OBJECTIVE To analyze the chemical constituents and absorbed prototype components in blood of Zhenyang jiuxin decoction， and explore its potential active substances in the treatment of chronic heart failure （CHF）. METHODS SD rats were divided into a blank group （distilled water） and administration groups with blood collection at 0， 15， 30 and 60 min after dosing （14.96 g/kg calculated by crude drug）， with 2 rats in each group. Intragastric administration was conducted once every 12 hours for 3 consecutive days. After the last administration， rat blood was collected to prepare drug-containing serum. UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap HRMS combined with the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking technology was adopted to identify the chemical constituents of Zhenyang jiuxin decoction and the absorbed prototype components in blood in drug-containing serum. Moreover， network pharmacology， molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were used to predict the potential active components and action targets for CHF treatment. RESULTS A total of 116 chemical constituents were identified from Zhenyang jiuxin decoction， including flavonoids （29 species）， terpenoids （26 species）， saponins （22 species） and other compounds. Twenty absorbed prototype components in blood were detected in drug-containing serum， including icariin， ginsenoside Rg 1 and atractylenolide Ⅰ. Six key active components （icariin， ginsenoside Rg 1 ， atractylenolide Ⅰ， hexadecanamide， etc.） and six core k ey targets such as glycogen synthase kinase-3β （GSK-3β）， amyloid precursor protein （APP） and epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR） were screened out via network pharmacology. Molecular docking results showed that all key active components had favorable binding activity with core targets； among them， icariin had the strongest binding capacity to APP. Molecular dynamics simulation verified that the complex formed by icariin and APP possessed excellent stability. CONCLUSIONS The potential active substances of Zhenyang jiuxin decoction against CHF are icariin， ginsenoside Rg₁， atractylenolide Ⅰ and other ingredients， which act on APP， EGFR， GSK-3β and other targets. APP may serve as one of the important action targets of icariin.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the chemical constituents and absorbed prototype components in blood of Zhenyang jiuxin decoction， and explore its potential active substances in the treatment of chronic heart failure （CHF）. METHODS SD rats were divided into a blank group （distilled water） and administration groups with blood collection at 0， 15， 30 and 60 min after dosing （14.96 g/kg calculated by crude drug）， with 2 rats in each group. Intragastric administration was conducted once every 12 hours for 3 consecutive days. After the last administration， rat blood was collected to prepare drug-containing serum. UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap HRMS combined with the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking technology was adopted to identify the chemical constituents of Zhenyang jiuxin decoction and the absorbed prototype components in blood in drug-containing serum. Moreover， network pharmacology， molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were used to predict the potential active components and action targets for CHF treatment. RESULTS A total of 116 chemical constituents were identified from Zhenyang jiuxin decoction， including flavonoids （29 species）， terpenoids （26 species）， saponins （22 species） and other compounds. Twenty absorbed prototype components in blood were detected in drug-containing serum， including icariin， ginsenoside Rg 1 and atractylenolide Ⅰ. Six key active components （icariin， ginsenoside Rg 1 ， atractylenolide Ⅰ， hexadecanamide， etc.） and six core k ey targets such as glycogen synthase kinase-3β （GSK-3β）， amyloid precursor protein （APP） and epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR） were screened out via network pharmacology. Molecular docking results showed that all key active components had favorable binding activity with core targets； among them， icariin had the strongest binding capacity to APP. Molecular dynamics simulation verified that the complex formed by icariin and APP possessed excellent stability. CONCLUSIONS The potential active substances of Zhenyang jiuxin decoction against CHF are icariin， ginsenoside Rg₁， atractylenolide Ⅰ and other ingredients， which act on APP， EGFR， GSK-3β and other targets. APP may serve as one of the important action targets of icariin.

