Chronic liver diseases are a group of diseases in which the liver is subjected to a variety of injuries over a long period of time， resulting in irreversible pathological changes that last longer than 6 months. Emodin （EMO） is a natural anthraquinone derivative derived from Rheum officinale， and its pharmacological effect has been extensively studied， exhibiting a variety of biological properties and involving multiple signaling molecules and pathways. Western medicine or surgical treatment is currently the main treatment regimen for chronic liver diseases， and the advance in treatment is limited by various reasons such as side effects and high costs. Due to its natural origin and efficacy， EMO has unique advantages in the treatment of chronic liver diseases and has now become a research hotspot. This article summarizes the therapeutic effect of EMO on chronic liver diseases and its mechanism， in order to provide a certain scientific basis for the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of chronic liver diseases and the development of drugs in clinical practice.

Objective: To investigate the characteristics and potential risk factors associated with HIV infection among newly reported HIV positive male student cases in Jiangsu Province from 2023 to 2024, so as to provide evidence for targeted intervention strategies. Methods: Data were obtained from the China CDC Surveillance System on newly reported HIV positive male student cases from 2023 to 2024. A survey was conducted to collect information on demographic characteristics, knowledge of AIDS prevention, education and training history, HIV testing history, behavioral and substance use patterns, and other relevant factors prior to HIV diagnosis among 343 newly reported HIV positive male student cases in Jiangsu Province. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors of HIV infection among male students. Results: Among the HIV positive male student cases, homosexual behavior accounted for 93.88% of transmission routes, while 10.20% involved heterosexual contact, as well as 4.08% for two sexual hehaviors. Awareness of HIV prevention knowledge was 97.08%, and 66.76% had previously undergone HIV testing. Among the respondents, 10.50% had used rush poppers as enhancers, and 72.30% had received HIV prevention education within the past year. Among students cases with homosexual behavior, the median time from first homosexual contact to HIV diagnosis was ≤2 years, with 54.66% of cases falling into this category; the most common way of finding same sex partners was through social software, accounting for 88.20% of cases, while the proportion of those via "Blued" app reached 87.07% ; the proportion of using condoms every time during sexual activity in the past six months was 12.27%. Among the student cases with homosexual behavior, the results of multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that student cases aged 18 to 24 ( OR =4.52) and >24 ( OR = 19.23 ), without receiving education on HIV prevention in the past year ( OR =1.86), having consistent condom use ( OR =2.73) and not using condoms ( OR =2.12) during the last sexual activity were more likely to had the first same sex sexual activity for more than 3 years before being diagnosed as HIV positive cases (all P <0.05). Student cases who were uncertain about their partner s sexual identity ( OR =0.33), and who primarily identified same sex partners through "other" means ( OR = 0.23 ) were more likely to avoid HIV testing; in contrast, student cases with consistent condom use during the last homosexual encounter ( OR =7.20) was significantly associated with increased likelihood of HIV testing (all P <0.05). Conclusions Newly reported HIV positive male student cases in Jiangsu Province exhibit serious discrepancies between knowledge and practice regarding HIV prevention. Measures are needed to accelerate the optimization of campus based HIV prevention education content and delivery methods. Simultaneously, enhanced management of extracurricular male populations is essential to effectively control the spread of HIV.

