Objective:To explore the effect of scalp electroacupuncture (EA) on central pain sensitization in rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods:Thirty-two 8-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank control group, a model group, an electroacupuncture (EA) group and a sham EA group, each of 8. All of the rats except those in the control group had KOA induced through intra-articular monosodium iodoacetate injections in the right knee. Two weeks later the EA group rats began receiving daily head EA sessions 6 days/week for 2 weeks. The sham EA group received identical but non-therapeutic stimulation. The blank control and model groups received no EA intervention. Before the modelling and 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days later, all of the rats completed bipedal balance pain tests and mechanical allodynia evaluations. After the testing on day 28, all of the rats were euthanized for molecular analyses. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were performed to examine protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), and cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) in both the periaqueductal gray (PAG) matter and spinal dorsal horns (SDHs). Serum levels of substance P (SP) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were also quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Results:Three days after successful modeling, the average weight-bearing capacity of the right hind limb in the model, sham EA and EA groups was significantly lower than that of the blank controls. It reached its lowest level on the 14th day after modeling. Concurrently, the pain responses in those three groups were significantly higher than among the controls, also peaking on the 14th day after modeling. After two weeks of electroacupuncture, the electroacupuncture group showed significant improvement in both right hind limb weight-bearing capacity and pain response compared to the model group. Meanwhile, the levels of BDNF and TrkB protein in the periaqueductal gray matter were significantly higher in the model group than among the blank controls, while the electroacupuncture group exhibited significantly reduced expression of BDNF and TrkB proteins compared to the model group, along with significantly increased CB1R protein expression. The model group showed significantly elevated expression of both BDNF and TrkB proteins in the spinal dorsal horn compared to the blank control group, while there were significant differences between the EA and model groups in the expression of BDNF, TrkB and CB1R proteins. Immunohistochemical analysis on day 28 revealed that the EA group had significantly fewer BDNF- and TrkB-positive cells in the PAG compared to the model group, with significantly more CB1R-positive cells. In the SDH, the model group exhibited significantly increased numbers of BDNF- and TrkB-positive cells compared to the blank control group, whereas significant differences were found between the EA and blank control groups in the numbers of BDNF-, TrkB- and CB1R-positive cells. Serum analysis on day 28 demonstrated that substance P and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in the model, sham EA and EA groups were significantly higher than in the blank control group, on average. However, no significant differences were observed in serum SP and 5-HT levels between the EA and model groups.Conclusions:Scalp EA significantly alleviates central pain sensitization in KOA, at least in rats, potentially by suppressing BDNF and TrkB expression while upregulating CB1R expression in the PAG matter and the SDH.

Objective:To assess the level of moral distress among pediatric nurses in China and explore its influencing factors, providing a reference for future interventions.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sampling method from May 2022 to March 2023. Pediatric nurses meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected from children′s specialized hospitals, general hospitals, and maternal and child health hospitals across 16 provinces in China. Moral distress was assessed using the Chinese version of the Moral Distress Scale-Revised (MDS-R). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, non-parametric analysis, and multiple linear regression.Results:A total of 509 pediatric nurses participated in the survey, including 10 males and 499 females. Among them, 45 were aged ≤25 years, 268 were aged 26-35 years, 172 were aged 36-45 years, and 24 were aged >45 years.The median moral distress score was 58.00 (26.00, 77.50). Factors independently associated with higher levels of moral distress included having a master′s degree ( t = 2.33), working in a ward with more than 40 beds ( t = 3.38), working in a ward without parental accompaniment ( t = 2.60), being passively assigned to the nursing profession ( t = 2.63), and considering resignation but not leaving the job ( t = 3.85) (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Pediatric nurses in China experience a moderate level of moral distress. Further research is needed to understand its underlying causes and to develop preventive and intervention strategies.

