Objective To investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection on the early clinical outcomes of patients undergoing valve replacement. Methods Perioperative data of patients who underwent single valve replacement at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army Medical University from January to February 2023 were consecutively collected. Based on COVID-19 infection status, patients were divided into a COVID-19 group and a non-COVID-19 group. The perioperative data were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 136 patients were included, comprising 53 males and 83 females, with a mean age of (53.4±10.2) years. There were 32 patients receiving aortic valve replacements, 102 mitral valve replacements, and 2 tricuspid valve replacements. The COVID-19 group comprised 70 patients, and the non-COVID-19 group included 66 patients. No statistical difference was observed in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups [9.09% (6/66) vs. 11.43% (8/70), P=0.654]. However, the COVID-19 group had longer postoperative mechanical ventilation duration [1 201.00 (1 003.75, 1 347.75) min vs. 913.50 (465.50, 1 251.00) min, P=0.001] and ICU stay [3 (2, 3) days vs. 2 (2, 3) days, P<0.001] compared to the non-COVID-19 group. Additionally, troponin I [4.76 (2.55, 7.93) ng/mL vs. 2.66 (1.19, 5.65) ng/mL, P=0.001] and brain natriuretic peptide [608.50 (249.75, 1 150.00) pg/mL vs. 192.00 (100.93, 314.75) pg/mL, P<0.001] levels were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group. Conclusion For patients with single valve disease undergoing elective surgery, short-term outcomes after recovery from COVID-19 infection are favorable, with no significant increase in in-hospital mortality or postoperative complication rates.

The chemical constituents of Commiphora myrrha was investigated by column chromatography on silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic methods including UV, IR, MS, NMR, as well as ECD calculation. Seven compounds were isolated from the dichloromethane-soluble fraction of C. myrrha and their structures were identified as(1S,2R,4S,5R,8S)-guaiane-2-hydroxy-7(11),10(15)-dien-6-oxo-12,8-olide(1), commipholide E(2), myrrhterpenoid H(3), myrrhterpenoid I(4), myrrhterpenoid E(5), 2α-methoxy-8α-hydroxy-6-oxogermacra-1(10),7(11)-dien-8,12-olide(6), 8,12-epoxy-1α,9α-hydroxy-eudesma-7,11-diene-6-dione(7). Compound 1 was a new compound and named myrrhterpenoid P. Compound 7 was isolated from Commiphora genus for the first time. Compounds 2, 5, and 6 significantly inhibited nitric oxide(NO) production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, with IC_(50) values of(49.67±4.16),(40.80±1.27),(47.22±0.87) μmol·L~(-1), respectively [indomethacin as the positive control, with IC_(50) value of(63.92±2.60) μmol·L~(-1)].
Commiphora/chemistry* ; Animals ; Mice ; Resins, Plant/chemistry* ; Sesquiterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Molecular Structure ; Nitric Oxide ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

The chemical components of Carthami Flos were investigated by using macroporous resin, silica gel column chromatography, reversed-phase octadecylsilane(ODS) column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The planar structures of the compounds were established based on their physicochemical properties and ultraviolet-visible(UV-Vis), infrared(IR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry(HR-ESI-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) spectroscopic technology. The absolute configurations were determined by comparing the calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroism(ECD). Six flavonoid C-glycosides were isolated from the 30% ethanol elution fraction of macroporous resin obtained from the 95% ethanol extract of Carthami Flos, and identified as saffloquinoside F(1), 5-hydroxysaffloneoside(2), iso-5-hydroxysaffloneoside(3), isosafflomin C(4), safflomin C(5), and vicenin 2(6). Among these, the compounds 1 to 3 were new chalcone C-glycosides. The compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 could significantly increase the viability of H9c2 cardiomyocytes damaged by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R) at a concentration of 50 μmol·L~(-1), showing their good cardioprotective activity.
Glycosides/pharmacology* ; Flowers/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Carthamus tinctorius/chemistry* ; Chalcones/pharmacology* ; Animals

