Objective To analyze the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndromes in maintenance hemodialysis(MHD)patients and to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Jianpi Yishen Paidu Therapy(mainly with the actions of strengthening spleen,tonifying kidney,and removing toxins)across different syndrome types.Methods A total of 173 patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease(CKD)undergoing MHD at Guangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine between October 2019 and October 2024 were enrolled.Statistical analysis was performed on TCM syndrome distribution.Patients were categorized into three groups based on whether they received Jianpi Yishen Paidu Therapy for 2 weeks and their syndrome differentiation:spleen-kidney qi deficiency syndrome group(n=25),spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome group(n=39),and control group(n=109).Baseline data and laboratory parameters were collected to assess therapeutic efficacy of Jianpi Yishen Paidu Therapy.Results(1)Among deficiency patterns,spleen-kidney qi deficiency and spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndromes predominated;among excess syndromes,dampness-turbidity and blood stasis syndromes were most common.(2)Adjunctive Jianpi Yishen Paidu therapy enhanced treatment efficacy by decreasing serum creatinine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),and cystatin C(Cys-C)levels while increasing hemoglobin(Hb)and serum albumin(ALB)(P＜0.05).Regarding calcium-phosphorus metabolism,the spleen-kidney qi deficiency group showed reduced serum phosphorus(P+)(P＜0.05),while both treatment groups(spleen-kidney qi/yang deficiency)exhibited elevated serum calcium(Ca2+)(P＜0.05)but with no intergroup difference in parathyroid hormone(PTH)(P＞0.05).No significant differences were observed in lipid profiles[total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)]among the three groups(P＞0.05).Dialysis vintage was significantly shortened in both treatment groups versus controls(P＜0.05).Conclusion MHD patients primarily exhibit spleen-kidney qi/yang deficiency syndromes(deficiency in the origin syndrome)and dampness-turbidity/blood stasis syndromes(excess in the superficiality syndrome).Syndrome differentiation-based intervention with Jianpi Yishen Paidu Therapy effectively delays renal function decline,improves calcium-phosphorus metabolism,and elevates Hb and ALB levels in MHD patients.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of Modified Baihu Decoction for sepsis-associated encephalopathy(SAE)patients with qi deficiency and toxin stagnation syndrome.Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 72 SAE patients diagnosed with qi deficiency and toxin stagnation syndrome admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Guangzhou Hospital of Intergrated Traditonal and West Medicine(affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine)between March 2024 and February 2025.Patients were randomly assigned to treatment group(n=36)and control group(n=36)using a random number table.The control group received conventional western therapy,while the treatment group additionally received Modified Baihu Decoction for 5 days.Changes in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)scores,and serum levels of procalcitonin(PCT),interleukin-6(IL-6),and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)were observed.Improvement in consciousness and TCM syndrome efficacy were evaluated.Results(1)During the treatment period,6 patients from each group dropped out.A total of 60 patients were ultimately included in the statistical analysis,with 30 patients in each group.(2)After 5 days of treatment,the total effective rate for improving consciousness was 80.00％(24/30)in the treatment group and 63.33％(19/30)in the control group.Intergroup comparison(by chi-square test)showed that the consciousness improvement efficacy was significantly superior in the treatment group compared to the control group(P＜0.05).(3)After 5 days of treatment,the total effective rate for improving TCM syndrome was 60.00％(18/30)in the treatment group and 26.67％(8/30)in the control group.Intergroup comparison(by chi-square test)demonstrated significantly superior TCM syndrome improvement in the treatment group(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,serum levels of PCT,IL-6,and NT-proBNP significantly decreased in both groups compared to baseline levels(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The treatment group showed significantly greater reductions in serum PCT,IL-6,and NT-proBNP levels than the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,GCS scores increased significantly from baseline levels in both groups(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),while TCM syndrome scores significantly decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The treatment group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in GCS score elevation and TCM syndrome score reduction than the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion Modified Baihu Decoction effectively reduces inflammatory response and improves consciousness and TCM clinical symptoms in SAE patients with qi deficiency and toxin stagnation syndrome.

