Objective To explore the predictive value of peripheral blood cells in the efficacy of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (clinical stages Ⅱ-Ⅳa) who underwent neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from April 2020 to November 2023. According to whether the pathology was completely relieved after treatment, patients were divided into a pathological complete remission group and a pathological incomplete remission group. The College of American Pathologists criteria were used to evaluate the tumor pathological regression grade (TRG) after neoadjuvant therapy (TRG=0, 1 defined as a good efficacy group, TRG=2, 3 defined as a poor efficacy group). Results A total of 92 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were collected, including 72 males and 20 females. The average age was (65.86±7.66) years. The complete remission of pathology was closely related to the number of lymphocytes in the blood before treatment (P=0.019). The area under the curve (AUC) for predicting complete remission of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy was 0.678, the maximum Youden index was 0.328, and the optimal cutoff value was 1.845. The incidence of postoperative pulmonary infection in the pathological incomplete remission group was higher than that in the pathological complete remission group (25.0% vs. 5.6%, P=0.030). Using the optimal cutoff value, there were statistically significant differences in pathological N stage and pathological TNM stage between patients with lymphocyte counts <1.845×109/L and ≥1.845×109/L (P<0.05). Treatment response (by TRG) was significantly associated with the pretreatment red blood cell count (P=0.009). The AUC for predicting a good TRG response was 0.669, with a maximum Youden index of 0.385 and an optimal cutoff value of 4.235. Between the good and poor response groups, there were statistically significant differences in postoperative pathological T stage (P<0.001), N stage (P=0.041), and TNM stage (P＜0.001). When stratified by the optimal cutoff value, there were statistically significant differences in age (P＜0.001) and the prevalence of hypertension (P=0.022) between patients with red blood cell counts <4.235×1012/L and ≥4.235×1012/L. Conclusion A pretreatment absolute lymphocyte count ≥1.845×109/L and a red blood cell count <4.235×1012/L are good predictors for pathological complete response and a good pathological response, respectively, following neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the risk factors associated with mortality in patients undergoing surgical treatment for myocardial infarction complicated by ventricular septal rupture, and to establish a prediction model. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of patients who underwent surgical treatment of myocardial infarction with ventricular septal rupture at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from 2008 to 2022. Patients were followed up and divided into a survival group and a death group based on perioperative and follow-up outcomes. Univariate analysis was performed for all variables, followed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression to screen risk factors affecting postoperative mortality. A Cox regression model was constructed and a Nomogram was developed. Results A total of 83 surgical patients were included, comprising 49 males and 34 females, with a mean age of (64.4±7.7) years. There were 13 perioperative deaths, and among the 70 surviving patients, 6 additional deaths occurred during follow-up. Consequently, 64 patients were assigned to the survival group and 19 to the death group. Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences between groups in age, culprit vessel patency status, intra-aortic balloon pump use, Killip classification, time from myocardial infarction to surgery, and time from perforation to surgery (all P<0.05). LASSO regression identified three independent predictors: age [HR=1.092, 95%CI (1.005, 1.187), P=0.039], Killip classification [HR=2.024, 95%CI (1.009, 4.059), P=0.047], and culprit vessel patency [HR=0.110, 95%CI (0.014, 0.869), P=0.036]. The Nomogram based on these variables demonstrated good discriminative ability, with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.907 at 1 month and 0.876 at 1 year postoperatively. Follow-up revealed cumulative survival rates of 78.2%, 78.2%, 74.6%, and 74.6% at 2, 5, 8, and 10 years postoperatively for all patients, and 92.7%, 92.7%, 88.5%, and 88.5% for perioperative survivors. Conclusion Patients with myocardial infarction complicated by ventricular septal rupture demonstrate favorable mid-to-long-term prognosis after surgical repair. Age, Killip classification, and culprit vessel patency are independent predictors of postoperative mortality, and the established prediction model shows satisfactory prognostic performance.

