ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Yangxin Tongmai Formula （养心通脉方， YTF） in trea-ting coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome based on DNA methylation. MethodsSeventy-two SD rats were randomly divided into a control group （n=12） and a modeling group （n=60）. The modeling group was subjected to a high-fat diet， intragastric administration of vitamin D3， and subcutaneous injection of isoprenaline to establish the rat model of coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome. Forty-one successfully modeled rats were then randomly allocated into model group， YTF low-， medium-， and high-dose groups， and the atorvastatin calcium group， with 8 rats in each group and 1 rat reserved. The YTF low-， medium-， and high-dose groups received YTF at 6， 12， and 18 g/（kg·d） by gavage， respectively. The atorvastatin calcium group received atorvastatin calcium tablets at 1.8 mg/（kg·d） by gavage. The control group and the model group received 0.9% sodium chloride injection at 4 ml/（kg·d） by gavage. All administrations were performed once daily for 3 weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last administration， serum lipid levels including total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， myocardial enzymes including cardiac troponin T （cTnT）， creatine kinase MB （CK-MB）， and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）， and inflammatory factors including interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and interleukin-10 （IL-10） were detected by ELISA. Pathological changes in myocardial tissue were observed via HE staining. Whole blood DNA methylation sequencing was used to analyze differential methylation gene expression among the control group， model group， and YTF high-dose group. Western Blotting was used to verify the protein levels of the key genes and downstream signaling pathways. ResultsCompared to the control group， the model group showed increased levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， cTnT， CK-MB， LDH， and IL-1β， along with decreased levels of HDL-C and IL-10 （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to the model group， all treatment groups exhibited decreased levels of TC， LDL-C， CK-MB， and LDH， along with increased IL-10 levels. Among these， the high-dose YTF group demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing cTnT levels compared to the other TCM groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. HE staining indicated that the YTF high-dose group ameliorated myocardial cell swelling， disordered arrangement， pyknosis， and disappearance of nuclei， thereby reducing myocardial cell damage. Whole blood DNA methylation sequencing identified 240 differentially methylated genes shared by the control group， model group， and YTF high-dose group， including 109 hypermethylated and 131 hypomethylated genes； eif2ak3 was identified as a key differentially methylated gene. Compared to the control group， the model group exhibited increased protein levels of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 3 （eIf2ak3）， phosphorylated protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （p-PERK）， activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4）， C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP）， and Bax， along with a decreased level of B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） protein （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to the model group， the YTF high-dose group showed decreased protein levels of eIf2ak3， p-PERK， ATF4， CHOP， and Bax， and an increased level of Bcl-2 protein （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionYTF may regulate key differentially methylated genes such as eIf2ak3 and the PERK/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway， thereby inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress， reducing myocardial cell apoptosis， and exerting therapeutic effects in coronary heart disease blood stasis syndrome.

Congenital lower urinary tract obstruction (CLUTO) is a spectrum of fetal malformations caused by anatomical abnormalities of the urethra, characterized by high rates of perinatal complications and mortality. The 2024 joint guideline from the European Association of Urology (EAU) and the European Society for Paediatric Urology (ESPU) introduced systematic revisions to the comprehensive management of CLUTO. Key updates encompass advancements in prenatal and postnatal screening and precise diagnosis, refined fetal prognosis assessment, clearer indications and modality selection for prenatal intervention, optimization of postnatal treatment strategies, and the establishment of a lifelong follow-up framework within an integrated care pathway. This article elucidates these key updates by comparing the 2024 EAU/ESPU guideline with the 2022 European Rare Kidney Disease Reference Network (ERKNet) consensus. It also discusses ongoing controversies and future research directions. The aim is to provide clinicians with the latest evidence-based insights to inform practice, ultimately improving outcomes and quality of life for children with CLUTO.
Humans ; Urology ; Female ; Urethral Obstruction/therapy* ; Pregnancy ; Child ; Europe ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Infant, Newborn ; Urethra/abnormalities*

