Based on spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness as the core pathogenesis of obesity， and integrating recent advances in modern medicine regarding the key role of immune inflammation in obesity， this paper proposes a multidimensional pathogenic network of "obesity-spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness-immune imbalance". Various traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） herbs that strengthen the spleen， regulate qi， and resolve phlegm and dampness can treat obesity by improving spleen-stomach transport and transformation， promoting water-damp metabolism， and regulating immune homeostasis. This highlights immune inflammation as an important entry point to elucidate the TCM concepts of "spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness" and the therapeutic principle of "strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness to treat obesity". By systematically analyzing the intrinsic connection between "spleen deficiency generating dampness， internal accumulation of phlegm dampness" and immune dysregulation in obesity， this paper aims to provide theoretical support for TCM treatment of obesity based on dampness.

Objective: To explore the effects of personality and sleep quality with psychological distress of junior and senior high school stduents, so as to provide a reference basis for precise interventions of junior and senior high school students mental health. Methods: In October 2023, a convenience sampling method was used to select 9 034 students aged 12-17 from Shiyan City as the study subjects. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) were used to collect information on sleep quality and psychological distress of junior and senior high school stduents. Between group comparison was conducted by using t-test and Chi-square test. Generalized linear models were employed to analyze the interaction and joint effects of personality and sleep quality on psychological distress. Results: The generalized linear model analysis showed that the interaction between personality and sleep quality on psychological distress was statistically significant of junior and senior high school students(effect size=0.80, P <0.01). The general linear model analysis indicated that, after adjusting for variables such as age, gender, screen time, and daily sitting time with the extroverted and good sleep quality group as the reference, the introverted and poor sleep quality group had the largest mean difference in psychological distress scores (difference=0.51, P <0.05). When stratified by sleep quality, psychological distress scores were higher in the introverted and neutral personality groups with both poor and good sleep quality compared to the extroverted group (poor sleep quality: introverted difference=3.71, neutral difference=1.14; good sleep quality: introverted difference=2.23, neutral difference=0.57, all P < 0.05). When stratified by personality, psychological distress scores were higher in the poor sleep quality groups for introverted, neutral, and extroverted individuals compared to their good sleep quality counterparts (differences=8.66, 7.83, 7.34, all P < 0.05 ). Conclusions Personality and sleep quality have interactive and joint effects on psychological distress of junior and senior high school stduents. Personalized psychological interventions should be developed based on personality and sleep quality.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treating severe Bell's palsy and to explore its potential mechanism by investigating the effect on serum levels of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor （GDNF） and nerve growth factor （NGF）. MethodsA randomized， subject-blinded， sham-acupuncture controlled trial was conducted. A total of 130 patients with severe Bell's palsy were randomly allocated into a treatment group or a control group at a 1∶1 ratio. Both groups received conventional western medicine. In addition， the treatment group received acupuncture， while the control group received sham acupuncture， with each session lasting 30 minutes. The treatment course lasted 8 weeks for both groups， followed by a follow-up assessment at week 12. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients achieving House-Brackmann （H-B） grade Ⅱ or lower at week 8. Secondary outcomes included Sunnybrook facial grading system scores at week 0， 4， 8， and 12， the time to satisfactory recovery（the time required to achieve H-B grade≤Ⅱ）， distribution of H-B grades and facial disability index （FDI） scores including the physical function subscale （FDIP） and social/well-being function subscale （FDIS） scores at week 0， 4， 8， and 12， and serum GDNF and NGF levels at week 0， 4， and 8. Adverse events and participants' self-assessments of treatment efficacy were also recorded. ResultsA total of 122 participants completed the study， including 62 in the treatment group and 60 in the control group. An intention-to-treat （ITT） analysis was performed， and missing data were handled using the last observation carried forward （LOCF） method. The proportion of patients achieving H-B grade ≤grade Ⅱ at week 8 was 78.5% （51/65） in the treatment group， significantly higher than 49.2% （32/65） in the control group （P＜0.05）. The Sunnybrook scores， FDIP and FDIS scores increased， while H-B grades decreased at week 4， 8， and 12 in both groups compared to week 0； moreover， improvements in all outcome measures were significantly greater in the treatment group than in the control group （P＜0.05）. The median time to satisfactory recovery was 6 weeks （95%CI： 5.697-6.303） in the treatment group， significantly shorter than 12 weeks （95%CI： 8.314-15.686） in the control group （P＜0.05）. Serum levels of GDNF and NGF were significantly higher in the treatment group at weeks 4 and 8 （P＜0.05）. No serious acupuncture-related adverse events occurred in either group. Adverse events were reported in 5 patients （7.69%） in the treatment group and 4 patients （6.15%） in the control group， with no statistically significant difference between groups （P＞0.05）. Patients' self-assessment of treatment efficacy after 8 weeks treatment was significantly better in the treatment group （P＜0.05）. ConclusionAcupuncture can effectively improve facial nerve function and shorten recovery time in patients with severe Bell's palsy， with a favorable safety profile. The therapeutic mechanism may be associated with the upregulation of serum GDNF and NGF levels.

