ObjectiveTo observe clinical effectiveness and safety of lumbar oscillatory manipulation in the treatment of patients with lumbar disc herniation. MethodsThis study recruited 90 lumbar disc herniation patients who were randomly divided into 45 cases each in the treatment group and the control group. The treatment group was given lumbar oscillatory manipulation， while the control group was given traditional lumbar obliquely pulling manipulation， and both groups were treated twice a week for 4 weeks. The Oswestry dysfunction index （ODI） score， lumbar spine mobility， and the absolute values of difference in hardness between the left and right sides of the lumbar erector spinae muscle were compared between groups of patients before treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment； the shear wave elastic modulus of multifidus muscle and abdominal muscle thickness were compared between groups before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment； the clinical effectiveness of the treatment was compared， and the safety evaluation was carried out. ResultsCompared with the group before treatment， the ODI scores and the the absolute values of difference in hardness between the left and right sides of the lumbar erector spinae muscle decreased after 2 and 4 weeks treatment in both groups， and the mobility of the lumbar vertebrae in all directions of anterior flexion， posterior extension， left lateral flexion， and right lateral flexion increased； the shear wave elastic modulus of bilateral multifidus muscles of the fourth lumbar vertebral segments decreased， and the thickness of abdominal muscle increased after 4 weeks of treatment in both groups （P＜0.05）. Compared with the control group， the ODI score of the treatment group decreased after 2 weeks of treatment， and the shear wave elastic modulus value of bilateral multifidus muscle of the fourth lumbar vertebral segment decreased and the thickness of abdominal muscle increased after 4 weeks of treatment （P＜0.05）. The total effective rate was 90.48% （38/42） in the treatment group and 71.43% （30/42） in the control group， and the clinical effectiveness of the treatment group was better than that of the control group （P＜0.05）. No adverse events occurred in both groups during the study. ConclusionLumbar oscillatory manipulation is superior to traditional lumbar obliquely pulling manipulation in relieving symptoms of lumbar disc herniation and improving lumbar spine function， which may be related to its improvement in the elasticity of the multifidus muscle.

This study explored the mechanism of Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction(XSLJZD) in the treatment of functional dyspepsia(FD) based on inositol-requiring enzyme 1(IRE1)/apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1(ASK1)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK) pathway-mediated autophagy in interstitial cells of Cajal(ICC). Forty-eight SPF-grade male SD suckling rats were randomly divided into a blank group and a modeling group, and the integrated modeling method(iodoacetamide gavage + disturbance of hunger and satiety + swimming exhaustion) was used to replicate the FD rat model. After the model replications were successfully completed, the rats were divided into a model group, high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose groups of XSLJZD(12, 6, and 3 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and a positive drug group(mosapride of 1.35 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and the intervention lasted for 14 days. The gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate of rats in each group were measured. The histopathological changes in the gastric sinus tissue of rats in each group were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The ultrastructure of ICC was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The immunofluorescence double staining technique was used to detect the protein expression of phospho-IRE1(p-IRE1), TNF receptor associated factors 2(TRAF2), phospho-ASK1(p-ASK1), phospho-JNK(p-JNK), p62, and Beclin1 in ICC of gastric sinus tissue of rats in each group. Western blot was used to detect the related protein expression of gastric sinus tissue of rats in each group. Compared with those in the blank group, the rats in the model group showed decreased body weight, gastric emptying rate, and intestinal propulsion rate, and transmission electron microscopy revealed damage to the endoplasmic reticulum structure and increased autophagosomes in ICC. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that the ICC of gastric sinus tissue showed a significant elevation of p-IRE1, TRAF2, p-ASK1, p-JNK, and Beclin1 proteins and a significant reduction of p62 protein. Western blot revealed that the expression levels of relevant proteins in gastric sinus tissue were consistent with those of proteins in ICC. Compared with the model group, the body weight of rats in the high-dose and medium-dose groups of XSLJZD was increased, and the gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate were increased. Transmission electron microscopy observed amelioration of structural damage to the endoplasmic reticulum of ICC and reduction of autophagosomes, and the p-IRE1, TRAF2, p-ASK1, p-JNK, and Beclin1 proteins in the ICC of gastric sinus tissue were significantly decreased. The p62 protein was significantly increased. Western blot revealed that the expression levels of relevant proteins in gastric sinus tissue were consistent with those of proteins in ICC. XSLJZD can effectively treat FD, and its specific mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the expression of molecules related to the endoplasmic reticulum stress IRE1/ASK1/JNK pathway in ICC and the improvement of autophagy to promote gastric motility in ICC.
Animals ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Interstitial Cells of Cajal/metabolism* ; Dyspepsia/physiopathology* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5/genetics* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Humans ; Endoribonucleases/genetics* ; Multienzyme Complexes

Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus is the dried bulb of perennial herbaceous plants in the Fritillaria genus(Liliaceae family) and is a representative traditional Chinese medicinal material with distinctive regional characteristics. Clinically, it is widely used in the treatment of dry cough, bronchial asthma, and other respiratory diseases, possessing significant medicinal and economic value and being highly esteemed in TCM. Currently, Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus primarily relies on wild harvesting. However, due to excessive collection, its wild resources have drastically declined, and all source species have been classified as category Ⅱ in the List of National Key Protected Wild Plants, exacerbating the supply-demand imbalance in the market. To mitigate this issue, large-scale cultivation through the domestication of wild Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus has become an inevitable trend. However, its strict environmental requirements, low propagation efficiency, high seedling mortality, and immature cultivation techniques have severely hindered industrialization. This study investigates the domestication process of Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus, focusing on seed propagation, seedling cultivation, and medicinal material production. It also reviews the species and distribution of wild resources, their endangered status, market supply-demand dynamics, and the historical and current development of domestication. The findings indicate that enhancing propagation efficiency, optimizing cultivation models, and distinguishing between seed propagation and medicinal material production are key measures to accelerate the industrialization of domesticated Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus. This research aims to promote the industrialization of Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus domestication and provide a reference model for the conservation and sustainable utilization of rare and endangered medicinal plant resources.
Fritillaria/chemistry* ; Endangered Species ; Plants, Medicinal/growth & development* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/economics* ; China

Taxifolin (TAX) is a natural compound known for its liver protection effect, but the mechanism remains unknown. Phosphorylated proteomics analyses discovered that the phosphorylation level of NDRG1 at T328 was a key event of TAX-improved liver fibrosis. We established models with NDRG1 knockout (KO) in vivo and in vitro, demonstrating that NDRG1 KO attenuated the development of hepatocyte injury, and combining NDRG1 KO and TAX administration did not result in a reduction in protection against liver injury. Cellular thermal shift assay and surface plasma resonance analysis showed that TAX directly binds to NDRG1 rather than its upstream kinase, subsequently demonstrating that TAX regulated phosphorylation of NDRG1 at T328 through binding to its C289 site. NDRG1 T328A (phosphorylated mutation) and T328E (mimic phosphorylation) in vivo and in vitro confirmed that pNDRG1_T328 exacerbates hepatocyte injury along with DNA damage, inflammatory response, and apoptosis, thereby contributing to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation. In contrast, TAX can inhibit the above pathological abnormalities and block hepatocyte injury-triggered HSCs activation and fibrosis. Overall, TAX is a potent liver protection drug primarily targeting NDRG1 and inhibiting pNDRG1_T328 in hepatocytes.

