BACKGROUND: There is little literature describing the artificial intelligence (AI)-aided diagnosis of severe pneumonia (SP) subphenotypes and the association of the subphenotypes with the ventilatory treatment efficacy. The aim of our study is to illustrate whether clinical and biological heterogeneity, such as ventilation and gas-exchange, exists among patients with SP using chest computed tomography (CT)-based AI-aided latent class analysis (LCA). METHODS: This retrospective study included 413 patients hospitalized at Xinhua Hospital diagnosed with SP from June 1, 2015 to May 30, 2020. AI quantification results of chest CT and their combination with additional clinical variables were used to develop LCA models in an SP population. The optimal subphenotypes were determined though evaluating statistical indicators of all the LCA models, and clinical implications of them such as guiding ventilation strategies were further explored by statistical methods. RESULTS: The two-class LCA model based on AI quantification results of chest CT can describe the biological characteristics of the SP population well and hence yielded the two clinical subphenotypes. Patients with subphenotype-1 had milder infections ( P <0.001) than patients with subphenotype-2 and had lower 30-day ( P <0.001) and 90-day ( P <0.001) mortality, and lower in-hospital ( P = 0.001) and 2-year ( P <0.001) mortality. Patients with subphenotype-1 showed a better match between the percentage of non-infected lung volume (used to quantify ventilation) and oxygen saturation (used to reflect gas exchange), compared with patients with subphenotype-2. There were significant differences in the matching degree of lung ventilation and gas exchange between the two subphenotypes ( P <0.001). Compared with patients with subphenotype-2, those with subphenotype-1 showed a relatively better match between CT-based AI metrics of the non-infected region and oxygenation, and their clinical outcomes were effectively improved after receiving invasive ventilation treatment. CONCLUSIONS A two-class LCA model based on AI quantification results of chest CT in the SP population particularly revealed clinical heterogeneity of lung function. Identifying the degree of match between ventilation and gas-exchange may help guide decisions about assisted ventilation.
Humans ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Artificial Intelligence ; Aged ; Pneumonia/diagnosis* ; Latent Class Analysis ; Adult

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the research progress of suture augmentation (SA) in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: A comprehensive review of recent literature about SA in ACL reconstruction at home and abroad was conducted. The efficacy of SA in ACL reconstruction was evaluated by examining the definition, biomechanics, and histological studies of SA, along with its clinical application status in ACL reconstruction. RESULTS: SA demonstrates significant advantages in enhancing the biomechanical stability of ACL grafts, reducing the risk of re-rupture, and accelerating postoperative recovery. Specifically, SA improves graft stiffness, ultimate failure strength, and cyclic stability, thereby diminishing the risk of early postoperative failure and joint instability. Histologically, it fosters remodeling and tendon-bone integration through early load-sharing mechanisms; however, stress shielding may interfere with natural remodeling processes, warranting further attention. Clinically, SA reduces graft failure rates and the need for revision surgeries, markedly improving knee joint stability and functional recovery in young patients. Nevertheless, its impact on graft maturation and potential complications remains controversial. CONCLUSION Despite the many advantages of SA in ACL reconstruction, future endeavors should focus on optimizing tensioning techniques, developing bioactive materials, and conducting large-scale randomized controlled trials to further elucidate its clinical value and scope of applicability, providing a more reliable solution for ACL reconstruction.
