Objective:To evaluate the short-and medium-term therapeutic efficacy of shockwave balloon therapy for TASCⅡ C/D femoropopliteal artery atherosclerosis obliteration.Methods:This retrospective cohort study included 25 patients who received shockwave balloon therapy in five vascular centers from August 2022 to June 2023. All patients were diagnosed with TASC Ⅱ C/D femoropopliteal arteriosclerosis obliterans (13 cases of type C and 12 cases of type D), and underwent intravascular shock wave lithotripsy (IVL) to treat calcified lesions. The immediate effectiveness (residual stenosis<30% and no flow-limiting dissection), safety (whether there were adverse vascular events during the operation) and the rate of salvage stent implantation were recorded. The observation indexes of patients before operation, early postoperative period (immediately after operation or before discharge) and postoperative follow-up period (3, 6, 12 months after operation) were collected. The observation indexes included ankle-brachial index (ABI), Rutherford classification, and minimum lumen diameter (MLD). Repeated measures ANOVA was used to evaluate the changes of observation indexes in the early postoperative and follow-up stages compared with those before operation; Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate the one-stage patency rate at follow-up and the target lesion revascularization rate free from clinical drive.Results:The immediate effectiveness of surgery was 100% in all patients, with no vascular related adverse events occurred, and no remedial stent implantation was performed. The ABI, Rutherford grade and MLD of the patients in the early postoperative period and each follow-up stage were improved compared with those before operation, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the primary patency rate at 12 months after surgery was 0.78 (95% CI 0.64-0.84), and the revascularization rate of target lesions free from clinical drive was 0.87 (95% CI 0.85-0.95). Conclusion:Shockwave balloon therapy for complex calcified femoropopliteal artery lesions is safe and reliable, with satisfactory short-and medium-term efficacy.

AIM To investigate the effects of Liangxue Heying Formula-medicated serum(LXHY-MS)on human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS).METHODS CCK-8,DCFH-DA fluorescence probe and Western blot method were used to screen the LPS concentration in modeling and the serum LXHY concentration for treatment.The HUVECs divided into the normal group,the model group and the LXHY-MS group had their SOD activity detected by automatic biochemical analyzer;their MDA level detected by colorimetry;their protein expressions of ICAM-1,VCAM-1,IL-6,TNF-α,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 detected by Western blot;and their mROS expression and recruitment effect on THP-1 photographed with high connotation.With the use of JAK2/STAT3 pathway inhibitor(AG490),the HUVECs divided into the normal group,the AG490 group,the LPS group,the LPS+AG490 group,the LPS+LXHY-MS group,and LPS+LXHY-MS+AG490 group were subjected to the corresponding treatment,followed by the detection of their protein expressions of ICAM-1,VCAM-1,IL-6,TNF-α,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the normal group,the model group displayed decreased SOD activity(P＜0.01),increased MDA level(P＜0.05),increased ICAM-1,VCAM-1,IL-6,TNF-α,p-JAK2,p-STAT3 protein expressions(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and increased mROS expression and THP-1 cells recruitment.Compared with the model group,the LXHY-MS group shared increased SOD activity(P＜0.05),decreased MDA level(P＜0.01),decreased ICAM-1,VCAM-1,IL-6,TNF-α,p-JAK2,p-STAT3 protein expressions(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),reduced mROS expression and THP-1 cells recruitment.Given the use of AG490,the model group displayed increased protein expressions of ICAM-1,VCAM-1,IL-6,TNF-α,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in contrast to the normal group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);each intervened group showed decreased expressions of related proteins in contrast to the model group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION LXHY-MS may protect the injury due to the activation of HUVECs by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

This study was aimed at establishing a method of ultra-fast quantitative PCR for Brucella detection.We used an exogenous recombinant plasmid as the internal reference and targeted the T4SS secretion system,an important Brucella viru-lence factor,to design specific primers and probes.The sensitivity,specificity,and repeatability of this method were evaluated,and a standard curve was constructed.The coincidence rate of detection findings with this method versus quantitative PCR was determined.This method markedly decreased the detection time to only 10 minutes.The standard curve demonstrated a good linear relationship(Y=-3.410 7x+38.357,R2=0.998 5)with a low minimum detection limit of 10 copies/μL.The method exhibited good specificity and did not specifically amplify several common clinical bacteria other than Brucella.The de-tection of three concentrations of positive plasmids yielded coefficients of variation(CVs)of 0.20％to 0.91％,thus demonstra-ting the method's excellent repeatability.Furthermore,140 clinical samples were analyzed concurrently with the fluorescence PCR method,which yielded a 100％compliance rate and consistent results.Our findings indicated that the Brucella ultra-fast quantitative PCR was ultrafast;had high sensitivity,high specificity,and good specificity;and can be used for the clinical de-tection of Brucella and emergency investigation of epidemics.Therefore,this method is valuable for the early diagnosis of Bru-cella.

Depression is a prevalent mental and emotional disor-der that often results in significant emotional disturbances,cog-nitive dysfunction,and memory impairments.It is characterized by a high incidence rate,a substantial disability burden,and limited therapeutic efficacy.Currently,the long-term use of medications for the treatment of depression can result in a range of adverse reactions,highlighting the urgent need to explore no-vel approaches that can effectively alleviate depressive symptoms while minimizing side effects.Curcumin,a natural polyphenolic compound derived from the rhizome of turmeric,demonstrates considerable potential in the prevention and treatment of depres-sion,owing to its diverse array of biological activities.In recent years,numerous studies have investigated the use of curcumin for the treatment of depression.This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the mechanisms of action underlying curcumin's efficacy in treating depression.Specifically,it focu-ses on its ability to improve neurotransmitter imbalances,restore neural plasticity,alleviate neural damage,mitigate dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis,regulate in-flammatory factors and neuroinflammatory signaling pathways,and inhibit oxidative stress.This review is intended to offer in-sights and methodological references for basic research on curcu-min,as well as for the development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of depression.

Aim To investigate the intestinal protection and possible mechanism of magnolol(MG)in newborn rats with necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC).Methods The rats were randomly divided into control group(Ctrl group),model group(NEC group)and treatment group(MG group).The NEC model was induced by hypoxia,cold stimulation,deep formula milk and LPS intragastric administration in 7-day-old rats for four days.They were killed after five days of treatment with MG(20 mg·kg-1).HE staining was used to observe the intestinal pathological injury.Western blot was used to detect the expressions of IL-1 β,TNF-α,NL-RP3,ASC,caspase-1 and tight junction protein in the distal ileum of rats.Colon contents were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing to understand the gut microbio-ta.Results MG improved the body mass and intesti-nal injury of NEC neonatal rats.The expressions of in-testinal IL-1β,TNF-α,NLRP3,ASC and caspase-1 proteins were down-regulated,and the expressions of Claudin,Occludin and ZO-1 proteins were up-regula-ted.16S rDNA showed that MG increased the diversity of intestinal flora,and at the phylum level,MG in-creased the abundance of firmicutes and bacteroides in NEC model,and decreased the abundance of pro-teobacteria.At the genus level,MG treatment in-creased the abundance of Lactobacillus,unclassified_Muribaculaceae,Racteroides,but decreased the abun-dance of Escherichia_Shigella,Rodentibacter and Fuso-bacterium.Conclusion MG intervention can protect the intestinal tract of NEC rats by potentially improving barrier function,and regulating the intestinal microbiota through the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 signaling pathway.

Depression is a prevalent mental and emotional disor-der that often results in significant emotional disturbances,cog-nitive dysfunction,and memory impairments.It is characterized by a high incidence rate,a substantial disability burden,and limited therapeutic efficacy.Currently,the long-term use of medications for the treatment of depression can result in a range of adverse reactions,highlighting the urgent need to explore no-vel approaches that can effectively alleviate depressive symptoms while minimizing side effects.Curcumin,a natural polyphenolic compound derived from the rhizome of turmeric,demonstrates considerable potential in the prevention and treatment of depres-sion,owing to its diverse array of biological activities.In recent years,numerous studies have investigated the use of curcumin for the treatment of depression.This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the mechanisms of action underlying curcumin's efficacy in treating depression.Specifically,it focu-ses on its ability to improve neurotransmitter imbalances,restore neural plasticity,alleviate neural damage,mitigate dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis,regulate in-flammatory factors and neuroinflammatory signaling pathways,and inhibit oxidative stress.This review is intended to offer in-sights and methodological references for basic research on curcu-min,as well as for the development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of depression.

Aim To investigate the intestinal protection and possible mechanism of magnolol(MG)in newborn rats with necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC).Methods The rats were randomly divided into control group(Ctrl group),model group(NEC group)and treatment group(MG group).The NEC model was induced by hypoxia,cold stimulation,deep formula milk and LPS intragastric administration in 7-day-old rats for four days.They were killed after five days of treatment with MG(20 mg·kg-1).HE staining was used to observe the intestinal pathological injury.Western blot was used to detect the expressions of IL-1 β,TNF-α,NL-RP3,ASC,caspase-1 and tight junction protein in the distal ileum of rats.Colon contents were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing to understand the gut microbio-ta.Results MG improved the body mass and intesti-nal injury of NEC neonatal rats.The expressions of in-testinal IL-1β,TNF-α,NLRP3,ASC and caspase-1 proteins were down-regulated,and the expressions of Claudin,Occludin and ZO-1 proteins were up-regula-ted.16S rDNA showed that MG increased the diversity of intestinal flora,and at the phylum level,MG in-creased the abundance of firmicutes and bacteroides in NEC model,and decreased the abundance of pro-teobacteria.At the genus level,MG treatment in-creased the abundance of Lactobacillus,unclassified_Muribaculaceae,Racteroides,but decreased the abun-dance of Escherichia_Shigella,Rodentibacter and Fuso-bacterium.Conclusion MG intervention can protect the intestinal tract of NEC rats by potentially improving barrier function,and regulating the intestinal microbiota through the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 signaling pathway.

This study was aimed at establishing a method of ultra-fast quantitative PCR for Brucella detection.We used an exogenous recombinant plasmid as the internal reference and targeted the T4SS secretion system,an important Brucella viru-lence factor,to design specific primers and probes.The sensitivity,specificity,and repeatability of this method were evaluated,and a standard curve was constructed.The coincidence rate of detection findings with this method versus quantitative PCR was determined.This method markedly decreased the detection time to only 10 minutes.The standard curve demonstrated a good linear relationship(Y=-3.410 7x+38.357,R2=0.998 5)with a low minimum detection limit of 10 copies/μL.The method exhibited good specificity and did not specifically amplify several common clinical bacteria other than Brucella.The de-tection of three concentrations of positive plasmids yielded coefficients of variation(CVs)of 0.20％to 0.91％,thus demonstra-ting the method's excellent repeatability.Furthermore,140 clinical samples were analyzed concurrently with the fluorescence PCR method,which yielded a 100％compliance rate and consistent results.Our findings indicated that the Brucella ultra-fast quantitative PCR was ultrafast;had high sensitivity,high specificity,and good specificity;and can be used for the clinical de-tection of Brucella and emergency investigation of epidemics.Therefore,this method is valuable for the early diagnosis of Bru-cella.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for pneumonia complicating infectious mononucleosis(IM)in adults and construct a nomogram prediction model.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 198 IM patients admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from January 2015 to December 2021.Patients were divided into pneumonia group(n=52)and non-pneumonia group(n=146)based on whether pulmonary infection occurred during hospitalization.The baseline data(age,gender,place of onset,etc.),clinical manifestations(maximum body temperature,lymph node enlargement,splenomegaly,etc.),and inflammatory indicators[white blood cell count(WBC),C-reactive protein(CRP),etc.]were compared between the two groups.Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to analyze the key indicators affecting the hospital stay of IM patients.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors for pneumonia complicating IM in adults and construct a nomogram prediction model based on the identified risk factors.The predictive efficacy of the model was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and the consistency of the model was assessed using the calibration curve.The fit of the model was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test.Additionally,the sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of the model were assessed using confusion matrix.Results Compared with non-pneumonia group,the pneumonia group had a significantly higher proportion of patients from rural areas,with body mass index(BMI)≥24 kg/m2,smoking history,hepatomegaly,fever duration of≥7 d,as well as increased total hospitalization costs and average daily hospitalization costs,and prolonged hospital stay(P<0.05).The proportion of patients with a history of antibiotic use was lower in the pneumonia group(P<0.05).Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients from rural areas,with BMI≥24 kg/m2,smoking history,no prophylactic use of antibiotics,fever duration≥7 d,and hepatomegaly had significantly prolonged hospital stays(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that living in a rural area(OR=4.089,P<0.05),hepatomegaly(OR=4.082,P<0.05),and elevated WBC(OR=1.205,P<0.05)were independent risk factors for pneumonia complicating IM in adults,while the prophylactic use of antibiotics(OR=0.142,P<0.05)was an independent protective factor.The area under the ROC curve of the constructed nomogram prediction model was 0.827(95%CI 0.762-0.892),and the slope of the calibration curve was close to 1,and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed χ2=5.299,P=0.725,indicating good consistency and fit of the prediction model.The results of the confusion matrix assessment showed that the sensitivity of the model was 0.669(0.624-0.773),the specificity was 0.827(0.724-0.930),and the accuracy was 0.732(0.665-0.793).Conclusion The nomogram prediction model based on place of onset,hepatomegaly,the prophylactic use of antibiotics and WBC has excellent fit and discrimination,providing an effective quantitative tool for prognosis assessment of IM.

