ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Sanren Runchang formula in treating constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-C） by regulating the brain-gut axis and the effects of the formula on serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP）， and substance P （SP）. MethodsA randomized controlled design was adopted， and 72 IBS-C patients meeting Rome Ⅳ criteria were randomized into observation and control groups （36 cases）.The observation group received Sanren Runchang formula granules twice daily， and the control group received lactulose oral solution daily for 4 weeks. IBS Symptom Severity Scale （IBS-SSS）， IBS Quality of Life Scale （IBS-QOL）， and Bristol Stool Form Scale （BSFS） were used to assess clinical symptoms， and bowel movement frequency was recorded. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale （SAS） and Self-Rating Depression Scale （SDS） were employed to evaluate psychological status. ELISA was employed to measure the serum levels of 5-HT， VIP， and SP. ResultsThe total response rate in the observation group was 91.67% （33/36）， which was higher than that （77.78%， 28/36） in the control group （χ²=4.50， P<0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed increased defecation frequency and BSFS scores， decreased IBS-SSS total score， abdominal pain and bloating scores， IBS-QOL health anxiety， anxiety， food avoidance， and behavioral disorders scores， SAS and SDS scores， serum 5-HT and VIP levels， and increased SP levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， the observation group showed more significant changes in the indicators above than the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The SP level showed no significant difference between the two groups. During the 4-week follow-up， the recurrence rate was 5.88% in the observation group and 31.25% in the control group. No adverse events occurred in observation group， and 2 cases of mild diarrhea occurred in the control group. ConclusionSanren Runchang formula demonstrated definitive efficacy in alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms and improving the psychological status and quality of life in IBS-C patients， with a low recurrence rate. The formula can regulate serum levels of neurotransmitters such as 5-HT and VIP， suggesting its potential regulatory effect on the brain-gut axis through modulating neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. However， its complete mechanism of action requires further investigation through detection of additional brain-gut axis-related biomarkers.

BackgroundFamily factors are known to play a critical role in the development， progression and prognosis of adolescent patients with depressive disorder. Psychodrama group therapy has the potential for bringing about positive change in individual growth and relationship repair， but there is currently insufficient research evidence for the effectiveness of psychodrama group therapy in promoting the recovery in depressive disorder in adolescents through improving the family parenting skills of their parents. ObjectiveTo explore the influence of psychodrama group therapy based on family parenting intervention on parents of adolescent patients with depressive disorder， so as to provide references for promoting the recovery for adolescent patients with depressive disorder. MethodsPurposive sampling was used to recruit adolescent patients who met the diagnostic criteria for depressive disorder of the International Classification of Diseases， tenth edition （ICD-10） and hospitalized in the psychiatric outpatient department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from October 2023 to March 2024， and their parents （either mother or father） were taken as the study subjects. Psychodrama group therapy based on family parenting intervention was performed once a week for 6 consecutive weeks. After intervention， semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents who participated in the group， and the interviews were recorded. Content analysis method was employed to perform qualitative analysis on the interview recordings and verbatim transcripts. ResultsAfter receiving psychodrama group intervention based on family parenting， parents of adolescent patients with depressive disorder demonstrated improvement in emotional state， enhanced reflective ability and altered coping style， which were specifically manifested as reducing negative emotions， increasing positive emotions， reflecting on themselves， empathizing with others， adjusting cognition， changing the way of stress regulation， improving communication styles and actively seeking resources. ConclusionApplication of psychodrama group therapy based on family parenting intervention may improve emotional state， reflective ability and coping style of the parents of adolescent patients with depressive disorder. ［Funded by Chongqing Education Commission Humanities and Social Science Research Project （number， 19SKGH018）； Chongqing Social Science Planning Project （number， 2021WT29）］

Medical imaging technology plays a crucial role in clinical diagnosis and treatment. Image compression technology provides robust technical support for the storage and transmission of massive medical imaging data, serving as an effective safeguard for hospital data backup and telemedicine. The technology holds broad application prospects in the medical field, enabling the processing of various imaging modalities, multidimensional imaging, and medical video imaging. This study elaborates on general image and video compression algorithms, the application of compression algorithms in the medical field, and the performance metrics of medical image compression, thereby providing critical technical support for enhancing clinical diagnostic efficiency and data management security.

