Immune-related nephropathy (IRN) refers to immune-response-mediated glomerulonephritis and is the main cause of end-stage renal failure. The pathogenesis of IRN is not fully understood; therefore, treatment is challenging. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have potent clinical effects in the treatment of the IRN conditions immunoglobulin A nephropathy, lupus nephropathy, and diabetic nephropathy. The underlying mechanisms mainly include its inhibition of inflammation; improvements to renal interstitial fibrosis, oxidative stress, autophagy, apoptosis; and regulation of immunity. In this review, we summarize the clinical symptoms of the three IRN subtypes and the use of TCM prescriptions, herbs, and bioactive compounds in treating IRN, as well as the potential mechanisms, intending to provide a reference for the future study of TCM as IRN treatments.

For the past 30 years,percutaneous balloon mitral valve dilatation has been performed under the guidance of X-rays and bedside ultrasound.However,there are still some cases of mitral valve stenosis in the large atrium where balloon dilation failed.Intraperitoneal ultrasound-guided percutaneous balloon mitral valve plasty is accurate and feasible,which can reduce the occurrence of complications and improve the success rate of such elderly complex cases.Two patients with severe mitral stenosis underwent percutaneous balloon mitral valve plasty guided by intracardiac ultrasound.The operations were successful without any complications,which can provide reference for clinical treatment of mitral stenosis.

Objective To understand the change in distribution and antimicrobial resistance of bacteria isolated from blood specimens of Hunan Province,and provide for the initial diagnosis and treatment of clinical bloodstream infection(BSI).Methods Data reported from member units of Hunan Province Antimicrobial Resistance Survei-llance System from 2012 to 2021 were collected.Bacterial antimicrobial resistance surveillance method was imple-mented according to the technical scheme of China Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System(CARSS).Bacteria from blood specimens and bacterial antimicrobial susceptibility testing results were analyzed by WHONET 5.6 soft-ware and SPSS 27.0 software.Results A total of 207 054 bacterial strains were isolated from blood specimens from member units in Hunan Province Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System from 2012 to 2021,including 107 135(51.7％)Gram-positive bacteria and 99 919(48.3％)Gram-negative bacteria.There was no change in the top 6 pathogenic bacteria from 2012 to 2021,with Escherichia coli(n=51 537,24.9％)ranking first,followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis(n=29 115,14.1％),Staphylococcus aureus(n=17 402,8.4％),Klebsiella pneu-moniae(17 325,8.4％),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(n=4 010,1.9％)and Acinetobacter baumannii(n=3 598,1.7％).The detection rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)decreased from 30.3％in 2015 to 20.7％in 2021,while the detection rate of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus(MRCNS)showed an upward trend year by year(57.9％-66.8％).No Staphylococcus was found to be resistant to vancomy-cin,linezolid,and teicoplanin.Among Gram-negative bacteria,constituent ratios of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were 43.9％-53.9％and 14.2％-19.5％,respectively,both showing an upward trend(both P＜0.001).Constituent ratios of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii were 3.6％-5.1％and 3.0％-4.5％,respectively,both showing a downward trend year by year(both P＜0.001).From 2012 to 2021,resistance rates of Escherichia coli to imipenem and ertapenem were 1.0％-2.0％and 0.6％-1.1％,respectively;presenting a downward trend(P＜0.001).The resistant rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae to meropenem and ertapenem were 7.4％-13.7％and 4.8％-6.4％,respectively,presenting a downward trend(both P＜0.001).The resistance rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii to carbapenem antibiotics were 7.1％-15.6％and 34.7％-45.7％,respectively.The trend of resistance to carbapenem antibiotics was relatively stable,but has de-creased compared with 2012-2016.The resistance rates of Escherichia coli to the third-generation cephalosporins from 2012 to 2021 were 41.0％-65.4％,showing a downward trend year by year.Conclusion The constituent ra-tio of Gram-negative bacillus from blood specimens in Hunan Province has been increasing year by year,while the detection rate of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacillus remained relatively stable in the past 5 years,and the detection rate of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus has shown a downward trend.

Objective: To explore the relationship between low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio with the severity of coronary artery disease and 2-yeat outcome in patients with premature coronary heart disease. Methods: This prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study is originated from the PROMISE study. Eighteen thousand seven hundred and one patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) were screened from January 2015 to May 2019. Three thousand eight hundred and sixty-one patients with premature CHD were enrolled in the current study. According to the median LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (2.4), the patients were divided into two groups: low LDL-C/HDL-C group (LDL-C/HDL-C≤2.4, n=1 867) and high LDL-C/HDL-C group (LDL-C/HDL-C>2.4, n=1 994). Baseline data and 2-year major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were collected and analyzed in order to find the differences between premature CHD patients at different LDL-C/HDL-C levels, and explore the correlation between LDL-C/HDL-C ratio with the severity of coronary artery disease and MACCE. Results: The average age of the low LDL-C/HDL-C ratio group was (48.5±6.5) years, 1 154 patients were males (61.8%); the average age of high LDL-C/HDL-C ratio group was (46.5±6.8) years, 1 523 were males (76.4%). The number of target lesions, the number of coronary artery lesions, the preoperative SNYTAX score and the proportion of three-vessel coronary artery disease in the high LDL-C/HDL-C group were significantly higher than those in the low LDL-C/HDL-C group (1.04±0.74 vs. 0.97±0.80, P=0.002; 2.04±0.84 vs. 1.85±0.84, P<0.001; 13.81±8.87 vs. 11.70±8.05, P<0.001; 36.2% vs. 27.4%, respectively, P<0.001). Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and preoperative SYNTAX score, the number of coronary artery lesions, the number of target lesions and whether it was a three-vessel coronary artery disease (all P<0.05). The 2-year follow-up results showed that the incidence of MACCE was significantly higher in the high LDL-C/HDL-C group than that in the low LDL-C/HDL-C group (6.9% vs. 9.1%, P=0.011). There was no significant difference in the incidence of all-cause death, cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stroke, revascularization and bleeding between the two groups. Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio has no correlation with 2-year MACCE, death, myocardial infarction, revascularization, stroke and bleeding events above BARC2 in patients with premature CHD. Conclusion: High LDL-C/HDL-C ratio is positively correlated with the severity of coronary artery disease in patients with premature CHD. The incidence of MACCE of patients with high LDL-C/HDL-C ratio is significantly higher during 2 years follow-up; LDL-C/HDL-C ratio may be an indicator for evaluating the severity of coronary artery disease and long-term prognosis in patients with premature CHD.
Male ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Coronary Artery Disease/complications* ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Prospective Studies ; Myocardial Infarction/etiology* ; Stroke ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and prior stroke history have a high risk of cardiovascular events despite anticoagulation therapy. It is unclear whether catheter ablation (CA) has further benefits in these patients. METHODS: AF patients with a previous history of stroke or systemic embolism (SE) from the prospective Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry study between August 2011 and December 2020 were included in the analysis. Patients were matched in a 1:1 ratio to CA or medical treatment (MT) based on propensity score. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death or ischemic stroke (IS)/SE. RESULTS: During a total of 4.1 ± 2.3 years of follow-up, the primary outcome occurred in 111 patients in the CA group (3.3 per 100 person-years) and in 229 patients in the MT group (5.7 per 100 person-years). The CA group had a lower risk of the primary outcome compared to the MT group [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.47-0.74, P < 0.001]. There was a significant decreasing risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.31-0.61, P < 0.001), IS/SE (HR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.54-0.97, P = 0.033), cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.19-0.54, P < 0.001) and AF recurrence (HR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.30-0.37, P < 0.001) in the CA group compared to that in the MT group. Sensitivity analysis generated consistent results when adjusting for time-dependent usage of anticoagulants. CONCLUSIONS In AF patients with a prior stroke history, CA was associated with a lower combined risk of all-cause death or IS/SE. Further clinical trials are warranted to confirm the benefits of CA in these patients.

