ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of Ershen Zhenwu Decoction on chronic heart failure （CHF） due to heart-kidney Yang deficiency and blood stasis and its regulatory effects on miR-423-5p/Smad7/transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）/Smads axis and myocardial fibrosis indicators. MethodsOne hundred and fourteen patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction （HFrEF） and heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction （HFmrEF） were randomly allocated into a control group and an observation group. The control group was treated with dapagliflozin tablets， sacubitril-valsartan sodium tablets， metoprolol succinate， and spironolactone， and the observation group was treated with Ershen Zhenwu Decoction on the basis of the therapy in the control group. The course of treatment was 8 weeks in both groups. The 6-min walking distance， New York Heart Association （NYHA） heart function grade， Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire （MLHFQ） score， N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP）， angiotensin Ⅱ （Ang Ⅱ）， left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVIDd）， left ventricular end-systolic diameter （LVIDs）， interventricular septum thickness at diastole （IVSd）， left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness （LVPWd）， left ventricular shortening fraction （FS）， miR-423-5p， Smad7， Smad2， Smad3， Smad4， TGF-β₁， Ang Ⅱ， type Ⅰ collagen （Col Ⅰ）， type Ⅲ collagen （Col Ⅲ）， mRNA levels of fibronectin （Fn） and α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） in the myocardial tissue were observed before and after treatment in both groups to evaluate the efficacy of cardiac function and drug safety. ResultsAfter treatment， both groups showed declined levels of NT-proBNP， Ang Ⅱ， miR-423-5p， Smad2， Smad3， Smad4， TGF-β₁， Col Ⅰ， Col Ⅲ， and mRNA levels of Fn and α-SMA （P0.05）， and the levels of the indicators above were lower in the observation group than in the control group （P0.05）. After treatment， the Smad7 level increased obviously in both groups （P0.05） and was higher in the observation group than in the control group （P0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed decreased MLHFQ scores and increased 6-min walking distance （P0.05）， and the observation group had lower MLHFQ score and longer 6-min walking distance than the control group （P0.05）. After treatment， the control group showed increased LVEF and FS （P0.05） and the observation group showcased decreased LVIDd and LVIDs and increased LVEF and FS （P0.05）. Moreover， the observation group had lower LVIDd and LVIDs （P0.05） and higher LVEF and FS （P0.05） than the control group. The total response rate of cardiac function in the observation group was 90.38% （47/52）， which was higher than that （70.59%， 36/51） in the control group （P0.05）. No adverse reactions associated with Ershen Zhenwu Decoction were observed during the study period. ConclusionErshen Zhenwu Decoction can improve the cardiac function， exercise tolerance， and quality of life， regulate neuroendocrine factors， and slow down/reverse myocardial remodeling in the patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF （syndrome of heart-kidney Yang deficiency and blood stasis by regulating the miR-423-5p/Smad7/TGF-β₁/Smads axis， inhibiting α-SMA and Fn expression， and alleviating myocardial fibrosis. It is worthy of further study.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of Ershen Zhenwu Decoction on chronic heart failure （CHF） due to heart-kidney Yang deficiency and blood stasis and its regulatory effects on miR-423-5p/Smad7/transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）/Smads axis and myocardial fibrosis indicators. MethodsOne hundred and fourteen patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction （HFrEF） and heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction （HFmrEF） were randomly allocated into a control group and an observation group. The control group was treated with dapagliflozin tablets， sacubitril-valsartan sodium tablets， metoprolol succinate， and spironolactone， and the observation group was treated with Ershen Zhenwu Decoction on the basis of the therapy in the control group. The course of treatment was 8 weeks in both groups. The 6-min walking distance， New York Heart Association （NYHA） heart function grade， Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire （MLHFQ） score， N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP）， angiotensin Ⅱ （Ang Ⅱ）， left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVIDd）， left ventricular end-systolic diameter （LVIDs）， interventricular septum thickness at diastole （IVSd）， left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness （LVPWd）， left ventricular shortening fraction （FS）， miR-423-5p， Smad7， Smad2， Smad3， Smad4， TGF-β₁， Ang Ⅱ， type Ⅰ collagen （Col Ⅰ）， type Ⅲ collagen （Col Ⅲ）， mRNA levels of fibronectin （Fn） and α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） in the myocardial tissue were observed before and after treatment in both groups to evaluate the efficacy of cardiac function and drug safety. ResultsAfter treatment， both groups showed declined levels of NT-proBNP， Ang Ⅱ， miR-423-5p， Smad2， Smad3， Smad4， TGF-β₁， Col Ⅰ， Col Ⅲ， and mRNA levels of Fn and α-SMA （P0.05）， and the levels of the indicators above were lower in the observation group than in the control group （P0.05）. After treatment， the Smad7 level increased obviously