This paper summarizes Professor LU Fang's clinical experience in treating systemic lupus erythematosus （SLE） based on the differentiation and treatment of heat-toxin and blood-stasis in the collaterals. SLE is generally characterized by deficiency in origin with excess in manifestation. The core pathogenesis is heat-toxin obstructing the collaterals. During the acute active stage， the predominant pattern is blazing heat-toxin causing blood stasis， while in the chronic remitting stage， the main pattern is toxic stasis blocking the collaterals with qi and yin deficiency. Clinical treatment follows the basic principle that treat with salty-cold herbs， when heat invades internally and that assist with acrid-dispersing herbs when stasis obstructs the collaterals. The self-formulated Yimian Decoction （抑免汤） serves as the base formula and is applied in stages. During the acute active stage， it is often combined with herbs for clearing heat and detoxifying， cooling blood and resolving stasis， and unblocking the collaterals. In the chronic remitting stage， it is often combined with herbs for activating blood circulation and unblocking the collaterals， as well as tonifying qi and nourishing yin.

OBJECTIVE: Cigarette smoking exacerbates the progression of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The role of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in chronic lung diseases has gained attention; however, it remains unclear whether smoking-exacerbated lung damage in TB is associated with TLS. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of pulmonary TLS in smokers with TB and to explore the possible role of TLS in smoking-related lung injury in TB. METHODS: Lung tissues from 36 male patients (18 smokers and 18 non-smokers) who underwent surgical resection for pulmonary TB were included in this study. Pathological and immunohistological analyses were conducted to evaluate the quantity of TLS, and chest computed tomography (CT) was used to assess the severity of lung lesions. The correlation between the TLS quantity and TB lesion severity scores was analyzed. The immune cells and chemokines involved in TLS formation were also evaluated and compared between smokers and non-smokers. RESULTS: Smoker patients with TB had significantly higher TLS than non-smokers ( P < 0.001). The TLS quantity in both the lung parenchyma and peribronchial regions correlated with TB lesion severity on chest CT (parenchyma: r = 0.5767; peribronchial: r = 0.7373; both P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical analysis showed increased B cells, T cells, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13) expression in smoker patients with TB ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Smoker TB patients exhibited increased pulmonary TLS, which was associated with exacerbated lung lesions on chest CT, suggesting that cigarette smoking may exacerbate lung damage by promoting TLS formation.
Humans ; Male ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/immunology* ; Middle Aged ; Tertiary Lymphoid Structures/pathology* ; Adult ; Lung/pathology* ; Smoking/adverse effects* ; Smokers ; Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To summarize and statistically analyze the automatic monitoring data of environmental gamma dose rates in Beijing, 2020-2024, identify the main influencing factors of the monitoring data, and inform management decisions and public services. Methods A statistical analysis was performed using data collected from national automatic radiation environment monitoring stations. Results For five environmental monitoring stations, the annual mean gamma dose rates from 2020 to 2024 ranged from 60.9 to 90.3 nGy/h. The overall annual mean was 71.4 nGy/h, with a standard deviation of 11.3 nGy/h. All values were within the range of statistical fluctuations of the local natural background radiation. The gamma dose rates of monitoring stations followed the order of E > A > D > B > C. Conclusion The gamma radiation levels at all monitoring stations were stable, and the monitoring results were closely related to their surrounding environments.

Objective:To investigate the effects of acute sleep deprivation (ASD) on hippocampal glucose metabolism and neuroinflammation in rat models.Methods:Twenty SD rats (10 males and 10 females) were divided into four groups (five in each group) by random sampling method: female ASD group, male ASD group, female control group, and male control group. Among them, the ASD group constructed the ASD model. After 72h sleep deprivation, all rats underwent 18F-FDG and N, N-diethyl-2-(2-(4-(2- 18F-fluoroethoxy)phenyl)-5, 7-dimethylpyrazolo[1, 5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl)acetamide ( 18F-DPA-714) microPET/CT brain imaging in 2d to compare the changes of 18F-FDG and 18F-DPA-714 SUV mean in the hippocampus of rats. Brain histopathology, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were detected in rats. Independent-sample t test was used to analyze the data. Results:18F-FDG imaging showed the hippocampal SUV mean between ASD group and control group (female: 4.11±0.35 vs 1.89±0.28; male: 3.43±0.47 vs 2.02±0.54) were statistically significant ( t values: 9.65, 3.92, P values: <0.001, 0.002). 18F-DPA-714 imaging showed the hippocampal SUV mean between ASD group and control group (females: 0.28±0.01 vs 0.28±0.02; male: 0.26±0.02 vs 0.31±0.04) were not statistically significant ( t values: -0.18, -2.24, P values: 0.859, 0.056). The 18×10 3 translocator protein (TSPO) immunohistochemistry showed the expression in the hippocampal region of the brain between ASD group and control group (female: 0.19±0.02 vs 0.19±0.01; male: 0.21±0.01 vs 0.20±0.01) were not statistically different ( t values: -0.48, -1.67, P values: 0.651, 0.139). Immunofluorescence staining showed that microglial cytosol in the hippocampal region of the brain decreased after 72h of ASD, and the protrusion points and surrounding branches were significantly reduced. Conclusion:Increased hippocampal glucose metabolism in rats is observed after 72 h of ASD without significant neuroinflammation.

Objective:To explore the effect of exercise on the memory of rats modeling vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) and also its effects on the hippocampal Sema3G/neuropilin-2 (Nrp2)/PlexinA4 signaling pathway.Methods:Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group, a model group, and an exercise group, each of 6. The model and exercise groups underwent VCI modeling via bilateral common carotid artery occlusion, while the sham-operated group received the same surgical procedure without vessel ligation or transection. Beginning forty-eight hours after the surgery, the exercise group carried out daily 30-minute treadmill training sessions, 5 days a week, for a total of 4 weeks, while the other two groups were placed on the same treadmill with it not in operation. After the intervention, cognitive functioning was assessed using the novel object recognition (NOR) test and a Y-maze test. Western blotting was employed to evaluate the expression of Sema3G, Nrp2, PlexinA4, and Rac1 in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the distribution of Nrp2 and PlexinA4 in the hippocampus.Results:Compared with the model group, the exercise group exhibited significantly higher NOR indices during both the short-term and long-term memory testing phases after the intervention. Those rats also tended to have significantly longer total exploration times in the novel arm of the Y-maze test. The western blotting revealed that the expression levels of Sema3G, PlexinA4, and Rac1 in the hippocampus were significantly higher in the exercise group compared to the model group, on average. Immunofluorescence showed significantly increased PlexinA4 fluorescence intensity in the CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG) regions of the hippocampus, and significantly elevated Nrp2 fluorescence intensity in the CA3 region in the exercise group compared to the model group. The Pearson correlation coefficients for Nrp2/PlexinA4 co-localization in the CA1, CA3 and DG regions were significantly higher in the exercise group than in the model group.Conclusions:Exercise training significantly improves memory function in rats with VCI, and this effect may be associated with activation of the hippocampal Sema3G/Nrp2/PlexinA4 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of minimally invasive technique in the treatment of moderate and severe gluteal muscle contracture. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 85 patients (170 sides) with bilateral gluteal muscle contracture admitted from January 2016 to December 2019. All patients were treated with minimally invasive release of tendon knife. There were 32 males and 53 females, ranging in age from 15 to 37 years old, with an average age of (22.3±6.3) years old. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, first postoperative ambulation time, complication rate, recurrence rate, and Harris hip score (HHS) were analyzed and evaluated. RESULTS: The average follow-up time was (16.2±4.6) months, ranging from 12 to 30 months. The operation time ranged from 7 to 15 min, with an average of (10.2±3.1) min. Intraoperative blood loss ranged from 2 to 20 ml, with an average of (8.4±2.2) ml. The incision length ranged from 0.6 to 2.0 cm, with an average of (0.8±0.3) cm. The time to postoperative ambulation ranged from 12 to 28 h, with an average of (20.0±3.2) h. All patients achieved primary wound healing without sciatic nerve injury or recurrence. HHS hip function scores ranged from 90 to 98, with an average score of (96.2±1.4). Complications included intraoperative tendon blade tip fracture in two cases (removed under fluoroscopic guidance) and subcutaneous hematoma in three cases-two resolved with compression and one with open evacuation.. Twenty-nine patients exhibited transient swaying gait postoperatively, of which 24 patients returned to normal after 4 weeks and 5 patients returned to normal after 6 weeks. CONCLUSION Minimally invasive tendon blade release is a safe and effective technique for treating gluteal muscle contracture, offering minimal trauma, rapid recovery, and excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes. However, it exhibits a low risk of blade tip fracture and sciatic nerve injury, warranting experienced surgical handling.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Adolescent ; Retrospective Studies ; Buttocks/surgery* ; Young Adult ; Contracture/surgery* ; Tendons/surgery* ; Muscle, Skeletal/surgery*

Experimental teaching is an important component of the course Medical Immunology,which requires the use of experimental animals and the execution of experimental animals by medical students.By applying the carbon dioxide euthanasia system,it can effectively reduce the pain of experimental animals,ensure their welfare,and meet ethical requirements.It can also improve the efficiency of experimental teaching in Medical Immunology,reduce environmental pollution,and promote medical students to estab-lish scientific values and worldviews that pay attention to experimental animals and respect life,which is conducive to becoming future medical service talents.In the experimental teaching of Medical Immunology,the appropriate application of carbon dioxide euthanasia system combined with effective ideological and political construction of the curriculum can further implement the Party's educational policy of cultivating morality and talents,and lay a good foundation for cultivating medical talents with comprehensive knowledge,high skills and excellent quality.

