Objective To explore the potential mechanisms of hypoxic adaptive metabolic changes in the kidneys of plateau pikas at different altitudes using non-targeted metabolomics analysis via ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole electrostatic field orbital trap-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS). Methods 10 plateau pikas were captured at an altitude of 4 360 m in Xingxiuhai area, Maduo County, Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province (MD group), and 10 plateau pikas were captured at an altitude of 2 900 m in Menyuan area, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province (MY group). After anesthesia, serum samples were collected, and kidney samples were collected after euthanasia. General physiological and biochemical indicators were measured and metabolomics analysis was performed. Part of the serum samples was used for hematology analysis, another part for blood gas analysis, and the remaining part for biochemical indicator detection. Metabolites were extracted from the kidney tissue samples and then analyzed using UHPLC-QE-MS. Differential metabolites were analyzed using metabolomics principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), with screening criteria set as variable importance in projection (VIP)>1.5 and fold change (FC)>1.5, or VIP>1.5 and FC<1/1.5. Correlation analysis heatmaps, significance analysis volcano plots, signaling pathway recognition bubble charts, and rectangular graphs were used for the analysis of differential metabolites and related signaling pathways. Results The red blood cell count, glucose, urea nitrogen, uric acid, and homocysteine levels in the MD group plateau pikas were higher than those in the MY group, while hemoglobin, hematocrit, creatinine, and carbon dioxide combining power were lower than those in the MY group. This indicated a significant difference in the blood oxygen-carrying capacity of plateau pikas at different altitudes. The principal component pattern recognition analyses, and OPLS-DA permutation test showed that the kidney metabolites of the MD and MY groups of plateau pikas had distinct clustering distributions (R²Y=0.930, Q²=0.655). According to the screening criteria and database comparison, 46 differential metabolites were identified in the kidneys of plateau pikas at different altitudes. In the MD group of plateau pikas, the expression levels of bufadienolide, adenosine, adenine, diosgenin, berberine chloride, carnosol, and astaxanthin were significantly increased (VIP>1.5, P<0.05), while the levels of arachidonic acid, histamine, and coumarin were significantly decreased (VIP>1.5, P<0.05). The analysis of related signaling pathways showed that the biosynthetic pathways of valine, leucine, and isoleucine had the largest impact factors (P<0.05), while the biosynthetic pathways of pantothenate and coenzyme A showed the most significant enrichment (P<0.05). Conclusion The differential metabolites of amino acids, pantothenate, and coenzyme A pathways in the kidneys of plateau pikas at different altitudes may be involved in the metabolic mechanisms of plateau pikas' hypoxia adaptation in high-altitude environments.

Objective To compare the long-term survival of elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with surgical versus non-surgical treatment. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of elderly patients aged ≥70 years with ESCC who underwent esophagectomy or radiotherapy/chemotherapy at Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January 2009 to September 2017. Patients were divided into a surgical group (S group) and a non-surgical group (NS group) according to the treatment method. The propensity score matching method was used to match the two groups of patients at a ratio of 1∶1, and the survival of the two groups before and after matching was analyzed. Results A total of 726 elderly patients with ESCC were included, including 552 males and 174 females, with 651 patients aged ≥70-80 years and 75 patients aged ≥80-90 years. There were 515 patients in the S group and 211 patients in the NS group. The median follow-up time was 60.8 months, and the median overall survival of the S group was 41.9 months [95%CI (35.2, 48.5)], while that of the NS group was only 24.0 months [95%CI (19.8, 28.3)]. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of the S group were 84%, 54%, and 40%, respectively, while those of the NS group were 72%, 40%, and 30%, respectively [HR=0.689, 95%CI (0.559, 0.849), P<0.001]. After matching, 138 patients were included in each group, and there was no statistical difference in the overall survival between the two groups [HR=0.871, 95%CI (0.649, 1.167), P=0.352]. Conclusion Compared with conservative treatment, there is no significant difference in the long-term survival of elderly patients aged ≥70 years who undergo esophagectomy for ESCC. Neoadjuvant therapy combined with surgery is still an important choice to potentially improve the survival of elderly patients with ESCC.

