Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare neurodegenerative disease with complex clinical manifestations, presenting substantial challenges in clinical diagnosis and treatment. Its symptoms and the eight extraordinary meridians are potentially correlated; therefore, this article explores the association between MSA symptom clusters and the eight extraordinary meridians based on their circulation and physiological functions, as well as their treatment strategies. The progression from deficiency to damage in the eight extraordinary meridians aligns with the core pathogenesis of MSA, which is characterized by "the continuous accumulation of impacts from the vital qi deficiency leading to eventual damage". Liver and kidney deficiency and the emptiness of the eight extraordinary meridians are required for the onset of MSA; the stagnation of qi deficiency and the gradual damage to the eight extraordinary meridians are the key stages in the prolonged progression of MSA. The disease often begins with the involvement of the yin and yang qiao mai, governor vessel, thoroughfare vessel, and conception vessel before progressing to multiple meridian involvements, ultimately affecting all eight extraordinary meridians simultaneously. The treatment approach emphasizes that "the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect method will be needed in order to secure victory" and focuses on "eliminate pathogenic factors and reinforce healthy qi". Distinguishing the extraordinary meridians and focusing on the primary symptoms are pivotal to improving efficacy. Clinical treatment is aimed at the target, and tailored treatment based on careful clinical observation ensures precision in targeting the disease using the eight extraordinary meridians as the framework and core symptoms as the specific focus. Additionally, combining acupuncture, daoyin therapy, and other method may help prolong survival. This article classifies clinical manifestations based on the theory of the eight extraordinary meridians and explores treatment.

OBJECTIVE To improve the quality standard of Zhuang medicine Yingbupu （Aralia armata）. METHODS A total of 23 batches of Yingbupu （A. armata） were studied. Their macroscopic characteristics and powder microscopic features were observed. TLC was employed for the qualitative identification of oleanolic acid and araloside A. Items such as water content， total ash， acid-insoluble ash， and ethanol-soluble extract were determined according to the methods specified in the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia （part Ⅳ）. UPLC fingerprint was established for 23 batches of samples by using Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprints of Traditional Chinese Medicine （2012 edition）， and the contents of oleanolic acid and araloside A were determined. RESULTS The powder microscopic characteristics of the medicinal material were distinctive. Oleanolic acid and araloside A were detected by TLC in all 23 batches. Among the 23 batches of samples， the content ranges of moisture， total ash， acid-insoluble ash， and ethanol-soluble extract were 6.9% to 10.4%， 1.8% to 6.8%， 0.1% to 1.9%， and 2.8% to 8.4%， respectively. Based on the UPLC fingerprint， a total of 15 common peaks were obtained， and 9 of these common peaks were identified. The content ranges of oleanolic acid and araloside A in the 23 batches of samples were 0.86% to 2.69% and 0.16% to 1.10%， respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study has added items such as moisture and total ash content fingerprint， TLC identification. A preliminary quality standard has been established for the medicinal material of Yingbupu （A. armata）， stipulating that the moisture content should not exceed 11.0%， the total ash content should not exceed 5.0%， the acid-insoluble ash content should not exceed 2.5%， the ethanol-soluble extract（No. content should not be less than 4.0%， and the contents of zyyzdxk-2023165） oleanolic acid and araloside A should not be less than 1.00% and 0.45%（ calculated by a dried basis）， respectively.

Objective To construct a competency evaluation model for forensic practitioners,providing a reference for their training and assessment.Methods Based on the iceberg and onion models of com-petency,and with reference to Spencer's Competency Dictionary,literature research was conducted and focus group interviews were employed to preliminarily construct core indices and measurement items for evaluating the competency of forensic practitioners.The Delphi method was applied for two rounds of expert consultation to further refine the competency evaluation index system.The analytic hierarchy process(AHP)was used to calculate the weights of the indices.Results A competency evaluation model for forensic practitioners was constructed,consisting of 7 core indices,encompassing forensic skills,identification service capabilities,and the ability to apply relevant legal knowledge and 49 mea-surement items.The weights of the core indices and measurement items were determined.Conclusion The constructed competency evaluation model for forensic practitioners is scientifically sound and inno-vative,and has unique characteristics of forensic medicine compared with other medical models.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of endoscopic sclerotherapy for internal hemorrhoids and its effects on patients' bowel function.Methods:A total of 111 patients who received endoscopic sclerotherapy at Xi'an No. 3 Hospital from September 2019 to August 2020 were retrospectively included in this study. Clinical efficacy, postoperative complications, perianal discomfort, and abnormal defecation were compared among patients with grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ internal hemorrhoids at 1, 4, 8, 12 weeks, and 6 months after surgery.Results:After 6 months of follow-up, the overall response rate was 77.48% (86/111), and the cure rate was 77.17% (79/111). The response rate and cure rate for rectal bleeding were 83.75% (67/80) and 80.00% (64/80), respectively. The response rate and cure rate for prolapse were 82.46% (47/57) and 75.44% (43/57), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the response rates and cure rates for rectal bleeding and prolapse symptoms among patients with grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ internal hemorrhoids at each follow-up time point (all P>0.05). Among the 111 patients, 27.93% (31/111) experienced perianal discomfort, and 40.54% (45/111) reported abnormal defecation. The incidences of perianal discomfort and abnormal defecation were not statistically significant among patients with grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ internal hemorrhoids (both P>0.05). In patients with gradeⅠ and Ⅱ internal hemorrhoids, perianal discomfort symptoms began to improve 4 weeks after surgery, while symptoms of abnormal defecation started to improve 1 week after surgery. Conclusions:Endoscopic sclerotherapy has a good clinical efficacy for rectal bleeding and prolapse symptoms in patients with grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ internal hemorrhoids. Additionally, it improves perianal discomfort and abnormal defecation by identifying the anal canal transition zone in patients with internal hemorrhoids.