Aim To explore the uric acid lowering effects and mechanisms of acteoside(AS)and echina-coside(ECH)extracted from Cistanche tubulosa.Methods Hyperuricemia(HUA)rat model was es-tablished using potassium oxonate(1.5 g·kg-1·d-1)combined with adenine(100 mg·kg-1·d-1).The HUA model rats were randomly divided into a model control group,an allopurinol group(30 mg·kg-1·d-1),AS low and high(50,100 mg·kg-1·d-1)dose groups,and ECH low and high(50,100 mg·kg-1·d-1)dose groups.A normal control group was previously established.After four weeks of admin-istration,the blood biochemistry analyzer was used to detect SUA UREA,CREA,adenosine deaminase(ADA)and uric acid(UUA)levels in urine.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect xan-thine oxidase(XOD)levels in serum.Kidney tissue was collected,and kidney coefficient was weighed and calculated.Hematoxylin eosin(HE)staining was used to observe renal pathological changes.Immunohisto-chemistry(IHC)and Real time PCR were used to de-tect the protein and mRNA expression levels of urate transporter 1(UR AT1),glucose transporter 9(GLUT9),organic anion transporter 1(OAT1),and organic anion transporter 3(OAT3)in renal tissue.Results AS and ECH could improve renal function in HUA model rats,reduce SUA levels,promote uric acid excretion,downregulate serum levels of ADA and XOD,and upregulate protein and mRNA expression of URAT1 and GLUT9 in renal tissue,while upregulating protein and mRNA expression of OAT1 and OAT3 in renal tissue.Conclusions The phenylethanoid glyco-sides AS and ECH from Cistanche tubulosa may exert uric acid lowering effects by improving renal function in HUA model rats,reducing ADA and XOD levels,and regulating the expression of URAT1,GLUT9,OAT1,and OAT3.

Objective:To quantitatively analyze right ventricular reverse remodeling in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation after transcatheter tricuspid edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, and to preliminarily evaluate the clinical efficacy of this procedure.Methods:This study was a prospective single-center cohort study. Patients diagnosed with severe tricuspid regurgitation at the Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital Xiamen University from March 2021 to June 2023 were enrolled. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal three-dimensional echocardiography before T-TEER, and transthoracic echocardiography at 30 days, 6 months, and 9 months after T-TEER. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, including death, stroke, myocardial infarction, reoperation, arrhythmia, and conduction block. Other clinical evaluation indicators included New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification and tricuspid regurgitation grade.Results:A total of 34 patients were enrolled, aged (67.9±9.3) years, and 71% (24/34) were female. The median follow-up duration was 9 months. All patients achieved a reduction of tricuspid regurgitation by ≥2 grades at 9 months after T-TEER, with 79% (27/34) of them having mild to moderate tricuspid regurgitation. Transthoracic echocardiography at 9 months after T-TEER showed that the vena contracta width of tricuspid regurgitation ((5.42±2.33) mm vs. (11.54±4.05) mm, P<0.001), effective regurgitant orifice area ((0.24±0.09) cm2 vs. (0.52±0.14) cm2, P<0.001), regurgitant jet area ((7.95±4.02) cm2 vs. (13.93±6.10) cm2, P<0.001), inferior vena cava diameter ((19.38±2.63) mm vs. (23.56±3.31) mm, P<0.001), right ventricular end-diastolic diameter ((28.03±6.26) mm vs. (33.21±8.24) mm, P=0.001), and tricuspid annular diameter ((36.47±4.40) mm vs. (41.44±7.08) mm, P<0.001) were all reduced compared with baseline; while the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion ((18.08±5.25) mm vs. (14.91±3.42) mm, P=0.005) and right ventricular fractional area change ((37.61±7.52)% vs. (30.79±9.06)%, P=0.004) were both increased compared with baseline. At 9 months after T-TEER, all patients had a NYHA functional classification of grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ, and no major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event occurred during the follow-up period. Conclusion:It is preliminarily confirmed that T-TEER is safe and effective in the treatment of severe tricuspid regurgitation, with significant right ventricular reverse remodeling observed in patients at 9 months after T-TEER.

Under the background of rapid development of artificial intelligence(AI),this paper systematically proposes AI-based education(AIBE).It empowers the teaching process,learning process,research process,and teaching management with AI,and constructs an AI-based educational paradigm,including AI-based teaching(AIBT),AI-based learning(AIBL),AI-based re-search(AIBR),and AI-based management(AIBM).Taking the AI course of immunology teaching as an example,this paper deeply analyzes the practices and explorations of implementing AIBT,AIBL,AIBR and AIBM based on the AI course,so as to accelerate the promotion of the transformation of the fourth generation of medical education.