ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Yangxin Tongmai Formula （养心通脉方， YTF） in trea-ting coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome based on DNA methylation. MethodsSeventy-two SD rats were randomly divided into a control group （n=12） and a modeling group （n=60）. The modeling group was subjected to a high-fat diet， intragastric administration of vitamin D3， and subcutaneous injection of isoprenaline to establish the rat model of coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome. Forty-one successfully modeled rats were then randomly allocated into model group， YTF low-， medium-， and high-dose groups， and the atorvastatin calcium group， with 8 rats in each group and 1 rat reserved. The YTF low-， medium-， and high-dose groups received YTF at 6， 12， and 18 g/（kg·d） by gavage， respectively. The atorvastatin calcium group received atorvastatin calcium tablets at 1.8 mg/（kg·d） by gavage. The control group and the model group received 0.9% sodium chloride injection at 4 ml/（kg·d） by gavage. All administrations were performed once daily for 3 weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last administration， serum lipid levels including total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， myocardial enzymes including cardiac troponin T （cTnT）， creatine kinase MB （CK-MB）， and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）， and inflammatory factors including interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and interleukin-10 （IL-10） were detected by ELISA. Pathological changes in myocardial tissue were observed via HE staining. Whole blood DNA methylation sequencing was used to analyze differential methylation gene expression among the control group， model group， and YTF high-dose group. Western Blotting was used to verify the protein levels of the key genes and downstream signaling pathways. ResultsCompared to the control group， the model group showed increased levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， cTnT， CK-MB， LDH， and IL-1β， along with decreased levels of HDL-C and IL-10 （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to the model group， all treatment groups exhibited decreased levels of TC， LDL-C， CK-MB， and LDH， along with increased IL-10 levels. Among these， the high-dose YTF group demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing cTnT levels compared to the other TCM groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. HE staining indicated that the YTF high-dose group ameliorated myocardial cell swelling， disordered arrangement， pyknosis， and disappearance of nuclei， thereby reducing myocardial cell damage. Whole blood DNA methylation sequencing identified 240 differentially methylated genes shared by the control group， model group， and YTF high-dose group， including 109 hypermethylated and 131 hypomethylated genes； eif2ak3 was identified as a key differentially methylated gene. Compared to the control group， the model group exhibited increased protein levels of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 3 （eIf2ak3）， phosphorylated protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （p-PERK）， activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4）， C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP）， and Bax， along with a decreased level of B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） protein （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to the model group， the YTF high-dose group showed decreased protein levels of eIf2ak3， p-PERK， ATF4， CHOP， and Bax， and an increased level of Bcl-2 protein （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionYTF may regulate key differentially methylated genes such as eIf2ak3 and the PERK/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway， thereby inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress， reducing myocardial cell apoptosis， and exerting therapeutic effects in coronary heart disease blood stasis syndrome.

Hepatic fibrosis is a reversible pathological process in various chronic liver diseases and is closely associated with the development and progression of severe liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma， and it has emerged as a significant global health challenge. In recent years， studies have shown that histone lactylation， a newly discovered epigenetic modification， actively participates in regulating the progression of hepatic fibrosis. This article systematically reviews the core regulatory effect of histone lactylation modification in the interaction between inflammatory microenvironment and hepatic fibrosis， in order to clarify the cascade regulatory mechanism of “inflammation-hepatic fibrosis” and provide new insights for early diagnosis， targeted intervention， and prevention of malignant transformation in hepatic fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis is a critical pathological process in the progression of chronic liver diseases and is mainly driven by the activation of hepatic stellate cells， and it is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. Programmed cell death is widely observed in liver fibrosis and plays diverse roles in different types of cells. It is not only a mechanism for maintaining cellular homeostasis through metabolism， but it can also regulate the development and progression of diseases. Ferroptosis has recently emerged as a research focus due to its close association with lipid metabolism. This article systematically reviews the related concepts of lipid metabolism， ferroptosis， and liver fibrosis， analyzes the bridging role and dual regulatory function of ferroptosis in lipid metabolism and liver fibrosis， and further highlights the clinical application value of targeting ferroptosis in hepatic stellate cells for the treatment of liver fibrosis， in order to provide new perspectives for the mechanistic studies on liver fibrosis and the optimization of related clinical intervention strategies.

