ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum （PRP） on lung tissue， gut microbiota， and short-chain fatty acid （SCFA） metabolism in a model of mice with cold fluid retention in the lung and explore its mechanism of action in resolving dampness and phlegm based on the interconnection between the lung and large intestine. MethodsFifty female ICR mice were randomly divided into a normal group， model group， positive control group （Xiaoqinglong granules， 6.5 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose and low-dose PRP decoction groups （3.0， 1.5 g·kg^-1）， with 10 mice in each group. A model of mice with cold fluid retention in the lung was established using ovalbumin （OVA） sensitization combined with cold-water immersion. Drug interventions were conducted from day 18 to day 33 for 15 consecutive days. The airway resistance value of the mice was measured using a non-invasive pulmonary function analyzer. Phlegm-resolving effects were evaluated via a microplate reader. Eosinophil and neutrophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） were analyzed using an automated hematology analyzer. Serum levels of total immunoglobulin E （IgE）， interferon-γ （IFN-γ）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， and BALF levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and interleukin-8 （IL-8） were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Lung histopathology was assessed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was employed to detect mucin 5AC （MUC5AC） and aquaporin 5 （AQP5） protein expression in lung tissue. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed via agarose gel electrophoresis， and fecal SCFA levels were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS）. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group exhibited significantly increased airway resistance value （RI） （P<0.05）， elevated eosinophil and neutrophil counts and IL-6 and IL-8 levels in BALF （P<0.05）， increased serum IgE and IL-4 levels （P<0.05）， with reduced IFN-γ levels （P<0.05）. It also showed thickened bronchial walls， widened alveolar septa， narrowed lumens， and mucus plugs in lung tissue， upregulated MUC5AC protein expression and downregulated AQP5 protein expression （P<0.05）， decreased relative abundance of beneficial gut microbiota （Firmicutes， Clostridia， Clostridiales， Lactobacillaceae， and Lactobacillus）， and increased abundance of harmful microbiota （Bacteroidetes， Bacteroidia， Bacteroidales， Muribaculaceae， and Muribaculum）. In addition， the model group presented reduced fecal SCFA levels （acetate， propionate， and butyrate） （P<0.05）. After the intervention of PRP decoction， compared to the model group， all drug administration groups showed decreased RI （P<0.05）， increased phenol red excretion， declined eosinophil and neutrophil counts and IL-6， IL-8， IgE， and IL-4 levels （P<0.05）， and improved IFN-γ levels （P<0.05） and lung pathology improved. The MUC5AC protein expression decreased （P<0.05）， and the AQP5 protein expression increased （P<0.05）. The disorder of gut microbiota was improved， and the diversity of gut microbiota was restored， with a significantly increased relative abundance ratio of beneficial microbiota （P<0.05） and a significantly reduced relative abundance ratio of harmful microbiota （P<0.05）. The SCFA levels （acetate， propionate， and butyrate） increased （P<0.05）. The efficacy indicators of serum inflammatory factors （IgE， IL-4， and IFN-γ）， phlegm-resolving effect， airway resistance， total pathological score， and the protein expression of MUC5AC and AQP5 were correlated with gut microbiota and SCFAs. ConclusionPRP decoction alleviates cold-phlegm syndrome by modulating the gut-lung axis， promoting beneficial gut microbiota， enhancing SCFA production， restoring the balance of gut microbiota， and suppressing respiratory inflammation. This study provides novel insights into the TCM theory of interconnection between the lung and large intestine.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum （PRP） on lung tissue， gut microbiota， and short-chain fatty acid （SCFA） metabolism in a model of mice with cold fluid retention in the lung and explore its mechanism of action in resolving dampness and phlegm based on the interconnection between the lung and large intestine. MethodsFifty female ICR mice were randomly divided into a normal group， model group， positive control group （Xiaoqinglong granules， 6.5 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose and low-dose PRP decoction groups （3.0， 1.5 g·kg^-1）， with 10 mice in each group. A model of mice with cold fluid retention in the lung was established using ovalbumin （OVA） sensitization combined with cold-water immersion. Drug interventions were conducted from day 18 to day 33 for 15 consecutive days. The airway resistance value of the mice was measured using a non-invasive pulmonary function analyzer. Phlegm-resolving effects were evaluated via a microplate reader. Eosinophil and neutrophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） were analyzed using an automated hematology analyzer. Serum levels of total immunoglobulin E （IgE）， interferon-γ （IFN-γ）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， and BALF levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and interleukin-8 （IL-8） were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Lung histopathology was assessed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was employed to detect mucin 5AC （MUC5AC） and aquaporin 5 （AQP5） protein expression in lung tissue. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed via agarose gel electrophoresis， and fecal SCFA levels were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS）. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group exhibited significantly increased airway resistance value （RI） （P<0.05）， elevated eosinophil and neutrophil counts and IL-6 and IL-8 levels in BALF （P<0.05）， increased serum IgE and IL-4 levels （P<0.05）， with reduced IFN-γ levels （P<0.05）. It also showed thickened bronchial walls， widened alveolar septa， narrowed lumens， and mucus plugs in lung tissue， upregulated MUC5AC protein expression and downregulated AQP5 protein expression （P<0.05）， decreased relative abundance of beneficial gut microbiota （Firmicutes， Clostridia， Clostridiales， Lactobacillaceae， and Lactobacillus）， and increased abundance of harmful microbiota （Bacteroidetes， Bacteroidia， Bacteroidales， Muribaculaceae， and Muribaculum）. In addition， the model group presented reduced fecal SCFA levels （acetate， propionate， and butyrate） （P<0.05）. After the intervention of PRP decoction， compared to the model group， all drug administration groups showed decreased RI （P<0.05）， increased phenol red excretion， declined eosinophil and neutrophil counts and IL-6， IL-8， IgE， and IL-4 levels （P<0.05）， and improved IFN-γ levels （P<0.05） and lung pathology improved. The MUC5AC protein expression decreased （P<0.05）， and the AQP5 protein expression increased （P<0.05）. The disorder of gut microbiota was improved， and the diversity of gut microbiota was restored， with a significantly increased relative abundance ratio of beneficial microbiota （P<0.05） and a significantly reduced relative abundance ratio of harmful microbiota （P<0.05）. The SCFA levels （acetate， propionate， and butyrate） increased （P<0.05）. The efficacy indicators of serum inflammatory factors （IgE， IL-4， and IFN-γ）， phlegm-resolving effect， airway resistance， total pathological score， and the protein expression of MUC5AC and AQP5 were correlated with gut microbiota and SCFAs. ConclusionPRP decoction alleviates cold-phlegm syndrome by modulating the gut-lung axis， promoting beneficial gut microbiota， enhancing SCFA production， restoring the balance of gut microbiota， and suppressing respiratory inflammation. This study provides novel insights into the TCM theory of interconnection between the lung and large intestine.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of insulin degludec and insulin glargine U100 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. The subjects were patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were hospitalized in 13 3A-level general hospitals in Shandong Province from September 2018 to December 2021. According to the type of basal insulin used, the patients were divided into insulin degludec group and insulin glargine U100 group. The basic information and laboratory test results in patients in the 2 groups were collected, the differences of fasting blood glucose level and incidence of hypoglycemia between the 2 groups were compared. The patients with complete blood glucose monitoring data in the 2 groups were selected and their blood glucose fluctuations were compared.Results:A total of 1 152 patients were entered in the study, including 552 patients in the insulin degludec group and 600 patients in the insulin glargine U100 group. The difference in the basic conditions in patients in the 2 groups was not statistically significant (all P>0.05). After treatment, the fasting blood glucose levels in patients in the 2 groups were lower than those before treatment, with statistically significant differences [10.2 (8.8, 12.5) mmol/L vs. 7.5 (6.6, 8.7) mmol/L, Z=-19.443, P<0.001; 10.0 (8.6, 11.7) mmol/L vs. 7.8 (6.6, 9.0) mmol/L, Z=-15.449, P<0.001], but the difference in fasting blood glucose levels between the 2 groups after treatment was not statistically significant ( Z=-1.427, P>0.05). The incidence of hypoglycemia in the insulin degludec group was lower than that in the insulin glargine U100 group [1.09% (6/552) vs. 2.83% (17/600), Z=4.481, P=0.032]. The intraday blood glucose standard deviation, maximum blood glucose fluctuation range, postprandial blood glucose fluctuation range, and average blood glucose fluctuation range in patients with complete blood glucose monitoring data in the insulin degludec group were significantly lower than those in the insulin glargine U100 group [(1.7±0.6) mmol/L vs. (2.4±1.0) mmol/L, (4.5±1.6) mmol/L vs. (6.7±2.9) mmol/L, (1.8±1.0) mmol/L vs. (3.3±1.2) mmol/L, (2.9±1.3) mmol/L vs. (4.6±2.1) mmol/L; all P<0.001]. Conclusion:The efficacy of insulin degludec in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus is equivalent to that of insulin glargine U100, but the risk of hypoglycemia and blood glucose fluctuation is lower.