Background The widespread use of herbicides has led to environmental contamination and has implications for human health. The liver is an important organ for the detoxification of environmental pollutants; however, studies on the association between herbicide exposure and liver function are limited. Objectives To investigate the association between baseline serum herbicide levels and changes in liver enzyme levels and liver enzyme abnormalities over a 5-year period in middle-aged and older adults. Methods This study was based on a nested case-control population of type 2 diabetes established in the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort, with a total of 1388 subjects included in this study and followed up for 5 years. Epidemiological data were collected through questionnaires, and baseline serum concentrations of three herbicides (metolachlor, propham, and acetochlor) were measured by gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were detected at baseline and follow-up visits. The associations between baseline serum herbicide levels and changes in AST and ALT over 5 years were assessed using linear regression models with herbicide levels categorized into quartiles, adjusting for age, sex, education level, smoking status, drinking status, physical activity, body mass index, and new-onset type 2 diabetes occurred during follow-up. The relationship between baseline serum herbicide levels and the risk of liver enzyme abnormalities during follow-up was further analyzed using logistic regression models. Results The positive rates of metolachlor, propham, and acetochlor were all higher than 80%, and their spiked rates of recovery ranged from 73.46% to 106.77%. The mean ± standard deviation of the age of subjects at baseline was (62.7±7.6) years, with 34.1% being male. The median serum levels of metolachlor, propham, and acetochlor at baseline were 0.05, 0.16, and 0.03 ng·mL⁻¹, respectively. There was no significant difference in baseline serum herbicide levels between the normal and abnormal liver enzyme groups at follow-up (P >0.05). The baseline liver enzyme levels and the changes in AST and ALT over 5 years in those who developed abnormal liver enzymes were significantly higher than those in the normal liver enzyme group (P <0.05). The linear regression analysis showed that the changes in AST increased progressively over 5 years in the second, third, and fourth quartiles of propham compared to the lowest quartile group (the second quartile: b=1.49, 95%CI: 0.10, 2.87; the third quartile: b=1.52, 95%CI: 0.14, 2.90; the fourth quartile: b=1.69, 95%CI: 0.31, 3.08; P <0.05). The associations of serum metolachlor and acetochlor with changes in AST were not significant. Additionally, no significant relationships were found between the three serum herbicides and the changes in ALT over 5 years or the risk of liver enzyme abnormalities. Conclusion Serum propham levels in middle-aged and older adults are positively associated with changes in liver enzyme AST, which may have an effect on liver function. More studies are needed to provide scientific evidence for the association between herbicide exposure and liver function.

Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of RNA-Specific adenosine deaminase 3 (Adar3) in regulating macrophage polarization during Coxsackievirus B3(CVB3)-induced viral myocarditis (VM). Methods Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) from mice were cultured in vitro and induced into M1/M2 macrophages using interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interleukin 4 (IL-4), respectively. The mRNA expression levels of Adar1, Adar2, and Adar3 in each group of cells were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Specific siRNAs targeting the Adar3 gene were designed, synthesized, and transiently transfected into M2 macrophages. The mRNA levels of M2 polarization-related marker genes-including arginase 1 (Arg1), chitinase 3-like molecule 3 (YM1/Chi3l3), and resistin-like molecule alpha (RELMα/FIZZ1)-were detected by qRT-PCR. RNA sequencing was performed to analyze the signaling pathways affected by Adar3. The expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were further validated using qRT-PCR and Western blot. The adeno-associated virus overexpressing Adar3 was designed, synthesized, and injected into mice via tail vein. Three weeks later, a myocarditis mouse model was established. After an additional week, the phenotype and function of cardiac macrophages, as well as multiple indicators of VM (including echocardiography, body weight, histopathology and serology) were examined. Additionally, the protein levels of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were assessed. Results Compared to M0-type macrophages, the expression level of Adar3 was significantly increased in M2-type macrophages. After transfection of Adar3 siRNA, the mRNA levels of Arg1, YM1 and FIZZ1 in M2 macrophages were downregulated. RNA sequencing revealed 149 upregulated genes and 349 downregulated genes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis and subsequent validation experiments indicated that Adar3 modulated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In vivo experiments demonstrated that Adar3 overexpression alleviated the cardiac dysfunction of VM mice. The proportion of M1 macrophages in the heart decreased, while the proportion of M2 macrophages increased. At the same time, the Adar3 overexpression activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Conclusion Adar3 promotes macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby alleviating VM.
