Objective To observe how brain death affects the hepatic morphology and function of pigs and explore the roles of NF-κB. Methods Under general anaesthesia twelve healthy pigs were allocated randomly to two groups:control group(6 pigs),with non-inflacted Foley balloon catheter placed in the cerebral ventricle for 24 h,and brain death group,6 pigs,with estabhshment of brain death for 24 h.The serum and hepatic tissues in the same locus were taken at 6 h,12 h,and 24 h after the initial conformation of brain death.AST and ALT were determined by automatic biochemistry analyzer.IL-1βwas determined by ELISA.The NF-κB mRNA was determined by Real-time PCR and the NF-κB p65 by immunohistochemistry. Results The AST,ALT,IL-1β in serum,the NF-κB mRNA and the NF-κB p65 in hepatic tissues in brain death group were higher than those in control group and they all increased with the time(P<0.05).In brain death group,hepatocytes were edematous lightly after 12 hours,and the swelling progressively deteriorated after 24 hours,but there were no necrosis. Conclusion The activated NF-κB by brain death promoted the synthesis and release of inflammatory mediators,resulting in the hepatic dysfunction.

Objective:To investigate the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) associated lung injury in mice.Methods:Totally 32 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n=8/per group): wild type control group (WT+CON group), wild type SAP group (WT+SAP group), MIF gene knockout control group (KO+CON group), and MIF gene knockout SAP group (KO+SAP group). SAP model was established by intraperitoneal injection of L-arginine (4 mg/g). The expression of serum amylase, IL-6, TNF-α and MIF were detected by ELISA. The pathological changes of pancreatic and lung tissues were observed by HE staining. The expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in lung tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of NF-κB in lung tissue was detected by Western blot. For measurement data, t test was used for comparison between two groups, and one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups. Results:Compared with the WT+CON group, pathological score of pancreatic and lung injury, serum amylase, TNF-α and IL-6 expression in serum and lung tissues were significantly increased in the WT+SAP group ( P<0.05), while the above indexes were significantly decreased in the KO+SAP group ( P<0.05). In addition, the expression of NF-κB protein in KO+SAP group was significantly lower than that in the WT+SAP group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:MIF gene knockout can alleviate severe acute pancreatitis associated acute lung injury in mice, and its mechanism may be related to NF-κB.

Purpose: The long-term fertility impact of cancer treatments is a significant concern for young breast cancer survivors. These reproductive concerns often become a persistent source of stress, negatively affecting their quality of life. This study aims to explore the reproductive concerns experienced by young breast cancer survivors post-treatment and the factors influencing their perceptions. Methods: This phenomenological study utilized semi-structured interviews to collect data. Eighteen participants were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Mainland China. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Colaizzi's method. Results: Data analysis revealed five themes and fourteen subthemes: (1) multiple emotional burdens interwoven with concerns about fertility; (2) concerns about risks associated with reproduction; (3) dilemma of childrearing; (4) the significance of reproduction; (5) support needs from family, peers, and professionals. Conclusion Young breast cancer survivors in China face significant challenges related to reproductive issues. Reproductive health is a crucial aspect of breast cancer survivorship care. Healthcare providers must be attentive to the reproductive concerns of survivors, recognize the importance of multidimensional support for positive adaptation, and offer tailored and ongoing interventions to manage reproductive health in young breast cancer survivors.

Purpose: The long-term fertility impact of cancer treatments is a significant concern for young breast cancer survivors. These reproductive concerns often become a persistent source of stress, negatively affecting their quality of life. This study aims to explore the reproductive concerns experienced by young breast cancer survivors post-treatment and the factors influencing their perceptions. Methods: This phenomenological study utilized semi-structured interviews to collect data. Eighteen participants were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Mainland China. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Colaizzi's method. Results: Data analysis revealed five themes and fourteen subthemes: (1) multiple emotional burdens interwoven with concerns about fertility; (2) concerns about risks associated with reproduction; (3) dilemma of childrearing; (4) the significance of reproduction; (5) support needs from family, peers, and professionals. Conclusion Young breast cancer survivors in China face significant challenges related to reproductive issues. Reproductive health is a crucial aspect of breast cancer survivorship care. Healthcare providers must be attentive to the reproductive concerns of survivors, recognize the importance of multidimensional support for positive adaptation, and offer tailored and ongoing interventions to manage reproductive health in young breast cancer survivors.

