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.

Addressing the enduring challenge of evaluating traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), the integrated evidence chain-based effectiveness evaluation of TCMs (Eff-iEC) has emerged. This paper explored its capacity through a demonstration study that evaluated the effectiveness evidence of six commonly used anti-hepatic fibrosis Chinese patent medicines (CPMs), including Biejiajian Pill (BP), Dahuang Zhechong Pill (DZP), Biejia Ruangan Compound (BRC), Fuzheng Huayu Capsule (FHC), Anluo Huaxian Pill (AHP), and Heluo Shugan Capsule (HSC), using both Eff-iEC and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. The recognition of these CPMs within the TCM academic community was also assessed through their inclusion in relevant medical documents. Results showed that the evidence of BRC and FHC received higher assessments in both Eff-iEC and GRADE system, while the assessments for others varied. Analysis of community recognition revealed that Eff-iEC more accurately reflects the clinical value of these CPMs, exhibiting superior evaluative capabilities. By breaking through the conventional pattern of TCMs effectiveness evaluation, Eff-iEC offers a novel epistemology that better aligns with the clinical realities and reasoning of TCMs, providing a coherent methodology for clinical decision-making, new drug evaluations, and health policy formulation.

The liver performs multiple life-sustaining functions. Hepatic diseases, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatoma, pose significant health and economic burdens globally. Along with the advances in nanotechnology, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) exhibiting diversiform size and shape, distinct morphological properties, and favorable physico-chemical features have become an ideal choice for drug delivery systems and inspire alternative thinking for the management of hepatic diseases. Initially, we introduce the physiological structure of the liver and highlight its intrinsic cell types and correlative functions. Next, we detail the synthesis methods and physicochemical properties of MSNs and their capacity for controlled drug loading and release. Particularly, we discuss the interactions between liver and MSNs with respect to the passive targeting mechanisms of MSNs within the liver by adjusting their particle size, pore diameter, surface charge, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, and surface functionalization. Subsequently, we emphasize the role of MSNs in regulating liver pathophysiology, exploring their value in addressing liver pathological states, such as tumors and inflammation, combined with multi-functional designs and intelligent modes to enhance drug targeting and minimize side effects. Lastly, we put forward the problems, challenges, opportunities, as well as clinical translational issues faced by MSNs in the management of liver diseases.

Objective:To evaluate the association between heatwaves and fall-related mortality.Methods:A total of 61 421 fall-related mortality from 2013 to 2022 in 7 provinces of China were included in a time-stratified case-crossover design, with daily meteorological data derived from the fifth generation European Reanalysis dataset produced by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. Conditional logistic regression chimeric distributed lag nonlinear model was used to analyze the association between heatwaves and fall-related mortality and stratified analysis was conducted according to gender and age.Results:Heatwaves were associated with an increased risk of fall-related morality. The risk of fall-related mortality during heatwaves was higher than during non-heatwave periods ( OR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.05-1.18). The attributable fraction of fall-related motality due to heatwaves was 10.25% (95% CI: 4.49%-15.36%). For each 1 ℃ increase above the heatwave threshold, the risk of fall-related mortality increased by 34% ( OR=1.34, 95% CI: 1.02-1.76). The effect of heatwave duration on fall-related mortality was not statistically significant. Stratified analyses indicated that women experienced a higher risk of fall-related mortality during heatwaves ( OR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.04-1.22) compared to man ( OR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.04-1.17). Conclusions:Heatwave increases the risk of fall-related mortality, and the intensity of heatwaves modify this risk. Women are vulnerable populations.

