Objective To explore the risk factors for postoperative respiratory failure (RF) in patients with esophageal cancer, construct a predictive model based on the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-logistic regression, and visualize the constructed model. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with esophageal cancer who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center Gansu Hospital from 2020 to 2023. Patients were divided into a RF group and a non-RF (NRF) group according to whether RF occurred after surgery. Clinical data of the two groups were collected, and LASSO-logistic regression was used to optimize feature selection and construct the predictive model. The model was internally validated by repeated sampling 1000 times based on the Bootstrap method. Results A total of 217 patients were included, among which 24 were in the RF group, including 22 males and 2 females, with an average age of (63.33±9.10) years; 193 were in the NRF group, including 161 males and 32 females, with an average age of (62.14±8.44) years. LASSO-logistic regression analysis showed that the percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) to predicted value (FEV1/FVC%pred) [OR=0.944, 95%CI (0.897, 0.993), P=0.026], postoperative anastomotic fistula [OR=4.106, 95%CI (1.457, 11.575), P=0.008], and postoperative lung infection [OR=3.776, 95%CI (1.373, 10.388), P=0.010] were risk factors for postoperative RF in patients with esophageal cancer. Based on the above risk factors, a predictive model was constructed, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.819 [95%CI (0.737, 0.901)]. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test for the calibration curve showed that the model had good goodness of fit (P=0.527). The decision curve showed that the model had good clinical net benefit when the threshold probability was between 5% and 50%. Conclusion FEV1/FVC%pred, postoperative anastomotic fistula, and postoperative lung infection are risk factors for postoperative RF in patients with esophageal cancer. The predictive model constructed based on LASSO-logistic regression analysis is expected to help medical staff screen high-risk patients for early individualized intervention.

[Objective] To validate and optimize the platelet transfusion refractoriness (PTR) prediction model for patients with hematological disorders established by our center. [Methods] The data of patients with hematological diseases who received platelet transfusions from December 2021 to December 2022 were used as the training set, and data from January 2023 to December 2023 as the validation set. The validation set data was used to validate the predictive model constructed on the training set. Relevant risk factors for PTR were collected through literature review and preliminary studies。 The patients were divided into effective and ineffective groups according to the corrected count increment (CCI) of platelet counts. Predictive factors were screened using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. The calibration of the model were assessed via calibration curves, while discrimination, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves Clinical utility was further analyzed with decision curve analysis (DCA). [Results] The Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) goodness-of-fit test for the validation set yielded S: P=0.000, indicating that the original model needs optimization. Baseline comparisons and logistic regression identified the number of red blood cell units (RBCU) and platelet units (PLT-U) transfused as key predictors for the optimized model. The H-L goodness-of-fit test S: P values for the training and validation sets were 0.930 and 0.056, respectively; the ROC areas were 0.793 5 and 0.809 4, specificities 90.95% and 84.21%, sensitivities 59.26% and 70.04%, and accuracies 78.14% and 74.10%, respectively. DCA demonstrated clinical net benefit within a prediction probability threshold range of 0.2-0.8. [Conclusion] Transfusion volumes of RBC-U and PLT-U were inversely associated with PTR in hematological patients. The resulting PTR prediction model exhibits moderate predictive efficacy and clinical benefit.

