The concept of holism is the core idea of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. Various organs and tissues coordinate with each other to maintain the body's life activities， with a close and mutual influence between the spleen， stomach， and the central nervous system （brain）. The gut-brain axis plays an important bridging role between the digestive system and the central nervous system， achieving bidirectional information exchange between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract through complex neuroendocrine and immune mechanisms. The theory of cross-organ interaction involves the mutual influence， coordination， and integration between different organs and systems； multimodality， on the other hand， utilizes multiple sensory modalities， such as vision， hearing， and touch， to convey information. By combining TCM theory with the gut-brain axis theory， a cross-organ multimodal characterization system is established to explore its mechanism and application value in refractory diseases such as functional gastrointestinal disorders， precancerous gastrointestinal diseases， Alzheimer's disease， Parkinson's syndrome， type 2 diabetes， and depression.

AIM: To identify the primary active components and underlying mechanisms of Yijing Decoction(YJD)in treating early diabetic retinopathy(DR)based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and network pharmacology.METHODS: Active components of YJD were characterized through LC-MS. Components with optimal ADME(absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion)properties were selected as key bioactive candidates. Network pharmacology approaches were employed to predict YJD-DR therapeutic targets. Protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks, gene ontology(GO)enrichment analysis, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analysis were subsequently conducted to predict core targets and networks. Critical targets and pathways were experimentally validated through Western blot.RESULTS: Ten core therapeutic targets were identified, including TNF, Alb, EGFR, STAT3, PTGS2, ESR1, PPAR, MMP9, TLR4, and MAPK. YJD was related to cancer-related signaling, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases, encompassing key biological processes such as inflammatory response regulation, programmed cell death activation, and enhanced cell migration. Furthermore, Western blot analysis confirmed that YJD significantly inhibited high glucose-induced phosphorylation of STAT3(P-STAT3/STAT3)and ERK(P-ERK/ERK)in rat retinal microvascular endothelial cells.CONCLUSION: This study revealed YJD's pharmacodynamical basis and its multi-component, multi-target, and multi-paths pharmacology. YJD exerts therapeutic effects on DR by coordinately regulating critical signaling pathways and alleviating intraocular inflammation, thus preserving retinal vascular endothelial cells, maintaining blood-retinal barrier integrity, and facilitating retinal neurovascular repair.

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, with increasing mortality as septic shock and organ failure progress. Mechanisms such as vascular endothelial dysfunction, microcirculatory disorders, coagulation abnormalities, immune suppression, mitochondrial damage, cell pyroptosis, ferroptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and autophagy play crucial roles in organ dysfunction and death caused by sepsis. Concurrently, the imbalance of the gut microbiota also plays an undeniable role in the development of sepsis, with recent studies demonstrating a close connection between the gut microbiome and sepsis. Thus, how to improve the prognosis of patients with sepsis by reconstructing gut microbiota has become a focus of interest for critical care physicians. This article reviews the research progress on the correlation between gut microbiota and sepsis, providing clinical physicians with more therapeutic strategies to improve patient prognosis.

One case of COVID-19 infection secondary to pulmonary mucormycosis in a recipient of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation was described. Early identification of the pathogen was achieved by metagenomic next-generation sequencing. On the basis of disease status and liver function changes, targeted treatments included intravenous amphotericin B liposome, amphotericin B nebulization& gargling and subsequently a maintenance therapy of oral posaconazole. This regimen resulted in the absorption of lung infection, stabilization of transplanted pancreas function and reduced levels of creatinine and urea as compared to pre-infection period. The therapeutic efficacy was decent.

