ObjectiveTo construct and validate a clinical prediction model for inflammatory remission outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis （RA） patients with liver and kidney deficiency syndrome treated with Bushen Zhiwang Decoction （补肾治尪汤， BZD） based on metabolomics. MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted， enrol-ling 60 RA patients with liver and kidney deficiency syndrome. All patients were treated with BZD and conventional-dose oral conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs （csDMARDs） for 12 months. Clinical data were collected， and the change in disease activity score in 28 joints （DAS28） after treatment compared with baseline （△DAS28） was used as the primary outcome and grouping criterion. Peripheral blood samples were collected before treatment to analyze plasma metabolites. Differential analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator （LASSO） regression were used to preliminarily screen differential metabolites， followed by machine learning algorithms to further identify a core metabolite combination. Based on the expression levels of the core metabolite combination， a novel metabolite index， namely the metabolomics-based inflammatory remission score （Met-IRS）， was calculated using standar-dized metabolite values， and its clinical applicability was evaluated. A clinical prediction model was constructed by integrating clinical characteristics and Met-IRS， and the model performance was assessed. ResultsAmong the 60 patients， those with △DAS28 ≥ 0.27 were assigned to the high inflammatory remission group， while those with △DAS28 ＜ 0.27 were assigned to the low inflammatory remission group， with 30 cases in each group. Compared to the low inflammatory remission group， the high inflammatory remission group showed a higher frequency of methotrexate use and a lower positive rate of rheumatoid factor （RF） （P＜0.05）. Seven core metabolites were identified as the optimal combination， including mangiferic acid， fatty acid-hydroxy fatty acid ester 40∶6， fatty acid-hydroxy fatty acid ester 18∶0， fatty acid-hydroxy fatty acid ester 36∶1， glucosylceramide， lysophosphatidylcholine 22∶5， and pregnanetriol ketone. The calculated Met-IRS comprehensively reflected the characteristics of differential metabolites and demonstrated clinical applicability. Met-IRS was significantly higher in the high inflammatory remission group than in the low inflammatory remission group， and was positively correlated with high inflammatory remission outcomes （P＜0.05）. Based on the variables Met-IRS， methotrexate use， leflunomide use， and RF positivity， a clinical prediction model for inflammatory remission in RA treatment （Cj-RTRM） was constructed. Model performance evaluation demonstrated that the model had good clinical predictive ability， with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve （AUC） of 0.880， sensitivity 0.967， specificity 0.700 and Youden's index 0.667. ConclusionThe clinical prediction model Cj-RTRM constructed based on the metabolomics-based inflammatory remission score Met-IRS can effectively predict clinical inflammatory remission outcomes in RA patients treated with BZD and accurately identify the advantageous population for this treatment. This model provides guiding evidence for dynamic inflammation monitoring， targeted management， and identification of populations with advantages in traditional Chinese medicine.

ObjectiveTo study the clinical characteristics and influencing factors of rheumatoid arthritis （RA） in the patients with cold dampness obstruction syndrome. MethodsThe RA patients treated in the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Rheumatology of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital from August 2022 to June 2024 were selected. The demographic information， clinical data， laboratory test results， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） symptom information were collected for syndrome differentiation， on the basis of which the characteristics and influencing factors of cold dampness obstruction syndrome were analyzed. ResultsA total of 258 RA patients were selected in this study， including 88 （34.1%） patients with cold dampness obstruction syndrome， 53 （20.5%） patients with dampness and heat obstruction syndrome， 31 （12.0%） patients with wind dampness obstruction syndrome， 29 （11.2%） patients with liver-kidney deficiency syndrome， 19 （7.4%） patients with Qi-blood deficiency syndrome， 14 （5.4%） patients with phlegm-stasis obstruction syndrome， 15 （5.8%） patients with stasis obstructing collateral syndrome and 9 （3.5%） patients with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome. The patients were assigned into two groups of cold dampness obstruction syndrome and other syndromes. The group of cold dampness obstruction syndrome had lower joint fever， 28-tender joint count （TJC28）， and 28-joint disease activity score （DAS28）-C-reactive protein （CRP） and higher central sensitization， cold feeling of joints， fear of wind and cold， cold limbs， and abdominal distention than the group of other syndromes （P<0.05）. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that central sensitization （OR 5.749， 95%CI 2.116-15.616， P<0.001） and DAS28-CRP （OR 0.600， 95% CI 0.418-0.862， P=0.006） were the independent factors influencing cold dampness obstruction syndrome in RA. ConclusionCold dampness obstruction syndrome is a common syndrome in RA patients. It is associated with central sensitization， cold feeling of joints， abdominal distension and may be a clinical syndrome associated with central sensitization.

