Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Shenshuai Ⅱ Granules on patients with stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease(CKD)with spleen-kidney qi deficiency and damp-heat stasis syndrome and its effects on free fatty acid(FFA)levels.Methods A randomized double-blind clinical trial design was adopted,and 84 cases were included and randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group,with 42 cases in each group.The control group was given placebo granules,and the treatment group was given Shenshuai Ⅱ Granules,once a bag,twice a day,orally taken with warm water;the treatment for both groups lasted 3 months.Clinical efficacy and TCM syndrome efficacy of the two groups were evaluated.Renal function indicators(SCr,BUN,eGFR,24 hUP)and lipid metabolism indicators(FFA,TC,TG,LDL-C,HDL-C,LP(a),ApoA1 and ApoB)were detected and compared before and after treatment.The safety indicators of both groups were monitored.Results The total clinical effective rate of the treatment group was 83.33%(35/42),and the rate of the control group was 35.71%(13/42),with statistical significance(P<0.01);the therapeutic effect of TCM syndrome efficacy of the treatment group was 88.10%(37/42),and the rate of the control group was 40.48%(17/42),with statistical significance(P<0.01).Compared with before treatment,the levels of SCr,BUN,24-hour UP,FFA decreased in the treatment group,and eGFR increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).After treatment in the control group,SCr increased,while eGFR decreased(P<0.01).After treatment,the SCr,BUN and FFA levels in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.01).There was no statistical significance in TC,TG,LDL-C,HDL-C,Lp(a),ApoA1 and ApoB between the two groups before and after treatment(P>0.05).No abnormal changes were observed in the safety indicators of the two groups of patients(P>0.05).Conclusion Shenshuai Ⅱ Granules integrated treatment with Western medicine can improve clinical symptoms and renal function-related indicators on patients with stage 3-4 CKD with spleen-kidney qi deficiency and damp-heat stasis syndrome,reduce serum FFA,and delay the progression of CKD.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of different chest compression rates (60-140 times/min) on hemodynamic parameters, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), resuscitation success, and survival in a porcine model of cardiac arrest (CA) followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). METHODS: Forty healthy male domestic pigs were randomly divided into five groups based on chest compression rate: 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 times/min (n = 8). All animals underwent standard anesthesia and tracheal intubation. A catheter was inserted via the left femoral artery into the thoracic aorta to monitor aortic pressure (AOP), and another via the right external jugular vein into the right atrium to monitor right atrial pressure (RAP). In each group, animals were implanted with a stimulating electrode via the right external jugular vein to the endocardium, and ventricular fibrillation (VF) was induced by delivering alternating current stimulation, resulting in CA. After a 1-minute, manual chest compressions were performed at the assigned rate with a compression depth of 5 cm. The first defibrillation was delivered after 2 minutes of CPR. No epinephrine or other pharmacologic agents were administered during the entire resuscitation process. From 1 minute before VF induction to 10 minutes after ROSC, dynamic monitoring of AOP, coronary perfusion pressure (CPP), and partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (P_ETCO₂). Cortical ultrastructure was examined 24 hours post-ROSC using transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: With increasing compression rates, both the total number of defibrillations and cumulative defibrillation energy significantly decreased, reaching their lowest levels in the 120 times/min group. The number of defibrillations decreased from (4.88±0.83) times in the 60 times/min group to (2.25±0.71) times in the 120 compressions/min group, and energy from (975.00±166.90)J to (450.00±141.42)J. However, both parameters increased again in the 140 times/min group [(4.75±1.04)times, (950.00±207.02)J], the differences among the groups were statistically significant (both P < 0.01). As compression frequency increased, P_ETCO₂, pre-defibrillation AOP and CPP significantly improved, peaking in the 120 times/min group [compared with the 60 times/min group, P_ETCO₂ (mmHg, 1 mmHg≈0.133 kPa): 18.69±1.98 vs. 8.67±1.30, AOP (mmHg): 95.13±7.06 vs. 71.00±6.41, CPP (mmHg): 14.88±6.92 vs. 8.57±3.42]. However, in the 140 times/min group, these values declined significantly again [P_ETCO₂, AOP, and CPP were (10.59±1.40), (72.38±11.49), and (10.36±4.57) mmHg, respectively], the differences among the groups were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). The number of animals achieving ROSC, successful resuscitation, and 24-hour survival increased with higher compression rates, reaching a peak in the 120 times/min group (compared with the 60 times/min group, ROSC: 7 vs. 2, successful resuscitation: 7 vs. 2, 24-hour survival: 7 vs.1), then decreased again in the 140 times/min group (the animals that ROSC, successfully recovered and survived for 24 hours were 3, 3, and 2, respectively). Transmission electron microscopy revealed that in the 60, 80, and 140 times/min groups, nuclear membranes in cerebral tissue were irregular and incomplete, nucleoli were indistinct, and mitochondria were swollen with reduced cristae and abnormal morphology. In contrast, the 100 times/min and 120 times/min groups exhibited significantly attenuated ultrastructural damage. CONCLUSIONS Among the tested chest compression rates of 60-140 times/min, a chest compressions frequency of 120 times/min is the most favorable hemodynamic profile and outcomes during CPR in a porcine CA model. However, due to the wide spacing between groups, further investigation is needed to determine the optimal compression rate range more precisely.
