Objective To investigate the impact of intraoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion volume on the postoperative oxygenation index in lung transplant recipients. Methods This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of patients who underwent lung transplantation at Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from 2021 to 2023. Patients were divided into a non-severe primary graft dysfunction (PGD) group and a severe PGD group based on whether their postoperative oxygenation index was>200 mm Hg at 0, 24, and 48 h. General patient data and intraoperative RBC transfusion volumes were compared between the two groups. A binary logistic regression model was constructed to explore the effect size (OR and its 95%CI) of RBC transfusion volume on postoperative oxygenation status at different time points (0, 24, and 48 h). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated to evaluate the model's diagnostic performance. Results A total of 351 patients were included (260 males, 91 females), with ages ranging from 20 to 77 years. The OR for the effect of intraoperative RBC transfusion on poor oxygenation was 1.486 (95%CI 0.982 to 2.248, P=0.061) at 0 h postoperatively, 3.111 (95%CI 1.793 to 5.399, P<0.001) at 24 h, and 1.583 (95%CI 1.026 to 2.442, P=0.038) at 48 h. This indicated that as time progressed, the postoperative oxygenation status of lung transplant recipients was affected by the intraoperative transfusion volume. Furthermore, an RBC transfusion volume>975 mLhad a significant impact on patient oxygenation at 24 and 48 h postoperatively. Conclusion The volume of intraoperative RBC transfusion has a significant impact on the oxygenation status at 24 and 48 h postoperatively. Intraoperative RBC transfusion volume is associated with the occurrence of severe PGD after lung transplantation. Controlling the volume of RBC transfusion during lung transplantation may help reduce the incidence of severe PGD.

Objective To evaluate the associations between carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAb) detected from any respiratory specimens within 0-7 days after lung transplantation and all-cause mortality at 30-day, 90-day and 1-year post-transplantation. Methods Recipients undergoing lung transplantation at Lung Transplant Center of Wuxi People’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022 were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were divided into the CRAb-positive group (n=126) and CRAb-negative group (n=299) according to culture results of respiratory samples collected within postoperative days 0-7. Baseline characteristics were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were performed to identify risk factors for 30-day mortality and analyse the correlation of CRAb detection with 30-day, 90-day and 1-year all-cause mortality. Sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses were subsequently conducted. Results Compared with the CRAb-negative group, recipients in the CRAb-positive group presented higher ratios of preoperative invasive mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a higher CRAb-positive rate in donor pharyngeal swabs, and elevated proportions of bilateral lung transplantation, Shell-shaped incision, peri-operative ECMO application. Moreover, the CRAb-positive group had longer pulmonary cold-ischemia time, intensive care unit stay duration and operation time (all P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression demonstrated that positive CRAb isolation from respiratory samples within postoperative days 0-7 and preoperative coronary stent implantation were independently associated with 30-day mortality (all P<0.001). The CRAb-positive group exhibited significantly higher mortality risks at 30 days, 90 days and 1 year after surgery (all P<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, early CRAb detection remained an independent predictor of elevated mortality (all P<0.05). Consistent results were obtained when stratifying cases by detection timing (0-3 days vs. 4-7 days), excluding patients with co-detection of other multidrug-resistant bacteria, and applying inverse probability of treatment weighting, and the direction of association remained consistent. Conclusions CRAb detected from respiratory specimens within postoperative days 0-7 is independently correlated with increased 30-day, 90-day and 1-year all-cause mortality among lung-transplant recipients. Early CRAb detection may serve for risk stratification. Nevertheless, such finding does not confirm that CRAb infection directly causes death, and the conclusion cannot be generalized to deaths occurring within the initial postoperative 7-day period.

Based on the concept of "regulating the five zang organs and harmonizing the spleen and stomach"， globus hystericus is believed to originate from dysfunction of the five zang organs and disharmony of the spleen and stomach. Treatment primarily focuses on regulating the spleen and stomach while also considering other affected organs， with a self-prescribed Anpiwei Jingyan Formula （安脾胃经验方） for harmonizing the spleen and stomach as the foundational treatment. Additionally， syndrome-based modifications are applied according to imbalances in the heart， lung， kidney， or liver. For heart-yang deficiency， modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction （苓桂术甘汤） could be combined； for heart-yin deficiency， modified Tianwang Buxin Pill （天王补心丹） could be combined. For lung failing to disperse and descend and fluid retention， modified Sanao Decoction （三拗汤） could be combined； for lung and stomach yin deficiency， modified Shashen Maidong Decoction （沙参麦冬汤） could be combined. For kidney-yang deficiency with ascending counterflow of cold water， modified Jingui Shensi Pill （金匮肾气丸） could be combined； for kidney-yin deficiency， modified Liuwei Dihuang Pill （六味地黄丸） could be combined. For liver constraint and spleen deficiency， modified Sini Powder （四逆散） could be combined； for liver-yin deficiency or liver stagnation transforming into fire and attacking the stomach， modified Yiguan Decoction （一贯煎） could be combined.

