ObjectiveTo assess myocardial perfusion by the end-systolic and end-diastolic replenishment parameters of real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE).MethodsTwenty-one patients with myocardial infarction(MI) and normal control group of 6 cases underwent intravenous realtime myocardial contrast echocardiography via slow and homogeneous venous injections of SonoVue.MCE images were obtained from the apical 4-chamber,2-chamber,and long-axis views.According to the exponential function:y(t) =A [1 - e-kt] + B,the time intensity curves were obtained.By an off-line ECG triggering and curve fitting,the replenishment parameters A value,k value,A × k value were obtained separately from end-systolic and end-diastolic images.ResultsIn normal control group,the end-systolic replenishment parameters A value,k value,A × k value were all lower than that of the end-diastolic replenishment parameters[(6.21 ± 2.69)dB vs (7.93 ± 3.66)dB,P ＜0.05；0.36 ± 0.15 vs 0.42 ± 0.19,P ＜ 0.01 ;2.88 ± 1.29 vs 3.39 ± 1.61,P ＜0.05,respectively].The end-diastolic replenishment parameters were found significantly greater variability than the end-systolic values (variation coefficient CV:A value 46.2％ vs 43.3％,k value 45.2％ vs 41.4％,A× k value 47.5％ vs 44.8％,all P ＜0.05).In 21 patients,the end-systolic replenishment parameters in myocardial segments supplied by infarct-related coronary artery were significantly lower than that in myocardial segments supplied by non - infarct - related coronary artery.ConclusionsThe end-systolic and end-diastolic replenishment parameters of real time myocardial contrast echocardiography can assess myocardial perfusion.The variability of the end-systolic replenishment parameters is smaller than that of the end diastolic parameters.Significant variability in k-value suggests that this parameter is best suited for before-after study in the same patient.

Objective To search for application ways for the safe and effective clinical methods of arsenic-containing Compound Qinghuang Powder (Compound QHP) for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Methods Totally 200 patients with MDS were included in the study and treated with Compound QHP. After one-month treatment, the 60 patients with the blood arsenic concentrations <20 μg/L were randomly divided into control group and treatment group, with 30 cases in each group. Control group was given stable treatment, while the treatment group was given increased dose of realgar; blood arsenic concentration was detected monthly; realgar 0.1 g was increased each time until blood arsenic concentrations ≥20 μg/L and realgar ≤0.3 g/d. The blood arsenic concentration, clinical efficacy and safety in the two groups were observed. Results Totally 24 cases in each group were included for evaluation finally. The average blood arsenic concentration of treatment group was significantly higher than those of control group (P<0.05). The rate of hematologic improvement was significantly higher in treatment group (54.2％, 13/24) than that in control group (29.2％, 7/24) , with significant difference (P<0.05). The Hb, ANC, and PLT significantly increased in treatment group after treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant difference of incidence rate of adverse reaction observed between treatment group and control group (P>0.05). Conclusion In application of Compound QHP, the blood arsenic concentration can be monitored to adjust the daily dose of realgar, thus to increase the effective blood arsenic concentration, and then improving efficacy without increasing the clinical toxicity.

Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of compound Qinghuang powder (compound QHP) for treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and its association with blood arsenic concentration (BAC). Methods 40 patients with MDS were treated with compound QHP, and the clinical efficacy, safety, and its association with BAC were evaluated after treatment for 6, 9 months, respectively. Results After treatment for 6 months, the rate of hematology improvement was 32.5 % (13/40), and the effective rate was 87.5%(35/40). 21 cases depended on the blood transfusion before treatment, after treatment 6 cases completely got rid of blood transfusion and the blood transfusion of another 6 cases was decreased by more than 50 %. The absolute neutrophil count was increased from (0.50±0.13)×109/L to (0.93±0.33)×109/L (t= 4.130, P= 0.0008). The hemoglobin content was increased from (71.06±14.82) g/L to (80.41±27.35) g/L (t= 2.233, P= 0.0321). After treatment for 9 months, 76.2 % (16/40) of the patients got rid of blood transfusion or blood transfusion reduction was more than 50%. The platelet count was increased from (45.04 ± 24.38)×109/L to (60.65±29.46)×109/L (t= 2.241, P= 0.0335). The incidence of abdominal pain and diarrhea after treatment for 1, 3 and 6 months were 12.5 % (5/40), 10.0 % (4/40) and 5.0 % (2/40), respectively, all belonging to mild level . Before treatment , there were 12 patients with abnormal liver function , including 6 cases back to normal after treatment, and 6 cases of significantly relieved, without new case with abnormal liver function. Before treatment, there were 10 cases with abnormal myocardial enzymes, including 1 cases back to normal after treatment and 9 cases significantly relieved, without new case with abnormal myocardial enzymes. No patient with abnormal renal function was observed before and after treatment. The BAC was (7.71±5.65) μg/L before treatment, which was significantly lower than that of 1, 3 and 6 months [(29.27±9.07)μg/L, (27.79 ±10.18) μg/L and (31.98 ±12.55) μg/L respectively, all P< 0.0001]. There was no significant change of BAC among the patients after treatment for 1, 3 and 6 months (P> 0.05). The BAC in efficacy group [(33.48 ±12.56) μg/L] was significantly higher than that in non-efficacy group [(21.46 ±6.00) μg/L] (t=2.089, P=0.035). 12.5% (5/40) of the patients had mild gastrointestinal side effects after treatment for 1 month, while the BAC of them [(16.93 ±1.80) μg/L] was significantly lower than that in patients without gastrointestinal side effects [(31.78±1.39 ) μg/L, P<0.0001]. The occurrence rate of abdominal pain and diarrhea was decreased after treatment for 3 and 6 months, while the BAC was increased gradually. Conclusions Compound QHP is effective in the treatment of MDS with mild adverse reactions. There is no damage to the heart, liver, and renal function. Besides, it shows that reducing the gastrointestinal adverse reactions and maintaining the effective concentration of BAC play a significant role in the effect of compound QHP in the treatment of MDS.

BACKGROUND:At present,there are some limitations in evaluating the severity of acute spinal cord injury,and a rapid and accurate evaluation method is urgently needed. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the correlation between the expression levels of serum oxidative stress and nerve injury indexes and the severity of the disease in patients with acute spinal cord injury. METHODS:A total of 65 patients were included in the study from August 2020 to May 2022,including 32 patients in the experimental group(acute spinal cord injury)and 33 patients in the control group(simple spinal fracture).American Spinal Injury Association(ASIA)Impairment Scale and neurological function score were evaluated within 8 hours of admission.Meanwhile,serum levels of superoxide dismutase,malondialdehyde,glutathione,nitric oxide,glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase were detected and compared between the two groups.The correlation between the expression levels of the above serological indicators in serum and ASIA impairment grade and AISA neural function score was analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The average serum levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione in the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group(P<0.001),while the average serum levels of malondialdehyde,nitric oxide,glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase in the experimental group were higher than those of the control group(P<0.01).The serum levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione in the experimental group were positively correlated with the damage grade of AISA(r=0.862 4,0.849 3,P<0.01),while the serum levels of malondialdehyde,nitric oxide,glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase were negatively correlated with the damage grade of AISA(r=-0.866 1,-0.638 1,-0.746 6,P<0.001),and the serum level of nitric oxide was not significantly correlated with the damage grade of AISA(r=-0.177 5,P>0.05).The serum level of glutathione in the experimental group was positively correlated with AISA sensory function scores(r=0.569 9,P<0.001),while the serum levels of malondialdehyde,glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase were negatively correlated with AISA sensory function scores(r=-0.574 1,-0.099 2,-0.708 6,P<0.05),and the serum levels of superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide were not significantly correlated with AISA sensory function scores(r=0.230 8,-0.376 2,P>0.05).The serum levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione in the experimental group were positively correlated with ASIA motor function scores(r=0.380,0.524 7,P<0.05);the serum levels of malondialdehyde,glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase were negatively correlated with AISA motor function scores(r=-0.577 9,-0.452 2,-0.662 8,P<0.05);and the level of nitric oxide had no significant correlation with AISA motor function scores(r=-0.049 7,P>0.05).To conclude,the serum levels of superoxide dismutase,malondialdehyde,glutathione,nitric oxide,glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase in serum of patients with acute spinal cord injury are significantly correlated with ASIA impairment grade and ASIA neural function score,which could be used as biomarkers for early clinical assessment of disease severity.

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of early fluid resuscitation endpoints in evaluating blood volume in patients with acute pancreatitis. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 445 previously untreated patients with acute pancreatitis who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from 2003 to 2016 and had an onset time of less than 24 hours, and according the fluid resuscitation endpoints of mean arterial pressure (MAP), hematocrit (HCT), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), the patients were divided into standard-reaching group (MAP ＞65 mm Hg, BUN ＜7.14 mmol/L, and HCT ≥0.35 and ≤044, n=219) and non-standard-reaching group (MAP ≤65 mm Hg or BUN ≥7.14 mmol/L or HCT ＞0.44 or ＜0.35, n=226). The standard-reaching group represented normal volume, while the non-standard-reaching group represented insufficient volume. The two groups were compared in terms of symptoms, signs, etiology, severity, complication, and prognosis. The chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups. ResultsCompared with the standard-reaching group, the non-standard-reaching group had significant increases in white blood cell count, BUN, and Computed Tomography Severity Index of the pancreas (Z=-2.85, -6.725, and -2.293, all P＜0.01). As for local complications, compared with the non-standard-reaching group, the standard-reaching group had significantly lower incidence rates of peripancreatic exudation (45.2% vs 54.9%, χ2=4.15, P＜0.05) and pancreatic necrosis (10.0% vs 186%, χ2=6.59, P＜0.05). As for systemic complications, compared with the non-standard-reaching group, the standard-reaching group had significantly lower incidence rates of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (0.5% vs 4.4%, χ2=7.26, P＜0.05) and renal dysfunction (1.4% vs 6.6%, χ2=7.95, P＜0.05). The standard-reaching group had significantly lower proportion of patients with severe pancreatitis and hospital costs than the non-standard-reaching group (both P＜0.05). ConclusionFluid resuscitation endpoints can be used to evaluate the blood volume of patients with acute pancreatitis in the early stage after admission, and the patients not reaching the standard of fluid resuscitation tend to develop the complications such as peripancreatic exudation, pancreatic necrosis, ARDS, and renal dysfunction and may have higher hospital costs.

Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of MCCE in gastrointestinal examination of elderly patients with malignant tumors.Methods Clinical data of 127 patients who underwent MCCE examination from April 2019 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.According to age,the patients were divided into the elderly group(age≥65 year-old,n = 88)and the middle-aged group(40≤age<65 year-old,n = 39),and the clinical data of patients with malignant tumors were screened from the two groups for analysis and comparison.Results 131 patients received MCCE examination,and 4 elderly patients were excluded from this study due to swallowing failure,so 88 elderly patients were actually included in the study.In the elderly group,45.4%had serious cardiovascular diseases(40/88),27.3%had malignant tumors(24/88),8.0%had serious respiratory diseases(7/88),6.8%had anesthesia problems(6/88),and 9.1%had neurological diseases(8/88).Among the 24 elderly patients with malignant tumors,25.0%had severe cardiovascular disease,25.0%had poor general status,20.8%had brain metastases,and 12.5%had severe respiratory dysfunction.The positive diagnosis rate of gastric P2 lesions in the elderly group(52/88,59.1%)was significantly higher than that in the middle-aged group(13/39,33.3%)(P = 0.013).There was significant difference in positive rate of ulcer diagnosis between the two groups(29.5%and 10.2%)(P = 0.032).In patients with malignant tumors,the positive rate of ulcer diagnosis between the two groups(45.8%and 11.1%)was statistically significant(P = 0.038).The cleanliness and visualization scores of proximal stomach in the middle-aged group were higher than those in the elderly group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion MCCE is generally effective and safe in elderly patients,especially those with malignant tumors,without missing any significant gastric lesions.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of ocular surface inflammation index after pterygium excision by using Oculus Keratograph(R) 5M and Visual analogue scale and evaluated the effectiveness of antiinflammatory treatment.Methods A prospective case control study was performed.Eighteen patients (6 males and 12 females) who suffered from primary pterygium were recruited in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center from June to September 2016.All patients were treated with monocular pterygium excision combined with amniotic membrane transplantation.Anti-inflammatory treatment was given after surgery,and the ocular inflammation index was evaluated at preoperative and 1st,3rd,7th,10th,30th and 60th day postoperative.The temporal conjunctival hyperemia index (TCHI) was assessed by Oculus Keratograph(R) 5M with a red eye index analysis software.Ocular symptom scores (OSS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to analyze the subjective symptoms of the patients.Fluorescein staining was used to detect the epithelization of corneal and scleral wound.The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA),intraocular pressure and complications were evaluated in this study.This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University (2016KYPJ024).All patients signed informed consent for clinical research.Results No drug-related ocular and systemic adverse events were found during the follow-up.Corneal epithelial defect was recovered on 10th day,and conjunctival epithelization was observed in sclera exposed area on 30th day.The BCVA on the 60th day was 0.12±0.17,which was significantly lower than 0.34±0.36 preoperatively (t =3.401,P =0.003).Compared with those before surgery,OSS and VAS were significantly increased on 1 st day (OSS:Z =-4.255,P =0.000;VAS:Z =-5.256,P =0.000).The OSS on 7th day was not significantly different from that before surgery (Z=-0.958,P=0.372).VAS decreased to baseline on 30th day.The OSS on 60th day after surgery was significantly lower than that before surgery (Z =-2.397,P =0.037).TCHI was higher than 1.2 preoperatively,and increased to the highest on 1 st day after surgery,with significant difference between them (t=-6.620,P=0.000).The TCHI decreased to baseline on 7th day,no significant difference were obtained when compared with preoperative TCHI (t =-1.050,P =0.310),and TCHI on 60th day after surgery was lower than that before surgery,with significant difference between them (t =2.758,P =0.020).Conclusions The subjective symptoms combined with conjunctival hyperemia can be more accurate assessment of ocular surface inflammation in the perioperative period of pterygium surgery,which can be used as an evaluation index to assess the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory treatment.

BACKGROUND:Shujin Jiannao Prescription is an empirical formula for the treatment of cerebral palsy in Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,with clear clinical efficacy,but the specific mechanism needs to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE:To explore the possible mechanism of Shujin Jiannao Prescription in treating cerebral palsy. METHODS:Sixty-four 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group(n=12)and a model group(n=52).An animal model was established by the Rice-Vannucci method.After successful modeling,52 model rats were randomly divided into control model group(n=12),minocycline group,and the low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of the Shujin Jiannao Prescription(n=10 per group).Rats in the minocycline group were given 40 mg/kg·d minocycline by gavage;rats in the low-,medium,and high-dose groups were given 4,8,and 16 g/kg·d Shujin Jiannao Prescription granules by gavage,respectively;and rats in the normal group and control model group were given an equal dose of normal saline by gavage.Medication in each group was given once a day for 1 week.The rats in each group were evaluated behaviorally using suspension test,abnormal involuntary movement score,and Bederson score.The pathological changes of the cerebral cortex were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The levels of tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,and interleukin 10 in the cerebral cortex were determined using ELISA.The positive expressions of Janus kinase 2(JAK2),phosphorylated Janus kinase 2(p-JAK2),phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(p-STAT3)in the cerebral cortex were detected using immunohistochemistry.The protein expression levels of JAK2,p-JAK2,and p-STAT3 were detected using western blot. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the normal group,the suspension test score and involuntary movement score were decreased in the control model group(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05).The pathological results showed structural disruption of nerve cells,formation of large numbers of vacuoles,cell swelling,and increased intercellular space in the control model group.In addition,the expressions of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β in the cerebral cortex were significantly increased(P＜0.01),the expression of interleukin 10 was decreased(P＜0.05),and the protein expressions of JAK2,p-JAK2,and p-STAT3 in the cerebral cortex were significantly increased(P＜0.01)in the control model group compared with the normal group.Compared with the model group,minocycline and Shujin Jiannao Prescription at each dose could improve the behavioral indexes of rats(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05)and ischemic-hypoxic pathological changes were attenuated,with only a small amount of necrotic nerve cells and a few vacuoles,and reduced intercellular space.Moreover,the expressions of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β in the cerebral cortex were decreased in each drug group compared with the control model group(P＜0.05),while the protein expressions of JAK2,p-JAK2,and p-STAT3 in the cerebral cortex were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The most obvious improvement was observed in the high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription group.To conclude,Shujin Jiannao Prescription can inhibit inflammation in the cerebral cortex of rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Colorectal tumors often create an immunosuppressive microenvironment that prevents them from responding to immunotherapy.Cannabidiol(CBD)is a non-psychoactive natural active ingredient from the cannabis plant that has various pharmacological effects,including neuroprotective,antiemetic,anti-inflammatory,and antineoplastic activities.This study aimed to elucidate the specific anticancer mechanism of CBD by single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)and single-cell ATAC sequencing(scATAC-seq)technologies.Here,we report that CBD inhibits colorectal cancer progression by modulating the suppressive tumor microenvironment(TME).Our single-cell transcriptome and ATAC sequencing results showed that CBD suppressed M2-like macrophages and promoted M1-like macrophages in tumors both in strength and quantity.Furthermore,CBD significantly enhanced the interaction between M1-like macrophages and tumor cells and restored the intrinsic anti-tumor properties of macrophages,thereby preventing tumor progression.Mechanistically,CBD altered the metabolic pattern of macro-phages and related anti-tumor signaling pathways.We found that CBD inhibited the alternative acti-vation of macrophages and shifted the metabolic process from oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid oxidation to glycolysis by inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B signaling pathway and related downstream target genes.Furthermore,CBD-mediated macrophage plasticity enhanced the response to anti-programmed cell death protein-1(PD-1)immunotherapy in xenografted mice.Taken together,we provide new insights into the anti-tumor effects of CBD.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and outcomes of pediatric kidney transplantations at a single center and discuss the related clinical issues.Methods:From January 1990 to October 2019, clinical data were analyzed retrospectively for 244 pediatric renal transplants. The youngest recipient was aged 1.8 years and the median age of pediatric recipients was 12.2 years. The major disease was primary or hereditary glomerulonephritis ( n=160, 69.0%), congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), cystic renopathy and other hereditary nephropathies ( n=55, 23.7%). The donor sources included traditional deceased donor ( n=42, 17.2%), living-related donor ( n=19, 7.8%) and organ donation ( n=183, 75.0%). The median age of donors was 2 years (0-51) and the median weight 12.0(2.7-72.0) kg. From January 2013 to October 2019, 170 cases), the major induction immunosuppression regimen was anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) ( n=110, 64.7%) or basiliximab ( n=58, 34.1%). The maintenance regimen was tacrolimus + mycophenolic acid (MPA) + glucocorticosteroids. Finally the outcomes and the complications were analyzed. Results:The survival rates of 244 kidney allograft recipients were 98.1%, 94.5% and 93.4% and the graft survival rates 92.6%, 84.2% and 82.0% at 1/3/5 years respectively. Ten recipients died of accident ( n=2, 20.0%), pneumonia after transplantation ( n=2, 20.0%) and intracranial hemorrhage ( n=2, 20.0%). Thirty-three recipients lost their allografts mainly due to intravascular thrombosis in graft ( n=5, 14.3%), acute rejection ( n=5, 14.3%) and death ( n=9, 25.7%). Besides, among 109 deceased donor allograft recipients, the postoperative outcomes were delayed graft function recovery (DGF) ( n=27, 24.8%), arterial thrombosis ( n=6, 5.5%), venous thrombosis ( n=1, 0.9%), graft perirenal hematoma ( n=6, 5.5%), raft artery stenosis ( n=10, 9.2%) and graft ureteral fistula ( n=1, 0.9%). The incidence of acute rejection was 17.5% and 23.2% at 1/3 year respectively. The recurrent rate of primary disease was 6.9%, including primary FSGS ( n=3, 42.9%) and IgA nephropathy ( n=2, 28.6%). At 1/3 year post-operation, the incidence of pulmonary infection was 16.9% and 22.4% and the incidence of urinary tract infection 26.9% and 31.7%. Excluding recipients with graft failure, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 1/2/3 year postoperatively was (80.3±25.2), (81.4±27.8) and (71.8±27.6) ml/(min·1.73 m 2)respectively. Conclusions:The outcomes of pediatric renal transplantations are excellent at our center. Future efforts shall be devoted to optimizing the strategies of donor kidney selection and strengthening preoperative evaluations, perioperative and postoperative managements for improving the long-term outcomes of pediatric renal transplantations.