Hepatic fibrosis refers to excessive accumulation and abnormal proliferation of fibrous connective tissue in the liver triggered by multiple pathogenic factors， and it may progress to liver cirrhosis， portal hypertension， and liver cancer. The pathological mechanisms of hepatic fibrosis involve hepatocyte injury， inflammatory cell infiltration with the release of inflammatory mediators， hepatic stellate cell activation， and extracellular matrix deposition. Recent studies have focused on mitochondrial dysfunction in disease progression， including the molecular pathways for hepatic fibrosis driven by metabolic disorders， energy deficiency， oxidative stress， mitochondrial dynamic imbalance， and autophagic dysfunction， all of which can induce liver injury. This article reviews the latest advances in hepatic fibrosis， in order to provide new therapeutic strategies for clinical management.

Based on the understanding of "kidney storing essence and marrow nourishing bone"， and in combination with the modern pathological characteristics of ankylosing spondylitis （AS）， this paper systematically elucidates the dynamic pathogenesis evolution of "heat bi （inflammatory activity）-marrow deficiency （bone marrow edema）-bone damage （bone structural damage）" in AS. It is proposed that in the heat bi stage， there is kidney deficiency with pathogenic invasion and heat congesting the meridians. In the marrow deficiency stage， heat consumes kidney essence， leading to marrow injury and collateral obstruction. In the bone damage stage， kidney exhaustion and marrow emptiness occur， with phlegm-stasis congealing on bone. Accordingly， a stage-specific treatment strategy for AS is established. In the heat bi stage， treatment focuses on supplementing the kidney and replenishing essence， clearing heat and unblocking collaterals. In the marrow deficiency stage， the main approach is to supplement the kidney and benefit marrow， unblock collaterals and reduce edema. In the bone damage stage， it is suggested to supplement the kidney and replenish essence， benefit marrow and strengthen bone， resolve phlegm and expel stasis.

Based on the understanding of "kidney storing essence and marrow nourishing bone"， and in combination with the modern pathological characteristics of ankylosing spondylitis （AS）， this paper systematically elucidates the dynamic pathogenesis evolution of "heat bi （inflammatory activity）-marrow deficiency （bone marrow edema）-bone damage （bone structural damage）" in AS. It is proposed that in the heat bi stage， there is kidney deficiency with pathogenic invasion and heat congesting the meridians. In the marrow deficiency stage， heat consumes kidney essence， leading to marrow injury and collateral obstruction. In the bone damage stage， kidney exhaustion and marrow emptiness occur， with phlegm-stasis congealing on bone. Accordingly， a stage-specific treatment strategy for AS is established. In the heat bi stage， treatment focuses on supplementing the kidney and replenishing essence， clearing heat and unblocking collaterals. In the marrow deficiency stage， the main approach is to supplement the kidney and benefit marrow， unblock collaterals and reduce edema. In the bone damage stage， it is suggested to supplement the kidney and replenish essence， benefit marrow and strengthen bone， resolve phlegm and expel stasis.

Objective To investigate the influencing factors of stroke patients with hypertension and their compliance with antihypertensive drugs, and to provide targeted intervention measures for stroke prevention in hypertensive patients.  Methods Using the method of multi-stage cluster sampling, a total of 59,434 permanent residents aged 40 and above were selected from 48 monitoring sites in 9 cities of Hebei Province from December 2019 to December 2020. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of stroke complicated with hypertension and the compliance of patients with antihypertensive drugs.  Results Among the 59 434 subjects, the prevalence rate of stroke was 4.33% and the prevalence rate of stroke complicated with hypertension was 82.47%. The results of univariate analysis showed that the proportion of women, rural areas, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity, and people with family history of stroke was higher in stroke patients with hypertension, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that rural areas, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity, and family history of stroke significantly increased the risk of stroke, and the OR (95%CI) values were 1.29 (1.03-1.62), 1.39 (1.12-1.72), 1.58 (1.25-1.99), 1.61 (1.22-2.12) and 1.60 (1.26-2.04), respectively. Among stroke patients with hypertension, 92.71% of patients took antihypertensive drugs. It was found that women's compliance with antihypertensive drugs was good, with an OR (95%CI) value of 1.46 (1.01-2.09).  Conclusion The prevalence rate of stroke complicated with hypertension is high in people aged 40 and above in Hebei Province. Hypertensive people should lower blood lipids, control blood glucose, and lose weight as soon as possible to prevent the occurrence of stroke.

