Objective: To investigate the efficacy, safety, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) medication patterns of rituximab (RTX) combined with TCM on treating children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS). Methods: One hundred and forty-three children with SDNS who visited the Pediatric Nephrology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from January 2018 to December 2022 were enrolled. A cohort study design was adopted, with " RTX treatment" as the exposure factor. Children who met this exposure factor were assigned to the RTX cohort (RTX, glucocorticoid, immunosuppressive agent, combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation treatment), whereas those who did not were assigned to the basic treatment cohort (glucocorticoid, immunosuppressive agent, combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation treatment ), and followed up for 6 months. The frequency of urinary protein recurrences, urinary protein remission duration, proportion and duration of steroid reduction and cessation, cumulative usage of steroids, proportion of recurrence, recurrence amount of steroid used, efficacy of TCM syndrome, and laboratory and safety indicators after treatment, and height and CD19+ B cell count before and after treatment were compared between the two cohorts. The medication patterns of TCM in the two cohorts were analyzed using frequency statistics, association rule analysis, and systematic clustering analysis. Results: Compared with the basic treatment cohort, the RTX cohort showed a decrease in the frequency of urinary protein recurrence, extended sustained remission of urinary protein, an increase in the proportion of steroid reduction and cessation, a shorter duration of steroid reduction and cessation, a decrease in cumulative steroid dosage, a lower recurrence rate, a decrease in CD19+ B cell count, and a decrease in 24-h urinary total protein quantification and the level of cholesterol (P<0.05). No significant difference in the recurrence amount of steroid used, height, TCM syndrome efficacy, albumin, aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, platelet count, and safety indicators between the two cohorts. Children with SDNS were mostly characterized by qi and yin deficiency syndrome, followed by spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome. A total of 175 TCMs were included, including 28 high-frequency drugs such as Huangqi, Fuling, Gancao, Baizhu, Dangshen, and Jiuyurou. The primary use of medication is to nourish the qi and spleen, nourish the kidney, and warm yang. The analysis of association rules yielded eight binary associations and ten three-phase associations, with Huangqi, Baizhu, Fuling, and Dangshen, being the most closely related. Cluster analysis identified four TCM combinations, primarily focusing on tonifying kidney and replenishing essence, benefiting qi and nourishing yin, and removing blood stasis. Conclusion RTX combined with TCM syndrome differentiation treatment can reduce the recurrence frequency of SDNS, prolong the remission period, reduce the glucocorticoid dosage, and have no marked effect on height growth. No apparent adverse reactions were observed. TCM should focus on nourishing qi and yin while removing blood stasis.

ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical treatment plan and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） medication rule of children with primary nephrotic syndrome （PNS） in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine. MethodsThe gender and age of children firstly diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome in the pediatric nephrology department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from November 2019 to December 2022 were collected， and the use of immunosuppressive agents and related frequencies were counted. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria， an independent TCM prescription database for children with nephrotic syndrome was established. Excel was used to analyze the relevant information of the literature. The frequency counting， association rule analysis， and cluster analysis were carried out on TCM in the prescription， and the high-frequent drugs were analyzed. Results（1） General information： A total of 711 children were included， consisting of 522 males （73.42%） and 189 females （26.58%）. The ratio of male to female was about 2.76∶1. The disease mainly occurred in infants and preschool age， and the average age of onset was （4.74 ± 3.48） years old. （2） Clinical treatment plan and use of immunosuppressive agents： Of the 711 children with PNS， 237 were treated with hormone alone （32.33%）， and 474 （66.67%） received immunosuppressive agents combined with hormones. In the initial treatment， hormone combined with Tacrolimus （TAC） was the preferred treatment （32.91%）. For children with refractory PNS who exhibited poor clinical efficacy， Rituximab （RTX） was mostly used for treatment， with a ratio of up to 23.63%. （3） TCM syndrome and medication rule： In PNS syndrome differentiation， Qi and Yin deficiency was identified as the main syndrome. This involved a total of 477 cases， accounting for 67.09%. Yang deficiency of spleen and kidney was observed in 118 cases， accounting for 16.60%. A total of 711 children were included， of which 706 children were treated with TCM. This involved a total of 706 prescriptions， 226 TCM， and 9 793 frequencies. There were 30 herbs used more than 95 times. The top five TCM were Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae （81.16%）， Radix Astragali （71.81%）， Poria （68.84%）， Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae （63.60%）， and Fructus Corni （57.37%）. The drug association rules and network diagram showed that the combination of ''Radix Astragali-Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae-Poria'' was the closest， and five types of combinations were obtained by cluster analysis. ConclusionIn the diagnosis and treatment of PNS in children， TAC combined with hormones shows good clinical efficacy and high safety. For children with refractory PNS， RTX combined with hormones can be used. TCM medication for PNS should follow the basic principles of strengthening the body and vital Qi and make good use of drugs such as Radix Astragali， Poria， Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae， and cornus to regulate the Yin and Yang balance and achieve better clinical efficacy.

ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical treatment plan and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） medication rule of children with primary nephrotic syndrome （PNS） in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine. MethodsThe gender and age of children firstly diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome in the pediatric nephrology department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from November 2019 to December 2022 were collected， and the use of immunosuppressive agents and related frequencies were counted. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria， an independent TCM prescription database for children with nephrotic syndrome was established. Excel was used to analyze the relevant information of the literature. The frequency counting， association rule analysis， and cluster analysis were carried out on TCM in the prescription， and the high-frequent drugs were analyzed. Results（1） General information： A total of 711 children were included， consisting of 522 males （73.42%） and 189 females （26.58%）. The ratio of male to female was about 2.76∶1. The disease mainly occurred in infants and preschool age， and the average age of onset was （4.74 ± 3.48） years old. （2） Clinical treatment plan and use of immunosuppressive agents： Of the 711 children with PNS， 237 were treated with hormone alone （32.33%）， and 474 （66.67%） received immunosuppressive agents combined with hormones. In the initial treatment， hormone combined with Tacrolimus （TAC） was the preferred treatment （32.91%）. For children with refractory PNS who exhibited poor clinical efficacy， Rituximab （RTX） was mostly used for treatment， with a ratio of up to 23.63%. （3） TCM syndrome and medication rule： In PNS syndrome differentiation， Qi and Yin deficiency was identified as the main syndrome. This involved a total of 477 cases， accounting for 67.09%. Yang deficiency of spleen and kidney was observed in 118 cases， accounting for 16.60%. A total of 711 children were included， of which 706 children were treated with TCM. This involved a total of 706 prescriptions， 226 TCM， and 9 793 frequencies. There were 30 herbs used more than 95 times. The top five TCM were Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae （81.16%）， Radix Astragali （71.81%）， Poria （68.84%）， Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae （63.60%）， and Fructus Corni （57.37%）. The drug association rules and network diagram showed that the combination of ''Radix Astragali-Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae-Poria'' was the closest， and five types of combinations were obtained by cluster analysis. ConclusionIn the diagnosis and treatment of PNS in children， TAC combined with hormones shows good clinical efficacy and high safety. For children with refractory PNS， RTX combined with hormones can be used. TCM medication for PNS should follow the basic principles of strengthening the body and vital Qi and make good use of drugs such as Radix Astragali， Poria， Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae， and cornus to regulate the Yin and Yang balance and achieve better clinical efficacy.

Mental state is an important part of the normal life activities of the human body, and it is also the most external expression and the most easily obtained information of the physical condition. The normal activities of the mind depend on the normal operation of the viscera, qi, and blood, and are a unified whole that prospers together and suffers together. The theory of the five-spirit-viscera in the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic revealed that the normal mental activities of the human body were dominated by the five internal organs, that is, the five internal organs were the body and the five spirits were the function. And it highlighted the viewpoint that the five internal organs store the spirits and are actually one. The heart governs the spirit and belongs to the four internal organs. On this basis, Synopsis of Golden Chamber used the internal organs to diagnose and treat mental diseases, integrating the theory of the five spirits into it, forming a unique method of diagnosis and treatment with the heart as the leading factor and regulating the qi and blood of the four internal organs. It identified the pathogenesis of diseases such as pathogenic crying, lily disease, and hysteria from five levels: heart deficiency and weak qi, heart-lung disharmony, heart-liver disharmony, the heart of the loss of the spleen nourishment, and disharmony between heart and kidney. The treatment was mainly to replenish the deficiency of the viscera and eliminate the pathogens, reflecting the characteristics of regulating the mind and calming the four internal organs. This unique view on diagnosis and treatment has profoundly influenced the diagnosis and treatment theories of mental illnesses by later doctors, and is of great significance to the current clinical treatment of such illnesses.

