Objective:To explore the impact of different nutritional statuses on the prognosis of elderly patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF), and to provide a basis for early intervention of the nutritional status of elderly IPF patients.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 237 elderly patients clinically diagnosed with IPF who were admitted to the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2018 to May 2024.The GLIM criteria were applied to diagnose malnutrition and classify its severity.The patients were divided into two groups: those without nutritional risk(Group A)and those with nutritional risk(Group B). Group B was further subdivided into three subgroups: patients with only nutritional risk(Subgroup B1), those with moderate malnutrition(Subgroup B2), and those with severe malnutrition(Subgroup B3). The study observed the clinical characteristics of elderly IPF patients and the impact of nutritional factors on hospital admission frequency, activities of daily living(ADL), and all-cause mortality.Results:A total of 237 patients was included, with 129 patients(54.43%)in Group A and 108 patients(45.57%)in Group B. Among them, there were 34 patients(14.35%)in Subgroup B1, 57 patients(24.05%)in Subgroup B2, and 17 patients(7.17%)in Subgroup B3.The number of hospitalizations was significantly higher in both Group B and Subgroup B3 compared to Group A(both P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found in the number of hospitalizations between Subgroup B1 or Subgroup B2 and Group A. There was no significant difference in the reduction of ADL between Group B(including all its subgroups)and Group A. The risk of mortality significantly increased with the increase in the severity of malnutrition(all P<0.05). After adjusting for factors such as gender, age, polypharmacy, home oxygen therapy, self-care ability, days of hospital stay, number of hospitalizations, pulmonary function, and inflammatory factors, nutritional risk and the degree of malnutrition remained independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in elderly IPF patients. Conclusions:A significant proportion of elderly IPF patients were found to have nutritional risk or malnutrition.The number of hospitalizations was significantly correlated with the nutritional status of these patients.After adjusting for multiple relevant factors, nutritional risk and the severity of malnutrition remained independent risk factors for mortality in elderly IPF patients.Therefore, greater emphasis should be placed on nutritional assessment and early nutritional intervention in the management of elderly IPF patients, so as to prevent and reduce the occurrence of nutrition-related adverse events.

Objective:To investigate the application of the conjugate gradient (CG) algorithm to treatment plan optimization for intensity-modulated brachytherapy (IMBT).Methods:The general Monte Carlo software TOPAS was utilized to simulate the 192Ir source of IMBT, and the unit dose contribution matrix was calculated. An objective function was established using the weighted least squares method and was solved using the CG algorithm to achieve optimized IMBT treatment plans. The optimization was validated using five clinical cervical cancer cases under modulation width 60°. The dose distributions of IMBT treatment plans under 45°, 60°, 90°, 120°, and 180° modulation widths were compared using the Wilcoxon test to determine the optimal IMBT treatment plan for cervical cancer treatment. Results:The CG algorithm successfully optimized IMBT treatment plans under modulation width 60° for five cases within 22.2 s on average. On the premise of sufficient target dose coverage, the average D2 cm 3 values of the bladder and rectum in IMBT treatment plans were 3.66 and 1.97 Gy, respectively, representing reductions of 0.54 and 0.69 Gy compared to traditional brachytherapy plans. For the five modulation widths, the D90% values of all IMBT treatment plans reached 6 Gy, without statistically significant differences ( P > 0.05). The average D2 cm 3 values of the bladder in IMBT treatment plans were significantly lower than those in the traditional brachytherapy plans( P<0.05), with modulation width 60° associated with the greatest reduction of 0.61 Gy. In contrast, the average D2 cm 3 values of the rectum under 45°, 60°, and 90° modulation widths decreased by 0.63, 0.54, and 0.45 Gy, respectively, compared to traditional plans, with statistically significant differences( P<0.05). Conclusions:The CG method enables rapid achievement of optimized IMBT treatment plans that meet clinical requirements, and modulation width 60° contributes to valid dosimetric optimization. This study can serve as a guide for the clinical implementation of IMBT.

