Based on the theory of the liver's"using bitter herbs to nourish or purge"from Huangdi Neijing,this paper systematically elucidates the theoretical foundation for treating functional constipation from liver.Focusing on the physiological characteristic of"liver desires to disperse"and the pathological manifestation of"liver bitterness and urgency,"combined with the"liver communicates with the large intestine"theory,this paper establishes a diagnostic and therapeutic framework for managing functional constipation by regulating liver function.The pathological evolution of functional constipation manifests in three distinct stages:in the early stage,liver qi stagnation leads to large intestine qi obstruction,where damaged by an excess of seven emotions resulting in symptoms such as difficult defecation,abdominal bloating,and hypochondriac pain;in the middle stage,liver depression transforms into fire,scorching bodily fluids to generate dryness,thereby creating a pathological interplay of stagnation,fire,and dryness,which is marked by anal heat,dry mouth,and yellow urine;in the late stage,yin deficiency in liver and kidney causes large intestine malnutrition,resulting in a complex pathological state where yin deficiency,collateral blockage,dryness accumulation,and blood stasis intertwine,clinically manifesting as pellet-like stools(resembling sheep feces)and soreness and weakness of the waist and knees.In treatment,the formula design follows the principle of"sweetness to relieve,acridity to tonify,and sourness to purge,"with treatment principles varying across stages.In the early stage,the focus is on dispersing liver and regulating qi,and unblocking the zang-fu viscera;in the middle stage,the priority shifts to clearing heat-fire,nourishing large intestine,and promoting fluid production;whereas,in the late stage,the emphasis lies on nourishing yin,unblocking collaterals,and promoting blood circulation.This staged treatment of functional constipation overcomes the limitations of solely focusing on nourishing large intestine and facilitating feces excretion,thereby advancing the treatment of different stages based on syndrome differentiation and personalized treatment.It provides theoretical support for improving patients' intestinal function and enhancing overall health outcomes.

Primary splenic lymphoma is a rare malignant neoplasm， with similar clinical manifestations to Sjogren’s syndrome and liver cirrhosis， which often leads to misdiagnosis. This article reports a case of primary splenic lymphoma misdiagnosed as Sjogren’s syndrome with liver cirrhosis， in order to improve the understanding of primary splenic lymphoma， Sjogren’s syndrome， and liver cirrhosis and avoid misdiagnosis and treatment delay.

Objective To explore the interplay between MCT1-mediated lactate accumulation and ferroptosis in acute liver failure(ALF).Methods An ALF mouse model and a hepatocyte injury model were established using lipopolysaccharide(LPS)in combination with D-galactosamine(D-GalN).The mice were randomly assigned to three groups:a blank control group,an ALF model group,and an ALF+Liproxstatin-1(Lip-1)treatment group.In vitro experiments included four groups:A blank control,a hepatocyte injury model,a lactate intervention,and an MCT1 overexpression group.Commercial kits were used to measure lactate levels in both mouse liver tissues and cell supernatants,as well as the contents of malondialdehyde(MDA),ferrous ions(Fe2+),and reduced glutathi-one(GSH)in liver tissue.Liver histopathology was evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Trans-mission electron microscopy was employed to assess mitochondrial ultrastructure in hepatocytes.Western blot(WB)analysis was performed to determine the protein expression levels of MCT1,glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4)in both liver tissues and cultured cells.Real-time quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence assays were utilized to detect mRNA expression and fluorescence intensity of GPX4 and ACSL4,respectively.Results HE staining of liver tissue from the ALF mouse model revealed extensive hepatocyte necrosis and partial inflammatory cell infiltration.Both MCT1 and GPX4 protein expression were significantly downregulated(P<0.001),whereas ACSL4 protein expression was markedly upregulated(P<0.000 1),accompanied by a significant elevation in lactate levels(P<0.001).Trans-mission electron microscopy demonstrated reduced mitochondrial volume and disorganized cristae arrangement in hepatocytes.In contrast to the model group,histological analysis of liver tissue from ALF mice treated with an iron death inhibitor showed attenuated liver injury.GPX4 expression was restored(P<0.05),while ACSL4 expression was reduced(P<0.001).Levels of lactate,MDA,and Fe2+in liver tissue were significantly lower(P<0.001),whereas GSH levels were significantly higher(P<0.05).In vitro experiments indicated that lactate treatment suppressed GPX4 expression in hepatocytes in a concentration-dependent manner while promoting ACSL4 expres-sion(P<0.05).In the hepatocyte injury model group,MCT1 and GPX4 expression were downregulated,ACSL4 protein expression was upregulated(P<0.05),and lactate levels were significantly increased(P<0.05).However,MCT1 overexpression effectively reversed these alterations,resulting in increased GPX4 expression(P<0.05)and decreased ACSL4 expression(P<0.001).Furthermore,immunofluorescence results revealed enhanced GPX4 fluorescence intensity(P<0.001)and reduced ACSL4 signal intensity(P<0.01),along with a marked reduction in lactate levels in cell supernatants(P<0.000 1).Conclusions This study demonstrates that ferroptosis plays a critical role in cell death during ALF and is closely intertwined with lactate metabolism.MCT1 mitigates LPS/D-GalN-induced ferroptosis by facilitating lactate transport in hepatocytes,thereby reducing lactate accumulation.Conversely,inhibition of ferroptosis leads to decreased lactate levels,indicating a bidirectional'lactate-ferroptosis'regulatory loop.