ObjectiveTo investigate the association between noninvasive liver fibrosis markers and carotid plaque （CP） in patients with lean metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD）， and to provide a basis for screening high-risk populations. MethodsA total of 957 patients with lean MAFLD who underwent physical examination in Subei People’s Hospital from January 2021 to June 2023 was enrolled as the observation cohort， with the presence or absence of CP as the outcome， and fibrosis-4 （FIB-4） index and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score （NFS） were used to assess liver fibrosis degree. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The multivariate logistic regression analysis， the restricted cubic spline analysis， the receiver operating characteristic curve， and the mediation effect analysis were used to investigate the association between liver fibrosis degree and CP. ResultsThe prevalence rate of CP was 36.6% in the lean MAFLD population. Compared with the non-CP group（n=607）， the CP group （n=350） had a significantly higher proportion of male patients， a significantly higher proportion of patients with smoking/diabetes/hypertension， and significantly higher levels of age， creatinine， blood urea nitrogen， triglycerides， fasting blood glucose， aspartate aminotransferase， aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio， NFS， and FIB-4 index， as well as significantly lower levels of platelet count and albumin （all P<0.05）. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjustment for confounding factors， FIB-4 index （odds ratio［OR］=2.979， 95% confidence interval［CI］：2.141 — 4.219， P<0.001） and NFS （OR=1.747， 95%CI： 1.499 — 2.046， P<0.001） were positively correlated with CP. Both FIB-4 index and NFS had a good value in predicting CP. Hypertension had a significant indirect effect on the prevalence rate of CP through its impact on liver fibrosis markers， and its mediating effect accounted for 39.5% — 40.8% of the total effect （P<0.001）. ConclusionIn patients with lean MAFLD， NFS and FIB-4 index are significantly positively correlated with the prevalence rate of CP， and they can be used as potential epidemiological predictive indicators. Liver fibrosis markers may play a mediating role in the association between hypertension and CP. Interventions targeting hypertension and liver fibrosis markers may help to prevent and delay the progression of CP.

Objective To evaluate the short-term effects of comprehensive health management interventions for stroke high-risk population screening on the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke, and to provide reference and basis for improving and exploring health management and prevention strategies for stroke high-risk population. Methods From 2018 to 2022, 13 community health service centers in Jiading District, Shanghai were selected in the present study. Based on information push platform, stroke risk assessment and health intervention follow-up were conducted for community residents through convenience sampling. The residents were divided into a full course intervention group (intervention group) and a routine intervention group (control group) according to different health intervention measures and forms. The incidence of ischemic stroke in the two groups of survey subjects was tracked within 36 months. Results A total of 52144 subjects were included in the study. The total number of patients in the full course intervention group was 14227, with an incidence density of 577.32/100 000 (556.49/100 000-598.12/100 000), which was lower than that of the conventional intervention group (37 917), with an incidence density of 1 485.47/100 000 (1 464.99/100 000-1 505.94/100 000) (χ²=2490.212, P<0.001). The relative risk of the full course intervention group was 0.39, and the relative risk of stroke risk factors in the full course intervention group from low to high was 0.33, 0.43, 0.45, and 0.49, respectively. The incidence density of males in the full course intervention group was 660.76 (627.46/100 000 - 694.05/100 000), with a relative risk of 0.43, and the incidence density of female patients was 509.71/100 000 (483.37/100 000 - 536.05/100 000), with a relative risk of 0.35. The overall incidence density of the population under 62 years old gourp, 62-75 years old group and over 75 years old group was 197.45/100 000 (173.09/100 000 -221.80/100 000), 608.36/100 000 (580.19/100 000-636.54/100 000), and 1 025.06/100 000 (958.51/100 000-1 091.61/100 000), with relative risks of 0.51, 0.44, and 0.38, respectively. Conclusion Comprehensive health management measures can effectively reduce the short-term risk of ischemic stroke, and should be further promoted and improved to enhance the effectiveness of stroke prevention and control.