Objective:To establish fingerprints and method for determining the content of two components of Qigong Pills.Methods:High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to establish the fingerprints of 10 batches of Qigong Pills and common peaks were identified. TCM Chromatographic Fingerprint Similarity Evaluation System (2012 Edition) was used for similarity analysis; the common peaks area was used as indicators, and SIMCA 14.1 was used for cluster analysis and principal component analysis for quality evaluation; a content analysis method was established using hesperidin and Atractylodes macrocephala as indicator components.Results:21 common peaks in the 10 batches of Qigong Pills were identified with the similarity greater than 0.952 (except for the sample S6); the clustering analysis results showed that at a measurement distance of 8, S6 was clustered into one category alone, S1 and S2 were clustered into one category, and the remaining samples were clustered into one major category. The content of hesperidin and Atractylodes macrocephala in 10 batches of Qigong Pills was 3.61-8.92 mg/g and 0.07-0.72 mg/g, respectively.Conclusion:The established HPLC fingerprints and content determination method in this study are stable, reliable, and reproducible, which can provide reference for quality control and evaluation of Qigong Pills.

Hepatitis B virus(HBV)is the most common cause of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),which is the predominant liver cancer type in Southeast Asia.Approximately 350 million individuals suffer from persistent hepatitis B infection worldwide.HBV promotes HCC development through direct and indirect mechanisms.HBV DNA integrates into the host genome during the initial stages of tumorigenesis,causing insertional mutagenesis of cancer-related genes and genomic instability.Extrachromosomal circular DNA(ecDNA)is formed,which is efficiently amplified in large quantities to express viral genes and host oncogenes.Moreover,virus-associated proteins,such as the regulatory HBV X(HBx)protein and/or the modified preS/S envelope protein,alter the expression of genes associated with multiple functions in host cells.In this review,we summarize the role of the HBx and preS/S proteins in pro-moting tumorigenesis.In addition to summarizing the specific mechanism of HBV-related tumorigen-esis,the concerns and perspectives for future study are discussed.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of the suture anchor technique without knots for reconstruction of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) combined with the reinforcement of the inferior extensor retinaculum in treating chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI). METHODS: The clinical data of 31 patients with CLAI who were admitted between August 2017 and December 2023 and met the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed. There were 18 males and 13 females, with an age range from 20 to 48 years (mean, 34.6 years). All patients had a history of repeated ankle sprain, with a disease duration of 6-18 months (mean, 9.65 months). The anterior drawer test and inversion stress test were positive, and tenderness was present in the ligament area. Stress X-ray films of the ankle joint showed a talar tilt angle of (10.00±2.78)° and an anterior talar displacement of (9.48±1.96) mm on the affected side. MRI revealed discontinuity, tortuosity, or disappearance of the ATFL structure. Preoperatively, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 5.2±2.1, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 62.9±7.1. All patients underwent arthroscopic debridement of the ankle joint followed by reconstruction of the ATFL using the suture anchor technique without knots combined with reinforcement of the inferior extensor retinaculum. Postoperatively, pain and function were assessed using the VAS and AOFAS scores. Stress X-ray films were taken to measure the talar tilt angle and anterior talar displacement to evaluate changes in ankle joint stability. Patient satisfaction was assessed according to the Insall criteria. RESULTS: All 31 surgeries were successfully completed. One case had wound exudation, while the remaining surgical incisions healed by first intention. Two cases experienced numbness on the lateral aspect of the foot, which disappeared within 1 month after operation. All patients were followed up 15-84 months (mean, 47.2 months). No complication such as anchor loosening, recurrent lateral ankle instability, superficial peroneal nerve injury, rejection reaction, or wound infection occurred postoperatively. The anterior drawer test and inversion stress test were negative at 3 months after operation. Stress X-ray films taken at 3 months after operation showed the talar tilt angle of (2.86±1.72)° and the anterior talar displacement of (2.97±1.32) mm, both of which were significantly different from the preoperative values ( t=12.218, P<0.001; t=15.367, P<0.001). At last follow-up, 2 patients had ankle swelling after exercise, which resolved spontaneously with rest; all 31 patients returned to their pre-injury level of sports or had no significant discomfort in daily activities. At last follow-up, 25 patients were pain-free, 4 had mild pain after exercise, and 2 had mild pain after walking more than 2 000 meters. The VAS score was 0.8±0.9 and the AOFAS score was 91.6±4.1, both of which were significantly different from the preoperative scores ( t=10.851, P<0.001; t=-19.514, P<0.001). According to the Insall criteria, 24 patients were rated as excellent, 4 as good, and 3 as fair, with a satisfaction rate of 90.3%. CONCLUSION The suture anchor technique without knots for reconstruction of the ATFL combined with reinforcement of the inferior extensor retinaculum provides satisfactory short- and mid-term effectiveness in treating CLAI.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Joint Instability/surgery* ; Lateral Ligament, Ankle/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Ankle Joint/diagnostic imaging* ; Young Adult ; Suture Anchors ; Treatment Outcome ; Suture Techniques ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Chronic Disease ; Ankle Injuries/surgery*

