This study aims to investigate the optimal ratio of Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma(AC) for inhibiting the proliferation of 143B osteosarcoma cells, and to investigate the mechanism by which AC inhibits osteosarcoma growth and metastasis through angiogenesis and cell adhesion mediated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) pathway. A subcutaneous 143B tumor-bearing nude mouse model was successfully established and randomly divided into the model group, and the AC 1∶1, 2∶1, and 4∶1 groups. Body weight, tumor volume, and tumor weight were recorded. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt), HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA), transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), epithelial cadherin(E-cadherin), neural cadherin(N-cadherin), vimentin, matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2), matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9), B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), and caspase-3 in the hypoxic core region of the tumor tissue. A cell hypoxia model was established, and the effects of AC-medicated serum(model group, AC 1∶1, 2∶1, and 4∶1 groups) on angiogenesis, proliferation, adhesion, invasion, and migration of 143B osteosarcoma cells were examined through CCK-8, flow cytometry, Transwell assay, cell adhesion assay, and HUVEC tube formation assay. The results showed that compared with the model group, the tumor weight and volume were smallest in the 2∶1 group. The expression levels of PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, HIF-1α, VEGFA, and TGF-β1 were significantly decreased, and the protein expression of E-cadherin was significantly increased, while the protein expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, MMP2, and MMP9 was significantly decreased. Additionally, the protein expression of Bax and caspase-3 was significantly increased, and Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly decreased. In vitro experiments showed that after intervention with AC-medicated serum at a 2∶1 ratio, the cell activity, adhesion, invasion, and migration of 143B cells were significantly reduced, apoptosis was significantly increased, and HUVEC tube formation was significantly decreased. In conclusion, the 2∶1 ratio of AC showed the most effective inhibition of 143B cell growth. AC can inhibit the growth and metastasis of osteosarcoma 143B cells by regulating the PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α signaling pathway, inhibiting angiogenesis and reducing cell adhesion, invasion, and migration.
Osteosarcoma/pathology* ; Animals ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics* ; Humans ; Mice ; Cell Adhesion/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice, Nude ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Astragalus Plant/chemistry* ; Bone Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Male ; Rhizome/chemistry* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Angiogenesis

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics，laboratory tests，endoscopic features，treatment，and follow-up of peptic ulcers caused by eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders（EGIDs）in children，with the aim of improving the level of understanding，diagnosis and treatment of EGIDs in children with the onset of peptic ulcers.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on children admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology，Capital Center for Children's Health，Capital Medical University from January 1st，2019 to October 31st，2023，who underwent complete endoscopic examination. The first examination showed the presence of peptic ulcers（gastric or duodenal ulcers）under the endoscope，and were ultimately diagnosed with peptic ulcers caused by EGIDs through examination and follow-up. The clinical characteristics，laboratory tests，endoscopic results，and treatment follow-up were analyzed.Results:Thirty-five children were EGIDs，22 males and 13 females.Twenty-two cases（62.9%）had abdominal pain as the main symptom.Laboratory tests：17 cases（48.6%）showed a decrease in hemoglobin，15 cases（42.9%）showed an increase in eosinophil count，20 cases（57.1%）tested gastro positive for food allergen specific IgE，and 17 cases（48.6%）showed thickening of the intestinal wall on gastrointestinal ultrasound. Endoscopic features：8 cases（22.9%）showed gastric antral ulcers，including 7 cases（20.0%）with multiple gastric antral ulcers，and 25 cases（71.4%）showed duodenal bulb ulcers.There were 15 cases（42.9%）showed huge ulcers，and 14 cases（40.0%）were located in the duodenal bulb. Comparison of clinical characteristics between children with EGIDs（EGIDs group）and those with peptic ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori infection（Hp group）：the first clinical symptom in both groups was mainly abdominal pain，but the incidence rate in the EGIDs group was lower（62.9% vs 93.5%），and the weigth for length Z score in the EGIDs group was lower［0（-1.6，0.8）vs 1.1（0，1.9）］，with statistical significance（all P<0.05）. Comparison of laboratory tests：the EGIDs group showed a statistically significant difference in hemoglobin levels［120（101，124）g/L vs 130（100，138）g/L］，eosinophil count［0.28（0.13，0.71）× 10 9/L vs 0.16（0.08，0.22）×10 9/L］，a positive rate of food allergen specific IgE detection（57.1% vs 32.3%），and a positive rate of intestinal wall thickening detected by gastrointestinal ultrasound（48.6% vs 16.1%）compared with the Hp group（all P<0.05）. Comparison of endoscopic examinations：multiple ulcers in the gastric antrum were more common in the EGIDs group than in the Hp group（20.0% vs 0），and the difference was statistically significant（ P<0.05）. Conclusion:For children with peptic ulcers with onset of abdominal pain，with anemia or malnutrition，or multiple ulcers in the gastric antrum and huge ulcers in the duodenal bulb detected by endoscopy，it is recommended to perform multi site biopsies to help diagnose EGIDs early.

