With the rising incidence of diabetes， diabetic kidney disease （DKD） has become a significant global health burden. Although current prevention and treatment strategies can partially delay the progression of DKD， the risk of patients advancing to end-stage renal disease remains high. Since the concept of the "gut-kidney axis" was first introduced at the International Congress on Dialysis in 2011， research on the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of DKD has received increasing attention. This review summarizes the current research on gut microbiota， explores the mechanisms through which it contributes to DKD development， and outlines clinical approaches for DKD prevention and treatment based on the "gut-kidney axis" theory. Evidence indicates that dietary interventions， intake of probiotics or prebiotics， use of metformin and novel antidiabetic drugs， and application of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） compound formulas can effectively improve gut microbiota composition， influence metabolite production， and restore the intestinal mucosal barrier. These interventions can further regulate intestinal innate immunity and inflammatory responses， thereby modulating the progression of DKD. Despite challenges posed by the traditional oral administration of water-decocted TCM compound formulas and the complexity of their ingredients， increasing evidence suggests that TCM may indirectly affect the occurrence and development of DKD by modulating gut microbiota. This finding provides a new perspective on the potential mechanisms of TCM in DKD treatment and may offer novel strategies for DKD prevention and therapy.

Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） offers a rich theoretical foundation and clinical experience for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome（CKM）， demonstrating unique advantage. Building on previous work in managing diabetes， its complications， and chronic kidney disease， our team has proposed a five-phase evolution theory of "constraint， heat， deficiency， stasis， and toxin" as the core pathogenesis. These phases correspond to the pathological progression of constraint of phlegm-dampness， constraint transforming into heat， heat damaging qi and yin， stasis accumulated in the collateral vessels， and toxin induced by deficiency and stasis. In the prevention and treatment of CKM by TCM， it is emphasized to integrate the concept of "treating disease before it arises" with constitution theory， and incorporate the "2-5-8" prevention and treatment strategy， which combines prevention with treatment， tailors interventions to different phases， and employs comprehensive treatment modalities. Our goal is to leverage TCM's holistic advantages in preventing and treating CKM.

Objective: To explore the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN), so as to enhance the clinical awareness of this disease. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of one EPN patient at The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, and a literature review was performed on articles published in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure and PubMed databases from Jan.1, 2015 to Dec.31, 2024. Results: The patient, a 62-year-old male with a 5 years' history of type 2 diabetes, was admitted due to left flank pain for 4 days, with a temperature of 39.4 ℃.Laboratory tests indicated significantly elevated inflammatory markers, decreased platelet count, and abnormal coagulation function.Preoperative blood and urine cultures showed positivity for Escherichia coli.Computed tomography (CT) revealed complete erosion of the left kidney, with gas in the left ureter and surrounding effusion, as well as multiple free gas in the abdominal cavity, bilateral ureteral stones, right renal lower calyx stones.After a multidisciplinary consultation, he underwent emergency phase Ⅰ left pyeloplasty and perirenal drainage with ureteral stenting.After discharge, the patient received maintenance hemodialysis once every two days in the outpatient clinic.One week after-discharge, the patient was readmitted due to polypnea.Following symptomatic management, vital signs stabilized.Approximately 2 months after the first-stage surgery, ureteroscopic stone extraction was successfully performed.One month after the stone extraction procedure, a follow-up CT showed normalization of the left kidney, renal pelvis and calyces, leading to phase Ⅱ laparoscopic left nephrectomy via the abdominal approach, with postoperative pathology indicating renal necrosis.Among 89 EPN patients reported in 35 articles, the median age was 58(24-92) years old；there were 59（66.3%） females and 30（33.7%） males；fever was the most common clinical symptom (60.7%)；73(82.0%) had diabetes, 12 (13.5%) had urinary tract obstruction；55 (61.8%) were infected with Escherichia coli, and 7 (7.9%) were infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae; 13 died due to ineffective treatmen. Conclusion: EPN presents acutely and progresses rapidly, often leading to misdiagnosis due to the lack of specific early symptoms.Abdominal CT is the preferred imaging modality for rapid diagnosis, and proactive interdisciplinary intervention can improve survival rates, reduce the need for nephrectomy, and enhance prognosis.

