Benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH） is a common chronic progressive disease in middle-aged and elderly men， characterized by prostate enlargement and bladder outlet obstruction， leading to symptoms such as frequent urination， urgency， and difficulty urinating. The pathogenesis of BPH involves factors such as aging， hormonal metabolic abnormalities， inflammatory responses， and imbalances in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Currently， the main treatment methods for BPH include medication， physical therapy， and surgical intervention. However， medication may cause side effects like sexual dysfunction and hypotension， physical therapy has limited efficacy， and surgery carries risks and postoperative complications. Therefore， there is an urgent need to find safer and more effective treatment options. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， with its focus on treatment based on syndrome differentiation and a holistic approach， offers therapeutic advantages through multiple pathways and mechanisms. Recent studies have shown that TCM regulates pathways such as phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， mitogen-activated protein kinases （MAPK）， nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2/antioxidant response element （Nrf2/ARE）， androgen receptor （AR）， transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）/Smad， and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor （HIF-1α/VEGF） to inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory response， reduce prostate cell proliferation， and promote apoptosis， thus exerting therapeutic effects. This article summarizes and analyzes the roles of these signaling pathways in the occurrence and development of BPH and the mechanisms of TCM intervention， aiming to provide scientific evidence for clinical treatment and drug development for BPH.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH） is a common chronic progressive disease in middle-aged and elderly men， characterized by prostate enlargement and bladder outlet obstruction， leading to symptoms such as frequent urination， urgency， and difficulty urinating. The pathogenesis of BPH involves factors such as aging， hormonal metabolic abnormalities， inflammatory responses， and imbalances in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Currently， the main treatment methods for BPH include medication， physical therapy， and surgical intervention. However， medication may cause side effects like sexual dysfunction and hypotension， physical therapy has limited efficacy， and surgery carries risks and postoperative complications. Therefore， there is an urgent need to find safer and more effective treatment options. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， with its focus on treatment based on syndrome differentiation and a holistic approach， offers therapeutic advantages through multiple pathways and mechanisms. Recent studies have shown that TCM regulates pathways such as phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， mitogen-activated protein kinases （MAPK）， nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2/antioxidant response element （Nrf2/ARE）， androgen receptor （AR）， transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）/Smad， and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor （HIF-1α/VEGF） to inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory response， reduce prostate cell proliferation， and promote apoptosis， thus exerting therapeutic effects. This article summarizes and analyzes the roles of these signaling pathways in the occurrence and development of BPH and the mechanisms of TCM intervention， aiming to provide scientific evidence for clinical treatment and drug development for BPH.

Objective To investigate the value of the volume percentage of solid component in differential diagnosis of stage Ⅰ lung adenocarcinoma subtypes,and to predict the optimal critical CT value of solid component.Methods A total of 962 nodules with sur-gical pathological findings confirmed as adenocarcinoma in situ(AIS)or pulmonary adenocarcinoma and manifested as subsolid nod-ules on thin-section CT were analyzed retrospectively,and divided the lesions into:(1)AIS(n=350)or pulmonary adenocarcinoma(n=612)groups;and(2)minimally invasive adenocarcinoma(MIA)(n=213)or invasive adenocarcinoma(IAC)(n=399)groups based on pathological findings.The volume percentage of solid components within pulmonary nodules was measured via CT density histogram analysis at different thresholds,the diagnostic efficacy of different thresholds was analyzed and the optimal critical CT val-ues of solid component was found.Results In the AIS versus pulmonary adenocarcinoma groups,age,mass,and volume percentage of solid component were statistically significant(P＜0.001);the CT threshold of-350 HU had the highest diagnostic efficacy[area under the curve(AUC)0.859,accuracy 81.69％,sensitivity 85.60％,and specificity 74.86％,respetively],and the critical value of volume percentage of solid component determined under this threshold was 8.3％.In the MIA versus IAC groups,age(P=0.017),mass(P＜0.001),and volume percentage of solid component(P＜0.001)were statistically significant;the CT threshold of-350 HU had the highest diagnostic efficacy(AUC 0.857,accuracy 78.27％,sensitivity 82.91％,and specificity 69.48％,respectively),and the critical value of volume percentage of solid component determined under this threshold was 16.9％.Conclusion The volume percentage of solid component measured based on CT density histogram analysis may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of early stage lung ade-nocarcinoma subtypes.

