BACKGROUND: Based on the China-VHD database, this study sought to develop and validate a Valvular Heart Disease- specific Age-adjusted Comorbidity Index (VHD-ACI) for predicting mortality risk in patients with VHD. METHODS & RESULTS: The China-VHD study was a nationwide, multi-centre multi-centre cohort study enrolling 13,917 patients with moderate or severe VHD across 46 medical centres in China between April-June 2018. After excluding cases with missing key variables, 11,459 patients were retained for final analysis. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality, with 941 deaths (10.0%) observed during follow-up. The VHD-ACI was derived after identifying 13 independent mortality predictors: cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary artery hypertension, low body weight, anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, renal insufficiency, moderate/severe hepatic dysfunction, heart failure, cancer, NYHA functional class and age. The index exhibited good discrimination (AUC, 0.79) and calibration (Brier score, 0.062) in the total cohort, outperforming both EuroSCORE II and ACCI (P < 0.001 for comparison). Internal validation through 100 bootstrap iterations yielded a C statistic of 0.694 (95% CI: 0.665-0.723) for 2-year mortality prediction. VHD-ACI scores, as a continuous variable (VHD-ACI score: adjusted HR (95% CI): 1.263 (1.245-1.282), P < 0.001) or categorized using thresholds determined by the Yoden index (VHD-ACI ≥ 9 vs. < 9, adjusted HR (95% CI): 6.216 (5.378-7.184), P < 0.001), were independently associated with mortality. The prognostic performance remained consistent across all VHD subtypes (aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid valve disease, mixed aortic/mitral valve disease and multiple VHD), and clinical subgroups stratified by therapeutic strategy, LVEF status (preserved vs. reduced), disease severity and etiology. CONCLUSION The VHD-ACI is a simple 13-comorbidity algorithm for the prediction of mortality in VHD patients and providing a simple and rapid tool for risk stratification.

Tianxiangdan (TXD), a traditional Chinese herbal remedy, demonstrates efficacy in mitigating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced damage. This study employed network pharmacology to evaluate the therapeutic targets and mechanisms of TXD in treating I/R. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) identified 86 compounds in TXD. Network pharmacological analysis predicted potential target genes and their modes of action. Cardiac function, ischaemic ST changes, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, myocardial fiber, and infarct size were assessed using in vivo and in vitro I/R injury models. Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) protein expression and estradiol (E2) levels were measured to confirm TXD's impact on estrogen levels and ERα expression. To examine if TXD reduces I/R injury through ERα, an AZD group (300 nmol·L^-1 AZD9496 and 15% TXD serum) was compared to a TXD group (15% TXD serum). The study hypothesized that TXD upregulates the ERα-mediated iron metamorphosis pathway. I/R injury-induced ferroptosis was identified using a Fer-1 group (1.0 μmol·L^-1 Fer-1 and 15% TXD serum) to elucidate the potential association between ferroptosis and ERα proteins. A DCFH-DA probe detected reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Fe²⁺, while Western blotting assessed target protein expression. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that TXD attenuated I/R injury by reducing elevated ST-segment levels, improving cardiac injury biomarkers (LDH, MDA, and SOD), alleviating pathological features, and preventing I/R-induced loss of cell viability in vitro. The effects and mechanisms of TXD on I/R injury-associated ferroptosis were investigated using I/R-induced H9c2 cells. The TXD group showed significantly decreased ROS and Fe²⁺ levels, while the AZ group (treated with AZD9496) exhibited increased levels. The TXD group demonstrated enhanced expression of ERα and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), with reduced levels of P53 protein and ferritin-heavy polypeptide 1 (FTH1). The AZ group exhibited contrasting effects on these expression levels. The literature indicated a novel connection between ERα and ferroptosis. TXD activates the ERα signaling pathway, promoting protection against I/R-induced myocardial cell ferroptosis. This study provides evidence supporting TXD use for myocardial ischemia treatment, particularly in older female patients who may benefit from its therapeutic outcomes.
Animals ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Estrogen Receptor alpha/genetics* ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Male ; Mice ; Humans ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Estradiol/metabolism*

