Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with endoscopy and interventional embolization in treating refractory gastric ulcer hemorrhage in critically ill patients with systemic diseases (sepsis, uremia), and to provide a novel therapeutic option for cases failing conventional treatments. Methods: A case of a 60-year-old male patient with sepsis and uremia complicated by gastric antral ulcer (Forrest Ib) with active bleeding was reported. Autologous venous blood was collected, and PRP was prepared via a two-step centrifugation method. PRP was sprayed endoscopically followed by local injection, and then covered with a thrombin-calcium ion activator to form a gel layer. Initial treatment was performed, followed by consolidation therapy seven days later, along with selective gastroduodenal artery embolization. Results: Hemorrhage was controlled within 24 hours after the initial PRP treatment. Hemoglobin (Hb) increased from 49 g/L to 56 g/L, and coagulation function improved [activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) decreased from>170 s to 85 s]. A stable coagulum formed on the ulcer surface after the second PRP treatment on day 7. At the 4-week follow-up endoscopic assessment, the ulcer had shrunk to approximately 0.8×1.0 cm, Hb had risen to 92 g/L, and no rebleeding occurred. Conclusion: PRP, acting through mechanical tamponade by a physical barrier and sustained release of growth factors, serves as an effective supplementary treatment for refractory gastric ulcer bleeding, offering dual mechanisms of immediate hemostasis and promotion of mucosal repair. Combining PRP with interventional embolization and multidisciplinary collaboration can further enhance efficacy and may have potential for broader application.

Hepatic encephalopathy is a common and serious complication of end-stage liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis， and it is basically a neuropsychiatric syndrome resulting from metabolic disorders caused by severe acute or chronic liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunt. In clinical practice， the onset of hepatic encephalopathy does not completely correlate linearly with the level of blood ammonia and is often triggered by extrahepatic factors， suggesting the presence of complex multiorgan crosstalk in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy. Based on the four main pathogeneses of ammonia toxicity， inflammation， neurotransmitter imbalance， and oxidative/nitrosative stress， this article systematically elaborates on the mechanism of multiorgan crosstalk in hepatic encephalopathy and discusses the emerging risk factors such as sarcopenia and diabetes mellitus， in order to provide a novel theoretical framework for deepening the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of hepatic encephalopathy and formulating clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies in the future.

The gut microbiota is closely related to human health, and various gut microbiota health indices have been developed to assist in evaluating the health of the gut microbiota and even the overall health of the human body. Diets are one of the main factors that regulate the gut microbiota, while there is still no good method for evaluating the regulatory effects of dietary factors. To assess the regulatory effects of dietary factors on the gut microbiota of overweight individuals, we conducted an in vitro fermentation experiment based on 17 dietary factors, and developed an evaluation method for the regulatory effects of dietary factors based on the health index with principal component analysis (hiPCA). The results showed that most dietary factors had positive regulatory effects on the gut microbiota of overweight individuals. Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and puerarin were the most significant dietary factors in regulating the gut microbiota of overweight individuals. The analysis of the contribution of species to the hiPCA indicated that GOS and puerarin might inhibit the activities of bacteria associated with overweight by regulating Eubacterium dolichum, Lactobacillus salivarius, Clostridium clostridioforme, Clostridium citroniae, and Lachnospiraceae bacterium 9_1_43BFAA. In addition, GOS may further enhance the inhibition of these activities by regulating Lachnospiraceae bacterium 6_1_63FAA, thereby reducing the gut health risks in overweight individuals. In summary, this study evaluated the health effects of dietary factors based on the hiPCA and specifically analyzed the role of different dietary factors in regulating the gut microbiota of overweight individuals. This provides new ideas and methods for improving gut microbiota health and has potential applications in the field of precision nutrition.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology* ; Isoflavones/pharmacology* ; Overweight/microbiology* ; Diet ; Fermentation ; Oligosaccharides/pharmacology* ; Principal Component Analysis

In order to characterize the characteristics of pathological tremor of human upper limb, a simulation system of pathological tremor of human arm was provided and its dynamic response was analyzed. Firstly, in this study, a two-degree-of-freedom human arm dynamic model was established and linearized according to the arbitrary initial angle of joints. After solving the analytical solutions of steady-state responses of the joints, the numerical solution was used to verify it. The results of theoretical analysis show that the two natural frequencies of the developed dynamic model are 2.9 Hz and 5.4 Hz, respectively, which meet the characteristic frequency range of pathological tremors. Then, combined with the measured parameters of human arm, a tremor simulation system was built, and the measured results of joint responses are in good agreement with the theoretical and simulation analysis results, which verifies the effectiveness of the theoretical model. The results show that the human arm pathological tremor simulation system designed in this paper can characterize the frequency and response amplitude of the human upper limb pathological tremor. Moreover, the relevant research lays a theoretical foundation and experimental conditions for the subsequent development of wearable tremor suppression devices.
Humans ; Tremor/physiopathology* ; Computer Simulation ; Arm/physiopathology* ; Joints/physiopathology* ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Upper Extremity/physiopathology* ; Models, Biological

