This paper summarizes Professor LU Fang's clinical experience in treating systemic lupus erythematosus （SLE） based on the differentiation and treatment of heat-toxin and blood-stasis in the collaterals. SLE is generally characterized by deficiency in origin with excess in manifestation. The core pathogenesis is heat-toxin obstructing the collaterals. During the acute active stage， the predominant pattern is blazing heat-toxin causing blood stasis， while in the chronic remitting stage， the main pattern is toxic stasis blocking the collaterals with qi and yin deficiency. Clinical treatment follows the basic principle that treat with salty-cold herbs， when heat invades internally and that assist with acrid-dispersing herbs when stasis obstructs the collaterals. The self-formulated Yimian Decoction （抑免汤） serves as the base formula and is applied in stages. During the acute active stage， it is often combined with herbs for clearing heat and detoxifying， cooling blood and resolving stasis， and unblocking the collaterals. In the chronic remitting stage， it is often combined with herbs for activating blood circulation and unblocking the collaterals， as well as tonifying qi and nourishing yin.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of intravesical instillation of urokinase and heparin sodium in the treatment of bladder clot irrigation.Methods This report discusses the diagnosis and treatment of three patients with bladder blood clot tamponade confirmed by abdominal and pelvic computed tomography(CT)scans enrolled from our hospital during Jun. to Sep. 2024, and discuss the relevant literature.Results A solution containing urokinase(20 000 IU)and heparin sodium(125 000 U)was instilled through a three-way catheter and retained for 30 minutes before drainage. Complete clot dissolution was achieved in all cases, with immediate relief of hypogastric distension and pain. Post-procedural CT showed restored bladder lumen patency. Hemoglobin levels decreased by 2-5 g/L without complications.Conclusion This preliminary trial demonstrated that intravesical instillation of urokinase-heparin provides a safe and effective minimally invasive alternative for bladder clot in irrigation cases.

Quality control (QC) of biospecimens from oral and maxillofacial tumors patients constitutes a critical foundation for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and precision medicine research of these diseases. Biospecimen quality directly governs the discovery and validation of disease biomarkers, the elucidation of pathogenesis, and the efficacy of clinical translation. QC spans the entire biospecimen lifecycle—encompassing collection, processing, storage, transportation, and utilization. Its primary objectives are to ensure sample integrity, reliability, traceability, and consistency, thereby guaranteeing the robustness of research data; the accuracy of molecular subtyping, biomarker identification, and treatment response prediction; and the precision of clinical decision-making. However, current QC frameworks for these biospecimens remain underdeveloped. Drawing on domestic and international technical standards, regulatory guidelines, and recent research advances, this paper elaborates on the importance of implementing a QC management system throughout the biospecimen lifecycle. It focuses on QC methodologies tailored to diverse biospecimen types, examining how standardized sampling procedures, regulated preprocessing workflows, and optimized long-term storage conditions influence sample quality. We aim to provide concrete guidance and a transferable paradigm for establishing standardized QC protocols and an informatics-enabled traceability system specific to oral and maxillofacial tumors. Such efforts are intended to enhance the research value and clinical utility of these biospecimens, furnishing reliable sample resources and technical support for the development of precision diagnostics and therapeutics. Furthermore, we advocate for a dual-track “QC plus Ethics” management framework within biobanks. This approach would reinforce ethical and legal safeguards, establishing a robust barrier to support safe scientific innovation and clinical translation.

To explore the clinical significance of decreased serum immunoglobulin (Ig) A levels in patients with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD).

Residual inflammatory risk （RIR） is a key issue to be urgently addressed in the secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease （ASCVD）. Targeted intervention of RIR has become a novel target for drug development and clinical management. A series of high-quality randomized controlled trials （RCTs）， including COLCOT， LoDoCo2 and CLEAR SYNERGY， provided high-level evidence and confirmed that low-dose colchicine （0.5 mg/d） significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular events in ASCVD patients at stable stage or after the acute phase， while its efficacy varied in different clinical scenarios. International authoritative guidelines from the European Society of Cardiology and the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology include low-dose colchicine in the recommendations for ASCVD secondary prevention. Two domestic guidelines released in 2024， namely the Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome （ 2024 ） and the Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Coronary Syndrome in China ， have also added relevant recommendations. Nevertheless， due to potential racial differences， safety concerns regarding drug-drug interactions， and the relative lack of clinical evidence in China， especially the absence of prospective RCTs using low-dose colchicine for secondary prevention of ASCVD patients， current clinical recommendations still mainly based on international evidence and guidelines， and should not be simply extrapolated.

