As the search for effective treatments for COVID-19 continues, the high mortality rate among critically ill patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU) presents a profound challenge. This study explores the potential benefits of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a supplementary treatment for severe COVID-19. A total of 110 critically ill COVID-19 patients at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Vulcan Hill Hospital between Feb., 2020, and April, 2020 (Wuhan, China) participated in this observational study. All patients received standard supportive care protocols, with a subset of 81 also receiving TCM as an adjunct treatment. Clinical characteristics during the treatment period and the clinical outcome of each patient were closely monitored and analysed. Our findings indicated that the TCM group exhibited a significantly lower mortality rate compared with the non-TCM group (16 of 81 vs 24 of 29; 0.3 vs 2.3 person/month). In the adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, TCM treatment was associated with improved survival odds (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the analysis also revealed that TCM treatment could partially mitigate inflammatory responses, as evidenced by the reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and contribute to the recovery of multiple organic functions, thereby potentially increasing the survival rate of critically ill COVID-19 patients.
Humans ; COVID-19 ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Critical Illness ; Treatment Outcome

Surgical operation is the main treatment of oral and maxillofacial tumors.Dysphagia is a common postoperative complication.Swal-lowing disorder can not only lead to mis-aspiration,malnutrition,aspiration pneumonia and other serious consequences,but also may cause psychological problems and social communication barriers,affecting the quality of life of the patients.At present,there is no systematic evalua-tion and rehabilitation management plan for the problem of swallowing disorder after oral and maxillofacial tumor surgery in China.Combining the characteristics of postoperative swallowing disorder in patients with oral and maxillofacial tumors,summarizing the clinical experience of ex-perts in the field of tumor and rehabilitation,reviewing and summarizing relevant literature at home and abroad,and through joint discussion and modification,a group of national experts reached this consensus including the core contents of the screening of swallowing disorders,the phased assessment of prognosis and complications,and the implementation plan of comprehensive management such as nutrition management,respiratory management,swallowing function recovery,psychology and nursing during rehabilitation treatment,in order to improve the evalua-tion and rehabilitation of swallowing disorder after oral and maxillofacial tumor surgery in clinic.

