Objective:To explore the cardioprotective effects of icariin (ICA) against radiation-induced cardiac disease (RICD) in C57BL/6 mice.Methods:A total of 48 female C57BL/6J mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (CON), the irradiation group (IR), and the irradiation combined with icariin group (IR+ ICA), with 16 mice in each group. The IR and IR+ ICA groups received a single cardiac irradiation at a dose of 30 Gy, while the CON group received no radiation treatment. The IR+ ICA group was treated with ICA (70 mg·kg -1·d -1) two weeks before irradiation until the end of the experiment through intragastric administration. In contrast, the CON and IR groups were treated with an equal volume of vehicle solution (0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, NaCMC) via intragastric administration. The mice′s mental status, food intake, body weight, and survival rates were monitored during the experiment. At two weeks post-irradiation, the venous blood of the mice was collected and serum was separated for the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) of creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT/TNNT2). At 12 weeks post-irradiation, the cardiac function of the mice was assessed using echocardiography. After the mice were euthanized under anesthesia, the histopathological changes and fibrosis degree of their myocardial tissues were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson′s trichrome staining, followed by the calculation of collagen volume fraction (CVF). The differential gene expression of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the cardiac tissues of the mice was detected using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Apoptosis-related proteins and proteins associated with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway were determined using Western blotting. The survival curves of the mice were plotted using Kaplan-Meier, and the survival differences of the mice among various groups were compared using the log-rank test. Results:After irradiation, the mice in the IR group showed lethargy, as well as decreased food intake and activity, while these symptoms in the IR+ ICA group were significantly alleviated. At two weeks post-irradiation, the CK-MB and cTnT levels of the IR group were significantly elevated compared with the CON group ( t = 5.28, 8.89, P < 0.01). At 12 weeks post-irradiation, the mice in the IR group exhibited significantly decreased body weight ( t = 2.47, P < 0.05) and decreased survival rates ( HR = 8.25, 95% CI: 1.157-58.770, P < 0.05) compared with the CON group. Echocardiography revealed that the IR group featured decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), decreased fractional shortening (FS), and increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDD) compared with the CON group ( t = 7.02, 4.45, P < 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed that the IR group suffered from cardiomyocyte edema, disordered arrangement, and increased fibrosis, with an elevated CVF. The IR group exhibited significantly upregulated gene expression of BNP, TGF-β, and IL-6 in cardiac tissues compared with the CON group ( t = 4.23, 6.39, 4.61, P < 0.05). After-irradiation, the IR group exhibited upregulated apoptosis-related proteins Cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax ( t = 6.29, 9.54, P < 0.05), decreased Bcl-2 expression ( t = 8.20, P < 0.001), and decreased phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt ( t = 6.47, 3.42, P < 0.001). The symptoms of the mice were partially ameliorated after treatment with ICA. Specifically, the mice in the IR+ ICA group exhibited higher body weight ( t = 5.13, P < 0.001) and significantly higher survival rates ( HR = 0.121, 95% CI: 0.017-0.864, P < 0.05) than the IR group. Compared to the IR group, the IR+ ICA group showed elevated cardiac function indicators EF and FS( t = 3.23, 3.05, P < 0.05), and reduced LVDD ( t = 3.02, P < 0.05). The histopathological analysis revealed mitigated edema and disordered arrangement of cardiomyocytes in the IR+ ICA group. Furthermore, the IR+ ICA group exhibited significantly lower BNP, TGF-β, and IL-6 expression levels than the IR group ( t = 2.83, 4.15, 2.96, P < 0.05). The expression of apoptosis-related proteins Cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax was lower ( t = 3.23, 3.24, P < 0.05), Bcl-2 expression was higher ( t = 5.92, P < 0.001), and restored phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt ( t = 2.89, 8.35, P < 0.001). Conclusions:Icariin has protective effects against the RICD. It alleviates cardiomyocyte apoptosis possibly by upregulating the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt.

