Objective: To summarize the circumstances of rescue events in hospitalized patients after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer in order to provide a reference for clinical decision-making. Methods: This study was approved by the hospital's medical ethics committee. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 86 hospitalized patients admitted between 2015 and 2023 for oral and maxillofacial diseases following radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Based on the occurrence of rescue events, patients were divided into a rescue group (n=20) and a non-rescue group (n=66). In addition, 20 healthy subjects matched for age and gender with the rescue group were included as a control group. First, baseline characteristics were compared between the rescue and non-rescue groups. Second, a descriptive analysis of the clinical characteristics and rescue events of the rescue group patients was performed. Third, differences in laboratory inflammatory and nutritional indicators, as well as tracheostomy status, were compared between the rescue and non-rescue groups. Fourth, Dolphin Imaging software was used to measure cone beam computed tomography images of the rescue group, non-rescue group, and control group. Upper airway parameters were measured, including the sagittal and coronal diameters of the nasopharyngeal, palatopharyngeal, glossopharyngeal, and laryngopharyngeal segments Results: ① A comparison of baseline characteristics between the rescue and non-rescue groups showed no statistically significant differences in age, gender, or body mass index, but the proportion of patients with comorbid pulmonary diseases was higher in the rescue group (P<0.05). ② In the rescue group, the primary reasons for radiotherapy were nasopharyngeal carcinoma (65%) and tongue cancer (25%). The mean age was (54.75 ± 11.59) years, with a male-to-female ratio of 3:1. The main reasons for this admission included radio-osteomyelitis in the mandible (55%) and recurrence of oral and maxillofacial tumors or new primary tumors in the oral and maxillofacial region (40%). The primary reason for rescue during hospitalization was dyspnea (55%), followed by acute massive hemorrhage (15%) and cardiac arrest (15%). Rescue events occurred mostly postoperatively (65%), with a median time of occurrence at 5 days post-operatively; 30% occurred preoperatively, and 5% occurred intraoperatively. ③ Laboratory indicators and tracheostomy status: preoperative and postoperative neutrophil counts, as well as the proportion of patients undergoing tracheostomy, were higher in the rescue group compared to the non-rescue group, while postoperative albumin levels were lower (P<0.05). ④ Upper airway measurements: the coronal and sagittal diameters of the nasopharyngeal segment and the coronal diameter of the glossopharyngeal segment were smaller in both the rescue and non-rescue groups compared to the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion The data from this study indicate that hospitalized patients experiencing rescue events after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer often have comorbid pulmonary diseases or tumor recurrence/new primary tumors, and frequently present with dyspnea. They exhibit a higher inflammatory state, poorer nutritional status, a greater need for emergency airway intervention, and share a common anatomical basis for dyspnea--upper airway narrowing. Clinical attention should be fully given to high-risk patients with these characteristics.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and possible mechanism of Wei's Huoxue Tongluo Formula （韦氏活血通络方，WHTF） in treating atrophic-stage non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy （NAION） with qi deficiency and blood stasis. MethodsA total of 82 atrophic-stage NAION patients with qi deficiency and blood stasis were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group， with 41 cases in each group. The treatment group was given oral administration of WHTF twice a day plus acupoint injection of distilled water 2 ml at Taiyang （EX-HN5） once daily， while the control group received injection of compound anisodine injection 2 ml at Taiyang （EX-HN5） once daily and oral administration of WHTF placebo twice a day. Both groups received treatment for a course of 14 days. The best-corrected visual acuity （BCVA）， optic disc perfusion density （PD）， flux index （FI）， macular superficial PD， vascular density （VD）， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores were compared between groups before treatment and on day 7 and day 14 of treatment. Additionally， mean defect （MD） and mean sensitivity （MS） of visual fields were measured before treatment and on day 14， along with safety evaluation. ResultsAfter treatment， both groups showed significant improvement in BCVA， visual field MD and MS， and TCM syndrome scores （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. On day 14 of treatment， the TCM syndrome score in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group （P＜0.05）. There was no significant improvement in optic disc PD and FI， and macular superficial PD and VD after treatment in either group （P＞0.05） except that on day 7 the macular superficial foveal PD in the control group was significantly better than that in the treatment group （P＜0.05）. During the treatment period， no serious adverse events occurred in either group. ConclusionWHTF can improve the visual function indicators including visual acuity and visual field， as well as TCM syndrome scores in atrophic-stage NAION patients with qi deficiency and blood stasis. It shows clinical safety， although it does not appear to have a significant effect on optic disc or macular blood flow.

