Background and Aims:Portal hypertensive colopathy(PHC)is a common complication of portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis.It may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding,yet its underlying pathogenesis remains unclear,and systematic research in China is limited.This study aimed to analyze the colonoscopic features in cirrhotic patients and to explore their associations with relevant clinical factors.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 99 cirrhotic patients who underwent colonoscopy at Xingtai People's Hospital between July 2020 and December 2024.Colonoscopy,gastroscopy,and clinical data were reviewed.Differences between patients with PHC and those without were compared in terms of sex,Child-Pugh classification,platelet count,presence of ascites,and hepatic encephalopathy.Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for PHC.Additionally,colorectal lesion detection rates were compared with those of a contemporaneous cohort of 444 participants undergoing national colorectal cancer(CRC)screening at the same center.Results:Among the 105 patients with cirrhosis,the detection rates of PHC,adenomatous polyps,and CRC were 32.32%,28.28%,and 3.03%,respectively,while only 37.37%had no abnormal findings.No serious colonoscopy-related complications were observed.The proportion of males in the PHC group was significantly higher than in the non-PHC group(78.13%vs.50.75%,P=0.009).The PHC group also showed significantly higher rates of Child-Pugh class B/C,and lower platelet count(all P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of ascites and hepatic encephalopathy between the two groups(P>0.05).Multivariate analysis identified that male gender(OR=3.307,95%CI=1.219-8.971)and Child-Pugh class B/C(OR=2.867,95%CI=1.046-7.861)were independent risk factors for PHC.Compared to the CRC screening cohort,cirrhotic patients had a similar adenoma detection rate(28.28%vs.25.00%,P=0.499),and a slightly higher colorectal cancer detection rate that did not reach statistical significance(3.03%vs.0.68%,P=0.135).Conclusion:Colonoscopy revealed a high rate of abnormalities in cirrhotic patients,with PHC and adenomatous polyps being the most common findings.Routine colonoscopy is recommended for cirrhotic patients without contraindications,especially males,and patients with Child-Pugh class B/C,to facilitate early detection of PHC and precancerous lesions,thereby reducing the risk of lower gastrointestinal bleeding and missed diagnoses of malignancy.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between nerve growth factor (NGF) concentration in follicular fluid and abnormal menstrual cycle in infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 100 infertile patients with PCOS who underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital from March 2017 to June 2019. For comparison, the 100 patients with PCOS were divided into low NGF group ( n=50) and high NGF group ( n=50) based on the median NGF concentration (1 644.03 ng/L) in follicular fluid. Baseline characteristics, menstrual status and clinical outcomes of assisted reproductive technology were compared. We performed multiple linear regression analysis to examine the effect of NGF in follicular fluid on menstrual cycle length for multivariate analysis. Results:1) PCOS patients in the low NGF group had significantly higher body mass index [(27.24±5.17) kg/m 2] and white blood cell count [7.31(5.99, 8.43)×10 9/L ] than those in the high NGF group [(25.03±4.46) kg/m 2, P=0.024; 5.95(5.08,7.01)×10 9/L, P=0.001], while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [1.15 (0.98, 1.36) mmol/L] and basic follicle-stimulating hormone level [6.51 (5.10,7.95) U/L] in the low NGF group were significantly lower than those in the high NGF group [1.36 (1.09,1.52) mmol/L, P=0.039;6.51 (5.10,7.95)U/L, P=0.040]. 2) PCOS patients in the low NGF group had significantly higher menstrual cycle length [60.00 (35.00, 180.00) d] than the high NGF group [32.50 (27.00,67.50) d, P=0.001]. 3) Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that after adjustment for body mass index, age, infertility duration, infertility type, and glucose and lipid metabolic parameters, the NGF concentration in the follicular fluid independently and negatively correlated with menstrual cycle length ( P<0.05). 4) The NGF concentration in follicular fluid was not correlated with assisted reproductive outcomes. Conclusion:NGF concentration in follicular fluid is closely related to the degree of menstrual cycle abnormalities in patients with PCOS.

Exerkines play important roles in the regulation of metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders, including obesity, diabetes, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, myocardial infarction, and Alzheimer′s disease. This review summarizes recent research on several key exerkines and their physiological effects.

