ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Gelian Tiaotang pills on renal fibrosis in db/db mice based on the nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 （NLRP3）/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase （Caspase）-1/gasdermin D （GSDMD） signaling pathway. MethodsForty db/db mice were randomly assigned into model， positive control （0.001 3 g·kg·d^-1 dapagliflozin suspension）， and high-， medium-， and low-dose Gelian Tiaotang pills （3.12， 1.56， and 0.78 g·kg·d^-1 suspension of Gelian Tiaotang pills， respectively） groups， with 8 mice in each group. Eight db/m mice were selected as the normal group. The normal group and model group were given equal volumes of pure water， while the drug interventions groups were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage once a day for 12 consecutive weeks. The general conditions of mice were observed daily. The fasting blood glucose （FBG） and body mass were measured every 4 weeks. Kidneys were weighed after sampling， and the kidney index was calculated. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure the serum levels of triglyceride （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， serum creatinine （SCr）， and blood urea nitrogen （BUN）. The pathological changes， extracellular matrix deposition， and renal fibrosis degree were examined by hematoxylin-eosin， periodic acid-schiff （PAS）， and Masson staining， respectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of interleukin （IL）-1β and IL-18 in the renal tissue. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was used to detect the localization and expression of fibronectin and collagen Ⅰ in the renal tissue. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， cleaved Caspase-1， GSDMD， and GSDMD-N in the renal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group generally had poor general states and increases in the body mass， kidney weight， kidney index， and levels of FBG， TG， TC， SCr， and BUN （P<0.01）. In addition， glomerular pyknosis， increased matrix， vacuolar degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells， and interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells were observed in the model group （P<0.01）， together with rises in the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the renal tissue （P<0.01） and up-regulated protein levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， cleaved Caspase-1， GSDMD， GSDMD-N， fibronectin， and collagen Ⅰ in the renal tissue （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， 12 weeks of drug interventions reduced the body mass， kidney weight， and kidney index and lowered the levels of FBG， TG， TC， SCr， and BUN in the serum and IL-1β and IL-18 in the renal tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， drug interventions ameliorated the renal lesions and down-regulated the protein levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， cleaved Caspase-1， GSDMD， GSDMD-N， fibronectin， and collagen Ⅰ in the renal tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The high-dose group of Gelian Tiaotang pills had the best effects. ConclusionGelian Tiaotang pills may inhibit pyroptosis and reduce inflammatory responses by regulating the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway， thus delaying the process of renal fibrosis in diabetes.

Intraoperative cell salvage (IOCS) has been widely applied as an important blood conservation measure in surgical operations. However, there is currently a lack of clinical practice guidelines for the implementation of IOCS in patients with malignant tumors. This report aims to provide clinicians with recommendations on the use of IOCS in patients with malignant tumors based on the review and assessment of the existed evidence. Data were derived from databases such as PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and Wanfang. The guideline development team formulated recommendations based on the quality of evidence, balance of benefits and harms, patient preferences, and health economic assessments. This study constructed seven major clinical questions. The main conclusions of this guideline are as follows: 1) Compared with no perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion (NPABT), perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion (PABT) leads to a more unfavorable prognosis in cancer patients (Recommended); 2) Compared with the transfusion of allogeneic blood or no transfusion, IOCS does not lead to a more unfavorable prognosis in cancer patients (Recommended); 3) The implementation of IOCS in cancer patients is economically feasible (Recommended); 4) Leukocyte depletion filters (LDF) should be used when implementing IOCS in cancer patients (Strongly Recommended); 5) Irradiation treatment of autologous blood to be reinfused can be used when implementing IOCS in cancer patients (Recommended); 6) A careful assessment of the condition of cancer patients (meeting indications and excluding contraindications) should be conducted before implementing IOCS (Strongly Recommended); 7) Informed consent from cancer patients should be obtained when implementing IOCS, with a thorough pre-assessment of the patient's condition and the likelihood of blood loss, adherence to standardized internally audited management procedures, meeting corresponding conditions, and obtaining corresponding qualifications (Recommended). In brief, current evidence indicates that IOCS can be implemented for some malignant tumor patients who need allogeneic blood transfusion after physician full evaluation, and LDF or irradiation should be used during the implementation process.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture based on the "head qijie" theory combined with endovascular intervention in the treatment of ischemic stroke (IS). METHODS: Sixty-six IS patients were randomly divided into an experimental group (33 cases, 3 cases dropped out) and a control group (33 cases, 3 cases dropped out). The control group received endovascular intervention. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, the experimental group received acupuncture based on the "head qijie" theory starting from the second day after surgery, Baihui (GV20) and bilateral Fengchi (GB20), Tianzhu (BL10), etc. were selected, once a day, 6 times a week for 2 weeks. Before and after treatment, the scores of National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), modified Barthel index (MBI) and modified Rankin scale (mRS) were observed in the two groups, the clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the NIHSS and mRS scores were decreased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), the NIHSS and mRS scores in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the MBI scores were increased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), the MBI score in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the experimental group was 86.7% (26/30), which was higher than 66.7% (20/30) in the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse events in the experimental group was 6.7% (2/30), which was lower than 13.3% (4/30) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture based on the "head qijie" theory combined with endovascular intervention in treating IS has good efficacy, improves neurological function, and enhances daily living ability.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Ischemic Stroke/therapy* ; Acupuncture Points ; Endovascular Procedures ; Treatment Outcome ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy

Objective:To preliminarily explore the application of directional electrodes with perceivable subthalamic nucleus-deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) for Parkinson′s disease (PD).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 56 patients with primary PD who underwent STN-DBS treatment across multiple neurosurgical centers, including the Department of Neurosurgery of the First Medical Center of the Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital, the Department of Neurosurgery of Hua′an Brain Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, and the Department of Neurosurgery of Hefei Second People′s Hospital, from January to December 2024. The cohort included 26 patients in the directional+perception group and 30 in the conventional group. The directional+perception group had activation contacts selected based on electrode branch contact locations and local field potential data recorded by the perceptible deep brain stimulation (DBS) system. The conventional group used contact testing to determine therapeutic contacts. Unified Parkinson′s Disease Rating Scale-Ⅲ (UPDRS-Ⅲ) assessments were performed in the medication-off state under continuous STN-DBS therapy at postoperative activation, 1, 3, and 6 months, comparing postoperative data with preoperative baseline. Initial programming outcomes were also compared between groups.Results:By combining directional electrodes with sensing capabilities, therapeutic contacts can be selected more quickly and effectively. The directional+ perception group showed significantly shorter initial programming time compared to the conventional group [(30.1±4.7) min vs (65.0±6.8) min, respectively], with a statistically significant difference ( t=-22.159, P<0.001). Compared to preoperative baseline, UPDRS-Ⅲ scores improved markedly at postoperative activation and at 1, 3, and 6 months, with improvements of 59.8%(20.6±5.2 vs 51.2±8.7), 62.1%(19.4±6.2 vs 51.2±8.7), 55.5%(22.8±7.2 vs 51.2±8.7), and 61.7%(19.6±13.9 vs 51.2±8.7), respectively. The scores of tremor showed the greatest improvement of 72.2% [2.5(0, 4.3) vs 9.0(0, 13.0)], 61.1% [3.5(0, 5.0) vs 9.0(0, 13.0)], 72.2% [2.5(0, 5.0) vs 9.0(0, 13.0)], 63.3% [0(0, 3.3) vs 9.0(0, 13.0)], respectively, followed by rigidity. Axial symptoms, postural stability, and gait improved moderately, while speech showed no significant change. Conclusions:In the treatment of PD, the combined use of directional electrodes and a perceivable DBS system allows precise selection of therapeutic contacts. This approach not only safely and effectively improves patients′ motor symptoms but also significantly reduces the time required for initial programming compared to conventional DBS systems, demonstrating clear clinical advantages.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of the posterior to anterior malleolar extended lateral approach (PAMELA) in the treatment of quadrimalleolar fractures.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 12 patients with quadrimalleolar fracture who had been admitted to Foot and Ankle Surgery Department, Henan Luoyang Orthopaedic & Traumatological Hospital from June 2022 to June 2023. There were 5 males and 7 females, with an age of (37.3±12.2) years and a duration from injury to surgery of (8.8±3.5) d. Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced Chaput tubercle fractures, lateral and posterior malleolar fractures were conducted through the PAMELA for all patients. The incision exposure, operation time, intraoperative bleeding, and incision healing were noted. Postoperatively, the fracture reduction was evaluated using the Burwell-Charnley criteria. The clinical efficacy was evaluated at the final follow-up using the ankle-hindfoot score of American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS), visual analogue scale (VAS), and range of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint.Results:Good exposure of the Chaput tubercle, anterolateral tibiotalar joint, and lateral and posterior malleoli was achieved during surgery in all patients. The follow-up time for the 12 patients was (14.3±1.8) months, the operation time (152.5±26.0) minutes, and the intraoperative bleeding (137.5±44.1) mL. All incisions healed at the first stage postoperatively without any complications. According to the Burwell-Charnley criteria, anatomic reduction was achieved in all patients. CT scans showed good reduction of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis. At the final follow-up, their AOFAS score was (94.1±8.3) points, VAS 0 (0, 1) point, and ankle joint ROM 17.5°±9.0° for dorsiflexion and 35.2°±9.6° for plantarflexion.Conclusions:In the treatment of quadrimalleolar fractures, because the PAMELA can lead to good exposure of the anterolateral ankle joint, distal tibiofibular syndesmosis, and lateral and posterior malleolar fractures, it results in a high rate of anatomic reduction of the fractures, safe incisions and limited soft tissue complications. Therefore, it is a safe, simple, and effective surgical approach.