Objective:To investigate the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with esophageal cancer (EC).Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 8 458 EC patients who were admitted to Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021 were collected. There were 6 923 males and 1 535 females, aged (64±9)years. There were 3 187 patients undergoing surgical treatment, and 5 271 cases undergoing non-surgical treatment. Observation indicators: (1) incidence of VTE in EC patients; (2) treatment and outcomes of patients with VTE. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the nonparameter rank sum test. Count data were expressed as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was analyzed using the nonparameter rank sum test. Results:(1) Incidence of VTE in EC patients. Of 8 458 EC patients, 175 cases developed VTE, with an incidence rate of 2.069%(175/8 458). Among 175 VTE patients, there were 164 cases of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), 4 cases of pulmonary embolism (PE), 7 cases of DVT and PE. There were 59 surgical patients and 116 non-surgical patients. There was no significant difference in thrombus type between surgical and non-surgical EC patients with VTE ( χ2=1.95, P>0.05). Of 3 187 surgical patients, the incidence of VTE was 1.851%(59/3 187), including an incidence of 0.157%(5/3 187) of PE. PE accounted for 8.475%(5/59) of surgical patients with VTE. Of 5 271 non-surgical patients, the incidence of VTE was 2.201%(116/5 271), including an incidence of 0.114%(6/5 271) of PE. PE accounted for 5.172%(6/116) of non-surgical patients with VTE. There was no significant difference in the incidence of VTE or PE between surgical patients and non-surgical patients ( χ2=1.20, 0.05, P>0.05). (2) Treatment and outcomes of patients with VTE. Among 175 EC patients with VTE, 163 cases underwent drug treatment, and 12 cases did not receive treatment. Among 163 cases with drug therapy, 158 cases underwent anticoagulant therapy, 5 cases were treated with thrombolysis. All the 163 patients were improved and discharged from hospital. Conclusions:The incidence of VTE in patients with EC is relatively low, as 2.069%. There is no significant difference in the incidence of VTE or thrombus type between surgical EC patients and non-surgical EC patients.

OBJECTIVE To study the regulation effects and mechanism of liquiritin （LIQ） on immune function in gastric cancer-bearing mice based on the Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） pathway. METHODS Gastric cancer cells MFC were injected subcutaneously to establish gastric cancer-bearing model of mice. The model mice were divided into model group， LIQ low-dose group （LIQ-L group， 20 mg/kg）， LIQ high-dose group （LIQ-H group， 40 mg/kg）， and high-dose LIQ+JAK2 activator coumermycin A1 group （LIQ-H+coumermycin A1 group， 40 mg/kg LIQ+1 mg/kg coumermycin A1）， with 12 mice in each group. Another 12 mice without modeling were set as normal group. Mice in each group were given the corresponding drug or normal saline by intragastric administration/intraperitoneal injection， once a day， for consecutive 14 days. After the last administration， the volume and mass of gastric cancer tumor and organ index were measured. The percentages of CD4+ and CD8+T lymphocytes were detected in peripheral blood. The histopathological morphology of gastric cancer tumor tissues was observed， and the expression levels of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway-related proteins and interleukin-6 （IL-6） protein in gastric cancer tumor tissues were detected. RESULTS Compared with the normal group， the thymus index， spleen index， and the percentage of CD8 T lymphocyte in the peripheral blood of mice were obviouslyincreased in model group （P＜0.05）， while the percentage of CD4+T lymphocyte in the peripheral blood were decreased （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， the above indexes in LIQ-L group and LIQ-H group were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）， while the volume and mass of gastric cancer tumor， the phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3 protein and the expression level of IL-6 protein were significantly decreased in tumor tissue （P＜0.05）， and the effect of LIQ was in a dose-dependent manner （P＜0.05）； the tumor cells showed varying degrees of loose arrangement， vacuolization， and uneven distribution. JAK2 activator coumermycin A1 weakened the improvement effect of LIQ on the immune function of gastric cancer-bearing mice and its inhibitory effect on gastric cancer tumors （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS LIQ can improve the immune function of gastric cancer-bearing mice by inhibiting the activation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway， thus playing an anti-tumor role.

