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 To obtain the protective performance parameters of barium sulfate mortar against positron nuclide γ-rays, provide reference data for precise shielding calculations, and guide the design, evaluation, and construction of radiation shielding. Methods The FLUKA program was used to build a model for simulating the dose equivalent rate variation around points of interest under the irradiation of the most commonly used positron nuclide ¹⁸F with changes in the thicknesses of lead and barium sulfate mortar. The transmission curves of lead and barium sulfate mortar were fitted, and the half-value layer (HVL) and lead equivalence of barium sulfate mortar were calculated based on the fitted curves. Results The ambient dose equivalent rate coefficient of positron nuclide ¹⁸F was 1.339 4×10⁻¹ μSv·m²/MBq·h and the HVL for lead was 4.037 mm, with deviations of 0.043% and 1.53% compared to the values provided in the AAPM Report No. 108, respectively. The HVLs for γ-rays produced by ¹⁸F, using barium sulfate mortar with apparent densities of 4.20, 4.00, and 3.90 g/cm³ mixed with 35.2-grade cement in a 4∶1 mass ratio, were 2.914, 2.969, and 3.079 cm, respectively. The lead equivalences were 0.1385, 0.1360, and 0.1311 mmPb/mm, respectively. Conclusion The three types of barium sulfate mortar can provide good protection against γ-rays in positron imaging locations. As the apparent density of barium sulfate increases, its protective effect improves slightly but remains significantly better than common construction materials like concrete and solid bricks.

Objective:The distribution characteristics of intrathecal drugs and the limitation of current catheterization techniques make traditional intrathecal analgesic treatment nearly useless for refractory craniofacial pain,such as trigemina neuralgia.This technical guideline aims to promote the widespread and standardize the application of intra-prepontine cisternal drug delivery via spinal puncture and catheterization. Methods:A modified Delphi approach was used to work for this guideline.On the issues related to the intra-prepontine cisternal targeted drug delivery technique,the working group consulted 10 experts from the field with 3 rounds of email feedback and 3 rounds of conference discussion. Results:For the efficacy and safety of the intra-prepontine cisternal targeted drug delivery technique,a consensus was formed on 7 topics(with an agreement rate of more than 80%),including the principles of the technique,indications and contraindications,patient preparation,surgical specifications for intra-prepontine cisternal catheter placement,analgesic dosage coordination,analgesic management,and prevention and treatment of complications. Conclusion:Utilizing the intra-prepontine cisternal drug infusion system to manage refractory craniofacial pain could provide advantages in terms of minimally invasive,secure,and effective treatment.This application can not only alleviate the suffering of individuals experiencing the prolonged pain but also support the maintenance of quality of life and dignity in their final moments,justifiing its widespread dissemination and standardized adoption in domestic and international professional fields.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of invisible orthodontic appliances without brackets for the distal movement of maxillary molars to improve the ability of orthodontists to predict treatment outcomes.Methods Web of Science,Cochrane Library,Embase,PubMed,Wanfang Database,CNKI Database,and VIP Database were searched for studies investigating the efficacy of invisible orthodontic appliances for distal movement of maxillary molars in adult patients and published from database inception to August 1,2023.A total of three researchers screened the studies and evaluated their quality and conducted a meta-analysis of those that met quality standards.Results This study included 13 pre-and postcontrol trials with a total sample size of 281 patients.The meta-analysis revealed no sig-nificant differences in the sagittal or vertical parameters of the jawbone after treatment when compared with those before treatment(P＞0.05).The displacement of the first molar was MD=-2.34,95％CI(-2.83,-1.85);the displacement was MD=-0.95,95％CI(-1.34,-0.56);and the inclination was MD=-2.51,95％CI(-3.56,-1.46).There was a statistically significant difference in the change in sagittal,vertical,and axial tilt of the first molar before and after treatment.After treatment,the average adduction distance of the incisors was MD=-0.82,95％CI(-1.54,-0.09),and the decrease in lip inclination was MD=-1.61,95％CI(-2.86,-0.36);these values were significantly different from those before treat-ment(P＜0.05).Conclusion Invisible orthodontic appliances can effectively move the upper molars in a distal direc-tion and control the vertical position of the molars.When the molars move further away,there is some degree of com-pression and distal tilt movement,which is beneficial for patients with high angles.The sagittal movement of incisors is beneficial for improving the patient's profile.

Objective To explore the risk factors of orthostatic hypotension(OH)in patients with multiple system atrophy(MSA).Methods A total of 199 MSA patients were included,and they were divided into groups based on the severity of OH.The data differences between the groups were compared,and the risk factors for the occurrence of OH in MSA patients were analyzed from ordered Logistic regression.Results There were significant differences in gender,diabetes,disease grade,syncope,supine hypertension,fatigue and brain protective drugs among patients with different OH grades(all P＜0.05).Ordered Logistic regression analysis found that disease grade(probable MSA),syncope,supine hypertension,and fatigue were independent risk factors for the occurrence of OH in MSA patients(all P＜0.05).Conclusions OH is commonly present in MSA patients,and its severity is influenced by many factors.Disease grade(probable MSA),syncope,lying hypertension and fatigue are independent risk factors of OH in patients with MSA.

Objective:To provide evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and management of lower limb ischemia in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) patients during treatment according to search, evaluate, and summarize the best evidence on the prevention and management of lower limb ischemia in patients with VA-ECMO.Methods:Based on the PIPOST framework (population, intervention, professional, outcome, setting, and type of evidence), an evidence-based question was formulated. A systematic search was conducted according to the "6S" evidence pyramid model in both domestic and international databases, as well as professional association websites, for all evidence related to the prevention and management of lower limb ischemia in VA-ECMO patients (aged ≥18 years). The types of evidence included clinical decisions, guidelines, expert consensus, systematic reviews, evidence summaries, and original studies. The search was conducted from the construction of the databases to February 2024. Two researchers independently conducted a literature quality evaluation, extracted and summarized evidence from the studies that met the quality criteria.Results:A total of 13 articles were included, consisting of 3 clinical decisions, 3 guidelines, 3 expert consensus, 3 systematic reviews, and 1 randomized controlled trial. A total of 18 pieces of evidence in 7 dimensions were summarized, including risk factors of VA-ECMO lower limb ischemia, evaluation before catheterization, evaluation and monitoring during treatment, prevention of lower limb ischemia, treatment of lower limb ischemia, management of distal perfusion catheter (DPC), and monitoring after VA-ECMO weaning.Conclusion:This evidence summary provides evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and management of lower limb ischemia in VA-ECMO patients, aiming to assist clinical healthcare professionals in developing tailored strategies for the prevention and management of lower limb ischemia based on during VA-ECMO support.

METTL3 and METTL14 are two components that form the core heterodimer of the main RNA m6A methyltransferase complex (MTC) that installs m6A. Surprisingly, depletion of METTL3 or METTL14 displayed distinct effects on stemness maintenance of mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC). While comparable global hypo-methylation in RNA m6A was observed in Mettl3 or Mettl14 knockout mESCs, respectively. Mettl14 knockout led to a globally decreased nascent RNA synthesis, whereas Mettl3 depletion resulted in transcription upregulation, suggesting that METTL14 might possess an m6A-independent role in gene regulation. We found that METTL14 colocalizes with the repressive H3K27me3 modification. Mechanistically, METTL14, but not METTL3, binds H3K27me3 and recruits KDM6B to induce H3K27me3 demethylation independent of METTL3. Depletion of METTL14 thus led to a global increase in H3K27me3 level along with a global gene suppression. The effects of METTL14 on regulation of H3K27me3 is essential for the transition from self-renewal to differentiation of mESCs. This work reveals a regulatory mechanism on heterochromatin by METTL14 in a manner distinct from METTL3 and independently of m6A, and critically impacts transcriptional regulation, stemness maintenance, and differentiation of mESCs.
Animals ; Mice ; Methylation ; Chromatin ; Histones/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/genetics* ; Methyltransferases/metabolism* ; RNA/metabolism*

