ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects of the Anemarrhenae Rhizoma water extract （AR） on Alzheimer's disease （AD） model rats and to explore its potential underlying mechanisms. MethodsMale rats were intraperitoneally injected with D-galactose （100 mg·kg^-1） for 42 days， and on day 14， 1 μL of β-amyloid （Aβ_25-35， 2 g·L^-1） solution was injected into the hippocampus. Rats were randomly divided into a model group， low-dose AR （0.6 g·kg^-1）， medium-dose AR （1.2 g·kg^-1）， high-dose AR （2.4 g·kg^-1）， and a positive control group （donepezil， 5 mg·kg^-1）. Healthy rats receiving only a hippocampal injection of 1 μL of sterile saline served as the sham-operated group. From day 21， rats in the treatment groups were administered the corresponding drugs by gavage once daily for 21 consecutive days， while the blank control and model groups received an equal volume of saline. Learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Morris water maze. Brain tissue damage was observed by hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining， and neuronal apoptosis was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） staining. Levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and interleukin-10 （IL-10） in brain tissues were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. BV2 microglial cells were co-cultured with Aβ_25-35 （40 μmol·L^-1） for 2 h， and cell viability was determined by the CCK-8 assay to screen the optimal concentration of AR-containing serum （S-AR）. Cells were divided into blank control， Aβ_25-35， S-AR， EX527 ［silent information regulator 1 （SIRT1） inhibitor］， and S-AR+EX527 groups. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of CD16， CD206， and high-mobility group box 1 （HMGB1）. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the protein expression of CD16， inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， CD206， arginase （Arg）， and proteins related to the SIRT1/HMGB1/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway. ResultsIn vivo experiments showed that， compared with the sham-operated group， the model group exhibited reduced platform crossings and time spent in the target quadrant （P<0.01）， prolonged escape latency， increased hippocampal neuronal apoptosis （P<0.01）， and obvious hippocampal damage. The expression levels of IL-6， TNF-α， IL-10， CD16， and iNOS in brain tissues were significantly elevated （P<0.01）， while CD206 and Arg protein expression showed an increasing trend without statistical significance. Compared with the model group， all AR-treated groups significantly increased platform crossings and target quadrant time （P<0.05， P<0.01）， alleviated hippocampal damage， reduced escape latency and neuronal apoptosis， downregulated the expression of TNF-α， IL-6， CD16， and iNOS （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and upregulated the expression of IL-10， CD206 and Arg （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In vitro experiments demonstrated that， compared with the blank control group， the Aβ_25-35 group showed increased fluorescence intensity of CD206， CD16， and HMGB1， as well as elevated protein expression of iNOS and CD16 （P<0.01）， while CD206 and Arg protein expression exhibited an increasing trend without statistical significance. After S-AR intervention， CD206 fluorescence intensity and the protein expression of Arg and CD206 were significantly increased （P<0.01）， whereas the fluorescence intensity of CD16 and HMGB1 and the protein expression of iNOS and CD16 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. These effects were reversed by EX527 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， compared with the blank control group， the Aβ_25-35 group showed significantly increased cytoplasmic HMGB1 expression and p-p65/p65 ratio （P<0.01）， along with significantly decreased SIRT1 and nuclear HMGB1 expression （P<0.01）. In contrast， the S-AR group exhibited opposite trends compared with the Aβ_25-35 group， and the regulatory effects of S-AR on these proteins were reversed by EX527 （P<0.01）. ConclusionAR exerts neuroprotective effects in AD model rats by regulating microglial polarization and alleviating neuroinflammation， potentially through modulation of the SIRT1/HMGB1/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To observe the effects of early energy intake and early enteral nutrition on prognosis of patients during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).Methods:Patients who received ECMO treatment in the emergency intensive care unit (EICU) of the Jiangsu Provincial Hospital (First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University) from January 2021 to June 2022 were selected as subjects to summarize the early energy intake of ECMO patients. Logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were used to determine the relationship between early energy intake and prognosis of ECMO patients. According to the results of RCS analysis, the patients were divided into energy-deficient group and energy-sufficient group. And according to whether early enteral nutrition (EEN) was initiated, the patients were divided into EEN group and non-EEN group. The differences of clinical outcomes between energy-deficient group and energy-sufficient group, EEN group and non-EEN group were compared.Results:There was no significant difference in age, sex, BMI, primary disease and ECMO pattern between energy-deficient group and energy-sufficient group, EEN group and non-EEN group. The ECMO conversion time (days) and hospitalization time (days) in the energy-deficient group were significantly lower than those in the energy-sufficient group, and the survival rate in the energy-deficient group was significantly lower than that in the energy-sufficient group [43.2% (19/44) vs. 66.0% (31/47), P=0.029]. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 28-day survival rate in the energy-deficient group was significantly lower than that in the energy-sufficient group, and the risk of death was 2.595 times higher than that in the energy-sufficient group. The conversion time (days), hospital stay (days) and average daily energy intake [kcal/(kg·d)] in the EEN group were higher than those in the non-EEN group ( P<0.05), and the survival rate in the non-EEN group was significantly higher than that in the non-EEN group [66.1% (41/62) vs. 31.0% (9/29), P<0.002]. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 28-day survival rate in the non-EEN group was significantly lower than that in the EEN group, and the risk of death was 2.981 times higher than that in the EEN group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:The energy intake of patients with ECMO above 16.94 kcal/ (kg·d) is a protective factor for prognosis. EEN helps to increase early energy intake and improve prognosis in patients during ECMO.

Objective:To evaluate the analgesic effects of lidocaine cream and ice application during botulinum toxin type A treatment on bilateral gastrocnemius hypertrophy.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted, including 60 patients who underwent botulinum toxin type A treatment for bilateral gastrocnemius hypertrophy at Peking University Shenzhen Hospital from January 2020 to January 2022. Patients were divided into two groups based on the analgesic methods: lidocaine surface anesthesia group (lidocaine group, 30 cases) and ice application analgesia group (ice group, 30 cases). The lidocaine group consisted of 2 males and 28 females, with a mean age of (27.0±5.0) years, while the ice group consisted of 30 females, with a mean age of (26.2±4.4) years. Depending on individual needs, 100-200 U of botulinum toxin type A was injected into the calf muscle of each patient. In the lidocaine group, nurses applied lidocaine cream to the injection area and covered it with a film before injection. In the ice group, nurses used custom-made ice packs to surround the injection site for 10 minutes. Pain levels were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) during injection, including pain scores for needle puncture and drug injection. The incidence of postoperative adverse reactions and patient satisfaction rates were also recorded.Results:The VAS score for needle puncture pain was (2.60±1.25) in the lidocaine group and (2.30±1.12) in the ice group, with no statistically significant difference ( P=0.331). However, the VAS score for drug injection pain was significantly higher in the lidocaine group (3.47±1.25) than that in the ice group (2.77±1.28, P=0.036). The overall analgesic VAS score was (3.37±1.16) in the lidocaine group, also significantly higher than that (2.60±1.25) in the ice group ( P=0.017). Two patients in the lidocaine group experienced localized swelling, and one reported localized itching with a rash, while no adverse reactions were observed in the ice group. Patient satisfaction rates were 86.7% (26/30) in the lidocaine group and 93.3% (28/30) in the ice group. Conclusions:Ice application provides superior analgesic effects compared to lidocaine cream surface anesthesia during botulinum toxin type A treatment for bilateral gastrocnemius hypertrophy.