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association of liver fibrosis scores and inflammation markers with gallstones in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD）， as well as the mediating role of liver fibrosis scores in the relationship between inflammation markers and gallstones. MethodsA total of 14 567 patients who received physical examination and were diagnosed with MAFLD in Subei People’s Hospital from January 2014 to June 2023 were enrolled in this study， and according to the results of abdominal color Doppler ultrasound， they were divided into gallstone group with 1 724 patients and non-gallstone group with 12 843 patients. Related clinical data were collected from all patients， including demographic data， medical history， family history， physical examination， Color Doppler ultrasound， and biochemical parameters. The biomarkers associated with metabolic disorders and insulin resistance included triglyceride-glucose index （TyG）， TyG-body mass index （BMI） index， atherogenic index of plasma （AIP）， and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio （NHHR）； the biomarkers associated with inflammation and nutritional status included neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio （NLR）， neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio （NPAR）， and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio （MLR）； the biomarkers for assessing liver fibrosis degree and liver function included albumin-bilirubin （ALBI） score， NAFLD fibrosis score （NFS）， fibrosis-4 （FIB-4） index， and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index （APRI）. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， while the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis， restricted cubic spline analysis， and mediating effect analysis were used to assess the association of liver fibrosis markers and inflammation markers with the risk of gallstones. ResultsThe prevalence rate of gallstones was 11.8% among the MAFLD patients. There were significant differences between the gallstone group and the non-gallstone group in sex， age， smoking history， diabetes， hypertension， lymphocytes， platelets， glucose， albumin， serum uric acid， alanine aminotransferase， aspartate aminotransferase， red blood cell， NLR， NPAR， MLR， NFS， FIB-4 index， and ALBI score （all P<0.05）. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that NLR （odds ratio ［OR］=1.091， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.028　—　1.160， P<0.05）， NPAR （OR=1.073， 95%CI： 1.042　—　1.105， P<0.05）， MLR （OR=1.142， 95%CI： 1.057　—　1.232， P<0.05）， NFS （OR=1.239， 95%CI： 1.190　—　1.291， P<0.05）， and FIB-4 index （OR=1.326， 95%CI： 1.241　—　1.417， P<0.05） were influencing factors for the prevalence rate of gallstones. The restricted cubic spline analysis showed a significant non-linear association between NFS/FIB-4 index and the risk of gallstone （non-linear P<0.05）. The mediating effect analysis further showed that the association of NLR， MLR， and NPAR with gallstones was partially mediated by NFS or FIB-4 index， with a mediating effect accounting for 36.79%、28.09%、29.67% and 18.31%、17.70、11.57%， respectively. ConclusionNFS and FIB-4 index have a non-linear association with the prevalence rate of gallstones in MAFLD patients， and they also mediate the association of NLR， NPAR， and MLR with the risk of gallstone.

The Medical Cases of WU Jutong （《吴鞠通医案》） proposes the principle of "treating all Bi （痹） diseases through taiyin"， which forms the basis for analyzing WU Jutong's understanding of the causes， mechanisms， and treatments of Bi （痹） diseases， providing a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Through an interpretation of the phrase "treating all Bi （痹） diseases through taiyin"， it is suggested that Bi （痹） diseases is primarily caused by dampness， necessitating a focus on spleen and lung in treatment. WU emphasized four main causes of Bi （痹） diseases （wind， cold， dampness， and heat）， with dampness being the predominant factor. The disease location is initially in lung， for which external dampness invades lung first， and internal dampness obstructs the source of water metabolism， impeding lung qi and qi failing to disperse， then dampness further accumulates in the joints， leading to Bi （痹） diseases. WU Jutong proposed the modified Mufangji Decoction （木防己汤） as the foundational prescription for treating Bi （痹） diseases. By comparing the similarities and differences between the modified and original Mufangji Decoction， and analyzing the adjustments in herbal prescriptions， the clinical characteristic of "treating all Bi （痹） diseases through taiyin" is further substantiated.

Objective To analyze the changes in myocardial injury markers and cardiac function in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) after Liwen surgery. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of HOCM patients who underwent Liwen surgery at the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital from December 2019 to April 2023, mainly including preoperative and postoperative dynamic follow-up laboratory test results and echocardiograms. Results A total of 42 patients were included, with 25 males and 17 females, aged (44.76±17.72) years, and a postoperative follow-up time of (15.02±6.97) months. The myocardial troponin level of the patients decreased from preoperative 0.03 (0.02, 0.06) ng/mL to postoperative 0.02 (0.01, 0.05) ng/mL (P=0.006), and the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level decreased from preoperative 748.95 (337.40, 1600.75) ng/L to postoperative 367.15 (126.93, 1030.25) ng/L (P<0.001). After surgery, the left atrial diameter of the patients decreased from preoperative (4.18±0.57) cm to postoperative (3.93±0.55) cm (P=0.004), the end-diastolic interventricular septum thickness decreased from preoperative 2.25 (1.90, 2.75) cm to postoperative 1.70 (1.50, 1.90) cm (P<0.001), the left ventricular mass index decreased from preoperative 211.73 (172.28, 261.54) g/m2 to postoperative 156.78 (132.34, 191.36) g/m2 (P<0.001), the left ventricular weight decreased from preoperative 368.89 (292.34, 477.72) g to postoperative 266.62 (224.57, 326.04) g (P<0.001), the end-diastolic posterior wall thickness of the left ventricle decreased from preoperative 1.30 (1.20, 1.60) cm to postoperative 1.20 (1.18, 1.40) cm (P<0.001), the relative wall thickness decreased from preoperative 0.78 (0.78, 1.02) to postoperative 0.63 (0.56, 0.72) (P<0.001), the end-systolic inner diameter of the left ventricle increased from preoperative (2.91±0.50) cm to postoperative (3.19±0.53) cm (P=0.001), and the end-diastolic inner diameter of the left ventricle increased from preoperative (4.41±0.48) cm to postoperative (4.66±0.52) cm (P=0.005). The left ventricular outflow diameter increased from preoperative (1.28±0.46) cm to postoperative (1.57±0.32) cm (P=0.001), the left ventricular outflow pressure gradient decreased from preoperative 58.50 (40.75, 92.50) mm Hg to postoperative 11.50 (7.75, 20.50) mm Hg (P<0.001), the left ventricular ejection fraction increased from preoperative 60.00% (56.75%, 65.00%) to postoperative 63.00% (62.00%, 66.00%) (P=0.024), and the degree of systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve leaflets decreased (P＜0.001). Conclusion The cardiac function of patients with HOCM is improved after Liwen surgery, myocardial injury marker levels are decreased, cardiac reverse remodeling occurres, and the surgical outcome is good.

Objective To investigate the association between triglyceride-glucose(TyG)index and the prevalence of gallstones in women,and to assess whether it can be used as a convenient indicator for the epidemiological survey of gallstones in women.Methods A total of 22 979 adult women who underwent physical examination in Subei People's Hospital of Jiangsu from January 2021 to June 2023 were enrolled,and according to the results of abdominal color Doppler ultrasound,they were divided into gallstone group with 1 763 women and non-gallstone group with 21 216 women.The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups,and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups;the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The multivariate logistic regression analysis,the restricted cubic spline analysis,the subgroup analysis,and mediating effect were used to investigate the association between TyG index and the risk of gallstones in women.Results The overall prevalence rate of gallstones was 7.7％in women.Compared with the non-gallstone group,the gallstone group had significantly higher age,BMI,FPG,TG,TyG index,TC,Hb,BUN,UA,SCr,TC,and LDL-C(all P<0.05),and the women with diabetes,fatty liver,hypertension,and hyperuricemia were more likely to have gallstones(all P<0.05).The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that based on the quartiles of TyG index,the risk of gallstones in the Q3(8.97-9.38)group was 1.38(95％confidence interval[CI]:1.15-1.62,P<0.001)times that in the Q1(<8.63)group,and the risk of gallstones in the Q4(≥9.38)group was 1.39(95％CI:1.16-1.68,P<0.001)times that in the Q1 group.After adjustment for all covariates,TyG index,as a continuous variable,showed an independent positive correlation with the risk of gallstones(odds ratio[OR]=1.24,95％CI:1.11-1.39,P=0.004).The restricted cubic spline curve revealed a significant nonlinear association between TyG index and the risk of gallstones(P for non linear=0.008),and the threshold analysis showed statistical significance in the effect of TyG index below the inflection point of 8.95(OR=1.34,95％CI:1.15-1.97,P=0.042).The subgroup analysis showed that TyG index was significantly positively correlated with gallstones in women with a BMI of<25 kg/m2,an age of<50 years,an age of≥50 years,the absence of diabetes or fatty liver,total cholesterol<5.72 mmol/L,total bilirubin<21 μmol/L,a hemoglobin level of 110-150 g/L,and blood urea nitrogen<7.5 μmol/L(all P<0.05).A mediating analysis was performed for the subgroups with a statistically significant P value for interaction,and the results showed that BMI accounted for 23.0％of the mediating effect in the influence of TyG index on gallstones,and fatty liver and diabetes accounted for 15.7％and 21.0％,respectively.Conclusion In women,a higher TyG index indicates a higher risk of gallstones.Lowering TyG index may reduce the risk of gallstones by improving insulin sensitivity.