Objective:To summarize the distributional characteristics of postoperative occurrence of multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO) infections and their risk factors in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) recipients and examine the impact of MDRO infections on the survival of SPK recipients.Method:From January 2016 to December 2022, the relevant clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 218 SPK recipients. The source of donor-recipient specimens and the composition percentage of MDRO pathogens were examined. According to whether or not MDRO infection occurred post-transplantation, they were assigned into two groups of MDRO (98 cases) and non-MDRO (120 cases). The clinical data of two groups of donors and recipients were analyzed. And the risk factors for an onset of MDRO infection were examined by binary Logistic regression. The survival rate of two recipient groups was compared by Kaplan-Meier method.Result:A total of 98/218 recipients (45%) developed MDRO infections. And 46 (46.9%) of sputum and 34 (34.7%) of urine were cultured positively and 49 (50%) pathogens expressed extended spectrum beta-lactamase. There were pneumonia (46 cases, 46.9%), urinary tract infections (34 cases, 34.7%), abdominal infections (16 cases, 16.3%) and bloodstream infections (2 cases, 2.0%). Univariate regression analysis revealed that length of renal failure ( P=0.037), length of hospitalization ( P<0.001), length of antibiotic use ( P<0.001), novel antibiotics ( P=0.014), albumin ( P<0.001) and leukocyte count ( P<0.001) were risk factors for an onset of MDRO infections. The results of multifactorial regression indicated that low albumin ( OR=0.855, 95% CI: 0.790~0.925, P<0.001) and leukopenia ( OR=0.656, 95% CI: 0.550~0.783, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for an onset of MDRO infections. The survival rates of recipients in MDRO group at Year 1/3 post-operation were 92.9% (91/98) and 89.8% (88/98). And the survival rate of recipients in non-MDRO group was 96.7% (116/120) at Year 1/3 post-operation. Inter-group difference was not statistically significant in 1-year survival rate of two recipient groups ( P=0.201); statistically significant inter-group difference in 3-year survival rate between two recipient groups ( P=0.041) . Conclusion:Low albumin and leukopenia are risk factors for MDRO infection. Infection with MDRO has some impact on the survival of recipients.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum indoxyl sulfate(IS),Clusterin and coronary artery lesions in patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS)and its predictive value for short-term prognosis.Methods A total of 120 ACS patients who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2021 to October 2022 were selected as the research subjects(ACS group),and another 80 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examinations in our hospital during the same period were selected as the control group.Serum IS and Clusterin levels of patients in the ACS group and control group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ACS patients were divided into a single-vessel disease group(n=43),a double-vessel disease group(n=49)and a multi-vessel disease group(n=28)according to the number of coronary artery lesions,divided into a mild lesion group(n=37),moderate lesion group(n=48)and severe lesion group(n=35)according to the Gensini score,and divided into a good prognosis group(n=85)and a poor prognosis group(n=35)according to the short-term prognosis.The influencing factors for poor short-term prognosis in ACS patients were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression,and the predictive value of serum IS and Clusterin levels for poor short-term prognosis in ACS patients was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The serum IS and Clusterin levels of patients in the ACS group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The serum IS and Clusterin levels of patients in the single-vessel disease group,double-vessel disease group and multi-vessel disease group increased in turn(P＜0.05).The serum IS and Clusterin levels of patients in the mild lesion group,moderate lesion group and severe lesion group increased in turn(P＜0.05).The incidence of poor short-term prognosis in 120 ACS patients was 29.17％(35/120).Univariate analysis showed that,ACS type,Gensini score,KILLIP grade,number of coronary artery lesions,IS,and Clusterin were related to the short-term prognosis in ACS patients(P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that,increased Gensini score,increased IS,increased Clusterin,KILLIP grade≥Ⅲ,and multi-vessel coronary artery disease were independent risk factors for poor short-term prognosis in ACS patients(P＜0.05).The area under the ROC curve(AUC)for predicting poor short-term prognosis in ACS patients based on serum IS level was 0.747(95％confidence interval:0.529-0.946),with sensitivity of 71.43％,specificity of 74.12％,accuracy of 73.33％,and Youden index of 0.455.The AUC for predicting poor short-term prognosis in ACS patients based on serum Clusterin level was 0.693(95％confidence interval:0.439-0.951),with sensitivity of 68.57％,specificity of 70.59％,accuracy of 7.00％,and Youden index of 0.392.The AUC for predicting poor short-term prognosis in ACS patients based on both serum IS and Clusterin levels was 0.825(95％confidence interval:0.687-0.968),with sensitivity of 82.86％,specificity of 83.53％,accuracy of 83.33％,and Youden index of 0.664.Conclusion Increased serum IS and Clusterin levels are associated with aggravation of coronary artery disease and poor short-term prognosis in ACS patients,and a combination of the two has a high predictive value for poor short-term prognosis in ACS patients.

Damage to organelles plays a significant role in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury,which results in the dysfunction of mitochondria and other related organelles.The communication between mitochondria and other organ-elles can also affect the development of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.For instance,the mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane provides a"seamless connection"and regulates the exchange of organelles and metabolites(such as ions,lipids and proteins)between the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum,which subse-quently affects myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.However,there is a lack of studies regarding the interaction be-tween mitochondria and related organelles,which is a critical component in triggering myocardial ischemia/reperfusion inju-ry.Therefore,this article describes the role of mitochondrial crosstalk with endoplasmic reticulum,lysosomes and nuclei in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury,and aims to provide a theoretical basis for targeting mitochondrial crosstalk with other organelles in the treatment of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Objective:To analyze the assessment effect and reliable indicators of multimodal magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)for axillary lymph node metastasis(ALNM)of breast cancer.Methods:A total of 152 female patients with breast cancer who were diagnosed and received surgical treatment in Handan First Hospital from January 2020 to November 2021 were selected.According to the pathological results of postoperative axillary lymph node,45 cases with ALNM were selected as ALNM group,and 107 cases without ALNM were selected as non-ALNM group.Dynamic contrast enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging(DCE-MRI),T2weighted image(T2WI)and diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)were used to determine breast cancer ALNM.Results:The diagnostic sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value and diagnostic consistent rate of multimodal MRI were respectively 82.22%,96.26%,90.24%,92.79%and 92.11%.Logistic regression analysis showed that the maximum tumor size and ADC value were closely correlated with lymph node metastasis.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that the area under curve(AUC)of the maximum tumor diameter was 0.797(95%CI=0.694～0.842,P<0.01),and the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were respectively 77.4%and 60.7%when the optimal cut-off value was 1.96cm.The AUC of ADC value was 0.844(95%CI=0.808-0.915,P<0.01),and the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were respectively 82.1%and 71.2%when the optimal cutoff value was 1.122×10-3mm2/s.The AUC value of the combined diagnosis of maximum tumor diameter and AUC value was 0.952(95%CI:0.904-0.991,P<0.01),and the sensitivity and specificity were respectively 88.6%and 81.4%under the optimal cutoff value.The AUC value of the combined indicators was higher than that of the maximum tumor diameter(Z=3.982,P<0.05)and ADC value(Z=3.014,P<0.05),respectively.Conclusion:Multimodal MRI has a good diagnostic effect on breast cancer ALNM,in which the maximum tumor diameter and AUC value are important reference indicators,and the combination of them can improve the diagnostic efficiency.

AIM: To investigate the mechanism by which Yijing Decoction antagonist high glucose-induced damage to the basement membrane(BM)in an in vitro inner blood-retinal barrier(iBRB)model.METHODS:Rat retinal microvascular pericytes(RMPs)and endothelial cells(ECs)were isolated and cultured to establish an in vitro iBRB model. The cells were randomly divided into four groups: low glucose group(LG), high glucose group(HG), minocycline group(MG)and Yijing Decoction group(YG). The LG group received 25 mmol/L glucose, the HG group received 60 mmol/L glucose, the MG group received 60 mmol/L glucose + 10 μg/mL minocycline, and the YG group received 60 mmol/L glucose + 10% Yijing Decoction-containing serum. Incubation for each group were terminated after intervention for 12 h. Next, the Western blot analysis was performed to assess the protein expression of BM-related proteins, including collagen Ⅳ(CⅣ)and laminin(LN), as well as matrix metalloproteinase(MMPs)/tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases(TIMPs)such as MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2.RESULTS:Compared to the LG group, the protein expressions of CⅣ increased in the HG, MG, and YG groups, as did LN in the HG and MG groups(all P<0.05). Both Yijing Decoction and minocycline effectively inhibited the elevated expression of CⅣ and LN induced by high glucose, and the difference between the YG, MG, and HG groups was statistically significant(all P<0.05). Futhermore, compared to the LG group, the protein expressions of MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9 increased in the HG, MG, and YG groups(all P<0.05). Yijing Decoction specifically attenuated the high glucose-induced increase in MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-9 protein expression, and there were statistically significant differences between the YG and HG group(all P<0.05). No significant difference were observed in the expressions of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 among the LG, HG, MG, and YG groups(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Yijing Decoction can potentially intervene in DR by modulating the protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, CⅣ, and LN, suppressing high glucose-induced BM remodeling, and mitigating damage to iBRB.

Allergic diseases seriously affect people's health,throughout the whole life cycle,from chil-dren to adults and then to the elderly allergy,can be lifelong onset,and need comprehensive prevention and treatment of the whole life cycle.Its occurrence and development have certain rules,it is usually first manifes-ted as atopic dermatitis in infants and young children,and then gradually develops into food allergy,allergic rhinitis(AR),and allergic asthma.Intervention in atopic dermatitis and or reducing the sensitization of food allergens can inhibit the allergic process and reduce the occurrence of AR and allergic asthma.Therefore,inter-vening and blocking the allergic processes is the key to the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.This article focuses on the comprehensive intervention measures of allergic diseases(including health education,al-lergen intervention,nutrition intervention,daily nursing,psychological intervention)and disease monitoring,in order to promote the development of the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.