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.

BACKGROUND:Traditional surgery for lumbar disc herniation involves extensive excision of tissue surrounding the nerve for decompression and removal of protruding lumbar intervertebral discs,which poses various risks and complications such as nerve damage causing paralysis,lumbar instability,herniation recurrence,intervertebral space infection,and adjacent vertebral diseases. OBJECTIVE:To propose the symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous technique for lumbar spine symmetrically decompression,showing the induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous phenomenon and early clinical efficacy,and then analyze its decompression mechanism. METHODS:214 patients with lumbar disc herniation at Department of Orthopedics,First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2021 to May 2023 were enrolled in this study.Among them,81 patients received conservative treatment as the control group,and 133 patients received symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous treatment as the trial group.Before surgery,immediately after surgery(7-14 days),and early after surgery(over 1 year),MRI images were used to measure the volume changes of lumbar disc herniation.CT images were used to measure the posterior displacement distance of the lumbar spinous process ligament complex,as well as the width and height of the lateral recess.Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores were used to evaluate the patient's neurological function recovery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Control group:81 patients with lumbar disc herniation were treated conservatively,with a total of 171 herniated lumbar discs.The average follow-up time was(22.7±23.1)months.The first and second MRI measurements of 171 herniated lumbar discs showed herniated lumbar disc volumes of(551.6±257.9)mm3 and(792.2±330.4)mm3,respectively,with an average volume increase rate of(53.2±44.4)%,showing statistically significant differences(P<0.001).Out of 171 herniated lumbar discs,4 experienced natural shrinkage,with an absorption ratio of 2.3%(4/171)and an absorption rate of(24.5±9.9)%.(2)Trial group:133 patients with lumbar disc herniation had a total of 285 herniated lumbar discs.(1)Immediately after surgery:All patients were followed up immediately after surgery.229 out of 285 herniated lumbar discs experienced retraction,with an absorption ratio of 80.3%(229/285)and an average absorption rate of(21.5±20.9)%,with significant and complete absorption accounting for 6.5%.There were a total of 70 herniated lumbar discs in the upper lumbar spine,with an absorption ratio of 85.7%(60/70),an average absorption rate of(23.1±19.5)%,and a maximum absorption rate of 86.6%.There were 215 herniated lumbar discs in the lower lumbar spine,with an absorption ratio of 78.6%(169/215),an average absorption rate of(21.0±21.3)%,and a maximum absorption rate of 83.2%.Significant and complete absorption of the upper and lower lumbar vertebrae accounted for 5.7%and 6.5%,respectively,with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).The average distance of posterior displacement of the spinous process ligament complex immediately after surgery was(5.2±2.8)mm.There were no significant differences in the width and height of the left and right lateral recess before and immediately after surgery(P>0.05).The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score immediately after surgery increased from(10.1±3.4)before surgery to(17.0±4.8),and the immediate effective rate after surgery reached 95.6%.(2)Early postoperative period:Among them,46 patients completed the early postoperative follow-up.There were 101 herniated lumbar discs,with an absorption ratio of 94%(95/101)and an average absorption rate of(36.9±23.7)%.Significant and complete absorption accounted for 30.6%,with a maximum absorption rate of 100%.Out of 101 herniated lumbar discs,3 remained unchanged in volume,with a volume invariance rate of 2.97%(3/101).Out of 101 herniated lumbar discs,3 had an increased volume of herniated lumbar discs,with an increase ratio of 2.97%(3/101)and an increase rate of(18.5±18.4)%.The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score increased from preoperative(9.3±5.1)to(23.5±4.0),with an excellent and good rate of 93.4%.(3)The early postoperative lumbar disc herniation absorption ratios of the control group and trial group were 2.3%and 85.9%,respectively,with statistically significant differences(P<0.001).(4)Complications:There were two cases of incision exudation and delayed healing in the trial group.After conservative treatment such as dressing change,no nerve injury or death occurred in the incision healing,and no cases underwent a second surgery.(5)It is concluded that symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous is a new method for treating lumbar disc herniation that can avoid extensive excision of the"ring"nerve and achieve satisfactory early clinical efficacy.It does not damage the lumbar facet joints or alter the basic anatomical structure of the lateral recess,fully preserves the herniated lumbar discs,and can induce significant or even complete induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous.Symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous provides a new basis and method for the clinical treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

Objective To explore TCM syndrome distribution law in patients with overlapping non-erosive reflux disease(NERD)and epigastric pain syndrome(EPS)gastrointestinal symptoms.Methods A multi-center,cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the general information of 800 patients with overlapping NERD and EPS gastrointestinal symptoms in four hospitals,such as gender,age,body mass index(BMI)and four diagnostic information of TCM.Descriptive frequency analysis,factor analysis and clustering analysis were used to summarize the TCM syndrome types and distribution characteristics.Results The average age of 800 patients with overlapping NERD and EPS gastrointestinal symptoms was(44.50±14.43)years old,the average BMI was(23.17±4.80)kg/m2,and the male to female ratio was 3:5.Frequency of 95 TCM symptoms/signs≥20%.18 common factor variables were obtained based on factor analysis,and the cumulative contribution rate was 67.11%.The first three syndrome elements of disease location were liver,stomach and spleen,and the disease nature syndrome elements were qi stagnation,qi deficiency and yin deficiency.Based on the clustering analysis of 18 common factor variables,combined with expert discussion,four main TCM syndrome types were obtained,which were liver-stomach stagnation heat syndrome(213 cases,26.63%),spleen-stomach damp heat syndrome(209 cases,26.13%),spleen-stomach deficiency and cold qi stagnation syndrome(190 cases,23.75%)and qi-phlegm stagnation syndrome(188 cases,23.50%).There was no significant difference in the distribution of TCM syndrome types among patients with different genders,ages and BMI values(P>0.05).Patients with a course of disease≥2 years and those residing long-term north of the Qinling-Huaihe Line showed a significantly higher prevalence of spleen-stomach dampness-heat syndrome(P<0.05).Conclusion The syndrome elements of disease location of overlapping NERD and EPS gastrointestinal symptoms are mainly liver,stomach and spleen.The TCM syndrome types are liver-stomach stagnation heat syndrome,spleen-stomach damp heat syndrome,spleen-stomach deficiency cold qi stagnation syndrome and qi-phlegm stagnation syndrome.The course of disease and the regional differences between north and south may be the influencing factors of the distribution of syndrome types.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of the brain functional networks in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) while at rest and to correlate them with motor functioning.Methods:Thirty-six children with SCP were enrolled as the SCP group, while thirty-four age-matched healthy children were recruited as the control group (the HC group). Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to detect changes in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in the children′s cerebral cortex while at rest. The left prefrontal cortex (LPFC), right prefrontal cortex (RPFC), left motor cortex (LMC), and right motor cortex (RMC) were selected as regions of interest. Phase locking values (PLVs) were used to evaluate the strength of functional connectivity (FC) among these brain regions, and graph theory methods were applied to analyze the topological properties of the brain networks. Motor functioning was assessed using the gross motor function measure (GMFM).Results:The analyses of FC strength revealed that the SCP group had significantly weaker FC among all of the regions of interest while at rest compared to the HC group. Their PLVs for LPFC-RPFC, LPFC-RMC, RPFC-RMC and LMC-RMC connectivity were all significantly smaller. Graph theory analysis showed that the SCP group had significantly lower global efficiency (GE) and smaller clustering coefficients (CCs) and network density (D), while their characteristic path lengths were significantly longer. According to the correlation analysis, the PLVs for LMC-RMC connections in the SCP group were positively correlated with their scores on dimensions D and E of the GMFM ( r=0.496 and r=0.579 respectively). GE ( r=0.587 and r=0.642) and CC ( r=0.318 and r=0.759) showed similar significant positive correlations with GMFM dimensions D and E. Conclusions:At rest, the functional networks in the brains of children with SCP exhibit abnormalities closely associated with their motor dysfunction.