Based on the strategy of metabolomics combined with bioinformatics, this study analyzed the potential allergens and mechanism of pseudo-allergic reactions (PARs) induced by the combined use of Reduning injection and penicillin G injection. All animal experiments and welfare are in accordance with the requirements of the First Affiliated Experimental Animal Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee of Henan University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: YFYDW2020002). Based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology combined with UNIFI software, a total of 21 compounds were identified in Reduning and penicillin G mixed injection. Based on molecular docking technology, 10 potential allergens with strong binding activity to MrgprX2 agonist sites were further screened. Metabolomics analysis using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology revealed that 34 differential metabolites such as arachidonic acid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes were endogenous differential metabolites of PARs caused by combined use of Reduning injection and penicillin G injection. Through the analysis of the "potential allergen-target-endogenous differential metabolite" interaction network, the chlorogenic acids (such as chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, and isochlorogenic acid A) and β-lactam allergens in the combination of the two may be mainly regulated by PLD1, PLA2G12A and CYP1A1. The three upstream signal target proteins mainly activate the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway, promote the degranulation of mast cells, release downstream endogenous inflammatory mediators, and induce PARs.

Objective:To study the current status of longitudinal extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in extremely preterm infants (EPIs) and to develop a prediction model based on clinical data from multiple NICUs.Methods:From January 2017 to December 2018, EPIs admitted to 32 NICUs in North China were retrospectively studied. Their general conditions, nutritional support, complications during hospitalization and weight changes were reviewed. Weight loss between birth and discharge > 1SD was defined as longitudinal EUGR. The EPIs were assigned into longitudinal EUGR group and non-EUGR group and their nutritional support and weight changes were compared. The EPIs were randomly assigned into the training dataset and the validation dataset with a ratio of 7∶3. Univariate Cox regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were used in the training dataset to select the independent predictive factors. The best-fitting Nomogram model predicting longitudinal EUGR was established based on Akaike Information Criterion. The model was evaluated for discrimination efficacy, calibration and clinical decision curve analysis.Results:A total of 436 EPIs were included in this study, with a mean gestational age of (26.9±0.9) weeks and a birth weight of (989±171) g. The incidence of longitudinal EUGR was 82.3%(359/436). Seven variables (birth weight Z-score, weight loss, weight growth velocity, the proportion of breast milk ≥75% within 3 d before discharge, invasive mechanical ventilation ≥7 d, maternal antenatal corticosteroids use and bronchopulmonary dysplasia) were selected to establish the prediction model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the training dataset and the validation dataset were 0.870 (95% CI 0.820-0.920) and 0.879 (95% CI 0.815-0.942), suggesting good discrimination efficacy. The calibration curve indicated a good fit of the model ( P>0.05). The decision curve analysis showed positive net benefits at all thresholds. Conclusions:Currently, EPIs have a high incidence of longitudinal EUGR. The prediction model is helpful for early identification and intervention for EPIs with higher risks of longitudinal EUGR. It is necessary to expand the sample size and conduct prospective studies to optimize and validate the prediction model in the future.

