ObjectiveTo explore the dose-effect relationship and safety of high， medium， and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in the modified Huangqi Chifengtang （MHCD） for treating proteinuria in immunoglobulin A （IgA） nephropathy， and to provide scientific evidence for the clinical use of high-dose Astragali Radix in the treatment of proteinuria in IgA nephropathy. MethodsA total of 120 patients with IgA nephropathy， diagnosed with Qi deficiency and blood stasis combined with wind pathogen and heat toxicity， were randomly divided into a control group and three treatment groups. The control group received telmisartan combined with a Chinese medicine placebo， while the treatment groups were given telmisartan combined with MHCD containing different doses of raw Astragali Radix （60， 30， 15 g）. Each group contained 30 patients， and the treatment period was 12 weeks. Changes in 24-hour urinary protein （24 hUTP）， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores， effective rate， and renal function were observed before and after treatment. Safety was assessed by monitoring liver function and blood routine. ResultsAfter 12 weeks of treatment， 24 hUTP significantly decreased in the high， medium， and low-dose groups， as well as the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The TCM syndrome scores in the high， medium， and low-dose groups also significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Comparisons between groups showed that the 24 hUTP in the high-dose group was significantly lower than in the medium， low-dose， and control groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the 24 hUTP in the medium-dose group was significantly lower than in the control group （P<0.05）. The TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly lower than in the low-dose and control groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The total effective rates for proteinuria in the high， medium， low-dose， and control groups were 92.59% （25/27）， 85.19% （23/27）， 60.71% （17/28）， and 57.14% （16/28）， respectively. The effective rates in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly higher than in the low-dose and control groups （χ²=13.185， P<0.05， P<0.01）. The effective rates for TCM syndrome scores in the high， medium， low-dose， and control groups were 88.89% （24/27）， 81.48% （22/27）， 71.43% （20/28）， and 46.43% （13/28）， respectively. The efficacy of TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups was significantly higher than in the control group （χ²=14.053， P<0.01）. Compared with pre-treatment values， there was no statistically significant difference in eGFR and serum creatinine in the high and medium-dose groups. However， eGFR significantly decreased in the low-dose and control groups after treatment （P<0.05）， and serum creatinine levels increased significantly in the control group （P<0.05）. No statistically significant differences were observed in urea nitrogen， uric acid， albumin， total cholesterol， triglycerides， liver function， and blood routine before and after treatment in any group. ConclusionThere is a dose-effect relationship in the treatment of IgA nephropathy with high， medium， and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in MHCD. The high-dose group exhibited the best therapeutic effect and good safety profile.

Objective: To explore the association between time to first cigarette (TTFC) and expiratory airflow limitation, so as to provide a reference for the prevention and control of pulmonary function decline. Methods: Based on the baseline survey of the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC), the demographic, lifestyle behavior, smoking behavior, and TTFC data of permanent residents aged 30 to 79 years in Chengdu City were collected from 2018 to 2019. The TTFC was divided into ≤5, 6-30, 31-60, and >60 minutes. Expiratory airflow limitation was determined when the proportion of the measured peak expiratory flow to the predicted value was less than 80%. The association between TTFC and expiratory airflow limitation was analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model, and subgroup analyses were conducted according to smoking cessation, age of starting smoking, smoking duration, average daily smoking volume, and the habit of deep inhalation into the lungs. Results: A total of 6 766 residents were investigated, among whom 6 402 were males, accounting for 94.62%. The median age was 52 (interquartile range, 19) years. A total of 2 468 residents were detected with expiratory airflow limitation, with a detection rate of 36.48%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for demographics, lifestyle behavior, smoking cessation, age of starting smoking, smoking duration, average daily smoking volume, and the habit of deep inhalation into the lungs, TTFC ≤5 minutes (OR=1.203, 95%CI: 1.035-1.397) and 6-30 minutes (OR=1.174, 95%CI: 1.002-1.374) were associated with an increased risk of expiratory airflow limitation. Subgroup analyses showed that there was no interaction between smoking behavior and TTFC on the risk of expiratory airflow limitation (all P>0.05). Conclusion A shorter TTFC is associated with an increased risk of expiratory airflow limitation among residents aged 30 to 79 years, and the association is not affected by snoking behaviors such as smoking cessation, age of starting smoking, smoking duration and average daily smoking volume.

OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical efficacy of donafenib combined with programmed death-1 （PD-1） inhibitors and vascular intervention therapy in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. METHODS This retrospective study included 165 patients with unresectable HCC who were treated at the Fourth and First Affiliated Hospitals of Soochow University between June 2022 and March 2023. Among them， 89 patients received PD-1 inhibitors （tislelizumab or sintilimab， similarly hereinafter） plus vascular intervention （control group） and 76 patients received donafenib in combination with PD-1 inhibitors and vascular intervention （observation group）. Short-term efficacy （3 months after treatment）， long-term efficacy （2 years after treatment）， the levels of liver function indexes [serum alanine amino-transferase （ALT）， aspartate transferase （AST）， and total bilirubin （TBil）] and tumor biomarkers [alpha fetoprotein （AFP）， carcinoembryonic antigen （CEA）， carbohydrate antigen 19-9 （CA19-9）， and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin （DCP）] before treatment and after 3 months of treatment， as well as the occurrence of adverse drug reaction （ADR） during treatment， were compared between the two groups. In addition， overall response rate （ORR） stratified by PD-1 inhibitor type was analyzed. RESULTS After treatment， the ORR was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group （P＜0.05）； although the disease control rate was higher in the observation group compared to the control group， the difference was not statistically significant （P＞0.05）. The median overall survival of patients in the observation group was 16.9 months [95% confidence interval （CI）： 14.2 to 19.1 months]， which was significantly longer than that in the control group （12.4 months， 95%CI： 10.1 to 15.3 months） （P＜0.05）. Subgroup analysis result indicated that therapeutic advantage was consistent across both sintilimab and tislelizumab subgroups， with no significant heterogeneity （P＞0.1， I 2＜0.001%）. Before treatment， there were no significant differences in liver function indexes or tumor marker levels between 2 groups （P＞0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed significant declines in these indicators compared with baseline （P＜0.05）， with greater reductions observed in the observation group （P＜0.05）. There were no statistically significant differences in overall incidence of ADR and grade ≥3 ADRs between the two groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS For patients with unresectable HCC， the combination of donafenib， PD-1 inhibitors and vascular intervention therapy may achieve superior clinical outcomes without increasing the risk of treatment-related ADR.

Objective To explore the influences of long-chain noncoding RNA DHRS4-AS1 (lncRNA DHRS4-AS1) on the proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis of thyroid cancer (TC) cells by regulating the microRNA-221-3p (miR-221-3p)/suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) signaling axis. Methods Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was applied to detect the expression of lncRNA DHRS4-AS1, miR-221-3p, and SOCS3 mRNA in TC cell lines, and the optimal cell line was selected for subsequent experiments. FTC-133 cells were divided into five groups: control group, pcDNA-NC group, DHRS4-AS1 group, DHRS4-AS1 combined with agomir NC group, and DHRS4-AS1 combined with miR-221-3p-agomir group. Transfection efficiency was assessed using qRT-PCR. Dual luciferase reporter assays were applied to verify the targeting interaction between lncRNA DHRS4-AS1, SOCS3, and miR-221-3p. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of SOCS3 in FTC-133 cells. EdU method was used to measure cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was applied to measure the apoptosis of FTC-133 cells. Scratch experiment was applied to measure the migration of FTC-133 cells. Transwell chamber was applied to detect the invasion of FTC-133 cells. Nude mouse transplantation tumor experiment was used to observe the effect of lncRNA DHRS4-AS1 on the growth of TC transplantation tumors. Results Dual luciferase reporter assays showed a targeting relationship between lncRNA DHRS4-AS1, miR-221-3p, and SOCS3. LncRNA DHRS4-AS1 and SOCS3 were downregulated and miR-221-3p was upregulated in FTC-133 cells. Overexpression of lncRNA DHRS4-AS1 inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of FTC-133 cells, while inducing apoptosis. Conversely, miR-221-3p overexpression reversed these inhibitory effects, and suppressed the apoptosis. Nude mouse transplantation experiment observed that overexpression of lncRNA DHRS4-AS1 resulted in a decrease in tumor tissue quality and volume, and a decrease in miR-221-3p expression and an increase in SOCS3 expression. Conclusion LncRNA DHRS4-AS1 is downregulated in FTC-133 cells. Overexpression of lncRNA DHRS4-AS1 can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of TC cells and induce apoptosis by regulating the miR-221-3p/SOCS3 signaling axis.
MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Cell Movement/genetics* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Animals ; Signal Transduction/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis (GCPM) is a common and lethal manifestation of advanced gastric cancer, with a median survival of only 5-11 months. This consensus was developed by 30 experts from Asia (China, Japan, Korea, and Singapore) using the Delphi method and the GRADE evidence grading system. A total of 29 statements were formulated, covering the diagnosis and assessment of GCPM, indications for laparoscopic exploration and NIPS (normothermic intraperitoneal and systemic treatment), treatment regimens, prevention and management of complications, criteria for conversion surgery, and postoperative intraperitoneal therapy. The consensus aims to standardize clinical practice and improve the prognosis of patients with GCPM.

Objective To investigate the DSA imaging characteristics and efficacy of interventional treatment for post-pancreaticoduodenectomy hemorrhage(PPH),and to analyze the factors influencing recurrent bleeding following successful interventional hemostasis.Methods Clinical data of patients who underwent interventional treatment for PPH between January 2013 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients underwent DSA examination,and interventional therapy was the primary treatment option for patients with positive findings.Statistical analysis was performed on DSA angiography manifestations,bleeding sites,success rate of interventional treatment and hemostasis effectiveness.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the independent risk factors for rebleeding after interventional treatment for PPH.Results A total of 139 patients with PPH were included in this study.All 139 patients underwent DSA examination,with a positive rate of 82.01％(114/139)in the first examination.Major angiographic manifestations included contrast agent extravasation,pseudoaneurysm,and disrupted vascular architecture;bleeding sites included gastroduodenal artery in 45 cases(39.47％),hepatic artery in 22 cases(19.30％),and superior mesenteric artery in 32 cases(28.07％).107 patients underwent interventional treatment(81 embolization and 26 stenting),with a success rate of 91.59％(98/107).The independent risk factors for recurrent bleeding after interventional treatment in patients with PPH included preoperative bleeding(P＜0.001)and pancreatic fistula(P=0.041).Conclusion Interventional procedures for PPH can be efficient in diagnosis and treatment,with a high success rate and effective hemostasis.However,it should be noted that some patients remain at risk of recurrent bleeding after successful interventional hemostasis.

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of Phellodendron amurense polysaccharides （PAP） on improving gouty nephropathy （GN） in rats， and to investigate its mechanism primarily by interfering the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）/nuclear factor-κB（NF-κB）/tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）. METHODS Sixty rats were randomly divided into normal group （water）， model group （water）， allopurinol group （positive control， 20 mg/kg）， PAP high-dose， medium-dose and low-dose groups （100， 50， 25 mg/kg， by raw material） after being stratified by body weight， with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， the other groups were induced to construct GN model by giving 1 500 mg/kg potassium oxazinate and 100 mg/kg adenine intragastrically for 14 days. After modeling， the rats in each group were given relevant medicine/water intragastrically， once a day， for consecutive 28 days. After the last medication， the levels of biochemical parameters related to renal function [uric acid， creatinine （Cr）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， xanthine oxidase （XOD）] were detected in rats， and the histopathological changes in the rat kidney were observed. The protein expressions of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1（MCP-1），TNF-α and interleukin-6（IL-6） as well as the phosphorylation levels of p38 MAPK and NF-κB p65 protein were determined in renal tissue of rats. RESULTS Compared with the normal group， the model group suffered from the dilatation of renal tubules， structural damage to glomeruli， accompanied by inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis； the contents of uric acid， Cr， BUN and XOD， the protein expressions of MCP-1，TNF-α and IL-6 and the phosphorylation levels of p38 MAPK and NF-κB p65 protein were all increased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the pathological symptoms of renal tissue in rats had been improved to varying degrees in different dose groups of PAP； the contents of uric acid， Cr， BUN and XOD， protein expressions of MCP-1， TNF-α and IL-6， the phosphorylation levels of p38 MAPK and NF-κB p65 protein in PAP high-dose and PAP medium-dose groups were all decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS PAP exhibits an anti-GN effect， the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting the p38 MAPK/NF-κB/TNF-α signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the consistency of domestic F-STROKE, NeuBrainCARE MRI automatic post-processing software and RAPID MRI automatic post-processing software in the output of infarction core area volume, time-to-maximum volume and ischemic penumbra volume in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods:The research was cross-sectional. The clinical and imaging data of patients with acute ischemic stroke from January 2016 to March 2021 were retrospectively collected, including 149 cases from Shanghai Fourth People′s Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University (Center 1), 120 cases from Langfang Changzheng Hospital of Hebei Province (Center 2), and 45 cases from Wuzhou Workers Hospital (Center 3). All patients underwent diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic magnetic sensitivity contrast-perfusion weighted imaging (DSC-PWI). RAPID, F-STROKE and NeuBrainCARE automatic post-processing software were used to perform automatic post-processing analysis of MRI images of all patients with acute ischemic stroke. The infarct core (apparent diffusion coefficient<620×10 -6 mm 2/s) volume, time-to-maximum (T max>6 s) volume and the ischemic penumbra (PWI-DWI mismatch) volume were output. The Wilcoxon test was used to analyze the difference between F-STROKE, NeuBrainCARE, and RAPID software outputs of infarct core volume, time to maximum peak volume, and ischemic penumbra volume. Bland-Altman and intraclass correlation coefficient ( ICC) were used to analyze the consistency of the infarct core volume, time-to-maximum volume and ischemic penumbra volume output by F-STROKE, NeuBrainCARE and RAPID software. Results:There were statistically significant differences in the core infarct volume between F-STROKE and RAPID software, NeuBrainCARE and RAPID software ( Z=-10.17, -5.43, both P<0.001). There were significant differences in the time-to-maximum volume between F-STROKE and RAPID software, NeuBrainCARE and RAPID software ( Z=-3.17, -5.51, both P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the ischemic penumbra volume between F-STROKE software and RAPID software ( Z=-1.43, P=0.153), and there was significant difference in the ischemic penumbra volume between NeuBrainCARE software and RAPID software ( Z=-6.45, P<0.05). Bland-Altman analysis showed that the values within the limits of agreement accounted for more than 93.31% of all point values. ICC analysis showed high agreement between F-STROKE, NeuBrainCARE, and RAPID software outputs of infarct core volume, time to maximum peak volume, and ischemic penumbra volume ( ICC>0.6). Conclusion:Domestic F-STROKE software, NeuBrainCARE software and RAPID software have good consistency in evaluating the infarct core volume, time-to-maximum volume and ischemic penumbra volume in patients with acute ischemic stroke, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of percutaneous liver puncture for local management of portal vein thrombosis(PVT).Methods Variations in thrombus,blood flow,and laboratory examination results were observed before and after percutaneous liver puncture in 197 patients with PVT,and the occurrence of comorbidities was recorded and followed up for one year after treatment.Results After treatment,the thrombus in the main portal vein vessels almostly disappeared in 119 patients(60.41％)with PVT,the thrombus had a significant reduction in 57 patients(28.93％),and the thrombus had a smaller change or an increase in 21 patients(10.66％);146 patients(74.11％)had smooth blood flow in the main portal vein vessels,29 patients(14.72％)showed significant improvement in blood flow,and 22 patients(11.17％)showed no significant improvement or worsening of blockage.The mean portal venous pressure was significantly lower than that before treatment(P＜0.001);thrombin time,activated partial thromboplastin time,and prothrombin time were prolonged compared to those before thrombolysis(P＜0.001),and fibrinogen were reduced compared to those before thrombolysis(P＜0.001).A total of 35 patients(17.77％)occured comorbidities during treatment.One year after treatment,196 patients(99.49％)with PVT survived,of which thrombus essentially disappeared in 141(71.94％),thrombus stabilized(or decreased)in 42(21.43％),and thrombus increased in 13(6.63％).Conclusion percutaneous liver puncture for local management of PVT is effective and reliable in the short-term and requires standardized management of the entire process.

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of anterior column reconstruction using single or double titanium mesh cage (TMC) after total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) of thoracic and lumbar spinal tumors. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed involving 39 patients with thoracic or lumbar spinal tumors. All patients underwent TES, followed by anterior reconstruction and screw-rod instrumentation via a posterior-only procedure. Twenty-two patients in group A were treated with a single TMC to reconstruct the anterior column, whereas 17 patients in group B were reconstructed with double TMCs. Results: The overall follow-up is 20.5 ± 4.6 months. There is no significant difference between the 2 groups regarding age, sex, body mass index, tumor location, operative time, and intraoperative blood loss. The time for TMC placement was significantly shortened in the double TMCs group (5.2 ± 1.3 minutes vs. 15.6 ± 3.3 minutes, p = 0.004). Additionally, postoperative neural complications were significantly reduced with double TMCs (5/22 vs. 0/17, p = 0.046). The kyphotic Cobb angle and mean intervertebral height were significantly corrected in both groups (p ≤ 0.001), without obvious loss of correction at the last follow-up in either group. The bone fusion rates for single TMC and double TMCs were 77.3% and 76.5%, respectively. Conclusion Using 2 smaller TMCs instead of a single large one eases the placement of TMC by shortening the time and avoiding nerve impingement. Anterior column reconstruction with double TMC is a clinically feasible, and safe alternative following TES for thoracic and lumbar tumors.