ObjectiveTo investigate how Xiaoyao Shukun decoction （XYSKD） regulates the formation and release of neutrophil extracellular traps （NETs） via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway， thereby reducing inflammation， inhibiting the excessive proliferation of fibroblasts in pelvic adhesion tissue， decreasing adhesion and fibrosis， and repairing the tissue damage in sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease （SPID）. MethodsA total of 84 Wistar rats were randomly allocated into seven groups： blank， model， XYSKD （8 mg·kg^-1）， mTOR agonist （10 mg·kg^-1）， mTOR agonist + XYSKD （10 mg·kg^-1+8 mg·kg^-1）， mTOR inhibitor （2 mg·kg^-1）， and mTOR inhibitor + XYSKD （2 mg·kg^-1+8 mg·kg^-1）. The rat model of SPID was constructed by starvation， fatigue， and ascending Escherichia coli infection. After 14 days of drug intervention， the ultrastructure of fibroblasts in the pelvic adhesion tissue was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The general morphology of the uterus， fallopian tube， and ovary was observed by laparotomy. The levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-17 （IL-17）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the peritoneal flushing fluid were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expression of myeloperoxidase （MPO） and citrullinated histone 3 （H3） in the fallopian tube was detected by immunofluorescence. Western blot and Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were employed to determine the relative protein and mRNA levels， respectively， of neutrophil elastase （NE）， intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （CD54）， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， H3， PI3K， and Akt. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group presented a large number of collagen fibers in bundles， numerous cytoplasmic folds of fibroblasts， reduced or absent mitochondrial cristae， and disordered and expanded endoplasmic reticulum. By laparotomy， extensive pelvic congestion， connective tissue hyperplasia， thickening and hardening of the tubal end near the uterus， and tubal and ovarian adhesion or cyst were observed in the model group. In addition， the model group showed raised levels of IL-1β， IL-17， and TNF-α in the peritoneal flushing fluid （P<0.01）， increased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 （P<0.01）， and up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of NE， H3， CD54， PI3K， and Akt （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the mTOR agonist group showed increased fibroblasts and cytoplasmic folds， absence of mitochondrial cristae， endoplasmic reticulum dilation， and evident collagen fiber hyperplasia. Pelvic adhesions were observed to cause aggravated damage to the uterine， fallopian tube， and ovarian tissues. The levels of IL-1β， IL-17， and TNF-α in the peritoneal lavage fluid elevated （P<0.01） and the average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 enhanced （P<0.01） in the mTOR agonist group. In contrast， the XYSKD group and the mTOR inhibitor group showcased decreased fibroblasts and collagen fibers， alleviated mitochondrial crista loss and endoplasmic reticulum dilation， improved morphology and appearance of the uterine， fallopian tube， and ovarian tissues， lowered levels of IL-1β， IL-17， and TNF-α in the peritoneal lavage fluid （P<0.01）， decreased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of NE， H3， CD54， PI3K， and Akt （P<0.05）. Compared with the mTOR agonist group， the mTOR agonist + XYSKD group showed alleviated pathological changes in the pelvic tissue， declined levels of IL-1β， IL-17， and TNF-α （P<0.01）， decreased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated protein levels of NE， H3， CD54， α-SMA， p-PI3K/PI3K， and p-Akt/Akt （P<0.01） and mRNA levels of NE， H3， CD54， α-SMA， PI3K， and Akt （P<0.01）. Compared with the mTOR inhibitor group， the mTOR inhibitor + XYSKD group demonstrated reduced pathological severity of the pelvic tissue， reduced levels of IL-1β， IL-17， and TNF-α （P<0.01）， decreased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of NE and CD54 （P<0.05）. ConclusionXYSKD can inhibit the excessive formation and release of NETs via PI3K/Akt/mTOR to ameliorate the inflammatory environment and reduce fibrosis and adhesion of the pelvic tissue， thereby playing a role in the treatment of SPID. It may exert the effects by lowering the levels of IL-1β， IL-17， and TNF-α and down-regulating the expression of NE， H3， CD54， α-SMA， PI3K， and Akt in the pelvic adhesion tissue.

Objective To exploring the correlation between serum miR-195 and metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients.Methods A total of 79 patients with T2DM who were treated in the Endocrinology Department of Gansu Provincial People's Hospital were enrolled in this study from October 2022 to August 2023.They were divided into simple T2DM(n=37)and MAFLD group(MAFLD,n=42)according to whether they were complicated with MAFLD.Meanwhile,34 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations were selected as the normal control(NC)group.Results Compared with the NC group,FPG,HbA1c and HOMA-IR increased,while HDL-C decreased in T2DM and MAFLD group(P<0.05).The TG and hs-CRP levels were higher in MAFLD group than in NC and T2DM group(P<0.05).The serum miR-195 expression decreased sequentially(P<0.05),while FAS increased sequentially in NC,T2DM,and MAFLD group(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that miR-195 was negatively correlated with FPG,HOMA-IR,hs-CRP,and FAS(P<0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that HOMA-IR and FAS were the influencing factors for serum miR-195.Conclusions Down-regulation of serum miR-195 expression in patients with T2DM combined with MAFLD may be by glucose and lipid metabolism,IR and inflammatory response.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) with metaphyseal expansion or non-expansion in the treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fracture in the elderly.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 349 elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture, comprising 168 males and 181 females, aged 60-84 years [(73.5±8.6)years]. According to AO fracture classification, 108 patients were classified as type A1, 164 type A2, and 77 type A3. Of them, 168 patients received PFNA with metaphyseal expansion (expansion group), while 181 received PFNA with metaphyseal non-expansion (non-expansion group). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, recessive blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, total blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion rate and length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores preoperatively, at 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively of the two groups were detected. The neck-shaft angle and tip-apex distance were measured preoperatively, immediately after surgery, and at 6 months postoperatively. Harris hip score was evaluated at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Additionally, time to weight-bearing ambulation, fracture healing time, and postoperative complication rate were compared between the two groups.Results:All the patients were followed up for 6-10 months [(7.8±1.2)months]. The operation time for the expansion group was (69.6±12.4)minutes, significantly longer than (65.3±11.5)minutes of the non-expansion group ( P<0.01). Intraoperative blood loss, recessive blood loss, postoperative drainage volume and total blood loss were (124.8±16.9)ml, (684.1±95.3)ml, (123.9±25.1)ml and (932.8±125.4)ml respectively, which were more than those of the non-expansion group [(96.3±12.6)ml, (623.4±87.4)ml, (110.6±29.7)ml, and (830.3±112.6)ml] ( P<0.01). The intraoperative blood transfusion rate was 50.0% (84/168), higher than 38.1% (69/181) of the non-expansion group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups before surgery, at 2 and 6 weeks after surgery ( P>0.05). The VAS scores of the two groups at 2 and 6 weeks after surgery were lower than those before surgery, and there were significantly lower scores at 6 weeks after surgery when compared with those at 2 weeks after surgery ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in neck-shaft angle and tip-apex distance of the two groups before surgery, immediately after surgery and at 6 months after surgery ( P>0.05). In both groups, the neck-shaft angle immediately after surgery and at 6 months after surgery decreased while the apex distance increased when compared with those before surgery ( P<0.05). Furthermore, significantly lower neck-shaft angle and larger apex distance were observed at 6 months after surgery when compared with those immediately after surgery ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in Harris hip scores at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery between the two groups ( P>0.05). In both groups, the Harris hip scores at 3 and 6 months after surgery were higher than those at 1 month after surgery ( P<0.05) and the Harris hip scores at 6 months after surgery were higher than that those at 3 months after surgery ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in time to weight-bearing ambulation, fracture healing time and total postoperative complication rate between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:For the elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures, PFNA with proximal metaphyseal expansion or non-expansion is equally effective in shortening hospital stay, relieving pain, improving reduction quality, promoting hip function recovery and reducing complication rate. However, PFNA with non-expansion treatment can shorten the operation time, reduce intraoperative blood loss, recessive blood loss, postoperative drainage volume and total blood loss, and lower intraoperative blood transfusion rate.