Septic acute lung injury(ALI),a life-threatening complication of sepsis,has garnered significant attention due to its high mortality rate.Despite advances in Western medicine,including anti-infective therapy and lung-protective ventilation strategies,managing inflammatory storm and alveolar-capillary barrier repair remain critical challenges with Western medicine alone,leading to suboptimal patient outcomes.Traditional Chinese medicine,with its emphasis on holistic regulation,has unique advantages in inhibiting excessive inflammation,protecting lung function,alleviating clinical symptoms,and improving the quality of life of patients,and integrated Chinese and Western integrative therapy has demonstrated improved clinical outcomes.This article systematically reviews recent research on Traditional Chinese medicine for septic ALI,focusing on single herbal medicines,traditional Chinese medicine injections,compound formulas,acupuncture,and herbal enemas.It also analyzes research gaps,aiming to inform clinical practice and promote the standardization of integrated Chinese and Western integrative therapy approaches,thus offering new therapeutic strategies for patients with septic ALI.

Objective:To investigate the age-specific distribution characteristics of plantar pressure parameters in healthy children aged 3-12 years.Methods:This cross-sectional study retrieved data from the hospital information system in January 2025 for 272 children aged 3-12 years who underwent physical examinations and voluntarily completed plantar pressure analysis at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, from July 2022 to December 2024. Demographic and clinical data, including anthropometric measurements (height and weight), flatfoot diagnosis and plantar pressure parameters (maximum pressure, time to maximum force, and contact time percentage in bilateral forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot) were recorded. Participants were categorized into 3 age groups (3-6 years, 7-9 years, and 10-12 years) and were grouped by gender as well. Intergroup comparisons used one-way ANOVA or least-significant difference test or χ2 tests. Spearman′s rank correlation assessed the relationship between flatfoot prevalence and age. Results:Among 272 children (143 boys, 129 girls), age groups comprised 3-6 years (118 children, 64 boys and 54 girls), 7-9 years (96 children, 49 boys and 47 girls), and 10-12 years (58 children, 30 boys and 28 girls). Flatfoot prevalence was higher in boys than in that of girls (41.3% (59/143) vs. 28.7% (37/129), χ2=4.70, P=0.030), and negatively correlated with age ( r=-0.21, P<0.001). There all had statistically differences in the maximum pressure values of the bilateral forefoot and hindfoot among the 3 age groups (all P<0.001), and after pairwise comparison, those of the group of aged 3-6 years were all the lowest, and those of the group of aged 10-12 years were all the highest (all P<0.05). The maximum pressure values of bilateral midfoot in the group of aged 10-12 years were all higher than those of the other two groups (all P<0.001). There had no statistically differences in the time maximum force value of the bilateral forefoot among the 3 age groups (all P>0.05). The time maximum force values of bilateral midfoot in the group of aged 3-6 years were all lower than those of the other two groups (all P<0.05). There all had statistically differences in the time maximum force value of the bilateral hindfoot among the 3 age groups (all P<0.001), and after pairwise comparison, those of the group of aged 3-6 years were all the lowest, and those of the group of aged 10-12 years were all the highest (all P<0.05). There all had statistically differences in the contact time percentage values of the bilateral forefoot among the 3 age groups (all P<0.001), and after pairwise comparison, those of the group of aged 3-6 years were all the lowest, and those of the group of aged 10-12 years were all the highest (all P<0.05). There had no statistically differences in the contact time percentage values of the bilateral midfoot among the 3 age groups (all P>0.05). There all had statistically differences in the contact time percentage values of the bilateral hindfoot among the 3 age groups (all P<0.001), and after pairwise comparison, those of the group of aged 3-6 years were all lower than those of the other two groups (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Plantar pressure parameters exhibit distinct age-related patterns, reflecting the development of gait patterns and foot arch formation, which will be useful for monitoring physical growth and sports rehabilitation.

