Diabetic nephropathy (DN), as one of the most common complications of diabetes, is a primary cause of end-stage renal disease. The pathogenesis of DN encompasses processes such as chronic inflammation, recruitment and activation of immune cells, tubular and glomerular injury, and renal fibrosis. These processes are highly correlated with the activation of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and the resulting pyroptosis it mediates. Previous studies have shown that the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, leakage of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), recruitment and activation of immune cells can be reduced by regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome and its mediated pyroptosis, thereby slowing the diffusion of inflammatory responses in adjacentcells, fibrosis, and tissue remodeling processes. Ultimately, these process can improve renal injury and dysfunction caused by diabetic nephropathy. This article summarizes the molecular regulatory mechanisms of the NLRP3 inflammasome and its mediated pyroptosis at different pathological stages of DN, proposes potential targets for regulating their activation, aiming to provide a new direction for personalized treatment of DN.

Objective To observe the body surface calorific value characteristics of Governor Vessel and Conception Vessel,triple energizer,and zang-fu organs chronic insomnia patients with heart-spleen deficiency syndrome through infrared thermal imaging technology.Methods Totally 150 patients with chronic insomnia with heart-spleen deficiency syndrome who were treated in the outpatient department of Shenzhen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine(Longgang)from December 2021 to December 2022 were selected as the observation group.Another 50 healthy subjects were recruited as the normal control group.Infrared thermal imaging technology was used to collect and measure the temperature of surface areas of Governor Vessel and Conception Vessel,triple energizer,and zang-fu organs,and the calorific values were analyzed and compared.Results Compared with healthy subjects,chronic insomnia patients with heart-spleen deficiency syndrome had a statistically significant decrease in the temperature of the Governor Vessel(P<0.05);there were statistically significant decreased in the temperature of upper energizer and middle energizer(P<0.05);there were statistically significant decreased in the temperature of chest,apex,right chest,epigastric region,big abdomen,and the temperature of left and right flank increased(P<0.05).Conclusion There were significant differences in infrared thermography distribution characteristics of Governor Vessel and Conception Vessel,triple energizer,and zang-fu organs between patients with chronic insomnia with heart-spleen deficiency syndrome and healthy subjects,which can provide some reference for the clinical diagnosis and syndrome differentiation of chronic insomnia with heart-spleen deficiency syndrome.

This paper aimed to explain the clinical thinking of using the method of unblocking the bowels and harmonizing viscera. Based on theory of "viscera-bowels extraordinary connection" of The Gateway to Medicine （《医学入门》）， combined with the theoretical research， clinical practice and individual experience of ancient physicians， modern scholars， it is believed that viscera qi disorder caused by bowels qi blocking is the basic mechanism of insomnia. In clinic， it is common that gallbladder phlegm-heat harassing the heart spirit， stagnant blood and qi in stomach blocking the pericardium， turbid heat in large intestine causing fire and affecting liver， dampness insmall intestine trapping the spleen， water retention in the bladder drying up lungs， and the inhibited original qi of sanjiao damaging the kidney， which could be treated with Wendan Decoction （温胆汤）， Taohe Chengqi Decoction （桃核承气汤）， Chengqi-series Decoction （承气汤类方）， Linggui Zhugan Decoction （苓桂术甘汤）， Wuling Powder （五苓散）， Xiaochaihu Decoction （小柴胡汤）， respectively.

Background:Tissue microarray has been increasingly used in research of malignancies. It has been revealed that TGF-β signaling pathway contributes to the tumorigenesis and progress of malignancies. Aims:To determine the expressions of Runx3,Smad4,Cdk2 and p21,the key molecules in TGF-β signaling pathway by tissue microarray,and investigate their correlations with clinicopathological features and prognosis of gastric cancer. Methods:A total of 378 paraffin embedded tissue blocks,including 130 gastric cancer tissue and 248 para-cancer tissue from 130 patients undergoing radical resection of gastric cancer were obtained. Tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the expressions of Runx3,Smad4,Cdk2 and p21. Results:The aberrant expression rates of Runx3,Smad4, Cdk21 and p21 in gastric cancer tissue were significantly higher than those in para-cancer tissue(67. 7% ,35. 4% , 63. 8% and 70. 0% vs. 14. 1% ,12. 5% ,18. 1% and 37. 1% ,P < 0. 05,respectively). Aberrant expression of Runx3 was closely correlated with histological grade and lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer( P < 0. 05),while aberrant expressions of Smad4 and p21 were correlated with histological grade only(P < 0. 05);aberrant expression of Cdk2 was correlated with histological grade,lymph node metastasis and TNM staging(P < 0. 05). Pairwise correlations were seen among aberrant expressions of Runx3,Smad4 and p21 in gastric cancer,while Cdk2 was correlated with Runx3 only. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that 5-year survival rates in Runx3,Smad4 and p21 aberrant expression groups were significantly lower than those in normal expression groups(P <0. 05). Furthermore,Cox proportional hazard model indicated that Runx3 and Smad4 were independent prognostic factors for gastric cancer. Conclusions:Runx3,Smad4,Cdk2 and p21 might play pivotal roles in tumorigenesis and progression of gastric cancer. As interactions occurred among these four proteins,whether Runx3 and Smad4 could be used for predicting the prognosis of gastric cancer needs to be further studied.

Objective To study the safety,feasibility and efficacy of thoracoscopic hepatectomy for liver carcinoma. Methods Thoracoscopic hepatectomy was performed in 3 cases with single liver neoplasm from 2007 to 2011,including hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC ) in one case and metastatic liver cancer in 2 cases.By preoperative imaging the tumor was located accurately to simulate the port position in operation.Patients were placed in a left lateral decubitus position,and 3 ports were inserted into the chest wall surrounding the tumor. Through the use of intra-operative thoracoscopic uhrasonography (IOTU),the diaphragm just above the tumor was opened.IOTU was performed on the liver surface and the resection line was marked.Throughout the course of parenchymal transection,IOTU was performed repeatedly to guide the resection line,and ensure the complete removal of the tumor.After meticulous hemostasis of the resection surface,the diaphragm was closed. A thoracic drain was left. Results Thoracoscopic hepatectomy succeeded in all 3 cases,the median total operating time was 150 min (110 -210 min),and the medianblood loss was 297 ml (130 -600 ml). Patients recovered quickly and had no major post-operative complications.During 9 to 42 months' follow-up,one patients died of other cause,no relapse of the diseases was found. Conclusions Thoracoscopic hepatectomy is a safe and feasible operation in selected patients and has advantages in post-operative morbidity and in hospital time.