Objective:This study investigates the utility of ultrasound in diagnosing eosinophilic fasciitis (EF).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and ultrasound data of 109 EF patients seen at the center between January 1, 2006, and March 31, 2024. The diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound for EF was evaluated by comparing forearm fascia ultrasound findings among EF patients, systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, and healthy controls (HC).Results:Among the 109 EF patients (male-to-female ratio 2.2︰1), the median age of onset was 36 (29, 48) years, with a median disease duration of 7 (3, 12) months. The study also included 20 SSc patients [median age 49 (35, 61) years] and 20 HC individuals [median age 48 (29, 54) years]. Ultrasound assessments of forearm fascia in EF patients revealed a median fascial thickness of 1.9 (1.4, 2.4) mm. The median fascial thickness was 0.8 (0.7, 0.9) mm in SSc patients and 0.7 (0.5, 0.9) mm in HC individuals. Fascial thickness in EF patients was greater than in SSc ( Z=-11.16, P<0.001) and HC groups ( Z=-11.87, P<0.001). There was a correlation between fascia thickness and C-reactive protein ( r=0.148, P=0.004), erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( r=0.143, P=0.005), and immunoglobulin G ( r=0.120, P=0.020) in EF patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated a sensitivity of 84.0% and specificity of 95.9% for EF diagnosis, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.921 and a cut-off value of 1.005 mm. Conclusion:Ultrasound detection of forearm fascial thickening (>1 mm) aids in diagnosing eosinophilic fasciitis, indicating that ultrasound is a supplementary diagnostic tool for EF.

Wound cleansing is an essential step in skin wound management. It can prevent local infection and optimize healing micro-environment by removing necrotic tissue and foreign matter, reducing microbial load, breaking bacterial biofilm formation and so on. Many randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis abroad have concluded that there is no significant difference in the incidence of wound infection and healing rate between the wounds irrigated with tap water and with sterile normal saline for skin wound cleansing. Considering the current requirements of medical fee policies in China, we recommend the use of tap water instead of saline or other wound cleansing solutions for cleansing skin wounds.

Objective To explore the optimization strategy of Qishen Granules in treating coronary heart disease with heart failure(CHD-HF)based on data mining and the pathogenic"toxin"theory,and to predict its active components and mechanisms using network pharmacology.Methods Literature on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for treating CHD-HF was collected from relevant databases,and prescriptions were screened and established into a database according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.Frequency,association rules,and hierarchical clustering analyses were performed using the Ancient and Modern Medical Case Cloud Platform.Network pharmacology techniques were applied to screen potential targets of the optimized combination for treating CHD-HF,and carry out the targets and pathways enrichment analysis.Results A total of 336 articles and 339 prescriptions involving 191 herbs were included,with 12 herbs used more than 100 times.The core drug combinations for treating CHD-HF included Astragali Radix,Poria,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Chuanxiong Rhizoma,etc,while commonly used detoxifying herbs included Leonuri Herb,Coptidis Rhizoma,etc.Association rule analysis yielded 10 two-item associations and 17 three-item associations;clustering analysis grouped the data into 5 categories.Based on data mining and the pathogenic"toxin"theory,the combination for treating CHD-HF was optimized to include Astragali Radix,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata,Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Coptidis Rhizoma,and Taraxaci Herba.Network pharmacology analysis identified 366 common targets between the optimized combination and CHD-HF,with 16 core targets screened out.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)analysis revealed significant enrichment in pathways such as cancer pathways,lipid and atherosclerosis,Rap1 signaling pathway,hypoxia-inducible factor 1(HIF-1)signaling pathway,phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt)signaling pathway,Ras signaling pathway,and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway.Conclusion TCM treatment for CHD-HF primarily focuses on replenishing qi and warming yang,activating blood circulation and resolving fluid retention.Based on data mining results and the pathogenic"toxin"theory,the formulation strategy of Qishen Granules for treating CHD-HF was optimized,potentially exerting therapeutic effects through anti-inflammatory,anti-apoptotic,and anti-hypoxia physiological processes.