This study investigates the mechanism by which Xintong Granules improve myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI) through the regulation of gut microbiota and their metabolites, specifically short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs). Rats were randomly divided based on body weight into the sham operation group, model group, low-dose Xintong Granules group(1.43 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), medium-dose Xintong Granules group(2.86 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), high-dose Xintong Granules group(5.72 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and metoprolol group(10 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). After 14 days of pre-administration, the MIRI rat model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. The myocardial infarction area was assessed using the 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining method. Apoptosis in tissue cells was detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL) assay. Pathological changes in myocardial cells and colonic tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), creatine kinase MB isoenzyme(CK-MB), and cardiac troponin T(cTnT) in rat serum were quantitatively measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) kits. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase(CK), and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in myocardial tissue, as well as the level of malondialdehyde(MDA), were determined using colorimetric assays. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing, and fecal SCFAs were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS). The results show that Xintong Granules significantly reduced the myocardial infarction area, suppressed cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and decreased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), myocardial injury markers(CK-MB, cTnT, LDH, and CK), and oxidative stress marker MDA. Additionally, Xintong Granules significantly improved intestinal inflammation in MIRI rats, regulated gut microbiota composition and diversity, and increased the levels of SCFAs(acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, etc.). In summary, Xintong Granules effectively alleviate MIRI symptoms. This study preliminarily confirms that Xintong Granules exert their inhibitory effects on MIRI by regulating gut microbiota imbalance and increasing SCFA levels.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Humans ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Malondialdehyde/metabolism*

OBJECITVE: To investigate the effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D) printing-assisted vascularized fibular graft for repairing metatarsal defects. METHODS: Between November 2021 and February 2024, 11 patients with varying degrees of metatarsal defects caused by trauma were treated. There were 10 males and 1 female, aged 22-67 years, with a mean age of 51.2 years. The defect locations were as follows: the first metatarsal in 4 cases, the fifth metatarsal in 2 cases, the first and the second metatarsals in 1 case, the first to third metatarsals in 1 case, the third and the fourth metatarsals in 1 case, the third to fifth metatarsals in 1 case, and the first to fifth metatarsals in 1 case. The preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 67.0 (48.5, 72.5). Based on 3D-printed bilateral feet models and mirrored healthy-side foot arch angles for preoperative planning and design, the vascularized fibular graft was performed to repair the metatarsal defects. At last follow-up, the medial and lateral longitudinal arches of bilateral feet were measured on weight-bearing X-ray films, and functional assessment was conducted using the AOFAS score. RESULTS: All operations were successfully completed, with an operation time ranging from 180 to 465 minutes (mean, 246.8 minutes). All incisions healed by first intention, with no occurrence of osteomyelitis. All patients were followed up 6-22 months (mean, 10 months). X-ray film reviews showed bone graft healing in all cases, with a healing time of 3-6 months (mean, 5 months). All patients underwent internal fixator removal at 6-12 months after operation. At last follow-up, no significant difference was observed in the medial and lateral longitudinal arches between the healthy and affected feet ( P>0.05). The AOFAS score of the affected foot was 78.0 (73.5, 84.0), showing a significant improvement compared to the preoperative score ( P<0.05). The effectiveness was rated as excellent in 1 case, good in 7 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case. Linear scarring remained at the donor site, with no functional impairment in adjacent joint movement. CONCLUSION 3D printing-assisted vascularized fibular graft for repairing metatarsal defects can effectively restore the physiological angle of the foot arch, facilitate the recovery of weight-bearing alignment, promote good bone healing, and yield satisfactory clinical outcomes.
Humans ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Fibula/blood supply* ; Female ; Metatarsal Bones/injuries* ; Adult ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Aged ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome