ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Qinlian Hongqutang （QLHQT） on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH）. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal and modeling groups. The NASH model was established by feeding a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. After successful modeling， mice were randomly assigned to the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose QLHQT groups （0.51， 1.02， and 2.04 g·kg^-1）， and a positive control metformin group， with six mice in each group. The mice were treated for 8 weeks. Body weight was recorded before and after treatment. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， as well as hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C contents， were determined by biochemical assays. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and oil red O staining were used to evaluate liver histopathology and lipid deposition， respectively. Flow cytometry， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to assess hepatic macrophage expression and related markers. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to investigate the potential mechanisms of QLHQT in regulating macrophage polarization. ResultsCompared with the normal group， body weight and serum and hepatic levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed unevenly distributed round lipid droplets in the hepatocyte cytoplasm， accompanied by inflammatory cell aggregation. Flow cytometry showed that the proportion of CD86-positive cells was significantly increased， whereas the proportion of CD206-positive cells was markedly decreased （P<0.05）. Hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） levels and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） mRNA expression were significantly increased， while hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 （TRAF6）， and myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88） in the liver were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， body weight was reduced in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups and in the metformin group. Serum and hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C levels were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed alleviated hepatic lipid deposition， with markedly reduced lipid droplets and inflammation. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry showed that the proportions of CD86-positive cells were significantly decreased， whereas the proportions of CD206-positive cells were significantly increased in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups （P<0.05）. Hepatic iNOS levels and TNF-α mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， whereas hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The hepatic protein expression levels of TLR4， TRAF6， and MyD88 were significantly decreased， while signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 （STAT6） phosphorylation was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in total STAT6 protein expression. ConclusionQLHQT effectively ameliorates hepatic inflammation in NASH mice， and the mechanism may involve STAT6- and TLR4-mediated signaling pathways driving polarization of M1 macrophages toward the M2 phenotype.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Qinlian Hongqutang （QLHQT） on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH）. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal and modeling groups. The NASH model was established by feeding a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. After successful modeling， mice were randomly assigned to the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose QLHQT groups （0.51， 1.02， and 2.04 g·kg^-1）， and a positive control metformin group， with six mice in each group. The mice were treated for 8 weeks. Body weight was recorded before and after treatment. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， as well as hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C contents， were determined by biochemical assays. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and oil red O staining were used to evaluate liver histopathology and lipid deposition， respectively. Flow cytometry， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to assess hepatic macrophage expression and related markers. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to investigate the potential mechanisms of QLHQT in regulating macrophage polarization. ResultsCompared with the normal group， body weight and serum and hepatic levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed unevenly distributed round lipid droplets in the hepatocyte cytoplasm， accompanied by inflammatory cell aggregation. Flow cytometry showed that the proportion of CD86-positive cells was significantly increased， whereas the proportion of CD206-positive cells was markedly decreased （P<0.05）. Hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） levels and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） mRNA expression were significantly increased， while hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 （TRAF6）， and myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88） in the liver were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， body weight was reduced in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups and in the metformin group. Serum and hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C levels were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed alleviated hepatic lipid deposition， with markedly reduced lipid droplets and inflammation. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry showed that the proportions of CD86-positive cells were significantly decreased， whereas the proportions of CD206-positive cells were significantly increased in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups （P<0.05）. Hepatic iNOS levels and TNF-α mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， whereas hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The hepatic protein expression levels of TLR4， TRAF6， and MyD88 were significantly decreased， while signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 （STAT6） phosphorylation was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in total STAT6 protein expression. ConclusionQLHQT effectively ameliorates hepatic inflammation in NASH mice， and the mechanism may involve STAT6- and TLR4-mediated signaling pathways driving polarization of M1 macrophages toward the M2 phenotype.

BACKGROUND: The primary limitation to kidney transplantation is organ shortage. Recent progress in gene editing and immunosuppressive regimens has made xenotransplantation with porcine organs a possibility. However, evidence in pig-to-human xenotransplantation remains scarce, and antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is a major obstacle to clinical applications of xenotransplantation. METHODS: We conducted a kidney xenotransplantation in a brain-dead human recipient using a porcine kidney with five gene edits (5GE) on March 25, 2024 at Xijing Hospital, China. Clinical-grade immunosuppressive regimens were employed, and the observation period lasted 22 days. We collected and analyzed the xenograft function, ultrasound findings, sequential protocol biopsies, and immune surveillance of the recipient during the observation. RESULTS: The combination of 5GE in the porcine kidney and clinical-grade immunosuppressive regimens prevented hyperacute rejection. The xenograft kidney underwent delayed graft function in the first week, but urine output increased later and the single xenograft kidney maintained electrolyte and pH homeostasis from postoperative day (POD) 12 to 19. We observed AMR at 24 h post-transplantation, due to the presence of pre-existing anti-porcine antibodies and cytotoxicity before transplantation; this AMR persisted throughout the observation period. Plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment mitigated the AMR. We observed activation of latent porcine cytomegalovirus toward the end of the study, which might have contributed to coagulation disorder in the recipient. CONCLUSIONS 5GE and clinical-grade immunosuppressive regimens were sufficient to prevent hyperacute rejection during pig-to-human kidney xenotransplantation. Pre-existing anti-porcine antibodies predisposed the xenograft to AMR. Plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin were safe and effective in the treatment of AMR after kidney xenotransplantation.
Transplantation, Heterologous/methods* ; Kidney Transplantation/methods* ; Heterografts/pathology* ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/administration & dosage* ; Graft Survival/immunology* ; Humans ; Animals ; Sus scrofa ; Graft Rejection/prevention & control* ; Kidney/pathology* ; Gene Editing ; Species Specificity ; Immunosuppression Therapy/methods* ; Plasma Exchange ; Brain Death ; Biopsy ; Male ; Aged

Objective:To analyze the clinical data of patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome（SFTS）in Linyi city of Shandong province from 2023 to 2024，analyze the related factors affecting the prognosis，improve the understanding of the disease and reduce its mortality..Methods:The data of 36 SFTS patients diagnosed and admitted to Linyi People's Hospital from May 2023 to August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the clinical outcomes of the patients，they were divided into a survival group（n=30）and a death group（n=6）. The clinical data and laboratory test results of the two groups were analyzed to evaluate the risk factors related to prognosis.Results:The median age in the death group was 68.33 years old，and that in the survival group was 63.96 years old，with no statistically significant difference. All patients had fever，22 had fatigue and poor appetite，and 21 had muscle aches and other systemic symptoms. some were prone to general symptoms such as fatigue，poor appetite，and muscle soreness. All patients in the death group had neurological symptoms such as headache and consciousness disorders. The levels of serum potassium，CRP，PCT，IL-6，ALT，AST，CK，CK-MB，LDH，α-HBDH，APTT，D-D，and viral load in the death group were higher than those in the survival group，with statistically significant differences（ t=-3.344， P=0.002； Z=-2.195， P=0.028； Z=-3.648， P=0.000； Z=-3.641， P=0.000； Z=-2.241， P=0.025； Z=-2.288， P=0.022； Z=-2.427， P=0.015； Z=-2.007， P=0.045； Z=-3.127， P=0.002； Z=-2.404， P=0.016； Z=-2.755， P=0.006； Z=-3.081， P=0.002； P<0.05）. The platelet count in the death group was lower than that in the survival group，and the difference was statistically significant（ Z=-3.292， P=0.001， P<0.05）. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that patients with increased AST，CK，IL-6，APTT，D-dimer and decreased platelet count had an increased risk of death. Fungal infections occurred in 15 cases，including 5 cases of Candida albicans，3 cases of Candida parapsilosis，and 7 cases of Aspergillus. All patients in the death group had fungal infections，all of whom had Aspergillus infections. Conclusion:SFTS patients often have fever，fatigue，and muscle soreness，and critically ill patients are prone to neurological symptoms. Patients with elevated AST，CK，IL-6，APTT，D-D，viral load，and decreased platelet count in the course of the disease often indicate poor prognosis and should be closely monitored. In addition，critically ill patients are prone to fungal infection.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive value of sphinor kinase 1 (sphk1), D-lactic acid, and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) for gastrointestinal injury in patients with sepsis. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted. Sixty-eight patients with sepsis and gastrointestinal dysfunction admitted to the department of critical care medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology from May 2024 to March 2025 were enrolled (sepsis group), and they were divided into acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) I-IV groups according to the definition and grading criteria of AGI proposed by the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine in 2012. Twenty non-sepsis patients without AGI admitted to the intensive care unit during the same period were enrolled as the control group (non-sepsis group). Within 30 minutes of patient enrollment, plasma sphk1, D-lactic acid, and I-FABP levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). General data such as gender, age were recorded, and levels of procalcitonin (PCT), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), lactic acid (Lac), and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHEII), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) were measured. Spearman method was used to analyze the correlation between sphk1, I-FABP, D-lactic acid and other indicators. The receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to evaluate the predictive value of sphk1, D-lactic acid, I-FABP, APACHEII score, and SOFA score for gastrointestinal injury in patients with sepsis. RESULTS: Among the 68 sepsis patients, 13 were classified as AGI grade I, 16 as AGI grade II, 23 as AGI grade III, and 16 had AGI grade IV. There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, and abdominal infection rate among the groups. The SOFA score and APACHEII score of the sepsis group were significantly higher than those of the non-sepsis group; and the APACHEII score of the AGI IV group was significantly higher than that of the AGI I and AGI II groups. The levels of sphk1, D-lactic acid, I-FABP, PCT, Lac and hs-CRP in the sepsis group were significantly higher than those in the non-sepsis group, and each indicator gradually increased with the increase of AGI grade. Correlation analysis showed that plasma sphk1, D-lactic acid, and I-FABP in patients with sepsis-induced gastrointestinal injury were positively correlated with PCT, Lac, APACHEII score, and AGI grade (all P < 0.05), and sphk1 was positively correlated with I-FABP and D-lactic acid (r values were 0.773 and 0.782, respectively, both P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that sphk1, D-lactic acid, I-FABP, APACHEII score, and SOFA score had high predictive value for gastrointestinal injury in patients with sepsis, with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.996, 0.987, 0.976, 0.901, and 0.934 (all P < 0.05). When the optimal cut-off value of sphk1 was 60.46 ng/L, the sensitivity and specificity were 95.6% and 100%, respectively; when the optimal cut-off value of D-lactic acid was 1 454.3 μg/L, the sensitivity and specificity were 95.6% and 100%, respectively; when the optimal cut-off value of I-FABP was 0.91 ng/L, the sensitivity and specificity were 95.6% and 100%, respectively; when the optimal cut-off value of APACHEII score was 14.5, the sensitivity and specificity were 80.9% and 85.0%, respectively; when the optimal cut-off value of SOFA score was 3.5, the sensitivity and specificity were 85.3% and 95.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The levels of plasma sphk1, I-FABP, and D-lactic acid were significantly elevated in patients with sepsis and gastrointestinal injury. These indicators can serve as sensitive and relatively specific serological markers for early prediction of intestinal mucosal damage.
Humans ; Lactic Acid/blood* ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins/blood* ; Sepsis/complications* ; Prospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Adult ; Aged ; Gastrointestinal Diseases/blood* ; Prognosis

Objective:To analyze the clinical features of pachydermoperiostosis (PDP) and improve its diagnostic level.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of four patients with PDP treated at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from 2015 to 2023, including clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, imaging examinations, and genetic testing results.Results:All four patients were male with an average onset age of 15 years old (ranging from 9 to 18 years old). One patient′s uncle had PDP, and another patient′s parents were consanguineous, though neither parent showed signs of PDP. All four patients exhibited clubbing, skin thickening, and acne; three had frontal bossing and deepened nasolabial folds; two showed scalp sulci changes on head MRI, and all had periosteal thickening of the phalanges visible on X-ray. One patient accompanied with hypokalemic nephropathy, and another had gastric ulcer. One patient underwent whole exome sequencing test which revealed a homozygous mutation, SLCO2A1 gene c.1406C>T, leading to a protein change p.Pro469Leu. Computational tools REVEL, SIFT, and Polyphen2 predicted this variant as deleterious.Conclusion:In addition to skin thickening, frontal bossing, scalp sulci changes, clubbing, and periosteal proliferation, patients with PDP may also present with hypokalemic nephropathy and gastric ulcer. The SLCO2A1 gene c.1406C>T mutation may be pathogenic.

Objective To investigate the expression levels of lysophosphatidylcholine(LysoPC),microtubule associated pro-tein Tau(MAPT)and growth differentiation factor-10(GDF-10)in oral squamous cell carcinoma(SCC),and their correlation with prognosis.Methods In all,128 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma who visited Nantong University Affiliated Hos-pital from April 2017 to April 2019 were selected as the study group,and 100 patients with benign oral lesions during the same time period were selected as the control group.The expression levels of LysoPC,Tau and GDF-10 were compared between the 2 groups of patients.The relationship between the expression levels of LysoPC,Tau,GDF-10,the clinical staging,lymph node me-tastasis,and survival of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients were analyzed,and the assessment values of these factors for prognosis were evaluated.Results The positive rate of Tau and GDF-10 in pathological tissue and LysoPC in serum of the stud-y group were lower than those of the control group(all P＜0.05).Patients with low expression levels of LysoPC,Tau and GDF-10 had a higher proportion of stage Ⅲ to Ⅳ and lymph node metastasis than those with high expression levels of LysoPC,Tau and GDF-10(all P＜0.05).The 128 patients were followed up for 5 years,86 survived(67.19％),42 died(32.81％).LysoPC,Tau and GDF-10 levels were negatively correlated with survival time(all P＜0.05,r=-0.597,-0.622,-0.656).The results of log-rank test showed that the 5-year survival rate of LysoPC,Tau and GDF-10 low expression group was lower than that of LysoPC,Tau and GDF-10 high expression group(all P＜0.05).The high expression levels of LysoPC,Tau and GDF-10 were protective factors,while lymph node metastasis and high clinical stage were risk factors(all P＜0.05).Conclusion LysoPC,Tau and GDF-10 are all low expressed in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma,and the expression level is correlated with clinical stage and lymph node metastasis.Low expression may indicate a higher risk of death.

Complex liver resection (CLR) is a collective term for surgical procedures addre-ssing complex invasion of intrahepatic vasculobiliary structures that cannot be radically resected through conventional methods. The ex vivo liver resection and autotransplantation (ELRA) and its modified techniques have significantly enhanced the technical feasibility of CLR implementation. In recent years, advancements in modified ELRA techniques and derivative procedures, including conversion resection, in-situ hypothermic perfusion, and auxiliary liver transplantation, have further diversified CLR methodologies, offering more personalized treatment options for CLR candidates. Given the complexity of such cases and substantial variations in surgical approach selection, improving procedural safety and scalability remains a critical challenge in CLR practice. The authors review the current application of modified techniques based on ELRA in CLR, evaluate the clinical significance based on institutional experiences, and propose future directions and individual selection for advancing the safe implementation of CLR.

Objective To evaluate the practical application of the Media Fill Test(MFT)in assessing aseptic compounding competency of personnel in Pharmacy Intravenous Admixture Services(PIVAS).Methods A multicenter controlled study was conducted across six tertiary hospitals(center ①-⑥)in China.Participants were divided into an inexperienced group(Group A,n=118)and an experienced group(Group B,n=118),each performing five MFT operations.Positive controls validated medium efficacy.Contamination rates and pass rates were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.Results Valid samples included 584 for Group A and 588 for Group B.The sample pass rate was 66.78%(390/584)in Group A and 91.67%(539/588)in Group B,while personnel pass rates were 46.15%(54/117)and 80.51%(95/118),respectively,with significant intergroup differences(both P<0.01).All centers except Center ⑥ showed significantly higher pass rates in Group B(all P<0.05).Conclusion MFT effectively differentiates technical proficiency levels and is suitable for training evaluation of novice PIVAS staff.