BackgroundInvasive vagus nerve stimulation therapy has been approved for the adjunctive treatment of treatment-resistant depression， which may contribute to the anti-inflammatory properties of vagus nerve stimulation （VNS）， whereas the efficacy of non-invasive transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation （tcVNS） in treating major depressive disorder （MDD） and its impact on plasma inflammatory factors remain unclear. ObjectiveTo observe the effect of escitaloprom combined with tcVNS on the status of depression， anxiety and sleep quality as well as the plasma levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and interleukin-10 （IL-10） in MDD patients， in order to provide references for the recovery and treatment of MDD patients. MethodsFrom August 21， 2019 to April 17， 2024， 45 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for MDD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders， fifth edition （DSM-5） were recruited from the psychosomatic outpatient clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University. Subjects were divided into study group （n=23） and control group （n=22） using random number table method. All patients were treated with escitalopram. On this basis， study group added a 30-minute tcVNS therapy once a day for 4 weeks. While control group was given corresponding sham stimulation， and the duration of each stimulation lasted 30 seconds. Before and after 4 weeks of treatment， Hamilton Depression Scale-17 item （HAMD-17） was used to assess depressive symptoms， and HAMD-17 anxiety/somatization subfactor and insomnia subfactor were used to assess patients' anxiety/somatization symptoms and sleep quality. Levels of plasma IL-6 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. ResultsThe generalized estimating equation model yielded a significant time effect for HAMD-17 total score， anxiety/somatization subfactor score and insomnia subfactor score in both groups （Wald χ²=315.226， 495.481， 82.420， P<0.01）. After 4 weeks of treatment， HAMD-17 total score and anxiety/somatization subfactor score of study group were lower than those of control group， with statistically significant differences （Wald χ²=4.967， 32.543， P<0.05 or 0.01）， while no statistically significant difference was found in the insomnia subfactor score between two groups （Wald χ²=0.819， P=0.366）. Significant time effects were reported on plasma IL-6 and IL-10 levels in both groups （Wald χ²=21.792， 5.242， P<0.05 or 0.01）. Compared with baseline data， a reduction in plasma IL-6 levels was detected in both groups （Wald χ²=22.015， 6.803， P<0.01）， and an increase in plasma IL-10 levels was reported in study group （Wald χ²=5.118， P=0.024） after 4 weeks of treatment. ConclusionEscitalopram combined with tcVNS therapy is effective in improving depressive symptoms， anxiety/somatization symptoms and sleep quality in patients with MDD. Additionally， it helps reduce plasma IL-6 levels and increase IL-10 levels. ［Funded by Shaanxi Provincial Key Research and Development Program-General Project （number， 2023-YBSF-185）， www.clinicaltrials.gov number， NCT04037111］

This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name， origin， medicinal parts， processing and other aspects of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix（EPR） by referring to the herbal medicine， medical books， prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties， combined with the relevant modern research materials， so as to provide a basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herbal medicine. According to research， EPR was first recorded in the Shennong Bencaojing in the name of Daji， and it is the correct name of the herbal medicine in all dynasties， there are also other aliases such as Qiongju， Hongya Daji， and Xiamaxian. The dried roots of Euphorbia pekinensis from Euphorbiaceae was the mainstream of the past dynasties. Before the Ming dynasty， the above ground parts of E. pekinensis were used as Zeqi in herbal works. However， since LI Shizhen in the Ming dynasty proposed that the origin of Zeqi should be E. helioscopia， the aerial part of EPR is no longer used as medicine. Since modern times， the roots of Knoxia valerianoides has been used as EPR， and has become the mainstream of commodities， which should be corrected. Throughout history， it has been recorded that the main producing areas were Jiangsu， Anhui， Zhejiang， Shanxi and other regions， while modern botanical survey have shown that EPR is a widespread species distributed throughout the country. In ancient times， the harvesting time of EPR was mostly the twelfth lunar month， while in modern time， it is more common to harvest in autumn and winter. The main processing methods of EPR in ancient times were vinegar processing， wine processing， and stir frying， while in modern times， it is uniformly vinegar processing. In the medicinal properties and clinical aspects， the records are basically consistent throughout history， mainly characterized by bitter taste， cold and toxic nature. Its main efficacy is expelling water retention and reducing swelling. Based on the textual research， it is suggested to choose the dried roots of E. pekinensis when famous classical formulas containing EPR， processing method can be based on the original specified prescription requirements， if the processing method is not clear， it is recommended to use vinegar-processed products as medicine.