Objective:To investigate the impact of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) density in the tumor stroma on the long-term prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) liver transplant patients meeting the Hangzhou criteria.Methods:This study is a retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of 83 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who met the Hangzhou criteria and underwent allogeneic liver transplantation from January 2018 to December 2023 in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University were collected and analyzed. Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining was used to study the density of TILs in the resected liver grafts. Patients were divided into TILs-negative group (TILs<10%, n=31) and TILs-positive group (TILs≥10%, n=52) based on whether the TILs density exceeded 10%. Clinical and pathological characteristics were analyzed, and the significance of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), TILs density, and microvascular invasion on the prognosis of HCC patients who met the Hangzhou criteria was studied. Measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s) and compared between groups using t-test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were expressed as M ( Q1, Q3) and compared using rank-sum tests. Categorical data were compared using chi-square test. Kaplan-Meier method was used to study the relationship between various observation indicators and overall survival, and survival curves were plotted. Log-rank test was used to compare the survival rates between groups, and multivariate Cox regression model was used to adjust for the distribution of risk factors between groups. Results:The preoperative AFP level in the TILs-negative group was (15.69±1.21) U/mL, and in the TILs-positive group was (12.17±0.13) U/mL, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups ( P<0.05). In the TILs-negative group, 8 cases had microvascular invasion, and the number of low, moderate, and high differentiation tumors was 8, 23, and 0, respectively. In the TILs-positive group, 3 cases had microvascular invasion, and the number of low, moderate, and high differentiation tumors was 2, 31, and 19, respectively. The results indicated that patients in the TILs-negative group were more likely to have microvascular invasion and poorer tumor differentiation ( P<0.05). All patients were regularly followed up, and the 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates in the TILs-negative group and TILs-positive group were 84.0%, 77.6%, 69.8%, and 94.7%, 91.7%, 86.6%, respectively ( P<0.01). Cox proportional hazards model indicated that microvascular invasion ( RR=4.474, 95% CI: 1.172-17.072, P=0.028) and TILs-negative status ( RR=5.081, 95% CI: 1.420-18.184, P=0.012) were independent risk factors for the long-term prognosis of HCC patients who met the Hangzhou criteria. Conclusions:Among HCC patients meeting the Hangzhou criteria, the density of TILs in the tumor stroma is related to AFP levels, tumor differentiation, and the presence of microvascular invasion. TILs-negative status indicates a poorer prognosis for these patients.

Objective:Explore the predictive value of the C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) and combined indicators for the prognosis of cardiac arrest (CA) patients.Methods:Retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who recovered spontaneous circulation after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2021 to May 2023. Patients were divided into survival and non-survival groups based on their status at discharge. Baseline characteristics, CPR data, and laboratory indicators were compared between the two groups. Statistically significant indicators were further analyzed using multivariate logistic regression to identify independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of CA patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to assess the predictive value of each independent factor and combined indicators for the prognosis of CA patients.Results:A total of 145 patients were included in the study, including 33 patients in the survival group and 112 patients in the non-survival group. There were statistically significant differences between the survival group and the non-survival group in terms of CPR duration, the dosage of vasopressor drugs used, ICU length of stay, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health EvaluationⅡ (APACHEⅡ) score at ICU admission, lactate, fibrinogen, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, CAR, myoglobin, and creatine kinase isoenzyme (all P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that CAR and CPR duration were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of CA patients (CAR: OR=2.372, 95% CI: 1.094~5.146, P=0.029; CPR duration: OR=1.170, 95% CI: 1.020~1.342, P=0.025). ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under the curve for CAR, CPR duration, and their combination in predicting patient prognosis were 0.792, 0.731, and 0.859, respectively. The cut-off values for CAR and CPR duration were 1.455 and 11.5 minutes, respectively. Conclusions:The CAR and CPR duration are independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of CA patients, and the predictive value is higher when both CAR and CPR duration are combined. A CAR greater than 1.455 and a CPR duration longer than 11.5 minutes suggest a poorer prognosis for the patients.

