Objective To study the stress change characteristics of the cervical disc after removing different ranges of the uncinate process by establishing a three⁃dimensional finite element model of the C

Asragaloside Ⅳ(AS-Ⅳ)is one of the active ingredients of Astragalus membranaceus,and AS-Ⅳ can play a protective role in cardiovascular diseases by inhibiting inflammatory response,inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis,improving myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury,regulating lipid metabolism,promoting cardiac vascular regeneration,inhibiting myocardial fibrosis,and improving myocardial hypertrophy.In this paper,we reviewed the relevant literature on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases of AS-Ⅳ,and summarized and analyzed its role and mechanism,in order to provide a reference for the in depth research on cardiovascular diseases and the development and application of drugs.

Abstract: Objective　To understand the pollution characteristics and sources of PM2.5 in the atmosphere during heating and non-heating periods in Urumqi City in 2021, and provide scientific basis for pollution control during different periods. Method A total of 188 air samples were collected from area A and area B of Urumqi City, and 12 metal elements and 5 water-soluble ions were quantitatively analyzed, and the pollution sources were analyzed by enrichment factor method and principal component analysis method. Results In 2021, the mass concentrations of PM2.5 in areas A and B of Urumqi were 45.0 (20.0, 158) µg/m3 and 28.0 (17.5, 66.0) µg/m3, respectively, with statistically significant difference (Z=-2.870, P<0.05). During the heating period, the concentrations were 110 (68.0, 250) µg/m3 and 61.0 (31.0, 88.0) µg/m3, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (Z=-3.822, P<0.01). During the non-heating period, the concentrations were 18.0 (13.0, 22.3) µg/m3 and 18.0 (12.8, 22.0) µg/m3, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (Z=-0.596, P>0.05). The SNA (the sum of SO42-, NO3-and NH4+) accounted for 71.7% and 23.4% of PM2.5 in A area during heating and non-heating periods, respectively, with statistically significant difference (Z=-8.057, P<0.01); the corresponding proportions in B area were 60.7% and 24.9%, with statistically significant difference (Z=-6.672, P<0.01). During the heating and non-heating periods, the ratios of NO3-/SO42-are 0.63 and 0.54 in A area were 0.63 and 0.54, respectively, with statistically significant difference (Z=-2.382, P<0.05); and the corresponding ratios in B area were 0.72 and 0.53, respectively, with statistically significant difference (Z=-3.182, P<0.05). The ratio of NO3- to SO42- was less than 1 in both heating and non-heating periods in the two areas. and the correlation between five water-soluble ions was significant (P<0.05). The correlation coefficient between NH4+ and SO42-, NO3-and Cl- in A and B areas during heating periods were all >0.9, indicating that NH4+and SO42-, NO3- and Cl- bind in (NH4)2SO4, NH4HSO4, NH4NO3, and NH4Cl. During non-heating periods, the correlation between NH4+ and each ion was slightly lower. During heating periods in area A, Sb, As, Cd, Pb, and Tl were severely enriched (EF>100). During non-heating periods in the same area, As, Cd, Pb, Tl, and Hg were severely enriched (EF>100). During heating periods in area B, Sb, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg were severely enriched (EF>100), and during non-heating periods in the same area, Sb, Cd, and Hg were severely enriched (EF>100). Coal emission, photochemical secondary pollution, motor vehicle exhaust, dust and industrial pollution were the main sources of PM2.5 pollution in the two areas, and the contribution rate of fixed sources was higher than that of mobile sources. Conclusion In 2021, the mass concentration of PM2.5, water-soluble ions and metal elements in Urumqi City were higher in area A than area B, the heating period was higher than the non-heating period, the excess rate of area A was higher than that in area B, and the contribution rate of fixed air pollution was greater than that of mobile sources.

