OBJECTIVE: To identify the underlying mechanism by which quercetin (Que) alleviates sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were assigned to sham, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and CLP+Que (50 mg/kg) groups (n=15 per group) by using a random number table. The sepsisrelated ARDS mouse model was established using the CLP method. In vitro, the murine alveolar macrophages (MH-S) cells were classified into control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS+Que (10 μmol/L), and LPS+Que+acetylcysteine (NAC, 5 mmol/L) groups. The effect of Que on oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in mice lungs and MH-S cells was determined, and the mechanism with reactive oxygen species (ROS)/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was also explored both in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: Que alleviated lung injury in mice, as reflected by a reversal of pulmonary histopathologic changes as well as a reduction in lung wet/dry weight ratio and neutrophil infiltration (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Additionally, Que improved the survival rate and relieved gas exchange impairment in mice (P<0.01). Que treatment also remarkedly reduced malondialdehyde formation, superoxide dismutase and catalase depletion, and cell apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, Que treatment diminished the release of inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 both in vivo and in vitro (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Mechanistic investigation clarifified that Que administration led to a decline in the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in addition to the suppression of ROS expression (P<0.01). Furthermore, in LPS-induced MH-S cells, ROS inhibitor NAC further inhibited ROS/p38 MAPK pathway, as well as oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell apoptosis on the basis of Que treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION Que was found to exert anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects by suppressing the ROS/p38 MAPK pathway, thereby conferring protection for mice against sepsis-related ARDS.
Animals ; Sepsis/drug therapy* ; Quercetin/therapeutic use* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome/enzymology* ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Male ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Lung/drug effects* ; Mice ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Macrophages, Alveolar/pathology* ; Inflammation/pathology* ; Protective Agents/therapeutic use*

Objective To analyze the risk factors for chronic mountain sickness(CMS)in young male migrants living in high-altitude areas and to construct a diagnostic model and evaluate its diagnostic efficacy.Methods From June 10 to December 29,2023,a cross-sectional study was conducted on young male migrants subjected with convenience sampling who had been living in high-altitude areas(4 500～5 000 m)for 6 months or longer.Their demographic data were collected and blood samples were collected for laboratory test.According to the Qinghai Score for Chronic Mountain Sickness,they were divided into CMS group and non-CMS group.Then the participants were randomly divided into a training set and a test set in a ratio of 8∶2.Independent risk factors for CMS occurrence were screened out,through random forest variable importance ranking,univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis,and a diagnostic model was constructed based on these factors.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis,calibration curve analysis,clinical decision curve analysis,and influence curve analysis were used to comprehensively evaluate the diagnostic performance of the model.Results According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,308 out of 376 participants were finally subjected,and 17.53%of them were diagnosed with CMS.The major clinical symptoms of the CMS patients were dyspnea or palpitations(79.63%)and sleep disorders(85.19%).Further analysis revealed that creatine kinase-MB/creatine kinase(CK-MB/CK,OR=2.17,95%CI:1.43～3.28),high-altitude residence time(OR=2.44,95%CI:1.08～5.54),and body mass index(BMI,OR=1.62,95%CI:1.05～2.50)were 3 major independent risk factors for CMS.The area under the curve(AUC)value of the CMS diagnostic model in the training set and test set was 0.821(95%CI:0.756～0.886)and 0.821(95%CI:0.700～0.944),the specificity was 66.30%and 73.90%,the sensitivity was 89.50%and 81.20%,respectively,indicating good discrimination ability.Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed consistency between predicted results and actual observations(χ2=10.029,P=0.263;χ2=4.477,P=0.812).Clinical decision curve analysis demonstrated that within the threshold probability range from 0.1 to 0.7,the net benefit of the model exceeded both full intervention and no intervention strategies.The influence curve analysis showed high consistency between the model predictions and actual incidence when the threshold probability exceeded 0.4.These two analyses together confirmed the clinical application value of the model.Conclusion CK-MB/CK,high-altitude residence time and BMI are independent risk factors for CMS,and their diagnostic model helps identify potential individuals at risk for CMS.Early intervention can prevent the harm of CMS to the health of young men migrating to high-altitude areas.

Objective:To explore the clinical application value of multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI)in cognitive impairment related to Cerebral Small Vessel Disease(CSVD).Methods:This study was a retrospective analysis of 60 CSVD patients,who were divided into cognitive impairment group(n=32)and normal group(n=28)based on Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale(MoCA).Compare the general information and MRI parameters of two groups of patients,use correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis to investigate the relationship between MRI parameters and cognitive dysfunction,and use receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)to explore the value of MRI parameters in diagnosing cognitive dysfunction in cerebral small vessel disease.Results:Compared with the cognitively normal group,the cognitive impairment group had older age,higher apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC),lower anisotropy score(FA),and an overall increase in microbleeds(P＜0.05).Age(r=-0.510),ADC value(r=-0.591),and overall number of microbleeds(r=-0.369)were significantly negatively correlated with MoCA score(P＜0.05),while FA value(r=0.262)was significantly positively correlated with MoCA score(P＜0.05).The logistic regression results indicate that age,overall microbleeds,ADC value,and FA value are influencing factors for cognitive impairment in patients with cerebral small vessel disease.ROC curve analysis showed that the combination of age,ADC,FA,and microbleeds significantly improved diagnostic efficacy(AUC=0.990,95％CI=0.974-1.000).Conclusion:The joint analysis of multimodal MRI parameters can provide important imaging evidence for the early identification of cognitive dysfunction in CSVD.

Aim To design and synthesize a series of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives by using glycyrrhetinic acid as the parent nucleus,screen their antitumor activ-ities,and investigate the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects and mechanisms of the most active compound.Methods MTT assay was used to screen for the com-pound with the most potent antitumor activity.MTT as-say,wound healing assay,colony formation assay and Transwell migration assay were used to evaluate the effects of the compound on tumor cell viability and mi-gration.Flow cytometry was employed to assess the im-pact of the compound on tumor cell cycle progression and apoptosis.Western blot was conducted to verify the effects on the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax,caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3.A mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma ascites tumor was estab-lished to examine the antitumor effects of the compound in vivo.Results Compound C22 was identified as having the most significant inhibitory effect on hepato-cellular carcinoma cells.C22 inhibited the viability and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner.C22 upreg-ulated the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax,caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 in hepatocellular car-cinoma cells,induced apoptosis,and arrested the cell cycle in the G0/G1 and S phases.C22 significantly re-duced the growth of mouse hepatocellular carcinoma as-cites tumors and prolonged survival.Conclusion Glycyrrhetinic acid derivative C22 significantly inhibits the viability and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo,and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

Objective:To explore the clinical application value of multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI)in cognitive impairment related to Cerebral Small Vessel Disease(CSVD).Methods:This study was a retrospective analysis of 60 CSVD patients,who were divided into cognitive impairment group(n=32)and normal group(n=28)based on Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale(MoCA).Compare the general information and MRI parameters of two groups of patients,use correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis to investigate the relationship between MRI parameters and cognitive dysfunction,and use receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)to explore the value of MRI parameters in diagnosing cognitive dysfunction in cerebral small vessel disease.Results:Compared with the cognitively normal group,the cognitive impairment group had older age,higher apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC),lower anisotropy score(FA),and an overall increase in microbleeds(P＜0.05).Age(r=-0.510),ADC value(r=-0.591),and overall number of microbleeds(r=-0.369)were significantly negatively correlated with MoCA score(P＜0.05),while FA value(r=0.262)was significantly positively correlated with MoCA score(P＜0.05).The logistic regression results indicate that age,overall microbleeds,ADC value,and FA value are influencing factors for cognitive impairment in patients with cerebral small vessel disease.ROC curve analysis showed that the combination of age,ADC,FA,and microbleeds significantly improved diagnostic efficacy(AUC=0.990,95％CI=0.974-1.000).Conclusion:The joint analysis of multimodal MRI parameters can provide important imaging evidence for the early identification of cognitive dysfunction in CSVD.

Aim To design and synthesize a series of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives by using glycyrrhetinic acid as the parent nucleus,screen their antitumor activ-ities,and investigate the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects and mechanisms of the most active compound.Methods MTT assay was used to screen for the com-pound with the most potent antitumor activity.MTT as-say,wound healing assay,colony formation assay and Transwell migration assay were used to evaluate the effects of the compound on tumor cell viability and mi-gration.Flow cytometry was employed to assess the im-pact of the compound on tumor cell cycle progression and apoptosis.Western blot was conducted to verify the effects on the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax,caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3.A mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma ascites tumor was estab-lished to examine the antitumor effects of the compound in vivo.Results Compound C22 was identified as having the most significant inhibitory effect on hepato-cellular carcinoma cells.C22 inhibited the viability and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner.C22 upreg-ulated the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax,caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 in hepatocellular car-cinoma cells,induced apoptosis,and arrested the cell cycle in the G0/G1 and S phases.C22 significantly re-duced the growth of mouse hepatocellular carcinoma as-cites tumors and prolonged survival.Conclusion Glycyrrhetinic acid derivative C22 significantly inhibits the viability and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo,and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

AIM: To evaluate the damage to optic nerve by detecting the morphological and functional changes of optic nerve in patients with acute primary angle-closure glaucoma.METHODS: The correlation among the positive rates of fundus photography, visual field examination, optical coherence tomography(OCT)scan of the optic nerve, and pattern visual evoked potentials(P-VEP)were analyzed in 28 patients with acute primary angle-closure glaucoma affecting.RESULTS: Among 28 eyes of 28 patients, optic nerve images were obtained in 25 eyes(89%), optic disc color in 25 eyes: there were 9 normal eyes and 16 eyes with congestion and edema, without pallor; C/D: < 0.6 in 5 eyes, > 0.6 in 1 eye, and indistinguishable in 19 eyes; disk edge: 6 eyes were normal, and 19 eyes could not be distinguished.Optic nerve images could not be obtained in 3 eyes(11%). Visual field examination: 9 eyes(32%)were normal, 2 eyes(7%)had visual field damage, 8 eyes(29%)had no reference value due to cataract visual field examination, 2 eyes(7%)had false positive rate ≥15%, and 7 eyes(25%)could not cooperate with the examination. The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness around optic disc was measured by OCT in 26 eyes(93%), of which the thickness of nerve fiber layer was normal in 24 eyes and local thinning in 2 eyes. Severe opacification of refractive stroma could not be measured in 2 eyes(7%). PVEP showed that the peak of P100 was normal in 18 eyes(64%)and prolonged in 10 eyes(36%). The amplitude of P100 wave was normal in 11 eyes(39%)and decreased in 17 eyes(61%).CONCLUSION: After a major acute attack of primary angle-closure glaucoma, the optic nerve does not exhibit typical glaucomatous damage but may present with optic disc congestion and edema. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation combining subjective and objective examination methods is necessary for optic nerve assessment, and currently, no more precise assessment method is available.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate is a rare pathological type of prostate cancer. We reported one case. The patient went to see a doctor because of intermittent hematuria. He was diagnosed as prostate adenocarcinoma before operation. He underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Postoperative pathological examination showed mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate. The patient was followed up for six months. Imaging showed no signs of recurrence and metastasis with normal tPSA.

Objective To measure and compare the lateral posterior tibial slope (LPTS) , medial posterior tibial slope ( MPTS) and tibial torsion angle ( TTA) between the patients of recuiTent patellar dislocation and the heathy people, and to analyze the correlation between LPTS, MPTS and TTA and the risk factors of recuiTent patellar dislocation. Methods A total of 33 patients (44 knees) with recuiTent patellar dislocation in our hospital from July 2019 to June 2021 were selected and listed as the stud)' group. Twenty-three subjects (46 knees) who were suspected iliac vascular and lower limb vascular diseases during the same period were selected and listed as the control group. All the enrolled researchers had fulllength CT scans date of the lower limbs. Three-dimensional models were reconstructed using Mimics 21. 0 software and then imported into 3-matic software. The LPTS, MPTS and TTA were measured and compared between the two groups. Results In the study group, the LPTS, MPTS and TTA were (7. 69} 1. 42) ° , ( 10. 06} 1. 71) ° , ( 36. 42}8. 13 ) ° , respectively while the control group, the LPTS, MPTS and TTA were ( 8. 42 } 1. 65 ) ° , ( 10. 44 } 0. 86 ) ° , ( 25. 77} 3. 90 ) ° , respectively. There were no signiiicant differences in the LPTS, MPTS and TTA between different genders and sides both in the stud)' group and the control group ( P > 0. 0 5 ) . Compared with the control group, the LPTS in the stud)' group was smaller, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0. 0 5 ) . There was no statistically significant difference between the stud)' group and the control group in the MPTS (P>0. 05). Compared with the control group, the TTA in the stud)' group was higher, and the difference was statistically significant (P< 0. 0 5 ) . Compared with the control group, the LPTS and MPTS in the study group were significant asymmetry, and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0 . 0 5 ). Conclusion The lateral posterior tibial slope of patients with recurrent patellar dislocation is significantly smaller than that in the healthy people, while there is no significant difference in the medial posterior tibial slope; The tibial torsion angle of patients with recurrent patellar dislocation is significantly larger than in the healthy people; The lateral posterior tibial slope and tibial torsion angle have certain correlation with recurrent patellar dislocation, which can conduct the diagnosis of recurrent patellar dislocation.

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis