Objective To analyze the effect of releasing the lower pulmonary ligament on right residual lung expansion after right upper lobe resection under different body mass index (BMI) levels. Methods The clinical data of patients who underwent thoracoscopic right upper lobe resection in the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University from 2021 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a group A (17 kg/m2＜BMI≤23 kg/m2), a group B (23 kg/m2＜BMI≤29 kg/m2) and a group C (BMI＞29 kg/m2) according to BMI. The presence of residual cavity was judged by chest X-ray at 7-10 days after operation, the degree of compensation change of the right main bronchus angle was measured, and the changes in lung volume were determined by CT three-dimensional reconstruction. Results A total of 157 patients who underwent thoracoscopic right upper lobe resection were included, including 71 males and 86 females, with an average age of (59.7±11.2) years. There were 50 patients in the group A, 75 patients in the group B, and 32 patients in the group C. In the group A, compared with those without releasing the lower pulmonary ligament, patients with releasing had a lower incidence of postoperative residual cavity (P=0.016), greater changes in bronchus angle (P<0.001), and smaller changes in lung volume (P<0.001). In the group B and C, there was no significant effect of releasing the lower pulmonary ligament on postoperative residual cavity, bronchus angle, and lung volume changes (P>0.05). Conclusion For patients with thin and long body shape and low BMI, releasing the lower pulmonary ligament is helpful to promote the expansion of the residual lung after right upper lobe resection and reduce the occurrence of postoperative residual cavity in patients.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) complicated by hyperuricemia (HUA) and explore their potential as novel diagnostic molecular markers and their target genes. METHODS: This study was conducted among 30 CHF patients with HUA (observation group) and 30 healthy volunteers (control group) enrolled between September, 2020 and September, 2023. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 6 CHF patients with HUA for analyzing exosomal miRNAs by high-throughput sequencing, and the results were validated in the remaining 24 patients using qRT-PCR. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed to predict the the target genes of the identified differential miRNAs. We also validated the differentially expressed miRNAs by animal experiment. RESULTS: A total of 42 differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs were detected in observation group by high-throughput sequencing; among them, miR-27a-5p was significantly upregulated (P=0.000179), and miR-139-3p was significantly downregulated (P=0.000058). In the 24 patients with both CHF and PUA, qRT-PCR validated significant upregulation of miR-27a-5p (P=0.004) and downregulation of miR-139-3p (P=0.005) in serum exosomes. When combined, miR-27a-5p and miR-139-3p had a maximum area under the curve (AUC) of 0.899 (95% CI: 0812-0.987) for predicting CHF complicated by HUA. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses suggested that the differential expressions of miR-27a-5p and miR-139-3p was associated with the activation of the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway to activate the autophagic response. We obtained the same conclusion from animal experiment. CONCLUSIONS Upregulated exosomal miR-27a-5p combined with downregulated exosomal miR-139-3p expression can serve as a novel molecular marker for diagnosis of CHF complicated by HUA, and their differential expression may promote autophagy in cardiomyocytes by activating the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway.
Humans ; Hyperuricemia/diagnosis* ; Heart Failure/genetics* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Chronic Disease ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Animals

Objective To analyze chemical constituents of compound Maxing Shigan decoction by ultra-high perfor-mance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS). Methods The separation was performed on a UPLC BEH C₁₈ column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 2.5 µm)，with a gradient elution applying 0.1% aqueous formic acid solution and 0.1% formic acid acetonitrile as a mobile phase. The column temperature was 40 °C. The flow rate was 0.4 ml/min and the analysis time was 15 min. Mass spectrometry (MS) data were collected in both positive and negative ESI ion modes. Results Through UPLC-QTOF/MS analysis and reference validation, a total of 59 chemical components in Maxing Shigan decoction were identified. Conclusion An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) method was established to identify the chemical components of Maxing Shigan decoction. This method is simple, efficient, sensitive and accurate, and provides a basis for the elucidation of the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of Maxing Shigan decoction. It can provide data reference for the optimization of the compatibility of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of COVID-19.