Objective To analyze the pollution characteristics of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in atmospheric PM_2.5 in Yanta District and Lianhu District of Xi'an City, and assess their health risks to exposed populations through inhalation pathways. Methods From 2020 to 2022, monitoring sites were set up in Yanta District and Lianhu District of Xi'an City, and PM_2.5 samples were collected regularly every month. The mass concentrations of PAHs were determined. The analysis and evaluation were carried out according to different years, regions, and seasons. The sources of PAHs in the atmosphere were identified by calculating characteristic ratios. Health risk assessments through inhalation routes were conducted for certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their total carcinogenic equivalent concentrations. Results The average mass concentrations of PAHs in Yanta District and Lianhu District were 6.38 ng/m³ and 6.06 ng/m³, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Except for fluoranthene, there was no statistically significant difference in other PAHs between regions (P>0.05). Except for acenaphthylene and anthracene, the concentrations of other PAHs showed a decreasing trend year by year (P<0.05). The total mass concentration of PAHs in both urban areas showed a trend of winter>spring>autumn>summer (P<0.05), and all categories of PAHs showed the highest levels in winter and the lowest levels in summer (P<0.05). The proportion of 5-ring PAHs was the highest in summer, while the proportion of 4-ring PAHs was the highest in winter. The main sources of atmospheric PAHs in the two districts were a mixture of coal combustion, motor vehicle emissions, and biomass burning. The HQ values of benzo[a]pyrene and TEQs in both districts were less than 1. The carcinogenic risk through inhalation pathways for TEQs was 1.15×10^-6, exceeding the acceptable level (1×10^-6). Conclusion The pollution of PAHs in Yanta District and Lianhu District of Xi'an City continues to decrease, with seasonal differences. The main sources are mixed sources of coal combustion, motor vehicle emissions, and biomass burning, and overall PAHs pose a potential carcinogenic risk to residents.

One case of multi-dimensional cervical disorder was diagnosed and treated using jingjin (sinew/muscle) theory. According to the patient's symptoms, guided by jingjin theory, this case was diagnosed as the jingjin (muscle region) disorder of foot-taiyang. On the distribution of the muscle region of foot-taiyang, the distal junctions of the muscle region, Kunlun (BL60) and Feiyang (BL58), as well as the knotted sites, Wangu (GB12), Tianzhu (BL10) and Cuanzhu (BL2) were the keys in the distal acupuncture technique along meridian. After three treatments, the movement of neck region was recovered, the foreign body sensation while swallowing and the discomforts in the supraclavicular fossa disappeared.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Meridians ; Cervical Vertebrae/pathology*

The presence of a positive deep surgical margin in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) significantly elevates the risk of local recurrence. Therefore, a prompt and precise intraoperative assessment of margin status is imperative to ensure thorough tumor resection. In this study, we integrate Raman imaging technology with an artificial intelligence (AI) generative model, proposing an innovative approach for intraoperative margin status diagnosis. This method utilizes Raman imaging to swiftly and non-invasively capture tissue Raman images, which are then transformed into hematoxylin-eosin (H&E)-stained histopathological images using an AI generative model for histopathological diagnosis. The generated H&E-stained images clearly illustrate the tissue's pathological conditions. Independently reviewed by three pathologists, the overall diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing between tumor tissue and normal muscle tissue reaches 86.7%. Notably, it outperforms current clinical practices, especially in TSCC with positive lymph node metastasis or moderately differentiated grades. This advancement highlights the potential of AI-enhanced Raman imaging to significantly improve intraoperative assessments and surgical margin evaluations, promising a versatile diagnostic tool beyond TSCC.
Humans ; Spectrum Analysis, Raman/methods* ; Tongue Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/diagnostic imaging* ; Artificial Intelligence ; Margins of Excision

OBJECTIVE: Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) have pharmacological functions and clinical use. BIAs are mainly distributed in plant species across the order Ranunculales and the genus Phellodendron from Sapindales. The BIA biosynthesis has been intensively investigated in Ranunculales species. However, the accumulation mechanism of BIAs in Phellodendron is largely unknown. The aim of this study is to unravel the biosynthetic pathways of BIAs in Phellodendron amurens. METHODS: The transcriptome and metabolome data from 18 different tissues of P. amurense were meticulously sequenced and subsequently subjected to a thorough analysis. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), a powerful systems biology approach that facilitates the construction and subsequent analysis of co-expression networks, was utilized to identify candidate genes involved in BIAs biosynthesis. Following this, recombinant plasmids containing candidate genes were expressed in Escherichia coli, a widely used prokaryotic expression system. The purpose of this genetic engineering endeavor was to express the candidate genes within the bacteria, thereby enabling the assessment of the resultant enzyme activity. RESULTS: The synonymous substitutions per synonymous site for paralogs indicated that at least one whole genome duplication event has occurred. The potential BIA biosynthetic pathway of P. amurense was proposed, and two PR10/Bet v1 members, 14 CYP450s, and 33 methyltransferases were selected as related to BIA biosynthesis. One PR10/Bet v1 was identified as norcoclaurine synthase, which could catalyze dopamine and 4-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde into (S)-norcoclaurine. CONCLUSION Our studies provide important insights into the biosynthesis and evolution of BIAs in non-Ranunculales species.

Objective:To analyze the breast cancer-related parameters and the ultrasonic features of positive axillary lymph nodes,to discuss the risk factors for axillary lymphnode metastatic burden,and to provide basis for preoperative evaluation of breast cancer patients.Methods:The ultrasonic and clinicopathological data of 574 breast cancer patients with axillary lymph node metastasis confirmed by surgery and pathology were retrospectively analyzed.According to the status of axillary lymphnode metastasis,the patients were divided into low nodal burden(LNB)group(n=283)and high nodal burden(HNB)group(n=291).The affected side,tumor quadrant,distance to skin,maximum diameter,internal echogenicity,shape,margin,calcification,blood supply,posterior echo,lymphnode long diameter,lymphnode short diameter,lymphnode aspect ratio,number of suspicious metastases,intranodal blood supply,lymphnode hilum morphology,age,pathological type,histological grade,molecular subtype,and the expressions of estrogen receptor(ER),progesterone receptor(PR),Ki-67,human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2),and P53 were compared between two groups.Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for axillary lymph node metastatic burden in the breast cancer patients;receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and area under the curve(AUC)were used to evaluate the predictive value.Results:The univariate analysis results showed that there were statistically significant differences in tumor quadrant,distance to skin,molecular subtype,HER2 positive expression,lymphnode long diameter,lymph node short diameter,lymph node aspect ratio,number of suspicious metastases,and lymphnode hilum morphology between two groups(P<0.05).The multivariate Logistic regression analysis results showed that tumor located in the upper outer quadrant(OR=0.648,P=0.021),distance to skin<5 mm(OR=0.283,P=0.016),Luminal A(OR=1.564,P=0.044),lymphnode long diameter≥20 mm(OR=2.050,P<0.01),lymphnode short diameter≥8.6 mm(OR=2.430,P<0.01),lymph node aspect ratio<2(OR=1.585,P<0.01),and indistinct lymphnode hilum structure(OR=2.092,P<0.01)were the independent risk factors for axillary lymphnode metastatic burden.The ROC curve analysis results showed that compared with the ultrasonic features of positive axillary lymph nodes,the AUC of the combination of breast cancer-related parameters and ultrasonic features of positive axillary lymphnodes was larger(Z=2.72,P=0.006 5),and it had higher predictive value for axillary lymphnode metastatic burden.Conclusion:The tumor quadrant,distance to skin,molecular subtype,lymphnode long diameter,lymph node short diameter,lymphnode aspect ratio,and lymphnode hilum structure are the independent risk factors for axillary lymphnode metastatic burden,and they have certain predictive value for axillary lymphnode metastatic burden.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of polypoid lesion of gallbladder(PLG)of soldiers stationed on an island.Methods A total of 687 soldiers stationed on an island who underwent annual physical examination from October to December 2020 were selected.They took transabdominal ultrasound and blood biochemical examination,and filled out the questionnaire.There were 62 cases with PLG(PLG group)and 625 cases without PLG(non-PLG group).Age,body mass index(BMI),blood pressure,smoking,eating habits,blood biochemical indexes,and self-rating depression scale(SDS)scores were compared between the two groups.Logistic regression analysis was performed to obtain the independent risk factors for the prevalence of PLG of the soldiers.Results There were significant differences in age,BMI,blood pressure,smoking,irregular diet,total cholesterol(TC),triacylglycerol(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and SDS scores between the two groups(all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age,high BMI,smoking,irregular diet,high TC,high TG,high LDL-C,and high SDS scores were independent risk factors for PLG(all P<0.05).Conclusion There is a high overall prevalence of PLG in the soldiers of this island,which is related to age,high BMI,smoking,irregular diet,high TC,high TG,high LDL-C,and high SDS scores.