Objective: To characterize perioperative dynamic changes in immune-cell phenotypes and inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass) cardiac surgery, and to explore their associations with postoperative outcomes. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 120 adult patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery under CPB at West China Hospital from May 2022 to March 2023 were enrolled. Perioperative immune-cell phenotypes and concentrations of 40 inflammation-related cytokines were measured. The primary outcomes were the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at 24 h after surgery and ΔSOFA (the peak SOFA score within 48 h after surgery minus the preoperative SOFA score). Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), acute kidney injury (AKI), respiratory failure, severe liver injury, and infection. Results: The mean age of enrolled patients was 57±10 years. Of these, 52% (62/120) were male and 90% (108/120) underwent valve surgery. During the rewarming to the end of CPB, neutrophil counts rapidly increased (7.39×10 /L vs preoperative 3.07×10 /L, P<0.001), with significant upregulation of CD11b (7.30×10 /L vs preoperative 3.05×10 /L, P<0.001) and CD54 (7.15×10 /L vs preoperative 2.99×10 /L, P<0.001). Lymphocyte counts increased at the end of CPB (1.75×10 /L vs preoperative 1.12×10 /L, P<0.001) but decreased significantly at 24 h after surgery (0.59×10 /L vs preoperative 1.12×10 /L, P<0.001). Plasma analysis showed that multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines increased during CPB and remained elevated up to 24 h after surgery; five chemokines and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 peaked at the end of CPB. The SOFA score increased from 1 (1, 2) preoperatively to 7 (5, 10) at 24 h after surgery, with a ΔSOFA of 6 (4, 8). Within 30 days after surgery, 48 patients (40.0%) developed AKI, 17 (14.2%) developed infection, 4 (3.3%) developed severe liver injury, 3 (2.5%) developed respiratory failure, and 3 (2.5%) experienced MACE. During the 2-year follow-up, 8 patients (6.7%) experienced MACE and 5 (4.2%) died. Conclusion: Multi-organ dysfunction is common after cardiac surgery under CPB (median ΔSOFA, 6), accompanied by perioperative activation of multiple immune-cell subsets and upregulation of pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and chemotactic mediators. This study provides data-driven evidence and research clues for further investigation of the associations between CPB-related immune perturbations and postoperative organ dysfunction and clinical outcomes.

ObjectiveTo construct a risk prediction model for frequent acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） under disease-syndrome combination， thus providing decision support for precise clinical intervention. MethodsA total of 2 029 patients with acute exacerbations of COPD admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to August 2024 were retrospectively included. These patients were classified into groups of frequent acute exacerbations （≥2 times/year） and infrequent acute exacerbations （<2 times/year） according to the hospitalization times per year. Risk factors were screened by LASSO regression combined with logistic regression， and a nomogram model was constructed. The model performance was assessed based on the area under the curve （AUC）， calibration curves， and decision curve analysis （DCA）. ResultsThe differences in baseline characteristics between the frequent acute exacerbations group （1 196 cases） and infrequent acute exacerbations group （833 cases） were not statistically significant. LASSO regression combined with multivariate logistic regression screened the following independent risk factors： body mass index （BMI）， hospitalization days， number of smoking years， place of residence， use of noninvasive ventilators， oxygen-demanding therapy， liver cirrhosis， use of systemic glucocorticosteroids， and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome （phlegm and stasis obstructing the lung）. The nomogram model showed good discrimination and calibration in both the training set （AUC=0.748） and validation set （AUC=0.774）. ConclusionThe risk prediction model for frequent acute exacerbations of COPD， integrating traditional Chinese medicine syndrome， constructed in this study has high accuracy. It can provide a scientific basis for early clinical identification of high-risk patients and individualized intervention.

