Objective To improve the national standardized method for determining biphenyl in workplace air, which was based on activated carbon tube sampling, carbon disulfide desorption, and gas chromatography, by developing a method using GDX-502 tubes for sampling, toluene for desorption, and gas chromatography. Methods Workplace air samples were collected using GDX-502 sampling tubes and desorbed with toluene, followed by determination with gas chromatography. Results The improved method demonstrated good linearity for biphenyl concentrations ranging from 0.33 to 330.00 mg/L, with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 9. The detection limit and lower limit of quantification were 0.06 and 0.21 mg/L, and the minimum detection concentration and minimum quantification concentration were 0.04 and 0.14 mg/m³ (based on 1.5 L air sample volume), respectively. The average desorption efficiency ranged from 96.6% to 101.1%. The within-run and between-run relative standard deviations were 0.6%-1.4% and 1.4%-3.3%, respectively, with 100.0% sampling efficiency. Samples remained stable for at least 14 days at room temperature. Conclusion The improved method for biphenyl detection demonstrates rapid and accurate performance, with the advantages of low detection limits and high sampling and desorption efficiency.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the efficacy of DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy for management of cancer pain and provide reference for its standardized clinical application. Methods and. RESULTS: Recommendations were formulated based on literature review and expert group discussion, and consensus was reached following expert consultation. The consensus recommendations are comprehensive, covering the entire treatment procedures from preoperative assessment and preparation, surgical operation process, postoperative management and traditional Chinese medicine treatment to individualized treatment planning. The study results showed that the treatment plans combining traditional Chinese with Western medicine effectively alleviated cancer pain, reduced the use of opioid drugs, and significantly improved the quality of life and enhanced immune function of the patients. Postoperative follow-up suggested good treatment tolerance among the patients without serious complications. CONCLUSIONS The formulated consensus is comprehensive and can provide reference for clinicians to use DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy. The combined treatment has a high clinical value with a good safety profile for management of cancer pain.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Cancer Pain/therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Pain Management/methods* ; China

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the molecular mechanism by which Lichong Xiaozheng Granules (LCXZ) sensitize ovarian cancer to cisplatin (DDP) treatment. METHODS: LC-MS analysis was used to identify the blood components of LCXZ after its administration in mice via gavage. In a BALB/c mouse model bearing subcutaneous ovarian cancer xenografts, the effects of daily gavage of distilled water (control group), intraperitoneal injection of DDP (5 mg/kg) once a week, or both DDP injection and daily LCXZK gavage (15 g/kg) on tumor growth were evaluated. Histopathological changes in the xenografts and kidneys were assessed with HE staining. RNA-seq was performed to identify the differentially expressed genes followed by KEGG pathway analysis. The changes in mitochondrial ultrastructure and expressions of mitochondrial apoptosis-related were examined with transmission electron microscopy and Western blotting. RESULTS: A total of 218 blood-borne components of LCXZ were detected by LC-MS. In the tumor-bearing mice, treatments with DDP and DDP combined with LCXZ redcued the tumor volume by 60.3% and 72.6% compared with that in the control group, respectively. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significantly upregulated ANT3 expression in both the two treatment groups. Molecular docking indicated that the main active components of LCXZ were capable of binding to adenine nucleotide translocator 3 (ANT3) with binding energies below -6 kcal/mol. Transmission electron microscopy showed obvious mitochondrial swelling and outer-membrane damage in the tumor cells in DDP-treated mice, and these changes were more pronounced in the combined treatment group. The expression levels of BAX, ANT3, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 were increased, whereas BCL-2 expression was decreased significantly in the tumor cells in both the DDP and DDP+LCXZ groups. CONCLUSIONS LCXZ enhances the therapeutic efficacy of cisplatin against ovarian cancer xenografts in mice by promoting mitochondrial dysfunction and activating apoptotic signaling pathways via upregulating ANT3.
Animals ; Female ; Cisplatin/pharmacology* ; Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice ; Rats ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Humans ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*

