ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate and evaluate the staged efficacy and safety of the representative empirical prescription of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory， Qijia Rougan prescription， combined with entecavir in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B. MethodsA multicenter randomized controlled clinical study was conducted， and 101 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B-related hepatic fibrosis （CHB-HF） who met the diagnosis and inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to an observation group （Qijia Rougan prescription + entecavir） and a control group （entecavir）. The treatment duration was 24 weeks. Liver stiffness measurement （LSM）， fibrosis-4 index （FIB-4）， portal vein diameter， hepatitis B serology， biochemical indicators， hepatic fibrosis markers in serum ［hyaluronic acid （HA）， laminin （LN）， procollagen Ⅲ peptide （PⅢP）， and type Ⅳ collagen （Ⅳ-C）］， and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores were used as efficacy evaluation indicators. Efficacy assessments and explorations of different staged subgroups of Qijia Rougan prescription were conducted according to LSM values based on the Metavir pathological staging standard. ResultsA total of 98 cases were included for statistical analysis， with 49 cases in the observation group and 49 in the control group. The general data of the patients in both groups were comparable. Compared with the same group before treatment， the observation group showed a significant reduction in LSM and FIB-4 （P<0.01）， as well as notable improvements in LN， Ⅳ-C， and various TCM syndrome scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）. When compared to the control group after treatment， the observation group demonstrated significant improvements in LSM， FIB-4， and various TCM syndrome score indicators （P<0.05， P<0.01）， indicating that the observation group performed better than the control group. Subgroup analysis of the regression of hepatic fibrosis stages showed that compared to the same group before treatment， the observation group had better improvement in regression of stages F2 and F3 （P<0.05）. When compared to the control group after treatment， the observation group exhibited superior improvement in regression of stage F3 （P<0.05）. No adverse events occurred in either group during the treatment period. ConclusionCompared with entecavir alone， the combination of Qijia Rougan prescription and entecavir significantly improves the degree of hepatic fibrosis and clinical TCM symptoms in patients. The optimal intervention period is primarily during stage F3， which is a potential “interception” point of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory.

BACKGROUND:It has been found that mitochondrial function is abnormal in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome,and the administration of coenzymes can improve the symptoms.Warm acupuncture is one of the most important treatments for this disease,but its mechanism of action is unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of warm acupuncture on the phosphatase and tensin inducible kinase 1(PINK1)/Parkin pathway in the skeletal muscle of rats with chronic fatigue syndrome. METHODS:After 3 days of adaptive feeding,32 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control,model,warm acupuncture,and coenzyme Q groups with 8 rats in each group.The chronic fatigue syndrome model was established by multiple factors,including swimming exhaustion,chronic immobilization and fasting.After successful modeling,the normal group and the model group were treated with the same fixation and gavage procedures,and the warm acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture at Guanyuan,Zhongwan and Zusanli(bilateral)points,once a day.After the needling was inserted,the moxa pillar was put on the needle handle and ignited,three sessions once.The coenzyme Q group was given 1 mL/kg coenzyme by gavage,once a day for 14 days.The body mass,exhaustive swimming time and food utilization rate during the treatment were recorded.After the treatment,the bilateral gastrocnemius muscles of rats in each group were collected.The pathological morphology of the gastrocnemius muscle was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining,the mitochondrial morphology and autophagosome of the gastrocnemius muscle were observed by transmission electron microscope.The expression level of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3)Ⅱ protein in the skeletal muscle was detected by immunohistochemistry.Western blot was used to detect the expression of PINK1,Parkin,LC3 Ⅰ,and LC3 Ⅱ in the skeletal muscle. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the normal group,the gastrocnemius muscle nuclei of the model group were pyknotic,condensed,the number of cells was increased,the cells were arranged disorderly,and the fibers in the gastrocnemius muscle were tightly arranged in the model group.Compared with the model group,the intercellular space became smaller,the nuclei were reduced,and the cell arrangement was orderly in the warm acupuncture group and coenzyme Q group.Compared with the normal group,the skeletal muscle mitochondria in the model group were swollen,fused,and vacuolated seriously,the membrane was partially broken,the matrix was more dissolved,the cristae was broken and disappeared,and autophagy appeared.Compared with the model group,the number of mitochondria increased,the arrangement was relatively neat,mitochondrial vacuolization and rupture of cristae in the gastrocnemius muscle were improved,the membrane structure was relatively intact,and autophagy occurred.Compared with the normal group,the expression of PINK1 protein in the skeletal muscle of the model group was significantly increased(P<0.05),while the expression of Parkin,LC3 Ⅱ and LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ protein was slightly upregulated(P>0.05).Compared with the model group,the protein expressions of PINK1,Parkin,LC3 Ⅱ and LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ were significantly upregulated in the warm acupuncture and coenzyme Q groups(P<0.05),and the up-regulation was more significant in the warm acupuncture group.To conclude,warm acupuncture can play a role in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome by activating the PINK1/Parkin pathway,upregulating LC3 Ⅱ expression,forming mitochondrial autophagosomes,promoting the degradation of damaged mitochondria,and improving mitochondrial quality.