Objective To analyze the risk factors for postoperative recurrence in patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps(CRSwNP)treated by endoscopic sinus surgery(ESS),and to construct a predictive model.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 203 patients with CRSwNP who underwent ESS in the hospital from March 2022 to February 2023.These patients were divided into a recurrence group(n=43)and an non-recurrence group(n=160)based on whether they experienced recurrence after surgery.Clinical data were collected and analyzed using univariate analysis to identify significant differences.Lasso regression was used to screen potential influencing factors.Multivariate logistic regression was employed to analyze the risk factors.A nomogram was constructed for postoperative recurrence model,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and calibration curve were used to evaluate the model.Results Single-factor analysis showed that disease duration,Lund-Mackay CT score,SNOT-22 score,EOS,ECP,total IgE,CRP,IL-5,and IL-1β in the recurrence group after ESS were higher than those in the non-recurrence group(P<0.05),while the UPSIT score,CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,and CD4+/CD8+were lower(P<0.05);the proportion of patients with allergic rhinitis,asthma,no preoperative glucocorticoid treatment,and surgery time≥2 hours in the recurrence group after ESS was higher than that in the non-recurrence group(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis model showed that disease duration(OR=1.389,95%CI:1.094～1.763,P=0.007),combined asthma(OR=2.997,95%CI:1.065～8.432,P=0.038),Lund-Mackay CT score(OR=1.156,95%CI:1.027～1.301,P=0.016),EOS(OR=1.540,95%CI:1.249～1.898,P<0.001),total IgE(OR=1.005,95%CI:1.000～1.009,P=0.041),and IL-5(OR=1.165,95%CI:1.078～1.260,P<0.001)were risk factors for ESS recurrence.Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis nomogram,the area under the ROC curve(AUC)was 0.9057;the sensitivity 76.74%;the specificity 87.5%;the average absolute error(MAE)of the calibration curve 0.03;the mean square error(MSE)0.00157,and the absolute error at the 0.9 percentile 0.065.Conclusions Disease course,the presence of asthma,Lund-Mackay CT score,EOS,total IgE,and IL-5 are all risk factors for postoperative recurrence in patients with CRSwNP.Moreover,the relevant nomogram model can be used as a reliable tool for assessing the risk of postoperative recurrence in CRSwNP.

