Rheumatoid arthritis （RA） is a common chronic systemic autoimmune disease with synovitis as the main manifestation， which often causes joint swelling and pain or even deformity. It is considered to be an incurable lifelong disease. Although the current Western medicine treatment can alleviate the progression of the disease， it has the clinical limitations of liver injury， cardiovascular complications， and other adverse reactions， along with easy recurrence. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has a long history and has the advantages of individualized treatment and fewer adverse reactions. It can effectively relieve the symptoms of joint swelling and pain in RA patients and slow down the progression of bone destruction， which has attracted wide concern in the medical community. Janus kinase （JAK）/signal transducer and activator of transcription （STAT） signaling pathway is an important intracellular pathway involved in cell proliferation， differentiation， apoptosis， immune regulation， and other biological behaviors， and plays an important role in the pathophysiological process of RA. In recent years， many studies have confirmed that TCM monomers and compounds can inhibit inflammation and angiogenesis by regulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway， induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes （FLS）， regulate immune response， and thus exert an effect in the treatment of RA. However， there is still a lack of comprehensive and systematic induction and overview. Therefore， by searching the relevant literature in China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI） and PubMed databases from 2009 to 2024， this study described the mechanism of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in the occurrence and development of RA and summarized the research progress of TCM monomers and compounds in regulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in RA intervention. The study aims to provide new ideas and strategies for the clinical treatment of RA with TCM and the research and development of new drugs.

Objective To investigate the clinical features and key diagnostic points of aceruloplasminemia （ACP）， as well as the features of a novel pathogenic mutation. Methods A systematic analysis was performed for the clinical data of one patient with a confirmed diagnosis of ACP， and a literature review was performed based on related articles in China and globally. Results Based on the clinical features of this patient and the analysis of the family， it was clarified that the homozygous c.1944C>G （p.Ser648Arg） mutation in the Ceruloplasmin （CP） gene could cause ACP and was reported for the first time worldwide. Conclusion ACP is an extremely rare autosomal recessive disease due to abnormal iron metabolism caused by a significant reduction in ceruloplasmin， with the main clinical manifestations of retinopathy， diabetes， ataxia， and cognitive impairment， and genetic testing of the CPgene has a relatively high diagnostic value.
Ceruloplasmin

Objective: Scutellarin in Shuganning injection has potential allergenicity and is prone to causing anaphylactoid reactions. There is an urgent need to establish a simple and rapid chromatographic quantitative method to achieve the limit control of scutellarin in Shuganning injection.
Methods: For scutellarin, HPLC method was used in the quantitative analysis using a Shim-pack GIS C₁₈ (2.1 mm×150 mm, 5 μm) column. The mobile phase was a blend of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in water and acetonitrile, and gradient elution progress was applied for the whole process. The flow rate was 0.3 mL·min^-1 and the column temperature was maintained at 37 ℃. The detecting wavelength was 320 nm.
Results: The linear regression equation was y=51 456x-27 352, the correlation coefficient r=0.999 8, namely the calibration curve was linear in the range of 1.02-102.00 μg·mL^-1; the average recovery was 103.76%; the detection and quantification limit for determining scutellarin was 0.16 μg·mL^-1 and 0.57 μg·mL^-1, respectively; the injection sample was stable at room temperature for 48 h.
Conclusion: This method is easy to operate, reproducible and has high accuracy, thus can be used for quality control of Shuganning injection.

