ObjectiveThis study systematically analyzed the arginine metabolic dysregulation in the rat model of heart failure （HF）， providing a modern scientific basis for elucidating the pathogenesis of HF and offering new insights for the prevention and treatment of HF with traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. MethodsA thoracotomy was performed to ligate the left anterior descending coronary artery of rats， which induced acute myocardial ischemia and thus led to the development of post-myocardial infarction heart failure. The rats were divided into a sham surgery group and a model group， with eight rats in each group. Serum targeted metabolomics analysis was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry （UPLC-TQ-S）， and the spatial distribution of metabolites in cardiac tissue was observed using airflow-assisted desorption electrospray ionizationmass spectrometry imaging （AFADESI-MSI）. Targets associated with HF and arginine metabolism were screened from databases including GeneCards and the Gene Expression Omnibus （GEO）， a protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed， and enrichment analysis of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway and Gene Ontology （GO） was performed. Finally， molecular docking was conducted to verify the binding between core metabolic components and key targets， and potential TCMs were predicted based on the core pathways and targets. ResultsCompared with the sham surgery group， the levels of arginine and citrulline in the serum of model rats were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while those of proline， ornithine， creatine， creatinine and glutamate were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Cardiac mass spectrometry imaging showed a decreased abundance of arginine in the local myocardial tissue. Bioinformatics analysis identified 24 core functional targets， such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme （ACE）， neuronal nitric oxide synthase （NOS1）， 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A （HTR2A）， and epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR）， and enrichment analysis indicated that these targets were significantly involved in the calcium signaling pathway， neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions， and phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding activities between arginine， citrulline and HTR2A， as well as between creatine， creatinine and EGFR. Based on pathway-target prediction， potential TCM interventions， such as ginseng and magnolia， were identified. ConclusionThis study revealed characteristic arginine metabolic disorder in HF， and the core targets of HF were closely associated with the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. It provides a modern biological interpretation of the pathogenesis of HF in TCM from the perspectives of metabolites and signaling pathways， and offers valuable insights for targeted therapy of HF and the development of TCM.

ObjectiveThis study systematically analyzed the arginine metabolic dysregulation in the rat model of heart failure （HF）， providing a modern scientific basis for elucidating the pathogenesis of HF and offering new insights for the prevention and treatment of HF with traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. MethodsA thoracotomy was performed to ligate the left anterior descending coronary artery of rats， which induced acute myocardial ischemia and thus led to the development of post-myocardial infarction heart failure. The rats were divided into a sham surgery group and a model group， with eight rats in each group. Serum targeted metabolomics analysis was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry （UPLC-TQ-S）， and the spatial distribution of metabolites in cardiac tissue was observed using airflow-assisted desorption electrospray ionizationmass spectrometry imaging （AFADESI-MSI）. Targets associated with HF and arginine metabolism were screened from databases including GeneCards and the Gene Expression Omnibus （GEO）， a protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed， and enrichment analysis of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway and Gene Ontology （GO） was performed. Finally， molecular docking was conducted to verify the binding between core metabolic components and key targets， and potential TCMs were predicted based on the core pathways and targets. ResultsCompared with the sham surgery group， the levels of arginine and citrulline in the serum of model rats were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while those of proline， ornithine， creatine， creatinine and glutamate were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Cardiac mass spectrometry imaging showed a decreased abundance of arginine in the local myocardial tissue. Bioinformatics analysis identified 24 core functional targets， such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme （ACE）， neuronal nitric oxide synthase （NOS1）， 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A （HTR2A）， and epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR）， and enrichment analysis indicated that these targets were significantly involved in the calcium signaling pathway， neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions， and phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding activities between arginine， citrulline and HTR2A， as well as between creatine， creatinine and EGFR. Based on pathway-target prediction， potential TCM interventions， such as ginseng and magnolia， were identified. ConclusionThis study revealed characteristic arginine metabolic disorder in HF， and the core targets of HF were closely associated with the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. It provides a modern biological interpretation of the pathogenesis of HF in TCM from the perspectives of metabolites and signaling pathways， and offers valuable insights for targeted therapy of HF and the development of TCM.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of modified painless suppurative moxibustion with wheat-grain sized moxa cones plus Western medication in treating cough variant asthma(CVA)due to wind-cold attacking the lung and its effects on pulmonary function,serum immunoglobulin(Ig)-E,hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),and interleukin(IL)-6.Methods:A total of 98 CVA patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group using the random number table method,with 49 cases in each group.The control group was treated with salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate powder for inhalation,and the observation group was treated with additional modified painless suppurative moxibustion with wheat-grain sized moxa cones.The treatment lasted for 8 weeks.The traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptom score of the patients in both groups was observed before treatment,after treatment,and at 1-month follow-up after treatment for its changes.The clinical efficacy after treatment and at 1-month follow-up was compared between the two groups.The pulmonary function[forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1),FEV1/forced vital capacity(FVC),and peak expiratory flow(PEF)]and serum IgE,hs-CRP,and IL-6 levels were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.The adverse reactions that occurred during the treatment in both groups were observed and recorded.Results:The total effective rate of the observation group after treatment and at follow-up was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).The TCM symptom scores in both groups after treatment and at follow-up were lower compared to the baseline(P<0.05),and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The FEV1,FEV1/FVC,and PEF after treatment in both groups were higher compared to the baseline(P<0.05),and the levels in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The serum levels of IgE,IL-6,and hs-CRP after treatment in both groups were lower than the baseline(P<0.05),and the levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).There were no adverse reactions in either group during the course of the study.Conclusion:Modified painless suppurative moxibustion with wheat-grain sized moxa cones plus salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate powder for inhalation is effective in treating CVA due to wind-cold attacking the lung;it can relieve the clinical symptoms of the patients,improve their pulmonary function,and also reduce serum IgE,hs-CRP,and IL-6 levels.

Objective To explore the value of ECG-less technology and deep learning image reconstruction(DLIR)algorithm for coronary CT angiography(CCTA).Methods Seventy-one patients with suspected coronary artery disease(CAD)were prospectively enrolled and randomly divided into group A(n=35,underwent CCTA using ECG-less technology)and B(n=36,underwent CCTA using physical electrocardiographic gating).CCTA images of group A were reconstructed using filtered back projection(FBP),adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction V(ASiR-V)(50％blending)and high-strength DLIR(DLIR-H),respectively,while those of group B were reconstructed using conventional ASiR-V(50％blending).The radiatio n doses and examination durations of CCTA were compared between groups.Then subjective and objective evaluation of imaging quality were compared between groups and within group A among 3 reconstruction algorithms.Results No significant difference of radiation dose of CCTA was found between groups(P＞0.05).The examination duration in group A was reduced by approximately 29.37％compared to group B(P＜0.05).No significant difference of subjective image quality scores nor objective evaluation of ASiR-V reconstructed CCTA was detected between groups(all P＞0.05).In group A,compared to FBP algorithm,subjective image quality scores of DLIR-H and ASiR-V upgraded,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)increased and standard deviation(SD)values decreased(all P＜0.05),but no significant difference of CT values was found(all P＞0.05).Conclusion ECG-less technology could significantly shorten CCTA examination duration,while DLIR could reduce image noise and improve image quality of CCTA.

Objective: This study investigated the value of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) in predicting Gleason score (GS) upgrading and downgrading in radical prostatectomy (RP) compared with presurgical biopsy. Materials and Methods: Clinical and mpMRI data were retrospectively collected from 219 patients with prostate disease between January 2015 and December 2021. All patients underwent systematic prostate biopsy followed by RP. MpMRI included conventional diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors associated with GS upgrading and downgrading after RP. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to estimate the area under the curve (AUC) to indicate the performance of the multivariable logistic regression models in predicting GS upgrade and downgrade after RP. Results: The GS after RP was upgraded, downgraded, and unchanged in 92, 43, and 84 patients, respectively. The AUCs of the clinical (percentage of positive biopsy cores [PBCs], time from biopsy to RP) and mpMRI models (prostate cancer [PCa] location, Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System [PI-RADS] v2.1 score) for predicting GS upgrading after RP were 0.714 and 0.749, respectively. The AUC of the combined diagnostic model (age, percentage of PBCs, tPSA, PCa location, and PIRADS v2.1 score) was 0.816, which was larger than that of the clinical factors alone (P < 0.001). The AUCs of the clinical (age, percentage of PBCs, ratio of free/total PSA [F/T]) and mpMRI models (PCa diameter, PCa location, and PI-RADS v2.1 score) for predicting GS downgrading after RP were 0.749 and 0.835, respectively. The AUC of the combined diagnostic model (age, percentage of PBCs, F/T, PCa diameter, PCa location, and PI-RADS v2.1 score) was 0.883, which was larger than that of the clinical factors alone (P < 0.001). Conclusion Combining clinical factors and mpMRI findings can predict GS upgrade and downgrade after RP more accurately than using clinical factors alone.