Objective: To conduct screening for rare blood types within important blood group systems for the Chinese population, such as Rh, Duffy, Kidd, P1Pk, Diego, and MNS, in the Guangzhou region, and to establish a corresponding rare blood type database and physical repository. Methods: The saline medium microplate method was used to screen blood donors with the ccDEE phenotype combined with either Jk(a-) or Jk(b-). The polybrene microplate method was employed to screen for donors with Fy(a-), s(-), Lu(b-), Di(b-), k(-), and p phenotypes. The urea lysis microplate method was applied to screen for the Jk(a-b-) phenotype. A high-resolution melting (HRM) curve method was established for screening some donors with the Di(b-) phenotype. Subsequently, expanded phenotyping of antigens in the Rh, Kidd, MNS, Duffy, P1Pk, Lewis, Kell, and Lutheran blood group systems was performed on identified rare blood type donors using monoclonal antibodies. The test results are entered into the Rare Blood Type Bank Management System of the Guangzhou Blood Center, enabling functions such as confirmation reminders and cryopreservation storage when the donor donates again. Red blood cells of rare blood types are processed into frozen red blood cells for long-term storage. Results: Among voluntary blood donors, 16 cases of the ccDEE combined with Jk(a-) phenotype were identified (0.221 7%, 16/7 216); 10 cases of the ccDEE combined with Jk(b-) phenotype (0.138 6%, 10/7 216); 78 cases of the Fy(a-) phenotype (0.169 5%, 78/46 012); 39 cases of the Lu(b-) phenotype (0.138 2%, 39/28 214); 31 cases of the s(-) phenotype (0.081 8%, 31/37 913); 22 cases of the Di(b-) phenotype (0.029 9%, 22/73 691); 30 cases of the Jk(a-b-) phenotype (0.010 1%, 30/298 250); and 1 case of the k(-) phenotype (0.001 3%, 1/77 382), which was further identified as KELnull phenotype (K0). No p phenotype donors were identified (0/88 528). A total of 228 units of frozen red blood cells were prepared. The screening results were compared and analyzed with rare blood type data from other regions. Conclusion: This study, through a combination of different screening methods, significantly improved the efficiency of rare blood type screening while remaining cost-effective. By conducting large-scale screening and performing data informatization processing, a database and physical repository of rare blood types in the Guangzhou region were successfully established. This provides a strong guarantee for the timely supply of blood to patients with difficult-to-match and rare blood types in the region, effectively enhances the level of transfusion safety in the region, and offers a practical paradigm for constructing a comprehensive blood transfusion support system.

Background As one of the primary operational methods in the power grid industry, the insulated glove working method imposes significant physical demands due to the constraints of insulating equipment and specific required postures, resulting in substantial occupational health hazards among workers in this sector, which have garnered widespread social attention. Objective To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in the neck, shoulder, and lumbar regions among workers wearing insulated gloves, and to provide targeted measures to reduce occupational hazards. Methods Using stratified cluster sampling, 1079 frontline workers were randomly selected from power supply enterprises across 3 provinces in China. The revised Chinese version of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire was used to investigate the 1-year prevalence of WMSDs in the neck, shoulder, and lumbar regions among workers wearing insulated gloves, and to collect factors associated with multi-site WMSDs (defined as involvement of ≥2 sites among the neck, shoulder, and lumbar). Results The 1-year prevalence of WMSDs in the neck, shoulder, and lumbar regions was 39.9%, 30.0%, and 25.3%, respectively, with a multi-site WMSDs prevalence of 32.0%. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that, compared to workers with technical secondary school education or senior high school education and below, workers with junior college education or bachelor’s degrees and above had a higher risk of multi-site WMSDs (OR=2.12, 95%CI: 1.47, 3.06). Compared to workers with <10 years of work experience, those with 10-<20 years of work experience had a higher risk of multi-site WMSDs (OR=1.96, 95%CI: 1.45, 2.67). Working in uncomfortable postures "sometimes" (OR=1.64, 95%CI: 1.14, 2.36), "frequently" (OR=2.75, 95%CI: 1.76, 4.29), and "very frequently" (OR=3.55, 95%CI: 2.04, 6.19) were significantly associated with an increased risk of multi-site WMSDs compared to never working in such postures. Frequent repetitive movements of the low back (OR=2.05, 95%CI: 1.48, 2.84) increased the risk of multi-site WMSDs, while sufficient rest time decreased the risk (OR=0.45, 95%CI: 0.34, 0.61). Conclusion The prevalences of single-site and multi-site WMSDs in the neck, shoulder, lumbar regions are relatively high among workers wearing insulated gloves. Factors associated with multi-site WMSDs include 10-<20 years of work experience, junior college education or bachelor’s degrees and above, uncomfortable working postures, frequent repetitive low-back movements, and lack of sufficient rest time.

