OBJECTIVES: To study the mechanism mediating the protective effect of asiaticoside (AS) against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in rats. METHODS: Fifty SD rats were randomized into sham-operated group, MIRI model group and AS treatment group. AS treatment was administered at low, moderate and high doses by daily gavage for 2 weeks before MIRI modeling (n=10). Serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and IL-1β, the volume of myocardial infarction and ischemia, and myocardial pathologies of the rats were determined or observed. The protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and IL-18 in the myocardial tissues were detected using Western blotting. The changes in the expression levels of these proteins were also detected in H9C2 cells with AS pretreatment prior to hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) injury. RESULTS: The rats models of MIRI exhibited significant myocardial infarction and ischemia with increased serum levels of LDH and CK-MB and myocardial expressions of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and IL-18. AS pretreatment effectively reduced myocardial infarction volume in the rat models and significantly reduced serum LDH and CK-MB levels and the protein levels in the myocardial tissue in a dose-dependent manner. In the H9C2 cell model of H/R injury, AS pretreatment significantly suppressed the elevation of the protein expressions of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and IL-18. Molecular docking studies showed that AS had a strong binding affinity with NLRP3. CONCLUSIONS Asiaticoside can alleviate MIRI in rats possibly by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis.
Animals ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Interleukin-18/metabolism* ; Male ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Caspase 1/metabolism*

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis (AAGN).Methods:This was a single-center, retrospective and single-arm study. The clinical data of AAGN patients who received RTX induction therapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from April 2016 to July 2021 and had a follow-up period of more than 6 months were collected. The follow-up was up to June 2022. The Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) from 2003 was used to assess vasculitis activity. The treatment regimen for RTX was once every 1 to 2 weeks, with 375 mg/m 2 each time. For some patients, the dose was adjusted according to the immune status before medication. The clinical outcomes, renal remission, recurrence and safety was analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the cumulative renal remission rate. Results:A total of 43 AAGN patients were included in the study, with age of (57.6±16.6) years, 19 males (44.2%) and 34 (79.1%) newly treated patients. There were 34 patients (79.1%) with positive myeloperoxidase-ANCA and 8 patients (18.6%) with positive proteinase 3-ANCA. The dosage of RTX used at the 12-month follow-up was 600 (500, 1 200) mg. At 6 months of follow-up, 32 patients (74.4%) achieved renal remission, and renal remission time was 5.0 (3.3, 5.8) months. Three patients (7.0%) progressed to end-stage renal disease, and two patients (4.7%) died. Compared with patients without renal remission, patients with renal remission had lower baseline serum creatinine ( Z=-2.853, P=0.004), serum uric acid ( t=-2.861, P=0.007), urine protein/urine creatinine ratio ( Z=-2.130, P=0.033) and proportion of methylprednisolone pulse therapy ( χ 2=5.002, P=0.025), and higher estimated glomerular filtration rate ( Z=-2.728, P=0.006). At 12 months of follow-up, 33 patients (76.7%) achieved renal remission, and the cumulative renal remission rate was 82.4%. Two patients (4.7%) had renal recurrence, 5 patients (11.6%) progressed to end-stage renal disease, and 3 patients (7.0%) died. Infection (4 patients, including 2 severe infections) was the main adverse event, all of which occurred within 6 months of RTX treatment. Conclusions:The clinical remission rate and safety of RTX in the treatment of AAGN are both relatively high.

