Objective To assess the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy(CIN)in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension(CTEPH)after receiving balloon pulmonary angioplasty(BPA),and to evaluate the effect of the contrast agents on renal function.Methods A total of 143 CTEPH patients,who received BPA at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital of China from December 2018 to May 2022,were enrolled in this study.The clinical data,hemodynamic indicators,and serum creatinine(SC)concentrations within one week before and 48-72 h after BPA were collected.The estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)was calculated according to the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease(MDRD)formula.The SC concentration and eGFR changes before and after each BPA procedure were compared.The incidence of CIN and its risk factors were evaluated,and the changes in hemodynamics,SC and eGFR after the initial and last time of BPA treatment were analyzed.Results A total of 192 BPA procedures were performed in 115 CTEPH patients,including 88 BPA procedures in males and 103 BPA procedures in females.The mean amount of contrast agent used for each BPA was(145.58±47.26)mL.After BPA,12 patients developed 13 times of CIN,with an incidence of 6.8％.There was no significant differences(P＞0.05)in the baseline characteristics and SC concentration before BPA between CIN patients and non-CIN patients.In terms of the hemodynamic indexes,the mixed venous oxygen saturation(SvO2)in CIN patients was significantly lower than that in non-CIN patients(58.58％±10.38％vs.66.15％±8.02％,P=0.002),and no statistically significant differences(P＞0.05)in the other hemodynamic indexes existed between CIN group and non-CIN group.No statistically significant differences in SC concentration and eGFR existed before and after each BPA procedure.In patients who had received several BPA procedures,significant improvements in the SC[(78.09±18.760)μmol/L vs.(82.26±21.37)μmol/L,P＜0.001]and eGFR[(86.08±21.22)mL/(min·1.73 m2)vs.(82.07±22.05)mL/(min·1.73 m2),P=0.007]was achieved when compared with their baseline values.Conclusion CTEPH patients may develop CIN after receiving BPA treatment.After receiving several BPA treatments the patient's clinical symptoms and hemodynamics can be improved,and the patient's renal function is also significantly improved.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Euryale ferox seed shell extract on oral ulcer in rats and its underlying mechanism. Methods The contents of polyphenols and flavonoids in Euryale ferox seed shells were determined by Folin-phenol assay and aluminum nitrate colorimetry, respectively. DPPH · , ABTS+· , · OH and · O2- scavenging experiments were performed to evaluate the antioxidant activities of Euryale ferox seed shell extract in vitro. In a rat model of oral ulcer induced by burning with glacial acetic acid, the therapeutic effect of Euryale ferox seed shell extract was assessed by detecting changes in serum levels of oxidative factors by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and observing pathological changes of the ulcerous mucosa using HE staining; the therapeutic mechanism of the extract was explored by detecting the expression levels of Keap1, Nrf2, Nes-Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins in ulcerous mucosa using Western blotting. Results The ethyl acetate extract of Euryale ferox seed shells contained 306.74±1.04 mg/g polyphenols and 23.43±0.61 mg/g flavonoids and had IC50 values for scavenging DPPH · and ABTS+· free radicals of 3.42 ± 0.97 μg/mL and 3.32 ± 0.90 μg/mL, respectively. In the rat models, the ethyl acetate extract significantly ameliorated oral mucosal ulcer, increased serum CAT level, and decreased serum MDA level. The protein expression levels of Nes-Nrf2 and HO-1 were increased and Keap1 protein expression was lowered significantly in the ulcerous mucosa of the rats after treatment with the extract (P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusion The therapeutic effect of Euryale ferox seed shell extract on oral ulcers in rats is mediated probably by activation of the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Euryale ferox seed shell extract on oral ulcer in rats and its underlying mechanism. Methods The contents of polyphenols and flavonoids in Euryale ferox seed shells were determined by Folin-phenol assay and aluminum nitrate colorimetry, respectively. DPPH · , ABTS+· , · OH and · O2- scavenging experiments were performed to evaluate the antioxidant activities of Euryale ferox seed shell extract in vitro. In a rat model of oral ulcer induced by burning with glacial acetic acid, the therapeutic effect of Euryale ferox seed shell extract was assessed by detecting changes in serum levels of oxidative factors by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and observing