Disruption of the intestinal mucosal barrier caused by gut dysbiosis and metabolic imbalance is the underlying pathology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Traditional Chinese medicine Wuji Wan (WJW) is commonly used to treat digestive system disorders and showed therapeutic potential for IBD. In this interdisciplinary study, we aim to investigate the pharmacological effects of WJW against experimental colitis by combining functional metabolomics and gut-microbiota sequencing techniques. Treatment with WJW altered the profile of the intestinal microbiota and notably increased the abundance of Lactobacillus, thereby facilitating the conversion of tryptophan into indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and indoleacrylic acid (IA). These indole derivatives activated the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway, which reduced colonic inflammation and restored the expression of intestinal barrier proteins. Interestingly, the beneficial effects of WJW on gut barrier function improvement and tryptophan metabolism were disappeared in the absence of gut microbiota. Finally, pre-treatment with the AhR antagonist CH-223191 confirmed the essential role of IAA-mediated AhR activation in the therapeutic effects of WJW. Overall, WJW enhanced intestinal barrier function and reduced colonic inflammation in a murine colitis model by modulating Lactobacillus-IAA-AhR signaling pathway. This study provides novel insights into colitis pathogenesis and presents an effective therapeutic and preventive approach against IBD.

This study explores the diagnosis and treatment of needle knife therapy for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) at middle and advanced stage based on the theory of meridian tendons, from a holistic perspective and syndrome differentiation. The treatment strategy includes "harmonizing yin and yang" to address root causes and "tendons-based release" to harmonize qi and blood, with the "tendons nodule points" as the core acupoint selection criterion. Based on this approach, the study systematically elaborates on two needle knife methods for AS: "governor vessel bone-piercing technique" and "below-the-umbilicus release technique", covering indications, acupoint location, and procedures. Clinical case examples are provided to enrich needle knife therapy guided by the theory of meridian tendons, offering insights for clinical and research work on AS.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Meridians ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing/physiopathology* ; Tendons/physiopathology*

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of micro-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (microPCNL) using Needle-perc in the oblique supine-lithotomy position for treating 1—2 cm lower-pole stones (LPSs)，by comparing it with flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (FURL)，so as to identify an effective surgical method for LPSs. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 56 patients with isolated LPSs of 1—2 cm treated in our hospital during Jan.and Dec.2023.Patients were divided into two groups based on the treatment method：FURL (n=31) and microPCNL (n=25).General information and perioperative data were compared between the two groups. Results: All operations were successfully completed.The operation time was shorter in the microPCNL group than in the FURL group \[(46.5±10.1) min vs.(73.5±18.9) min，P<0.001\].Stone-free rate (SFR) was 92.0% in the microPCNL group and 71.0% in the FURL group (P=0.026).There were no significant differences in the average fall of hemoglobin level，serumc creatinine change level，hospitalization time and postoperative fever between the two groups. Conclusion: MicroPCNL in oblique supine-lithotomy position is a safe and effective treatment for 1-2 cm LPSs，with a higher SFR compared to FURL.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between peri-coronary fat attenuation index (FAI) and plaque formation in patients with myocardial bridge (MB) of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and to develop an optimal predictive model to explore the potential application of FAI in the primary prevention of MB related atherosclerosis.Methods:In this retrospective study, prediction models associated with perivascular fat inflammation were developed and validated using both logistic regression and machine learning (ML) algorithm. A training dataset was collected from 253 patients who underwent ≥2 coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) with ≥3 months intervals from one tertiary hospital from January 2007 to April 2021 and had baseline CCTA showing no plaques in LAD MB. The median follow-up time was 3.2 years. According to the same criteria, a total of 75 LAD MB patients from four other hospitals were included to form an independent external validation dataset, with a median follow-up time of 1.8 years. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis with integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) and category net reclassification index (NRI) were used to compare the performance of the predictive models.Results:62 patients (24.5%) in the training dataset had proximal plaque formation in LAD MB, while 22 patients (29.3%) in the external validation dataset had plaque formation during the follow-up period. Baseline FAI within the longitudinal distance equal to 30 mm proximal to the MB entrance was an independent predictor ( OR=1.068, P=0.046). According to the model results, ROC curves were plotted. The AUC of Model 1 was 0.822, and the AUCs of Model 2 and 1 were 0.821 and 0.591 in the training dataset. After the DeLong test, the AUC of Model 1 was superior to that of Model 2 ( Z=2.839, P=0.005) and Model 1 ( Z=6.124, P<0.001). These findings were further validated in the external validation dataset, where ML-model 3 yielded the best predictive performance, outperforming the logistic regression-based Model 2 (categorical NRI=0.359, P=0.048; IDI=0.108, P=0.046). Conclusion:FAI measured within the 30 mm proximal to the entrance of MBs due to its prone to plaque development is an independent predictor for atherosclerotic plaque formation. The ML-prediction model based on a decision tree algorithm combines FAI, MB anatomical features, and patient risk factors, which is beneficial for patients undergoing routine CCTA examination to identify inflamed coronary arteries in advance and guide the clinical adoption of more targeted preventive treatment, including anti-inflammatory treatment.

