1.Pathogenic characteristics and drug sensitivity analysis of hospital-acquired infections in lung transplant recipients: a single-center 5-year retrospective study
Sangsang QIU ; Qinfen XU ; Bo WU ; Xiaojun CAI ; Qinhong HUANG ; Dapeng WANG ; Chunxiao HU ; Jingyu CHEN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(1):114-121
Objective To analyze the characteristics of postoperative hospital-acquired infections and drug sensitivity in lung transplant recipients over the past 5 years in a single center. Methods A total of 724 lung transplant recipients at Wuxi People's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2023 were selected. Based on the principles of hospital-acquired infection diagnosis, a retrospective analysis was conducted on the hospital infection situation and infection sites of lung transplant recipients, and an analysis of the distribution of hospital-acquired infection pathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility test status was performed. Results Among the 724 lung transplant recipients, 275 cases of hospital-acquired infection occurred, with an infection rate of 38.0%. The case-time infection rate decreased from 54.2% in 2019 to 22.8% in 2023, showing a downward trend year by year (Z=30.98, P<0.001). The main infection site was the lower respiratory tract, accounting for 73.6%. The pathogens were mainly Gram-negative bacteria, with the top four being Acinetobacter baumannii (37.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.7%), and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (13.4%), with imipenem resistance rates of 89%, 53%, 58% and 100%, respectively. Gram-positive bacteria were mainly Staphylococcus aureus (3.6%), with a methicillin resistance rate of 67%. Conclusions Over the past 5 years, the hospital-acquired infections in lung transplant recipients have shown a downward trend, mainly involving lower respiratory tract infections, with the main pathogens being Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, all of which have high resistance rates to imipenem.
7.Xiaoyao Shukun Decoction Treats Sequelae of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease by Regulating Neutrophil Extracellular Traps via PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway
Jing PAN ; Bing ZHANG ; Chunxiao DANG ; Jinxiao LI ; Pengfei LIU ; Xiao YU ; Yuchao WANG ; Jinxing LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):69-78
ObjectiveTo investigate how Xiaoyao Shukun decoction (XYSKD) regulates the formation and release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, thereby reducing inflammation, inhibiting the excessive proliferation of fibroblasts in pelvic adhesion tissue, decreasing adhesion and fibrosis, and repairing the tissue damage in sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease (SPID). MethodsA total of 84 Wistar rats were randomly allocated into seven groups: blank, model, XYSKD (8 mg·kg-1), mTOR agonist (10 mg·kg-1), mTOR agonist + XYSKD (10 mg·kg-1+8 mg·kg-1), mTOR inhibitor (2 mg·kg-1), and mTOR inhibitor + XYSKD (2 mg·kg-1+8 mg·kg-1). The rat model of SPID was constructed by starvation, fatigue, and ascending Escherichia coli infection. After 14 days of drug intervention, the ultrastructure of fibroblasts in the pelvic adhesion tissue was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The general morphology of the uterus, fallopian tube, and ovary was observed by laparotomy. The levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-17 (IL-17), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the peritoneal flushing fluid were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and citrullinated histone 3 (H3) in the fallopian tube was detected by immunofluorescence. Western blot and Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) were employed to determine the relative protein and mRNA levels, respectively, of neutrophil elastase (NE), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (CD54), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), H3, PI3K, and Akt. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group presented a large number of collagen fibers in bundles, numerous cytoplasmic folds of fibroblasts, reduced or absent mitochondrial cristae, and disordered and expanded endoplasmic reticulum. By laparotomy, extensive pelvic congestion, connective tissue hyperplasia, thickening and hardening of the tubal end near the uterus, and tubal and ovarian adhesion or cyst were observed in the model group. In addition, the model group showed raised levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α in the peritoneal flushing fluid (P<0.01), increased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 (P<0.01), and up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of NE, H3, CD54, PI3K, and Akt (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the mTOR agonist group showed increased fibroblasts and cytoplasmic folds, absence of mitochondrial cristae, endoplasmic reticulum dilation, and evident collagen fiber hyperplasia. Pelvic adhesions were observed to cause aggravated damage to the uterine, fallopian tube, and ovarian tissues. The levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α in the peritoneal lavage fluid elevated (P<0.01) and the average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 enhanced (P<0.01) in the mTOR agonist group. In contrast, the XYSKD group and the mTOR inhibitor group showcased decreased fibroblasts and collagen fibers, alleviated mitochondrial crista loss and endoplasmic reticulum dilation, improved morphology and appearance of the uterine, fallopian tube, and ovarian tissues, lowered levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α in the peritoneal lavage fluid (P<0.01), decreased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of NE, H3, CD54, PI3K, and Akt (P<0.05). Compared with the mTOR agonist group, the mTOR agonist + XYSKD group showed alleviated pathological changes in the pelvic tissue, declined levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α (P<0.01), decreased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein levels of NE, H3, CD54, α-SMA, p-PI3K/PI3K, and p-Akt/Akt (P<0.01) and mRNA levels of NE, H3, CD54, α-SMA, PI3K, and Akt (P<0.01). Compared with the mTOR inhibitor group, the mTOR inhibitor + XYSKD group demonstrated reduced pathological severity of the pelvic tissue, reduced levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α (P<0.01), decreased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of NE and CD54 (P<0.05). ConclusionXYSKD can inhibit the excessive formation and release of NETs via PI3K/Akt/mTOR to ameliorate the inflammatory environment and reduce fibrosis and adhesion of the pelvic tissue, thereby playing a role in the treatment of SPID. It may exert the effects by lowering the levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α and down-regulating the expression of NE, H3, CD54, α-SMA, PI3K, and Akt in the pelvic adhesion tissue.