Objective:To evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes of minimally invasive surgery for severe hallux valgus deformity using absorbable screw fixation.Methods:This retrospective study included 35 patients with severe hallux valgus deformities treated with third-generation minimally invasive Chevron and Akin osteotomies (MICA) using absorbable screws at the Foot and Ankle Surgery Department of Guangzhou Orthopedic Hospital from January 2022 to January 2023. The cohort consisted of 2 males and 33 females, with an average age of 56.75±13.27 years (ranging from 20 to 72 years).There were 18 cases of left foot and 17 of right. Preoperative and 12-month postoperative radiographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed. Radiographic evaluations included measurements of the hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) on weight-bearing foot X-ray films. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain. All complications during follow-up were recorded to comprehensively assess surgical outcomes and safety.Results:All the 35 cases successfully underwent the surgery, with a surgery time of 61.5±3.2 minutes and intraoperative blood loss of 5.4±1.2 ml. No patients lost follow-up, with a mean follow-up of 15.65±2.48 months (ranging from12 to 19 months). At the final follow-up, the AOFAS score significantly improved from 39.8±4.7 preoperatively to 92.3±4.1 postoperatively ( P<0.05), and the VAS significantly decreased from 8.7±1.2 to 1.8±0.8 ( P<0.05). The HVA decreased from 42.5°±4.1° to 12.5°±3.7° ( P<0.05), and the IMA decreased from 18.5°±2.8° to 7.3°±2.1° ( P<0.05). Radiographic follow-up demonstrated complete osseous union at the osteotomy sites in all cases, with no complications of nonunion or displacement. 7 patients with concurrent gastrocnemius tightness underwent gastrocnemius release, and 11 patients with associated transfer metatarsalgia were treated with Weil osteotomy ( n=8) or metatarsal head recontouring ( n=3), achieving satisfactory outcomes for all cases. Complications were minimal, with 2 cases of localized numbness around the surgical incision observed on postoperative day 3; the symptoms were gone spontaneously 3 months postoperatively. No other major complications, such as infection, hematoma, or neurovascular injury, were observed. Conclusion:Minimally invasive surgery using absorbable screw fixation effectively improves clinical function and symptoms in patients with severe hallux valgus deformities without any major complications, suggesting that it is a safe and effective treatment option.

This article retrospectively analyzed the involvement of clinical pharmacists in the treatment process and implementation of pharmacological supervision in a patient with septic arthritis secondary to tophi ulceration.The patient was admitted to the hospital and the emergency debridement and tophi removal were performed.Piperacillin-tazobactam,imipenem cilastatin,levofloxacin,linezolid,and vancomycin were given successively,and multiple debridement and drainage were performed,but the patient remained febrile and had recurrent infection indicators.According to the relevant guidelines and evidence-based evidence,combined with the patient's infection indicators,pathogen results and creatinine clearance rate,the clinical pharmacists recommended stopping vancomycin and changing to cefazolin,and the clinicians adopted it.After that,the patient's inflammatory indicators gradually decreased,and the body temperature stabilized.After 28 days of piperacillin-tazobactam administration,the patient developed a reduction in white blood cell count(2.34×109·L-1)and potassium(2.98 mmol·L-1).The pharmacist recommended prompt discontinuation of the drug,and the patient's white blood cell count and potassium gradually recovered.Eventually,after anti-infective treatment and surgical intervention,the patient was discharged with closure of the infected foci,conversion of multiple blood cultures to negative,and stabilisation of body temperature and renal function.This case reflects the role of clinical pharmacists in the management of drug treatment of critically ill patients,and may provide practical experience and reference for clinical treatment of such cases.

Objective:To investigate the detection status of serological markers for hepatitis B virus (HBV) among Tibetan college students and their relationship with HBV- deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) load.Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out to retrospectively analyze data from 1 514 Tibetan college students who visited the Affiliated Hospital of Xizang Minzu University for consultations or health examinations between June 1, 2021 and June 1, 2022. The prevalence of HBV infection among these students was analyzed, the primary epidemiological patterns of HBV markers were identified, and their relationship with HBV-DNA load was determined.Results:The positive rate of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among the 1 514 Tibetan college students was 6.7% (101/1 514), while the positive rate for Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) was 42.2% (639/1 514). The primary serological pattern of HBV infection consisted of positive results for HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBcAb, which accounted for 48.5% of cases. This pattern showed significantly higher rates of HBV-DNA positivity and elevated viral load compared with other serological patterns ( χ2 = 8.70, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The HBV infection rate among Tibetan college students is 6.7%. The primary infection pattern is characterized by positive tests for HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBcAb, with an HBV-DNA positivity rate as high as 87.0% and elevated viral loads.

