Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of airway mucus plugging in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).Methods:This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. A total of 322 hospitalized AECOPD patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from February 2023 to February 2025 were enrolled. Based on chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of airway mucus plugging, patients were classified into mucus plugging and non-mucus plugging groups. General and clinical data were collected, including age, sex, disease duration, smoking and alcohol history, comorbidities, number of acute exacerbations in the past year, routine blood tests, biochemical indices, pulmonary function, and pathogen detection. The incidence of airway mucus plugging in AECOPD patients was calculated, and differences in baseline characteristics, laboratory parameters, and pulmonary function between the two groups were compared. Logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for mucus plugging, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate the predictive value of relevant indicators.Results:Of the 322 enrolled patients, 87(27.02%) were found to have airway mucus plugging. Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the mucus plug group and the non-plug group in the following parameters (all P<0.05): body mass index (BMI), disease duration, smoking status, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classification, modified British Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score, frequency of acute exacerbations, neutrophil percentage, absolute lymphocyte count, lymphocyte percentage, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, fibrin(ogen) degradation products, D-dimer, Aspergillus infection rate, percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to predicted value (FEV 1%pred), ratio of FEV 1 to forced vital capacity (FEV 1/FVC), and percentage of maximal mid-expiratory flow to predicted value (MMEF 75/25%pred). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the following as independent risk factors for airway mucus plugs (all P<0.05): elevated CRP ( OR=1.022, 95% CI: 1.013-1.036), decreased albumin ( OR=0.891, 95% CI: 0.825-0.959), Aspergillus infection ( OR=1.774, 95% CI: 1.366-2.317), and reduced MMEF 75/25%pred value ( OR=0.978, 95% CI: 0.964-0.990). ROC curve analysis showed that the combined predictive model incorporating CRP, albumin, Aspergillus infection, and MMEF 75/25%pred had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.776(95% CI: 0.714-0.838), which was superior to each individual indicator alone, with AUCs of 0.721 for CRP, 0.687 for albumin, 0.579 for Aspergillus infection, and 0.631 for MMEF 75/25%pred. Conclusions:AECOPD patients with airway mucus plugging exhibit higher inflammatory markers, poorer nutritional status, a higher likelihood of Aspergillus infection, worse pulmonary function, and poorer prognosis. Aspergillus infection, elevated CRP, decreased albumin, and reduced MMEF 75/25%pred are independent risk factors for mucus plugs in AECOPD.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the mechanism of Shuangshu Decoction (SSD) for inhibiting growth of gastric cancer xenografts in nude mice. METHODS: Network pharmacology analysis was conducted to identify the common targets of SSD and gastric cancer cell ferroptosis, and bioinformatics analysis and molecular docking were used to validate the core targets. In the cell experiment, AGS cells were treated with SSD-medicated serum, Fer-1 (a ferroptosis inhibitor), or both, and the changes in cell viability, ferroptosis markers (ROS, Fe²⁺ and GSH), expressions of P53, SLC7A11 and GPX4, and mitochondrial morphology were examined. In a nude mouse model bearing gastric cancer xenografts, the effects of gavage with SSD, intraperitoneal injection of Fer-1, or their combination on tumor volume/weight, histopathology, and expressions of P53, SLC7A11 and GPX4 levels were evaluated. RESULTS: The active components in SSD (quercetin and wogonin) showed strong binding affinities to P53. In AGS cells, SSD treatment dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation, increased ROS and Fe²⁺ levels, upregulated P53 expression, and downregulated the expressions of SLC7A11 and GPX4, but these effects were effectively attenuated by Fer-1 treatment. SSD also induced mitochondrial shrinkage and increased the membrane density, which were alleviated by Fer-1. In the tumor-bearing mouse models, gavage with SSD significantly reduced tumor size and weight, caused tumor cell necrosis, upregulated P53 and downregulated SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression in the tumor tissue, and these effects were obviously mitigated by Fer-1 treatment. CONCLUSIONS SSD inhibits gastric cancer growth in nude mice by inducing cell ferroptosis via the P53/SLC7A11/GPX4 axis.
Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Animals ; Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism* ; Mice, Nude ; Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Amino Acid Transport System y+/metabolism* ; Mice ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Rapid and ultrasensitive detection of pathogen-associated biomarkers is vital for the early diagnosis and therapy of bacterial infections. Herein, we developed a close-packed and ordered Au@AgPt array coupled with a cascade triggering strategy for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and colorimetric identification of the Staphylococcus aureus biomarker micrococcal nuclease (MNase) in serum samples. The trimetallic Au@AgPt nanozymes can catalyze the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) molecules to SERS-enhanced oxidized TMB (oxTMB), accompanied by the color change from colorless to blue. In the presence of S. aureus, the secreted MNase preferentially cut the nucleobase AT-rich regions of DNA sequences on magnetic beads (MBs) to release alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which subsequently mediated the oxTMB reduction for inducing the colorimetric/SERS signal fade away. Using this "on-to-off" triggering strategy, the target S. aureus can be recorded in a wide linear range with a limit of detection of 38 CFU/mL in the colorimetric mode and 6 CFU/mL in the SERS mode. Meanwhile, the MNase-mediated strategy characterized by high specificity and sensitivity successfully discriminated between patients with sepsis (n = 7) and healthy participants (n = 3), as well as monitored the prognostic progression of the disease (n = 2). Overall, benefiting from highly active and dense "hot spot" substrate, MNase-mediated cascade response strategy, and colorimetric/SERS dual-signal output, this methodology will offer a promising avenue for the early diagnosis of S. aureus infection.

Objective To explore the application effect of the dual-track nursing intervention model in the treatment process of children with lobar pneumonia.Methods A total of 186 children with lobar pneumonia were selected and randomly divided into control group and intervention group u-sing a double-blind method,with 93 cases in each group.The control group received conventional nursing intervention,while the intervention group implemented the dual-track nursing intervention model on the basis of conventional nursing.This model included the establishment and training of nurs-ing teams,personalized nursing plans,health education,and psychological support.Outside the hos-pital,it emphasized family support,regular follow-up guidance,and community-based collaborative ed-ucation.Both groups received a 3-week intervention.The improvement times of clinical symptoms,hos-pital stay,pulmonary function indicators before and after nursing,treatment compliance,and family members' satisfaction with nursing were compared and analyzed between the two groups.Results The fever resolution time[(3.89±0.96)d],cough relief time[(6.21±1.34)d],disappearance time of pulmonary rales[(7.89±1.56)d],and hospital stay duration[(9.45±1.89)d]in the intervention group were all shorter than those in the control group[(5.23±1.14),(7.45±1.67),(9.32±2.01),and(11.28±2.35)d,respectively],with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).After nursing,the forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1)[(1.51±0.22)L],forced vital capacity(FVC)[(1.75±0.25)L],and FEV1/FVC[(94.12±5.65)％]in the intervention group were all higher than those in the control group[(1.42±0.15)L,(1.66±0.22)L,and(85.73±8.41)％,respectively],with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).The scores for exami-nation cooperation[(23.91±3.82)points],nursing cooperation[(24.19±4.03)points],standardized medication use[(24.26±3.94)points],and rational diet[(23.77±3.62)points]in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group[(20.16±3.53),(19.64±3.46),(23.05±3.68),and(18.85±3.41)points,respectively],with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).The satisfaction rate of family members with nursing work in the intervention group was higher than that in the control group,with a statistically significant difference(98.92％versus 89.25％,P＜0.05).Conclusion The dual-track nursing intervention model has a signifi-cant application effect in children with lobar pneumonia.It can accelerate their recovery process,improve treatment compliance,promote pulmonary function improvement,and enhance family mem-bers' satisfaction.

