ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma polysaccharides on hyperlipidemia in mice by modulating the gut microbiota. MethodsNinety male C57BL/6J mice were randomized into the following groups （n=15）： control， model， simvastatin， low- （100 mg·kg^-1）， medium- （200 mg·kg^-1）， and high-dose （400 mg·kg^-1） Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma polysaccharides groups. Other groups except the control group were fed with a high-fat diet for the modeling of hyperlipidemia， and drug interventions lasted for 12 weeks. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The pathological changes in the liver and epididymal fat were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining， and lipid accumulation in the liver was assessed by oil red O staining. The gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited an increase in body weight （P<0.01）， along with marked elevations in serum levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Furthermore， the model group showcased increase in the liver index and epididymal fat coefficient （P<0.05）， increased liver fat accumulation， enlargement of adipocytes in the epididymal fat， decreases in both alpha and beta diversity of the gut microbiota， and an increase in the relative abundance of Allobaculum （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma polysaccharides suppressed the increase in body weight （P<0.01）， lowered the serum levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C （P<0.05，P<0.01）， reduced the liver index and epididymal fat coefficient （P<0.05）， alleviated liver fat accumulation， and decreased the size of adipocytes in the epididymal fat. Furthermore， it enhanced the alpha and beta diversity of the gut microbiota in mice， reduced the relative abundance of Allobaculum， Erysipelotrichaceae， and Clostridium （P<0.01）， and increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Blautia （P<0.01）. ConclusionPolygonati Odorati Rhizoma polysaccharides can ameliorate hyperlipidemia induced by a high-fat diet in mice by regulating the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota.

To clarify the causal factors of a case with severe Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia in Jiujiang District， Jiangxi Province and provide a scientific basis for effective prevention and control. Basic information and epidemiological data of the case were collected by epidemiological survey， and the samples from the close contacts and environment were collected for pathogen detection. A 37-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital due to "fever with cough for five days and worsening dyspnea". The results of targeted next-generation sequencing （tNGS） of pathogenic microorganisms in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the case indicated that the patient was infected with Chlamydia psittaci. Our epidemiological investigation revealed a clear history of chicken and duck exposure. Four throat swab samples of close contacts and one spleen， liver and lung sample of sick chicken and duck were collected for testing. One of the duck tissue samples tested positive， while the other samples were negative. The severe pneumonia was likely caused by exposure to the external environment contaminated by Chlamydia psittaci. Poultry farming should be regulated to prevent the transmission infection from poultry to humans．Additionally， awareness among medical staff should be increased to prevent severe outcomes．

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Tanreqing injection combined with Ceftazide on the clinical efficacy， lung function， and laboratory inflammatory index of patients suffering from phlegm heat obstructing lung syndrome in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （AECOPD）. MethodFrom June 2021 to June 2023， 76 patients diagnosed with phlegm heat obstructing lung syndrome in AECOPD were enrolled in the respiratory and critical medical department of Jieshou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. They were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group with 38 cases each. The control group used Ceftazidime intravenous drip and other conventional oxygen inhalation and antispasmodic treatment measures of western medicine. The observation group received Tanreqing injection intravenous drip based on the treatment of the control group， with a course of 10 days. The changes of laboratory indicators such as hs-CRP， calcitonin （PCT）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） before and after treatment were analyzed， and the improvement of forced expiratory volume in the first second （FEV₁）， forced vital capacity （FVC）， one second rate （FEV₁/FVC）， assessment and improvement of the British Medical Research Society’s dyspnea index （mMRC）， self-evaluation test of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients （CAT）， and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score was compared. In addition， the total effective rate between the two groups after treatment was compared. ResultAfter treatment， the hs-CRP， PCT， IL-6， FEV₁， FVC， FEV₁/FVC， mMRC， CAT scores， and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome evaluation of both groups improved （P<0.01）. After treatment， compared with the control group， the observation group showed more significant improvements in hs-CRP， PCT， IL-6， FEV₁， FVC， FEV₁/FVC， mMRC， CAT scores， and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome evaluation， and the difference was statistically significant （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The total clinical effective rate of the control group was 86.84% （33/38）， while that of the observation group was 94.74% （36/38）. The therapeutic effect of the observation group was better than that of the control group （χ²=8.471， P<0.05）. ConclusionTanreqing injection combined with Ceftazidime has obvious efficacy in the treatment of phlegm heat obstructing lung syndrome in AECOPD， which is better than the treatment of Ceftazidime antibiotics alone. It can reduce the risk of acute exacerbation， alleviate clinical symptoms， and delay the decline of lung function.

