Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is a common pathological hallmark of cardiovascular diseases, reflecting shared mechanisms in their progression. However, the lack of reliable MF models that accurately mimic its pathogenesis has hindered drug discovery, highlighting the urgent need for more effective therapeutic agents. Herein, a novel contractile three-dimensional (3D) myocardial tissue model integrating cardiomyocytes, cardiac-fibroblasts, and bone marrow-derived macrophages in collagen hydrogel was developed to simulate the fibrotic changes of cardiovascular disease, and facilitate the screening of anti-MF compounds. The 3D myocardial tissue model exhibited precise, visualizable, and quantifiable contractile characteristics under hypoxia and drug interventions. 76 compounds extracted from the resins of Toxicodendron vernicifluum, a traditional Chinese medicine with clear clinical benefits for fibrotic diseases, were screened for anti-fibrotic activity. Using an in vitro 3D oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-treated myocardial tissue model instead of a two-dimensional transforming growth factor-β treated cardiac-fibroblasts model, two candidates including LQ-40 and SQ-3 exert impressive anti-MF activity, which was further validated in left anterior descending coronary artery ligation-induced MF mouse model. The current results demonstrate the feasibility and advantage of the novel contractile 3D tissue model with multi-cell types in discovering candidates for MF, further stressing the great potential of regulating macrophages in the treatment of MF.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of Xingpi capsules （XPC） in treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-D） with spleen deficiency and elucidate its potential molecular mechanisms. MethodsA rat model of IBS-D with spleen deficiency was established by administering senna leaf in combination with restrained stress and swimming fatigue for 14 d. Ten specific pathogen free （SPF）-grade healthy rats were used as the normal control group. After successful modeling， SPF-grade rats were randomly divided into a model group， a pinaverium bromide group （1.5 mg·kg^-1）， and low- and high-dose XPC groups （0.135 and 0.54 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal control group and the model group were given distilled water by gavage， while the remaining groups were administered corresponding drug solutions by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days. The rat body weights and fecal condition were observed every day， and the Bristol score was recorded. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） in serum and colon tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the microvilli and tight junctions in the colon. The integrity of the colonic barrier， intestinal motility， and expression of related pathway proteins were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， immunohistochemistry， and Western blot. ResultsCompared with those in the normal control group， rats in the model group showed a significantly decreased body weight and increased diarrhea rate， diarrhea grade， and Bristol score （P<0.01）. HE staining revealed incomplete colonic mucosa in the model group， with evident congestion and edema observed. Electron microscopy results indicated decreased density and integrity of the colonic barrier， shedding and disappearance of microvilli， and significant widening of tight junctions. The expression levels of colonic tight junction proteins Occludin and Claudin-5 were downregulated （P<0.01）， and the levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue were elevated （P<0.01）. The small intestine propulsion rate significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression of contractile proteins Ras homolog family member A （RhoA） and Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 （ROCK2） in colon and phosphorylation of myosin light chain （MLC₂₀） were upregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the treatment groups showed alleviated diarrhea， diarrhea-associated symptoms， and pathological manifestations of colon tissue to varying degrees. Specifically， high-dose XPC exhibited effectively relieved diarrhea， promoted recovery of colonic mucosal structure， significantly reduced congestion and edema， upregulated expression of Occludin and Claudin-5 （P<0.01）， decreased levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue （P<0.05，P<0.01）， significantly slowed small intestine propulsion rate （P<0.01）， and significantly downregulated expression of contractile proteins RhoA and ROCK2 in colon and phosphorylation of MLC₂₀ （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionXPC effectively alleviates symptoms of spleen deficiency and diarrhea and regulates the secretion of brain-gut peptide. The characteristics of XPC are mainly manifested in alleviating IBS-D with spleen deficiency from the aspects of protecting intestinal mucosa and inhibiting smooth muscle contraction， and the mechanism is closely related to the regulation of the 5-HT-RhoA/ROCK2 pathway expression.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and the risk factors of heart disease(HD)in adults aged ≥80 years old in China based on the data from the 8th round of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey(CLHLS).Methods A total of 7 675 adults aged ≥80 years old were enrolled from the 8th round of CLHLS dataset.Chi-square tests were employed to examine associations between cardiovascular disease and demographic characteristics,socioeconomic status,social support,lifestyle factors,and health indicators.Logistic regression models were developed to analyze significant predictors of heart disease in the elderly.Results The prevalence of heart disease was 16％(n=1 228)in 7 675 elderly people.Aged 90-99 years old(odds ratio[OR]=0.816),≥100 years old(OR=0.641),female(OR=0.833),and low body mass index(BMI)(＜18.5 kg/m2,OR=0.778)were the protective factors for cardiovascular disease in the elderly;and high BMI(24.0 to 27.9 kg/m2,OR=1.209),rural residence(OR=2.384),health examination(OR=1.164),dysfunction of daily living activities(OR=1.401),hypertension(OR=2.143),diabetes mellitus(OR=1.719),and history of cerebrovascular accident(OR=2.080)were risk factors.Conclusion Male,overweight,rural residence,health examination,dysfunction of daily living activities,hypertension,diabetes mellitus,and a history of cerebrovascular accident are the risk factors for heart disease in the elderly.

Objective:To explore the medication law of TCM compounds used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:Clinical literature about TCM compounds in the treatment of NSCLC was retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang Data, PubMed and Web of Science core collection database from January 1st, 2003 to May 1st, 2023. The Python and the ancient and modern medical record cloud platform V2.3.7 were used to analyses frequency statistics and properties, and clustering analysis, factor analysis and association rule analysis were performed.Results:A total of 866 articles were included, with 660 effective TCM compounds, 647 kinds of Chinese materia medica. There were 36 kinds of high-frequency Chinese materia medica, such as Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Poria; the efficacy categories of Chinese materia medica mainly included tonics and phlegm resolving cough relieving and asthma relieving drugs. Cluster analysis obtained 4 clusters, factor analysis extracted 11 common factors, and association rule analysis obtained 37 highly supported combinations of Chinese materia medica. The most reliable triple drug combination among them was Astragali Radix-Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma-Hedyotis diffusa willd, and the double drug combination was Astragali Radix-Ligustri Lucidi Fructus.Conclusion:TCM for the treatment of NSCLC mainly focuses on strengthening the healthy qi, clearing heat, resolving phlegm and detoxifying toxins, supplemented by tonifying qi and activating blood circulation, dispelling dampness and resolving phlegm.

Purpose To evaluate the value of MRI T1 mapping combined with biliary tract paravertebral muscle signal intensity ratio in liver function.Materials and Methods A total of 72 patients with Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI were prospectively collected in Beijing Friendship Hospital from August 2020 to February 2022 and divided into three groups according to Child-Pugh classification of liver function:22 patients in normal liver function group,35 patients in grade A group and 15 patients in grade B+C group.The T1 mapping sequence was scanned in all patients before and 20 min after enhancement to measure the pre-enhancement and post-enhancement(T1post)T1 relaxation time of liver parenchyma,and the reduction rate of liver T1 relaxation time(ΔT1)was calculated.Biliary tract signal and paravertebral muscle signal were measured on hepatobiliary stage images,and biliary tract paravertebral muscle signal intensity ratio(SIR)was calculated.The consistency of measurement results among physicians was evaluated.The correlation between each index and liver function grade was observed.The differences among different groups were compared.The diagnostic efficiency of each image index were evaluated.Results T1post was positively correlated with liver function grade(r=0.683,P<0.001),and it increased gradually with the severity of liver function impairment.ΔT1,SIR,SIR×ΔT1 were negatively correlated with liver function grade(r=-0.764,-0.729,-0.826,all P<0.001),and gradually decreased with the severity of liver function impairment.T1post,ΔT1,SIR,SIR×ΔT1 had statistical significance in liver function classification among all groups(F=27.491,55.782,48.410,46.809,all P<0.05).In pairwise comparison,the differences of each index were also statistically significant(P<0.05).The best diagnostic efficacy of each index was SIR×ΔT1,and the area under the curve of normal liver function group and cirrhosis group,grade A group and grade B+C group were 0.915 and 0.984,respectively.Conclusion T1post,ΔT1,SIR and SIR×ΔT1 are strongly correlated with Child-Pugh grade of liver function.SIR×ΔT1 can be used as an imaging index for quantitative evaluation of liver function.

Cognitive reserve referred to the cumulative flexibility of an individual's cognitive processes,whereas accurately assessing an individual's cognitive reserve and intervening was important for preventing the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction as well as promoting cognitive health.This article reviewed the main contents and applications of cognitive reserve assessment tools,and compared the characteristics and limitations of each assessment tool.The purpose was to provide ideas for the development of cognitive reserve assessment tools suitable for China's cultural background and population characteristics,and to provide a basis for accurately assessing the current status of China's cognitive reserve and formulating targeted cognitive reserve enhancement programs.

The immune response against infection is a multifaceted process encompassing the activation and migration of diverse immune cells, as well as the clearance of pathogens. The behaviors of immune cells and the identification of pathogens play pivotal roles as indicators for disease diagnosis and prediction. In recent years, the utilization of microfluidic chip technology has gained substantial attention within the areas of biology, pharmacology, and clinical research and diagnosis. This is primarily attributed to the numerous advantages it offers, including miniaturization, enhanced throughput, heightened sensitivity, expedited analysis, and reduced sample consumption. As a result, microfluidic technology has facilitated the development and utilization of immune cell behavioral assays, bacterial growth studies, and drug-screening assays. This paper is to review the application of microfluidic technology in the field of anti-infection immunity research, focusing on the analysis of migratory behavior of innate immune cells, deformation of their nuclei, and rapid identification of pathogenic bacteria and viruses. The primary objective of this review is to advance the application of microfluidic technology in research on both anti-infection immunity and clinical diagnosis.