Rapid and ultrasensitive detection of pathogen-associated biomarkers is vital for the early diagnosis and therapy of bacterial infections.Herein,we developed a close-packed and ordered Au@AgPt array coupled with a cascade triggering strategy for surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS)and colorimetric identification of the Staphylococcus aureus biomarker micrococcal nuclease(MNase)in serum samples.The trimetallic Au@AgPt nanozymes can catalyze the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine(TMB)molecules to SERS-enhanced oxidized TMB(oxTMB),accompanied by the color change from colorless to blue.In the presence of S.aureus,the secreted MNase preferentially cut the nucleobase AT-rich regions of DNA sequences on magnetic beads(MBs)to release alkaline phosphatase(ALP),which subsequently mediated the oxTMB reduction for inducing the colorimetric/SERS signal fade away.Using this"on-to-off"triggering strategy,the target S.aureus can be recorded in a wide linear range with a limit of detection of 38 CFU/mL in the colorimetric mode and 6 CFU/mL in the SERS mode.Meanwhile,the MNase-mediated strategy characterized by high specificity and sensitivity successfully discriminated between patients with sepsis(n=7)and healthy participants(n=3),as well as monitored the prog-nostic progression of the disease(n=2).Overall,benefiting from highly active and dense"hot spot"substrate,MNase-mediated cascade response strategy,and colorimetric/SERS dual-signal output,this methodology will offer a promising avenue for the early diagnosis of S.aureus infection.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Shuangshu Decoction(SSD)for inhibiting growth of gastric cancer xenografts in nude mice.Methods Network pharmacology analysis was conducted to identify the common targets of SSD and gastric cancer cell ferroptosis,and bioinformatics analysis and molecular docking were used to validate the core targets.In the cell experiment,AGS cells were treated with SSD-medicated serum,Fer-1(a ferroptosis inhibitor),or both,and the changes in cell viability,ferroptosis markers(ROS,Fe2+and GSH),expressions of P53,SLC7A11 and GPX4,and mitochondrial morphology were examined.In a nude mouse model bearing gastric cancer xenografts,the effects of gavage with SSD,intraperitoneal injection of Fer-1,or their combination on tumor volume/weight,histopathology,and expressions of P53,SLC7A11 and GPX4 levels were evaluated.Results The active components in SSD(quercetin and wogonin)showed strong binding affinities to P53.In AGS cells,SSD treatment dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation,increased ROS and Fe2+levels,upregulated P53 expression,and downregulated the expressions of SLC7A11 and GPX4,but these effects were effectively attenuated by Fer-1 treatment.SSD also induced mitochondrial shrinkage and increased the membrane density,which were alleviated by Fer-1.In the tumor-bearing mouse models,gavage with SSD significantly reduced tumor size and weight,caused tumor cell necrosis,upregulated P53 and downregulated SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression in the tumor tissue,and these effects were obviously mitigated by Fer-1 treatment.Conclusion SSD inhibits gastric cancer growth in nude mice by inducing cell ferroptosis via the P53/SLC7A11/GPX4 axis.

Objective To identify the hemodynamic characteristics of frontal polar cortex(FPC)in patients with chronic subjective tinnitus,and to study the short-term efficacy of multielement integration sound(MIS)treatment,and its effects on FPC oxyhemoglobin(HbO).Methods Fifty patients with chronic subjective tinnitus(tinnitus group)and 50 subjects without tinnitus matching their age,sex and education level(control group)were collected from June 2023 to Oc-tober 2023.The tinnitus group and control group received MIS treatment for 15 minutes,respectively.Tinnitus handicap inventory(THI)and visual analogue scale(VAS)scores were collected before and after treatment in tinnitus group.Func-tional near infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS)was used to measure the 8-minute average HbO concentration in the frontal cortex of both groups before and after treatment.The changes of HbO concentration before and after treatment were compared be-tween the two groups.The correlation between clinical features and HbO was analyzed.Results The VAS score of the tin-nitus group decreased after short-term MIS treatment.The HbO concentration of FPC in tinnitus group was higher than that in control group before treatment.The HbO concentration of FPC in tinnitus group was decreased by MIS short-term treatment.The difference of HbO concentration before and after treatment(ΔHbO)was positively correlated with the difference of VAS score before and after treatment(ΔVAS)in the tinnitus group.Conclusion The hemodynamics of the frontal polar cortex in chronic subjective tinnitus patients is different from that of in non-tinnitus control group.MIS can change the hemodynamics of the frontal polar cortex in chronic subjective tinnitus patients.The frontal polar cortex may be the site of MIS.