Objective To investigate the effect of icotinib on right ventricular remodeling in rats with monocrotaline(MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension(PH).Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group(0.3％sodium carboxymethyl cellulose),model group and low,high dose experimental groups(30,60 mg·kg-1 icotinib),8 rats in each group.PH rat model was established by single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg·kg-1 MCT in model group and low,high dose experimental groups.The drug was administered continuously for 4 weeks after MCT injection.The hemodynamic indexes of each group were detected.Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)staining was used to detect the apoptosis of right ventricular cardiomyocytes.The protein levels of B cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax),cleaved cysteine aspartic acid specific protease-3(cleaved-caspase-3),epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR),phosphorylated EGFR(p-EGFR),optic atrophy 1(Opa1)and mitofusin 2(Mfn2)were detected by Western blot analysis.Results The right ventricular systolic pressure in low,high dose experimental groups and control group,model group were(38.58±4.98),(34.15±3.88),(23.66±2.45)and(45.07±5.78)mmHg;the mean pulmonary artery pressure were(27.85±3.77),(24.25±3.09),(17.33±2.46)and(33.07±4.15)mmHg;the right ventricle(RV)to left ventricle+septum were(36.38±5.51)％,(33.63±4.69)％,(22.25±2.96)％and(42.50±7.33)％;the RV to tibial length were(69.33±7.86),(62.69±7.17),(49.12±6.42)and(78.22±9.07)mg·cm-1.There were significant differences in the above indexes between low,high dose experimental groups and model group(all P＜0.01).There were significant differences in Bcl-2,Bax,cleaved caspase-3,p-EGFR,Opa1,Mfn2 between low,high dose experimental groups and model group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion Icotinib can inhibit right ventricular remodeling in PH rats induced by MCT,and its mechanism may be related to reducing the phosphorylation level of EGFR in the right ventricle,alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Objective:To study the current status of longitudinal extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in extremely preterm infants (EPIs) and to develop a prediction model based on clinical data from multiple NICUs.Methods:From January 2017 to December 2018, EPIs admitted to 32 NICUs in North China were retrospectively studied. Their general conditions, nutritional support, complications during hospitalization and weight changes were reviewed. Weight loss between birth and discharge > 1SD was defined as longitudinal EUGR. The EPIs were assigned into longitudinal EUGR group and non-EUGR group and their nutritional support and weight changes were compared. The EPIs were randomly assigned into the training dataset and the validation dataset with a ratio of 7∶3. Univariate Cox regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were used in the training dataset to select the independent predictive factors. The best-fitting Nomogram model predicting longitudinal EUGR was established based on Akaike Information Criterion. The model was evaluated for discrimination efficacy, calibration and clinical decision curve analysis.Results:A total of 436 EPIs were included in this study, with a mean gestational age of (26.9±0.9) weeks and a birth weight of (989±171) g. The incidence of longitudinal EUGR was 82.3%(359/436). Seven variables (birth weight Z-score, weight loss, weight growth velocity, the proportion of breast milk ≥75% within 3 d before discharge, invasive mechanical ventilation ≥7 d, maternal antenatal corticosteroids use and bronchopulmonary dysplasia) were selected to establish the prediction model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the training dataset and the validation dataset were 0.870 (95% CI 0.820-0.920) and 0.879 (95% CI 0.815-0.942), suggesting good discrimination efficacy. The calibration curve indicated a good fit of the model ( P>0.05). The decision curve analysis showed positive net benefits at all thresholds. Conclusions:Currently, EPIs have a high incidence of longitudinal EUGR. The prediction model is helpful for early identification and intervention for EPIs with higher risks of longitudinal EUGR. It is necessary to expand the sample size and conduct prospective studies to optimize and validate the prediction model in the future.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of probiotics combined with bismuth quadruple therapy （BQT） on clinical efficacy、gastrointestinal adverse reactions and intestinal flora in Helicobacter pylori （HP） positive patients. MethodsThe patients who were positive for HP from May 2023 to July 2023 in the department of gastroenterology of Shanghai first people's hospital were randomly divided into2 groups with 40 people in each group. The probiotic group was given 2 weeks of quadruple therapy with probiotics and standard BQT， followed by 4 weeks of oral probiotics after quadruple discontinuation. The placebo group was given 2 weeks of probiotic placebo and standard BQT， followed by 4 weeks of oral probiotic placebo. ¹³C urea breath test was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy， gastrointestinal symptoms rating Scale was used to evaluate the gastrointestinal adverse reactions of patients before and after the intervention， and microbial diversity 16S rDNA sequencing technology was used to detect the level of intestinal flora of patients before and after the intervention. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the eradication rate between the two groups （P>0.05）. Before the intervention， there was no significant difference in the scores of the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale between the probiotic group and the placebo group. After the intervention， patients in the probiotic group had significantly lower pain scores on acid reflux （1.10±0.30 vs 1.35±0.53， P<0.05） and stomach or abdominal hunger than in the placebo group （1.07±0.26 vs 1.30±0.52， P<0.05）. Through the before-and-after comparison of the probiotic group， the scores of abdominal pain （1.24±0.44 vs 1.58±0.71， P<0.05）， stomach or abdominal hunger （1.07±0.26 vs 1.27±0.45， P<0.05） and dry and hard stool （1.24±0.49 vs 1.48±0.75，P<0.05） were significantly lower in the probiotic group than before the intervention in the probiotic group. ConclusionProbiotics combined with BQT can improve the gastrointestinal adverse reactions and intestinal flora disorders in the process of quadruple drug therapy， but it does not improve the eradication rate of HP.

