Objective To explore the effect of Rhizoma Polygonati(RP)on arterial aging in naturally aging Wistar rats.Methods SPF Wistar rats aged 72 weeks were divided randomly divided into 4 groups:an old group and RP low,medium,and high-dose groups(n=14 rats per group).Another 14 male SPF Wistar rats aged 8～12 weeks were selected as the young group.Rats in the RP high,medium,and low-dose groups were administered with 4,2,and 1 g/kg RP,respectively,by gavage,and rats in the old and young groups were given the same amount of distilled water once a day for 12 weeks.Seven rats from each group were sacrificed under anesthesia at weeks 4 and 12 and aortas were isolated.The relative smooth muscle cell(SMC)and collagen fiber(CF)contents were analyzed,total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels were measured,and the expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins in arterial tissue were detected by Western Blot.Results Rats in the old group showed obvious signs of vascular aging but there was no significant changes in arterial vascular tissue indexes in the old group with increased age.Aortas were obviously injured,relative contents of SMC and CF were significantly increased(P＜0.01),T-AOC,SOD,and GSH-Px contents were significantly decreased and MDA was increased(P＜0.01)in the old group compared with the young group at 4 and 8 weeks,and expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01).RP intervention significantly decreased the relative SMC and CF contents and MDA levels(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)and significantly increased T-AOC,SOD,and GSH-Px(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins were also significantly decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).High-dose RP had the greatest effect.Conclusions Arterial aging is relatively stable in the short term in naturally aging rats.RP could delay arterial aging in naturally aging rats by regulating the level of oxidative stress and the expression of cell cycle-associated proteins.

Objective To explore the effect of Rhizoma Polygonati(RP)on arterial aging in naturally aging Wistar rats.Methods SPF Wistar rats aged 72 weeks were divided randomly divided into 4 groups:an old group and RP low,medium,and high-dose groups(n=14 rats per group).Another 14 male SPF Wistar rats aged 8～12 weeks were selected as the young group.Rats in the RP high,medium,and low-dose groups were administered with 4,2,and 1 g/kg RP,respectively,by gavage,and rats in the old and young groups were given the same amount of distilled water once a day for 12 weeks.Seven rats from each group were sacrificed under anesthesia at weeks 4 and 12 and aortas were isolated.The relative smooth muscle cell(SMC)and collagen fiber(CF)contents were analyzed,total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels were measured,and the expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins in arterial tissue were detected by Western Blot.Results Rats in the old group showed obvious signs of vascular aging but there was no significant changes in arterial vascular tissue indexes in the old group with increased age.Aortas were obviously injured,relative contents of SMC and CF were significantly increased(P＜0.01),T-AOC,SOD,and GSH-Px contents were significantly decreased and MDA was increased(P＜0.01)in the old group compared with the young group at 4 and 8 weeks,and expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01).RP intervention significantly decreased the relative SMC and CF contents and MDA levels(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)and significantly increased T-AOC,SOD,and GSH-Px(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins were also significantly decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).High-dose RP had the greatest effect.Conclusions Arterial aging is relatively stable in the short term in naturally aging rats.RP could delay arterial aging in naturally aging rats by regulating the level of oxidative stress and the expression of cell cycle-associated proteins.

In light of the scarcity of freshwater resources and challenges in ensuring potable water supply at naval stations,the entire process of drinking water supply at a naval station was comprehensively investigated by field surveys and inquiries.The drinking water supply of the naval station was significantly affected by low and high water periods,and the water quality was poor.The water purification was insufficient.The freshwater collected through groundwater or rainwater had a poor taste,which resulted in a low level of satisfaction among officers and soldiers.In consideration of the meteorological characteristics and water resources utilization status at the island observation station,this study presents recommendations for enhancing the drinking water supply for officers and soldiers stationed there.Furthermore,this study discusses the feasibility of implementing air-to-water production technology to improve the quality of drinking water at the naval island stations,thereby safeguarding personnel health and maintaining combat effectiveness.

Hydroxychloroquine retinopathy is an ocular lesions that develops following long-term or excessive use of hydroxychloroquine. The early clinical presentation of this lesion is nonspecific and is often detected when severe central vision impairment occurs in late stage. It currently mainly includes hydroxychloroquine binding to melanin, inducing degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium, increasing the pH of lysosomes in the retinal pigment epithelium and interfering with the visual cycle. In recent years, with the development of retinal imaging technology and the in-depth study of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy, characteristic fundus structural changes such as retinal and choroidal thickness and blood vessels may occur in the early stage. This not only provides an important basis for the early diagnosis of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy, but also provides important clues for investigating its pathogenesis. Clinicians' proficiency in relevant fundus changes and pathogenesis will facilitate early diagnosis and treatment, while also minimizing irreversible central vision impairment in patients.

Objective:To explore the occurrence, influencing factors, and predictive biomarkers of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in malignant tumor patients treated with tislelizumab.Methods:The electronic medical records of adult patients with malignant tumors, who received tislelizumab for at least one cycle from June 2020 to June 2023 at Shanghai Ninth People′s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, were collected, and the occurrence and clinical characteristics of irAEs were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into irAEs group and non-irAEs group according to whether they had irAEs. The clinical characteristics and detection value of biomarkers in patients of the 2 groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of irAEs in patients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to find the cutoff point of the biomarkers for predicting the irAEs.Results:A total of 107 patients were entered, including 81 males (75.7%) and 26 females (24.3%), aged (61±15) years. Among them, 25 patients (23.4%) were diagnosed with tislelizumab-related irAEs, of which 6 patients (5.6%) had irAEs with a severity of grade 3 and above. A total of 28 irAEs occurred in the 25 patients, including 9 cases of thyroid dysfunction, 4 cases of immune-related enteritis, 4 cases of rashes, 3 cases of immune-related pneumonitis, 3 cases of kidney injury, 3 cases of liver injury, 1 case of immune-related myositis, and 1 case of hypertension. The median treatment cycle from the start of tislelizumab to the occurrence of irAEs was 3 (1, 5) cycles. After discontinuation of tislelizumab and/or glucocorticoids and symptomatic treatments, all 25 patients were improved. No deaths occurred due to irAEs. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLP) at baseline was a protective factor for irAEs [odds ratio ( OR)=0.453, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.279-0.735, P=0.001], while a high platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) at baseline was a risk factor ( OR=1.006, 95% CI: 1.002-1.011, P=0.008). The ROC curve analysis results showed that the cutoff points of NLR and PLR at baseline for predicting the occurrence of irAEs were 1.58 (sensitivity: 0.988; specificity: 0.644) and 159.40 (sensitivity: 0.800; specificity: 0.524), respectively. Conclusions:The incidence of irAEs in the tislelizumab treatment for adult malignant tumors was 23.4%. Thyroid dysfunction is most common and attentions should also be paid to immune-related enteritis, rashes, immune-related pneumonitis, kidney injury, and liver injury. Baseline levels of NLR and PLR may be biomarkers for predicting irAEs.

Objective:To explore the occurrence, influencing factors, and predictive biomarkers of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in malignant tumor patients treated with tislelizumab.Methods:The electronic medical records of adult patients with malignant tumors, who received tislelizumab for at least one cycle from June 2020 to June 2023 at Shanghai Ninth People′s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, were collected, and the occurrence and clinical characteristics of irAEs were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into irAEs group and non-irAEs group according to whether they had irAEs. The clinical characteristics and detection value of biomarkers in patients of the 2 groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of irAEs in patients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to find the cutoff point of the biomarkers for predicting the irAEs.Results:A total of 107 patients were entered, including 81 males (75.7%) and 26 females (24.3%), aged (61±15) years. Among them, 25 patients (23.4%) were diagnosed with tislelizumab-related irAEs, of which 6 patients (5.6%) had irAEs with a severity of grade 3 and above. A total of 28 irAEs occurred in the 25 patients, including 9 cases of thyroid dysfunction, 4 cases of immune-related enteritis, 4 cases of rashes, 3 cases of immune-related pneumonitis, 3 cases of kidney injury, 3 cases of liver injury, 1 case of immune-related myositis, and 1 case of hypertension. The median treatment cycle from the start of tislelizumab to the occurrence of irAEs was 3 (1, 5) cycles. After discontinuation of tislelizumab and/or glucocorticoids and symptomatic treatments, all 25 patients were improved. No deaths occurred due to irAEs. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLP) at baseline was a protective factor for irAEs [odds ratio ( OR)=0.453, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.279-0.735, P=0.001], while a high platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) at baseline was a risk factor ( OR=1.006, 95% CI: 1.002-1.011, P=0.008). The ROC curve analysis results showed that the cutoff points of NLR and PLR at baseline for predicting the occurrence of irAEs were 1.58 (sensitivity: 0.988; specificity: 0.644) and 159.40 (sensitivity: 0.800; specificity: 0.524), respectively. Conclusions:The incidence of irAEs in the tislelizumab treatment for adult malignant tumors was 23.4%. Thyroid dysfunction is most common and attentions should also be paid to immune-related enteritis, rashes, immune-related pneumonitis, kidney injury, and liver injury. Baseline levels of NLR and PLR may be biomarkers for predicting irAEs.

Objective:To compare the clinical value of stent assisted intestinal bypass and temporary loop ileostomy in laparoscopic low anterior resection of rectal cancer.Method:In this retrospective analysis, 57 patients undergoing laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer in the First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University from Jan 2020 to Jan 2022 were divided into intestinal bypass group (36 cases) and loop ileostomy group (21 cases).Result:There were no significant differences in postoperative GI function recovery and postoperative complication rate between the two groups (all P>0.05). The levels of albumin, prealbumin and hemoglobin in the intestinal bypass group were better than those in the ileostomy group when evaluated on 3rd months after operation [(40.5±2.3) g/L vs. (38.1±2.6)g/L、(26.4±2.7)mg/dl vs. (24.5±2.0)mg/dl、(137.6±5.9) g/L vs. (134.0±7.0) g/L, t=3.605、2.743、2.085, all P<0.05]. Hospital expenses of the intestinal bypass group was lower [(571 000±7 500) yuan vs. (69 300±9 100) yuan, t=-5.477, P<0.05]. Conclusion:Compared with traditional ileostomy, the stent assisted intestinal bypass reduces trauma with lower expenses and improves patients' status after laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Objective: As cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered as the origin of tumor development, recurrence, and drug resistance, we aimed to explore the mechanism related to modulating stemness in CSCs, thus facilitating to search for new therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer. Methods: In this study, ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs) induced from cell line 3AO and A2780 were enriched in serum-free medium (SFM). The effect of SURF4 on CSC-like properties was evaluated by sphere-forming assays, re-differentiation assays, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, Western blotting, cell viability assays and in vivo xenograft experiments. The downstream molecule participating in SURF4 maintaining stemness was screened by RNA-sequencing and identified by the experiments of gene function. Results: SURF4 was upregulated expressed in OCSCs. Knockdown of SURF4 reduced the expression of the related stem markers (SOX2 and c-MYC), inhibited self-renewal ability, and improved the sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs (paclitaxel and cisplatin) in OCSCs.SURF4 knockdown also inhibited tumorigenesis in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency mice. BIRC3 expression was controlled by SURF4, and BIRC3 showed the similar effect as SURF4 did, and BIRC3 overexpression partially recovered stem-like properties abolished by SURF4 knockdown. Conclusion Our findings suggest that SURF4 possesses the ability to maintain stemness of OCSCs via BIRC3, and may serve as a potential target in stem cell-targeted therapy for ovarian cancer.

Objective:To analyze the distribution and drug sensitivity of pathogens and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) related measurements in AIDS patients with central nervous system (CNS) infections in Chongqing, so as to provide guidance for etiological diagnosis and rational use of antibiotics in AIDS patients with CNS infections.Methods:A total of 173 AIDS patients with CNS infections were divided into fungal group, Gram-positive bacilli group, Gram-positive cocci group and Gram-negative bacilli group. During the same period, 198 AIDS patients with non-CNS infection visited this hospital were enrolled into the control group. CSF and blood were collected for bacterial culture. The composition and drug resistance of pathogens were analyzed. The levels of CSF related measurements were determined and compared.Results:A total of 173 strains of pathogens were isolated from the CSF of the AIDS patients with CNS infections. The 173 strains included 101 (58.38%) fungi, 39 (22.54%) Gram-positive bacilli, 24 (13.87%) Gram positive cocci and 9 (5.20%) Gram-negative bacilli; 230 strains of pathogens were isolated from the blood of the AIDS patients with non CNS infections. The 198 strains were composed of 107(54.04%) fungi, 65 (32.83%) Gram positive cocci and 26 (13.13%) Gram-negative bacilli. Antifungal sensitivity testing result of Cryptococcus neoformans showed that MIC of amphotericin B, fluorocytosine, fluconazole, voriconazole and itraconazole were≤4, ≤32, ≤8, ≤1 and ≤1 μg/ml. The resistance rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to rifampicin was 7.69%. The result of drug sensitivity of coagulase negative staphylococci isolated from patients with CNS infections and non-CNS infections were consistent. There were significant differences among Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacteriaceae and Acinetobacter. Compared with the control group, the levels of protein were higher and the levels of chloride and glucose were lower in fungal group, Gram-positive bacteria group, Gram-positive coccus group and Gram-negative bacteria group ( t=3.408-9.249, all P<0.011). The levels of protein, adenosine deaminase (ADA) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in Gram-positive bacilli group were significantly higher than those in fungal group, Gram-positive coccus group, Gram-negative bacteria group and control group ( t=3.836-7.686, all P<0.037). Conclusions:The pathogens causing CNS and blood infections in AIDS patients were widely distributed, mainly dominated by fungus. The CSF related measurements varied with different pathogens, so as to assist in the etiological diagnosis of CNS infections.

COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread throughout the world. China has achieved rapid containment of this highly infectious disease following the principles of early detection, early quarantine and early treatment with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The inclusion of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the Chinese protocol is based on its successful historic experience in fighting against pestilence. Current findings have shown that the Chinese medicine can reduce the incidence of severe or critical events, improve clinical recovery and help alleviate symptoms such as cough or fever. To date there are over 133 ongoing registered clinical studies on TCM/integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The three Chinese patent medicines (/ (Forsythiae and Honeysuckle Flower Pestilence-Clearing Granules/Capsules), (Honeysuckle Flower Cold-Relieving Granules) and (Stasis-Resolving & Toxin-Removing) were officially approved by the National Medical Products Administration to list COVID-19 as an additional indication. The pharmacological studies have suggested that Chinese medicine is effective for COVID-19 probably through its host-directed regulation and certain antiviral effects.