1.A further disscussion on the dialogue between medicine and art
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(15):2285-2289
The dialogue between medicine and art,which has evolved throughout the history of human civi-lization,illustrates the deep interconnection between science and humanities.While medicine preserves life health through rational thought and technological progress,art explores the essence of life through emotional expression.This article examines the common origins of medicine and art,the ways in which art inspires medical innovation,the application of art therapy in clinical settings,the representation of medicine in artistic creation,and the role of art education in medical training.Drawing on historical and contemporary case studies,this article revisits key moments in the integration of medicine and art,highlighting their joint contributions to the understanding of life,emotional healing,ethical reflection and cultivation of medical professionals.It underscores the importance of sustained interdisciplinary dialogue between these fields for advancing both human health and cultural development.
2.The effect of LCN2-mediated EGFR phosphorylation on inflammatory injury in human fallopian tube epi-thelial cells
Yaqiong XIA ; Yue ZHU ; Chengcheng JIANG ; Hongping TAN ; Yan ZHANG ; Ling LIU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(14):2174-2182
Objective To investigate the regulatory effect of lipocalin 2(LCN2)on epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)phosphorylation and its impact on inflammatory damage in human fallopian tube epithelial cells.Methods Human fallopian tube epithelial cells were isolated and a lipopolysaccharide(LPS)intervention was applied to establish an in vitro cell model.The cells were randomly assigned into the following groups:a blank control group(Control),a model group(Model),experimental groups(Model+si-LCN2 or Model+oe-LCN2),and negative control groups(Model+si-NC or Model+oe-NC).Changes in cell viability,apoptosis rates,inflam-matory levels,as well as the expression of EGFR mRNA,LCN2,EGFR,p-EGFR,and the ratio of p-EGFR/EGFR proteins were evaluated.Results Compared to the Model group,the Model+si-LCN2 group exhibited enhanced cell viability,a reduced apoptosis rate,and decreased expression of inflammatory factors(P<0.05).Immunopre-cipitation analysis confirmed a direct interaction between LCN2 and EGFR.In comparison with the Model group,the Model+oe-LCN2 group demonstrated elevated levels of p-EGFR and the p-EGFR/EGFR ratio(P<0.05),while no significant change was observed in total EGFR expression(P>0.05).Conclusion Inhibition of LCN2-mediated EGFR phosphorylation enhances cell viability,reduces apoptosis,and mitigates inflammatory responses,thereby ameliorating LPS-induced inflammatory injury in human fallopian tube epithelial cells.
3.Construction and validation of a risk prediction model for clinical characteristics of patients with chronic non-bacterial prostatitis
Yuhai QIAO ; Chunhua DU ; Xinhong ZHAO ; Xiaodong MENG ; Jianfei ZHANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(14):2224-2230
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with chronic abacterial pros-tafitis(CAP),the CAP related factors were analyzed,and a risk prediction model for CAP were constructed and validated.Methods The clinical dataes of 252 suspected CAP patients admitted to the hospital from June 2022 to December 2024 were collected,the patients were divided into modeling set(ni=177)and validation set(n=75)by 7∶3 ratio.Based on the modeling set dataes,the Lasso was used to screen CAP related predictive factors,a logistic multiple factor model was used to analyze the independent influence factors of CAP and a risk prediction model was constructed.The validation set patient dataes were used to plot ROC and DCA and validate the predic-tion model.Results There were 86 cases of CAP in the modeling set,accounting for 48.59%;32 cases of CAP in the validation set,accounting for 42.67%.The Logistic multiple regression analysis showed that BMI,waist to hip ratio,abnormal elevation of IL-8,COX-2,and PGE2 in prostate fluid were independent influence factors of CAP(P<0.05),a Nomogram column chart based on this was established.The ROC analysis showed that the sensitivity of the model for detecting CAP in the modeling and validation sets were 0.814 and 0.802,respectively,and the specificity were 0.673 and 0.703,respectively.The DCA analysis showed that the net benefit thresholds for model-ing and validation sets by column charts are 0.1~0.9 and 0.2~1.0,respectively.Conclusions The occurrence of CAP is related to the patient's BMI,waist to hip ratio,the levels of IL-8,COX-2,and PGE2 in prostate fluid.The predictive model established based on this is highly accurate and it can help for CAP screening.