Objective To investigate the influencing factors of pain during ultrasound-guided puncture sclerotherapy in the treatment of ovarian chocolate cyst(OEC).Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 209 OEC patients undergoing ultrasound-guided puncture sclerotherapy in our department from September 2021 to September 2023.Demographic data,medical history and surgical information were collected.According to surgical approach,they were divided into transabdominal surgery group(n=57)and transvaginal surgery group(n=152).Pain scores were assessed at 5 surgical time points:needle insertion,irrigation,displacement,sclerosis,and needle withdrawal.Pain scores were compared between the 2 groups at each surgical moment.According to the pain scores at the moments of needle insertion and replacement,the patients were divided into the no/mild pain group(pain score ≤ 3)and the moderate/severe pain group(pain score ≥4),and the related factors of the incidence of moderate/severe pain were analyzed.Results There was no statistical difference in intraoperative pain between different surgical approaches(transabdominal/transvaginal)in treating OEC under the guidance of ultrasound.At the moment of needle insertion,significantly higher incidence of moderate/severe pain was observed in the patients with a body mass index(BMI)＞23.9 kg/m2 than those with BMI ≤23.9 kg/m2,and those with a history of dysmenorrhea than those without(P＜0.05).At the time point of displacement,BMI and history of dysmenorrhea had no correlation with the incidence of moderate/severe pain.Age,obstetric history,mode of delivery,time of menarche,menstrual volume,history of pelvic surgery,history of combined adenomyosis,size of cysts,duration of surgery,and surgical approach had no notable impacts on intraoperative pain.Conclusion Different surgical approaches for ultrasound-guided puncture sclerotherapy of OEC have no effect on pain levels at various surgical moments.From the aspect of humanistic care,transabdominal puncture should be preferred.During needle insertion and displacement,particular attention should be given to the overweight patients and those with a history of dysmenorrhea,and appropriate pain intervention measures should be formulated.

Objective:To investigate the effects of psychological state on the setup errors of radiotherapy for breast cancer patients.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted. A total of 193 breast cancer patients in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College from October 2022 to May 2023 were selected. Radiotherapy was performed after fixation with an integrated multi-functional device for the head, chest and abdomen. Psychological status of patients was assessed by using 9-item health questionnaire (PHQ-9) and generalized anxiety disorder 7 self-rating scale (GAD-7) before first radiotherapy, the 10th radiotherapy and the last radiotherapy. Based on the results of the questionnaires, patients were divided into psychological problem (anxiety or depression) group and non-psychological problem group. The general data and setup errors of radiotherapy in both groups were compared.Results:All the 193 patients were female, with a median age of 47 years. There were 53 patients in psychological problem group and they underwent a total of 507 image-guided procedures, with setup errors [ M ( Q1, Q3)] of 0.18 (0.07, 0.33), 0.20 (0.10, 0.33) and 0.19 (0.09, 0.30) in the left-right (X), superior-inferior (Y), and anterior-posterior (Z) directions, respectively; the remaining 140 patients in non-psychological problem group underwent 1 240 image-guided procedures, with setup errors [ M ( Q1, Q3)]of 0.17 (0.08, 0.30), 0.20 (0.10, 0.30) and 0.18 (0.09, 0.28) in the X, Y, and Z directions, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z values were -3.78, -2.00; P < 0.001, P = 0.046). Conclusions:Anxiety and depression have an influence on the setup errors of radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer. In the processs of radiotherapy for breast cancer, it is important to pay attention to the psychological status of patients.

Objective:To construct a medical quality evaluation index system for inpatients in public hospitals based on the life cycle theory,starting from the entire process of medical treatment.Method:A comprehensive study was conducted on the screening of medical quality evaluation indicators for hospitalized patients using literature analysis,key informant interviews,and expert inquiry methods.Results:The effective recovery rate of the two rounds of expert consultation was 100%,with high enthusiasm from the experts.The authority coefficient was above 0.7,and Kendall's W coordination coefficient was 0.267(P＜0.05).The evaluation indicators for medical quality of hospitalized patients,including 3 primary indicators,10 secondary indicators,and 51 tertiary indicators,were determined.Conclusions:The medical quality evaluation index system for inpatients in public hospitals based on the life cycle theory has certain scientificity and reliability.However,the weight analysis of the index system has not been carried out and is still in the theoretical exploration stage.Further empirical research is needed for verification and improvement.

