ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate and evaluate the staged efficacy and safety of the representative empirical prescription of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory， Qijia Rougan prescription， combined with entecavir in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B. MethodsA multicenter randomized controlled clinical study was conducted， and 101 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B-related hepatic fibrosis （CHB-HF） who met the diagnosis and inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to an observation group （Qijia Rougan prescription + entecavir） and a control group （entecavir）. The treatment duration was 24 weeks. Liver stiffness measurement （LSM）， fibrosis-4 index （FIB-4）， portal vein diameter， hepatitis B serology， biochemical indicators， hepatic fibrosis markers in serum ［hyaluronic acid （HA）， laminin （LN）， procollagen Ⅲ peptide （PⅢP）， and type Ⅳ collagen （Ⅳ-C）］， and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores were used as efficacy evaluation indicators. Efficacy assessments and explorations of different staged subgroups of Qijia Rougan prescription were conducted according to LSM values based on the Metavir pathological staging standard. ResultsA total of 98 cases were included for statistical analysis， with 49 cases in the observation group and 49 in the control group. The general data of the patients in both groups were comparable. Compared with the same group before treatment， the observation group showed a significant reduction in LSM and FIB-4 （P<0.01）， as well as notable improvements in LN， Ⅳ-C， and various TCM syndrome scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）. When compared to the control group after treatment， the observation group demonstrated significant improvements in LSM， FIB-4， and various TCM syndrome score indicators （P<0.05， P<0.01）， indicating that the observation group performed better than the control group. Subgroup analysis of the regression of hepatic fibrosis stages showed that compared to the same group before treatment， the observation group had better improvement in regression of stages F2 and F3 （P<0.05）. When compared to the control group after treatment， the observation group exhibited superior improvement in regression of stage F3 （P<0.05）. No adverse events occurred in either group during the treatment period. ConclusionCompared with entecavir alone， the combination of Qijia Rougan prescription and entecavir significantly improves the degree of hepatic fibrosis and clinical TCM symptoms in patients. The optimal intervention period is primarily during stage F3， which is a potential “interception” point of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory.

To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of extracranial malignant rhabdoid tumor (eMRT) in children, and to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of this disease.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Solanum nigrum on hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride （CCl₄） in rats. MethodsSixty SD rats were randomly allocated into blank， model， low-， medium-， and high-dose （0.9， 1.8， 3.6 g·kg^-1， respectively） S. nigrum， and silibinin capsules （18.9 mg·kg^-1） groups. Except the blank group， the other groups were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of 40% CCl₄ solution for the modeling of hepatic fibrosis. After 4 weeks of gavage， blood was collected from the abdominal aorta following intraperitoneal anesthesia. The rats were sacrificed， and the liver was separated. The pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining. The levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， and liver fibrosis indexes ［type Ⅲ procollagen （PCⅢ）， type Ⅳ collagen （Col Ⅳ）， laminin （LN）， and hyaluronic acid （HA）］ in the rat serum were determined. The mRNA and protein levels of B cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）/Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 （Caspase-3） pathway-related factors were determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group exhibited significant hepatocyte edema， infiltration of inflammatory cells， connective tissue proliferation， and collagen fiber deposition in the liver tissue. Compared with the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose S. nigrum and silymarin capsules significantly improved the structure of liver cells and alleviated the edema， inflammatory cell infiltration， connective tissue proliferation， and collagen fiber deposition. Compared with those in the blank group， the serum levels of ALT， AST， PCⅢ， Col Ⅳ， LN， and HA were elevated in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the serum levels of ALT， AST， PCⅢ， Col Ⅳ， LN， and HA were reduced in all the treatment groups （P<0.05）. Real-time PCR and Western blot results showed that compared with the blank group， the model group had up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2 and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Bax and Caspase-3 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， all the treatment groups showed down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2 and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Bax and Caspase-3 （P<0.05）， with the high-dose S. nigrum group showing the best therapeutic effect. ConclusionS. nigrum modulates the progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats by regulating apoptosis through the Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 pathway.

Currently, the clinical management of multiple system atrophy (MSA) is primarily limited to symptomatic treatment. While existing medications can partially alleviate motor symptoms and autonomic dysfunction, their overall efficacy remains unsatisfactory, and there is a lack of effective disease-modifying therapies. In recent years, with the deepening understanding of disease mechanisms, alpha-synuclein, identified as a key pathogenic factor, has become a major target in MSA therapeutic research. This article concentrates on targeted immunotherapy and reviews recent global and domestic advances, aiming to provide a theoretical reference for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for MSA.

As a non-invasive treatment method,transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation(TAES)can regulate neurological function,endocrine function and immune function through electrical stimulation for specific acupoints,which shows wide application potential in postoperative pain management,promotion of bone healing and rehabilitation in orthopedic surgery.TAES treatment has a series characteristics include non-invasiveness,convenience and effectiveness,which provides a new adjuvant treatment method for orthopedic diseases.This review elaborated the research advances of the application of TAES in orthopedics field,which provided references for further exploring its mechanism and clinical application in the future research.

AIM To explore the differential metabolites of different aged Citrus reticulate'Chachi'and their processed cakes.METHODS Non-targeted metabolomics technology of GC-TOF-MS was used to analyze the chemical constituents.The data was processed by principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis,and the differential metabolites were identified.RESULTS A total of 74 differential metabolites were identified,including 16 glycosides,14 organic acids and their derivatives,11 amino acids and their derivatives,and 4 flavonoids.Comparative analysis revealed 40 and 30 differential metabolites between fresh C.reticulate'℃hachi'and 3-year or 5-year aged samples,respectively.Furthermore,27 and 34 differential metabolites were identified between the 3-year or 5-year aged samples and their corresponding processed cakes,respectively.Differential metabolites among fresh,aged C.reticulate'Chachi',and processed cakes were predominantly enriched in 6 metabolic pathways,including the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites.Specifically,differential metabolites between 3-year aged C.reticulate'Chachi'and its processed cake were significantly enriched in 4 pathways,such as ABC transporters.Differential metabolites between 5-year aged C.reticulate'Chachi'and its processed cake were mainly enriched in 5 pathways,including carbon metabolism.CONCLUSION Non-targeted metabolomics technology can elucidate the chemical compositional differences among fresh/aged and processed cakes of C.reticulate'Chachi',laying a foundation for the research into C.reticulate'Chachi'aging processing techniques and the development of processed products.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors and prognosis of postoperative atrial fibrillation(POAF) and delayed-onset POAF(dPOAF).Methods:In a retrospective cohort study involving consecutive patients who underwent cardiac surgery across provincial cardiovascular consortium consisted of 57 hospitals in Jiangsu Province from January 2015 to December 2022, the incidence and implications of dPOAF were examined. dPOAF was defined as being diagnosed within 30 days of discharge.Results:Among 2 788 patients with postoperative new-onset POAF, 154(5.5%)cases had dPOAF, median onset time 21(15, 26)days following surgery. Compared to in-patient diagnosed POAF, dPOAF was associated with increased rates of hypertension(28.6% vs. 9.0%, P<0.001), diabetes(10.4% vs. 3.2%, P<0.001), heart failure(39.6% vs. 19.3%, P<0.001), peripheral vascular disease(13.6% vs. 2.2%, P<0.001), and higher CHA2DS2-VASc score(≥2)(59.8% vs. 43.2%, P<0.001). Female patients were less likely to develop dPOAF( OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.30-0.63, P<0.001). During follow-up period, there was no significant difference in major adverse cardiovascular events(MACEs)( HR=1.33, 95% CI: 0.82-2.17), overall mortality( HR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.07-4.67), or thromboembolism events( HR=0.57, 95% CI: 0.26-1.25). Conclusion:This study underscores the risk factors and prognosis associated with dPOAF compared to in-hospital POAF. It highlights the imperative for vigilant monitoring and individualized management strategies tailored to patients at risk of dPOAF.

Objective:To evaluate the safety, efficacy, advantages and disadvantages of the modified double-orifice valve plasty via total thoracoscopy for partial atrioventricular septal defect(PAVSD) through a retrospective analysis of early postoperative results.Methods:Patients diagnosed with PAVSD who underwent the standardized modified double-orifice valve plasty via total thoracoscopy between September 2023 and August 2024 were retrospectively enrolled. Baseline characteristics, surgical parameters, and follow-up outcomes were systematically analyzed.Results:A total of 14 patients(6 males, 8 females) were included, with a mean age of(32.9±15.5) years old and body weight of(55.1±11.6) kg. All procedures were successfully completed. The mean operative time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and aortic cross-clamp time were(266.6±67.2) min, (160.7±34.2) min, and(97.0±31.1) min, respectively. Postoperative ICU stay, hospital stay, and total hospitalization duration were(1.7±1.1) days, (6.4±4.2) days, and(12.6±4.5) days, respectively. The mean follow-up duration was(7.9±3.6) months. Preoperatively, left atrioventricular valve regurgitation(LAVVR) was graded as mild, moderate, or severe in 5, 4, and 5 patients. Postoperatively, 13 patients exhibited mild or less LAVVR, with 1 case of moderate regurgitation. By 3 months, all patients demonstrated LAVVR of mild or lower severity, which remained stable through follow-up. Peak LAVV gradients were(4.6±2.7) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)(range: 1.8-10.2 mmHg) postoperatively, improving to(3.6±0.6) mmHg(3.2-4.0) mmHg at 1 year. Right atrioventricular valve regurgitation improved from preoperative moderate-severe(50.0%) to LAVVR of mild or lower severity in all patients by 3 months. No mortality, residual shunts, or high-grade atrioventricular block occurred through follow-up. By 1 month, NYHA functional class improved to Ⅰ in all patients, which remained stable through follow-up.Conclusion:Standardized modified double-orifice valve plasty via total thoracoscopy for PAVSD demonstrates safety, minimal invasiveness, and rapid recovery, with favorable early outcomes.