Malignant melanoma, which originates from skin melanocytes, is an extremely aggressive and often lethal malignant skin cancer with early lymphatic metastasis. Sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) are a group of lymph nodes initially involved in the metastasis. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a decisive step in the staging process of melanoma and limits the extent of the dissection in negative nodes. Thus, accurately identifying and mapping the micrometastasis in SLNs represents an important prognostic factor. This review highlights the innovation of standard technique entails a preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and an intraoperative mapping using a radiotracer and a blue dye. Moreover, this review summarize the different novel tracers, preoperative and intraoperative imaging modalities assisting SLNB in malignant melanoma as supplements or alternatives to the traditional protocol.

Over the past decade, the incidence and mortality rates of melanoma among elderly patients have been on a continuous upward trend. This population often presents multiple high-risk biological features, yet paradoxically demonstrates a lower sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity rate. The occurrence of regional lymph node metastasis is a critical factor in assessing the staging and treatment of melanoma. For patients with positive SLN, regional lymph node dissection is an essential measure to improve local control. The coexistence of a low SLN positivity rate and poor prognosis in elderly melanoma patients poses a notable clinical contradiction. This article reviewed the current status of SLN biopsy in elderly melanoma patients and the characteristics of lymphatic drainage in this population to explore the reasons behind the low SLN positivity rate. It also summarized commonly used lymph node tracing techniques and recent advances in preclinical research, aiming to accurately assess SLN metastasis in elderly melanoma patients and provide a reference for subsequent clinical treatment.

Melanoma brain metastases are associated with high incidence and poor prognosis, with their processes of dissemination, colonization, and growth closely influenced by the brain microenvironment. As one of the major cell types in the brain parenchyma, astrocytes facilitate melanoma brain metastasis through multiple mechanisms. Astrocyte-derived factors such as CXCL10, CCL17, NGF, and NT-3 promote the migration of melanoma cells toward the brain. In addition, astrocytes secrete inflammatory cytokines that enhance tumor cell translocation across the blood-brain barrier, and they further support melanoma cell proliferation in the brain via gap junction formation and secretion of unsaturated fatty acids. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms may provide novel insights into the pathogenesis and targeted therapy of melanoma brain metastasis.

Melanoma is a highly malignant tumor characterized by strong invasiveness and a high propensity for brain metastasis. Astrocytes can suppress antitumor immune responses through multiple pathways, thereby establishing an immunosuppressive microenvironment that supports tumor cell survival and promotes immune evasion of brain metastatic melanoma cells. This article reviewed the molecular mechanisms by which astrocytes facilitated immune evasion in brain metastatic melanoma in recent years, aiming to provide insights for identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for melanoma brain metastasis.

OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical efficacy of Yijinjing in the treatment of elderly sarcopenia and its effect on chro-nic inflammatory response in patients,and to explore the Yijinjing exercise prescription suitable for elderly patients with sarcopenia.METHODS A total of 120 elderly patients with sarcopenia admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine,Suzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2022 to September 2024 were selected and randomly divided into a control group and a Yijinjing group,with 60 cases in each group.The control group received health education and dietary guidance,and the Yijinjing group received Yijinjing exercises on the basis of the intervention of the control group.The changes in skeletal muscle mass,upper and lower limb muscle strength,muscle thickness,muscle cross-sectional area,physical fitness and chronic inflammation level were observed in the two groups before and after the intervention.RESULTS After intervention,the skeletal muscle mass,grip strength,30 s sit-stand test times,rectus femoris thickness and cross-sectional area,vastus intermedius thickness,and physical fit-ness assessment of the patients in the Yijinjing group were significantly increased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the indicators after intervention were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05);the serum TNF-α and IL-18 levels in the Yi-jinjing group were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the indicators after intervention were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05);there was no statistically significant change in the biceps brachii thickness and serum IL-6 level in the Yijinjing group compared with those before treatment(P>0.05);there was no significant correlation between the bi-ceps brachii thickness and grip strength after Yijinjing intervention,r=0.139 8,P>0.05;there was a significant negative correlation between the TNF-α level and grip strength after Yijinjing intervention,r=-0.313 8,P<0.05.CONCLUSION Yijinjing exercises can improve muscle mass and strength in elderly patients with sarcopenia,and improve the physical fitness of patients,which may be related to improving the chronic inflammatory state of the body.

