Objective To explore the effects of Shuanglu Tongnao Formula on neuroinflammation in ischemic stroke (IS) rats via the P2X purinoceptor 7 receptor (P2X7R)/NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) pathway. Methods The rats were divided into five groups: the IS group, control group, Shuanglu Tongnao Formula group, P2X7R inhibitor brilliant blue G (BBG) group, and Shuanglu Tongnao Formula combined with P2X7R activator adenosine triphosphate (ATP) group, with 18 rats in each group. Except for the control group, rats in all other groups were used to construct an IS model using the suture method. After successful modeling, the drug was given once a day for 2 weeks. Neurological function scores and cerebral infarction volume ratios were measured in rats. Pathological examination of the ischemic penumbra brain tissue was performed. Immunofluorescence staining was used to quantify the proportions of microglia co-expressing both inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1), as well as arginase 1 (Arg1) and Iba1, in the ischemic penumbra brain tissue. ELISA was used to detect tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-10 in the ischemic penumbra brain tissue. Western blotting was used to measure P2X7R, NLRP3, and IL-1β proteins in the ischemic penumbra brain tissue. Results Compared with the control group, the IS group showed disordered neuronal arrangement, nuclear condensation, and obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells in the ischemic penumbra; significantly elevated neurological function scores, cerebral infarction volume ratios, proportions of microglia co-expressing iNOS and Iba1, and levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and P2X7R, NLRP3, IL-1β proteins; along with reduced proportions of microglia co-expressing Arg1 and Iba1 and levels of TGF-β and IL-10. Compared with the IS group, the Zhuang medicine Shuanglu Tongnao Formula and BBG groups demonstrated alleviated brain tissue damage; reduced neurological function scores, cerebral infarction volume ratios, proportions of microglia co-expressing iNOS and Iba1, and levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and P2X7R, NLRP3, IL-1β proteins; along with increased proportions of microglia co-expressing Arg1 and Iba1 and levels of TGF-β and IL-10. ATP reversed the effects of Zhuang medicine Shuanglu Tongnao Formula on microglial polarization and neuroinflammation in IS rats. Conclusion Zhuang medicine Shuanglu Tongnao Formula may promote the transformation of microglia from M1 type to M2 type by inhibiting the P2X7R/NLRP3 pathway, thereby improving neuroinflammation in IS rats.
Animals ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Receptors, Purinergic P2X7/metabolism* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Rats ; Ischemic Stroke/pathology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Disease Models, Animal ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism* ; Interleukin-10/metabolism* ; Brain Ischemia/drug therapy* ; Microglia/metabolism*

Rheumatoid arthritis （RA）， as an autoimmune disease， is mainly characterized by persistent synovitis. It often involves multiple joints symmetrically and can lead to joint deformity， joint function loss， and even disability in severe cases. The pathogenesis of RA is complex， and the prevention and treatment are complicated. Therefore， it is difficult to cure the disease completely. Previous studies have validated important targets and mechanisms for the prevention and treatment of RA， including the nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway that controls the inflammatory process， nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） signaling pathway that regulates oxidative stress， inhibits inflammation， and maintains cell homeostasis， Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway that plays a key role in cell growth， differentiation， apoptosis， and inflammatory response， anti-inflammatory， anti-oxidation， and silent information regulator 1 （SIRT1） signaling pathway that regulates synovial cells， anti-inflammatory adenylate-activated protein kinase （AMPK） signaling pathway that regulates energy metabolism， and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）/vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） signaling pathway related to angiogenesis in RA. At the same time， many studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine prevents and treats RA by regulating the above signaling pathways and exerting their related effects， indicating the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine such as multiple regulatory pathways， long-term effects， and less adverse reactions. In this paper， by consulting many research reports， the role of the above-mentioned signaling pathways in RA was clarified， and the latest research results of traditional Chinese medicine intervention in the above-mentioned signaling pathways in the prevention and treatment of RA in recent years were summarized in detail. This paper aims to promote the in-depth study of the pathogenesis of RA and its treatment with traditional Chinese medicine， provide a scientific basis for the rational application of traditional Chinese medicine， and offer useful enlightenment for the development of new drugs and clinical practice for the treatment of RA in the future.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors for postoperative cardiovascular events (PCE) after renal transplantation and their impact on transplant kidney function.Methods:The clinical data of 120 patients who underwent kidney transplant at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from March 2020 to March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 23 cases occurred PCE (PCE group), and 97 cases did not occur PCE (non-PCE group). The relevant preoperative and postoperative data were recorded. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of PCE in kidney transplant patients.Results:The incidence rate of PCE in kidney transplant patients was 19.17% (23/120). There were no statistical differences in the gender composition, preoperative dyslipidemia rate, preoperative hypertension rate and immunosuppressant use between two groups ( P>0.05); the age, preoperative body mass index>30 kg/m 2 rate, preoperative dialysis time>12 months rate, preoperative diabetes rate, preoperative cardiovascular disease rate, preoperative diabetic nephropathy rate, cadaver kidney transplant rate, postoperative dyslipidemia rate, postoperative serum creatinine >200 μmol/L rate, postoperative new-onset diabetes rate, postoperative delayed failure rate and postoperative acute reaction rate in PCE group were significantly higher than those in non-PCE group, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 or <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age, preoperative diabetes, preoperative cardiovascular disease, preoperative diabetic nephropathy, postoperative serum creatinine >200 μmol/L and postoperative acute reaction were independent risk factors of PCE in kidney transplant patients ( OR = 2.40, 3.42, 3.85, 1.98, 2.62 and 2.11; 95% CI 1.67 to 3.58, 1.61 to 7.05, 2.61 to 5.55, 1.05 to 3.85, 1.25 to 4.52 and 1.20 to 4.78; P<0.01 or <0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in serum creatinine 3 months after surgery between two groups ( P>0.05); the serum creatinine 6 and 12 months after surgery in PCE group was significantly higher than that in non-PCE group: (139.58 ± 31.54) μmol/L vs. (105.36 ± 21.05) μmol/L and (198.32 ± 40.12) μmol/L vs. (107.63 ± 24.64) μmol/L, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01). Conclusions:The incidence of PCE in kidney transplant patients is higher, and there are many risk factors for PCE. If relevant measures are taken to correct or remove risk factors, it may reduce the incidence of PCE and prolong survival time in kidney transplant patients.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of Z-plasty combined with auricular cartilage grafting in the correction of cryptotia.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of cryptotia patients who underwent Z-plasty combined with auricular cartilage grafting at the Department of Ear Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from January 2020 to December 2023. The surgery consisted of five steps: design of the Z-plasty flap, harvesting of auricular cartilage from the conchal cavity, dissection and reshaping of the auricular cartilage, transplantation of auricular cartilage, and skin coverage with flap transfer. Early and late complications were recorded according to postoperative follow-up, and the external ear morphology was evaluated by both plastic surgeons and the patients’ guardians using a Likert 4-point scale (the higher the score, the better the auricular morphology). Normally distributed data were presented as Mean±SD.Results:A total of 32 patients were included in the study, comprising 23 males and 9 females, aged 5 to 14 years, with an average age of 7.3 years. Two children were lost to follow-up, and 30 completed long-term follow-up, with follow-up periods ranging from 6 to 24 months, averaging 9.3 months. Early complications included hematoma in 2 cases [6.3%(2/32)] and flap vascular compromise in 1 case[3.1%(1/32)]. Late complications primarily involved hypertrophic scars in 2 cases[6.7%(2/30)], with no recurrence of deformity. After the operation, the cranioauricular sulcus on the upper pole of the auricle were significantly deepened, and the patients could wear masks and glasses. The average score for the external ear morphology was 3.5±0.5 by plastic surgeons and 3.5±0.5 by patients.Conclusion:Z-plasty combined with auricular cartilage grafting provides satisfactory result in the correction of cryptotia, with few postoperative complications and high patient satisfaction, making it suitable for the treatment of cryptotia.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of Z-plasty combined with auricular cartilage grafting in the correction of cryptotia.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of cryptotia patients who underwent Z-plasty combined with auricular cartilage grafting at the Department of Ear Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from January 2020 to December 2023. The surgery consisted of five steps: design of the Z-plasty flap, harvesting of auricular cartilage from the conchal cavity, dissection and reshaping of the auricular cartilage, transplantation of auricular cartilage, and skin coverage with flap transfer. Early and late complications were recorded according to postoperative follow-up, and the external ear morphology was evaluated by both plastic surgeons and the patients’ guardians using a Likert 4-point scale (the higher the score, the better the auricular morphology). Normally distributed data were presented as Mean±SD.Results:A total of 32 patients were included in the study, comprising 23 males and 9 females, aged 5 to 14 years, with an average age of 7.3 years. Two children were lost to follow-up, and 30 completed long-term follow-up, with follow-up periods ranging from 6 to 24 months, averaging 9.3 months. Early complications included hematoma in 2 cases [6.3%(2/32)] and flap vascular compromise in 1 case[3.1%(1/32)]. Late complications primarily involved hypertrophic scars in 2 cases[6.7%(2/30)], with no recurrence of deformity. After the operation, the cranioauricular sulcus on the upper pole of the auricle were significantly deepened, and the patients could wear masks and glasses. The average score for the external ear morphology was 3.5±0.5 by plastic surgeons and 3.5±0.5 by patients.Conclusion:Z-plasty combined with auricular cartilage grafting provides satisfactory result in the correction of cryptotia, with few postoperative complications and high patient satisfaction, making it suitable for the treatment of cryptotia.

Hepatitis C is distributed worldwide and possesses a hidden characteristic. The traditional methods of screening and diagnosis of hepatitis C infection commonly used in clinics are based on anti-HCV antibody and HCV RNA detection. Advances in HCV antigen detection technologies can apparently reduce the window period for anti-HCV antibodies, providing new clinical evidence for the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of HCV infection. This article is a current review of HCV antigen detection methodologies, clinical applications, and detection strategies.

Objective:To observe the occurrence of perioperative adverse events of carotid endarterectomy in patients with carotid artery stenosis, and analyze the influencing factors of perioperative adverse events.Methods:The clinical data of 120 carotid artery stenosis patients underwent carotid endarterectomy from October 2021 to October 2022 in Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 42 patients experienced perioperative adverse events (adverse events group), and 78 patients did not experience perioperative adverse events (non-adverse events group). The baseline data, imaging findings, laboratory indexes, surgical indexes and postoperative complications were recorded. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of perioperative adverse events of carotid endarterectomy in patients with carotid artery stenosis.Results:The rates of history of cerebrovascular disease, severe stenosis or occlusion of anterior cerebral artery, patch repair and plaque ulceration in adverse events group were significantly higher than those in non-adverse events group: 35.71% (15/42) vs. 15.38% (12/78), 52.38% (22/42) vs. 26.92% (21/78), 50.00% (21/42) vs. 20.51% (16/78) and 61.90% (26/42) vs. 24.36% (19/78), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05 or <0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis result showed that the severe stenosis or occlusion of anterior cerebral artery, patch repair and plaque ulceration were the independent risk factors of perioperative adverse events of carotid endarterectomy in patients with carotid artery stenosis ( OR = 2.874, 2.632 and 3.214; 95% CI 1.421 to 3.654, 1.748 to 3.287 and 2.101 to 4.697; P<0.05 or <0.01). Conclusions:The severe stenosis or occlusion of anterior cerebral artery, patch repair and plaque ulceration are the independent risk factors of perioperative adverse events of carotid endarterectomy in patients with carotid artery stenosis. Identifying and taking effective measures to prevent the perioperative adverse events can effectively reduce disability and mortality rates.

Objective By analyzing the characteristics of hidden poisoning homicide cases,provide scientific references for grass-roots forensic examination and toxicological screening and provide direction for the efficient discovery of hidden or missed cases of poisoning homicide in non-natural death cases.Methods Poisoning incidents in Hunan Province from 2018 to 2023 were retrospectively analyzed and compiled using Origin and EXCEL software.Results There were a total of 149 poisoning homicide cases,with 15 occurring in urban areas(accounting for 10.1%)and 134 in rural areas(accounting for 89.9%).Out of the 46 cases that led to casualties,rodenticide poisoning was the most prevalent(accounting for 52.2%),followed by cyanide(4.3%),nitrite(4.3%),thallium(2.2%),and other forms of poisoning.These incidents were primarily concentrated in urban areas.The main way of poisoning was to mix poisons into drinking water(accounting for 28.3%),meals(26.1%),and dark or heavy seasoning(8.7%).There was no significant disparity in the gender distribution of suspects,although the number of male victims was notably higher than that of female victims.The suspects were predominantly between the ages of 19 and 45,while the victims were mostly between the ages of 46 and 60.Among the 103 cases that did not result in injury or death,99%occurred in rural areas,with more than 95%of the involved poisons included pungent pesticides or herbicides,while rodenticides accounted for the least(1.9%).Conclusion There are obvious urban-rural differences in the case occurrence areas and types of involved poisons in poisoning homicide cases.Therefore,it is imperative to focus on both urban and rural areas during the investigation and evidence collection process in suspected poisoning cases.

Objective To understand the proficiency level and sources of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)health education among hemodialysis patients,in order to provide the basis for promoting the application of TCM nursing in hemodialysis patients.Methods Utilizing a convenience sampling approach,we conducted a survey from April to May 2023 involving hemodialysis patients from 7 tertiary TCM hospitals across Beijing,Hebei Province,Sichuan Province,and other regions.Custom-made questionnaires were utilized,gathering general information,respons-es conceming the level of mastery on TCM health education,and their primary sources of such knowledge.Results A total of 413 questionnaires were disseminated,and 392 proved valid,yielding a valid response rate of 94.92％.The score of patient's knowledge on TCM health education averaged(8.25±3.73),and an average score rate of 48.53％was obtained.In the patients undergoing hemodialysis,a relatively larger number of people possess knowl-edge of TCM health knowledge about relieving symptoms(50.8％～55.9％)and traditional Chinese daily life routines(56.4％～90.1％).However,fewer people are aware of how to use the five-tone therapy method for emotional inter-vention(40.8％)and principle of taking restorative Traditional Chinese Medicine(24.5％～36.7％),the dietary prin-ciples of"nurturing yang in spring and summer,and nurturing yin in autumn and winter"(14.3％),and theories of TCM kidney functions(9.9％).Approximately 23.0％of the patients sourced their TCM health education knowledge from new media platforms.Compared with new media method alone,patients who utilized only traditional education-al platforms(P=0.020),and those who combined both new media and traditional methods(P=0.018)demonstrated higher proficiency in TCM health education.Conclusion Hemodialysis caregivers are urged to develop a TCM health education framework that emphasizes emotional well-being and traditional wellness concepts,thereby fostering patient-centric TCM health ideologies.Hemodialysis education personnel are encouraged to leverage new media whilst ensuring education quality and effective outcomes.

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge(SMB)has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.Growing clinical usage has led to a huge demand for artificial planting of SMB.Thus,continuous cropping of SMB is an important challenge that needs to be addressed.Contin-uous cropping can alter the metabolic profile of plants,resulting in poor growth and low yield.In this study,we tried to image the spatial location and variation of endogenous metabolites in continuously cropped SMB using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging(MALDI-MSI).Spatially resolved expressions of tanshinones,salvianolic acids,polyamines,phenolic acids,amino acids,and oligosaccharides in normal and continuously cropped SMB roots were compared.The ex-pressions of dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ,tanshinone Ⅱ A,dehydromiltirone,miltirone,dehydrotanshinone ⅡA,spermine,salvianolic acid B/E,tetrasaccharide,and pentasaccharide in continuously cropped SMB roots were much lower than those in normal roots.There was little difference in the expressions of caffeic acid and salvianolic acid A in normal and continuously cropped SMB roots.Ferulic acid was more widely distributed in xylem of normal SMB but strongly expressed in xylem,phloem,and cambium of continuously cropped SMB.The spatially resolved metabolite information enhances our understanding of the metabolic signature of continuously cropped SMB and also provides insights into the metabolic ef-fects of continuous cropping in other plants.