Radiation-induced thrombocytopenia(RIT)faces a perplexing challenge in the clinical treatment of cancer patients,and current therapeutic approaches are inadequate in the clinical settings.In this research,oxy-matrine,a new molecule capable of healing RIT was screened out,and the underlying regulatory mecha-nism associated with magakaryocyte(MK)differentiation and thrombopoiesis was demonstrated.The capacity of oxymatrine to induce MK differentiation was verified in K-562 and Meg-01 cells in vitro.The ability to induce thrombopoiesis was subsequently demonstrated in Tg(cd41:enhanced green fluorescent protein(eGFP))zebrafish and RIT model mice.In addition,we carried out network pharmacological pre-diction,drug affinity responsive target stability assay(DARTS)and cellular thermal shift assay(CETSA)analyses to explore the potential targets of oxymatrine.Moreover,the pathway underlying the effects of oxymatrine was determined by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analyses,Western blot(WB),and immunofluorescence.Oxymatrine markedly promoted MK differentiation and maturation in vitro.Moreover,oxymatrine induced thrombopoiesis in Tg(cd41:eGFP)zebrafish and accelerated thrombopoiesis and platelet function recovery in RIT model mice.Mechanistically,oxymatrine directly binds to toll-like receptor 2(TLR2)and further regulates the downstream pathway stimulator of interferon genes(STING)/nuclear factor-kappaB(NF-κB),which can be blocked by C29 and C-176,which are specific inhibitors of TLR2 and STING,respectively.Taken together,we demonstrated that oxymatrine,a novel TLR2 agonist,plays a critical role in accelerating MK differentiation and thrombopoiesis via the STING/NF-κB axis,suggesting that oxymatrine is a promising candidate for RIT therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of moxibustion at "Xinshu" (BL15) and "Feishu" (BL13) on myocardial transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and typeⅠcollagen myocardial collagen fibers (CollagenⅠ) in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF), and to explore the mechanism of moxibustion for ameliorating myocardial fibrosis and improving cardiac function in CHF. METHODS: Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=40). The CHF model was established in the modeling group by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into a model group (n=9), a moxibustion group (n=8), a rapamycin (RAPA) group (n=9), and a moxibustion+RAPA group (n=9). In the moxibustion group, moxibustion was delivered at bilateral "Feishu"(BL13) and "Xinshu" (BL15), 15 min at each point in each intervention, once daily, for 4 consecutive weeks. In the RAPA group, RAPA solution was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 1 mg/kg, once daily for 4 consecutive weeks. In the moxibustion+RAPA group, RAPA solution was administered intraperitoneally after moxibustion. Ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (FS) were measured after modeling and intervention. After intervention, morphology of cardiac muscle was observed using HE staining and Masson's trichrome staining. Total iron content in myocardial tissue was detected using a colorimetric method. Western blot and qPCR were adopted to detect the protein and mRNA expression of TfR1, FSP1, ANP, and CollagenⅠ in myocardial tissue. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the EF and FS values decreased (P<0.01); necrosis, edema, degeneration, and arrangement disorder were presented in cardiomyocytes; inflammatory cells were obviously infiltrated, the structure of myocardial fibers was disarranged, the collagen fibers were obviously deposited and fibrosis increased (P<0.01); the total iron content and the protein and mRNA expression of TfR1, ANP, and CollagenⅠ in myocardial tissue were elevated (P<0.01), while the protein and mRNA expression of FSP1 were reduced (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the moxibustion group showed that EF and FS increased (P<0.01); myocardial cell morphology was improved, and myocardial fibrosis was alleviated (P<0.01); the total iron content and the protein and mRNA expression of TfR1, ANP, and CollagenⅠ in myocardial tissue decreased (P<0.01), while the protein and mRNA expression of FSP1 increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the myocardial fibrosis was increased (P<0.05); the total iron content and the protein and mRNA expression of TfR1, ANP, CollagenⅠ in myocardial tissue were increased (P<0.01), while protein and mRNA expression of FSP1 decreased (P<0.01) in the RAPA group. When compared with the RAPA group and the moxibustion + RAPA group, EF and FS were elevated (P<0.01, P<0.05); myocardial cells were improved in morphology, the total iron content and the protein and mRNA expression of TfR1, ANP, and CollagenⅠ in myocardial tissue decreased (P<0.01), while protein and mRNA expression of FSP1 increased (P<0.01) in the moxibustion group. In comparison with the moxibustion + RAPA group, the RAPA group showed the decrease in EF and FS (P<0.01), the worsened myocardial fibrosis (P<0.01), the increase in the total iron content and the protein and mRNA expression of TfR1, ANP, and CollagenⅠ in myocardial tissue (P<0.01), and the decrease in the protein and mRNA expression of FSP1 (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Moxibustion at "Feishu" (BL13) and "Xinshu" (BL15) can slow down the process of myocardial fibrosis and improve cardiac function in CHF rats. The mechanism of moxibustion may be related to inhibiting ferroptosis through regulating autophagy.