ObjectiveMigraine is a leading neurological disorder and the fourth most common cause of years lived with disability worldwide, affecting nearly 116 million individuals. Although pharmacological treatments are available, their efficacy is often limited by side effects and variable response rates. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) offers a safe, non-invasive alternative for migraine management. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms, particularly how rTMS modulates local cortical excitability and distributed pain-related circuits, remain poorly understood. Elucidating these mechanisms is essential for optimizing treatment protocols and improving clinical outcomes. MethodsThis study employed concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) to investigate neuroplastic and neurocircuitry mechanisms of DLPFC-rTMS in migraine. Study 1 compared 30 migraineurs and 28 healthy controls to identify abnormalities in TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) and significant current density (SCD) within sensory-discriminative regions including the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and posterior insula (pINS), cognitive-affective regions including the anterior insula (aINS) and midcingulate cortex (MCC), and a descending modulatory region, the periaqueductal gray (PAG). Study 2 used a single-blind, crossover, sham-controlled design in 34 healthy participants. Each participant received both active (10 Hz, 80% RMT, 1 500 pulses) and sham DLPFC-rTMS in counterbalanced order. TMS-EEG and cold pain tolerance were assessed before and after each session. ResultsIn Study 1, migraineurs showed a significantly less negative N120 amplitude compared to healthy controls (P=0.027, Cohen’s d=0.60), indicating local intracortical disinhibition. No group differences were observed for N40, P60, or P180 components. At the source level, migraineurs exhibited significantly higher SCD in the S1, pINS, aINS, and MCC (allQ<0.05), but not in the ventroposterior thalamus (vpTHAL), mediodorsal thalamus (mdTHAL), or PAG. In Study 2, active rTMS significantly reduced SCD from pre- to post-stimulation in the S1, aINS, and MCC (all Q<0.05). Sham stimulation also reduced SCD in the S1 (Q<0.05) but not in the aINS or MCC. Although no significant group-level analgesic effect was observed between active and sham conditions (P=0.107), correlation analyses revealed that greater SCD reductions in the S1 and MCC were significantly associated with higher post-rTMS pain tolerance (R=-0.487 and -0.495, both Q<0.01) and larger improvements in pain tolerance(R=-0.487 and -0.451, both Q<0.05). No such correlations were found following sham stimulation, suggesting that the behavioural relevance of neural changes is specific to active rTMS. ConclusionThis study provides novel evidence that migraineurs exhibit both local neuroplastic abnormalities (reduced N120 amplitude) and hyperactivity in key pain-processing regions (S1, pINS, aINS, MCC). A single session of DLPFC-rTMS reduced hyperactivity in the aINS, MCC, and S1. Notably, greater reductions in the S1 and MCC were associated with improved pain tolerance. These findings identify distinct cortical circuitries, particularly within the cognitive-affective pain network, that may serve as potential biomarkers for optimizing rTMS treatment in migraine and other chronic pain conditions. Future studies should validate these results in patient populations experiencing spontaneous migraine attacks and explore multi-session or accelerated rTMS protocols.

