ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Shenmai injection in improving cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） based on the endoplasmic reticulum stress through protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）/activated transcription factor 4 （ATF4）/C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP） signaling pathway. MethodsBALB/c nude mice bearing cisplatin-resistant human lung cancer cell line （A549/cisplatin） were randomly divided into four groups： Blank control group （0.9% sodium chloride）， cisplatin group （5 µg·g^-1cisplatin）， Shenmai injection group （5.2 mg·g^-1 Shenmai injection）， and combination therapy group （5.2 mg·g^-1 Shenmai injection +5 µg·g^-1cisplatin）. The drug intervention lasted for 4 weeks， and the changes in body weight and tumor volume were monitored. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to observe tumor tissue pathology. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） was used to assess the morphology of the endoplasmic reticulum. Immunohistochemical assay was conducted to measure the positive expressions of PERK， ATF4， and CHOP in tumor tissues. Western blot quantified the protein expression of immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein （BIP）， PERK， phosphorylated PERK （p-PERK）， eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α （eIF2α）， phosphorylated eIF2α （p-eIF2α）， ATF4， CHOP， B-cell lymphoma -2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2 Associated X protein （Bax）. A549/cis cells were divided into blank group： Blank control group （normal culture medium）， cisplatin group （23.3 µmol·L^-1 cisplatin）， Shenmai Injection group （20 g·L^-1 Shenmai injection）， and combination therapy group （20 g·L^-1 Shenmai injection+23.3 µmol·L^-1 cisplatin）. Cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） method was used to detect cell viability， TEM was used to observe the morphology of endoplasmic reticulum， and Western blot was used to detect endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis-related proteins. ResultsCompared with the cisplatin group， the combination therapy group showed increased body weight （P<0.05）， decreased tumor volume （P<0.05）， and expanded endoplasmic reticulum in tumor cells. The positive expressions of PERK， ATF4， and CHOP increased （P<0.05）. Western blot revealed elevated protein expression levels of BIP， p-PERK/PERK， p-eIF2α/eIF2α， ATF4， CHOP， and Bax （P<0.05）， while Bcl-2 expression decreased （P<0.05）. As shown in the in vitro experiment， compared with the cisplatin group， the combination therapy group exhibited a reduced cell survival rate （P<0.05）. TEM revealed increased endoplasmic reticulum dilation and vesicular degeneration. Western blotting showed increased protein levels of BIP， p-PERK/PERK， p-eIF2α/eIF2α， ATF4， CHOP and Bax （P<0.05）， with decreased Bcl-2 expression （P<0.05）. ConclusionShenmai injection combined with cisplatin has a synergistic antitumor effect in NSCLC， which may be attributed to the activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress response mediated by the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway and the induction of tumor cell apoptosis.

Objective: To characterize perioperative dynamic changes in immune-cell phenotypes and inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass) cardiac surgery, and to explore their associations with postoperative outcomes. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 120 adult patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery under CPB at West China Hospital from May 2022 to March 2023 were enrolled. Perioperative immune-cell phenotypes and concentrations of 40 inflammation-related cytokines were measured. The primary outcomes were the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at 24 h after surgery and ΔSOFA (the peak SOFA score within 48 h after surgery minus the preoperative SOFA score). Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), acute kidney injury (AKI), respiratory failure, severe liver injury, and infection. Results: The mean age of enrolled patients was 57±10 years. Of these, 52% (62/120) were male and 90% (108/120) underwent valve surgery. During the rewarming to the end of CPB, neutrophil counts rapidly increased (7.39×10 /L vs preoperative 3.07×10 /L, P<0.001), with significant upregulation of CD11b (7.30×10 /L vs preoperative 3.05×10 /L, P<0.001) and CD54 (7.15×10 /L vs preoperative 2.99×10 /L, P<0.001). Lymphocyte counts increased at the end of CPB (1.75×10 /L vs preoperative 1.12×10 /L, P<0.001) but decreased significantly at 24 h after surgery (0.59×10 /L vs preoperative 1.12×10 /L, P<0.001). Plasma analysis showed that multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines increased during CPB and remained elevated up to 24 h after surgery; five chemokines and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 peaked at the end of CPB. The SOFA score increased from 1 (1, 2) preoperatively to 7 (5, 10) at 24 h after surgery, with a ΔSOFA of 6 (4, 8). Within 30 days after surgery, 48 patients (40.0%) developed AKI, 17 (14.2%) developed infection, 4 (3.3%) developed severe liver injury, 3 (2.5%) developed respiratory failure, and 3 (2.5%) experienced MACE. During the 2-year follow-up, 8 patients (6.7%) experienced MACE and 5 (4.2%) died. Conclusion: Multi-organ dysfunction is common after cardiac surgery under CPB (median ΔSOFA, 6), accompanied by perioperative activation of multiple immune-cell subsets and upregulation of pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and chemotactic mediators. This study provides data-driven evidence and research clues for further investigation of the associations between CPB-related immune perturbations and postoperative organ dysfunction and clinical outcomes.

Transfusion and Anemia Expertise Initiative-Control/Avoidance of Bleeding developed a strategy for platelet and plasma infusion management in critically ill children based on systematic reviews and consensus meetings of international multidisciplinary experts. One good practice statement and six expert consensus statements were proposed for plasma and platelet transfusions in critically ill children following severe trauma, traumatic brain injury, and/or intracranial hemorrhage. This article introduces the specific methods and basis for the formation of recommendations in this part of the guide.

ObjectiveTo explore the driving forces for oncology nurses’ participation in palliative care work， thereby providing a theoretical basis for the improvement of education and training， incentive mechanisms， and other aspects of the palliative care nursing staff. MethodsEmploying a qualitative research method， semi-structured interviews lasting 40-60 minutes were conducted with 14 nurses who had participated in palliative care work. The interview data were analyzed using the Colaizzi seven-step analysis method. ResultsInternal positive driving forces were job interest， empathy， and a sense of professional responsibility， while the negative was low psychological resilience. External positive driving forces included high work support， professional identity， mutual benefits for nurses and patients， and positive patient attitudes， whereas negative driving forces comprised busy routine clinical work， lack of a reward and incentive system， and bland or negative patient attitudes. ConclusionIt is essential to provide a flexible platform for the enhancement of nurses’ professional capabilities in palliative care， intensify the publicity of palliative care and death education； intervene and guide nurses’ negative emotions， improve and implement relevant incentive systems， and standardize the job recognition and scope of responsibilities of palliative care nurses.

Aim To investigate the effect of ginkgo bi-loba extract(GBE)interventional therapy on neuronal injury and pyroptosis in rats with cerebral ischaemia reperfusion(CIR)and its mechanism.Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into sham opera-tion group(sham),CIR group,GBE low-dose group(GBE-L,25 mg·kg-1·d-1),and GBE high-dose group(GBE-H,100 mg·kg-1·d-1)and PI3K in-hibitor group(LY294002),with 24 rats in each group.The CIR rat model was established by suture method.After seven days of administration,the neuro-logical function damage was scored,and the water con-tent of the brain tissue was calculated;the pathological changes in the brain tissue of the rats in each group,the levels of inflammatory factors,the neuron pyropto-sis index,and the pyroptosis-related proteins(NL-RP3,ASC,caspase-1,GSDMD,IL-1 β,IL-18)and PI3K/Akt pathway protein expression were detected.Results The neurological function damage score,brain water content of the rats significantly increased(P＜0.01).The neurological structures showed marked pathological damage and infarct lesions.Serum TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1 β,IL-18 levels,the index of py-roptosis and the expressions of pyroptosis-related pro-teins(NLRP3,ASC,cleaved-caspase-1/pro-caspase-1,GSDMD-N/GSDMD,IL-1 β,IL-18)all significant-ly increased(P＜0.01),while p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt decreased in CIR group(P＜0.01).Different do-ses of GBE could reduce the neurological function dam-age score and brain tissue water content,improve neu-rological structure damage(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),reduce serum TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1 β,the content of IL-18,the pyroptosis index,and the expression of pyrop-tosis-related proteins(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and in-crease p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with GBE-H group,LY294002 could reverse the protective effect of GBE on neuronal injury in CIR rats and induce neuronal pyroptosis.Conclusions GBE can improve neuronal injury in CIR rats,and its mechanism is related to promoting the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway and inhibiting neuronal pyroptosis.

Arrhythmia refers to abnormal heart rhythm or frequency,which causes the heart unable to pump blood effectively,thus affecting the overall heart function.Its occurrence can be attributed to a variety of factors.The pathological mechanisms of arrhythmia are closely related to the"Xuanfu-Qiye-Luomai"framework.From a clinical perspective,the direct cause of arrhythmia is the disorder of Xuanfu opening and closing,where the imbal-ance of Qi and fluids is the key factor.Furthermore,the underlying cause of the disease's progression lies in the defi-ciency and stagnation of the Luo vessels.Based on this"Xuanfu-Qiye-Luomai"pathogenesis model,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)treatment should focus on the holistic principles of"opening the Xuanfu,regulating Qi and fluids,and nourishing the vessels".This approach involves the flexible use of herbal medicines to regulate the Xuan-fu,blood-activating and blood-stasis-eliminating herbs to balance Qi and fluids,along with tonifying agents to nourish and unblock the vessels.The goal is to transform tangible pathogenic factors,such as phlegm and dampness,into intangible Qi,thereby harmonizing the Qi and blood to restore heart function.This approach provides new in-sights into the TCM diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmia.

Objective:To investigate the value of dual-energy CT parameters in the evaluation of pathological grade of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.Methods:80 cases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed and divided into high grade group (36 cases) and low grade group (44 cases) according to their differentiation degree. All 80 patients underwent SOMATOM Force DECT for arterial phase (AP) and pancreatic phase (PP) scanning, and measured dual-energy parameters including dual-phase iodine concentration (IC AP, IC PP) in tumors and normal pancreatic parenchyma, pancreatic phase and arterial phase iodine concentration difference (ICD PP-AP) in tumors, dual-phase iodine uptake ratio (IUR AP, IUR PP) , dual-phase tumor/normal pancreatic parenchyma fat fraction ratio, and dual-phase slope of energy spectrum curve. Differences between two groups were compared by two independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test or chi-square test. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of pathological grading of PDAC. Results:There were statistically significant differences in gender, age, aspect ratio, positive lymph node, fat fraction ratio in pancreatic phase between the two groups ( P< 0.05) . The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that fat fraction ratio in pancreatic phase ( OR=1.781, 95% CI 1.127-2.814, P=0.013) , positive lymph node ( OR=4.870, 95% CI 1.488-15.938, P=0.009) , aspect ratio ( OR=0.019, 95% CI 0.001-0.437, P=0.013) were independent factors influencing the pathologic grade of PDAC. Conclusion:Parameters of dual-energy CT are valuable in the evaluation of pathological grading of PDAC.

Objective To analyze the correlation of serum levels of GAT A-binding protein 3(GATA-3),T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain protein-3(Tim-3)and retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptor gamma t(RORγt)with cardiac function and myocardial injury in-dicators in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)and angina pectoris.Methods A retrospec-tive analysis was performed on 120 CHD patients with angina pectoris(observation group)in our hospital from December 2020 to December 2023.They were divided into stable angina subgroup(53 cases)and unstable angina subgroup(67 cases)according to the results of electrocardiography and coronary angiography.Another 120 healthy individuals taking physical examination in our hospital during the same period were subjected and served as the control group.ELISA was used to detect the serum levels of GATA-3,Tim-3 and RORγt.Left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD),and left ventricular short-axis shortening rate(FS)were measured by echocardio-graphy.Creatine kinase(CK)and creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB)were detected by biochemi-cal analyzer,and troponin Ⅰ(cTnⅠ)and heart fatty acid binding protein(H-FABP)were detected by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.Pearson analysis was applied to analyze the correlation the correlation of serum levels of GATA-3,Tim-3 and RORγt with cardiac function and myocar-dial injury indicators.ROC curve was plotted to analyze the predictive value of the above three in-dicators for unstable angina.Results The serum levels of Tim-3 and ROR y t were significantly higher,and that of GATA-3 was obviously lower in the observation group than the control group(397.14±78.42 ng/L vs 246.45±56.81 ng/L,P＜0.01;93.18±19.94 ng/L vs 35.72±7.79 ng/L,P＜0.01;38.21±9.45 ng/L vs 71.62±14.98 ng/L,P＜0.01).The LVEDD and LVESD values were notably higher,while the LVEF and LVFS values were remarkably lower in the observation group than the control group(P＜0.01).The observation group has statistically higher cTnⅠ,CK,CK-MB,and H-FABP levels than the control group(P＜0.01).In the CHD patients with angina pectoris,serum GATA-3 level was positively correlated with LVEF and LVFS,and negatively with LVEDD,LVESD,cTnⅠ,CK,CK-MB,and H-FABP;Tim-3 and RORγt were negatively corre-lated with LVEF and LVFS,and positively with LVEDD,LVESD,cTnⅠ,CK,CK-MB,and H-FABP(P＜0.01).The AUC value of GATA-3,Tim-3,and RORγt alone and in combination in predicting unstable angina was 0.859,0.827,0.780,and 0.921,respectively,with that of combina-tion significantly higher than that of above indicators alone(Z=1.993,3.021,4.532,P=0.036,0.007,0.001).Conclusion As the disease progresses in CHD patients with angina pectoris,serum levels of Tim-3 and RORγt are increasing,while that of GATA-3 is decreasing,and all of them are closely associated with heart function and myocardial injury indicators.

Hypokalemia,a common clinical electrolyte disorder,can affect multiple systems and can be life-threatening in severe cases.Identifying the cause of hypokalemia is crucial for its prevention and treatment.However,the etiology of hypokalemia is complex and often requires detailed differential diagnosis.This article reports a rare clinical case of hypokalemia caused by long-term excessive consumption of strong tea and discusses its pathogenesis.The aim is to raise clinical awareness and understanding of the etiology of such cases of hypokalemia and reduce misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.

Objective To explore aging effect on healthy cerebral white matter using fixel-based analysis(FBA)on diffusion tensor imaging.Methods Eighty-seven healthy participants were divided into younger group and older group according to their ages,and all of whom were examined with diffusion tensor imaging at 3.0T.The fractional anisotropy(FA)of two groups was compared using whole brain voxel-based analysis(VBA).Then,FBA was used to calculate complexity(CX),fiber density(FD),fiber cross-section(FC)and fiber density and fiber cross-section(FDC)in voxels where older group exhibited significantly lower FA values than younger group.Finally,certain tracts of interest were chosen for tract-specific analyses.Results Compared with younger group,older group had significantly lower FA values in the genu of corpus callosum,splenium of corpus callosum,fornix,and posterior limb of internal capsule(P<0.05).Besides the above regions,older group showed significantly lower FD,FC and FDC in the anterior thalamic radiation,anterior limb of internal capsule,cerebral peduncle,superior longitudinal fasciculus,inferior longitudinal fasciculus,cingulum gyrus,forceps-minor and uncinate fasciculus(P<0.05).In voxels where FA values of older group were significantly lower than those of younger group,strong negative correlation was observed between average CX and average FA,while positive correlation was observed between average FD/FDC and average FA.Quantitative tract-specific analyses showed that older group had showed lower FD,FC and FDC in regard of superior longitudinal fasciculus,inferior longitudinal fasciculus,cingulum,anterior thalamic radiation,forceps-minor and uncinate fasciculus(P<0.05).Conclusion FBA reveals the characteristics of specific fibers and can be used to perform comprehensive and effective evaluation of aging effect on healthy cerebral white matter.