This study explores the effect of total secondary ginsenosides(TSG) on apoptosis and energy metabolism in H9c2 cells under hypoxia and its potential mechanisms. H9c2 cell viability was observed and the apoptosis rate was calculated to determine suitable intervention concentrations of TSG, antimycin A complex(AMA), and coenzyme Q10(CoQ10), along with the duration of hypoxia. H9c2 cells at the logarithmic phase were divided into a normal group, a model group, a TSG group, an AMA group, a TSG+AMA group, and a CoQ10 group. All groups, except the normal group, were treated with their respective intervention drugs and cultured under hypoxic conditions. Adenosine triphosphate(ATP) content and creatine kinase(CK) activity were measured using an ATP chemiluminescence assay kit and a CK colorimetric assay kit. Flow cytometry was used to assess apoptosis rates, and Western blot evaluated the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins, including B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease(caspase)-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, as well as mitochondrial biogenesis-related proteins peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α(PGC-1α), estrogen-related receptor-α(ERRα), nuclear respiratory factor(NRF)-1, NRF-2, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α(PPARα), and Na~+-K~+-ATPase. RT-PCR was employed to analyze the mRNA expression of mitochondrial biogenesis factors, including PGC-1α, ERRα, NRF-1, NRF-2, PPARα, mitochondrial transcription factor A(TFAM), mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase 1(COX1), and mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1(ND1), ND2. The selected intervention concentrations were 7.5 μg·mL~(-1) for TSG, 10 μmol·L~(-1) for AMA, and 1×10~(-4) mol·L~(-1) for CoQ10, with a hypoxia duration of 6 h. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed decreased ATP content and CK activity, increased apoptosis rates, decreased Bcl-2 expression, and increased Bax, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 expression in H9c2 cells. Additionally, the protein and mRNA expression levels of mitochondrial biogenesis-related factors(PGC-1α, ERRα, NRF-1, NRF-2, PPARα), mRNA expression of TFAM, COX1, and ND1, ND2, and protein expression of Na~+-K~+-ATPase in mitochondrial DNA, were also reduced. In the TSG and CoQ10 groups, ATP content and CK activity increased, and apoptosis rates decreased compared with those in the model group. The TSG group showed decreased protein expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bax, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, increased protein and mRNA expression of mitochondrial biogenesis factors PGC-1α, ERRα, NRF-1, and PPARα, and increased NRF-2 protein expression and TFAM mRNA expression in mitochondrial DNA. Conversely, in the AMA group, ATP content and CK activity decreased, the apoptosis rate increased, Bcl-2 expression decreased, and Bax, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 expression increased, alongside reductions in PGC-1α, ERRα, NRF-1, NRF-2, PPARα protein and mRNA expression, as well as TFAM, COX1, ND1, ND2 mRNA expression and Na~+-K~+-ATPase protein expression. Compared with the TSG group, the TSG+AMA group exhibited decreased ATP content and CK activity, increased apoptosis rates, decreased Bcl-2 expression, and increased Bax, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 expression, along with decreased PGC-1α, ERRα, NRF-1, NRF-2, and PPARα protein and mRNA expression and TFAM, COX1, and ND1, ND2 mRNA expression. Compared with the AMA group, the TSG+AMA group showed increased CK activity, decreased apoptosis rate, increased Bcl-2 expression, and decreased Bax, caspase-8, and caspase-9 expression. Additionally, the protein and mRNA expression of PGC-1α, ERRα, NRF-1, PPARα, mRNA expression of TFAM, COX1, ND1, ND2, and Na~+-K~+-ATPase protein expression increased. In conclusion, TSG enhance ATP content and CK activity and inhibit apoptosis in H9c2 cells under hypoxia, and the mechanisms may be related to the regulation of PGC-1α, ERRα, NRF-1, NRF-2, PPARα, and TFAM expression, thus promoting mitochondrial biogenesis.
Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Ginsenosides/pharmacology* ; Energy Metabolism/drug effects* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Animals ; Rats ; Cell Line ; Cell Hypoxia/drug effects* ; Organelle Biogenesis ; Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism* ; Humans ; Cell Survival/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics, curative effect and prognostic factors of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) complicated with light chain myocardial amyloidosis (AL-CA). METHODS: The data of 38 patients diagnosed with MM complicated with AL-CA in our hospital from January 2018 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, and the data were comprehensively screened by multiple methods such as positive two-dimensional spot tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression models were used to screen for independent prognostic factors. RESULTS: Among the 38 MM patients with AL-CA, 23 were male and 15 were female, with a median age of 60(50,75) years. The 1-year survival rate was 71.05%. Patients who underwent transplantation had significantly better survival outcomes than those who did not (P < 0.01). Additionally, the median survival time of patients with all-negative FISH results at the first visit was statistically different compared to patients with other mutations (P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that all negative FISH results at the first visit and the absence of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) were not independent risk factor for the prognosis of patients with MM and AL-CA (P >0.05). CONCLUSION ASCT may improve the prognosis of MM patients with AL-CA, and negative FISH results may indicate poor prognosis, but the results still need to be verified by larger samples.