According to zang-fu （脏腑） wind-damp theory， it is believed that wind， cold， and dampness are internal pathogenic factors that， when stagnated， transform into heat and invade the zang-fu organs， leading to chronic conditions. Heat is seen as a manifestation， while cold is considered the root cause. When external factors trigger these latent pathogens， the disease of the zang-fu organs exacerbates or relapses， often presenting with a complex syndrome of cold and heat. Based on this theory， the viewpoint of "for complex syndrome of cold and heat， cold is the root" is proposed. It suggests that for diseases with a complex cold-heat syndrome， external invasion of wind， cold， and dampness are the initiating factors. During the acute phase， treatment should focus on dispelling and eliminating the pathogens to promote the expulsion of the latent wind， cold， and dampness. During the remission phase， the focus shifts to reinforcing the healthy qi and tonifying the root， allowing the cold and dampness to be cleared. Internal dampness originates from the spleen； therefore， regulating the spleen and stomach， and dispersing cold and removing dampness is the key to treating wind-damp disorders of zang-fu organs. Cold and dampness are both yin pathogens， which damage yang qi， and repeated invasions of wind， cold， and dampness obstruct the qi flow of the zang-fu organs， progressively weakening yang qi. Hence， it is necessary to protect yang qi， and thereafter dispelling cold and dampness by warming yang. The theory that "for complex syndrome of cold and heat， cold is the root" provides guidance for the clinical application and the treatment of complex and difficult diseases in traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective To investigate the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)on the symptoms after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection in patients with primary biliary cholangitis(PBC)and their family member.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect related information from 171 PBC patients who attended The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University before March 22,2023 and 128 family members,including demographic information,comorbidities,UDCA administration,SARS-CoV-2 infection,vaccination,symptoms,therapeutic medication,and the changes in liver disease-related symptoms.The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups,and the chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups.Results The median age was 51 years in the PBC patients and 49 years in the family members,with no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).Compared with the family member group,the PBC group had significantly lower body mass index(22.2±2.4 kg/m2 vs 23.3±2.9 kg/m2,P<0.001)and proportion of male individuals(10%vs 55%,P<0.001).All PBC patients received UDCA at a dose of 13—15 mg/kg,and SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was 100%in both groups.The family members had a significantly higher SARS-CoV-2 vaccination rate than the PBC patients(91%vs 57%,P<0.001).Compared with the family members,the PBC patients had significantly milder symptoms of sneezing,nasal obstruction,chest pain,and abnormal taste(P<0.05).Compared with the family members,the PBC patients had significantly lower rates of use of compound cold medicine(11%vs 20%,P<0.05)and Lianhua Qingwen capsules(12%vs 21%,P<0.05).For the PBC patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection,the liver disease-related symptoms such as fatigue,abdominal distension,dry mouth and dry eyes,pruritus,and yellow skin were aggravated by 37%,2%,27%,10%,and 3%,respectively.Conclusion Compared with the immediate family members of PBC patients who do not take UDCA,the PBC patients receiving UDCA do not show a reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infection rate,but UDCA may have a certain effect on alleviating infection-related symptoms in such patients.PBC patients may still experience the aggravation of liver disease-related symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection,and the long-term effect on PBC patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection should be taken seriously in clinical practice.

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a solid tumor formed by extramedullary infiltration of primitive or immature cells of the myeloid lineage. Pathology is the gold standard for diagnosis, but the misdiagnosis rate is high. Immunohistochemical staining can reduce misdiagnosis. Molecular biology and cytogenetics are important complementary diagnostic indicators. Imaging techniques, especially fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG PET-CT), are important for the diagnosis of MS. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) chemotherapy regimen combined with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is currently the main treatment for MS.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) nanomaterial is a two-dimensional nanomaterial with a multi-layer structure. Due to their unique structural composition, LDHs can act as a "molecular switch" to achieve controllable release of payload under specific physiological pH conditions while remaining stable during blood circulation. In addition, LDHs are composed of several specific cations and have specific regulatory effects on various cellular functions. In addition to the excellent drug loading performance, LDHs can respond to the tumor microenvironment and realize a smart release of drugs, reduce the side effects of drugs, and enhance the tumor killing effect, having a wide range of applications in the field of tumor therapy. In this paper, the research progress of LDHs for chemotherapy drug delivery, immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and immunocombination therapy for tumors was reviewed.