AIM To investigate the effects of Gan Jiang-Huang Qin-Huang Lian-Ren Shen Decoction(GJHQHLRSD)on the pyroptosis,pathway of colonic epithelial cells in mouse models of ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS Among the 63 C57BL/6J mice,13 were randomly selected and assigned to the model group,and the others were divided into the control group,the positive Sulfasalazine Enteric-Coated Tablets group(0.6 g/kg),and low,medium,and high dose GJHQHLRSD groups(3.9,7.8,15.6 g/kg),with 10 mice in each group.The UC mouse model was established using DSS,and the corresponding drugs were administered by gavage.The mice had their general condition observed;their disease activity index(DAI)score assessed;their colon length measured;their histopathological damage of the colon analyzed using HE staining;their colonic IL-1β,IL-8,and TNF-α levels measured by ELISA method;their colonic NLRP3,GSDMD,pro-IL-1β,pro-caspase-1,and IL-1βprotein expression detected by Western blot method;and their cell pyroptosis detected by TUNEL and GSDMD fluorescence double staining.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the model group exhibited significant decrease in body weight and a shortened colon length(P＜0.01);increases in DAI score,levels of IL-1β,IL-8,TNF-α,as well as the protein expressions of NLRP3,GSDMD,and active-caspase-1(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);significant increase of colonic GSDMD and TUNEL positivity;indicating increased tissue damage and inflammatory response.Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with GJHQHLRSD showed a significant increase in body weight and colonic elongation(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreases in DAI score,levels of IL-1β,IL-8,TNF-α,as well as the protein expressions of NLRP3,GSDMD,and active-caspase-1(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);a gradient decrease in positivity of GSDMD and TUNEL;indicating a significantly reduced colonic pathological damage.CONCLUSION GJHQHLRSD can improve the DSS-induced inflammatory reaction of colonic mucosa in UC mice,and its mechanism mainly involves the NLRP3/caspase-1,thereby the regulation of the cell pyroptosis process.

Objective To understand the current situation of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in China,pro-vide data support and decision-making basis for formulating scientific and effective strategies for HAI prevention and control.Methods A nationwide cross-sectional survey on HAI was conducted among various types and levels of medical institutions in China according to a unified protocol of bedside surveys and case investigations.Results In 2024,a total of 5 736 medical institutions and 2 751 765 patients were surveyed.Among them,34 889 HAI cases were identified,with a prevalence rate of 1.27％.The number of HAI episodes was 38 032,and case prevalence rate was 1.38％.The prevalence rate of HAI in medical institutions in different regions of China ranged from 0.66％to 2.35％.Among medical institutions of different scales,those with a bed capacity of ≥900 had the high-est incidence of HAI,reaching 1.65％.The most common infection site was the lower respiratory tract(44.66％),followed by the urinary tract(12.94％),surgical site(9.32％),upper respiratory tract(7.02％),and bloodstream infection(5.78％).The top 3 departments with the highest HAI rates were the general intensive care unit(10.02％),department of neurosurgery(5.51％),and department(group)of hematology(5.34％).A total of 23 238 strains of HAI pathogens were detected,with 10 714 strains(46.10％)from lower respiratory tract speci-mens.The top 5 detected strains were Klebsiella pneumoniae(14.76％),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(13.33％),Escherichia coli(12.79％),Acinetobacter baumannii(9.23％),and Staphylococcus aureus(7.88％).231 944 pa-tients underwent class Ⅰ incision surgery were monitored,with 1 647 cases experienced surgical site infection,and the prevalence rate of surgical site infection was 0.71％.The number of patients who should undergo pathogen de-tection(patients receiving therapeutic and therapeutic combined prophylactic antimicrobial agents)was 715 179,while the actual number was 480 492,with a pathogen detection rate of 67.18％.425 225 patients received patho-genic detection before treatment,with a detection rate of 59.46％.Conclusion The overall HAI prevalence in Chi-na is lower,showing disparities among medical institutions of different regions and scales.Therefore,precise imple-mentation of measures is necessary for HAI prevention and control,with a focus on high-risk institutions and high-risk departments,key areas,and critical procedures.All levels of medical institutions should continuously reduce the incidence of HAI by strengthening monitoring,standardizing the use of antimicrobial agents,and reinforcing basic HAI prevention and control measures.

