Ephedra can improve chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is a main active ingredients of ephedra. It has anti-inflammatory pharmacological properties. Its effect on COPD and its possible mechanism have not been elucidated. The COPD rat model was constructed by systemic cigarette smoke exposure combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tracheal instillation. BEAS-2B cells were treated using cigarette smoke extract; PSE was administered for treatment. The senescence level of rat lung tissue and bronchial epithelial cells was evaluated through staining, immunofluorescence and western blot.The mitochondrial damage of rats and BEAS-2B cells was detected by transmission electron microscopy, JC-1 probe, MitoSOX Red probe and kits. In addition, the lung function indexes of rats were detected by animal lung function analysis system. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining analyzed the pathological damage. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), kit and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate inflammation and oxidative stress. Western blot detected phosphoinositide 3-kinase/ protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) axis protein. PSE significantly reduced senescent cells, apoptosis rate and P21 level in rat lung tissue and BEAS-2B cells, significantly increased the levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), restored mitochondrial structure, and visible mitochondrial cristae. It also inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and mitochondrial excessive fission. PSE also significantly improved lung function in rats, increased mean alveolar number (MAN), reduced pro-inflammatory factors, and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. PSE markedly suppressed p-p85, p-AKT and p-mTOR protein expressions. In addition, the PI3K/AKT agonist 740Y-P weakened the effect of PSE on improving COPD. PSE inhibited PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis, improved lung tissue senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction and pathological damage, and reduced airway inflammation and oxidative stress damage, thereby alleviating COPD.

Background Silicosis is a fatal form of pulmonary fibrosis caused by the inhalation of silica dust. Although the underlying pathogenesis remains unclear, and the macrophage-mediated immune response plays a central role in its development. Objective To investigate the expression, functional role, and upstream regulatory mechanism of C-C motif chemokine ligand 22 (CCL22) in silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Methods Through bioinformatics analysis, we identified CCL22 as a potential key factor in pulmonary fibrosis. We established in vitro models by stimulating human monocytic leukemia cells (THP-1) and peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived macrophages (PBMC-m) with crystalline silica (CS). The regulation of CCL22 expression by CS was validated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Subsequently, a conditioned co-culture system comprising macrophages and lung epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) was developed to evaluate the effects of CCL22 on lung epithelial cell function. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms underlying CS-induced CCL22 secretion by macrophages were investigated using bioinformatics analysis, Western blot, specific inhibitors, qRT-PCR, and ELISA. Results Bioinformatics analysis identified CCL22 as a key upregulated molecule in pulmonary fibrosis. In vitro experiments confirmed that CS treatment significantly enhanced CCL22 mRNA transcription and protein secretion in THP-1 and PBMC-m cells (P<0. 0001). In the co-culture system, supernatant from CS-stimulated macrophages with stable CCL22 knockdown significantly inhibited the scratch-healing ability and fibrotic process of BEAS-2B cells, and reversed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype compared to the control group. Mechanism studies found that, compared to other transcription factors such as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), the inhibition of of specific protein 1 (SP1) most significantly attenuated the CS-induced upregulation of CCL22. Furthermore, pathway inhibition experiments demonstrated that inhibiting extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) reduced both CCL22 expression and p-SP1. Conversely, SP1 intervention did not affect ERK activation. Conclusion CS promotes CCL22 secretion by macrophages through the Raf/ERK-Sp1 signaling pathway, thereby driving fibrotic changes in pulmonary epithelial cells.

Objective This study aims to investigate the expression, phenotypic changes, and mechanisms of action of guanylate-binding protein 2 (GBP2) in the process of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Methods The expression and localization of GBP2 in silicotic lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence. An in vitro cell model was constructed, and methods such as Western blot and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerasechain reaction were utilized to investigate the function of GBP2 in different cell lines following silica stimulation. The mechanism of action of GBP2 in various cell lines was elucidated using Western blot analysis. Results GBP2 was highly expressed in the lung tissue of patients with silicosis. Immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence have revealed that GBP2 was localized in macrophages and epithelial cells. In vitro cell experiments demonstrated that silicon dioxide stimulated THP-1 cells to activate the c-Jun pathway through GBP2, promoting the secretion of inflammatory factors and facilitating the occurrence of M2 macrophage polarization. In epithelial cells, GBP2 promoted the occurrence of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) by upregulating Krueppel-like factor 8 (KLF8). Conclusion GBP2 not only activates c-Jun in macrophages to promote the production of inflammatory factors and the occurrence of M2 macrophage polarization, but also activates the transcription factor KLF8 in epithelial cells to induce EMT, collectively promoting the progression of silicosis.
Humans ; Silicosis/genetics* ; Macrophages/cytology* ; Epithelial Cells/pathology* ; GTP-Binding Proteins/physiology* ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Disease Progression ; Cell Line ; Male

Objective:To analyze clinical indicators and imaging data of hospitalized pneumonia patients and develop prediction models for length of hospital stay based on CT radiomics features and clinical indicators.Methods:Patients admitted to the First Clinical School of Hainan Medical University for pneumonia treatment between November 2020 and May 2024 were enrolled. Clinical data and CT imaging were collected, and radiomics features were extracted. Patients were divided into three groups based on the length of stay (<8 d, 8-28 d,>28 d, and poor prognosis). Three prediction models were constructed using logistic regression (LR): clinical features model, imaging features model and a combined clinical and imaging features model. The predictive performance of three models was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and DeLong test, followed by feature analysis. The Kappa test was used to compare the consistency of the overall classification.Results:A total of 343 subjects were included, with an average age of 61.46±20.98 years. The area under the curve (AUC) values of the combined model in different hospitalization duration classifications (<8 d, 8-28 d,>28 d, and poor prognosis) were 0.73, 0.65 and 0.78 in the training set, and 0.71, 0.65 and 0.76 in the validation set, respectively. The AUC values of the clinical feature model in different hospitalization duration classifications were 0.63, 0.64 and 0.73 in the training set, and 0.60, 0.52 and 0.63 in the validation set, respectively. The AUC values of the imaging feature model in different hospitalization duration classifications (<8 d, 8-28 d,>28 d, and poor prognosis) were 0.67, 0.66 and 0.73 in the training set, and 0.68, 0.54 and 0.66 in the validation set, respectively. The DeLong test results showed that the combined model outperformed other models in hospitalization duration classification (validation set AUC, all P<0.05, Bonferroni correction). Kappa test results showed that the combined model achieved the highest consistency between predicted classifications and actual hospitalization classifications ( K=0.615). Shape features, texture features and clinical features all contributed proportionally to the combined model. Conclusion:The combined model integrating radiomics features with clinical indicators can significantly enhance the predictive efficacy for the length of hospitalization in pneumonia patients.

