BACKGROUND:Alzheimer's disease has been associated with sarcopenia,but a causal relationship has not been established.Exploring the causal relationship between the two most common disability-burdening diseases in the aging population-Alzheimer's disease and sarcopenia-and their potential mediating factors holds certain implications for further alleviating the healthcare costs and socioeconomic burden for older adults in China.OBJECTIVE:To explore the potential causal relationship between Alzheimer's disease and sarcopenia in the general population using a Mendelian randomization study and to explore the role of body mass index in this context.METHODS:Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis based on published genome-wide association studies(GWAS)were used to infer causality,and univariate Mendelian randomization and mediation analyses were used in the study design.Through the Integrative Epidemiology Unit(IEU)database,ieu-b-2 was selected as the Alzheimer's disease dataset(sample size:63 926),ieu-b-4816 as the body mass index dataset(99 998),ebi-a-GCST90000027 as the appendicular lean mass dataset(244 730),ukb-b-7478 as the left hand grip strength dataset(461 026),ukb-b-10215 as the right hand grip strength dataset(461 089)and ukb-b-4711 as the walking pace dataset(459 915).Inverse-variance weighting was used as the primary analysis method,and the results were validated by pleiotropy and heterogeneity analysis.The Steiger Directionality Test was performed to validate the reasonableness of the causal direction.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The Mendelian randomization analyses provided evidence that Alzheimer's disease predicted the risk of appendicular lean mass[odds ratio(OR)=1.009;95％confidence interval(Cl),1.001-1.017;P=0.023),and walking pace(OR=1.010;95％Cl,1.003-1.017;P=0.008).No correlation with hand grip strength was observed.(2)Alzheimer's disease was negatively correlated with body mass index(OR=0.893;95％Cl,0.811-0.984;P=0.022);body mass index was positively correlated with appendicular lean mass(OR=1.084;95％Cl,1.031-1.141;P=0.002)and negatively correlated with walking pace(OR=0.975;95％Cl,0.969-0.980;P＜0.001).(3)Mediation analyses showed that the causal relationship between Alzheimer's disease and appendicular lean mass and walking pace was partially mediated by body mass index,with the proportion of mediations being 50.25％and 32.11％,respectively.(4)The results of this study suggest that based on large-scale population studies,genetic prediction of Alzheimer's disease is a potential risk factor for sarcopenia,in which body mass index plays an important mediating role.This suggests that in clinical practice,attention should be paid to the muscle condition of patients with Alzheimer's disease,and weight management should be implemented,as maintaining a body mass index within the normal high range may have a preventive effect on the occurrence of sarcopenia in patients with Alzheimer's disease.However,further research is needed to verify the applicability of this conclusion to other ethnic groups.This study utilized an international public database for analysis,providing a reference for research on the correlation between Alzheimer's disease and sarcopenia in the Chinese population.It also highlights the significant mediating role of body mass index,offering insights for further prevention and treatment of sarcopenia among Chinese individuals.

BACKGROUND:Alzheimer's disease has been associated with sarcopenia,but a causal relationship has not been established.Exploring the causal relationship between the two most common disability-burdening diseases in the aging population-Alzheimer's disease and sarcopenia-and their potential mediating factors holds certain implications for further alleviating the healthcare costs and socioeconomic burden for older adults in China.OBJECTIVE:To explore the potential causal relationship between Alzheimer's disease and sarcopenia in the general population using a Mendelian randomization study and to explore the role of body mass index in this context.METHODS:Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis based on published genome-wide association studies(GWAS)were used to infer causality,and univariate Mendelian randomization and mediation analyses were used in the study design.Through the Integrative Epidemiology Unit(IEU)database,ieu-b-2 was selected as the Alzheimer's disease dataset(sample size:63 926),ieu-b-4816 as the body mass index dataset(99 998),ebi-a-GCST90000027 as the appendicular lean mass dataset(244 730),ukb-b-7478 as the left hand grip strength dataset(461 026),ukb-b-10215 as the right hand grip strength dataset(461 089)and ukb-b-4711 as the walking pace dataset(459 915).Inverse-variance weighting was used as the primary analysis method,and the results were validated by pleiotropy and heterogeneity analysis.The Steiger Directionality Test was performed to validate the reasonableness of the causal direction.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The Mendelian randomization analyses provided evidence that Alzheimer's disease predicted the risk of appendicular lean mass[odds ratio(OR)=1.009;95％confidence interval(Cl),1.001-1.017;P=0.023),and walking pace(OR=1.010;95％Cl,1.003-1.017;P=0.008).No correlation with hand grip strength was observed.(2)Alzheimer's disease was negatively correlated with body mass index(OR=0.893;95％Cl,0.811-0.984;P=0.022);body mass index was positively correlated with appendicular lean mass(OR=1.084;95％Cl,1.031-1.141;P=0.002)and negatively correlated with walking pace(OR=0.975;95％Cl,0.969-0.980;P＜0.001).(3)Mediation analyses showed that the causal relationship between Alzheimer's disease and appendicular lean mass and walking pace was partially mediated by body mass index,with the proportion of mediations being 50.25％and 32.11％,respectively.(4)The results of this study suggest that based on large-scale population studies,genetic prediction of Alzheimer's disease is a potential risk factor for sarcopenia,in which body mass index plays an important mediating role.This suggests that in clinical practice,attention should be paid to the muscle condition of patients with Alzheimer's disease,and weight management should be implemented,as maintaining a body mass index within the normal high range may have a preventive effect on the occurrence of sarcopenia in patients with Alzheimer's disease.However,further research is needed to verify the applicability of this conclusion to other ethnic groups.This study utilized an international public database for analysis,providing a reference for research on the correlation between Alzheimer's disease and sarcopenia in the Chinese population.It also highlights the significant mediating role of body mass index,offering insights for further prevention and treatment of sarcopenia among Chinese individuals.

