Objective: To investigate factors influencing perioperative blood transfusion in patients with scarred uterus during pregnancy undergoing cesarean section, construct and validate a transfusion risk prediction model, and provide evidence for preoperative assessment and blood management. Methods: Clinical data of 405 patients undergoing cesarean section for scarred uterus during pregnancy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2020 to December 2024 were retrospectively collected. The dataset was randomly divided into a training set (n=284) and a validation set (n=121) at a 7∶3 ratio. Within the training set, Firth-penalized logistic regression was employed for multivariate analysis to identify independent factors influencing perioperative blood transfusion and construct a predictive model. Model performance was evaluated in the validation set. Results: Multivariate Firth regression analysis showed that severe placenta previa (OR=75.566, 95%CI: 8.603-9979.174) and placenta accreta (OR=4.591, 95%CI: 1.120-19.416) were independent risk factors for perioperative blood transfusion, while preoperative red blood cell count (OR=0.189, 95%CI: 0.083-0.405) and fibrinogen levels (OR=0.588, 95%CI: 0.395-0.855) were protective factors. The predictive model constructed based on these four variables demonstrated good discriminatory performance, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.803 (95%CI: 0.740-0.867) and 0.753 (95%CI: 0.644-0.862) in the training and validation sets, respectively. Conclusion: For patients with scarred uterus during pregnancy undergoing cesarean section, severe placenta previa and placenta accreta significantly increase the risk of transfusion, while higher preoperative red blood cell count and fibrinogen levels exert a protective effect. The predictive model established in this study facilitates the identification of patients requiring transfusion, thereby enabling preoperative blood preparation and optimized blood management.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

The water-sediment interface is an important zone for the migration and transformation of chemical substances,but traditional sampling methods make in situ sampling challenging,thus it is difficult to capture information on environmental processes at the micro-scale.In this study,diffusive gradients in thin films(DGT)probe technique was used as in situ tool to detect 18 kinds of typical per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances(PFAS)in the water-sediment system,elucidating their vertical distribution characteristics and patterns.The results showed that different PFAS exhibited distinct variation patterns with depth in water and sediment.Short-chain PFAS exhibited greater mobility,while the migration of long-chain PFAS was restricted in sediment and pore water due to their strong hydrophobicity and adsorption capacity,resulting in relatively small concentration changes in the sediment column.The PFAS concentrations measured by DGT ranged from 11.2 μg/L to 1305 μg/L.For long-chain PFAS,the concentrations measured by DGT were higher than those obtained from direct measurement of water and pore water,while the opposite results were obtained for short-chain PFAS.The DGT results indicated that although long-chain PFAS exhibited strong adsorption to sediment particles,the adsorbed PFAS were still bioavailable.DGT probe technique,with its advantages of in situ sampling and high spatial resolution,provides deep insights into the complex environmental processes occurring at the microscale in the water-sediment systems.DGT offers important technical support and scientific evidence for assessing the adsorption-desorption behavior,bioavailability,and ecological risks of these emerging pollutants in aquatic environment.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVC) based on no-contrast chest CT scanning and evaluate the predictive value of EAT for high PVC loading levels.Methods:A case-control study was conducted to collect patients with PVC from January 2021 to June 2023 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. The study subjects were divided into a PVC high-load group (≥20%) and a PVC low-load group (<20%) based on the level of PVC loading in the 24-hour Holter electrocardiography monitoring. The parameter characteristics of EAT were obtained from no-contrast chest CT images. Multivariate logistic regression model analysis was used to assess the factors associated with high PVC loading levels, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the predictive value of the model.Results:A total of 166 subjects were included in the study, including 50 in the PVC high-load group and 116 in the PVC low-load group. Compared with the PVC low-load group, EATV was significantly increased in the high-load group ( Z=4.83, P<0.001), and EATA was significantly lower in the high-load group than in the low-load group ( t=-3.95, P<0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference for the comparison of EATD ( Z=-1.56, P=0.120). Multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that high EATV and low EATA were factors of high PVC loading levels [EATV: OR=1.01 (95% CI: 1.00-1.02), EATA: OR=1.16 (95% CI: 1.02-1.32)]. The area under the ROC curve for predicting high PVC loading levels by EATV and EATA was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71-0.86). Conclusion:EATV and EATA are factors of high PVC loading levels and have predictive value for high PVC loading levels.

