Objective:To apply combined serological diagnostic methods for anti-BP180-type and anti-laminin 332 (Ln332) -type mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), and to summarize their clinical and immunoserological characteristics.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data from 52 patients clinically suspected of having MMP at the Hospital of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2017 to February 2022. Serum samples were collected, and combined serological tests, including indirect immunofluorescence on salt-split skin, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunoblotting, were performed to analyze the immunoserological and clinical characteristics of the patients. The Fisher′s exact test was used to compare the lesion occurrence rates between groups.Results:Among the 52 patients clinically suspected of MMP, 32 (61.5%) were diagnosed with anti-BP180-type MMP, 10 (19.2%) with anti-Ln332-type MMP, and 4 (7.7%) with anti-BP180- and anti-Ln332-type MMP due to the presence of both anti-BP180 and anti-Ln332 antibodies; 2 tested positive for IgG on the epidermal side of salt-split skin, but no target antigens were identified by serological tests, and they were diagnosed with MMP (subtype pending) ; 4 tested negative by immunoserological tests. Ocular involvement was observed in 6 out of 10 patients with anti-Ln332-type MMP, whereas only 6 out of 32 anti-BP180-type MMP patients (18.8%) had ocular symptoms, and there was a significant difference in the occurrence rate of ocular involvement between the two groups ( P = 0.02) ; the occurrence rates of nasal involvement and multi-mucosal involvement were significantly higher in the anti-Ln332-type MMP patients (50%[5/10], 90%[9/10], respectively) than in the anti-BP180-type MMP patients (0, 25%[8/32], respectively, both P < 0.001). Scar formation occurred in 6 out of 10 anti-Ln332-type MMP patients, but occurred in only 6 out of 32 anti-BP180-type patients (18.8%, P = 0.02) . Conclusion:The combination of indirect immunofluorescence on salt-split skin, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunoblotting could effectively identify anti-BP180 and anti-Ln332 autoantibodies in MMP patients, with BP180 being the most common target antigen; compared with anti-BP180-type MMP, anti-Ln332-type MMP appeared to be more frequently involve the ocular and nasal mucosae, associated with the involvement of multiple mucosal sites, carrying a higher risk of scar formation.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) complicated by hyperuricemia (HUA) and explore their potential as novel diagnostic molecular markers and their target genes. METHODS: This study was conducted among 30 CHF patients with HUA (observation group) and 30 healthy volunteers (control group) enrolled between September, 2020 and September, 2023. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 6 CHF patients with HUA for analyzing exosomal miRNAs by high-throughput sequencing, and the results were validated in the remaining 24 patients using qRT-PCR. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed to predict the the target genes of the identified differential miRNAs. We also validated the differentially expressed miRNAs by animal experiment. RESULTS: A total of 42 differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs were detected in observation group by high-throughput sequencing; among them, miR-27a-5p was significantly upregulated (P=0.000179), and miR-139-3p was significantly downregulated (P=0.000058). In the 24 patients with both CHF and PUA, qRT-PCR validated significant upregulation of miR-27a-5p (P=0.004) and downregulation of miR-139-3p (P=0.005) in serum exosomes. When combined, miR-27a-5p and miR-139-3p had a maximum area under the curve (AUC) of 0.899 (95% CI: 0812-0.987) for predicting CHF complicated by HUA. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses suggested that the differential expressions of miR-27a-5p and miR-139-3p was associated with the activation of the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway to activate the autophagic response. We obtained the same conclusion from animal experiment. CONCLUSIONS Upregulated exosomal miR-27a-5p combined with downregulated exosomal miR-139-3p expression can serve as a novel molecular marker for diagnosis of CHF complicated by HUA, and their differential expression may promote autophagy in cardiomyocytes by activating the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway.