4.Clinical efficacy of maxillary protraction combined with customized titanium plate in the treatment of skel-etal class Ⅲ malocclusion during growth period
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(14):2231-2236
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of maxillary protraction combined with custom-ized titanium plates in the treatment of skeletal Class Ⅲ malocclusion during the growth and development stage.Methods A total of 96 patients diagnosed with skeletal Class Ⅲ malocclusion who received treatment at our hospital between May 2021 and May 2023 were included in this study.Participants were randomly divided into two groups using a ball-drawing method:those assigned odd numbers were placed in the control group(n=48),while those assigned even numbers were allocated to the experimental group(n=48).The control group underwent max-illary protraction therapy alone,whereas the experimental group received maxillary protraction combined with cus-tomized titanium plate intervention.The two groups were evaluated and compared based on clinical effectiveness,facial soft tissue parameters(LL-EP,NLA,G-SnPg),hard tissue parameters[SNA(sella-nasion-A point angle),SNB(sella-nasion-B point angle),ANB(A point-nasion-B point angle),MP-SN(mandibular plane-SN angle),MP-FH(mandibular plane-Frankfort horizontal angle),A-OLP(vertical distance from A point to occlusal line plane),Pg-OLP(vertical distance from pogonion to OLP),and Y-axis angle],hyoid bone position,dental indica-tors(H-X,H-Y,H-MP,H-FH),and the incidence of adverse events.Results Following the intervention,the experimental group demonstrated a significantly higher overall efficacy rate compared to the control group(P<0.05).The LL-EP value was significantly lower in the experimental group(P<0.05);conversely,SNA,ANB,MP-SN,MP-FH,A-OLP,and the Y-axis angle were all significantly increased(P<0.05).Additionally,H-X and H-Y distances were notably shorter(P<0.05),while U1-NA was greater and overbite depth was reduced in comparison to the control group(P<0.05).No statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Maxillary protraction utilizing customized titanium plates can significantly improve clinical outcomes in patients with skeletal Class Ⅲ malocclusion,posi-tively affecting both craniofacial hard and soft tissue structures,hyoid bone positioning,and dental parameters,while maintaining a favorable safety profile.
5.Optimizing postoperative recovery efficiency through early-stage phased pulmonary rehabilitation in thora-coscopic surgery
Xi LI ; Xueling LIU ; Xiangling TAN ; Daoqi ZHU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(14):2237-2242
Objective To investigate the effects of early pulmonary rehabilitation training on lung function recovery,complication rates,and quality of life in patients who undergo thoracoscopic surgery.Methods A ran-domized controlled trial was conducted involving 132 patients who underwent thoracoscopic surgery between June 2020 and June 2023.Participants were randomly allocated to either an early pulmonary rehabilitation program(n=72)or a conventional rehabilitation program(n=60).The early intervention group commenced a staged rehabilitation protocol—including respiratory training and physical exercise—within 24 to 72 hours following surgery,whereas the conventional group received standard postoperative nursing care only.Outcomes measured included postoperative pulmonary function(FEV1,FVC),incidence of postoperative complications,length of hospi-tal stay,and quality of life scores(maximum score:40).These outcomes were compared between the two groups.Results On postoperative days 3 and 7,the early group showed significantly higher FEV1 values compared to the conventional group[(1.6±0.17)L vs.(1.3±0.21)L;(1.9±0.20)L vs.(1.6±0.11)L,respectively],as well as improved FVC measurements[(2.5±0.20)L vs.(2.1±0.14)L;(2.9±0.25)L vs.(2.3±0.23)L(all P<0.05)].The early intervention group also demonstrated a significantly lower overall complication rate(14.3%vs.33.3%,x2=6.79,P=0.009),including reduced incidences of atelectasis(6.9%vs.20.0%,P=0.031)and pulmonary infection(4.2%vs.13.3%,P=0.044).Additionally,patients in the early group had a shorter average hospital stay[(8.4±1.2)days vs.(10.9±2.3)days,P=0.018]and reported higher quality of life scores[(35.6±3.7)vs.(30.8±4.5),P=0.032].No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of the overall incidence of adverse events(23.6%vs.31.7%,x2=1.07,P=0.301).Conclusions Early pulmonary rehabilitation significantly facilitates the recovery of lung function,reduces the incidence of postoperative complica-tions,enhances quality of life,and demonstrates a favorable safety profile among patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery.Therefore,this intervention should be more broadly implemented in clinical practice to optimize postop-erative recovery outcomes.
6.Diagnostic value of high frequency ultrasonography in acute phase of peripheral facial paralysis
Xinyu JIAO ; Ying GUO ; Hongpeng LIU ; Pengyu ZHU ; Yu CAO ; Wei CHEN ; Hong HUO ; Dan XIE
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(14):2258-2263
Objective To investigate the changes of diameter of the main trunk of the extracranial segment of the facial nerve,local hemodynamics and facial muscle thickness in patients with peripheral facial palsy(PFP)at acute stage by high frequency ultrasound(HFUS).Methods Sixty patients with acute PFP were enrolled as the PFP group,and 30 healthy people were selected as the control group.The following facial param-eters were scanned and recorded using HFUS:diameter of the main trunk of the extracranial segment of the facial nerve(FN-d),facial artery diameter(FA-d),facial artery systolic velocity(FA-Vs),facial artery diastolic velocity(FA-Vd),facial artery resistance index(FA-RI),frontalis muscle thickness(FM-t),depressor anguli oris muscle thickness(DAO-t),and depressor labii inferioris muscle thickness(DLI-t).The feasibility of facial param-eters in the diagnosis of acute-phase peripheral facial palsy(PFP)was evaluated,with intra-group and inter-group variability comparisons performed.Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between acute-phase facial parameters and House-Brackmann(H-B)scale scores in PFP patients.Results(1)The H-B score of the PFP group was significantly lower than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).(2)The reliability of repeated measurements of facial parameters by different testers is good(ICC>0.75).(3)The FN-d and FA-RI values on the affected side of PFP group were higher than those on the healthy side and control group,and FA-Vs,FA-Vd,DAO-t and DLI-t values were lower than those on the healthy side and control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05).(4)The FN-d and FA-RI values of the affected side in the PFP group were negatively correlated with the H-S scale score(r=-0.847,P<0.05;r=-0.863,P<0.05);FA Vs,FA Vd,DAO-t,DLI-t are positively correlated with H-S scale scores(r=0.808,P<0.05;r=0.757,P<0.05;r=0.836,P<0.05;r=0.694,P<0.05).Conclusions HFUS can effectively detect the characteristic changes such as the increase in the diameter of the extrcranial facial nerve trunk,local microcircula-tion disturbance and facial muscle atrophy in patients with PFP in the acute stage,and the increase and decrease of FN-d,FA Vs,FA Vd,FA-RI,DAO-t,and DLI-t can accurately reflect the improvement or progress of PFP,which has important guiding significance for clinical disease monitoring and efficacy evaluation.
7.Clinical application of near-infrared spectroscopy in assisting the diagnosis of schizophrenia
Yong-gang MU ; Longyun CHEN ; Tongkuai CONG ; Xuxiu JING ; Suzhen ZHANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(14):2264-2268
Objective To investigate the functional brain characteristics of the frontal and bilateral tempo-ral regions during a verbal fluency task(VFT)in patients with stable schizophrenia using functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS),and to evaluate its potential clinical application in assisting the diagnosis of schizophrenia.Methods A total of 45 stable schizophrenia patients and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in the study.fNIRS was employed to assess brain activation patterns in the frontal and bilateral temporal lobes during the VFT.The integral values,centroid values,and slopes of the frontal and bilateral temporal lobes were measured.Differences in demographic characteristics,word count,and fNIRS-derived parameters between the two groups were analyzed.A logistic regression model and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis were conducted to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the fNIRS measures in distinguishing schizophrenia patients from healthy controls.Results During VFT,the patient group demonstrated reduced word count and decreased integral values and slopes in the frontal lobe,as well as lower integral values in the bilateral temporal lobes,compared to the healthy control group(all P<0.05).However,no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of frontal lobe centroid value,temporal lobe centroid value,or bilateral temporal lobe slope(all P>0.05).The logistic regression model indicated that the temporal lobe integral value was significantly associated with the diagnosis of schizophrenia(OR=0.979,P=0.005).ROC curve analysis revealed that the frontal lobe integral value,frontal lobe slope,and temporal lobe integral value exhibited acceptable discriminatory power for disease classification,with area under the curve(AUC)values of 0.681,0.644,and 0.779,respectively(all P<0.05).Conclusion In stable schizophrenia,the integral values of the frontal and temporal lobes,as well as the slope of the frontal lobe,decrease during the VFT,suggesting potential clinical utility in differentiating individuals with schizophrenia from healthy controls.
8.Research advances and challenges in tuberculosis-associated extracellular vesicle biomarkers
Jingwen LAI ; Yuchuan ZHAO ; Zhuhua WU ; Xunxun CHEN ; Kehao PENG ; Yuhui CHEN ; Ran WEI ; Xiaoyu LAI ; Jingyu WANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(14):2278-2284
Tuberculosis remains a significant global public health threat.Early diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial to combat this disease.Yet,traditional diagnostic methods for tuberculosis face limitations due to their low sensitivity,extended detection periods,and dependence on sputum samples.Molecular diagnostic techniques,while offering higher sensitivity,still primarily rely on sputum samples,thereby impeding significant advancements in tuberculosis diagnosis.In clinical settings,there exists a pressing demand for diagnostic approaches that are not solely reliant on sputum samples.In recent years,extracellular vesicles(EVs),as emerging biomarkers,have demonstrated substantial potential in various diseases,including tumors and infectious diseases.A multitude of studies indicate that EVs also exhibit potential in the field of tuberculosis.This review provides an in-depth analysis of the biological characteristics of EVs and their role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis.It systematically summarizes the progress and significance of EV-based biomarkers in tuberculosis diagnosis,treatment monitoring,and disease mechanism exploration,while addressing the challenges and future prospects in this field.The aim is to offer valuable insights and up-to-date research findings to researchers and clinicians engaged in tuberculosis-related studies.
