Rheumatic diseases are chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases that can affect multiple organs and systems. In clinical practice， most patients with rheumatic diseases present with asymptomatic liver function abnormalities during the course of the disease， and the etiology of such diseases may be associated with the rheumatic disease itself， medications， metabolism， viruses， or the presence of other chronic liver diseases. Immune-mediated inflammatory responses play a significant role in liver involvement （including hepatocyte injury， intrahepatic vascular lesions， and hepatic fibrosis） in rheumatic diseases. This article discusses the clinical features and management of liver involvement secondary to rheumatic diseases， in order to enhance the understanding of this condition among specialists in related fields.

Background The high work intensity and possible subsequently increased susceptibility to occupational hazards of calcium carbide plants may lead to hypertension in workers, but there are few studies on the relationship between occupational hazard exposure and hypertension in workers involving the production process of calcium carbide. Objective To explore the influence of occupational hazards on the incidence of hypertension in calcium carbide plants. Methods Using historical cohort design, the employees of a calcium carbide factory in the western part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were selected as research subjects. According to the pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria, the study population comprised an exposure group of 377 employees (including furnace workers, inspection workers, and maintenance workers) exposed to dust, noise & carbon monoxide, and a control group of 388 employees (including central control workers, electricians, and administrative personnel) without above-mentioned exposure. The total sample size was 765 participants. The follow-up period was from April 2011 to October 2022, and the study endpoint was defined as the conclusion of the follow-up period or diagnosed hypertension in annual occupational health examination. Information on general demographic characteristics, living habits, and work status was collected from all study subjects. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the association between occupational hazard exposure and the risk of hypertension among the calcium carbide plant employees. Results The average age, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, proportion of males, smoking rate, and alcohol consumption rate in the exposure group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared to baseline, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels increased in the exposure group and the control group at the end of the follow-up (P<0.05). At the end of the follow-up, the average differences between systolic/ diastolic blood pressure and baseline values in the exposure group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). During the follow-up period, a total of 223 cases of hypertension occurred, with a total follow-up of 2785 person-years, resulting in an incidence density of 8007.18 per 100000 person-years, an average age of onset of (35.90±8.22) years, and an average working age of onset of (2.69±1.97) years. The incidence density in the exposure group was 128.71% higher than that in the control group, and the risk of hypertension in the exposure group was 2.115 times that of the control group. The risk of hypertension was 2.199 times higher for men than for women, 1.344 times higher for those aged 30 and above than for those under 30, 1.546 times higher for smokers than for non-smokers, and 1.750 times higher for drinking workers than for non-drinking ones. The results of Cox proportional hazards regression modeling indicated that the hazard ratio (95%CI) of hypertension among the employees exposed to dust, noise, and carbon monoxide was 2.254 (1.703, 2.982), 1.594 (1.107, 2.295), and 1.567 (1.079, 2.274), respectively, when different covariates (gender, age, smoking, and alcohol consumption) were included. The results of Log-rank test showed that there were statistically significant differences in the distribution of disease-free survival between the exposure group and the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Occupational exposures to dust, noise, and carbon monoxide may increase the risk of hypertension among calcium carbide plant workers.

Background: Intradermal microdroplet injections of botulinum toxin type-A (BoNT/A) effectively ameliorate rosacea-related angiogenesis, but the mechanism remains unclear. Objective: To explore the anti-angiogenesis of BoNT/A in the rosacea-like mouse model and to measure the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by mast cells. Methods: A rosacea-like mouse model was induced by LL37 in both Mas-related G-proteincoupled receptor B2 conditional knockout (MrgprB2 −/− ) mice and wild-type (WT) mice, then treated with BoNT/A and/or Apatinib. The abundance of endothelial cells and mast cells in mouse skin was determined using dual immunofluorescence staining. The VEGF levels in supernatants and cell lysates of laboratory of allergic disease 2 (LAD2) mast cells were assessed using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blots, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of conditioned medium (CM) collected from LAD2 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was determined using tube formation assays. The number of proliferative cells was confirmed using the 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine incorporation assays.The effect of BoNT/A on the internalization of Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) was detected using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining. Results: LL37-induced rosacea-like skin manifestations were significantly alleviated in MrgprB2 −/− mice compared to WT controls. BoNT/A mitigated the LL37-induced secretion of VEGF by LAD2. The CM from BoNT/A-treated LAD2 inhibited HUVEC proliferation and tube formation. The LAD2 cells co-treated with LL37 and BoNT/A exhibited dramatically enhanced MRGPRX2 internalization. Conclusion BoNT/A enhances LL37-mediated MRGPRX2 internalization in mast cells, thereby reducing VEGF secretion and neovascularization and improving facial flushing symptom in rosacea.

Objective:To investigate the flow cytometry cell sorting regimen for M1 macrophages and the association between M1 mac-rophage polarization and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Methods:High-fat diet(HFD)was used to establish a mouse model of NAFLD.Twelve C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group(normal diet)and HFD group using a random num-ber table and were fed for 24 weeks.Metabolic markers including blood glucose and blood lipids were measured;quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the factors associated with M1 macrophages in mice;HE staining was used to observe liver pathology.The Percoll gradient centrifugation method was used to collect liver Kupffer cells,and flow cytometry was used to measure M1 macro-phages in mouse liver(sorting regimen:FSC-A/SSC-A for grouping and removing red blood cells and impurities in the liver;FITC CD45(+)/PE-cy7 CD11clow for grouping leukocytes;APC CD115(+)/Percp cy5.5 CD11bhigh for the screening of monocytes;Apc-cy7 F4/80low/PE Ly-6Chigh for separating M1 macrophages).Results:Com-pared with the control group at week 24,the HFD group had signifi-cant increases in the indicators of body weight[(28.35±1.71)g vs.(38.43±4.41)g,P<0.001),liver weight[(1.03±0.18)g vs.(1.85±0.41)g,P=0.003),fasting blood glucose[(10.23±1.58)mmol/L vs.(7.07±0.58)mmol/L,P＜0.001)],insulin[(18.62±3.84)pg/mL vs.(28.84±8.3)pg/mL,P＜0.001)],triglyceride[(2.97±0.67)mmol/L vs.(4.05±0.99)mmol/L,P=0.01)],cholesterol[(0.23±0.06)mmol/L vs.(0.55±0.17)mmol/L,P<0.001)],alanine aminotransferase[5.67(3.16,9.23)U/L vs.35.86(19.68,58.33)U/L,P=0.003],and aspartate aminotransferase[53.14(38.18,64.40)U/L vs.155.10(113.60,192.20)U/L,P<0.001],and there was a significant increase in M1 macrophage polarization in NAFLD mice[42.00%(26.50,45.50)vs.9.95%(3.1,12),P=0.003].There were significant increases in the mRNA levels of IL-β,IL-6,F4/80,and TNF-α in the liver of mice induced by HFD.Conclusion:The flow cytometry sorting regimen can be used to measure M1 macrophages in the liver.Significant aggravation of inflammatory response is observed in NAFLD,and M1 macrophage polarization is positively correlated with the onset of NAFLD.

Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase(cGAS)is a congenital immune sensor that can recognize cytoplasm abnormal dsDNA.By catalyzing the second messenger cyclic GMP-AMP(cGAMP)formation,it activates stimulator of interferon genes(STING),releases type Ⅰ interferon and inflammatory cytokines,activates the host immune response,and participates in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury(CIRI)cascade reaction.This article reviews the research progress of the mechanism of cGAS-STING signaling pathway participation in CIRI,hoping to provide ideas for its treatment.