in both groups （P0.05） and was higher in the observation group than in the control group （P0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed decreased MLHFQ scores and increased 6-min walking distance （P0.05）， and the observation group had lower MLHFQ score and longer 6-min walking distance than the control group （P0.05）. After treatment， the control group showed increased LVEF and FS （P0.05） and the observation group showcased decreased LVIDd and LVIDs and increased LVEF and FS （P0.05）. Moreover， the observation group had lower LVIDd and LVIDs （P0.05） and higher LVEF and FS （P0.05） than the control group. The total response rate of cardiac function in the observation group was 90.38% （47/52）， which was higher than that （70.59%， 36/51） in the control group （P0.05）. No adverse reactions associated with Ershen Zhenwu Decoction were observed during the study period. ConclusionErshen Zhenwu Decoction can improve the cardiac function， exercise tolerance， and quality of life， regulate neuroendocrine factors， and slow down/reverse myocardial remodeling in the patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF （syndrome of heart-kidney Yang deficiency and blood stasis by regulating the miR-423-5p/Smad7/TGF-β₁/Smads axis， inhibiting α-SMA and Fn expression， and alleviating myocardial fibrosis. It is worthy of further study.

Objective To investigate and analyze epidemiological characteristics of patients with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) from 2020 to 2023, and the risk factors for plastic bronchitis (PB), To provide data support for developing preventive measures. Methods The medical records of 2 257 patients with respiratory tract infection treated at Huai'an Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University from 2020 to 2023 were collected. Count the number of MPP patients and analyze the MP detection rate. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and ROC curve was used to screen the risk factors for PB. Results A total of 858 cases were positive for MP antibodies, and the detection rate was 38.02%. There are statistically significant differences in MP detection rates among different genders, age groups, and years (P<0.05). Among the 286 patients diagnosed with MPP and undergoing bronchoscopy, 68 (23.78%) patients had PB. According to univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, small age, higher N%, D-D, LDH and AST levels were independent risk factors for PB (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis shows that age and combined detection are the most effective indicators for PB prediction, with areas under the curve of 0.998 and 0.961, respectively. Conclusion MP is the main pathogen of respiratory tract infections in the area from 2020 to 2023. Women and children are more susceptible to MP infection. Small age, high N%, DD, LDH and AST levels are independent risk factors for PB in patients with MPP. Targeted preventive measures should be taken for MP susceptible population, and close attention should be paid to PB related risk factors to prevent disease progression and the occurrence of PB.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.08.008.].

Background and objective Small cell lung cancer(SCLC)is known as recalcitrant cancer with high malignancy and heterogeneity.Immunotherapy has changed the treatment pattern of extensive-disease SCLC(ED-SCLC),but the beneficiary population is limited.Therefore,exploring new therapeutic strategies is an urgent clinical problem to be solved for SCLC.SCLC is characterized by highly active glycolytic metabolism and pyruvate kinase Ml(PKM1)is one of the isozymes of PK,an important rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis pathway.Previous studies have shown that PKM1 is related to autophagy and drug sensitivity,however,how PKM1 regulates drug sensitivity in SCLC and its mechanism remain unclear.The aim of this study was to investigate the biological functions of PKM1 in SCLC,including its effects on proliferation,migra-tion,autophagy,drug sensitivity,and expression of neuroendocrine(NE)-related markers in SCLC.Methods Western blot was used to detect the expression level of PKM1 in SCLC cells.PKM1 gene-overexpressed SCLC cell lines were constructed by stable lentivirus transfection.Proliferation of cells and drug sensitivity were detected by MTT,and migration ability of cells was determined by Transwell.The level of autophagy was detected by flow cytometry.Western blot was used to determine the expression levels of NE-related proteins.Results PKM1 was differentially expressed among various SCLC cell lines,and was lower in H1092 cells(P＜0.01).Compared with the control group,there was no significant difference in proliferation level of PKM1 overexpressing H1092 cell,but the migration ability was significantly increased(P＜0.001),the drug sensitivity was re-duced,and the level of autophagy was inhibited(P＜0.001).Additionally,overexpression of PKM1 could upregulate the expres-sion of non-neuroendocrine(non-NE)-related proteins(P＜0.01)and decrease the expression of NE-related proteins(P＜0.01).Conclusion PKM1 was differentially expressed in SCLC cell lines,and high expression of PKM1 did not affect the prolifera-tion,but affected the migration of SCLC cells.PKM1 might affect drug sensitivity by inhibiting autophagy and regulating the expression of NE markers.These results provide a theoretical basis for exploring the role of PKM1 in SCLC.

Objective:To compare the patient-reported outcomes and short-term clinical outcomes between robotic-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer.Methods:This single-center prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from October 2020 to August 2022. Patients with locally advanced gastric cancer who were to undergo radical gastrectomy were selected and randomly divided into two groups according to 1∶1, and received robotic surgery and laparoscopic surgery, respectively. Patient-reported outcomes and short-term clinical outcomes (including postoperative complications, surgical quality and postoperative short-term recovery) were compared between the two groups by independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, repeated ANOVA, generalized estimating equation, χ2 test and Fisher′s exact test. Results:A total of 237 patients were enrolled for modified intention-to-treat analysis (120 patients in the robotic group, 117 patients in the laparoscopic group). There were 180 males and 59 females, aged (63.0±10.2) years (range: 30 to 85 years). The incidence of postoperative complications was similar between the robotic group and laparoscopic group (16.7% (20/120) vs. 15.4% (18/117), χ2=0.072, P=0.788). The robotic group had higher patient-reported outcomes scores in general health status, emotional, and social domains compared to the laparoscopic group, differences in time effect, intervention effect, and interaction effect were statistically significant (general health status: χ2 value were 275.68, 3.91, 6.38, P value were <0.01, 0.048, 0.041; emotional: χ2 value were 77.79, 6.04, 6.15, P value were <0.01, 0.014, 0.046; social: χ2 value were 148.00, 7.57, 5.98, P value were <0.01, 0.006, 0.048). However, the financial burden of the robotic group was higher, the differences in time effect, intervention effect and interaction effect were statistically significant ( χ2 value were 156.24, 4.08, 36.56, P value were <0.01, 0.043,<0.01). Conclusion:Compared to the laparoscopic group, the robotic group could more effectively relieve postoperative negative emotions and improve recovery of social function in patients.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of tenofovir amibufenamide in patients over 65 years old with chronic hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis.Methods:We recruited 45 patients in Linyi People's Hospital with chronic hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis who were treated with TMF antiviral therapy for 48 weeks, compared the virologic response rate and HBV DNA decrease level at 12, 24 and 48 weeks, and the changes in hepatitis B surface antigen, alanine aminotransferase, glomerular filtration rate, creatinine, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum phosphorus and blood lipids, and the changes in ALT normalization rate at 48 weeks. P<0.05 was statistically significant. Results:The age of the enrolled patients was 69.0 (67.0, 72.5) years. At 12, 24, and 48 weeks of treatment, the complete virological response rates were 32.4% (12/37), 70.0% (28/40), and 84.6% (33/39) respectively, and the level of HBV DNA decreased from baseline ( P＜0.05). After 48 weeks of treatment, the level of HBsAg decreased ( P<0.05), and there was no negative HBsAg conversion and seroconversion. After 48 weeks of treatment, the level of ALT decreased ( P<0.05). At 48 weeks of treatment, the rates of ALT reverted to normality were 88.9% (16/18) and 70.4% (19/27), respectively. There was no significant difference in the levels of glomerular filtration rate, creatinine, phosphorus, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol estimated at baseline before and after treatment ( P＞0.05), and no serious adverse events were observed. Conclusions:For patients over 65 years old with chronic hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis, TMF can significantly inhibit HBV DNA replication, and the ALT normalization rate is high and well tolerated.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and prognostic outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods A retrospective study was conducted in 76 patients with acute myocardial infarction. Based on the presence of COVID-19, they were divided into the COVID-19 group (n=42) and the control group (n=34). General clinical conditions, laboratory examination indicators, interventional treatment characteristics, incidence of complications during hospitalization and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Independent influencing factors for coronary thrombotic lesions in acute myocardial infarction patients were analyzed. Results The diastolic blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction and lymphocyte count were significantly lower, while lipoprotein a, C-reactive protein, serum ferritin, fibrinogen, and D-dimer