Objective:To describe the temporal trend of disease burden of idiopathic epilepsy in China from 1990 to 2021 and predict the incidence of idiopathic epilepsy in China from 2022 to 2035 to provide references for the formulation of relevant health policies and measures.Methods:Based on data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) database regarding idiopathic epilepsy in China, changes in disease burden from 1990 to 2021 were acquired. Disease burden was quantified using age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rate (ASDR) and their 95% uncertain interval (UI). Temporal trend analysis was performed using a linear regression model to estimate the estimated annual percent change (EAPC) and annual percentage change (APC) in incidence of idiopathic epilepsy and their 95% CI. Additionally, incidence and number of patients with idiopathic epilepsy in China from 2022 to 2035 were predicted using Bayesian age-period-cohort model. Results:The ASIR of idiopathic epilepsy increased from 22.35 per 100,000 population in 1990 (95% UI: 15.04-30.92 per 100,000 population) to 28.19 per 100,000 population in 2021 (95% UI: 19.03-37.89 per 100,000 population), with an EAPC of 0.12% (95% CI: -0.10%-0.34%); ASPR of idiopathic epilepsy increased from 189.27 per 100,000 population in 1990 (95% UI: 132.48-252.95 per 100,000 population) to 214.71 per 100,000 population in 2021 (95% UI: 150.10-278.56 per 100,000 population), with an EAPC of -0.32% (95% CI: -0.57%-0.06%); ASMR of idiopathic epilepsy decreased from 1.86 per 100,000 population in 1990 (95% UI: 1.59-2.24 per 100,000 population) to 0.80 per 100,000 population in 2021 (95% UI: 0.67-1.00 per 100,000 population), with an EAPC of -2.96% (95% CI: -3.09%-2.82%); ASDR of idiopathic epilepsy decreased from 178.60 per 100,000 population in 1990 (95% UI: 143.44-220.63 per 100,000 population) to 101.39 per 100,000 population in 2021 (95% UI: 72.51-139.40 per 100,000 population), with an EAPC of -2.38% (95% CI: -2.54%-2.22%). The prediction model showed that by 2035, the prevalence of idiopathic epilepsy in China will be 28.27 per 100,000 (95% CI: 23.19-38.66), with an estimated 394,928 incident cases (95% CI: 324,037-540,128). Conclusions:From 1990 to 2021, the ASIR and ASPR of idiopathic epilepsy in China show an upward trend, while the ASMR and ASDR hace a decline trend. Incidence of idiopathic epilepsy in China is expected to remain stable over the next decade.

Objective:This study investigates the utility of ultrasound in diagnosing eosinophilic fasciitis (EF).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and ultrasound data of 109 EF patients seen at the center between January 1, 2006, and March 31, 2024. The diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound for EF was evaluated by comparing forearm fascia ultrasound findings among EF patients, systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, and healthy controls (HC).Results:Among the 109 EF patients (male-to-female ratio 2.2︰1), the median age of onset was 36 (29, 48) years, with a median disease duration of 7 (3, 12) months. The study also included 20 SSc patients [median age 49 (35, 61) years] and 20 HC individuals [median age 48 (29, 54) years]. Ultrasound assessments of forearm fascia in EF patients revealed a median fascial thickness of 1.9 (1.4, 2.4) mm. The median fascial thickness was 0.8 (0.7, 0.9) mm in SSc patients and 0.7 (0.5, 0.9) mm in HC individuals. Fascial thickness in EF patients was greater than in SSc ( Z=-11.16, P<0.001) and HC groups ( Z=-11.87, P<0.001). There was a correlation between fascia thickness and C-reactive protein ( r=0.148, P=0.004), erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( r=0.143, P=0.005), and immunoglobulin G ( r=0.120, P=0.020) in EF patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated a sensitivity of 84.0% and specificity of 95.9% for EF diagnosis, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.921 and a cut-off value of 1.005 mm. Conclusion:Ultrasound detection of forearm fascial thickening (>1 mm) aids in diagnosing eosinophilic fasciitis, indicating that ultrasound is a supplementary diagnostic tool for EF.