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether Stenotrophomonas maltophilia(S.maltophilia)induces ferroptosis,a form of iron-dependent cell death,leading to an inflamma-tory response in RAW 264.7 macrophages by elevating oxidative stress levels.RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with varying concentrations of S.maltophilia.The concentrations of TNF-αand IL-1β were quantified using ELISA kits to assess the impact of S.maltophilia on the inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells.The activities of glutathione(GSH)and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels were measured using GSH and MDA assay kits to evaluate changes in oxidative stress.West-ern blot analysis was employed to detect the expression levels of COX-2,xCT,GPX4,and other proteins involved in ferroptosis signaling pathways,thereby investigating the effect of S.malto-philia on ferroptosis in RAW 264.7 cells.The results demonstrated that S.maltophilia induced concentration-dependent increases in inflammation and oxidative stress in RAW 264.7 cells,up-regulated the expression of COX-2 protein and down-regulated the expression of xCT and GPX4.Pretreatment with the ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine(NAC)significantly mitigated the S.malto-philia-induced oxidative stress and ferroptosis signaling activation,thereby alleviating the inflam-matory response.Furthermore,treatment with the ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 directly suppressed the activation of the ferroptosis signaling pathway and reversed the inflammation induced by S.maltophilia.These findings suggest that S.maltophilia triggers inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells by activating the ferroptosis signaling pathway via an increase in oxidative stress levels.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether Stenotrophomonas maltophilia(S.maltophilia)induces ferroptosis,a form of iron-dependent cell death,leading to an inflamma-tory response in RAW 264.7 macrophages by elevating oxidative stress levels.RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with varying concentrations of S.maltophilia.The concentrations of TNF-αand IL-1β were quantified using ELISA kits to assess the impact of S.maltophilia on the inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells.The activities of glutathione(GSH)and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels were measured using GSH and MDA assay kits to evaluate changes in oxidative stress.West-ern blot analysis was employed to detect the expression levels of COX-2,xCT,GPX4,and other proteins involved in ferroptosis signaling pathways,thereby investigating the effect of S.malto-philia on ferroptosis in RAW 264.7 cells.The results demonstrated that S.maltophilia induced concentration-dependent increases in inflammation and oxidative stress in RAW 264.7 cells,up-regulated the expression of COX-2 protein and down-regulated the expression of xCT and GPX4.Pretreatment with the ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine(NAC)significantly mitigated the S.malto-philia-induced oxidative stress and ferroptosis signaling activation,thereby alleviating the inflam-matory response.Furthermore,treatment with the ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 directly suppressed the activation of the ferroptosis signaling pathway and reversed the inflammation induced by S.maltophilia.These findings suggest that S.maltophilia triggers inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells by activating the ferroptosis signaling pathway via an increase in oxidative stress levels.

Based on the theory of the liver's"using bitter herbs to nourish or purge"from Huangdi Neijing,this paper systematically elucidates the theoretical foundation for treating functional constipation from liver.Focusing on the physiological characteristic of"liver desires to disperse"and the pathological manifestation of"liver bitterness and urgency,"combined with the"liver communicates with the large intestine"theory,this paper establishes a diagnostic and therapeutic framework for managing functional constipation by regulating liver function.The pathological evolution of functional constipation manifests in three distinct stages:in the early stage,liver qi stagnation leads to large intestine qi obstruction,where damaged by an excess of seven emotions resulting in symptoms such as difficult defecation,abdominal bloating,and hypochondriac pain;in the middle stage,liver depression transforms into fire,scorching bodily fluids to generate dryness,thereby creating a pathological interplay of stagnation,fire,and dryness,which is marked by anal heat,dry mouth,and yellow urine;in the late stage,yin deficiency in liver and kidney causes large intestine malnutrition,resulting in a complex pathological state where yin deficiency,collateral blockage,dryness accumulation,and blood stasis intertwine,clinically manifesting as pellet-like stools(resembling sheep feces)and soreness and weakness of the waist and knees.In treatment,the formula design follows the principle of"sweetness to relieve,acridity to tonify,and sourness to purge,"with treatment principles varying across stages.In the early stage,the focus is on dispersing liver and regulating qi,and unblocking the zang-fu viscera;in the middle stage,the priority shifts to clearing heat-fire,nourishing large intestine,and promoting fluid production;whereas,in the late stage,the emphasis lies on nourishing yin,unblocking collaterals,and promoting blood circulation.This staged treatment of functional constipation overcomes the limitations of solely focusing on nourishing large intestine and facilitating feces excretion,thereby advancing the treatment of different stages based on syndrome differentiation and personalized treatment.It provides theoretical support for improving patients' intestinal function and enhancing overall health outcomes.

