Objective:To develop a nomogram model for predicting the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients with mechanical ventilation (MV) and to validate the stability of the prediction performance of the model.Methods:The patients with MV admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from January 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively selected according to the order of admission. The patients with MV were divided into the non-VAP group and the VAP group according to whether VAP occurred. The clinical data of the two groups, including general information, disease, medication, condition, and operation-related indicators were collected as candidate predictors of the model for comparison. Multivariate logistic stepwise forward regression analysis was used to screen the predictors that finally entered the model, and a nomogram model was constructed. The model discrimination was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), the diagnostic test results of the model at the predicted threshold were calculated, the Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to evaluate the model fit, and the Bootstrap resampling was used 1 000 times for internal validation, and model calibration and clinical applicability were evaluated by calibration curve and decision analysis curve, respectively.Results:A total of 1 250 patients with MV were included, including 1 102 patients in the non-VAP group and 148 patients in the VAP group, and the prevalence of VAP was 11.8%. The detection of multidrug-resistant organisms, chronic kidney disease, brain injury, oxygenation index, the place of tracheal intubation, reintubation, use of bronchoscopy, use of antibiotics, and MV duration were model predictors of VAP. The AUC of the nomogram model was 0.917 (95% CI: 0.895-0.939), the maximum Youden index of 0.697 corresponded to a prediction threshold of 0.096. The model accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were 0.836, 0.865, and 0.832, respectively. The positive predictive value and the negative predictive value were 0.409 and 0.979, respectively. The Hosmer- Lemeshow test indicated that the model fit well ( P=0.938). The results of the internal validation of the model showed that the predicted risk of the calibration curve was generally consistent with the actual risk, and the decision threshold probability of the decision analysis curve ranged from 2% to 90%. Conclusions:The nomogram model developed in this study is simple, convenient and has relatively stable prediction performance, which can be externally validated to evaluate the extrapolation of the model, and provide a basis for individualized clinical prediction of the risk of VAP in patients with MV.

Objective:To investigate whether sivelestat sodium (SV) mitigates paraquat (PQ)-induced acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)-associated pulmonary fibrosis in mice by suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway.Methods:Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups ( n=8 per group): Control group, PQ group, PQ+SV group, and SV group. The PQ and PQ+SV groups received an intraperitoneal injection of PQ solution (20 mg/kg) to establish a PQ poisoning model, while the Control and SV groups received an equivalent volume of saline. One hour later, the PQ+SV and SV groups were administered SV solution (100 mg/kg) intraperitoneally, whereas the Control and PQ groups received saline. After 48 hours, the mice were euthanized, and lung tissues were collected. Pathological changes were assessed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining, followed by Smith and Ashcroft scoring. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome, caspase-1, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen I. Western blotting was used to measure NLRP3 protein levels. Intergroup comparisons were conducted using one-way ANOVA with LSD post-hoc correction. Results:The Control and SV groups exhibited normal lung morphology, whereas the PQ+SV group showed reduced hemorrhage, congestion, and edema compared to the PQ group. Both PQ and PQ+SV groups exhibited significant weight loss post-intervention compared to the Control group (both P<0.001). HE and Masson staining revealed thickened alveolar septa, congestive and edematous alveolar walls, extensive inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen deposition in the PQ group. In contrast, the PQ+SV group demonstrated alleviated alveolar wall congestion, reduced inflammatory infiltration, and decreased collagen deposition, with significantly lower Smith and Ashcroft scores [(5.92±1.34) vs. (10.88±1.88), P<0.001; (3.42±1.35) vs. (5.75±0.79), P<0.001]. Immunohistochemistry indicated reduced expression percentages of NLRP3 and caspase-1 in the PQ+SV group compared to the PQ group [(12.79%±0.43%) vs. (16.59%±0.40%), P<0.001; (17.71%±0.92%) vs. (19.84%±0.71%), P<0.001]. Similarly, α-SMA and collagen I expression in lung interstitium was significantly lower in the PQ+SV group [(11.79%±0.58%) vs. (16.14%±0.74%), P<0.001; (16.43%±0.56%) vs. (18.86%±0.60%), P<0.001]. Western blotting confirmed decreased NLRP3 protein expression in the PQ+SV group [(0.54±0.12) vs. (0.81±0.24), P<0.05]. Conclusions:SV attenuates PQ-induced ALI/ARDS-associated pulmonary fibrosis progression by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome, suggesting that NLRP3 may be a key therapeutic target for early intervention in PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have shown that Huosui Formula has a synergistic effect on the immune and hematopoietic regulation of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome,but the specific mechanism is not yet clear.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect and mechanism of Huosui Formula on bone marrow hematopoiesis in rats with myelodysplastic syndrome.METHODS:A total of 70 SD rats were randomly divided into a normal control group(n=10),a model group(n=15),a western medicine group(n=15),a low-dose Huosui Formula group(n=15),and a high-dose Huosui Formula group(n=15).Except for the normal control group,the other four groups were injected with dimethyl benzanthracene via the tail vein to induce the establishment of rat myelodysplastic syndrome models.After modeling,the normal control group and the model group were given normal saline;the western medicine group was given thalidomide capsules 10 mg/kg and retinoic acid tablets 4 mg/kg,and the low-dose Huosui Formula group and the high-dose Huosui Formula group were given 1.5 and 6 g/kg Huosui Formula,respectively,by intragastric administration once a day for 28 consecutive days.Peripheral blood and femoral bone marrow tissue were collected to detect peripheral blood routine and bone marrow biopsy hematopoietic proliferation.Flow cytometry was used to detect T lymphocyte subsets and the expression of CTLA-4 and PD-1 on T lymphocytes.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the normal control group,peripheral blood leukocyte,neutrophil,hemoglobin,platelet,and CD4+,CD4+/CD8+levels were decreased in the model group significantly(P＜0.05),while CD4+PD-1+,CD8+PD-1+,CD4+CTLA-4+,and CD8+CTLA-4+expressions were significantly upregulated(P＜0.05).(2)In all dosage groups,myelopoietic proliferation was increased compared with the model group,with no significant difference between the groups(P＞0.05).(3)Compared with the model group,leukocytes,hemoglobin,platelets,and CD4+,CD4+/CD8+were significantly elevated in the high-dose Huosui Formula group(P＜0.05),the expression of CD8+was significantly lower(P＜0.05),and the levels of CD4+PD-1+,CD8+PD-1+,CD4+CTLA-4+,and CD8+CTLA-4+were down-regulated but not statistically significant(P＞0.05).(4)The western medicine group and the high-dose Huosui Formula group showed similar efficacy.The improvement of each index in the high-dose Huosui Formula group was superior to that in the low-dose Huosui Formula group.These findings indicate that Huosui Formula can improve the bone marrow hematopoiesis in myelodysplastic syndrome model rats,increase the levels of CD4+,and CD4+/CD8+while down-regulate the expression levels of CD4+PD-1+,CD8+PD-1+,CD4+CTLA-4+,and CD8+CTLA-4+.These observations suggest a link to the negative immunoregulation mechanism.

A 35-year-old female patient with advanced lung cancer was treated with paclitaxel(albumin-bound)and carboplatin chemotherapy,combined with tislelizumab immunotherapy for one cycle.After 6 days of treatment,the patient developed sagging of the right eyelid compared to the leftside,mild morning and heavy evening,systemic muscle soreness,abnormal transaminases and myocardial enzymes,and abnormal electrocardiogram.It is suspected that there may be a correlation between tislelizumab and myasthenia gravis or related myositis.After admission,patients were treated with methylprednisolone,intravenous immunoglobulin,plasma exchange,mycophenolate mofetil,temporary pacemaker installation,and tracheal intubation.After more than a month of treatment,the patient's indicators decreased,but the patient became unconscious,the patient's family requested discharge.The association between the multisystem adverse reactions and tislelizumab was evaluated using the Naranjo's Assessment Scale,the correlation score was 7 and evaluated as probably relevant.It is suggested that when using tislelizumab in clinical practice,risk factor assessment and medication monitoring should be strengthened to ensure drug safety.

To comprehend the genetic evolutionary characteristics and biological properties of the H4N1 subtype avian influenza virus(AIV)in China,this study conducted whole genome sequen-cing,genetic evolutionary analysis,and pathogenicity test in BALB/c mice of a duck-derived H4N1 subtype AIV strain(DK/GX/E1424/20)isolated from the live poultry market in the southern re-gion in 2020.The results indicated that the cleavage site motif of the HA protein was PEKASR/GLF,which conformed to the characteristics of low pathogenic AIV.All the eight gene fragments were situated in the Eurasian lineage,and the homology of AIV-related genes of the H1N1,H3N8,H4N6,H6N1,and H10N8 subtypes isolated from wild waterfowl was the highest,representing a recombinant virus strain.Without prior adaptation,it replicated effectively in the lungs and turbi-nates of mice,with viral titers of 3.00 and 2.08 log10EID50/mL respectively,and induced weight loss in infected mice.This study suggested that this virus had significant genetic diversity and low pathogenicity in mice,posing a potential risk for mammalian infection.

