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 investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of pudendal nerve modulation (PNM) in the treatment of female pudendal neuralgia (PN)，so as to promote the clinical application of this technique. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 20 female PN patients who failed conservative treatment at Gongli Hospital during Nov.2020 and Oct.2023.All patients underwent simultaneous PNM and sacral nerve modulation (SNM) with the assistance of 3D printing navigation.Dual-stage test electrodes for PNM and SNM were implanted，followed by alternate therapeutic trial for each modality.Secondary conversion rates and longitudinal outcomes，including visual analogue score (VAS)，patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)，and quality of life (QoL) scores were compared preoperatively，post-stage Ⅰ，and at 3，6，and 12 months post-stage Ⅱ. Results: All operations were successful.After the trial phase，the secondary conversion rate for PNM was significantly higher than that for SNM; 16 patients (16/20，80%) chose the second-phase PNM implantation surgery，3 (3/20，15%) chose second-phase SNM implantation，and 1 (1/20，5%) had electrodes removed due to ineffective results from both trials.Further assessment revealed that the improvements in VAS，PHQ-9，and QoL scores for PNM patients were significantly better than those for SNM patients after the first phase of surgery and at 3，6 and 12 months after the second-phase conversion (P<0.05).No complications such as electrode migration or infection were observed during the follow-up of 12-15 months. Conclusion: PNM provides more effective relief of pain symptoms and improvements in depressive states for female PN patients compared to SNM.With the assistance of 3D printing navigation，the operation is simple and safe，and offers stable therapeutic effects.It is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Yishen Tongluo prescription on sperm DNA fragmentation index （DFI） and sperm mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP） in patients with asymptomatic idiopathic asthenospermia infertility. MethodsA total of 128 patients with asymptomatic idiopathic asthenospermia were randomly assigned to an experimental group （64 cases） and a control group （64 cases）. The experimental group received Yishen Tongluo prescription， while the control group was treated with Wuzi Yanzongwan combined with L-carnitine oral solution. One treatment course lasted 12 weeks. Spouse pregnancy rate， sperm progressive motility （PR）， total sperm motility （PR+NP）， sperm function （sperm tail hypotonic swelling rate， sperm acrosin activity）， sperm DFI， and sperm MMP were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Adverse reactions were observed and recorded during the study， and clinical efficacy and safety were systematically evaluated. ResultsA total of 121 patients completed the study， including 61 in the experimental group and 60 in the control group. The spouse pregnancy rate in the experimental group was 14.75% （9/61）， higher than that in the control group at 6.67% （4/60）， though the difference was not statistically significant. Clinical efficacy in the experimental group was superior to that in the control group （P<0.05）. Compared with the results before treatment， sperm PR， PR + NP， sperm tail hypotonic swelling rate， sperm acrosin activity， sperm DFI， and sperm MMP were significantly improved in both groups after treatment （P<0.05）， with greater improvements in the experimental group （P<0.05）. However， there was no significant change in sperm concentration in either group after treatment. During the study， no abnormal safety indicators or significant adverse reactions occurred in either group. ConclusionThe kidney-tonifying and collateral-dredging method shows good clinical efficacy in the treatment of asymptomatic idiopathic asthenospermia infertility. Yishen Tongluo prescription can improve sperm motility， increase spouse pregnancy rate， enhance sperm function， and demonstrates good safety. Its mechanism may be related to reducing sperm DFI and increasing sperm MMP.

Objective To evaluate cardiac involvement in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) using echocardiography combined with electrocardiography. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the detailed medical records of AAV patients treated in Jining First People’s Hospital between January 2020 and December 2024. Eighty patients were enrolled in the AAV group, and the risk of heart disease was compared between the AAV group and a control group with 80 subjects matched for age, sex, and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Results Electrocardiographic abnormalities were observed in 78.75% of patients in the AAV group, while significant electrocardiographic abnormalities only occurred in symptomatic patients in the control group. There were no differences in left atrial enlargement or interventricular septal thickening between the AAV group and the control group. The overall left ventricular systolic function in the AAV group was lower than that in the control group (8.75% vs. 0). The incidence of reduced diastolic function in the AAV group was significantly higher than that in the control group (37.5% vs. 15%). The incidence rates of tricuspid regurgitation, mitral regurgitation, aortic regurgitation, and pericardial effusion in the AAV group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Pericardial thickening, aortic stenosis, pulmonary hypertension, and rare periaortic granulomas were found in the AAV group, but not in the control group. Conclusion Echocardiography and electrocardiography are important examination methods for evaluating cardiac involvement in AAV. These methods have key roles in disease screening, diagnosis and treatment, follow-up, and prognosis judgment.