Animals ; Rats ; Heart Failure/physiopathology* ; Moxibustion ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Receptors, Transferrin/genetics* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Chronic Disease/therapy* ; Antigens, CD/metabolism*

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of upper limb rehabilitation robot training combined with intermittent theta burst stimulation(iTBS)on upper limb motor and neurological function in stroke patients with hemiplegia.Methods This study retrospectively consecutive enrolled 46 stroke hemiparetic patients from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine,Nanjing Pukou People's Hospital.The patients were randomly assigned to a control group and an experimental group(23patients in each)using a random number table.Baseline data,including sex,age,disease duration,side of hemiplegia,and stroke type,were collected from patients enrolled.All patients received conventional treatment.The control group received upper limb rehabilitation robot training combined with iTBS sham stimulation(coil placed perpendicular to the skull),while the experimental group received upper limb rehabilitation robot training combined with iTBS real stimulation(coil placed parallel to the skull).Both groups underwent treatment for 3 weeks.Upper limb motor function was assessed using the Fugl-Meyer upper extremity(FMA-UE)scale and Wolf motor function test(WMFT);while neurological function was evaluated using the motor-evoked potentials(MEP)latency,amplitude,and central motor conduction time(CMCT)of the affected thumb abductor muscle.Activities of daily living were assessed using the modified Barthel index(MBI).Results(1)No significant differences in baseline data were found between the two groups(all P＞0.05).(2)Before treatment,the FMA-UE and WMFT scores in the experimental group were 27.48±7.87 and 28.22±3.87,respectively;and in the control group were 26.35±4.78 and 28.35±3.33,respectively;there were no significant differences in both FMA-UE and WMFT scores between the two groups(all P＞0.05).After 3weeks of treatment,the FMA-UE and WMFT scores in the experimental group were 40.35±8.96 and 37.74±4.11,respectively;and in the control group were 32.78±4.50 and 32.57±4.11,respectively;there were significant interaction effects of time and group(Ftime×group values of 19.613 and 31.522,both P＜0.01),main effects of group(Fgroup values of 5.401 and 5.897,both P＜0.05),and main effects of time(Ftime values of 176.516 and 211.478,both P＜0.01).(3)Before treatment,the MEP latency,amplitude,and CMCT in the experimental group were(24.39±3.56)ms,(137.77±42.67)μV,and(10.62±2.76)ms,respectively;and in the control group were(24.64±2.77)ms,(136.74±48.77)μV,and(10.73±1.84)ms,respectively,there were no significant differences between the two groups(all P＞0.05).After 3weeks of treatment,the MEP latency,amplitude,and CMCT in the experimental group were(20.39±1.83)ms,(239.91±43.70)μV,and(6.58±1.23)ms,respectively,and in the control group were(22.53±3.53)ms,(198.54±50.37)μV,and(9.19±1.60)ms,respectively,there were significant interaction effects of time and group(Ftime×group values of 7.270,15.554,and 20.110,all P＜0.05)and main effects of time(Ftime values of 76.540,256.706,and 100.629,all P＜0.01),the main effect of group for CMCT was significant(Fgroup=7.406,P＜0.01),but there were no significant difference in the main effect of group on MEP latency,amplitude between two groups(Fgroup values of 2.145,2.778,both P＞0.05).(4)Before treatment,the MBI score in the experimental group was 42.83±7.36,and in the control group was 43.91±6.56,with no significant difference between two groups(P＞0.05).After 3 weeks of treatments,the MBI score in the experimental group was 67.83±12.69,and in the control group was 54.13±5.57,there were significant interaction effects of time and group(Ftime×group=39.862,P＜0.01),main effects of group(Fgroup=8.083,P=0.007),and main effects of time(Ftime=226.241,P＜0.01).Conclusions Upper limb rehabilitation robot training combined with iTBS can improve upper limb motor function and neurological function and enhance the daily living activity ability of stroke patients.Real iTBS combined with robot training has a more significant effect than sham iTBS.

