ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of Tongnaoyin on the blood-brain barrier status and neurological impairment in acute ischemic stroke （AIS） patients with the syndrome of phlegm-stasis blocking collaterals by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging （DCE-MRI）. MethodsA total of 63 patients diagnosed with AIS in the Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine from October 2022 to December 2023 were enrolled in this study. According to random number table method，the patients were assigned into a control group （32 cases） and an observation group （31 cases）. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment，and the observation group took 200 mL Tongnaoyin after meals，twice a day from day 2 of admission on the basis of the treatment in the control group. After 7 days of treatment，the patients were examined by DCE-MRI. The baseline data for two groups of patients before treatment were compared. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale （NIHSS） score and modified Rankin Scale （mRS） score were recorded before treatment and after 90 days of treatment for both groups. The rKtrans，rKep，and rVe values were obtained from the region of interest （ROI） of the infarct zone/mirror area and compared between the two groups. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the NIHSS or mRS score between the two groups before treatment. After 90 days of treatment，the NIHSS and mRS scores declined in both groups，and the observation group had lower scores than the control group （P<0.05）. After treatment，the rKtrans and rVe in the observation group were lower than those in the control group （P<0.01）. ConclusionCompared with conventional Western medical treatment alone，conventional Western medical treatment combined with Tongnaoyin accelerates the repair of the blood-brain barrier in AIS patients，thereby ameliorating neurological impairment after AIS to improve the prognosis.

Objective: To understand the unhealthy listening habits and related factors hearing on impairment among primary and middle school students in Jilin Province, so as to provide a scientific basis for the prevention of hearing impairment in children and adolescents. Methods: From September to November 2021, a stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to select 12 847 primary and middle school students in nine cities of Jilin Province who use headphones for more than 0.5 hours daily for a questionnaire survey. Data on unhealthy listening habits, lifestyle habits and hearing impairment were collected. The data were analyzed using the χ 2 test and Logistic regression. Results: Totally 1 702 students(13.25%) experienced hearing impairment within the last month. There were statistical differences between the sexes with the average daily headphone use, the times of using headphones ≥1 h every day for one week use in all environment or noisy environment ( χ 2=47.86, 57.60, 66.31, P <0.01). Logistic regression analysis results showed that factors related to the occurrence of hearing impairment among primary and secondary school students included:average daily headphone use of 1-2 h and more than 2 h ( OR=1.74, 95%CI =1.60-1.90; OR=1.73, 95%CI =1.59-1.90), times of using headphones ≥1 h every day for one week were 1-2 times and >2 times ( OR=1.71, 95%CI =1.59- 1.84 ; OR=1.83, 95%CI =1.71-1.97), the times of using headphones≥1 h every day for one week being 1-2 times and >2 times in noisy environment per week ( OR=1.48, 95%CI =1.40-1.56; OR=1.72, 95%CI =1.61-1.86), economic underdevelopment ( OR=1.85, 95%CI =1.76-1.96), boarding （OR=1.78, 95%CI =1.69-1.89), single parent family ( OR=1.72, 95%CI =1.60- 1.87 ), daily activity duration less than 1 h ( OR=1.71, 95%CI =1.63-1.81), sedentary behavior duration more than 6 h per day ( OR=1.88, 95%CI =1.79-1.98) ( P <0.05). Conclusions The behavior of ear protection among primary and middle school students in Jilin Province needs to be enhanced, focusing on students in economically underdeveloped areas, boarding schools and single parent families. It is necessary to guide primary and middle school students to improve their bad ear habits, increase outdoor activities and reduce the time of sitting.

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening cardiovascular disease with devastating complications and high mortality. It requires rapid and accurate diagnosis and a focus on prognosis. Many laboratory tests are routinely performed in patients with aortic dissection including D-dimer, brain natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin I, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin. D-dimer shows vital performance in the diagnosis of aortic dissection, and brain natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin I, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin exhibits important value in risk stratification and prognostic effect in aortic dissection patients. Our review summarized the clinical utility of these laboratory tests in patients with aortic dissection, aiming to provide advanced and comprehensive evidence for clinicians to better understand these laboratory tests and help their clinical practice.

