OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and safety of moxibustion in treating patients with central obesity of phlegm-dampness constitution. METHODS: A total of 66 patients with central obesity of phlegm-dampness constitution were randomly assigned to a moxibustion group (n=33, 3 cases dropped out) and a sham moxibustion group (n=33, 4 cases dropped out). The moxibustion group received mild moxibustion combined with lifestyle intervention; the moxibustion was applied at Shenque (CV8) and bilateral Zusanli (ST36), 30 min per session, maintaining a local skin temperature of (43±1) ℃. The sham moxibustion group received simulated moxibustion combined with lifestyle intervention; the simulated moxibustion was applied at the same acupoints, with the same session length, but with a maintained skin temperature of (37±1) ℃. Both groups were treated once every other day, three times per week for 8 consecutive weeks. Obesity-related physical indicators (waist circumference, hip circumference, body weight, body fat percentage, body mass index [BMI]), constitution evaluation indicators (phlegm-dampness constitution conversion score, symptom score), the impact of weight on quality of life-lite (IWQOL-Lite), the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), and the incidence of adverse events were measured before and after treatment, and after 4 weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: Compared with before treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in waist circumference, hip circumference, body weight, body fat percentage, BMI, phlegm-dampness constitution conversion score and symptom score, IWQOL-Lite, and both anxiety and depression subscale scores of HADS after treatment and at follow-up (P<0.001). These improvements were significantly greater in the moxibustion group than those in the sham moxibustion group (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05). One patient in the moxibustion group experienced a mild burn that resolved with routine care; the incidence of adverse reactions was 3.0% (1/33) in the moxibustion group and 0% (0/33) in the sham moxibustion group, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). CONCLUSION On the basis of lifestyle intervention, moxibustion effectively improves obesity-related physical indicators, enhances quality of life, alleviates anxiety and depression, and improves the phlegm-dampness constitution in patients with central obesity. These benefits persist for at least 4 weeks after treatment.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Obesity, Abdominal/psychology* ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged ; Quality of Life ; Young Adult ; Body Mass Index

In this study, we employed a combination of genome mining and heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC)-based small molecule accurate recognition technology (SMART) technology to search for fernane-type triterpenoids. Initially, potential endophytic fungi were identified through genome mining. Subsequently, fine fractions containing various fernane-type triterpenoids were selected using HSQC data collection and SMART prediction. These triterpenoids were then obtained through targeted isolation and identification. Finally, their antifungal activity was evaluated. As a result, three fernane-type triterpenoids, including two novel compounds, along with two new sesquiterpenes and four known compounds were isolated from one potential strain, Diaporthe discoidispora. Their structures were elucidated through analysis of high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and electron capture detector (ECD) analysis. Compound 3 exhibited moderate antifungal activity against Candida albicans CMCC 98001 and Aspergillus niger.
Triterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Antifungal Agents/isolation & purification* ; Molecular Structure ; Candida albicans/drug effects* ; Ascomycota/genetics* ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Aspergillus niger/drug effects* ; Genome, Fungal ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

BACKGROUND:Establishing a nomogram prediction model for postoperative pulmonary infection in hip fractures and taking early intervention measures is crucial for improving patients'quality of life and reducing medical costs. OBJECTIVE:To construct a nomogram risk prediction model of postoperative pulmonary infection in elderly patients with hip fracture,and provide theoretical basis for feasible prevention and early intervention. METHODS:Case data of 305 elderly patients with hip fractures who underwent surgical treatment at Wuxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine between January and October 2020(training set)were retrospectively analyzed.Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test,receiver operating characteristic curve was utilized to analyze the diagnostic predictive efficacy of independent risk factors and joint models for postoperative pulmonary infections.Tools glmnet,pROC,and rms in R Studio software were applied to construct a nomogram model for predicting the risk of postoperative pulmonary infection in elderly patients with hip fractures,and calibration curves were further drawn to verify the predictive ability of the nomogram model.Receiver operating characteristic curves,calibration curves,and decision curves were analyzed for 133 elderly patients with hip fractures(validation set)receiving surgery at the same hospital from November 2022 to March 2023 to further predict the predictive ability of the nomogram model. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The postoperative pulmonary infection rate in elderly patients with hip fractures in this group was 9.18%(28/305).(2)Single factor and multivariate analysis,as well as forest plots,showed that preoperative hospitalization days,leukocyte count,hypersensitive C-reactive protein,and serum sodium levels were independent risk factors(P<0.05).The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test showed good fit(χ2=4.57,P=0.803).Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted on the independent risk factors and their joint models mentioned above,and the differentiation of each independent risk factor and joint model was good,with statistical significance(P<0.05).(3)The graphical calibration method,C-index,and decision curve were used to validate the nomogram prediction model.The predicted calibration curve was located between the standard curve and the acceptable line,and the predicted risk of the nomogram model was consistent with the actual risk.(4)The validation set used receiver operating characteristic curve,graphic calibration method,and decision curve to validate the prediction model.The results showed good consistency with clinical practice,indicating that the model had a good fit.The nomogram risk prediction model constructed for postoperative pulmonary infection in elderly patients with hip fractures has good predictive performance.The use of the nomogram risk prediction model can screen high-risk populations and provide a theoretical basis for early intervention.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the reconstruction of multiple digit-tip defects with transfer of polyfoliate perforator flaps of the fibular hallux.Methods:From January 2019 to June 2022, 15 patients had undergone reconstruction surgery for multiple digit-tip defects using polyfoliate perforator flaps of ipsilateral fibular hallux, with the first dorsal metatarsal artery as the pedicle, in the Department of Upper Limb Repair and Reconstruction Surgery, Guizhou Hospital of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital. The patients were 10 males and 5 females and aged 20 to 45 years old. Eight patients had the defects of thumbs and index fingers, 4 of thumbs and middle fingers, 2 of thumb, index and middle fingers and 1 of thumb, index and ring fingers. All the 15 digit injuries had nail bed defects to which reconstructive surgery were required. For the flaps of dorsal artery, flaps were 1.8 cm×2.0 cm-2.0 cm×3.1 cm in size and for those of plantar artery, the flaps sized 1.5 cm×2.0 cm-2.5 cm×3.0 cm. Donor site defects in the hallux were reconstructed with free superficial circumflex iliac perforator flaps. Postoperative follow-up lasted until 30th June 2023 and included visits to the outpatient clinic, WeChat and telephone reviews to assess the appearance, function and sensation recovery of the digits.Results:All the 15 flaps survived. During the 6 to 24 months (16 months in average) of postoperative follow-up, the appearance and texture of all flaps were found close to the healthy digits, with good nail growth and without deformity. TPD were found between 8.0 mm and 12.0 mm. The donor sites on the great toes that reconstructed with superficial circumflex iliac artery flaps were all survived well, and the incisions were satisfactorily healed without the functions of walking, running or jumping being significantly affected.Conclusion:The use of polyfoliate perforator flaps of fibular hallux for reconstruction of multiple digit-tip defects is an ideal surgical method due to the consistency of vascular anatomy, ease with flap harvest, similarity in the normal digital skin texture, and the capability to include a nail bed with the flap. A single donor from the hallux can simultaneously reconstruct two defects of digit-tip, making it an excellent treatment in the reconstruction of small-to medium-sized composite tissue defects in multiple digits.

Objective:To identify the relationship between the CT arterial radiomics score and the treatment response to neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer.Methods:The clinical data of 243 pancreatic cancer patients who received surgical resection after neo-adjuvant therapy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from March 2017 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the tumor regression grade (TRG), the patients were divided into good response group (TRG 0-1, n=30) and non-good response group (TRG 2-3, n=213). The clinical, radiological and pathological features were compared between two groups. Fully-automated segmentation tool was used for segmenting the arterial CT scan of pancreatic tumor before and after treatment. Python package was applied to extract the radiomics features of tumors after segmentation and the extracted features were reduced and chosen using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) logistic regression algorithm. Lasso logistic regression formula was applied to calculate the arterial radiomics score. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between arterial radiomics score and treatment response to neoadjucant therapy. Receiver operating-characteristics (ROC) curve was drawn and area under curve (AUC), specificity, sensitivity and accuracy for evaluating the treatment response were calculated. The clinical usefulness of arterial radiomics score for diagnosing the response of neoadjuvant treatment for pancreatic cancer were determined by decision curve analysis (DCA) . Results:A total of 330 arterial radiomics CT features were obtained, and 9-selected arterial phase features associated with treatment response were determined after being reduced by the Lasso logistic regression algorithm. Univariate analysis showed that the arterial radiomics score, three-dimensional diameter after neoadjuvant therapy, pancreatic contour, T stage, N stage, Peri-pancreatic nerve invasion, lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI) and invasion of duodenum were all associated with treatment response (all P value <0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analyses confirmed that arterial radiomics score was obviously associated with the neoadjuvant treatment response ( P<0.001). At the cut-off value of 1.93, AUC of the arterial radiomics score for diagnosing neoadjuvant treatment response was 0.92, and the specificity, sensitivity and accuracy was 86.7%, 84.5% and 84.8%. DCA demonstrated that when the percentage for predicting the treatment response by using the arterial radiomics score was >0.2, the patients could benefit from the application of arterial radiomics score for evaluating neoadjuvant therapy response. Conclusions:The arterial radiomics score was strongly correlated with the neoadjuvant treatment response of pancreatic cancer, and can accurately predict neoadjuant treatment efficacy.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and experiences in diagnosis and treatment of severe hand injuries caused by chaff cutters.