BACKGROUND:Intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease is one of the most aggressive complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with high lethality.How to improve intestinal inflammation and regulate autophagy by applying traditional Chinese medicine in order to treat intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease is a worthwhile research issue nowadays. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the mechanism of Huangqintang modulating intestinal flora for the treatment of intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease. METHODS:CB6F1 mice were irradiated with 60Co X radiation at a total dose of 8 Gy,and then single nucleated cell suspensions(bone marrow cells+splenocytes)from Balb/c H-2d mice were injected into the tail vein in order to prepare a model of intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease.These samples were randomly divided into the model group and the high-,moderate-,and low-dose Huangqintang groups.After modeling,the model,high-,moderate-,and low-dose groups received different doses of Huangqintang or an equal volume of saline by continuous gavage for 14 days.Clinical acute graft-versus-host disease grading,and survival time was recorded.Small intestinal tissues from each group were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for small intestinal mucosal pathology scoring.The intestinal flora of mice in each group was detected using 16S rDNA sequencing.Autophagy-related markers were detected using immunofluorescence,immunohistochemistry,and PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the model group,the survival time of mice was significantly prolonged(P<0.01);the clinical acute graft-versus-host disease scores were significantly reduced(P<0.01);the pathological grading scores of the small intestinal mucosa were significantly diminished(P<0.01);the levels of the small intestinal tissue inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6,were significantly decreased(P<0.01);the structural integrity of the small intestinal mucosal epithelium was partially restored in mice after the intervention of moderate and high-dose Huangqintang.(2)The study of intestinal flora found that compared with the model group,the pro-inflammatory strain Enterococcus was significantly reduced(P<0.05),while beneficial bacteria such as Clostridium_innocuum and Rhodococcus,a pro-autophagy bacterium,were significantly elevated(P<0.05)in the moderate-dose Huangqintang group.(3)Compared with the model group,the autophagy markers were significantly elevated in the moderate-dose Huangqintang group(P<0.05);under transmission electron microscopy,the number of autophagic vacuoles of moderate-dose Huangqintang group increased significantly.(4)The results showed that Huangqintang significantly reduced the abundance of conditionally pathogenic bacteria and the level of inflammatory factors in small intestinal tissues,and increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria and promoted the expression of autophagy in the small intestinal mucosa,which resulted in a significant improvement of intestinal symptoms in mice with acute graft-versus-host disease.

AIM: To investigate the influence of relevant inflammatory markers in peripheral blood on the progression of neovascular glaucoma(NVG)secondary to diabetic retinopathy(DR)patients.METHODS: Retrospective case-control study. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of NVG: those with proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)alone(PDR group, n=148)and those with NVG secondary to PDR(NVG secondary to PDR group, n=142). Peripheral blood inflammatory markers were evaluated, including white blood cell-related indices, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio(MLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index(SII). The distinctions in peripheral blood inflammatory markers between the two groups of patients and their relationships with NVG secondary to PDR were analyzed.RESULTS:No statistically significant differences were observed in basic characteristics between the two groups, confirming their comparability. However, significant differences were found in eosinophil percentage and MLR between the PDR group and the NVG secondary to PDR group(all P<0.05), with both values being significantly higher in the NVG secondary to PDR group. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that the eosinophil percentage and the MLR were factors influencing the development of patients with NVG secondary to PDR.CONCLUSION: Eosinophil percentage and MLR may be associated with the progression of PDR to NVG, and could serve as potential predictive markers for NVG development in PDR patients.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have shown that knee joint moment changes in patients with knee osteoarthritis,but there are few reports on the correlation of moment changes with knee extensor muscle strength and gait spatiotemporal parameters. OBJECTIVE:To explore the correlation of knee extensor muscle strength and gait spatiotemporal parameters with peak knee flexion moment and knee adduction moment in female patients with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS:Twenty knee osteoarthritis female patients with single knee disease hospitalized in Guizhou Hospital,Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from February to August 2022 were selected as the knee osteoarthritis group,and an additional 20 healthy females without musculoskeletal disease were selected as the control group.The knee extensor force at 60(°)/s was measured with the Biodex isokinetic instrument.The gait spatiotemporal parameters and peak knee flexion moment and knee adduction moment were collected with the Italian BTS infrared motion capture system and force measuring platform.Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation of muscle strength and gait spatiotemporal parameters with peak knee adduction moment and knee flexion moment,and the variables significantly related to knee joint moment were further included in the multiple stepwise regression analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the knee osteoarthritis group had significantly lower knee extensor force,step speed,step frequency,step length,step width,peak knee adduction moment and knee flexion moment at 60(°)/s(P<0.05).(2)Pearson correlation analysis showed that the 60(°)/s centripetal extensor force,step speed,step frequency and step length were positively correlated with the peak knee flexion moment,and negatively correlated with the peak knee adduction moment,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).(3)The results of multiple stepwise regression showed that step speed and 60(°)/s knee extensor force were the strongest predictors of peak knee flexion moment,and the total R2 value of the two factors was 0.426,indicating that 42.6%of the total variance of this parameter could be explained.Step length and 60(°)/s centripetal extensor force were the strongest predictors of peak knee adduction moment.The total R2 value of the two factors was 0.602,indicating that 60.2%of the total variance of this parameter could be explained.(4)It is concluded that knee extensor strength,step speed and step length are the main variables affecting peak knee adduction moment and knee flexion moment.Therefore,these variables can be used for clinical gait monitoring and guidance to change knee joint load during knee osteoarthritis rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND:With the innovation of examination technique,the number of patients with spinal metastases in different stages is increasing year by year.Percutaneous vertebroplasty is an important treatment for spinal metastases;however,there is no report on the biomechanical effect in different stages and different activities after operation. OBJECTIVE:To simulate thoracic T10 bone stress and displacement of the different locations of the tumor metastasis based on the three-dimensional finite element model. METHODS:According to thoracic three-dimensional CT images of a 30-year-old healthy male,Mimics software was used to construct a three-dimensional geometric model of thoracic vertebrae(T9-T11),including ribs,ligaments and intervertebral discs.Three-dimensional models of T9-T11 vertebral bodies and different parts of the posterior thoracic vertebrae invaded by thoracic metastatic tumors were simulated,including the control group with intact vertebral structure,unilateral metastasis involving the vertebral body area(experimental group 1),unilateral metastasis involving the vertebral body and pedicle area(experimental group 2),unilateral metastasis involving the vertebral body,pedicle and transverse process area(experimental group 3),and bilateral metastasis involving the vertebral body,pedicle and transverse process area(experimental group 4).Abaqus software was used to create a three-dimensional finite element model.The von Mises stress distribution and the displacement of the model were analyzed under the loading condition,buckling condition,extension condition,and rotation condition. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In the study of the maximum total displacement of loading points in different experimental groups under loading,flexion,extension,and rotation conditions,with the increase of metastatic tumor invasion site and invasion surface,the total displacement of loading points increased,and the overall stiffness decreased,especially the total displacement of loading points in experimental group 4 was the largest.(2)Under flexion condition,the maximum Von Mises stress value increased significantly after vertebral body and pedicle destruction,while the maximum Von Mises stress value was almost unchanged when the thoracocostal joint destruction was added.(3)On the basis of finite element analysis and simulation of bone tumor model,the elements in the bone cement region were set as a single set,and the bone cement region was set as the corresponding material properties to simulate bone cement filling.The results showed that the maximum total displacement under loading,flexion,extension,and rotation conditions was less than that of each experimental group.(4)The maximum stress values of the simulated percutaneous vertebroplasty patients in the loading,flexion,extension and rotation conditions were significantly lower than those of the femoral model.(5)It is concluded that the three-dimensional finite element model based on thoracic T9-T11 conducive to the biomechanics characteristics of thoracic vertebrae tumor metastasis,and on the basis of the thoracic vertebrae tumor metastasis model can accurately simulate load point after percutaneous vertebral body under different conditions of total displacement and the maximum Von Mises stress situation.

