Objective To study the evaluation value of lung injury score(LIS)and advanced glycation end products(AGEs)expression levels on the prognosis of elderly patients with sepsis-related acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome(ALI/ARDS).Methods A total of 98 elderly patients with sepsis-related ALI/ARDS admitted to First Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from March 2019 to April 2021 were selected as the research group,and the patients were divided into two sub-groups according to their survival within 30 d after admission:the survival group(55 cases)and the death group(43 cases).Another 51 elderly patients with non-ALI/ARDS sepsis admitted to First Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in the same period were selected as the control group.After admission,the clinical data of patients were recorded,and the levels of serum creatinine,troponin I,B-type brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),serum C-reactive protein(CRP)and procalcitonin(PCT)were de-tected.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of AGEs in patients'serum.The LIS score was evaluated by LIS scale.With clinical factors as independent variables and prognosis as dependent variables,Logistic regression curve was used to analyze the death factors of elderly sepsis-related ALI/ARDS patients.Results AGEs levels,LIS scores,acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)scores decreased sequentially in the death group,survival group,and control group(all P<0.05).The levels of lactic acid,blood glucose,troponin I,PCT,BNP and CRP in arterial blood of patients in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group and the control group(P<0.05).The results showed that arterial lactate,blood glucose,troponin I,PCT,BNP,CRP,AGEs,APACHE Ⅱ score,and LIS score were all independent risk factors for mortality in elderly sepsis-related ALI/ARDS patients(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of LIS score predicting prognosis in elderly sepsis-related ALI/ARDS pa-tients was 0.857(95%CI:0.821-0.911),and AUC of serum AGEs was 0.861(95%CI:0.809-0.908).LIS score and AGEs level had certain predictive value for the prognosis of elderly sepsis-related ALI/ARDS pa-tients.Conclusion The LIS score and AGEs level of the elderly patients with sepsis-related ALI/ARDS are independent risk factors of death,which have important predictive value for prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the effect of sodium tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate (STS) on pyroptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by H 2O 2 and its possible mechanism. Methods:From November 2021 to September 2022, HUVECs were used as the research subjects at Wuxi Ninth People’s Hospital. The experiment was divided into four groups: the blank control group (normal condition), blank + STS group, H 2O 2 group and H 2O 2 + STS group. When the cells reached 80% fusion, 500.00 μmol/L of H 2O 2 was added to H 2O 2 group and H 2O 2 + STS group for 3 hours, and then the medium containing 500.00 μmol/L H 2O 2 was removed. After that, the blank+ STS group and the H 2O 2+ STS group were each supplemented with 5.00 μg/ml of STS and co-cultured with HUVECs for 24 hours. CCK-8 was used to assess the impact of STS at various concentrations (0.00, 0.05, 0.50, 5.00, 50.00, 500.00 μg/ml) on the proliferation of HUVECs. DNA damage-positive cells were detected with TUNEL staining. The expression of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) was detected using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) to investigate the optimal concentration of pyroptosis induced by H 2O 2. A detection kit was used to measure the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by H 2O 2. The effect of STS on the migration and tube formation of HUVECs during pyroptosis was examined using a cell scratch test and a matrix gel tube formation test. The expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1, interleukin-18, and interleukin-1β were detected using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the concentrations at different time points, t-tests were used to compare data between two groups, and one-way ANOVA was used to compare data between multiple groups. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:STS below 50.00 μg/ml had no effect on the proliferation of HUVECs, while 500.00 μmol/L H 2O 2 had the most significant effect on inducing pyroptosis in HUVECs. TUNEL staining showed that compared with the control group, the number of TUNEL-positive cells in H 2O 2 group was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the H 2O 2+ STS group ( P>0.05). The results of ROS detection showed that compared with the H 2O 2 group, intracellular ROS levels in the H 2O 2+ STS group was significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). Cell scratch and tube formation in vitro experiments showed that compared with the control group, cell mobility and tube formation ability were significantly decreased in the H 2O 2 group (all P<0.01), and there was no statistical significance in the H 2O 2+ STS group (all P>0.05). RT-PCR and Western blotting results showed that, compared with the H 2O 2 group, the expression of pyroptosis-related factors in the H 2O 2+ STS group was significantly decreased (all P<0.05). Conclusion:STS can inhibit the excessive production of ROS, promote the cell migration and tubular formation of HUVECs after pyroptosis induction, and alleviate H 2O 2-induced pyroptosis of HUVECs, thereby promoting angiogenesis.

To understand Helicobacter pylori's drug resistance,genetic diversity,and relationship with clinical diseases in the Guiyang and Qiannan minority areas of Guizhou Province,we collected samples through endoscopy,and isolated and cul-tured H.pylori.The drug resistance and genotype characteristics were determined.The differences in different regions and dis-ease types were compared,and the structural characteristics of H.pylori and mixed infections with different strains of H.py-lori in Qiannan Prefecture were analyzed.A difference in the composition ratio of EPYIA typing in the cagA variable region was observed between the two areas(P=0.012),and the composition ratio of the vacA genotype differed(P=0.000).A total of 94.6％(53/56)new sequences of H.pylori strains from two regions were obtained by MLST.The rate of infection by H.pylori mixed with different strains was 44.4％in Qiannan Pre-fecture,and no significant difference was observed in the com-position of H.pylori mixed infections among patients with dif-ferent clinical diseases(P=0.349).Differences in EPI YA typ-ing and the vacA genotype composition ratio in the cagA varia-ble region of H.pylori were observed between the Qiannan Prefecture and Guiyang City.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging at 3.0 T MRI in quantifying renal redox metabolism in vitro models and experimental animals.Methods:Redox metabolites in vitro models with physiological concentrations were prepared, including reduced metabolites (glutamate, alanine, glutathione) and oxidized metabolites (2-ketoglutarate, pyruvate, glutathione disulfide, ammonium hydroxide). CEST examinations were performed at 3.0 T MRI. The imaging parameters were as follows: CEST images with different saturation pulse intensity (B 1) (1, 2, 3, 4 μT) and a fixed radio frequency (RF) duration of 2 000 ms; CEST images with different RF durations (1 500 and 2 000 ms) were acquired with a fixed B 1 value of 2 μT to obtain the optimal scanning parameters. CEST examinations with optimized parameters were performed on the left kidneys of seven healthy rabbits, and the differences in magnetic resonance ratio asymmetry (MTR asym) between rabbit renal cortex and outer medulla were measured. A paired t-test was used to compare the differences. Results:The optimal B 1 for CEST examination of redox metabolites was 2 μT, and the optimal RF duration was 2 000 ms. The MTR asym peaks of glutathione disulfide, glutathione, glutamic acid, and alanine were at 3.75, 3.5, 3, and 1.5 ppm, respectively. The MTR asym peaks of pyruvate, 2-ketoglutarate, and ammonium hydroxide were at 1 ppm. The MTR asym peak values of reduced metabolites were higher than those of oxidized metabolites. When the B 1 value was 2 μT and the RF duration was 2 000 ms, the MTR asym signal of the renal cortex was (2.60±1.10) %, (2.86±1.32) %, (3.04±1.06) %, and (2.98±0.91) % at 1, 3, 3.5, and 3.75 ppm, respectively. The MTR asym signal of the outer medulla was (1.00±0.56) %, (2.43±0.94) %, (2.29±0.88) % and (1.98±0.58) %, respectively. The MTR asym signal of the renal cortex was higher than that of the outer medulla, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=3.04, P=0.023; t=2.56, P=0.043; t=3.50, P=0.013; t=3.45, P=0.014). Conclusion:CEST imaging at 3.0 T MRI can be used to quantitatively evaluate redox metabolism of healthy rabbit kidneys in vitro model and normal experimental rabbits.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disease caused by the abnormal clonal proliferation of plasma cells, accounting for 10% of all hematologic cancers. In recent years, with the development and application of targeted drugs, a significant progress has been observed in the treatment methods of MM, but patients still face the challenges of relapse and drug resistance. Moreover, G protein-coupled receptor class C Group 5 member D (GPRC5D) is highly expressed in MM cells independently of B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and is a highly promising target following BCMA. Aside from emphasizing the therapeutic efficacy and safety of targeting GPRC5D for the treatment of MM, this study also provides a prospective view on the mechanisms of drug resistance and relapse associated with GPRC5D-targeted therapies, as well as the timing of sequential or combined treatment strategies involving the dual targeting of both GPRC5D and BCMA.

Objective:To investigate the effect of sodium tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate (STS) on pyroptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by H 2O 2 and its possible mechanism. Methods:From November 2021 to September 2022, HUVECs were used as the research subjects at Wuxi Ninth People’s Hospital. The experiment was divided into four groups: the blank control group (normal condition), blank + STS group, H 2O 2 group and H 2O 2 + STS group. When the cells reached 80% fusion, 500.00 μmol/L of H 2O 2 was added to H 2O 2 group and H 2O 2 + STS group for 3 hours, and then the medium containing 500.00 μmol/L H 2O 2 was removed. After that, the blank+ STS group and the H 2O 2+ STS group were each supplemented with 5.00 μg/ml of STS and co-cultured with HUVECs for 24 hours. CCK-8 was used to assess the impact of STS at various concentrations (0.00, 0.05, 0.50, 5.00, 50.00, 500.00 μg/ml) on the proliferation of HUVECs. DNA damage-positive cells were detected with TUNEL staining. The expression of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) was detected using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) to investigate the optimal concentration of pyroptosis induced by H 2O 2. A detection kit was used to measure the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by H 2O 2. The effect of STS on the migration and tube formation of HUVECs during pyroptosis was examined using a cell scratch test and a matrix gel tube formation test. The expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1, interleukin-18, and interleukin-1β were detected using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the concentrations at different time points, t-tests were used to compare data between two groups, and one-way ANOVA was used to compare data between multiple groups. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:STS below 50.00 μg/ml had no effect on the proliferation of HUVECs, while 500.00 μmol/L H 2O 2 had the most significant effect on inducing pyroptosis in HUVECs. TUNEL staining showed that compared with the control group, the number of TUNEL-positive cells in H 2O 2 group was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the H 2O 2+ STS group ( P>0.05). The results of ROS detection showed that compared with the H 2O 2 group, intracellular ROS levels in the H 2O 2+ STS group was significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). Cell scratch and tube formation in vitro experiments showed that compared with the control group, cell mobility and tube formation ability were significantly decreased in the H 2O 2 group (all P<0.01), and there was no statistical significance in the H 2O 2+ STS group (all P>0.05). RT-PCR and Western blotting results showed that, compared with the H 2O 2 group, the expression of pyroptosis-related factors in the H 2O 2+ STS group was significantly decreased (all P<0.05). Conclusion:STS can inhibit the excessive production of ROS, promote the cell migration and tubular formation of HUVECs after pyroptosis induction, and alleviate H 2O 2-induced pyroptosis of HUVECs, thereby promoting angiogenesis.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of 3.0 T glutamate chemical exchange saturation transfer (GluCEST) imaging in evaluating renal redox metabolism in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI).Methods:Rabbits in the IRI group ( n=56) underwent surgery by clamping the left renal artery for 45 min and then releasing to establish IRI. Rabbits in the sham group ( n=8) underwent the same operation without clamping the left renal artery. GluCEST MRI was performed before and at 1 h, 12 h, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, and 14 days after the operations, with eight rabbits in the IRI group sacrificed immediately after each scanning and eight in the sham group sacrificed at 14 days after scanning. The left kidneys were removed for histopathological examination and reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluorescence staining. Differences in the magnetic resonance ratio asymmetry (MTR asym) of the renal cortex and outer medulla among different groups were compared. Correlations between the MTR asym and ROS were analyzed. Results:The MTR asym of the renal cortex in the sham and IRI subgroups were higher than that of the outer medulla ( t=8.16, P<0.001; t=4.78, P=0.002; t=4.94, P=0.002; t=5.76, P=0.001, t=6.68, P<0.001; t=6.40, P<0.001; t=5.16, P=0.001; t=3.30, P=0.013). The MTR asym of the renal cortex and outer medulla in the IRI-1h, IRI-12h, IRI-1d, IRI-3d, IRI-7d, and IRI-14d groups were lower than in the sham and IRI-pre groups (all P<0.05). The MTR asym of the renal cortex and outer medulla in the IRI-1h group were lower than in the IRI-12h, IRI-1d, IRI-3d, IRI-7d, and IRI-14d groups (all P<0.05). The MTR asym of the renal cortex in the IRI-12h group was lower than in the IRI-7d and IRI-14d groups (1.84%±0.09% vs.2.42%±0.19%, 2.41%±0.31%, all P<0.05). The MTR asym of the renal cortex in the IRI-1d group was lower than in the IRI-7d group (1.99%±0.17% vs. 2.42%±0.19%, P=0.008). The MTR asym of the outer medulla in the IRI-12h group was lower than in the IRI-3d, IRI-7d, and IRI-14d groups (1.32%±0.27% vs. 1.79%±0.31%, 1.98%±0.18%, 1.66%±0.40%, respectively, all P<0.05]. The MTR asym of the outer medulla in the IRI-7d group was higher than in the IRI-1d and IRI-14d groups (1.98%±0.18% vs. 1.52%±0.31%, 1.66%±0.40%, all P<0.05). The MTR asym of the renal cortex and outer medulla had a strong negative correlation with the mean fluorescence intensity of ROS ( ρ=-0.889, P<0.001; ρ=-0.784, P<0.001). Conclusion:3.0 T GluCEST imaging can indirectly reflect the changes of renal redox metabolism in renal IRI.

Objective: To summarize the characteristics of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) admitted at Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine. We compared the clinical characteristics and prognoses among patients with non-extramedullary disease (EMD), bone-related extramedullary (EM-B) disease, and extraosseous extramedullary (EM-E) disease and further explored the effects of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for EMD. Methods: From January 2015 to January 2022, data of 114 patients (22%) with EMD out of 515 patients with NDMM were retrospectively analyzed; 91 (18%) and 23 (4%) patients comprised the EM-B and EM-E groups, respectively. The clinical characteristics of patients in all groups were compared with the Chi-square test. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Independent prognostic factors were determined using multivariate Cox proportional hazard model. Results: There were no significant differences in age, gender, ISS stage, light chain, creatinine clearance, cytogenetic risk, 17p deletion, ASCT, and induction regimens among the three groups. Overall, 13% of EM-E patients had IgD-type M protein, which was significantly higher than that in EM-B patients (P=0.021). The median PFS of patients in the non-EMD, EM-B, and EM-E groups was 27.4, 23.1, and 14.0 months; the median OS was not reached, 76.8 months, and 25.6 months, respectively. The PFS (vs non-EMD, P=0.004; vs EM-B, P=0.036) and OS (vs non-EMD, P<0.001; vs EM-B, P=0.002) were significantly worse in patients with EM-E, while those were not significantly different between patients with EM-B and those with non-EMD. In the multivariate analysis, EM-E was an independent prognostic factor for OS in patients with NDMM (HR=8.779, P<0.001) and negatively impacted PFS (HR=1.874, P=0.050). In those who did not undergo ASCT, patients with EM-B had significantly worse OS than those with non-EMD (median 76.8 months vs. not reached, P=0.029). However, no significant difference was observed in the PFS and OS of patients with EM-B and those with non-EMD who underwent ASCT. Conclusions: Compared to patients with either non-EMD or EM-B, those with EM-E had the worst prognosis. EM-E was an independent risk factor for OS in patients with NDMM. ASCT can overcome the poor prognosis of EM-B.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; China ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Prognosis ; Transplantation, Autologous