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of insulin degludec and insulin glargine U100 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. The subjects were patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were hospitalized in 13 3A-level general hospitals in Shandong Province from September 2018 to December 2021. According to the type of basal insulin used, the patients were divided into insulin degludec group and insulin glargine U100 group. The basic information and laboratory test results in patients in the 2 groups were collected, the differences of fasting blood glucose level and incidence of hypoglycemia between the 2 groups were compared. The patients with complete blood glucose monitoring data in the 2 groups were selected and their blood glucose fluctuations were compared.Results:A total of 1 152 patients were entered in the study, including 552 patients in the insulin degludec group and 600 patients in the insulin glargine U100 group. The difference in the basic conditions in patients in the 2 groups was not statistically significant (all P>0.05). After treatment, the fasting blood glucose levels in patients in the 2 groups were lower than those before treatment, with statistically significant differences [10.2 (8.8, 12.5) mmol/L vs. 7.5 (6.6, 8.7) mmol/L, Z=-19.443, P<0.001; 10.0 (8.6, 11.7) mmol/L vs. 7.8 (6.6, 9.0) mmol/L, Z=-15.449, P<0.001], but the difference in fasting blood glucose levels between the 2 groups after treatment was not statistically significant ( Z=-1.427, P>0.05). The incidence of hypoglycemia in the insulin degludec group was lower than that in the insulin glargine U100 group [1.09% (6/552) vs. 2.83% (17/600), Z=4.481, P=0.032]. The intraday blood glucose standard deviation, maximum blood glucose fluctuation range, postprandial blood glucose fluctuation range, and average blood glucose fluctuation range in patients with complete blood glucose monitoring data in the insulin degludec group were significantly lower than those in the insulin glargine U100 group [(1.7±0.6) mmol/L vs. (2.4±1.0) mmol/L, (4.5±1.6) mmol/L vs. (6.7±2.9) mmol/L, (1.8±1.0) mmol/L vs. (3.3±1.2) mmol/L, (2.9±1.3) mmol/L vs. (4.6±2.1) mmol/L; all P<0.001]. Conclusion:The efficacy of insulin degludec in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus is equivalent to that of insulin glargine U100, but the risk of hypoglycemia and blood glucose fluctuation is lower.

Objective:To conduct a meta-analysis of clinical data to investigate the relationship between incretins and fracture in order to provide individualized hypoglycemic agents for type 2 diabetic patients with osteoporosis.Methods:PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched up to January 1, 2018 for randomized controlled trials(RCTs)and the relationship between incretins and fracture was explored by meta-analysis.Results:The meta-analysis showed that the use of incretin was not associated with fracture risk compared with placebo or other positive hypoglycemic agents( OR 0.972, 95% CI 0.876-1.079). But in the subgroup analysis, 100 mg/d sitagliptin( OR 0.495, 95% CI 0.304-0.806)or 1.8 mg/d liraglutide( OR 0.621, 95% CI 0.413-0.933)reduced fracture risk. Conclusions:Meta-analysis shows no increase in the incidence of fracture events after the use of incretin. 100 mg/d sitagliptin or 1.8 mg/d liraglutide may exert protective effects on bone metabolism. However, the included data are from the reports of fracture adverse reactions in RCT studies, and large-scale clinical studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Objective To determine the expression profile of serum microRNAs(miRNAs) in early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (EO-FAD) patients. methods miRNA microarrays were performed to detect the expression profile of serum miRNAs in 2 cases of EO-FAD patients,2 cases of EO-FAD carriers and 2 cases of normal controls.Preliminary bioinformatic analysis was conducted. Result sIt was found that 21 miRNAs were up-regulated and 22 miRNAs were down-regulated in serum of EO-FAD patients,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).miR-5704(P=0.0002),miR-4639-3p(P=0.0195),miR-107(P=0.0204) were markedly up-regulated,miR-5572(P=0.0008),miR-204-3p(P=0.0014),miR-542-5p(P=0.0106) and miR-155-5p(P=0.0240) were markedly down-regulated.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis suggested that the dysregulated miRNAs may be involved in the mechanism of EO-FAD by affecting neurotrophin signaling pathway.Conclusion miR-5704,miR-4639-3p,miR-107,miR-5572,miR-204-3p,miR-542-5p and miR-155-5p may be used as potential biomarkers of EO-FAD,and involved in the mechanism of EO-FAD by affecting neurotrophin signaling pathway.