Objective:To explore the anxiety level, influencing factors among surrogate decision-makers of patients with acute ischemic stroke during thrombolysis decision-making, and their correlation with decision-making duration.Methods:Acute ischemic stroke patients and their surrogate decision-makers who visited the Emergency Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from September 2019 to December 2021 were selected as the research subjects.Sociodemographic data and disease related data of patients and surrogate decision-makers were collected.Surrogate decision-makers were evaluated with the state-trait anxiety inventory, decision participation expectation scale, Wake Forest physician trust scale, and perceived social support scale.SPSS 26.0 software was used for data processing.Pearson correlation analysis, Spearman correlation analysis and ridge regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results:The score of state anxiety of decision-makers was (49.47±9.04), and 18.2% (70/383) of decision-makers had a decision duration exceeding 15 minutes.The score of state anxiety of decision-makers was positively correlated with decision duration ( r=0.189, P<0.001). The influencing factors of state anxiety level of decision-makers included sociodemographic factors (age of decision-makers and patients, relationship between payers and patients, whether decision-makers bear the current medical expenses, type of medical insurance for patients), psychological factors (trust level in physicians, perceived social support), factors related to patient disease (numbers of stroke relapses, National Institutes of Health stroke scale scores for patients), characteristics of the decision-making process (whether patients participate in the decision-making process, and the role of decision-makers in the decision-making process) (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Most surrogate decision-makers experience anxiety.Medical staff should pay attention to the emotions of decision-makers and adopt appropriate communication skills when communicating with informed consent for thrombolysis, alleviate the anxiety of surrogate decision-makers, so as so reduce the decision-making duration.

Objective:To summarize the best evidence for the management of lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) in total hysterectomy patients, so as to provide evidence-based basis for clinical practice.Methods:According to the "6S" pyramid model, literature related to the management of LUTD in total hysterectomy patients was successively searched from guide websites, evidence-based websites, professional websites and comprehensive databases. The search deadline was from the establishment of the databases to March 31, 2023. Two researchers evaluated the quality of the included literature, extracted evidence and recommended the level of evidence.Results:A total of 14 articles were included, including one clinical decision, two evidence summaries, three guidelines, one expert consensus and seven systematic evaluations. A total of 25 pieces of evidence were summarized from four aspects, such as symptom assessment, urinary tract management, symptom intervention and health education.Conclusions:Medical staff should manage lower urinary tract dysfunction in patients undergoing total hysterectomy based on evidence-based evidence to prevent or reduce the occurrence of lower urinary tract dysfunction in patients.

OBJECTIVE To explore the efficacy and safety of intra-articular injection of ropivacaine combined with alfentanil for postoperative analgesia in patients who underwent knee arthroscopic surgery. METHODS A total of 60 patients who underwent knee arthroscopic surgery were collected from the Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture from March to September in 2022， and then divided into trial group and control group with random number table method， with 30 cases in each group. The control group received intra-articular injection of 0.25% ropivacaine 50 mg， and the trial group received intra-articular injection of 0.25% ropivacaine 50 mg+alfentanil 0.15 μg/kg.The first postoperative remedial analgesia time， the total amount of postoperative remedial drugs， numerical rating scale at rest （NRS-R） scores， numerical rating scale at movement （NRS-M） scores， heart rate， mean arterial blood pressure， and pulse oxygen saturation during exercise at different monitoring time points after surgery， the incidence of adverse drug reactions such as hypotension， respiratory depression， nausea， and vomiting after surgery were compared between 2 groups. RESULTS Compared with the control group， the first postoperative remedial analgesia time was significantly longer in the trial group， and the total amount of postoperative remedial drugs was significantly reduced （P＜0.001）. The trial group had lower NRS-R and NRS-M scores at each monitoring time point， with statistically significant differences （P＜0.001）， and there was an interactive effect between time and groups （P＜0.001）. The changes in heart rate， mean arterial blood pressure， and pulse oxygen saturation of patients in the trial group were relatively small， with no statistically significant differences （P＞0.05）， and there was no interactive effect between time and groups （P＞0.05）. There was no statistical significance in the incidence of adverse drug reactions between 2 groups， such as postoperative hypotension， respiratory depression， nausea， vomiting （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The intra- articular injection of ropivacaine combined with alfentanil shows good efficacy and safety for post-knee arthroscopic analgesia， and significantly prolongs the analgesic duration of ropivacaine.

