BACKGROUND: While emotional distress, encompassing anxiety and depression, has been associated with negative clinical outcomes, its impact across various clinical departments and general hospitals has been less explored. Previous studies with limited sample sizes have examined the effectiveness of specific treatments (e.g., antidepressants) rather than a systemic management strategy for outcome improvement in non-psychiatric inpatients. To enhance the understanding of the importance of addressing mental health care needs among non-psychiatric patients in general hospitals, this study retrospectively investigated the impacts of emotional distress and the effects of early detection and management of depression and anxiety on hospital length of stay (LOS) and rate of long LOS (LLOS, i.e., LOS >30 days) in a large sample of non-psychiatric inpatients. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 487,871 inpatients from 20 non-psychiatric departments of a general hospital. They were divided, according to whether they underwent a novel strategy to manage emotional distress which deployed the Huaxi Emotional Distress Index (HEI) for brief screening with grading psychological services (BS-GPS), into BS-GPS ( n = 178,883) and non-BS-GPS ( n = 308,988) cohorts. The LOS and rate of LLOS between the BS-GPS and non-BS-GPS cohorts and between subcohorts with and without clinically significant anxiety and/or depression (CSAD, i.e., HEI score ≥11 on admission to the hospital) in the BS-GPS cohort were compared using univariable analyses, multilevel analyses, and/or propensity score-matched analyses, respectively. RESULTS: The detection rate of CSAD in the BS-GPS cohort varied from 2.64% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.49%-2.81%) to 20.50% (95% CI: 19.43%-21.62%) across the 20 departments, with a average rate of 5.36%. Significant differences were observed in both the LOS and LLOS rates between the subcohorts with CSAD (12.7 days, 535/9590) and without CSAD (9.5 days, 3800/169,293) and between the BS-GPS (9.6 days, 4335/178,883) and non-BS-GPS (10.8 days, 11,483/308,988) cohorts. These differences remained significant after controlling for confounders using propensity score-matched comparisons. A multilevel analysis indicated that BS-GPS was negatively associated with both LOS and LLOS after controlling for sociodemographics and the departments of patient discharge and remained negatively associated with LLOS after controlling additionally for the year of patient discharge. CONCLUSION Emotional distress significantly prolonged the LOS and increased the LLOS of non-psychiatric inpatients across most departments and general hospitals. These impacts were moderated by the implementation of BS-GPS. Thus, BS-GPS has the potential as an effective, resource-saving strategy for enhancing mental health care and optimizing medical resources in general hospitals.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Psychological Distress ; Inpatients/psychology* ; Aged ; Anxiety/diagnosis* ; Depression/diagnosis*

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is an irreversible sensorineural hearing loss that severely endangers workers’ health, making early screening crucial. This article reviewed the research progress on early screening methods for occupational NIHL, introduced the testing mechanisms of three core screening methods—tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions, and extended high-frequency audiometry —and summarized their clinical application advantages and limitations. It is proposed that multimodal combined detection (e.g., the combination of tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions, and extended high-frequency audiometry) can significantly improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of early screening. Meanwhile, future studies with prospective cohort design are encouraged to verify the long-term monitoring value of each method and to strengthen the joint development of screening technologies with cutting-edge approaches such as machine learning, in order to further improve screening efficiency and provide stronger protection for workers’ hearing health.

Objective:To explore the influencing factors and pathways of home-based exercise rehabilitation compliance in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), so as to provide theoretical basis for formulating targeted intervention program.Methods:From July 2022 to February 2023, convenience sampling was used to select 220 patients who underwent PCI at Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital affiliated with Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University as the study subject. A survey was conducted on patients using the General Information Questionnaires, Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale, Illness Perception and Behavior Questionnaire in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease after PCI, Social Support Rating Scale, and Exercise Rehabilitation Compliance Follow-up Scale.Results:A total of 220 questionnaires were distributed, and 215 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective response rate of 97.73% (215/220). The Exercise Rehabilitation Compliance Follow-up Scale in 215 patients after PCI was (11.35±3.85). The mediating effect of exercise self-efficacy between social support and exercise compliance was 0.150 [95% CI (0.055, 0.167), P<0.01], and the mediating effect of disease cognition between social support and exercise compliance after PCI was 0.065 [95% CI (0.016, 0.090), P<0.05]. The direct effect of social support on exercise compliance was 0.238 [95% CI (0.064, 0.278), P<0.01], and the indirect effect was 0.215 [95% CI (0.083, 0.233), P<0.05], and the mediating effect accounted for 47.46% of the total effect. Conclusions:Social support can directly or indirectly affect the compliance of patients with home-based exercise rehabilitation through the mediating effect of exercise self-efficacy and post PCI disease cognition. Medical and nursing staff can improve patient exercise self-efficacy and disease cognition by constructing intervention strategies based on social support, thereby enhancing home-based exercise rehabilitation compliance.

