Objective: To investigate the potential protective effect of Shexiang Tongxin dropping pills (STDP) on ischemia-reperfusion injury and its underlying mechanisms in improving endothelial cell function in coronary microvascular disease (CMVD). Methods: A rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury with CMVD was established using ligation and reperfusion of the left anterior descending artery. The effect of STDP (21.6 mg/kg) on cardiac function was evaluated using echocardiography, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and Evans blue staining. The effects of STDP on the microvascular endothelial barrier were assessed based on nitric oxide production, endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression, structural variety of tight junctions (TJs), and the expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), claudin-5, occludin, and vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin proteins. The mechanisms of STDP (50 and 100 ng/mL) were evaluated by examining the expression of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2), Ras Homolog family member A (RhoA), and Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) proteins and the distribution of ZO-1, VE-cadherin, and F-actin proteins in an oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation model. Results: The administration of STDP on CMVD rat model significantly improved cardiac and microvascular endothelial cell barrier functions (all P < .05). STDP enhanced the structural integrity of coronary microvascular positioning and distribution by clarifying and completing TJs and increasing the expression of ZO-1, occludin, claudin-5, and VE-cadherin in vivo (all P < .05). The S1PR2/RhoA/ROCK pathway was inhibited by STDP in vitro, leading to the regulation of endothelial cell TJs, adhesion junctions, and cytoskeletal morphology. Conclusion STDP showed protective effects on cardiac impairment and microvascular endothelial barrier injury in CMVD model rats induced by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury through the modulation of the S1PR2/RhoA/ROCK pathway.

This study aims to explore the effects of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction(BYD) on the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase(cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes(STING) signaling pathway in the mouse model of autoimmune thyroiditis(AIT) and the mechanism of BYD in alleviating the immune injury. Forty-eight NOD.H-2~(h4) mice were assigned into normal, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose BYD, and selenium yeast tablets groups(n=8). Mice of 8 weeks old were treated with 0.05% sodium iodide solution for 8 weeks for the modeling of AIT and then administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 8 weeks before sampling. High performance liquid chromatography was employed to measure the astragaloside Ⅳ content in BYD. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the mouse thyroid tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPO-Ab), thyroglobulin antibody(TgAb), and interferon-γ(IFN-γ). Flow cytometry was employed to detect the distribution of T cell subsets in the spleen. The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of cGAS, STING, TANK-binding kinase 1(TBK1), and interferon regulatory factor 3(IRF3). Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of markers related to the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in the thyroid tissue. The results showed that the content of astragaloside Ⅳ in BYD was(7.06±0.08) mg·mL~(-1). Compared with the normal group, the model group showed disrupted structures of thyroid follicular epithelial cells, massive infiltration of lymphocytes, and elevated levels of TgAb and TPO-Ab. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups showed intact epithelial cells, reduced lymphocyte infiltration, and lowered levels of TgAb and TPO-Ab. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed increases in the proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells, a decrease in the proportion of Th2 cells, and an increase in the IFN-γ level. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups presented decreased proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells and lowered levels of IFN-γ, and the medium-dose BYD group showed an increase in the proportion of Th2 cells. Compared with the normal group, the modeling up-regulated the mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, TBK1, and IRF3 and the protein levels of cGAS, p-STING, p-TBK1, and p-IRF3. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups showed reduced levels of cGAS, STING, TBK1, and IRF3-positive products, down-regulated mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, and TBK1, and down-regulated protein levels of cGAS and p-STING. The high-dose BYD group showed down-regulations in the mRNA level of IRF3 and the protein levels of p-TBK1 and p-IRF3. The above results indicate that BYD can repair the imbalance of T cell subsets, alleviate immune injury, and reduce thyroid lymphocyte infiltration in AIT mice by inhibiting the cGAS-STING signaling pathway.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/metabolism* ; Mice ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Humans ; Female ; Nucleotidyltransferases/metabolism* ; Male ; Disease Models, Animal

