Objective: To characterize perioperative dynamic changes in immune-cell phenotypes and inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass) cardiac surgery, and to explore their associations with postoperative outcomes. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 120 adult patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery under CPB at West China Hospital from May 2022 to March 2023 were enrolled. Perioperative immune-cell phenotypes and concentrations of 40 inflammation-related cytokines were measured. The primary outcomes were the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at 24 h after surgery and ΔSOFA (the peak SOFA score within 48 h after surgery minus the preoperative SOFA score). Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), acute kidney injury (AKI), respiratory failure, severe liver injury, and infection. Results: The mean age of enrolled patients was 57±10 years. Of these, 52% (62/120) were male and 90% (108/120) underwent valve surgery. During the rewarming to the end of CPB, neutrophil counts rapidly increased (7.39×10 /L vs preoperative 3.07×10 /L, P<0.001), with significant upregulation of CD11b (7.30×10 /L vs preoperative 3.05×10 /L, P<0.001) and CD54 (7.15×10 /L vs preoperative 2.99×10 /L, P<0.001). Lymphocyte counts increased at the end of CPB (1.75×10 /L vs preoperative 1.12×10 /L, P<0.001) but decreased significantly at 24 h after surgery (0.59×10 /L vs preoperative 1.12×10 /L, P<0.001). Plasma analysis showed that multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines increased during CPB and remained elevated up to 24 h after surgery; five chemokines and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 peaked at the end of CPB. The SOFA score increased from 1 (1, 2) preoperatively to 7 (5, 10) at 24 h after surgery, with a ΔSOFA of 6 (4, 8). Within 30 days after surgery, 48 patients (40.0%) developed AKI, 17 (14.2%) developed infection, 4 (3.3%) developed severe liver injury, 3 (2.5%) developed respiratory failure, and 3 (2.5%) experienced MACE. During the 2-year follow-up, 8 patients (6.7%) experienced MACE and 5 (4.2%) died. Conclusion: Multi-organ dysfunction is common after cardiac surgery under CPB (median ΔSOFA, 6), accompanied by perioperative activation of multiple immune-cell subsets and upregulation of pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and chemotactic mediators. This study provides data-driven evidence and research clues for further investigation of the associations between CPB-related immune perturbations and postoperative organ dysfunction and clinical outcomes.

This article systematically reviews the current research status as well as diagnosis and treatment strategies of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） for gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD）. Studies demonstrate that TCM， based on the "disease-syndrome combination" approach， exhibits multi-target advantages in alleviating symptoms of various GERD subtypes， promoting mucosal repair， regulating emotions， and facilitating the reduction of western medication. To address clinical challenges such as symptom overlap and limited therapeutic efficacy， strategies have been proposed including "treating different diseases with the same method" and integrated regulation based on viscera correlation. Future efforts should focus on elucidating the mechanisms of compound prescriptions， promoting TCM drug development under the "three-combination" evaluation framework that integrates TCM theory， human experience and clinical trial evidence， and optimizing integrated traditional and western medicine models to enhance GERD management.

OBJECTIVE To formulate the Expert Consensus on the Implementation and Management of Drug Selection for Centralized Volume-Based Procurement in Medical Institutions of Guangxi （hereinafter referred to as the “ Consensus ”）， and to provide decision-making support and practical guidance for the drug selection and management of centralized volume-based procurement （hereinafter referred to as “centralized procurement”） drugs in medical institutions at all levels in Guangxi. METHODS A systematic review was conducted on the materials from previous batches of centralized procurement implemented in Guangxi. A comprehensive search was carried out for drug-related works and books， along with a systematic collation of guidelines on drug selection， expert consensus on centralized procurement， and policy documents. Through three rounds of specialized seminars， combined with existing evidence-based data and the practical drug selection experiences of medical institutions at various levels， this Consensus was formulated after thorough discussion and successive rounds of revision. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS The Consensus systematically outlines the three key stages in the implementation of centralized procurement in medical institutions： procurement volume reporting， confirmation of agreed procurement volume， and procurement and usage implementation. It proposes drug selection strategies for centralized procurement bas ed on multiple dimensions， including specifications， dosage forms， packaging materials， fill volume， and manufacturing enterprises. In response to practical challenges encountered in the selection process， corresponding countermeasures are proposed， such as establishing a regularized information reserve mechanism， strengthening information technology support， and implementing categorized selection approaches. The Consensus advocates for medical institutions to construct an integrated “policy， data， and quality” decision-making system to promote full-cycle management of centralized procurement. This Consensus will provide scientific and practical guidance for medical institutions at all levels in Guangxi in the drug selection of centralized procurement， facilitating the smooth implementation and sustainable development of centralized procurement policies at the institutional level.