In 2024,the Beijing Municipal Committee Organization Department and the Municipal Bureau of Retired Ca-dres initiated the first city-wide campaign to establish"Six-Good"model Party branches for retired cadres.The campaign set cri-teria including"optimal organizational setup,effective leadership,exemplary Party members,enriching learning activities,im-pactful contributions,and robust institutional adherence,"recognizing 100"Six-Good"model Party branches.Among them,the Third Retired Party Branch of Beijing Anding Hospital was honored as one of the first"Six-Good"model Party branches.This ar-ticle,based on practical experience,explores how to enhance the operational standards of Party branches and strengthen Party-building efforts among retired cadres through the"Six-Good"model initiative.The discussion covers the campaign's background,implementation experiences,and reflective insights.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of ferroptosis mediated by long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 （ACSL4） signalling pathway in rats with coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome and the intervention effect of Xuefu Zhuyutang. MethodsSPF male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， sham-operation group， model group， trimetazidine group （5.4 mg·kg^-1）， low-， medium-， and high-dose group （3.51， 7.02，14.04 g·kg^-1） of Xuefu Zhuyutang. The coronary artery left anterior descending ligation method was used to prepare a model of coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome， and continuous treatment for 7 d was conducted， while the sham-operation group was only threaded and not ligated. The general macroscopic symptoms of the rats were observed， and indicators such as electrocardiogram， echocardiography， and blood rheology were detected. The pathological morphology of myocardial tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and the changes in mitochondria in myocardial tissue were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The level of iron deposition in myocardial tissue was observed by Prussian blue staining. The levels of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid （12-HETE） and 15-HETE were detected in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A biochemical colourimetric assay was used to detect the levels of Fe²⁺， lipid peroxidation （LPO）， glutathione （GSH）， and T-GSH/glutathione disulfide （GSSG） in myocardial tissue. DCFH-DA fluorescence quantitative assay was employed to detect the levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS）. Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was adopted to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， ferritin heavy chain 1 （FTH1）， ACSL4， and ly-sophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase3 （LPCAT3） in myocardial tissue. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group， the rats in the model group were poor in general macroscopic symptoms. The electrocardiogram showed widened QRS wave amplitude and increased voltage， bow-back elevation of the ST segments， elevated T waves， J-point elevation， and accelerated heart rate. Echocardiography showed a significant reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） and left ventricular fraction shortening （LVFS） （P<0.01）. Blood rheology showed that the viscosity of the whole blood （low， medium， and high rate of shear） was significantly increased （P<0.01）. HE staining showed an abnormal structure of myocardial tissue. There was a large area of myocardial necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration and a large number of connective tissue between myocardial fibers. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the mitochondria were severely atrophy or swelling. The cristae were reduced or even broken， and the matrix was flocculent or even vacuolated. Prussian blue staining showed that there were a large number of iron-containing particles， and the iron deposition was obvious. The content of 12-HETE and 15-HETE in the serum was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The content of Fe²⁺， LPO， and ROS in myocardial tissue was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The content of GSH was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and T-GSH/GSSG was decreased （P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expressions of GPX4 and FTH1 in myocardial tissue were both significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while those of ACSL4 and LPCAT3 increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the general macroscopic symptoms and electrocardiogram results of rats in low-， medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang were alleviated， and the differences in LVEF/LVFS ratios were all significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The differences in whole-blood viscosity （low， medium， and high rate of shear） were all significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The results of HE staining and transmission electron microscopy showed that the morphology， structure， and mitochondria of cardiomyocytes were improved. The content of 12-HETE and 15-HETE in serum was reduced to different degrees in low-， medium-， and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The content of Fe²⁺， LPO， and ROS was significantly reduced in the medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the content of GSH and T-GSH/GSSG was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expressions of GPX4 and FTH1 were significantly increased to varying degrees in the medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and ACSL4 and LPCAT3 were decreased to different degrees in the low-， medium-， and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionXuefu Zhuyutang can regulate iron metabolism and anti-lipid oxidation reaction to mediate ferroptosis through the ACSL4 signalling pathway， thus exerting a protective effect on rats with coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome.

Objective To explore the relationship between the expression of B10 cells and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)in peripheral blood of children with chronic gastroenteritis accompanied by Helico-bacter pylori(Hp)infection and their condition and prognosis.Methods A total of 104 children with chronic gastroenteritis accompanied by Hp infection admitted to Xianyang Hospital,Yan'an University from Decem-ber 2021 to December 2023 were retrospectively selected as the research subjects.According to the visual ana-logue scale(VAS)score,endoscopic examination results and histopathological examination results,the chil-dren were divided into mild group(n=37),moderate group(n=41)and severe group(n=26).All children were treated with standard triple therapy for 14 days.Follow-up consultation was conducted 4 weeks after the end of treatment,and the patient's prognosis was determined based on the results of gastroscopy and urease test.The children were divided into good prognosis group(n=82)and poor prognosis group(n=22).The pe-ripheral blood of the children was collected before treatment and 4 weeks after the end of treatment,and the proportion of B10 cells and the level of TGF-β were measured respectively.The general information,the pro-portion of B10 cells in peripheral blood,and the expression of TGF-β were compared between the mild group and the moderate group,among the three subgroups in the moderate group,and between the poor prognosis group and the good prognosis group.The independent sample t test was used to analyze the differences in quantitative parameter values of each group,Spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correla-tion between the disease condition and the peripheral blood B10 cells and TGF-β level,and the receiver operat-ing characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive value of peripheral blood B10 cell proportion and TGF-β level for poor prognosis in pediatric patients.Results Before treatment,the proportion of B10 cells and TGF-β level in the peripheral blood of children decreased sequentially in severe group,moderate group and mild group,and were positively correlated with the severity of the disease(P＜0.05).After treatment,the proportion of B10 cells and TGF-β level in the peripheral blood of the children were significantly reduced com-pared to before treatment(P＜0.05).4 weeks after the end of treatment,the proportion of B10 cells and TGF-β level in the peripheral blood of children in the poor prognosis group were significantly higher than those in the good prognosis group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the proportion of B10 cells and the level of TGF-β in children's peripheral blood had certain predictive value for the prognosis of children.The area under the curve of ROC curve analysis was 0.759 and 0.743,respectively,which was lower than 0.886 of combined prediction(Z=-2.445,2.391,P=0.014,0.017),and the sensitivity and specificity of combined prediction were 77.34％and 91.45％respectively.Conclusion The proportion of B10 cells and TGF-β level before treatment are positively correlated with the severity of the disease,and the combined detection of the two after treatment has good predictive value for the prognosis of children.

Pulmonary electrical impedance tomography (EIT), a noninvasive, continuous, dynamic, and radiation-free bedside imaging technique for monitoring pulmonary ventilation, is now widely utilized in the diagnosis and management of critically ill patients. Beyond ventilation monitoring, hypertonic saline contrast-enhanced EIT for bedside pulmonary perfusion assessment has recently garnered significant attention. This article describes the application of hypertonic saline contrast-enhanced EIT to evaluate pulmonary perfusion in two patients following pulmonary endarterectomy, providing a reference for its perioperative application in such patients.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of different fermentation methods and times on the fungal flora and chemical composition of Aurantii Fructus， in order to obtain the optimal fermentation conditions and flora structure， and to ensure the stability and controllability of the fermented varieties. MethodsScanning electron microscopy was used to observe and analyze the colony characteristics on the surface of Aurantii Fructus under different fermentation conditions. Internal transcribed spacer 2（ITS2） high-throughput sequencing， combined with fungal community diversity analysis and fungal community structure analysis， were used to obtain the fungal flora microbial categories of Aurantii Fructus under the conditions of traditional pressure-shelf fermentation and non-pressure-shelf natural fermentation for 7， 14， 21 d（numbered Y1-Y3 for the former， and numbered F1-F3 for the latter）， respectively. At the same time， the chemical components in the fermentation process were detected by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS）， combined with principal component analysis（PCA）， partial least squares-discriminant analysis（PLS-DA） and compound retention time， parent ions， characteristic fragment ions and other information， the differential compounds between the different fermentation samples were screened and identified. ResultsThe analysis of fungal community diversity showed that the dominant flora did not change at different fermentation time points in the traditional pressure-shelf fermentation method， while in the non-pressure-shelf natural fermentation method， there was a significant difference with the fermentation process， and at the genus level， the dominant genus of samples Y1， Y2， Y3 and F2 was Aspergillus， while the dominant genera of samples F1 and F3 were both Rhizopus. This indicated that the microbial growth environment provided by the traditional fermentation method was more stable， and the microbial community structure was more stable， which was more conducive to the stable and controllable fermentation process and fermented products. A total of 155 compounds were identified by compositional analysis， including 70 flavonoids， 38 coumarins， 10 alkaloids， 34 organic acids and 3 other compounds. After fermentation， two new components of ribalinine and pranferin were produced. Different fermentation conditions also brought about differences in chemical composition， multivariate statistical analysis obtained 26 differential compounds under two different fermentation methods， mainly including flavonoids， organic acids and coumarins. Comprehensively， the microbial community structure of samples fermented by the traditional pressure-shelf method of Aurantii Fructus for 14 d was stable， the species richness was high and the overall content of differential compounds was high， which was the optimal processing condition. ConclusionCompared with non-pressure-shelf natural fermentation， the traditional method has obvious advantages in terms of the stability of the microbial community structure and the content of chemical compounds， and the optimal condition is 14 days of fermentation. This study is helpful to promote the quality stability and fermentation bioavailability of fermented products of Aurantii Fructus， as well as to provide an experimental basis for the further improvement of the quality control methods of this variety.