ObjectiveTo investigate the ability of clinically isolated， Helicobacter pylori （H. pylori）-specific gene polymerase chain reaction （PCR）-positive gastric， vaginal， and fecal Candida to release H. pylori. MethodsResuscitate 4 strains of H. pylori -specific 16S rDNA and ureA gene PCR-positive Candida strains isolated in laboratory from clinical sources， including 1 strain of gastric Candida， 1 strain of fecal Candida， 2 strains of vaginal Candida and the standard Candida albicans strain ATCC10231 （Ca10231）. The presence of H. pylori-specific ureA in the 5 strains of Candida isolates was confirmed by PCR. The aforementioned strains of Candida and H.pylori were inoculated into urea medium and cultured in a constant temperature incubator at 37 ℃. The color change of the medium was observed daily. A change in the medium's color from yellow to red indicated the presence of urease activity. Then， the five strains of Candida and H. pylori were co-incubated with the magnetic beads coated with H. pylori antibodies respectively. Scanning electron microscopy （SEM） was employed to observe the presence of bacilli adsorbed on the surface of the magnetic beads. PCR was used to detect the presence of H.pylori-specific 16S rDNA and ureA genes on magnetic beads. ResultsThe PCR analysis of the ureA gene in the four Candida isolates was positive， whereas the Ca10231 strain tested negative. Upon culturing the four Candida isolates on urea medium， the medium color changed from yellow to red which was determined to be urease positive， while the medium containing Ca10231 remained unchanged， which was urease negative. SEM revealed that bacilli could be observed on the surface of magnetic beads co-incubated with the 4 strains of Candida of clinical origin and H.pylori isolate. Specifically， PCR testing of the magnetic beads co-incubated with one vaginal Candida， one gastric Candida and H.pylori isolate showed positive results for the 16S rDNA and ureA genes of H. pylori； however， the PCR tests for the two genes were negative for the magnetic beads co-incubated with the other two Candida isolate. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that H. pylori-specific genes Candida can release H. pylori.

Objective To investigate the five-circuit and six-qi features at conception and at birth in the patients with endometrial cancer.Methods From June 2020 to August 2024,the information about the conception time and birth time of 1 099 patients with endometrial cancer admitted to Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences was collected from the electronic medical record system.The circuit-qi information at conception and at birth of the patients was statistically analyzed,and then the congenital endowment characteristics of the patients were explored.Results The results showed that most of the patients suffering endometrial cancer were born in winter,and the dominant qi at birth of the patients was predominated by taiyang cold-water,and the differences of the distribution of dominant qi at birth were statistically significant(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in the distribution of yearly circuit,guest qi,and sitian-zaiquan at birth,and in the distribution of seasons,yearly circuit,dominant qi,guest qi,and sitian-zaiquan at conception(P＞0.05),and only an obvious trend of differences was presented.Conclusion There is a certain correlation between the prevalence of endometrial cancer and the five-circuit and six-qi features at conception and at birth.The congenital endowment of patients with endometrial cancer is characterized by yang deficiency with predominant coldness,and the prevalence is related to jueyin wind wood.

Objective To investigate traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome characteristics associated with immunotherapy efficacy in cervical cancer using propensity score matching(PSM),aiming to identify the population benefiting from immunotherapy.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted in 253 cervical cancer patients,who received the treatment with programmed death receptor 1(PD-1)inhibitors at Guang'anmen Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from January 2020 to October 2024.Clinical data and TCM four-examination data were collected.After balancing the confounders via PSM(1∶1 matching)and with therapeutic efficacy as the dependent variable,multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the characteristics of TCM syndrome in the immunotherapy-response group and then a predictive model was constructed.Results(1)After matching with PSM,198 cases were included,99 cases in response group and 99 cases in non-response group.(2)Analysis of the distribution of TCM syndrome elements showed that the differences in the pathogenic syndrome elements of qi deficiency,qi stagnation,blood stasis,heat and phlegm between the two groups were statistically significant(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),while there were no statistically significant differences in the disease-location syndrome elements of uterus,kidneys,lungs,spleen,liver,and heart,as well as in the pathogenic syndrome elements of blood deficiency,yin deficiency,yang deficiency,cold,and dampness(P＞0.05).The main pathogenic syndrome elements in the response group were qi deficiency,blood deficiency and heat,while those in the non-response group were qi stagnation,heat and phlegm.(3)The results of univariate regression analysis showed that targeted therapy(P=0.040),programmed cell death-ligand 1(PD-L1)expression level(P＜0.001),qi deficiency(P=0.009),blood deficiency(P＜0.001),yang deficiency(P＜0.001),yin deficiency(P＜0.001),qi stagnation(P=0.003),blood stasis(P＜0.001),cold(P＜0.001),cold(P＜0.001),heat(P＜0.001),phlegm(P＜0.001),and dampness(P＜0.001)were the factors associated with the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors.(4)The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that previous targeted therapy(OR=0.36,95%CI:0.16-0.83)and pathogenic syndrome elements of qi stagnation(OR=0.23,95%CI:0.10-0.49),phlegm(OR=0.28,95%CI:0.13-0.61)were the risk factors of associated with the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors,while PD-L1 expression level(OR=15.27,95%CI:2.60-89.63),and pathogenic syndrome element qi deficiency(OR=2.90,95%CI:1.42-5.89)were the protective factors associated with the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors in cervical cancer.(5)Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis demonstrated that the area under the ROC curve(AUC)of the predictive model for evaluating PD-1 inhibitor efficacy in cervical cancer was 0.78(95%CI:0.71-0.84),indicating certain predictive value.Conclusion PD-L1 expression level and TCM pathogenic syndrome elements such as qi deficiency,qi stagnation,and phlegm are the independent factors influencing PD-1 inhibitor efficacy in cervical cancer,providing insights for optimizing integrated TCM-western medicine treatment strategies.

