ObjectiveTo investigate the neuroprotective effects of Tiaoseng decoction on a perimenopausal depression （PMD） rat model and to examine its regulatory influence on the estrogen receptor β （ERβ）/monoamine oxidase A （MAOA）/c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK） signaling pathway， thereby elucidating its potential mechanisms of action. MethodsForty-eight female Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were divided into a sham group， a model group， a 17β-estradiol （E₂） group （2.5 × 10^-5 g·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose Tiaoseng decoction groups （9.69， 19.37， 38.74 g·kg^-1） by using a random number table method， with eight rats in each group. The PMD model was replicated using ovariectomy （OVX） combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） and was treated continuously with 17β-E₂ and different doses of Tiaoseng decoction for 28 d， once a day. Depressive-like behaviors were assessed using the sucrose preference test， open-field test， and forced swim test. Histopathological changes in the prefrontal cortex were examined using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Nissl staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to measure serum levels of E₂， luteinizing hormone （LH）， and follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， as well as reactive oxygen species （ROS）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） levels in the prefrontal cortex. Mitochondrial ultrastructure of prefrontal cortex neurons was observed via transmission electron microscopy. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） was used to detect neuronal apoptosis in the prefrontal cortex. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was applied to analyze the protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）， postsynaptic density protein95 （PSD95）， and synaptophysin （SYP） in the prefrontal cortex. Immunofluorescence （IF） was conducted to evaluate the average fluorescence intensity of ERβ and MAOA in the prefrontal cortex. Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to determine the protein and mRNA expression levels of key molecules in the ERβ/MAOA/JNK signaling pathway in the prefrontal cortex. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the model group had significantly reduced sugar-water preference index， total distance traveled， average speed， and activity time in the central region in the open field experiment， E₂ content， and SOD content （P<0.01） and significantly reduced BDNF， PSD95， SYP， and ERβ expression and B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）/Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） ratio （P<0.01）. Additionally， the model group exhibited severe histopathological damage， disrupted mitochondrial structure， cristae disappearance or fracture， swelling， and deformation in the prefrontal lobe. The immobilization time of forced swimming， TUNEL positivity， LH， FSH， MDA， ROS， MAOA， Caspase-3， p-JNK/JNK， and p-c-Jun/c-Jun were significantly increased in the model group compared with the sham group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the low-， medium-， and high-dose Tiaoseng decoction groups and the 17β-E₂ group had increased sugar-water preference index， total distance traveled， average speed， and activity time in the central region in the open-field test， E₂ content， and SOD content （P<0.05， P<0.01） and elevated BDNF， PSD95， SYP， and ERβ expression and Bcl-2/Bax ratio （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， histopathological damage to the prefrontal lobe was improved to different degrees， and mitochondrial structure was gradually repaired. The immobilization time of forced swimming， TUNEL positivity， LH， FSH， MDA， ROS， MAOA， Caspase-3， p-JNK/JNK and p-c-Jun/c-Jun were significantly reduced in the low-， medium-， and high-dose Tiaoseng decoction groups and the 17β-E₂ group compared with the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionTiaoseng decoction has significant neuroprotective effects on PMD model rats， which can alleviate perimenopausal depressive disorder by inhibiting oxidative stress， attenuating neuronal apoptosis， and restore synaptic plasticity via ERβ/MAOA/JNK signaling pathway regulation.

[Objective] To explore the clinical features of IgG4-related urinary diseases so as to provide reference for the diagnosis and treatment of such diseases. [Methods] The clinical data of 4 cases of IgG4-related urinary system diseases diagnosed and treated in Xijing Hospital of Air Force Medical University during Aug.2019 and Dec.2023 were retrospectively collected.Here, we report on the diagnosis and treatment of these patients, analysing their symptoms, serology, imaging and pathology as well as their treatment and outcomes. [Results] The patients included 2 male and 2 female.The lesions were involved with the retroperitoneum and urinary system.Three patients had symptoms of lumbar pain.The imaging manifestations were complex, including retroperitoneal mass involving urinary system organs in 2 cases, tabdense shadow of the right kidney in 1 case, and simple cystic mass of kidney in 1 case.Serum IgG4 value was not detected before surgery.All patients underwent radical surgical treatment.Postoperative pathology showed fibrous tissue hyperplasia with a large number of plasma cells, lymphocytes, a few neutrophil infiltrates, and lymphoid follicles and obliterated vasculitis in some specimens.The number of IgG4⁺ plasma cells was more than 10 in all tissues under high power microscope.After surgery, 3 patients had symptoms improved, and serum IgG4 value was within the normal range; 1 patient (patem 3) had elevated IgG4 value during follow-up, received subsequent hormone therapy, and the serum IgG 4 level remained stable. [Conclusion] The symptoms of IgG4-related diseases involving the urinary system are non-specific, and the imaging findings are various, easily confused with other diseases.Early detection of serum IgG4 and biopsy pathology can help clinicians make correct diagnosis in the early stage.

Objective To investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection on the early clinical outcomes of patients undergoing valve replacement. Methods Perioperative data of patients who underwent single valve replacement at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army Medical University from January to February 2023 were consecutively collected. Based on COVID-19 infection status, patients were divided into a COVID-19 group and a non-COVID-19 group. The perioperative data were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 136 patients were included, comprising 53 males and 83 females, with a mean age of (53.4±10.2) years. There were 32 patients receiving aortic valve replacements, 102 mitral valve replacements, and 2 tricuspid valve replacements. The COVID-19 group comprised 70 patients, and the non-COVID-19 group included 66 patients. No statistical difference was observed in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups [9.09% (6/66) vs. 11.43% (8/70), P=0.654]. However, the COVID-19 group had longer postoperative mechanical ventilation duration [1 201.00 (1 003.75, 1 347.75) min vs. 913.50 (465.50, 1 251.00) min, P=0.001] and ICU stay [3 (2, 3) days vs. 2 (2, 3) days, P<0.001] compared to the non-COVID-19 group. Additionally, troponin I [4.76 (2.55, 7.93) ng/mL vs. 2.66 (1.19, 5.65) ng/mL, P=0.001] and brain natriuretic peptide [608.50 (249.75, 1 150.00) pg/mL vs. 192.00 (100.93, 314.75) pg/mL, P<0.001] levels were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group. Conclusion For patients with single valve disease undergoing elective surgery, short-term outcomes after recovery from COVID-19 infection are favorable, with no significant increase in in-hospital mortality or postoperative complication rates.

Background::Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and diameter, stiffness, and wave reflections, are independent and important clinical biomarkers and risk predictors for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to establish nationwide reference values of carotid properties for healthy Chinese adults and to explore potential clinical determinants.Methods::A total of 3053 healthy Han Chinese adults (1922 women) aged 18-79 years were enrolled at 28 collaborating tertiary centers throughout China between April 2021 and July 2022. The real-time tracking of common carotid artery walls was achieved by the radio frequency (RF) ultrasound system. The IMT, diameter, compliance coefficient, β stiffness, local pulse wave velocity (PWV), local systolic blood pressure, augmented pressure (AP), and augmentation index (AIx) were then automatically measured and reported. Data were stratified by age groups and sex. The relationships between age and carotid property parameters were analyzed by Jonckheere-Terpstra test and simple linear regressions. The major clinical determinants of carotid properties were identified by Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression, and analyses of covariance.Results::All the parameters of carotid properties demonstrated significantly age-related trajectories. Women showed thinner IMT, smaller carotid diameter, larger AP, and AIx than men. The β stiffness and PWV were significantly higher in men than women before forties, but the differences reversed after that. The increase rate of carotid IMT (5.5 μm/year in women and 5.8 μm/year in men) and diameter (0.03 mm/year in both men and women) were similar between men and women. For the stiffness and wave reflections, women showed significantly larger age-related variations than men as demonstrated by steeper regression slopes (all P for age by sex interaction <0.05). The blood pressures, body mass index (BMI), and triglyceride levels were identified as major clinical determinants of carotid properties with adjustment of age and sex. Conclusions::The age- and sex-specific reference values of carotid properties measured by RF ultrasound for healthy Chinese adults were established. The blood pressures, BMI, and triglyceride levels should be considered for clinical application of corresponding reference values.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between plasma total α-synuclein (α-syn), phosphorylated α-synuclein (p-α-syn), neurofilament light chain(NfL) and subtypes of Parkinson disease(PD).Methods:A total of 62 PD patients admitted to the Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Huai 'an No. 1 People 's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2021 to January 2023 were selected and scored on the Hoehn-Yahr stage(H-Y), unified Parkinson's disease rating scale Ⅲ(UPDRS-Ⅲ), levodopa equivalent daily dosage(LEDD), mini-mental state examination(MMSE), Parkinson disease quality of life questionnaire(PDQ-39) and activities of daily living(ADL). During the same period, 25 healthy individuals matched in age and sex were enrolled as the control group (HC). Clinical characteristics and blood samples were collected. The plasma levels of α-syn, p-α-syn and NfL were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). PD patients were divided into tremor dominant type (TD, n=27) and akinetic-rigid dominant type (AR, n=35) based on UPDRS-Ⅲ scores. Multifactorial Logistic regression analysis was performed by SPSS 25.0 software to determine the influencing factors of subtypes of Parkinson disease. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off point of plasma NfL between the AR type and the TD type. Results:Plasma α-syn, p-α-syn, NfL levels in the PD group were significantly higher than those of the HC group ( Z=-2.537, -6.580, -7.101, all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the AR type and the TD type in disease duration, H-Y stage, UPDRS-Ⅲ scores, LEDD and MMSE scores ( Z=-2.503, -3.021, -2.025, -2.086, -2.409, all P<0.05). While no significant difference was found in plasma α-syn and p-α-syn levels between the AR type and TD type ( Z=-0.341, -0.085, both P>0.05), the plasma NfL levels were notably higher in the AR type(92.79(16.84, 117.53) pg/mL) compared to the TD type (12.10(6.99, 100.17) pg/mL)( Z=-2.236, P<0.05). Plasma NfL levels were correlated with rigidity scores ( r=0.438, P<0.001), UPDRS-Ⅲ scores ( r=0.337, P<0.05) and motor subtypes ( r=0.286, P<0.05) in PD patients. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that NfL was risk factor for AR( B=0.002, OR=1.002, 95% CI=1.001-1.003, P=0.017). The ROC curve analysis indicated that plasma NfL levels could predict different subtypes of PD with an AUC=0.667, optimal cutoff =26.527. Conclusion:There is a correlation between elevated plasma NfL levels and the occurrence of AR type of PD, suggesting that nerve injury is probably involved in the occurrence and progression of various motor subtypes of PD.

Objective:This study aims to investigate the expression levels of α-synuclein(α-synuclein)and apolipoprotein A-1(ApoA1)in elderly patients with cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD)and their association with cognitive function.Methods:A total of 176 elderly patients diagnosed with CSVD and admitted to Huludao Central Hospital between September 2022 and February 2024 were retrospectively selected as research subjects.Based on their cognitive function at the time of admission, patients were categorized into a disorder group comprising 71 cases and a normal group consisting of 105 cases.General information was collected from the patients, and the serum expression levels of α-synuclein and ApoA1 were measured.Pearson correlation analysis was employed to assess the relationship between the expression levels of α-synuclein and ApoA1 and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA)scores.Furthermore, multi-factor logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify influencing factors, and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were generated to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum levels.Results:Patients in the disorder group were older than those in the normal group.Additionally, the MoCA score and serum α-synuclein levels were significantly higher in the disorder group, while ApoA1 levels were lower(all P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the MoCA score was negatively correlated with α-synuclein expression and positively correlated with ApoA1 expression(all P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age, smoking history, and α-synuclein levels are risk factors for cognitive dysfunction in patients with CSVD, whereas ApoA1 is identified as a protective factor for cognitive function in this population.Furthermore, ROC curve analysis demonstrated that serum α-synuclein and ApoA1 levels possess diagnostic value for cognitive dysfunction in patients.The area under the curve(AUC)for the combined predictions was 0.836, with sensitivity and specificity rates of 76.14% and 78.14%, respectively. Conclusions:Elderly patients with CSVD and cognitive dysfunction exhibit abnormally high levels of α-synuclein and abnormally low levels of ApoA1.Both factors are influential in the context of cognitive dysfunction among elderly patients with CSVD and contribute to improved diagnostic efficiency.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of oral-nasal oxygen supply mouth guard in painless gastroscopy for snoring patients.Methods:The snoring patients who underwent painless gastroscopy at two Endoscopy Centers of Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University in July 2022 were randomly divided into the observation group (using oral-nasal oxygen supply mouth guard) and the control group (using ordinary nasal oxygen tube and mouth guard). Parameters such as the wearing time and the removal time of the mouth guard, lowest pulse oxygen saturation (SpO 2), incidence of hypoxemia, and the satisfaction of medical staff were compared between the two groups. Results:The wearing time of mouth guard was 11.63±0.84 seconds and the removal time was 5.33±0.76 seconds in the observation group ( n=40), which were lower than those in the control group ( n=47) (14.91±1.21 seconds, t=-14.463, P<0.001; 10.38±0.80 seconds, t=-30.095, P<0.001). The wearing satisfaction score was 9.80±0.61, the lowest SpO 2 was (96.70±3.42)%, the removal satisfaction score was 9.75±0.67, and the anesthesiologists' satisfaction score was 9.20±1.42 in the observation group, which were higher than those in the control group [7.70±0.93, t=12.209, P<0.001; (94.06±3.72)%, t=3.417, P=0.001; 7.96±0.98, t=9.803, P<0.001; 8.13±1.35, t=3.615, P=0.001] with significant difference. There was no significant difference in the incidence of hypoxemia [10.00% (4/40) VS 14.89% (7/47), χ2=0.130, P=0.718] and endoscopic physician satisfaction score (9.30±0.97 VS 9.02±1.31, t=1.112, P=0.269) between the two groups. Conclusion:The oral-nasal oxygen supply mouth guard is easy to wear and remove, effectively reducing SpO 2 fluctuations during painless gastroscopy for snoring patients. It can enhance medical staff satisfaction with high clinical value.

Objective To explore the anesthetic effect of low-dose esketamine combined with ciprofol in painless induced abortion and its effect on postoperative negative emotions.Methods A total of 100 pregnant women scheduled for elective painless induced abortion at the Gynecological Surgery Center of the Second Hospital of Jiaxing from July to November 2023 were selected as study subjects.Using the random number table method,they were divided into control group and observation group,with 50 cases in each group.The control group received intravenous injection of 10 μg/kg alfentanil and 0.4 mg/kg ciprofol for induction,while the observation group received intravenous injection of 0.3 mg/kg esketamine,10 μg/kg alfentanil and 0.4 mg/kg ciprofol for induction.Adverse reaction rates and changes in heart rate(HR),mean arterial pressure(MAP),and percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation(SpO2)at different time points were observed in both groups.Additionally,the consumption of ciprofol,induction time,operation time,awakening time,orientation recovery time,and the degree of uterine contraction pain were evaluated in both groups.The emotional states of the women in both groups were recorded one day before surgery,the first day after surgery,and the third day after surgery.Results The incidence rates of hypotension,hypoxemia,respiratory depression,and body movement in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group,ciprofol consumption in observation group was significantly less than that in control group,and the induction time,awakening time,and orientation recovery time in observation group were significantly shorter than those in control group(P＜0.05).At T1,HR,MAP,and SpO2 of observation group were significantly higher than those of control group(P＜0.05).From T2 to T3,HR and MAP of observation group were significantly higher than those of control group(P＜0.05).The visual analog scale scores at awakening,30 minutes after awakening,and 60 minutes after awakening in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group(P＜0.05).The self-rating anxiety scale and self-rating depression scale scores of observation group on the first and third days after surgery were significantly lower than those of control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Low-dose esketamine combined with ciprofol can significantly reduce the incidence of perioperative adverse reactions,alleviate postoperative pain,maintain a positive emotional state,and accelerate postoperative recovery.It is a safe and effective anesthetic strategy.

Objective:To investigate the related risk factors of surgical appendectomy after endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) in children.Methods:From September 2019 to November 2023 at the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University,the data from all related children with appendectomy after ERAT were analyzed. The general situation and main clinical manifestations of the children were collected. According to the effect of ERAT,the patients were divided into transfer to surgical group and appendicitis recurrence group by the reasons and time of transfer to surgical treatment. The indexes such as ERAT and reoperation process and pathological types of appendix after operation were collected,and the clinical experience was summarized.Results:Among the 242 children who underwent ERAT,32 cases underwent appendectomy again,including 19 males and 13 females,with an average age of（9.16±2.77）years,and the reoperation rate was 13.2%. The clinical manifestation was abdominal pain (32 cases,100.0%),mainly right lower abdominal pain (28 cases,87.5%),and the main duration was less than 3 months (30 cases,93.8%). Abdominal ultrasound or CT before ERAT mainly indicated appendicitis (11 cases,34.4%) and appendicitis complicated with appendiceal calculus (11 cases,34.4%). There were 9 children in transferred to surgical group,of which 5 cases were transferred to surgery because of ERAT intubation failure,and 4 cases were transferred to surgery because of appendix perforation or abscess. Postoperative pathology showed acute suppurative appendicitis in 5 cases and acute gangrenous appendicitis in 4 cases. There were 23 children in appendicitis recurrence group,whose abdominal pain was relieved after ERAT,but their symptoms were repeated after discharge. After clinical evaluation,they were diagnosed as recurrent appendicitis and underwent surgical appendectomy. Most of them were reoperated within 6 months after ERAT (21 cases,91.3%).Postoperative pathology was mainly chronic appendicitis (10 cases,43.5%).Conclusion:Acute suppurative appendicitis and acute gangrenous appendicitis are prone to catheterization or endoscopic failure during ERAT,and there is a high risk of surgical transfer. ERAT may relieve the symptoms of chronic appendicitis in children. If the symptoms are repeated,surgery is still needed to remove the appendix.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the levels of serum neuron-specific enolase(NSE)and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)and the attack stage and prognosis of children with epilepsy secondary to viral encephalitis(VE).Methods A total of 96 children with VE admitted to the People's Hospital Affiliated to Inner Mongolia Medical University from January 2015 to January 2020 were selected as the research subjects,and they were divided into the control group(children with VE,n=30)and the observation group(children with epilepsy secondary to VE,n=66).In addition,30 healthy children who underwent physical examination in the hospital during the same period were selected as the health group.The levels of serum NSE and TNF-α in the health group,control group and observation group were compared.Children in the observation group were further divided into the 24h relapse group(n=48)and 24h non-relapse group(n=18)according to the attack of disease within 24h after admission.The levels of serum NSE and TNF-α were compared between the two groups.Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between the levels of NSE,TNF-α and the attack stage of epilepsy secondary to VE.Children in the observation group were divided into the good prognosis group(n=45)and the poor prognosis group(n=21)according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale score at discharge.The serum levels of NSE,TNF-α and other possible prognostic factors were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the prognostic factors of children with epilepsy secondary to VE,and the predictive value of serum NSE and TNF-αlevels on the prognosis of children with epilepsy secondary to VE was analyzed by drawing the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results The level of serum NSE in the control group was significantly higher than that in the health group(P＜0.05),and there was no significant difference in the level of serum TNF-α between the control group and the health group(P＞0.05).The serum levels of NSE and TNF-α in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The serum levels of NSE and TNF-α in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The levels of serum NSE and TNF-α in the 24 h relapse group were significantly higher than those in the 24 h non-relapse group(P＜0.05).The proportion of severe abnormal EEG,severe abnormal brain images and complicated respiratory failure,and serum levels of c-reactive protein,NSE and TNF-α in the good prognosis group were lower than those in the poor prognosis group(P＜0.05);there were no significant differences in sex,age,body mass,brain injury site,fever,hypokalemia,hyponatremia,previous convulsions,stress hyperglycemia,complicated organ dysfunction,viral infection,first episode of epilepsy,Glasgow Coma Scale score at admission,duration of convulsion,length of hospital stay,white blood cell count,aspartate transaminase,creatine kinase and cardiac troponin levels between the two groups(P＞0.05).The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that complicated respiratory failure,serum NSE and TNF-α levels were correlated with the prognosis of children with epilepsy secondary to VE(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of serum NSE and TNF-α levels in predicting the prognosis of children with epilepsy secondary to VE was 0.724(95％confidence interval:0.672-0.776)and 0.689(95％confidence interval:0.637-0.734),respectively,with a sensitivity of 82.22％and 75.56％and a specificity of 76.19％and 71.43％;the AUC of the combination of the two in predicting the prognosis of children with epilepsy secondary to VE was 0.826(95％confidence interval:0.774-0.873),with a sensitivity of 73.33％and a specificity of 80.95％.Conclusion The serum levels of NSE and TNF-α are abnormally high in children with epilepsy secondary to VE.Both of them are factors affecting the prognosis of children with epilepsy secondary to VE,showing a good predictive value for the prognosis of epilepsy secondary to VE.