Animals ; Adenosine Deaminase/metabolism* ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Wnt Signaling Pathway/genetics* ; Myocarditis/immunology* ; Mice ; Coxsackievirus Infections/metabolism* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Enterovirus B, Human/physiology* ; beta Catenin/genetics*

The management of hospital volunteers is one of the main tasks of medical social workers.In practical work,they are often in a dilemma due to ethical problems,which restricts the scientific development of hospital volunteer organizations.Based on the experience of frontline medical social workers in the"Guangji Boat"Volunteer Service Alliance of the Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine,while investigating other public hospitals,this paper summarized and organized ethical issues,analyzed their causes,and proposed improvement strategies.The ethical dilemma of hospital volunteer service was mainly in the conflict between the dual relationship of human emotion and norm,the conflict between incentive mechanism and non-reward value,as well as the conflict between participation motivation and organizational goal.The ethical dilemma in the management of hospital volunteers was attributed to the lack of standardized practical operation systems.Based on the above ethical dilemmas,combined with the development experience of volunteer service in public hospitals,this paper proposed reasonable countermeasures to provide a reference for the management of hospital volunteers.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of reconstruction with the hallux tissue flap for the fingertip defects of thumb and fingers based on the concept and technique of full reconstruction.Methods:From September 2022 to February 2023, the patients with thumb and fingertip defects who were reconstructed using the concept and technology of full reconstruction in Xuzhou Renci Hospital were respective analysised. Based on the degree of defect in the nail bed, bone, and soft tissue of the hand, a hallux osteo-onychocutaneous flap or hallux nail flap was designed and harvested from the same side of the toe, and free transplantation was performed to reconstruct the damaged fingertip. The wounds in the donor site that could not be sutured primarily were treated with dressing change. The surgical complications, the appearance of the reconstructed finger and donor site, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (SWM) examination, 2-point discrimination (2PD) measurement, and patient satisfaction were regularly recorded. According to the functional evaluation criteria for thumb and finger reconstruction issued by the Hand Surgery of the Chinese Medical Association, the function of the reconstructed fingers was evaluated as excellent (13-15 points), good (9-12 points), fair (5-8 points), and poor (≤4 points). The patients were investigated whether they were satisfied with the outcomes.Results:A total of 8 patients (9 fingers) including 5 males and 3 females were enrolled. The average age was 32.4 years (range, 22-46 years). There were 1 thumb, 2 index fingers, 5 middle fingers, and 1 ring finger. 7 cases (8 fingers) were repaired with the hallux osteo-onychocutaneous flap, and 1 case (1 finger) was repaired with the hallux nail flap. All the reconstructed fingers survived uneventfully, and the recipient site healed primarily, and the donor site healed after dressing change, without infection and other complications. All the 8 patients (9 fingers) were followed up for 3-7 months. The nail plate of the donor site naturally grew and recovered nearly normal. Depression formation was observed at part of the deck junction of the recipient site, and scars were left in the pulp and fibular side of the hallux. At the final follow-up, the reconstructed fingers recovered protective sensation and tactile sense, and the 2PD of the reconstructed fingers was 9 mm and 10 mm in two cases. The SWM score was 3.60-4.31, mean 3.96. The results were the monofilament specifications and indicating the protective sensation was diminished. Functional evaluation of reconstructed fingers: 9 fingers in 8 cases scored 13-14 points, all reaching an excellent level. All patients were satisfied with the surgical results.Conclusion:Based on the concept and technology of full reconstruction, the fingertip defects of the thumb and finger can recover close to normal with the hallux tissue flap in the short-term, while ensuring the overall shape and function of the hallux donor area, achieving a balance between the donor and recipient areas, and achieving satisfactory clinical results.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of reconstruction with the hallux tissue flap for the fingertip defects of thumb and fingers based on the concept and technique of full reconstruction.Methods:From September 2022 to February 2023, the patients with thumb and fingertip defects who were reconstructed using the concept and technology of full reconstruction in Xuzhou Renci Hospital were respective analysised. Based on the degree of defect in the nail bed, bone, and soft tissue of the hand, a hallux osteo-onychocutaneous flap or hallux nail flap was designed and harvested from the same side of the toe, and free transplantation was performed to reconstruct the damaged fingertip. The wounds in the donor site that could not be sutured primarily were treated with dressing change. The surgical complications, the appearance of the reconstructed finger and donor site, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (SWM) examination, 2-point discrimination (2PD) measurement, and patient satisfaction were regularly recorded. According to the functional evaluation criteria for thumb and finger reconstruction issued by the Hand Surgery of the Chinese Medical Association, the function of the reconstructed fingers was evaluated as excellent (13-15 points), good (9-12 points), fair (5-8 points), and poor (≤4 points). The patients were investigated whether they were satisfied with the outcomes.Results:A total of 8 patients (9 fingers) including 5 males and 3 females were enrolled. The average age was 32.4 years (range, 22-46 years). There were 1 thumb, 2 index fingers, 5 middle fingers, and 1 ring finger. 7 cases (8 fingers) were repaired with the hallux osteo-onychocutaneous flap, and 1 case (1 finger) was repaired with the hallux nail flap. All the reconstructed fingers survived uneventfully, and the recipient site healed primarily, and the donor site healed after dressing change, without infection and other complications. All the 8 patients (9 fingers) were followed up for 3-7 months. The nail plate of the donor site naturally grew and recovered nearly normal. Depression formation was observed at part of the deck junction of the recipient site, and scars were left in the pulp and fibular side of the hallux. At the final follow-up, the reconstructed fingers recovered protective sensation and tactile sense, and the 2PD of the reconstructed fingers was 9 mm and 10 mm in two cases. The SWM score was 3.60-4.31, mean 3.96. The results were the monofilament specifications and indicating the protective sensation was diminished. Functional evaluation of reconstructed fingers: 9 fingers in 8 cases scored 13-14 points, all reaching an excellent level. All patients were satisfied with the surgical results.Conclusion:Based on the concept and technology of full reconstruction, the fingertip defects of the thumb and finger can recover close to normal with the hallux tissue flap in the short-term, while ensuring the overall shape and function of the hallux donor area, achieving a balance between the donor and recipient areas, and achieving satisfactory clinical results.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic efficiency of various types of Flow-through flap in the reconstruction of soft tissue defect with defect of proper palmar digital artery.Methods:Retrospective analysis was carried out on 22 patients who were treated with perforator flap of posterior interosseous artery, venous flap, the superficial palmar branch of radial artery flap, and "C" shaped flap of the great toe for soft tissue defects of hands with defects of palmar proper digital artery in the Department of Hand Surgery of Xuzhou Renci Hospital from January 2019 to January 2023. The patients were 15 males and 7 females with an average age of 39.5 (21-61) years old. The injured digits were 1 thumb, 6 index fingers, 8 middle fingers, 5 ring fingers and 2 little fingers. Ten injuries were of left hand and 12 of right hand. The wound size was 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm-4.5 cm × 3.0 cm, and the flap size was 2.0 cm × 1.5 cm-5.0 cm × 4.0 cm. The donor site wound were directly sutured and closed or treated by dressing changes to heal. Postoperative follow-ups were arranged at 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery at outpatient clinic, through telephone or WeChat interviews. The flap survival, postoperative complications at donor and recipient sites, patient satisfaction and range of motion of interphalangeal joint were observed and recorded.Results:Twenty flaps survived uneventfully. Tension vesicles appeared on the 2 arterialised venous flaps and healed after dressing changes. All donor sites healed uneventfully. All patients were included in the postoperative follow-up for an average of 10.3 (6-24) months. Appearance of the perforator flaps of posterior interosseous artery was bloated and the movement of interphalangeal joint was limited in 1 digit, however the patient refused a further flap thinning surgery. Scar dissection was performed on 1 of the venous flaps in stage II surgery. The rest of 20 patients were satisfied with the appearance of flaps hence no further thinning surgery was performed. According to Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, 12 cases were evaluated as excellent, 9 cases as good, and 1 case as poor at the last follow-up. The mean static TPD was found at 6.9 (5-11) mm, and the average Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (SWM) test was found at 4.47 (3.61-6.65).Conclusion:The 4 types of perforator flap can be employed in the reconstruction of digital defect with defect of palmar proper digital artery in a one-stage surgery with satisfactory outcomes. Surgeons can accordingly make individualised surgical plans as required for the patients.

