Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) is a cytosolic pattern recognition receptor that recognizes multiple pathogen-associated molecular patterns and damage-associated molecular patterns. It is a cytoplasmic immune factor that responds to cellular stress signals, and it is usually activated after infection or inflammation, forming an NLRP3 inflammasome to protect the body. Aberrant NLRP3 inflammasome activation is reportedly associated with some inflammatory diseases and metabolic diseases. Recently, there have been mounting indications that NLRP3 inflammasomes play an important role in liver injuries caused by a variety of diseases, specifically hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury, hepatitis, and liver failure. Herein, we summarize new research pertaining to NLRP3 inflammasomes in hepatic injury, hepatitis, and liver failure. The review addresses the potential mechanisms of action of the NLRP3 inflammasome, and its regulation in these liver diseases.
Humans ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Inflammasomes/physiology* ; Animals ; Liver Diseases/metabolism* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Reperfusion Injury/metabolism*

Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanisms and pathways of action of total flavonoids of Dracocephalum moldavica L.(TFDM) in treating vascular cognitive impairment(VCI) based on network pharmacology and in vivo animal experiments. Methods : The swiss target prediction database, literature, and PubChem were used to screen the active components and action targets of TFDM. The online mendelian inheritance in man(OMIM) and GeneCards databases were utilized to screen for possible VCI targets. Venny software was used to obtain the intersection target of TFDM and VCI. The search tool for recurring instances of neighbouring genes(String) database and Cytoscape software was used to construct the PPI network. The database for annotation, visualization and integrated discovery(DAVID) database was utilized to screen for the kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) pathway and gene ontology(GO) enrichment analyses to explore the molecular mechanism and signaling pathway of TFDM for VCI. 24 rats were divided into Sham, Model, Donepezil, and TFDM groups. Except for the Sham group, the VCI model was created using modified bilateral common carotid artery ligation. After continuous gavage for 21 days, the Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the spatial learning and memory ability of rats. Hematoxy-lineosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the hippocampal CA1 and cortex region of the animals and immunohistochemistry detection of zonula occludens-1(ZO-1) content in the brains of the rats. Western blot was used to detect nuclear factor kappa-B p65(NF-κB p65) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in rat brains. Results : A total of 39 active ingredients of TFDM were screened, 209 corresponding targets, 10 417 gene targets of VCI, and 193 intersecting targets. According to the results of the GO enrichment of function analysis, TFDM could improve the response of reactive oxygen species and metabolic processes of reactive oxygen species, etc. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that TFDM might regulate TNF, IL-17 signing pathway, etc. The results of animal experiments showed that TFDM improved learning and memory while reduced pathological damage in the brains of VCI rats. In addition, TFDM upregulated the positive expression of ZO-1 and downregulated the protein levels of TNF-α and NF-κB p65(P<0.05). Conclusion TFDM can improve the cognitive function of VCI through multi-components and multi-targets, and its key mechanism may be related to inhibiting TNF-α/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway,reducing neuroinflammation,and improvement of blood-brain barrier permeability.

Objective:To construct an assessment tool for laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy skills.Methods:From November 2023 to January 2024, 22 clinical experts in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery from different regions of China were selected for this study. A preliminary indicator system was established through literature review, and the indicators and their weights at each level were determined using the Delphi method and analytic hierarchy process (AHP).Results:In the two rounds of consultation, the expert positive coefficients were 100.00% and 90.91%, authority coefficients were 0.984 and 0.985, Kendall coefficients were 0.231 and 0.193 ( P<0.001), and Cronbach's α coefficients were 0.905 and 0.865, respectively. A skill assessment tool for laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy skills was constructed consisting of 5 primary indicators and 23 secondary indicators. AHP analysis showed that the concordance rate of each matrix of the secondary indicators was <0.1, meeting the consistency test requirements. Conclusions:The assessment tool for laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy skills developed in this study is objective and reliable for evaluating the surgical skills of novice surgeons.