Objective: To analyze and compare the levels of various coagulation factors in cryoprecipitate and corresponding fresh frozen plasma, thereby providing a basis for the precise clinical administration of cryoprecipitate. Methods: Fibrinogen, coagulation factors Ⅱ, Ⅴ, Ⅶ, Ⅷ, Ⅸ, Ⅹ, Ⅺ, Ⅻ, and ⅩⅢ, von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF∶Ag), and von Willebrand factor activity (VWF∶Act) were measured in cryoprecipitate and corresponding fresh frozen plasma prepared from 400 mL of whole blood. The levels of each coagulation factor were quantified and subjected to paired comparisons; the total coagulation factor content was also calculated for each bag of cryoprecipitate and fresh frozen plasma. Results: The fibrinogen level in the precipitate was (4.48±0.83) g/L, coagulation factor Ⅷ activity was (330.11±172.00) IU/dL, VWF∶Ag was (510.7±229.34) IU/dL, VWF∶Act was (341.35±116.21) IU/dL; the activities of other coagulation factors did not differ significantly from those in fresh frozen plasma. In each bag of cryoprecipitate (47.7±1.68) mL, the fibrinogen content was (211.94±39.6) mg, the coagulation factor Ⅷ content was (156.67±79.82) IU, the VWF∶Ag content was (245.18±103.25) IU, VWF∶Act was (164.21±54.30) IU. Paired comparisons between cryoprecipitate and fresh frozen plasma revealed that the concentrations of Fib, FⅧ, FⅨ, FⅪ, FⅫ, FⅩⅢ, VWF∶Ag, and VWF∶Act in cryoprecipitate were all higher than those in fresh frozen plasma, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion: Fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate can serve as treatment options for patients with coagulation factor deficiencies. The results provide data to guide the precise selection of blood products and the rational use of blood in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND:The stemness index may be associated with the prognosis and immune infiltration of sarcoma,but the specific regulatory mechanism and characteristic genes have yet to be fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the correlation between stem cells and prognosis as well as immune infiltration in sarcoma employing the gene stemness index model and to identify the ferroptosis signature genes associated with sarcoma stem cells. METHODS:The sarcoma RNA sequencing data and related clinical information were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA).The sarcoma RNA sequencing data were grouped using the sarcoma stemness index.Survival data were used to analyze prognosis between groups.Differentially expressed genes were obtained for pathway enrichment and immune infiltration analysis.Ferroptosis-related differential genes were used to construct a protein interaction network and analyze prognostic correlation.Rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines were cultured and divided into adherent cell group and stem cell group.The adherent cell group received no intervention,while the stem cell group was treated with serum-free culture to enrich stem cells in rhabdomyosarcoma cells.qRT-PCR was used to evaluate stemness markers,ferroptosis-related genes,and mRNA expression of ferroptosis-related markers in the cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Patients were divided into high and low stemness index groups based on the median stemness index.The progression-free survival of patients in the high stemness index group was lower than that in the low stemness index group by disease risk prediction,suggesting poor prognosis.(2)According to GO and KEGG analysis,the groups with high and low stemness indices differed from one another.There were differences in immune infiltration between the high and low stemness index groups.Nine of the 23 ferroptosis-related genes in the differential genes have the potential to establish a highly correlated network of protein interactions.Patients with high expression of IDO1,IFNG,and AQP5 have a better prognosis,while those with high expression of CA9 have a poor prognosis.(3)The qRT-PCR results demonstrated a significant upregulation of stem cell-related markers NANOG,SOX2,and OCT4 mRNA expressions in the stem cell group compared to the adherent cell group(P<0.05).Compared to the adherent cell group,the stem cell group exhibited decreased mRNA expression level of ferroptosis-related marker SLC7A11(P<0.05)while showing increased levels of ACSL4,GPX4,FTH1,and COX2(P<0.05).Compared to the adherent cell group,the stem cell group displayed decreased mRNA expression level of differentially expressed gene CA9 alongside elevated levels of IDO1,IFNG,and AQP5(P<0.05).Stem cells were strongly associated with sarcoma survival and ferroptosis by bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification.Sarcoma stem cells have aberrant expression of CA9,IDO1,IFNG,and AQP5,which may serve as new targets for sarcoma therapy as well as diagnostic indicators.

Myocardial fibrosis is a serious cause of heart failure and even sudden cardiac death. However, the mechanisms underlying myocardial ischemia-induced cardiac fibrosis remain unclear. Here, we identified that the expression of sterile alpha and TIR motif containing 1 (SARM1), was increased significantly in the ischemic cardiomyopathy patients, dilated cardiomyopathy patients (GSE116250) and fibrotic heart tissues of mice. Additionally, inhibition or knockdown of SARM1 can improve myocardial fibrosis and cardiac function of myocardial infarction (MI) mice. Moreover, SARM1 fibroblasts-specific knock-in mice had increased deposition of extracellular matrix and impaired cardiac function. Mechanically, elevated expression of SARM1 promotes the deposition of extracellular matrix by directly modulating P4HA1. Notably, by using the Click-iT reaction, we identified that the increased expression of ZDHHC17 promotes the palmitoylation levels of SARM1, thereby accelerating the fibrosis process. Based on the fibrosis-promoting effect of SARM1, we screened several drugs with anti-myocardial fibrosis activity. In conclusion, we have unveiled that palmitoylated SARM1 targeting P4HA1 promotes collagen deposition and myocardial fibrosis. Inhibition of SARM1 is a potential strategy for the treatment of myocardial fibrosis. The sites where SARM1 interacts with P4HA1 and the palmitoylation modification sites of SARM1 may be the active targets for anti-fibrosis drugs.