Animals ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/methods* ; Swine ; Male ; Heart Arrest/therapy* ; Heart Massage/methods* ; Hemodynamics

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Shenshuai Ⅱ Granules on patients with stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease(CKD)with spleen-kidney qi deficiency and damp-heat stasis syndrome and its effects on free fatty acid(FFA)levels.Methods A randomized double-blind clinical trial design was adopted,and 84 cases were included and randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group,with 42 cases in each group.The control group was given placebo granules,and the treatment group was given Shenshuai Ⅱ Granules,once a bag,twice a day,orally taken with warm water;the treatment for both groups lasted 3 months.Clinical efficacy and TCM syndrome efficacy of the two groups were evaluated.Renal function indicators(SCr,BUN,eGFR,24 hUP)and lipid metabolism indicators(FFA,TC,TG,LDL-C,HDL-C,LP(a),ApoA1 and ApoB)were detected and compared before and after treatment.The safety indicators of both groups were monitored.Results The total clinical effective rate of the treatment group was 83.33%(35/42),and the rate of the control group was 35.71%(13/42),with statistical significance(P<0.01);the therapeutic effect of TCM syndrome efficacy of the treatment group was 88.10%(37/42),and the rate of the control group was 40.48%(17/42),with statistical significance(P<0.01).Compared with before treatment,the levels of SCr,BUN,24-hour UP,FFA decreased in the treatment group,and eGFR increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).After treatment in the control group,SCr increased,while eGFR decreased(P<0.01).After treatment,the SCr,BUN and FFA levels in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.01).There was no statistical significance in TC,TG,LDL-C,HDL-C,Lp(a),ApoA1 and ApoB between the two groups before and after treatment(P>0.05).No abnormal changes were observed in the safety indicators of the two groups of patients(P>0.05).Conclusion Shenshuai Ⅱ Granules integrated treatment with Western medicine can improve clinical symptoms and renal function-related indicators on patients with stage 3-4 CKD with spleen-kidney qi deficiency and damp-heat stasis syndrome,reduce serum FFA,and delay the progression of CKD.

Objective To investigate the effects of Huangqin Qingrechubi Capsule(HQC)on inflammation and uric acid and lipid metabolism in rats with gouty arthritis(GA)and its mechanism.Methods SD rat models of GA established by injecting monosodium urate into the right ankle joint were treated with saline,colchicine and HQC at low,medium and high doses(n=10)by gavage for 7 days.Toe swelling of the rats was detected at 4,8,24,48 and 72 h after modeling,and synovial histological changes were observed with HE staining.Serum levels of interleukin-10(IL-10),IL-18,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),adiponectin,leptin,resistin and visfatin were measured by ELISA,and the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),and uric acid(BUA)were detected.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA expressions of phosphatase and tensin homolog(PTEN),phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)and protein kinase B(AKT)and the protein expressions of PTEN,PI3K,p-PI3K,AKT and p-AKT.Results The rat models of GA showed obvious toe swelling,which reached the peak level at 48 h.HE staining revealed massive inflammatory cell infiltration and synovial tissue hyperplasia.The rat models showed significantly increased expressions of TNF-α,TGF-β1,IL-18,TC,TG,leptin,resistin and visfatin,BUA,p-PI3K,and p-AKT and lowered levels of IL-10,APN,HDL-C,and PTEN.Treatment with HQC and colchicine obviously improved these changes and alleviated synovial pathologies and toe swelling in the rat models.Conclusion HQC can improve inflammation and correct the imbalance of uric acid and lipid metabolism in GA rats possibly by inhibiting the PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and clinical diagnostic value of rapid arterial spin labeling (ASL) imaging in brain glioma.Methods:Patients with glioma admitted to Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University from May 2021 to December 2022 were prospectively enrolled. All patients received MR rapid ASL (scan time: 1 min) and conventional ASL (scan time: 4 min 30 s), where the cerebral blood flow (CBF) perfusion maps were obtained. The qualitative analysis of CBF signal intensity and quantitative analysis of average CBF values from both tumor solid and edema regions were conducted by two radiologists independently. Kappa test and intraclass correlation coefficient ( ICC) were used to analyze the consistency of qualitative and quantitative results, respectively. Results:A total of 30 patients with brain glioma were included. The 2 physicians used rapid ASL to determine low perfusion, isoperfusion, and hyperperfusion in the tumor area in 1, 6, 23 cases and 0, 5, and 25 cases, respectively; and used conventional ASL to determine low perfusion, isoperfusion, and hyperperfusion in the tumor area in 0, 9, and 21 cases, respectively. The results of qualitative analysis of rapid ASL and conventional ASL were highly consistent within and between groups ( Kappa was 0.830 and 0.850 respectively). The results of quantitative analysis of rapid ASL and conventional ASL were highly consistent within and between groups ( ICC 0.940—0.994). Conclusion:Rapid ASL with shorter scanning time could be applied in assessing tissue perfusion in brain glioma and contribute to the clinical diagnosis of gliomas.

Objective To investigate the effects of Huangqin Qingrechubi Capsule(HQC)on inflammation and uric acid and lipid metabolism in rats with gouty arthritis(GA)and its mechanism.Methods SD rat models of GA established by injecting monosodium urate into the right ankle joint were treated with saline,colchicine and HQC at low,medium and high doses(n=10)by gavage for 7 days.Toe swelling of the rats was detected at 4,8,24,48 and 72 h after modeling,and synovial histological changes were observed with HE staining.Serum levels of interleukin-10(IL-10),IL-18,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),adiponectin,leptin,resistin and visfatin were measured by ELISA,and the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),and uric acid(BUA)were detected.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA expressions of phosphatase and tensin homolog(PTEN),phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)and protein kinase B(AKT)and the protein expressions of PTEN,PI3K,p-PI3K,AKT and p-AKT.Results The rat models of GA showed obvious toe swelling,which reached the peak level at 48 h.HE staining revealed massive inflammatory cell infiltration and synovial tissue hyperplasia.The rat models showed significantly increased expressions of TNF-α,TGF-β1,IL-18,TC,TG,leptin,resistin and visfatin,BUA,p-PI3K,and p-AKT and lowered levels of IL-10,APN,HDL-C,and PTEN.Treatment with HQC and colchicine obviously improved these changes and alleviated synovial pathologies and toe swelling in the rat models.Conclusion HQC can improve inflammation and correct the imbalance of uric acid and lipid metabolism in GA rats possibly by inhibiting the PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation and joint destruction. Both inflammatory response and oxidative stress contribute to the pathogenesis of RA. Oxidative damage can induce and aggravate the imbalance of immune inflammation and promote cell and tissue damage. In this study, the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) LINC00638 in peripheral blood of patients with RA damp-heat arthralgia syndrome was observed, and the correlation between LINC00638 and disease activity, immune inflammation and oxidative stress indicator was investigated. Subsequently, the mechanisms for LINC00638 in regulating the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in RA fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) under the condition of overexpression and interference were further explored. METHODS: In this study, 48 RA patients with damp-heat arthralgia syndrome and 27 normal healthy subjects, who came from Department of Rheumatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, were included; and they were divided into a RA group and a control group. The expression of LINC00638 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the subjects was detected by real-time PCR. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum interleukin (IL)-10, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) expression. Spearman method was used to study the relationship between LINC00638 and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP), and to observe the relation between LINC00638 and the Disease Activity Score of 28 Joint (DAS28), Quantitative Score of Damp Heat Syndrome, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). RA-FLS was induced by RA-PBMC, and the RA in vitro cell experimental model was established. LINC00638 overexpression plasmid and small interfering RNA (siRNA) were constructed and transfected into RA-FLS. The cell experiments were divided into 4 groups: a pcDNA3. 1- control group, a pcDNA3.1-LINC00638 group, a siRNA-control group, and a siRNA-LINC00638 group. The transfection efficiency of overexpression plasmid and siRNA was detected by real-time PCR, the expression of TNF-α and IL-10 was detected by ELISA, and the expression of antioxidant proteins HO-1 and SOD2 was detected by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the expression of LINC00638 in the RA group was lower (P<0.01). The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of LINC00638 was 0.9271. The DAS28 in RA group was 5.70 (5.40-6.50), the Quantitative Score of Damp-heat Syndrome was 20.0 (17.0-23.0), and the VAS score was 7.0 (6.3-8.0). Compared with the control group, the ESR, CRP, RF, anti-CCP, SAS and SDS scores in the RA group were significantly increased (all P<0.01). Spearman correlation analysis showed that: LINC00638 was negatively correlated with ESR (r=-0.532, P<0.01), CRP (r=-0.367, P<0.05), TNF-α (r=-0.375, P<0.01), MDA (r= -0.295, P<0.05), DAS28 (r=-0.450, P<0.01), and which was positively correlated with SOD2 (r=0.370, P<0.05). After the induction of RA-FLS, the expression level of LINC00638 was significantly decreased (P<0.01), indicating that the stimulation of PBMC could effectively reduce the expression of LINC00638 in RA-FLS, so the experimental model of RA-FLS-induced by PBMC was utilized. Compared with the pcDNA3.1-control group, the expressions of LINC00638, IL-10, SOD2, and HO-1 in the pcDNA3.1-LINC00638 group were significantly increased (all P<0.01), and the expression of TNF-α was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with siRNA-control group, LINC00638, IL-10, SOD2 and HO-1 in the siRNA-LINC00638 group were significantly decreased (all P<0.01), and TNF-α was significantly increased (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS LINC00638 is down-regulated in the peripheral blood of RA patients with damp-heat arthralgia syndrome, which is correlated with disease activity, immune inflammation and oxidative stress. Overexpression of LINC00638 can down-regulate pro-inflammatory factors, up-regulate anti-inflammatory factors, and increase antioxidant enzyme activity, thereby improving inflammation and oxidative stress in RA. LINC00638 is the differential lncRNA obtained by the research group's previous high-throughput sequencing of the whole transcriptome of peripheral blood PBMCs in RA patients and validation of clinical samples. In order to deepen the molecular biology research of this gene, the microRNA and mRNA targeted by LINC00638 can be further studied from the perspective of competing endogenous RNAs.
Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies/metabolism* ; Antioxidants ; Arthralgia/metabolism* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; C-Reactive Protein ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Inflammation/genetics* ; Interleukin-10/metabolism* ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Oxidative Stress ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*

Objective:To elucidate the clinical characteristics of bloodstream infection in patients with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in our hospital and improves the survival of transplant patients with bloodstream infection.Methods:Two hundred and ten patients with allo-HSCT from the Department of Hematology were retrospectively analyzed between October 2014 and September 2019. Pathogen distribution, drug resistance, risk factors, and outcomes were investigated in 49 allo-HSCT patients with bloodstream infections.Results:Forty-nine of 210 patients with allo-HSCT had bloodstream infection, and 59 pathogenic microorganisms were identified, mainly Gram-negative bacteria (67.8%) , of which E. coli had the highest incidence (23.7%) , CRO accounted for 42.5%, and Grampositive bacteria accounted for 23.7% (without vancomycin or linezolid-resistant strain) . Additionally, fungi accounted for 8.5%. Univariate analysis suggested that the risk factors of bloodstream infection were gender, pretransplant disease status, and conditioning regimen. In contrast, multivariate analysis showed that bloodstream infection was mainly related to conditioning regimens. Further grouping results showed that 77.6% of patients with neutropenia had bloodstream infections, and 22.4% of patients with non-neutropenia had bloodstream infections; 81.0% of patients with active