AIM: To screen the predictors of disease progression risk in patients with diabetic macular edema(DME), establish a joint prediction model and analyze its predictive efficiency.METHODS:A retrospective selection was made of 240 patients with DME who were treated in our hospital from July 2021 to October 2024 as the research subjects. The patients were divided into a low-risk group(n=102)and a high-risk group(n=138)based on the central macular thickness(CMT)and whether the fovea was accumulated. The basic information of the patients and relevant examination data such as glycolipid metabolism indicators and liver and kidney function indicators were collected. The indicators with differences in the univariate analysis(P<0.05)were included in the multivariate analysis to screen out the independent influencing factors of disease progression in DME patients and construct a predictive model. The fitting effect of the prediction model was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the prediction model was verified by sensitivity, specificity and Youden index.RESULTS: The general data of the two groups of patients are comparable, and there was no statistically significant difference in blood pressure between the two groups of patients(both P>0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c), fasting blood glucose(FBG), advanced glycation end products(AGEs), total cholesterol(TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), triglycerides(TG), serum creatinine(Scr), uric acid(UA), and cystatin C(Cys-C)at 3 and 6 mo in the high-risk group at baseline, 3 and 6 mo were higher than those in the low-risk group(all P<0.01). The baseline, 3 and 6 mo estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR), total bilirubin(TBIL), and 3 and 6 mo high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)in the high-risk group were all lower than those in the low-risk group(P<0.05). Regression analysis showed that baseline HbA1c, 3 mo FBG, 3 mo AGEs, baseline LDL-C, 3 mo TG, 3 mo eGFR, baseline TBIL, and 6 mo TBIL were risk factors for disease progression in DME patients. The area under curve(AUC)of the combined prediction model was 0.909(95%CI: 0.872-0.945), with a sensitivity of 79.00% and a specificity of 94.10%.CONCLUSION: HbA1c, FBG, AGEs, LDL-C, TG, eGFR and TBIL are risk factors for the risk of disease progression in patients with DME. The combined prediction model can provide a reference for predicting the risk of disease progression in patients with DME.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of first-line treatments regimens for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 （HER2）-positive advanced gastric cancer. METHODS Computer searches were conducted on databases such as Web of Science， Embase， CNKI， and VIP in both Chinese and English， and abstracts of papers from the annual meetings of the European Society of Oncology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology were screened. Collected randomized controlled trials （RCTs） on first-line treatment for HER2-positive advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma patients， with a retrieval period from database establishment until April 1， 2025. A network meta-analysis was conducted by two researchers who independently screened literature， extracted data， and evaluated the risk of bias in the study. RESULTS A total of 5 RCTs involving 2 797 patients and encompassing 6 treatment regimens were ultimately included. In the assessment of overall survival， there was a trend towards survival benefit for trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy （Tra_chemo）， pertuzumab combined with trastuzumab and chemotherapy （Per_Tra_chemo）， high-dose trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy （TraHD_chemo）， lapatinib combined with chemotherapy （Lap_chemo）， and pembrolizumab combined with trastuzumab and chemotherapy （Pem_Tra_chemo） compared to chemotherapy alone （chemo）； however， the differences were not statistically significant （P＞0.05）； the top two treatment regimens in terms of the surface under the cumulative ranking curve （SUCRA） were Pem_Tra_chemo （77.8%） and TraHD_chemo （74.2%）. For progression-free survival， there was statistical significance between Per_Tra_chemo and chemo， Pem_Tra_chemo and chemo （P＜0.05）； the top two treatment regimens in terms of SUCRA were Per_Tra_chemo （83.0%） and Pem_Tra_chemo （82.8%）. Regarding objective response rate， there was statistical significance between Pem_Tra_chemo and chemo （P＜0.05）； the top two treatment regimens in terms of SUCRA were Pem_Tra_chemo（87.4%）and Per_Tra_chemo（72.2%）. In terms of safety， there was statistical significance in the incidence of any level of adverse events between Lap_chemo and chemo （P＜0.05）； the top two treatment regimens in terms of SUCRA were chemo（87.1%）and Pem_Tra_chemo（53.8%）. Lap_chemo exhibited a higher incidence of grade ≥3 adverse events compared to chemo， and Per_Tra_chemo showed a higher incidence compared to Tra_chemo （P＜0.05）； the top two treatment regimens in terms of SUCRA were Tra_chemo （79.0%） and chemo （77.6%）. CONCLUSIONS In the first-line treatment of HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer， Pem_Tra_chemo and Per_Tra_chemo regimens have relatively good efficacy， but the safety risks are relatively high， requiring close attention and whole- process management.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic efficacy of portal and tail vein transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) against cholestatic liver fibrosis in mice. METHODS: BMSCs were isolated and co-cultured with starvation-activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). HSC activation markers were identified using immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR. BMSCs were injected into the liver tissues of bile duct ligation (BDL) mice via the tail and portal veins. Histomorphology, liver function, inflammatory cytokines, and the expression of key proteins were all determined in the liver tissues. RESULTS: BMSCs inhibited HSC activation by reducing α-SMA and collagen I expression. Compared to tail vein injection, DIL-labeled BMSCs injected through the portal vein maintained a high homing rate in the liver. Moreover, BMSCs transplanted through the portal vein resulted in greater improvement in liver color, hardness, and gallbladder size than did those transplanted through the tail vein. Furthermore, BMSCs injected by portal vein, but not tail vein, markedly ameliorated liver function, reduced the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, and decreased α-SMA + hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and collagen fiber formation. CONCLUSION The therapeutic effect of BMSCs on cholestatic liver fibrosis in mice via portal vein transplantation was superior to that of tail vein transplantation. This comparative study provides reference information for further BMSC studies focused on clinical cholestatic liver diseases.
