【Objective】 To explore the causal relationship between education level and pancreatitis risk through Mendelian randomization. 【Methods】 A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data. The GWAS data for education level and pancreatitis were obtained from SSGAC database and the FinnGen database (version R9). Causal relationship between education level and pancreatitis was explored using the inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median methods. Heterogeneity and directional pleiotropy were evaluated using Cochran’s Q test and funnel plots. 【Results】 Totally 604 SNPs associated with education level were included. The results provided evidence that there was negative relationship between education level and pancreatitis risk. For acute pancreatitis, OR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.44-0.62, P=2.43×10^-14 while for chronic pancreatitis, OR=0.51, 95% CI: 0.41-0.64, P=7.20×10^-9. Results from MR-Egger and weighted median analyses obtained the same results. The results of sensitivity analysis indicated that this study did not violate the basic assumptions of Mendelian randomization. 【Conclusion】 There is a causal relationship between education level and the occurrence of pancreatitis. The educational level is negatively correlated with the risk of pancreatitis.

Objective To construct and validate an effective prognostic nomogram for the patients with incidental gallbladder cancer(IGBC).Methods The clinical data of 161 patients with IGBC requiring radical surgery admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from May 2011 to October 2022 was analyzed retrospectively.COX proportional risk regression model was used to screen for influencing factors on overall survival(OS)of IGBC.Nomogram was constructed based on independent influencing factors that affected the prognosis of IGBC patients.The concordance index(C-index)and calibration curve were used to validate the performance of the model.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis and decision curve analysis(DCA)were used to validate the predictive accuracy and net benefit of the plotted column chart.Results Univariate COX regression analysis suggested that age,T stage,N stage,M stage,preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),preoperative carbohydrate antigenl9-9(CA19-9),preoperative red blood cell volume distribution on width coefficient of variation(RDW-CV),treatment method,and recurrence and metastasis were risk factors which affected the long-term survival of IGBC patients after radical surgery.Multivariate COX regression analysis suggested that T stage,N stage,preoperative CA19-9,preoperative RDW-CV,preoperative AST,treatment methods,and recurrence and metastasis were independent risk factors which affected the prognosis of IGBC patients.The C-index of the constructed prognostic model was 0.872.The calibration plot demonstrated good performance of the Nomogram.ROC curve analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.869,confirming a high sensitivity and specificity.A high net benefit was proven by DCA.Conclusions The constructed Nomogram.can accurately and intuitively predict the survival probability of IGBC patients after radical surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and antithrombin III (AT III) with the severity of sepsis, and to compare the predictive value of the above indicators alone or in combination. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Eighty-five patients with sepsis admitted to the department of intensive care medicine of Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from April 2021 to September 2022 were enrolled. General information, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score within 24 hours of admission, inflammatory indicators [PCT, IL-6, serum amyloid A (SAA), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and C-reactive protein (CRP)] and coagulation indicators (D-dimer and AT III) levels at admission, and 28-day prognosis were collected. The differences of the above indicators were compared among patients with different prognosis at 28 days and different severity of sepsis. The correlation between PCT, IL-6, AT III and the severity of sepsis was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation method. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was drawn to evaluate the predictive value of PCT, IL-6 and AT III alone or in combination on the 28-day death of patients with sepsis. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients were enrolled finally, 67 cases survived and 18 cases died at 28 days. The mortality was 21.2%. There were no statistical significant differences in gender, age and other general data between the two groups. The patients in the death group were more serious than those in the survival group, and PCT, IL-6, and CRP levels were significantly higher than those in the survival group [PCT (μg/L): 4.34 (1.99, 14.42) vs. 1.17 (0.31, 3.94), IL-6 (ng/L): 332.40 (50.08, 590.18) vs. 61.95 (31.64, 194.20), CRP (mg/L): 149.28 (75.34, 218.60) vs. 83.23 (48.22, 174.96), all P < 0.05], and AT III activity was significantly lower than that in the survival group [(53.67±28.57)% vs. (80.96±24.18)%, P < 0.01]. However, there were no significant differences in D-dimer, NLR and SAA between the two groups. Among the 85 patients, 36 had sepsis with single organ dysfunction, 29 had sepsis with multiple organ dysfunction, and 20 had septic shock with multiple organ dysfunction. With the increase of the severity of sepsis, PCT and IL-6 levels gradually increased [PCT (μg/L): 0.36 (0.19, 1.10), 3.00 (1.22, 9.94), 4.34 (2.18, 8.86); IL-6 (ng/L): 43.99 (20.73, 111.13), 100.00 (45.37, 273.00), 332.40 (124.4, 693.65)], and the activity of AT III decreased gradually [(89.81±21.42)%, (71.97±24.88)%, and (53.50±25.41)%], all with statistically significant differences (all P < 0.01). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that PCT and IL-6 levels in sepsis patients were significantly positively correlated with the severity of the disease (r values were 0.562 and 0.517, respectively, both P < 0.01), and AT III activity was significantly negatively correlated with the severity of the disease (r = -0.523, P < 0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that PCT, IL-6, and AT III alone or in combination had some predictive value for the death of sepsis patients at 28 days. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the above three indicators in combination was higher than that of the individual tests (0.818 vs. 0.722, 0.725, and 0.770), with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 73.1%. CONCLUSIONS PCT, IL-6, and AT III were significantly correlated with the severity of sepsis patients. The combined assay of the above three indicators can effectively improve the prediction of the prognosis of sepsis patients.
Humans ; Procalcitonin ; Interleukin-6 ; Antithrombin III ; Retrospective Studies ; Multiple Organ Failure ; ROC Curve ; Sepsis/diagnosis* ; Prognosis ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis* ; Anticoagulants

