ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with bloodletting and cupping in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria（CSU） and to explore its potential mechanisms of action. MethodsSeventy CSU patients were randomly divided into loratadine group and acupuncture + bloodletting group， with 35 patients in each group. The loratadine group received oral loratadine tablets， 10 mg once daily in the evening. The acupuncture + bloodletting group received acupuncture at Zhongwan （CV 12）， Guanyuan （CV 4）， Tianshu （ST 25）， Zusanli （ST 36）， Sanyinjiao （SP 6）， Xuehai （SP 10）， Quchi （LI 11）， Hegu （LI 4）， Taichong （LR 3）， Baihui （GV 20）， and Shenting （GV 24）， once daily，along with bloodletting and cupping at Dazhui （GV 14） and Geshu （BL 17）， every other day. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The 7-day urticaria activity score（UAS7） was assessed before and after the treatment， and levels of serum immunoglobulin E （IgE）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interleukin-5 （IL-5）， eosinophil cationic protein （ECP）， plasma tissue factor （TF）， activated factor Ⅶ （FⅦa）， prothrombin fragment 1+2 （F1+2）， D-dimer （D-D） and complement component 5a （C5a） were detected. ResultsA total of 65 patients were included in the final analysis， 32 in the loratadine group and 33 in the acupuncture + bloodletting group. Before treatment， there was no significant difference in UAS7 score， serum IgE， IL-4， IL-5， ECP levels， or plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D， C5a levels between groups （P＞ 0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed significant reductions in UAS7 score， serum IgE， IL-4， IL-5， and plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D， and C5a levels compared to those before treatment （P＜0.01）. However， after treatment， there was no significant difference in UAS7 score and serum ECP， IgE， IL-4， IL-5 levels between groups （P＞0.05）. The acupuncture + bloodletting group showed lower plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D and C5a levels compared to the loratadine group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionAcupuncture combined with bloodletting and cupping can effectively improve the skin symptoms of CSU patients and reduce the levels of inflammatory factors. The potential mechanism of action may involve the regulation of the coagulation-complement-mast cell activation axis， thereby inhibiting mast cell degranulation.

Objective To propose a whole-life cycle management model for valvular heart disease (VHD), systematically elucidate its underlying logic and implementation pathways, and concurrently review and analyze its preliminary application outcomes. Methods Since 2020, West China Hospital of Sichuan University has established a management system encompassing "assessment-decision-intervention-follow-up", including: (1) a risk-stratified, tiered management pathway; (2) six core functions ("promotion, screening, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation") coordinated by disease-specific managers; (3) an intelligent decision support information platform; and (4) a collaborative network of multidisciplinary teams and regional academic alliances. To evaluate the effectiveness of this management model, we retrospectively included three cohorts: (1) the population screened by echocardiography from 2020 to 2024, analyzing the detection rate of aortic valve disease and risk stratification; (2) patients enrolled in the whole-life cycle management from April 2021 to December 2024, assessing follow-up outcomes, hospital satisfaction, and changes in quality of life; (3) patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) from January 2022 to January 2024, evaluating the one-year all-cause mortality rate, perioperative complications, and improvements in New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification. Results Between 2020 and 2024, a total of 583 874 individuals underwent echocardiographic screening. A total of 48 089 patients with aortic valve disease were identified, including 3 401 (7.1%) high-risk patients, 18 657 (38.8%) moderate-risk patients, and 26 031 (54.1%) low-risk patients. Among them, 2 417 patients were enrolled in whole-life cycle management. Patient satisfaction scores showed a yearly increase, rising from 73.89 points before 2020 to 93.74 points in 2024. The 1-year mortality rate in the TAVR cohort decreased to 5.3%, significantly lower than the 8.2% observed under early standard management between 2014 and 2019 (P<0.01). Conclusion Through process optimization and resource integration, the VHD whole-life cycle management model has demonstrated significant effectiveness in standardizing diagnostic and follow-up procedures, enhancing patient satisfaction and quality of life, and reducing mortality. These outcomes highlight its practical value for broader implementation in China.

Objective:To carry out clinical and genetic analysis for a child featuring Brain-Lung-Thyroid syndrome (BLTS).Methods:A child who had presented at the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University on May 27, 2022 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data was collected. Trio-whole exome sequencing (Trio-WES) was carried out for the child and his parents, and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. The child was given individualized treatment following the diagnosis.Results:The child, a two-year-and-seven-month-old boy, had presented with global developmental delay, ataxia and hypothyroidism. WES revealed that he has harbored a heterozygous c. 674C>T variant of the NKX2-1 gene, based on which he was diagnosed with BLTS. CT scan revealed interstitial and parenchymal inflammation in his lungs, which was reduced by budesonide aerosol inhalation. Conclusion:Discovery of the novel c. 674C>T variant has enriched the mutational spectrum of the NKX2-1 gene. Budesonide aerosol may be used to treat lung inflammation associated with BLTS.