BACKGROUND:Autophagy,as a key regulatory mechanism of cell development,plays an important role in different stages of embryonic development.The mechanism of how autophagy regulates embryonic development through histone modifications is currently unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of autophagy on trimethylation of lysine 4 on histone H3(H3K4me3)modification in embryos and its effect on embryonic development.METHODS:Mouse fertilized eggs were divided into control and autophagy inhibitor-treated groups(chloroquine phosphate-treated group and 3-methyladenine-treated group),and cultured in vitro to different periods of time,and were then classified as early 2-cell embryos,middle 2-cell embryos,late 2-cell embryos,4-cell embryos,8-cell embryos,morula stage,and blastocyst stage.Levels of reactive oxygen species,autophagy marker proteins LC3B and P62,DNA loss marker γH2AX,and H3K4me3 were analyzed by immunofluorescence assay in late 2-cell embryos of each group.Changes in H3K4me3 modification in late 2-cell embryos of each group were detected by CUT&Tag.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Autophagy inhibition caused embryo development arrest.(2)There was no significant difference in reactive oxygen species and γH2AX between the autophagy inhibitor-treated groups and control group.(3)H3K4me3 levels were significantly elevated in the autophagy inhibitor-treated group compared with the control group.(4)CUT&Tag results showed a significantly increased H3K4me3 peaks on the proximal promoter region of the genes after autophagy inhibition and an increase of H3K4me3-specific modification genes.These findings suggest that autophagy may affect embryonic development by regulating the level of H3K4me3 modification.

BACKGROUND:Autophagy,as a key regulatory mechanism of cell development,plays an important role in different stages of embryonic development.The mechanism of how autophagy regulates embryonic development through histone modifications is currently unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of autophagy on trimethylation of lysine 4 on histone H3(H3K4me3)modification in embryos and its effect on embryonic development.METHODS:Mouse fertilized eggs were divided into control and autophagy inhibitor-treated groups(chloroquine phosphate-treated group and 3-methyladenine-treated group),and cultured in vitro to different periods of time,and were then classified as early 2-cell embryos,middle 2-cell embryos,late 2-cell embryos,4-cell embryos,8-cell embryos,morula stage,and blastocyst stage.Levels of reactive oxygen species,autophagy marker proteins LC3B and P62,DNA loss marker γH2AX,and H3K4me3 were analyzed by immunofluorescence assay in late 2-cell embryos of each group.Changes in H3K4me3 modification in late 2-cell embryos of each group were detected by CUT&Tag.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Autophagy inhibition caused embryo development arrest.(2)There was no significant difference in reactive oxygen species and γH2AX between the autophagy inhibitor-treated groups and control group.(3)H3K4me3 levels were significantly elevated in the autophagy inhibitor-treated group compared with the control group.(4)CUT&Tag results showed a significantly increased H3K4me3 peaks on the proximal promoter region of the genes after autophagy inhibition and an increase of H3K4me3-specific modification genes.These findings suggest that autophagy may affect embryonic development by regulating the level of H3K4me3 modification.

ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.

ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.

BackgroundPatients with depressive disorder often exhibit impaired decision-making functions. However， the relationship between decision-making abilities and depressive and anxiety symptoms in these patients remains unclear. ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of decision-making behavior in patients with depressive disorder， and to analyze its relationship with clinical symptoms. MethodsA total of 48 patients diagnosed with depressive disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders， fourth edition （DSM-IV） were recruited from the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from October 2020 to May 2023. Concurrently， 52 healthy individuals matched for age and gender were recruited from Luzhou as the control group. Beck Depression Inventory （BDI） and Beck Anxiety Inventory （BAI） were used for assessment， and decision-making behavior was evaluated using Probabilistic Reversal Learning （PRL） task. Indicators assessed included the number of trials to criterion， perseverative errors， win-stay rate and lose-shift rate. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between BDI and BAI scores and PRL task indicators. ResultsThe depression group showed a significantly higher lose-shift rate compared with the control group （t=3.684， P<0.01）. There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in trials to criterion， perseverative errors and win-stay rate （t=0.329， 0.132， 0.609， P>0.05）. In depression group， BDI and BAI scores were positively correlated with the win-stay rate（r=0.450， 0.398， P<0.01）. ConclusionPatients with depressive disorder are more likely to change their decision-making strategies following negative outcomes. Furthermore， the severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms is associated with a greater propensity to maintain existing decisions after receiving positive feedback. ［Funded by 2019 Joint Project of Luzhou Science and Technology Bureau-Southwest Medical University （number， 2019LZXNYDJ39］

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on exercise-induced fatigue and its potential mechanism. MethodsSixty male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were randomized into blank， model， low-， medium-， high-dose （4.1， 8.2， 16.4 g·kg^-1， respectively） Buzhong Yiqitang， and vitamin C （0.04 g·kg^-1） groups. The blank and model groups were administrated with normal saline. Each group was administrated with corresponding agents by gavage at a dose of 0.2 mL once a day. Except the blank group， other groups underwent a 6-weeks exhaustive swimming test under negative gravity. At the end of the experiment， blood was collected， and the thymus， spleen， liver， and kidney weights were measured. Serum levels of lactic acid （LD）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， creatine kinase （CK）， and malondialdehyde （MDA） were assessed by kits to evaluate fatigue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe pathological changes in the skeletal muscle. Electron microscopy was used to examine the skeletal muscle cell ultrastructure， with a focus on mitochondrial morphological changes. The adenosine triphosphate （ATP） content and activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ， Ⅱ， and Ⅴ in skeletal muscle were determined by kits. The expression levels of key genes and proteins in the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 （PINK1）-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis pathways in the skeletal muscle were evaluated via Real-time PCR and Western blot， respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed reductions in weight gain rate （P<0.01） and thymus index （P<0.01）， rises in serum levels of LD， BUN， MDA， and CK （P<0.01）， disarrangement of skeletal muscle， broken muscle fibers， inflammatory cell infiltration in muscle fiber gaps， abnormal morphological changes （increased vacuolated mitochondria and disappearance of cristae） of mitochondria in skeletal muscle cells， and decreased mitochondria. In addition， the skeletal muscle in the model group showed reduced content of ATP， weakened activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ， Ⅱ， and Ⅴ （P<0.05）， up-regulated mRNA levels of PINK1， E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase （Parkin）， hairy/enhancer-of-split related with YRPW motif 1 （HEY1）， dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1）， sequestosome 1 （p62）， and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha （HIF-1α） （P<0.05）， and down-regulated protein level of microtubule-associated protein 1-light chain 3B （LC3B） （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Buzhong Yiqitang prolonged the swimming exhaustion time （P<0.01）， increased the weight gain rate （P<0.01） and thymus index （P<0.01）， lowered the serum levels of LD， BUN， MDA， and CK （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The skeletal muscle in the Buzhong Yiqitang groups showed neat arrangement， reduced inflammatory cells， intact mitochondria with dense cristae， and increased mitochondria. In addition， the skeletal muscle in the Buzhong Yiqitang groups showcased increased ATP content， enhanced activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ， Ⅱ， and Ⅴ （P<0.05， P<0.01）， up-regulated protein levels of PINK1， Parkin， HEY1， LC3B， and Drp1 and mRNA level of HIF-1α （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated expression level of p62 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang can prevent and treat exercise-induced fatigue by regulating the mitochondrial homeostasis of skeletal muscle via the HIF-1α/PINK1/Parkin and HIF-1α/HEY1/PINK1 signaling pathways.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on exercise-induced fatigue and its potential mechanism. MethodsSixty male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were randomized into blank， model， low-， medium-， high-dose （4.1， 8.2， 16.4 g·kg^-1， respectively） Buzhong Yiqitang， and vitamin C （0.04 g·kg^-1） groups. The blank and model groups were administrated with normal saline. Each group was administrated with corresponding agents by gavage at a dose of 0.2 mL once a day. Except the blank group， other groups underwent a 6-weeks exhaustive swimming test under negative gravity. At the end of the experiment， blood was collected， and the thymus， spleen， liver， and kidney weights were measured. Serum levels of lactic acid （LD）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， creatine kinase （CK）， and malondialdehyde （MDA） were assessed by kits to evaluate fatigue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe pathological changes in the skeletal muscle. Electron microscopy was used to examine the skeletal muscle cell ultrastructure， with a focus on mitochondrial morphological changes. The adenosine triphosphate （ATP） content and activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ， Ⅱ， and Ⅴ in skeletal muscle were determined by kits. The expression levels of key genes and proteins in the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 （PINK1）-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis pathways in the skeletal muscle were evaluated via Real-time PCR and Western blot， respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed reductions in weight gain rate （P<0.01） and thymus index （P<0.01）， rises in serum levels of LD， BUN， MDA， and CK （P<0.01）， disarrangement of skeletal muscle， broken muscle fibers， inflammatory cell infiltration in muscle fiber gaps， abnormal morphological changes （increased vacuolated mitochondria and disappearance of cristae） of mitochondria in skeletal muscle cells， and decreased mitochondria. In addition， the skeletal muscle in the model group showed reduced content of ATP， weakened activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ， Ⅱ， and Ⅴ （P<0.05）， up-regulated mRNA levels of PINK1， E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase （Parkin）， hairy/enhancer-of-split related with YRPW motif 1 （HEY1）， dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1）， sequestosome 1 （p62）， and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha （HIF-1α） （P<0.05）， and down-regulated protein level of microtubule-associated protein 1-light chain 3B （LC3B） （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Buzhong Yiqitang prolonged the swimming exhaustion time （P<0.01）， increased the weight gain rate （P<0.01） and thymus index （P<0.01）， lowered the serum levels of LD， BUN， MDA， and CK （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The skeletal muscle in the Buzhong Yiqitang groups showed neat arrangement， reduced inflammatory cells， intact mitochondria with dense cristae， and increased mitochondria. In addition， the skeletal muscle in the Buzhong Yiqitang groups showcased increased ATP content， enhanced activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ， Ⅱ， and Ⅴ （P<0.05， P<0.01）， up-regulated protein levels of PINK1， Parkin， HEY1， LC3B， and Drp1 and mRNA level of HIF-1α （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated expression level of p62 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang can prevent and treat exercise-induced fatigue by regulating the mitochondrial homeostasis of skeletal muscle via the HIF-1α/PINK1/Parkin and HIF-1α/HEY1/PINK1 signaling pathways.

Background:Postoperative nutritional status and nutritional support therapy are important driving factor for clinical outcomes in patients after lung transplantation.This study aims to evaluate the relationship between mNUTRIC scores and prognosis in patients after lung transplantation.Methods:A retrospective inclusion of 253 patients who underwent lung transplantation at Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022.The nutritional risk in patients after lung transplantation is much higher than in other critically ill patients.To explore the optimal threshold,patients were divided into three groups based on the tertiles of mNUTRIC scores,and clinical outcomes were compared.The predictive ability of the mNUTRIC score was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.The appropriate threshold was determined using the Youden index based on the highest combined sensitivity and specificity.Results:Among 253 patients,the 30-day mortality rate was 14.2%.The death group had higher age and BMI,with APACHE II,SOFA,and mNUTRIC scores all higher than those in the survival group.The median mNUTRIC score in the death group was 5.00(3.00～6.00).The higher the mNUTRIC score,the greater the gradual increase in 30-day mortality rate.When the mNUTRIC score was 4～6,the patient mortality rate was 21.21%,and when 7～9,it was 42.31%.The Q3 group had significantly prolonged mechanical ventilation time,was more prone to delayed weaning,had longer ICU length of stay,and higher tracheotomy rate.Multivariate Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that mNUTRIC score is an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality,with mortality rate increasing as the score increased(P<0.001).The area under the ROC curve(AUC)for mNUTRIC score was 0.765(95%CI:0.686,0.644).According to the Youden index,the optimal cutoff value is when mNUTRIC score equals 3.5,used to predict high nutritional risk and 30-day mortality in lung transplant patients.Conclusion:The mNUTRIC score has a good predictive effect on the prognosis of patients after lung transplantation and is expected to be applied in clinical practice as a routine assessment tool to help clinicians perform postoperative nutritional risk stratification.