Recently， Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver published the recommendations for the diagnosis and management of non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis （NCPF）/idiopathic portal hypertension （IPH）. The guidelines mainly elaborate on the definition， diagnosis， histological features， natural history， and management of NCPF/IPH， in order to strengthen the understanding of NCPF/IPH-related issues and establish a global consensus. This article makes an excerpt of the key statements in the guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the rules of acupoint selection and compatibility of acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment of chronic cough using data mining. METHODS: The ancient and modern medical record cloud platform, and the databases, i.e. CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, EMbase, Web of Science and PubMed, were searched to screen the ancient and modern literature on acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of chronic cough. The prescription database was established for acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of chronic cough, and the analysis conducted on the frequency and use percentage in the aspects of intervention measures, acupoint selection, acupoint distribution, meridian tropism, special points and acupoint combination, as well as the association rules and clustering rules of acupoint selection. The subgroup analysis was performed in accordance with the etiology of chronic cough and intervention measures. RESULTS: A total of 106 articles were included and 158 prescriptions were extracted. The intervention measures were acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medication and the combination of several measures. The high-frequency acupoints included Feishu (BL13), Zusanli (ST36), Dazhui (GV14), Pishu (BL20), Danzhong (CV17), Shenshu (BL23), Lieque (LU7), Dingchuan (EX-B1), Tiantu (CV22), and Fenglong (ST40). These acupoints are mainly distributed on the back, lumbar region, chest and abdomen. The involved meridians were bladder meridian of foot-taiyang, conception vessel, and lung meridian of hand-taiyin. The special points covered back-shu points, crossing points and five-shu point. Regarding the compatibility of acupoints, the combination of upper and lower points, and the combination of front and back points were predominant in treatment. The analysis of association rules found that the support of Feishu (BL13)→Zusanli (ST36) was the highest; the cluster analysis obtained 8 clusters of acupoints. The acupoint compatibility and overall rules were similar when cough variant asthma (CVA) or the mixed reasons were involved, and the local treatment approach was adopted if the etiology of disease was related to upper airway cough syndrome (UACS) and gastroesophageal reflux cough (GERC). The acupoint selection was similar among different intervention measures. When two kinds of measures were combined in treatment, Feishu (BL13), Pishu (BL20) and Zusanli (ST36) were the most common. CONCLUSION In treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion for chronic cough, the acupoints are selected on the affected local area, depending on syndrome differentiation, and focusing on back-shu points. The main acupoints are Feishu (BL13), Zusanli (ST36), Dazhui (GV14), Pishu (BL20), Danzhong (CV17) and Shenshu (BL23). The combined therapy is dominant with acupuncture, moxibustion and herbal medicine involved.
Acupuncture Points ; Moxibustion/history* ; Humans ; Cough/history* ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; Chronic Disease/therapy* ; Data Mining ; History, Ancient ; Meridians ; Chronic Cough

