Chronic liver disease remains a severe threat to human health. Furthermore, if left untreated promptly and effectively, it may gradually develop into end-stage liver disease, including decompensated cirrhosis and liver failure. Currently, mesenchymal stem cell technology is acting as a kind of an emerging treatment method, and multiple clinical trials have confirmed its promising application prospects in the treatment of decompensated cirrhosis and liver failure. Hence, stem cell therapy may offer a novel therapeutic option for these patients. This article summarizes the clinical research progress of stem cell therapy for decompensated cirrhosis and liver failure and analyzes present challenges and application prospects.

Chronic liver disease remains a severe threat to human health. Furthermore, if left untreated promptly and effectively, it may gradually develop into end-stage liver disease, including decompensated cirrhosis and liver failure. Currently, mesenchymal stem cell technology is acting as a kind of an emerging treatment method, and multiple clinical trials have confirmed its promising application prospects in the treatment of decompensated cirrhosis and liver failure. Hence, stem cell therapy may offer a novel therapeutic option for these patients. This article summarizes the clinical research progress of stem cell therapy for decompensated cirrhosis and liver failure and analyzes present challenges and application prospects.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of leukocyte derived markers for postoperative delirium (POD) in patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted. The patients who underwent cardiac valve surgery admitted to Beijing Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University from October 2021 to March 2023 were enrolled. The demographic, baseline and perioperative data were collected, and the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to white blood cell ratio (PWR) were calculated before operation and within 24 hours after operation. Delirium assessment was conducted twice a day for patients within 1-5 days after surgery or discharged within 5 days. According to the evaluation results, the patients were divided into delirium group and non-delirium group. The clinical indexes between the two groups were compared. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent risk factors of POD, and the POD predictive model was constructed. The predictive value of POD predictive model was evaluated by receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve).Results:A total of 235 patients were enrolled in the analysis, of which 83 patients had POD (35.32%) and 152 patients did not have POD (64.68%). Compared with the non-delirious group, the patients in the delirious group had higher Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score and lower mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score. In terms of perioperative data, compared with the non-delirium group, the patients in the delirium group had longer operative time, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, and postoperative hospital stay, higher incidence of perioperative atrial fibrillation, and lower discharge life score. In terms of leukocyte derived markers, NLR within 24 hours after surgery in both groups were significantly higher than those before surgery, and PWR were significantly lower than those before surgery. The NLR within 24 hours after surgery, PWR difference and NLR difference in the delirium group were significantly higher than those in the non-delirium group. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CCI score [odds ratio ( OR) = 1.394, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.038-1.872, P = 0.027], perioperative atrial fibrillation ( OR = 3.697, 95% CI was 1.711-7.990, P < 0.001), duration of cardiopulmonary bypass ( OR = 1.008, 95% CI was 1.002-1.015, P = 0.016), length of ICU stay ( OR = 1.006, 95% CI was 1.002-1.010, P = 0.002), NLR difference ( OR = 1.029, 95% CI was 1.009-1.050, P = 0.005) and PWR difference ( OR = 1.044, 95% CI was 1.009-1.080, P = 0.013) were independently correlated with POD. POD predictive model was constructed by multivariate Logistic regression analysis result: POD predictive model index = -4.970+0.336×CCI score+1.317×perioperative atrial fibrillation+0.009×duration of cardiopulmonary bypass+0.006×length of ICU stay+0.030×NLR difference+0.044×PWR difference. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of NLR difference for predicting POD was 0.659 (95% CI was 0.583-0.735), the optimal critical value was 16.62, the sensitivity was 60.2%, and the specificity was 70.4% ( P < 0.05). The AUC of PWR difference for predicting POD was 0.608 (95% CI was 0.528-0.688), the optimal critical value was 25.68, the sensitivity was 51.8%, and the specificity was 75.7% ( P < 0.05). The AUC of POD predictive model for predicting POD was 0.805 (95% CI was 0.745-0.865), the optimal critical value was 0.39, the sensitivity was 74.7%, and the specificity was 79.6% ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:The differences of NLR and PWR are independently related to POD, which has potential value in predicting POD after cardiac valve surgery.

Objective To study the influence of cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion on migration of tumor cells regulated by ECM stiffness. Methods The cellular Potts model (CPM) was established to simulate tumor cell growth and cellular immune feedback system. The effects from mechanical behavior of cells on cell-ECM adhesion were observed, and the migration of tumor cells under different ECM was analyzed. Results The ECM stiffness could influence the migration rate of tumor cells. The change of ECM stiffness regulated the adhesion force between cells and ECM, and the change of adhesion force would influence the migration rate of cells. Conclusions The migration and distribution patterns of cells are closely related to the adhesion and stiffness of ECM. The increase in ECM stiffness can effectively promote the migration rate of tumor cells, and the further increase in ECM stiffness inhibits the migration of tumor cells. These findings may further reveal dynamic changes of ECM, adhesion and mechanical performance of tumor cell migration.

Clinical epidemiological studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is associated with infectious diseases, which is confirmed by recent studies implying the role of vitamin D as a key regulator of host defense against infections. Bioactive vitamin D triggers antimicrobial pathways against pathogens in mucous membrane and cells of the human innate immune system. In addition, vitamin D also attenuates excessive inflammation and acquired immunity, and thus limits collateral tissue damage. The observed effects of vitamin D on infectious diseases, particularly airway infections, should be addressed in the management of viral infections. Findings from cross-sectional studies should be confirmed by prospective research. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the effect of vitamin D on innate and acquired host defense against infections.

Objective:This study aims to investigate the prevalence and distribution characteristics of mental disorders among people aged 18 and above in Shandong Province.Methods:In 2015, an epidemiological survey was carried out to investigate the patterns of mental disorders in 49 counties of Shandong Province. A total of 28 000 individuals aged 18 years or older were selected using the multistage stratified cluster sampling method. All these participants were classified as at a high or low risk of mental disorders according to the assessment results of the revised version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The diagnosis of mental disorders was confirmed using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Forth edition (DSM-Ⅳ) axis I or MMSE. All participants at high risk of mental disorders were evaluated using DSM-Ⅳ or MMSE to confirm the psychiatric diagnoses, while 10% of participants at low risk of mental disorders were randomly selected to be evaluated. The prevalence and its 95% confidence interval of mental disorders were adjusted according to study design and sociodemographic characteristics of the sample. The between-group differences of prevalence were compared using chi-square tests or Fisher′s exact tests as appropriately.Results:A total of 27 489 individuals completed survey. The adjusted prevalence of any mental disorder was 17.46% (95 %CI 17.02%-17.89%). The five most prevalent mental disorder spectrums were substance use disorders (5.29%), mood disorders (4.47%), anxiety disorders (4.46%), intellectual and mental disorders due to physical or substance (1.91%), and psychotic disorders (1.12%). The most common mental disorders were alcohol use disorder (5.27%) and major depressive disorder (2.14%). The prevalence of mental disorders in men was higher than that in women (23.37% vs. 13.89%; χ 2=408.91, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of mental disorders between rural residents and urban residents (17.69% vs. 17.20%; χ2=1.05, P=0.305). Of participants with mental disorders, 26.12% (1 047/4 008) had moderate to severe functional impairment and 10.98% (428/3 898) have sought professional help. Conclusion:The prevalence of mental disorders among people aged 18 and above in Shandong Province is basically consistent with the results of similar domestic studies. The prevalence of mental disorder was higher in men than in women and was not differ in participants living in urban and rural areas. Alcohol use disorder, major depressive disorder, non-specific anxiety disorder and non-specific depressive disorder are most common mental disorders.