Objective:To perform optical surface monitoring-based three-dimensional (3D) in vivo dose verification for patients with left breast cancer undergoing deep inspiration breath-hold surface-guided radiation therapy (DIBH-SGRT) and to investigate the dosimetric differences in the target volumes and related factors affecting γ pass rates. Methods:Totally 20 patients with left breast cancer who received DIBH-SGRT at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Women′s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University were selected. The optical surface monitoring-based intrafractional displacement deviations of the patients during DIBH were recorded. Meanwhile, electronic portal imaging device (EPID)-based in vivo dosimetry (EIVD) verification was performed for patients during the DIBH-SGRT, and γ pass rates were measured with the criteria of 2 mm/2%, 3 mm/3%, and 3 mm/5%. The dosimetric differences between planning target volumes (PTVs) and organs at risk (OARs) were analyzed based on dose-volume histograms (DVHs). Furthermore, Pearson correlation analysis was employed to determine the correlation of three γ pass rates with dosimetric differences and displacement deviations. Results:The average pass rates with the criteria of 2 mm/2%, 3 mm/3%, and 3 mm/5% were determined at 73.43%, 86.00%, and 92.96%, respectively, and the average deviations between EIVD measured doses and planned doses in PTV_TB and PTV Dmean were proved to be 0.23% and 0.59%, respectively ( P > 0.05). Pearson analysis revealed that the γ pass rates exhibited a weak correlation with dosimetric differences in PTVs( R<0.7) but strong correlations with intrafractional displacement deviations in Lat and Vert directions during DIBH ( R > 0.7). Conclusions:EIVD verification can ensure the high accuracy of dose delivery in PTVs during DIBH-SGRT for left breast cancer. Additionally, the EIVD verification system has the potential to detect displacement deviations during breath holding.

Objective To analyze thein vivo three-dimensional dose verification using electronic portal imaging device(EIVD)for intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT)of cervical cancer for investigating the differences between the measured and planned doses,and explore the optimal threshold for gamma passing rate in EIVD quality control based on dosimetric sensitivity.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of 45 patients with cervical cancer who underwent IMRT at Women's Hospital,School of Medicine,Zhejiang University.During the treatment,all patients underwent EIVD to obtain the measured doses.The passing rate was analyzed using global gamma criteria of 2 mm/2%,2 mm/3%,and 3 mm/3%.Additionally,dose-volume histogram parameters were utilized to evaluate any differences between the measured and planned doses.Pearson correlation analysis was employed to investigate the relationship between the gamma passing rate and dosimetric differences.Furthermore,receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was generated to determine the optimal threshold for the gamma passing rate.Results The average gamma passing rates for the criteria of 2 mm/2%,2 mm/3%,and 3 mm/3%were 83.07%±5.25%,91.69%±3.52%,and 95.02%±2.46%,respectively.The Dmean deviation between EIVD measurement and planned dose in the planning target area was 2.43%(P=0.016),while the Dmean deviations in the bladder,rectum,and small intestine were 0.35%,0.46%,and 0.30%,respectively(P>0.05).Pearson analysis revealed a strong correlation between the 3 gamma indexes and dosimetric differences in the PTV(r>0.7),but a weak correlation with organs-at-risk(r<0.7).ROC analysis indicated that the optimal gamma passing rate thresholds for the criteria of 2 mm/2%,2 mm/3%,and 3 mm/3%were 79.06%,90.04%,and 94.19%,respectively.Conclusion The implementation of EIVD can ensure the accuracy of dose delivery within the PTV during IMRT for cervical cancer.Moreover,establishing a gamma passing rate threshold provides a valuable clinical basis for subsequent adaptive IMRT for cervical cancer.

Background::Scleroderma is characterized by inflammation and fibrosis, predominantly occurring in the skin and extending to various parts of the body. The pathophysiology of scleroderma is multifaceted, with the current understanding including endothelial damage, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibroblast activation in its progression. Nonetheless, the mechanism of cellular interactions and the precise spatial distribution of these cellular events within the fibrotic tissues remain elusive, highlighting a critical gap in our comprehensive understanding of scleroderma’s pathogenesis.Methods::In this study, we administered bleomycin intradermally to the dorsal skin of four individual murine models. Subsequently, skin tissues were harvested at predetermined intervals for comprehensive spatial transcriptomic analysis to determine the spatial dynamics influencing scleroderma pathogenesis. To validate the possible results from bioinformatic analysis, further in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted. Results::Analysis of the spatial transcriptome revealed significant alterations in cell clusters during the progression of scleroderma. Gene Ontology analysis identified disruptions in lipid metabolism as the disease advanced. Pseudotime analysis provided evidence for a phenotypic transition from adipocytes to fibroblasts. In vitro studies demonstrated increased expression of Col1a1 and α-SMA as the disease progressed. These fibroblasts have been identified as key contributors to the increasing inflammation. Co-culturing TGF-β induced adipocytes with RAW264.7 cells resulted in overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the RAW264.7 cells. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed adipocyte loss and fibroblast formation, with transformed fibroblasts showing pronounced pro-inflammatory characteristics, highlighting their crucial role in the disease mechanism. Conclusions::Our study showed the spatial distribution and dynamic alterations of various cell types during scleroderma progression. Crucially, we identified the transformation of adipocytes into fibroblasts as a key factor promoting disease advancement. These emergent fibroblasts intensify inflammation, indicating that research on these cell clusters could reveal key scleroderma mechanisms and guide future therapies.

