Objective To construct a clinical-radiological nomo-gram model for severe mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia coinfec-tion with other pathogens(Co-SMPP)in children.Methods The clinical and radiological data of children with severe mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(SMPP)who underwent nucleic acid testing or bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL)were analyzed retrospectively.The data analysis were performed by using SPSS 27.0 software.The group comparison between simple SMPP and Co-SMPP children was conducted by using t-tests,Mann-Whitney U tests,or chi-square tests.Nomogram analysis was performed by using R software and rms packages.The predictive performance of the model was evaluated by using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results A total of 194 SMPP children were included in the study,including 136 cases(70.1％)with simple SMPP,58 cases(29.9％)with Co-SMPP.The fibrinogen and albumin levels were lower in Co-SMPP children[(3.53±0.85)g/L,41.00(39.03,43.68)g/L]than in simple SMPP children[(3.79±0.80)g/L,42.80(41.00,44.40)g/L],with P values of 0.047 and 0.036,respec-tively.The probability of bronchial stenosis and grid shadow were higher in Co-SMPP children than in simple SMPP children,and there were significant differences between the two groups(P＜0.001,P=0.010).The odds ratio of bronchial stenosis in predicting Co-SMPP children was 14.085.The clinical-radiological nomogram model had an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.840,with sensi-tivity and specificity of 0.756 and 0.848,respectively.Conclusion The nomogram model based on clinical-radiological features can effectively predict Co-SMPP.

Objective:To investigate the antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and to evaluate the eradication efficacy of individualized treatment for Hp in children. Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 227 children who visited the Department of Gastroenterology, Capital Center for Children′s Health, Capital Medical University from June 2022 to December 2023 due to gastrointestinal symptoms. All patients underwent gastroscopy and tested positive on 13C-urea breath testing. They were grouqed according to the Hp culture and drug susceptibility test. Children with positive Hp culture received personalized treatment based on the results of their drug sensitivity tests, while the other children who didn′t undergo Hp culture received empirical treatment. The effects of different treatment groups was compared by chi-square test or Fisher exact probability test. Results:A total of 227 children with Hp infection (121 males and 106 females) were included, with the age of 11.7 (8.9, 13.6) years. Among the 131 samples submitted for testing, 105 cases (80.1%) had positive results. Only 9.5% (10/105) of patients were sensitive to 6 antibiotics. The resistance rates to clarithromycin, metronidazole and levofloxacin were 90.5% (95/105), 86.7% (91/105) and 22.9% (24/105) respectively. The resistance rate to both clarithromycin and metronidazole was 77.1% (81/105). The resistance rate to both levofloxacin and metronidazole was 19.0% (20/105). The resistance rate to both levofloxacin and clarithromycin was 21.9% (23/105). The resistance rate to these three antibiotics was 16.2% (17/105). No strains resistant to furazolidone, amoxicillin or tetracycline hydrochloride were found. Eighty-nine cases were treated with bismuth quadruple therapy based on the drug sensitivity results, and the overall eradication rate was 88.8% (79/89), including 42 treatment-naive cases with a 100% eradication rate (42/42) and 47 retreatment cases with a 78.7% eradication rate (37/47). The eradication rate of empirical treatment was 75.7% (56/74). Among them, 65 patients received amoxicillin, clarithromycin and omeprazole because of negative penicillin skin tests, with a 75.4% (49/65) eradication rate; 9 patients received clarithromycin, metronidazole, omeprazole and bismuth with positive penicillin skin tests, achieving 7/9 eradication rate. The comparison of eradication rates between two treatment groups suggested a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in drug reactions such as nausea, vomiting, and rash between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Hp strains had a relatively high dual resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole, especially clarithromycin. For areas with a high resistance rate to clarithromycin, the bismuth quadruplet of clarithromycin removal combined with bismuth agent can be chosen as empirical treatment. In medical institutions where drug susceptibility test can be conducted, personalized treatment plans are recommended as the first-line treatment.