Aim To study the protective effect of the silibinin derivative Sil-1 on acute myocardial ischemia in SD rats and its mechanism of action.Methods Af-ter 18 hours of oxygen-glucose deprivation and treat-ment of H9c2 cells,the protective effect of Sil-1 on rat cardiomyocytes was examined.SD rats were treated 30 minutes before surgery,followed by 24 h ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery.The cardiopro-tective effects of Sil-1 and its mechanisms for improving myocardial ischemic injury were investigated using pro-teomics technology.Results In vitro,compared with the control group,the activity of H9c2 cells in the mod-el group showed reduced cell viability,increased dead cells,elevated ROS and higher levels of LDH and in-flammatory cytokines TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in the culture medium.Sil-1 could improve the above condi-tions to different degrees.In vivo,compared with the control group,rats in the model group showed signifi-cantly higher T waves on electrocardiogram,significant ischemic areas in the heart section,disorganized ar-rangement of cardiomyocytes,increased inflammatory factor infiltration and elevated CK,CK-MB,LDH and inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β.Besides,NF-κB phosphorylation levels in myocardial tissue in-creased.Sil-1 improved the above conditions to varying degrees.The results of proteomics showed that 90 pro-teins were found between the control vs model group and the Sil-1 vs model group,and KEGG enrichment a-nalysis showed that MAPK,chemokines,VEGF and other signaling pathways were abundant.Western blot results showed that Sil-1 blocked the phosphorylation of ERK,JNK and p38 MAPK.Conclusions Sil-1 inhib-its the MAPK pathway by blocking the phosphorylation of JNK,ERK,and p38 MAPK,and achieves a protec-tive effect on rats with acute myocardial infarction.

Objective:To investigate the impact of plasmapheresis therapy on the clinical efficacy in predicted severe hypertriglyceridemia-associated acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) patients.Methods:The clinical data of 500 HTG-AP patients admitted to 36 medical centers across China in the Chinese Acute Pancreatitis Clinical Trials Group-PERFORM database from November 2020 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Besides the inclusion and exclusion criteria from PERFORM study, patients who had acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) score ≥8 or CRP>150 mg/L on admission were included in the final analyses ( n=189). Patients were categorized into the plasmapheresis group ( n=51) and the routine treatment group ( n=138) according to the triglyceride-lowering therapies they received. General data, laboratory findings, AP severity, and clinical outcomes were recorded. Results:Patients undergoing plasmapheresis had higher initial triglyceride levels, APACHEⅡ score, SOFA score, and more organ failure than those receiving routine medical treatment. Results of multivariable logistic regression models showed that the plasmapheresis group, as compared to the routine treatment group, was neither associated with decreased risk of persistent organ failure within 14 days [54.9% (28/51) vs 37.7% (52/138), OR=0.89, 95% CI 0.36-2.21, P=0.810], nor with reduced incidence of organ failure on day 7 [17.7% (9/51) vs 15.9% (22/138), OR=0.60, 95% CI 0.19-1.88, P=0.378]. There was no significant difference on the dynamic changes of serum triglyceride within the first three days of admission ( P=0.108). Conclusions:Early plasmapheresis is not associated with reduced incidence of persistent organ failure in predicted severe HTG-AP patients.

