Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） has become the leading chronic liver disease worldwide. As a classic food-medicine homologous Chinese herb， hawthorn fruit has the functions of promoting digestion to resolve food stagnation and activating blood circulation to resolve blood stasis. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that hawthorn fruit and its active components exert diverse pharmacological activities in regulating lipid metabolism， improving insulin resistance， inhibiting inflammatory response， delaying hepatic fibrosis， and protecting hepatocytes. These effects precisely match the “multiple-hit” pathological features of MAFLD， and thus hawthorn fruit shows significant advantages in the prevention and treatment of MAFLD. Drug pair combination is a key strategy in traditional Chinese medicine to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity. In clinical practice， hawthorn fruit is often combined with Salvia miltiorrhiza， Alisma orientalis， cassia seed， and Poria cocos， and such combination adheres to the principle of “mutual reinforcement and assistance” to enhance efficacy and expand their application in different syndromes of MAFLD. This article systematically reviews the core pharmacological mechanisms of hawthorn fruit in intervening against MAFLD and the research advances in its classic drug combinations， in order to provide a scientific reference for the in-depth development of hawthorn fruit and its combinations and the precise clinical intervention of MAFLD.

Objective:To analyze the differences in routine blood tests and infection markers among elderly AIDS patients with other opportunistic infections, to explore their immune status and inflammatory responses, and to provide new molecular markers for clinical diagnosis.Methods:The study included general indicators, routine blood tests, and infection markers of older HIV patients with other opportunistic infections admitted to Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2024.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0 software, with a significance level set at P<0.05. Results:A total of 94 elderly AIDS patients with various opportunistic infections were included in this study.Among them, the majority were co-infected with tuberculosis, accounting for 60 cases(63.83%), followed by 23 cases(24.47%)of AIDS patients co-infected with syphilis.Additionally, there were 7 cases of AIDS co-infected with amoebiasis(7.45%)and 4 cases of AIDS co-infected with monkeypox(4.26%).Almost all cases of combined infections were male, with males comprising 91.3% of AIDS patients co-infected with syphilis and 100% in the other co-infected groups.There were 9 blood routine and infectious markers that exhibited significant differences between patients with HIV co-infected with tuberculosis and those with other opportunistic infections.These markers included lymphocytes(LYM), hemoglobin(HGB), erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), C-reactive protein(CRP), procalcitonin(PCT), T lymphocytes, CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, and the CD4/CD8 ratio( P<0.05).Specifically, the levels of LYM, HGB, T lymphocytes, CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, and the CD4/CD8 ratio in elderly AIDS patients with tuberculosis were significantly lower than those in patients with other co-infections(all P<0.05).Conversely, the levels of inflammatory factors such as PCT, ESR, and CRP were notably higher in the former group(all P<0.05).The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis revealed that when LYM was utilized as an individual indicator for the differential diagnosis between AIDS patients with tuberculosis and those with other opportunistic infections, the area under the curve(AUC)amounted to 0.832.However, the CRP/LYM ratio demonstrated the optimal diagnostic performance in differential diagnosis, with an AUC reaching 0.866. Conclusions:The immune function of elderly AIDS patients is further compromised following co-infection with tuberculosis, which is accompanied by a severe inflammatory response.The CRP/LYM ratio shows promise as a hematological molecular marker for differentiating between AIDS patients with tuberculosis and those with other opportunistic infections.