Objective:To explore the prognostic influencing factors of patients with pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), to develop a nomogram-based predictive model for the overall survival (OS) of LCNEC patients and to make validation.Methods:The clinical data of 2 947 patients with LCNEC in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (the modeling group) and 147 patients with LCNEC in Beijing Chest Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from 2010 to 2023 (the validation group). The data of patients in the both groups were compared. Cox proportional hazards model was used to screen out the factors influencing the OS of patients with LCNEC. A nomogram model was constructed to predict the OS based on the multivariate analysis result. Internal validation of the predictive model's performance was conducted through 500 repeated samplings based on the Bootstrap method. The predictive performance of the nomogram model was evaluated by using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The consistency index (CI) was used to analyze the discrimination of the nomogram model in predicting the survival of LCNEC patients; calibration curves were used to analyze the consistency between the survival predicted by the nomogram model and the actual survival outcomes; and the decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to assess the net benefit of the model for actual clinical decision-making.Results:The differences in the proportions of patients with different age, gender, race, tumor staging, N stage, M stage, hepatic metastasis or not, pulmonary metastasis or not, chemotherapy and radiotherapy or not between the modeling group and the validation group were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The median OS time of LCNEC patients in the modeling group was 14.0 months, with the 1-year OS rate of 53.3% and the 5-year OS rate of 21.2%; the median OS time of LCNEC patients in the validation group was 17.5 months, with the 1-year OS rate of 58.7%; there was no statistically significant difference in OS between the 2 groups ( P = 0.280). In the modeling group, the median OS time of female and male LCNEC patients was 18.0 and 12.0 months, respectively, and the difference in OS between the 2 groups was statistically significant ( P < 0.05); for patients with stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ LCNEC, the median OS time was 48.0, 16.0, and 6.0 months, respectively, and the difference in OS among the 3 groups was statistically significant ( P < 0.05); the median OS time of patients receiving surgery and not receiving surgery was 28.0 and 8.0 months, respectively, and the difference in OS between the 2 groups was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). The differences in OS among female and male, patients in stages Ⅰ-Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ, patients who underwent surgery or not were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis in the modeling group showed that patients aged >60 years old (>60 years old vs. ≤60 years old: HR = 1.234, 95% CI: 1.114-1.367, P < 0.01), M 1 stage (M 1 stage vs. M 0 stage, HR = 2.646,95% CI: 2.385-2.935, P < 0.001), T 2-4 stage (T 2-4 stage vs. T 1 stage: HR = 1.199, 95% CI: 1.147-1.252, P < 0.001), N 1-3 stage (N 1-3 stage vs. N 0 stage: HR = 1.281, 95% CI: 1.225-1.340, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors of the OS in patients with LCNEC; female (female vs. male: HR = 0.877, 95% CI: 0.805-0.956, P = 0.003), surgery (yes vs. no: HR = 0.612, 95% CI: 0.554-0.676, P < 0.001), chemotherapy (yes vs. no: HR = 0.520, 95% CI: 0.470-0.575, P < 0.001) were independent protective factors of the OS in patients with LCNEC. A nomogram model for predicting 1, 3, and 5-year OS rates of LCNEC patients was constructed based on age, gender, T stage, N stage, M stage, surgery and chemotherapy. The result of ROC curve analysis indicated that the AUC of the nomogram model for predicting 1, 3, and 5-year OS rates in the modeling group was 0.822, 0.821 and 0.821, respectively, while the AUC of 1-year OS rate predicted by the validation group was 0.660. The CI of the modeling group and the validation group was 0.756 and 0.660, respectively. The calibration curve showed that 1, 3, and 5-year OS rates predicted by the modeling group were highly consistent with the actual OS rates. The DCA showed that the nomogram model for predicting OS in the modeling group and the validation group both had good clinical net benefits. Conclusions:The constructed nomogram model for predicting the prognosis of LCNEC patients is proved to be reliable and has good clinical values.