BACKGROUND: Gout is a chronic disease primarily caused by elevated urate levels, severely affecting joint health. Its global distribution varies, and updated data for China are lacking. This study aimed to analyze the current burden and trends of gout globally and in China, examining the burden by gender, age, and risk factors while providing future predictions. METHODS: This descriptive epidemiological secondary analysis utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) 2021 study. Age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), prevalence rate (ASPR), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates (ASDR) were used to assess the gout burden. Trends from 1990 to 2021 were analyzed across global regions, genders, and sociodemographic index (SDI) levels. The burden in China was further examined by gender, age, and associated risk factors. The Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model was used to predict future trends. Gout burden in China and the United States was compared. RESULTS: In 2021, gout affected 57 million people globally, with 9.4 million new cases and 1.75 million DALYs. From 1990 to 2021, the ASIR, ASPR, and ASDR increased by 17.2%, 21.9%, and 21.3%, respectively. Males experienced a significantly higher burden, with greater ASIR, ASPR, and ASDR increasing with higher SDI levels. In China, male ASIR, ASPR, and ASDR were over 2.8 times those of females, and the burden increased with age. In 2021, 31.4% of gout-related DALYs in China were attributed to high body mass index and 7.6% to kidney dysfunction. Between 1990 and 2021, the high body mass index-related burden of gout rose annually for both genders, while the kidney dysfunction-related gout burden remained stable. By 2050, the burden of gout in China is expected to continue increasing, with a slower rise in females and a decline in males after an initial increase. However, the overall burden will remain substantial. In comparison, the gout burden will be higher in the United States than in China. CONCLUSIONS Gout is becoming a significant health burden globally and in China, particularly among Chinese males and older individuals. With the aging population and lifestyle changes exacerbating the issue, effective strategies and measures are essential to prevent or reduce gout-related health issues.
Humans ; Gout/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; China/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Global Burden of Disease ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years

Acute liver injury (ALI) serves as a critical precursor and major etiological factor in the progression and ultimate manifestation of various hepatic disorders. The prevention and treatment of ALI is still a serious global challenge. Given the limited therapeutic options for ALI, exploring novel targeted therapeutic agents becomes imperative. The potential therapeutic efficacy of inhibiting RIPK2 is highlighted, as it may provide significant benefits by attenuating the MAPK pathway and NF-κB signaling. Herein, we propose a CMD-OPT model, a two-stage molecular optimization tool for the rapid discovery of RIPK2 inhibitors with optimal properties. Compound RP20, which targets the ATP binding site, demonstrated excellent kinase specificity, ideal oral pharmacokinetics, and superior therapeutic effects in a model of APAP-induced ALI, positioning RP20 as a promising preclinical candidate. This marks the first application of RIPK2 inhibitors in ALI treatment, opening a novel therapeutic pathway for clinical applications. These results highlight the efficacy of the CMD-OPT model in producing lead compounds from known active molecules, showcasing its significant potential in drug discovery.

Objective To investigate the effect of MALAT1 expressions on cell proliferation and apoptosis in astrocytes by regulating mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK1,2)pathway.Methods The MALAT1 gene was knocked down and over-expressed in C8-D1A cells by lentiviral and plasmid vectors,respectively.The expressions of MALAT1,cell proliferation-related markers(Ki67,MCM2,PCNA)and apoptosis-related proteins(Caspase-3,Bax,Bcl-2)were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were used for cell proliferation and apoptosis in C8-D1A cells.Immunofluorescence was adopted to detect the protein expressions of Caspase-3 and Ki67.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of Caspase-3,Bax,Bcl-2,ERK1/2,p-ERK1/2,p38MAPK and p-p38MAPK.Results Compared with the control group,over-expressed MALAT1 inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in C8-D1A cells while the knockdown of MALAT1 significantly enhanced cell proliferation and anti-apoptotic ability in C8-D1A cells.The proportion of C8-D1A cells in G0/G1-phase and G2/M-phase was higher than in the control group as evidenced by flow cytometry,but was lower in S-phase.Meanwhile,data showed that Caspase-3 was increased while p-ERK1/2 was decreased in terms of protein levels.The mRNA expressions of Ki67 and PCNA were decreased.After knockdown of MALAT1,the proportion of C8-D1A cells in S-phase was higher,but was lower in G2/M-phase.The protein expressions of Caspase-3 and Bax decreased while those of p-ERK1/2 and p-p38MAPK increased.The mRNA expressions of Ki67,MCM2 and PCNA were increased.The differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion MALAT1 promotes astrocyte apoptosis and inhibits proliferation by regulating the MAPK/ERK1,2 signaling pathway.

Health technology assessment(HTA)is an important tool to inform health decision-making.Although highly related to ethical issues in the context of HTA,equity has attracted much attention from the academia,a consensus has not yet been reached on how to define and evaluate equity in China and abroad.It introduces the concept of equity,pointes out the necessity to realize health equity and the reflection of equity in healthcare sector,and further elaborates four ways to consider equity,and described the official practice of equity in HTA at home and abroad.It proposes several suggestions for China's HTA:considering equity in HTA and the discussion of equity should depend on specific decision-making scenarios;clarifying what health measurement perspective should be adopted before measuring health equity;paying attention to the value judgment of equity adopted by various stakeholders;conducting basic researches on the general population's preference for health measurement perspectives and value judgments of equity in China in a gesture to improve the evaluation system of equity in HTA.