This paper summarized Professor PENG Peichu's experience in the differentiation and treatment of prostate cancer in three phases and four stages. It is considered that prostatic cancer is categorized into root deficiency and branch excess， with depletion of healthy qi as the root， and the accumulation of cancer toxin as the minifestation. Clinical diagnosis and treatment of prostatic cancer can be divided into three phases and four stages according to the exuberance and decline of pathogenic and healthy qi and the changes of deficiency and excess of yin and yang. In the initial accumulation phase of cancer toxin （yang excess stage）， the key pathogenesis is the accumulation of dampness， heat and static blood， and internal generation of cancer toxin， and the treatment should be resolving toxins， fighting cancer and dispelling yang excess. In the phase of healthy qi deficiency and toxin accumulation （yin deficiency stage）， with the lung and kidney yin deficiency， dampness， heat and static toxin accumulation as the key pathogenesis， the treatment should be centered on mutual generation between metal and water to nourish kidney yin， supplemented with the method of clearing heat and draining dampness， activating blood and resolving toxins， for which self-made Nanbei Formula（南北方）is usually used. In the phase of yang deficiency and cold stagnation （yang deficiency stage and yin excess stage）， with the spleen and kidney yang deficiency， cold dampness stagnation， static heat and toxin accumulation as the key pathogenesis， the treatment should be warming and tonifying spleen and kidney to dissipate cold accumulation； for deficiency of both yin and yang， and excess pathogen obstruction， modified Yanghe Decoction（阳和汤） is recommended， while for yang deficiency， cold congealing and blood stasis， self-made Wenshen Sanjie Formula（温肾散结方） can be used， and for cold dampness binding with cancer toxin， and cold complex with heat， self-made Quanan Formula （泉安方） is advised.

Objective:To construct a random forest classification model of DNA double strand breaks (DSB) induced by ionizing radiation and investigate the genome-wide distribution of DSB.Methods:The GRCh38 reference genome was divided into 50 kilobase fragments. Then these genomic fragments were separated into low-level or high-level regions of ionizing radiation-induced DSB according to the sequencing data of MCF-7 cells. The data of eight epigenetic features were used as input. Two thirds of the data were randomly assigned to the training set, and the rest of the data was assigned to the test set. A random forest classification model with 100 decision trees was constructed. The importance of epigenetic features in the classification model was analyzed and displayed.Results:The accuracy score of the random forest classification model on the test set was 99.4%, the precision score was 98.9% and the recall score was 99.9%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.994. Among the eight epigenetic features, H3K36me3 and DNase markers were the most important variables. The enrichments of the two markers in DSB high-level regions were much higher than those in DSB low-level regions.Conclusions:The random forest classification model could precisely predict the genome-wide levels of DSB induced by ionizing radiation in the 50 kilobase window based on epigenetic features. Analysis revealed that these DSB might primarily distribute in the actively transcribed sites in the genome.

Objective: To propose a classification method and explore the indications and technical tips of the pedicled deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEAP) flap. Methods: From July 2005 to December 2017, 18 patients underwent soft-tissue defect repairment using the pedicled DIEAP flap. The defect locations included abdomen (n=6), iliolumbar region (n=2), perineum (n=4), and proximal thigh (n=6). The flaps were divided into two types. The type Ⅰ flap were further subdivided into two subtypes. The type Ⅰa flap was solely based on the DIEAP. The type Ⅰb flap was also based on the DIEAP, however, the main trunk of the deep inferior epigastric vessels needs to be divided to further improve the pedicle length. The type Ⅱ flap was the traditional pedicled DIEAP flap. Results: Twenty flaps were included in this series. The mean flap size and pedicle length of the 4 flaps in type Ⅰa were 19.0 cm× 6.5 cm and 2.88 cm respectively. The rotation angles were 60 degrees (n=1), 120 degrees (n=1), and 180 degrees (n=2). The 3 flaps of type Ⅰb was 26 cm × 6 cm, 20 cm × 5 cm and 24 cm × 7 cm in size, and the pedicle lengths of them were 6 cm, 7 cm and 7 cm, respectively. All flaps in this subtype were rotated by 180 degrees. The mean flap size and pedicle length of the 13 type Ⅱ flaps were 21.46 cm × 9.38 cm and 11.08 cm. 17 flaps completely survived postoperatively. Small-sized necrosis of the distal portion of the flap occurred in 3 flaps. All patients were followed up for 6 months to 5 years, with the averaged 11 months follow-up time. All patients were satisfied with the final outcomes. Tumor recurrence was not noticed for the oncological patients. Conclusions The pedicled DIEAP flap has remarkable versatility in the defect repairment for the regions including abdomen, iliolumbar region, proximal thigh, and perineal region. Combining with the " propeller flap" concept, the clinical application of pedicled DIEAP flap could be further expanded. The pedicled DIEAP flap is a reliable reconstructive method for defect repairment in abdominal and iliolumbar regions.