Objective To investigate the effect of simple carbohydrate given 2 h before operation on postoperative insulin resistance and gastrointestinal function in elderly patients with trauma undergoing spinal anesthesia.Methods This was a randomized controlled clinical study.A total of 90 elderly patients with intertrochanteric femoral fracture/femoral neck fracture admitted to the Traumatic Orthopedics Department of the Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from October 2023 to February 2024 were randomly divided equally into control group(fasting with water before surgery)and carbohydrate group(CHO group,drinking 200 ml of pulsatile water at 2 h before surgery).All the patients received spinal anesthesia.The control group excluded 2 patients who completed surgery and were admitted to the ICU,2 patients received epidural anesthesia,and finally included 41 patients;3 patients were excluded from the CHO group under epidural anesthesia,2 patients underwent surgery under general anesthesia,and finally 40 patients were included.Baseline data of patients were collected,including gender,age,Charlson comorbidity index(CCI),presence or absence of diabetes,body mass index(BMI),American Association of Anesthesiologists(ASA)classification,etc.The patient's surgical time,intraoperative blood loss,first postoperative exhaust time,type of surgery,length of hospital stay,mean arterial pressure(MAP)and heart rate(HR)at four time points during surgery[entry(T1),post-anesthesia(T2),mid-operation(T3),and exit(T4)],perioperative blood glucose,insulin levels,C-reactive protein(CRP),and intestinal barrier function indicators(diamine oxidase,D-lactate,and bacterial endotoxin),as well as self-rating anxiety scale(SAS),visual analogue scale of pain(VAS),and Ramsay scores were recorded.Preoperative and postoperative use of the delirium diagnostic scale(3D-CAM)assessed the presence of delirium in patients.Results Eighty-one patients aged(77.7±9.5)years were included.Compared with control group,the first exhaust time in CHO group was significantly shorter[4.59(3.25,7.39)h vs.10.23(7.97,14.76)h,P<0.001],postoperative insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR)was significantly decreased[5.13(2.38,10.30)vs.7.34(2.31,12.55),P<0.001].The change rate of HOMA-IR(ΔHOMA-IR)also decreased significantly(P<0.001);There were no significant differences in intestinal barrier function indexes between the two groups(P>0.05);The levels of D-lactic acid and bacterial endotoxin in control group were significantly increased after operation,and the differences were statistically significant(P=0.010,P=0.031),In CHO group,there was no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative indexes(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the perioperative scale score,incidence of delirium and the length of hospital stay between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusions Taking simple carbohydrates 2 h before surgery can significantly shorten the first exhaust time,reduce insulin resistance and the incidence of delirium,and improve gastrointestinal function in elderly trauma patients undergoing spinal anesthesia,thus providing clinical basis for accelerated postoperative rehabilitation in elderly patients.

Objective To establish a stable,reliable,and clinically relevant porcine model of endotoxin-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods Ten 8-month-old male Bama minipigs were deeply sedated,followed by invasive mechanical ventilation and electrocardiographic monitoring.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was intravenously pumped at 600 μg/(kg·h)for 3 hours,then maintained at 15 μg/(kg·h)thereafter.Dynamic monitoring was performed at five time points after LPS injection(LPS 0,1,3,5,and 8 h),including arterial blood gas analysis and chest computed tomography(CT)scans.Pathological examination of lung tissues obtained via bronchoscopic biopsy(HE staining and transmission electron microscopy)was conducted.These indicators were comprehensively used to evaluate the success of the animal model.Results At 5 hours after LPS administration,8 minipigs developed symptoms such as skin cyanosis,elevated body temperature,and respiratory distress.The oxygenation index decreased to<300 mmHg.Chest CT scans showed diffuse pulmonary infiltrates.Histopathology revealed alveolar edema and hyaline membrane formation.Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated disruption of pulmonary blood-air barrier,depletion of lamellar bodies in type Ⅱ pneumocytes,inflammatory cell infiltration,and exudation of plasma proteins and fibrin.Compared with LPS 0 h,at LPS 8 h,the oxygenation index and arterial blood pH were significantly decreased(P<0.001),while blood lactic acid and serum potassium were significantly increased(P<0.05);serum calcium and base excess were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the lung injury score based on HE-stained lung sections was significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion The porcine ARDS model established by continuous LPS injection can dynamically simulate the pathophysiological characteristics and typical pathological manifestations of clinical septic ARDS,making it an effective tool to study the pathogenesis,prevention,and treatment strategies of septic ARDS.

Objective:To investigate the effect and safety of pancreatic extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (P-ESWL) in treating the chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients with main pancreatic duct (MPD) stones and to analyze the influencing factors of success of lithotripsy.Methods:Clinical data of 132 patients with CP complicated with MPD stones treated with P-ESWL in the Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2022 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 103 males and 29 females, aged (50.3±16.9) years. The times of P-ESWL, the success rate of stone fragmentation, the necessity of combining endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograhy (ERCP), clearance rate of MPD stones, and incidence of post-P-ESWL complications (acute pancreatitis, abdominal hematoma, infection, steinstrasse, perforation, etc.) were evaluated. The factors influencing the success rate of lithotripsy were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.Results:All patients underwent P-ESWL treatment, with (2.23±0.82) times of P-ESWL per person. The success rate of stone fragmentation was 87.1%(115/132). Of 107 CP patients (81.1%, 107/132) were treated with their first P-ESWL. Of 12 patients (9.1%, 12/132) underwent single P-ESWL, and 120 (90.9%, 120/132) underwent P-ESWL combined with ERCP. There were 95 cases (72.0%, 95/132) with effective removal of stones, and 62 (47.0%, 62/132) with complete removal of stones. Post-P-ESWL complications included eight cases (6.1%, 8/132) of acute pancreatitis, two (7.6%, 2/132) of steinstrasse complicated with acute pancreatitis and one (0.8%, 1/132) of abdominal hematoma. No infection or perforation occurred. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the higher CT value of stones ( OR=1.239, 95% CI: 1.040-1.477, P=0.017) was associated with the lower success rate of stone fragmentation. Conclusion:P-ESWL is safe and effective in treating patients with CP complicated with MPD stones. The CT value of stones is a risk factor for the success rate of P-ESWL.

This study assessed the role and mechanism of the recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Gue?rin vaccine(rBCG)with c-di-AMP adjuvant in regulating metabolism and immunity in epididymal white adipose(eWAT)in mice.Male C57BL/6 mice were intravenously immunized with BCG and rBCG,and their body weights were monitored.eWAT was isolated from the mice,and the stromal vascular fractions(SVFs)cell number was counted with a hemocytometer.Sections of mouse adipose tissue were prepared,and the size,number,and morphology of eWAT adipocytes and crown-like structure(CLS)formation were compared under a microscope after HE staining.The transcription levels of lipid metabolism-associated factors,cytokines and aging-associated genes in each group were determined with qRT-PCR.The body weights of mice gradually increased after immunization with BCG and rBCG.The proportions of eWAT increased,and the SVFs cell number decreased,in rBCG immunized mice.HE staining indicated that BCG immunization promoted hyperplasia,whereas rBCG immunization promoted hypertrophy of eWAT adipocytes;moreover,both BCG and rBCG immunization induced CLS formation in eWAT.The qRT-PCR results indicated that rBCG immunization inhibited the expression of genes associated with lipolysis and energy expenditure in eWAT.BCG immunization had little effect on cytokine transcription,whereas rBCG significantly induced the transcription of IFN-γ and IL-1Ra,and inhibited that of IL-15 and IL-2,but did not induce the expression of aging-associated genes.Thus,rBCG immunization induced eWAT adipocyte hypertrophy,which was associated with the inhibition of eWAT lipolysis and the regulation of cytokine expression.

Objective To analyze the correlation between right atrial strain at various stages and various influencing factors in patients with pulmonary hypertension,and to explore the role of right atrial strain in the assessment of pulmonary hypertension.Methods A total of 239 cases diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension who underwent echocardiography and complete right heart catheterization at hospital from October 2021 to December 2023 were included.Conventional ultrasound parameters such as right heart strain,right atrial area(RA area),inferior vena cava diameter(IVC diameter),and collapse rate of the inferior vena cava(IVC diameter changes)were measured.The heart rate(HR)corresponding to the ultrasound images were recorded.General information such as age and gender,as well as catheter data including mean right atrial pressure(mRAP),mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP),and pulmonary vascular resistance(PVR),were collected.The relationship between right atrial strain and its influencing factors was analyzed,and further analysis was conducted by dividing into shunt group and non-shunt group based on the presence or absence of left-to-right shunt disease.Results The correlation with RA reservoir strain(RASr)from high to low is RV global strain(RV4CSL),RV free wall strain(RVFWSL),RA area,IVC diameter,mRAP,age,HR,and PVR;the correlation with RAconduit strain(RAScd)from high to low is RV4CSL,RVFWSL,RA area,IVC diameter,mRAP,age,PVR,and HR;the correlation with RA contraction strain(RASct)from high to low is RA area,RV4CSL,RVFWSL,mRAP,IVC diameter,and HR.The collapse rate of the inferior vena cava is correlated with strain at various stages of the right atrium;gender is correlated with RASr and RASct.Conclusions Right atrial strain can reflect changes in right atrial function,with the highest correlation to right ventricular strain and right atrial area.Right atrial strain can indicate the severity of right ventricular function and right atrial remodeling,serving as an evaluative index for the condition and treatment outcomes of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Objective:To explore the prognostic factors of seroma after endoscopic thyroidectomy by breast ap-proach,and construct a nomogram to predict the possibility of cervical seroma.Methods:Data of patients undergoing endoscopic thyroid surgery in Dongguan Tungwah Hospital from January 2022 to May 2024 and Dongguan Songshan Lake Tungwah Hospital from May 2023 to August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed,and 1493 patients meeting the in-clusion criteria were selected.Among them,there were 1048 patients in Dongguan Tungwah Hospital as the training co-hort,1015 patients without seroma group and 33 patients with seroma group.There were 445 patients in Dongguan Songshan Lake Tungwah Hospital as the verification cohort,including 424 patients without seroma and 21 patients with seroma.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to obtain relevant independent prognostic factors,and R soft-ware established a nomogram model.Calibration curves,Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit,ROC curves were used to evaluate the calibrability of the nomogram model,and clinical utility was assessed by clinical decision curves.Results:Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that central lymph node dissection,diabetes,hyperthyroidism,and nod-ule size were independent prognostic factors related to seroma.Based on the prognostic factors,the nomogram of se-roma after ETBA was constructed.The calibration curves of the training and the verification group were in good agree-ment with the observed results,and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test was good,with the training cohort P=0.244 and the verification cohort P=0.803.The ROC curve of the training cohort showed that the area under the curve was 0.810(95%CI:0.740～0.879),and the ROC curve of the verification cohort showed that the area under the curve was 0.815(95%CI:0.722～0.909).Conclusion:The nomogram model based on the relevant prognostic factors ob-tained by multivariate logistic regression analysis has a good prediction effect on the seroma after ETBA,and can provide reasonable and individualized treatment plan for patients.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness of predictive nursing based on root cause analysis in patients undergoing cesarean section.Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to select 180 women who underwent cesarean section under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia in the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from September 2021 to October 2022. According to the random number table method, they were divided into a control group ( n=90) and an observation group ( n=90). The control group received routine nursing care, while the observation group received predictive nursing based on root cause analysis. Compared the pain intensity at 24 hours after cesarean section and the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups of parturients. Results:The Visual Analog Scale scores at 24 hours post-cesarean section and the overall incidence of postoperative complications were lower in the observation group than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Predictive nursing based on root cause analysis can effectively relieve postoperative pain and reduce the incidence of complications in patients undergoing cesarean section with combined spinal-epidural anesthesia.