Objective:To study influence of cardiac rehabilitation exercise combined nutritional intervention on pa-tients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods:A total of 100 AMI patients treated in our hospital were randomly and equally divided into routine nursing group and combined intervention group(received cardiac rehabilitation exercise combined nutritional intervention mode based on routine nursing group)according to random number table method.Both groups were intervened for two months.General clinical data,anaerobic threshold(AT),maximal oxygen uptake(VO2peak),LVEF,6min walking distance(6MWD),scores of China questionnaire of quality of life in patients with cardiovascular diseases(CQQC)and gen-eral self-efficacy scale(GSES)before and after intervention and incidence rate of cardiovascular adverse events within three months were compared between two groups.Results:Compared with routine nursing group,after inter-vention,there were significant rise in AT[(10.14±2.81)ml·kg-1·min-1 vs.(14.85±3.80)ml·kg-1· min-1],VO2peak[(1.23±0.40)ml·kg-1·min-1 vs.(2.44±0.46)ml·kg-1·min-1],LVEF[(48.96± 3.73)％vs.(55.98±4.31)％],6MWD[(300.72±33.71)m vs.(340.47±31.86)m],scores of CQQC[(53.59 ±6.28)scores vs.(72.93±7.15)scores]and GSES[(21.21±2.39)scores vs.(32.28±5.44)scores]in com-bined intervention group(P=0.001 all).Incidence rate of cardiovascular adverse events in combine intervention group within three months was significantly lower than that of routine nursing group(10.0％vs.48.0％,P=0.001).Conclusion:Cardiac rehabilitation exercise combined nutritional intervention can observably improve quality of life,cardiopulmonary function,enhance self-efficacy and reduce incidence rate of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objective To compare the value of TACE+microwave ablation(MWA)+programmed death-1(PD-1)and TACE+MWA for treating primary hepatic carcinoma(PHC).Methods Data of 80 PHC patients who underwent TACE+MWA+PD-1(observe group)or TACE+MWA treatment(control group)were retrospectively analyzed(each n=40).The baseline data,therapeutic efficacy of PHC and complications were compared between groups.Results No significant difference of baseline data was found between groups(all P＞0.05).The objective response rate(ORR)of observe group and control group was 90.00％and 72.50％,respectively,while the disease control rate(DCR)was 97.50％and 95.00％,respectively,with no significant difference between groups(both P＞0.05).The median overall survival(OS)of observe group and control group was 30.80 months and 15.70 months,respectively,while the median progression free survival(PFS)was 23.35 months and 6.80 months,respectively.OS and PFS of observe group were both longer than those of control group(both P＜0.05).No significant difference of the incidence of complications was detected between groups(all P＞0.05),and all were improved after symptomatic treatment.Conclusion TACE+MWA+PD-1 was superior to TACE+MWA for treating PHC.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between hippocampal receptor-interacting protein kinase-1 (RIPK1) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes in postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction of aged rats with chronic knee arthritis pain.Methods:Sixty-four healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 18 months, weighing 500-550 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=16 each) using a random number table method: chronic knee arthritis pain group (group P), chronic knee arthritis pain+ operation group (group PS), RIPK1 inhibitor necrostatin-1+ chronic knee arthritis pain+ operation group (group NPS), and DMSO+ chronic knee arthritis pain+ operation group (group DPS). The knee arthritis model was prepared by intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) 1 mg into the left knee joint, and 12 weeks later exploratory laparotomy was performed under sevoflurane anesthesia. Necrostatin-1 6.25 mg/kg and the equal volume of DMSO were intraperitoneally injected at 1 h before operation in NPS group and DPS group, respectively. Thermal pain threshold was measured at 1 week before MIA injection and 6 and 12 weeks after MIA injection. Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the cognitive function at 7 days after surgery. Hippocampal tissues were obtained for microscopic examination of the pathological changes (after HE staining) and for determination of the expression of RIPK1, phosphorylated RIPK1 (p-RIPK1), NLRP3, activated cysteine-aspartic protease caspase-1 (cl-caspase-1), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) (by Western blot) and contents of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and IL-18 (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results:Thermal pain threshold was significantly decreased at 6 and 12 weeks after MIA injection as compared with that before injection ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in thermal pain threshold among the four groups ( P>0.05). Compared with P group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the expression of RIPK1, p-RIPK1, NLRP3, cl-caspase-1 and ASC was up-regulated, and the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 were increased ( P<0.05), and pathological changes of hippocampal neurons were marked in PS group, DPS group and NPS group. Compared with PS group and DPS group, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, the expression of RIPK1, p-RIPK1, NLRP3, cl-caspase-1 and ASC was down-regulated, the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 were decreased ( P<0.05), and pathological changes of hippocampal neurons were significantly attenuated in NPS group. Conclusions:Postoperative hippocampal RIPK1 function is enhanced in aged rats with chronic knee arthritis pain, which then activates NLRP3 inflammasomes, triggering neuroinflammation, and this process may be involved in the mechanism of postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction.

Following the principles of evidence-based medicine,in accordance with the structure and drafting rules of standardized documents,based on literature research,according to the characteristics of chronic cough in children and issues that need to form a consensus,the TCM Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough in Children was formulated based on the Delphi method,expert discussion meetings,and public solicitation of opinions.The guideline includes scope of application,terms and definitions,eti-ology and diagnosis,auxiliary examination,treatment,prevention and care.The aim is to clarify the optimal treatment plan of Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease,and to provide guidance for improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in children with Chinese medicine.

OBJECTIVE To identify the chemical components of Shenbai Jiedu Decoction(SBJDD),a traditional Chinese medi-cine(TCM)prescription clinically used for the treatment of colorectal adenoma(CRA),and explore the potential mechanism of SBJDD preventing and treating CRA carcinogenesis.METHODS An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-time of flight-mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)method was established to detect the chemical components in the decoction of SBJDD and the plas-ma samples of rats after administration with SBJDD.Based on the network pharmacological method,SBJDD was screened for the poten-tial active ingredients at different stages of CRA carcinogenesis,and the mechanism of the anti-cancer effect of SBJDD was explored.In vitro experiments were also carried out to verify the mechanism of anti-colorectal cancer(CRC)action of SBJDD.RE-SULTS The detection data of UPLC-Q-TOF-MS showed that 152 components were found from SBJDD water extraction.41 chemical compounds were identified in plasma samples from rats administrated with SBJDD.Network pharmacology analysis indicated that during the CREI stage,the potential active ingredients in SBJDD,including epiberberine,and kushenol H,might affect target proteins such as PIK3CA,MAPK3 and PIK3CB.This,in turn,can influence signaling pathways like PI3K-AKT and Ras signaling pathways,and regulate biological processes like protein phosphorylation,and signal transduction.During the CRA stage,the potential active ingredi-ents from SBJDD,such as 3,7-dihydroxycoumarin,palmatine,and kushenol A,might affect target proteins such as AKT and EGFR.This can regulate the negative regulation of apoptotic process,and positive regulation of cell proliferation,and modify HIF-1,and Rap1 signaling pathways.During the progression of CRA carcinogenesis,potential active ingredients such as 3,7-dihydroxycouma-rin may interact with TP53,and impact the PI3K-AKT,and Thyroid hormone signaling pathways to regulate biological processes,in-cluding positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase Ⅱ promoter,and negative regulation of apoptotic process.In the CRC stage,core ingredients like p-coumaric acid may bind with proteins such as PRKCB.This binding may impact the signaling pathways that negatively affect EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance,and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways.Additionally,it may regulate bio-logical processes,including negative regulation of apoptotic process,signal transduction,and protein phosphorylation.In vitro experi-ment results indicated that SBJDD inhibited the proliferation of HT29 cells and suppressed the expression of EGFR and PKC proteins.CONCLUSION The UPLC-Q-TOF-MS method is established to effectively separate the chemical constituents in SBJDD,which are mainly composed of alkaloids,organic acids and flavonoids components.Components from SBJDD dock with different targets during the carcinogenesis process of CRA and regulate cancer-related signaling pathways to exert therapeutic effects.