infections before transplantation had bloodstream infections, while bloodstream infection occurred in 16.9% of patients without active infection. Survival analysis showed that long-term survival of patients with bloodstream infection is shorter than that of patients without bloodstream infection and long-term survival of patients with CRO infection is shorter than that of patients without CRO infection. The survival of patients with neutropenia longer than 14 d is shorter than that of patients with neutropenia shorter than 14 d. Furthermore, there is no correlation between whether there is an active infection before transplantation and whether they are in a neutropenic state at the time of infection and survival.Conclusion:Our results suggest that effective prevention of bloodstream infections from drug-resistant bacteria, particularly CRO, shortening the duration of neutropenia, eradication of potential infections before transplantation, and patient-adaptive conditioning could reduce transplant-related mortality and improve prognosis.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the distnioution of cerebral atherosclerotic stenosis and early neurologic deterioration (END) in patients with acute large artery atherosclerotic stroke.Methods Patients with acute large artery atherosclerotic stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology,the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from March 2017 to May 2018 were enrolled retrospectively.END was defined as the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score increased by 2 from the baseline within 72 h of admission,or the NIHSS consciousness level score increased by 1,or the NIHSS motor score increased by 1,or having any new neurological deficit.According to whether the patients had END or not,they were divided into END group and non-END group.According to cerebral artery stenosis (stenosis degree ＞ 50％) identified by head and neck CT angiography,magnetic resonance angiography or digital subtraction angiography,they were divided into single artery stenosis group and multiple artery stenosis group.Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors for END.Results A total of 371 patients were enrolled in the study,of which 92 (24.8％) had END.In the single artery stenosis group,the incidence of END varies with the distribution of vessel stenosis:anterior cerebral artery (2.3％),middle cerebral artery (54.4％),posterior cerebral artery (9.1％),basilar artery (4.5％),intracranial internal carotid artery (11.4％),intracranial vertebral artery (6.8％),extracranial internal carotid artery (6.8％),and extracranial vertebral artery (4.5％).The incidence of middle cerebral artery stenosis was significantly higher in the END group than that in the non-END group (54.5％ vs.21.2％;x2=17.615,P ＜ 0.001).In the multiple artery stenosis group,the incidence of END was the highest in patients with only intracranial stenosis (66.7％),followed by patients with intracranial and extracranial stenosis (29.2％),and patients with only extracranial stenosis (4.2％).The incidence of only intracranial multi-artery stenosis was significantly higher in the END group than that in the non-END group (66.7％ vs.47.6％;x2 =5.262,P =0.022).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that middle cerebral artery stenosis (odds ratio,1.805,95％ confidence interval 1.217-2.676;P=0.003) was an independent risk factor for END.Conclusions END was associated with the distribution of cerebral atherosclerotic stenosis in patients with acute large artery atherosclerotic stroke.The middle cerebral artery stenosis was an independent risk factor for END.

Objective To investigate the effects of hypomagnesemia on the initial amount of hematoma and patient's condition at hospitalization in elderly patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).The 90 consecutive hospitalized patients with primary ICH were chosen for prospective cohort study in the Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University from February 2017 to May 2018.Methods Demographic and baseline data of patients were collected,and CT scan,serum magnesium concentration and other laboratory examinations after hospital admission were tested.Ninety patients were divided into two groups:hypomagnesemia group(serum magnesium ＜ 0.75 mmol/L,n =38) and normo-magnesemia group(0.75-1.25 mmol/L,n =52).The impact of serum magnesium level on the patient's initial volume of hematoma and critical condition at admission were analyzed.Results The median value of random blood glucose (7.29 mmol/L vs.6.44 mmol/L)and fibrinogen degradation products(3.43 mg/L vs.1.98 mg/L)were higher in the patients with hypomagnesemia than in the normal magnesium group.The median volume of initial volume of hematoma at admission was larger in patients with hypomagnesemia than in the normal magnesium group (20 cm3 vs.10 cm3).The median value of Glasgow coma scale at admission was lower in patients with hypomagnesemia than in the normal magnesium group(12.5 scores vs.14.0 scores).And their difference was statistically significant(U =-2.663,-2.951,-5.000 and-2.821 respectively,P =0.008,0.003,0.000 and 0.005).The correlation analysis showed that the initial volume of hematoma in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage was negatively correlated with the serum magnesium concentration at admission (r =-0.528,P =0.001).Conclusions Patients with hypomagnesemia has a larger hematoma volume and more serious disease condition.There is a significantly negative correlation between serum magnesium and hematoma volume of ICH.The serum magnesium level may become a predictor of ICH in the future.