It is believed that the occurrence and development of squamous cell carcinoma （SCC） is closely associated with inflammatory responses. The theory of fire and heat， advocated by LIU Wansu， provides significant clinical guidance for understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of SCC. Based on this theory， the pathological mechanisms and clinical characteristics of SCC at different stages were analyzed. In the precancerous and early stages， the primary pathogenesis is qi stagnation leading to internal generation of constrained heat； in post-surgery， the condition shifts to qi deficiency with latent yin fire； during the treatment phase， the pathogenesis involves accumulation of pathogenic factors， excess toxins， and severe heat toxicity； in the late stage， the main pathology is yin deficiency with toxic heat， and phlegm-stasis obstruction of the internal organs. Corresponding stage-based treatment strategies are proposed. In the early stage， regulating qi movement to dissipate constrained heat； for post-surgery， tonifying qi and raising yang to dispel latent fire； during treatment stage， clearing heat and detoxifying to eliminate cancerous toxins； and in the late stage， nourishing yin and unblocking the bowels to clear deficiency heat.

"Stagnation" is an important pathological state in the development and progression of malignant tumors. However， its intrinsic connection with different stages of tumor evolution has not been clearly elucidated in previous studies. Drawing on clinical practice， this paper proposes the theory of stagnant toxin， emphasizing stage-specific pathogenesis and differentiated treatment strategies for tumors based on the varying manifestations of stagnation at each phase. The theory interprets the pathogenesis of stagnant toxin across the stages of tumor development through the five elements "wood， fire， earth， metal， and water" corresponding respectively to wood stagnation in the precancerous stage， metal stagnation in the postoperative phase， fire stagnation during adjuvant therapy， earth stagnation in the progressive stage， and water stagnation in the advanced stage. Each type of stagnation reflects a distinct pathogenic mechanism， such as wood stagnation giving rise to disease， metal stagnation inducing residual symptoms， fire stagnation resulting in ulceration， earth stagnation spreading toxin transmission， and water stagnation leading to critical deterioration. Accordingly， the treatment principles include guiding wood stagnation with counterflow， dispersing metal stagnation to harmonize symptoms， venting fire stagnation to regress ulcers， depleting earth stagnation to block progression， and controlling water stagnation to preserve vitality. This theoretical framework offers a traditional Chinese medicine perspective for understanding and treating malignant tumors based on the concept of stagnant toxin.

Lung cancer （LC） is a significant global public health issue， with both its incidence and mortality rates ranking among the highest worldwide. The age-standardized incidence and mortality rates are increasing annually， posing a serious threat to the life and health of LC patients. Radical surgical resection is the primary treatment for malignant lung tumors. However， postoperative multidimensional functional impairments， including respiratory， mucosal， and psychological functions， are common. These impairments not only reduce patients' quality of life and affect their treatment tolerance and duration， but also negatively correlate with prognosis， facilitating disease recurrence and metastasis. At present， postoperative functional dysfunction after LC surgery remains a key clinical challenge that urgently needs to be addressed. There is a lack of standardized and regulated postoperative rehabilitation treatment management and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） differentiation and treatment strategies for LC. Focusing on the core underlying pathogenesis of "Qi sinking" after LC surgery， and guided by the classical TCM theory of "lungs governing Qi"， this study， based on the core concept of the "five perspectives on treatment" theory， innovatively proposes the respiratory dysfunction as the core pathogenesis of "Qi sinking in the chest" during the rapid rehabilitation phase， mucosal dysfunction as the core pathogenesis of "Yin deficiency and Qi sinking" during the postoperative adjuvant treatment phase， and the psychological dysfunction as the core pathogenesis of "Qi sinking with emotional constraint" during the consolidation phase. Accordingly， stage-specific dynamic functional protection strategies are constructed. In the rapid rehabilitation phase， the strategy emphasizes tonifying Qi and uplifting sinking Qi， with differentiation and treatment based on the principle of ''descending before ascending''. In the adjuvant treatment phase， the approach focuses on nourishing Yin and uplifting Qi， with prescription combinations that integrate unblocking and tonification. In the consolidation phase， the strategy aims to resolve constraint and uplift Qi， with clinical treatment emphasizing a combination of dynamic and static methods. At each stage of functional rehabilitation， clinical differentiation and treatment should support healthy Qi and eliminate pathogenic factors simultaneously. This study is the first to propose the concept of postoperative functional protection in TCM， offering a new approach for TCM differentiation and treatment in the full-cycle， stage-based， and dynamic protection of postoperative function in LC patients. It is expected to contribute to the construction and development of an integrated TCM-Western medicine comprehensive program for cancer prevention and treatment in China.

