Objective:To analyze the efficacy and safety of splenic artery occlusion combined with microwave ablation (MWA) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicated with liver cirrhosis and hypersplenism.Methods:Clinical data of 24 patients with HCC complicated with cirrhosis and secondary hypersplenism admitted to Airport Hospital of Tianjin Cancer Hospital from August 2023 to May 2024 were retrospectively analyzed, including 13 males and 11 females, aged (57.4±7.8) years. All patients were treated with splenic artery occlusion combined with MWA of spleen. Spleen volume measured by MRI before and after MWA, blood routine changes and postoperative complications (fever, bleeding, pain, renal failure and thrombosis) were analyzed.Results:The splenic volume of 24 patients measured by MRI before MWA was 692.4 (504.7, 1023.7) cm 3, and decreased to 225.0 (186.4, 285.6) cm 3 after treatment for 60 days ( Z=-3.23, P=0.001). The red blood cell counts were comparable before and after microwave ablation. The white blood cell count before MWA was 4.3 (3.2, 5.3)×10 9/L, which increased to 11.0 (8.6, 15.8)×10 9/L three days after treatment, and to 5.0 (3.3, 6.1)×10 9/L 90 days after treatment ( Z=-4.70, -0.34, P<0.001, P=0.732). The platelet count of the patients was 47.0 (39.0, 67.0)×10 9/L before MWA, which increased to 155.0 (120.3, 214.3)×10 9/L seven days after Treatment, and to 77.0 (63.0, 125.0)×10 9/L 90 days after treatment ( Z=-5.29, -2.51, P<0.001, P=0.012). None of the patients had obvious bleeding and no death occured. One patient (4.2%) developed renal failure, one patient (4.2%) had splenic venous thrombosis, 4 patients (16.7%) had pain of different degrees, and 5 patients (20.8%) had low fever. Conclusion:Splenic artery occlusion combined with MWA in the treatment of HCC complicated with liver cirrhosis and hypersplenism can significantly reduce spleen volume and increase platelet level with acceptable complications.

Myasthenia gravis(MG)is an autoimmune disease characterized primarily by skeletal muscle weakness and,in severe cases,respiratory involvement.Western medical treatment predominantly relies on immunosuppressants,but long-term administration often leads to notable side effects.In contrast,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)offers the advantage of multi-target interventions.However,the pathogenesis of MG has not been fully elucidated,and the establishment of animal models that accurately reflect the clinical characteristics of both Chinese and Western medicine is essential for mechanism research and new drug development.This paper systematically reviews the etiology and pathogenesis,diagnostic criteria,and progress of animal model research for MG from both Chinese and Western medicine perspectives.In Western medicine,the pathogenesis of MG is closely related to genetic susceptibility,environmental factors,and autoantibody-mediated postsynaptic membrane damage.In TCM,MG is classified under the category of"flaccidity syndrome",attributed to congenital deficiencies and acquired malnourishment.Western diagnostic criteria involve a combination of clinical symptoms,fatigue testing,serum antibody assays,and electrophysiological evaluation.In contrast,TCM diagnosis emphasizes the integration of primary and secondary symptoms with tongue and pulse pattern differentiation.Currently available animal models mainly include experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis(EAMG)and passive transfer myasthenia gravis(PTMG).The Toredo acetylcholine receptor(AChR)induced EAMG model aligns well with Western diagnostic criteria,but poorly matches secondary symptoms in TCM.The synthetic AChR peptide model is widely used,but shows low conformity with TCM syndromes.Models induced by muscle-specific tyrosine kinase(MuSK),low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4(LRP4),and transgenic models demonstrate high innovation but exhibit low clinical conformity.Evaluation of these models requires integration of behavioral,electrophysiological,and immunological indicators.However,a systematic framework for modelling TCM syndromes is still lacking.Future research should integrate TCM-based etiological modelling methods with the Western pathological mechanisms to construct disease-syndrome combination models.Additionally,it is crucial to establish a TCM syndrome evaluation system based on"validation by prescription",as well as to improve the scientific rigor and practicality of animal models by the incorporation of emerging technologies.This review provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing MG animal model design,advancing the research on the combination of Chinese and Western medicine,and supporting efficacy assessment and mechanism exploration of Chinese herbal prescriptions.

Myasthenia gravis(MG)is an autoimmune disease characterized primarily by skeletal muscle weakness and,in severe cases,respiratory involvement.Western medical treatment predominantly relies on immunosuppressants,but long-term administration often leads to notable side effects.In contrast,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)offers the advantage of multi-target interventions.However,the pathogenesis of MG has not been fully elucidated,and the establishment of animal models that accurately reflect the clinical characteristics of both Chinese and Western medicine is essential for mechanism research and new drug development.This paper systematically reviews the etiology and pathogenesis,diagnostic criteria,and progress of animal model research for MG from both Chinese and Western medicine perspectives.In Western medicine,the pathogenesis of MG is closely related to genetic susceptibility,environmental factors,and autoantibody-mediated postsynaptic membrane damage.In TCM,MG is classified under the category of"flaccidity syndrome",attributed to congenital deficiencies and acquired malnourishment.Western diagnostic criteria involve a combination of clinical symptoms,fatigue testing,serum antibody assays,and electrophysiological evaluation.In contrast,TCM diagnosis emphasizes the integration of primary and secondary symptoms with tongue and pulse pattern differentiation.Currently available animal models mainly include experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis(EAMG)and passive transfer myasthenia gravis(PTMG).The Toredo acetylcholine receptor(AChR)induced EAMG model aligns well with Western diagnostic criteria,but poorly matches secondary symptoms in TCM.The synthetic AChR peptide model is widely used,but shows low conformity with TCM syndromes.Models induced by muscle-specific tyrosine kinase(MuSK),low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4(LRP4),and transgenic models demonstrate high innovation but exhibit low clinical conformity.Evaluation of these models requires integration of behavioral,electrophysiological,and immunological indicators.However,a systematic framework for modelling TCM syndromes is still lacking.Future research should integrate TCM-based etiological modelling methods with the Western pathological mechanisms to construct disease-syndrome combination models.Additionally,it is crucial to establish a TCM syndrome evaluation system based on"validation by prescription",as well as to improve the scientific rigor and practicality of animal models by the incorporation of emerging technologies.This review provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing MG animal model design,advancing the research on the combination of Chinese and Western medicine,and supporting efficacy assessment and mechanism exploration of Chinese herbal prescriptions.

Objective:To analyze the efficacy and safety of splenic artery occlusion combined with microwave ablation (MWA) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicated with liver cirrhosis and hypersplenism.Methods:Clinical data of 24 patients with HCC complicated with cirrhosis and secondary hypersplenism admitted to Airport Hospital of Tianjin Cancer Hospital from August 2023 to May 2024 were retrospectively analyzed, including 13 males and 11 females, aged (57.4±7.8) years. All patients were treated with splenic artery occlusion combined with MWA of spleen. Spleen volume measured by MRI before and after MWA, blood routine changes and postoperative complications (fever, bleeding, pain, renal failure and thrombosis) were analyzed.Results:The splenic volume of 24 patients measured by MRI before MWA was 692.4 (504.7, 1023.7) cm 3, and decreased to 225.0 (186.4, 285.6) cm 3 after treatment for 60 days ( Z=-3.23, P=0.001). The red blood cell counts were comparable before and after microwave ablation. The white blood cell count before MWA was 4.3 (3.2, 5.3)×10 9/L, which increased to 11.0 (8.6, 15.8)×10 9/L three days after treatment, and to 5.0 (3.3, 6.1)×10 9/L 90 days after treatment ( Z=-4.70, -0.34, P<0.001, P=0.732). The platelet count of the patients was 47.0 (39.0, 67.0)×10 9/L before MWA, which increased to 155.0 (120.3, 214.3)×10 9/L seven days after Treatment, and to 77.0 (63.0, 125.0)×10 9/L 90 days after treatment ( Z=-5.29, -2.51, P<0.001, P=0.012). None of the patients had obvious bleeding and no death occured. One patient (4.2%) developed renal failure, one patient (4.2%) had splenic venous thrombosis, 4 patients (16.7%) had pain of different degrees, and 5 patients (20.8%) had low fever. Conclusion:Splenic artery occlusion combined with MWA in the treatment of HCC complicated with liver cirrhosis and hypersplenism can significantly reduce spleen volume and increase platelet level with acceptable complications.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence rate of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in overweight/obese children who visit a hospital, and to explore the influencing factors of NAFLD, in order to provide a basis for the prevention of NAFLD in overweight/obese children. METHODS: Overweight/obese children who visited Hunan Children's Hospital from June 2019 to September 2021 were recruited. The prevalence rate of NAFLD was examined. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors influencing the development of NAFLD [non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)]. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of the influencing factors for NAFL and NASH. RESULTS: A total of 844 overweight/obese children aged 6-17 years were enrolled. The prevalence rate of NAFLD in overweight/obese children was 38.2% (322/844), among which the prevalence rates of NAFL and NASH were 28.8% (243/844) and 9.4% (79/844), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the increase of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were associated with the development of NAFL and NASH (P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the combined measurement of WHR and HDL-C had a predictive value for NAFL (area under the curve: 0.653, 95%CI: 0.613-0.694), and for NASH (area under the curve: 0.771, 95%CI: 0.723-0.819). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence rate of NAFLD in overweight/obese children who visit a hospital is high. WHR and HDL-C are associated with the development of NAFLD and the combined measurement of WHR and HDL-C has a certain value for predicating the development of NAFLD.
Child ; Humans ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/complications* ; Overweight/complications* ; Pediatric Obesity/epidemiology* ; Prevalence ; Adolescent

