ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention mechanism of the traditional Chinese medicine Number 2 Feibi recipe （N2FBR） in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF）， focusing on its effects on endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress， apoptosis， stemness maintenance， and regenerative capacity of alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cells （AT2 cells）， and to validate the modern translational pathway of the theory of "deficiency of Zong Qi leading to pulmonary atelectasis and atrophy". MethodsA mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis was induced by bleomycin （BLM）. Mice were randomly divided into blank control， model， low-， and high-dose N2FBR intervention groups （9.1， 18.2 g·kg^-1）， and prednisolone intervention group （6.5 mg·kg^-1）. Pulmonary histopathological changes and collagen deposition were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Masson's trichrome staining. Hydroxyproline （HYP） content was measured by the alkaline hydrolysis method. Lung coefficient and pulmonary function parameters were evaluated. The mRNA expression levels of fibrosis-related factors， including collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 chain （ColIa1）， alpha-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 （Timp1）， were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. Cell apoptosis was assessed using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） assay. Apoptosis of AT2 cells was further evaluated by double immunofluorescence staining for surfactant protein C （SPC） and cysteine-aspartic protease-3 （Caspase-3）. Endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress in AT2 cells was examined by double staining for SPC and protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）. Ultrastructural changes of ER and lamellar bodies in AT2 cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The expression levels of key proteins involved in ER stress and apoptosis pathways， including PERK， activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4）， and Caspase-3， were detected by Western blot. Double immunofluorescence staining of SPC and Ki-67 antigen （Ki-67） was performed to evaluate the proliferative capacity of AT2 cells. Lineage tracing technology （labeling AT2 cells with GFP） combined with Krt8 labeling was used to evaluate intermediate differentiation states， and morphological transformation of AT2 cells into alveolar type Ⅰ epithelial cells （AT1） was observed. ResultsBLM-induced mice exhibited significant structural disruption of lung tissue， increased collagen deposition， elevated lung coefficient， decreased pulmonary function， and upregulation of fibrosis-related factors （P<0.01）. High-dose N2FBR treatment significantly ameliorated lung tissue damage and dysfunction， significantly reduced HYP content （P<0.01）， and significantly downregulated ColIa1， α-SMA， and Timp1 expression （P<0.01）. Apoptosis analysis showed increased TUNEL-positive and Caspase-3-positive AT2 cells in the model group， which was significantly reduced by high-dose N2FBR treatment. TEM revealed swollen ER structures in AT2 cells of the model group， which tended to return to normal following treatment. PERK protein staining analysis showed evident ER stress in AT2 cells of the model group， which were markedly alleviated in the treatment group. The expression levels of ER stress-related proteins PERK and ATF4， as well as the apoptosis-related protein Caspase-3， were elevated in the model group and significantly reduced after treatment. TEM also revealed disrupted lamellar body structures in the model group， which tended to recover in the treatment group. Regarding the proliferative capacity of AT2 cells， the proportion of Ki-67⁺SPC⁺ AT2 cells significantly increased in the treatment group （P<0.01）. Lineage tracing showed that the proportion of keratin 8-positive green fluorescent protein-positive （Krt8⁺GFP⁺） cells increased in the model group， indicating differentiation arrest. This proportion was significantly reduced in the treatment group， and the morphology of GFP⁺ cells exhibited a flattened， extended shape， suggesting restored differentiation toward AT1 cells. ConclusionN2FBR alleviates ER stress in AT2 cells， reduces AT2 cell apoptosis， restores lamellar body structure and function， enhances proliferation activity， and alleviates differentiation arrest to promote differentiation into AT1 cells， thereby repairing the alveolar epithelium and effectively blocking the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Its traditional Chinese medicine mechanism of "replenishing Zong Qi， harmonizing Qi and blood， and unblocking pulmonary meridians" closely aligns with the modern regulatory pathway of AT2 stem cells， providing a novel theoretical basis and experimental evidence for the intervention of IPF with traditional Chinese medicine.

ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention mechanism of the traditional Chinese medicine Number 2 Feibi recipe （N2FBR） in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF）， focusing on its effects on endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress， apoptosis， stemness maintenance， and regenerative capacity of alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cells （AT2 cells）， and to validate the modern translational pathway of the theory of "deficiency of Zong Qi leading to pulmonary atelectasis and atrophy". MethodsA mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis was induced by bleomycin （BLM）. Mice were randomly divided into blank control， model， low-， and high-dose N2FBR intervention groups （9.1， 18.2 g·kg^-1）， and prednisolone intervention group （6.5 mg·kg^-1）. Pulmonary histopathological changes and collagen deposition were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Masson's trichrome staining. Hydroxyproline （HYP） content was measured by the alkaline hydrolysis method. Lung coefficient and pulmonary function parameters were evaluated. The mRNA expression levels of fibrosis-related factors， including collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 chain （ColIa1）， alpha-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 （Timp1）， were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. Cell apoptosis was assessed using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） assay. Apoptosis of AT2 cells was further evaluated by double immunofluorescence staining for surfactant protein C （SPC） and cysteine-aspartic protease-3 （Caspase-3）. Endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress in AT2 cells was examined by double staining for SPC and protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）. Ultrastructural changes of ER and lamellar bodies in AT2 cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The expression levels of key proteins involved in ER stress and apoptosis pathways， including PERK， activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4）， and Caspase-3， were detected by Western blot. Double immunofluorescence staining of SPC and Ki-67 antigen （Ki-67） was performed to evaluate the proliferative capacity of AT2 cells. Lineage tracing technology （labeling AT2 cells with GFP） combined with Krt8 labeling was used to evaluate intermediate differentiation states， and morphological transformation of AT2 cells into alveolar type Ⅰ epithelial cells （AT1） was observed. ResultsBLM-induced mice exhibited significant structural disruption of lung tissue， increased collagen deposition， elevated lung coefficient， decreased pulmonary function， and upregulation of fibrosis-related factors （P<0.01）. High-dose N2FBR treatment significantly ameliorated lung tissue damage and dysfunction， significantly reduced HYP content （P<0.01）， and significantly downregulated ColIa1， α-SMA， and Timp1 expression （P<0.01）. Apoptosis analysis showed increased TUNEL-positive and Caspase-3-positive AT2 cells in the model group， which was significantly reduced by high-dose N2FBR treatment. TEM revealed swollen ER structures in AT2 cells of the model group， which tended to return to normal following treatment. PERK protein staining analysis showed evident ER stress in AT2 cells of the model group， which were markedly alleviated in the treatment group. The expression levels of ER stress-related proteins PERK and ATF4， as well as the apoptosis-related protein Caspase-3， were elevated in the model group and significantly reduced after treatment. TEM also revealed disrupted lamellar body structures in the model group， which tended to recover in the treatment group. Regarding the proliferative capacity of AT2 cells， the proportion of Ki-67⁺SPC⁺ AT2 cells significantly increased in the treatment group （P<0.01）. Lineage tracing showed that the proportion of keratin 8-positive green fluorescent protein-positive （Krt8⁺GFP⁺） cells increased in the model group， indicating differentiation arrest. This proportion was significantly reduced in the treatment group， and the morphology of GFP⁺ cells exhibited a flattened， extended shape， suggesting restored differentiation toward AT1 cells. ConclusionN2FBR alleviates ER stress in AT2 cells， reduces AT2 cell apoptosis， restores lamellar body structure and function， enhances proliferation activity， and alleviates differentiation arrest to promote differentiation into AT1 cells， thereby repairing the alveolar epithelium and effectively blocking the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Its traditional Chinese medicine mechanism of "replenishing Zong Qi， harmonizing Qi and blood， and unblocking pulmonary meridians" closely aligns with the modern regulatory pathway of AT2 stem cells， providing a novel theoretical basis and experimental evidence for the intervention of IPF with traditional Chinese medicine.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy（AIT） remains the only therapeutic approach with the potential to modify the natural course of allergic rhinitis（AR）. Nevertheless, considerable inter-individual variability exists in patients'responses to AIT. To facilitate more reliable assessment of treatment efficacy, the China Rhinopathy Research Cooperation Group（CRRCG） convened young and middle-aged nasal experts in China to formulate the present consensus. The recommended subjective outcome measures for AIT comprise symptom scores, medication scores, combined symptom and medication scores, quality-of-life assessments, evaluation of disease control, and assessment of comorbidities. Objective indicators may supplement these measures. Currently available objective approaches include skin prick testing, nasal provocation testing, and allergen exposure chambers. However, these methods remain constrained by practical limitations and are not yet appropriate for routine implementation in clinical efficacy evaluation. In addition, several biomarkers, including sIgE and the sIgE/tIgE ratio, sIgG4, serum IgE-blocking activity, IgA, cytokines and chemokines, as well as immune cell surface molecules and their functional activity, have been shown to have associations with AIT outcomes. While these biomarkers may complement subjective assessments, they are subject to significant limitations. Consequently, large-scale multicenter trials and real-world evidence are required to strengthen the evidence base. The present consensus underscores the necessity of integrating patients'subjective experiences with objective testing throughout the treatment process, thereby providing a more comprehensive and accurate framework for efficacy evaluation. Looking forward, future investigations should prioritize the incorporation of multi-omics data and artificial intelligence methodologies, which hold promise for overcoming current limitations in assessment strategies and for advancing both the standardization and personalization of AIT.
