ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Fuzheng Huaji Formula （扶正化积方） for chronic hepatitis B to reduce the incidence of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted， collecting medical records of 118 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 234 patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis who visited the hospital between January 1， 2014， and December 31， 2018. The use of Fuzheng Huaji Formula was designated as the exposure factor. Patients receiving antiviral treatment for hepatitis B without concurrent Fuzheng Huaji Formula therapy were included in the western medicine group， while those receiving antiviral treatment combined with Fuzheng Huaji Formula for a cumulative treatment lasting longer than 3 months were included in the combined treatment group. The follow-up observation period was five years. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess the cumulative incidence of cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B and the cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were employed to examine the factors influencing the occurrence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. ResultsAmong patients with chronic hepatitis B， there were 55 cases in the combined treatment group and 63 cases in the western medicine group； among patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis， there were 110 cases in the combined treatment group and 124 cases in the western medicine group. Five-year follow-up outcomes for chronic hepatitis B patients showed that the cumulative incidence of cirrhosis was 5.45% （3/55） in the combined treatment group and 17.46% （11/63） in the western medicine group， with a statistically significant difference between groups （Z = 2.003， P = 0.045）. Five-year follow-up outcomes for hepatitis B-related cirrhosis patients showed that the cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma was 8.18% （9/110） in the combined treatment group and 22.58% （28/124） in the western medicine group， also showing a statistically significant difference （Z = 3.007， P = 0.003）. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that treatment with Fuzheng Huaji Formula is an independent protective factor in preventing the progression of chronic hepatitis B to cirrhosis and the progression of hepatitis B-related cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma （P＜0.05）. ConclusionCombining Fuzheng Huaji Formula with antiviral therapy for hepatitis B can effectively intervene in the disease progression of chronic hepatitis B， reducing the incidence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Primary liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive system， and the “inflammation-to-cancer transformation” （ICT） of chronic hepatitis is the core pathological process of the progression of chronic hepatitis to liver cancer. Persistent and uncontrolled liver inflammation in patients with chronic hepatitis often leads to repeated liver tissue damage and repair， which gradually develops into liver fibrosis and cirrhosis， eventually leading to malignant transformation through the mechanisms such as gene mutation and microenvironment imbalance. ICT in chronic hepatitis is the key link between chronic hepatitis and liver cancer， and its dynamic evolution involves various pathogenic factors such as dampness， heat， deficiency， toxin， and stasis； among which damp-heat and vital energy deficiency are the initiating factors for ICT of chronic hepatitis， while intermingled stasis and toxin are the key pathological products that promote malignant transformation. Based on the concept of preventive treatment， traditional Chinese medicine can effectively delay and even block the ICT of chronic hepatitis by regulating inflammation， metabolism， and abnormal cell proliferation through multiple targets， which provides important strategies and research directions for the prevention and treatment of liver cancer.

This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 43 patients with large-volume renal calculi treated with flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (FURL)at our hospital from August 2020 to August 2023. Among the patients, 26 were male and 17 were female; 22 had left-sided stones and 21 had right-sided stones. Thirty-three patients had preoperative placement of a double-J (D-J)stent, while 10 did not. The mean age was (42.7±11.1)years, the mean stone volume was (10.3±3.5)cm 3, and the mean operative time was (97.9±10.4)minutes. All procedures were completed using reusable flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy. Twenty-two patients received traditional methods of stone expulsion after FURL (control group), while 21 patients received a combination of traditional methods and extracorporeal physical vibration lithotripsy (EPVL) after FURL (experimental group). The experimental group showed a significantly higher stone-free rate at one month (85.7% vs. 54.5%)and a lower reoperation rate (4.8% vs. 31.8%)compared to the control group. The difference in reoperation rates between the experimental and control groups was statistically significant ( P< 0.05). These results suggest that the combination of reusable ureteroscopic lithotripsy and EPVL is a feasible treatment option for large-volume renal calculi.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of periodontitis induced by Prevotella nigrescens (Pn) combined with ligation on cognitive functions in mice. METHODS: Twenty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group, ligation group, and ligation + Pn treatment (P+Pn) group. Experimental periodontitis was induced by silk ligation of the first molars followed by topical application of Pn for 6 weeks. After modeling, alveolar bone resorption was assessed using micro-CT and histological analysis. Learning and memory abilities of the mice were evaluated using open field test (OFT), novel object recognition test (NORT), and Morris water maze test (MWM). Seven weeks after the start of modeling, the mice were sacrificed for examining histopathological changes in the hippocampus using HE and Nissl staining. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of molar ligation, micro-CT revealed horizontal alveolar bone resorption and furcation exposure in the mice, and histological analysis showed apical migration of the junctional epithelium, epithelial ridge hyperplasia, and lymphocyte infiltration, and these changes were obviously worsened in P+Pn group. Alveolar bone height decreased significantly in both ligation groups compared to the control group. Cognitive tests showed that the mice in both of the ligation groups traveled shorter distances in OFT, showed reduced novel object preference in NORT, and exhibited longer escape latencies in MWM, and the mice in P+Pn group had significantly poorer performances in the tests. Histologically, obvious neuronal cytoplasmic degeneration, necrosis, nuclear pyknosis, vacuolation, and reduced Nissl bodies and viable neurons were observed in the hippocampal regions of the mice in the two ligation groups. CONCLUSIONS Pn infection aggravates alveolar bone destruction, accelerates necrosis and causes morphological abnormalities of neuronal cells in the hippocampus to reduce cognitive functions of mice with periodontitis.
Animals ; Periodontitis/microbiology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cognition ; Alveolar Bone Loss ; Hippocampus/pathology* ; Male ; Inflammation ; Maze Learning

Objective To investigate the effects of periodontitis induced by Prevotella nigrescens(Pn)combined with ligation on cognitive functions in mice.Methods Twenty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group,ligation group,and ligation+Pn treatment(P+Pn)group.Experimental periodontitis was induced by silk ligation of the first molars followed by topical application of Pn for 6 weeks.After modeling,alveolar bone resorption was assessed using micro-CT and histological analysis.Learning and memory abilities of the mice were evaluated using open field test(OFT),novel object recognition test(NORT),and Morris water maze test(MWM).Seven weeks after the start of modeling,the mice were sacrificed for examining histopathological changes in the hippocampus using HE and Nissl staining.Results After 6 weeks of molar ligation,micro-CT revealed horizontal alveolar bone resorption and furcation exposure in the mice,and histological analysis showed apical migration of the junctional epithelium,epithelial ridge hyperplasia,and lymphocyte infiltration,and these changes were obviously worsened in P+Pn group.Alveolar bone height decreased significantly in both ligation groups compared to the control group.Cognitive tests showed that the mice in both of the ligation groups traveled shorter distances in OFT,showed reduced novel object preference in NORT,and exhibited longer escape latencies in MWM,and the mice in P+Pn group had significantly poorer performances in the tests.Histologically,obvious neuronal cytoplasmic degeneration,necrosis,nuclear pyknosis,vacuolation,and reduced Nissl bodies and viable neurons were observed in the hippocampal regions of the mice in the two ligation groups.Conclusion Pn infection aggravates alveolar bone destruction,accelerates necrosis and causes morphological abnormalities of neuronal cells in the hippocampus to reduce cognitive functions of mice with periodontitis.

To promote the high-quality development of healthcare in the highland areas and to enable traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)to make a more prominent contribution to the healthcare of the people in these areas,it is imperative to clarify the roles of TCM in the formation of the healthcare system in the past and present,as well as the direction of innovative development of TCM in the plateau in the future.To this end,this paper first systematically reviews the literature to summarize the influence of TCM on the cultural background,theoretical framework,and practical system of Tibetan medicine during its origin,development,and maturation;then,through the example of typical cases,it elaborates on the direct practical applications of TCM in the prevention and treatment of a series of highland diseases from the perspectives of pathogenesis,therapeutic principles,unique drugs,and techniques;finally,it deeply reflects on a series of problems restricting the integration,inheritance,and innovative development of TCM in the highland areas and puts forward targeted suggestions to enable TCM to serve and safeguard the health of people living in the plateaus better together with the local ethnic medicine.

To promote the high-quality development of healthcare in the highland areas and to enable traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)to make a more prominent contribution to the healthcare of the people in these areas,it is imperative to clarify the roles of TCM in the formation of the healthcare system in the past and present,as well as the direction of innovative development of TCM in the plateau in the future.To this end,this paper first systematically reviews the literature to summarize the influence of TCM on the cultural background,theoretical framework,and practical system of Tibetan medicine during its origin,development,and maturation;then,through the example of typical cases,it elaborates on the direct practical applications of TCM in the prevention and treatment of a series of highland diseases from the perspectives of pathogenesis,therapeutic principles,unique drugs,and techniques;finally,it deeply reflects on a series of problems restricting the integration,inheritance,and innovative development of TCM in the highland areas and puts forward targeted suggestions to enable TCM to serve and safeguard the health of people living in the plateaus better together with the local ethnic medicine.

This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 43 patients with large-volume renal calculi treated with flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (FURL)at our hospital from August 2020 to August 2023. Among the patients, 26 were male and 17 were female; 22 had left-sided stones and 21 had right-sided stones. Thirty-three patients had preoperative placement of a double-J (D-J)stent, while 10 did not. The mean age was (42.7±11.1)years, the mean stone volume was (10.3±3.5)cm 3, and the mean operative time was (97.9±10.4)minutes. All procedures were completed using reusable flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy. Twenty-two patients received traditional methods of stone expulsion after FURL (control group), while 21 patients received a combination of traditional methods and extracorporeal physical vibration lithotripsy (EPVL) after FURL (experimental group). The experimental group showed a significantly higher stone-free rate at one month (85.7% vs. 54.5%)and a lower reoperation rate (4.8% vs. 31.8%)compared to the control group. The difference in reoperation rates between the experimental and control groups was statistically significant ( P< 0.05). These results suggest that the combination of reusable ureteroscopic lithotripsy and EPVL is a feasible treatment option for large-volume renal calculi.