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) and its risk factors in very preterm infants (VPIs) during hospitalization in China. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study was performed on the medical data of 2 514 VPIs who were hospitalized in the department of neonatology in 28 hospitals from 7 areas of China between September 2019 and December 2020. According to the presence or absence of EUGR based on the evaluation of body weight at the corrected gestational age of 36 weeks or at discharge, the VPIs were classified to two groups: EUGR group (n=1 189) and non-EUGR (n=1 325). The clinical features were compared between the two groups, and the incidence of EUGR and risk factors for EUGR were examined. RESULTS: The incidence of EUGR was 47.30% (1 189/2 514) evaluated by weight. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher weight growth velocity after regaining birth weight and higher cumulative calorie intake during the first week of hospitalization were protective factors against EUGR (P<0.05), while small-for-gestational-age birth, prolonged time to the initiation of total enteral feeding, prolonged cumulative fasting time, lower breast milk intake before starting human milk fortifiers, prolonged time to the initiation of full fortified feeding, and moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia were risk factors for EUGR (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS It is crucial to reduce the incidence of EUGR by achieving total enteral feeding as early as possible, strengthening breastfeeding, increasing calorie intake in the first week after birth, improving the velocity of weight gain, and preventing moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in VPIs.
Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Gestational Age ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

【Objective】 The purpose of this study was to investigate puberty development in β-TM patients and to analyze its clinical characteristics and influencing factors. 【Methods】 A total of 42 β-TM patients aged ≥10 years old were evaluated for their stages of puberty development by reviewing follow-up data(using the REDCAP system, the thalassemia follow-up database), questionnaire, physical examination and laboratory tests. To investigate The correlations between multiple factors, such as age, beginning age of iron chelation, iron overload and so on, and abnormal puberty development in β-TM patients, were investigated. 【Results】 Twenty-four cases of β-TM patients were diagnosed as abnormal puberty development, including 11 girls and 13 boys. The common clinical manifestations of β-TM patients with abnormal puberty development were delayed puberty development and primary amenorrhea for girls and short penis and small testicles for boys. The prevalence rate of abnormal puberty development was significantly higher in β-TM patients who had older beginning age of iron chelation, β0β0 genotype, a history of splenectomy, vitamin D deficiency and diabetes(χ² = 3.966, 5.196, 5.567, 4.714, P = 0.046, 0.023, 0.018, 0.030). The result of logistic regression analysis indicated that cardiac MRT2* < 20 ms was an independent risk factor for abnormal puberty development in β-TM patients. 【Conclusions】 Abnormal puberty development in β-TM patients is very common. Influencing factors include beginning age of iron chelation, β0β0 genotype, vitamin D deficiency, diabetes and cardiac iron deposition. Moreover, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism may be an important pathogenesis of abnormal puberty development in β-TM patients.

BACKGROUND: Hyaluronic acid is an important component of extracellular matrix, has good biocompatibility, unique rheological properties and a variety of physiological functions. Therefore, it has wide application prospect in the tissue engineering. OBJECTIVE: To review the latest research progress in hyaluronic acid scaffold materials in different directions of tissue engineering. METHODS: Using the keywords of "hyaluronic acid, tissue engineering, regeneration, scaffold" in English and Chinese, we retrieved relevant articles published from January 2013 to September 2016 in the databases of PubMed, ScienceDirect and CNKI. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The application of hyaluronic acid tissue engineering scaffold materials mainly focuses on the regeneration of bone, cartilage, cardiovascular and nerve. The researchers optimize the composition, ratio of different materials, and modification or cross-linking methods to obtain the ideal scaffold materials to match the mechanical properties and physiological activity of the target tissue. However, there are not enough data on the influence of the molecular weight of hyaluronic acid and the original source of other raw materials on the scaffold properties. Further investigations are needed on the clinical transformation of hyaluronic acid tissue engineering products.

OBJECTIVES: To study the changes of alcohol content and pharmacokinetic parameter in rats after taking Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into three groups and given with white alcohol at the dose of 3.0 mL/kg, low-dose and high-dose Chinese medicine liquor, respectively. The blood was collected before administration and 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 5 h, 6 h and 8 h after administration by cutting rats' tails. The concentrations of alcohol in blood were detected by headspace-gas chromatography method. The main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS 2.0, and then analyzed by SPSS 17.0. RESULTS: The difference of maximum blood concentrations between high-dose Chinese medicine alcohol group and white alcohol group was statistically significant （P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in other pharmacokinetic parameters among three groups （P>0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The Chinese herbal medicinal ingredients in the Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid has no effect on the metabolism and elimination of ethanol in rats. The research provides useful reference for the qualitative assessment and processing of traffic accident cases involved in Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid and the studies related to drug-interaction.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ethanol/pharmacokinetics* ; Rats