BACKGROUND:Intervertebral disk degeneration is a pathological change caused by a series of complex molecular mechanisms that result in the aging and damage of intervertebral discs,ultimately leading to severe clinical symptoms.Traditional Chinese medicine has unique advantages in the treatment of intervertebral disk degeneration due to its low cost,non-addictive nature,multi-target effects,minimally toxic and side effects,and high patient acceptance. OBJECTIVE:To review the latest research results of traditional Chinese medicine monomer intervention-related signaling pathways in the treatment of intervertebral disk degeneration,describe and analyze the action mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine monomer on intervertebral disk degeneration,and provide a new approach and theoretical basis for future basic research and clinical treatment. METHODS:The first author searched for relevant literature from January 2018 to February 2023 in CNKI,PubMed,VIP,and WanFang using the search terms"intervertebral disc,signal pathway".The articles that did not meet the criteria were excluded after preliminary screening of the titles and abstracts.Finally,72 articles were selected for review and analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Traditional Chinese medicine monomers can regulate multiple classical signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin,PI3K/Akt,mTOR,NF-κB,and MAPK.They achieve this by regulating oxidative stress,adjusting the expression of pro/anti-apoptotic proteins in cells,stimulating cellular autophagy function,reducing stimulation of cell inflammatory factors,increasing the expression of extracellular matrix markers,reducing the production of matrix-degrading enzymes,maintaining the synthesis and stability of extracellular matrix,inducing differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in the nucleus pulposus into nucleus pulposus cells,promoting endogenous repair and reconstruction,controlling apoptosis and aging of nucleus pulposus cells,and increasing the activity of nucleus pulposus cells.These actions improve the microenvironment within the intervertebral disc,maintain the normal physiological function of the intervertebral disc,and delay intervertebral disc degeneration.

Objective To evaluate midterm outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with in situ fenestration (ISF) to revascularize the aortic arch vessels.Methods From Feb 2012 to Dec 2014,10 patients underwent TEVAR with aortic arch vessels revascularized via ISF.There were 6 patients of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and 4 of type B aortic dissection (TBAD).Patients were followed for all-cause mortality,endoleak of post-TEVAR,integrity and patency of aortic endograft and branch vessels.Results Totally 11 branch vessels [10 left subclavian arteries (LSA),1 left common carotid artery (LCA)] via ISF were revascularized in 10 patients.Patients were followed-up for 24-55 mouths,mean of 42.80 months.1 TAA patient died in 2 years post-TEVAR unrelated to the operation.All fenestrations remained patent,and there were no endoleaks and no occlusion,compression,or fracture of stents.There were no postoperative strokes and left upper limbs ischemia.1 patient had distal aortic endograft pseudoaneurysms formation in 2 years post-TEVAR and underwent reTEVAR treatment.Conclusion Aortic arch vessels revascularization via ISF in TEVAR is safe and feasible.Midterm outcomes is satisfactory.

The paper covered the initial success of Zhejiang province in furthering its development of a basic healthcare system in alignment of social and economic growth. Such progress has been achieved by adhering to the principles of coordinated arrangement,highlighting key points and step-by-step progress. Also presented are the methods and experiences of the province in its reform and perspectives for furthering the ongoing reform.

Described in the paper is the reform made at public hospitals in Zhejiang province,with analysis of its problems and causes. Based on such,the authors proposed the following actions:to accelerate the reform of public hospitals centering on health promotion, and encourage such hospitals to shoulder the health care responsibility on behalf of the government; to proceed with hierarchical medical system and contract-based service focusing on capacity building of general practitioners; to attract private capital into building the healthcare system; and to motivate non-governmental organizations to cater to diversified healthcare needs of the people.

Objective To improve the quality standard of compound Chaihu tea. Methods Pupleuri Radix, Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Forsythiae Fructus were identified by thin layer chromatography (TLC).HPLC method was used to determine the content of puerarin.The determination was performed on a Shimadzu VP-ODS-C18column (250 mm×4.6 mm,5μm) with the mobile phase of methanol-0.2% H3PO4(23:77).The flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1, the column temperature was set at 30 ℃ and the detection wavelength was 250 nm. Results The TLC spots were clear and well-separated without negative interference.The good linear correlation existed within the range of 1.340 8-56.632 8μg· mL-1 for puerarin (r=0.999 9, n=6) and the average recovery was 102.98% with RSD being 1.48% (n=6). Conclusion The method is simple and accurate.It can be used for quality control of compound Chaihu tea.

The article reviewed the current status, reform measures and progress of the tiered medical services in Zhejiang province, and analyzed main roadblocks in such a system.Proposals made in the paper include such reform measures as further expanding quality medical resources of better talents and equipments to enhance primary medical institutions;forming the gatekeeper practice featuring firstvisit at community health centers with enhanced primary capabilities;insisting on joint reform of medical treatment, medical insurance and drugs, promoting the development of tiered medical services and utilization efficiency of medical resources in the province.

Since the launch of the comprehensive public hospital reform in Zhejiang Province, the price of medical services has been adjusted, and the charging structure of medical services has been improved. Likewise, medical insurance policies have been optimized. Through several price adjustment strategies, such as the“loosen-re-strain” policy, the labor of medical personnel has been better valued, the operation of public medical institutions has been stabilized, and the allocation of medical resources has been optimized. Hence, this paper aims to measure the achievements and drawbacks of the medical service price adjustments by analyzing the various strategy. It is suggested that the comprehensive public hospital reform should be further intensified via the advancement of coordination of healthcare, medical insurance and medicine, the exploration of new procurement mechanisms for drugs and medical equipment, the establishment of dynamic adjustment mechanisms for medical service pricing, the exploration of new management mechanisms for medical services, and the strengthening of medical service supervision.

Covered in the paper are the policies and progress of the county-level public hospital reform in the province,and a summarized analysis of the self-appraisal reports and hospital reform statements submitted by the health authorities and up to 300 hospitals in 79 counties of the province.As found in the papers,the ongoing reform in Zhejiang is focused on reforming the business models in place,seeking breakthroughs from the zero mark-up policy on drug sales,in addition to such policies as reducing drug costs,adjusting medical service pricing,financial subsidies,and medical insurance payment reforms.Despite the initial success,further policy studies are needed in terms of internal management,upper and lower linkage,and personnel incentives.

Based on the ongoing health reform and Wenzhou's economic and social developments,this article made a complete analysis on the policy packages initiated by Wenzhou government in August 2012,in an effort to encourage and involve private capital to launch medical institutions.These policies and measures released take into account the policy and legal environment for private capital in medical sector in China,and target the demands of deepening health reform and shortage of health development funding.Such efforts of Wenzhou are designed as breakthroughs in terms of market access,doctors mobility,return on investment,health insurance and fiscal policy.

Medical science and technology are important as they concerns people's life. Innovation of medical science and technology is therefore significant for the development of the science and technology. This article discussed the current situation of medical science and technology in China,and analyszed its opportnities and challenges. In addition, strategies for its development during the Twelfth Five-year Plan period are proposed, namely, to develop HLS, construct the innovative systems of medical science and technology, and to promote the coordinated development of the medicine and science and technology.