AIM: To explore the risk factors for postoperative anterior chamber exudation in cataract patients and construct a nomogram prediction model.METHODS: Retrospective study. From July 2019 to October 2024, 450 patients(467 eyes)with age-related cataract who underwent surgery in our hospital were collected as the study subjects. They were randomly grouped into a modeling group(315 cases, 327 eyes)and a validation group(135 cases, 140 eyes)roughly estimated at a 7:3 ratio using the random number table method. Both groups were separated into a non-exudative group and an exudative group based on whether anterior chamber exudation occurred after surgery. Clinical basic data was collected; multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors of anterior chamber exudation in patients with age-related cataract after surgery; R software was applied to draw a nomogram prediction model of anterior chamber exudation in patients with age-related cataract after surgery; the calibration curve and Hosmer Lemeshow(H-L)test were applied to evaluate the calibration of the column plot model in predicting the occurrence of anterior chamber exudation in patients with age-related cataract after surgery; ROC was applied to evaluate the efficacy of anterior chamber exudation in patients with age-related cataract after surgery.RESULTS:The clinical characteristics of the modeling group and the validation group were comparable. The high myopia, history of uveitis, preoperative intraocular pressure, lens nuclear grade, intraoperative cumulative dissipated energy, and intraoperative posterior capsular rupture of the lens were the influencing factors for postoperative anterior chamber exudation in patients with age-related cataract(all P<0.05). The results of the modeling group verifying the occurrence of anterior chamber exudation in patients with age-related cataract after surgery showed that the area under the ROC curve(AUC)was 0.986(95% CI: 0.966-0.996), the H-L test was χ2=6.494, P=0.592, indicating that the risk of anterior chamber exudation in patients with age-related cataract after surgery predicted by model had good consistency with actual risks, the AUC of postoperative anterior chamber exudation in patients with age-related cataract based on external validation was 0.982(95% CI: 0.960-0.994); and the H-L test suggested that the risk of anterior chamber exudation in CAT patients after surgery predicted by model had good consistency with actual risks(χ2=6.117, P=0.634).CONCLUSION:High myopia, history of uveitis, preoperative intraocular pressure, lens nuclear grade, intraoperative cumulative dissipated energy, and intraoperative posterior capsular rupture of the lens are risk factors for postoperative anterior chamber exudation in patients with age-related cataract; the nomogram prediction model constructed based on this has high predictive value, and can provide reference for individualized prevention of anterior chamber exudation in patients with age-related cataract after surgery.

Effective symptom management can alleviate the physical and psychological distress experienced by patients with cancer, improve quality of life, and contribute to treatment adherence and improve clinical outcomes. However, most existing guidelines are developed for healthcare professionals, and patients and the public have limited access to standardized and comprehensible guidance on symptom management. To address this gap and to facilitate effective communication and shared decision-making, this study proposes the development of a patient version of the cancer symptom management guideline. The development process will adhere to the methodological framework recommended by the Guidelines International Network and the World Health Organization. The GRADE approach will be employed to assess the certainty of evidence and to formulate recommendations. In addition, the process will be informed by the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Ⅱ (AGREE Ⅱ) instrument and the Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare-Public or Patient Versions of Guidelines (RIGHT-PVG). This protocol outlines the establishment of the guideline working group, the identification and prioritization of key questions, evidence retrieval and appraisal, and the formulation of recommendations, with the aim of ensuring methodological rigor and transparency in the development of the patient guideline and providing methodological reference for similar guideline initiatives.

Autophagy is a cellular self-degradation process that maintains homeostasis and has been shown to promote tumor progression in advanced stages.Pancreatic cancer cells and the surrounding stromal cells exhibit high levels of autophagy.Therefore,targeting au-tophagy has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.This review focuses on research targeting autophagy in pancreatic cancer treatment,elaborating on the roles and underlying mechanisms of autophagy in pancreatic cancer cell proliferation,metas-tasis,modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment,and drug resistance.Additional-ly,we summarize preclinical and clinical studies investigating autophagy-targeted therapies both as monotherapy and in combination with other treatments,aiming to provide new theo-retical rationale and therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer management.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic potential of serum Dickkopf-related protein 3(Dkk3)as a novel biomarker for sarcopenia in an elderly Chinese population by examining its correlation with muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function.Methods:The study included elderly individuals aged ≥60 years from the Health Examination Center of Jiangsu Provincial Hospital between 2021 and 2022, who had independent mobility and were free from acute diseases.Fat and muscle mass were measured using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry(DXA). Grip strength and chair stand test times were employed to assess upper and lower limb muscle strength, respectively.Physical function was evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery(SPPB). Serum Dkk3 concentration was measured using a human Dkk3 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)kit.Results:A total of 108 elderly participants(83 males)were included in the study, with an age range of 60 to 97 years(mean age: 70.6±10.8). Serum Dkk3 concentration was found to be negatively correlated with the skeletal muscle mass index(SMI)( R=-0.292, P=0.002), lower limb muscle mass( R=-0.320, P<0.001), upper limb muscle mass( R=-0.222, P=0.020), and hip muscle mass( R=-0.261, P=0.006). Functional assessments revealed negative correlations with grip strength( R=-0.204, P=0.035), 4-meter walking speed( R=-0.195, P=0.043), the three-position balance test( R=-0.245, P=0.011), and the SPPB score( R=-0.196, P=0.043). Regression analysis indicated that, after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index(BMI), and comorbidities, Dkk3 remained negatively associated with lower limb muscle mass( β=-0.197, P=0.012), hip muscle mass( β=-0.156, P=0.029), and the SPPB score( β=-0.001, P=0.013). The sarcopenia group exhibited a 55.6% higher serum Dkk3 level compared to the control group(76.68±37.62 ng/ml vs.49.27±25.88 ng/ml, P<0.001). Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC)curve analysis determined the optimal diagnostic threshold to be 80.08 ng/ml, with an area under the curve of 0.726, a sensitivity of 41.98%, and a specificity of 96.30% for detecting sarcopenia. Conclusions:Serum Dkk3 is closely associated with reduced muscle mass in the lower limbs and hips, as well as a decline in physical function, in elderly individuals with sarcopenia.Given its cost-effectiveness and clinical utility, serum Dkk3 shows potential as a meaningful biomarker for diagnosing sarcopenia in the elderly.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of baricitinib combined with ruxolitinib cream in the treatment of progressive nonsegmental vitiligo.Methods:Clinical data were retrospectively collected from patients with progressive nonsegmental vitiligo in Boao Super Hospital. All the patients were treated with oral baricitinib daily (2 mg/day for patients weighing ≤ 50 kg; 4 mg/day for those > 50 kg) in combination with topical application of ruxolitinib cream twice daily for 24 consecutive weeks. Disease severity was assessed using the facial vitiligo area scoring index (F-VASI) and total body VASI (T-VASI) at baseline, week 12, and week 24. Adverse reactions were monitored throughout the treatment course.Results:Six patients with progressive nonsegmental vitiligo were collected, including 3 males and 3 females, aged 26 - 42 years, with the disease duration ranging from 0.5 to 25 years. At week 12, 3 patients achieved a 50% ~ < 75% improvement in facial vitiligo lesions (F-VASI 50), 1 patient achieved F-VASI 75 (75% ~ < 90% improvement), and 1 patient achieved T-VASI 50; at week 24, 4 patients achieved F-VASI 50, 1 patient achieved F-VASI 75, 1 patient achieved F-VASI 90 (≥ 90% improvement), and 3 patients achieved T-VASI 50. During the treatment, upper respiratory infection occurred in 1 patient, acne in 1 patient, pruritus in 2 patients, elevation of total cholesterol levels in 2 patients, and increase of high-density lipoprotein levels in 2 patients. No severe adverse events were observed during the treatment.Conclusion:The combination therapy with baricitinib and ruxolitinib cream may have potential efficacy and safety in the treatment of progressive nonsegmental vitiligo.