Polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） is a reproductive endocrine disorder characterized by coexisting reproductive dysfunction and glucolipid metabolic disturbance， affecting 8%-13% of women of reproductive age and 3%-11% of adolescent females. Due to the highly heterogeneous clinical features， symptom-oriented individualized strategies are commonly adopted for the treatment of PCOS. Chronic low-grade inflammation is one of the core mechanisms for the occurrence of PCOS. Macrophages， as foundational cells of innate immunity， play an indispensable role in modulating systemic inflammatory responses. The imbalance of macrophage M1/M2 polarization is involved in chronic low-grade inflammation in PCOS via pathways such as activating pro-inflammatory responses， disrupting ovarian tissue repair， stimulating excessive synthesis of androgens， and promoting the occurrence of insulin resistance. Reshaping the phenotype of macrophages might serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for PCOS. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） holds that spleen deficiency and phlegm dampness is a crucial pathogenesis of PCOS. The spleen， being in charge of defensive function， plays a key role in ensuring normal physiological functions such as transportation and defense against external pathogen during the occurrence and development of PCOS. The imbalance of macrophage polarization resembles the transition from spleen being in charge of defensive function to spleen losing its defensive role in TCM. Therefore， this paper， for the first time， explores the deep connection between macrophage polarization and the pathogenesis of chronic low-grade inflammation in PCOS from the TCM theory of spleen being in charge of defensive function， providing theoretical support and new research directions for the treatment and drug research of PCOS.

Objective:To summarize the characteristics of oral contrast ultrasound in patients with esophageal hiatal hernia (EHH), to screen the diagnostic criteria for EHH diagnosis by oral contrast ultrasound and to evaluate their diagnostic values.Methods:Sixty-one patients who visited the Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery Department of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from June 2023 to December 2023 for symptoms of acid reflux, heartburn, belching, recurrent epigastric pain, chest pain, and cough, and who were clinically suspected of EHH and underwent oral contrast ultrasound were retrospectively collected. The internal diameter of the esophageal hiatus, the length of the intraabdominal esophagus (IAEL), the angle of His, the supradiaphragmatic hernia sac, the sign of gastric wall sliding, and the sign of esophageal-gastric ring uplift were recorded by oral contrast ultrasound. All ultrasonographic data were retrospectively analyzed, and the diagnosis of EHH by surgery or with the simultaneous diagnosis of EHH by barium meal examination and gastroscopy were used as the gold standard. The diagnostic criteria of oral contrast ultrasound for EHH were obtained and their diagnostic values were evaluated by ROC curve analysis.Results:The indicators of EHH diagnosed by oral contrast ultrasound were analyzed according to ROC curves as follows: internal diameter of esophageal hiatus >15 mm (AUC=0.913), IAEL≤33 mm (AUC=0.776), angle of His > 90° (AUC=0.735), supradiaphragmatic hernia sac (AUC=0.913), gastric wall sliding sign (AUC=0.827), upward displacement of the esophagogastric ring (AUC=0.721). The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, AUC, and 95% CI of the diagnosis of EHH using the internal diameter of the esophageal hiatus >15 mm or the presence of a supradiaphragmatic hernia sac as the diagnostic criterion for the diagnosis of EHH by oral contrast ultrasound were 86.5%, 100%, 88.5%, 100%, 56.3%, 0.933, and 0.838-0.981, respectively. Conclusions:The optimal diagnostic criterion for EHH diagnosis by oral contrast ultrasound is esophageal hiatal internal diameter >15 mm or the presence of supradiaphragmatic hernia sac, which has 100% specificity and positive predictive value. It is recommended to be widely used as a screening test for EHH in the clinic.

