BACKGROUND:The stemness index may be associated with the prognosis and immune infiltration of sarcoma,but the specific regulatory mechanism and characteristic genes have yet to be fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the correlation between stem cells and prognosis as well as immune infiltration in sarcoma employing the gene stemness index model and to identify the ferroptosis signature genes associated with sarcoma stem cells. METHODS:The sarcoma RNA sequencing data and related clinical information were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA).The sarcoma RNA sequencing data were grouped using the sarcoma stemness index.Survival data were used to analyze prognosis between groups.Differentially expressed genes were obtained for pathway enrichment and immune infiltration analysis.Ferroptosis-related differential genes were used to construct a protein interaction network and analyze prognostic correlation.Rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines were cultured and divided into adherent cell group and stem cell group.The adherent cell group received no intervention,while the stem cell group was treated with serum-free culture to enrich stem cells in rhabdomyosarcoma cells.qRT-PCR was used to evaluate stemness markers,ferroptosis-related genes,and mRNA expression of ferroptosis-related markers in the cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Patients were divided into high and low stemness index groups based on the median stemness index.The progression-free survival of patients in the high stemness index group was lower than that in the low stemness index group by disease risk prediction,suggesting poor prognosis.(2)According to GO and KEGG analysis,the groups with high and low stemness indices differed from one another.There were differences in immune infiltration between the high and low stemness index groups.Nine of the 23 ferroptosis-related genes in the differential genes have the potential to establish a highly correlated network of protein interactions.Patients with high expression of IDO1,IFNG,and AQP5 have a better prognosis,while those with high expression of CA9 have a poor prognosis.(3)The qRT-PCR results demonstrated a significant upregulation of stem cell-related markers NANOG,SOX2,and OCT4 mRNA expressions in the stem cell group compared to the adherent cell group(P<0.05).Compared to the adherent cell group,the stem cell group exhibited decreased mRNA expression level of ferroptosis-related marker SLC7A11(P<0.05)while showing increased levels of ACSL4,GPX4,FTH1,and COX2(P<0.05).Compared to the adherent cell group,the stem cell group displayed decreased mRNA expression level of differentially expressed gene CA9 alongside elevated levels of IDO1,IFNG,and AQP5(P<0.05).Stem cells were strongly associated with sarcoma survival and ferroptosis by bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification.Sarcoma stem cells have aberrant expression of CA9,IDO1,IFNG,and AQP5,which may serve as new targets for sarcoma therapy as well as diagnostic indicators.

Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.)Miq. ex Havil (Gouteng) is a dry and hooked stem branch of Rubiaceae, which contains chemical components including alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids and organic acids. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potential therapeutic effects on various diseases. The characteristics of network pharmacology are multi-component, multi-target and multi-channel, which can analyze the complex mechanism of the active ingredient group of traditional Chinese medicine and the disease markers, and clarify the relationship between drugs, targets and diseases. This review summarises the research progress of the intervention of Gouteng in neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and other diseases based on network pharmacology and provides a theoretical foundation for the clinical application of Gouteng.

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the clinical data of 474 newborns with hyperbilirubinemia, and to investigate the clinical characteristics of hyperbilirubinemia caused by ABO hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (ABO-HDFN) and factors influencing the phototherapy duration. Methods: A total of 474 neonates with hyperbilirubinemia treated in the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2019 to January 2023 were enrolled. Blood type identification and the standard serological tests (direct antiglobulin test, serum free antibody test, and antibody elution test) were performed for all neonates. Baseline clinical data were collected and analyzed. According to the results of the hemolysis tests, neonates were divided into hemolytic jaundice group and non-hemolytic jaundice group. Clinical indicators, including hemoglobin levels, length of hospital stay, and phototherapy duration, were compared between the two groups. A multiple linear regression model was used to explore clinical factors influencing the duration of phototherapy. Results: Among the 474 neonates with hyperbilirubinemia, 354 were diagnosed with ABO-HDFN (hemolytic group), while 120 were without ABO-HDFN (non-hemolytic group). The incidence of ABO-HDFN in neonates with blood type A (55.93%, 198/354) was significantly higher than those with blood type B (44.07%, 156/354) (P<0.05). Furthermore, neonates born to multiparous women had a significantly higher ABO-HDFN incidence (81.56%, 146/179) than first-born neonates (70.51%, 208/295) (P<0.05). Neonates in the hemolytic group had significantly lower hemoglobin levels (170.67±21.86 g/L vs 178.99±22.05 g/L, P<0.001), lower red blood cell counts (4.66±0.63×10 /L vs 4.89±0.59×10 /L, P<0.05), and lower hematocrit (50.05±6.56% vs 52.61±6.75%, P<0.05) compared to the non-hemolytic group. Additionally, the hemolytic group had significantly longer hospital stays (6 [5, 9] days vs 6 [4, 8] days), longer phototherapy duration (62 [38, 84.25] h vs 53 [34.25, 64.77] h), and higher frequency of jaundice episodes (9 [7, 13] times vs 8 [6, 12] times] compared to the non-hemolytic group (all P<0.05). Regression analysis indicated that a positive indirect Coombs test and multiparity were independent risk factors associated with prolonged phototherapy duration (P<0.05). Conclusion: ABO incompatibility is the leading cause of hemolytic disease in neonates, particularly in cases where the mother has blood type O and the neonate has blood type A. In such cases, close monitoring of bilirubin levels is strongly recommended. Multiparous pregnancies increase the risk of alloimmune hemolysis. Therefore, neonates born to multiparous women may require more frequent bilirubin monitoring and appropriate prenatal interventions when necessary. Additionally, changes in indicators such as hemoglobin level and red blood cell count should be closely monitored as early warning indicators for hemolytic anemia and bilirubin elevation.

This review article summarizes the current modification methods employed to enhance the osseointegration properties of polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a novel biomaterial. Our analysis highlights that strategies such as surface treatment, surface modification, and the incorporation of bioactive composites can markedly improve the bioactivity of PEEK surfaces, thus facilitating their effective integration with bone tissue. However, to ensure widespread application of PEEK in the medical field, particularly in oral implantology, additional experiments and long-term clinical evaluations are required. Looking ahead, future research should concentrate on developing innovative modification techniques and assessment methodologies to further optimize the performance of PEEK implant materials. The ultimate goal is to provide the clinical setting with even more reliable solutions.
Benzophenones ; Ketones/chemistry* ; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry* ; Osseointegration ; Humans ; Polymers ; Biocompatible Materials/chemistry* ; Surface Properties ; Prostheses and Implants ; Dental Implants

Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T _NANC), time to symptom improvement (T _SI), and time of hospital stay (T _HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T _NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the perception of dental outpatient care quality from multiple perspectives of administrators, physicians, nurses, and patients and propose nursing care quality evaluation indices that are consistent with the clinical reality to provide reference for the construction of a scientific, systematic, and comprehensive dental outpatient care quality evaluation system. METHODS: A total of 39 interviewees, including 7 administrators, 11 doctors, 11 nurses, and 10 patients, were selected for semi-structured in-depth interviews in five regionally representative tertiary-level A stomatological specialty hospitals nationwide during January-April 2024 by using a multistage sampling method. Colaizzi 7-step analysis was used to analyze and summarize the interview data. Themes were extracted on the basis of the Structure-Process-Outcome (SPO) three-dimensional quality assessment model. RESULTS: Five main themes and 15 secondary themes were extracted from three quality dimensions: structure, process, and result. The related topics of structural quality were as follows: disinfection and isolation norms, equipment and consumable management, nursing manpower ratio and nurse education structure, and emergency capability. The related topics of process quality were as follows: pre-diagnosis risk assessment, patient triage and guidance, communication and attitude, health education, humanistic care, continuous care, specialty operation, and four-hand operation. The related topics of result quality were as follows: satisfaction, adverse event management and analysis, effective complaints and disputes. CONCLUSIONS Structure quality is the foundation, process quality is the core, and result quality is the key in the evaluation of the quality of oral outpatient care. The standardization of disinfection and isolation, equipment and consumable management, allocation of reasonable nursing manpower and post capacity, implementation of high-quality nursing services, and improvement of the quality and satisfaction of medical cooperation are necessary guarantees to ensure the quality of oral outpatient care.
Humans ; Quality of Health Care ; Ambulatory Care/standards* ; Dental Care/standards* ; Outpatients

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to construct an evaluation index system for nursing quality management in outpatient dental clinics based on the structure-process-outcome model and provide an objective standard for the evaluation of nursing quality in outpatient dental clinics. METHODS: Through literature review, multi-subject interviews, and expert meetings, the first draft of the evaluation index for nursing quality management in outpatient dental clinics was formulated. The Delphi method was adopted to select and invite 15 experts in the fields of hospital infection management, nursing management, and specialized oral care from across the country to modify the first draft. RESULTS: The positive coefficients of the experts in the two rounds of consultation were 86.7% and 92.3%, respectively. The total authority coefficients of the experts were 0.791 and 0.717, respectively. The mean scores of the importance and feasibility of the third-level indices in the two rounds of consultation were all ≥4.333; the coefficients of variation were all ≤0.150; and the Kendall's coordination coefficients were 0.308 and 0.184 respectively, with P<0.05 for all. These results indicated that the experts were motivated to participate in this study. They recognized the importance and feasibility of the overall items in this index system, and their opinions were relatively consistent. Finally, an evaluation index system, which included 3 first-level indices, 7 second-level indices, 22 third-level indices, and 69 index connotations, for nursing quality management in outpatient dental clinics was determined. The weights of the three first-level indicators were all 0.333. Patient satisfaction (0.076, outcome dimension), hand hygiene (0.061, outcome dimension), chair care ratio (0.057, structural dimension), and turnover rate (0.057, structural dimension) were the top tertiary indicators in terms of portfolio weight. CONCLUSIONS The construction method of the evaluation index system for nursing quality management in outpatient dental clinics is scientific and reliable. It can provide a reference for the evaluation of the management level of nursing quality in outpatient dental clinics and promote the continuous improvement of nursing quality in outpatient dental clinics.
Humans ; Dental Clinics ; Delphi Technique

Recent studies found that the intestinal flora is involved in the occurrence and development of CRC.In particular,Ruminococcus shows a decreased abundance in patients with CRC and can affect gastrointestinal health through cross-feeding and promoting butyrate production.Although the research on Ruminococcus is gradually increasing,no unified understanding of its influence on the occurrence and development of CRC has been established.This work summarizes the relationship of Ruminococcus with CRC and its possible anticancer mechanism to provide a theoretical basis for the further exploration of biological prevention and treatment of CRC in the future.

Objective: To investigate the changes of microorganisms and metabolites in joint effusion of patients with Rheumatoid arthritis(RA), Osteoarthritis(OA) and Urarthritis(UA). To provide new ideas for the study of the effect of microbiota on the pathogenesis of arthritis. Methods: Joint effusion samples were collected from 20 patients with RA, 20 patients with OA, and 20 patients with UA. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted ultra-high performance Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS) were used to explore the differences in microorganisms and metabolites among the three groups. Pearson correlation analysis was used to detect the correlation between effusion microbiota and metabolites. Results: There were differences in microbial diversity and microbiota composition among the three groups. Combined with VIP>1 from OPLS-DA andP<0.05 from two-tailed Students t-test, 45 differential metabolites(Between RA and OA groups), 38 differential metabolites(Between UA and OA groups) and 16 differential metabolites(Between RA and UA groups), were identified. GO analysis and KEGG pathway analysis showed that the differential metabolic pathways among the three groups were mainly concentrated in citric acid cycle(TCA cycle), nucleotide metabolism, amino acid metabolism and glycolysis pathway. Correlation analysis of joint effusion microbiota and metabolites suggested that bacteria enriched in the three groups of joint effusion, such asPrevotella,Clostridium ruminosus,Prevotellaceae＿UCG-001, were related to many key metabolites such as lysozyme, uric acid, glucose, and L-glutamine. Conclusion This study shows that there are a variety of bacterial flora in joint cavity effusion of RA, OA, and UA patients, and the differential metabolites produced by them are involved in the pathogenesis of the three types of arthritis by affecting a variety of metabolic pathways.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of quercetin against LasB-induced apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in THP-1 macrophages, providing valuable insights into the use of quercetin as a virulence inhibitor for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection treatment. Methods:This was an experimental study. The experimental strain was the standard strain. The LasB protein was obtained utilizing protein recombination technology, while the enzyme activity of LasB was assessed through both the Elastin Congo red assay and fluorescently labelled elastin assay. The LasB-induced THP-1 macrophage infection model was established, and quercetin was utilized for intervention. Cell viability was evaluated via CCK-8 assay, while cell morphology was observed under an inverted microscope. Apoptosis detection involved employing both TUNEL and Annexin V/PI staining. The mRNA expression and protein levels of inflammatory cytokines and COX-2 were determined by RT-qPCR and ELISA respectively. Intracellular ROS levels were quantified using the DCFH-DA fluorescent probe. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis, and Tukey test was used for multiple comparisons. Results:The pLasB with a molecular weight of 33 000 and acceptable enzymatic activity (purity>90%), was successfully obtained. THP-1 macrophages treated with pLasB at a concentration of 100 μg/ml presented significantly decreased viability and integrity rate when compared with the normal control group. Additionally, pLasB promoted apoptosis, up-regulated the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-α, increased intracellular ROS fluorescence intensity, and elevated COX-2 mRNA expression level. Furthermore, the viability of THP-1 macrophages was significantly enhanced under quercetin intervention at concentrations of 2.5 μmol/L, 5 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L. The apoptosis rate exhibited a significant reduction from 18.32%±0.17% to 13.17%±0.20%, 11.43%±0.06% and 7.74%±0.04%, respectively ( F=1 679, P<0.05). There was a notable down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-α while the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 showed a significant up-regulation. Both intracellular ROS fluorescence intensity ( F=86.92, P<0.05) and COX-2 level ( F=24.62, P<0.05) demonstrated a substantial decrease. Conclusion:Quercetin demonstrates significant efficacy in inhibiting LasB-induced apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in THP-1 macrophages, which highlights immense potential as a potent virulence inhibitor of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.