Objective To compare the dosimetric differences, plan complexity, verification pass rate, and execution efficiency of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans designed for post-mastectomy radiotherapy of breast cancer using Halcyon 2.0 and VitalBeam accelerators in flattening filter-free mode. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on imaging data from 87 female breast cancer patients aged 29 to 75 (49.9 ± 9.9) years who underwent modified radical mastectomy followed by radiotherapy. VMAT plans were designed using both VitalBeam and Halcyon accelerators in flattening filter-free mode. The dosimetric parameters, plan complexity, verification pass rate, and execution efficiency were compared between the plans designed for both accelerators, with a significance level of P<0.05. Results In terms of target volume parameters, Halcyon 2.0 plans demonstrated superior homogeneity index and conformity index. For organs at risk, the Halcyon 2.0 plans showed lower doses for the lungs (D_20% and D_mean) and heart (D_mean) compared to the VitalBeam plans (all P<0.05). Regarding plan complexity, Halcyon 2.0 plans exhibited better median average aperture area variation (0.35 ± 0.02), smaller aperture score, and larger median plan aperture area than VitalBeam plans (all P<0.05). However, VitalBeam plans had a superior median modulation complexity score (0.28 ± 0.01) compared to Halcyon 2.0 plans (P<0.05). Patient plans were assessed using the ArcCHECK phantom, revealing higher pass rates and significantly shorter execution time for Halcyon plans compared to VitalBeam plans (P<0.05). Conclusion Both Halcyon 2.0 and VitalBeam accelerators can provide high-quality VMAT plans for postoperative radiotherapy of breast cancer, with excellent verification pass rates ensuring treatment accuracy and efficacy. However, Halcyon 2.0 offers lower plan complexity, simplifies the treatment planning process, and reduces execution time, thereby achieving higher treatment efficiency and demonstrating greater advantages in clinical applications.

Objective:To evaluate the dosimetric characteristics of intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) and photon volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in radiation therapy planning for patients with bilateral breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery.Methods:On the computed tomography localization images of 18 patients with bilateral breast cancer, target volumes and organs at risk were contoured to develop both IMPT and VMAT plans for each patient. Two IMPT plans were designed based on the clinical target volume (CTV) with robust optimization (RO-IMPT) and the planning target volume (PTV) without RO (NonRO-IMPT), respectively. The RO-IMPT, NonRO-IMPT, and VMAT plans were normalized such that the prescription dose could cover 95% of the target volume. The dosimetric parameters of target volumes and organs at risk were evaluated, and the dosimetric characteristics of the two techniques were compared.Results:In terms of target volumes, the RO-IMPT group showed significantly lower D1%, Dmean, and homogeneity index (HI) and a significantly higher D99% of the CTV than those of the PTV in the VMAT group ( t=-8.96, -8.21, -8.13, 4.96, P<0.05). The NonRO-IMPT group showed significantly lower D1%, Dmean, and HI and a significantly higher conformity index of the PTV than those of the PTV in the VMAT group ( t=-7.75, -6.25, -6.11, 7.53, P<0.05). In terms of organs at risk, the two IMPT groups showed significantly lower values than the VMAT group for the V5- V30 and Dmean of the whole lungs, V5- V40 and Dmean of the heart, D1% and Dmean of the left anterior descending coronary artery, D1% of the spinal cord, Dmean of normal tissues, and Dmean of the skin ( t= -28.47 to -3.25, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in any other evaluation indices ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Both IMPT and VMAT can meet the clinical requirements of radiotherapy plans following breast-conserving surgery for bilateral breast cancer. IMPT has apparent advantages over VMAT in protecting organs at risk.

Objective:To evaluate the dosimetric characteristics of intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) and photon volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in radiation therapy planning for patients with bilateral breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery.Methods:On the computed tomography localization images of 18 patients with bilateral breast cancer, target volumes and organs at risk were contoured to develop both IMPT and VMAT plans for each patient. Two IMPT plans were designed based on the clinical target volume (CTV) with robust optimization (RO-IMPT) and the planning target volume (PTV) without RO (NonRO-IMPT), respectively. The RO-IMPT, NonRO-IMPT, and VMAT plans were normalized such that the prescription dose could cover 95% of the target volume. The dosimetric parameters of target volumes and organs at risk were evaluated, and the dosimetric characteristics of the two techniques were compared.Results:In terms of target volumes, the RO-IMPT group showed significantly lower D1%, Dmean, and homogeneity index (HI) and a significantly higher D99% of the CTV than those of the PTV in the VMAT group ( t=-8.96, -8.21, -8.13, 4.96, P<0.05). The NonRO-IMPT group showed significantly lower D1%, Dmean, and HI and a significantly higher conformity index of the PTV than those of the PTV in the VMAT group ( t=-7.75, -6.25, -6.11, 7.53, P<0.05). In terms of organs at risk, the two IMPT groups showed significantly lower values than the VMAT group for the V5- V30 and Dmean of the whole lungs, V5- V40 and Dmean of the heart, D1% and Dmean of the left anterior descending coronary artery, D1% of the spinal cord, Dmean of normal tissues, and Dmean of the skin ( t= -28.47 to -3.25, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in any other evaluation indices ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Both IMPT and VMAT can meet the clinical requirements of radiotherapy plans following breast-conserving surgery for bilateral breast cancer. IMPT has apparent advantages over VMAT in protecting organs at risk.