Multiple system atrophy(MSA)is an adult-onset and progressive neurodegenerative disease,is clinically classified into two subtypes:MSA with predominant parkinsonism(MSA-P)and MSA with predominant cerebellar ataxia(MSA-C),characterized by dysautonomia and dyskinesia.The etiology of MSA is still unknown,multiple pathogenic factors are involved in the pathogenesis of this disease,therefore,in addition to limited symptomatic treatment,there is still a lack of disease modifying therapy to prevent the progress of the disease.Currently,animal and clinical studies targeting α-synuclein,neuroinflammation and neurotrophic supporting are being explored,so this article reviewed the latest progresses to improve the clinical understanding of treatment of MSA.

OBJECTIVE To study protective effect and potential mechanism of Modified yupingfeng nasal spray （YPF+） on nasal mucosal injury in allergic rhinitis （AR） model rats. METHODS AR model was induced by ovalbumin （OVA） and randomly divided into model group， YPF+group （50 µg/side，twice a day）， positive control group （Mometasone furoate aqueous nasal spray， 50 µg/side，once a day）； the blank group was set up， with 10 rats in each group. Administration groups were given relevant medicine， and blank group and model group were given equivalent normal saline for consecutive 4 weeks. Thirty minutes after last medication， the behavioral scores of rats were recorded， and the pathological changes of their nasal mucosa tissue were observed. The level of reactive oxygen species （ROS） in nasal mucosa tissue was detected. The protein and mRNA expressions of nucleotide- binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3），caspase-1，gasdermin D （GSDMD） were detected； the contents of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and IL-18 in serum were also determined. RESULTS Compared with blank group， in model group， the nasal mucosa tissue structure was disordered， inflammatory cells infiltrated seriously， and lamina propria vascular dilation was visible； its behavioral score and pathological score， the level of ROS， protein and mRNA expressions of NLRP3， caspase-1 and GSDMD， serum contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in nasal mucosa tissue were increased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， the symptoms of nasal mucosal injury in rats of each drug group were improved to varying degrees， and the above indicators were significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS YPF+ may improve nasal mucosal injury of rats， relieve AR symptoms such as sneezing， itchy nose， runny nose， the mechanism of which may be associated with reducing the production of ROS in nasal mucosa and downregulating NLRP3/caspase-1/ GSDMD pathway.

Objective To investigate the application status of radiotherapy and nuclear medicine resources in Qingdao, China, and to provide a data foundation for the development of radiotherapy and nuclear medicine in this city. Methods A questionnaire survey was performed on all medical institutions with radiotherapy and nuclear medicine services across Qingdao. The cut off date for questionnaire data pooling was March 31, 2021. Results A total of 18 hospitals have radiotherapy services in Qingdao, including 12 (66.67%) tertiary hospitals and 6 (33.33%) secondary hospitals. There were 29 pieces of radiotherapy equipment in total, including 24 (82.76%) linear accelerators, 4(13.79%) brachytherapy units, and 1(3.45%) helical tomotherapy unit. Among all patients with radiotherapy in Qingdao, 79.68% were treated in tertiary hospitals. Nuclear medicine departments have been set up in five medical institutions in Qingdao, all in tertiary hospitals. There were five PET-CT scanners, seven SPECT scanners, and two cyclotrons in these nuclear medicine departments. Conclusion Qingdao had a higher radiotherapy equipping rate than the national average level, but with an uneven personnel distribution. Some secondary hospitals were short of medical physicists. The penetration rates of nuclear medicine equipment and personnel should be improved.