ObjectiveTo study the pharmacological substances and mechanisms through which sesquiterpene ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum improves neuroinflammation. MethodsBV-2 microglial cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide （LPS） to induce neuroinflammation. The cells were divided into the normal group， the model group， and the ZH-13 low- and high-dose treatment groups （10， 20 μmol·L^-1）. The model group was treated with 1 μmol·L^-1 LPS. Cell viability was assessed using the cell proliferation and activity assay （CCK-8 kit）. Nitric oxide （NO） release in the cell supernatant was measured using a nitric oxide kit （Griess method）. The mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） pathway proteins was assessed by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group， ZH-13 dose-dependently reduced NO release from BV-2 cells under LPS stimulation （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the 20 μmol·L^-1 ZH-13 treatment group， the mRNA expression levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， iNOS， and IL-6 were significantly reduced compared to the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In both the low- and high-dose ZH-13 groups， the expression of the inflammatory factor TNF-α and the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK） in the upstream MAPK pathway were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. After stimulation with the JNK agonist anisomycin （Ani）， both low- and high-dose ZH-13 treatment groups showed reduced phosphorylation of JNK proteins compared to the Ani-treated group （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe sesquiterpene compound ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum significantly ameliorates LPS-induced neuroinflammatory responses in BV-2 cells by inhibiting excessive JNK phosphorylation and reducing TNF-α expression. These findings elucidate the pharmacological substances and mechanisms underlying the sedative and calming effects of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum.

Objective: To investigate the effect of intraarticular hemorrhage on extending knee joint contracture model in rats . Methods: 18 mature male SD rats were divided into 3 groups by random number table method . The control group ( group C) was not immobilized and was killed after 4 weeks of feeding . In the simple fixation group( M1 group) , the left lower limb knee joint was immobilized in straight position for 4 weeks . The blood fixationgroup (M2 group) was injected into the knee cavity with body blood and immobilized in a straight position for 4 weeks . The knee joint motion of each group was measured by the joint motion measuring instrument under a stand⁃ard torque . The contracture degree was calculated by the joint range of motion of the knee joint before and after muscles separation . HE staining and Masson staining were used to detect the number of cells and collagen deposi⁃tion in the anterior joint capsule . The protein expressions of transforming growth factor 1 (TGF⁃ β1) , wingless⁃type MMTV integration site family , member 1 ( Wnt1) and beta⁃catenin ( β⁃catenin) in the anterior articular capsule were detected by Western blotting . Results: Compared with group C , total knee contracture and arthrogenic con⁃tracture of rats in M1 and M2 groups increased , and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0. 05) . At the same time , the degree of total contracture and arthrogenic contracture in M2 group was higher than that in M1 group , and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0. 05) . Compared with group C , the number of anterior joint capsule cells and collagen deposition in M1 and M2 groups increased , and the difference was statistically sig⁃group were higher than those in M1 group , and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0. 05) . Compared with group C , the protein expressions of TGF⁃ β1 , Wnt1 and β ⁃catenin in the anterior articular capsule of rats in M1 expressions of TGF⁃ β1 , Wnt1 and β ⁃catenin in the anterior articular capsule of the knee joint in M2 group were sig⁃nificantly higher than those in M1 group , with statistical significance (P < 0. 05) . Conclusion Joint immobiliza⁃ tion can lead to joint contracture , and joint bleeding aggravates the degree of joint capsule fibrosis induced by im⁃mobilization .

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is difficult to detect in its early stages and current treatment methods are associated with significant side effects and a high risk of developing drug resistance.This study aims to investigate the effect of phycocyanin(PC)on the apoptosis of human HCC HepG2 cells and its potential mechanism.HepG2 cells were treated with PC at concentrations of 0.1,0.25,0.5,1,2.5,5,and 10 μg/mL for 12 h,and with 10 μg/mL PC and 2.5 μmol/L Wip1 inhibitor(Wip1i)alone or in combination for 12 and 24 h,respectively.Cell proliferation levels were assessed using the CCK-8 cell proliferation-toxicity assay kit.Apoptosis levels were measured by Annexin V-FITC/Propidium Iodide double staining combined with flow cytometry.TMT(Tandem Mass Tag)proteomics quantitative technol-ogy was applied to analyze differential protein expression.Western blotting was used to detect the expres-sion levels of Wip1,p53,and phosphorylated-p53(Ser15)proteins.The CCK-8 assay revealed that PC effectively inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner,with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)of 19.37 μg/mL.Flow cytometry results showed that PC significantly in-duced apoptosis,with an apoptosis rate of 30.40％.Quantitative proteomics analysis indicated that PC induced activation of the p53 pathway.The CCK-8 assay showed that Wip1i enhanced the cytotoxic effect of PC on HepG2 cells.Western blotting confirmed that PC inhibited Wip1 expression,induced p53 pro-tein phosphorylation,and promoted the expression of total p53 protein.Additionally,Wip1i further en-hanced PC-mediated activation of the p53 pathway,increasing the expression of p53 and pP53(S15).In conclusion,PC may induce apoptosis by inhibiting the activity of the p53 negative regulator Wip1,thereby promoting apoptosis through the Wip1/p53 pathway.

Objective To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of thyroid surgery via the sternocleidomastoid muscle approach with lateral cervical incision.Methods A total of 286 patients undergoing thyroid surgery in Yuncheng Central Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University and the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from June 2022 to June 2023 were enrolled,and were divided into the lateral incision group(102 cases)and the median incision group(184 cases)according to the surgical approach.The clinical data including intraoperative bleeding volume,postoperative recovery time,intraoperative neuromonitoring signal changes,postoperative pain visual analogue scale(VAS)score,quality of life score,and postoperative complications of patients were compared between the two groups.Results The intraoperative bleeding volume of patients in the lateral incision group was significantly lower than that in the median incision group(P=0.03),and the postoperative recovery time was significantly shorter than that in the median incision group(P=0.01).Intraoperative monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve showed that the residual amplitude of nerve signals in the lateral incision group was significantly greater than that in the median incision group(P<0.05),and the change in nerve signals latency was significantly smaller than that in the median incision group(P<0.05).The VAS scores of patients in the lateral incision group 3 days and 7 days after surgery were significantly lower than those in the median incision group(P<0.05).The quality of life scores of patients in the lateral incision group 3 months and 1 year after surgery were significantly higher than those in the median incision group(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications of patients between the two groups(P=0.15).Conclusion Thyroid surgery via the sternocleidomastoid muscle approach with lateral cervical incision has definite therapeutic effects,which can reduce intraoperative bleeding,shorten the postoperative recovery time,alleviate postoperative pain,and improve the quality of life of patients.

Objective To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of thyroid surgery via the sternocleidomastoid muscle approach with lateral cervical incision.Methods A total of 286 patients undergoing thyroid surgery in Yuncheng Central Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University and the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from June 2022 to June 2023 were enrolled,and were divided into the lateral incision group(102 cases)and the median incision group(184 cases)according to the surgical approach.The clinical data including intraoperative bleeding volume,postoperative recovery time,intraoperative neuromonitoring signal changes,postoperative pain visual analogue scale(VAS)score,quality of life score,and postoperative complications of patients were compared between the two groups.Results The intraoperative bleeding volume of patients in the lateral incision group was significantly lower than that in the median incision group(P=0.03),and the postoperative recovery time was significantly shorter than that in the median incision group(P=0.01).Intraoperative monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve showed that the residual amplitude of nerve signals in the lateral incision group was significantly greater than that in the median incision group(P<0.05),and the change in nerve signals latency was significantly smaller than that in the median incision group(P<0.05).The VAS scores of patients in the lateral incision group 3 days and 7 days after surgery were significantly lower than those in the median incision group(P<0.05).The quality of life scores of patients in the lateral incision group 3 months and 1 year after surgery were significantly higher than those in the median incision group(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications of patients between the two groups(P=0.15).Conclusion Thyroid surgery via the sternocleidomastoid muscle approach with lateral cervical incision has definite therapeutic effects,which can reduce intraoperative bleeding,shorten the postoperative recovery time,alleviate postoperative pain,and improve the quality of life of patients.

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is difficult to detect in its early stages and current treatment methods are associated with significant side effects and a high risk of developing drug resistance.This study aims to investigate the effect of phycocyanin(PC)on the apoptosis of human HCC HepG2 cells and its potential mechanism.HepG2 cells were treated with PC at concentrations of 0.1,0.25,0.5,1,2.5,5,and 10 μg/mL for 12 h,and with 10 μg/mL PC and 2.5 μmol/L Wip1 inhibitor(Wip1i)alone or in combination for 12 and 24 h,respectively.Cell proliferation levels were assessed using the CCK-8 cell proliferation-toxicity assay kit.Apoptosis levels were measured by Annexin V-FITC/Propidium Iodide double staining combined with flow cytometry.TMT(Tandem Mass Tag)proteomics quantitative technol-ogy was applied to analyze differential protein expression.Western blotting was used to detect the expres-sion levels of Wip1,p53,and phosphorylated-p53(Ser15)proteins.The CCK-8 assay revealed that PC effectively inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner,with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)of 19.37 μg/mL.Flow cytometry results showed that PC significantly in-duced apoptosis,with an apoptosis rate of 30.40％.Quantitative proteomics analysis indicated that PC induced activation of the p53 pathway.The CCK-8 assay showed that Wip1i enhanced the cytotoxic effect of PC on HepG2 cells.Western blotting confirmed that PC inhibited Wip1 expression,induced p53 pro-tein phosphorylation,and promoted the expression of total p53 protein.Additionally,Wip1i further en-hanced PC-mediated activation of the p53 pathway,increasing the expression of p53 and pP53(S15).In conclusion,PC may induce apoptosis by inhibiting the activity of the p53 negative regulator Wip1,thereby promoting apoptosis through the Wip1/p53 pathway.

Humans ; Consensus ; Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis/therapy* ; Heart ; Immunoglobulin Light Chains ; China