Objectives:To investigate the feasibility of using bedside echocardiography on the evaluation of potential donors with different causes of brain death for adult heart transplantation. Methods:Bedside echocardiographic and clinical data of consecutive potential donors for adult heart transplantation evaluated by the team of our institution from February 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Based on different causes of brain death,the potential donors were divided into stroke(ischemic or hemorrhagic,n=398)and non-stroke(head trauma,brain tumor,anoxia,n=272)groups.The clinical and echocardiographic features were compared between the two groups.A total of 350 donors were assigned to our hospital by the China Organ Transplant Response System and met the inclusion criteria for donor selection.There were 195 cases in the stroke group and 155 in the non-stroke group.Retrieval operations were performed and the retrieval rate of hearts for transplantation in stroke donors was compared to that in non-stroke donors. Results:(1)Among the 670 potential heart donors,compared with the non-stroke group,donors in the stroke group were significantly older,had higher body mass index,larger left ventricular end-diastolic diameter,thicker interventricular septum,higher rates of echocardiographic abnormalities,higher prevalence of hypertension(all P<0.001).Among the 670 potential heart donors,17.5%(117 cases)did not meet the echo selection criteria,the common causes were left ventricular hypertrophy(59 cases,50.4%),left ventricular ejection fraction<50%(27 cases,23.1%),wall motion abnormalities(21 cases,17.9%),and left ventricular dilation(14 cases,12.0%).(2)Among the 350 donors who had met the selection criteria and assigned to our hospital by the China Organ Transplant Response System and underwent retrieval operation,70.3%(246 cases)were successfully procured,110 cases(44.7%)in the stroke group and 136 cases(55.3%)in the non-stroke group.The retrieval rate of stroke donors(110/195,56.4%)was lower compared with that of non-stroke(136/155,87.7%,P<0.001),104 cases(29.7%)were not retrieved,and the leading cause of unsuccessful organ retrieval was the occlusion of at least one major coronary artery(91 cases,87.5%). Conclusions:Bedside echocardiography is of great value as a screening tool for cardiac donors.Cardiac structures of the potential donor with stroke as the cause of brain death were different from those with non-stroke causes.The retrieval rate of stroke donors was lower than that of non-stroke donors,even if the initial criteria for donor selection were fulfilled.

Objective:To study the risk factors of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) refractoriness.Methods:The clinical data of 106 HCC patients who underwent TACE at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively studied. There were 90 males and 16 females, with the age of (59.9±9.3) years. These patients were divided into the TACE-refractory group ( n=47) and the control group ( n=59) based on whether TACE refratoriness occurred after surgery. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVIKA-II), maximum diameter of tumor, number of tumor and tumor vascularization patterns between the two groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyse the risk factors of TACE refractoriness in patients with HCC after TACE. Results:The proportion of patients with AFP >400 μg/L, PIVIKA-II >40 AU/L, number of tumor and tumor vascularization patterns Ⅲ+ Ⅳ (uneven enhancement) were significantly higher in the TACE-refractory group than the control group (all P<0.05). The maximum diameter of tumor for patients in the TACE-refractory group was significantly larger than that in the control group ( Z=-2.41, P=0.016). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with serum AFP >400 μg/L( OR=2.707, 95% CI: 1.008-7.271), multiple tumors ( OR=6.069, 95% CI: 2.115-17.415) and tumor vascularization patterns Ⅲ+ Ⅳ (uneven enhancement)( OR=7.813, 95% CI: 2.246-27.176) before the first TACE were at increased risks of TACE refractoriness (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Preoperative AFP >400 μg/L, multiple tumors and tumor vascularization patterns Ⅲ+ Ⅳ were independent risk factors for TACE refractoriness in patients with HCC.

Objective:To study the efficacy, feasibility and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in treatment of recurrent portal hypertension after splenectomy and devascularization in patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.Methods:Cirrhotic patients with recurrent portal hypertension after splenectomy and devascularization and presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding from August 2015 to December 2020 were studied. Thirty-nine patients were included in this study. There were 24 males and 15 females, with age of (51.56±9.08) years old. These patients were treated with TIPS by using the Viabahn stent. Intraoperative portal vein pressure, success operative rate, hemostasis rate after surgery, changes in hematological indicators and postoperative efficacy and complication rate were studied.Results:Thirty-eight of 39 patients successfully underwent TIPS shunt and 1 patient failed because of portal vein spongiosis. The success rate was 97.44%(38/39). Thirty-three patients underwent TIPS and variceal vein embolization, while 5 patients were treated with TIPS alone. Thirty-nine Viabahn stents with a diameter of 8 mm were implanted in 38 patients, of which 5 patients had the stent expanded to its nominal diameter of 8 mm. The remaining 33 patients (86.84%) had a shunt with a diameter of 6 mm. The hemostasis rate of postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding was 97.37% (37/38). The portal vein pressure and portal venous pressure gradient decreased from (31.28±6.24), (20.61±5.14) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to (19.58±4.69), (9.24±3.07) mmHg respectively, the differences were significant (all P<0.001). All patients were followed-up for 3 to 36 months, with a median follow-up of 12 months. The postoperative rebleeding rate was 6.90% (2/29). The incidence of hepatic encephalopathy was 13.79% (4/29), and the incidence of shunt disorder was 13.79% (4/29). Conclusion:TIPS was safe, effective and feasible in treating patients with recurrent portal hypertension after splenectomy and devascularization presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Most patients obtained good clinical outcomes with a 6 mm diameter shunt.

Objective:To establish and validate a fluorescence focus assay (FFA) for rapid titration of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and to evaluate its application in the production of Japanese encephalitis vaccine.Methods:Recombinant JEV non-structural protein 1 (NS1) was expressed in a prokaryotic expression system. After purification, JEV-NS1 was used to immunize rabbits to induce polyclonal antibody. FFA was established with the polyclonal antibody to titer JEV. The accuracy of FFA was validated by comparing with plaque assay, and the specificity, precision, linearity, range and robustness of FFA were also validated. Twenty-eight batches of live-attenuated Japanese encephalitis vaccine were titrated with FFA and plaque assay to analyze the relationship between the two assays.Results:FFA established with polyclonal antibody against JEV-NS1 could be used to titrate JEV, and there was no cross reaction with other viruses (tick-borne encephalitis virus, yellow fever virus, coxsackievirus A2, coxsackievirus A4). Results of the validation tests showed that FFA met the requirement of quality control for live-attenuated Japanese encephalitis vaccine. FFA was more consistency than plaque assay.Conclusions:The established FFA could be used for virus titration in the production of live-attenuated Japanese encephalitis vaccine.

Objective:To study the effect of laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) and mesh plug repair on the sexual function of patients with indirect inguinal hernia.Methods:One hundred and four patients with indirect inguinal hernia who were treated in the No.922 Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force from January 2018 to October 2019 were selected and divided into two groups according to the method of random number table: routine group and TAPP group, with 52 cases in each group. The routine group was treated with mesh plug repair, and the TAPP group was treated with TAPP. The international erectile function index-5 (IIEF-5) was used to evaluate the sexual function of the patients after operation for 6 months, the visual analog pain scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the pain after operation for 1 month, and the relevant indexes of the operation and the incidence of complications were compared.Results:The IIEF-5 scores at 6 months after operation in two groups was higher than that before operation, the testicular volume and the maximum blood flow velocity of testicular artery in two groups were lower than those before operation, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05); the IIEF-5 scores at 6 months after operation in the TAPP group was higher than that in the routine group [(23.86 ± 1.5) scores vs. (21.45 ± 3.85) scores], and the testicular volume and the maximum blood flow velocity of testicular artery were higher than those in the routine group [(9.65 ± 0.08) cm 3 vs. (9.39 ± 0.09) cm 3, (3.83 ± 1.05) cm/s vs. (2.88 ± 0.36) cm/s], and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). One month after operation, the pain scores of two group were lower than that before operation, and the pain scores of TAPP group was lower than that of routine group [(1.65 ± 0.35) scores vs. (2.78 ± 0.39) scores], and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The operation time of TAPP group was higher than that of routine group [(44.35 ± 6.26) min vs. (41.80 ± 5.95) min], the bleeding volume, the time of getting out of bed, the time of hospitalization of TAPP group were lower than those of routine group [(54.66 ± 8.98) ml vs. (73.25 ± 15.25) ml, [(12.75 ± 2.42) h vs. (23.55 ± 3.66) h], (3.25 ± 1.01) d vs. (7.85 ± 1.44) d], and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The incidence of operation complications of TAPP group was lower than that of routine group [3.85%(2/52) vs. 21.15%(11/52)], and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=7.121, P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with conventional hernia repair, laparoscopic hernia repair can improve the sexual function, relieve the pain, improve the therapeutic effect and reduce the complications.