Objective To systematically evaluate the risk factors for persistent cough after lung resection, providing a theoretical basis for preventing persistent postoperative cough. Methods The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMbase, PubMed, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang, CNKI, and VIP databases were searched for studies related to risk factors for persistent cough after lung resection. The search period was from database inception to March 30, 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and performed quality assessment. RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. Results A total of 17 articles with 3 698 patients were included. Meta-analysis results showed that females [OR=3.10, 95%CI (1.99, 4.81), P<0.001], age [OR=1.72, 95%CI (1.33, 2.21), P<0.001], right-sided lung surgery [OR=2.36, 95%CI (1.80, 3.10), P<0.001], lobectomy [OR=3.40, 95%CI (2.47, 4.68), P<0.001], upper lobectomy [OR=8.19, 95%CI (3.87, 17.36), P<0.001], lymph node dissection [OR=3.59, 95%CI (2.72, 4.72), P<0.001], bronchial stump closure method [OR=5.19, 95%CI (1.79, 16.07), P=0.002], and postoperative gastric acid reflux [OR=6.24, 95%CI (3.27, 11.91), P<0.001] were risk factors for persistent cough after lung resection, while smoking history was a protective factor against postoperative cough [OR=0.59, 95%CI (0.45, 0.77), P<0.001]. In addition, the quality of life score of patients with postoperative cough decreased compared with that before surgery [MD=1.50, 95%CI (0.14, 2.86), P=0.03]. Conclusion Current evidence suggests that females, age, right-sided lung surgery, lobectomy, upper lobectomy, lymph node dissection, bronchial stump closure method (stapler closure), and postoperative gastric acid reflux are independent risk factors for persistent postoperative cough in lung resection patients, while smoking history may be a protective factor against postoperative cough. This provides evidence-based information for clinical medical staff on how to prevent and reduce persistent postoperative cough in patients and improve their quality of life in the future.

This study aims to explore the medication rules and mechanisms of treating chronic renal failure(CRF) by Jinling medical school based on data mining, network pharmacology, and experimental validation systematically and deeply. Firstly, the study selected the papers published by the inherited clinicians in Jinling medical school in Chinese journals using the subject headings named "traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) + chronic renal failure", "TCM + chronic renal inefficiency", or "TCM + consumptive disease" in China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database and screened TCM formulas for treating CRF according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study analyzed the frequency of use of single TCM and the four properties, five tastes, channel tropism, and efficacy of TCM used with high frequency and performed association rule and clustering analysis, respectively. As a result, a total of 215 TCM formulas and 235 different single TCM were screened, respectively. The TCM used with high frequency included Astragali Radix, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Poria, and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma(top 5). The single TCM characterized by "cold properties, sweet flavor, and restoring spleen channel" and the TCM with the efficacy of tonifying deficiency had the highest frequency of use, respectively. Then, the TCM with the rules of "blood-activating and stasis-removing" and "diuretic and dampness-penetrating" appeared. In addition, the core combination of TCM [(Hexin Formula, HXF)] included "Astragali Radix, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Poria, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, and Angelicae Sinensis Radix". The network pharmacology analysis showed that HXF had 91 active compounds and 250 corresponding protein targets including prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2), PTGS1, sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 5(SCN5A), cholinergic receptor muscarinic 1(CHRM1), and heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1(HSP90AA1)(top 5). Gene Ontology(GO) function analysis revealed that the core targets of HXF predominantly affected biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions such as positive regulation of transcription by ribonucleic acid polymerase Ⅱ and DNA template transcription, formation of cytosol, nucleus, and plasma membrane, and identical protein binding and enzyme binding. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) analysis revealed that CRF-related genes were involved in a variety of signaling pathways and cellular metabolic pathways, primarily involving "phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(Akt) pathway" and "advanced glycation end products-receptor for advanced glycation end products". Molecular docking results showed that the active components in HXF such as isomucronulatol 7-O-glucoside, betulinic acid, sitosterol, and przewaquinone B might be crucial in the treatment of CRF. Finally, a modified rat model with renal failure induced by adenine was used, and the in vivo experimental confirmation was performed based on the above-mentioned predictions. The results verify that HXF can regulate mitochondrial autophagy in the kidneys and the PI3K-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) signaling pathway activation at upstream, so as to alleviate renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis and then delay the progression of CRF.
Data Mining ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Network Pharmacology ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/metabolism* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; China

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the expression of apolipoprotein C1 (APOC1) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and its effects on proliferation and apoptosis of PTC cells. METHODS: The expression level of APOC1 in PTC and its impact on prognosis were analyzed using GEPIA 2 and Kaplan-Meier databases. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of APOC1 in PTC and adjacent tissues and in 3 PTC cell lines and normal thyroid Nthyori 3-1 cells. In TPC-1 and BCPAP cells, the effect of Lipofectamine 2000-mediated transfection with APOC1 siRNA or an APOC1-overexpressing plasmid on cell growth and colony formation ability were examined by observing the growth curves and using colony-forming assay. The changes in cell cycle and apoptosis of the transfected cells were analyzed with flow cytometry. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the changes in expressions of P21, P27, CDK4, cyclin D1, Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9 and the key proteins in the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. RESULTS: APOC1 expression was significantly higher in PTC tissues and the 3 PTC cell lines than in the adjacent tissues and Nthyori 3-1 cells, respectively. In TPC-1 and BCPAP cells, APOC1 knockdown obviously reduced cell proliferative activity, increased the percentage of G0/G1 phase cells, lowered the percentages of S and G2 phase cells, promoted cell apoptosis, and downregulated mRNA and protein expression levels of CDK4, cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 and the protein levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3. APOC1 overexpression in the cells produced the opposite effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle and the mRNA and protein expressions. The application of AG490, a JAK2 inhibitor, strongly attenuated APOC1 overexpression-induced activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in BCPAP cells. CONCLUSIONS APOC1 overexpression promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of PTC cells possibly by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and accelerating cell cycle progression.
Humans ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Janus Kinase 2/metabolism* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology* ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Carcinoma, Papillary

Microalgae possess high photosynthetic efficiency, robust adaptability, and substantial biomass, serving as excellent biological resources for large-scale cultivation. Malic enzyme (ME), a ubiquitous metabolic enzyme in living organisms, catalyzes the decarboxylation of malate to produce pyruvate, CO₂, and NAD(P)H, playing a role in multiple metabolic pathways including energy metabolism, photosynthesis, respiration, and biosynthesis. In this study, we identified the Scenedesmus quadricauda malic enzyme gene (SqME) and its biological functions, aiming to provide excellent target genes for the genetic improvement of higher plants. Based on the RNA-seq data from S. quadricauda under the biofilm cultivation mode with high CO₂ and light energy transfer efficiency and small water use, a highly expressed gene (SqME) functionally annotated as ME was cloned. The physicochemical properties of the SqME-encoded protein were systematically analyzed by bioinformatics tools. The subcellular localization of SqME was determined via transient transformation in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The biological functions of SqME were identified via genetic transformation in Nicotiana tabacum, and the potential of SqME in the genetic improvement of higher plants was evaluated. The ORF of SqME was 1 770 bp, encoding 590 amino acid residues, and the encoded protein was located in chloroplasts. SqME was a NADP-ME, with the typical structural characteristics of ME. The ME activity in the transgenic N. tabacum plant was 1.8 folds of that in the wild-type control. Heterologous expression of SqME increased the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll by 20.9%, 26.9%, and 25.2%, respectively, compared with the control. The transgenic tobacco leaves showed an increase of 54.0% in the fluorescence parameter NPQ and a decrease of 30.1% in Fo compared with the control. Moreover, the biomass, total lipids, and soluble sugars in the transgenic tobacco leaves enhanced by 20.5%, 25.7%, and 9.5%, respectively. On the contrary, the starch and protein content in the transgenic tobacco leaves decreased by 22.4% and 12.2%, respectively. Collectively, the SqME-encoded protein exhibited a strong enzymatic activity. Heterologous expressing of SqME could significantly enhance photosynthetic protection, photosynthesis, and biomass accumulation in the host. Additionally, SqME can facilitate carbon metabolism remodeling in the host, driving more carbon flux towards lipid synthesis. Therefore, SqME can be applied in the genetic improvement of higher plants for enhancing photosynthetic carbon fixation and lipid accumulation. These findings provide scientific references for mining of functional genes from S. quadricauda and application of these genes in the genetic engineering of higher plants.
Nicotiana/genetics* ; Photosynthesis/physiology* ; Malate Dehydrogenase/biosynthesis* ; Plant Leaves/genetics* ; Scenedesmus/enzymology* ; Carbon Cycle/genetics* ; Lipid Metabolism/genetics* ; Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism*

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanisms of Shoutai Wan （寿胎丸） in treating recurrent miscarriage （RSA） from the perspective of immune tolerance under the acidic microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface. MethodsFemale CBA/J mice were randomly divided into normal group， model group， progesterone group， and Shoutai Wan group， with 15 mice in each group. The mice in the normal group and model group were given 0.2 ml distilled water by gavage each day， the Shoutai Wan group given Shoutai Wan decoction 0.15 g/（10 g·d） by gavage， the progesterone group given progesterone tablets 0.44 mg/（10 g·d） by gavage. After gavage for 14 days， the mice were cohabited. Female CBA/J mice in the normal group were mated with male BALB/c mice at a ratio of 2∶1， and female CBA/J mice in the other groups were mated with male DBA/2 mice at a ratio of 2∶1 to establish the RSA mouse model. Vaginal smears were taken from the female mice the next morning， and the appearance of a large number of spermatozoa and the presence of a vaginal plug were considered as the first day of pregnancy. After the appearance of the plug， the mice were continued to be administered according to the previous method until the 10th day of pregnancy. On the 10th day of pregnancy， maternal-fetal interface tissues were collected from each group of mice， and lactate dehydrogenase colorimetric method was used to detect lactate （LA） content； qPCR method and Western blot method were used to detect the expression of immune-related factors interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interferon-gamma （IFN-γ）， transforming growth factor beta 1 （TGF-β1）， and forkhead box protein 3 （Foxp3） mRNA and protein； flow cytometry was used to detect the numbers of helper T lymphocyte 1 （Th1）， helper T lymphocyte 2 （Th2）， regulatory T cell （Treg）， classical macrophage （M1）， and alternative macrophage （M2）. The bivariate Pearson test was used to analyze the correlation between LA content and the numbers of Th1， Th2， Treg， M1， and M2 cells， as well as the correlation between LA content and the expression of IL-4， IFN-γ， TGF-β1， Foxp3 protein， and mRNA. ResultsOn the 10th day of pregnancy， compared with the normal group， the LA content decreased in the model group， and the expression of IL-4， TGF-β1， Foxp3 protein and mRNA in the maternal-fetal interface tissues decreased， while the expression of IFN-γ protein and mRNA increased. The numbers of Th1 and M1 cells increased， while the numbers of Th2， Treg， and M2 cells decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the LA content increased in the Shoutai Wan group and progesterone group. The expression of IL-4， TGF-β1， Foxp3 protein and mRNA in the maternal-fetal interface tissues increased， while the expression of IFN-γ protein and mRNA decreased. The numbers of Th1 and M1 cells decreased， while the numbers of Th2， Treg， and M2 cells increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The LA content was positively correlated with the numbers of Th2， Treg， and M2 cells， and the expression of IL-4， TGF-β1， Foxp3 protein， and mRNA （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the LA content was negatively correlated with the numbers of Th1， M1 cells， and the expression of IFN-γ protein and mRNA （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionShoutai Wan may improve immune tolerance by regulating the expression of immune-related factors in the acidic microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface of RSA model mice， thereby exerting its role in preventing miscarriage.

Objective To analyze the relationships between pulmonary ground-glass nodules(GGN)and bronchi and blood vessels and their diagnostic values for infiltrative lesions based on high-resolution computed tomography(HRCT)target scanning technology.Methods Patients with GGN detected by HRCT target scanning and complete pathological results were retrospectively selected as the research subjects.The relationships between GGN and bronchi and blood vessels in patients with different pathological types were analyzed,and the relationships for detecting infiltrative lesions were further analyzed,using pathological results as the gold standard.Results Three hundred patients were divided into 237 cases of pre-invasive lesions and 63 cases of infiltrative lesions according to pathological results.There were statistically significant differences in lesion properties and lesion morphology in patients with different types of GGN(P＜0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the relationships between GGN and bronchi and blood vessels in the pre-invasive lesions and the infiltrative lesions(P＜0.05).Based on the pathological results as the gold standard,the sensitivity of HRCT bronchial classification,vascular classification,and their combined detection of infiltrative lesions were 84.13％(53/63),95.24％(60/63),and 95.24％(60/63);specificity were 83.12％(197/237),87.34％(207/237),and 87.34％(207/237);accuracy were 83.33％(250/300),89.00％(267/300),and 89.00％(267/300).Conclusion Evaluating the classification of pulmonary GGN and bronchi and blood vessels by HRCT target scanning technology has good value in identifying infiltrative lesions.The combined diagnosis of the two signs can further improve the accuracy of detection.