9.Exploring the mechanism of acupotomy intervention on radicular inflammation in rabbit LDH model through ROS/NLRP3/Caspase-1 pyroptosis pathway
Qiang JIANG ; Yu DING ; Zhili DING ; Jiaheng HAN
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(14):2167-2173
Objective To investigate the role of the ROS/NLRP3/Caspase-1 pyroptosis signaling pathway in mediating the inflammatory response of nerve roots in a rabbit model of lumbar disc herniation(LDH)following acupotomy intervention.Methods Forty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to four groups:a blank control group(10 rabbits),a model control group(10 rabbits),an electroacupuncture intervention group(positive control group,10 rabbits),and an acupotomy intervention group(10 rabbits).The LDH nerve root inflammatory response model was established in the model control group,electroacupuncture intervention group,and acupotomy intervention group using the classical autologous nucleus pulposus transplantation method.Following successful model establishment,corresponding interventions were administered.Dorsal root ganglion tissues were then collected for analysis.Reactive oxygen species levels were assessed using fluorescent probe staining.The expression of NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins(NLRP3,ASC,GSDMD-N,and Caspase-1)was evaluated by Western blot.Mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening was assessed via Calcein AM staining.Results The comparison of relative fluorescence intensity of reactive oxygen species in dorsal root ganglion tissue among the groups indicated that the model control group exhibited significantly higher levels compared to the blank control group(P<0.05).Both the electroacupuncture intervention group and the acupotomy intervention group demon-strated significantly lower levels than the model control group(P<0.05).Western blot analysis revealed that the expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,GSDMD-N,and Caspase-1 in the model control group were significantly elevated compared to those in the blank control group(P<0.05).Both intervention groups showed markedly reduced expression of these proteins compared to the model control group(P<0.05).Additionally,the assessment of mito-chondrial permeability transition pore activity based on relative fluorescence intensity showed a significant increase in the model control group compared to the blank control group(P<0.05),with both intervention groups exhibiting significantly lower levels than the model control group(P<0.05).Conclusions Acupotomy therapy modulates the ROS/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway,thereby inhibiting pyroptosis and attenuating the inflammatory response in nerve roots.This elucidates the potential molecular mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of acupotomy on LDH through the regulation of ROS/NLRP3/Caspase-1-mediated downstream signaling cascades.
10.Relationship between myelin changes in cerebellar gray matter and cognitive function in PTSD
Bin LI ; Min HU ; Luodong YANG ; Ziwei ZHANG ; Yuanyuan HU ; Guiqing ZHANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(14):2183-2190
Objective To explore the differences in cerebellar gray matter myelin content and gray matter volume between patients with post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)and healthy controls(HC)using the ratio of T1-weighted(T1w)and T2-weighted(T2w)images and voxel-based morphometry(VBM)analysis,and to examine the correlation of these differences with cognitive function.Methods A total of 30 PTSD patients and 30 healthy controls(HC)matched for age,gender,and education level were included in this study.Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA),and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)scans were performed for both groups.Two-sample t-tests were used to analyze the group differences in cerebellar gray matter region T1w/T2w ratios and gray matter volume.Spearman partial correlation analysis was used to explore the correla-tion between the intergroup differences and cognitive function.Results Compared to the HC group,the PTSD group showed a reduced left cerebellar gray matter T1w/T2w ratio(voxel level P<0.001,cluster level P<0.05,GRF corrected).The areas with decreased T1w/T2w ratio in the PTSD group also exhibited reduced gray matter volume(voxel P<0.005,cluster P<0.05,GRF corrected).Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between the left cerebellar gray matter T1w/T2w ratio and the severity of cognitive impairment in the PTSD group.Conclusions The PTSD group exhibited reduced myelin content and gray matter volume in the left cerebellar gray matter region,with both myelin reduction and volume loss positively correlating with the severity of cognitive impairment.The T1w/T2w ratio provides a new perspective for studying myelination in PTSD patients.

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