The authors systematically reviewed the current research landscape on the dynamic progression of frailty in elderly cancer patients, identified gaps in existing studies, and emphasized the nursing value of trajectory models in identifying high-risk subgroups, pinpointing the "frailty inflection point," and determining optimal intervention windows. Furthermore, by integrating relevant national health policies, it proposed trajectory-guided, continuous, and precision-oriented nursing intervention strategies aimed at enhancing care quality and improving patient clinical outcomes.

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China emphasized the expansion of international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation. Against this backdrop, the radiological health research institutions bear important responsibilities in the field of international radiological health. As a key institution in the industry, the National Institute for Radiological Protection (NIRP), Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention shoulders the important mission of promoting international exchanges in radiation health in China. A case study was conducted on the NIRP using data of official overseas visits from 2010 to 2024. The SWOT analysis was used to comprehensively and systematically examine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of NIRP in international cooperation and exchanges. To effectively enhance the depth and scope of international exchanges, this article proposes a series of innovative optimization strategies such as establishing dedicated personnel positions to ensure efficient handling of affairs, implementing stringent approval procedures to guarantee the rationality and compliance of overseas visits, strengthening pre-departure training to improve the professionalism of outbound personnel, conducting follow-up evaluations to continuously refine management practices, and centralizing the management of official passports to ensure their secure use. This article aims to provide practical optimization strategies for the management of official overseas visits for NIRP and other similar institutions, promote international exchanges and cooperation in the field of radiation health, and help China play a more important role in the global radiation health field.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of Tongnaoyin on the blood-brain barrier status and neurological impairment in acute ischemic stroke （AIS） patients with the syndrome of phlegm-stasis blocking collaterals by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging （DCE-MRI）. MethodsA total of 63 patients diagnosed with AIS in the Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine from October 2022 to December 2023 were enrolled in this study. According to random number table method，the patients were assigned into a control group （32 cases） and an observation group （31 cases）. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment，and the observation group took 200 mL Tongnaoyin after meals，twice a day from day 2 of admission on the basis of the treatment in the control group. After 7 days of treatment，the patients were examined by DCE-MRI. The baseline data for two groups of patients before treatment were compared. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale （NIHSS） score and modified Rankin Scale （mRS） score were recorded before treatment and after 90 days of treatment for both groups. The rKtrans，rKep，and rVe values were obtained from the region of interest （ROI） of the infarct zone/mirror area and compared between the two groups. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the NIHSS or mRS score between the two groups before treatment. After 90 days of treatment，the NIHSS and mRS scores declined in both groups，and the observation group had lower scores than the control group （P<0.05）. After treatment，the rKtrans and rVe in the observation group were lower than those in the control group （P<0.01）. ConclusionCompared with conventional Western medical treatment alone，conventional Western medical treatment combined with Tongnaoyin accelerates the repair of the blood-brain barrier in AIS patients，thereby ameliorating neurological impairment after AIS to improve the prognosis.

Sink-associated multidrug-resistant organism(MDRO)infection is primarily caused by multidrug-re-sistant Gram-negative bacilli.The utilization of waterless care can reduce the incidence of such infections and coloni-zation rate,halt outbreaks,and decrease the usage of antimicrobial agents.This paper elucidates the mechanisms of sink-associated MDRO infection,sink configurations and utilization conditions,as well as relevant intervention measures,and expounds the procedures,implementation effect,and implications of waterless care,aiming to pro-vide reference for related research and clinical practice.

Objective To explore the impact of the TINCR-MAF:MAFB transcription factor network on the expression of proliferation and differentiation-related genes in keratinocytes,to verify the role of this network in the occurrence and development of psoriasis and its potential mechanisms.Methods Employed RNA interference technology to knock down TINCR gene expression,and the proliferation ability of keratinocytes was assessed using the CCK-8 method.Additionally,qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses were conducted to evaluate the RNA and protein expression levels of TINCR,MAFB,and KLF4 genes.Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect the expression of KLF4 protein in psoriasis tissues.Results After TINCR gene siRNA interference,the proliferation ability of keratinocytes significantly decreased at 24,48,and 72 hours(P<0.001),indicating that the TINCR gene plays a critical role in cell proliferation.The results of qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses showed that the RNA and protein expression levels of TINCR,MAFB,and KLF4 genes were significantly reduced(P<0.001),suggesting that TINCR may influence the differentiation of keratinocytes by regulating the expression of MAFB transcription factor and KLF4 differentiation-related genes.Furthermore,immunohistochemical results indicated that the expression of KLF4 protein was significantly elevated in psoriasis tissues compared to normal skin tissues,suggesting that KLF4 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.Conclusions The TINCR-MAF:MAFB transcription factor network may participate in the occurrence and development of psoriasis by affecting the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes.This finding provides a new perspective on the pathogenesis of psoriasis and potential targets for future therapeutic strategies.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Xuanbi Decoction as an adjuvant therapy for rheumatoid arthritis(RA)with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome,and its impacts on the interleu-kin-23(IL-23)/helper T cell 17(Th 17)inflammatory axis,as well as the levels of matrix metallo-proteinase-3(MMP-3)and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1).Methods A total of 95 RA patients with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome were selected as the study subjects,and randomly divided into control group(48 cases)and observation group(47 cases).The control group received western medicine treatment,while the observation group received Xuanbi Decoction treat-ment based on the control group.The clinical efficacy,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syn-drome scores,imaging assessment results,disease activity,indicators of the IL-23/Th17 inflammatory axis,MMP-3,TIMP-1 and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results The total effective rate in the observation group was 95.74％,which was significantly higher than 81.25％in the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores(joint pain,joint swell-ing,yellow and greasy tongue coating as well as slippery and rapid pulse)in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the DAS28 and Sharp scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the levels of IL-23,Th17,IL-17 and MMP-3 in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group,while the TIMP-1 level was significantly higher(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Xuanbi Decoction as an adjuvant therapy for RA patients with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome demonstrates significant efficacy and high safety.

Objective To use imaging features of pulmonary nodules to predict the risk of lymph node metastasis in patients with cT1-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), providing a reference for clinical decision-making. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the imaging features and postoperative pathological results of cT1 NSCLC patients who underwent surgical treatment at Linyi People’s Hospital from July 2019 to July 2022. Patients were grouped and analyzed according to lymph node metastasis status. Results A total of 1 123 patients were included, comprising 471 males and 652 females, with a median age of 59 (52, 66) years. Comparative analysis revealed that sex, age, nodule location, nodule size on imaging, solid component size, consolidation tumor ratio (CTR), average CT value, and tumor proximity to the pleura all influenced lymph node metastasis. A nomogram was constructed, indicating that the probability of lymph node metastasis in cT1 NSCLC was positively correlated with solid component size, CTR, and average CT value of the pulmonary nodule, and negatively correlated with patient age. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.929. Conclusion For cT1 NSCLC patients, the probability of lymph node metastasis can be predicted by measuring the solid component size, CTR, and average CT value of the pulmonary nodule, in conjunction with patient age. However, relying solely on pulmonary nodule imaging characteristics is insufficient to determine a specific lymph node dissection strategy.

Pyroptosis is a form of programmed cell death characterized by prominent inflammatory responses.As a classic chronic inflammatory disease,atherosclerosis(As)has been demonstrated to exhibit specific expression of multiple pyroptosis-related proteins within plaques.Accumulating evidence indicates that pyroptosis plays a crucial regulatory role in the initiation and progression of As.This review primarily focuses on three key cell types involved in As—endothelial cell,macrophage,and vascular smooth muscle cell(VSMC),and systematically summarizes their pyroptotic mechanisms and contributions to atherosclerotic development.Furthermore,we comprehensively summarize current advances in anti-atherosclerotic drugs and bioactive compounds targeting pyroptosis,aiming to provide theoretical foundations and research perspectives for developing novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of As.