Cardiac fibrosis(CF) is a cardiac pathological process characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix(ECM). When the heart is damaged by adverse stimuli, cardiac fibroblasts are activated and secrete a large amount of ECM, leading to changes in cardiac fibrosis, myocardial stiffness, and cardiac function declines and accelerating the development of heart failure. There is a close relationship between heart yin deficiency and cardiac fibrosis, which have similar pathogenic mechanisms. Heart Yin deficiency, characterized by insufficient Yin fluids, causes the heart to lose its nourishing function, which acts as the initiating factor for myocardial dystrophy. The deficiency of body fluids leads to stagnation of blood flow, resulting in blood stasis and water retention. Blood stasis and water retention accumulate in the heart, which aligns with the pathological manifestation of excessive deposition of ECM, as a tangible pathogenic factor. This is an inevitable stage of the disease process. The lingering of blood stasis combined with water retention eventually leads to the generation of heat and toxins, triggering inflammatory responses similar to heat toxins, which continuously stimulate the heart and cause the ultimate outcome of CF. Considering the syndrome of heart Yin deficiency, traditional Chinese medicine capable of nourishing Yin, activating blood, and promoting urination can reduce myocardial cell apoptosis, inhibit fibroblast activation, and lower the inflammation level, showing significant advantages in combating CF.
Humans ; Fibrosis/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Yin Deficiency/metabolism* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*

This paper aims to study the effect of p-cymene on mice with deficiency-cold syndrome induced by hydrocortisone and deficiency-heat syndrome induced by dexamethasone and explore the medicinal properties and mechanism of p-cymene with mild and warm nature based on the dominant characteristics of the two-way applicable conditions of mild drugs. A total of 80 KM mice were randomly divided into blank group, deficiency-cold syndrome model group, deficiency-cold syndrome + ginseng group, and deficiency-cold syndrome + low-dose and high-dose p-cymene groups, as well as blank group, deficiency-heat syndrome model group, deficiency-heat syndrome + American ginseng group, and deficiency-heat syndrome + low-dose and high-dose p-cymene groups. Hydrocortisone and dexamethasone solution were intragastrically administered for 14 consecutive days to prepare deficiency-cold syndrome and deficiency-heat syndrome models. Except for the blank group and the model group intragastrically administered with normal saline, the other groups were intragastrically administrated with drugs for 14 days. The levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP), triiodothyronine(T3), thyroxine(T4), total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), immunoglobin G(IgG), and immunoglobin M(IgM) in serum, as well as the activity of Na~+-K~+-ATPase in liver tissue were detected. The expression of transient receptor potential melastatin 8(TRPM8), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1), and uncoupling protein 1(UCP1) in brown adipose tissue of deficiency-cold syndrome model after intervention with p-cymene was studied. The results showed that p-cymene could effectively improve the levels of cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, TC, IgM, and IgG in serum and the activity of Na~+-K~+-ATPase in liver tissue of mice with deficiency-cold syndrome and reduce the content of cGMP. The effects on T3, T4, and TG were not statistically significant. At the same time, p-cymene could reduce the levels of cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, and T4 in serum and the activity of Na~+-K~+-ATPase in liver tissue of mice with deficiency-cold syndrome and increase the levels of cGMP, IgM, and IgG, and it had no effect on T3, TC, and TG. In addition, p-cymene could up-regulate the expression of TRPV1 and UCP1 in brown fat of mice with deficiency-cold syndrome and down-regulate the expression of TRPM8. In summary, p-cymene could significantly regulate the syndrome indexes of mice with deficiency-cold syndrome, and some indexes of mice with deficiency-heat syndrome could be improved, but the effects on lipid metabolism and energy metabolism indexes were not obvious, indicating that the regulation effect of p-cymene on deficiency-cold syndrome model was more prominent and that the medicinal properties of p-cymene were mild and warm. The regulation of TRPV1/TRPM8/UCP1 channel expression may be the molecular biological mechanism of p-cymene with mild and warm nature affecting the energy metabolism of the body.
