ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of Danggui Shaoyaosan （DSS） in ameliorating renal injury in db/db mice. MethodsThirty 8-week-old specific pathogen-free （SPF）-grade male db/db mice and six db/m mice were acclimated for one week. Urinary microalbumin and blood glucose levels were measured weekly in both db/db and db/m mice. Successful modeling was determined by significantly higher microalbuminuria in db/db mice compared to db/m mice and a fasting blood glucose ≥16.7 mmol·L^-1. The 30 db/db mice were randomly divided into five groups： the model group， the irbesartan （IBN） group， and three DSS dose groups （low-， medium-， and high-dose DSS groups， administered at 16.77， 33.54， 67.08 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively）. Additionally， the six db/m mice served as the normal control group. The IBN group received irbesartan at 0.025 g·kg^-1·d^-1 by gavage， while the three DSS groups received DSS at 16.77， 33.54， and 67.08 g·kg^-1·d^-1 by gavage， respectively. The normal and model groups were administered with an equivalent volume of normal saline by gavage. All interventions lasted for 8 consecutive weeks. After intervention， serum creatinine （SCr）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， urinary total protein （UTP）， triglyceride （TG）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） were measured to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the treatments. Renal histopathological changes were observed with hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of silencing information regulator 1 （SIRT1）， hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）， very low-density lipoprotein receptor （VLDLr）， and cluster of differentiation 31 （CD31）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA levels of HIF-1α and VLDLr. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the expression and distribution of HIF-1α and Caspase-3. ResultsCompared to the normal group， the model group showed significantly increased SCr， BUN， UTP， TG， and LDL-C. HE staining revealed glomerulosclerosis， mesangial matrix hyperplasia， capillary loop distortion and thickening， with extensive inflammatory cell infiltration. Protein expression of SIRT1 and CD31 significantly decreased （P<0.05）， while HIF-1α and VLDLr protein and mRNA levels increased （P<0.05）. Immunohistochemistry showed increased expression of HIF-1α and Caspase-3 （P<0.05）， indicating hypoxia and apoptosis in renal cells. In all treatment groups， SCr， BUN， TG， and LDL-C were significantly reduced compared to the model group （P<0.05）， and UTP was significantly improved in the medium-dose DSS group （P<0.05）. Renal tissue structure and morphology were improved， inflammatory cells were reduced， and no vascular hyaline degeneration was observed. SIRT1 and CD31 protein expression was elevated to varying degrees compared to the model group （P<0.05）， while HIF-1α and VLDLr protein and mRNA levels decreased （P<0.05）. Immunohistochemistry showed reduced expression of HIF-1α and Caspase-3 in all treatment groups （P<0.05）， with the most significant improvement observed in the IBN group and medium-dose DSS group （P<0.05）. ConclusionDSS can effectively ameliorate glomerulosclerosis and lipid deposition in db/db mice， and its mechanism may involve the SIRT1/HIF-1α/VLDLr signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic efficacy of Danggui Shaoyaosan （DSS） on renal injury in db/db mice and its impact on endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS） in renal tissues. MethodsThirty 8-week-old male db/db mice and six db/m mice were acclimated for one week， after which urinary microalbumin and blood glucose levels were monitored to establish a diabetic kidney disease （DKD） model. The model mice were randomly divided into a model group， an irbesartan group， and three DSS treatment groups with different doses （16.77， 33.54， and 67.08 g·kg^-1·d^-1）. A normal group was set as control. Each group was intragastrically administered with the corresponding drugs or saline for 8 weeks. After the intervention， general conditions were observed. Serum cystatin C （Cys-C）， 24-hour urinary total protein （24 h-UTP）， 24-hour urinary microalbumin （24 h-UMA）， urinary creatinine （Ucr）， and urea nitrogen （UUN） were measured. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） was used to observe glomerular basement membrane （GBM） and ultrastructural changes of the endoplasmic reticulum （ER） in glomerular endothelial cells. Western blot， real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze renal tissue structure and the expression of GRP78， CHOP， and related markers. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the mice in the model group showed curled posture， sluggish response， poor fur condition， increased levels of Cys-C， 24 h-UTP， 24 h-UMA， and UUN （P<0.05）， while Ucr decreased （P<0.05）. The GBM was significantly thickened， with podocyte and foot process fusion. The protein expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and ATF6 were significantly upregulated （P<0.05）， the mRNA levels of GRP78 and CHOP increased （P<0.05）， and immunohistochemistry showed an enhanced GRP78 signal （P<0.05）. After treatment， the mice exhibited improved behavior， normalized GBM and podocyte structure， improved ER morphology and markedly better biochemical indicators. Western blot， Real-time PCR， and immunohistochemistry indicated that the ERS-related markers were downregulated in the DSS treatment groups （P<0.05）， suggesting alleviated ERS and improved renal function. ConclusionDSS can effectively ameliorate renal pathological damage in db/db mice， possibly by regulating ERS in glomerular endothelial cells， although the underlying signaling mechanisms require further investigation.

