Objective To investigate the predictive value of preoperative combined detection of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and prothrombin time-international normalized ratio to albumin ratio (PTAR) for early abdominal infection after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 287 recipients who underwent liver transplantation at the Liver Transplant Center of Beijing Friendship Hospital, Affiliated to Capital Medical University, from January 2020 to April 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into infection group (n=60) and non-infection group (n=227) based on whether abdominal infection occurred within 30 days after surgery. The distribution characteristics of pathogens and infection time in infected patients were analyzed. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between NLR, PTAR, Child-Pugh score and preoperative model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for abdominal infection. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted for NLR, PTAR, and the combined prediction model to evaluate their predictive efficacy for abdominal infection after liver transplantation. Based on the cutoff value of the combined model, recipients were divided into low-risk and high-risk groups, and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare the cumulative incidence of abdominal infection within 30 days after surgery between the two groups. Results Among the 287 recipients who underwent liver transplantation, 60 developed bacterial or fungal abdominal infections postoperatively. A total of 86 strains were isolated from infected patients, with Gram-negative bacteria accounting for 58%, Gram-positive bacteria for 36%, and fungi for 5%. Preoperative NLR and PTAR were positively correlated with Child-Pugh and MELD scores (all 1 > r > 0, P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative NLR, preoperative PTAR, postoperative ICU stay duration and postoperative biliary leakage were risk factors for abdominal infection within 30 days after surgery. The area under the curve (AUC) for NLR, PTAR, Child-Pugh score and MELD score were 0.771, 0.735, 0.650 and 0.741, respectively. The AUC for the combined NLR and PTAR prediction model was 0.824 (95% confidence interval: 0.763-0.885, P < 0.001), with a cutoff value of 0.168. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the cumulative incidence of abdominal infection within 30 days after surgery was lower in the low-risk group than in the high-risk group, with statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Conclusions Preoperative NLR and PTAR are independent risk factors for abdominal infection within 30 days after liver transplantation. The combined prediction model of NLR and PTAR may effectively identify high-risk recipients for early abdominal infection after liver transplantation, providing basis for early intervention.

AIM: To explore the relationship between retinal exudative changes in neonates and perinatal toxoplasmosis, others, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus(TORCH)infections, as well as the characteristics of TORCH infection in neonates with retinal exudative changes.METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 612 neonates with retinal exudative changes detected during ophthalmic screening in our hospital from May 2019 to March 2023 were selected. TORCH tests were performed on these neonates, and the results were subjected to statistical analysis to determine the infection characteristics. The neonates with retinal exudative changes were grouped by sex and age, the characteristics of TORCH infection were analyzed, and the positive rates were compared.RESULTS: Among the 612 neonates with retinal exudative changes, the highest positive rate was observed for cytomegalovirus(CMV-IgG)(96.7%), followed by rubella virus(RV-IgG)(73.9%). Mixed infections with two or three viruses were also observed, with the highest positive rate for mixed infection of RV-IgG and CMV-IgG reaching 71.2%. There was no statistically significant difference in TORCH infection among neonates of different sex(P>0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences in RV-IgG and CMV-IgM infections with retinal exudative changes among neonates of different age groups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Perinatal TORCH infection may be an important factor causing retinal exudative changes in neonates. The differences in various infections are not related to sex but are related to different age groups.