Objective:To explore the biological efficacy and molecular mechanism of the new 6449Da active peptide against gastric adenocarcinoma.Methods:Effect 6449Da active peptides on SGC-7901 gastric adenocarcinoma cells line was studied and mRNA and protein expression levels of key factors relating to apoptosis, proliferation and notch signaling pathway was detcted.Results:The 6449Da functional fragment WSGC peptide located on the cell membrane relatively specifically inhibited the growth of gastric adenocarcinoma cells, but had a weak effect on normal gastric mucosal cells [cell doubling time , SGC-7901, 1.2 μmol/ml: (38.22±6.80) h vs. 0 μmol/ml: (25.65±1.82) h, P<0.05; GES-1, 1.2 μmol/ml: (33.37±3.15) h vs. 0 μmol/ml: (29.25±1.26) h, P>0.05].After treatment of SGC-7901 cells by IC80 (48 h),the cell apoptosis rate was higher than that in the control group (IC80: 0.421±0.036 vs. control group: 0.028±0.004, P<0.001), while the cell proliferation coefficient,number of transmembrane invasive cells and relative migration rate were all lower than those of the control group (all P<0.01).Compared with the control group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3 were higher than those in the control group(all P<0.01).Compared with the control group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Ki67, PCNA, NOTCH1,Jagged 1, MAML3, CSL and HES1 were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.01).After treatment with WSGC bioactive peptides, tumor weight was significantly lower than that of the control group [40 nmol/g: (0.463±0.031) g, 80 nmol/g: (0.340±0.040) g vs. control group: (1.667±0.373) g, all P<0.01]. Conclusion:6449Da functional fragment WSGC active peptide relatively specifically interferes with the growth of gastric adenocarcinoma cells by inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway, and has the biological effects of promoting apoptosis,inhibiting proliferation, transmembrane invasion and migration.

Objective:To compare the short- and long-term outcomes of robotic versus laparoscopic gastrectomy in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:Data from 321 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by robotic ( n=109) and laparoscopic ( n=212) radical gastrectomy at our center between May 2017 and Sep 2022 was collected. After 1∶1 propensity score matching, 106 patients from each group were included in the final analysis to compare short-term clinical outcomes and long-term prognostic indicators. Results:The robotic group had a significantly lower overall complication rate (13.2% vs. 28.3%, χ2=6.453, P=0.007) and surgery-related complication rate (8.5% vs. 17.9%, χ2=3.333, P=0.043) than the laparoscopic group. The robotic group also retrieved more total lymph nodes (35.3±4.9 vs. 31.4±6.3, t=4.863, P<0.001) and supra-pancreatic lymph nodes (13.1±3.4 vs. 10.1±2.1, t=5.258, P<0.001). Additionally, the robotic group had a shorter operative time [(218±47) min vs. (267±71) min, t=-6.001, P<0.001], less intraoperative blood loss [(47±12) ml vs. (71±17) ml, t=-5.424, P<0.001], and faster postoperative recovery. The 3-year recurrence-free survival rate was significantly higher in the robotic group compared to the laparoscopic group (75.5% vs. 62.3%, P=0.017). Conclusion:Compared with laparoscopic gastrectomy, robotic gastrectomy allows for a more lymph nodes harvest, significantly reduces intraoperative blood loss and complication rates and significantly improves recurrence-free survival.

Objective To identify biomarkers that characterize its bitter-cold properties of Scutellaria Radix on the basis of evaluating its cold and hot properties,as well as possible metabolic pathways and related targets;To explore its molecular mechanism.Methods Totally 40 mice were randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group,and were orally administered with normal saline and Scutellaria Radix decoction,respectively,for 4 consecutive days.The cold and hot plate differential method was used to evaluate the cold and hot tendencies of the mice;UPLC-MS/MS technology was used to analyze mouse blood samples,differential metabolites were screened using principal component analysis,partial least squares discriminant analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis methods,and metabolic pathway analysis was performed;network modular analysis of differential metabolites was performed using Cytoscape 3.9.0 software to identify potential molecular targets.Results On the second day of administration,the anal temperature of mice in the treatment group decreased significantly compared to the control group(P<0.01);in the cold and hot tendency test,the mice in the treatment group showed an overall increase in high-temperature tendency and a higher proportion of high-temperature zone retention.There was a statistically significant difference(P<0.01,P<0.05)between the treatment group and the control group on the 2nd and 3rd day of treatment;the pattern recognition analysis of serum metabolome data showed that the serum samples of the treatment group and the control group could be completely separated,and a total of 14 differential metabolites were screened out;metabolic pathway analysis identified 16 related pathways,including unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis,linoleic acid metabolism,citric acid cycle(TCA cycle),arachidonic acid metabolism,glycine,serine and threonine metabolism,steroid hormone biosynthesis,etc.;a total of 16 modules were obtained through network modular analysis,among which the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway and linoleic acid metabolism pathway modules were larger;the nodal degree values of arachidonic acid and linoleic acid were greater than the mean,involving arachidonic acid metabolism and linoleic acid metabolism pathways;by screening 26 genes associated with the cytochrome P450 enzyme system were obtained.Conclusion Scutellaria Radix may regulate the body's energy metabolism,achieve its biological effects,and characterize its medicinal properties by intervening in metabolic pathways such as arachidonic acid and linoleic acid.