Objective To understand the current situation and dynamic changing trends of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in a tertiary first-class hospital in the northwest of Hunan Province from 2015 to 2024,and provide scientific basis for optimizing infection control strategies.Methods A single-day cross-sectional survey method was employed to investigate the HAI prevalence rates of hospitalized patients on the given survey day each year from 2015 to 2024.The standardized survey protocol on prevalence rate issued by the National Medical Institution Infec-tion Surveillance Network was strictly adhered,lanqingting real-time HAI monitoring management platform was adopted to retrieve cases from the hospital information system,and R4.2.2 was applied for statistical analysis.Results From 2015 to 2024,the prevalence rate of HAI decreased from 3.03％in 2015 to 1.76％in 2024(Z=-3.37,P＜0.001),and the HAI case prevalence rate decreased from 3.55％in 2015 to 2.20％in 2024(Z=-2.81,P=0.005).Department of critical care medicine continuously had the highest HAI case prevalence rate,which presented a downward trend over time(Z=-2.84,P=0.004).The main site of HAI was lower respiratory tract,accounting for 39.36％to 48.15％,bloodstream infection increased from 3.57％in 2015-2016 to 10.60％in 2023-2024(Z=2.41,P=0.016).A total of 302 strains of HAI pathogens were detected,including 212 strains(70.20％)of Gram-negative bacteria,mainly Pseudomonas aeruginosa(n=55,18.21％),Escherichia coli(n=45,14.90％),Acinetobacter baumannii(n=33,10.93％),and Klebsiella pneumoniae(n=31i,10.26％).65 strains(21.52％)of Gram-positive bacteria were identified,with Enterococcus faecium(n=19,6.29％)and Staphylococcus aureus(n=18,5.96％)accounting for the highest proportions.25 fungal strains(8.28％)were detected,mainly Candi-da albicans(n=11,3.64％).The use rate of antimicrobial agents showed a downward trend over the past decade(Z=-4.01,P＜0.001).Therapeutic antimicrobial use accounting for 82.42％,and its proportion increased over time(Z=6.02,P＜0.001).Prophylactic antimicrobial use accounted for 16.42％,showing a decreasing trend(Z=-2.75,P＜0.001).The pathogen detection rate presented an upward trend over the past decade(Z=13.01,P＜0.001).Conclusion The prevalence rate and case prevalence rate of HAI present a downward trend in this hospi-tal.In the future,it is necessary to establish a monitoring data-based dynamic analysis mechanism,achieve timely feedback and intervention in data monitoring,pay attention to high-risk links in department of critical care medicine,implement precise prevention and control mearsures,perform targeted prevention and control for lower respiratory tract,urinary tract,and bloodstream infection,optimize diagnosis and treatment processes,use antimicrobial agents rationally,and pay attention to the prevalence trend of Gram-negative bacteria.

Objective:To analyze the potential risk factors for early relapse/progression in patients with multiple myeloma(MM)and develop a risk prediction model based on these factors.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 187 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma(NDMM)patients who treated at the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from February 2014 to December 2020.The clinical,laboratory examination,and follow-up data of patients experiencing relapse/progression within 24 months after treatment(ER/EP24)were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses,and a nomogram prediction model was established.Results:Among the 187 patients,58(31.0％)experienced ER/EP24,with a median survival time of only 24 months.The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that failure to achieve partial response(PR)or better after 3-4 cycles of chemotherapy and albumin(ALB)levels＜35 g/L were independent risk factors for ER/EP24(P＜0.05).These factors,along with other clinically relevant variables,were further incorporated into the nomogram prediction model.The model demonstrated a concordance index(C-index)of 0.784,indicating strong predictive accuracy.Conclusion:MM patients experiencing ER/EP24 exhibit poor outcome,and the nomogram model developed in this study effectively predicts the risk of ER/EP24 in NDMM patients,providing a valuable tool for clinical risk assessment.