Objective To propose a clinical typing method for lumbar degenerative disease(LDD),including the diagnostic criteria for each type and the corresponding surgical treatment strategies.Methods A total of 245 LDD patients who were admitted to Department of Orthopaedics,The Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from Jun.2017 to May 2022 were enrolled and assigned to nerve root type(42 cases),disc herniation type(73 cases),spinal stenosis type(61 cases),spondylolisthesis type(29 cases),and local type(40 cases)according to our diagnostic criteria of clinical typing.Treatment outcomes of various groups were compared and the reliability of the typing method was assessed using consistency test.Results A total of 205 cases received surgical treatment and 40 cases received non-surgical treatment.The surgical approach was modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.The patients were followed up for(20.37±6.13)months.According to Nakai's evaluation criteria,the clinical effect was excellent in 146(59.59％)cases,good in 89(36.33％)cases,fair in 8(3.27％)cases,and poor in 2(0.82％)cases,with an excellent and good rate of 95.92％.There were no significant differences in the treatment effects among different types of LDD(P＞0.05).The results of clinical consistency evaluation confirmed that the typing method had good consistency both within observers and between observers.Conclusion This clinical typing method can help to further understand the pathogenesis of LDD,improve the accuracy of diagnosis and optimize the treatment plan.

This article examines and compares the performance evaluation indicator systems of British and American military hospitals,including their hospital system architecture,indicator frameworks,specific indicators,and evaluation methods.To enhance the comparability of indicators,they were categorized into military attributes,service quality efficiency,economic indicators,and growth and development indicators.Based on the comparative analysis of British and American military hospital performance indicator systems,the following suggestions are proposed for the performance evaluation system of public hospitals in China:(1)increasing the indicator diversity and improving the structure of indicators;(2)optimizing indicator reliability throughout the entire process to enhance the scientific ground of the indicator system;and(3)integrating data assets to facilitate joint application of big data.

Objective:To evaluate the role of necroptosis in paclitaxel-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice.Methods:Thirty SPF healthy male C57BL/6N mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=10 each) using a random number table method: vehicle control group (Veh group), paclitaxel group (PTX group), and paclitaxel+ a specific inhibitor of necroptosis Necrostatin-1 group (P+ N group). In PTX group and P+ N group, paclitaxel 10 mg/kg (diluted to 5 mg/ml in anhydrous ethanol and castor oil [1∶1], and further diluted to 1 mg/ml in 0.9% normal saline before use) was intraperitoneally injected daily for 7 consecutive days to induce cognitive dysfunction. P+ N group received an intraperitoneal injection of Necrostatin-1 6.5 mg/kg (diluted to 10 mg/ml in dimethyl sulfoxide, and further diluted to 1 mg/ml in 0.9% normal saline before use) at 2 h before paclitaxel administration every other day, 4 times in total. Veh group received the equal volume of solvent at the matched time points as previously described in P+ N group. After establishment of the model, spontaneous locomotor activity was assessed using the open field test, followed by the novel object recognition test and the Morris water maze to evaluate the cognitive function. The animals were sacrificed after the end of the Morris water maze test, and the hippocampal tissues were collected for determination of the expression of necroptosis-related proteins receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), RIPK3, mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), and phospho-MLKL (p-MLKL) (by Western blot analysis) and contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) (double immunofluorescence staining) and for observation of the localization of programmed necrosis cells (using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results:There were no significant differences in the total distance traveled and mean movement speed in the open field test or swimming speed in the Morris water maze test among the three groups ( P>0.05). Compared to Veh group, the time spent in the central zone in the open field and time spent in the original platform quadrant were significantly shortened, the discrimination index was decreased, the escape latency was prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the expression of RIPK1, RIPK3, MLKL and p-MLKL was up-regulated, the contents of TNF-α and IL-1β were increased, and the number of RIPK1-positive neurons was increased in PTX group ( P<0.05). Compared to PTX group, the time spent in the central zone in the open field test and time spent in the original platform quadrant were significantly prolonged, the discrimination index was increased, the escape latency was shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, the expression of RIPK1, RIPK3, MLKL and p-MLKL was down-regulated, the contents of TNF-α and IL-1β were decreased, and the number of RIPK1-positive neurons was decreased in P+ N group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Necroptosis in hippocampal neurons can lead to neuroinflammation, thus contributeing to paclitaxel-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice.