Objective: To investigate the objective characteristics of tongue manifestation in different stages of damp-heat syndrome in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 134 patients with DKD G3-5 stages who met the diagnostic criteria for damp-heat syndrome in DKD. The patients were treated at Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, from May 2023 to January 2024. The patients were divided into three groups: DKD G3, DKD G4, and DKD G5 stage, with 53, 33, and 48 patients in each group, respectively. Clinical general data (gender, age, and body mass index) and damp-heat syndrome scores were collected from the patients. The YZAI-02 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) AI Tongue Image Acquisition Device was used to capture tongue images from these patients. The accompanying AI Open Platform for TCM Tongue Diagnosis of the device was used to analyze and extract tongue manifestation features, including objective data on tongue color, tongue quality, coating color, and coating texture. Clinical data and objective tongue manifestation characteristics were compared among patients with DKD G3-5 based on their DKD damp-heat syndrome status. Results: No statistically significant difference in gender or body mass index was observed among the three patient groups. The DKD G3 stage group had the highest age (P<0.05). The DKD G3 stage group had a lower score for symptoms of poor appetite and anorexia(P<0.05) than the DKD G5 group. No statistically significant difference was observed in damp-heat syndrome scores among the three groups. Compared with the DKD G5 stage group, the DKD G3 stage group showed a decreased proportion of pale color at the tip and edges of the tongue (P<0.05). The DKD G4 stage group exhibited an increased proportion of crimson at the root of the tongue, a decreased proportion of thick white tongue coating at the root, a decreased proportion of pale color at the tip and edges of the tongue, an increased hue value (indicating color tone) of the tongue color in the middle, an increased brightness value (indicating color lightness) of the tongue coating color in the middle, and an increased thickness of the tongue coating (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in other tongue color proportions, color chroma values, body characteristics, coating color proportions, coating color chroma values, and coating texture characteristics among the three groups. Conclusion Tongue features differ in different stages of DKD damp-heat syndrome in multiple dimensions, enabling the inference that during the DKD G5 stage, the degree of qi and blood deficiency in the kidneys, heart, lungs, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and stomach is prominent. Dampness is more likely to accumulate in the lower jiao, particularly in the kidneys, whereas heat evil in the spleen and stomach is the most severe. These insights provide novel ideas for the clinical treatment of DKD.

ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of Qidi Tangshen prescription （QDTS） in regulating podocyte pyroptosis in diabetes nephropathy （DN）. MethodThrough in vivo experiment， db/db mice were divided into the model group， QDTS group （3.34 g·kg^-1）， valsartan capsule group （10.29 mg·kg^-1）， with db/m mice serving as the normal control. Each group consisted of 8 mice， and they underwent continuous intervention for 8 weeks. After the last administration， mice were euthanized， and kidney pathological changes were observed. Additionally， the expression levels of pyroptosis-related indicators， including NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， Gasdermin D protein （GSDMD）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） protein， were examined. Through in vitro experiment， mouse podocytes were divided into the normal glucose group （5.5 mmol·L^-1 glucose）， high glucose group （35 mmol·L^-1 glucose）， DMSO group （35 mmol·L^-1 glucose+200 mg·L^-1 DMSO）， and QDTS group （35 mmol·L^-1 glucose+200 mg·L^-1 QDTS freeze-dried powder）. After 48 hours of intervention， the expression levels of NLRP3， GSDMD， and IL-1β proteins were measured in podocytes. A drug-ingredient-target-disease interaction network for QDTS in the treatment of DN was constructed by network pharmacology methods. The key signaling pathways regulating podocyte pyroptosis were analyzed， and validation was conducted through in vivo and in vitro experiments. ResultCompared with normal group， glomerular hyperplasia and glomerular basement membrane thickening were observed in model group， and some segments were accompanied by obvious podocellular process fusion. The protein expressions of NLRP3， GSDMD and IL-1β in mouse kidney were increased， the protein expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 （MAPK14）， V-Rel reticuloendotheliosis virus oncogene homology A （RELA） and Caspase-8 in mouse kidney were increased （P<0.05）. Compared with model group， kidney pathological injury of mice in QDTS group was significantly reduced， and the expressions of NLRP3， GSDMD and IL-1β in kidney of mice in QDTS group and valsartan group were decreased （P<0.05）. The protein expressions of MAPK14， RELA and Caspase-8 in kidney of mice in QDTS group and valsartan group were decreased （P<0.05）. Network pharmacology results showed that there were 16 targets for QDTS to regulate DN cell pyrodeath， among which MAPK14， RELA and Caspase-8 were the key targets. Compared with normal glucose group， the protein expressions of NLRP3， GSDMD and IL-1β in high glucose group were increased （P<0.05）， and the protein expressions of MAPK14， RELA and Caspase-8 in mouse podocytes were increased （P<0.05）. Compared with high glucose group， the expressions of NLRP3， GSDMD and IL-1β in podocytes of mice in QDTS group were decreased （P<0.05）， and the expressions of MAPK14， RELA and Caspase-8 in podocytes of mice in QDTS group were decreased （P<0.05）. ConclusionQDTS reduces damage to DN podocytes， which is associated with its regulation of the MAPK14/RELA/Caspase-8 signaling pathway and inhibition of podocyte pyroptosis.