Objective:There are significant differences in the distribution of gut microbiota among different populations in different regions.This study mainly explores the structure and distribution of gut microbiota between cow's milk protein allergy（CMPA）children and healthy children in Xiamen,Fujian,and further explores the correlation between gut microbiota and the occurrence and development of CMPA.Methods:Fecal samples have been collected from 30 children with CMPA diagnosed at Xiamen Children’s Hospital from June 2022 to March 2023,and fecal samples from 30 healthy children of the same age have also been collected.The structure and distribution of gut microbiota between the two groups were analyzed using 16S rDNA gene sequencing and bioinformatics analysis.Results:The structure and distribution of gut microbiota between CMPA children and healthy children were quite different.There were no significant differences in α diversity index between groups（ P>0.05）.The analysis of similarities test results showed that there was a significant difference in the distribution of gut microbiota between two groups（ R=0.037, P<0.05）.The β diversity index from PCA showed that there was a significant difference in bacterial community structure between two groups（ P<0.05）.Compared with healthy children,the abundance of Akkermansia in CMPA children was significantly decreased and the abundance of Corynebacterium was significantly increased in CMPA children.LEfSe showed that Proteobacteria were mainly enriched in CMPA children,while Lachnospiraceae were mainly enriched in healthy children.In addition,KEGG analysis showed that the top enrichment of 20 pathways,such as Fructose and mannose metabolism,was significantly decreased in CMPA children（ P<0.05）.COG analysis showed that the enrichment of pathways such as Galactose mutarotase and related enzymes was significantly decreased in CMPA children（ P<0.05）,while the enrichment of pathways including Predicted metal-sulfur cluster biosynthetic enzyme and other two pathways was significantly increased（ P<0.05）. Conclusion:There are significant differences in the structure and distribution of gut microbiota between CMPA children and healthy children,suggesting that a strong correlation between the occurrence and development of CMPA and the gut microbiota.

Objective:To evaluate the practical value of ultrasound, ultrasound new technologies (ultrasound elastography, contrast enhanced ultrasound) and computed tomography (CT) examination alone or the combination of both of the four in the clinical diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer by meta-analysis system.Methods:This study screened relevant literature on ultrasound, new ultrasound technologies, and CT in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer by searching Chinese and English databases from January 2006 to August 2023. Two scholars independently assessed the quality of the literatures and scored them using the QUADAS scale. Then, the diagnostic ratio of single and combined examinations was analyzed by Meta-Disc software, and the heterogeneity test and meta-analysis were performed to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic ratio, accuracy, and area under curve (AUC). Finally, the diagnostic efficacies of different diagnostic techniques and their combination in identifying lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer were assessed by calculating OR and P values by two-by-two comparisons. Results:Sixty-nine diagnostic studies totaling 30, 666 lesions were finally included. The meta-analysis study showed that contrast enhanced ultrasound had the highest sensitivity[0.83(0.77-0.87)], ultrasound specificity was the highest [0.84(0.79-0.88)], the highest AUC was for contrast enhanced ultrasound (0.90), and contrast enhanced ultrasound and ultrasound elastography had high accuracies (0.81, 0.80, respectively) both of them were higher than those of ultrasound (0.77) and CT (0.69). Contrast enhanced ultrasound and ultrasound elastography were both more sensitive than CT, with statistically significant differences between them ( P<0.01); contrast enhanced ultrasound + ultrasound elastography had the highest accuracy, while ultrasound + contrast enhanced ultrasound and contrast enhanced ultrasound + ultrasound elastography were both more sensitive, with no statistically significant differences between them ( P>0.05), but the latter had the highest specificity [0.90(0.88-0.92)], which were statistically significantly different from each other ( P<0.05), ultrasound+ contrast enhanced ultrasound and contrast enhanced ultrasound+ ultrasound elastography had higher sensitivities than ultrasound+ CT, which were statistically different from each other ( P<0.05), and ultrasound+ CT had the lowest specificity [0.76(0.70-0.81)]. Conclusions:The diagnostic efficacy of thyroid cancer lymph node metastasis is highest with contrast enhanced ultrasound. The new ultrasound technique for diagnosing