Objective: To investigate the objective characteristics of tongue manifestation in different stages of damp-heat syndrome in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 134 patients with DKD G3-5 stages who met the diagnostic criteria for damp-heat syndrome in DKD. The patients were treated at Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, from May 2023 to January 2024. The patients were divided into three groups: DKD G3, DKD G4, and DKD G5 stage, with 53, 33, and 48 patients in each group, respectively. Clinical general data (gender, age, and body mass index) and damp-heat syndrome scores were collected from the patients. The YZAI-02 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) AI Tongue Image Acquisition Device was used to capture tongue images from these patients. The accompanying AI Open Platform for TCM Tongue Diagnosis of the device was used to analyze and extract tongue manifestation features, including objective data on tongue color, tongue quality, coating color, and coating texture. Clinical data and objective tongue manifestation characteristics were compared among patients with DKD G3-5 based on their DKD damp-heat syndrome status. Results: No statistically significant difference in gender or body mass index was observed among the three patient groups. The DKD G3 stage group had the highest age (P<0.05). The DKD G3 stage group had a lower score for symptoms of poor appetite and anorexia(P<0.05) than the DKD G5 group. No statistically significant difference was observed in damp-heat syndrome scores among the three groups. Compared with the DKD G5 stage group, the DKD G3 stage group showed a decreased proportion of pale color at the tip and edges of the tongue (P<0.05). The DKD G4 stage group exhibited an increased proportion of crimson at the root of the tongue, a decreased proportion of thick white tongue coating at the root, a decreased proportion of pale color at the tip and edges of the tongue, an increased hue value (indicating color tone) of the tongue color in the middle, an increased brightness value (indicating color lightness) of the tongue coating color in the middle, and an increased thickness of the tongue coating (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in other tongue color proportions, color chroma values, body characteristics, coating color proportions, coating color chroma values, and coating texture characteristics among the three groups. Conclusion Tongue features differ in different stages of DKD damp-heat syndrome in multiple dimensions, enabling the inference that during the DKD G5 stage, the degree of qi and blood deficiency in the kidneys, heart, lungs, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and stomach is prominent. Dampness is more likely to accumulate in the lower jiao, particularly in the kidneys, whereas heat evil in the spleen and stomach is the most severe. These insights provide novel ideas for the clinical treatment of DKD.

Objective To investigate the role of transcription factor EB(TFEB)in endotoxin-tolerant macrophages.Methods The RAW264.7 cells were divided into blank group(DMEM medium),LPS 5 group(5 ng/mL LPS treatment for 4 h),LPS 100 group(100 ng/mL LPS treatment for 4 h),and tolerance group(5 ng/mL LPS for 12 h followed by 100 ng/mL LPS for 4 h).The releases of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 were measured using ELISA.Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay were used to evaluate the distribution of autophagy-related proteins LC3 and P62,as well as TFEB in the cytoplasm and nucleus.Lentiviral overexpression of TFEB or siRNA-mediated knockdown of TFEB were performed to observe the changes in autophagy levels and bacterial clearance ability in the tolerant cells.Results The cells in the tolerance group had significantly lower contents of TNF-α and IL-6,as well as reduced bacterial clearance ability(P<0.01),down-regulated LC3 expression while up-regulated P62 level,and decreased expression of TFEB in both the cytoplasm and nucleus(P<0.01)when compared with the cells of the LPS 100 group.Overexpression of TFEB significantly increased LC3 level,reduced P62 level,and enhanced bacterial clearance ability in the endotoxin-tolerant cells(P<0.01).In contrast,siRNA-mediated knockdown of TFEB had no significant impacts on LC3 and P62 expression levels or bacterial clearance ability.Conclusion Overexpression of TFEB can restore the autophagy of endotoxin-tolerant cells and enhance their bacterial clearance capacity,thereby alleviating the immunosuppressive state of sepsis.These findings suggest that TFEB holds promise as a potential therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of sepsis.