BACKGROUND:Currently,research both domestically and internationally on patellofemoral pain syndrome has explored the kinematics and dynamics during daily activities such as stair ascent and descent,and walking. However,there is a lack of studies examining the lower limb biomechanical characteristics of young female patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome in different squatting conditions.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the lower limb biomechanical characteristics among young female patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome in different functional states of the subtalar joint,providing theoretical support for the clinical treatment of various types of patellofemoral pain syndrome.METHODS:A total of 33 participants were included in this study. There were 10 subjects in the healthy control group (group C). The other 27 subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome were divided into two groups according to the foot posture index:14 subjects in the normal subtalar joint group (group A,foot posture index 0-6 points) and 13 subjects in the abnormal subtalar joint group (group B,foot posture index 7-12 points). The biomechanical indices of thesubjects in each group were collected and compared when they walked on stairs at normal speed. The kinematic indices included the three-dimensional joint angles of the hip and knee and the sagittal plane joint angles of the ankle at the initial contact moment and the moment of maximum knee flexion angle during the stance period. The dynamic indices included the three-dimensional joint torques of the hip and knee and the sagittal plane joint torques of the ankle at the moment of maximum knee flexion angle during the stance period. The surface electromyography indices included the root mean square amplitudes of the vastus medialis,vastus lateralis,rectus femoris,semitendinosus and semimembranosus,biceps femoris,and gluteus medius in the pre-activation stage and the buffering stage.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) At the initial ground contact moment,group A exhibited a greater knee flexion angle (P<0.05),greater hip external rotation angle (P<0.01),and smaller knee external rotation angle (P<0.01) compared to group B. Compared to group C,group A showed a greater knee flexion angle and smaller hip flexion angle (both P<0.01). Group B demonstrated a greater knee external rotation angle and smaller hip external rotation angle and hip flexion angle (all P<0.01) compared to group C. (2) At the moment of maximum knee flexion,group A had a smaller knee valgus angle (P<0.05),smaller knee external rotation angle (P<0.05),and greater knee flexion angle (P<0.01) compared to group B. Compared to group C,group A showed a smaller knee valgus angle (P<0.05),smaller hip flexion angle (P<0.01),and smaller hip external rotation angle (P<0.05). Group B had a smaller knee flexion angle,hip flexion angle,hip external rotation angle,and greater knee external rotation angle (all P<0.01) compared to group C. Additionally,group A exhibited a greater hip internal rotation moment (P<0.05) and plantarflexion moment (P<0.01) compared to group C. (3) At normal speed during the staircase buffering phase,group C showed higher activation levels than group A in the vastus lateralis (P<0.05),vastus medialis (P<0.01),gluteus medius (P<0.01),and biceps femoris (P<0.05). Group C also had higher activation levels than group B in the vastus medialis (P<0.01),gluteus medius (P<0.01),and biceps femoris (P<0.05). Additionally,group A showed higher activation in the semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscles compared to group B (P<0.05). (4) These findings indicate that young female patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome have stiffer hip and knee joint buffering while descending stairs,potentially compensated by the ankle joint. Low muscle activation levels contribute to patellofemoral pain,with those having normal subtalar joints but experiencing pain showing the lowest and most abnormal activation. ③ Abnormal biomechanics in the normal subtalar joint group are mainly due to insufficient hip and knee flexion. Abnormal biomechanics in the abnormal subtalar joint group are mainly due to excessive subtalar joint pronation.

