Objective To preliminarily investigate the safety and efficacy of donor pancreas needle biopsy in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 7 cases undergoing donor pancreas biopsy were collected retrospectively. All cases underwent donor pancreas biopsy before or during simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. Frozen section or paraffin sectioning techniques were used for tissue preparation, and hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining were performed to histologically evaluate the donor pancreas. The quality of donor pancreas was comprehensively assessed by combining histological findings with the donor's clinical data. Postoperative follow-up data of 5 simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipients were collected to summarize the safety of donor pancreas biopsy and the prognosis of transplant recipients. Results The 7 pancreas donors were aged 28 to 62 years, with a body mass index ranging from 20.76 to 27.68 kg/m². Liver ultrasound indicated fatty liver in 3 cases, while pancreatic ultrasound did not reveal any significant abnormalities. Among them, biopsy was performed on 2 donors after completion of pancreatic procurement and processing, and the frozen section histology showed moderate acute pancreatitis changes (edema of acinar cells, necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration). Combined with a serum amylase level elevated more than 3 times the upper limit of normal value, these two donor pancreases were finally discarded. The remaining 5 cases underwent biopsy immediately after pancreatic vascular anastomosis during simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation, and histological evaluation was performed on paraffin-embedded sections. No biopsy-related complications (such as bleeding, pancreatic fistula, etc.) occurred after transplantation. One recipient died of severe infection 2 months after transplantation, while the other 4 recipients were followed up for more than 5 years, with well-functioning transplant kidneys and pancreases. Conclusions Donor pancreas biopsy is relatively safe, and the risk of biopsy-related complications after transplantation is controllable. Comprehensive assessment of donor pancreas quality by combining histological evaluation with the donor's clinical indicators is conducive to improving the accuracy of donor pancreas selection and organ utilization.