Objective:To explore the relationship between serum ferritin(SF), triglyceride-glucose(TyG) index, and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD), and to assess their interaction on MAFLD risk in the health checkup population.Methods:A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 1 439 participants from the Health Management Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital in 2022. Data were collected through physical examination, laboratory tests, and abdominal imaging. Differences in metabolic indicators, SF, and TyG index were compared between MAFLD and non-MAFLD groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the associations of SF and TyG index with MAFLD, and their on MAFLD interaction was evaluated. Results:Both SF and TyG index were significantly higher in the MAFLD group between than those in the non-MAFLD group( P<0.05). After adjusting for sex, age, history of hypertension, history of diabetes, body mass index, waist circumference, haemoglobin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and uric acid, the SF and TyG index were positively associated with the risk of MAFLD[ OR(95% CI), SF: 1.00(1.00-1.00); TyG index: 2.98(2.19-4.06). The additive interaction analysis showed that the risk of MAFLD was significantly higher in the G4 group(SF≥135.4 ng/mL, TyG index≥8.52) compared to the G1 group(SF<135.4 ng/mL, TyG index<8.52) [ OR 4.43(95% CI 2.70-7.25)]. Conclusions:Elevated SF and TyG index were independently associated with increased risk of MAFLD, with a significant synergistic interaction between the two.

Objective:To explore the relationship between serum ferritin(SF), triglyceride-glucose(TyG) index, and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD), and to assess their interaction on MAFLD risk in the health checkup population.Methods:A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 1 439 participants from the Health Management Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital in 2022. Data were collected through physical examination, laboratory tests, and abdominal imaging. Differences in metabolic indicators, SF, and TyG index were compared between MAFLD and non-MAFLD groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the associations of SF and TyG index with MAFLD, and their on MAFLD interaction was evaluated. Results:Both SF and TyG index were significantly higher in the MAFLD group between than those in the non-MAFLD group( P<0.05). After adjusting for sex, age, history of hypertension, history of diabetes, body mass index, waist circumference, haemoglobin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and uric acid, the SF and TyG index were positively associated with the risk of MAFLD[ OR(95% CI), SF: 1.00(1.00-1.00); TyG index: 2.98(2.19-4.06). The additive interaction analysis showed that the risk of MAFLD was significantly higher in the G4 group(SF≥135.4 ng/mL, TyG index≥8.52) compared to the G1 group(SF<135.4 ng/mL, TyG index<8.52) [ OR 4.43(95% CI 2.70-7.25)]. Conclusions:Elevated SF and TyG index were independently associated with increased risk of MAFLD, with a significant synergistic interaction between the two.

Objective:To analyze the differences in routine blood tests and infection markers among elderly AIDS patients with other opportunistic infections, to explore their immune status and inflammatory responses, and to provide new molecular markers for clinical diagnosis.Methods:The study included general indicators, routine blood tests, and infection markers of older HIV patients with other opportunistic infections admitted to Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2024.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0 software, with a significance level set at P<0.05. Results:A total of 94 elderly AIDS patients with various opportunistic infections were included in this study.Among them, the majority were co-infected with tuberculosis, accounting for 60 cases(63.83%), followed by 23 cases(24.47%)of AIDS patients co-infected with syphilis.Additionally, there were 7 cases of AIDS co-infected with amoebiasis(7.45%)and 4 cases of AIDS co-infected with monkeypox(4.26%).Almost all cases of combined infections were male, with males comprising 91.3% of AIDS patients co-infected with syphilis and 100% in the other co-infected groups.There were 9 blood routine and infectious markers that exhibited significant differences between patients with HIV co-infected with tuberculosis and those with other opportunistic infections.These markers included lymphocytes(LYM), hemoglobin(HGB), erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), C-reactive protein(CRP), procalcitonin(PCT), T lymphocytes, CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, and the CD4/CD8 ratio( P<0.05).Specifically, the levels of LYM, HGB, T lymphocytes, CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, and the CD4/CD8 ratio in elderly AIDS patients with tuberculosis were significantly lower than those in patients with other co-infections(all P<0.05).Conversely, the levels of inflammatory factors such as PCT, ESR, and CRP were notably higher in the former group(all P<0.05).The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis revealed that when LYM was utilized as an individual indicator for the differential diagnosis between AIDS patients with tuberculosis and those with other opportunistic infections, the area under the curve(AUC)amounted to 0.832.However, the CRP/LYM ratio demonstrated the optimal diagnostic performance in differential diagnosis, with an AUC reaching 0.866. Conclusions:The immune function of elderly AIDS patients is further compromised following co-infection with tuberculosis, which is accompanied by a severe inflammatory response.The CRP/LYM ratio shows promise as a hematological molecular marker for differentiating between AIDS patients with tuberculosis and those with other opportunistic infections.