Objective To explore the inhibitory effect of guggulsterone(GS)on diethylnitrosamine(DEN)-induced liver fibrosis in rats and its mechanism.Methods DEN-induced liver fibrosis model was established in SD rats.The successful model rats were randomly divided into model group(n=6),GS group(n=6,50 mg/kg,intraperitoneal injection for 4 weeks),GS+SRI group(n=6,50 mg/kg+30 mg/kg,intraperitoneal injection for 4 weeks),and control group(n=6,without DEN-induced).Rats in the control group and the model group were injected with the same amount of normal saline.The pathological changes of the liver were detected by HE staining.Serum liver function indexes including alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),albumin(ALB)and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer.The serum levels of pro-collagen Ⅲ(PC-Ⅲ),collagen Ⅳ(Ⅳ-C),hyaluronidase(HA),laminin(LN),malondialdehyde(MDA),reduced glutathione(GSH),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and catalase(CAT)were detected by ELISA assay.The mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1,Smad2,and p-Smad3/Smad3 were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blotting.Results Compared with the control group,the model group showed typical pathological changes of liver fibrosis;the serum ALB,GSH,SOD and CAT levels were significantly decreased(P＜0.05);the serum levels of ALT,AST,ALP,MDA,PC-Ⅲ,Ⅳ-C,HA,LN and the mRNA expression of TGF-β1,Smad3 and protein expression of TGF-β1,p-Smad3 in liver tissues were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the pathological changes of liver fibrosis in the GS group were alleviated,and the serum levels of ALB,GSH,SOD and CAT were significantly increased(P＜0.05),the serum levels of ALT,AST,ALP,MDA,PC-Ⅲ,Ⅳ-C,HA and LN,the mRNA expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3,and protein expression of TGF-β1 and p-Smad3 in liver tissues were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).In addition,after the administration of SRI,TGF-β1 signaling pathway activator,compared with the GS group,the GS+SRI group showed significantly decreased serum ALB,GSH,SOD and CAT levels(P＜0.05),but significantly increased serum levels of ALT,AST,ALP,MDA,PC-Ⅲ,Ⅳ-C,HA and LN as well as the mRNA expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 and protein expression of TGF-β1 and p-Smad3 in liver tissues(P＜0.05).Therefore,SRI attenuated the anti-fibrotic effect of GS on rats with liver fibrosis.Conclusion GS has certain inhibitory effect on DEN-induced liver fibrosis in rats,and its mechanism may be related to the reduction of oxidative stress level and the inhibition of the activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the follow-up colonoscopy of patients after colorectal adenoma (CRA) resection, so as to improve colonoscopy quality and reduce missed CRA diagnosis.Methods:A total of 189 patients after CRA resection who underwent follow-up colonoscopy from October 2020 to October 2021 were consecutively recruited. The effect of bowel preparation was evaluated by the Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS). The location, the number, and gross morphology of adenomas during CRA resection and two colonoscopies during 1 year follow-up after the resection were recorded, and their correlation with major clinicopathologic features were analyzed, and the missed CRA in follow-up colonoscopy were also analyzed.Results:The BBPS scores of the right colon, transverse colon, left colon and total colon in 189 patients who underwent CRA resection were 1.93±0.42, 2.53±0.52, 2.77±0.45, and 7.22±1.03 points at the 1-year follow-up colonoscopy and 2.08±0.35, 2.70±0.46, 2.81±0.40, and 7.57±0.84 points at the time of CRA resection. Except for the left colon segment ( χ 2=0.98, P>0.05), the differences in other colon segments were significantly different ( P<0.05). At the time of CRA resection, 62, 66, 210 and 338 CRAs were detected in the right colon, transverse colon, left colon and total colon segments, respectively. At the 1-year follow-up colonoscopy, 21, 38, 49 and 108 CRAs were missed in the corresponding colon segments and total colon, respectively. CRA missed diagnosis was related to patient age (≥60 years accounting for 54.2%), gender (males accounting for 81.9%), adenoma location (predominantly in the left colon comprising 36.2%) and gross morphology (flat types representing 72.3%) ( P<0.05), but not related to being vegetarian, history of cholecystectomy or appendectomy, smoking or alcohol consumption, number of adenomas or pathological type ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The missed diagnosis of CRA in patients after CRA resection primarily involves the flat type adenomas, which is associated with the age, gender, adenoma location within the colon and the gross morphology.