Introduction: Electrolyte imbalance is common in central nervous system infections. Arginine vasopressin deficiency (AVP-D), Cerebral Salt Wasting (CSW), and Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone secretion (SIADH) are important etiologies that can cause opposing extremes of serum sodium, posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We report a rare case of transient central AVP-D followed by CSW secondary to tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Case: An 18-year-old female presented with a 1-month history of fever, reduced responsiveness, and visual hallucinations. Her Glasgow Coma Scale was E4V1M4 with neck stiffness and upper motor neuron signs. Initial investigations revealed severe hyponatremia (119 mmol/L) and communicating hydrocephalus with third ventricle ballooning on brain imaging. Coupled with a positive tuberculosis contact, anti-tuberculous therapy was initiated for probable TBM alongside 3% saline correction prior to insertion of external ventricular drain (EVD). Her condition deteriorated on day 5, requiring intubation for aspiration pneumonia. Repeated imaging showed worsening hydrocephalus, necessitating EVD revision. She subsequently developed polyuria (urine output [UO] 150–300 mLs/hour), with biochemical findings consistent with AVP-D (serum sodium 154 mmol/L; urine osmolality 96 mOsm/kg; urine sodium <20 mmol/L). Intravenous desmopressin 1 mcg was administered, and UO reduced to 30 mLs/hour. However, polyuria recurred on Day 9, accompanied by tachycardia, hypotension, and a rapid decline in serum sodium to 120 mmol/L. Diagnosis of CSW was established (urine sodium 204 mmol/L; urine osmolality 470 mOsm/kg). Oral fludrocortisone was initiated and titrated to 0.4 mg daily to maintain serum sodium >130 mmol/L. Due to persistent hydrocephalus, right ventriculoperitoneal shunt was inserted on Day 22, after which her UO gradually decreased, allowing tapering of fludrocortisone. She remains on fludrocortisone 0.1 mg daily with ongoing rehabilitation. Conclusion TBM can be complicated by SIADH, AVP-D, or CSW. Concurrent AVP-D and CSW have not been reported. This case highlights the dynamic electrolyte disturbances in TBM which may lead to diagnostic confusion and therapeutic error. Early recognition and tailored therapy, alongside definitive management to reduce intracranial pressure, are essential for optimal outcomes.
Hypernatremia ; Hyponatremia ; Tuberculosis, Meningeal

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice. It has a high prevalence and poor prognosis. The application of antiarrhythmic drugs and even surgery cannot completely treat the disease, and there are many sequelae. AF can be classified into the category of "palpitation" in Chinese medicine according to its symptoms. Acupuncture has a significant effect on AF. The authors find that an important mechanism of acupuncture in AF treatment is to regulate the cardiac vagus nerve. Therefore, this article intends to review the distribution and function of vagus nerve in the heart, the application and the regulatroy effect for the treatment of AF.
Atrial Fibrillation/physiopathology* ; Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Vagus Nerve/physiology* ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential causal relationship between intervertebral disc degeneration and certain autoimmune diseases. METHODS: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data of 5 autoimmune diseases were obtained from large-scale GWAS databases. Data on internal vertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) were derived from the FinnGen consortium, which included 294, 770 controls and 41, 669 cases. A two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to investigate the potential causal relationship between the 5 autoimmune diseases and IVDD. Multiple analytical methods were adopted, including MR methods such as inverse variance weighting(IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted mode, and simple mode. Cochran's Q test, leave-one-out analysis, and MR-Egger intercept test were conducted to assess heterogeneity, robustness, and pleiotropy. For the robustness of the results, MR-PRESSO was used to detect outliers, and MR analysis was re-conducted after removing the outliers. RESULTS: The MR analysis results showed that there might be a bidirectional causal relationship between ankylosing spondylitis(AS) and IVDD:AS on IVDD, OR=1.038, 95%CI (1.024, 1.053), P=0.000;and IVDD on AS, OR=2.117, 95%CI(1.065, 4.207), P=0.032. There might be a positive correlation between IVDD and rheumatoid arthritis(RA) as well as systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE):IVDD on RA, OR=1.184, 95%CI(1.071, 1.309), P=0.001;and IVDD on SLE, OR=1.678, 95%CI(1.187, 2.372), P=0.003. There was no significant correlation between ulcerative colitis(UC), autoimmune thyroiditis(ATD) and IVDD. After removing outliers by MR-PRESSO and re-conducting MR analysis, the results did not change qualitatively. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the results were robust to potential sources of bias. CONCLUSION AS and IVDD may be risk factors for each other, and IVDD may be a potential risk factor for RA and SLE. These findings provide a basis for guiding the prevention and combined diagnosis and treatment of IVDD, AS, RA, and SLE, while the specific underlying mechanisms still require further experimental basic research.
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/etiology* ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Autoimmune Diseases/complications* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing/genetics* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism by which the extract of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract promotes bone growth in mice by modulation of the expression of miR-34a-5p in brain tissue. METHODS: Mice were assigned to four experimental groups:a normal control group, a drug administration group (receiving 0.320 mg·g^-1 body weight of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract via intragastric administration), a positive control group (receiving 0.013 mg·g^-1 body weight of jujube seed saponin via intragastric administration), and a combination group administration with Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract plus a 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) agonist (intragastric administration of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract combined with intracerebroventricular injection of 8 μg P-MPPF per mice for the final three days of the experiment). Following a 20-day administration period, the effects of the interventions on bone growth, serum growth hormone (GH) levels, and 5-HT2AR expression in brain tissue were evaluated. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) that were differentially expressed in the brain tissues of mice exhibiting bone growth induced by Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract, as compared to those in normal mice, were identified using a gene chip approach. The interaction between miR-34a-5p and 5-HT2AR was subsequently validated through quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chainreaction (RT-qPCR) and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays. Subsequently, by utilizing the miR-34a-5p inhibitor group and mimics group, along with the normal control group, the drug administration group, the positive control group, and the drug administration combined with miR-34a-5p inhibitor group, the variations in 5-HT2AR expression in mouse brain tissue across all groups were examined, and the binding activity of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) to the 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) in mice was assessed. RESULTS: The body lengths of the normal control group and the drug administration group were(8.9±0.3) and(10.4±0.4) cm;femur lengths were (8.5±0.3) and (9.1±0.5) mm;tibia lengths were (10.7±0.3) and (11.2±0.4) mm, respectively. The contents of GH levels were (58.6±8.2) and (72.9±6.1) ng·ml-1;and the contents of 5-HT2AR were (32.0±5.0) and (21.9± 5.5) ng·ml-1, respectively. Compared with the normal control group, the drug administration group promoted the growth of body length, femur, and tibia in mice, and increased GH secretion, showing statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Additionally, it significantly reduced the content of 5-HT2AR in brain tissue, with statistical significance (P<0.01). The gene chip analysis identified a total of 16 differentially expressed miRNAs, of which 13 were up-regulated and 3 were down-regulated. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that the up-regulated miR-34a-5p could regulate the expression of 5-HT2AR, a prediction that was confirmed through a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, demonstrating a direct regulatory interaction between the two. Furthermore, in vivo experiments in mice revealed that overexpression and silencing of miR-34a-5p resulted in corresponding changes in the expression levels of 5-HT2AR in brain tissues/cells, as well as in the binding activity between 5-HT and 5-HT1AR. CONCLUSION The Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract promotes animal bone growth by enhancing miR-34a-5p expression in brain tissue, downregulating the expression level of 5-HT2AR, improving the binding activity between 5-HT and 5-HT1AR, and extending slow-wave sleep duration, thereby stimulating GH secretion.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Mice ; Male ; Brain/metabolism* ; Ziziphus/chemistry* ; Bone Development/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVES: To study the significance of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ [25-(OH)D₃] level in the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of children with immunoglobulin A vasculitis nephritis (IgAVN). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of children with IgAVN who underwent renal biopsy at Suzhou Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University and Jinling Hospital of the Medical School of Nanjing University from June 2015 to June 2020. Based on serum 25-(OH)D₃ level, the patients were divided into a normal group and a lower group. The clinicopathological characteristics and follow-up data of the two groups were collected and compared. RESULTS: A total of 359 children with IgAVN were included. Compared to the normal group (62 cases), the lower group (297 cases) exhibited higher incidences of hematochezia and gross hematuria, higher levels of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, urinary retinol protein, urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, and quantitative urinary protein, and a longer duration from renal biopsy to urinary protein becoming negative, as well as lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and albumin level (P<0.05). Renal pathology in the lower group showed a higher occurrence of tubular interstitial injury, crescent formation, segmental sclerosis in glomeruli, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal interstitium compared to the normal group (P<0.05). Survival analysis indicated that the cumulative renal survival rate was lower in the lower group (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that low serum 25-(OH)D₃ level is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in children with IgAVN. CONCLUSIONS Children with IgAVN and low serum 25-(OH)D₃ level have relatively severe clinicopathological manifestations. Low serum 25-(OH)D₃ level is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in children with IgAVN.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Calcifediol/blood* ; Child, Preschool ; Adolescent ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA/mortality* ; Vasculitis/pathology* ; IgA Vasculitis/mortality*

OBJECTIVE: To prepare clinical-grade human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSC) with high expression of hematopoietic supporting factors and evaluate their stem cell characteristics. METHODS: Fetal umbilical cord tissues were collected from healthy postpartum women during full-term cesarean section. Wharton's jelly was mechanically separated and hUC-MSCs were obtained by explant culture method and enzyme digestion method in an animal serum-free culture system with addition of human platelet lysate. The phenotypic characteristics of hUC-MSCs obtained by two methods were detected by flow cytometry. The differences in proliferation ability between the two groups of hUC-MSCs were identified through CCK-8 assay and colony forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) assay. The differences in multilineage differentiation potential between the two groups of hUC-MSCs were identified through induction of adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation. The mRNA expression levels of hematopoietic supporting factors such as SCF, IL-3, CXCL12, VCAM1 and ANGPT1 in the two groups of hUC-MSCs were identified by real-time fluorescence quantiative PCR(RT-qPCR). RESULTS: The results of flow cytometry showed that hUC-MSCs obtained by the two methods both expressed high levels of CD73, CD90 and CD105, while lowly expressed CD31, CD45 and HLA-DR. The results of CCK-8 and CFU-F assay showed that the proliferation ability of hUC-MSCs obtained by explant culture method was better than those obtained by enzyme digestion method. The results of the triple lineage differentiation experiment showed that there was no significant difference in multilineage differentiation potential between the two grous of hUC-MSCs. The results of RT-qPCR showed that the mRNA expression levels of hematopoietic supporting factors SCF, IL-3, CXCL12, VCAM1 and ANGPT1 in hUC-MSCs obtained by explant cultrue method were higher than those obtained by enzyme digestion method. CONCLUSION Clinical-grade hUC-MSCs with high expression levels of hematopoietic supporting factors were successfully cultured in an animal serum-free culture system.
Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Umbilical Cord/cytology* ; Cell Differentiation ; Female ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CXCL12/metabolism* ; Angiopoietin-1/metabolism* ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism* ; Stem Cell Factor/metabolism* ; Flow Cytometry ; Pregnancy

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of common cancer that seriously endangers human health.Designing methods for early,rapid,and accurate diagnosis of HCC has become the key point.Golgi protein 73(GP73),a novel potential biomarker for HCC,is crucial for diagnosis and treatment of HCC.In this study,a colorimetric sensor with rapidity,smplicity and high specificity was established for detection of GP73 based on peroxidase-like activity of hemin-reduced graphene oxide-manganese dioxide(H-rGO-MnO2).The H-rGO-MnO2-GP73Apt1 signal probe was synthesized by carboxyl of H-rGO-MnO2 nanozyme and amination of GP73 aptamer(GP73Apt1)though amide reaction.In the presence of GP73,the sulfhydryl-modifed GP73 aptamer(GP73Apt2),as the capture probe,and the signal probe both specifically recognized GP73,forming a sandwich structure(GP73Apt2-GP73-H-rGO-MnO2-GP73Apt1).This structure could catalyze the oxidation of H2O2 to produce hydroxyl radical(·OH),thereby oxidizing the colorless phthalenediamine(OPD)into the yellow 2,3-diaminophenazine(DPA).The quantitative detection of GP73 was achieved by measuring the characteristic absorbance of DPA at 450 nm.In the GP73 concentration range of 10-150 ng/mL,there was a good linear relationship between the DPA absorbance at 450 nm(A450 nm)and the GP73 concentration under optimal conditions.The linear equation was A450 nm=0.00321CGP73+0.8988,with the correlation coefficient(R2)of 0.9960 and the detection limit(LOD)of 5.38 ng/mL.The colorimetric sensor was applied to detection of GP73 in human serum samples,with recoveries of 88.4%?98.8%.This sensor showed high specificity,sensitivity,and stability,and had potential for clinical detection of GP73,providing a new approach for the early diagnosis of HCC.

Objective:To investigate the mode and timing of delivery in pregnant women with complex fetal congenital heart disease (CHD) detected by prenatal ultrasound.Methods:The clinical data of 123 fetuses with complex CHD detected by prenatal ultrasound in Peking University People′s Hospital from January 2016 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Pregnant women with indications for prenatal diagnosis underwent G-banding karyotype analysis, single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP arrry) or whole exome sequencing after informed consent. Integrated managements were provided for pregnant women with complex CHD during pregnancy and perinatal period, and to determine the mode and timing of delivery. Infants with complex CHD received timely treatment or referral after birth.Results:The gestational age at ultrasound diagnosis of the 123 fetuses with complex CHD was (23.7±3.4) weeks. There were 11 cases (8.9%) of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC), 14 cases (11.4%) of anomalous pulmonary valve (PVA), 7 cases (5.7%) of right ventricle double outlet (RVDO), 13 cases (10.6%) of anomalous aortic arch, 69 cases (56.1%) of transposition of the great arteries (TGA), 9 cases (7.3%) of other types. All cases were treated with fetal preservation after prenatal consultation. Among the 72 cases undergoing prenatal diagnosis, 9 cases (12.5%) had chromosomal variations. Fifty-five cases (44.7%, 55/123) underwent trial of labor, of which 46 cases (37.4%, 46/123) had successful vaginal delivery, including 6 cases of forceps delivery, and other 9 cases of failed trial of labor transferred to cesarean section. A total of 77 cases of pregnant women underwent cesarean section. Except for the 21 cases of pregnant women who asked for cesarean section, the cesarean section rate of pregnant women with complex CHD was 45.5% (56/123), which was not significantly different from the average cesarean section rate of the same period in our hospital (40.2%; χ2=7.34, P=0.270). The gestational age at delivery of the 123 fetuses with complex CHD was (37.9±1.4) weeks, the birth weight of the neonates was (3 099±480) g, and the umbilical artery blood pH value was 7.31±0.05. The oxygen saturation of 86 cases before and after alprostadil infusion were (72.8±6.0)% and (80.5±5.0)%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=4.38, P<0.001). One hundred and fourteen children underwent surgical treatment, 112 of them (98.2%) had good postoperative reexamination. Only 2 cases (1.8%) died after surgery, and 14.0% (16/114) had the possibility of secondary surgery. Conclusions:Fetal complex CHD is not an indication for cesarean section, and the delivery mode could be selected according to the obstetric situation. If the mother and child are in stable condition, the delivery is planned after 39 weeks of gestation. For children with low oxygen saturation after birth, alprostadil could be pumped to maintain the open ductus arteriosus, and timely referral to the pediatric cardiac surgery for subsequent surgical treatment, which could achieve a good prognosis.

Objective:Based on a propensity score matchied analysis, the impact of neoadjuvant therapy, namely the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with the targeted and immunotherapy, on the prognosis of patients undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Clinical data of 226 patients who underwent surgical resection for HCC of China Liver Cancer (CNLC) stage Ib, IIa, IIb, and IIIa at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from February 2020 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed, including 201 males and 25 females, aged 64.6±9.4 years. Patients were divided into the neoadjuvant therapy group ( n=25) and the direct surgery group ( n=201). Propensity score matching was used to analyze the liver fibrosis-4 score, platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and tumor number of the two groups. Postoperative pathological assessment of liver resection was performed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the prognosis, and the log-rank test was used to compare the survival rates of the two groups. Results:After propensity score 1: 3 matching, there were no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05) regarding the baseline characteristics of the two groups. Pathological assessment after hepatectomy: the complete pathological response rate was 8% (2/25), and the major pathological response rate was 36% (9/25). The recurrence-free survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery in the direct surgery group and the neoadjuvant therapy group were 52.0%, 48.0%, and 42.7% versus 76.0%, 72.0%, and 68.0%, respectively ( χ2=4.76, P=0.029). The overall survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery in the direct surgery group and the neoadjuvant therapy group were 80.0%, 78.7%, and 77.3% versus 100.0%, 96.0%, and 96.0%, respectively ( χ2=4.31, P=0.038). Conclusion:Neoadjuvant therapy could reduce the risk of postoperative recurrence and prolong patients survival

Paraplegia caused by spinal cord injury is a serious neurological complication, for which surgery is currently the main treatment method. Due to different surgical approaches, patients are usually expected to maintain a passive prone position for a long time or switch between the supine and prone positions. Affected by multiple factors such as neurogenic sensory disorders, pathological changes in muscle tone and operative duration, the risk of intraoperative acquired pressure injury (IAPI) is significantly increased. Current clinical prevention strategies for IAPI in these patients predominantly focus on localized pressure relief during positioning, lacking systematic, standardized comprehensive prevention protocols or evidence-based guidelines. To address it, Department of Nursing, Orthopedics Branch, China International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care, Spinal Trauma Professional Committee, Orthopedics Branch, Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Nursing Group of Spine and Spinal Cord Professional Committee of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine organized experts in relevant fields to formulate Guideline for the prevention of intraoperative acquired pressure injury in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury ( version 2025), based on evidence-based medical evidence and latest research results and clinical practice at home and abroad. Eleven recommendations were put forward from the aspects of preoperative risk assessment, intraoperative prevention strategies, postoperative handover and monitoring, and supportive mechanisms for IAPI prevention, aiming to standardize the prevention measures and management strategies of IAPI in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury and accelerate the recovery of patients and improve the therapeutic effect.