Wound cleansing is an essential step in skin wound management. It can prevent local infection and optimize healing micro-environment by removing necrotic tissue and foreign matter, reducing microbial load, breaking bacterial biofilm formation and so on. Many randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis abroad have concluded that there is no significant difference in the incidence of wound infection and healing rate between the wounds irrigated with tap water and with sterile normal saline for skin wound cleansing. Considering the current requirements of medical fee policies in China, we recommend the use of tap water instead of saline or other wound cleansing solutions for cleansing skin wounds.

Objective:To describe the temporal trend of disease burden of idiopathic epilepsy in China from 1990 to 2021 and predict the incidence of idiopathic epilepsy in China from 2022 to 2035 to provide references for the formulation of relevant health policies and measures.Methods:Based on data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) database regarding idiopathic epilepsy in China, changes in disease burden from 1990 to 2021 were acquired. Disease burden was quantified using age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rate (ASDR) and their 95% uncertain interval (UI). Temporal trend analysis was performed using a linear regression model to estimate the estimated annual percent change (EAPC) and annual percentage change (APC) in incidence of idiopathic epilepsy and their 95% CI. Additionally, incidence and number of patients with idiopathic epilepsy in China from 2022 to 2035 were predicted using Bayesian age-period-cohort model. Results:The ASIR of idiopathic epilepsy increased from 22.35 per 100,000 population in 1990 (95% UI: 15.04-30.92 per 100,000 population) to 28.19 per 100,000 population in 2021 (95% UI: 19.03-37.89 per 100,000 population), with an EAPC of 0.12% (95% CI: -0.10%-0.34%); ASPR of idiopathic epilepsy increased from 189.27 per 100,000 population in 1990 (95% UI: 132.48-252.95 per 100,000 population) to 214.71 per 100,000 population in 2021 (95% UI: 150.10-278.56 per 100,000 population), with an EAPC of -0.32% (95% CI: -0.57%-0.06%); ASMR of idiopathic epilepsy decreased from 1.86 per 100,000 population in 1990 (95% UI: 1.59-2.24 per 100,000 population) to 0.80 per 100,000 population in 2021 (95% UI: 0.67-1.00 per 100,000 population), with an EAPC of -2.96% (95% CI: -3.09%-2.82%); ASDR of idiopathic epilepsy decreased from 178.60 per 100,000 population in 1990 (95% UI: 143.44-220.63 per 100,000 population) to 101.39 per 100,000 population in 2021 (95% UI: 72.51-139.40 per 100,000 population), with an EAPC of -2.38% (95% CI: -2.54%-2.22%). The prediction model showed that by 2035, the prevalence of idiopathic epilepsy in China will be 28.27 per 100,000 (95% CI: 23.19-38.66), with an estimated 394,928 incident cases (95% CI: 324,037-540,128). Conclusions:From 1990 to 2021, the ASIR and ASPR of idiopathic epilepsy in China show an upward trend, while the ASMR and ASDR hace a decline trend. Incidence of idiopathic epilepsy in China is expected to remain stable over the next decade.

OBJECTIVE To optimize the simmering technology of Rheum palmatum from Menghe Medical School and compare the difference of chemical components before and after processing.METHODS Using appearance score,the contents of gallic acid,5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF),sennoside A+sennoside B,combined anthraquinone and free anthraquinone as indexes,analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-entropy weight method was used to calculate the comprehensive score of evaluation indicators;the orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize the processing technology of simmering R.palmatum with fire temperature,simmering time,paper layer number and paper wrapping time as factors;validation test was conducted.The changes in the contents of five anthraquinones (aloe-emodin,rhein,emodin,chrysophanol,physcion),five anthraquinone glycosides (barbaloin,rheinoside,rhubarb glycoside,emodin glycoside,and emodin methyl ether glycoside),two sennosides (sennoside A,sennoside B),gallic acid and 5-HMF were compared between simmered R.palmatum prepared by optimized technology and R.palmatum.RESULTS The optimal processing conditions of R.palmatum was as follows:each 80 g R.palmatum was wrapped with a layer of wet paper for 0.5 h,simmered on high heat for 20 min and then simmered at 140 ℃,the total simmering time was 2.5 h.The average comprehensive score of 3 validation tests was 94.10 (RSD<1.0％).After simmering,the contents of five anthraquinones and two sennosides were decreased significantly,while those of 5 free anthraquinones and gallic acid were increased to different extents;a new component 5-HMF was formed.CONCLUSIONS This study successfully optimizes the simmering technology of R.palmatum.There is a significant difference in the chemical components before and after processing,which can explain that simmering technology slows down the relase of R.palmatum and beneficiate it.

We retrospectively analyzed therapy efficacy and the adverse reactions of 10 patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with intestinal involvement treated with rituximab (RTX). Patients were hospitalized in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to January 2023. Among the 10 patients, two were men and eight were women. The age of the cohort was (41.9±8.8) years. The age at disease onset was (28.8±9.2) years. The total course of the SLE diagnosis was(109.6±59.9) months. The course of the diagnosis of SLE with intestinal involvement was (89.3±50.2) months. The time from the appearance of intestinal symptoms to the diagnosis of SLE with intestinal involvement was 1.5 (1.0,8.0) months. The time from the diagnosis of SLE with intestinal involvement to RTX use was 13.0 (1.0,46.3) months. Follow-up duration after application of RTX treatment was (55.3±28.4) months. There were five cases of abdominal pain, four cases of abdominal distension, nine cases of diarrhea, three cases of nervous-system involvement, nine cases of lupus nephritis, and seven cases of serositis. All 10 patients underwent computed tomography and radiology of the abdomen. Eight patients had intestinal-wall edema, seven suffered intestinal dilation, four had target signs, three suffered congestion of mesenteric blood vessels, eight had increased mesenteric-fat density, and six had false intestinal obstruction. All 10 patients showed a low level of complement C3 (250-750 mg/L). Nine cases showed a low level of complement C4 (10-90 mg/L). The SLE disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) at baseline in 10 patients was 20.5 (17.8, 30.0). After receiving RTX (0.5 g: day 1, day 14, or 375 mg/m 2: day 1, day 14) induction treatment, the intestinal symptoms of 10 cases were relieved completely. Four patients had adverse reactions, of which three received a high-dose glucocorticoid combined with RTX treatment simultaneously. Adverse reactions manifested mainly as a reduced level of IgG and infection with herpes simplex virus in one case, reduced level of IgG and lung infection in one patient, lung infection in one case, and reduced IgG level in one patient. RTX may an efficacious treatment strategy for patients suffering from refractory SLE with intestinal involvement.

The study aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of rituximab in the treatment of 23 cases of lupus nephritis and explore the prospect of half-dose rituximab in lupus nephritis treatment. Twenty-three patients with lupus nephritis hospitalized in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology at the First Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from May 2013 to December 2021 were selected. Eighteen patients received rituximab 375 mg/m 2 on the first and 14th days, 5 patients received 500 mg of rituximab on the first and 14th days, and rituximab was used as needed 6 months later. Methylprednisolone (80-120 mg) was given together with rituximab. Afterward, 1 mg/kg prednisone was used for 4 weeks, which was progressively tapered to maintenance doses or discontinued. B lymphocyte level, renal function, 24-h urine protein level, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI2K) score before and after treatment were recorded. The efficacy and adverse reactions were analyzed. The results showed that 11 patients suffered from renal insufficiency [creatinine (162.7±58.6) μmol/L ] at baseline, while the creatinine level of 9 patients returned to normal 12 months after the treatment [ (66.3±10.1)μmol/L ]. Normal renal function of the other 12 patients was maintained during treatment. After 12 months, the 24-h urine protein level decreased from 4.00 (2.00,6.80) g in the baseline period to 0.10 (0.08,0.40) g. SLEDAI2K score decreased from 22 (18,26) in the baseline period to 3 (0,6) 12 months after the treatment. The B lymphocyte level reached 0.00 (0.00,0.01)% at 3 months. Of 23 patients, 13 patients achieved complete remission, and 7 patients achieved partial remission after 6 months of rituximab treatment. Five patients experienced adverse reactions related to rituximab, including 1 case of transfusion reaction, 1 case of perioral herpes with pulmonary infection, and 3 cases of decreased IgG levels. Therefore, rituximab regimen used in this study can be an effective treatment strategy for lupus nephritis.