This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanisms of Ephedra Herb (EH) extract on adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome (NS), providing an experimental basis for the clinical treatment of NS. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and kidn injury molecule-1 were used to evaluate the activities of EH extract on renal function. The levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress were detected by kits. The levels of reactive oxygen species, immune cells, and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. A network pharmacological approach was used to predict the potential targets and mechanisms of EH extract in the treatment of NS. The protein levels of apoptosis-related proteins and CAMKK2, p-CAMKK2, AMPK, p-AMPK, mTOR and p-mTOR in the kidneys were detected by Western blot. The effective material basis of EH extract was screened by MTT assay. The AMPK pathway inhibitor (compound C, CC) was added to investigate the effect of the potent material basis on adriamycin-induced cell injury. EH extract significantly improved renal injury and relieve inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in rats. Network pharmacology and Western blot results showed that the effect of EH extract on NS may be associated with the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. Moreover, methylephedrine significantly ameliorated adriamycin-induced NRK-52e cell injury. Methylephedrine also significantly improved the phosphorylation of AMPK and mTOR, which were blocked by CC. In sum, EH extract may ameliorate renal injury via the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. Moreover, methylephedrine may be one of the material bases of EH extract.
Rats ; Animals ; Doxorubicin/adverse effects* ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Apoptosis

Objective:To investigate the influence of childhood traumatic experience on internet addiction of adolescents and the mediating effect of self-concealment.Methods:Childhood trauma questionnaire(CTQ), self-concealment scale(SCS) and adolescent pathological internet use scale(APIUS) were used to investigate 532 college students.SPSS 22.0 was used for descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and regression analysis.Amos 24.0 was used for confirmatory factor analysis, and the relevant assumptions were verified through structural equation model.Results:The total scores of childhood abuse, self-concealment and adolescent pathological internet use were (37.23±11.91), (26.09±9.26) and (82.15±28.09), respectively.Correlation analysis showed that childhood trauma was positively correlated with self-concealment ( r=0.27, P<0.01). Self-concealment was positively correlated with internet addiction ( r=0.47, P<0.01). Childhood trauma was positively correlated with internet addiction ( r=0.36, P<0.01). Mediating effect test showed that childhood trauma had a significant positive predictive effect on self-concealment ( β=0.34, P<0.01), self-concealment had a significant positive predictive effect on internet addiction ( β=0.34, P<0.01), and childhood trauma had a direct predictive effect on internet addiction ( β=0.31, P<0.01). Conclusion:Childhood trauma and self-concealment have significant influence on internet addiction, and self-concealment plays a partial mediating role between childhood trauma and internet addiction of adolescents.

Objective:To analyze the value and difference of the optic nerve sheath pulse dynamic deformation index (DI) in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and high-pressure primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect clinical data at the Eye Center of Beijing Tongren Hospital from June 2016 to March 2017, 32 patients with NTG and 35 patients with high-pressure POAG were sampled.For all subjects, their basic information, body mass index (BMI), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), 24 hours intraocular pressure, and ophthalmologic examinations required for diagnosis were recorded.All subjects underwent transorbital ultrasonography and for each 15 seconds of consecutive ultrasound images were taken.The dynamic post-processing technique was used to calculate the DI.The difference in DI between the two groups and the correlation of DI with other variables were analyzed.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Tongren Hospital.Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects prior to their entering the study cohort and receiving the transorbital ultrasound examination.Results:The median level of DI in the NTG group was 0.51 (0.48, 0.54), which was higher than that in the high-pressure POAG group (0.23[0.20, 0.25]), exhibiting a significant difference ( Z=-7.01, P<0.01). The mean BMI in the NTG group was lower than that in the high-pressure POAG group([21.29±4.64]kg/m 2vs. [23.53±3.40]kg/m 2), the mean MAP in the NTG group was lower than that in the high-pressure POAG group([91.44±14.30]mmHg vs. [104.05±13.96] mmHg), the differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( t=-2.30, P<0.05; t=-3.65, P<0.01). There was no statistical association between the two groups of DI and age, MAP, BMI, mean intraocular pressure and maximum intraocular pressure (all at P>0.05). Conclusions:The DI of the NTG patient is higher than that of the POAG patient, which indicates that the optic nerve sheath subarachnoid pressure and optic nerve sheath stiffness in NTG patients are lower than those in POAG patients.Therefore, the DI is a potential indicator of non-invasive intracranial pressure and translaminar cribrosa pressure difference detection in ophthalmology.

Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is one of the traditional herbal medicine used in China, study on the correlation between the cross-section color and HPLC fingerprints of them have important significance for promoting the development of traditional disciplines. Quantitative analysis of the color of sample cross section was carried out by color digital method, fingerprint analysis was carried out by HPLC, and the canonical correlation analysis was carried out between them. The results showed that there was a significant correlation between the color of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma cross section and the information of HPLC fingerprinting. Results indicated that, The digitized indexes of color of cross section could reflect the result of fingerprint analysis to some extent.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of plasma exchange (PE) combined with intensive insulin glycemic control on related indexes of patients with HLP.METHODS:A total of 120 HLP patients were randomly divided into control group (60 cases) and observation group (60 cases).Based on routine treatment,2 groups were given PE treatment for 3 times+Low molecular weight heparin calcium for injection 5 000 U subcutaneously+Methylprednisolone sodium succinate for injection 40 mg intravenously+Calcium gluconate injection 2 g intravenously.Based on it,Insulin injection was pumped to random blood glucose ＜12 mmol/L with a micro-infusion pump in control group when random blood glucose concentration was equal to or more than 12 mmol/ L.When random blood glucose of patients in observation group were higher than 8.3 mmol/L,Insulin injection was pumped with a micro-infusion pump for a week and random blood glucose concentration was maintained at 6.1-8.3 mmol/L.Plasma levels of triglyceride,PCT,WBC count,APACHE Ⅱ score,Balthazar CT score,length of hospitalization stay in ICU and the occurrence of ADR were observed in 2 groups before and after treatment.RESULTS:After treatment,plasma levels of triglyceride,amylase and PCT,WBC count,APACHE Ⅱ score and Balthazar CT score in 2 groups were significantly lower than before treatment,and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).Length of hospitalization stay in ICU observation group was significantly shorter than control group,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).There was no statistical significance in the incidence of ADR between 2 groups(P＞0.05).CONCLUSIONS:PE combined with intensive insulin glycemic control can effectively reduce the level of plasma triglyceride,relieve inflammatory reaction and improve prognosis without increasing the occurrence of ADR.

Objective To observe the effect of the electroacupuncture ( EA) on the expression of cyclin-de-pendent kinase 5 ( Cdk5 ) in rats with muscle contusion and to explore its mechanism. Methods Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group of 4, a model group of 4, a natural recovery group ( NR) of 12 and an EA group of 12. All except those in the normal group had acute skeletal muscle contusion induced through a heavy blow. The EA group was treated with 15 minutes of EA daily beginning 48 h after the injury while the other rats received no EA. The model group was sacrificed 24 h after modeling, and rats from the NR and EA groups were sacrificed on the 7th, 14th and 21st day after the modeling to collect tissues. Hematoxylin eosin ( HE) staining, Western blotting and quantitative real-time fluorescence PCR were used to observe any histological changes, as well as Cdk5 protein and mRNA expression. Results The HE staining showed that the other 3 groups displayed larger a-mounts of muscle fiber fracture, dissolution and inflammatory cell invasion than was observed in the normal group. Compared with the NR group, quicker recovery was seen in the EA group as evidenced by faster muscle satellite cell proliferation and more new muscle fiber generation. The average Cdk5 protein expression in both the NR and EA groups was higher than in the normal group, and that of the EA group was significantly lower than that of the NR group. Conclusions Muscle contusion can increase Cdk5 expression in skeletal muscles, at least in rats. EA can promote the restoration of skeletal muscle function, probably by inhibiting CDK5 protein and mRNA expression.

Objective To observe effects and mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) on denervated skeletal muscle atrophy. Methods Forty-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group (group A, n=7), natural recovery group (group B, n=21) and EA group (group C, n=21). The groups B and C, established the model of denervated skeletal muscle atrophy by transecting the sciatic nerve of rats, were divided into subgroups of 7 days, 14 days, 21 days postoperation, seven in each subgroup. Electroacupuncture was given to the group C at Zusanli (ST36) and Chengshan (BL57) once a day since 24 hours after modeling. The muscle wet weight ratio of the affected gastrocnemius was determined. Cross-sectional area and fiber diameter of the gastrocnemius were measured with HE staining. The expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), Myostatin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein and gene in the gastrocnemius were detected with Western blotting and RT-PCR. Results The wet weight ratio, cross-sectional area and fiber diameter were less in the groups B and C than in the group A (P<0.001), and they were more in the group C than in the group B (P<0.001). Compared with the group B, the protein and gene of IGF-1, PCNA increased in the group C (P<0.05), while the Myostatin decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture can increase the expression of IGF-1 and decrease the expression of Myostatin, to promote the proliferation of satellite cell, which may relate with the prevention of denervated skeletal muscle atrophy.