Objective To discuss the efficacy of direct resin filling restoration,improved atraumatic restorative treatment(ART),and Hall technique in treating deciduous molars in children.Methods A total of 120 children with 180 deciduous molars who came to the Department of Oral Surgery of our hospital from January 2023 to August 2023 were selected and randomly divided into three groups:direct resin filling restoration group(40 people,60 teeth),improved ataumatic restorative treatment group(40 people,62 teeth),and Hall technique group(40 people,58 teeth).The behavioral performance classification and degree of anxiety of the children during the treatment process and the treatment time were compared among the three groups.The clinical efficacy after 3 months,6 months,and 12 months of treatment was compared and the reasons for failure were analyzed.Results The treatment time of the Hall technique group was significantly shorter than that of the improved ART group and direct filling group,and the differences in treatment time of the three groups had statistical significance(P＜0.05).The Hall technique and improved ART technique were more easily accepted by the chil-dren,and the degree of anxiety and behavioral performance classification of the three groups had statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).At the 12-month follow-up,the success rate of the direct filling restoration group was significantly different from that of the im-proved ART technique group and the Hall technique group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).However,the suc-cess rate of the improved ART technique group was not significantly different from that of the Hall technique group(P＞0.05).Conclu-sion The success rate of the improved ART technique group and the Hall technique group is higher than that of the direct filling resto-ration group,and is more easily accepted by children.The pain level and degree of anxiety are lighter,and the treatment time of the Hall technique is shorter,which is more conducive to the repair of tooth decay.

Objective:To investigate the effects of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation on postoperative conditions,thyroid hormone levels and nodule volume in patients with micropapillary thyroid cancer.Methods:A total of 176 patients with micropapillary thyroid cancer admitted to Hefei Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Sciences and the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from February 2022 to December 2023 were selected,and they were divided into control group(92 cases)and observation group(84 cases)according to the difference of the treatment protocols.In them,3 cases were lost to visit in the control group and 2 cases were lost to visit in the observation group,and finally 89 cases were in the control group and 82 cases were in the observation group in the study.The control group was treated with surgical resection,and the observation group was treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation.Both groups were followed up for 12 months after surgery.The surgical indexes,hospitalization cost,hospitalization time,and the thyroid hormone levels and quality of life before and 12 months after surgery between two groups were compared,and the occurrence of complications,postoperative recurrence and metastasis during the follow-up period were compared also between the two groups.The changes in nodule volume in the observation group were analyzed before and 3rd,6th and 12th month after surgery.Mental component summary(MCS),physical component summary(PCS)score and the MOS 36-item short-form health survey(SF-36)score were used in this study.Results:The surgical incision,the amount of surgical blood loss,the duration of surgery,the duration of hospitalization and the cost of hospitalization of the observation group were respectively(2.09±0.32)mm,(2.13±0.16)ml,(26.73±6.54)min,(2.10±0.52)d and(10 976.23±1132.56)CNY,which were less,or lower,or shorter,or less than these of the control group,and the differences were significant(t=51.031,31.853,27.924,27.028 and 21.925,P<0.05).Compared with preoperative serum thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)level,that of control group increased at the 12th months after surgery,which was higher than that of observation group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(t=22.482,P<0.05).The difference of the serum TSH level in the observation group between before and at the 12th month after surgery was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Compared with preoperative nodule volume,that of observation group first increased and then decreased at the 6th month and 12th month after surgery,and nodule volume at the 12th month after surgery was less than that before surgery(t=13.731,P<0.05).The MCS,PCS score,and SF-36 score both two groups at the 12th month after surgery increased than preoperative them,and these indicators of observation group were higher than them of control group,and the differences were statistically significant(t=14.624,11.986,and 13.582,P<0.05).The total incidence of complication during the follow-up period was 2.44%in observation group,which was lower than 10.11%in control group,and the difference was statistically significant(x2=4.175,P<0.05).There was no recurrence or metastasis in the two groups after surgery.Conclusion:Compared with surgery,ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation can improve the surgical index of patients with micropapillary thyroid cancer,and shorten the time of hospitalization,and reduce the hospitalization cost,and reduce the occurrence of complications.The recovery of patients are well after surgery,and there is not obvious recurrence and metastasis.At the same time,this treatment plan can significantly shorten the volume of the patient's nodules,and does not have significant effect on thyroid hormone.