Objective To explore the mechanism of Huanglian Ganjiang Decoction in regulating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway through the NF-κB/CXCL1/CXCR2 pathway in ulcerative colitis(UC).Methods Sixty C57BL/6J mice were divided into normal group,model group,Huanglian Ganzhang Decoction groups(low,medium and high doses)and mesalazine group.Except for the normal group,UC models were established in the other groups.The general conditions of the mice of all groups were recorded.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the colon and rectum;electron microscopy was used to observe the mitochondrial condition;ELISA was used to determine the contents of IL-6,IL-10,D-lactic acid and DAO;Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65,CXCL1,CXCR2,Bcl-2 and Bax;Western blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of NF-κB p65,CXCL1,CXCR2,p-JAK2,p-STAT3,Bcl-2 and Bax.Results Compared with the normal group,the model group of mice showed a decline in condition,shortened length of the colon and rectum,and mitochondrial structural damage,furthermore,the levels of IL-6,DAO and D-lactic acid were increased,IL-10 level was decreased,the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65,CXCL1,CXCR2 and Bax were enhanced,Bcl-2 mRNA expression was weakened,the protein expression of NF-κB p65,CXCL1,CXCR2,p-JAK2,p-STAT3 and Bax were enhanced,Bcl-2 protein expression was weakened.Compared with the model group,the indexes mentioned above were reversed in the drug groups,especially in the high-dose group.Conclusion Huanglian Ganjiang Decoction may exert its therapeutic effect on UC in mice by regulating the NF-κB/CXCL1/CXCR2 pathway and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Decoction in regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress via the inositol-requiring enzyme 1α(IRE1α)/apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1(ASK1)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK) pathway to improve neurological function in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury(CIRI). SPF-grade male sprague-dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into Sham group, model group, Buyang Huanwu Decoction group, and edaravone group. Except for the Sham group, the other groups were subjected to the modified suture method to establish a middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R) model. After treatment, neurological function was assessed using the Zea Longa scoring system. Gait analysis was used to detect the motor function. Detection of relative infarct area in brain tissue using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining. Nissl staining was used to observe the structure of neuronal cells. Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR) were used to detect IRE1α, ASK1, JNK, B cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2 related X protein(Bax), and Caspase-3 in the brain tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the positive expression of IRE1α, ASK1, and JNK. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the fluorescence expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3. The results showed that compared with the Sham group, the model group exhibited increased neurological scores(P<0.01), increased ratio of ground contact area and strength in both forelimbs(P<0.01), enlarged relative infarct area of brain tissue(P<0.05), and a reduced number of Nissl staining-positive cells(P<0.01). The protein and mRNA expression levels of IRE1α, ASK1, JNK, Bax, and Caspase-3 in brain tissue were significantly elevated, while those of Bcl-2 were decreased(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, both the Buyang Huanwu Decoction group and edaravone group showed reduced neurological scores(P<0.05), decreased ratio of ground contact area and strength in both forelimbs(P<0.05), smaller relative infarct area(P<0.05), alleviated neuronal damage, and increased number of Nissl staining-positive cells(P<0.05). The expression levels of IRE1α, ASK1, JNK, Bax, and Caspase-3 protein and mRNA in brain tissue were significantly reduced, while those of Bcl-2 were significantly increased(P<0.05). The results indicated that Buyang Huanwu Decoction can effectively improve brain injury in CIRI rats, and its mechanism of action may be related to regulating the endoplasmic reticulum stress IRE1α/ASK1/JNK signaling pathway.
