Objective To examine the gene expression profile of SRY-type high-mobility-group box-9(SOX9) during entochondrostosis of mice and investigate the effects of transfection of the pDC316-SOX-9 on mice mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) in vitro. Methods cDNA microarray technique with 34 000 genes was used to analyze the gene expression profiles during entochondrostosis in the limbs of mice embryo from E10 to E14. Pathway analysis of SOX9 was performed with GCOS1.2 software. The recombined expression vector pDC316-SOX-9 was constructed and transfected into mice MSCs by lipofectamine. The phenotype changes of cells were observed with cell energometry, HE stain, immunohistochemical method, RT-PCR and ELISA.Results The gene expression of SOX9 during the critical phase of chondrogenesis in mice embryo limbs at E12 was increased evidently. SOX9 might promot chondrogenesis. As compared with vector and blank group,the chondrocytes of the SOX9 transfected group had the tendency of enhanced differentiation. Conclusion SOX9 may promote chondrogenesis. The transfection of SOX9 gene into mice MSCs can promot MSCs differentiate into chondrocyte, which may provide some experimental data for cartilage histoengineering.

Abstract As a new non drug treatment technology, virtual reality technology is commonly available for childhood obesity prevention and treatment. This technology offers a great opportunity to carry out research on parental feeding behavior. Also, its combination with child nutritional education and exercise managementis is gaining popularity. This review summarizes the application progress of virtual reality technology in childhood obesity prevention and treatment, such as parental feeding,children s nutrition education and children s sports management, providing reference for childhood weight management and related research.

Visual hallucination(VH)is a common symptom of schizophrenia,the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated.It has been found that the dysfunction of dopamine(DA)system,the overactivation of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate(AMPA)receptor in glutamate system and the dysfunction of γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)ergic neurons can induce VH in patients with schizophrenia.In addition,abnormalities in brain structural and functional networks and visual networks are also closely related to the occurrence of VH.The purpose of this paper is to review the neurochemistry and nerve injury mechanism of VH in schizophrenic patients to deeply understand the characteristics of VH,and make more accurate judgment in the early diagnosis,condition evaluation and treatment plan of schizophrenic patients.

OBJECTIVE:To study the improvement effects of citalopram combined with huperzine A in aged depression model rats. METHODS:Aged rats were randomly divided into blank control group,model group,huperzine A group(0.3 mg/kg),citalo-pram group(5 mg/kg),and combination group(huperzine A 0.3 mg/kg+citalopram 5 mg/kg),10 in each group. Except for blank control group,rats in other groups received chronic unpredictable mild stress to reduce depression model. After modeling,rats were intragastrically administrated relevant drugs once a day,for 2 weeks. The depression,learning and memory behavior changes of rats in each group were observed by using open-field test,sucrose consumption test,tail suspension test,forced swimming test and Morris water maze test. RESULTS:Compared with blank control group,the horizontal crossing number,uprightness number,su-crose preference rate,crossing number in platform,percentages of target quadrant distance and time of rats in model group were ob-viously decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01);immobility time of tail suspension and swimming,escape latency were obviously pro-longed(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with model group,the depression-related indexes of rats in citalopram group and combina-tion group were obviously improved(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and combination group had better effects;the learning and memory-re-lated indexes in combination group were obviously improved(P<0.05 or P<0.01),only crossing time in platform in huperzine A group and citalopram group were obviously increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01),and other learning and memory-related indexes had no obvious changes(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Citalopram combined with huperzine A can obviously improve the depression be-havior,learning and memory ability of aged rats with depression,showing better effects than citalopram alone.

Objective To explore the demand for transitional care service and readiness for hospital discharge in patients with day surgery and analyze their correlation. Methods From October to December 2016, a total of 288 patients undergoing day surgery of Day Surgery Ward in the West China Hospital, Sichuan University, were investigated with questionnaire. Survey instrument included the general information questionnaire, Transitional Care Service Demand Questionnaire and Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS). The dimension score and total score were described with a ((x)±s) deviation. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the score of demand for transitional care service and readiness for hospital discharge of patients. Results The total score of demand for transitional care service of patients with day surgery was (2.88±0.78) with a high level and (2.93±0.81) for the highest score in the dimension of wound self observation and care. The score of readiness for hospital discharge was (80.44±13.06) in patients with a high level. The total score of readiness for hospital discharge had a negative correlation with the total score of demand for transitional care service (r=-0.424, P< 0.05). Conclusions Patients with day surgery are with a high demand for transitional care service. Improving the readiness for hospital discharge can reduce demand for transitional care service. We should adopt positive measures to improve patients' self-care agency during hospitalization, draw up transitional care scheme according to different diseases and provide focused transitional care service.