Objective To comprehensively understand the map of transcripts during mitosis and their regulatory mechanisms of HAP 1 cells by conducting transcriptome sequencing analysis after being released by mitotic synchro-nization arrest.Methods HAP1 cells were subjected to mitotic synchronous arrest with nocodazole and samples were collected after 0,20,80 min release,and RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)were performed.The transcriptome data was cleaned and the differentially expressed genes,expression trend clustering and functional enrichment com-bined with the protein interaction network were analyzed to explore the changes of signaling pathways in HAP 1 cells during mitosis.Results The transcriptome of HAP1 cells after synchronous release from mitosis underwent significant changes in time series,and differential gene cluster analysis revealed four gene clusters were enriched in important biological processes such as p53 signaling and cytoplasmic translation.Conclusions The transcriptome time-dependent dynamic changes during mitosis in HAP1 cells are coordinated regulation of key signaling pathways including cellular stress response,translational control and chromatin remodeling,ensuring a balance between growth and stress response upon mitotic exit.

Objective To explore the effects of 1 800 MHz electromagnetic radiation(EMR)on cognitive function of 3xTg-AD and 57C mice,providing a theoretical basis for the potential impacts of electromagnetic radiation on the human body.Methods A total of 12 3xTg-AD transgenic mice and 12 wild-type C57 mice were selected as research subjects.The one-month-old mice were divided into four groups:RF WT,Control WT,RF AD,and Control AD,with 6 mice in each group.The 1 800 MHz EMR exposure experiments were conducted from 20:00 to 8:00 the next day for a duration of 5 months.After the exposure,a water maze test was conducted to evaluate the effects of EMR on spatial learning and memory abilities of 3xTg AD mice,along with measurements of body weight,brain weight,and calculation of the brain-to-body ratio.Finally,Western Blot technique was used to measure the levels of APP,NR1,and NR2A in hippocampal tissue to analyze effects of 1 800 MHz EMR on the cognitive function of 3xTg AD mice.Results Under 1 800 MHz EMR exposure,there were no statistically significant differences in Morris water maze spatial learning ability among the four groups(P>0.05).However,longer escape time,greater swimming distances,and more crossings of target quadrant were exhibited in the RF AD group compared to the other groups(P<0.05).Western Blot results showed that the APP protein levels in 3xTg AD mice was higher than those in C57 mice(P<0.05).The expression levels of NR1 protein in the WT group was higher than those in the AD group(P<0.05);in the AD group,the RF AD group had higher levels than the Control WT group(P<0.05),and the NR2A protein levels in the Control WT group were higher than in the other groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Prolonged exposure to 1 800 MHz EMR can affect the learning and cognitive function of both 3xTg AD and C57 mice.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in children.Methods:Clinical data of children with EoE who were hospitalized in the Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2022, were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 18 children with EoE were included in the study, including 13 males and 5 females, with the age of 11.96 (4.96, 12.81) years.Vomiting was more common in preschool children (4/5), while abdominal pain was the main symptom in school-age and adolescent children (11/13). There were 22.22% (4/18) of the children with EoE had an increased white blood cell count, and 33.33%(6/18) had an increased eosinophil count.Allergic history in the first-degree relatives was detected in 55.56%(10/18) of the children with EoE.Total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level was elevated in 68.75% (11/16) of the children.Food-specific IgE was positive in 66.67% (12/18) of the children with EoE.Milk, eggs, and wheat were the most common allergens.Esophageal mucosal hyperemia and erythema, rough, erosion, linear ulcers, annular changes, furrow or wrinkled paper changes, granular changes, polypoid or relaxation of the cardia were seen under endoscopy, whereas 27.78% (5/18) of the children showed normal esophageal mucosa.The histopathology showed chronic inflammation of the esophagus and increased eosinophil count.Three patients were lost of follow-up, and the remaining 15 were followed up for 6-24 months.All children with EoE were treated with the elimination diet.Nine children treated with glucocorticoids experienced clinical remission in a short period of time, involving 1 case with recurrence after withdrawal and being effectively treated by hormone therapy, and 2 cases of repeated digestive system symptoms or increased eosinophil count after withdrawal and being effectively relieved by the elimination diet.Conclusions:EoE is more common in elderly children and boys.Vomiting is the main symptom in pre-school aged children, whereas abdominal pain is the main symptom in school-aged children and adolescents.Increased peripheral white blood cell count and eosinophil count can be detected in some cases, and most of them are positive for food allergen tests.Gastrointestinal endoscopy and histopathology are important in the diagnosis of EoE.Elimination diet may be effective in some patients.Glucocorticoids are of great significance in the treatment of EoE, but a few children are steroid-dependent.

Objective:To analyze the association between visceral fat area (VFA) and fatty liver based on quantitative CT (QCT) in people receiving health examination with normal body mass index (BMI).Methods:A cross-sectional study. A total of 1 305 physical examiners who underwent chest CT and QCT examination in the Department of Health Management of Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from January to December 2021 were retrospectively selected as subjects. The physical components at the central level of the lumbar two cone were measured with QCT, including subcutaneous fat area (SFA), VFA and liver fat content (LFC). And the metabolic indexes, such as blood lipids and blood glucose, were collected. The t-test and χ2 test were used to analyze the correlation between the detection rate of fatty live and LFCr and age and gender. According to level of VFA (<100 cm 2, 100-150 cm 2 and≥150 cm 2), the subjects were divided into three groups, and one-way ANOVA and χ2 test were used in comparison between groups. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the correlation between VFA and metabolic indexes and LFC. Results:Of the 1 305 subjects, there were 634 males and 671 females. The detection rate of fatty liver in normal BMI population was 65.67%, and it was 72.71% and 59.02% respectively in men and women ( χ2=27.12, P<0.001), and the detection rate of fatty liver and LFC increased with age (both P<0.05). With the increase of VFA, the age, BMI, SFA, LFC, total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting blood glucose (FBG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood uric acid and prevalence of fatty liver increased (all P<0.05), and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased ( P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that after adjustment for age factors, regardless of male or female, LFC was independently positively related with VFA, BMI, and ALT (male β=0.206, 0.145, 0.174, female β=0.194, 0.150, 0.184; all P<0.05). FBG was positively correlated with male independently ( β=0.134; P<0.001). The indicators related to female independently were TC, TG, and blood uric acid ( β=-0.121, 0.145, 0.141, all P<0.05) Conclusion:In the population receiving health examination with normal BMI, the VFA measured by QCT technique is closely related to fatty liver.

BACKGROUND:Warm-needling moxibustion can effectively treat knee osteoarthritis.Degeneration,injury and fracture of the anterior cruciate ligament can affect the local stability of the knee joint,and then induce the formation of knee osteoarthritis.Whether warm-needling moxibustion can repair the injured cruciate ligament and the mechanism of action are still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of warm-needling moxibustion on the morphology of the anterior cruciate ligament and the expression of insulin growth factor-1 and transforming growth factor-β in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis and to clarify the mechanism of anterior cruciate ligament repair by warm-needling moxibustion. METHODS:Thirty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into blank group,model group and warm-needling moxibustion group,with 10 rabbits in each group.Knee osteoarthritis model was established by plaster cast immobilization.The blank group was not intervened.Rabbits in the model group rabbits were fixed in a rabbit holder for 15 minutes every day.The warm-needling moxibustion group was treated with warm acupuncture,once a day,7 days as a course of treatment,a total of two courses.After treatment,the imaging changes of the anterior cruciate ligament were observed by MRI and MRI grading statistics were performed.Morphological changes of the anterior cruciate ligament were observed by transmission electron microscope and hematoxylin-eosin staining.mRNA and protein expressions of insulin growth factor-1 and transforming growth factor-β were detected by RT-PCR and western blot,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:MRI examination:Compared with the blank control group,the anterior cruciate ligament in the model group was thickened,edematous,and partially torn,and the difference in grading statistics was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the anterior cruciate ligament in the warm-needling moxibustion group was slightly thickened,with mild edema and no tearing,and the difference in grading statistics was statistically significant(P＜0.05).General observation:In the model group,the surface of the anterior cruciate ligament was glossy and faded,with the edge being covered with flocculent periosteum and obvious tissue necrosis;in the warm-needling moxibustion group,the surface of the ligament was glossy,and the ligament was in a normal helical shape.Hematoxylin-eosin staining:In the model group,there was obvious tissue necrosis in the anterior cruciate ligament,a large number of new capillaries,loosely arranged fibroblasts and collagen fibers.In the warm-needling moxibustion group,there was a small amount of tissue necrosis and few new vessels in the anterior cruciate ligament,and the cells and collagen fibers were loosely and irregularly arranged.Transmission electron microscopy:In the model group,the fibers in the anterior cruciate ligament were arranged in a disordered way with uneven thickness and distribution,and there are more fibroblasts that were irregular in morphology;in the warm acupuncture group,the fibers were basically arranged longitudinally,with uneven thickness and distribution,and a small number of oval-shaped fibroblasts were observed.RT-PCR and western blot assay:mRNA and protein expressions of insulin growth factor-1 and transforming growth factor-β were significantly decreased in the model group compared with the blank control group(P＜0.05),but significant increased after treatment with warm-needling moxibustion(P＜0.05).To conclude,warm-needling moxibustion can alleviate anterior cruciate ligament injury and regulate the expression of insulin growth factor-1 and transforming growth factor-β to treat knee osteoarthritis.