Objective: To investigate the early effect and safety of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) with a 10-day decitabine-containing conditioning regimen in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) /myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) . Methods: From April 2021 to May 2022, 31 AML/MDS patients who received allo-HSCT with a 10-day decitabine-containing conditioning regimen were analyzed. Results: AML (n=10), MDS-AML (n=6), CMML-AML (n=1), and MDS (n=14) were identified in 31 patients, 16 males, and 15 females, with a median age of 41 (20-55) yr. Neutrophils and platelets were successfully implanted in 31 patients (100%), with a median implantation duration of 12 (9-30) and 14 (9-42) days, respectively. During the preconditioning period, 16 patients (51.6%) developed oral mucositis, with 15 cases of Ⅰ/Ⅱ grade (48.4%) and one case of Ⅲ grade (3.2%). After transplantation, 13 patients (41.9%) developed CMV viremia, six patients (19.4%) developed hemorrhagic cystitis, and four patients (12.9%) developed a local infection. The median time of acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) following transplantation was 33 (12-111) days. The cumulative incidence of aGVHD and Ⅲ/Ⅳ grade aGVHD was 41.9% (95% CI 26.9%-61.0%) and 22.9% (95% CI 13.5%-47.5%), respectively. There was no severe cGVHD, and mild and moderate chronic GVHD (cGVHD) incidence was 23.5% (95% CI 12.1%-43.6%). As of November 30, 2022, only one of the 31 patients had relapsed, with a 1-yr cumulative relapse rate (CIR) of 3.2% (95% CI 0.5%-20.7%). There was only one relapse patient death and no non-relapse deaths. The 1-yr overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 92.9% (95% CI 80.3%-100%) and 96.8% (95% CI 90.8%-100%), respectively. Conclusions: A 10-day decitabine-containing conditioning regimen for allo-HSCT reduced relapse and was safe and feasible in treating AML/MDS.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Decitabine ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes/therapy* ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/complications* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Recurrence ; Chronic Disease ; Graft vs Host Disease/etiology* ; Transplantation Conditioning/adverse effects* ; Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and long-term prognosis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in patients with past hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Methods: 353 cases with PBC who visited the Liver Disease Center of Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University between January 2000 and January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed and were divided into the past HBV infection group (156 cases) and the no HBV infection group (197 cases). The two groups' baseline clinical features were compared. Ursodeoxycholic acid response rate after one year, GLOBE score, UK-PBC score, and long-term liver transplantation-free survival rate were compared through outpatient and telephone follow-up. Results: PBC with past HBV infection had a significantly reduced female proportion compared to the no HBV infection group (91.9% vs. 79.5%, P = 0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences in age, biochemical indices, immunological indicators, platelet count, cirrhosis proportion, and others. Ursodeoxycholic acid biochemical response rate was reduced in patients with past HBV infection at the end of one year of treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant (65.8% vs. 78.2%, P = 0.068). In addition, there were no statistically significant differences between the GLOBE score (0.57 vs. 0.59, P = 0.26) and UK-PBC 5-year (2.87% vs. 2.87%, P = 0.38), 10-year (9.29% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.39) and 15-year liver transplantation rates (16.6% vs. 14.73%, P = 0.39). Lastly, the overall 5-year liver transplantation-free survival rate had no statistically significant difference between the two groups of patients (86.4% vs. 87.5%, P = 0.796). Conclusion: Primary biliary cholangitis had no discernible effect in terms of age at onset, biochemical indices, immunological indicators, cirrhosis proportion, ursodeoxycholic acid response rate after one year, GLOBE score, UK-PBC score, or overall liver transplantation-free survival rate in patients with past hepatitis B virus infections.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of death in the world. With the improvement of clinical therapy, the mortality of acute MI has been significantly reduced. However, as for the long-term impact of MI on cardiac remodeling and cardiac function, there is no effective prevention and treatment measures. Erythropoietin (EPO), a glycoprotein cytokine essential to hematopoiesis, has anti-apoptotic and pro-angiogenetic effects. Studies have shown that EPO plays a protective role in cardiomyocytes in cardiovascular diseases, such as cardiac ischemia injury and heart failure. EPO has been demonstrated to protect ischemic myocardium and improve MI repair by promoting the activation of cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs). This study aimed to investigate whether EPO can promote MI repair by enhancing the activity of stem cell antigen 1 positive stem cells (Sca-1⁺ SCs). Darbepoetin alpha (a long-acting EPO analog, EPO_anlg) was injected into the border zone of MI in adult mice. Infarct size, cardiac remodeling and performance, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and microvessel density were measured. Lin^- Sca-1⁺ SCs were isolated from neonatal and adult mouse hearts by magnetic sorting technology, and were used to identify the colony forming ability and the effect of EPO, respectively. The results showed that, compared to MI alone, EPO_anlg reduced the infarct percentage, cardiomyocyte apoptosis ratio and left ventricular (LV) chamber dilatation, improved cardiac performance, and increased the numbers of coronary microvessels in vivo. In vitro, EPO increased the proliferation, migration and clone formation of Lin^- Sca-1⁺ SCs likely via the EPO receptor and downstream STAT-5/p38 MAPK signaling pathways. These results suggest that EPO participates in the repair process of MI by activating Sca-1⁺ SCs.