Objective To identify the hemodynamic characteristics of frontal polar cortex(FPC)in patients with chronic subjective tinnitus,and to study the short-term efficacy of multielement integration sound(MIS)treatment,and its effects on FPC oxyhemoglobin(HbO).Methods Fifty patients with chronic subjective tinnitus(tinnitus group)and 50 subjects without tinnitus matching their age,sex and education level(control group)were collected from June 2023 to Oc-tober 2023.The tinnitus group and control group received MIS treatment for 15 minutes,respectively.Tinnitus handicap inventory(THI)and visual analogue scale(VAS)scores were collected before and after treatment in tinnitus group.Func-tional near infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS)was used to measure the 8-minute average HbO concentration in the frontal cortex of both groups before and after treatment.The changes of HbO concentration before and after treatment were compared be-tween the two groups.The correlation between clinical features and HbO was analyzed.Results The VAS score of the tin-nitus group decreased after short-term MIS treatment.The HbO concentration of FPC in tinnitus group was higher than that in control group before treatment.The HbO concentration of FPC in tinnitus group was decreased by MIS short-term treatment.The difference of HbO concentration before and after treatment(ΔHbO)was positively correlated with the difference of VAS score before and after treatment(ΔVAS)in the tinnitus group.Conclusion The hemodynamics of the frontal polar cortex in chronic subjective tinnitus patients is different from that of in non-tinnitus control group.MIS can change the hemodynamics of the frontal polar cortex in chronic subjective tinnitus patients.The frontal polar cortex may be the site of MIS.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of airway mucus plugging in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).Methods:This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. A total of 322 hospitalized AECOPD patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from February 2023 to February 2025 were enrolled. Based on chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of airway mucus plugging, patients were classified into mucus plugging and non-mucus plugging groups. General and clinical data were collected, including age, sex, disease duration, smoking and alcohol history, comorbidities, number of acute exacerbations in the past year, routine blood tests, biochemical indices, pulmonary function, and pathogen detection. The incidence of airway mucus plugging in AECOPD patients was calculated, and differences in baseline characteristics, laboratory parameters, and pulmonary function between the two groups were compared. Logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for mucus plugging, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate the predictive value of relevant indicators.Results:Of the 322 enrolled patients, 87(27.02%) were found to have airway mucus plugging. Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the mucus plug group and the non-plug group in the following parameters (all P<0.05): body mass index (BMI), disease duration, smoking status, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classification, modified British Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score, frequency of acute exacerbations, neutrophil percentage, absolute lymphocyte count, lymphocyte percentage, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, fibrin(ogen) degradation products, D-dimer, Aspergillus infection rate, percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to predicted value (FEV 1%pred), ratio of FEV 1 to forced vital capacity (FEV 1/FVC), and percentage of maximal mid-expiratory flow to predicted value (MMEF 75/25%pred). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the following as independent risk factors for airway mucus plugs (all P<0.05): elevated CRP ( OR=1.022, 95% CI: 1.013-1.036), decreased albumin ( OR=0.891, 95% CI: 0.825-0.959), Aspergillus infection ( OR=1.774, 95% CI: 1.366-2.317), and reduced MMEF 75/25%pred value ( OR=0.978, 95% CI: 0.964-0.990). ROC curve analysis showed that the combined predictive model incorporating CRP, albumin, Aspergillus infection, and MMEF 75/25%pred had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.776(95% CI: 0.714-0.838), which was superior to each individual indicator alone, with AUCs of 0.721 for CRP, 0.687 for albumin, 0.579 for Aspergillus infection, and 0.631 for MMEF 75/25%pred. Conclusions:AECOPD patients with airway mucus plugging exhibit higher inflammatory markers, poorer nutritional status, a higher likelihood of Aspergillus infection, worse pulmonary function, and poorer prognosis. Aspergillus infection, elevated CRP, decreased albumin, and reduced MMEF 75/25%pred are independent risk factors for mucus plugs in AECOPD.

Objective To discuss the perioperative care and wound protection of xenotransplantation from genetically edited pigs to monkeys, with the goal of improving the success rate of such experimental procedures. Methods From October 2022 to October 2023, perioperative care and wound protection were performed on 7 recipient rhesus monkeys undergoing xenotransplantation of genetically edited pig tissues and organs. Customized wound protective garments were designed based on monkeys' size and surgical area to protect the wounds, alongside meticulous perioperative care. This included preoperative preparation and medication, intraoperative monitoring of physiological indicators and anesthesia management, and postoperative care comprising wound protection, observation and monitoring, and nutritional support. Results All seven monkeys successfully underwent xenotransplantation. With the aid of protective garments and detailed care, all surgical wounds healed by first intention, and postoperative recovery was satisfactory. Conclusion Proper care and wound protection during xenotransplantation from genetically edited pigs to monkeys not only promote wound healing, but also alleviate pain and harm to animals. This has significant implications for advancing experimental research in pig-monkey xenotransplantation and enhancing animal welfare.