Objective To investigate the effect of ACOT4 expression on the formation of calcium oxalate stones.Methods The HK2 cell of human tubular epithelial cells was used as subject,HK2 cell was treated with calcium oxalate,and the expression of ACOT4 was interfered with by siRNA.The gene expression levels in HK2 cell were detected by qPCR and Western blot.The cell viability was de-tected by CCK-8 assay.The cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.The cell damage was detected by LDH assay.The adhesion ability of HK2 cell to calcium oxalate crystals was detected by crystal adhesion experiment.Results Calcium oxalate could regulate the expression of ACOT4 in HK2 cell.Interfering with ACOT4 can significantly inhibit the proliferation ability of HK2 cell,and promote the effect of cell activity reduction,damage and apoptosis of calcium oxalate to HK2 cell.At the same time,interfering with ACOT4 can sig-nificantly promote the adhesion ability of HK2 cells to calcium oxalate crystals.Conclusion Knocking down of ACOT4 can promote the damage of calcium oxalate to HK2 cell and promote the adhesion ability of HK2 cell to calcium oxalate crystals.

BACKGROUND: Liver biopsy for the diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is limited by its inherent invasiveness and possible sampling errors. Some studies have shown that cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) concentrations may be useful in diagnosing NASH, but results across studies have been inconsistent. We aimed to identify the utility of CK-18 M30 concentrations as an alternative to liver biopsy for non-invasive identification of NASH. METHODS: Individual data were collected from 14 registry centers on patients with biopsy-proven non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and in all patients, circulating CK-18 M30 levels were measured. Individuals with a NAFLD activity score (NAS) ≥5 with a score of ≥1 for each of steatosis, ballooning, and lobular inflammation were diagnosed as having definite NASH; individuals with a NAS ≤2 and no fibrosis were diagnosed as having non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL). RESULTS: A total of 2571 participants were screened, and 1008 (153 with NAFL and 855 with NASH) were finally enrolled. Median CK-18 M30 levels were higher in patients with NASH than in those with NAFL (mean difference 177 U/L; standardized mean difference [SMD]: 0.87 [0.69-1.04]). There was an interaction between CK-18 M30 levels and serum alanine aminotransferase, body mass index (BMI), and hypertension ( P  < 0.001, P  = 0.026 and P  = 0.049, respectively). CK-18 M30 levels were positively associated with histological NAS in most centers. The area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) for NASH was 0.750 (95% confidence intervals: 0.714-0.787), and CK-18 M30 at Youden's index maximum was 275.7 U/L. Both sensitivity (55% [52%-59%]) and positive predictive value (59%) were not ideal. CONCLUSION This large multicenter registry study shows that CK-18 M30 measurement in isolation is of limited value for non-invasively diagnosing NASH.
Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/diagnosis* ; Keratin-18 ; Biomarkers ; Biopsy ; Hepatocytes/pathology* ; Apoptosis ; Liver/pathology*

Objective    To investigate the safety and feasibility of early mobilization in critically ill patients with femoral catheters, and to provide reference for guiding clinical rehabilitation training. Methods    The literature on the safety and feasibility of early mobilization in critically ill patients with femoral catheters included in PubMed, EMbase, OVID, Springer-link, Wiley Online Library, and Web of Science up to June 2021 was searched, and relevant data were extracted for analysis. Results    Seventy-two papers were initially screened, and 12 papers that met the criteria were finally included, covering 1 056 patients, and 489 patients had femoral catheters. Patients underwent 6 495 sessions of physical therapy, and a total of 62 patients had adverse events, including 14 (2.86%, 14/489) patients with catheter-related adverse events. Conclusion    Although early mobilization in critically ill patients with femoral catheters may lead to adverse catheter-related events, the incidence is low. Therefore, the associated risks and benefits should be weighed in clinical practice, and femoral catheter is not recommended as a contraindication for early mobilization in critically ill patients.

This article retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 8 patients with vesicovaginal fistula after radiotherapy for cervical cancer admitted in our hospital from January 2015 to October 2021. All of them underwent cystostomy under local anesthesia. A single J tube of bilateral ureters was retained under cystoscope, and the single J tube was introduced into the fistula bag through the cystostomy opening. All patients wore diapers for a long time before operation, and used urine pads 0-2 pieces/day after operation. QOL score was 5.3±0.5 points before operation, and 2.5±0.5 points after operation. The patient's body odor basically disappeared. The vesicovaginal fistula can be repaired by surgery, but for patients who cannot be operated or failed repeatedly due to various reasons, a single J tube of bilateral ureters can be drawn out through the cystostomy opening, which can improve the quality of life of patients through minor trauma.