Objective:Trigeminal neuralgia(TN)is a severe chronic neuropathic pain that mainly affects the distribution area of the trigeminal nerve with limited treating efficacy.There are numerous treatments for TN,but currently the main clinical approach is to suppress pain by carbamazepine(CBZ).Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)is closely related to chronic pain.This study aims to determine the effects of CBZ treatment on BDNF expression in both the trigeminal ganglion(TG)and serum of TN via a chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve(ION-CCI)rat model. Methods:The ION-CCI models were established in male Sprague-Dawley rats and were randomly divided into a sham group,a TN group,a TN+low-dose CBZ treatment group(TN+20 mg/kg CBZ group),a TN+medium-dose CBZ treatment group(TN+40 mg/kg CBZ group),and a TN+high-dose CBZ treatment group(TN+80 mg/kg CBZ group).The mechanical pain threshold in each group of rats was measured regularly before and after surgery.The expressions of BDNF and tyrosine kinase receptor B(TrkB)mRNA in TGs of rats in different groups were determined by real-time PCR,and the expression of BDNF protein on neurons in TGs was observed by immunofluorescence.Western Blotting was used to detect the protein expression of BDNF,TrkB,extracellular regulated protein kinases(ERK),and phospho-extracellular regulated protein kinases(p-ERK)in TGs of rats in different groups.The expression of BDNF in the serum of rats in different groups was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Results:The results of mechanical pain sensitivity showed that there was no significant difference in the mechanical pain threshold in the right facial sensory area of the experimental rats in each group before surgery(all P>0.05).From the 3rd day after operation,the mechanical pain threshold of rats in the TN group was significantly lower than that in the sham group(all P<0.01),and the mechanical pain threshold of rats in the TN+80 mg/kg CBZ group,the TN+40 mg/kg CBZ group,and the TN+20 CBZ mg/kg group was higher than that in the TN group(all P<0.05).The BDNF and TrkB mRNA and protein expressions in TGs of rats in the TN group were higher than those in the sham group(all P<0.05),and those in the TN+80 mg/kg CBZ group,the TN+40 mg/kg CBZ group,and the TN+20 mg/kg CBZ group were lower than the TN group(all P<0.05).The p-ERK levels in TG of rats in the TN+80 mg/kg CBZ group,the TN+40 mg/kg CBZ group,and the TN+20 mg/kg CBZ group were significantly decreased compared with the TN group(all P<0.05).The BDNF and neuron-specific nuclear protein(NeuN)were mainly co-expressed in neuron of TGs in the TN group and they were significantly higher than those in the sham group(all P<0.05).The co-labeled expressions of BDNF and NeuN in TGs of the TN+ 80 mg/kg CBZ group,the TN+40 mg/kg CBZ group,and the TN+20 mg/kg CBZ group were lower than those in the TN group(all P<0.05).The results of ELISA showed that the level of BDNF in the serum of the TN group was significantly higher than that in the sham group(P<0.05).The levels of BDNF in the TN+80 mg/kg CBZ group,the TN+40 mg/kg CBZ group,and the TN+20 mg/kg CBZ group were lower than those in the TN group(all P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that the BDNF level in serum was negatively correlated with mechanical pain threshold(r=-0.650,P<0.01). Conclusion:CBZ treatment can inhibit the expression of BDNF and TrkB in the TGs of TN rats,reduce the level of BDNF in serum of TN rats and the phosphorylation of ERK signaling pathway,so as to inhibit TN.The serum level of BDNF can be considered as an indicator for the diagnosis and prognosis of TN.

Objective To explore the effect of Endoanal advancement flap(ERAF)and transanal opening of interphincteric space(TROPIS)in the treatment of complex anal fistula and their impact on anorectal pressure,so as to provide a reference for clinical selection of surgical methods.Methods Eighty-four patients with complex anal fistula admitted from October 2018 to October 2022 were divided into group E received ERAF treatment(n=48)and group T received TROPIS treatment(n=36).The clinical efficacy,operation,wound surface and anorectal pressure of the two groups were compared.Results The effective rate of treatment in Group T was 97.22％,which was higher than that in Group E(87.50％),with no statistically significant difference(P＞0.05).The surgical time[(31.53 ±7.29)minutes],intraoperative bleeding volume[(29.56±7.37)ml],and wound area[(10.03± 0.96)cm2,(8.76±0.87)cm2,(6.20±0.77)cm2]on the day of surgery,7 and 14 days after surgery in Group T were all smaller than those in Group E[(35.36±8.54)min,(36.86±8.04)ml,(12.09± 1.23)cm2,(10.52±1.09)cm2 and(7.36±0.85)cm2](P＜0.05).After surgery,the VAS score and Wexner incontinence score of Group T were(1.38±0.27)and(0.21±0.08),respectively.Group E was(1.56±0.29)and(0.33±0.09),respectively.In group T,the anorectal systolic pressure at 20 mm and 30 mm and the anorectal resting pressure at 20 mm and 30 mm were(138.18±29.58)mmHg,(136.22±35.41)mmHg,(35.47±6.58)mmHg,and(32.97±8.01)mmHg,respectively.In Group E,the data was(152.78±31.53)mmHg,(156.29±32.74)mmHg,(38.29±7.62)mmHg and(36.41±7.63)mmHg,respectively.Both groups showed a decrease in score and anorectal pressure,and group T was lower than group E(P＜0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions in Group E was 20.83％,which was higher than that in Group T(11.11％),but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion TROPIS has a better effect in the treatment of complex anal fistula,which can shorten the operation time,reduce intraoperative bleeding,reduce postoperative pain,and protect anal function.

Objective:To explore the experience and learning curve of single-line suspension suction rod-assisted hybrid cavity-building thyroid surgery via the oral vestibular approach.Methods:Clinical data of 138 patients undergoing single-line suspension suction rod-assisted hybrid cavity-building thyroid surgery via oral vestibular approach from Sep. 2019 to Dec. 2021 in the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College were retrospectively analyzed. The cumulative sum (CUSUM) method and best-fit curve analysis were used to compare the differences in each index such as operative time, intraoperative bleeding, number of lymph nodes cleared in the central region and postoperative related complications at various stages of the learning curve.Results:All 138 patients underwent single-line suspension rod-assisted hybrid cavity-building thyroid surgery via the oral vestibular approach, and one patient was converted to open surgery due to large intraoperative bleeding in the mass. There were 14 males and 124 females, mean age (36.07±8.49) years (20-55 years), thyroid tumor size (7.74±6.49) mm (2.4-50mm), 5 cases underwent Subtotal thyroidectomy, 129 cases underwent Unilateral lobectomy + lymph node dissection in the middle region, and 4 cases total thyroidectomy + central zone lymph node dissection. The number of surgical cases corresponding to the apex of the CUSUM learning curve was 45, and the learning curve was divided into two stages: the learning improvement stage (1-45 cases) and the mastery stage (46-138 cases). The operative time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hospital stay, and chin numbness were all lower in the proficiency period than in the learning and training period ( P<0.05), and the number of lymph nodes cleared in the central region was larger than that in the learning and improvement stage ( P<0.05), while the differences in other indexes between the two stages were not statistically significant ( P>0.05) . Conclusion:The single-line suspension suction rod-assisted hybrid cavity-building thyroid surgery via the oral vestibular approach has clinical application value and is worth promoting, and the number of surgical cases to be accumulated to master this technique is 45.