Exerkines play important roles in the regulation of metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders, including obesity, diabetes, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, myocardial infarction, and Alzheimer′s disease. This review summarizes recent research on several key exerkines and their physiological effects.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between nerve growth factor (NGF) concentration in follicular fluid and abnormal menstrual cycle in infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 100 infertile patients with PCOS who underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital from March 2017 to June 2019. For comparison, the 100 patients with PCOS were divided into low NGF group ( n=50) and high NGF group ( n=50) based on the median NGF concentration (1 644.03 ng/L) in follicular fluid. Baseline characteristics, menstrual status and clinical outcomes of assisted reproductive technology were compared. We performed multiple linear regression analysis to examine the effect of NGF in follicular fluid on menstrual cycle length for multivariate analysis. Results:1) PCOS patients in the low NGF group had significantly higher body mass index [(27.24±5.17) kg/m 2] and white blood cell count [7.31(5.99, 8.43)×10 9/L ] than those in the high NGF group [(25.03±4.46) kg/m 2, P=0.024; 5.95(5.08,7.01)×10 9/L, P=0.001], while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [1.15 (0.98, 1.36) mmol/L] and basic follicle-stimulating hormone level [6.51 (5.10,7.95) U/L] in the low NGF group were significantly lower than those in the high NGF group [1.36 (1.09,1.52) mmol/L, P=0.039;6.51 (5.10,7.95)U/L, P=0.040]. 2) PCOS patients in the low NGF group had significantly higher menstrual cycle length [60.00 (35.00, 180.00) d] than the high NGF group [32.50 (27.00,67.50) d, P=0.001]. 3) Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that after adjustment for body mass index, age, infertility duration, infertility type, and glucose and lipid metabolic parameters, the NGF concentration in the follicular fluid independently and negatively correlated with menstrual cycle length ( P<0.05). 4) The NGF concentration in follicular fluid was not correlated with assisted reproductive outcomes. Conclusion:NGF concentration in follicular fluid is closely related to the degree of menstrual cycle abnormalities in patients with PCOS.

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has rich experience in the diagnosis and treatment of epidemics,but the basic con-cepts and diagnosis and treatment strategies of TCM for epidemics have not yet formed a common understanding.This paper preliminar-ily constructs a diagnosis and treatment system of TCM epidemics from the perspective of"type differentiation-stage differentiation-syndrome differentiation"by combing the basic concepts of the etiology,pathogenesis,and identification of epidemics,taking state-target differentiation and treatment as the general principle.First,the epidemics are divided into five types:cold epidemics,warm epi-demics,cold-damp epidemics,damp epidemics,and miscellaneous epidemics;then,according to the overall course of the epidemics,they are divided into four stages:"initial stage-peak stage-extreme stage-relapse stage",the initial stage is the stage of exterior syn-dromes,the peak stage is the stage of heat peak,the extreme stage is the stage of internal closure and external loss,and the relapse stage is the stage of recovery of the healthy qi and retreat of the evil qi;finally,on the basis of staging,combined with the syndrome char-acteristics of various epidemics(five types of background diseases)at different stages,the syndromes are divided demonstratively.Through the construction of a modern diagnosis and treatment system of TCM epidemics,the basic theoretical concepts and basic diag-nosis and treatment strategies of epidemics can be clarified,various new and emerging infectious diseases can be actively responded to,and a diagnosis and treatment plan for a new and emerging infectious disease can be quickly constructed.

Objective:To construct an infectious clone of a Chinese HIV-1 CRF01_AE epidemic strain with strong replication capacity，and comprehensively identify its viral phenotype and replication capacity.Methods:Using the CRF01_AE clinical isolate GX2005002，which was previously isolated from whole blood of an HIV-1-infected individual in China by our laboratory，as the parental strain，the full-length genome of the virus（9.7 kb）was divided into 5' half fragment（5.1 kb）and 3' half fragment（4.6 kb）for amplification. The proviral DNA was used as a template to amplify the virus genome，which was then ligated into the eukaryotic expression vector pEASY-T1. The consistency of its sequence with the parental strain sequence was identified through full-length genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The replication capacity，syncytium inducibility，and cell tropism were experimentally identified to determine its phenotypic consistency with the parental strain.Results:An infectious clone of the CRF01_AE strain was successfully constructed，and its genome sequence exhibited high consistency with the sequence of the parental strain. By transfecting target cells，a derivative virus with infectious activity and replication capability was successfully rescued. The derived virus maintained phenotypic characteristics consistent with the parental strain，such as cell tropism and syncytium inducibility.Conclusion:This study successfully constructed an infectious clone of a Chinese HIV-1 CRF01_AE epidemic strain with clear background and distinct phenotype. The genomic sequence and viral phenotypic characteristics of the derived virus are basically consistent with the parental strain，providing strong representation of the original isolate and serving as a powerful tool for research on the correlation between the genetic characteristics，viral phenotype，and pathogenicity of HIV-1 CRF01_AE strains.

Post-stroke depression is a common complication after stroke,which seriously affects the quality of life and clinical prognosis of stroke patients.Acupuncture therapy for post-stroke depression has been proven effective.This article reviewed recent clinical studies on acupuncture therapy for post-stroke depression from the perspectives of pure acupuncture therapy,electroacupuncture therapy,head acupuncture therapy,auricular acupuncture therapy,and comprehensive therapy.The acupoint selection focused on the Governor Vessel,combined with the acupoints of the bladder meridian,liver meridian and pericardium meridian.The comprehensive therapy combined acupuncture with Chinese materia medica,moxibustion,music therapy and rehabilitation training is currently the main treatment approach.Further analysis on the shortcomings of the field could provide references for clinical protocols and mechanism research of acupuncture therapy for post-stroke depression.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is linked to an increased prevalence of myocardial infarction (MI). However, research dedicated to elucidating the pathogenesis of AS-MI is lacking. In this study, we explored the biomarkers for enhancing the diagnostic and therapeutic efficiency of AS-MI. Datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. We employed weighted gene co-expression network analysis and machine learning models to screen hub genes. A receiver operating characteristic curve and a nomogram were designed to assess diagnostic accuracy. Gene set enrichment analysis was conducted to reveal the potential function of hub genes. Immune infiltration analysis indicated the correlation between hub genes and the immune landscape. Subsequently, we performed single-cell analysis to identify the expression and subcellular localization of hub genes. We further constructed a transcription factor (TF)-microRNA (miRNA) regulatory network. Finally, drug prediction and molecular docking were performed. S100A12 and MCEMP1 were identified as hub genes, which were correlated with immune-related biological processes. They exhibited high diagnostic value and were predominantly expressed in myeloid cells. Furthermore, 24 TFs and 9 miRNA were associated with these hub genes. Enzastaurin, meglitinide, and nifedipine were predicted as potential therapeutic agents. Our study indicates that S100A12 and MCEMP1 exhibit significant potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for AS-MI, offering novel insights into the underlying etiology of this condition.
Humans ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing/complications* ; Systems Biology/methods* ; Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis* ; Biomarkers/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Machine Learning

Objective:To construct an infectious clone of a Chinese HIV-1 CRF01_AE epidemic strain with strong replication capacity，and comprehensively identify its viral phenotype and replication capacity.Methods:Using the CRF01_AE clinical isolate GX2005002，which was previously isolated from whole blood of an HIV-1-infected individual in China by our laboratory，as the parental strain，the full-length genome of the virus（9.7 kb）was divided into 5' half fragment（5.1 kb）and 3' half fragment（4.6 kb）for amplification. The proviral DNA was used as a template to amplify the virus genome，which was then ligated into the eukaryotic expression vector pEASY-T1. The consistency of its sequence with the parental strain sequence was identified through full-length genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The replication capacity，syncytium inducibility，and cell tropism were experimentally identified to determine its phenotypic consistency with the parental strain.Results:An infectious clone of the CRF01_AE strain was successfully constructed，and its genome sequence exhibited high consistency with the sequence of the parental strain. By transfecting target cells，a derivative virus with infectious activity and replication capability was successfully rescued. The derived virus maintained phenotypic characteristics consistent with the parental strain，such as cell tropism and syncytium inducibility.Conclusion:This study successfully constructed an infectious clone of a Chinese HIV-1 CRF01_AE epidemic strain with clear background and distinct phenotype. The genomic sequence and viral phenotypic characteristics of the derived virus are basically consistent with the parental strain，providing strong representation of the original isolate and serving as a powerful tool for research on the correlation between the genetic characteristics，viral phenotype，and pathogenicity of HIV-1 CRF01_AE strains.