Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of warfarin-related nephropathy (WRN).Methods:Medical records of patients with WRN admitted to Linyi People′s Hospital Affiliated to Shandong Second Medical University from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2024 were collected. The patients′ basic information (gender, age), warfarin medication details (indications, dosage, frequency, etc.), comorbidities, concomitant medication usage, international normalized ratio (INR) and serum creatinine (Scr) test results before and after the occurrence of WRN, as well as the clinical manifestations, interventions, and outcomes of WRN were extracted. The causal relationship between warfarin and renal dysfunction was evaluated according to the Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting and Monitoring Manual. The clinical data of patients were descriptively and statistically analyzed. Results:A total of 11 patients were entered in the analysis, including 7 males and 4 females; the age ranged from 49 to 85 years, with a median age of 70 years, and 9 cases were older than 60 years. The causality evaluation showed that 3 patients were definite and 8 patients were probable. All the 11 patients had at least one comorbidity, including 6 cases of heart failure, 6 cases of hypoproteinemia, 4 cases of chronic kidney disease, 3 cases of hypertension, 3 cases of pulmonary infection, and 1 case of diabetes. Seven patients were treated with warfarin combined with broad-spectrum antibiotics, 6 combined with diuretics, and 3 combined with renin angiotensin system blockers. The time from the highest INR to the highest Scr level was 0-6 days, with a median time of 2 days, and it was ≤2 days in 9 patients. Six patients had bleeding manifestations such as microscopic hematuria, melena, epistaxis, hematochezia, and skin ecchymosis. Among the 11 patients, 10 stopped warfarin immediately and 1 reduced dosage. All patients received different doses of vitamin K 1 according to the INR level. Among the 6 patients of bleeding, 4 received symptomatic treatments such as omeprazole, tranexamic acid, somatostatin, thrombin powder and octreotide, and 2 patients received hemodialysis due to high Scr level. One patient with severe anemia received blood transfusion. After 1-5 days of treatments (with a median time of 2 days), the INR in all patients decreased to <3.00, of which 5 patients continued to take warfarin, 1 changed warfarin to rivaroxaban, and 5 did not continue anticoagulation therapy. After 2 to 14 days of treatments, Scr in 8 patients recovered to the reference value range, and Scr in 3 patients was still at a high level, of which 1 patient died of unexplained cardiac arrest. Conclusions:WRN is a common adverse reaction of warfarin, with or without bleeding. After the occurrence of WRN, the drug should be stopped as soon as possible and symptomatic treatment should be given. The prognosis is generally good, but it may also lead to chronic kidney disease.

Lumbar disc (LD) herniation and aging are prevalent conditions that can result in substantial morbidity. This study aimed to clarify the mechanisms connecting the LD aging and herniation, particularly focusing on cellular senescence and molecular alterations in the nucleus pulposus (NP). We performed a detailed analysis of NP samples from a diverse cohort, including individuals of varying ages and those with diagnosed LD herniation. Our methodology combined histological assessments with single-nucleus RNA sequencing to identify phenotypic and molecular changes related to NP aging and herniation. We discovered that cellular senescence and a decrease in nucleus pulposus progenitor cells (NPPCs) are central to both processes. Additionally, we found an age-related increase in NFAT1 expression that promotes NPPC senescence and contributes to both aging and herniation of LD. This research offers fresh insights into LD aging and its associated pathologies, potentially guiding the development of new therapeutic strategies to target the root causes of LD herniation and aging.
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/metabolism* ; Humans ; Aging/pathology* ; Nucleus Pulposus/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Transcriptome ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/pathology* ; Adult ; Cellular Senescence ; Stem Cells/pathology* ; Aged ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/metabolism*

Aralia taibaiensi, widely distributed in western China, particularly in the Qinba Mountains, has been utilized as a folk medicine for treating diabetes, gastropathy, rheumatism, and cardiovascular diseases. Saponins from A. taibaiensis (sAT) have demonstrated protective effects against oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In vivo, middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) induced inflammatory infiltration, neuronal injury, cell apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress in the ischaemic penumbra, which were effectively mitigated by sAT. sAT increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of apelin and its receptor apelin/apelin receptors (ARs) both in vivo and in vitro. (Ala13)-Apelin-13 (F13A) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) abolished the regulatory effects of sAT on neuroprotection mediated by adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/protein kinase B (Akt). Furthermore, sAT induced apelin/AR expression by simultaneously inhibiting P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P38 MAPK)/activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and upregulating hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Our findings indicate that sAT regulates apelin/AR/AMPK by inhibiting P38 MAPK/ATF4 and upregulating HIF-1a, thereby suppressing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Animals ; Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control* ; Aralia/chemistry* ; Saponins/administration & dosage* ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Male ; Apelin/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Neuroprotective Agents/administration & dosage* ; Brain Ischemia/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Apelin Receptors/genetics* ; Humans ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mice

BACKGROUND:The plateau environment affects the immune function and metabolic status of patients with osteomyelitis,leading to acceleration or complication of the disease process.The construction of effective and stable animal models of chronic osteomyelitis is essential for experimental studies of chronic osteomyelitis.OBJECTIVE:To establish a sheep model of chronic osteomyelitis in plateau regions for toxicity assessment and therapeutic research.METHODS:Fifteen healthy sheep were selected in this study.Sodium morrhuate and Staphylococcus aureus suspension were injected into the medullary cavity of the middle segment of the tibia to establish the chronic osteomyelitis model.General observation,body mass and temperature monitoring,blood infection index detection,radiological scoring,and microbial culture were performed for evaluation and analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Local tissue swelling and lameness of the affected leg were observed in all sheep in the early stage after modeling,accompanied by varying degrees of anorexia.A slight decrease in body mass was observed in sheep 1 week after modeling,while no significant changes in body temperature were observed.(2)The erythrocyte sedimentation rate significantly accelerated 4 days after modeling(P<0.05)and gradually returned to normal levels after 1 month.The white blood cell count showed a significant increase within 4 days after modeling and returned to normal after 1 week.The level of C-reactive protein increased significantly after modeling(P<0.05)and remained significantly higher than normal until the end of the experiment(P<0.05).(3)Fifteen sheep exhibited typical radiological manifestations of osteomyelitis,including unclear boundaries,irregular osteolytic lesions,and low-density bright absorption areas with interspersed necrotic bone fragments of increased and uneven density.Different degrees of periosteal reaction were observed in the cortex near the lesion.(4)Thirteen sheep were cultured for a single strain of Staphylococcus aureus,while two sheep were cultured for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.These findings indicate that a reliable chronic osteomyelitis animal model of sheep tibia can be successfully established in plateau regions by injecting an appropriate amount of Staphylococcus aureus suspension into the medullary cavity of sheep,combined with local implantation of foreign cotton thread and sodium morrhuate.

A 66-year-old female patient with multiple chronic diseases was on long-term treatment with digoxin, spironolactone, metoprolol, atorvastatin, dapagliflozin, and entecavir, with no abnormality platelet count (PLT). Due to hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation, digoxin was discontinued, and rivaroxaban 15 mg once daily orally was added to prevent thrombosis. Concurrently, furosemide, sacubitril valsartan, meglumine adenosine cyclophosphate, and silibinin was given for cardiac load reducement, blood pressure control and heart failure improvement, myocardial nutrition, and liver function improvement, respectively. After the initiation of this regimen, the patient′s PLT gradually decreased and was 51×10 9/L on day 13. Drug-induced thrombocytopenia was considered, with rivaroxaban being the likely causative agent. Rivaroxaban was then switched to warfarin, methylprednisolone 40 mg was administered intravenously once, and the remaining medications were continued. The patient′s PLT gradually increased. On day 11 after discontinuing rivaroxaban, the PLT was 155×10 9/L. At a 2-week follow-up, PLT of the patient was 169×10 9/L.

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors and prognosis of early recurrence after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 2 078 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer at six medical centers across China, including Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center et al, between January 2012 and June 2023 were collected. There were 1 449 males and 629 females, aged (59±11) years. Patients were classified as early recurrence and late recurrence based on the time of post-operative recurrence. Observation indicators: (1) comparison of clinicopathological characteristics between gastric cancer patients with different recurrence types; (2) recurrence and metastasis of tumor; (3) survival of patients after postoperative recurrence of gastric cancer; (4) analysis of influencing factors for early recurrence after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Comparison of measurement data with normal distribution between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Comparison of measurement data with skewed distribution between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Comparison of count data between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Comparison of ordinal data between groups was conducted using the rank sum test. Multivariate analysis was conducted using the Logistic regression model. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rate and plot survival curve, and Log-rank test was used for survival analysis. Results:(1) Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics between gastric cancer patients with different recurrence types. Among the 2 078 patients, 1 452 cases had early recurrence and 626 cases had late recurrence. There were significant differences in preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen, preoperative CA19-9, preoperative CA72-4, preoperative albumin, tumor diameter, neoadjuvant therapy, R 0 resection, combined organ resection, scope of gastric resection, nerve and vessel infiltration, degree of tumor differentiation, pathological N staging, pathological TNM staging between early and late recurrence patients ( P<0.05). (2) Recurrence and metastasis of tumor. Among the 2 078 patients, 200 cases had local recurrence, 1 213 cases had hematogenous metastases, 392 cases had distant lymph node metastases, and 731 cases had peritoneal metastases. Among the 1 452 early recurrence patients, 142 cases had local recurrence, 834 cases had hematogenous metastases, 289 cases had distant lymph node metastases, and 507 cases had peritoneal metastases. Among the 626 late recurrence patients, 58 cases had local recurrence, 379 cases had hematogenous metastases, 103 cases had distant lymph node metastases, and 224 cases had peritoneal metastases. One patient may have multiple forms of recurrence and metastasis. There was no significant difference in the above indica-tors between early and late recurrence patients ( χ2=0.13, 1.74, 3.40, 0.14, P>0.05). (3) Survival of patients after postoperative recurrence of gastric cancer. All 2 078 patients were followed up until death after recurrence, with a follow-up time of 31(range, 9?147)months. The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates after recurrence were 33.5%, 17.2%, 10.1%, and 3.3% in early recurrence patients, versus 44.2%, 21.6%, 12.8%, and 5.8% in late recurrence patients, respectively, showing a significant difference in overall survival after recurrence between the two groups ( hazard ratio=0.84, 95% confidence interval as 0.76?0.92, P<0.05). (4) Analysis of influencing factors for early recurrence after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Results of multivariate analysis showed that combined organ resection, total gastrectomy, pathological TNM staging as stage Ⅲ were independent risk factors for early recurrence after gastrectomy for gastric cancer ( odds ratio=1.31, 1.32, 1.34, 95% confidence interval as 1.01?1.70, 1.06?1.65, 1.05?1.71, P<0.05) and normal preoperative tumor markers, neoadjuvant therapy, R 0 resection were independent protective factors for early recurrence ( odds ratio=0.61, 0.50, 0.38, 95% confidence interval as 0.49?0.76, 0.35?0.72, 0.25?0.58, P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with patients with late recurrence after gastric cancer surgery, patients with early recurrence have a poor prognosis, in which liver metastases is more common. Combine organ resection, total gastrectomy, pathological TNM staging as stage Ⅲ are independent risk factors for early recurrence, and normal preoperative tumor markers, neoadjuvant therapy, R 0 resection are independent protective factors for early recurrence after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

This review systematically describes the application of artificial intelligence in the comprehensive management of patients with valvular heart disease(VHD).In population screening,technologies such as artificial intelligence(AI)electrocardiogram(AI-ECG),AI auscultation,and new imaging modalities play important roles,help early detection of VHD.In imaging assessment and diagnosis,AI can add automatic morphological and functional evaluations,assisting in precise typing and risk prediction to accurately determine the timing of VHD intervention.For treatment,especially transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR),AI can assist in image analysis and strategy formulation in a variety of ways throughout the process,improving procedure success rates and avoiding complications.Although the application of AI is limited by factors such as data quality and computational capacity,in the future,multi-center cooperation can be adopted to expand data samples and enhance computational capabilities to improve AI performance,thus further optimizing VHD management.

Objective To determine the effect of baicalein on high glucose-induced cardiac fibro-blast pyroptosis based on the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1(Caspase-1)/gasdermin D(GSDMD)pathway.Methods Rat cardiac fibroblasts were grouped into control,high glucose group,low-,medium-and high-dose baicalein(H-,M-and L-baicalein)groups,and H-baicalein+NLRP3 agonist(BMS-986299)group.Except for the control group,all other groups were cultured in DMEM medium containing 40 mmol/L glucose,then 12.5,25 and 50 μmol/L baicalein was added into the medium correspondingly,and 1 μmol/L BMS-986299 was used to treat the H-baicalein+NLRP3 agonist group.Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)cytotoxicity assay were employed to detect cell cytotoxicity.qRT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to determine the expression of NLRP3,Caspase-1,and GSDMD at mRNA and protein levels.Results High glucose treatment induced more EdU positive cells,higher pyroptotic rate,stronger cytotoxicity,higher Col-Ⅰ and Col-Ⅲ contents,and enhanced mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1 and GSDMD in comparison to the control group(P＜0.05).The H-baicalein+NLRP3 agonist group had more EdU positive cells(26.85±2.95 cells vs 15.43±1.82 cells,P＜0.05),higher pyroptotic rate[(33.45±4.02)％vs(17.34±2.15)％,P＜0.05],stronger cytotoxicity[(27.94±2.93)％vs(14.13±1.87)％,P＜0.05],and increased contents of Col-Ⅰ(107.58±13.39 ng/ml vs 58.73±8.36 ng/ml,P＜0.05)and Col-Ⅲ(118.43±13.95 ng/ml vs 68.74±8.57 ng/ml,P＜0.05),and enhanced expression of NLRP3,Caspase-1 and GSDMD at both mRNA and protein levels(P＜0.05)when compared with the H-baicalein group.Conclusion Baicalein inhibits high glucose-induced cardiac fibroblast pyroptosis by suppressing NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.

Pulmonary hypertension(PH)is a seri-ous disease characterized by abnormally high pul-monary arterial pressure(PAP),which leads to in-creased cardiac burden and may eventually lead to right heart failure.Levosimendan,as a calcium sen-sitizer,has the dual role of enhancing cardiac con-striction force and promoting vascular dilation.It shows a good prospect in the treatment of PH com-bined with right heart failure by reducing PAP,in-creasing RV contractile force and reducing anterior and posterior cardiac load without increasing myo-cardial oxygen consumption.Since it does not in-crease the intracellular Ca2+concentration,it avoids the arrhythmia-inducing,reduced coronary perfu-sion and other side effects of other positive inotro-pic drugs.At present,levosimandan is mainly trans-fused intravenically,which may lead to systemic hy-potension,arrhythmia and other side effects,while inhalation administration can reduce the occur-rence of adverse reactions,but its effectiveness and safety in the treatment of PH combined with right heart failure remains to be studied.The pur-pose of this review was to investigate the role of in-haled levosimendan in PH combined with right heart failure.

Objective To establish a method for the simultaneous determination of peimine,peiminine,and hupehenine in Juhong pills,to investigate the raw material usage of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.,and to preliminarily develop a detection approach for identifying adulteration with Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C.Hsia.Methods The high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadruple mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS)was performed on an Agilent Poroshell 120 SB C18 column(2.1 mm×100 mm,2.7 μm)with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-methanol(1∶1)and 0.1%formic acid under gradient elution.The flow rate was set at 0.3 mL·min-1.The column temperature was maintained at 35℃,and the injection volume was 2 μL.Electrospray ionization(ESI)in positive ion mode and multiple reaction monitoring were employed to quantify the three components in 170 batches of Juhong pills.Simulated positive samples with varying adulteration ratios of Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C.Hsia were prepared to establish a simple yet efficient detection limit for adulteration.Results Three components showed good linear correlation within their ranges(r≥0.997 5),and the averaged recoveries ranged from 92.0%-106.2%.A total of 61 batches were suspected of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.adulteration with Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C.Hsia in raw material inputs,with the peimine to peiminine ratio below 1.15.Among these samples,27 batches were large honey-bound pills with hupehenine levels of 2.636-9.939 μg·g-1;34 batches were water-honeyed pills showing significantly higher hupehenine contamination at 6.752-48.137 μg·g-1.Conclusion The established method is simple,reliable,and accurate for the quality control of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.adulteration in Juhong pills without imposing significant additional costs.