Objective:To investigate associations between cardiac biomarkers with stroke severity and short-term outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Methods:Patients with AIS admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from June 2018 to February 2024 whose etiological classification was large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), small vessel occlusion (SVO) or cardioembolism (CE) were included retrospectively. According to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission, patients were divided into mild stroke group (≤8) and moderate to severe stroke group (>8). According to the modified Rankin Scale score at discharge, patients were divided into good outcome group (≤2) and poor outcome group (>2). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent correlation between cardiac biomarkers and short-term outcome. The predictive value of cardiac biomarkers for poor outcome in patients with AIS and different stroke etiology subtypes were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results:A total of 2 151 patients with AIS were enrolled, including 1 256 males (58.4%), aged 67.40±11.34 years. 1 079 patents were LAA type (50.2%), 679 were SVO type (31.6%), and 393 were CE type (18.3%); 1 223 were mild stroke (56.86%) and 928 (43.14%) were moderate to severe stroke; 1 357 patients (63.09%) had good short-term outcome, and 794 (36.91%) had poor short-term outcome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), NT-proBNP/creatine kinase (CK) isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) ratio, and CK-MB/CK ratio were independent risk factors for poor short-term outcome. ROC curve analysis shows that the CK-MB/CK ratio had a higher predictive value for short-term poor outcome in patients with AIS (the area under the curve, 0.859, 95% confidence interval 0.839-0.879). Various cardiac biomarkers had a higher predictive value for short-term outcome of CE type and LAA type, but the predictive value for short-term outcome of SVO type was lower. Conclusions:Cardiac biomarkers are associated with the severity and poor outcome of AIS. NT-proBNP/CK-MB and CK-MB/CK ratios have higher predictive value for short-term poor outcome of AIS, especially in patients with CE type.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy(SCIT)using dust mites in children with allergic asthma.Methods In a prospective randomized controlled study,98 children with dust mite-induced allergic asthma were randomly divided into a control group(n=49)and an SCIT group(n=49).The control group received inhaled corticosteroid treatment,while the SCIT group additionally received a standardized three-year SCIT regimen.The two groups were compared based on peripheral blood eosinophil percentage,visual analogue score(VAS),total medication score,Asthma Control Test/Childhood Asthma Control Test scores,fractional exhaled nitric oxide(FeNO),and lung function before treatment,and at 6 months,1 year,2 years,and 3 years after treatment.Adverse reactions were recorded post-injection to evaluate the safety of SCIT.Results Compared with pre-treatment levels,the SCIT group showed a significant reduction in the percentage of peripheral blood eosinophils,VAS,total medication score,and FeNO,while lung function significantly improved,and asthma control levels were better 3 years after treatment(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the SCIT group showed more significant improvement in all evaluated indicators 3 years after treatment(P<0.05).A total of 2 744 injections were administered,resulting in 157 cases(5.72%)of local adverse reactions and 4 cases(0.15%)of systemic adverse reactions,with no severe systemic adverse events.Conclusions SCIT is an effective and safe treatment for allergic asthma in children.

Objective To explore the potential value of three-dimensional fast spin echo(3D-SPACE)combined with multilayer spiral CT(MSCT)in the diagnosis of knee cruciate ligament injury,to provide a new direction for the optimization of subsequent clinical diagnosis.Methods A total of 120 patients with knee cruciate ligament injury were treated from April 2020 to April 2021,aged from 21 to 68 with an average of(41.52±4.13)years old.For all patients,separate MSCT scanner scans,3D-SPACE sequence scans alone and 3D-SPACE sequence combined with MSCT scans were used.The injury and classifica-tion of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligament of the knee were compared,the length of the anterior-medial bundle and posterolateral bundle and its angle of the knee with the horizontal plane were observed,the diagnostic value of 3 diagnostic methods in knee cruciate ligament injury were determined.Results There was no significant difference between the 3D-SPACE sequence scan alone and the MSCT test alone on the total diagnostic rate and grading total diagnostic rate(P＞0.05).The total diagnostic rate and grading total diagnostic rate of 3D-SPACE scan combined with MSCT were significantly higher than those of 3D-SPACE scan or MSCT alone(P＜0.05).The 3D-SPACE sequence scan alone and the MSCT detection alone had no signifi-cant difference in the measurement values related to the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments of the knee joint(P＞0.05).3D-SPACE sequence scanning combined with MSCT detection on the knee joint anterior and posterior cruciate ligament related mea-surements were significantly higher than the 3D-SPACE sequence scan or MSCT detection alone(P＜0.05).The area under the ROC curve estimated by 3D-SPACE sequence scanning combined with MSCT was 0.960,which was significantly higher than that of 3D-SPACE sequence scanning and MSCT alone evaluating the area under the ROC curve line of 0.756 and 0.795.The com-bined 3D-SPACE sequence scanning and 3D-SPACE sequence scanning MSCT analysis and prediction models were statistically different(Z=2.236,P＜0.05),and MSCT alone and 3D-SPACE sequence scanning combined with MSCT analysis and prediction models were statistically different(Z=2.653,P＜0.05).Conclusion The application of 3D-SPACE sequence combined with MSCT scanning for knee cruciate ligament injury can improve the diagnosis rate of patients with knee cruciate ligament injury.It can be used as a diagnostic tool for patients with knee cruciate ligament injury and is worthy of clinical application.

AIM:To investigate of the effect of Shenqifuzheng injection(SFI)combined with PD-L1 antibody on tumor immune microenvironment and its efficacy.METHODS:A subcutaneous transplanta-tion tumor model for B16F10-LUC melanoma was created.The expression of Ki67,CD31,CD8,CD16,CD163,FOXP3,LY6C,LY6G with labeling antibodies was used to detect CD8+T cells,Treg cells,NK cells,MDSCs cells,centrocytes,and granulocytes in the tumor tissues via immunohistochemistry.Flow cy-tometry was used to measure the ratios of CD11c+,IA/IE+,and CD80+cells in splenic tissue,as well as the ratios of CD8+T,CD4+T,and Treg cells in tumor tissue.Additionally,granulocyte count and NK cell expression were analyzed.RESULTS:The immuno-histochemistry results indicate that the drug admin-istration group effectively suppressed tumor angio-genesis and cell proliferation,while decreasing the expression level of immunosuppressive cytokines CD4+T cells,Treg cells,MDSCs and centroblasts.Ad-ditionally,CD8 and NK cell infiltration was promot-ed compared to the control group.The results of the flow analysis demonstrated a significant in-crease in the expression level of CD8+T cells within tumor tissues,as well as inhibition of CD4+T,Treg,and DC cell infiltration within the spleen in the drug administration group.Additionally,the tumor volume analysis indicated that the drug administra-tion group effectively inhibited tumor growth.The flow results illustrate that the group administering treatment exhibited significant increases in CD8+T cell expression levels in tumor tissue and DC cells in the spleen.Furthermore,the treatment effec-tively inhibited the infiltration of CD4+T and Treg cells.The results also indicate that the treatment significantly reduced tumor growth,with the tumor inhibition rate being better with PD-L1 antibody alone than with the SFI group.Additionally,combin-ing drugs resulted in superior results compared to the PD-L1 antibody group alone.CONCLUSION:SFI combined with a PD-L1 antibody can have synergis-tic anti-tumor effects,potentially enhancing DC cell infiltration and promoting T cell activation.Immu-nohistochemistry results indicate a positive impact on the tumor immune microenvironment.

Chinese materia medica and its compound formulas have the characteristics of multi-component,multi-target,and multi pathway effects,and have unique advantages in preventing and treating complex diseases.Network pharmacology explains disease patterns and drug mechanisms from the perspective of complex biological networks,and explores the pharmacological substance basis and target of Chinese medicine.This article summarized the application of network pharmacology from the aspects of biological basis of TCM syndrome,the substance basis and pharmacological mechanism of TCM,compatibility theory of TCM compound formulas,etc.,with the purpose to provide a reference for the research and application of network pharmacology in TCM.

In recent years, targeted therapy and immunotherapy have been applied more and more widely in tumor treatment, and reports on psoriasis induced or exacerbated by these drugs have emerged continuously. This review summarizes and evaluates targeted therapeutic drugs and immunotherapeutic drugs that allegedly induce or aggravate psoriasis according to their targets and possible mechanisms, including programmed death receptor 1 inhibitors, epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 inhibitors, anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, phosphoinositide 3-kinase δ inhibitors and multi-targeted drugs. In most cases, the relationships between drugs and the occurrence of psoriasis are possible or probable, and in only a few cases the causality is certain.

