Clinical death refers to the permanent cessation of life functions. This article reviews the definition of clinical death and the various scenarios in which it occurs, classifies the process of clinical death, and discusses the criteria for determining uncontrollable cardiac death, controllable cardiac death and the criteria and workflow for determining brain death. It elaborates on the relationship between brain death and death, and proposes the areas to note when standardizing the medical documentation of death cases. Based on this, it introduces the content of the management system and workflow construction for death determination in medical institutions, including management structure, personnel qualifications, document norms, quality control system and training mechanism. Paying attention to the construction of the management system and workflow for death determination in medical institutions is of great significance for ensuring medical quality and safety, promoting the healthy development of organ donation, and maintaining the seriousness of legal and ethical practices.

Objective To explore the predictive performance of machine learning models integrating clinico-pathological features and inflammatory markers for lymphovascular invasion (LVI) before gastric cancer surgery. Methods A retrospective cohort of 193 gastric cancer patients from The First Hospital of Lanzhou University (training set) and 185 patients from Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University (validation set) was included. Preoperative clinical pathological characteristics, tumor markers, and inflammatory markers were collected to identify independent risk factors for LVI. Six machine learning models were established in the training set. Model performance was evaluated using area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), calibration curve, decision curve analysis (DCA), and Brier scores. Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) was applied for model interpretability. Results The multivariate logistic regression showed increased tumor invasion depth (T-stage), lymph node metastases (N-stage), and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) were independent risk factors for gastric cancer LVI (P＜0.05). Using these three indicators, 6 machine learning models were developed, all of which demonstrated favorable predictive performance, with 0.79 and 0.76 of minimum AUC values in the training set and the validation set, respectively. Among them, the light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM) model exhibited the best overall performance, achieving AUCs of 0.83 and 0.82 in the training set and the validation set, along with Brier scores of 0.163 and 0.187, respectively. Calibration and DCA curves further confirmed that the model possesses strong predictive accuracy and application value. SHAP analysis showed the feature importance in LightGBM model, identifying the N-stage as the top contributor, followed by the T-stage and the SII. Conclusion The machine learning models incorporating clinical pathological features and inflammatory indicators can effectively predict LVI status in gastric cancer, with the LightGBM model demonstrating optimal performance.

Objective:To observe the effects of moxibustion at Shenshu(BL23)and Zusanli(ST36)on Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)-myeloid differentiation factor 88(Myd88)signaling pathway-mediated inflammatory factors in the synovial tissue of ankle joints of rats with rheumatoid arthritis(RA),and to explore the molecular and biological mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.Methods:A total of 24 male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,and a moxibustion group,with 8 rats in each group.The RA model was established with exposure to wind,cold,and damp environmental factors,along with Freund's complete adjuvant.After three days of modeling,mild moxibustion was applied to bilateral Shenshu(BL23)and Zusanli(ST36)in the moxibustion group using moxa sticks of 0.9 cm in diameter for 30 min each time,once a day for 14 d.Structural changes in the synovial tissue and cells were then observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy,while immunohistochemistry analysis was used to detect tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-17,IL-1β,and IL-6 levels.Moreover,the protein expression levels of Myd88,TLR4,and transient potential receptor vanilloid type 1(TRPV1)in the synovial tissue were detected using Western blotting,while their mRNA expression levels were detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Finally,the levels of IL-1β,IL-2,IL-6,IL-17A,and TNF-α in rat serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:Compared to the normal group,the model group exhibited notable pathological synovial tissue damage,along with significantly higher IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α levels(P<0.01)and a slightly higher IL-17 content(P>0.05).Furthermore,the Myd88,TLR4,and TRPV1 protein and mRNA expression levels and serum IL-1β,IL-2,IL-6,IL-17A,and TNF-α levels were all significantly higher in the model group than in the normal group(P<0.01).Compared to the model group,the moxibustion group exhibited a lower degree of synovial tissue pathological damage,along with significantly lower IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α levels(P<0.05 or P<0.01)and a lower IL-17 content without statistical significance(P>0.05).Moreover,the Myd88,TLR4,and TRPV1 protein and mRNA expression levels,and serum IL-1β,IL-2,IL-6,IL-17A,and TNF-α levels were all significantly lower in the moxibustion group than in the model group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Conclusion:Mild moxibustion at Shenshu(BL23)and Zusanli(ST36)can effectively inhibit TLR4-MyD88 signaling pathway-mediated inflammatory factor expression in the synovial tissue of ankle joints of RA rats.Furthermore,the effect of moxibustion on synovial tissue inflammation in RA rats may be attributed to TRPV1 channel activation.

Objective:To construct a sizeable naive human Fab phage display antibody library to screen high-affinity specific antibodies in vitro. Methods:Total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 126 healthy individuals, subsequently reverse-transcribed into cDNA, and used as a template. PCR amplification was performed to obtain the V H from IgG, IgM and light chain κ, λ, separately, with the initial PCR products serving as templates for a second round of PCR. Overlap extension PCR was employed to generate fragments of the κ and λ light chains. These fragments were ligated with the phage vector pNC3, which harbors the variable region 1 of the heavy chain, to construct a recombinant phage plasmid. This plasmid was then electroporated into competent Escherichia Coli TG1 cells to establish a naive human Fab phage display antibody library. One hundred clones were randomly selected for identification and sequencing, and antibody gene polymorphisms were analyzed using the IMGT database and MAFFT software. Recombinant α-hemolysin from Staphylococcus aureus was utilized to screen Fab antibody fragments through biopanning of the antibody library, followed by random selection of phage ELISA-identified clones. The positive clones (antigen A450∶blank control A450≥2.1) were sequenced. Results:Two large naive Fab phage display antibody libraries were successfully constructed, in which the capacity of κ and λ chain antibody libraries were 1.25×10 11 and 1.54×10 11, respectively. The titers for two antibody libraries were 6.04×10 13 CFU/ml and 3.50×10 13 CFU/ml. The positive transformation insertion rates for κ and λ chain antibody libraries were 96% (96/100) and 100% (100/100), respectively. Sequence analysis revealed that all antibody sequences were unique. The amino acid sequences in the skeletal region were relatively conserved. In contrast, significant variations in the length of the complementarity determining region (CDR) were found, and the diversity of amino acid sequence of the complementary determining region was high, especially the CDR3. Analysis using the IMGT database indicated that the sequences exhibited a broad distribution across variable-diversity-joining gene families. After six rounds of panning, specific phage antibodies enrichment targeting α-hemolysin were achieved. A total of 142 monoclonal antibodies were sequenced, yielding 8 distinct Fab antibody sequences. Conclusion:This study successfully constructed two naive human Fab phage display antibody libraries with large capacity and good diversity, which can be used for screening human antibodies for serum epidemiology.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of children with anti-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (anti-HMGCR) antibody-mediated necrotizing myopathy, and to explore early identification and management strategies to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and treatment outcomes of 10 pediatric patients with anti-HMGCR antibody-mediated necrotizing myopathy admitted to the Department of Rheumatology, Children′s Hospital of Fudan University from December 2020 to December 2024. Statistical description was performed using SPSS 22.0.Results:Among the 10 patients, the male-to-female ratio was 1:4, the age of onset was (7.2±4.0) years, and the disease duration at diagnosis was (22.2±19.6) months. None had a history of statin exposure. Six patients presented with muscle weakness, and4 were diagnosed due to asymptomatic elevation of creatine kinase (CK); 4 had dermatomyositis-like rashes. All patients showed significantly elevated CK levels [median 3 291(1 969, 8 776)U/L] and underwent muscle biopsy. Histopathological findings revealed myofiber degeneration, necrosis, and regeneration in all cases, with inflammatory infiltration in 9 cases, MHC-Ⅰ positivity in all, and C5b-9 positivity in 9 cases. The median follow-up duration was (15.7±6.3) months. At the last follow-up, muscle strength was normal or nearly normal, and the CK median value had decreased to 977.5 (211.0, 3 536.0) U/L.Conclusion:For patients with suspected idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and significantly elevated CK, muscle-specific antibody testing-including anti-HMGCR-and muscle biopsy should be performed promptly regardless of the presence of skin rash, to ensure accurate diagnosis and guide treatment, thereby avoiding misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis.