Humans ; Hyperuricemia/diagnosis* ; Heart Failure/genetics* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Chronic Disease ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Animals

As new evidence emerges, treatment strategies toward the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B are evolving. In 2019, a panel of national hepatologists published a Consensus Statement on the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. Currently, an international group of hepatologists has been assembled to evaluate research since the publication of the original consensus, and to collaboratively develop the updated statements. The 2.0 Consensus was aimed to update the original consensus with the latest available studies, and provide a comprehensive overview of the current relevant scientific literatures regarding functional cure of hepatitis B, with a particular focus on issues that are not yet fully clarified. These cover the definition of functional cure of hepatitis B, its mechanisms and barriers, the effective strategies and treatment roadmap to achieve this endpoint, in particular new surrogate biomarkers used to measure efficacy or to predict response, and the appropriate approach to pursuing a functional cure in special populations, the development of emerging antivirals and immunomodulators with potential for curing hepatitis B. The statements are primarily intended to offer international guidance for clinicians in their practice to enhance the functional cure rate of chronic hepatitis B.

Objective:To examine the long-term efficacy and complications of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for the treatment of diseases related to intestinal dysbiosis.Methods:This was a retrospective descriptive study. Relevant data were collected from the records of 15 000 patients who had undergone FMT and been followed up for more than 3 months during the period from May 2017 to September 2024. The patient cohort comprised 3746 male and 11 254 female patients aged (45.3±12.2) years. The inclusion criterion was meeting the indications for FMT. Application of this criterion yielded 8258 patients with constipation, 684 with Clostridium difficile infection, 1730 with chronic diarrhea, 510 with inflammatory bowel disease, 432 with radiation enteritis, 1940 with irritable bowel syndrome, 365 with autism, 870 with postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction, and 211 with neurodegenerative diseases. The three routes of delivering FMT comprised infusion of an enterobacterial solution through a nasoenteric tube into the jejunum for 6 consecutive days (upper gastrointestinal FMT group, 11 125 patients), oral intake of enterobacterial capsules for 6 consecutive days (oral capsule FMT, 3597 patients), and a single injection of a bacterial solution into the colon via colonoscopy (lower gastrointestinal FMT group, 278 patients). Other treatments were discontinued during the treatment and follow-up period and administration of other medications was not recommended unless absolutely necessary. The primary outcomes were the efficacy of FMT after 3, 12 and 36 months of treatment, and improvement in chronic constipation, C. difficile infection, chronic diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, radiation enteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, post-surgery gastrointestinal dysfunction, and autism. Other outcomes included the occurrence of short-term (within 2 weeks after treatment) and long-term (within 36 months after treatment) adverse reactions.Results:At 3, 12 and 36 months after treatment, the overall rates of effectiveness of treatment were 71.8% (10 763/15 000), 64.4% (7600/11 808) and 58.8% (3659/6218), respectively. Specifically, the rates of clinical improvement were 70.3% (5805/8258), 62.6% (3970/6345), and 56.5% (1894/3352), respectively, for constipation; 85.8% (587/684), 72.3% (408/564), and 67.3% (218/324), respectively, for C.difficile infection; 81.0% (1401/1730), 78.1% (1198/1534), and 72.3% (633/876), respectively, for chronic diarrhea; 64.3% (328/510), 52.3% (249/476), and 46.6 % (97/208), respectively, for inflammatory bowel disease; 77.3% (334/432), 65.4% (212/324), and 53.6% (82/153), respectively, for radiculitis; 70.6% (1370/1940), 64.5% (939/1456), and 60.4% (475/786), respectively, for irritable bowel syndrome; 75.3% (275/365), 70.0% (201/287), and 63.6% (112/176), respectively, for autism; 65.3% (568/870), 54.3% (355/654), and 46.5% (114/245), respectively, for post-surgical gastrointestinal dysfunction; and 45.0% (95/211), 40.5% (68/168), and 34.7% (34/98), respectively, for neurodegenerative diseases. At 3, 12, and 36 months post-treatment, clinical improvement rates were 77.1% (8580/11 125), 67.1% (6437/9595), and 62.1% (3196/5145), respectively, in the upper gastrointestinal route group; and 57.3% (2062/3597), 53.6% (1115/2081), and 45.0% (453/1006), respectively, in the oral capsule group; and 43.5% (121/278) , 36.4% (48/132) and 14.9% (10/67), respectively, in the lower gastrointestinal route group. No serious adverse reactions occurred during treatment or follow-up. The most common adverse reactions in the upper gastrointestinal route group, oral capsule group, and lower gastrointestinal route group were respiratory discomfort (20.4%, 2269/11 125), nausea and vomiting on swallowing the capsule (7.6%, 273/3597), and diarrhea (47.5%, 132/278), respectively; these symptoms resolved at the end of treatment. At 36 months of follow-up, 19 patients reported exacerbation of symptoms of pre-existing diseases and there had been 16 deaths that were not directly related to FMT. Additionally, no systemic diseases had developed after FMT.Conclusion:FMT for the treatment of intestinal dysfunction associated with disorders of the intestinal flora and related extraintestinal diseases is effective and not associated with serious adverse events.

