Objective:To investigate the correlation between the clinical features and endoscopic ultrasound-guided portal pressure gradient (EUS-PPG) in patients with cirrhosis.Methods:A total of 148 patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension who underwent EUS-PPG measurement at the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from March 15, 2022 to June 20, 2023 were selected. The clinical data of patients collected before EUS-PPG measurement were analyzed. Variations in the EUS-PPG across different clinical data subgroups were analyzed. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to explore the independent factors influencing EUS-PPG.Results:The EUS-PPG was significantly elevated in patients exhibiting red signs (16.62±5.33 mmHg VS 13.44±5.34 mmHg, t=3.616, P<0.001), gastroesophageal varices (15.78±5.30 mmHg VS 9.70±4.77 mmHg, t=4.247, P<0.001), hepatic encephalopathy (20.83±7.52 mmHg VS 14.92±5.35 mmHg, t=2.606, P=0.010), thrombocytopenia (15.66±5.39 mmHg VS 13.29±5.83 mmHg, t=2.136, P=0.034), hypoproteinemia (16.13±5.86 mmHg VS 14.12±5.03 mmHg, t=2.230, P=0.027), and an increased international normalized ratio (16.25±6.00 mmHg VS 14.40±5.11 mmHg, t=2.022, P=0.045). Conversely, the EUS-PPG was significantly reduced in patients with a history of splenectomy and devascularization (13.17±5.88 mmHg VS 15.73±5.34 mmHg, t=-2.379, P=0.019). The EUS-PPG in patients with varying degrees of ascites (no VS slight VS moderate or severe: 13.40±5.48 mmHg VS 15.90±5.49 mmHg VS 16.69±5.17 mmHg, F=5.188, P=0.007) and different Child-Pugh classifications (A VS B VS C: 14.07±5.05 mmHg VS 15.69±5.74 mmHg VS 17.64±5.99 mmHg, F=3.066, P=0.049) increased gradually. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that red signs ( β=2.44, t=2.732, P=0.007), gastroesophageal varices ( β=4.45, t=2.990, P=0.003), ascites ( β=1.75, t=2.368, P=0.019), and hepatic encephalopathy ( β=5.82, t=2.644, P=0.009) were independent factors for the elevated EUS-PPG. Conclusion:There is a significant correlation between EUS-PPG and the clinical features related to the severity of cirrhotic portal hypertension, which indicates the feasibility of EUS-PPG in evaluating cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.

Objective To investigate the effect of dapagliflozin on myocardial work and energy metabolism in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF)without type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods Patients with HFrEF without T2DM who visited Wuzhou People's Hospital from January 2021 to January 2022 were randomly divided into conventional group and dapagliflozin group(conventional treatment+dapagliflozin).After treatment(12 months),myocardial work[global work index(GWI),global constructed work(GCW),global wasted work(GW),and global work efficiency(GWE)],energy metabolism[(free fatty acids(FFA)and β-hydroxybutyric acid(β-HB)],traditional cardiac function[left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD),and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)],clinical efficacy,prognosis[mortality,rehospitalization,and incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)]and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results A total of 128 patients with HFrEF without T2DM were enrolled,including 63 patients in the dapagliflozin group and 65 patients in the conventional group.After treatment,the LVEDD,LVESD,GWW,NT-pro BNP in the dapagliflozin group was significantly lower than that in the conventional group(P＜0.05),while the LVEF,GWI,GCW,GWE,β-HB acid and FFA were significantly higher than those in the conventional group(P＜0.05).The total effective rate and hypoglycemia rates in the dapagliflozin group were significantly higher than those in the conventional group(P＜0.05),and the rehospitalization rate and MACE rate were significantly lower than those in the conventional group(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in mortality,renal adverse events,urinary tract infections and gastrointestinal symptoms between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Dapagliflozin has significant clinical efficacy in patients with HFrEF without T2DM,which can increase the serum levels of FFA and ketones,improve effective work,and reduce ineffective work,but it is necessary to be vigilant against hypoglycemia.

Objective: To explore the mechanism by which icariin alleviates viral myocarditis. Methods: CVB3-induced cardiomyocytes were used as an in vitro model of viral myocarditis to assess the effects of icariin treatment on cell viability, inflammation, and apoptosis. Moreover, the effects of icariin on ferroptosis and TLR4 signaling were assessed. After AC16 cells were transfected with TLR4 overexpression plasmids, the role of TLR4 in mediating the regulatory effect of icariin in viral myocarditis was investigated. Results: Icariin significantly elevated cell viability and reduced inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18. Flow cytometry revealed that icariin decreased apoptosis rate, and the protein expression of Bax and cleaved caspase 3 and 9 in CVB3-induced cardiomyocytes. Additionally, it suppressed ferroptosis including lipid peroxidation and ferrous ion, as well as the TLR4 signaling. However, TLR4 overexpression abrogated the modulatory effects of icariin. Conclusions: Icariin mitigates CVB3-induced myocardial injury by inhibiting TLR4-mediated ferroptosis. Further animal study is needed to verify its efficacy.

Bacterial biofilms gave rise to persistent infections and multi-organ failure, thereby posing a serious threat to human health. Biofilms were formed by cross-linking of hydrophobic extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), such as proteins, polysaccharides, and eDNA, which were synthesized by bacteria themselves after adhesion and colonization on biological surfaces. They had the characteristics of dense structure, high adhesiveness and low drug permeability, and had been found in many human organs or tissues, such as the brain, heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and skeleton. By releasing pro-inflammatory bacterial metabolites including endotoxins, exotoxins and interleukin, biofilms stimulated the body’s immune system to secrete inflammatory factors. These factors triggered local inflammation and chronic infections. Those were the key reason for the failure of traditional clinical drug therapy for infectious diseases.In order to cope with the increasingly severe drug-resistant infections, it was urgent to develop new therapeutic strategies for bacterial-biofilm eradication and anti-bacterial infections. Based on the nanoscale structure and biocompatible activity, nanobiomaterials had the advantages of specific targeting, intelligent delivery, high drug loading and low toxicity, which could realize efficient intervention and precise treatment of drug-resistant bacterial biofilms. This paper highlighted multiple strategies of biofilms eradication based on nanobiomaterials. For example, nanobiomaterials combined with EPS degrading enzymes could be used for targeted hydrolysis of bacterial biofilms, and effectively increased the drug enrichment within biofilms. By loading quorum sensing inhibitors, nanotechnology was also an effective strategy for eradicating bacterial biofilms and recovering the infectious symptoms. Nanobiomaterials could intervene the bacterial metabolism and break the bacterial survival homeostasis by blocking the uptake of nutrients. Moreover, energy-driven micro-nano robotics had shown excellent performance in active delivery and biofilm eradication. Micro-nano robots could penetrate physiological barriers by exogenous or endogenous driving modes such as by biological or chemical methods, ultrasound, and magnetic field, and deliver drugs to the infection sites accurately. Achieving this using conventional drugs was difficult. Overall, the paper described the biological properties and drug-resistant molecular mechanisms of bacterial biofilms, and highlighted therapeutic strategies from different perspectives by nanobiomaterials, such as dispersing bacterial mature biofilms, blocking quorum sensing, inhibiting bacterial metabolism, and energy driving penetration. In addition, we presented the key challenges still faced by nanobiomaterials in combating bacterial biofilm infections. Firstly, the dense structure of EPS caused biofilms spatial heterogeneity and metabolic heterogeneity, which created exacting requirements for the design, construction and preparation process of nanobiomaterials. Secondly, biofilm disruption carried the risk of spread and infection the pathogenic bacteria, which might lead to other infections. Finally, we emphasized the role of nanobiomaterials in the development trends and translational prospects in biofilm treatment.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between telomere length of bone marrow mononuclear cells and prognosis of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).Methods:Telomere length of bone marrow mononuclear cells before transplantation, after transplantation and before donor mobilization as well as information related to follow-up of 33 AML patients who received allo-HSCT in the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University between June 2020 and June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Telomere length was detected by using telomeric terminal restriction fragment (TRF) method. Telomere length was compared among patients with different prognoses. The recurrence within 1 year was treated as the gold standard and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the effect of telomere length before transplantation or before donor mobilization in the judgement of the recurrence within 1 year after transplantation. The patients were stratified according to the optimal threshold value of telomere length for patients or donors, and Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with