ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of compound Xishu granules （CXG） in inhibiting the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating ferroptosis. MethodsThe transplanted tumor model of human Huh7 was established with nude mice and the successfully modeled mice were randomized into model， Fufang Banmao （0.21 g·kg^-1）， low-dose （1.87 g·kg^-1） CXG， medium-dose （3.74 g·kg^-1） CXG， and high-dose （7.49 g·kg^-1） CXG groups. Mice were administrated with drinking water or CXG for 28 days， and the body weight and tumor volume were measured every 4 days. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the histopathological changes of tumors. The cell-counting kit-8 （CCK-8） was used to examine the survival rate of Huh7 cells treated with different concentrations （0， 31.25， 62.5， 125， 250， 500， 1 000 mg·L^-1） of CXG for 24 h and 48 h. CA-AM， DCFH-DA， and C11-BODIPY^581/591 fluorescent probes were used to determine the intracellular levels of ferrous ion （Fe²⁺）， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， and lipid peroxide （LPO）， respectively. The colorimetric method was employed to measure the levels of glutathione （GSH） and superoxide dismutase （SOD）. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， transferrin receptor 1 （TFR1）， and ferritin heavy chain 1 （FTH1）， respectively. ResultsIn the animal experiment， compared with the model group， the drug treatment groups showed reductions in the tumor volume from day 12 （P<0.01）. After treatment， the Fufang Banmao and low-， medium-， and high-dose CXG groups had lower tumor volume， relative tumor volume， and tumor weight than the model group （P<0.05）， with tumor inhibition rates of 48.99%， 79.93%， 91.38%， and 97.36%， respectively. Moreover， the CXG groups had lower tumor volume and relative tumor volume （P<0.05 in all the three dose groups） and lower tumor weight （P<0.05 in medium-dose and high-dose groups） than the Fufang Banmao group. Compared with the model group， the drug treatment groups showed reduced number of tumor cells， necrotic foci with karyopyknosis， nuclear fragmentation， and nucleolysis， and the high-dose CXG group showed an increase in the proportion of interstitial fibroblasts. In the cell experiment， compared with the blank group， CXG reduced the survival rate of Huh7 cells in a dose-dependent manner after incubation for 24 h and 48 h （P<0.05）. Compared with the blank group， the RSL3 group and the low-， medium-， and high-dose CXG groups showed a decrease in the relative fluorescence intensity of CA-AM and increases in the fluorescence intensity of DCFH-DA and fluorescence ratio of C11-BODIPY^581/591， which indicated elevations in the levels of Fe²⁺ （P<0.01）， ROS （P<0.05）， and LPO （P<0.01）， respectively. Compared with the blank group， the RSL3 and low-， medium-， and high-dose CXG groups showed lowered levels of GSH and SOD （P<0.05）. In addition， the RSL3 group and the medium- and high-dose CXG groups showed down-regulated expression of GPX4 and FTH1 （P<0.05）， and the low- and high-dose CXG groups presented up-regulated expression of TFR1 （P<0.05）. ConclusionCXG suppresses the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by inducing ferroptosis via downregulating the GSH-GPX4 signaling axis and increasing intracellular Fe²⁺and LPO levels.

Objectives:Coronary slow flow(CSF)has long been regarded as a marker of coronary microvascular dysfunction(CMD).This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of CSF for CMD in patients with angina and nonobstructive coronary arteries(ANOCA).Methods:The study data were derived from the ANOCA-CMD prospective cohort study.All enrolled patients underwent coronary angiography and concurrent coronary physiological assessments in the left anterior descending artery using pressure-wire and thermodilution techniques to obtain coronary flow reserve(CFR)and the index of microcirculatory resistance(IMR).Based on the results,CMD was classified into four subtypes:CMD with elevated IMR(IMR≥25),CMD with reduced CFR(CFR<2.5),CMD with either reduced CFR or elevated IMR(CFR<2.5 or IMR≥25),and CMD with both reduced CFR and elevated IMR(CFR<2.5 and IMR≥25).The corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction(TIMI)frame count(CTFC)in the left anterior descending artery was calculated from coronary angiography images,with CSF defined as CTFC>27.This study evaluated the correlation between CTFC,CFR,and IMR,and investigated the diagnostic value of CSF for CMD in ANOCA patients.Results:A total of 103 ANOCA patients were enrolled in this study,with a mean age of(64.2±10.6)years,and 53.4％were female.Among them,57 patients(55.3％)were diagnosed with coronary slow flow.Patients with slow flow had higher IMR(P<0.001)and CFR(P=0.041).Similarly,the proportion of CMD with elevated IMR was higher in the slow flow group(P<0.001),while the proportion of CMD with reduced CFR was lower(P=0.044).There was no significant difference between the groups in the proportions of CMD with either reduced CFR or elevated IMR or CMD with both reduced CFR and elevated IMR(all P>0.05).CTFC was positively correlated with hyperemic mean transit time(r=0.424,P<0.001),IMR(r=0.430,P<0.001),and CFR(r=0.211,P=0.032).The area under the curve(AUC)of CTFC for diagnosing CMD with elevated IMR was 0.721(95％CI:0.623-0.819)with an accuracy of 67％(57％,76％),for diagnosing CMD with reduced CFR was 0.610(95％CI:0.499-0.720)with an accuracy of 60％(50％,70％),for diagnosing CMD with either reduced CFR or elevated IMR was 0.549(95％CI:0.425-0.673)with an accuracy of 47％(37％,57％),and for diagnosing CMD with both reduced CFR and elevated IMR was 0.582(95％CI:0.471-0.693)with an accuracy of 47％(37％,57％).Thus,CSF demonstrated limited diagnostic values across all subtypes of CMD.Conclusions:In ANOCA patients,CSF cannot serve as an effective diagnostic marker for CMD.Therefore,in clinical practice,the slow flow phenomenon should not be directly equated with the presence of coronary microvascular dysfunction in ANOCA patients.

Objective To develop and validate a"quick self-assessment questionnaire for cochlear implant out-come(QSACI)".Methods A research team,composed of audiologists,otolaryngologists,data analysis experts,and cochlear implant(CI)recipients,was formed to establish objectives,research subject criteria,and framework of the QSACI.An item pool was creaed through literature review and brainstorming.Question items were evaluated and screened,and the framework and answer options of the questionnaire were established.The comprehensibility,etc.,was analyzed and refined through pilot test,interviews,and expert consultation,leading to the development of the final version.A total of 39 post-lingually deafened adults with known stable outcomes completed the question-naire.The split-half and test-retest reliabilty of the questionnaire was analyzed,and the validity was quantitatively analyzed by comparing scores with the categories of auditory performance(CAP)scores.Results The initial item pool of the questionnaire had 18 items,and the final questionnaire consisted of 12 questions in four dimensions:com-munication status,audiological status,medical factors,and other factors.The average score of 39 recipients was 88.81±6.17 and CAP was 6.19±0.94.The questionnaire showed good reliability and validity,with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.71 and a test-retest reliability of 0.824(P＜0.05).The criterion-related validity,assessed by the correlation between the self-assessment questionnaire scores and CAP scores,showed a significant moderate pos-itive correlation(r=0.512,P＜0.05).The correlation coefficient between self-assessment and professional assess-ment was 0.720(P＜0.05),indicating a significant correlation.The area under the receiver operating characterstic(ROC)curve was 0.82(P＜0.05),the cutoff values corresponding to the maximal Youden index were 82.5 and 88.6,therefore score of 85 was taken as the median threshold score of judgement.Conclusion The QSACI reflects the post-imlplant outcomes,and it can serve as a tool for people with postlingually deafness and their families to un-derstand the eligbility of CI and the expected outcomes,helping to establish realistic expectations before CI surgery.

Objective To explore the practice of cost control and nursing quality improvement for obstetric and gyneco-logical inpatients based on the Diagnosis-Related Groups(DRGs)model.Methods A total of 208 inpatients admitted to the ob-stetrics and gynecology department of our hospital from June 1,2023,to December 31,2024,were selected as the study sub-jects.They were divided into a control group(104 cases,conventional payment model)and an observation group(104 cases,DRGs model)using a random number table method.The hospitalization costs(examination fees,medication fees,surgery fees,consumable costs,per capita total hospitalization costs),average length of stay,nursing quality,and inpatient satisfaction were compared between the two groups.Results In the observation group,the main cost components—examination fees,medication fees,surgery fees,consumable costs,and per capita total hospitalization costs—were all lower than those in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).The average length of stay in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group.The scores for safety management,nursing standards,ward management,and nursing quality in the observation group were higher than those in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).The inpatient nursing sat-isfaction rate in the observation group was 91.35％,significantly higher than that in the control group,with a statistically signifi-cant difference(P＜0.05).Conclusion The application of the DRGs model in obstetric and gynecological inpatients can effec-tively reduce related hospitalization costs and improve nursing quality and inpatient satisfaction.

Objective:To investigate the methods and skills required for the safe and swift removal of primary or secondary sacral tumors located between the second (inclusive) and fourth sacral vertebrae.Methods:The clinical images, pathology reports, surgical procedures, operation durations, intraoperative bleeding volumes, and postoperative functional follow-up data of 26 patients undergoing sacral tumor resection at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Hospital between May 2020 and February 2025 were retrospectively examined. Additionally, the safety measures for sacral tumor resection and techniques for expedited specimen removal were evaluated.Results:According to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, all 26 patients presented with sacral tumors located between the second (inclusive) and fourth sacral vertebrae. Specifically, 9 patients were diagnosed with primary sacral tumors, pathologically confirmed as chordomas, while 17 patients had secondary sacral tumors. Among the secondary tumor cases, 12 were attributed to recurrent rectal cancer invading the sacrum, and 5 were due to malignant teratomas invading the sacrum. The 26 patients underwent a treatment strategy that began with managing the relationship between the internal iliac artery, vein branches, and the tumor, followed by the resection of the sacrum. During surgery, the bilateral sciatic foramina were accurately positioned, and the presacral fascia was dissected subsequent to the fracture of the sacrum. Among the 26 patients, 9 underwent sacral tumor resection directly through the posterior sacral approach. The average operation time for these patients was (71.1±4.9) minutes, with average blood loss of (186.7±72.8) milliliters. On the other hand, 17 patients underwent sacral tumor resection by transitioning from the supine position to the prone knife position through a combined abdominal and sacral approach. The average operation time for this group was (213.5±19.3) minutes, with average blood loss of (480.0±93.0) milliliters, significantly longer than that of the posterior sacral approach. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 48 months, with a median of 20 months, ending on March 31, 2025. During this time, 26 patients achieved autonomous defecation with the aid of medication. None of the patients reported any functional movement disorders or pain in their lower limbs. It was observed that two out of the 26 patients developed distant metastasis, while the remaining 24 patients survived without any tumors.Conclusion:By pretreated the relationship between the internal iliac vessels and sacral tumors prior to resecting sacral tumors, utilizing the approach of initially fracturing the sacrum followed by rupturing the presacral fascia, the tumor can be entirely eliminated, resulting in a brief surgical procedure, reduced intraoperative bleeding, and minimal postoperative complications.

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin(PI3K/Akt/mTOR)signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the regulation of renal fibrosis by participating in inflammatory response,oxidative stress and autophagy.Paeoniflorin exhibits remarkable efficacy in treating myocardial and liver fibrosis.This article provides a comprehensive review on the research progress of paeoniflora in preventing and treating renal fibrosis through modulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway,offering novel insights for traditional Chinese medicine-based approaches to prevent and treat renal fibrosis.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of repeated endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in patients with suspected neoplastic lesions.Methods:Patients with clinically suspected neoplastic lesions, who did not receive a definitive diagnosis following the initial EUS-FNA and subsequently underwent repeated EUS-FNA, were collected from the gastrointestinal endoscopy center of Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 2018 to October 2023. The ultrasonographic endoscopic images, pathology, and follow-up data were reviewed. Patients with confirmed diagnoses following repeated EUS-FNA were analyzed to determine the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of repeat EUS-FNA for tumor and non-neoplastic lesions.Results:A total of 36 patients with space-occupying lesions in different parts were included in the study, and the final diagnosis was 80.6% (29/36) of tumor lesions and 19.4% (7/36) of non-tumor lesions. Among these, 34 patients received definitive diagnoses. The diagnostic sensitivity of repeated EUS-FNA for tumor was 82.8% (24/29), the specificity was 100.0% (7/7), the positive predictive value was 100.0% (24/24), the negative predictive value was 58.3% (7/12), and the accuracy was 86.1% (31/36).Conclusion:Repeated EUS-FNA proves to be an effective and practical approach for cases where is suspicion of neoplastic lesions and the initial EUS-FNA pathology findings remain inconclusive.

Objective To explore the neuroprotective effect and related mechanism of electroacu-puncture(EA)combined with tanshinone Ⅱ A(Tan ⅡA)for the treatment of rats with cerebral ische-mia-reperfusion(I/R)injury.Methods Model rats with cerebral I/R were established by the modi-fied Longa suture occlusion method and randomly divided into Model group,EA group,Tan Ⅱ A group,and EA+Tan Ⅱ A group,with 16 rats in each group.Rats in the Sham group(n=16)had their carotid arteries exposed and dissected but not occluded.Neurological deficit score and Morris wa-ter maze test were used to assess neurological impairment and cognitive function in rats.2,3,5-triph-enyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining was used to evaluate cerebral infarction volume.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and TUNEL staining were used to assess neuronal damage in the hippocampus.Western blot was used to detect apoptosis-related proteins and proteins related to the Hippo signaling pathway.Results Compared with the Sham group,the Model group showed increased neurological deficit score,percentage of cerebral infarction area,escape latencies during acquisition training,proportion of TUNEL-positive stained cells in brain tissue,Caspase-3 activity,expression of Cleaved Caspase-3 protein and Bax protein,and decreased expression of time spent in the target quadrant during probe training,the number of platform crossings within 60 s,Bcl-2 protein,Yes-associated protein(YAP),and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif(TAZ)protein,and all the differences were significant(P＜0.05).Compared with the Model group,the EA group,Tan Ⅱ A group,and EA+Tan Ⅱ A group showed decreased neurological deficit score,percentage of cerebral infarction volume,escape latencies during acquisition training,time spent in the target quadrant during probe training,number of platform crossings within 60 s,proportion of TUNEL-positive stained cells in brain tissue,Caspase-3 activity,expression of Cleaved Caspase-3 protein and Bax protein,with the EA+Tan Ⅱ A group showing lower values than the EA group and Tan Ⅱ A group,and all the differences were significant(P＜0.05).Compared with the Model group,the EA group,Tan Ⅱ A group,and EA+Tan Ⅱ A group showed increased expression of Bcl-2,YAP,and TAZ proteins,with the EA+Tan Ⅱ A group showing higher protein expression levels than the EA group and Tan Ⅱ A group,and all the differences were significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The combination of EA and Tan Ⅱ A for the treatment of cerebral I/R injury exhibits synergistic effect,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Hippo pathway activity.

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), especially generative AI (GenAI), has already brought, and will continue to bring, revolutionary changes to our daily production and life, as well as create new opportunities and challenges for diagnostic and therapeutic practices in the medical field. Haihe Hospital of Tianjin University collaborates with the National Supercomputer Center in Tianjin, Tianjin University, and other institutions to carry out research in areas such as smart healthcare, smart services, and smart management. We have conducted research and development of a full-process disease diagnosis and treatment assistance system based on GenAI in the field of smart healthcare. The development of this project is of great significance. The first goal is to upgrade and transform the hospital's information center, organically integrate it with existing information systems, and provide the necessary computing power storage support for intelligent services within the hospital. We have implemented the localized deployment of three models: Tianhe "Tianyuan", WiNGPT, and DeepSeek. The second is to create a digital avatar of the chief physician/chief physician's voice and image by integrating multimodal intelligent interaction technology. With generative intelligence as the core, this solution provides patients with a visual medical interaction solution. The third is to achieve deep adaptation between generative intelligence and the entire process of patient medical treatment. In this project, we have developed assistant tools such as intelligent inquiry, intelligent diagnosis and recognition, intelligent treatment plan generation, and intelligent assisted medical record generation to improve the safety, quality, and efficiency of the diagnosis and treatment process. This study introduces the content of a full-process disease diagnosis and treatment assistance system, aiming to provide references and insights for the digital transformation of the healthcare industry.
Artificial Intelligence ; Humans ; Delivery of Health Care ; Generative Artificial Intelligence

OBJECTIVE To explore the willingness to pay （WTP） of Urumqi residents for community pharmacies’ medication guidance services and its influencing factors， so as to provide data support for the optimization of community pharmacy services and the establishment of a fee structure for medication guidance services. METHODS A stratified quota sampling method was employed to select 14 communities in Urumqi City. From April to June 2025， a combined offline and online questionnaire survey was conducted among adult residents in these communities. The contingent valuation method was used to construct three hypothetical scenarios （namely， basic， enhanced and extended services） of medication counselling in community pharmacies to assess residents’ WTP for these services. Binary Logistic regression was employed to analyze the influencing factors of WTP. RESULTS A total of 576 valid questionnaires were obtained. Under the scenarios of basic， enhanced and extended services， 38.54%， 49.65% and 67.19% of the respondents expressed WTP for the services， respectively. Occupational type， type of basic medical insurance， annual income， perception of pharmacists’ profession， and acceptance level of the service were identified as major influencing factors for WTP （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The willingness of residents in Urumqi to pay for medication counseling services provided by pharmacists in community pharmacies significantly increases with the enrichment of service content. It is recommended to incorporate basic medication counselling services provided by pharmacists in community pharmacies into medical insurance payment， while value-added services should be partially or fully self-paid by residents. Additionally， efforts should be made to strengthen the promotion of the professional and service value of licensed pharmacists， so as to facilitate the high-quality development of pharmaceutical care.