thyroid cancer lymph node metastasis has a higher diagnostic value than CT, and it can be used as a complementary examination to conventional ultrasound.When the two techniques are used in combination, contrast enhanced ultrasound + ultrasound elastography has the highest accuracy, contrast enhanced ultrasound + ultrasound elastography and ultrasound + contrast enhanced ultrasound both have high sensitivity and specificity, and the diagnostic performance of both is higher than that of ultrasound + ultrasound elastography and ultrasound + CT, and in actual clinical practice when ultrasound elastography combined with contrast enhanced ultrasound is limited in the examination, ultrasound combined with contrast enhanced ultrasound can effectively serve as an alternative means to provide a good diagnostic support.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) and hepatic fibrosis and skeletal muscle mass in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods:A total of 685 T2DM patients diagnosed at the Endocrinology department of Lanzhou University First Hospital, from April 2022 to May 2023, were divided into NAFLD and Non-NAFLD groups, and the NAFLD group was further categorized into fibrosis and non-fibrosis based on aspartate aminotransferase(AST) /alanine aminotransferase(ALT) level. The differences in appendicular skeletal muscle mass(ASM), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index(ASMI), and the prevalence of muscle mass loss were compared across groups. The correlations between ASMI and NAFLD, as well as liver fibrosis were analyzed by binary logistic regression.Results:Among male T2DM patients, those with NAFLD had lower ASMI levels and a higher prevalence of muscle mass reduction compared to non-NAFLD group. Among female T2DM patients, those with NAFLD had lower levels of ASM and ASMI, and a higher prevalence of muscle mass reduction compared to non-NAFLD group. ASMI levels in both male and female T2DM patients were independently negatively correlated with NAFLD risk( OR=-0.696, 95% CI 0.579-0.837; OR=-0.757, 95% CI 0.629-0.911). In NAFLD patients, ASM and ASMI levels were lower in those with liver fibrosis compared to those without fibrosis; however, the prevalence of muscle mass reduction did not differ significantly. Among male NAFLD patients, ASMI levels were independently negatively correlated with the risk of liver fibrosis( OR=-0.726, 95% CI 0.537-0.983), while no correlation was found in female patients. Conclusion:Reduced muscle mass is independently associated with the risk of NAFLD in both male and female T2DM patients. In males, reduced muscle mass is also independently related to the risk of liver fibrosis.

Objective:To explore the clinical application value of general coagulation indices and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for assessing coagulation status of patients with ovarian cancer.Methods:The data of 190 patients with ovarian cancer who were admitted to the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from October 2019 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging, the patients were divided into early (stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ) ovarian cancer group (70 cases) and advanced (stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ) ovarian cancer group (120 cases). Forty-four patients with benign ovarian tumors who were treated in the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University during the same period were selected. Plasma D-dimer (D-D), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen (FIB) and thrombin time (TT) were tested. Platelet count (Plt), neutrophil count and lymphocyte count were measured by blood cell analyzer, and NLR was calculated. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the value of coagulation indices and NLR in the assessment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with ovarian cancer.Results:Compared with the benign ovarian tumor group, PT of patients in the early and advanced ovarian cancer groups was shorter (both P < 0.05), and D-D and Plt increased (both P < 0.05). Compared with the benign ovarian tumors group, TT of patients in the advanced ovarian cancer group decreased ( P < 0.05), and FIB and NLR increased (both P < 0.05). Compared with the early ovarian cancer group, PT and TT in the advanced ovarian cancer group were shorter (both P < 0.05), and FIB, D-D, NLR and Plt increased (all P < 0.05). The optimal cut-off values of FIB, D-D and NLR in stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ and stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ patients with VTE in ovarian cancer group were 3.165, 333.500 and 2.455, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.731, 0.837 and 0.759. Conclusions:The coagulation indices of patients with ovarian cancer are abnormal during treatment, suggesting that patients may produce active thrombosis, and the symptoms of patients in advanced stage are more serious.