Objective:To determine the expression of circular RNA-SEC31A(circSEC31A) in pancreatic cancer and investigate the effects on the invasion and migration of pancreatic cancer cells and the underlying molecular mechanism.Methods:Differentially expressed circRNAs between pancreatic cancer cells (BXPC-3, PANC1, CaPan-2, SW1990) and human normal pancreatic cells (HPDE) were identified by qRT-PCR. Then, two cell lines with high circSEC31A expression were selected to conduct next experiments. According to the sequence of the back-splicing site in circSEC31A, siRNAs for downregulation of circSEC31A were designed and transfected by liposome to silence circSEC31A in pancreatic cancer cells, and grouped as followed siR-circSEC31A#1 and siR-circSEC31A#2. Meanwhile, siR-NC group transfected with non-specific siRNA served as control. Transwell assays and wound healing assays were operated to evaluate the functional role of circSEC31A on the invasion and migration of pancreatic cancer cells. RNA Pull-down assay with circSEC31A probe and oligo control probe was used to screen the miRNA combining with circSEC31A and the effects of miRNA on cell invasion and migration of pancreatic cancer cells were validated. The effect of miR-200c-3p and circSEC31A silencing on the expression of PDK1 mRNA was identified by qRT-PCR. The protein expression of PDK1, downstream Akt and p-Akt after circSEC31A silencing was verified by Western blotting assays.Results:The relative expression level of circSEC31A in HPDE (1.000±0.120) was obviously lower than that in BXPC-3 (1.920±0.130), SW1990 (2.93±0.528), PANC1 (4.557±0.692) and CaPan-2 (5.247±0.194), and all the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.001). Compared with the PANC1 siR-NC group (1301.3±94.6) and CaPan-2 siR-NC group (1835.0±70.1) per 100 high power field, transwell assays showed that the numbers of invasive pancreatic cancer cells was highly decreased in PANC1 siR-circSEC31A#1 group (727.3±92.9), siR-circSEC31A#2 group (792.0±18.1), CaPan-2 siR-circSEC31A#1 group (718.0±90.6), siR-circSEC31A#2 group (692.7±84.8). Wound healing assays showed that silencing circSEC31A decreased the wound healing rate of pancreatic cancer cells in PANC1 siR-circSEC31A#1 group (20.667±3.215)%, siR-circSEC31A#2 group (20.000±4.583)%, CaPan-2 siR-circSEC31A#1 group (28.000±8.185)%, siR-circSEC31A#2 group (29.667±5.686)%, compared with the PANC1 siR-NC group (55.000±4.359)% and CaPan-2 siR-NC group (69.000±3.606)%. RNA Pull-down assays showed that compared with PANC1 oligo probe group (1.000±0.091) and CaPan-2 oligo probe group (1.000±0.153), miR-200c-3p was significantly enriched in the PANC1 circSEC31A probe group (2.237±0.175) and CaPan-2 circSEC31A probe group (2.166±0.156). Compared with PANC1 siR-NC group (939.3±57.0) and CaPan-2 siR-NC group (786.7±51.5) per 100 high power field, the numbers of invasive pancreatic cancer cells were up-regulated in PANC1 siR-miR-200c-3p group (1206.0±99.1) and CaPan-2 siR-miR-200c-3p group (1838.0±105.7), while the low numbers of invasive pancreatic cancer cells were observed in PANC1 siR-miR-200c-3p+ siR-circSEC31A group (932.7±116.4) and CaPan-2 siR-miR-200c-3p+ siR-circSEC31A group (785.3±58.8). Compared with PANC1 siR-NC group (1.000±0.103) and CaPan-2 siR-NC group (1.000±0.107), the relative expression of PDK1 mRNA in PANC1 siR-miR-200c-3p group (1.898±0.159) and CaPan-2 siR-miR-200c-3p group (2.102±0.337) was upregulated. Furthermore, the expression of PDK1 mRNA was decreased in the siR-miR-200c-3p+ siR-circSEC31A group (0.980±0.070, 1.015±0.079). Western blot assays showed that the expression of PDK1 protein in PANC1 siR-NC group, siR-circSEC31A#1 group, siR-circSEC31A#2 group was 0.767±0.086, 0.281±0.191, 0.333±0.062 and in CaPan-2 siR-NC group, siR-circSEC31A#1 group, siR-circSEC31A#2 group was 0.712±0.038, 0.353±0.061, 0.308±0.018. The expression of p-Akt protein in PANC1 siR-NC group and siR-circSEC31A group was 0.741±0.050, 0.114±0.027, 0.139±0.041. In addition, p-Akt protein expression in CaPan-2 siR-NC group and siR-circSEC31A group was 0.823±0.052, 0.141±0.045, 0.280±0.089. PDK1 and p Akt expression in siR circSEC31A group was obviously lower than those in sir NC group. All the differences between either groups above were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:circSEC31A is upregulated in pancreatic cancer cells, which facilitates the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells via miR-200c-3p/PDK1/Akt signaling pathway, supporting that circSEC31A may function as a new diagnostic and therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer patients.