To explore the general clinical features and treatment outcomes of patients with AIDS-related diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (AIDS-DLBCL) and provide a theoretical basis for diagnosis and treatment, survival prognosis, prevention and management of AIDS-DLBCL patients. AIDS-DLBCL patients who received combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) at Changsha First Hospital from January 2017 to January 2020 were selected in this study. The survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the association between AIDS-DLBCL specific variables and progression-free survival and overall survival. Correlation analysis was conducted based on the clinical features of the patients. A total of 50 AIDS-DLBCL patients were included. Their median age ( Q 1, Q 3) was 52 (44, 59) years, of whom 46 (92%) were male. About 20 (40%) patients received treatment with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP), while 23 patients (46%) received treatment with rituximab combined with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (RCHOP). Survival curve analysis showed that the 2-year progression-free survival rate and overall survival rate of AIDS-DLBCL patients were 56.9% and 61.6%, respectively. Patients with RCHOP protocol combined with EBV-DNA≥1 000 copies/ml had higher progression-free survival rate (χ 2=3.844, P=0.043) and overall survival rate (χ 2=4.662, P=0.031) than those with CHOP protocol combined with EBV-DNA≥1 000 copies/ml. A multivariate analysis showed that male ( HR=2.70, 95% CI:1.10-6.80), EB viral load≥1 000 copies/ml ( HR=1.75, 95% CI:1.12-2.84), HIV-RNA≥200 copies/ml ( HR=4.64, 95% CI: 1.73-12.15), ECOG PS score of 2 to 4 points ( HR=3.54, 95% CI:1.62-7.33), and international prognostic index (IPI) score of 3 to 5 points ( HR=5.21, 95% CI:1.39-20.14) were at a higher risk of disease progression. Patients with EB viral load≥1 000 copies/ml ( HR=0.07, 95% CI:0.05-0.93) on the RCHOP regimen had a small risk of disease progression. Males ( HR=2.87, 95% CI:1.65-9.17), EB viral load≥1 000 copies/ml ( HR=1.61, 95% CI:4.02-9.36), HIV-RNA≥200 copies/ml ( HR=1.19, 95% CI:1.58-2.74), ECOG PS score of 2 to 4 ( HR=6.42, 95% CI:2.55-14.33), IPI score of 3 to 5 points ( HR=2.78, 95% CI:1.41-12.96) had a high risk of mortality. Patients with EB viral load≥1 000 copies/ml ( HR=0.24, 95% CI:0.64-0.90) on the RCHOP regimen had a low risk of mortality. In summary, males, ECOG physical status score of 2 to 4 points, IPI score of 3 to 5 points, EB viral load≥1 000 copies/ml and HIV viral load≥200 copies/ml are risk factors affecting progression-free survival and overall survival of AIDS-DLBCL patients. RCHOP regimen combined with EB viral load≥1 000 copies/ml is a protective factor affecting progression-free survival and overall survival in AIDS-DLBCL patients.

Objective:To establishment an assay for HIV-1 intact proviral DNA assay through droplet digital PCR (ddPCR).Methods:DNA was extracted by culturing 8E5 cells, a Tlymphocyte cell line containing a single copy of integrated HIV-1 provirus. Serial diluting DNA were prepared by amplified 1-fold, 5-fold, 25-fold, 625-fold, 3 125-fold, and 15 625-fold across the HIV-1 Ψ region, env region, and eukaryotic chromosome 10 RPP30 regions, and the linear relationship was calculated and the minimum detection concentration. DNA solution of 5 μl, 3.1 μl, 2.5 μl was added to the ddPCR mixture respectively, with each dilution undergoing two batches of detection, and each was repeated four times. The intra-batch variation coefficient was detected, while the inter-batch variation coefficient was detected by the same DNA amount and different DNA amounts to determine the stability; 8E5 cell was used to detect the intact proviral content in cells.Results:The linear fitting goodness of Ψ region, env region and RPP30 region are R2≥0.999, R2≥0.993, R2≥0.996 in 6 dilutions of DNA, respectively. At a 3 125-fold dilution, the lowest positive droplets were detected in the Ψ region, env region and RPP30 region were 3, 2 and 2, respectively, the detected concentrations were 2.37 copies/μl, 1.21 copies/μl and 1.58 copies/μl. The ddPCR repeatability experimental detecting DNA showed that the Ψ region of the intra-batch variation coefficients ranged from 0.66% to 3.43%, with the inter-batch variation coefficients of the same DNA at 3.19%, 4.3% and 3.45% respectively, and the inter-batch variation coefficients of the different DNA at only 4.35%. The env region of the intra-batch variation coefficients ranged from 0.7% to 3.20%, with the inter-batch variation coefficients of the same DNA at 3.18%, 4.52% and 3.4% respectively, and the inter-batch variation coefficients of the different DNA at only 4.02%. The RPP30 region of the intra-batch variation coefficients ranged from 0.91% to 2.91%, with the inter-batch variation coefficients of the same DNA at 3%, 4.55% and 3.37% respectively, and the inter-batch variation coefficients of the different DNA at only 3.98%. The proportion of 8E5 cells containing defective provirus and the proportion of intact provirus were calculated to be approximately 90% and 45%, respectively. Conclusions:Droplet digital PCR used to detect HIV-1 intact proviral DNA, showed strong stability and provided a technical means for HIV-1 infection reservoir detection.

To explore the general clinical features and treatment outcomes of patients with AIDS-related diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (AIDS-DLBCL) and provide a theoretical basis for diagnosis and treatment, survival prognosis, prevention and management of AIDS-DLBCL patients. AIDS-DLBCL patients who received combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) at Changsha First Hospital from January 2017 to January 2020 were selected in this study. The survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the association between AIDS-DLBCL specific variables and progression-free survival and overall survival. Correlation analysis was conducted based on the clinical features of the patients. A total of 50 AIDS-DLBCL patients were included. Their median age ( Q 1, Q 3) was 52 (44, 59) years, of whom 46 (92%) were male. About 20 (40%) patients received treatment with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP), while 23 patients (46%) received treatment with rituximab combined with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (RCHOP). Survival curve analysis showed that the 2-year progression-free survival rate and overall survival rate of AIDS-DLBCL patients were 56.9% and 61.6%, respectively. Patients with RCHOP protocol combined with EBV-DNA≥1 000 copies/ml had higher progression-free survival rate (χ 2=3.844, P=0.043) and overall survival rate (χ 2=4.662, P=0.031) than those with CHOP protocol combined with EBV-DNA≥1 000 copies/ml. A multivariate analysis showed that male ( HR=2.70, 95% CI:1.10-6.80), EB viral load≥1 000 copies/ml ( HR=1.75, 95% CI:1.12-2.84), HIV-RNA≥200 copies/ml ( HR=4.64, 95% CI: 1.73-12.15), ECOG PS score of 2 to 4 points ( HR=3.54, 95% CI:1.62-7.33), and international prognostic index (IPI) score of 3 to 5 points ( HR=5.21, 95% CI:1.39-20.14) were at a higher risk of disease progression. Patients with EB viral load≥1 000 copies/ml ( HR=0.07, 95% CI:0.05-0.93) on the RCHOP regimen had a small risk of disease progression. Males ( HR=2.87, 95% CI:1.65-9.17), EB viral load≥1 000 copies/ml ( HR=1.61, 95% CI:4.02-9.36), HIV-RNA≥200 copies/ml ( HR=1.19, 95% CI:1.58-2.74), ECOG PS score of 2 to 4 ( HR=6.42, 95% CI:2.55-14.33), IPI score of 3 to 5 points ( HR=2.78, 95% CI:1.41-12.96) had a high risk of mortality. Patients with EB viral load≥1 000 copies/ml ( HR=0.24, 95% CI:0.64-0.90) on the RCHOP regimen had a low risk of mortality. In summary, males, ECOG physical status score of 2 to 4 points, IPI score of 3 to 5 points, EB viral load≥1 000 copies/ml and HIV viral load≥200 copies/ml are risk factors affecting progression-free survival and overall survival of AIDS-DLBCL patients. RCHOP regimen combined with EB viral load≥1 000 copies/ml is a protective factor affecting progression-free survival and overall survival in AIDS-DLBCL patients.

Existing studies have shown that Astragalus membranaceus(AM)and its active ingredients astragalus polysaccharides,oninon,and astragalus methyl glycosides can attenuate X-ray radiation-induced injury.However,there are no studies on how isoliquiritigenin(ISL)attenuate the bystander effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)induced by carbon ion radiation therapy for lung cancer.This study aimed to investigate the AM-derived small molecule ISL to enhance radiotherapy sensitivity by attenuating the carbon ion radiation-induced bystander effect(RIBE)in BMSCs to elucidate its mecha-nism of action.In this study,we established a C57BL/6 mouse lung cancer transplantation tumor model in vivo and a co-culture model of A549 cells and BMSCs in vitro,and the models were successfully treated with carbon ions.In further work,we used flow cytometry,immunofluorescence,Western blot,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),inhibitor,short hairpin RNA(shRNA),Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8),and other methods to illustrate the mechanism.In the next experiments,we found that ISL combined with carbon ion radiotherapy had a significant anti-tumor effect and protected BMSCs from radiation damage.The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of ISL in enhancing the sensitivity of lung cancer cells to radiotherapy and attenuating RIBE in both in vitro and in vivo settings.Traditional Chinese medicine combined with radiation therapy is a promising and innovative treatment for non-small cell lung cancer.These results establish a theoretical foundation for further clinical development of ISL as a potential radiosensitizer option.

