Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of adult patients with phytosterolemia presenting with thrombocytopenia as the initial manifestation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on eight adult patients with phytosterolemia who visited Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, from December 2020 to December 2023.Results:① The participants consisted of 2 (25%) male and 6 (75%) female patients, with a median age at diagnosis of 55 years (range: 29-66 years). The median duration from the discovery of thrombocytopenia to diagnosis was 10 years (range: 0.2-50 years). ② Compared with the normal control group (30 healthy adult volunteers) and the immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) control group (20 patients with ITP), patients with phytosterolemia exhibited significantly higher mean platelet volume and large platelet ratio. Peripheral blood smears revealed that the mean platelet diameter and the proportion of large platelets (diameter> 4 μm) were significantly higher in patients with phytosterolemia than those in the normal and ITP control groups ( P<0.01). ③ After a low-plant-sterol diet and ezetimibe treatment, five patients demonstrated decreased serum sitosterol and campesterol levels, increased hemoglobin concentration and platelet counts, and reduced platelet volume. Conclusion:Adult-onset phytosterolemia presenting with thrombocytopenia as the initial manifestation is prone to misdiagnosis. The presence of hemolytic anemia, splenomegaly, increased large platelets and schistocytes on peripheral blood smears, and xanthomas are crucial diagnostic indicators. Restricting dietary plant sterol intake and using ezetimibe to inhibit sterol absorption effectively lowers serum plant sterol levels and improves hematological abnormalities.

Objective:To compare the diagnostic efficacy of 18F-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI)-42 PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT for bone metastasis in patients with malignant tumors. Methods:From January 2022 to October 2023, the data of 238 patients (160 males, 78 females; age: 58(50, 66) years) with various malignant tumors who underwent both 18F-FAPI-42 and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging at Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University were retrospectively reviewed. An abnormal focal radioactive uptake in bones on the PET images was considered as positive lesion for bone metastasis. The efficacy of 2imaging methods and the supplementary role of CT in the diagnosis of bone metastasis were evaluated by McNemar test. Results:Of 238 patients, 95 were with bone metastases and 143 were without bone metastases, including 436 lesions with bone metastases and 358 lesions without bone metastases. Based on the visual analysis, 18F-FAPI-42 PET showed a higher diagnostic sensitivity than 18F-FDG PET (98.4%(429/436) vs 86.5%(377/436); χ2=41.95, P<0.001), while 18F-FDG PET had a higher diagnostic specificity than 18F-FAPI-42 PET (83.2%(298/358) vs 70.4%(252/358); χ2=22.50, P<0.001), and the accuracies of both methods were similar (85.8%(681/794) vs 85.0%(675/794); χ2=0.16, P=0.685). However, when the positive lesions seen in PET were analyzed combined with the image features on CT by the same scanner, the diagnostic specificity of 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT was significantly improved compared to that of 18F-FAPI-42 PET alone (91.3%(327/358) vs 70.4%(252/358); χ2=73.01, P<0.001), and was similar to 18F-FDG PET/CT (93.0%(333/358); χ2=0.78, P=0.377). Meanwhile, this combined analysis brought a higher sensitivity and accuracy of 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT than 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosing bone metastases (sensitivity: 98.4%(429/436) vs 86.5%(377/436); χ2=41.95, P<0.001; accuracy: 95.2%(756/794) vs 89.4%(710/794); χ2=21.54, P<0.001). Conclusions:The diagnostic sensitivity of 18F-FAPI-42 PET for bone metastasis is superior to 18F-FDG PET, but the specificity is lower. However, when CT features is combined for analysis, the diagnostic specificity of 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT is significantly improved, which thus can be used to diagnose bone metastasis accurately and is superior to 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Qinggan Bupi Jiangtang Decoction combined with acupuncture on glucose and lipid metabolism and cytokines in patients with overweight/obese T2DM.Methods:Randomized controlled trial. A total of 104 patient with overweight/obese T2DM who were admitted to the Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2022 to March 2023 were selected as the research subjects. They were randomly divided into the