Objective: To investigate whether Tuina alleviates fibrotic symptoms in myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) by regulating transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway, thereby deactivating these points. Methods: This study comprised two experimental phases. In phase 1, 27 specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into three groups: control 1, model 1, and Tuina 1 groups. Model 1 and Tuina 1 groups underwent an 8-week MTrPs modeling protocol involving blunt impact and eccentric exercise. After successful modeling, rats in Tuina 1 group received manual pressing on nodules or cord-like taut bands on the medial aspect of the left hindlimb. Pain sensitivity and tissue stiffness were evaluated via pressure pain threshold (PPT) and soft tissue tension (STT). Muscle histopathology and fibrosis were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson staining. Inflammatory factors in muscle were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while immunofluorescence (IF) and Western blot (WB) were used to detect the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen Ⅲ, and TGF-β1. In phase 2, 45 SPF female SD rats were randomized into five groups: control 2, model 2, Tuina 2, TGF-β1 inhibitor (TI), and Tuina + TGF-β1 agonist (Tuina + TA) groups. All groups except control 2 underwent standardized MTrPs modeling. Rats in Tuina 2 group received consistent pressing manipulation. TI group received intraperitoneal injections of oxymatrine, while Tuina + TA group received intraperitoneal injections of SRI-011381 hydrochloride followed by the same pressing protocol as Tuina 2 group. WB was used to detect the expression of collagen I, collagen III, TGF-β1, and phosphorylated-Smad3 (p-Smad3)/Smad3. Results: In phase 1, Tuina significantly improved PPT and STT in MTrPs of rats (P < 0.01), reversed pathological damages including disorganized muscle fiber arrangement, abnormal myocyte morphology, and exacerbated fibrosis. In addition, in MTrPs of rats in model 1 group, expression levels of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and fibrosis markers (α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III) were upregulated, and all exhibited a significant downward trend after Tuina intervention (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). This indicates that the therapeutic effects of Tuina are directly associated with reduced local inflammation and fibrosis in MTrPs. In phase 2, compared with model 2 group, rats in TI and Tuina 2 groups had decreased expression levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad3/Smad3 in MTrPs, alongside reduced levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, and TNF-α) and fibrosis markers (α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). When co-administered with TGF-β1 agonist, the therapeutic effects of Tuina were significantly attenuated, with rebounded TGF-β1 expression and p-Smad3/Smad3 in local MTrPs, and fibrosis and inflammatory responses were re-exacerbated (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Conclusion Tuina can effectively reduce inflammatory responses and fibrosis in MTrPs tissue, and its mechanism is closely related to the inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in Tuina-mediated regulation of MTrPs fibrosis.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and pathogenic genes of a family with congenital cataracts.Methods:A pedigree analysis was performed.A Han Chinese family initially diagnosed with congenital cataracts at The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang in March 2024 was enrolled.The proband and selected family members underwent detailed ophthalmic examinations.Potential cataract-associated genetic variants in the proband were identified using whole exome sequencing (WES). Sanger sequencing was employed to confirm the presence of these variants in the proband and other family members.The identified variants were analyzed in accordance with the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The research protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang (No.20230074). Both the subjects and their guardians were informed of the study purpose and voluntarily signed the informed consent form.Results:The pedigree included four generations comprising 15 individuals, with three patients identified across the second, third, and fourth generations.These cases included two males and one female, specifically the proband, his mother, and his eldest son.The observed inheritance pattern aligned with an autosomal dominant mode, characterized by the clinical presentation of bilateral cataracts.WES identified a novel frameshift insertion variant c. 270_271insA in exon 2 of the CRYAB gene in the proband, resulting in a valine-to-serine substitution at amino acid position 91.This variant induced early termination of translation following the expression of two additional amino acids, loss of 84 amino acids (p.V91Sfs2) and the production of a functionally impaired protein.The Sanger sequencing validation results were consistent with the co-segregation.According to the ACMG classification criteria (PM2+ PP1+ PVS1), the variant was classified as likely pathogenic. Conclusions:The frameshift insertion variant c. 270_271insA (p.V91Sfs2) in exon 2 of the CRYAB gene is likely the pathogenic cause of congenital cataract in this family.This is the first report of this variant.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and pathogenic genes of a family with congenital cataracts.Methods:A pedigree analysis was performed.A Han Chinese family initially diagnosed with congenital cataracts at The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang in March 2024 was enrolled.The proband and selected family members underwent detailed ophthalmic examinations.Potential cataract-associated genetic variants in the proband were identified using whole exome sequencing (WES). Sanger sequencing was employed to confirm the presence of these variants in the proband and other family members.The identified variants were analyzed in accordance with the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The research protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang (No.20230074). Both the subjects and their guardians were informed of the study purpose and voluntarily signed the informed consent form.Results:The pedigree included four generations comprising 15 individuals, with three patients identified across the second, third, and fourth generations.These cases included two males and one female, specifically the proband, his mother, and his eldest son.The observed inheritance pattern aligned with an autosomal dominant mode, characterized by the clinical presentation of bilateral cataracts.WES identified a novel frameshift insertion variant c. 270_271insA in exon 2 of the CRYAB gene in the proband, resulting in a valine-to-serine substitution at amino acid position 91.This variant induced early termination of translation following the expression of two additional amino acids, loss of 84 amino acids (p.V91Sfs2) and the production of a functionally impaired protein.The Sanger sequencing validation results were consistent with the co-segregation.According to the ACMG classification criteria (PM2+ PP1+ PVS1), the variant was classified as likely pathogenic. Conclusions:The frameshift insertion variant c. 270_271insA (p.V91Sfs2) in exon 2 of the CRYAB gene is likely the pathogenic cause of congenital cataract in this family.This is the first report of this variant.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of allergens in patients with allergic rhinitis （AR） in Ningxia, and provide theoretical data for the prevention and treatment of AR in this region. Methods:A total of 1664 patients diagnosed with AR in the Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department of Yinchuan First People's Hospital Outpatient Clinic from January 2018 to December 2021 were retrospectively collected. Use the allergen sIgE antibody detection kit （immunoblotting method） to detect inhalation and ingestion allergens in patients.Results: ①Among all AR patients, 1 158 cases were detected positive, resulting in the detection rate was 69.59%; ②The detection rate of inhalation allergen was 65.87%, and the detection rate of ingestion allergen was 19.83%; ③Mugwort was the most sensitive allergen, and 76.32% of the patients having a positive grade ≥3; ④Out of the patients, 294 cases （25.39%） were allergic to only one allergen, 244 cases （21.07%） were allergic to two allergens, and 620 cases （53.54%） were allergic to three or more allergens; ⑤During different seasons, the highest number of positive allergens detected was in the summer, with 968 cases （83.59%）. Mugwort was the main allergen during this season （69.01%）. After the COVID-19 epidemic, the total positive rate of sIgE tests in AR patients decreased compared to before, and the difference was statistically significant （P<0.001）; ⑥Mugwort, dog epithelium, mold combination, egg, peanut, soybean, Marine fish combination and fruit combination all showed statistically significant differences between different gender groups （P<0.05）; ⑦Common ragweed, mugwort, dust mite combination, cockroach, egg, milk, Marine fish combination, shrimp, fruit combination and nut combination all showed statistically significant differences among different age groups （P<0.05）; ⑧There were statistically significant differences in hay dust among different ethnic groups （P<0.05）. Conclusion:Artemisia argyi is the main allergen in Ningxia, and the distribution characteristics of different allergens are influenced by treatment season, the COVID-19 epidemic, gender, age, ethnicity, and other factors, showing certain distribution patterns and rules.
Allergens ; Artemisia ; COVID-19 ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Skin Tests ; Humans ; Male ; Female