8.New advances in perioperative fluid management in lung transplantation
Meng SUI ; Murong HUANG ; Ranming MA ; Mochi WANG ; Chunxiao HU
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(4):648-652
Lung transplantation is an effective treatment for various end-stage lung diseases. Optimizing perioperative fluid management can reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary edema and improve the prognosis of lung transplant recipients. Excessive fluid administration may lead to pulmonary edema, ischemia-reperfusion injury of the transplant lung, and increased cardiac burden, which can induce heart failure. On the other hand, overly strict fluid restriction may lead to hypovolemia, affecting tissue perfusion and causing organ dysfunction. Therefore, precise regulation of fluid balance is crucial for the postoperative recovery of lung transplant recipients. This article reviews the physiological characteristics of lung transplant recipients, types of infused fluids, fluid therapy regimens, and hemodynamic monitoring, aiming to elucidate the particularities of perioperative fluid management in lung transplantation and provide new ideas and directions for individualized fluid management.
9.Effect of Stasis-dispelling and Detoxifying Therapy on Clinical Efficacy and JNK Signaling Pathway-related Protein Expression in Endometriosis Patients with Syndrome of Kidney Deficiency and Blood Stasis
Tingting WANG ; Zhaokang QI ; Jinxin REN ; Shuai ZHAO ; Chunxiao WEI ; Yi YU ; Fang LIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):120-129
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of the stasis-dispelling and detoxifying therapy in endometriosis (EMs) patients with the syndrome of kidney deficiency and blood stasis and the effects of this therapy on the expression levels of proteins related to the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 72 patients with EMs due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis who met the criteria at the Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Center for Reproduction and Genetics of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2024 to February 2025 were selected and randomized into a treatment group and a control group, with 36 patients in each group. Another 36 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) due to male factors alone were selected as the blank group. The treatment group took the Zishen Quyu Jiedu formula orally, while the control group and the blank group took placebos. The treatment course encompassed the cycle before ovarian stimulation and the oocyte retrieval cycle. The TCM syndrome score of kidney deficiency and blood stasis, as well as the serum level of cancer antigen 125 (CA125), were evaluated at the time of enrollment (before treatment) and on the trigger day (after treatment). Serum levels of sex hormones were measured on day 2 of the menstrual cycle. On the trigger day, the duration and dosage of gonadotropin (Gn) administration and the serum levels of hormones on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) injection were assessed. Embryo outcomes were evaluated 3 days after oocyte retrieval, and clinical pregnancy rates were assessed 28 days after embryo transfer. The baseline data of three groups were observed. The TCM syndrome scores and serum CA125 levels before and after treatment were compared between the treatment and control groups. The baseline endocrine levels, Gn days, Gn dosage, hormone levels on the day of HCG administration, number of oocytes retrieved, number of 2 pronucleus (2PN) fertilizations, number of available embryos, high-quality embryo rate, and clinical pregnancy rate were also assessed in all three groups. Six patients from each group were selected for determination of the protein levels of JNK, c-Jun, and nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 2 (NR4A2) in ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) on the day of oocyte retrieval by Western blot. Results(1) There were no statistically significant differences in the baseline data among three groups, indicating comparability. (2) Compared with the baseline within the same group, the treatment group showed a decrease in the syndrome score of kidney deficiency and blood stasis after treatment. After treatment, serum CA125 levels decreased in both groups (P<0.05), with a more substantial reduction in the treatment group, resulting in a difference between the two groups (P<0.05). (3) There were no significant differences among three groups in terms of baseline serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P), as well as the duration and dosage of Gn administration and the serum levels of LH, E2, and P on the day of HCG administration. (4) For embryo outcomes, the number of oocytes retrieved, 2PN fertilizations, available embryos, and high-quality embryo rates in the treatment group and the blank group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the treatment group and the blank group had similar 2PN fertilizations. (5) There were differences in clinical pregnancy rate among three groups (P<0.05), and the treatment group had higher pregnancy rate than the control and blank groups. (6) The protein levels of JNK, c-Jun, and NR4A2 in the GCs of the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01) and close to those in the blank group (P<0.01). (7) No obvious adverse reactions were observed in any of the subjects during the clinical observation process. ConclusionZishen Quyu Jiedu formula can ameliorate the clinical symptoms of patients with EMs due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis, reduce the serum CA125 level, increase the number of oocytes retrieved, 2PN fertilizations, available embryos, and high-quality embryo rate, and improve pregnancy outcomes. The mechanism may involve downregulating the levels of JNK, c-Jun, and NR4A2 to reduce the apoptosis of ovarian GCs and improve the ovarian function in the patients.
