ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of Tongnaoyin on the blood-brain barrier status and neurological impairment in acute ischemic stroke （AIS） patients with the syndrome of phlegm-stasis blocking collaterals by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging （DCE-MRI）. MethodsA total of 63 patients diagnosed with AIS in the Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine from October 2022 to December 2023 were enrolled in this study. According to random number table method，the patients were assigned into a control group （32 cases） and an observation group （31 cases）. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment，and the observation group took 200 mL Tongnaoyin after meals，twice a day from day 2 of admission on the basis of the treatment in the control group. After 7 days of treatment，the patients were examined by DCE-MRI. The baseline data for two groups of patients before treatment were compared. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale （NIHSS） score and modified Rankin Scale （mRS） score were recorded before treatment and after 90 days of treatment for both groups. The rKtrans，rKep，and rVe values were obtained from the region of interest （ROI） of the infarct zone/mirror area and compared between the two groups. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the NIHSS or mRS score between the two groups before treatment. After 90 days of treatment，the NIHSS and mRS scores declined in both groups，and the observation group had lower scores than the control group （P<0.05）. After treatment，the rKtrans and rVe in the observation group were lower than those in the control group （P<0.01）. ConclusionCompared with conventional Western medical treatment alone，conventional Western medical treatment combined with Tongnaoyin accelerates the repair of the blood-brain barrier in AIS patients，thereby ameliorating neurological impairment after AIS to improve the prognosis.

Objective: To understand the unhealthy listening habits and related factors hearing on impairment among primary and middle school students in Jilin Province, so as to provide a scientific basis for the prevention of hearing impairment in children and adolescents. Methods: From September to November 2021, a stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to select 12 847 primary and middle school students in nine cities of Jilin Province who use headphones for more than 0.5 hours daily for a questionnaire survey. Data on unhealthy listening habits, lifestyle habits and hearing impairment were collected. The data were analyzed using the χ 2 test and Logistic regression. Results: Totally 1 702 students(13.25%) experienced hearing impairment within the last month. There were statistical differences between the sexes with the average daily headphone use, the times of using headphones ≥1 h every day for one week use in all environment or noisy environment ( χ 2=47.86, 57.60, 66.31, P <0.01). Logistic regression analysis results showed that factors related to the occurrence of hearing impairment among primary and secondary school students included:average daily headphone use of 1-2 h and more than 2 h ( OR=1.74, 95%CI =1.60-1.90; OR=1.73, 95%CI =1.59-1.90), times of using headphones ≥1 h every day for one week were 1-2 times and >2 times ( OR=1.71, 95%CI =1.59- 1.84 ; OR=1.83, 95%CI =1.71-1.97), the times of using headphones≥1 h every day for one week being 1-2 times and >2 times in noisy environment per week ( OR=1.48, 95%CI =1.40-1.56; OR=1.72, 95%CI =1.61-1.86), economic underdevelopment ( OR=1.85, 95%CI =1.76-1.96), boarding （OR=1.78, 95%CI =1.69-1.89), single parent family ( OR=1.72, 95%CI =1.60- 1.87 ), daily activity duration less than 1 h ( OR=1.71, 95%CI =1.63-1.81), sedentary behavior duration more than 6 h per day ( OR=1.88, 95%CI =1.79-1.98) ( P <0.05). Conclusions The behavior of ear protection among primary and middle school students in Jilin Province needs to be enhanced, focusing on students in economically underdeveloped areas, boarding schools and single parent families. It is necessary to guide primary and middle school students to improve their bad ear habits, increase outdoor activities and reduce the time of sitting.

BACKGROUND: The available evidence regarding the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on patients receiving dialysis with coronary artery disease (CAD) is limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PCI and clinical outcomes as compared with medical therapy alone in patients undergoing dialysis with CAD in China. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in 30 tertiary medical centers across 12 provinces in China from January 2015 to June 2021 to include patients on dialysis with CAD. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke. Secondary outcomes included all-cause death, the individual components of MACE, and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria types 2, 3, or 5 bleeding. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between PCI and outcomes. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and propensity score matching (PSM) were performed to account for potential between-group differences. RESULTS: Of the 1146 patients on dialysis with significant CAD, 821 (71.6%) underwent PCI. After a median follow-up of 23.0 months, PCI was associated with a 43.0% significantly lower risk for MACE (33.9% [ n  = 278] vs . 43.7% [ n  = 142]; adjusted hazards ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.45-0.71), along with a slightly increased risk for bleeding outcomes that did not reach statistical significance (11.1% vs . 8.3%; adjusted hazards ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval, 0.82-2.11). Furthermore, PCI was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities. Subgroup analysis did not modify the association of PCI with patient outcomes. These primary findings were consistent across IPTW, PSM, and competing risk analyses. CONCLUSION This study indicated that PCI in patients on dialysis with CAD was significantly associated with lower MACE and mortality when comparing with those with medical therapy alone, albeit with a slightly increased risk for bleeding events that did not reach statistical significance.
Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Coronary Artery Disease/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; China ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Treatment Outcome

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and memory loss, with few effective treatments currently available. The multifactorial nature of AD, shaped by genetic, environmental, and biological factors, complicates both research and clinical management. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and multi-omics technologies provide new opportunities to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of AD and identify early biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. AI-driven approaches such as machine learning, deep learning, and network-based models have enabled the integration of large-scale genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and microbiomic datasets. These efforts have facilitated the discovery of novel molecular signatures and therapeutic targets. Methods including deep belief networks and joint deep semi-non-negative matrix factorization have contributed to improvements in disease classification and patient stratification. However, ongoing challenges remain. These include data heterogeneity, limited interpretability of complex models, a lack of large and diverse datasets, and insufficient clinical validation. The absence of standardized multi-omics data processing methods further restricts progress. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in AI-driven multi-omics research in AD, highlighting achievements in early diagnosis and biomarker discovery while discussing limitations and future directions needed to advance these approaches toward clinical application.

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring, low-toxicity, and hydrophilic bile acid (BA) in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate, and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area. Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly downregulated metabolites in sera of RLPS patients compared with healthy subjects. The augmentation of UDCA concentration (≥25 μg/mL) demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells. [¹⁵N₂]-cystine and [¹³C₅]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Mechanistically, UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors (Nutlin 3a, RG7112), cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor (Abemaciclib), and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839). Together, UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity, and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA. More importantly, in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments, UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in cerebral blood perfusion in patients with acute cerebral infarction after taking Tongnaoyin， a traditional Chinese medicine， based on head and neck computed tomography （CT） angiography （CTA） combined with brain CT perfusion imaging （CTP）. MethodA total of 240 patients with cerebral infarction of phlegm and blood stasis syndrome treated in Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2018 to September 2023 were randomly divided into a control group （99 cases） and a Tongnaoyin group （141 cases）. Based on the guidelines， the control group was treated with conventional treatment such as anti-aggregation， anticoagulation， lipid-lowering and plaque stabilization， brain protection， and supportive treatment. The Tongnaoyin group was treated with Tongnaoyin of 200 mL in warm conditions in the morning and evening on the basis of the control group. Both groups underwent CTA combined with CTP within 24 hours after admission， and they were reexamined by CTA and CTP in the sixth month after admission. The degree of intracranial artery stenosis was determined according to the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial （NASCET） method. The relative cerebral blood volume （rCBV）， relative cerebral blood flow （rCBF）， mean transit time （MTT）， and time to peak （TTP） of the lesion area before and after treatment were compared. The adverse outcomes of the two groups within six months after discharge were compared. ResultCompared with the group before treatment， the degree of vascular stenosis in the Tongnaoyin group was significantly reduced， and the difference was statistically significant （Z=105.369，P<0.05）. Compared with the control group after treatment， the improvement rate of vascular stenosis in the Tongnaoyin group was higher （χ²=84.179，P<0.01）， and the curative effect was better.After treatment， the rCBV and rCBF of patients in the Tongnaoyin group were significantly increased， and the difference was statistically significant （P<0.01）. MTT and TTP showed a trend of shortening， but the difference was not statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference in rCBV， rCBF， MTT， and TTP in the control group. Compared with those in the control group after treatment， the rCBV and rCBF in the Tongnaoyin group were significantly increased， while MTT and TTP were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. After six months of discharge， the risk of poor prognosis in the Tongnaoyin group was significantly reduced compared with the control group （P<0.05）. ConclusionTongnaoyin has a good effect on improving cerebral blood perfusion in patients with acute cerebral infarction. It can be used as an effective supplement for the conventional treatment of ischemic stroke to improve clinical efficacy.