Objective: To analyze the unregistered treatment situation and its influencing factors among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province from 2017 to 2023, so as to provide a basis for promoting the management of tuberculosis patients and optimizing disease prevention and control strategies. Methods: Data of pulmonary tuberculosis patients including demographic information, etiological results, and mortality status were collected through the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System Infectious Disease Reporting and Surveillance System and the Tuberculosis Management Information System. Pulmonary tuberculosis patients not matched in the Tuberculosis Management Information System were defined as unregistered treatment patients, and the unregistered treatment rate was analyzed. Factors affecting unregistered treatment among pulmonary tuberculosis patients were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 10 779 pulmonary tuberculosis patients were reported in Quzhou City from 2017 to 2023, including 7 700 males (71.44%) and 3 079 females (28.56%). There were 5 484 cases aged <65 years, accounting for 50.88%. Among them, 630 cases were unregistered treatment, with an unregistered treatment rate of 5.84% (95%CI: 5.42%-6.38%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed pulmonary tuberculosis patients aged ≥65 years (OR=1.829, 95%CI: 1.512-2.212) had a higher risk of being unregistered treatment than those aged <65 years; patients with non-local household registration (OR=5.710, 95%CI: 4.724-6.901) had a higher risk than local patients; and patients engaged in housework/unemployed (OR=2.001, 95%CI: 1.421-2.818) or other occupations (OR=2.396, 95%CI: 1.789-3.137) had a higher risk than farmers. The mortality of unregistered treatment pulmonary tuberculosis patients was higher than the registered treatment patients (26.67% vs. 5.02%),with a significantly elevated mortality risk (OR=7.147, 95%CI: 5.738-8.902). Conclusions The unregistered treatment rate among pulmonary tuberculosis patients was well controlled in Quzhou City from 2017 to 2023, but the elderly, patients with non-local household registration, and those engaged in housework/unemployed had a higher risk of unregistered treatment. It is recommended to improve medical and social security policies, strengthen health education on tuberculosis prevention, enhance treatment adherence, and reduce mortality risk.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of long non-coding RNA RP11-79H23.3 in the development and progression of prostate cancer.Methods:The lnCAR database was used to analyze the RP11-79H23.3 content in prostate cancer tissues and adjacent tissues. RP11-79H23.3 content in prostate cancer cell lines C4-2B, LNCaP, DU-145, and 22Rv1 was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Taking 22Rv1 as the research target, colony formation experiments and scratch experiments were used to detect the effects of overexpression of RP11-79H23.3 on the proliferation and migration of 22Rv1 cells. The LncRNome and lncACTdb databases were used to predict the downstream gene and binding sequences of RP11-79H23.3. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to analyze the correlation between RP11-79H23.3 and miR-410 expression in prostate cancer tissues. The binding of RP11-79H23.3 and miR-410 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter gene experiment. The effect of RP11-79H23.3 on the expression of miR-410 was detected by RT-qPCR. Western blotting was used to detect the effect of RP11-79H23.3 on the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PTEN/AKT/mTOR) signaling pathway proteins in 22Rv1 cells. The measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation ( ± s), paired sample t-test was used for comparison between two groups, and one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups. Results:Compared with adjacent tissues, RP11-79H23.3 was lowly expressed in prostate cancer tissues ( P<0.01). Compared with normal prostate epithelial cells RWPE-1, RP11-79H23.3 was lowly expressed in prostate cancer cell lines C4-2B, LNCaP, DU-145, and 22Rv1 ( P<0.05). The expression of RP11-79H23.3 in 22Rv1 cells in the control group and RP11-79H23.3 group were 1.02 ± 0.30 and 8.94±1.95, respectively. 22Rv1 cells were successfully overexpressed RP11-79H23.3 compared with the control group ( t=4.04, P<0.01). The number of 22Rv1 cell clones in the control group and RP11-79H23.3 group were 166.10 ± 18.35 and 35.03±6.98, respectively. Overexpression of RP11-79H23.3 could inhibit the proliferation of 22Rv1 cells compared with the control group ( t=6.67, P<0.01). The migration rates of 22Rv1 cells in the control group and RP11-79H23.3 group were (67.40 ± 6.29)% and (26.42 ± 6.24)%, respectively. Overexpression of RP11-79H23.3 could inhibit the migration of 22Rv1 cells compared with the control group ( t=5.71, P<0.01) .Dual-luciferase reporter gene experiment showed that RP11-79H23.3 directly binds to miR-410 ( t=6.20, P<0.01). The expression of miR-410 in 22Rv1 cells in the control group and RP11-79H23.3 group were 6.22±1.39 and 1.05±0.23, respectively. RP11-79H23.3 could inhibit the expression of miR-410 in 22Rv1 cells compared with the control group ( t=3.68, P<0.01). At the same time, RP11-79H23.3 can inhibit the transduction of the PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in 22Rv1 cells. Conclusion:RP11-79H23.3 blocks the PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by inhibiting the expression of miR-410, thereby inhibiting the proliferation and migration of prostate cancer 22Rv1 cells.

