Objective To investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data of gut microbiota and IPF were obtained from MiBioGen and IEU OpenGWAS, respectively. Instrumental variables were screened by means of significance, linkage disequilibrium, weak instrumental variable screening, and removal of confounding factors (genetics, smoking, host characteristics). Inverse variance weighted (IVW) was used as the main Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis method, and the weighted median, simple mode, MR-Egger, and weighted mode were used to perform MR to reveal the causal effect of gut microbiota and IPF. The Cochrane's Q, leave-one-out, MR-Egger-intercept, and Mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) and Steiger tests were used to analyze the heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, outliers, and directionality, respectively. Results IVW analysis results showed that Actinobacteria [OR=1.773, 95%CI (1.323, 2.377), P<0.001], Erysipelatoclostridium [OR=2.077, 95%CI (1.107, 3.896), P=0.023], and Streptococcus [OR=1.35, 95%CI (1.100, 1.657), P=0.004] could increase the risk of IPF. Bifidobacterium [OR=0.668, 95%CI (0.620, 0.720), P<0.001], Ruminococcus [OR=0.434, 95%CI (0.222, 0.848), P=0.015], and Tyzzerella [OR=0.479, 95%CI (0.304, 0.755), P=0.001] could reduce the risk of IPF. No significant heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, outliers, and reverse causality were found. Conclusion Actinobacteria, Erysipelatoclostridium and Streptococcus may increase the risk of IPF, while Bifidobacterium, Ruminococcus and Tyzzerella may reduce the risk of IPF. Regulation of the above gut microbiota may become a new direction in the study of the pathogenesis of IPF.

OBJECTIVE To explore the improvine mechanism of Yifei xuanfei jiangzhuo formula （YFXF） on vascular dementia （VAD） model rats based on the growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 （GRB2）/extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK）/cardiolipin synthase 1 （CRLS1） pathway. METHODS VAD rat model was established by permanent bilateral common carotid artery ligation. Forty-eight successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group （normal saline）， donepezil hydrochloride group （positive control group， 0.2 g/kg）， and YFXF low- and high-dose groups （12.18 and 24.36 g/kg， calculated based on the total amount of crude drug）， respectively. In addition， a sham operation group （normal saline） was set up. There were 12 rats in each group. Daily intragastric administration of drug or normal saline was performed for 30 consecutive days. After the last administration， the spatial cognitive ability of the rats was evaluated， the pathological morphology of the hippocampus was observed， the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-4 （IL-4） in serum were detected， the expression levels of GRB2/ERK/CRLS1 pathway-related proteins and the mRNA levels of GRB2， CRLS1， NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1（ND1）， Tafazzin （TAZ）， phospholipid scramblase 3（PLSCR3） and the ATP content in hippocampal tissue were measured. RESULTS Compared with the sham operation group， the escape latency of rats in the model group was significantly prolonged （ P ＜0.05）， and the number of crossing platform was significantly reduced （ P ＜0.05）， while the number of pyramidal cells and Nissl bodies in the hippocampus decreased sharply； the content of TNF-α in serum was significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）， and the content of IL-4 was significantly decreased （ P ＜0.05）； the expression levels of GRB2 and CRLS1 proteins， the phosphorylation level of ERK protein， the relative expression levels of GRB2， CRLS1，ND1， TAZ， and PLSCR3 mRNA， and the content of ATP in hippocampal tissue were significantly decreased （ P ＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the above pathological changes in the hippocampal tissue of each administration group were alleviated， and the quantitative indicators were significantly restored （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS YFXF may improve hippocampal neuron injury in VAD rats by activating the GRB2/ERK/CRLS1 pathway, maintaining cardiolipin homeostasis， and improving mitochondrial energy metabolism.

Objective To establish an epirubicin (EPI)-resistant murine triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) (4T1/EPI) cell line and evaluate its biological characteristics and drug resistance. Methods The EPI-resistant cell line 4T1/EPI was developed through intermittent induction with gradually increasing EPI concentrations in vitro. Morphological changes were observed under an inverted microscope. Drug resistance index (MTT assay), cell doubling time (CCK-8 assay), and migration ability (wound healing assay) were evaluated. Western blot was used to detect the expression of drug resistance-related proteins. Transcriptome sequencing and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed to identify the pathways and targets involved in EPI resistance, followed by experimental validation. Results The 4T1 cells eventually grew normally in a medium containing 100 ng/mL EPI, confirming the establishment of the 4T1/EPI resistant cell line. After stable resistance was acquired, morphological alterations were observed. Compared with their parental 4T1 cells, 4T1/EPI cells showed significantly prolonged doubling time (P<0.01) and enhanced migration ability (P<0.05). Expression levels of drug resistance-related proteins MDR1, MRP1 (P<0.01), and ABCG2 (P<0.05) were elevated in 4T1/EPI cells. In vivo models also demonstrated significant EPI resistance in 4T1/EPI tumors in terms of tumor weight and volume. Transcriptome sequencing highlighted the involvement of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and ABC transporter pathway. Validation experiments showed the upregulation of Erbb3, Egfr, PI3K, and Akt (P<0.05) and significant downregulation of Fgfr1 (P<0.01) in 4T1/EPI cells. Conclusion The EPI-resistant TNBC cell line 4T1/EPI was successfully established, exhibiting significant resistance in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism may involve the EPI-induced upregulation of Egfr and Erbb3, activating the PI3K/Akt pathway and subsequently enhancing ABC transporter expression.

Background and Objectives: The Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular UltrasoundGuided Intervention Strategy for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis (FLAVOUR) trial demonstrated non-inferiority of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI. We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of FFR-guided PCI compared to IVUS-guided PCI in Korea. Methods: A 2-part cost-effectiveness model, composed of a short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model, was developed for patients who underwent PCI to treat intermediate stenosis (40% to 70% stenosis by visual estimation on coronary angiography).The lifetime healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated from the healthcare system perspective. Transition probabilities were mainly referred from the FLAVOUR trial, and healthcare costs were mainly obtained through analysis of Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Health utilities were mainly obtained from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire responses of FLAVOUR trial participants mapped to EQ-5D. Results: From the Korean healthcare system perspective, the base-case analysis showed that FFR-guided PCI was 2,451 U.S. dollar lower in lifetime healthcare costs and 0.178 higher in QALYs compared to IVUS-guided PCI. FFR-guided PCI remained more likely to be cost-effective over a wide range of willingness-to-pay thresholds in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Conclusions Based on the results from the FLAVOUR trial, FFR-guided PCI is projected to decrease lifetime healthcare costs and increase QALYs compared with IVUS-guided PCI in intermediate coronary lesion, and it is a dominant strategy in Korea.

Objective To understand the implementation of WS/T 508-2016 and the status of washing and disin-fection of medical textiles in China,and provide basis for the revision of the standard.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted on the management of medical institutions and washing and disinfection workplace,building layout,personnel protection,equipment and supplies,washing and disinfection principles,and hygiene quality mo-nitoring of medical textiles in 323 medical institutions and 31 washing institutions in China.Meanwhile,microbio-logical index sampling was conducted on 234 pieces of medical textiles in 9 medical institutions and 8 washing insti-tutions in Hubei,Shanxi,Shanghai,and Sichuan Provinces before and after washing and disinfection.Results The awareness rates of WS/T 508-2016 among medical institutions and washing institutions were 96.90％and 96.77％,respectively,and the implementation rates were 94.12％and 96.77％,respectively.47.99％medical in-stitutions use purchasing services for washing and disinfecting medical textiles,and the higher the level of the medi-cal institution was,the higher the proportion of purchasing services was(x2=15.312,P＜0.001).85.16％medi-cal institutions have conducted risk assessments on service providers,and 52.99％were responsible for or participa-ted in pre-job training by the medical institution.Washing institutions were higher than medical institutions in terms of system soundness rate,pre-job training rate,proportion of quality management leaders and full-time(part-time)quality inspectors,setting rate of hand-washing facilities in zones,passages,isolation barriers,dressing(buffer)room,and toilets,configuration rate of hygiene isolation washing equipment,tunnel washing unit,washing equip-ment with heating functions,drying equipment and mechanical ventilation facilities,and specialty machine washing rate.Among 234 medical textiles specimens,11.97％were detected fungi,and the total fungal colonies in 5 clean textiles exceeded 100 CFU/100 cm2.Conclusion WS/T 508-2016 can further standardize the washing and disin-fection of medical textiles in China through strengthening institutional management,improving the supervision level of service providers,perfecting hardware facilities and layout,introducing new technologies,and increasing the mo-nitoring on fungi in clean textiles.

