Liver cirrhosis is the terminal stage of various chronic liver diseases， with the main clinical manifestation of portal hypertension， which can lead to spontaneous portosystemic shunt （SPSS）. SPSS is very common in clinical practice and is closely associated with the prognosis of patients. This article summarizes the recent studies in the clinical significance of cirrhotic portal hypertension with SPSS， the controversies in studies， and the current status and future prospects and challenges of treatment， in order to provide a reference for the standardized diagnosis and treatment of portal hypertension.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare neurodegenerative disease with complex clinical manifestations, presenting substantial challenges in clinical diagnosis and treatment. Its symptoms and the eight extraordinary meridians are potentially correlated; therefore, this article explores the association between MSA symptom clusters and the eight extraordinary meridians based on their circulation and physiological functions, as well as their treatment strategies. The progression from deficiency to damage in the eight extraordinary meridians aligns with the core pathogenesis of MSA, which is characterized by "the continuous accumulation of impacts from the vital qi deficiency leading to eventual damage". Liver and kidney deficiency and the emptiness of the eight extraordinary meridians are required for the onset of MSA; the stagnation of qi deficiency and the gradual damage to the eight extraordinary meridians are the key stages in the prolonged progression of MSA. The disease often begins with the involvement of the yin and yang qiao mai, governor vessel, thoroughfare vessel, and conception vessel before progressing to multiple meridian involvements, ultimately affecting all eight extraordinary meridians simultaneously. The treatment approach emphasizes that "the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect method will be needed in order to secure victory" and focuses on "eliminate pathogenic factors and reinforce healthy qi". Distinguishing the extraordinary meridians and focusing on the primary symptoms are pivotal to improving efficacy. Clinical treatment is aimed at the target, and tailored treatment based on careful clinical observation ensures precision in targeting the disease using the eight extraordinary meridians as the framework and core symptoms as the specific focus. Additionally, combining acupuncture, daoyin therapy, and other method may help prolong survival. This article classifies clinical manifestations based on the theory of the eight extraordinary meridians and explores treatment.

Objective In this study,we analyzed the transcriptome sequences of Kupffer cells exposed to simulated microgravity for 3 d and conducted biological experiments to determine how microgravity initiates apoptosis in Kupffer cells. Methods Rotary cell culture system was used to construct a simulated microgravity model.GO and KEGG analyses were conducted using the DAVID database.GSEA was performed using the R language.The STRING database was used to conduct PPI analysis.qPCR was used to measure the IL1B,TNFA,CASP3,CASP9,and BCL2L11 mRNA expressions.Western Blotting was performed to detect the level of proteins CASP3 and CASP 9.Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane cells.Transmission electron microscopy was used to detect changes in the ultrastructure of Kupffer cells. Results Transcriptome Sequencing indicated that simulated microgravity affected apoptosis and the inflammatory state of Kupffer cells.Simulated microgravity improved the CASP3,CASP9,and BCL2L11 expressions in Kupffer cells.Annexin-V/PI and JC-1 assays showed that simulated microgravity promoted apoptosis in Kupffer cells.Simulated microgravity causes M1 polarization in Kupffer cells. Conclusion Our study found that simulated microgravity facilitated the apoptosis of Kupffer cells through the mitochondrial pathway and activated Kupffer cells into M1 polarization,which can secrete TNFA to promote apoptosis.

