ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of Babaodan Capsule （BBD） in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus （HBV） infection with damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder comorbid with gallbladder polyps. MethodsA randomized， double-blinded， placebo-controlled single-center trial was conducted among 120 patients with chronic HBV infection who were admitted to Beijing YouAn Hospital， Capital Medical University， from August 2020 to April 2023， and they were divided into treatment group （BBD） and control group （placebo）， with 60 patients in each group. The course of treatment was 24 weeks， and follow-up assessments were conducted every 4 weeks. The primary outcome measures were the number and maximum diameter of gallbladder polyps （assessed by ultrasound）， and the secondary outcome measures included traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score， blood lipid levels， and liver function parameters. The independent-samples t test or the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups， and the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups； the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of ranked data between two groups； the generalized estimating equation was used to analyze repeated measures data. ResultsAfter 8 weeks of treatment， the treatment group had a significantly smaller diameter of polyps and a significantly lower number of polyps than the control group （Z=-1.76 and -1.80， both P<0.05）， and after 24 weeks of treatment， the treatment group had a significantly higher polyp reduction rate than the control group （30.51% vs 10.91%， P<0.05）. The subgroup analysis showed that patients receiving combined antiviral therapy， male patients， patients with a diameter of polyps of <5 mm， and patients with multiple polyps tended to achieve significantly greater benefits. At week 8 of treatment， the treatment group had a significantly better TCM syndrome score than the control group （Z=-2.35， P<0.05）； after treatment， compared with the control group， the treatment group had a significantly greater increase in high-density lipoprotein （Z=-1.85， P<0.05） and significantly lower levels of alanine aminotransferase （Z=-2.06， P <0.05）， aspartate aminotransferase （Z=-2.13， P<0.05）， total bilirubin （Z=-2.12， P<0.05）， and direct bilirubin （Z=-3.09， P<0.05）. No serious adverse events were reported in either group. ConclusionBBD can effectively reduce the size of gallbladder polyps， improve TCM syndrome score， and reduce the level of bilirubin in patients with chronic HBV infection with damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder， with a favorable safety profile， and it may be more suitable for patients receiving combined antiviral therapy and specific subgroups （male patients， patients with a diameter of polyps of <5 mm， and patients with multiple polyps.

Gorham-Stout disease(GSD) is a rare osteolytic disorder characterized by spontaneous and progressive osteolysis, along with abnormal angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, with no new bone formation. We present a case of a 15-year-old female admitted due to " recurrent right leg pain for 5 years, 11 months after undergoing right femoral fracture surgery". Through comprehensive integration of the patient's clinical phenotype, laboratory tests, imaging findings, pathological examinations, and molecular biological test results, GSD was considered highly likely. A multidisciplinary treatment approach was conducted, including a combination of zoledronic acid and sirolimus to inhibit osteolysis, along with rehabilitation training and orthopedic intervention, providing a personalized and comprehensive treatment strategy.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in Zhejiang Province from 2019 to 2023, so as to provide the reference for strengthening SFTS prevention and control. Methods: Data on laboratory-confirmed SFTS cases in Zhejiang Province from 2019 to 2023 were collected through the Infectious Disease Reporting Information System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Meteorological data, geographic environment and socioeconomic factors during the same period were collected from the fifth-generation European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, Geospatial Data Cloud, and Zhejiang Statistical Yearbook, respectively. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of SFTS from 2019 to 2023, and a Bayesian spatio-temporal model was constructed to analyze the influencing factors of SFTS incidence. Results: A total of 578 SFTS cases were reported in Zhejiang Province from 2019 to 2023, with an annual average incidence of 0.23/105. The peak period was from May to July, accounting for 52.60%. There were 309 males and 269 females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.15∶1. The cases were mainly aged 50-<80 years, farmers, and in rural areas, accounting for 82.53%, 77.34%, and 75.43%, respectively. Taizhou City and Shaoxing City reported more SFTS cases, while Shaoxing City and Zhoushan City had higher annual average incidences of SFTS. The Bayesian spatio-temporal interaction model showed good goodness of fit. The results showed that mean temperature (RR=1.626, 95%CI: 1.111-2.378) and mean wind speed (RR=1.814, 95%CI: 1.321-2.492) were positively correlated with SFTS risk, while altitude (RR=0.432, 95%CI: 0.230-0.829) and population density (RR=0.443, 95%CI: 0.207-0.964) were negatively correlated with SFTS risk. Conclusions SFTS in Zhejiang Province peaks from May to July. Middle-aged and elderly people and farmers are high-risk populations. Taizhou City, Shaoxing City, and Zhoushan City are high-incidence areas. Mean temperature, mean wind speed, altitude, and population density can all affect the risk of SFTS incidence.

