Objective To analyze chemical constituents of compound Maxing Shigan decoction by ultra-high perfor-mance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS). Methods The separation was performed on a UPLC BEH C₁₈ column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 2.5 µm)，with a gradient elution applying 0.1% aqueous formic acid solution and 0.1% formic acid acetonitrile as a mobile phase. The column temperature was 40 °C. The flow rate was 0.4 ml/min and the analysis time was 15 min. Mass spectrometry (MS) data were collected in both positive and negative ESI ion modes. Results Through UPLC-QTOF/MS analysis and reference validation, a total of 59 chemical components in Maxing Shigan decoction were identified. Conclusion An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) method was established to identify the chemical components of Maxing Shigan decoction. This method is simple, efficient, sensitive and accurate, and provides a basis for the elucidation of the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of Maxing Shigan decoction. It can provide data reference for the optimization of the compatibility of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of COVID-19.

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of self-made oral humidity detection device to assist in evaluating the degree of parotid gland damage in radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma,so as to guide doctors to change the radiotherapy plan in time,reduce the radiation dose to parotid gland,and reduce the incidence of xerostomia after radiotherapy.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the relationship between oral humidity and parotid gland dose of radiotherapy in 60 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma using oral detection devices in the Department of Oncology of Southwest Medical University Affiliated Hospital from January 1,2022 to December 31,2022.According to the method of changing the radiotherapy plan,patients were divided into experimental group(n=30)and control group(n=30).The patients in the experimental group used a self-made oral humidity detection device to detect oral humidity,when 30 patients with oral relative humidity below 65%underwent CT simulation positioning and changed the radiotherapy plan to reduce the dose of parotid gland;The control group patients collected oral humidity but did not interfere in the radiotherapy plan,and only underwent CT positioning during the mid-term radiotherapy.The average oral humidity,parotid gland,and target area dose parameters of patients were analyzed after radiotherapy.The follow-up questionnaire was conducted to evaluate the life quality of patients in terms of dry mouth,decreased taste,difficulty opening mouth,and dental caries in two groups.Results The average oral humidity(t=2.938,P<0.05),the Dmean of average dose of bilateral parotid glands(tleft=-2.076,tright=-2.094,P<0.05),the D50 for dose of 50%volume of bilateral parotid glands(tleft=-2.123,tright=-2.230,P<0.05),and the volume percentage V30 of bilateral parotid gland dose(tleft=-2.505,tright=-2.491,P<0.05)in patients were significantly re-duced in the experimental group compared to the control group,while there was no statistically significant differences in target area do-simetric parameters(P>0.05).The dry mouth and taste loss in the experimental group were lower than those of the control group(P<0.05),and the difficulty in opening the mouth and caries scores were lower than those of the control group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion The oral humidity detection device can detect the oral humidity of radiotherapy pa-tients in time,objectively evaluate the impact of radiation on patient's parotid gland,guide doctors to change the radiotherapy treatment plan in a timely manner,minimize the degree of parotid gland damage,and improve their quality of life in nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy patients.At the same time,the device is easy to operate,time-consuming,and non-invasive,which improves the effec-tiveness and safety of radiotherapy technology and is worth promoting this device.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors related to successful endovascular recanalization for non-acute long segmental occlusion of internal carotid artery and propose a strategy for selecting proper candidates for such procedure.Methods:From January 2018 to October 2022, 120 consecutive patients with non-acute long segmental internal carotid artery occlusion received the first intended endovascular recanalization treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Potential variables including epidemiology, symptomatology, angiographic morphology and interventional techniques were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were made to investigate the independent risk factors for successful recanalization. Four types were divided according to the existence of tapered stump and ophthalmic artery flow reversion based on DSA images: A: tapered stump (-), ophthalmic artery flow reversion (-); B: tapered stump (-), ophthalmic artery flow reversion (+); C: tapered stump (+), ophthalmic artery reversion (-); D: tapered stump (+), ophthalmic artery (+). Investigation of the relationship between procedure success rate and group dividing was performed.Results:Totally 120 patients were all included. The technical success rate was 75.83% (91/120). The periprocedural complication rate was 9.17% (11/120), including 4 (3.33%) intracranial hemorrhagic events, 1 (0.83%) ischemic stroke event, 1 (0.83%) microcatheter perforation, 3 (2.75%) cavernous carotid fistulas, 2 (1.67%) iatrogenic dissections. None of these complications led to severe neurological damage or death. Through multivariate logistic regression, tapered stump (OR=4.10, 95%CI 1.19-14.16), retrograde filling of ophthalmic artery (OR=3.16, 95%CI 1.13-8.88), only cervical segment occlusion of internal carotid artery (OR=10.78, 95%CI 2.08-55.74) were the independent risk factors associated with higher technical success rate. All cases were divided into A-D four types considering the tapered stump and reversed ophthalmic flow existing or not. Technical success rates in A-D types were 30.00% (3/10), 66.67% (8/12), 70.00% (28/40), 89.66% (52/58) respectively, and the complication rates of the four types were 10.00% (1/10), 8.33% (1/12), 17.50% (7/40), 3.45% (2/58). Multivariate logistic regression showed group pattern was the independent factor on technical success rate (OR=3.72, 95%CI 1.42-9.77).Conclusions:Tapered stump, reversed ophthalmic artery flow and pure extracranial artery occlusion are the independent factors for technical success rate. Group pattern which covered the tapered stump and reversed ophthalmic artery flow is also related to technical success rate. However, the results need further confirmation with the prospective trial and a larger sample.