BACKGROUND:Numerous scholars have previously researched certain greater tuberosity fractures and the procedures used to treat them.Few researchers,however,have studied the comminuted split fracture of the greater tuberosity of the humerus(Liu-Gang type IV)with rotator cuff tear in great detail. OBJECTIVE:To compare the clinical therapeutic effect of open repair position modified calcaneal plate combined with suture anchors and proximal humeral internal locking system(PHILOS)plate in the treatment of comminuted fracture of split-type greater tuberosity of humerus combined with rotator cuff tears(Liu-Gang type IV). METHODS:Case data of 30 patients with comminuted fracture of split-type greater tuberosity of humerus combined with rotator cuff tears(Liu-Gang type IV)from May 2012 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.They were divided into the modified calcaneal plate combined with suture anchor group(group A)and the PHILOS with#2 Johnson group(group B),with 15 cases in each group.Intraoperative blood loss,surgical time,and incision length of all patients were recorded.Pain visual analog scale score,Constant-Murley score,as well as shoulder joint abduction,forward flexion,external rotation,and dorsal expansion activities during the last follow-up(>1 year)were evaluated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The surgical incision length and operation time were shorter,and blood loss was less in group A than those in group B(P<0.05).(2)No significant difference in visual analog scale score and Constant-Murley score was detected between the two groups(P>0.05).(3)During the last follow-up,forward flexion in group A was better than that in group B(P<0.05).No significant difference in abduction,external rotation,and dorsal expansion was determined between group A and group B(P>0.05).(4)In terms of complications,there was 1 case of shoulder joint pain and discomfort in group A(7%),2 cases of subacromial impingement syndrome,2 cases of upward movement of nodules,and 2 cases of shoulder joint pain(40%)in group B.There were significant differences in complication rates between the two groups(P=0.031).(5)In summary,the modified calcaneal plate combined with suture anchors in the treatment of comminuted fracture of split-type greater tuberosity of humerus combined with rotator cuff tears(Liu-Gang type IV)could better restore the forward flexion function of the shoulder joint and has a small incision,less blood loss,shorter operation time and fewer complications.

Following the principles of evidence-based medicine,in accordance with the structure and drafting rules of standardized documents,based on literature research,according to the characteristics of chronic cough in children and issues that need to form a consensus,the TCM Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough in Children was formulated based on the Delphi method,expert discussion meetings,and public solicitation of opinions.The guideline includes scope of application,terms and definitions,eti-ology and diagnosis,auxiliary examination,treatment,prevention and care.The aim is to clarify the optimal treatment plan of Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease,and to provide guidance for improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in children with Chinese medicine.

Objective To explore the changes in serum energy metabolites in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma,and investigate serum biomarkers for monitoring peripheral T-cell lymphoma from the perspective of energy metabolism.Methods Multiple/selected reaction monitoring(MRM/SRM)was used to detect the energy-related metabolites in the sera of 16 patients with newly diagnosed peripheral T-cell lymphoma admitted in the Hematology Medical Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from November 2020 to December 2021,as well as 10 recruited healthy volunteers.The corresponding clinical data including medical history,laboratory results and image data were collected and retrospectively analyzed.Results Significant differences were seen in the contents and expression profiles of serum energy metabolism-related products between the patients and the healthy volunteers.The patients had significantly reduced serum contents of cyclic AMP,succinate,citrate and cis-aconitate(P＜0.05),and elevated D-glucose 6-phosphate content(P＜0.05).The serum contents of citrate and succinate were negatively correlated with the risk stratification(low-,moderate-and high-risk)and clinical stage of the disease(P＜0.05).Meanwhile,there was a negative correlation between the contents of L-malic acid and citrate and the mid-term efficacy evaluation results,such as complete/partial response(CR/PR)or stable disease(SD)(P＜0.05).For patients with extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma(n=10),there were also significant reductions in the contents of cyclic AMP,succinate,citrate,isocitrate and cis-aconitate in the sera of patients compared with healthy volunteers(P＜0.05),and the contents of citrate and succinate were negatively correlated with the clinical stage(P＜0.05)and were rather correlated with mid-term efficacy evaluation results(CR/PR or SD)(P＜0.05).For patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma(n=6),the serum contents of cyclic AMP,citrate and succinate were significantly lower,while the content of D-glucose 6-phosphate was higher when compared with the healthy volunteers(P＜0.05),and the content of succinate was negatively correlated with both clinical stage and risk grade of the patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion There are 5 serum differential metabolites identified between patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma and healthy controls,and succinate and citrate are expected to be serum biomarkers of peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Placenta ; Lung/pathology* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

