ObjectiveTo analyze the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） patterns in patients with spasmodic torticollis and provide reference for standardized differentiation and clinical treatment. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in the spasmodic torticollis outpatient clinic and dystonia ward of the First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from June 2022 to December 2023. The general information including gender， age， duration of disease and type， and the TCM four examinations data such as symptoms， tongue manifestation and pulse manifestation of 198 patients with spasmodic torticollis were obtained by means of on-site questionnaires. Descriptive frequency analysis， factor analysis， and cluster analysis were performed， and the distribution of major TCM patterns were summarized based on the clinical information. ResultsA total of 198 patients with spasmodic torticollis were included， of which 89 （44.95%） were male and 109 （55.05%） were female， with an average age of 40.70±0.96 years and an average course of disease of 24.78±2.32 months. A total of 296 symptoms/signs were obtained， with a cumulative frequency of 6756 times， of which 58 symptoms/signs had a frequency ≥20%， and the top three were neck and back stiffness （83.84%）， condition related to emotions （74.75%） and irritability （72.73%）. Factor analysis of 58 symptoms/signs showed that factor rotation converged after 51 iterations， resulting in 20 common factors with a cumulative contribution of 64.03%. The top three syndrome elements related to the location of the disease were liver， channels， tendons and bones， and those related nature of the disease were dominated by qi stagnation， blood stasis and yin deficiency. The cluster analysis of the 20 common factors showed that the main TCM patterns were internal stirring of liver wind syndrome， liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome， turbid phlegm obstruction syndrome， and pathogen congested in the channels syndrome. Among the 198 patients， 81 were diagnosed with internal stirring of liver wind syndrome， 60 with liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome， 37 with turbid phlegm obstruction syndrome， and 20 with pathogen congested in the channels syndrome.There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of TCM patterns among patients of different genders， age groups， and duration of disease （P＞0.05）. ConclusionSpasmodic torticollis is mainly located in the liver， mostly with internal stirring of liver wind syndrome， liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome， turbid phlegm obstruction syndrome， and pathogen congested in the channels syndrome.

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 review the characteristics and coping strategies of the rescue and landing medical support mission of Shenzhou-14 manned spacecraft.Methods:The characteristics of rescue and landing medical support mission of Shenzhou-14 manned spacecraft was analyzed, and the coping strategies and experience were discussed.Results:(1) The characteristics of rescue and landing medical support mission of Shenzhou-14 manned spacecraft included: long time in space station and high-intensity space missions; high-density space medical support mission in short term; special environmental factors in severe cold night; complex terrain of landing site; and the young medical support team. (2) The main coping strategies of rescue and landing medical support mission of Shenzhou-14 manned spacecraft included: strengthened the organization and leadership and improved the training model; reinforcement learning the medical treatment plan and strengthened the medical rescue skills training; optimized the carrying equipment and added the heat preservation and lighting measures; improved the medical rescue process and perfected the emergency plan; emphasized on the scientific research as important as mission; and strengthened the physical exercise and cold resistance exercise.Conclusions:The characteristics and coping strategies of rescue and landing medical support mission of Shenzhou-14 manned spacecraft are summarized to provide the experience for space medical rescue and offer the support for China's manned space industry.

Objective:To report a case of developmental epileptic encephalopathy caused by CACNA1E gene mutation and explore C Clinical phenotype and prognosis of 2069G>A (p.Gly690Asp) locus.Methods:The clinical data and follow-up of a case of developmental epilepsy related to CACNA1E gene mutation admitted to the Maternity And Children Health Hospital of Xiangtan City in September 2020 were summarized and analyzed.Results:The male patient, with delayed intellectual and motor development, sought medical attention and gradually developed seizures. The genetic results showed that the CACNA1E gene c. 2069G>A (p.Gly690Asp) was a newly discovered variant, and the parental site was a wild-type. Based on clinical manifestations, the diagnosis was a pathogenic variant.Conclusions:Developmental epileptic encephalopathy caused by mutations in the CACNA1E gene can have intellectual and motor impairments as the initial manifestation; Site C 2069G>A (p.Gly690Asp) presents with severe epilepsy and poor prognosis, with the possibility of brain atrophy. The combination of valproic acid and clonazepam may be effective in treating epilepsy.

