ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome types in patients with chronic hepatitis B （CHB） complicated by metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） and explore the correlations between these syndrome types and clinical indicators， as well as ocular manifestation characteristics， thereby providing a reference for syndrome differentiation and treatment strategies in traditional Chinese medicine. MethodsGeneral data， information from the four diagnostic methods of traditional Chinese medicine， clinical indicators， and ocular manifestation data were collected from 506 patients with CHB complicated by MAFLD enrolled at the Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu between June 2024 and December 2024. Cluster analysis， principal component analysis， and complex network models were employed to identify the distribution patterns of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes. Correlations between different syndrome types and clinical indicators， as well as ocular manifestation characteristics， were further analyzed. ResultsThe predominant syndromes identified in patients with CHB complicated by MAFLD were dampness and heat accumulation （51.58%）， liver depression with spleen deficiency （31.62%）， blood stasis obstructing collaterals （8.89%）， and Qi-Yin deficiency （7.91%）. No statistically significant differences were found among the four syndrome types in routine blood tests and liver function indicators. However， patients with the dampness and heat accumulation type exhibited significantly higher levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， liver stiffness measurement （LSM）， controlled attenuation parameter （CAP）， and alpha-fetoprotein （AFP）， along with lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， compared with those with other syndrome types. Regarding ocular manifestations， the incidence of moon halo signs was significantly higher in patients with the blood stasis obstructing collaterals type than in those with other syndrome types. Additionally， the incidence in scleral zone 3 （corresponding to the large intestine） was higher in patients with the damp and heat accumulation type. ConclusionDampness and heat accumulation is the core syndrome type in patients with CHB complicated by MAFLD， commonly accompanied by spleen deficiency， liver depression， blood stasis， and Yin deficiency. A complex syndrome pattern characterized by a predominance of dampness and heat， along with a mixture of deficiency and excess， is formed. Different traditional Chinese medicine syndrome types are associated with distinct clinical indicators and ocular manifestation characteristics. Among them， patients with the dampness and heat accumulation type exhibit more pronounced metabolic disturbances and liver injury， whereas those with the blood stasis type show a higher incidence of moon halo signs. Abnormalities in scleral zone 3 are also more prevalent in patients with dampness and heat type.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the distribution patterns of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with chronic hepatitis B （CHB） comorbid with metabolically associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） and analyze their correlation with clinical characteristics and the progression of liver fibrosis. MethodsA cross-sectional study method was employed， and 506 patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD who attended the Hepatology Outpatient Department of Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu from June 2024 to December 2024 were enrolled. General information， traditional Chinese medicine syndromes information， laboratory indicators， and imaging examination results were collected using case report forms （CRF）. Tongue images of patients were acquired using a tongue diagnosis instrument， and tongue feature parameters were extracted using computer image processing technology. Frequency analysis， factor analysis， and cluster analysis， and other methods were used to explore syndrome categories and distribution patterns. Non-parametric tests were used to compare the differences in clinical characteristics among different syndromes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine syndromes and the progression of liver fibrosis. ResultsThe main traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD were mainly dominated by damp-heat accumulation syndrome， liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome， and phlegm-blood stasis syndrome， with damp-heat accumulation syndrome accounting for the highest proportion （41.89%）. Compared with those without damp-heat accumulation syndrome， patients with damp-heat accumulation syndrome had significantly lower tongue proper H value， tongue coating H value， and tongue coating a^* value （P<0.05）， significantly higher tongue coating b^* value （P<0.05）， significantly increased levels of white blood cell （WBC）， red blood cell （RBC）， hemoglobin （HGB）， and glucose （GLU）， increased CAP values （P<0.05）， a higher proportion of males （P<0.05）， and a younger age （P<0.05）. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses show that age， hepatitis B surface antigen （HBsAg）， diabetes， and damp-heat accumulation syndrome are independent risk factors for liver fibrosis （P<0.05）， and that damp-heat accumulation syndrome is predominantly distributed in liver fibrosis stage F0-F1. ConclusionDamp-heat accumulation syndrome is a typical syndrome in patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD， which is significantly associated with enhanced inflammatory response， metabolic disorders， and early liver fibrosis， and is a key link in disease progression. Clinical attention and early intervention are needed.