Objective:To analyze the incidence and spatial distribution characteristics of human brucellosis in Zhongwei City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and predict its incidence trend, so as to provide a theoretical basis for early prevention and control of brucellosis.Methods:Using a retrospective study method, case data of human brucellosis reported in Zhongwei City from 2018 to 2023 were collected from the "Infectious Disease Reporting Information Management System of China Disease Prevention and Control Information System". Spatial clustering analysis was conducted using ArcGIS 10.8 software. A fitting equation with month as the time series was established, and variable values were calculated based on the fitted values using moving averages, standard deviations, etc., to predict and warn of disease trends.Results:From 2018 to 2023, 3 978 brucellosis cases were reported in Zhongwei City, with an average annual incidence rate of 57.93/100 000. The incidence rate increased year by year (χ 2trend = 638.33, P < 0.001). The results of spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the global Moran's I of the incidence rate of brucellosis in Zhongwei City from 2018 to 2023 were 0.042 9 ( P > 0.05), - 0.095 5 ( P > 0.05), 0.021 6 ( P > 0.05), 0.094 5 ( P > 0.05), 0.236 1 ( P < 0.05), and 0.164 1 ( P > 0.05), respectively. From 2020 to 2023, there were "high-high" clustering areas of brucellosis incidence rate, mainly distributed in the central part of Zhongwei City, including Hanjiaoshui Township and Xutao Township in Zhongning County, and Xiangshan Township and Xuanhe Town in Shapotou District. The time series analysis results showed that the peak of human brucellosis incidence in Zhongwei City in 2024 was from May to August, with predicted cases of 109, 114, 111, and 105, respectively. Conclusions:From 2018 to 2023, the reported incidence rate of brucellosis in Zhongwei City is on the rise year by year. Health education should be strengthened in clustering towns before the month of high incidence of brucellosis.

Objective:To construct a medical quality evaluation index system for inpatients in public hospitals based on the life cycle theory,starting from the entire process of medical treatment.Method:A comprehensive study was conducted on the screening of medical quality evaluation indicators for hospitalized patients using literature analysis,key informant interviews,and expert inquiry methods.Results:The effective recovery rate of the two rounds of expert consultation was 100%,with high enthusiasm from the experts.The authority coefficient was above 0.7,and Kendall's W coordination coefficient was 0.267(P＜0.05).The evaluation indicators for medical quality of hospitalized patients,including 3 primary indicators,10 secondary indicators,and 51 tertiary indicators,were determined.Conclusions:The medical quality evaluation index system for inpatients in public hospitals based on the life cycle theory has certain scientificity and reliability.However,the weight analysis of the index system has not been carried out and is still in the theoretical exploration stage.Further empirical research is needed for verification and improvement.

Objective:To analyze the incidence and spatial distribution characteristics of human brucellosis in Zhongwei City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and predict its incidence trend, so as to provide a theoretical basis for early prevention and control of brucellosis.Methods:Using a retrospective study method, case data of human brucellosis reported in Zhongwei City from 2018 to 2023 were collected from the "Infectious Disease Reporting Information Management System of China Disease Prevention and Control Information System". Spatial clustering analysis was conducted using ArcGIS 10.8 software. A fitting equation with month as the time series was established, and variable values were calculated based on the fitted values using moving averages, standard deviations, etc., to predict and warn of disease trends.Results:From 2018 to 2023, 3 978 brucellosis cases were reported in Zhongwei City, with an average annual incidence rate of 57.93/100 000. The incidence rate increased year by year (χ 2trend = 638.33, P < 0.001). The results of spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the global Moran's I of the incidence rate of brucellosis in Zhongwei City from 2018 to 2023 were 0.042 9 ( P > 0.05), - 0.095 5 ( P > 0.05), 0.021 6 ( P > 0.05), 0.094 5 ( P > 0.05), 0.236 1 ( P < 0.05), and 0.164 1 ( P > 0.05), respectively. From 2020 to 2023, there were "high-high" clustering areas of brucellosis incidence rate, mainly distributed in the central part of Zhongwei City, including Hanjiaoshui Township and Xutao Township in Zhongning County, and Xiangshan Township and Xuanhe Town in Shapotou District. The time series analysis results showed that the peak of human brucellosis incidence in Zhongwei City in 2024 was from May to August, with predicted cases of 109, 114, 111, and 105, respectively. Conclusions:From 2018 to 2023, the reported incidence rate of brucellosis in Zhongwei City is on the rise year by year. Health education should be strengthened in clustering towns before the month of high incidence of brucellosis.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis (AAGN).Methods:This was a single-center, retrospective and single-arm study. The clinical data of AAGN patients who received RTX induction therapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from April 2016 to July 2021 and had a follow-up period of more than 6 months were collected. The follow-up was up to June 2022. The Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) from 2003 was used to assess vasculitis activity. The treatment regimen for RTX was once every 1 to 2 weeks, with 375 mg/m 2 each time. For some patients, the dose was adjusted according to the immune status before medication. The clinical outcomes, renal remission, recurrence and safety was analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the cumulative renal remission rate. Results:A total of 43 AAGN patients were included in the study, with age of (57.6±16.6) years, 19 males (44.2%) and 34 (79.1%) newly treated patients. There were 34 patients (79.1%) with positive myeloperoxidase-ANCA and 8 patients (18.6%) with positive proteinase 3-ANCA. The dosage of RTX used at the 12-month follow-up was 600 (500, 1 200) mg. At 6 months of follow-up, 32 patients (74.4%) achieved renal remission, and renal remission time was 5.0 (3.3, 5.8) months. Three patients (7.0%) progressed to end-stage renal disease, and two patients (4.7%) died. Compared with patients without renal remission, patients with renal remission had lower baseline serum creatinine ( Z=-2.853, P=0.004), serum uric acid ( t=-2.861, P=0.007), urine protein/urine creatinine ratio ( Z=-2.130, P=0.033) and proportion of methylprednisolone pulse therapy ( χ 2=5.002, P=0.025), and higher estimated glomerular filtration rate ( Z=-2.728, P=0.006). At 12 months of follow-up, 33 patients (76.7%) achieved renal remission, and the cumulative renal remission rate was 82.4%. Two patients (4.7%) had renal recurrence, 5 patients (11.6%) progressed to end-stage renal disease, and 3 patients (7.0%) died. Infection (4 patients, including 2 severe infections) was the main adverse event, all of which occurred within 6 months of RTX treatment. Conclusions:The clinical remission rate and safety of RTX in the treatment of AAGN are both relatively high.

Objective:To investigate the effects of psychological state on the setup errors of radiotherapy for breast cancer patients.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted. A total of 193 breast cancer patients in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College from October 2022 to May 2023 were selected. Radiotherapy was performed after fixation with an integrated multi-functional device for the head, chest and abdomen. Psychological status of patients was assessed by using 9-item health questionnaire (PHQ-9) and generalized anxiety disorder 7 self-rating scale (GAD-7) before first radiotherapy, the 10th radiotherapy and the last radiotherapy. Based on the results of the questionnaires, patients were divided into psychological problem (anxiety or depression) group and non-psychological problem group. The general data and setup errors of radiotherapy in both groups were compared.Results:All the 193 patients were female, with a median age of 47 years. There were 53 patients in psychological problem group and they underwent a total of 507 image-guided procedures, with setup errors [ M ( Q1, Q3)] of 0.18 (0.07, 0.33), 0.20 (0.10, 0.33) and 0.19 (0.09, 0.30) in the left-right (X), superior-inferior (Y), and anterior-posterior (Z) directions, respectively; the remaining 140 patients in non-psychological problem group underwent 1 240 image-guided procedures, with setup errors [ M ( Q1, Q3)]of 0.17 (0.08, 0.30), 0.20 (0.10, 0.30) and 0.18 (0.09, 0.28) in the X, Y, and Z directions, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z values were -3.78, -2.00; P < 0.001, P = 0.046). Conclusions:Anxiety and depression have an influence on the setup errors of radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer. In the processs of radiotherapy for breast cancer, it is important to pay attention to the psychological status of patients.