Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disorder, typically managed with on-demand medications during acute attacks. Clinical trials and real-world studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of icatibant in treating acute HAE attacks. This article aims to summarize research findings on icatibant in HAE treatment, providing a reference for its clinical application.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the efficacy and safety of concomitant left atrial appendage clipping during heart valve surgery for valvular heart disease patients with atrial fibrillation. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients who underwent concomitant left atrial appendage clipping during cardiac valve surgery in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from January 2017 to June 2023 were included in the analysis, including 1 case who underwent aortic valve replacement, 49 cases who underwent mitral valve replace-ment (or valvuloplasty)+tricuspid valvuloplasty, and 8 cases who underwent double valve replacement+tricuspid valvuloplasty (3 cases combined with coronary artery bypass grafting). The patients were followed up for 3-36 months [(16.69±6.61) months] after operation, and the changes of cardiac function and the occurrence of serious adverse complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The cardiopulmonary bypass time ranged from 75 to 145 min [(102.50±21.03) min], and the aortic cross-clamp time ranged from 35 to 80 min [(58.02±14.63) min]. The length of postoperative intensive care unit stay was 1 to 5 days [(2.47±0.82) d], and the length of postoperative hospital stay was 7 to 22 days [(10.84±2.69) d]. Cardiac ultrasound indicated complete closure of the left atrial appendage in all cases. During the follow-up, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classifications were improved in 54 patients. No left atrial appendage-related bleeding events or other perioperative complications were observed; and no cerebral infarction, limb embolism events, or mortality cases occurred during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS For valvular heart disease patients with atrial fibrillation, concomitant left atrial appendage clipping during cardiac valve surgery demonstrates efficacy and safety, with no severe adverse events during a medium-term follow-up.
Humans ; Atrial Appendage/surgery* ; Atrial Fibrillation/complications* ; Male ; Female ; Heart Valve Diseases/complications* ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Mitral Valve/surgery*

Objective:To explore the effect of family empowerment model on the improvement of swallowing care ability and care preparedness of primary caregivers of first-episode stroke dysphagia patients, further to explore its impact on patients′s wallowing function and life quality.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled study. From January 2021 to December 2022, 80 main caregivers of patients with dysphagia caused by manual stroke admitted to the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shenzhen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were selected as the research objects, and 40 cases in the control group and 40 cases in the observation group were selected by random number table method. The control group were treated with conventional nursing care of first-episode stroke dysphagia patients in the acupuncture and moxibustion Department. On the basis of the conventional care in the control group, the observation group were treated with family empowerment model intervention for 14 days and was followed up for 28 days. Primary caregivers′ swallowing care ability, Caregiver Preparedness Scale (CPS), patients′ swallowing function rate, Swallowing Related Quality of Life (SWALQOL) were used to evaluate the effects before intervention and at the end of intervention.Results:There were 18 males and 19 females primary caregivers in the control group, aged (55.61 ± 7.43) years old. There were 18 males and 21 females primary caregivers in the observation group, aged (58.23 ± 8.22) years old. The swallowing care ability score showed a statistically significant difference between the observation group (143.47 ± 3.96) and the control group (107.74 ± 1.43) ( t=-26.76, P<0.05). After intervention, the caregiver preparedness scale was (26.11 ± 3.81) in the observation group, and (18.35 ± 4.54) in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-4.11, P<0.05).The patients′ swallowing function rate and SWALQOL score were respectively 97.44% (38/39) and (91.41 ± 8.08) points in the observation group, and 72.97% (27/37) and (80.33 ± 4.21) points in the control group, and the difference was both statistically significant ( χ2=10.76, t=-2.54, both P<0.05). Conclusions:The implementation of family empowerment model could enhance the swallowing care ability and care preparedness of primary caregivers of the first-episode stroke dysphagia patients, which could further improve patients′ swallowing function and life quality.

Background::Limited information exists regarding the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on psoriasis patients. The objective of this study was to identify clinical factors associated with the prognosis of psoriasis following SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods::A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted between March and May 2023. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related psoriasis outcomes. The study included 2371 psoriasis patients from 12 clinical centers, with 2049 of them having been infected with SARS-CoV-2.Results::Among the infected groups, lower exacerbation rates were observed in individuals treated with biologics compared to those receiving traditional systemic or nonsystemic treatments (22.3% [236/1058] vs. 39.8% [92/231] vs. 37.5% [140/373], P <0.001). Psoriasis progression with lesions (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 8.197, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 5.685–11.820, compared to no lesions), hypertension (adjusted OR = 1.582, 95% CI = 1.068–2.343), traditional systemic (adjusted OR = 1.887, 95% CI= 1.263–2.818), and nonsystemic treatment (adjusted OR= 1.602, 95% CI= 1.117–2.297) were found to be associated with exacerbation of psoriasis after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but not biologics (adjusted OR = 0.931, 95% CI = 0.680–1.274, compared to no treatment), according to multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusions::A reduced risk of psoriasis exacerbation after SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed with biologics compared to traditional systemic and nonsystemic treatments. Significant risk factors for exacerbation after infection were identified as existing psoriatic lesions and hypertension.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Yiqi tongmai formula on atherosclerosis （AS） in ApoE－/－ mice and its mechanism. METHODS Forty ApoE－/－ mice were randomly divided into model group， positive control group [atorvastatin calcium， 2.6 mg/（kg·d）]， and low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups of Yiqi tongmai formula [0.46， 0.91， 1.82 g/（kg·d）， by raw material]， with 8 mice in each group. Eight C57BL/6J mice were selected as the normal group. Except for the normal group， the other groups were given a high-lipid diet and relevant drug or normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for 12 consecutive weeks. After the last medication， the serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） as well as the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 （MCP-1） were measured in mice. The proportion of aortic plaque area in each group of mice was detected and calculated， and the pathological morphological changes of the aortic sinus were observed； the protein phosphorylation levels of aortic phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）， protein kinase B （aka Akt） and mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） were examined. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the serum levels of TC， TG and LDL-C and the contents of TNF-α， IL-1β and MCP-1 （including low-dose group） were decreased significantly in medium-dose and high-dose groups of Yiqi tongmai formula， while the content of HDL-C in high-dose group was increased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； aortic plaques of the mice were reduced in Yiqi tongmai formula groups to different extents， and pathological changes such as lipid deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration were relieved to different extents； the proportion of aortic plaque area， the protein phosphorylation levels of PI3K， Akt and mTOR in aortic tissue were significantly reduced in medium-dose and high-dose groups of Yiqi tongmai formula （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Yiqi tongmai formula can improve lipid metabolism， reduce inflammatory response， and delay plaque development in AS mice. Its effect may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway activation.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effect of stewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix on androgenic alopecia （AGA） and study the treatment mechanism. MethodNinety-nine SPF-grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomized into control， model， positive drug （finasteride， 0.65 mg·kg^-1）， low （0.78 g·kg^-1）， medium （1.56 g·kg^-1）， and high （3.12 g·kg^-1）-dose stewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix， and Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata groups by the random number table method. The mouse model of AGA was constructed by subcutaneous multi-point injection of testosterone propionate diluent for 60 days， and the mice were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage from day 11. The therapeutic effects of stewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix and Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata on AGA were evaluated by newly hair area， hair length， hair weight in the hair removal area， and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the levels of testosterone （T）， dihydrotestosterone （DHT）， and 5α-reductase （5-AR） in the skin tissue of mice. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of key proteins in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group （after 60 days of modeling） showed reductions in the newly hair area， hair length and weight in the back hair removal area， and ratio of hair follicles containing melanin to total hair follicles （P<0.05， P<0.01）， elevated levels of T， DHT， and 5-AR， up-regulated expression level of glycogen synthase kinase-3β （GSK-3β） （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated expression levels of β-catenin， phospho-glycogen synthase kinase-3β （p-GSK-3β）， and p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the skin tissue. Compared with the model group， the positive drug， low-， medium-， and high-dose stewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix， and low-， medium-， and high-dose Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata improved the newly hair area and hair length of mice （P<0.01）， and stewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix and Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata at low and medium doses improved the weight of newly formed hair in mice （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The positive drug， low-， medium-， and high-dose stewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix， and low- and high-dose Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata increased the ratio of hair follicles containing melanin to total hair follicles in the skin tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata at the same doses， the medium and high doses of stewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix increased the ratio of melanin-containing hair follicles to total hair follicles （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， stewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix lowered the levels of T and DHT， down-regulated the expression level of GSK-3β （P<0.01）， and up-regulated the expression levels of β-catenin， p-GSK-3β， and p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the skin tissue of the mice. ConclusionStewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix can ameliorate androgenic alopecia in mice by reducing the androgen level and promoting Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Yiqi Tongxin formula （YQTM） on liver inflammation in apolipoprotein E^-∕- （ApoE^-∕-） mice by regulating the nuclear transcription factor-κB （NF-κB）/NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） signaling pathway. MethodForty ApoE^-∕- mice were randomly divided into a model group， an atorvastatin group （positive drug group）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose YQTM groups （0.39， 0.78， 1.56 g·kg^-1）. Each drug administration group was given the corresponding concentration of the drug by gavage on the basis of high-fat feeding for 12 consecutive weeks. Eight C57BL/6J mice were used as a blank group and fed with normal chow. After 12 weeks， oil red O staining and Masson staining were used to observe the aortic lesions in mice and to determine whether the modeling was successful. Oil red O staining was used to observe the lipidosis in the livers of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the tissue lesions in the livers of mice. Masson staining was used to observe the distribution of collagen fibers in the livers of mice. Enzyme markers were used to detect the total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density lipoprotein （LDL-C）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， and alanine aminotransferase （ALT） in mouse serum， as well as total cholesterol （TC） and triglyceride （TG） in the liver. Interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and IL-18 were detected in mouse liver by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was utilized to observe the expression regions of NF-κB and NLRP3 in the livers of mice. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression levels of NF-κB， NF-κB inhibitory protein （IκB）， IκB kinase β （IKKβ）， phosphorylated NF-κB （p-NF-κB）， phosphorylated IκB （p-IκB）， phosphorylated IKK β （p-IKKβ）， NLRP3， and Caspase-1 in the livers of mice. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed severe aortic lipidosis， and the intracellular fat droplets in the livers aggregated in large quantities. The cytoplasm was filled with fat vacuoles（P<0.01）. The serum levels of TG， TC， LDL-C， AST， and ALT were significantly elevated in the mice（P<0.01）. TG and TC levels were elevated in the liver（P<0.01）. The levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in liver tissue， as well as the protein expression levels of NF-κB， IκB， IKKβ， p-NF-κB， p-IκB， p-IKKβ， NLRP3， and Caspase-1 in the liver were significantly elevated（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the aortic arch plaques of mice in each YQTM group were attenuated， and the fat aggregation in the liver was reduced. The inflammatory cell infiltration was alleviated（P<0.05，P<0.01）. The serum levels of TG， TC， LDL-C， AST， and ALT were significantly reduced（P<0.05，P<0.01）. TG and TC levels in the liver were reduced. The IL-1β and IL-18 levels in liver tissue， as well as protein expression levels of NF-κB， IκB， IKKβ， p-NF-κB， p-IκB， p-IKKβ， NLRP3， and Caspase-1 in the liver were significantly reduced（P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionThe intervention mechanism of YQTM on liver inflammation in ApoE^-∕- mice may be related to the down-regulation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the effect of high-intensity ultrasound focused ablation in the treatment of ⅡB cesarean scar Pregnancy.Methods A total of 365 patients in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 which were ⅡB Cesarean Scar Pregnancy were selected as the research objects.The research objects were divided into the experimental group pretreated by high-intensity ultrasound ablation(186 cases)and the control group without treatment(179 cases)to compare the levels of intraoperative blood loss,postoperative vaginal bleeding time,human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG)decline rate after the operation,success rate of operation and other indicators.Results The amount of intraoperative blood loss and postoperative vaginal bleeding time in the experimental group were less than those in the control group(P<0.05),and the decrease rate of blood HCG in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).There was significant difference in the success rate of operation between the experimental group and the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in menstrual volume between the experimental group and the control group(P>0.05),but the control group had prolonged menstruation,and the incidence of postoperative complications between the experimental group and the control group have no statistical significance.Conclusion High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation can effectively reduce intraoperative blood loss in patients of type ⅡB cesarean scar pregnancy,reduce the application of invasive methods such as laparoscopy,can be promoted as a pretreatment method for type ⅡB cesarean scar pregnancy.

Objective:To analyze the problems in human genetic resource management in the field of stomatology and explore corresponding strategies.Methods:By organizing and analyzing stomatological projects related to the disclosure of information on human genetic resources by the Ministry of Science and Technology, combined with literature analysis and interviews with research management leaders, the problems in human genetic resource management in stomatological institutions were summarized and management strategies were proposed.Results:61 projects were approved for the utilization of human genetic resources in the field of stomatology, showing an increasing trend year by year. Among them, 43 projects were approved by stomatological institutions as the team leader unit; There are problems in the management of human genetic resources in stomatological institutions, such as insufficient resource development and utilization, urgent development of biological sample banks, and incomplete resource sharing mechanisms. The interview results show that the management of human genetic resources needs to be improved, and the management departments and professional management personnel, system construction, and training need to be strengthened.Conclusions:Stomatological colleges and institutions should comprehensively coordinate the management of human genetic resources, establish a sound management system, strengthen the construction of biological sample banks, expand shared resources through multiple channels, fully utilize human genetic resources for research, and promote the high-quality development of stomatology.