control group (52 cases) and the combination group (52 cases). The control group was given conventional symptomatic treatment and treated with acupuncture. On this basis, the combination group was treated with Qinggan Bupi Jiangtang Decoction. The two groups were compared in terms of efficacy, TCM syndrome scores, glucose metabolism indicators, islet function indicators, lipid metabolism indicators, cytokines, and blood glucose control. Results:The total effective rate was 90.38% (47/52) in the combined group and 73.08% (38/52) in the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ2=5.22, P=0.022). After treatment, the TCM syndrome score (13.21±1.48 vs. 18.54±2.01, t=15.40) of the combination group was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.001). After treatment, the combination group FPG [(6.05 ± 1.01) mmol/L vs. (7.26 ± 1.13) mmol/L, t=5.73], 2 hPG [(8.23 ± 1.12) mmol/L vs. (10.41 ± 1.26) mmol/L, t=9.54], HbAlc [(5.84 ± 0.84) % vs. (6.31 ± 0.93) %, t=2.84] and HOMA-IR (2.57 ± 0.26 vs. 2.86 ± 0.30, t=3.75) were lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05), and HOMA-β (61.34 ± 6.75 vs. 56.69 ± 5.72, t=5.87) was higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05). After treatment, the combination group TC, TG and LDL-C were lower than those in the control group ( t values were 10.25, 5.35, 3.51, respectively, P<0.01), HDL-C was higher than that of the control group ( t=11.59, P<0.01). After treatment, the combination group CTRP12 [(296.05 ± 30.11) ng/L vs. (280.23 ± 28.44) ng/L, t=2.76], FGF-21 [(184.12 ± 19.05) μg/L vs. (170.04 ± 17.03) μg/L, t=2.77], Nesfatin1 [(0.92 ± 0.10) μg/L vs. (0.77±0.08) μg/L, t=5.99] and lipidin levels [(4.89±0.51) mg/L vs. (4.12±0.48) mg/L, t=8.58] were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.01). The combined group composite endpoint achievement rate was 53.85% (28/52), the 12-week HbA1c achievement rate was 80.77% (42/52), and the rate of no weight increase was 84.62% (44/52). The control group's composite endpoint achievement rate was 34.62% (18/52), the 12-week HbA1c achievement rate was 61.54% (32/52), and the rate of no weight increase was 67.31% (35/52). The differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( χ2 values were 3.90, 4.69, 4.27, respectively, and the P values were 0.048, 0.030, 0.039, respectively). The adverse reactions of the two groups were mainly mild nausea, skin rash and pruritus, the incidence of which was 15.38% (8/52) in the combination group and 9.62% (5/52) in the control group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=0.79, P=0.374). Conclusion:The therapeutic effect of Qinggan Bupi Jiangtang Decoction combined with acupuncture on overweight/obese T2DM patients is relatively clear, and it can regulate the glucose and lipid metabolism and cytokines of patients.

Objectives:To explore the relationship between plasma big endothelin-1(Big ET-1)level and left ventricular(LV)remodeling assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy(HOCM).Methods:A total of 180 consecutive HOCM patients were enrolled from November 2013 to July 2015 in Fuwai Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.The baseline characteristics of the patients were collected and the plasma Big ET-1 levels were measured.According to LV remodeling index(LVRI),the patients were divided into severe remodeling group(LVRI>1.3 g/ml,n=119)and mild remodeling group(LVRI≤1.3 g/ml,n=61).The Pearson correlation analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted to assess the correlations between plasma Big ET-1 level and indicators of LV remodeling.Results:Compared to the mild remodeling group,the plasma Big ET-1 level([0.84±0.30]pmol/L vs.[0.41±0.19]pmol/L),LVRI([1.7±0.3]g/ml vs.[1.1±0.1]g/ml),the extent of late gadolinium enhancement(LGE)([16.8±8.9]g vs.[7.0±6.6]g)were significantly higher in the severe remodeling group(all P<0.001).Pearson correlation analysis revealed that in patients with HOCM,plasma Big ET-1 level were positively correlated with left atrial anteroposterior diameter,interventricular septal thickness(IVS),LV mass(LVM),LVRI,LGE and LV outflow tract(LVOT)gradient and negatively correlated with LV ejection fraction(all P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LVM(OR=1.037,95% CI:1.019-1.056,P<0.001)and plasm Big ET-1 level(OR=11.461,95% CI:2.264-58.014,P=0.003)were the independent determinants for severe LV remodeling in HOCM patients.Conclusions:Among patients with HOCM,the plasma Big ET-1 level are markedly higher in those with severe LV remodeling and are positively associated with left atrial anteroposterior diameter,IVS,LVRI,LVM,LVOT gradient and LGE.Elevated Big ET-1 level and LVM are independent determinants of severe LV remodeling in HOCM patients.