Objective:To investigate the value of quantitative parameters of amide proton transfer-weighted (APTw) imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI for preoperative assessment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2) gene expression in endometrial cancer (EC).Methods:This research conducted a diagnostic pilot study involving 68 patients with pathologically confirmed EC at the First Hospital of Dalian Medical University from August 2019 to August 2023. Patients were categorized into Her-2-positive group (33 cases) and Her-2-negative group (35 cases) based on postoperative Her-2 gene expression results. Utilizing the APTw and DCE-MRI sequences, quantitative parameters including the asymmetric magnetization transfer ratio (MTR asym) for APTw and the volumetric transfer constant (K trans), plasma volume fraction (V p), extracellular mesenchymal space (V e), and rate constant (K ep) for DCE-MRI were acquired for the lesion site. Statistical differences in the values of each quantitative parameter between the two groups were evaluated using two independent sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test. The study incorporated quantitative parameters and clinicopathological data of patients to identify independent predictors of EC Her-2 gene expression through logistic regression analysis. A diagnostic model was developed using binary logistic regression analysis. The effectiveness of the parameters and diagnostic model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves. DeLong test was used to compare the differences between the areas under the curves (AUC). Results:The study found statistically significant differences in MTR asym, K trans, and V e between the Her-2-positive group and the Her-2-negative group ( Z=2.55, P=0.011; t=-2.03, P=0.047; t=-2.13, P=0.037). However, the differences in V p and K ep were not statistically significant ( Z=0.58, P=0.560; Z=0.19, P=0.849). MTR asym emerged as a significant independent predictor of Her-2 gene expression in EC ( OR=1.016, 95% CI 1.003-1.030, P=0.014). Incorporating MTR asym, K trans, and V e, the diagnostic model yielded an AUC (95% CI) of 0.745 (0.625-0.864). The AUC (95% CI) for MTR asym, K trans, and V e alone were 0.680 (0.551-0.808), 0.623 (0.485-0.760), and 0.656 (0.523-0.789) respectively. The differences in AUC between the diagnostic model and individual predictors MTR asym, K trans, and V e were not found to be statistically significant ( Z=1.40, 1.92, 1.37, P=0.163, 0.055, 0.171). Conclusion:The quantitative parameters of APTw and DCE-MRI sequences can preoperatively assess EC Her-2 gene expression from a different perspective, with MTR asym potentially serving as a valuable independent predictor.

Background: and Purpose Collateral circulation is considered an important factor affecting the risk of stroke, but the factors that affect collateral circulation remain unclear. This study was performed to identify the factors associated with collateral circulation, especially blood lipids. Methods: The study involved patients who had undergone digital subtraction angiography and were confirmed as having severe unilateral stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA). We classified the collateral circulation status of each patient as good (Grade 3 or 4) or poor (Grade 0, 1, or 2) according to the grading system of the American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/American Society of Interventional Radiology. We collected data on patients’ characteristics and identified the factors that affect collateral circulation. Results: This study included 212 patients. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration and a complete anterior half of the circle of Willis were independent protective factors for good collateral circulation, whereas elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and serum creatinine concentrations were independent risk factors for good collateral circulation. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) was 0.68 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61–0.76) for HDL-C and 0.69 (95% CI, 0.62–0.76) for Lp(a). A binary logistic regression model analysis of the joint factor of HDL-C and Lp(a) yielded an AUC of 0.77 (95% CI, 0.71–0.84). Conclusions In patients with severe unilateral ICA stenosis or occlusion, the combination of HDL-C and Lp(a) is a useful predictor of collateral circulation.

COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread across the globe, posing an enormous threat to public health and safety. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in combination with Western medicine (WM), has made important and lasting contributions in the battle against COVID-19. In this review, updated clinical effects and potential mechanisms of TCM, presented in newly recognized three distinct phases of the disease, are summarized and discussed. By integrating the available clinical and preclinical evidence, the efficacies and underlying mechanisms of TCM on COVID-19, including the highly recommended three Chinese patent medicines and three Chinese medicine formulas, are described in a panorama. We hope that this comprehensive review not only provides a reference for health care professionals and the public to recognize the significant contributions of TCM for COVID-19, but also serves as an evidence-based in-depth summary and analysis to facilitate understanding the true scientific value of TCM.

Objective Newborn bilirubin encephalopathy seriously threatens the life and health of newborns, Both the mortality and morbidity are high.Cerebrospinal fluid bilirubin concentration can better reflect the blood-brain barrier function and brain bilirubin levels, which can help the diagnosis of bilirubin encephalopathy.Methods In order to meet the clinical needs, we confirmed the detection performance of the existing serum bilirubin detection system for cerebrospinal fluid bilirubin, including precision, accuracy and analysis of measurement range.Results The results showed that the detection system was linear at 1.0-25.1μmol/L, and the daytime CVat normal and pathological values was less than the precision requirement (6％) .The bias of each sample and the average bias are less than the allowable bias (5％) , the total error is less than the total allowable error (15％) .Conclusion Therefore, the performance of the detection system meet the industry standards, can be used for neonatal cerebrospinal fluid bilirubin detection.