Background ¹³⁷Cs in atmospheric aerosol is the product of past nuclear weapon tests and nuclear accidents. When ¹³⁷Cs is released into the atmosphere, it will deposit in dry land and marine environment, causing pollution of soil surface, water, agricultural products, and animal byproducts, and affecting public health. Objective To identify the variation pattern of ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in aerosol and its correlation with dust concentration in Beijing area from 2017 to 2020. Methods A total of 958 aerosol samples were collected from November 1, 2017 to June 30, 2020 in Beijing with a high volume air sampler at a sampling flow rate about 600 m³·h⁻¹ and a collection time for each sample about 24 h. The activity concentration of ¹³⁷Cs in the aerosol samples was determined with a low-background high-purity germanium γ spectrometer. The dust concentration was calculated using the difference in the mass of the aerosol filter before and after sampling. The detection rate of ¹³⁷Cs and dust concentration in different seasons were compared. Spearman rank correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration and dust concentration. Results From 2017 to 2020, the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations of 33 from 958 aerosol samples in Beijing were above the minimum detectable activityconcentration, the overall detection rate of ¹³⁷Cs was 3.4%, and the activity concentration ranged from 1.86 to 45.53 μBq·m⁻³, with a median value of 4.85 μBq·m⁻³. The detection rate of ¹³⁷Cs was highest in spring, followed by autumn, and lowest in winter and summer (8.4%, 3.0%, 1.1%, and 0.5%, respectively). The dust concentration ranged from 0.03 to 1.55 mg·m⁻³, with an average value of 0.18 mg·m⁻³. There was a statistically significant difference in the dust concentrations in spring, summer, autumn, and winter (F=45.51, P<0.05), and the highest value was 0.24 mg·m⁻³ in spring (P<0.05). The ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration was positively correlated with the dust concentration (P<0.05). Conclusion The ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in aerosol in Beijing from 2017 to 2020 fluctuates within the range of background level, and its activity concentration is highest in spring, followed autumn, and lowest in summer and winter.

BACKGROUND:The researchers noted that upon embedding clinical-grade catgut and polyglycolide-co-lactide threads in the normal human"Zusanli"(ST 36)acupoint,the local area displayed temporal and inflammatory stimulatory effects,resulting in thread differentiation.However,the underlying mechanism behind thread involvement remains to be studied. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expression levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide,5-hydroxytryptamine,leukotriene B4,and bradykinin at point"Zusanli"(ST 36)in rats after embedding catgut and polyglycolide-co-lactide respectively at different time points. METHODS:110 male SD rats were divided into a blank group(10 rats),a catgut embedding group(50 rats),and a polyglycolide-co-lactide embedding group(50 rats)according to the random number table method.In the blank group,no thread was embedded.In catgut embedding group and the polyglycolide-co-lactide embedding group,the thread was embedded in the left side of the ST36 acupoint once.Tissue was collected from the left side of the ST36 acupoint area 8 hours,3,7,14,and 21 days after embedding.The expression levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide and 5-hydroxytryptamine were detected by immunohistochemistry,and the contents of leukotriene B4 and bradykinin were detected by ELISA. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the blank group,the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide,5-hydroxytryptamine,bradykinin,and leukotriene B4 was significantly increased in the 8 hours,3,7,14,and 21 days of the catgut embedding group(P<0.05);calcitonin gene-related peptide expression was significantly increased in 8 hours,3,7,and 14 days in the polyglycolide-co-lactide embedding group(P<0.05);the expression of bradykinin was significantly increased in 8 hours,3,and 7 days(P<0.05);the expression of leukotriene B4 was significantly increased at 8 hours,3,7,14,and 21 days(P<0.05).(2)Compared with the polyglycolide-co-lactide embedding group,the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide was increased at 7,14,21 days after thread embedding(P<0.05),and the expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine was increased at 8 hours,3,7,14 and 21 days after thread embedding(P<0.05);contents of leukotriene B4 and bradykinin in tissues were increased at 8 hours,3,14 and 21 days after embedding(P<0.05)in the catgut embedding group.(3)The results show that calcitonin gene-related peptide,5-hydroxytryptamine,leukotriene B4,and bradykinin in the acupoint region alter after catgut embedding in the ST36 of rats,as well as the alteration of calcitonin gene-related peptide,leukotriene B4,and bradykinin is found in the acupoint region after polyglycolide-co-lactide embedding in rats,which may be one of the mechanisms involved in the local time sensitive stimulus effects caused by embedding threads at acupoints.Moreover,there is a discernible difference between the two thread types.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Qidi Tangshen prescription （QDTS） in alleviating podocyte injury and reducing urinary protein in diabetic nephropathy （DN）. MethodUsing network pharmacology methods， we collected the chemical components and targets of QDTS， as well as the targets related to DN. Subsequently， we constructed a "drug-ingredient-target-disease" network for QDTS in the treatment of DN to systematically elucidate the mechanism. The db/db mice were assigned into the model， QDTS （3.34 g·kg^-1）， and losartan capsules （10.29 mg·kg^-1） groups， and db/m mice served as the normal group. Each group consisted of 8 mice， and they underwent continuous intervention for 8 weeks. After the last administration， mice were euthanized， and the urinary albumin excretion rate （UAER） and renal pathological changes were measured and observed. The expression levels of protein kinase B1 （Akt1）， hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha （HIF-1α）， phosphorylated B-cell lymphoma-extra-large （p-Bcl-xl）， as well as autophagy-related indicators microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3）， ubiquitin-binding protein p62 （p62）， and autophagy-related gene 6 homolog （Beclin1）， were determined. Furthermore， mouse podocytes were divided into the normal glucose （5.5 mmol·L^-1）， high glucose （35 mmol·L^-1）， DMSO （35 mmol·L^-1 glucose+200 mg·L^-1 DMSO）， and QDTS （35 mmol·L^-1 glucose+200 mg·L^-1 QDTS freeze-dried powder） groups. After 48 h of intervention， the protein levels of Akt1， HIF-1α， p-Bcl-xl， LC3， p62， and Beclin1 in podocytes were measured. ResultQDTS had 34 active components acting on 143 targets in the treatment of DN， and 55 targets were related to autophagy， in which Akt1， HIF-1α， and Bcl-xl were the key targets. Compared with the normal group， mice in the model group exhibited significantly increased UAER， glomerular hypertrophy， deposition of blue collagen fibers， thickening of the glomerular basement membrane， and noticeable fusion of podocyte foot processes in some segments. Furthermore， the modeling up-regulated the protein levels of p-Akt1， HIF-1α， and p62 and down-regulating the protein levels of p-Bcl-xl， LC3， and Beclin1 in the renal tissue （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， QDTS and losartan decreased UAER （P<0.05） and alleviated the pathological damage in the renal tissue. Moreover， QDTS and losartan down-regulated the protein levels of p-Akt1， HIF-1α， and p62 and up-regulated the protein levels of p-Bcl-xl， LC3， and Beclin1 in the renal tissue （P<0.05）. In comparison to the normal glucose group， the high glucose group displayed up-regulated protein levels of p-Akt1， HIF-1α， and p62 and down-regulated protein levels of p-Bcl-xl， LC3， and Beclin1 in podocytes （P<0.05）. Compared with the high glucose group， QDTS down-regulated the protein levels of p-Akt1， HIF-1α， and p62 and up-regulated the protein levels of p-Bcl-xl， LC3， and Beclin1 in podocytes （P<0.05）. ConclusionQDTS alleviates podocyte damage and reduced urinary protein in DN by regulating the Akt1/HIF-1α/Bcl-xl signaling pathway， thereby enhancing podocyte autophagy.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for identifying local tumor progression(LTP)in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)after radiofrequency ablation(RFA)and to establish a predictive model.Methods The clinical data of 122 HCC patients treated by RFA were analyzed retrospectively,and then the patients were divided into positive and negative LTP groups according to that whether LTP occurred within 12 months after RFA.The risk factors of LTP were determined using univariate and multivari-ate analysis,and the predictive model was constructed based on these factors and the internal validation was conducted.Results The results of this study showed that multiple number,diameter＞2 cm,rough margin,and adjacent to large blood vessels of the tumor could be independent predictors of LTP,which were further incorporated into constructing the predictive model.Internal validation results showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was 0.815[95％confidence interval(CI)0.735-0.895],indicating the model with high differentiation ability.The calibration curve was drawn and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-fit test showed that the model had good stability(P＞0.05).The decision curve suggested that the model had good clinical application value.Conclusion The independent risk factors of LTP of HCC after RFA are multiple number,diameter＞2 cm,rough margin,and adjacent to large blood vessels of the tumor.When the predictive model is integrated with the above factors,it can poten-tially predict the risk of local tumor and may offer useful guidance for individual treatment and follow-up.

OBJECTIVE To optimize the pr eparation technology of the baicalin lipid nano foam aerosol （BC-LN-FA）. METHODS Baicalin lipid nanoparticle （BC-LN）and BC-LN-FA were prepared by the thin film dispersion method and homogeneous emulsification method ，respectively，using baicalin （BC） as the model drug. The preparation technology was optimized by Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology using particle size and encapsulation efficiency （EE）as indexes ，with dosage ， emulsifier dosage ，co-emulsifier dosage and homogenization time as factors. The morphology ，particle size ，polymerdispersity index（PDI），EE，the viscosity ，the foam dissolution rate and in vitro transdermal release of BC-LN-FA were characterized. RESULTS The optimal technology included 25 mg BC ，40 mg emulsifier （mass ratio of stearic acid-soybean lecithin-glycerol was 1∶1∶1），30 mg co-emulsifier （mass ratio of octadecanol-lactic acid was 1∶1），homogenization time of 20 min. Results of 3 times of validation tests showed that particle size of prepared BC-LN-FA was （151.70±2.40）nm，EE was （68.62±1.16）％；the deviation of them from the predicted value （particle size of 150.80 nm，EE of 67.02％）were 0.60％ and 2.39％ respectively. The BC-LN-FA prepared by the optimal process was light yellow opalescence ，uniform in particle size and round-like in shape. The viscosity，the foam dissolution rate ，the content of BC and PDI were （122.92±5.09）mPa·s，（65.32±3.22）％，（7.01±0.12）％ and（0.199±0.006），respectively. At 48 h，the cumulative release rates of BC-LN-FA in phosphate buffer saline （PBS）at pH 7.4， 6.8，5.0 were（54.12±2.69）％，（57.85±4.25）％ and（59.47±1.83）％，respectively；those of free BC in PBS at pH 7.4 was only （15.04±1.43）％. CONCLUSIONS The optimized technology is stable and feasible. Prepared BC-LN-FA has a uniform particle size，high digestion rate and certain viscosity.

Objective:Previous studies have found that Qidi Tangshen granules (QDTS),a combination therapy of supplementing essence (Tianjing,TJ) and unblocking the collaterals (Tongluo,TL),can reduce kidney damage in db/db mice.This study aimed to explore the effect of QDTS and their separate prescriptions on podocytes in mice with diabetic nephropathy.Methods:The db/db mice were used in this experiment as an animal model,while wild-type C57BL/6J mice were used as normal controls.At the age of 12 weeks,the db/db mice were randomly divided into 5 groups (db/db,db/db + valsartan,db/db + QDTS,db/db + TJ and db/db + TL).The urine albumin excretion ratio (UAE) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and after the intervention.The ultrastructure of the kidney podocytes was observed by transmission electron mi-croscopy.The protein expression levels of nephrin and desmin were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:QDTS and their separate prescriptions significantly decreased the UAE and attenuated the renal pathological injury.QDTS and their separate prescriptions also reduced the fusion rate of the foot pro-cesses and increased the expression of nephrin protein.In contrast,QDTS and their separate pre-scriptions (TJ and TL) reduced the expression level of desmin protein.Conclusion:QDTS and their separate prescriptions might reduce diabetes-induced renal injury by reducing podocyte damage.The therapeutic effect of QDTS was more pronounced than TJ and TL.

Objective:To monitor and analyze the activity concentrations of 7Be and 210Pb in atmospheric aerosol in Beijing from 2017 to 2020. Methods:Totally 1 074 atmospheric aerosol samples were collected by high flow air sampler (SnowWhite) including 275 in spring, 266 in summer, 262 in autumn and 271 in winter and subjected to analysis by low background high-purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometery (ORTEC) to determine the activity concentrations of 7Be and 210Pb. Results:The activity concentrations of 7Be in atmospheric aerosol were from 0.56 to 14.84 mBq/m 3, with an avearage of 6.84 mBq/m 3, and from 0.01 to 9.37 mBq/m 3 for 210Pb, with an avearage 3.19 mBq/m 3. The differences in activity concentrations of 7Be and 210Pb in atmospheric aerosol among differernt seasons were statistically significant ( F=32.66, 93.93, P<0.05). Activity concentration of 7Be was highest in spring, followed by autumn, and lowest in summer and winter. Activity concentration of 210Pb ranged from winter, autumn, spring to summer in descending order. Conclusions:The activity concentrations of 7Be and 210Pb in atmospheric aerosol in Beijing from 2017 to 2020 fluctated within the range of normal level.

Objective To investigate the value of albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade in evaluating liver function changes and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Methods PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMbase, Web of Science, OVID, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, and CBM databases were searched for studies on ALBI grade for evaluating liver function changes and prognosis of HCC patients undergoing TACE published up to December 2020. After quality assessment and data extraction, RevMan 5.3 was used to perform a meta-analysis of the studies included. The chi-square test was used to evaluate heterogeneity between studies; hazard ratio ( HR )/odds ratio ( OR ) and corresponding 95% confidence interval ( CI ) were used to evaluate outcome measures; funnel plots were used to assess publication bias. Results A total of 18 articles were included, with 9940 patients in total. The meta-analysis showed that the HCC patients with higher ALBI grades after TACE had a shorter overall survival time than those with lower ALBI grades (2 nd vs 1 st : HR =1.48, 95% CI : 1.39-1.57, P < 0.000 01; 3 rd vs 1 st : HR =2.45, 95% CI : 1.92-3.13, P < 0.000 01; 3 rd vs 2 nd : HR =1.91, 95% CI : 1.71-2.13, P < 0.000 01). The degree of deterioration of ALBI caused by 2 times of TACE was higher than that caused by 1 time of TACE ( OR =1.91, 95% CI : 1.27-2.88, P < 0.05); the degree of deterioration of ALBI caused by 3 times of TACE was higher than that caused by 1 time of TACE ( OR =3.21, 95% CI : 1.95-5.28, P < 0.05); the degree of deterioration of ALBI caused by 3 times of TACE was higher than that caused by 2 times of TACE ( OR =1.70, 95% CI : 1.07-2.70, P < 0.05). In addition, ALBI grade could predict the onset of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) after TACE ( OR =4.57, 95% CI : 2.76-7.57, P < 0.000 01). Conclusion Repeated TACE treatment can cause continuous deterioration of liver function based on ALBI, and ALBI has an important clinical value in predicting prognosis and the risk of ACLF after TACE.