Objective: To explore the relationship of family function with sleep and externalizing problem behaviors of preschool children, so as to provide a guidance for externalizing problem prevention and intervention among preschool children. Methods: From October 2023 to January 2024, a convenience sampling method was used to select 5 138 preschool children from kindergartens in 8 districts of Wuhan City, Hubei Province. Parents completed the survey for Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale, children s sleep habits and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation of family function with scores of sleep quality and externalizing problem behaviors among preschool children. A mediation model analysis and bootstrap test were conducted to further investigate the mediating role of sleep quality between family function and externalizing problem behaviors. Mplus 8.7 software was used for latent profile analysis of family function. Results: The reported rates of poor sleep quality and externalizing problem behaviors among preschool children were 11.8% ( n =607), 20.0% ( n =1 026). The relevant analysis results showed that family function was negatively correlated with sleep quality and externalizing problem behaviors ( r = -0.20, -0.23), and sleep quality was positively correlated with externalizing problem behaviors ( r =0.27) ( P <0.01). The mediation effect test showed that family function negatively predicted externalizing problem behaviors ( β =-0.079) and sleep quality ( β = -0.075), while sleep quality positively predicted externalizing problem behaviors ( β =0.215) ( P <0.01). The latent profile analysis results showed that family function could be classified into 4 categories: high family function group (23.01%), upper middle family function group (44.65%), moderate family function group (26.24%) and low family function group (6.11%). Compared to high family function, the other three categories significantly positively predicted externalizing problem behaviors, and the mediating effects of sleep quality on different categories of family function were statistically significant [upper middle family function: mediation effect value was 0.022 (95% CI =0.004-0.041) and direct effect value was 0.329 (95% CI =0.263-0.396); middle family function: mediation effect value was 0.087 (95% CI =0.063-0.115) and direct effect value was 0.491 (95% CI =0.416-0.565); low family function: mediation effect value was 0.144 (95% CI =0.107-0.185) and direct effect 0.621 (95% CI =0.503-0.740)] ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion Family function negatively predicts the externalizing problem behaviors of preschool children, and sleep quality plays a partial mediating role.

AIM: To investigate the expression of serum growth differentiation factor 11(GDF11)and thrombospondin 1(TSP1)in patients with diabetic retinopathy(DR), and discuss their relationship with microvascular injury.METHODS: Totally 102 DR patients were served as DR group and assigned into non proliferative DR group(NPDR group)and proliferative DR group(PDR group)based on the severity of DR lesions. Meantime, 100 patients with simple diabetes were served as control group. Serum indicators of microvascular injury including vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), endothelial cells(ECs), endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs), and levels of GDF11 and TSP1 were measured in each group. Pearson method was used to discuss the correlation between GDF11, TSP1 and microvascular injury indicators. Logistic regression was used to discuss the factors that affected the occurrence of DR. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the evaluation value of serum GDF11 and TSP1 for the DR conditions.RESULTS: For the control group, DR group had lower EPCs and GDF11, and higher VEGF, ECs, and TSP1 levels(all P<0.05). The PDR group had lower GDF11 and higher TSP1 than the NPDR group(all P<0.05). Serum GDF11 was negatively related to VEGF and ECs(r=-0.486, -0.511, all P<0.001), and positively related to EPCs(r=0.475, P<0.001). TSP1 was positively related to VEGF and ECs(r=0.579, 0.594, all P<0.001), and negatively related to EPCs(r=-0.505, P<0.001). Moreover, GDF11 and TSP1 were negatively correlated(r=-0.443, P<0.001). The course of T2DM, VEGF, and TSP1 were risk factors for DR, while GDF11 was a protective factor(all P<0.05). The AUC of GDF11, TSP1, and combined diagnosis for PDR conditions was 0.819, 0.822, and 0.915, respectively. The combined diagnosis was better than single diagnosis(Zcombination-GDF11=2.070, P=0.039, Zcombination-TSP1=2.274, P=0.023).CONCLUSION: GDF11 and TSP1 are closely associated with microvascular injury in DR patients and are related to the progression of DR disease, and the combined detection of their serum levels is of clinical value in the assessment of DR disease.

OBJECTIVES: Recent evidence suggests that the gut may be a primary site of metformin action. However, studies on the effects of metformin on gut microbiota remain limited, and its impact on gut microbial metabolites such as short-/medium-chain fatty acids is unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of metformin on gut microbiota, short-/medium-chain fatty acids, and associated metabolic benefits in high-fat diet rats. METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: 1) Normal diet group (ND group), fed standard chow; 2) high-fat diet group (HFD group), fed a high-fat diet; 3) high-fat diet + metformin treatment group (HFD+Met group), fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks, followed by daily intragastric administration of metformin solution (150 mg/kg body weight) starting in week 9. At the end of the experiment, all rats were sacrificed, and serum, liver, and colonic contents were collected for assessment of glucose and lipid metabolism, liver pathology, gut microbiota composition, and the concentrations of short-/medium-chain fatty acids. RESULTS: Metformin significantly improved HFD-induced glucose and lipid metabolic disorders and liver injury. Compared with the HFD group, the HFD+Met group showed reduced abundance of Blautia, Romboutsia, Bilophila, and Bacteroides, while Lactobacillus abundance significantly increased (all P<0.05). Colonic contents of butyric acid, 2-methyl butyric acid, valeric acid, octanoic acid, and lauric acid were significantly elevated (all P<0.05), whereas acetic acid, isoheptanoic acid, and nonanoic acid levels were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that Lactobacillus abundance was negatively correlated with body weight gain and insulin resistance, while butyrate and valerate levels were negatively correlated with insulin resistance and liver injury (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Metformin significantly increases the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and promotes the production of short-/medium-chain fatty acids including butyric, valeric, and lauric acid in the colonic contents of HFD rats, suggesting that metformin may regulate host metabolism through modulation of the gut microbiota.
Animals ; Metformin/pharmacology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Rats ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Male ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism* ; Fatty Acids/metabolism*

Objective:To explore the application value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with transvaginal ultrasound features and quantitative parameters in evaluating high-risk endometrial cancer (EC).Methods:Retrospective analysis was made on 69 EC patients who received CEUS examination and were confirmed by surgery and pathology in Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University from December 2017 to September 2022. According to postoperative pathology, the patients were divided into low-risk group ( n=38) and high-risk group ( n=31). The differences in CEUS, transvaginal ultrasound features and quantitative parameters between the two groups were compared, relevant parameters that with predictive value for high-risk EC were screened, and these parameters were scored. Results:①There were differences in lesion size (thick diameter, long diameter), vascular morphology, and color blood flow score between high and low risk ECs (all P<0.05). ②There were differences in CEUS parameters [perfusion mode, enhancement intensity, area under curve(AUC)] between high and low risk EC groups (all P<0.05). ③The areas under the ROC curve for diagnosing high-risk EC were 0.79, 0.69, 0.69, and 0.62, respectively, based on the critical values of lesion thickness diameter ≥1.85 cm, lesion length diameter ≥2.05 cm, ultrasound contrast quantification parameter AUC ≥859 au, and enhancement intensity ≥29.4 dB. ④Using statistically significant parameters for scoring, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing high-risk EC with the score ≥5, were 70.97% and 89.47%, respectively. Conclusions:The combination of CEUS and transvaginal ultrasound is a feasible method for predicting high-risk EC. CEUS parameters (enhanced intensity, AUC, and " focal" perfusion mode) are related to high-risk EC. The combination of CEUS and transvaginal ultrasound helps to pre-evaluate the pathological prognostic factors of endometrial malignant lesions before surgery, providing a basis for clinical follow-up treatment.