Turning to critical illness is a common stage of various diseases and injuries before death. Patients usually have complex health conditions, while the treatment process involves a wide range of content, along with high requirements for doctor′s professionalism and multi-specialty teamwork, as well as a great demand for time-sensitive treatments. However, this is not matched with critical care professionals and the current state of medical care in China. Telemedicine, which shortens the distance of medical professionals and the gap of disease diagnosis and treatments in various regions through electronic information, can effectively solve the current problem. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a standardized, high-quality visualization telemedicine round system .Therefore, experts have been organized to search domestic and foreign literature on telemedicine round for critically ill patients and to form this consensus based on clinical experiences so as to further improve the level of critical care treatments in regions.

To analyze the relationship between serum non-HDL-C levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in community populations. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Yuecheng District Health Information Platform in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province. The study cohort included individuals aged 40 years or older with no prior history of CVD who underwent physical examinations at Yuecheng District healthcare institutions between January and December 2019. A total of 39 038 participants were included, including 19 085 males (48.9%) and 19 953 females (51.1%), with a mean age of (73.64±9.10) years. The mean follow-up duration was 52.3 months. During follow-up, 1 227 CVD death events occurred. The results indicated a significant overall association between non-HDL-C levels and the risk of CVD mortality, including coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. Cox models indicated that, using the ideal level of non-HDL-C as the reference, the hazard ratios (HRs) for risk of CVD death in the suitable level, borderline elevated level and elevated level groups were 1.24 (95% CI: 1.08-1.42), 1.57 (95% CI: 1.34-1.85) and 2.31 (95% CI: 1.87-2.86), respectively. The corresponding HRs for CHD death were 1.39 (95% CI: 1.10-1.76), 1.69 (95% CI: 1.28-2.12) and 2.53 (95% CI: 1.76-3.64), respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed significant interaction effects between non-HDL-C and sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, and diabetes (all P interaction<0.05). Sensitivity analyses confirmed that results were consistent with the primary findings regarding the association between non-HDL-C and CVD mortality risk. In conclusion, increasing non-HDL-C levels are associated with higher risks of death from cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and CHD. The risk of CVD death associated with elevated non-HDL-C is greater among males, individuals with a history of diabetes, smokers or drinkers. In the future, attention should be paid to the monitoring of non-HDL-C in community health management, and the intensive and personalized management of blood lipids in high-risk population should be strengthened.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of primary autoimmune cerebellar ataxia (PACA) patients with autoantibodies.Methods:Patients from the Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (from March 2013 to December 2023) who met the modified diagnostic criteria of PACA were collected. Cell based assay and tissue based assay were used to detect anti-cerebellar antibodies. The clinical features, results of neuroimaging, cerebrospinal fluid examinations and the prognosis of the patients were analyzed. Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score≤2 at the last follow-up was defined as a favorable prognosis. Exacerbation of cerebellar ataxia after clinical improvement or stabilization for at least 2 months was defined as relapse.Results:A total of 20 patients were included, including 7 males. The onset age was 48.4 (22.8, 59.3) years. Gait ataxia was the most common cerebellar symptom. Extracerebellar neurological abnormalities included pyramidal sign, peripheral neuropathy/radiculopathy and diplopia. Elevated cerebrospinal fluid white blood cells and positive specific oligoclonal bands were observed in 4/16 and 7/15 of patients, respectively. The brain magnetic resonance imaging examination of the patients showed that 8 patients had no obvious abnormalities, 9 patients showed cerebellar atrophy, and 3 patients showed abnormal signals in the brain or cerebellum. A total of 9 different anti-cerebellar antibodies were detected in the patient′s serum and (or) cerebrospinal fluid, with the most common being anti-Homer-3 antibodies ( n=7). After immunotherapy, 13/17 of patients improved. After 37.5 (21.0, 93.0) months of follow-up, the median mRS score of the patients was 3, and 8 patients (8/20) achieved good prognosis and 6 patients experienced disease recurrence. Conclusions:The clinical manifestations of PACA patients have certain heterogeneity, and positive anti-neuroantibodies and meeting PACA diagnostic criteria are the main basis for diagnosing the disease. Immunotherapy is effective for most patients, but there is still a considerable proportion of patients who have not achieved a good long-term functional prognosis.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of almonertinib,a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor(EGFR-TKI),as a first-line treatment for patients with EGFR-mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)in the real-world clinical practise,and to systematically analyze the independent risk factors influencing their prognosis.Methods:This retrospective cohort study enrolled 73 patients with EGFR-mutated advanced NSCLC who received first-line treatment with aumolertinib from April 1,2020 to December 31,2021.Survival curves were generated by using the Kaplan-Meier method,and intergroup comparisons were performed via log-rank test.Univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors were conducted by using the COX proportional hazards regression model,with a focus on identifying prognostic factors in the subgroup of baseline brain metastases.Results:Among 73 patients,the median progression-free survival(mPFS)was 19.4 months,and the disease control rate(DCR)was 93.2%.Multivariate COX regression analysis revealed that central nervous system(CNS)metastasis status,EGFR mutation subtype,ECOG performance status(PS)score,and gender might be independent risk factors for PFS.Among 33 patients with baseline brain metastases,combined almonertinib with radiotherapy or bevacizumab,maximum diameter of brain metastases(≥3 cm),and ECOG PS score might be independent risk factors of PFS.Conclusion:This first real-world study confirms that aumolertinib demonstrates favorable efficacy as first-line treatment for EGFR-mutated locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients,aligning with findings from phase Ⅲ clinical trials.For patients in subgroup of baseline brain metastases,combining almonertinib with radiotherapy or bevacizumab is recommended to optimize outcomes.

