ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Bupi Qingfei prescription （BPQF） in treating stable bronchiectasis in the patients with syndromes of lung-spleen Qi deficiency and phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs. MethodsA randomized， double-blind， placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Patients were randomized into BPQF and placebo control （PC） groups. On the basis of conventional Western medicine treatment， the BPQF granules and placebo were respectively administered at 10 g each time， twice a day， for a course of 24 weeks. The TCM symptom scores， Quality of Life Questionnaire for Bronchiectasis （QOL-B） scores， lung function indicators， T lymphocyte subsets， level of inflammatory factors in the sputum， level of neutrophil elastase （NE） in the sputum， and occurrence of adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. ResultsA total of 64 patients completed the study， encompassing 32 in the BPQF group and 32 in the PC group. After treatment， the BPQF group showed decreased TCM symptom scores （P<0.01）， increased QOL-B scores （P<0.01）， and declined levels of tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α and NE （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The PC group showed decreased TCM symptom （except spleen deficiency） scores （P<0.01）， increased the QOL-B health cognition and respiratory symptom domain scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and a declined TNF-α level （P<0.01）. Moreover， the BPQF group had lower TCM symptom （except chest tightness） scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， higher QOL-B （except treatment burden） scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and lower levels of interleukin-6 and TNF-α （P<0.05） than the PC group. Neither group showed serious adverse reactions during the treatment process. ConclusionBPQF can ameliorate the clinical symptoms of stable bronchiectasis patients who have lung-spleen Qi deficiency or phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs by regulating the immune balance and inhibiting airway inflammatory responses.

Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide， among which hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） accounts for approximately 90% in primary liver cancer. The advances in diagnostic and treatment tools， along with a deeper understanding of their application， are transforming the treatment modality for patients. The application of these innovations in clinical practice faces challenges and requires guidance， and related clinical practice guidelines provide the latest recommendations for the management of HCC patients and conduct a comprehensive review of related data. In the 2024 EASL guidelines， a multidisciplinary team from multiple specialties conducts a multi-parameter assessment of individual risks and benefits from the perspective of patients.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Weichang'an prescription-containing serum on ferroptosis of human gastric cancer cells and explore the possible mechanism. MethodsSD rats were administrated with 18， 36， 72 g·kg^-1·d^-1 Weichang'an prescription by gavage for preparation of serum samples containing different doses of Weichang'an prescription， which were then used to treat MKN-45 cells. The cell proliferation was examined by the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）. In addition， inhibitors of apoptosis， necroptosis， and ferroptosis were added， and the survival of the cells treated with the serum samples was observed. The fluorescent probe dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate （DCF-DA） and the lipid peroxidation sensor C11-BODIPY were employed to detect the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and lipid peroxidation， respectively. The levels of ferrous ion （Fe²⁺）， glutathione （GSH）， and malondialdehyde （MDA） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were employed to determine the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B1 （AKR1B1）， glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 （ACSL4）， signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， and mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， Weichang'an prescription-containing serum decreased the viability of MKN-45 cells （P<0.05， P<0.01） in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Compared with the Weichang'an prescription group， the apoptosis inhibitor+Weichang'an prescription group and the ferroptosis inhibitor+Weichang'an prescription group showed increased cell viability （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， Weichang'an prescription elevated the levels of ROS， lipid peroxidation， and intracellular Fe²⁺ and MDA （P<0.05， P<0.01） and lowered the level of GSH （P<0.05， P<0.01） in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the blank group， Weichang'an prescription down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2， AKR1B1， and GPX4 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4 （P<0.05， P<0.01） in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the blank group， Weichang'an prescription down-regulated the protein levels of p-STAT3 and p-ERK （P<0.05， P<0.01） in a dose-dependent manner. ConclusionThe Weichang'an prescription-containing serum can promote the ferroptosis and inhibit the proliferation of MKN-45 cells by regulating the STAT3 and MAPK pathways.

Objective To understand the mortality and potential life loss due to coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke in Wujiang District, Suzhou from 2011 to 2022, and to provide strategies and basis for the prevention and treatment of CHD and stroke. Methods We collected the data of death cases due to CHD and stroke from the death monitoring system in Suzhou from 2011 to 2022. The mortality of CHD and stroke, potential years of life lost (potential years of life lost , PYLL), average years of life lost (average years of life lost , AYLL) and potential years of life lost rate (potential years of life lost rate , PYLLR) were calculated to analyze the development trend of death and disease burden of CHD and stroke. Results From 2011 to 2022, the crude mortality of CHD was 31.91/10 million, and that of stroke was 118.93/10 million. CHD and stroke mortality rates both showed an upward trend（P＜0.05, a statistically significant trend）. From 2011 to 2022, the mortality rate of CHD and stroke in Wujiang District increased rapidly with the increase of age. From 2011 to 2022, the disease burden caused by CHD totaled 11005 person-years, with PYLLR of 1.26% and AYLL of 12.34 years per person. The PYLL caused by stroke was 13 587.5 people-years, the PYLLR was 1.55%, and the AYLL was 8.93 years per person. PYLL, PYLLR and AYLL all decreased in women（P<0.05）, with no significant change in men（P>0.05）. Conclusion From 2011 to 2022, the mortality rate of CHD and stroke in Wujiang District appeared a tendency towards a rise, effective intervention and prevention measures should be taken among elderly and male residents.

Objective: To investigate the trend in incidence and change in age at onset of lung cancer in in Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province from 2012 to 2021, so as to provide a basis for strengthening targeted prevention and control of lung cancer. Methods: Data of lung cancer incidence from 2012 to 2021 were collected through the Wujiang District Tumor Follow-up Registration Information System. The crude incidence, truncated incidence for 35 to 64 years, and cumulative incidence for 0 to 74 years were calculated. Chinese population-standardized incidence, Chinese population-standardized average age at onset, and Chinese population-standardized incidence proportion were calculated using the age structure of the standard population from the Fifth National Population Census in 2000. The trend in incidence of lung cancer from 2012 to 2021 was evaluated using average annual percent change (AAPC). The trend in the Chinese population-standardized average age at onset of lung cancer from 2012 to 2021 was evaluated using a linear regression model. Results: From 2012 to 2021, the crude incidence, the Chinese population-standardized incidence and truncated incidence for 35 to 64 years of lung cancer in Wujiang District were 84.57/100 000, 37.28/100 000 and 52.10/100 000, respectively, all showing upward trends (AAPC=2.489%, 2.034% and 4.654%, all P<0.05). The cumulative incidence for 0 to 74 years was 4.48%, showing no significant trend (P>0.05). The Chinese population-standardized incidence was higher in males than in females (48.16/105 vs. 26.81/105). The Chinese population-standardized incidence of lung cancer in females showed an upward trend (AAPC=8.174%, P<0.05), while the trend in males was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The crude incidence of lung cancer showed upward trends in the total population and females aged 0-<45 years (AAPC=18.287% and 25.343%, both P<0.05) and those aged 45-<55 age group (AAPC=8.003% and 17.629%, both P<0.05). The Chinese population-standardized average age at onset of lung cancer in total population and females decreased from 67.58 and 65.48 years in 2012 to 60.15 and 54.88 years in 2021, with an average annual reduction of 0.611 and 0.964 years, respectively (both P<0.05). The Chinese population-standardized incidence proportion showed upward trends for the total population and females under 65 years (AAPC=3.879% and 4.639%, both P<0.05). No statistically significant trends were observed in the Chinese population-standardized average age at onset or incidence proportion in males (both P>0.05). Conclusions From 2012 to 2021, the incidence of lung cancer in Wujiang District showed an increasing trend and a trend toward younger onset age. Young and middle-aged females had emerged as a key target population for lung cancer prevention and control.

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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency and related factors of ineffective triggering (IT) and double triggering (DT) in patients with acute brain injury undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from a single-center observational trial. Patients with acute brain injury [traumatic brain injury, stroke, and post-craniotomy for brain tumors] undergoing mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University between June 2017 and July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Respiratory parameters and waveforms during the first 3 days of mechanical ventilation were recorded, with 15-minute waveform segments collected 4 times daily. Airway occlusion pressure (P_0.1) was measured via end-expiratory hold at the end of each recording. IT and DT were identified based on airway pressure, flow, and esophageal pressure waveforms, and the ineffective triggering index (ITI) and DT incidence were calculated. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with IT and DT. RESULTS: A total of 94 patients with acute brain injury were ultimately enrolled, including 19 cases of traumatic brain injury (20.2%), 39 cases of stroke (41.5%), and 36 cases of post-craniotomy for brain tumor (38.3%). Supratentorial injury was observed in 49 patients (52.1%), while infratentorial injury was identified in 45 patients (47.9%). A total of 94 patients with 1 018 datasets were analyzed; 684 (67.2%) datasets were on pressure support ventilation (PSV), and 334 (32.8%) were on mandatory ventilation. IT was detected in 810 (79.6%) datasets, with a median incidence of 2.1% (0.3%, 12.0%). Datasets demonstrating IT were characterized by lower P_0.1, higher tidal volume (VT), reduced respiratory rate (RR), and decreased minute ventilation (MV) compared to those without IT. The proportion of datasets exhibiting IT was higher during PSV than in mandatory ventilation [83.8% (573/684) vs. 71.0% (237/334), P < 0.05], while, the prevalence of ITI ≥ 10% was lower [23.8% (163/684) vs. 33.5% (112/334), P < 0.05]. DT was detected in 305 datasets (30%), with a median incidence of 0.6% (0.4%, 1.3%). Datasets exhibiting DT were characterized by higher VT, reduced RR, and lower pressure support levels. The incidence of DT was lower in PSV compared to mandatory ventilation modes [0% (0%, 0.3%) vs. 0% (0%, 0.5%), P < 0.05]. The post-craniotomy for brain tumors group exhibited higher ITI, lower RR, reduced MV, and a greater proportion of infratentorial lesions, compared to the TBI group. The infratentorial lesion group demonstrated higher ITI and incidence of DT compared to the supratentorial lesion group [ITI: 3.1% (0.7%, 17.8%) vs. 1.5% (0%, 8.3%), incidence of DT: 0% (0%, 0.5%) vs. 0% (0%, 0%), both P < 0.05]. After adjusting for confounding factors through multivariate logistic regression analysis, infratentorial lesion [odds ratio (OR) = 2.029, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.465-2.811, P < 0.001], lower P_0.1 (OR = 0.714, 95%CI was 0.616-0.827, P < 0.001), and mandatory ventilation (OR = 1.613, 95%CI was 1.164-2.236, P = 0.004) were independently associated with IT. Additionally, infratentorial lesion (OR = 1.618, 95%CI was 1.213-2.157, P = 0.001), large tidal volume (OR = 1.222, 95%CI was 1.137-1.314, P < 0.001), lower pressure support levels (OR = 0.876, 95%CI was 0.829-0.925, P < 0.001), and mandatory ventilation (OR = 2.750, 95%CI was 1.983-3.814, P < 0.001) were independently associated with DT. CONCLUSION IT and DT were common in patients with acute brain injury. Infratentorial lesions and mandatory ventilation were independently associated with both IT and DT.
Humans ; Respiration, Artificial/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Brain Injuries/therapy* ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic/therapy* ; Logistic Models ; Aged ; Adult