Single-cell analysis of phenotypic plasticity could improve the development of more effective therapeutics. Still, the development of tools to measure single-cell heterogeneity has lagged due to difficulties in manipulating and culturing single cells. Here, we describe a single-cell culture and phenotyping platform that employs a starburst microfluidic network and automatic liquid handling system to capture single cells for long-term culture and multi-dimensional analysis and quantify their clonal properties via their surface biomarker and secreted cytokine/growth factor profiles. Studies performed on this platform found that cells derived from single-cell cultures maintained phenotypic equilibria similar to their parental populations. Single-cell cultures exposed to chemotherapeutic drugs stochastically disrupted this balance to favor stem-like cells. They had enhanced expression of mRNAs and secreted factors associated with cell signaling, survival, and differentiation. This single-cell analysis approach can be extended to analyze more complex phenotypes and screen responses to therapeutic targets.

Objective: This study investigated the value of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) in predicting Gleason score (GS) upgrading and downgrading in radical prostatectomy (RP) compared with presurgical biopsy. Materials and Methods: Clinical and mpMRI data were retrospectively collected from 219 patients with prostate disease between January 2015 and December 2021. All patients underwent systematic prostate biopsy followed by RP. MpMRI included conventional diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors associated with GS upgrading and downgrading after RP. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to estimate the area under the curve (AUC) to indicate the performance of the multivariable logistic regression models in predicting GS upgrade and downgrade after RP. Results: The GS after RP was upgraded, downgraded, and unchanged in 92, 43, and 84 patients, respectively. The AUCs of the clinical (percentage of positive biopsy cores [PBCs], time from biopsy to RP) and mpMRI models (prostate cancer [PCa] location, Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System [PI-RADS] v2.1 score) for predicting GS upgrading after RP were 0.714 and 0.749, respectively. The AUC of the combined diagnostic model (age, percentage of PBCs, tPSA, PCa location, and PIRADS v2.1 score) was 0.816, which was larger than that of the clinical factors alone (P < 0.001). The AUCs of the clinical (age, percentage of PBCs, ratio of free/total PSA [F/T]) and mpMRI models (PCa diameter, PCa location, and PI-RADS v2.1 score) for predicting GS downgrading after RP were 0.749 and 0.835, respectively. The AUC of the combined diagnostic model (age, percentage of PBCs, F/T, PCa diameter, PCa location, and PI-RADS v2.1 score) was 0.883, which was larger than that of the clinical factors alone (P < 0.001). Conclusion Combining clinical factors and mpMRI findings can predict GS upgrade and downgrade after RP more accurately than using clinical factors alone.

