ObjectiveTo observe the protective effect of Erchentang （ECT） on SiO₂-induced lung injury in rats and to explore its underlying mechanism. MethodsA rat model of lung injury was established by a single intratracheal instillation of 50 mg·mL^-1 SiO₂ suspension. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly assigned to five groups： control， model， low and high-dose （4.5 g·kg^-1·d^-1 and 9 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） ECT， and dexamethasone （0.2 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. All the groups were treated for 4 consecutive weeks. Histopathological alterations in the lung tissue were examined by hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining. The levels of malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） in the lung tissue were measured through biochemical assays. The expression of key molecules in the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） pathway was determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， Western blot， and immunofluorescence assay. The primary active components of ECT were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS）， and their binding affinity to Nrf2/HO-1 was assessed by molecular docking. Untargeted metabolomics of the lung tissue was performed based on UPLC-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF-MS）， and correlation analysis was performed to identify differential metabolites and parameters closely associated with the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited a reduction in body weight gain， an increase in lung index， increased MDA content， weakened SOD and GSH-Px activities in the lung tissue， down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2 and protein levels of HO-1 and GPX4， and an up-regulated protein level of Keap1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Treatment with ECT attenuated the SiO₂-induced decline in body weight （P<0.05）， alleviated inflammatory cell infiltration and silicotic nodule formation in alveoli， and reduced the MDA content and enhanced the SOD and GSH-Px activities in the lung tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. UPLC-MS/MS and molecular docking revealed that core components of ECT， such as hesperidin and glycyrrhizic acid， displayed strong binding affinity to Nrf2/HO-1. Molecular biological experiments demonstrated that ECT promoted nuclear translocation of Nrf2， up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of HO-1 and GPX4， and down-regulated Keap1 expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Metabolomic analysis indicated that ECT reversed the SiO₂-induced aberrant expression of metabolites， including linoleic acid and glutamine （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Correlation analysis showed that Nrf2 and HO-1 were positively correlated with SOD and GSH-Px （P<0.05， P<0.01）， but negatively correlated with glutamine and serine （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionECT may activate the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway through its core active components， thereby regulating oxidative stress and metabolic disorders to ameliorate SiO₂-induced lung injury in rats. This study provides experimental evidence for ECT in the prevention and treatment of occupational lung injury.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Qiangjing tablets （QJT） alleviate the spermatogenic function damage caused by varicocele （VC） based on the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （Keap1）/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） signaling pathway-mediated oxidative stress. MethodsTen Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly assigned into a control group and a model group. Pathological examination confirmed the stability of the model. Thirty-six SD rats were randomized into control， model， low-dose （0.23 g·kg^-1） QJT， medium-dose （0.46 g·kg^-1） QJT， high-dose （0.92 g·kg^-1） QJT， and mazhilin （61.7 mg·kg^-1） groups， with 6 rats in each group. A rat model of experimental left varicocele （ELV） was established by partially ligating the left renal vein to simulate the human nutcracker syndrome. The rats were administrated with corresponding agents once a day for 28 consecutive days. The in vitro testicular culture model of rats was established through the Transwell chamber method and intervened with QJT-containing sera （2.3， 4.6， and 9.2 g·kg^-1）. Microscopic observation was carried out for the morphology of the left kidney. A micrometer was used to measure the diameter of the left spermatic vein （LSV）. The body weights of rats were recorded weekly， and the epididymis and testis weights were measured. The pathological changes of the testicular tissue was observed via hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The levels of testosterone （T） in the cell culture supernatant and reactive oxygen species （ROS） in the rat testicular tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Flow cytometry was employed to determine the ROS content. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted to analyze Keap1， Nrf2， 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase （3β-Hsd）， GATA-binding protein-4 （Gata-4）， and proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase （C-kit）. The ultrastructure of the tissue was observed by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） staining. The expression of Keap1， Nrf2， glutathione S-transferase α2 （Gsta2）， glutathione S-transferase μ1 （Gstm1）， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， quinone oxidoreductase 1 （Nqo1）， and thioredoxin reductase 1 （Txnrd1） was quantified by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） and Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group， the ROS content and the percentage of apoptotic cells in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， the T concentration was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， the mRNA and protein expressions of Keap1 were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2， Gsta2， Gstm1， HO-1， Nqo1 and Txnrd1 were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the ROS content and the percentage of apoptotic cells in each dose group of the Qiangjing Tablets were significantly reduced （P<0.05）， and the mRNA and protein expressions of Keap1 were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， while the mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2， Gsta2， Gstm1， HO-1， Nqo1 and Txnrd1 were significantly increased （P<0.05）. ConclusionQJT improves sperm motility in the rat model of VC by modulating the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway and reducing oxidative stress injury.

Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shengxuebao Mixture in the treatment of cancer-related anemia(CRA)presenting with syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood.Methods A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter clinical trial was conducted.Eligible patients with malignant tumors meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled from 26 hospitals,including Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Xiaogan Central Hospital,and Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,from June 1,2022,to September 30,2024.Patients were allocated 1:1 to either the experimental group receiving Shengxuebao Mixture or the control group receiving its simulator(placebo)using a block randomization method under double-blind conditions.Both groups received 15 mL orally three times daily for 28 consecutive days.The primary efficacy indicators included the hemoglobin(Hb)improvement rate(RHb)and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome improvement rate(RTCM)at week 4 of treatment.The secondary efficacy indicators encompassed Hb and red blood cell(RBC)count,Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score,TCM syndrome score,individual TCM symptom scores,and changes in each of these indicators compared to the baseline period at weeks 2,4,and 6 of treatment.Safety evaluations were conducted at week 4 of treatment.Results A total of 239 patients were enrolled,with 225 cases included in the Full Analysis Set(FAS)(109 in the experimental group vs.116 control group),163 in the Per Protocol Set(PPS)(77 vs.86),and 225 in the Safety Set(SS)(109 vs.116).Baseline characteristics between groups showed no significant differences.Significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in RHb at week 4(FAS:49.51%vs.35.24%,P<0.05;PPS:53.25%vs.36.05%,P<0.05)and RTCM at week 4(FAS:61.54%vs.39.62%,P<0.01;PPS:64.94%vs.40.70%,P<0.01).At weeks 2,4,and 6,the experimental group showed greater improvements in Hb and RBC counts than the control group.Additionally,the TCM syndrome scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group at these time points.Except for week 2 in PPS,the KPS improvement was better in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.05).The experimental group also demonstrated a greater reduction in scores for individual TCM symptoms such as spiritlessness and weakness,poor appetite and reduced food intake at weeks 4 and 6 compared to the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Furthermore,the reduction in vertigo score was more pronounced in the experimental group at week 6(P<0.01).For the score of pale and lusterless complexion,only in the PPS was the reduction from baseline more significant in the experimental group than in the control group at weeks 4 and 6(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in the incidence of all adverse events or drug-related adverse reactions.Conclusion Shengxuebao Mixture demonstrates significant efficacy in patients with CRA presenting syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood,effectively increasing Hb levels,ameliorating TCM syndromes,alleviating clinical symptoms,and enhancing functional status,with no significant difference in adverse drug reactions compared to the placebo.

Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shengxuebao Mixture in the treatment of cancer-related anemia(CRA)presenting with syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood.Methods A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter clinical trial was conducted.Eligible patients with malignant tumors meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled from 26 hospitals,including Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Xiaogan Central Hospital,and Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,from June 1,2022,to September 30,2024.Patients were allocated 1:1 to either the experimental group receiving Shengxuebao Mixture or the control group receiving its simulator(placebo)using a block randomization method under double-blind conditions.Both groups received 15 mL orally three times daily for 28 consecutive days.The primary efficacy indicators included the hemoglobin(Hb)improvement rate(RHb)and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome improvement rate(RTCM)at week 4 of treatment.The secondary efficacy indicators encompassed Hb and red blood cell(RBC)count,Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score,TCM syndrome score,individual TCM symptom scores,and changes in each of these indicators compared to the baseline period at weeks 2,4,and 6 of treatment.Safety evaluations were conducted at week 4 of treatment.Results A total of 239 patients were enrolled,with 225 cases included in the Full Analysis Set(FAS)(109 in the experimental group vs.116 control group),163 in the Per Protocol Set(PPS)(77 vs.86),and 225 in the Safety Set(SS)(109 vs.116).Baseline characteristics between groups showed no significant differences.Significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in RHb at week 4(FAS:49.51%vs.35.24%,P<0.05;PPS:53.25%vs.36.05%,P<0.05)and RTCM at week 4(FAS:61.54%vs.39.62%,P<0.01;PPS:64.94%vs.40.70%,P<0.01).At weeks 2,4,and 6,the experimental group showed greater improvements in Hb and RBC counts than the control group.Additionally,the TCM syndrome scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group at these time points.Except for week 2 in PPS,the KPS improvement was better in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.05).The experimental group also demonstrated a greater reduction in scores for individual TCM symptoms such as spiritlessness and weakness,poor appetite and reduced food intake at weeks 4 and 6 compared to the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Furthermore,the reduction in vertigo score was more pronounced in the experimental group at week 6(P<0.01).For the score of pale and lusterless complexion,only in the PPS was the reduction from baseline more significant in the experimental group than in the control group at weeks 4 and 6(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in the incidence of all adverse events or drug-related adverse reactions.Conclusion Shengxuebao Mixture demonstrates significant efficacy in patients with CRA presenting syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood,effectively increasing Hb levels,ameliorating TCM syndromes,alleviating clinical symptoms,and enhancing functional status,with no significant difference in adverse drug reactions compared to the placebo.

Objective To observe the value of three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(3D-STI)in evaluation on right ventricle(RV)function for predicting adverse events in patients with unstable angina(UA)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods A total of 155 UA patients who underwent both 3D-STI and conventional echocardiography and planned to accept PCI were prospectively enrolled and divided into adverse event group(n=37)and control group(n=118)based on the occurrence of adverse events after PCI or not.Clinical data and echocardiographic parameters were compared between groups,and new binary variables were generated according to the optimal cut-off values showed by the maximum Youden index of receiver operating characteristic curves of 3D-STI parameters being statistically different between groups.Then the independent predictors of adverse events among UA patients after PCI were analyzed,a combined model was constructed,and its predictive value was assessed.Results In adverse event group,the left ventricular end diastolic volume(LVEDV)was higher,while the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain(RVFWLS)and right ventricular global longitudinal strain(RVGLS)were all lower than those in control group(all P＜0.05).The optimal cut-off values for distinguishing adverse event or not was 110 ml for LVEDV,19.05%for RVFWLS and 19.75%for RVGLS,respectively,and all the 3 generated binary variables were independent predictors for adverse events of UA patients after PCI(all P＜0.05).The area under the curve of combined model for predicting adverse events in UA patients after PCI was 0.864.Conclusion RVFWLS＜19.05%and RVGLS＜19.75%obtained with 3D-STI,as well as LVEDV＞110 ml with conventional echocardiography were all independent predictors of adverse events in UA patients after PCI.

Central venous lesions are challenging in the maintenance of hemodialysis vascular access, with endovascular therapy as the preferred treatment. Coated stent grafts, with superior primary patency rates and the ability to mitigate the risk of vascular rupture and bleeding, have become one of the clinical options. However, they pose a risk of occluding important tributary veins. This report describes a case of right innominate vein occlusion treated with a small-caliber coated stent graft, resulting in postoperative symptoms of intracranial venous hypertension. This case highlights the need to pay attention to neurological symptoms caused by central venous lesions and conduct a more meticulous assessment of contralateral venous return before placing coated stent grafts, to avoid irreversible neurological symptoms.

Objective:To explore the independent risk factors for chemoresistance during gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced bladder cancer after radical cystectomy and to construct a related predictive model.Methods:The clinical data of 228 patients with locally advanced bladder cancer who received GC chemotherapy after radical cystectomy at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, from January 2013 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 184 were males, and 44 were females, with an average age of (68.8±10.6)years and an average body mass index (BMI) of (24.2±3.6)kg/m 2. According to tumor progression during chemotherapy, patients were divided into a chemotherapy-resistant(CR) group ( n=59) and a non-chemotherapy-resistant(NCR) group ( n=169). Independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and non-parametric test were used to compare general clinical characteristics and relevant examination results during chemotherapy between the two groups. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for GC chemoresistance. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match the TNM stage data between the two groups, and Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests were used to compare overall survival(OS)after matching. Results:The median number of chemotherapy cycles was 3 in the CR group and 4 in the NCR group. Compared with the NCR group, CR patients were younger [(66.3±9.4) years vs.(69.7±10.9)years], had a higher proportion of kidney transplantation history[6.8%(4/59) vs. 0.6%(1/169)], hypertension [50.8%(30/59) vs. 36.1%(61/169)], coronary heart disease[23.7%(14/59) vs.9.5% (16/169)], and hydronephrosis [13.6%(8/59) vs. 4.1%(7/169)](all P<0.05). CR patients had a higher proportion of T 4 stage [20.3% (12/59) vs. 5.9% (10/169)], N 2 stage [42.4% (25/59) vs. 8.3% (14/169)], multifocal tumors at initial diagnosis [59.3% (35/59) vs. 26.6% (45/169)], and larger maximum tumor diameter [2.5 (1.5, 3.4) cm vs. 1.6 (1.2, 2.5) cm] (all P < 0.05). The CR group showed higher proportions of long-term urinary tract infection (UTI) [90.1% (53/59) vs. 7.7% (15/169)], higher systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) [991.6 (451.0, 1577.9) vs. 462.8 (309.0, 766.7)], absolute neutrophil count [6.5(4.1, 7.8)× 10 9/L vs. 3.9 (2.9, 5.1)× 10 9/L], and platelet count [(220.0 ± 96.2)× 10 9/L vs. (191.0 ± 64.8)× 10 9/L], but lower albumin levels [(34.3 ± 4.2) g/L vs. (39.9 ± 3.8) g/L] and albumin-to-globulin ratio (A/G) [(1.2 ± 0.3) vs. (1.3 ± 0.2)] (all P < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis identified only T stage and long-term UTI as independent risk factors for GC chemoresistance( P<0.05).The probability of GC chemoresistance in bladder cancer patients was calculated as: P(Chemoresistance)=[0.155×T stage+ 0.624×(long-term UTI)]×100%(long-term UTI = 1 if present during chemotherapy, otherwise=0). After PSM, survival analysis showed that the median OS was significantly higher in the NCR group (55 months) than that in the CR group (30 months) ( P=0.020). Conclusions:This study demonstrates that advanced T stage and persistent UTI are independent risk factors for GC chemotherapy resistance in locally advanced bladder cancer patients. Based on these findings, a predictive model for chemotherapy resistance probability was constructed using multivariate linear regression analysis.