Objective:To describe the current situation of gastric lavage operation and put forward measures for improvement by analyzing the clinical characteristics of 294 patients with gastric lavage in Poisoning Treatment Center of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University.Methods:The clinical data of 294 patients with acute poisoning and gastric lavage from 2019 to 2021 were collected and analyzed retrospectively, and the related parameters (poison type, gastric lavage volume, poisoning to gastric lavage time, etc.) of each year were compared.Results:A total of 653 poisoning patients underwent gastric lavage from 2019 to 2021, with an average age of (44.2 ±20.1) years, and 134 (45.6%) were male. The main causes of gastric lavage were pesticide poisoning (52.72%) and drug poisoning (42.86%). The volume of gastric lavage was less than 10 L for 43.8% of patients and 10-20 L for 32.7% of patients. Patients with gastric lavage within 60 min after ingestion of poison accounted for 45.3%, followed by 25.8% within 61-120 min. The in-hospital mortality rate was 17.7%. The common complications of gastric lavage were: the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding (55/121, 45.5%), the incidence of aspiration pneumonia (54/140, 38.6%), and the incidences of electrolyte disorder (21% of low potassium, 29% low calcium, and 10.0% low sodium). Compared with the groups in different years, the proportion of gastric lavage in poisoning was 58.85% vs. 46.60% vs. 32.41%, which decreased year by year, with statistical difference ( P <0.05). And there was no difference in the period from ingestion to gastric lavage and gastric lavage fluid volume. There was an increasing trend in poison types between diquat and other insecticides, but there was no statistical difference. Conclusions:From 2019 to 2021, the most common causes of acute gastric lavage were pesticide poisoning and drug poisoning, and the proportion of diquat and other pesticides showed an overall upward trend. A majority of the patients (71.1%) had gastric lavage within 2 h, and 76.5% of the patients had less than 20 L gastric lavage fluid. In the future, we will further control the amount of gastric lavage fluid and pay attention to the gastric lavage operation of new insecticide poisoning.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with Vp4 portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT).Methods:Data of 15 patients undergoing TIPS for HCC with Vp4 PVTT and portal hypertension (PTN) in Peking University First Hospital from July 2018 to February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 14 males and 1 female, aged (61.5±11.1) years old, ranging from 40 to 78 years old. The success rate of TIPS, portal pressure gradient (PPG) before and after procedure, perioperative adverse effects and complications were recorded. The survival status of patients was followed up by telephone review after surgery. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis.Results:The procedure of TIPS was performed uneventfully in all patients, with a technical success rate of 100% (15/15). PPG before and after TIPS were (31.73±5.48) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and (17.60±3.66) mmHg, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). No perioperative death, hepatic artery or bile duct injury, acute liver failure or other major complications occurred. Compared with the preoperative status, the performance status scores [0(0, 0) vs. 3(3, 3)] and Child-Pugh scores [6(5, 8) vs. 9(8, 10)] were lower in patients one month after TIPS (all P<0.05). The median survival time was 228 d. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the cumulative survival rates at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after TIPS were 100%, 64.3%, 32.7% and 8.2%, respectively. Conclusion:TIPS could be safe and effective for HCC with Vp4 PVTT and severe PTN.

Objective:To investigate the impact of overweight/obesity on postoperative complications in breast reduction surgery.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent breast reduction surgery in our hospital from 2016 to 2022. Basic patient information and postoperative complications, such as poor wound healing, infection, hematoma, nipple necrosis, etc., were collected. Patients were categorized into normal/low weight group and overweight/obese group according to their body mass index (BMI). The differences in postoperative complications between the two groups were compared and statistically analyzed.Results:The study included 82 patients, 48 in the normal/low weight group and 34 in the overweight/obese group. The gender, age, and surgical methods of the two groups of patients were relatively balanced, and there was no statistical difference. However, the incidence of postoperative complications was 50.0% (17/34) in overweight/obeseitg group, higher than 18.8% (9/48) in normal/low weight group. Common complications included delayed healing such as infection or dehiscence in 8 cases (9.8%), skin necrosis in 5 cases (6.1%), and hypertrophic scars in 5 cases (6.1%). The incidence of skin necrosis and delayed healing in the overweight/obese group was higher than that in the normal/low weight group, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Postoperative hematoma and hypertrophic scars occurred in both groups, while fat liquefaction and thrombosis only occurred in the overweight/obese group. Conclusions:Overweight/obesity is an important risk factor for postoperative complications in breast reduction surgery. Patients should be evaluated before surgery, and necessary measures should be taken to reduce the risk of complications.

Objective: By means of network pharmacology, potential targets and molecular pathways of QiZhenYuanDan in the treatment of atherosclerosis (AS) were studied. Methods: TCMSP database was used to obtain the main active components and target information of Astragali Radix, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi, Corydalis Rhizoma and Salvia Miltiorrhiza in QiZhenYuanDan. Disease targets were retrieved by OMIM and other databases. Molecular networks were constructed using Cytoscape. STRING database was searched and PPI network diagram was drawn to obtain the key targets of QiZhenYuanDan in the treatment of AS; and the targets were uploaded to Metascape data platform for GO and KEGG analysis. Results: There were 118 targets of intersection between QiZhenYuanDan and AS, which were used as the predicted targets of QiZhenYuanDan on AS. GO analysis showed that the biological functions of QiZhenYuanDan in the treatment of AS targets mainly involved biological processes, such as the cytokine-mediated signaling pathway, cytokine receptor binding. KEGG pathway was mainly enriched in 155 signaling pathways, including PI3K-Akt, HIF-1, NF-κB signal pathway and inflammatory bowel disease pathway. Conclusion: Based on the result of network pharmacology study, the mechanisms of Qizhenyuandan for AS treatment was preliminarily revealed. The active ingredients such as quercetin and kaempferol act on targets such as IL-6 and PI3K-Akt, and exert anti-AS effects by inhibiting apoptosis, oxidative stress, as well as inflammatory responses. Our result indicates that QiZhenYuanDan exhibits anti-AS effect via a multi-component, multi-target and multi-route synergistic process.
Atherosclerosis/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Network Pharmacology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt

Objective To investigate the effects of Tianxiang capsule on Neurotransmitters and Hormone Level of rats with motion sickness. Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups, including blank control group, model control group, positive drug control group, low-dose, mid-dose and high-dose Tianxiang capsule groups with the method of random digital table, and every group had 10 mice. Except the normal group, the rats in the other groups were intragastrically pre-administered for 1 hour, and the low, medium and high doses of Tianxiang capsule were 0.91, 1.82, 3.64 g/kg, the positive drug control group was given scopolamine 1 mg/kg, and then the rat motion sickness model was induced by a rotary stimulation device. After the modeling, the feces, urine, standing hair, trembling were immediately observed and recorded, and the halo response index of the rats was calculated. The blood from the heart puncture was taken and the vestibular nucleus were put on the ice. Then, the content of histamine (HIS) in the vestibular nucleus and plasma was detected by ELISA. The expression of plasma cortisol (Cort) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results Compared with the model control group, the motion sickness index of rats with low, medium and high doses of Tianxiang capsule (6.56 ± 2.16, 6.10 ± 1.35, 4.46 ± 2.50 vs. 8.90 ± 2.61) significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The HIS content in the vestibular nucleus (12.70 ± 3.86 μg/L, 11.45 ± 1.57 μg/L, 10.02 ± 1.30 μg/L vs. 17.50 ± 4.82 μg/L) significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The plasma content of HIS (4.24 ± 1.75 μg/L vs. 7.69 ± 3.06 μg/L), Cort (286.90 ± 8.72 ng/ml vs. 329.26 ± 29.04 ng/ml) and AVP (16.54 ± 2.48 pg/ml vs. 22.35 ± 3.08 pg/ml) in the high doses of Tianxiang capsule significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions The Tianxiang capsule could effectively reduce the motion sickness index of rats with motion sicknes, which might be related to the down-regulation of HIS in Vestibule Nucleus and HIS, Cort and AVP in plasma.

Objective To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of TACE with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of renal cell carcinoma.Methods Data of 23 cases of renal cell carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed.Firstly all patients were treated with renal TACE,and then RFA under the guidance of ultrasound and CT was performed 3 to 4 weeks later.The therapeutic effects were evaluated by enhanced CT or MR scans during the follow-up period.Meanwhile,the changes of Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scores and renal functions between preoperative and postoperative periods were also evaluated.Results To the end of the follow-up,in all 23 patients 21 cases (21/23,91.30％) survived and 2 cases died (2/23,8.70 ％).KPS scores and serum creatinine levels were observed in all 23 patients at the initial stage and the end of the follow-up period,there were no significant differences (all P＞0.05).At the end of follow-up,16 cases were complete remission,5 were partial remission and 2 were progressive disease.Conclusion TACE combined with RFA is a safe and effective method in treatment of renal cell carcinoma with less trauma,less complication and more effective.