Objective To develop an innovative minimally invasive rotary-cutting surgical system for axillary osmidrosis,and conduct clinical validation.Methods The design concept,technical principles and system composition of the innovative minimally invasive rotary-cutting surgical system for axillary osmidrosis were introduced.A total of 73 patients(146 axillae)with axillary osmidrosis were enrolled as subjects,and underwent surgery using the newly developed surgical system.Clinical validation of the system was performed by evaluating postoperative scarring,odor elimination rate,postoperative complication incidence,and patient satisfaction.Results The study demonstrated favorable clinical outcomes in the following aspects:postoperative scarring,odor elimination rate,postoperative complication incidence,and patient satisfaction.Conclusion The minimally invasive rotary-cutting surgical system for axillary osmidrosis is rationally designed.The rotary-cutting puncture device is safe,effective,minimally invasive,and convenient for axillary osmidrosis surgery,warranting further clinical validation and widespread application.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Tangning Tongluo tablets in the treatment of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy （DR）. MethodsFourteen research centers participated in this study， which spanned a time interval from September 2021 to May 2023. A total of 240 patients with nonproliferative DR were included and randomly assigned into an observation group （120 cases） and a control group （120 cases）. The observation group was treated with Tangning Tongluo tablets， and the control group with calcium dobesilate capsules. Both groups were treated for 24 consecutive weeks. The vision， DR progression rate， retinal microhemangioma， hemorrhage area， exudation area， glycosylated hemoglobin （HbA1c） level， and TCM syndrome score were assessed before and after treatment， and the safety was observed. ResultsThe vision changed in both groups after treatment （P<0.05）， and the observation group showed higher best corrected visual acuity （BCVA） than the control group （P<0.05）. The DR progression was slow with similar rates in the two groups. The fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area did not change significantly after treatment in both groups， while the observation group outperformed the control group in reducing the fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area. There was no significant difference in the number of microhemangiomas between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， the number of microhemangiomas decreased in both the observation group （Z=-1.437， P<0.05） and the control group （Z=-2.238， P<0.05）， and it showed no significant difference between the two groups. As the treatment time prolonged， the number of microhemangiomas gradually decreased in both groups. There was no significant difference in the HbA1c level between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， the decline in the HbA1c level showed no significant difference between the two groups. The TCM syndrome score did not have a statistically significant difference between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， neither the TCM syndrome score nor the response rate had significant difference between the two groups. With the extension of the treatment time， both groups showed amelioration of TCM syndrome compared with the baseline. ConclusionTangning Tongluo tablets are safe and effective in the treatment of nonproliferative DR， being capable of improving vision and reducing hemorrhage and exudation in the fundus.

Objective To investigate the effect of total paeony glycoside(TPG)on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CI/RI)of rats.Methods The rats were randomly divided into sham surgery(sham)group,CI/RI model group(simple CI/RI group),positive control group(nimodipine group,5 mg/kg),low-dose TPG group(TPG-L group,27 mg/kg),a high-dose TPG group(TPG-H group,54 mg/kg)and a high-dose TPG+NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3)activator diethyl dithiocarbamate(DDC)group(TPG-H+DDC group,54 mg/kg TPG and 30 mg/kg DDC),with 18 rats in each,administered once a day for 7 consecutive days.After the administration,the neurological deficit score of the rats was evaluated.Nissl staining microscopy was applied to observe neuronal activity in brain tissue.2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining microscopy was applied to detect the area of cerebral infarction in rats.The level of interleukin-1β and IL-18 in brain tissue was measured by ELISA method.Western blot was applied to detect the expression of purinergic receptor P2X ligand-gated ion channel 7(P2X7R)/NLRP3 signaling pathway related proteins and pyroptosis related proteins such as apoptosis associated speck like protein containing a CARD(ASC)and cysteine protease 1(caspase-1)proteins in brain tissue.Results Compared with the sham group,the neurological deficit score,infarct area,level of IL-1β and IL-18 in brain tissue and protein expression of P2X7R,NLRP3,ASC,and caspase-1 in brain tissue of rats in the simple CI/RI group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the proportion of Nissl body positive cells in brain tissue was significantly reduced(P<0.05).The change in corresponding indicators of rats in the nimodipine group,TPG-L group,and TPG-H group was opposite to those in the simple CI/RI group(P<0.05).NLRP3 acti-vator DDC antagonized the inhibitory effect of TPG on cell pyroptosis in CI/RI rats.Conclusions TPG may inhibit brain injury in CI/RI rats by down-regulating the P2X7R/NLRP3 pathway.