Tumor treatment-related adverse reactions are a major focus of clinical concern， among which recurrent aphthous oral ulcers （RAU） associated with targeted therapy for lung cancer （LC） are among the most painful and distressing for patients. Currently， modern medical interventions show limited efficacy， and there is an urgent need for more effective treatment strategies. This study differentiates RAU associated with targeted therapy for LC from chemotherapy-related and ordinary oral ulcers， elucidates the pathophysiological basis of such ulcers， and traces the theoretical origin of "Yin deficiency and Qi collapse". Based on the new system of "five perspectives on diagnosis and treatment" for tumor prevention and treatment， with a focus on the core and symptom perspectives and rooted in the traditional concept of "lung dominating Qi"， we innovatively propose the concept of "medicine-induced ulcer" and are the first to introduce the theory of "Yin deficiency and Qi collapse" into the syndrome differentiation and treatment of RAU associated with targeted therapy for LC （i.e.， medicine-induced ulcer）. We propose that "Yin deficiency and Qi collapse" is the core pathogenesis of medicine-induced ulcers， in which the collapse of formless Qi is the key to their onset， while the deficiency and stasis of tangible Yin and blood constitute the root of recurrence. A hierarchical strategy for syndrome differentiation and treatment is established： first treating the collapse of formless Qi， then replenishing tangible deficiencies， and concurrently preventing recurrence. We emphasize that treatment should address both root and manifestation， with appropriate prioritization. In the acute phase， while relieving symptoms and promoting ulcer healing by nourishing Qi， uplifting collapse， and generating body fluids， attention should also be paid to nourishing spleen Yin， facilitating the circulation of nutritive Qi， and alleviating stasis to target the root pathogenesis and reduce recurrence. A verified case is presented to support this approach. This study enriches the theoretical framework and clinical methods of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in the treatment of RAU associated with targeted therapy for LC， promotes symptom management of treatment-related adverse reactions through integrated TCM and Western medicine， and provides theoretical support for the construction and development of a comprehensive differentiation and treatment system for lung cancer prevention， treatment， and rehabilitation.

Background::T-cell-mediated immunity is crucial for the effective clearance of viral infection, but the T-cell-mediated immune responses that are induced by booster doses of inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) remain unclear.Methods::Forty-five PLWH who had received antiretroviral therapy (ART) for more than two years and 29 healthy controls (HCs) at Beijing Youan Hospital were enrolled to assess the dynamic changes in T-cell responses between the day before the third vaccine dose (week 0) and 4 or 12 weeks (week 4 or week 12) after receiving the third dose of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot), and multiplex cytokines profiling were used to assess T-cell responses at the three timepoints in this study.Results::The results of the ELISpot and activation-induced marker (AIM) assays showed that SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses were increased in both PLWH and HCs after the third dose of the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and a similar magnitude of immune response was induced against the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant compared to the wild-type strain. In detail, spike-specific T-cell responses (measured by the ELISpot assay for interferon γ [IFN-γ] release) in both PLWH and HCs significantly increased in week 4, and the spike-specific T-cell responses in HCs were significantly stronger than those in PLWH 4 weeks after the third vaccination. In the AIM assay, spike-specific CD4 + T-cell responses peaked in both PLWH and HCs in week 12. Additionally, significantly higher spike-specific CD8 + T-cell responses were induced in PLWH than in HCs in week 12. In PLWH, the release of the cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and IL-22 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) that were stimulated with spike peptides increased in week 12. In addition, the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 were higher in PLWH than in HCs in week 12. Interestingly, the magnitude of SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses in PLWH was negatively associated with the extent of CD8 + T-cell activation and exhaustion. In addition, positive correlations were observed between the magnitude of spike-specific T-cell responses (determined by measuring IFN-γ release by ELISpot) and the amounts of IL-4, IL-5, IL-2 and IL-17F. Conclusions::Our findings suggested that SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses could be enhanced by the booster dose of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines and further illustrate the importance of additional vaccination for PLWH.