Objective:To assess the discriminatory value of the Thyroid Follicular Tumor Ultrasound Risk Stratification System (F-TIRADS) in differentiating follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) from follicular thyroid adenoma (FTA), and to compare its performance with other risk stratification systems(RSS).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 325 patients (327 thyroid nodules) diagnosed postoperatively as FTC or FTA at Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2016 to December 2023. The cases were divided into FTC group (81 nodules) and FTA group (246 nodules). The nodules were classified based on F-TIRADS, the 2020 Chinese Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (C-TIRADS), the 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines (ATA guidelines), and the 2017 European Thyroid Association Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (EU-TIRADS) by two ultrasound physicians. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors associated with FTC. Diagnostic performance of the 4 RSS was compared using postoperative pathological results as the gold standard.Results:Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed maximum diameter, solid composition, hypoechogenicity, unclear or angular margins, marginal or ring calcifications, trabecular structure, and central blood flow were independent predictors of FTC( OR=1.914, 3.427, 9.926, 9.163, 45.918, 3.191, 8.936, respectively; all P<0.05). Within each RSS, the actual malignancy rate increased with higher risk categories, aligning closely with the recommended malignancy rates (except for ATA guidelines). The optimal cut-off values for distinguishing FTC from FTA were FTC risk 50%-90% in F-TIRADS, C-TIRADS 4B, moderately suspicious nodules in ATA guidelines, and EU-TIRADS 4, with areas under the curve of 0.916, 0.808, 0.827, and 0.836, respectively. F-TIRADS demonstrated the best overall performance (sensitivity: 82.72%, specificity: 82.93%), with significant differences compared with C-TIRADS, ATA guidelines, and EU-TIRADS (all P<0.05). Conclusions:F-TIRADS is highly effective in distinguishing FTA from FTC, outperforming C-TIRADS, ATA Guidelines, and EU-TIRADS. Clinicians should pay close attention to solid hypoechoic nodules with unclear or angular margins, marginal or ring calcifications, central blood flow, or a trabecular structure.

Objective:To investigate the ultrasonographic features and evolution of thyroid shrinking nodules in order to improve the differential diagnosis and management strategy and avoid unnecessary biopsy.Methods:A total of 245 patients with old bleeding of benign thyroid nodules diagnosed via fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) from May 2015 to July 2020 in the southern part of the Shanghai General Hospital Affiliated to the Medical College of Shanghai Jiaotong University, including 263 nodules. The sonographic parameters such as size, shape, aspect ratio, echo, edge, boundary, periphery, halo, calcification, posterior echo enhancement and posterior acoustic attenuation of nodules were analyzed retrospectively, and the ultrasonic appearances of nodules were classified; 41 nodules from 40 patients, who did ultrasound examinations more than twice and had both complete ultrasonographic data, were compared and then classified in order to explore the evolution rules of the nodules.Results:Two hundred and sixty-three thyroid shrinking nodules in 245 cases were classified into 4 types: "cystic wall shrinkage sign" type(71.48%, 188/263), "carcinoma-like" type (22.05%, 58/263), "inflammation-like" type(3.04%, 8/263) and "undefined atypical solid nodules" type(3.42%, 9/263). Of the 41 consecutive follow-up nodules, 37 cases showed obvious cystic wall shrinkage sign, and 7 of them developed into "carcinoma-like" type and 6 cases into "inflammation-like" type.Conclusions:The ultrasonographic appearance of thyroid shrinking nodules is a dynamic process, which can be divided into 4 types: "cystic wall shrinkage sign" , "carcinoma-like" , "inflammation-like" and "undefined atypical solid nodules" types. The "cystic wall shrinkage sign" type is typical and common. The "cystic wall shrinkage sign" type can develope into the "carcinoma-like" type or the "inflammation-like" type.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Rome III criteria separated chronic constipation into functional constipation (FC) and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C), but some researchers questioned the partitioning and treated both as distinct parts of a continuum. The study aims to explore the similarity and diversity of brain white matter between FC and IBS-C. METHODS: The voxel-wise analysis of the diffusion parameters was used to quantify the white matter changes of female brains in 18 FC patients and 20 IBS-C patients compared with a comparison group with 19 healthy controls by tract-based spatial statistics. The correlations between diffusive parameters and clinical symptoms were evaluated using a Pearson’s correlation. RESULTS: In comparison to healthy controls, FC patients showed a decrease of fractional anisotropy (FA) and an increase of radial diffusivity (RD) in multiple major fibers encompassing the corpus callosum (CC, P = 0.001 at peak), external capsule (P = 0.002 at peak), corona radiata (CR, P = 0.001 at peak), and superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF, P = 0.002 at peak). In contrast, IBS-C patients showed FA and RD aberrations in the CC (P = 0.048 at peak). Moreover, the direct comparison between FC and IBS-C showed only RD differences in the CR and SLF. In addition, FA and RD in the CC were significantly associated with abdominal pain for all patients, whereas FA in CR (P = 0.016) and SLF (P = 0.040) were significantly associated with the length of time per attempt and incomplete evacuation separately for FC patients. CONCLUSION: These results may improve our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying different types of constipation.
Abdominal Pain ; Anisotropy ; Brain ; Constipation ; Corpus Callosum ; Diffusion ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; External Capsule ; Female ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; White Matter

