ObjectiveTo investigate the optimal ratio of goat horn replacing antelope horn in Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills and the blood pressure-lowering mechanism of this medicine. MethodsThe blood pressure-lowering efficacy of Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills with varying proportions of goat horn replacing antelope horn was evaluated on spontaneous hypertensive rats （SHR）. In this experiment， 50 SHR rats were randomly grouped as follows： model （n=8）， captopril （0.01 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， low-dose blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.342 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， high-dose blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.684 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， low-dose antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.378 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， high-dose antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.756 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， low-dose goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.378 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， and high-dose goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.756 g·kg^-1） （n=6）. Additionally， 8 WKY rats were used as the normal group. Drugs were administered by gavage for 4 weeks while an equal volume of distilled water was administered for the normal and model groups. Blood pressure was measured before administration， 3 h post administration， and biweekly thereafter. In the experiment for Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills with goat horn replacing antelope horn in different proportions， 48 SHR rats were randomly grouped as follows： model， blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.684 g·kg^-1）， antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.756 g·kg^-1）， 2× goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.824 g·kg^-1）， 4× goat horn Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.969 g·kg^-1）， and 6× goat horn Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （1.112 g·kg^-1）. The normal group included 8 WKY rats， and the normal group and model group received an equal volume of distilled water. The treatment lasted for 2 weeks， and blood pressure was recorded at various time points （pre-administration， 3 h post administration， and on days 4， 7， 10， and 14 of administration）. Serum levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme （ACE）， angiotensin Ⅱ（Ang Ⅱ）， renin， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histopathological changes in the heart， kidney， and thoracic aorta were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The protein levels of ACE2， angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor （AT1R）， and angiotensinogen （AGT） in the kidney tissue were determined by Western blot， while the expression of nuclear factor （NF）-κB p65 and Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） in the thoracic aorta tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry. ResultsCompared with the model group， all treatment groups showed lowered blood pressure （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the 6× goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills group showed consistent blood pressure-lowering effect with the antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills group. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed elevated serum levels of ACE， Ang Ⅱ， renin， and IL-6， while the elevations were declined in the Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Pathological changes in the heart， kidney， and thoracic aorta were alleviated in all the treatment groups， with the 6× goat horn- and antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups exhibited the best effect. Western blot and immunohistochemistry results showed that all the treatment groups exhibited down-regulated protein levels of AT1R， AGT， NF-κB p65， and TLR4 and up-regulated protein levels of ACE2 （P<0.05， P<0.01） compared with model group， with the 6×goat horn- and antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups showcasing the best effect. ConclusionReplacing antelope horn with 6×goat horn in Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills can achieve consistent blood pressure-lowering effect with the original prescription. The prescription may exert the effect by inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system （RAAS） and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways.

AIM:To evaluate the effectiveness of EYESI binocular indirect ophthalmoscope simulation system as a training platform for fundus examination skills of general practitioner.METHODS:Prospective randomized study. A total of 40 general practitioners who received clinical ophthalmology training at Shenzhen Eye Hospital from January 2021 to December 2024 were selected and randomly divided into two groups by random number table method, with 20 cases in the study group and 20 cases in the control group. The study group was trained by EYESI binocular indirect ophthalmoscope simulation system and the control group was trained by conventional teaching. Training effects of the two groups were analyzed.RESULTS: The general information of the two groups was comparable. Through training with the EYESI binocular indirect ophthalmoscope simulator, the study group showed significant improvements in total examination and drawing scores compared to pre-training results(all P<0.001). Additionally, examination duration, retinal light exposure time, and drawing time were all significantly shorter than those before training(all P<0.001).The study group achieved significantly higher total examination and drawing scores than the control group during the EYESI binocular indirect ophthalmoscope simulator assessment(all P<0.001). Furthermore, examination duration, retinal light exposure time, and drawing time were all significantly shorter in the study group compared to the control group(all P<0.001). Moreover, ratings for the novelty of the training method and overall satisfaction with the training were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group(all P<0.001); while the perceived psychological stress during training was significantly lower in the study group(P<0.001).CONCLUSION:The EYESI binocular indirect ophthalmoscope simulaton system effectively enhances both the proficiency in fundus examination skills and overall training satisfaction among general practitioners.