Mitochondrial diabetes mellitus(MDM)is a genetically heterogeneous disorder caused by mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)or nuclear DNA mutations,characterized by multi-system involvement and diverse clinical phenotypes.We report a pediatric case presenting with growth retardation followed by subsequent development of diabetes mellitus.Systematic evaluation revealed concurrent bilateral sensorineural hearing loss,bilateral basal ganglia calcification,and electroencephalographic abnormalities.A post-exercise lactate test demonstrated significant elevation of serum lactate levels immediately after physical exertion.Genetic analysis identified a large-scale mitochondrial DNA deletion spanning from m.8649 to m.16084.This case re-port is complemented by a literature review focusing on the pathogenesis,genetic characteristics,and therapeu-tic approaches of mitochondrial diabetes,with particular emphasis on mitochondrial disorders exhibiting large-scale mtDNA deletions alongside diabetic manifestations.Our comprehensive analysis aims to enhance clinical understanding and inform diagnostic strategies for this complex disease entity.

AIM:This study aims to investigate the role of ferroptosis in the myocardium of mice with lipopoly-saccharide(LPS)-induced sepsis and in the injury of H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes,and to explore the regulatory function of microRNA-351-5p(miR-351-5p)in this context.METHODS:An in vivo model of sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy was established in mice through intraperitoneal injection of LPS.Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into negative control(NC)group,LPS group,and LPS+ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1(Fer-1)group.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was conducted to assess cardiac injury,and plasma levels of creatine kinase(CK)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)were also measured.Additionally,the levels of Fe2+and malondialdehyde(MDA)in plasma were quantified,and the mRNA levels of acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4(ACSL4)and prostaglandin-endperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2)were de-tected by RT-qPCR.In vitro,H9c2 cardiomyocytes were stimulated with LPS to create cellular models,followed by treat-ment with Fer-1,inhibitor NC,or miR-351-5p inhibitor.Cell viability was evaluated using CCK8 assay,intracellular re-active oxygen species(ROS)were measured by flow cytometry,intracellular Fe2+levels were assessed using a fluorescence probe,and the protein expression of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)and ACSL4 was analyzed by Western blot.The MDA and reduced glutathione(GSH)levels were measured using commercial kits.MicroRNA(miRNA)sequencing was performed on the LPS-stimulated H9c2 cardiomyocyte models,with differential miRNAs identified and subsequently vali-dated using RT-qPCR.RESULTS:The mice in LPS group exhibited significant myocardial tissue dysregulation com-pared with NC group,with enlarged space,increased plasma CK and LDH levels(P<0.05),elevated Fe2+and MDA levels in myocardial tissues(P<0.05),and increased mRNA levels of ACSL4 and PTGS2(P<0.05).In contrast,the mice in LPS+Fer-1 group demonstrated improved myocardial tissue structure,reduced space,decreased plasma CK and LDH levels(P<0.05),and lower Fe2+and MDA levels in myocardial tissues(P<0.05),along with decreased mRNA level of PTGS2(P<0.05).In H9c2 cardiomyocytes,cell viability,intracellular GSH level,and GPX4 protein level were significantly reduced in LPS group compared with NC group(P<0.05),while ROS,MDA,Fe2+,and ACSL4 protein levels were elevated(P<0.05).The cells in LPS+Fer-1 group showed increased viability,intracellular GSH level,and GPX4 protein level compared with LPS group(P<0.05),alongside reduced ROS,MDA,Fe2+,and ACSL4 levels(P<0.05).miRNA sequencing revealed a significant decrease in several miRNAs,with miR-351-5p showing the most pro-nounced reduction.In LPS+miR-351 inhibitor group,H9c2 cell viability significantly declined(P<0.05),and the levels of GSH and GPX4 were notably lowered(P<0.05),while ROS,MDA,Fe2+and ACSL4 protein levels were significantly elevated(P<0.05).However,in LPS+miR-351 inhibitor+Fer-1 group,the cell viability increased(P<0.05),and the GSH level rose significantly(P<0.05),with corresponding decreases in intracellular ROS,Fe2+and ACSL4 protein levels(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Inhibition of ferroptosis attenuated sepsis-induced myocardial injury,and inhibition of miR-351-5p promotes sepsis-induced ferroptosis of H9c2 cardiomyocytes.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of selectively omitting ureteral stent placement after ureteroscopic lithotripsy(URL).Methods A total of 118 patients with distal ureteral calculi undergoing URL from 2021 to 2024 were enrolled.Patients were divided into a control group(indwelling ureteral stent for 2 weeks,n=86)and an observation group(no ureteral stent placement,n=32).General data,operation time,hospital stay,and total medical costs were compared between the two groups.Patients were followed 2 weeks postoperatively for assessment of flank pain visual analogue scale(VAS)scores,bladder irritation symptoms,hematuria,and incidence of urinary tract infection.Hydronephrosis was evaluated by ultrasonography 3 months after surgery.Results There was no significant difference in the general information and operation time between the two groups(P>0.05).The length of hospital stay and total treatment cost in the observa-tion group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).Two weeks after surgery,the VAS scores of low back pain on the affected side and occurrence rates of bladder irritation symptoms,hematu-ria,and urinary tract infection in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.01).Three months after operation,no hydronephrosis was observed in both groups.Conclusion It is safe and feasible to avoid indwelling ureteral stent after URL in appropriate cases.

Objective:To investigate the application value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging(CMR) in evaluating the perioperative risk of surgical treatment in patients of coronary artery disease and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.Methods:A total of 78 patients diagnosed with CAD and HFrEF who underwent CABG in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2018 to October 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. All patients underwent CMR examination before CABG. The perioperative data of the two groups were compared, and the risk factors that may lead to perioperative MACCE were analyzed by LASSO regression. Then, logistic regression was used to establish a prediction model and internal validation was performed to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency and accuracy of the model by Bootstrap method. Results:There were 24 patients(30.8%) with perioperative MACCE and 54 patients(69.2%) without perioperative MACCE. LASSO regression was used to screen out three factors related to the outcome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LGE in the third and eighth segment of left ventricle and diastolic radial strain rate were independent risk factors for perioperative MACCE. The area under the curve of the prediction model constructed with CMR was 0.799(95% CI: 0.696-0.901), so the discrimination was good. The calibration curve showed that the prediction curve was basically fit to the standard curve, and the Hosmer- Lemeshow test P=0.797, indicating high prediction accuracy. Conclusion:CMR is a valuable test for evaluating perioperative risk in patients with coronary heart disease complicated with HFrEF. To establish the risk prediction model combined with CMR can provide some reference for the assessment of perioperative risk in these patients undergoing surgical treatment.

Mastitis is one of the common and prevalent diseases in dairy cows,and the natural prod-uct daidzein is a kind of natural flavonoids with a wide range of pharmacological and anti-inflam-matory effects.However,the effect of daidzein on mastitis in dairy cows has not been reported.Therefore,in this study,we explored the effects of daidzein on LPS-induced inflammatory response and tight junction damage in dairy mammary epithelial cells Firstly,we pretreated the MAC-T cell line using different concentrations of daidzein,and it was clarified that daidzein below 200 μmol/L had no effect on the cell activity.Next,we examined the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated MAC-T cell lines using qRT-PCR,and clarified that daidzein could reduce the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in a concentration-dependent manner.Subsequently,af-ter the expression of Occludin,Claudin3 and ZO-1 was detected by immunofluorescence and West-ern Blot,it was clear that daidzein could alleviate MAC-T cell intercellular tight junction injury.Fi-nally,it was demonstrated that daidzein significantly inhibited LPS-induced activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway within MAC-T using network pharmacological analysis and Western Blot.The above results suggest that daidzein can inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory response and tight junc-tion damage in mammary epithelial cells of cows by suppressing the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.The present study provides a theoretical basis for the alleviation of mastitis by natural products and further expands the pharmacological effects of daidzein.

Objective To investigate and analyze epidemiological characteristics of patients with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) from 2020 to 2023, and the risk factors for plastic bronchitis (PB), To provide data support for developing preventive measures. Methods The medical records of 2 257 patients with respiratory tract infection treated at Huai'an Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University from 2020 to 2023 were collected. Count the number of MPP patients and analyze the MP detection rate. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and ROC curve was used to screen the risk factors for PB. Results A total of 858 cases were positive for MP antibodies, and the detection rate was 38.02%. There are statistically significant differences in MP detection rates among different genders, age groups, and years (P<0.05). Among the 286 patients diagnosed with MPP and undergoing bronchoscopy, 68 (23.78%) patients had PB. According to univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, small age, higher N%, D-D, LDH and AST levels were independent risk factors for PB (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis shows that age and combined detection are the most effective indicators for PB prediction, with areas under the curve of 0.998 and 0.961, respectively. Conclusion MP is the main pathogen of respiratory tract infections in the area from 2020 to 2023. Women and children are more susceptible to MP infection. Small age, high N%, DD, LDH and AST levels are independent risk factors for PB in patients with MPP. Targeted preventive measures should be taken for MP susceptible population, and close attention should be paid to PB related risk factors to prevent disease progression and the occurrence of PB.