Organoids,recognized as invaluable models in tumor and stem cell research,assume a pivotal role in the meticulous analysis of diverse datasets pertaining to their growth dynamics,drug screening processes and related phenomena.However,the manual scrutiny and conventional statistical methodologies employed in handling organoid data often grapple with challenges such as diminished precision and efficiency,heightened complexity,escalated human resource requirements,and a degree of subjectivity.Acknowledging the remarkable efficacy of artificial intelligence(AI)in the realms of biology and medicine,the incorporation of AI into organoid research stands poised to enhance the objectivity,precision and expediency of analyses.This integration empowers organoids to more effectively fulfill objectives such as disease modeling,drug screening and precision medicine.Notably,significant strides have been made in AI-driven analyses of organoid image data.The amalgamation of deep learning into image analysis facilitates a more meticulous delineation of the microstructural intricacies and nuanced changes within organoids,achieving a level of accuracy akin to that of experts.This not only elevates the precision of organoid morphology and growth recognition,but also contributes to substantial time and cost savings in research endeavors.Furthermore,the infusion of AI technology has yielded breakthroughs in the processing of organoid omics data,resulting in heightened efficiency in data processing and the identification of latent gene expression patterns.This furnishes novel tools for comprehending cellular development and unraveling the intricate mechanisms underlying various diseases.In addition to image data,AI techniques applied to diverse organoid datasets,encompassing electrical signals and spectra,have realized an unbiased classification of organoid types and states,embarking on a comprehensive journey towards characterizing organoids holistically.In the pivotal domain of drug screening for organoids,AI emerges as a stalwart companion,providing robust support for real-time process monitoring and result prediction.Leveraging high-content microscopy images and sophisticated deep learning models,researchers can dynamically monitor organoid responses to drugs,effecting non-invasive detection of drug impacts and amplifying the precision and efficiency of drug screening processes.Despite the significant strides made by AI in organoid research,challenges persist,encompassing hurdles in data acquisition,constraints in sample quality and quantity,and quandaries associated with model interpretability.Overcoming these challenges necessitates dedicated future research efforts aimed at enhancing data consistency,fortifying model interpretability,and exploring methodologies for the seamless fusion of multimodal data.Such endeavors are poised to usher in a more comprehensive and dependable application of AI in organoid research.In summation,the integration of AI technology introduces unparalleled opportunities to organoid research,resulting in noteworthy advancements.Nevertheless,interdisciplinary research and collaborative efforts remain imperative to navigate challenges and propel the more profound integration of AI into organoid research.The future holds promise for AI to assume an even more prominent role in advancing organoid research toward clinical translation and precision medicine.

Dysbiosis can cause microenvironmental dysregulation, which can further lead to local or systemic diseases, such as caries, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and diabetes. Dysbiosis is primarily manifested as the disturbance of metabolic processes and products. Arginine plays an important role in various metabolic processes and homeostasis of the microbial flora and the host. This study aims to explore the potential therapeutic value of arginine and its metabolism and homeostasis regulation in diseases associated with oral-intestinal dysbiosis. Host and microbial homeostasis can be restored by regulating the composition or function of host microbiota, and arginine has been found to exhibit significant clinical potential in restoring host microbiota composition and function. For example, arginine can reduce the risk of caries by regulating the relative abundance of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguineus. Additionally, arginine metabolism may play a therapeutic role in inflammatory bowel disease and obesity by regulating the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. In addition, supplementation of arginine and its metabolite polyamine has clinical prospects in the treatment of diabetic patients with ketoacidosis. Although studies have demonstrated the therapeutic role of arginine in oral, intestinal, and metabolism-related diseases, the specific mechanism is yet to be explored. In addition, further research is required to determine the optimal clinical dosage of arginine that can maintain microbiota homeostasis without causing any side effects.