Objective:To explore the impact of different nutritional statuses on the prognosis of elderly patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF), and to provide a basis for early intervention of the nutritional status of elderly IPF patients.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 237 elderly patients clinically diagnosed with IPF who were admitted to the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2018 to May 2024.The GLIM criteria were applied to diagnose malnutrition and classify its severity.The patients were divided into two groups: those without nutritional risk(Group A)and those with nutritional risk(Group B). Group B was further subdivided into three subgroups: patients with only nutritional risk(Subgroup B1), those with moderate malnutrition(Subgroup B2), and those with severe malnutrition(Subgroup B3). The study observed the clinical characteristics of elderly IPF patients and the impact of nutritional factors on hospital admission frequency, activities of daily living(ADL), and all-cause mortality.Results:A total of 237 patients was included, with 129 patients(54.43%)in Group A and 108 patients(45.57%)in Group B. Among them, there were 34 patients(14.35%)in Subgroup B1, 57 patients(24.05%)in Subgroup B2, and 17 patients(7.17%)in Subgroup B3.The number of hospitalizations was significantly higher in both Group B and Subgroup B3 compared to Group A(both P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found in the number of hospitalizations between Subgroup B1 or Subgroup B2 and Group A. There was no significant difference in the reduction of ADL between Group B(including all its subgroups)and Group A. The risk of mortality significantly increased with the increase in the severity of malnutrition(all P<0.05). After adjusting for factors such as gender, age, polypharmacy, home oxygen therapy, self-care ability, days of hospital stay, number of hospitalizations, pulmonary function, and inflammatory factors, nutritional risk and the degree of malnutrition remained independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in elderly IPF patients. Conclusions:A significant proportion of elderly IPF patients were found to have nutritional risk or malnutrition.The number of hospitalizations was significantly correlated with the nutritional status of these patients.After adjusting for multiple relevant factors, nutritional risk and the severity of malnutrition remained independent risk factors for mortality in elderly IPF patients.Therefore, greater emphasis should be placed on nutritional assessment and early nutritional intervention in the management of elderly IPF patients, so as to prevent and reduce the occurrence of nutrition-related adverse events.

Objective To summarize the perioperative nursing experience for patients undergoing high-risk complex percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)with the support of the percutaneous transvalvular left-ventricular assist system(SynFlow 3.0),and to explore the role of nursing interventions in improving procedural success and promoting patient recovery.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 26 patients who underwent SynFlow 3.0-assisted high-risk complex PCI in Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University between Aug 2022 and Jul 2024.Stage-specific comprehensive nursing interventions were implemented throughout the perioperative period:Preoperatively,personalized nutritional support and cardiac function optimization were provided for patients with nutritional risk(NRS≥3),hypoalbuminemia(Alb<30 g/L),or an early warning score≥4.Intraoperatively,the SynFlow 3.0 operational procedures were standardized,with reinforcement of aseptic techniques and hemodynamic monitoring.Postoperatively,patients were transferred to the ICU for continuous monitoring of circulatory parameters(blood pressure,central venous pressure,urine output,etc.)and hemolysis-related indicators,alongside active prevention of vascular complications,vagal reflex,and thrombotic events.Results The procedural success rate was 100%in all 26 patients,with no severe complications occurring.Nursing interventions effectively maintained an intraoperative mean arterial pressure≥60 mmHg.Postoperative circulatory parameters remained stable(systolic blood pressure 90-130 mmHg,urine output>50 mL/h),and no thrombotic or hemolytic events were reported.The left ventricular ejection fraction significantly increased from 32.44%±4.46%preoperatively to 38.55%±5.42%at 30 days postoperatively,and the difference was statistically significant(t=16.065,P<0.001).Conclusion The implementation of a full-process comprehensive nursing strategy for patients undergoing SynFlow 3.0-assisted high-risk complex PCI effectively stabilizes perioperative hemodynamics,reduces the risk of complications,ensures procedural safety,and promotes cardiac function recovery.