Macrophage-capping protein(CapG)is a member of the gelsolin superfamily.It is a universal multifunctional actin binding protein in the body and highly expressed in breast cancer,bladder cancer,prostate cancer and other types of cancer,which can promote the metastasis and invasion of cancer cells.This article reviews the structure,function,related signal pathways and roles of CapG in tumor invasiveness.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of 5,6-dimethylxanthe-none-4-acetic acid(DMXAA)on metastasis of Lewis lung cancer(LLC)in mice.METHODS The inhibi-tory effect of DMXAA on tumor metastasis was analyzed via an LLC xenograft tumor model and LLC metastatic tumor model.The mice of LLC xenograft tumor model were randomly divided into three groups:model group(physiological saline containing 1%DMSO,ip,once every two days),model+suni-tinib group(30 mg·kg-1,ip,once every two days),and model+DMXAA group(25 mg·kg-1,ip,once).Tumor volume and body mass were measured once every two days after administration.Two and five days after administration,tumor mass was measured by sacrificing the mice,followed by immunofluores-cence staining of tumor tissues.Platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1(CD31)and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)were used to analyze the vascular structure of tumor tissues.The tumor hypoxia level was detected using the hypoxia probe pimonidazole staining.The mice of LLC metastatic tumor model were randomly divided into three groups:model group(physiological saline containing 1%DMSO,ip,twice a week),model+sunitinib group(60 mg·kg-1,ip,twice a week),and model+DMXAA group(25 mg·kg-1,ip,once).At the Two and five weeks after administration,the in vivo tumor growth and metastasis were observed and quantified using a small animal live imaging system.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the tumor volume and mass of the model+sunitinib group and model+ DMXAA group were significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01),and DMXAA took effect faster and more significantly than sunitinib.At the same time,compared with the model group,the body mass in the model+sunitinib group decreased significantly(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference in body mass the model+DMXAA group.Compared with the model group,model+sunitinib had no effect on tumor metastasis,but model+DMXAA significantly reduced tumor metastasis two weeks after administration(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the coverage rate of α-SMA/CD31 in the model+sunitinib group and model+DMXAA group increased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,there was no significant change in the tumor hypoxia area in the model+sunitinib group,but this in the model+DMXAA group decreased significantly(P<0.01).CONCLUSION DMXAA significantly inhibits the growth and metastasis of LLC in mice,and its mechanism may be related to its improvement of tumor vascular normalization and hyposic microenvironments.