Humans ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/methods* ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery* ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery* ; Suture Techniques ; Sutures ; Tendons/transplantation* ; Joint Instability/prevention & control* ; Knee Joint/surgery*

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is largely attributed to impaired endogenous repair. Nucleus pulposus-derived stem cells (NPSCs) senescence leads to endogenous repair failure. Small extracellular vesicles/exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (mExo) have shown great therapeutic potential in IDD, while whether mExo could alleviate NPSCs senescence and its mechanisms remained unknown. We established a compression-induced NPSCs senescence model and rat IDD models to evaluate the therapeutic efficiency of mExo and investigate the mechanisms. We found that mExo significantly alleviated NPSCs senescence and promoted disc regeneration while knocking down thioredoxin (TXN) impaired the protective effects of mExo. TXN was bound to various endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) proteins. Autocrine motility factor receptor (AMFR) mediated TXN K63 ubiquitination to promote the binding of TXN on ESCRT proteins and sorting of TXN into mExo. Knocking down exosomal TXN inhibited the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and activator protein 1 (AP-1). NRF2 and AP-1 inhibition reduced endogenous TXN production that was promoted by exosomal TXN. Inhibition of NRF2 in vivo diminished the anti-senescence and regenerative effects of mExo. Conclusively, AMFR-mediated TXN ubiquitination promoted the sorting of TXN into mExo, allowing exosomal TXN to promote endogenous TXN production in NPSCs via TXN/NRF2/AP-1 feed-forward circuit to alleviate NPSCs senescence and disc degeneration.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the therapeutic mechanism of Guizhi Fuling (GZFL) Pellets against cervical cancer. METHODS: Publicly available databases were used to identify the targets of GZFL Pellets and cervical cancer to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, followed by GO biological process and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of the hub genes. The "Traditional Chinese Medicine-Active Ingredients-Targets-Pathways" network for GZFL Pellets in cervical cancer treatment was generated using Cytoscape v10.0.0, and molecular docking of the drug and potential targets was performed to predict the specific targets of active components in Guizhi Fuling Pellets. The inhibitory effects of hederagenin, an active ingredient in GZFL Pellets, was tested in cultured cervical cancer cells and in nude mice bearing cervical cancer xenografts. RESULTS: GZFL Pellets contain 338 active components targeting 247 action sites. A total of 10127 cervical cancer-related targets were obtained, and among them 195 were identified as potential therapeutic targets of GZFL Pellets for cervical cancer treatment, including the key targets of GABRA1, PTK2, JAK2, HTR3A, GSR, and IL-17. Molecular docking study showed low binding energies of the active components such as hederagenin, campesterol, and stigmasterol for protein-molecule interaction. GO enrichment analysis suggested that GZFL Pellets inhibited cervical cancer primarily by regulating responses to steroid hormones, oxidative stress, and lipopolysaccharides. Among the active components of GZFL Pellets, hederagenin was found to inhibit cervical cancer cells in vitro and significantly reduced STAT3 phosphorylation level in the cancer cells. In nude mice bearing cervical cancer xenografts, hederagenin effectively inhibited tumor growth rate without causing obvious adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS GZFL Pellets inhibit cervical cancer cell growth through its multiple active components that target different pathways. Among these components, hederagenin inhibits tumor cell growth possibly by directly binding to JAK2 protein to inhibit STAT3 phosphorylation.
Female ; Animals ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology* ; Mice, Nude ; Humans ; Mice ; Oleanolic Acid/therapeutic use* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Cell Line, Tumor ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Protein Interaction Maps ; Janus Kinase 2/metabolism*

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Ischemic stroke （IS） is a cerebrovascular disease caused by thrombosis or embolism that interrupts cerebral blood flow， resulting in brain tissue damage. Mitochondria serve as the primary site for energy metabolism and are also involved in key biological processes， including calcium signal regulation， reactive oxygen species generation， and apoptosis initiation. Therefore， the structural and functional integrity of mitochondrial is crucial for neuronal survival， and the mitochondrial quality control （MQC） system is fundamental for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. The MQC system maintains mitochondrial network homeostasis by synergistically regulating key processes such as biogenesis， dynamics balance （fusion and fission）， autophagy， oxidative stress clearance， and calcium homeostasis. However， following IS， neurons undergo pathological changes-including inflammatory responses， oxidative stress， and excitatory amino acid toxicity- due to ischemia and hypoxia. These factors collectively disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibit electron transport chain function， leading to MQC dysfunction. Recent studies have confirmed that acupuncture can restore MQC homeostasis after IS through multiple targets and pathways， specifically including promoting mitochondrial biogenesis， balancing mitochondrial fission and fusion， regulating mitochondrial autophagy， reducing oxidative stress damage， and inhibiting calcium overload. This article systematically reviews the relationship between MQC and IS， with a focus on elucidating the mechanistic basis of acupuncture-mediated IS treatment via regulating key MQC components. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the efficacy of acupuncture in IS management and offer novel perspectives for developing future stroke therapeutic strategies targeting MQC pathways.