Methamphetamine (METH) abuse is associated with significant neurotoxicity, high addiction potential, and behavioral abnormalities. Recent studies have identified a connection between the gut microbiota and METH-induced neurotoxicity and behavioral disorders. However, the underlying causal mechanisms linking the gut microbiota to METH pathophysiology remain largely unexplored. In this study, we employed fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and antibiotic (Abx) intervention to manipulate the gut microbiota in mice administered METH. Furthermore, we supplemented METH-treated mice with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and pioglitazone (Pio) to determine the protective effects on gut microbiota metabolism. Finally, we assessed the underlying mechanisms of the gut-brain neural circuit in vagotomized mice. Our data provide compelling evidence that modulation of the gut microbiome through FMT or microbiome knockdown by Abx plays a crucial role in METH-induced neurotoxicity, behavioral disorders, gut microbiota disturbances, and intestinal barrier impairment. Furthermore, our findings highlight a novel prevention strategy for mitigating the risks to both the nervous and intestinal systems caused by METH, which involves supplementation with SCFAs or Pio.

Methamphetamine (Meth) abuse can cause serious mental disorders, including anxiety and depression. The gut microbiota is a crucial contributor to maintaining host mental health. Here, we aim to investigate if microbiota participate in Meth-induced mental disorders, and the potential mechanisms involved. Here, 15 mg/kg Meth resulted in anxiety- and depression-like behaviors of mice successfully and suppressed the Sigma-1 receptor (SIGMAR1)/BDNF/TRKB pathway in the hippocampus. Meanwhile, Meth impaired gut homeostasis by arousing the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-related colonic inflammation, disturbing the gut microbiome and reducing the microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Moreover, fecal microbiota from Meth-administrated mice mediated the colonic inflammation and reproduced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in recipients. Further, SCFAs supplementation optimized Meth-induced microbial dysbiosis, ameliorated colonic inflammation, and repressed anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Finally, Sigmar1 knockout (Sigmar1^-/-) repressed the BDNF/TRKB pathway and produced similar behavioral phenotypes with Meth exposure, and eliminated the anti-anxiety and -depression effects of SCFAs. The activation of SIGMAR1 with fluvoxamine attenuated Meth-induced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Our findings indicated that gut microbiota-derived SCFAs could optimize gut homeostasis, and ameliorate Meth-induced mental disorders in a SIGMAR1-dependent manner. This study confirms the crucial role of microbiota in Meth-related mental disorders and provides a potential preemptive therapy.

Scleroderma is a rare disease which requires multidisciplinary treatment. Drug-based therapy can partially alleviate or end the progression of the disease, but cannot reverse the lesions that have occurred. Scleroderma patients who seek care in plastic surgery has gradually increased in recent years. With the understanding of the regenerative role of fat and adipose stem cells, physicians have found that surgical treatment of scleroderma can improve morphology while reversing the state of the diseased tissue, acting as a local treatment or slowing progression. This paper briefly described the etiology and classification of scleroderma, analyzed the current status of scleroderma treatment and focused on the surgical treatment strategy of scleroderma, providing guidelines for the surgical management of scleroderma.

Objective:To explore the feasibility and value of performing a three-sided encapsulation procedure based on fascia anatomy in laparoscopic lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) for middle and low rectal cancer.Methods:This was a retrospective review. The study cohort comprised patients who met the diagnostic criteria for rectal cancer according to the Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer, had a short lymph node diameter of >5 mm on the lateral side within the 15 days before surgery, were evaluated as feasible candidates for laparoscopic total mesorectal excision+LLND surgery, had been diagnosed with low or intermediate level rectal cancer, and whose tumor was less than 8 cm away from the anal verge according to pathological examination of the operative specimen. Patients with a history of other malignant tumors of the abdomen or with incomplete follow-up data were excluded. Forty-two patients with middle and low rectal cancer who had undergone lateral lymph node dissection in diagnosis and treatment center of Gastrointestinal Cancer of Guangdong Hospital of Chinese Medicine from Jan.2018 to Dec.2022 were enrolled. There were 24 men (57.1%) and 18 women (42.9%) aged 58.4±11.8 years and the median BMI was 22.5 (19.3–24.1) kg/m 2. The main point of the three-sided encapsulation procedure is to expand the external side medial to the external iliac artery and vein, narrowing the range of exterior side dissection. The anterior-medial side is designed to expand the vesical fascia to define the range of anterior-medial side extension. The internal side is fully extended to the ureterohypogastric nerve fascia; the distal point of the caudal extension reaches the level of the Alcock canal and the bottom reaches the piriformis, enabling dissection of the obturator nerve and No.283 lymph nodes. No.263D lymph nodes are dissected by exposing the internal iliac artery and its branches, dissecting the group No.263P lymph nodes, and severing the inferior vesical artery. Finally, the lateral lymphatic tissue is completely resected. Relevant variables were recorded, including the number of lateral lymph nodes detected, the rate of lymph node metastasis, operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay, and 3-year overall survival rate. Results:Laparoscopic surgery was successfully completed in all patients with no conversions to open surgery and no intraoperative complications. Twenty-seven (64.3%) of the study patients underwent left-sided LLND, 10 (23.8%) right-sided LLND, and five (11.9%) bilateral LLND, with lymph nodes cleared on both sides. All patients' lymph nodes were examined pathologically. A median of 17.0 (11.7, 26.0) lymph nodes was detected, the median of lateral lymph nodes being 5.0 (2.0, 10.2). The median operation time was 254.5 (199.0, 325.2) minutes. The median intra-operative blood loss was 50.0 (30.0, 100.0) mL. All patients were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma by pathological examination of the operative specimen. Two patients developed postoperative intestinal obstruction, one lymphatic leakage, and one a perineal incision infection. There were no cases of anastomotic leakage. The median postoperative hospital stay was 6.0 (5.0, 7.0) days and the median follow-up time 23.5 (9.0, 36.7) months. During follow-up, three patients (7.1%) died of tumor recurrence and metastasis. Two (4.8%) experienced mild urinary dysfunction, and one (2.4%) had moderate postoperative erectile dysfunction. One patient (2.4%) was found to have prostate and lung metastases 3 month after surgery. The 3-year overall survival rate was 74.4%.Conclusions:Three sided encapsulation is a safe and feasible procedure for LLND, achieving accurate and complete clearance of lateral lymphatic tissue.