Objective To explore the effect of repetitive transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS)on anti-fatigue capacity,power output,and muscle activation during continuous vertical jumps of aver-age undergraduates.Methods Thirty healthy male college students were randomly assigned to an anodal tDCS(a-tDCS)group and a sham tDCS(sham-tDCS)group,receiving a total of 10 repeated anodal tDCS and sham tDCS for 5 consecutive days on the primary motor cortex respectively.Before and right after the intervention,as well as one month after the intervention,all students underwent the continuous vertical jump test.The two-factor repeated measure ANOVA(stimulation condition×time)was employed to evaluate alterations in fatigue index,total jump height,lower limb stiffness and mus-cle activation characteristics.Results The fatigue index of the a-tDCS group was significantly lower than the sham-tDCS group(P<0.05).After a-tDCS,the total jump height was significantly higher than before(P<0.05).In the sham-tDCS group,the touchdown time during continuous vertical jumps in-creased more significantly right and a month after the intervention(P<0.05 for both).Moreover,lower limb stiffness of the a-tDCS group at the last moment of the continuous vertical jumps was significant-ly higher than the sham-tDCS group(P<0.05).After a-tDCS,the activation of the rectus femoris mus-cle increased significantly in the eccentric phase of the end of the test(P<0.05).However,no signifi-cant differences were found in the mean power and post-test rating of perceived exertion after the stim-ulation.Conclusion Ten sessions of tDCS conducted over five consecutive days demonstrates an en-hancement in neuromuscular activation during high-intensity jumping exercise.This observed augmenta-tion contributes to attenuating the decline in exercise capacity associated with fatigue.

Objective:To observe multiple locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) typing of Brucella isolated from Himalayan marmot in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of Qinghai Province, and to explore the relationship between the strains and strains previous isolated from Qinghai Province. Methods:Blood samples of Himalayan marmot were collected in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of Qinghai Province from March 2019 to October 2020. Pathogens were isolated and cultured from Brucella antibody positive samples identified by using the rose bengal test (RBT). Conventional biological methods and molecular biological methods (BCSP31-PCR and AMOS-PCR) were used for strain identification. At the same time, MLVA method was used to genotype the isolated strains, and cluster analysis was used to analyze the genetic relationships between the strains based on the genotype of 70 Brucella isolated from different hosts in Qinghai Province. Results:A total of 1 466 blood samples of Himalayan marmot were collected from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Two strains of Brucella were isolated and cultured from 64 RBT-positive samples, named QH2013054 and QH2013062, respectively. They were identified as Brucella ovis biotype Ⅲ by conventional and molecular biological methods. The MLVA genotyping results showed that QH2013054 and QH2013062 were different at the Bru16 locus, indicating different MLVA genotypes. Cluster analysis showed that strain QH2013054 had the same MLVA genotype as 7 strains, among which 6 strains were from 3 farmers and 3 sheep from the same family in Gonghe County, and 1 strain was from a farmer in Menyuan Hui Autonomous County. The strain QH2013062 had the same MLVA genotype as 4 strains, including 3 strains from 3 farmers in Menyuan Hui Autonomous County and 1 strain from a farmer in Tu Autonomous County of Huzhu. Conclusions:The strains of Brucella isolated from Himalayan marmot in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of Qinghai Province have the same MLVA genotype as some strains of Brucella isolated from humans and sheep in Qinghai Province. It is speculated that the host humans, sheep and Himalayan marmot in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau may have a common source of infection.

Objective:To learn about the epidemic situation and trend of human brucellosis in Menyuan Hui Autonomous County (referred to as Menyuan County) of Qinghai Province, and to provide reference for formulating brucellosis prevention and control measures in Menyuan County.Methods:Data on human brucellosis in Menyuan County reported by the Infectious Disease Reporting Information Management System of China Disease Control and Prevention Information System from 2013 to 2020 were collected and analyzed by descriptive epidemiological analysis (three distribution).Results:A total of 186 cases of brucellosis were confirmed from 2013 to 2020, with an average annual incidence of 14.553/100 000. The annual incidence rate was increasing year by year(χ 2trend = 22.08, P = 0.002). The cases were distributed in 67 villages of 12 towns; cases were more common in the age group of 15-< 65 years old (96.24%, 179/186), and there were more men than women cases (sex ratio was 3.89∶1.00, 148/38). Conclusions:The incidence rate of brucellosis cases in Menyuan County is increasing year by year, and the scope of its impact is constantly expanding. A multi-sectoral joint prevention and control mechanism should be established to strengthen management, increase the prevention and control of brucellosis, and stop the spread of the epidemic to surrounding counties and cities.