A method for rapid,simultaneous determination of two metabolites of benzene,trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) and S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA),in human urine by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was established. Urine sample was acidified and protein was removed by acetonitrile precipitation. The supernatant was concentrated by nitrogen blowing and redissolved by solvent,and then analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS. The compounds were separated on a BEH C18 column with acidic ammonium formate solution and methanol solution as mobile phases for gradient elution and then quantified in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode by internal standard method. Combined with the 96-well sample collection plate as a pre-treatment vessel,large quantities of samples could be rapidly analyzed. The linear ranges for detection of t,t-MA and S-PMA were 20-2000μg/L and 0.5-20μg/L,respectively,and the correlation coefficients were 0.9998. The limits of detection were 1.2 and 0.06μg/L,respectively. The recoveries were 90.6％-103.4％ and 87.3％-101.7％,and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were in range of 1.5％-3.5％ and 1.8％-4.2％,respectively. The method was applied to detection of 41 urine samples of employees exposed to benzene. The detection rates of t,t-MA and S-PMA were 95％ and 78％,respectively. Compared with solid phase extraction method,this method showed many advantages such as simple operation,rapidity and high efficiency,high sensitivity and accuracy,which was suitable for rapid detection of t,t-MA and S-PMA in large quantities of urine samples.

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Humans ; Consensus ; Hypersensitivity ; Desensitization, Immunologic/adverse effects* ; Immunotherapy/adverse effects* ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Allergens

Objective: To investigate the causes and management of long-term persistent pelvic presacral space infection. Methods: Clinical data of 10 patients with persistent presacral infection admitted to the Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2015 to October 2020 were collected. Different surgical approaches were used to treat the presacral infection according to the patients' initial surgical procedures. Results: Among the 10 patients, there were 2 cases of presacral recurrent infection due to rectal leak after radiotherapy for cervical cancer, 3 cases of presacral recurrent infection due to rectal leak after radiotherapy for rectal cancer Dixons, and 5 cases of presacral recurrent infection of sinus tract after adjuvant radiotherapy for rectal cancer Miles. Of the 5 patients with leaky bowel, 4 had complete resection of the ruptured nonfunctional bowel and complete debridement of the presacral infection using an anterior transverse sacral incision with a large tipped omentum filling the presacral space; 1 had continuous drainage of the anal canal and complete debridement of the presacral infection using an anterior transverse sacral incision. 5 post-Miles patients all had debridement of the presacral infection using an anterior transverse sacral incision combined with an abdominal incision. The nine patients with healed presacral infection recovered from surgery in 26 to 210 days, with a median time of 55 days. Conclusions: Anterior sacral infections in patients with leaky gut are caused by residual bowel secretion of intestinal fluid into the anterior sacral space, and in post-Miles patients by residual anterior sacral foreign bodies. An anterior sacral caudal transverse arc incision combined with an abdominal incision is an effective surgical approach for complete debridement of anterior sacral recalcitrant infections.
Humans ; Reinfection ; Rectum/surgery* ; Rectal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Drainage ; Anal Canal/surgery* ; Pelvic Infection