Objective:To investigate the efficiency and safety of pneumatic retinopexy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).Methods:A prospective case series study. From January 2020 to December 2021, 27 eyes of 27 RRD patients in Joint Shantou International Eye Center were included. Among them, there were 10 males and 17 females; the mean age was 36.0±11.8 years old. There was recurrent retinal detachment in 4 eyes. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography were performed. According to whether the retina was successfully reattached after a single intravitreal injection, the patients were divided into a single operation group and a second operation group. All eyes underwent pneumatic retinopexy, the patients received intravitreal injection of 0.3-0.5 ml 100% C 3F 8. On the next day, laser photocoagulation was performed around the retinal breaks. The mean follow-up time was 15.0±6.0 months. Outcome measures included single operation success rate, the BCVA at the last follow up and complications. The age, gender, extent of retinal detachment, number of retinal breaks, and preoperative and postoperative BCVA of patients in the single operation group and the second operation group were compared using Mann-Whiteney test or Fisher's exact test. Results:Twenty of the 27 eyes (74.1%, 20/27) had retinal reattachment after single operation, 7 of the 27 eyes (25.9%, 7/27) had retinal reattachment after the second operation. Among the 7 eyes, retinal detachment recurrence after operation, retinal detachment recurrence after tear opening, and retinal detachment recurrence with new tears occurred in 1, 4, and 2 eyes, respectively; retinas were all reattached after scleral buckling or vitrectomy. The BCVA was stable and improved in 14 and 13 eyes, respectively. Compared with the single operation group, the retinal detachment in the second operation group was wider and the BCVA before operation was worse, the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-2.842,-2.233; P<0.05). Transient intraocular pressure elevation occurred in 5 eyes; no complications such as infectious endophthalmitis, intraocular hemorrhage and lens damage occurred. Conclusion:Pneumatic retinopexy is safe and effective in the treatment of RRD.

Objective    To investigate the morbidity of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in patients after transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR). Methods    A prospective cohort study enrolled 19 patients who were diagnosed with severe or greater tricuspid regurgitation in West China Hospital from October 11, 2020 to March 1, 2021, and would receive TTVR using LuX-valve for valve replacement. The patients were divided into a PPCs group and a non-PPCs group according to the presence of PPCs. The incidence of PPCs after tricuspid valve intervention between the two groups was compared. Results    Of 19 patients diagnosed with severe or greater tricuspid regurgitation registered in the database, 17 met the inclusion criteria, including 15 females and 2 males, with a mean age of 68.4±8.0 years. PPCs occurred in 9 of 17 (52.9%) patients. At discharge, compared with the non-PPCs group, the PPCs group had a longer postoperative hospital stay [11.0 (10.0, 17.0) d vs. 7.5 (7.0, 8.0) d, P=0.01], longer ICU stay [72.0 (45.5, 95.0) h vs. 20.5 (16.0, 22.8) h, P<0.01], and more hospital cost [74.3 (65.9, 98.3) thousand yuan vs. 52.6 (44.2, 57.4) thousand yuan, P<0.01]. At 30 days of follow-up, the PPCs group was found that the rate of New York Heart Association cardiac function≥class Ⅲ (66.7% vs. 12.5%, P<0.01) was higher, the six-minute walk distance (170.2±169.3 m vs. 377.9±80.5 m, P<0.01) was shorter and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire heart failure score (40.9±31.2 vs. 80.4±5.8, P<0.01) was less than those of the non-PPCs group. Conclusion    PPCs are common in the patients undergoing TTVR and severely affect patients' cardiac function, exercise function and quality-of-life recovery. Proactive preoperative intervention as well as early postoperative rehabilitation management should be provided to those at high risk of PPCs.

Tricuspid valve, also known as "forgotten valve" because of the high natural and surgical mortality. Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement is an innovative surgical method to treat tricuspid regurgitation, which improves the prognosis of patients and is gradually being popularized in clinics. However, postoperative pulmonary complications are still the main causes affecting the rapid recovery and death. More and more medical experts begin to use preoperative inspiratory muscle training to reduce postoperative pulmonary complications and improve the quality of life of patients after cardiac surgery. However, there was no report on the effect of preoperative inspiratory muscle training on pulmonary complications after transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement. Therefore, for the first time, we boldly speculate that inspiratory muscle training can reduce pulmonary complications after transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement, and put forward suggestions for its treatment mechanism and strategy. But this rehabilitation intervention lacks practical clinical research. Unknown challenges may also be encountered, which may be a new research direction.