Objective To investigate the changing trends in etiology and treatment of male urethral stricture in recent 10 years.Methods A total of 940 male patients with urethral stricture admitted to the Department of Urology of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital during Jan.2013 and Dec.2022 were continually collected.The clinical data were divided into two groups according to the time of admission,namely the group from 2013 to 2017 and the group from 2018 to 2022,for a comparative analysis of the previous and subsequent 5 years.The etiology,location,length and the type of treatment of urethral stricture were retrospectively analyzed.Results The causes of the 940 cases of male urethral stricture were trauma in 447(47.55％),iatrogenic injury in 220(23.40％),idiopathic causes in 128(13.62％),lichen sclerosus(LS)in 78(8.30％),infection in 46(4.89％),and other causes in 21(2.23％).The treatment methods were urethroplasty in 691(73.51％),direct vision internal urethrotomy(DVIU)in 122(12.98％),urethral dilatation in 86(9.15％),and suprapubic cystostomy in 41(4.36％).Compared with the previous 5 years,in the past 5 years,the proportion of urethral stricture caused by trauma decreased significantly(60.34％vs.41.71％,P＜0.001),while the proportion of iatrogenic injury increased significantly(17.63％vs.26.05％,P=0.005).In the past 5 years,the proportion of urethroplasty increased from 68.81％to 75.66％(P=0.027),while the proportion of DVIU decreased from 19.66％to 9.92％(P＜0.001).Inthe past 5 years,the proportion of membranous urethral stenosis decreased significantly(26.98％vs.50.85％,x2=51.06,P＜0.001),the proportion of penile urethral stricture(21.40％vs.7.80％,=26.37,P＜0.001)and meatal stenosis(9.30％vs.4.75％,x2=5.80,P＜0.001)increased significantly.Conclusion In the past decade,trauma was the main cause of male urethral strictures,but its proportion showed a decreasing trend.Iatrogenic injury led to a gradual increase in urethral strictures,which was the second leading cause of male urethral stricture.The application of urethroplasty increased significantly,making it the main treatment method for male urethral stricture.

Objective To study the mechanism of the amelioration of renal injury in immunoglobulin A nephropathy(IgAN)rats by multi-glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii(GTW)based on the sphingosine kinase 1(Sphk1)/sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2(S1PR2)signalling pathway.Methods An IgAN rat model was established by means of bovine serum albumin gavage+castor oil and carbon tetrachloride subcutaneous injection+lipopolysaccharide tail vein injection.The rats were randomly divided into the model,control and experimental groups,with 9 rats in each group,and 10 normal rats were taken as the blank group.In the control group,6.25 mg·kg-1·d-1 prednisone was given by gavage;in the experimental group,9.375 mg·kg-1·d-1GTW was given by gavage;and in the blank and model groups,0.5 mL·100 g-1·d-1 0.9％NaCl was given by gavage,and the drugs were administered to the rats once a day in each group.At the end of the 15th week,urine samples were collected and blood albumin(ALB),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),24 hour-urine protein quantification(24 h-UTP),and urine erythrocyte counts were determined in each group,and the expression levels of Sphk1/S1PR2 proteins in each group were detected by Western blotting.Results The renal pathological changes in the control and experimental groups were significantly reduced compared with those in the model group by hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunofluorescence.The levels of ALB in the blank,model,control and experimental groups were(32.49±2.23),(22.98±0.51),(26.01±1.33)and(26.53±1.92)g·L-1;the levels of BUN were(6.11±1.71),(13.75±2.96),(6.71±1.35)and(4.77±0.99)mmol·L-1;the levels of 24 h-UTP were(5.72±1.96),(9.12±2.15),(5.78±2.05)and(4.75±1.50)mg·24 h-1;the urine erythrocyte counts were(9.73±2.40),(14.62±2.60),(9.90±1.59)and(9.46±2.94)cell·μL-1;the relative expression levels of Sphk1 protein were 0.85±0.02,1.47±0.02,1.06±0.02 and 1.09±0.02;the relative expression levels of S1PR2 protein were 0.27±0.02,0.88±0.01,0.43±0.02,and 0.42±0.02,respectively.The above indexes in the model group were statistically significant when compared with those of the control group and the experimental group(all P＜0.01).Conclusion GTW may reduce the proliferation of mesangial cells by inhibiting the Sphk1/S1PR2 signalling pathway,thus attenuating kidney injury in IgAN rats.