Objective To explore the application effect of prone position ventilation combined with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) in the treatment of severe primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation. Methods The clinical data of 75 lung transplant recipients who developed severe PGD after lung transplantation and were treated with VV-ECMO from January 2021 to June 2024 at Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University were collected. The patients with severe graft dysfunction after lung transplantation were divided into VV-ECMO group (control group, 45 cases) and prone position ventilation combined with VV-ECMO group (treatment group, 30 cases). The general data of the two groups of patients were compared, including the donors' clinical data (age, gender and oxygenation index, etc) and the recipients' clinical data [gender, age and body mass index (BMI), etc]. Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of the recipients' 30-day, 90-day and 180-day survival after surgery. The survival curves of the two groups of recipients were drawn using Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Results The intensive care unit (ICU) stay time, ECMO application time and ventilator use time of control group were longer than those of treatment group. The proportion of male recipients and the BMI of control group were lower than those of treatment group. The 30-day, 90-day and 180-day survival of control group was worse than that of treatment group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The univariate Cox regression analysis of the recipients' 30-day survival after surgery showed that the recipients' BMI, history of diabetes, enlargement of the right atrium and right ventricle, intraoperative blood transfusion volume and intraoperative red blood cell transfusion volume were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the history of diabetes and enlargement of the right atrium and right ventricle were risk factors affecting the 30-day survival of lung transplant recipients (all P<0.05). The univariate Cox regression analysis of the recipients' 90-day survival after surgery showed that the recipients' BMI, history of diabetes, enlargement of the right atrium and right ventricle, intraoperative blood transfusion volume, intraoperative red blood cell transfusion volume and group variable were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the history of diabetes, enlargement of the right atrium and right ventricle and group variable were risk factors affecting the 90-day survival of lung transplant recipients (all P<0.05). The univariate Cox regression analysis of the recipients' 180-day survival after surgery showed that the recipients' BMI, history of diabetes, right atrium and right ventricle enlargement, intraoperative blood transfusion volume, intraoperative red blood cell transfusion volume and group variable were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the history of diabetes, enlargement of the right atrium and right ventricle and group variable were risk factors affecting the 180-day survival of lung transplant recipients (all P<0.05). The 30-day, 90-day and 180-day survival rates of control group were lower, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05), with a median survival time of 100 days in control group. Conclusions In the clinical treatment of severe PGD after lung transplantation, prone position ventilation combined with VV-ECMO may shorten ECMO application time, invasive ventilation time and ICU stay time, and improve the short-term prognosis of lung transplantation.

Background:Optimizing cultivation techniques for traditional Chinese medicine has become a crucial means to improve the quality of medicinal materials.Microbial agents,as environmentally friendly and efficient plant growth promoters and soil conditioners,have increasingly attracted attention in eco-agriculture research.Objective:Our understanding remains limited regarding how the application of microbial agents,alone or in combination,affects changes in the rhizosphere microbiome and its association with the bioactive components of medicinal materials.Methods:In this study,Epimedium pubescens Maxim.was employed as a model plant to examine the effects of 2 microbial agents(Paenibacillus mucilaginosus and Bacillus subtilis)applied individually and in combination on plant growth and the accumulation of bioactive components.Additionally,this study explored the relationship between the rhizosphere microbiome and plant development.Results:The application of microbial agents increased the yield of E.pubescens leaves by 20.30％to 33.66％and enhanced the total flavonol glycosides content by 11.40％to 29.94％.Meanwhile,microbial treatments reshaped the rhizosphere microbiome,promoted the enrichment of beneficial microorganisms(e.g.,Frankia and Paenibacillus),suppressed phytopathogenic fungi such as Didymella and Scytalidium,and enhanced the stability of the soil microbial co-occurrence network.The partial least squares path model suggested that microbial agents not only directly impact the quality of medicinal herbs but also indirectly alter the accumula-tion of bioactive components by modulating the soil microbiome.Conclusion:These findings deepen our understanding of the relationship between medicinal plant quality and rhizosphere micro-biomes as mediated by microbial agents.They also provide a basis for designing and manipulating synthetic microbial communities to promote sustainable development in eco-agriculture.

Objective:To explore the construction requirements and solutions for a digital full-process management platform for Investigator-Initiated Trials (IIT) in pediatrics in China.Methods:By reviewing literature, the current status and highlights of pediatric IIT digital management systems in Europe and the United States were analyzed. The challenges faced in building a digital full-process management platform for pediatric IIT in China were summarized. The exploration and implementation achievements of our hospital in platform construction were introduced, and future construction priorities were proposed based on practical considerations.Results:The construction and application of digital full-process management platforms for pediatric IIT in Europe and the United States were relatively mature, providing comprehensive digital support for pediatric IIT research, ranging from project management to research design implementation, multi-center data interoperability, and personnel training. In China, the pediatric IIT digital management platform was still under construction, with main challenges including the formulation of construction plans based on hospital-specific conditions, data standardization, and remote recruitment and follow-up platforms.Conclusions:Considering the current status of pediatric IIT digital full-process management systems both domestically and internationally, efforts should be made to further strengthen data standardization, remote subject management, and digital pediatric IIT training from both policy and technical perspectives. This will provide one-stop services and management for projects and researchers, promoting the development of pediatric medical research.

Objective:The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value and clinical significance of cochlear microphonics (CM) combined with otoacoustic emission (OAE) in patients with auditory neuropathy (AN).Methods:The study included patients who were diagnosed with bilateral AN and had CM originating from both sides. The CM amplitude, latency, duration and intensity-amplitude (I/O) function curve were recorded by CM test. According to whether the distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) passed through, the patients were divided into three groups: bilateral OAE passed group (OAE PP Group), bilateral OAE failed group (OAE RR Group), and unilateral OAE passed through one side failed group (OAE PR Group). OAE was elicited by four or more frequencies of 750-8 000 Hz. The characteristics of CM and its related influencing factors were analyzed, and data were processed and analyzed by SPSS 26.0 software. Results:(1) A total of 256 patients (512 ears) with AN were enrolled, including 161 patients (322 ears) in OAE PP group, 32 patients (64 ears) in OAE PR group and 63 patients (126 ears) in OAE RR group. OAE failed in 30.9% of patients with AN. (2) When the stimulation intensity was 100 dB nHL, the CM amplitude of OAE passing ear (OAE P+CM P group) in AN patients aged 3 years was 0.43±0.17μV, which was significantly higher than that of OAE not passing ear (OAE R+CM P group) (0.29±0.15) μV ( t=4.876， P<0.001). The CM duration of the OAE P+CM P group was (5.18±1.04) ms, which was longer than that of the OAE R+CM P group at 4.60±1.12 ms ( P=0.005). The I/O function curve of OAE P+CM P group showed a nonlinear trend, while, that of OAE R+CM P group showed a linear trend. (3) In the OAE P+CM P group of AN patients, the amplitude of CM was negatively correlated with the onset age, test age, disease course, PTA, and ASSR threshold ( P<0.001), with correlation coefficients of r=-0.475, r=-0.519, r=-0.367, r=-0.374, and r=-0.494, respectively. In the OAE R+CM P group of AN patients, the amplitude of CM was negatively correlated with the onset age, test age, and ASSR threshold ( P<0.05), with correlation coefficients of r=-0.271, r=-0.240, and r=-0.287, respectively. Conclusions:Excluding patients with high-frequency steeply sloping hearing loss, when ABR is absent or abnormal and OAE is absent, CM detection can reduce the rate of missed diagnosis of AN. The analysis of CM amplitude and I/O function curve is helpful to determine the lesion site of AN patients, which is convenient for early diagnosis and effective intervention.