different stratification, and log-rank test was performed.Results:The median age of 33 patients was 34 years (14-61 years), and there were 17 males and 16 females; 31 patients were initially diagnosed with AML, 1 patient transferred from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) to AML, and 1 patient transferred from chronic granulocytic leukemia (CML) to AML; 14 received identical sibling transplantation and 19 received haploidentical sibling transplantation. The median age of the donors was 30 years (20-65 years), including 24 males and 9 females. Telomere length of bone marrow mononuclear cells before mobilization in 33 donors was longer than that in patients before transplantation (33 cases) and at +30 d after transplantation (31 cases) [(6.67±0.31) kb, (6.40±0.33) kb, (6.48±0.33) kb, respectively; all P < 0.05], and the difference between patients before and at +30 d after transplantation was not statistically significant ( t = 0.89, P = 0.378), and the telomere length of bone marrow mononuclear cells in 11 patients +180 d after transplantation was (6.66±0.18) kb. The incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) after transplantation was 45.5% (15/33), the incidence of infection with clear imaging and pathogenic basis was 39.4% (13/33), the mortality rate within 1 year after transplantation was 3.0% (1/33), and the recurrence rate within 1 year after transplantation was 15.2% (5/33). There were no statistically significant differences in telomere length of donor pre-mobilization bone marrow mononuclear cells between the groups with and without aGVHD and between the infected and non-infected groups (all P > 0.05).Compared with patients who had not relapsed within 1 year after transplantation, telomere length of donor pre-mobilization bone marrow mononuclear cells was shorter in patients who relapsed within 1 year after transplantation [(6.39±0.19) kb vs. (6.72±0.30) kb, t = -3.23, P = 0.011], telomere length was longer in patients before transplantation [(6.75±0.16) kb vs. (6.35±0.36) kb, t = 4.17, P = 0.001]. ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal threshold values for telomere length of pre-transplantation and donor pre-mobilization bone marrow mononuclear cells were 6.48 and 6.42 kb, respectively for patients who relapsed within 1 year after transplantation. PFS in patients with pre-transplantation bone marrow mononuclear cells telomere length < 6.48 kb was better than that in patients with telomere length ≥ 6.48 kb ( P = 0.003); PFS in patients with pre-mobilization bone marrow mononuclear cells telomere length>6.42 kb was better than that in patients with telomere length ≤ 6.42 kb ( P < 0.001). Conclusions:In allo-HSCT for AML, patients have an increased risk of relapse within 1 year after transplantation when their pre-transplantation bone marrow mononuclear cells telomere length is long and the donor bone marrow mononuclear cells telomere length is short.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of rotational errors (antero-posterior) on dosimetric parameters of positive lymph nodes in the long target volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plan for advanced cervical cancer and investigate its coping strategies.Methods:Clinical data of patients with cervical cancer complicated with para-aortic or inguinal lymph node metastasis admitted to Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College were randomly selected and retrospectively analyzed. The target areas of the lymph nodes at different distances from the center of the plan were outlined according to the requirements. After designing the VMAT plan on the CT images of each case, the rotational errors (antero-posterior) were introduced by changing the parameters of the treatment couch, and the dose distribution was reconstructed by dose calculation with other parameters unchanged. Then, the external boundary of the original lymph node target was added according to d=2πr(α/360) ( r is the distance from the center of the lymph node to the plan center), re-planned, and the changes of dosimetric parameters in the target area of the original lymph node were analyzed after the corresponding rotational errors were introduced. Results:When the distance between the lymph node target area and the plan center was 6 cm with an error of 3°, the distance was 9 cm and 12 cm with an error of 2.5°, the distance was 15 cm with an error of 2°, and the distance was 18 cm with an error of 1.5°, the mean change of D 95% was more than 5%. When the rotational errors were ≤1°, the mean change of D 95% in lymph node target area was less than 5%, and when the lymph node was 18 cm away from the treatment plan center, the mean change was more than 3%, reaching 3.75%. When the rotational errors were 0.5° and the distance from the plan center was 18 cm (0.5°, 18 cm), the dose change of lymph node target was more than 5%, reaching 5.58%. At (1°, 15 cm), the V 100% change reached 8.96%, and at (1°, 18 cm), the V 100% change was 14.5%. The D 95% and V 100% parameters of the original lymph node target were changed by less than 1% after adding the external boundary of the original lymph node target and introducing corresponding rotational errors. Conclusions:In the long target area radiotherapy of cervical cancer, the variation of dosimetric parameters of lymph node target was increased with the increase of rotational errors and with the increase of distance from the plan center. It is recommended to increase the efferent boundary of lymph nodes in different positions to avoid underdose by d=2πr(α/360).

Objective: To clinically validate the feasibility and accuracy of cine images acquired through the multitasking method, with no electrocardiogram gating and free-breathing, in measuring left ventricular (LV) function indices by comparing them with those acquired through the balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) method, with multiple breath-holds and electrocardiogram gating. Materials and Methods: Forty-three healthy volunteers (female:male, 30:13; mean age, 23.1 ± 2.3 years) and 36 patients requiring an assessment of LV function for various clinical indications (female:male, 22:14; 57.8 ± 11.3 years) were enrolled in this prospective study. Each participant underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using the multiple breath-hold bSSFP method and free-breathing multitasking method. LV function parameters were measured for both MRI methods. Image quality was assessed through subjective image quality scores (1 to 5) and calculation of the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between the myocardium and blood pool. Differences between the two MRI methods were analyzed using the Bland–Altman plot, paired t-test, or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, as appropriate. Results: LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was not significantly different between the two MRI methods (P = 0.222 in healthy volunteers and P = 0.343 in patients). LV end-diastolic mass was slightly overestimated with multitasking in both healthy volunteers (multitasking vs. bSSFP, 60.5 ± 10.7 g vs. 58.0 ± 10.4 g, respectively; P < 0.001) and patients (69.4 ± 18.1 g vs. 66.8 ± 18.0 g, respectively; P = 0.003). Acceptable and comparable image quality was achieved for both MRI methods (multitasking vs. bSSFP, 4.5 ± 0.7 vs. 4.6 ± 0.6, respectively; P = 0.203). The CNR between the myocardium and blood pool showed no significant differences between the two MRI methods (18.89 ± 6.65 vs. 18.19 ± 5.83, respectively; P = 0.480). Conclusion Multitasking-derived cine images obtained without electrocardiogram gating and breath-holding achieved similar image quality and accurate quantification of LVEF in healthy volunteers and patients.