Gaucher Disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder characterized by high heterogeneity. This study aimed to further understand the correlation between clinical phenotypes and genotypes in GD patients through a retrospective analysis of 20 cases in Shanxi Bethune Hospital, including their clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, enzyme studies, and genetic results. Among the 20 GD patients, 16 were classified as Type Ⅰ GD with a median age of diagnosis of 24 years, and 4 were classified as Type Ⅲ GD with a median age of diagnosis of 19 years. All patients exhibited splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia, with 16 patients showing skeletal imaging changes, and 5 of them presenting with bone pain symptoms. Genetic analysis revealed 15 distinct mutations, predominantly missense mutations, with L483P being the most prevalent (35.7%), followed by V414L, L303I, and F252I. Mutation sites were predominantly located in exon 7. Noteworthy findings included the first report of the S310G mutation by our research group and the first occurrence of the K196R mutation in the Chinese population. Additionally, the N227S mutation was implicated in a potential association with neuropathy. Despite advancements, Uncertainties still exist in the correlation between clinical phenotypes and genotypes in GD patients.

Objective:The phenotype and genotype of a pedigree with Glanzmann thrombasthenia caused by compound heterozygous mutation in the ITGA2B gene and its molecular pathogenesis were explored.Methods:The platelet aggregation rate of the proband and his family was detected by using a platelet aggregation test with adenosine diphosphate, collagen, epinephrine, arachidonic acid, and ristocetin. The expression levels of CD41 (αⅡb), CD61 (β3), and CD42b (GPⅠb) on the platelet surface was detected by flow cytometry. Gene sequencing technology was used for the genetic identification of the family. RT-PCR was used in the detection of mRNA splicing, and qRT-PCR was used in detecting the relative mRNA level of the ITGA2B gene. Bioinformatics analysis was used to evaluate the pathogenicity of mutation sites and their effects on protein structure and function. The expressions of total αⅡb and β3 in platelets were analyzed by Western blot.Results:Except ristocetin, the other four inducers could not induce platelet aggregation in the proband. Flow cytometry showed that the expression levels of αⅡb and β3 were only 0.25% and 9.76%, respectively, on the platelet surface of the proband, whereas GPⅠb expression was relatively normal. The expression levels of glycoproteins in the other family members were almost normal. c.480C>G and c.2929C>T mutations were detected in the proband through gene sequencing. The c.480C>G mutation was inherited from his mother, and the c.2929C>T mutation was inherited from his father. The RT-PCR and sequencing results showed that the c.480C>G mutation caused mRNA splicing in the proband and his mother, resulting in the deletion of 99 bases in c.476G-574A (p.S160-S192). qRT-PCR showed that the c.2929C>T variant reduced the mRNA level of the ITGA2B gene in the proband and his father. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that the c.480C>G mutation might form a binding sequence with hnRNP A1 protein and generate the 5′SS splice site. The three-dimensional structural model of the αⅡb subunit showed that the β-propeller domain of the p.S160-S192 deletion lost two β-strands and one α-helix in blade 2. The c.2929C>T nonsense mutation caused premature translation termination and produced a truncated protein with the deletion of p.R977-E1039, including the cytoplasmic domain, transmembrane domain, and a β chain of the extracellular Calf-2 domain. The total αⅡb expression of the proband was absent, and the relative expression of β3 was 11.36% of the normal level.Conclusion:The compound heterozygous mutation c.480C>G in exon 4 and c.2929C>T in exon 28 of the ITGA2B gene probably underlies Glanzmann thrombasthenia in this pedigree.

Objective:To analyze the F10 gene mutations in a Chinese pedigree affected with the deficiency of the hereditary coagulation factor X (FX), resulting from a new deletion mutation, and to study the associated molecular pathogenesis.Methods:Next generation sequencing (NGS) was performed to screen the genetic mutations in the proband which were then verified by Sanger sequencing. The FX activity (FX∶C) of probands and their family members was detected using the blood clotting method, and the mutation sites of the family members were analyzed using Sanger sequencing. The pathogenicity of the mutation site was predicted by using the online bioinformatics software, Mutation Taster. The SWISS-MODEL software was used for stimulating the three-dimensional models of the wild-type and mutant proteins for analyzing the influence of the mutation site on the structure and function of the proteins, and for analyzing the difference between the catalytic residues of the wild-type and the mutant proteins. The level of the F10 gene mRNA was quantitatively analyzed by qRT-PCR (quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) method by constructing plasmids, transfecting human embryonic kidney 293T cells (HEK 293T), and analyzing the splicing of the mutated site by RT-PCR method. The levels of FⅩ∶Ag in cell lysates and cell culture media (both inside and outside the cells) were detected by the ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) method.Results:A medium-grade factor X deficiency with a 36.42% FⅩ∶C ratio was detected in the proband by the coagulation method. NGS analysis demonstrated a heterozygous deletion mutation in exon 8:c.902_919del (p.Ala301_Glu306del) in the proband. Sanger sequencing analysis indicated that some members of the family (mother and grandfather) were also carriers of the corresponding deletion mutation. Online bioinformatics software predicted the pathogenic nature of the c.902_919del mutation, with a pathogenic score of 0.999. The 3D protein structure model analysis indicated that the c.902_919del mutation resulted in the disappearance of a segment of β-fold in the protein structure, thereby shortening the preceding segment of the β-fold and a subsequent loss of hydrogen bonds between adjacent amino acids with no significant difference in the side chain conformation of the key catalytic residues compared to the wild-type. mRNA splicing analysis indicated the absence of alternative splicing changes in the mutation, and qRT-PCR results indicated the absence of a statistically significant difference between the mRNA levels of F10 gene and wild-type mRNA in cells expressing c.902_919del mutant. The ELISA results indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in the FX∶Ag levels of the mutant cell culture medium and the lysate.Conclusions:In this pedigree, the heterozygous mutation in exon 8 of F10 gene (c.902_919del, p.Ala301_Glu306del) caused the hereditary factor Ⅹ deficiency.

ObjectiveTo understand the current situation and hot spots of research on the treatment of constipation by traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in China and foreign countries， and provide references and directions for future research. MethodIn this study， the data analysis software CiteSpace 5.8.R3C was used to conduct bibliometrics analysis of the relevant papers on the treatment of constipation by TCM from January 1， 2000 to December 31， 2021 in China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI） and Web of Science core database. The visual display was carried out. ResultAfter retrieval， 2 133 papers were included in CNKI database and 224 papers were included in Web of Science core database. The statistical analysis showed that the overall annual publication volume in China and foreign countries was on the rise， but the publication volume in China had been declining for the past two consecutive years. The author co-occurrence analysis showed that the authors with the largest number of publications in China and foreign countries were LIU Chunqiang and CHUNGWAH CHENG， respectively. The institution co-occurrence analysis showed that the institutions with the largest number of publications in China and foreign countries were the Anorectal Department of Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of TCM and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine， respectively. The keyword analysis showed that research in this field in China and foreign countries mainly focused on TCM therapy， clinical research， etiology and pathogenesis， etc. ConclusionThe research on the treatment of constipation by TCM is mainly concentrated in China， but there is no closely-related scientific research team. The research in this field in China and foreign countries is still developing. With the continuous deepening of research， all research institutions should pay attention to interdisciplinary intersection， highlight technological innovation， and strive to achieve greater breakthroughs in this field.