The evaluation of blood compatibility of biomaterials is crucial for ensuring the clinical safety of implantable medical devices. To address the limitations of traditional testing methods in real-time monitoring and electrical property analysis, this study developed a portable electrical impedance tomography (EIT) system. The system uses a 16-electrode design, operates within a frequency range of 1 to 500 kHz, achieves a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of 69.54 dB at 50 kHz, and has a data collection speed of 20 frames per second. Experimental results show that the EIT system developed in this study is highly consistent with a microplate reader ( R ²=0.97) in detecting the hemolytic behavior of industrial-grade titanium (TA3) and titanium alloy-titanium 6 aluminum 4 vanadium (TC4) in anticoagulated bovine blood. Additionally, with the support of a multimodal image fusion Gauss-Newton one-step iterative algorithm, the system can accurately locate and monitor in real-time the dynamic changes in blood permeation and coagulation caused by TC4 in vivo. In conclusion, the EIT system developed in this study provides a new and effective method for evaluating the blood compatibility of biomaterials.
Electric Impedance ; Animals ; Tomography/instrumentation* ; Biocompatible Materials ; Materials Testing/instrumentation* ; Cattle ; Titanium ; Alloys ; Prostheses and Implants

Skeletal muscle dysfunction is a common extrapulmonary comorbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is associated with decreased quality-of-life and survival in patients. The autophagy lysosome pathway is one of the proteolytic systems that significantly affect skeletal muscle structure and function. Intriguingly, both promoting and inhibiting autophagy have been observed to improve COPD skeletal muscle dysfunction, yet the mechanism is unclear. This paper first reviewed the effects of macroautophagy and mitophagy on the structure and function of skeletal muscle in COPD, and then explored the mechanism of autophagy mediating the dysfunction of skeletal muscle in COPD. The results showed that macroautophagy- and mitophagy-related proteins were significantly increased in COPD skeletal muscle. Promoting macroautophagy in COPD improves myogenesis and replication capacity of muscle satellite cells, while inhibiting macroautophagy in COPD myotubes increases their diameters. Mitophagy helps to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis by removing impaired mitochondria in COPD. Autophagy is a promising target for improving COPD skeletal muscle dysfunction, and further research should be conducted to elucidate the specific mechanisms by which autophagy mediates COPD skeletal muscle dysfunction, with the aim of enhancing our understanding in this field.
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology* ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Humans ; Muscle, Skeletal/pathology* ; Mitophagy ; Animals ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Lysosomes

Objective To systematically assess the spatiotemporal distribution,risk factors,and future trends of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)among individuals under 50 years of age globally from 1990 to 2021 based on Global Burden of Disease(GBD)data in order to provide support for the formulation of prevention and control strategies of the disease.Methods The GBD data from 1990 to 2021 were analyzed for the incidence,mortality,disability-adjusted life years(DALYs),and estimated annual percentage change(EAPC)of COPD in<50-year-old individuals across 204 countries and regions.The data were stratified by age,sex,region,country,and sociodemographic index(SDI).The COPD trends until 2035 were predicted.Results In 2021,the global incidence of early-onset COPD was estimated at 2.5 million cases(95%uncertainty interval:2.09～2.96 million),representing a 50.55%increase compared to 1990.Significant regional heterogeneity was observed,with low SDI regions experiencing a 134.08%increase,whereas high SDI regions exhibited a rise-then-fall trend.Risk factor analysis identified environmental and occupational exposures(air pollution,ambient ozone pollution,household air pollution from solid fuels,etc.)and smoking as the primary etiological factors.Notably,household solid fuel exposure accounted for 50.90%of COPD-related deaths in low SDI regions,compared to only 0.03%in high SDI regions.Projections indicated that by 2035,the global burden of early-onset COPD will increase to 2.59 million cases.Conclusion The global disease burden of COPD among people under 50 years increased significantly from 1990 to 2021,with pronounced disparities across regions and socioeconomic levels.COPD deaths in low-SDI regions are strongly associated with solid fuel exposure and particulate matter pollution,and these regions are expected to remain the main drivers of global COPD incidence growth through 2035.

Objective:To analyze and evaluate the equity of children's health in countries along the"the Belt and Road",promote further attention to children's health in countries along the route,and promote cooperation and exchanges on children's health between China and countries along the"the Belt and Road".Methods:Using concentration index and concentration curve to measure overall equity,and using the Thiel index for intraregional and interregional euqity measurement.Results:The under-five mortality concentration index is 0.349 7,the concentration curve is below the absolute fair line.The Thiel index shows that inequality in low-income countries,lower-middle-income countries,upper-middle-income countries and high-income countries is the leading cause of child health inequities in the"the Belt and Road"countries.Conclusion:There is inequity in the health of children in countries along"the Belt and Road Initiative",countries along the"the Belt and Road"should take comprehensive measures to reduce the under-five mortality rate,at the same time strengthen international cooperation to further promote equity in children's health in"Belt and Road"countries.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)has become a common chronic disease in the adult in recent years,and more attention has been gradually paid to its prevention and treatment.This paper reviewed the clinical studies about the effect of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)exercise therapy on COPD,and indicated that TCM exercise therapy can improve the rehabilitation of COPD patients.TCM exercise therapies,such as Tai Chi,Wuqinxi,Baduanjin,and Liuzijue,have been shown to significantly improve lung function,inflammation levels,and exercise capacity in COPD patients in recent studies.Tai Chi significantly improves patient's respiratory problems although lung function indices are not changed.Liuzijue enhances the strength and endurance of respiratory muscles and limbs.Baduanjin helps to improve patient's cognitive and emotional states.Overall,TCM exercise therapy provides an effective rehabilitation option for COPD patients.However,more clinical controlled trials are needed to further confirm their effectiveness and to develop appropriate rehabilitation programs for COPD patients.

Objective:To investigate the occurrence of catheter fracture in totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAP) and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:A retrospective nested case-control study was used to establish a cohort of 3 517 patients with TIVAP and infusion port maintenance in Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2012 to December 2021, and they were divided into the fracture group and the control group. The general information questionnaire, TIVAP Catheter Fracture Related Factors Questionnaire and TIVAP Catheter Fracture Clinical Characteristics Questionnaire were used to collect general and clinical data of patients in two groups. The risk factors of TIVAP catheter fracture were analyzed by Logistic regression.Results:The incidence of TIVAP catheter fracture was 0.6% (21/3 517) . Logistic regression analysis showed that the operator's experience of placing ports, whether the patient performed TIVAP maintenance regularly, time for patients carrying the infusion port and whether TIVAP were repeatedly blocked were influencing factors for the occurrence of catheter fracture in TIVAP.Conclusions:Nursing staff should fully understand the risk factors of TIVAP catheter fracture, identify high-risk groups in the early stage and carry out targeted nursing interventions to reduce the incidence of TIVAP catheter fracture.