Objective:This study focuses on Na +-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) deficiency to analyze and investigate the value of the serum bile acid profile for facilitating the diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Methods:Clinical data of 66 patients with cholestatic liver diseases (CLDs) diagnosed and treated in the Department of Pediatrics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University from early April 2015 to the end of December 2021 were collected, including 32 cases of NTCP deficiency (16 adults and 16 children), 16 cases of neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD), 8 cases of Alagille syndrome, and 10 cases of biliary atresia. At the same time, adult and pediatric healthy control groups (15 cases each) were established. The serum bile acid components of the study subjects were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The data were plotted and compared using statistical SPSS 19.0 and GraphPad Prism 5.0 software. The clinical and bile acid profiles of children with NTCP deficiency and corresponding healthy controls, as well as differences between NTCP deficiency and other CLDs, were compared using statistical methods such as t-tests, Wilcoxon rank sum tests, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests.Results:Compared with the healthy control, the levels of total conjugated bile acids, total primary bile acids, total secondary bile acids, glycocholic acid, taurocholic acid, and glycochenodeoxycholic acid were increased in NTCP deficiency patients ( P < 0.05). Compared with adults with NTCP deficiency, the levels of total conjugated bile acids and total primary bile acids were significantly increased in children with NTCP deficiency ( P < 0.05). The serum levels of taurochenodeoxycholic acid, glycolithocholate, taurohyocholate, and tauro-α-muricholic acid were significantly increased in children with NTCP deficiency, but the bile acid levels such as glycodeoxycholic acid, glycolithocholate, and lithocholic acid were decreased ( P < 0.05). The serum levels of secondary bile acids such as lithocholic acid, deoxycholic acid, and hyodeoxycholic acid were significantly higher in children with NTCP deficiency than those in other CLD groups such as NICCD, Alagille syndrome, and biliary atresia ( P < 0.05). Total primary bile acids/total secondary bile acids, total conjugated bile acids/total unconjugated bile acids, taurocholic acid, serum taurodeoxycholic acid, and glycodeoxycholic acid effectively distinguished children with NTCP deficiency from other non-NTCP deficiency CLDs. Conclusion:This study confirms that serum bile acid profile analysis has an important reference value for facilitating the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of NTCP deficiency. Furthermore, it deepens the scientific understanding of the changing characteristics of serum bile acid profiles in patients with CLDs such as NTCP deficiency, provides a metabolomic basis for in-depth understanding of its pathogenesis, and provides clues and ideas for subsequent in-depth research.

Objective:To explore the value of serum activin A (ACT-A) level in early identification of moderate and severe acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods:A prospective case control study was conducted. A total of 120 patients with AP admitted to department of hepatobiliary surgery of Affiliated Nanhua Hospital of Hengyang Medical College of University of South China between October 2020 and April 2022 were recruited. According to the revised Atlanta classification, all patients were classified into mild AP group and moderate-to-severe AP group. The blood samples within 24 hours of onset were drawn, and the serum ACT-A and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The Ranson score and the modified CT severity index (MCTSI) were performed. Pearson correlation method was used to analyze the correlation of various parameters. The receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was plotted to analyze the predictive value of ACT-A and CRP for moderate-to-severe AP.Results:A total of 120 patients with AP were enrolled, including 83 patients with mild AP and 37 patients with moderate-to-severe AP. Serum ACT-A and CRP levels within 24 hours of onset in the moderate-to-severe AP group were significantly higher than those in the mild AP group [ACT-A (ng/L): 140.4±37.7 vs. 53.9±30.5, lg CRP: 1.42±0.91 vs. 0.77±0.70, both P < 0.01], and the Ranson score and MCTSI score were also significantly higher than those in the mild AP group (Ranson score: 5.3±1.3 vs. 1.8±1.6, MCTSI score: 5.5±1.0 vs. 2.7±1.2, both P < 0.01). Correlation analysis showed that the serum ACT-A level was positively correlated with serum CRP level, Ranson score and MCTSI score ( R2 value was 0.272, 0.841, 0.616, respectively, all P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the serum ACT-A, CRP and Ranson score had predictive value for moderate-to-severe AP. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.948 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 0.909-0.986], 0.711 (95% CI was 0.606-0.815), 0.946 (95% CI was 0.910-0.982), respectively. When serum ACT-A > 112.6 ng/L, the sensitivity and specificity of predicting moderate-to-severe AP were 78.38% and 96.39%, respectively, which was better than serum CRP with sensitivity and specificity of 72.92% and 66.27%, respectively, and the specificity was better than Ranson score (71.08%). Conclusion:ACT-A can be detected in the early stage of AP, and it is positively correlated with the disease severity, which can early identify moderate-to-severe AP.