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of the Wulao Qisun prescription on pathological new bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis （AS）. MethodsSynovial fibroblasts were isolated from the hip joints of AS patients and observed under a microscope to assess cell morphology. The cells were identified using immunofluorescence staining. The isolated AS fibroblasts were divided into blank group， low drug-containing serum group， medium drug-containing serum group， high drug-containing serum group， and positive drug group. After drug intervention， cell proliferation was measured using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay to observe fibroblast growth and determine the optimal intervention time. Alkaline phosphatase （ALP） activity was measured using the alkaline phosphatase assay. Protein expression of osteocalcin （OCN）， osteopontin （OPN）， and runt-related transcription factor 2 （Runx2） was detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression levels of Wnt5a， β-catenin， and Dickkopf-1 （DKK-1） were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， each drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription and the positive drug group inhibited the proliferation of AS fibroblasts and reduced ALP expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription downregulated β-catenin mRNA expression （P<0.05）. The medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group significantly downregulated Wnt5a and β-catenin mRNA expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the positive drug group showing the most pronounced effect （P<0.01）. The high drug-containing serum group and the positive drug group significantly upregulated DKK-1 mRNA expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription inhibited the expression of OPN and Runx2 proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group inhibited the expression of OCN， OPN， and Runx2 proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Wulao Qisun prescription can inhibit the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of AS fibroblasts， thereby delaying the formation of pathological new bone in AS. The possible mechanism involves the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin-related gene expression， further inhibiting the transcription of downstream target genes.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Qingre Sanzhuo decoction in treating gouty arthritis （GA） combined with hyperuricaemia （HUA）. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomized into normal， model， colchicine （0.5 mg·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （17， 34， 68 g·kg^-1， respectively） Qingre Sanzhuo decoction groups （n=10）. The rats in other groups except the normal group were treated with the modified method for the modeling of GA combined with HUA. The drug intervention groups were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage in the afternoon every day and the normal group and the model group were administrated with an equal volume of sterile normal saline by gavage. The level of uric acid （SUA） in the serum was measured 2 h after the last administration. The degree of ankle joint swelling was calculated 0.5， 12， 24， 48 h after modeling， and joint inflammation was scored. The pathological changes of ankle joints were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining， and the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， C reactive protein （CRP）， and interleukin-18 （IL-18） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Real-time PCR was performed to determine the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD （ASC）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1）， gasdermin D （GSDMD）， and nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） in the synovial tissue of ankle joints. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， and Caspase-1 in ankle joints. The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of GSDMD and NF-κB in the synovial tissue of ankle joints. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed increased SUA in the serum （P<0.05）， ankle joint swelling and joint inflammation （P<0.05）， increased number of blood vessels in the synovium， inflammatory cell foci in the synovial bursa， elevated serum levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， CRP， and IL-18 （P<0.05）， and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， GSDMD， and NF-κB in the synovial tissue of ankle joints （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the medium- and high-dose Qingre Sanzhuo decoction groups showed reduced SUA in the serum （P<0.05）， alleviated ankle joint swelling and joint inflammation （P<0.05）， lowered serum levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， CRP， and IL-18 （P<0.05）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， GSDMD， and NF-κB in the synovial tissue of ankle joints （P<0.05）. However， in terms of ameliorating the pathological changes of ankle joints， only the high-dose Qingre Sanzhuo decoction group showed normal morphology of the synovial membrane of ankle joints and no obvious lesion in the articular cartilage. ConclusionQingre Sanzhuo decoction may play a role in preventing and controlling GA combined with HUA by down-regulating the activity of NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 pathway and inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines， such as TNF-α， IL-1β， CRP， and IL-18.