Objective:To construct an estimating equation to accurately reflect the aging phenomenon of the glomerular filtration rate(GFR).Methods:Healthy subjects receiving physical examinations at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2017 and April 2018 were included in the study, and the aging phenomenon of renal function indicators such as serum creatinine(Scr)was used as the reference standard to evaluate the accuracy of four Scr-based GFR equations during GFR aging, including the full age spectrum(FAS)equation, the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration(CKD-EPI)equation, the Osaka equation and the Xiangya equation.Results:Of 37 636 individuals receiving physical examinations, 6 534 met the criteria specified in this study.Scr, serum urea nitrogen, serum uric acid, and serum albumin showed a significant aging phenomenon( H=191.640, 196.693, 83.271, 414.585, P<0.001 for all).The GFR estimated by the four equations all decreased with aging, but the starting point and rate of decline were significantly different.The GFR aging phenomenon estimated by the FAS equation was closer to the trend of renal function indicators. Conclusions:The FAS equation may be more applicable to healthy people to understand the aging phenomenon of GFR.

Objective To culture and expand primary rat aortic vascular stem cells in vitro and evaluate their characteristics as mesenchymal stem cells.Methods The thoracic and abdominal aortas isolated from 2-to 3-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were cut into vascular segments 2.0 mm in length and cultured in culture flasks till adhesion and solidification of the outer membranes.The primary cells were further cultured to 80%-90%confluence before passaging.The morphology and growth characteristics of the cells were observed under a microscope,and the expressions of surface marker CD molecules on the cells was analyzed using flow cytometry.Adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation assays were performed to assess the capacity of the cells for multilineage differentiation.Results After 3 days of culture,a small number of spindle,star-shaped or polygonal cells migrated out from the peripheral of the vascular segments.At 5-6 days,island-like cell clusters occurred and the cells began to proliferate rapidly.The cell clusters expanded radially and showed signs of cell cloning.At 7-8 days,the cells fused into sheets and displayed a vortex-like distribution.The cells in the third passage presented with a uniform morphology,showing a typical fibroblast-like arrangement.Flow cytometry showed that the cells expressed predominantly CD44(80.3%),CD73(62.2%)and CD90(46.8%)with low expressions of CD34(1.1%),CD45(0.2%)and CD11b/c(0.2%).Adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation experiments demonstrated that the cells were capable of lipogenic and osteogenic differentiation in vitro.Conclusion Rat aortic vascular stem cells with mesenchymal stem cell characteristics can be successfully isolated and cultured by adherent culture of the segmented outer membrane.

Objective To culture and expand primary rat aortic vascular stem cells in vitro and evaluate their characteristics as mesenchymal stem cells.Methods The thoracic and abdominal aortas isolated from 2-to 3-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were cut into vascular segments 2.0 mm in length and cultured in culture flasks till adhesion and solidification of the outer membranes.The primary cells were further cultured to 80%-90%confluence before passaging.The morphology and growth characteristics of the cells were observed under a microscope,and the expressions of surface marker CD molecules on the cells was analyzed using flow cytometry.Adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation assays were performed to assess the capacity of the cells for multilineage differentiation.Results After 3 days of culture,a small number of spindle,star-shaped or polygonal cells migrated out from the peripheral of the vascular segments.At 5-6 days,island-like cell clusters occurred and the cells began to proliferate rapidly.The cell clusters expanded radially and showed signs of cell cloning.At 7-8 days,the cells fused into sheets and displayed a vortex-like distribution.The cells in the third passage presented with a uniform morphology,showing a typical fibroblast-like arrangement.Flow cytometry showed that the cells expressed predominantly CD44(80.3%),CD73(62.2%)and CD90(46.8%)with low expressions of CD34(1.1%),CD45(0.2%)and CD11b/c(0.2%).Adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation experiments demonstrated that the cells were capable of lipogenic and osteogenic differentiation in vitro.Conclusion Rat aortic vascular stem cells with mesenchymal stem cell characteristics can be successfully isolated and cultured by adherent culture of the segmented outer membrane.

