Background In 2021, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) emerged as the forth leading cause of death in the world. However, the impact of air pollutants on COPD is still inconsistent across current studies. Objective To analyze the relationship between ambient sulfur dioxide (SO₂) exposure and hospital admissions for COPD in Lanzhou, and to examine the modified effects of SO₂ across different genders, age groups, and seasons. Methods A total of 20718 hospital admission records for COPD were collected from Lanzhou between 2016 and 2020, alongside synchronized data on SO₂ concentration and meteorological variables. A generalized additive model integrated with a distributed lag nonlinear model was used to assess the relationship and the lag effects between SO₂ exposure and COPD admissions. Potential confounders, including meteorological factors, day-of-the-week effect, and holidays, were controlled for, with a maximum lag period set at 7 d. Two-pollutant models and sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure robustness. Results are expressed as relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results During the study period, the average daily number of COPD admissions was 11.34±7.03. The average mass concentration of SO₂ was (23.72±12.35) μg·m⁻³. SO₂ exposure was positively correlated with COPD admissions; specifically, each 10 μg·m⁻³ increase in SO₂ concentration was associated with an RR of 1.440 (95%CI: 1.317, 1.573). Stratified analyses found that at a cumulative lag of 7 d, the RRs were higher among females, individuals aged ≥65 years, and during the cold season. Conversely, no significant increase in COPD admission risk related to SO₂ was observed during the warm season. For every 10 μg·m⁻³ increase in SO₂ concentration, the RR was 1.483 (95%CI: 1.311, 1.678) for females, 1.441 (95%CI: 1.311, 1.583) for those aged > 65 years， and 1.595 (95%CI: 1.313, 1.937) during the cold season. Conclusion Short-term exposure to ambient SO₂ exposure in Lanzhou is associated with an increased risk of COPD admission. The association is more pronounced among females, the elderly (aged> 65 years) and during the cold season.

OBJECTIVE To understand the distribution and drug susceptibility rates of clinical Nocardia isolates so as to provide bases for standardized clinical diagnosis and treatment.METHODS The characteristics of clinical dis-tribution of the Nocardia strains that were isolated from The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical Univer-sity between Aug.2019 and Aug.2024 were retrospectively analyzed.The isolated strains were identified by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS),16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequencing were performed for the strains with low score,and the drug susceptibility testing was carried out by broth micro dilution method.RESULTS Totally 35 strains of Nocardia were isolated from clinical specimens in the five years,11 of which were Nocardia cyriacigeorgica,4 were Nocardia asiatica,3 were No-cardia farcinica,3 were Nocardia brasiliensis,3 were Nocardia sputorum,2 were Nocardia nova,2 were No-cardia otitidiscaviarum,2 were Nocardia beijingensis,2 were Nocardia concava,1 was Nocardia abscessus,1 was Nocardia pseudobrasiliensis,and 1 was Nocardia terpenica.Totally 85.71％of the strains were isolated from lower respiratory tract specimens including sputum,bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,bronchial brushing and lung puncture tissues,and 11.43％were isolated from skin and soft tissues.It was basically same in the male to female ratio for the patients with Nocardia infections,there were 18 cases of male and 17 cases of female.The elderly patients were dominant,and the patients aged more than 60 years old accounted for 51.43％.The strains were mainly isolated from respiratory medicine department and critical care medicine department.The drug sus-ceptibility rates of all the isolated strains to amikacin and linezolid were 100％,the drug susceptibility rates to sul-famethoxazole-trimethoprim were 97.14％,and the drug susceptibility rates to tobramycin,ceftriaxone and imi-penem were 80％,65.71％and 62.86％,respectively;the drug resistance rates to clarithromycin and ciprofloxa-cin were 65.71％and 62.86％,respectively.Among the major species of isolated Nocardia strains,the N.cyri-acigeorgica strains were all sensitive to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim,linezolid,tobramycin,amikacin,imipen-em and ceftriaxone,the strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin,and the drug resistance rate to clarithromycin reached up to 81.82％.CONCLUSIONS N.cyriacigeorgica is the predominant species of isolated Nocardia strains.The pulmonary infection is the major type of infection.There is little difference in the male to female ratio among the patients with Nocardia infection,and the elderly patients are dominant.Amikacin,linezolid and sulfame-thoxazole-trimethoprim are the most sensitive drugs,and the drug resistance rates of the stains to clarithromycin are high.

Objective:To explore the expression and ultrastructure distribution of cofilin and its potential mecha-nisms in postsynaptic mitochondrial anchoring and synaptic plasticity in the pre-B?tzinger complex(pre-B?tC)in rats.Methods:Using neurokinin 1 receptor(NK1R)as a morphological marker of the pre-B?tC,we examined the expres-sion and ultrastructure distribution of cofilin in pre-B?tC neurons of normoxic(NOR)and acute intermittent hypoxic(AIH)rats by combining Western blot,RT-qPCR,immunofluorescence,and immunoelectron microscopy.Results:Cofilin was expressed in the nuclei,somata and dendrites of NK1R-positive neurons in the pre-B?tC and its expression decreased after AIH intervention in this region detected.The results of immunoelectron microscopy showed that cofilin was expressed in the dendritic spines and postsynaptic filamentous or flocculent structures of pre-B?tC neurons.A total of 317 synapses were detected in pre-B?tC(NOR:122;AIH:195).In the NOR group,65.6％of the postsynaptic had cofilin expression,while in the AIH group,the proportion decreased to 47.2％.Combining with the role of cofilin in the regulation of actin severing,it is suggested that the severing effect of cofilin on postsynaptic actin is weakened af-ter AIH intervention,which may further enhance the postsynaptic mitochondrial anchoring.Conclusion:Cofilin,an ac-tin binding protein,plays a crucial role in regulating shearing and depolymerization of actin.Decreased cofilin expres-sion induced by AIH suggests an enhanced actin polymerization,which may be involved in the postsynaptic anchoring of mitochondria and the regulation of synaptic plasticity in the pre-B?tC.

Stem-leaf saponins from Panax notoginseng (SLSP) comprise numerous PPD-type saponins with diverse pharmacological properties; however, their role in Parkinson's disease (PD), characterized by microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, remains unclear. This study evaluated the effects of SLSP on suppressing microglia-driven neuroinflammation in experimental PD models, including the 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPTP)-induced mouse model and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglia. Our findings revealed that SLSP mitigated behavioral impairments and excessive microglial activation in models of PD, including MPTP-treated mice. Additionally, SLSP inhibited the upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and attenuated the phosphorylation of PI3K, protein kinase B (AKT), nuclear factor-κB (NFκB), and inhibitor of NFκB protein α (IκBα) both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, SLSP suppressed the production of inflammatory markers such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells. Notably, the P2Y2R agonist partially reversed the inhibitory effects of SLSP in LPS-treated BV-2 cells. These results suggest that SLSP inhibit microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in experimental PD models, likely through the P2Y2R/PI3K/AKT/NFκB signaling pathway. These novel findings indicate that SLSP may offer therapeutic potential for PD by attenuating microglia-mediated neuroinflammation.
Animals ; Panax notoginseng/chemistry* ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Microglia/immunology* ; Mice ; NF-kappa B/immunology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Male ; Parkinson Disease/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Disease Models, Animal ; Plant Leaves/chemistry* ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/drug therapy* ; Humans