Objective: To predict and screen potential biomarkers of systemic lupus eythematosus(SLE) based on machine learning algorithms and structural biology, and to reveal their mechanisms of action and to provide new targets for disease diagnosis and treatment. Methods: Four machine learning algorithms, random forest(RF), eXtreme gradient boosting(XGBoost), support vector machine(SVM), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO), were used to analyze the gene expression data of SLE patients in GEO(datasets: GSE121239 and GSE11907) to analyze the gene expression data of SLE patients and screen key markers. Peripheral blood single nucleated cells(PBMCs) from SLE patients were collected and RT-qPCR was used to detect differential gene expression levels. Subsequently, GSEA enrichment analysis was used to identify biomarker-related pathways. CIBERSORT immune infiltration analysis and protein interactions network were applied to calculate the sample immune cell infiltration abundance. Single-cell data were analyzed for gene expression specificity in immune cells. Interaction relationships in combination with AlphaFold3(AF3) were predicted. Results: Multiple algorithms were screened together to identify the unique marker gene HERC5 , and expression analysis of multiple datasets showed that HERC5 was highly expressed in SLE compared to the normal group (P < 0. 05) , and RT⁃qPCR verified the same trend (P = 0. 006 2) . Functional enrichment analysis identified the major pathway promoted by HERC5 in SLE as the interferon receptor signalling pathway (P < 0. 05) . Immune infiltration analysis showed that HERC5 was closely associated with immune cells (Neutrophils : r = 0. 39 , P < 0. 05 ; Memory B cells : r = 0. 33 , P < 0. 05 ; Activated dendritic cell : r = 0. 52 , P < 0. 05) . Most HERC5 ⁃related interacting proteins were associated with SLE ,and potential transcription factors of HERC5 and its related genes were also significantly associated with immune responses. Conclusion The HERC5 gene is an important biomarker for SLE , which upregulates the interferon pathway to promote SLE progression and provides a new target for SLE diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To explore the efficacy of blunt separation method in midline catheter intubation in elderly patients with coagulation dysfunction.Methods A total of 80 elderly patients with coagulation dysfunction were selected in the convenience sampling method from October 2022 to April 2023 in our hospital,and they were randomly divided into an experimental(blunt)group and a control(routine)group,with 40 patients in each group.The differences in the degree of bleeding and exudation at the puncture site,the pain score and the incidence of complications(including bleeding and exudation,phlebitis,symptomatic catheter-related thrombus,catheter blockage,catheter pulling-off)were compared between 2 groups.Results In the experimental group,the degree of bleeding and exudation at the puncture point immediately after the operation,degree of bleeding and exudation at the puncture point 24 hours after the operation,pain score 1 day after the catheterization,pain score 3 days after the catheterization,incidence of bleeding and exudation,total incidence of complications and maintenance times were significantly lower than these in the control group(P＜0.05).In terms of the pain score immediately after the operation,pain score 5 days after the operation,incidence of phlebitis,incidence of symptomatic catheter-related thrombosis,incidence of catheter blockage,incidence of catheter pulling-off,incidence of catheter related skin injury,incidence of unplanned extubation,success rate of one-time sheath delivery and the indwelling time,the differences between the experimental group and control group were not significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The application of blunt separation method in midline catheter indwelling can significantly reduce the incidence and degree of bleeding at the puncture point,decrease the maintenance times and relieve the pain in elderly patients with coagulation dysfunction.

Objective: To understand the incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Suzhou cohort, and explore the risk factors for the development of COPD in Suzhou, and provide a scientific basis for COPD prevention. Methods: This study was based on the China Kadoorie Biobank project in Wuzhong District, Suzhou. After excluding individuals with airflow obstruction and self-reported chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or pulmonary heart disease at baseline, 45 484 individuals were finally included in the analysis. Cox proportional risk models were used to analyze risk factors of COPD and calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence interval (CI) in the Suzhou cohort. The effect modifications of smoking on the association between other risk factors and COPD were evaluated. Results: Complete follow-up was available through December 31, 2017. Participants were followed up for a median of 11.12 years, and 524 individuals were diagnosed with COPD during the follow-up period; the incidence was 105.54 per 100 000 person-years. Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression models showed that age (HR=3.78, 95%CI:3.32-4.30), former smoking (HR=2.00, 95%CI:1.24-3.22), current smoking (<10 cigarettes/day, HR=2.14, 95%CI:1.36-3.35;≥10 cigarettes/day, HR=2.69, 95%CI:1.60-4.54), history of respiratory disease (HR=2.08, 95%CI:1.33-3.26), daily sleep duration ≥10 hours (HR=1.41, 95%CI:1.02-1.95) were associated with increased risk of COPD. However, education level of primary school and above (primary or junior high school, HR=0.65, 95%CI:0.52-0.81; high school and above, HR=0.54, 95%CI:0.33-0.87), consuming fresh fruit daily (HR=0.59, 95%CI:0.42-0.83) and consuming spicy food weekly (HR=0.71, 95%CI:0.53-0.94) were associated with reduced risk of COPD. Conclusions: The incidence of COPD is low in Suzhou. Older age, smoking, history of respiratory disease, and long sleep duration were risk factors for the development of COPD in the Suzhou cohort.
Humans ; Incidence ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Smoking/epidemiology* ; Tobacco Smoking

We wished to establish an expert consensus on late stage of critical care (CC) management. The panel comprised 13 experts in CC medicine. Each statement was assessed based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) principle. Then, the Delphi method was adopted by 17 experts to reassess the following 28 statements. (1) ESCAPE has evolved from a strategy of delirium management to a strategy of late stage of CC management. (2) The new version of ESCAPE is a strategy for optimizing treatment and comprehensive care of critically ill patients (CIPs) after the rescue period, including early mobilization, early rehabilitation, nutritional support, sleep management, mental assessment, cognitive-function training, emotional support, and optimizing sedation and analgesia. (3) Disease assessment to determine the starting point of early mobilization, early rehabilitation, and early enteral nutrition. (4) Early mobilization has synergistic effects upon the recovery of organ function. (5) Early functional exercise and rehabilitation are important means to promote CIP recovery, and gives them a sense of future prospects. (6) Timely start of enteral nutrition is conducive to early mobilization and early rehabilitation. (7) The spontaneous breathing test should be started as soon as possible, and a weaning plan should be selected step-by-step. (8) The waking process of CIPs should be realized in a planned and purposeful way. (9) Establishment of a sleep-wake rhythm is the key to sleep management in post-CC management. (10) The spontaneous awakening trial, spontaneous breathing trial, and sleep management should be carried out together. (11) The depth of sedation should be adjusted dynamically in the late stage of CC period. (12) Standardized sedation assessment is the premise of rational sedation. (13) Appropriate sedative drugs should be selected according to the objectives of sedation and drug characteristics. (14) A goal-directed minimization strategy for sedation should be implemented. (15) The principle of analgesia must be mastered first. (16) Subjective assessment is preferred for analgesia assessment. (17) Opioid-based analgesic strategies should be selected step-by-step according to the characteristics of different drugs. (18) There must be rational use of non-opioid analgesics and non-drug-based analgesic measures. (19) Pay attention to evaluation of the psychological status of CIPs. (20) Cognitive function in CIPs cannot be ignored. (21) Delirium management should be based on non-drug-based measures and rational use of drugs. (22) Reset treatment can be considered for severe delirium. (23) Psychological assessment should be conducted as early as possible to screen-out high-risk groups with post-traumatic stress disorder. (24) Emotional support, flexible visiting, and environment management are important components of humanistic management in the intensive care unit (ICU). (25) Emotional support from medical teams and families should be promoted through"ICU diaries"and other forms. (26) Environmental management should be carried out by enriching environmental content, limiting environmental interference, and optimizing the environmental atmosphere. (27) Reasonable promotion of flexible visitation should be done on the basis of prevention of nosocomial infection. (28) ESCAPE is an excellent project for late stage of CC management.
Humans ; Consensus ; Critical Care/methods* ; Intensive Care Units ; Pain/drug therapy* ; Analgesics/therapeutic use* ; Delirium/therapy* ; Critical Illness

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) and analyze their treatment methods. Methods: From January 2000 to December 2020, patients with CCD who completed comprehensive treatment in the Department of Orthodontics and the First Dental Clinic, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 14 CCD patients [7 males and 7 females, aged (16.1±4.5) years] were collected. There were 153 impacted permanent teeth in this study. In addition to the teeth that needed to be extracted due to special conditions, 147 impacted teeth were pulled into the dentition using closed traction. Patients were divided into adolescent group (≥12 years and<18 years, 10 patients) and adult group (≥18 years, 4 patients). Failure rate of traction was compared between the two groups. Factors affecting the success rate of closed traction such as vertical position of teeth (high, middle and low) and horizontal position of the teeth (palatal, median and buccal) were analyzed. Results: The incidence of maxillary impacted teeth [69.3% (97/140)] was higher than that of mandibular impacted teeth [40% (56/140)]. The difference was statistically significant (χ²=24.22, P<0.001). The supernumerary teeth were mainly located in the premolar area 61.4% (21/44), and most of them were in the palatal region of the permanent teeth 95.5% (42/44). They were generally located at the same height or the occlusal side of the corresponding permanent teeth. The success rate of closed traction was 93.9% (138/147). The success rate in the adolescent group [98.2% (108/110)] was higher than that in the adult group [81.1% (30/37)], and the difference was significant (χ²=14.09, P<0.05). Failure after closed traction of 9 teeth was found totally, including 7 second premolars. The success rate of traction in impacted second premolars at different vertical (χ²=11.44, P<0.05) and horizontal (χ²=9.71, P<0.05) positions in alveolar bone was different significantlly. The success rates of the second premolars were high (15/16), middle (12/13), low (2/7), and lingual palatine (10/17), median (19/19), lip-buccal (0/0), respectively. Conclusions: The closed traction of impacted teeth in patients with CCD was effective, and the age was the main variable affecting the outcome. The success rate of traction in impacted second premolars located in low position vertically or in palatal position was low, which required close observation during treatment.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Bicuspid ; Child ; Cleidocranial Dysplasia/therapy* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Retrospective Studies ; Tooth, Supernumerary/surgery* ; Young Adult

Background/Aims: Opportunistic infection in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has become a serious problem. However, its status of doctors’ opinions and test equipment in hospitals are unclear. The aim of the study was to investigate these issues to improve the prognosis of IBD patients. Methods: This retrospective, multicenter study was conducted by 83 investigators who were members of the Asian Organization for Crohn’s and Colitis. Data on opportunistic infection were collected from hospital databases between January 2017 and December 2017. The survey con sisted of 11 items. Results: Most physicians appreciated the diagnostic value of tissue cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA, accounting for 86.1% of members in China, 37.5% in Japan, 52.9% in South Korea, and 66.7% in Southeast Asia. Only 83.1% of hos­pitals had the ability to test for CMV immunohistochemistry in Asia. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screening was recommended by all members. However, only 66.7% in China, 70.6% in South Korea, and 66.7% in Southeast Asia agreed to routinely vaccinate IBD patients when HBsAg tested negative. Most members preferred metro nidazole (74.7%) as the first choice for patients with Clostridium difficile infection. However, the proportion of stool C. difficile toxin test was lower in China than in other areas (75.0% in China vs 95.8% in Japan and 100% in South Korea and Southeast Asia, p<0.05). Conclusions Opportunistic infection from CMV, hepatitis B virus, and C. difficile should be of high concern for IBD patients. More efforts are needed, such as understanding consensus in clinical practice and improving testing facilities in hospitals.

This study aimed to investigate the curative effect of spiral embedded flap urethroplasty for the treatment of meatal stenosis after penile carcinoma surgery. From January 2015 to January 2021, we used our technique to treat strictures of the external urethral orifice in seven patients, including four cases of meatal stenosis after partial penile resection and three cases of meatal stenosis after perineal stoma. All patients had previously undergone repeat urethral dilatation. The patients underwent spiral embedded flap urethroplasty to enlarge the outer urethral opening. The patients' mean age at the time of surgery was 60 (range: 42-71) years, the mean operative time was 43 min, and the median follow-up period was 18 months. The patients voided well post-operatively, and urinary peak flow rates ranged from 18.3 ml s^-1 to 30.4 ml s^-1. All patients were successful with absence of urethral meatus stricture. The present study showed that using spiral embedded flap urethroplasty to treat meatal stenosis after penile carcinoma surgery is an effective surgical technique with good long-term outcomes.
Male ; Humans ; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male/methods* ; Penile Neoplasms/surgery* ; Constriction, Pathologic/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Urethral Stricture/surgery* ; Urethra/surgery* ; Amputation, Surgical ; Carcinoma/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies