ObjectiveTo investigate the association between noninvasive liver fibrosis markers and carotid plaque （CP） in patients with lean metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD）， and to provide a basis for screening high-risk populations. MethodsA total of 957 patients with lean MAFLD who underwent physical examination in Subei People’s Hospital from January 2021 to June 2023 was enrolled as the observation cohort， with the presence or absence of CP as the outcome， and fibrosis-4 （FIB-4） index and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score （NFS） were used to assess liver fibrosis degree. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The multivariate logistic regression analysis， the restricted cubic spline analysis， the receiver operating characteristic curve， and the mediation effect analysis were used to investigate the association between liver fibrosis degree and CP. ResultsThe prevalence rate of CP was 36.6% in the lean MAFLD population. Compared with the non-CP group（n=607）， the CP group （n=350） had a significantly higher proportion of male patients， a significantly higher proportion of patients with smoking/diabetes/hypertension， and significantly higher levels of age， creatinine， blood urea nitrogen， triglycerides， fasting blood glucose， aspartate aminotransferase， aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio， NFS， and FIB-4 index， as well as significantly lower levels of platelet count and albumin （all P<0.05）. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjustment for confounding factors， FIB-4 index （odds ratio［OR］=2.979， 95% confidence interval［CI］：2.141 — 4.219， P<0.001） and NFS （OR=1.747， 95%CI： 1.499 — 2.046， P<0.001） were positively correlated with CP. Both FIB-4 index and NFS had a good value in predicting CP. Hypertension had a significant indirect effect on the prevalence rate of CP through its impact on liver fibrosis markers， and its mediating effect accounted for 39.5% — 40.8% of the total effect （P<0.001）. ConclusionIn patients with lean MAFLD， NFS and FIB-4 index are significantly positively correlated with the prevalence rate of CP， and they can be used as potential epidemiological predictive indicators. Liver fibrosis markers may play a mediating role in the association between hypertension and CP. Interventions targeting hypertension and liver fibrosis markers may help to prevent and delay the progression of CP.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of modified Chaihu Shugan Powder in the treatment of abnormal gallbladder relaxation in gallbladder cholesterol stone （CS） with liver depression syndrome， and to provide a basis for clinical medication. MethodsMice were given a high-fat lithogenic diet combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） to establish a model of CS. A total of 45 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank group （6 mice fed a normal diet） and CS group （39 mice fed a high-fat lithogenic diet）. After CS modeling， the CS group was further randomly divided into four subgroups of CS group， CS liver depression group， traditional Chinese medicine group （treated with modified Chaihu Shugan Powder）， and Western medicine group （treated with ursodeoxycholic acid）， with 9 mice in each group. All subgroups were fed with the high-fat lithogenic diet， and all mice except those in the CS group were given 21 days of CUMS for modeling. Samples were collected after intervention. The serum levels of cholecystokinin （CCK）， liver function parameters， and blood lipid profiles were measured； HE staining was performed for liver and gallbladder tissue； qPCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 （TGR5） and glucagon-likepeptide-1/2 （GLP-1/2） in the intestine and TGR5 and glucagon-like peptide-2 receptor （GLP-2R） in gallbladder； metabolomics methods were used to determine bile acid composition in intestinal contents. The independent-samples t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups； a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test or the Games-Howell method was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the CS group showed significant gallstone formation， bile turbidity， hepatic steatosis， abnormal gallbladder wall structure， and significant increases in anxiety- and depression-like behaviors based on behavioral tests； significant increases in the level of total cholesterol in bile and the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase， aspartate aminotransferase， and low-density lipoprotein and significant reductions in the level of total bile acid （TBA） in bile and the serum levels of CCK and high-density lipoprotein （HDL） （all P<0.05）； significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of GLP-1/2 and TGR5 in the intestine and the protein expression levels of GLP-2R and TGR5 in the gallbladder and significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of GLP-2R and TGR5 in the gallbladder （all P<0.05）； significant changes in multiple bile acid components in intestinal contents （all P<0.05）. Compared with the CS group， the CS liver depression group had further aggravation of pathological and behavioral manifestations， changes in bile acid composition， significant increases in the protein and mRNA expression levels of TGR5 and GLP-1/2 in the intestine， and significant increases in the protein and mRNA expression levels of TGR5 and GLP-2R in the gallbladder （all P<0.01）. Compared with the CS liver depression group， both treatment groups had an improvement in gallbladder morphology， alleviation of stones and liver injury， and recovery of liver function and blood lipid levels， as well as significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of TGR5 and GLP-1/2 in the intestine and TGR5 and GLP-2R in the gallbladder （all P<0.05）； the traditional Chinese medicine group showed significant increases in glycodeoxycholic acid （GDCA）， tauro-α-muricholic acid （T-α-MCA）， and taurochenodeoxycholic acid （TCDCA） （all P<0.05）， while the Western medicine group showed significant increases in taurohyodeoxycholic acid， T-α-MCA， TCDCA， GDCA， and glycoursodeoxycholic acid （all P<0.05）. Compared with the Western medicine group， the traditional Chinese medicine group had significantly greater behavioral improvements， significantly higher levels of TBA in bile and serum HDL （both P<0.01）， significant reductions in the protein expression levels of TGR5 and GLP-1/2 in the intestine and TGR5 and GLP-2R in the gallbladder， and a significant reduction in the mRNA expression level of TGR5 in the intestine （all P<0.01）， as well as a significant increase in tauroursodeoxycholic acid and significant reductions in glycoursodeoxycholic acid， taurohyodeoxycholic acid， TCDCA， and taurolithocholic acid （all P<0.05）. ConclusionModified Chaihu Shugan Powder can improve liver function and abnormal gallbladder relaxation in CS with liver depression syndrome by regulating the bile acid-TGR5 axis， thereby exerting the therapeutic effect of soothing the liver， resolving depression， moving Qi， and promoting bile flow.

Chronic pancreatitis （CP） is a common disease in clinical practice characterized by progressive inflammatory fibrosis of the pancreas. Gut microbiota， known as the “second genome” of humans， bidirectionally modulates the progression of fibrosis in CP via the gut-pancreas axis. This article systematically elaborates on the characteristics of gut microbiota during the progression of CP and its molecular mechanism in mediating pancreatic fibrosis through bacterial translocation， metabolites， immune regulatory networks， and microbe-pancreatic stellate cell interactions， with a focus on the pivotal role of short-chain fatty acids and inflammatory cytokine networks in pancreatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix deposition. In addition， this article explores the potential value of gut microbiota-targeted interventions in the prevention and treatment of CP fibrosis， such as probiotics， prebiotics， and fecal microbiota transplantation， and discusses the translational potential of using multi-omics technologies to identify diagnostic biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for CP， in order to provide new ideas for the precise diagnosis and treatment of CP.

OBJECTIVE To form an expert consensus on the clinical application of parenteral direct thrombin inhibitors （DTIs） in patients during the perioperative period. METHODS Led by Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital （the Affiliated Hospital of UESTC）， a multidisciplinary working group was established. Through literature review and the Delphi method， clinical questions related to the rational perioperative use of parenteral DTIs were identified. A structured design was adopted using the “Population-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome” framework； systematic searches were conducted in CNKI， Medline， Embase and other databases. Relevant evidence from randomized controlled trials and cohort studies was included and synthesized. Evidence quality was assessed using the Grades of Recommendations Assessment，Development and Evaluation （GRADE） approach， and recommendations were formulated through multiple rounds of Delphi surveys and expert consensus meetings. RESULTS &CONCLUSIONS Seven recommendations （each with an expert consensus rate exceeding 90%） on the use of parenteral DTIs in perioperative patients were developed. These recommendations specify drug selection， dosing ranges， key monitoring points， and safety management strategies for parenteral DTIs in various scenarios， including the perioperative period of ventricular assist device implantation， the perioperative period of cardiac surgery， perioperative patients with lower-extremity atherosclerotic disease， the perioperative period of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome， the perioperative period of carotid artery stenting in patients with carotid stenosis， the perioperative period of patients with right heart thrombosis， and patients who develop related thrombosis and dysfunction after a central venous catheter insertion. In addition， warning and management pathways for perioperative bleeding and thrombotic events were proposed. This expert consensus， which is formulated based on the best available evidence， provides evidence-based guidance for standardized and individualized use of parenteral DTIs in perioperative period.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of CYP2C19 gene polymorphism on platelet function and inflammatory cytokines in elderly patients with ischemic stroke， and to analyze potential factors associated with poor prognosis. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on elderly patients with ischemic stroke admitted to our hospital from June 2024 to June 2025， wh o underwent CYP2C19 genotype testing and received antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel. The levels of platelet function indicators and inflammatory cytokines before and after treatment were compared among patients with different metabolic phenotypes. Based on the prognosis at 6 months post-treatment， patients were divided into poor prognosis group and good prognosis group. Univariate analysis was performed on general data， metabolic phenotype， the levels of platelet function indicators and inflammatory cytokines. Variables with P ＜0.05 and the levels of inflammatory cytokines before treatment were included in a multivariate Logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors for poor prognosis. Multiple linear regression was used to further analyze the relationship between metabolic phenotypes and inflammatory cytokines. RESULTS A total of 448 elderly patients with ischemic stroke were included； among them， 162 cases were normal metabolic phenotype， 218 were intermediate metabolic phenotype， and 68 were poor metabolic phenotype. No rapid or ultrarapid metabolic phenotypes were observed. After treatment， platelet aggregation rate， the levels of P-selectin and platelet activated complex-1 （PAC-1）， high-sensitivity C-reactive Protein （hs-CRP）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the normal metabolic phenotype group， intermediate metabolic phenotype group， and poor metabolic phenotype group （except for platelet aggregation rate， and the levels of P-selectin and PAC-1 in the poor metabolic phenotype group） were significantly lower than those before treatment in the same group. Moreover， the above indicators in the normal metabolic phenotype group were significantly lower than those in the intermediate and poor metabolic phenotype groups at the corresponding time， and the levels of platelet function indicators in the intermediate metabolic phenotype group were significantly lower than those in the poor metabol ic phenotype group at the corresponding time （ P ＜0.05）. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses showed that combined with hypertension， combined with diabetes mellitus， and intermediate or poor metabolic genotypes were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in elderly patients with ischemic stroke （ P ＜0.05）. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum levels of hs-CRP， IL-1β， IL-6 and TNF-α before treatment were significantly higher in patients with intermediate and poor metabolic genotypes compared to those with normal metabolic genotype （ P ＜0.05）， with a greater magnitude of increase in inflammatory cytokines observed in the patients with poor metabolic genotype. CONCLUSIONS The elderly ischemic stroke patients with CYP2C19 intermediate and poor metabolic genotypes have poor inhibition effect on platelet and higher levels of inflammatory cytokines than normal metabolic genotype； CYP2C19 gene polymorphism， and in combination with hypertension and diabetes， can be used as independent predictors of poor prognosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of different visual inputs and task conditions on balance function and lower limb biomechanical characteristics in children with spastic hemiplegia. MethodsFrom March to July, 2025, 30 children aged six to nine years old with spastic hemiplegia (hemiplegia group) and 30 healthy children (control group) were selected. A 2×2×2 mixed experimental design was employed, involving groups (hemiplegia vs. healthy), tasks (single-task vs. dual-task), and vision (eyes open vs. eyes closed). One week before test, they were evaluated with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremities (FMA-LE), Wee Function Independent Measurement (WeeFIM) and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition (WISC-Ⅳ). A 3D gait analysis system and a plantar pressure testing system were used to collect spatio-temporal parameters of walking speed, stride length, cadence and step width, kinematic parameters of hip/knee/ankle joint angles, kinetic parameters of forefoot loading ratio, center of pressure (CoP) displacement, while dual-task cost (DTC) was caculated. ResultsSpatio-temporal parameters showed that under dual-task and eyes-closed conditions, walking speed and stride length decreased while step width increased in the hemiplegia group. Significant interaction effects among group, task, and vision were observed for speed, stride length, and step width (F > 4.886, P < 0.05). Kinematic parameters indicated that during dual-tasks, the hemiplegia group exhibited increased hip flexion and decreased ankle dorsiflexion; under eyes-closed conditions, knee flexion increased. The interaction of the three factors significantly affected all joint angles (F > 4.876, P < 0.05). Kinetic parameters showed that under dual-task and eyes-closed conditions, the forefoot loading ratio and anteroposterior CoP displacement decreased, while mediolateral CoP displacement increased. The interaction of the three factors significantly affected CoP displacement (F > 4.355, P < 0.05). All the DTC was significantly higher in the hemiplegia group than in the control group, except DTC of the cadence (|t| > 14.393, P < 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed that the score of FMA-LE was strongly negatively correlated with DTC (|r| > 0.731, P < 0.01). The Functional Independence Measure for Children and Working Memory Index showed moderate negative correlations with the DTC of walking speed and cadence (|r| > 0.462, P < 0.05). ConclusionThe gait and balance of children with spastic hemiplegia are concurrently influenced by dual-tasking and visual input. The superposition of visual deprivation and dual-tasks significantly exacerbates gait abnormalities. Furthermore, is strongly correlated with motor function and working memory.