ObjectiveTo explore the improving effect of Huangqi Chifengtang（HCT） on atherosclerosis（AS）， and elucidate its mechanism in relation to adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase（AMPK）/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α（PPARα） signaling pathway and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain（NOD）-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3（NLRP3） inflammasome. MethodsEight C57BL/6J mice were set as the normal group， and 32 ApoE^-/- mice were randomly divided into the model group， the positive drug group（atorvastatin， 5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， HCT low- and high-dose groups（1.95， 3.90 g·kg^-1·d^-1）. ApoE^-/- mice were fed with high-fat and high-cholesterol feed to establish an AS mouse model. After modeling， they were orally administered corresponding dose of drugs for 28 days， while the normal and model groups received an equal volume of physiological saline via oral gavage. Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to observe the pathological status of the aorta and liver in mice， Biochemical testing and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） were used to detect the levels of total cholesterol（TC）， triglycerides（TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol（LDL-C）， alanine aminotransferase（ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase（AST）， C-reactive protein（CRP）， interleukin（IL）-1β， IL-18 in the serum， as well as superoxide dismutase（SOD）， malondialdehyde（MDA）， and reduced glutathione（GSH） in the liver. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of NLRP3， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein（ASC）， cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1（Caspase-1）， Toll-like receptor 4（TLR4） in the aorta， and fatty acid synthase（FAS）， stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1（SCD1）， PPARα， and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A（CPT1A） in the liver. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the protein expressions of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and ASC in the aorta， and Western blot was used to measure the protein expressions of AMPK， p-AMPK， sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c（SREBP-1c）， CPT1A， and FAS in the liver. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed a significant increase in lipid plaque deposition in the aorta and lipid accumulation in the liver， the levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， AST， ALT， IL-1β， IL-18 and CRP in the serum were significantly increased（P<0.01）， and the mRNA and protein expressions of aortic TLR4， NLRP3， Caspase-1 and ASC were significantly upregulated（P<0.01）. The levels of SOD and GSH in the liver were significantly reduced， while the level of MDA was significantly increased（P<0.01）. The mRNA expressions of FAS and SCD1 in the liver were significantly downregulated， while the mRNA expressions of PPARα and CPT1A were significantly upregulated. The protein expressions of p-AMPK/AMPK and CPT1A in the liver were significantly reduced， while the expressions of SREBP-1c and FAS proteins were significantly increased（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the low- and high-dose HCT groups showed significant improvements in aortic plaques and hepatic lipid deposition. The levels of TC， LDL-C， AST， IL-1β and IL-18 in the serum of the low-dose HCT group， as well as TC， TG， LDL-C， AST， ALT， IL-1β， IL-18 and CRP in the serum of the high-dose HCT group， were significantly reduced（P<0.01）. The mRNA expressions of TLR4， NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in the aorta of the low-dose HCT group， as well as TLR4， NLRP3， Caspase-1 and ASC in the aorta of the high-dose HCT group， were significantly downregulated（P<0.01）. The protein expressions of Caspase-1 and ASC in the aorta of the low-dose HCT group， as well as NLRP3， Caspase-1 and ASC in the high-dose HCT group， were significantly downregulated（P<0.01）. The levels of SOD and GSH in the liver of the low- and high-dose HCT groups were significantly increased， while the level of MDA in the high-dose HCT group was significantly decreased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the HCT-treated group， the mRNA expressions of FAS and SCD1 in the liver were significantly upregulated， while the mRNA expressions of PPARα and CPT1A were significantly downregulated， the protein expressions of p-AMPK/AMPK and CPT1A in the liver were significantly increased， while the protein expressions of SREBP-1c and FAS were significantly decreased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionHCT can improve lipid metabolism by activating the AMPK/PPARα pathway and inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated inflammatory responses， thereby reducing hepatic lipid deposition and AS plaque formation.

