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Abstract Background The interplay between atrial fibrillation (AF) and obesity on mortality in critically ill patients warrants detailed exploration, given their individual impacts on patient prognosis. This study aimed to assess the associations between AF, obesity, and 1-year mortality in a critically ill population. Methods Utilizing data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV database, we conducted a retrospective analysis of adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit. The primary endpoint was 1-year mortality, analyzed through Cox regression with hazard ratio (HR) and Kaplan-Meier survival methods. Results The study included 25,654 patients (median age 67.0 years, 40.6% female), with 39.0% having AF and 36.1% being obese. Multivariate COX regression analysis revealed that AF was associated with a 14.7% increase in the risk of 1-year mortality (p

Abstract Background Most cancer disability-adjusted life year (DALY) studies worldwide have used broad, generic disability weights (DWs); however, differences exist among populations and types of cancers. Using breast cancer as example, this study aimed to estimate the population-level DALYs in females in China and the impact of screening as well as applying local DWs. Methods Using multisource data, a prevalence-based model was constructed. (1) Overall years lived with disability (YLDs) were estimated by using numbers of prevalence cases, stage-specific proportions, and local DWs for breast cancer. Numbers of females and new breast cancer cases as well as local survival rates were used to calculate the number of prevalence cases. (2) Years of life lost (YLLs) were estimated using breast cancer mortality rates, female numbers and standard life expectancies. (3) The prevalence of and mortality due to breast cancer and associated DALYs from 2020 to 2030 were predicted using Joinpoint regression. (4) Assumptions considered for screening predictions included expanding coverage, reducing mortality due to breast cancer and improving early-stage proportion for breast cancer. Results In Chinese females, the estimated number of breast cancer DALYs was 2251.5 thousand (of 17.3% were YLDs) in 2015, which is predicted to increase by 26.7% (60.3% among those aged ≥ 65 years) in 2030 (2852.8 thousand) if the screening coverage (25.7%) stays unchanged. However, if the coverage can be achieved to 40.7% in 2030 (deduced from the “Healthy China Initiative”), DALYs would decrease by 1.5% among the screened age groups. Sensitivity analyses found that using local DWs would change the base-case values by ~ 10%. Conclusion Estimates of DALYs due to breast cancer in China were lower (with a higher proportion of YLDs) than Global Burden of Disease Study numbers (2527.0 thousand, 8.2% were YLDs), suggesting the importance of the application of population-specific DWs. If the screening coverage remains unchanged, breast cancer-caused DALYs would continue to increase, especially among elderly individuals.

Abstract Background Benchmark data on the population-level economic burden are critical to inform policymakers about liver cancer control. However, comprehensive data in China are currently limited. Methods A prevalence-based approach from a societal perspective was used to quantify the annual economic burden of liver cancer in China from 2019 to 2030. Detailed per-case data on medical/non-medical expenditure and work-loss days were extracted from a multicenter survey. The numbers/rates of new/prevalent cases and deaths, survival, and population-related parameters were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 and the literature. All expenditure data were reported in both 2019 Chinese Yuan (CNY) and United States dollar (US$, for main estimations). Result The overall economic burden of liver cancer was estimated at CNY76.7/US$11.1 billion in China in 2019 (0.047% of the local GDP). The direct expenditure was CNY21.6/US$3.1 billion, including CNY19.7/US$2.9 billion for medical expenditure and CNY1.9/US$0.3 billion for non-medical expenditure. The indirect cost was CNY55.1/US$8.0 billion (71.8% of the overall burden), including CNY3.0/US$0.4 billion due to disability and CNY52.0/US$7.5 billion due to premature death. The total burden would increase to CNY84.2/US$12.2 billion, CNY141.7/US$20.5 billion, and CNY234.3/US$34.0 billion in 2020, 2025, and 2030, accounting for 0.102%, 0.138%, and 0.192% of China's GDP, respectively. However, if China achieves the goals of Healthy China 2030 or the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals for non-communicable diseases, the burden in 2030 would be

