BackgroundObsessive-compulsive disorder （OCD） is a common neuropsychiatric illness and is listed as one of the top ten disabling conditions causing loss of income and reduced quality of life. Psychological distress is an important cause of anhedonia in OCD patients， and is closely related to psychosomatic symptoms. Therefore， exploring the role of anhedonia in the relationship between psychological distress and psychosomatic symptoms is of great significance for optimizing clinical psychological treatment protocols for OCD patients. ObjectiveTo explore the role of anhedonia in the relationship between psychological distress and psychosomatic symptoms in OCD patients， with the aim of providing references for managing psychosomatic symptoms in patients. MethodsA total of 90 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for OCD according to the International Classification of Diseases， tenth edition （ICD-10）， and who visited the Mental Health Center outpatient clinic of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from September 2023 to November 2024 were selected as the study objects. The instruments and techniques used for the evaluation were： Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale （DARS）， 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale （K10） and Psychosomatic Symptom Scale （PSSS）. Model 4 of the Process for SPSS 26.0 was used to test the mediating role of anhedonia in the relationship between psychological distress and psychosomatic symptoms， with Bootstrapping used to assess the significance of mediating effect. ResultsA total of 84 patients （93.33%） completed the valid questionnaire. K10 score was positively correlated with PSSS total score， psychological symptom score and physical symptom score （r=0.559， 0.460， 0.551， P<0.01）. K10 score was negatively correlated with DARS total score （r=-0.527， P<0.01）. The total score of DARS was negatively correlated with PSSS total score （r=-0.497， P<0.01）. Anhedonia mediated the relationship between psychological distress and psychosomatic symptoms， with an indirect effect value was 0.148 （95% CI： 0.042~0.278）， accounting for 26.48% of the total effect. ConclusionPsychological distress can affect the psychosomatic symptoms in OCD patients both directly and indirectly via anhedonia.

OBJECTIVE: To screen the optimal regimen of acupuncture and moxibustion for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), so as to provide the evidences for clinical decision-making. METHODS: From 7 databases in Chinese and English i.e. the Full-Text Database of China Journal Network (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang), VIP Information Chinese Journal Service Platform (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed), PubMed, Web of Science (WOS) and Cochrane Library, randomized controlled trial (RCT) articals of OSAHS treated with acupuncture and moxibustion were searched. The quality of evidence was evaluated with the modified Jadad scale, the evaluation index was established and the optimal regimen of acupuncture and moxibustion for OSAHS was screened by multi-index decision analysis. RESULTS: A total of 10 RCTs were included, and the filiform needling therapy was optimal in treatment of OSAHS. The acupoints included Lianquan (CV23), Danzhong (CV17), Zhongwan (CV12), and bilateral Kongzui (LU6), Pishu (BL20), Fenglong (ST40), Zusanli (ST36), Yinlingquan (SP9) and Zhaohai (KI6). Zusanli (ST36) received the reinforcing method, Pishu (BL20) and Fenglong (ST40) were stimulated with the reducing technique, and the rest acupoints with the uniform reinforcing-reducing. Each acupoint was manually manipulated once every 10 min during the needle retention for 30 min. Acupuncture was delivered once a day, 5 times a week and for consecutive 4 weeks. Among the included literature, the severity of disease was not reported in detail, the filiform needling was the dominant intervention, the local acupoints such as Lianquan (CV23) and Panglianquan (Extra) were mainly selected. The apnea-hypopnea index and the minimum oxygen saturation were taken as the evaluation indexes, and the effect was evaluated in reference to the generally accepted standards. The attention to safety evaluation was insufficient, the report on methodology was not adequate and the quality was low. CONCLUSION Filiform needling is the dominant therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion for OSAHS, and the local acupoints are considered specially. But the quality of clinical research should be improved.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/therapy* ; Acupuncture Points ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

After being treated with acupuncture, some patients with idiopathic tinnitus may experience a short-term aggravation of tinnitus symptoms on the original basis. These symptoms can be gradually relieved and the overall condition fluctuates towards recovery. This phenomenon has brought some difficulties to patients and clinicians. Based on the academic view of TCM, "destroying pathogens and re-building balance", and in association with the existing understanding of acupuncture in modern medicine for tinnitus, this paper briefly discusses the mechanism and influencing factors of symptom fluctuation in patients with idiopathic tinnitus after acupuncture treatment in terms of both TCM and modern medicine, and proposes the future direction in the research of symptom fluctuation, so as to promote the recognition of clinicians and patients on symptom fluctuation and make rational use of its positive effects. Besides, it is hoped that more researchers will pay attention to symptom fluctuation and advance the exploration of it in academic field.
Humans ; Tinnitus/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Female

Objective To investigate the effects of cucurbitacin B (CucB) on alleviating skin lesions and inflammation in psoriasis mice via the cGAS-STING signaling pathway. Methods The expression of genes associated with the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in psoriatic lesions and non-lesional skin was analyzed, and hallmark gene set enrichment analysis was performed. The cytotoxicity of CucB on BMDMs was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The expression levels of genes and proteins related to the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, along with the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, were measured at different concentrations of CucB using quantitative PCR, Western blotting, and ELISA. Imiquimod-induced psoriasis BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: normal group, model group, low-dose CucB group [0.1 mg/ (kg.d)], and high-dose CucB group [0.4 mg/ (kg.d)], with five mice per group. PASI scoring was performed to assess the severity of psoriasis after 6 days of treatment, and HE staining was conducted to observe pathological damage. Meanwhile, the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines and their secretion were detected by qPCR and ELISA. Results Most cGAS-STING signaling-related genes were upregulated in lesional skin of psoriasis patients, and the hallmark gene set enrichment analysis revealed that the most significantly upregulated genes were primarily associated with immune response signaling pathways. CucB inhibited dsDNA-induced phosphorylation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and STING proteins in both bone-marrow derived macrophages(BMDMs) and THP-1 cells. CucB also suppressed dsDNA-induced mRNA expression of IFNB1, TNF, IFIT1, CXCL10, ISG15, and reduced the secretion of cytokines such as IFN-β, IL-1β, and TNF-α in THP-1 cells. In the imiquimod-induced psoriasis mouse model, CucB treatment reduced psoriatic symptoms, alleviated skin lesions, and attenuated inflammation. ELISA and qPCR results showed that CucB significantly reduced serum secretion levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β, as well as the mRNA levels of IL23A, IL1B, IL6, TNF, and IFNB1. Conclusion CucB inhibits cytoplasmic DNA-induced activationc of the GAS-STING pathway. CucB significantly attenuates skin lesions and inflammation in IMQ-induced psoriatic mice, and the potential molecular mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of the cGAS-STING pathway.
Animals ; Psoriasis/pathology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Mice ; Nucleotidyltransferases/genetics* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Skin/metabolism* ; Triterpenes/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Male

Microglial pyroptosis and neuroinflammation have been implicated in the pathogenesis of sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). OGT-mediated O-GlcNAcylation is involved in neurodevelopment and injury. However, its regulatory function in microglial pyroptosis and involvement in SAE remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that OGT deficiency augmented microglial pyroptosis and exacerbated secondary neuronal injury. Furthermore, OGT inhibition impaired cognitive function in healthy mice and accelerated the progression in SAE mice. Mechanistically, OGT-mediated O-GlcNAcylation of ATF2 at Ser44 inhibited its phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, thereby amplifying NLRP3 inflammasome activation and promoting inflammatory cytokine production in microglia in response to LPS/Nigericin stimulation. In conclusion, this study uncovers the critical role of OGT-mediated O-GlcNAcylation in modulating microglial activity through the regulation of ATF2 and thus protects against SAE progression.
Animals ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Pyroptosis/physiology* ; Mice ; Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy/prevention & control* ; Activating Transcription Factor 2/metabolism* ; N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Mice, Knockout

