Objective:To understand the current situation of the construction of provincial level and above gerontological nurse specialists (GNSs) training bases in China, including the establishment of bases, training program settings, admission criteria for GNSs, and requirements for training teachers, so as to provide reference for optimizing the training of GNSs.Methods:This study is a cross-sectional survey. From August to October 2021, a self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the geriatric nursing committees of nursing associations at provincial level and above. A total of 32 electronic questionnaires were distributed to nursing associations in 31 provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities directly under the Central Government and the Geriatric Nursing Committee of the Chinese Nursing Association, and 32 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 100.0% (32/32) .Results:In China, 25 nursing associations at or above the provincial level set up training bases for GNSs, and about 3 400 GNSs were trained. 80.0% (20/25) of training bases required a minimum education level of tertiary education and a minimum professional title of junior nurse for GNS trainees. 64.0% (16/25) of training bases required a minimum of 5 working years for GNS trainees. More than half of the training bases required training teachers with a bachelor's degree or above, and a professional title of supervisor nurse or above.Conclusions:The training base for GNSs in China is in a stage of exploration and rapid development. The training system, student admission criteria, and teacher requirements for GNSs among various training bases have not yet formed a unified standard, and further standardization are needed.

ObjectiveTo observe the lower limb muscle activation strategy of healthy middle-aged and old women during stair ascent and descent with surface electromyography. MethodsFrom August, 2021 to February, 2022, 20 healthy middle-aged and old women were measured the surface electromyography root mean square (RMS) and integrated electromyography (iEMG) of bilateral vastus lateral, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, biceps femoris and semitendinosus during stair ascent and descent, and co-contraction ratio was calculated. ResultsDuring stair ascent, the RMS of bilateral vastus lateral, rectus femoris and vastus medialis was higher at starting stage than at following stage (|t| > 6.650, P < 0.001), while the RMS of biceps femoris and semitendinosus was lower (t > 3.559, P < 0.01); and the co-contraction ratio of hamstrings/quadriceps was lower at starting stage than at following stage (t > 8.185, P < 0.001). During stair descent, the RMS of bilateral vastus lateral, vastus medialis, biceps femoris and semitendinosus was higher at following stage than at starting stage (t > 2.345, P < 0.05), as well as the co-contraction ratio of hamstrings/quadriceps (t > 2.405, P < 0.05). ConclusionThe activities of the muscles around the knees are almost symmetrical during stair ascent and descent for healthy middle-aged and old women. The activation and co-contraction ratio of quadriceps and hamstring are various at starting/following stages.