Objective To explore the content and the psychometric properties of assessment tools used for evaluating functioning and adaptive behavior in school-age children with intellectual and developmental disabilities within educational settings. Methods The most used assessment tools included Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales(VABS),Supports Intensity Scale for Children(SIS-C),Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire(SDQ)and Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised(RBS-R),for assessing functioning and adaptive behavior children with intellectual and developmental disabili-ties.Employing the framework and methods of the International Classification of Functioning,Disability,and Health(ICF),this research encoded and categorized the assessment dimensions and items of the four tools,and explored their psychometric properties. Results VABS's assessment content was solely focused on activities and participation,including speaking(d330),con-versation(d350),toileting(d530),eating(d550),drinking(d560),basic interpersonal interactions(d710),com-plex interpersonal interactions(d720),changing and maintaining body positions(d410-d429),carrying,moving and handing objects(d430-d449),and walking and moving(d450-d469).SIS-C assessed activities and participa-tion,and environmental factors,including washing oneself(d510),caring for body parts(d520),community life(d910),using transportation(d470),school education(d820),basic learning(d130-d159),looking after one's health(d570),basic interpersonal interactions(d710),and products and technology for education(e130).SDQ fo-cused on body functions,and activities and participation,including emotional functions(b152),global psychoso-cial functions(b122),attention functions(b140),and basic interpersonal interactions(d710).RBS-R focused on body functions,and activities and participation,including involuntary movement reaction functions(b755),invol-untary movement functions(b765),looking after one's health(d570),energy and drive functions(b130),under-taking a single task(d210),carrying out daily routine(d230),attention functions(b140),and handling stress and other psychological demands(d240).VABS was characterized by good specificity and excellent sensitivity.SIS-C demonstrated very good internal consistency,reliability and validity.SDQ was good in internal consistency,with excellent credibility and validity.RBS-R showed good internal consistency,reliability and validity. Conclusion SDQ and RBS-R cover both body functions,and activities and participation,SIS-C covers activity and par-ticipation,and environmental factors,while VABS solely assesses activities and participation.In terms of body functions,the assessment items primarily focus on mental functions(b130-b189)and movement functions(b750-b799).For activities and participation,the tools assess content across eight domains of functioning.Regarding en-vironmental factors,the assessment content mainly includes products and technology for education(e130),as well as design,construction and building products and technology of buildings for public use(e150).VABS,SIS-C,SDQ,and RBS-R are all norm-referenced measures,with moderate to excellent internal consistency,and good to excellent reliability and validity.