Objectives:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and ethnic differences of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome(CKM)among the Hani,Dai,Bai,and Lisu populations in Yunnan Province,and to provide evidence for developing effective prevention and control strategies for CKM.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among four ethnic minority groups.A total of 3 906 permanent residents aged 18 years and older were enrolled using a multistage cluster random sampling method.CKM stages(0-4)were defined based on the 2023 American Heart Association criteria,stages 3-4 were classified as advanced CKM.Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to compare the prevalence of CKM stages across ethnic groups.Modified Poisson regression was applied to estimate relative risk(RR)and 95%confidence intervals(CI)for factors associated with advanced CKM.Results:The prevalence rates of CKM stage 1 and above among the Hani,Dai,Bai and Lisu ethnic groups were 80.1%,87.3%,84.8%and 67.8%,respectively.The prevalence of CKM was generally higher in males than in females,and the prevalence of CKM increased significantly with age.The Dai ethnic group had the highest prevalence of advanced CKM(24.7%,95%CI:22.1%-27.4%),while the Lisu ethnic group had the lowest prevalence of advanced CKM(13.7%,95%CI:11.5%-15.9%).Modified Poisson regression analysis showed that older age and higher body mass index were common risk factors for advanced CKM across all four ethnic groups.Additionally,except for the Lisu ethnic group,the other three ethnic groups had specific individual risk factors:among the Hani ethnic group,low educational attainment(RR=2.18,95%CI:1.12-4.25)and low income(RR=1.47,95%CI:1.00-2.18)were the primary risk factors of CKM.Among the Dai ethnic group,smoking(RR=1.60,95%CI:1.07-2.37)and a family history of cardiovascular disease(RR=1.61,95%CI:1.14-2.27)are the primary risk factors of CKM.Among the Bai ethnic group,male gender(RR=0.48,95%CI:0.29-0.79)was the primary risk factor of CKM.Conclusions:The prevalence of CKM stage 1 or higher is relatively high among the four minority ethnic groups in Yunnan province.There are significant differences in staging characteristics and primary risk factors across ethnic groups,necessitating the development of stratified,differentiated intervention strategies to achieve precise prevention and control and ethnic health equity in terms of CKM.

Objective:To investigate the related factors of kidney injury in patients with masked hypertension (MHT).Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 311 MHT patients who visited Dongguan Liaobu Community Health Service from June 1,2022 to June 1, 2023 were enrolled in the study. The complete blood biochemistry, urinary microalbumin and 24-hour urinary protein tests were conducted, and the risk factors of renal injury in MHT patients were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression.Results:The age of the 311 enrolled patients was(48.8±9.2)years, with 192 males(61.7%) There were 73 cases with microalbuminuria (MAU), accounting for 23.47% (73/311); and 28 cases of positive 24-hour urine total protein (24-hour UTP), accounted for 9.00% (28/311). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that fasting blood glucose level and mean nocturnal systolic blood pressure were independent risk factors of positive MAU in MHT patients ( OR=1.577, 95% CI: 1.049-2.370, P=0.030; OR=1.024, 95% CI: 1.001-1.047, P=0.038), while older age was a protective factor of MAU ( OR=0.965, 95% CI: 0.935-0.997, P=0.030); mean nocturnal systolic pressure, 24-hour mean systolic pressure and mean diurnal systolic pressure were independent risk factors of positive 24-hour UTP in MHT patients ( OR=1.031,95% CI: 1.000-1.064, P=0.049; OR=1.048,95% CI: 1.008-1.091, P=0.020; OR=1.042,95% CI: 1.003-1.083, P=0.035). Conclusion:Older age, fasting blood glucose, mean nocturnal systolic pressure, 24-hour mean systolic pressure and mean diurnal systolic pressure are associated with the renal injury in MHT patients.

