Objective:To construct a predictive nomogram incorporating pretreatment CT-based radiomics for radiation pneumonitis (RP) in esophageal cancer (EC) patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and to evaluate the value of CT radiomics in predicting RP.Methods:Clinical data of 267 EC patients sequentially treated with IMRT in Quanzhou First Hospital affiliated to Fujian Medical University from January 2019 to December 2021 were prospectively analyzed. Among them, the first 206 patients were assigned into the training cohort and the last 61 patients were enrolled in the validation cohort. Radiomics features of bilateral lungs were extracted by radiotherapy CT simulation. Univariate analysis was performed to screen the potential predictive variables for symptomatic RP. Machine learning algorithms, such as least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), extreme gradient boosting (XGboost), and support vector machine (SVM), were performed for radiomic features selection, respectively. The best classifier was chosen to construct a radiomic signature (RS). Clinical, radiomics and combined nomogram predictive model were developed, respectively. The predictive efficiency and clinical benefits of three models were compared by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA), and then validated in the validation cohort. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted. Different ROC curves were compared by Delong test.Results:Cardiovascular disease, minimum internal diameter of esophagus and adjuvant chemotherapy and RS were the independent related factors of RP. The AUC of clinical, radiomics and combined models were 0.772, 0.745, 0.842 in the training cohort, and 0.851, 0.811, 0.901 in the validation cohort, respectively. DCA showed that combined radiomic model yielded better clinical benefits compared with clinical model.Conclusion:Radiomics features from pretreatment CT have the potential of improving the efficiency of RP prediction models for EC patients treated with IMRT.

Based on the Delphi method, combined with the results of the previous literature study and expert interviews, 3 rounds of expert consultation were conducted to evaluate the degree of concentration of expert opinions and their importance from 3 aspects: arithmetic mean, full score ratio ( Ki), and rank sum ( Si), to construct a diagnostic scale for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cold-dampness syndrome. In this study, 30 expert questionnaires were distributed in the 1st round, 30 questionnaires were recovered, and the expert coordination coefficient was 0.309; 30 expert questionnaires were distributed in the 2nd round, 30 questionnaires were recovered, and the expert coordination coefficient was 0.320; and 30 expert questionnaires were distributed in the 3rd round, 29 questionnaires were recovered, and the expert coordination coefficient was 0.387. The maximum value of the coefficient of variation of the experts of the 3 rounds was 0.27, and the minimum value was 0.09, suggesting that the consistency and credibility of the experts' evaluation of the importance of the entries of cold-dampness syndrome were high. In this study, the mean values and weights of 17 entries were finally obtained, of which the top 5 entries were cold pain in joints (4.793, 0.066 6); aggravated by cold (4.586, 0.063 7); white tongue coating (4.552, 0.063 2); aggravated in cloudy and rainy days (4.448, 0.061 8); and painful joints that are not warm to the touch (4.379, 0.060 8). This study completed the screening of relevant entries and conducted preliminary discussions, laying the foundation for constructing a diagnostic scale for RA cold-dampness syndrome and forming the final diagnostic criteria. The research method is scientific and reliable, which can provide reference for the diagnostic standard of RA cold-dampness syndrome, but further clinical practice research is still needed.

Objective To elucidate the therapeutic mechanism of Qingxin Jieyu Granule(QXJYG)against atherosclerosis(AS)based on network pharmacology.Methods The major targets and pathways of QXJYG against AS were analyzed using network pharmacology.Rat models of AS established by high-fat feeding combined with intraperitoneal vitamin D3 injection were treated daily with normal saline,atorvastatin(13.15 mg/kg),or QXJYG at 0.99,1.98,and 3.96 g/kg for 8 weeks(n=6).Ultrasound and HE staining were used to assess the function and pathologies of the abdominal aorta.Blood lipids and serum levels of Ang II,ET-1,TXA2,PGI2,and ox-LDL of the rats were detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer or ELISA.The expressions of LOX-1,PPARγ,RXRα,p-P65,VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in the abdominal aorta were detected with immunohistochemistry.Results The rat models of AS showed obvious abdominal aorta wall thickening,increased pulse wave velocity and pulse index,decreased inner diameter of the abdominal aorta,elevated levels of TC,LDL-C,Ang II,ET-1 and TXA2,and lowered levels of HDL-C and PGI2.QXJYG and atorvastatin treatment of the rat models significantly alleviated histopathological changes of the abdominal aorta,decreased serum levels of TC,LDL-C,Ang II,ET-1 and TXA2,and increased the levels of HDL-C and PGI2.Network pharmacology study suggested the therapeutic effect of QXJYG against AS was mediated by regulating lipid metabolism,PPAR and NF-κB pathways.Consistently,treatments with QXJYG were found to significantly decrease ox-LDL level and LOX-1,P-P65,VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 protein expressions while increasing PPARγ and RXRα expressions in the aorta of AS rats.Conclusion QXJYG alleviates lipid metabolism disorder and improves histopathological changes of the abdominal aorta of AS rats possibly by lowering ox-LDL level,reducing LOX-1 expression,activating PPARγ and RXRα,and inhibiting P65 phosphorylation to reduce VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression in the aorta.