Objective To investigate the role and underlying mechanism of activating transcription factor 3(ATF3)in suppressing lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced autophagy and inflammatory responses in macrophages.Methods Firstly,the gene expression omnibus(GEO)database was used to analyze ATF3 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)from sepsis patients,and gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was performed to identify enriched signaling pathways.Secondly,RAW264.7 macrophages were divided into a blank control group and an LPS-stimulated group(100 ng/mL LPS).Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect ATF3 protein expression and observe its subcellular localization,respectively.Lentiviral transduction was used to generate ATF3 knockdown and overexpression cell lines to evaluate their effects on cytokine release and bacterial clearance.Cleavage Under Targets and Tagmentation(CUT&Tag)sequencing was employed to identify downstream target genes transcriptionally regulated by ATF3.Furthermore,the impact of ATF3 knockdown or overexpression on autophagy-related gene 5(ATG5),autophagy-related gene 16-like 1(ATG16L1),and autophagy levels was evaluated.Results GEO analysis revealed that ATF3 expression was significantly elevated in PBMCs from sepsis patients(P<0.01),and GSEA showed significant enrichment of autophagy-related and inflammation-related pathways(P<0.01).In RAW264.7 cells,100 ng/mL LPS stimulation significantly increased ATF3 expression in the nucleus than the blank control group(P<0.01).ATF3 knockdown led to increased secretions of TNF-α and IL-6 and enhanced bacterial clearance of macrophages(P<0.01),whereas ATF3 overexpression significantly suppressed TNF-α and IL-6 releases,and remained bacterial clearance at a low level when compared with the conditions in the negative control(NC)group(P<0.01).CUT&Tag results demonstrated that ATF3 was enriched at the promoter regions of key autophagy genes Atg5 and Atg16l1.Compared with the NC group,ATF3 knockdown significantly up-regulated the protein levels of LC3-II/I,ATG5,and ATG16L1 while decreased p62 expression(P<0.01).Conversely,ATF3 overexpression inhibited the expression of LC3-II/I,ATG5,and ATG16L1(P<0.01),but had no significant effect on p62 level.Conclusion Sepsis induces elevated ATF3 expression in macrophages,and suppresses autophagic activity and down-regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6,which probably mediated by ATF3 regulating transcription of ATG5 and ATG16L1,suggesting ATF3 as a potential therapeutic target for autophagy-inflammation imbalance.

Objective To construct a patient decision aid(PtDA)for exercise training in pa-tients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)and explore its impacts on decision-making quality of patients' exercise regimens.Methods The development of the PtDA for exercise training in COPD patients was accomplished through literature analysis,the Delphi method,and user surveys,followed by an intervention study.A total of 59 inpatients with COPD were included as study sub-jects.The control group received routine care along with general exercise training guidance,while the intervention group received routine care combined with shared decision-making for exercise training based on the PtDA.The decision conflict and decision preparedness levels of patients in both groups were compared before the intervention and on the day of discharge.The exercise self-efficacy of pa-tients was measured before intervention,on the day of discharge,and 1 month and 3 months after dis-charge.Results The intervention group had significantly lower scores for decision conflict and signif-icantly higher scores for decision preparedness and exercise self-efficacy compared with the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The PtDA for exercise training can improve decision conflict and de-cision preparedness in COPD patients,enhance their exercise self-efficacy levels,and provide references for healthcare professionals in improving exercise adherence.

ObjectiveTo improve the efficacy of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge (A. membranaceus, Huang Qi), and to further develop and utilize it, fermentation technology was applied to the stem and leaf of A. membranaceus to enhance its immune function.MethodsIn this study, we fermented A. membranaceus stem and leaf (ASL) with probiotics and investigated its immune function. Firstly, we screened suitable strains for ASL fermentation and optimized the fermentation process. Secondly, we determined the antioxidant capacity of fermented ASL and its effect on inflammation in mouse monocyte-macrophage cell. Finally, the immunocompromised mice were treated with fermented ASL to investigate the changes in their immune ability.ResultsAmong the 10 selected probiotics, Lactobacillus plantarum was the most suitable strain for ASL fermentation. After optimization of the fermentation process, the content of saponins in fermented ASL was significantly increased. The fermented ASL exhibited strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in vitro. The in vivo immune efficacy improved by promoting the development of the spleen and thymus, as well as raising the immunoglobulin M, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β levels of in the serum.ConclusionThis study contributes to developing the non-medicinal parts of A. membranaceus, expands its medicinal resources, highlights the potential of fermentation technology to enhance these parts, and provides a reference for further development. Based on this approach, we can promote using non-medicinal parts of herbal medicines, minimize drug waste, and offer a reference for developing non-medicinal components in Chinese herbal medicines.