Animals ; Mice ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Liver Cirrhosis/etiology* ; Male ; Cholestasis/therapy* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can result in fatigue and post-exertional malaise; however, whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection exacerbates lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is unclear. This study investigated the association between prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection and postpartum LUTS. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted at two tertiary hospitals in China from November 1, 2022, to November 1, 2023. Participants were classified into infected and uninfected groups based on SARS-CoV-2 antigen results. LUTS prevalence and severity were assessed using self-reported symptoms and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-Short Form (IIQ-7). Pelvic floor muscle activity was measured using electromyography following the Glazer protocol. Group comparisons were performed to evaluate the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with LUTS and electromyography parameters, with stratified analyses conducted using SPSS version 26.0. RESULTS: Among 3,652 participants (681 infected, 2,971 uninfected), no significant differences in LUTS prevalence or IIQ-7 scores were observed. However, SARS-CoV-2 infection was an independent factor influencing the electromyographic activity of the pelvic floor muscles (mean tonic contraction amplitudes), regardless of delivery mode ( P = 0.001). CONCLUSION Prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection was not significantly associated with an increased risk of postpartum LUTS but independently altered pelvic floor muscle electromyographic activity, suggesting potential neuromuscular effects.
Humans ; Female ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Pregnancy ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/virology* ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/virology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Electromyography ; SARS-CoV-2/physiology* ; Pelvic Floor/physiopathology* ; Prevalence

Objective:To discuss the construction of a NOD-signal regulatory protein α(SIRPA)gene knock-in mouse model based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein(Cas)9 technology,and to provide the reference for the establishment of more advanced humanized mouse models.Methods:Based on CRISPR/Cas9 technology,the NOD-background SIRPA gene was knocked into the BALB/c mouse fertilized eggs,and homozygous mice with stable genotypes(SIRPA-KI mice)were obtained through expansion and breeding for experiments;PCR primers were designed,and mouse genotypes were identified by nucleic acid electrophoresis.The mice were divided into C57BL/6 group,BALB/c group,and SIRPA-KI group according to their strains,and 3 mice with similar ages were randomly selected from each group for experiments.Mature bone marrow-derived macrophages were co-incubated with human CD47-Fc fusion protein,stained with Streptavidin PE/Cy7,and the mean fluorescence intensity(MFI)of PE/Cy7 was detected by flow cytometry to compare the ability of SIRPA in the mice from various groups to bind human CD47 Fc.Each mouse was intravenously injected with 2×10? carboxyfluorescein diacetate,succinimidyl ester(CFSE)-labeled human red blood cells,and the phagocytosis of human red blood cells by macrophages in various groups was detected by in vivo phagocytosis assay.One BALB/c mouse and one SIRPA-KI mouse were randomly selected to induce mature bone marrow-derived macrophages,and the phagocytosis of human red blood cells by macrophages in various groups was detected by in vitro phagocytosis assay.Results:BLAB/c SIRPANOD/NOD homozygous mice were successfully obtained.The flow cytometry results showed that compared with C57BL/6 group,the MFI of the mice in BALB/c group was significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with C57BL/6 group and BALB/c group,the MFI of the mice in SIRPA-KI group was significantly increased(P<0.01).The in vivo phagocytosis assay results showed that the macrophages in C57BL/6 group exhibited the fastest overall clearance rate of human red blood cells;at 6 h of macrophage phagocytosis,compared with SIRPA-KI group,the residual percentage of the human red blood cells in C57BL/6 group was significantly decreased(P<0.01)and was closed to 0%;compared with SIRPA-KI group,the residual percentage of the human red blood cells in BALB/c group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The in vitro phagocytosis assay results showed that the macrophages in BALB/c group significantly phagocytosed the human red blood cells,with a high phagocytic index of 30.7%;compared with BALB/c group,the phagocytic index of the macrophages in SIRPA-KI group was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion:The study successfully constructs a mouse model with enhanced affinity for human CD47 and significantly inhibited phagocytosis of human red blood cells by knocking the NOD-background SIRPA gene into the BALB/c strain using CRISPR/Cas9 technology,providing a superior human cell xenotransplantation efficiency.