Objective Find abnormal changes of plasma lipid metabolism-related proteins before 20 weeks of gestation in patients with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy(HDP), and preliminarily investigate the role of plasma apolipoprotein C4 elevation in HDP. Methods A nested case-control study was used. The plasma were collected from pregnant women who underwent routine prenatal examination in Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from November 2014 to March 2017. Label-free mass spectrometry was used to detect the differences in plasma lipid metabolism-related proteins before 20 weeks of gestation between 12 pairs of HDP patients and normal controls, and different 48 pairs of samples were used for verification. The protein with the most significant difference multiples was screened to study its effects on monolayer permeability and nitric oxide secretion of endothelial cells. One-way ANOVA was used for comparison between groups, and P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant difference. Results Compared with the control, the lipid metabolism-related proteins, APOC4, Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), Apolipoprotein E (APOE), Apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) and Beta-2-glycoprotein 1(APOH) raised to 1.94, 1.82, 1.59, 1.55 and 1.38 times, phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) decreased to 0.78 times in plasma before 20 weeks of pregnancy of patients with HDP (t value were 2.499, 2.497, 2.081, 2.098, 2.426 and 2.564, respectively, P<0.05). Cell experiments results showed that 50 ng / ml APOC4 significantly increased 20％ HUVEC single layer cell permeability to FITC-labeled dextran (F=455.4, P<0.01), and significantly decreased the level of nitric oxide in the supernatant of HUVEC culture by 25％ (F=61.92, P<0.01). Conclusions Before diagnosis, plasma protein levels involved in lipid metabolism in HDP patients have been changed, resulting in abnormal lipid metabolism. APOC4 can increase the permeability of vascular endothelial cells, inhibit endothelial source of NO secretion, cause endothelial dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE： To study the chemical constituents of supercritical CO2 extract from Xinjiang Daucus carota seed（called “D. carota seed extract” for short）， and to preliminarily evaluate its antimicrobial and antioxident activity， so as to provide reference for the development and quality control of related products of the plant. METHODS： The non-polar volatile part of Xinjiang D. carota seed was extracted by supercritical CO2 extraction method. The chemical constituents of the extract were identified and quantified by GC-MS and standard spectral labrary. The relative percentage content of each component was calculated by peak area normalization method. The antibacterial activity of D. carota seed extract against Staphylococcus aureus，Escherichia coli and Candida albicans were investigated by trace broth dilution method and AGAR medium plate method. Its antioxidant activity was investigated by TLC-bioautography method. RESULTS： Twenty chemical constituents were identified from D. carota seed extract （the total relative percentage content was 98.76％）， mainly including β-bisabolene， α-asarone， α-pinene， β-caryophyllene， aspidinol， etc. D. carota seed extract has certain antimicrobial activity on S. aureus， E. coli and C. albicans. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were 0.039， 0.833， 0.625 mg/mL， and minimum bactericidal concentrations were 0.078， 1.667， 1.250 mg/mL， respectively. The extract has a certain scavenging ability to DPPH radical. CONCLUSIONS： D. carota seed extract obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction contains monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes， and possesses certain antibacterial and antioxidant activity.

Xin'an doctor discussed acupuncture and moxibustion on ' and , calling it "orthodox needling method". 's academic thoughts on moxibustion were mainly reflected in () and (). made an incisive exposition of moxibustion treatment of heat syndrome, ulcer and other issues, and there is a corresponding test case for mutual reference. He believed that the moxibustion method only adapts to sick patients and holds opposition to moth moxibustion care for those who were disease-free; he also advocated that detailed verification of different syndrome should be conducted before acupuncture. This paper expounds 's academic thoughts on moxibustion can be used for heat syndrome, moxibustion does not stay phlegm, moxibustion need syndrome and moxibustion treatment of ulcer. It is believed that can present his own unique insights on the basis of his successors. He had played a guiding and promoting role in the development of academic theory of moxibustion.

To analyze statistically the situation of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) from 2007 to 2016 in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion for supporting the national Universities colleges of traditional Chinese medicine on the General Program (GP) and the National Science Fund for Young Scholars (NSFYS). In view of five aspects, named fund, supporting units, key words, method, disorder and signal path, the differences were compared between GP and NSFYS, the following characteristics were summarized. ① The fund aid was increased from 2007 through 2013 and down-regulated from 2013 through 2016. In recent ten years, the funding condition was fluctuated, but increasing in tendency generally. ② The relevant projects of the same research direction had been approved continuously for over 3 years in a part of TCM universities, in which, the research continuity was the hot topic. ③ Regarding the therapeutic methods, acupuncture was the chief therapy; electroacupuncture, moxibustion and acupoints were involved as well. ④ The disorders involved in the research were cerebral ischemia, myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury. It is suggested that the ischemic disorder is predominated in the research. ⑤ The signal path occupied the main research index system, including cell proliferation, metabolism, immune, apoptosis and autophagy. The researches on the other aspects were less.
Acupuncture Therapy ; trends ; China ; Humans ; Ischemia ; therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Moxibustion ; trends ; Universities