Objective The study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of tislelizumab combined with chemotherapy versus pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatments for advanced lung squa-mous cell carcinoma.Methods We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the medical records of 116 patients with advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma treated with first-line chemotherapy plus tislelizumab or pembrolizumab in Guangzhou Chest Hospital from September 2020 to April 2024.We focused on analysis of time to treatment failure(TTF)and objective response rate(ORR)as well as disease control rate(DCR)and treatment-related adverse events(TRAEs).Results At a median follow up of 19.7 monyhs,the median TTF was 9.7 months in the tislelizumab group and 7.7 months in the pembrolizumab group(P<0.05).In addition,the ORR in the tislelizumab group was significantly higher than that in the pembrolizumab group(77.6%vs.60.3%,P<0.05),with DCRs of 93.1%and 87.9%,respectively(P=0.342).Regarding safety,the proportions of grade 3 or higher TRAEs and any-grade TRAEs were comparable between the two groups:29.3%and 81.0%in the tislelizumab group,and 32.8%and 87.9%in the pembrolizumab group,respectively.The most common TRAEs in both groups were hematological toxicities.Conclusions Tislelizumab plus chemotherapy demonstrated better efficacy and safety compared to pembrolizumab with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for Chinese patients with advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the distribution of Y chromosome azoospermia factor (AZF) microdeletions and their association with testicular development in male pediatric patients with congenital reproductive system disorders, including hypospadias, cryptorchidism, and disorders of sex development (DSD). METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted on pediatric patients admitted to the Department of Urology of Shanghai Children's Hospital from November 2021 to December 2023. The observation group included boys with hypospadias, cryptorchidism, or DSD, while the control group comprised boys with phimosis, indirect inguinal hernia, or hydrocele. Blood samples were collected for AZF microdeletion analysis using multiplex PCR to detect 15 sequence-tagged sites. Testicular ultrasound was performed to record testicular position and volume. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the groups. After matching, testicular volume differences were assessed. Stratified analyses compared testicular volume among children with AZF microdeletions, the control group, and children without micro-deletions in observation group. RESULTS: A total of 493 children were enrolled (observation group: 463; control group: 30). No Y chromosome microdeletions were detected in the control group. Four boys in the observation group had AZF microdeletions: one with cryptorchidism (AZFc+AZFd), one with isolated hypospadias (AZFc), and two with DSD (one with AZFb+AZFc+AZFd and one with AZFa). Ultrasonography measured 888 testicles. After PSM, testicular volume was significantly smaller in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). Stratified analysis revealed that among children under 9 years, those with AZF microdeletions tended to be older but had smaller testicular volumes compared to the control group and those without microdeletions in the observation group, although differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Among children over 9 years, ages were comparable, but children with AZF microdeletions had smaller testicular volumes than the other two groups (statistical analysis was not performed due to small sample size). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of Y chromosome microdeletions is higher in male children with congenital reproductive system disorders compared to the general population, particularly in those with DSD. Hypospadias, cryptorchidism, DSD, and AZF microdeletions may be associated with delayed testicular development in these children.

Gut microbial communities are likely remodeled in tandem with accumulated physiological decline during aging, yet there is limited understanding of gut microbiome variation in advanced age. Here, we performed a metagenomics-based enterotype analysis in a geographically homogeneous cohort of 367 enrolled Chinese individuals between the ages of 60 and 94 years, with the goal of characterizing the gut microbiome of elderly individuals and identifying factors linked to enterotype variations. In addition to two adult-like enterotypes dominated by Bacteroides (ET-Bacteroides) and Prevotella (ET-Prevotella), we identified a novel enterotype dominated by Escherichia (ET-Escherichia), whose prevalence increased in advanced age. Our data demonstrated that age explained more of the variance in the gut microbiome than previously identified factors such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or diet. We characterized the distinct taxonomic and functional profiles of ET-Escherichia, and found the strongest cohesion and highest robustness of the microbial co-occurrence network in this enterotype, as well as the lowest species diversity. In addition, we carried out a series of correlation analyses and co-abundance network analyses, which showed that several factors were likely linked to the overabundance of Escherichia members, including advanced age, vegetable intake, and fruit intake. Overall, our data revealed an enterotype variation characterized by Escherichia enrichment in the elderly population. Considering the different age distribution of each enterotype, these findings provide new insights into the changes that occur in the gut microbiome with age and highlight the importance of microbiome-based stratification of elderly individuals.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Bacteroides ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/microbiology* ; Escherichia coli/classification* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Metagenomics ; East Asian People

This study explored the application of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) in the WHO eastern Mediterranean region, revealing the progressive emphasis on T&CM and its uneven development in the region. The study identified herbal and indigenous traditional medicine as the most prevalent T&CM therapies in the area, but there are relatively few relevant policies and scientific studies, and national health insurance coverage for T&CM has been weak. In addition, China provides assistance in TCM services to some countries through medical teams and TCM centers, while India provides assistance to specific countries through academic exchanges and educational cooperation, promoting the construction and development of local T&CM. It is recommended to provide management experience to countries in the region to strengthen supervision, actively carry out scientific research cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, promote their expansion of health insurance coverage to promote the high-quality development of T&CM in the region.

Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) in WHO Southeast Asian Region has a long history, rich variety, large scale, strong government support and relatively complete institutional construction. Among them, TCM is highly popular in Thailand and Indonesia and the legislation is relatively complete; there is a relative lack of legislation and policy in India, Nepal and Myanmar; development in Sri Lanka, East Timor, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives and Democratic People's Republic of Korea is still in its infancy. India, Japan, Republic of Korea and China have provided T&CM assistance to the WHO Southeast Asia Region through signing memorandums, financial support, teaching and research cooperation, preparation export, personnel training, medical service base construction, and special assistance in TCM, so as to promote the improvement of T&CM services and standardization in the region. At present, some countries lack T&CM development funds, scientific research data and effective information exchange. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen legislative supervision and cooperation in education and scientific research based on the national conditions and cultural backgrounds of various countries, and promote the better integration of T&CM into the global health system. The dissemination and development of TCM in the WHO Southeast Asia Region can learn from the experience of T&CM in India, Japan and the Republic of Korea in terms of organizational guarantee, standard establishment, cultural publicity and brand effect, pay attention to the exchange and integration with local culture, give full play to the advantages of TCM, and enhance the public's sense of trust, so as to enhance the overseas influence of TCM.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a common liver disease and may become the leading cause of severe liver disease in the future. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study assesses MAFLD's impact in countries and regions worldwide, providing insights into its prevalence. METHODS: Prevalence data for MAFLD from 1990 to 2021 by country and region in all sex and age groups were collected from the Global Health Data Exchange. The categorization of countries and geographic areas by development was performed using the Sociodemographic Index (SDI). RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2021, the global crude prevalence rate of MAFLD increased from 10.6% to 16.1% (beta-coefficient: 0.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2-0.2%, P  <0.001), and the age-standardized prevalence rate was increased from 12.1% to 15.0% (beta-coefficient: 0.1%, 95% CI: 0.1-0.1%, P  <0.001). In 2021, MAFLD was estimated to have affected 1.3 billion people worldwide. Significant uptrends were observed in all regions, super regions, and SDI categories. The fastest increase from 1990 to 2021 and the highest prevalence rate in 2021 were experienced by countries and territories with high-middle and middle SDI. An increase in the prevalence of MAFLD from 1990 to 2021 was demonstrated in all but six countries. CONCLUSIONS In 2021, the number of patients affected by MAFLD was doubled compared to 1990, and the prevalence rate increased by over 50%. The burden of MAFLD, as measured by prevalence, was more prominent in countries and territories with middle SDI and in those located in North African and Middle Eastern, possibly due to changes in lifestyle in these areas over the past 30 years.
Humans ; Global Burden of Disease ; Prevalence ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Global Health ; Fatty Liver/epidemiology* ; Aged

Objective The study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of tislelizumab combined with chemotherapy versus pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatments for advanced lung squa-mous cell carcinoma.Methods We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the medical records of 116 patients with advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma treated with first-line chemotherapy plus tislelizumab or pembrolizumab in Guangzhou Chest Hospital from September 2020 to April 2024.We focused on analysis of time to treatment failure(TTF)and objective response rate(ORR)as well as disease control rate(DCR)and treatment-related adverse events(TRAEs).Results At a median follow up of 19.7 monyhs,the median TTF was 9.7 months in the tislelizumab group and 7.7 months in the pembrolizumab group(P<0.05).In addition,the ORR in the tislelizumab group was significantly higher than that in the pembrolizumab group(77.6%vs.60.3%,P<0.05),with DCRs of 93.1%and 87.9%,respectively(P=0.342).Regarding safety,the proportions of grade 3 or higher TRAEs and any-grade TRAEs were comparable between the two groups:29.3%and 81.0%in the tislelizumab group,and 32.8%and 87.9%in the pembrolizumab group,respectively.The most common TRAEs in both groups were hematological toxicities.Conclusions Tislelizumab plus chemotherapy demonstrated better efficacy and safety compared to pembrolizumab with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for Chinese patients with advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective To explore the activation of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)signaling pathway and the expressions of the associated inflammatory factors in NPHP1-defective renal tubular epithelial cells.Methods A human proximal renal tubular cell(HK2)model of lentivirus-mediated NPHP1 knockdown(NPHP1KD)was constructed,and the expressions of TNF-α,p38,and C/EBPβ and the inflammatory factors CXCL5,CCL20,IL-1β,IL-6 and MCP-1 were detected using RT-qPCR,Western blotting or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.A small interfering RNA(siRNA)was transfected in wild-type and NPHP1KDHK2 cells,and the changes in the expressions of TNF-α,p38,and C/EBPβ and the inflammatory factors were examined.Results NPHP1KDHK2 cells showed significantly increased mRNA expressions of TNF-α,C/EBPβ,CXCL5,IL-1β,and IL-6(P<0.05),protein expressions of phospho-p38 and C/EBPβ(P<0.05),and IL-6 level in the culture supernatant(P<0.05),and these changes were significantly blocked by transfection of cells with siRNA-C/EBPβ(P<0.05).Conclusion TNF-α signaling pathway is activated and its associated inflammatory factors are upregulated in NPHP1KDHK2 cells,and C/EBPβ may serve as a key transcription factor to mediate these changes.