Humans ; Allergens/immunology* ; China ; Consensus ; Desensitization, Immunologic ; Immunoglobulin E ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis, Allergic/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; East Asian People

OBJECTIVE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health concern in northwest China; however, the impact of particulate matter (PM) exposure during sand-dust storms (SDS) remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between PM exposure on SDS days and COPD hospitalization risk in arid regions. METHODS: Data on daily COPD hospitalizations were collected from 323 hospitals from 2018 to 2022, along with the corresponding air pollutant and meteorological data for each city in Gansu Province. Employing a space-time-stratified case-crossover design and conditional Poisson regression, we analyzed 265,379 COPD hospitalizations. RESULTS: PM exposure during SDS days significantly increased COPD hospitalization risk [relative risk ( RR) for PM _2.5, lag 3:1.028, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.021-1.034], particularly among men and the elderly, and during the cold season. The burden of PM exposure on COPD hospitalization was substantially high in Northwest China, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions. CONCLUSION Our findings revealed a positive correlation between PM exposure during SDS episodes and elevated hospitalization rates for COPD in arid and semi-arid zones in China. This highlights the urgency of developing region-specific public health strategies to address adverse respiratory outcomes associated with SDS-related air quality deterioration.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/chemically induced* ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Spatio-Temporal Analysis ; Adult ; Sand ; Air Pollution

Objective To investigate the effect of nursing intervention based on Kano model on surgical outcomes and negative emotions in patients with diabetic retinopathy(DR).Methods A to-tal of 262 DR patients who underwent vitrectomy were randomly divided into control group(n=131)and observation group(n=131)using the random number table method.The control group received routine nursing intervention,while the observation group received nursing intervention based on the Kano model.The surgical outcomes[visual acuity level and improvement in visual function],nursing needs[Perioperative Nursing Needs Questionnaire for DR Surgical Patients],negative emotions[Self-Rat-ing Anxiety Scale(SAS)and Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS)],and quality of life[Chinese Version of Low Vision Quality of Life Scale(CLVQOL)]were compared between the two groups.The incidence of complications during the intervention period was also recorded in both groups.Results After interven-tion,the visual acuity levels in both groups increased compared to those before intervention,and the rates of low vision decreased(P＜0.001).The visual acuity level in the observation group was high-er,and the rate of low vision was lower than that in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.001).After intervention,the scores for peripheral visual field,sensory adaptation,and limitations in daily activities decreased in both groups compared to those before intervention,and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).After intervention,the SAS and SDS scores in both groups decreased compared to those before interven-tion,and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P＜0.001).After intervention,the CLVQOL scores in both groups increased compared to those before the intervention,and the score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group(P＜0.001).The incidence of complications in the control group was higher than that in the obser-vation group(12.22％versus 4.58％,P＜0.05).Conclusion Nursing intervention based on the Kano model can improve visual acuity level,visual function,and negative emotions,enhance the quality of life,and further reduce the incidence of complications in DR patients undergoing vitrectomy.