Background As one of the primary operational methods in the power grid industry, the insulated glove working method imposes significant physical demands due to the constraints of insulating equipment and specific required postures, resulting in substantial occupational health hazards among workers in this sector, which have garnered widespread social attention. Objective To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in the neck, shoulder, and lumbar regions among workers wearing insulated gloves, and to provide targeted measures to reduce occupational hazards. Methods Using stratified cluster sampling, 1079 frontline workers were randomly selected from power supply enterprises across 3 provinces in China. The revised Chinese version of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire was used to investigate the 1-year prevalence of WMSDs in the neck, shoulder, and lumbar regions among workers wearing insulated gloves, and to collect factors associated with multi-site WMSDs (defined as involvement of ≥2 sites among the neck, shoulder, and lumbar). Results The 1-year prevalence of WMSDs in the neck, shoulder, and lumbar regions was 39.9%, 30.0%, and 25.3%, respectively, with a multi-site WMSDs prevalence of 32.0%. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that, compared to workers with technical secondary school education or senior high school education and below, workers with junior college education or bachelor’s degrees and above had a higher risk of multi-site WMSDs (OR=2.12, 95%CI: 1.47, 3.06). Compared to workers with <10 years of work experience, those with 10-<20 years of work experience had a higher risk of multi-site WMSDs (OR=1.96, 95%CI: 1.45, 2.67). Working in uncomfortable postures "sometimes" (OR=1.64, 95%CI: 1.14, 2.36), "frequently" (OR=2.75, 95%CI: 1.76, 4.29), and "very frequently" (OR=3.55, 95%CI: 2.04, 6.19) were significantly associated with an increased risk of multi-site WMSDs compared to never working in such postures. Frequent repetitive movements of the low back (OR=2.05, 95%CI: 1.48, 2.84) increased the risk of multi-site WMSDs, while sufficient rest time decreased the risk (OR=0.45, 95%CI: 0.34, 0.61). Conclusion The prevalences of single-site and multi-site WMSDs in the neck, shoulder, lumbar regions are relatively high among workers wearing insulated gloves. Factors associated with multi-site WMSDs include 10-<20 years of work experience, junior college education or bachelor’s degrees and above, uncomfortable working postures, frequent repetitive low-back movements, and lack of sufficient rest time.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Qidan Yifei Tongqiao granules （QDYF） alleviate nasal mucosal remodeling in allergic rhinitis （AR） via the interleukin-33 （IL-33）/growth stimulation expressed gene 2 （ST2）/interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein （IL-1RAP） signaling pathway from the perspective of Qi-replenishing and blood-activating therapy. MethodsFirst， according to the previous network pharmacology results， this study predicted the potential mechanisms of QDYF in treating AR by screening key pathways， components， and targets. Molecular docking was performed via AutoDock and PyMOL 2.5.5. Subsequently， a rat model of ovalbumin （OVA）-induced AR was used for validation through in vivo experiments. Forty-eight rats were assigned into 6 groups： Control， model， low-dose QDYF （QDYF-L， 4.04 g·kg^-1）， medium-dose QDYF （QDYF-M， 8.08 g·kg^-1）， high-dose QDYF （QDYF-H， 16.16 g·kg^-1）， and loratadine （0.9 mg·kg^-1）. After 14 days of intervention， behavioral scores of the rats were observed. The morphological changes of nasal mucosa tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Masson staining was used to observe collagen fiber deposition in the nasal mucosal tissue and to calculate the collagen volume fraction （CVF）. The expression of E-cadherin （E-cad） in the nasal mucosa tissue was detected by immunofluorescence. The serum levels of helper T cell 2 （Th2） cytokines interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interleukin-5 （IL-5）， and interleukin-13 （IL-13） as well as helper T cell 1 （Th1） cytokines interleukin-2 （IL-2） and interferon-γ （INF-γ） were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The protein levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 （TGF-β₁）， IL-33， ST2， and IL-1RAP in the nasal mucosa tissue were determined by Western blot. ResultsIL-33， ST2， and IL-1RAP had strong binding ability with the main active ingredients—wogonin， 7-methoxy-2-methylisoflavone， formononetin， naringenin， stigmasterol， and beta-sitosterol of QDYF， with the binding energy < -4.25 kcal⋅mol^-1（1 cal≈4.184 J）. The results of in vivo experiments showed that compared with the control group， the model group exhibited increased behavioral scores （P<0.05）， aggravated pathological damage of nasal mucosa， increased collagen fiber deposition and CVF （P<0.05）， elevated serum levels of IL-4， IL-5， and IL-13， up-regulated protein levels of TGF-β₁， IL-33， ST2， and IL-1RAP in the nasal mucosa （P<0.05）， down-regulated expression of E-cad， and declined serum levels of IL-2， IFN-γ， and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the QDYF groups and loratadine group showed reduced behavioral scores （P<0.05）， alleviated pathological damage of nasal mucosa， reduced collagen fiber deposition and CVF （P<0.05）， and up-regulated E-cad expression （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the QDYF-H group and the loratadine group showed raised levels of INF-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio （P<0.05）， declined serum levels of IL-4， IL-5， and IL-13， and down-regulated protein levels of TGF-β₁， IL-33， ST2， and IL-1RAP in the nasal mucosa （P<0.05）. In addition， the QDYF-H group exhibited an elevated serum IL-2 level （P<0.05）. The QDYF-M group showed down-regulated protein levels of TGF-β₁， IL-33 and IL-1RAP in the nasal mucosa （P<0.05）. The QDYF-L group demonstrated a down-regulated protein level of ST2 in the nasal mucosa （P<0.05）. ConclusionQDYF may regulate the Th1/Th2 balance through the IL-33/ST2/IL-1RAP signaling pathway， thereby ameliorating nasal mucosal tissue remodeling and alleviating AR.

Vascular aging (VA) is a common etiology of various chronic diseases and represents a major public health concern. Intermittent hypoxia (IH) associated with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a primary pathological and physiological driver of OSAHS-induced systemic complications. A substantial proportion of OSAHS patients, estimated to be between 40% and 80%, have comorbidities such as hypertension, heart failure, coronary artery disease, pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation, aneurysm, and stroke, all of which are closely associated with VA. This review examines the molecular and cellular features common to both OSAHS and VA, highlighting decreased melatonin secretion, impaired autophagy, increased apoptosis, increased inflammation and pyroptosis, increased oxidative stress, accelerated telomere shortening, accelerated stem cell depletion, metabolic disorders, imbalanced protein homeostasis, epigenetic alterations, and dysregulated neurohormonal signaling. The accumulation and combination of these features may underlie the pathophysiological link between OSAHS and VA, but the exact mechanisms by which OSAHS affects VA may require further investigation. Taken together, these findings suggest that OSAHS may serve as a novel risk factor for VA and related vascular disorders, and that targeting these features may offer therapeutic potential to mitigate the vascular risks associated with OSAHS.
Humans ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/pathology* ; Aging/physiology* ; Oxidative Stress/physiology* ; Animals

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is still challenging to prevent or treat. Enhanced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and increased pyroptosis in chondrocytes may be responsible for cartilage degeneration. This study aims to investigate the effect of ER stress on chondrocyte pyroptosis and the upstream regulatory mechanisms, which have rarely been reported. METHODS: The expression of the histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), microRNA-142-3p (miR-142-3p), and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and the levels of ER stress, pyroptosis, and metabolic markers in normal and OA chondrocytes were investigated by western blotting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, fluorescein amidite-tyrosine-valine-alanine-aspartic acid-fluoromethyl ketone (FAM-YVAD-FMK)/Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide (PI) staining, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays, and cell viability assessments. The effects of EZH2, miR-142-3p, and HMGB1 on ER stress and pyroptosis and the hierarchical regulatory relationship between them were analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporters, gain/loss-of-function assays, and rescue assays in interleukin (IL)-1β-induced OA chondrocytes. The mechanistic contribution of EZH2, miR-142-3p, and HMGB1 to chondrocyte ER stress and pyroptosis and therapeutic prospects were validated radiologically, histologically, and immunohistochemically in surgically induced OA rats. RESULTS: Increased EZH2 and HMGB1, decreased miR-142-3p, enhanced ER stress, and activated pyroptosis in chondrocytes were associated with OA occurrence and progression. EZH2 and HMGB1 exacerbated and miR-142-3p alleviated ER stress and pyroptosis in OA chondrocytes. EZH2 transcriptionally silenced miR-142-3p via H3K27 trimethylation, and miR-142-3p posttranscriptionally silenced HMGB1 by targeting the 3'-UTR of the HMGB1 gene. Moreover, ER stress mediated the effects of EZH2, miR-142-3p, and HMGB1 on chondrocyte pyroptosis. In vivo experiments mechanistically validated the hierarchical regulatory relationship between EZH2, miR-142-3p, and HMGB1 and their effects on chondrocyte ER stress and pyroptosis. CONCLUSIONS A novel EZH2/miR-142-3p/HMGB1 axis mediates chondrocyte pyroptosis and cartilage degeneration by regulating ER stress in OA, contributing novel mechanistic insights into OA pathogenesis and providing potential targets for future therapeutic research.
Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein/genetics* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/pathology* ; Chondrocytes/metabolism* ; Pyroptosis/physiology* ; HMGB1 Protein/genetics* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/genetics* ; Humans ; Animals ; Rats ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Middle Aged

This study aims to investigate the ameliorating effect of Corni Fructus(CF) on the myocardial ischemic injury and the pharmacokinetic properties of characteristic components of CF. The mouse model of isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia was established and administrated with the aqueous extract of CF. The general efficacy of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury was evaluated based on the cardiac histopathology and the levels of myocardial injury markers: creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I(cTn-I). The metabolomics analysis was carried out for the heart and serum samples of mice to screen the biomarkers of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury and then the predicted biomarkers were submitted to metabolic pathway enrichment. The pharmacokinetic analysis was performed for morroniside, loganin, and cornuside Ⅰ in mouse heart and serum samples to obtain the pharmacokinetic parameters of these components. The pharmacokinetic parameters were then integrated on the basis of self-defined weighting coefficients to simulate an integrated pharmacokinetic profile of CF iridoid glycosides in the heart and serum of the mouse model of myocardial ischemia. The results indicated that CF reduced the pathological damage to cardiac cells and tissue(hematoxylin-eosin staining) and lowered the levels of CK-MB and cTn-I in the serum of the mouse model of myocardial ischemia(P<0.01). Metabolomics analysis screed out 31 endogenous metabolites in the heart and 35 in the serum as biomarkers of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury. These biomarkers were altered by modeling and restored by CF. Six metabolic pathways in the heart and 5 in the serum were enriched based on these metabolic markers. The main integrated pharmacokinetic parameters of CF iridoid glycosides were T_(max)=1 h, t_(1/2)=(1.52±0.05) h in the heart and T_(max)=1 h, t_(1/2)=(1.56±0.50) h in the serum. Both concentration-time curves showed a double-peak phenomenon. In conclusion, CF demonstrated the cardioprotective effect by regulating metabolic pathways such as taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and pantothenic acid and coenzyme A biosynthesis. The integrated pharmacokinetics reflect the general pharmacokinetic properties of characteristic components in CF.
Animals ; Cornus/chemistry* ; Mice ; Metabolomics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia/metabolism* ; Humans ; Troponin I/metabolism* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Biomarkers/metabolism* ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form/metabolism*

Bone grafting is a primary method for treating bone defects. Among various graft materials, xenogeneic bone substitutes are widely used in clinical practice due to their abundant sources, convenient processing and storage, and avoidance of secondary surgeries. With the advancement of domestic production and the limitations of imported products, an increasing number of bone filling or grafting substitute materials isentering clinical trials. Relevant experts have drafted this consensus to enhance the management of medical device clinical trials, protect the rights of participants, and ensure the scientific and effective execution of trials. It summarizes clinical experience in aspects, such as design principles, participant inclusion/exclusion criteria, observation periods, efficacy evaluation metrics, safety assessment indicators, and quality control, to provide guidance for professionals in the field.
Humans ; Bone Substitutes/therapeutic use* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic/methods* ; Consensus ; Bone Transplantation ; Research Design