Objective To evaluate the predictive value of pyruvate kinase M2(PKM2)and transferrin saturation(TSAT)for major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)-coronary artery disease(CAD)patients after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI),and to analyze the relationship between these indicators and patients'cardiac function status.Methods The study cohort included 94 COPD-CAD patients diagnosed in Zhuozhou Hospital from January 2020 to May 2022.Left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV),left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVSV),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),mitral valve inflow velocity(E)and early diastolic mitral annular velocity(e')were assessed by echocardiography.Plasma PKM2 and TSAT levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.All patients were followed up for 2 years.The study end point was defined as MACE.Results During follow-up,22 patients(23.4%)experienced MACE.Compared with the non-MACE group,the MACE group showed increased peripheral blood PKM2 levels(P<0.05)and decreased TSAT levels(P<0.05).PKM2 was positively correlated with left ventricular end-systolic volume and E/e'(r=0.204 and 0.209,both P<0.05),and negatively correlated with ejection fraction and TSAT(r=-0.430 and-0.641,both P<0.001).TSAT was negatively correlated with left ventricular end-diastolic volume,left ventricular end-systolic volume and E/e'(r=-0.309,-0.470,-0.411,all P<0.001),and positively correlated with ejection fraction(r=0.470,P<0.001).PKM2(Hr=9.375,95%CI=4.145～21.203)and TSAT(Hr=0.753,95%CI=0.645～0.878)were independent influencing factors of MACE events in COPD-CAD patients(P<0.05).The AUC of PKM2 and TSAT in predicting MACE events were 0.835(95%CI=0.729～0.940)and 0.878(95%CI=0.811～0.946),respectively,with specificity of 72.7%and 90.9%,and sensitivity of 87.5%and 80.6%,respectively.Conclusion In patients with COPD-CAD treated by PCI,the changes of PKM2 and TSAT levels are independently related to MACE events,and are helpful to predict the occurrence of MACE events.

Objective:To investigate the effects of short-term olfactory training and visual stimulation on olfactory recognition function and quality of life in patients following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).Methods:A total of 80 patients who underwent FESS in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between December 2023 and February 2024 were enrolled in this study. The cohort comprised 67 males and 13 females, aged from 17 to 75 years. Participants were randomly allocated to either a control group ( n=40) or an experimental group ( n=40). The participants in control group received routine postoperative management, including nasal irrigation, oral antibiotics and glucocorticoids, topical budesonide nasal spray, and hypertonic saline solution for 12 weeks. In addition to the standard care, the participants in experimental group underwent olfactory-visual stimulation training starting 24 hours postoperatively, lasting for 2 weeks. The olfactory identification test (OIT), visual analogue scale (VAS) for olfaction and Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders of Life (QOD-QoL, hereafter referred to as QOD) were administered preoperatively. Follow-up assessments were performed 2 weeks and 3 months postoperatively, with the same tests repeated. Data were analyzed using SPSS 27.0 and GraphPad Prism 7 statistical software. Results:There was no significant difference in preoperative OIT, VAS, and QOD scores between the two groups. The olfactory recognition function of some patients was improved after removing the packing material 24 hours after FESS surgery. The OIT scores of 2 weeks post-surgery were significantly higher than preoperative values in both groups (the experimental group Z=-4.73, P<0.001; the control group Z=-4.73, P<0.001). Participants in both groups showed improvements in olfactory VAS and QOD scores (experimental group Z value was -2.88 and -5.45, P<0.01 and<0.001, respectively; the control group Z value was -4.42 and -5.50, respectively, both P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the VAS score between the two groups ( Z=-0.68, P=0.499). The paticipants in experimental group showed greater improvement in OIT and greater reduction in QOD scores compared to the control group ( Z=-2.19, P=0.029; Z=-2.99, P=0.003). There was no significant difference in the decrease of olfactory VAS between the two groups ( Z=-0.02, P=0.988). There were no statistically significant differences of all patients in VAS, OIT and QOD scores at 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery (experimental group Z value was -0.91, -0.90 and -1.43, respectively, all P>0.05; control group Z value was -1.21, -0.84 and -0.91, respectively, all P>0.05). At 3 months post-surgery, the OIT scores in the experimental group were higher, the QOD scores were lower than those in the control group ( Z=-2.89, P=0.004; Z=-2.87, P=0.004). Conclusion:Short-term olfactory-visual stimulation training in the early postoperative period of FESS significantly improves the olfactory recognition function and enhances the quality of life of patients.

Liver transplantation is the preferred treatment for cirrhosis, end-stage liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and is also the only effective curative method. Liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is one of the main adverse reactions of liver transplantation. During the operation, ischemia mediates the occurrence of liver IRI, promoting the cascade activation of reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory signals in Kupffer cells. With continued hepatocellular death during ischemia, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) accumulate and are released into systemic circulation, triggering a cytokine and chemokine storm, resulting in poor prognosis, postoperative liver failure, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). In liver transplantation-related IRI, PANoptosis—including apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy—participates in the process, but a comprehensive review is lacking. This article systematically elaborates on the roles of different types of cell death in liver IRI and the crosstalk among these pathways. It also discusses the protective effects of inhibiting different forms of cell death, aiming to provide direction for future basic research and offer new ideas and strategies for the clinical treatment of liver IRI.

Objective:To investigate the effects of short-term olfactory training and visual stimulation on olfactory recognition function and quality of life in patients following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).Methods:A total of 80 patients who underwent FESS in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between December 2023 and February 2024 were enrolled in this study. The cohort comprised 67 males and 13 females, aged from 17 to 75 years. Participants were randomly allocated to either a control group ( n=40) or an experimental group ( n=40). The participants in control group received routine postoperative management, including nasal irrigation, oral antibiotics and glucocorticoids, topical budesonide nasal spray, and hypertonic saline solution for 12 weeks. In addition to the standard care, the participants in experimental group underwent olfactory-visual stimulation training starting 24 hours postoperatively, lasting for 2 weeks. The olfactory identification test (OIT), visual analogue scale (VAS) for olfaction and Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders of Life (QOD-QoL, hereafter referred to as QOD) were administered preoperatively. Follow-up assessments were performed 2 weeks and 3 months postoperatively, with the same tests repeated. Data were analyzed using SPSS 27.0 and GraphPad Prism 7 statistical software. Results:There was no significant difference in preoperative OIT, VAS, and QOD scores between the two groups. The olfactory recognition function of some patients was improved after removing the packing material 24 hours after FESS surgery. The OIT scores of 2 weeks post-surgery were significantly higher than preoperative values in both groups (the experimental group Z=-4.73, P<0.001; the control group Z=-4.73, P<0.001). Participants in both groups showed improvements in olfactory VAS and QOD scores (experimental group Z value was -2.88 and -5.45, P<0.01 and<0.001, respectively; the control group Z value was -4.42 and -5.50, respectively, both P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the VAS score between the two groups ( Z=-0.68, P=0.499). The paticipants in experimental group showed greater improvement in OIT and greater reduction in QOD scores compared to the control group ( Z=-2.19, P=0.029; Z=-2.99, P=0.003). There was no significant difference in the decrease of olfactory VAS between the two groups ( Z=-0.02, P=0.988). There were no statistically significant differences of all patients in VAS, OIT and QOD scores at 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery (experimental group Z value was -0.91, -0.90 and -1.43, respectively, all P>0.05; control group Z value was -1.21, -0.84 and -0.91, respectively, all P>0.05). At 3 months post-surgery, the OIT scores in the experimental group were higher, the QOD scores were lower than those in the control group ( Z=-2.89, P=0.004; Z=-2.87, P=0.004). Conclusion:Short-term olfactory-visual stimulation training in the early postoperative period of FESS significantly improves the olfactory recognition function and enhances the quality of life of patients.

Liver transplantation is the preferred treatment for cirrhosis, end-stage liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and is also the only effective curative method. Liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is one of the main adverse reactions of liver transplantation. During the operation, ischemia mediates the occurrence of liver IRI, promoting the cascade activation of reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory signals in Kupffer cells. With continued hepatocellular death during ischemia, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) accumulate and are released into systemic circulation, triggering a cytokine and chemokine storm, resulting in poor prognosis, postoperative liver failure, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). In liver transplantation-related IRI, PANoptosis—including apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy—participates in the process, but a comprehensive review is lacking. This article systematically elaborates on the roles of different types of cell death in liver IRI and the crosstalk among these pathways. It also discusses the protective effects of inhibiting different forms of cell death, aiming to provide direction for future basic research and offer new ideas and strategies for the clinical treatment of liver IRI.

Objective:To investigate the effect of multi line therapy for lung adenocarcinoma transformed into small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and review and discuss the related literature.Methods:Combined with the clinical examples of lung adenocarcinoma transformed SCLC after treatment with anti epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs), the diagnostic process and multi line treatment plan of transformed SCLC were analyzed, and the therapeutic effect was evaluated by imaging. At the same time, it was reviewed and discussed in combination with relevant literature.Results:Serological tumor markers were significant for the diagnosis of transformed SCLC after EGFR-TKI treatment of lung adenocarcinoma, and pathology was still the gold standard for its diagnosis. The multiline therapy of SCLC has certain effect on transformed small cell lung cancer.Conclusion:The overall prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma transformed into SCLC after EGFR TKIs treatment is poor, so it is necessary to diagnose and treat it as early as possible, evaluate the effect of imaging in time, and make treatment adjustment quickly.

Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignant tumor originating from the bile duct epithelium, with the increasing incidence year by year. Its early symptoms are atypical and the diagnosis rate is low. Most of the patients are already in advanced stage when they are diagnosed, losing the best surgery period. Currently, the conservative treatments for unresectable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma include stent placement, radiofrequency ablation, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, targeted and immunotherapy and other systemic treatments. But due to the high malignancy of biliary tract tumors, the tendency to develop drug resistance and the limited population benefited from the emerging treatment modalities, we urgently need to explore new treatment strategies to break this bottleneck. As a new treatment for cholangiocarcinoma, photodynamic therapy has attracted much attention for its clinical application and therapeutic effects. In this paper, we summarize the principles of photodynamic therapy, the combination of photodynamic and other therapeutic modalities, especially the combination of photodynamic with emerging immune and targeted therapies, and describe the current hotspot directions of photodynamic therapy research at home and abroad to provide reference for clinical treatment and research.

Objective To explore the mechanisms of ligament of Marshall (LOM) initiat and sustain atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods The electrophysiologic properties of canine LOM were investigated using multipolar catheter mapping(normal canines,n =4,group A;AF canines,n =5,group B).The programmed stimulation were performed in the LOM,PV-left atrium(LA)junction and LA,respectively.Activations maps of LOM were analyzed from episodes of spontaneous onset of AF and initiation of induced AF by a single extrastimulus.The effectives refractory period of each part was compared and statistically analyzed among three parts in each group and between the two groups.LOM were cutted with surgical incision technology.The inducing rate of AF and the mapping rate of double potential and fragmented electrocardiogram were compared and statistically analyzed pro and post isolation of LOM.Results The incidence of abnormal potential of LOM in the two groups was significantly different(P ＜0.01),re-entry cycle(group A 25％ vs.B group 80％),tachycardia(group A 25％ vs.B 100％),double potential(group A 25％ vs.group B 80％),fragmentation potential(group A 25％ vs.group 80％).There was a significant difference in the rate of LOM tachycardia induction before and after LOM intervention in group B (P ＜ 0.05,before 100％ vs.after 20％).Conclusion There are two possible mechanisms of LOM involved in the occurrence and maintenance of AF:one is that LOM induces AF through spontaneous excitation,the other is that LOM participates in the reentry of left atrium and pulmonary vein in the form of bypass to induce and maintain AF.

BACKGROUND: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been proved to be related to the occurrence of diabetes, dilated cardiomyopathy and neurodegenerative diseases. Indeed, it is closely associated with osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of ER stress on the chondrocyte viability as well as the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis in rats. METHODS: Rat chondrocytes were isolated and cultured, and the ER stress in the rat chondrocytes was by 10 mg/L tunicamycin. The expression levels of ER stress markers C/EBP-homologous protein and 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein were detected by western blot assay, and the proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes were detected by cell counting kit-8 assay and AnnexinV-FITC flow cytometry, respectively. In the in vivo experiment, 15 Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and subjected to anterior cruciate ligament transection and medial meniscectomy to establish an animal model of osteoarthritis. Tunicamycin, tauroursodeoxycholic acid and PBS (blank control group) were respectively injected into the articular cavity, and then the progression of osteoarthritis was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining at 4 weeks after treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After addition of tunicamycin, the expression levels of C/EBP-homologous protein and 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein were significantly upregulated, the viability of chondrocytes was decreased gradually, while the apoptotic rate was increased significantly. Results from gross observation and hematoxylin-eosin staining suggested that tunicamycin promoted the progression of osteoarthritis and tauroursodeoxycholic acid delayed the deterioration of cartilage in the rats. These findings indicate that ER stress results in the decreased chondrocyte viability and increased apoptosis, which may be an important pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Additionally, tauroursodeoxycholic acid can effectively alleviate osteoarthritis induced by ER stress.

PURPOSE: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a key role in tissue repair and regeneration. Previous studies have shown that infusion of human umbilical cord blood-derived endothelial colony-forming cells improves outcomes in mice subjected to experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the efficiency of cell transplantation is not satisfactory. Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the survival of transplanted cells following ischemic reperfusion injury. This observational clinical study investigated the correlation between the number of circulating EPCs and plasma levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 20 patients with mild TBI at day-1, day-2, day-3, day-4, and day-7 post TBI. The number of circulating EPCs and the plasma levels of SOD and MDA were measured. RESULTS: The average of circulating EPCs in TBI patients decreased initially, but increased thereafter, compared with healthy controls. Plasma levels of SOD in TBI patients were significantly lower than those in healthy controls at day-4 post-TBI. MDA levels showed no difference between the two groups. Furthermore, when assessed on day-7 post-TBI, the circulating EPC number were correlated with the plasma levels of SOD and MDA. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the number of circulating EPCs is weakly to moderately correlated with plasma levels of SOD and MDA at day-7 post-TBI, which may offer a novel antioxidant strategy for EPCs transplantation after TBI.
Animals ; Brain Injuries* ; Cell Transplantation ; Clinical Study ; Endothelial Progenitor Cells* ; Humans ; Malondialdehyde ; Mice ; Oxidative Stress* ; Plasma ; Regeneration ; Reperfusion Injury ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Transplants ; Umbilical Cord