ObjectiveTo explore the application value of modified Wendantang in the treatment of perimenopausal insomnia of phlegm heat type and observe its effects on neurotransmitters and body fat. MethodsA total of 162 patients with perimenopausal insomnia of phlegm heat type who were treated in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department of The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University from May 2021 to November 2023 were randomly divided into two groups before inclusion in the study. The control group of 81 cases received conventional Western medicine treatment， while the observation group of 81 cases received combined treatment with modified Wendantang， and the treatment lasted for 4 weeks. ResultsInterleukin-β （IL-1β）， and tumor necrosis factor alpha （TNF-α） decreased， while serum dopamine （DA）， melatonin （MT） and serotonin （5-HT） increased in both groups after treatment compared with before treatment （P<0.05）. After treatment， compared with the control group， the observation group showed better improvement in the above indicators （P<0.05）. The levels of follicle stimulating hormone （FSH） and luteinizing hormone （LH） decreased， while the level of estradiol （E₂） increased in both groups after treatment compared with before treatment （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， the observation group showed better improvement in the above sex hormone indicators after treatment （P<0.05）. The rapid eye movement sleep period （REM） and total sleep time （TST） were prolonged， and the sleep latency （SL） was shortened in the two groups after treatment compared with before treatment （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， the observation group showed better improvement in sleep conditions after treatment （P<0.05）. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index （PSQI） and Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） total symptom score decreased significantly in both groups after treatment compared with before treatment （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， the observation group showed better improvement in PSQI and TCM total symptom score after treatment （P<0.05）. The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.83% （76/81）， while that of the control group was 82.72% （67/81）， and the two had a statistically significant difference （χ²=9.135， P<0.05）. ConclusionFor patients with perimenopausal insomnia of phlegm heat type， the application of modified Wendantang can help regulate neurotransmitters and inflammatory factor levels， improve sex hormone levels， enhance sleep quality， and improve therapeutic effects.

To investigate the risk factors for early relapse after curative resection of Siewert type Ⅱ/Ⅲ adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG) and construct a visual predictive model.

Objective To investigate the effect of glycine N-methyl transferase (GNMT)on intrauterine adhesion (IUA)fibrosis and its related mechanism.Methods In vivo experiment:A total of 36 healthy female SD rats (SPF grade,6～8 weeks old and weighing from 180～220 g)were subjected in this study.IUA model of SD rats and IUA model of GNMT overexpressed rats were established.RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence assay were applied to detect GNMT expression level in normal uterus and model group.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of fibrosis-related molecules and the activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway in each group.The number of endometrial glands in each group was observed by HE staining.Masson staining was used to analyze the severity of endometrial fibrosis in each group.In vitro experiment:transformed human endometrial stromal cells (THESCs)fibrotic phenotype model was constructed using TGF-β1,and THESCs stably transfected with GNMT overexpression lentvirus were treated with TGF-β1.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of fibrosis-related molecules.The expression of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway was detected by Western blotting.TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway was activated by TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway activator (SRI-011381),and the expression of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway and key molecular proteins of fibrosis phenotype was measured with Western blotting.Results In vivo experiment,the mRNA and protein expression levels of GNMT were significantly decreased in the IUA rats than the control rats (P<0.05).Overexpression of GNMT decreased the mRNA and protein levels of fibrosis related molecules,Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ and FN in the IUA rats (P<0.05),and decreased the phosphorylation levels of TGF-β1 and its downstream Smad3 protein (P<0.05).HE and Masson staining showed that overexpression of GNMT could increase the number of endometrial glands and reduce the severity of fibrosis in the IUA rats (P<0.05).In vitro experiments:overexpression of GNMT decreased the mRNA and protein levels of Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ and FN associated with fibrotic phenotype of THESCs (P<0.05),and reduced the phosphorylation level of Smad3 protein,downstream of TGF-β1 (P<0.05).After activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,the protein levels of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway and downstream fibrosis phenotype molecules,Collagen Ⅲ and FN,were significantly decreased in the LV-GNMT+SRI-011381 group.Conclusion Overexpression of GNMT can inhibit endometrial fibrosis by regulating TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,thus achieving therapeutic effect on IUA.

