Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is the common pathological process of various chronic liver diseases and is associated with the progression of liver diseases, and it is also a key factor affecting the outcome of liver diseases and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The early process of HF is reversible, but without timely intervention and treatment, HF may gradually aggravate and progress to liver cirrhosis and even HCC, which will endanger people's health. Therefore, it is of great significance to actively prevent and treat HF; however, due to the complex pathogenesis of HF, Western medicine treatment is limited and there is still a lack of effective and widely accepted anti-fibrotic drugs, and thus there is a huge demand for medical treatment. With the efforts of scholars in China and globally, traditional Chinese medicine treatment has become a hotspot and a key breakthrough point in reversing HF and preventing its progression, with the advantages of multiple targets and pathways. This article elaborates on the advantages and characteristics of TCM treatment of HF from the aspects of syndrome differentiation, method of treatment, drug compatibility, and modern molecular mechanism.

Objective:To assess the role of Delta-RBC parameters in the automated hematocrit analyzer RET channel for the recognition of cold agglutinins (CA) and to explore the value of RET channel optical method parameters in correcting interference with CA.Methods:This is a retrospective study. The Cas group included 68 samples with Cas interference and the control group included 45 samples without CA interference. All specimens were collected from Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Outpatient Department from January 2022 to January 2023. Specimens in both the CA and Control group were examined using the CBC+RET channel at room temperature. Recorded and calculated the Impedance method test parameters RBC-I, HGB, HCT-I, MCH-I, MCV-I, MCHC-I and the Optical method test parameters RBC-O, HCT-O, MCH-O, R-MFV, MCHC-O, Delta-RBC. Examined the specimens in the CA group using the CBC channel after prewarmed at 37 ℃ for 2 h, and Impedance method parameters RBC-I 37 ℃ 2 h, HGB 37 ℃ 2 h, HCT-I 37 ℃ 2 h, MCH-I 37 ℃ 2 h, MCV-I 37 ℃ 2 h, MCHC-I 37 ℃ 2 h were recorded. The ROC curves were used to analyze the discrimination efficacy of Delta-RBC in identifying CA interference, and the Bland-Altman method was used to analyze the consistency between the results of the optical method RBC parameters at room temperature and the results of the impedance method after prewarming. The correlation analysis was performed using Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis to analyze the results of the RBC parameters before and after prewarming in the CA group. Result:If Delta-RBC was used as diagnostic indicators for the identification of CA interference, the best cut-off value was 1.065, with AUCs of 0.998. In the CA group, the correlation coefficients between RBC-O, HCT-O, R-MFV, MCH-O, MCHC-O, and RBC-I 37 ℃ 2 h, HCT-I 37 ℃ 2 h, MCV-I 37 ℃ 2 h, MCH-I 37 ℃ 2 h, MCHC-I 37 ℃ 2 h were 0.985, 0.981, 0.729, 0.870, and 0.649, respectively. The percentages within the limits of agreement of the percentage differences between the results of the two methods were 95.6%, 92.6%, 95.6%, 94.1%, and 95.6%, respectively. Conclusions:The RBC parameter Delta-RBC from RET channel optical method can be used as an indicator to effectively assist in the clinical determination of the presence of CA. Reporting results using the optical method RBC parameters of the RET channel can correct the interference of CA without specimen pre-treatment and obtain more correct results of complete blood counts.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect of Bushen Yiqi Huoxue Decoction BYHD) in patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). METHODS: A total of 180 patients with DOR diagnosed from December 2013 to December 2014 were equally assigned into progynova and duphaston (E+D) group, Zuogui Pill group and BYHD group with 60 cases in each by computerized randomization. Patients received E+D, Zuogui Pill or BYHD for 12 months, respectively. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E₂), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC), ovarian volume, endometrial thickness, and the resistance indices (RIs) of ovarian arteries and uterine arteries were observed before and after treatment. RESULTS: Nine women (4 from the E+D group, 3 from the Zuogui Pill group, and 2 from the BYHD group) withdrew from the study. After 6 months, Zuogui Pill and BYHD significantly decreased FSH and LH and increased endometrial thickness and AMH (all P<0.01). BYHD also resulted in E₂ elevation (P<0.05), ovary enlargement (P<0.05), AFC increase (P<0.01), and RI of ovarian arteries decrease (P<0.05). After 12 months, further improvements were observed in the Zuogui Pill and BYHD groups (all P<0.01), but BYHD showed better outcomes, with lower FSH, larger ovaries and a thicker endometrium compared with the Zuogui Pill group (all P<0.01). However, E+D only significantly increased endometrial thickness (P<0.01) and no significant improvements were observed in the RI of uterine arteries in the three groups. CONCLUSIONS BYHD had a favorable therapeutic effect in patients with DOR by rebalancing hormone levels, promoting ovulation, and repairing the thin endometrium. The combination of tonifying Shen (Kidney), benefiting qi and activating blood circulation may be a promising therapeutic strategy for DOR.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone/pharmacology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Ovarian Reserve