Objective:To investigate the current situation and influencing factors of the cognition of self-supporting for the elderly in nursing institutions, in order to provide a reference basis for constructing an intervention system of self-supporting in nursing institutions and implementing self-supporting more effectively.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. From April to August 2023, 320 elderly people from 7 elderly care institutions in Changsha City were selected by convenience sampling method, and the general information questionnaire, the Barthel Index Scale, the Comprehension Social Support Scale, and the self-developed questionnaire on knowledge belief, and practice of self-supporting for the elderly in nursing institutions were used to investigate. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the factors influencing self-supporting for older people in nursing facilities.Results:Totally 315 valid questionnaires were recovered including 95 males and 220 females, with the majority aged 80-89 years, being 159. The surveyed elderly people in nursing institutions scored (91.24 ± 11.92) points on the self-supporting knowledge questionnaire, and the mean score of the entries was (3.51 ± 0.46) points. The results of multiple linear regression showed that the total scores of activity frequency, the Barthel index of activities daily living and perceived social support were the main factors affecting self-supporting ( t = 5.02, - 6.67, 9.48, all P<0.05), which could explain 51.8% of the total variation. Conclusions:The self-supporting of the elderly in nursing institutions is at a high level, and relevant personnel can better exert the subjective initiative of the elderly in nursing institutions by publicizing and educating the elderly on self-supporting, organizing regular activities and strengthening social support construction.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the periprocedural and postprocedural antithrombotic therapy regimens for patients undergoing percutaneous left atrial appendage closure(PLAAC)at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital(hereinafter referred to as"the hospital")and their association with prognosis,and to provide a basis for antithrombotic therapy in clinical practice for such patients.Methods We systematically collected medical records of non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients underwent PLAAC treatment from January 2018 to January 2022 at our hospital.We recorded basic patient information,preoperative left atrial appendage(LAA)thrombus screening,and antithrombotic regimens,and analyzed the incidence of bleeding and thrombotic events during the periprocedural period and up to 12 months postprocedure.Results A total of 96 patients underwent PLAAC,with 86 included in the final analysis.Eight patients had LAA thrombus detected by transesophageal echocardiography before the procedure,and all thrombi resolved after one month of extended antithrombotic therapy.There was one bleeding event in the continuous anticoagulation group during the periprocedural period,while no bleeding events occurred in the interrupted anticoagulation group.Within one year postprocedure,11 patients(18.0%)in the continuous anticoagulation group and 4 patients(16.0%)in the interrupted anticoagulation group experienced bleeding events.All patients adhered to anticoagulant therapy as prescribed for the first three months postprocedure;between three to six months postprocedure,33.7%of patients received dual antiplatelet therapy(DAPT),and 29.1%discontinued therapy;between six to twelve months,47.7%of patients received single antiplatelet therapy(SAPT)and 48.8%discontinued therapy.During the one-year follow-up,there was one case each of device-related thrombus,ischemic stroke,and cerebral hemorrhage,indicating a low overall incidence of adverse events.Conclusion In the real-world setting,the individualized antithrombotic regimens provided by physicians at the hospital,both periprocedurally and postprocedurally,were reasonable and consistent with guidelines.However,poor medication adherence was a significant issue among patients.It is recommended that clinical pharmacists actively engage in pharmacotherapy monitoring and enhance medication education to improve medication adherence.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading cause of dementia in the elderly. Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP-1) plays a neuroprotective role in AD. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of MKP-1 on AD have not been extensively studied. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, thereby repressing mRNA translation. Here, we reported that the microRNA-429-3p (miR-429-3p) was significantly increased in the brain of APP23/PS45 AD model mice and N2A^APP AD model cells. We further found that miR-429-3p could downregulate MKP-1 expression by directly binding to its 3'-untranslated region (3' UTR). Inhibition of miR-429-3p by its antagomir (A-miR-429) restored the expression of MKP-1 to a control level and consequently reduced the amyloidogenic processing of APP and Aβ accumulation. More importantly, intranasal administration of A-miR-429 successfully ameliorated the deficits of hippocampal CA1 long-term potentiation and spatial learning and memory in AD model mice by suppressing extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2)-mediated GluA1 hyperphosphorylation at Ser831 site, thereby increasing the surface expression of GluA1-containing α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs). Together, these results demonstrate that inhibiting miR-429-3p to upregulate MKP-1 effectively improves cognitive and synaptic functions in AD model mice, suggesting that miR-429/MKP-1 pathway may be a novel therapeutic target for AD treatment.

Tuberous sclerosis complex(TSC)is a rare genetic disease that can lead to benign dysplasia in multiple organs such as the skin, brain, eyes, oral cavity, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and bones. Its main symptoms include epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, skin depigmentation, and facial angiofibromas, whilst incidence is approximately 1 in 10 000 to 1 in 6000 newborns. This case presents a middle-aged woman who initially manifested with epilepsy and nodular depigmentation. Later, she developed a lower abdominal mass, elevated creatinine, and severe anemia. Based on clinical features and whole exome sequencing, the primary diagnosis was confirmed as TSC. Laboratory and imaging examinations revealed that the lower abdominal mass originated from the uterus. CT-guided biopsy pathology and surgical pathology suggested a combination of leiomyoma and abscess. With the involvement of multiple organs and various complications beyond the main diagnosis, the diagnostic and therapeutic process for this patient highlights the importance of rigorous clinical thinking and multidisciplinary collaboration in the diagnosis and treatment of rare and challenging diseases.