ObjectiveTo identify the characteristic exhaled volatile organic compounds （VOCs） associated with postoperative pulmonary complications （PPCs） in patients after abdominal surgery. MethodsThis study prospectively enrolled 76 patients with tracheal intubation who were transferred to intensive care unit （ICU） after abdominal surgery at Peking University People's Hospital between December 10， 2022 and June 30， 2023. The patients' basic information was collected during their perioperative period， and their exhaled VOCs were collected within 24 hours after their admission to the ICU， and then analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry （GC-MS）. According to whether PPCs occurred 24 hours after surgery， the patients were divided into PPCs group （n=44） and non-PPCs group （n=32）， and the differences of VOCs were compared between the two groups. Lasso regression analysis was used to screen the valuable variables of VOCs， and Logistics regression analysis to determine the characteristic VOCs associated with the occurrence of PPCs. ResultsAmong the 76 patients， 44 had PPCs and 32 had no PPCs. Lasso regression analysis screened 4 PPCs-related compounds from exhaled VOCs of two groups for further analysis and Logistics regression analysis showed that the increase of 1-Hexadecanol content in exhaled breath was significantly correlated with the occurrence of PPCs （OR： 1.000， P=0.002）. ConclusionThis study indicated that the increased content of 1-Hexadecanol in patients' exhaled breath after abdominal surgery may be associated with the occurrence of PPCs.

One of its primary surgical treatments of tricuspid regurgitation is tricuspid valve biological valve replacement. Catheter tricuspid valve-in-valve implantation is a novel interventional alternative for biological valve failure. The non-invasive lung fluid measuring device remote dielectric sensing (ReDSTM) has been increasingly incorporated into clinical practice as a means of monitoring chronic heart failure in recent years. This report describes the process and outcomes of the first instance of perioperative lung fluid volume evaluation following transcatheter tricuspid valve implantation utilizing ReDSTM technology. The patient has a short-term, substantial increase in postoperative lung fluid volume as compared to baseline.

OBJECTIVE To develop a prediction model for durable clinical benefit （DCB） in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC） receiving programmed death-1 （PD-1） inhibitor. METHODS The clinical data of patients with advanced ESCC who received PD-1 inhibitor in Jieyang People’s Hospital were retrospectively collected between January 2020 to December 2023. Predictors were screened by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator （Lasso） regression， and a multivariable Logistic regression model was developed to predict DCB. A nomogram was constructed based on the model. Internal validation of the prediction model was performed by using the Bootstrap method， and the model was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve， calibration curve， and decision curve analysis. RESULTS A total of 91 patients with advanced ESCC were included. The results of Lasso regression combined with Logistic regression analysis indicated that the baseline lymphocyte monocyte ratio （LMR） [odds ratio （OR）＝1.97， 95% confidence interval （CI）： 1.15-3.36， P＝0.013]， albumin （ALB） content （OR＝1.35， 95%CI： 1.13-1.60， P＜0.001）， body mass index （BMI） category 1 [normal vs. low： OR＝ 0.28， 95%CI （0.09-0.96）， P＝0.042]， BMI category 2 [overweight-obesity vs. low： OR＝0.08， 95%CI （0.01-0.59）， P＝0.013]， and treatment regimen [monotherapy vs. monotherapy combination therapy： OR＝0.07， 95%CI （0.01-0.50）， P＝0.008] were predictive factors for patients with advanced ESCC to achieve DCB when treated with PD-1 inhibitor. A prediction model was constructed based on the above indicators. Internal validation of the model using the Bootstrap method showed an area under the curve of 0.831 （95%CI： 0.746-0.904）， with specificity of 74.4% and sensitivity of 75.0%. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test yielded χ2＝ 9.930， P＝0.270， and the calibration curve slope was close to 1. The decision curve analysis demonstrated that the model exhibited good clinical utility within a threshold range of 0.1 to 1.0. CONCLUSIONS The prediction model based on baseline LMR， ALB content， BMI， and treatment regimen demonstrates robust predictive performance and clinical utility for assessing therapeutic efficacy of PD-1 inhibitor in the treatment of advanced ESCC.

The anti-inflammatory phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Illicium dunnianum (I. dunnianum) resulted in the isolation of five pairs of new lignans (1-5), and 7 known analogs (6-12). The separation of enantiomer mixtures 1-5 to 1a/1b-5a/5b was achieved using a chiral column with acetonitrile-water mixtures as eluents. The planar structures of 1-2 were previously undescribed, and the chiral separation and absolute configurations of 3-5 were reported for the first time. Their structures were determined through comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis [nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass (HR-ESI-MS), infrared (IR), and ultraviolet (UV)] and quantum chemistry calculations (ECD). The new isolates were evaluated by measuring their inhibitory effect on NO in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells. Compounds 1a, 3a, 3b, and 5a demonstrated partial inhibition of NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays revealed that 1a down-regulated the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), COX-2, and iNOS and the protein expressions of COX-2 and iNOS. This research provides guidance and evidence for the further development and utilization of I. dunnianum.
Lignans/isolation & purification* ; Plant Leaves/chemistry* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification* ; Mice ; Animals ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Illicium/chemistry* ; Cyclooxygenase 2/immunology* ; Interleukin-6/immunology* ; Nitric Oxide/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/immunology* ; Lipopolysaccharides

Objective To investigate the regulatory mechanism of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata and its active components rehmannioside D and catalpol on γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)in the brain based on the xylosy-transferase I(xylt-1)signaling pathway.Methods(1)SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group and treatment group(Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata group,30 g·kg-1),with eight rats in each group,half male and half female.The rat model of yin deficiency was established by intragastric administration of traditional Chinese medicine compound(30 g·kg-1)with acrid-warm nature and dampness-drying and dampness-draining,once in the morning and once in the evening,for 10 consecutive days.After modeling,the treatment group was given Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata decoction by gavage,once in the morning and once in the evening,for 10 consecutive days.The body mass of rats was measured and recorded,and the activity,crossing times and total distance were detected by open field behavior experiment.The levels of serum gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH),thyrotropin-releasing hormone(TRH),corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH),luteinizing hormone(LH)and follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)in rats were detected by ELISA.The mRNA and protein expression levels of xylt-1,multiligand proteoglycan 1(SDC-1),early growth response factor 1(EGR1)and glutamate decarboxylase 1(GAD67)in rat brain tissue were detected by qPCR and automatic capillary Western Blot.The content of GABA in brain tissue was detected by HPLC.(2)The xylt-1 gene of rat well-differentiated adrenal pheochromocytoma cells(PC12)was silenced by siRNA.The cells were divided into normal group,negative control group,silencing group,silencing+rehmannioside D(10 μmol·L-1)group,silencing+catalpol(10 μmol·L-1)group.The expression levels of xylt-1,SDC-1,EGR1 and GAD67 mRNA in cells were detected by qPCR.The content of GABA in intracellular and extracellular fluid was detected by HPLC.The expression level of SDC-1 in cells was detected by immunofluorescence.(3)PC12 cells were transfected with lentivirus to overexpress xylt-1 gene.The cells were divided into normal group,negative control group(empty vector group)and overexpression group.The mRNA expression levels of xylt-1,SDC-1,EGR1 and GAD67 in cells were detected by qPCR.Results(1)Compared with the normal group,the body mass of the rats in the model group was significantly decreased(P＜0.01),the activity was significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the number of crossings and the total distance were significantly increased(P＜0.01).The levels of serum LH,FSH,GnRH,CRH and TRH were significantly increased(P＜0.01).The content of GABA in hippocampus and cerebral cortex was significantly decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The expression of xylt-1,SDC-1,EGR1 and GAD67 mRNA(hippocampus,cerebral cortex)and protein(hypothalamus,cerebral cortex)in brain tissue were significantly down-regulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the body mass of the rats in the treatment group was significantly increased(P＜0.05),the activity was significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the total distance was significantly shortened(P＜0.05).The levels of serum LH,FSH,GnRH,CRH and TRH were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The content of GABA in hippocampus and cerebral cortex was significantly increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The content of GABA in hippocampus and cerebral cortex was significantly increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The expressions of xylt-1,SDC-1,EGR1 and GAD67 mRNA(hippocampus,cerebral cortex)and protein(hypothalamus,cerebral cortex)in brain tissue were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).(2)Compared with the negative control group,the mRNA expressions of xylt-1,SDC-1,EGR1 and GAD67 in the silencing group was significantly down-regulated(P＜0.01).The content of GABA in intracellular and extracellular fluid was significantly decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The expression of SDC-1 in cells was significantly down-regulated(P＜0.01).Compared with the silencing group,the expression of xylt-1 mRNA in the silencing+rehmannioside D group was up-regulated,but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).The mRNA expression of xylt-1 in the silencing+catalpol group was significantly up-regulated(P＜0.05).The mRNA expressions of SDC-1,EGR1 and GAD67 in the silencing+rehmannioside D group and the silencing+catalpol group was significantly up-regulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),the content of GABA in the intracellular and extracellular fluid was significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the expression of SDC-1 in the cells was significantly up-regulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).(3)Compared with the normal group and the negative control group,the mRNA expression of xylt-1 in the overexpression group was significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01).Compared with the negative control group,the mRNA expressions of SDC-1,EGR1 and GAD67 in the overexpression group was significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01),and the GABA content in the intracellular and extracellular fluid was significantly increased(P＜0.01).Conclusion There may be a xylt-1/SDC-1/EGR1/GAD67 pathway that regulates GABA synthesis in the brain.Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata may increase GABA levels in the brain by up-regulating this pathway.

Objective:To evaluate the therapeutic effects of Yufu ointment for acute radiation-induced skin injury. Methods:We enrolled a total of 104 patients with malignant tumors who developed acute skin injury of grade 2-3 during or after the first course of radiotherapy from June 2019 to February 2023. The observation group ( n=53) and control group ( n=51) received external application of Yufu ointment and Shirun Shaoshang ointment, respectively. We recorded the changes in the grade of skin injury and associated symptoms (such as pain, itching, and burning sensation) and healing speed and time for the two groups. Results:A total of 102 patients completed the study, with 53 cases in the observation group and 49 cases in the control group. The incidence rate of moisture skin lesions in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (62.26% vs. 83.67%, P<0.05). The healing speed of moisture skin ulcerations was significantly faster in the observation group than in the control group (1.67 cm 2/d vs. 0.55 cm 2/d, P<0.05). The observation group had a significantly shorter time to skin injury healing than the control group (10.40 d vs. 14.41 d, P<0.05), significantly different for skin injury of grade 2 (10.21 d vs. 17.57 d, P<0.05) but not for skin injury of grades 2.5 and 3 ( P>0.05). Regarding clinical symptoms, both groups experienced significant reductions in pain and burning sensation scores after treatment ( P<0.05); the grade of itching was significantly decreased for the observation group ( P<0.05), but had no significant change for the control group after treatment ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Yufu ointment can significantly alleviate secondary damage for patients with acute radiation-induced skin injury, by accelerating the healing process and relieving symptoms such as pain, itching, and burning sensation with good tolerability, which deserves further promotion.