Purpose To explore the application value of clinical-ultrasound parameter model in secondary hyperparathyroidism(SHPT).Materials and Methods A total of 86 patients(134 lesions)with renal insufficiency who underwent maintenance hemodialysis in the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University from October 2020 to August 2022 were included and divided into group 1 according to the level of parathyroid hormone(iPTH)(iPTH＜300 pg/ml),group 2(iPTH 300-800 pg/ml)and group 3(iPTH≥800 pg/ml),all patients underwent gray-scale parathyroid ultrasound and acoustic palpation tissue quantitative imaging examinations.The characteristics of glandular gray-scale ultrasound and virtual touch tissue imaging quantification parameters between different groups,combined with relevant clinical indicators,established a clinical-ultrasound parameter model,used multiple linear regression to analyze the correlation between the model and iPTH,explored the independent risk factors of iPTH,and evaluated this model to evaluate SHPT the value of.Results There were significant differences in dialysis age,phosphorus,alkaline phosphatase,serum creatinine,corrected calcium and phosphorus product,lesion size,number,echo,shear wave velocity(SWV)max,SWVcen,and SWVmean among the three groups(F/x2/H=6.396-53.524,all P＜0.05).Dialysis age,phosphorus,alkaline phosphatase,and SWVratio were independent influencing factors of iPTH level(β=0.514,0.422,0.226,-0.368,all P＜0.005).The area under the curve,sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of the model for diagnosing SHPT and predicting surgical treatment with iPTH levels of 300 pg/ml and 800 pg/ml were 0.967,95.00％,100.00％,97.73％and 0.824,77.42％,71.43％and 90.00％,respectively.Conclusion Dialysis age,phosphorus,alkaline phosphatase and SWVratio are independent influencing factors of iPTH level,and the clinical-ultrasound parameter model is of great value in accurately assessing the severity of SHPT.

Objective To investigate the effects of Yitangkang on browning of white adipose and PINK1/Parkin pathway of mitophagy in adipose tissue of db/db mice.Methods Totally 30 six-week db/db mice were randomly divided into model group,Yitangkang Group(30 g/kg)and liraglutide group(200 μg/kg),and another 10 C57BL/6 mice of the same age were set as normal group.All groups were treated with corresponding drugs or normal saline for 5 weeks.During the period of administration,the body mass and fasting blood glucose(FBG)of mice in each group were detected regularly,the samples of liver,white and brown adipose of mice were weighed,the contents of serum triglyceride cholesterol(TC),triacylglycerol(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)were detected by biochemical analyzer,HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of inguinal white adipose tissue(iWAT),immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of browning marker protein uncoupling protein-1(UCP1)in iWAT,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of browning-related proteins UCP1,PRDM16,PGC-1α and mitophagy-related proteins PINK1,Parkin,Beclin-1,p62 in iWAT.Results Compared with the normal group,the body mass,liver,white adipose and brown adipose mass of the model group significantly increased(P<0.01),the FBG and serum TG,TC and LDL-C contents significantly increased(P<0.01),and the content of HDL-C significantly decreased(P<0.01);large vacuoles in iWAT adipocytes,the diameter of adipocytes increased obviously,some adipocytes were extruded and deformed,and the edge of adipocytes was not clear,the expressions of iWAT UCP1,PRDM16,PGC-1α and p62 proteins decreased(P<0.01),while the expressions of PINK1,Parkin and Beclin-1 proteins increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the body mass,liver and white adipose mass significantly decreased in Yitangkang group and the liraglutide group(P<0.01),FBG and serum contents of TC,TG and LDL-C were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while HDL-C content significantly increased(P<0.01);the diameter of iWAT adipocytes decreased,the number increased,and the morphology was regular,the expressions of iWAT UCP1,PRDM16,PGC-1α and p62 proteins increased(P<0.01),while the expressions of PINK1,Parkin and Beclin-1 proteins decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Yitangkang can improve glucose and lipid metabolism and promote browning of white adipose in db/db mice,which may be related to mitophagy mediated by PINK1/Parkin pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect of hemoperfusion combined with sequential hemodiafiltration on pancreatic islet β cell function,nutritional status and inflammatory response in patients with diabetic nephropathy(DN).Methods One hundred patients with DN admitted to Nanyang Central Hospital from February 2022 to February 2023 were selected as the research subjects.They were divided into the control group and the observation group according to the random number table method,with 50 patients in each group.The patients in the control group were treated with sequential hemodiafil-tration,and the patients in the observation group were treated with sequential hemodiafiltration combined with hemoperfusion.The weight and height of patients in the two groups were measured before treatment and after 6-month treatment to calculate body mass index(BMI).The triceps skinfold(TSF)thickness was measured by using a skinfold caliper.The nutritional status of patients were evaluated by subjective global assessment(SCA)scores.Fasting venous blood was collected from patients in the two groups to measure the levels of fasting insulin(FINS)and fasting plasma glucose(FPG)by radioimmunoassay,and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)and homeostasis model assessment of beta-cell function(HOMA-β)were calculated;the levels of total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were measured by using the fully automatic biochemical analyzer,and the levels of serum C-reactive protein(CRP),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)were measured by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results There was no significant difference in HOMA-β,FINS and HOMA-IR of patients between the control group and the observation group before treatment(P＞0.05).FINS and HOMA-IR of patients after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment,while HOMA-β was significantly higher than that before treatment in the two groups(P＜0.05).After treatment,FINS and HOMA-IR of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group,while HOMA-β was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in BMI,TSF and SGA of patients between the control group and the observation group before treatment(P＞0.05).After treatment,BMI,TSF and SGA of patients in both groups were significantly higher than those before treatment;and BMI,TSF and SGA of patients in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the levels of TC,TG,LDL-C and HDL-C of patients between the control group and the observation group before treatment(P＞0.05).After treatment,the levels of TC,TG and LDL-C of patients in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment,while the HDL-C level of patients was significantly higher than that before treatment(P＜0.05).After treatment,the levels of TC,TG and LDL-C of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group,while the HDL-C level of patients was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the levels of serum CRP,TNF-α and IL-6 of patients between the control group and the observation group before treatment(P＞0.05).After treatment,the levels of serum CRP,TNF-α and IL-6 of patients in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment;and the levels of serum CRP,TNF-α and IL-6 of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Sequential hemodiafiltration combined with hemoperfusion can significantly improve pancreatic islet βcell function,nutritional status and lipid metabolism in patients with DN and inhibit inflammatory response.

177Lu-prostate specific membrane antigen(PSMA)radio-ligand therapy has been approved abroad for advanced prostate cancer and has been in several clinical trials in China.Based on domestic clinical practice and experimental data and referred to international experience and viewpoints,the expert group forms a consensus on the clinical application of 177Lu-PSMA radio-ligand therapy in prostate cancer to guide clinical practice.

Ferroptosis is a novel iron-dependent mode of programmed cell death characterized by iron deposition and accumulation of lipid peroxidation. More and more studies have found that ferroptosis is closely related to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM）. The yin-fire theory is an important part of LI Gao's spleen-stomach theory， and it is believed that qi-fire imblance and yin-fire internal generation is the main pathogenesis of T2DM. Abnormal iron metabolism may be an important prerequisite for T2DM yin-fire internal generation， while oxidative stress is the specific manifestation of T2DM qi-fire imbalance. Reactive oxygen species （ROS） is the end product of qi-fire imbalance， and lipid peroxide is the pathological products of T2DM yin-fire internal generation. This study intends to explore the pathological mechanism of qi-fire imbalance and yin-fire internal generation from the perspectives of iron metabolism， oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation， enriching the modern connotation of yin-fire theory， and benefiting traditional Chinese medicine to target against ferroptosis， and prevent and treat T2DM precisely.