ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical application value of thromboelastographic parameters in assessing coagulation function by analyzing the thromboelastographic features of patients with primary liver cancer （PLC）， and to provide a basis for coagulation management and prognostic evaluation in liver cancer patients. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 1 253 PLC patients who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from May 2015 to December 2022. According to the presence or absence of cirrhosis， the patients were divided into non-cirrhosis group with 262 patients and cirrhosis group with 991 patients， and according to the presence or absence of HBV infection， they were divided into HBV infection group with 1 055 patients and non-HBV infection group with 198 patients. The patients were stratified based on the severity of liver cirrhosis （Child-Pugh class and MELD score） and liver reserve function （indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes ［ICGR15］）， and thromboelastography was used to measure thromboelastographic parameters （reaction time ［R］， coagulation formation time ［K］， α-angle， maximum thrombosis amplitude ［MA］， and coagulation composite index ［CI］） and conventional coagulation markers. The t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups； a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the Bonferroni correction method was used for further comparison between two groups. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between grouips， and the Spearman test was used for correlation analysis. ResultsAmong the 991 patients in the cirrhosis group， 826 had Child-Pugh class A （5 — 6 points）， and 165 had Child-Pugh class B （7 — 9 points）； 812 had an MELD score of <10， and 179 had an MELD score of ≥10； 679 had an ICGR15 of <10%， and 294 had an ICGR15 of ≥10%. Compared with the patients with Child-Pugh class A， the patients with Child-Pugh class B had a significantly longer K time and significant reductions in α-angle， MA， and CI （all P <0.001）； compared with the MELD score <10 group， the MELD score ≥10 group had a significantly longer K time and significant reductions in α-angle， MA， and CI （all P<0.001）； compared with the ICGR15 <10% group， the ICGR15 ≥10% group had a significantly longer K time and a significant reduction in MA （both P <0.001）. Among the 1 253 patients， MA was strongly positively correlated with fibrinogen and platelet count （r=0.675 and 0.667， both P<0.001）； The MA had a weak correlation with Child-Pugh score， MELD score， and ICGR15 （r=-0.112， -0.250， and -0.117， all P<0.001）， while the K time，α-angle and CI were weakly correlated with the MELD score （r=0.222， -0.184， and -0.183， all P<0.001），R time was negatively correlated with ICGR15 （r=-0.080， P=0.005）. The HBV infection group had significantly higher MA and CI than the non-HBV infection group （P<0.05）. ConclusionThromboelastography can sensitively identify the hypocoagulable state associated with the progression of liver cirrhosis and the hypercoagulable tendency in HBV-related liver cancer， which provides an important reference for individualized anticoagulant therapy in clinical practice.

Liver diseases have become a major challenge threating the global health, posing a heavy burden on both social and personal well-being. In recent years, the development of the gut-liver axis theory has provided new research perspectives and intervention strategies for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases. Natural products, recognized as biological molecules with diverse sources, rich activities, and minimal side effects, demonstrate great potential in regulating intestinal flora and improving liver health. Studies have shown that natural products such as saponins, polyphenols, polysaccharides, and alkaloids can regulate the composition and metabolites of intestinal flora, thereby intervening in liver diseases. In this paper, we systematically review the role of natural products in the regulation of the intestinal flora-gut-liver axis and summarize recent research progress in the prevention and treatment of liver diseases. Furthermore, we outline the challenges and limitations currently facing the study in this field. Finally, this paper makes an outlook on the clinical application of natural products in treating liver diseases and discusses future research directions, aiming to give new insights into the mechanisms by which natural products regulate the intestinal flora-gut-liver axis and the applications of these products in the prevention and treatment of liver diseases.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Liver Diseases/prevention & control* ; Biological Products/pharmacology* ; Polyphenols/pharmacology* ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Intestines/microbiology* ; Alkaloids/pharmacology* ; Polysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Liver

Diabetic kidney disease(DKD)is a severe complication of diabetes.Its incidence increases annually,posing a significant burden on public health.The strategy of symptomatic treatment based on pathogenesis differentiation,focusing on identifying pathogenesis,is particularly meaningful for managing complex and variable chronic diseases like DKD.Within this framework,the state of latent heat persists throughout DKD,with"latent heat causing accumulation"identified as the core pathogenesis affecting and promoting the development and progression of DKD.This paper is centered on the concept of"latent heat causing accumulation"and adopts symptomatic treatment based on pathogenesis differentiation as its guiding principle to explore the role of latent heat in DKD.It highlights that the onset of DKD involves environmental and constitutional pathogenesis associated with"the concealment of latent heat"and"stagnant-heat invading collaterals"as the initial pathogenesis,"latent heat causing accumulation"as the core mechanism,and"secondary turbid heat"as the derivative pathogenesis.These pathogenesis factors collectively influence the symptoms,sequelae,and prognosis of DKD.Moreover,this paper provides commonly used prescriptions for different stages,syndrome types,and complications of the disease,aiming to offer a reference for clinical practice in flexibly addressing changes in disease conditions based on varied pathogenesis.

Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Placenta ; Nuclear Transfer Techniques ; Embryo, Mammalian ; Cell Nucleus

Liver failure(LF) is a rapidly progressing critical illness with a high mortality rate in clinical practices.Artificial liver therapy has been a major cure for LF.However, for LF infants and toddlers, therapeutic options for artificial liver have remained limited due to a great lack of weight-matched blood purification supplies.In recent years, our center has applied double plasma molecular adsorption plus plasmapheresis for managing LF children during perioperative period of liver transplantation.Treatment is smooth with an excellent efficacy of removing toxins.Here our institutional experiences were summarzied.

Based on the theory of surgical membrane anatomy and the abnormality of membranous structure under the condition of intra-abdominal infection, the authors creatively propose the concept of partition of intra-abdominal infection, and briefly explain the definition, content and significance, which has caused widespread resonance in the academic community. Combining the clinical practices and relevant literatures, several key issues related with diagnosis and therapy in the view of D region are discussed in depth, aiming at theoretical basis for scientific planning of treatment strategies and optimal system of diagnosis and treatment of intra-abdominal infection.

Objective:To investigate the application value of standardized outcomes in nephrology hemodialysis (SONG-HD) scale in evaluating the fatigue level of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients and the factors that affect fatigue.Methods:A total of 201 patients undergoing regular MHD who received treatment in the Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University in April 2021 were included in April, 2021. The SONG-HD scale was used to evaluate patient's fatigue level. Fatigue was assessed using face-to-face interview questionnaire. Clinical and laboratory indicators were analyzed. Univariate logistic regression analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to analyze the factors that affect fatigue of patients undergoing MHD.Results:Among the 201 MHD patients, 73.1% (147/201) had fatigue. The high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and parathyroid hormone levels in patients with fatigue were 0.91 (0.30, 3.63) mg/L and 216.00 (141.00, 347.00) ng/L, respectively, which were significantly higher than 0.40 (0.30, 2.01) mg/L and 153.00 (96.73, 308.50) ng/L in patients who had no fatigue ( Z = 2.12, 2.17, both P < 0.05). The pre-dialysis carbon dioxide binding capacity and blood albumin levels in patients who had fatigue were (21.03 ± 2.65) mmol/L and (36.76 ± 3.20) g/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than (22.68 ± 3.01) mmol/L and (38.61 ± 2.85) g/L in patients who had no fatigue ( t = 3.77, 3.73, both P < 0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, pre-dialysis carbon dioxide binding capacity, serum albumin level, and parathyroid hormone level were related to the occurrence of fatigue in patients undergoing MHD ( Wald = 4.32, 12.39, 12.23, 4.66, all P < 0.05). Additionally, in a multivariate model adjusted for confounding factors, the independent risk factors for fatigue in patients undergoing MHD were relatively low pre-dialysis carbon dioxide binding capacity and serum albumin level ( Wald = 12.41, 11.67, both P < 0.05). Conclusion:The incidence of fatigue is high in patients undergoing MHD. The SONG-HD scale is convenient to use in assessing the fatigue level of patients undergoing MHD. After adjusting for confounding factors, fatigue in patients undergoing MHD is associated with reduced levels of pre-dialysis carbon dioxide binding capacity and serum albumin.

