This article systematically reviews the current research status as well as diagnosis and treatment strategies of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） for gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD）. Studies demonstrate that TCM， based on the "disease-syndrome combination" approach， exhibits multi-target advantages in alleviating symptoms of various GERD subtypes， promoting mucosal repair， regulating emotions， and facilitating the reduction of western medication. To address clinical challenges such as symptom overlap and limited therapeutic efficacy， strategies have been proposed including "treating different diseases with the same method" and integrated regulation based on viscera correlation. Future efforts should focus on elucidating the mechanisms of compound prescriptions， promoting TCM drug development under the "three-combination" evaluation framework that integrates TCM theory， human experience and clinical trial evidence， and optimizing integrated traditional and western medicine models to enhance GERD management.

Objective To quantitatively assess the exposure-response association between exposure to heatwave and sudden death, estimate the attributable excess deaths, and identify potential vulnerable subgroups. Methods A time-stratified case-crossover study was conducted among residents who died from sudden death in Jiangsu Province, China between 2015 and 2021. Heatwave events in Jiangsu Province, defined using varying relative temperature thresholds and durations, were identified using temperature data from the China Meteorological Administration Land Data Assimilation System (CLDAS V2.0). Individual heatwave exposure was assessed based on each subject's residential address. The exposure-response association between heatwave and sudden death was evaluated using conditional logistic regression model combined with a Distributed Lag Nonlinear Model(DLNM). Heatwave-attributable excess deaths were estimated. Stratified analyses by sex and age were performed to assess potential effect modifications. Results Under all definitions, exposure to heatwave was significantly associated with an increased risk of sudden death, and the risk increased with the intensity of heatwave. Using the P95_3d definition (temperature exceeding the 95th percentile for ≥3 consecutive days), heatwave was significantlyassociated with a 56% increased risk of sudden death (95% CI: 31%, 86%). The population-attributable fraction of sudden death due to heatwave exposure was 1.45% (95% CI: 0.97%, 1.90%). Stratified analyses indicated no statistically significant differences in the association between heatwave exposure and sudden death across age or sex subgroups. Conclusion Heatwave exposure was associated with an increased risk of sudden death. Reducing heatwave exposure during summer may help lower the occurrence of sudden death.

Dry eye disease(DED)is a multifactorial disorder with an unclear pathogenesis. Advances in omics technologies have introduced a novel medical research approach, enabling the identification of global response variables from a single-factor perspective. However, multi-omics methods integrate multiple omics datasets to analyze all potential response variables, generating multidimensional and evidence-supported holistic inferences. These insights help elucidate functional impairments of ocular cells and biomolecular processes during disease progression, thereby revealing correlations between biomolecules and complex diseases. This review summarizes the application of multi-omics technologies in clarifying the pathogenesis and intricate molecular mechanisms of dry eye disease. Distinctive features from genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics are integrated to deepen the understanding of the pathogenesis and complex molecular mechanisms underlying dry eye disease.

Objective: To investigate the effect of injectable tetra-polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels loaded with sitagliptin (STG) (abbreviated as PEG-STG hydrogels) on skin wound healing in diabetic mice, providing an experimental basis for the subsequent development of local therapeutic materials for primary healing of oral and maxillofacial skin and soft tissue wounds in patients with diabetes. Methods: PEG hydrogels were fabricated via the reaction of four-arm PEG succinimidyl glutarate (PEG-SG) and four-arm PEG amine (PEG-NH2). Subsequently, PEG hydrogels loaded with STG were prepared. The microstructure, gelation, injectability, compression properties, swelling, degradation, and in vitro drug release profiles were characterized. In vitro cellular experiments were conducted using the mouse fibroblast cell line L929 and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which were divided into four groups: an NC group (normal medium control), Glu group (30 mmol/L high glucose medium), PEG group (high glucose medium with PEG hydrogel extracts), and PEG-STG group (high glucose medium with PEG-STG hydrogel extracts). Biocompatibility was evaluated via CCK-8 assays, live/dead staining, and hemolysis tests. The impact of the PEG-STG hydrogels on cellular function under hyperglycemic conditions was assessed using scratch assays, Transwell migration assays, qRT-PCR, and western blotting. Furthermore, approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the affiliated institution, a diabetic C57BL/6J mouse skin defect model was established and divided into three groups: an NC group (normal mice control), Glu group (diabetic model control), and PEG-STG group (treated with PEG-STG hydrogel in situ). Wound healing was evaluated through gross observation, wound healing rate analysis, and histological assessment via H&E staining. Results: The PEG-STG hydrogels exhibited rapid gelation at room temperature, excellent injectability, and a uniform porous structure. Compared with the PEG hydrogels, the PEG-STG hydrogels showed a significantly increased maximum compressive strength, swelling ratio, and degradation rate (P < 0.05). In vitro release profiles indicated an initial burst release of STG followed by a sustained release phase. Biocompatibility assessments confirmed that the PEG-STG hydrogels possessed good cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility. In vitro cellular experiments demonstrated that high glucose significantly inhibited the migration of the HUVECs and L929 cells, which was not ameliorated by the PEG group but was notably improved by the PEG-STG group. Moreover, the PEG-STG hydrogels upregulated the mRNA expression levels of platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1/CD31), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and von Willebrand factor in HUVECs, along with increased protein expression of VEGF and CD31. In vivo results revealed that at 14 days post-operation, the PEG-STG group exhibited significantly enhanced wound closure compared with the Glu and NC groups. H&E staining showed improved re-epithelialization, increased granulation tissue formation, and better tissue structure restoration in the PEG-STG group. Conclusion PEG-STG hydrogels possess favorable injectability and biocompatibility. They can improve endothelial cell and fibroblast function under hyperglycemic conditions and promote diabetic skin wound healing, providing a experimental basis for developing localized therapeutic materials for oral and maxillofacial wounds in patients with diabetes.

It is considered that "turbid pathogen damaging the clear， and the loss of clarity and harmony regulation" is the core pathogenesis of esophageal precancerous lesions， with turbid pathogen persisting throughout the disease course. Turbid pathogen encompasses qi turbidity， phlegm turbidity， stasis turbidity， and toxin turbidity， closely related to dietary indiscretion， emotional disharmony， spleen-stomach deficiency， and kidney deficiency failing to consolidate. Turbid pathogen undergoes a dynamic evolution process of qi constraint generating turbid→ phlegm-stasis transforming into toxin→turbidity toxin harming the healthy qi， corresponding to the pathological alterations of hypoxia， inflammation and immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment. The overall therapeutic principle is to remove turbidity and restore clarity. In the early stage， targeting the hypoxic tumor microenvironment， the suggested treatment method is opening constraint and dispersing the block， regulating qi and remove turbidity， with emphasis on soothing liver and regulating stomach， raising the clear and directing the turbid downward. In the middle stage， targeting inflammatory microenvironment， the treatment aims to clear toxin and dissipate nodules， resolve stasis and eliminate turbid， emphasizing phlegm-stasis elimination， turbid-toxin resolution， and concurrent stomach qi protection. In the late stage， corresponding to immunosuppressive microenvironment， the method of boosting qi， nourishing yin， reinforcing healthy qi， and eliminating turbidity can be used， with focus on spleen-stomach tonification， kidney essence replenishment， and healthy qi reinforcement to expel pathogenic factors.