ObjectiveTo study the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes of children with alopecia areata， and provide evidence for TCM differentiation and treatment in clinic. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 800 children with alopecia areata admitted to the Hair Medicine Center of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January 1， 2012 to December 31， 2021. The clinical data of the children were collected using a four-examination information questionnaire， including clinical characteristics （age of consultation， age of onset， course of disease， family history， severity grading）， alopecia areata-related factors （triggers）， and four-examination information （including sleep， diet， emotions， bladder and bowel function， etc.）. Descriptive frequency analyses， rank sum tests， factor analyses and cluster analyses were performed， and the distribution of the major TCM syndromes was summarised with the clinical data. ResultsThere were 800 children with alopecia areata， including 449 males and 351 females； 8 cases （1.00%） were in infancy， 36 cases （4.50%） were in early childhood， 180 cases （22.50%） were in preschool， 380 cases （47.50%） were in school age， and 196 cases （24.50%） were in puberty at the time of consultation； the average age of consultation was 8.31±3.86 years， the average age of onset of disease was 5.40±3.82 years， and the average duration of disease was 2.94±2.77 years； 527 children （65.87%） with severe alopecia areata； 85 children （13.56%） had a family history of alopecia areata； 772 children （96.50%） had unknown triggers for their first alopecia areata， and 28 children （3.50%） reported the presence of obvious triggers， including fright （9 cases）， high fever （5 cases）， allergic reactions （4 cases）， micronutrient （zinc， iron， etc.） deficiencies （4 cases）， inappropriate diet （2 cases）， environmental factors （1 case， new house renovation）， atopic dermatitis （1 case）， atopic asthma （1 case）， and pneumonia （1 case）. A total of 40 four-examination information items were collected， among which the frequency of kicking quilts was the highest with 380 cases （47.50%）， followed by picky eating （369 cases， 46.13%）， sleeplessness （334 cases， 41.75%）， irritability （334 cases， 41.75%）， partiality towards certain foods （306 cases， 38.25%）， impulsiveness （297 cases， 37.13%）， dry stools （233 cases， 29.13%）， yellow urine （215 cases， 26.88%）， nail biting （213 cases， 26.63%）， bad breath （211 cases， 26.38%）. According to factor analysis and cluster analysis， five types of TCM syndromes were obtained， in order as qi and blood deficiency syndrome （110 cases， 13.75%）， spleen deficiency syndrome （114 cases， 14.25%）， kidney essence deficiency syndrome （140 cases， 17.50%）， dietary stagnation syndrome （150 cases， 18.75%）， and liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome （286 cases， 35.75%）. Patients in each age group and SALT grading are mainly liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome. ConclusionThe TCM symptoms of children with alopecia areata are mainly based on qi and blood deficiency syndrome， spleen deficiency syndrome， kidney essence deficiency syndrome， dietary stagnation syndrome， and liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome， of which liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome is the most common type at different ages and stages of the disease.

Objective To compare the application effects of different anesthesia methods under preoper-ative optimization measures in elderly patients with hip fracture surgery.Methods A total of 120 elderly pa-tients (≥75 years old) with hip fracture surgery in this hospital from May 2022 to December 2023 were se-lected as the study subjects and divided into group A and group B,60 cases in each group.The two groups a-dopted the preoperative optimization measures.The group A performed "two single three low" (unilateral,once,low position,low concentration and low dose) lumbar anesthesia,while group B conducted the laryngeal mask artificial airway anesthesia.The hemodynamic changes at skin incision in operation beginning (T1),at 30 min after operation (T2),suture at operation end (T3),at the end of operation (T4) and at 30 min after opera-tion end (T5),postoperative recovery time and occurrence situation of complications such as nausea and vomi-ting,agitation,postoperative delirium (POD) were compared between the two groups.Results The systolic blood pressure and the heart rate at T1 in group B were lower than those in group A,and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).The systolic blood pressure and heart rate at T4 in group B were higher than those in group A,and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).The recovery time,agitation,nausea and vomiting and incidence rate of adverse reactions such as POD had no statistical difference between the two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion On the basis of preoperative optimization measures,selecting the "two single three low" lumbar anesthesia method in elderly patients with hip fracture surgery anesthesia has more stable hemodynamics,less complications and faster postoperative recovery.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of external application of Piyan Formula in treating epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor(EGFR-TKIs)-related rashes.Methods Sixty cases of EGFR-TKIs-related rash patients were randomly allocated into either a treatment group or a control group.The treatment group received external application of Piyan Formula to the rash area twice daily for 14 days.The control group received external application of fucidic acid cream to the rash area twice daily for 14 days.Changes in rash grading,itching grading,quality of life scores and adverse event were observed and recorded in both groups.At the same time,levels of hypersensitive C-reactive protein,interleukin(IL)-6,and IL-1β were measured before treatment and 24 hours after treatment.Results After treatment,the rash severity,itching severity,and quality of life scores were notably lower in the treatment group compared to the control group(P<0.05).The levels of hypersensitive C-reactive protein,IL-6,and IL-1β exhibited a significant decrease compared to their pre-treatment values.(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the levels of hypersensitive C-reactive protein,IL-6,and IL-1β decreased in the treatment group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).No adverse events related to Piyan Formula or fucidic acid cream occurred during the treatment process.Conclusion External application of Piyan Formula in treating EGFR-TKIs-related rashes shows significant clinical efficacy,can effectively reduce the levels of inflammatory factors,and has high safety,thus warranting clinical promotion.

Objective:To explore the key genes related to the development, progression and prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) based on bioinformatics, and to analyze their functions.Methods:The chip expression profile GSE84881 data set of AML patients including 19 AML samples and 4 normal tissue samples was downloaded from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. GEO online tool GEO2R was used to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEG). The DAVID online database was used to make gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of DEG. The STRING online database was used to analyze the protein interaction (PPI) network of DEG, and the key genes were screened by using the Cytoscape software. The weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to build co-expressed network and obtain the central genes.LC-Bio online platform was used to construct Venn diagram and the key genes and central genes in PPI were crossed to finally obtain the true key genes. RNA-seq datasets GSE2191 and GSE90062 of human tissues were downloaded from GEO database to verify the screened key genes. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the effects of key genes on the overall survival (OS) of AML based on the data of GEPIA database.Results:A total of 247 DEG were identified in GSE84881 data set, including 112 up-regulated genes and 135 down-regulated genes. According to the results of GO enrichment analysis, 247 DEG were mainly enriched in the regulation of signal transduction and cell proliferation in the biological process (BP); the cell composition (CC) revealed that these genes were mainly involved in the cytoplasm and exosomes; the molecular function (MF) analysis showed that these genes were mainly enriched in protein binding and calcium binding. Further KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that these 247 DEG were mainly involved in NOD-like receptor signal pathway and interleukin 17 (IL-17) signal pathway. And then the 12 key genes were obtained from PPI. WGCNA software was used to screen 13 central genes from GSE84881 dataset and finally 1 real key gene EGF was obtained after taking intersection. Kaplan-Meier method showed that OS time of AML patients in EGF high expression group was decreased than that in EGF low expression group, and the difference was statistically significant( P = 0.044). Conclusions:EGF may be an important diagnosis and treatment target of AML and may become a potential biomarker for clinical treatment and prognosis prediction of AML.

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical effect of Tiaoxin formula in the treatment of patients with coronary heart disease and anxiety/depression and its impact on serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， β- thromboglobulin （β-TG） and myeloperoxidase （MPO）. MethodA total of 66 patients with coronary heart disease and anxiety/depression were randomly divided into the Tiaoxin formula group and Deanxit group， 33 cases in each group. Both groups were given fundamental western treatment for coronary heart disease. Additionally， the Deanxit group was treated with flupentixol and melitracen tablets and the Tiaoxin formula group was treated with Tiaoxin Formula. The treatment lasted 8 weeks. Before and after treatment， the changes of clinical efficacy， Patient Health Questionnaire （PHQ-9）， Generalized Anxiety Disorder （GAD-7） scale， Seattle Angina Questionnaire （SAQ）， heart rate variability， and serum 5-HT， β-TG and MPO levels， and incidence of adverse reactions in the two groups were observed. ResultThere was no significant difference in the baseline indexes of patients in the two groups， and thus the two groups were comparable. After treatment for 8 weeks， the total effective rate for traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes in the Tiaoxin Formula group was 87.88% （29/33） higher than 63.64% （21/33） in the Deanxit group （Z=-2.653， P<0.05）. Compared with those before treatment， the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores of the two groups were decreased at week 4 and 8 of treatment （P<0.05）， and there was no statistical difference between two groups. And the SAQ dimension scores of the two groups were increased at week 4 and 8 of treatment （P<0.05）. Compared with the Deanxit group， the Tiaoxin Formula group had elevation in two dimension scores： Physical limitation and angina stability （P<0.05）. Compared with the conditions before treatment， the serum 5-HT level in the two groups were increased， while the β-TG and MPO levels were lowered （P<0.05）， and there was no distinct difference between two groups. In addition， the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals （SDNN） and standard deviation of average normal-to-normal intervals （SDANN） of the heart rate variability in the Tiaoxin formula group were elevated after treatment （P<0.05）， which were more significant than those of the Deanxit group （P<0.05）. During the treatment period， the incidence of adverse drug reactions in the Tiaoxin formula group was lower than that in the Deanxit group （P<0.05）， and no adverse events were observed in the two groups. ConclusionTiaoxin formula was effective for the treatment of patients with coronary heart disease accompanied by anxiety and depression， which improved the clinical symptoms， increased serum 5-HT levels， and decreased serum β-TG and MPO levels， and had few adverse reactions and high safety for patients， showing a high clinical value.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Dahuang Xiezhuo prescription on the clinical symptoms， blood uric acid， and renal tubular function of patients with immunoglobulin A （IgA） nephropathy in stages 1-2 of chronic kidney disease （CKD） complicated with hyperuricemia （HUA）. MethodSixty patients with IgA nephropathy in stages 1-2 of CKD complicated with HUA of spleen and kidney deficiency and combined turbidity and blood stasis syndromes were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group， with 30 cases in each group. The patients in the control group received basic treatment， i.e.， losartan potassium tablets 50-100 mg/time， once per day， and sodium bicarbonate tablets 0.5 g/time， three times per day by oral administration， combined with low-salt， low-fat， and low-purine diet. The patients in the observation group received Dahuang Xiezhuo prescription on the basis of basic treatment， one dose per day， twice a day in the morning and evening with warm water. Both groups were treated for two months. The total scores of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）syndrome， blood pressure， 24 h urinary protein （24 h UTP）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， serum creatinine （SCr） ［glomerular filtration rate （eGFR） was calculated by CKD-epidemiology collaboration （CKD-EPI） formula］， serum uric acid （SUA）， and renal tubular function indexes ［urinary α₁-microglobulin （α₁-MG）， urinary β₂-microglobulin （β₂-MG）， urinary kidney injury molecule-1 （KIM-1）， and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin （NGAL）］ of the two groups before treatment and two months after treatment were recorded. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated two months after treatment. ResultAfter 2 months of treatment，the total effective rate in the observation group was 81.48%（22/27），higher than 50.00%（14/28） in the control group（χ² =6.661，P<0.05）. The total scores of TCM syndrome， 24 h UTP， and SUA in the observation group and the observation group were lower than those before treatment （P<0.05）， and compared with the control group after treatment， the observation group decreased more significantly （P<0.05）. After treatment， the blood pressure in the observation group and the observation group was lower than that before treatment （P<0.05）， and there was no significant difference in blood pressure between the two groups after treatment. After treatment， the levels of urinary α₁-MG， β₂-MG， KIM-1， and NGAL in the two groups were lower than those before treatment （P<0.05）， and the observation group was lower than the control group after treatment （P<0.05）. There were no significant inter-group and intra-group differences in BUN， SCr， and eGFR levels before and after treatment. There were no obvious abnormalities in blood routine， liver function， and electrolytes before and after treatment in the two groups， and no adverse reactions such as allergies occurred. ConclusionDahuang Xiezhuo prescription can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of IgA nephropathy with HUA （CKD1-2） patients with spleen and kidney deficiency and combined turbidity and blood stasis syndromes， reduce blood uric acid level， alleviate renal tubular injury， and protect the kidney. The curative effect is better than that of basic treatment.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To investigate the specific binding of nucleic acid aptamers(k-α2ct) with plasminogen Kringle 5(K5) on the function of K5 in inhibiting proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells and promoting their apoptosis. METHODS The cloning and expression of recombinant K5 protein were performed by using a prokaryotic system, and the isolation and purification of the expressed K5 protein were performed by affinity chromatography. The affinity and specificity of K-a2ct and K5 were verified using isothermal titration calorimetry(ITC) and enzyme-linked oligonucleotide adsorption assay(ELONA). The effect of K-a2ct on the function of K5 in inhibiting the proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC) was investigated by CCK-8 and cell scratch assay. The apoptotic morphology of HUVEC cells stained with Hoechst 33342 was observed by laser confocal microscopy, and the effect of K-a2ct on the apoptosis- promoting function of K5 in HUVEC cells was also examined by Annexin V/PI double-stained flow cytometry. RESULTS Recombinant protein K5 was efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography, identified as having a relative molecular weight of 12 kDa and a concentration of 0.32 mg·mL-1. ITC and ELONA results demonstrated that K-a2ct had a strong affinity and good selectivity for K5, showing the affinity specificity of a typical nucleic acid aptamer. CCK-8 and cell scratching assays showed that K-a2ct could inhibit the anti-proliferation and anti-migration effects of K5 on HUVEC cells in a dose-dependent manner. The laser confocal and flow cytometry results showed that K-a2ct inhibited the apoptosis-promoting function of K5 on HUVEC cells, mainly affecting late apoptosis of HUVEC cells effected by K5 but having little effect on early apoptosis. CONCLUSION The nucleic acid aptamers K-a2ct binds to K5 with high affinity and specificity, and inhibits its anti angiogenic function in a dose-dependent manner. It has great potential in targeting the regulation of K5 concentration and function in vivo and promoting angiogenesis.

Zn²⁺ is required for the activity of many mitochondrial proteins, which regulate mitochondrial dynamics, apoptosis and mitophagy. However, it is not understood how the proper mitochondrial Zn²⁺ level is achieved to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis. Using Caenorhabditis elegans, we reveal here that a pair of mitochondrion-localized transporters controls the mitochondrial level of Zn²⁺. We demonstrate that SLC-30A9/ZnT9 is a mitochondrial Zn²⁺ exporter. Loss of SLC-30A9 leads to mitochondrial Zn²⁺ accumulation, which damages mitochondria, impairs animal development and shortens the life span. We further identify SLC-25A25/SCaMC-2 as an important regulator of mitochondrial Zn²⁺ import. Loss of SLC-25A25 suppresses the abnormal mitochondrial Zn²⁺ accumulation and defective mitochondrial structure and functions caused by loss of SLC-30A9. Moreover, we reveal that the endoplasmic reticulum contains the Zn²⁺ pool from which mitochondrial Zn²⁺ is imported. These findings establish the molecular basis for controlling the correct mitochondrial Zn²⁺ levels for normal mitochondrial structure and functions.
Animals ; Caenorhabditis elegans/metabolism* ; Cation Transport Proteins/genetics* ; Homeostasis ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Zinc/metabolism*

Objective:To propose a markless patient setup workflow based on the optical surface monitoring system (AlignRT) and open-face mask immobilization for whole-course head tumor radiotherapy, assess the setup time and repositioning frequency of the proposed workflow, and conduct a comparative analysis of the differences, correlation, and consistency of the setup errors of the AlignRT and cone beam CT (CBCT) systems.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for the data on the errors of 132 fractionated setup based on open-face mask immobilization of 33 head tumor patients. AlignRT-guided markless patient setup workflow was applied throughout the radiotherapy. Meanwhile, the body structures automatically generated by the treatment planning system were used as body references. The 6-degree-of-freedom (6DoF) setup errors (lateral, vertical, longitudinal, rotation, pitch, roll, and yaw directions), setup time, and repositioning frequency of the AlignRT and CBCT systems were recorded and analyzed. The Wilcoxon and Spearman analyses were used to statistically assess the differences and correlation of the setup errors of the two systems. Moreover, the Bland-Altman analysis was employed to evaluate the consistency of the two systems.Results:The 6DoF setup errors of CBCT were within the clinical tolerance (linear motions: -0.30 to 0.30 cm; rotational motions: -2.0° to 2.0°). The setup time and repositioning frequency of CBCT were (98 ± 31) s and 1.51% (2/132), respectively. There was no significant difference in setup errors between the two systems except those in x-axis ( Z = -3.11, P= 0.002), y-axis ( Z = -7.40, P<0.001), and Pitch ( Z= -4.48, P<0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between the setup errors along lateral ( rs = 0.47, P<0.001) and vertical ( rs = 0.29, P = 0.001) directions, rotation (Rtn; rs = 0.47, P<0.001), pitch (Pitch; rs = 0.28, P = 0.001) and roll (Roll; rs = 0.45, P<0.001) of the two systems. The 95% limits of agreement (95% LoA) of 6DoF setup errors were -0.12 to 0.09 cm, -0.07 to 0.17 cm, -0.19 to 0.20 cm, -1.0° to 0.9 °, -1.0° to 1.5°, and -0.9° to 1.0°, respectively. The 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 95% LoA was -0.14 to 0.11 cm, -0.09 to 0.19 cm, -0.23 to 0.23 cm, -1.2° to 1.1°, -1.2° to 1.7°, and-1.0° to 1.1°, respectively, all of which were within the permissible error ranges. The 6DoF setup error difference of 3.41% (27/792< 5%) was beyond the 95% LoA. The maximum absolute differences of 6DoF setup errors within the 95% LoA were 0.12, 0.16, 0.19 cm, 0.9°, 1.5°, and 1.0°, respectively. Conclusions:The proposed markless setup workflow based on AlignRT combined with open-face mask immobilization for whole-course head tumor radiotherapy exhibits reasonable agreement and consistency with the patient setup using CBCT, with acceptable clinical efficiency. It can be applied to the first radiotherapy and the real-time monitoring of therapy to improve the safety and thus is of value in clinical applications.

Objective:To identify 3 the disease-causing genes and mutations of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), and to study the correlation of phenotype and genotype.Methods:A retrospective study. Four LCA patients and seven family members who were diagnosed by eye examination in Ning Xia Eye Hospital of People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from January to December 2021 were included in the study. Four patients were from 3 unrelated families. Detailed collection of medical history and family history were received. Related ophthalmologic examination were collected and genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. Whole-exome sequencing method was used for genetic diagnosis. The identified variant was confirmed with Sanger sequencing. Potential pathogenic mutation was analyzed using software and conserved domain analysis and performed co-separated analysis between the family member and the proband.Results:Of the 4 patients, 1 patient was males and 3 patients were females; the age was from 4 to 18 years. Nystagmus were seen in 3 cases, finger pressing eyes and night blindness was seen in 1 cases; electroretinogram showed 4 cases of extinction or near extinction. The foveal reflection was visible in all eyes, and there was no obvious abnormality in the peripheral retina. One eye had strong reflection signal with raised ellipsoid in macular area; two eyes had weak reflection signal faintly visible between retinal layers; 1 eye had increased blood vessel branches, peripheral retinal non-perfusion area with capillary leakage; annular strong autofluorescence in macular area 4 eyes. No obvious abnormality was found in the phenotypes of family members. Genetic testing showed that the proband of pedigree 1 (Ⅱ-1) was found a homozygous missense mutation in c.640A>T (p.C214S) (M1) of PRPH2 gene. The proband of pedigree 2 (Ⅱ-2) was found compound heterozygous mutation in c.1256G>A(p.R419Q) (M2) and c.1A>C (p.M1L) (M3) of TULP1 gene. The proband 3 (Ⅱ-1) and her sister (Ⅱ-2) were both found compound heterozygous mutation in c.1943T>C (p.L648P) (M4) and c.380C>T (p.P127L) (M5) of GUCY2D gene. The parents and sister (Ⅱ-1) of the proband in family 2 and the parents of the proband in family 3 were all carriers of the corresponding heterozygous variant. M1, M3, M4, M5 were novel mutations and unreported. The genotype and disease phenotype were co-segregated within the family. According to the analysis of pedigree and genetic testing results, all 3 families were autosomal recessive inheritance. The amino acid conservation analysis found that M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5 were highly conserved among species. The results of bioinformatics analysis were all pathogenic variants. Conclusions:PRPH2 gene M1, TULP1 gene M3, and GUCY2D gene M4, M5 were novel mutations and not been reported in the literature and database. This research expanded the gene mutation spectrum of LCA. The patients with LCA have available characterristics, including onset age, varying ocular fundus and severe visual impairment.