ObjectiveTo observe the short-term and long-term efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） surgical operations in treating mixed hemorrhoids. MethodsA multi-center retrospective cohort study was conducted， collecting clinical data from 17，831 mixed hemorrhoid surgery patients in 8 top-tier TCM hospitals in Jiangsu Province. Standardized and structured datasets were obtained through artificial intelligence models. Patients who underwent western surgical treatment were categorized into the western surgery group （11,646 cases）， and those receiving TCM surgical operations were categorized into the TCM surgery group （6185 cases）. Propensity score matching （1∶1 matching） was used to balance baseline data between groups. The primary outcome was the one-year recurrence rate， and secondary outcomes included the main symptoms （rectal bleeding， degree of prolapse） and secondary symptoms （anal distension， anal edema， wound secretion and exudation， anal stenosis， residual skin tags， perianal itching， and anal pain） measured on days 7， 28， and 60 after discharge. ResultsAfter matching， 2194 patients were included in each group. Symptom scores showed that at 28 days after discharge， the TCM surgical group had superior improvement in rectal bleeding ［OR=5.786， 95%CI （3.092，10.827）］， degree of prolapse ［OR=4.510， 95%CI （1.649，12.333）］， and anal edema ［OR=3.188， 95%CI （1.295，7.845）］ compared to the western surgical group. At 60 days post-discharge， the TCM group still showed advantages in improving rectal bleeding ［OR=5.237， 95%CI （1.077，25.464）］ and anal pain ［OR=11.697， 95%CI （1.186，115.336）］ （P＜0.05）. Long-term follow-up showed that the one-year recurrence rate in the TCM surgery group was 1.1% （8/726）， while that in the western surgery group was 2.3% （10/444）， with no statistically significant difference between the two groups （P＞0.05）. ConclusionBased on real-world data， TCM surgical treatment for mixed hemorrhoids shows significant short-term symptom improvement， particularly in terms of hemostasis， reducing swelling， and alleviating prolapse of anal masses.

Background and aims:Primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)is an autoimmune liver disease characterized by complex pathogenesis and limited available therapeutic options.The mechanisms underlying the development and progression of PSCs remain unclear.Liver X receptor beta(LXR-β)is recognized to modulate lipid metabolism and immune response,but its specific involvement in the PSC has not been elucidated.Here,we explored the role and mechanism of LXR-β in PSC induced by 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,4,6-collidine(DDC).Methods:CRISPR-Cas9 technology was applied to generate Abcb4(coding MDR2,next named as Mdr2),Nr1h2(coding LXR-β,next named as Lxrβ),and Rag2(coding RAG2)knockout mice.DDC was used to induce PSC.Hematoxylin and eosin and Sirius red staining were used to assess the extent of hepatic injury and fibrosis.Flow cytometry was used to observe immune cell subsets.Results:We observed a declining trend in hepatic Lxrβ in the PSC model.Unexpectedly,Lxrβ knockout failed to modulate DDC-induced PSC pathogenesis.Concomitantly,assessment of the influence of Rag2 deficiency on PSC progression revealed the absence of aggravated or alleviated hepatic injury or fibrosis in the Rag2-/-DDC mice.However,Lxrβ depletion intensified DDC-induced PSC in the Rag2-/-mice,with more abundant infiltrative inflammatory cells and more severe liver fibrosis.Compared with Rag2-/-DDC mice,Lxrβ-/-Rag2-/-DDC mice had higher serum ALT and AST levels and mRNA expression of proinflammatory and profibrotic genes.Flow cytometry showed that LXR-β deficiency resulted in a diminished population of hepatic innate immune cells.Conclusion:This study indicated innate immune cell LXR-β deficiency can exacerbate hepatic injury and fibrosis in murine models of PSC suggesting that LXR-β may regulate the function of innate immunity in the fibrotic advancement of PSC.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically summarize and analyze the project applications and funding in the field of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine by the Medical Science Department of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) from 2010 to 2024, and to identify research hotspots and developmental trends, providing scientific references for the high-quality development of the Emergency and Critical Care Medicine in China. METHODS: Data on all project applications and funding in the field of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine (application code H16) from 2010 to 2024 were collected from the NSFC Grants System, including project application numbers, funding numbers and amounts, project categories, regional and affiliated institutions distributions. Keyword co-occurrence analysis was conducted using VOSviewer software to identify research hotspots, and results were presented using bar charts, pie charts, and Sankey diagrams. RESULTS: Over the past 15 years, the Emergency and Critical Care Medicine field of NSFC received 13 747 project applications and funded 1 781 projects, with a cumulative funding amount of 8.064 99 billion RMB. The annual number of applications increased from 296 in 2010 to 1 971 in 2024, representing an average annual growth rate of 40.42%. Similarly, the number of funded projects grew from 45 in 2010 to 175 in 2024, with an average annual growth rate of 20.63%, while annual funding rose from 20.01 million RMB in 2010 to 74.20 million RMB in 2024, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 19.34%. The majority of funded projects belonged to the General Program (774 projects), Young Scientists Fund (754 projects), and Regional Science Fund (163 projects), collectively accounting for 94.95% of total funded projects (1 691/1 781). Funding was concentrated in two primary research areas: Organ Dysfunction and Support (H1602, 751 projects) and Sepsis (H1601, 612 projects), together comprising 76.53% of total funded projects (1 363/1 781). The total number of funded projects (1 781 projects) in Emergency and Critical Care Medicine was fewer than the average across the subfields of Medical Science Department (4 181 projects). Shanghai (305 projects, 17.1%), Guangdong (222 projects, 12.5%), Jiangsu (154 projects, 8.6%), Zhejiang (149 projects, 8.4%), and Beijing (134 projects, 7.5%) ranked as the top five regions in terms of funded projects. Keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed that sepsis, organ injury, pulmonary injury and poisoning, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation were the main research hotspots in the field of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine over the past 15 years. CONCLUSION From 2010 to 2024, the NSFC funding for the field of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine has shown a significant upward trajectory, providing vital support for the rapid advancement of basic and applied research. This growth has played a crucial role in facilitating the high-quality development of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine in China.
China ; Critical Care/economics* ; Emergency Medicine/economics* ; Humans ; Foundations

Aim To investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of CREB regulated transcription coactivator 2(CRTC2)in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.Methods A pathological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model was established in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol(ISO),the expression of CRTC2 in cardiac tissue was detec-ted by Western blot.The CRTC2 knockout mice model was constructed,the cardiac function of mice was detected by small animal echocardiography,the collagen fiber content in mice cardiac tissue was detected by Masson staining,the car-diomyocyte hypertrophy related proteins:skeletal muscle α1-actin(ACTA1)and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),as well as ferroptosis related proteins:acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4(ACSL4),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)in mice cardiac tissue were detected by Western blot,the iron ion content in mice cardiac tissue was detected by iron ion kit,to evaluate the correlation between CRTC2 and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and ferroptosis.H9c2 cells were induced by ISO to construct an in vitro model of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy,the protein expressions of CRTC2,ACTA1,BNP,ACSL4,SLC7A11 and GPX4 were detected after intervention with fer-roptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1(Fer-1).H9c2 cells with CRTC2 overexpression induced by ISO were used to construct an in vitro model of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy,the related indicators of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and ferroptosis were detec-ted to explore the mechanism of CRTC2 in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.Results Compared with the control group,the expression of CRTC2 protein in the cardiac tissue of ISO induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy mice was increased(P＜0.05).Compared with wild-type mice,CRTC2-/-mice showed worsened cardiac function,manifested as increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD),left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWT),heart weight/tibia length(HW/TL)and heart weight/body weight(HW/BW),decreased short axis shortening(FS)and ejection fraction(EF),increased collagen fiber content in cardiac tissue,upregulated ex-pression of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy-related proteins ACTA1 and BNP,increased mRNA and protein expression of ferrop-tosis-related protein ACSL4,decreased mRNA and protein expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4,and elevated iron ion content in cardiac tissue(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).In vitro experiments showed that compared with ISO group,the ISO+Fer-1 group had no significant change in CRTC2 protein expression(P＞0.05),the expression of ACTA1 and BNP protein decreased,the surface area of cardiomyocyte reduced,the expression of ACSL4 protein decreased,and the expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with the ISO group,the LV-CRTC2+ISO group showed a decrease in surface area of cardiomyocytes(P＜0.01),a decrease in ACTA1,BNP and ACSL4 protein ex-pression,an increase in SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression,and a decrease in ROS and iron ion content(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion CRTC2 alleviates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and protect cardiac function by suppressing fer-roptosis in cardiomyocytes.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the population receiving assisted reproductive technology (ART) therapy and the health status of their offspring in Shanghai from 2011 to 2020.Methods:Based on the birth cohort of the entire population in Shanghai, the proportion and trend changes of ART offspring in the birth cohort were analyzed. The characteristics of ART and naturally conceived populations, including household registration, education level, maternal age, and reproductive history, were examined. Additionally, the health status between ART offspring and naturally conceived offspring were compared.Results:From 2011 to 2020, a total of 70 729 ART offspring were born in Shanghai, accounting for 3.69% of the total births. In 2020, this proportion reached 7.79%. The ART conception rate for primiparous women was higher than that for multiparous women, with both showing upward trends and reaching 9.87% and 2.36%, respectively, in 2020. The ART conception rate was higher in women with higher education levels and local household registration than in those with lower education levels and non-local household registration. The incidence rates of preterm birth and low birth weight in ART singleton offspring were 7.76% and 4.82%, respectively, higher than the 4.69% and 2.87% in naturally conceived offspring, but no increasing trend was observed in naturally conceived offspring. Among twin and multiple newborns, the incidence rates of preterm birth and low birth weight were 56.98% and 46.82% for ART, lower than the 58.51% and 51.32% for natural conception.Conclusions:The difference in social and demographic characteristics was obvious in population receiving ART, suggesting that the differed demand of some people for ART therapy, and it is necessary to strengthen the construction of public health services and further expand the coverage and accessibility of ART services. With technological advancements, the rates of preterm birth and low birth weight remain relatively stable, and even decrease in twin and multiple newborns.

BACKGROUND:The imbalance between proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes plays an important role in the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis. Previous studies have found that hsa-miR-3202 is involved in regulating the proliferation and apoptosis of various cells. However,no studies have explored the correlation between hsa-miR-3202 and osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expression of hsa-miR-3202 in osteoarthritic chondrocytes and its effect on the proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes. METHODS:(1) MicroRNAs differentially expressed in osteoarthritic chondrocytes were screened by biogenic analysis. Based on the current research situation at home and abroad,hsa-miR-3202 was selected for follow-up studies,and its target genes were predicted by gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment. (2) Human normal chondrocyte cell lines C28/I2 in logarithmic growth phase were selected and randomly divided into four groups for culture:in normal group,cells were cultured in normal medium for 24 hours,the medium was then changed to normal medium for another 6 hours of culture,and changed to normal medium for subsequent culture;in lipopolysaccharide group,cells were cultured in lipopolysaccharide-containing medium for 24 hours,the medium was then changed to normal medium for another 6 hours,and changed to normal medium for subsequent culture;in lipopolysaccharide+NC group,cells were cultured in lipopolysaccharide-containing medium for 24 hours,and then transfected with has-miR-3202 mimics control for 6 hours,and the medium was change to normal medium for subsequent culture;in lipopolysaccharide+hsa-miR-3202 mimics group,cells were cultured in lipopolysaccharide-containing medium for 24 hours and then transfected with has-miR-3202 mimics for 6 hours,and the medium was changed to normal medium for subsequent culture. After further 48 hours of culture,the expression level of hsa-miR-3202 was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR and cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. After further culture of 0-72 hours,cell proliferation activity was detected by cell counting kit-8. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Bioinformatics analysis results indicated that hsa-miR-3202 was significantly down-regulated in osteoarthritic chondrocytes. GO functional enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment showed that the function of hsa-miR-3202 target gene was closely related to cell growth and apoptosis. The results of in vitro cell experiments showed that compared with the normal group,the expression level of hsa-miR-3202 and proliferation ability of chondrocytes were significantly decreased in the lipopolysaccharide group (P<0.05),while the apoptotic rate was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the expression level of hsa-miR-3202 and proliferation ability of chondrocytes were significantly increased in the lipopolysaccharide+hsa-miR-3202 mimics group (P<0.05),while the apoptotic rate was significantly decreased (P<0.05). To conclude,the expression of hsa-miR-3202 is down-regulated in osteoarthritic chondrocytes to inhibit cell proliferation and promote cell apoptosis,thus affecting the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis.

Objective To observe changes in voltage-dependent anion channel 3(VDAC3)in a mouse model of sepsis-induced myocardial injury and to explore its potential mechanism.Methods Twenty male C57BL/6J mice were divided randomly into a Sham group and Sepsis group,respectively(n=10 mice per group).Sepsis was induced by the cecal ligation and puncture(CLP).Serum levels of interleukin(IL)-6,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,creatine kinase MB(CK-MB),and cardiac troponin T(cTnT)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Pathological changes in heart tissue were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Structural and functional changes in the heart were evaluated by echocardiography.Changes in total glutathione,reduced glutathione(GSH),oxidized glutathione,and malondialdehyde(MDA)in heart tissue were detected by spectrophotometry.The morphological structure of mitochondria in mouse cardiomyocytes was observed by transmission electron microscopy.Expression levels of IL-6,IL-1β,VDAC3,glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),lipocalin-2(LCN2),and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2)mRNA were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and the localization and expression of VDAC3 and GPX4 proteins in mouse heart tissue were detected by immunofluorescence staining.The correlations between VDAC3 mRNA and GPX4,SLC7A11,PTGS2,LCN2,IL-6,and IL-1β mRNA were analyzed.Expression levels of VDAC3,GPX4,and SLC7A11 proteins were detected by Western blot.Results IL-6,TNF-α,CK-MB,and cTnT levels were significantly higher in the Sepsis group compared with the Sham group(P＜0.05).In the Sepsis group,myocardial fibers were torn,the ventricular wall was thickened and edematous,the mitochondrial membrane was ruptured,and mitochondrial cristae were broken or absent.GSH levels were significantly reduced in the Sepsis group(P＜0.05)and the lipid peroxide MDA was increased in the Sepsis group(P＜0.05)compared with the Sham group.VDAC3,GPX4 and SLC7A11 mRNA and protein levels were all lower in the Sepsis group compared with the Sham group(P＜0.05),while expression levels of IL-6,IL-1β,LCN2,and PTGS2 mRNA were increased(P＜0.05).VDAC3 mRNA was positively correlated with GPX4 and SLC7A11 mRNA levels,and negatively correlated with LCN2,PTGS2,IL-6,and IL-1β.Conclusions VDAC3 expression decreases in myocardial injury,and it may participate in the occurrence of sepsis-induced myocardial injury by regulating ferroptosis.

BACKGROUND:The imbalance between proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes plays an important role in the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis. Previous studies have found that hsa-miR-3202 is involved in regulating the proliferation and apoptosis of various cells. However,no studies have explored the correlation between hsa-miR-3202 and osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expression of hsa-miR-3202 in osteoarthritic chondrocytes and its effect on the proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes. METHODS:(1) MicroRNAs differentially expressed in osteoarthritic chondrocytes were screened by biogenic analysis. Based on the current research situation at home and abroad,hsa-miR-3202 was selected for follow-up studies,and its target genes were predicted by gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment. (2) Human normal chondrocyte cell lines C28/I2 in logarithmic growth phase were selected and randomly divided into four groups for culture:in normal group,cells were cultured in normal medium for 24 hours,the medium was then changed to normal medium for another 6 hours of culture,and changed to normal medium for subsequent culture;in lipopolysaccharide group,cells were cultured in lipopolysaccharide-containing medium for 24 hours,the medium was then changed to normal medium for another 6 hours,and changed to normal medium for subsequent culture;in lipopolysaccharide+NC group,cells were cultured in lipopolysaccharide-containing medium for 24 hours,and then transfected with has-miR-3202 mimics control for 6 hours,and the medium was change to normal medium for subsequent culture;in lipopolysaccharide+hsa-miR-3202 mimics group,cells were cultured in lipopolysaccharide-containing medium for 24 hours and then transfected with has-miR-3202 mimics for 6 hours,and the medium was changed to normal medium for subsequent culture. After further 48 hours of culture,the expression level of hsa-miR-3202 was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR and cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. After further culture of 0-72 hours,cell proliferation activity was detected by cell counting kit-8. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Bioinformatics analysis results indicated that hsa-miR-3202 was significantly down-regulated in osteoarthritic chondrocytes. GO functional enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment showed that the function of hsa-miR-3202 target gene was closely related to cell growth and apoptosis. The results of in vitro cell experiments showed that compared with the normal group,the expression level of hsa-miR-3202 and proliferation ability of chondrocytes were significantly decreased in the lipopolysaccharide group (P<0.05),while the apoptotic rate was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the expression level of hsa-miR-3202 and proliferation ability of chondrocytes were significantly increased in the lipopolysaccharide+hsa-miR-3202 mimics group (P<0.05),while the apoptotic rate was significantly decreased (P<0.05). To conclude,the expression of hsa-miR-3202 is down-regulated in osteoarthritic chondrocytes to inhibit cell proliferation and promote cell apoptosis,thus affecting the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the population receiving assisted reproductive technology (ART) therapy and the health status of their offspring in Shanghai from 2011 to 2020.Methods:Based on the birth cohort of the entire population in Shanghai, the proportion and trend changes of ART offspring in the birth cohort were analyzed. The characteristics of ART and naturally conceived populations, including household registration, education level, maternal age, and reproductive history, were examined. Additionally, the health status between ART offspring and naturally conceived offspring were compared.Results:From 2011 to 2020, a total of 70 729 ART offspring were born in Shanghai, accounting for 3.69% of the total births. In 2020, this proportion reached 7.79%. The ART conception rate for primiparous women was higher than that for multiparous women, with both showing upward trends and reaching 9.87% and 2.36%, respectively, in 2020. The ART conception rate was higher in women with higher education levels and local household registration than in those with lower education levels and non-local household registration. The incidence rates of preterm birth and low birth weight in ART singleton offspring were 7.76% and 4.82%, respectively, higher than the 4.69% and 2.87% in naturally conceived offspring, but no increasing trend was observed in naturally conceived offspring. Among twin and multiple newborns, the incidence rates of preterm birth and low birth weight were 56.98% and 46.82% for ART, lower than the 58.51% and 51.32% for natural conception.Conclusions:The difference in social and demographic characteristics was obvious in population receiving ART, suggesting that the differed demand of some people for ART therapy, and it is necessary to strengthen the construction of public health services and further expand the coverage and accessibility of ART services. With technological advancements, the rates of preterm birth and low birth weight remain relatively stable, and even decrease in twin and multiple newborns.

Objective To observe changes in voltage-dependent anion channel 3(VDAC3)in a mouse model of sepsis-induced myocardial injury and to explore its potential mechanism.Methods Twenty male C57BL/6J mice were divided randomly into a Sham group and Sepsis group,respectively(n=10 mice per group).Sepsis was induced by the cecal ligation and puncture(CLP).Serum levels of interleukin(IL)-6,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,creatine kinase MB(CK-MB),and cardiac troponin T(cTnT)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Pathological changes in heart tissue were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Structural and functional changes in the heart were evaluated by echocardiography.Changes in total glutathione,reduced glutathione(GSH),oxidized glutathione,and malondialdehyde(MDA)in heart tissue were detected by spectrophotometry.The morphological structure of mitochondria in mouse cardiomyocytes was observed by transmission electron microscopy.Expression levels of IL-6,IL-1β,VDAC3,glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),lipocalin-2(LCN2),and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2)mRNA were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and the localization and expression of VDAC3 and GPX4 proteins in mouse heart tissue were detected by immunofluorescence staining.The correlations between VDAC3 mRNA and GPX4,SLC7A11,PTGS2,LCN2,IL-6,and IL-1β mRNA were analyzed.Expression levels of VDAC3,GPX4,and SLC7A11 proteins were detected by Western blot.Results IL-6,TNF-α,CK-MB,and cTnT levels were significantly higher in the Sepsis group compared with the Sham group(P＜0.05).In the Sepsis group,myocardial fibers were torn,the ventricular wall was thickened and edematous,the mitochondrial membrane was ruptured,and mitochondrial cristae were broken or absent.GSH levels were significantly reduced in the Sepsis group(P＜0.05)and the lipid peroxide MDA was increased in the Sepsis group(P＜0.05)compared with the Sham group.VDAC3,GPX4 and SLC7A11 mRNA and protein levels were all lower in the Sepsis group compared with the Sham group(P＜0.05),while expression levels of IL-6,IL-1β,LCN2,and PTGS2 mRNA were increased(P＜0.05).VDAC3 mRNA was positively correlated with GPX4 and SLC7A11 mRNA levels,and negatively correlated with LCN2,PTGS2,IL-6,and IL-1β.Conclusions VDAC3 expression decreases in myocardial injury,and it may participate in the occurrence of sepsis-induced myocardial injury by regulating ferroptosis.