pathological changes of the ulcerous mucosa using HE staining; the therapeutic mechanism of the extract was explored by detecting the expression levels of Keap1, Nrf2, Nes-Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins in ulcerous mucosa using Western blotting. Results The ethyl acetate extract of Euryale ferox seed shells contained 306.74±1.04 mg/g polyphenols and 23.43±0.61 mg/g flavonoids and had IC50 values for scavenging DPPH · and ABTS+· free radicals of 3.42 ± 0.97 μg/mL and 3.32 ± 0.90 μg/mL, respectively. In the rat models, the ethyl acetate extract significantly ameliorated oral mucosal ulcer, increased serum CAT level, and decreased serum MDA level. The protein expression levels of Nes-Nrf2 and HO-1 were increased and Keap1 protein expression was lowered significantly in the ulcerous mucosa of the rats after treatment with the extract (P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusion The therapeutic effect of Euryale ferox seed shell extract on oral ulcers in rats is mediated probably by activation of the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Objective　To elucidate the molecular characteristics of two Acinetobacter baumannii strains producing NDM-1, OXA-23, and OXA-51 carbapenemases through whole genome sequencing technology, explore the mechanism of drug resistance, evolutionary pathways, and transmission potential, and provide data support for the formulation of clinical infection control strategies. Methods　Two strains of Acinetobacter baumannii producing class B and class D carbapenemases, sourced from the ICU environment of two hospitals in Shanghai, were selected as study subjects. Next-generation sequencing technology was used to obtain the whole genome sequences of the strains. The whole genome map of the strains was drawn based on GCskew and Prokka tools on the Proksee website. Drug susceptibility experiments and BacWGSTdb 2.0 online analysis platform were used to screen for drug resistance genes to analyze the drug resistance of strains. Virulence genes, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), capsule serotype, and plasmid migration were evaluated based on the VFDB database, PubMLST database, OriTfinder, Kptive, and other tools, and an evolutionary tree was drawn by Neighbor-Joining method. Results　Whole genome data showed that both strains belong to ST164_Pasteur/ST1418_Oxford-KL47/OCL5 type. All of them carry seven resistance genes (blaADC-25, blaCARB-5, blaCARB-16, blaCARB-49, blaNDM-1, blaOXA-23, blaOXA-91) and non-mobile plasmids. They possess 45 virulence genes related to outer membrane proteins and efflux pumps and are closely related to 5 strains from Malaysia and China (Changsha, Nanchang, and Hangzhou). Conclusions　For the first time, the coexistence of OXA-23, OXA-51, NDM-1 producing Acinetobacter baumannii has been detected in the ICU environment in Shanghai, potentially posing a serious threat to public health. It is necessary to strengthen the monitoring and research of such strains to develop effective prevention and control strategies.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the inhibitory effect of Danshen Injection on endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) induced by peritoneal dialysis fluid in HMrSV5 cells and the role of the TGF‑β/Smad signaling pathway in mediating this effect. METHODS: HMrSV5 cells cultured in 40% peritoneal dialysis solution for 72 h to induce EndMT were treated with 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.5% Danshen Injection. CCK-8 assay was used to assess the changes in viability of the treated cells, and the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the cell supernatant were detected using ELISA; Western blotting was performed to detect the protein expressions of E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), p-Smad 2/3, and Smad 7 in the cells. RESULTS: Culture in 40% peritoneal dialysis fluid for 72 induced significant EndMT in HMrSV5 cells, which exhibited obviously lowered cell viability. Danshen Injection within the concentration range of 0.025%-1.5% did not significantly affect the viability of the cells. Exposure of HMrSV5 cells to peritoneal dialysis fluid for 72 h significantly increased the production of IL-6, TNF‑α, TGF‑β and VEGF, upregulated the protein expressions of α‑SMA and p-Smad 2/3, and lowered the expressions of E-cadherin and Smad7 proteins. Treatment of the exposed cells with Danshen injection significantly increased cell viability and cellular expressions of E-cadherin and Smad 7 proteins and reduced the production of IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β and VEGF and the protein expressions of α‑SMA and p-Smad 2/3. CONCLUSIONS Danshen Injection can suppress peritoneal dialysis fluid-induced EndMT in HMrSV5 cells possibly by regulating the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.
Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism* ; Humans ; Peritoneal Dialysis/adverse effects* ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects* ; Smad Proteins/metabolism* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Cadherins/metabolism* ; Actins/metabolism* ; Dialysis Solutions ; Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Dendrobium polysaccharides on the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/nuclear factor （NF）-κB pathway in 16HBE cells exposed to cigarette smoke extract （CSE）. MethodThe 16HBE cells were classified into the control， CSE， and CSE+ Dendrobium polysaccharides （100， 200， 400 mg·L^-1） groups. The cell-counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay was employed to measure the cell viability， and a microscope was used to observe the cell morphology. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of interleukin （IL）-8， IL-1β， IL-4， IL-13， and transforming growth factor （TGF）-β in cell culture supernatants. Real-time PCR was carried out to determine the mRNA levels of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， and IL-4. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of interleukin-4 receptor （IL-4R）， TLR4， myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 （MyD88）， NF-κB， phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB （p-NF-κB）， and nucleoproteins nuclear factor-κB （NEs-NF-κB）. The immunofluorescence assay was employed to measure the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. ResultCompared with the control group， the CSE group showed elevated levels of IL-8， IL-1β， IL-4， IL-13， and TGF-β in the cell culture supernatants （P<0.05， P<0.01）， up-regulated expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， p-NF-κB， NEs-NF-κB， and IL-4 （P<0.01）， and significant nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Compared with the CSE group， Dendrobium polysaccharides increased the cell survival rate， recovered the cell activity， lowered the levels of IL-8， IL-1β， IL-4， IL-13， and TGF-β， down-regulated the expression of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， p-NF-κB， NEs-NF-κB， and IL-4 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and reduced the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. ConclusionDendrobium polysaccharides showed significant protective effects on the 16HBE cells exposed to CSE by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To determine the in vitro recovery rate and influencing factors of cefradine microdialysis. Methods Two different methods (loss method, gain method) of microdialysis concentration and LC-MS/MS were used to determine the in vitro recovery rate of cefradine. The effect of flow rate and concentration of the perfusate on the recovery rate were investigated. To explore the feasibility of microdialysis technology for pharmacokinetic studies in cefradine. Results The LC-MS/MS analysis method was linear in the required range and the method was sensitive and reliable. There was no significant difference in the recovery rate measured by gain or loss method. Under the same conditions, the in vitro recovery of the probe decreased with increasing flow rate, independent of the drug concentration around the probe. Conclusion Microdialysis technique could be used to study the pharmacokinetics of cefradine, and loss method could be used to determine the in vivo recovery rate and pharmacokinetics of cefradine on microdialysis.

TSCI have dyskinesia and sensory disturbance that can cause various life-threaten complications. The patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI), seriously affecting the quality of life of patients. Based on the epidemiology of TSCI and domestic and foreign literatures as well as expert investigations, this expert consensus reviews the definition, injury classification, rehabilitation assessment, rehabilitation strategies and rehabilitation measures of TSCI so as to provide early standardized rehabilitation treatment methods for TSCI.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of pulmonary hypertension(PH) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and study the related risk factors.Methods Patients with stable COPD enrolled in this study,undergoing examinations including full pulmonary function tests (PFT),6-minute walk distance (6MWD),Exercise Oxyhemoglobin,Saint.George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) and transthoracic echocardiography.Pulmonary artery systolic pressure (sPAP) ≥ 36 mmHg(1 mmHg =0.133 kPa) was defined as PH.Results A total of 251 patients were finally evaluable in this study.The frequency of PH was 55.4％ (139/251) in patients with stable COPD.Significant differences were seen between patients with PH and without PH respectively in the following factors (mean P ＜0.05):proportion of age ≥ 60 years (69.8％ vs 57.1％),forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)(％ predicted) [(47.5±8.2)％ vs(61.2±10.2)％ and(49.8±7.9)％ vs(66.4±11.3)％],sPAP [(41.9 ± 9.1) mmHg vs (28.2 ± 3.2) mmHg],exercise oxyhemoglobin desaturation [(-5.5 ± 3.2) ％ vs(-2.2 ± 1.2) ％],6MWD [(316.0 ± 55.2) m vs(390.0 ±75.2) m].The following variables were negatively correlated with sPAP:6MWD (r =-0.330,P =0.003),FEV1 (％ predicted) (r =-0.210,P =0.024 and r =-0.130,P =0.012,respectively).The following variables were positively correlated with sPAP:age(r =0.560,P =0.031),exercise oxyhemoglobin desaturation ＞ 3％ (r =0.540,P =0.001).Logistic regression test has showed that age≥ 60 years,exercise oxygen desaturation ＞ 3％,FEV1 (％ predicted) ＜ 50％,6MWD ＜ 350 m were risk factors for PH in COPD.Conclusion The incidence of PH in COPD increases with age,yet the performance of lung function and the activity of endurance decrease in elder patients.Sixty years or older,exercise oxygen desaturation ＞ 3％,FEV1 (％ predicted) ＜ 50％,6MWD ＜ 350 m are risk factors of PH in COPD.Echocardiography or right heart catheterization when needed should be considered to confirm the diagnosis.