Objective To investigate the detection rate of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and influencing factors in the elderly population undergoing physical examination in Nanjing. Methods People who participated in the elderly physical examination in Nanjing from 2018 to 2023 were selected as the study subjects according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Basic information and physical examination results were collected. The t-test and Chi-square test were used to compare the detection status of NAFLD in different characteristic populations, and multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze influencing factors of NAFLD. Results A total of 41 066 people were included in the study, with a detection rate of 39.55%. The detection rate in males (24.12%) was significantly lower than that in females (49.75%) (χ² = 2702.442, P<0.001). Trend χ² test results showed that the detection rate of NAFLD increased gradually with BMI (χ²_trend = 4084.414, P_trend < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female (OR = 3.055, 95% CI : 2.911-3.206), primary school or below (OR = 1.075, 95% CI : 1.009-1.146), unmarried (OR = 1.107, 95% CI : 1.039-1.179), BMI (18.5kg/m²-23.9 kg/m²: OR = 4.876, 95% CI :3.340-7.119; 24.0 kg/m²-27.9 kg/m²: OR = 15.324, 95% CI : 10.503-22.358; ≥28.0 kg/m²: OR = 37.433, 95% CI : 25.591-54.753), hypertension (OR = 1.095, 95% CI : 1.040-1.153), diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.317, 95% CI :1.250-1.387), and dyslipidemia (OR = 1.574, 95% CI : 1.501-1.652) were risk factors for NAFLD (all P<0.05). Conclusion The detection rate of NAFLD in the elderly population undergoing physical examinations in Nanjing is relatively high. Women, unmarried people, people with low education, overweight and obesity, and people with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia are the high-risk groups.

Background: Advances in intensive care have markedly improved survival after severe brain injury, leading to a growing population of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDOC). Current management of pDOC remains largely supportive, and evidence-based neuromodulatory interventions are limited; moreover, existing guidelines provide insufficiently explicit recommendations regarding mechanisms of action and objective biomarkers of treatment response. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has emerged as a potential noninvasive intervention; however, its modulatory effects on brain function in pDOC are not yet well characterized, and the paucity of integrative mechanistic evidence has constrained its translation into routine clinical practice. Objectives: Within a multimodal assessment framework, this study aims to systematically elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms by which taVNS modulates brain function and autonomic activity in patients with pDOC, and to evaluate its clinical potential to enhance levels of consciousness. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 60 patients with vegetative state/minimally conscious state will be enrolled and randomly allocated to a taVNS group, a transcutaneous nonauricular vagus nerve stimulation group (sham), or a control group (n = 20 per group) for a 4-week intervention. The primary outcome will be changes in the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised scores from baseline to weeks 1, 2, and 4 of treatment. Secondary outcomes will include functional brain activity assessed by electroencephalography and functional near-infrared spectroscopy, as well as autonomic modulation indexed by heart rate variability. Functional prognosis will be evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended at the end of treatment and at a 6-month follow-up. Safety will be assessed by continuous monitoring and documentation of adverse events throughout the study period. Results and discussion: By integrating electroencephalography–functional near-infrared spectroscopy with heart rate variability, this study will characterize the effects of taVNS on functional brain networks and consciousness recovery in pDOC across complementary behavioral, electrophysiological, hemodynamic, and autonomic domains, while interrogating potential sources of clinical and neurobiological heterogeneity. The findings are expected to provide a mechanistic and evidence-based foundation for the mechanism-driven clinical implementation of taVNS and the optimization of stimulation protocols in pDOC. Clinical trial registration: International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry, ITMCTR20250021041, https://itmctr.ccebtcm.org.cn.

Objective:To investigate the nutritional risk status of children in PICU and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:From July 2021 to February 2023,all children aged 1 to 18 years admitted to PICU of Beijing Children's Hospital were investigated by using the pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Scoring tool(PYMS)and the clinical data questionnaire.Results:A total of 492 children in PICU were enrolled.The first nutritional risk screening results showed that there were 32 cases of no/low nutritional risk(6.5%),76 cases of medium risk(15.4%),and 384 cases of high risk(78.1%).The incidence of medium/high nutritional risk was as high as 93.5%.The PYMS score of nutritional risk in PICU was(2.61±1.42).The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that weight,fever time before admission,white blood cells,body mass index,primary diagnosis,father's education,and diet before illness were the main influencing factors of nutritional risk of children in PICU(P<0.05).Conclusion:Children in PICU are in a state of high nutritional risk.It is suggested that children in PICU should carry out nutritional screening in a standardized manner,identify children with high nutritional risk and its influencing factors early.To actively conduct nutritional assessment and nutritional intervention could improve the clinical outcome of children in PICU.

Objective To analyze the incidence and mortality of gastric cancer in countries and territories with different human development index(HDI)levels in 2022,and to understand the burden of gastric cancer globally and in China.Methods Data on gastric cancer incidence and mortality were collected from GLOBOCAN 2022 and HDI data for all countries were obtained from the Human development report 2022.Spearman correlation was applied to examine the associations between the age-standardized incidence rate(ASIR),age-standardized mortality rate(ASMR),mortality-to-incidence ratio(M/I),and HDI for gastric cancer.The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to assess the differences in ASIR and ASMR between males and females.Results In 2022,gastric cancer ranked the 5th in both incidence and mortality among all cancer types globally.In China,gastric cancer ranked the 5th in incidence and the 3rd in mortality among all cancer types.The ASIR and ASMR of gastric cancer showed a descending trend from high,very high,medium to low HDI countries and territories.The ASIR of gastric cancer was positively correlated with HDI(rs=0.256,P=0.001),while ASMR showed no significant correlation with HDI(rs=-0.008,P=0.918).The M/I was negatively correlated with HDI(rs=-0.831,P＜0.001).The ASIR and ASMR of gastric cancer in males were significantly higher than those in females globally,in China,and across all HDI groups(all P＜0.05).Globally,both ASIR and ASMR of gastric cancer remained relatively stable before the age of 45,but showed a consistently rising trend after the age of 45.In China,the ASIR and ASMR of gastric cancer exceeded global average level across all age groups.Conclusion The burden of gastric cancer incidence and mortality is higher in very high and high HDI countries and territories compared to medium and low HDI countries and territories.In China,the burden of gastric cancer incidence and mortality is above the global average,highlighting the need for targeted prevention and control measures.

Objective To investigate the factors influencing global longitudinal strain(GLS)measured by cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI).Methods Clinical data of 315 hospitalized patients diagnosed with acute STEMI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from June 2016 to September 2021 were retrospectively collected.After analyzing CMR images of all patients,GLS and other strain parameters were obtained,and then the patients were divided into two groups according to the median GLS.In order to balance gender and age differences,1:1 propensity score matching was performed,and 206 patients were eventually included:GLS>-11.3%group(indicating severe GLS impairment,n=103)and GLS≤-11.3%group(n=103).Baseline characteristics,laboratory indicators,coronary angiographic parameters,electrocardiogram(ECG)features,and CMR parameters were compared between the two groups.Variables showing significant differences were analyzed for their correlation with GLS.Multivariate logistic regression and multiple stepwise linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with GLS impairment.Results Compared with GLS≤-11.3%group,GLS>-11.3%group had significantly higher peak levels of creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB)and troponin T(TnT)(P<0.001).A higher proportion of patients in GLS>-11.3%group had the left anterior descending artery(LAD)as the culprit vessel,while a lower proportion had the right coronary artery(RCA)as the culprit vessel(P<0.001).Additionally,GLS>-11.3%group had longer QRS duration(P<0.001)and a higher incidence of pathological Q waves(P=0.001).Regarding CMR parameters,GLS>-11.3%group exhibited larger global circumferential strain(GCS),infarct size(IS),and left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV),as well as lower global radial strain(GRS)and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)(P<0.001).Multivariate logistic regression indicated that peak TnT(OR=1.092,P=0.001),LAD culprit vessel(OR=3.744,P<0.001),and QRS duration(OR=1.026,P<0.001)were significantly associated with severely impaired GLS.Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the logarithmic value of peak TnT,LAD as the culprit vessel,and the square root of QRS duration were linearly correlated with GLS values(adjusted R2=0.301,P<0.001),and these independent variables explained 30.1%of the variation in GLS.Conclusion Elevated peak TnT,prolonged QRS duration,and LAD as the culprit vessel are significantly associated with severe GLS impairment in STEMI patients,indicating more severe myocardial infarction and worse left ventricular function.