Objective To investigate the involvement of calmodulin(CaM)in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease(AD)and the mechanism by which CaM binds to amyloid-β(Aβ).Methods The hub genes expressed in AD and predicted to be the target proteins for AD prevention and treatment were obtained using bioinformatics methods.The GST-Aβ1-42 recombinant plasmid was constructed through genetic recombination and was then sequenced.The recombinant plasmids were identified using agarose gel electrophoresis,while the extracted and purified GST-Aβ1-42 fusion protein was confirmed using SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis.GST pull-down assay was used to detect the interaction between GST-Aβ1-42 protein and CaM,expressed in the plasmid.Results The top 20 hub genes in degree ranking were obtained.The DNA sequencing results of the plasmid proved that the recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed.The agarose gel electrophoresis results indicated that the fragment digested by the enzyme was similar to the molecular weight of the Aβ1-42 gene seg-ments,further proving the successful construction of the recombinant plasmid.Binding of GST-Aβ1-42 protein to CaM in a concentration dependent manner was revealed through the GST pull down experiment.Conclusion The GST-Aβ1-42 recombinant plasmid is success-fully constructed and is shown to bind to CaM.

Purpose To establish and validate an ultrasound-based radiomics nomogram for predicting ipsilateral axillary lymph node metastasis in stage T1 breast cancer.Materials and Methods 443 stage T1 breast cancer patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College from January 2012 to June 2021 were retrospectively collected.All patients were randomly divided into training(n=310)and validation(n=133)group.ITK-SNAP was used to delineate the tumor margins,and Pyradiomics software was used to extract features.Image omics models and Rad-scores were constructed after feature screening.Clinical model,radiomics model and combined diagnostic models were developed,with the combined model's nomogram constructed.The models'predictive values were assessed via receiver operating characteristic curves.Results Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the positive axillary ultrasonography,high echo halo and abundant internal blood supply were the independent risk factors of axillary lymph node metastasis.Then the clinical model was constructed,and imaging omics model was also constructed by feature screening.The combined model,which incorporated clinical and imaging features,demonstrated superior predictive performance.In the training group,the area under the curve for the combined model was 0.822,which was significantly higher than that of the clinical model(0.765)and radiomics model(0.723)(P=0.002 1,P=0.001 8).In the validation group,the area under the curve for the combined model was 0.846,outperforming the imaging omics model(0.686,P=0.001 8)and the clinical model(0.783),though the latter difference was not statistically significant(P=0.111 3).Conclusion Ultrasound-based radiomics combined diagnostic model effectively predicts ipsilateral axillary lymph node metastasis in stage T1 breast cancer,demonstrating high clinical predictive efficiency.

Heart failure is the leading cause of death worldwide. Compound Danshen Dripping Pill (CDDP) or CDDP combined with simvastatin has been widely used to treat patients with myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular diseases in China. However, the effect of CDDP on hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis-induced heart failure is unknown. We constructed a new model of heart failure induced by hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and LDL receptor (LDLR) dual deficient (ApoE^-/-LDLR^-/-) mice and investigated the effect of CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin on the heart failure. CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin inhibited heart injury by multiple actions including anti-myocardial dysfunction and anti-fibrosis. Mechanistically, both Wnt and lysine-specific demethylase 4A (KDM4A) pathways were significantly activated in mice with heart injury. Conversely, CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin inhibited Wnt pathway by markedly up-regulating expression of Wnt inhibitors. While the anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress by CDDP were achieved by inhibiting KDM4A expression and activity. In addition, CDDP attenuated simvastatin-induced myolysis in skeletal muscle. Taken together, our study suggests that CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin can be an effective therapy to reduce hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis-induced heart failure.

Humans ; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/drug therapy* ; Benzofurans/therapeutic use* ; Double-Blind Method ; Treatment Outcome