Objective:To discuss the effect of sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-15(Siglec15)derived from M2 tumor-associated macrophages(M2-TAMs)on promoting the malignant biological behavior of the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)through bioinformatics analysis,and to validate the findings through cell experiment.Methods:The Tumor Immune Estimation Resource(TIMER)online Database was used to analyze the expression differences and immune infiltration of Siglec15 in pan-cancer and adjacent normal tissues.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of Siglec15 mRNA in M2-TAMs and ESCC EC109 and KYSE150 cells.Based on the non-contact co-culture of M2-TAMs and ESCC cells,the following groups were set up,such as EC109/KYSE150 group,EC109/KYSE150+si-NC group(transfected with si-NC sequence),and EC109/KYSE150+si-Siglec15 group(transfected with si-Siglec15#1 and si-Siglec15#2 sequences).CCK-8 method was used to detect the proliferation activities of the cells in various groups;wound healing assay was used to detect the wound healing rates of the cells in various groups;Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the numbers of migration and invasion cells in various groups;flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rates of the cells in various groups.Results:The bioinformatics analysis results showed that compared with adjacent normal tissue,the expression levels of Siglec15 mRNA in pan-cancer tissues such as esophageal cancer,colon cancer,and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tissues were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the expression level of Siglec15 mRNA in esophageal cancer tissue was significantly positively correlated with the infiltration of the macrophages(P＜0.05).Compared with the EC109 cells and KYSE150 cells,the expression level of Siglec15 mRNA in M2-TAMs was significantly increased(P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in the proliferation rate of the cells among EC109/KYSE150 group,EC109/KYSE150+si-NC group,and EC109/KYSE150+si-Siglec15 group(P＞0.05).Compared with EC109/KYSE150 group,after treated for 24 and 48 h,the wound healing rate of the cells in EC109/KYSE150+si-NC group was increased(P＜0.01),the numbers of migration and invasion cells were increased(P＜0.05),and the apoptotic rate was decreased(P＜0.01).Compared with EC109/KYSE150+si-NC group,the wound healing rates of the cells in EC109/KYSE150+si-Siglec15#1 group and EC109/KYSE150+si-Siglec15#2 group were decreased(P＜0.05),the numbers of migration and invasion cells were decreased(P＜0.05),and the apoptotic rates of the cells had no significant difference(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Siglec15 derived from M2-TAMs may be a key factor in promoting the migration and invasion of the ESCC cells.

Talents are the main force for the development of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）， and the construction of TCM talents and the reformation of talent evaluation system are essential to promote the inheritance and innovation of TCM. At present， we are still exploring and developing in the fields of the formulation， implementation and evaluation indicators of TCM talent evaluation system. However， there are shortcomings and difficulties. For instance， insufficient stratification in the evaluation， excessive emphasis on the quantity of achievements， neglecting the quality of the achievements and the actual contribution， imperfect assessment indicators， and the weak characteristics of TCM. Therefore， national ministries and commissions have jointly issued a document requesting to break the four only and set a new standard， in order to promote the construction of a scientific and technological talent evaluation system oriented by innovation value， ability and contribution. For the evaluation of TCM clinical talents， China Association for Science and Technology commissioned China Association of Chinese Medicine to build the China Clinical Cases Library of TCM（CCCL-TCM）， which aims at collecting the most authoritative and representative TCM clinical cases and exploring the advantages of applying clinical cases as masterpiece of achievement in TCM clinical talents evaluation. CCCL-TCM can promote the construction of a talent evaluation system that is more in line with the development characteristics of TCM industry， and to carry out relevant pilot in TCM colleges and institutions across the country in order to promote the reformation of TCM talent evaluation system.

Humans ; COVID-19 ; Epidemics ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; Hospitalization

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. IBS is a multifactorial, stress-sensitive disease. Epigenetic changes include DNA methylation change, histone modification, and differential expressions of microRNA and long non-coding RNA. Explaining the changes in IBS from the perspective of epigenetics could bring new insights for the pathogenesis and treatment of the disease. This article reviewed the progress in research on the epigenetics of IBS.