Objective:To compare the prognosis of patients with hepatolithiasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated ICC after radical resection.Methods:The clinicopathological and survival data of 69 patients with ICC undergoing radical resection in the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Lihuili Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University from January 2012 to February 2024 were retrospectively analyzed, including 40 males and 29 females, aged (62.9±10.2) years. Patients were divided into the stone group ( n=40, with hepatolithiasis) and HBV group ( n=29, with HBV). Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and log-rank test was used for survival rate comparison. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used for multivariate analysis to analyze the effect of hepatolithiasis and HBV on the prognosis. Results:The median overall survival of ICC patients in the stone group was 16 months, and that in the HBV group was 27 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative survivals of the stone group were 56.6%, 23.2%, and 10.3%, respectively, which were lower than those of the HBV group (72.0%, 50.7%, and 43.4%, respectively, χ2=5.95, P=0.015). The median recurrence-free survivals (RFS) of the stone group and the HBV group were 12 months and 23 months, respectively. The 1-year and 3-year RFS of the stone group were 49.2% and 18.1%, which were lower than those of the HBV group (65.0% and 39.8%, respectively, χ2=3.94, P=0.047). Univariate analysis showed that hepatolithiasis was assciated with prognosis ( χ2=5.95, P=0.015). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that hepatolithiasis and hepatitis B virus infection had no effect on the prognosis of ICC patients after surgery (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared to HBV infection, ICC patients with hepatolithiasis have a worse prognosis. Hepatolithiasis and HBV infection have no effect on the prognosis of ICC after radical resection.

Trihelix transcription factors play important roles in plant light responses, growth and development, and stress responses. However, Trihelix has not yet been reported in Eucommia ulmoides. In this study, bioinformatics methods were used to comprehensively identify and analyze the expression patterns of the Trihelix gene family in E. ulmoides, aiming to provide a basis for further functional studies of EuGTs genes. A total of 9 Trihelix gene family members were identified in E. ulmoides, encoding proteins with 339 to 883 amino acids, with isoelectric points ranging from 5.13 to 9.39 and relative molecular weights between 36 992.06 and 97 871.61. Subcellular localization results showed that only EuGT-2 was localized in chloroplasts, while the others were located in the nucleus. The Trihelix gene family was categorized into six subfamilies: GT-1, GT-2, SH4, SIP1, GTγ, and GTδ. EuGTs were distributed among three subfamilies: SH4, GT-1, and GT-2, containing 1, 6, and 2 Trihelix proteins, respectively, with 2 to 17 exons. The promoters of EuGTs contained various cis-acting elements related to hormones, stress, photoperiod, and growth and development. Collinearity analysis revealed 5 collinear gene pairs between E. ulmoides and Arabidopsis thaliana, and 14 collinear gene pairs between E. ulmoides and Populus. Expression pattern analysis showed that EuGTs exhibited tissue-specific expression: EuGT-1, EuGT-2 had the highest expression levels in leaves, EuGT-4, EuGT-6, EuGT-9 had the highest transcriptional levels in marginal peel, and EuGT-5、EuGT-8 were predominantly expressed in the xylem. As leaves developed, EuGTs showed a trend of asynchronous changes. No significant differences in EuGTs expression were observed between male and female flowers, with high expression levels mainly during the induction stage of flowering. The qRT-PCR analysis indicated that most EuGTs genes were most highly expressed in the leaves of E. ulmoides, while EuGT-5 was highly expressed in the stems. Under 200 mmol·L~(-1) NaCl treatment, most EuGTs genes exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease in expression, significantly responding to salt stress. This study provides important genetic resources for further exploration of EuGTs gene functions and germplasm innovation in E. ulmoides.
Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Eucommiaceae/chemistry* ; Phylogeny ; Multigene Family/genetics* ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Genome, Plant/genetics*

Objective:To evaluate the short-term efficacy of split liver transplantation (SLT) in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).Methods:The clinical data of 9 ACLF patients receiving SLT in our center from Mar 2021 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate its safety and efficacy.Results:The preoperative APASL ACLF Research consortium (AARC) score of the 9 ACLF patients was 8 points in 1 case, 9 points in 3 cases, 10 points in 3 cases, 11 points in 1 case and 12 points in 1 case, 7 cases were in AARC-ACLF grade 2, and 2 cases in grade 3.In-situ liver splitting was performed in 9 deceased donors, including 4 classical split cases, 5 full size split cases. Among these 9 ACLF patients, 2 received left half liver transplantation, 3 received right half liver transplantation, and 4 received extended right lobe liver transplantation. After transplantation, all 9 recipients were discharged fully recovered, 1 case developed Clavien grade Ⅳa complication and 2 cases developed Clavien grade Ⅲb complication.After SLT treatment the median postoperative hospital stay was 27 days, the 1-year survival rate was 100%, and the organ survival rate was 88.9%.Conclusion:Split liver transplantation is a safe and feasible treatment method for ACLF patients.

Objective:To study the safety and efficacy of combining portal vein resection and reconstruction (PVR) with resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC).Methods:A total of 104 patients with PHC who underwent hepatectomies for either biliary resection alone or biliary resection combined with PVR from October 2006 to December 2019 at the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary, Ningbo Medical Center of Lihuili Hospital entered into this study. There were 63 males and 41 females, with the age of (64.4±10.4) years. The control group consisted of 75 patients who underwent biliary resection alone, while the PVR group consisted 29 patients with biliary resection combined with PVR. The patient characteristics and the follow-up outcomes of the two groups were analyzed and compared. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan Meier method with the log-rank test.Results:Wedge resection of portal vein, side to side anastomosis in 2 cases, segmental resection and end to end anastomosis in 27 cases. The time taken for PVR and portal vein resection were (12.7±2.9)(range 8 to 18)min and (20.7±7.3)(range 8 to 38) mm, respectively. The estimated blood loss for the PVR group was significantly more than the control group [ M( Q1, Q3)] 800.0 (600.0, 1 500.0) ml vs. 600.0(500.0, 1 000.0) ml ( P<0.05). Based on postoperative pathological studies, the proportion of lymph node metastasis was significantly higher in the PVR group than the control group (58.6% vs. 32.0%, P<0.05). Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ and above complications were 30.7%(23/75) and 34.5%(10/29) in the control and PVR groups, respectively ( P>0.05). The re-operation and postoperative 90 days mortality rates were 9.3%(7/75) and 2.7%(2/75) in the control group, compared with 3.4%(1/29) and 0 in the PVR group, respectively (both P>0.05). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 81.1%, 44.8% and 36.4% respectively for the control group and 78.1%, 35.9% and 31.4% for the PVR group (χ 2=0.33, P=0.570). Conclusion:When compared to biliary resection alone, biliary resection combined with PVR did not significantly increase postoperative complication and mortality rates, but with comparable long-term survival outcomes. Combined biliary resection with PVR was safe and improved the resection rate in selected patients with locally advanced PHC.