Objective To elucidate the therapeutic mechanism of Qingxin Jieyu Granule(QXJYG)against atherosclerosis(AS)based on network pharmacology.Methods The major targets and pathways of QXJYG against AS were analyzed using network pharmacology.Rat models of AS established by high-fat feeding combined with intraperitoneal vitamin D3 injection were treated daily with normal saline,atorvastatin(13.15 mg/kg),or QXJYG at 0.99,1.98,and 3.96 g/kg for 8 weeks(n=6).Ultrasound and HE staining were used to assess the function and pathologies of the abdominal aorta.Blood lipids and serum levels of Ang II,ET-1,TXA2,PGI2,and ox-LDL of the rats were detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer or ELISA.The expressions of LOX-1,PPARγ,RXRα,p-P65,VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in the abdominal aorta were detected with immunohistochemistry.Results The rat models of AS showed obvious abdominal aorta wall thickening,increased pulse wave velocity and pulse index,decreased inner diameter of the abdominal aorta,elevated levels of TC,LDL-C,Ang II,ET-1 and TXA2,and lowered levels of HDL-C and PGI2.QXJYG and atorvastatin treatment of the rat models significantly alleviated histopathological changes of the abdominal aorta,decreased serum levels of TC,LDL-C,Ang II,ET-1 and TXA2,and increased the levels of HDL-C and PGI2.Network pharmacology study suggested the therapeutic effect of QXJYG against AS was mediated by regulating lipid metabolism,PPAR and NF-κB pathways.Consistently,treatments with QXJYG were found to significantly decrease ox-LDL level and LOX-1,P-P65,VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 protein expressions while increasing PPARγ and RXRα expressions in the aorta of AS rats.Conclusion QXJYG alleviates lipid metabolism disorder and improves histopathological changes of the abdominal aorta of AS rats possibly by lowering ox-LDL level,reducing LOX-1 expression,activating PPARγ and RXRα,and inhibiting P65 phosphorylation to reduce VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression in the aorta.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on the quality of recovery during the early period after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the dosage of anesthetic and analgesic.

METHODSOne hundred patients who received laparoscopic cholecystectomy with gradeⅠand Ⅱ of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) criteria were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group according to random number table, 50 cases in each group. The patients in the two groups were treated with conventional endotracheal intubation anesthesia, anesthesia induction and maintenance. The patients in the observation group were treated with TEAS (2 Hz/100 Hz, 8 to 12 mA) at bilateral Hegu (LI 4) and Neiguan (PC 6), as well as Zusanli (ST 36) and the non-acupoint 2 outboard from Zusanli (ST 36) from 30 min before anesthesia induction to the end of operation. The patients in the control group were applied by stimulation electrode in the corresponding points without electrical stimulation. The dosage of intraoperative remifentanil and the analgesic dosage of dezocine for postoperation were recorded. The recovery time, extubation time, the changes of heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during extubation were recorded. The quality of recovery was assessed by the quality of recovery-40 questionnaire (QoR-40) 1 day before surgery (T)，and 4 h (T), 8 h (T), 24 h (T), 48 h (T) after surgery. The patient's cognitive function was assessed by mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scale at the 5 time points. The incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting were recorded at T through T.

RESULTSThe dosages of intraoperative remifentanil and dezocine in the observation group were less than those in the control group; the recovery time and extubation time were shorter than those in the control group; the HR of extubation was lower than that in the control group (all <0.05). There was no statistic difference about MAP between the two groups (>0.05). Compared with T, the total scores of QoR-40 decreased in the two groups at T, T, T (all <0.05), and the total scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (all <0.05). The emotional state, physical comfort, psychological support, self-care ability, pain scores at T in the observation group and at T, T, T in the control group were lower than those at T (all <0.05). The emotional state, physical comfort, psychological support, self-care ability, pain scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group at T, T, T (all <0.05). Compared with T, the MMSE scores in the two groups decreased at T and T (all <0.05). At T, T, T, the MMSE scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (all <0.05). At T and T, the incidence rates of nausea and vomiting were 22.0% (11/50), 12.0% (6/50) respectively in the observation group, which were lower than 32.0% (16/50) and 24.0% (12/50) in the control group (both <0.05). At T and T, the incidence rates of nausea and vomiting were 6.0% (3/50), 2.0% (1/50) respectively in the observation group, which were not significantly different from 8.0% (4/50) and 4.0% (2/50) in the control group (both >0.05).

CONCLUSIONTEAS can improve the quality of recovery during the early period after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and reduce the dosage of anesthetic and analgesic.

Acupuncture Points ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; therapy ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

Objective To investigate the effect of Ski on the secretion of inflammatory cytokines from activated astrocytes. Methods Astrocytes were obtained from cerebral cortex of a three-day old Sprague-Dawley rat and cultured in vitro. They were divided into blank group, control group and siRNA group. The Ski gene was silenced in siRNA group. The expression of Ski was tested with Western blotting and immunofluorescence 48 hours later. Then the astrocytes were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide for 24 hours. The secretion of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in activated astrocytes was detected with ELISA. Results The expression of Ski protein reduced in the siRNA group (P<0.001), as well as the secretion of TNF-α and IL-1β (P<0.001). Conclusion Ski may play a role in inflammatory response of astrocyte.