Objective:To analyze clinical indicators and imaging data of hospitalized pneumonia patients and develop prediction models for length of hospital stay based on CT radiomics features and clinical indicators.Methods:Patients admitted to the First Clinical School of Hainan Medical University for pneumonia treatment between November 2020 and May 2024 were enrolled. Clinical data and CT imaging were collected, and radiomics features were extracted. Patients were divided into three groups based on the length of stay (<8 d, 8-28 d,>28 d, and poor prognosis). Three prediction models were constructed using logistic regression (LR): clinical features model, imaging features model and a combined clinical and imaging features model. The predictive performance of three models was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and DeLong test, followed by feature analysis. The Kappa test was used to compare the consistency of the overall classification.Results:A total of 343 subjects were included, with an average age of 61.46±20.98 years. The area under the curve (AUC) values of the combined model in different hospitalization duration classifications (<8 d, 8-28 d,>28 d, and poor prognosis) were 0.73, 0.65 and 0.78 in the training set, and 0.71, 0.65 and 0.76 in the validation set, respectively. The AUC values of the clinical feature model in different hospitalization duration classifications were 0.63, 0.64 and 0.73 in the training set, and 0.60, 0.52 and 0.63 in the validation set, respectively. The AUC values of the imaging feature model in different hospitalization duration classifications (<8 d, 8-28 d,>28 d, and poor prognosis) were 0.67, 0.66 and 0.73 in the training set, and 0.68, 0.54 and 0.66 in the validation set, respectively. The DeLong test results showed that the combined model outperformed other models in hospitalization duration classification (validation set AUC, all P<0.05, Bonferroni correction). Kappa test results showed that the combined model achieved the highest consistency between predicted classifications and actual hospitalization classifications ( K=0.615). Shape features, texture features and clinical features all contributed proportionally to the combined model. Conclusion:The combined model integrating radiomics features with clinical indicators can significantly enhance the predictive efficacy for the length of hospitalization in pneumonia patients.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of osteopontin(OPN)in hepatoma cell migration through galectin-3 binding protein(LGALS3BP).Methods Human hepatoma cell lines SMMC-7721,SMMC-P(stably transfected with empty eukaryotic expression vectors),and SMMC-OPN(stably transfected with the OPN gene)were cultured.mRNA expression levels of OPN and LGALS3BP were measured by RT-qPCR.Western blot assays were used to analyze the relative protein expression of OPN and LGALS3BP and PI3K/AKT pathway.Wound healing assays were performed to explore the cell migration ability.After transfection with LGALS3BP-targeting small interfering RNA(si-LGALS3BP)or negative control small RNA(si-NC)into SMMC-OPN cells,cell migration and relative expression of PI3K/AKT pathway-related proteins were assessed.Results Compared with SMMC-7721 and SMMC-P,the migratory ability of SMMC-OPN cells was significantly reinforced,and expression of LGALS3BP was obviously upregulated at both mRNA and protein levels.Moreover,relative expression of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT proteins was significantly increased.Wound healing assays showed that the si-LGALS3BP obviously suppressed the migratory ability of SMMC-OPN cells.Furthermore,relative expression of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT proteins in SMMC-OPN cells was significantly decreased after transfection of si-LGALS3BP.Conclusions OPN activates the PI3K/AKT pathway by upregulating LGALS3BP expression to promote hepatoma cell migration.

Objective:To design a heating and pressurizing flushing device and to assess its application effect in hysteroscopic surgery.Methods:The heating and pressurizing flushing device was composed of a heating and pressing device,a liquid crystal control panel module,flushing pipeline,heating pipeline and a support frame.A total of 100 female patients who underwent gynecological hysteroscopic surgery at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from May 2021 to April 2022 were selected and divided into observation group and control group by random number table method,with 50 cases in each group.The observation group adopted a heating and pressurizing device to perform heating and pressurizing operations during hysteroscopic surgery,the control group adopted manual inflatable pressurized infusion bags to perform heating and pressurizing operations during hysteroscopic surgery by inflating and squeezing the air bag.The clarity of dilated uterus,operation time,preoperative,intraoperative and postoperative body temperature of the patients,and satisfaction of doctors and nurses were compared between the two groups.Results:The clarity rate of dilated uterus and satisfaction of doctors and nurses in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group,the difference was statistically significant(x2=7.862,8.392,P<0.05).The operation time of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group,the difference was statistically significant(t=51.099,P<0.05).The body temperature of the patients at 15 minutes during operation and 20 minutes after operation in the observation group were higher than those in the control group,the difference was statistically significant(t=-13.153,-17.911,P<0.05).Conclusion:The use of heating and pressurizing device in gynecological hysteroscopic surgery can increase the clarity of dilated uterus,effectively shorten operation time,save human resources,reduce complications and improve the satisfaction of medical staff.The clinical application effect is good.

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of three kinds of endoscopic minimally invasive treatment of internal hemorrhoids.Methods The clinical data of 222 patients with internal hemorrhoids who underwent endoscopic treatment in Shangyu People's Hospital of Shaoxing from January 2020 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the treatment method,the patients were divided into simple sclerotherapy group(40 cases),simple ligation group(114 cases)and combined group(68 cases).The perioperative indexes,postoperative adverse events,effective rate and satisfaction of three groups were compared.Results There was significant difference in operation time among three groups(P＜0.05),and the operation time of simple ligation group was the shortest.There was no significant difference in postoperative hospital stay among three groups(P＞0.05).The incidences of anal distention,postoperative pain and dysuria in simple ligation group and combined group were significantly higher than those in simple sclerotherapy group(P＜0.05).The incidence of postoperative bleeding in simple ligation group was significantly higher than that in simple sclerotherapy group and combined group(P＜0.05).There was significant difference in treatment effectiveness among three groups(P＜0.05),and combined treatment had the best effect.The satisfaction of three groups was higher,and the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion The three endoscopic minimally invasive treatment methods for internal hemorrhoids are safe and effective.Ligation combined with sclerotherapy can effectively improve symptoms,and the postoperative delayed bleeding are low,which is a safe and efficient treatment method.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and early effectiveness of computer-simulated osteotomy based on the health-side combined with guide plate technique in the treatment of cubitus varus deformity in adolescents. METHODS: The clinical data of 23 patients with cubitus varus deformity who met the selection criteria between June 2019 and February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 17 males and 6 females, ranging in age from 4 to 16 years with an average of 8.5 years. The time from injury to operation was 1-4 years. The angle of distal humerus rotation was defined by humeral head posterior inclination angle using low radiation dose CT to scan the patient's upper extremity data at one time, and the preoperative rotation of the distal humerus on the affected side was (33.82±4.39)°. The CT plain scan data were imported into 9yuan3D digital orthopaedic system (V3.34 software) to reconstruct three-dimensional images of both upper extremities. The simulated operation was performed with the healthy upper extremity as the reference, the best osteotomy scheme was planned, overlapped and compared, and the osteotomy guide plate was prepared. The patients were followed up regularly after operation, and the formation of callus in the osteotomy area was observed by X-ray examination. Before and after operation, the carrying angle of both upper extremities (the angle of cubitus valgus was positive, and the angle of cubitus varus was negative) and anteversion angle were measured on X-ray and CT images. At the same time, the flexion and extension range of motion of elbow joint and the external rotation range of motion of upper extremity were measured, and Mayo score was used to evaluate the function of elbow joint. RESULTS: The operation time ranged from 34 to 46 minutes, with an average of 39 minutes. All patients were followed up 5-26 months, with a mean of 14.9 months. All the incisions healed by first intention after the operation; 2 patients had nail path irritation symptoms after Kirschner wire fixation, which improved after dressing change; no complication such as breakage and loosening of internal fixators occurred after regular X-ray review. Continuous callus formed at the osteotomy end at 4 weeks after operation, and the osteotomy end healed at 8-12 weeks after operation. At last follow-up, the carrying angle, anteversion angle, external rotation range of motion, and extension and flexion range of motion of the elbow joint of the affected side significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones ( P<0.05). Except for the extension range of motion of the healthy elbow joint ( P<0.05), there was no significant difference in other indicators between the two sides ( P>0.05). At last follow-up, the Mayo elbow score was 85-100, with an average of 99.3; 22 cases were excellent, 1 case was good, and the excellent and good rate was 100%. CONCLUSION Computer-simulated osteotomy based on health-side combined with guide plate technique for treating cubitus varus deformity in adolescents can achieve precise osteotomy, which has the advantages of short operation time and easy operation, and the short-term effectiveness is satisfactory.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Elbow ; Humeral Fractures/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Joint Deformities, Acquired/surgery* ; Elbow Joint/surgery* ; Limb Deformities, Congenital ; Osteotomy/methods* ; Humeral Head ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Computers ; Treatment Outcome

Purpose: The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) has increased in recent years, and the optimal surgical strategy for AEG remains highly controversial. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction (PG-DT) for the treatment of patients with AEG. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with Siewert type II/III AEG between January 2013 and July 2018. Clinicopathological characteristics, survival, surgical outcomes, quality of life (QOL), and nutritional status were compared between the PG-DT and total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis (TG-RY) groups. Results: After propensity score matching, 33 patients in each group were analyzed. There were no statistical differences between the 2 groups in terms of disease-free survival and overall survival. The surgical option was not an independent prognostic factor based on the multivariate analysis. In addition, no differences were found in terms of surgical complications. There were no significant differences in QOL assessed by the Visick grade, Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, or endoscopic findings. Furthermore, the long-term nutritional advantage of the PG-DT group was significantly greater than that of the TG-RY group. Conclusions PG-DT is a safe and effective procedure for patients with local Siewert type II/III AEG, regardless of the TNM stage.