Objective To confirm the clinical effectiveness of Duntu Lishui stage acupuncture on polycystic ovary syndrome insulin resistance(PCOS-IR),and to examine the relationship between changes in inflammatory factor levels and improvements in PCOS-IR clinical indicators.Methods 70 individuals with PCOS-IR were randomly assigned to one of two groups:metformin(control)or Duntu Lishui stage acupuncture(Guan Yuan,Zhong Ji,San Yinjiao,Zu Sanli,Feng Long were selected every other day)combined with metformin(acupuncture).35 individuals for each group.TCM symptom scores and sign scores(hirsutism)were collected before and after therapy for a period of three months.Sex hormones,blood lipids,fasting blood glucose,fasting insulin,and serum levels of inflammatory factors IL1β and IL18 were all measured.Results The effective rate of the control group was 48.57%,and the effective rate of the acupuncture group was 94.29%,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.01).Compared within the group before and after treatment,the scores of TCM symptoms,signs,FPG,FINS,and HOMA-IR,TG,LDL-C,LH,LH/FSH,T,PRL,IL18 and IL1β all decreased,while the levels of E2 and P increased,with statistical difference(P<0.05);comparison between groups,acne score,Acanthus nigricans score,FINS,HOMA-IR,TG,LDL-C,LH,LH/FSH,T,IL18 and IL1β decreased,while HDL-C and FSH levels increased,with statistical difference(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis revealed that changes in IL1β and IL18 levels prior to and after therapy were significantly positively linked with changes in BMI,LH,T,FINS,HOMA-IR,and TG(R value>0.40,P<0.05).Conclusion Duntu Lishui acupuncture combined with metformin can considerably improve glucose and lipid metabolism,reduce insulin resistance,and control sex hormone levels in patients with PCOS-IR,and the therapeutic impact is superior to that of Western treatment alone.According to Pearson correlation research,inflammatory variables may be a significant target for the therapeutic effects of acupuncture and moxibustion.

Objective To establish a stable,reliable,and clinically relevant porcine model of endotoxin-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods Ten 8-month-old male Bama minipigs were deeply sedated,followed by invasive mechanical ventilation and electrocardiographic monitoring.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was intravenously pumped at 600 μg/(kg·h)for 3 hours,then maintained at 15 μg/(kg·h)thereafter.Dynamic monitoring was performed at five time points after LPS injection(LPS 0,1,3,5,and 8 h),including arterial blood gas analysis and chest computed tomography(CT)scans.Pathological examination of lung tissues obtained via bronchoscopic biopsy(HE staining and transmission electron microscopy)was conducted.These indicators were comprehensively used to evaluate the success of the animal model.Results At 5 hours after LPS administration,8 minipigs developed symptoms such as skin cyanosis,elevated body temperature,and respiratory distress.The oxygenation index decreased to<300 mmHg.Chest CT scans showed diffuse pulmonary infiltrates.Histopathology revealed alveolar edema and hyaline membrane formation.Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated disruption of pulmonary blood-air barrier,depletion of lamellar bodies in type Ⅱ pneumocytes,inflammatory cell infiltration,and exudation of plasma proteins and fibrin.Compared with LPS 0 h,at LPS 8 h,the oxygenation index and arterial blood pH were significantly decreased(P<0.001),while blood lactic acid and serum potassium were significantly increased(P<0.05);serum calcium and base excess were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the lung injury score based on HE-stained lung sections was significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion The porcine ARDS model established by continuous LPS injection can dynamically simulate the pathophysiological characteristics and typical pathological manifestations of clinical septic ARDS,making it an effective tool to study the pathogenesis,prevention,and treatment strategies of septic ARDS.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the anterior ethmoidal artery(AEA)and anatomical variations of the anterior cranial base,and to analyze the predictive factors for AEA suspension.Methods Sinus CT imaging data of 159 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus sur-gery(ESS)were retrospectively analyzed.Mimics 21.0 software was utilized for three-dimensional reconstruction,measuring parameters of AEA and anterior cranial base anatomy and performing classi-fication.Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were used to evaluate the correlations among vari-ous anatomical parameters and their classifications.Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed to screen for independentpredictive factors of AEA suspension.Results The rates of AEA suspension differed significantly across different Keros classifications(P＜0.001),with an increase rate as the Keros classification level increased(P＜0.001).The transverse diameter,height and vol-ume of supraorbital ethmoid cells(SOEC),olfactory fossa depth,lateral lamella of the cribriform plate(LLCP)length and frontal sinus pneumatization classification grade were positively correlated with the distance from AEA to the cranial base(P＜0.05).Multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of SOEC(OR=4.178,95％CI,2.517 to 6.935,P＜0.001),in-creased olfactory fossa depth(OR=1.433,95％CI,1.197 to 1.715,P＜0.001),and higher frontal sinus pneumatization classification grade(OR=1.621,95％CI,1.121 to 2.345,P=0.01)were independent predictive factors for AEA suspension.Conclusion Detailed preoperative CT imaging assessment,especially the analysis of SOEC,olfactory fossa depth and frontal sinus pneumatization classification,aids in accurately assessing the anatomical position of AEA,thereby effectively reduc-ing the risk of AEA injury,and improving the safety and success rate of surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical characteristics of pediatric Behçet syndrome (BS). METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on the medical records of children hospitalized in the Department of Pediatrics at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University between December 2014 and December 2024 who met diagnostic criteria for BS. RESULTS: Among 45 children with BS, 26 (58%) were male. Oral aphthous ulcers were the most common manifestation (43/45, 96%), followed by genital ulcers (23/45, 51%) and gastrointestinal involvement (18/45, 40%). Genital ulcers were more frequent in girls, whereas ocular involvement was more common in boys (P<0.05). The pathergy test was positive in 10 (22%), and HLA-B51 was positive in 13 (29%). Fecal calprotectin (FC) was elevated in 16 (36%); gastrointestinal involvement was more frequent in children with elevated FC than in those with normal FC (P<0.05). According to the respective criteria, 17 (38%) patients met the International Study Group criteria (1990), 33 (73%) met the International Criteria for Behçet Disease (2014), and 13 (29%) met the Pediatric Behçet Disease criteria (2015). CONCLUSIONS Pediatric BS shows marked clinical heterogeneity. HLA-B51 is associated with disease susceptibility.
Humans ; Behcet Syndrome/genetics* ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Retrospective Studies ; Adolescent ; Child, Preschool ; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex/analysis* ; HLA-B51 Antigen