Objective: This study investigated the value of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) in predicting Gleason score (GS) upgrading and downgrading in radical prostatectomy (RP) compared with presurgical biopsy. Materials and Methods: Clinical and mpMRI data were retrospectively collected from 219 patients with prostate disease between January 2015 and December 2021. All patients underwent systematic prostate biopsy followed by RP. MpMRI included conventional diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors associated with GS upgrading and downgrading after RP. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to estimate the area under the curve (AUC) to indicate the performance of the multivariable logistic regression models in predicting GS upgrade and downgrade after RP. Results: The GS after RP was upgraded, downgraded, and unchanged in 92, 43, and 84 patients, respectively. The AUCs of the clinical (percentage of positive biopsy cores [PBCs], time from biopsy to RP) and mpMRI models (prostate cancer [PCa] location, Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System [PI-RADS] v2.1 score) for predicting GS upgrading after RP were 0.714 and 0.749, respectively. The AUC of the combined diagnostic model (age, percentage of PBCs, tPSA, PCa location, and PIRADS v2.1 score) was 0.816, which was larger than that of the clinical factors alone (P < 0.001). The AUCs of the clinical (age, percentage of PBCs, ratio of free/total PSA [F/T]) and mpMRI models (PCa diameter, PCa location, and PI-RADS v2.1 score) for predicting GS downgrading after RP were 0.749 and 0.835, respectively. The AUC of the combined diagnostic model (age, percentage of PBCs, F/T, PCa diameter, PCa location, and PI-RADS v2.1 score) was 0.883, which was larger than that of the clinical factors alone (P < 0.001). Conclusion Combining clinical factors and mpMRI findings can predict GS upgrade and downgrade after RP more accurately than using clinical factors alone.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)plus apatinib(Apa)and camrelizumab(Cam)and TACE plus Apa in treating CNLC stage Ⅲ hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods A total of 54 patients in Affiliated Yancheng No.1 People's Hospital,School of Medicine,Nanjing University with CNLC stage Ⅲ HCC were enrolled in this study.The patients were divided into triple treatment group(n=25,receiving TACE plus Apa and Cam)and dual treatment group(n=29,receiving TACE plus Apa).The overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)were compared between the two groups.Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were used to determine the independent influencing factors for OS and PFS.The target immunotherapy-related adverse reactions(TRAE)were analyzed.Results The median OS and PFS in the triple treatment group were 23.2 months and 10.9 months respectively,which were higher than 15.2 months and 5.8 months respectively in the dual treatment group(both P＜0.001).Multivariate analysis indicated that the therapeutic regimen and the type of portal vein tumor thrombosis(PVTT)were the independent factors affecting OS,while only the therapeutic regimen was the independent factor affecting PFS.The incidence of≥grade Ⅲ TRAE in the triple treatment group and the dual treatment group was 20％(5/25)and 17.2％(5/29)respectively,the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion For the treatment of patients with CNLC stage Ⅲ HCC,TACE plus Apa and Cam is superior to TACE plus Apa in OS and PFS,and the type of PVTT and the therapeutic regimen are the independent prognostic factors associated with patient's survival.

Objective To investigate the relationships of expression of membrane palmitoylated protein 7(MPP7)in gastric cancer(GC)tissues with clinicopathological features and prognosis.Methods A total of 213 GC patients in the hospital from March 2018 to April 2020 were selected as research objects,and their tumor tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues were collected.Immunohisto-chemistry(IHC)was used to detect the protein expression level of MPP7 in the tumor tissues and ad-jacent non-tumor tissues of GC patients,and the relationship between MPP7 and clinicopathological features was analyzed.The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze the relationship between MPP7 expression and prognosis of GC patients.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to explore the relevant factors influencing the prognosis of GC patients.Results Compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues,MPP7 protein was significantly highly expressed in GC tissues(P＜0.05).Among GC patients,those with high MPP7 expression had significantly higher ratios of lymph node metastasis,Ⅲ to Ⅳ stages of cTNM staging,poor differentiation,and muscular layer invasion compared with those with low MPP7 expression(P＜0.001).Among the 156 patients with high MPP7 expression,the survival rate was 8.33％(13/156);among 57 patients with low MPP7 expression,the survival rate was 52.63％(30/57).The results of the Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed a significant difference in survival rates between the high MPP7 expression patients and the low MPP7 expression patients(Log-rank x2=54.333,P＜0.001).Compared with GC patients in the survival group,those in the death group had significantly higher ratios of lymph node metastasis,Ⅲ to Ⅳ stages of cTNM staging,poor differentiation,muscular layer invasion,and high MPP7 expression(P＜0.001).The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that lymph node metastasis,Ⅲ to Ⅳ stages of cTNM staging,poor differentiation,muscular layer invasion,and high MPP7 expres-sion were all risk factors influencing the prognosis of GC patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion High MPP7 expression is closely related to the clinicopathological features and prognosis of GC patients,and it may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting GC progression and poor prognosis.