were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The proportions of coronary thrombotic lesions, baseline TIMI flow of grade 0 to 1, thrombus burden of grade 4 to 5, use of GP Ⅱb/Ⅲa inhibitors and thrombus aspiration in the COVID-19 group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that COVID-19 and increased D-dimer were independent risk factors for coronary thrombotic lesions in acute myocardial infarction patients. The average length of hospital stay was significantly longer in the COVID-19 group than that in the control group (P < 0.05). A 6-month follow-up showed that the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group than that in the control group (P=0.014). Conclusion Patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by COVID-19 exhibit a higher coronary thrombus load and have a poor prognosis.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of oral-nasal oxygen supply mouth guard in painless gastroscopy for snoring patients.Methods:The snoring patients who underwent painless gastroscopy at two Endoscopy Centers of Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University in July 2022 were randomly divided into the observation group (using oral-nasal oxygen supply mouth guard) and the control group (using ordinary nasal oxygen tube and mouth guard). Parameters such as the wearing time and the removal time of the mouth guard, lowest pulse oxygen saturation (SpO 2), incidence of hypoxemia, and the satisfaction of medical staff were compared between the two groups. Results:The wearing time of mouth guard was 11.63±0.84 seconds and the removal time was 5.33±0.76 seconds in the observation group ( n=40), which were lower than those in the control group ( n=47) (14.91±1.21 seconds, t=-14.463, P<0.001; 10.38±0.80 seconds, t=-30.095, P<0.001). The wearing satisfaction score was 9.80±0.61, the lowest SpO 2 was (96.70±3.42)%, the removal satisfaction score was 9.75±0.67, and the anesthesiologists' satisfaction score was 9.20±1.42 in the observation group, which were higher than those in the control group [7.70±0.93, t=12.209, P<0.001; (94.06±3.72)%, t=3.417, P=0.001; 7.96±0.98, t=9.803, P<0.001; 8.13±1.35, t=3.615, P=0.001] with significant difference. There was no significant difference in the incidence of hypoxemia [10.00% (4/40) VS 14.89% (7/47), χ2=0.130, P=0.718] and endoscopic physician satisfaction score (9.30±0.97 VS 9.02±1.31, t=1.112, P=0.269) between the two groups. Conclusion:The oral-nasal oxygen supply mouth guard is easy to wear and remove, effectively reducing SpO 2 fluctuations during painless gastroscopy for snoring patients. It can enhance medical staff satisfaction with high clinical value.

Objective:To compare the patient-reported outcomes and short-term clinical outcomes between robotic-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer.Methods:This single-center prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from October 2020 to August 2022. Patients with locally advanced gastric cancer who were to undergo radical gastrectomy were selected and randomly divided into two groups according to 1∶1, and received robotic surgery and laparoscopic surgery, respectively. Patient-reported outcomes and short-term clinical outcomes (including postoperative complications, surgical quality and postoperative short-term recovery) were compared between the two groups by independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, repeated ANOVA, generalized estimating equation, χ2 test and Fisher′s exact test. Results:A total of 237 patients were enrolled for modified intention-to-treat analysis (120 patients in the robotic group, 117 patients in the laparoscopic group). There were 180 males and 59 females, aged (63.0±10.2) years (range: 30 to 85 years). The incidence of postoperative complications was similar between the robotic group and laparoscopic group (16.7% (20/120) vs. 15.4% (18/117), χ2=0.072, P=0.788). The robotic group had higher patient-reported outcomes scores in general health status, emotional, and social domains compared to the laparoscopic group, differences in time effect, intervention effect, and interaction effect were statistically significant (general health status: χ2 value were 275.68, 3.91, 6.38, P value were <0.01, 0.048, 0.041; emotional: χ2 value were 77.79, 6.04, 6.15, P value were <0.01, 0.014, 0.046; social: χ2 value were 148.00, 7.57, 5.98, P value were <0.01, 0.006, 0.048). However, the financial burden of the robotic group was higher, the differences in time effect, intervention effect and interaction effect were statistically significant ( χ2 value were 156.24, 4.08, 36.56, P value were <0.01, 0.043,<0.01). Conclusion:Compared to the laparoscopic group, the robotic group could more effectively relieve postoperative negative emotions and improve recovery of social function in patients.