OBJECTIVE To investigate and analyze the current situation and problems of the advanced personnel en-gaging in the hospital-acquired infection control during their training period and explore the existing countermeas-ures and future development.METHODS The literatures regarding to the advanced study in China were retrieved from databases,the subjects of the literatures covered infection control-related advanced study practice,discipline construction,position competence,talent cultivation,scientific research innovation,professional title evaluation,laws,regulations and development plans.From Aug.2024 to Nov.2024,a questionnaire survey and face-to-face interviews were conducted among 36 advanced study personnel from 9 provinces of China who engaged in hos-pital-acquired infection control in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital.Eventually,36 ques-tionnaires were retrieved,all of which were valid with a questionnaire recovery rate of 100.00％.RESULTS Among the 36 advanced study personnel of hospital-acquired infection control,58.33％were medium-grade professional ti-tle;preventive medicine(41.67％),clinical medicine(25.00％)and nursing(16.67％)ranked the top 3 majors.The personnel engaged in the infection control for more than 6 years,and the duration of the advanced study was generally 3 or 6 months.In reality,the personnel faced the choices in terms of the purposes of further education,learning approaches and learning contents.The advanced study personnel also encountered the problems of challenges from promotion,improvement of position competency,integration with clinical training,supervision and practice,as well as physiological,psychological and family pressure.CONCLUSION Aiming at the problems that the advanced study personnel are generally concerned about,such as how to scientifically and effectively carry out hospital-acquired infection control advanced study and preset and solve the problems that may encounter,it is necessary to formulate targeted training programmes so as to provide bases and enlightenment for establishment of a long-term mechanism for advanced study of infection control in China.

OBJECTIVE To investigate and analyze the current situation and problems of the advanced personnel en-gaging in the hospital-acquired infection control during their training period and explore the existing countermeas-ures and future development.METHODS The literatures regarding to the advanced study in China were retrieved from databases,the subjects of the literatures covered infection control-related advanced study practice,discipline construction,position competence,talent cultivation,scientific research innovation,professional title evaluation,laws,regulations and development plans.From Aug.2024 to Nov.2024,a questionnaire survey and face-to-face interviews were conducted among 36 advanced study personnel from 9 provinces of China who engaged in hos-pital-acquired infection control in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital.Eventually,36 ques-tionnaires were retrieved,all of which were valid with a questionnaire recovery rate of 100.00％.RESULTS Among the 36 advanced study personnel of hospital-acquired infection control,58.33％were medium-grade professional ti-tle;preventive medicine(41.67％),clinical medicine(25.00％)and nursing(16.67％)ranked the top 3 majors.The personnel engaged in the infection control for more than 6 years,and the duration of the advanced study was generally 3 or 6 months.In reality,the personnel faced the choices in terms of the purposes of further education,learning approaches and learning contents.The advanced study personnel also encountered the problems of challenges from promotion,improvement of position competency,integration with clinical training,supervision and practice,as well as physiological,psychological and family pressure.CONCLUSION Aiming at the problems that the advanced study personnel are generally concerned about,such as how to scientifically and effectively carry out hospital-acquired infection control advanced study and preset and solve the problems that may encounter,it is necessary to formulate targeted training programmes so as to provide bases and enlightenment for establishment of a long-term mechanism for advanced study of infection control in China.

Objective To confirm the clinical effectiveness of Duntu Lishui stage acupuncture on polycystic ovary syndrome insulin resistance(PCOS-IR),and to examine the relationship between changes in inflammatory factor levels and improvements in PCOS-IR clinical indicators.Methods 70 individuals with PCOS-IR were randomly assigned to one of two groups:metformin(control)or Duntu Lishui stage acupuncture(Guan Yuan,Zhong Ji,San Yinjiao,Zu Sanli,Feng Long were selected every other day)combined with metformin(acupuncture).35 individuals for each group.TCM symptom scores and sign scores(hirsutism)were collected before and after therapy for a period of three months.Sex hormones,blood lipids,fasting blood glucose,fasting insulin,and serum levels of inflammatory factors IL1β and IL18 were all measured.Results The effective rate of the control group was 48.57%,and the effective rate of the acupuncture group was 94.29%,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.01).Compared within the group before and after treatment,the scores of TCM symptoms,signs,FPG,FINS,and HOMA-IR,TG,LDL-C,LH,LH/FSH,T,PRL,IL18 and IL1β all decreased,while the levels of E2 and P increased,with statistical difference(P<0.05);comparison between groups,acne score,Acanthus nigricans score,FINS,HOMA-IR,TG,LDL-C,LH,LH/FSH,T,IL18 and IL1β decreased,while HDL-C and FSH levels increased,with statistical difference(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis revealed that changes in IL1β and IL18 levels prior to and after therapy were significantly positively linked with changes in BMI,LH,T,FINS,HOMA-IR,and TG(R value>0.40,P<0.05).Conclusion Duntu Lishui acupuncture combined with metformin can considerably improve glucose and lipid metabolism,reduce insulin resistance,and control sex hormone levels in patients with PCOS-IR,and the therapeutic impact is superior to that of Western treatment alone.According to Pearson correlation research,inflammatory variables may be a significant target for the therapeutic effects of acupuncture and moxibustion.

Objective To summarize the epidemiological and clinical features of infectious diseases of the central nervous system(CNS)by a single-center analysis.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 1247 cases of CNS infectious diseases diagnosed and treated in the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from 2001 to 2020.Results The data for this group of CNS infectious diseases by disease type in descending order of number of cases were viruses 743(59.6％),Mycobacterium tuberculosis 249(20.0％),other bacteria 150(12.0％),fungi 68(5.5％),parasites 18(1.4％),Treponema pallidum 18(1.4％)and rickettsia 1(0.1％).The number of cases increased by 177 cases(33.1％)in the latter 10 years compared to the previous 10 years(P<0.05).No significant difference in seasonal distribution pattern of data between disease types(P>0.05).Male to female ratio is 1.87︰1,mostly under 60 years of age.Viruses are more likely to infect students,most often at university/college level and above,farmers are overrepresented among bacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis,and more infections of Treponema pallidum in workers.CNS infectious diseases are characterized by fever,headache and signs of meningeal irritation,with the adductor nerve being the more commonly involved cranial nerve.Matagenomic next-generation sequencing improves clinical diagnostic capabilities.The median hospital days for CNS infectious diseases are 18.00(11.00,27.00)and median hospital costs are ￥29,500(￥16,000,￥59,200).The mortality rate from CNS infectious diseases is 1.6％.Conclusions The incidence of CNS infectious diseases is increasing last ten years,with complex clinical presentation,severe symptoms and poor prognosis.Early and accurate diagnosis and standardized clinical treatment can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality rate and ease the burden of disease.