Objective:To assess the correlation between hyperuricaemia and normoalbuminuric diabetic kidney disease(NADKD) in elderly type 2 diabetic patients.Methods:This retrospective case-control study enrolled 910 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were hospitalized in the Geriatric Department of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from 2015 to 2020. The patients were divided into NADKD group [urinary albumin/creatinine(UACR)<30 mg/g and estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) <60 mL·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1, n=169)], albuminuria DKD group [UACR ≥30 mg/g and eGFR <60 mL·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1, n=234], and control group [UACR <30 mg/g and eGFR≥60 mL·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1, n=507]. Medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests were collected. Results:The proportion of women in the NADKD group was significantly higher than that in the albuminuric DKD group(50.89% vs 40.60%, P<0.05). Duration of diabetes, HbA 1C, fasting plasma glucose(FPG), the prevalences of hypertension and hyperuricaemia, blood urea nitrogen, blood creatinine, and blood uric acid were significantly lower in the NADKD group than those in the albuminuric DKD group(all P<0.05). Blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, triglycerides, serum uric acid and the prevalence of hyperuricemia were significantly higher in the NADKD group compared the control group(all P<0.001) while the proportion of hypertension, systolic blood pressure, LDL-C, HbA 1C, and FPG were lower(all P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that eGFR was negatively associated with urea nitrogen and serum uric acid while positively associated with HbA 1C in normoalbuminuric elderly type 2 diabetic patients(all P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that hyperuricaemia was a risk factor for NADKD in elderly type 2 diabetic patients after adjusting for BMI, blood pressure, lipids, and glucose( OR=1.963, 95% CI 1.157-3.332, P=0.012). Conclusion:Hyperuricaemia is significantly associated with NADKD in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and digital mammography (DM) for radial lesions.Methods:The data of 76 patients (78 lesions) with radial lesions confirmed by operation and pathology on DBT between December 2016 and May 2020 in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were analyzed retrospectively. Taking pathological results as the gold standard, 78 lesions were divided into benign radial lesions ( n=46) and malignant radial lesions ( n=32), and their DBT features were compared. According to the standard of breast imaging report and data system (BI-RADS), the wheel-spoke structure, central density, overall size, central size and surrounding burr length of the two groups of radial lesions were compared on DBT. Results:The detection rates of DM and DBT for 78 radial lesions were 59.0% (46/78) and 100% (78/78), the difference had statistically significant ( P<0.05). The diagnostic accuracy rates of DM and DBT for 78 radial lesions was 65.2% (30/46) and 74.4% (58/78), the difference had no statistically significant ( P>0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, misdiagnosis rates, missed diagnosis rates of DM and DBT in the diagnosis of malignant radial lesions were 64.3%(18/28) and 84.4%(27/32), 66.7% (12/18) and 67.4%(31/46), 33.3%(6/18) and 32.6%(15/46), 35.7%(10/28) and 15.6%(5/32), respectively. The difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). There were significant differences in the overall size of lesions [18.0 (14.9, 29.2) mm, 26.5 (20.2, 34.9) mm], central size [3.5 (2.5, 4.5) mm, 4.5 (3.5, 5.5) mm] and peripheral burr length [(11±6) mm, (13±4) mm] between benign and malignant radial lesions on DBT ( P<0.05). When the central size of the lesion was 5 mm, there was significant difference in the distribution of benign and malignant radial lesions ( P<0.05), and when the overall size of the lesion was 2 cm, there was significant difference in the distribution of benign and malignant radial lesions ( P<0.05). Conclusion:DBT can improve the detection and diagnosis accuracy of radial lesions, and provide an important basis for clinicians to make surgical treatment decisions.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between hyperuricemia and obesity in young college students.Methods:A total of 19 673 students receiving enrolment physical examinations in Nanjing University from 2018 to 2019 were included in the study. The subjects were divided into underweight, normal, overweight, and obesity groups according to their body mass index. Fasting blood were taken to detect alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum uric acid, urea nitrogen, and creatinine. The differences between serum uric acid and metabolic parameters among different groups as well as the correlation between body mass index and hyperuricemia were analyzed by using multivariate linear regression and logistic regression analysis.Results:The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 32.35% for the college students, while for the males it reached up to 57.30% that was significantly higher than female ones (6.51%, P<0.01). With the increasing of body mass index, the prevalence of hyperuricemia increased significantly( Ptrend<0.01), as well as serum uric acid in both male and female students ( Ptrend<0.01). Serum uric acid was positively correlated with body mass index in both genders( P<0.01). The odds ratio ( OR) and 95% confidence interval( CI) for overweight, obesity, and underweight body mass index groups were 2.30(95% CI 1.99-2.66), 4.35(95% CI 3.22-5.89), and 0.70(95% CI 0.60-0.82), respectively, compared to the normal body mass index group by adjusting possible factors such as gender, age, ALT, urea nitrogen, creatinine, as well asestimated glomerular filtration rate. Conclusion:The prevalence of hyperuricemia in young students is high. Obesity seems to be an independent risk factor of hyperuricemia.