Objective: Inflammatory cascade reactions play a crucial role in secondary neuronal injury in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The aim of this study was to explore the correlations between specific serological indicators, early neurological deterioration (END), disease prognosis, and syndrome factors in AIS based on this injury mechanism. Methods: The data for this study were collected from 135 patients with AIS admitted to the emergency department of Fangshan Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, within 24 h of onset between November 2019 and May 2021. Among these, 29 patients had complete data and experienced END. Additionally, 9 non-END patients were matched from the remaining 90 patients with complete data, resulting in a total of 38 patients for statistical analysis. Statistical methods, including logistic regression and receiver operating curves, were used to analyze the correlation between serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) within 24 h of END onset, disease prognosis, and syndrome factors. Grouping criteria included END occurrence, presence of syndrome elements on the first and third day post-onset, and prognosis at 90 days post-onset. Results: All 38 cases had onset time of less than 12 h, and there were no significant differences in age, gender, and onset time between the END and non-END groups. The TNF-α serum level within 24 h of onset was not associated with the occurrence of END but was negatively correlated with all-cause mortality at 90 days [0.110; P<0.05). An elevated IL-10 serum level within 24 h of onset showed a strong negative correlation with non-disabling and good functional outcomes at 90 days post-onset (0.110; P<0.05). When the ICAM-1 serum levels exceeded 233 599.500 μg/L and 125 141.500 μg/L, respectively, the susceptibility to endogenous wind and endogenous fire on the third day of onset was 15.364 times and 6.071 times higher, respectively, than that in patients with serum levels below these thresholds. Conclusion As accessible and objective biomarkers, inflammatory serum indicators are closely associated with both disease progression and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome elements. They enhance AIS diagnosis, assessment, and treatment and contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of TCM syndrome differentiation in AIS diagnosis and treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ABO non-identical platelets with reduced plasma (ABO-NPRP) transfusion in patients with hematological diseases. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 52 therapeutic doses of apheresis platelets with reduced plasma prepared at Chongqing Blood Center of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The transfusion efficacy (24 h CCI) and the transfusion adverse reactions of these apheresis platelets were also observed in 35 patients with hematological diseases in First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University. Comparisons were made with a control group consisting of patients who received only identical apheresis platelets during the same period. Meanwhile, the effect of ABO-NPRP on the subsequent platelet transfusion efficacy was observed. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in PDW, MPV, and PLCR before and after the preparation of apheresis platelets with reduced plasma (P>0.05), while the difference in platelet count was statistically significant [(2.86±0.34)×10 per therapeutic dose vs (2.46±0.28)×10 per therapeutic dose, P<0.001]; there was no statistically significant difference in the 24 h CCI transfusion efficacy between conventional identical apheresis platelets and ABO-NPRP, with transfusion efficacy rates of 76.60% and 78.85%, respectively (P>0.05); there was no statistically significant difference in platelet transfusion efficacy between the group with ABO-NPRP and the group without ABO-NPRP (completely identical transfusion group), with transfusion efficacy rates of 77.78% and 75.25%, respectively (P>0.05). Conclusion: ABO-NPRP transfusion is safe, effective, demonstrating comparable efficacy to conventional identical transfusion. It can serve as an important complementary strategy to optimize the utilization of blood resources.

Based on current national policies, regulations, standards, relevant literature, and departmental experience regarding the protection against radionuclides in China, this study provides a brief overview of key issues in the management of hospital wards for patients with internal radionuclide contamination. The discussion covers the detection of internal contamination, general requirements for internal radionuclide contamination wards, and inpatient management. In addition, the study explores in depth the daily responsibilities, protective measures, and management protocols for both healthcare staff and patients within such wards. This article summarizes a framework for the construction of internal radionuclide contamination wards, along with specific plans and detailed role-based guidelines. These results provide a reference for the management of hospital wards for patients with internal radionuclide contamination.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ABO non-identical platelets with reduced plasma (ABO-NPRP) transfusion in patients with hematological diseases. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 52 therapeutic doses of apheresis platelets with reduced plasma prepared at Chongqing Blood Center of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The transfusion efficacy (24 h CCI) and the transfusion adverse reactions of these apheresis platelets were also observed in 35 patients with hematological diseases in First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University. Comparisons were made with a control group consisting of patients who received only identical apheresis platelets during the same period. Meanwhile, the effect of ABO-NPRP on the subsequent platelet transfusion efficacy was observed. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in PDW, MPV, and PLCR before and after the preparation of apheresis platelets with reduced plasma (P>0.05), while the difference in platelet count was statistically significant [(2.86±0.34)×10 per therapeutic dose vs (2.46±0.28)×10 per therapeutic dose, P<0.001]; there was no statistically significant difference in the 24 h CCI transfusion efficacy between conventional identical apheresis platelets and ABO-NPRP, with transfusion efficacy rates of 76.60% and 78.85%, respectively (P>0.05); there was no statistically significant difference in platelet transfusion efficacy between the group with ABO-NPRP and the group without ABO-NPRP (completely identical transfusion group), with transfusion efficacy rates of 77.78% and 75.25%, respectively (P>0.05). Conclusion: ABO-NPRP transfusion is safe, effective, demonstrating comparable efficacy to conventional identical transfusion. It can serve as an important complementary strategy to optimize the utilization of blood resources.