Antitumor drugs are considered pathogenic toxin-attacking agents， whose intense and biased pharmacological effects on the body may induce secondary pathological factors and subsequent pathological changes， that is， drug toxin. Its pathogenic features include rapid and marked impairment of healthy qi and constitution-dependent transformation. Zang-fu （脏腑） organs involvement is characterized by an early response of the middle jiao （焦）， later involvement of the kidney and marrow， and extension to the five zang organs， while its temporal evolution may manifest as acute injury， cumulative injury， and persistent or delayed injury. Cancer toxin， drug toxin， and deficiency of healthy qi interact to form a dynamically evolving complex pathogenic pattern. Clinically， treatment should take disease stage as the framework， toxin differentiation as the focus， and reinforcement of healthy qi as a principle throughout the course， while coordinating toxin reduction and elimination of cancer toxin with reinforcement of healthy qi. Furthermore， intervention against drug toxin should be initiated early and throughout the entire course of antitumor therapy. This framework may provide a theoretical basis for integrating traditional Chinese medicine throughout comprehensive cancer treatment.

Objective To analyze the occurrence status of low blood pressure (BP) in patients with refractory heart failure (RHF) and its relationship with comorbidities. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 360 patients with RHF who were hospitalized in department of cardiology of Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University from May 2021 to May 2025. These patients were divided into the RHF with BP group and the RHF group based on their blood pressure at admission. The general data and comorbidities were compared between both groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for coexisting BP. Results The heart rate (HR), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), blood urea nitrogen, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, right atrial diameter, proportion of cardiac function grade IV, use rate of diuretics and prevalence rate of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in the RHF with BP group were higher while the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), albumin, left ventricular ejection fraction, use rate of lipid-lowering drugs and prevalence rate of coronary heart disease were lower compared to the RHF group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that increased HR (OR=1.685, 95%CI: 1.106-2.569), increased NT-proBNP (OR=1.772, 95%CI: 1.138-2.759), decreased HDL-C (OR=0.605, 95%CI: 0.400-0.917) and DCM (OR=1.956, 95%CI: 1.176-3.255) were independent risk factors affecting BP in RHF patients (P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence rate of low blood pressure in elderly RHF patients is about 19.17%. Increased heart rate, increased NT-proBNP, decreased HDL-C and dilated cardiomyopathy are closely linked to the occurrence of low blood pressure, and they can be used as clinically related factors to identify patients at high risk of low blood pressure.