Objective To analyze the short-term clinical outcomes of emergency conversion to surgery during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods Clinical data of patients who underwent emergency surgical conversion from TAVR in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, from 2018 to 2023 were collected. Postoperative follow-up results at 1 month were recorded. Results A total of 253 patients underwent TAVR, of whom 11 (4.3%) required emergency conversion to surgery. Among these 11 patients, 7 were male and 4 were female, with a mean age of (69.55±5.01) years. The primary cause for emergency surgical conversion was valve stent displacement (63.6%), followed by left ventricular perforation/rupture (18.2%) and significant perivalvular regurgitation persisting after a second valve implantation (18.2%). One (9.1%) patient died intraoperatively. Among the 10 surviving patients, postoperative complications included pulmonary infection in 8 patients, severe pneumonia in 7, pleural effusion in 3, liver dysfunction in 8, renal dysfunction in 3, upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 5, cerebrovascular complications in 1, atrial fibrillation in 1, ventricular premature contractions in 1, atrioventricular block in 1, and complete left bundle branch block in 3. At 1-month postoperative follow-up, one additional patient died, yielding a 30-day mortality rate of 18.2% after TAVR emergency surgical conversion. The quality of life improved significantly compared to preoperative status in 9 (81.8%) patients, and no patients were readmitted for cardiovascular diseases. Conclusion The incidence of emergency conversion to surgery during TAVR is low, but the rates of surgical complications and 30-day postoperative mortality are high. Nevertheless, when severe complications occur during TAVR, emergency conversion to surgery can still yield satisfactory short-term clinical outcomes for a majority of these patients.

BACKGROUND:With the continuous development of medical technology,the treatment of distal radius fractures is facing the need for more precise and personalized treatment.The traditional splint fixation method has some limitations in clinical application,which often has defects such as unstable fixation and easy to occur pressure sores.The validation of the improved 3D printed splint with rapid grid-free simulation is expected to lead to more accurate and effective treatment options for distal radius fractures.OBJECTIVE:To explore the design method of 3D printed splint for distal radius fracture based on clinical defect improvement and verify its clinical efficacy by rapid grid-free analysis.METHODS:Clinical defects of splint fixation of extended distal radius fracture were retrospectively analyzed,and 3D printed small splint was designed with specific improvement.The digital models of traditional splint and improved new 3D printed splint were made by Computer Aided Design drawing.Total,bone,soft tissue,and splint displacement and stress distribution were calculated through simulation analysis using rapid grid-free analysis tools.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the traditional splint,the improved new 3D printing splint exerteded more balanced pressure on the skin without obvious stress concentration,and had better body surface adhesion.The displacement was smaller and the movement range was more reasonable.(2)An 3D printed splint based on clinical defect improvement can be designed.Rapid grid-free analysis verifies the advantages of the improved 3D splint,providing a basis for clinical application.