Objective To discuss the application of bidirectional dual loop technique in retrieving Aegisy inferior vena cava filters.Methods The clinical data of 12 patients with deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs complicated by pulmonary embolism,who received mechanical thrombectomy and Aegisy inferior vena cava(IVC)filter implantation at the Zhoukou Municipal Central Hospital of China from January 2016 to November 2023,were retrospectively analyzed.The retrieval of Aegisy IVC filters beyond the time window was tried by standard methods,guide wire stripping,balloon dilatation,unidirectional single loop technique,unidirectional dual loop technique,etc.However,because of the difficulty in retrieval of filter,bidirectional dual loop technique had to be used.The indwelling time of the IVC filters was 30-365 days,with an average time of 105 days.Results The IVC filter was completely removed in 11 patients.Angiography showed that IVC was unobstructed,no contrast extravasation was observed,and the average operation time was 126 minutes.The retrieval of filter failed in one patient,and the patient had to receive anticoagulation therapy lifelong.No surgery-related complications occurred.Conclusion For retrieving Aegisy IVC filters beyond the time window,bidirectional dual loop technique is clinically safe and effective,and this technology is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Patients suffering from nerve injury often experience exacerbated pain responses and complain of memory deficits. The dorsal hippocampus (dHPC), a well-defined region responsible for learning and memory, displays maladaptive plasticity upon injury, which is assumed to underlie pain hypersensitivity and cognitive deficits. However, much attention has thus far been paid to intracellular mechanisms of plasticity rather than extracellular alterations that might trigger and facilitate intracellular changes. Emerging evidence has shown that nerve injury alters the microarchitecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and decreases ECM rigidity in the dHPC. Despite this, it remains elusive which element of the ECM in the dHPC is affected and how it contributes to neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits. Laminin, a key element of the ECM, consists of α-, β-, and γ-chains and has been implicated in several pathophysiological processes. Here, we showed that peripheral nerve injury downregulates laminin β1 (LAMB1) in the dHPC. Silencing of hippocampal LAMB1 exacerbates pain sensitivity and induces cognitive dysfunction. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that loss of hippocampal LAMB1 causes dysregulated Src/NR2A signaling cascades via interaction with integrin β1, leading to decreased Ca²⁺ levels in pyramidal neurons, which in turn orchestrates structural and functional plasticity and eventually results in exaggerated pain responses and cognitive deficits. In this study, we shed new light on the functional capability of hippocampal ECM LAMB1 in the modulation of neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits, and reveal a mechanism that conveys extracellular alterations to intracellular plasticity. Moreover, we identified hippocampal LAMB1/integrin β1 signaling as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neuropathic pain and related memory loss.
Animals ; Laminin/genetics* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Neuralgia/metabolism* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology* ; Male ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries/metabolism* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Integrin beta1/metabolism* ; Pyramidal Cells/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction

Radiochemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (OM) is a common oral complication in patients with tumors following head and neck radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Erosion and ulcers are the main features of OM that seriously affect the quality of life of patients and even the progress of tumor treatment. To date, differences in clinical prevention and treatment plans for OM have been noted among doctors of various specialties, which has increased the uncertainty of treatment effects. On the basis of current research evidence, this expert consensus outlines risk factors, clinical manifestations, clinical grading, ancillary examinations, diagnostic basis, prevention and treatment strategies and efficacy indicators for OM. In addition to strategies such as basic oral care, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents, anti-infective agents, pro-healing agents, and photobiotherapy recommended in previous guidelines, we also emphasize the role of traditional Chinese medicine in OM prevention and treatment. This expert consensus aims to provide references and guidance for dental physicians and oncologists in formulating strategies for OM prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, standardizing clinical practice, reducing OM occurrence, promoting healing, and improving the quality of life of patients.
Humans ; Chemoradiotherapy/adverse effects* ; Consensus ; Risk Factors ; Stomatitis/etiology*