Objective To explore the correlation between serum thymosin α1 level and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)in patients with acute anterior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)after receiving percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods A total of 74 patients with acute anterior wall STEMI(acute anterior wall STEMI group)and 38 patients having no myocardial infarction(control group),who were admitted to the Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital of China from December 2019 to February 2022,were enrolled in this study.According to the LVEF value after the recanalization of anterior descending coronary artery with PCI during hospitalization period,the patients of acute anterior wall STEMI group were divided into LVEF＜50％subgroup(n=33)and LVEF≥50％subgroup(n=41).Serum thymosin α1 level was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),the results were compared between the groups.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between thymosin α1 level and LVEF.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve of serum thymosin α1 level for predicting cardiac function in patients with acute anterior wall STEMI after receiving PCI was drawn.Results The serum thymosin α1 level in LVEF≥50％subgroup was significantly higher than that in the LVEF＜50％subgroup(P=0.032).During the post-PCI hospitalization period,the serum thymosin α1 level was positively correlated with LVEF.Logistic regression analysis revealed that serum thymosin α1 level was an independent predictor for LVEF＜50％in patients with acute anterior wall STEMI after receiving PCI.The area under ROC of serum thymosin α1 level for predicting LVEF≥50％in patients with acute anterior wall STEMI during hospitalization was 0.644(P=0.034).The area under ROC of serum thymosin α1 level combined with peak troponin I level and with peak NT-proBNP level for predicting LVEF＜50％in patients with acute anterior wall STEMI during hospitalization was 0.780(P＜0.01)and 0.702(P=0.003)respectively.When taking the median serum thymosin α1 level as the cut-off value,the proportion of LVEF≥50％patients was higher among the patients having the post-PCI serum thymosin α1 level＞2,890 ng/L.Conclusion In patients with acute anterior wall STEMI,the serum thymosin α1 level is closely related to the LVEF value during the post-PCI hospitalization period,it is an independent predictor for cardiac function improvement after PCI.It is expected that the serum thymosin α1 level may become a new indicator for predicting the improvement of cardiac function in patients with STEMI after recanalization of anterior descending coronary artery with PCI.

Objective:To standardize the management of auditory hallucination symptoms in inpatients with mental illness and develop an expert consensus on the management of auditory hallucinations in hospitalized psychiatric patients.Methods:From March 2023 to July 2023, the Mental Health Committee of the Chinese Nursing Association focused on the key issues in the management of auditory hallucinations symptoms in inpatients with mental illness, based on clinical practice, using literature analysis combined with the work experience of mental health experts, and formed the first draft of the expert consensus on the management of auditory hallucinations in inpatients with mental illness (hereinafter referred to as the consensus). Through 3 rounds of expert consultation and 3 rounds of expert demonstration meeting, the draft was adjusted, revised, and improved.Results:37 experts were included in the Delphi expert consultation, 1 male and 36 females with 39-67(51.48 ± 6.61) years old. The positive coefficients of experts in 3 rounds of Delphi expert consultations were all 100%, and the degrees of expert authority were 0.924, 0.938 and 0.949, respectively. The average importance value of each item was higher than 4.00, the variation coefficient of each item was less than 0.25. The Kendall harmony coefficient of the experts were 0.179, 0.195 and 0.198, respectively (all P<0.05). There were 15, 12, 12 experts in the first, seeond, third rounds of expert demonstration meeting. Finally, a consensus was reached on the recommendation of 4 parts, included auditory hallucination assessment, management format, symptom management implementation, and precautions. Conclusions:The consensus covers all parts of the management of auditory hallucination symptoms in hospitalized patients with mental disorders, which is practical and scientific. It is helpful to guide mental health professionals to standardize the management of auditory hallucination symptoms, improve the quality of nursing and ensure the safety of patients.

Forest encephalitis is a natural focal disease transmitted through the bite of hard ticks, and its pathogen is the tick-borne encephalitis virus from the Flaviviridae family. The mortality rate of forest encephalitis is relatively high, making laboratory testing significant in diagnosing this disease. This article elaborates on the etiological diagnostic methods and recent research progress in forest encephalitis. Laboratory tests for forest encephalitis mainly include routine examinations, serological tests, virus isolation, and molecular biological testing. The detection of serum-specific IgM antibodies against the forest encephalitis virus is of great importance for early diagnosis, and specific IgG antibodies serve as a "gold standard" for differentiation from other diseases. Techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or indirect immunofluorescence assay for detecting specific IgM antibodies in serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid, the serum hemagglutination inhibition test or serum complement fixation test, and the double serum hemagglutination inhibition test or complement fixation test all contribute to the early diagnosis. The development of molecular testing methods is rapid, and techniques such as metabolomics, digital PCR, and matrix metalloproteinases are also applied in the early diagnosis of forest encephalitis.