Objective:To investigate the effects of intravenous lidocaine infusion (IVLI) on the quality of intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IONM) in patients with thyroid tumor.Methods:A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. A total of 60 patients with thyroid tumor undergoing thyroidectomy in the First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University between September 2022 and May 2023 were selected. According to the random number table method, all patients were divided into the lidocaine group and the control group, 30 cases in each group. The patients in the lidocaine group were continually given IVLI during the operation and the patients in the control group were continually given the equal 0.9% NaCl solution infusion during the operation. All patients in the 2 groups were induced by the same way of total intravenous anesthesia, and no muscle relaxants were added during anesthesia except the induction dose, and enhanced nerve monitoring tracheal catheter was inserted in the 2 groups. According to the standardized procedure of IONM, the electrode impedance values were measured at the time of eliciting the V1 and V2 signals from the vagus nerve, respectively, and the difference value was defined as the drop in the aggregate impedance level (DAIL). DAIL, perioperative hemodynamic parameters and postoperative recovery quality were compared between the 2 groups.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in the baseline data, operation time, intraoperative dosage of propofol and remifentanil between the 2 groups (all P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the lidocaine group had a higher proportion of patients with DAIL<50% [80.0% (24/30) vs. 40.0% (12/30), χ2 = 10.00, P = 0.002], a lower hemodynamic fluctuation during extubation [mean arterial pressure: (95±6) mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) vs. (104±7) mmHg, t = 31.00, P < 0.001; heart rate: (73±5) times/min vs. (92±6) times/min, t = 172.58, P < 0.001], a lower visual analog score 24 h after surgery [(2.0±0.7) scores vs. (3.7±0.8) scores, t = -8.86, P < 0.001], a higher score of quality of recovery-15 scale [(127±11) points vs. (118±13) points, t = 2.92, P = 0.005]. Conclusions:IVIL can improve the quality of IONM in patients with thyroid tumor during surgery, reduce perioperative hemodynamic fluctuation and improve postoperative recovery quality of patients.

Objective:To investigate the effects of intravenous lidocaine infusion (IVLI) on the quality of intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IONM) in patients with thyroid tumor.Methods:A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. A total of 60 patients with thyroid tumor undergoing thyroidectomy in the First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University between September 2022 and May 2023 were selected. According to the random number table method, all patients were divided into the lidocaine group and the control group, 30 cases in each group. The patients in the lidocaine group were continually given IVLI during the operation and the patients in the control group were continually given the equal 0.9% NaCl solution infusion during the operation. All patients in the 2 groups were induced by the same way of total intravenous anesthesia, and no muscle relaxants were added during anesthesia except the induction dose, and enhanced nerve monitoring tracheal catheter was inserted in the 2 groups. According to the standardized procedure of IONM, the electrode impedance values were measured at the time of eliciting the V1 and V2 signals from the vagus nerve, respectively, and the difference value was defined as the drop in the aggregate impedance level (DAIL). DAIL, perioperative hemodynamic parameters and postoperative recovery quality were compared between the 2 groups.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in the baseline data, operation time, intraoperative dosage of propofol and remifentanil between the 2 groups (all P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the lidocaine group had a higher proportion of patients with DAIL<50% [80.0% (24/30) vs. 40.0% (12/30), χ2 = 10.00, P = 0.002], a lower hemodynamic fluctuation during extubation [mean arterial pressure: (95±6) mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) vs. (104±7) mmHg, t = 31.00, P < 0.001; heart rate: (73±5) times/min vs. (92±6) times/min, t = 172.58, P < 0.001], a lower visual analog score 24 h after surgery [(2.0±0.7) scores vs. (3.7±0.8) scores, t = -8.86, P < 0.001], a higher score of quality of recovery-15 scale [(127±11) points vs. (118±13) points, t = 2.92, P = 0.005]. Conclusions:IVIL can improve the quality of IONM in patients with thyroid tumor during surgery, reduce perioperative hemodynamic fluctuation and improve postoperative recovery quality of patients.

Pyroptosis, an inflammatory caspase-dependent programmed cell death, plays a vital role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and activating inflammatory responses. Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) is an aseptic force-induced inflammatory bone remodeling process mediated by the activation of periodontal ligament (PDL) progenitor cells. However, whether and how force induces PDL progenitor cell pyroptosis, thereby influencing OTM and alveolar bone remodeling remains unknown. In this study, we found that mechanical force induced the expression of pyroptosis-related markers in rat OTM and alveolar bone remodeling process. Blocking or enhancing pyroptosis level could suppress or promote OTM and alveolar bone remodeling respectively. Using Caspase-1^-/- mice, we further demonstrated that the functional role of the force-induced pyroptosis in PDL progenitor cells depended on Caspase-1. Moreover, mechanical force could also induce pyroptosis in human ex-vivo force-treated PDL progenitor cells and in compressive force-loaded PDL progenitor cells in vitro, which influenced osteoclastogenesis. Mechanistically, transient receptor potential subfamily V member 4 signaling was involved in force-induced Caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis in PDL progenitor cells. Overall, this study suggested a novel mechanism contributing to the modulation of osteoclastogenesis and alveolar bone remodeling under mechanical stimuli, indicating a promising approach to accelerate OTM by targeting Caspase-1.
Animals ; Humans ; Mice ; Rats ; Bone Remodeling/physiology* ; Caspase 1 ; Periodontal Ligament ; Pyroptosis ; Tooth Movement Techniques