Objective To explore the interplay between MCT1-mediated lactate accumulation and ferroptosis in acute liver failure(ALF).Methods An ALF mouse model and a hepatocyte injury model were established using lipopolysaccharide(LPS)in combination with D-galactosamine(D-GalN).The mice were randomly assigned to three groups:a blank control group,an ALF model group,and an ALF+Liproxstatin-1(Lip-1)treatment group.In vitro experiments included four groups:A blank control,a hepatocyte injury model,a lactate intervention,and an MCT1 overexpression group.Commercial kits were used to measure lactate levels in both mouse liver tissues and cell supernatants,as well as the contents of malondialdehyde(MDA),ferrous ions(Fe2+),and reduced glutathi-one(GSH)in liver tissue.Liver histopathology was evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Trans-mission electron microscopy was employed to assess mitochondrial ultrastructure in hepatocytes.Western blot(WB)analysis was performed to determine the protein expression levels of MCT1,glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4)in both liver tissues and cultured cells.Real-time quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence assays were utilized to detect mRNA expression and fluorescence intensity of GPX4 and ACSL4,respectively.Results HE staining of liver tissue from the ALF mouse model revealed extensive hepatocyte necrosis and partial inflammatory cell infiltration.Both MCT1 and GPX4 protein expression were significantly downregulated(P<0.001),whereas ACSL4 protein expression was markedly upregulated(P<0.000 1),accompanied by a significant elevation in lactate levels(P<0.001).Trans-mission electron microscopy demonstrated reduced mitochondrial volume and disorganized cristae arrangement in hepatocytes.In contrast to the model group,histological analysis of liver tissue from ALF mice treated with an iron death inhibitor showed attenuated liver injury.GPX4 expression was restored(P<0.05),while ACSL4 expression was reduced(P<0.001).Levels of lactate,MDA,and Fe2+in liver tissue were significantly lower(P<0.001),whereas GSH levels were significantly higher(P<0.05).In vitro experiments indicated that lactate treatment suppressed GPX4 expression in hepatocytes in a concentration-dependent manner while promoting ACSL4 expres-sion(P<0.05).In the hepatocyte injury model group,MCT1 and GPX4 expression were downregulated,ACSL4 protein expression was upregulated(P<0.05),and lactate levels were significantly increased(P<0.05).However,MCT1 overexpression effectively reversed these alterations,resulting in increased GPX4 expression(P<0.05)and decreased ACSL4 expression(P<0.001).Furthermore,immunofluorescence results revealed enhanced GPX4 fluorescence intensity(P<0.001)and reduced ACSL4 signal intensity(P<0.01),along with a marked reduction in lactate levels in cell supernatants(P<0.000 1).Conclusions This study demonstrates that ferroptosis plays a critical role in cell death during ALF and is closely intertwined with lactate metabolism.MCT1 mitigates LPS/D-GalN-induced ferroptosis by facilitating lactate transport in hepatocytes,thereby reducing lactate accumulation.Conversely,inhibition of ferroptosis leads to decreased lactate levels,indicating a bidirectional'lactate-ferroptosis'regulatory loop.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the research progress on the role of macrophage-mediated osteoimmune in osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) and its mechanisms. METHODS: Recent studies on the role and mechanism of macrophage-mediated osteoimmune in ONFH at home and abroad were extensively reviewed. The classification and function of macrophages were summarized, the osteoimmune regulation of macrophages on chronic inflammation in ONFH was summarized, and the pathophysiological mechanism of osteonecrosis was expounded from the perspective of osteoimmune, which provided new ideas for the treatment of ONFH. RESULTS: Macrophages are important immune cells involved in inflammatory response, which can differentiate into classically activated type (M1) and alternatively activated type (M2), and play specific functions to participate in and regulate the physiological and pathological processes of the body. Studies have shown that bone immune imbalance mediated by macrophages can cause local chronic inflammation and lead to the occurrence and development of ONFH. Therefore, regulating macrophage polarization is a potential ONFH treatment strategy. In chronic inflammatory microenvironment, inhibiting macrophage polarization to M1 can promote local inflammatory dissipation and effectively delay the progression of ONFH; regulating macrophage polarization to M2 can build a local osteoimmune microenvironment conducive to bone repair, which is helpful to necrotic tissue regeneration and repair to a certain extent. CONCLUSION At present, it has been confirmed that macrophage-mediated chronic inflammatory immune microenvironment is an important mechanism for the occurrence and development of ONFH. It is necessary to study the subtypes of immune cells in ONFH, the interaction between immune cells and macrophages, and the interaction between various immune cells and macrophages, which is beneficial to the development of potential therapeutic methods for ONFH.
Humans ; Femur Head/pathology* ; Osteonecrosis/therapy* ; Macrophages/pathology* ; Inflammation ; Femur Head Necrosis/pathology*

Objective:To analyze the relationship between health belief and the stages of parental decision-making on childhood 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) immunization in China.Methods:Cross-sectional multistage survey sampling method was used to select study subjects. The study subjects were parents who were aged 20-45 years and had one and more children ≤5 years old in three cities in China. A self-administered questionnaire designed based on health belief model was used to collect the information. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationships between perceived susceptibility, perceived severity of illness, perceived effect of PCV13 and stages of parental decision-making on childhood PCV13 immunization.Results:A total of 1 716 valid questionnaires were returned (89.33%). The average age of the study subjects was (35.33±4.95) years, and 79.60% of them were women. In the study subjects, 48.31% had in action, 21.79% were in contemplation and 29.90% were in pre-contemplation. The multinominal logistic regression analysis indicated that high perceived susceptibility ( OR=0.14, 95% CI:0.09-0.22; OR=0.54, 95% CI:0.39-0.76), high perceived severity of illness ( OR=0.55, 95% CI:0.42-0.73), and high perceived effect of PCV13 ( OR=0.27, 95% CI:0.18-0.40; OR=0.51, 95% CI:0.32-0.81) were significantly lower in those who were in contemplation or pre-compared with those who had in action. For study subjects with low perceived susceptibility, high perceived effect of PCV13 might decrease the probabilities of contemplation ( OR=0.53, 95% CI:0.32-0.87) and pre-contemplation ( OR=0.27, 95% CI:0.18-0.41). For those with high perceived susceptibility, perceived severity of illness might decrease the probability of contemplation ( OR=0.43, 95% CI:0.23-0.82). Conclusions:Childhood PCV13 vaccination willingness and level is low in China. It is important to pay greater attention to the intervention on health belief in child parents, such as perceived effect of PCV13, perceived severity of illness, and perceived susceptibility, in health policy development and health promotion.

ObjectiveTo investigate the acute effects of compound air pollution on children’s respiratory function. MethodsUsing panel group study design， 223 students in five classes of grade 4 from two primary schools （a， b） in Xuhui and Hongkou districts of Shanghai were randomly selected to measure pulmonary function and exhaled nitric oxide （FeNO）. The first three tests were carried out from May to June in 2020， and the fourth test was carried out from September to December in 2021. At the same time， the daily and hourly mean values of PM_2.5， PM₁₀， SO₂， NO₂， O₃ and CO was collected from the nearby air quality monitoring points of the two schools during the same period ， as well as meteorological monitoring data （temperature， humidity， wind speed and atmospheric pressure）. The linear mixed effect model was used to analyze the effects of air pollution on pulmonary function and respiratory inflammation in the summer. ResultsThe results of single pollutant model showed that PM_2.5， PM_10， SO₂ and NO₂ were positively correlated with FeNO， and the effect was reflected in lag0， lag1 and lag3 （P<0.05）. PM_2.5， PM₁₀ and NO₂ were negatively correlated with the changes of lung function FEF_25%， FEF_50%， FEF_75%， FeF_25%-75%， PEF， FVC， FEV1 and FEV1/FVC， and the effect was reflected in lag0 to lag3 days （P<0.05）. The results of the dual pollutant model showed that the concentration changes of SO₂ and NO₂ were significantly correlated with the decrease of FEV1 when combined with O₃ or PM_2.5 （P<0.01）， and the concentration changes of PM_2.5 was significantly correlated with the increase of FeNO when O₃， SO₂ and NO₂ were combined respectively （P<0.01）. The effects of the dual pollutant model were greater than the effect of PM_2.5 single pollutant model. ConclusionThe health effects of different air pollutants on children’s respiratory tract function indexes in summer are different. The combined effects of two pollutants on the lung function of children increased to different degrees. Although air pollution is light in summer， it still has an impact on children’s respiratory tract function index and inflammation index， and the combined effect of dual pollutants is more significant than that of single pollutant.