Objective:To investigate the prognostic value of albumin (ALB), aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio (AST/ALT) in patients with acute liver failure (ALF) in hyperacute phase of sepsis which provided the basis for clinical evaluation and prognostic judgment and corresponding treatment options.Methods:A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted. Patients with ALF in hyperacute phase of sepsis admitted to Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Health College, Shanghai Pudong New Area People's Hospital, and Shanghai Oriental Hospital from January 2019 to February 2024 were enrolled. General data such as gender and age of the patients were collected. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), liver function indexes [total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), AST, ALT, AST/ALT, ALB, total protein (TP), globulin (GLB), ALB/GLB ratio (A/G), blood amine, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT)], platelet count (PLT), creatinine, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), severity of illness scores [acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA)], serum procalcitonin (PCT), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), arterial blood lactic acid (Lac) within 24 hours after admission, and whether to use mechanical ventilation, whether to use vasoactive drugs, whether to use artificial liver treatment and prognosis during hospitalization also were collected. The differences of clinical data between patients with different prognosis were compared. The variables with statistically significant differences in univariate analysis were included in multivariate Logistic regression analysis to determine the independent risk factors for death of patients with ALF in hyperacute phase of sepsis during hospitalization. The receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was drawn to evaluate the predictive value of ALB and AST/ALT for death of patients with ALF in hyperacute phase of sepsis during hospitalization.Results:A total of 73 patients with ALF in hyperacute phase of sepsis were included, with 22 survived and 51 died during hospitalization and the mortality of 69.86%. Compared with the survival group, the patients in the death group had lower ALB, γ-GT within 24 hours after admission and proportion of artificial liver treatment, and higher AST/ALT, SOFA score, LDH and proportion of use of vasoactive drugs. The differences were statistically significant. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that ALB and AST/ALT were the independent risk factors for death in patients with ALF in hyperacute phase of sepsis during hospitalization [ALB: odds ratio ( OR) = 0.856, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 0.736-0.996, P = 0.044; AST/ALT: OR = 2.018, 95% CI was 1.137-3.580, P = 0.016]. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of ALB for predicting in-hospital death in patients with ALF in hyperacute phase of sepsis was 0.760 (95% CI was 0.637-0.884, P < 0.001). When ALB ≤ 29.05 g/L, the sensitivity was 68.2%, and the specificity was 76.5%. The AUC of AST/ALT for predicting in-hospital death in patients with ALF in hyperacute phase of sepsis was 0.764 (95% CI was 0.639-0.888, P < 0.001). When AST/ALT ≥ 1.26, the sensitivity was 59.1%, and the specificity was 90.2%. Conclusions:The lower the ALB level, and the higher the AST/ALT within 24 hours after admission, the worse the prognosis of patients with ALF in hyperacute phase of sepsis. ALB and AST/ALT can be used as clinical indicators to evaluate the severity and prognosis of patients with ALF in hyperacute phase of sepsis.

Objective:To analyze and compare the differences of expression profiles between RPL and normal adipose tissue by transcriptome sequencing(RNA-Seq),then identify the key genes related to prognosis and explore their potential mechanisms.Methods:Tumor tissues and normal adipose tissues of patients with RPL were collected for RNA-Seq,and then the differentially ex-pressed genes were analyzed by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis.Based on TCGA,the high-risk genes related to prognosis were screened and verified by Kaplan-Meier curve and receiver operat-ing characteristic(ROC)curve.Results:Compared with normal adipose tissue,279 differentially expressed genes were simultaneously up-regulated in RPL tissues,which were mainly enriched in immune response and PPAR signaling pathway.Combined with TCGA,7 stable prognostic high risk genes were identified and the overall survival rate of the high risk group was significantly lower than that of the low risk group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:KCNQ5,RBPJ and some other genes may be re-lated to the poor prognosis of RPL patients.The analysis of the mechanism of these genes in RPL is expected to provide new evidence for the formulation of diagnosis and treatment strategies for RPL patients.

Objective:To investigate the expression of kinase-like gene CT10 regulatory fac-tor(CRKL)in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC)and its effect on the proliferation and invasion of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cells.Methods:qRT-PCR detected CRKL transcription in ICC pa-tient tissues and adjacent tissues.Immunohistochemistry assessed CRKL expression in ICC tissues and adjacent tissues,and analyzed its relationship with clinicopathological features.For the inhibition of CRKL expression in QBC939 cells by siRNA technology,the effect of CRKL silencing on AKT and ERK signaling pathway was measured by Western blot.CRKL's influence on QBC939 cell prolifera-tion and invasion was analyzed by MTT,clonogenesis,and Transwell assays.Results:The expres-sion of CRKL in ICC tissues was up-regulated,and there were statistically significant differences in CRKL expression in ICC with different clinicopathological features such as tumor size,lymph node metastasis and TNM stage.Cellular experiments showed a significant decrease in the phosphoryla-tion of AKT and ERK upon inhibition of CRKL,and the proliferation and invasion ability of ICC cells was significantly diminished(P＜0.05).Conclusion:CRKL promotes ICC cell proliferation and invasion through AKT and ERK pathways,offering new molecular targets and directions for targeted therapy.