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence and identify the risk factors for radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted. Eight electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and Chinese Scientific Journals Database) were systematically searched from inception to 4 March 2023 for relevant studies. Study selection and data extraction were conducted by two independent authors. The Newcastle‒Ottawa scale was used for quality assessment among the included studies. Data synthesis and analyses were performed in R software package version 4.1.3 and Review Manager Software 5.4. The pooled incidence was calculated using proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and the risk factors were evaluated using the odds ratio (OR) with 95% CIs. Sensitivity analysis and predesigned subgroup analyses were also conducted. Results: A total of 22 studies published from 2005 to 2023 were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the incidence of radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis was 99.0% among nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, and the incidence of severe radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis was 52.0%. Poor oral hygiene, overweight before radiotherapy, oral pH < 7.0, the use of oral mucosal protective agents, smoking, drinking, combined chemotherapy, and the use of antibiotics at early treatment stage are risk factors for severe radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analyses also revealed that our results are stable and reliable. Conclusions Almost all patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma have suffered from radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis, and more than half of patients have experienced severe oral mucositis. Facilitating oral health might be the key focus of reducing the incidence and severity of radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis among nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.Registration numberCRD42022322035.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical features of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) and their association with prognosis. METHODS: Clinical and prognosis data were collected from the children with JMML who were admitted from January 2008 to December 2016, and the influencing factors for prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 63 children with JMML were included, with a median age of onset of 25 months and a male/female ratio of 3.2∶1. JMML genetic testing was performed for 54 children, and PTPN11 mutation was the most common mutation and was observed in 23 children (43%), among whom 19 had PTPN11 mutation alone and 4 had compound PTPN11 mutation, followed by NRAS mutation observed in 14 children (26%), among whom 12 had NRAS mutation alone and 2 had compound NRAS mutation. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was only 22%±10% in these children with JMML. Of the 63 children, 13 (21%) underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The HSCT group had a significantly higher 5-year OS rate than the non-HSCT group (46%±14% vs 29%±7%, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the 5-year OS rate between the children without PTPN11 gene mutation and those with PTPN11 gene mutation (30%±14% vs 27%±10%, P>0.05). The Cox proportional-hazards regression model analysis showed that platelet count <40×10⁹/L at diagnosis was an influencing factor for 5-year OS rate in children with JMML (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The PTPN11 gene was the most common mutant gene in JMML. Platelet count at diagnosis is associated with the prognosis in children with JMML. HSCT can improve the prognosis of children with JMML.
Child ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile/therapy* ; Prognosis ; Genetic Testing ; Mutation ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of modified Shenqiwan on renal function and fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy mice and explore the underlying mechanism based on the glycogen synthase kinase-3β （GSK-3β）/cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP） response element-binding protein （CREB） signaling pathway. MethodFifty male db/db mice and 10 db/m mice were used in this study. The fifty db/db mice were randomly divided into model group， irbesartan group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose modified Shenqiwan groups. The 10 db/m mice were assigned to the normal group. The mice in the low-， medium-， and high-dose modified Shenqiwan groups were administered with modified Shenqiwan in the dosage form of suspension of Chinese medicinal granules by gavage， those in the irbesartan group were given irbesartan suspension by gavage， and those in the normal and model groups were given distilled water of equal volume by gavage. The intervention lasted for 12 weeks. The blood glucose levels， urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio （UACR）， and the protein expression levels of GSK-3β， CREB， transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）， E-cadherin， Vimentin， fibronectin （FN）， plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 （PAI-1）， and Collagen type Ⅳ （Coll Ⅳ） in the mouse kidneys were recorded before and after treatment. The extent of renal pathological damage was also observed. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significant increases in blood glucose levels， UACR levels， and the protein expression levels of GSK-3β， TGF-β₁， E-cadherin， Vimentin， FN， PAI-1， and Coll Ⅳ in the kidneys （P<0.05）， decreased protein expression level of CREB （P<0.05）， and severe renal pathological damage. Compared with the model group， the low-， medium-， and high-dose modified Shenqiwan groups and the irbesartan group showed varying degrees of decreases in blood glucose levels， UACR levels， and the protein expression levels of GSK-3β， TGF-β₁， E-cadherin， Vimentin， FN， PAI-1， and Coll Ⅳ in the kidneys （P<0.05）， increased expression level of CREB protein （P<0.05）， and improved renal pathological damage. ConclusionModified Shenqiwan can effectively reduce blood glucose levels， improve renal function， and alleviate fibrosis， and the mechanism of action is related to the inhibition of the GSK-3β/CREB signaling pathway.

Renal outer medullary potassium (ROMK) channel is an important K⁺ excretion channel in the body, and K⁺ secreted by the ROMK channels is most or all source of urinary potassium. Previous studies focused on the ROMK channels of thick ascending limb (TAL) and collecting duct (CD), while there were few studies on the involvement of ROMK channels of the late distal convoluted tubule (DCT2) in K⁺ excretion. The purpose of the present study was mainly to record the ROMK channels current in renal DCT2 and observe the effect of high potassium diet on the ROMK channels by using single channel and whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. The results showed that a small conductance channel current with a conductance of 39 pS could be recorded in the apical membrane of renal DCT2, and it could be blocked by Tertiapin-Q (TPNQ), a ROMK channel inhibitor. The high potassium diet significantly increased the probability of ROMK channel current occurrence in the apical membrane of renal DCT2, and enhanced the activity of ROMK channel, compared to normal potassium diet (P < 0.01). Western blot results also demonstrated that the high potassium diet significantly up-regulated the protein expression levels of ROMK channels and epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), and down-regulated the protein expression level of Na⁺-Cl^- cotransporter (NCC). Moreover, the high potassium diet significantly increased urinary potassium excretion. These results suggest that the high potassium diet may activate the ROMK channels in the apical membrane of renal DCT2 and increase the urinary potassium excretion by up-regulating the expression of renal ROMK channels.
Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying/metabolism* ; Kidney Tubules, Distal/metabolism* ; Potassium/metabolism* ; Epithelial Sodium Channels/metabolism* ; Diet