Objective:To evaluate the mechanical stability of the bone block after LeFort Ⅰ osteotomy with maxillary advancement using absorbable plates fixed with tenon-and-mortise structures.Methods:This study developed three finite element models: one for the maxillary LeFort Ⅰ osteotomy with anterior advancement fixed with absorbable plates (Model 1); another for the maxillary LeFort Ⅰ osteotomy with anterior advancement fixed with absorbable plates assisted by tenon-and-mortise structures (Model 2); and the last one for the maxillary LeFort Ⅰ osteotomy with anterior advancement fixed with titanium plates and screws (Model 3). Simulated occlusal forces were applied on the anterior and posterior teeth in each model. The displacement changes of the nasal-palatine point (NP) and posterior nasal spine point (PNS) in the finite element coordinate system were compared and analyzed. The Mises equivalent stress distributions of the metal and absorbable plates were also examined to assess the mechanical stability of the three finite element models. Clinical data from 45 patients with dentofacial deformities treated from January 2017 to January 2023 at the Stomatology Hospital of China Medical University were collected. The age of the patients was 21±3 years. Among these, 15 patients had absorbable plates for fixation, 15 had absorbable plates assisted by tenon-and-mortise structures, and 15 had titanium plates and screws fixation after maxillary advancement. All patients underwent preoperative (T0), postoperative 3 days (T1), and 6 months (T2) spiral CT scans. The CT data in DICOM format were input into digital software, which was used to calculate the distances from the NP and PNS points to the horizontal plane (HP), right sagittal plane (FZSR), and coronal plane (CP) at T1 and T2. The distances at T1 and T2 were statistically analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with SPSS 20.0, and a P value of<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:The finite element analysis showed that in the absorbable plate-only fixation group, the maximum displacement of the NP point (mm) under anterior and posterior tooth force conditions were 0.6 and 0.12, respectively, and for the PNS point, the maximum displacements were 0.5 and 0.11. In the tenon-and-mortise-assisted absorbable plate fixation group, the displacement of the NP point was 0.40 and 0.02 mm, and the displacement of the PNS point was 0.5 and 0.015 mm. In the titanium plate-screw fixation group, the NP point displacement was 0.33 and 0.055 mm, and the PNS point displacement was 0.16 and 0.1 mm. The Mises equivalent stress on the absorbable plates with tenon-and-mortise structure was significantly lower than that in the absorbable plate-only fixation group, while the titanium plate experienced the highest Mises equivalent stress. The clinical data analysis showed that in the horizontal direction, the postoperative stability of the three fixation methods was similar. However, in the vertical and anterior-posterior directions, the absorbable plate-only fixation group showed significant differences in the distances of PNS-HP, PNS-CP, and NP-CP between T1 and T2 ( P=0.018, P=0.009, P=0.017), suggesting significant postoperative bone displacement. In contrast, the tenon-and-mortise-assisted absorbable plate fixation group and the titanium plate-screw fixation group showed no significant differences in displacement during surgery and postoperatively(all P>0.05), demonstrating higher stability. Conclusions:The tenon-and-mortise-assisted absorbable plate fixation provides comparable stability to titanium plate fixation in clinical results, and it is more stable than absorbable plate-only fixation. In the mechanical study, when force was applied on the anterior teeth, the stability of the tenon-and-mortise-assisted absorbable plate fixation was slightly less than that of titanium plate fixation, but when posterior teeth were used, its stability exceeded both titanium plate fixation and absorbable plate-only fixation. The tenon-and-mortise-assisted absorbable plate fixation serves as an effective alternative to titanium plate fixation after LeFort Ⅰ osteotomy.