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression features of HBsAg and HBcAg in liver tissue and their correlation with HBV serum markers in children with chronic hepatitis B （CHB）. MethodsA total of 257 patients who were consecutively admitted to The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2013 to December 2023 and underwent liver biopsy to achieve a confirmed diagnosis of CHB were enrolled in this study. The NIS-Elements system was used to capture the immunohistochemical images of HBsAg and HBcAg in liver tissues， and Image J software was used for quantitative analysis. The one-sample chi-square test was used for within-group comparison of continuous data， and the Pearson/Spearman/Kendall’s Tau-b correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between viral antigen expression and serological markers. ResultsAmong the 257 CHB patients， there were 162 children （76 children aged<5 years and 86 children aged 5 — 18 years） and 95 adults. There were significant differences in the expression pattern， area， and intensity of HBsAg and the area and intensity of HBcAg in liver tissue between different age groups and between the children with different HBeAg statuses （all P<0.05）. In the children aged<5 years， HBsAg staining area was significantly negatively correlated with anti-HBs and HBeAg （both P<0.05）and was significantly positively correlated with ALT and AST （both P<0.05）， and HBsAg staining intensity was significantly positively correlated with qHBsAg （P<0.05） and was significantly negatively correlated with anti-HBs （P<0.05）. In the children group， HBsAg staining area was negatively correlated with anti-HBs and HBeAg （both P<0.05）， and HBsAg staining intensity was positively correlated with qHBsAg （P<0.05） and was negatively correlated with anti-HBs （P<0.05）. In the adult group， HBsAg staining area was positively correlated with ALT， AST， and liver inflammatory activity （all P<0.05）， and HBsAg staining intensity was positively correlated with qHBsAg， HBeAg， and HBV DNA （all P<0.05） and was negatively correlated with liver inflammatory activity and fibrosis degree （both P<0.05）. In the children aged<5 years， HBcAg staining area was positively correlated with qHBsAg and HBV DNA （both P<0.05）， and HBcAg staining intensity was significantly positively correlated with HBV DNA （P<0.001）. In the children aged 5 — 18 years， the area and intensity of HBcAg staining were positively correlated with qHBsAg， HBeAg， and HBV DNA （all P<0.05）. In the children group， HBcAg staining area was positively correlated with qHBsAg， HBeAg， and HBV DNA （all P<0.05）， and HBcAg staining intensity was positively correlated with qHBsAg and HBV DNA （both P<0.05）. In the adult group， the area and intensity of HBcAg staining were positively correlated with qHBsAg， HBeAg， and HBV DNA （all P<0.001）， and HBcAg staining area was positively correlated with the serum level of ALT （P=0.043）. ConclusionThe expression levels of HBsAg and HBcAg in liver tissue of children with CHB are significantly correlated with serological markers， and in clinical practice， HBsAg and HBcAg combined with serological markers can help to assess the condition of the liver， determine the immune stage， and provide evidence-based guidance for treatment timing.

Objective:To investigate the role of circular RNA (circRNA) circSEPT9 in the radioresistance of glioma and its molecular mechanism.Methods:Pathological samples were collected from 40 glioma patients who underwent surgery and postoperative radiotherapy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2019 to January 2022. All patients were divided into the radiation-sensitive and radiation-resistant groups. The expression levels of circSEPT9 were assessed using real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) in two groups. The radiation-resistant glioma cell U251R was constructed based on human glioma cell U251. The U251R cells were divided into the negative control (si-NC), circSEPT9 knockdown (si-circSEPT9), negative control combined with irradiation (si-NC+4 Gy), circSEPT9 knockdown combined with irradiation (si-circSEPT9+4 Gy), circSEPT9 knockdown combined with control inhibitor and irradiation (si-circSEPT9+NC inhibitor+4 Gy), and circSEPT9 knockdown combined with miR-432-5p inhibitor and irradiation (si-circSEPT9+miR-432-5p inhibitor+4 Gy) groups. The targeting relationship between circSEPT9 and miR-432-5p was verified through dual-luciferase reporter assay. Colony formation assay was employed to assess the survival rate of U251R cells. Flow cytometry was adopted to measure the apoptosis rate. The expression level of circSEPT9 in glioma tissues was statistically analyzed using independent sample t-test. The survival and apoptosis rates in each group were evaluated using one-way ANOVA. Results:The expression level of circSEPT9 was up-regulated in the glioma tissues of patients in the radiation-resistant group (1.00±0.18 vs. 3.25±0.13, P<0.05). Compared to the si-NC group, the U251R cells in the si-circSEPT9 group exhibited a significant reduction in survival fraction and a notable increase in apoptosis rate (9.24±0.83 vs. 19.36±2.13, both P<0.05). After radiation exposure at 4, 6 and 8 Gy, si-circSEPT9 treatment significantly decreased the survival fraction in U251R cells (all P<0.05). Compared with the si-NC+4 Gy group, the apoptosis rate was increased in the si-circSEPT9+4 Gy group (18.83±1.94 vs. 35.23±3.56, P<0.05). Dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that circSEPT9 could target and negatively regulate the expression level of miR-432-5p. Compared with the si-circSEPT9+NC inhibitor+4 Gy group, the survival fraction of U251R was significantly increased in the si-circSEPT9+miR-432-5p inhibitor+4 Gy group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Knockdown of circSEPT9 enhances the radiosensitivity of glioma cells by regulating cell apoptosis through targeting the miR-432-5p.