The aim of this updated guideline is to provide comprehensive recommendations for the management of gout in patients with common comorbidities, such as chronic kidney disease(CKD), cardiovascular disease(CVD), diabetes, osteoarthritis(OA), and gastrointestinal disorders. This guideline was developed by a multidisciplinary expert panel consisting of specialists in endocrinology, rheumatology, nephrology, cardiology, gastroenterology, and methodology. The development process adhered to standard methodologies, including PICO(population, intervention, comparator, and outcomes) question deconstruction, systematic literature review, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation(GRADE) for evidence and recommendation evaluation, Delphi voting, and expert consensus. The guideline presents 26 evidence-based recommendations addressing 7 clinical questions for patients with hyperuricemia and gout in the context of comorbidities. Key recommendations include the maintenance of strict serum urate targets, particularly for patients with CKD stage≥3, chronic gouty arthritis, and OA, in order to prevent disease progression. In patients with CVD or diabetes, intra-articular triamcinolone is preferred over systemic glucocorticoids. Prioritized anti-inflammatory treatments for patients with CKD, gastrointestinal diseases and OA are recommended. The guideline also introduces emerging therapies, such as interleukin-1 inhibitors and selective urate transport inhibitors, as potential treatment options for refractory cases. The update offers a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to managing gout, particularly in individuals with associated comorbidities. Multidisciplinary collaboration and emerging new treatments and evidence ensure the optimization of the recommendations.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between Triglyceride Glucose-WHR index and retinal arteriosclerosis.Methods:Retrospective longitudinal cohort research method. Using data from the Tongren Health Care Study of Beijing Tongren Hospital from March 2014 to June 2020. The TyG-WHR index was calculated, the restricted cubic spine regression model was used to explore the dose-response relationship between TyG-WHR index and the risk of retinal arteriosclerosis. Cox proportional regression model was implemented to estimate the impact on the risk of retinal arteriosclerosis associated with the different TyG-WHR groups. Receiver operating characteristic were used to explore the value of triglyceride glucose-WHR index for the risk of retinal arteriosclerosis.Results:A total of 8 215 subjects were included, including 3 334 (40.58%) males, 4 881 (59.42%) females;7 689 cases had normal fundus, 296 cases had newly developed retinal arteriosclerosis, and 230 cases had retinal arteriosclerosis. The median age is 45 years old, and the average age is (47.63±13.89) years old. The cumulative incidence rate of new retinal arteriosclerosis was 3.71%(296/7 985), and the cumulative incidence rate of women (3.31%,158/4 767) was lower than that of men (4.29%, 138/3 218) ( χ2=5.105, P<0.001); The cumulative incidence rate of new retinal arteriosclerosis increased with age ( χ2=365.133, P<0.001); The TyG-WHR index was divided into four groups according to the interquartile range, and the Q2- Q4 group had an increased risk of developing new retinal arteriosclerosis compared to Q1 ( χ2=132.887, P<0.001).In the restricted cubic spine regression model, the results showed a non-linear dose-response relationship ( χ2=54.27, P<0.001) between baseline TyG-WHR index and the new-onset of retinal arteriosclerosis. By the multivariate Cox Regression models, three models were constructed in this study. TyG-WHR index was positively correlated with the risk of retinal arteriosclerosis: the HR (95% CI) of model 1-3 was 1.534,1.517 and 1.502.The AUC curve analysis verified that the prediction AUC of the TyG-WHR index for new-onset retinal arteriosclerosis was 0.755, the best prediction value was 7.343, the sensitivity was 90.2%, and the specificity was 75.60%. Conclusion:TyG-WHR index may be an independent risk factor for new-onset retinal arteriosclerosis.