Objective: To assess the prevalence, risk factors and treatment of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: A descriptive method was used to analyze the prevalence and treatment of anemia in CKD patients based on regional health data in Yinzhou District of Ningbo during 2012-2018. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent influence factors of anemia in the CKD patients. Results: In 52 619 CKD patients, 15 639 suffered from by anemia (29.72%), in whom 5 461 were men (26.41%) and 10 178 were women (31.87%), and anemia prevalence was higher in women than in men, the difference was significant (P<0.001). The prevalence of anemia increased with stage of CKD (24.77% in stage 1 vs. 69.42% in stage 5, trend χ² test P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that being women (aOR=1.57, 95%CI: 1.50-1.63), CKD stage (stage 2: aOR=1.10, 95%CI: 1.04-1.16;stage 3: aOR=2.28,95%CI: 2.12-2.44;stage 4: aOR=4.49,95%CI :3.79-5.32;stage 5: aOR=6.31,95%CI: 4.74-8.39), age (18-30 years old: aOR=2.40,95%CI: 2.24-2.57, 61-75 years old: aOR=1.35,95%CI:1.28-1.42, ≥76 years old: aOR=2.37,95%CI:2.20-2.55), BMI (<18.5 kg/m²:aOR=1.29,95%CI: 1.18-1.41;23.0-24.9 kg/m²:aOR=0.79,95%CI: 0.75-0.83;≥25.0 kg/m²:aOR=0.70,95%CI: 0.66-0.74), abdominal obesity (aOR=0.91, 95%CI: 0.86-0.96), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (aOR=1.15, 95%CI: 1.09-1.22), cancer (aOR=3.03, 95%CI: 2.84-3.23), heart failure (aOR=1.44, 95%CI: 1.35-1.54) and myocardial infarction (aOR=1.54, 95%CI:1.16-2.04) were independent risk factors of anemia in CKD patients. Among stage 3-5 CKD patients with anemia, 12.03% received iron therapy, and 4.78% received treatment with erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) within 12 months after anemia was diagnosed. Conclusions: The prevalence of anemia in CKD patients was high in Yinzhou. However, the treatment rate of iron therapy and ESA were low. More attention should be paid to the anemia management and treatment in CKD patients.

Objective: To explore whether Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) can reduce the apoptosis of retinal photoreceptor cells in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) mice by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway. Methods: (i) In vitro experiments, mouse retinal ganglion cells (661W cells) were divided into normal, model, LBP low-dose (LBP-L, 40 mg/L), LBP middle-dose (LBP-M, 80 mg/L), LBP high-dose (LBP-H, 160 mg/L), and positive drug control (NLRP3 inhibitor, 160 mg/L) groups. And the 661W cells were exposed to varying concentrations of H2O2 ranging from 50 to 400 μmol/L to determine the optimal concentration for inducing apoptosis (200 μmol/L). Then the cell viability was assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), while the apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry; the expression of NLRP3 was detected by immunofluorescence; and the expression of apoptosis markers was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot (WB). (ii) In vivo assays were carried out with the use of C57/BL6 and Rd10 mice. The animal experimental groups were divided into normal, model, LBP-L, LBP-M, LBP-H, and NLRP3 inhibitor groups, in which the normal group was C57/BL6 mice and the other groups were Rd10 mice. Ten mice were included in each group, and the corresponding drugs were administered intragastrically for a duration of four weeks. NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and the expression of apoptosis markers were observed by electroretinogram, histopathological examination, and WB to assess the effects of LBP on retinal photoreceptor cell apoptosis. Results: (i) In vitro experiments, compared with the normal group, the apoptosis rate of 661W cells in model group was significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the expression levels of key proteins of NF-κB/NLRP pathway, such as NLRP3, NF-κB, p-NF-κB, and pro-apoptotic protein caspase-3, were up-regulated (P < 0.01). The rate of Bax/Bcl-2 was increased (P < 0.01), and the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were significantly increased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, high dose of LBP decreased the apoptosis rate of 661W cells (P < 0.01), and down-regulated the expression levelsof the key proteins of NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway, including NF-κB, NLRP3, p-NF-κB, and caspase-3 (P < 0.01). The rate of Bax/Bcl-2 was decreased (P < 0.01), and the concentrations of IL-1β and TNF-α were decreased (P < 0.01). (ii) In vivo experiments, high dose of LBP significantly increased morphological changes in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness of Rd10 mice, as well as functional changes in the amplitudes of the a-wave and b-wave (P < 0.01), which also down-regulated the expression levels of NF-κB (P < 0.05), NLRP3, p-NF-κB, and caspase-3 (P < 0.01), reduced the Bax/Bcl-2 rate (P < 0.01), and decreased the concentrations of IL-1β (P < 0.01) and TNF-α (P < 0.05). Conclusion LBP could improve both retinal morphology and function, providing protection to photoreceptors from apoptosis through the inhibition of the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.