Acute myocardial infarction and acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding are both critical internal medicine conditions. The incidence of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with acute myocardial infarction ranges from 5.31% to 8.90%, with a mortality rate as high as 20.50% to 35.70%. The pathogenesis may be related to the use of antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs, as well as stress-induced injury. In treatment, the contradiction between antiplatelet/anticoagulation therapy and bleeding has made this disease a significant challenge in modern medicine. Therefore, re-exploring the etiology, pathogenesis, treatment principles, and methods of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) for acute myocardial infarction and acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is of great clinical importance. The research team has been working year-round in the coronary care unit(CCU), managing a large number of such severe patients. By revisiting classic texts and delving into the foundational theories of TCM and historical medical literature, it has been found that this disease falls under the category of "distant blood" in the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber. In terms of etiology, it is primarily associated with weakness of healthy Qi and damage caused by drug toxicity. In terms of pathogenesis, in the acute stage, it mainly manifests as insufficient spleen Yang, deficiency of spleen Qi, and failure of the spleen to control blood. In the remission stage, it is characterized by deficiency of both heart Qi and spleen blood. For treatment, during the acute stage, Huangtu Decoction is used to warm Yang and restrain blood, while in the remission stage, Guipi Decoction is administered to tonify Qi and nourish blood. During the treatment process, for patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it is crucial to flexibly apply the treatment principles of "Nil per os" in western medicine and "where there is stomach Qi, there is life; where there is no stomach Qi, there is death" in TCM. Early intervention with Huangtu Decoction can also prevent bleeding, with large doses being key to achieving hemostasis. It is important to address the pathogenesis of heat syndrome in addition to the core pathogenesis of Yang deficiency bleeding and to emphasize the follow-up treatment with Guipi Decoction for a successful outcome.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology* ; Myocardial Infarction/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Acute Disease

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring, low-toxicity, and hydrophilic bile acid (BA) in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate, and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area. Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly downregulated metabolites in sera of RLPS patients compared with healthy subjects. The augmentation of UDCA concentration (≥25 μg/mL) demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells. [¹⁵N₂]-cystine and [¹³C₅]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Mechanistically, UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors (Nutlin 3a, RG7112), cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor (Abemaciclib), and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839). Together, UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity, and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA. More importantly, in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments, UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.

Ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)is a naturally occurring,low-toxicity,and hydrophilic bile acid(BA)in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA.Solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate,and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers.Retroperitoneal liposarcoma(RLPS)refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area.Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly down-regulated metabolites in sera of RIPS patients compared with healthy subjects.The augmentation of UDCA concentration(≥25 μg/mL)demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells.[15N2]-cystine and[13Cs]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione(GSH)synthesis.Mechanistically,UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis,leading to reactive oxygen species(ROS)accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage.Furthermore,UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers(Erastin,RSL3),the murine double minute 2(MDM2)inhibitors(Nutlin 3a,RG7112),cyclin dependent kinase 4(CDK4)inhibitor(Abemaciclib),and glutaminase inhibitor(CB839).Together,UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity,and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA.More importantly,in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments,UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.

Objective:To introduce a surgical method involving the indwelling of double-J tubes(DJT)in the seminal vesicles after transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy(TSV)in order to reduce the recurrence of refractory ejaculatory duct obstruction(EDO).Methods:This randomized controlled trial included 67 EDO patients undergoing TSV in our hospitals,27 with(the trial group)and 29 without postoperative indwelling of DJTs in the seminal vesicles(the control group).We collected the general information on the pa-tients and TSV-related parameters,including age,body mass index(BMI),preoperative use of antibiotics,history of urinary tract dis-ease,operation time,hospital stay and intra-and postoperative complications,and performed comparative analyses particularly on the surgical effect,complications,recurrence rate and time to recurrence in the two groups of patients.Results:The patients in the trial and control groups were followed up for(40.5±10.6)and(32.5±14.8)months,respectively.There were no statistically signifi-cant differences in the baseline data,intra-and postoperative complications,and postoperative hospital days between the two groups(P＞0.05).Compared with the controls,the patients in the trial group showed a significantly shorter operation time([62.8±6.1]vs[49.5±7.7]min,P＜0.05)and a lower recurrence rate than the controls(18.5％vs 44.8％,P＜0.05),but with no statisti-cally significant difference in the median time to recurrence(21.0 mo vs 22.0 mo,P＞0.05).Conclusion:The novel technique of indwelling double-J tubes in the seminal vesicles after TSV can significantly reduce the recurrence rate of refractory EDO.