Purpose To characterize the clinicopathological features of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors(GMTs)resected via endoscopic techniques.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 495 cases of endo-scopically resected GMTs.Clinical information,histomorphological findings,immunohistochemical profiles,and mo-lecular characteristics were reviewed.Results The cohort included 495 patients aged 20-78 years(median:53 years).The majority of tumors were located in the stomach(58.8％)and esophagus(36.8％).Histologically,most tumors consisted of spindle cells,with a minority composed of epithelioid cells;fibrocollagenous or myxoid stroma was occasionally observed.Immunohistochemically,leiomyomas showed diffuse positivity for α-SMA(98.8％)and desmin(99.3％),gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs)expressed CD117(99.4％),DOG1(97.6％),and CD34(97.0％),and schwannomas were positive for S-100(93.7％).The predominant tumor types were leiomyomas(54.1％)and GISTs(33.7％),while the remaining 12.2％comprised other rare types.Various endoscopic resection techniques were employed based on the tumors' anatomical depth,including endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD,40.5％),submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection(STER,17.1％),endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR,16.5％),endoscopic full-thickness resection(EFTR,13.9％),and endoscopic submucosal excavation(ESE,12.0％).EMR and ESD were primarily used for superficial lesions,while deeper tumors with were more often treated with STER,EFTR,and ESE.The rate of negative resection margins was lower in GISTs(72.2％)and other tumors with indistinct margins,compared to leiomyomas(92.6％)and those with well-defined boundaries.Conclusion Leiomyomas and GISTs are the most common gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors resected via endoscopy.A variety of resection techniques are applicable depending on tumor location and depth.Accurate pathological diagnosis should be based on HE morphology,supplemented by endoscopic findings,margin status,immunohistochemistry,and necessary molecular tests.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical features and genetic etiology of a patient with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) retrospectively. METHODS: A severely oligospermic patient from the Reproductive Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University was selected as the study subject. Clinical data and examination results were collected. High-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics were used to analyze the genetic etiology. And Sanger sequencing was employed to validate findings in the family. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the sperm ultrastructure, and immunofluorescence analysis was performed to examine the localization of FSIP2 protein in the sperm. RESULTS: The patient presented with severe oligospermia, and sperm morphology displayed MMAF. TEM revealed fibrous sheath and 9+2 microtubule structural disruptions in the sperm. Sequencing identified compound heterozygous variants in the FSIP2 gene (c.17798C > T, c.5927T > G), inherited from the father and mother, respectively. According to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the variants were classified as pathogenic. The patient's spouse underwent intracytoplasmic single sperm injection, resulting in one embryo, but no clinical pregnancy occurred after embryo transfer. CONCLUSION This study reported the mutation of FSIP2 gene c.17798C > T, c.5927T > G in a patient with MMAF. These findings expand the mutational spectrum of the FSIP2 gene and provide insights for genetic and assisted reproductive counseling for patients with MMAF.
Humans ; Male ; Sperm Tail/pathology* ; Heterozygote ; Oligospermia/genetics* ; Spermatozoa ; Mutation ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Adult ; Pedigree ; Retrospective Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is associated with an increased risk of calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS). However, the directionality of causation between blood pressure traits and aortic stenosis is unclear, as is the benefit of antihypertensive drugs for CAVS. METHODS: Using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics, we performed bidirectional two-sample univariable mendelian randomization (UVMR) to assess the causal associations of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse pressure (PP) with CAVS. Multivariable mendelian randomization (MVMR) was conducted to evaluate the direct effect of hypertension on CAVS, adjusting for confounders. Drug target mendelian randomization (MR) and summary-level MR (SMR) were used to estimate the effects of 12 classes of antihypertensive drugs and their target genes on CAVS risk. Inverse variance weighting was the primary MR method, with sensitivity analyses to validate results. RESULTS: UVMR showed SBP, DBP, and PP have causal effects on CAVS, with no significant reverse causality. MVMR confirmed the causality between hypertension and CAVS after adjusting for confounders. Drug-target MR analyses indicated that calcium channel blockers (CCBs), loop diuretics, and thiazide diuretics via SBP lowering exerted protective effects on CAVS risk. SMR analysis showed that the CCBs target gene CACNA2D2 and ARBs target gene AGTR1 were positively associated with CAVS risk, while diuretics target genes SLC12A5 and SLC12A1 were negatively associated with aortic stenosis risk. CONCLUSIONS Hypertension has a causal relationship with CAVS. Managing SBP in hypertensive patients with CCBs may prevent CAVS. ARBs might exert protective effects on CAVS independent of blood pressure reduction. The relationship between diuretics and CAVS is complex, with opposite effects through different mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a hospital-made resuscitation pack, a Chinese medicinal herbal compound formula designed to enhance recovery in post-bronchoscopy patients. METHODS: In this randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, eligible patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to either the treatment or control groups. The patients in the treatment group applied the resuscitation pack, which contained aromatic compounded Chinese herbs. The patients in the control group applied a hospital-made, single herb placebo pack. Packs were placed on the Tiantu (CV 22) acupuncture point for 4 h as soon as the bronchoscopy finished. Efficacy indicators, such as recovery time, patients' symptoms including nausea and dizziness, and adverse events (AEs) were observed and compared. The outcome indices were evaluated at baseline, 1 and 24 h after the bronchoscopy. Subgroup analysis was further performed by patients' age and depth of sedation. RESULTS: When applying generalized estimating equations (GEE) to evaluate the intensity of post-bronchoscopy nausea and vomiting, the intensity was lower in the treatment group (163 cases) compared with the control group (162 cases; 95% CI: 0.004, 0.099, P=0.03]. Also, significantly lower intensity of nausea was observed in the 60-70 years of age subgroup (95% CI: 0.029, 0.169, P=0.006) and deep sedation subgroup (95% CI: 0.002, 0.124; P=0.04). There was no significant difference in dizziness between two groups by GEE (95% CI: -0.134, 0.297; P=0.459). In addition, no serious AEs were observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS Our study found that the resuscitation pack markedly improved patients' symptoms by reducing nausea and vomiting after bronchoscopy without AEs, compared with placebo in the perioperative period. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2000038299).
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Bronchoscopy/adverse effects* ; Single-Blind Method ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Treatment Outcome ; Resuscitation ; Adult ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional