Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is a common cause of ischemic stroke. The evaluation of its structure and function is of great significance for formulating clinical intervention strategies. The indications for endovascular treatment of ICAS lesions in the past were mainly based on the degree of luminal stenosis showed by cerebral angiography, which had certain limitations. The translesional pressure ratio (PR), as an important indicator for functional assessment after arterial stenosis, has gradually received attention in the evaluation of ICAS lesions in recent years. This article reviews the evaluation methods and clinical significance of PR in ICAS lesions.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Xuanfei Baidu Decoction (XFBD) in a mouse model of dampness-heat toxin pneumonia. By exploring how XFBD exerts its effects, we seek to deepen our understanding of its role in treating pulmonary diseases and to address the current knowledge gap regarding its mechanisms of action, thereby supporting its clinical application. Methods: Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) were employed to analyze the chemical constituents of XFBD. The protective effects of XFBD were evaluated using a dampness-heat toxin-induced mouse model, established through dampness-heat exposure and HCoV-229E infection. XFBD was administered orally, followed by assessments including lung index measurement, micro-CT imaging, viral load quantification, cytokine analysis, and histological evaluation via hematoxylin-eosin staining. Proteomics and single-cell transcriptomic analyses were conducted to explore the potential mechanisms underlying XFBD’s pharmacological effects. A cellular model of HCoV-229E infection was developed to investigate changes in the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. Molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments confirmed the strong binding affinity between key XFBD components and PKA. Finally, PKA activators and inhibitors were applied in vitro to validate these mechanistic findings. Results: In vivo studies demonstrated that XFBD significantly reduced the lung index, improved the structural integrity of lung and tongue tissues, and decreased levels of proinflammatory mediators, including IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. Proteomic and single-cell transcriptomic analyses showed that the differentially expressed proteins after XFBD treatment were primarily associated with inflammatory responses and immune regulation. The cAMP/PKA signaling pathway was identified as a key mechanism underlying these therapeutic effects. Notably, Western blot, ELISA, molecular docking, and SPR analyses confirmed that XFBD elevated cAMP levels and p-PKA expression, thereby activating the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway in vitro. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that XFBD significantly alleviates symptoms in mice with dampness-heat toxin pneumonia. Its therapeutic effects are mediated, at least in part, through activation of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. These findings provide compelling evidence that XFBD is an effective herbal remedy against HCoV-229E infection.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of elevated calprotectin S100A9 (S100A9) concentration during living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for early acute lung injury (ALI) in children with biliary atresia.Method:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 280 pediatric patients with biliary atresia who underwent LDLT using hyperreduced left lateral segment grafts at Tianjin First Central Hospital between January 2019 and January 2021. Based on intraoperative serum S100A9 levels at 30 minutes after graft reperfusion, patients were divided into the high S100A9 group (≥9.05 μg/L, 141 cases) and the low S100A9 group (<9.05 μg/L, 139 cases). General clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the correlation between S100A9 levels and early postoperative ALI. The predictive value of risk factors was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis with calculation of the area under the curve (AUC) .Result:A total of 280 eligible children were included in the study, with 141 in the high S100A9 group and 139 in the low S100A9 group. The incidence of ALI was significantly higher in the high S100A9 group (31.2%) compared to the low S100A9 group (10.8%). Multivariate regression analysis identified elevated preoperative creatinine levels ( OR=1.191, 95% CI: 1.069~1.321, P=0.002), increased intraoperative S100A9 concentrations ( OR=1.426, 95% CI: 1.272~1.599, P=0.021), and higher intraoperative blood transfusion volume ( OR=0.985, 95% CI: 0.973~0.997, P=0.017) as independent risk factors for postoperative ALI in pediatric LDLT. The predictive value of intraoperative S100A9 levels for ALI was significant, with an AUC of 0.816 (95% CI: 0.758~0.874), a sensitivity of 80.5%, a specificity of 73.7%, and an optimal cutoff value of 9.49 μg/L. Furthermore, preoperative albumin and creatinine levels were found to be correlated with increased intraoperative S100A9 levels. Conclusion:Elevated intraoperative S100A9 levels, increased preoperative creatinine levels, and higher intraoperative blood transfusion volumes are independent risk factors for early ALI following pediatric LDLT. S100A9 levels have strong predictive value for ALI occurrence, highlighting the need for perioperative monitoring and intervention strategies to improve postoperative outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the role of calcium-binding protein S100A9 in acute lung injury induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (HIR) in mice, and to explore its relationship with nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2).Methods:A total of 12 specific pathogen-free (SPF) male wild-type (WT) and 12 S100A9 knockout (S100A9 KO) C57BL/6J mice aged 6~8 weeks and weighing 20-25 g were randomly divided into four groups using a random number table: WT+Sham group, S100A9 KO+Sham group, WT+HIR group, and S100A9 KO+HIR group ( n=6 per group). The HIR model was established by clamping the portal vein and hepatic artery of the left and median liver lobes for 60 minutes followed by reperfusion. At 6 hours post-reperfusion, mice were anesthetized again, and blood samples were collected from the inferior vena cava. Both lungs were harvested. The lung wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio was measured. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to assess histopathological changes and calculate lung injury scores. The levels of inflammatory markers—S100A9, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) —as well as oxidative stress indicators including myeloperoxidase (MPO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum and lung tissue were measured. Western blotting was used to assess the expression levels of nuclear and cytoplasmic Nrf2, and cytoplasmic HO-1. Results:Compared with the WT+Sham group, both the WT+HIR and S100A9 KO+HIR groups showed significantly increased lung injury scores, W/D ratio, TNF-α, IL-6, ROS, MPO, and MDA levels (all P<0.05). Compared with the WT+HIR group, the S100A9 KO+HIR group exhibited significantly reduced levels of these indicators (all P<0.05). Moreover, the S100A9 KO+HIR group showed elevated nuclear Nrf2 expression and decreased cytoplasmic Nrf2 expression, accompanied by increased expression of HO-1, Gclm, Gclc, and Nqo1 (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Upregulation of S100A9 is involved in the development of HIR-induced acute lung injury, possibly through inhibition of Nrf2 nuclear translocation.

Objective:To investigate the role of calcium-binding protein S100A9 in acute lung injury induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (HIR) in mice, and to explore its relationship with nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2).Methods:A total of 12 specific pathogen-free (SPF) male wild-type (WT) and 12 S100A9 knockout (S100A9 KO) C57BL/6J mice aged 6~8 weeks and weighing 20-25 g were randomly divided into four groups using a random number table: WT+Sham group, S100A9 KO+Sham group, WT+HIR group, and S100A9 KO+HIR group ( n=6 per group). The HIR model was established by clamping the portal vein and hepatic artery of the left and median liver lobes for 60 minutes followed by reperfusion. At 6 hours post-reperfusion, mice were anesthetized again, and blood samples were collected from the inferior vena cava. Both lungs were harvested. The lung wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio was measured. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to assess histopathological changes and calculate lung injury scores. The levels of inflammatory markers—S100A9, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) —as well as oxidative stress indicators including myeloperoxidase (MPO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum and lung tissue were measured. Western blotting was used to assess the expression levels of nuclear and cytoplasmic Nrf2, and cytoplasmic HO-1. Results:Compared with the WT+Sham group, both the WT+HIR and S100A9 KO+HIR groups showed significantly increased lung injury scores, W/D ratio, TNF-α, IL-6, ROS, MPO, and MDA levels (all P<0.05). Compared with the WT+HIR group, the S100A9 KO+HIR group exhibited significantly reduced levels of these indicators (all P<0.05). Moreover, the S100A9 KO+HIR group showed elevated nuclear Nrf2 expression and decreased cytoplasmic Nrf2 expression, accompanied by increased expression of HO-1, Gclm, Gclc, and Nqo1 (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Upregulation of S100A9 is involved in the development of HIR-induced acute lung injury, possibly through inhibition of Nrf2 nuclear translocation.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of elevated calprotectin S100A9 (S100A9) concentration during living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for early acute lung injury (ALI) in children with biliary atresia.Method:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 280 pediatric patients with biliary atresia who underwent LDLT using hyperreduced left lateral segment grafts at Tianjin First Central Hospital between January 2019 and January 2021. Based on intraoperative serum S100A9 levels at 30 minutes after graft reperfusion, patients were divided into the high S100A9 group (≥9.05 μg/L, 141 cases) and the low S100A9 group (<9.05 μg/L, 139 cases). General clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the correlation between S100A9 levels and early postoperative ALI. The predictive value of risk factors was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis with calculation of the area under the curve (AUC) .Result:A total of 280 eligible children were included in the study, with 141 in the high S100A9 group and 139 in the low S100A9 group. The incidence of ALI was significantly higher in the high S100A9 group (31.2%) compared to the low S100A9 group (10.8%). Multivariate regression analysis identified elevated preoperative creatinine levels ( OR=1.191, 95% CI: 1.069~1.321, P=0.002), increased intraoperative S100A9 concentrations ( OR=1.426, 95% CI: 1.272~1.599, P=0.021), and higher intraoperative blood transfusion volume ( OR=0.985, 95% CI: 0.973~0.997, P=0.017) as independent risk factors for postoperative ALI in pediatric LDLT. The predictive value of intraoperative S100A9 levels for ALI was significant, with an AUC of 0.816 (95% CI: 0.758~0.874), a sensitivity of 80.5%, a specificity of 73.7%, and an optimal cutoff value of 9.49 μg/L. Furthermore, preoperative albumin and creatinine levels were found to be correlated with increased intraoperative S100A9 levels. Conclusion:Elevated intraoperative S100A9 levels, increased preoperative creatinine levels, and higher intraoperative blood transfusion volumes are independent risk factors for early ALI following pediatric LDLT. S100A9 levels have strong predictive value for ALI occurrence, highlighting the need for perioperative monitoring and intervention strategies to improve postoperative outcomes.

Objective To explore the effects of motor acupuncture based on movement pattern adjustment theory on Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and the prognosis in patients with non-specific low back pain (NLBP). Methods A total of 98 patients with NLBP who were admitted to the hospital from March 2020 to March 2023 were randomly divided into control group and observation group, with 49 patients in each group. The control group received lumbar and pelvic rhythm training, while the observation group received motor acupuncture based on movement pattern adjustment theory. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, ODI score, JOA score, low back electromyographic signals[the ratio of maximum EMG during extension to maximum EMG during maximum voluntary flexion (EXT/MVF) and the ratio of maximum EMG during flexion to maximum EMG during maximum voluntary flexion (FLEX/MVF)], and serum inflammatory factors[interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α] in both groups were observed before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy and 3-month recurrence rate were compared between the two groups. Results After 2 weeks of treatment, VAS score and ODI score of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, and JOA score was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). EXT/MVF and FLEX/MVF of the erector spinae and multifidus muscle in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Serum IL-6, IL-1 β and TNF-α levels two weeks after treatment in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P < 0.05). The effective rate of the observation group was higher, and 3-month recurrence rate of the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Motor acupuncture based on movement pattern adjustment theory can achieve significant therapeutic effect in treating NLBP, which can effectively alleviate pain, improve lumbar function, and reduce inflammatory reactions, with good prognosis and a low recurrence rate.

Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is one of the main causes of ischemic stroke, but the international multicenter clinical studies, which are mainly based on the degree of stenosis to guide endovascular treatment, have not obtained positive results. In recent years, the evaluation of ICAS has gradually transferred from traditional anatomy (degree of stenosis) to hemodynamics and plaque characteristics. This article reviews the application of MRI in the hemodynamic evaluation of ICAS.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Shufeng Jiedu capsule （SFJD）-containing serum on human lung epithelial cells infected by influenza A virus， and investigate the protective effect of the drug on the cells and the potential antiviral effect. MethodThe SFJD-containing serum was prepared and used to treat human lung epithelial cells （BEAS-2B） cultured in vitro. The viability of cells treated with different concentrations of SFJD-containing serum was measured by the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）， and the optimal concentration of SFJD-containing serum was screened for subsequent experiments. BEAS-2B cells were classified into normal control， virus infection， and SFJD-containing serum groups， and the CCK-8 method was used to detect the survival rate of BEAS-2B cells after virus infection and drug administration. The expression of influenza virus nucleic acid in the cells of each group was determined， and the apoptosis of cells in different groups was observed by fluorescence microscopy. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of influenza virus nucleoprotein （NP）， Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 （MyD88） in each group of cells. The immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the fluorescence intensities of TLR4， MyD88， and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB （p-NF-κB） in lung epithelial cells. ResultCompared with that in the control group （normal serum）， the cell survival rates in the blank serum and the SFJD-containing serum （5%， 10%， and 20%） groups were 100.00%±0.00%， 89.05%±4.80%， 87.13%±5.90%， 93.83%±6.03%， and 99.33%±3.39%， respectively （P<0.01）. The SFJD-containing serum of 20% was selected as the optimal treatment for subsequent experiments. Compared with the normal control group， the virus infection group showed reduced cell survival rate （P<0.01）， and the reduction was increased by the SFJD-containing serum （P<0.01）. Compared with the virus infection group， SFJD-containing serum reduced the virus load （P<0.01） to decrease apoptosis. Compared with the normal control group， the virus infection group showed up-regulated mRNA levels of NP， TLR4， and MyD88 （P<0.01）， and the up-regulation was down-regulated by the SFJD-containing serum （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The fluorescence intensities of TLR4， MyD88， and p-NF-κB proteins in the cells increased after virus infection compared with those in the normal control （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and they were decreased after administration with the SFJD-containing serum （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe SFJD-containing serum can inhibit influenza virus in vitro by increasing the survival rate， reducing the apoptosis， and down-regulating the protein levels of TLR4， MyD88， and p-NF-κB in BEAS-2B cells.