Objective To investigate the rate of germline variants in patients with pancreatic cancer and clinical characteristics related with germline variants.Methods A total of 271 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer were enrolled in this study.Germline variants of 21 tumor susceptibility genes were detected by next-generation sequencing,and the relationship between germline variants and clinical factors such as age of onset,family history and personal history was analyzed.Results The rate of germline P/LP variants was 6.3%in unselected pancreatic cancer patients,but was high as 17.1%in genetic high-risk group patients(those with a family or personal history of cancer,or early-onset).Genes with higher frequency of germline variants in pancreatic cancer patients were PALB2,BRCA2,and ATM.Conclusion The rate of germline variants in overall pancreatic cancer patients is not high,but it increases significantly in genetic high-risk group,proving the importance of clinical factors in the screening of hereditary pancreatic cancer.

Objective To evaluate the value of high-throughput sequencing(HTS)data reanalysis that does not include ERBB2 copy number variation(CNV)analysis,in identifying ERBB2 amplification in patients with colorectal cancer.Methods The HTS data of 252 cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed by pathological biopsy who received peripheral blood cfDNA HTS detection samples were retrospectively analyzed.According to the HTS data of ERBB2 non-amplified samples judged by immunohistochemistry(IHC)and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH),the number of chromosome 17(Chr17)reads in the total number of reads was calculated the range of the ratio was initially determined as the threshold for prompting ERBB2 amplification.Suspected positive samples were screened according to thresholds and verified by digital PCR,IHC and FISH.Results The proportion of the number of Chr17 reads accounts for the number of total reads in the 89 cases of ERBB2 non-amplified samples determined by IHC and/or FISH ranged from 0.188 to 0.299(0.239±0.192).Using 0.298(1.25 times the mean)as the threshold indicating ERBB2 amplification,the data of 163 samples were analyzed,of which 7 cases were suspected to be positive,and the ratio ranged from 0.302 to 0.853.Among them,5 cases were determined to be positive by IHC and/or FISH,and 6 cases were confirmed to be positive by digital PCR.The ratio of the number of Chr17 reads to the number of total reads was positively correlated with the ratio of ERBB2/EIF2C1,and the correlation was good(r2=0.909).Conclusion The high-throughput sequencing data that does not cover the ERBB2 CNV analysis has a certain hint value for ERBB2 amplification in patients with colorectal cancer.

Objective:To study the expressions of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF), C-reactive protein (C reactive protein, CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) in mechanically ventilated patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and their clinical significance.Methods:A total of 128 COPD patients with mechanical ventilation admitted to the Third People's Hospital of Chengdu from September 2022 to September 2023 were selected as the study subjects. They were divided into VAP group and non-VAP group according to the occurrence of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). Comparison of general data between the two groups, measurement data in line with normal distribution were expressed xˉ± s, and independent sample t test was used to compare the mean between groups. Enumeration data were expressed as constituent ratio, and χ2 test was used to compare between groups. Multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of VAP in COPD patients. The diagnostic value of CRP, procalcitonin and IL-6 in BALF and serum for VAP was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:There were 32 cases of VAP and 96 cases of non-VAP in 128 COPD patients with mechanical ventilation. In the VAP group, the duration of mechanical ventilation was (5.12±0.48) days, and 13 patients (40.63%) had used antibiotics within 3 months, while in the non-VAP group, the duration of mechanical ventilation was (4.79±0.69) days, and 56 patients (61.46%) had used antibiotics within 3 months, respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups ( t=2.51, χ2=4.23, all P<0.05). The levels of CRP, procalcitonin and IL-6 in BALF of VAP group were (26.46±6.78) mg/L, (2.47±0.69) ng/L and (751.46±126.44), and in the non-VAP group, they were (20.47±6.26) mg/L, (1.12±0.32) ng/L and (447.89±68.69) μg/L, respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups ( t=4.59, 15.00, 17.18, all P<0.001). The serum levels of CRP, procalcitonin and IL-6 in VAP group were (124.78±26.32) mg/L, (10.53±2.20) ng/L and (221.69±45.46). The non-VAP group was (96.78±24.96) mg/L, (6.46±1.89) ng/L and (146.36±42.34) μg/L, respectively ( t=5.42, 10.12, 8.56; all P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that mechanical ventilation time, BALF and serum CRP, procalcitonin and IL-6 were independent factors affecting the occurrence of VAP in COPD patients ( OR values were 1.578, 1.687, 1.669, 1.844,1.645, 1.775 and 1.659, respectively). 95% CI were 1.017-2.447, 1.066-2.669, 1.076-2.588, 1.148-2.963, 1.086-2.493, 1.172-2.690 and 1.084-2.538, all P<0.05). ROC curve showed that the AUC of CRP, procalcitonin and IL-6 in BALF and serum were 0.758/0.792, 0.965/0.930 and 0.977/0.900 respectively ( P values were 0.049/0.046, 0.030/0.030 and 0.021/0.033, respectively). Conclusion:The expressions of CRP, procalcitonin and IL-6 in BALF and serum of COPD patients with mechanical ventilation have high clinical diagnostic value, which can assist the diagnosis of early VAP.

Objective To observe the value of artificial intelligence(AI)models based on non-contrast chest CT for measuring bone mineral density(BMD).Methods Totally 380 subjects who underwent both non-contrast chest CT and quantitative CT(QCT)BMD examination were retrospectively enrolled and divided into training set(n=304)and test set(n=76)at a ratio of 8∶2.The mean BMD of L1-L3 vertebrae were measured based on QCT.Spongy bones of T5-T10 vertebrae were segmented as RO1,radiomics(Rad)features were extracted,and machine learning(ML),Rad and deep learning(DL)models were constructed for classification of osteoporosis(OP)and evaluating BMD,respectively.Receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn,and area under the curves(AUC)were calculated to evaluate the efficacy of each model for classification of OP.Bland-Altman analysis and Pearson correlation analysis were performed to explore the consistency and correlation of each model with QCT for measuring BMD.Results Among ML and Rad models,MLBagging OP and RadBagging-OP had the best performances for classification of OP.In test set,AUC of MLBagging-OP,RadBagging-op and DLOP for classification of OP was 0.943,0.944 and 0.947,respectively,with no significant difference(all P＞0.05).BMD obtained with all the above models had good consistency with those measured with QCT(most of the differences were within the range of(x)±1.96s),which were highly positively correlated(r=0.910-0.974,all P＜0.001).Conclusion AI models based on non-contrast chest CT had high efficacy for classification of OP,and good consistency of BMD measurements were found between AI models and QCT.

AIM To study the protective effects and mechanism of pueraria isoflavones on myocardial injury in ovariectomized rats.METHODS Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group,the model group,the estradiol valerate group(0.1 mg/kg)and the low,medium and high dose pueraria isoflavones groups(55,110,220 mg/kg).In contrast to the rats of the sham operation group having their small pieces of adipose tissue removal around the ovaries,rats of the other groups had their bilateral ovaries excised,followed by the 16-week corresponding oral drug administration 2 weeks later at a once daily frequency for,6 days a week.At the end of the 16th week,the rats had their hemodynamics[systolic pressure(SBP),diastolic pressure(DBP),mean pressure(MBP),left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP),left ventricular diastolic pressure(LVMP),and the maximum rate of increase and decrease of left ventricular pressure during isovolumic contraction(±dp/dtmax)]detected by PowerLab;their cardiac pathological changes observed by HE staining;their levels of creatine kinase(CK),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and glucose(Glu)in plasma detected by biochemical analyzer;their myocardial level of adenosine triphosphate(ATP)detected by colorimetry;their mRNA expressions of glucose transporter 4(GLUT4),lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA),carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1(CPT-1α),acyl coenzyme A carboxylase(ACC),liver kinase B1(LKB1),adenylate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator factor 1α(PGC-1α)detected by RT-qPCR;and their myocardial expressions of energy metabolism related proteins LKB1,p-AMPK/AMPK and PGC-1α detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the pueraria isoflavones groups displayed decreased levels of SBP,DBP,MBP,LVSP,LVMP(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);increased-dp/dtmax(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);improved myocardial fibrinolysis,gap widening and inflammatory infiltration caused by ovariectomy;decreased activities of LDH and CK(P＜0.05);increased myocardial ATP level(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased levels of TC,TG,LDL-C and Glu(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);increased HDL-C level(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);increased myocardial mRNA expressions of GLUT4,LDHA,CPT-1α,ACC,LKB1,AMPK and PGC-1α(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and increased protein expressions of myocardial LKB1,p-AMPK/AMPK and PGC-1α(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Pueraria isoflavones are protective to myocardial injury in ovariectomized rats,and the mechanism may lie in the improvement of energy metabolism-related myocardial proteins via LKB1/AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway.