This article presents a case study of a patient who visited the Geriatric Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital due to "palpitations, shortness of breath for more than 2 years, limb weakness for 6 months, edema, and nocturnal dyspnea for 2 months". The patient exhibited decreased muscle strength in the limbs and involvement of swallowing and respiratory muscles, alongside complications of heart failure and various arrhythmias which were predominantly atrial. Laboratory tests revealed the presence of multiple autoantibodies and notably anti-mitochondrial antibodies. Following a comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with anti-mitochondrial antibody-associated inflammatory myopathy. Treatment involved a combination of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, along with resistance exercises for muscle strength and rehabilitation training for lung function, resulting in significant improvement of clinical symptoms. The case underscores the importance of collaborative multidisciplinary approaches in diagnosing and treating rare diseases in elderly patients, where careful consideration of clinical manifestations and subtle abnormal clinical data can lead to effective interventions.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of Qihuang needle therapy for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children with sleep disorder. METHODS: A total of 60 ASD children with sleep disorder were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with structured education intervention, 60 min each time, once a day, 6 times a week. Qihuang needle therapy was applied at Yintang (GV24⁺), Baihui (GV20) and bilateral Jueyinshu (BL14), Xinshu (BL15) in the observation group, multi-direction needling was delivered and without needle retaining. The treatment was given 2 times a week, each treatment was delivered at interval of 2 days at least. Behavioral intervention was adopted in the control group. Treatment for consecutive 12 weeks was required in both groups. Before and after treatment, the scores of children's sleep habits questionnaire (CSHQ), the autism behavior checklist (ABC), the childhood autism rating scale (CARS), and the childhood autism behavior scale (CABS) were observed in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of CSHQ, ABC, CARS and CABS were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01), and the above scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Qihuang needle therapy can effectively treat ASD with sleep disorder, improve the core symptoms of ASD and the sleep quality.
Humans ; Autism Spectrum Disorder/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Sleep Wake Disorders/physiopathology* ; Child, Preschool ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome ; Sleep ; Needles

The high incidence of bleeding after peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) catheterization increases the risk of puncture site infection and unplanned extubation. Hemostatic dressings should be used in the early stages of catheterization to reduce blood infiltration. However, new hemostatic dressings have various types and advantages, which makes them difficult to choose dressings for medical staff. This paper introduces the types and hemostatic characteristics of novel functional hemostatic dressings, reviews the hemostatic mechanism and hemostatic effect of chitosan, cyanoacrylate gum, alginate, gelatin sponge and oxycellulose dressings in PICC puncture respectively, and prospects the development of new functional hemostatic dressings. It is expected that future hemostatic dressings will move towards multifunctionality and compositeness.
Humans ; Bandages ; Catheterization, Peripheral/instrumentation* ; Hemorrhage/prevention & control* ; Hemostatics/therapeutic use*

Metastasis serves as an indicator of malignancy and is a biological characteristic of carcinomas. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a key role in the promotion of tumor invasion and metastasis and in the enhancement of tumor cell aggressiveness. Prostaglandin E synthase 3 (p23) is a cochaperone for heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). Our previous study showed that p23 is an HSP90-independent transcription factor in cancer-associated inflammation. The effect and mechanism of action of p23 on lung cancer metastasis are tested in this study. By utilizing cell models in vitro and mouse tail vein metastasis models in vivo, the results provide solid evidence that p23 is critical for promoting lung cancer metastases by regulating downstream CXCL1 expression. Rather than acting independently, p23 forms a complex with RNA-binding motif protein 14 (RBM14) to facilitate EMT progression in lung cancer. Therefore, our study provides evidence for the potential role of the RBM14-p23-CXCL1-EMT axis in the metastasis of lung cancer.

Flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase (3GT) is a key enzyme in the glucosidation of anthocyanins. To investigate the 3GT gene in rhododendron, we cloned an open reading frame (ORF) of 3GT gene (named Rh3GT) from Rhododendron hybridum Hort (Red cultivar) and then characterized this gene and the deduced protein in terms of the biochemical characteristics, expression level, and enzymatic function. The results showed that Rh3GT had a full length of 993 bp and encoded 330 amino acid residues. The deduced protein was hydrophilic, stable, weak acid, belonging to the glycosyltransferase family (GT-B type), with glutamine (Q) at position 44 in the PSPG box. The phylogenetic analysis showed that Rh3GT was most closely related to Vc3GT from Vaccinium corymbosum and Vm3GT from Vaccinium myrtillus. Rh3GT was expressed in the stems, leaves, and flowers and almost not expressed in the roots, with the highest expression level in petals during full blooming stage. Introduction of pCAMBIAL1302-Rh3GT into petals significantly up-regulated the expression level of Rh3GT and increased the total anthocyanin accumulation. Rh3GT was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 in the form of inclusion bodies with a size of about 36 kDa. The results of HPLC showed that the recombinant Rh3GT after denaturation, purification, and dilution could catalyze the synthesis of cyanidin and UDP-glucose to synthesize cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, indicating that the expressed protein had 3GT activity. This study provides basic data for further studying the molecular regulation mechanism of anthocyanin biosynthesis and theoretical support for molecular breeding of rhododendron.
Rhododendron/classification* ; Glucosyltransferases/metabolism* ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis* ; Anthocyanins/biosynthesis* ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Amino Acid Sequence

With the rapid development of medical technology, human dying process has been technicalized and medicalized, but the pain caused by ageing and terminal disease remains widespread. However, Palliative care can alleviate this kind of pain and improve the quality of life for end-stage patients.Over the years, China has introduced a series of policies and laws to include hospice care in the national health system from the legislative level, most healthcare providers, however, are incompetent and unable to understand and deliver palliative care, resulting in the poor quality of death in China. Integration of palliative care into the health system needs to be gradually implemented, by unifying definitions and principles, advocating palliative care practice in clinical work, initiating education in medical students, developing palliative care networks in primary healthcare system, formulating national-level development indicators, and emphasizing localized development, with the hope of avoiding futile or inappropriate treatments at the end of life.

  Objective  The International Medical Services Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) has gradually promoted the concept and practice of palliative care since 2016. This study aims to analyze the death status of end-of-life patients before and after the promotion endeavor, in order to evaluate the impact of palliative care on the death quality.  Methods  All clinical data from end-of-life patients who died at the International Medical Services Department of PUMCH in 2013 and 2019 were retrospectively collected, and their diagnosis and treatment details before death were compared.  Results  A total of 36 end-of-life patients who died in 2013 and 37 end-of-life patients who died in 2019 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In 2013, there were 19 males and 17 females, with an average age of (72.1±14.0) years, and 19 cases had advanced cancer. In 2019, there were 19 males and 18 females, with an average age of (70.8±15.3) years, and 27 cases had advanced cancer. Compared to patients who died in 2013, a lower proportion of the patients in 2019 who were transferred to the ICU before death(0 vs. 22.2%, P=0.008), received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (0 vs. 16.7%, P=0.011), had tracheal intubation(5.4% vs. 36.1%, P=0.001), invasive mechanical ventilation(2.7% vs. 33.3%, P=0.001), and total parenteral nutrition(32.4% vs. 61.1%, P=0.014), while a higher proportion received palliative care consultations(29.7% vs. 0, P<0.001), and humanistic care(40.5% vs. 16.7%, P=0.024). In 2019, compared to the patients who did not receive palliative care consultations, those who received palliative care consultations had a higher proportion of humanistic care(90.9% vs. 19.2%, P<0.001).  Conclusions  After concept promotion and practice of palliative care, the proportion of end-of-life patients receiving invasive treatments before death in the International Medical Services Department of PUMCH has significantly decreased, the proportion receiving humanistic care has significantly increased, and the quality of death has been improved to a certain extent.

BackgroundBariatric surgery has emerged as an important tool in the management of obesity. Some patients undergoing bariatric surgery are prone to develop emotional abnormalities and have abnormally elevated concentrations of inflammatory factors level in peripheral blood， whereas current domestic research focusing on the impact of preoperative emotional states and peripheral blood inflammatory factors level on weight loss effect remains limited. ObjectiveTo explore the correlation of preoperative emotional abnormalities with the effectiveness of bariatric surgery in obese patients， and to provide theoretical basis for improving the clinical efficacy of bariatric surgery. MethodsEighty-one obese patients scheduled for bariatric surgery at gastrointestinal surgery Department of West China Hospital， Sichuan University from December 30， 2022 to June 30， 2023 were enrolled and assessed using Hamilton Depression Scale-17 item （HAMD-17） and Hamilton Anxiety Scale （HAMA）. Patients who scored 7 or above on HAMD-17 or HAMA or had a history of previous depression or anxiety diagnoses were classified into emotional abnormality group （n=34）， and samples who scored less than 7 on HAMD-17 and HAMA and were free of history of previous depression and anxiety diagnoses were set as non-emotional abnormality group （n=47）. The data were collected by the self made questionnaire. Patients were subjected to complete the assessment of Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation-Chinese Version （BSI-CV）， Eating Disorder Inventory （EDI） and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI）. Laboratory tests including peripheral blood C-reactive protein （CRP） and interleukin-6 （IL-6）. Body weight and height assessed in the early morning after an overnight fasting period were recorded in all participants at 1- and 6-month after surgery through outpatient clinic visits or telephone follow-up. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine relationship among body mass index （BMI）， preoperative emotional states and peripheral blood inflammation mediators. ResultsAmong 81 obese patients， 62 completed the study， including 27 cases in emotional abnormality group and 35 cases in non-emotional abnormality group. Emotional abnormality group scored higher on BSI-CV （current）， BSI-CV （worst）， EDI and PSQI， and detected higher levels of CRP and IL-6 compared with non-emotional abnormality group （Z=2.677， 2.975， t=3.573， 4.035， 1.990， 2.799， P<0.05 or 0.01）. For BMI， there was no significant group effect and time×group interaction effect （P>0.05）， but a significant time effect （F=227.740， P<0.01）. Within emotional abnormality group， BMI at the baseline， 1- and 6-month after surgery showed a positive correlation with IL-6 level （r=0.419， 0.510， 0.559， P<0.05 or 0.01）， BMI at 6-month after surgery was positively correlated with HAMD-17 total score （r=0.390， P<0.05）， and ΔBMI% at 6-month after surgery was negatively correlated with HAMD-17 total score （r=-0.421， P<0.05）. Within non-emotional abnormality group， baseline BMI was positively correlated with IL-6 level （r=0.338， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe short-term effect of bariatric surgery may be comparable in obese patients with or without emotional abnormalities， while it cannot be ruled out whether the outcome of bariatric surgery is related to the severity of preoperative depression.

Objective To observe the sedative and analgesic effect of remazolam combined with sufentanil during ultrasound-guided nerve block in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery.Methods A total of 80 patients who underwent orthopedic surgery in our hospital from January to June 2023 were selected.They were randomly assigned to two groups with 40 cases in each group.In anesthesia preparation room,one group was injected intravenously 10 ml remazolam(0.15 mg/kg)+ sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg(R group)and the other group was injected intravenously 10 ml normal saline +sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg(S group).Ultrasound-guided nerve block was performed 2 min later.The Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)of the two groups were observed during the process of postural position,nerve block puncture and drug injection.Whether there was any discomfort or body movement during the nerve block process were recorded.The mean arterial pressure(MAP),heart rate,and pulse oxygen saturation were measured at baseline,5 min after intravenous injection,nerve block injection,and 10 min after nerve block.Adverse reactions were noted.Results The VAS scores of the R group were 0 point at the time of postural position,nerve block puncture and drug injection,which were significantly lower than those of the S group(all P =0.000).The incidence of sore swelling,electrical sensation,and pain at the time of nerve block of the R group were lower than those of the S group(P<0.05).The incidence of transient glossoptosis of the R group was higher than that of the S group(6 cases vs.0 case,P =0.026).The MAP before and after nerve block in the S group remained at a high level(>95 mm Hg),and the highest MAP appeared at the time point of nerve block;while the MAP of the R group decreased and remained at 80-90 mm Hg after sedation.Conclusion Remazolam combined with sufentanil can provide safe,painless,fear free"comfort medical service"for nerve block sedation and analgesia in anesthesia preparation room,and does not increase the risk of nerve injury and local anesthetic poisoning.

Objective To investigate the effect of L4 transverse process erector spinae plane block(ESPB)before general anesthesia hip surgery in elderly patients on reducing perioperative pain and stress,thus reducing opioid consumption and improving postoperative recovery quality.Methods Sixty patients aged 65 years old and above who underwent unilateral hip surgery from January to December 2023 were randomly divided into two groups(n = 30)by using the random number table method.The ESPB group received ultrasound-guided ESPB at the L4 level with 0.3%ropivacaine(0.5 ml/kg)before induction of anesthesia,while the control group did not receive ESPB.Laryngeal mask anesthesia was administered in both groups.The induction and maintenance methods were consistent in both groups.The Numerical Rating Scale(NRS)was used to evaluate the degree of pain at 8 h and 24 h after surgery.The times of pressing analgesic pump within 24 h after surgery were recorded.The hemodynamic changes at each time point during the operation were observed.The time interval from the end of the operation to the complete recovery and to remove the laryngeal mask were recorded.Intraoperative and Postanesthesia Care Unit(PACU)opioid consumption were noted.The incidence of postoperative agitation,postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV),dizziness,and the recovery quality score were compared.Results The NRS scores of rest pain and motion pain at 8 h and 24 h after surgery were significantly lower in the ESPB group than those in the control group,and the times of pressing the analgesic pump within 24 h after surgery in the ESPB group was significantly less than that in the control group(P<0.05).The mean arterial pressure(MAP)of the ESPB group at 20 min after peeling was lower than that of the control group[(87.2±15.5)mm Hg vs.(96.7±16.9)mm Hg,P = 0.026].The sufentanil consumption,remifentanil consumption,and the number of cases using urapidil in the ESPB group were significantly lower than those in the control group[12.5(10.0,14.0)μg vs.12.5(12.5,17.5)μg,P =0.041;270(100,400)μg vs.600(448,800)μg,P<0.001;1 case vs.11 cases,P =0.001].The Steward score at30 min after entering PACU was significantly higher in the ESPB group than in the control group[6(5,6)points vs.5(4,5)points,P<0.001].There was no statistical significance in incidence of postoperative agitation,PONV,and dizziness between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Preoperative ESPB at the level of the L4 transverse process can reduce the pain score within 24 h after surgery,reduce the amount of opioid used during and after hip surgery,and improve the quality of postoperative recovery in the elderly.