Objective:To discuss the association between occupational acid fog exposure and accelerated biological aging of the workers,and to clarify its related risk factors.Methods:A total of 341 male workers exposed to occupational acid fog and 201 male workers without occupational exposure were selected as the study subjects,and they were divided into exposure group and control group,respectively.The general informations of the subjects in two groups were collected through questionnaires and physical examinations.The levels of red blood cell count(RBC),platelet count(PLT),albumin(ALB),urea(Urea),creatinine(CR),triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),glycated hemoglobin(HBA1c),and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(Hs-CRP)in serum of the subjects in two groups were detected.The Klemera-Doubal method(KDM)was used to construct the composite aging measure,KDM-biological age(BA)(KDM-BA).The model parameters were trained using samples from the 2009 China Health and Nutrition Survey(CHNS)Database to calculate the BA acceleration of the subjects in two groups;stratified analysis based on the population characteristics was conducted to analyze the BA of the subjects in two groups with different population characteristics;generalized linear model was used to analyze the factors influencing BA acceleration due to acid fog exposure.Results:The model parameters were trained using samples from the 2009 CHNS Database,including 8 133 cases aged 20-79 years,of which 3 788 were male.The levels of Urea,CR,HBA1c,ALB,and TC,as well as systolic blood pressure(SBP),total working years,sleep duration,and body mass index(BMI)of the subjects between two groups had significant differences(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the BA acceleration of the subjects in exposure group was significantly increased(P<0.05).In entire population and exposure group,the BA acceleration in the smokers was significantly higher than that in the non-smokers(P<0.05).In entire population,control group,and exposure group,the BA accelerations of the subjects in different BMI groups were significantly decreased with the increase of BMI(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the BA acceleration of the subjects in exposure group was significantly increased(P<0.05),including those under 40 years old,with total working years of 4-7 years,Han nationality,unmarried,smokers,and sleep duration 6-7 h,and with overweight.Acid fog exposure,smoking,and BMI were associated with the BA acceleration(β=0.72,95%CI:0.24-1.21;β=0.59,95%CI:0.11-1.06;β=-0.29,95%CI:-0.35—-0.22).Conclusion:Occupational acid fog exposure may accelerate the biological aging in the workers,and acid fog is a risk factor to accelerate the biological aging of the body.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between body fat distribution measured by quantitative CT (QCT) and body mass index in adults receiving physical examination.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. From January to December 2021, 3 205 adults undergoing physical examination who met the inclusion criteria and underwent chest CT and QCT examination in the health management discipline of Henan Provincial People′s Hospital were selected as the research objects. The general data were collected; and the subcutaneous fat area, visceral fat area, total abdominal fat area, liver fat content, abdominal obesity and fatty liver detection rate were measured by QCT. According to body mass index, the subjects were divided into normal group (18.5-<24.0 kg/m 2, 1 343 cases), overweight group (24.0-<28.0 kg/m 2, 1 427 cases) and obesity group (≥28.0 kg/m 2, 435 cases). One-way analysis of variance and χ2 test were used to compare the differences of QCT indexes among the three groups. Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis were used to evaluate the correlation between QCT indexes and body mass index. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the diagnostic effect of QCT on obesity and fatty liver. Results:Subcutaneous fat area, visceral fat area, total abdominal fat area, liver fat content, abdominal obesity and fatty liver detection rate in obese group were all significantly higher than those in overweight group and normal group [males, (147.60±46.44) vs (104.33±27.68), (73.46±22.65) cm 2; (297.46±54.70) vs (229.40±53.12), (159.57±49.68) cm 2; (445.06±70.24) vs (333.73±62.91), (233.02±61.87) cm 2; 11.30% (7.90%, 15.55%) vs 8.75% (6.50%, 11.70%), 6.60% (4.80%, 8.70%); 100.0% vs 96.0%, 64.0%; 92.9% vs 86.7%, 73.3%; females, (213.96±48.61) vs (155.85±35.31), (107.24±31.01) cm 2; (185.41±43.88) vs (142.48±41.75), (96.56±36.50) cm 2; (399.37±68.07) vs (298.33±56.86), (203.80±57.53) cm 2; 9.80% (6.90%, 13.30%) vs 7.30% (5.05%, 9.80%), 5.40%(3.50%, 7.20%); 96.4% vs 74.8%, 28.9%; 87.3% vs 75.6%, 56.5%], and were all positively correlated with body mass index (males, r/ rs=0.709, 0.738, 0.831, 0.402, 0.464, 0.225; females, r/ rs=0.798, 0.695, 0.841, 0.416, 0.605, 0.276) (all P<0.001). In both male and female subjects, the detection rates of obesity based on QCT were significantly higher than those based on body mass index (male, 86.9% vs 16.6%; female, 49.3% vs 8.9%), and the detection rates of fatty liver based on QCT were significantly higher than those based on ultrasound (male, 83.6% vs 57.1%; female, 65.2% vs 27.6%) (all P<0.001). ROC curve showed that when the visceral fat area of 142 cm 2 was used as the cut-off value for the diagnosis of obesity in male subjects, the sensitivity and specificity was 100% and 15.8%, respectively; and when the cut-off value of liver fat content 5.0% was used to diagnose fatty liver, the sensitivity and specificity was 88.9% and 25.1%, respectively. When the visceral fat area of 115 cm 2 was set as the cut-off value for the diagnosis of obesity in female subjects, the sensitivity and specificity was 96.4% and 55.3%, respectively; when the liver fat content of 5.0% was set as the cut-off value for the diagnosis of fatty liver, the sensitivity and specificity was 83.7% and 43.2%, respectively. Conclusions:The indexes of abdominal fat and liver fat measured by QCT in adults receiving physical examination are all positively correlated with body mass index. The effect of QCT in the diagnosis of obesity and fatty liver are both better than body mass index and ultrasound.