In order to compare the differences in growth and secondary metabolite accumulation of Panax quinquefolius between understory and field planting, growth indexes, photosynthetic characteristics, soil enzyme activities, secondary metabolite contents, and antioxidant activities of P. quinquefolius under different planting modes were examined and compared, and One-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) and correlation analyses were carried out by using the software SPSS 25.0 and GraphPad Prism 9.5. The Origin 2021 software was used for plotting. The results showed that compared with those under field planting, the plant height, leaf length, leaf width, photosynthetic rate, and chlorophyll content of P. quinquefolius under understory planting were significantly reduced, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF) infestation rate and infestation intensity, ginsenoside content, and antioxidant activity were significantly increased. The activities of inter-root soil urease, sucrase, and catalase increased, while the activities of non-inter-root soil urease and alkaline phosphatase increased. Correlation analyses showed that the plant height and leaf length of P. quinquefolius plant were significantly positively correlated with net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, chlorophyll content, and electron transfer rate(P<0.05), while ginsenoside content was significantly negatively correlated with net photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, and electron transfer rate(P<0.05) and significantly positively correlated with AMF infestation rate and infestation intensity(P<0.05). In addition, ginsenoside content was significantly positively correlated with the activities of inter-root soil sucrase, urease, and catalase(P<0.05). This study provides basic data for revealing the mechanism of secondary metabolite accumulation in P. quinquefolius under understory planting and for exploring and practicing the ecological mode of P. quinquefolius under understory planting.
Panax/microbiology* ; China ; Secondary Metabolism ; Soil/chemistry* ; Photosynthesis ; Plant Leaves/metabolism* ; Chlorophyll/metabolism* ; Mycorrhizae

To address the challenges of capturing micro-strains in detecting esophageal motility disorders and the limitations of existing high-resolution manometry and functional intraluminal imaging probes in directly measuring esophageal tissue electrical impedance, this study proposes a novel flexible balloon sensor structure that integrates a piezoelectric film assembly with a distributed impedance electrode array. Using the electrical analysis module in the finite element analysis (FEA) software, simulations of the forward problem for esophageal impedance detection were conducted to optimize the excitation source parameters, and a physical prototype was fabricated. Under a relative excitation mode with a voltage sensitivity of 2.059%, the voltage output characteristics of the impedance electrode array were analyzed during linear changes in the balloon filling volume. Based on the performance variation of the piezoelectric film assembly, 80% was selected as the optimal filling volume. Force-electric coupling tests were conducted on the balloon sensor using a pressure testing platform, revealing that both the piezoelectric film assembly inside the balloon and the impedance electrodes outside the balloon exhibited significant load differentiation characteristics as the force application point shifted. In summary, this balloon sensor facilitates the localization of force application while simultaneously analyzing esophageal tissue properties, offering a novel diagnostic approach and objective tool for esophageal disease detection.
Esophagus/physiology* ; Electric Impedance ; Humans ; Finite Element Analysis ; Manometry/methods* ; Electrodes ; Esophageal Motility Disorders/physiopathology* ; Equipment Design

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a well-accepted therapy for atopic dermatitis (AD). However, there are currently no evidence-based guidelines integrating TCM and Western medicine for the treatment of AD, limiting the clinical application of such combined approaches. Therefore, the China Association of Chinese Medicine initiated the development of the current guideline, focusing on key issues related to the use of TCM in the treatment of AD. This guideline was developed in accordance with the principles of the guideline formulation manual published by the World Health Organization. A comprehensive review of the literature on the combined use of TCM and Western medicine to treat AD was conducted. The findings were extensively discussed by experts in dermatology and pharmacy with expertise in both TCM and Western medicine. This guideline comprises 23 recommendations across seven major areas, including TCM syndrome differentiation and classification of AD, principles and application scenarios of TCM combined with Western medicine for treating AD, outcome indicators for evaluating clinical efficacy of AD treatment, integration of TCM pattern classification and Western medicine across disease stages, daily management of AD, the use of internal TCM therapies and proprietary Chinese medicines, and TCM external treatments. Please cite this article as: Du XR, Wu MY, Tao MC, Lin Y, Gu CY, Wu MF, Cao Y, Chen DC, Li W, Wang HW, Wang Y, Wang Y, Lu HZ, Liu X, Su XF, Li FL. Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis with integrative traditional Chinese and Western medicine. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):641-653.
Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Integrative Medicine ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

Objective:To investigate the effect of organ dose modulation(ODM)technique on radiation dose and image quality in computed tomography angiography(CTA)for arteries of both lower extremities.Methods:A total of sixty patients with suspected lower extremity arterial occlusion who underwent CTA examination on both lower extremities at Beijing Friendship Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from March 2024 to June 2024 were selected.They were randomly divided into an ODM group and a non-ODM group,with 30 patients in each group.All patients underwent CTA examination with the same scanning parameters.The tube currents in the pelvic region,which included 4 directions(anterior,left,posterior and right),of two groups of patients were recorded,and the CT values,SD values,volumetric CT dose index(CTDIvol)and dose-length product(DLP)of femoral artery and external iliac artery of the regions of interest(ROI)in the pelvic region were respectively measured,and the image quality of them was analyzed by subjective scores.Results:The tube current in front of the pelvic cavity was(109.17±35.62)mA in ODM group,which decreased by 42%than(185.58±55.38)mA in non-ODM group,and the difference was statistically significant(t=-4.781,P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in CTDIvol values,DLP values,and CT values and signal noise ratio(SNR)of femoral artery and external iliac artery of the regions of interest(ROI)in the pelvic region between two groups(P>0.05).The subjective scores for image quality of two groups were≥4 points,and there was not statistically significant difference in that between two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:The application of ODM technique in CTA examination for both lower extremities can realize protective function for surface gonadal organs when ensures image quality,which can meet the needs of clinical diagnosis.It has clinical application value.

Turning to critical illness is a common stage of various diseases and injuries before death. Patients usually have complex health conditions, while the treatment process involves a wide range of content, along with high requirements for doctor′s professionalism and multi-specialty teamwork, as well as a great demand for time-sensitive treatments. However, this is not matched with critical care professionals and the current state of medical care in China. Telemedicine, which shortens the distance of medical professionals and the gap of disease diagnosis and treatments in various regions through electronic information, can effectively solve the current problem. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a standardized, high-quality visualization telemedicine round system .Therefore, experts have been organized to search domestic and foreign literature on telemedicine round for critically ill patients and to form this consensus based on clinical experiences so as to further improve the level of critical care treatments in regions.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and identification of the independent risk factors for disease progression in patients with anti-gp210 antibody-positive primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was performed. A total of 323 cases with PBC diagnosed in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January 2013 to June 2023 (125 patients with anti-gp210 antibody-positive and 198 patients with anti-gp210 antibody-negative) were included. Baseline and follow-up data were collected. The independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U rank sum test were used for comparison between groups of continuous data. The χ2 test was used to compare the data between groups for the count data. The Pearson test was used for correlation analysis between continuous variables. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the disease progression-free survival rate. The Cox regression model was used to analyze the risk factors for disease progression. Results:The male proportion (11.2% vs. 5.1%, P=0.040) and IgM level [3.29(1.88, 4.80) g/L vs. 2.56(1.44, 3.87) g/L, P=0.019] were significantly higher in patients with PBC with positive anti-gp210 antibodies than those of the negative group. Histopathological analysis showed that the Scheuer score [1(0,3) vs. 0(0,2)], bile duct inflammation [(2(1,3) vs. 1(1,2)] and bile duct reaction score [(2(1,3) vs. 1(1,2)] were higher in the positive group than those of the negative group ( P<0.05), and the maturity of the tertiary lymphoid structure was higher ( P=0.011). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the 5-year disease-free survival rate was significantly lower in patients with positive anti-gp210 antibodies than that of the negative group (55.8% vs. 79.7%, P=0.006) at a median follow-up of 3(2,6) years. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that γ-glutamyl transferase [ HR=1.002 (95% CI: 1.000～1.003)] and platelet count [ HR=0.993 (95% CI: 0.988～0.999)] were the independent influencing factors for disease progression in patients with anti-gp210 antibody-positive PBC ( P=0.002, 0.017). Conclusion:Patients with anti-gp210 antibody-positive PBC have more severe clinical pathological manifestations and a higher risk of disease progression. Higher levels of γ-glutamyl transferase and lower platelet counts during the first visit are independent risk factors for disease progression in patients with anti-gp210 antibody-positive PBC, which can be used as dynamic monitoring indicators for this population, suggesting the need for early intensive intervention.

