvers(RMs)on atelectasis in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery in the Trendelenburg position using lung ultrasound.Methods A total of 62 patients aged 65-85 years old and classified by ASA status Ⅰ-Ⅲ undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer were included and randomly divided into the experimental group(n=31)and the control group(n=31).Both groups received one RM after the beginning of pneumoperitoneum,followed immediately by titration of individualized PEEP with the lowest DP,and both groups received another RM after the end of pneumoperitoneum.The experimental group received additional RM every 30 min from the beginning of pneumoperitoneum,while the control group received no intervention.Recording time points for observation were:before induction of anesthesia(T0),30 min after pneumoperitoneum(T1),90 min after pneumoperitoneum(T2),at the end of surgery(T3)and 45 min after entering the postanesthesia care unit(PACU,T4).Lung ultrasound score(LUS)was recorded at T0,T3 and T4.Dynamic lung compliance(Cdyn)was recorded at T1-T3.Oxygenation index(OI),mean arterial pressure(MAP)and heart rate(HR)were recorded at T0-T4.Hypotension during RM,hypoxic saturation events in PACU and the incidence of pulmonary complications(POPC)within the first 7 days after surgery were recorded.Results Compared with the control group,LUSs at T3 and T4 were significantly decreased in the experimental group(P<0.05),and OI and Cdyn at T2 and T3 were significantly increased(P<0.05).In addition,the incidence of hypoxia saturation events in PACU was lower in the experimental group than that in the control group(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in the incidence of hypotension during lung recruitment and the incidence of POPC within 7 days after surgery between the two groups.Conclusion The individualized PEEP combined with regular RMs can effectively reduce the atelectasis observed by lung ultrasound immediately after laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer and in PACU in elderly patients.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of eosinophilic granulomatous polyangiitis (EGPA) and provide a basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, imaging and pathological characteristics, and treatment outcomes of 15 cases of eosinophilic granulomatous vasculitis.Results:Fifteen patients with eosinophilic granulomatous vasculitis were aged (50.7±17.2)years old, with a median time of 182.5 days from onset to diagnosis. Thirteen patients presented with respiratory symptoms as the initial diagnosis, while the other two presented with skin and nervous system damage. These patients were all accompanied by an increase in peripheral blood eosinophils, fluctuating between 10.6% and 60.94%. Thirteen patients had respiratory symptoms, mainly cough, sputum production, shortness of breath, and varied chest computed tomography (CT) findings. Histopathology or alveolar lavage fluid also showed changes in eosinophil count.Conclusions:The clinical manifestations of eosinophilic granulomatous vasculitis are diverse, often involving the respiratory system, as well as multiple systems such as the circulatory system, digestive system, nervous system, urinary system, and skin. However, due to its frequent early manifestations of wheezing, it is often misdiagnosed as refractory asthma. Improving the understanding of eosinophilic granulomatous vasculitis and improving the level of early diagnosis can help improve the prognosis of patients.

Objective:To analyze the effect of short collection time of digital positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT)on image quality,detected lesion and semi-quantitative parameters,and explore the feasibility of clinical application of short collection time of step by step collection mode.Methods:The digital PET/CT images of 63 subjects were retrospectively analyzed.All of them adopted PET/CT scan to conduct PET/CT examination for whole body according to the collection mode of step by step type and list-mode scan protocol.The reconstruction was implemented according to the different collection time of each bed,and they were divided into 90 s/bed group,60 s/bed group,45 s/bed group and 30 s/bed group.The 90s/bed was used as control group to compare the detection rate of the small lesion of each group("the shorter diameter of smaller radioactive concentration lesion of PET image and the lesion of CT image"was less than 0.5 cm)in PET images,and to measure the objective data of original tumor lesion,and to compare the maximum value(SUVmax),peak value(SUVpeak)and mean value(SUVmean)of standardized uptake value(SUV),noise(SD),metabolic tumor volume(MTV)and total lesion glycolysis(TLG).The signal-noise ratio(SNR),contrast noise ratio(CNR)and target-to-background ratio(TBR)were calculated and compared.The one-way analysis of variance(ANOVA test)was adopted to conduct comparison of inter groups for the image data of 4 groups.The Bland-Altman consistency test was adopted to analyze semi-quantitative parameters of intra group.The Likert 5 scores method was adopted to conduct subject evaluation for the quality of images.The Kappa test was adopted to evaluate the consistency of images.Results:The subjective scores of image quality of 4 groups were all≥3 points,and the consistency of image quality among the four groups was very well(Kappa=0.8,P<0.05).Compared with 90s/bed group,the detection rate of small lesions of other three groups were 100%.The differences of SUVmax,SUVpeak,SUVmean,SD,TLG and MTV of semi-quantitative indicators among 4 groups were not significant(P>0.05).There were significant differences in CNR,SNR and TBR of objective indicators of 18F-FDG PET image quality among 4 groups(F=31.741,34.199,12.021,P<0.001),respectively.There were no significant differences in noise between 60s/bed group and 90s/bed group,and between 45s/bed group and 90s/bed group,respectively.The noise of image of 30s/bed group appeared increase.The Bland-Altman consistent analysis of intra group basically was within 95%confidence interval(CI).Conclusions:The short collection time of step by step mode of digital PET/CT has very good clinical application.

Bruton's tyrosine kinase(BTK)inhibitors are novel drugs targeted for the treatment of B-cell lymphoma.BTK inhibitors have pro-duced strong curative effects,especially for mantle cell lymphoma(MCL),chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma(CLL/SSL),and Waldenstr?m's macroglobulinemia(WM).However,the adverse effect of bleeding has gradually been noted with the wide-spread use of BTK inhibitors in clinical practice.Bleeding events are caused by the off-target effects of BTK inhibitors,which affect platelet function through multiple signaling pathways during use.Bleeding affects patient treatment and threatens their quality of life.As such,the clinical management of bleeding should be strengthened.This paper provides a review of the mechanisms of action and clinical manage-ment of bleeding caused by BTK inhibitors.