Objective:To correlate peripheral blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with the occurrence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).Methods:This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 203 patients who underwent long-term MHD at the Blood Purification Center, Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from May to June 2021 were included in this study. The counts of peripheral blood neutrophils and lymphocytes were determined and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was calculated. These patients were divided into a RLS group and a non-RLS group according to whether they developed RLS. RLS-related factors were evaluated using face-to-face interview questionnaires. Various clinical and laboratory parameters were analyzed. The influential factors of RLS in patients undergoing MHD were analyzed through univariate regression analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results:A total of 203 patients undergoing MHD were enrolled, 30 individuals were determined as current RLS cases (14.78%). The levels of NLR and PTH in the RLS group were 4.86 (3.39, 5.82) L/L and 244.50 (143.25, 406.50) ng/L, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the normal group [3.51 (2.60, 5.24) L/L, 147.00 (94.80, 263.50) ng/L, Z = -3.38, -2.64, both P < 0.05]. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that NLR, PTH, uric acid, and neutrophil count were correlated with RLS (Wald χ2 = 7.96, 4.99, 4.76, 8.33, all P < 0.05). NLR was the independent risk factor of RLS (Wald χ2 = 6.14, P < 0.05) in multivariate models adjusting for confounding factor. Conclusion:The prevalence of RLS is high in patients undergoing MHD. RLS is assicuated with NLR among patients undergoing MHD after adjusting for confounding factor. RLS is likely associated with systemic inflammatory diseases.