Objectives:To explore the relationship between plasma big endothelin-1(Big ET-1)level and left ventricular(LV)remodeling assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy(HOCM).Methods:A total of 180 consecutive HOCM patients were enrolled from November 2013 to July 2015 in Fuwai Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.The baseline characteristics of the patients were collected and the plasma Big ET-1 levels were measured.According to LV remodeling index(LVRI),the patients were divided into severe remodeling group(LVRI>1.3 g/ml,n=119)and mild remodeling group(LVRI≤1.3 g/ml,n=61).The Pearson correlation analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted to assess the correlations between plasma Big ET-1 level and indicators of LV remodeling.Results:Compared to the mild remodeling group,the plasma Big ET-1 level([0.84±0.30]pmol/L vs.[0.41±0.19]pmol/L),LVRI([1.7±0.3]g/ml vs.[1.1±0.1]g/ml),the extent of late gadolinium enhancement(LGE)([16.8±8.9]g vs.[7.0±6.6]g)were significantly higher in the severe remodeling group(all P<0.001).Pearson correlation analysis revealed that in patients with HOCM,plasma Big ET-1 level were positively correlated with left atrial anteroposterior diameter,interventricular septal thickness(IVS),LV mass(LVM),LVRI,LGE and LV outflow tract(LVOT)gradient and negatively correlated with LV ejection fraction(all P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LVM(OR=1.037,95% CI:1.019-1.056,P<0.001)and plasm Big ET-1 level(OR=11.461,95% CI:2.264-58.014,P=0.003)were the independent determinants for severe LV remodeling in HOCM patients.Conclusions:Among patients with HOCM,the plasma Big ET-1 level are markedly higher in those with severe LV remodeling and are positively associated with left atrial anteroposterior diameter,IVS,LVRI,LVM,LVOT gradient and LGE.Elevated Big ET-1 level and LVM are independent determinants of severe LV remodeling in HOCM patients.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of adult patients with phytosterolemia presenting with thrombocytopenia as the initial manifestation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on eight adult patients with phytosterolemia who visited Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, from December 2020 to December 2023.Results:① The participants consisted of 2 (25%) male and 6 (75%) female patients, with a median age at diagnosis of 55 years (range: 29-66 years). The median duration from the discovery of thrombocytopenia to diagnosis was 10 years (range: 0.2-50 years). ② Compared with the normal control group (30 healthy adult volunteers) and the immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) control group (20 patients with ITP), patients with phytosterolemia exhibited significantly higher mean platelet volume and large platelet ratio. Peripheral blood smears revealed that the mean platelet diameter and the proportion of large platelets (diameter> 4 μm) were significantly higher in patients with phytosterolemia than those in the normal and ITP control groups ( P<0.01). ③ After a low-plant-sterol diet and ezetimibe treatment, five patients demonstrated decreased serum sitosterol and campesterol levels, increased hemoglobin concentration and platelet counts, and reduced platelet volume. Conclusion:Adult-onset phytosterolemia presenting with thrombocytopenia as the initial manifestation is prone to misdiagnosis. The presence of hemolytic anemia, splenomegaly, increased large platelets and schistocytes on peripheral blood smears, and xanthomas are crucial diagnostic indicators. Restricting dietary plant sterol intake and using ezetimibe to inhibit sterol absorption effectively lowers serum plant sterol levels and improves hematological abnormalities.

