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.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Huanglian Jiedutang （HLJDT） on cognitive function in mice with ischemic stroke （IS） and to elucidate whether its neuroprotective effects are mediated by inhibition of the nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway and subsequent suppression of NF-κB-regulated neuronal apoptosis. MethodsAn IS model was established using middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO）. Sixty C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to five groups （n =12 per group）， i.e.， sham operation， model， HLJDT low-dose （3.9 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， HLJDT high-dose （7.8 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and Ginkgo biloba extract （GBE， 31.2 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. Post-operatively， neurological deficit scores （Longa score）， cerebral infarct volume assessed by 2，3，5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining， and brain water content were evaluated. Learning and memory were assessed using new object recognition （NOR） and fear conditioning （FC） tests. Hippocampal pathology was examined via hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining. Immunofluorescence detected expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP， astrocyte marker）， cellular oncogene Fos （c-Fos， neuronal activation marker）， and glutamate decarboxylase 65 （GAD65）. Western blot measured nuclear factor-κB inhibitor protein α （IκBα）， phosphorylated IκBα （p-IκBα）， NF-κB p65， phosphorylated NF-κB p65 （p-NF-κB p65）， ionic calcium binding adapter molecule 1 （Iba-1）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， interleukin （IL）-1β， and apoptosis-related proteins， such as cleaved cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease 3 （Caspase-3）， B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）. Real-time quantitative PCR （Real-time PCR） was used to assess mRNA levels of Iba-1， TNF-α， IL-1β， NF-κB p65， cleaved Caspase-3， Bax， and Bcl-2. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the model group exhibited significantly increased neurological deficit scores， brain water content， and cerebral infarct volume （P<0.01）. Hippocampal CA1 neurons were disorganized， showing nuclear pyknosis and karyolysis. NOR exploration time and FC freezing time were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. GFAP and c-Fos expression were increased， while GAD65 expression was decreased （P<0.01）. Cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax were upregulated， Bcl-2 was downregulated， and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was elevated （P<0.01）. Expression levels of p-IκBα， p-NF-κB p65， IL-1β， TNF-α， and Iba-1 were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， HLJDT high-dose， low-dose， and GBE groups showed significant improvements in all parameters （P<0.01）. Among them， the HLJDT high-dose group showed the most pronounced neuronal structural recovery and superior performance in NOR and FC tests （P<0.01）. In this group， GFAP and c-Fos decreased， GAD65 increased （P<0.01）， apoptosis-related protein expression was reversed， and NF-κB signaling and related inflammatory factor expression were suppressed （P<0.01）. ConclusionHLJDT ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in mice after IS， potentially by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway， thereby reducing neuroinflammation and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis.

Objective　To investigate the effects of capsaicin on gut microbiota and antimicrobial peptide expression of Anopheles stephensi, providing experimental references for the application of capsaicin in mosquito-borne disease prevention and control. Methods Anopheles stephensi were continuously fed with sugary water containing capsaicin or DMSO for the capsaicin-treated group and the control, respectively. The DNA of the female mosquito's midguts and gut bacteria was extracted. Bacterial 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR were used to analyze and compare the bacteria diversity, gut flora composition, relative abundance, and total bacterial load in female mosquitoes’ midgut between the control and capsaicin treatment groups. Total RNA was extracted from the midguts of the two groups of Anopheles mosquitoes, and the transcriptional levels of important antimicrobial peptides were detected and compared by reverse transcription and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results A total of 10 phyla, 11 classes, 28 orders, 43 families, and 62 genera were identified in the two groups. The capsaicin-treated group had fewer taxa, with significantly reduced bacterial diversity, and different community composition and relative abundance of the flora compared to the control group. At the phylum level, Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes predominated in both two groups. At the order level, Flavobacteriales, Acetobacterales, Pseudomonadales, and Lactobacillales were the dominant bacteria, with reduced relative abundance of Pseudomonadales and Acetobacterales and increased relative abundance of Flavobacteriales and Lactobacillales in the capsaicin-treated group. At the genus level, Elizabethkingia was predominantly abundant in both samples, with higher relative abundance of Elizabethkingia, Leuconostoc, and Gluconobacter in the capsaicin-treated group, while Asaia and Acinetobacter had significantly lower relative abundance compared to the control group. In addition to these changes, the total bacterial load was increased and the transcriptional levels of attacin C, cecropin A, and defensin were significantly decreased by capsaicin treatment. Conclusions Capsaicin treatment significantly affects the composition of the gut flora in Anopheles stephensi and increases the total bacterial load while inhibiting the expression of antimicrobial peptides. Based on the analysis, it indicates that capsaicin might affect the fecundity and vector competence of Anopheles by changing the energy metabolism and immune-related bacteria.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupuncture on podocyte autophagy and long non-coding RNA SOX2 overlapping transcript (LncRNA SOX2OT)/mammalian target of rapamycin C1 (mTORC1)/Unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) pathway in rats with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and to explore the mechanism by which acupuncture reduces urinary protein. METHODS: A total of 40 SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=30). The DKD model was established by feeding a high-fat, high-sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in the modeling group. Twenty rats with successful DKD model were randomly divided into a model group (n=10) and an acupuncture group (n=10). The acupuncture group received "spleen and stomach-regulating" acupuncture at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST36), "Fenglong" (ST40), "Yinlingquan" (SP9), and "Zhongwan" (CV12), 30 min per session, once daily, five times per week, for four weeks. The general condition, fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPG), serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), 24-hour urinary protein quantification, and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) were compared before and after the intervention. After intervention, urinary podocyte injury marker SPON2 was measured by ELISA. Podocyte autophagosomes and glomerular basement membrane ultrastructure in renal tissue were observed via transmission electron microscopy. Podocyte apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining. The protein expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3Ⅱ (LC3-Ⅱ), mTORC1, ULK1, Beclin-1, and p62 in renal tissue was detected by Western blot. LncRNA SOX2OT expression in renal tissue was measured by real-time PCR. RESULTS: After the intervention, compared with the control group, the model group exhibited increased food and water intake, increased urine output, weight loss, and loose stools; compared with the model group, the food and water intake, urine volume, and loose stools were improved in the acupuncture group. Compared with the control group, FBG, 2hPG, SCr, BUN, 24-hour urinary protein quantification, UACR, and urinary SPON2 were all higher in the model group (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the FBG, 2hPG, SCr, BUN, 24-hour urinary protein quantification, UACR, and urinary SPON2 were all lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the model group showed reduced podocyte autophagosomes and thickened glomerular basement membrane; compared with the model group, the acupuncture group had increased podocyte autophagosomes and less thickened basement membrane. Compared with the control group, the podocyte apoptosis index (AI) was higher in the model group (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the AI was lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the expression of ULK1, Beclin-1, and LC3-Ⅱ proteins was lower, and the expression of mTORC1 and p62 proteins was higher in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of ULK1, Beclin-1, and LC3-Ⅱ proteins was higher, and the expression of mTORC1 and p62 proteins was lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the LncRNA SOX2OT expression was lower in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, LncRNA SOX2OT expression was higher in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION The "spleen and stomach-regulating" acupuncture method could improve renal function in DKD rats, reduce blood glucose and urinary protein excretion, alleviate podocyte injury, and enhance podocyte autophagy. The mechanism may be related to modulation of the renal LncRNA SOX2OT/mTORC1/ULK1 pathway.
Animals ; Podocytes/cytology* ; Diabetic Nephropathies/physiopathology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Rats ; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/genetics* ; Autophagy ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog/genetics* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; Humans ; Signal Transduction

This paper interprets the disease name related to bi （痹） disease in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） from the perspective of micropathological phenotypes in knee osteoarthritis （KOA）. By systematically reviewing classical TCM literature on the pathogenesis and clinical features of different subtypes such as damp-retention bi， bone bi， and tendon bi， and integrating these with current research on pathological subtypes of KOA including the synovitis type， cartilage-meniscus type， and subchondral bone type， the study explores the correlation between traditional disease terms and modern micropathological phenotypes. The author proposes subtype classifications of damp-retention bi corresponding to synovial inflammation， bone bi related to abnormal subchondral bone remodeling， and tendon bi representing cartilage and meniscus degeneration. This approach provides a microscopic biological explanation for TCM syndrome differentiation and offers new perspectives for advancing integrative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in both Chinese and western medicine.

For the treatment of vertebral metastases,percutaneous vertebral augmentation can effectively relieve pain,stabilize vertebrae,and prevent and treat pathological fractures.Bone cement leakage is the most common complication of percutaneous vertebral augmentation.Most bone cement leakages are asymptomatic and no special management is required,but close attention should be paid to some rare and serious complications caused by bone cement leakage.This paper aims to make a comprehensive review about the advances in percutaneous vertebral augmentation for vertebral metastases,focusing on the technical features,characteristics of bone cement,types of bone cement leakage,leakage-related factors and their preventive measures,etc.