Objective To investigate the relationship between ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)treatment time nodes and coronary microcirculation dysfunction(CMD)after primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)and its prognosis,providing evidence for early identification of high-risk patients,further optimization of treatment system,shortening treatment time and improving prognosis.Methods This study selected 150 STEMI patients who received primary PCI at the 920th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force of the People's Liberation Army of China from March 2023 to September 2023 as the CMD group after PCI(89 cases),with a microcirculation resistance index(caIMR)of≥40 U based on coronary angiography.caIMR＜40 U was classified as the non-CMD group(61 cases).The clinical data,various examination indicators and imaging data of the two groups of patients were collected,and the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)within half a year after direct PCI of the patients was followed up.The correlation between the two variables was analyzed using Spearman.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between each treatment time point and the occurrence of CMD after direct PCI.Using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis to predict the occurrence of CMD after direct PCI.The survival curves between the two groups were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results The levels of symptom onset-to-balloon(S-to-B),symptom onset-to-first medical contact(S-to-FMC),first medical contact-to-balloon(FMC-to-B),symptom onset-to-door(S-to-D)and first medical contact-to-door(FMC-to-D)in the CMD group were significantly higher than those in the non-CMD group(all P＜0.05).Correlation analysis showed that S-to-D,S-to-FMC,the time from FMC-to-B,and the time from FMC-to-D were all positively correlated with the time from S-to-B(r=0.996,P＜0.001;r=0.937,P＜0.001;r=0.431,P＜0.001;r=0.441,P＜0.001).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that the duration of S-to-D(OR 2.165,95％CI 1.655-2.830,P＜0.001)was a significant influencing factor for CMD.Moreover,S-to-D has a relatively high predictive value for the occurrence of CMD after direct PCI.The area under the ROC curve is 0.898(95％CI 0.850-0.946,P＜0.001),the optimal cut-off value is 231 min,the sensitivity is 82.0％,and the specificity is 88.5％.Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that the cumulative survival rate of MACE outcomes in the CMD group was significantly lower than that in the non-CMD group(Log-rank P=0.009).Conclusions Shortening the S-to-D time can reduce the occurrence of CMD after PCI,thereby reducing the incidence of MACE and improving prognosis.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic risk factors of patients with atrial fibrillation(AF)related to septic shock admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU).Methods This retrospective cohort study included 152 patients with septic shock who were admitted to the ICU between January 2020 and December 2023.Patients were categorized into AF(n=48)and non-AF(n=104)groups based on the occurrence of AF.Clinical parameters were compared between the two groups,and variables with statistically significant differences(P<0.05)were entered into a multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify clinical features associated with AF.Patients were also stratified into survival(n=103)and death(n=49)groups based on 28-day outcomes.Variables showing signifi-cant intergroup differences(P<0.05)were further included in a multivariate model to identify independent risk factors for mortality.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed using AF as a binary variable,and log-rank tests were applied to compare survival curves.Results The incidence of AF was 31.58%among patients with septic shock.Compared with the non-AF group,the AF group was older,received higher cumulative doses of vasoactive agents,and had elevated levels of lactate(Lac),N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide precursor(NT-proBNP),troponin I(cTnI),tumor necrosis factorα(TNF-α),and C-reactive protein(CRP).The AF group also had higher E/e'ratios,left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)scores,Sequen-tial Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA)scores,and 28-day mortality rates(all P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression identified age(odds ratio[OR]=1.060,P=0.015),SOFA score(OR=1.525,P=0.001),TNF-α(OR=1.009,P=0.026),CRP(OR=1.008,P=0.002),and E/e'(OR=1.363,P=0.023)as independent risk factors for AF.The 28-day mortality rate was 32.24%.Compared with survivors,non-survivors had significantly higher Lac,cTnI,E/e',LVEF,and TNF-α levels,higher APACHEⅡand SOFA scores,longer ICU stays,and a higher incidence of AF(all P<0.05).Multivariate analysis identified SOFA score,cTnI,E/e',and AF as independent predictors of 28-day mortality.Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed significantly poorer survival in patients with AF(χ2=6.747,P=0.009).Conclusion AF is common in ICU patients with septic shock.Advanced age,greater organ dysfunction,elevated inflammatory markers,and diastolic dysfunction are associated with AF occurrence.Organ dysfunction,myocardial injury,diastolic dysfunction,and AF are inde-pendent predictors of mortality in this population.Greater clinical attention is warranted in patients with AF and septic shock due to their elevated risk of poor outcomes.