ObjectiveAlveolar macrophages (AMs) are critical for maintaining the homeostasis of pulmonary microenvironment. They process surfactants to ensure alveoli patency, and also serve as the first line of immune defense against pathogen invasion. Available studies have shown that monocyte-derived AMs continuously release pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, recruiting other immune cells to the damaged area during pulmonary fibrosis. These monocyte-derived AMs maintains and amplifies inflammation, playing a negative role in pulmonary fibrosis progression. Current researches have predominantly focused on the gene expression levels of AMs in pulmonary fibrosis microenvironment, with less emphasis on the function and regulation of proteins. This study aims to investigate the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) of AMs under normal physiological conditions and after pulmonary fibrosis, in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the role of AMs in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. MethodsFirstly, the construction of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse models was evaluated through using measurements such as body mass, lung coefficient, lungwet-to-dry mass ratio, H&E staining and Masson staining. Subsequently, AMs from both the saline controls and the pulmonary fibrosis models (2.5×10⁵ cells per sample) were collected using FACS sorting, and protein expression profiles of these cells were obtained through label-free proteomics approach. The quality of the proteomic data was assessed by comparing our saline control proteomic data with public proteomic data of physiological AMs. Thirdly, DEPs analysis between the saline controls and the bleomycin groups was carried out using R package Prostar. Functional enrichment analyses of significantly upregulated DEPs were performed using R package Clusterprofiler for GO and KEGG pathways. Finally, the STRING database was used to explore the protein-protein interaction networks related to phagocytosis regulation, inflammatory response regulation, andI-κB/NF-κB signaling pathway. The expression levels of Tlr2 and Pycard were detected respectively by FACS and western blotting. ResultsCompared to the saline controls, mice in the bleomycin groups exhibited a lower average body mass, extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells, and deposition of collagen in the lungs. This indicates that bleomycin successfully induced pulmonary fibrosis in mouse models. The proteomic data of AMs obtained from these models was of high quality and fulfilled the research requirements. A comprehensive analysis showed that 778 proteins were upregulated in pulmonary fibrosis groups compared with control groups. Moreover, the signal pathways enriched in up-regulated DEPs were related to the I‑κB/NF‑κB pathway, inflammatory response regulation, phagocytosis regulation, TGF-β signaling, and HIF-1 pathway, indicating that AMs in pulmonary fibrosis microenvironment exerted pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic functions. Protein-protein interaction network analysis of the DEPs suggested that the interactions between Tlr2 and Pycard were control nodes for the pro-inflammatory phenotype of AMs, thereby contributing to pulmonary fibrosis progression. Further validation by FACS and Western blotting respectively confirmed that the expression levels of Tlr2 and Pycard in AMs were significantly increased after pulmonary fibrosis. ConclusionThis study investigates the changes in the protein expression profile of AMs in the pulmonary fibrosis microenvironment. The results show that AMs notably enhanced the activity of various pathways associated with inflammation and fibrosis, suggesting that the interaction between Tlr2 and Pycard serves as a key control node for the highly pro-inflammatory behavior of AMs.

OBJECTIVE To explore the safety， effectiveness， and cost-effectiveness of elderly patients with sarcopenia receiving Shenling baizhu powder combined with nutrition and exercise intervention， providing a reference for rational clinical drug use. METHODS A total of 237 elderly sarcopenia patients were randomly assigned to an observation group （118 cases） and a control group （119 cases）. Both groups of patients received nutrition and exercise intervention； the observation group added Shenling baizhu powder （6 g each time， three times daily） on this basis. The safety， effectiveness， and cost-effectiveness of the two plans were compared after 3 months. RESULTS Both groups of patients completed the follow-up. Before intervention， no significant difference was observed in skeletal muscle index （SMI）， grip strength， and 6-minute walk test （6MWT） speed between the two groups （P＞0.05）. After intervention， the grip strength of the patients in the observation group was significantly greater than that of the control group （25.05 kg vs. 23.18 kg， P＜0.01）； the treatment response rate of sarcopenia， SMI， and 6MWT speed were higher than those of the control group， butthe differences were not statistically significant （P＞0.05）. The adverse reaction/event rate of the patients in the observation group was lower than that of the control group （14.41% vs. 16.81%， P＝0.611）， but the difference was not statistically significant. Compared with the control group’s plan， the cost of the observation group’s plan was higher （981.25 yuan vs. 913.94 yuan）， and the effect was better （effectiveness rate： 0.618 6 vs. 0.563 0）， with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 1 210.61 yuan. The results of the sensitivity analysis were consistent with the cost-effectiveness analysis results. CONCLUSION Elderly patients with sarcopenia who receive Shenling baizhu powder combined with nutrition and exercise intervention can significantly strengthen grip strength without increasing the incidence of adverse reactions/events. Compared with the control group plan， the observation group needs to spend an additional 1 210.61 yuan for each additional effective patient with sarcopenia.