Aim To investigate the intestinal protection and possible mechanism of magnolol(MG)in newborn rats with necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC).Methods The rats were randomly divided into control group(Ctrl group),model group(NEC group)and treatment group(MG group).The NEC model was induced by hypoxia,cold stimulation,deep formula milk and LPS intragastric administration in 7-day-old rats for four days.They were killed after five days of treatment with MG(20 mg·kg-1).HE staining was used to observe the intestinal pathological injury.Western blot was used to detect the expressions of IL-1 β,TNF-α,NL-RP3,ASC,caspase-1 and tight junction protein in the distal ileum of rats.Colon contents were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing to understand the gut microbio-ta.Results MG improved the body mass and intesti-nal injury of NEC neonatal rats.The expressions of in-testinal IL-1β,TNF-α,NLRP3,ASC and caspase-1 proteins were down-regulated,and the expressions of Claudin,Occludin and ZO-1 proteins were up-regula-ted.16S rDNA showed that MG increased the diversity of intestinal flora,and at the phylum level,MG in-creased the abundance of firmicutes and bacteroides in NEC model,and decreased the abundance of pro-teobacteria.At the genus level,MG treatment in-creased the abundance of Lactobacillus,unclassified_Muribaculaceae,Racteroides,but decreased the abun-dance of Escherichia_Shigella,Rodentibacter and Fuso-bacterium.Conclusion MG intervention can protect the intestinal tract of NEC rats by potentially improving barrier function,and regulating the intestinal microbiota through the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 signaling pathway.

AIM To explore the effects of Hofmeister series ions on encapsulation efficiencies of cinnamaldehyde,paeonol,and ligustilide in inclusion complex of volatile oils from Wenjing Decoction.METHODS The volatile oils were extracted,after which the β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex was prepared,the thermal stability was evaluated,and encapsulation efficiencies and inclusion complex constants of various volatile components in Na2SO4,NaH2PO4,NaCl,NaI,NaSCN solutions were determined.RESULTS The β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex demonstrated good thermal stability within 10 d.After the addtion of Hofmeister series ions,various volatile components displayed increased encapsulation efficiencies and inclusion complex constants,and concentration-dependent manner was observable in the latter.CONCLUSION Hofmeister series ions can affect the binding affinities of volatile components and β-cyclodextrin in volatile oils from Wenjing Decoction,thus regulate their encapsulation efficiencies.

Chaihu and Longgu Muli Decoction has demonstrated significant efficacy in the treatment of tachyarrhythmia accompanied by anxiety and depression. However, there is a lack of standardized guidelines for its clinical application. In this study, the Chaihu and Longgu Muli Decoction was investigated through extensive research on ancient and modern literature, as well as a collection of clinical medical records. The basic information, medication details, and diagnostic information from medical records, personal experience literature, and clinical cases in the treatment of tachyarrhythmia accompanied by anxiety were extracted and analyzed to preliminarily identify the prescription characteristics and syndrome patterns. Subsequently, the Delphi method was employed to construct an item pool based on the data obtained in the first step. An expert questionnaire was prepared to collect scores and revision opinions from experts regarding these items. After statistical analysis and group discussions, a second round of questionnaires was formed by screening out certain items. This process was repeated until a final item set for the treatment of tachyarrhythmia accompanied by anxiety with Chaihu and Longgu Muli Decoction was determined. These findings provided guidance for clinical prescription practices. By extracting 71 syndromes and signs, as well as 33 tongue and pulse characteristics, the main syndrome features included palpitations, chest tightness, irritability, etc., which were basically consistent with the ancient syndromes. Through frequency analysis and group discussions, 71 items were screened out. After screening, modification, and primary and secondary division, 11 main diagnostic items and 10 secondary diagnostic items were determined. On this basis, the research team believes that Chaihu and Longgu Muli Decoction is mainly indicated for the following syndromes in the treatment of tachyarrhythmia accompanied by anxiety(palpitations, poor sleep, bitter taste, dry mouth, irritability/easily angered/anxiety/fearfulness/easily startled, red tongue with greasy yellow coating, rapid pulse, high work/life pressure, tachyarrhythmia on electrocardiogram/Holter monitor, and positive results on anxiety scale). Secondary syndromes include chest tightness, shortness of breath, feeling heavy and weak in the body, sweating, poor appetite, constipation, greasy white tongue coating, wiry pulse, slippery pulse, or knotted and intermittent pulse.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Delphi Technique ; Anxiety/complications* ; Tachycardia/psychology* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged

This study aims to explore the protective effect of Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction on rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction, and to clarify its possible mechanisms, providing a new basis for basic research on the mechanism of classic Chinese medicinal formula-mediated inflammatory response in preventing and treating heart failure induced by apoptosis after myocardial infarction. A heart failure model after myocardial infarction was established in rats by coronary artery ligation. The rats were divided into sham group, model group, and low, medium, and high-dose groups of Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction, with 10 rats in each group. The low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction were given 6.3, 12.6, and 25.2 g·kg~(-1) doses by gavage, respectively. The sham group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water by gavage once daily for four consecutive weeks. Cardiac function was assessed using color Doppler echocardiography. Myocardial pathology was detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, apoptosis was measured by TUNEL assay, and mitophagy was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-1β, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The expression of apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), and cleaved caspase-3 was detected by Western blot. Additionally, the expression of phosphorylated nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB) p65(p-NF-κB p65)(upstream) and nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor alpha(IκBα)(downstream) in the NF-κB signaling pathway was assessed by Western blot. The results showed that compared with the sham group, left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular short axis shortening(LVFS) in the model group were significantly reduced, while left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDD) and left ventricular end systolic diameter(LVESD) increased significantly. Myocardial tissue damage was severe, with widened intercellular spaces and disorganized cell arrangement. The apoptosis rate was increased, and mitochondria were enlarged with increased vacuoles. Levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and NT-proBNP were elevated, indicating an obvious inflammatory response. The expression of pro-apoptotic factors Bax and cleaved caspase-3 increased, while the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 decreased. The expression of p-NF-κB p65 was upregulated, and the expression of IκBα was downregulated. In contrast, the Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction groups showed significantly improved of LVEF, LVFS and decreased LVEDD, LVESD compared to the model group. Myocardial tissue damage was alleviated, and intercellular spaces were reduced. The apoptosis rate decreased, mitochondrial volume decreased, and the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and NT-proBNP were lower. The expression of pro-apoptotic factors Bax and cleaved caspase-3 decreased, while the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 increased. Additionally, the expression of p-NF-κB p65 decreased, while IκBα expression increased. In summary, this experimental study shows that Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction can reduce the inflammatory response and apoptosis rate in rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction, which may be related to the regulation of the IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Myocardial Infarction/physiopathology* ; Male ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Heart Failure/etiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha/genetics* ; Humans ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics*

This paper aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of action of the Yiqi Fumai Formula(YQFM), a kind of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), on mice with experimental heart failure based on the "heart-gut axis" theory. Based on the network pharmacology integrated with the group collaboration algorithm, the active ingredients were screened, a "component-target-disease" network was constructed, and the potential pathways regulated by the formula were predicted and analyzed. Next, the model of experimental heart failure was established by intraperitoneal injection of adriamycin at a single high dose(15 mg·kg~(-1)) in BALB/c mice. After intraperitoneal injection of YQFM(lyophilized) at 7.90, 15.80, and 31.55 mg·d~(-1) for 7 d, the protective effects of the formula on cardiac function were evaluated using indicators such as ultrasonic electrocardiography and myocardial injury markers. Combined with inflammatory factors in the cardiac and colorectal tissue, as well as targeted assays, the relevant indicators of potential pathways were verified. Meanwhile, 16S rDNA sequencing was performed on mouse fecal samples using the Illumina platform to detect changes in gut flora and analyze differential metabolic pathways. The results show that the administration of injectable YQFM(lyophilized) for 7 d significantly increased the left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter, fractional shortening, and ejection fraction of cardiac tissue of mice with experimental heart failure(P<0.05). Moreover, markers of myocardial injury were significantly decreased(P<0.05), indicating improved cardiac function, along with significantly suppressed inflammatory responses in cardiac and intestinal tissue(P<0.05). Additionally, the species of causative organisms was decreased, and the homeostasis of gut flora was improved, involving a modulatory effect on PI3K-Akt signaling pathway-related inflammation in cardiac and colorectal tissue. In conclusion, YQFM can affect the "heart-gut axis" immunity through the homeostasis of the gut flora, thereby exerting a therapeutic effect on heart failure. This finding provides a reference for the combination of TCM and western medicine to prevent and treat heart failure based on the "heart-gut axis" theory.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Heart Failure/microbiology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Male ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Heart/physiopathology* ; Humans ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*