OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic potential of pseudolaric acid B (PAB) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its underlying molecular mechanism in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice (n=32) were fed either a normal chow diet (NCD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. The HFD mice were divided into 3 groups according to a simple random method, including HFD, PAB low-dose [10 mg/(kg·d), PAB-L], and PAB high-dose [20 mg/(kg·d), PAB-H] groups. After 8 weeks of treatment, glucose metabolism and insulin resistance were assessed by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT). Biochemical assays were used to measure the serum and cellular levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). White adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT) and liver tissue were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining or Oil Red O staining to observe the alterations in adipose tissue and liver injury. PharmMapper and DisGeNet were used to predict the NAFLD-related PAB targets. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) pathway involvement was suggested by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and search tool Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) analyses. Luciferase reporter assay, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), and drug affinity responsive target stability assay (DARTS) were conducted to confirm direct binding of PAB with PPARα. Molecular dynamics simulations were applied to further validate target engagement. RT-qPCR and Western blot were performed to assess the downstream genes and proteins expression, and validated by PPARα inhibitor MK886. RESULTS: PAB significantly reduced serum TC, TG, LDL-C, AST, and ALT levels, and increased HDL-C level in HFD mice (P<0.01). Target prediction analysis indicated a significant correlation between PAB and PPARα pathway. PAB direct target binding with PPARα was confirmed through luciferase reporter assay, CETSA, and DARTS (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The target engagement between PAB and PPARα protein was further confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations and the top 3 amino acid residues, LEU321, MET355, and PHE273 showed the most significant changes in mutational energy. Subsequently, PAB upregulated the genes expressions involved in lipid metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis downstream of PPARα (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Significantly, the PPARα inhibitor MK886 effectively reversed the lipid-lowering and PPARα activation properties of PAB (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION PAB mitigates lipid accumulation, ameliorates liver damage, and improves mitochondrial biogenesis by binding with PPARα, thus presenting a potential candidate for pharmaceutical development in the treatment of NAFLD.
Animals ; PPAR alpha/metabolism* ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/pathology* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects* ; Diterpenes/therapeutic use* ; Organelle Biogenesis ; Diet, High-Fat ; Humans ; Mice ; Liver/metabolism* ; Insulin Resistance ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Molecular Docking Simulation

Objective:To investigate the correlation between carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity(cfPWV)and carotid artery structural,hemodynamic,and cardiac functional parameters.Methods:A total of 420 healthy volunteers who underwent neck ultrasound,cardiac ultrasound,and cfPWV examination at Kailuan General Hospital from June 2022 to February 2023 were selected,and they were divided into two groups based on the atherosclerosis threshold value of cfPWV>10 m/s,which included high cfPWV group(140 cases,cfPWV>10 m/s)and low cfPWV group(280 cases,cfPWV≤10 m/s).The demographic data(age,sex)of 420 persons were collected,and the common carotid artery diameter(CCAD),common carotid artery intima-media thickness(CIMT),plaque status,peak systolic velocity(PSV),end-diastolic velocity(EDV)and mean flow velocity(MFV)were compared between two groups.Then,the differences of interventricular septal thickness(IVST)of heart,left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWT),the ratio of blood flow velocity at early stage to that at advanced stage in mitral valve(E/A)and stroke volume(SV)were analyzed.Multivariate logistic regression was adopted to analyze the independent influence factors of cfPWV enhancement.Results:The average age of high cfPWV group was(61.31±9.66)years old,which was significantly higher than(51.06±10.47)years old of low cfPWV group,and the difference of that was significant(t=-9.56,P<0.01).In the parameters of common carotid artery,63 persons(45.0%)occurred plaque in 140 persons of high cfPWV group,which was significantly lower than 50 persons(17.86%)in 280 persons of low cfPWV group,and the difference of that between two groups was significant(x2=34.97,P<0.05).The differences of CCAD,CIMT,PSV,EDV and MV of common carotid artery at right side of persons between two groups were significant(t=-2.16,-5.40,4.52,5.59,5.04,P<0.05),respectively.The parameters of heart showed that the LVPWT thickness increased(9.35±1.13)mm,and the ratio of E/A<1 increased 77.86%in high cfPWV group,which were significantly related to the increase of cfPWV(r=0.27,0.38,P<0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age(OR=1.05,95%CI:1.02-1.08),CCAD(OR=1.63,95%CI:1.22-2.16),plaque presence(OR=1.84,95%CI:1.07-3.17),LVPWT(OR=1.35,95%CI:1.05-1.72),and the ratio of E/A<1(OR=2.37,95%CI:1.32-4.26)were independent predictors of cfPWV enhancement.Conclusion:The enhancement of cfPWV is closely related to high age,the reconstruction of common carotid artery(widening of inside diameter,and plaque formation),left ventricular hypertrophy,and diastolic abnormality,which indicates it is possible that atherosclerosis process accompanies by the change of interaction mechanism of blood vessels-heart.