Objective:To evaluate the value of modified gastroscopic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) for airway management under general anesthesia in the patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing endoscopic esophageal variceal ligation (EVL).Methods:Sixty-two American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱor Ⅲ patients with liver cirrhosis of either sex, aged 25-64 yr, with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, undergoing endoscopic EVL with general anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups ( n=31 each) using a random number table method: tracheal tube group (group T) and modified gastroscopic LMA group (group L). After induction of anesthesia, a tracheal tube was inserted in group T, and a modified gastroscopic LMA was inserted and the patients were mechanically ventilated to maintain P ETCO 2 at 30-40 mmHg in group L. Successful tracheal intubation or insertion of modified gastroscopic LMA, successful ligator insertion and duration of ligator insertion were recorded.The occurrence of intraoperative hypotension, bradycardia and hypoxemia and consumption of propofol and remifentanil were recorded.At 1 min after tracheal intubation or right placement of LMA (T 1), immediately after the ligator insertion (T 2) and at the end of operation (T 3), Peak (P peak) and mean (P mean) airway pressure were monitored, and airway leak pressure in group L was measured.The extubation time, duration of post-anesthesia care unit stay and bucking during extubation were recorded.The occurrence of sore throat and nausea and vomiting was recorded within 6 h after operation.Postoperative satisfaction scores of endoscopists and patients were also recorded. Results:Sixty-one patients were finally enrolled in the study, with 31 in group T and 30 in group L. Compared with group T, no significant changes were found in the success rate of tracheal intubation or LMA placement, success rate of ligator insertion, P mean at each time point, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and postoperative satisfaction score of endoscopists ( P>0.05), duration of the ligator insertion was significantly shortened, P peak at each time point was decreased, the incidence of intraoperative hypotension and bradycardia was decreased, the consumption of propofol and remifentanil was reduced, the incidence of bucking during extubation and postoperative sore throat was reduced, and extubation time and duration of post-anesthesia care unit stay was shortened, and satisfaction scores of patients were increased in group L ( P<0.05). No hypoxemia was found in two groups.Airway leak pressure was maintained at 24-26 cmH 2O at each time point in group L. Conclusions:Modified gastroscopic LMA can be safely and effectively used for airway management under general anesthesia in the patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing EVL.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of miR-885-3p on the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer cell HT-29. Methods The expression of miR-885-3p in HT-29 cells irradiated with different doses (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 Gy) of X-rays was detected by qPCR. The effect of miR-885-3p in modulating cell radiosensitivity was assessed in HT-29 cells with miR-885-3p overexpression. Bioinformatics prediction and dual luciferase reporter gene assay were employed to identify the direct target gene of miR-885-3p. Relationship between miR-885-3p and target gene tyrosine kinase 1 (AKT1) was investigated via regulation of miR-885-3p expression. The effect of AKT1 on radiosensitivity in HT-29 cells was evaluated through knockdown AKT1. The effect of AKT1 on miR-885-3p-induced radiosensitivity was detected by co-transferring miR-885-3p and AKT1 gene into HT-29 cells. Results miR-885-3p expression was up-regulated in radiation-induced HT-29 cells (F=46. 64, P<0. 05). Over-expression of miR-885-3p and knockdown of AKT1 enhanced cell radiosensitization by inhibiting survival and promoting apoptosis (t=12. 33, 12. 95, P <0. 05) with SER of 1. 602 and 1. 946, respectively. Inhibition of miR-885-3p promoted radioresistance by increasing cell survival and inhibiting apoptosis (t=11. 94, P<0. 05) with a SER of 0. 839. AKT1 is a target gene downstream of miR-885-3p, overexpression of AKT1 reversed the effect of miR-885-3p on cell radiosensitivity with a SER of 0. 680. Conclusions miR-885-3p can enhance the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer HT-29 cells by directly targeting AKT1, which provides a target for improving the radiosensitivity of clinical colorectal cancer.

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of liver transplantation by using donation after cardiac death (DCD) in single center.Methods The clinical data of 115 DCD donors and recipients of liver transplantation from Jan 2012 to Sep 2017 at our institution were analyzed,including preoperative general data,intraoperative status,and postoperative early complications.Patients were followed up to Oct 30th,2017.The measurement data with normal distribution were analyzed by t test,the enumeration data were analyzed by chi-square test or Fisher exact probability test,and the Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis.Results All of the 115 donors were within China category Ⅲ using the classification of China donor after cardiac death.Donor graft mean warm ischemic time and cold ischemic time was (10 ± 4) min and (6.1 ± 1.7) h,respectively.All of the recipients underwent liver transplantation successfully.The mean preoperation MELD score was 14 ± 7.Seven patients were ABO-incompatible liver transplantation (A→O,3 cases,B→O 2 cases,AB→O 1 case,AB→A 1 case).19 patients (16.5％) had postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification grade Ⅲ-Ⅴ).The perioperative mortality was 2.6％ (3 cases).All patients were followed up for an average (21 ± 17) mon.Patients 1-,3-,and 5-year survival rates were 93.6％,81.8％,and 77.5％,respectively.Conclusion The outcome of DCD liver transplantation is favorable at our institution under careful donor and recipient selection and intensive perioperative management.