Objective:To discuss the effect of quorum sensing-related gene expression on biofilm formation and drug resistance in clinically multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and to clarify the mechanism of enhacing drug resistance.Methods:A total of 77 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected.Based on drug resistance,the strains were divided into multidrug-resistant group and sensitive group.The optimal biofilm formation conditions were determined using the microtiter plate method;biofilm formations of the stains in both groups was observed under an optical microscope;crystal violet staining was used to semiquantitatively detect biofilm formation ability of P.aeruginosa in both groups;microbroth dilution method was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC)values of the quorum sensing inhibitor(C-30)against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in both groups;RNA was extracted from two groups using a commercial kit,while RNA from planktonic state and biofilm state of multidrug-resistant strains was extracted using modified TRIzol method;real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of quorum sensing-related genes(lasR/I,RhlR/I,PqsR/A)of the stains in multidrug-resistant group and sensitive group,as well as before and after adding the quorum sensing inhibitor C-30.Results:Among 77 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa,56 were multidrug-resistant(multidrug-resistant group)and 21 were fully sensitive(sensitive group).Optimal biofilm formation occurred at a bacterial concentration of 1.5×108 CFU·mL-1 with 48 h incubation.The biofilm positivity rate was 91%,with strongly positive,moderately positive,weakly positive,and negative biofilms accounting for 16%,34%,41%,and 9%,respectively.The biofilm positivity rate in multidrug-resistant strains was 96%,and biofilm formation ability in multidrug-resistant group was higher than that in sensitive group(P<0.05).When the concentration of C-30 was 8 mg·L-1 the biofilm formation in most Pseudomonas aeruginosa was inhibited,with enhanced suppression at higher concentrations.The absorbtion(A)value of both planktonic-state and biofilm-state RNA ranged from 1.8 to 2.0.The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with planktonic state,the expression levels of lasR/I,RhlR/I,and PqsR/A mRNA of the stains in biofilm state were significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with non-inhibitor group,the expression levels of lasR/I,RhlR/I,and PqsR/A mRNA in biofilm state of inhibitor-treated group were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion:High expression of quorum sensing-related genes in multidrug-resistant P.aeruginosa promotes biofilm formation,thereby enhancing drug resistance.

Objective To explore the characteristics of the cross-sectional area(CSA)of the vagus nerve in a healthy population in Qujing,Yunnan,and its correlation with demographic characteristics.Methods High-resolution nerve ultrasound examinations were conducted on the vagus nerve of 201 healthy volunteers from a hospital in Qujing,Yunnan from September 2022 to March 2023.The CSA was measured through transverse scans of the vagus nerve.The correlation of vagus nerve CSA with age,body mass index(BMI),and gender was assessed.Results The mean CSA of the bilateral VN were 1.9 mm2(right)and 1.3 mm2(left),respectively.The average CSA of the right vagus nerve was significantly greater than that of the left(P<0.001).In the high-age group(>50 years),the average CSA of the right vagus nerve was significantly higher than that of the low-age group(≤50 years)(P=0.0142).However,there was no statistically significant difference in the average CSA of the right vagus nerve between the BMI>24 kg/m2 group and the≤24 kg/m2 group(P=0.0852).The average CSA of the left vagus nerve showed no statistically significant differences across different age groups and BMI groups(P>0.05),but the average CSA of the bilateral vagus nerve in the male group was greater than that in the female group,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).Correlation analysis further confirmed a negative correlation between the average CSA of the right vagus nerve and age(r=-0.17,P=0.0139).Multiple linear regression models indicated that age(P=0.007)and gender(P=0.001)were independent influencing factors for the average CSA of the right vagus nerve.Conclusion In the healthy population of Qujing,Yunnan,the CSA of the right vagus nerve is significantly greater than that of the left,and males also exhibit a significantly greater CSA than females.With increasing age,the vagus nerve gradually becomes thinner.

BACKGROUND:Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty has been paid more and more attention because of its advantages of fewer traumas,less blood loss,less complications,faster recovery,excellent knee function and high prosthetic survival rate.Most of the relevant reports focused on its clinical effect,but the changes in the levels of relevant inflammatory cytokines in patients after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty were rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee and the changes of interleukin-1,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α levels. METHODS:A total of 30 patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee who received unicompartmental knee arthroplasty from September 2021 to March 2023 and met the inclusion criteria were selected as the study subjects.Medial angle of proximal tibia,femoral and tibial angle,pain visual analog scale score,hospital for special surgery score,knee joint range of motion,synovial fluid interleukin-1,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α levels before and after surgery were compared and statistically analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)All 30 patients had grade I wound healing.All patients were followed up for more than 6 months after surgery.There were no complications such as prosthesis loosening and dislocation of prosthesis liner in all patients.(2)The medial proximal tibia angle and the femoral and tibial angles measured after operation were significantly improved(P<0.05).(3)The visual analog scale score,hospital for special surgery score and range of motion measured at 1,3,and 6 months after operation were better than those before operation(P<0.05),and showed a gradual improvement(P<0.05).(4)The levels of interleukin-1,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α in synovial fluid at 3 and 6 months after operation were decreased gradually compared with those before operation(P<0.05)and showed a gradual downward trend at each time point after operation.(5)It is indicated that unicompartmental knee arthroplasty can effectively treat medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee,significantly relieve pain,restore knee joint function,improve knee varus deformity and lower limb strength line,and reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α in joints to a certain extent.

Objective To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of enzalutamide in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer from the perspective of healthcare in China.Methods Based on the published phase Ⅲ randomized controlled trial(ENZAMET),the disease process of metastatic prostate cancer was classified into three states:progression-free survival,progression survival and death,and the model period was defined as 28 days,and the study period was lifelong,and a Markov model was established to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the treatment of enzalutamide versus standard antiandrogen drugs in metastatic prostate cancer.Setting the willingness-to-pay(WTP)threshold at 3 times our 2022 gross domestic product(GDP)per capita and the robustness of the model analysis was verified by sensitivity analysis.Results Compared to the control group standard antiandrogen therapy,the incremental effect of enzalutamide was 0.92 quality-adjusted life years(QALYs),the incremental cost was 311 863.30 yuan,and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio(ICER)was 338 981.85 yuan/QALY,which was higher than WTP threshold(257 094 yuan/QALY).The results of univariate sensitivity analyses showed that the total cost of the enzalutamide group,the PFS utility value,the cost of the PD status of enzalutamide group,and the unit price of enzalutamide had a greater impact on the model results.The results of the probabilistic sensitivity analysis suggested that the enzalutamide treatment regimen was not economical within the willingness-to-pay threshold of 3 times our 2022 GDP per capita.Conclusion Compared with the standard anti-androgen drugs,enzalutamide does not offer a cost-effectiveness advantage in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer.

Objective:To scope review of studies on the risk factors for vessel catheter associated infection in children with intestinal failure was reviewed, so as to provide a reference for clinical medical staff to prevent and control infection.Methods:Based on the framework of scope review method, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, China Biomedical Literature Database, China Knowledge Networkand Wanfang database are retrieved. The retrieval period was from the database construction to February 1, 2022. The included literatures were Summarized and analyzed.Results:A total of 28 articles were included, and the risk factors of vessel catheter associated infection in children with intestinal failure were found to include 7 aspects: basic information of children, catheter nursing measures, type of tube-sealing solution, catheter factors, residual intestinal condition of children, nursing level of caregivers, therapeutic factors.Conclusions:The risk factors of vessel catheter associated infection in children with intestinal failure were found to include 7 aspects, which are complex and diverse with distinctive disease characteristics. In the future, medical staff can optimize the pipeline nursing measures; construct the model of cross-specialty health education and improve the nursing level of caregivers to reduce the incidence of vessel catheter associated infection.

IgG 4-related disease (IgG 4-RD) is an immune-mediated fibroinflammatory condition characterized by tumefactive lesions in multi-organs. It is a novel entity presented by variable manifestations. In recent years, there has been progress toward recognizing IgG 4-RD. However, the diagnosis and treatment of IgG 4-RD still present challenges due to insufficient experience. To address this, the Chinese Rheumatology Association has developed standardized guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of IgG 4-RD based on domestic and international experience. These guidelines aim to enhance the understanding and management of IgG 4-RD, ultimately improving the prognosis for patients with IgG 4-RD.

Hip fracture is considered as the most severe osteoporotic fracture characterized by high disability and mortality in the elderly. Improved surgical techniques and multidisciplinary team play an active role in alleviating prognosis, which places higher demands on perioperative nursing. Dysfunction, complications, and secondary impact of anaesthesia and surgery add more difficulties to clinical nursing. Besides, there still lack clinical practices in perioperative nursing for elderly patients with hip fracture in China. In this context, led by the Orthopedic Nursing Committee of Chinese Nursing Association, the Expert consensus on clinical practice in perioperative nursing for elderly patients with hip fracture ( version 2023) is developed based on the evidence-based medicine. This consensus provides 11 recommendations on elderly patients with hip fracture from aspects of perioperative health education, condition monitoring and inspection, complication risk assessment and prevention, and rehabilitation, in order to provide guiding advices for clinical practice, improve the quality of nursing and ameliorate the prognosis of elderly patients with hip fracture.

Objective To investigate the difference of matrix stiffness in different regions of tibial plateau in osteoarthritis (OA) and its effects on morphology of the cartilage and mitochondria. Methods The tibial plateau cartilage specimens of OA were obtained for nanoindentation test, transmission electron microscopy and histological analysis. The stiffness of cartilage matrix in different regions of OA tibial plateau was detected by nano-indentation. The morphology of cartilage mitochondria in different regions was observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the changes of mitochondrial plane area, shape and ridge volume density were quantitatively analyzed. Cartilage injury in different regions of OA tibial plateau was observed by histological staining. Results The cartilage of OA tibial plateau showed regional heterogeneity, and the cartilage and mitochondria on medial side of varus knee OA were more severe, and the matrix stiffness was higher. The OA scores were positively correlated with matrix stiffness. There was also a significant correlation between OA scores and mitochondrial morphology: the higher OA scores, the larger and rounder mitochondrial plane area, and the lower cristae volume density. Conclusions The differences of tibial plateau revealed the correlation between cartilage matrix stiffness, OA scores and mitochondrial morphological parameters. The increased cartilage matrix stiffness may be the main cause of chondrocyte mitochondrial injury, and further aggravate the progression of OA.