Objective:To compare the clinical effects of endoscopic thyroidectomy using the modified gasless transaxillary approach (TA group) and transsubclavian approach (TS group) in the treatment of cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) .Methods:A total of 190 PTC patients (mean age 39.88±9.35 years,38 males, 152 females), who underwent unilateral thyroidectomy in the Department of Thyroid Surgery, the First Hospital of Jilin University from Oct. 2020 to Oct. 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 65 cases in TA group, 43 cases in TS group and 82 cases through traditional neck approach (TN group). The endoscopic group (TA+TS) consists of the TA group and the TS group. Comparative analyses were performed on operation time, full exposure rate of central compartment, postoperative hospitalization time, postoperative drainage, hospitalization costs, the number of dissected lymph nodes and postoperative complications. The t-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test, the χ2 test or the exact probability method were used for statistical analysis. Results:All endoscopic operations were successfully completed without conversion to traditional neck approach. ① Compared with the TN group, the endoscopic group (TA+TS) had longer operation time[TN group =74.5 (65-87) min, (TA+TS) group =102 (89-121) min, P<0.001], lower full exposure rate of central compartment (TN group=100%, (TA+TS) group=89.8%, P=0.008), more postoperative drainage[TN group=60 (45-76) ml, (TA+TS) group =100 (80-130) ml, P<0.001], higher hospitalization costs[TN group=￥23638 (22158-25901), (TA+TS) group =￥26967 (25572-28284), P<0.001], and higher parathyroid autotransplantation rate (TN group=4.9%, (TA+TS) group =50.9%, P<0.001). There were no significant differences in the number of dissected lymph nodes, the number of metastatic lymph nodes, preoperative and postoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) ( P>0.05). ② Compared with the TS group, the TA group had longer operation time[TA group=110 (97-127) min, TS group=89 (80-111) min, P<0.001], lower full exposure rate of central compartment (TA group=83.1%, TS group=100%, P=0.012), longer postoperative hospitalization time[TA group=3 (3-4) d, TS group=3 (3-3) d, P=0.002], more postoperative drainage[TA group=110 (82-140) ml,TS group=95 (65~120) ml, P=0.046] and higher hospitalization costs (TA group=￥27510±2578,TS group=￥26609±1878, P=0.038). There were no significant differences in the number of dissected lymph nodes, the number of metastatic lymph nodes, preoperative and postoperative PTH, and parathyroid autotransplantation between the two groups ( P>0.05) . Conclusions:Endoscopic thyroidectomy through axillary/subclavian approach is safe and feasible for the treatment of cN0 PTC. There was no significant difference in the number of dissected central lymph nodes compared with conventional surgery, and the incision was well concealed. In comparison, transsubclavian endoscopic surgery has better clinical application value, with shorter operation time, higher full exposure rate of central compartment and faster postoperative recovery.