Objective:To investigate the value of the modified ROX (mROX) index in predicting the outcome of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to SARS-CoV-2 infection treated with high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC).Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted, including 57 patients with ARDS caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection who required HFNC treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Lanzhou University Second Hospital from December 2022 to June 2023. The patients were divided into HFNC failure group and HFNC success group according to whether they were successfully weaned from HFNC. Laboratory tests, acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ), and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) in the first 24 hours of ICU admission were recorded in both groups, vital signs and arterial blood gas analysis immediately and after 6 hours of HFNC treatment, treatment regimen, length of ICU stay, and total length of hospital stay were recorded in both groups, and patients' outcomes at 28 days and 90 days were followed up by telephone. Univariate analysis was used to analyze the above indexes, and the significant indexes were included in the binary multivariate Logistic regression analysis to analyze the influencing factors of HFNC failure in patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted to analyze the 28-day and 90-day outcomes of patients in both groups. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was plotted to analyze the value of treatment 6-hour mROX index and 6-hour ROX index in predicting the success of HFNC.Results:A total of 57 patients with ARDS due to SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled, including 34 patients in the HFNC success group and 23 patients in the HFNC failure group. Procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), lactic acid (Lac) and the proportion of vasopressors, the proportion of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), the APACHEⅡscore and the SOFA score, the respiratory rate (RR) immediately and 6 hours after treatment were significantly higher in the HFNC failure group compared with the HFNC success group. The length of ICU stay was significantly longer, and oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2) at the time of treatment, and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO 2), arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2), ROX index, and mROX index at the time of treatment and at 6 hours after treatment were significantly lower in the HFNC failure group compared with the HFNC success group (all P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that the 28-day cumulative survival rates (100% vs. 26.1%) and 90-day cumulative survival rates (85.3% vs. 21.7%) of patients in the HFNC success group were significantly higher than those in the HFNC failure group (both P < 0.001). On binary multivariate Logistic regression analysis, Lac [odds ratio ( OR) = 0.129, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 0.020-0.824], SOFA score ( OR = 0.382, 95% CI was 0.158-0.925), 6-hour ROX index ( OR = 0.099, 95% CI was 0.011-0.920), and 6-hour mROX index ( OR = 23.703, 95% CI was 1.415-396.947) were associated with HFNC treatment outcome (all P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the 6-hour mROX index and the 6-hour ROX index for predicting the success of HFNC were both higher (0.809 and 0.714, respectively), and the AUC of 6-hour mROX index was significantly higher than that of 6-hour ROX index ( P < 0.01), and the sensitivity was 88.2% and the specificity was 52.2% when the cut-off value of 6-hour mROX index was 4.5. Conclusion:The predictive value of the 6-hour mROX index in the treatment of patients with ARDS caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection is higher than that of the 6-hour ROX index, and the 6-hour mROX index is greater than 4.5, which is more likely to predict the success of HFNC treatment.

Objective:To comprehensively understand the basic situation of critical care medicine in Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps in order to promote the standardization, specialization, and systematization of quality control in critical care medicine.Methods:A survey was conducted from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021, using a questionnaire to investigate the human resources and basic allocation of comprehensive intensive care medicine departments in Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps division level hospitals and surrounding second-class hospitals. The survey content includes: basic situation of medical units, intensive care unit (ICU) basic information, ICU personnel situation, ICU equipment configuration situation, ICU performance situation, etc. The survey questionnaire was distributed in March 2022, with dedicated ICU attending physicians or above designated by each ICU as the contact person for the survey.Results:Sixteen questionnaires were distributed and returned, all of which were included from 16 comprehensive intensive care medicine departments in the Corps and surrounding areas, including 5 second class first class hospitals and 11 third class first class hospitals. There were 196 beds in 16 ICU units, and the ICU bed ratio (1.99% overall, 1.77% in third class first class hospitals) was lower than the 2%-8% stipulated in the Guidelines for the Construction and Management of Critical Care Medicine (Trial) issued by the National Health Commission. Only ICU beds in second class first class hospitals accounted for 2.65%, meeting this standard. The comprehensive ICU doctor-bed ratio in 16 hospitals was 0.55∶1, third class first class hospitals was 0.60∶1, and second class first class hospitals was 0.44∶1, compared with 0.8∶1 stipulated in the ministerial guidelines, there was a certain gap. Among the 108 doctors in 16 ICUs, only four have a master's degree or above. Associate senior and above professional and technical titles accounted for 27.78%, less than one third. Among the 334 nursing staff, there were no personnel with a master's degree or above, and only 10 personnel with associate senior or above professional and technical titles. From 2019 to 2021, there was 1 new master's degree personnel, 2 new senior professional and technical personnel, and 12 deputy senior professional and technical personnel. It indicating that the proportion of highly educated and experienced physicians and nurses were lower, team building lags behind, talent introduction were lower, and highly educated talents were scarce. The statistical analysis results of the absolute growth of core technology showed that the growth of core technology was slow, the progressiveness was insufficient, and the professional technical ability was insufficient. Conclusions:The construction of critical care majors and talent echelons in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps region is lagging behind, the overall professional level of the discipline is not high, and there is a lack of specialized personnel. Further improvement is needed in talent cultivation, technical development and training, medical quality management, and other aspects to ensure medical quality and safety.