Objective To investigate the imaging features and pathogenesis of lethal iatrogenic hemobilia(LIH)and the value of transarterial intervention in the treatment of LIH.Methods A total of 269 patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from August 2009 to July 2023 were enrolled,among whom 24 had a confirmed diagnosis of LIH and received treatment,and a retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of these 24 patients,including the iatrogenic causes,angiographic findings,and arterial interventions of LIH.Among the 24 patients,23 received transarterial embolization(TAE)with gelatin sponge particles and coils,and 1 received a covered stent for isolation.The main criteria for assessing treatment outcome included the technical success rate of surgery,procedure-related complications,and long-term clinical follow-up.Results Among the 24 patients with LIH,12 had LIH caused by interventional procedures,and 12 had LIH caused by hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery.The main clinical manifestations included a significant reduction in blood pressure or a persistent reduction in hemoglobin in 13 patients and upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 18 patients.Among the 24 patients,2 developed symptoms during surgery,4 developed symptoms within 24 hours,and 18 developed symptoms after 24 hours.Angiography showed a positive bleeding rate of 100%(24/24),and imaging findings included pseudoaneurysms in 15 patients,hepatic artery truncation in 3 patients,extravasation of contrast medium in 5 patients,and hepatic arteriobiliary fistula in 3 patients.Among the 24 patients,23 received TAE and 1 received stent implantation.Successful hemostasis was achieved for 23 patients,with a technical success rate of 95.8%(23/24).Four patients developed hepatic necrosis and abscess after TAE,and there was no rebleeding or recurrence after hemostatic treatment.Conclusion Various iatrogenic injuries may result in LIH with diverse clinical and imaging findings,and integrated diagnostic imaging combined with transarterial intervention is the best effective life-saving measure for LIH.

Objective:To understand molecular characteristics and antibiotic resistance of Clostridioides ( C.) difficile isolated from children in China, and provide data support the development of disease risk assessment and burden studies. Methods:A total of 155 strains of C. difficile isolated from children aged <12 years in 14 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) in China from 2010 to 2023 were used for the analyses on molecular characteristics and antibiotic resistance of C. difficile by PCR and drug susceptibility test. Results:A total of 26 sequence types (STs) and 18 ribotypes (RTs) were identified in the 155 C. difficile isolates, in which ST3 (20.65%), ST54 (16.13%), ST35 (12.90%), and RT012/ICDC007 (14.84%), RT001/ICDC001 (11.61%), RT046/ICDC018 (8.39%) were the most common. One highly virulent strain with RT078 and 27 non-toxin-producing strains were also found; the predominant toxin gene was tcdA+ tcdB+ cdt-. All the strains were sensitive to metronidazole and vancomycin, and there were 29 multidrug-resistant strains, in which 1 strain was resistant to all the seven antibiotics except for vancomycin and metronidazole. Conclusions:Molecular characteristics and antibiotic resistance of C. difficile in children were similar to those in whole population in China, but there were regional distribution differences. It is necessary to strengthen the routine drug-resistance surveillance for C. difficile infection in children in China.

ObjectiveTo observe the regulation of Qigongwan on the expression of proliferation and apoptosis-related factors programmed cell death 4 （PDCD4） and proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） in ovarian granulosa cells （GCs） in patients with polycystie ovarian syndrome （PCOS） infertility with phlegm-dampness syndrome， and to explore the effect of Qigongwan on the quality of oocytes and embryonic development potential. MethodSixty-six patients with PCOS with phlegm-dampness syndrome who underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer （IVF-ET） were randomly selected and divided into an observation group （Qigongwan + western medicine） and a control group （western medicine）， with 33 patients in each group. Antagonist regimen was used to promote ovulation in the two groups. The observation group was given Qigongwan one cycle before IVF based on the treatment of conventional western medicine， while the control group was not given Chinese medicine. The improvement of phlegm and dampness syndrome， the dosage and the number of days of using gonadotropins （Gn）， the levels of luteinizing hormone （LH）， estradiol （E₂）， and progesterone （P） on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin（HCG） injection， the 2PN fertilization rate， and the high-quality embryo rate of patients in the two groups were compared. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot technology were used to detect the expression of PCNA and PDCD4 in GCs. ResultAs compared with groups before treatment， the score of phlegm-dampness syndrome in both groups was significantly lower （P<0.01）. The score of phlegm and dampness syndrome in the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group （P<0.01）. As compared with the control group， the levels of LH， E₂， and P in the observation group was higher， but only the difference in the level of E₂ was statistically significant （P<0.01）. The 2PN fertilization rate ［82.25% （556/676） vs 69.92% （365/522）， χ²=25.172， P<0.01］ and high-quality embryo rate ［44.19% （190/430） vs 34.23% （102/298）， χ²=7.266， P<0.01］ in the observation group were significantly higher than that of the control group （P<0.01）. As compared with the control group， the mRNA and protein expression of PDCD4 in ovarian GCs was down-regulated in the observation group and that of PCNA was up-regulated （P<0.05）. ConclusionBy down-regulating the expression of PDCD4 and up-regulating the expression of PCNA， Qigongwan may interfere with follicle development， adjust hormone levels， improve the symptomatic manifestations of patients with PCOS with phlegm-dampness syndrome， inhibit the apoptosis of GCs， and promote growth， thus improving the quality of oocytes and embryonic development potential.

Objective:To explore the taste alterations and nutritional status of lung cancer patients during chemotherapy, and analyze the correlation between the two.Methods:From June to December 2021, continuous fixed-point sampling was used to select lung cancer inpatients receiving chemotherapy in the Department of Thoracic Medicine of Beijing Cancer Hospital, Peking University. The patients' taste alterations were evaluated using the Chemotherapy-induced Taste Alteration Scale (CiTAS), and their nutritional status was evaluated using the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) and the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM). The patients' weight and calf circumference were also measured. Taste alterations were evaluated on the first day before chemotherapy and the eighth days (T1 to T8) of the first to fourth cycles, respectively, at a total of 8 time points. The nutritional status was evaluated at four time points, including T1, T3, T5, and T7. The correlation between taste alterations and nutritional status was analyzed using generalized estimation equations.Results:A total of 77 patients completed all evaluations. The total CiTAS scores of lung cancer patients from T1 to T8 were (4.21±0.05), (5.52±0.14), (4.67±0.08), (6.05±0.17), (4.84±0.10), (6.45±0.18), (4.97±0.10) and (6.57±0.16), respectively. At T1, T3, T5, and T7, the proportion of patients with positive nutritional risk was 10.4% (8/77), 22.1% (17/77), 26.0% (20/77) and 29.9% (23/77), respectively, and the body weight was (67.08±1.07), (66.46±1.09), (66.12±1.09), (65.88±1.09) kg, and the calf circumference was (35.00±2.31), (34.71±2.41), (34.49±2.45), (34.38±2.47) cm and the number of patients with malnutrition was 1 (1.3%), 6 (7.8%), 10 (11.3%) and 11 (11.3%), respectively. The total score of CiTAS was positively correlated with NRS 2002 score, malnutrition ratio, and weight loss, while negatively correlated with calf circumference, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy have significant taste alterations, which worsen after each cycle of chemotherapy and recover before the next cycle of chemotherapy, but cannot return to baseline levels. The nutritional status of lung cancer patients is deteriorating, with an increasing proportion of patients at nutritional risk and malnutrition, as well as a continuous decline in weight and calf circumference. Taste alterations affect the nutritional status of patients. It is suggested that attention should be paid to the management of taste alterations and nutritional intervention during chemotherapy to improve the nutritional status of patients.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in plain-sand areas and loess hilly areas of Gansu province.Methods:A total of 1 599 T2DM patients who participated in chronic disease and risk factors monitoring and basic public health service management were selected by multi-stage stratified random sampling method in the sandy plain areas and loess hilly areas of Gansu province. Questionnaire survey, physical measurement and laboratory tests were performed. Multivariate binary logistic model was used to analyze the influencing factors.Results:The prevalence of DKD was 22.1% (174/787) among T2DM patients in the sandy plain areas and 19.1%(155/812) in the loess hilly area, respectively. Hypertension ( OR=3.022), hyperuricemia ( OR=2.114) and HbA1c≥7%( OR=2.231) were the risk factors for DKD in the plain-sand areas, and the risk of DKD increased with age. In the loess hilly areas, female sex ( OR=0.379) was the protective factor for DKD; while duration of disease≥10 years ( OR=2.476), hyperuricemia ( OR=1.907), HbA1c≥7% ( OR=1.927) were the risk factors for DKD; and the risk of DKD increased with the increase of age, and decreased with the increase of per capita monthly income. Conclusions:The prevalence of DKD and its influencing factors are different between sandy plain areas and loess hilly areas in Gansu province. The prevention and treatment of hypertension should be given more attention in sandy plain areas. In addition, the screening of DKD should be conducted among T2DM patients, particularly for those with old age, hyperuricemia and HbA1c≥7% in both areas of the province.