Objective:To analyze the learning curve of TiRobot-assisted lumbar pedicle screw fixation (LPSF) by cumulative sum (CUSUM) test method.Methods:The clinical data of 50 patients who underwent TiRobot-assisted LPSF from January 2020 to December 2022 in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. CUSUM analysis and learning curve fitting were performed with robot usage time as the main indicator with the time for each step refined (robot registration time, path planning time and guide wire placement time), to select the best learning curve fitting model with the R2 value closest to 1. Using the turning point of the learning curve as the boundary, the learning curve was divided into two stages as learning stage and maturity stage, and then the observation indexes were compared between the two stages. Results:All 50 patients successfully completed the surgery without perioperative complications, with a total of 244 pedicle screws implanted. The total robot usage time and robot registration time showed a gradually decreasing trend with the increase of case number, and the learning curves were successfully fitted and reached their peaks at the seventeenth and thirteenth cases respectively. The entire learning process was divided into learning stage (17 cases) and maturity stage (33 cases) based on the turning point of the learning curve of total robot usage time. The path planning time and guide wire placement time did not show significant changes with the increase in the case number. The total robot usage time, robot registration time and the intraoperative blood loss in the learning stage were significantly higher than those in the maturity stage: (35.35 ± 1.58) min vs. (30.61 ± 0.43) min, (20.83 ± 1.56) min vs. (14.94 ± 0.29) min and 400 (150, 500) ml vs. 200 (110, 300) ml, the guide wire placement time of per screw was significantly lower than that in the maturity stage: 2.00 (1.83, 2.34) min/screw vs. 2.33 (2.13, 2.69) min/screw, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05 or <0.01). There were no statistical difference in the path planning time, path planning time of per screw, guide wire placement time and the accuracy of screw placement between two stages ( P>0.05). Conclusions:TiRobot-assisted LPSF is a new technology with safety and effectiveness, and it has a relatively short learning curve. To achieve technological maturity, at least 17 surgeries are required with accumulated experience, and the robot registration is the main step of the learning process. After reaching maturity stage, the robot usage time is significantly shortened and intraoperative trauma is significantly reduced while the relatively high screw placement accuracy is ensured.

Severe open tibiofibular fractures account for approximately 28.1% of all open fractures. Among them, Gustilo-Anderson type IIIB/C fractures present significant clinical challenges due to associated bone and soft tissue defects, high infection rates, and risk of amputation. Inadequate preoperative assessment may lead to suboptimal emergency surgical planning or intraoperative complications. Historically, external fixation was often preferred, but this approach has been associated with limitations such as restricted joint mobility, delayed bone union, joint stiffness, and disuse osteoporosis, resulting in poor functional recovery. With advancements of debridement techniques, standardization of antibiotic use, and popularization of early soft tissue coverage, early internal fixation has gained broader acceptance. Nevertheless, controversies persist regarding the choice of fixation method, timing of definitive fixation, use of reamed versus unreamed intramedullary nailing, and necessity of fibular fixation. To standardize the diagnosis and early management of severe open tibiofibular fractures, reduce complication rates, and improve functional recovery, the Society of Microsurgery of the Chinese Medical Association organized a panel of domestic experts to develop the Evidence-based guideline for the diagnosis and early fixation of severe open tibiofibular fractures ( version 2025), using evidence-based methodology. The guidelines provided 12 recommendations covering diagnostic and early fixation strategies of severe open tibiofibular fractures, aiming to provide clinicians with scientifically grounded and standardized guidance.