OBJECTIVE To understand the distribution and drug susceptibility rates of clinical Nocardia isolates so as to provide bases for standardized clinical diagnosis and treatment.METHODS The characteristics of clinical dis-tribution of the Nocardia strains that were isolated from The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical Univer-sity between Aug.2019 and Aug.2024 were retrospectively analyzed.The isolated strains were identified by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS),16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequencing were performed for the strains with low score,and the drug susceptibility testing was carried out by broth micro dilution method.RESULTS Totally 35 strains of Nocardia were isolated from clinical specimens in the five years,11 of which were Nocardia cyriacigeorgica,4 were Nocardia asiatica,3 were No-cardia farcinica,3 were Nocardia brasiliensis,3 were Nocardia sputorum,2 were Nocardia nova,2 were No-cardia otitidiscaviarum,2 were Nocardia beijingensis,2 were Nocardia concava,1 was Nocardia abscessus,1 was Nocardia pseudobrasiliensis,and 1 was Nocardia terpenica.Totally 85.71％of the strains were isolated from lower respiratory tract specimens including sputum,bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,bronchial brushing and lung puncture tissues,and 11.43％were isolated from skin and soft tissues.It was basically same in the male to female ratio for the patients with Nocardia infections,there were 18 cases of male and 17 cases of female.The elderly patients were dominant,and the patients aged more than 60 years old accounted for 51.43％.The strains were mainly isolated from respiratory medicine department and critical care medicine department.The drug sus-ceptibility rates of all the isolated strains to amikacin and linezolid were 100％,the drug susceptibility rates to sul-famethoxazole-trimethoprim were 97.14％,and the drug susceptibility rates to tobramycin,ceftriaxone and imi-penem were 80％,65.71％and 62.86％,respectively;the drug resistance rates to clarithromycin and ciprofloxa-cin were 65.71％and 62.86％,respectively.Among the major species of isolated Nocardia strains,the N.cyri-acigeorgica strains were all sensitive to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim,linezolid,tobramycin,amikacin,imipen-em and ceftriaxone,the strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin,and the drug resistance rate to clarithromycin reached up to 81.82％.CONCLUSIONS N.cyriacigeorgica is the predominant species of isolated Nocardia strains.The pulmonary infection is the major type of infection.There is little difference in the male to female ratio among the patients with Nocardia infection,and the elderly patients are dominant.Amikacin,linezolid and sulfame-thoxazole-trimethoprim are the most sensitive drugs,and the drug resistance rates of the stains to clarithromycin are high.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of the bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRD) regimen combined with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and renal impairment, analyze treatment efficacy and renal responses stratified based on renal dysfunction severity, and explore the prognostic significance of early renal response and its affecting factors.Methods:This retrospective study, conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, categorized 316 patients with newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) from August 2018 to October 2022 based on renal function for analysis of clinical characteristics, treatment response, and prognosis. Continuous variables were compared using t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests, categorical variables utilizing Chi-square tests, survival outcomes employing Kaplan-Meier and Log-rank tests, and renal response predictors with logistic regression.Results:Patients were stratified based on baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) : normal [≥90 ml·min -1· (1.73 m 2) -1, n=160], mild [≥60 ml·min -1· (1.73 m 2) -1 to <90 ml·min -1· (1.73 m 2) -1, n=55], moderate [≥30 ml·min -1· (1.73 m 2) -1 to <60 ml·min -1· (1.73 m 2) -1, n=39], and severe impairment [<30 ml·min -1· (1.73 m 2) -1, n=62]. Moderate and severe renal impairment correlated with advanced International Staging System/Revised International Staging System classification, lower hemoglobin levels, frailty, and higher light-chain/IgD subtype prevalence ( P<0.05). Despite younger age ( P=0.001) and higher transplant rates ( P=0.041) in severe cases, overall response rates ( ORR: 93.7% ; ≥VGPR: 82.9% ) were comparable across groups ( P>0.05). Among 24 dialysis-dependent patients at diagnosis, 11 (45.8% ) achieved dialysis independence after induction [median: 3.0 (0.5–4.0) months], including 10 undergoing auto-HSCT. In 89 evaluable patients [baseline eGFR <50 ml·min -1· (1.73 m 2) -1], renal ORR (RORR) was 70.8% [rapid complete response: 31.5% ; rapid partial response: 11.2% ; rapid minimal response (RMR) : 28.1% ]. Renal response predicted better survival (overall survival: HR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.13–0.99, P=0.049). Moderate-to-severe renal impairment was associated with increased transplant-related adverse events and delayed engraftment ( P<0.05) ; however, auto-HSCT significantly improved outcomes after 33.5-month median follow-up (range: 2–65 months). Multivariate analysis identified 1q21+ ( OR=3.58, 95% CI: 1.17–11.02, P=0.026) and light-chain subtype ( OR=2.86, 95% CI: 1.08–7.69, P=0.036) as independent predictors of poor renal response. Conclusion:VRD regimen plus auto-HSCT demonstrates robust efficacy in NDMM, including patients with renal impairment, with a 70.8% RORR and manageable toxicity. Achieving ≥RMR correlates with superior prognosis, whereas 1q21+ and light-chain subtype independently predict inferior renal response.

Objective:To explore the current status of nutrition impact symptoms in patients with liver cirrhosis and to explore its influencing factors.Methods:Convenience sampling was used to select liver cirrhosis inpatients from three ClassⅢ Grade A hospitals in Fuyang City, Anhui Province, from November 2022 to November 2023 for the study. General Information Questionnaire, Eating Symptoms Questionnaire (ESQ), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ) were used to investigate the participants. Binary Logistic regression was used to explore the factors that influence nutrition-impact symptoms in liver cirrhotic patients.Results:A total of 394 questionnaires were distributed, and 384 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 97.5%. Of the 384 patients with liver cirrhosis, 274 patients (71.4%) had at least one nutrition impact symptom, and 166 patients (43.2%) had at least one moderate-to-severe nutrition impact symptom. Patients' most common nutrition impact symptoms include dry mouth, altered taste, and bloating. Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that age, liver cirrhosis stage, total bilirubin, coping styles, and social support were the influencing factors of nutrition impact symptoms in patients with liver cirrhosis, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05) . Conclusions:The detection rate of nutrition impact symptoms in patients with liver cirrhosis is high. Healthcare professionals can alleviate moderate-to-severe nutrition impact symptoms by guiding patients to adopt positive coping styles and helping to improve social support.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of weekend surgery,and explore to shorten the preoperative hospital stay and average hospital stay of patients.Method Extract actual data on the number of discharged surgical patients and length of hospital stay,and use the Questionnaire Star to investigate the recognition of weekend surgeries by medical staff.Using chi square test and independent sample rank sum test,compare the differences in patients and surgical characteristics between weekend surgery and non weekend surgery,and analyze the influencing factors of surgical physicians using binary logistic regression model.Result The median length of hospital stay(3.0 days)and preoperative hospital stay(0.5 days)was lower than that of non weekend surgery patients(5.0,1.5 days);The proportion of fourth grade surgeries on weekends(28.9％)was lower than that of non weekend surgeries(37.0％);The consultation rate(10.74％)was lower than that of non weekend surgeries(17.0％);The proportion of daytime pilot surgeries(30.7％)was higher than that of non weekend surgeries(20.4％).The factors with the highest recognition among medical staff for conducting weekend surgeries were:improving patient satisfaction(84.7％)and reducing preoperative waiting risks(84.4％).The lowest factors were family support(45.5％)and multi departmental assistance and cooperation(58.8％).Conclusion Weekend surgery effectively shortens the average preoperative and average hospitalization days.Move the hospitalization consultation required for comorbidities management and preoperative examinations to the outpatient department.Mobilize the coordination and supporting resources of various departments within the hospital,and organically integrate various surgical methods such as weekend surgery and day surgery to improve the efficiency of medical operation.