Objective:To explore the cardioprotective effects of icariin (ICA) against radiation-induced cardiac disease (RICD) in C57BL/6 mice.Methods:A total of 48 female C57BL/6J mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (CON), the irradiation group (IR), and the irradiation combined with icariin group (IR+ ICA), with 16 mice in each group. The IR and IR+ ICA groups received a single cardiac irradiation at a dose of 30 Gy, while the CON group received no radiation treatment. The IR+ ICA group was treated with ICA (70 mg·kg -1·d -1) two weeks before irradiation until the end of the experiment through intragastric administration. In contrast, the CON and IR groups were treated with an equal volume of vehicle solution (0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, NaCMC) via intragastric administration. The mice′s mental status, food intake, body weight, and survival rates were monitored during the experiment. At two weeks post-irradiation, the venous blood of the mice was collected and serum was separated for the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) of creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT/TNNT2). At 12 weeks post-irradiation, the cardiac function of the mice was assessed using echocardiography. After the mice were euthanized under anesthesia, the histopathological changes and fibrosis degree of their myocardial tissues were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson′s trichrome staining, followed by the calculation of collagen volume fraction (CVF). The differential gene expression of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the cardiac tissues of the mice was detected using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Apoptosis-related proteins and proteins associated with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway were determined using Western blotting. The survival curves of the mice were plotted using Kaplan-Meier, and the survival differences of the mice among various groups were compared using the log-rank test. Results:After irradiation, the mice in the IR group showed lethargy, as well as decreased food intake and activity, while these symptoms in the IR+ ICA group were significantly alleviated. At two weeks post-irradiation, the CK-MB and cTnT levels of the IR group were significantly elevated compared with the CON group ( t = 5.28, 8.89, P < 0.01). At 12 weeks post-irradiation, the mice in the IR group exhibited significantly decreased body weight ( t = 2.47, P < 0.05) and decreased survival rates ( HR = 8.25, 95% CI: 1.157-58.770, P < 0.05) compared with the CON group. Echocardiography revealed that the IR group featured decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), decreased fractional shortening (FS), and increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDD) compared with the CON group ( t = 7.02, 4.45, P < 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed that the IR group suffered from cardiomyocyte edema, disordered arrangement, and increased fibrosis, with an elevated CVF. The IR group exhibited significantly upregulated gene expression of BNP, TGF-β, and IL-6 in cardiac tissues compared with the CON group ( t = 4.23, 6.39, 4.61, P < 0.05). After-irradiation, the IR group exhibited upregulated apoptosis-related proteins Cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax ( t = 6.29, 9.54, P < 0.05), decreased Bcl-2 expression ( t = 8.20, P < 0.001), and decreased phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt ( t = 6.47, 3.42, P < 0.001). The symptoms of the mice were partially ameliorated after treatment with ICA. Specifically, the mice in the IR+ ICA group exhibited higher body weight ( t = 5.13, P < 0.001) and significantly higher survival rates ( HR = 0.121, 95% CI: 0.017-0.864, P < 0.05) than the IR group. Compared to the IR group, the IR+ ICA group showed elevated cardiac function indicators EF and FS( t = 3.23, 3.05, P < 0.05), and reduced LVDD ( t = 3.02, P < 0.05). The histopathological analysis revealed mitigated edema and disordered arrangement of cardiomyocytes in the IR+ ICA group. Furthermore, the IR+ ICA group exhibited significantly lower BNP, TGF-β, and IL-6 expression levels than the IR group ( t = 2.83, 4.15, 2.96, P < 0.05). The expression of apoptosis-related proteins Cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax was lower ( t = 3.23, 3.24, P < 0.05), Bcl-2 expression was higher ( t = 5.92, P < 0.001), and restored phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt ( t = 2.89, 8.35, P < 0.001). Conclusions:Icariin has protective effects against the RICD. It alleviates cardiomyocyte apoptosis possibly by upregulating the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt.

BACKGROUND:With the continuous development of medical technology,the treatment of distal radius fractures is facing the need for more precise and personalized treatment.The traditional splint fixation method has some limitations in clinical application,which often has defects such as unstable fixation and easy to occur pressure sores.The validation of the improved 3D printed splint with rapid grid-free simulation is expected to lead to more accurate and effective treatment options for distal radius fractures.OBJECTIVE:To explore the design method of 3D printed splint for distal radius fracture based on clinical defect improvement and verify its clinical efficacy by rapid grid-free analysis.METHODS:Clinical defects of splint fixation of extended distal radius fracture were retrospectively analyzed,and 3D printed small splint was designed with specific improvement.The digital models of traditional splint and improved new 3D printed splint were made by Computer Aided Design drawing.Total,bone,soft tissue,and splint displacement and stress distribution were calculated through simulation analysis using rapid grid-free analysis tools.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the traditional splint,the improved new 3D printing splint exerteded more balanced pressure on the skin without obvious stress concentration,and had better body surface adhesion.The displacement was smaller and the movement range was more reasonable.(2)An 3D printed splint based on clinical defect improvement can be designed.Rapid grid-free analysis verifies the advantages of the improved 3D splint,providing a basis for clinical application.