Objective To investigate the short-term efficacy of CT-guided microwave ablation(MWA)combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)for spinal metastases,and to analyze the risk factors for postoperative cement leakage.Methods The clinical data of 50 patients with spinal metastases(74 diseased vertebrae in total),who were treated with CT-guided MW A combined with PVP at the authors'hospital from January 2020 to June 2023,were retrospectively analyzed.Numerical Pain Rating Scale(NRS),daily morphine consumption(DMC)and Activity of Daily Living Scale(ADL)were used to evaluate the short-term efficacy.Regular postoperative CT reexamination was carried out to assess the condition of local tumor control and bone cement leakage.Univariate analysis and multivariate binary logistic analysis of gender,age,maximum diameter of metastatic lesion,type of metastasis,Tomita classification of primary tumor,level of affected vertebrae,injected volume of bone cement,injection side,pathological fracture,and posterior vertebral wall rupture were performed to determine the risk factors for postoperative occurrence of bone cement leakage.Results The preoperative,and the postoperative one-day,one-week,one-month,3-month and 6-month NRS were(7.24±1.41),(4.76±1.45),(3.42±1.34),(2.86±0.90),(2.20±0.57),(1.66±0.72)points respectively.The preoperative,and the postoperative one-day,one-week,one-month,3-month and 6-month DMC were(110.40±94.61),(66.10±51.23),(47.30±37.49),(32.90±22.84),(25.60±18.97),(15.36±13.43)mg respectively.The preoperative,and the postoperative one-week,one-month,3-month and 6-month ADL were(40.80±11.45),(53.20±6.68),(60.40±5.14),(62.90±4.75),(64.80±4.51)points respectively.The differences in NRS,DMC,ADL between their preoperative values and postoperative 6-month values were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Postoperative 6-month imaging follow-up check revealed that tumor was controlled in 46 patients and the tumor recurrence rate was 8％(4/50),and mild bone cement leakage occurred in 17 of 74 vertebrae(22.97％).Multivariate regression analysis indicated that pathological fracture(OR=9.581,95％CI=2.292-40.055,P=0.002)and rupture of posterior wall of vertebra(OR=5.105,95％CI=1.041-25.022,P=0.044)were the independent risk factors for bone cement leakage,the pathological fracture(OR=35.333,95％CI=4.029-309.840,P=0.001)was the independent risk factor for cortical bone cement leakage.No independent risk factor for vascular bone cement leakage was observed.The rupture of posterior wall of vertebra(OR=48.400,95％CI=4.725-495.753,P=0.001)was the independent risk factor for leakage of bone cement in spinal canal.Conclusion MW A combined with PVP can rapidly relieve pain,improve the ability of daily activity and quality of life of patients with spinal metastases,which can be further improved within 6 months after treatment.The combination use of MW A and PVP carries lower incidence of bone cement leakage.The pathological fracture and posterior wall rupture of vertebra are the independent risk factors for bone cement leakage.

With the development of low-dose chest computed tomography(CT)and artificial intelligence,the detection rate of multiple pulmonary nodules has been increased year by year.Surgical resection is the preferred treatment for high-risk pulmonary nodules,but some multiple pulmonary nodules cannot be treated surgically for various reasons,so ablation therapy can be used as an alternative to surgical procedures.This paper aims to make a comprehensive review about the research progress in the treatment of multiple pulmonary nodules,focusing on the percutaneous ablation,transbronchial ablation,ablation combined with surgery,ablation combined with drug therapy,etc.

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide,metastasizing most commonly to the liver and lung.Local treatment of pulmonary oligometastases from CRC has an important position in the therapeutic course of the disease,sometimes local therapy is the key to achieve a disease-free state.Surgery is the preferred treatment for pulmonary oligometastases from CRC,but some patients are unable to undergo surgery due to physical conditions or lesion's anatomical location limitations.Because of its minimally-invasive manipulation,repeatable adoption,maximum preservation of lung parenchyma and lung function,and the potential to cure new or recurrent lung metastases,percutaneous ablation therapy has emerged as an important surgical alternative,and its clinical application has been increasing in recent years.Percutaneous ablation techniques mainly include radiofrequency ablation(RFA),microwave ablation(MWA),and cryoablation(CA).RFA produces thermal effect through high-frequency electrical current,and it is easy to operate and applicable for a wide range of treatments.MW A uses efficient microwave heating technique and its energy distribution is uniform,suitable for larger lesions.Through repeated freeze-thaw cycles CA destroys tumor tissues,which is particularly suitable for the lesions near important structures.Besides,percutaneous ablation combined with surgery,medication,etc.can be used for the treatment of pulmonary oligometastases from CRC,this kind of combination therapy has synergistic effect to enhance the curative efficacy.This paper aims to make a comprehensive review about the importance of treating pulmonary oligometastases from CRC,the efficacy,prognosis,and influencing factors of various percutaneous ablation techniques,and the application progress of ablation combined with other therapies.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of magnetic resonance-guided modified ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract in the treatment of deep anorectal abscess.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 148 patients with deep anorectal abscess treated at our hospital from September 2019 to June 2023,who met the inclusion criteria.Of these,51 patients in the observation group underwent modified LIFT,while 97 patients in the control group received incision and drainage.Using propensity score matching,47 patients from each group with balanced baseline characteristics were selected,resulting in a total of 94 patients being included in the analysis.The study compared operation time,hospital stay,pain index,postoperative complications,anal function,and healing rate between the two groups.Results Primary lesions originating in the sphincter space were identified through preoperative magnetic resonance imaging in all 94 patients.The mean operation time for the observation group was(43.75±11.77)minutes,significantly longer than that of the control group at(28.90±8.67)minutes(P<0.05).At three months post-surgery,the healing rate in the observation group was 80.9%,which was signifi-cantly higher than the 57.4%observed in the control group(P<0.05).Among patients with fistulas in the observation group,the healing rate was 73.1%,although this difference was not statistically significant in the univariate analysis of clinical characteristics(P>0.05).No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the length of hospital stay,pain index,postoperative complications,or anal function(all P>0.05).Conclusions Modified LIFT guided by MRI can be conditionally applied in the treatment of deep anorectal abscesses.This approach can enhance the initial surgical healing rate without significantly increasing the incidence of postoperative complications,thereby avoiding potential damage to anal function.