Objective: To investigate the microbial mechanisms of Banxia Xiexin Decoction (半夏泻心汤, BXXXD) in the treatment of esophageal precancerous lesions. Methods: A total of 30 specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade female C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 6) and a 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO)-exposed group (n = 24). Esophageal precancerous lesions were induced by providing the 4-NQO-exposed group with 4-NQO in drinking water (100 μg/mL) for 17 consecutive weeks, whereas control group received sterile drinking water. After model establishment, the mice in 4-NQO-exposed group were further randomized into model group and three BXXXD-treated groups: low-dose (BXXXD-L, 3.7 g/kg), medium-dose (BXXXD-M, 7.4 g/kg), and high-dose (BXXXD-H, 14.8 g/kg) groups (n = 6 per group). During the subsequent intervention period, mice in control and model groups were gavaged with sterile water, while mice in BXXXD groups were gavaged once daily with the corresponding dose of BXXXD aqueous extract for 4 weeks. Histopathological changes in esophageal tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The fecal and esophageal microbiota were profiled via 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing to evaluate bacterial diversity, community structure, and co-occurrence networks. BXXXD chemical fingerprints were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole QExactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS). Serum short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) level was quantified by targeted metabolomics using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Transcriptomic analysis of esophageal tissues was performed to assess gene expression profiles. Results: Compared with model group, BXXXD-M group exhibited reduced mucosal hyperplasia and more orderly epithelial cell arrangement, with superior therapeutic effects in comparison with both BXXXD-L and BXXXD-H groups (P < 0.01). Microbiota analysis revealed that BXXXD increased the abundance of beneficial Enterococcus and reduced pathogenic Escherichia-Shigella in the esophagus. In the gut, BXXXD elevated the relative abundance of beneficial taxa, including Lactobacillus, Dubosiella, Bacteroides, and Faecalibacterium. Targeted metabolomics showed that BXXXD significantly reduced total serum SCFA level (P < 0.01). Transcriptomic analysis indicated that BXXXD downregulated the expression of genes associated with the progression, migration, and invasion of esophageal cancer, which were identified as kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (Klk6), defensin beta 4 (Defb4), family with sequence similarity 3 member B (Fam3b), carboxypeptidase A4 (Cpa4), serum amyloid A1 (Saa1), and chitinase-like 1 (Chil1) (P < 0.05). Conclusion BXXXD may reduce the expression levels of esophageal cancer-related genes and improve esophageal precancerous lesions through modulation of the gut microbiota and metabolites.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features, treatment strategies, and prognosis of pediatric Castleman disease (CD), with the aim of enhancing disease recognition and improving diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 29 children diagnosed with CD at the Children′s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, between January 2016 and January 2024. Age, sex, initial presentations, routine blood test, inflammatory indicators, coagulation function test, immunoglobulin level, histopathological examination, imaging examination, treatment and follow-ups were recorded. Patients were classified into two groups based on the presence or absence of symptoms: the symptomatic Castleman disease group (SC) and the asymptomatic Castleman disease group (AC). All patients were followed for a minimum of six months. Clinical characteristics, therapeutic regimens, and outcomes were compared between the two groups.For the measurement information, the independent samples t test was used for comparison between groups of data that conformed to normal distribution; the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between groups of data that did not conform to normal distribution. The Chi-square test or Fisher′s exact probability method was used for comparison between groups of count data. Results:A total of 29 pediatric CD cases were included, comprising 15 males and 14 females. The number of patients diagnosed as unicentric Castleman disease (UCD) was 21, with the rest 8 as multicentric Castleman disease (MCD). There were 11 patients (37.9%) in the SC group and 18 patients (62.1%) in the AC group. The median age at onset was 10.0 years (interquartile range: 6.5-12.2 years). The most common initial presentation was mass ( n=20), followed by fever ( n=2), amaemia ( n=2), fever with fatigue ( n=2), rash ( n=1), abdominal pain ( n=1), and cough ( n=1). The frequently involved sites were neck ( n=8), abdominal cavity ( n=5), mediastinum ( n=3), retroperitoneum ( n=2), and one case each in the back, upper arm, and pelvis. The maximum lesion volume reached 1 040 cm 3. Compared to the AC group, the SC group had significantly lower hemoglobin levels [108.0(92.0, 123.0)g/L vs. 127.0(117.5, 139.0)g/L, Z=-2.35, P=0.019] and significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) [38.0(3.0, 87.0)mg/L vs. 0.6(0.5, 3.8)mg/L, Z=-2.19, P=0.029], prothrombin time[12.6(11.4, 13.3)s vs. 11.3(10.5, 11.7)s, Z=-2.64, P=0.008], and fibrinogen [4.5(3.5, 5.4)g/L vs. 2.1(1.9, 2.6)g/L, Z=-3.04, P=0.002]. All patients underwent MRI/CT and ultrasonography; however, only 2 cases were diagnosed as CD by ultrasound. All patients underwent surgical excision of the mass, and diagnoses were confirmed by histopathological examination. Among the SC group, 4 patients (4/11, 36.4%) required postoperative treatment with glucocorticoids alone or in combination with immunosuppressants and biologics. The overall prognosis was favorable, with follow-up ranging from 6 months to 7 years and no reported mortality. One case, initially misdiagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus, was later confirmed to be CD complicated with paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP); this patient experienced recurrent fever, rash, and elevated CRP, and continued to require low-dose glucocorticoids and tacrolimus during the 4-year follow-up. Conclusion:In chileren, CD is most common in the neck and surgical resection yields favorable outcomes. Approximately 37.9% of patients present with systemic symptoms, of which about 36.4% require postoperative systemic therapy such as glucocorticosteroids. CD complicated with PNP may be misdiagnosed. Symptomatic cases are often associated with anemia, elevated CRP levels, and coagulation abnormalities. UCD pediatric patients without complications have a good prognosis and there′s no need for long-term medications after surgery. About 37.5% of MCD pediatric patients require glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, biotherapy or chemotherapy to control symptoms in the postoperative period. Imaging modalities have limited diagnostic value, and histopathological examination remains the gold standard for diagnosis.

Based on the concept of"two-stage,four-phase,and three-phase treatments"of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET)assisted the whole-course management of TCM by national TCM master You Zhaoling,this article analyzed the treatment strategy assisted by acupuncture in five aspects:principle,method,prescription,acupoint,and technique.Principle:syndrome differentiation and treatment follow different cases;method establish guiding methods based on principles,while following stage diagnoses and treatments;prescription:determine the prescriptions based on therapeutic principles within the context of overall regulation;acupoint:precise acupoint taking and rational acupoint matching;technique:the primary method is acupuncture,supported by various therapeutic modalities,providing a comprehensive framework and evidence-based support for the clinical application of acupuncture and moxibustion in IVF-ET.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features, treatment strategies, and prognosis of pediatric Castleman disease (CD), with the aim of enhancing disease recognition and improving diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 29 children diagnosed with CD at the Children′s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, between January 2016 and January 2024. Age, sex, initial presentations, routine blood test, inflammatory indicators, coagulation function test, immunoglobulin level, histopathological examination, imaging examination, treatment and follow-ups were recorded. Patients were classified into two groups based on the presence or absence of symptoms: the symptomatic Castleman disease group (SC) and the asymptomatic Castleman disease group (AC). All patients were followed for a minimum of six months. Clinical characteristics, therapeutic regimens, and outcomes were compared between the two groups.For the measurement information, the independent samples t test was used for comparison between groups of data that conformed to normal distribution; the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between groups of data that did not conform to normal distribution. The Chi-square test or Fisher′s exact probability method was used for comparison between groups of count data. Results:A total of 29 pediatric CD cases were included, comprising 15 males and 14 females. The number of patients diagnosed as unicentric Castleman disease (UCD) was 21, with the rest 8 as multicentric Castleman disease (MCD). There were 11 patients (37.9%) in the SC group and 18 patients (62.1%) in the AC group. The median age at onset was 10.0 years (interquartile range: 6.5-12.2 years). The most common initial presentation was mass ( n=20), followed by fever ( n=2), amaemia ( n=2), fever with fatigue ( n=2), rash ( n=1), abdominal pain ( n=1), and cough ( n=1). The frequently involved sites were neck ( n=8), abdominal cavity ( n=5), mediastinum ( n=3), retroperitoneum ( n=2), and one case each in the back, upper arm, and pelvis. The maximum lesion volume reached 1 040 cm 3. Compared to the AC group, the SC group had significantly lower hemoglobin levels [108.0(92.0, 123.0)g/L vs. 127.0(117.5, 139.0)g/L, Z=-2.35, P=0.019] and significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) [38.0(3.0, 87.0)mg/L vs. 0.6(0.5, 3.8)mg/L, Z=-2.19, P=0.029], prothrombin time[12.6(11.4, 13.3)s vs. 11.3(10.5, 11.7)s, Z=-2.64, P=0.008], and fibrinogen [4.5(3.5, 5.4)g/L vs. 2.1(1.9, 2.6)g/L, Z=-3.04, P=0.002]. All patients underwent MRI/CT and ultrasonography; however, only 2 cases were diagnosed as CD by ultrasound. All patients underwent surgical excision of the mass, and diagnoses were confirmed by histopathological examination. Among the SC group, 4 patients (4/11, 36.4%) required postoperative treatment with glucocorticoids alone or in combination with immunosuppressants and biologics. The overall prognosis was favorable, with follow-up ranging from 6 months to 7 years and no reported mortality. One case, initially misdiagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus, was later confirmed to be CD complicated with paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP); this patient experienced recurrent fever, rash, and elevated CRP, and continued to require low-dose glucocorticoids and tacrolimus during the 4-year follow-up. Conclusion:In chileren, CD is most common in the neck and surgical resection yields favorable outcomes. Approximately 37.9% of patients present with systemic symptoms, of which about 36.4% require postoperative systemic therapy such as glucocorticosteroids. CD complicated with PNP may be misdiagnosed. Symptomatic cases are often associated with anemia, elevated CRP levels, and coagulation abnormalities. UCD pediatric patients without complications have a good prognosis and there′s no need for long-term medications after surgery. About 37.5% of MCD pediatric patients require glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, biotherapy or chemotherapy to control symptoms in the postoperative period. Imaging modalities have limited diagnostic value, and histopathological examination remains the gold standard for diagnosis.

Based on the concept of"two-stage,four-phase,and three-phase treatments"of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET)assisted the whole-course management of TCM by national TCM master You Zhaoling,this article analyzed the treatment strategy assisted by acupuncture in five aspects:principle,method,prescription,acupoint,and technique.Principle:syndrome differentiation and treatment follow different cases;method establish guiding methods based on principles,while following stage diagnoses and treatments;prescription:determine the prescriptions based on therapeutic principles within the context of overall regulation;acupoint:precise acupoint taking and rational acupoint matching;technique:the primary method is acupuncture,supported by various therapeutic modalities,providing a comprehensive framework and evidence-based support for the clinical application of acupuncture and moxibustion in IVF-ET.

Purpose To explore the ultrasound features and early diagnostic clues of fetal myocardial non-compaction.Materials and Methods The clinical data and echocardiographic data of four fetuses who underwent fetal echocardiography in Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2015 to February 2023 and were confirmed to have myocardial non-compaction by pathological finding or postnatal examination were collected,and analyzed.Results A total of four fetuses diagnosed as myocardial non-compaction by prenatal ultrasound:two involved the left ventricle with isolated lesions,and apical myocardial non-compaction was confirmed by postnatal echocardiography;two involved the biventricles,and both of which were pathologically confirmed after induction of labor.The prenatal ultrasound of fetal myocardial involvement in four cases showed that:(1)the affected myocardium showed a bilayer structure:the outer layer was compacted myocardium,which showed thin and compacted homogeneous hypoechoic;the inner layer was loose and thickened non-compacted myocardium with enhanced echogenicity;(2)color Doppler flow imaging:the non-compacted myocardium showed sieve mesh blood flow with ventricular communication.Some cases were associated with cardiac enlargement and arrhythmia.Conclusion Prenatal echocardiography can diagnose fetal myocardial non-compaction with a characteristic echographic presentation.Localized myocardial thickening and echogenic enhancement,cardiac enlargement and arrhythmia may be important clues to identify fetal myocardial non-compaction.

This article mainly elaborated the acupuncture and moxibustion treatment scheme of"eighteen needles for reproduction"based on Professor You Zhaoling's reproductive axis theory of"heart-kidney-Chong Ren-uterus".The"eighteen needles for reproduction"aims to regulate the disordered reproductive axis in gynecological reproductive diseases.It selects the acupoints on the main viscera and meridians of the reproductive axis as the main acupoints,and the acupoints regulating the qi and blood of the related viscera as the matching acupoints.Through specific manipulation,it can regulate the qi and blood,dredge the meridians,and treat the viscera,so as to nourish the essence and help pregnancy,and provide ideas and reference for the treatment of gynecological reproductive diseases with acupuncture and moxibustion.

