Based on spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness as the core pathogenesis of obesity， and integrating recent advances in modern medicine regarding the key role of immune inflammation in obesity， this paper proposes a multidimensional pathogenic network of "obesity-spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness-immune imbalance". Various traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） herbs that strengthen the spleen， regulate qi， and resolve phlegm and dampness can treat obesity by improving spleen-stomach transport and transformation， promoting water-damp metabolism， and regulating immune homeostasis. This highlights immune inflammation as an important entry point to elucidate the TCM concepts of "spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness" and the therapeutic principle of "strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness to treat obesity". By systematically analyzing the intrinsic connection between "spleen deficiency generating dampness， internal accumulation of phlegm dampness" and immune dysregulation in obesity， this paper aims to provide theoretical support for TCM treatment of obesity based on dampness.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among college students in Yangzhou from 2020 to 2024, so as to provide a scientific basis for developing prevention and control strategies. Methods: An epidemiological investigation was conducted among 162 college students with PTB, and 7 134 of their contacts were screened. Data were obtained from the tuberculosis information management system and on campus screening records. Using descriptive epidemiological methods, trends in incidence, seasonal distribution, and bacteriological characteristics were analyzed. Results: From 2020 to 2024, the annual average incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis among college students in Yangzhou was 29.42 per 100 000, showing an overall fluctuating downward trend ( χ 2=12.36, P <0.01). Cases were mainly concentrated in summer and autumn, with the highest proportion in autumn (41.36%, 67/162), followed by summer (23.46%, 38/162). The proportion of etiologically positive cases increased from 37.21% in 2020 to 71.43% in 2024; among positive cases, the proportion of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) decreased from 66.67% (10/15) to 26.67% (4/15). The etiological positive rate was higher in females than in males ( χ 2= 11.76 , P <0.01). Comparison of screening methods showed that among index cases, the LTBI detection rate of the recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis fusion protein skin test (C-TST) was higher than that of the tuberculin skin test (TST), but the difference was not statistically significant ( χ 2=0.65, P =0.42); among close contacts, the detection rate of TST was higher than that of C-TST (15.1%,10.1%; χ 2=5.23, P <0.05). Conclusion From 2020 to 2024, the annual average incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis among college students in Yangzhou showed an overall fluctuating downward trend, with differences in TB infection screening methods and gender.

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a globally life-threatening disease. Presently, few therapeutic medicines are available for treating IS, and rt-PA is the only drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US. In fact, many agents showing excellent neuroprotection but no blood flow-improving activity in animals have not achieved ideal clinical efficacy, while thrombolytic drugs only improving blood flow without neuroprotection have limited their wider application. To address these challenges and meet the huge unmet clinical need, we have designed and identified a novel compound AAPB with dual effects of neuroprotection and cerebral blood flow improvement. AAPB significantly reduced cerebral infarction and neural function deficit in tMCAO rats, pMCAO rats, and IS rhesus monkeys, as well as displayed exceptional safety profiles and excellent pharmacokinetic properties in rats and dogs. AAPB has now entered phase I of clinical trials fighting IS in China.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the inhibitory effect of multimerin-2 (MMRN2) overexpression on growth and metastasis of cutaneous melanoma cells. METHODS: Clinical data of patients with cutaneous melanoma were obtained from the GEO database to compare MMRN2 expressions between normal and tumor tissues. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the STRING database, and the intersecting genes from GEPIA2.0 were subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. The prognostic relevance of MMRN2 expression level was assessed using Cox regression and "timeROC". The correlations of MMRN2 expression level with immune infiltration and angiogenesis-related genes were analyzed using GSCA database and the ssGSEA algorithm. Colony-forming assay, Transwell assay, and wound healing assay were used to examine the changes in proliferation and migration of cultured cutaneous melanoma cells following MMRN2 knockdown. In a mouse model bearing cutaneous melanoma xenograft, the effect of MMRN2 knockdown on vital organ pathologies, survival of the mice and GM-CSF, CXCL9, and TGF‑β1 protein expressions were analyzed. RESULTS: MMRN2 was significantly upregulated in metastatic cutaneous melanoma (P<0.001). Protein interaction network analysis identified 15 intersecting genes, which were enriched in endothelium development and cell-cell junctions. In patients with cutaneous melanoma, a high MMRN2 expression was correlated with a poor prognosis, an advanced T stage, a greater Breslow depth, and ulceration (P<0.05). MMRN2 expression level was strongly correlated with 24 immune cell types (P<0.001), fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and expressions of the pro-angiogenic genes (KCNJ8, SLCO2A1, NRP1, and COL3A1; P<0.001). In cultured B16F10 cells, MMRN2 knockdown significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion and caused remo-deling of the immunosuppressive microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS MMRN2 overexpression drives progression of cutaneous melanoma by enhancing tumor metastasis, angiogenesis and immune evasion, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for melanomas.