Objective To investigate the value of early cystatin C(Cys-C)combined with prothrombin time(PT)for assessing the severity and outcome of patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS).Methods The data of 101 patients with SFTS diagnosed and treated in Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University from April 2021 to August 2023 were reviewed retrospectively.The patients were assigned to non-severe group or severe group according to the severity of the disease,and assigned to survivors group or deaths group according to the treatment outcome.The clinical manifestations and early laboratory test results were compared between groups.Logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors for predicting the outcome.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the ability of Cys-C and PT levels alone and in combination to distinguish survivors from deaths.Results In the early stage,the patients in severe group and deaths group showed significantly higher levels of serum Cys-C,blood urea nitrogen(BUN),creatinine(Cr),uric acid(UA),PT,activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),creatine kinase(CK)and creatine kinase MB(CKMB)but significantly lower lymphocyte count compared to the patients in the non-severe group and survivors group(P＜0.05).Multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis showed that age(OR=1.146,95％CI:1.036-1.267),PT(OR=2.643,95％CI:1.323-5.281),and Cys-C(OR=5.039,95％CI:1.548-16.395)were independent risk factors for the outcome of SFTS patients.Serum Cys-C was valuable in distinguishing survivors from deaths,the area under the ROC curve of which was 0.831.When Cys-C,PT and age were combined,the AUC was up to 0.930.Conclusions SFTS mainly occurs in farmers and elderly people.Serum PT and Cys-C levels at early stage can effectively predict the outcome of patients with SFTS.PT and Cys-C levels are expected to be biomarkers for distinguishing survivors from deaths.

Objective To analyze and verify the factors influencing the prediction model of suicidal ideation of burn patients in hospital based on international scale.Methods The clinical data of 194 burn patients treated in hospi-tal were retrospectively analyzed.General data questionnaire,ISI,HAMD,HAMA,ASDS and BSHS-B were used to evaluate the influencing factors of suicidal ideation.According to the presence or absence of suicidal ideation,the patients were divided into the suicidal ideation group and the non-suicidal ideation group.The baseline data be-tween the groups were compared,univariate screening of meaningful variables was conducted,and multivariate Lo-gistic regression modeling was further conducted.ROC analysis evaluated model differentiation,and internal verifi-cation was conducted.Results According to the baseline data analysis results,there were no statistically signifi-cant differences in age,BMI,years of education,smoking history,estimated percentage of burned area,head and neck burns,hip and perineal burns,and pain scores in the suicidal ideation group(21/194)compared with the non-suicidal ideation group(173/194).Gender(P=0.047),presence or absence of trunk burn(P=0.022),severity of burn(moderate burn:P=0.002;severe burn:P=0.458;extremely severe burn:P=0.169),ISI score(P=0.001),HAMD score(P=0.001),HAMA score(P＜0.001),ASDS score(P=0.003),BSHS-B score(P=0.011)had statistical significance.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the severity of burn(moderate burn:OR=0.103,P=0.009;severe burn:OR=0.351,P=0.223;extremely severe burn:OR=0.103,P=0.095)and HAMA score(OR=1.136,P=0.007)were independent influencing factors for burn patients with suicidal ideation.The Logistic regression prediction model was established by two independent influ-encing factors.ROC analysis results showed that the model had good differentiation(AUC=0.880,95％CI:0.808-0.952,P＜0.001)and the internal verification accuracy was 79.38％.Conclusion The prediction model built on the basis of two independent influencing factors,burn severity and HAMA score,has a good predic-tion accuracy,which is helpful for clinicians to intervene as soon as possible for burn patients with suicidal ideation in hospital,in order to reduce the incidence and enrich clinical psychological research.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and nursing strategies of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods A total of 138 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with AMI admitted to Jiangsu Province Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 were included in observation group,and 346 patients with AMI without diabetes mellitus were enrolled in control group.The clinical data,complications,coronary angiography results and prognosis of two groups were collected and analyzed.Results The proportion of smoking,hypertension and typical chest pain in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group,while the proportion of hyperlipidemia and Killip grade≥Ⅲ were significantly higher than those in control group(P<0.05).The proportion of patients with three branch lesions or left main trunk lesions in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group(P<0.05).The incidences of arrhythmia,acute heart failure and pulmonary infection in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of cardiogenic shock and cardiac death during hospitalization between two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with AMI have atypical clinical symptoms and more complications.Early identification and active control of cardiovascular risk factors by medical staff can reduce the mortality of patients and improve the long-term prognosis.