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 60 patients (193 digits) who had mangled hand injuries caused by chaff cutters and admitted to the Department of Upper Limb Repair and Reconstruction, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital Guizhou Hospital between January 2015 and June 2022. The patients were 39 males and 21 females, with 10 to 72 (mean 42.6) years old of age. The injuries involved 41 right hands and 19 left hands. The extent of hand injuries of soft tissue and bones varied from digit-tips to wrist. Among them, 5 digits were completely destroyed in 8 cases, 3 digits including thumb were destroyed in 12 cases, 4 digits including thumb were destroyed in 10 cases, 3 or more fingers without thumb were destroyed in 8 cases, simple hand destroyed in 8 cases, digits and palm destroyed in 8 cases, and total hand destroyed in 6 cases. The sizes of wound ranged from 1.8 cm×2.0 cm to 6.8 cm×15.6 cm. Based on the wound contamination and conditions of tissue damage, surgical treatment included debridement, stump trimming, in-situ replantation, transpositional replantation, venous bridging flap transfer and emergency or phased free second toe and free flap transfers. The flap sizes were 3.0 cm×5.0 cm-7.0 cm×16.0 cm. Both the reconstructed and flap donor sites were primarily closed in one stage. Postoperative follow-ups were conducted through regular visits of outpatient clinic or via WeChat interviews. The survival and functional recovery of flap and finger were observed.Results:Of the 60 patients, emergency orthotopic replantation of 112 digits were performed with survival of 96 digits; 16 digits transposition replantation were carried out with 12 survived; 5 digits received venous bridging flap transfer with 4 survived; all 5 Flow-through anteriolateral thigh perforator flaps (ALTPFs) were survived; all of 12 phase II digit reconstructions with free second toe transfer survived; and all 18 phase II free flap transfers survived [10 ALTPFs and 8 superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flaps(SCIAPFs)]. Postoperative complications such as wound exudation and fever happened in 8 patients, and all were rectified after debridement and symptomatic anti-infection treatment. The follow-up ranged 6 to 18 months, with 12 months in average. Hand functions were assessed using the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ), and the scores achieved at 20.3 to 72.8 points, with 42.6 points ± 16.6 points in average.Conclusion:Severe hand injuries caused by chaff cutters are severe and complicated. A thorough assessment of wound contamination and residual digits and tissues are required. Successful surgical outcomes can be achieved through emergency and elective surgery with multiple microsurgical techniques and multi-phased surgical reconstructions, although overall functional recovery of the injured hand is often not quite realistic.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors of postoperative bleeding after CT-guided percutaneous fly biopsy, and to construct a nomogram model for predicting postoperative bleeding.Methods:A total of 328 patients with CT-guided percutaneous fly biopsy who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University School of Medicine from June 2019 to March 2021 were selected, and the general clinical data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into observation group and control group according to postoperative bleeding. Statistical analysis was performed on clinical data of patients with statistical significance, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis on continuous variables with statistical significance, and Logistic multiple regression analysis on all variables with statistical significance. The risk factors of bleeding complications in CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy were obtained, and a Nomogram model for predicting bleeding after percutaneous lung biopsy was constructed using the R language software 4.0 "rms" package.Results:The results of the study showed that the size of the mass , the depth of the mass, the number of punctures, the number of cases with inflammation around the lesion , and the number of cases with chronic lung lesions in the observation group were greater than those in the control group: (5.20 ± 1.20) cm vs. (4.30 ± 0.90) cm, (4.30 ± 0.60) cm vs. (2.90 ± 0.30) cm, (2.70 ± 0.60) times vs. (2.30 ± 0.50) times, 38(14, 70) cases vs. 17(24, 60) cases, 102(39, 40) cases vs. 41(59, 40) cases; while the number of normal preoperative prothrombin time (PT) in the observation group was less than that in the control group: 4(5, 80) cases vs. 151(58, 30) cases ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis was performed on the continuous variables with statistical significance in the control table of patients′general clinical data. The results showed that the area under the curve for swelling size, swelling depth, number of punctures, and number of tissue blocks cut were 0.563, 0.714, 0.680, and 0.559, respectively; the optimal cut-off values were 53.00 cm, 5.56 cm, 2.00 times, and 1.00 blocks ( P<0.05). The univariate indicators were included in the Logistic multiple regression model, and the results showed that tumor depth, puncture times, inflammation around the lesion, and abnormal preoperative PT were the risk factors for complications of percutaneous lung biopsy under CT ( P<0.05). The internal validation results showed that the Nomogram model predicted the risk of bleeding complicated by percutaneous lung biopsy under CT, with a C index of 0.687 (95% CI 0.241 - 1.988). The calibration curve showed good agreement between the observed and predicted values. The Nomogram model predicted percutaneous lung biopsy under CT with a bleeding risk threshold of >0.16, and the Nomogram model provided a clinical net benefit; in addition, the Nomogram model had a higher clinical net benefit than independent indicators. Conclusions:In conclusion, patients with poor coagulation function, inflammation around tumor lesions, deeper lesions, and more puncture times are more prone to bleeding. The Nomogram model constructed in this study has a high clinical application value for predicting the bleeding complications of CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy.

Objective To study the effect of three kinds of commonly used liquid culture media for in vitro cell experiments on elastic modulus of breast cancer cells, so as to provide references for developing novel diagnosis and treatment approach of tumour based on mechanics principles. Methods The elastic modulus and adhesion force of breast cancer cells MCF7 to atomic force microscopy (AFM) probes in phosphate buffered solution(PBS), Dulbecco’s modified eagle media (DMEM) and DMEM+10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) were measured using AFM technology. Results The elastic moduli of breast cancer cells in PBS, DMEM and DMEM+10% FBS were 2.59, 2.11 and 1.59 kPa, respectively. The cell adhesion forces in the above three kinds of liquid medium environment were 63.81, 66.09 and 121.97 pN, respectively. Cell adhesion force in DMEM+10%FBS was significantly different from that of the other two kinds of liquid media. Conclusions There are significant differences in elastic modulus of breast cancer cells in three kinds of liquid media. The difference between DMEM and DMEM+10%FBS might be caused by the different adhesion force caused by serum proteins in the media, and the difference between DMEM and PBS might be attributed to the difference in pH of the media.

The risk factors for drug-induced liver injury (DILI) involve host factors (including general non-genetic factors and idiosyncratic genetic and immune factors), drug-related factors, and environmental factors. The pathogenesis of DILI can be classified as intrinsic (or direct) hepatotoxicity, idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity, and indirect hepatotoxicity, as well as tumorigenicity and carcinogenicity of some drugs to the liver. The pathogenesis of different types of hepatotoxicity not only has significant differences, but also has internal correlation at multiple links. The three-step model centered on mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) and a two-stage model with liver cell regeneration and liver tissue repair capacity as the determinants of different outcomes display the mechanism progress of DILI from different perspectives. Clarification of the complex pathogenesis of DILI needs long-term collection of clinical cases and systematic studies, which is of great significance for the scientific prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of DILI.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on perioperative anxiety and postoperative pain in living kidney donors (LKDs).Methods:Seventy-two American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ LKDs, aged 18-64 yr, with body mass index of 18-28 kg/m 2, undergoing living kidney transplantation, were selected, and divided into 2 groups ( n=36 each) using a random number table method: TEAS group (group T) and sham stimulation group (group S). In group T, TEAS was performed on the forenoon at 1 day before surgery (T 0), at 30 min before anesthesia induction on the morning of the operation day (T 1) and on the forenoon at 1 day after surgery (T 2) at bilateral Neiguan, Taichong and Yintang with a frequency 2-100 Hz, disperse-dense waves and current intensity 6-15 mA, and each TEAS lasted for 30 min.Only electrode patches were applied at the same acupoint and at the same time point, but no stimulation was applied in group S. In T and S groups, brachial venous blood samples were collected before each stimulation for measurement of the plasma 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) concentration.The Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale-Anxiety subscale (HADS-A) scores at T 0, T 1, T 2, on day 3 after surgery (T 3) and before discharge (T 4) in the 2 groups were recorded.The consumption of anesthetics during operation, laryngeal mask airway removal time, requirement for rescue analgesia within 72 h after surgery and the development of postoperative complications were recorded.The LKDs were followed up by telephone at 3 months after surgery (T 5) to record the scores of HADS-A and Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Sign (LANSS) scale. Results:Compared to group S, the incidence of anxiety was significantly decreased T 1, T 2 and T 3, the incidence of rescue analgesia within 72 h after surgery was decreased, plasma concentration of 5-HT was increased at T 1 and T 2, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was decreased, and the time to first flatus was shortened in group T ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the consumption of anesthetics during operation, laryngeal mask airway removal time, and the incidence of anxiety and neuropathic pain within 3 months after surgery between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:TEAS can relieve early preoperative and postoperative anxiety and alleviate postoperative pain in LKDs.