BackgroundChronic calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are indicated in children with idiopathic/heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH/HPAH) and positive response to acute vasodilator challenge. However, minimal safety data are available on the long-term high-dose exposure to CCBs in this population.MethodsPatients aged 3 months to 18 years who were diagnosed with IPAH/HPAH and treated with CCB in the past 15 years were retrospectively reviewed. The maximum tolerated dose and the long-term safety of high-dose CCBs on the cardiovascular and noncardiovascular systems were assessed.ResultsThirty-two eligible children were enrolled in the study, with a median age of 9 (6–11) years old. Thirty-one patients were treated with diltiazem after diagnosis. The median maximum tolerated dose was 12.9 (9.8–16.8) mg/kg/day. Children younger than 7 years used higher doses than children in the older age group, 16.4 (10.5–28.5) mg/kg/day vs. 12.7 (6.6–14.4) mg/kg/day, P < 0.05. Patients were followed up for a median period of 6.2 (2.6–10.8) years. One patient died from a traffic accident, and others showed a stable or improved WHO functional class status. Thirteen (40.6%) and 10 (31.3%) patients developed arrhythmias and hypotension. Nine (28.1%) patients had sinus bradycardia, five (21.9%) had first-degree or second-degree type II atrial-ventricular blocks, and two (6.3%) had second-degree type II atrial-ventricular blocks. Most of these arrhythmias were transient and relieved after CCB dose adjustment. The most reported noncardiovascular adverse effect was gingival hyperplasia (13, 40.6%), accompanied by different degrees of dental dysplasia. No liver or kidney dysfunction was reported.ConclusionDiltiazem was used in a very high dose for eligible children with IPAH/HPAH. The toxicity of long-term CCB use on the cardiovascular system is mild and controllable. Clinicians should also monitor the noncardiovascular adverse effects associated with drug therapy.

ObjectiveTo explore the comparative clinical efficacy and safety outcomes of anticoagulation before (pre-) or following (post-) thrombolytic therapy in systemic thrombolytic therapy for pulmonary embolism (PE).MethodsPubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, EBSCO, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases were searched from inception through 1 May 2021. All randomized clinical trials comparing systemic thrombolytic therapy vs. anticoagulation alone in patients with PE and those that were written in English were eligible. The primary efficacy and safety outcomes were all-cause mortality and major bleeding, respectively. Odds ratios (OR) estimates and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. A Bayesian network analysis was performed using R studio software, and then the efficacy and safety rankings were derived.ResultsThis network meta-analysis enrolled 15 trials randomizing 2,076 patients. According to the plot rankings, the anticoagulant therapy was the best in terms of major bleeding, and the post-thrombolysis anticoagulation was the best in terms of all-cause mortality. Taking major bleeding and all-cause mortality into consideration, the most safe–effective treatment was the post-thrombolysis anticoagulation in patients who needed thrombolytic therapy. The net clinical benefit analysis comparing associated ICH benefits vs. mortality risks of post-thrombolysis anticoagulation demonstrated a net clinical benefit of 1.74%.ConclusionThe systemic thrombolysis followed by anticoagulation had a better advantage in all-cause mortality and major bleeding than the systemic thrombolysis before anticoagulation. The adjuvant anticoagulation treatment of systemic thrombolytic therapy should be optimized.

Sparse data are available on the female-specific features of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). We prospectively enrolled 160 consecutive female patients who were firstly diagnosed with CTEPH between 2013 and 2019 to explore their clinical phenotypes, treatment patterns, and long-term survival. The patients’ mean age was 54.7 ± 13.8 years, 70.6% provided a confirmed history of venous thromboembolism, 46 (28.8%) patients underwent pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), 65 (40.6%) received balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA), and 49 (30.6%) were treated with medical therapy alone. The patients were followed for a median of 51 (34–70) months; three patients were lost to follow-up, and twenty-two patients died. The estimated survival rates at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years were 98.1% (95% CI 96.0–100), 96.9% (95% CI 94.2–99.6), 85.1% (95% CI 78.1–92.2), and 76.2% (95% CI 65.2–87.2), respectively. After adjusting for the confounders, the results of the multivariate Cox analysis showed that the presence of anemia (5.56, 95% CI 1.6–19.22) was associated with an increased risk of all-cause death, and compared with medical treatment, receiving PEA and BPA decreased the risk of death by 74% (0.26, 95% CI 0.07–0.97) and 86% (0.14, 95% CI 0.04–0.57), respectively. In conclusion, in the modern era of CTEPH treatment, invasive revascularization combined with targeted therapy display good clinical outcomes for females; anemia should be actively modified, which may lead to clinical improvements. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05360992).

Background: The association between anticoagulation outcomes and prior history of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) has not been established. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of anticoagulation treatment in CTEPH patients with and without prior history of VTE.Methods: A total of 333 CTEPH patients prescribed anticoagulants were retrospectively included from May 2013 to April 2019. The clinical characteristics were collected at their first admission. Incidental recurrent VTE and clinically relevant bleeding were recorded during follow-up. The Cox proportional regression models were used to identify potential factors associated with recurrent VTE and clinically relevant bleeding.Results: Seventy patients (21%) without a prior history of VTE did not experience recurrent VTE during anticoagulation. Compared to CTEPH patients without a prior history of VTE, those with a prior history of VTE had an increased risk of recurrent VTE [2.27/100 person-year vs. 0/100 person-year; hazard ratio (HR), 8.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.18–1142.00; P = 0.029] but a similar risk of clinically relevant bleeding (3.90/100 person-year vs. 4.59/100 person-year; HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.38–1.78; P = 0.623). Multivariate Cox analyses suggested that a prior history of VTE and interruption of anticoagulation treatments were significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrent VTE, while anemia and glucocorticoid use were significantly associated with a higher risk of clinically relevant bleeding.Conclusions: This study is the first to reveal that a prior history of VTE significantly increases the risk of recurrent VTE in CTEPH patients during anticoagulation treatment. This finding should be further evaluated in prospective studies.

Shock-driven hydrodynamic instabilities in a plasma usually lead to interfacial mixing and the generation of electromagnetic fields, which are nonequilibrium processes coupling kinetics with meso- and macroscopic dynamics. The understanding and modeling of these physical processes are very challenging tasks for single-fluid hydrodynamic codes. This work presents a new framework that incorporates both kinetics and hydrodynamics to simulate shock waves and hydrodynamic instabilities in high-density plasmas. In this hybrid code, ions are modeled using the standard particle-in-cell method together with a Monte Carlo description of collisions while electrons are modeled as a massless fluid, with the electron heat flux and fluid–particle energy exchange being considered in the electron pressure equation. In high-density plasmas, Maxwell’s equations are solved using Ohm’s law instead of Ampère’s law. This hybrid algorithm retains ion kinetic effects and their consequences for plasma interpenetration, shock wave propagation, and hydrodynamic instability. Furthermore, we investigate the shock-induced (or gravity-induced) turbulent mixing between a light and a heavy plasma, where hydrodynamic instabilities are initiated by a shock wave (or gravity). This study reveals that self-generated electromagnetic fields play a role in the formation of baroclinic vorticity along the interface and in late-time mixing of the plasmas. Our results confirm the ability of the proposed method to describe shock-driven hydrodynamic instabilities in a plasma, in particular, nonequilibrium processes that involve mixing and electromagnetic fields at the interface.

In proton radiography, degeneracy of electric and magnetic fields in deflecting the probe protons can prevent full interpretation of proton flux perturbations in the detection plane. In this paper, theoretical analyses and numerical simulations suggest that the contributions of the electric and magnetic fields can be separately obtained by analyzing the difference between the flux distributions of two discriminated proton energies in a single shot of proton radiography. To eliminate the influence of field evolution on the separation, a strategy is proposed in which slow field evolution is assumed or an approximate estimate of field growth is made. This could help achieve a clearer understanding of the radiographic process and allow further quantitative analysis.

Abstract T lymphocytes exhibit pro‐inflammatory or anti‐inflammatory activities in obesity and diabetes, depending on their subtypes. Guanidine‐rich immunosuppressive oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) effectively control Th1/Th2‐cell counterbalance. This study reveals a non‐toxic regulatory ODN (ODNR01) that inhibits Th1‐ and Th17‐cell polarization by binding to STAT1/3/4 and blocking their phosphorylation without affecting Th2 and regulatory T cells. ODNR01 improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in both diet‐induced obese (DIO) and genetically generated obese (ob/ob) mice. Mechanistic studies show that ODNR01 suppresses Th1‐ and Th17‐cell differentiation in white adipose tissue, thereby reducing macrophage accumulation and M1 macrophage inflammatory molecule expression without affecting M2 macrophages. While ODNR01 shows no effect on diabetes in lymphocyte‐free Rag1‐deficient DIO mice, it enhances glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in CD4+ T‐cell‐reconstituted Rag1‐deficient DIO mice, suggesting its beneficial effect on insulin resistance is T‐cell‐dependent. Therefore, regulatory ODNR01 reduces obesity‐associated insulin resistance through modulation of T‐cell differentiation.