ObjectiveTo analyze the changing trend of the disease burden of acute viral hepatitis （AVH） globally and in China from 1990 to 2021， and to provide a basis for optimizing prevention and control strategies. MethodsRelated data were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 database， including incidence rate， mortality rate， and disability-adjusted life years （DALY） for AVH globally and in China from 1990 to 2021， and the patients were divided into groups according to region， age， sex， and type of hepatitis. The Joinpoint regression model was used to calculate average annual percentage change （AAPC） and its 95% confidence interval （CI）. ResultsFrom 1990 to 2021， there was a tendency of reduction in the age-standardized incidence rate， mortality rate， and DALY rate of AVH globally， with an average annual reduction of 1.02% （95%CI： -1.10% to -0.94%， P<0.001）， 3.97% （95%CI： -4.12% to -3.82%， P<0.001）， and 3.64% （95%CI： -3.84% to -3.44%， P<0.001）， respectively； in China， there was also a tendency of reduction in these indicators， with an average annual reduction of 1.63% （95%CI： -1.70% to -1.57%， P<0.001）， 9.24% （95%CI： -9.51% to -8.97%， P<0.001）， and 7.93% （95%CI： -8.15% to -7.71%， P<0.001）， respectively. In addition， China’s share of the global disease burden of AVH continued to decrease； the proportion of new cases decreased from 24% in 1990 to 15% in 2021， the proportion of deaths decreased from 19% to 4%， and the proportion of DALY decreased from 16% to 4%. From 1990 to 2021 globally， the peaks in the incidence rate， mortality， and DALY of AVH were observed in children under 5 years of age； in China， although the peak incidence rate of the disease was still observed in children under 5 years of age， there was a tendency of increase in the incidence rate of AVH among young adults aged 25 — 29 years in recent years， with the most significant increase in the cases of acute hepatitis B （accounting for 59% of the cases in this age group）， while the disease burden of mortality and DALY mainly affected the middle-aged and elderly populations. The disease burden of AVH in the male population was higher than that in the female population. As for the distribution of disease types， acute hepatitis A was the predominant type of AVH， accounting for 64% globally and 48% in China， whereas acute hepatitis B was the leading cause of mortality and DALY， accounting for 50% of deaths globally， 80% of deaths in China， 47% of DALY globally， and 69% of DALY in China. ConclusionThere is a tendency of reduction in the disease burden of AVH globally and in China from 1990 to 2021， but there is a tendency of increase in the incidence rate of AVH among young adults in China， especially acute hepatitis B. It is necessary to implement targeted prevention and control strategies.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Buzhong Yiqitang in improving autoimmune thyroiditis （AIT） by regulating helper T cell 17（Th17） cells through microRNA-155 （miR-155）/Nedd4 family interaction protein 1 （Ndfip1）/phosphatase and tensin homology （Pten） axis. MethodThe 100 SPF grade 8 week-old NOD.H-2^h4 mice were fed with high iodine water （0.05% NaI） for 8 weeks， and AIT model was made. They were divided into model group， Buzhong Yiqitang low-，medium-，and high-dose groups （4.78，9.56，19.12 g·kg^-1·d^-1） and selenium yeast tablet group （3.033×10^-5 g·kg^-1） according to random number table method. There were 20 mice in each group and 20 mice in the control group. The control group and the model group were given the same amount of distilled water. After 8 weeks of continuous administration， Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the expression of miR-155-5p， Ndfip1， Pten， protein tyrosine kinase 1 （Jak1）， signaling and transcriptional activator 3 （Stat3） retinoic acid-associated orphan receptor γt （RORγt）， and interleukin-17 （IL-17） mRNA in mouse thyroid tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Ndfip1， Pten， Jak1， Stat3， RORγt， and IL-17 proteins in mouse thyroid tissue， immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of Ndfip1 and Pten proteins in mouse thyroid tissue； flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of Th17 cells in mouse spleen. ResultCompared with the control group， the proportion of Th17 cells was increased （P<0.01）. The expressions of