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) solid waste is characterized by widespread availability, renewability, and substantial production volume. In the context of the "dual carbon" goals, the pyrolysis of TCM solid waste for producing fuel gas for recycling in pharmaceutical production has emerged as a crucial strategy for optimizing the energy structure in the TCM industry and developing renewable energy. This paper comprehensively reviews both internal and external factors that influence the pyrolysis of TCM solid waste. Internal factors encompass moisture content, particle size, ash content, and the morphology of the raw materials, while external factors include pyrolysis conditions, equivalence ratios, types of gasifiers, and gasifying agents. Furthermore, this paper details the challenges associated with the pyrolysis of TCM solid waste, such as the dispersion of feedstocks, the diversity of resources, the complexity of the pyrolysis process, and the variations in gasifier performance. Finally, this paper proposes measures to address these challenges. This paper aims to provide insights into the development of a circular economy for TCM resources and the advancement of low-carbon energy utilization in the TCM industry.
Pyrolysis ; Carbon/chemistry* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Solid Waste/analysis* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Gases/chemistry*

This study aims to explore the mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Decoction(BHD) in promoting angiogenesis after oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R) of mouse brain microvascular endothelial cell line(brain-derived Endothelial cells.3, bEnd.3) based on the caveolin-1(Cav1)/Yes-associated protein 1(YAP1)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) signaling pathway. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was used to analyze the blood components of BHD. The cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method was used to detect the optimal intervention concentration of drug-containing serum of BHD after OGD/R injury of bEnd.3. The lentiviral transfection method was used to construct a Cav1 silent stable strain, and Western blot and polymerase chain reaction(PCR) methods were used to verify the silencing efficiency. The control bEnd.3 cells were divided into a normal group(sh-NC control group), an OGD/R model + blank serum group(sh-NC OGD/R group), and an OGD/R model + drug-containing serum group(sh-NC BHD group). Cav1 silent cells were divided into an OGD/R model + blank serum group(sh-Cav1 OGD/R group) and an OGD/R model + drug-containing serum group(sh-Cav1 BHD group). The cell survival rate was detected by the CCK-8 method. The cell migration ability was detected by a cell migration assay. The lumen formation ability was detected by an angiogenesis assay. The apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of YAP1/HIF-1α signaling pathway-related proteins in each group was detected by Western blot. Finally, co-immunoprecipitation was used to verify the interaction between YAP1 and HIF-1α. The results showed astragaloside Ⅳ, formononetin, ferulic acid, and albiflorin in BHD can all enter the blood. The drug-containing serum of BHD at a mass fraction of 10% may be the optimal intervention concentration for OGD/R-induced injury of bEnd.3 cells. Compared with the sh-NC control group, the sh-NC OGD/R group showed significantly decreased cell survival rate, cell migration rate, mesh number, node number, and lumen length, significantly increased cell apoptotic rate, significantly lowered phosphorylation level of YAP1 at S127 site, and significantly elevated nuclear displacement level of YAP1 and protein expression of HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2). Compared with the same type of OGD/R group, the sh-NC BHD group and sh-Cav1 BHD group had significantly increased cell survival rate, cell migration rate, mesh number, node number, and lumen length, a significantly decreased cell apoptotic rate, a further decreased phosphorylation level of YAP1 at S127 site, and significantly increased nuclear displacement level of YAP1 and protein expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, and VEGFR2. Compared with the sh-NC OGD/R group, the sh-Cav1 OGD/R group exhibited significantly decreased cell survival rate, cell migration rate, mesh number, node number, and lumen length, a significantly increased cell apoptotic rate, a significantly increased phosphorylation level of YAP1 at S127 site, and significantly decreased nuclear displacement level of YAP1 and protein expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, and VEGFR2. Compared with the sh-NC BHD group, the sh-Cav1 BHD group showed significantly decreased cell survival rate, cell migration rate, mesh number, node number, and lumen length, a significantly increased cell apoptotic rate, a significantly increased phosphorylation level of YAP1 at the S127 site, and significantly decreased nuclear displacement level of YAP1 and protein expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, and VEGFR2. YAP1 protein was present in the protein complex precipitated by the HIF-1α antibody, and HIF-1α protein was also present in the protein complex precipitated by the YAP1 antibody. The results confirmed that the drug-containing serum of BHD can increase the activity of YAP1/HIF-1α pathway in bEnd.3 cells damaged by OGD/R through Cav1 and promote angiogenesis in vitro.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Caveolin 1/genetics* ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics* ; YAP-Signaling Proteins ; Oxygen/metabolism* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/genetics* ; Neovascularization, Physiologic/drug effects* ; Cell Hypoxia/drug effects* ; Angiogenesis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the partial biomechanical properties of the posterior occipital muscles (rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, and obliquus capitis inferior) in patients with cervical vertigo. METHODS: A total of 30 patients with cervical vertigo admitted from April 2024 to September 2024 were included in the vertigo group, and 30 age-and gender-matched healthy subjects were recruited as the normal group. In the vertigo group, there were 21 females and 9 males, with an average age of (24.00±2.25) years;in the normal group, there were 22 females and 8 males, with an average age of (23.00±3.00) years. Shear wave elastography was used to measure the thickness and stiffness of the posterior occipital muscles in both groups. RESULTS: In the vertigo group, there were no statistically significant differences in the Young's modulus values (E) of stiffness of the posterior occipital muscles (rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis inferior) between the left and right sides(P>0.05). The Young's modulus values(E) of stiffness of the right posterior occipital muscles (rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis inferior) in the cervical vertigo group were (39.66±8.21) kPa, (45.61±5.85) kPa, and (43.73±5.22) kPa, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the normal group 33.97(17.76) kPa, 41.38(8.99) kPa, 38.27(12.58) kPa, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). In the vertigo group, the Young's modulus values(E) of stiffness of the left rectus capitis posterior major and left obliquus capitis inferior were (40.41±9.13) kPa and (42.11±6.20) kPa, respectively, which were significantly greater than those in the normal group (33.30±11.31) kPa, 38.94(14.62) kPa, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05);however, there was no statistically significant difference in the left rectus capitis posterior minor between the two groups(P>0.05). In the vertigo group, there were no statistically significant differences in the stiffness of the posterior occipital muscles (rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis inferior) between the left and right sides(P>0.05). Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences in the thickness of the bilateral posterior occipital muscles between the vertigo group and the normal group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The posterior occipital muscles of patients with cervical vertigo are stiffer than those of healthy individuals, while there is no significant difference in muscle thickness between the two groups.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques/methods* ; Adult ; Vertigo/physiopathology* ; Neck Muscles/physiopathology* ; Young Adult

Extensive studies have identified potential adverse effects on semen quality of obesity, based on body mass index, but the association between body fat distribution, a more relevant indicator for obesity, and semen quality remains less clear. We conducted a longitudinal study of 4304 sperm donors from the Guangdong Provincial Human Sperm Bank (Guangzhou, China) during 2017-2021. A body composition analyzer was used to measure total and local body fat percentage for each participant. Generalized estimating equations were employed to assess the association between body fat percentage and sperm count, motility, and morphology. We estimated that each 10% increase in total body fat percentage (estimated change [95% confidence interval, 95% CI]) was significantly associated with a 0.18 × 10 6 (0.09 × 10 6 -0.27 × 10 6 ) ml and 12.21 × 10 6 (4.52 × 10 6 -19.91 × 10 6 ) reduction in semen volume and total sperm count, respectively. Categorical analyses and exposure-response curves showed that the association of body fat distribution with semen volume and total sperm count was stronger at higher body fat percentages. In addition, the association still held among normal weight and overweight participants. We observed similar associations for upper limb, trunk, and lower limb body fact distributions. In conclusion, we found that a higher body fat distribution was significantly associated with lower semen quality (especially semen volume) even in men with a normal weight. These findings provide useful clues in exploring body fat as a risk factor for semen quality decline and add to evidence for improving semen quality for those who are expected to conceive.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Semen Analysis ; China ; Body Fat Distribution ; Longitudinal Studies ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Body Mass Index ; Tissue Donors ; Obesity/complications* ; Spermatozoa ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; East Asian People