Macrophages are vital in maintaining tissue homeostasis in the lungs by modulating and regulating immune responses.Based on different origins and anatomical locations,macrophages in the lungs are categorized into alveolar macrophages,interstitial macrophages,perivascular macrophages,and inflammatory macrophages.Alveolar macrophages are located in the alveolar spaces and are primarily responsible for maintaining alveolar surfactant homeostasis,defending against pathogens and regulating immune responses.Interstitial macrophages can maintain homeostasis,regulate immunity and anti-inflammation in the lung tissue.Perivascular macrophages play a crucial role in inhibiting lung inflammation,improving pulmonary fibrosis,and regulating lung tumor progression due to antigen-presenting and immunomodulatory effects.Inflammatory macrophages,which are differentiated from monocytes during inflammation,regulate the inflammatory process.This article reviews the origins of various subpopulations of macro-phages in the lung tissue and their physiological and pathological functions as well as discusses the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

Objective:To explore the influencing factors of left ventricular thrombus (LVT) in patients with non-ischemic heart failure (NIHF) and to construct a nomogram prediction model for NIHF patients with LVT.Methods:This study was a case-control study. A total of 2 592 patients with NIHF hospitalized in Beijing Anzhen Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2018 to July 2022 were selected. Fifty-one patients with LVT identified by echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance were classified into LVT group. One hundred and sixty patients were selected as the non-LVT group using a 1∶3 propensity score matching based on age and gender. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of LVT in patients with NIHF. A nomogram prediction model was constructed, and the area under (AUC) the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to evaluate the predictive effect of the model.Results:A total of 211 patients were enrolled, with a median age of 40 years old and 160 males (76%). Compared with non-LVT group, LVT group had lower systolic blood pressure ((112±20) mmHg vs. (120±19) mmHg; 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; (27±12)% vs. (39±14)% ), lower proportion of patients with history of hypertension (28% (14/51) vs. 44% (70/160)) and atrial fibrillation (8% (4/51)vs.39% (62/160)), higher proportion of patients with New York Heart Association functional class Ⅲ to Ⅳ (class Ⅲ: 59% (30/51) vs. 41% (66/160); class Ⅳ: 28% (14/51) vs. 19% (31/160)), and larger left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD; (56±14) mm vs. (50±15) mm). The levels of hemoglobin ((152±23) g/L vs. (142±30) g/L), D-dimer (508 (300, 1 105) μg/L vs. 158 (68, 379) μg/L), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (3 429 (2 462, 4 734) ng/L vs. 1 288 (422, 2 544) ng/L) were higher in LVT group than in non-LVT group ( P all<0.05). LVT group had a higher proportion of patients using beta-blockers (92% (47/51) vs. 78% (124/160)), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers or angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (88% (45/51) vs. 72% (115/160)), and anticoagulant drugs (98% (50/51) vs. 32% (51/160)) than non-LVT group (all P <0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed that reduced LVEF ( OR=1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.15, P=0.008), decreased LVESD ( OR=1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.12, P=0.013), and increased D-dimer levels ( OR=5.40, 95% CI 1.98-14.74, P=0.001) were independent influencing factors for LVT in patients with NIHF. The ROC curve showed that the AUC of the nomogram for predicting LVT in patients with NIHF was 0.793 (95% CI 0.710-0.876, P<0.001). Conclusion:Reduced LVEF, decreased LVESD, and elevated D-dimer are associated with LVT in NIHF patients. The predictive model developed based on the above indicators has certain value in predicting LVT in NIHF patients.

Cosmetics containing plant extracts may pose health risks to consumers due to inadequate control over the quality of plant raw materials,which may lead to residues of pesticides such as carbendazim in cosmetics. Developing rapid detection methods is of paramount importance for regulating product quality and safeguarding human health. A rapid on-site analytical method was developed for the screening of six kinds of pesticide residues in plant extract-based cosmetics using fan-shaped paper spray ionization with chromatographic enrichment functionality coupled with a miniature mass spectrometer. Cosmetic samples were directly loaded onto the fan-shaped paper substrate drop by drop,followed by chromatographic enrichment,paper spray ionization,and the miniature mass spectrometry analysis. The entire analysis time for a single run was less than 1 min. By loading samples in a dropwise manner,significantly improved chromatographic enrichment on the tip and 6 to 32-fold signal enhancement were achieved on the fan-shaped paper substrate compared to traditional triangle-shaped paper substrate. The limits of detection (LODs) and quantitation (LOQs) for the six kinds of pesticides were 0.02-0.05 mg/kg and 0.05-0.10 mg/kg,respectively. The recoveries were 82.6％-101.8％ with relative standard deviations of 8.3％-16.5％. The established method was convenient,sensitive,and suitable for rapid,on-site screening of pesticide residues in plant extract-based cosmetics.