Objective:To construct a prediction model for peripherally inserted central catheter-related upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (PICC-UEDVT) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and validate its effectiveness.Methods:A case-control study was conducted on the clinical data of 222 TBI patients admitted to Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2019 to December 2021, including 171 males and 51 females, aged 18-86 years [54.5(46.0, 65.0)years]. Glasgow coma scale (GCS) motor score was 4.0(3.0, 5.0)points on the day of catheterization. A total of 82 patients (36.9%) had PICC-UEDVT. The patients were randomly divided with a ratio of 7∶3 into training set ( n=156, including 58 with PICC-UEDVT) and validation set ( n=66, including 24 with PICC-UEDVT) using R programming language. The baseline data of general information, intravenous medication, catheterization, and laboratory indices were compared between the training set and the validation set. Lasso regression analysis was employed to identify those variables, with the diagnosis of PICC-UEDVT as the outcome variable. Variables with non-zero regression coefficients were included in a multifactorial Logistic regression model and independent variables were selected based on the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) of R programming language. The regression equation was constructed, based on which, the predictive nomogram model was constructed for PICC-UEDVT in TBI patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for the training set and validation set were plotted and the discriminability of the model was assessed. The calibration of the model was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) goodness-of-fit test and calibration curves and the clinical practicality of the model was assessed with decision curve analysis (DCA). Results:The baseline analysis of both the training set and the validation set demonstrated a well-balanced sample distribution. Through Lasso regression analysis, 5 prediction variables were identified: GCS motor score on the day of catheterization, Caprini score on the day of catheterization, use of glucocorticoids, tip position of the catheter, and D-dimer (D-D) level before catheterization. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that the Caprini score on the day of catheterization ( OR=1.20, 95% CI 1.08, 1.33), use of glucocorticoids ( OR=3.13, 95% CI 0.99, 10.46), and D-D level before catheterization ( OR=1.16, 95% CI 1.07, 1.33) were independent risk factors for PICC-UEDVT in TBI patients. The regression equation was developed as: Logit [ P/(1- P)]=-2.56+0.18×"Caprini score on the day of catheterization"+1.14×"use of glucocorticoids"+0.15×"D-D level before catheterization". In the prediction model which was constructed based on the equation, the AUC values for the training set and validation set were 0.73 (95% CI 0.65, 0.81) and 0.77 (95% CI 0.65, 0.87) respectively. The H-L goodness-of-fit test indicated χ2=3.28, P=0.950 for the training set and χ2=13.05, P=0.160 for the validation set. Calibration curves for both sets demonstrated alignment between the actual and predicted probabilities of PICC-UEDVT in TBI patients. DCA results showed that the net benefit rate of patients was optimal when the threshold probability ranged from 15% to 72% for the training set and from 10% to 81% for the validation set. Conclusion:The prediction model based on the Caprini score on the day of catheterization, use of glucocorticoids, and D-D level before catheterization demonstrates good predictive accuracy, calibration and clinical practicality in predicting PICC-UEDVT in TBI patients.

Abstract: Objective To analyze and compare the differences in serum lipid metabolomics between patients with moderate to severe acne and healthy controls to understand the characteristics of serum lipid metabolism in acne patients. Methods Serum samples were collected from 30 patients with moderate to severe acne and 30 healthy controls matched for age, gender and body mass index in the Department of Dermatology, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from May 2019 to Apr. 2020. Serum lipid metabolomics was analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used for multivariate statistical analysis of differentially expressed lipid metabolites. The metabolic pathways with significant differences between the two groups were screened by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. Using Mann-Whitney U test to calculate differential metabolites. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum PC (18: 2e/20: 2) concentration and acne severity. Results The PLS-DA results showed that the composition of serum lipid metabolites in acne patients was significantly separated from that in healthy controls. Of the top 30 lipid metabolites with the most significant differences, four kinds of triglycerides (TG), two kinds of diglycerides (DG), six kinds of phosphatidylcholine (PC), one kind of MePC, two kinds of sphingomyelin (SM), two kinds of phosphatidylinositol (PI), two kinds of ceramide (monohexosyl ceramide, Hex1Cer;dihexosyl ceramide, Hex2Cer), two cardiolipin (CL) were found to be increased in the acne group (P<0.05). The levels of one kind of DG, two kinds of lysophosphatidyl ethanolamines (LPE), one kind of dimethylphosphatidyl ethanolamine (dMePE), one kind of bismethyl phosphatidic acid (BisMePA), three kinds of phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE) and one kind of ceramide were found to be decreased in the acne group (P<0.05), and most of them belonged to phospholipid metabolites. Spearman correlation analysis showed that serum PC (18:2e/20:2) concentration was positively correlated with acne severity (r=0.456, P=0.004). KEGG enrichment function analysis revealed that the differential lipid metabolites were primarily enriched in metabolic pathways such as sphingolipid signaling pathway, cholesterol metabolism, insulin resistance, glycerophospholipid metabolism, among which the sphingolipid signaling pathway may play an important role. Conclusion There are significant differences in serum lipid metabolism between acne patients and healthy controls. Lipid metabolism disorders may be related to the pathogenesis of acne, but it’s molecular mechanism still needs further experimental exploration.