Objective:To explore differences in the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib in patients with myelofibrosis by age and to identify prognostic factors by analyzing clinical features and characteristics of chromosomes and gene mutations.Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed 188 patients with myelofibrosis who received ruxolitinib in the Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University from January 1, 2017, to July 1, 2024. According to age at diagnosis, the patients were divided into the middle-aged group (≤55 years), young elderly group (56-65 years), and elderly group (>65 years). Clinical features, the characteristics of chromosomes and gene mutations, and the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib treatment were compared across the three age groups. Independent factors influencing overall survival were identified through Cox proportional risk regression analysis.Results:Before treatment, the elderly group had more underlying comorbidities, a heavier symptom burden, higher leukocyte count, higher proportion and frequency of JAK2 mutations, and lower proportion of CALR mutations. The incidence of nondriver gene mutations was significantly higher in the young elderly group. After ruxolitinib treatment, the degree of reduction in spleen size did not differ significantly among the three groups. The length of the palpable spleen below the left costal margin reduced by more than 50% from baseline in 50.9% (27/53) of the patients in the middle-aged group, 43.5% (27/62) in the young elderly group, and 45.5% (20/44) in the elderly group ( P=0.720). No significant difference was observed among the three groups in the degree of reduction in Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form (10-item version) score ( P=0.153), with a reduction in total symptom score by more than 50% achieved by 54.0% (27/50), 60.3% (41/68), and 66.7% (34/51) of the patients from the three groups, respectively ( P=0.429). The most common hematological adverse events were anemia and thrombocytopenia, while the most common nonhematological adverse events were electrolyte disturbance, elevated transaminase activity, and pulmonary infection. Multivariate analysis indicated that in ruxolitinib-treated patients with myelofibrosis, poor overall survival was independently predicted by increased age, reduced hemoglobin, percentage of bone marrow blasts ≥ 1%, absence of JAK2 mutations, chromosomal abnormalities, ≥2 high-molecular-risk mutations, and TP53 mutations. Conclusions:Patients with myelofibrosis stratified by age exhibited heterogeneous clinical features and gene mutation profiles but similar efficacy of ruxolitinib treatment and occurrence of adverse events.

OBJECTIVE: Exploring the formation and aggregation of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) (amylin) fibers is significant for promoting the prevention and treatment of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Flavones in pomelo peel have visible biological activity in the anti-diabetes aspect. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of five flavones [naringin (NRG), narirutin (NRR), nobiletin (NOB), sinensetin (SIN), and neohesperidin (NHP)] in pomelo peel on peptide aggregation and explore its possible mechanisms. The cell viability of flavones against peptide aggregation was also evaluated. METHODS: The thioflavin T (ThT) assay and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for evaluating the inhibition and disaggregation of flavones on peptide aggregation. The interaction mechanism was analyzed by endogenous fluorescence, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments. The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and immune assays were performed to characterize the cell viability of flavones against peptide aggregation. RESULTS: The five flavones showed a decrease in fluorescence intensity, fiber number and size under incubation with different molar ratios of hIAPP. The compounds can bind to the aromatic tyrosine (Tyr) residueTyr 37, resulting in the intrinsic fluorescence quenching of the peptides. Five flavones can form hydrogen bonds with hIAPP, which is likely to be based on their phenolic hydroxyl structure. They showed strong binding affinity with peptides. The reaction system of NRG and NRR observed an exothermic reaction, and the others were endothermic reactions. The absorption peaks of the compounds with hIAPP changed and showed hypochromic effects, indicating that there may be π-π stacking interaction. Flavones noticeably increased the cell viability in the presence of amyloid peptides and reduced the absorption intensity induced by peptide oligomers. CONCLUSION A total of five flavones in pomelo peel have inhibitory and depolymerization effects on amyloid fibrils, and can significantly protect cells from the toxic effect of hIAPP and reduce the production of toxic oligomers.

Background and Aims:Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy(LPD)has become a preferred approach for periampullary tumors,yet delayed gastric emptying(DGE)remains a frequent complication that hampers postoperative recovery.The nasojejunal feeding tube(NJT)is commonly used for early enteral nutrition,but its impact on DGE is controversial.This study aimed to evaluate whether intraoperative NJT placement increases the risk of DGE after LPD and to assess its influence on postoperative recovery outcomes.Methods:A retrospective cohort of 319 patients who underwent LPD at Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from April 2017 to November 2023 was analyzed.Patients were divided into two groups based on intraoperative NJT placement(NJT group,n=200;non-NJT group,n=119).The incidence of DGE and postoperative outcomes were compared.Multivariate logistic regression and propensity score matching(PSM)were performed to identify independent risk factors for DGE.Results:The incidence of grade B/C DGE was significantly higher in the NJT group than in the non-NJT group(36.5%vs.21.8%,P=0.006).NJT placement was associated with longer postoperative hospital stay and higher hospitalization costs(both P<0.05).Multivariate analysis revealed intraoperative NJT placement(OR=1.960,95%CI=1.142-3.363,P=0.015)and intraoperative blood loss>400 mL(OR=1.921,95%CI=1.155-3.194,P=0.012)as independent risk factors for DGE.These findings were consistent after PSM.Conclusions:Prophylactic intraoperative NJT placement confers no additional benefit for postoperative recovery after LPD and is associated with a higher risk of DGE,prolonged hospitalization,and increased medical costs.Routine NJT placement should therefore be avoided,and individualized strategies should be adopted to minimize postoperative complications and enhance recovery.

AIM:To explore the effect of sinomenine hydrochloride(SH)on microcirculation and renal func-tion in type 2 diabetic db/db mice with a focus on the diacylglycerol(DAG)/protein kinase C(PKC)signaling pathway.METHODS:Eighteen 6-week-old male db/db mice were randomly divided into three groups:model group(saline),LY group(administered with 1 mg·kg-1·d-1 LY333531),and SH group(administered with 124.8 mg·kg-1·d-1 SH).Addi-tionally,6 age-matched db/m mice comprised the control group(saline).Daily intragastric administration lasted 6 weeks.Body mass,fasting blood glucose(FBG),urinary microalbumin(mALB),urinary creatinine(UCr)and urinary β2-micro-globulin(β2-MG)were measured in each group.The serum levels of endothelin-1(ET-1),endothelial nitric oxide syn-thase(eNOS),collagen type Ⅳ(Col Ⅳ)and laminin(LN),and the levels of DAG and PKC in renal tissues were ana-lyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The morphological changes of renal tissues were assessed using HE and PAS staining,and kidney ultrastructure was examined via transmission electron microscopy.Immunohistochemis-try and Western blot were used to detect PKC and p-PKC levels in renal tissues.RESULTS:Compared with model group,the mice in both LY and SH groups showed decreased body mass(P＜0.05),with significantly reduced FBG level in LY group(P＜0.01).In addition,the urinary mALB and β2-MG levels were markedly decreased(P＜0.01),while UCr level was significantly increased(P＜0.01).Serum ET-1,Col Ⅳ and LN levels were significantly lower(P＜0.01),whereas eNOS level was notably higher(P＜0.01).Renal tissue DAG and PKC levels,as well as p-PKC expression were significantly reduced(P＜0.01).Improvements in renal tissue pathology and ultrastructure were observed.CONCLU-SION:Sinomenine hydrochloride improves microcirculation in diabetic db/db mice by modulating DAG/PKC signaling pathway,thus exerting protective effect on the kidney.

AIM:To investigate the mechanism by which exosomes(EXOs)derived from neural stem cells(NSCs)pretreated with astragaloside IV(ASIV)alleviate brain damage in rats after ischemic stroke.METHODS:Rat NSCs were isolated from fetal rats within 24 h of birth,cultured for 3 d,and subsequently treated with ASIV for additional 5 d.The EXOs from untreated NSCs and ASIV-pretreated NSCs(ASIV-EXOs)were isolated via ultracentrifugation of the cell supernatant.These EXOs were characterized using Western blot to detect specific markers such as CD63,tumor sus-ceptibility gene 101(TSG101)and calnexin.Nanoparticle analysis was employed to determine the size,and the morpholo-gy of the EXOs was observed under electron microscope.Six to eight-week-old SD male rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups:sham group,middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R)model group,edaravone(EDA)treatment(MCAO/R+EDA)group,EXOs treatement(MCAO/R+EXOs)group and ASIV-EXOs treatment(MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs)group.Tail vein injections were administered within 2 h following the successful establishment of the MCAO/R model.The Zea Longa method was utilized to evaluate neurological deficits,while the TTC method was employed to assess brain infarc-tion.Pathological changes were examined through HE staining,and TUNEL and caspase-1 immunofluorescence double staining were conducted to detect cellular pyroptosis.Serum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 were measured us-ing ELISA,and Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression of caspase-1,nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),gasdermin D(GSDMD),and IL-18 proteins in the ischemic area of the rat cerebral cortex across all groups.RE-SULTS:The MCAO/R group exhibited significantly higher neurological deficit scores compared to the sham group(P＜0.01)and lower scores in the administered groups relative to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05).Cerebral infarction was mark-edly increased in the MCAO/R group compared to the sham group(P＜0.01),whereas the infarction area was reduced in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05).Serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly el-evated in the MCAO/R group versus the sham group(P＜0.01)and were lower in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.01).Moreover,IL-1β and IL-18 levels in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group were lower than those in the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).HE staining revealed pronounced sieve-like infarction foci in the ischemic area of the rat cerebral cortex in MCAO/R group,characterized by disorganized neuronal arrangements,reduced or absent Nys-trom's vesicles,shrunken or fragmented nuclei,and numerous red neurons.In contrast,drug-treated groups exhibited milder pathological changes with clearer neuronal structures and a significant reduction in red neuron counts.Immunofluo-rescence double staining indicated a significant increase in double-positive cells in the MCAO/R group compared to the sham group(P＜0.01),with a decrease in double-positive cells in the administered groups relative to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05)and a further reduction in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group compared to the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).The expression levels of caspase-1,NLRP3,ASC,IL-18 and GSDMD proteins in the ischemic region of the rat cerebral cortex were significantly reduced in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.01),with further re-duction observed in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group compared to the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).CONCLU-SION:Exosomes derived from ASIV-pretreated NSCs attenuate brain damage in ischemic stroke rats,potentially through a mechanism involving the inhibition of pyroptosis mediated by the NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway.

Objective:To explore the effects of mechanical ventilation（MV）at birth transition on lung pathophysiology and pathobiology in a very preterm animal model.Methods:Based on the model of respiratory distress syndrome（RDS）in very preterm rabbits at gestational age 26（term 31）days well established by the research group using perinatal medication and lung-protective ventilation strategies（very low tidal volume 1-3 mL/kg），we conducted a secondary data analysis. The studied rabbits were re-grouped according to the MV length（≤3 h，3-6 h，6-9 h，9-12 h，and >12 h）. The changes in lung mechanics，histopathology，phospholipid biochemistry，and mRNA relative expression of inflammatory/growth factor in lung tissue were evaluated over the time course of MV. The trend of each variable was tested by ANOVA trend test（ F trend）and Jonckheere-Terpstra trend test（ J-T value）with corresponding P value. Results:With the prolonged MV length，there was improved mean dynamic compliance of respiratory system（ F trend=16.722， P trend<0.001），along with decreased mean peak inspiratory pressure（ F trend =42.226， P trend<0.001）. The content of total phospholipids，disaturated phosphatidylcholine（ J-T=1 222，1 197， P trend=0.018，0.034，respectively）and total protein（ J-T=1 247 ，P trend= 0.009）in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid gradually increased. The wet lung weight in the ≤3 h group was significantly higher than in the other groups（ F=6.819， P<0.001）. The lung injury score（total，or hemorrhage，or inflammation）had progressive exacerbation in the ≤3 h，3-6 h and 6-9 h groups. The lung tissue mRNA expression of major proinflammatory cytokines increased modestly over the time groups in contrast to decreased expression of growth factors，of which the change of keratinocyte growth factor reached statistical significance（ J-T=531， P trend =0.034）. Conclusion:In the 26-day very preterm rabbits，with prolonged MV time，the content of surfactant phospholipid in the alveolar increased gradually，the lung compliance and lung fluid clearance gradually improved. Nevertheless，ventilator-induced lung injury remained evolving. The study warrants further study on the pathogenesis and protective strategies of early postnatal acute lung injury and chronic lung disease.

Background and Aims:Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy(LPD)has become a preferred approach for periampullary tumors,yet delayed gastric emptying(DGE)remains a frequent complication that hampers postoperative recovery.The nasojejunal feeding tube(NJT)is commonly used for early enteral nutrition,but its impact on DGE is controversial.This study aimed to evaluate whether intraoperative NJT placement increases the risk of DGE after LPD and to assess its influence on postoperative recovery outcomes.Methods:A retrospective cohort of 319 patients who underwent LPD at Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from April 2017 to November 2023 was analyzed.Patients were divided into two groups based on intraoperative NJT placement(NJT group,n=200;non-NJT group,n=119).The incidence of DGE and postoperative outcomes were compared.Multivariate logistic regression and propensity score matching(PSM)were performed to identify independent risk factors for DGE.Results:The incidence of grade B/C DGE was significantly higher in the NJT group than in the non-NJT group(36.5%vs.21.8%,P=0.006).NJT placement was associated with longer postoperative hospital stay and higher hospitalization costs(both P<0.05).Multivariate analysis revealed intraoperative NJT placement(OR=1.960,95%CI=1.142-3.363,P=0.015)and intraoperative blood loss>400 mL(OR=1.921,95%CI=1.155-3.194,P=0.012)as independent risk factors for DGE.These findings were consistent after PSM.Conclusions:Prophylactic intraoperative NJT placement confers no additional benefit for postoperative recovery after LPD and is associated with a higher risk of DGE,prolonged hospitalization,and increased medical costs.Routine NJT placement should therefore be avoided,and individualized strategies should be adopted to minimize postoperative complications and enhance recovery.

Objective To construct a clinical-radiological nomo-gram model for severe mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia coinfec-tion with other pathogens(Co-SMPP)in children.Methods The clinical and radiological data of children with severe mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(SMPP)who underwent nucleic acid testing or bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL)were analyzed retrospectively.The data analysis were performed by using SPSS 27.0 software.The group comparison between simple SMPP and Co-SMPP children was conducted by using t-tests,Mann-Whitney U tests,or chi-square tests.Nomogram analysis was performed by using R software and rms packages.The predictive performance of the model was evaluated by using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results A total of 194 SMPP children were included in the study,including 136 cases(70.1％)with simple SMPP,58 cases(29.9％)with Co-SMPP.The fibrinogen and albumin levels were lower in Co-SMPP children[(3.53±0.85)g/L,41.00(39.03,43.68)g/L]than in simple SMPP children[(3.79±0.80)g/L,42.80(41.00,44.40)g/L],with P values of 0.047 and 0.036,respec-tively.The probability of bronchial stenosis and grid shadow were higher in Co-SMPP children than in simple SMPP children,and there were significant differences between the two groups(P＜0.001,P=0.010).The odds ratio of bronchial stenosis in predicting Co-SMPP children was 14.085.The clinical-radiological nomogram model had an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.840,with sensi-tivity and specificity of 0.756 and 0.848,respectively.Conclusion The nomogram model based on clinical-radiological features can effectively predict Co-SMPP.