Objective:To analyze the multimorbidity trends and influencing factors of internet addiction and depressive symptoms among middle school students in Zhejiang Province.Methods:From 2018 to 2023, a multistage stratified random cluster sampling method was used to select middle school students aged 12 to 18 in Zhejiang Province. Internet addiction and depression status were measured by the Internet Addiction Scale and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. When both symptoms were present, it was defined as multimorbidity.The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of multimorbidity among middle school students, and a trend Chi-square test was used to analyze the changing trends of internet addiction, depression and multimorbidity prevalence. Results:A total of 193 505 students were included in the study. From 2018 to 2023, the prevalence of multimorbidity of internet addiction and depressive symptoms among middle school students ranged from 2.7% to 3.5%. The prevalence of internet addiction ranged from 4.7% to 6.0%, while the prevalence of depressive symptoms ranged from 18.7% to 25.1%. Multivariate logistic regression showed that boarding students ( OR=1.34 , 95% CI: 1.26-1.42), low-frequency ( OR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.46-1.73), and high-frequency sugary drink consumption ( OR=3.91, 95% CI: 3.55-4.31) increased the risk of multimorbidity among middle school students. In contrast, higher frequencies of moderate-to-high-intensity exercise (medium: OR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.50-0.58; high: OR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.44-0.55) and sufficient sleep ( OR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.49-0.56) were protective factors. From 2018 to 2023, there was no significant change in the trend of multimorbidity prevalence among middle school students ( χ2trend=3.82, P=0.051). The prevalence of internet addiction showed an upward trend ( χ2trend=20.54, P<0.001), while depressive symptoms showed a downward trend ( χ2trend=181.41, P<0.001). Conclusion:The prevalence of internet addiction and depression symptoms among middle school students in Zhejiang Province remains stable from 2018 to 2023. The prevalence of internet addiction shows an upward trend, while the prevalence of depression symptoms shows a downward trend. The risk of multimorbidity is related to students′ boarding, consumption of sugary drinks, lack of exercise, and insufficient sleep.

Objective To explore the correlation between the ratio of free triiodothyronine/free thyroxine(FT3/FT4)and the early-phase insulin secretion index(ΔI30/ΔG30)in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients with normal thyroid function.Methods 200 patients with T2DM with normal thyroid function in Hebei General Hospital from September 2019 to June 2021 were selected and divided into the Q1 group with FT3/FT4≤0.26(n=67),the Q2 group with 0.27≤FT3/FT4≤0.29(n=67),and the Q3 group with FT3/FT4≥0.30(n=66)according to the tertiles of the FT3/FT4.The general data,biochemical indicators and islet functions of the three groups were compared,and the relationship between the FT3/FT4 ratio and the ΔI30/ΔG30 as well as the islet β cell function was analyzed.Results The fasting insulin(FIns),2 h postprandial insulin(2 hIns),homeostatic model assessment of islet β cell(HOMA-β)and area under the curve of insulin(AUCI)in Q3 group were higher than those in Q1 and Q2 groups(P<0.05),2 h postprandial blood glucose(2 hPG)in Q3 group was lower than those in Q1 and Q2 groups(P<0.05).Systolic blood pressure in Q2 group was higher than those in Q1 group(P<0.05).Compared with Q1 group,diastolic blood pressure,body mass index(BMI),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),fasting C-peptide(FC-P),area under curve of C-P(AUCC),2 h postprandial C-peptide(2 hC-P)and ΔI30/ΔG30 in Q3 group were significantly higher(P<0.05),and HbA1c was significantly lower(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that Δ I30/Δ G30,HOMA-β,AUCI,AUCC and HOMA-IR were positively correlated with BMI,ALT,FC-P,2 hC-P,FIns,2 hIns and FT3/FT4(P<0.05),it was negatively correlated with HbA1c and 2 hPG(P<0.05).Linear regression analysis showed that ΔI30/ΔG30,HOMA-β,AUCI and AUCC were the influencing factors of FT3/FT4 after adjusting for confounding factors.Conclusions ΔI30/ΔG30,HOMA-β,AUCI and AUCC are the influencing factors of FT3/FT4 in T2DM patients with normal thyroid function,suggesting that FT3/FT4 is higher in patients with better islet β cell secretion function.