Objective: To analyze changes in tuberculosis infection among junior high school students before and after tuberculosis exposure, so as to provide a reference for improving school tuberculosis prevention and control measures and policy formulation. Methods: Retrospectively collect data on a tuberculosis outbreak that occurred in a grade of a junior high school in Chongqing in 2025, including tuberculosis screening records of students in this grade upon their enrollment in 2022 (1 156 students) and after two tuberculosis outbreaks in 2023 (206 students) and 2025 (171 students). The Wilcoxon signed rank test for paired design was used to compare the induration diameters of the subjects, and the Chi square test was adopted to analyze the rate of tuberculosis infection among students. Results: In the tuberculosis outbreak in 2023, the rate of tuberculosis infection among close contacts ( 11.84 %) and the rate of tuberculosis infection among freshrman at school enrollment (12.89%) showed no statistically significant difference ( χ 2=0.25, P >0.05). The rate of tuberculosis infection of close contacts in the 2025 tuberculosis outbreak (55.56%) was higher than that in the 2023 outbreak (11.84%) ( χ 2=30.42, P <0.01). Among the 106 students included in the cohort analysis, the median induration diameter was 3.50 (1.50, 7.50) mm in 2023 and 8.75 (4.25, 11.50) mm in 2025, with a statistically significant difference ( Z=-5.76, P <0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between the infection rate in 2022 (16.98%) and that in 2023 (10.38%) ( χ 2=1.96, P =0.16). The infection rate in 2025 (43.40%) was higher than those in 2022 and 2023 ( χ 2=17.55, 29.39, both P <0.017). The seroconversion rate of students in the same class in 2025 ( 58.00 %) was higher than that of students in different classes (16.07%), with a statistically significant difference ( χ 2=20.19, P <0.01). All 72 individuals with latent tuberculosis infections identified during the pandemic in 2023 and 2025 refused to undergo prophylactic treatment. Conclusions The lack of preventive treatment may be the underlying cause of the successive outbreaks during the epidemic. Early detection of infection sources and standardized outbreak management are crucial to controlling the spread of the epidemic.

bjective To analyze the growth trends of height and weight among primary and secondary school students, and explore the developmental characteristics and gender differences at different age groups, and to provide a scientific basis for adolescent health policy formulation. Methods Based on 675 175 health examination records of 227 978 students aged 6-17 years in Shiyan City from 2015 to 2024, a logistic growth model was employed to fit the curves of height and weight changes with age. Results From 2015 to 2024, height and weight showed steady increases across all age groups, exhibiting typical sigmoidal growth patterns. The growth rates varied across age groups: the younger age group (6-9 years) showed a moderate growth (annual height increase of 0.5-1.0 cm, weight increase of 0.03-0.06 kg/year), while the older age group (10-17 years) demonstrated a significant growth (annual height increase of 1.5-2.0 cm, weight increase of 0.22-0.38 kg/year). The growth rate curves displayed a unimodal distribution. The growth inflection points of male students occurred later than that of female students (height inflection point: 9.87 years for males vs. 8.98 years for females; weight inflection point: 10.70 years for males vs. 9.99 years for females). Female students experienced a more concentrated but shorter period of growth and development. The peak height growth rate was 7.40 cm/year at age 9 for females and 7.09 cm/year at age 10 for males, while the peak weight growth rate was 5.04 kg/year at age 10 for females and 5.27 kg/year at age 11 for males. Conclusion The physical development of primary and secondary school students in Shiyan City follows a logistic growth pattern, with significant gender differences and characteristics of adolescent growth spurts. Female students exhibit an earlier and more concentrated growth process.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF） can be classified as pulmonary collateral disease，and its pathogenesis is mainly characterized by the loss of Qi meridian nourishment，the loss of Yin meridian nourishment，and the formation of blood stasis in the blood vessels. Qi Yin deficiency is the pathological basis that runs through IPF，and obstruction of meridians and collaterals is a key element in the development of the disease. The dysfunction of "spleen being in charge of the defensive function" is closely related to the formation of the pathological pattern of "lung deficiency and collateral stasis" in IPF. The term "spleen being in charge of the defensive function" originated from the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon. If the spleen is healthy，the Qi will be filled with vitality. Positive energy is stored inside，evil cannot be dried up. Its concept is quite similar to the immune defense function in modern medicine. If the principle of "spleen being in charge of the defensive function" is lost，the key structure and function of the IPF alveolar epithelial barrier may be abnormal，and it can interact with various innate immune cells to promote inflammation and fibrosis processes. Therefore，this article explains the imbalance of immune homeostasis in IPF alveolar epithelium from two aspects：the barrier function of alveolar epithelial cells（AECs） and their interaction with innate immune cells. And based on the theory of "spleen being in charge of the defensive function"，using traditional Chinese medicine for strengthening the spleen and nourishing Qi to treat IPF from the perspective of the spleen. This not only strengthens the scientific connotation of "spleen being in charge of the defensive function" in the pathogenesis of IPF，but also provides new research directions and ideas for its future clinical prevention and treatment.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To investigate the associations between MRI texture features and genetic mutations in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and non-ccRCC (n-ccRCC).Methods:This was a cross-section study. A retrospective review was performed on 31 patients (ccRCC group 19 cases and n-ccRCC group 12 cases) diagnosed with renal cell carcinomas and underwent targeted sequencing between April 2011 and December 2021 in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. All the patients underwent MRI examinations within two weeks before partial or radical nephrectomy. Texture features were extracted from T 1WI, T 2WI, Dixon-MRI, cortical-medulla phase (CMP), nephrographic phase (NGP), and delayed phase (DEP) images. MRI texture features with the highest value for distinguishing ccRCC from n-ccRCC were selected for subsequent analysis. The next-generation high-throughput sequencing technology was employed to analyze gene mutations in renal tumors. The correlation between mutation genes and texture features in ccRCC and n-ccRCC was analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficient. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway annotation analysis was performed. Results:A total of 8 MRI texture features were selected. In the ccRCC group, PTEN mutation was correlated with DEP_InverseDifferenceMoment_angle0_offset7 ( r=-0.58, P=0.009). In the non-ccRCC group, SETD2 mutation was correlated with CM_Phase_InverseDifferenceMoment_AllDirection_offset1 and Dixon_W_InverseDifferenceMoment_AllDirection_offset7 ( r=0.58, 0.63, P=0.048, 0.027), PBRM1 mutation was correlated with DE_Phase_InverseDifferenceMoment_angle0_offset7 and DE_Phase_HaraVariance ( r=0.61, -0.60, P=0.034, 0.039), and FAT1 mutation was correlated with DE_Phase_HaraVariance and NG_Phase_Inertia_angle135_offset4 ( r=0.58, 0.58, P=0.047, 0.047). The KEGG pathway annotation analysis showed that the mechanisms of the mutation genes that correlated with MRI texture features in the ccRCC group were related to the p53 signaling pathway, inositol phosphate metabolism, central carbon metabolism in cancer, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, PD-L1 expression and PD-1 checkpoint pathway in cancer, and phosphatidylinositol signaling system. The mutation genes correlated with MRI texture features in the non-ccRCC group were mainly associated with lysine degradation. Conclusion:The associations are found between MRI texture features and underlying genetic mutations of ccRCC and n-ccRCC. These mutation genes have completely different enrichment pathways.

Objective:To explore the value of four-dimensional flow (4D Flow) MRI in evaluating hemodynamic changes of transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS).Methods:The study was a cross-sectional study. A retrospective analysis of 67 patients after renal transplantation was performed in Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2021 to October 2022. All patients were examined with non-contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (NCE-MRA) and 4D Flow MRI. After NCE-MRA assessment, the patients were divided into a non stenosis group (39 cases), non-obvious stenosis group (stenosis degree<50%, 13 cases) and obvious stenosis group (stenosis degree≥50%, 15 cases). The 4D Flow MRI data were analyzed using the post-processing software CVI42 (Canada) to measure hemodynamic parameters of the transplanted renal artery in the non-stenosis group, as well as the proximal, central, and distal regions of the stenosis in the non-obvious stenosis group and obvious stenosis group. The parameters included net flow rate, maximum flow rate, average velocity, peak velocity, average wall shear stress, and maximum wall shear stress. One way analysis of variance and least significant difference (LSD) were used to test the differences of hemodynamic parameters among the three groups and between the proximal, central and distal regions of the stenosis. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between hemodynamic parameters of transplant renal artery and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).Results:The net flow, maximum flow and average velocity at the proximal region of stenosis in the group with obvious stenosis of transplanted renal artery were significantly lower than those in the non-stenosis group and the non-obvious stenosis group (all P<0.05). The net flow and maximum flow at the distal region of stenosis in both obvious stenosis group and non-obvious stenosis group were lower than those in non-stenosis group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.001). The mean velocity and peak velocity at the distal region of stenosis in the obvious stenosis group were higher than those in the non-stenosis group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). The maximum and average wall shear stress at the distal region of stenosis in the obvious stenosis group were lower than those in the non-stenosis group and the non-obvious stenosis group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). The net flow and maximum flow in the center region of stenosis were lower than those in the proximal region of stenosis, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). The peak velocity in the center region and distal region of stenosis was higher than those in the proximal region of stenosis, and the difference was statistically significant (both P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the net flow and eGFR at the TRAS patients proximal, center, and distal stenosis ( r=0.270, 0.260, 0.320, respectively, P=0.044, 0.041, 0.036, respectively). There was a positive correlation between the maximum flow and eGFR at the TRAS patients proximal, center, and distal stenosis ( r=0.306, 0.276, 0.269, respectively, P=0.037, 0.041, 0.043, respectively). Conclusion:After TRAS, there is a significant change in blood flow status. The 4D Flow MRI can provide quantitative hemodynamic parameters to reflect the hemodynamic changes of TRAS.

Objective:To explore the correlation between renal function and abdominal aortic hemodynamic parameters based on four-dimensional flow(4D Flow) MRI in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods:A cross-section prospective study was conducted on 73 patients diagnosed with CKD at First People′s Hospital of Changzhou between March 2021 and May 2023, as well as 13 volunteers without kidney injury. According to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), the subjects were divided into CKD 1-3 stage group ( n=34), CKD 4-5 stage group ( n=39), and control group ( n=13). All subjects underwent 4D Flow MRI examination of the abdominal aorta, measuring pulse wave velocity (PWV), peak velocity, and maximum wall shear stress (WSS) at the proximal plane (Plane_1) and the higher renal artery opening plane (Plane_2) of the abdominal aorta. The differences in 4D Flow MRI hemodynamic parameters among the three groups were compared using a one-way analysis of variance or the Kruskal-Wallis test. The correlation between 4D Flow MRI hemodynamic parameters and eGFR was analyzed by using the Spearman correlation coefficient. The independent influencing factors that affect eGFR were analyzed by using multivariate linear regression analysis. Results:There were significant differences in abdominal aortic PWV and maximal WSS of Plane_1 and Plane_2 among the three groups ( H=10.38, P=0.006; F=11.16, P<0.001; F=4.75, P=0.011). There were no significant differences in the peak velocity of Plane_1 and Plane_2 among the three groups (both P>0.05). Abdominal aortic PWV was negatively correlated with eGFR ( r s=-0.30, P=0.005). There was a positive correlation between the maximal WSS of Plane_1 and Plane_2 with eGFR ( r s=0.39, P<0.001; r s=0.29, P=0.006). Abdominal aortic PWV and maximal WSS of Plane_1 were independent influencing factors of eGFR (b=-4.32, P=0.018; b=132.23, P=0.004). Conclusions:There is an independent correlation between renal function and abdominal aortic hemodynamic parameters based on 4D Flow MRI in patients with CKD, and abdominal aortic PWV and maximal WSS of Plane_1 were independent influencing factors of eGFR.