Objective To measure the urethral meatus circumference in middle-aged and elderly males to undergo surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and to collect data for developing endoscopic equipment suitable for the male urethra in China. Methods Clinical data were collected from patients (aged ≥50 years) who underwent transurethral resection of prostate in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University during Jan. and Dec. 2024. All patients had the urethral meatus circumference measured with a metal urethral probe before surgery, followed by the use of a F26.5 endoscopic sheath for surgery. The passage of urethral meatus using different types of metal urethral probes were observed. Results For the 183 patients, the types of endoscopic sheath smoothly passing through the urethral meatus were distributed as follows:42 cases (22.95%) with F26 or above, 66 cases (36.07%) with F25-26, 27 cases (14.75%) with F23-24, 26 cases (14.21%) with F21-22, 22 cases (12.02%) with F20 or below, and the smallest was F17 (1 case). Of all patients, 59.02% (108/183) were able to insert the F26.5 endoscopic sheath smoothly into the urethral meatus (≥F25), 28.96% (53/183) required force or urethral dilation before inserting (F21-F24), and 12.02% (22/183) needed to open the urethral meatus before inserting the endoscopic sheath (≤F20). Conclusion When the most common F26.5 endoscopic sheath is used, 40.98% of the patients have the possibility of urethral injury, which is significantly too big for male transurethral surgery. For patients undergoing transurethral BPH surgery, a thinner sheath should be used to reduce the possibility of urethral injury and secondary iatrogenic urethral stricture.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of astragaloside Ⅳ（AS-Ⅳ） on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells（VSMCs） induced by angiotensin Ⅱ（Ang Ⅱ） based on solute carrier family 7 member 11/glutathione peroxidase 4（SLC7A11/GPX4） pathway. MethodsPrimary rat thoracic aortic VSMCs were cultured by tissue explant method， and the cell types were identified by immunofluorescence. Cell counting kit-8（CCK-8） was used to determine the optimal concentration and time of AS-Ⅳ after Ang Ⅱ stimulation. The experiment was divided into blank group， model group， AS-Ⅳ group（40 μmol·L^-1）， Erastin group（0.5 μmol·L^-1）， Erastin+AS-Ⅳ group（0.5 μmol·L^-1+40 μmol·L^-1）. The blank group was cultured in normal medium， the model group was cultured in medium containing Ang Ⅱ（0.1 μmol·L^-1）， and each administration group was cultured in medium containing Ang Ⅱ（0.1 μmol·L^-1） and the corresponding doses of drug. CCK-8 and plate clone formation assay were used to detect the proliferation of cells in each group， Prussian blue staining was used to detect cell iron deposition， the content of reactive oxygen species（ROS） in cells was detected by fluorescence probe method， the content of malondialdehyde（MDA） was detected by thiobarbituric acid（TBA） method， and the protein levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 in each group were detected by Western blot. ResultsPrimary rat thoracic aortic VSMCs were successfully cultured by tissue explant method， and immunofluorescence detection showed that positive expression of α-smooth muscle actin（α-SMA） and negative expression of vimentin in the cells， identifying them as VSMCs. The optimal concentration and time of AS-Ⅳ determined by CCK-8 were 40 μmol·L^-1 and 24 h， respectively. Pharmacodynamic studies showed that compared with the blank group， the cell proliferation in the model group increased， the iron deposition in the cells increased， the contents of ROS and MDA increased， and the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins decreased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the cell proliferation of the AS-Ⅳ group was inhibited， the iron deposition in the cells was decreased， the contents of ROS and MDA were decreased， and the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins were increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. While in the Erastin group， the cell proliferation was increased， the iron deposition was increased， ROS and MDA contents were increased， and the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins were decreased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the AS-Ⅳ group， Erastin+AS-Ⅳ group showed increased cell proliferation， increased iron deposition in cells， increased ROS and MDA contents， and decreased expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins（P<0.05）. Compared with the Erastin group， the cell proliferation in Erastin+AS-Ⅳ group was inhibited， the iron deposition was decreased， the contents of ROS and MDA were decreased， and the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins were increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionAS-Ⅳ can inhibit ferroptosis by regulating the SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway， so as to weaken the proliferation of VSMCs， thus playing a role in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) on the occurrence, development of psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and the relative immune mechanisms. MethodsHealthy C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Control), psoriasis model group (IMQ), and HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966-treated psoriasis model group (IMQ+RGFP966). One day prior to the experiment, the back hair of the mice was shaved. After a one-day stabilization period, the mice in Control group was treated with an equal amount of vaseline, while the mice in IMQ group was treated with imiquimod (62.5 mg/d) applied topically on the back to establish a psoriasis-like inflammation model. The mice in IMQ+RGFP966 group received intervention with a high dose of the HDAC3-selective inhibitor RGFP966 (30 mg/kg) based on the psoriasis-like model. All