Clonorchis sinensis is considered a class I carcinogen for cholangiocarcinoma, but an increasing number of studies have found that it is also closely associated with hepatocellular carcinoma. This paper reviews the discovery and prevalence, historical studies, key regional studies, animal models and complications of Clonorchis sinensis, and summarizes the possible molecular mechanisms of Clonorchis sinensis contributing to hepatocellular carcinoma development, in order to gain insight into the correlation between Clonorchis sinensis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and thus to provide new ideas for the study of the effects of Clonorchis sinensis infection on hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) in comparison with traditional posterior lumbar fusion in the treatment of lumbar infectious diseases.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 30 patients with lumbar infectious disease who had been treated at Department of Spinal Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from May 2017 to November 2019. There were 18 males and 12 females with an age of (53.3 ± 12.5) years. According to surgical procedures, the patients were divided into group A of 13 cases subjected to XLIF and group B of 17 cases subjected to posterior radical debridement plus lumbar fusion plus internal fixation. The 2 groups were compared in terms of demographic data like age and gender, intraoperative indexes, intervertebral fusion rate, and complications, as well as visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation.Results:There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in the general clinical data before operation, showing comparability ( P>0.05). The operation time in group A was significantly shorter than that in group B [(88.5 ± 13.6) min versus (124.1 ± 15.4) min], and the intraoperative blood loss in group A significantly less than that in group B [(66.9 ± 18.4) mL versus (461.8 ± 150.6) mL] ( P<0.05). The VAS and ODI at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation in both groups were significantly lower than those before operation ( P<0.05). The VAS and ODI at 3 months after surgery in group A [2 (2, 2) points and 15.2% ± 5.0%] were significantly lower than those in group B [3 (2, 3) points and 19.5% ± 6.2%] ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the fusion rate between groups A and B at 12 months after operation (13 versus 16) ( P>0.05). Postoperatively, left thigh numbness and weakness was reported in 1 case in group A while 2 cases of cerebrospinal fluid fistula and 1 case of poor wound healing were observed in group B, showing no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with the traditional posterior lumbar surgery, XLIF demonstrates advantages of less intraoperative blood loss, less tissue damage, shorter operation time, faster postoperative recovery in the treatment of lumbar infectious diseases with no obvious intraspinal abscess or nerve compression.

Objective:To investigate the effect of catheterin-related antimicrobial peptides(CRAMP)on the damage of cardiac microvascular endothelial cells induced by high glucose.Methods:Adult mouse heart microvascular endothelial cells were isolated and cultured.A model of microvascular endothelial cell injury was established by high glucose culture.The endothelial cells were randomly divided into 4 groups as the following.In the control group, 27.5 mmol/L mannitol was given as isoosmotic control as compared with the high glucose group.In the high glucose group(HG group), cells were cultured with 33.3 mmol/L high glucose for 48 h, and then treated without CRAMP.In 0.15 mg/L CRAMP treatment group, cells were cultured with 33.3 mmol/L high glucose for 48 h, followed by 0.15 mg/L CRAMP treatmen for 24 h. In the 0.5 mg/L CRAMP treatment group, cells were cultured with 33.3 mmol/L high glucose treatment for 48 h, and then treated with 0.5 mg/L CRAMP for 24 h. Cell proliferation was examined by staining with CKK-8 cell counting kit.The secretion of inflammatory factors in microvascular endothelial cells was detected by ELISA kit.Reactive oxygen species assay kit detects the level of reactive oxygen species in cells.Cell apoptosis was detected by apoptosis kit.Tubule formation and tubule number were measured by cells cultured on the matrix glue membrane, then detected by microscopic observation.The nitric oxide(NO)test kit measures levels of NO.The expression of nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)was detected by western blotting.Results:The cell proliferation activity was significant lower in the HG group than in control group[(52.2±5.4)% vs.(100.0±7.3)%]. The cell proliferation activity was higher in the 0.15 and 0.5 mg/L CRAMP groups than in the HG group[(72.0±3.4)% vs.(52.2±5.4)%; and(84.2±5.8)% vs.(52.2±5.4)%( F=75.300, P<0.001)]. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α was significantly higher in the HG group than in the control group and in 0.5 mg/L CRAMP group[HG group of(239.1±32.1)μg/L, the control of(22.1±3.7)μg/L, 0.5 mg/L CRAMP of(84.6±9.4)μg/L]( F=197.300, P<0.001). The level of reactive oxygen species was significantly higher in the HG group than in control group and in 0.5 mg/L CRAMP group[(20.8±2.4)in HG group, (4.8±1.7)in control group, (10.2±1.5)in CRAMP group]( F=105.700, P<0.001). The number of apoptotic cells was significantly higher in the HG group than in control group and in 0.5 mg/L CRAMP group[(21.2±3.1)% in HG group, (2.2±0.6)% in control group(9.5±1.2)% in CRAMP group]( F=141.900, P<0.001). The length and number of tubules were lower in the HG group than in control group and in CRAMP group[for the length: (87.8±9.1)μm in HG group, (337.0±37.2)μm in control group(206.5±16.3)μm in CRAMP group( F=160.800, P<0.001); for the number: (9.1±1.9)in HG group, (22.0±3.4)in control group, (16.8±2.2)]in CRAMP group( F=36.200, P<0.001)]. The level of NO was lower in the HG group than in control group and in CRAMP group[(0.25±0.05)in HG group, (1.05±0.16)in control group, (0.75±0.06)in CRAMP group( F=83.200, P<0.001)]. The protein expression and mRNA levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)were lower in the HG group than in the control group and in CRAMP group[for eNOS protein: (0.07±0.03)in HG group, (0.81±0.05)in control group, (0.54±0.07)in CRAMP group, F=275.700, P<0.001; and for eNOS mRNA: (0.11±0.07)in HG group, (1.00±0.22)in control group, (0.57±0.12)in CRAMP group, F=50.600, P<0.001]. Conclusions:CRAMP protein can inhibit the damage of cardiac microvascular endothelial cells by increasing eNOS-mediated NO signal pathway.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for abdominal infection after liver transplantation (LT).Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinical data of 356 patients who underwent LT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2015 to December 2018 were collected. There were 273 males and 83 females, aged from 21 to 67 years, with the median age of 46 years. Observation indications: (1) abdominal infec-tion after LT and distribution of pathogens; (2) analysis of risk factors for abdominal infection after LT; (3) follow-up and survival. Follow-up was performed using outpatient examination and tele-phone interview to detect postoperative 1-year survival rate and cases of death up to June 2020. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD. Measurement data with skewed distribution were described as M(range). Count data were expressed as absolute numbers or percentages. Univariate analysis was conducted using the chi-square test, t test, Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact probability. Multivariate analysis was done using the Logistic regression model. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate sruvival time and survival rates. Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. Results:(1) Abdominal infection after LT and distribution of pathogens: 63 of 356 recipients had abdominal infection after LT, with the overall incidence of 17.70%(63/356). Of the 63 recipients, 41 cases had abdominal infection within postoperative 2 weeks, 17 cases had multi-drug resistant organism infection. A total of 116 strains of bacteria were isolated from 63 recipients with abdominal infection, 52 of which were gram-negative bacteria, 48 were gram-positive bacteria, 16 were fungi. (2) Analysis of risk factors for abdominal infection after LT: results of univariate analysis showed that preoperative model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, preoperative serum albumin, preoperative leukocytes, preoperative prothrombin time, preoperative alanine aminotransferase, preoperative aspartate aminotransferase, operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, days of postoperative antibiotic use, postoperative renal failure, postoperative delayed graft function,duration of postoperative intensive care unit stay were related factors for abdominal infection after LT ( Z=-2.456, t=-1.982, Z=-3.193, -2.802, -2.336, -2.276, -2.116, -3.217, χ2=15.807, 10.395, 6.750, Z=-4.468, P<0.05). Liver retransplantaiton and postoperative bile leakage were related factors for abdominal infection after LT ( P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that preoperative MELD score>20 and liver retransplantation were independent risk factors for abdominal infection after LT ( odds ratio=2.871, 12.875, 95% confidence interval as 1.106-7.448, 1.290-128.521, P<0.05). (3) Follow-up and survival: 356 recipients were followed up for 1-66 months, with a median follow-up time of 32 months. The postoperative 1-year overall survival rate of 63 recipients with abdominal infection and 293 recipients without abdominal infection were 84.60% and 97.03%, respectively, showing a significant difference ( χ2=11.660, P<0.05). During the follow-up, 58 recipients died. Conclusion:Preoperative MELD score>20 and liver retransplantation are independent risk factors for abdominal infection after LT.