Objective To investigate the impact of liraglutide on contrast-induced nephropathy(CIN)and prognosis in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes(T2DM)after PCI.Methods A ret-rospective trial was conducted on 364 elderly T2DM patients undergoing PCI in Department of Cardiology of Tianjin Chest Hospital from January 2021 to June 2022.According to whether lira-glutide was used in the past,they were divided into liraglutide group(n=145)and control group(n=219).Their general clinical data were collected in the two groups.Propensity score matching was used to adjust confounding factors and to assign the patients.After propensity score matc-hing,there were 220 patients finally included,with 110 in each group.The levels of serum creati-nine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin(NGAL),hyper-sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),Bax/BCL-2 and Caspase 9,and incidence of CIN were compared before and in 48 h after PCI be-tween the matched patients from the two groups.These patients were followed up for 18 months after discharge.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the effect of liraglutide on the occurrence of CIN.Kaplan-Meier curve analysis and Log rank test were applied to compare the differences in the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)be-tween 2 groups.Results The levels of Scr,BUN,NGAL,hs-CRP,and MDA were significantly lower,and SOD level was obviously higher in the liraglutide group than the control group in 48 h after PCI(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The liraglutide group had notably lower incidence of CIN than the control group within 48 h after PCI(7.27％vs 16.36％,P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated liraglutide as an independent protective factor against CIN(OR=0.341,95％CI:0.128-0.906,P=0.031).During the median follow-up period of 14.75(12.60,16.33)months,a lower MACE occurrence rate was seen in the liraglutide group than the control group(log rank x2=5.656,P=0.017).Conclusion Liraglutide can reduce the incidences of CIN and MACE in elderly T2DM patients after PCI,which may be associated with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Objective To investigate the influences of Qishen Yiqi dropping pills on serum IL-18 level and prognosis in elderly hypertension patients complicated with acute coronary syndrome(ACS).Methods A prospective study was performed on 330 patients with hypertension compli-cated by ACS treated in our hospital from January 2020 to January 2022.They were randomly di-vided into dropping pills treatment group(n=164)and control group(n=166).The control group received standard Western medicine treatment,and on the basis of the treatment,the treat-ment group were given Qishen Yiqi dropping pills.The baseline clinical data,serum IL-18 level,blood pressure,and blood lipid and glucose levels in 1 year after treatment and the incidence rate of MACE within 1 year of follow-up were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to identify influencing factors for reoccurrence of MACE in elderly patients with hypertension complicated by ACS.ROC curve was plotted to study the value of IL-18 in predicting MACE in the patients.Results In 1 year after treatment,SBP and DBP levels,serum levels of IL-18,LDL-C and TC,and the incidence of MACE were significantly lower in the treatment group than the control group(P＜0.05).Multivarate logistic regression analysis re-vealed that Qishen Yiqi dropping pill was an independent protective factor for MACE(OR=0.259,95％CI:0.087-0.772,P=0.010),while higher serum IL-18 level was a risk factor for MACE(OR=1.075,95％CI:1.046-1.106,P=0.000)in the elderly hypertension patients com-plicated by ACS.The AUC value of serum IL-18 level in predicting MACE in the patients with hypertension complicated by ACS was 0.786(95％CI:0.696-0.877,P＜0.01),with a sensitivity and a specificity of 65.00％and 90.00％respectively.Conclusion Serum IL-18 level has a predic-tive value for prognosis in elderly hypertension patients complicated with ACS.Qishen Yiqi drop-ping pills can reduce serum IL-18 level,blood pressure and lipids,attenuate inflammatory re-sponse,and consequently decrease the risk of MACE and improve prognosis in the patients.