Objective: To compare the clinical effects of endoscopic thyroidectomy using a modified gasless transsubclavian approach and the traditional neck approach for unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma (cN0). Methods: The clinical data of 135 patients with cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent unilateral thyroidectomy in the Department of Thyroid Surgery, the First Hospital of Jilin University from October 2020 to November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 37 males and 98 females, aging (43.2±8.8) years (range: 21 to 59 years). There were 51 cases using the modified gasless transsubclavian approach (TS group) and 84 cases using the traditional neck approach (TN group). Comparative analyses were performed between the operative results of the 2 groups by t-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and χ² test. Results: All endoscopic operations were successfully completed without conversion to the traditional neck approach. Compared to the TN group, the TS group had a longer operation time (M(IQR)) (73.5 (22.5) minutes vs. 90.0 (30.0) minutes, Z=-5.831, P<0.01), more postoperative drainage (60 (25) ml vs. 95 (45) ml, Z=-6.275, P<0.01), higher hospitalization costs (22 687 (3 488) yuan vs. 26 652 (2 431) yuan, Z=-6.944, P<0.01), and a higher rate of parathyroid autotransplantation (15.5% (13/84) vs. 60.8% (31/51), χ²=29.651, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the total exposure rate of the central compartment, postoperative hospitalization time, the number of dissected lymph nodes, the number of metastatic lymph nodes, C-reactive protein ratio before and after operation, and preoperative and postoperative parathyroid hormone (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Endoscopic thyroidectomy using the modified gasless transsubclavian approach is safe for cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma, with longer operating time, more postoperative drainage, higher hospitalization costs, and moredifficulty in preserving the inferior parathyroid gland in situ compared to traditional open surgery.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of geriatric nutritional risk index(GNRI)for stroke-associated pneumonia in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS).Methods A total of 1505 elderly patients with AIS admitted to Department of Neurology of the Second Affili-ated Hospital of Nanchang University from January 2017 to October 2022 were included in this retrospective study.According to GNRI nutritional assessment,they were divided into T1(high nutritional risk,GNRI＜82,n=49),T2(moderate nutritional risk,GNRI 82-91,n=305),T3(low nutritional risk,GNRI 92-98,n=555),and T4(no nutritional risk,GNRL＞98,n=596)groups.Additionally,based on the discharge diagnosis,they were further classified into pulmonary infection group(150 cases)and non-infection group(1355 cases).These subjects were also ran-domly assigned into training,validation,and testing sets in a ratio of 16∶4∶5.Multivariate logis-tic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for pulmonary infection in stroke patients.Logistic regression and XGBoost algorithms were used to establish prediction models for pulmonary infection.The models were evaluated with their AUC value,accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity based on ROC curve analysis.Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertension,invasive procedures,consciousness disorders,CRP,lymphocyte count,hemoglo-bin and GNRI were independent risk factors for pulmonary infection in stroke patients(P＜0.05).The AUC value of the GNRI model for predicting pulmonary infection in the testing set was 0.742(95％CI:0.651-0.833),with an accuracy of 71.8％,sensitivity of 76.7％,and specificity of 71.2％.The combined model of clinical indicators(hypertension,invasive procedures,conscious-ness disorders,CRP,lymphocyte count,hemoglobin)and GNRI achieved an AUC value of 0.776(95％CI:0.700-0.853),accuracy of 74.8％,sensitivity of 83.3％,and specificity of 73.8％in the test set.Conclusion GNRI is an independent risk factor for pulmonary infection in elderly pa-tients with AIS and has a certain value in predicting pulmonary infection after AIS.

The NLRP3 inflammasome's core and most specific protein, NLRP3, has a variety of functions in inflammation-driven diseases. Costunolide (COS) is the major active ingredient of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Saussurea lappa and has anti-inflammatory activity, but the principal mechanism and molecular target of COS remain unclear. Here, we show that COS covalently binds to cysteine 598 in NACHT domain of NLRP3, altering the ATPase activity and assembly of NLRP3 inflammasome. We declare COS's great anti-inflammasome efficacy in macrophages and disease models of gouty arthritis and ulcerative colitis via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. We also reveal that the α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone motif in sesquiterpene lactone is the certain active group in inhibiting NLRP3 activation. Taken together, NLRP3 is identified as a direct target of COS for its anti-inflammasome activity. COS, especially the α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone motif in COS structure, might be used to design and produce novel NLRP3 inhibitors as a lead compound.

Objective:We try to screen out predictive indicators with higher value by analyzing the differences in clinical and laboratory indicators between severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) group and non-ICU group.Methods:The clinical and laboratory index data of 69 SFTS patients diagnosed in the laboratory in a hospital from June to December 2019 were retrospectively collected. According to the clinical outcome of the patients, they were divided into ICU and non-ICU groups. The differences in clinical manifestations and laboratory indicators between the two groups were analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to screen the more valuable predictive indicators.Results:Compared with the non-ICU group, ICU group SFTS patients had significantly higher procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), adenosine deaminase (ADA), cystatin C (Cys C), α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (α-HBDH), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels ( W=530.0, P=0.003; W=496.5, P=0.015; W=496.0, P=0.015; W=535.5, P=0.002; W=545.5, P=0.001; W=498.5, P=0.013; W=537.0, P=0.002; W=523.0, P=0.004; W=512.0, P=0.007; W=502.0, P=0.012; W=486.0, P=0.023; W=509.0, P=0.008; W=541.0, P=0.002) and significantly lower platelet count (PLT), indirect bilirubin (IBIL), albumin/globulin ratio(A/G) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels ( W=199.0, P=0.024; W=175.5.5, P=0.009; t=-2.9, P=0.004; W=209.5, P=0.036; t=-3.0, P=0.004). ROC result showed that ALP [area under the curve (AUC)=0.804, 95% confidence interval ( CI) (0.679~0.929)] and LDH [AUC=0.805, 95% CI (0.680~ 0.930)] have a higher value for predicting the risk of severe illness. Conclusions:Abnormal liver function, heart function, and renal function indicators in SFTS patients indicate that patients are at risk of exacerbation. Among them, ALP and LDH levels have higher predictive value for risk of severe disease, suggesting that the monitoring of patients with the above symptoms should be strengthened in the clinical nursing process.

Objective To explore the clinical and imaging efficacies of stent-assisted embolization and flow diversion in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms ≥10 mm. Methods Eighty-six patients with intracranial aneurysms≥10 mm, admitted to our hospital from January 2012 and February 2018, were chosen in our study; all 22 patients with ruptured aneurysms accepted stent-assisted embolization. Singular stent-assisted embolization was used in 55 patients, multiple stent-assisted embolization was used in 18 patients, and flow diversion was used in 13 patients. The immediate postoperative complete occlusion rate, complication incidence, and clinical and imaging follow-up data were retrospectively analyzed. Results (1) Results of immediate postoperative complete occlusion:Raymond grading I was noted in 56 patients, grading II in 6 patients, and grading III in 24 patients. Significant differences on immediate postoperative complete occlusion rates were noted among the three group (P<0.05); one patient had intra-stent thrombosis in the patients from singular stent-assisted embolization group, one patient with middle cerebral artery aneurysm had contralateral muscular dysplasia resulted from perforator occlusion and one patient with basal aneurysm had dysarthria resulted from perforator lesion in the patients from multiple stent-assisted embolization group; no perioperative complication was noted in patients from flow diversion group. (2) The prognosis of 86 patients was good;imaging follow-up results showed that 32 patients had occlusion, 7 had neck residue and 16 had recurrence in the singular stent-assisted embolization group; 11 patients had occlusion, one had neck residue and 6 had recurrence in the multiple stent-assisted embolization group; 11 patients had occlusion and 2 had neck residue in the flow diversion group; there were no statistically significant differences in follow-up results of aneurysms among the three groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Both flow diversion and stent-assisted embolization are effective methods for treatment of intracranial aneurysms≥10 mm.

Objective To investigate the effects of titanium dioxide ( TiO2 ) nanoparticles coupled with nuclear localization sequence ( NLS ) on the radiosensitivity of U251 glioma cells. Methods Synthesis and characterization of the TiO2-NLS nanoparticles with nuclear targeting property. U251 cells were treated with nanoparticles and/or ionizing radiation. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to measure the ROS content and the cell apoptotic percentage. The DNA damage was detected by using γ-H2AX foci staining. Clonogenic survival assay was used to evaluate the radiosensitivity of U251 cells. Results NLS modification promoted nuclear translocation of TiO2 nanoparticles. Compared with the control nanoparticles, TiO2-NLS treatment increased radiation-induced cell apoptosis (t=8. 96, P<0. 05). Clonogenic survival assay showed the radiosensitization ratios of TiO2 nanoparticle-treated group and TiO2-NLSnanoparticle-treated group were 1. 18 and was 1. 29, respectively. These two ratios had statistically difference ( t =14. 72, P< 0. 05). Conclusions Nuclear targeting TiO2 nanoparticles enhances the radiosensitivity of U251 glioma cells.