Aim To observe the mechanism of salvian-olic acid B(SalB)against oxygen glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation(OGD/R)injury in H9c2 cardiomyo-cytes.Methods The protective concentration of SalB against OGD/R-injured H9c2 cardiomyocytes was screened by CCK-8 assay.The levels of lactate dehy-drogenase(LDH),aspartate transaminase(AST)and creatine kinase(CK)were detected by ELISA kit.The mechanism of action of SalB on OGD/R-injured H9c2 cardiomyocytes was explored using high-through-put sequencing of the transcriptome.The binding of SalB to differential proteins was assessed using molecu-lar docking assays.Fatty acid content was determined using free fatty acid kits.The relative expressions of mRNA and protein of differential genes were verified by RT-qPCR and Western blot.The causal relationship between the target of action of SalB and heart failure was examined by Mendelian randomization experiment.Results SalB protected OGD/R-injured H9c2 cardio-myocytes and significantly reduced the levels of CK,LDH and AST compared with the blank control group.One hundred differential genes were screened by tran-scriptome sequencing,which were mainly involved in fatty acid elongation,central carbon metabolism of cancer,tryptophan metabolism pathways.Molecular docking showed that SalB had good binding energy to differential proteins.The mRNA and protein expression of core differential genes Elovl6,Echs1 and Acot1 were consistent with the transcriptome sequencing results.SalB reduced fatty acidsafter OGD/R injury.Mende-lian randomization experiments suggested that SalB might reduce the risk of heart failure through fatty acid metabolism,thereby reducing the risk of heart failure.Conclusion SalB can protect H9c2 cardiomyocytes after OGD/R injury by down-regulating Elovl6,Echs1 and Acot1 expression through the fatty acid metabolism pathway.

Progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) is a progressive and lethal condition with few effective treatment options. Improvements in quality of life for patients with PPF remain limited even while receiving treatment with approved antifibrotic drugs. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the potential to improve cough, dyspnea and fatigue symptoms of patients with PPF. TCM treatments are typically diverse and individualized, requiring urgent development of efficient and precise design strategies to identify effective treatment options. We designed an innovative Bayesian adaptive two-stage trial, hoping to provide new ideas for the rapid evaluation of the effectiveness of TCM in PPF. An open-label, two-stage, adaptive Bayesian randomized controlled trial will be conducted in China. Based on Bayesian methods, the trial will employ response-adaptive randomization to allocate patients to study groups based on data collected over the course of the trial. The adaptive Bayesian trial design will employ a Bayesian hierarchical model with "stopping" and "continuation" criteria once a predetermined posterior probability of superiority or futility and a decision threshold are reached. The trial can be implemented more efficiently by sharing the master protocol and organizational management mechanisms of the sub-trial we have implemented. The primary patient-reported outcome is a change in the Leicester Cough Questionnaire score, reflecting an improvement in cough-specific quality of life. The adaptive Bayesian trial design may be a promising method to facilitate the rapid clinical evaluation of TCM effectiveness for PPF, and will provide an example for how to evaluate TCM effectiveness in rare and refractory diseases. However, due to the complexity of the trial implementation, sufficient simulation analysis by professional statistical analysts is required to construct a Bayesian response-adaptive randomization procedure for timely response. Moreover, detailed standard operating procedures need to be developed to ensure the feasibility of the trial implementation. Please cite this article as: Zhang C, Nie YS, Zhang CT, Yang HJ, Zhang HR, Xiao W, Cui GF, Li J, Li SJ, Huang QS, Yan SY. An adaptive Bayesian randomized controlled trial of traditional Chinese medicine in progressive pulmonary fibrosis: Rationale and study design. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(2): 138-145.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Bayes Theorem ; Disease Progression ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Pulmonary Fibrosis/therapy* ; Quality of Life ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Research Design ; Adaptive Clinical Trials as Topic