Objective:To identify the relevant factors for the first-course remission of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and to develop a predictive model as well as assess its predictive capability.Methods:Clinical data of 749 patients newly diagnosed with AML admitted to the Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine from January 1, 2019, to April 30, 2023, were collected and randomly divided into training and validation sets. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine variables associated with complete remission in the first course of induction therapy, and a predictive model was established based on these variables. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the predictive model was plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated.Results:The indicators predicting the first remission course included peripheral blood white blood cell count during onset, CBF::MYH11 fusion gene, CEBPA bZIP region mutation, myelodysplastic syndrome-related gene mutation, and induction chemotherapy regimen selection as independent factors for the first remission course. The model’s area under the training and validation curves was 0.738 (95% CI: 0.696-0.780) and 0.726 (95% CI: 0.650-0.801), respectively. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test results yielded P-values of 0.993 and 0.335, respectively. Conclusion:In this study, the developed model demonstrates a strong predictive capability for the efficacy of the first course of patients with AML, providing valuable guidance to clinicians in assessing patient prognosis and selecting appropriate treatment strategies.

Objective:To investigate investigate repairing effect of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell(ADSC)on fistula wounds in a rat model of fistula Crohn's disease(CD)and its regulation mechanism on miR-146a/interleukin-1 receptor-associ-ated kinase(IRAK)signaling axis.Methods:RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-146a and mRNA expression of IRAK in the serum of 80 fistula-type CD patients treated with fistula after operation.Dual-luciferase gene reporter was used to analysis the re-lationship between miR-146a and IRAK.The rat CD successfully prepared fistula lesions and divided into control group(Con),ADSC intervention group(ADSC),ADSC+miR-146a-antagomir intervention group(ADSC+antagomir),ADSC+miR-146a-antagomir+siR-NA-IRAK intervention group(ADSC+antagomir+si),with 10 rats in each group.One hour after successful modeling,rats in ADSC group were injected with 2×106 cells/ml ADSC suspension into the area around the fistula,and subcutaneously injected 2 μg/kg of miR-146a-antagomir-NC.Rats in the ADSC+antagomir group were injected with 2×106 cells/ml ADSC suspension into the area around the fistula,and subcutaneously injected with 2 μg/kg of miR-146a-antagomir.Rats in the ADSC+antagomir+si group were injected with 2×106 cells/ml ADSC suspension into the area around the fistula,and subcutaneously injected with 2 μg/kg of miR-146a-an-tagomir+siRNA-IRAK.Rats in the Con group,were injected a dose of normal saline into the area around the fistula,and subcutaneous-ly injected 2 μg/kg of miR-146a-antagomir-NC.Each group was treated twice a day for 14 consecutive days.Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of fistula wound tissue in rats;kits were used to detect the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in rats serum.Immuno-histochemistry was used to detect angiogenesis in the fistula wound tissue of the rats in each group.Western blot was used to detect the expressions of IRAK,apoptosis protein B-lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-related x protein(Bax),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in fistula wound tissue.Results:The expression of miR-146a in the postoperative serum of patients with CD fistulae was sig-nificantly decreased,the mRNA expression of IRAK was significantly increased,and the differences were statistically significant(both P<0.05).miR-146a regulated the expression of IRAK.Compared with the Con group,the apoptosis rate,the contents of TNF-α and IL-6,the expressions of IRAK and Bax in the rat fistula wound of ADSC group,ADSC+antagomir group,ADSC+antagomir+si group were significantly decreased,the number of new blood vessels and the expression of Bcl-2 and VEGF in the fistula tissue were significantly increased.Compared with ADSC group,the apoptosis rate,the contents of TNF-α and IL-6,the expressions of IRAK and Bax in the rat fistula wound of ADSC+antagomir group,ADSC+antagomir+si group were significantly increased,the number of new blood vessels and the expressions of Bcl-2 and VEGF in the fistula tissue were significantly decreased.Compared with ADSC+an-tagomir group,the contents of TNF-α and IL-6,the expressions of IRAK and Bax in the rat fistula wound of ADSC+antagomir+si group were significantly decreased,the number of new blood vessels and the expressions of Bcl-2 and VEGF in the fistula tissue were significantly increased,and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).Conclusion:ADSCs can significantly heal fistu-las after fistula lesions in CD model rats,which may be related to regulating the expression of miR-146a/IRAK,inhibiting cell apopto-sis,and promoting wound angiogenesis.