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of sex factors on rewarming in patients with mild hypothermia undergoing lithotripsy for urolithiasis.Methods:In this prospective study, 100 American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients, aged 18-60 yr, with a body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective lithotripsy for urolithiasis, were divided into 2 groups ( n=50 each) based on sex: male group (group M) and female group (group F). The rewarming measures were as follows: the room was preheated, maintaining a constant temperature of 22-24 ℃, all the patients were covered with medical heating blanket under their bodies, and the inflatable heating apparatus was placed on the surface quilt, and the air supply was placed near the lower limbs of the patients. The parameters were set as follows: temperature 40 ℃, strong wind. If the patients complained of heat, the temperature parameter settings were changed, and the quilt was removed when necessary. If the patients complained of cold, blood transfusion and infusion heating instrument were added, medical heating blanket was turned on, or an anther quilt was used. Body temperature and the number of patients with successful rewarming were recorded on admission to post-anesthesia care unit (T 0) and at 10, 30, 45 and 60 min after rewarming (T 1-4), and at 1, 3 and 5 h after returning to the ward (T 5-7). The comfort scores were assessed while measuring body temperature at T 0 and T 4, and the occurrence of shivering, hypertension, hypotension and arrhythmias was observed. Results:Compared with group F, the body temperature was significantly increased at T 3 and T 4, the success rate of rewarming and incidence of shivering were increased at T 3 ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the incidence of hypertension, hypotension and arrhythmias in group M ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Sex factors affect rewarming outcomes in patients with mild hypothermia undergoing lithotripsy for urolithiasis. Females exhibit a slower rewarming rate and less shivering than males.

[Purpose]To analyze the epidemiology and disease burden of gastric cancer in China,Japan and Republic of Korea from 1990 to 2021 and to predict changing trends from 2022 to 2031.[Methods]Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease(GBD)database.Age-stan-dardized incidence rate(ASIR),age-standardized mortality rate(ASMR),crude incidence rate(CIR),crude mortality rate(CMR),and disability-adjusted life years(DALY)rate for China,Japan and Republic of Korea from 1990 to 2021 were analyzed.Joinpoint regression software was used to analyze trends and calculate annual percentage changes.The autoregressive integrated moving average(ARIMA)model was applied to predict incidence and mortality from 2022 to 2031.[Results]In 2021,China had 611 799 new gastric cancer cases and 445 013 deaths,with an ASIR of 29.05/105 and an ASMR of 21.51/105,both significantly higher than those in Japan and Republic of Korea.Among men in China,both the ASIR(44.48/105)and ASMR(32.61/105)were the highest among the three countries,exceeding those in Japan(38.77/105,20.26/105)and Re-public of Korea(38.98/105,20.50/105).Among women,China had the highest number of new cases,but its ASIR(15.23/105)was slightly lower than Republic of Korea's(15.57/105)and higher than Japan's(14.66/105).However,China's ASMR among women(12.02/105)remained significantly higher than Japan's(7.64/105)and Republic of Korea's(8.08/105).From 1990 to 2021,ASIR,ASMR and DALY rates for gastric cancer declined in all three countries,but the reduction in China was significantly smaller than that in Japan and Republic of Korea,with Republic of Korea showing the steepest declines across all indicators.ARIMA model predictions indicated significant differences in disease burden among the three countries from 2022 to 2031.ASIR is projected to continue declining in China and Republic of Korea,reaching 22.87/105 and 12.45/105,respectively by 2031,while in Japan it is predicted to rise to 26.55/105.ASMR is projected to decline in all three countries,reaching 13.71/105(China),10.44/105(Japan),and 9.08/105(Republic of Korea)in 2031.[Conclusion]Among China,Japan and Republic of Korea,China had the highest ASIR and ASMR of gastric cancer in 2021.Moreover,from 1990 to 2021,the reductions in ASIR,ASMR and DALY rates for gastric cancer were the smallest in China compared to Japan and Republic of Korea.These findings suggest that the disease burden of gastric cancer remains substantial in China,high-lighting the need for increased efforts in gastric cancer screening and early diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To analyze risk factors associated with false-positive results of quantitative fecal immunochemical testing (FIT), evaluate its performance for detecting advanced colorectal neoplasia across different subgroups, and explore the optimal positivity thresholds for each subgroup.Methods:Individuals who participated in the Zhejiang Colorectal Cancer Screening Program in 2020-2021, completed questionnaire-based risk assessment and quantitative FIT for initial screening, and undertook colonoscopy for confirmed diagnosis were included in this study. The information of individuals, including demographic characteristics, lifestyles, history of diseases, and family history of colorectal cancer (CRC), was collected by using questionnaires. The diagnostic outcomes of the individuals were obtained through colonoscopy and pathological examination. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with false-positive FIT results. The optimal threshold of FIT was determined based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and 10-fold cross-validation. The effectiveness of FIT screening in different subgroups was compared using the unified threshold of 100 ng/ml or optimal positivity thresholds.Results:There were 25 874 individuals included in the analysis, with 14 694 (56.79%) having fecal hemoglobin concentrations ≥100 ng/ml. A total of 3 830 advanced adenoma cases (14.80%) and 362 CRC cases (1.40%) were identified. Age below 60 years old, females, underweight, smoking, drinking, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, no family history of CRC, no history of intestinal disease, no history of hypertension, and physical inactivity were associated with an elevated risk of false-positive results in FIT ( P<0.05). Compared to the predetermined threshold of 100 ng/ml, the false positive rate (FPR) of quantitative FIT decreased from 52.3% to 37.3% in all individuals, and decreased by more than 20% in females, individuals with normal weight, smokers, and those without a history of intestinal disease when adopting the optimal threshold (all P<0.001). Conclusion:The risk of false-positive results in quantitative FIT varies across different subgroups. Adopting the optimal thresholds could improve the specificity and reduce the FPR of quantitative FIT for CRC screening.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious intracranial hemorrhage characterized by acute bleeding into the subarachnoid space. The effects of shikonin, a natural compound from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on oxidative stress and blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury in SAH was evaluated in this study. A rat model of SAH was established by endovascular perforation to mimic the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Rats were then administered 25 mg/kg of shikonin or dimethylsulfoxide after surgery. Brain edema, SAH grade, and neurobehavioral scores were measured after 24 h of SAH to evaluate neurological impairment. Concentrations of the oxidative stress markers superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain cortex were determined using the corresponding commercially available assay kits. Evans blue staining was used to determine BBB permeability. Western blotting was used to quantify protein levels of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. After modeling, the brain water content increased significantly whereas the neurobehavioral scores of rats with SAH decreased prominently. MDA levels increased and the levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD decreased after SAH. These changes were reversed after shikonin administration. Shikonin treatment also inhibited Evans blue extravasation after SAH. Furthermore, reduction in the levels of tight junction proteins after SAH modeling was rescued after shikonin treatment. In conclusion, shikonin exerts a neuroprotective effect after SAH by mitigating BBB injury and inhibiting oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious intracranial hemorrhage characterized by acute bleeding into the subarachnoid space. The effects of shikonin, a natural compound from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on oxidative stress and blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury in SAH was evaluated in this study. A rat model of SAH was established by endovascular perforation to mimic the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Rats were then administered 25 mg/kg of shikonin or dimethylsulfoxide after surgery. Brain edema, SAH grade, and neurobehavioral scores were measured after 24 h of SAH to evaluate neurological impairment. Concentrations of the oxidative stress markers superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain cortex were determined using the corresponding commercially available assay kits. Evans blue staining was used to determine BBB permeability. Western blotting was used to quantify protein levels of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. After modeling, the brain water content increased significantly whereas the neurobehavioral scores of rats with SAH decreased prominently. MDA levels increased and the levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD decreased after SAH. These changes were reversed after shikonin administration. Shikonin treatment also inhibited Evans blue extravasation after SAH. Furthermore, reduction in the levels of tight junction proteins after SAH modeling was rescued after shikonin treatment. In conclusion, shikonin exerts a neuroprotective effect after SAH by mitigating BBB injury and inhibiting oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex.