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.

Objective To propose an innovative self-supervised learning method for vascular segmentation in computed tomography angiography (CTA) images by integrating feature reconstruction with masked autoencoding. Methods A 3D masked autoencoder-based framework was developed, where in 3D histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) was utilized for multi-scale vascular feature extraction. During pre-training, random masking was applied to local patches of CTA images, and the model was trained to jointly reconstruct original voxels and HOG features of masked regions. The pre-trained model was further fine-tuned on two annotated datasets for clinical-level vessel segmentation. Results Evaluated on two independent datasets (30 labeled CTA images each), our method achieved superior segmentation accuracy to the supervised neural network U-Net (nnU-Net) baseline, with Dice similarity coefficients of 91.2% vs. 89.7% (aorta) and 84.8% vs. 83.2% (coronary arteries). Conclusion The proposed self-supervised model significantly reduces manual annotation costs without compromising segmentation precision, showing substantial potential for enhancing clinical workflows in vascular disease management.

Objective To evaluate the application of three deep learning algorithms in automatic segmentation of clinical target volumes (CTVs) in high-dose-rate brachytherapy after surgery for endometrial carcinoma. Methods A dataset comprising computed tomography scans from 306 post-surgery patients with endometrial carcinoma was divided into three subsets: 246 cases for training, 30 cases for validation, and 30 cases for testing. Three deep convolutional neural network models, 3D U-Net, 3D Res U-Net, and V-Net, were compared for CTV segmentation. Several commonly used quantitative metrics were employed, i.e., Dice similarity coefficient, Hausdorff distance, 95th percentile of Hausdorff distance, and Intersection over Union. Results During the testing phase, CTV segmentation with 3D U-Net, 3D Res U-Net, and V-Net showed a mean Dice similarity coefficient of 0.90 ± 0.07, 0.95 ± 0.06, and 0.95 ± 0.06, a mean Hausdorff distance of 2.51 ± 1.70, 0.96 ± 1.01, and 0.98 ± 0.95 mm, a mean 95th percentile of Hausdorff distance of 1.33 ± 1.02, 0.65 ± 0.91, and 0.40 ± 0.72 mm, and a mean Intersection over Union of 0.85 ± 0.11, 0.91 ± 0.09, and 0.92 ± 0.09, respectively. Segmentation based on V-Net was similarly to that performed by experienced radiation oncologists. The CTV segmentation time was < 3.2 s, which could save the work time of clinicians. Conclusion V-Net is better than other models in CTV segmentation as indicated by quantitative metrics and clinician assessment. Additionally, the method is highly consistent with the ground truth, reducing inter-doctor variability and treatment time.

New threats posed by the emerging circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 highlight the need to find conserved neutralizing epitopes for therapeutic antibodies and efficient vaccine design. Here, we identified a receptor-binding domain (RBD)-binding antibody, XG014, which potently neutralizes β-coronavirus lineage B (β-CoV-B), including SARS-CoV-2, its circulating variants, SARS-CoV and bat SARSr-CoV WIV1. Interestingly, antibody family members competing with XG014 binding show reduced levels of cross-reactivity and induce antibody-dependent SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein-mediated cell-cell fusion, suggesting a unique mode of recognition by XG014. Structural analyses reveal that XG014 recognizes a conserved epitope outside the ACE2 binding site and completely locks RBD in the non-functional "down" conformation, while its family member XG005 directly competes with ACE2 binding and position the RBD "up". Single administration of XG014 is effective in protection against and therapy of SARS-CoV-2 infection in vivo. Our findings suggest the potential to develop XG014 as pan-β-CoV-B therapeutics and the importance of the XG014 conserved antigenic epitope for designing broadly protective vaccines against β-CoV-B and newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; Antibodies, Viral ; COVID-19 ; Epitopes ; Humans ; SARS-CoV-2/genetics* ; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/genetics*