Objective To analyze the effects of intravenous tirofiban following endovascular treatment on the prognosis of patients with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke who did not achieve successful recanalization.Methods This retrospective study included consecutive patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke who underwent endovascular treatment but did not achieve successful recanalization.These patients were retrospectively enrolled from the Department of Neurology at Nanjing Jinling Hospital,Affiliated Hospital of Medical School,Nanjing University,the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University,Wuhan No.1 Hospital,and Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College(the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College)between January 2015 and April 2023.Baseline and clinical data were collected including age,sex,medical history(hypertension,diabetes,atrial fibrillation,hyperlipidemia),personal history(smoking and drinking),National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score at admission,trial of Org 10172 in acute stroke treatment(TOAST)classification(large artery atherosclerosis,cardioembolism,or other types),Alberta stroke program early CT score(ASPECTS)on admission,intravenous thrombolysis,onset-to-puncture time(OTP),collateral circulation status(poor collaterals:American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology[ASTIN/SIR]score 0-2;good collateral:ASTIN/SIR score 3-4),procedure duration(from femoral or radial artery puncture to device removal),occlusion site,number of passes for thrombus retrieval,and post-procedural modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction(mTICI)grade.Patients were divided into a tirofiban group and a non-tirofiban group based on whether they received post-procedural intravenous tirofiban.The primary outcome is a favorable functional outcome at 90-day since onset(modified Rankin scale[mRS]score ≤ 3).Safety outcomes included mortality at 90-day since onset(mRS score 6),any intracranial hemorrhage within 24 h post-procedure,and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 24 h post-procedure.1∶1 propensity score matchings using the nearest neighbor method was performed based on variables with P＜0.05 in the comparison between the tirofiban and non-tirofiban groups.Differences in primary and safety outcomes between the matched groups were compared.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were conducted with favorable outcomes at 90 days as the dependent variable to evaluate the effect of intravenous tirofiban administration after endovascular therapy on 90-day prognosis in patients without successful recanalization.Results A total of 356 patients without successful recanalization after endovascular treatment were included,comprising 195 males and 161 females,with a median age of 70(61,78)years(32-92 years).Among them,76 and 280patients were assigned to the tirofiban and non-tirofiban groups,respectively.At 90 days,114 patients had favorable outcomes,while 242 had unfavorable outcomes.(1)Before the 1∶1 propensity score matching,significant differences were observed between the tirofiban and non-tirofiban groups in terms of admission NIHSS score,ASPECTS,good collateral circulation,intravenous thrombolysis,and mTICI grade(all P＜0.05).After 1∶1 propensity score matching,66 matched pairs(132 patients)were obtained.No significant differences in the baseline and clinical characteristics were found between the two groups after matching(all P＞0.05).(2)After 1∶1 matching,a significant difference was observed in the rate of favorable outcomes at 90 days between the two groups(48.5％[32/66]vs.30.3％[20/66],P=0.033)after propensity score matching,while no significant differences were found in 90-day mortality,intracranial hemorrhage within 24h,or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 24h(all P＞0.05).(3)Univariate analysis after 1∶1 matching indicated that age,atrial fibrillation,smoking history,admission NIHSS score,M2 segment middle cerebral artery occlusion,good collateral circulation,number of passes for thrombus retrieval,and tirofiban treatment were factors influencing favorable outcomes at 90 days.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that younger age(aOR,0.942,95％CI 0.906-0.978,P=0.002),lower admission NIHSS score(aOR,0.855,95％CI 0.777-0.941,P=0.001),good collateral circulation(aOR,5.534,95％CI 2.141-14.301,P＜0.01),tirofiban treatment(aOR,2.774,95％CI 1.092-7.046,P=0.032),and M2 segment MCA occlusion(reference:internal carotid artery occlusion;aOR,4.874,95％CI 1.428-16.632,P=0.011)were independent predictors of favorable outcomes at 90 days.Conclusions Intravenous tirofiban administration after endovascular therapy may improve 90-day neurological outcomes in patients with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke who did not achieve successful recanalization without increasing the risk of hemorrhage.Further large-scale randomized controlled trials are warranted to validate these findings.

Objectives:Recently,domestical developed left ventricular assist devices(LVAD)have been frequently introduced into clinical practice.This study aims to report the anesthesia protocol and perioperative outcomes in Chinese patients receiving LVAD implantation surgery.Methods:This retrospective analysis included patients who underwent LVAD implantation at our center from June 2017 to November 2024.During and after separation from cardiopulmonary bypass,we optimized right heart function through careful adjustments in heart rate,rhythm,preload,myocardial contractility,and afterload.Vasoactive agents were administered as needed,and mechanical ventilation parameters were optimized.We implemented blood conservation strategies and established strict transfusion criteria to minimize allogenic blood transfusions.Results:A total of 100 patients were included in the analysis,with 54.0%classified as Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support(INTERMACS)I or II.Before leaving the operating room,the mean arterial pressure(MAP),mean pulmonary arterial pressure(mPAP),central venous pressure(CVP),lactic acid levels,and urinary output after cardiopulmonary bypass were recorded as(74±7)mmHg,(25±7)mmHg,(7±3)mmHg,(2.3±1.9)mmol/L,and(8.2±5.4)ml/(kg·h),respectively.The transfusion rates for red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma were 20.0%and 28.0%.The in-hospital mortality rate was 3.0%,with a low incidence of severe complications including right heart failure(12%).Left ventricular ejection fraction increased from(23.7±4.8)%preoperatively to(25.3±10.5)%prior to discharge.Conclusions:Patients who received LVAD at our center exhibited low rates of postoperative mortality and complications and significant improvement in left heart function before discharge.

To formulate an expert consensus on the principles of preoperative hair removal and provide scientific guidance for standardized removal of hair before surgical procedures so as to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections.METHODS Led by the Hospital Management Institute of National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China,this consensus was reached with the joint efforts from the expects of relevant fields such as surgeries,interventional therapies,nursing,and infection prevention and control.The consensus facilitates the classification and evaluation of literatures by following the evidence grade formulated by Oxford Evidence-based Medicine Center and focuses on the association of preoperative hair removal with surgical site infection,it reaches the evidence grade of expert consensus and recommendation intensity by integrating with discussions on meetings and clinical experience of the expects from relevant fields.RESULTS A total of 6 items of consensus were reached by summarizing the latest evidence on the aspects including the indications for preoperative hair removal,tools,range,timing and places.CONCLUSION The consensus,to some extent,make supplements to and complete the exiting regulations and standards.It provides guidance for the medical institutions to carry out the preoperative hair removal.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of Ziyin Mingmu Formula in treating age-related mac-ular degeneration(AMD)by combining network pharmacology with animal model validation.METHODS Active ingredients of Ziyin Mingmu Formula were obtained from the TCMSP and BATMAN databases,and their targets were searched using the PharmMapper da-tabase.AMD disease targets were identified using the GeneCards,DrugBank,OMIM,and TTD databases.Venny analysis was per-formed to identify the intersection of active ingredient and disease targets.A protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed using the String database,and core targets were screened using Cytoscape 3.9.0 software.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was per-formed using the DAVID database.Molecular docking of key active ingredients with core targets was performed using Autodock software.A laser-induced mouse choroidal neovascularization(CNV)model was used.Optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)was used to assess CNV area in vivo,immunofluorescence staining was used to assess CNV area on choroidal flat mounts,and Western blot analysis was used to examine the expression of proteins involved in the vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)pathway.RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis identified 221 active ingredients in the Ziyin Mingmu Formula.PPI analysis i-dentified 29 core targets,including SRC,protein kinase B(AKT1),mitogen-activated protein kinase 1(MAPK1),and heat shock protein 90α family class A member 1(HSP90AA1).KEGG analysis revealed that the VEGF signaling pathway was the most highly en-riched.Molecular docking revealed that the core targets SRC,AKT1,MAPK1,and HSP90AA1 had good binding affinity with the main active ingredients,diosmetin,catechin,vestitol,and licochalcone A.Animal experiments showed that the Ziyin Mingmu Formula significantly reduced CNV area in model mice,downregulated VEGF protein expression,decreased VEGFR2,p38,and ERK1/2 pro-tein phosphorylation levels,and inhibited the VEGF signaling pathway.CONCLUSION Ziyin Mingmu Formula may inhibit CNV for-mation by regulating the VEGF signaling pathway.

Objectives:Recently,domestical developed left ventricular assist devices(LVAD)have been frequently introduced into clinical practice.This study aims to report the anesthesia protocol and perioperative outcomes in Chinese patients receiving LVAD implantation surgery.Methods:This retrospective analysis included patients who underwent LVAD implantation at our center from June 2017 to November 2024.During and after separation from cardiopulmonary bypass,we optimized right heart function through careful adjustments in heart rate,rhythm,preload,myocardial contractility,and afterload.Vasoactive agents were administered as needed,and mechanical ventilation parameters were optimized.We implemented blood conservation strategies and established strict transfusion criteria to minimize allogenic blood transfusions.Results:A total of 100 patients were included in the analysis,with 54.0%classified as Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support(INTERMACS)I or II.Before leaving the operating room,the mean arterial pressure(MAP),mean pulmonary arterial pressure(mPAP),central venous pressure(CVP),lactic acid levels,and urinary output after cardiopulmonary bypass were recorded as(74±7)mmHg,(25±7)mmHg,(7±3)mmHg,(2.3±1.9)mmol/L,and(8.2±5.4)ml/(kg·h),respectively.The transfusion rates for red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma were 20.0%and 28.0%.The in-hospital mortality rate was 3.0%,with a low incidence of severe complications including right heart failure(12%).Left ventricular ejection fraction increased from(23.7±4.8)%preoperatively to(25.3±10.5)%prior to discharge.Conclusions:Patients who received LVAD at our center exhibited low rates of postoperative mortality and complications and significant improvement in left heart function before discharge.

To formulate an expert consensus on the principles of preoperative hair removal and provide scientific guidance for standardized removal of hair before surgical procedures so as to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections.METHODS Led by the Hospital Management Institute of National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China,this consensus was reached with the joint efforts from the expects of relevant fields such as surgeries,interventional therapies,nursing,and infection prevention and control.The consensus facilitates the classification and evaluation of literatures by following the evidence grade formulated by Oxford Evidence-based Medicine Center and focuses on the association of preoperative hair removal with surgical site infection,it reaches the evidence grade of expert consensus and recommendation intensity by integrating with discussions on meetings and clinical experience of the expects from relevant fields.RESULTS A total of 6 items of consensus were reached by summarizing the latest evidence on the aspects including the indications for preoperative hair removal,tools,range,timing and places.CONCLUSION The consensus,to some extent,make supplements to and complete the exiting regulations and standards.It provides guidance for the medical institutions to carry out the preoperative hair removal.