Objective:To discuss the feasibility and safety of robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal tumor resection in prone position.Methods:From August 2023 to January 2024, a total of eight patients with retroperitoneal tumors from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively analyzed, including two males and six females. The average age was (47.4±12.5) years, average BMI was (24.4±3.5) kg/m 2 and median ASA grade was 2(2, 3). Retroperitoneal tumors were identified preoperatively through CT or MRI. The imaging revealed 4 cases of adrenal tumors located on the left side, 2 on the right side, and 2 non-adrenal tumors situated on the left side. The preoperative diagnoses included 2 cases of non-functional adrenal tumors, 2 cases of pheochromocytoma, 1 case of Cushing’s syndrome, 1 case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, and 2 cases of non-adrenal tumors. Robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal tumor resection was performed with all patients in prone position. The inferior margin of the fourth lumbar vertebra (L4) was determined by the line connecting the highest points of the iliac crests bilaterally. Subsequently, the inferior margins of the L1-L3 vertebrae were sequentially identified. The surgical field was then divided into three equal segments, utilizing the posterior midline of the spine and the midaxillary line as boundaries. The medial division was situated approximately at the lateral border of the vertical spinal muscles, while the lateral division was placed near the tip of the 12th rib. A longitudinal incision of approximately 3 cm in length was created within the lateral division between L2 and L3 for the insertion of a camera trocar. The extraperitoneal space was subsequently dilated using a self-made balloon, and two 8 mm trocars were placed as operative ports along the medial division and the midaxillary line, respectively, under finger guidance. Assistance trocars, one or two 12 mm in diameter, were introduced above the level of the iliac crest. During the operation, the extraperitoneal adipose tissue was removed and the Gerota's fascia was opened. For non-adrenal retroperitoneal tumours, the major blood vessels around the tumour were suspended and fixed, by titanium clips or Hem-o-lok clips to dissect the small arteries and veins, and the tumour was carefully isolated and completely resected. For adrenal tumours, the fat capsule around the upper pole of the kidney were removed, the adrenal gland was exposed, and then the tumour was removed completely along its capsule. If total adrenalectomy is performed, the central adrenal vein was clamped and dissected. The periphery of the adrenal gland was gradually dissected until the adrenal gland was completely removed.The perioperative data, including patient positioning time, trocar placement time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative drainage tube removal time, as well as recurrence and metastasis, were recorded.Two patients underwent partial nephrectomy due to renal tumor, and only the time for retroperitoneal tumor resection was included in calculating operation time. Results:All 8 surgeries were successfully completed without dramatic blood pressure fluctuations.There was no conversion to open surgery or abdominal organ injury. The patient positioning time was (5.1±0.4) minutes, trocar placement time was (16.6±1.3) minutes, operation time was (28.8±13.8) minutes, intraoperative blood loss was (65.0±28.7) ml, postoperative hospital stay was (3.6±0.9) days, and drainage tube removal time was (2.8±1.0) days. No intraoperative or postoperative blood transfusions were required. Postoperatively diagnosed pathologies included: 2 cases of adrenal pheochromocytoma, 2 cases of adrenal sebaceous adenoma, 2 cases of retroperitoneal schwannoma, 1 case of adrenal myelolipoma, and 1 case of adrenal metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The average tumor size for all patients was (4.3±1.5) cm. After a follow-up of 2.0-7.2 months, there were no recorded postoperative complications, including haemorrhage, infections, acute hypotension, or adrenocortical insufficiency. Additionally, no evidence of tumor recurrence or metastasis was observed up during foolow-up.Conclusions:Robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal tumor resection in prone position could be a safe and feasible surgical approach with short operative time, low bleeding, and fast postoperative recovery.