Silk fibroin (SF) as a natural biopolymer has become a popular material for biomedical applications due to its minimal immunogenicity, tunable biodegradability, and high biocompatibility. Nowadays, various techniques have been developed for the applications of SF in bioengineering. Most of the literature reviews focus on the SF-based biomaterials and their different forms of applications such as films, hydrogels, and scaffolds. SF is also valuable as a coating on other substrate materials for biomedicine; however, there are few reviews related to SF-coated biomaterials. Thus, in this review, we focused on the surface modification of biomaterials using SF coatings, demonstrated their various preparation methods on substrate materials, and introduced the latest procedures. The diverse applications of SF coatings for biomedicine are discussed, including bone, ligament, skin, mucosa, and nerve regeneration, and dental implant surface modification. SF coating is conducive to inducing cell adhesion and migration, promoting hydroxyapatite (HA) deposition and matrix mineralization, and inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway, making it a promising strategy for bone regeneration. In addition, SF-coated composite scaffolds can be considered prospective candidates for ligament regeneration after injury. SF coating has been proven to enhance the mechanical properties of the substrate material, and render integral stability to the dressing material during the regeneration of skin and mucosa. Moreover, SF coating is a potential strategy to accelerate nerve regeneration due to its dielectric properties, mechanical flexibility, and angiogenesis promotion effect. In addition, SF coating is an effective and popular means for dental implant surface modification to promote osteogenesis around implants made of different materials. Thus, this review can be of great benefit for further improvements in SF-coated biomaterials, and will undoubtedly contribute to clinical transformation in the future.
Biocompatible Materials/chemistry* ; Silk/chemistry* ; Fibroins/pharmacology* ; Dental Implants ; Osteogenesis ; Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry* ; Tissue Engineering/methods*

Objective:To analyze the accuracy of lung ultrasound and chest X-ray in the diagnosis of neonatal pulmonary disease.Methods:We prospectively collected newborns that needed chest X-ray examination to diagnose pulmonary disease from twelve neonatal intensive care units across the country between June 2019 and April 2020.Each newborn was examined by lung ultrasound within two hours after chest X-ray examination.All chest X-ray and lung ultrasound images were independently read by a radiologist and a sonographer.When there was a disagreement, a panel of two experienced physicians made a final diagnosis based on the clinical history, chest X-ray and lung ultrasound images.Results:A total of 1 100 newborns were enrolled in our study.The diagnostic agreement between chest X-ray and lung ultrasound(Cohen′s kappa coefficient=0.347) was fair.Lung ultrasound(area under the curve=0.778; 95% CI 0.753-0.803) performed significantly better than chest X-ray(area under the curve=0.513; 95% CI 0.483-0.543) in the diagnosis of transient tachypnea of the newborn( P<0.001). The accuracy of lung ultrasound in diagnosing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, meconium aspiration syndrome, pneumonia and neonatal pulmonary atelectasis was similar to that of chest X-ray. Conclusion:Lung ultrasound, as a low-cost, simple and radiation-free auxiliary examination method, has a diagnostic accuracy close to or even better than that of chest X-ray, which may replace chest X-ray in the diagnosis of some neonatal lung diseases.It should be noted that both chest X-ray and lung ultrasound can only be used as auxiliary means for the diagnosis of lung diseases, and it is necessary to combine imaging with the clinical history and presentation.