Objective:To explore whether microRNA (miRNA) -181b-5p inhibits the proliferation and invasion of cutaneous melanoma cells by targeting pleckstrin (PLEK) .Methods:Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze cutaneous melanoma-associated core genes; dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the targeted interaction between miRNA-181b-5p and PLEK. Oligo RNA and small interfering RNA (siRNA) were used to regulate the expression of miRNA-181b-5p and PLEK in A375 cells respectively in this experiment, and A375 cells were divided into the following groups in detail: mimic negative control group, miRNA-181b-5p mimic group, inhibitor negative control group, miRNA-181b-5p inhibitor group, PLEK siRNA group, siRNA negative control group, miRNA-181b-5p inhibitor + control siRNA co-transfection group and miRNA-181b-5p inhibitor + PLEK siRNA3 co-transfection group. After 48-hour treatment, qPCR was performed to determine the mRNA expression of miRNA-181b-5p and PLEK in A375 cells, Western blot analysis to determine the PLEK protein expression, and Transwell assay to assess the invasive ability of A375 cells; after additional 24-96 hours of culture, cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay was conducted to assess the proliferative ability of A375 cells.Results:PLEK was the core gene for cutaneous melanoma. PLEK expression in the cutaneous melanoma in situ tissues was significantly higher than that in the paracancerous tissues ( P = 0.031) , but lower than that in the metastatic tissues ( P = 0.001) . Compared with human epidermal melanocytes HEMa-LP, the mRNA and protein expression of PLEK significantly increased in A375 cells (mRNA: 3.884 ± 0.156 vs. 0.997 ± 0.010, t = 18.48, P < 0.001; protein: 2.840 ± 0.301 vs. 1.029 ± 0.094, t = 5.47, P = 0.005) , but the miRNA-181b-5p expression significantly decreased in A375 cells (0.333 ± 0.042 vs. 0.967 ± 0.069, t = 7.83, P = 0.001) . Dual-luciferase reporter assay showed targeted binding of miRNA-181b-5p to PLEK. Compared with the mimic negative control group, the miRNA-181b-5p mimic group showed significantly decreased survival rate of A375 cells (48 hours: t = 7.96, P = 0.015; 72 hours: t = 7.50, P = 0.002; 96 hours: t = 7.96, P = 0.001) , and significantly decreased invasive ability of A375 cells ( t = 5.07, P = 0.007) ; on the contrary, the survival rate and invasive ability of A375 cells were significantly higher in the miRNA-181b-5p inhibitor group than in the inhibitor negative control group (survival rate: 24 hours, t =5.38, P = 0.013; 48 hours, t = 5.36, P = 0.013; 72 hours, t =7.63, P = 0.005; 96 hours, t = 5.99, P = 0.004; invasive ability: t = 7.24, P = 0.002) ; compared with the siRNA negative control group, the proliferative and invasive ability of A375 cells significantly decreased in the PLEK siRNA group (proliferative ability: 48, 72, 96 hours, P = 0.015, 0.011, 0.001, respectively; invasive ability: t = 4.93, P = 0.008) ; compared with the miRNA-181b-5p inhibitor + control siRNA co-transfection group, the miRNA-181b-5p inhibitor + PLEK siRNA co-transfection group showed significantly decreased proliferation rate and invasive ability of A375 cells (proliferation rate: 24, 48, 72, 96 hours, P = 0.042, 0.042, 0.037, 0.017, respectively; invasive ability: t = 8.52, P = 0.001) . Conclusion:miRNA-181b-5p can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of cutaneous melanoma A375 cells, likely by down-regulating the PLEK expression.

ObjectiveTo observe the variation in content of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in patients with Alzheimer's disease （AD） and to investigate efficacy of Yangxue Qingnao granule on AD and the effect on VEGF. MethodA total of 60 patients with cognitive impairment ［30 of AD and 30 of amnestic mild cognitive impairment （aMCI）］ were selected， and another 30 healthy people with Montreal Cognitive Assessment （MoCA）≥26 and age， gender， and complications insignificantly different from the patients were included as healthy control. The venous blood of aMCI group， AD group， and the healthy control group was collected at the enrollment to measure the level of serum VEGF. Then， the aMCI and AD patients were randomized into the observation group and the control group， with 30 patients in each group. The control group was given Donepezil Hydrochloride （5 mg·d^-1）， while the observation group received Donepezil Hydrochloride （5 mg·d^-1） and Yangxue Qingnao granule. MoCA was used to evaluate the severity of cognitive impairment. After the treatment for 6 months， the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions of the two groups were compared， and the serum VEGF levels were detected again by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. ResultThe serum content of VEGF in AD patients was significantly lower than that in aMCI patients and healthy people （P<0.05）. Serum VEGF levels in aMCI patients were significantly decreased compared with those in healthy people （P<0.05）. After treatment for 6 months， the serum VEGF level in the observation group was significantly higher than that before treatment， and was higher than that in the control group （P<0.05）. MoCA scores in the observation group were higher than those in control group （P<0.05）. The incidence of adverse reactions was insignificantly different between both groups. ConclusionThe serum levels of VEGF significantly decreased in aMCI and AD patients， suggesting that angiogenesis might be involved in the pathophysiological process of AD and correlated with the early stage of AD. Yangxue Qingnao granule， as a safe adjuvant therapy， showed ideal effect on aMCI and AD， as manifested by the improvement of cognitive function. The mechanism is the likelihood that it can elevate the expression of angiogenic factors such as VEGF， promote angiogenesis， and then improve the microcirculation of cortex.