OBJECTIVE To explore the time windows for postoperative pneumonia in patients undergoing different surgeries,providing evidence-based references for optimizing infection monitoring and prevention and control strategies.METHODS Sociodemographic characteristics,clinical information and surgical details of 263 patients with postoperative pneumonia from four different types of medical institutions between Jan.2019 and Dec.2024 were retrospectively collected.The time windows for postoperative pneumonia in patients undergoing different surgeries were analyzed.RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences in the time windows for post-operative pneumonia among groups in terms of sociodemographic factors and underlying diseases.However,sta-tistically significant differences were observed in the time windows for postoperative pneumonia based on surgery type,incision type,surgical approach and surgery duration(P＜0.05).The average time for the onset of postop-erative pneumonia in 263 patients was 2.00(1.00,7.00)days.The postoperative time windows varied for sur-geries involving different systems.The peak incidence occurred on day 0(16 cases)and day 1(17 cases)af-ter neurological surgery,while the peak incidence for digestive system and orthopedic surgeries was on day 1.The time span for the onset of pneumonia after skin surgeries was wider(0-53 days postoperatively)without a clear peak.In addition,33.33％of cardiovascular system surgery cases developed pneumonia 10 days postoperatively.There were also significant time differences in the diagnostic elements of postoperative pneumonia,with fever and abnormal white blood cell counts appearing earlier(median appearance time length:4.00 days)than lung imaging changes(median appearance time length:7.00 days).CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates significant time differences in the on-set of postoperative pneumonia and confirms the significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity in the diagnostic elements of postoperative pneumonia.These findings provide a quantitative basis for developing dynamic,surgery-type-spe-cific monitoring protocols and prevention and control measures for postoperative pneumonia.

Objective To investigate the genetic differences among different populations based on 13 autosomal STR loci in CODIS core.Methods Data of 13 autosomal STR loci(CSF1PO,FGA,THO1,TPOX,vWA,D3S1358,D5S818,D7S820,D8S1179,D13S317,D16S539,D18S51,D21S11)were collected from 95 populations in scientific journals between 1999 and 2021,soursed from the PubMed database,which had been published.Allele frequencies of loci were sorted out and forensic genetic parameters including gene differentiation coefficient(Gst),total heterozygosity(Ht),subpopula-tion heterozygosity(Hs)values,and Nei's DA genetic distance were calculated.Principal component analysis,phylogenetic tree,and multidimensional scale analysis were conducted to assess population ge-netic structure.Results A total of 265 alleles were detected at the 13 STR loci in these 95 popula-tions.The mean values of Gst,Ht,and Hs were 0.023 247,0.797 915 and 0.779 365.Population genetic analyses reflected significant differences among populations from Asia,Africa and Europe.In Asian populations,there was a certain degree of distinction between mainland and island populations;the Han population showed a certain degree of distinction with surrounding populations in mainland;while within the Han population,there were two distinct clusters formed by the northern Han and the south-ern Han.Conclusion The 13 autosomal STR loci in CODIS core demonstrate potential value for popu-lation identification across different groups,and may be used for the differentiation of ethnic groups,among different continental populations.