Animals ; Mice ; Ventricular Remodeling ; Erythropoietin ; Myocardial Infarction ; Heart ; Stem Cells

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for hepatitis-related aplastic anemia (HRAA) patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia patients who received haplo-HSCT at our center between January 2012 and June 2022. October 30, 2022 was the final date of follow-up. Results: This study included 28 HRAA patients receiving allo-HSCT, including 18 males (64.3% ) and 10 females (35.7% ), with a median age of 25.5 (9-44) years. About 17 cases of severe aplastic anemia (SAA), 10 cases of very severe aplastic anemia (VSAA), and 1 case of transfusion-dependent aplastic anemia (TD-NSAA) were identified. Among 28 patients, 15 patients received haplo-HSCT, and 13 received MSD-HSCT. The 2-year overall survival (OS) rate, the 2-year failure-free survival (FFS) rate, the 2-year transplant-related mortality (TRM) rate, the 100-day grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) cumulative incidence rate, and the 2-year chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) cumulative incidence rate were 81.4%, 81.4% (95% CI 10.5% -20.6% ), 14.6% (95% CI 5.7% -34.3% ), 25.0% (95% CI 12.8% -45.4% ), and 4.2% (95% CI 0.6% -25.4% ), respectively. After transplantation, all patients had no significant liver function damage. Compared with the MSD-HSCT group, only the incidence of cytomegaloviremia was significantly higher in the haplo-HSCT group [60.0% (95% CI 35.2% -84.8% ) vs 7.7% (95% CI 0-22.2% ), P=0.004]. No statistically significant difference in the Epstein-Barr virus was found in the 2-year OS, 2-year FFS, 2-year TRM, and 100-day grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD cumulative incidence rates and 2-year cGVHD cumulative incidence rate. Conclusion: Allo-HSCT is safe and effective for HRAA, and haplo-HSCT can be used as a safe and effective alternative for newly diagnosed HRAA patients who cannot obtain HLA-matched sibling donors.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Anemia, Aplastic/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Graft vs Host Disease/etiology* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Hepatitis/etiology* ; Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome ; Transplantation Conditioning

Objective: To investigate the incidence of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) with inactivated influenza vaccine among the elderly in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide insights into safety monitoring and evaluation of inactivated influenza vaccines. Methods: Data pertaining to surveillance on AEFI with inactivated influenza vaccines among the elderly at ages of 60 years and older in Huzhou City from 2020 to 2022 were collected from the AEFI Monitoring Information Management System of the Immunization Planning System of Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Information System, including demographics, time of AEFI occurrence, classification of AEFI and clinical syndromes, and the reported incidence and epidemiological features of AEFI with inactivated influenza vaccines were analyzed using a descriptive epidemiological method. Results: Totally 84 elderly cases at ages of 60 years and older were reported with AEFI with inactivated influenza vaccines in Huzhou City from 2020 to 2022, with a reported incidence rate of 9.83/105 doses, and the reported incidence rates of AEFI with trivalent and quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines were 9.74/105 doses and 48.71/105 doses, respectively. The reported incidence rates of general, abnormal, coincidence and psychogenic reactions were 7.96/105 doses, 1.52/105 doses, 0.23/105 doses and 0.12/105 doses, respectively, and no vaccine quality accidents or wrong vaccine administered were reported. The cases with AEFI included 52 women and 32 men, and most cases were aged from 60 to 69 years (44 cases, 52.38%). The highest incidence of AEFI was reported in Nanxun District (17.94/105 doses), and there were 79 cases (94.05%) with AEFI within 24 hours following vaccination. The clinical symptoms mainly included fever, local redness and swelling, and local induration, with reported incidence rates of 2.22/105 doses, 3.74/105 doses, and 1.99/105 doses, respectively. Conclusions The reported incidence of AEFI with inactivated influenza vaccines is low among the elderly at ages of 60 years and older in Huzhou City, with general reactions as predominant AEFI, and most AEFI occurs within 24 hours following vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological features and prognostic characteristics of papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC). METHODS: The clinical data of 114 patients with pRCC, including 91 males and 23 females, admitted to the Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital from May 2012 to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. All the cases were operated patients with clear pathological diagnosis and complete follow-up data. The log-rank test was used to analyze the relationship between the patients' clinicopathological characteristics and survival time, the Kaplan-Meier method to draw survival curves, and the Cox regression model for univariate and multifactorial analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the 114 patients was (57.3±12.6) years. The tumors were located in the left kidney in 49 cases and in the right kidney in 65 cases. In the study, 48 radical nephrectomies and 66 partial nephrectomies were performed, 42 cases were type 1 and 72 cases were type 2, and the mean maximum tumor diameter was (5.5±3.6) cm. pT1a stage 52 cases, pT1b stage 22 cases, pT2 stage 4 cases, pT3 stage 33 cases, and pT4 stage 3 cases were staged. According to the World Health Organization / International Society of Urological Pathology (WHO/ISUP), there were 13 cases of gradeⅠ, 44 cases of grade Ⅱ, 51 cases of grade Ⅲ, and 6 cases of grade Ⅳ. And 34 of the 114 patients had vascular cancer embolism, 30 cases had lymph node metastasis, and 3 cases had adrenal metastasis. The median follow-up time after surgery was 22 months, and the 3-year progression-free survival rate was 95.6%. The patients with type 1 and type 2 pRCC showed statistically significant differences in age (P=0.046), body mass index (P=0.008), surgical approach (P=0.001), maximum tumor diameter (P < 0.001), vascular cancer embolism (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001), pT stage (P < 0.001), and nuclear grade (P < 0.001). The 3-year progression-free survival rates for type 1 and type 2 pRCC were 100% and 69.4%, respectively, with type 1 having a significantly better prognosis than with type 2 (P=0.003). Univariate analysis of the patients with type 2 pRCC showed that pT stage (P < 0.001), vascular cancer embolism (P < 0.001) and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001) were strongly associated with their prognosis. Multifactorial analysis showed that vascular cancer embolism was an independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival in type 2 pRCC (P=0.001). Univariate analysis of the pRCC patients undergoing radical nephrectomy showed that pT stage (P=0.006), vascular cancer embolism (P=0.001), and lymph node metastasis (P=0.008) were significant factors affecting their prognosis, and further multifactorial analysis showed that only vascular cancer embolism was an indepen-dent prognostic factor for their progression-free survival (P=0.006). CONCLUSION Type 2 pRCC has more morbidity, more lymph node metastases, more advanced pT stage, and higher pathologic grading than type 1 pRCC. The presence of vascular cancer embolism is an independent prognostic factor in patients with type 2 pRCC and pRCC undergoing radical nephrectomy.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell/pathology* ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms/pathology* ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

The present study investigated the mechanism of total flavonoids from Ampelopsis grossedentata(AGTF) against gouty arthritis(GA) by network pharmacology and experimental validation. The main active ingredients and targets of AGTF, as well as disease targets, were screened out using relevant databases and literature data. The "protein-protein interaction"(PPI) network and "drug-ingredient-target-pathway" network were constructed, and the potential targets and mechanism of AGTF against GA were predicted. The hyperuricemia(HUA) combined with GA model was induced in rats. The gait behaviors of rats were scored, and ankle swelling degree was observed. The uric acid(UA) level and xanthine oxidase(XOD) activity in the rat serum were detected, and the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were measured. The protein expression of toll-like receptor 4(TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88), and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) in the synovial tissues of the rat ankle joint was determined by immunohistochemistry. Ten active ingredients of AGTF and 73 candidate targets of AGTF against GA were screened out by network pharmacology. Eighty-six signaling pathways were enriched, including TNF signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, TLR signaling pathway, Nod-like receptor signaling pathway, and purine metabolism signaling pathway, which were closely related to AGTF against GA. Animal experimental results showed that AGTF could effectively improve the abnormal gait behaviors of GA rats, relieve ankle inflammation, and reduce ankle joint swelling. In addition, AGTF could significantly reduce UA level, inhibit XOD activity, decrease TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β content, and down-regulate the expression of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB in ankle synovial tissues(P<0.05, P<0.01). The results of network pharmacology and experimental validation are consistent, indicating that AGTF exerts its therapeutic effect on GA by regulating UA metabolism, improving abnormal UA level, reducing the release of inflammatory factors, and regulating immunity and the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB inflammatory pathway.
Ampelopsis/chemistry* ; Animals ; Arthritis, Gouty/drug therapy* ; Flavonoids/therapeutic use* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; NLR Proteins/metabolism* ; Rats ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Uric Acid ; Xanthine Oxidase