Objective:To study the curative effect of rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside capsules and the role of mitochondrial autophagy on nucleos(t)ide drug-induced renal injury.Methods:Adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) was used to construct a hepatitis B virus (HBV) transgenic mouse model for renal injury. Renal function was measured in each group at one and two weeks of modeling. Mitochondrial autophagy indicators were measured at two weeks of modeling in renal tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to detect mitochondrial autophagy phenomena in renal tissue. The model was established for two weeks. Mouse with renal injury were treated with rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside capsules or isotonic saline for eight weeks by intragastric administration. Renal function was measured. Renal tissue morphology was observed. Mitochondrial autophagy indicators were detected in renal tissue. The protective effect of different concentrations of verbascoside (the main active ingredient of rehmannia glutinosa capsule) was observed on HK-2 cell damage induced by ADV. HK-2 cells were divided into control, ADV, and ADV plus verbascoside groups. The effects of verbascoside at different times and concentrations were observed on the HK-2 mitochondrial autophagy indicators. Fifty patients with chronic hepatitis B were collected who presented with renal injury after treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs. The random number method was used to divide 29 cases into a control group that received conventional treatment. The treatment group of 21 cases was treated with rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside capsules on the basis of the control group. Serum creatinine (Scr) and urinary protein were detected at eight weeks.The χ2 test or t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results:Compared with the control group, two weeks of modeling in the ADV group induced renal function injury in HBV mice. The expression of autophagy indicators was higher in the renal tissue of the ADV group than that of the control group. Transmission electron microscopy had revealed mitochondrial autophagy in the renal tissue of the ADV group. Compared with the control group, the renal function of HBV mice treated with rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside capsules improved for two months, and the expressions of autophagy indicators were down-regulated.Verbascoside promoted proliferation in ADV-damaged HK-2 cells, and the expression of autophagy indicators was down-regulated compared with the ADV alone group. In 50 patients with renal function injury, the urinary protein improvement was significantly superior in the treatment group than that in the control group, with eighteen and three cases being effective and ineffective in the treatment group and 12 and 17 cases being effective and ineffective in the control group, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2 ?=?9.975 0, P ?=?0.001 6). Serum creatinine was decreased in the treatment group compared with the control group, with 11 and 10 cases being effective and ineffective in the treatment group and 12 and 17 cases being effective and ineffective in the control group, with no statistically significant difference ( χ2 ?= 0.593 5, P ?=?0.441 1). Conclusion:Rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside capsule can improve the nucleos(t)ide drug-induced renal function injury in chronic hepatitis B, possibly playing a role via inhibiting PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy.

Pyroptosis,an inflammatory caspase-dependent programmed cell death,plays a vital role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and activating inflammatory responses.Orthodontic tooth movement(OTM)is an aseptic force-induced inflammatory bone remodeling process mediated by the activation of periodontal ligament(PDL)progenitor cells.However,whether and how force induces PDL progenitor cell pyroptosis,thereby influencing OTM and alveolar bone remodeling remains unknown.In this study,we found that mechanical force induced the expression of pyroptosis-related markers in rat OTM and alveolar bone remodeling process.Blocking or enhancing pyroptosis level could suppress or promote OTM and alveolar bone remodeling respectively.Using Caspase-1-/-mice,we further demonstrated that the functional role of the force-induced pyroptosis in PDL progenitor cells depended on Caspase-1.Moreover,mechanical force could also induce pyroptosis in human ex-vivo force-treated PDL progenitor cells and in compressive force-loaded PDL progenitor cells in vitro,which influenced osteoclastogenesis.Mechanistically,transient receptor potential subfamily V member 4 signaling was involved in force-induced Caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis in PDL progenitor cells.Overall,this study suggested a novel mechanism contributing to the modulation of osteoclastogenesis and alveolar bone remodeling under mechanical stimuli,indicating a promising approach to accelerate OTM by targeting Caspase-1.

Cardiovascular disease is a health hazard to humans and systolic heart failure due to myocardial infarction is a major cause of death.It was previously thought that myocardial cells of the adult mammalian heart possess a limited ability to proliferate and self-renew.However,it has been widely reported that mammals have the ability to regenerate the myocardium,which is restricted to early postnatal life,and that it is strong enough to repair damaged heart tissue.The discovery of myocardial regeneration in neonatal hearts has provided an ideal animal model to investigate the mechanisms that affect myocardial regeneration,and many mechanisms that reverse myocardial cell cycle arrest and promote myocardial regeneration have been revealed.In this article,we review the factors affecting gene expression for myocardial regeneration(e.g.,ncRNAs and transcription factors),myocardial regeneration-related signaling pathways,and the regulation of myocardial regeneration by non-myocardial cells(e.g.,extracellular matrix,immune response,and epicardium)to provide directions for achieving myocardial regeneration after myocardial injury in adult mammals.