ObjectiveTo investigate the improvement effect of Qibai Pingfei capsules on pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats at different stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） and to analyze its possible mechanism of action. MethodsMale Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a normal group， an early COPD model group， an advanced COPD model group， an early-intervention high-dose group， a late-intervention high-dose group， an early-intervention low-dose group， a late-intervention low-dose group， an early-intervention pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate （PDTC） group， and a late-intervention PDTC group， with 15 rats in each group. A rat model of early COPD was constructed by using cigarette smoke combined with airway infusion using lipopolysaccharide（LPS）， and a rat model of advanced COPD was constructed by using airway infusion with LPS， cigarette smoke， and hypoxia. All groups except the normal group were given LPS airway drops on days 1 and 14 of the experiment， smoked for 1 h per day， and administered the drug once a day for 40 weeks from day 15 onward. In the high- and low-dose groups， rats were given 1 g·kg^-1 and 250 mg·kg^-1 Qibai Pingfei capsules， respectively by gavage， and in PDTC groups， rats were given 100 mg·kg^-1 of PDTC by intraperitoneal injection. The advanced COPD model group underwent 6 h of hypoxia per day in weeks 5-6. Lung function and mean pulmonary artery pressure were tested in rats. Morphologic changes in lung tissues were detected by hematoxylin-eosin（HE）staining. Collagen deposition in lung tissues was examined by Masson staining， and the levels of inflammatory factors including interleukin-1β（IL-1β）， interleukin-6（IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）in lung tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The number of inflammatory cells in the alveolar lavage fluid of rats in each group was detected by Giemsa staining， and the protein expression of Toll-like receptor 4（TLR4）， myeloid differentiation factor 88（MyD88）， nuclear factor-κB（NF-κB）， TNF-α， vascular endothelial-cadherin（VE-cadherin）， α-smooth muscle actin（α-SMA）， and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1（CD31） was detected by Western blot in the lung tissues of rats. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly decreased forced expiratory volume in 0.3 s （FEV_0.3）， forced vital capacity （FVC）， and FEV_0.3/FVC ratio related to lung function （P<0.05）， thickening of pulmonary vasculature， increased collagen deposition in the lungs， and enhanced mean pulmonary arterial pressure and expression levels of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α （P<0.05）. Additionally， the model group also exhibited increased numbers of macrophages， lymphocytes， and neutrophils （P<0.05）， significantly higher protein expression of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， TNF-α， and α-SMA （P<0.05）， and significantly lower protein expression of VE-cadherin and CD31 （P<0.05）. Lung function was significantly improved in the Qibai Pingfei capsules groups compared with the model group （P<0.05）， with mean pulmonary arterial pressure reduced and pulmonary vascular thickening and collagen deposition in the lungs ameliorated. The Qibai Pingfei capsules groups also showed reduced expression levels of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α （P<0.05） and decreased numbers of macrophages， lymphocytes， and neutrophils （P<0.05）， as well as reduced protein expression of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， TNF-α， and α-SMA （P<0.05） and elevated protein expression of VE-cadherin and CD31 （P<0.05） in rat lung tissues. ConclusionQibai Pingfei capsules inhibits inflammatory response and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition probably by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway， thus improving pulmonary vascular remodeling in COPD model rats and showing therapeutic effects in the early stage of COPD.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the results of auditory examination,vestibular function examination and laboratory examination of 63 patients diagnosed as vestibular neuritis.Methods:A total of 63 patients diagnosed with vestibular neuritis hospitalized in the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, from October 2012 to December 2022 were recruited. All patients met the diagnostic criteria for the 2022 Bárány association vestibular neuritis. Clinical data and the results of pure tone audiometry, electrocochleogram, video electronystagmogram, caloric test, cervical vestibuloevoked myogenic potential（cVEMP）, ocular vestibuloevoked myogenic potential（oVEMP）, video head impulse test（vHIT） was collected.A total of 63 age-and sex-matched healthy subjects in the physical examination center were randomly selected as the control group. The differences of blood indexs and lipid metabolism indexes between the two groups were compared. Results:In patients with vestibular neuritis, 50 out of 63 patients presented normal threshold in pure tone audiometry, 8 out of 63 patients had bilateral high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss and 5 out of 63 patients had unilateral mild high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss, 56 out of 63 cases completed the electrocochleogram, of which 3 cases had a binaural-SP/AP amplitude ratio≥0.4, 5 cases had monaural amplitude ratio ≥0.4. Fifty-five out of 63 patients completed the caloric test with CP values greater than 30% in all. The ratio of patients completed cVEMP, oVEMP and vHIT were 46 cases, 22 cases and 30 cases, respectively. 17 out of 63 cases completed all the four vestibular function tests. According to these tests, 49 patients could determine the extent of injury，including 27 cases with unilateral superior vestibular nerve injury, 21 cases with unilateral superior and inferior vestibular nerve injury and 1 case with unilateral inferior vestibular nerve injury. There were significant differences in neutrophil value（P<0.001）, lymphocyte value（P<0.005）, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio（P<0.001） and apolipoprotein A1（P<0.001） between patient group and control group. Inflammatory markers were risk factors for patients with vestibular neuritis. The OR values of neutrophil value and blood neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were 1.81（1.38-2.37, P<0.001） and 2.11（1.41-3.16, P<0.001）, respectively. Apolipoprotein A1 was a protective factor for patients with vestibular neuritis, and the OR value was 0.004（0.001-0.042, P<0.001）. Conclusion:Electrocochleogram could be used in vestibular neuritis patients with normal pure tone threshold to test whether there is hidden hearing loss in these patients. Neutrophil value, lymphocyte value, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and apolipoprotein A1 were correlated with vestibular neuritis. The Neutrophil value and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were risk factors for morbidity.
Humans ; Vestibular Neuronitis/physiopathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Male ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Vestibular Function Tests ; Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials ; Aged

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) remains a critical complication contributing to graft dysfunction following liver surgery. As part of an ongoing search for hepatoprotective natural products, five previously unreported homoadamantane-type polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs), named hyperhomanoons A-E (1-5), and one known analog, hypersampsone O (6), were isolated from Hypericum patulum. Among these, compound 6 demonstrated potent protective effects against CoCl₂-induced hypoxic injury in hepatocytes. Furthermore, in a murine model of hepatic IRI induced by vascular occlusion, pretreatment with 6 markedly alleviated liver damage and reduced hepatocyte apoptosis. This study is the first to identify PPAPs as promising scaffolds for the development of therapeutic agents targeting hepatic IRI, underscoring their potential as lead compounds in drug discovery efforts for ischemic liver diseases.
Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control* ; Animals ; Hypericum/chemistry* ; Phloroglucinol/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Humans ; Male ; Liver/blood supply* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Molecular Structure ; Protective Agents/pharmacology* ; Hepatocytes/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Liver Diseases/drug therapy*

Objective:To discuss the clinical presentations,diagnosis,and treatment methods of the patients with Fournier's gangrene,and to enhance the clinicians'awareness of this condition.Methods:The clinical data including symptoms,signs,radiological findings,and surgical outcomes of one patient with Fournier's gangrene were collected.The relevant literatures were reviewed to summarize the clinical characteristics,diagnosis,and treatment methods for this condition.Results:The patient,a 42-year-old male,was admitted because of a history of infection around the perineum,scrotum,and perianal area for 13 d.His medical history included acute myeloid leukemia for 10 months,during which the patient underwent eight chemotherapy sessions in the local hospital.The abdominal CT scan results showed thickened,dense,and turbid soft tissue in the left inguinal area.The complete blood count reuslts showed the white blood cell count was 23.99×109 L-1.The cultures of wound secretions grew the Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis.The examination results showed there was necrosis of the scrotal skin and skin near the anus on the left buttock;the skin was blackened,hard,and demarcated from the surrounding normal skin with slight purulent exudation and no foul smell.The surrounding skin was significantly swollen and red;the rectal examination results showed no bleeding or fistulas.The patient underwent emergency debridement surgery on the admission day,followed by dressing changes,multiple applications of simplified negative pressure,perineal flap reconstruction,and skin grafting.The patient recovered well with normal function and had no complications.Conclusion:Fournier gangrene has acute onset and rapid progression,and the clinical manifestations are non-specific.The range of infection is not consistent with the progression of the disease.The diagnosis mainly depends on intraoperative exploration.Repeated radical surgery is the main treatment.The prognosis of this disease is good,and the recurrence rate is low,although long-term follow-up is still necessary after surgery.

Objective To summarize and analyze the clinical first aid characteristics and etiology classi-fication of adult acute laryngeal obstruction so as to guide the targeted treatment in clinic.Methods The clini-cal data of the patients with the main symptoms such as suffocation and inspiratory dyspnea visiting in this hospital from January 2015 to December 2021 were collected.They conducted emergency tracheotomy for first aid,and their etiological distribution and characteristics were analyzed.Results A total of 94 patients with a-cute laryngeal obstruction and emergency tracheotomy caused by various causes were collected,73 males and 21 females,aged (65.44±12.23)years old.The proportions of disease causes from high to low were in turn 60 cases of tumor (63.83％),12 cases of bilateral vocal cord paralysis (12.77％),11 cases of inflammation (11.70％),5 cases of trauma (5.32％),2 cases of laryngeal edema (2.13％),2 cases of giant foreign matter (2.13％) and 2 cases of tube taking off after tracheotomy (2.13％).The age had the statistical difference a-mong different etiologies (F=4.463,P=0.001).The age in the patients with tumor,infection and bilateral vocal cord paralysis was greater than that of the other groups with statistical difference[(67.21±10.45)years old vs.(52.00±16.42)years old,t=2.993,P=0.012].The male patients with different severities of acute la-ryngeal obstruction were more than female patients,but the difference in the sex composition was not statisti-cally significant (P=0.469).Among the patients with emergency tracheotomy,there were 6 cases of compli-cating incision bleeding and 5 cases of subcutaneous emphysema;1 case of right pneumothorax complicating apposite side atelectasis,and all were improved by symptomatic treatment.Conclusion Acute laryngeal ob-struction in adults is critical.The common causes include tumor,bilateral vocal cord paralysis and inflamma-tion.The risk of emergency tracheotomy and complications occurrence risk are relatively high.

Objective:To analyze assessment value of the hemodynamics of posterior cerebral artery(PCA)detected by transcranial color-coded Doppler(TCCD)ultrasound for occurring cerebral infarction in patients with fetal-type posterior cerebral artery(FTP).Methods:A total of 300 patients with suspected cerebrovascular disease admitted to the Department of Neurology of The Second Hospital of Harbin City from January,2020 to December 31,2023 were retrospectively selected.In these patients,7 cases with cerebral hemorrhage(without complication of cerebral infarction)did not be included.According to the clinical manifestations and the results of imaging examination,293 patients were divided into transient ischemic attack(TIA)group(176 cases)and acute ischemic stroke(AIS)group(117 cases).The differences in FTP detection between TCCD examination and magnetic resonance angiography(MRA)were compared.The differences in PCA hemodynamics among TIA,anterior circulation infarction,posterior circulation infarction and lacunar infarction were compared.The proportions of patients with TIA,anterior circulation infarction,posterior circulation infarction and lacunar infarction combined with FTP were also compared,and the PCA hemodynamics of patients with posterior circulation infarction of bilateral cFTP,unilateral cFTP,bilateral pFTP,unilateral pFTP and nFTP were compared.The proportions of patients with transient ischemic attack(TIA)who occurring AIS at bilateral cFTP,unilateral cFTP,bilateral pFTP,unilateral pFTP and nFTP in short term were compared.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and area under curve(AUC)were used to assess the predictive value of abnormal PCA hemodynamics of TIA patients,who combined with and/or without FTP,occurred AIS in short term.Results:MRA revealed that a total of 89 patients combined with FTP in 293 patients,of which 14 cases were bilateral cFTP(accounting for 15.73%),and 25 cases were unilateral cFTP(accounting for 28.09%),and 8 cases were bilateral pFTP(accounting for 8.99%),and 42 cases were unilateral pFTP(accounting for 4 7.19%).According to TCCD testing,it was found that a total of 89 cases combined with FTP in 293 patients,of which 16 cases were bilateral cFTP(accounting for 17.98%),and 23 cases were unilateral cFTP(accounting for 25.84%),and 8 cases were bilateral pFTP(accounting for 8.99%),and 42 cases were unilateral pFTP(accounting for 47.19%).There was favorable consistency between TCCD and MRA(Kappa=0.899).Under TCCD,the blood flow velocity(Vp)and resistance index(RI)of systolic stage of PCA in patients with posterior circulation infarction were significantly higher than those in patients with TIA,anterior circulation infarction,and lacunar cerebral infarction(F=15.392,9.032,P<0.05),respectively.Patients with posterior circulation infarction were more likely to occur bilateral cFTP.The Vp,Vm and Vd of patients with bilateral cFTP were significantly higher than those of patients with bilateral pFTP,unilateral pFTP and non-FTP(F=14.932,8.884,6.054,P<0.05),respectively.The proportion of occurring AIS in TIA patients with bilateral cFTP was significantly higher than that in TIA patients with unilateral cFTP,bilateral pFTP,unilateral pFTP and nFTP(Z=6.883,7.568,6.253,6.772,P<0.05),and the proportions of occurring AIS in TIA patients with unilateral cFTP,bilateral pFTP and unilateral pFTP were significantly higher than that in TIA patients with nFTP(Z=5.986,6.877,6.856,P<0.05),respectively.A total of 45 cases(accounting for 25.57%)of 176 TIA patients occurred AAIS within 3 months after they discharged.The AUC value of predictive value of Vp for occurring AIS in 45 TIA patients with FTP was 0.818,which was significantly higher than that(AUC=0.589)for occurring AIS in 131 TIA patients with non-FTP.Conclusion:Patients with posterior circulation cerebral infarction are prone to occur PCA hemodynamic abnormalities.In patients with posterior circulation infarction,the PCA blood flow velocity in patients with bilateral cFTP significantly accelerates.PCA hemodynamic ultrasound examination has a certain of predictive value for occurring AIS in short term in TIA patients who combine with FTP.

ObjectiveTo decipher the mechanism of Wenxiao powder in alleviating corticosterone-induced depression-like behaviors in mice. MethodMale ICR mice were randomized into normal， model， paroxetine （20 mg·kg^-1）， and low- and high-dose （3.27， 6.54 g·kg^-1， respectively） Wenxiao powder groups. The mice in normal and model groups received equal volume of saline. Other groups except the normal group were injected with corticosterone subcutaneously 0.5 h after gavage to induce depression. Mice were tested for depression-like behaviors after drug administration. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to measure the corticosterone content in the serum. Nissl staining was performed to observe the damage of hippocampal neurons. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to observe the expression of double cortin （DCX） in the dentate gyrus （DG） of the hippocampus. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of proteins in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）/tyrosine kinase receptor B （TrkB）/extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK）/cAMP-response element-binding protein （CREB） pathway in the hippocampus. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed decreased sucrose preference rate， increased immobility time in the tail suspension test （P<0.01）， and reduced residence time in the central area of the open field and the total movement distance （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， the modeling elevated the corticosterone level in the serum （P<0.01）， decreased the volume and intensified the nuclear staining of hippocampal neurons in the DG area， reduced the expression of DCX in the DG area， and down-regulated the protein levels of BDNF， phosphorylated （p）-TrkB， p-ERK， and p-CREB in the hippocampus （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， low-dose Wenxiao powder improved the mouse behavivors in the sucrose preference， open field， and tail suspension tests （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and high-dose Wenxiao powder improved the behaviors in the sucrose preference and open field tests （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， Wenxiao powder lowered the serum corticosterone level （P<0.01） and recovered the structure and morphology of neurons with obvious nuclei and presence of Nissl bodies in the DG area of the hippocampus. Moreover， Wenxiao powder at both doses promoted the expression of DCX in the DG area， and high-dose Wenxiao powder up-regulated the protein levels of BDNF， p-TrkB， p-ERK， and p-CREB in the hippocampus （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionWenxiao powder can alleviate corticosterone-induced depression-like behaviors and promote neurogenesis in mice possibly by activating the BDNF/TrkB/ERK/CREB signaling pathway.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between lung injury induced by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and acetyltransferase p300 (p300) in rats.Methods:Eighteen SPF healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 12-16 weeks, weighing 350-450 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), CPB group, and CPB+ left lung ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) group (CPB+ IR group). CPB group was connected to CPB pipeline for cardiopulmonary bypass. The lung I/R injury model was prepared by clamping the left lung hilum for 45 min followed by opening during CPB, 30 min later CPB was terminated, and mechanical ventilation was continuously performed for 1.5 h before ending the experiment in CPB+ IR group. Arterial blood gas analysis was performed and oxygenation index (OI) and respiratory index (RI) were calculated before CPB, at 10 min after opening the lung hilum, and immediately after the end of experiment. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and left lung tissues were collected immediately after the end of experiment for determination of the concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in BALF and total protein in BALF and concentrations of IL-17 in lung tissues (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), expression of p300, phosphorylated p300 (p-p300), and acetylated histone H3 (AC-H3) in lung tissues (by Western blot) and expression of p-p300 (using immunohistochemical staining) and for microscopic examination of the pathological changes of lung tissues (under the light microscope) which were scored. Results:Compared with S group, OI was significantly decreased and RI was increased at 10 min after opening the lung hilum and immediately after the end of experiment, the lung injury score and levels of IL-6, TNF-α and total protein in BALF and IL-17 in lung tissues were increased, and the expression of p300, p-p300 and AC-H3 was up-regulated in CPB and CPB+ IR groups ( P<0.05). Compared with CPB group, OI was significantly decreased and RI was increased at 10 min after opening the lung hilum and immediately after the end of experiment, the lung injury score and levels of IL-6, TNF-α and total protein in BALF and IL-17 in lung tissues were increased, and the expression of p300, p-p300 and AC-H3 was up-regulated in CPB+ IR group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which CPB induces lung injury may be related to up-regulation of the expression of p300 and enhancement of activity of p300 in lung tissues and increased release of inflammatory factors in rats.

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the global research landscape, identify trends, and determine hotspots concerning hepatoma recurrence post-liver transplantation.Methods:We conducted a bibliometric analysis usinga systematic search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection database from Jan. 1992 to Oct. 2023 to identify relevant articles on hepatoma recurrence after liver transplantation. Articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and analyzed for publication trends by country/region, journal, author, institution, citation, and keyword. Visualization tools such as Citespace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometric.com were utilized for statistical analysis, identification of emerging trends, and clustering of keyword co-occurrence.Results:Out of 4,936 articles retrieved, 1,189 were included in the final analysis. There was a notable increase in publications on hepatoma recurrence following liver transplantation from 1992 to 2021, peaking in 2021 both globally (n=103) and nationally (n=32). China has the largest number of publications in this field (n=308), maintaining significant collaboration with the United States, South Korea, Japan, Canada. 'Liver Transplantation’ journal had the highest number of publications (n=113). Zhejiang University was the leading institution (n=74), with Academician Zheng Shusen being the most prolific scholar (n=76 publications). Citation emergence detection found that Italian scholar Mazzaferro's Predicting survival after liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria: a retrospective, exploratory analysis published on The Lancet Oncology in 2009 had the highest burst strength (36.98). Five bursting keywords were identified: alpha fetoprotein, model, validation, sorafenib, and risk. Cluster analysis of keyword co-occurrence revealed five primary research themes: the medication for hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver transplantation, recipient selection criteria, prognostic factors, development and validation of recurrence prediction model, and local treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma.Conclusions:The study underscores rapid advancements in the research on hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence post-liver transplantation over the past three decades, with significant contributions from Chinese scholars, particularly from Zhejiang University and Academician Zheng Shusen. The evolving research hotspots have shifted from transplantation experiences and recipient selection criteria to early post-transplant recurrence risk prediction and therapeutic strategy development.

Objective:To study the population distribution of Pomacea spp. in Shandong Province and the risk of angiostrongyliasis cantonensis in the local population, and to provide a basis for scientific prevention and control of related diseases. Methods:From July to December 2021, Yanzhou District of Jining City, Ningyang County of Taian City, and Dongying District of Dongying City were selected as surveillance sites to investigate the population and distribution range of Pomacea spp., live snail samples were collected for morphological and genetic identification, and Pomacea spp. infected with the larva of Angiostrongylus cantonensis was detected by lung test. At the same time, sentinel hospital case surveillance was carried out in Yanzhou District, Jining City, and questionnaire was used to study the local residents' awareness of angiostrongyliasis cantonensis and their personal health behaviors. Results:A total of 312 live snail samples were collected. After morphological identification, they were all Pomacea spp.. After gene sequencing, two populations of Pomacea canaliculata and Pomacea maculata were found. No positive snails infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis were found. A total of 126 patients with headache as the main neurological symptom were admitted to the sentinel hospital, but there were no monitoring cases that met the inclusion criteria. Among the survey population, 48.38% (134/277) of the respondents had heard of angiostrongyliasis cantonensis, 44.77% (124/277) knew that eating Margarya melanioides might cause angiostrongyliasis cantonensis, and 83.39% (231/277) had no related unhealthy eating behavior. Conclusion:Pomacea spp. is found and reported for the first time in Shandong Province, and there is a risk of population infection with angiostrongyliasis cantonensis.