OBJECTIVE To predict and validate the mechanisms of Chaiqi yigan granules （CQYG） improving hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. METHODS The signaling pathways of CQYG intervention in HCC were predicted using network pharmacology. A mice model of transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma was established by injecting H22 hepatoma cells into the axilla. Successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into model group （normal saline）， sorafenib group （positive control， 50 mg/kg）， and CQYG low-， medium- and high-dose groups （24.83， 49.66， 99.32 g/kg）， with 10 mice in each group. Mice in each group were administered the corresponding drug solution or normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. After last administration， pathological morphological changes in the tumor tissues of mice were observed in each group. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of the nuclear proliferation antigen Ki-67 in tumor tissues of mice. Western blot assay was used to measure the expression of proteins related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） [N-cadherin， E-cadherin， Vimentin， matrix metalloproteinase 7 （MMP7）] and the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） signaling pathway [p38 MAPK， phosphorylated p38 MAPK， c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK）， phosphorylated JNK， extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2）， phosphorylated ERK1/2] in tumor tissue of mice. RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis revealed that metabolic pathways， pathways in cancer， and the MAPK signaling pathway were key signaling pathways through which CQYG exert their anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects. In animal experiments， the tumor tissues of mice in the model group exhibited dense tumor cells and vigorous growth. Compared with model group， CQYG high-dose group showed a decreased density of tumor cells in the tumor tissues of mice. Moreover， the expression levels of Ki-67， N-cadherin， MMP7 and Vimentin proteins， along with the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and JNK proteins， were all significantly reduced （ P ＜0.05）. The expression level of E-cadherin protein was significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）， the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK protein was increased， the difference was not statistically significant （ P ＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS CQYG can inhibit EMT by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway， thereby suppressing tumor cell invasion and metastasis and ultimately exerting a therapeutic effect in improving HCC.

Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant solid tumor of the digestive system with extremely poor treatment prognosis. Although its incidence rate is low， its mortality rate is extremely high. In recent years， the number of diagnosed cases worldwide has continued to rise， making pancreatic cancer the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Currently， clinical treatment primarily relies on operation and chemotherapy to suppress tumors. However， these approaches face challenges such as suboptimal efficacy， high postoperative recurrence rates， and severe adverse reactions. Therefore， identifying safe and effective treatment modalities remains a pressing challenge for the medical community. In recent years， research on traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） interventions for pancreatic cancer has increased significantly. Multiple studies have shown that single-herb TCM， TCM formulas， and their derived single compounds can regulate the levels of tumor cell signaling pathways through multiple action targets. They inhibit the development and progression of pancreatic cancer by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation， promoting cell apoptosis， inhibiting tumor angiogenesis， reducing cancer cell invasion and migration capabilities， regulating the cell cycle， and modulating the tumor microenvironment. Additionally， TCM has the advantages of significantly enhancing the anticancer efficacy of chemotherapy drugs and causing fewer adverse reactions. However， the specific action mechanisms by which TCM intervenes in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. Further extensive research is still needed to validate the role of regulating classical signaling pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， Wnt/β-catenin， nuclear transcription factor-κB （NF-κB）， notch， and hedgehog in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Therefore， this paper reviewed Chinese and international studies on TCM intervention in pancreatic cancer through relevant signaling pathways in recent years， summarized the potential action mechanisms of TCM in the treatment of pancreatic cancer， and provided references for related research in the future.

Objective:To explore the prognosis and influencing factors of early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS), and provide the guidance for early clinical prevention and treatment.Methods:The clinical data of 147 children with EONS in Shijiazhuang Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2019 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The baseline data and prognosis data (good prognosis and poor prognosis) were recorded. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of poor prognosis in children with EONS. R3.5.3 software package was used to build a nomogram model for predicting poor prognosis in children with EONS, and the rms package was used to calculate the consistency index ( C- index), and Bootstrap self-sampling was used for internal verification. Results:Among the 147 children with EONS, 41 children (27.89%) had poor prognosis, and 106 children (72.11%) had good prognosis. The incidence of thrombocytopenia, incidence of bacterial meningitis, procalcitonin and lactate in children with poor prognosis were significantly higher than those in children with good prognosis: 68.29% (28/41) vs. 17.92% (19/106), 43.9% (18/41) vs. 1.89% (2/106), (70.36 ± 13.45) ng/L vs. (42.76 ± 10.37) ng/L and (6.18 ± 2.05) mmol/L vs. (4.22 ± 1.05) mmol/L, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01); there were no statistical difference in gender composition, gestational age, birth weight, 1 min Apgar score, delivery mode, white blood cell, C-reactive protein, creatinine and the incidences of placental abruption, amniotic fluid contamination, maternal infection, necrotizing enterocolitis between the two groups ( P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic analysis result showed that thrombocytopenia, bacterial meningitis, high procalcitonin and high lactate were the independent risk factors for poor prognosis in children with EONS ( OR = 9.595, 22.657, 1.213 and 2.614; 95% CI 1.094 to 20.055, 1.833 to 41.328, 0.745 to 0.937 and 0.990 to 1.209; P<0.05 or <0.01). A nomogram model was constructed to predict poor prognosis in children with EONS, using thrombocytopenia, bacterial meningitis, procalcitonin and lactate as predictive factors. The nomogram model predicted that the correction curve for poor prognosis in children with EONS tended towards the ideal curve ( C- index = 0.987, 95% CI 0.975 to 0.998). Conclusions:The children with EONS have a higher risk of adverse prognosis, which may be related to their comorbidities with thrombocytopenia, bacterial meningitis, high procalcitonin and high lactate at diagnosis. The nomogram model established based on the indexes has a good predictive effect on the disease prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the indications for prenatal diagnosis using copy number variation-sequencing (CNV-seq) and the abnormalities detected by the method.Methods:This retrospective analysis involved 17 994 singleton pregnant women who underwent prenatal CNV-seq at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2019 to December 2022. These cases were divided into five groups based on the following indications for CNV-seq: abnormal fetal ultrasound findings, high-risk results indicated by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) or Down's syndrome serological screening (Down's screening), adverse pregnancy history, and advanced maternal age. The proportions of cases with the indications for prenatal CNV-seq, the detection rates of abnormalities (numerical abnormalities of chromosomes, pathogenic/likely pathogenic CNV in structural abnormalities) in the five groups, and the distribution of these abnormalities were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test. Results:Among the 17 994 pregnant women, the women with abnormal fetal ultrasound findings, high-risk NIPT results, high-risk Down's screening results, adverse pregnancy history, and advanced maternal age accounted for 32.65% (5 875/17 994), 11.90% (2 142/17 994), 31.62% (5 690/17 994), 11.70% (2 105/17 994), and 12.13% (2 182/17 994), respectively. The detection rates of abnormalities in the five groups were 10.60% (623/5 875), 34.64% (742/2 142), 4.69% (267/5 690), 2.99% (63/2 105), and 3.67% (80/2 182), respectively. The overall detection rate of abnormalities was 9.86% (1 775/17 994). The cases with numerical abnormalities of chromosomes accounted for 68.79% (1 221/1 775), trisomy 21 was predominant (49.30%, 602/1 221). Chromosomal structural abnormalities were detected in 31.21% (554/1 775) of the cases with abnormalities, with 57.76% (320/554) harboring pathogenic CNVs and 42.24% (234/554) harboring likely pathogenic CNVs. The detection rate of chromosomal numerical abnormalities was higher than that of structural abnormalities in the abnormal fetal ultrasound group, NIPT high-risk group, and advanced maternal age group [6.81% (400/5 875) vs. 3.80% (223/5 875), χ2=53.10; 27.96% (599/2 142) vs. 6.68% (143/2 142), χ2=338.40; 2.43% (53/2 182) vs. 1.24% (27/2 182), χ2=8.61; all P<0.01]. A total of 416 microdeletions and 255 microduplications were detected in the 554 cases. The top three regions with the highest frequencies in microdeletions were Xp22.31 (12.74%, 53/416), 22q11.21 (7.93%, 33/416), and 17q12 (5.77%, 24/416); in microduplications, they were 22q11.21 (14.90%, 38/255), 17q12 (3.53%, 9/255), and 7q11.23 (3.53%, 9/255). Conclusions:Abnormal fetal ultrasound findings accounted for the highest proportion of prenatal diagnostic indications. The overall detection rate of abnormalities by CNV-seq is relatively high, especially in those with high-risk NIPT results as an indication for prenatal diagnosis. Among the chromosomal structural abnormalities detected in this study, the frequencies of Xp22.31 microdeletion and 22q11.21 microduplication are higher.

Objective:To investigate the indications for prenatal diagnosis using copy number variation-sequencing (CNV-seq) and the abnormalities detected by the method.Methods:This retrospective analysis involved 17 994 singleton pregnant women who underwent prenatal CNV-seq at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2019 to December 2022. These cases were divided into five groups based on the following indications for CNV-seq: abnormal fetal ultrasound findings, high-risk results indicated by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) or Down's syndrome serological screening (Down's screening), adverse pregnancy history, and advanced maternal age. The proportions of cases with the indications for prenatal CNV-seq, the detection rates of abnormalities (numerical abnormalities of chromosomes, pathogenic/likely pathogenic CNV in structural abnormalities) in the five groups, and the distribution of these abnormalities were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test. Results:Among the 17 994 pregnant women, the women with abnormal fetal ultrasound findings, high-risk NIPT results, high-risk Down's screening results, adverse pregnancy history, and advanced maternal age accounted for 32.65% (5 875/17 994), 11.90% (2 142/17 994), 31.62% (5 690/17 994), 11.70% (2 105/17 994), and 12.13% (2 182/17 994), respectively. The detection rates of abnormalities in the five groups were 10.60% (623/5 875), 34.64% (742/2 142), 4.69% (267/5 690), 2.99% (63/2 105), and 3.67% (80/2 182), respectively. The overall detection rate of abnormalities was 9.86% (1 775/17 994). The cases with numerical abnormalities of chromosomes accounted for 68.79% (1 221/1 775), trisomy 21 was predominant (49.30%, 602/1 221). Chromosomal structural abnormalities were detected in 31.21% (554/1 775) of the cases with abnormalities, with 57.76% (320/554) harboring pathogenic CNVs and 42.24% (234/554) harboring likely pathogenic CNVs. The detection rate of chromosomal numerical abnormalities was higher than that of structural abnormalities in the abnormal fetal ultrasound group, NIPT high-risk group, and advanced maternal age group [6.81% (400/5 875) vs. 3.80% (223/5 875), χ2=53.10; 27.96% (599/2 142) vs. 6.68% (143/2 142), χ2=338.40; 2.43% (53/2 182) vs. 1.24% (27/2 182), χ2=8.61; all P<0.01]. A total of 416 microdeletions and 255 microduplications were detected in the 554 cases. The top three regions with the highest frequencies in microdeletions were Xp22.31 (12.74%, 53/416), 22q11.21 (7.93%, 33/416), and 17q12 (5.77%, 24/416); in microduplications, they were 22q11.21 (14.90%, 38/255), 17q12 (3.53%, 9/255), and 7q11.23 (3.53%, 9/255). Conclusions:Abnormal fetal ultrasound findings accounted for the highest proportion of prenatal diagnostic indications. The overall detection rate of abnormalities by CNV-seq is relatively high, especially in those with high-risk NIPT results as an indication for prenatal diagnosis. Among the chromosomal structural abnormalities detected in this study, the frequencies of Xp22.31 microdeletion and 22q11.21 microduplication are higher.

Objective:To explore the prognosis and influencing factors of early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS), and provide the guidance for early clinical prevention and treatment.Methods:The clinical data of 147 children with EONS in Shijiazhuang Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2019 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The baseline data and prognosis data (good prognosis and poor prognosis) were recorded. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of poor prognosis in children with EONS. R3.5.3 software package was used to build a nomogram model for predicting poor prognosis in children with EONS, and the rms package was used to calculate the consistency index ( C- index), and Bootstrap self-sampling was used for internal verification. Results:Among the 147 children with EONS, 41 children (27.89%) had poor prognosis, and 106 children (72.11%) had good prognosis. The incidence of thrombocytopenia, incidence of bacterial meningitis, procalcitonin and lactate in children with poor prognosis were significantly higher than those in children with good prognosis: 68.29% (28/41) vs. 17.92% (19/106), 43.9% (18/41) vs. 1.89% (2/106), (70.36 ± 13.45) ng/L vs. (42.76 ± 10.37) ng/L and (6.18 ± 2.05) mmol/L vs. (4.22 ± 1.05) mmol/L, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01); there were no statistical difference in gender composition, gestational age, birth weight, 1 min Apgar score, delivery mode, white blood cell, C-reactive protein, creatinine and the incidences of placental abruption, amniotic fluid contamination, maternal infection, necrotizing enterocolitis between the two groups ( P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic analysis result showed that thrombocytopenia, bacterial meningitis, high procalcitonin and high lactate were the independent risk factors for poor prognosis in children with EONS ( OR = 9.595, 22.657, 1.213 and 2.614; 95% CI 1.094 to 20.055, 1.833 to 41.328, 0.745 to 0.937 and 0.990 to 1.209; P<0.05 or <0.01). A nomogram model was constructed to predict poor prognosis in children with EONS, using thrombocytopenia, bacterial meningitis, procalcitonin and lactate as predictive factors. The nomogram model predicted that the correction curve for poor prognosis in children with EONS tended towards the ideal curve ( C- index = 0.987, 95% CI 0.975 to 0.998). Conclusions:The children with EONS have a higher risk of adverse prognosis, which may be related to their comorbidities with thrombocytopenia, bacterial meningitis, high procalcitonin and high lactate at diagnosis. The nomogram model established based on the indexes has a good predictive effect on the disease prognosis.

Objective:To develop an intelligent surveillance system for identifying upper gastrointestinal high-risk patients and assigning surveillance intervals, and to verify its efficacy.Methods:The endoscopic and pathological reports of 23 035 patients undergoing endoscopy at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January to October 2021 were collected retrospectively. A training set of 17 934 patients (January to August) and a test set of 5 101 patients (September to October) were established. Keywords in the endoscopic and pathological reports were extracted by the intelligent surveillance system, and high-risk patients were automatically identified and classified into 7 risk levels. Then the standardized surveillance intervals were assigned based on the guideline. Guideline-based surveillance intervals assigned by expert endoscopists based on endoscopic and pathological reports were used as the golden standard. The accuracy of the intelligent surveillance system was calculated. Of the patients within the test set, 189 were hospitalized and the surveillance intervals given by physicians could be obtained from the electronic health records. The accuracy of the intelligent surveillance system with that of physicians from different departments was compared. Then 67 patients were randomly selected from 189 patients by simple random sampling to evaluate the adjunctive effect of the system in assigning surveillance intervals among 3 endoscopists.Results:The overall accuracy of the intelligent surveillance system in identifying upper gastrointestinal high-risk patients was 99.94% (5 098/5 101), and that of assigning surveillance intervals to correctly included patients was 100.00% (534/534). The intelligent surveillance system achieved significantly higher accuracy compared with all physicians from different departments [98.94% (187/189) VS 35.45% (67/189), χ2=118.01, P<0.001] as well as physicians from department of gastroenterology [100.00% (117/117) VS 24.79% (29/117), χ2=86.01, P<0.001]. With the assistance of the intelligent surveillance system, the endoscopists' accuracy of assigning surveillance intervals to 67 patients was significantly improved [55.22% (111/201) VS 22.39% (45/201), χ2=58.68, P<0.001]. Conclusion:The intelligent surveillance system can accurately identify upper gastrointestinal high-risk patients and assign surveillance intervals according to risk levels, which can alleviate the workload of doctors and improve the follow-up rate of patients.

Objective:To explore status and influencing factors of surveillance in colorectal post-polypectomy patients.Methods:Patients who underwent colorectal polypectomy in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between April 1, 2019 and June 30, 2019 were retrospectively studied. The surveillance information was obtained through electronic health record and telephone call. Status and influencing factors of surveillance in colorectal post-polypectomy patients were evaluated. Logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis to determine independent risk factors influencing surveillance.Results:A total of 268 colorectal post-polypectomy patients and their surveillance information were reviewed, of whom 153 (57.09%) patients received surveillance colonoscopy, and 115 (42.91%) patients did not. Univariate analysis showed that the source of patients (outpatients VS inpatients, χ 2=5.68, P=0.017), department (others VS department of gastroenterology, χ 2=6.64, P=0.010), and the number of polyps (1/(2~4)/≥5, χ2=7.32, P=0.026) influenced the outcome of surveillance. Logistic regression model indicated that department of gastroenterology ( P=0.039, OR=2.12, 95% CI:1.04-4.34), risk level 3 ( P=0.040, OR=1.92, 95% CI:1.03-3.58) and the number of polyps ≥5 ( P=0.016, OR=2.89, 95% CI:1.22-6.83) were independent risk factors influencing surveillance. Conclusion:Patients visit the department of gastroenterology or had a risk level 3 or ≥5 polyps are more likely to opt for surveillance following the procedure.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.07.004.].

Objective To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status(RBANS)in patients with maintenance hemodialysis(MHD).Methods The general information and medical history of 84 MHD patients were collected,and the Mini-Mental State Exam(MMSE),Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA),and RBANS were conducted.The reliability of the scale was assessed by Cronbach α and split-half reliability.The structure and convergent validity of the scale were assessed by confirmatory factor analysis,and the RBANS scores'correlation to MoCA and MMSE scores was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis.The predictive value of the RBANS total score on cognitive impairment(CI)was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the RBANS total scale was 0.896,split-half reliability was 0.911,and reliability for the five dimensions of the RBANS ranged from 0.618 to 0.791.Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the overall fit of the five-dimensional model of the RBANS scale was acceptable(χ2/df=1.587,root mean square error of approximation=0.084,comparative fit index=0.967,incremental fit index=0.968,Tucker-Lewis index=0.947,goodness of fit index=0.891).The average variance extracted(AVE)for the five dimensions of the RBANS ranged from 0.525 to 0.863,while the composite reliability(CR)ranged from 0.733 to 0.926,indicating good convergent validity of the scale.Furthermore,Spearman correlation analysis revealed that the total RBANS score was negatively correlated to the age of MHD patients and positively correlated to years of education,as well as the total scores of MMSE and MoCA(all P<0.01).The ROC curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve(AUC)for the total RBANS score in predicting CI was 0.891(P<0.01),suggesting a high predictive value.Conclusion The Chinese version of RBANS has good reliability and validity in MHD patients,and can be used as a measure of cognitive function in MHD patients.