Objective To explore the the correlation between cystatin C(Cys C),beta-2 microglobulin(β2-MG)and ischemic cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD)and its subgroups.Methods Totally 234 patients with CSVD were assigned to the study group,and 92 elderly people with no abnormal findings in head MRI were selected as controls.The CSVD patients were further divided into the subgroups of lacunar infarction(LI),white matter lesion(WML)and LI+WML.Each group was compared risk factors include the blood level of Cys C and β2-MG.Results There were statistically significant differences between CSVD group and control group in cystatin C(Cys C)and β2-MG(P<0.05).Cystatin C(Cys C)and β2-MG there were statistically significant differences between WML group and control group(P<0.05),and also between WML+LI group and control group(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis and comparison across subgroups showed Cys C and β2-MG to be the common risk factors for WML group and WML+LI group inpatients with ischemic cerebral small vessel disease.Conclusion Cys C and β2-MG are the common risk factors for WML group and WML+LI group inpatients with ischemic cerebral small vessel disease.The risk factors vary across different CSVD subgroups.

To investigate the current situation and demand for specialized development of allergy nursing in 88 hospitals in Guangdong Province, as well as to provide evidence for the management of allergy nursing. From August to December 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze the core managers of allergy nursing-related work in eighty-eight hospitals in Guangdong Province supported by the Allergy Nursing Branch of the Guangdong Nurses Association and the Nursing Group of the Allergy Branch of the Guangdong Medical Association. An online survey was conducted using the Delphi method to compile a questionnaire on the current status and demand for specialized development of allergy nursing in Guangdong Province. Chi-square tests and Fisher′s exact probability method were used to analyze the differences in the current status of specialty technology applications and the development and demand of specialized nursing between hospitals with or without allergy specialty departments. The results showed that among the eighty-eight hospitals in the nineteen prefecture-level cities surveyed in Guangdong Province, 17 hospitals (19%) had established allergy specialty departments, all of which were top-tier tertiary hospitals. The establishment duration [ M ( Q1, Q3)] was 3 (1, 10) years. The implementation rates of skin prick test (94%, 16/17), in-vitro examination (82%, 14/17), nasal endoscopy (82%, 14/17), subcutaneous specific immunotherapy (82%, 14/17), multidisciplinary consultation (65%, 11/17), fractional exhaled nitric oxide detection (47%, 8/17), skin patch test (41%, 7/17), and autologous serum skin test (35%, 6/17) in hospitals with allergy department were higher than those in hospitals without allergy department [59%, 42/71 ( χ 2= 7.462, P=0.006)], [54%, 38/71 ( χ 2= 4.717, P=0.030)], [51%, 36/71 ( χ 2= 5.599, P=0.018)], [34%, 24/71 ( χ 2= 13.177, P<0.001)], [24%, 17/71 ( χ 2= 10.505, P=0.001)], [24%, 17/71 ( χ 2= 5.540, P=0.019)], [11%, 8/71 (Fisher′s exact test, P=0.008)], [11%, 8/71 (Fisher′s exact test, P=0.025)]. In the development plan of allergy nursing in the next two years, hospitals that had set up allergy departments had a higher proportion in adding nurses (82%, 14/17, χ 2= 13.177, P<0.001), formulating specialized nurse training plans (71%, 12/17, χ 2= 3.980, P=0.046), formulating group standards or clinical guidelines (41%, 7/17, Fisher′s exact test, P=0.046), and formulating assessment standards (53%, 9/17, Fisher′s exact test, P=0.002). The demand for all aspects of allergy specialty nursing knowledge and skills accounted for more than 50%, and it was not related to whether the hospital set up an allergy department. In conclusion, the specialized development of allergy nursing in Guangdong province is still in its early stages, and there is a great demand for improving knowledge and skills in allergy. Further standardization of specialty construction is needed, along with the training of allergic nurses, to promote the comprehensive development of allergic reaction nursing specialties from point to area.

To investigate the current situation and demand for specialized development of allergy nursing in 88 hospitals in Guangdong Province, as well as to provide evidence for the management of allergy nursing. From August to December 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze the core managers of allergy nursing-related work in eighty-eight hospitals in Guangdong Province supported by the Allergy Nursing Branch of the Guangdong Nurses Association and the Nursing Group of the Allergy Branch of the Guangdong Medical Association. An online survey was conducted using the Delphi method to compile a questionnaire on the current status and demand for specialized development of allergy nursing in Guangdong Province. Chi-square tests and Fisher′s exact probability method were used to analyze the differences in the current status of specialty technology applications and the development and demand of specialized nursing between hospitals with or without allergy specialty departments. The results showed that among the eighty-eight hospitals in the nineteen prefecture-level cities surveyed in Guangdong Province, 17 hospitals (19%) had established allergy specialty departments, all of which were top-tier tertiary hospitals. The establishment duration [ M ( Q1, Q3)] was 3 (1, 10) years. The implementation rates of skin prick test (94%, 16/17), in-vitro examination (82%, 14/17), nasal endoscopy (82%, 14/17), subcutaneous specific immunotherapy (82%, 14/17), multidisciplinary consultation (65%, 11/17), fractional exhaled nitric oxide detection (47%, 8/17), skin patch test (41%, 7/17), and autologous serum skin test (35%, 6/17) in hospitals with allergy department were higher than those in hospitals without allergy department [59%, 42/71 ( χ 2= 7.462, P=0.006)], [54%, 38/71 ( χ 2= 4.717, P=0.030)], [51%, 36/71 ( χ 2= 5.599, P=0.018)], [34%, 24/71 ( χ 2= 13.177, P<0.001)], [24%, 17/71 ( χ 2= 10.505, P=0.001)], [24%, 17/71 ( χ 2= 5.540, P=0.019)], [11%, 8/71 (Fisher′s exact test, P=0.008)], [11%, 8/71 (Fisher′s exact test, P=0.025)]. In the development plan of allergy nursing in the next two years, hospitals that had set up allergy departments had a higher proportion in adding nurses (82%, 14/17, χ 2= 13.177, P<0.001), formulating specialized nurse training plans (71%, 12/17, χ 2= 3.980, P=0.046), formulating group standards or clinical guidelines (41%, 7/17, Fisher′s exact test, P=0.046), and formulating assessment standards (53%, 9/17, Fisher′s exact test, P=0.002). The demand for all aspects of allergy specialty nursing knowledge and skills accounted for more than 50%, and it was not related to whether the hospital set up an allergy department. In conclusion, the specialized development of allergy nursing in Guangdong province is still in its early stages, and there is a great demand for improving knowledge and skills in allergy. Further standardization of specialty construction is needed, along with the training of allergic nurses, to promote the comprehensive development of allergic reaction nursing specialties from point to area.

Two patients (patient 1, a 61-year-old male; patient 2, a 58-year-old female) received red yeast rice 6 g once daily orally because of abnormal blood lipids. Patient 1 had schistosomal cirrhosis and cholestatic hepatitis, with triacylglycerol 5.32 mmol/L. After 26 days of oral administration of red yeast rice, the patient developed limb weakness, with creatine kinase (CK) 604 U/L. Red yeast rice was stopped immediately and 3 days later, the patient developed lower limb muscle soreness, with CK 117 748 U/L. After 12 days of treatments with dexamethasone and rehydration, his symptoms gradually disappeared, with CK 79 U/L. Patient 2 had acute hepatitis, with triacylglycerol 2.34 mmol/L. After 24 days of oral administration of red yeast rice, the patient developed weakness and muscle soreness in both lower limbs, with CK 52 222 U/L. Red yeast rice was stopped immediately, and after 12 days of treatments with methylprednisolone and hydration, her symptoms were improved, with CK 210 U/L.

Two patients (patient 1, a 61-year-old male; patient 2, a 58-year-old female) received red yeast rice 6 g once daily orally because of abnormal blood lipids. Patient 1 had schistosomal cirrhosis and cholestatic hepatitis, with triacylglycerol 5.32 mmol/L. After 26 days of oral administration of red yeast rice, the patient developed limb weakness, with creatine kinase (CK) 604 U/L. Red yeast rice was stopped immediately and 3 days later, the patient developed lower limb muscle soreness, with CK 117 748 U/L. After 12 days of treatments with dexamethasone and rehydration, his symptoms gradually disappeared, with CK 79 U/L. Patient 2 had acute hepatitis, with triacylglycerol 2.34 mmol/L. After 24 days of oral administration of red yeast rice, the patient developed weakness and muscle soreness in both lower limbs, with CK 52 222 U/L. Red yeast rice was stopped immediately, and after 12 days of treatments with methylprednisolone and hydration, her symptoms were improved, with CK 210 U/L.