Objective:To investigate gender differences in arterial velocity pulse index(AVI), which is an indicator of vascular stiffness, across various age groups.Additionally, the study will also examine the risk factors associated with AVI.Methods:This cross-sectional study enrolled 4311 patients with an average age of 57.8±12.8 years at Jiading Branch of Shanghai First People's Hospital between August 2020 and September 2021.Patients were divided into three groups based on age: young(<45 years old, n=755), middle-aged(45-59 years old, n=1260), and elderly(≥60 years old, n=2 296). The AVI of the subject was obtained using the cuff oscillation wave method.The subject's AVI was acquired using the cuff oscillation wave.High AVI, indicating arteriosclerosis, was defined as AVI≥33.The subjects were then divided into two groups: the high AVI group(122 cases)and the normal AVI group(4 189 cases).Results:The ankle-brachial index(AVI)was found to be 12.8±3.7, 17.5±5.7, and 19.8±6.5 in the young, middle-aged, and elderly groups, respectively.The study revealed that AVI increased with age( Ftrend=767.819, P<0.01). Additionally, the incidence of high AVI in middle-aged women was found to be(2.8% or 20/722), which was higher than that in men 0.9%(5/538)in the same age group.This difference was statistically significant( χ2=5.371, P<0.05). The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicate that being overweight, having a higher height, and a pulse rate greater than 80 BPM are protective factors in preventing a high incidence of AVI.The odds ratios( OR)with 95% confidence intervals( CI)for these factors were 0.468(0.317-0.690), 0.926(0.895-0.958), and 0.143(1.026-2.432), respectively, all with a P-value less than 0.01.On the other hand, old age, systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher, and diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher were identified as risk factors for AVI.The ORs with 95% CIs for these factors were 2.119(1.322-3.396), 6.652(4.136-10.699), and 1.580(1.026-2.432), respectively, all with a P- value less than 0.05l. Conclusions:Arterial stiffness, as measured by the ankle-brachial index(ABI), tends to increase with age.In middle-aged subjects, women have a higher incidence of high ABI than men.Independent risk factors for high ABI include age and increased blood pressure, while factors such as overweight and height may affect the measured value of ABI.

Sleep deprivation (SD) has a profound impact on the central nervous system, resulting in an array of mood disorders, including depression and anxiety. Despite this, the dynamic alterations in neuronal activity during sleep deprivation have not been extensively investigated. While some researchers propose that sleep deprivation diminishes neuronal activity, thereby leading to depression. Others argue that short-term sleep deprivation enhances neuronal activity and dendritic spine density, potentially yielding antidepressant effects. In this study, a two-photon microscope was utilized to examine the calcium transients of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) neurons in awake SD mice in vivo at 24-hour intervals. It was observed that SD reduced the frequency and amplitude of Ca2+ transients while increasing the proportions of inactive neurons. Following the cessation of sleep deprivation, neuronal calcium transients demonstrated a gradual recovery. Moreover, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings revealed a significant decrease in the frequency of spontaneous excitatory post-synaptic current (sEPSC) after SD. The investigation also assessed several oxidative stress parameters, finding that sleep deprivation substantially elevated the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), while simultaneously decreasing the expression of Nuclear Factor erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 (Nrf2) and activities of Superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the ACC. Importantly, the administration of gallic acid (GA) notably mitigated the decline of calcium transients in ACC neurons. GA was also shown to alleviate oxidative stress in the brain and improve cognitive impairment caused by sleep deprivation. These findings indicate that the calcium transients of ACC neurons experience a continuous decline during sleep deprivation, a process that is reversible. GA may serve as a potential candidate agent for the prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment induced by sleep deprivation.