Objective: To analyze the results of national external quality assessment (EQA) for transfusion compatibility test from 2018 to 2023, with the aim of providing references for improving laboratory testing quality and ensuring the safety of clinical blood transfusion. Methods: Three EQA programs were conducted annually, each distributing 22 quality assessment samples. Participating transfusion laboratories were required to complete testing within specified deadlines and to submit results along with documentation of testing methodologies, reagents, and equipment used. National Center for Clinical Laboratories (NCCL) conducted statistical analysis of laboratory results, evaluated testing outcomes and related circumstances, and provided feedback to participating laboratories. EQA data from transfusion laboratories across China from 2018 to 2023 were collected and systematically analyzed. Results: From 2018 to 2023, the qualification rates for all five items (ABO forward typing, ABO reverse typing, Rh blood group typing, antibody screening, and cross-matching) were 67.59%, 77.11%, 77.38%, 72.78%, 79.96%, and 85.16%, respectively. The mean qualification rates for ABO forward typing, ABO reverse typing, RhD blood group typing, antibody screening, and cross-matching over the past six years were 96.25%±0.59%, 90.45%±4.52%, 96.05%±0.71%, 90.88%±2.86%, and 88.34%±3.48%, respectively. The qualification rates in 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023 all showed a stable trend of "blood stations>tertiary hospitals>secondary hospitals". The mean qualification rate of laboratories in secondary hospitals from 2018 to 2023 was significantly lower than those of laboratories in tertiary hospitals and blood stations (P<0.05), while no significant difference was observed between laboratories in tertiary hospitals and blood stations (P>0.05). The micro column agglutination method was the most widely used in all five tests. In the four test items, namely ABO forward typing, ABO reverse typing, antibody screening, and cross-matching, there was a statistically significant difference in the qualification rate of micro column agglutination method compared to other methods (P<0.05). There was a statistical difference in the qualification rate between manual and automated detection using micro column agglutination method in the cross-matching tests (P<0.05), whereas no significant difference was noted for the other test items (P>0.05). Conclusion: From 2018 to 2023, the number of laboratories participating in EQA activities has been increasing year by year, and the qualification rate has shown an overall upward trend. The type of laboratory is a key factor affecting the qualification rate, and the testing capabilities of some laboratories still need to be improved. The micro column agglutination method is widely used in transfusion compatibility tests. The established EQA program effectively monitors quality issues in laboratories, drives continuous improvement, and ensures sustained enhancement of testing standards to safeguard clinical blood safety.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients with peripheral neuropathy of qi deficiency and blood stasis type,and to observe its effects on serum fibroblast growth factor 21(FGF21),25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D],endothelin 1(ET-1)levels and hypercoagulable state of the patients.Methods A total of 124 T2DM patients with peripheral neuropathy of qi deficiency and blood stasis type who admitted to Haikou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from December 2019 to December 2022 were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group,with 62 cases in each group according to the random number table method.The control group was treated with conventional western medicine,and the observation group was treated with modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment for the two groups covered 12 weeks.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,blood glucose indicators,hemorheology indicators,nerve conduction velocity(NCV)and levels of serum FGF21,25(OH)D,ET-1,interleukin 6(IL-6)in the two groups before and after treatment were observed.After treatment,the therapeutic efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.Results(1)After 12 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 96.77%(60/62)and that of the control group was 83.87%(52/62),and the intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the therapeutic efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the total TCM syndrome scores and the scores of TCM symptoms such as limb pain,hypoesthesia,excessive eating with frequent hunger,and limb numbness in the two groups were decreased when compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(3)After treatment,the levels of hemorheology indicators such as hematocrit,whole blood viscosity at high-shear rate,and plasma viscosity in the two groups of patients were decreased when compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(4)After treatment,the motor conduction velocity of the common peroneal nerve and the median nerve in the two groups of patients was increased when compared with that before treatment(P<0.05),and the increase in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(5)After treatment,the serum levels of blood glucose indicators such as fasting blood glucose(FBG)and glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1C)in the two groups of patients were decreased when compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(6)After treatment,the serum FGF21,ET-1,and IL-6 levels in the two groups were decreased(P<0.05),and serum 25(OH)D level was increased(P<0.05),and the decrease of serum FGF21,ET-1,and IL-6 levels as well as the increase of serum 25(OH)D level in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion For T2DM patients with peripheral neuropathy of qi deficiency and blood stasis type,the combination of modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction with conventional treatment in western medicine is helpful for reducing the inflammatory response,alleviating the damage of vascular endothelial function,regulating the levels of blood glucose,improving the neurologic function,and enhancing the clinical efficacy.

Pathological vascular remodeling is a hallmark of various vascular diseases. Previous research has established the significance of andrographolide in maintaining gastric vascular homeostasis and its pivotal role in modulating endothelial barrier dysfunction, which leads to pathological vascular remodeling. Potassium dehydroandrographolide succinate (PDA), a derivative of andrographolide, has been clinically utilized in the treatment of inflammatory diseases precipitated by viral infections. This study investigates the potential of PDA in regulating pathological vascular remodeling. The effect of PDA on vascular remodeling was assessed through the complete ligation of the carotid artery in C57BL/6 mice. Experimental approaches, including rat aortic primary smooth muscle cell culture, flow cytometry, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay, Boyden chamber cell migration assay, spheroid sprouting assay, and Matrigel-based tube formation assay, were employed to evaluate the influence of PDA on the proliferation and motility of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Molecular docking simulations and co-immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to examine protein interactions. The results revealed that PDA exacerbates vascular injury-induced pathological remodeling, as evidenced by enhanced neointima formation. PDA treatment significantly increased the proliferation and migration of SMCs. Further mechanistic studies disclosed that PDA upregulated myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) expression in SMCs and interacted with T-cadherin (CDH13). This interaction augmented proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix deposition, culminating in pathological vascular remodeling. Our findings underscore the critical role of PDA in the regulation of pathological vascular remodeling, mediated through the MyD88/CDH13 signaling pathway.
Mice ; Rats ; Animals ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism* ; Vascular Remodeling ; Cell Proliferation ; Vascular System Injuries/pathology* ; Carotid Artery Injuries/pathology* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Cell Movement ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction ; Succinates/pharmacology* ; Potassium/pharmacology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Diterpenes ; Cadherins

Objective To investigate the relationship between sleep fragmentation(SF)parameters and left ventricular structure in a community-based elderly population using data collected from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis(MESA)cohort.Methods A total of 1 404 participants from the MESA cohort who underwent polysomnography(PSG)and cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)were included.PSG was used to assess SF parameters,including wake after sleep onset(WASO),arousal index-total(ArI-total),arousal index-rapid eye movement(ArI-REM),and arousal index-non-rapid eye movement(ArI-NREM).Left ventricular end-diastolic mass(LVEDM)was measured via CMR.Linear regression was employed to analyze the relationship between SF parameters and left ventricular mass to height ratio(LVHi).Results Univariate linear regression analysis showed that WASO[β 0.134;95％confi-dence interval(CI)0.023-0.052;P＜0.001],ArI-total(β 0.184;95％CI 0.203-0.362;P＜0.001),ArI-REM(β 0.116;95％CI 0.100-0.260;P＜0.001)and ArI-NREM(β 0.175;9 5％CI 0.176-0.323;P＜0.001)were positively correlated with LVHi.After adjust-ment for confounding factors in multivariate linear regression analysis,WASO(β 0.045;95％CI 0.001-0.024;P=0.033)was positively correlated with LVHi.WASO(β 0.089;95％CI 0.006-0.034;P=0.006)was significantly associated with increased LVHi in the female group but not in the male group.Conclusion In an ethnically diverse cohort,WASO is significantly associated with increased LVHi after adjustment for potential confounders,especially in the female elderly population.

Objective To evaluate the change of cardiac structure and function in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy(HOCM)after ultrasound-guided percutaneous intramyocardial septal radiofrequency ablation(PIMSRA)via cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR).Methods Patients with HOCM who underwent PIMSRA,echocardiography and CMR preoperative scanning and one year after surgery were analyzed retrospectively.Myocardial structural and functional parameters were measured by Circle cardiovascular imaging post-processing software.The changes of myocardial parameters before and after surgery were compared by using paired sample t-test and Chi-square test.Results Compared with the preoperative assessment,patients'clinical symptoms and the cardiac function were significantly improved one year after surgery.The left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient(LVOT-PG)was significantly decreased and length of mitral regurgitation was shortened one year after surgery compared with before surgery via ultrasound(P<0.05).Compared with the preoperative assessment,CMR showed that patients with end-systolic volume of left atrium,minimum volume of left atrium,transverse diameter of left atrium,thickness of ventricular septum and free wall of left ventricular at end-systolic section were significantly reduced,and left ventricular mass(LVM)was significantly decreased one year after surgery,with statistical significance between before and after surgery(P<0.001).One year after surgery,the left atrium ejection fraction(LAEF)was significantly increased(P<0.05),the maximum slope and the maximum signal intensity of the ventricular septum and the left ventricular free wall of the papillary muscle were significantly increased(P<0.001),and the peak time was significantly decreased(P<0.001)compared with before surgery.Conclusion After PIMSRA treatment,the systolic function of left atrium in HOCM patients is improved,and the microcirculation perfusion of left ventricular is significantly improved.

One case of COVID-19 infection secondary to pulmonary mucormycosis in a recipient of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation was described. Early identification of the pathogen was achieved by metagenomic next-generation sequencing. On the basis of disease status and liver function changes, targeted treatments included intravenous amphotericin B liposome, amphotericin B nebulization& gargling and subsequently a maintenance therapy of oral posaconazole. This regimen resulted in the absorption of lung infection, stabilization of transplanted pancreas function and reduced levels of creatinine and urea as compared to pre-infection period. The therapeutic efficacy was decent.

Objective:To summarize the distributional characteristics of postoperative occurrence of multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO) infections and their risk factors in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) recipients and examine the impact of MDRO infections on the survival of SPK recipients.Method:From January 2016 to December 2022, the relevant clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 218 SPK recipients. The source of donor-recipient specimens and the composition percentage of MDRO pathogens were examined. According to whether or not MDRO infection occurred post-transplantation, they were assigned into two groups of MDRO (98 cases) and non-MDRO (120 cases). The clinical data of two groups of donors and recipients were analyzed. And the risk factors for an onset of MDRO infection were examined by binary Logistic regression. The survival rate of two recipient groups was compared by Kaplan-Meier method.Result:A total of 98/218 recipients (45%) developed MDRO infections. And 46 (46.9%) of sputum and 34 (34.7%) of urine were cultured positively and 49 (50%) pathogens expressed extended spectrum beta-lactamase. There were pneumonia (46 cases, 46.9%), urinary tract infections (34 cases, 34.7%), abdominal infections (16 cases, 16.3%) and bloodstream infections (2 cases, 2.0%). Univariate regression analysis revealed that length of renal failure ( P=0.037), length of hospitalization ( P<0.001), length of antibiotic use ( P<0.001), novel antibiotics ( P=0.014), albumin ( P<0.001) and leukocyte count ( P<0.001) were risk factors for an onset of MDRO infections. The results of multifactorial regression indicated that low albumin ( OR=0.855, 95% CI: 0.790~0.925, P<0.001) and leukopenia ( OR=0.656, 95% CI: 0.550~0.783, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for an onset of MDRO infections. The survival rates of recipients in MDRO group at Year 1/3 post-operation were 92.9% (91/98) and 89.8% (88/98). And the survival rate of recipients in non-MDRO group was 96.7% (116/120) at Year 1/3 post-operation. Inter-group difference was not statistically significant in 1-year survival rate of two recipient groups ( P=0.201); statistically significant inter-group difference in 3-year survival rate between two recipient groups ( P=0.041) . Conclusion:Low albumin and leukopenia are risk factors for MDRO infection. Infection with MDRO has some impact on the survival of recipients.

Objective:To establish a risk prediction model of liver failure after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.Method:A retrospective case-control study was designed. Clinical data and laboratory results, including gender, age, and preoperative 18 laboratory indicators, were collected from 320 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing liver resection in Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital Affiliated to Naval Medical University from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2023. According to the surgical time, 252 cases in the training cohort were divided into 62 and 190 cases with and without postoperative liver failure, respectively. Of the 68 cases in validation cohort, 34 developed postoperative liver failure and 34 did not. Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to conduct univariate analysis of gender, age, and 18 preoperative laboratory indicators, and multivariate analysis was carried out for significant results to determine the influencing factors of liver failure after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma, and Logistic regression model was established.Result:In the training cohort, indicators significantly associated with liver failure after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma included age ( P=0.016), platelets ( P=0.005), prealbumin ( P<0.001), and alkaline phosphatase ( P<0.001). Logistic regression was used to construct a nomogram model and draw a calibration curve by combining these four indicators. In the training cohort, the nomogram model showed good discriminability in predicting the risk of liver failure after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma. The area under the curve of was 0.82 (95% CI 0.76-0.88), and the sensitivity was 73% and specificity was 80% when the optimal cut-off value was 0.2646. In the validation cohort, the predictive performance of the nomogram model was comparable to that of the training cohort, with an area under the curve of 0.81 (95% CI 0.71-0.92), sensitivity of 82%, and specificity of 77%. Conclusion:Preoperative platelet and prealbumin decreases, alkaline phosphatase increases, and elderly patients are prone to liver failure after liver resection. The nomogram model constructed with preoperative test data has shows good discriminatory ability and accuracy in predicting liver failure after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Digital therapy shows promise in providing precise assessments and enhancing the efficacy of treatments for mental illness,offering advantages such as convenience,flexibility,and the potential to reduce costs by shifting towards preventive care.This article reviews the development and benefits of digital therapy in mental health care and discusses the challenges it faces,including concerns over privacy,ethics,security,acces-sibility issues,digital divides,and the lack of sufficient clinical validation and standardization.It also highlights specific risks to mental health patients and explores potential future developments such as integration with brain-computer interfaces and neurofeedback,the use of robot therapists based on large language models,applications of virtual reality or the metaverse,and combinations with traditional physical treatments and medications.The author calls for urgent policy recommendations to refine regulations,establish unified evidence standards,enhance train-ing and education for healthcare providers and patients,and to build multidisciplinary collaborative mechanisms to advance personalized and effective digital therapy in mental health.