Objective:To evaluate the development of fetal cerebral sulci and gyrus and the blood perfusion in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) by ultrasound.Methods:A total of 1 540 pregnant women with 28-34 weeks of pregnancy who underwent systematic screening in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from January 2022 to October 2022 were prospectively selected, 100 pregnant women with GDM were selected as the GDM group. According to the effect of blood glucose control, the GDM group was divided into 2 groups: the satisfied control group (GDM group 1), and the dissatisfied control group (GDM group 2), with 50 cases in each group. At the same period, 50 healthy pregnant women at 28-34 weeks of gestation were enrolled as the control group. The differences of the sylvian fissure, parietooccipital sulci, calcarine sulci and cinguli sulci among the 3 groups were statistically analyzed. And the correlations between the deep of the brain cerebral sulci and gyrus and controlled blood glucose levels were evaluated. The umbilical artery pulsation index(UAPI), middle cerebral artery pulsation index(MCAPI) and ductus venosus pulsation index(DVPI) among the 3 groups were compared, and the differences in fetal blood perfusion among the 3 groups were evaluated.Results:There were no significant differences in the depths of the sylvian fissure, parietooccipital sulci, calcarine sulci and cinguli sulci between the control group and the GDM group 1 (all P>0.05), and they were larger than those of the GDM group 2 (all P<0.05). The depths of lateral fissure, parieto-occipital sulcus, cingulate sulcus and calcarine sulcus were negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose, 1 h and 2 h postprandial blood glucose (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in MCAPI, UAPI and DVPI between the control group and GDM1 group (all P>0.05). The MCAPI in GDM 2 group was lower than that in the control group and GDM 1 group, and the UAPI and DVPI values were higher than those in the control group and GDM1 group(all P<0.05). Conclusions:The maturity of fetal cerebral sulci and gyrus in GDM pregnant women is related to the blood glucose control of pregnant women. The change of blood perfusion caused by persistent hyperglycemia in pregnant women and intrauterine hypoxia may cause the development retardation of cerebral sulci and gyrus.

The paper summarizes the imaging evaluation methods for assessing the degree of carotid artery stenosis and analyzes the unique advantages and limitations of various imaging techniques in vascular imaging based on existing guidelines and consensus.The paper focuses on reviewing the clinical applications of several novel ultrasound technologies,including the use of advanced hemodynamic parameters such as blood flow dispersion(Tur index)and wall shear stress(WSS).Carotid artery stenosis is closely associated with cardiovascular disease.Although non-invasive and radiation-free ultrasound technology has certain limitations in diagnostic accuracy to a certain extent,with the continuous emergence of advanced functions such as ultrasound hemodynamics and vascular elasticity,the combination of multi-modality and multi-parameter ultrasound is expected to become an important method for efficient diagnosis of arterial stenosis in the future.

Objective:To investigate the normal parameter values of transvaginal E-Cervix cervical elastography of primipara and explore the correlation between E-Cervix parameters and gestational age.Methods:A total of 301 primiparas underwent E-Cervix by transvaginal ultrasound in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from March 2019 to January 2021, they were divided into 6 groups according to generational weeks: group A (11-13 + 6W), group B (14-17 + 6W), group C (18-21 + 6W), group D (22-25 + 6W), group E (26-29 + 6W), group F (30-33 + 6W). Real-time E-Cervix parameters were obtained, including elasticity contrast index (ECI), hardness ratio (HR), internal ostium (IOS), and external ostium (EOS), strain ratio of the internal and external cervical ostium (IOS/EOS), and the correlations between E-Cervix parameters and the gestational week were analyzed. Results:The normal reference ranges of parameters ECI, IOS, EOS, HR and IOS/EOS were obtained, their 95% reference values in groups A to F were as follows: ECI (1.84-3.38, 2.13-4.50, 2.25-4.12, 2.06-3.96, 2.04-5.15, 2.36-5.53), HR (85.85%-88.72%, 77.31%-80.92%, 74.41%-78.50%, 71.13%-74.35%, 64.49%-68.56%, 63.57%-68.23%), IOS (0.12-0.21, 0.14-0.34, 0.14-0.31, 0.19-0.40, 0.19-0.56, 0.21-0.49), EOS (0.12-0.30, 0.14-0.34, 0.16-0.41, 0.20-0.39, 0.22-0.58, 0.22-0.54), IOS/EOS (0.55-1.12, 0.52-1.45, 0.56-1.26, 0.54-1.38, 0.54-1.52, 0.65-1.46). The differences of ECI, HR, IOS and EOS in different groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis results showed that ECI, IOS, and EOS were positively correlated with gestational week( rs=0.524, 0.689, 0.609; all P<0.01). HR was negatively correlated with gestational week ( rs=-0.755, P<0.01). The regression equations of ECI, HR, IOS and EOS were Y=0.06X+ 52.214, Y=99.25-1.07X, Y=8.63E-3X+ 0.05, Y=7.94E-3X+ 0.1, respectively. Conclusions:The normal parameters values of E-TVES are summarized.It provides effective support in data for cervical evaluation in the preterm prediction and success of labor induction.