Researchers commonly use cyclization recombination enzyme/locus of X-over P1 (Cre/loxP) technology-based conditional gene knockouts of model mice to investigate the functional roles of genes of interest in Sertoli and Leydig cells within the testis. However, the shortcomings of these genetic tools include high costs, lengthy experimental periods, and limited accessibility for researchers. Therefore, exploring alternative gene silencing techniques is of great practical value. In this study, we employed adeno-associated virus (AAV) as a vector for gene silencing in Sertoli and Leydig cells. Our findings demonstrated that AAV serotypes 1, 8, and 9 exhibited high infection efficiency in both types of testis cells. Importantly, we discovered that all three AAV serotypes exhibited exquisite specificity in targeting Sertoli cells via tubular injection while demonstrating remarkable selectivity in targeting Leydig cells via interstitial injection. We achieved cell-specific knockouts of the steroidogenic acute regulatory ( Star ) and luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin receptor (Lhcgr) genes in Leydig cells, but not in Sertoli cells, using AAV9-single guide RNA (sgRNA)-mediated gene editing in Rosa26-LSL-Cas9 mice. Knockdown of androgen receptor ( Ar ) gene expression in Sertoli cells of wild-type mice was achieved via tubular injection of AAV9-short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated targeting. Our findings offer technical approaches for investigating gene function in Sertoli and Leydig cells through AAV9-mediated gene silencing.
Animals ; Male ; Leydig Cells/metabolism* ; Mice ; Dependovirus/genetics* ; Sertoli Cells/metabolism* ; Gene Silencing ; Genetic Vectors ; Testis/cytology*

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and laboratory characteristics of monoclonal gammopathy anemia and explore the risk factors associated with anemia in monoclonal gammopathy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 5 539 patients who underwent immunofixation electrophoresis at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College from January 2016 to February 2024. A total of 351 newly diagnosed M protein positive patients were selected as the study subjects, including 270 in the anemia group and 81 in the non-anemia group. Laboratory test results were compared between the two groups, and logistic regression models were used to analyze the risk factors for anemia. ROC curve analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive value of risk factors for anemia in monoclonal gammopathy. RESULTS: The proportion of non-anemic patients was 23.1% (81/351), with a median age of 67(60-75) years; the proportion of anemic patients was 76.9% (270/351), with a median age of 70(63-75) years. The total protein, globulin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, β₂-microglobulin, and ceruloplasmin levels in the anemia group were higher than those in the non-anemia group ( P < 0.05), while albumin, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, monocyte count, complement C3, complement C4, haptoglobin, and transferrin levels were lower in the non-anemia group ( P < 0.05). After adjustment, multivariate logistic regression analysis shows that elevated GLB, increased β₂-MG, decreased ANC, and reduced complement C3 were independent risk factors for anemia in monoclonal gammopathy ( P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis demonstrates that GLB, β₂-MG, ANC, and complement C3 had good predictive value for anemia associated with monoclonal gammopathy. CONCLUSION Elevated GLB, increased β₂-MG, decreased ANC, and reduced complement C3 are independent risk factors for anemia in monoclonal gammopathy (P < 0.05). The combined assessment of these four factors has good predictive value for anemia in monoclonal gammopathy.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Anemia/complications* ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Paraproteinemias/diagnosis* ; Risk Factors ; Male ; Female ; Logistic Models ; ROC Curve ; Complement C3

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and potential mechanism of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II gamma (CaMKIIγ) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 90 AML patients, and mononuclear cells were isolated. The expression of CaMKIIγ was measured using real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot. The diagnostic value of CaMKIIγ for AML was assessed, and its correlation with clinical characteristics was analyzed using the clinical data of patients. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms of CaMKIIγ were preliminarily explored. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the expression of CaMKIIγ was significantly upregulated in AML patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that CaMKIIγ could serve as a promising biomarker for distinguishing AML patients from healthy individuals. Furthermore, CaMKIIγ was significantly correlated with white blood cell (WBC) count and FLT3-ITD mutation. CaMKIIγ was highly expressed in both newly diagnosed and relapsed AML patients, while decreased during remission. In AML cell lines, the expression levels of CaMKIIγ were all elevated. Inhibition of phosphorylated CaMKIIγ by berbamine led to a decrease in pAKT and pSTAT5 expression. CONCLUSION CaMKIIγ is significantly upregulated in AML patients, and is associated with poor clinicopathological features and unfavorable prognosis. It may serve as a prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target in AML. Its expression may be related to the activation of pAKT and pSTAT5, suggesting that CaMKIIγ may contribute to the development and progression of AML through the activation of the AKT/STAT5 signaling pathway.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism* ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2/metabolism* ; STAT5 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Male ; Female ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Mutation ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Clinical Relevance