Objective:To evaluate the role of hippocampal β4-Subunit-Containing Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors (Chrnb4) in postoperative delirium in aged mice.Methods:Forty-eight SPF male C57BL/6J mice, aged 18 months, weighing 29-35 g, were assigned into 6 groups using a random number table method: tibial fracture group (TF group, n=6), sham operation group (Sham group, n=6), tibial fracture + adipenine group (TA group, n=9), tibial fracture + control vehicle group (TV group, n=9), sham operation + adipenine group (SA group, n=9), and sham operation + control vehicle group (SV group, n=9). The postoperative delirium model was prepared by tibial fracture under sevoflurane anesthesia. Tibial fracture was simulated by implanting a steel pin into the tibia and then clamping it, while sham group only received a longitudinal incision and suture after anesthesia. A microinjection cannula was implanted into the mouse skull at 5 days before developing the model in TA group, TV group, SA group and SV group. Three mice from each group were randomly selected for microelectrode implantation in the hippocampal CA1 area. Starting from 30 min after surgery, adipenine (62.5 nmol/μl) 2 μl was infused into the cerebral ventricle for 7 consecutive days in TA and SA groups, and vehicle (2 μl) was administered instead at a 24-h interval for 7 consecutive days in TV and SV groups. The expression of Chrnb4 mRNA in the hippocampal tissues was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction at 24 h after surgery. On the 7th and 8th days after surgery, the open-field test and O-maze experiment were conducted to assess the impulsive-like behavior in TA, TV, SA and SV groups. After the behavioral test, the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (Vglut1) in the hippocampal CA1 region was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The local field potentials in the hippocampal CA1 region were recorded during the open field test. Results:The expression of Chrnb4 mRNA in the hippocampal tissues was significantly up-regulated in TF group compared to Sham group ( P<0.05). Compared with TV group, the percentage of central path distance in the open field test and percentage of time spent in the open arms of the O-maze were significantly decreased, the power of β-waves in the CA1 field potentials was decreased, the expression of GFAP and Vglut1 in the hippocampal CA1 region was down-regulated, and the co-staining area of GFAP + and Vglut1 + was decreased in TA group and SV group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in each parameter between SA group and SV group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Hippocampal Chrnb4 may be involved in the mechanism of postoperative delirium in aged mice, and this process may be related to inhibition of neuron excitotoxicity.

Objective:To explore whether transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) can improve the prognosis of esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB) combined with sarcopenia in cirrhotic patients.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was performed. A total of 464 cases with cirrhotic EGVB who received standard or TIPS treatment between January 2017 and December 2019 were selected. Regular follow-up was performed for the long-term after treatment. The primary outcome was transplantation-free survival. The secondary endpoints were rebleeding and overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE). The obtained data were statistically analyzed. The t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to compare continuous variables between groups. The χ2 test, or Fisher's exact probability test, was used to compare categorical variables between groups. Results:The age of the included patients was 55.27±13.86 years, and 286 cases were male. There were 203 cases of combined sarcopenia and 261 cases of non-combined sarcopenia. The median follow-up period was 43 months. The two groups had no statistically significant difference in follow-up time. There was no statistically significant difference in transplant-free survival between the TIPS group and the standard treatment group in the overall cohort ( HR=1.31, 95% CI: 0.97-1.78, P=0.08). The TIPS patient group with cirrhosis combined with sarcopenia had longer transplant-free survival (median survival: 47.76 vs. 52.45, χ2=4.09; HR=1.55, 95 CI: 1.01~2.38, P=0.04). There was no statistically significant difference in transplant-free survival between the two kinds of treatments for patients without sarcopenia ( HR=1.22, 95% CI: 0.78~1.88, P=0.39). Rebleeding time was prolonged in TIPS patients with or without sarcopenia combination (patients without combined sarcopenia: median rebleeding time: 39.48 vs. 53.61, χ2=18.68; R=2.47, 95 CI: 1.67~3.65, P<0.01; patients with sarcopenia: median rebleeding time: 39.91 vs. 50.68, χ2=12.36; HR=2.20, 95 CI: 1.42~3.40, P<0.01). TIPS patients had an increased 1-year OHE incidence rate compared to the standard treatment group (sarcopenia patients: 6.93% vs. 16.67%, χ2=3.87, P=0.049; patients without sarcopenia combination: 2.19% vs. 9.68%, χ2=8.85, P=0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the long-term OHE incidence rate between the two kinds of treatment groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:TIPS can significantly prolong transplant-free survival compared to standard treatment as a secondary prevention of EGVB concomitant with sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis. However, its advantage is not prominent for patients with cirrhosis in EGVB without sarcopenia.

Following the principles of evidence-based medicine,in accordance with the structure and drafting rules of standardized documents,based on literature research,according to the characteristics of chronic cough in children and issues that need to form a consensus,the TCM Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough in Children was formulated based on the Delphi method,expert discussion meetings,and public solicitation of opinions.The guideline includes scope of application,terms and definitions,eti-ology and diagnosis,auxiliary examination,treatment,prevention and care.The aim is to clarify the optimal treatment plan of Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease,and to provide guidance for improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in children with Chinese medicine.