Congenital hydrocephalus is a major neurological disorder with high rates of morbidity and mortality; however, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Reproducible animal models mirroring both embryonic and postnatal hydrocephalus are also limited. Here, we describe a new mouse model of congenital hydrocephalus through knockout of β-catenin in Nkx2.1-expressing regional neural progenitors. Progressive ventriculomegaly and an enlarged brain were consistently observed in knockout mice from embryonic day 12.5 through to adulthood. Transcriptome profiling revealed severe dysfunctions in progenitor maintenance in the ventricular zone and therefore in cilium biogenesis after β-catenin knockout. Histological analyses also revealed an aberrant neuronal layout in both the ventral and dorsal telencephalon in hydrocephalic mice at both embryonic and postnatal stages. Thus, knockout of β-catenin in regional neural progenitors leads to congenital hydrocephalus and provides a reproducible animal model for studying pathological changes and developing therapeutic interventions for this devastating disease.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hydrocephalus/genetics* ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Neurons ; beta Catenin/genetics*

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and trend of stroke death among registered residents in Hexi District of Tianjin from 2007 to 2019，and to provide scientific basis for evaluation of comprehensive prevention and control strategies and measures of stroke. Methods:All death monitoring data of the residents was collected and the crude mortality， standardized mortality and annual percent change （APC） of stroke were obtained by statistical treatment. Results:A total of 15 235 stroke deaths were reported in Hexi District of Tianjin from 2007 to 2019，with an average annual mortality rate of 144.59/10⁵. The rate was higher in males than in females （169.02/10⁵ in males and 121.04/10⁵ in females， P<0.001）. The crude mortality rate showed an upward trend with the year （APC=1.51%， P<0.05）. The standardized mortality rate showed a downward trend （APC=-1.39%， P<0.05）. The crude mortality of ischemic stroke showed an upward trend with the year （APC=3.15%， P<0.01）， and the trend change in standardized mortality rate had no statistical significance. The crude mortality and standardized mortality of hemorrhagic stroke showed a downward trend，with the mortality rate decreased at 2.43% per year and the standardized mortality rate decreased at the 4.50% per year （all P<0.05）. Conclusion:Stroke is the main disease affecting the health of residents in Hexi District of Tianjin. Targeted measures should be taken to reduce the mortality of stroke. Stroke prevention and control should focus on winter and spring seasons， males， elderly people and patients with ischemic stroke.

Objective To investigate the stability of IgE in postmortem plasma and hemolyzed samples under different storage conditions and freezing-thawing. Methods Thirty nine cardiac blood samples were collected from non-frozen corpses with the postmortem interval of less than 48 hours, including 20 plasma samples and 19 hemolyzed samples taken from whole blood. The samples were stored at -20 ℃, 4 ℃ and 25 ℃ for 28 d and at -80 ℃ for 1 year to evaluate the stability of IgE under different storage conditions. Repeated freezing-thawing treatment was conducted for 5 times to explore the stability of IgE in postmortem plasma and hemolyzed samples. IgE concentration in plasma and hemolyzed samples was detected by electroluminescence before and after treatment. Results The degradation rates of IgE in plasma samples under the three storage conditions, -20 ℃, 4 ℃ and 25 ℃ were close. After 28 d, the mean value was about 15%, the degradation speed of IgE in hemolyzed samples was faster than that of plasma under the same condition （P<0.05） and the degradation rate was faster than other two conditions under 25 ℃ （P<0.05）. The differences in the concentration of plasma samples after freezing at -80 ℃ for 1 year and that before freezing had no statistical significance （ P>0.05）, while the concentration of hemolyzed samples was degraded after freezing at -80 ℃ for 1 year （P<0.05）. The differences between the detection results of plasma and hemolyzed samples after repeated freezing-thawing for 5 times and that before freezing-thawing showed no statistical significance （ P>0.05）. Conclusion IgE has good freezing-thawing stability in postmortem plasma and hemolyzed samples. Stability of IgE is better in postmortem plasma samples than hemolyzed samples, thus it is recommended to separate plasma from postmortem blood samples as soon as possible in forensic practice.
Autopsy ; Forensic Medicine ; Freezing ; Immunoglobulin E ; Plasma