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/complications* ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Amyloidosis/complications* ; Survival Rate ; Proportional Hazards Models

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the effects of deep acupuncture at Weizhong acupoint (BL40) on bladder function and brain activity in a rat model of overactive bladder (OAB), and investigated the possible mechanisms around the acupuncture area that initiate the effects of acupuncture. METHODS: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups, comprising a control group, model group, group treated with deep acupuncture at BL40, group treated with shallow acupuncture at BL40, group treated with acupuncture at non-acupoint next to BL40, and group treated with acupuncture at Xuanzhong (GB39). Urodynamic evaluation was used to observe the urination, and functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to observe the brain activation. The mechanism of acupuncture at BL40 in regulating bladder function was explored by toluidine blue staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the mechanism was verified by stabilizing mast cells (MCs) or blocking tibial nerve. RESULTS: Deep acupuncture at BL40 significantly increased the intercontraction interval in OAB rats and enhanced the mean amplitude of low frequency fluctuation of primary motor cortex (M1), periaquaductal gray matter (PAG), and pontine micturition center (PMC). It also increased the zero-lag functional connectivity between M1 and PAG and between PAG and PMC. Shallow acupuncture at BL40 and acupuncture at non-acupoint or GB39 had no effect on these indexes. Further studies suggested that deep acupuncture at BL40 increased the number and degranulation rate of MCs as well as the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine, substance P, and histamine in the tissues around BL40. Blocking the tibial nerve by lidocaine injection or inhibiting MC degranulation by sodium cromoglycate injection obstructed the effects of acupuncture on restoring urinary function and modulating brain activation in OAB rats. CONCLUSION Deep acupuncture at BL40 may be more effective for inhibiting OAB by promoting degranulation of MCs around the acupoint and stimulating tibial nerve, thereby regulating the activation of the brain area that controls the lower urinary tract. Please cite this article as: Liu X, Zhang CY, Du XY, Li SS, Wang YQ, Zheng Y, Deng HZ, Fang XQ, Li JY, Wang ZQ, Xu SF, Mi YQ. Acupuncture at Weizhong (BL40) attenuates acetic acid-induced overactive bladder in rats by regulating brain neural activity through the modulation of mast cells and tibial nerves. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 46-55.
Animals ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive/physiopathology* ; Mast Cells/physiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Rats ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Tibial Nerve/physiopathology* ; Acetic Acid ; Urinary Bladder/physiopathology*

Fibrosis is characterized as an aberrant reparative process involving the direct replacement of damaged or deceased cells with connective tissue, leading to progressive architectural remodeling across various tissues and organs. This condition imposes a substantial burden, resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality. Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer), renowned for its medicinal properties, has been incorporated as a key component in Chinese patent medicines to mitigate fibrotic diseases. Ginsenosides, the primary bioactive compounds in ginseng, have garnered significant attention. Over the past five years, extensive research has explored the pharmaceutical potential of ginsenosides in diverse organ fibrosis conditions, including liver, myocardial, renal, and pulmonary fibrosis. Studies have elucidated that ginsenosides demonstrate potential effects on inflammatory responses stemming from parenchymal cell damage, myofibroblast activation leading to extracellular matrix (ECM) production, and myofibroblast apoptosis or inactivation. Additionally, potential downstream targets and pathways associated with these pathological processes have been identified as being influenced by ginsenosides. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the efficacious treatments utilizing ginsenosides for various tissue fibrosis types and their potential anti-fibrotic mechanisms. Furthermore, it offers a reference for the development of novel candidate drugs for future organ fibrosis therapies.
Ginsenosides/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Fibrosis/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Panax/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*

Objective To observe the effectiveness of fluorescence labeling-based assay bundle intervention in the prevention and control of multidrug-resistant organism(MDRO)infection.Methods Patients who were detected MDRO in a hospital from January to December 2022 were selected as the research subjects.MDRO monitoring data and implementation status of prevention and control measures were collected.Fluorescence labeling assay was adopted to monitor the cleaning and disinfection effectiveness of the surrounding object surface of the bed units.Based on the bundled prevention and control measures as well as management mode of the pre-intervention group,the post-intervention group implemented enhanced rectification measures for the problems found by the pre-interven-tion group.Changes in relevant indicators between January-June 2022(before intervention)and July-December 2022(after intervention)were compared.Results There were 136 MDRO-infected patients in the pre-intervention group,208 MDRO strains were detected and 10 healthcare-associated infection(HAI)occurred.There were 128 MDRO-infected patients in the post-intervention group,198 MDRO strains were detected and 9 HAI occurred.Af-ter intervention,the total detection rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA),carbapenem-re-sistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB),and total MDRO from patients decreased significantly compared to before intervention(all P＜0.05).After intervention,the detection rates of MRSA,carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa(CRPA),CRAB,and total MDRO from the surrounding object surface were all lower than those before intervention(all P＜0.05).The detection rate of MDRO from surrounding object surface before intervention was 34.52％,which showed a decreased trend after intervention(P＜0.05).The clearance rate of fluorescent labeled markers before intervention was 41.84％,which showed an upward trend after implementing intervention measures(from July to December),and increased to 85.00％at the end of intervention(November-December).The comp-liance rates of issuing isolation medical orders,placing isolation labels,using medical supplies exclusively,and cor-rectly handling medical waste after intervention have all increased compared to before intervention(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Adopting fluorescence labeling-based assay bundle intervention can effectively improve the effectiveness of MDRO infection prevention and control.

ObjectiveTo investigate the influencing factors for rebleeding after endoscopic therapy and the effect of the number of sequential treatment sessions on postoperative rebleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis receiving secondary prevention of gastroesophageal varices （GOV）. MethodsA total of 1 717 patients with liver cirrhosis who received secondary prevention of GOV and attended The 960th Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistice Support Force from January 2017 to December 2021 were enrolled， and according to the presence or absence of bleeding after endoscopic therapy， they were divided into non-bleeding group and rebleeding group. The influencing factors for rebleeding were analyzed， as well as the association between the number of endoscopic treatment sessions and rebleeding. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups； the independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between the two groups； the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison bertween multiple groups， and the Wilcoxon test was used for further comparison between two groups. The Cox regression model was used to investigate the influencing factors for rebleeding， and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves， while the Log-rank test was used for comparison between groups. ResultsOf all patients， 286 （16.7%） experienced rebleeding after endoscopic therapy， and 1 431 （83.3%） did not experience bleeding. There were significant differences between the two groups in history of smoking and drinking， etiology of liver cirrhosis， hemoglobin （Hb）， prothrombin time （PT）， prothrombin activity （PTA）， international normalized ratio （INR）， albumin （Alb）， fasting blood glucose， blood urea nitrogen， Child-Pugh class， aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index （APRI） score， albumin-bilirubin （ALBI） score， use of non-selective beta-blocker （NSBB） before surgery， treatment modality， type of varices， and maximal varicose vein diameter （all P<0.05）. The univariate Cox regression analysis showed that in the patients with liver cirrhosis who received secondary prevention of GOV， rebleeding was associated with history of smoking and drinking， etiology of liver cirrhosis， use of NSBB before surgery， treatment modality， maximal varicose vein diameter， Hb， platelet count， PT， PTA， INR， Alb， total bilirubin （TBil）， alkaline phosphatase （ALP）， gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase， blood glucose， Child-Pugh class， and ALBI score （all P<0.05）. The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that Hb （hazard ratio ［HR］=0.989， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 0.983‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.994， P<0.001）， TBil （HR=1.020， 95%CI： 1.006‍ ‍—‍ ‍1.034， P=0.005）， Alb （HR=0.868， 95%CI： 0.758‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.994， P=0.041）， treatment modality （sclerosing agent： HR=2.158， 95%CI： 1.342‍ ‍—‍ ‍3.470， P=0.002； tissue adhesive： HR=2.709， 95%CI： 1.343‍ ‍—‍ ‍5.462， P=0.005； ligation+sclerosing agent： HR=3.181， 95%CI： 1.522‍ ‍—‍ ‍6.645， P=0.002； sclerosing agent+tissue adhesive： HR=1.851， 95%CI： 1.100‍ ‍—‍ ‍3.113， P=0.020）， ALP （HR=1.003， 95%CI： 1.001‍ ‍—‍ ‍1.004， P=0.002）， and maximal varicose vein diameter （HR=1.346， 95%CI： 1.119‍ ‍—‍ ‍1.618， P=0.002） were independent influencing factors for rebleeding after endoscopic therapy. Comparison of rebleeding rate after different numbers of sequential treatment sessions showed that the patients treated for three sessions had a significantly lower rebleeding rate than those treated for one or two sessions （χ²=8.643 and 5.277， P=0.003 and 0.022）. The survival analysis showed that with the increase in the number of treatment sessions， there was a significantly longer interval between rebleeding （P=0.006） and a significantly lower mortality rate （P<0.001）. ConclusionThe levels of TBil， ALP， Hb， and Alb on admission， endoscopic treatment modality， and maximal varicose vein diameter were the main predictive factors for rebleeding after endoscopic therapy for GOV in liver cirrhosis， and such predictive factors should be closely monitored in clinical practice. Regular endoscopic therapy can reduce the rebleeding and mortality rates of patients with liver cirrhosis and GOV and prolonmg the interval between rebleeding.

Objective To explore the effectiveness of different intervention strategies in response to outbreaks of emerging highly pathogenic respiratory infectious diseases(RIDs)in mega-city in China,and provide decision-ma-king basis for effective response to emerging RIDs.Methods A susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered(SEIR)transmission dynamics model was constructed,referencing to and combining the pathogenicity and infectivity para-meters of previous emerging RIDs.The outbreak of emerging highly pathogenic RIDs with low,moderate,and high infectivity in a mega-city with a population of 10 million in China was simulated,the development of the epidemic within 100 days after implementing different combinations of non-pharmaceutical interventions(NPIs)in response to the outbreak was compared.Results When highly pathogenic RIDs outbreak occurred,and if its infectivity was low(R0 was about 1.5),it was unnecessary to adopt strict NPIs to control epidemic.If its infectivity was moderate(R0 was about 6),different intensities of NPIs were needed based on its existing infection scale.When the initial num-ber of infected cases was 50,moderate-intensity NPIs could keep the infection and death at a low level within 100 days,and the required bed number in hospital for cases could be kept below the national average reserve level.But when the scale of infection exceeded 100 cases,high-intensity NPIs were needed to control the development of the epidemic.In the case of extremely strong infectivity(R0 was about 10),regardless of the scale of infection,only immediate high-intensity NPIs could control the epidemic,infection and death scale.Conclusion In case of out-breaks of highly pathogenic RIDs,adopting appropriate NPIs as early as possible based on their epidemiological characteristics and infection scale is necessary to minimize the harm to the population.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Qidan Granules prevent insulin resistance(IR)in adipocytes.Methods The IR model of 3T3-L1 adipocytes was induced by palmitic acid culture method.The blank control group,model group,Qidan Granules low-,medium-and high-dose groups,Qidan Granules+C1q/TNF-related protein 3(CTRP3)siRNA group were set up.Determination of glucose consumption in cell supernatant was performed;the levels of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)and interleukin 6(IL-6)in the cell supernatant were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was used to detect the gene expressions of CTRP3,TNF-α,IL-6 and glucose transporter 4(GLUT4).The protein expressions and phosphorylation levels of CTRP3,phosphoinositide-3 kinase(PI3K)and protein kinase B(AKT)were detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the model group,the glucose consumption was increased and tended to 70％-82％of the blank control group,TNF-α content was decreased by 25％-45％,IL-6 content was decreased by 40％-55％,GLUT4 mRNA expression level was increased by 50％,and mRNA and protein expression levels of CTRP3 were increased by 25％-40％in the medium-and high-dose groups of Qidan Granules(all P＜0.05).Compared with the Qidan Granules group,the glucose consumption and GLUT4 mRNA expression level in the Qidan Granules+CTRP3 siRNA group were decreased by 33％and 27％,respectively,the contents of IL-6 and TNF-α were increased by 42％and 41％,respectively,and the protein expressions of p-PI3K and p-AKT were increased by 190％and 180％,respectively(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Qidan Granules may improve the insulin sensitivity of IR 3T3-L1 adipocytes and improve IR of adipocytes by promoting CTRP3 expression to reduce inflammatory response and activate PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.