The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in China has shown a rising trend. With the patient number of about 8.9 million, heart failure has brought a heavy burden to public health and wellness. Despite the modern medical research progress in the pathogenesis and clinical treatment of heart failure, the patients with heart failure still suffer from recurrent episodes of dyspnea(requiring repeated hospital admissions), diuretic resistance, elevated creatinine levels due to prolonged diuretic use, and poor prognosis, among other major clinical and scientific issues. In traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), heart failure belongs to the category of "heart water". The research team has found that because of the changes in the modern disease spectrum, the differences between ancient and modern physical constitutions, and the use of anti-heart failure drugs in modern medicine, the pathological process of heart failure has been altered, and the symptoms of some patients have become unobvious. As a result, the etiology and pathogenesis of heart failure have undergone major changes. The disease causes include external pathogen attack, emotional disorders, excessive labor injury, medication-induced damage, dietary disorders, water-dampness stagnation, and endowment insufficiency. These causes are closely related to the infection aggravation-induced heart failure, cardiac and psychological diseases, and heart volume overload in modern medicine. The pathogeneses of heart failure include edema due to Yang deficiency and water retention turning into heat in the acute stage and liver depression and Qi stagnation, heart Qi deficiency, kidney Yang deficiency, Qi deficiency in lung and spleen, phlegm and water retention, and internal obstruction due to blood stasis in the remission stage. The corresponding treatment strategies were recommended as follows: Zhenwu Decoction for edema due to Yang deficiency, Mufangji Decoction for water retention turning into heat, Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction for liver depression and Qi stagnation, Guizhi Decoction for heart Qi insufficiency, Shenqi Pills and Yougui Pills for kidney Yang deficiency, Yupingfeng Powder, Lizhong Decoction, Buzhong Yiqi Decoction, and Guipi Decoction for Qi deficiency in lung and spleen, Fangji Huangqi Decoction, Wuling Powder, Linggui Zhugan Decoction, and Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction for internal obstruction due to phlegm and water retention, Guizhi Fuling Pills and Danggui Shaoyao Powder for internal obstruction due to blood stasis. The clinical treatment should follow the principle of considering both pathogenesis and pathology as well as both medicine nature and mechanism. The TCM concept of secondary prevention with TCM formulas for replenishing deficiency should be adopted. The treatment based on the principle and concept above will improve the patients' quality of life, reduce the number of hospital admissions, ameliorate diuretic resistance, and improve the clinical outcomes.
Humans ; Heart Failure/etiology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*

Objective: To explore the related factors of negative conversion time (NCT) of nucleic acid in children with COVID-19. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. A total of 225 children who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to Changxing Branch of Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from April 3^rd to May 31^st 2022 were enrolled in the study. The infection age, gender, viral load, basic disease, clinical symptoms and information of accompanying caregivers were retrospectively analyzed. According to age, the children were divided into<3 years of age group and 3-<18 years of age group. According to the viral nucleic acid test results, the children were divided into positive accompanying caregiver group and negative accompanying caregiver group. Comparisons between groups were performed using Mann-Whitney U test or Chi-square test. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors of NCT of nucleic acid in children with COVID-19. Results: Among the 225 patients (120 boys and 105 girls) of age 2.8 (1.3, 6.2) years, 119 children <3 years and 106 children 3-<18 years of age, 19 cases were diagnosed with moderate COVID-19, and the other 206 cases were diagnosed with mild COVID-19. There were 141 patients in the positive accompanying caregiver group and 84 patients in the negative accompanying caregiver group.Patients 3-<18 years of age had a shorter NCT (5 (3, 7) vs.7 (4, 9) d, Z=-4.17, P<0.001) compared with patients <3 years of age. Patients in the negative accompanying caregiver group had a shorter NCT (5 (3, 7) vs.6 (4, 9) d,Z=-2.89,P=0.004) compared with patients in the positive accompanying caregiver group. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that anorexia was associated with NCT of nucleic acid (OR=3.74,95%CI 1.69-8.31, P=0.001). Conclusion: Accompanying caregiver with positive nucleic acid test may prolong NCT of nucleic acid, and decreased appetite may be associated with prolonged NCT of nucleic acid in children with COVID-19.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Young Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; COVID-19/genetics* ; Nucleic Acids ; Retrospective Studies

Humans ; Thoracoscopy ; Spine/surgery* ; Neoplasms ; Thoracic Vertebrae/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of lymphatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (LCEUS) with intra-glandular injection of contrast agent for diagnosis of central compartment lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer. METHODS: From November, 2020 to May, 2022, the patients suspected of having thyroid cancer and scheduled for biopsy at our center received both conventional ultrasound and LCEUS examinations of the central compartment lymph nodes before surgery. All the patients underwent surgical dissection of the lymph nodes. The perfusion features in LCEUS were classified as homogeneous enhancement, heterogeneous enhancement, regular/irregular ring, and non-enhancement. With pathological results as the gold standard, we compared the diagnostic ability of conventional ultrasound and LCEUS for identifying metastasis in the central compartment lymph nodes. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients with 60 lymph nodes were included in the final analysis. Pathological examination reported metastasis in 34 of the lymph nodes, and 26 were benign lymph nodes. With ultrasound findings of heterogeneous enhancement, irregular ring and non-enhancement as the criteria for malignant lesions, LCEUS had a diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 97.06%, 92.31% and 95% for diagnosing metastatic lymph nodes, respectively, demonstrating its better performance than conventional ultrasound (P < 0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that LCEUS had a significantly greater area under the curve than conventional ultrasound for diagnosing metastatic lymph nodes (94.7% [0.856-0.988] vs 78.2% [0.656-0.878], P=0.003). CONCLUSION LCEUS can enhance the display and improve the diagnostic accuracy of the central compartment lymph nodes to provide important clinical evidence for making clinical decisions on treatment of thyroid cancer.
Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis/diagnostic imaging* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology* ; Ultrasonography/methods* ; Lymph Nodes/pathology* ; ROC Curve