ObjectiveTo analyze the risk factors for long-term cardiovascular events in patients undergoing long-term peritoneal dialysis （PD）， and to construct and validate a visual nomogram prediction model based on multiple parameters. MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted， consecutively enrolling 248 maintenance PD patients （dialysis duration ≥ 3 months）. Demographic characteristics， clinical indicators， laboratory parameters， and echocardiographic indices （including left ventricular ejection fraction ［LVEF］， ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity （E/e’）， etc.） were collected. The composite endpoint was defined as the occurrence of cardiovascular events or cardiovascular death， with non-cardiovascular death as the competing risk and loss to follow-up or the end of follow-up as censoring events. Fine-Gray competing risks model was used to screen independent predictors， based on which a nomogram model was constructed. Internal validation was performed using the Bootstrap method （1 000 resamplings）， and the concordance index （C-index） and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic （time-dependent ROC） curve were calculated to evaluate the model performance. ResultsWith a median follow-up of 29 months （interquartile range： 24–35 months）， 88 patients （35.48%） reached the composite endpoint， including 80 cases of cardiovascular events and 8 cases of cardiovascular death， and 4 patients died of non-cardiovascular causes. Multivariate Fine-Gray analysis revealed that age， diabetes mellitus， hemoglobin （HGB） level and E/e' ratio were independent influencing factors of the composite endpoint. Specifically， each 1-year increase in age was associated with a 3.0% increase in the risk of the composite endpoint （HR=1.030， P=0.006）； patients with diabetes mellitus had a 167.9% higher risk compared with non-diabetic patients （HR=2.679， P=0.007）； each 1g/L increase in HGB level contributed to a 1.5% reduction in the risk （HR=0.985， P=0.003）； and each 0.1 increase in E/e' ratio led to a 7.2% increase in the risk （HR=1.072， P=0.045）. The nomogram model had a C-index of 0.76 （95% CI： 0.698–0.820）， and the AUC of the time-dependent ROC curve reached 0.849 at 23 months of follow-up. ConclusionIncreased age， complicated with diabetes mellitus， decreased HGB， and elevated E/e' ratio are independent risk factors of long-term occurrence of cardiovascular events and cardiovascular death in patients undergoing long-term PD. The nomogram model constructed based on the above variables has good predictive value and clinical applicability， which can provide a reference for cardiovascular risk stratification and individualized intervention in long-term PD patients.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of dietary intervention on blood pressure and renal function in patients with hypertensive nephropathy, so as to provide dietary and nutritional guidances for this population. Methods: Hypertensive nephropathy patients who were treated at Zhucheng People's Hospital from March 2023 to February 2024 were selected as the study subjects and randomly divided into the intervention group and the control group. The control group received routine antihypertensive treatment and health lifestyle guidance. On the basis of the treatment and guidance received by the control group, the intervention group implemented dietary intervention in accordance with the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Nutritional Therapy of Chronic Kidney Disease in China (2021 edition) for a period of 3 months. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured before and after the intervention, and serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), cystatin and β2-microglobulin were detected. Differences of indicators before and after intervention between the two groups were compared using generalized estimation equation. Results: A total of 83 patients with hypertensive nephropathy were followed up, including 43 cases in the intervention group and 40 cases in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, body mass index, duration of hypertension, family history of hypertension, hypertension grade, physical activity index, or smoking status between the two groups (all P>0.05). The differences in SBP, DBP, Scr, BUN, and UA between the two groups, as well as the differences before and after the intervention, were statistically significant, and there was an interaction between the groups and the intervention time (all P<0.05). After intervention, the levels of SBP, DBP, Scr, BUN, and UA in the intervention group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The differences in cystatin and β2-microglobulin between the two groups and before and after the intervention were not statistically significant, and there was no interaction between the groups and the intervention time (all P>0.05). Conclusion Dietary intervention has a certain effect on reducing blood pressure and improving renal function indicators in patients with hypertensive nephropathy.