Objective:To explore the expression and ultrastructure distribution of cofilin and its potential mecha-nisms in postsynaptic mitochondrial anchoring and synaptic plasticity in the pre-B?tzinger complex(pre-B?tC)in rats.Methods:Using neurokinin 1 receptor(NK1R)as a morphological marker of the pre-B?tC,we examined the expres-sion and ultrastructure distribution of cofilin in pre-B?tC neurons of normoxic(NOR)and acute intermittent hypoxic(AIH)rats by combining Western blot,RT-qPCR,immunofluorescence,and immunoelectron microscopy.Results:Cofilin was expressed in the nuclei,somata and dendrites of NK1R-positive neurons in the pre-B?tC and its expression decreased after AIH intervention in this region detected.The results of immunoelectron microscopy showed that cofilin was expressed in the dendritic spines and postsynaptic filamentous or flocculent structures of pre-B?tC neurons.A total of 317 synapses were detected in pre-B?tC(NOR:122;AIH:195).In the NOR group,65.6％of the postsynaptic had cofilin expression,while in the AIH group,the proportion decreased to 47.2％.Combining with the role of cofilin in the regulation of actin severing,it is suggested that the severing effect of cofilin on postsynaptic actin is weakened af-ter AIH intervention,which may further enhance the postsynaptic mitochondrial anchoring.Conclusion:Cofilin,an ac-tin binding protein,plays a crucial role in regulating shearing and depolymerization of actin.Decreased cofilin expres-sion induced by AIH suggests an enhanced actin polymerization,which may be involved in the postsynaptic anchoring of mitochondria and the regulation of synaptic plasticity in the pre-B?tC.

Objective : To explore the role of lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3(LPCAT3) in Erastin-induced ferroptosis of acute myeloid leukemia(AML) cells and its related molecular regulatory mechanisms. Methods : Tetrazolium salt(MTS) method was used to detect the sensitivity of different AML cells to the classic ferroptosis inducer Erastin, real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR) was used to detect the basal expression level ofLPCAT3mRNA, and the correlation between them was analyzed. Lentivirus-mediatedLPCAT3overexpression AML cell lines(OE group) and negative control lines(NC group) were constructed. After Erastin intervention, MTS, flow cytometry, and micromethods were used to detect cell viability, lipid reactive oxygen species(ROS), and Malondialdehyde(MDA), respectively. qPCR and Western blot were used to detect unfolded protein response(UPR) classic pathway signaling molecules(PERK, ATF4, GRP78, etc.) expression levels. The above ferroptosis-related indicators were detected after combined intervention with the UPR inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid(4-PBA), and the regulatory relationship was analyzed. Results : Four different types of AML cells had different sensitivities to ferroptosis, among which K562 cells were relatively insensitive. The IC50of the four types of AML cells to Erastin was negatively correlated with the expression level ofLPCAT3(r=-0.919,P<0.001). After Erastin intervention, the cell viability of K562 cells in the OE group was significantly inhibited by Erastin compared with the NC group(P<0.001), and the levels of lipid ROS and MDA increased(P<0.001). The results of qPCR and Western blot showed that, compared with the NC group, the mRNA and protein expression of UPR classic pathway moleculesPERK,ATF4, andGRP78mRNA and protein increased in the OE group(P<0.01). After inhibiting the UPR pathway by 4-PBA, the viability of K562 cells decreased(P<0.01), and lipid ROS and MDA levels increased(P<0.01) compared with the uninhibited state. Conclusion Overexpression ofLPCAT3can promote ferroptosis in K562 cells, and this process is negatively regulated by the classical UPR pathway PERK/ATF.