The metabolic syndrome is a complex disorder of several metabolic abnormalities,which represents a risk factor of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases.Insulin resistance seems to play a significant role in pathoyenesis of metabolic syndrome.Many issues concerning definition,pathophysiology and optimal treatment of metabolic syndrome are reviewed in this article.

In view of fundamental challenges to the current life and medical researches, this paper analyzes the mechano-chemical coupling behaviors of living organisms at molecular, sub-cellular, cellular and tissue levels, attempting to explain the quantitative relationships in those mechano-chemical coupling behaviors at different scales. These quantitative relationships show that the structures of living organisms at various scales are closely related to their tensional homeostasis, i. e. , the structural changes will inevitably lead to the changes of tensional homeostasis; Conversely, the changes of the tensional homeostasis will inevitably lead to structural changes. The tensional homeostasis in living organisms stems from contractile force in actin cytoskeleton generated by the action of myosin II at molecular level, and the tensional homeostasis at higher structural levels is realized with the help of hierarchical structures of the living organisms. Therefore, the mechano-chemical coupling mechanisms and their corresponding quantitative relationships inspire scientists to develop a new way of understanding and dealing with diseases, called as mechanomedicine. Finally, the paper discusses possible ways / road maps of mechanomedicine to understand and treat diseases, in order to provide diagnostic and therapeutic ideas for this new medical paradigm.

Background:As an important catalytic subunit of telomerase,human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)plays an important role in the development and progression of many cancers including gastric cancer.It has been reported that several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)of hTERT had varying degrees of association with risk of neoplasms. Aims:To study the correlation between SNPs of hTERT rs2853676 and rs2853677 and susceptibility to gastric cancer. Methods:Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to detect the genotypes of rs2853676 and rs2853677 of hTERT in 297 gastric cancer patients,105 atrophic gastritis and 402 controls. Helicobacter pylori (Hp)infection was detected by pathological examination and 13 C-urea breath test.Results:Frequency of AA genotype of rs2853676 was significantly higher in gastric cancer group when compared with control group (15.2%vs.6.5%,P =0.01).The risk of gastric cancer in AA genotype carriers increased 2.47-fold (95% CI:1.46-4.16) when compared with GG carriers.No significant differences in the frequencies of CC,TC and TT genotypes of rs2853677 were found among gastric cancer patients,atrophic gastritis patients and controls.Hp infection rates in atrophic gastritis group and gastric cancer group were significantly increased than those in controls (64.8%,56.9% vs.40.3%,P all <0.01),OR were 2.73 (95% CI:1.74-4.26),1.96 (95% CI:1.44-2.67),respectively.Logistic regression analysis showed that there was no significant interaction between Hp infection and gene mutation.Conclusions:Polymorphism of hTERT gene rs2853676 may play a role in susceptibility to gastric cancer,and Hp infection may not be involved in the increase of risk of gastric cancer caused by hTERT gene polymorphism.

Objective:To retrieve, evaluate and summarize the relevant evidence for respiratory management in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and provide reference for clinical nursing.Methods:The best practices, guidelines, expert consensus and other evidence on respiratory management in ALS patients were systematically retrieved from dometic and foreign relevant guide websites, professional associations and databases. The retrieve period was from January 1, 2016 to April 15, 2023. After the literature quality evaluation, the evidence was extracted from the literature that meets the quality standards.Results:A total of 12 references were included, including 3 guidelines, 1 expert consensus, 1 evidence summary, 4 systematic reviews, and 3 randomized controlled trails. The 25 pieces of evidence were summarized from the patients with ALS, including respiratory assessment, mechanical ventilation, secreta management, and respiratory rehabilitation.Conclusions:This study summarizes the best evidence on respiratory tract management in patients with ALS, which is convenient for clinical medical personnel to carry out more targeted and scientific respiratory assessment, intervention and guidance for patients with ALS.

ObjectiveTo establish a method for content determination of total iridoid compounds and baldrinal and 11-ethoxyviburtinal from Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix; To determine the contents of total iridoid compounds and baldrinal and 11-ethoxyviburtinal in Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix from three medicinal origins.Methods UV spectrophotometry was applied, 11-ethoxyviburtinal (cyclopentane-pyran-7-formaldehyde, 4-ethoxy methyl) was set as the reference substance, and the content of total iridoid compounds was determined at 288 nm. HPLC method was used to simultaneously determine the contents of baldrinal and 11-ethoxyviburtinal. The HPLC analysis was performed on a Phenomenex Luna C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5μm). The mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile-water in gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.95 mL/min. The detection wavelength was 288 nm and the column temperature was 30℃.Results The total iridoid compounds, baldrinal and 11-ethoxyviburtinal were in good linearity within the ranges of 2.088–14.616μg/μL, 74.88–224.64μg, and 41.6–249.6μg, respectively. This method was precise, and with good repeatability, stability and recovery rate.Conclusion The method is accurate, simple, rapid, which can be used for the quality control of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix.

Objective To determine the thermal conductivity under different temperatures and concentrations, and specific heat capacity under different concentrations of water extracts of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Radix et Rhizoma; To establish the mathematical model of thermal conductivity-temperature, thermal conductivity-concentration, thermal conductivity-temperature-concentration and specific heat capacity-concentration of water extracts of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Radix et Rhizoma. Methods Thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity were measured by the instantaneous double hot wire thermal conductivity meter and the electrothermal specific heat capacity meter. Excel, 1stOpt and MATLAB were used to analyze the experimental data. Results The method of using brix to facilitate and accurately characterize the concentration was established. The relationship between the thermal conductivity and the temperature and the concentration of water extracts of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Radix et Rhizoma were all linearly negative (λ=a-bT, λ=a-bC), and the influence of temperature and concentration on the thermal conductivity had a certain interaction. λ=a-bC-cT-dCT could be used as the temperature and the concentration on the thermal conductivity of the integrated role model. And the specific heat capacity of the extract was negatively correlated with the concentration (cp=a-bC). Conclusion The thermal conductivity and the specific heat capacity of the extract of water extracts of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Radix et Rhizoma are different at different temperatures and concentrations, and the model can be used to characterize the changing law of thermodynamics of the extracts. It can provide guidance significance for the thermal characteristics analysis in TCM pharmaceutical process and TCM production equipment selection and design, and production process control.

Objective To observe the changes in transfer rates of epigoitrin, forsythoside A and forsythin in Ganmao Tuire Granules prescription medicinal materials by water decoction extraction, vacuum concentration and atmospheric concentration.Methods Prescription medicinal materials fromGanmao Tuire Granules were decocted in water and the decoction was condensed by vacuum and atmospheric concentration process. The contents of epigoitrin, forsythoside A and forsythin at different states were measured by HPLC for transfer rates.Results The transfer rates of epigoitrin, forsythoside A and forsythin were 72.97%, 29.27%, 72.84%, respectively after decocted in water. The RSD of epigoitrin, forsythoside A and forsythin were less than 2% in the process of vacuum concentration. The transfer rates of epigoitrin, forsythoside A and forsythin by atmospheric concentration decreased by 13.51%, 7.38% and 4.24% respectively compared with vacuum concentration when concentrated to the same state.Conclusion The method for simultaneous determination of epigoitrin, forsythoside A and forsythin by HPLC has been established. A more suitable extraction and concentration process should be chosen for the preparation ofGanmao Tuire Granules.

Objective To investigate cognitive status and influencing factors for hand hygiene(HH)among health care workers(HCWs),and provide basis for scientific management of HH.Methods In April 2013,HCWs in a general hospital were selected by randomly sampling method,questionnaires were used to survey the implementation of HH in recent one month and HCWs’cognition on knowledge about HH.Results A total of 750 HCWs were in-vestigated,652 available questionnaires were collected.The frequency of hand washing and hand disinfection per day among most HCWs were 10 - 19 times,accounting for 46.62% and 47.85% respectively;30.52% of HCWs washed their hands for ≥30 seconds each time,60.58% of HCWs dried hands with paper towel after washing hands,57.21 % of HCWs abided by six-step hand washing method.The overall correct rate of cognition on ten op-portunities that requiring HH in clinical practice was 68.68%.The main factors influencing the implementation of HH were as follows:skin irritation of hand sanitizer and hand disinfectant subjectively considered by HCWs (63.34%),inadequate hand washing facilities(41 .10%);high cost of hand sanitizer ,hand disinfectant,and dry paper towel (38.96%),et al.Conclusion In addition to intensifying education on HH,installing rational HH facili-ties and improving HH standard are key points in strengthening HH in general hospital.

Objective To study the polarization and arrangement of epithelial cells in the embryonic development of drosophila. Methods A finite element model was established to simulate the development of drosophila egg, and an ABAQUS UMAT user subroutine that describes the growth of materials was developed. The developmental process of the stages 8 (S8) to the initial state of the stage 10 (S10) was simulated， and the direction of principal stress and the distribution of the in-plane maximum shear stress (MSS) in the epithelial cell layer was analyzed, in order to predict the polarization and arrangement of the epithelial cells. Results The orientation of the epithelial cells was consistent with the direction of the maximum principal stress, and the aspect ratio of cells was proportional to the magnitude of the MSS. Conclusions The polarization and arrangement of the epithelial cells are controlled by the stress state in the tissues.

A nationwide survey was conducted from October 2018 to September 2019 to assess the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) and its influencing factors in China. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect information. Hhcy was defined as the level of serum homocysteine (HCY) ⩾ 15.0µmol/L. The H-type hypertension (HHYP) was defined as hypertension with an elevated serum HCY 15.0µmol/L). Finally, 110 551 residents ⩾ 40 years of age from 31 provinces in the mainland of China were included. Overall, the median serum HCY level was 10.9µmol/L (interquartile range 7.9-15.1). A total of 28 633 participants (25.9%) were defined as Hhcy. The Hhcy prevalence ranged from 7.9% in Shanghai to 56.8% in Tianjin. The data showed that serum HCY levels were associated with age, male gender, cigarette smoking, hypertension, diabetes, ethnicity, endurance in exercise (inverse), and fruit and vegetable intake (inverse). In addition, 15 486 participants were defined as HHYP, and the rate was 14.0%. HHYP was an independent predictor of stroke with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.752 (95% CI 1.338-2.105). The geographical distribution pattern of the Hhcy epidemic reflects dynamic differences, and national strategies should be carried out to further improve the care of patients with Hhcy across China.
China/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia/epidemiology* ; Hypertension/epidemiology* ; Male ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Stroke/epidemiology*