Objective:To investigate the value of transanal multipoint full-layer puncture biopsy (TMFP) in predicting pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy (nCRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) and to establish a predictive model for providing clinical guidance regarding the treatment of LARC.Methods:In this multicenter, prospective, cohort study, we collected data on 110 LARC patients from four hospitals between April 2020 and March 2023: Beijing Chaoyang Hospital of Capital Medical University (50 patients), Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University (41 patients), Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (16 patients), and Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University (three patients). The patients had all received TMFP after completing standard nCRT. The variables studied included (1) clinicopathological characteristics; (2) clinical complete remission (cCR) and efficacy of TMFP in determining pCR after NCRT in LARC patients; and (3) hospital attended, sex, age, clinical T- and N-stages, distance between the lower margin of the tumor and the anal verge, baseline and post-radiotherapy serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA)19-9 concentrations, chemotherapy regimen, use of immunosuppressants with or without radiotherapy, radiation therapy dosage, interval between surgery and radiotherapy, surgical procedure, clinical T/N stage after radiotherapy, cCR, pathological results of TMFP, puncture method (endoscopic or percutaneous), and number and timing of punctures. Single-factor and multifactorial logistic regression analysis were used to determine the factors affecting pCR after NCRT in LARC patients. A prediction model was constructed based on the results of multivariat analysis and the performance of this model evaluated by analyzing subject work characteristics (ROC), calibration, and clinical decision-making (DCA) curves. pCR was defined as complete absence of tumor cells on microscopic examination of the surgical specimens of rectal cancer (including lymph node dissection) after NCRT, that is, ypT0+N0. cCR was defined according to the Chinese Neoadjuvant Rectal Cancer Waiting Watch Database Study Collaborative Group criteria after treatment, which specify an absence of ulceration and nodules on endoscopy; negative rectal palpation; no tumor signals on rectal MRI T2 and DWI sequences; normal serum CEA concentrations, and no evidence of recurrence on pelvic computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging.Results:Of the 110 patients, 45 (40.9%) achieved pCR after nCRT, which was combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors in 34 (30.9%). cCR was diagnosed before puncture in 38 (34.5%) patients, 43 (39.1%) of the punctures being endoscopic. There were no complications of puncture such as enterocutaneous fistulae, vaginal injury, prostatic injury, or presacral bleeding . Only one (2.3%) patient had a small amount of blood in the stools, which was relieved by anal pressure. cCR had a sensitivity of 57.8% (26/45) for determining pCR, specificity of 81.5% (53/65), accuracy of 71.8% (79/110), positive predictive value 68.4% (26/38), and negative predictive value of 73.6% (53/72). In contrast, the sensitivity of TMFP pathology in determining pCR was 100% (45/45), specificity 66.2% (43/65), accuracy 80.0% (88/110), positive predictive value 67.2% (45/67), and negative predictive value 100.0% (43/43). In this study, the sensitivity of TMFP for pCR (100.0% vs. 57.8%, χ 2=24.09, P<0.001) was significantly higher than that for cCR. However, the accuracy of pCR did not differ significantly (80.0% vs. 71.8%, χ 2=2.01, P=0.156). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that a ≥4 cm distance between the lower edge of the tumor and the anal verge (OR=7.84, 95%CI: 1.48-41.45, P=0.015), non-cCR (OR=4.81, 95%CI: 1.39-16.69, P=0.013), and pathological diagnosis by TMFP (OR=114.29, the 95%CI: 11.07-1180.28, P<0.001) were risk factors for pCR after NCRT in LARC patients. Additionally, endoscopic puncture (OR=0.02, 95%CI: 0.05-0.77, P=0.020) was a protective factor for pCR after NCRT in LARC patients. The area under the ROC curve of the established prediction model was 0.934 (95%CI: 0.892-0.977), suggesting that the model has good discrimination. The calibration curve was relatively close to the ideal 45° reference line, indicating that the predicted values of the model were in good agreement with the actual values. A decision-making curve showed that the model had a good net clinical benefit. Conclusion:Our predictive model, which incorporates TMFP, has considerable accuracy in predicting pCR after nCRT in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. This may provide a basis for more precisely selecting individualized therapy.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is one of the most common head and neck tumors. At present, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is the main radical treatment. In recent years, adaptive radiation therapy (ART) becomes the focus in the research field of precision radiotherapy. ART can reduce the target conformal and dose changes and increase the dose of exposed organs caused by factors such as weight loss, positioning error, systematic error, and anatomical changes of lesions and organs at risk, thus improving the effectiveness and safety of intensity modulated radiotherapy. This article focuses on and summarizes the recent progress in the application of ART in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and puts forward the possible research direction in the future.