Objective:This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of levosimendan in elderly patients with acute heart failure across varying levels of renal function, utilizing real-world data.Methods:We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 699 elderly patients with acute heart failure who were hospitalized at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and received positive inotropic drugs between January 2015 and December 2022.The median age of the participants was 71 years(interquartile range, 66 to 77), with 61.9% being male.Among these patients, 171 received non-levosimendan positive inotropic drugs(non-levosimendan group), while 528 were treated with levosimendan(levosimendan group).Baseline clinical data collected during hospitalization were analyzed.The primary outcomes assessed included the reduction in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)levels following treatment, as well as mortality rates within 30 days and one year.Secondary outcomes encompassed the length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality.Patients were categorized based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)prior to treatment, with groups defined as those with eGFR≥60 ml·min -1·1.73(m -1) 2 and those with eGFR between 15 and <60 ml·min -1·1.73(m -1) 2.The impact of levosimendan treatment on heart failure improvement and clinical prognosis was analyzed using a double robust method, which accounted for patients with varying levels of renal function. Results:In comparison to the non-levosimendan group, a significantly higher proportion of patients in the levosimendan group exhibited decreased NT-proBNP levels(31.0% vs.47.0%, P<0.001).However, there were no significant differences regarding the length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, or mortality rates at 30 days and 1 year(all P>0.05).After applying the double robust method for adjustment, levosimendan was shown to significantly reduce NT-proBNP levels( OR=1.553, 95% CI: 1.225-1.972, P<0.001), although it did not result in a significant improvement in 30-day or 1-year mortality rates.In patients with an eGFR of 15-<60 ml·min -1·1.73(m -1) 2, levosimendan significantly reduced NT-proBNP levels( OR=1.797, 95% CI: 1.308-2.481, P<0.001)and decreased 30-day mortality( HR=0.536, 95% CI: 0.292-0.986, P=0.045).Similarly, in patients with eGFR ≥60 ml·min -1·1.73(m -1) 2, levosimendan significantly reduced NT-proBNP levels( OR=1.965, 95% CI: 1.325-2.933, P<0.001), but did not improve 30-day mortality.Across varying levels of renal function, levosimendan had no significant effect on 1-year mortality. Conclusions:Levosimendan can significantly enhance cardiac function in elderly patients experiencing acute heart failure, irrespective of varying levels of renal function.Notably, greater benefits regarding short-term mortality were observed in patients with an eGFR of 15-<60 ml·min -1·1.73(m -1) 2.

Paraplegia caused by spinal cord injury is a serious neurological complication, for which surgery is currently the main treatment method. Due to different surgical approaches, patients are usually expected to maintain a passive prone position for a long time or switch between the supine and prone positions. Affected by multiple factors such as neurogenic sensory disorders, pathological changes in muscle tone and operative duration, the risk of intraoperative acquired pressure injury (IAPI) is significantly increased. Current clinical prevention strategies for IAPI in these patients predominantly focus on localized pressure relief during positioning, lacking systematic, standardized comprehensive prevention protocols or evidence-based guidelines. To address it, Department of Nursing, Orthopedics Branch, China International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care, Spinal Trauma Professional Committee, Orthopedics Branch, Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Nursing Group of Spine and Spinal Cord Professional Committee of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine organized experts in relevant fields to formulate Guideline for the prevention of intraoperative acquired pressure injury in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury ( version 2025), based on evidence-based medical evidence and latest research results and clinical practice at home and abroad. Eleven recommendations were put forward from the aspects of preoperative risk assessment, intraoperative prevention strategies, postoperative handover and monitoring, and supportive mechanisms for IAPI prevention, aiming to standardize the prevention measures and management strategies of IAPI in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury and accelerate the recovery of patients and improve the therapeutic effect.

Radiation-induced thrombocytopenia (RIT) faces a perplexing challenge in the clinical treatment of cancer patients, and current therapeutic approaches are inadequate in the clinical settings. In this research, oxymatrine, a new molecule capable of healing RIT was screened out, and the underlying regulatory mechanism associated with magakaryocyte (MK) differentiation and thrombopoiesis was demonstrated. The capacity of oxymatrine to induce MK differentiation was verified in K-562 and Meg-01 cells in vitro. The ability to induce thrombopoiesis was subsequently demonstrated in Tg (cd41:enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)) zebrafish and RIT model mice. In addition, we carried out network pharmacological prediction, drug affinity responsive target stability assay (DARTS) and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) analyses to explore the potential targets of oxymatrine. Moreover, the pathway underlying the effects of oxymatrine was determined by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses, Western blot (WB), and immunofluorescence. Oxymatrine markedly promoted MK differentiation and maturation in vitro. Moreover, oxymatrine induced thrombopoiesis in Tg (cd41:eGFP) zebrafish and accelerated thrombopoiesis and platelet function recovery in RIT model mice. Mechanistically, oxymatrine directly binds to toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and further regulates the downstream pathway stimulator of interferon genes (STING)/nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), which can be blocked by C29 and C-176, which are specific inhibitors of TLR2 and STING, respectively. Taken together, we demonstrated that oxymatrine, a novel TLR2 agonist, plays a critical role in accelerating MK differentiation and thrombopoiesis via the STING/NF-κB axis, suggesting that oxymatrine is a promising candidate for RIT therapy.

Radiation-induced thrombocytopenia(RIT)faces a perplexing challenge in the clinical treatment of cancer patients,and current therapeutic approaches are inadequate in the clinical settings.In this research,oxy-matrine,a new molecule capable of healing RIT was screened out,and the underlying regulatory mecha-nism associated with magakaryocyte(MK)differentiation and thrombopoiesis was demonstrated.The capacity of oxymatrine to induce MK differentiation was verified in K-562 and Meg-01 cells in vitro.The ability to induce thrombopoiesis was subsequently demonstrated in Tg(cd41:enhanced green fluorescent protein(eGFP))zebrafish and RIT model mice.In addition,we carried out network pharmacological pre-diction,drug affinity responsive target stability assay(DARTS)and cellular thermal shift assay(CETSA)analyses to explore the potential targets of oxymatrine.Moreover,the pathway underlying the effects of oxymatrine was determined by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analyses,Western blot(WB),and immunofluorescence.Oxymatrine markedly promoted MK differentiation and maturation in vitro.Moreover,oxymatrine induced thrombopoiesis in Tg(cd41:eGFP)zebrafish and accelerated thrombopoiesis and platelet function recovery in RIT model mice.Mechanistically,oxymatrine directly binds to toll-like receptor 2(TLR2)and further regulates the downstream pathway stimulator of interferon genes(STING)/nuclear factor-kappaB(NF-κB),which can be blocked by C29 and C-176,which are specific inhibitors of TLR2 and STING,respectively.Taken together,we demonstrated that oxymatrine,a novel TLR2 agonist,plays a critical role in accelerating MK differentiation and thrombopoiesis via the STING/NF-κB axis,suggesting that oxymatrine is a promising candidate for RIT therapy.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Fuyuan Capsules combined with Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture in the treatment of vascular dementia(VD),and to explore its possible mechanism of action.Methods A total of 204 cases of patients with a definitive diagnosis of VD admitted to the wards and outpatient clinics of Hengshui Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from October 2019 to October 2022 were selected for the study.The patients were randomly divided into observation group and control group according to the random number table method,with 102 cases in each group.The patients in both groups were treated with symptomatic treatments such as blood pressure-controlling,glucose-lowering,blood lipids-regulating,along with cognitive function training.The control group was treated with Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture,and the observation group was given oral administration of Fuxing Capsules on the basis of the treatment in the control group.One week constituted a course of treatmen,and eight consecutive courses of treatment were carried out.After two months of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.The changes in the scores of the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE),Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA),Revised Hasegama's Dementia Scale(HDS-R),and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale(CDR)were observed in the patients of the two groups before and after treatment.The changes in the scores of the Activity of Daily Living Scale(ADL),Hachinski Ischemic Scale(HIS),and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores before and after treatment were compared in patients of the two groups.The changes in the expression level of neuregulin 1(NRG1)before and after treatment in patients of the two groups were detected.Results(1)During the study,two cases fell off from both groups,respectively.Finally,100 cases in the observation group and 100 cases in the control group were included in the efficacy statistics.(2)After treatment,the MMSE and MoCA scores of the patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the HDS-R and CDR scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the ADL and HIS scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(5)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(6)The total effective rate was 84.00％(84/100)in the observation group and 67.00％(67/100)in the control group.The efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(7)After treatment,the NRG1 levels of patients in the two groups were improved significantly(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Fuyuan Capsules combined with Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture in the treatment of VD can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of patients,enhance the cognitive function,and effectively increase the serum NRG 1 level,so as to improve their quality of life.

ObjectiveTo establish a model that can quickly identify the aroma components in different parts of Nardostachys jatamansi， so as to provide a quality control basis for the market circulation and clinical use of N. jatamansi. MethodsHeadspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（HS-SPME-GC-MS） combined with Smart aroma database and National Institute of Standards and Technology（NIST） database were used to characterize the aroma components in different parts of N. jatamansi， and the aroma components were quantified according to relative response factor（RRF） and three internal standards， and the markers of aroma differences in different parts of N. jatamansi were identified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） and cluster thermal analysis based on variable importance in the projection（VIP） value >1 and P<0.01. The odor data of different parts of N. jatamansi were collected by Heracles Ⅱ Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose， and the correlation between compound types of aroma components collected by the ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose and the detection results of HS-SPME-GC-MS was investigated by drawing odor fingerprints and odor response radargrams. Chromatographic peak information with distinguishing ability≥0.700 and peak area≥200 was selected as sensor data， and the rapid identification model of different parts of N. jatamansi was established by principal component analysis（PCA）， discriminant factor alysis（DFA）， soft independent modeling of class analogies（SIMCA） and statistical quality control analysis（SQCA）. ResultsThe HS-SPME-GC-MS results showed that there were 28 common components in the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi， of which 22 could be quantified and 12 significantly different components were screened out. Among these 12 components， the contents of five components（ethyl isovalerate， 2-pentylfuran， benzyl alcohol， nonanal and glacial acetic acid，） in the aboveground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the underground part（P<0.01）， the contents of β-ionone， patchouli alcohol， α-caryophyllene， linalyl butyrate， valencene， 1，8-cineole and p-cymene in the underground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the aboveground part（P<0.01）. Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose results showed that the PCA discrimination index of the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi was 82， and the contribution rates of the principal component factors were 99.94% and 99.89% when 2 and 3 principal components were extracted， respectively. The contribution rate of the discriminant factor 1 of the DFA model constructed on the basis of PCA was 100%， the validation score of the SIMCA model for discrimination of the two parts was 99， and SQCA could clearly distinguish different parts of N. jatamansi. ConclusionHS-SPME-GC-MS can clarify the differential markers of underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi. The four analytical models provided by Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose（PCA， DFA， SIMCA and SQCA） can realize the rapid identification of different parts of N. jatamansi. Combining the two results， it is speculated that terpenes and carboxylic acids may be the main factors contributing to the difference in aroma between the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi.

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） on the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing emergency endoscopic therapy for esophagogastric variceal bleeding， as well as independent influencing factors for the prognosis of liver cirrhosis patients without HCC after emergency endoscopic therapy for esophagogastric variceal bleeding. MethodsA total of 117 liver cirrhosis patients without HCC and 119 liver cirrhosis patients with HCC who underwent emergency endoscopic therapy for esophagogastric variceal bleeding in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2017 to July 2023 were enrolled. Basic information including age and sex was collected from all patients， as well as the presence or absence of chronic diseases such as hypertension， diabetes， and coronary heart disease， the time of emergency endoscopy after admission， and liver function parameters including international normalized ratio， albumin， creatinine， sodium， total bilirubin， alanine aminotransferase， and aspartate aminotransferase （AST）. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous variables between two groups， and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous variables between two groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical variables between groups. The covariance analysis and the multivariate logistic regression analysis were used for comparison of outcome variables after control of baseline variables， and the Kaplan-Meier survival curve was plotted for each group. The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed for survival time in the non-HCC group to investigate the independent influencing factors for survival time， and then the Kaplan-Meier curve analysis and the log-rank test were performed to validate such independent influencing factors and analyze the independent influencing factors for secondary outcomes. ResultsCompared with the non-HCC group， the HCC group had significantly higher red blood cell transfusion units （6.00［2.00～9.00］ vs 4.00［1.75～7.00］， Z=-2.050， P=0.040， F=4.869， adjusted P=0.028）， a significantly shorter survival time （29.77±16.01 days vs 38.07±11.43 days， t=4.574， P<0.001， F=17.294， adjusted P<0.001）， and a significantly higher 5-day rebleeding rate （22.69% vs 6.84%， χ²=11.736， P<0.001， adjusted P=0.021）. The Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that the risk of 42-day mortality in the HCC group was 3.897 （95% confidence interval ［CI］： 2.338 ‍— 6.495， P<0.001） times that in the non-HCC group. The multivariate Cox regression analysis of the non-HCC group showed that the total length of hospital stay （hazard ratio ［HR］=0.793， 95%CI： 0.644 ‍— ‍0.976， P=0.029） was an independent protective factor for 42-day survival. The Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that a length of hospital stay of >9 days was beneficial for the prognosis of patients （HR=4.302， 95%CI： 1.439 — 12.870， P=0.037）. Blood sodium level （odds ratio ［OR］=0.523， 95%CI： 0.289 ‍— ‍0.945， P=0.032） and MELD-Na score （OR=0.495， 95%CI： 0.257 ‍— ‍0.954， P=0.036） were independent protective factors against 5-day rebleeding， while AST level was an independent risk factor for 5-day rebleeding （OR=1.023， 95%CI： 1.002 ‍— ‍1.043， P=0.028） and in-hospital death （OR=1.036， 95%CI： 1.001‍— ‍1.073， P=0.045）. ConclusionLiver cirrhosis patients with variceal bleeding and HCC tend to have a worse prognosis， and for the non-HCC group， in-hospital mortality rate increases with the increase in AST level. The total length of hospital stay is an independent protective factor for survival time in the non-HCC group， and it is recommended to appropriately prolong the length of hospital stay for such patients.

Objective:To explore the experiences of post-traumatic growth in patients with failed assisted reproductive technology (ART), providing a basis for individualized nursing interventions.Methods:This study was a qualitative study. From November to December 2023, purposive sampling was used to select ART failed patients at Reproductive Medicine Center of Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University as participants. Data was collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews, and Colaizzi 7-step analysis method was used to summarize and analyze the data and extract themes.Results:A total of 15 ART failed patients were included, their age was (31.8±3.6) years, years of infertility was (4.7±1.7) years. After analysis, a total of four themes and nine sub-themes were extracted, namely negative emotional experiences in the early stages of trauma (anxiety and depression, psychological stress) ; diversified support systems (family support, social support) ; positive coping styles (positive binary coping between spouses, individual coping) ; post-traumatic growth experiences (mobilizing one's own positive strength, strengthening altruistic awareness, and re-planning the future) .Conclusions:Infertility patients exhibit negative emotions after experiencing ART failure, but also experience post-traumatic growth. Medical and nursing staff should provide targeted guidance based on the psychological state of ART failed patients at different stages to improve their mental health.

Objective To establish a performance verification scheme for the metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS)DNA workflow.Methods Reference materials and clinical samples were used for conducting experiments.The mNGS detection results were evaluated in terms of limit of detection(LOD),repeatability,robustness,anti-interference ability,specificity and accuracy,as well as the patterns of library construction and the performance of sequencers.Results All species in the reference materials were stably detected,and the LOD of mNGS was 5.0E+02 CFU/mL(copies/mL).The repeatability was 100％and the within-batch(coefficient of variation)CV ranged from 8.53％to 38.73％.The linear correlation coefficient|r|＞0.9 was found between the input pathogenic microorganism concentration and the read count.Meanwhile,the experimental robustness was found to be good.The results of the anti-interference test showed that the higher concentration of human DNA inputted,the fewer pathogenic microorganism read counts detected by mNGS.Meanwhile,the read counts of related species presented a proportional relationship with the corresponding pathogenic microorganisms concentration inputted,which meant the validation of the cross-interference test had been passed.Furthermore,the detection result of D0 was negative.The accuracy of clinical samples testing was 90.9％(10/11).In addition,the library quality control results obtained by the automatic liquid handling workstation and manually operation were all acceptable.The performance of the three Illumina sequencers met or were better than the factory standards.Conclusion The clinical laboratory performance verification scheme for mNGS detection was established,which included the design for reference materials,comparison of different patterns for library construction,and performance evaluation of the sequencers.More importantly,the performance verification scheme can be used to evaluate and ensure the quality of mNGS DNA workflow detection process.

Objective:This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of levosimendan in elderly patients with acute heart failure across varying levels of renal function, utilizing real-world data.Methods:We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 699 elderly patients with acute heart failure who were hospitalized at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and received positive inotropic drugs between January 2015 and December 2022.The median age of the participants was 71 years(interquartile range, 66 to 77), with 61.9% being male.Among these patients, 171 received non-levosimendan positive inotropic drugs(non-levosimendan group), while 528 were treated with levosimendan(levosimendan group).Baseline clinical data collected during hospitalization were analyzed.The primary outcomes assessed included the reduction in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)levels following treatment, as well as mortality rates within 30 days and one year.Secondary outcomes encompassed the length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality.Patients were categorized based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)prior to treatment, with groups defined as those with eGFR≥60 ml·min -1·1.73(m -1) 2 and those with eGFR between 15 and <60 ml·min -1·1.73(m -1) 2.The impact of levosimendan treatment on heart failure improvement and clinical prognosis was analyzed using a double robust method, which accounted for patients with varying levels of renal function. Results:In comparison to the non-levosimendan group, a significantly higher proportion of patients in the levosimendan group exhibited decreased NT-proBNP levels(31.0% vs.47.0%, P<0.001).However, there were no significant differences regarding the length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, or mortality rates at 30 days and 1 year(all P>0.05).After applying the double robust method for adjustment, levosimendan was shown to significantly reduce NT-proBNP levels( OR=1.553, 95% CI: 1.225-1.972, P<0.001), although it did not result in a significant improvement in 30-day or 1-year mortality rates.In patients with an eGFR of 15-<60 ml·min -1·1.73(m -1) 2, levosimendan significantly reduced NT-proBNP levels( OR=1.797, 95% CI: 1.308-2.481, P<0.001)and decreased 30-day mortality( HR=0.536, 95% CI: 0.292-0.986, P=0.045).Similarly, in patients with eGFR ≥60 ml·min -1·1.73(m -1) 2, levosimendan significantly reduced NT-proBNP levels( OR=1.965, 95% CI: 1.325-2.933, P<0.001), but did not improve 30-day mortality.Across varying levels of renal function, levosimendan had no significant effect on 1-year mortality. Conclusions:Levosimendan can significantly enhance cardiac function in elderly patients experiencing acute heart failure, irrespective of varying levels of renal function.Notably, greater benefits regarding short-term mortality were observed in patients with an eGFR of 15-<60 ml·min -1·1.73(m -1) 2.