10.Effect of Stasis-dispelling and Detoxifying Therapy on Clinical Efficacy and JNK Signaling Pathway-related Protein Expression in Endometriosis Patients with Syndrome of Kidney Deficiency and Blood Stasis
Tingting WANG ; Zhaokang QI ; Jinxin REN ; Shuai ZHAO ; Chunxiao WEI ; Yi YU ; Fang LIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):120-129
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of the stasis-dispelling and detoxifying therapy in endometriosis (EMs) patients with the syndrome of kidney deficiency and blood stasis and the effects of this therapy on the expression levels of proteins related to the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 72 patients with EMs due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis who met the criteria at the Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Center for Reproduction and Genetics of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2024 to February 2025 were selected and randomized into a treatment group and a control group, with 36 patients in each group. Another 36 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) due to male factors alone were selected as the blank group. The treatment group took the Zishen Quyu Jiedu formula orally, while the control group and the blank group took placebos. The treatment course encompassed the cycle before ovarian stimulation and the oocyte retrieval cycle. The TCM syndrome score of kidney deficiency and blood stasis, as well as the serum level of cancer antigen 125 (CA125), were evaluated at the time of enrollment (before treatment) and on the trigger day (after treatment). Serum levels of sex hormones were measured on day 2 of the menstrual cycle. On the trigger day, the duration and dosage of gonadotropin (Gn) administration and the serum levels of hormones on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) injection were assessed. Embryo outcomes were evaluated 3 days after oocyte retrieval, and clinical pregnancy rates were assessed 28 days after embryo transfer. The baseline data of three groups were observed. The TCM syndrome scores and serum CA125 levels before and after treatment were compared between the treatment and control groups. The baseline endocrine levels, Gn days, Gn dosage, hormone levels on the day of HCG administration, number of oocytes retrieved, number of 2 pronucleus (2PN) fertilizations, number of available embryos, high-quality embryo rate, and clinical pregnancy rate were also assessed in all three groups. Six patients from each group were selected for determination of the protein levels of JNK, c-Jun, and nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 2 (NR4A2) in ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) on the day of oocyte retrieval by Western blot. Results(1) There were no statistically significant differences in the baseline data among three groups, indicating comparability. (2) Compared with the baseline within the same group, the treatment group showed a decrease in the syndrome score of kidney deficiency and blood stasis after treatment. After treatment, serum CA125 levels decreased in both groups (P<0.05), with a more substantial reduction in the treatment group, resulting in a difference between the two groups (P<0.05). (3) There were no significant differences among three groups in terms of baseline serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P), as well as the duration and dosage of Gn administration and the serum levels of LH, E2, and P on the day of HCG administration. (4) For embryo outcomes, the number of oocytes retrieved, 2PN fertilizations, available embryos, and high-quality embryo rates in the treatment group and the blank group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the treatment group and the blank group had similar 2PN fertilizations. (5) There were differences in clinical pregnancy rate among three groups (P<0.05), and the treatment group had higher pregnancy rate than the control and blank groups. (6) The protein levels of JNK, c-Jun, and NR4A2 in the GCs of the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01) and close to those in the blank group (P<0.01). (7) No obvious adverse reactions were observed in any of the subjects during the clinical observation process. ConclusionZishen Quyu Jiedu formula can ameliorate the clinical symptoms of patients with EMs due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis, reduce the serum CA125 level, increase the number of oocytes retrieved, 2PN fertilizations, available embryos, and high-quality embryo rate, and improve pregnancy outcomes. The mechanism may involve downregulating the levels of JNK, c-Jun, and NR4A2 to reduce the apoptosis of ovarian GCs and improve the ovarian function in the patients.

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