Objective To investigate the association between D-dimer levels within 2 hours of admission and in-hospital major adverse events (MAEs) in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) who underwent total arch replacement combined with frozen elephant trunk (FET) implantation. Methods This retrospective study included patients with ATAAD who underwent total arch replacement with FET implantation at Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital from September 2017 to December 2022. Patients were divided into two groups based on the occurrence of in-hospital MAEs: a MAEs group and a non-MAEs group (control). Perioperative data were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for in-hospital MAEs, which included in-hospital death, gastrointestinal bleeding, paraplegia, acute kidney injury, low cardiac output syndrome, stroke, respiratory failure, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and severe infection. The predictive value of D-dimer was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results A total of 218 patients were included (157 males, 61 females), with a mean age of (51.54±9.79) years. There were 152 patients in the non-MAEs group and 66 in the MAEs group. The overall incidence of in-hospital MAEs was 30.3%, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 2.8% (6/218). Compared to the non-MAEs group, the MAEs group had significantly higher levels of D-dimer and lactate, as well as longer cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time, and ICU length of stay (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified D-dimer as an independent risk factor for in-hospital MAEs [OR=1.077, 95%CI (1.020, 1.137), P=0.013]. The AUC for the D-dimer level within 2 hours of admission to predict in-hospital MAEs was 0.83 [95%CI (0.736, 0.870), P<0.001]. The optimal cutoff value was 2.2 μg/mL, with a sensitivity of 84.8% and a specificity of 73.0%. Conclusion The serum D-dimer level is an independent risk factor for in-hospital MAEs in patients with ATAAD following total arch replacement with FET implantation. D-dimer levels on admission can help clinicians optimize risk stratification and perioperative management, potentially reducing the incidence of early adverse events.

Objective To observe the value of three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(3D-STI)in evaluation on right ventricle(RV)function for predicting adverse events in patients with unstable angina(UA)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods A total of 155 UA patients who underwent both 3D-STI and conventional echocardiography and planned to accept PCI were prospectively enrolled and divided into adverse event group(n=37)and control group(n=118)based on the occurrence of adverse events after PCI or not.Clinical data and echocardiographic parameters were compared between groups,and new binary variables were generated according to the optimal cut-off values showed by the maximum Youden index of receiver operating characteristic curves of 3D-STI parameters being statistically different between groups.Then the independent predictors of adverse events among UA patients after PCI were analyzed,a combined model was constructed,and its predictive value was assessed.Results In adverse event group,the left ventricular end diastolic volume(LVEDV)was higher,while the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain(RVFWLS)and right ventricular global longitudinal strain(RVGLS)were all lower than those in control group(all P＜0.05).The optimal cut-off values for distinguishing adverse event or not was 110 ml for LVEDV,19.05%for RVFWLS and 19.75%for RVGLS,respectively,and all the 3 generated binary variables were independent predictors for adverse events of UA patients after PCI(all P＜0.05).The area under the curve of combined model for predicting adverse events in UA patients after PCI was 0.864.Conclusion RVFWLS＜19.05%and RVGLS＜19.75%obtained with 3D-STI,as well as LVEDV＞110 ml with conventional echocardiography were all independent predictors of adverse events in UA patients after PCI.

Central venous lesions are challenging in the maintenance of hemodialysis vascular access, with endovascular therapy as the preferred treatment. Coated stent grafts, with superior primary patency rates and the ability to mitigate the risk of vascular rupture and bleeding, have become one of the clinical options. However, they pose a risk of occluding important tributary veins. This report describes a case of right innominate vein occlusion treated with a small-caliber coated stent graft, resulting in postoperative symptoms of intracranial venous hypertension. This case highlights the need to pay attention to neurological symptoms caused by central venous lesions and conduct a more meticulous assessment of contralateral venous return before placing coated stent grafts, to avoid irreversible neurological symptoms.