Objective To investigate the current status of health behavioral decision-making in ischemic stroke patients and analyze its influencing factors.Methods Totally 250 ischemic stroke patients were selected from 2 hospitals in Zhengzhou and Anyang from February to May 2023.A general information questionnaire,Behavioral Decision-Making Scale for Stroke Patients,Recurrence Risk Perception Scale for Patients with Stroke,and Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire were used to conduct the questionnaire survey.Results The Behavioral Decision-Making Scale for Stroke Patients score of 229 ischemic stroke patients was(117.83±7.15)scores.The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that occupational status,glycemic compliance,primary caregiver,current symptoms,stroke self-efficacy,and recurrence risk perception were the influencing factors of health behavioral decision making in ischemic stroke patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion The health behavioral decision making of ischemic stroke patients is at an upper-middle level.Individualized interventions can be carried out for patients with different characteristics to promote the patients'ability to behavior decision making and the formation of preventive behaviors.

Objective To develop a risk prediction model for postoperative malnutrition in children with congenital heart disease(CHD)and to verify it both internally and externally.Methods By a convenience sampling method,300 CHD children treated at a tertiary hospital in Shandong Province from January 2018 to December 2021 were selected as a modeling group,and 129 children from January 2022 to June 2023 were selected as a validation group.Data on patient demographics,disease-specific variables,therapeutic interventions,and nursing care parameters were collected.Single factor and logistic regression were employed to construct a risk prediction model for postoperative malnutrition in CHD children,and the nomogram was drawn and its prediction effect was evaluated.Results The incidence of postoperative malnutrition among CHD children was 33.10％.Logistic regression analysis revealed that risk factors for malnutrition in children included birth weight＜2.5 kg,preoperative malnutrition,negative fluid balance 1 week after surgery,and long duration of cardiopulmonary bypass(P＜0.05).The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the modeling group was 0.933;the sensitivity was 83.30％;the specificity was 90.90％.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that x2=7.765(P=0.457).The AUC of the validation group was 0.918;the sensitivity was 87.20％;the specificity was 90.00％.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that x2=4.947(P=0.763).Calibration curves for both groups indicated good calibration of the model,and the clinical decision curves demonstrated its practical clinical utility.Conclusion The risk prediction model developed in this study exhibits good predictive ability,which can provide a reference for medical staff to early identify high-risk infants for postoperative malnutrition following CHD surgery and to formulate targeted intervention measures.

Objective:To explore the histopathological factors affecting the stiffness of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).Methods:Ninety-six patients with PTC confirmed by surgery and pathology in Shanxi Bethune Hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were selected, including 101 nodules. Two-dimensional ultrasound and shear-wave elastography (SWE) were performed before surgery and the average Young's modulus (Emean) of PTC nodules were measured. Histopathological examinations on the nodules were conducted after surgery to decide the lesion size, number of lesions, calcification type, presence or absence of capsular and extracapsular invasion, degree of fibrosis, microvessel density, and number of tumor cells. The correlations between the lesion size, degree of fibrosis, microvessel density, and number of tumor cells and the Emean were analyzed. The Emeans of nodules with different numbers of lesions, presence or absence of capsular and extracapsular invasion, and different pathological calcification types were compared. The multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the histopathological factors influencing the Emean.Results:The ranges of the lesion sizes, degrees of fibrosis, microvascular density, numbers of tumor cells, and the Emeans of the 101 investigated PTC nodules were (1.29±0.95) cm, (30.64±18.37)%, (101.64±30.7) vessels per high power field, (373.52±149.87) cells per high power field, and (36.47±19.62) kPa, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that the lesion size of PTC and the degree of fibrosis were positively correlated with the Emean ( r=0.660, P＜0.001; r=0.789, P＜0.001), while the microvessel density was negatively correlated with the Emean ( r=-0.198, P=0.047). The Emean of the group with capsular and extracapsular invasion was higher than that of the group without ( P=0.014). There were statistical differences in the Emeans among different types of pathological calcification ( P＜0.001). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that the lesion size ( β=0.325, P＜0.001), degree of fibrosis ( β=0.563, P＜0.001), psammoma bodies ( β=0.177, P=0.001), stromal calcification ( β=0.164, P=0.003), and mixed calcification of both psammoma bodies and stroma ( β=0.163, P=0.003) were independent influencing factors for the Emean. The degree of fibrosis had the greatest impact on the Emean. Conclusions:The Emean of PTC lesions was correlated with the histopathological characteristics of PTC. The lesion size, degree of fibrosis, and calcification had significant impact on the Emean, among which the degree of fibrosis had the greatest impact.