Corneal alkali burns are a common form of corneal trauma, and their treatment has been a challenge in ophthalmology. Traditional treatments include anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and corneal transplantation, with limited results. This review focuses on the research progress of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)and their derived extracellular vesicles(MSCs-EVs)in the treatment of corneal alkali burns. MSCs have the ability of self-renewal, multidirectional differentiation, and immunomodulation, and the MSCs-EVs inherit its function from MSCs. MSCs-EVs inherit the functions of MSCs and has lower immunogenicity and better biocompatibility, which provides a new avenue for ophthalmic treatment. In addition, bioscaffolds are used as scaffolds or drug delivery systems in tissue engineering to promote tissue regeneration due to their excellent biocompatibility and degradability. This article reviews the mechanism of action and research progress of MSCs-EVs and combined bioscaffolds in the treatment of corneal alkali burns, and explores their potential in promoting the repair of corneal alkali burns and improving vision. These findings provide new strategies for the treatment of corneal alkali burns and are expected to improve the prognosis of patients.

Corneal alkali burns are a common form of corneal trauma, and their treatment has been a challenge in ophthalmology. Traditional treatments include anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and corneal transplantation, with limited results. This review focuses on the research progress of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)and their derived extracellular vesicles(MSCs-EVs)in the treatment of corneal alkali burns. MSCs have the ability of self-renewal, multidirectional differentiation, and immunomodulation, and the MSCs-EVs inherit its function from MSCs. MSCs-EVs inherit the functions of MSCs and has lower immunogenicity and better biocompatibility, which provides a new avenue for ophthalmic treatment. In addition, bioscaffolds are used as scaffolds or drug delivery systems in tissue engineering to promote tissue regeneration due to their excellent biocompatibility and degradability. This article reviews the mechanism of action and research progress of MSCs-EVs and combined bioscaffolds in the treatment of corneal alkali burns, and explores their potential in promoting the repair of corneal alkali burns and improving vision. These findings provide new strategies for the treatment of corneal alkali burns and are expected to improve the prognosis of patients.

Objective To analyze the predictive value of changes in serum Notch1 and interferon γ-induced protein 10(IP-10)expression in children with bronchial asthma for airway remodeling.Methods A total of 120 children with bronchial asthma treated from August 2021 to December 2023 were selected and divided into the acute exacerbation group and the clinical remission group based on their disease status.Additionally,60 healthy children who underwent the physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group.The levels of Notch1 and IP-10 in the blood of the subjects were measured,and airway remodeling and pulmonary function indicators were assessed.Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between serum IP-10,Notch1,and airway remodeling indicators.Receiver operating characteristic curve analy-sis was conducted to evaluate the predictive value of Notch1 and IP-10 for airway remodeling.Results There were statistically significant differences in the levels of Notch1 and IP-10 among the acute exacerbation group,clinical remission group,and control group,and the levels of Notch1 and IP-10 were highest in the acute exac-erbation group and lowest in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).The poste-rior and outer diameters of bronchial tubes ratio(T/D)and wall area percent(WA)levels in the acute exacer-bation group were obvious higher than those in the clinical remission group,and the differences were statisti-cally significant(P＜0.05).The forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1)and FEV1/forced vital ca-pacity levels in the acute exacerbation group were lower than those in the clinical remission group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).IP-10 and Notch1 were obvious positively correlated with airway remodeling indicators T/D and WA(P＜0.05).The area under the curve of IP-10 and Notch1 for pre-dicting airway remodeling in pediatric patients were both greater than 0.85,indicating high application value.Conclusion The levels of Notch1 and IP-10 increase during acute exacerbation of asthma and are closely relat-ed to airway remodeling and decreased lung function.Notch1 and IP-10 have high accuracy in predicting airway remodeling.