Objective:To investigate whether malignant tumors are an independent risk factor for short-term mortality in elderly patients with sepsis in the intensive care unit(ICU), and to examine the dose-response relationship between the sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)score and short-term mortality in this patient population.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on elderly sepsis patients aged 80 and above from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care(MIMIC-Ⅳ)database spanning from 2008 to 2019.The patients were categorized into a tumor group and a non-tumor group based on the presence of malignant tumors, and a comparison was made between the baseline data and prognosis of these two groups.Furthermore, patients were classified into survival and mortality groups based on their ICU survival status within 28 days, and a comparison of baseline data was performed.Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the risk factors associated with short-term mortality.Additionally, probability unit regression was utilized to model the dose-response relationship between the SOFA score and short-term mortality.Results:A total of 53 150 medical records were screened, identifying 5 126 elderly sepsis patients aged 80 and above.Among them, 754 had malignant tumors and 264 had metastatic tumors.The 28-day mortality rate in the tumor group was significantly higher than in the non-tumor group[26.79%(202/754) vs.18.85%(824/4 372), χ2=24.85, P<0.001].Logistic regression analysis revealed age( OR=1.073, 95% CI: 1.040-1.108, P<0.001), Charlson comorbidity index(CCI)excluding tumors( OR=1.134, 95% CI: 1.067-1.205, P<0.001), blood lactate concentration at ICU admission( OR=1.111, 95% CI: 1.048-1.179, P<0.001), mechanical ventilation( OR=1.603, 95% CI: 1.176-2.187, P=0.003), and SOFA score( OR=1.227, 95% CI: 1.182-1.273, P<0.001)as risk factors for short-term mortality.Conversely, CCI( OR=0.957, 95% CI: 0.867-1.057, P=0.380), use of vasoactive drugs( OR=1.370, 95% CI: 0.902-2.081, P=0.140), malignant tumors( OR=1.131, 95% CI: 0.449-2.848, P=0.794), and metastasis of malignant tumors( OR=1.799, 95% CI: 0.930-3.477, P=0.081)were not associated with short-term mortality.The dose-response curve illustrated that as the SOFA score increased, patients' 28-day mortality rate also rose, reaching 50% at a SOFA score of 11 and exceeding 80% at a score of 20. Conclusions:Malignant tumors and tumor metastasis do not appear to be independent risk factors for short-term mortality in elderly sepsis patients in the ICU.Instead, the short-term mortality rate of these patients seems to be correlated with the SOFA score in a dose-response manner.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided semispinalis capitis plane (SCP) block for treatment of occipital neuralgia (ON).Methods:This was a prospective study. Ninety patients of both sexes, aged 29-66 yr, suffering ON for 3 months-6 yr in Zibo Municipal Hospital from January 2022 to December 2023, were divided into 3 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: combination of greater occipital nerve (GON) block and the third occipital nerve (TON) block group (group GT), SCP block via the medial head of semispinalis capitis muscle (SCM) group (group Sm), and SCP block via the space between obliquus capitis inferior and C 2, 3 facet joint (OCI-C 2, 3) group (group OC). In GT group, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory compound solution 2.5 ml was injected around GON in the SCM-OCI space at the C 2 level of the cervical vertebra and at the lateral surface of C 2, 3 facet joint. In Sm group, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory compound solution 5 ml was injected into the medial head of SCM at the level of C 1. In OC group, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory compound solution 5 ml was injected into the OCI-C 2, 3 space in the deep part of SCM. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score were recorded before treatment (T 1) and at 1, 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after treatment (T 2-6), and then the rates of pain relief and improvement in sleep quality were calculated. The time spent in blocking, onset time of blocking, completion time of blocking, duration of block, and occurrence of adverse reactions within 24 h after block were recorded. Results:There were no significant differences in VAS scores and PSQI scores at T 1-3 and T 5-6 among the three groups ( P>0.05), and VAS and PSQI scores were significantly higher at T 4 in Sm group than in OC and GT groups ( P<0.05). Compared with GT group, the time spent in blocking was significantly shortened, the onset time and completion time of block was prolonged, and the duration of block was shortened in Sm group, and the time spent in blocking was significantly shortened, the onset time and completion time of block was shortened ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the duration of block in OC group ( P>0.05). No severe complications were observed in the three groups. Conclusions:Compared with the combination of GON and TON blocks, ultrasound-guided SCP block for treating ON is simple and highly safe, SCP block via the OCI-C 2, 3 space has rapid onset and long duration, leading to significant improvements in pain and sleep quality, and it can be used as the first-choice block method for treating ON.

Objective:To investigate the expression of long non-coding RNA(lncRNA) ZFP36-AS1 in bladder cancer and the effect of ZFP36-AS1/miR-221 axis on the proliferation and immune escape of bladder cancer cells.Methods:The expression difference of ZFP36-AS1 in bladder cancer tissues was analyzed by cBioPortal database. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to analyze the expression difference of ZFP36-AS1 in bladder cancer cell lines (J82, RT-4, MGH-U3, 5637). MGH-U3 cells were randomly divided into negative control (NC) group and ZFP36-AS1 group, which were transfected with pcDNA3.1-NC plasmid and pcDNA3.1-ZFP36-AS1 plasmid, respectively. Colony formation assay and flow cytometry were used to analyze the proliferation activity and cell cycle of MGH-U3 cells, respectively. T lymphocytes were co-cultured with MGH-U3 cells in each group, and the levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), γ-interferon (IFN-γ), and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the supernatants of each group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay verified the targeting relationship between ZFP36-AS1 and miR-221. The effect of ZFP36-AS1 on the expression of miR-221 in MGH-U3 cells was detected by RT-qPCR. Western blotting was used to detect the effect of ZFP36-AS1/miR-221 axis on the protein expression of CDK3, Cyclin C, CDK5, Cyclin D1 and Cyclin D3 in MGH-U3 cells.Results:Compared with normal bladder tissue, ZFP36-AS1 was abnormally low-expressed in bladder cancer tissue ( P<0.01). Compared with SV-HUC-1 cells, ZFP36-AS1 was abnormally low-expressed in bladder cancer cell lines (J82, RT-4, MGH-U3, 5637) ( P<0.01), and the expression was lowest in MGH-U3 cells ( P<0.01). The number of MGH-U3 cell colonies formed in the NC group and the ZFP36-AS1 group were (220.80±34.65) and (77.84±19.11), respectively, and the number of MGH-U3 cell colonies formed in the ZFP36-AS1 group was significantly down-regulated, the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). The proportions of G 0/G 1 phase cells in NC group and ZFP36-AS1 group were (48.04±2.89)% and (72.89±3.46)%, respectively, and the proportion of S phase cells were (35.38±2.98)% and (20.62±2.56)%, respectively. The proportion of G 2/M stage cells was (16.59±1.46)% and (6.48±1.50)%, respectively. The proportion of cells in G 0/G 1 phase were up-regulated in ZFP36-AS1 group ( P<0.01), and the proportion of cells in S phase and G 2/M phase were both down-regulated ( P<0.01). Compared with the NC group, the levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ in the ZFP36-AS1 group were significantly up-regulated ( P<0.01), and the level of IL-10 was significantly down-regulated ( P<0.01). ZFP36-AS1 can target miR-221 ( P<0.01). The relative expression of miR-221 in the NC group and the ZFP36-AS1 group was 6.84±1.35 and 1.00±0.21, respectively. Compared with the NC group, overexpression of ZFP36-AS1 could significantly inhibit the expression of miR-221 ( P<0.01). Compared with the NC group, the expressions of CDK3, Cyclin C, CDK5, Cyclin D1, and Cyclin D3 in the ZFP36-AS1 group were significantly decreased. Conclusion:ZFP36-AS1 is abnormally low-expressed in bladder cancer, and it reduces the proliferation activity of bladder cancer cells and inhibits their immune escape by inhibiting the expression of miR-221.