Objective To investigate the value of multiparametric CT features for predicting the risk classification of gastric stro-mal tumor(GST).Methods The clinical data from 139 patients with GST were retrospectively collected.According to the patho-logical risk results,the patients were divided into two groups:a low-risk GST group(including very low-and low-risk)with 75 patients and a high-risk GST group(including medium and high-risk)with 64 patients.The CT features between low-risk GST group and high-risk GST group were compared using chi-squared test or t-test.The risk factors of high-risk GST were identified by univariate analysis.The prediction models were built by multivariate logistic regression.The performance of models were evaluated by receiver oper-ating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results There were significant differences in the maximum tumor diameter,minimum tumor diameter,arterial phase enhancement degree,venous phase enhancement rate,arterial phase enhancement degree rate,venous phase enhance-ment degree rate,cystic,and necrosis between low-risk GST group and high-risk GST group,which were associated with the risk classification of GST.The area under the curve(AUC)of the quantitative features-based model that combined maximum tumor diam-eter,minimum tumor diameter,arterial phase enhancement degree,venous phase enhancement rate,arterial phase enhancement degree rate and venous phase enhancement degree rate,showed a significantly higher performance than the qualitative features-based model that incorporated cystic and necrosis(0.981 vs 0.850,P<0.001).Conclusion Maximum tumor diameter,minimum tumor diameter,arterial phase enhancement degree,venous phase enhancement rate,arterial phase enhancement degree rate,venous phase enhance-ment degree rate,as well as cystic and necrosis,are associated with the risk classification of GST and can predict the high-risk GST.

BACKGROUND:High-methionine diet can cause liver injury in Cbs+/-mice,and hyperhomocystinemia is related to the occurrence and progression of various liver-related diseases,such as hepatic steatosis,autoimmune hepatitis,and alcoholic fatty liver disease.MicroRNAs(miRNAs)are involved in various cellular processes including cell survival,differentiation and autophagy,which are of great significance. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the critical role of miR-144-3p on Cbs+/-mouse hepatocyte autophagy induced by high methionine die. METHODS:(1)Ten male cystathione-β-synthase normal(Cbs+/+)mice and another 10 male mice with single gene knockout(Cbs+/-)of similar body mass,4 weeks of age,were fed a high-methionine diet and executed after 12 weeks to take liver tissue.(2)Human hepatocytes(HL-7702)were cultured in vitro and divided into control[0 μmol/L homocysteine(Hcy)],Hcy(100 μmol/L Hcy),mimic-NC(transfected with mimic-NC),mimic-NC + Hcy(mimic-NC transfecton+100 μmol/L Hcy),miR-144-3p mimic(transfected with miR-144-3p mimic),and miR-144-3p mimic + Hcy(miR-144-3p mimic transfection+100 μ mol/L Hcy),inhibitor-NC(transfected with inhibitor-NC),inhibitor-NC + Hcy(inhibitor-NC transfection + 100 μmol/L Hcy),miR-144-3p inhibitor(transfected with miR-144-3p inhibitor),and miR-144-3p inhibitor + Hcy(miR-144-3p inhibitor transfection + 100 μmol/L Hcy).Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-144-3p in liver tissue and hepatocytes.After transfection of miR-144-3p mimic or inhibitor,quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were used to detect the transfection efficiency of miR-144-3p and its effect on the expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3B and p62.The levels of alanine transferase and aspartate aminotransferase in hepatocyte supernatants were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.The correlation between the expression of miR-144-3 in hepatocyte and the levels of alanine transferase and aspartate aminotransferase in hepatocyte supernatants were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the Cbs+/+ group and control group,the expression of miR-144-3p in the liver tissue of the Cbs+/-group and in hepatocytes of the Hcy group was decreased(P<0.01).The expression of LC3B-Ⅱ/Ⅰ was decreased in hepatocyte after transfection of miR-144-3p mimic,while the protein expression of p62 was increased(P<0.01).The opposite results were obtained after transfection of miR-144-3p inhibitor(P<0.01).Compared with the mimic-NC group,the levels of alanine transferase and aspartate aminotransferase were decreased in the miR-144-3p mimic group(P<0.01),while the opposite results were obtained in the inhibitor-NC group(P<0.01).The expression of miR-144-3p in hepatocytes was negatively correlated with the levels of alanine transferase(P<0.01,r=-0.887 6)and aspartate aminotransferase(P<0.01,r=-0.829 9)in the supernatant of hepatocytes.To conclude,Hcy promotes hepatocyte autophagy by inhibiting the expression of miR-144-3p,which subsequently aggravates liver injury.

According to the codon characteristics of the prokaryotic system,we synthesized the optimized Rv2628c-Rv1737c nucleic acid sequence and constructed the expression plasmid pET24a-Rv2628c-Rv1737c.After sequencing,expression in E.coli was induced.The fusion protein was found in inclusion bodies.After renaturation and affinity chromatography purifi-cation,the Rv2628c-Rv1737c recombinant protein,with a molecular weight of 57 kDa and a purity exceeding 90％,was ob-tained.The recombinant protein was used to stimulate PBMC cells from different patients,and the differences in IFN-γ mRNA expression were analyzed with q-PCR.The Rv2628c-Rv1737c fusion protein stimulated patients with TB,particularly latent TB infection(LTBI).The level of IFN-γ mRNA in PBMC cells was higher than that in healthy controls(P＜0.05).Mice immu-nized with BCG+Rv2628c-Rv1737c/DMT showed significant induction of high levels of IgG antibodies.Rv2628c-Rv1737c re-combinant protein,as a latent infection antigen,is recognized by PBMCs cells infected with TB,with strong immunogenicity,and thus may serve as a potential TB subunit vaccine target antigen.This protein may be used to prevent TB infection,particu-larly latent infection,and to perform laboratory diagnosis.

Objective:To investigate the clinical practicability of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titrated by lung stretch index (SI) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Methods:A parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted. Patients with moderate to severe ARDS who required mechanical ventilation admitted to the department of critical care medicine of General Hospital of the Yangtze River Shipping from August 2022 to February 2023 were enrolled. They were randomly divide into SI guided PEEP titration group (SI group) and pressure-volume curve (P-V curve) inspiratory low inflection point (LIP) guided PEEP titration group (LIP group). All patients were ventilated in a supine position after admission, with the head of the bed raised by 30°. The primary disease was actively treated, prone position ventilation for 12 h/d, and lung protective ventilation strategies such as controlled lung expansion were used for lung recruitment. On this basis, mechanical ventilation parameters were titrated with SI in the SI group; the LIP group titrated mechanical ventilation parameters with P-V curve inspiratory LIP+2 cmH 2O (1 cmH 2O ≈ 0.098 kPa). The oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2), and respiratory mechanics indicators such as lung dynamic compliance (Cdyn), peak airway pressure (Pip) were monitored before recruitment maneuver and after 1, 3, and 5 days of treatment. The therapeutic effect of the two groups was compared. Results:There were 41 patients in the SI group and 40 patients in the LIP group. There was no significant difference in general information such as gender, age, and disease type between the two groups. The mechanical ventilation time and the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay in the SI group were significantly shorter than those in the LIP group (days: 9.47±3.36 vs. 14.68±5.52, 22.27±4.68 vs. 27.57±9.52, both P < 0.05). Although the 28-day mortality of the SI group was lower than that of the LIP group, the difference was not statistically significant [19.5% (8/41) vs. 35.0% (14/40), P > 0.05]. On the fifth day, the PaO 2/FiO 2 was higher in SI group [mmHg (1 mmHg≈0.133 kPa): 225.57±47.85 vs. 198.32±31.59, P < 0.05], the Cdyn was higher in SI group (mL/cmH 2O: 47.39±6.71 vs. 35.88±5.35, P < 0.01), the Pip was lower in SI group (mmHg: 35.85±5.77 vs. 43.87±6.68, P < 0.05). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed no statistically significant difference in the 28 days cumulative survival rate between the two groups (Log-Rank: χ2 = 2.348, P = 0.125). Conclusion:The application of SI titration with PEEP in the treatment of ARDS patients may improve their prognosis.