Background The human body is usually exposed to a variety of heavy metals at the same time, and different types and concentrations of heavy metals may have complex interactions during their absorption and metabolism in the human body. Seminal fructose is an important energy source for sperm movement. A large number of studies have shown that metal exposure may impair semen quality, and seminal fructose is an important factor affecting male reproduction, so it is necessary to investigate the relationship between mixed heavy metal exposure and seminal fructose to explore the mechanism of semen quality damage caused by metal exposure. Objective To understand the status of common heavy metal exposure in men of childbearing age in Puyang City, Henan Province, and to study the relationship between mixed exposure to heavy metals and seminal fructose, as well as potential interactions among heavy metals. Methods Volunteers were recruited from the Puyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital Reproductive Center for a cross-sectional survey on general demographic characteristics, smoking, alcohol consumption, and other information. Semen samples were collected to detect 12 metals such as vanadium (V), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), silver (Ag), cadmium (Cd), barium (Ba), thallium (Tl), iron (Fe), and lead (Pb) in seminal plasma and seminal fructose. After correcting for selected confounding factors, a Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was used to evaluate the impact of seminal plasma heavy metal mixed exposure and its interactions on seminal fructose. Results A total of 825 adult males were enrolled. The concentrations in M (P₂₅, P₇₅) of V, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Se, Ag, Cd, Ba, Tl, Fe, and Pb in seminal plasma were 0.39 (0.28, 0.54), 12.31 (8.92, 17.52), 0.26 (0.18, 0.38), 5.15 (3.32, 8.64), 182159.80 (121847.80, 199144.50), 13.61 (10.55, 17.68), 0.03 (0.02, 0.04), 0.34 (0.27, 0.46), 8.64 (5.94, 13.43), 0.06 (0.05, 0.08), 168.74 (114.17, 259.45), and 1.69 (1.15, 2.36) μg·L⁻¹ respectively. The Spearman correlation results indicated that there was a negative correlation between V, Mn, Co, Zn, Se, Ba, Tl, or Fe in seminal plasma and seminal fructose (P<0.05), and the values of r (95%CI) were −0.044 (−0.087, −0.001), −0.129 (−0.171, −0.087), −0.055 (−0.099, −0.012), −0.099 (−0.143, −0.056), −0.053 (−0.097, −0.010), −0.068 (−0.111, −0.025), −0.095 (−0.138, −0.052), and −0.082 (−0.125, −0.039), respectively. The results of multiple linear regression indicated that there was a negative correlation between the exposure level of Cd, Mn, Zn, Ag, Ba, Tl, or Fe in seminal plasma and seminal fructose (P<0.05), the values of associated β (95%CI) were −0.551 (−0.956, −0.147), −0.315 (−0.419, −0.212), −0.187 (−0.272, −0.103), −0.161 (−0.301, −0.021), −0.188 (−0.314, −0.062), −1.159 (−2.170, −0.147), and −0.153 (−0.230, −0.076), respectively. The BKMR model analysis showed that seminal fructose level decreased with the increase of plasma metal mixed exposure concentration. Compared with all metal exposure at P₅₀, the seminal fructose level decreased by 0.2374 units when all metal exposure was at P₇₅. Seminal plasma Zn [posterior inclusion probabilities (PIPs)=1.0000] had the strongest effect on seminal fructose, followed by Mn (PIPs=0.5872), Se (PIPs=0.5656), and Ba (PIPs=0.5398). The univariate exposure-response curve showed a negative approximate linear correlations between Ba or Mn and seminal fructose, a positive linear correlation between Se and seminal fructose, and an approximate inverted U-shaped association between Zn and seminal fructose. No significant interaction between studied metals was found. Conclusion Mixed metal exposure may lead to decrease of seminal fructose, in which Zn, Mn, Se, and Ba may play an important role. Mn and Zn exposure may reduce the level of seminal fructose, Se may increase the level of seminal fructose, and there may be a threshold effect between Zn exposure and seminal fructose level. No interaction between different metals on seminal fructose is found.

Background::Transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) is a vascular complication after kidney transplantation associated with poor outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of low-dose aspirin for preventing TRAS.Methods::After kidney transplantation, patients were enrolled from January 2018 to December 2020 in Henan Provincial People’s Hospital. A total of 351 enrolled recipients were randomized to an aspirin group with low-dose intake of aspirin in addition to standard treatment ( n = 178), or a control group with only standard treatment ( n = 173). The patients was initially diagnosed as TRAS (id-TRAS) by Doppler ultrasound, and confirmed cases were diagnosed by DSA (c-TRAS). Results::In the aspirin and control groups, 15.7% (28/178) and 22.0% (38/173) of the recipients developed id-TRAS, respectively, with no statistical difference. However, for c-TRAS, the difference of incidence and cumulative incidence was statistically significant. The incidence of c-TRAS was lower in the aspirin group compared with the control group (2.8% [5/178] vs. 11.6% [20/173], P = 0.001). Kaplan–Meier estimates and Cox regression model identified the cumulative incidence and hazard ratio (HR) of TRAS over time in two groups, showing that recipients treated with aspirin had a significantly lower risk of c-TRAS than those who were not treated (log-rank P = 0.001, HR = 0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.09–0.62). The levels of platelet aggregation rate ( P < 0.001), cholesterol ( P = 0.028), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( P = 0.003) in the aspirin group were decreased compared with the control group in the third-month post-transplantation. For the incidence of adverse events, there was no statistical difference. Conclusion::Clinical application of low-dose aspirin after renal transplant could prevent the development of TRAS with no significant increase in adverse effects.Trial Registration::Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04260828.

Objective:To explore the features of free uroflow(FF) curve patterns in female patients with detrusor underactivity(DU) and their clinical significance.Methods:Data of 275 adult female patients with lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS) underwent urodynamic studies(UDS) at urology center of our hospital from June 2014 to June 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. The uroflow curve patterns of patients with DU were classified and analyzed in the context of parameters of FF, cystometry (CM), and pressure-flow study(PFS). The prevalence of each abnormal uroflow curve pattern in DU patients were calculated and compared with those in non-DU patients.Results:No bell-shaped curve was found in 141 patients with DU. The abnormal curve patterns can be divided into 5 types: Type Ⅰ (bell-shaped curve with saw tooth) in 20 cases (14.2%), Type Ⅱ (box-like curve) in 34 cases (24.1%), Type Ⅲ (triangle curve with decreasing slop) in 62 cases(43.9%), Type Ⅳ (triangle curve with increasing slop) in 4 cases (4.3%), Type Ⅴ (tide-wave curve)in 19 cases (13.5%). Maximum flow rate of free uroflow(Q max.FF) of type Ⅰ [(28.4±9.7) ml/s] was significantly greater than that of type Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅴ[(17.0±4.1), (15.8±5.4) and (12.9±6.4) ml/s, P<0.05]. Flow time of free uroflow(FT.FF) of type Ⅲ and Ⅴ [(43.7±17.2) and (50.1±28.9)s] were significantly longer than that of type Ⅰ and Ⅱ [(18.5±7.3)s and (27.2±9.7)s, P<0.05]. Post voided residual > 50ml was noted in 19 cases (30.6%) of type Ⅲ, 7 cases (36.8%) of type Ⅴ, 1 case (2.9%) of type Ⅱ and no one in type Ⅰ and Ⅳ. Abnormal manifestations in cystometry mainly included bladder hypersensitivity, detrusor overactivity, and stress urinary incontinence. Detrusor pressure at Q max (Pdet.Q max) of type Ⅴ [(7.4±5.0) cmH 2O] was significantly lower than that of type Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ [(11.8±6.7), (12.0±5.3), (12.1±5.0) cmH 2O, P<0.05]. Among 134 cases of non-DU, there were type Ⅰ curves in 88 cases (65.7%), type Ⅱ curves in 4 cases (2.9%), type Ⅲ curves in 15 cases (11.2%), type Ⅳ curves in 1 cases (0.7%), type Ⅴ curves in 7 cases (5.2%). And normal bell-shaped curves in 19 cases(14.2%). The prevalence of type Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅴ in DU patients was significantly higher than that in the non DU patients ( P<0.05). Conclusions:This study reveals that the characteristics of reduced detrusor contractility and duration, prolonged bladder emptying or incomplete emptying can be reflected in the patterns of free uroflow curve in female patients with DU. The abnormalities of these free uroflow curve patterns, especially type Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅴ will be helpful in preliminarily screening DU in females.

Objective:To analyze the control status of ambulatory blood (BP) pressure and influencing factors among hypertensive patients in Shanghai Fengpu community.Methods:From April 2020 to February 2022, 318 hypertensive patients in Shanghai Fengpu community were enrolled in the study. The basic information and thropometric indicators of patients, course of hypertension, the medication, complications, life habits, and biochemical indicators as well as the ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) data were collected. Multivariate analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors for lack of 24-hour BP control.Results:Among 318 patients, 63 cases (19.8%) had an average 24-hour BP controlled; the control rate of daytime BP and nighttime BP was 23.3% (74 cases) and 15.7% (50 cases), respectively. The proportion of combined medication in the control group and non-control group was 46.0% (29/63) and 51.8% (132/255), respectively (χ 2=0.66, P=0.415). There were significant differences in gender, proportion of patients with hypertension>10 years, the office blood pressure control rate, the abnormal diastolic circadian rhythm, abdominal obesity, the level of fasting blood glucose, diabetes, physical activity levels, and smoking and drinking (all P<0.05) between the control group and non-control group. Multivariate analyses showed that male gender ( OR=2.00, 95 %CI:1.07-3.76) and abdominal obesity ( OR=2.04, 95 %CI:1.10-3.76) were risk factors for uncontrolled ambulatory BP. Conclusions:The control rate of ambulatory BP in patients with hypertension is relatively low in Shanghai Fengpu community. The ABPM should be enhanced and the management for hypertensive patients with abdominal obesity and lack of physical activity should be strengthened in the community.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of posteromedial approach through anterior border of tibialis posterior tendon combined with posterolateral approach in open reduction and internal fixation of Klammer type II/III posterior pilon variant fracture.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted on 37 patients with posterior pilon variant fracture treated by posteromedial approach through anterior border of tibialis posterior tendon combined with posterolateral approach in Jiangsu Province People's Hospital and its Liyang branch between January 2015 and December 2019. There were 17 males and 20 females, aged 25-65 years［（49.5±9.3）years］. Klammer classification was type II in 20 patients and type III in 17 patients. The quality of fracture reduction, incision healing and postoperative complications were observed. The loss of fracture reduction or implant failure was detected during the follow-up. The fracture union time was recorded. At the final follow-up, the residual pain was assessed by the visual analogue scale（VAS）and the ankle function by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society（AOFAS）ankle-hindfoot score.Results:All patients were followed up for 12-20 months［（15.6±1.2）months］. An anatomic fracture reduction was observed in all patients, showing the incision healing by first intention. No skin necrosis, posteromedial neurovascular bundle injury, deep venous thrombosis, checkrein deformity or other complications occurred. During the follow-up, there was no reduction loss or implant failure. The fracture healing time ranged from 11 to 16 weeks［（13.2±1.4）weeks］. At the final follow-up, the VAS was decreased from 6-9 points［（8.0±0.8）points］preoperatively to 0-2 points［（1.2±0.6）points］（ P<0.01）. At the final follow-up, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score ranged from 80 to 100 points［（89.7±4.6）points］, which showed excellent results in 15 patients and good in 22 patients, with the excellence rate of 100%. Conclusion:The posteromedial approach through anterior border of tibialis posterior tendon combined with posterolateral approach in open reduction and internal fixation of Klammer type II/III posterior pilon variant fracture can achieve good fracture reduction, with low incidence of complications, pain relief and satisfactory ankle function recovery.