Glucose transporter 1(GLUT1)overexpression in tumor cells is a potential target for drug therapy,but few studies have reported screening GLUT1 inhibitors from natural or synthetic compounds.With cur-rent analysis techniques,it is difficult to accurately monitor the GLUT1 inhibitory effect of drug molecules in real-time.We developed a cell membrane-based glucose sensor(CMGS)that integrated a hydrogel electrode with tumor cell membranes to monitor GLUT1 transmembrane transport and screen for GLUT1 inhibitors in traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs).CMGS is compatible with cell membranes of various origins,including different types of tumors and cell lines with GLUT1 expression knocked down by small interfering RNA or small molecules.Based on CMGS continuous monitoring technique,we inves-tigated the glucose transport kinetics of cell membranes with varying levels of GLUT1 expression.We used CMGS to determine the GLUT1-inhibitory effects of drug monomers with similar structures from Scutellaria baicalensis and catechins families.Results were consistent with those of the cellular glucose uptake test and molecular-docking simulation.CMGS could accurately screen drug molecules in TCMs that inhibit GLUT1,providing a new strategy for studying transmembrane protein-receptor interactions.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features,immunophenotype,and prognosis of head and neck spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma(SCSCC)to improve the understanding and diagnosis of this tumor.Methods:Clinicopathological data collected from January 2012 to December 2022 at the First Affiliated Hospital,Air Force Military Medical University from 20 patients with head and neck SCSCC were retrospectively reviewed for histological morphology and immunophenotype.In situ and fluorescence in situ hybridization were performed to detect EBV-encoded ribonucleic acid(EBER)status and MDM2 gene amplification,respectively.Results:The median age among the 20 SCSCC cases was 67 years with a male-to-female ratio of 4∶1.Tumor locations were laryngeal(35.0%)and sinonasal(30.0%).SCSCC presented as polypoid or exogenous growths(61.5%),often with surface ulceration(90.0%).Histologically,sarcomatoid growth pat-terns were exhibited in 75.0%of the patients(n=15),while the remainder showed granular tissue-like or angiosarcomatoid patterns.Most tumors(65.0%)displayed components of conventional squamous cell carcinomas,with a predominant occurrence of high to moderate dif-ferentiation(91.7%).In terms of immunohistochemistry,AE1/AE3 was expressed in 83.3%(15/18)of cases,while p63 and p40 expression rates were 62.5%and 66.7%,respectively.All cases were negative for EBER.The Ki-67 proliferation index ranged 10%-70%.Overall,33.3%(1/3)of the cases showed MDM2 gene amplification.Among these,the median follow-up time for 18 patients was 18.3 months(range:1-92 months),with 6 survivors and 12 deaths.Conclusions:Head and neck SCSCC is more prevalent among elderly male smokers,predominantly exhibits a polypoid growth pattern,and does not display human papillomavirus or Epstein-Barr virus infection.Diagnosis requires a compre-hensive evaluation of clinical and pathological features and immunophenotype.Surgical resection is the primary treatment method.