There are different views on the theory of “spleen governs time”， which is still a hot spot in the study of Zangxiang （藏象） theory. Based on Zangxiang time-space view， it is found that the thinking mode of the spleen governing time theory follows space-time logic. It is believed that the different time views of the spleen governing time are all formed based on the space view that the spleen belongs to earth and resides in the center， and the zang time theory is developed with the unified time and space logic. Guided by Zangxiang time-space view， the origin of the spleen belonging to earth and residing in the center is traced， and the theoretical connotation and its clinical application of spleen governing time under different time-space logic are explored with reference to the four season and five zang theory， five season and five zang theory， six season and six zang theory， and eight season and eight zang theory.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of pathological types of unilateral primary aldosteronism, and to explore the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with different pathological types.Methods:A total of 241 patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism who underwent adrenal surgery were included in this study. The clinical data and postoperative follow-up data were collected, and the postoperative tissue sections were stained with HE and aldosterone synthase. According to the staining results, pathological types of 241 patients were classified, and the clinical characteristics and surgical prognosis of patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism were compared.Results:According to the international histopathology consensus for unilateral primary aldosteronism, among 241 patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism, 223 were classical(92.5%), 17 were non-classical(7.1%), and 1 was aldosterone producing carcinoma(0.4%). Among classical cases, 189 were aldosterone producing adenoma and 34 were aldosterone producing nodule. In the non-classical cases, 8 cases were multiple aldosterone producing nodule and 9 cases were multiple aldosterone producing nodule. Compared with the classical group, the non-classical group had a longer duration of hypertension(9.0 vs 5.0 years, P=0.062) and a lower baseline plasma aldosterone concentration(273 vs 305 pg/mL, P=0.147), but the difference was not significant. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the proportion of patients who achieved a complete biochemical response after surgery(98% vs 92.3%, P=0.281), but the proportion of patients who achieved a complete clinical response was significantly lower in the non-classical group(23.1% vs 52.9%, P=0.046). Conclusion:The pathological types of unilateral primary aldosteronism are predominantly classical, with aldosterone-producing adenoma being the most common. There were no significant differences in the clinical characteristics and postoperative biochemical remission rates between classical and non-classical patients, but the clinical prognosis of the latter was inferior to the former.

Objective:To explore the association between the intraperitoneal pressure (IPP) and clinical symptoms in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. PD patients of Peking University First Hospital from January 1, to October 31, 2021, were enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criterion. The gold standard—Durand method was used to measure the IPP of PD patients for 2 L intraperitoneal volume, and clinical and laboratory data were collected. According to whether the IPP ≥ 18 cmH 2O or not, the participants were divided into elevated IPP group and normal IPP group. A self-designed semi-quantitative questionnaire was used to investigate the frequency and degree of five clinical symptoms, including abdominal distension, bloating, acid reflux, hiccup and chest tightness or suffrage, as well as the degree of symptom relief after emptying peritoneal dialysate. Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between each variable and intraperitoneal pressure. Results:A total of 194 PD patients were enrolled, with age of (51.6±12.9) years old. Of them, there were 123 males (63.4%), 71 females (36.6%) and 60 patients (30.9%) with diabetes. The median dialysis vintage was 24.0 (10.0, 54.0) months. The IPP was (16.2±4.3) cmH 2O, and 70 (36.1%) patients had elevated IPP. Correlation analysis results showed that IPP was positively correlated with body weight ( r=0.23, P<0.001), body mass index ( r=0.41, P<0.001), body surface area ( r=0.15, P=0.030), triglyceride ( r=0.22, P=0.001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( r=0.20, P<0.001), and negatively correlated with diabetes ( r=-0.14, P=0.034) and serum calcium ( r=-0.15, P=0.034). There was no significant correlation between IPP and the total frequency score of five clinical symptoms ( r=0.122, P=0.092). The frequency of stomach distension in elevated IPP group was significantly higher than that in normal IPP group ( P=0.002), and there were no significant differences in the degree and relief degree of stomach distension between the two groups (all P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the extent, frequency and degree of relief of other four clinical symptoms between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The increased IPP has little correlation with clinical symptoms, suggesting that it may be unreliable to adjust the infusion volume only by the subjective feeling of patients. It is necessary to monitor IPP as an objective variable.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of synovial fluid calprotectin for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI).Methods:Based on prospective cohort study design, a total of 82 patients suspected of PJI after hip and knee arthroplasty in the First Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from July 2021 to June 2022 were selected. Patients were divided into infection group (PJI, n=39) and non-infection group (non-PJI, n=43) according to the diagnostic criteria proposed by the Second International Consensus Conference in 2018. The matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used for double-blind detection of calprotectin and internal reference standard (IRS) in synovial fluid of patients. The peaks of target protein and IRS were recorded for further analysis. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the concentrations of S100A8 and S100A9 between the two groups, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of S100A8 and S100A9 for PJI. Results:Calprotectin was detected as monomers S100A8 and S100A9. Synovial fluid S100A8 was significantly higher in the PJI group than that in the non-PJI group [1.57 (0.48, 4.17) vs 0.00 (0.00, 0.05), Z=?7.221, P<0.05]. Synovial fluid S100A9 was also significantly higher in the PJI group than that in the non-PJI group [0.74 (0.29, 1.70) vs 0.06 (0.00, 0.10), Z=?6.255, P<0.05]. When using S100A8 and S100A9 to diagnose PJI, the sensitivity were 97.4% and 87.2%, the specificity were 86.0% and 88.4%, and the area under the ROC were 0.964 (95% CI 0.929-0.998) and 0.902 (95% CI 0.924-0.996), respectively. Conclusion:The detection of synovial fluid S100A8 and S100A9 by MALDI-TOF MS can make a satisfactory diagnosis for PJI.

Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that interacts computer-generated three-dimensional scenes with the user′s senses and has been gradually applied in the real medical field. Since the first time of successful attempt in 3D laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery VR living video broadcast in 2016, the authors have experienced the exploration of the application of this technology (2016-2017) as well as the in-depth research phase (2018-2019). Nowadays, the VR application in our center has entered into the application practice phase (2020 to present). With the technology iteration and more and more application experience acquisition, our current VR application mainly focuses on two practice settings, including the clinical teaching scenarios for early exposure to acute appendicitis for medical undergraduate students and the preoperative communication to give pati-ents an early sense of the process in the operating theatre, and has achieved good application results. With continuous breakthroughs and innovations in software and hardware, we believe that more clinical VR scenarios and the course audience will be expanded to a wider group. The integration of some new hotspots such as Meta-Universe and ChatGPT will make up for the shortcomings in VR content scenarios and interactivity, and its application prospects are infinite.

Objective:To analyze and summarize the implementation effect of basic essential surgical training (BEST) course of laparoscopic skills over the past 10 years and the practical experience in updating course content and models.Methods:The pre-class assessment questionnaires, basic laparoscopic operation assessment results, and post-class assessment questionnaires of the students who participated in the BEST course of laparoscopic skills were collected. According to the period of the course construction, the students were divided into two groups, namely students who used the course of single training system in the early stage (traditional group) and students who used the course integrating a variety of training systems after the course model was updated in the later stage (test group). The two groups were compared for the scores of track circle moving, tunnel crossing, and high and low columns, as well as their subjective evaluation of course setting and implementation effect. The t-test, Wilcoxon test, or chi-square test was conducted according to the data type using SPSS 13.0. Results:The time for 150 traditional group students to complete track circle moving, tunnel crossing, and high and low columns was 1.08 min (0.81 min, 1.60 min), 2.20 min (1.60 min, 3.27 min), and 4.86 min (3.28 min, 6.36 min), respectively, while the time for 75 test group students to complete the three operations was 1.27 min (0.87 min, 1.83 min), 2.57 min (1.58 min, 4.07 min), and 4.35 min (2.90 min, 6.42 min), respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). In terms of students' subjective evaluation of the course, a higher percentage of the test group students were satisfied with classroom environment, teaching method arrangement, training equipment, training opportunities, helping clinical work, and meeting pre-class expectations than those in the traditional group. Conclusion:The constantly updated BEST course can ensure the training quality of trainees and obtain their higher satisfaction. The benefits of this course in clinical practice can be further verified through long-term follow-up of these trainees.