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of vitrectomy combined with intravitreal injection of dexamethasone sustained-release agent for the treatment of idiopathic macular membrane(IMEM).METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 72 patients(72 eyes)diagnosed with IMEM at Xi'an People's Hospital from January 2019 to January 2023. They were divided into Group A and Group B according to different treatment method. Group A, consisting of 36 eyes, underwent vitrectomy, epiretinal membrane(ERM)removal surgery, and dexamethasone intraocular injection treatment; group B(36 eyes)only received vitrectomy and ERM removal surgery. Follow up for 12 mo, the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), intraocular pressure, central macular thickness(CMT), and changes in macular retinal structure before and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo after surgery were compared.RESULTS: There were significant differences in BCVA between the two groups at 1, 3, and 6 mo postoperatively(all P<0.05), with group A showing a more significant improvement in visual acuity; there was no significant difference in BCVA between the two groups at 12 mo after surgery(P=0.056). There were significant differences in CMT between the two groups at 1, 3, and 6 mo postoperatively(all P<0.05), with a more significant decrease in CMT of the group A compared with the group B; there was no significant difference in CMT between the two groups at 12 mo after surgery(P=0.165). The comparison of intraocular pressure before and after surgery were all statistically significant(Ftime=2.763, Ptime<0.05; Fintergroup=26.800, Pintergroup<0.05; Finteraction=5.091, Pinteraction<0.05). Group A showed significant structural changes in the macula and retina after surgery.CONCLUSION: Vitreous surgery combined with single intravitreal injection of slow-release dexamethasone in patients with late stage IMEM can rapidly improve macular morphology and help restore visual function within 6 mo after surgery.

AIM: To analyze the mechanism of Usher syndrome(USH)caused by Adgrv1 gene variation through the Hedgehog(Hh)signaling pathway.METHODS: Based on Adgrv1 gene variant mice(Adgrv1-/-), taking wild type(WT)C57BL/6 mice as controls, the expression of Adgrv1 gene and the structure of retina and cell cilia were analyzed by qRT-PCR, HE, transmission electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence. Additionally, the changes of key factors in the Hh signaling pathway caused by Adgrv1 gene variation were observed.RESULTS: The Adgrv1 gene was expressed in both the retina and primary cultured lung fibroblasts of Adgrv1-/- mice, but the expression levels were significantly decreased. The Adgrv1 gene variation can cause dissolution of the outer disc membrane of the retinal photoreceptors and significantly shorten the cilia length in primary lung fibroblasts. In the Hh signaling pathway, the expression of Ptch1 and Gli genes of Adgrv1-/- was significantly reduced, while the expression of PKA genes was increased.CONCLUSION:The Adgrv1 gene variation leads to shortened cell cilia and dissolution of the outer disc membrane of the retinal photoreceptors, resulting in retinitis pigmentosa, which is related to decreased expression of PTCH1 and GLI1 proteins in the Hh pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the antidepressant effect of Sinisan （SNS） by regulating glycogen aynthase kinase-3β （GSK-3β）/tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3（A20）/CCAAT enhancer binding protein β（C/EBPβ） to inhibit the activation of microglia. MethodA total of 72 male C57/6J mice were randomly divided into the normal group， model group， fluoxetine group （5.0 mg·kg^-1）， low-dose Sinisan group （4.9 g·kg^-1）， medium-dose Sinisan group （9.8 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose Sinisan group （19.6 g·kg^-1）， with 12 mice in each group. After one week of adaptive feeding， chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） was performed to establish the depression model. In the fifth week， drug treatment was conducted for four weeks. In the ninth week， behavioral tests were performed， including sucrose preference test （SPT）， open field test （OPT）， elevated plus maze （EPM） test， and forced swimming test （FST）. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， GSK-3β， A20， and C/EBPβ in the cortex. The expression of M1-polarized ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 （Iba1） and cluster of differentiation 68 （CD68） in microglia was detected by immunofluorescence. ResultAfter eight weeks of CUMS， compared with the normal group， the mice in the model group had a significantly reduced sucrose preference rate （P<0.01）， and the activity in the central area of the OPT was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. The activity in the open arm area of the EPM test was significantly reduced （P<0.05）， and the immobility time of FST was increased （P<0.01）. The expression levels of inflammatory proteins IL-1β， IL-6， and iNOS were increased （P<0.01）， and the fluorescence co-localization index of Iba1 and CD68 was increased （P<0.05）. The protein expression levels of GSK-3β and C/EBPβ were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After four weeks of SNS intervention， compared with the model group， the mice in the SNS group had significantly increased sucrose preference rate （P<0.01）， significantly increased activities in the central area and the open arm area in the OPT and the EPM test （P<0.05）， and significantly reduced immobility time in the FST （P< 0.01）. The protein expression levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and iNOS were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and the fluorescence co-localization index of Iba1 and CD68 was decreased in the high-dose SNS group （P<0.05）. The protein expression levels of GSK-3β and C/EBPβ in the medium-dose and high-dose SNS groups were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and that of A20 was significantly increased （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe antidepressant effect of SNS is related to the regulation of GSK-3β/A20/C/EBPβ protein expression and the inhibition of M1-type activation of microglia.

Objective:To explore the differences in bacterial community structure between proximal colon cancer (PC), distal colon cancer (DC), and rectal cancer (RC), and the values of featured microbiota in differentiating PC with tumor markers.Methods:This case-control study enrolled 85 newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients, including 22 PC, 15 DC and 48 RC patients, and 8 colorectal adenoma patients from May 2019 to July 2022 at the Department of General Surgery, Anyang Oncology Hospital. The blood and fecal samples were collected before surgery and then subjected to biochemical tests for tumor markers and 16S rDNA tests, respectively. SPSS (27.0.1) was applied to perform the t-test, one-way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Chi-Squared Test. Also, the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted on tumor markers and/or f_Bacteroidaceae with SPSS software .Results:All groups had significant differences in the CA125 ( F=3.543, P<0.05), CA72-4 ( F=3.596, P<0.05), and serum tumor-associated materials (TAM) levels ( F=5.787, P<0.01). In PC group, the levels of CA125 [PC vs RC, (36.84±6.30) kU/L vs (12.73±4.21) kU/L, P<0.01] and CA72-4 [PC vs RC, (45.56±10.86) kU/L vs (3.30±7.63) kU/L, P<0.01] were significantly higher than that of the RC group, while the level of TAM was remarkably elevated in PC group than in RC group [PC vs RC, (124.84±5.19) U/ml vs (102.44±3.63) U/ml, P<0.001] and CRA group [PC vs CRA, (124.84±5.19) U/ml vs (95.39±8.42) U/ml, P<0.01]. The LEfSe analysis showed that the featured microbiota in the PC group included f_Bacteroidaceae, f_Neisseriaceae, f_Clostridiaceae_1, f_Spirochaetaceae, and so on. The largest area under the ROC belonged to the combination of TAM and f_Bacteroidaceae, which reached 0.845 (95% CI 0.747-0.944), with sensitivity being 0.857 and specificity being 0.815. Conclusions:There is heterogeneity in gut microbiota composition among PC, DC, RC, and CRA. The combination of gut microbiota and tumor biomarkers demonstrated good differentiating effects in proximal colon cancers.

Objective:To investigate the effect of methylene blue (MB) on motor dysfunction and its mechanism in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinson's disease (PD) mouse models.Methods:Forty healthy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, model group, low-dose treatment group and medium-dose treatment group ( n=10); PD mouse models were established by intraperitoneal injection of 25 mg/kg/d MPTP for a consecutive 7 d; low-dose treatment group and medium-dose treatment group were pretreated intraperitoneally with MB 2 mg/kg/d or MB 10 mg/kg/d for a consecutive 3 d, respectively; and then, MPTP 25 mg/kg/d+MB 2 mg/kg/d or MPTP 25 mg/kg/d+MB 10 mg/kg/d were injected intraperitoneally into the low-dose treatment group or medium-dose treatment group for a consecutive 7 d (MPTP and MB were given at 12 h of interval). Eight d after modeling, open field experiment, pole climbing experiment and rod rotating experiment were carried out to evaluate the spontaneous movement, coordination, endurance and motor ability. And then, the mice were sacrificed; immunofluorescent staining was used to observe tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the substantia nigra; Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of TH, α-synuclein, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), cleaved-Caspase-1 and Gasdermin D (GSDMD) in the striatum and substantia nigra of mice. Contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 in the substantia nigra and striatum of mice were detected by ELISA. Results:Compared with the control group, the model group had shortened residence time in rod rotating, prolonged descent time in rod climbing, reduced total movement distance in open field, decreased number of TH-positive cells in the substania nigra, decreased TH protein levels in the substania nigra and striatum, and increased NLRP3, ASC, cleaved-Caspase-1, GSDMD and GSDMD-N protein levels in the substania nigra and striatum, and increased TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-18 contents in the substania nigra and striatum, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Compared with the model group, low-dose treatment group and medium-dose treatment group had prolonged residence time in rod rotating, shortened descent time in rod climbing, increased total movement distance in open field, increased number of TH-positive cells in the substania nigra, and increased TH protein levels in the substania nigra and striatum, decreased NLRP3, ASC, and cleaved-Caspase-1 levels in the substania nigra and striatum, and decreased TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-18 contents in the substania nigra and striatum, with significant differences ( P<0.05). No statistical differences in the above indexes were noted between the low-dose treatment group and medium-dose treatment group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Low-/medium-dose MB can ameliorate motor dysfunction in PD mouse models, whose mechanism may be related to downregulate NLRP3 inflammasome and inhibit neuroinflammatory response to reduce dopaminergic neuron pyroptosis.

BACKGROUND:Our previous studies found that adding barium sulfate could improve the mechanical and radiopaque properties of calcium phosphate cement.However,with the degradation of calcium phosphate,the remaining radiopaque agent is difficult to degrade,and the space-occupying and osteoclast effects at the implantation site affect the bone repair process.Therefore,it is necessary to develop a new biodegradable radiopaque material. OBJECTIVE:To discuss the radiopaque ability of bioactive degradable material strontium polyphosphate(SrPP)and its impact on the physicochemical properties and osteogenic effect of calcium phosphate cement. METHODS:(1)Calcium phosphate cement(CPC),starch modified calcium phosphate cement(CPS)and starch modified calcium phosphate cement(20%SrPP-CPN)containing SrPP(20%mass fraction of bone cement powder)were prepared respectively,and the physicochemical properties of the three groups of bone cements were characterized.(2)The three groups of bone cement extracts were co-cultured with rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,respectively,to detect cell proliferation,energy metabolism,and osteogenic differentiation.(3)Bone defects with a diameter of 5 mm were made on each side of the top of the skull of 24 SD rats,and they were randomly divided into control group(without any intervention),CPC group,CPS group,and 20%SrPP-CPN group for intervention,with 6 rats in each group.Relevant tests were performed after 4 and 12 weeks of intervention. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the other two groups of bone cement,20%SrPP-CPN had enhanced radiopaque ability,increased compressive strength and degradation rate,and prolonged curing time,and 20%SrPP-CPN could release Sr2+ stably during degradation.(2)CCK-8 assay showed that 20%SrPP-CPN did not affect the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Cell starvation test(serum-free culture)showed that 20%SrPP-CPN could promote the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells compared with the other two groups of bone cement.Compared with the other two groups of bone cements,20%SrPP-CPN increased adenosine triphosphate concentration in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red staining showed that 20%SrPP-CPN could promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells compared with the other two groups of bone cement.(3)In the rat skull defect experiment,Micro-CT scanning and histological observation(hematoxylin-eosin and Masson stainings)showed that bone cement in 20%SrPP-CPN group was significantly degraded compared with that in CPC and CPS groups,and a large number of new bone tissues were dispersed in degraded bone cement.Immunohistochemical staining showed that Runx2 protein expression was increased in 20%SrPP-CPN group compared with CPC group and CPS group(P＜0.01).(4)These results show that 20%SrPP-CPN has good radiopaque ability and osteogenic properties.