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Cai's gynecological nourishing kidney therapy for patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).Methods:A randomly controlled trail was conducted. A total of 63 patients with DOR who were treated in the gynecology outpatient clinic of Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2020 to January 2022 were set as observation subjects, and were divided into control group ( n=31) and observation group ( n=32) according to the random number table method. The patients in the control group were treated with Femoston, and the patients in the observation group were treated with Cai's gynecological nourishing kidney therapy on the basis of Femoston treatment. Both groups were treated for 3 menstrual cycles. Both antral follicle count (AFC) was performed by vaginal ultrasound, serum levels of TGF-β1, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6 and IL-21 were detected by ELISA, and serum levels of FSH, LH, E2, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and MDA were detected by biochemical methods. The TCM syndrome score was used to evaluate the severity of symptoms, and the menstrual score was used to evaluate the abnormal menstruation. Clinical efficacy was evaluated. Results:The total effective rate was 87.50% (28/32) in the observation group and 58.06% (18/31) in the control group, with statistical significance ( χ2=8.42, P=0.004). After treatment, the AFC in the observation group (3.93±2.32 vs. 2.21±2.18, t=3.03) was higher than that of the control group ( P<0.01). After treatment, the serum FSH level of the observation group [10.05 (8.35, 21.48) IU/L vs. 20.60 (8.00, 43.30) IU/L, Z=2.18] was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.05), and the level of AMH [0.19 (0.03, 0.47) μg/L vs. 0.02 (0.01, 0.24) μg/L, Z=-1.54] in the observation group was higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05). The serum levels of TGF-β1 [(68.27±11.76) ng/L vs. (55.33±13.03) ng/L, t=4.14] and IL-1β [(58.00±7.53) ng/L vs. (52.31±8.06) ng/L, t=2.89] in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, and the levels of IL-6 [(33.26±7.45) ng/L vs. (40.69±11.69) ng/L, t=3.02], the level of IL-21 [(118.37±15.56) ng/L vs. (140.43±25.51) ng/L, t=-4.04] was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.01). Conclusions:Cai's gynecological nourishing kidney therapy combined with Fenmaotong can effectively increase the AFC of DOR patients and improve clinical efficacy. Its mechanism of action may be related to reducing serum FSH and LH levels and increasing E2 levels.

Objective To analyze the predictive value of CT cerebral perfusion(CTP)combined with CT angiography(CTA)for the prognosis of patients with large atherosclerotic cerebral infarction.Methods A retrospective study was performed in 98 patients with large atherosclerotic cerebral infarction who were admitted to Haian People's Hospital from January 2021 to November 2024.There were 63 males and 56 females with a mean age of(57.26±5.03)years.The mean time from onset to admission was(4.89±0.69)h.There were 20 patients with a history of smoking.After admission,CTP and CTA were performed to evaluate relative cerebral blood volume(rCBV),relative cerebral blood flow(rCBF),relative mean transit time(rMTT),relative time to peak(rTTP),and CTA score.The prognosis was evaluated according to the modified Rankin scale(mRS)3 months after intravenous thrombolysis.Then the patients were assigned to good prognosis group(0-2 points)or poor prognosis group(3-6 points).The basic data and the parameters of CTP and CTA were compared between the two groups.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the CTP-and CTA-related influencing factors of poor prognosis in patients with large atherosclerotic cerebral infarction.Results During 3-month follow-up,poor prognosis was found in 30 patients(25.21%).The rCBV,rCBF and CTA scores of the poor prognosis group were significantly lower than those of the good prognosis group,while the National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score,rMTT and rTTP at admission in the good prognosis group were significantly higher than those in the good prognosis group(P<0.05).Logistic regression equation analysis(introduction level 0.05,exclusion level 0.10)showed that NIHSS score(OR=1.622,95%CI:1.258 to 2.093),rMTT level(OR=10.757,95%CI:2.847 to 40.640)and rTTP level(OR=14.774,95%CI:3.280 to 66.558)at admission were risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with large atherosclerotic cerebral infarction(P<0.05),while CTA score(OR=0.315,95%CI:0.163 to 0.608),rCBF level(OR=0.008,95%CI:0.001 to 0.109),and rCBV level(OR=0.016,95%CI:0.002 to 0.155)were protective factors for poor prognosis in these patients(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivities of CTA score,rCBF,rCBV,rMTT,and rTTP in predicting poor prognosis in patients with large atherosclerotic cerebral infarction were 79.2%,75.0%,70.8%,58.3%,and 83.3%,respectively;the specificities were 62.2%,64.9%,70.3%,72.0%,and 70.3%,respectively;their combination had a relatively high predictive value for poor prognosis(area under the curve was 0.863).Conclusion The combination of CTP and CTA has a relatively high value in predicting the prognosis of patients with large atherosclerotic cerebral infarction.