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the material basis of the anti-inflammatory efficacy and mechanism of action of Bushen Tongdu prescription （BSTDP）. MethodsThe chemical components of BSTDP and its blood-absorbed components in vivo were systematically identified by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry （UPLC-LIT-Orbitrap-MS）. Network pharmacology was employed to screen blood-absorbed bioactive components and potential targets of this formula. A protein-protein interaction （PPI） network of core targets was constructed to conduct enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was further utilized to verify the binding affinity between key components and targets. The inflammatory model was established and verified in vivo by using a transgenic zebrafish Tg （mpx： GFP）. At three days post-fertilization （3 dpf）， larvae of zebrafish were randomly assigned to blank group， model group， positive drug dexamethasone acetate group （75 μmol·L^-1）， and BSTDP groups with low， medium， and high doses （500， 1 000， and 2 000 mg·L^-1）. The distribution and quantity of neutrophils in the yolk sac region were observed under a fluorescence microscope. The mRNA expression levels of key genes in the toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）/nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） signaling pathway and inflammatory factors including interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsA total of 120 chemical components were identified in BSTDP， among which 26 original components were confirmed by using serum pharmacochemical methods. A total of 227 common targets linking rheumatoid arthritis （RA） and the blood-absorbed components were screened by network pharmacology. It is suggested that pseudobrucine， vomicine， sinapine， rehmannioside， cinnamyl alcohol glycoside， and methylephedrine exert anti-inflammatory effects by acting on core targets including protein kinase B1 （Akt1）， signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， TLR4， mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 （MAPK14）， and phosphatidylinositol-4，5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit α （PIK3CA）， thereby modulating multiple signaling pathways such as TLR4 and NF-κB. In vivo verification in zebrafish demonstrates that the maximum tolerable concentration of Bushen Tongdu Formula is 2 000 mg·L^-1. Compared to those in the blank group， zebrafish in the model group showed a significantly higher number of neutrophils in the yolk sac region （P<0.01） and rising mRNA levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β （P<0.01）. Compared to that in the model group， the number of neutrophils was significantly reduced in BSTDP groups with medium and high doses， as well as the dexamethasone acetate group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in the low dose group. The mRNA expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThis paper identifies the material basis of the efficacy of BSTDP， demonstrating that the formula can exert an anti-inflammatory effect through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. The results provide scientific experimental evidence for its further clinical application.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the material basis of the anti-inflammatory efficacy and mechanism of action of Bushen Tongdu prescription （BSTDP）. MethodsThe chemical components of BSTDP and its blood-absorbed components in vivo were systematically identified by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry （UPLC-LIT-Orbitrap-MS）. Network pharmacology was employed to screen blood-absorbed bioactive components and potential targets of this formula. A protein-protein interaction （PPI） network of core targets was constructed to conduct enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was further utilized to verify the binding affinity between key components and targets. The inflammatory model was established and verified in vivo by using a transgenic zebrafish Tg （mpx： GFP）. At three days post-fertilization （3 dpf）， larvae of zebrafish were randomly assigned to blank group， model group， positive drug dexamethasone acetate group （75 μmol·L^-1）， and BSTDP groups with low， medium， and high doses （500， 1 000， and 2 000 mg·L^-1）. The distribution and quantity of neutrophils in the yolk sac region were observed under a fluorescence microscope. The mRNA expression levels of key genes in the toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）/nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） signaling pathway and inflammatory factors including interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsA total of 120 chemical components were identified in BSTDP， among which 26 original components were confirmed by using serum pharmacochemical methods. A total of 227 common targets linking rheumatoid arthritis （RA） and the blood-absorbed components were screened by network pharmacology. It is suggested that pseudobrucine， vomicine， sinapine， rehmannioside， cinnamyl alcohol glycoside， and methylephedrine exert anti-inflammatory effects by acting on core targets including protein kinase B1 （Akt1）， signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， TLR4， mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 （MAPK14）， and phosphatidylinositol-4，5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit α （PIK3CA）， thereby modulating multiple signaling pathways such as TLR4 and NF-κB. In vivo verification in zebrafish demonstrates that the maximum tolerable concentration of Bushen Tongdu Formula is 2 000 mg·L^-1. Compared to those in the blank group， zebrafish in the model group showed a significantly higher number of neutrophils in the yolk sac region （P<0.01） and rising mRNA levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β （P<0.01）. Compared to that in the model group， the number of neutrophils was significantly reduced in BSTDP groups with medium and high doses， as well as the dexamethasone acetate group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in the low dose group. The mRNA expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThis paper identifies the material basis of the efficacy of BSTDP， demonstrating that the formula can exert an anti-inflammatory effect through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. The results provide scientific experimental evidence for its further clinical application.