Animal studies suggest that regulatory T (T(reg)) cells play a beneficial role in ventricular remodeling and our previous data have demonstrated defects of T(reg) cells in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, the mechanisms behind T(reg-)cell defects remained unknown. We here sought to elucidate the mechanism of T(reg-)cell defects in CHF patients.We performed flow cytometry analysis and demonstrated reduced numbers of peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+)CD45RO(-)CD45RA(+) naïve T(reg) (nT(reg)) cells and CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+)CD45RO(+)CD45RA(-) memory T(reg) (mT(reg)) cells in CHF patients as compared with non-CHF controls. Moreover, the nT(reg)/mT(reg) ratio (p

Background: Even with significant advancements, treating multiple myeloma (MM) remains difficult. At present, the main treatment methods include combined treatment of stem cell transplantation, drug treatment, etc. With the clarification of the molecular biological mechanism of MM, as well as the in-depth study of the internal signal of myeloma cells and the microenvironment of MM patients, more and more new drugs targeting myeloma and microenvironment are gradually used in clinical maintenance treatment, such as inhibit the proteosome: ixazomib, bortezomib and carfilzomib, immune - modulators: thalidomide and lenalidomide, monoclonal antibodies, etc. have made great progress in MM maintenance treatment. With the continuous development of proteasome inhibitor maintenance treatment in MM, the prognosis of the disease has been significantly improved. Our aim is to evaluate the effectiveness and adverse reactions of proteasome inhibitors in maintenance therapy for multiple myeloma, providing new ideas for clinical medication. Methods: Four databases containing randomized controlled studies on the effectiveness and safety of proteasome inhibitors in the maintenance therapy of multiple myeloma are retrieved by the computer. Once the quality of the literature has been thoroughly evaluated, run the data via the RevMan 5.3 software. Results: Eventually 8 studies were added in this systematic review. Compared with the placebo group, proteasome inhibitor in maintenance treatment of multiple myeloma patients with prolonged the survival without progression and overall existence. 5 studies reported the peripheral neuropathy of multiple myeloma in the treatment group compared to placebo group, which was remarkably greater (OR: 1.98; 95 % Cl: 1.35, 2.92; P

Abstract This study aimed to determine the values of the half‐effective dose (ED50) and 95% effective dose (ED95) of remimazolam besylate used in the procedural sedation of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Sixty patients who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this study were selected. Sufentanil was administered intravenously and remimazolam besylate was administered 2 min later. ERCP treatment was feasible when the modified alertness/sedation (MOAA/S) score was ≤2. If choking or movement occurred during duodenoscope placement, it was considered as a positive reaction. The dose was increased in the next patient; otherwise, it was considered as a negative reaction, and the dose was reduced in the next patient. The ED50 and ED95 values and 95% confidence interval (CI) of remimazolam besylate were calculated by Probit regression analysis. All 60 patients completed the trial. The ED50 and ED95 values of remimazolam besylate were 0.196 and 0.239 mg/kg, respectively, for the procedural sedation of ERCP. The time of MOAA/S score ≤ 2 was (82.58 ± 21.70) s, and the mean time of awakening was (9.03 ± 5.64) min. Transient hypotension was observed in two patients without medical intervention. The ED50 and ED95 values of remimazolam besylate used in the procedural sedation of ERCP were 0.196 and 0.239 mg/kg, and the dose of the medications has definite efficacy and good safety.

Abstract Patients with internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) usually report headache, neck pain, Horner's syndrome, and ischemic stroke. Because the posterior cranial nerve is involved, some patients may show different forms of posterior cranial nerve paralysis. There have been no reports of patients with ICAD showing repeated hiccups. Here, to help clinicians identify ICAD early and gain a better understanding of the atypical manifestations of the disease, we report an atypical case of recurrent hiccup symptoms caused by ICAD.