Uremic pruritus is one of the skin complications that perplex patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Because the specific pathogenesis is not clear, there is no unified treatment plan in the world. In August 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of difelikefalin (under the trade name Korsuva) for the treatment of moderate to severe pruritus associated with chronic kidney disease in adult patients undergoing hemodialysis. Studies have shown that difelikefalin can remarkably reduce the intensity of pruritus and improve sleep and pruritus-related quality of life. The recommended dose of difelikefalin is 0.5 μg/kg, and difelikefalin is well tolerated and has high safety. This paper reviews the pharmacological effects, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy and safety of difelikefalin.

NKILA is a kind of newly-discovered lncRNA whose expression is aberrant in diverse malignant tumors. The existing researches have confirmed that NKILA participates in the occurrence and development of tumors mainly by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway, and has significance to the cancer diagnosis, treatment and prognostic evaluation of patients. This article reviews the abnormal expressions and biological effects of NKILA, and the up- and down-stream mechanisms of NKILA regulating malignant biological behavior in different cancers.

Objective:To explore the clinical manifestations of 4 pedigrees with transthyretin related familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP).Methods:The clinical data were collected and analyzed from 4 pedigrees with TTR-AFP, admitted to our hospital from July 2017 to May 2019; 20 patients and 2 asymptomatic carriers of the TTR mutation gene were included. In particular, the detailed data of the 4 probands affected with TTR-FAP came from the 4 different pedigrees were collected. Results:In these 20 patients, the age of onset ranged from 30 to 65; the first symptoms of diarrhea, constipation, alternating episodes of constipation and diarrhea were found; there were damaged peripheral nerve and inexplicable weight loss; cardiomyopathy was noted in 9 patients; orthostatic hypotension was noted in 9 patients, sexual dysfunction in 5, abnormal urination in 6, and blurred vision or corestenoma in 3. TTR mutation gene was confirmed in 7 patients and pathological diagnosis was found in 3 patients. Diflunisal was used in one patient and tafamidis was used 2 patients. Twelve died and 8 patients survived among 20 patients with disease progression. All the 4 probands were male, with an average age of 49.3 years; all patients had different degrees of sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy and cardiomyopathy; electrophysiological examination suggested length dependent sensory motor peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, with axonal damage as the evidence; and cardiac hypertrophy was noted in echocardiography. The sural nerve biopsy of the 3 probands showed positive Congo red staining. Medical whole exon sequencing indicated that 2 probands had pathogenic mutations (TTR-E74K and TTR-A140S), and 1 proband had likely pathogenic mutation (TTR-S70R). Two asymptomatic carriers of the TTR gene mutation remained normal condition. Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of TTR-FAP include progressive sensorimotor and autonomic neuropathy, and multi-system disorders, such as combining with gastrointestinal problems, hypertrophic myocardium, inexplicable weight loss and blurred vision or corestenoma, which might be important reminders for diagnosis of TTR-FAP.

50 adult male SD rats were divided randomly into 5 groups:A,B,C1 ,C2,C3(n =1 0).The rats in roup A was used as a blank controls.The rats in group B and C were with LPS induced periodontitis,those in group C1 ,C2 and C3 received 0.2 ml of baicalin daily injection(0.01 ,0.1 and 1 .0 μg/ml respectively)into the gingival sulcus of the teeth with periodontitis for 3 days.The rats were sacri-ficed 7 days after treatment and periodontal tissues of the related teeth were observed by histology.In group C1 ,C2 and C3 the periodontal inflammation was significantly slighter than that in group B,the osteoclasts count was as following:B >C1 >C2 >C3 >A(P <0.05).The study suggests that baicalin can inhibit destructive effect of LPS to periodontal tissue of rats.