Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is one of the severe complications of decompensated stage cirrhosis that causes cerebral dysfunction due to hepatic insufficiency and/or portosystemic shunts, and it usually manifests as a wide spectrum of neurological or psychiatric abnormalities ranging from subclinical alterations to coma. The pathogenesis of HE is complex, although ammonia toxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation, intestinal dysbiosis, and others among them mainly play an important role. The treatment for HE lacks specific drugs, and the current available drugs include non-absorbable disaccharides (lactulose), antibiotics (rifaximin), and other therapies (oral branched-chain amino acids, intravenous injection of L-ornithine-L-aspartic acid, probiotics). Recent research has shown that human albumin is a safe and effective treatment for HE, improving not only cognitive function but also enhancing patients' quality of life.

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is one of the major public health problems worldwide. The potential immunological mechanisms of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has not yet been clearly studied. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology, as an emerging sequencing method in recent years, can provide a high-throughput view of the whole transcriptome at the single-cell level, reveal subtle changes in transcriptional profiles of immune cells during the course of chronic hepatitis B, and provide technological support for exploring the immunopathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets for CHB. This article summarizes the research progress conducted on scRNA-seq technology in order to provide novel therapeutic ideas for the immunological characteristics of chronic hepatitis B.

Objective:To explore the risk factors for recurrence of intussusception in children after successful ultrasound-guided saline enema reduction.Methods:The clinical and follow up data of 355 hospitalized children with intussusception at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from Feb 2018 to Feb 2023 were reviewed.Patients were divided into two groups by recurrence develped and the differences were compared, Data with significant differences were incorporated into multi-factor logistic analysis.Results:The overall recurrence rate was 15.8% (56/355). By univariate variable analysis model, there were statistically significant differences between the two groups in age, previous intussusception history, vomiting, maximum diameter of concentric circles shown by ultrasound, and concurrent bowel organic diseases (lead points) (all P<0.05). In multivariate Logistic regression model, age, previous intussusception history, maximum diameter of concentric circles, and lead points were independent risk factors for recurrent intussusception after saline enema.The optimal cut-off values for age and maximum diameter of concentric circles were 2 years and 33.5 mm, respectively, according to ROC curve analysis. Conclusion:Age older than 2 years, previous intussusception history, maximum diameter of concentric circles longer than 33.5 mm, and lead points are independent risk factors for recurrence after saline enema.

Objective:To explore the effects of ropivacaine ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block anesthesia on analgesia, oxygen metabolism and postoperative cognitive function in patients undergoing radical mastectomy.Methods:The study subjects were 110 patients with breast cancer treated in hospital from Sep. 2020 to Dec. 2023. They were divided into the control group ( n=55, general anesthesia) and the study group ( n=55, general anesthesia + ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block anesthesia) by random odd-even criteria. The analgesic effect, the level of oxygen metabolism index before and after operation, postoperative cognitive function and the occurrence of adverse reactions were compared. Results:The intraoperative dosage of sufentanil, remifentanil and propofol, and the number of analgesic pump compression within 48h in the study group were lower [ (241.82±19.82) μg, (581.42±52.77) mg, (107.22±9.81) μg, (3.47±1.02) times vs. (271.22±24.87) μg, (638.91±63.79) mg, (121.48±10.84) μg, (5.81±1.35) ], and the first time of postoperative analgesia pump was higher [ (7.59±1.44) h vs. (5.05±1.24) h], with statistically significant differences ( t=6.86, 5.15, 7.23, 10.26, 9.80; P<0.05). The visual analog scores in the study group were lower at 1h, 4h and 8h after surgery [ (1.11±0.25) points, (1.89±0.54) points, (1.65±0.45) points vs. (2.17±0.49) points, (2.68±0.64) points, (2.33±0.64) points], with statistically significant differences ( t=14.29, 7.00, 6.45, P<0.05). The difference of arterial-carotid vein oxygen content between the time of the beginning of operation and 1h after surgery in the study group was lower [ (37.22±2.22) ng/L, (34.89±1.86) ng/L vs. (42.77±2.05) ng/L, (42.77±2.05) ng/L], while carotid venous blood oxygen content and cerebral oxygen uptake rate were higher [ (94.32±2.78) ng/L, (97.39±2.64) ng/L, (37.26±2.31) %, (44.76±2.54) % vs. (81.82±1.35) ng/L, (89.53±2.04) ng/L, (42.86±2.06) %, (47.58±2.15) %], with statistically significant differences ( timmediately after the surgery =6.81, 8.12, 10.26, t1h after the surgery =12.54, 7.34, 10.54; P<0.05) ; The cognitive function scores in the study group at 1 and 7 days after surgery were higher [ (24.78±2.59) points, (26.35±1.84) points vs. (20.36±2.14) points, (24.66±1.57) points], with statistically significant differences ( t=9.76, 5.18, P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was 5.46% in the study group and 18.18% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 value=4.27, P<0.05) . Conclusion:Ropivacaine ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block anesthesia can improve the analgesic effect of breast cancer patients, ensure the balance of oxygen metabolism in brain tissue, and reduce the cognitive function damage of patients, and has excellent clinical application value.

Objective To study the antifungal activity of a new series of triazole compounds with n-propyl side chain and disubstituted benzyl structure. Methods Eleven target compounds were designed and synthesized. The structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR, and some compounds were confirmed by ¹³C NMR or HRMS. Three fungal strains were selected as experimental strains, and the antifungal activity was tested in vitro according to the standardized antifungal sensitivity test method recommended by National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). Results Compound B11 showed better activity against candida albicans SC5314 than fluconazole and was comparable to posaconazole; Compounds B10, B11 and B4 showed better activity against cryptococcus neoformanis H99 than fluconazole, while compounds B2, B3, B5, B6 and B7 showed similar activity to fluconazole against cryptococcus neoformanis H99; while all compounds showed poor activity against aspergillus fumigatus. Conclusion Some of the target compounds with n-propyl side chain and disubstituted benzyl group structure had certain antifungal activity and could be identified as potential lead antifungal drugs.

Objective    To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of proximal aortic repair (PAR) versus total arch replacement (TAR) for treatment of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). Methods     An electronic search was conducted for clinical controlled studies on PAR versus TAR for patients with ATAAD published in Medline via PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Wanfang Database and CNKI since their inception up to April 30, 2022. The quality of each study included was assessed by 2 evaluators and the necessary data were extracted. STATA 16 software was used to perform statistical analysis of the available data. Results    A total of 28 cohort studies involving 7 923 patients with ATAAD were included in this meta-analysis, of whom 5 710 patients received PAR and 2 213 patients underwent TAR, and 96.43% of the studies (27/28) were rated as high quality. The meta-analysis results showed that: (1) patients who underwent PAR had lower incidences of 30 d mortality [RR=0.62, 95%CI (0.50, 0.77), P<0.001], in-hospital mortality [RR=0.64, 95%CI (0.54, 0.77), P<0.001], and neurologic deficiency after surgery [RR=0.84, 95%CI (0.72, 0.98), P=0.032] than those who received TAR; (2) the cardiopulmonary bypass time [WMD=–52.07, 95%CI (–74.19, –29.94), P<0.001], circulatory arrest time [WMD=–10.14, 95%CI (–15.02, –5.26), P<0.001], and operation time [WMD=–101.68, 95%CI (–178.63, –24.73), P<0.001] were significantly shorter in PAR than those in TAR; (3) there was no statistical difference in mortality after discharge, rate of over 5-year survival, renal failure after surgery and re-intervention, volume of red blood cells transfusion and fresh-frozen plasma transfusion, or hospital stay between two surgical procedures. Conclusion     Compared with TAR, PAR has a shorter operation time and lower early and in-hospital mortality, but there is no difference in long-term outcomes or complications between the two procedures for patients with ATAAD.