Animals ; Cymenes ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Cyclic AMP/metabolism* ; Monoterpenes/administration & dosage* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Cyclic GMP/metabolism* ; TRPV Cation Channels/genetics* ; Uncoupling Protein 1/genetics*

Objective:To investigate the relationship between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVC) based on no-contrast chest CT scanning and evaluate the predictive value of EAT for high PVC loading levels.Methods:A case-control study was conducted to collect patients with PVC from January 2021 to June 2023 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. The study subjects were divided into a PVC high-load group (≥20%) and a PVC low-load group (<20%) based on the level of PVC loading in the 24-hour Holter electrocardiography monitoring. The parameter characteristics of EAT were obtained from no-contrast chest CT images. Multivariate logistic regression model analysis was used to assess the factors associated with high PVC loading levels, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the predictive value of the model.Results:A total of 166 subjects were included in the study, including 50 in the PVC high-load group and 116 in the PVC low-load group. Compared with the PVC low-load group, EATV was significantly increased in the high-load group ( Z=4.83, P<0.001), and EATA was significantly lower in the high-load group than in the low-load group ( t=-3.95, P<0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference for the comparison of EATD ( Z=-1.56, P=0.120). Multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that high EATV and low EATA were factors of high PVC loading levels [EATV: OR=1.01 (95% CI: 1.00-1.02), EATA: OR=1.16 (95% CI: 1.02-1.32)]. The area under the ROC curve for predicting high PVC loading levels by EATV and EATA was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71-0.86). Conclusion:EATV and EATA are factors of high PVC loading levels and have predictive value for high PVC loading levels.

Objective To discuss the application of bidirectional dual loop technique in retrieving Aegisy inferior vena cava filters.Methods The clinical data of 12 patients with deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs complicated by pulmonary embolism,who received mechanical thrombectomy and Aegisy inferior vena cava(IVC)filter implantation at the Zhoukou Municipal Central Hospital of China from January 2016 to November 2023,were retrospectively analyzed.The retrieval of Aegisy IVC filters beyond the time window was tried by standard methods,guide wire stripping,balloon dilatation,unidirectional single loop technique,unidirectional dual loop technique,etc.However,because of the difficulty in retrieval of filter,bidirectional dual loop technique had to be used.The indwelling time of the IVC filters was 30-365 days,with an average time of 105 days.Results The IVC filter was completely removed in 11 patients.Angiography showed that IVC was unobstructed,no contrast extravasation was observed,and the average operation time was 126 minutes.The retrieval of filter failed in one patient,and the patient had to receive anticoagulation therapy lifelong.No surgery-related complications occurred.Conclusion For retrieving Aegisy IVC filters beyond the time window,bidirectional dual loop technique is clinically safe and effective,and this technology is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Objective:To evaluate the prognostic values of parameters from hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) after static cold storage (SCS) on short-term outcomes of kidney transplantation.Method:From February 2023 to October 2023, the authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical and HMP data of recipients undergoing adult deceased donor kidney transplantation at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University. HMP resistance and renal arterial anatomical variants were utilized for subgroup analysis. The primary endpoints were delayed graft function (DGF) and whether or not creatine level normalized. The secondary endpoints were the lowest creatine level within 1 month post-kidney transplantation, reduction extent of creatinine level, duration for creatine level to decline to the lowest and duration for creatinine normalization. Single and multiple variable analyses were utilized for examining the correlation between HMP parameters and short-term postoperative outcomes.Result:A total of 157 recipients were included for analysis. Mean serum creatinine level was (870.0±283.9) μmol/L and mean trough creatinine level within 1 month postoperatively (118.5±63.5) μmol/L. Sixteen recipients (10.2%) had delayed graft function (DGF) and creatinine failed to normalize in 10 receipients (6.4%). Average time for creatinine to decline to the lowest level within 1 month was (14.5±7.6) d (3~30 d) and average time for creatinine to normalize (6.4±5.8) d (1~30 d). Multiple variable regression analysis revealed that terminal resistant index was independently correlated with multiple events, including DGF ( P<0.01), whether or not creatinine level normalized within 1 month ( P=0.001), reduction extent of creatinine level ( P<0.01) and duration for creatinine normalization ( P=0.024) . Conclusion:Parameters of HMP after SCS are capable of predicting the short-term outcomes of kidney transplantation. Terminal resistant index is an independent risk factor for several prognostic events.

Objective To construct an intervention programme for breastfeeding among mothers of infants with congenital heart disease and to verify its effect.Methods Taking the capability-opportunity-motivation-behaviour model as the theoretical basis,the first draft of the intervention programme was formed through literature search and semi-structured interviews,and 8 experts in the relevant fields were selected to conduct expert validation and determine the content of the program.By the consecutive sampling method,infants and their mothers who attended the cardiothoracic disease clinic of a tertiary-level children's specialist hospital in Shanghai from 4 May to 24 June 2023,with a day-old age of≤14 d and a confirmed diagnosis of CHD,were selected as the study subjects.They were divided into an experimental group and a control group,with 16 cases in each group,by the method of randomized grouping by district.The experimental group received breastfeeding intervention for mothers of infants with CHD on the basis of routine care;the control group received routine care and basic disease education and breastfeeding counselling.At 1 and 3 months of the infants with CHD,the 2 groups were compared in terms of exclusive breastfeeding rate,daily human milk as a percentage of total feeds,weight for age Z-score and height for age Z-score.Results A total of 1 round of expert validation was conducted,with a valid questionnaire recovery rate of 100％and an expert authority coefficient of 0.94.The breastfeeding intervention programme for mothers of infants with CHD is a comprehensive approach that encompasses 3 key dimensions,including capability,opportunity,and motivation.The programme is designed to enhance mothers'ability to recognize feeding signals,master breastfeeding techniques,and maintain successful breastfeeding practices.It also addresses common breastfeeding challenges and provides effective solutions.Additionally,it includes strategies for breastmilk management and fosters family support for breastfeeding.The programme offers medical information support on breastfeeding and aims to elevate mothers'understanding of its benefits.It involves systematic monitoring and recording of breastfeeding volumes,as well as thorough assessments and guidance on infant growth and development,including but not limited to the 10 specific entries related to the infant's progress.The results of the generalized estimating equations and repeated measures analysis of variance revealed statistically significant between-group differences(P＜0.05)in the rates of exclusive breastfeeding,the proportion of daily human milk as a percentage of total feeds,and the weight-for-age(WAZ)and height-for-age(HAZ)z-scores of infants across the 2 groups at various time points.The results of simple effect analysis showed that the differences in exclusive breastfeeding rate,the proportion of daily human milk as a percentage of total feeds,WAZ and HAZ between the 2 groups before intervention were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).At the age of 3 months of the infants after the intervention,the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.003).The proportion of daily human milk as a percentage of total feeds for infants in the intervention group at 1 and 3 months of age was higher than that in the control group,with a statistically significant difference(P＜0.05).At 3 months of age,WAZ of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.037);HAZ of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group at 1 and 3 months of age after intervention,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The breastfeeding intervention programme for mothers of infants with CHD,constructed on the basis of the COM-B model in this study,was comprehensive,feasible and acceptable.Implementation of the programme has potential positive effects on increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates and the daily human milk as a percentage of total feeds,and may also have a positive impact on WAZ and HAZ of infants.