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between changes in intestinal toxicity and compositional alterations of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix(commonly known as Langdu) before and after milk processing, and to explore the detoxification mechanism of milk processing. Mice were intragastrically administered the 95% ethanol extract of raw Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix, milk-decocted(milk-processed), and water-decocted(water-processed) Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix. Fecal morphology, fecal water content, and the release levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) in different intestinal segments were used as indicators to evaluate the effects of different processing methods on the cathartic effect and intestinal inflammatory toxicity of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix. LC-MS/MS was employed to analyze the small-molecule components in the raw product, the 95% ethanol extract of the milk-processed product, and the milky waste(precipitate) formed during milk processing, to assess the impact of milk processing on the chemical composition of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix. The results showed that compared with the blank group, both the raw and water-processed Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix significantly increased the fecal morphology score, fecal water content, and the release levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in various intestinal segments(P<0.05). Compared with the raw group, all indicators in the milk-processed group significantly decreased(P<0.05), while no significant differences were observed in the water-processed group, indicating that milk, as an adjuvant in processing, plays a key role in reducing the intestinal toxicity of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix. Mass spectrometry results revealed that 29 components were identified in the raw product, including 28 terpenoids and 1 acetophenone. The content of these components decreased to varying extents after milk processing. A total of 28 components derived from Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix were identified in the milky precipitate, of which 27 were terpenoids, suggesting that milk processing promotes the transfer of toxic components from Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix into milk. To further investigate the effect of milk adjuvant processing on the toxic terpenoid components of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix, transmission electron microscopy(TEM) was used to observe the morphology of self-assembled casein micelles(the main protein in milk) in the milky precipitate. The micelles formed in casein-terpenoid solutions were characterized using particle size analysis, fluorescence spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy. TEM observations confirmed the presence of casein micelles in the milky precipitate. Characterization results showed that with increasing concentrations of toxic terpenoids, the average particle size of casein micelles increased, fluorescence intensity of the solution decreased, the maximum absorption wavelength in the UV spectrum shifted, and significant changes occurred in the infrared spectrum, indicating that interactions occurred between casein micelles and toxic terpenoid components. These findings indicate that the cathartic effect of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix becomes milder and its intestinal inflammatory toxicity is reduced after milk processing. The detoxification mechanism is that terpenoid components in Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix reassemble with casein in milk to form micelles, promoting the transfer of some terpenoids into the milky precipitate.
Animals ; Mice ; Milk/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Male ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology* ; Intestines/drug effects* ; Interleukin-1beta/immunology* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Female

Objective To summarize the perioperative nursing experience for patients undergoing high-risk complex percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)with the support of the percutaneous transvalvular left-ventricular assist system(SynFlow 3.0),and to explore the role of nursing interventions in improving procedural success and promoting patient recovery.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 26 patients who underwent SynFlow 3.0-assisted high-risk complex PCI in Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University between Aug 2022 and Jul 2024.Stage-specific comprehensive nursing interventions were implemented throughout the perioperative period:Preoperatively,personalized nutritional support and cardiac function optimization were provided for patients with nutritional risk(NRS≥3),hypoalbuminemia(Alb<30 g/L),or an early warning score≥4.Intraoperatively,the SynFlow 3.0 operational procedures were standardized,with reinforcement of aseptic techniques and hemodynamic monitoring.Postoperatively,patients were transferred to the ICU for continuous monitoring of circulatory parameters(blood pressure,central venous pressure,urine output,etc.)and hemolysis-related indicators,alongside active prevention of vascular complications,vagal reflex,and thrombotic events.Results The procedural success rate was 100%in all 26 patients,with no severe complications occurring.Nursing interventions effectively maintained an intraoperative mean arterial pressure≥60 mmHg.Postoperative circulatory parameters remained stable(systolic blood pressure 90-130 mmHg,urine output>50 mL/h),and no thrombotic or hemolytic events were reported.The left ventricular ejection fraction significantly increased from 32.44%±4.46%preoperatively to 38.55%±5.42%at 30 days postoperatively,and the difference was statistically significant(t=16.065,P<0.001).Conclusion The implementation of a full-process comprehensive nursing strategy for patients undergoing SynFlow 3.0-assisted high-risk complex PCI effectively stabilizes perioperative hemodynamics,reduces the risk of complications,ensures procedural safety,and promotes cardiac function recovery.

For middle-aged and elderly patients with conditions such as spinal fractures and degenerative spinal diseases, spinal internal fixation is a core surgical procedure for reconstructing spinal stability, heavily relying on the biomechanical stability provided by pedicle screw systems. Whereas, these patients are often complicated by osteoporosis that can significantly compromise the stability of the bone-pedicle screw interface, leading to a marked increase in pedicle screw loosening and surgical failure rates. The bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique, which involves injecting bone cement into the vertebral body or screw trajectory to optimize the mechanical properties of the bone-pedicle screw composite, has been proven to significantly enhance fixation strength and effectively prevent screw-related failures, thereby reducing the incidence of internal fixation failure in high-risk populations undergoing spinal fusion. However, the widespread clinical application of this technique has faced challenges such as inaccurate clinical decision-making (indication and contraindication selection), non-standardized operative practices, and insufficient awareness of complication prevention, resulting in considerable variability in clinical outcomes and even severe complications. To address this, Prof. Luo Fei from First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University initiated the project and the Chinese Association Orthopaedic Surgeons organized relevant experts to develop the Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique ( version 2025), based on current evidence. The guidelines put forward 8 recommendations regarding the clinical value, scope of application, and operational standards of the technique, aiming to provide evidence-based medical support and technical standardization for clinical decision-making.

For middle-aged and elderly patients with conditions such as spinal fractures and degenerative spinal diseases, spinal internal fixation is a core surgical procedure for reconstructing spinal stability, heavily relying on the biomechanical stability provided by pedicle screw systems. Whereas, these patients are often complicated by osteoporosis that can significantly compromise the stability of the bone-pedicle screw interface, leading to a marked increase in pedicle screw loosening and surgical failure rates. The bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique, which involves injecting bone cement into the vertebral body or screw trajectory to optimize the mechanical properties of the bone-pedicle screw composite, has been proven to significantly enhance fixation strength and effectively prevent screw-related failures, thereby reducing the incidence of internal fixation failure in high-risk populations undergoing spinal fusion. However, the widespread clinical application of this technique has faced challenges such as inaccurate clinical decision-making (indication and contraindication selection), non-standardized operative practices, and insufficient awareness of complication prevention, resulting in considerable variability in clinical outcomes and even severe complications. To address this, Prof. Luo Fei from First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University initiated the project and the Chinese Association Orthopaedic Surgeons organized relevant experts to develop the Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique ( version 2025), based on current evidence. The guidelines put forward 8 recommendations regarding the clinical value, scope of application, and operational standards of the technique, aiming to provide evidence-based medical support and technical standardization for clinical decision-making.

OBJECTIVE: Burning solid cooking fuel contributes to household air pollution and is associated with frailty. However, how solid cooking fuel use contributes to the development of frailty has not been well illustrated. METHODS: This study recruited 8,947 participants aged ≥ 45 years from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, 2011-2018. Group-based trajectory modeling was employed to identify frailty trajectories. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the association between solid cooking fuel use and frailty trajectories. Population-attributable fractions were used to estimate the frailty burden from solid fuel use. RESULTS: We identified three frailty trajectories: low-stable ( n = 5,789), moderate-increasing ( n = 2,603), and fast-increasing ( n = 555). Solid fuel use was associated with higher odds of being in the moderate-increasing ( OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.08-1.42) and fast-increasing ( OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.14-1.92) trajectories. These associations were strengthened by longer solid fuel use ( P for trend < 0.001). Switching to clean fuel significantly reduced the risk of being in these trajectories compared with persistent solid fuel users. Without solid fuel, 8% of moderate- and 19% of fast-increasing trajectories demonstrated frailty development like the low-stable group. CONCLUSION Solid cooking fuel use is associated with frailty trajectories in middle-aged and older Chinese populations.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Cooking ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects* ; Frailty/etiology* ; Longitudinal Studies ; Cohort Studies

Objective:To investigate the effect of Xuebijing injection against blood-brain barrier(BBB)damage in the mice with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor(NMDAR)encephalitis,and to elucidate its regulatory effect on the imbalance of helper T cells 17(Th17)/regulatory T cells(Treg).Methods:The active immunization models of anti-NMDAR encephalitis in the mice were established using glutamate receptor N1 subunit(GluN1)356-385 antigen peptide,and the serum anti-NMDAR immunoglobulin G(IgG)antibody levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The healthy mice without modeling were served as control group,and the mice with successful modeling were randomly divided into model group,low dose of Xuebijing injection(XBJ-L)group,and high dose of Xuebijing injection(XBJ-H)group,with 10 mice in each group.After modeling,the mice in XBJ-L and XBJ-H groups were intraperitoneally injected with 5 and 10 mL·kg-1 Xuebijing injection,respectively.The Longa score was used to assess the neurological impairment of the mice in various groups;evans blue(EB)staining was used to determine the BBB permeability;immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expressions of zonula occludens 1(ZO-1)and Occludin in cerebral cortex of the mice in various groups;Western blotting method was used to determine the expression levels of ZO-1,Occludin,Claudin-5,and neuron-specific nuclear protein(NeuN)in cerebral cortex of the mice in various groups;ELISA method was used to determine the levels of Th17-and Treg-related cytokines including interleukin(IL)-17,IL-22,and IL-10 in serum of the mice;flow cytometry was used to determine the percentages of Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood of the mice in various groups,and the Th17/Treg ratio was calculated.Results:The serum of the mice induced with the GluN1 356-385 antigen peptide was positive for NMDAR IgG antibodies,indicating that the models were successfully established.Compared with control group,the neurological impairment score of the mice in model group was significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the EB level in brain tissue was significantly increased(P＜0.05);the fluorescence staining intensities of ZO-1 and Occludin in the cerebral cortex were decreased,and the expression levels of ZO-1,Occludin,Claudin-5,and NeuN proteins in the cerebral cortex were significantly decreased(P＜0.05);the serum levels of IL-17 and IL-22 were significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the IL-10 level was significantly decreased(P＜0.05);the percentage of Th17 cells in peripheral blood was significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the percentage of Treg cells was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the Th17/Treg ratio was significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with model group,the neurological impairment scores of the mice in XBJ-L and XBJ-H groups were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the EB levels in brain tissue were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the fluorescence staining intensities of ZO-1 and Occludin in cerebral cortex were increased,and the expression levels of ZO-1,Occludin,Claudin-5,and NeuN proteins were significantly increased(P＜0.05);the levels of IL-17 and IL-22 in serum were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the level of IL-10 was significantly increased(P＜0.05);the percentages of Th17 cells in peripheral blood were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the percentages of Treg cells were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the Th17/Treg ratios were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with XBJ-L group,the neurological function injury score of the mice in XBJ-H group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the EB level in brain tissue was significantly decreased(P＜0.05);the fluorescence staining intensities of ZO-1 and Occludin in the cerebral cortex were increased,and the expression levels of ZO-1,Occludin,Claudin-5,and NeuN proteins were significantly increased(P＜0.05);the serum levels of IL-17 and IL-22 were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the level of IL-10 was significantly increased(P＜0.05);the percentage of Th17 cells in peripheral blood was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the percentage of Treg cells was significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the Th17/Treg ratio was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Xuebijing injection can improve BBB injury,regulate Th17/Treg balance,and thereby alleviate the neurological functional damage in anti-NMDAR encephalitis.