Abstract The number of smoking patients receiving anesthesia and surgical treatment is increasing day by day. It will be useful for medical advancement to explore whether smoking is an independent risk factor for postoperative cognitive impairment. A double‐blind, parallel, and controlled study was conducted on 112 patients who fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in this study and planned to undergo painless gastroscopy under general anesthesia. The baseline mini‐mental state examination (MMSE) scores and basic information were collected. The changes in the MMSE scores after waking up and 3 days after anesthesia were observed, and the adverse events (respiratory adverse reactions, circulatory fluctuations, and adverse reactions, drug use, etc.) were analyzed by logistic regression. The baseline level of each group is consistent, which is worth studying. The MMSE score of the smoking group after anesthesia was significantly different from that of the control group (p

The existence and dynamics of stable quantized vortices is an important subject of quantum many-body physics. Spin–orbital-angular-momentum coupling (SOAMC), a special type of spin–orbit coupling, has been experimentally achieved to create vortices in atomic Bose–Einstein condensates (BEC). Here, we generalize the concept of SOAMC to a two-component polariton BEC and analyze the emergence and configuration of vortices under a finite-size circular pumping beam. We find that the regular configuration of vortex lattices induced by a finite-size circular pump is significantly distorted by the spatially dependent Raman coupling of SOAMC, even in the presence of a repulsive polariton interaction which can assist the forming of stable vortex configuration. Meanwhile, a pair of vortices induced by SOAMC located at the center of polariton cloud remains stable. When the Raman coupling is sufficiently strong and interaction is weak, the vortices spiraling in from the edge of polariton cloud will disrupt the polariton BEC.

Abstract Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common clinical manifestation that is a severe complication characterized by decreased learning ability and deterioration of memory following anesthesia and surgery. However, the precise mechanisms of POCD are not completely understood. Rats were divided into blank control group (Con, n = 12) and sevoflurane group (Sev, n = 12). Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate the ability of learning and memory in two groups of rats; immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of ion calcium‐binding adaptor molecule‐1 (Iba‐1) in rat prefrontal cortex (PFC); Western blot analysis was applied respectively to investigate Iba‐1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), arginase‐1 (ARG1), inflammatory cytokines interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) expression; The expression of iNOS, ARG1, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α in sera of rats was detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. We found that sevoflurane induced learning and memory impairment assessed by morris water maze test, anesthesia up‐regulated the expression of iNOS, IL‐1β and TNF‐α inflammasome in microglia, as indicated by increased activation of Iba‐1 and reduced the level of ARG1 in the PFC. We conclude that the cognitive function of rats after inhaling anesthesia was likely associated with M1/M2 polarization of microglia, which was triggered by sevoflurane.

This work was performed to determine the pharmacological effects of Bufei Jianpi granules on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its metabolism in rats.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), ranked as the third leading cause of death worldwide, is seriously endangering human health. At present, the pathogenesis of COPD is complex and unclear, and the drug treatment mainly aims to alleviate and improve symptoms; however, they cannot achieve the purpose of eradicating the disease. Bufei Jianpi granule (BJG) is a Chinese medicine developed by the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating COPD. This study focuses on the pharmacological effects of BJG on COPD and its metabolism in rats, aiming to provide a scientific basis for developing BJG against COPD. A total of 72 Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were divided into the blank group, model group, positive control group, and BJG groups (2.36, 1.18, and 0.59 g/kg). Except for the blank group, rats in other groups were administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS) combined with smoking for 6 weeks to establish the COPD model. After another 6 weeks of treatment, the therapeutic effect of BJG on COPD rats was evaluated. In the BJG (2.36 g/kg) group, the cough condition of rats was significantly relieved and the body weight was close to that of the blank group. Compared with the mortality of 16.7% in the model group, no deaths occurred in the BJG (2.36 g/kg) and (1.18 g/kg) groups. The lung tissue damage in the BJG groups was less than that in the COPD group. Compared with the model group, MV, PIF, PEF, and EF50 in the BJG groups were observably increased in a dose-dependent manner, while sRaw, Raw, and FRC were obviously decreased. Also, the contents of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, PGE2, MMP-9, and NO in the serum and BALF were lowered dramatically in all BJG groups. All indicators present an obvious dose–effect relationship. On this basis, the UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS technology was used to analyze characteristic metabolites in rats under physiological and pathological conditions. A total of 17 prototype and 7 metabolite components were detected, and the concentration of most components was increased in the COPD pathologic state. It is suggested that BJG has a pharmacological effect in the treatment of COPD and the absorption and metabolism of chemical components of BJG in rats exhibited significant differences under physiological and pathological conditions.

ObjectivesThe changes in metabolism by human adenovirus (HAdV) infection was unclear. The potential mechanism of HAdV-7 causing acute respiratory tract infection was explored.MethodsTotally 35 patients with HAdV-7 infection, 32 asymptomatic cases with HAdV-7 and 14 healthy controls were enrolled from an outbreak of HAdV-7 in the army. The serum samples were analyzed by untargeted and targeted metabolomics. The effects of differential metabolites were verified on HAdV-7 replication in an A549 cell line.ResultsThe untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed more significant changes in the classes of sphingolipids, polyketides, glycerolipids, fatty acyls, and carboxylic acids and their derivatives in the patients with HAdV-7 than in healthy controls. Two key metabolic pathways of secondary and primary bile acid biosynthesis were noted from pathway enrichment analysis. Targeted metabolomics analysis showed that the levels of unconjugated bile acids in the patients were significantly lower, while the levels of glyco- and tauro- conjugated bile acids in patients and asymptomatic cases were higher than those in the healthy controls. The profiles of cytokines and peripheral lymphocyte subsets obviously varied at different levels of bile acids, with significant differences after HAdV-7 infection. A cell verification test demonstrated that the replication of HAdV-7 significantly reduced when GCDCA and TCA were added.ConclusionBile acids inhibited HAdV-7 replication in vitro. Alterations in bile acids was metabolic signatures of HAdV-7 infected subjects, and our results suggested bile acids might play protective roles against HAdV-7 infection.

Background Neurogenic inflammation caused by sevoflurane may not only limite to the nervous system, but also expand to the respiratory system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression changes of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), neurokinin A (NKA), neurokinin B (NKB), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) in 14, 21 and 42‐day‐old rats after inhaling 0.4% sevoflurane, in order to evaluate whether the residual sevoflurane be harmful to the respiratory system through neurogenic inflammation. Methods The anesthetic inhalation device was designed to allow 14, 21 and 42‐day‐old rats inhale 0.4% sevoflurane, while rats in the control group inhaled 40% O2 for 1h. Rats in the antagonist group inhaled 0.4% sevoflurane or 40% O2 for 1 h after Capsazepine (CPZ) pretreatment. The expression of TRPV1 in lung tissue was detected by western blot, and the expression of NKA, NKB, CGRP and SP in trachea was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results After inhaling 0.4% sevoflurane, the expression of TRPV1 in lung tissue of 14 and 21‐day‐old rats was significantly higher than that of the control group, as well as increased the expression of CGRP and SP in the trachea of 14‐day‐old rats and NKA, NKB, CGRP and SP in the trachea of 21‐day‐old rats. CPZ pretreatment could antagonize these effects. Conclusion Residual sevoflurane during resuscitation of inhalation anesthesia could induce neurogenic inflammation by activating TRPV1, which damaged to the developing respiratory system, but has no significant effect on the respiratory system in adulthood.

Objective To collect and establish normal data of the brain regions of Diannan small‐ear (DSE pigs, basically throughout measuring and comparing computed tomography values of the barin. Methods 12 ordinary DSE pigs were divided into juvenile, adult, old groups based on the physiological ages (n=4) A SOMATOM Definition AS 64‐row 128‐slice 4D spiral CT scanner (SOMATOM Definition AS, Germany) was used to collect CT images of DSE pigs, record and analyze the scanning data. Results Compared with the juvenile group, the CT values of the right frontal lobe, right parietal lobe, right temporal lobe, left temporal lobe, and right occipital lobe were significantly higher in the elderly group. Compared with the adult group, the CT values of the right frontal lobe, left frontal lobe, right parietal lobe, right temporal lobe, left temporal lobe, and right occipital lobe of the elderly group were significantly higher. Conclusion The results of the study can be used to evaluate the changes in CT values of various brain regions in piglets of different ages and future pig head injury models or other studies that require CT‐based analysis.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) refers to one of the top 10 cancers in terms of morbidity and mortality globally, seriously influencing people’s lives. First recorded in Compendium of Materia Medica, liquidambaris fructus (LF) generates definite anti-liver tumor effect. However, its effective substances and mechanism remain to be elucidated.Methods: Serum pharmacochemistry and UPLC-QTOF-MS technologies were employed to explore the plasma of rats after intragastric administration of liquidambaris fructus extract (LFE) in order to find the active ingredients. Subsequently, DEN-induced rat liver cancer model was established with the purpose of investigating the anti-tumor activity of LFE from physiological, pathological and biochemical aspects. Finally, non-target metabonomics combined with q-PCR and Western blot methods were adopted for revealing the mechanism.Results: Totally 11 prototype blood transfused ingredients, including imperatorin and phellopterin were detected. LFE presents excellent impact on enhancing the quality of life, prolonging the life cycle, reducing inflammatory reaction, protecting hepatocytes, improving body immunity and killing liver tumor cells. Altogether 82 endogenous differential metabolites were found in metabonomics, suggesting that LFE can treat HCC by acting on key targets of PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway and fatty acid metabolism. Further research also verified that LFE can upregulate the relative expression levels of PTEN, PDCD4, Caspase 9, Caspase 3, Bax and Bad as well as lower the relative expression levels of PI3K, AKT, VEGFA and Bcl-2.Conclusion: This study revealed the pharmacodynamic material basis of LFE in the treatment of HCC, and from the perspective of metabolomics proved that the effects of inhibiting the growth of tumor cells, promoting tumor cell apoptosis, reducing inflammatory reaction, protecting hepatocytes, improving the survival state of tumor rats, and prolonging the life cycle are related to its impact on PTEN/PI3K/Akt, fatty acid metabolism and other key signal pathways.

One significant source of decoherence in superconducting circuits is known as two-level systems (TLSs), found in amorphous oxide layers. These circuits can, however, also be utilized as spectral and temporal TLS probes. Comprehensive investigations on the physics of TLSs are now possible thanks to recent advancements in superconducting qubits. Here, we simultaneously measure the tunable Xmon qubit decoherence time as well as the resonance frequency for more than 3 days to investigate stochastic fluctuations. Time-domain Allan deviation and frequency-domain power spectral density analysis indicate that two TLSs in near resonance with the qubit are responsible for the fluctuations. From the extracted oscillation in T1 decay, we locate the two TLSs near the junctions.

Abstract Background Our aim was to determine the relationship between the use of fluoroquinolones and the risk of aortic diseases. Methods PubMed, EMBASE and the Web of Science were searched from inception to July 6, 2019, to identify observational studies that evaluated the risk of aortic diseases associated in users of fluoroquinolones compared with nonusers or users of other antibiotics. The primary outcome was the first occurrence of aortic diseases. We used the GRADE approach to rate the strength of evidence. We used the inverse variance method random-effect model to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs, and statistical heterogeneity was assessed by the I 2 statistic. Results This meta-analysis enrolled 2,829,385 patients reported the relationship between fluoroquinolones and the risk of aortic diseases. Compared with nonusers or users of other antibiotics, users of fluoroquinolone had a significantly increased risk of aortic diseases (adjusted OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.65–2.68; P = .000, I 2 = 16.4%). The quality of evidence was moderate, and the number needed to harm (NNH) for aortic diseases among patients was estimated to be 1301. Conclusions The fluoroquinolone use in patients significantly increases the risk of new-onset aortic diseases. Clinicians need to pay attention to these severe adverse events when considering fluoroquinolone use.

Abstract Background Dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin-1 (Dectin-1) receptor has been reported to be involved in neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease and traumatic brain injury. The present study was designed to investigate the role of Dectin-1 and its downstream target spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) in early brain injury after ischemic stroke using a focal cortex ischemic stroke model. Methods Adult male C57BL/6 J mice were subjected to a cerebral focal ischemia model of ischemic stroke. The neurological score, adhesive removal test, and foot-fault test were evaluated on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after ischemic stroke. Dectin-1, Syk, phosphorylated (p)-Syk, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression was analyzed via western blotting in ischemic brain tissue after ischemic stroke and in BV2 microglial cells subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury in vitro. The brain infarct volume and Iba1-positive cells were evaluated using Nissl’s and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. The Dectin-1 antagonist laminarin (LAM) and a selective inhibitor of Syk phosphorylation (piceatannol; PIC) were used for the intervention. Results Dectin-1, Syk, and p-Syk expression was significantly enhanced on days 3, 5, and 7 and peaked on day 3 after ischemic stroke. The Dectin-1 antagonist LAM or Syk inhibitor PIC decreased the number of Iba1-positive cells and TNF-α and iNOS expression, decreased the brain infarct volume, and improved neurological functions on day 3 after ischemic stroke. In addition, the in vitro data revealed that Dectin-1, Syk, and p-Syk expression was increased following the 3-h OGD and 0, 3, and 6 h of reperfusion in BV2 microglial cells. LAM and PIC also decreased TNF-α and iNOS expression 3 h after OGD/R induction. Conclusion Dectin-1/Syk signaling plays a crucial role in inflammatory activation after ischemic stroke, and further investigation of Dectin-1/Syk signaling in stroke is warranted.