Animals ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5/genetics* ; Ischemic Stroke/physiopathology* ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Endoribonucleases/genetics* ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/drug effects* ; Multienzyme Complexes

Objective:To explore the impact of the two-way referral model on compliance and prognosis in patients with heart failure.Methods:This bidirectional cohort study enrolled chronic heart failure (CHF) patients treated at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University or designated primary hospitals between March 2018 and March 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on referral status: two-way referral group (participating in the referral model with≥1 follow-up visit at primary hospitals) and the core hospital group (receiving treatment and follow-up exclusively at Qilu Hospital). Baseline clinical characteristics were collected and compared between groups. Patients underwent followed-up, with primary endpoints including follow-up rate, drug (β-blockers, angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB)/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) utilization rate and target dose achievement rate. Secondary endpoints encompassed changes from baseline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), plus cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization. Generalized linear mixed models analyzed longitudinal trends in LVEF, LVEDd, and NT-proBNP levels. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression evaluated LVEF recovery rates, supplemented by subgroup analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing target dose achievement rate for β-blockers and ACEI/ARB/ARNI therapies in CHF patients.Results:A total of 357 patients were enrolled, aged 53 (41, 63) years, including 256 males (71.7%). 157 patients were in the two-way referral group and 200 patients in the core hospital-treated group. Compared with the core hospital-treated group, the two-way referral group had lower baseline LVEF (28 (22, 34)% vs. 31 (23, 36)%, P=0.021) and systolic blood pressure (116 (104, 125) mmHg vs. 121 (109, 134) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), P=0.010). The 12-month follow-up rate of the two-way referral group was higher than the core hospital-treated group (73.8% vs. 56.0%, P=0.004). No significant between-group differences were observed in drug utilization rate of β-blockers, ACEI/ARB/ARNI, or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors during follow-up (all P>0.05), while mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists use showed a declining trend in both groups. Although the core hospital-treated group had higher target dose achievement rates for β-blockers (65.4% vs. 49.3%, P=0.042) and ACEI/ARB/ARNI (79.8% vs. 65.8%, P=0.046) than the two-way referral group, multivariate logistic regression indicated that the two-way referral model was not a negative predictor for these outcomes (all P>0.05). Both groups showed improved NT-proBNP, LVEDd, and LVEF from baseline (all P<0.001) with no significant difference in trends between groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the composite incidence (7.6% vs. 6.5%, P=0.674) and cumulative incidence (log-rank P=0.684) of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization at 12 months between two groups. Conclusion:The two-way referral model demonstrates advantages in improving medication adherence, drug utilization rates, and targetdoseachievement rates among CHF patients. This model not only promotes cardiac functional recovery but also reduces risks of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization, achieving comparable therapeutic and management outcomes to those observed in core hospital-treated patients.

Objective:To evaluate the outcomes of minimally invasive therapy for aortic arch pathology after ascending aortic replacement.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 2016 to 2024. After multidisciplinary discussion, these included patients were evaluated to be at high risk for traditional open surgery. Various minimally invasive repair techniques were employed, including Ⅳb hybrid technique, physician-modified endograft and novel unibody endograft. The study outcomes were technical success, in-hospital and follow-up mortality, stroke, endoleak, and the patency of the supra-aortic vessels.Results:A total of 40 patients(32 males and 8 females) with a median age of 60 years old were included in this study. The technique success rate was 100%, with no deaths or strokes reported. The patency of the supra-aortic vessels was 100%. 10 patients underwent Type Ⅳb hybrid surgery without any endoleaks occurring. Among the 22 patients who received physician-modified endograft, endoleaks were observed in 2 cases. One of these type Ⅰc endoleaks persisted and underwent reintervention. One patient underwent femoral artery replacement due to vascular injury. For the 8 patients who received novel unibody endograft, one case required reintervention due to persistent type Ⅰc endoleaks.Conclusion:With the development of different endovascular techniques and novel branched endograft, patients with aortic arch pathology who are at high risk for redo open surgery can achieve favorable outcomes with various minimal invasive techniques. However, long-term and large-sample follow-up studies are needed for further evaluation.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Huanglian Ganjiang Decoction in regulating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway through the NF-κB/CXCL1/CXCR2 pathway in ulcerative colitis(UC).Methods Sixty C57BL/6J mice were divided into normal group,model group,Huanglian Ganzhang Decoction groups(low,medium and high doses)and mesalazine group.Except for the normal group,UC models were established in the other groups.The general conditions of the mice of all groups were recorded.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the colon and rectum;electron microscopy was used to observe the mitochondrial condition;ELISA was used to determine the contents of IL-6,IL-10,D-lactic acid and DAO;Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65,CXCL1,CXCR2,Bcl-2 and Bax;Western blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of NF-κB p65,CXCL1,CXCR2,p-JAK2,p-STAT3,Bcl-2 and Bax.Results Compared with the normal group,the model group of mice showed a decline in condition,shortened length of the colon and rectum,and mitochondrial structural damage,furthermore,the levels of IL-6,DAO and D-lactic acid were increased,IL-10 level was decreased,the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65,CXCL1,CXCR2 and Bax were enhanced,Bcl-2 mRNA expression was weakened,the protein expression of NF-κB p65,CXCL1,CXCR2,p-JAK2,p-STAT3 and Bax were enhanced,Bcl-2 protein expression was weakened.Compared with the model group,the indexes mentioned above were reversed in the drug groups,especially in the high-dose group.Conclusion Huanglian Ganjiang Decoction may exert its therapeutic effect on UC in mice by regulating the NF-κB/CXCL1/CXCR2 pathway and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Objective:To explore the impact of the two-way referral model on compliance and prognosis in patients with heart failure.Methods:This bidirectional cohort study enrolled chronic heart failure (CHF) patients treated at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University or designated primary hospitals between March 2018 and March 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on referral status: two-way referral group (participating in the referral model with≥1 follow-up visit at primary hospitals) and the core hospital group (receiving treatment and follow-up exclusively at Qilu Hospital). Baseline clinical characteristics were collected and compared between groups. Patients underwent followed-up, with primary endpoints including follow-up rate, drug (β-blockers, angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB)/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) utilization rate and target dose achievement rate. Secondary endpoints encompassed changes from baseline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), plus cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization. Generalized linear mixed models analyzed longitudinal trends in LVEF, LVEDd, and NT-proBNP levels. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression evaluated LVEF recovery rates, supplemented by subgroup analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing target dose achievement rate for β-blockers and ACEI/ARB/ARNI therapies in CHF patients.Results:A total of 357 patients were enrolled, aged 53 (41, 63) years, including 256 males (71.7%). 157 patients were in the two-way referral group and 200 patients in the core hospital-treated group. Compared with the core hospital-treated group, the two-way referral group had lower baseline LVEF (28 (22, 34)% vs. 31 (23, 36)%, P=0.021) and systolic blood pressure (116 (104, 125) mmHg vs. 121 (109, 134) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), P=0.010). The 12-month follow-up rate of the two-way referral group was higher than the core hospital-treated group (73.8% vs. 56.0%, P=0.004). No significant between-group differences were observed in drug utilization rate of β-blockers, ACEI/ARB/ARNI, or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors during follow-up (all P>0.05), while mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists use showed a declining trend in both groups. Although the core hospital-treated group had higher target dose achievement rates for β-blockers (65.4% vs. 49.3%, P=0.042) and ACEI/ARB/ARNI (79.8% vs. 65.8%, P=0.046) than the two-way referral group, multivariate logistic regression indicated that the two-way referral model was not a negative predictor for these outcomes (all P>0.05). Both groups showed improved NT-proBNP, LVEDd, and LVEF from baseline (all P<0.001) with no significant difference in trends between groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the composite incidence (7.6% vs. 6.5%, P=0.674) and cumulative incidence (log-rank P=0.684) of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization at 12 months between two groups. Conclusion:The two-way referral model demonstrates advantages in improving medication adherence, drug utilization rates, and targetdoseachievement rates among CHF patients. This model not only promotes cardiac functional recovery but also reduces risks of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization, achieving comparable therapeutic and management outcomes to those observed in core hospital-treated patients.

Objective:To evaluate the outcomes of minimally invasive therapy for aortic arch pathology after ascending aortic replacement.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 2016 to 2024. After multidisciplinary discussion, these included patients were evaluated to be at high risk for traditional open surgery. Various minimally invasive repair techniques were employed, including Ⅳb hybrid technique, physician-modified endograft and novel unibody endograft. The study outcomes were technical success, in-hospital and follow-up mortality, stroke, endoleak, and the patency of the supra-aortic vessels.Results:A total of 40 patients(32 males and 8 females) with a median age of 60 years old were included in this study. The technique success rate was 100%, with no deaths or strokes reported. The patency of the supra-aortic vessels was 100%. 10 patients underwent Type Ⅳb hybrid surgery without any endoleaks occurring. Among the 22 patients who received physician-modified endograft, endoleaks were observed in 2 cases. One of these type Ⅰc endoleaks persisted and underwent reintervention. One patient underwent femoral artery replacement due to vascular injury. For the 8 patients who received novel unibody endograft, one case required reintervention due to persistent type Ⅰc endoleaks.Conclusion:With the development of different endovascular techniques and novel branched endograft, patients with aortic arch pathology who are at high risk for redo open surgery can achieve favorable outcomes with various minimal invasive techniques. However, long-term and large-sample follow-up studies are needed for further evaluation.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement with Perceval sutureless aortic bioprosthesis in upper ministernotomy or right anterior thoracotomy. Methods From March to November 2022, the patients with simple aortic valve disease were enrolled in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of West China Hospital, Sichuan University. After preoperative evaluation, Perceval sutureless bioprosthesis was successfully used to perform aortic valve replacement through the upper ministernotomy or right anterior thoracotomy. The perioperative clinical data and ultrasonic measurement data of all patients were recorded. Results A total of 5 patients with simple aortic valve disease were included, including 3 females and 2 males, with a mean age of 71.2 years. Perceval sutureless bioprosthesis was successfully implanted in 5 patients, with a success rate of 100%. There were 3 patients receiving upper ministernotomy and 2 patients receiving right anterior thoracotomy. Two patients underwent ascending aortic plasty at the same time. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 61.0 min, and aortic cross-clamping time was 32.2 min. All patients were discharged successfully without perivalvular leakage, atrioventricular block or stroke. Conclusion The implantation method of Perceval sutureless bioprosthesis is simple, which can effectively reduce the perioperative risk by shortening the overall operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamping time. At the same time, its clinical application has promoted the development and popularization of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement, which together with Perceval sutureless bioprosthesis effectively combinates surgical effect and minimally invasive treatment, and has a good clinical application prospect because of its reliable safety and effectiveness.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of two-stage retrograde hybrid repair for acute aortic dissection involving the aortic arch complicated with distal malperfusion syndrome. Methods From May 2019 to December 2022, the patients presented with acute aortic dissection involving the aortic arch complicated with distal malperfusion syndrome treated in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of West China Hospital, Sichuan University were enrolled. After preoperative evaluation, all patients underwent priority emergency interventional surgery to improve distal malperfusion, and then underwent two-stage hybrid surgery to repair proximal aortic lesions. The perioperative clinical and imaging data were retrospectively analyzed. Results Five patients were collected, including 4 males and 1 female, with a median age of 58 years. The main manifestations were lower limb ischemia and renal insufficiency in 3 patients, and poor intestinal perfusion in 2 patients. All patients were given priority to interventional surgery to implant graft stents or bare stents and necessary branch artery intervention, and then successfully performed two-stage hybrid surgery, including type Ⅰhybrid surgery for 2 patients, type Ⅱ hybrid surgery for 1 patient and type Ⅲ hybrid surgery for the other 2 patients, with a success rate of 100.0%. All patients were discharged successfully, and the function of the organs with poor perfusion returned to normal. Only 1 patient recovered to grade 4 muscle strength of the diseased lower limbs upon discharge. No adverse events such as amputation, exploratory laparotomy and intestinal resection or long-term hemodialysis occurred. Conclusion The application of two-stage retrograde hybrid repair in the surgical treatment of acute aortic dissection involving the aortic arch complicated with distal malperfusion syndrome is safe and effective, and is helpful to improve the perioperative survival rate, and clinical outcomes of such patients.

Objective : To analyze the difference of urinary iodine level in Hashimoto thyroiditis ( HT) patients， and to explore the possible relationship between urinary iodine level and HT under different iodine nutritional sta- tus，so as to provide some references for reasonable iodine intake in HT patients． Methods : A total of 101 hospi- talized HT patients were selected as HT group and divided into 3 groups according to thyroid function : HT group with hyperthyroidism (41 cases) ．There were 25 cases in HT group with normal thyroid function．There were 35 cases in HT combined with hypothyroidism group．In addition，30 healthy subjects were selected as control group. Serum levels of thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) ，triiodothyronine(T3 ) ，thyroxine (T4 ) ，thyroid peroxidase an- tibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (ATG) were detected by chemiluminescence assay．The size and mor- phological structure of thyroid organs were examined by ultrasonography．Urinary iodine was determined by catalytic spectrophotometry with arsenic and cerium．The nutritional status of iodine was classified into iodine deficiency ( < 100 μg/ L) ，iodine adequacy( 100 －199 μg/ L) ，iodine adequacy (200 －299 μg/ L) and iodine excess ( ≥ 300 μg/ L) ．Non-parametric test was used to compare urinary iodine level between HT group and control group，one- way ANOVA and t test were used to compare urinary iodine level between HT group and control group ，and Spearman correlation analysis was used to compare the correlation between urinary iodine level and T3 ，T4 ，TSH， ATG and TPOAb under different iodine nutrition status. Results : Compared with control group，ATG and TPOAb levels in HT group increased (P＜0. 001) ，and urinary iodine levels increased (P＜0. 05) ，with statistical signifi- cance．Compared with the control group in different thyroid function states，only the HT group with hypothyroidism increased the urinary iodine level (P＜0. 01) ，and the difference was statistically significant．Spearman correlation analysis showed that urine iodine level was positively correlated with ATG and TPOAb levels in iodine excess condi- tion (P＜0. 05) ，and urine iodine level was positively correlated with TSH level in iodine sufficient condition and iodine excess condition in HT patients (P＜0. 05) ． Conclusion The urinary iodine level of HT patients was high- er than that of normal people．When the urinary iodine level of residents is ≥ 300 μg/ L，iodine intake is prone to HT．When the urinary iodine level of HT patients is ≥ 200 μg/ L，iodine consumption is prone to hypothyroidism， and iodine intake should be limited.