ObjectiveTo construct a scale for the diagnosis of chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） with turbid toxin accumulating in the stomach. MethodsFirst， a research group was established to construct the scale framework. Relevant literature of CAG with syndrome of turbid toxin accumulating in the stomach was searched in CNKI， Wanfang Database （WF）， and VIP Database （CQVIP） from April 1， 2003 to April 1， 2023， and items were preliminarily selected after standardization of terms. Through clinical investigation， the discrete trend method， correlation coefficient method， Cronbach's coefficient method， and factor analysis method were used to screen symptom items， and the frequency method was used to screen signs， tongue coating， and pulse conditions. Three rounds of Delphi expert consultation were conducted to determine the items of the scale. The weight of each item was obtained by the analytic hierarchy process. ResultsA total of 49 articles were included， and 45 items were obtained after primary screening， including 28 symptoms， 2 signs， 10 tongue coatings， and 5 pulse conditions. After clinical investigation， 15 symptoms were retained， and 8 signs and pulse conditions of tongue coating were retained. The positive coefficients of experts in three rounds of Delphi expert consultation were 100%， 96.67%， and 100%， respectively. The expert authority coefficients were 0.86， 0.87， and 0.87， respectively， and the coordination coefficients were 0.18， 0.25， and 0.30. After core group discussion， Delphi method investigation， and AHP weight assignment， the diagnostic scale items of CAG with turbid toxin accumulating in stomach syndrome were finally established， namely， dark red or purplish tongue proper with yellow greasy （or dry） coating （30 points）， epigastric stuffiness and fullness or pain （15 points）， sticky and unsmooth defecation （10 points）， taste disturbance （sticky mouth， fetid breath， bitter taste， 7 points）， heartburn or acid regurgitation （6 points）， dizziness and clouding （5 points）， general heaviness and fatigue （5 points）， slippery， string‑slippery， or slippery‑rapid pulse （5 points）， dysuria （or yellow or deep yellow urine， 4 points）， poor appetite （4 points）， dull complexion （3 points）， sticky， greasy， and fetid secretions （3 points）， and poor sleep （3 points）. ConclusionBased on the establishment， screening， confirmation， and weighting of an item pool， combined with subjective and objective approaches as well as qualitative and quantitative methods， a diagnostic scale for CAG with the syndrome of turbid toxin accumulating in the stomach was successfully constructed.

Depression is closely associated with a neuro-endocrine-immune(NEI)system imbalance.The"excessive vitality leading to restraint and counter-regulation(Kang Hai Cheng Zhi)"theory elucidates the self-regulating mechanism for maintaining dynamic equilibrium in the body,and serves as an importance principle guiding treatment formulation and medication selection.Based on the correlation between NEI system imbalance and the traditional Chinese medicine pathogenesis of depression,and integrating the"Kang Hai Cheng Zhi"theory,the author posits that the pathogenesis of depression lies in overactive liver invading spleen,earth dampness impeding wood′s ascendancy,and disharmony between body and mind,as well as imbalance in storage and discharge functions of liver and kidney,disharmony between Yin and Yang,and disrupted counter-regulation.This dosely aligns with two key pathological methanisms at the micro level:microglial-limbic system homeostatic imbalance and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-inflammatory circuit dysregulation.Clinically,the treatment principle for depression adheres to supporting the counter-regulation to restrain excess,with herbal interventions using strategies such as restraining wood to support earth,dredging earth to unblock wood,and harmonizing pivotal functions,as well as nourishing water to nurture wood,warming kidney to tonify liver,and relieving depression to calm the spirit.These approaches aim to regulate the liver,spleen,and kidney,embodying the core therapeutic tenet of"striving for equilibrium,"thereby restoring the body′s self-regulating capability.