BACKGROUND:Laser therapy is a non-invasive and painless treatment that is considered to be an effective method suitable for the treatment of osteoarthritis due to its simplicity and non-invasive nature.Currently,the mechanism of action of laser therapy is unclear and the results of studies on its clinical application are controversial. OBJECTIVE:To review and summarize the latest research progress of laser therapy on chondrocytes,animal experiments and clinical efficacy,and to explore the possible mechanism of laser-mediated multi-pathway biological effects,so as to provide a theoretical basis for further research on the laser treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint. METHODS:A literature search was performed in CNKI,WanFang Data,VIP and PubMed databases for relevant literature published from 2018 to 2023,with"laser therapy,low level laser therapy,high level laser therapy,photobiomodulation,knee osteoarthritis,chondrocytes"as the search terms in Chinese and English,respectively.Together with 14 articles searched manually,70 articles were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Laser therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis is mainly categorized into two types:low-level laser therapy and high-level laser therapy.Differences in laser parameters and treatment protocols have a direct impact on laser efficacy.When appropriate parameters are used,low-level lasers show positive effects in cellular experiments,animal models,and clinical efficacy.High-level lasers have been less studied in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis,but some preliminary clinical studies have shown positive results.Cell experiments have shown that low-level laser promotes chondrocyte proliferation and cartilage matrix synthesis,thereby reducing inflammatory response.Animal experiments have shown that low-level laser can reduce the release of pro-inflammatory factors,promote cartilage matrix synthesis,inhibit matrix degradation,and effectively improve the repair process of cartilage tissue.Low-level laser is also able to reduce oxidative stress damage and relieve pain in knee osteoarthritis.In clinical trials,both low-and high-level laser can reduce patients'pain and improve functional activities.The combination of laser therapy and exercise therapy modalities may improve the therapeutic effect.Lasers may affect intracellular signaling and cellular functions through photobiological or thermodynamic effects.This provides direct evidence that laser promotes articular cartilage regeneration.

Objective:To correlate neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) level with severity and prognosis of severe pneumonia in patients.Methods:The clinical data of 158 patients with severe pneumonia who received treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of The Second People's Hospital of Lishui from January 2021 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. These 158 patients constituted the case group. Based on their Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) scores at admission, the patients were categorized into low-risk ( n = 67), medium-risk ( n = 52), and high-risk ( n = 39) groups. Additionally, they were further divided into a survival group ( n = 125) and a death group ( n = 33) according to their survival status at 28 days post-admission. Fifty-one healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations at the same hospital during the same period were included in the control group. The NLR and IL-6 levels were compared among the groups. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to analyze the correlation of NLR and IL-6 levels with the APACHE Ⅱ score. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of NLR and IL-6 levels on the prognosis of severe pneumonia. A logistic regression model was developed to create a prediction model for the prognosis of these patients based on NLR and IL-6 levels. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to assess the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of NLR, IL-6, and their combination in predicting the prognosis of patients with severe pneumonia. Results:In the case group, the NLR and IL-6 levels were (8.38 ± 5.16) and (116.08 ± 45.95) ng/L, respectively, both of which were significantly higher than those in the control group [(1.06 ± 0.35), (41.25 ± 10.05) ng/L, t = 10.11, 11.52, both P < 0.001]. In the high-risk group, the NLR, IL-6, and APACHE Ⅱ scores were (15.52 ± 4.69), (159.74 ± 58.63) ng/L, and (26.88 ± 5.47) points, respectively, all of which were significantly higher than those in the low-risk group [(4.62 ± 1.08), (86.45 ± 14.47) ng/L, (7.58 ± 1.45) points, thigh-risk groupvs. low-risk group = 16.22, 8.68, 24.37, all P < 0.05] and medium-risk group [(7.86 ± 2.47), (121.52 ± 32.05) ng/L, (16.85 ± 3.14) points, thigh-risk groupvs. medium-risk group = 10.07, 3.98, 11.03, all P < 0.05]. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that both NLR and IL-6 were positively correlated with the APACHE Ⅱ score ( r = 0.827, 0.873, both P < 0.05). In the death group, the NLR and IL-6 levels were (11.83 ± 6.39) and (144.68 ± 64.62) ng/L, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the survival group [(7.46 ± 4.37), (108.53 ± 36.34) ng/L, t = 4.60, 4.23, both P < 0.05]. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that elevated levels of NLR and IL-6 were significant risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with severe pneumonia (both P < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the AUC for NLR, IL-6, and their combination in predicting the prognosis of severe pneumonia patients were 0.702, 0.664, and 0.881, respectively. The AUC for the combination was significantly greater than that for NLR or IL-6 alone ( Z = 2.77, 3.15, both P < 0.05). Conclusion:NLR and IL-6 levels are abnormally elevated in patients with severe pneumonia, and their levels change with the severity of the disease and affect the prognosis of patients.