【Objective】 To achieve supervision and management of the whole business process of blood center, raise productivity and ensure blood quality by enabling blood center managers comprehensively grasp the key business operation situation of the whole process at anytime and anywhere. 【Methods】 A whole business process supervision and management system was established covering background of preparation, business scope, content of position supervision and management, overall framework design, interface design of management and supervision management, physical database design, program development and online debugging, and was integrated with the blood bank management information system. The display and management were through a mobile APP to record key indicators of business process from blood collection to blood supply timely and comprehensively. Statistical analysis was conducted on total collection volume, total preparation volume and total supply volume, as well as discarding rate of test unqualified and of non-test unqualified (lipemic blood excluded) in 2023 and 2022. 【Results】 We established a mobile APP based on a blood bank management information system for business supervision and management of whole process, and achieved management by phones. After its implementation in 2023, the total collection volume, total preparation volume and total supply volume in 2023 were all higher than those in 2022, with growth rates of 5.88% (13 247/225 454 U), 4.73% (24 156/510 698 U), and 6.70% (34 814/519 914 U), respectively. The discarding rate in 2023 was lower than that in 2022 (0.54%, 2 868/534 854 U) vs (0.60%, 3 047/510 698 U) (P<0.01), and the non-test unqualified discarding rate (lipemic blood excluded) in 2023 was significantly lower than that in 2022(0.12%, 649/534 854 U) vs (0.19%, 991/510 698 U)(P<0.01). 【Conclusion】 The construction of supervision and management system of a whole business process based on blood bank management information system can meet the standardized service needs of managers at anytime and anywhere, continuously raise productivity and the standardization and scientific level of blood bank management, thus ensuring blood supply.

Objective:To investigate the current situation of the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for portal hypertension, which should aid the development of TIPS in China.Methods:The China Portal Hypertension Alliance (CHESS) initiated this study that comprehensively investigated the basic situation of TIPS for portal hypertension in China through network research. The survey included the following: the number of surgical cases, main indications, the development of Early-TIPS, TIPS for portal vein cavernous transformation, collateral circulation embolization, intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurement, commonly used stent types, conventional anticoagulation and time, postoperative follow-up, obstacles, and the application of domestic instruments.Results:According to the survey, a total of 13 527 TIPS operations were carried out in 545 hospitals participating in the survey in 2021, and 94.1% of the hospital had the habit of routine follow-up after TIPS. Most hospitals believed that the main indications of TIPS were the control of acute bleeding (42.6%) and the prevention of rebleeding (40.7%). 48.1% of the teams carried out early or priority TIPS, 53.0% of the teams carried out TIPS for the cavernous transformation of the portal vein, and 81.0% chose routine embolization of collateral circulation during operation. Most of them used coils and biological glue as embolic materials, and 78.5% of the team routinely performed intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurements. In selecting TIPS stents, 57.1% of the hospitals woulel choose Viator-specific stents, 57.2% woulel choose conventional anticoagulation after TIPS, and the duration of anticoagulation was between 3-6 months (55.4%). The limitation of TIPS surgery was mainly due to cost (72.3%) and insufficient understanding of doctors in related departments (77.4%). Most teams accepted the domestic instruments used in TIPS (92.7%).Conclusions:This survey shows that TIPS treatment is an essential part of treating portal hypertension in China. The total number of TIPS cases is far from that of patients with portal hypertension. In the future, it is still necessary to popularize TIPS technology and further standardize surgical indications, routine operations, and instrument application.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of venetoclax (VEN) combined with hypomethylating agents (HMA) in the treatment of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasms (BPDCN).Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. The clinical data of 5 patients with BPDCN treated with VEN combined with azacitidine (AZA) or decitabine (DAC) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and Suzhou Hongci Blood Disease Hospital from February 2017 to July 2023 were collected, and the therapeutic effect, adverse reaction and prognosis of all 5 patients were summarized.Results:All 5 BPDCN patients were male with the median onset age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] of 66 years (51 years, 73 years), of which 4 cases were presented with skin lesions and 1 case was presented with lymphadenopathy as the primary symptom. As for the treatment, 3 patients were initially treated with VEN in combination with AZA induction regimen, among which 2 patients achieved complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi) after 2 cycles of treatment, survived for 26.5 months and 14.6 months, respectively and finally died, and 1 patient achieved partial remission after 1 cycle of treatment and he still survived after 3-month follow-up; 1 patient was initially treated with VEN in combination with DAC induction regimen, and achieved clinical complete remission of non-active disease with residual skin abnormalities after 2 cycles of treatment followed by allogeneic hematologic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and he was in the state of disease-free survival for 15-month; and another 1 patient experienced a relapse after treatment with acute lymphocytic leukemia-like regimen in combination with allo-HSCT and again achieved CRi after 2 treatment courses of VEN in combination with AZA regimen, and he was in the state of disease-free survival for 30-month follow-up. Treatment-related haematological adverse effects of VEN combined with HMA were mainly neutropenia with fever, reduction of hemoglobin and thrombocytopenia; and non-haematological adverse effects were mainly gastrointestinal reactions such as nausea and vomiting. These adverse events improved with symptomatic supportive therapy, and no treatment-related deaths occurred. Conclusions:BPDCN patients who are unable to tolerate intensive chemotherapy regimens at initial time of diagnosis may attempt induction therapy with VEN+HMA regimen, which has a manageable adverse reaction and may serve as a bridge to allo-HSCT.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of intranasal branches neurotomy of vidian nerve in the treatment of persistent moderate to severe allergic rhinitis. METHODS Cases diagnosed as persistent moderate-severe allergic rhinitis in our department were collected. those treated with branches neurotomy of vidian nerve were selected as the treatment group,and those treated with conservative medicine were selected as the control group. The visual analogue scale(VAS),rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire(RQLQ),Nitric oxide in nose(nNO) and medication score evaluation of two groups of cases were evaluated respectively short-term(<1 year),medium-term(1 to 3 years) and long-term prognosis of outcome(3 to 5 years). RESULTS The short-term,mid-term and long-term postoperative VAS(2.26±0.75,2.30±0.63,2.49±0.57),RQLQ(0.55±0.11,0.55±0.11,1.00±0.12),nNO[(464.62±75.84)ppb,(378.63±110.21)ppb,(368.23±104.25)ppb]and medication scores (2.50±1.03,2.54±0.99,2.95±0.93) were significantly lower than those before operation[6.76±0.58,3.35±0.40,(696.64±132.69)ppb,5.17±1.50)]. The VAS,RQLQ,nNO and medication scores of the control group were lower than those of the control group at the corresponding time points(all P<0.05). One patient developed blindness in the right eye after interventional treatment due to epistaxis 21 days after operation,but no serious complications directly related to intranasal branches neurotomy of vidian nerve occurred. CONCLUSION The branches neurotomy of vidian nerve have a positive outcome in short,medium and long-term for persistent moderate to severe allergic rhinitis,the operation is safe and effective.