Aim To explore the mechanism of ligustil-ide(LIG)improving demyelination by inhibiting in-flammatory response in mice with distal middle cerebral artery occlusion(dMCAO)through AIM2/caspase-1 signal pathway.Methods Thirty C57BL/6N male mice were randomly divided into three groups:sham operation group(Sham group,n=10),model group(dMCAO group,n=10)and treatment group(LIG group,n=10).The dMCAO mouse model was estab-lished by electrocoagulation in dMCAO group and LIG group.The mice were scored by Longa after waking up,and the changes of cerebral blood flow were moni-tored by laser speckle blood flow imaging system after dMCAO.One hour after modeling,LIG(30 mg·kg-1·d-1)was injected intraperitoneally in LIG group,and the same amount of normal saline was injected in sham group and dMCAO group for one week until the end of the experiment.The mice in each group were stained with TTC,and the brain injury was observed pathologically.Fatigue turning bar test and open field test were used to evaluate the motor function and anxie-ty degree of mice,and then the brain tissues of mice were taken for black gold staining to compare the chan-ges of myelin sheath in each group.Immunofluores-cence staining was used to detect the average fluores-cence intensity of MBP,IBA1 and GFAP in CC,CPU and CX regions of mouse brains.ELISAwas used to de-tect the contents of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1 β,IL-17A and BDNF in brain tissue proteins of mice.Western blot-ting was used to detect the protein expressions of AIM2,caspase-1 and ASC-in each group.Results Compared with the dMCAO group,the infarct area was reduced,the behavior was significantly improved and the demyelination was reduced in the LIG group.The expression of MBP protein in CC,CPU and CX regions increased(P＜0.05),the expression of IBA1 in CX decreased(P＜0.01),and the expression of GFAP in-creased in CC,CPU and CX regions(P＜0.01).The results of ELISA showed that the levels ofTNF-α(P＜0.01),IL-6(P＜0.01),IL-1β(P＜0.05)and IL-17A(P＜0.01)significantly decreased,while the ex-pression of BDNF increased(P＜0.05).The protein expression levels of AIM2,caspase-1 and ASC in mouse brain decreased after treatment(P＜0.01).Conclusion LIG has a protective effect on demyelina-tion in dMCAO mice,which may be related to the inhi-bition of AIM2/caspase-1 signaling pathway and in-flammation and to the promotion of BDNF secretion.

Atherosclerosis is a degenerative vascular lesion characterized by chronic inflammation of the vessel wall and represents a crucial risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.Although Western medicine has made advances in anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering treatments,research into the dynamic progression of atherosclerosis and multi-target regulation remains limited.In traditional Chinese medicine,these conditions are classified as"vessel bi"and"pulse accumulation."This study is based on the"blood pathway originates from the liver"theory proposed by KE Qin in the Qing Dynasty in his The Annotated ′Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases′.The aim is to systematically elucidate the connotations of this theory and explore atherosclerosis pathogenesis and treatment.This condition originates in hepatic dysregulation,leading to qi stagnation and blood flow obstruction.It then progresses to disharmony between the liver and heart,where excessive wood and fire injure the vessels.This result in the accumulation of phlegm and blood stasis,causing abnormal qi transformation and lipid stagnation.The underlying deficiency lies in liver and kidney yin deficiency,where essence depletion leads to blood thickening and vessel atrophy,ultimately forming a complex pathology characterized by deficiency in origin and excess at the surface.Therapeutic strategies should prioritize dispersing the liver and regulating the blood,while integrating a multi-faceted approach that includes"dispersing stagnated liver qi for relieving qi stagnation to promote qi flow,invigorating blood and eliminating stasis to open the meridians,transforming phlegm and draining turbidity to clarify the source,nourishing the liver and kidneys to strengthen the foundation,and softening the liver and clearing the heart to harmonize yin and yang."This integrative strategy of"dispersing,dissipating,supplementing,clearing,and harmonizing"offers a novel perspective for the dynamic prevention and multi-target regulation of atherosclerosis,combining both theoretical and practical aspects.