Objective: To explore the effects of expanded frontal-parietal pedicled flap in reconstructing cervical scar contracture deformity in children after burns. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From January 2015 to December 2020, 18 male children with cervical scar contracture deformity after burns who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Zhengzhou First People's Hospital, aged 4 to 12 years, including 10 cases with degree Ⅱ cervical scar contracture deformity and 8 cases with degree Ⅲ scar contracture deformity, and were all reconstructed with expanded frontal-parietal pedicled flap. The surgery was performed in 3 stages. In the first stage, a cylindrical skin and soft tissue expander (hereinafter referred to as expander) with rated capacity of 300 to 500 mL was placed in the frontal-parietal region. The expansion time was 4 to 6 months with the total normal saline injection volume being 2.1 to 3.0 times of the rated capacity of expander. In the second stage, expander removal, scar excision, contracture release, and flap transfer were performed, with the flap areas of 18 cm×9 cm to 23 cm×13 cm and the secondary wound areas of 16 cm×8 cm to 21 cm×11 cm after scar excision and contracture release. After 3 to 4 weeks, in the third stage, the flap pedicle was cut off and restored. The rated volume of placed expander, total normal saline injection volume, type of vascular pedicle of flap, survival of flap and reconstruction of scar after the second stage surgery were recorded. The neck range of motion and cervico-mental angle were measured before surgery and one-year after surgery. The appearance of neck, occurrence of common complications in the donor and recipient sites of children, and satisfaction of children's families for treatment effects were followed up. Data were statistically analyzed with paired sample t test. Results: All the patients successfully completed the three stages of operation. The rated volume of implanted expander was 300 mL in 6 children, 400 mL in 9 children, and 500 mL in 3 children, with the volume of normal saline injection being 630 to 1 500 mL. The type of vascular pedicle of flap was double pedicle in 13 cases and was single pedicle in 5 cases. All the flaps in 17 children survived well, and the secondary wounds after neck scar excision and contracture release were all reconstructed in one procedure. In one case, the distal blood supply of the single pedicled flap was poor after the second stage surgery, with necrosis of about 2.5 cm in length. The distal necrotic tissue was removed on 10 days after the operation, and the wound was completely closed after the flap was repositioned. In the follow-up of 6 months to 3 years post operation, the cervical scar contracture deformity in 18 children was corrected without recurrence. The flap was not bloated, the texture was soft, and the appearances of chin and neck were good. The range of motion of cervical pre-buckling, extension, left flexion, and right flexion, and cervico-mental angle in one year after operation were improved compared with those before operation (with t values of 43.10, 22.64, 27.96, 20.59, and 88.42, respectively, P<0.01). The incision in the frontal donor site was located in the hairline, the scar was slight and concealed. No complication such as cranial depression was observed in expander placement site, and the children's families were satisfied with the result of reconstruction. Conclusions: Application of expanded frontal-parietal pedicled flap in reconstructing the cervical scar contracture deformity in children after burns can obviously improve the appearance and function of neck, with unlikely recurrence of postoperative scar contractures, thus it is an ideal method of reconstruction.
Burns/surgery* ; Child ; Cicatrix/surgery* ; Contracture/surgery* ; Humans ; Male ; Perforator Flap ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Saline Solution ; Skin Transplantation ; Treatment Outcome

ObjectiveTo provide references for the selection of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens on the research of famous classical formulas and the reasonable uses for medicines and foods through herbal textural research and quality analysis of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens from main producing areas in China. MethodBy consulting the ancient and modern literature， the name， origin， producing areas， harvest time， processing methods of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens were summarized. According to the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia， the contents of 6-gingerol， 8-gingerol， 10-gingerol， and volatile oil in Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens samples were determined. ResultHerbal textural research indicated that medicinal Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens originated from the fresh rhizome of Zingiber officinale. Before Tang dynasty， Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens produced in Sichuan was the best. In the Song dynasty， Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens produced in Sichuan， Zhejiang， and Anhui was of excellent quality. The cultivation of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens in Shandong developed during the Ming and Qing dynasties. From ancient times to the present， the harvest period extended from the autumnal equinox to the winter solstice. Quality evaluation standards of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens were essentially the same in ancient and present documents， as those with little gluten or gluten-free and strong pungency were preferred. After determination， the contents of 6-gingerol， 8-gingerol， and 10-gingerol in 44 samples were qualified in 27 samples， with a qualified rate of 61.4%. Among them， 17 samples were unqualified in the total contents of 8-gingerol and 10-gingerol. Among these qualified samples， the content of 6-gingerol ranged from 0.067% to 0.255%， and the total contents of 8-gingerol and 10-gingerol ranged from 0.040% to 0.131%. The content of volatile oil in 36 samples were qualified in 33 samples， with a qualified rate of 91.7%. Among the qualified samples， the content of volatile oil ranged from 0.175% to 0.410%. ConclusionZingiberis Rhizoma Recens has been used as medicines and foods since ancient times， and the genuine producing areas are consistent in ancient and present times， while the quality of the products， especially the medicinal Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens， should be monitored. Medicinal Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens planted in Leshan city of Sichuan province contains high contents of effective components， followed by Qujing and Wenshan cities of Yunnan province. Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens planted in Shandong and other places is mostly edible.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of mulberry twig alkaloids (Sangzhi alkaloids, SZ-A) for treatment of type 2 diabetes in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter clinical trial. METHODS: A total of 200 patients were randomized to receive SZ-A (n=100) or placebo (n=100) for 16 weeks. The data analysis system for electronic data capture clinical trial central randomization system was used for randomization and dispensing of drugs. The primary outcome was the change in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level. The secondary outcome included the proportions of cases with HbA1c <7.0% and HbA1c <6.5%, fasting blood glucose (FBG), postprandial blood glucose (PBG), area under curve for the PBG (AUC_0-2h), body weight, and body mass index (BMI). Adverse events (AEs), severe adverse events (SAEs), treatment-related adverse events (TAEs), gastrointestinal disorders (GDs), blood pressure, routine blood tests, and liver and kidney function were monitored. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, the change of HbA1c at week 16 was -0.80% (95% CI: -0.98% to -0.62%) and -0.09% (95% CI: -0.27% to 0.09%) in SZ-A group and placebo group, respectively. The proportion of patients with HbA1c <7% and <6.5% was higher in the SZ-A group than in the placebo group (46.8% vs. 21.6% and 29.9% vs. 10.8%). The observed values and changes in FBG, 1 h-PBG, 2 h-PBG, and AUC_0-2h differed significantly between groups (P<0.001), but differences were not significant in body weight and BMI (P>0.05). The incidence rates of AEs, TAEs, and GDs differed significantly between groups (P=0.010, P=0.005, and P=0.006, respectively), whereas the incidence rates of SAEs showed no significant differences between groups (P=1.000). CONCLUSION SZ-A are effective and safe for treatment of type 2 diabetes. The protocol was registered in http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=60117 (ChiCTR2000038550).
Alkaloids ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy* ; Double-Blind Method ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Morus ; Tablets/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To establish a three-dimensional finite element model of osteoporosis and to study the stiffness recovery of injured vertebrae and stress analysis of adjacent vertebrae after percutaneous vertebroplasty under different perfusion and distribution conditions by simulating fluid flow into the vertebral body. METHODS: A male healthy volunteer was selected. CT scans were performed from T RESULTS: (1) The VonMises stress of T CONCLUSION Reliable biomechanical model of lumbar vertebral fracture can be established by using CT scanning data through software simulation. Vertebral fracture and vertebroplasty will cause biomechanical changes of adjacent vertebral bodies. With the increase of bone cement injection, the influence of biomechanical changes will increase significantly. Neighbouring vertebral fractures are more likely. For this experiment, percutaneous vertebroplasty has a suitable amount of cement injection of 4 ml.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Cements ; Finite Element Analysis ; Fractures, Compression/surgery* ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Male ; Osteoporotic Fractures/surgery* ; Spinal Fractures/surgery* ; Vertebroplasty

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of catheter ablation in patients with new-onset atrial arrhythmia after surgical excision of left atrial myxoma. Methods: Nine patients with new onset atrial arrhythmia and a prior history of left atrial myxoma, who received surgical myxoma excision and catheter ablation between September 2014 and November 2019, were included in the present study. Baseline characteristics, procedural parameters during catheter ablation, severe perioperative adverse events, recurrence rate of arrhythmia and clinical prognosis were analyzed. Kaplan Meier survival analysis was used to define the maintenance rate of sinus rhythm after catheter ablation in this patient cohort. Results: Nine patients were included. The average age was (55.8 ± 9.1) years old (3 male), there were 3 patients (3/9) with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and 6 patients (6/9) with atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia (AFL or AT). Ablation was successful in all patients, there were no perioperative complications such as stroke, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, vascular complications or massive hemorrhage. During a mean follow-up time of 40.0 (27.5, 55.5) months, sinus rhythm was maintained in six patients (6/9) after the initial catheter ablation. The overall sinus rhythm maintenance rate was 2/3. In addition, 1 out of the 3 AF patients (1/3) developed recurrence of AF at 3 month after ablation, and 2 out of the 6 AFL or AT patients (2/6) developed late recurrence of AF or AFL (19 months and 29 months after ablation), two out of three patients with recurrent AFs or AFL received repeated catheter ablation and one patient remained sinus rhythm post repeat ablation. Meanwhile, there was no recurrence of atrial myxoma, no death, stroke, acute myocardial infarction and other events during the entire follow-up period. Conclusions: Catheter ablation is a safe and feasible therapeutic option for patients with new-onset atrial arrhythmia after surgical excision of left atrial myxoma.