Objective:To compare the diagnostic efficacy of 18F-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI)-42 PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT for bone metastasis in patients with malignant tumors. Methods:From January 2022 to October 2023, the data of 238 patients (160 males, 78 females; age: 58(50, 66) years) with various malignant tumors who underwent both 18F-FAPI-42 and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging at Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University were retrospectively reviewed. An abnormal focal radioactive uptake in bones on the PET images was considered as positive lesion for bone metastasis. The efficacy of 2imaging methods and the supplementary role of CT in the diagnosis of bone metastasis were evaluated by McNemar test. Results:Of 238 patients, 95 were with bone metastases and 143 were without bone metastases, including 436 lesions with bone metastases and 358 lesions without bone metastases. Based on the visual analysis, 18F-FAPI-42 PET showed a higher diagnostic sensitivity than 18F-FDG PET (98.4%(429/436) vs 86.5%(377/436); χ2=41.95, P<0.001), while 18F-FDG PET had a higher diagnostic specificity than 18F-FAPI-42 PET (83.2%(298/358) vs 70.4%(252/358); χ2=22.50, P<0.001), and the accuracies of both methods were similar (85.8%(681/794) vs 85.0%(675/794); χ2=0.16, P=0.685). However, when the positive lesions seen in PET were analyzed combined with the image features on CT by the same scanner, the diagnostic specificity of 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT was significantly improved compared to that of 18F-FAPI-42 PET alone (91.3%(327/358) vs 70.4%(252/358); χ2=73.01, P<0.001), and was similar to 18F-FDG PET/CT (93.0%(333/358); χ2=0.78, P=0.377). Meanwhile, this combined analysis brought a higher sensitivity and accuracy of 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT than 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosing bone metastases (sensitivity: 98.4%(429/436) vs 86.5%(377/436); χ2=41.95, P<0.001; accuracy: 95.2%(756/794) vs 89.4%(710/794); χ2=21.54, P<0.001). Conclusions:The diagnostic sensitivity of 18F-FAPI-42 PET for bone metastasis is superior to 18F-FDG PET, but the specificity is lower. However, when CT features is combined for analysis, the diagnostic specificity of 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT is significantly improved, which thus can be used to diagnose bone metastasis accurately and is superior to 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Objective: To determine the active components of Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker (Tu Bie Chong) and explore the mechanisms underlying its fracture-healing ability. Methods: A modified Einhorn method was used to develop a rat tibial fracture model. Progression of bone healing was assessed using radiological methods. Safranin O/fast green and CD31 immunohistochemical staining were performed to evaluate the growth of bone cells and angiogenesis at the fracture site. Methylthiazoletetrazolium blue and wound healing assays were used to analyze cell viability and migration. The Transwell assay was used to explore the invasion capacity of the cells. Tubule formation assays were used to assess the angiogenesis capacity of human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). qRT-PCR was used to evaluate the changes in gene transcription levels. Results: Tu Bie Chong fraction 3 (TF3) significantly shortened the fracture healing time in model rats. X-ray results showed that on day 14, fracture healing in the TF3 treatment group was significantly better than that in the control group (P = .0086). Tissue staining showed that cartilage growth and the number of H-shaped blood vessels at the fracture site of the TF3 treatment group were better than those of the control group. In vitro, TF3 significantly promoted the proliferation and wound healing of MC3T3-E1s and HUVECs (all P < .01). Transwell assays showed that TF3 promoted the migration of HUVECs, but inhibited the migration of MC3T3-E1 cells. Tubule formation experiments confirmed that TF3 markedly promoted the ability of vascular endothelial cells to form microtubules. Gene expression analysis revealed that TF3 significantly promoted the expression of VEGFA, SPOCD1, NGF, and NGFR in HUVECs. In MC3T3-E1 cells, the transcript levels of RUNX2 and COL2A1 were significantly elevated following TF3 treatment. Conclusion TF3 promotes fracture healing by promoting bone regeneration associated with the RUNX2 pathway and angiogenesis associated with the VEGFA pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effects of external application of Sanying Plaster on the size of thyroid nodules and the states of depression and anxiety in patients with benign thyroid nodules.Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 120 patients with benign thyroid nodules from the outpatient clinic of the Department of Thyroid Diseases at Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from June to December 2022 were selected as the subjects of the study. They were divided into two groups using the random number table method, with 60 patients in each group. The control group received lifestyle intervention treatment, while the treatment group received Sanying Ointment in addition to the treatment of the control group. Both groups were treated for 3 months. TCM syndrome scores were measured before and after treatment; the maximum diameter of thyroid nodules was measured using a color Doppler ultrasound transverse section; the quality of life was assessed using the short form 36 (SF-36); the degree of anxiety and depression was evaluated using the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and the self-rating depression scale (SDS); adverse reactions during the treatment period were recorded, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:During the treatment period, 4 cases in the treatment group and 3 cases in the control group did not complete the treatment. Finally, 56 cases in the treatment group and 57 cases in the control group entered the efficacy evaluation. The total effective rate of the treatment group was 71.4% (40/56), and that of the control group was 14.0% (8/57), with a statistically significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=26.82, P<0.001). After treatment, the TCM syndrome score of the treatment group (10.02±3.65 vs. 16.65±3.44, t=-10.24) was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.001); the maximum diameter of thyroid nodules [11.00 (4.65, 19.93) mm vs. 15.00 (7.15, 28.50) mm, Z=-2.43] was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.05); the SF-36 score [121.83 (117.00, 130.00) vs. 114.42 (104.25, 127.50), Z=-2.62] was higher than that of the control group ( P<0.01); the SDS (46.72±4.59 vs. 57.02±5.99, t=14.80) and SAS (42.25±5.72 vs. 50.60±7.12, t=10.04) scores were lower than those in the control group ( P<0.001). The incidence of adverse reactions during the treatment period in the treatment group was 3.5% (2/57), and no adverse reactions occurred in the control group. Conclusion:The external application of Sanying Ointment helps to reduce the size of thyroid nodules in patients with benign thyroid nodules, improve the quality of life and anxiety and depression, and increase clinical efficacy with good safety.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between cuproptosis genes and immune infiltration during the occurrence and development of multiple sclerosis(MS),and to predict the traditional Chinese medicine,to provide theoretical basis for the mecha-nism study of cuproptosis in MS immune infiltration and Chinese medicine to intervene in immune regulation.Methods:The gout chip of MS was downloaded from the GEO database and standardized;based on the processed data,immune cells and functions were ex-tracted and quantified,and the correlation and differences of immune cells and functions were analyzed;at the same time,cuproptosis genes related to MS were screened out,a risk model was constructed,and enrichment analysis was carried out;the prediction of cu-proptosis genes and immune-related biological processes were carried out.Results:① Among immune cells,T follicular helper cell and B cell showed the strongest positive correlation;among the immune functions,parainflammation and typeⅠIFN reponse showed the strongest positive correlation;②B cell,T helper cell and human leukocyte antigen were lowly expressed in MS patients,while major histocompatibility complex class Ⅰ,parainflammation and typeⅠIFN response were significantly expressed;③ The cupropto-sis genes associated with MS were SLC31A1,PDHA1,NLRP3,MTF1,GLS and DBT,of which DBT was the most likely risk factor for MS;④The occurrence and development of MS involves biological processes such as IL-4 production,T-helper cell differentiation,and acute inflammatory response,which were related to pathways such as arginine biosynthesis,citrate cycle,and propanoate metabo-lism;⑤Banxia,Danshen,Jianghuang and other traditional Chinese medicines may be used as potential molecular drug sources.Con-clusion:The expression of cuproptosis gene is closely related to MS-related immune cells and functions,which can provide support for the basic research of MS.