Objective:To explore the medical costs and influencing factors of patients diagnosed with Brucellosis in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang).Methods:Information on demographics, medical visits, and costs of patients diagnosed with Brucellosis were collected between January 1,2017 and December 31,2019. The effects of different genders, age groups, clinical stages, and comorbidities on patients' health care utilization and medical costs were analyzed by nonparametric tests. The median was used to describe the outpatient and inpatient costs of patients with Brucellosis.Results:A total of 13 532 patients (8 113 outpatient and 5 419 inpatient cases) were included in the analysis. A total of 67.8% (9 176/13 532) were male, with an average age of (42.7±15.4 ) years; age between 18-44 years (46.6%, 6 304/13 532) and 45-59 years (34.2%,4 622/13 532) were the dominant groups. The mean age of inpatients [(43.3±15.7) years] was higher than that of outpatients [(42.3±15.1) years, Z=-3.85, P<0.001]. When hospitalized patients are treated,systemic symptoms were common with fever (36.9%, 1 997/5 419) and fatigue (36.6%, 1 983/5 419), and with joint/muscle pain (68.9%, 3 735/5 419) being the highest proportion of local symptoms. A total of 79.1% (4 289/5 419) of inpatients were diagnosed with acute Brucellosis. A total of 46.5% (2 519/5 419) of inpatients had complications;skeletal system complications ranked the highest. The average number of outpatient visits per outpatient was (1.6±1.4) times. The duration of hospitalization was (11.3±4.2) days, with longer days for patients in the chronic phase and with complications ( P<0.05). A total of 89.3% (4 840/5 419) of inpatients had outpatient records in the same year,and the average number of outpatient visits per patient was (3.6±2.6) times. Outpatient medical costs were dominated by laboratory and drug costs (75.1%), and inpatient costs were dominated by drug, laboratory, and other costs (74.4%). Outpatient medical expenses M( Q1, Q3) were 61(52, 497) Yuan, 61 (51, 346) Yuan and 58 (46, 318) Yuan,respectively. Inpatients' medical expenses M ( Q1, Q3) were 8 214 (6 355, 10 721) Yuan,9 095 (7 018, 12 155) Yuan and 9 492 (7 530, 12 351) Yuan, respectively. For patients, age, clinical stages,complications,and joint/muscle pain symptoms were influential factors for hospitalization costs ( P<0.001). Conclusions:The economic burden was higher for inpatients, especially those in the high age group, with chronic phases and skeletal and neurological complications. Improving patients' awareness of early treatment, standardized treatment, and reducing chronicity and complications are the main points in reducing the economic burden caused by Brucellosis diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To explore the medical costs and influencing factors of patients diagnosed with Brucellosis in Datong of Shanxi province.Methods:Information on demographics, medical visits, and costs of patients diagnosed with Brucellosis between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019, were collected. Health care utilization and medical costs were analyzed from different genders, age groups, underlying diseases, clinical stages, and comorbidities.Results:A total of 2 289 patients (1 715 outpatient and 574 inpatient cases) were included in the analysis. 72.0% (1 649/2 289) were male, with an average age of (49.6±15.5) years; age between 45-59 years was the dominant group (36.2%,829/2 289). The mean age of inpatients (51.4±16.0) was higher than that of outpatients (49.0±15.2)( Z=-4.01, P<0.001). The average number of outpatient visits per outpatient was (1.6±1.5) times. The duration of hospitalization was (14.6±9.9) and (20.8±11.4) days for patients with central nervous system complications and (16.6±9.5) days for vascular system complications. Of the inpatients, 51.0% (293/574) had underlying diseases, and 30.3% (174/574) had endocrine and metabolic diseases. 54.0% (310/574) of inpatients were diagnosed with acute Brucellosis, and 46.0% (264/574) were diagnosed with chronic Brucellosis. A total of 64.3% (369/574) of inpatients had complications, 30.3% (174/574) of digestive system complications, followed by skeletal system complications (29.1%, 167/574). Among outpatients, age significantly affected medical costs ( P<0.001). For inpatients, age and complications and treatment effect were influential factors ( P<0.05). Patients with the combined skeletal system and central nervous system complications had significantly higher medical costs ( P<0.001). Conclusions:The medical costs for outpatient cases of Brucellosis were moderate. However, the economic burden was higher for inpatients, especially those with skeletal and neurological complications. Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cases were essential to avoid chronic Brucellosis and its complications and reduce medical costs.

Objective: To establish a simple method for isolation, purification and cultivation of primary retinal microvascular pericytes (RMPs) from mice. Methods: Retinas were isolated from mice following with mechanical morcel, enzymatic digestion and filtration.The retinal fragments were incubated with low glucose DMEM with 20% fetal bovine serum after 24 hours pre-incubation.Differential digestion was used for purification of primary RMPs.Morphological examination of cells was performed by phase contrast microscopy, and further characterization was analyzed by immunocytochemistry.Functional assay was evaluated by the pericytes-endothelial cells (ECs) co-culture system.The treatment and use of experimental animals followed the regulations on the administration of experimental animals promulgated by the state science and technology commission. Results: Cells migrated out of fragments after 24 hours of incubation, and developed into small or large colonies gradually.The cells and their subpassages presented typical pericyte morphology with large irregular triangular cell bodies and multiple long processes.No contact inhibition was observed.Most cells uniformly expressed the cellular markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β), a few cells expressed the cellular markers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), but no cell expressed von Willebrand factor (vWF). The purity rate of RMPs was up to 97%.In the co-culture system, RMPs directly contacted with ECs to form the capillary-like cords in vitro. Conclusions A simple method for the isolation, purification cultivation of mouse RMPs is established, and active RMPs can be readily obtained by this method.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of six-slice coronal reformations in patients with acute midepigastric pain. Methods A total of 974 patients with acute midepigastric pain were included in this study and divided into group A(coronal reformation)and group B(non-coronal reformation).For group A,reconstructed coronal and oblique-coronal images were acquired.A comprehensive diagnosis was made based on coronal reformations and axial planes.Anatomical nomenclature was adopted,including kidney-ureter plane,abdominal aorta plane,superior mesenteric artery plane,ascending colon-appendix plane,stomach-cholecyst plane and colon-small intestine plane.For group B,the diagnosis was made based on axial planes.Finally,a comprehensive analysis was made,missed cases in these two groups were counted and compared,and statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software(version SPSS V17).Results For group A,the missed diagnosis was made in 12 cases(1.23%)and it was 53 cases(6.58%)for group B.There was a statistically significant difference between two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Combined with axial planes or oblique coronal reformations,six-sclice coronal reformation can reduce the the rate of missed diagnosis of acute midepigastric pain.

Objective To investigate the influence of acupuncture on promoting rat blastocyst nidation with Cx43 expression at the acupoints silenced, and to relate Cx43 with acupuncture's effects. Methods Ma-ted female rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal control, model, acupuncture, interference-control and interference. Mifepristone was used to induce a model of nidation disorder, and RNA interference technology was used to silence the expression of Cx43 at acupoints. P-Cx43-shRNA (1) was injected locally into the acu-points of rats in the interference group, and P-con-shRNA was injected in the interference-control group. Acu-puncture was administered to the acupuncture, interference-control and interference groups for 7 days. On the 8th day of pregnancy, the quality of blastocysts, pregnancy rates, and the average amount of blastocysts in each group were observed. Results ①The mRNA and protein level of Cx43 at the zusanli (ST36) acupoints in the interference group were significantly lower than in the acupuncture group ( P<0.05, P<0.01). There was no significant difference between the interference-control group and the acupuncture group. ② Compared with the normal control group, the quality of blastocysts in the model and interference groups was bad, and the amount was less. Their size was comparatively small, they were inhomogeneous, poorly distributed and had poor blood supply. The results improved in the acupuncture group and the interference-control group compared with the model group. ③The pregnancy rates in the normal control, model, acupuncture, interference-control and inter-ference groups were 100% , 50% , 75% , 75% , and 50% respectively, but these differences were not statisti-cally significant. ④The average amount of blastocysts in the model and interference groups was significantly less than in the normal group (P≤0.01). Compared with the acupuncture group, the average amount of blastocysts in the interference group was lower (P≤0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture can improve the quality and quan-tity of blastocysts in a rat model of nidation disorder. Local injection of Cx43 shRNA expression vector can si-lence the expression of Cx43 in acupoints and markedly influence acupuncture's effect. This demonstrated that Cx43 was involved in acupuncture's effects.

This study examined the effects of Bangdeyun on the expressions of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the endometrium of mice with embryo implantation dysfunction (EID) during the implantation time (namely on pregnancy day 5, 6, 7 and 8) and explored the local immune regulatory effects of Bangdeyun. The gestational mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group and Bangdeyun-treated group. EID models of mice were established by using indomethacin. The endometrial expression of NF-kappaB was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. IFN-gamma and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that in the normal group, NF-kappaB and IFN-gamma were weakly expressed and IL-10 was strongly expressed in the endometrium during the whole implantation period. In the model group, the expressions of NF-kappaB and IFN-gamma were increased on pregnancy day 5, 6 and 7, and IL-10 expression decreased during the whole implantation time when compared with those in the normal group (P<0.01 for all). In the Bangdeyun-treated group, little amount of NF-kappaB and IFN-gamma was expressed and IL-10 expression was strong, much the way they were expressed in the normal group (P>0.05). The expressions of NF-kappaB and IFN-gamma were much lower in the Bangdeyun-treated group than those in the model group on pregnancy day 5, 6 and 7 (P<0.01 for all), while the expression of IL-10 was much higher than in the model group during the whole implantation time (P<0.01). It was suggested Bangderun may favor a shift from Th1- to Th2-type immune response, therefore inhibiting the maternal immune rejection, inducing the immune tolerance and improving the fetal implantation.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/*pharmacology ; Embryo Implantation, Delayed/*drug effects ; Embryo Implantation, Delayed/immunology ; Endometrium/*immunology ; Endometrium/metabolism ; Interferon-gamma/genetics ; Interferon-gamma/metabolism ; Interleukin-10/genetics ; Interleukin-10/metabolism ; NF-kappa B/genetics ; NF-kappa B/metabolism

<0.01). It was suggested Bangderun may favor a shift from Th1-to Th2-type immune response, therefore inhibiting the maternal immune rejection, inducing the immune tolerance and improving the fetal implantation.

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between the interpersonal trust and coping modes in aged patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).MethodsA total of 246 aged patients with CHD at home and in hospital were tested on their interpersonal trust and reply modes by adopting the Interpersonal Trust Scale (ITS) and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ).ResultsThe interpersonal trust level of patients with higher educational background was significantly higher than those with poor educational background ( P<0.05). The patient's interpersonal trust was significantly positive correlation to the confrontation coping mode ( r=0.388, P=0.000) and significantly negative correlation to the compromising coping mode ( r=-0.434, P=0.000), but was not significantly correlation to avoidance coping mode ( P>0.05).ConclusionThe interpersonal trust of aged patients with CHD can influence their choice of coping modes.