Purpose: The long-term fertility impact of cancer treatments is a significant concern for young breast cancer survivors. These reproductive concerns often become a persistent source of stress, negatively affecting their quality of life. This study aims to explore the reproductive concerns experienced by young breast cancer survivors post-treatment and the factors influencing their perceptions. Methods: This phenomenological study utilized semi-structured interviews to collect data. Eighteen participants were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Mainland China. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Colaizzi's method. Results: Data analysis revealed five themes and fourteen subthemes: (1) multiple emotional burdens interwoven with concerns about fertility; (2) concerns about risks associated with reproduction; (3) dilemma of childrearing; (4) the significance of reproduction; (5) support needs from family, peers, and professionals. Conclusion Young breast cancer survivors in China face significant challenges related to reproductive issues. Reproductive health is a crucial aspect of breast cancer survivorship care. Healthcare providers must be attentive to the reproductive concerns of survivors, recognize the importance of multidimensional support for positive adaptation, and offer tailored and ongoing interventions to manage reproductive health in young breast cancer survivors.

Objective:To investigate the effect of thymosin α1 on the differentiation of T lymphocyte and the secretion of inflammatory factors in septic mice, thus to explore the effect of thymosin α1 on the prognosis of sepsis.Methods:Adult female C57 mice were randomly (random number) divided into 3 groups: blank control group, sepsis group, and thymosin α1 treatment group. T cell counts and the corresponding inflammatory factors in the further differentiation of T lymphocytes as well as plasma and lung tissues were statistically analyzed, and the survival rate of the mice within 96 h was also analyzed. Graphpad 7.0 software was used for statistically analysis of the study results.Results:There was no significant difference in T cell counts among the three groups of mice, but in the further differentiation of T lymphocytes, the expression of Th17 in the thymosin α1 treatment group was significantly lower than that in the sepsis group, and the expression of Treg was significantly increased in the sepsis group. The expression of the inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was significantly increased in plasma and lung tissues of the thymosin α1 treatment group, while the expression of IL-17A in plasma and lung tissues of the thymosin α1 treatment group was significantly lower ( P <0.05). Survival analysis showed that the survival rate of the thymosin α1 treatment group increased significantly at 96 h, and the difference was significant statistically ( P <0.05). Conclusions:Thymosin α1 can enhance the cellular immunity in sepsis, ameliorate the systemic inflammation, and further protect against sepsis.

Objective To study the influence of prebiotics and probiotics combined with early enteral nutrition (EN) on the recovery of gastrointestinal function, improvement of nutritional status and prognosis in postoperative patients with pancreatic trauma. Methods A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of pancreatic injury patients admitted to our hospital from January 2012 to December 2017 was carried out, and those patients were divided into 3 groups: group A (control group), patients treated with operation and routine treatment; group B, patients treated with prebiotics and probiotics in addition to surgery and routine treatment; group C, patients treated as group B in addition to early EN. Comparisons of blood biochemical markers, mortality, time required for resolution of abdominal pain, length of hospital stay, hospitalization expenses and complication rate among three groups. Results The time required for resolution of abdominal pain, length of hospital stay, hospital costs in group C were significantly lower than those in other groups (P＜ 0.05). The score of gastrointestinal dysfunction at one week after surgery in group C was significantly lower than that in group A and group B (P＜0.05). Serum amylase, lipase and CRP levels were significantly lower in group C than those in other groups (P＜ 0.05). Plasma albumin level significantly higher in group C than that in other groups (P＜ 0.05). Conclusion Prebiotics and probiotics combined with early EN treatment have certain advantages in patients with pancreatic injury.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the levels of Thl and Th2 cells and their cytokines IFN-γ,TNF-αt,IL-2,IL-4,IL-5 and IL-13 in peripheral blood of patients with acute pancreatitis and the clinical severity of acute pancreatitis,and to evaluate the diagnostic value and significance for the severity of acute pancreatitis.Methods This study enrolled 72 patients with acute pancreatitis and 30 healthy controls admitted to the Emergency Surgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zengzhou University from January 2015 to June 2017.The patients were divided into the mild MAP group,moderate MSAP group,and severe SAP group according to the 2012 Atlanta classification criteria.Whole blood and serum samples were taken on the day of admission for all confirmed cases,the number of Th1 and Th2 cells was detected by flow cytometry,the expression levels of IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-2,IL-4,IL-5 and IL-13 were determined by ELISA.The total length of hospital stay and length of hospital stay in ICU of each group were recorded.The number of Th 1 and Th2 cells and the expression of related cytokines in patients with mild,moderate and severe acute pancreatitis were compared by one-way analysis of variance.Pearson linear correlation was used to analyze the correlation between Th1and Th2 cytokines and the length of hospital stay and the length of hospital stay in ICU.A P＜0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results Compared with the healthy controls,the number of Th1 and Th2 cells,the levels of Th1 cytokine IFN-γ,TNF-α IL-2 and Th2 cytokine IL-4 were significantly increased in acute pancreatitis.Th1 cells in the SAP group were significantly higher than those in the MAP and MSAP groups (F=11.137,P＜0.01),while Th2 cells in the SAP group were significantly lower than those in the MAP and MSAP groups (F=9.493,P＜0.01),and there was no significant difference between the MAP group and MSAP group.The expression level of IFN-γ was higher in the SAP and MSAP groups than that in the MAP group (F=8.605,P=0.001).The expression level of TNF-α was higher in the SAP group than those in the MSAP and MAP groups (F=1 1.847,P＜0.01),and the IL-4 expression level was significantly lower in the SAP group than those in the MAP and MSAP groups (F=8.042,P=0.001).The expression level of IFN-γ was positively correlated with the length of hospital stay and the length of hospital stay in ICU (r=0.569,P=0.014;r=0.538,P=0.021).The expression level of TNF-α was positively correlated with the length of hospital stay (r=0.475,P=0.046).The expression level of IL-4 was negatively correlated with the length of hospital stay and the length of hospital stay in ICU (r==0.577,P=0.012;r=-0.657,P=0.003).Conclusions Th1 and Th2 cells and their associated inflammatory factors IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-2 and IL-4 are elevated in patients with acute pancreatitis.The increase in the number of Th1 proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ,TNF-α and Th1 cells tends to aggravate the development of acute pancreatitis,and the increase in the number of Th2 cells and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 are associated with a better prognosis.

BACKGROUND:Patients with diabetes mellitus(DM)are vulnerable to community-acquired pneumonia(CAP),which have a high mortality rate.We aimed to investigate the value of heparin-binding protein(HBP)as a prognostic marker of mortality in patients with DM and CAP. METHODS:This retrospective study included CAP patients who were tested for HBP at intensive care unit(ICU)admission from January 2019 to April 2020.Patients were allocated to the DM or non-DM group and paired with propensity score matching.Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes up to 90 days were evaluated.The primary outcome was the 10-day mortality.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,Kaplan-Meier analysis,and Cox regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS:Among 152 enrolled patients,60 pairs were successfully matched.There was no significant difference in 10-day mortality,while more patients in the DM group died within 28 d(P=0.024)and 90 d(P=0.008).In the DM group,HBP levels at ICU admission were higher in 10-day non-survivors than in 10-day survivors(median 182.21[IQR:55.43-300]ng/ml vs.median 66.40[IQR:34.13-107.85]ng/mL,P=0.019),and HBP levels could predict the 10-day mortality with an area under the ROC curve of 0.747.The cut-offvalue,sensitivity,and specificity were 160.6 ng/mL,66.7%,and 90.2%,respectively.Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that HBP was an independent prognostic factor for 10-day(HR 7.196,95%CI:1.596-32.455,P=0.01),28-day(HR 4.381,95%CI:1.449-13.245,P=0.009),and 90-day mortality(HR 4.581,95%CI:1.637-12.819,P=0.004)in patients with DM. CONCLUSION:Plasma HBP at ICU admission was associated with the 10-day,28-day,and 90-day mortality,and might be a prognostic factor in patients with DM and CAP.

BACKGROUND:Patients with diabetes mellitus(DM)are vulnerable to community-acquired pneumonia(CAP),which have a high mortality rate.We aimed to investigate the value of heparin-binding protein(HBP)as a prognostic marker of mortality in patients with DM and CAP. METHODS:This retrospective study included CAP patients who were tested for HBP at intensive care unit(ICU)admission from January 2019 to April 2020.Patients were allocated to the DM or non-DM group and paired with propensity score matching.Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes up to 90 days were evaluated.The primary outcome was the 10-day mortality.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,Kaplan-Meier analysis,and Cox regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS:Among 152 enrolled patients,60 pairs were successfully matched.There was no significant difference in 10-day mortality,while more patients in the DM group died within 28 d(P=0.024)and 90 d(P=0.008).In the DM group,HBP levels at ICU admission were higher in 10-day non-survivors than in 10-day survivors(median 182.21[IQR:55.43-300]ng/ml vs.median 66.40[IQR:34.13-107.85]ng/mL,P=0.019),and HBP levels could predict the 10-day mortality with an area under the ROC curve of 0.747.The cut-offvalue,sensitivity,and specificity were 160.6 ng/mL,66.7%,and 90.2%,respectively.Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that HBP was an independent prognostic factor for 10-day(HR 7.196,95%CI:1.596-32.455,P=0.01),28-day(HR 4.381,95%CI:1.449-13.245,P=0.009),and 90-day mortality(HR 4.581,95%CI:1.637-12.819,P=0.004)in patients with DM. CONCLUSION:Plasma HBP at ICU admission was associated with the 10-day,28-day,and 90-day mortality,and might be a prognostic factor in patients with DM and CAP.