Polymyxin serves as the"last line of defense"for treating infection with multidrug-resistant Gram-ne-gative bacteria.However,the emergence and spread of polymyxin-resistant genes such as mcr-1 severely weakens its clinical efficacy.This paper systematically summarizes the antimicrobial and resistance mechanisms of polymy-xin,comprehensively summarizes the current research progresses in polymyxin sensitizers particular focusing on three aspects:natural compounds,synthetic small molecules,and drug repurposing.Furthermore,this paper explores the innovative strategies of gene intervention,new targets,and nanotechnology-based formulations in the develop-ment of sensitizer,aiming to provide systematic theoretical support and research ideas against polymyxin resistance.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of relaxing needling at the contracted sites of meridian-muscle regions in the patients with post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome (SHS) at acute stage. METHODS: Eighty patients with post-stroke SHS at acute stage were randomized into an observation group (40 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (40 cases, 1 case was eliminated). In the control group, the routine medication, basic rehabilitation training, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy were administered. In the observation group, besides the treatment as the control group, relaxing needling was delivered at the contracted sites of meridian-muscle regions. These contracted sites were distributed along three yin meridians of hand and three yang meridians of hand on the affected upper limbs. The intervention was given once daily, 5 times a week and for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, edema degree, modified Barthel index (MBI), and Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) for motor function, and the integrated electromyography (iEMG) of surface electromyogram (sEMG) were observed in the two groups. The curative effect was evaluated after treatment and in follow-up of 2 months after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, VAS scores and the scores of edema degree were reduced when compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). MBI and FMA scores increased after treatment compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and the scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05) after treatment. The iEMG values of the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and wrist extensors were elevated after treatment in comparison with those before treatment (P<0.05) in the two groups, and the values in the observation group were larger than those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). The total clinical effective rate in the observation group was 92.3% (36/39), which was better than that of the control group (74.4%, 29/39, P<0.05) after treatment; and that of the observation group was 97.4% (38/39), which was better than 82.1% (32/39) in the control group (P<0.05) in follow-up. CONCLUSION Relaxing needling at the contracted sites of meridian-muscle regions in treatment of post-stroke SHS at acute stage can attenuate the symptoms such as upper limb pain, swelling and spasm, improve motor function and the activity of daily living of patients.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Meridians ; Stroke/complications* ; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/etiology* ; Adult ; Acupuncture Points

Colorectal cancer(CRC),a highly prevalent malignant tumor worldwide,has shown a continuously increasing incidence,particularly with the rise of early-onset CRC in young populations.Neoadjuvant therapy,as an important strategy for locally advanced CRC,shows significant potential to downstage tumors,improve radical surgical cure rates,and enhance prognosis.In this paper,a 39-year-old male patient with sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma at clinical stage cT4aN2aM0(stage ⅢC)is reported.Genetic testing revealed a mutation in the oncogene KRAS(G13D)and microsatellite stability(MSS).The patient also had significantly elevated carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),lymph node metastasis,and suspected pelvic implant nodules,with a high risk of invasiveness and potential peritoneal metastasis.Because he had a refractory subtype of CRC with poor response to traditional immunotherapy,the patient was treated with neoadjuvant therapy,comprising CapeOx regimen(capecitabine+oxaliplatin),followed sequentially by sluzumab;after 6 treatment cycles,the tumor shrank significantly,and laparoscopic radical sigmoid colon resection was successfully performed,with no residual(ypT0N0)confirmed by postoperative pathology.This case suggests that for patients with KRAS-mutated MSS CRC resistant to traditional immunotherapy,a combination of CapeOx chemotherapy followed by programmed death-1(PD-1)inhibitors may induce a deep pathological response and provide translational treatment opportunities for locally advanced patients.However,the universality and long-term benefits of this treatment regimen still require further longitudinal studies and clinical follow-up.

As new evidence emerges, treatment strategies toward the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B are evolving. In 2019, a panel of national hepatologists published a Consensus Statement on the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. Currently, an international group of hepatologists has been assembled to evaluate research since the publication of the original consensus, and to collaboratively develop the updated statements. The 2.0 Consensus was aimed to update the original consensus with the latest available studies, and provide a comprehensive overview of the current relevant scientific literatures regarding functional cure of hepatitis B, with a particular focus on issues that are not yet fully clarified. These cover the definition of functional cure of hepatitis B, its mechanisms and barriers, the effective strategies and treatment roadmap to achieve this endpoint, in particular new surrogate biomarkers used to measure efficacy or to predict response, and the appropriate approach to pursuing a functional cure in special populations, the development of emerging antivirals and immunomodulators with potential for curing hepatitis B. The statements are primarily intended to offer international guidance for clinicians in their practice to enhance the functional cure rate of chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND:Deep muscle stimulation has the effects of releasing muscle adhesion,relieving muscle spasm,improving and restoring muscle compliance and elasticity.Electromyographic biofeedback therapy can promote nerve recovery and improve lower limb motor function and gait. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of the effect of deep muscle stimulation combined with electromyographic biofeedback therapy on the spasm of the triceps surae and gait changes after stroke by using a digital muscle detector and three-dimensional gait analysis system. METHODS:A total of 72 patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected from the Rehabilitation Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University from October 2020 to October 2023.And they were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups(n=36 per group):a control group and a combined group.The control group received routine rehabilitation therapies,electromyographic biofeedback and pseudo deep muscle stimulation,while the combined group received true deep muscle stimulation treatment on the basis of the control group,five times per week,for 4 consecutive weeks.The oscillation frequency and dynamic stiffness of the affected gastrocnemius muscle,active range of motion of the ankle dorsiflexion muscle,electromyographic signal of the tibialis anterior muscle,Fugl-Meyer assessment of the lower limbs,and three-dimensional gait analysis parameters were statistically analyzed before and after treatment in two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After treatment,oscillation frequency and dynamic stiffness values of the inner and outer sides of the affected gastrocnemius muscle in both groups of patients were significantly reduced compared with before treatment(P<0.05),and the combined group showed a more significant decrease compared with the control group(P<0.05).The active range of motion of the ankle dorsiflexion muscle,electromyographic signal of the tibialis anterior muscle,and Fugl-Meyer scores after treatment were significantly increased or improved compared with before treatment(P<0.05),while the combined group showed a more significant increase or improvement compared with the control group(P<0.05).In terms of gait parameters,the walking speed,frequency,and stride in both groups of patients were significantly increased compared with before treatment(P<0.05),while the combined group showed a more significant increase compared with the control group(P<0.05).The percentage time of support phase on the healthy side was shortened compared with before treatment(P<0.05),while the combined group showed a more significant decrease compared with the control group(P<0.05).In addition,there was no significant difference between the two groups except for the percentage of healthy side support(P>0.05).To conclude,the combination of deep muscle stimulation and electromyographic biofeedback can effectively alleviate triceps spasm in the short term after stroke,improve ankle dorsiflexion function,enhance lower limb motor function,and improve gait.The treatment effect is significant and worthy of clinical promotion and application.

ObjectiveTo establish a quality evaluation method for Zhuye Shigao granules（Zhuye Shigaotang） based on fingerprint and determination of index components， and to investigate the therapeutic effect of Zhuye Shigao granules on mice with cold-dampness pestilence attacking lung syndrome. MethodsThe fingerprint of Zhuye Shigao granules was established by high performance liquid chromatography（HPLC）， and the methods for determination of total calcium， orientin， isoorientin， ginsenosides Rg₁， Re and Rb₁ and other 2 index components were established. Fifty ICR mice were randomly divided into the blank group， model group， Zhuye Shigao granules low， medium and high dose groups（9.3， 18.6， 37.2 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， with 10 mice in each group. In addition to the blank group， the model mice with cold-dampness pestilence attacking lung syndrome was prepared by nasal drip of lipopolysaccharide combined with cold-dampness environment. Each administration group was given the corresponding liquid by gavage according to the dose， while the blank group and model group were given the same volume of normal saline by gavage. Then， the body temperature and organ index of mice in each group were measured， hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to investigate the lung tissue injury of mice in each group， and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） was used to detect the changes of tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）， interleukin（IL）-lβ， IL-6， IL-10 levels in serum and lung tissue， as well as immunoglobulin（Ig）A and IgM levels in serum. ResultsThe fingerprint similarity of 10 batches of Zhuye Shigao granules was>0.950， and 20 common peaks were calibrated. Seven of them were identified， including peak 11（isoorientin）， peak 12（orientin）， peak 14（apioside liquiritin）， peak 15（liquiritin）， peak 17（apioside isoliquiritin）， peak 19（isoliquiritin） and peak 20（liquiritigenin）. The results of quantitative analysis showed that the content range of each index component in 10 batches of Zhuye Shigao granules was as follows：Total calcium of 9.978-11.294 mg·g^-1， isoorientin of 0.033-0.041 mg·g^-1， orientin of 0.046-0.055 mg·g^-1， ginsenoside Rg₁+ginsenoside Re of 0.748-0.762 mg·g^-1， ginsenoside Rb₁ of 0.151-0.197 mg·g^-1， liquiritin of 1.106-1.366 mg·g^-1， glycyrrhizic acid of 0.904-1.182 mg·g^-1_. Compared with the blank group， the body temperature of mice in the model group was significantly increased， the organ indexes of liver， lung and spleen were significantly decreased， the organ index of thymus was significantly increased， HE staining of lung tissue showed infiltration of inflammatory cells， a small amount of serous exudation was observed in the alveoli， and lung tissue was damaged. After the intervention of Zhuye Shigao granules， the pathological changes were improved compared with the model group. The expression levels of IL-1β， IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased， the expression level of IL-10 was significantly decreased in serum and lung tissue. The levels of IgA and IgM in serum were significantly decreased（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the body temperature， the organ indexes and immune factor levels in serum and lung tissue of mice in the Zhuye Shigao granules medium and high dose groups were significantly reduced（P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionIn this study， the quality evaluation of Zhuye Shigao granules was carried out based on fingerprint combined with determination of index components， and the fingerprint of four herbs（Lophatheri Herba， Ophiopogonis Radix， Pinelliae Rhizoma and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma） in this formula and the determination of 8 index components were established. The therapeutic effect of Zhuye Shigao granules on mice with cold-dampness pestilence attacking lung syndrome may be related to inhibiting inflammatory response and mediating immune regulation.