Objective To evaluate the factors affecting urinary stone detection rate using virtual unenhanced(VUE)images obtained from triphasic dual-energy CT urography(DECTU)based on Logistic regression analysis.Methods For this study,150 patients who had suspected urinary stone and underwent triphasic DECTU were included.The true unenhanced(TUE)images were reconstructed as 120 kVp-like images,and VUE images at the portal venous phase[VUE(VP)]and excretory phase[VUE(EP)]were obtained using iodine removal technique from portal venous and excretory phase DECTU images,respectively.Two readers independently evaluated the above three types of images,and recorded the number of urinary stones,their anatomical locations,and whether there was residual iodine on the VUE images.Stone size and CT number were recorded only on the TUE images.Stone size,CT number,anatomical location,and iodine contrast agent were included in univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses to evaluate the factors affecting urinary stone detection rate using VUE images.Thresholds for detecting urinary stones on VUE images were determined using receiver operating characteristics(ROC)analysis.Results We detected 304 stones on TUE images,while the detection rates were 92.4％and 71.4％when using VUE(VP)and VUE(EP)images,respectively.Stone size and CT number were important factors influencing urinary stone detection rate using VUE(VP)and VUE(EP)images(P＜0.01).The area under curve(AUC)of using stone size and CT number for detecting stones using the VUE(VP)images was up to 0.96,and as threshold values,stones with size larger than 3.52 mm and CT number greater than 469 HU were found to have high accuracy.However,the AUC decreased to 0.88 when we combined stone size,CT number and anatomical location using the VUE(EP)images.In addition,different contrast agents did not affect the detection rate of stones on the VUE(EP)images(P=0.57).The stone detection rate in the kidney was significantly lower than those on the VUE(EP)images(P＜0.001).Conclusion VUE(VP)images provide better stone detection.Stone size and CT number have significant impacts on the stone detection rate using VUE images.The lower stone detection rate in the kidney on the VUE(EP)images is related to the residual iodine.

ObjectiveTo analyze the development status and quality of clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of dominant diseases with Chinese patent medicines （CPMs）. MethodsDatabases were searched from Jan. 2019 to Dec.2023 to collect the published clinical practice guidelines of CPMs for the treatment of dominant diseases. The information about the title， the participants， clinical problems， outcomes， evidence grade， recommendations， and recommendation strength in the included clinical practice guidelines were collected， for which the development status was analyzed， and the quality was evaluated with the Scientific， Transparent and Applicable Rankings （STAR） tool for clinical practice guidelines. ResultsTotally， 34 guidelines were included， involving 273 kinds of CPMs. One to ten （with the medium five） clinical problems were proposed from 29 clinical practice guidelines respectively. All the guidelines divided the evidence into four grades according to Grade of Recommendation Assessment， Deve-lopement an Evaluation. And 28 guidelines had five levels of recommendation strength. A total of 344 recommendations were extracted， including 86 strong-recommendations， 191 weak-recommendations （including 36 weak recommendations only based on expert consensus） and 67 recommendations with unclear recommendation strength. All guidelines had high scores in the three areas of “clinical questions （94.20%）”， “evidence （91.45%）” and “recommendations （89.06%）”， while the scores in the three areas of “registry （22.06%）”， “protocol （19.00%）” and “accessibility （31.51%）” were low. The STAR recommended stars of 8 guidelines were 5.0~4.0 stars， while that of 18 guidelines were 3.5~2.5 stars， and 8 guidelines were 2.0~1.0 stars. The three guidelines with the highest recommended stars were depressive disorder， community-acquired pneumonia， and influenza in adult. ConclusionThere is a certain gap in the quality of the published clinical practice guidelines of CPMs， and the quality of the guidelines could be further improved in registry， protocols， funds， and accessibility.