ObjectiveTo predict the potential nephrotoxic components in traditional Chinese medicine health food products based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Toxicity Alert System and Basic Toxicology Database （TCMTAS-BTD）， screen and validate the predicted components by cell and animal experiments， and decipher the mechanism of nephrotoxicity by network pharmacology. MethodTCMTAS-BTD was utilized to predict the toxicity of 3 540 compounds found in the catalogue of traditional Chinese health food ingredients. In the cell experiment， the top 5 compounds with high toxicity probability were screened by measurement of cell proliferation and viability （CCK-8） and high-content screening. ICR mice were randomized into a control group， a low-dose （2.91 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） ecliptasaponin A， and a high-dose （29.1 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） ecliptasaponin A group， with 10 mice in each group， and treated continuously for 28 days. During the experiment， the general conditions of the rats were observed， and the kidney index was calculated. The levels of serum creatinine （SCr） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） in the serum as well as the content of malondialdehyde （MDA） and superoxide dismutase （SOD） in the renal tissue were measured. The pathological changes of the kidney were observed. Network pharmacology was employed to predict the potential pathways of nephrotoxicity. Finally， the pathway-associated proteins were validated by Western blot. ResultThe top 5 compounds with high probability of nephrotoxicity were ecliptasaponin A， chrysophanol， rutaecarpine， tanshinoneⅠ， and geniposidic acid. In the cell experiment， CCK-8 results showed that 10 μmol·L^-1 ecliptasaponin A， 60 μmol·L^-1 chrysophanol， 40 μmol·L^-1 rutaecarpine， and 20 μmol·L^-1 tanshinone I altered the viability of HK-2 cells. High-content analysis showed that 10 μmol·L^-1 ecliptasaponin A， chrysophanol， rutaecarpine， and tanshinone Ⅰ reduced the cell number （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The animal experiment showed that the mice in the high-dose ecliptasaponin A group presented slow movement， slow weight gain （P<0.01）， increased kidney index （P<0.01）， elevated SCr， BUN， and MDA levels （P<0.01）， and lowered SOD level （P<0.01）. Mild histopathological changes were observed in the high-dose ecliptasaponin A group. The network pharmacology results showed that the key targets of nephrotoxicity induced by ecliptasaponin A were mainly enriched in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway， prostatic cancer and lipid and atherosclerosis pathways. Western blot results verified that high dose of ecliptasaponin A raised the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt （P<0.01）. ConclusionOn day 28 of administration， 29.1 mg·kg^-1 ecliptasaponin A was found to induce renal injury in rats. The mechanism may be related with the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway， which implied that excessive and prolonged usage of Ecliptae Herba may increase the incidence of adverse drug reactions.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of Tanreqing injection （TRQ） on the pulmonary flora in the rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）. MethodWistar rats were randomized into control， model， and TRQ groups. The rats in other groups except the control group were treated by smoking combined with intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide for the modeling of COPD. The TRQ group was intraperitoneally injected with TRQ （2 g·kg^-1）. At the end of the experiment， after blood collection from the abdominal aorta of the rats， the lung tissue was collected for hematoxylin-eosin and picric sirius red staining to reveal the pathological changes. The lung lavage fluid was collected， and the diversity and relative abundance of lung flora in different groups were analyzed by 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. ResultThe lungs of the control group were normal， and those of the model group showed neutrophil infiltration， telangiectasia， lung hemorrhage and emphysema in individual cases， and thickening of collagen fibers in the trachea. Compared with the model group， the TRQ group showed significantly improved lungs and recovered collagen fibers. The MLI analysis showed that compared with the control group， the model group showcased increased alveolar space （P<0.01）， which was reduced in the TRQ group （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， the model group showed increased wall thickness （P<0.01）， and the increase was attenuated in the TRQ group （P<0.01）. TRQ increased the Simpson index and altered the α diversity of pulmonary flora. The results of principal co-ordinate analysis showed that TRQ changed the β diversity and reduced the β diversity index of pulmonary flora. At the genus level， the model group showed increased relative abundance of g_Bacillus and g_Brevundimonas and decreased relative abundance of g_Pseudomonas， compared with the control group. After treatment with TRQ， the relative abundance of g_Stenotrophomonas increased， and that of g_Bacillus decreased. The LEfSe of differential taxa between groups showed that the modeling increased the relative abundance of g_Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group， and TRQ treatment increased the relative abundance of g_Rhodococcus and g_Stenotrophomonas. ConclusionTRQ can regulate the diversity of pulmonary flora and restore the balance of bacterial genera in the rat model of COPD， which may be one of the mechanisms of the prevention and treatment of COPD with TRQ.

ObjectiveTo construct a cough model induced by chemical stimuli by whole-body plethysmography （WBP） for counting coughs based on cough waveforms， and use this model to explore the antitussive effect of GK-A. MethodDifferent chemical stimuli were used to induce coughs in mice or guinea pigs. Respiratory waveforms were monitored by WBP， and the recognizable and typical cough waveforms were selected for cough counting. Guinea pigs were induced to cough with different concentrations of citric acid or capsaicin， and cough waveforms were used to optimize the stimulation conditions. The optimized guinea pig model of cough was validated with dextromethorphan， and the optimized guinea pig model of capsaicin-induced cough was used to evaluate the antitussive effect of GK-A. ResultWBP could count the coughs induced by capsaicin and citric acid in guinea pigs by recognizable and typical respiratory waveforms. The optimized stimulation conditions were capsaicin concentration of 100 µmol·L^-1 and nebulization for 2 min. The validation results showed that compared with the model group， the dextromethorphan group of guinea pigs had reduced coughs （P<0.05） and prolonged cough latency （P<0.01）. GK-A prolonged the cough latency （P<0.05） and reduced coughs （P<0.05） in the mouse model of ammonia-induced cough. In the guinea pig model of capsaicin-induced cough， GK-A prolonged cough latency （P<0.05）， reduced coughs （P<0.05）， and decreased substance P （SP） content in the guinea pig serum （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionA guinea pig model of capsaicin-induced cough was successfully established based on cough waveform counting， which provided an objective and accurate cough counting method. GK-A has antitussive effects， possibly by inhibiting the neuropeptide SP.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic efficiency of multiple forms of microdissected perforator flaps in the reconstruction of limb defect.Methods:The data of patients treated in the Department of Hand Surgery of Xuzhou Renci Hospital from June 2020 to June 2022 for repairing wound of hands, feet, limbs and popliteal fosses with microdissected perforator flap were retrospectively analyzed. CT angiography and color Doppler ultrasound were performed in all patients before surgery to locate perforator vessels, design the donor flap, and cut the flap retrograde according to the design line. After confirming good blood supple, the flap was harvested under the microscope, and fat particles were cut around the vascular pedicle by "insect eating" technique. After that, the flap was transferred to the recipient area, completed the vascular anastomosis, and placed the drainage tube. The donor site was closed directly. The blood circulation of the flap was observed closely after operation. Regular follow-up visits were conducted in outpatient clinics, door-to-door visits and WeChat to record sensory recovery and complications. Postoperative wound healing, flap shape, flap sensation, flap temperature and scar in donor area were evaluated using the efficacy satisfaction scale, which was divided into four grades: excellent (2 points), good (1 point), fair (0 point) and poor (-1 point). The total score of 5-10 was satisfactory, 0-4 was average, and -1--5 was unsatisfactory.Results:A total of 16 patients were included, including 8 males and 8 females. The age ranged from 26 to 65 years, with an average age of 45.9 years. There were 2 cases of upper limb soft tissue defect, 2 cases of hand degloving injury, 11 cases of hand skin soft tissue defect, and 1 case of popliteal soft tissue defect. The wound size ranged from 3.0 cm×4.5 cm to 13.0 cm×30.0 cm. Free medial sural artery perforator flap was used in 4 cases, interosseous dorsal artery perforator flap in 1 case, anterolateral femoral perforator flap in 6 cases, thoracic umbilical flap in 1 case, anterolateral femoral perforator flap combined with superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap in 1 case, and superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap in 3 cases. The size of the skin flap was 3.5 cm×5.0 cm - 9.5 cm×30.0 cm. After operation, 15 cases of flaps successfully survived, 1 case of venous crisis occurred 1 day after operation, and successfully survived after exploration and re-anastomosis of blood vessels. The wounds in the donor area healed in one stage without wound infection, delayed healing and other complications. All patients were follow-up for 7 to 18 months (mean 12.1 months), the skin flap survived well, no pigmentation, bloated appearance, and no patients requested secondary thinning treatment. The skin flap sensation recovered light touch in 1 case, protective sense in 9 cases and deep touch only in 6 cases. No significant thickening of skin flap was observed in the later period of follow-up, and skin flap wear was observed in 1 patient. There were only linear scars left in the donor area, and there were no obvious abnormalities in appearance and function. Efficacy satisfaction evaluation showed that all patients were satisfied with the therapeutic effect, scoring 6-9 points, with an average of 7.8 points.Conclusion:Microdissected perforator flap technique provides a one-stage surgical solution for aesthetic and functional areas with high requirements, and satisfactory clinical efficiencies can be obtained.