Objective To analyze the distribution characteristics of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) site rs76206423 in the promoter region of the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) β gene among Han males in a high radiation background area (HBRA) in Yangjiang City. Methods A total of 48 male participants from Tangkou Town, Yangxi County, Yangjiang City (HBRA group), and 51 male participants from Hengpo Town, Enping City (control group) were selected as the research subjects using the random number table method. Peripheral venous blood samples of participants from both groups were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted. The genotyping and allele frequency distribution of the rs76206423 (A/G) site in the IL-2R β promoter region was detected among the participants in both groups using the SNP detection method. The difference of allele frequencies between population in HBRA group and five area of East Asia, South Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas published in the Human Genome Project database from National Center for Biotechnology Information were analyzed. Results The allele frequencies of rs76206423 of population in both groups conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05). In the HBRA group, the AA genotype was predominant (64.6%), while the AG genotype was the most common in the control group (51.0%), with a significant difference (P<0.05). Population in both groups showed a predominance of the variant allele A (78.1% and 72.5%, respectively), with no significant difference (P>0.05). The frequency of the G allele of rs76206423 in the population in HBRA group was higher than those in South Asian, African, European, and American populations (all P<0.01), but showed no significant difference compared with East Asian populations (P>0.05). Conclusion In the Han male population from the HBRA in Yangjiang City, the rs76206423 site in the IL-2R β gene promoter region is predominantly composed of the wild-type A allele and AA genotype, indicating genetic stability and a relatively high degree of variation at this locus.

Objective: To investigate the objective characteristics of tongue manifestation in different stages of damp-heat syndrome in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 134 patients with DKD G3-5 stages who met the diagnostic criteria for damp-heat syndrome in DKD. The patients were treated at Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, from May 2023 to January 2024. The patients were divided into three groups: DKD G3, DKD G4, and DKD G5 stage, with 53, 33, and 48 patients in each group, respectively. Clinical general data (gender, age, and body mass index) and damp-heat syndrome scores were collected from the patients. The YZAI-02 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) AI Tongue Image Acquisition Device was used to capture tongue images from these patients. The accompanying AI Open Platform for TCM Tongue Diagnosis of the device was used to analyze and extract tongue manifestation features, including objective data on tongue color, tongue quality, coating color, and coating texture. Clinical data and objective tongue manifestation characteristics were compared among patients with DKD G3-5 based on their DKD damp-heat syndrome status. Results: No statistically significant difference in gender or body mass index was observed among the three patient groups. The DKD G3 stage group had the highest age (P<0.05). The DKD G3 stage group had a lower score for symptoms of poor appetite and anorexia(P<0.05) than the DKD G5 group. No statistically significant difference was observed in damp-heat syndrome scores among the three groups. Compared with the DKD G5 stage group, the DKD G3 stage group showed a decreased proportion of pale color at the tip and edges of the tongue (P<0.05). The DKD G4 stage group exhibited an increased proportion of crimson at the root of the tongue, a decreased proportion of thick white tongue coating at the root, a decreased proportion of pale color at the tip and edges of the tongue, an increased hue value (indicating color tone) of the tongue color in the middle, an increased brightness value (indicating color lightness) of the tongue coating color in the middle, and an increased thickness of the tongue coating (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in other tongue color proportions, color chroma values, body characteristics, coating color proportions, coating color chroma values, and coating texture characteristics among the three groups. Conclusion Tongue features differ in different stages of DKD damp-heat syndrome in multiple dimensions, enabling the inference that during the DKD G5 stage, the degree of qi and blood deficiency in the kidneys, heart, lungs, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and stomach is prominent. Dampness is more likely to accumulate in the lower jiao, particularly in the kidneys, whereas heat evil in the spleen and stomach is the most severe. These insights provide novel ideas for the clinical treatment of DKD.