Objective:To construct a nursing norm for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults, so as to provide a reference for improving the nursing care of adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.Methods:The first draft was developed through literature search and expert discussion. From September to October 2023, 16 experts were selected using the Delphi method to conduct two rounds of expert consultation on the first draft, and the final draft was revised with reference to the experts' comments. The expert positivity coefficient was expressed as the effective recovery rate of the questionnaire, and the degree of expert authority was evaluated with the authority coefficient, and the degree of harmonization of expert opinions was assessed with the Kendall's harmony coefficient.Results:Literature search screened a total of four guidelines and five expert consensus. In the two rounds of consultation, the effective recovery rates of the questionnaires were all 100% (16/16), and the expert authority coefficients were all 0.900, and the Kendall's harmony coefficients of the overall indicators were 0.581 and 0.666, respectively (both P<0.01). The final constructed nursing norm for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults included five primary indicators, 27 secondary indicators, and 17 tertiary indicators. Conclusions:The constructed nursing norm for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults is scientific, reliable and feasible, and can guide clinical nursing staff to carry out nursing care for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Objective:To optimize the anticoagulation monitoring process for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients by constructing an informatization module and evaluate its application effect.Methods:An informatization team was established, and based on literature review, an anticoagulation monitoring information sheet for ECMO patients was developed. Using a data-sharing architecture, existing hospital information management system, laboratory information management system, picture archiving and communication system, and ICU monitoring system were integrated to construct an ECMO anticoagulation monitoring informatization module with data sharing, real-time alerts, and information support functions. Clinical applications were observed for effect. A convenience sampling method was employed to select 60 ECMO patients treated in the ICU of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from October 2022 to September 2023. The patients admitted from October 2022 to March 2023 were designated as the control group ( n=30), using the conventional anticoagulation monitoring method; those admitted from April to September 2023 were designated as the experimental group ( n=30), using the anticoagulation monitoring informatization module. The anticoagulation monitoring timeliness rate, anticoagulant drug adjustment timeliness rate, and the incidence rates of thrombosis and bleeding were compared between the two groups. Results:The timeliness rate of anticoagulation monitoring and the timeliness rate of anticoagulant drug adjustment in the experimental group were (93.38±6.31) % and (91.90±4.71) %, respectively, which were higher than those in the control group (83.01±9.94) % and (83.49±12.83) %, with statistically significant differences (both P<0.01). The incidence rates of thrombosis and bleeding in the experimental group were 16.67% (5/30) and 26.67% (8/30), respectively, which were lower than those in the control group 40.00% (12/30) and 53.33% (16/30), with statistically significant differences (both P<0.05) . Conclusions:The optimized anticoagulation monitoring informatization process based on the anticoagulation monitoring informatization module demonstrates a good clinical application effect and can reduce the incidence of bleeding and thrombosis in ECMO patients.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity(cfPWV)and carotid artery structural,hemodynamic,and cardiac functional parameters.Methods:A total of 420 healthy volunteers who underwent neck ultrasound,cardiac ultrasound,and cfPWV examination at Kailuan General Hospital from June 2022 to February 2023 were selected,and they were divided into two groups based on the atherosclerosis threshold value of cfPWV>10 m/s,which included high cfPWV group(140 cases,cfPWV>10 m/s)and low cfPWV group(280 cases,cfPWV≤10 m/s).The demographic data(age,sex)of 420 persons were collected,and the common carotid artery diameter(CCAD),common carotid artery intima-media thickness(CIMT),plaque status,peak systolic velocity(PSV),end-diastolic velocity(EDV)and mean flow velocity(MFV)were compared between two groups.Then,the differences of interventricular septal thickness(IVST)of heart,left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWT),the ratio of blood flow velocity at early stage to that at advanced stage in mitral valve(E/A)and stroke volume(SV)were analyzed.Multivariate logistic regression was adopted to analyze the independent influence factors of cfPWV enhancement.Results:The average age of high cfPWV group was(61.31±9.66)years old,which was significantly higher than(51.06±10.47)years old of low cfPWV group,and the difference of that was significant(t=-9.56,P<0.01).In the parameters of common carotid artery,63 persons(45.0%)occurred plaque in 140 persons of high cfPWV group,which was significantly lower than 50 persons(17.86%)in 280 persons of low cfPWV group,and the difference of that between two groups was significant(x2=34.97,P<0.05).The differences of CCAD,CIMT,PSV,EDV and MV of common carotid artery at right side of persons between two groups were significant(t=-2.16,-5.40,4.52,5.59,5.04,P<0.05),respectively.The parameters of heart showed that the LVPWT thickness increased(9.35±1.13)mm,and the ratio of E/A<1 increased 77.86%in high cfPWV group,which were significantly related to the increase of cfPWV(r=0.27,0.38,P<0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age(OR=1.05,95%CI:1.02-1.08),CCAD(OR=1.63,95%CI:1.22-2.16),plaque presence(OR=1.84,95%CI:1.07-3.17),LVPWT(OR=1.35,95%CI:1.05-1.72),and the ratio of E/A<1(OR=2.37,95%CI:1.32-4.26)were independent predictors of cfPWV enhancement.Conclusion:The enhancement of cfPWV is closely related to high age,the reconstruction of common carotid artery(widening of inside diameter,and plaque formation),left ventricular hypertrophy,and diastolic abnormality,which indicates it is possible that atherosclerosis process accompanies by the change of interaction mechanism of blood vessels-heart.

Objective:To construct a nursing norm for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults, so as to provide a reference for improving the nursing care of adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.Methods:The first draft was developed through literature search and expert discussion. From September to October 2023, 16 experts were selected using the Delphi method to conduct two rounds of expert consultation on the first draft, and the final draft was revised with reference to the experts' comments. The expert positivity coefficient was expressed as the effective recovery rate of the questionnaire, and the degree of expert authority was evaluated with the authority coefficient, and the degree of harmonization of expert opinions was assessed with the Kendall's harmony coefficient.Results:Literature search screened a total of four guidelines and five expert consensus. In the two rounds of consultation, the effective recovery rates of the questionnaires were all 100% (16/16), and the expert authority coefficients were all 0.900, and the Kendall's harmony coefficients of the overall indicators were 0.581 and 0.666, respectively (both P<0.01). The final constructed nursing norm for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults included five primary indicators, 27 secondary indicators, and 17 tertiary indicators. Conclusions:The constructed nursing norm for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults is scientific, reliable and feasible, and can guide clinical nursing staff to carry out nursing care for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Objective:To optimize the anticoagulation monitoring process for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients by constructing an informatization module and evaluate its application effect.Methods:An informatization team was established, and based on literature review, an anticoagulation monitoring information sheet for ECMO patients was developed. Using a data-sharing architecture, existing hospital information management system, laboratory information management system, picture archiving and communication system, and ICU monitoring system were integrated to construct an ECMO anticoagulation monitoring informatization module with data sharing, real-time alerts, and information support functions. Clinical applications were observed for effect. A convenience sampling method was employed to select 60 ECMO patients treated in the ICU of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from October 2022 to September 2023. The patients admitted from October 2022 to March 2023 were designated as the control group ( n=30), using the conventional anticoagulation monitoring method; those admitted from April to September 2023 were designated as the experimental group ( n=30), using the anticoagulation monitoring informatization module. The anticoagulation monitoring timeliness rate, anticoagulant drug adjustment timeliness rate, and the incidence rates of thrombosis and bleeding were compared between the two groups. Results:The timeliness rate of anticoagulation monitoring and the timeliness rate of anticoagulant drug adjustment in the experimental group were (93.38±6.31) % and (91.90±4.71) %, respectively, which were higher than those in the control group (83.01±9.94) % and (83.49±12.83) %, with statistically significant differences (both P<0.01). The incidence rates of thrombosis and bleeding in the experimental group were 16.67% (5/30) and 26.67% (8/30), respectively, which were lower than those in the control group 40.00% (12/30) and 53.33% (16/30), with statistically significant differences (both P<0.05) . Conclusions:The optimized anticoagulation monitoring informatization process based on the anticoagulation monitoring informatization module demonstrates a good clinical application effect and can reduce the incidence of bleeding and thrombosis in ECMO patients.