Objective To Compare postoperative complications between patients with varicose veins of the lower limbs treated with foam sclerotherapy or endovenous laser.Method From 2011 to 2015,simple varicosis of great saphenous vein patients (grade C3-6) in 2 542 cases,3 468 limbs were divided into 2 groups.Combined with high ligation of great saphenous vein plus stripping,foam sclerotherapy group (1 355 cases) underwent calf foam sclerotherapy (1％ polidocanol),endovenous laser group (1 187 cases) underwent endovenous laser therapy.All postoperative patients were treated with stretch socks for 3 months.Postoperative pain (calf),deep vein thrombosis,pulmonary embolism,superficial thrombophlebitis,saphenous nerve injury,ecchymoma,migraine,allergic dermatitis,pigmentation in 2 groups were compared.Result During the follow-up,28 cases in foam sclerotherapy group had saphenous nerve injury (2％),1 071 (79.1％) cases had subcutaneous ecchymosis,613 cases (51.6％) in endovenous laser group had saphenous nerve injury,979 cases (82.5％) had subcutaneous ecchymosis,8 cases (1.0％) had skin burns (x2 =824.660,4.786,9.161,P ＜ 0.05).Endovenous laser group (23.8％) was significantly better than that of foam sclerotherapy group (30.8％) in pigmentation (x2 =15.243,P ＜0.05).Conclusion Treatment of varicose veins of the lower leg with foam sclerotherapy has less postoperative complications compared with endovenous laser.

Objective To report the primary experience of open placement of triple-branched stent graft for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection. Methods Between June 2008 and September 2009, 20 well-selected patients with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection underwent open placement of triple-branched stent graft for total arch reconstruction. When core cooling to a 20℃ nasophageal temperature, perfusion to the lower body was discontinued and the ascending aorta was transected at the base of the innominate artery. Through a transverse incision, the triple-branched stent graft was inserted into the true lumen of the arch and descending aorta, and each side arm of the stent graft was positioned one by one into the arch branches.The transected stump of the ascending aorta was reconstructed by inner proximal stent-free dacron tube of the main graft and outer teflon felt, and subsequently continuous anastomosis to the 1-branched dacron tube graft was made. Results Open placement of triple-branched stent graft was technically successful in all patients. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time and lower body arrest time were (163.2 ±19.2) min, (89.4 ±10.0) min and (32. 7 ±6. 6)min, respectively. Transient postoperative neurological dysfunction was observed in 1 patient and acute renal failure in 1 patient. All patients were discharged from the hospital. Their computed tomographic scans at 3 months postoperatively showed that all stent grafts were fully opened without distortion. In the vascular stent implantation site the dissected false lumen was eliminated. The false lumen of the descending aorta distal to the stent graft was closed with thrombus in 16 cases. Conclusion Open placement of triple-branched stent graft is a new effective technique for total arch reconstruction in acute type A aortic dissection. Patients have the indications of the extensive primary repair of the thoracic aorta without primary intimal tears in the arch may be the best candidates for this new technique. The size of the stent graft, the distances between two neighboring side arm grafts and the prevention of the intimal trauma during the placement are crucial for successful open placement of triple-branched stent graft.