Objective To systematically analyze the World Health Organization Rehabilitation Competency Framework (RCF) theoretical framework, methodology and its application in the field of rehabilitation.Methods We systematically analyzed RCF conceptual framework and key characteristics, and discussed how to apply the RCF in the fields of human resource planning, education program and curriculum system, and vocational competency standards and certification criteria for rehabilitation human resources.Results The RCF encompasses five domains, naming practice, professionalism, learning and development, management and leadership, and research. Rehabilitation professionals' performance is the result of the interaction of their core values and beliefs, competencies, activities, knowledge, and skills. The RCF can be used to plan rehabilitation human resources, establish competency-based rehabilitation education programs and curriculum systems, and develop competency certification standards and licensure accreditation standards.Conclusion This study analyzed background, content and implementation framework of RCF, and systematically discussed the theories and methods related to how to use the RCF to construct national rehabilitation human resources development plans, develop rehabilitation education programs and curriculum systems based on the RCF, and establish certification and assessment standards for rehabilitation human resources.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of cataract and its risk factors in the Jiu Shi Hospital of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and Han and Kazak people aged 50 years old and over in Emin County, Tacheng area, Xinjiang.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted.An epidemiological survey on the prevalence of cataract among people aged 50 years old and over was performed by the Department of Ophthalmology of North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital in the Jiu Shi Hospital of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and Emin County from October 2015 to June 2018.The basic sampling units (BSUs) were divided according to the administrative regions, with about 1 000 people in each administrative region.With a population exceeding 1 500, sample units would be divided into more than two BSUs according to the population.Xinjiang Tacheng area was divided into 240 BSUs, and 12 BSUs were selected by random number table method for inspection.With the lens opacity classification system Ⅱ (LOCS Ⅱ) as the diagnostic standard, the prevalence rate of cataract in different nationalities and different ages in this area was evaluated, and the relationship between age, nationality, sex, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, ultraviolet irradiation time and the prevalence rate of cataract was analyzed.This study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Jiu Shi Hospital of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (No.SW-201501-04).Results:The prevalence rate of cataract among people aged 50 and over in the Jiu Shi Hospital of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and Emin County was 76.34%.The prevalence rate of cataract in 50-<60-year-old group, 60-<70-year-old group, 70-<80-year-old group and ≥80-year-old group was 23.30%, 77.40%, 89.60% and 100.00%, respectively.There were significant differences in the prevalence among people between different ages, different nationalities, with and without hypertension, with and without diabetes, with and without hyperlipidemia (all at P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the prevalence among people between different sexes, with and without coronary heart disease, smoking or not, different ultraviolet irradiation time (all at P>0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age (50-<60 years old: [ OR=39.93, 95% CI: 20.77-76.77; 60-<70 years old: OR=3.81, 95% CI: 2.05-7.08; 70-<80 years old: OR=1.72, 95% CI: 0.92-3.22]), hypertension ( OR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.13-2.11) and hyperlipidemia ( OR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.10-2.03) were independent risk factors for cataract. Conclusions:The incidence of cataract in the Jiu Shi Hospital of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and people aged 50 and over in Emin County is higher than that in other parts of China, in which age, hypertension and hyperlipidemia are independent risk factors for cataract.