[摘 要] 目的：探讨异位表达血红蛋白亚基（HBA/HBB）对缺氧条件下嵌合抗原受体T细胞（CAR-T细胞）功能障碍的改善作用及其对肿瘤细胞的杀伤效应。方法：全基因合成技术合成靶向HER2的CAR序列，构建共表达HBA或HBB的CAR慢病毒载体，包装慢病毒后感染人原代T淋巴细胞，制备异位表达HBA/HBB的CAR-T细胞，命名为HBA CAR-T和HBB CAR-T。采用缺氧探针检测小鼠实体瘤缺氧状态。通过流式细胞术检测瘤内CAR-T细胞占比、异位表达血红蛋白亚基的CAR-T细胞阳性率及CAR-T细胞的活性氧、凋亡水平。WB法检测HBA CAR-T和HBB CAR-T内相关血红蛋白亚基表达情况，采用细胞计数板计数检测细胞增殖水平，通过萤光素酶报告基因法检测CAR-T细胞对肿瘤细胞的杀伤能力，qPCR检测CAR-T细胞中缺氧诱导因子-1α（HIF-1α）表达水平，利用MitoXpress Intra试剂盒检测CAR-T细胞内氧气含量。结果：不同细胞构建的实体瘤模型均存在明显缺氧情况，且CAR-T细胞浸润水平与缺氧程度呈显著负相关（P < 0.000 1）。HBA CAR-T与HBB CAR-T构建成功（阳性率 > 60%），相应血红蛋白亚基可稳定表达。缺氧环境下HBA CAR-T和HBB CAR-T的ROS水平、凋亡水平显著下降，增殖、对肿瘤细胞的体外杀伤能力显著强于传统CAR-T细胞（均P < 0.05）。HBA CAR-T与HBB CAR-T内HIF-1α表达降低（均P < 0.001），且缺氧程度显著降低（均P < 0.001）。结论：异位表达血红蛋白亚基可改善缺氧条件下CAR-T细胞功能障碍并增强其对肿瘤细胞的体外杀伤作用。

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic etiology of 46 Chinese pedigrees affected with Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) and provide genetic counseling and reproductive intervention. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were carried out on 87 patients from the 46 pedigrees to analyze the variants of EXT1 and EXT2 genes. Pathogenicity of the variants was assessed based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP). Prenatal diagnosis and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) were provided for couples with identified pathogenic mutations. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: LL-SC-SG-2014-010). RESULTS: In total 17 and 22 pathogenic variants were respectively identified in the EXT1 and EXT2 genes, among which 5 EXT1 and 12 EXT2 variants were unreported previously. Three patients with no family history were found to harbor de novo variants of the EXT1 gene. Twenty nine couples had opted for PGT or underwent prenatal diagnosis following natural conception, and 17 healthy babies were born. CONCLUSION This study has clarified the genetic etiology of 45 HME pedigrees and identified 17 novel variants, which has enriched the mutational spectrum of the EXT1 and EXT2 genes. Reproductive intervention through PGT and prenatal diagnosis have prevented the recurrence of HME in these families.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Pedigree ; Exostoses, Multiple Hereditary/diagnosis* ; N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases/genetics* ; Adult ; Exostosin 1 ; Asian People/genetics* ; Genetic Testing ; Exostosin 2 ; Mutation ; China ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Pregnancy ; Genetic Counseling ; Preimplantation Diagnosis ; Exome Sequencing ; East Asian People