Objective:To screen the differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs derived from liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) and its effect on the malignant biological characteristics of liver cancer cells.Methods:miRNA expression profile chip was used to analyze the differentially expressed exosomal miRNA derived from LCSCs. The effects of miRNA on malignant phenotypes of LCSCs were identified. The cells were further treated with doxorubicin at different concentrations (0, 150, 300 μmol/L), and the expression level of miR-196a was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The apoptosis of liver cancer cells cultured by exosomes derived from LCSCs (Exo-NC group) and exosomes derived from miR-196a inhibited LCSCs (Exo-Inhibitor group) and the activity of caspase3/7 under the action of exosomes from LCSCs were detected. Nude mice were randomly divided into Do-PBS group, Do-Exo-Inhibitor group and Do-Exo-NC group using random number table method, with 5 mice in each group, and the effect of miR-196a on nude mice xenograft tumor model with liver cancer cells was analyzed.Results:In this study, exosomes were isolated and purified from CD133 + Huh7 stem cell culture supernatant. miR-7162-3p, miR-1910-5, miR-3613-3p, miR-196a and miR-155-5p were up-regulated, while miR-1246 and miR-3613-5p were down-regulated. miR-7162-3p, miR-196a and miR-155-5p in exosomes had important effects on the self-renewal ability of LCSCs. miR-1910-5p, miR-196a and miR-155-5p had important effects on the invasion ability of liver cancer stem cells, among which miR-196a had the most significant inhibitory effect. Treatment for 24 h, the miR-196a expression level of the 0, 150 and 300 μmol/L doxorubicin was 0.96±0.05, 1.23±0.05 and 2.33±0.03 respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=996.90, P<0.001). Treatment for 48 h, the miR-196a expression level of the 0, 150 and 300 μmol/L doxorubicin were 1.02±0.07, 2.35±0.05 and 2.89±0.55 respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=303.00, P<0.001). When the concentration of doxorubicin was 0 and 300 μmol/L, the apoptosis rates of the Exo-NC group were 9.37%±0.19% and 11.64%±0.27%, and those of the Exo-Inhibitor group were were 18.80%±1.91% and 22.79%±1.57%, with statistically significant differences ( t=4.41, P=0.048; t=4.96, P=0.038). When doxorubicin was not used, the ratios of caspase3/7 in the Exo-NC group at 24 h and 48 h were 0.94±0.08 and 0.97±0.09, and those in the Exo-Inhibitor group were 1.56±0.01 and 1.58±0.01, with statistically significant differences ( t=11.41, P=0.008; t=6.07, P=0.026). Under 300 μmol/L doxorubicin, the ratios of caspase3/7 in the Exo-NC group at 24 h and 48 h were 0.95±0.07 and 1.36±0.08, and those in the Exo-Inhibitor group were 2.84±0.08 and 3.20±0.14, with statistically significant differences ( t=24.20, P=0.002; t=15.78, P=0.004). The results of xenograft tumor in nude mice showed that the tumor volumes of Do-PBS, Do-Exo-Inhibitor and Do-Exo-NC groups increased successively, which were (1 051.86±89.90) mm 3, (1 310.91±86.66) mm 3 and (2 185.14± 352.34) mm 3 respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=30.28, P<0.001). The weights of the transplanted tumors in the 3 groups increased successively, which were (0.36±0.10) g, (0.39±0.12) g and (0.76±0.16) g respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=11.81, P=0.002). The expression of miR-196a in tumors was significantly decreased after miR-196a inhibitor transfection. The expression levels of the 3 groups were 1.05±0.16, 0.38±0.08 and 2.17±0.26, with a statistically significant difference ( F=48.93, P<0.001). Conclusion:The exosomal secreted by LCSCs can enhance the resistance of liver cancer cells to doxorubicin by miR-196a.

Objective To explore the effect of medical polyethylene glycol berberine on clinical outcomes after curettage. Methods A total of 166 curettage patients were divided into study group (n = 80) and control group (n = 86) by the patients' willingness. The two groups were given routine curettage, and the study group were additionally given 3 mL medical polyethylene glycol berberine by uterine cavity injection, while the control group infused no drugs. The postoperative endometrial thickness, menstruation situation were compared, and the re-pregnancy conditions of the patients in control group (n = 20) and experimental group (n = 32) with two-child requirement at follow-up and in one and a half year after follow-up were compared. Results The endometrial thickness in the study group was thicker than that in the control group [ (9. 44 ± 1. 95) mm vs. (8. 65 ± 2. 28) mm, P ＜ 0. 05], the proportion of the endometrial thickness ＜ 8 mm in the study group was lower than that in the control group[27. 5％ (22/80) vs. 38. 4％ (33/8), P ＜ 0. 01]. The ratio of patients with eumenorrhea was lower than that in the control group[ (10％ (8/80) vs. 16. 3％ (14/86) ], but there was no significant difference (P＞ 0. 05). The clinical pregnancy rate of the patients who had pregnancy requirements in the control group was higher than that in the control group [93. 75％ (30/32) vs. 70％ (14/20), P ＜ 0. 05]. Conclusion Medical polyethylene glycol berberine can promote the pregnancy rate. Meanwhile, the operation is simple and has higher compliance rate, which is an effective way in improving clinical outcomes.

Objective To explore the effect of medical polyethylene glycol berberine on clinical outcomes after curettage. Methods A total of 166 curettage patients were divided into study group (n = 80) and control group (n = 86) by the patients' willingness. The two groups were given routine curettage, and the study group were additionally given 3 mL medical polyethylene glycol berberine by uterine cavity injection, while the control group infused no drugs. The postoperative endometrial thickness, menstruation situation were compared, and the re-pregnancy conditions of the patients in control group (n = 20) and experimental group (n = 32) with two-child requirement at follow-up and in one and a half year after follow-up were compared. Results The endometrial thickness in the study group was thicker than that in the control group [ (9. 44 ± 1. 95) mm vs. (8. 65 ± 2. 28) mm, P ＜ 0. 05], the proportion of the endometrial thickness ＜ 8 mm in the study group was lower than that in the control group[27. 5％ (22/80) vs. 38. 4％ (33/8), P ＜ 0. 01]. The ratio of patients with eumenorrhea was lower than that in the control group[ (10％ (8/80) vs. 16. 3％ (14/86) ], but there was no significant difference (P＞ 0. 05). The clinical pregnancy rate of the patients who had pregnancy requirements in the control group was higher than that in the control group [93. 75％ (30/32) vs. 70％ (14/20), P ＜ 0. 05]. Conclusion Medical polyethylene glycol berberine can promote the pregnancy rate. Meanwhile, the operation is simple and has higher compliance rate, which is an effective way in improving clinical outcomes.

Objective To classify the types of hepatic vein and to measure their corresponding liver venous drainage volumes based on analysis of data obtained from a computer-assisted surgery system with an aim to provide an anatomical basis on individualized anatomical hepatectomy.Methods Thin-layer computed tomography (CT) imaging on 570 patients were reconstructed using the Hisense CAS.The types of hepatic vein were classified according to their anatomical variations.The margins of the hemilivers or sectors and their corresponding hepatic venous drainage volumes were displayed.Results The major hepatic veins were classified into three types:Type Ⅰ (270/570,47.4％),type Ⅱ (294/570,51.6％),and type Ⅲ (6/570,1.0％).The left hepatic vein (LHV) was classified as type Ⅰ in 190/570 (33.3％),type Ⅱ in 79/570 (13.9％),and type Ⅲ in 301/570 (52.8％).The middle hepatic vein (MHV) was classified as type Ⅰ in313/570 (54.9％),type Ⅱ in 174/570 (30.5％),and type Ⅲ in 83/570 (14.6％).The right hepatic vein (RHV) was classified as type Ⅰ in 456/570 (80.0％),type Ⅱ in 79/570 (13.9％),and type Ⅲ in 35/570 (6.1％).Type Ⅰ was further classified into four subtypes of A (26/456,5.7％),B (404/456,88.6％),C (20/456,4.4％),and D (6/456,1.3％).The LHV volume was (25.0± 6.6) ％,the MHV volume was (34.8 ± 9.5) ％ and the RHV volume was (25.1 ± 11.6) ％ in 63 patients with inferior right hepatic veins (IRHV).The IRHV and other branches volumes were (14.7 ± 7.4) ％.The RHV volume was (40.7 ± 8.6) ％ in 68 patients without IRHV.Conclusions Hepatic venous variations are complex.Significant differences existed in the hepatic venous drainage volumes.The Hisense CAS clearly delineated the relationship between the intrahepatic vascular structures and the liver carcinoma which hopefully can lead to improvement in the success rate of complex hepatectomy.

Objective To investigate the current status of dialysis adequacy and pass rate of Kt/Vurea in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, and to explore the related risk factors and nursing intervention.Methods The participants referred to PD patients with adequate dialysis (≥3 months) and regular follow-up from August to December in 2015. The demographic data and clinical characteristics were collected according to questionnaire survey and laboratory examination. The participants were divided into two groups based on their KT/Vurea.Results Totals of 185 clinical stable PD patients were included in the study, with an average age of (56.41±14.57) years old and dialysis duration of (34.74±28.46) months. The cut-off of KT/Vurea was (2.05±0.50) and the pass rate of KT/Vurea was 77.84%. The passed participants tended to be females and had lower BMI and better residual renal function compared with participants who failed KT/ Vurea (P＜0.05). No significant difference was found in age, blood pressure, blood calcium, phosphorus, PTH, hemoglobin, blood albumin, alkaline phosphatase,CRP,Vitamin D, dialysis duration,and dialysis dose (P＞0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that sex and residual renal function were independent factors for Kt/Vurea. Being females was a protective factor. Decreased KT/Vurea, higher calcium-phosphorus product, lower serum albumin, prolonged dialysis time and increased dialysis dose were independent risk factors of residual renal function. Conclusions Sex and residual renal function were independent factors for Kt/Vurea. Nursing intervention should be focused on diet control and regular follow-up to prevent the progress of residual renal function and the improvement of dialysis adequacy.