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of imperatorin on liver damage， peroxidative stress and immune response in young rats with type I diabetes induced by streptozotocin （STZ）. MethodsTotally 50 BALB/c juvenile mice were equally divided into healthy control group， model group， model plus+3 mg/kg Imperatorin group， model+6 mg/kg Imperatorin group， and model+12 mg/kg Imperatorin group. Glucose tolerance test was used to detect fasting blood glucose， serum insulin and obesity index of mice in each group. Automatic biochemical analyzer was used to determine serum HDL， LDL， TG， TC content. HE staining was used to observe the degree of liver damage. TUNEL staining was used to observe cell apoptosis. SOD and MDA levels were detected by Kit， Box/Bcl-2， cleaved cas3/cas3， c-Myc expression levels in mitochondria by Western blot， and serum IL-6， TNF-α， IL-1β levels by ELISA. ResultsCompared with the model group， 12 mg/kg Imperatorin significantly reduced fasting blood glucose ［mean difference 5.3 mmol/L， 95% confidence interval （4.5， 6.1） mmol/L］， serum insulin ［mean difference 13.2 μU/L， 95% confidence interval （10.6， 15.8） μU/L］ and obesity index ［average difference 2.3 kg/m²， 95% confidence interval （2.1， 2.5） kg/m²］ all decreased. The content of SOD increased （P<0.05）， while the content of MDA was reduced （P<0.05）. The expression level of Bax/Bcl-2， and cleaved cas3/cas3 was down-regulated （P<0.05）， while the level of c-Myc was up-regulated （P<0.05）， and the content of IL-6， TNF-α and IL-1β was reduced （P<0.05）. ConclusionImperatorin can alleviate the liver damage， peroxidation and immune response in young rats with STZ-induced type I diabetes.

Objective::To explore the effect of Tongxie Yaofang on p38 mitogen activated protease(p38 MAPK), mitogen and stress protein kinase 1(MSK1), cyclic adenosine effector response element binding protein(CREB)mRNA and protein expression in colon tissue of diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS) rat model with liver depression and spleen deficiency(GYPX), and interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and the content of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum. Method::The 60 SPF Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, with 10 rats in each group. Except the normal group, rats in the other groups were given by gavage with folium sennae and chronic bondage to establish D-IBS with GYPX for 14 days. The low, medium, and high doses Tongxie Yaofang were administered to Tongxie Yaofang(2.25, 4.5, 9 g·kg^-1)gavage respectively. The piveronium bromide group was given piveronium bromide tablets suspension(0.02 g·kg^-1)gavage.The normal group group and model group were given the same volume normal saline for 21 days. After the last gavage for 18 hours, the heart blood was collected and the colon tissue was dissected. Real-time PCR was used to observe the expression of p38 MAPK, MSK1 and CREB mRNA in rat colon. Western blot was used to observe the expression of p38 MAPK, MSK1 and CREB protein. ELISA was used to observe the contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in colon. Hydroxylamine was used to observe the T-SOD level in serum, thiobarbituric acid(TBA)was used to observe the MDA content in serum. hematoxyl in-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the morphological changes of colon tissues. Result::Compared with normal group, the expression of p38 MAPK, MSK1, CREB mRNA and the protein content of p38 MAPK, MSK1 and CREB in the colon tissue of model group rats increased significantly, while the content of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α increased significantly(P<0.05). The level of serum T-SOD decreased significantly, and the content of MDA increased significantly(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the medium and high dose group of Tongxie Yaofang significantly decreased the expression of p38 MAPK mRNA, content of p38 MAPK, CREB protein and IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α in colon tissue(P<0.05). The level of serum T-SOD increased significantly, and the content of MDA decreased significantly(P<0.05). High dose group of Tongxie Yaofang can significantly decreased the expression of MSK1, CREB mRNA, content of MSK1 protein(P<0.05). Histopathological observation showed that no significant organic lesions were observed in the colonic morphology of each group of rats, which was consistent with the morphological characteristics of IBS. Conclusion::Tongxie Yaofang has a significant dose-effect relationship in the treatment of D-IBS rats with GYPX in a certain range, which may be related to its increases antioxidant stress and inhibit activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathway and reducing the level of downstream inflammatory factors.