ObjectiveTo explore effect of Xianlian Jiedu prescription on the recurrence of colorectal cancer （CRC） and investigate the related mechanisms. MethodsA postoperative recurrence model was established in 25 Balb/c mice by injecting CT26 cells subcutaneously into the armpit， followed by surgical removal of 99% of the subcutaneous tumor. The mice were randomly divided into model group， low-dose Xianlian Jiedu prescription （XLJDP-L） group （6.45 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， medium-dose Xianlian Jiedu prescription （XLJDP-M） group （12.9 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， high-dose Xianlian Jiedu prescription （XLJDP-H） group （25.8 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and 5-fluorouracil （5-FU） group （1×10^-3 g·kg^-1·d^-1）. The mice were euthanized after 14 days of continuous intervention， and recurrent tumor tissue was harvested. Hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining was used to observe pathological and morphological changes in the recurrent tumor tissue. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was employed to assess the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen （Ki67）， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule （CD31） in recurrent tumor tissue. The Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of angiopoietin-2 （ANG-2）， VEGF， phosphorylated-protein kinase B （p-Akt）， protein kinase B （Akt）， phosphorylated-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （p-PI3K）， and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K） in recurrent tumor tissue. ResultsBefore treatment， there were no statistical differences in tumor volume， tumor weight， and body mass among the XLJDP-L， XLJDP-M， and XLJDP-H groups and the 5-FU group compared to the model group， indicating model stability. After treatment， compared with those in the model group， the tumor volume and tumor weight in the XLJDP-L， XLJDP-M， and XLJDP-H groups and the 5-FU group were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， showing dose dependency. Meanwhile， there were no significant differences in body weight among the XLJDP-L， XLJDP-M， and XLJDP-H groups and the 5-FU group compared to the model group. HE staining showed that compared with that in the model group， tumor tissue in the XLJDP-L， XLJDP-M， and XLJDP-H groups and the 5-FU group had loosely arranged cells， increased intercellular spaces， small and shriveled nuclei， light staining， fewer mitotic figures and atypical nuclei， and increased necrotic areas. IHC showed that compared with those of the model group， the positive rates of Ki67， VEGF， and CD31 in the recurrent tumor tissue of the XLJDP-L， XLJDP-M， and XLJDP-H groups and the 5-FU group were significantly reduced （P<0.01） in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot results showed that compared with those of the model group， the protein expression levels of ANG-2 and VEGF in the recurrent tumor tissue of the XLJDP-L， XLJDP-M， and XLJDP-H groups and the 5-FU group were significantly downregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the p-Akt/Akt and p-PI3K/PI3K ratios were significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionXianlian Jiedu prescription significantly inhibits the recurrence of CRC in mice after subcutaneous tumor surgery. The mechanism may involve regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway and downregulating key angiogenic proteins such as ANG-2， VEGF， and CD31.

Objective:To investigate the drug resistance gene characteristics, plasmid characteristics and genome tracing of Shigella sonnei causing a bacillary dysentery outbreak in Shandong Province. Methods:Sixty-five Shigella sonnei strains isolated from a 2021 outbreak in a county of Shandong Province were analyzed using antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole genome sequencing (WGS), characterization of resistance and virulence genes, plasmid profiling, core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST), and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. Results:All isolates had the same resistance phenotype and genotypes and were multidrug-resistant ESBL-producing Shigella sonnei, carrying important virulence genes. Plasmid analysis revealed a conserved genetic arrangement, pil( M/ N/ O2/ P)-tra( F/ H/ J/ K/ N/ O/ P/ Q)-IS Ecp1- blaCTX-M-14-Tn 903- yub( J/ I/ F/ G/ E/ D), and shared across strains from diverse regions and bacterial species. The cgMLST and SNP analyses demonstrated concordant clustering, with all 65 outbreak-related strains forming a single cluster alongside human-derived strains from Guangxi. Conclusion:The ESBL-producing Shigella sonnei responsible for the outbreak shares a homologous relationship with Guangxi human-derived strains, and the detected resistance plasmids and virulence genes underscore the need to strengthen drug resistance surveillance and genome tracing.

The emergence of generative pre-training transformer(GPT)and large language models(LLMs)has brought transformative applications to the medical field.In traditional Chinese medicine,LLMs offer unique opportunities to address in efficiencies in clinical workflows and improve the patient experience.However,the seprospects have challenges,including data quality,security and privacy,disinformation,ethics,and other issues.This paper systematically elaborates on the application of Large Language Models(LLMs)in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM),highlighting their value in improving TCM services,enhancing teaching effectiveness,and optimizing healthcare management processes,while conducting an in-depth analysis of potential technical and ethical challenges during real-world implementation.Preventive measures are necessary to ensure the safe and unbiased use of large language models in TCM clinical practice.We encourage clinicians and researchers to address current challenges and optimize largelanguage models while reducing associated risks.The deployment and implementation of large language models in TCM clinical practice will significantly contribute to the dissemination and development of TCM culture.

The emergence of generative pre-training transformer(GPT)and large language models(LLMs)has brought transformative applications to the medical field.In traditional Chinese medicine,LLMs offer unique opportunities to address in efficiencies in clinical workflows and improve the patient experience.However,the seprospects have challenges,including data quality,security and privacy,disinformation,ethics,and other issues.This paper systematically elaborates on the application of Large Language Models(LLMs)in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM),highlighting their value in improving TCM services,enhancing teaching effectiveness,and optimizing healthcare management processes,while conducting an in-depth analysis of potential technical and ethical challenges during real-world implementation.Preventive measures are necessary to ensure the safe and unbiased use of large language models in TCM clinical practice.We encourage clinicians and researchers to address current challenges and optimize largelanguage models while reducing associated risks.The deployment and implementation of large language models in TCM clinical practice will significantly contribute to the dissemination and development of TCM culture.

Objective:To investigate the drug resistance gene characteristics, plasmid characteristics and genome tracing of Shigella sonnei causing a bacillary dysentery outbreak in Shandong Province. Methods:Sixty-five Shigella sonnei strains isolated from a 2021 outbreak in a county of Shandong Province were analyzed using antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole genome sequencing (WGS), characterization of resistance and virulence genes, plasmid profiling, core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST), and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. Results:All isolates had the same resistance phenotype and genotypes and were multidrug-resistant ESBL-producing Shigella sonnei, carrying important virulence genes. Plasmid analysis revealed a conserved genetic arrangement, pil( M/ N/ O2/ P)-tra( F/ H/ J/ K/ N/ O/ P/ Q)-IS Ecp1- blaCTX-M-14-Tn 903- yub( J/ I/ F/ G/ E/ D), and shared across strains from diverse regions and bacterial species. The cgMLST and SNP analyses demonstrated concordant clustering, with all 65 outbreak-related strains forming a single cluster alongside human-derived strains from Guangxi. Conclusion:The ESBL-producing Shigella sonnei responsible for the outbreak shares a homologous relationship with Guangxi human-derived strains, and the detected resistance plasmids and virulence genes underscore the need to strengthen drug resistance surveillance and genome tracing.

Depression is closely associated with a neuro-endocrine-immune(NEI)system imbalance.The"excessive vitality leading to restraint and counter-regulation(Kang Hai Cheng Zhi)"theory elucidates the self-regulating mechanism for maintaining dynamic equilibrium in the body,and serves as an importance principle guiding treatment formulation and medication selection.Based on the correlation between NEI system imbalance and the traditional Chinese medicine pathogenesis of depression,and integrating the"Kang Hai Cheng Zhi"theory,the author posits that the pathogenesis of depression lies in overactive liver invading spleen,earth dampness impeding wood′s ascendancy,and disharmony between body and mind,as well as imbalance in storage and discharge functions of liver and kidney,disharmony between Yin and Yang,and disrupted counter-regulation.This dosely aligns with two key pathological methanisms at the micro level:microglial-limbic system homeostatic imbalance and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-inflammatory circuit dysregulation.Clinically,the treatment principle for depression adheres to supporting the counter-regulation to restrain excess,with herbal interventions using strategies such as restraining wood to support earth,dredging earth to unblock wood,and harmonizing pivotal functions,as well as nourishing water to nurture wood,warming kidney to tonify liver,and relieving depression to calm the spirit.These approaches aim to regulate the liver,spleen,and kidney,embodying the core therapeutic tenet of"striving for equilibrium,"thereby restoring the body′s self-regulating capability.

Objective:To establish a rapid quantitative PCR (qPCR) technique for Mycobacterium marinum skin infections, and to analyze its clinical diagnostic efficiency. Methods:DNA was extracted from Mycobacterium marinum colonies and serially diluted (10 -1 to 10 -8). Twelve pairs of previously reported primers and probes, as well as 6 pairs of newly designed primers and probes in this study, were used for qPCR amplification to identify the most sensitive primers and probes for the detection of Mycobacterium marinum. Skin lesion tissues were collected from 72 patients with confirmed Mycobacterium marinum infections (experimental group) and 68 with other mycobacterial infections (control group) at Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences in 2021. These skin tissues were subjected to qPCR amplification, interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), acid-fast staining, and tissue culture to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy. Results:The newly designed primers and probes targeting the mycobacterial enhanced infection locus 2 (Mel2) demonstrated the highest sensitivity, with a detection limit of 0.86 copies/μl (cycle threshold value = 37) ; the qPCR amplification with the Mel2 primers/probes did not yield positive results when used for the detection of other mycobacteria (including Mycobacterium leprae and Staphylococcus spp) . Among the 72 patients in the experimental group, 44 were positive for qPCR with a sensitivity of 61.1% (95% CI: 49.6% - 71.5%), and 47 were positive for culture with a sensitivity of 65.2% (95% CI: 53.8% - 75.3%) ; all the 68 controls were negative for both qPCR and culture, with their specificities both being 100%. Among 65 patients subjected to IGRA, 31 were positive with a sensitivity of 47.7% (95% CI: 36.0% - 59.6%), while 16 out of 25 controls were negative for IGRA with a specificity of 64.0% (95% CI: 44.5% - 79.8%). Among 58 patients subjected to acid-fast staining, 37 were positive with a sensitivity of 63.8% (95% CI: 50.9% - 74.9%), and 52 out of 66 controls were negative for acid-fast staining with a specificity of 78.8% (95% CI: 67.5% - 86.9%). The combination of qPCR and culture resulted in a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 100% for the detection of Mycobacterium marinum. Conclusion:In this study, a highly sensitive qPCR assay was developed for the detection of Mycobacterium marinum, and its combination with culture could further improve the detection sensitivity.

Objective Preliminary exploration of the effects of modified electroconvulsive therapy(MECT)on cognitive function and gender differences in middle-aged and young patients with depressive episodes.Methods A group of middle-aged and young patients with depressive episodes,who were admitted to Beijing Anding Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University,completed 6 rounds of MECT.The 17-item Hamilton depression scale(HAMD-17),Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA),and repetitive battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status(RBANS)were used to score depressive symptoms,anxiety symptoms,and cognitive function at baseline,after the 3rd MECT,and after the 6th MECT,respectively.Gender differences were compared between the young and middle-aged groups.Results A total of 122 patients with depressive episodes were included,with 83 cases in the youth group and 39 cases in the middle-aged group.There was no gender difference in baseline HAMD and HAMA scores,as well as the HAMD reduction rates after MECT between the two groups(P>0.05).Repeated measures ANOVA showed that in the youth group,the time effects of RBANS total score,visual breadth factor score,and attention factor score were significant(P<0.05),and increased after treatment compared to baseline.There was no significance in gender group effects or interaction effects(P>0.05).In the middle-aged group,the time and gender interaction effect of RBANS total score and visual breadth factor score was significant(P<0.05).Female patients showed an increase in RBANS total score,visual breadth factor score,and attention factor score after the 6th MECT compared to baseline(P<0.05),while there was no significance in time effect and gender group effect(P>0.05).Conclusion Middle-aged and young depressed patients showed overall improvement in cognitive function after MECT,while there were gender differences in cognitive function changes among middle-aged patients.It is necessary to optimize the MECT program based on the patient's gender and age characteristics to reduce cognitive impairment.