Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common respiratory emergency, but current clinical treatment remains at the level of symptomatic support and there is a lack of effective targeted treatment measures. Our previous study confirmed that inhalation of hydrogen gas can reduce the acute lung injury of ARDS, but the application of hydrogen has flammable and explosive safety concerns. Drinking hydrogen-rich liquid or inhaling hydrogen gas has been shown to play an important role in scavenging reactive oxygen species and maintaining mitochondrial quality control balance, thus improving ARDS in patients and animal models. Coral calcium hydrogenation (CCH) is a new solid molecular hydrogen carrier prepared from coral calcium (CC). Whether and how CCH affects acute lung injury in ARDS remains unstudied. In this study, we observed the therapeutic effect of CCH on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced acute lung injury in ARDS mice. The survival rate of mice treated with CCH and hydrogen inhalation was found to be comparable, demonstrating a significant improvement compared to the untreated ARDS model group. CCH treatment significantly reduced pulmonary hemorrhage and edema, and improved pulmonary function and local microcirculation in ARDS mice. CCH promoted mitochondrial peripheral division in the early course of ARDS by activating mitochondrial thioredoxin 2 (Trx2), improved lung mitochondrial dysfunction induced by LPS, and reduced oxidative stress damage. The results indicate that CCH is a highly efficient hydrogen-rich agent that can attenuate acute lung injury of ARDS by improving the mitochondrial function through Trx2 activation.

Background: s/Aims: Distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy (DPS) is a common surgical procedure for pancreatic body cancer.However, spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (SPDP) utilizing the Warshaw technique (WT) in malignancies is generally not favored due to concerns about inadequate resection. This study aims to assess the feasibility and oncologic outcomes of employing SPDP with WT in pancreatic body cancer. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis comparing 21 SPDP patients with 63 DPS patients matched by propensity score from January 2018 to November 2022. Clinical outcomes and follow-up data were analyzed using R. Results: Both groups exhibited similar demographic, intraoperative, and pathological characteristics, with the exception of a reduced number of total lymph nodes (p = 0.006) in the SPDP group. There were no significant differences in the rates of postoperative complications, recurrence, or metastasis. Local recurrence predominantly occurred in the central region as opposed to the spleen region.There were no cases of isolated recurrences in the splenic region. Median overall survival and recurrence-free survival times were 51.5 months for SPDP vs 30.5 months for DPS and 18.7 months vs 16.8 months, respectively (p > 0.05). The incidence of partial splenic infarction and left-side portal hypertension in the SPDP group was 28.6% (6/21) and 9.5% (2/21), respectively, without necessitating splenic abscess puncture, splenectomy, or causing bleeding from perigastric varices. Conclusions SPDP did not negatively impact local recurrence or survival rates in selected pancreatic body cancer patients. Further studies are necessary for validation.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between postoperative spinal sagittal parameters and reinforced vertebral recompression fractures in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) who have undergone percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP).Methods:Data on patients with OVCFs treated with PKP at the Department of Orthopaedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, from August 2020 to August 2024, were collected. Among these, 31 patients who underwent single-segment PKP experienced postoperative reinforced vertebral recompression fractures (recompression fracture group), comprising 8 males and 23 females, with a mean age of 73.74±8.76 years, a body mass index (BMI) of 23.83±1.87 kg/m 2, and a bone mineral density T-value of -2.29±0.55. The remission rate of the visual analogue scale (VAS) after surgery was 80.14%±4.86%, with a mean volume of bone cement used at 5.37±0.69 ml. The surgical segments involved included T 5 (1 case), T 8 (1 case), T 10 (1 case), T 11 (4 cases), T 12 (9 cases), L 1 (7 cases), L 2 (4 cases), L 3 (2 cases), and L 4 (2 cases). Following a 1∶1 matching principle, 31 patients whose vertebrae did not experience reinforced recompression fractures during the same period (non-recompression fracture group) were included. This group also comprised 8 males and 23 females, with a mean age of 74.88±8.31 years, a BMI of 23.15±2.04 kg/m 2, a bone mineral density T-value of -2.76±0.64, and a VAS remission rate of 79.75%±5.01%. The mean volume of bone