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, differential diagnosis and prognosis of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).Methods:The clinical and pathological data of 10 patients with MCC were collected at the 940th Hospital of PLA. The histological characteristics were examined. Immunohistochemical EnVision method was used to detect thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF1), broad-spectrum cytokeratin (CKpan), CK20, S-100, Ki-67, CD56, chromogranin A, synaptophysin and other markers in the 10 cases.Results:Intradermal MCC of the skin showed a nested, cord-like, cribriform distribution, polygonal cells, uniform size, and lack of cytoplasm. Tumor cell nuclei were large and round, with clear nuclear membranes, fine and scattered chromatin, absence of nucleoli, and mitotic figures of 10 per 50 high power fields. Among them, one patient had sarcoma and squamous cell carcinoma in situ, one patient had squamous cell carcinoma in situ, and one patient had unique cell morphology. Immunohistochemical staining showed that all cancer cells expressed CKpan, synaptophysin and CD56. There were seven cases with perinuclear dot-like positivity of CK20. Six MCCs expressed chromogranin A to varying degrees, while 2 MCCs were weakly positive for p63. The nuclear positive index in the Ki-67 hotspot area was 60%.Conclusion:The histology of MCC varies. Rendering a correct diagnosis of MCC requires adequate sampling, close correlation with clinical history and rational use of immunohistochemical staining. The treatment requires standardized surgery, postoperative radiotherapy and multimodal chemotherapy. Immunotherapy may replace the traditional treatment in the future.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between endothelial microparticles(EMPs) and subacute 1,2-dichloroethane(1,2-DCE) toxic encephalopathy. METHODS: A total of 24 patients with subacute 1,2-DCE toxic encephalopathy were selected as the case group, and 24 healthy individuals were selected as the control group using a convenient sampling method. Blood plasma was collected from the fasting venous blood of patients in these two groups, and the level of EMPs in the plasma was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The levels of plasma EMPs of patients in the control group and the case group were(692.0±174.4) ×10~3/L and(839.8±155.8) ×10~3/L respectively. The levels of plasma EMPs in patients with mild, moderate and severe case subgroups were(691.6±101.9) ×10~3/L,(900.6±46.6) ×10~3/L and(1 026.8±69.8)×10~3/L respectively. The EMPs level of patients in the case group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.01). The level of EMPs in the moderate and severe case subgroups was higher than that of the control group and mild case subgroup(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Endothelial injury was found in patients with subacute 1,2-DCE toxic encephalopathy and endothelial injury is related to the severity of poisoning.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical features of severe or critical ill adult patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). METHODS: The clinical data of 75 patients with severe or critical COVID-19 in Honghu People's Hospital from January to March in 2020 were collected. RESULTS: Of the 75 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, 41 were male (54.67%) and 34 were female (45.33%) with a mean age of 67.53 ±12.37 years; 43 patients had severe and 32 had critical COVID-19, and 49.3% of the patients had underlying diseases. The main clinical manifestations included fever (78.67%) and coughing (70.67%). Compared with the severe patients, the critically ill patients had higher proportions of patients over 60 years old with elevated white blood cell count, increased prothrombin time, and higher levels of hsCRP, PCT, D-dimer, ALT, LDH, cTnI and NT-proBNP. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that an age over 60 years, leukocytosis, hs-CRP elevation, prolonged prothrombin time, and increased levels of D-dimer, NT-proBNP and cTnI were associated with severe COVID-19. Multivariate logistic regression showed that an age over 60 years (OR=8.165, 95% : 1.483-45.576, =0.017), prolonged prothrombin time (OR=7.516, 95% : 2.568-21.998, =0.006) and elevated NT-proBNP (OR=6.194, 95% : 1.305-29.404, =0.022) were independent risk factors for critical type of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS An age over 60 years, a prolonged prothrombin time and elevated NT-proBNP level are important clinical features of critically ill patients with COVID-19, and can be deemed as early warning signals for critical conditions of the disease.
Aged ; Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; Critical Illness ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To study the radiation-induced mitochondrial damage and energy metabolic alteration in pancreatic exocrine cells,and to explore underlying mechanism.Methods Rat pancreatic exocrine cells (AR42 J) were divided into control group and experimental group irradiated with 6 Gy of X-rays.Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected at 24,48,72 and 96 h,the lactic acid and ATP production were detected at 24 h and 48 h,and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected at 24 h after irradiation.The expressions of energy metabolism related factors of HIF-1α,LDHA and PDH were detected by Western blot.The animal experiments were conducted to confirm the changes.According to random number table,eight rats were randomly divided into two groups with 4 rats in each.The irradiated group was exposed to 12 Gy of X-rays,while the control group sham-irradiated.Results Compared with the nonirradiated control group,the mitochondrial membrane potential (△Ψm) of the experimental group was progressively decreased at 24-96 h after irradiation (t =5.438-17.687,P＜0.05).The ATP content in the experimental group decreased at 24 h and 48 h (q=17.300,8.328,P＜0.05),the lactic acid increased (q =21.790,16.250,P＜0.05),and the ROS level increased (t =7.935,P＜0.05).The expressions of HIF-1α and LDHA were significantly increased,but PDH was reduced after radiation.Silencing HIF-1α by siRNA eliminated radiation-induced energy metabolic alteration.These changes were confirmed with animal experiments by locally irradiating rats.Conclusions The expression of HIF-1α is upregulated by irradiation,which leads to the change of energy metabolism as the enhancement of glycolysis pathway and the inhibition of aerobic oxidation of mitochondria in pancreatic exocrine cells.