Objective:To investigate the predictive value of refeeding syndrome (RFS) and its influencing factors for 30-day intensive care unit (ICU) readmission in critically ill patients.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted. Critically ill patients admitted to the department of critical care medicine, department of respiratory and critical care medicine, and department of neurology at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January to April in 2025 were enrolled. Patients were assessed for RFS according to the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) criteria. General information within 24 hours of ICU admission was collected via the electronic medical record system. Treatment details and 30-day ICU readmission status were dynamically recorded. Participants were divided into readmission and non-readmission groups based on whether ICU readmission occurred within 30 days. Intergroup comparisons were performed to identify differences. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between RFS and its influencing factors with 30-day ICU readmission. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was plotted to evaluate the predictive performance of risk factors.Results:A total of 196 critically ill patients were enrolled, among whom 25 (12.76%) were readmitted to ICU within 30 days and 171 (87.24%) were not. Significant differences were observed in the readmission group compared with the non-readmission group, including significantly higher rates of nasogastric decompression, higher acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) score, a higher incidence of RFS, and a longer duration of nasogastric decompression. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that RFS was an independent risk factor for 30-day ICU readmission [odds ratio ( OR) = 5.756, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.603-20.670, P = 0.007]. APACHEⅡ score showed a positive correlation trend with 30-day ICU readmission ( OR = 1.057, 95% CI was 0.991-1.127, P = 0.092). ROC curve analysis showed that the combined prediction model incorporating RFS and APACHEⅡ score had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.766 (95% CI was 0.668-0.864), with a sensitivity of 88.0% and a specificity of 62.0%, which was significantly superior to a single indicator (the AUC of RFS and APACHEⅡ score was 0.639 and 0.624, respectively). Conclusions:RFS significantly increases the risk of 30-day ICU readmission in critically ill patients. A combined model incorporating RFS and APACHEⅡ score demonstrates good predictive efficacy for 30-day ICU readmission in critically ill patients.

Objective:To explore the value of amide proton transfer weighted imaging (APTWI) combined with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression in predicting pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer.Methods:The study was a cross-sectional study. Clinicopathological [estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2, Ki-67 status, and molecular subtypes] and imaging data were retrospectively analyzed in 100 female patients who had invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast confirmed pathologically by preoperative puncture in the Henan Cancer Hospital from May 2023 to May 2024. All patients underwent MRI, including enhanced MRI, APTWI, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) before NAC. The reference enhanced MRI images were segmented into lesions using the threshold extraction method, and the three-dimensional region of interest within the tumor was automatically outlined by the software and replicated in the amide proton transfer map generated by APTWI and the apparent diffuse coefficient (ADC) map generated by DWI. The magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym) value and the ADC value were measured, respectively. Tumor response to NAC was assessed using the Miller-Payne grading system, where Grade 5 indicated pCR and Grades 1-4 were classified as non-pCR. Independent sample t-tests and χ2 tests were used to compare clinical pathological and imaging parameters between pCR and non-pCR patients. Statistically significant variables were included in multivariate logistic regression to identify independent predictors of pCR. The diagnostic performance of individual and combined indicators for pCR was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves and the area under the curve (AUC). DeLong′s test was used to compare AUCs. Results:There were 39 pCR and 61 non-pCR patients. Significant differences were observed between the pCR and non-pCR patients in molecular subtypes, ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 statuses ( P<0.05). Pre-treatment MTRasym values were significantly higher in the pCR patients compared to the non-pCR patients ( P=0.005), whereas ADC values showed no statistical difference ( P=0.372). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed HER2 positivity ( OR=5.87, 95% CI 1.99-17.30, P=0.001) and MTRasym values>2.61% (OR=4.39, 95% CI 1.37-14.08, P=0.013) was independent predictors of pCR after NAC. HER2 positivity combined with MTRasym value>2.61% predicted pCR after NAC in breast cancer with AUC of 0.819, which was superior to HER2 positivity and MTRasym value alone in predicting efficacy ( Z=3.91, P<0.001; Z=2.63, P=0.009). Conclusions:The MTRasym value of pre-treatment APTWI is valuable in predicting pCR after NAC in breast cancer. APTWI combined with HER2 expression status can further enhance the predictive efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of refeeding syndrome (RFS) and its influencing factors for 30-day intensive care unit (ICU) readmission in critically ill patients.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted. Critically ill patients admitted to the department of critical care medicine, department of respiratory and critical care medicine, and department of neurology at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January to April in 2025 were enrolled. Patients were assessed for RFS according to the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) criteria. General information within 24 hours of ICU admission was collected via the electronic medical record system. Treatment details and 30-day ICU readmission status were dynamically recorded. Participants were divided into readmission and non-readmission groups based on whether ICU readmission occurred within 30 days. Intergroup comparisons were performed to identify differences. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between RFS and its influencing factors with 30-day ICU readmission. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was plotted to evaluate the predictive performance of risk factors.Results:A total of 196 critically ill patients were enrolled, among whom 25 (12.76%) were readmitted to ICU within 30 days and 171 (87.24%) were not. Significant differences were observed in the readmission group compared with the non-readmission group, including significantly higher rates of nasogastric decompression, higher acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) score, a higher incidence of RFS, and a longer duration of nasogastric decompression. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that RFS was an independent risk factor for 30-day ICU readmission [odds ratio ( OR) = 5.756, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.603-20.670, P = 0.007]. APACHEⅡ score showed a positive correlation trend with 30-day ICU readmission ( OR = 1.057, 95% CI was 0.991-1.127, P = 0.092). ROC curve analysis showed that the combined prediction model incorporating RFS and APACHEⅡ score had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.766 (95% CI was 0.668-0.864), with a sensitivity of 88.0% and a specificity of 62.0%, which was significantly superior to a single indicator (the AUC of RFS and APACHEⅡ score was 0.639 and 0.624, respectively). Conclusions:RFS significantly increases the risk of 30-day ICU readmission in critically ill patients. A combined model incorporating RFS and APACHEⅡ score demonstrates good predictive efficacy for 30-day ICU readmission in critically ill patients.

Objective:To explore the value of amide proton transfer weighted imaging (APTWI) combined with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression in predicting pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer.Methods:The study was a cross-sectional study. Clinicopathological [estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2, Ki-67 status, and molecular subtypes] and imaging data were retrospectively analyzed in 100 female patients who had invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast confirmed pathologically by preoperative puncture in the Henan Cancer Hospital from May 2023 to May 2024. All patients underwent MRI, including enhanced MRI, APTWI, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) before NAC. The reference enhanced MRI images were segmented into lesions using the threshold extraction method, and the three-dimensional region of interest within the tumor was automatically outlined by the software and replicated in the amide proton transfer map generated by APTWI and the apparent diffuse coefficient (ADC) map generated by DWI. The magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym) value and the ADC value were measured, respectively. Tumor response to NAC was assessed using the Miller-Payne grading system, where Grade 5 indicated pCR and Grades 1-4 were classified as non-pCR. Independent sample t-tests and χ2 tests were used to compare clinical pathological and imaging parameters between pCR and non-pCR patients. Statistically significant variables were included in multivariate logistic regression to identify independent predictors of pCR. The diagnostic performance of individual and combined indicators for pCR was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves and the area under the curve (AUC). DeLong′s test was used to compare AUCs. Results:There were 39 pCR and 61 non-pCR patients. Significant differences were observed between the pCR and non-pCR patients in molecular subtypes, ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 statuses ( P<0.05). Pre-treatment MTRasym values were significantly higher in the pCR patients compared to the non-pCR patients ( P=0.005), whereas ADC values showed no statistical difference ( P=0.372). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed HER2 positivity ( OR=5.87, 95% CI 1.99-17.30, P=0.001) and MTRasym values>2.61% (OR=4.39, 95% CI 1.37-14.08, P=0.013) was independent predictors of pCR after NAC. HER2 positivity combined with MTRasym value>2.61% predicted pCR after NAC in breast cancer with AUC of 0.819, which was superior to HER2 positivity and MTRasym value alone in predicting efficacy ( Z=3.91, P<0.001; Z=2.63, P=0.009). Conclusions:The MTRasym value of pre-treatment APTWI is valuable in predicting pCR after NAC in breast cancer. APTWI combined with HER2 expression status can further enhance the predictive efficacy.

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB) is a malignant pediatric tumor requiring new therapies. Accumulating evidence has confirmed that micro RNAs play critical roles in NB metastasis. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is capable of inhibiting the growth of NB cells. The primary objective of the current investigation was to characterize a newly discovered microRNA, miR-32-5p, in terms of the functional role, underlying mechanism of action, and potential synergistic therapeutic impact in the context of NB metastasis. Materials and methods: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were employed to assess the expression levels of miR-32-5p and its target, vacuolar protein sorting 4B (VPS4B). Furthermore, Transwell assay was utilized to evaluate in vitro cell migration and invasion, whereas a metastasis xenograft model was established in nude mice via caudal vein injections. Results: Gene Expression Omnibus database and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that miR-32-5p was downregulated in human NB samples and NB cell lines, in comparison with the normal tissue and cell lines. Inhibiting miR-32-5p induced the migration and invasion of NB cells, whereas overexpression of miR-32-5p prevented the migration and invasion in NB cell lines. Furthermore, VPS4B was identified as the direct target of miR-32-5p and the miR-32-5p reduction associated with NB metastasis upregulated the expression of VPS4B. Conversely, overexpression of VPS4B reversed the suppressive effects ofmiR-32-5p onNB cells. Moreover, miR-32-5p increased the sensitivity to DHA both in NB cells and in the metastasis xenograft model of nude mice. Conclusions: The downregulation of miR-32-5p in NB regulates NB metastasis by targeting VPS4B. Moreover, miR-32-5b can improve the sensitivity of DHA in the xenograft mouse model. Our findings have important implications for the combined application of miR-32-5p and DHA in the treatment of NB.

Osteoarthritis is a prevalent global joint disease, which is characterized by inflammatory reaction and cartilage degradation. Cyasterone, a sterone derived from the roots of Cyathula officinalis Kuan, exerts protective effect against several inflammation-related diseases. However, its effect on osteoarthritis remains unclear. The current study was designed to investigate the potential anti-osteoarthritis activity of cyasterone. Primary chondrocytes isolated from rats induced by interleukin (IL)-1β and a rat model stimulated by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) were used for in vitro and in vivo experiments, respectively. The results of in vitro experiments showed that cyasterone apparently counteracted chondrocyte apoptosis, increased the expression of collagen II and aggrecan, and restrained the production of the inflammatory factors inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 (ADAMTS-5), metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) induced by IL-1β in chondrocytes. Furthermore, cyasterone ameliorated the inflammation and degenerative progression of osteoarthritis potentially by regulating the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. For in vivo experiments, cyasterone significantly alleviated the inflammatory response and cartilage destruction of rats induced by monosodium iodoacetate, where dexamethasone was used as the positive control. Overall, this study laid a theoretical foundation for developing cyasterone as an effective agent for the alleviation of osteoarthritis.
Animals ; Rats ; Chondrocytes ; NF-kappa B ; Iodoacetic Acid ; Inflammation ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Apoptosis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of hydronidone on CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis in rats and explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: Sixty-six male SD rats were randomized into 5 groups, including a control group (n=10), a liver fibrosis model group (n=20), 2 hydronidone dose groups (100 and 250 mg/kg; n=12), and a pirfenidone (250 mg/kg) treatment group (n= 12). Rat models of liver fibrosis were established by subcutaneous injection of CCl₄ in all but the control group. Hydronidone and pirfenidone were given daily at the indicated doses by intragastric administration for 6 weeks. After the treatments, serum samples were collected from the rats for detecting liver function parameters, and hydroxyproline content in the liver tissue was determined. Inflammation and fibrosis in the liver tissue were observed using HE staining and Sirius Red staining. In the cell experiment, human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 was stimulated with TGF-β1 and treated with hydronidone or pirfenidone, and the expression levels of α-SMA, collagen type I and phosphorylated Smad3, phosphorylated p38, phosphorylated ERK1/2 and phosphorylated Akt were detected with Western blotting. RESULTS: In the rat models of liver fibrosis, treatment with hydronidone obviously improved the liver functions, reduced the content of hydroxyproline in the liver tissue, and significantly alleviated liver fibrosis (P < 0.05). In LX-2 cells, hydronidone dose-dependently decreased the expression levels of α-SMA and collagen type I. In TGF- β1-stimulated cells, the phosphorylation levels of Smad3, P38, ERK, and Akt increased progressively with the extension of the treatment time, but this effect was significantly attenuated by treatment with hydronidone (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Hydronidone can inhibit the phosphorylation of the proteins in the TGF-β signaling pathway, thereby preventing TGF-β1-mediated activation of hepatic stellate cells, which may be a possible mechanism by which hydronidone alleviates CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis in rats.
Animals ; Male ; Rats ; Carbon Tetrachloride/metabolism* ; Collagen Type I ; Hepatic Stellate Cells/pathology* ; Hydroxyproline/therapeutic use* ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Smad Proteins/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism*

Ambystoma mexicanum/immunology* ; Amputation ; Animals ; Biomarkers/metabolism* ; Blastomeres/immunology* ; Cell Lineage/immunology* ; Connective Tissue Cells/immunology* ; Epithelial Cells/immunology* ; Forelimb ; Gene Expression ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Immunity ; Peroxiredoxins/immunology* ; Regeneration/immunology* ; Regenerative Medicine/methods* ; Single-Cell Analysis/methods*

Objective: To evaluate the associations of sarcopenia, handgrip strength and calf circumference with cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults. Methods: Totally 2,525 older adults were recruited from the Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study. Cognitive impairment was assessed by the Chinese Mini-Mental State Examination. Handgrip strength was calculated from the means of the right and left hand values. Calf circumference was measured at the site of maximum circumference of the non-dominant leg. The formula developed by Ishii was used to define sarcopenia. Multiple logistic regression was performed to evaluate the associations of sarcopenia, handgrip strength, and calf circumference with cognitive impairment. Results: The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 34.36%. The adjusted odds ratio ( Conclusion Sarcopenia, identified by low handgrip strength and low calf circumference, was positively associated with cognitive impairment.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China/epidemiology* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology* ; Female ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Leg/anatomy & histology* ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Sarcopenia/pathology*

The chemical constituents in the ethyl acetate extract of Corydalis tomentella was isolated and purified with normal and reversed phase silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20, MCI, and semi-preparative HPLC. The compound structures were identified based on spectroscopic experiments and reported papers. Finally, eighteen compounds(1-18) were obtained from C. tomentella, including 17 alkaloids and 1 terpenoid. Among them, compound 1(tomentellaine A) was a novel alkaloid. Compounds 2-5, 7-14, and 16-18 were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Alkaloids ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Reverse-Phase ; Corydalis ; Plant Extracts