Diabetic kidney disease(DKD)is one of the common microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus,and it has become the main cause of chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease.Traditional Chinese medicine can delay the progress of DKD by inhibiting oxidative stress,improving renal tissue damage,restoring renal function.This paper will summarize the relationship between oxidative stress and DKD and the prevention and treatment of DKD by traditional Chinese medicine,so as to provide reference for clinical drug application,basic research and new drug research and development of DKD.

To compare and analyze the clinical manifestations,laboratory characteristics,imaging findings,and treatment outcomes of patients with acute and chronic brucellosis,a retrospective analysis was conducted on 258 patients with brucellosis(202 in the acute group and 56 in the chronic group)hospitalized in Xinkang Hospital in Dalad Banner,Ordos City,Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,from November 2023 to November 2024.General data,epidemiological characteristics,clinical presentations,laboratory test results,imaging findings,treatment outcomes,and prognosis were collected.The incidences of fever(51.5%vs 7.1%),fatigue(30.2%vs 12.5%),joint pain(42.9%vs 16.1%),and muscle pain(9.9%vs.1.8%)were significantly higher in the acute phase group(all P<0.05).The incidence of osteoarthritis complications was higher in the chronic brucellosis group(51.8%vs 8.9%,χ2=75.697,P<0.01).Univariate ANOVA analysisshowed that the Serum Agglutination Tests(SAT),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total bilirubin(TBIL),creatinine(CRE),C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),and bone destructionexhibited statistically significant differences between the acute and chronic phases of brucellosis(all P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that abnormal ALT(OR=14.18,95%CI:1.11-181.72;P=0.041)and bone destruction(OR=0.16,95%CI:0.04-0.63;P=0.009)were associated with chronic brucellosis.After treatment,all patients experienced have symptom relief in varying degrees,with 157 patients(60.9%)cured and 101 patients(39.1%)symptomatic improved(P<0.01).In conclusion,the incidences of fever,fatigue,and joint pain in patients during the acute phase is significantly higher than that those in patients during the chronic phase,while the incidence of osteoarthritis complications is higher in chronic phase patients.The incidences of abnormal SAT,ALT,AST,TBIL,CRE,CRP,and ESR,and bone destruction varies at different stages of brucellosis.Of those,abnormal ALT and bone destruction show a stronger association with,which can assist the clinical staging of brucellosis.

Objective To explore the effects of Danlong Xingnao Prescription on the learning and memory ability of vascular dementia(VD)model rats based onPI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway;To discuss its possible mechanism.Methods VD rat model was prepared using improved bilateral common carotid artery ligation method.Modeling rats were randomly divided into model group,nimodipine group and DanlongXingnao Prescription low-,medium-,high-dosage groups(3.7,7.4,14.8 g/kg),with 10 rats in each group.The sham-operation group only separated the arteries without ligation.Each medication group was given corresponding drugs by gavage,the sham-operation group and the model group were given equal amounts of physiological saline by gavage for 4 consecutive weeks.Morris water maze was used to test the learning and memory ability of rats,morphology of the hippocampus were observed by HE staining,immunohistochemistry was used to detect microvascular density and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),the activity of SOD,GSH-Px and the content of MDA in liver tissue were detected by biochemical method,RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of PI3K,Akt,mTOR,hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),VEGF,Bax and Bcl-2 in hippocampal tissue.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the latency period of evasion was significantly prolonged,and the number of platform crossings was significantly reduced in the model group(P＜0.01),the cells in the hippocampal CA1 region had irregular morphology,loose arrangement,blurred boundaries,nucleolar condensation,and a large number of neuronal necrosis,the microvascular density and VEGF expression significantly increased(P＜0.01),the SOD and GSH-Px activity in hippocampal tissue decreased(P＜0.01),MDA content increased(P＜0.01),the expressions of HIF-1α,VEGF,Bax mRNA and protein in hippocampal CA1 region increased,and PI3K,Akt,mTOR,Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression decreased(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the latency period of evasion were significantly shortened,and the number of platform crossings increased in the Danlong Xingnao Prescription groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),neuronal damage in hippocampal CA1 region was alleviated,microvascular density and VEGF expression increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.0 1),the activities of SOD and GSH-Px in hippocampal tissue increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),the content of MDA decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K,Akt,mTOR,HIF-1α,VEGF,Bcl-2 in hippocampal CA1 region increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),the expression of Bax mRNA and protein decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion Danlong Xingnao Prescription can improve the learning and memory ability of VD model rats,promote angiogenesis,inhibit oxidative stress and apoptosis.The mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in hippocampal tissue.