Objective: To develop a quantitative evaluation software for three-dimensional morphology of pathological scars based on photo modeling technology, and to verify its accuracy and feasibility in clinical application. Methods: The method of prospective observational study was adopted. From April 2019 to January 2022, 59 patients with pathological scars (totally 107 scars) who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, including 27 males and 32 females, aged 33 (26, 44) years. Based on photo modeling technology, a software for measuring three-dimensional morphological parameters of pathological scars was developed with functions of collecting patients' basic information, and scar photography, three-dimensional reconstruction, browsing the models, and generating reports. This software and the clinical routine methods (vernier calipers, color Doppler ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, and elastomeric impression water injection method measurement) were used to measure the longest length, maximum thickness, and volume of scars, respectively. For scars with successful modelling, the number, distribution of scars, number of patients, and the longest length, maximum thickness, and volume of scars measured by both the software and clinical routine methods were collected. For scars with failed modelling, the number, distribution, type of scars, and the number of patients were collected. The correlation and consistency of the software and clinical routine methods in measuring the longest length, maximum thickness, and volume of scars were analyzed by unital linear regression analysis and the Bland-Altman method, respectively, and the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were calculated. Results: A total of 102 scars from 54 patients were successfully modeled, which located in the chest (43 scars), in the shoulder and back (27 scars), in the limb (12 scars), in the face and neck (9 scars), in the auricle (6 scars), and in the abdomen (5 scars). The longest length, maximum thickness, and volume measured by the software and clinical routine methods were 3.61 (2.13, 5.19) and 3.53 (2.02, 5.11) cm, 0.45 (0.28, 0.70) and 0.43 (0.24, 0.72) cm, 1.17 (0.43, 3.57) and 0.96 (0.36, 3.26) mL. The 5 hypertrophic scars and auricular keloids from 5 patients were unsuccessfully modeled. The longest length, maximum thickness, and volume measured by the software and clinical routine methods showed obvious linear correlation (with r values of 0.985, 0.917, and 0.998, P<0.05). The ICCs of the longest length, maximum thickness, and volume of scars measured by the software and clinical routine methods were 0.993, 0.958, and 0.999 (with 95% confidence intervals of 0.989-0.995, 0.938-0.971, and 0.998-0.999, respectively). The longest length, maximum thickness, and volume of scars measured by the software and clinical routine methods had good consistency. The Bland-Altman method showed that 3.92% (4/102), 7.84% (8/102), and 8.82% (9/102) of the scars with the longest length, maximum thickness, and volume respectively were outside the 95% consistency limit. Within the 95% consistency limit, 2.04% (2/98) scars had the longest length error of more than 0.5 cm, 1.06% (1/94) scars had the maximum thickness error of more than 0.2 cm, and 2.15% (2/93) scars had the volume error of more than 0.5 mL. The MAE and MAPE of the longest length, maximum thickness, and volume of scars measured by the software and clinical routine methods were 0.21 cm, 0.10 cm, 0.24 mL, and 5.75%, 21.21%, 24.80%, respectively. Conclusions: The quantitative evaluation software for three-dimensional morphology of pathological scars based on photo modeling technology can realize the three-dimensional modeling and measurement of morphological parameters of most pathological scars. Its measurement results were in good consistency with those of clinical routine methods, and the errors were acceptable in clinic. This software can be used as an auxiliary method for clinical diagnosis and treatment of pathological scars.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Asian People ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic/diagnostic imaging* ; Extremities ; Keloid/diagnostic imaging* ; Prospective Studies ; Adult

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication and an independent risk factor for death in patients with liver cirrhosis. Brain lactate level is associated with the progression and severity of HE, and research on brain lactate level may help to further explain the pathogenesis of HE. This article summarizes the metabolic process of brain lactate, the association between brain lactate level and HE, and the potential therapeutic targets for HE and provides a reference for clinicians to further systematically evaluate the progression, treatment outcome, and prognosis of patients with HE, in order to reduce the medical burden of patients and improve the prognosis of patients with HE.