OBJECTIVE To observe the curative effect of bacterial lysates(BLs)combined with intranasal corticosteroids(INCS)in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis(CRS).METHODS Cases diagnosed as CRS with nasal polyps(CRSwNP)and CRS without nasal polyps(CRSsNP)were collected and divided into four groups:CRSwNP with BLs group,CRSwNP control group,CRSsNP with BLS group and CRSsNP control group.All patients received surgical treatment,the control group received postoperative INCS therapy,and the BLs group received postoperative INCS+BLs oral therapy.Visual analogue scale(VAS),sino-nasal outcome test-20(SNOT-20),Lund-Kennedy score,Lund-Mackay score,eosinophilic(Eos)cell,IL-4,IgG,IgA,IgM and total IgE levels were evaluated before,1 month and 3 months after surgery.RESULTS Significant differences in IgG,IgA,IL-4 and Eos levels between CRSwNP and CRSsNP with BLs groups(P<0.05).There were significant differences in VAS and SNOT-20 between CRSwNP group and CRSsNP with BLs group at 1 and 3 months after treatment(P<0.05).At 1 month and 3 months after treatment,there were statistically significant differences in Lund-Kennedy score and Lund-Mackey score between the CRSwNP group and the CRSsNP with BLs group(P<0.05).The effective rate of disease control in the four groups after treatment was statistically significant(P<0.05).There were no serious complications directly related to the treatment.CONCLUSION The application of BLs can improve postoperative rhinorrhea,persistent inflammatory and mucosal recovery in patients with CRS,increase IgG and IgA levels,reduce Eos and IL-4 levels,reduce adverse reactions,and improve the therapeutic effect of CRS with high safety.

In order to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of upper airway cough syndrome (UACS) for children in China, Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine initiated the development of this Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines for Children with Upper Airway cough Syndrome based on evidence-based medical evidence. This guideline will process registration, write a plan, and develop relevant processes and writing norms, develop and publish official documents. This plan mainly introduces the scope of the guidelines, the purpose and significance, the composition of the guidelines working group, the management of conflicts of interest, the collection, selection and determination of clinical problems, the retrieval, screening and rating of evidence, and the consensus of recommendations. Registration information: This study has been registered in the international practice guidelines registry platform with the registration code of PREPARE-2023CN087.