groups were treated continuously for 5 d, during which psoriasis-like inflammation symptoms (scaling, erythema, skin thickness), body weight, and mental status were observed and recorded, with photographs taken for documentation. After euthanasia, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the effect of RGFP966 on the skin tissue structure of the mice, and skin thickness was measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HDAC3 in skin tissues were detected using reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB), respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze neutrophils in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, CD4⁺ T lymphocytes, CD8⁺ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood, and IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood CD4⁺ T lymphocytes. Additionally, spleen CD4⁺ T lymphocyte expression of HDAC3, CCR6, CCR8, and IL-17A secretion levels were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression levels of HDAC3, IL-17A, and IL-10 in skin tissues. ResultsCompared with the Control group, the IMQ group exhibited significant psoriasis-like inflammation, characterized by erythema, scaling, and skin wrinkling. Compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 exacerbated psoriasis-like inflammatory symptoms, leading to increased hyperkeratosis. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) skin symptom scores were higher in the IMQ group than those in the Control group, and the scores were further elevated in the IMQ+RGFP966 group compared to the IMQ group. Skin thickness measurements showed a trend of IMQ+RGFP966>IMQ>Control. The numbers of neutrophils in the blood and lymph nodes increased sequentially in the Control, IMQ, and IMQ+RGFP966 groups, with a similar trend observed for CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes in the blood. In skin tissues, compared with the Control group, the mRNA and protein levels of HDAC3 decreased in the IMQ group, but RGFP966 did not further reduce these expressions. HDAC3 was primarily located in the nucleus. Compared with the Control group, the nuclear HDAC3 content decreased in the skin tissues of the IMQ group, and RGFP966 further reduced nuclear HDAC3. Compared with the Control and IMQ groups, RGFP966 treatment decreased HDAC3 expression in splenic CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. RGFP966 treatment increased the expression of CCR6 and CCR8 in splenic CD4⁺ T cells and enhanced IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood and splenic CD4⁺ T lymphocytes. Additionally, compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 reduced IL-10 protein levels and upregulated IL-17A expression in skin tissues. ConclusionRGFP966 exacerbates psoriatic-like inflammatory responses by inhibiting HDAC3, increasing the secretion of the cytokine IL-17A, and upregulating the expression of chemokines CCR8 and CCR6.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of kidney-tonifying and liver-regulating cyclical therapy and its formula in regulating endometrial receptivity during the "implantation window" in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS）. MethodsSix rats were randomly selected from 36 SPF SD female rats as the normal group， and the remaining rats were administered letrozole to induce a PCOS model. By using a random number method， the rats were divided into the following groups： normal group， model group， Xiaoyaosan group （11.97 g·kg^-1）， Sanzi Yangmo decoction group （28.35 g·kg^-1）， cyclical therapy group （11.97/28.35 g·kg^-1）， and aspirin group （8 × 10^-3 mg·kg^-1）. After 12 days of continuous administration by gavage （equivalent to three estrous cycles）， female and male rats were co-housed. On the fifth day of pregnancy， the number of blastocyst implantation in each group was counted. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of rat endometrial tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure the levels of estradiol （E₂） and progesterone （P） in rat serum. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， progesterone receptor （PR）， estrogen receptor （ER）， androgen receptor （AR）， and integrin（ITG） αvβ3 in rat endometrial blood vessels. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of miR-140-5 P， VEGF， vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 （VEGFR2）， PR， ER， AR， and ITGαvβ3 in rat endometrium. ResultsCompared with normal group， the estrous cycle of the rats in model group continued to be in the estrus interval and the estrous cycle lost regular changes. The endometrium was significantly thinner， the number of uterine glands and blood vessels were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the pregnancy rate was significantly reduced. Compared with the model group， each drug group restored the regular estrous cycle to varying degrees， and the endometrial thickness and the number of blood vessels were significantly improved （P<0.01）. The pregnancy rate of each drug group increased， and the effect of the cycle therapy group could reach the normal level. The results of molecular biology experiments showed that compared with the normal group， the levels of serum E₂ and P in the model group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， the expression of VEGF， ER， PR and ITGαvβ3 protein was significantly decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， the expression of AR protein was significantly increased （P<0.01）， the expression of miR-140-5P and AR mRNA was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression of VEGF， VEGFR2， ER， PR and ITGαvβ3 mRNA was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the serum E₂ level in the Xiaoyaosan group was significantly increased （P<0.01）.The levels of E₂ and P in serum of rats in Sanzi Yangmo decoction group， cycle therapy group and aspirin group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The expression of AR protein in each drug group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The expression of VEGF and ITGαvβ3 protein in Xiaoyaosan group was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The expression of VEGF， ER and PR protein in Sanzi Yangmo decoction group was increased to varying degrees （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The expression of VEGF， PR， ER and ITGαvβ3 protein in the cycle therapy group and the aspirin group increased to varying degrees （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The expression of miR-140-5P and AR mRNA in each drug group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The expression of VEGF， VEGFR2， ER， PR and ITGαvβ3 mRNA in each drug group increased to varying degrees （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with Xiaoyaosan group and Sanzi Yangmo decoction group， the expression of miR-140-5P， VEGFR2， ER， PR， AR and ITGαvβ3 mRNA in the cycle therapy group were significantly different （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionThe kidney-tonifying and liver-regulating cyclical therapy may reduce the activity of miR-140-5P， target the upregulation of VEGF expression， mediate angiogenesis， and promote endometrial angiogenesis， thereby playing a synergistic role in improving endometrial receptivity in PCOS-induced infertility. Its efficacy in increasing pregnancy rates surpasses that of Xiaoyaosan or Sanzi Yangmo decoction used alone.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of kidney-tonifying and liver-regulating cyclical therapy and its formula in regulating endometrial receptivity during the "implantation window" in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS）. MethodsSix rats were randomly selected from 36 SPF SD female rats as the normal group， and the remaining rats were administered letrozole to induce a PCOS model. By using a random number method， the rats were divided into the following groups： normal group， model group， Xiaoyaosan group （11.97 g·kg^-1）， Sanzi Yangmo decoction group （28.35 g·kg^-1）， cyclical therapy group （11.97/28.35 g·kg^-1）， and aspirin group （8 × 10^-3 mg·kg^-1）. After 12 days of continuous administration by gavage （equivalent to three estrous cycles）， female and male rats were co-housed. On the fifth day of pregnancy， the number of blastocyst implantation in each group was counted. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of rat endometrial tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure the levels of estradiol （E₂） and progesterone （P） in rat serum. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， progesterone receptor （PR）， estrogen receptor （ER）， androgen receptor （AR）， and integrin（ITG） αvβ3 in rat endometrial blood vessels. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of miR-140-5 P， VEGF， vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 （VEGFR2）， PR， ER， AR， and ITGαvβ3 in rat endometrium. ResultsCompared with normal group， the estrous cycle of the rats in model group continued to be in the estrus interval and the estrous cycle lost regular changes. The endometrium was significantly thinner， the number of uterine glands and blood vessels were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the pregnancy rate was significantly reduced. Compared with the model group， each drug group restored the regular estrous cycle to varying degrees， and the endometrial thickness and the number of blood vessels were significantly improved （P<0.01）. The pregnancy rate of each drug group increased， and the effect of the cycle therapy group could reach the normal level. The results of molecular biology experiments showed that compared with the normal group， the levels of serum E₂ and P in the model group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， the expression of VEGF， ER， PR and ITGαvβ3 protein was significantly decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， the expression of AR protein was significantly increased （P<0.01）， the expression of miR-140-5P and AR mRNA was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression of VEGF， VEGFR2， ER， PR and ITGαvβ3 mRNA was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the serum E₂ level in the Xiaoyaosan group was significantly increased （P<0.01）.The levels of E₂ and P in serum of rats in Sanzi Yangmo decoction group， cycle therapy group and aspirin group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The expression of AR protein in each drug group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The expression of VEGF and ITGαvβ3 protein in Xiaoyaosan group was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The expression of VEGF， ER and PR protein in Sanzi Yangmo decoction group was increased to varying degrees （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The expression of VEGF， PR， ER and ITGαvβ3 protein in the cycle therapy group and the aspirin group increased to varying degrees （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The expression of miR-140-5P and AR mRNA in each drug group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The expression of VEGF， VEGFR2， ER， PR and ITGαvβ3 mRNA in each drug group increased to varying degrees （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with Xiaoyaosan group and Sanzi Yangmo decoction group， the expression of miR-140-5P， VEGFR2， ER， PR， AR and ITGαvβ3 mRNA in the cycle therapy group were significantly different （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionThe kidney-tonifying and liver-regulating cyclical therapy may reduce the activity of miR-140-5P， target the upregulation of VEGF expression， mediate angiogenesis， and promote endometrial angiogenesis， thereby playing a synergistic role in improving endometrial receptivity in PCOS-induced infertility. Its efficacy in increasing pregnancy rates surpasses that of Xiaoyaosan or Sanzi Yangmo decoction used alone.

BACKGROUND:The regulation of M1/M2 polarization direction of macrophages is particularly critical in tissue engineering applications,and timely regulation can minimize proinflammatory,anti-inflammatory,or tissue healing responses. OBJECTIVE:To implant lentivirus-mediated miRNA-378a macrophage strain complex collagen to detect the expression level of immune regulation in the in vivo environment,and further clarify the influence of miRNA-378a in promoting macrophage M2 polarization in immune regulation and tissue repair in the in vivo environment. METHODS:Lentivirus-mediated miRNA-378a overexpressing macrophage cell lines and negative control virus macrophage lines were amplified and screened,and the macrophage lines were recovered and cultured together with collagen sponge to form a composite scaffold,which was divided into the following groups:(1)Positive group:miRNA-378a overexpressing macrophage-collagen sponge composite;(2)negative group:negative control of virus-mediated miRNA-378a macrophage-collagen sponge composite;(3)control group:macrophage-collagen sponge;(4)blank control group:collagen sponge.The cell density,phenotype,and adhesion of each group were observed by immunofluorescence and scanning electron microscopy.The cells were implanted into the subcutaneous model of the back of mice,and the mice were sacrificed 4 and 7 days after modeling.The direction of macrophage polarization in the collagen sponge composite of macrophages with miRNA-378a overexpression mediated by lentivirus and its effect on immune regulation and tissue repair were analyzed by gross observation,hematoxylin-eosin staining,MASSON staining,and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Under immunofluorescence microscopy,the macrophage cell lines in each group were observed to form a composite scaffold with the collagen sponge.(2)Under scanning electron microscope,lentivirus-mediated miRNA-378a macrophages in the positive group proliferated in cell density,had spherical,elliptic and polygonal differentiation,and had more pseudofeet than other groups.(3)Under general observation,the overall 7-day healing was better than that at 4 days.Lentivirus-mediated miRNA-378a macrophages in the positive group healed better than other groups regardless of 4 and 7 days.(4)Lentivirus-mediated miRNA-378a macrophages in the positive group under hematoxylin-eosin staining and MASSON staining had more amounts of fibrocytes,capillaries,fibroblasts,and collagen fiber hyperplasia.(5)Immunohistochemistry showed that lentivirus-mediated miRNA-378a macrophages in the positive group were more positive in 4-and 7-day M2 polarized cells than in other groups.The macrophages of the control and negative groups in 4-and 7-day M2 polarized cells were greater than that of the blank control group.There was no statistical difference between the control group and the negative group.The number of stained cells in the positive,negative,and control groups regardless of 4 and 7 days was higher than that in the blank control group,and the positive group>negative group ≈ control group>blank control group.(6)It is concluded that macrophages with miRNA-378a overexpression have a large amount of fibroblasts,capillaries,fibroblasts,and collagen fiber hyperplasia in vivo,which has a positive effect on tissue repair,and can promote the polarization of macrophages towards M2 type and inhibit the polarization of M1 type,thus contributing to reducing the inflammatory response of the body.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.