Objective:To explore the risk factors for the occurrence of thrombocytopenia (TCP) within 2 weeks after pediatric liver transplantation (LT) and examine the relationship between the occurrence of TCP and prognosis.Methods:From January 2021 to November 2021, clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 162 pediatric LT recipients aged under 4 years at Organ Transplantation Center of Tianjin First Central Hospital.Based upon the lowest value of platelet count at Week 2 post-operation, they were assigned into two groups of TCP (n=90) and non-TCP (n=72). General preoperative profiles, intraoperative findings, postoperative complications, types of commonly used antibiotics, anticoagulant dosing and prognosis of two groups were compared.Univariate and multivariate analyses were utilized for examining the independent risk factors for TCP.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted for examining the cut-off value of independent risk factors for diagnosing TCP.Results:Among them, 90 (55.56%) developed TCP within 2 weeks post-operation and 25(15.43%) developed TCP at Day 1 post-operation.The median preoperative platelet count was 178×10 9/L and the lowest value was 65×10 9/L at Day 3(1-4) post-operation with a declining rate of 63.5% and platelet count of recipient normalized at Day 6(4-7.25) post-operation.The results of univariate analysis showed statistically significant inter-group differences in operative duration[(574.43±80.53)min vs.(526.75±72.42)min], intraoperative blood loss[400(300, 550)ml vs.320(300, 400)ml], red blood cell transfusion[2(2, 3)U vs.2(1.5, 2.0)U], preoperative platelet count[178.5(141.75, 242.5)×10 9/L vs.257 (209.75, 357)×10 9/L], postoperative infection rate[27.8%(25/90)vs.13.9%(10/72)] and dosing rates of piperacillin sodium and tazobactam sodium[8.9%(8/90)vs.25.0%(18/72)] ( P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed statistically significant inter-group differences in operative duration( P=0.008), red blood cell transfusion( P=0.01), preoperative platelet count( P<0.01) and postoperative infection rate ( P=0.02). The results of ROC curve analysis showed that the cut-off values of operative duration, red blood cell transfusion and preoperative platelet count were 535 min, 2.75 U and 183.5×10 9/L respectively.Length of ICU stay was higher in TCP group than that in non-TCP group, and the difference was statistically significant [4(3, 5) vs.3(3, 4) day, P=0.006]. Conclusions:LT children aged under 4 years with intraoperative red blood cell transfusion>2.75 U, operative duration>535 min and preoperative platelet count<183.5×10 9/L are more likely to develop post-transplantation TCP.And occurrence of TCP prolongs the length of ICU stay in pediatric recipients.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Qimai Qinlou prescription in the treatment of elderly community-acquired pneumonia （CAP） （non-severe） with Qi and Yin deficiency and phlegm-heat obstructing lung syndrome and its impact on immune-inflammatory factors. MethodA total of 120 eligible patients were randomly divided into an observation group （60 cases） and a control group （60 cases）. Both groups received intravenous cefoxitin sodium. In addition， the observation group received oral Qimai Qinlou prescription， while the control group received an oral placebo simulating Qimai Qinlou prescription. The treatment course was 14 days. The disappearance time of major clinical symptoms and signs was recorded. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores and the Clinical Research Outcome （CAP-CRO） scale scores for pneumonia of the two groups were compared. Chest computed tomography （CT） scans were performed， and peripheral blood levels of procalcitonin （PCT）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， serum amyloid A （SAA）， high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， CD4⁺， CD8⁺， and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ were measured. The conversion rate to severe condition during hospitalization， readmission rate within 30 days after discharge， and safety evaluation were recorded. ResultAfter treatment， the observation group showed significantly shorter time of fever， cough， expectoration， and disappearance time of lung moist rales than the control group （P<0.01）. The TCM syndrome scores， CAP-CRO scores in all dimensions， and total scores in both groups were significantly reduced as compared with those before treatment （P<0.01）. After treatment， the observation group had a more significant reduction than the control group （P<0.01）. The levels of PCT， IL-6， SAA， and hs-CRP in both groups were significantly reduced as compared with those before treatment （P<0.01）. After treatment， the observation group showed a more significant reduction than the control group （P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in the changes of CD4⁺， CD8⁺， and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ in the control group before and after treatment. However， in the observation group， CD4⁺ and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ levels significantly increased （P<0.01）， while CD8⁺ level significantly decreased （P<0.01） after treatment. After treatment， CD4⁺ and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ in the observation group significantly increased （P<0.01）， and CD8⁺ significantly decreased as compared with those in the control group （P<0.01）. At 7， 10， and 14 days after treatment， the curative rates in the observation group were 53.33% （32/60）， 85.00% （51/60）， and 91.67% （55/60）， respectively， which were higher than 31.67% （19/60）， 61.67% （37/60）， and 68.33% （41/60） in the control group （χ²=5.763， 8.352， 10.208， P<0.05）. After treatment， the total effective rate of CT scanning in the observation group was 93.33% （56/60）， higher than 80.00% （48/60） in the control group （χ²=4.615， P<0.05）. The conversion rate to severe condition during hospitalization in the observation group was 3.33% （2/60）， lower than 15.00% （9/60） in the control group （χ²=4.904， P<0.05）. The readmission rate within 30 days after discharge in the observation group was 8.33% （5/60）， lower than 23.33% （14/60） in the control group （χ²=5.065， P<0.05）. No serious adverse drug reactions were observed in either group during the treatment period. ConclusionQimai Qinlou prescription can enhance immune function， alleviate inflammatory reactions， significantly relieve clinical symptoms， shorten the duration of the disease， improve the curative rate and CT scanning efficacy， prevent disease progression， reduce the readmission rate in the short term， and is clinically safe for the treatment of elderly patients with non-severe CAP with Qi and Yin deficiency and phlegm-heat obstructing lung syndrome. It is worthy of further research and application.