ObjectiveThis paper aims to explore the in vitro anti-psoriasis activity and potential mechanism of Kangfuxin liquid （KFX liquid）， providing experimental evidence for the anti-psoriasis effect of KFX liquid. MethodsFirstly， the uninduced human immortalized keratinocyte cells （HaCaT cells） were divided into seven groups， namely the control group and KFX liquid groups with different doses （5， 10， 20， 40， 80， 160 g·L^-1）. After being treated with different concentrations of KFX liquid， the effect of KFX liquid on the normal cell proliferation was detected by using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） method. Secondly， the uninduced HaCaT cells were divided into six groups， namely the control group and recombinant human interleukin-7A （rh-IL-7A） groups with different doses （5， 10， 50， 100， 120 g·L^-1）. After being treated with different concentrations of recombinant human interleukin-17A （rh IL-17A） liquid， the effect of rh IL-17A on cell proliferation was detected. The optimal induction concentration was screened. Then， normal HaCaT cells were divided into a control group and KFX liquid groups with different doses （5， 10， 20， 40， 80， 160 g·L^-1）. Except for the control group， the other groups established psoriasis cell models with the optimal induction concentration of rh IL-17A. After being treated with different concentrations of KFX liquid， the effects of KFX liquid on the psoriasis-like HaCaT cell proliferation were investigated. Finally， the uninduced HaCaT cells were divided into six groups， namely the control group， rh IL-17A group， methotrexate （MTX） group， and KFX liquid groups with different doses （20， 40， 80 g·L^-1）. Except for the control group， the other groups used the optimal induction concentration of rh IL-17A to establish psoriasis cell models. After being treated with different drugs， the cell migration levels were detected through scratch assays， and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the relative mRNA expression levels of Ki-67 antigen （Ki67）， S100 calcium-binding protein A7 （S100A7）， S100 calcium-binding protein A8 （S100A8）， and S100 calcium-binding protein A9 （S100A9）， thereby comprehensively evaluating the in vitro anti-psoriasis activity of KFX liquid. By detecting the relative mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and chemokine-20 （CXCL-20） inflammatory-related factors in psoriasis-like HaCaT cells and the protein expression levels of Janus kinase 3 （JAK3）， phosphorylated Janus kinase 3 （p-JAK3）， signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （p-STAT3）， the mechanism was explored. ResultsCompared with that of control group， when treated with 80 g·L^-1 KFX liquid for 72 h （P<0.05） and at different times with 160 g·L^-1 KFX liquid， the HaCaT cell proliferation activity was significantly affected （P<0.01）， while the other concentrations of KFX liquid had no significant differences in cell morphology and cell proliferation activity at different times， indicating that the KFX liquid is relatively safe for HaCaT cells and has no obvious toxic side effects. Compared with that of control group， when treated with different concentrations of rh IL-17A for 24 h， the HaCaT cell proliferation activity was significantly enhanced， and the cell activity was the strongest when the concentration was 100 μg·L^-1 （P<0.05）， with a density close to 100% and intact cell morphology， indicating that 100 μg·L^-1 is the optimal concentration for inducing HaCaT cell proliferation. The results of the KFX liquid treatment on rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like cells show that the KFX liquid not only effectively inhibits the rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like HaCaT cell proliferation activity （P<0.01）， but also significantly reduces the migration ability of rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like HaCaT cells （P<0.01）， and the relative mRNA expression levels of Ki67， S100A7， S100A8， and S100A9 （P<0.01）. Moreover， the KFX liquid can significantly reduce the relative mRNA expression levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and CXCL-20 in rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like cells （P<0.01）， and significantly inhibit the phosphorylation levels of JAK3 and STAT3 proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe KFX liquid has no obvious toxicity to uninduced HaCaT cells. It can inhibit rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like HaCaT cell proliferation， reduce the cell migration ability， and has good in vitro anti-psoriasis activity. Its action mechanism may be related to downregulating the expression levels of inflammation-related cytokines in the JAK3/STAT3 signaling pathway and inhibiting the phosphorylation levels of JAK3 and STAT3 proteins.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to explore the in vitro anti-psoriasis activity and potential mechanism of Kangfuxin liquid （KFX liquid）， providing experimental evidence for the anti-psoriasis effect of KFX liquid. MethodsFirstly， the uninduced human immortalized keratinocyte cells （HaCaT cells） were divided into seven groups， namely the control group and KFX liquid groups with different doses （5， 10， 20， 40， 80， 160 g·L^-1）. After being treated with different concentrations of KFX liquid， the effect of KFX liquid on the normal cell proliferation was detected by using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） method. Secondly， the uninduced HaCaT cells were divided into six groups， namely the control group and recombinant human interleukin-7A （rh-IL-7A） groups with different doses （5， 10， 50， 100， 120 g·L^-1）. After being treated with different concentrations of recombinant human interleukin-17A （rh IL-17A） liquid， the effect of rh IL-17A on cell proliferation was detected. The optimal induction concentration was screened. Then， normal HaCaT cells were divided into a control group and KFX liquid groups with different doses （5， 10， 20， 40， 80， 160 g·L^-1）. Except for the control group， the other groups established psoriasis cell models with the optimal induction concentration of rh IL-17A. After being treated with different concentrations of KFX liquid， the effects of KFX liquid on the psoriasis-like HaCaT cell proliferation were investigated. Finally， the uninduced HaCaT cells were divided into six groups， namely the control group， rh IL-17A group， methotrexate （MTX） group， and KFX liquid groups with different doses （20， 40， 80 g·L^-1）. Except for the control group， the other groups used the optimal induction concentration of rh IL-17A to establish psoriasis cell models. After being treated with different drugs， the cell migration levels were detected through scratch assays， and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the relative mRNA expression levels of Ki-67 antigen （Ki67）， S100 calcium-binding protein A7 （S100A7）， S100 calcium-binding protein A8 （S100A8）， and S100 calcium-binding protein A9 （S100A9）， thereby comprehensively evaluating the in vitro anti-psoriasis activity of KFX liquid. By detecting the relative mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and chemokine-20 （CXCL-20） inflammatory-related factors in psoriasis-like HaCaT cells and the protein expression levels of Janus kinase 3 （JAK3）， phosphorylated Janus kinase 3 （p-JAK3）， signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （p-STAT3）， the mechanism was explored. ResultsCompared with that of control group， when treated with 80 g·L^-1 KFX liquid for 72 h （P<0.05） and at different times with 160 g·L^-1 KFX liquid， the HaCaT cell proliferation activity was significantly affected （P<0.01）， while the other concentrations of KFX liquid had no significant differences in cell morphology and cell proliferation activity at different times， indicating that the KFX liquid is relatively safe for HaCaT cells and has no obvious toxic side effects. Compared with that of control group， when treated with different concentrations of rh IL-17A for 24 h， the HaCaT cell proliferation activity was significantly enhanced， and the cell activity was the strongest when the concentration was 100 μg·L^-1 （P<0.05）， with a density close to 100% and intact cell morphology， indicating that 100 μg·L^-1 is the optimal concentration for inducing HaCaT cell proliferation. The results of the KFX liquid treatment on rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like cells show that the KFX liquid not only effectively inhibits the rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like HaCaT cell proliferation activity （P<0.01）， but also significantly reduces the migration ability of rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like HaCaT cells （P<0.01）， and the relative mRNA expression levels of Ki67， S100A7， S100A8， and S100A9 （P<0.01）. Moreover， the KFX liquid can significantly reduce the relative mRNA expression levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and CXCL-20 in rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like cells （P<0.01）， and significantly inhibit the phosphorylation levels of JAK3 and STAT3 proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe KFX liquid has no obvious toxicity to uninduced HaCaT cells. It can inhibit rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like HaCaT cell proliferation， reduce the cell migration ability， and has good in vitro anti-psoriasis activity. Its action mechanism may be related to downregulating the expression levels of inflammation-related cytokines in the JAK3/STAT3 signaling pathway and inhibiting the phosphorylation levels of JAK3 and STAT3 proteins.

The brain-gut interaction theory is a multidimensional integrative concept based on the brain-gut axis， involving neural， endocrine， and immune regulatory networks as well as the gut microbiota. Zang-fu organs （脏腑） theory in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） shows a high degree of consistency with the brain-gut interaction theory， and the core functions such as the spleen and stomach governing the ascending of the clear and descending of the turbid， the liver governing the free flow of qi， and the heart governing mental and emotional activities are closely associated with the multi-level regulatory mechanisms of the brain-gut axis. TCM therapy can modulate brain-gut interactions through multiple pathways in the treatment of spleen and stomach diseases， including the regulation of gastrointestinal hormone secretion， neurotransmitter levels， the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal （HPA） axis， immune homeostasis and inflammatory responses， as well as the gut microecology. However， current basic research on the brain-gut interaction theory in TCM for spleen and stomach diseases still faces several challenges， such as difficulties in integrating TCM spleen-stomach theory with modern pathophysiology， lack of innovation in research concepts， and limitations in research methodologies. It is therefore proposed that multidisciplinary collaboration， multi-omics technologies， and targeted research approaches should be adopted to provide more comprehensive methods for basic research on TCM spleen and stomach diseases， thereby promoting the in-depth development of brain-gut interaction theory.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of the multidisciplinary team （MDT） management model in improving the prognosis of patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension. MethodsA total of 86 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension who were admitted to Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital from May 2022 to July 2024 were enrolled， and according to whether the MDT treatment regimen was implemented， they were divided into execution group with 51 patients and non-execution group with 35 patients. Baseline clinical data were collected， and the patients were observed in terms of gastrointestinal bleeding， hepatic encephalopathy， liver cancer， and death from admission to the end of follow-up （January 2025）. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves for the cumulative incidence rates of endpoint events （gastrointestinal bleeding， hepatic encephalopathy， liver cancer， and death）， and the Log-rank test was used for comparison between groups. The Cox proportional-hazards regression model analysis was used to investigate the effect of MDT management on the prognosis of patients. ResultsThere were significant differences between the execution group and the non-execution group in diameter of the portal vein （t=1.216， P=0.017） and ascites （χ²=4.515， P=0.034） at baseline. The patients were followed up for 14.6±6.2 months， and the survival curve analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the cumulative incidence rate of gastrointestinal bleeding between the two groups （χ²=4.573， P=0.024）， while there were no significant differences in the incidence rates of other outcome events between the two groups （all P>0.05）. The Cox regression analysis showed that the execution group had a reduced risk of gastrointestinal bleeding （hazard ratio=0.262， 95% confidence interval： 0.110 — 0.630， P=0.003）. ConclusionImplementation of the MDT treatment regimen can significantly reduce the short-term risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension， while its long-term benefits require further follow-up verification.

ObjectiveFunctional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a novel non-invasive technique for monitoring cerebral activity, can be integrated with upper limb rehabilitation robots to facilitate the real-time assessment of neurological rehabilitation outcomes. The rehabilitation robot is designed with 3 training modes: passive, active, and resistance. Among these, the resistance mode has been demonstrated to yield superior rehabilitative outcomes for patients with a certain level of muscle strength. The control modes in the resistance mode can be categorized into dynamic and static control. However, the effects of different control modes in the resistance mode on the motor function of patients with upper limb hemiplegia in stroke remain unclear. Furthermore, the effects of force, an important parameter of different control modes, on the activation of brain regions have rarely been reported. This study investigates the effects of dynamic and static resistance modes under varying resistance levels on cerebral functional alterations during motor rehabilitation in post-stroke patients. MethodsA cohort of 20 stroke patients with upper limb dysfunction was enrolled in the study, completing preparatory adaptive training followed by 3 intensity-level tasks across 2 motor paradigms. The bilateral prefrontal cortices (PFC), bilateral primary motor cortices (M1), bilateral primary somatosensory cortices (S1), and bilateral premotor and supplementary motor cortices (PM) were examined in both the resting and motor training states. The lateralization index (LI), phase locking value (PLV), network metrics were employed to examine cortical activation patterns and topological properties of brain connectivity. ResultsThe data indicated that both dynamic and static modes resulted in significantly greater activation of the contralateral M1 area and the ipsilateral PM area when compared to the resting state. The static patterns demonstrated a more pronounced activation in the contralateral M1 in comparison to the dynamic patterns. The results of brain network analysis revealed significant differences between the dynamic and resting states in the contralateral PFC area and contralateral M1 area (F=4.709, P=0.038), as well as in the contralateral PM area and ipsilateral M1 area (F=4.218, P=0.049). Moreover, the findings indicated a positive correlation between the activation of the M1 region and the increase in force in the dynamic mode, which was reversed in the static mode. ConclusionBoth dynamic and static resistance training modes have been demonstrated to activate the corresponding brain functional regions. Dynamic resistance modes elicit greater oxygen changes and connectivity to the region of interest (ROI) than static resistance modes. Furthermore, the effects of increasing force differ between the two modes. In patients who have suffered a stroke, dynamic modes may have a more pronounced effect on the activation of exercise-related functional brain regions.

Objective:To observe and analyze the correlation between ectopic foveal inner layer (EIFL) and the EIFL-based idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) staging system and the anatomic and functional prognosis of ERM eyes post pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).Methods:A retrospective study. From January 1, 2020 to October 30, 2023, 345 eyes of 330 patients diagnosed with idiopathic ERM in Department of Ophthalmology of Peking University People's Hospital and treated with standard transciliary flat three-channel 25G PPV combined with ERM and internal limiting membrane exfoliation were included in the study. Among them, 96 were males (111 eyes) and 234 were females (234 eyes). The mean age was (66.8±7.7) years. All study eyes received standard three-port 25G PPV combined with ERM and internal limiting membrane peeling. All study eyes underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations. BCVA was performed using a standard logarithmic visual acuity chart and converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity for statistical analysis. EIFL thickness and central foveal thickness (CFT) on OCT were measured. ERM eyes were grouped into stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ according to ERM staging scheme based on EIFL; disorganization of the retinal inner layers (DRIL) of study eyes were assessed and grouped into no, mild and severe groups. The correlation between ERM staging as well as EIFL thickness and the anatomical and functional prognosis 6 months post-PPV were analyzed.Results:Among 345 study eyes, 12, 87, 174 and 72 eyes were stage Ⅰ-Ⅳ ERM respectively, 63 with no DRIL, 216 with mild DRIL and 66 with severe DRIL. Among the 153 eyes with macular edema, the edema subsided in 66 eyes (43.1%, 66/153) 6 months after the operation. Eighty-seven eyes (56.9%, 87/153) did not regress. The edema subsided 6 months after the operation was not significantly correlated with the ERM stage before the operation ( χ2=3.331, R=?0.145, P=0.304) or the degree of DRIL ( χ2=0.655, R=?0.108, P=0.445). The results of the correlation analysis showed that logMAR BCVA 6 months after the surgery was positively correlated with the degree of DRIL before the surgery ( Tau-b=0.236), ERM stage ( Tau-b=0.194), CFT ( r=0.383), and EIFL thickness ( r=0.317) ( P<0.05). There was no significant correlation with the thickness of the outer nuclear layer before the operation ( r=0.004, P>0.05). Preoperative ERM stage ( Tau-b=0.303, P<0.001) and DRIL severity ( Tau-b= 0.238, P=0.001) were positively correlated with CFT at 6 months after surgery. Conclusion:The ERM stage and EIFL thickness before the operation are positively correlated with logMAR BCVA and CFT 6 months after the operation.

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics of varicella-zoster virus（VZV）in Anhui province from 2022 to 2023.Methods:Vesicle fluid and throat swab samples were collected from suspected varicella patients in Anhui province during 2022—2023. Fresh vesicle fluid samples were selected for VZV isolation，and real-time PCR was used for VZV nucleic acid detection. For positive samples，the region containing five single nucleotide polymorphism（SNP）sites in the open reading frame 22（ORF22）fragment was amplified，and PCR products were sequenced to identify viral genotypes. Reference sequences of VZV genotypes were downloaded from GenBank，sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree analysis were performed using Sequencher and MEGA5.0 software. Additionally，four SNP sites in ORF38 and ORF62 fragments were detected to distinguish vaccine strains from wild strains.Results:Among 96 samples from suspected varicella cases，55 of 61 vesicle fluid samples and 21 of 35 throat swab samples were positive for VZV nucleic acid. The virus isolation rate for vesicle fluid samples was 14.75%. Genetic sequencing was successful for 51 strains，all of which were wild strains belonging to the clade 2 genetic branch. Compared with the reference strain of clade 2，the nucleotide and amino acid homologies of the ORF22 fragment were 99.46%~100% and 98.39%~100%，respectively. One strain（2023VZVCZ45）exhibited an A→G mutation at site 37916.Conclusion:The prevalent VZV strains detected in Anhui province during 2022—2023 were all wild strains of clade 2，with no vaccine-associated cases identified.

Objective:To investigate the dose characteristics of the Zeiss INTRABEAM system in air and water, providing dose reference for electronic brachytherapy.Methods:A Monte Carlo program was used to establish a three-dimensional model of a miniature X-ray source vacuum drift tube and a 4 cm spherical applicator. The process of electron beam bombardment on a gold target to generate X-rays was simulated, and parameters such as photon fluence spectrum, percentage depth dose, and half-value layer were calculated. Additionally, the radial dose uniformity in water was measured.Results:The average energy of X-rays at 3 cm in air was 20.8 keV, with a half-value layer of 0.08 mm Al. Under the influence of the applicator, the spectrum becomes hardened, with axial and radial average energies of 28.7 and 29.0 keV, respectively. In water, the percentage depth dose (PDD) curve follows an inverse cubic decay with depth, indicating strong dose concentration and rapid fall-off in near-field irradiation. The radial dose uniformity in water exceeded 99.5%.Conclusions:The INTRABEAM device emits low-energy X-rays characterized by shallow penetration depth, and concentrated dose delivery. Its highly uniform dose distribution ensures comprehensive coverage of the target area, making it particularly suitable for treating superficial tumors and for intraoperative radiotherapy at close range.

Jiuwei Xifeng Granules have become a Chinese patent medicine in the market. Because the formula contains Os Draconis, a top-level protected fossil of ancient organisms, the formula was to be improved by replacing Os Draconis with Ostreae Concha. To evaluate whether the improved formula has the same effectiveness and safety as the original formula, a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, equivalence clinical trial was conducted. This study enrolled 288 tic disorder(TD) of children and assigned them into two groups in 1∶1. The treatment group and control group took the modified formula and original formula, respectively. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks, and follow-up visits were conducted at weeks 2, 4, and 6. The primary efficacy endpoint was the difference in Yale global tic severity scale(YGTSS)-total tic severity(TTS) score from baseline after 6 weeks of treatment. The results showed that after 6 weeks of treatment, the declines in YGTSS-TSS score showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The difference in YGTSS-TSS score(treatment group-control group) and the 95%CI of the full analysis set(FAS) were-0.17[-1.42, 1.08] and those of per-protocol set(PPS) were 0.29[-0.97, 1.56], which were within the equivalence boundary [-3, 3]. The equivalence test was therefore concluded. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary efficacy endpoints of effective rate for TD, total score and factor scores of YGTSS, clinical global impressions-severity(CGI-S) score, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) response rate, or symptom disappearance rate, and thus a complete evidence chain with the primary outcome was formed. A total of 6 adverse reactions were reported, including 4(2.82%) cases in the treatment group and 2(1.41%) cases in the control group, which showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. No serious suspected unexpected adverse reactions were reported, and no laboratory test results indicated serious clinically significant abnormalities. The results support the replacement of Os Draconis by Ostreae Concha in the original formula, and the efficacy and safety of the modified formula are consistent with those of the original formula.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Tic Disorders/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

Autophagy is a fundamental biological metabolic process involved in immune defense, material metabolism, and homeostasis and closely linked to immune regulation. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a widespread connective tissue disorder primarily resulting from immune system imbalance. Due to the immune system's failure to recognize its own substances, it generates autoantibodies that can affect various tissues and organs, leading to diverse clinical manifestations. The pathogenesis and treatment of SLE are currently under extensive investigation. In normal metabolic processes, autophagy engages in both innate and adaptive immunity, regulates the immune response, and is crucial for maintaining normal immune function and the body's internal homeostasis. Research has indicated that SLE patients exhibit immune dysfunction and altered autophagy levels. Modulating autophagy expression can influence immune system functionality and alleviate SLE symptoms. Additionally, autophagy aids in the innate immune response and adaptive immunity by clearing metabolites and regulating the life cycle of immune cells. Studies suggest that drugs targeting autophagy can positively influence the progression of SLE. This article reviews advancements in research regarding the impact of autophagy on the pathogenesis of SLE through the regulation of immune system functions.
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/pathology* ; Autophagy/immunology* ; Humans ; Animals ; Immunity, Innate ; Adaptive Immunity ; Disease Progression ; Immune System/immunology*