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of Modified qifang weitong granules on gastric cancer based on in vitro and in vivo experiments. METHODS Human gastric cancer HGC-27 cells were divided into the following groups: control group （treated with fetal bovine serum）， 10% drug-containing serum group， 15% drug-containing serum group， 20% drug-containing serum group， and 5-fluorouracil （5-Fu） group （positive control， 3.90 μg/mL）. After culturing the cells in each group with the corresponding serum/drug solution， their proliferation， migratory and invasive abilities， as well as the cell cycle， were assessed. Additionally， the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）-related proteins [E-cadherin， N-cadherin， and vimentin] in the cells were measured. Logarithmic-phase HGC-27 cells were harvested and subcutaneously injected into the right axillary region of nude mice to establish a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model in nude mice. The successfully modeled tumor-bearing nude mice were randomly divided into model group， low-， medium- and high-dose groups of Modified qifang weitong granules （17.65， 35.29 and 70.58 g/kg， respectively）， and 5-Fu group （25 mg/kg）， with 5 mice in each group. After 14 days of treatment with the corresponding drugs in each group， the histopathological morphology of the tumor tissues in the nude mice was observed. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot assay were employed to detect the expression levels of EMT- related proteins in the tumor tissues of the nude mice. RESULTS In the cell experiment， compared with the control group， the cell proliferation rate， migration rate， number of invasive cells， as well as the expression levels of N-cadherin and vimentin proteins， and the percentage of cells in the G2/M phase were all significantly decreased/reduced in the 15% drug-containing serum group， 20% drug-containing serum group （P＜0.05）. Conversely， the percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase and the expression level of E- cadherin protein were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. In animal experiment， compared with the model group， the high-dose group of Modified qifang weitong granules exhibited significantly reduced tumor mass and expression levels of N-cadherin and vimentin proteins in the tumor tissues of nude mice （P＜0.05）， while the expression level of E-cadherinprotein in the tumor tissues was significantly increased （P＜0.05）. Additionally， the tumor cells varied in size and showed extensive necrosis. CONCLUSIONS Modified qifang weitong granules effectively inhibit gastric cancer in both in vitro and in vivo models， and the mechanism of action is related to the suppression of EMT.

Liver fibrosis is the common pathological process in the progression of various chronic liver diseases to liver cirrhosis， and it greatly affects the prognosis of patients with chronic liver diseases. As a novel adipokine， Chemerin participates in the metabolism of glucose and lipids and inflammation， and various studies have shown that the expression level of Chemerin is correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis， suggesting that Chemerin may be involved in the process of liver fibrosis by regulating metabolism and inflammation. Chemerin has shown certain potential in the auxiliary diagnosis of liver fibrosis and the intervention against the progression of liver fibrosis. This article reviews the potential role and mechanism of action of Chemerin in the process of liver fibrosis， in order to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of liver fibrosis.

The traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） myocardial infarction （MI） unit is a standardized， regulated， and continuous integrated care unit guided by TCM theory and built upon existing chest pain centers or emergency care units. This unit emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration and forms a restructured clinical entity without altering current departmental settings， offering comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services with full participation of TCM in the treatment of MI. Its core medical model is patient-centered and disease-focused， providing horizontally integrated TCM-based care across multiple specialties and vertically constructing a full-cycle treatment unit for MI， delivering prevention， treatment， and rehabilitation during the acute， stable， and recovery phases. Additionally， the unit establishes a TCM-featured education and prevention mechanism for MI to guide patients in proactive health management， reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction， and improve quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate early effectiveness of posterior 180-degree decompression via unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) combined with Michigan State University (MSU)-1 lumbar disc herniation (LDH). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 33 patients with LSS combined with MSU-1 LDH, who met selection criteria and were treated between March 2022 and January 2024. All patients underwent UBE-assisted 180-degree spinal canal decompression. The cohort comprised 17 males and 16 females, aged 37-82 years (mean, 67.1 years). Preoperative presentations included bilateral lower limbs intermittent claudication and radiating pain, with disease duration ranging from 5 to 13 months (mean, 8.5 months). Affected segments included L _{3, 4} in 4 cases, L _{4, 5} in 28 cases, and L ₅, S ₁ in 1 case. LSS was rated as Schizas grade A in 4 cases, grade B in 5 cases, grade C in 13 cases, and grade D in 11 cases. LDH was categorized as MSU-1A in 24 cases, MSU-1B in 2 cases, and MSU-1AB in 7 cases. Intraoperative parameters (operation time, blood loss) and postoperative hospitalization length were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to assess the lower limb pain and functional outcomes after operation. Clinical efficacy was evaluated at last follow-up via modified MacNab criteria. Quantitative radiological assessments included dural sac cross-sectional area (DSCA) measurements and spinal stenosis grading on lumbar MRI. Morphological classification of lumbar canal stenosis was determined according to the Schizas grading, categorized into four grades. RESULTS: The operation time was 60.4-90.8 minutes (mean, 80.3 minutes) and intraoperative blood loss was 13-47 mL (mean, 29.9 mL). The postoperative hospitalization length was 3-5 days (mean, 3.8 days). All patients were followed up 12-16 months (mean, 13.8 months). The VAS score and ODI improved at immediate and 3, 6, and 12 months after operation compared to before operation, and the differences between different time points were significant ( P<0.05). At last follow-up, the clinical efficacy assessed by the modified MacNab criteria were graded as excellent in 23 cases, good in 9 cases, and poor in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 96.97%. Postoperative lumbar MRI revealed the significant decompression of the dural sac in 32 cases, with 1 case showing inadequate dural expansion. DSCA measurements confirmed progressive enlargement and stenosis reduction over time. The differences were significant ( P<0.05) before operation, immediately after operation, and at 6 months after operation. At 6 months after operation, Schizas grading of spinal stenosis improved to grade A in 27 cases and grade B in 6 cases. CONCLUSION Posterior 180-degree decompression via UBE is a safe and feasible strategy for treating LSS combined with MSU-1 LDH, achieving effective neural decompression while preserving intervertebral disc integrity.
Humans ; Spinal Stenosis/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/complications* ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Adult ; Aged, 80 and over ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have provided compelling evidence that exposure to brominated flame retardants (BFRs) can adversely affect human health. We aim to explore the potential impact of BFRs on adiposity and central obesity. METHODS: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) cycles conducted between 2009 and 2014 was used to study the connections between variables. After filtering, we analyzed a sample of 4,110 adults aged 20 years and above. Our goal was to examine the potential association between BFRs and consequences and investigate the part played by oxidative stress and inflammatory markers as intermediaries. To achieve this, we used advanced statistical methods such as weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, quantile-based g-computation (QGC), and the Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). RESULTS: The findings showed that among the examined chemicals, exposure to PBDE85 (weight: 41%), PBDE100 (24%), and PBB153 (23%) may be the dominant contributors to general obesity risk. Upon controlling for all variables that could impact the results, it was found that the QGC outcomes indicated a positive correlation between exposure to mixtures of brominated flame retardants and the occurrence of abdominal obesity (OR = 1.187, 95% CI: 1.056-1.334, p = 0.004). Significant contributions were made by PBDE85 (52%), PBB153 (27%), and PBDE100 (21%). Mediation analysis shows that lymphatic cells (LC) and albumin (ALB) partially mediate the link between brominated flame retardants and obesity. The results of BKMR are generally consistent with those of WQS and QGC. CONCLUSION At a population level, our research has revealed a noteworthy correlation between BFRs and obesity. However, further investigation is required through prospective cohort studies and in-depth mechanistic exploratory studies.