[Objective] To conduct serological identification and molecular mechanism study on a ambiguous ABO blood group. [Methods] Standard serological techniques were used for the forward and reverse typing of ABO blood type. ABO gene coding and regulatory regions were analyzed by PCR after DNA extraction. Monoclonal sequencing was used to detect the haplotypes of the DNA sequence, and bioinformatics analysis was applied to predict the possible translation outcomes of the mutated DNA sequence. [Results] The sample’s red blood cells showed mixed field agglutination with anti-A, and the serum agglutinated with B cells, exhibiting serological characteristics of subtype A. Direct sequencing and monoclonal sequencing analysis of the ABO gene confirmed one allele as O02, the other had a c.27delC mutation compared with A102, which could cause the translation sequence to terminate prematurely at the 19th amino acids. Analysis and prediction suggested that the mutation might affect the function of the transferase through mechanisms such as shifting the initiation codon, altering the reading frame and affecting the splice sites. [Conclusion] This case is a rare A subtype caused by the c.27delC variation, and the impact on the glycosyltransferase may involve multiple mechanisms, which require further research and exploration.

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the mechanism of action of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang in treating rheumatoid arthritis （RA）-associated sarcopenia by regulating autophagy and improving skeletal muscle homeostasis based on network pharmacology，bioinformatics，machine learning，and animal experiments. MethodsActive ingredients and targets of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP），PubChem，and SwissTargetPrediction databases. RA-related datasets were retrieved from the GEO database，and differential genes were screened. Sarcopenia-related targets were searched through GeneCards and the Comparative Toxicology Database （CTD），and autophagy-related gene sets were downloaded from the Human Autophagy Database （HADb）. Their intersection was analyzed to identify autophagy-related therapeutic targets，followed by enrichment analysis. A protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed using the STRING database，and key targets were selected using multiple methods. Machine learning was applied to predict models based on the expression profiles of intersecting targets，and nomogram models were constructed based on key targets. Molecular docking of the top four active ingredients with key targets was performed using AutoDockVina. A collagen-induced arthritis （CIA） rat model was established using bovine type Ⅱ collagen，with SD rats divided into groups including a blank group，a model group，and low-，medium-，and high-dose groups of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang （2.44，4.88，and 9.76 g·kg^-1） and administered for five consecutive weeks. Joint scores and gastrocnemius muscle mass were recorded and analyzed after modeling. Hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining and Masson's staining were used to observe pathological changes in muscle tissue. Immunofluorescence staining was applied to observe the protein expression levels of myosin heavy chain （MYHC） and insulin-like growth factor-1 （IGF-1） in skeletal muscle. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of autophagy-related proteins ATG5，Beclin1，LC3B，muscle-specific proteins （MuRF1），MaFbx，and MYHC. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR （Real-time PCR） was performed to measure the mRNA expression levels of ATG5，Beclin1，LC3B，MuRF1，MaFbx，and MYHC in muscle tissue. ResultsNetwork pharmacology revealed that Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang shared 25 common targets with autophagy genes related to RA-associated sarcopenia. The PPI network and machine learning identified six key targets，which were primarily involved in autophagy and inflammatory pathways. Animal experiments showed that compared to the blank group，the model group had significantly higher joint scores （P<0.01） and lower gastrocnemius muscle index （P<0.01）. HE staining indicated a significant reduction in the cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius muscle fibers，with notable inflammatory cell infiltration and muscle atrophy in the model group. Masson's staining revealed obvious collagen fiber proliferation and deposition，with significant muscle fibrosis in the model group. The protein and mRNA expression levels of ATG5，Beclin1，LC3B，MuRF1，and MaFbx were significantly increased （P<0.01），while the protein expression of MYHC and IGF1 was significantly downregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group，the high-dose group of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang showed significantly reduced protein and mRNA expression levels of ATG5，Beclin1，LC3B，MuRF1，and MaFbx （P<0.01） and increased protein expression levels of MYHC and IGF1 （P<0.01）. The cross-sectional area of muscle fibers increased，and the muscle cell morphology approached normal. Moreover，pathological abnormalities in the gastrocnemius muscle were significantly improved，with reduced collagen fiber proliferation （P<0.01）. ConclusionHuangqi Guizhi Wuwutang can mediate autophagy by regulating the expression of ATG5，Beclin1，LC3B，and IGF1，thereby reducing skeletal muscle catabolism and improving skeletal muscle homeostasis，which contributes to the treatment of RA-associated sarcopenia. The findings provide insight into the mechanisms underlying the effects of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang in the treatment of RA-related sarcopenia and offer a reference for its enhanced clinical application.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture technique (for regaining consciousness and opening orifice) on methylation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A), and key methyltransferases and demethylases, so as to clarify the mechanism of acupuncture on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI). METHODS: Of 68 male Sprague-Dawley rats of SPF grade, 15 rats were randomly selected as a sham-operation group, and the remaining rats were subjected to the model of middle cerebral artery occlusion using the suture ligation. CIRI was induced by ischemia for 2 h followed by reperfusion. Rats that failed to modeling or died were excluded. The rest 45 rats were randomly divided into three groups, i.e. model group, acupuncture group, and non-point acupuncture group, with 15 rats in each group. The rats in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at bilateral "Neiguan" (PC6) and "Shuigou" (GV26). In the non-point acupuncture group, acupuncture was delivered at three non-points, located 3 mm below the bilateral midaxillary line and 3 mm lateral to the tip of the coccyx. One intervention was operated in these two acupuncture groups and the needles were retained for 30 min. Before modeling start and 2 h after ischemia, a laser speckle flowmeter was used to monitor the cerebral blood perfusion. In 2 h of ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion, the neurological behavioral score was evaluated. The volume of rat cerebral infarction was determined by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and the level of m6A methylation in ischemic cortical area was detected by Dot blot, and the protein and mRNA expression of the demethylase i.e. fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) and key methyltransferases, i.e. methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14), and Wilms' tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP) in ischemic cortical area were detected by Western blot and real-time PCR. RESULTS: Cerebral blood perfusion decreased by>70% after 2 h ischemia. Compared with the sham-operation group, the neurobehavioral score and the percentage of cerebral infarction volume increased in the model group (P<0.01); the level of m6A methylation in the ischemic cortical area increased (P<0.01), the protein and mRNA expression of FTO decreased (P<0.01), and that of ALKBH5, METTL3, and METTL14 increased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the model group. When compared with the model group and the non-point acupuncture group, the acupuncture group showed a decrease in the neurobehavioral score and the percentage of cerebral infarction volume (P<0.01), the level of m6A methylation in the ischemic cortical area was reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the protein and mRNA expression of FTO was elevated (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture technique presents its protective effect on the brain in the rats with CIRI, which is related to up-regulating the expression of FTO and modulating m6A methylation.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Rats ; Brain Ischemia/genetics* ; Humans ; Adenosine/metabolism* ; Methylation ; Acupuncture Points ; Cerebral Cortex/metabolism*

With the emergence of deep learning techniques based on convolutional neural networks, artificial intelligence (AI) has driven transformative developments in the field of medical image analysis. Recently, large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have also started to achieve distinction in this domain. Increasing research shows the undeniable role of AI in reshaping various aspects of medical image analysis, including processes such as image enhancement, segmentation, detection in image preprocessing, and postprocessing related to medical diagnosis and prognosis in clinical settings. However, despite the significant progress in AI research, studies investigating the recent advances in AI technology in the aforementioned aspects, the changes in research hotspot trajectories, and the performance of studies in addressing key clinical challenges in this field are limited. This article provides an overview of recent advances in AI for medical image analysis and discusses the methodological profiles, advantages, disadvantages, and future trends of AI technologies.
Artificial Intelligence ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Neural Networks, Computer ; Deep Learning ; Diagnostic Imaging/methods*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HClnc1 in regulating proliferation, invasion, and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and the regulatory mechanism. METHODS: HClnc1 expression levels in liver cancer tissues were analyzed using data from the TCGA database. BrdU incorporation, plate cloning, and transwell assays were employed to examine the effects of HClnc1 silencing/overexpression and/or ODC1 silencing on proliferation, invasion, and migration of liver cancer cells. The effects of HClnc1 silencing on ODC1 protein and mRNA expression in the liver cancer cells were analyzed using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. The activity of ODC1 promoter was analyzed using a dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Pull-down experiment, mass spectrometry analysis, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay were used for identification of HClnc1-binding proteins and their interactions. Protein interactions with the ODC1 promoter region and their binding efficiencies were investigated using RNA interference and ChIP analysis. RESULTS: HClnc1 was significantly overexpressed in HCC tissues. In liver cancer cells, HClnc1 silencing significantly inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, while HClnc1 overexpression promoted these behaviors. ODC1 silencing also suppressed malignant behaviors of liver cancer cells, and counteracted the effects of HClnc1 overexpression. Interference of HClnc1 obviously inhibited ODC1 promoter activity. RBBP5 and KAT2B proteins were identified to bind simultaneously with HClnc1. HClnc1 overexpression upregulated ODC1 protein expression, while interference of RBBP5 or KAT2B downregulated ODC1 protein expression and blocked HClnc1-induced upregulation of ODC1 protein. Both RBBP5 and KAT2B could directly bind to ODC1 promoter region; knocking out KAT2B or RBBP5 reduced the binding efficiency, while knocking out HClnc1 reduced the binding of both RBBP5 and KAT2B to ODC1 promoter region. CONCLUSIONS By targeting the RBBP5/KAT2B epigenetic modification complex, HClnc1 increases ODC1 promoter activity to enhance ODC1 transcription and promote the proliferation and migration of liver cancer cells.
Humans ; Cell Proliferation ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Cell Movement ; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics* ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic