ObjectiveTo observe the effects of modified Chaihu Shugansan on the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ（CaMKⅡ）/cAMP-response element binding protein （CREB） signaling pathway in the hippocampus and heart tissue of a rat model with myocardial ischemia and depression and explore the mechanism by which this formula prevents and treats coronary heart disease combined with depression. MethodsThe model of myocardial ischemia combined with depression was established by high-fat diet， intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol （ISO）， and chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS）. A total of 108 SD male rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， high （23.4 g·kg^-1）， medium （11.7 g·kg^-1）， and low （5.85 g·kg^-1） dose groups of modified Chaihu Shugansan， CaMKⅡ inhibitor （KN93） group， and KN93 + high， medium， and low dose groups of modified Chaihu Shugansan， with 12 rats in each group. From the first day of modeling to the end of modeling， drugs were administered once a day. In the seventh and eighth weeks， the KN93 group and the KN93 + high， medium， and low dose groups of modified Chaihu Shugansan were intraperitoneally injected with KN93 three times weekly. At the end of the eighth week， behavioral tests including sucrose preference， open field， and elevated plus maze were conducted. Electrocardiogram （ECG） lead Ⅱ changes were observed in each group of rats， and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to observe changes in heart tissue. Serum levels of triglycerides （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， high-density lipoprotein （HDL）， low-density lipoprotein （LDL）， and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） were measured by using an enzyme-labeled instrument. Creatine kinase （CK） and creatine kinase-MB （CK-MB） were detected by ultraviolet spectrophotometry， while serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 （MCP-1） was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect mRNA expression of CaMKⅡ and CREB in hippocampal and heart tissue， and Western blot was performed to assess protein expression of CaMKⅡ， phosphorylated （p）-CaMKⅡ， CREB， and p-CREB. ResultsCompared to the normal group， the model group showed significant reductions in sucrose preference rate， total activity distance in the open field， number of entries into the center area of the open field， and percentage of entries into the open arms of the elevated plus maze （P<0.01）. The ECG showed ST-segment elevation， and HE staining showed serious degeneration of myocardial fibers， disordered arrangement， and infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells. In addition， serum TC and LDL levels increased （P<0.01）， and HDL level decreased （P<0.01）. CK， CK-MB， LDH， and MCP-1 levels significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of CaMKⅡ and CREB and the protein expression of p-CaMKⅡ and p-CREB decreased in the hippocampal tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， but those increased in the heart tissue （P<0.01）. Compared to the model group， the high， medium， and low dose groups of modified Chaihu Shugansan showed improvements in these abnormalities. The KN93 group had reduced sucrose preference， total activity distance in the open field， number of entries into the center area of the open field， and percentage of entries into the open arms of the elevated plus maze （P<0.01）， as well as decreased serum CK， CK-MB， LDH， and MCP-1 levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）. KN93 also reduced ST-segment elevation， alleviated the degeneration degree of myocardial fibrosis， and lowered inflammatory cell infiltration. The mRNA expression of CaMKⅡ and CREB and the protein expression of p-CaMKⅡ and p-CREB in both the hippocampal and heart tissue were reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The KN93 + high， medium， and low dose groups of modified Chaihu Shugansan showed further improvements in these abnormalities compared to the KN93 group. ConclusionThe modified Chaihu Shugansan exerts antidepressant and myocardial protective effects in rats with myocardial ischemia and depression， possibly related to bidirectional regulation of the CaMKⅡ/CREB signaling pathway， with the high-dose modified Chaihu Shugansan showing the best effects.

OBJECTIVE: Pneumoconiosis, a lung disease caused by irreversible fibrosis, represents a significant public health burden. This study investigates the causal relationships between gut microbiota, gene methylation, gene expression, protein levels, and pneumoconiosis using a multi-omics approach and Mendelian randomization (MR). METHODS: We analyzed gut microbiota data from MiBioGen and Esteban et al. to assess their potential causal effects on pneumoconiosis subtypes (asbestosis, silicosis, and inorganic pneumoconiosis) using conventional and summary-data-based MR (SMR). Gene methylation and expression data from Genotype-Tissue Expression and eQTLGen, along with protein level data from deCODE and UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project, were examined in relation to pneumoconiosis data from FinnGen. To validate our findings, we assessed self-measured gut flora from a pneumoconiosis cohort and performed fine mapping, drug prediction, molecular docking, and Phenome-Wide Association Studies to explore relevant phenotypes of key genes. RESULTS: Three core gut microorganisms were identified: Romboutsia ( OR = 0.249) as a protective factor against silicosis, Pasteurellaceae ( OR = 3.207) and Haemophilus parainfluenzae ( OR = 2.343) as risk factors for inorganic pneumoconiosis. Additionally, mapping and quantitative trait loci analyses revealed that the genes VIM, STX8, and MIF were significantly associated with pneumoconiosis risk. CONCLUSIONS This multi-omics study highlights the associations between gut microbiota and key genes ( VIM, STX8, MIF) with pneumoconiosis, offering insights into potential therapeutic targets and personalized treatment strategies.
Humans ; Male ; East Asian People/genetics* ; Europe ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Lung ; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors/metabolism* ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Multiomics ; Pneumoconiosis/microbiology* ; Intramolecular Oxidoreductases

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Tongmai Hypoglycemic Capsule (THC) on myocardium injury in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) rats. METHODS: A total of 24 Sprague Dawley rats were fed for 4 weeks with high-fat and high-sugar food and then injected with streptozotocin intraperitoneally for the establishment of the DCM model. In addition, 6 rats with normal diets were used as the control group. After modeling, 24 DCM rats were randomly divided into the model, L-THC, M-THC, and H-THC groups by computer generated random numbers, and 0, 0.16, 0.32, 0.64 g/kg of THC were adopted respectively by gavage, with 6 rats in each group. After 12 weeks of THC administration, echocardiography, histopathological staining, biochemical analysis, and Western blot were used to detect the changes in myocardial structure, oxidative stress (OS), biochemical indexes, protein expressions of myocardial fibrosis, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related faactor 2 (Nrf2) element, respectively. RESULTS: Treatment with THC significantly decreased cardiac markers such as creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase-MB, etc., (P<0.01); enhanced cardiac function indicators including heart rate, ejection fraction, cardiac output, interventricular septal thickness at diastole, and others (P<0.05 or P<0.01); decreased levels of biochemical indicators such as fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, aspartate transaminase, (P<0.05 or P<0.01); and decreased the levels of myocardial fibrosis markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen I (Col-1) protein (P<0.01), improved myocardial morphology and the status of myocardial interstitial fibrosis. THC significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels in model rats (P<0.01), increased levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione (P<0.01), and significantly increased the expression of Nrf2, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, heme oxygenase-1, and superoxide dismutase 2 proteins in the left ventricle of rats (P<0.01). CONCLUSION THC activates the Nrf2 signaling pathway and plays a protective role in reducing OS injury and cardiac fibrosis in DCM rats.
Animals ; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies/physiopathology* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Fibrosis ; Male ; Capsules ; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Rats ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy*

Objective To develop a refined management model for operating rooms and assess its clinical impact on op-erational efficiency and cost control.Methods The study included 10,728 elective surgeries from January to June 2024 as the study group and 9 414 elective surgeries from January to June 2023 as the control group.The differences in operational metrics before and after implementing the refined management model were compared.The model was developed through comprehensive management by hospital leadership and multi-department collaboration,focusing on management structure,systems,processes,information technology,and resource allocation.Results In terms of efficiency,the on-time start rate of the first surgeries in the study group was significantly higher than in the control group(P＜0.05).The turnover time between surgeries was shorter in the study group(P＜0.01),and the rate of unexpected surgery cancellations was lower(P＜0.01).The average cost per surgery for consumables,excluding the impact of centralized procurement of consumables,was approximately 971 yuan,representing an 11% reduction compared to the previous year,despite a 14% increase in surgical volume.The average daily operating cost per operating room was about 12 303 yuan,a 7% reduction.Economic benefits increased by 8.43 million yuan,a 38% year-on-year increase.Conclusion Implementing a refined management model in operating rooms can significantly enhance efficiency,re-duce costs,and achieve dual improvements in social and economic benefits.

Environmental damage affects many aspects of healthcare, from extreme weather events to evolving population disease. Singapore's healthcare sector has the world's second highest healthcare emissions per capita, hampering the nation's pledge to reduce emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. In this review, we provide an overview of the impact environmental damage has on healthcare, including facilities, supply chain and human health, and examine measures to address healthcare's impact on the environment. Utilising the 'R's of sustainability - rethinking, reducing/refusing, reusing/repurposing/reprocessing, repairing, recycling and research - we have summarised the opportunities and challenges across medical disciplines. Awareness and advocacy to adopt strategies at institutional and individual levels is needed to revolutionise our environmental footprint and improve healthcare sustainability. By leveraging evidence from ongoing trials and integrating sustainable practices, our healthcare system can remain resilient against environment-driven challenges and evolving healthcare demands while minimising further impacts of environmental destruction.
Humans ; Climate Change ; Delivery of Health Care ; Singapore ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Sustainable Development ; Environment

Objective:To summarize the technical difficulties, key points and cosmetic effects of Ti-loop patch application in breast shaping of immediate reconstruction with omental flap transplantation after mastectomy.Methods:The clinical data of 90 cases with breast cancer who underwent immediate breast reconstruction by using laparoscopically harvested omental flap alone or combined with prosthesis after nipple and areola complex sparing mastectomy from May. 2020 to Jan. 2023 in Hunan Cancer Hospital was retrospectively analyzed. All patients were female between 16 and 55 years old with the average age of 42. Their courses of the disease range from 5 to 26 months with the mean of 15.5 months. These patients received mastectomy with conservation of nipple and areola, and then the greater omentum with right pedicle were harvested laparoscopically. Ti-loop patch was used to hang and fix the greater omentum as a support. 27 patients accepted immediate breast reconstruction with pedicled greater omentum alone, while 63 subjects with greater omentum and gel prosthesis. Among them, contralateral breast contraction and lift was operated on 9 cases.Results:All the pedicled greater omentum successfully survived, and wound surfaces of donor and recipient sites healed at stage I. Axillary lymph node dissection and postoperative radiotherapy were performed on 14 patients with positive pathological examination of sentinel lymph nodes. Breasts of two patients were found to be smaller after postoperative radiotherapy. All 90 subjects were followed up for 5 to 32 months, and the average follow-up period was 16.4 months. The reconstructed breasts were good in shape and tactile sensation. Only punctate scars were observed in donor sites of abdomen. All patients recovered with no upper limb lymphedema, no short and long term complications in abdomen, and only one patient had papillary recurrence without distant metastasis.Conclusions:The omental flap is hard to be sutured and shaped in the reconstructed breast, while easily to be avulsed and form hematoma. The application of Ti-loop patch, which could semi-surround and wrap the greater omentum, and suspend and fix it on the chest wall in upper pole of the breast as a support, can significantly improve the reconstruction effect.

Objective To develop a refined management model for operating rooms and assess its clinical impact on op-erational efficiency and cost control.Methods The study included 10,728 elective surgeries from January to June 2024 as the study group and 9 414 elective surgeries from January to June 2023 as the control group.The differences in operational metrics before and after implementing the refined management model were compared.The model was developed through comprehensive management by hospital leadership and multi-department collaboration,focusing on management structure,systems,processes,information technology,and resource allocation.Results In terms of efficiency,the on-time start rate of the first surgeries in the study group was significantly higher than in the control group(P＜0.05).The turnover time between surgeries was shorter in the study group(P＜0.01),and the rate of unexpected surgery cancellations was lower(P＜0.01).The average cost per surgery for consumables,excluding the impact of centralized procurement of consumables,was approximately 971 yuan,representing an 11% reduction compared to the previous year,despite a 14% increase in surgical volume.The average daily operating cost per operating room was about 12 303 yuan,a 7% reduction.Economic benefits increased by 8.43 million yuan,a 38% year-on-year increase.Conclusion Implementing a refined management model in operating rooms can significantly enhance efficiency,re-duce costs,and achieve dual improvements in social and economic benefits.

Objective:To summarize the technical difficulties, key points and cosmetic effects of Ti-loop patch application in breast shaping of immediate reconstruction with omental flap transplantation after mastectomy.Methods:The clinical data of 90 cases with breast cancer who underwent immediate breast reconstruction by using laparoscopically harvested omental flap alone or combined with prosthesis after nipple and areola complex sparing mastectomy from May. 2020 to Jan. 2023 in Hunan Cancer Hospital was retrospectively analyzed. All patients were female between 16 and 55 years old with the average age of 42. Their courses of the disease range from 5 to 26 months with the mean of 15.5 months. These patients received mastectomy with conservation of nipple and areola, and then the greater omentum with right pedicle were harvested laparoscopically. Ti-loop patch was used to hang and fix the greater omentum as a support. 27 patients accepted immediate breast reconstruction with pedicled greater omentum alone, while 63 subjects with greater omentum and gel prosthesis. Among them, contralateral breast contraction and lift was operated on 9 cases.Results:All the pedicled greater omentum successfully survived, and wound surfaces of donor and recipient sites healed at stage I. Axillary lymph node dissection and postoperative radiotherapy were performed on 14 patients with positive pathological examination of sentinel lymph nodes. Breasts of two patients were found to be smaller after postoperative radiotherapy. All 90 subjects were followed up for 5 to 32 months, and the average follow-up period was 16.4 months. The reconstructed breasts were good in shape and tactile sensation. Only punctate scars were observed in donor sites of abdomen. All patients recovered with no upper limb lymphedema, no short and long term complications in abdomen, and only one patient had papillary recurrence without distant metastasis.Conclusions:The omental flap is hard to be sutured and shaped in the reconstructed breast, while easily to be avulsed and form hematoma. The application of Ti-loop patch, which could semi-surround and wrap the greater omentum, and suspend and fix it on the chest wall in upper pole of the breast as a support, can significantly improve the reconstruction effect.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of warming-needle moxibustion combined with cross acupoint selection method in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods Fifty patients with KOA were randomly divided into observation group and control group,25 patients in each group.The control group was treated with warming-needle moxibustion on local of the knee joint,and the observation group was treated with elbow cross acupoint selection on the basis of the treatment of the control group.The course of treatment covered five days,with an interval of one day between courses of treatment,and a total of two courses of treatment.After two courses of treatment,the changes in Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)scores and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC)scores in the two groups before and after treatment were observed.Changes in step frequency,step speed,step length,stride,and gait period between the two groups of patients before and after treatment were compared.Results(1)During the research,there was one case in the observation group and four cases in the control group lost to follow-up.Finally,24 cases in the observation group and 21 cases in the control group were included in the efficacy statistics.(2)After treatment,the scores of VAS and WOMAC of patients in the two groups decreased significantly(P＜0.01),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the step frequency and step speed of patients in the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05),and the parameters of step length and stride were slightly improved compared with those before treatment,but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).After treatment,the observation group was slightly superior to that in the control group in improving the patients'step frequency,step length,step speed and stride,but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).(4)After treatment,the gait period of patients in both groups were improved significantly(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion The efficacy of warming-needle moxibustion combined with cross acupoint selection method in the treatment of KOA is precise,with good analgesic effect,moreover,it can significantly improve the daily joint function of the patients,and improve the step frequency and step speed of patients with KOA and shorten the gait period,so as to improve the quality of life of patients,with remarkable therapeutic effect.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Early infarct growth rate(EIGR) on the prognosis of patients with acute large vessel occlusive ischemic stroke.Methods:A total of 164 patients with acute large vessel occlusive ischemic stroke were enrolled in the emergency department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.According to the change of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission and 72 h after treatment, the patients were divided into good prognosis group and poor prognosis group. The basic clinical data of the two groups were observed and compared. The risk factors of poor prognosis were analyzed by univariate regression. The effect of EIGR on prognosis after age stratification was further analyzed.Results:Comparing the clinical data of the two groups, there was no difference in EIGR (mL/h) (7.67 vs. 8.24, P=0.211) between the two groups. The product between EIGR and age was included as the interaction term, and the result of the interaction term in the model was statistically significant ( OR=1.002, 95% CI: 1.000-1.003, P=0.032) .Moreover, the result was still statistically significant after adjusting for relevant variables (gender, history of hypertension, history of atrial fibrillation, history of diabetes, history of coronary heart disease, and history of stroke) ( OR=1.002, 95% CI:1.000-1.003, P=0.027). Subgroup analysis was performed according to the median age (71 years). In the elderly group, the proportion of poor prognosis was higher with fast core infarction growth rate defined by 25 mL/h and 15 mL/h ( P < 0.05).In the younger age group, there was no significant difference in the proportion of poor prognosis in the fast core infarction growth rate compared with the slow type ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:EIGR can predict the early clinical outcome early in elderly patients with large vessel occlusive ischemic stroke.