To investigate the potential protective effect of thalidomide (THD) on diabetic nephropathy (DN) and its underlying mechanisms. Twenty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control, DN and DN+THD200 groups by random number table method. The DN mouse model was established via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The DN+THD200 group received THD treatment (200 mg·kg -1·d -1) for 8 weeks. Blood and urine biochemical parameters, as well as renal histopathological changes, were compared among the three groups. For in vitro experiments, a high glucose (HG)-induced injury model was established in mouse glomerular podocytes (MPC5). Cells were divided into control (NG), HG, HG+DMSO, HG+THD100 (100 μg/ml), and HG+THD200 (200 μg/ml) groups. THD-treated cells were exposed to THD for 24 h. Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR were performed to respectively detect protein and mRNA expression levels of ferroptosis-related molecules, including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Immunofluorescence was used to evaluate the expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). The results showed that, compared with control group, DN group exhibited significantly lower blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and 24 h urinary albumin levels (all P<0.05). Compared with DN group, DN+THD200 group exhibited significantly lower blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and 24 h urinary albumin levels (all P<0.05). Histopathological examination revealed glomerular expansion, mesangial widening, and basement membrane thickening in DN group compared to control group, which were markedly ameliorated by THD treatment. In vitro, HG group showed significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of GPX4, NRF2 and HO-1 compared to NG group. Both HG+THD100 and HG+THD200 groups exhibited upregulated expression levels of these proteins and corresponding mRNA compared to HG group (all P<0.05). Immunofluorescence demonstrated HG group had enhanced 4-HNE fluorescence intensity and reduced SLC7A11 fluorescence intensity, which were reversed by THD treatment. THD alleviates renal injury in DN mice and mitigates HG-induced ferroptosis in MPC5 cells, potentially via activation of NRF2-HO-1-GPX4 signaling pathway.

Objective:To evaluate the expression of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in renal tissues, and the relationship between TLS and clinicopathological changes and prognosis in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) patients.Methods:It was a single center retrospective study. The patients with IMN diagnosed by renal biopsy at Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University from January 2018 to December 2020 were enrolled, and their clinicopathological data were collected. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of TLS in renal tissues. According to whether TLS expression in renal tissues was positive or not, the patients were divided into TLS-positive group and TLS-negative group, and the baseline differences in clinicopathological data between the two groups were compared. The clinical remission included complete remission and partial remission. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody titer and positive TLS expression in renal tissues. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test were performed to analyze the differences of proteinuria remission rates between TLS-positive and TLS-negative groups. Cox regression analysis was employed to identify the related factors of proteinuria remission. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the value of TLS in predicting proteinuria remission.Results:A total of 120 IMN patients were included in this study, with age of 50.00 (40.00, 57.75) years and 78 (65.00%) males. The 24-hour urinary protein was (7.54±4.14) g, 89 (74.17%) patients were positive for serum PLA2R antibody, and the serum PLA2R antibody titer was 90.49 (48.88, 155.33) RU/ml. Immunohistochemical results showed that TLS was mainly distributed in the renal cortex glomeruli or around renal blood vessels in renal tissues. There were 43 patients in the TLS-positive group and 77 patients in the TLS-negative group. The positive rate of serum PLA2R antibody in the TLS-positive group was 83.72% (36/43). Compared with the TLS-negative group, the TLS-positive group had lower serum albumin ( t=-3.474, P<0.001) and estimated glomerular filtration rate ( Z=-2.076, P=0.045), while serum creatinine ( t=2.006, P=0.028), 24-hour urinary protein ( t=4.140, P<0.001), serum PLA2R antibody titer ( Z=4.628, P=0.001), glomerulosclerosis degree ( Z=2.403, P=0.019), and proportions of hypertension ( χ2=6.511, P=0.011), renal interstitial fibrosis ( χ2=4.088, P=0.043), renal interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration ( χ2=9.261, P=0.002), tubular atrophy ( χ2=4.936, P=0.026) and extremely high-risk of kidney disease progression ( χ2=9.352, P=0.002) were higher. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum PLA2R antibody titer was an independent factor correlated with positive TLS expression in renal tissues ( OR=1.014, 95% CI 1.007-1.021). The median follow-up time was 18.00 (95% CI 16.07-19.93) months. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the proteinuria remission rate in the TLS-positive group was lower than that in the TLS-negative group (Log-rank χ2=9.339, P=0.002). Cox regression analysis showed that positive TLS expression was an independent factor correlated with proteinuria remission ( HR=0.228, 95% CI 0.177-0.297). ROC curve showed that TLS had a certain clinical predictive value for proteinuria remission ( AUC=0.703, 95% CI 0.608-0.798). Conclusions:IMN patients with positive TLS expression in renal tissues have a lower proteinuria remission rate, more severe pathological damage, and a higher risk of disease progression. TLS is expected to become a pathological marker for predicting the severity and prognosis of IMN.

Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in Shandong province from 2010 to 2022, analyze the trends in morbidity and mortality, and provide a scientific basis for the prevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment of SFTS.Methods:The data on SFTS cases and deaths were retrospectively collected through the China Disease Control and Prevention Information System′s infectious disease surveillance system and the Shandong province all-cause mortality surveillance system. Descriptive epidemiological method was used for epidemiological analysis, and the Joinpoint regression model was applied to analyze trends in morbidity and mortality.Results:From 2010 to 2022, 6 714 SFTS cases were reported in Shandong, with an average crude incidence rate (CIR) and age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of 0.52/100 000 and 0.43/100 000, respectively. Among these, 1, 064 cases died within 30 days of onset, with an average crude mortality rate (CMR) and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of 0.08/100, 000 and 0.06/100 000, respectively, and an average case fatality rate of 15.85%. The average incidence rates for males and females were 0.52/100 000 and 0.53/100 000, respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05). The average annual mortality rate for males (0.09/100 000) was higher than that for females (0.08/100 000), and the average annual case fatality rate for males (17.21%) was higher than that for females (14.48%), with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05); 93.95% of the cases were over 45 years old, and 86.56% of the deaths were over 60 years old. Both cases and deaths were primarily among farmers, accounting for over 85% of the total. From 2010 to 2022, the incidence rate of SFTS in Shandong showed an overall upward trend, with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) in CIR of 23.58% and an AAPC in ASIR of 19.97%, P<0.05. The mortality rate of SFTS cases in Shandong from 2010 to 2022 showed a continuous and significant upward trend, with a CMR AAPC of 27.64% and an ASMR AAPC of 22.70%, P<0.05. SFTS incidence and mortality in Shandong exhibited clear seasonality, with high occurrence from May to October, primarily concentrated in the Jiaodong Peninsula and the hilly areas of central Shandong. The number of affected counties increased in a wave-like pattern, expanding from 6 in 2010 to 79 in 2021 for cases and from 2 in 2010 to 53 in 2022 for deaths. Conclusions:From 2010 to 2022, the incidence and mortality of SFTS in Shandong showed an upward and expanding trend, with a particularly heavy disease burden among middle-aged and elderly farmers.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT)is an autoimmune thyroid disease characterized by diffuse enlargement of thyroid gland and elevated thyroid autoantibodies.HT is closely related to emotional factors,conveyance and dispersion function of the liver,and the qi movement of the five zang organs.This paper explores the approach to the differentiation and treatment of HT based on Professor Yang Shuyu's view of regulation of both mind and body.In the view of regulation of both mind and body,the regulation of mind is to harmonize emotions,and the regulation of body refers to the conveyance and dispersion function of zang-fu organs.Based on the view of regulation of both mind and body,the pathological changes of HT are characterized by the disordered conveyance and dispersion of qi movement,and the stable phase,hyperthyroid phase,and hypothyroid phase of HT correspond to obstructed conveyance and dispersion,excessive conveyance and dispersion,and insufficient conveyance and dispersion,respectively.The emotional disorders caused by the failure of mind regulation exist throughout the disease course.Therefore,the treatment of HT can be conducted by using the therapies of unblocking,suppressing,and tonifying separately for stable phase,hyperthyroid phase,and hypothyroid phase to address the root cause,and then the conveyance and dispersion of visceral qi movement are restored.Besides,the therapeutic method of resolution is used to alleviate symptoms by removing goiter and dissipating nodules.Simultaneously,emotional regulation therapy is incorporated to achieve a comprehensive efficacy for harmonizing physique-spirit and mind-body through the regulation of emotions,conveyance and dispersion of qi movement,and visceral functions.The view of regulation of both mind and body provides new methods and approaches for traditional Chinese medicine management of HT.

Objective To explore the efficacy of endoscopic therapy for esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding(EGVB),investigate the risk factors for rebleeding within 1 year,and establish a predictive model accordingly.Methods A retrospective study was conducted using the clinical and follow-up data of 120 EGVB patients who underwent endoscopy at our hospital between January 2021 and December 2022.The efficacy of endoscopic therapy was analyzed,and the patients were divided into a bleeding group and a non-bleeding group based on whether rebleeding occurred within 1 year after treatment.The factors influencing rebleeding within 1 year after treatment were analyzed,and a predictive model was established using logistic regression analysis.The model's goodness of fit was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test,and its clinical value was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The hemostasis success rate within 72 hours after endoscopic therapy was 100％in all 120 patients.Four weeks after endoscopic treatment,endoscopic reexamination showed that the complete and partial disappearance rate of varices was 75.83％(91/120),with rebleeding occurring in 10 cases(8.33％).There were 34 cases(28.33％)of cumulative rebleeding at 6 months and 63 cases(52.50％)at 1 year after endoscopic therapy.Nine patients(7.50％)died within 1 year after endoscopic therapy,all of whom were rebleeding cases.A total of 63 patients with rebleeding were included in the bleeding group,and 57 patients without rebleeding were included in the non-bleeding group.Serum sodium＜135 mmol/L(odds ratio[OR]=3.837,95％confidence interval[CI]:1.095-13.445),Child-Pugh grade C(OR=3.835,95％CI:1.137-12.935),esophageal varices degree G3(OR=5.113,95％CI:1.565-16.707),and main portal vein diameter＞12 mm(OR=5.964,95％CI:2.295-15.497)were identified as risk factors of rebleeding within 1 year after endoscopic therapy in EGVB patients(P＜0.05).The risk prediction model for rebleeding within 1 year after endoscopic therapy in EGVB patients was shown as P=1/{1+e[-(-3.815+1.345×serum sodium+1.344×Child-Pugh grade+1.786×main portal vein diameter+1.632×esophageal varices degree)]}.The Hosmer-Lemeshow x2 was 3.158(P=0.856).The area under the curve(AUC)for predicting rebleeding within 1 year after endoscopic therapy in EGVB patients was 0.815,indicating good predictive performance.Clinical validation showed that the model had an accuracy of 82.30％,with sensitivity and specificity being 81.03％and 83.63％,respectively.Conclusion Endoscopic therapy for EGVB achieves a high rate of acute bleeding control,but patients remain at risk of rebleeding.Rebleeding is associated with serum sodium＜135 mmol/L,Child-Pugh grade C,main portal vein diameter＞12 mm,and esophageal varices degree G3.The logistic regression model can effectively predict the probability of rebleeding within 1 year after endoscopic therapy.