Objective To analyze the characteristics and risk factors of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in patients receiving veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(V-V ECMO)treatment.Methods Clinical data of 141 patients who received V-V ECMO treatment in the intensive care unit(ICU)of a tertiary first-class hos-pital in Qingdao from January 2019 to November 2023 were collected.Patients were divided into the infection group and non-infection group based on whether HAI occurred.Characteristics of HAI were analyzed,risk factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.Results Among 141 V-V ECMO patients,inci-dence of HAI was 37.59％(n=53).A total of 81 strains of pathogens were isolated from patients in the infection group,Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 56.79％(n=46),mainly Acinetobacter baumannii,which was up to 28.39％(carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baurnannii[CRAB]accounted for 16.05％).The main type of HAI in V-V ECMO patients was pulmonary infection alone(54.72％),followed by bloodstream infection alone(20.75％),multi-site infection accounted for 22.64％.Univariate analysis result showed that compared with the non-infection group,there were statistically significant differences in the history of immunosuppressive agents use,ICU transfer history,surgical history,fiberbronchoscopy,renal replacement therapy,duration of ICU stay,duration of tracheal intubation and/or tracheotomy,duration of urinary catheterization,duration of gastric tube placement,duration of central venous catheterization,duration of antimicrobial use,and duration of V-V ECMO support(all P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis result showed that ICU transfer history and fiberbronchoscopy were inde-pendent risk factors for HAI in V-V ECMO patients(OR=6.850,4.643,respectively,both P＜0.05).Conclusion Hospitals should take effective prevention and control measures based on the characteristics and related risk factors of HAI in patients receiving V-V ECMO treatment to reduce the occurrence of HAI.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) deep learning artificial intelligence (AI) analysis system combined with 68Ga-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET for prostate cancer. Methods:Data of 103 patients (age: 45-85 years) who underwent 68Ga-PSMA PET/MR at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from May 2018 to October 2023 for suspected or confirmed prostate cancer were retrospectively collected. ROI was delineated to measure SUV max of primary tumor or prostate, and a deep learning AI system was applied to analyze MR images of the prostate. The diagnostic efficacies of T 2 weighted imaging (WI), diffusion WI (DWI), mpMRI, PET SUV max, and PET/MR for prostate cancer were assessed, with using the pathological results as the gold standard. Results:Among 103 patients, 82 cases (79.61%) were with prostate cancer. PET unimodality demonstrated the best specificity (100%, 21/21), positive predictive value (100%, 58/58), and AUC (0.860, 95% CI: 0.777-0.920). The mpMRI AI analysis provided rapid diagnostic results and the sensitivity and accuracy were improved by combining with PET (sensitivities of PET, mpMRI and the combination of the two were 70.73%(58/82), 86.59%(71/82), and 92.68%(76/82), respectively; the accuracies were 76.70%(79/103), 81.55%(84/103) and 86.41%(89/103), respectively). Among 44 patients with negative PET, 30 patients received an accurate diagnosis when the results of mpMRI AI analysis were added. Conclusions:68Ga-PSMA PET demonstrates good specificity for prostate cancer and mpMRI AI analysis is time-saving. The combined application improves the diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy, which provides a valuable tool for 68Ga-PSMA PET/MR image analysis.

Objective:To investigate the related risk factors of surgical appendectomy after endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) in children.Methods:From September 2019 to November 2023 at the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University,the data from all related children with appendectomy after ERAT were analyzed. The general situation and main clinical manifestations of the children were collected. According to the effect of ERAT,the patients were divided into transfer to surgical group and appendicitis recurrence group by the reasons and time of transfer to surgical treatment. The indexes such as ERAT and reoperation process and pathological types of appendix after operation were collected,and the clinical experience was summarized.Results:Among the 242 children who underwent ERAT,32 cases underwent appendectomy again,including 19 males and 13 females,with an average age of（9.16±2.77）years,and the reoperation rate was 13.2%. The clinical manifestation was abdominal pain (32 cases,100.0%),mainly right lower abdominal pain (28 cases,87.5%),and the main duration was less than 3 months (30 cases,93.8%). Abdominal ultrasound or CT before ERAT mainly indicated appendicitis (11 cases,34.4%) and appendicitis complicated with appendiceal calculus (11 cases,34.4%). There were 9 children in transferred to surgical group,of which 5 cases were transferred to surgery because of ERAT intubation failure,and 4 cases were transferred to surgery because of appendix perforation or abscess. Postoperative pathology showed acute suppurative appendicitis in 5 cases and acute gangrenous appendicitis in 4 cases. There were 23 children in appendicitis recurrence group,whose abdominal pain was relieved after ERAT,but their symptoms were repeated after discharge. After clinical evaluation,they were diagnosed as recurrent appendicitis and underwent surgical appendectomy. Most of them were reoperated within 6 months after ERAT (21 cases,91.3%).Postoperative pathology was mainly chronic appendicitis (10 cases,43.5%).Conclusion:Acute suppurative appendicitis and acute gangrenous appendicitis are prone to catheterization or endoscopic failure during ERAT,and there is a high risk of surgical transfer. ERAT may relieve the symptoms of chronic appendicitis in children. If the symptoms are repeated,surgery is still needed to remove the appendix.