Humans ; Melanoma/metabolism* ; Animals ; Cell Movement ; Prognosis ; Skin Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Mice ; Cell Proliferation ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Protein Interaction Maps

Pulpotomy, which belongs to vital pulp therapy, has become a strategy for managing pulpitis in recent decades. This minimally invasive treatment reflects the recognition of preserving healthy dental pulp and optimizing long-term patient-centered outcomes. Pulpotomy is categorized into partial pulpotomy (PP), the removal of a partial segment of the coronal pulp tissue, and full pulpotomy (FP), the removal of whole coronal pulp, which is followed by applying the biomaterials onto the remaining pulp tissue and ultimately restoring the tooth. Procedural decisions for the amount of pulp tissue removal or retention depend on the diagnostic of pulp vitality, the overall treatment plan, the patient's general health status, and pulp inflammation reassessment during operation. This statement represents the consensus of an expert committee convened by the Society of Cariology and Endodontics, Chinese Stomatological Association. It addresses the current evidence to support the application of pulpotomy as a potential alternative to root canal treatment (RCT) on mature permanent teeth with pulpitis from a biological basis, the development of capping biomaterial, and the diagnostic considerations to evidence-based medicine. This expert statement intends to provide a clinical protocol of pulpotomy, which facilitates practitioners in choosing the optimal procedure and increasing their confidence in this rapidly evolving field.
Humans ; Calcium Compounds/therapeutic use* ; Consensus ; Dental Pulp ; Dentition, Permanent ; Oxides/therapeutic use* ; Pulpitis/therapy* ; Pulpotomy/standards*

Digital technologies have become an integral part of complete denture restoration. With advancement in computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), tools such as intraoral scanning, facial scanning, 3D printing, and numerical control machining are reshaping the workflow of complete denture restoration. Unlike conventional methods that rely heavily on clinical experience and manual techniques, digital technologies offer greater precision, predictability, and efficacy. They also streamline the process by reducing the number of patient visits and improving overall comfort. Despite these improvements, the clinical application of digital complete denture restoration still faces challenges that require further standardization. The major issues include appropriate case selection, establishing consistent digital workflows, and evaluating long-term outcomes. To address these challenges and provide clinical guidance for practitioners, this expert consensus outlines the principles, advantages, and limitations of digital complete denture technology. The aim of this review was to offer practical recommendations on indications, clinical procedures and precautions, evaluation metrics, and outcome assessment to support digital restoration of complete denture in clinical practice.
Humans ; Denture, Complete ; Computer-Aided Design ; Denture Design/methods* ; Consensus ; Printing, Three-Dimensional

Objective:To detect the expression of sialylated CD15 (CD15s) in the tumor cells of classical Hodgkin lymphoma using a modified immunohistochemical approach.Methods:From 2009 to 2024, 53 cases of classical Hodgkin lymphoma were collected in the Department of Pathology, Peking University Cancer Hospital, in which 21 cases that were CD15-negative or showed only focal weak positivity were selected. Immunohistochemical staining for CD15 was performed on a Leica automated stainer using three different antibody clones (MMA, Carb3, and IHC527). Tissue sections were digested with sialidase at varying concentrations and incubation times, followed by immunohistochemical staining with the MMA clone. Multiplex immunofluorescence was applied for co-staining of CD15 (MMA) and CD30 (JCM182), and analysis was conducted using APTIME and HALO software.Results:There were 30 male patients and 23 female patients, with an age range of 14 to 73 years and a median age of 32(26,46) years. None of the three CD15 antibody clones significantly improved the CD15 positive rate in the 14 completely negative and 7 weakly positive cases, with no notable differences observed among the clones( P>0.05). After sialidase digestion, tissue morphology remained well-preserved. Optimal CD15 staining was achieved with a 1∶1 diluted sialidase incubated at 37 ℃ for one hour. This treatment significantly enhanced the detection rate of CD15 antigen in Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg cells ( P<0.001). Conclusion:Sialidase digestion effectively unveils sialylated CD15 expression in classical Hodgkin lymphoma, markedly improving its detection in HRS cells.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the application of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in adult lung transplant recipients, and to explore their clinical value in assessing quality of life following transplantation.Methods:This study was a systematic review. Relevant studies published between January 2014 and July 2024 were searched in the PubMed and OVID Medline databases using keywords such as "lung transplantation" "quality of life" "HRQoL" "health indice" "patient-reported outcome measure" "questionnaire" "profile" "scale" "score" and "survey". Only English-language articles were included. Eligible studies were those that applied PROMs to assess quality of life in adult lung transplant recipients and were approved by ethics committees. Reviews, case reports, abstracts, and studies involving transplant candidates or recipients of lung-liver or lung-kidney combined transplantation were excluded. Data extracted included basic study information, study design, participant characteristics, and PROM usage. Frequently used PROMs and lung transplant-specific PROMs were summarized, and results with clearly reported time points were analyzed.Results:A total of 63 studies were included, comprising 54 (85.7%) observational studies and 9 (14.3%) interventional studies. The majority of studies originated from the United States (18 studies, 28.6%). A total of 55 different PROMs were identified, including 30 generic and 25 disease-specific instruments. The five most frequently used PROMs were the Short Form 36 (SF-36; 30 studies, 47.6%), the EuroQol 5 Dimension (EQ-5D; 12 studies, 19.0%), the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ; 11 studies, 17.5%), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; 7 studies, 11.1%), and the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (mMRC; 5 studies, 7.9%). Lung transplant-specific PROMs included the Lung Transplant Quality of Life questionnaire (LT-QOL), the Lung Transplant Valued Life Activities (LT-VLA) scale, and the Pulmonary-Specific Quality of Life Scale (PQLS), which were applied in only 6 studies (9.5%). Across studies, lung transplantation was associated with significant improvements in recipients' quality of life, sustained over a follow-up period of 3 to 60 months.Conclusions:A wide range of PROMs have been employed to assess health-related quality of life in lung transplant recipients; however, transplant-specific PROMs remain relatively scarce. PROMs provide valuable insights for reflecting and dynamically monitoring long-term quality of life, supplementing evidence for clinical decision-making, and optimizing post-transplant care strategies.

BACKGROUND:While antivenom has provided hope for treating snakebites,it is not always effective for local tissue damage caused by venomous snakes.Additionally,antivenom has several limitations,including the risk of hypersensitivity,immune reactions like"serum sickness,"and accessibility issues in some regions.Consequently,there is an urgent need to explore complementary or alternative therapies and therapeutic targets for snakebites in clinical settings.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of the 717 Jiedu Decoction on the expression of extracellular matrix proteins and matrix metalloproteinases/tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in the local tissues of rats bitten by Agkistrodon halys.METHODS:SD rats were randomly divided into a control group,a model group,an anti-viper venom serum group,and 717 Jiedu Decoction low-,medium-and high-dose groups.Except for the control group,all other groups received an injection of 1.25 mL/kg of viper venom into the gastrocnemius muscle of the left hind limb to create a model.The 717 Jiedu Decoction low-,medium-and high-dose groups were administered a preventive oral gavage of 1.98,3.96,and 7.92 g/kg daily for seven consecutive days prior to the viper venom injection.The anti-viper venom serum group received a tail vein injection of 0.6 mL of antivenom serum two hours after the venom injection.Twenty-four hours post-injection,the pathological changes