miR-155-5p， Jak1， Stat3， RORγt and IL-17 were increased （P<0.01）， while the expressions of Ndfip1 and Pten were decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the proportion of Th17 cells was decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The expressions of miR-155-5p， Jak1， Stat3， RORγt and IL-17 were decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， while the expressions of Ndfip1 and Pten were increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionThe application of Buzhong Yiqitang can improve the autoimmune disorder of AIT mice， the mechanism of which may be related to the regulation of Ndfip1/Pten axis by miR-155 and then the regulation of Th17 cell differentiation.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Buzhong Yiqitang on the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6 （Fas）/Fas related death domain protein （FADD）/Caspase-8 cell apoptotic signaling pathway in mice model with autoimmune thyroiditis （AIT）. MethodThere were 120 SPF grade NOD.H-2^h4 mice aged 8 weeks， 100 of which were fed with high iodine water （0.05% NaI）， and the AIT model was made after 8 weeks. According to random number table method， they were divided into model group， Buzhong Yiqitang low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （4.78， 9.56， 19.12 g·kg^-1）， selenium yeast tablet group （3.033×10^-5 g·kg^-1）， with 20 mice in each group and 20 control group. The apoptosis of thyroid cells was detected by in situ end labeling （TUNEL） after 8 weeks of administration. The real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of Fas， FADD， Caspase-8， and Caspase-3 in thyroid tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Fas， FADD， Caspase-8， Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-8， and cleaved Caspase-3 in thyroid tissue， and the immunohistochemical method was used to detect the protein expression of Fas and Caspase-3 in thyroid tissue. ResultCompared with control group， there were more positive expressions of apoptotic cells in model group under fluorescence microscope， and the expressions of Fas， FADD， Caspase-8， Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-8 and cleaved Caspase-3 were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the positive expression of thyroid apoptotic cells in each administration group was decreased under fluorescence microscope， and the expressions of Fas， FADD， Caspase-8， Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-8， cleaved Caspase-3 were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang can effectively improve thyroid cell apoptosis and inflammatory injury in AIT mice. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Fas/FADD/Caspase-8 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of foodborne diseases in Liuzhou City, and to provide reference for formulating the prevention and control measures of foodborne diseases. Methods The surveillance data of foodborne diseases in 25 sentinel hospitals in Liuzhou City from 2018 to 2020 were collected for statistical analysis. Results From 2018 to 2020, a total of 9 317 cases of foodborne diseases were reported in Liuzhou City, and 2 158 samples were collected for pathogen detection. A total of 311 cases were detected positive , with a detection rate of 14.41%. Norovirus had the highest detection rate (8.63%), followed by Salmonella (4.08%) and Escherichia coli (3.10%). July to October was a period of high incidence of foodborne disease（ 41.17%）. The proportion of patients aged 60 and over was the highest (18.49%), followed by the age group of 30-39 (18.03%). Suspicious foods were mainly meat and meat products (22.35%) and aquatic animals and their products (13.89%). The suspicious eating places were mainly families (40.43%) and restaurants (13.63%). Conclusion The high incidence of foodborne diseases in Liuzhou occurs in summer and autumn. The main pathogens are Salmonella and norovirus. Infected patients are concentrated in the age group of 60 years and above and the age group of 30 to 39 years old. The family is the main place of foodborne disease, followed by the restaurants and hotels. Suspicious foods include mainly meat and meat products and aquatic animals and their products. It is necessary to strengthen monitoring ability and food safety education to reduce the occurrence of foodborne diseases.