Objective:This study aims to investigate the prevalence and distribution characteristics of mental disorders among people aged 18 and above in Shandong Province.Methods:In 2015, an epidemiological survey was carried out to investigate the patterns of mental disorders in 49 counties of Shandong Province. A total of 28 000 individuals aged 18 years or older were selected using the multistage stratified cluster sampling method. All these participants were classified as at a high or low risk of mental disorders according to the assessment results of the revised version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The diagnosis of mental disorders was confirmed using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Forth edition (DSM-Ⅳ) axis I or MMSE. All participants at high risk of mental disorders were evaluated using DSM-Ⅳ or MMSE to confirm the psychiatric diagnoses, while 10% of participants at low risk of mental disorders were randomly selected to be evaluated. The prevalence and its 95% confidence interval of mental disorders were adjusted according to study design and sociodemographic characteristics of the sample. The between-group differences of prevalence were compared using chi-square tests or Fisher′s exact tests as appropriately.Results:A total of 27 489 individuals completed survey. The adjusted prevalence of any mental disorder was 17.46% (95 %CI 17.02%-17.89%). The five most prevalent mental disorder spectrums were substance use disorders (5.29%), mood disorders (4.47%), anxiety disorders (4.46%), intellectual and mental disorders due to physical or substance (1.91%), and psychotic disorders (1.12%). The most common mental disorders were alcohol use disorder (5.27%) and major depressive disorder (2.14%). The prevalence of mental disorders in men was higher than that in women (23.37% vs. 13.89%; χ 2=408.91, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of mental disorders between rural residents and urban residents (17.69% vs. 17.20%; χ2=1.05, P=0.305). Of participants with mental disorders, 26.12% (1 047/4 008) had moderate to severe functional impairment and 10.98% (428/3 898) have sought professional help. Conclusion:The prevalence of mental disorders among people aged 18 and above in Shandong Province is basically consistent with the results of similar domestic studies. The prevalence of mental disorder was higher in men than in women and was not differ in participants living in urban and rural areas. Alcohol use disorder, major depressive disorder, non-specific anxiety disorder and non-specific depressive disorder are most common mental disorders.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of donor dexmedetomidine preconditioning on the renal function of patients undergoing living-related kidney transplantation.Methods:Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅲ-Ⅳ patients, regardless of gender, aged 20-64 yr, with body mass of 18.5-28.0 kg/m 2, undergoing living-related kidney transplantation, were selected.Sixty corresponding donors, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, regardless of gender, aged 20-64 yr, with body mass index of 18.5-28.0 kg/m 2, were selected.The patients and donors were divided into 2 groups using a random number table method: control group (group C) and dexmedetomidine group (group D), with 30 pairs in each group.Before induction of anesthesia, dexmedetomidine was intravenously infused over 10 min in a loading dose of 1 μg/kg followed by an intravenous infusion of 0.5 μg·kg -1·h -1 until the time point when the renal artery was blocked immediately in the donors of group D, while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead until the time point when the renal artery was blocked immediately in the donors of group C. In both groups, total intravenous anesthesia was applied in donors and recipients, Nacotrend values were maintained at 40-60 during operation, mean arterial pressure and heart rate were maintained within the normal range, and dopamine was intravenously infused when necessary.The warm ischemia time and cold ischemia time of donor kidneys were recorded in the two groups.Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the donors immediately before renal artery occlusion and from the recipients before renal artery opening (T 0) and at 1, 12 and 24 h after renal artery opening (T 1-3) to determine the serum creatinine (Cr), urea nitrogen (BUN) and cysteine protease inhibitor C (CysC) concentrations.The intraoperative volume of fluid infused, urine volume and consumption of propofol, remifentanil and dopamine were recorded in the receptors of two groups. Results:There was no significant difference in the concentrations of Cr, BUN and CysC and warm ischemia time and cold ischemia time of kidneys in between the two groups of donors ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the consumption of propofol, remifentanil and dopamine, volume of fluid infused and urine volume during surgery between the two groups of recipients ( P>0.05). Compared with group C, the concentrations of Cr, BUN and CysC were significantly decreased in at T 1 in group D ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Donor dexmedetomidine preconditioning is helpful in improving the perioperative renal function of patients undergoing living-related kidney transplantation.

Objective:To explore the effects of secondary pulmonary hypertension(SPH)on postoperative outcomes of lung transplant recipients.Methods:The hospitalization data of 309 patients undergoing lung transplant were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into normal(mPAP <25 mmHg, 56 cases), low-pressure(mPAP: 25 mmHg≤mPAP<40 mmHg, 155 cases)and high pressure(mPAP ≥40 mmHg, 98 cases)groups.Three groups were compared with regards to general profiles, intraoperative status, postoperative outcomes and survival rates. The postoperative patient survival was plotted by Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank test performed. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to explore the influencing factors of postoperative survival.Results:The distribution of chronic lung disease(CLD)was statistically different among 3 groups( χ2=30.837, P=0.001). Patients with different levels of pulmonary artery pressure had different decisions supported intraoperatively by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)( χ2=28.205, P<0.001). The 2-year survival rates of normal, low-pressure and high-pressure groups were 58.9 %, 63.9 % and 69.4 % respectively and there were no statistically significant differences( P=0.513). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that preoperative cardiac function was an independent risk factor for postoperative survival. The postoperative risk of mortality was 1.796 (95 %CI: 1.078~2.991)folds higher in patients with cardiac function grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ than those with grade Ⅰ/Ⅱ( P=0.025). Conclusions:Preoperative classification of cardiac function should be emphasized in SPH patients. And surgery during early decompensated stage of cardiac function may confer a better survival.

Objective To evaluate the effects of flurbiprofen axetil administered at different time points on oxygenation in the patients undergoing one-lung ventilation (OLV).Methods Ninety patients of both sexes,aged 45-64 yr,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,undergoing elective thoracoscope-assisted pulmonary lobectomy,were assigned into 3 groups (n =30 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),preoperative administration group (group F1) and intraoperative administration group (group F2).Flurbiprofen axetil (10 mg/ml) and fat emulsion 10 ml were injected intravenously at 15 min before operation in F1 and C groups,respectively.Flurbiprofen axetil 10 ml was intravenously injected immediately after the beginning of OLV in group F2.At 15 min before operation (T1),15 and 30 min of OLV (T2,3),and 15 min after restoration of two-lung ventilation (T4),airway peak pressure (Ppeak) and dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) were recorded,arterial blood samples were collected for blood gas analysis.The arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) was recorded,and the oxygenation index (OI) and intrapulmonary shunt (Qs/Qt) were calculated.The concentrations of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-K-PGF1α) in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and TXB2/6-K-PGF1α ratio was calculated.The development of interrupting OLV due to SpO2＜90％ and postoperative dyspnea,pulmonary infection,atelectasis and length of hospital stay were recorded.Results Compared with group C,PaO2 and OI were significantly increased,and Qs/Qt was decreased at T2,3,the serum concentrations of TXB2 and 6-K-PGF1α were decreased,and TXB2/6-K-PGF1α ratio was increased at T2-4,the incidence of interrupting OLV was decreased (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group F2 (P＞0.05).Compared with group F1,PaO2 and OI were significantly decreased at T2,3,Qs/Qt was increased at T2,and the serum concentrations of TXB2 and 6-K-PGF1α were increased,and TXB2/6-K-PGF1α ratio was decreased at T2-4 in group F2 (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative dyspnea,pulmonary infection and atelectasis and length of hospital stay between the three groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion Flurbiprofen axetil injected at 15 min before operation can significantly improve oxygenation and prevent the development of hyoxemia in the patients undergoing OLV,however,flurbiprofen axetil administered immediately after the beginning of OLV has no such effect.