in the gastrocnemius muscle were observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining.The expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2,matrix metalloproteinase-9,tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1,and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 proteins,as well as their mRNA in serum and gastrocnemius muscle,were evaluated using ELISA and qPCR.The expression levels of type Ⅰ collagen,type Ⅳ collagen,fibronectin,laminin,α-smooth muscle actin,transforming growth factor-β1,CD31,and vascular endothelial growth factor in the gastrocnemius muscle were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared to the control group,the model group displayed significant local inflammatory cell infiltration,hemorrhage,muscle structure disruption,and myocyte degeneration and necrosis.The protein and mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2,matrix metalloproteinase-9,and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in serum and gastrocnemius muscle were elevated(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),while the mRNA expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 was reduced(P＜0.01).The protein levels of type Ⅰ collagen and type Ⅳ collagen in the gastrocnemius muscle were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),whereas the protein levels of laminin,vascular endothelial growth factor,and CD31 were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01);however,there were no significant changes in the protein levels of fibronectin,α-smooth muscle actin,and transforming growth factor-β1(P＞0.05).(2)In contrast to the model group,the 717 Jiedu Decoction low-,medium-and high-dose groups and the anti-viper venom serum group demonstrated alleviated myocyte damage,with improved reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration and hemorrhage.The levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2,matrix metalloproteinase-9,and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in serum and gastrocnemius muscle were significantly reduced(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).In the high-dose 717 Jiedu Decoction group,the protein level of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 was upregulated(P＜0.05).Type Ⅰ collagen,type Ⅳ collagen,laminin,α-smooth muscle actin,and transforming growth factor B1 protein expression were elevated(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and there was a dose-effect relationship;vascular endothelial growth factor expression was decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),there was no significant difference in the expression of fibronectin(P＞0.05);the expression of CD31 protein was elevated in the 717 Jiedu Decoction low-dose group(P＜0.01).The results showed that 717 Jiedu Decoction could promote the production of α-smooth muscle actin and transforming growth factor β1 by regulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2,matrix metalloproteinase 9 with tissue metalloproteinase inhibitory factor 1,and tissue metalloproteinase inhibitory factor 2,so as to make the synthesis of extracellular matrix greater than the degradation,maintain the extracellular matrix homeostasis,and then promote the repair of local tissue damage in pit viper bites.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between blood glucose index and peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes patients under continuous blood glucose monitoring.Methods:A total of 110 patients with type 2 diabetes admitted to the Lu′an Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University from November 2022 to January 2024 were retrospectively observed, and the blood glucose indexes of patients were monitored by continuous glucose meter [glucose time in range (TIR), mean blood glucose (MBG), estimated hemoglobin A 1c (eHbA 1c), blood glucose standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), largest amplitude of glycemic excursions (LAGE), mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), means of daily differences (MODD), etc ]. All patients with type 2 diabetes were grouped according to whether they had peripheral neuropathy or not, and were divided into the developing group and the non-developing group. General data and blood glucose indexes of the two groups were collected and sorted out. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the value of various blood glucose indicators in predicting peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes. Spearman correlation analysis was also used to evaluate the correlation between blood glucose index and peripheral neuropathy. Results:The disease course, TIR, MBG, eHbA 1c, SD, CV, LAGE, MAGE and MODD of the occurrence group were significantly different from those of the non-occurrence group (all P<0.05). By plotting the ROC curve, It was found that the area under the curve (AUC) of TIR, MBG, eHbA 1c, SD, CV, LAGE, MAGE and MODD predicting peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes were 0.942, 0.840, 0.705, 0.759, 0.819, 0.813, 0.857 and 0.677, respectively. The AUC of the combined prediction was 0.971(95% CI: 0.946-0.997), which was higher than that of the single indicator (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation assessment showed a negative correlation between TIR and peripheral neuropathy ( r=-0.738, P<0.05). MBG, eHbA 1c, SD, CV, LAGE, MAGE and MODD were positively correlated with peripheral neuropathy ( r=0.554, 0.376, 0.452, 0.490, 0.527, 0.625, 0.272, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Based on continuous blood glucose monitoring, the blood glucose index of type 2 diabetes patients is closely related to peripheral neuropathy, and the above blood glucose index can accurately predict peripheral neuropathy, providing a reference for reducing or preventing the occurrence of peripheral neuropathy.