Objective:To clarify the effect and the mechanism of G protein-coupled receptor class C group 5 member A (GPRC5A) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in human gingival fibroblasts (GFs), thus to provide a foundation for delving into the role of G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) in periodontitis.Methods:Gingival tissue samples were collected from 3 individuals periodontally healthy (health group) and 3 patients with periodontitis (periodontitis group) in Shandong Stomatological Hospital from December 2022 to February 2023. The expressions of GPRC5A of the two groups were detected by immunohistochemistry staining. GFs used in this study were isolated from a portion of gingiva for the extraction of impacted teeth in School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University from December 2022 to February 2023. GFs were isolated with enzymic digestion and transfected with 30, 50 and 80 μmol/L small interfering RNA-GPRC5A (siGPRC5A) or small interfering RNA-negative control (siNC), regarded as the experimental group and the negative control one, respectively. The silencing efficiency of siGPRC5A was evaluated by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Experiments were then conducted using these cells which were divided into four groups of negative control (NC), LPS, siGPRC5A+LPS and siGPRC5A. The mRNA and protein levels of GPRC5A in GFs under 1 mg/L LPS-induced GFs inflammatory state were evaluated by RT-qPCR and Western blotting analysis after GPRC5A knockdown. RT-qPCR was used to detect the gene expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines in GFs induced by LPS, namely, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) after GPRC5A knockdown. Western blotting analysis and immunofluorescence staining were used to further investigate the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway.Results:Immunohistochemistry staining showed that the expression of GPRC5A in gingival tissues of periodontitis group (0.132±0.006) increased compared with that in periodontally healthy group (0.036±0.019) ( t=8.24, P=0.001). Meanwhile, RT-qPCR results showed that the gene expression levels of GPRC5A at different time point (2, 6, 12, 24 h) in LPS-induced GFs (0.026±0.002, 0.042±0.005, 0.004±0.000, 0.016±0.000) were upregulated compared with those in the NC group (0.004±0.000, 0.004±0.000, 0.002±0.000, 0.007±0.000) (all P<0.001), respectively, and peaked at 6 h. The 50 μmol/L group displayed the most significant decrease in siGPRC5A expression (31.16±3.29) compared with that of the siNC group (100.00±4.88) ( F=297.98, P<0.001). The results of RT-qPCR and Western blotting analysis showed that siGPRC5A (0.27±0.03, 0.71±0.00) suppressed the expressions of GPRC5A at both gene and protein levels, while LPS (1.30±0.10, 1.43±0.03) was able to promote the expressions of GPRC5A compared with those of the NC group (1.00±0.01, 1.00±0.00)(all P<0.001). The siGPRC5A+LPS group (0.39±0.03, 1.06±0.16) also inhibited the increase of GPRC5A at both gene and protein levels induced by LPS (1.30±0.10, 1.43±0.03) ( F=208.38, P<0.001; F=42.04, P<0.001). RT-qPCR results showed that the expressions of IL-8, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and PTGS2 at the gene level in LPS group were highly increased compared with those in the NC group (all P<0.001). siGPRC5A significantly suppressed LPS-induced expressions of these inflammatory cytokines in GFs (all P<0.001). Western blotting analysis showed that the levels of p65 and IκBα protein phosphorylation in the LPS group were highly increased compared with those in the NC group, and siGPRC5A could effectively suppressed LPS-induced protein phosphorylation (all P<0.01). Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining showed that NF-κB p65 in the control group was mainly concentrated in the cytoplasm, and partially translocated to the nucleus under the stimulation of LPS. siGPRC5A was able to inhibit LPS-induced intranuclear translocation of p65 to a certain extent. Conclusions:GPRC5A expression was upregulated in periodontitis, and GPRC5A knockdown inhibited LPS-induced inflammation. Moreover, GPRC5A played a role in inflammation regulation by interacting with NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To determine the scores of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of drug-induced liver injury(DILI)using Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method(RUCAM),Maria&Victorino assessment scale,and Revised Electronic Causality Assessment Method(RECAM),to compare the accuracy of the three scales in diagnosis,and to investigate their clinical significance in the diagnosis of DILI.Methods A total of 98 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of DILI who were hospitalized in Peking University First Hospital from January 2011 to December 2022 were enrolled,with liver biopsy results supporting DILI and a clear history of medication.Clinical data were collected from all subjects,and the above causality assessment scales were used for scoring.The chi-square test was used to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of the causality assessment scales,and the weighted kappa coefficient was used to analyze the consistency between the three scales.Results For all patients with DILI enrolled,RECAM had the highest accuracy,with a significant difference compared with RUCAM(χ2=5.667,P=0.017).RUCAM and RECAM had moderate consistency in diagnosis(κw=0.469),while RECAM and Maria&Victorino scale had poor consistency(κw=0.156).For the patients with acute DILI,RECAM,RUCAM,and Maria&Victorino scales had a diagnostic inconsistency rate of 3.7%,11.1%,and 42.6%,respectively;for the patients with hepatocellular type DILI,the three scales of a diagnostic inconsistency rate of 8.9%,21.4%,and 62.5%,respectively;for the patients with cholestasis type or mixed type DILI,the three scales of a diagnostic inconsistency rate of 10.0%,22.5%,and 47.5%,respectively.Conclusion The use of RECAM and RUCAM scales in acute DILI can improve diagnostic rate,and for hepatocellular type DILI and DILI with the clinical manifestation of cholestasis(cholestasis type DILI and mixed type DILI),the use of RECAM and RUCAM scales can also improve diagnostic rate.The selection of causality assessment scales with a relatively high accuracy based on the course and clinical classification of the disease may help to further improve clinical diagnostic rate.