Orofacial pain or tenderness is a primary symptom associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (TMDs). To understand the pathological mechanisms underlying TMDs, several mouse models have been developed, including mechanical stimulus-induced TMD and genetic mouse models. However, a lack of feasible approaches for assessing TMD-related nociceptive behaviours in the orofacial region of mice has hindered the in-depth study of TMD-associated mechanisms. This study aimed to explore modifications of three existing methods to analyse nociceptive behaviours using two TMD mouse models: (1) mechanical allodynia was tested using von Frey filaments in the mouse TMJ region by placing mice in specially designed chambers; (2) bite force was measured using the Economical Load and Force (ELF) system; and (3) spontaneous feeding behaviour tests, including eating duration and frequency, were analysed using the Laboratory Animal Behaviour Observation Registration and Analysis System (LABORAS). We successfully assessed changes in nociceptive behaviours in two TMD mouse models, a unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC)-induced TMD mouse model and a β-catenin conditional activation mouse model. We found that the UAC model and β-catenin conditional activation mouse model were significantly associated with signs of increased mechanical allodynia, lower bite force, and decreased spontaneous feeding behaviour, indicating manifestations of TMD. These behavioural changes were consistent with the cartilage degradation phenotype observed in these mouse models. Our studies have shown reliable methods to analyse nociceptive behaviours in mice and may indicate that these methods are valid to assess signs of TMD in mice.

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of 125I radioactive seed implantation in the treatment of mediastinal lymph node metastasis. Methods: Records of 53 patients enrolled in Shaanxi Provincial Tumor Hospital from June 2014 to June 2018 with me-diastinal lymph node metastasis treated by computed tomography (CT)-guided 125I seed implantation were analyzed retrospectively. The preoperative treatment planning system was validated after the surgery. Intraoperative and post-operative complications were re-corded. The improvement in quality of life was observed. Chest CT follow-up was conducted 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after treatment. The local focus control was evaluated. The median survival and total survival were recorded, and the survival prognosis and causes of death were analyzed. Results: The median survival time was 254 days (8.5 months), one-year survival rate was 48.67%, and complete and partial response rate was 83.02% (44/53). Multivariate Cox model analysis showed that the survival progno-sis was related to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, distant metastasis at the time of implantation, concurrent chemotherapy after implantation, and secondary seed implantation (P<0.05). The rates of developing pneumothorax and hemoptysis during and after the surgery were 20.75% (11/55) and 13.20% (7/55), respectively. No patients died. After implantation, the remission rate of cough, shortness of breath, pain, hoarseness, and superior vena cava syndrome was 60.00%-82.61%. Conclusions: CT-guid-ed 125I seed implantation in the treatment of mediastinal lymph node metastasis has the advantages of minimal trauma, remarkable cu-rative effect, safety, and feasibility. It has important application value and is worthy of further clinical application.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors after percutaneous coronary intervention of women with the first non-ST-segment elevation myoeardial infarction.Methods A total of 123 female patients with AMI,including 70 patients with NSTEMI and 53 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI),who received PCI within 24 hours of onset were selected from June 2013 to June 2015.The clinical data were compared between patients with NSTEMI and with STEMI.Cox regression model was used to analyze the prognostic factors for the elderly patients with NSTEMI.Results The female patients with NSTEMI had more cases of patients with hypertension (48 vs.26),diabetes (38 vs.38) and hyperlipidemia (52 vs.29)than the female patients with STEMI.Significant differences in systolic blood pressure [(134.31±22.26)mmHg vs.(125.04 ± 19.63) mmHg],levels of white blood cell [(9.02 ± 3.75) 109/L vs.(11.37 ± 3.63) 109/L] and troponin Ⅰ [(8.63 ± 18.34) μg/L vs.(18.79 ± 27.76) μg/L] were observed in the above two groups (l P ＜ 0.05,respectively).The rates of revascularization,major adverse cardiovascular events in NSTEMI group were higher than those in STEMI group during 1 year after discharge (47.7％ vs.28.0％,62.9％ vs.35.8％) (P ＜ 0.05,respectively).Cox survival analysis showed that white blood cell (HR =1.241) and troponin-Ⅰ (HR =1.026) elevation were the risk prognostic factors after PCI for women with the first NSTEMI.Conclusion More hypertension,diabetes,hyperlipidemia and higher levels of systolic blood pressure,lower levels of white blood cell and troponin Ⅰ were observed in women with the first NSTEMI.The long-term prognosis of female patients with NSTEMI is poor.And elevated levels of white blood cell and troponin-Ⅰ were the risk prognostic factors after PCI for women with the first NSTEMI.