Objective:To study the correlation between the quartering of nerve root subsidence sign (NRS) and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the narrow segment thecal sac in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).Methods:The data of 203 LSS patients in the Fourth People′s Hospital of Hengshui from January 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent MRI cross sectional scanning. The patients were divided into positive type a group ( n=62), positive type b group ( n=32), positive type c group ( n=51), and negative group ( n=58) by NRS quartering method. The minimum CSA, median sagittal diameter (PAD), and lateral recess sagittal diameter of each group were compared. The correlation between NRS quartering classification and the minimum CSA and related indicators of lumbar spinal stenosis was analyzed. Results:The minimum CSA, PAD, and sagittal diameter of the lateral recess in the positive a group, positive b group, and positive c group were all smaller than those in the negative group, while the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were higher than those in the negative group; The minimum CSA, PAD, and sagittal diameter of the lateral recess in the positive b type and positive c type groups were smaller than those in the positive a type group, while the VAS score and ODI index were higher than those in the positive a type group; The minimum CSA, PAD, and sagittal diameter of the lateral recess in the positive c type group were smaller than those in the positive b type group; The VAS score and ODI index were higher than those of the positive b type group; The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). 203 patients were divided into 54 normal cases, 58 mild stenosis cases, 49 moderate stenosis cases, and 42 severe stenosis cases based on the minimum CSA. The coincidence rate between negative NRS and minimal CSA diagnosis as normal was 94.44%(51/54), the coincidence rate between positive type a and minimal CSA diagnosis as mild stenosis was 84.48%(49/58), the coincidence rate between positive type b and minimal CSA diagnosis as moderate stenosis was 53.06%(26/49), and the coincidence rate between positive type c and minimal CSA diagnosis as severe stenosis was 90.48%(38/42). Using the kappa consistency test, the kappa value for quantitative diagnosis of minimum CSA stenosis in NRS and LSS patients was 0.743, indicating good consistency. The kappa values for quantitative diagnosis of NRS, sagittal diameter of lateral recess, and PAD stenosis were 0.271 and 0.335, with poor consistency. NRS typing was negatively correlated with CSA and PAD ( r=-0.723, -0.581, all P<0.001), and positively correlated with VAS score and ODI index ( r=0.473, 0.640, all P<0.001). Conclusions:The NRS quartering method has a good consistency in diagnosing the severity of LSS patients and the minimum CSA of stenosis segments, suggesting that the NRS quartering method can better reflect the degree of Spinal stenosis, which can not only be used as an auxiliary indicator for qualitative diagnosis of LSS, but also has a high value in quantitative diagnosis.

Objective:To master the epidemic trend of human brucellosis in Qinghai Province, so as to provide basis for scientific prevention and control of the disease.Methods:In 2019 and 2020, at the national and provincial brucellosis monitoring sites in Qinghai Province, a total of 18 counties (cities and districts, hereinafter referred to as counties), no less than 400 serum samples were sampled every year for brucellosis Rose-Bengal plate agglutination test (RBPT) and serum tube agglutination test (SAT), which would be tested and judged according to the criteria of "Diagnosis for Brucellosis" (WS 269-2019).Results:In 2019, a total of 1 612 people were monitored in national brucellosis monitoring sites, 93 were RBPT positive, 54 were SAT positive, 54 were diagnosed, and the prevalence rate was 3.35% (54/1 612). In 2020, 1 677 people were monitored in national brucellosis monitoring sites, 151 were RBPT positive, 80 were SAT positive, 80 were diagnosed, and the prevalence rate was 4.77% (80/1 677). There were significant differences in RBPT positive rate, SAT positive rate and prevalence rate among national monitoring sites between the two years (χ 2 = 12.52, 4.24, 4.24, P < 0.05). In 2019, a total of 6 043 people were monitored in provincial brucellosis monitoring sites, 128 were RBPT positive, 91 were SAT positive, 87 were diagnosed, and the prevalence rate was 1.44% (87/6 043). In 2020, 5 664 people were monitored, 108 were RBPT positive, 59 were SAT positive, 52 were diagnosed, and the prevalence rate was 0.92% (52/5 664). There was no significant difference in RBPT positive rate among provincial monitoring sites between the two years (χ 2 = 0.66, P = 0.416), and the differences in SAT positive rate and prevalence rate were statistically significant among provincial monitoring sites between the two years (χ 2 = 4.98, 14.57, P < 0.05). Conclusion:In 2019 and 2020, there are human brucellosis in national and provincial brucellosis monitoring sites in Qinghai Province.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of a simple three-step excision for combined reduction plastic surgery of labia minora clitoral hood complex.Methods:We selected the clinical data of patients with labia minora and clitoral prepuce hypertrophy treated in the Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from May 2017 to November 2021. All the patients underwent composite labia minora and clitoral hood reduction using a simple three-step excision. In the first step, a longitudinal shuttle incision was designed to remove the redundant lateral prepuce of the clitoris; In the second step, the hypertrophic part of labia minora was removed by wedge resection; The third step was to trim the triangular flap formed by the excess skin at the junction of the labia minora and the clitoral hood, and then complete the incision suture. Patients were asked to return for examinations on days 1, 7, and 10 postoperatively. After that, the patients were followed up in the outpatient department or online, and the satisfaction questionnaires were conducted. The contents included appearance improvement, preoperative symptom improvement, postoperative discomfort symptoms, sexual life quality, partner’s evaluation of surgical effect, and patient’s evaluation of surgical impact.Results:A total of 295 patients were enrolled, with an average age of 29 years, ranged from 9 to 52 years old. Patients were divided into 4 categories according to the surgeries they received, including 21 patients (7.1%) with unilateral labia + unilateral prepuce hypertrophy, 12 patients (4.1%) with unilateral labia + bilateral prepuce hypertrophy, 50 patients (16.9%) with bilateral labia + unilateral prepuce and 212 patients (71.9%) with bilateral labia + bilateral prepuce hypertrophy. The incidence of complications was 3.4%(10/295), hematoma occurred in 8 cases, scar hyperplasia with obvious pain in 1 case, and blood supply disorder in 1 case. After the complementary treatments, all patients recovered well from surgeries. 219 questionnaires were obtained three months after surgeries, and 76 cases were lost to follow-up. The overall satisfaction rate of patients was 94.5%(207/219).Conclusions:The preoperative design of three-step resection is simple, which can safely and effectively carry out composite labia minora and clitoral hood reduction, with less complications, concealed incision, slight scar, and high satisfaction.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of a simple three-step excision for combined reduction plastic surgery of labia minora clitoral hood complex.Methods:We selected the clinical data of patients with labia minora and clitoral prepuce hypertrophy treated in the Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from May 2017 to November 2021. All the patients underwent composite labia minora and clitoral hood reduction using a simple three-step excision. In the first step, a longitudinal shuttle incision was designed to remove the redundant lateral prepuce of the clitoris; In the second step, the hypertrophic part of labia minora was removed by wedge resection; The third step was to trim the triangular flap formed by the excess skin at the junction of the labia minora and the clitoral hood, and then complete the incision suture. Patients were asked to return for examinations on days 1, 7, and 10 postoperatively. After that, the patients were followed up in the outpatient department or online, and the satisfaction questionnaires were conducted. The contents included appearance improvement, preoperative symptom improvement, postoperative discomfort symptoms, sexual life quality, partner’s evaluation of surgical effect, and patient’s evaluation of surgical impact.Results:A total of 295 patients were enrolled, with an average age of 29 years, ranged from 9 to 52 years old. Patients were divided into 4 categories according to the surgeries they received, including 21 patients (7.1%) with unilateral labia + unilateral prepuce hypertrophy, 12 patients (4.1%) with unilateral labia + bilateral prepuce hypertrophy, 50 patients (16.9%) with bilateral labia + unilateral prepuce and 212 patients (71.9%) with bilateral labia + bilateral prepuce hypertrophy. The incidence of complications was 3.4%(10/295), hematoma occurred in 8 cases, scar hyperplasia with obvious pain in 1 case, and blood supply disorder in 1 case. After the complementary treatments, all patients recovered well from surgeries. 219 questionnaires were obtained three months after surgeries, and 76 cases were lost to follow-up. The overall satisfaction rate of patients was 94.5%(207/219).Conclusions:The preoperative design of three-step resection is simple, which can safely and effectively carry out composite labia minora and clitoral hood reduction, with less complications, concealed incision, slight scar, and high satisfaction.