Objective:To investigate the effects of oral propranolol on the heart rate and blood glucose levels in children with hemangiomas receiving hospital care.Methods:A total of 259 children [77 males and 182 females, aged (125.2±85.4) days, weighted (6.3±1.6) kg], who were treated with oral propranolol for the first time under hospital care from January 2013 to August 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. After fasting, the patients administered the same dose of propranolol once daily (0.5-2.5 mg/kg). Fasting blood glucose and heart rate were measured in all children before propranolol administration and after 2 h. Heart rate was measured at 1, 3 and 6 h after propranolol administration for three consecutive days. Adverse reactions were observed and recorded.Results:Within three days of oral propranolol administration, the heart rates at 1, 3 and 6 h after propranolol administration were lower than those before propranolol administration (all P<0.001). Within three days after taking propranolol and 2 h after taking propranolol daily, blood glucose levels reduced in all children (all P<0.001). During the hospitalization period, the incidence of adverse reactions was 5.4% (14/259), including lesion ulcers in four cases, upper respiratory tract infection with fever in four, reduced eating in two, nausea and vomiting in one, lethargy in one, sinus tachycardia in one, and hyperkalemia in one. No serious adverse reactions were life-threatening. Conclusion:After oral administration of propranolol, the heart rate and blood sugar of the children decrease to different degrees compared with those before propranolol administration.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab （RTX） in the treatment of primary Sjögren syndrome （pSS）. METHODS Randomized controlled trials （RCTs） on the effects of RTX （trial group） versus placebo （control group） in the treatment of pSS were searched from the Cochran Library， PubMed， Embase， Medline， Web of Science， VIP， CNKI， Wanfang， and other databases during the inception to February 2024. After literature screening and quality evaluation， meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS Seven RCTs were finally included， involving a total of 518 patients. Results of meta-analysis showed that European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren syndrome disease activity index （ESSDAI） score [MD＝－1.17， 95%CI（－1.52， －0.82）， P＜0.000 01] and oral dryness visual analogue scale （VAS） score [MD＝－3.97， 95%CI （－5.08， －2.86）， P＜0.000 01] in the trial group were significantly lower than the control group； unstimulated salivary flow rate [SMD＝0.64， 95%CI（0.41， 0.87）， P＜0.000 01] and Schirmer score [MD＝0.19， 95%CI（0.18， 0.20）， P＜0.000 01] were significantly higher than the control group. There was no statistical significance in response rate [RD＝0.10， 95%CI（－0.04， 0.23）， P＝0.16]， fatigue VAS score [MD＝－12.50， 95%CI（－35.14， 10.15）， P＝0.28]， European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren syndrome patient reported index （ESSPRI） score [MD＝0.33， 95%CI（－0.53， 1.18）， P＝0.46]， Short-form 36 health survey physical component summary （SF36-PCS） score [MD＝0.90， 95%CI（－2.97， 4.78）， P＝0.65]， SF-36 mental component summary （SF36-MCS） score [MD＝0.11， 95%CI（－0.41， 0.63）， P＝0.68]， total salivary gland ultrasound score [SMD＝－1.91， 95%CI（－4.01， 0.19）， P＝0.07] or the incidence of adverse drug reactions [OR＝1.15，95%CI（0.62，2.13），P＝0.66] between 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS RTX has advantages in the improvement of ESSDAI score， unstimulated salivary flow rate， Schirmer score and oral dryness VAS score in pSS patients， and has a good safety profile. However， it did not exhibit significant improvement in fatigue VAS score， ESSPRI score， SF36-PCS score， SF36-MCS score or response rates.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Fuzheng Huaji Formula （扶正化积方） for chronic hepatitis B to reduce the incidence of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted， collecting medical records of 118 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 234 patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis who visited the hospital between January 1， 2014， and December 31， 2018. The use of Fuzheng Huaji Formula was designated as the exposure factor. Patients receiving antiviral treatment for hepatitis B without concurrent Fuzheng Huaji Formula therapy were included in the western medicine group， while those receiving antiviral treatment combined with Fuzheng Huaji Formula for a cumulative treatment lasting longer than 3 months were included in the combined treatment group. The follow-up observation period was five years. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess the cumulative incidence of cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B and the cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were employed to examine the factors influencing the occurrence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. ResultsAmong patients with chronic hepatitis B， there were 55 cases in the combined treatment group and 63 cases in the western medicine group； among patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis， there were 110 cases in the combined treatment group and 124 cases in the western medicine group. Five-year follow-up outcomes for chronic hepatitis B patients showed that the cumulative incidence of cirrhosis was 5.45% （3/55） in the combined treatment group and 17.46% （11/63） in the western medicine group， with a statistically significant difference between groups （Z = 2.003， P = 0.045）. Five-year follow-up outcomes for hepatitis B-related cirrhosis patients showed that the cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma was 8.18% （9/110） in the combined treatment group and 22.58% （28/124） in the western medicine group， also showing a statistically significant difference （Z = 3.007， P = 0.003）. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that treatment with Fuzheng Huaji Formula is an independent protective factor in preventing the progression of chronic hepatitis B to cirrhosis and the progression of hepatitis B-related cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma （P＜0.05）. ConclusionCombining Fuzheng Huaji Formula with antiviral therapy for hepatitis B can effectively intervene in the disease progression of chronic hepatitis B， reducing the incidence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Executive function(EF) is an advanced cognitive function of the central nervous system, and is closely related to an individual's capacity for daily living and adaptation. Patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) typically exhibit significant executive dysfunction. While most existing studies on the executive function of individuals with ADHD are cross-sectional, and little is known about the longitudinal maturation process of related brain structures and functional connectivity patterns. The findings indicate that ADHD patients exhibit differential developmental trajectories in brain structural and functional connectivity compared with typically developing group.Furthermore, there is a lifespan association between abnormal brain network development and ADHD symptoms. This article aims to elucidate the characteristics of executive function deficits in ADHD patients across different developmental stages, examining their relationship with the nervous system’s development from a development perspective.