Objective:To evaluate the repair protocols for intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks after endoscopic endonasal clival malignancy resection (EECR) and to analyze the risk factors of surgical complication.Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent EECR and had intraoperative CSF leaks in XuanWu Hospital, Capital Medical University between January 2012 and January 2024 were reviewed. The pathological results, imaging data, location of the dural defect, degree of intraoperative CSF leaks, repair materials, complications such as postoperative central nervous system (CNS) infections, types of antibiotics used, bacterial culture and drug sensitivity results, secondary repair, and follow-up results were collected. IBM SPSS 26 software was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the repair. Additionally, statistical analysis was conducted on perioperative complications such as CNS infections.Results:Twenty-eight patients underwent 31 EECR and 36 skull base reconstructions. There were 14 females and 14 males, aged from 4 to 70 years old, with a median of 53 years. For the repair, autologous materials such as free turbinate flap, free nasoseptal flap, pedicled nasoseptal flap, and fascia lata combined with mashed muscle were used. Initial reconstruction was successful in 26 cases, while 5 patients required a second repair, which was also successful. Postoperatively CNS infections occurred in 4 patients, and all of whom were cured. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 146 months, with no delayed CSF leak reported. The infection rate was significantly higher in patients whose first repair failed compared to those whose repair was successful (Fisher exact test, P<0.001). Conclusions:The use of different autologous materials based on the patient′s condition can effectively repair CSF leakage that occurs during EECR. Howerver, the success rate of initial repair requires improvement, as the risk of CNS infection significantly increases after a failed repair..

With the advent of big data era and improvement of computer performance, the artificial intelligence (AI) technology has rapidly boosted in the field of stomatology. Dental caries is one of the cutting-edge research domains in stomatology. The application of AI in dental caries is expected to promote intelligent, precise and high-efficient diagnosis and treatment of caries. This article focuses on the application of AI in medical-aided diagnosis, treatment and risk prediction of caries and discusses their challenges.

ObjectiveTo investigate the factors related to the abandonment of upper limb prostheses. MethodsA total of 138 amputees fitting with upper limb prostheses at Guangdong Work Injury Rehabilitation Hospital from January 1st, 2016 to December 31st, 2022 were reviewed through case data, and those whose Functional Independence Measure scores improved after fitting were selected. A total of 126 amputees were investigated through telephone or WeChat with a questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed based on Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scale-Revised, short form of Health Survey (SF-36) and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Brief, and the items that may lead to the abandonment of upper limb prostheses were summarized in four factors: amputee, prosthetic fitting, prosthetic training, and environment and social policy. ResultsThe overall abandonment rate was 23.0% (29/126). There was significant difference between the the amputee abandonment or using prostheses in educational levels, amputation levels and residual limb condition (χ² > 6.808, P < 0.05); types of prostheses, whether functional prostheses, expectation for prosthesis, comfort of the prostheses, convenience of putting on and taking off, sensitivity of manipulation, weight of the prostheses, satisfaction with the appearance, skill levels of the prosthetist, the satisfaction after prosthesis installation and satisfaction with the prostheses in use (χ² > 13.083, P < 0.05); training levels before prosthesis assembly, the mastery of functional prostheses three months after prosthesis installation, training for activities of daily living, simulated training for vocation (χ² > 6.520, P < 0.05); willingness to participate in social activities with prostheses, attitude of other persons towards their prostheses, support of family members, work status, familiarity with the policies of welfare, and the current physical condition (χ² > 13.152, P < 0.01). ConclusionFactors of amputee, prosthetic fitting, prosthetic training, and environment and social policy may relate to the abandonment of upper limb prostheses, which are needed to improve in an accurate way.

Objective:In chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with previous 96-week treatment with tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), we investigated the efficacy of sequential TMF treatment from 96 to 144 weeks.Methods:Enrolled subjects who were previously assigned (2:1) to receive either 25 mg TMF or 300 mg TDF with matching placebo for 96 weeks received extended or switched TMF treatment for 48 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated based on virological, serological, biological parameters, and fibrosis staging. Statistical analysis was performed using the McNemar test, t-test, or Log-Rank test according to the data. Results:593 subjects from the initial TMF group and 287 subjects from the TDF group were included at week 144, with the proportions of HBV DNA<20 IU/ml at week 144 being 86.2% and 83.3%, respectively, and 78.1% and 73.8% in patients with baseline HBV DNA levels ≥8 log10 IU/ml. Resistance to tenofovir was not detected in both groups. For HBeAg loss and seroconversion rates, both groups showed a further increase from week 96 to 144 and the 3-year cumulative rates of HBeAg loss were about 35% in each group. However, HBsAg levels were less affected during 96 to 144 weeks. For patients switched from TDF to TMF, a substantial further increase in the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization rate was observed (11.4%), along with improved FIB-4 scores.Conclusion:After 144 weeks of TMF treatment, CHB patients achieved high rates of virological, serological, and biochemical responses, as well as improved liver fibrosis outcomes. Also, switching to TMF resulted in significant benefits in ALT normalization rates (NCT03903796).

Objective:In chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with previous 96-week treatment with tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), we investigated the safety profile of sequential TMF treatment from 96 to 144 weeks.Methods:Enrolled subjects that previously assigned (2:1) to receive either 25 mg TMF or 300 mg TDF with matching placebo for 96 weeks received extending or switching TMF treatment for 48 weeks. Safety profiles of kidney, bone, metabolism, body weight, and others were evaluated.Results:666 subjects from the initial TMF group and 336 subjects from TDF group with at least one dose of assigned treatment were included at week 144. The overall safety profile was favorable in each group and generally similar between extended or switched TMF treatments from week 96 to 144. In subjects switching from TDF to TMF, the non-indexed estimated glomerular filtration rate (by non-indexed CKD-EPI formula) and creatinine clearance (by Cockcroft-Gault formula) were both increased, which were (2.31±8.33) ml/min and (4.24±13.94) ml/min, respectively. These changes were also higher than those in subjects with extending TMF treatment [(0.91±8.06) ml/min and (1.30±13.94) ml/min]. Meanwhile, switching to TMF also led to an increase of the bone mineral density (BMD) by 0.75% in hip and 1.41% in spine. On the other side, a slight change in TC/HDL ratio by 0.16 (IQR: 0.00, 0.43) and an increase in body mass index (BMI) by (0.54±0.98) kg/m 2 were oberved with patients switched to TMF, which were significantly higher than that in TMF group. Conclusion:CHB patients receiving 144 weeks of TMF treatment showed favorable safety profile. After switching to TMF, the bone and renal safety was significantly improved in TDF group, though experienceing change in metabolic parameters and weight gain (NCT03903796).

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare type of T-cell lymphoma. Despite the scarcity of reported BIA-ALCL cases in Asia, it is imperative to research early diagnosis. The crucial diagnostic criteria for BIA-ALCL include the presence of ALK - and CD30 + T cells exceeding 10% in the delayed seroma fluid. Furthermore, laboratory tests, such as histological examination of capsulectomies and analysis of clonal T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements, serve as important auxiliary diagnostic indicators. This article reported the case of a 56-year-old female patient who underwent bilateral breast augmentation with implants over 20 years ago. She presented with hardness, enlargement, and mild discomfort in her left breast. She was admitted to Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in January 2023. MRI suggested implant rupture. Therefore, bilateral implant removal surgery was performed on February 2, 2023. Pathological examination of the fluid within the capsule of the left implant revealed a small number of ALK - and CD30 + T cells, with monoclonality observed in TCRγ gene rearrangement, indicating early changes suggestive of BIA-ALCL. Long-term follow-up is needed. The authors suggest that patients suspected of BIA-ALCL should undergo TCR gene rearrangement testing in addition to cytological and immunological examinations, which can provide guidance for the diagnosis, treatment, and necessary long-term follow-up of these patients.