Objective:To explore the feasibility and value of performing a three-sided encapsulation procedure based on fascia anatomy in laparoscopic lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) for middle and low rectal cancer.Methods:This was a retrospective review. The study cohort comprised patients who met the diagnostic criteria for rectal cancer according to the Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer, had a short lymph node diameter of >5 mm on the lateral side within the 15 days before surgery, were evaluated as feasible candidates for laparoscopic total mesorectal excision+LLND surgery, had been diagnosed with low or intermediate level rectal cancer, and whose tumor was less than 8 cm away from the anal verge according to pathological examination of the operative specimen. Patients with a history of other malignant tumors of the abdomen or with incomplete follow-up data were excluded. Forty-two patients with middle and low rectal cancer who had undergone lateral lymph node dissection in diagnosis and treatment center of Gastrointestinal Cancer of Guangdong Hospital of Chinese Medicine from Jan.2018 to Dec.2022 were enrolled. There were 24 men (57.1%) and 18 women (42.9%) aged 58.4±11.8 years and the median BMI was 22.5 (19.3–24.1) kg/m 2. The main point of the three-sided encapsulation procedure is to expand the external side medial to the external iliac artery and vein, narrowing the range of exterior side dissection. The anterior-medial side is designed to expand the vesical fascia to define the range of anterior-medial side extension. The internal side is fully extended to the ureterohypogastric nerve fascia; the distal point of the caudal extension reaches the level of the Alcock canal and the bottom reaches the piriformis, enabling dissection of the obturator nerve and No.283 lymph nodes. No.263D lymph nodes are dissected by exposing the internal iliac artery and its branches, dissecting the group No.263P lymph nodes, and severing the inferior vesical artery. Finally, the lateral lymphatic tissue is completely resected. Relevant variables were recorded, including the number of lateral lymph nodes detected, the rate of lymph node metastasis, operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay, and 3-year overall survival rate. Results:Laparoscopic surgery was successfully completed in all patients with no conversions to open surgery and no intraoperative complications. Twenty-seven (64.3%) of the study patients underwent left-sided LLND, 10 (23.8%) right-sided LLND, and five (11.9%) bilateral LLND, with lymph nodes cleared on both sides. All patients' lymph nodes were examined pathologically. A median of 17.0 (11.7, 26.0) lymph nodes was detected, the median of lateral lymph nodes being 5.0 (2.0, 10.2). The median operation time was 254.5 (199.0, 325.2) minutes. The median intra-operative blood loss was 50.0 (30.0, 100.0) mL. All patients were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma by pathological examination of the operative specimen. Two patients developed postoperative intestinal obstruction, one lymphatic leakage, and one a perineal incision infection. There were no cases of anastomotic leakage. The median postoperative hospital stay was 6.0 (5.0, 7.0) days and the median follow-up time 23.5 (9.0, 36.7) months. During follow-up, three patients (7.1%) died of tumor recurrence and metastasis. Two (4.8%) experienced mild urinary dysfunction, and one (2.4%) had moderate postoperative erectile dysfunction. One patient (2.4%) was found to have prostate and lung metastases 3 month after surgery. The 3-year overall survival rate was 74.4%.Conclusions:Three sided encapsulation is a safe and feasible procedure for LLND, achieving accurate and complete clearance of lateral lymphatic tissue.