Objective::To report a fetus with ARCN1-related syndrome caused by a novel de novo heterozygous variant, highlighting the importance of early genetic diagnosis in prenatal care. Methods::The clinical and genetic data of a fetus with a complex combination of clinical signs and a novel de novo heterozygous variant were collected and have been summarized in this study. The potential pathogenic variant was identified throughout the whole exome sequencing and the effects of candidate variants were further validated by a minigene splicing assay. Results::Prenatal systematic ultrasound detected fetal growth restriction. Genetic analysis identified a novel de novo heterozygous variant within the ARCN1 gene—c.1241 +5G>A-located in intron 8. In vitro minigene splicing assays demonstrated that the variant led to two abnormal transcripts. The longer transcript retained 189 base pairs of intron 8, resulting in a truncated protein of 414 amino acids (p.Ser415*). The shorter transcript involved exon 8 skippings, producing a truncated protein of 407 amino acids (p.Ile378Serfs*31). Conclusion::A novel de novo heterozygous variant of the ARCN1 gene, namely NM_001655.5: c.1241 +5G>A, was discovered and identified in a fetus with rhizomelic short stature, microretrognathia, and developmental delays.

Objective::To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and clinical application of the Obstetrical Chinese Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) Scoring System (OCDSS).Methods::This study is a retrospective study that collected 1063 cases from Wuhan Union Hospital, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, and the Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture between July 2017 and June 2024. These cases were divided into DIC and non-DIC groups based on score standard. Diagnosis of DIC, the rate of hysterectomy, neonatal mortality, and severe asphyxia are the main outcome measures. All the laboratory indicators are all determined by clinical laboratory department of the hospital. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range) and frequencies. Independent sample t-test or non-parametric test were used to compare measurement data, while the chi-square test was used for count data. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) were used to test the predictive accuracy. Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to study the high-risk factors. P < 0.050 indicates a statistical significance. Results::Of 1063 participants in this study, 29 participants (2.73%) were diagnosed with obstetrical DIC by OCDSS score standard, and all the participants were diagnosed as DIC with underlying disease. When the Takao, Clark, and Erez score standard is the "gold standard", the OCDSS score standard always shows good sensitivity and specificity, with all the AUC over 0.75. OCDSS score standard also has better predictive of hysterectomy (68.18%, 91.07%, 0.872), severe neonatal asphyxia and death (79.17%, 75.07%, 0.842) than the other three score standards. All the indicators included in the OCDSS score standard contributed to the DIC diagnosis (all the P < 0.001). The indicators in the DIC group were more abnormal than the non-DIC group (all the P < 0.001). Conclusion::OCDSS is a first score standard, especially for pregnancies, it considers the underlying disease, clinical symptoms, and laboratory results. This score system shared a good diagnosis performance for DIC in the Chinese population and may help clinicians make timely decisions.