cement used in this group was 5.41±0.72 ml. The surgical segments involved included T 8 (1 case), T 10 (1 case), T 11 (4 cases), T 12 (8 cases), L 1 (7 cases), L 2 (5 cases), L 3 (2 cases), L 4 (2 cases), and L 5 (1 case). There were no statistically significant differences in the aforementioned indicators between the two patient groups ( P>0.05). A comparison of the postoperative spinal sagittal parameters between the two groups was conducted, focusing on the local kyphosis angle (LKA), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), and the lumbar-pelvic matching value (PI-LL). Indicators that exhibited statistically significant differences were included in the binary logistic regression analysis to evaluate the impact of spinal sagittal parameters following PKP on the recompression of the reinforced vertebral. Results:The time to reinforced vertebral recompression fractures after PKP ranged from 35 to 184 d, with a median of 69 d. The TK in the recompression fracture group (46.56°±7.02°) was significantly greater than that in the non-recompression fracture group (41.95°±5.76°). Additionally, the LKA, PI and SS were all smaller in the recompression fracture group (9.84°±2.13°, 41.36°±4.27°, 22.69°±5.53°, respectively) compared to the non-recompression fracture group (12.37°±2.64°, 48.09°±6.33°, 28.41°±7.64°), with all differences being statistically significant ( P<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the LL, PT, and PI-LL values ( P>0.05). TK, LKA, PI, and SS were included in the binary logistic regression analysis, which indicated that TK [ OR=1.533, 95% CI(1.47, 1.59)] after PKP was positively correlated with the occurrence of reinforced vertebral recompression fractures. Conversely, LKA [ OR=0.882, 95% CI(0.80, 0.96)], PI [ OR=0.815, 95% CI(0.71, 0.91)], and SS [ OR=0.833, 95% CI(0.73, 0.93)] were negatively correlated. Conclusions:The incidence of reinforced vertebral recompression fractures following PKP is associated with spinal sagittal parameters, including TK, LKA, PI, and SS. Specifically, a larger TK and smaller values of LKA, PI, and SS are correlated with an elevated risk of reinforced vertebral recompression fractures.

Objective:To investigate the influence of TGF-β1 on the malignant transformation of bystander cells after proton irradiation simulating space radiation, and its underlying mechanism.Methods:Normal human bronchial epithelial cells BEAS-2B were exposed to proton irradiation at 0, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 Gy to simulate space radiation. Supernatants from cell culture media were collected as a conditioned medium (CM) for treating bystander BEAS-2B cells. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect TGF-β1 levels within the CM. The soft agar colony formation assay was performed to assess the rate of malignant transformation of bystander cells. Immunofluorescence and Western blot techniques were utilized to examine the localization of β-arrestin1 in CM-treated bystander cells, with or without the TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor SB525334. The malignant transformation of bystander cells was assessed via soft agar colony formation assay under CM treatment, combined with either a TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor or β-arrestin1 knockdown. Additionally, mRNA and protein levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related genes (e.g., E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Fibronectin1, and Vimentin) were analyzed through qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.Results:Contrasting with the 0 Gy group, the proton irradiation groups exhibited a dose-dependent increase in TGF-β1 secretion after 24 h ( t=3.38, 8.32, 10.96, P<0.05), and a corresponding rise in the soft agar colony formation rate of CM-treated bystander cells ( t=5.04, 7.20, 10.78, P<0.05). Immunofluorescence and Western blot results indicated that with escalating doses, CM-treated bystander cells showed increased β-arrestin1 into nuclei ( t=7.57, 7.51, P<0.05), being stimulated by TGF-β1 and inhibited by SB525334. The SB525334 application or β-arrestin1 knockdown significantly inhibited the malignant transformation and EMT induced by proton irradiation in bystander cells. This inhibition further reduced the soft agar colony formation rate ( t=2.84, 3.39, P<0.05), and increased mRNA and protein levels of the E-cadherin gene in CM-treated bystander cells exposed to 1 Gy proton irradiation ( t=7.33, 5.38, P<0.05) while reducing the mRNA and protein levels of N-cadherin, Fibronectin1, and Vimentin genes ( t=4.37, 4.10, 5.29, 10.65, 5.15, 3.11, P<0.05). Conclusions:Proton irradiation simulating space radiation can enhance TGF-β1 secretion from lung epithelial cells, inducing β-arrestin1 into nuclei in bystander cells, thereby spurring the malignant transformation of cells. The TGF-β1/β-arrestin1 pathway plays a crucial role in this process.

Objective:To investigate the differential responses of the endoplasmic reticulum stress-to-apoptosis cascade induced by proton ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) irradiation between lung epithelial and lung cancer cells.Methods:Human lung epithelial cells (KT) and lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549) were irradiated with protons, and divided into Ctrl, CONV and FLASH groups. Survival curves were generated using colony formation assay. Protein and mRNA expressions of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis regulators were assessed via Western blot and RT-qPCR. The concentration of IL-6 secreted into the culture supernatant was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results:In KT cells, compared to the CONV group, FLASH irradiation resulted in a significantly higher survival fraction ( P<0.05), increased GRP78 protein expression ( t= 7.52, P < 0.05) and UPR-related genes PERK, ATF4, and CHOP. In A549, the cell survival rate did not differ significantly between the CONV and FLASH groups ( P > 0.05). UPR pathway was not activated in either group. However, both CONV and FLASH irradiation significantly promoted secretion of IL-6 ( t=4.31, 4.47, P<0.05), while no difference was identified between two groups. In KT, both irradiation promoted secretion of IL-6 ( t=7.43, 3.07, P<0.05) while IL-6 concentration in FLASH group was significantly lower than that in CONV group ( t=7.63, P<0.05). Additionally, a pro-apoptotic propensity in KT cells following FLASH irradiation and in A549 cells following both FLASH and CONV irradiation was identified. Conclusions:In KT cells, FLASH irradiation cleared misfolded proteins through activating UPR pathway, promoted apoptosis of damaged cells, suppressed IL-6 secretion to attenuate inflammatory injury, and ultimately enhanced cell survival. Furthermore, proton FLASH irradiation bypasses ER stress activation in A549 cells, instead directly priming an apoptotic disposition with concomitant IL-6 hypersecretion. This paracrine damage amplification cascade potentiates radiation-induced tumoricidal efficacy through sustained cytotoxic microenvironment remodeling.

OBJECTIVE To establish a method for determining the content of multiple components in Astragalus membranaceus,compare the content differences of Astragalus membranaceus in different regions and with different extraction methods in Gansu,and e-valuate the quality of Astragalus membranaceus from different origins of Gansu.METHODS Astragalus membranaceus samples from 40 origins in Gansu were collected on site.The content of Astragaloside Ⅳ,Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside,Ononin,Form-ononetin and Calycosin was determined by HPLC external standard method,and the quality differences of Astragalus membranaceus from 40 origins of Gansu were analyzed by combining bar graphs and line graphs.RESULTS Weiyuan County and Min County of Dingxi City showed high Astragaloside Ⅳ content in both extraction methods,indicating that the Astragalus membranaceus in these two regions has advantages in Astragaloside Ⅳ as an active component;for Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and Ononin,although the performance of different regions in different extraction methods was different,in general,Weiyuan County and Min County of Dingxi City and Longnan City showed high content in both extraction methods.Water extraction method was more conducive to the extraction of Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and Ononin,while alcohol extraction method was more conducive to the extraction of Astragalo-side Ⅳ,Calycosin and Ononin.CONCLUSION The content of chemical components of Astragalus membranaceus from different ori-gins is quite different,and the choice of extraction method has a significant effect on the content of active components,while the change trend of different compounds in the two extraction methods is basically the same.The established HPLC multi-component content de-termination method of Astragalus membranaceus is stable and reliable,which can provide a scientific basis for the quality control and comprehensive evaluation of Astragalus membranaceus medicinal materials.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of arthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release in the treatment of non-traumatic elbow stiffness. METHODS: The clinical data of 15 patients with non-traumatic elbow stiffness treated with arthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release between April 2019 and September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 6 males and 9 females with an average age of 46 years ranging from 34 to 56 years. The causes included rheumatoid arthritis in 3 cases, gouty arthritis in 2 cases, loose bodies in 3 cases, and elbow osteoarthritis in 7 cases. There were 4 cases with ulnar neuritis and 3 cases with synovial osteochondromatosis. The duration of elbow stiffness ranged from 6 to 18 months, with an average of 10 months. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. The effectiveness was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, range of elbow motion (maximum flexion, maximum extension, and total flexion and extension), Mayo score, and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) elbow score. RESULTS: The operation time was 60-90 minutes, with an average of 65 minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was 40-100 mL, with an average of 62 mL. All patients were followed up 13-18 months, with an average of 14 months. There was no complication such as vascular and nerve injury, poor wound healing, collateral ligament injury, elbow joint space narrowing, osteophyte proliferation, or loose body formation around the joint. At last follow-up, the elbow range of motion (maximum flexion, maximum extension, and total flexion and extension), VAS score, and Mayo score significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). The HSS elbow score was 85-95, with an average of 92; 12 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and the excellent and good rate was 100%. CONCLUSION Arthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release is an effective way to treat non-traumatic elbow stiffness, which has the advantages of small trauma, short operation time, and good effectiveness. It can carry out early elbow rehabilitation training and significantly improve elbow function.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Arthroscopy/methods* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Elbow Joint/physiopathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Treatment Outcome ; Ulnar Nerve/surgery* ; Operative Time

Acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)is a common respiratory emergency,but current clinical treatment remains at the level of symptomatic support and there is a lack of effective targeted treatment measures.Our previous study confirmed that inhalation of hydrogen gas can reduce the acute lung injury of ARDS,but the application of hydrogen has flammable and explosive safety concerns.Drinking hydrogen-rich liquid or inhaling hydrogen gas has been shown to play an important role in scavenging reactive oxygen species and maintaining mitochondrial quality control balance,thus improving ARDS in patients and animal models.Coral calcium hydrogenation(CCH)is a new solid molecular hydrogen carrier prepared from coral calcium(CC).Whether and how CCH affects acute lung injury in ARDS re-mains unstudied.In this study,we observed the therapeutic effect of CCH on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)induced acute lung injury in ARDS mice.The survival rate of mice treated with CCH and hydrogen inhalation was found to be comparable,demonstrating a significant improvement compared to the untreated ARDS model group.CCH treatment significantly reduced pulmonary hemorrhage and edema,and improved pulmonary function and local microcirculation in ARDS mice.CCH promoted mitochon-drial peripheral division in the early course of ARDS by activating mitochondrial thioredoxin 2(Trx2),improved lung mitochondrial dysfunction induced by LPS,and reduced oxidative stress damage.The results indicate that CCH is a highly efficient hydrogen-rich agent that can attenuate acute lung injury of ARDS by improving the mitochondrial function through Trx2 activation.

[Objective] To extract hemoglobin (Hb) from red blood cells using osmotic pressure swelling method, expected to achieve a hemoglobin dissolution rate of ≥80% and a cell membrane integrity rate of ≥70%. [Methods] Human umbilical cord blood red blood cells were used as raw materials and phosphate buffer solution was used as the swelling solution for red blood cells. A three factor three-level orthogonal experiment (n=3) was conducted to determine the optimal matching conditions for selecting the osmolality molar concentration of phosphate buffer solution, pH value of hypotonic phosphate buffer solution and volume ratio of hypotonic phosphate buffer solution to washed red blood cells. Red blood cell swelling solution samples (n=6) were prepared by the optimal matching conditions and the original process conditions. The hemoglobin dissolution rate and cell membrane integrity rate were checked. In the expanded comparative experiment, red blood cell swelling solution samples (n=6) were prepared by the optimal matching conditions and the original process conditions, which was filtered by ultrafiltration membranes. The filtration time and hemoglobin yield were checked. [Results] The optimal matching conditions for preparing red blood cell swelling solution were obtained through orthogonal experiment as follows: osmotic pressure molar concentration was 30 mOsmol/Kg, pH was 7.8, and phosphate buffer to red blood cell volume ratio was 6∶1. On the basis of the above conditions, the red blood cell swelling solution sample was compared with the original process sample: the hemoglobin dissolution rate was (82.4±1.8)% vs (78.6±3.0)% (P<0.05), and the cell membrane integrity rate was (65.8±4.0)% vs (28.7±2.3)% (P<0.05). In the expanded comparative experiment, the optimal matching conditions were compared with the original process conditions: filtration time(s) (327±9) vs (434±13) (P<0.05), and hemoglobin yield was (72.3±1.2)% vs (66.0±1.4)% (P<0.05). [Conclusion] Compared with the original preparation process, the hemoglobin extraction process which optimized through orthogonal experiments greatly reduces the cell membrane fragmentation rate and minimizes the entry of cell membrane matrix into the target solution, ensuring a slightly higher hemoglobin dissolution rate, and reducing the preparation difficulty for the subsequent cell membrane separation and further purification.

[Objective] To investigate the protective effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza injection (SMI) on the kidneys of HBOC-CHP01 resuscitated haemorrhagic shock rats. [Methods] A 50% haemorrhagic shock rat model was established, with 12 rats divided into two groups: SMI + HBOC-CHP01 group and HBOC-CHP01 group, with 6 rats in each group. The rats in the SMI+ HBOC-CHP01 group were given an equal volume of HBOC-CHP01 for resuscitation after haemorrhagic shock, and an 8 mL/kg dose of SMI. Rats in the HBOC-CHP01 group were resuscitated by administering an equilibrium blood loss volume of HBOC-CHP01 and given an 8 mL/kg dose of 0.9% NaCl solution. Blood was taken from rats at five points: before bloodletting (baseline), during haemorrhagic shock (HS), immediately after resuscitation (RS0h), 1 h after resuscitation (RS1h), and 24 h after resuscitation (RS24h). A blood gas analyser was used to detect the lactate level (Lac), glucose content (Glu), residual base (BEecf), pH, bicarbonate (HCO3-), high iron haemoglobin (MetHb). White blood cells (WBC), platelets (PLT), haemoglobin content (Hb), carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) were detected using a quintuple classification. Blood creatinine (SCr), uric acid (UA), kidney-related indexes were detected using biochemistry instrument. Kidney tissues of the rats were taken after 24 h of resuscitation and after execution, and the inflammation of kidneys of the rats of the two groups was analyzed using HE staining. Fluorescence staining was used to detect the level of ROS in the kidneys of rats in both groups. [Results] At RS 0h, the Beecf, Glu and Lac levels of rats in the SMI+HBOC-CHP01 group were significantly lower than those of rats in the HBOC-CHP01 group, and the pH level of rats in the SMI+HBOC-CHP01 group was significantly higher than that of rats in the HBOC-CHP01 group, and the Glu levels of rats in the SMI+HBOC-CHP01 group were significantly lower than those of rats in the HBOC-CHP01 group at RS 1h. At RS 0h, the WBC, PLT and COHb contents of rats in the SMI+HBOC-CHP01 group were all significantly higher than those of rats in the HBOC-CHP01 group, and at RS 1h, the WBC content of rats in the SMI+HBOC-CHP01 group was significantly higher than that of rats in the HBOC-CHP01 group; at RS 1h, the UA content of rats in the SMI+HBOC-CHP01 group was significantly lower than that of rats in the HBOC-CHP01 group; at RS 24h, the SCr content of rats in the SMI+HBOC-CHP01 group was significantly lower than that of rats in the HBOC-CHP01 group; at RS 24h, the inflammation level of kidney tissues of rats in the SMI+HBOC-CHP01 group was significantly lower than that of rats in the HBOC -CHP01 group rats, and the ROS and MPO levels in the kidney tissues of rats in the SMI+HBOC-CHP01 group were significantly lower than those of rats in the HBOC-CHP01 group. [Conclusion] The combination of Salvia miltiorrhiza injection during the resuscitation of rats with severe haemorrhagic shock by HBOC-CHP01 can alleviate renal injury by reducing inflammatory response and oxidative stress.