Objective To investigate the intervention efficacy of best possible self (BPS)on the mental health of new recruits (including state optimism and pessimism,perceived stress and subjective well-being).Methods A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted on 212 new recruits subjected with cluster sampling from an army unit in a training base for new recruits in September 2023.Based on their organizational structure,they were divided into a study group (n=100,receiving BPS intervention 15 min/d,for 2 consecutive weeks)and a control group[n=112,typical day (TD)intervention,15 min/d,same period].Future Expectancy Scale (FEX),Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS),Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS ) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS ) were used to measure the 2 groups of participants at T0 (baseline),T1 (end of the first week of intervention),T2 (end of the second week of intervention)and T3 (1 week after the end of intervention)in order to evaluate the intervention efficacy on above mentioned mental health indicators.Results There were no significant differences in demographic and baseline psychological variables listed above between the 2 groups.However,as the training progressed,obvious differences were observed in the training effects on state pessimism,perceived stress and subjective well-being (including affective and cognitive well-being)between them.When compared with the baseline data (T0),the study group had notably reduced state pessimism (P<0.01)and elevated affective (P<0.001) and cognitive well-being (P<0.001)during T1 and T3,and decreased perceived stress at T1 (P<0.05)and T3 (P<0.001).However,no such changes of above indicators were observed in the control group before and after training.Conclusion A 2-week BPS intervention can effectively reduce state pessimism and perceived stress,promote subjective well-being,and improve mental health in new recruits during new recruit training.

Objective    To compare the efficacy and safety of mitral valvuloplasty via minimally invasive approach with those of mitral valvuloplasty via traditional median sternotomy. Methods    A total of 1 221 patients undergoing mitral valvuloplasty from January 2015 to August 2018 in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital were analyzed retrospectively, including 721 males and 500 females, with an average age of 47.2±15.1 years. According to the different surgical methods, they were divided into a study group (n=654), who received mitral valvuloplasty via the totally thoracoscopic approach, and a control group (n=567), who received mitral valvuloplasty via traditional median sternotomy. Clinical data, surgical results, and perioperative outcomes of the two groups were compared. Results    There was no significant difference in preoperative general data between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the study group had longer cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamping time (146.7±42.4 min vs. 122.7±30.6 min, 96.2±32.7 min vs. 78.3±23.8 min, both P=0.000), and shorter total operation time (227.4±55.3 min vs. 238.1±56.4 min, P=0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of secondary cross-clamping and mitral valve replacement between the two groups (3.7% vs. 2.6%, P=0.312; 1.7% vs. 1.4%, P=0.690). The blood transfusion rate and the incidence of respiratory tract infection and postoperative poor wound healing were lower (13.0% vs. 24.5%, 2.1%vs. 18.0%, 1.5% vs. 5.3%, all P=0.000) and the postoperative hospital stay was shorter (6.2±4.4 d vs. 11.5±8.8 d, P=0.000) in the study group. There was no significant difference in hospitalization expense between the two groups (95 847.9±31 322.0 yuan vs. 99 673.1±47 930.3 yuan, P=0.149). Within 30 d after surgery, 1 patient died in the study group and 4 patients died in the control group. Before discharge, there were 4 and 5 patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation in the study group and the control group, respectively. Conclusion    Compared with mitral valvuloplasty via traditional median sternotomy, minimally invasive mitral valvuloplasty is superior in shortening operation time and postoperative hospital stay, lowering blood transfusion rate, and reducing postoperative complications, which can achieve better clinical outcomes.