Objective To investigate the associations of serum transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)and klotho expression levels with the severity of epilepsy and cognitive function in patients with epilepsy.Methods A total of 188 patients with epilepsy were enrolled as epilepsy group,and 188 healthy volunteers(without epilepsy)who underwent physical examinations during the same peri-od were recruited as control group.Based on seizure types,188 patients with epilepsy were further di-vided into partial seizure group(n=84)and generalized seizure group(n=104).According to the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)scores,the patients were also divided into cognition normal group(n=76)and cognition impairment group(n=112).Enzyme-linkedimmunosorbent assay(ELISA)was utilized to measure the serum levels of TGF-β1 and klotho.Spearman correlation analy-sis was conducted to explore the correlations of serum levels of TGF-β1 and klotho with the severity of epilepsy as well as cognitive function.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to iden-tify the factors influencing cognitive function in patients with epilepsy.Results The serum levels of TGF-β1 and klotho in the epilepsy group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The serum levels of TGF-β1 and klotho in the generalized seizure group were significantly lower than those in the partial seizure group,and the National Hospital Seizure Severity Scale(NHS3)score was significantly higher than that in the partial seizure group(P＜0.05).There were negative correlations of serum levels of TGF-β1 and klotho with the severity of epilepsy(P＜0.05).The levels of TGF-β1 and klotho in the cognition impairment group were significantly lower than those in the cognition normal group(P＜0.05).Negative correlations were observed between serum levels of TGF-β1 as well as klotho and cognitive function(P＜0.05).TGF-β1 and klotho were identified as significant factors influencing cognitive function in patients with epilepsy(P＜0.05).Conclusion The serum levels of TGF-β1 and klotho are significantly decreased in patients with ep-ilepsy,and they are negatively correlated with the severity of epilepsy and closely associated with cognitive function.

Objective:This study aims to investigate the feasibility and safety of implanting leadless pacemakers in the low septum and its impact on cardiac electrical synchronization.Methods:A total of 36 patients who received leadless pacemaker implantation at Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from January 2021 to August 2023 were included in this study.According to implantation sites of leadless pacemakers,patients were divided into mid-septal group(n=16)and low-septal group(n=20).The clinical characteristics and cardiac electrical synchronization were compared between the two groups.Results:There were 21 male patients,mean age was(68±13)years old.There was no statistical difference in the type of brady-arrhythmia between the two groups(P=0.73).There were 61 implant attempts in these 36 patients,and there was no significant difference in the number of attempts,procedure time,and pacemaker parameters between the two groups,but the average procedure time tended to be shorter in the low-septal group([84±37]minutes vs.[105±35]minutes,P=0.09).In terms of electrical synchronization,there was no statistical difference in QRS duration between the low-septal group and the mid-septal group([162.0±21.1]ms vs.[174.0±14.8]ms,P=0.20).There were no vascular puncture complications,cardiac perforation,or pericardial tamponade during the procedure.There were no complications and readmissions related to the leadless pacemaker during follow-up period.Conclusions:Our results show that the implantation of a leadless pacemaker in the low ventricular septum is safe and effective,has a similar impact on cardiac electrical synchronization as mid-septal pacing.

Objectives:This study aims to explore the impact of new-onset heart conduction block post transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)on the cardiac conduction status during 1-year follow-up.Methods:A total of 130 patients who completed TAVR surgery at Fuwai Central-China Cardiovascular Hospital from July 2019 to October 2022 were screened.Among them,56 cases with postoperative heart conduction block were selected for analysis.According to the degree of heart block,patients were divided into mild block group(n=36),moderate block group(n=9),and severe block group(n=11).The clinical characteristics and cardiac conduction conditions at 1-year follow-up between different groups were compared.Results:During a mean(8.5±4.1)months follow-up period,10(17.9%)patients had long-term atrioventricular conduction block,and 46(82.1%)patients had partial or complete recovery of heart block,with 28(50.0%)patients with completely recovered cardiac conduction.In the mild block group,22(61.1%)cases were completely recovered,9(25.0%)patients partly recovered,and 5(13.9%)cases uncovered.In the moderate block group,2(22.2%)cases were completely recovered,5(55.6%)patients partly recovered,and 2(22.2%)cases uncovered.Difference in long-term atrioventricular conduction block among three groups was statistically significant(P<0.001).The Kaplan-Meier curve shows that patients with moderate to severe heart block have a higher rate of long-term atrioventricular conduction block(86.1%vs.77.8%vs.72.7%,log-rank P=0.03).Cox multivariate analysis exhibited that old age(≥75 years old,HR=1.204,95%CI:1.051-1.525,P=0.041)and severe heart conduction block(HR=1.106,95%CI:1.100-1.616,P=0.031)are the two independent risk factors for long-term atrioventricular conduction block post TAVR.Conclusions:The ratio of complete cardiac conduction recovery post TAVR is 50.0%.Older age(≥75 year)and new-onset severe heart conduction block are independent risk factors for long-term atrioventricular conduction block post TAVR procedure.

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism by which Lichong Xiaozheng Granules(LCXZ)sensitize ovarian cancer to cisplatin(DDP)treatment.Methods LC-MS analysis was used to identify the blood components of LCXZ after its administration in mice via gavage.In a BALB/c mouse model bearing subcutaneous ovarian cancer xenografts,the effects of daily gavage of distilled water(control group),intraperitoneal injection of DDP(5 mg/kg)once a week,or both DDP injection and daily LCXZK gavage(15 g/kg)on tumor growth were evaluated.Histopathological changes in the xenografts and kidneys were assessed with HE staining.RNA-seq was performed to identify the differentially expressed genes followed by KEGG pathway analysis.The changes in mitochondrial ultrastructure and expressions of mitochondrial apoptosis-related were examined with transmission electron microscopy and Western blotting.Results A total of 218 blood-borne components of LCXZ were detected by LC-MS.In the tumor-bearing mice,treatments with DDP and DDP combined with LCXZ redcued the tumor volume by 60.3%and 72.6%compared with that in the control group,respectively.Transcriptomic analysis revealed significantly upregulated ANT3 expression in both the two treatment groups.Molecular docking indicated that the main active components of LCXZ were capable of binding to adenine nucleotide translocator 3(ANT3)with binding energies below-6 kcal/mol.Transmission electron microscopy showed obvious mitochondrial swelling and outer-membrane damage in the tumor cells in DDP-treated mice,and these changes were more pronounced in the combined treatment group.The expression levels of BAX,ANT3,cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 were increased,whereas BCL-2 expression was decreased significantly in the tumor cells in both the DDP and DDP+LCXZ groups.Conclusion LCXZ enhances the therapeutic efficacy of cisplatin against ovarian cancer xenografts in mice by promoting mitochondrial dysfunction and activating apoptotic signaling pathways via upregulating ANT3.

Objective To explore the efficacy of DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy for management of cancer pain and provide reference for its standardized clinical application.Methods and Results Recommendations were formulated based on literature review and expert group discussion,and consensus was reached following expert consultation.The consensus recommendations are comprehensive,covering the entire treatment procedures from preoperative assessment and preparation,surgical operation process,postoperative management and traditional Chinese medicine treatment to individualized treatment planning.The study results showed that the treatment plans combining traditional Chinese with Western medicine effectively alleviated cancer pain,reduced the use of opioid drugs,and significantly improved the quality of life and enhanced immune function of the patients.Postoperative follow-up suggested good treatment tolerance among the patients without serious complications.Conclusion The formulated consensus is comprehensive and can provide reference for clinicians to use DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy.The combined treatment has a high clinical value with a good safety profile for management of cancer pain.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of changes in various indicators of routine blood tests for the severity of brain damage in patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage(ACH)in high-altitude regions.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from 249 inpatients diagnosed with ACH at a hospital in Xizang.Patient data,including demographic information and results of routine blood tests,were collected.Based on their Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)scores,the patients were divided into 2 groups,a mild brain damage group(GCS≥13 points)and a moderate-to-severe brain damage group(GCS≤12 points).Demographic information and laboratory test results were compared between the two groups.Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between indicators of routine blood tests and the severity of brain damage,and key indicators were identified.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive performance of key indicators in various combinations for the severity of brain injury in ACH patients.Results The moderate-to-severe group had a higher proportion of high-altitude residents,as well as elevated levels of white blood cells(WBC),neutrophils(N),neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),systemic inflammatory index(SII),neutrophil-to-platelet ratio(NPR),and C-reactive protein(CRP)-to-lymphocyte ratio(CLR),compared to the mild group.On the other hand,the levels of lymphocytes(L),platelets(PLT),and platelet-to-albumin ratio(PAR)in the moderate-to-severe group were lower than those in the mild group.Binary logistic regression analysis showed that WBC(OR=1.221,95%CI:1.127-1.322),CRP(OR=1.019,95%CI:1.004-1.033),CRP-to-albumin ratio(CAR)(OR=1.845,95%CI:1.137-2.996),and CLR(OR=1.018,95%CI:1.005-1.030)were positively associated with moderate-to-severe brain damage,and that their elevated levels were associated with an increase in risk by the corresponding folds.PAR(OR=0.845,95%CI:0.721-0.990)was negatively correlated with moderate-to-severe brain damage,with an increase resulting in a reduction of risk by 0.845 times.ROC curve analysis showed that,in the mild group,the combined AUC for WBC+CRP was 0.689(optimal cutoff value 0.19,specificity 0.776,95%CI:0.624-0.755);the PAR+CAR+CLR combination(CAR was not significant,P>0.05)had an AUC of 0.675(optimal cutoff value 0.19,specificity 0.760,95%CI:0.609-0.741);the key indicator combination of WBC+PAR+CLR(CRP was not significant,P>0.05)demonstrating the strong predictive performance moderate-to-severe brain damage,yielding an AUC of 0.737(optimal cutoff value 0.08,specificity 0.624,95%CI:0.676-0.798).Conclusion The indicator combinations of WBC+CRP,PAR+CLR,and WBC+PAR+CLR exhibit significant value for predicting the severity of brain injury in ACH patients and may serve as potential predictive tools for the severity of brain damage in patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage in high-altitude regions.

Objective:To investigate the role of ubiquitin-specific protease 21 (USP21) in enterovirus group A type 71 (EV-A71) infection.Methods:Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from a cohort of 24 children infected with EV-A71 and 24 healthy children. Expression of USP21 was determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR). Additionally, the impact of USP21 overexpression or knockout on EV-A71 replication was evaluated using a combination of qPCR and western blot (WB) analysis. Furthermore, WB was employed to measure the levels of EV-A71 structural protein VP1, phosphorylated interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and other key molecules in the RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) signaling pathway. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) was utilized to investigate the effects of USP21 on the ubiquitin levels of EV-A71 nonstructural protein 2A protease (2A pro). Results:In comparison to healthy children, the expression of USP21 mRNA in PBMC of children infected with EV-A71 was notably elevated. The overexpression of USP21 significantly enhanced the cytopathic effects induced by EV-A71, upregulated levels of VP1 mRNA and protein, and facilitated EV-A71 replication, leading to a decrease in cell activity with increasing levels of USP21 transfection. Following the knockout of the USP21 gene, the VP1 mRNA levels were significantly declined in comparison to the control group. Furthermore, the overexpression of USP21 was found to have no impact on the transcriptional activity of EV-A71 2A pro. However, it was observed to enhance the expression of 2A pro protein, reduce the ubiquitination of 2A pro, suppress the protein levels of mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5), as well as decrease the phosphorylation of IRF3. Additionally, the induction of IFN-β mRNA by EV-A71 infection was downregulated. Conclusions:USP21 has been shown to enhance the replication of EV-A71 through the downregulation of 2A pro ubiquitination, suppression of MAVS and MDA5 protein expression, and inhibition of the interferon signaling pathway.