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the sequence of the F12 gene and molecular mechanism for 20 patients with coagulation factor Ⅻ (FⅫ) deficiency. METHODS: The patients were selected from the outpatient department of the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from July 2020 to January 2022. The activity of coagulation factor Ⅷ (FⅧ:C), factor Ⅸ (FⅨ:C), factor Ⅺ (FⅪ:C) and factor Ⅻ (FⅫ:C) were determined by using a one-stage clotting assay. All exons and 5' and 3' UTR of the F12 gene were analyzed by Sanger sequencing to detect the potential variants. Bioinformatic software was used to predict the pathogenicity of the variants, conservation of amino acids, and protein models. RESULTS: The FⅫ:C of the 20 patients has ranged from 0.07% to 20.10%, which was far below the reference values, whilst the other coagulation indexes were all normal. Sanger sequencing has identified genetic variants in 10 patients, including 4 with missense variants [c.820C>T (p.Arg274Cys), c.1561G>A (p.Glu521Lys), c.181T>C (p.Cys61Arg) and c.566.G>C (p.Cys189Ser)], 4 deletional variants c.303_304delCA(p.His101GlnfsX36), 1 insertional variant c.1093_1094insC (p.Lys365GlnfsX69) and 1 nonsense variant c.1763C>A (p.Ser588*). The remaining 10 patients only harbored the 46C/T variant. The heterozygous c.820C>T(p.Arg274Cys) missense variant in patient 1 and the homozygous c.1763C>A (p.Ser588*) nonsense variant in patient 2 were not included in the ClinVar and the Human Gene Mutation Database. Bioinformatic analysis predicted that both variants were pathogenic, and the corresponding amino acids are highly conserved. The protein prediction models suggested that the c.820C>T (p.Arg274Cys) variant may affect the stability of the secondary structure of FⅫ protein by disrupting the original hydrogen bonding force and truncating the side chain, leading to changes in the vital domain. c.1763C>A (p.Ser588*) may produce a truncated C-terminus which may alter the spatial conformation of the protein domain and affect the serine protease cleavage site, resulting in extremely reduced FⅫ:C. CONCLUSION Among individuals with low low FⅫ:C detected by one-stage clotting assay, 50% have harbored variants of the F12 gene, among which the c.820C>T and c.1763C>A were novel variants underlying the reduced coagulating factor FⅫ.
Humans ; Factor XII/genetics* ; Pedigree ; Mutation ; Mutation, Missense ; Heterozygote ; Factor XII Deficiency/genetics*

ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Yiqi Huoxue Tongbian prescription on slow transit constipation （STC） in rats. MethodThe rat model of STC was established by gavage of loperamide hydrochloride. Rats were assigned into control， model， mosapride， low-， medium-， and high-dose （3.51， 7.02， and 14.04 g·kg^-1， respectively） Yiqi Huoxue Tongbian prescription groups. The changes of general signs， fecal moisture content， and intestinal propulsion rate were measured after model establishment and drug administration. The colonic mucosal changes were observed by hematoxylin eosin staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the content of substance P （SP） and vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP） in the colon of rats in each group. The gray values of aquaporin （AQP） 3， AQP4， AQP8， and c-Kit in rat colon tissue were measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blot， and the changes of intestinal flora were detected by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. ResultCompared with the model group， 10 days of treatment with Yiqi Huoxue Tongbian prescription increased the fecal moisture content and intestinal propulsion rate （P<0.01）. The medium- and high-dose Yiqi Huoxue Tongbian prescription groups and the mosapride group showed no obvious mucosal inflammation and neat arrangement of goblet cells with a large number in the colon tissue. Moreover， the three groups showed increased SP content （P<0.01） and decreased VIP content （P<0.01） in the serum. The medium- and high-dose Yiqi Huoxue Tongbian prescription groups showed down-regulated protein levels of AQP3， AQP4， and AQP8 （P<0.01） and up-regulated protein level of c-Kit （P<0.01）. The drug administration groups presented slightly increased observed species， Chao1， ACE， and Shannon， Simpson， and PD whole tree. The principal component analysis showed that the control group had a short distance with the high- and medium-dose Yiqi Huoxue Tongbian prescription groups， indicating that high- and medium-dose Yiqi Huoxue Tongbian prescription can recover the intestinal flora to that in the control group. ConclusionYiqi Huoxue Tongbian prescription can alleviate the defecation status of rats with slow transit constipation by down-regulating the expression of AQP3， AQP4， and AQP8 to reduce the absorption of water in the intestine， up-regulating the expression of c-Kit to increase the number and distribution of Cajal interstitial cells， and regulating the balance of flora in the colon tissue.