Objective To explore the feasibility of prototype of flexible ultrasound array transducer for measuring intravascular diameter and blood flow velocity.Methods A prototype of flexible ultrasonic array transducer composed of a surface mount flexible ultrasonic array transducer(referred to as the transducer)and acquisition system was designed and fabricated.Doppler body model and vascular simulation control system was used to simulate human blood.Mindray M7 color multi-functional ultrasound diagnostic instrument(abbreviated as M7)and the prototype were adopted to detect pulse wave excitation mode,spectral morphology,echo signal time interval,blood flow velocity,etc.Taken the results of M7 as standards,the effectiveness of the prototype was evaluated.Then the inner diameter and flow velocity of left common carotid artery,left brachial artery and left radial artery of 20 healthy controls(HC)were measured respectively using M7 and the prototype,and the consistency of measurement results were analyzed to evaluate the accuracy of the prototype.The safety of the prototype was evaluated according to subjectively scoring the comfort level of HC applying the transducer and whether there was skin discomfort,injury,etc.after removing the transducer.Results The collected blood flow spectrum of the above vascular simulation control system acquire with the prototype were clear,and the spectral morphology,flow velocity,as well as echo signal time interval were basically consistent with those of M7.The consistency of the inner diameter of left common carotid artery,left brachial artery and left radial artery measured by the prototype and M7 in 20 HC were all very strong(ICC=0.919-0.992),while of flow velocities were moderate or very strong(ICC=0.524-0.831).The subjective score of comfort level of application of transducer was 3(2,3),and no skin discomfort occurred.Conclusion Flexible ultrasound array transducer technology could be used to measure intravascular diameter and blood flow velocity.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the intervention effect and its potential mechanism of Yifei xuanfei jiangzhuo formula by inhibiting mitochondrial fission in a vascular dementia(VaD)model rats.METHODS VaD rat model was established by bilateral common carotid artery ligation.The experimental animals were randomly divided into sham operation group(SHAM),model group(MOD),Yifei xuanfei jiangzhuo formula low-dose group(YFXF-L),Yifei xuanfei jiangzhuo formula high-dose group(YFXF-H),and Donepezil hydrochloride group(positive control),with 9 animals in each group.After 30 days of intervention,the spatial learning memory ability was assessed by Morris water maze experiment;HE staining was used to observe histopathological changes in CA1 area of hippocampus;ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum inflammatory factors[interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-4];Western blot was used to detect the expressions of heat shock protein 90(HSP90)/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein(MLKL)/dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1)pathway-related proteins,mitochondrial fusion proteins(MFN1,MFN2),and adenosine triphosphate synthase 5A(ATP5A)in hippocampal tissues.The immunohistochemistry was used to detect the level of phosphorylated MLKL(p-MLKL);real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was adopted to detect mRNA expressions of HSP90,MFN1,MFN2 and ATP5A.RESULTS Compared with SHAM group,the escape latency of rats in the MOD group was significantly prolonged,the number of crossing the platform was significantly reduced,and the hippocampal tissues showed typical neuronal damage characteristics,the positive expression level of p-MLKL and the serum level of IL-1β significantly increased,while the serum level of IL-4 significantly decreased,the protein and mRNA expression of HSP90,as well as the protein expressions of p-MLKL/MLKL and p-Drp1(Ser616)/Drp1 were all significantly increased in hippocampal tissue,the protein and mRNA expressions of MFN1,MFN2 and ATP5A,and protein expression of p-Drp1(Ser637)/Drp1 were all significantly decreased(P＜0.05).After the intervention of Yifei xuanfei jiangzhuo formula,above indicators in each treatment group were all significantly reversed(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS Yifei xuanfei jiangzhuo formula may alleviate neuronal damage and neuroinflammatory responses in VaD rats by regulating the HSP90/MLKL/Drp1 signaling pathway,inhibiting mitochondrial fission,thereby maintaining mitochondrial dynamic balance and improving mitochondrial function.

Objective To elucidate the kinetic characteristics of viral replication and transcription,an in vitro model of viral replication and transcription was established.Utilizing single-molecule magnetic tweezers technology,the dynamic process of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase(RdRp)during in vitro replication and transcription was investigated.Methods The force field of the single-molecule magnetic tweezer system was corrected using DNA fragments,followed by the construction of RNA fragments to explore the kinetics of RdRp replication and transcription in vitro.Results The force field calibration results were consistent with the worm-like chain model(WLC).The ssRNA strand was found to be approximately 0.3 pm longer than the dsRNA strand and could be stably extended under a 30 pN force field.The average synthesis rate of RdRp extension was determined to be 3.27 nt/s,with an average processivity of 886 nt.Conclusions By implementing force calibration in single-molecule magnetic tweezers,the real-time tracking of RdRp kinetics during the full-cycle replication-transcription process(initiation,elongation,and termination)in vitro was achieved,thereby constructing a mechanistic model of RdRp-driven nucleic acid synthesis.This study provides a basis for further investigating the kinetics of viral RdRp in physiological processes including replication,transcription,and backtracking under varied in vitro environments using single-molecule magnetic tweezers,and establishes a single-molecule manipulation framework for evaluating the effects of therapeutic compounds on viral replication-transcription processes in vitro.

Objective:To analyze and explore the selection of secondary intervention strategies for residual issues following congenital aortic valve disease surgery in children, as well as to evaluate their prognostic efficacy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 41 children with residual issues after congenital aortic valve disease surgery, who were treated at the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, between January 2013 and August 2024. Among them, 25 were male and 16 were female, with a mean age of(116.8±45.1)months and a mean weight of(40.0±20.2)kg. The mean interval for secondary intervention was(60.0±36.4)months. The residual issues included aortic valve insufficiency(20 cases), aortic valve stenosis(11 cases), and combined aortic valve insufficiency and stenosis(10 cases).Results:Secondary interventions included aortic valve repair(7 cases), mechanical valve replacement(20 cases), Ross procedure(13 cases), and Ozaki procedure(1 case). Additionally, 5 cases with left ventricular outflow tract stenosis underwent concomitant Konno surgery.One case of early postoperative in-hospital death occurred, with a mortality rate of 2.4%, primarily due to acute left heart failure and multiple organ dysfunction. The average follow-up period for surviving children was( 64.6±34.5) months(5-147 months), with no mid- to long-term mortality. Follow-up results showed that In surviving children, the left heart showed significant reduction in size postoperatively, with the LVEDD Z-score decreasing from 1.24±2.23 before surgery to -0.97±1.48( P=0.001). Postoperative LVEF 0.66±0.06 showed no significant difference compared to pre-reintervention 0.68±0.10( P=0.140). In aortic stenosis(AS) patients, the peak transvalvular pressure gradient decreased from(69.5±19.8) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) preoperatively to(25.1±10.9) mmHg postoperatively( P=0.003). In aortic insufficiency(AI) patients, the width of the aortic regurgitation jet decreased from(5.8±1.1) mm preoperatively to(2.7±1.1) mm postoperatively( P=0.012). 97.5% of children maintained mild-to-moderate aortic regurgitation(jet width <4 mm), with only 1 case of moderate regurgitation(jet width 4.4 mm)remaining under close observation.Two children underwent reoperation on the aortic valve, with a tertiary intervention rate of 5.0%. One case underwent redo commissurotomy 21 months after aortic valve repair due to recurrent stenosis, and the other underwent mechanical valve replacement 34 months after the Ozaki procedure due to leaflet calcification and infective endocarditis. Mid-term follow-up revealed good cardiac function recovery in surviving children, with 87.5% achieving NYHA functional class Ⅰ/Ⅱ. Conclusion:Due to the demands of growth and development and the degenerative nature of valve tissue, residual issues are inevitable in the mid- to long-term following congenital aortic valve disease surgery in children, often necessitating secondary intervention. Given the lack of suitable autologous valve tissue, the use of aortic valve replacement has significantly increased in secondary interventions. The Ross procedure, as an ideal secondary intervention, demonstrates satisfactory mid-term follow-up outcomes. For children with high-risk factors for the Ross procedure, mechanical valve replacement also yields favorable prognoses.

Objective Objective To explore the effects of Propofol on neuronal autophagy,memory function,and the classical protein kinase Cγ(cPKCγ)-related pathway in the offspring of rats during the second trimester of pregnancy.Methods Thirty-six SD rats at 14 d of gestation were randomly divided into the control group,the Propofol group and the Propofol+cPKCγ inhibitor group,with 12 rats in each group.Ten pregnant mice were randomly selected from each group.The pregnancy continued until the offspring mice were born.The Morris water maze test was performed on the offspring mice at 30-34 d after birth.Western blotting was used to detect microtubule-associated protein light chain 3Ⅱ/Ⅰ(LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ),Beclin-1,cPKCγ and growth-associated protein-43(GAP-43)expression levels in hippocampal tissue,and immunofluorescence was used to determine the expression of autophagy-related protein ATG7 in hippocampal tissue.Results Compared with the control group,the Propofol group and the propofol+cPKCγ inhibitor group showed increased escape latency at 31,32,33 and 34 d after birth(P<0.05),while there was significantly decreased escape latency in the Propofol+cPKCγ inhibitor group,compared with the Propofol group(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the Propofol group and the Propofol+cPKCγ inhibitor group had significantly decreased number of platform crossings(P<0.05),while there was significantly increased number of platform crossings in the Propofol+cPKCγ inhibitor group,compared with the Propofol group(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the Propofol group and the Propofol+cPKCγ inhibitor group had increased time spent in quadrant I and decreased time spent in quadrant Ⅱ(P<0.05),while there was decreased time spent in quadrant Ⅰ and increased time spent in quadrant Ⅱ in the Propofol+cPKCγ inhibitor group,compared with the Propofol group(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰratio,and the expression of Beclin-1,cPKCγ,and GAP-43 protein in the hippocampal tissue of offspring rats in the Propofol group and the Propofol+cPKCγ inhibitor group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the Propofol group,the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio,and the expression of Beclin-1,cPKCγ,and GAP-43 protein in the hippocampal tissue of offspring rats in the Propofol+cPKCγ inhibitor group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the expression of ATG7 in the hippocampal tissue of offspring rats in both the Propofol group and the Propofol+cPKCγ inhibitor group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the propofol group,the expression of ATG7 in the hippocampal tissue of offspring rats in the Propofol+cPKCγ inhibitor group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Propofol can cause cognitive impairment in the offspring of rats during the second trimester of pregnancy,promote neuronal autophagy,and inhibit activation of the cPKCγ/GAP-43 pathway in the hippocampus,which may improve cognitive impairment in the offspring rats.