Humans ; Flame Retardants/adverse effects* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Inflammation/epidemiology* ; Obesity/chemically induced* ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Nutrition Surveys ; Mediation Analysis ; Young Adult ; United States/epidemiology* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Aged ; Environmental Pollutants/adverse effects* ; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers/adverse effects*

Research indicates that microbe activity within the human body significantly influences health by being closely linked to various diseases. Accurately predicting microbe-disease interactions (MDIs) offers critical insights for disease intervention and pharmaceutical research. Current advanced AI-based technologies automatically generate robust representations of microbes and diseases, enabling effective MDI predictions. However, these models continue to face significant challenges. A major issue is their reliance on complex feature extractors and classifiers, which substantially diminishes the models' generalizability. To address this, we introduce a novel graph autoencoder framework that utilizes decoupled representation learning and multi-scale information fusion strategies to efficiently infer potential MDIs. Initially, we randomly mask portions of the input microbe-disease graph based on Bernoulli distribution to boost self-supervised training and minimize noise-related performance degradation. Secondly, we employ decoupled representation learning technology, compelling the graph neural network (GNN) to independently learn the weights for each feature subspace, thus enhancing its expressive power. Finally, we implement multi-scale information fusion technology to amalgamate the multi-layer outputs of GNN, reducing information loss due to occlusion. Extensive experiments on public datasets demonstrate that our model significantly surpasses existing top MDI prediction models. This indicates that our model can accurately predict unknown MDIs and is likely to aid in disease discovery and precision pharmaceutical research. Code and data are accessible at: https://github.com/shmildsj/MDI-IFDRL.

In general, bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation of bioactive constituents from botanical materials frequently ended up with the reward of a single compound. However, botanical materials typically exert their therapeutic actions through multi-pathway effects due to the intrinsic complex nature of chemical constituents. In addition, the content of bioactive compounds in botanical materials is largely dependent on humidity, temperature, soil, especially geographical origins, from which rapid and accurate identification of plant materials is pressingly needed. These long-standing obstacles collectively impede the deep exploitation and application of these versatile natural sources. To address the challenges, a new paradigm integrating biogravimetric analyses and machine learning-driven origin classification (BAMLOC) was developed. The biogravimetric analyses are based on absolute qHNMR quantification and in vivo zebrafish model-assisted activity index calculation, by which bioactive substance groups jointly responsible for the bioactivities in all fractions are pinpointed before any isolation effort. To differentiate origin-different botanical materials varying in the content of bioactive substance groups, principal component analysis, linear discriminant analysis, and hierarchical cluster analysis in conjunction with supervised support vector machine are employed to classify and predict production areas based on the detection of volatile organic compounds by E-nose and GC-MS. Expanding BAMLOC to Codonopsis Radix enables the identification of polyacetylenes and pyrrolidine alkaloids as the bioactive substance group for immune restoration effect and accurately determines the origins of plants. This study advances the toolbox for the discovery of bioactive compounds from complex mixtures and lays a more definitive foundation for the in-depth utilization of botanical materials.

We have isolated an intestinal probiotic strain, Pediococcus acidilactici HRQ-1. To improve its gastrointestinal fluid tolerance, transportation and storage stability, and slow-release properties, we employed the extrusion method to prepare the microcapsules with P. acidilactici HRQ-1 as the core material and sodium alginate and chitosan as the wall material. The optimal conditions for preparing the microcapsules were determined by single factor and orthogonal tests, and the optimal ratio was determined by taking the embedding rate, survival rate, storage stability, gastrointestinal fluid tolerance, and release rate as the evaluation indexes. The results showed that under the optimal embedding conditions, the embedding rate reached (89.60±0.02)%. Under the optimal formula of freeze-drying protective agent, the freeze-drying survival rate reached (76.42±0.13)%, and the average size of the microcapsules produced was (1.16±0.03) mm. The continuous gastrointestinal fluid simulation experiments confirmed that the microcapsules ensured the viable bacterial count and can slowly release bacteria in the intestinal fluid. The curve of the viable bacterial count during storage at 4 ℃ and room temperature indicated that the prepared microcapsules achieved strains' live number protection. The formula and preparation process of P. acidilactici microcapsules may provide a technological reserve for the preparation of more live bacterial drugs in the future.
Pediococcus acidilactici/chemistry* ; Probiotics/chemistry* ; Capsules/chemistry* ; Alginates/chemistry* ; Chitosan/chemistry* ; Drug Compounding/methods* ; Glucuronic Acid/chemistry* ; Hexuronic Acids/chemistry* ; Freeze Drying