Objective To investigate the pathogenesis of superficial mycosis among naval trainees, and observe the efficacy of a novel antifungal drug. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted on the onset, medication and recurrence of superficial fungal infection among the trainees from January, 2020 to July, 2020. At the same time, the new antifungal drug sulconazole nitrate spray was provided for treatment and the drug efficacy was observed. Results The participants generally lacked understanding and attention to superficial fungal infections. The incidence rate of superficial fungal infection was 52%, of which 76.2% of patients had recurrence of superficial fungal infection. The sulconazole nitrate spray showed great effect against these infections. Conclusion The trainees should understand the causes of superficial fungal infection through health education and seek medical treatment and medication in time. The cure rate of superficial fungal infections could only be improved through the collaborative management of the school, hospital, and trainees to reduce the impact of these infections on naval trainees’ work and life.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of prenatal MRI in the detection of abnormal placental cord insertions (APCIs) comparing with prenatal ultrasound and pathological examination.Methods:A retrospective data collection was conducted on 440 patients who underwent both prenatal placental ultrasound and MRI at the Foshan Women and Children Hospital from December 2013 to December 2021. Among them, 37 cases were APCIs confirmed by surgery or pathology. The prenatal placental MRI findings were analyzed and compared with prenatal ultrasound diagnosis. The diagnostic efficacy of prenatal MRI and ultrasound in diagnosing APCIs was calculated.Results:Among the 37 cases of APCIs confirmed by surgery or pathology, 17 cases had marginal cord insertion (MCI), 13 cases had velamentous cord insertion (VCI), 5 cases had vasa previa (VP), and 2 cases had VCI combined with VP. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound diagnosis for APCIs were 59.5% (22/37) and 97.8% (394/403), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of MRI diagnosis for APCIs were 86.5% (32/37) and 98.5% (397/403), respectively. Among the 37 cases of APCIs, prenatal MRI missed diagnosis of 2 cases of MCI, 2 cases of VCI, and misdiagnosed 1 case of VCI as an accessory placenta. MRI identified 10 cases of APCIs missed by ultrasound, including 5 cases of MCI, 2 cases of VP, 2 cases of VCI, and 1 case of combined VCI with VP. Additionally, ultrasound misdiagnosed 4 cases of APCIs, including 2 cases of VCI misdiagnosed as MCI and 2 cases of MCI misdiagnosed as VCI.Conclusions:For APCIs complicated with abnormalities of placental location or morphology, or placental accretion spectrum disease in late pregnancy, MRI has a higher diagnostic efficacy than ultrasound.

Objective Drug resistance is the main cause of chemotherapy failure in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1), as a major influencing factor for reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism, has been proven to be associated with the poor prognosis of patients with HCC. This study aims to explore the role of TXNRD1 in the mechanism of multidrug resistance in HCC. Methods BEL/FU cells in BEL-7402 cell line were selected as the multidrug-resistant cell line. The siRNA was used for the intervention of TXNRD1 expression; quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to measure the expression of TXNRD1; CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the effect of TXNRD1 on hepatocyte ROS accumulation, resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) and doxorubicin (DOX), and apoptosis in vitro; a xenograft tumor model was established to investigate the effect of auranofin (AUR) on drug resistance in vivo. The two-independent-samples t test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups. Results As a multidrug-resistant HCC cell line, BEL/Fu showed high mRNA and protein expression levels of TXNRD1 (both P < 0.05). Compared with 5-Fu or DOX treatment alone, the TXNRD1 inhibitor AUR combined with 5-Fu or DOX had had a significant reduction in the number of colony formation ( P < 0.01) and a significant increase in apoptosis ratio ( P < 0.001). The ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly weakened the effect of TXNRD1 knockdown by siRNA on the drug resistance of BEL/Fu cells, and the application of NAC effectively reduced the apoptosis ratio of cells after siRNA interference ( P < 0.001). Animal experiments also confirmed that compared with the nude mice treated with 5-Fu alone, the nude mice treated with 5-Fu and AUR had a significantly lower tumor mass ( P < 0.001) and a significantly smaller tumor volume ( P < 0.001). Conclusion TXNRD1 plays an important role in the drug resistance of HCC, and inhibition of its level in cells can effectively improve drug resistance. As a TXNRD1 inhibitor, AUR has great application prospects in the multimodality therapy for HCC.

Objective To investigate the medication adherence of military academy students with superficial mycoses. Methods A 8-item Morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS) was modified into 7-item scale to evaluate the compliance of antifungal drugs in the sick students. The reliability and validity of the scale were analyzed. Results A total of 243 questionnaires were collected, of which 242 were valid questionnaires. 90.08% of the students took topical medication and 8.68% were treated both with topical and systematic combination. High, medium and low medication adherence rates as assessed by the modified MMAS were 9.09%, 23.97% and 66.94%, respectively. The reliability analysis showed that the internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach’s α ) was 0.781，and the adjusted Cronbach’s α was 0.790, indicating the high reliability of the scale. The KMO value was 0.798, and the Bartlett’s spherical test value was 440.866, P=0.000. One factor was extracted by exploratory factor analysis. The factor loadings of the items were all above 0.5. Therefore, the high convergent validity was good. Conclusion The modified MMAS has good reliability and validity and is applicable for the evaluation of medication compliance for superficial mycoses. In this study, the military students have a low level of medication adherence for superficial mycoses. Effective measures should be taken to help students strengthen their daily medication management and improve compliance.