Objective:To analyze the financial status of urban public hospitals in China and provide references for promoting the integration of business and finance as well as refined management in urban public hospitals.Methods:Based on the financial data of urban public hospitals in 31 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) from the annual financial reports of public hospitals issued by the Department of Finance of the National Health Commission during 2019—2021, the DuPont analysis system was employed to dissect the financial status of urban public hospitals in China, with return on net assets as the core indicator. The profitability was measured by return on net assets, the operational capability was measured by the total asset turnover rate, and the debt-paying ability was measured by the short-term debt-paying ability indicator, current ratio, and the long-term debt-paying ability indicator, debt-to-asset ratio.Results:From 2019 to 2021, the number of urban public hospitals in China were 2 752, 2 797, and 2 815, respectively. The return on net assets was 8.83%, 9.29%, and 7.65%, respectively, with the changes mainly influenced by medical revevene surplus rate. The total asset turnover rate was 81.92%, 68.36%, and 73.54%, respectively, with the changes mainly affected by total assets and medical income. The current ratios were 1.23, 1.20, and 1.16, respectively, while the debt-to-asset ratios were 44.88%, 44.47%, and 43.86%, respectively, which remained at a relatively high level. The proportion of non-current assets was 53.50%, 55.26%, and 56.88%, respectively.Conclusions:From 2019 to 2021, the profitability and operational efficiency of urban public hospitals in China both declined, showing a current operational status of high asset intensity and high debt. It is recommended that national administrative departments increase financial input and optimize asset allocation. Urban public hospitals should enhance comprehensive budget management and improve the refinement level of operational management to achieve efficient and sustainable development.

Lemborexant is a new drug for the treatment of insomnia.It is a dual orexin receptor antagonist that competitively binds to two orexin receptors,OX1R and OX2R,inhibits orexin neuro-transmission,and regulates the sleep-wake rhythm.This article comprehensively reviews the discovery of the drug target,basic information,clin-ical studies,safety assessment,and limitation anal-ysis of lemborexant,aiming to provide a compre-hensive understanding of the current research sta-tus and achievements of this drug in clinical prac-tice.

Objective:To evaluate the mechanical stability of the bone block after LeFort Ⅰ osteotomy with maxillary advancement using absorbable plates fixed with tenon-and-mortise structures.Methods:This study developed three finite element models: one for the maxillary LeFort Ⅰ osteotomy with anterior advancement fixed with absorbable plates (Model 1); another for the maxillary LeFort Ⅰ osteotomy with anterior advancement fixed with absorbable plates assisted by tenon-and-mortise structures (Model 2); and the last one for the maxillary LeFort Ⅰ osteotomy with anterior advancement fixed with titanium plates and screws (Model 3). Simulated occlusal forces were applied on the anterior and posterior teeth in each model. The displacement changes of the nasal-palatine point (NP) and posterior nasal spine point (PNS) in the finite element coordinate system were compared and analyzed. The Mises equivalent stress distributions of the metal and absorbable plates were also examined to assess the mechanical stability of the three finite element models. Clinical data from 45 patients with dentofacial deformities treated from January 2017 to January 2023 at the Stomatology Hospital of China Medical University were collected. The age of the patients was 21±3 years. Among these, 15 patients had absorbable plates for fixation, 15 had absorbable plates assisted by tenon-and-mortise structures, and 15 had titanium plates and screws fixation after maxillary advancement. All patients underwent preoperative (T0), postoperative 3 days (T1), and 6 months (T2) spiral CT scans. The CT data in DICOM format were input into digital software, which was used to calculate the distances from the NP and PNS points to the horizontal plane (HP), right sagittal plane (FZSR), and coronal plane (CP) at T1 and T2. The distances at T1 and T2 were statistically analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with SPSS 20.0, and a P value of<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:The finite element analysis showed that in the absorbable plate-only fixation group, the maximum displacement of the NP point (mm) under anterior and posterior tooth force conditions were 0.6 and 0.12, respectively, and for the PNS point, the maximum displacements were 0.5 and 0.11. In the tenon-and-mortise-assisted absorbable plate fixation group, the displacement of the NP point was 0.40 and 0.02 mm, and the displacement of the PNS point was 0.5 and 0.015 mm. In the titanium plate-screw fixation group, the NP point displacement was 0.33 and 0.055 mm, and the PNS point displacement was 0.16 and 0.1 mm. The Mises equivalent stress on the absorbable plates with tenon-and-mortise structure was significantly lower than that in the absorbable plate-only fixation group, while the titanium plate experienced the highest Mises equivalent stress. The clinical data analysis showed that in the horizontal direction, the postoperative stability of the three fixation methods was similar. However, in the vertical and anterior-posterior directions, the absorbable plate-only fixation group showed significant differences in the distances of PNS-HP, PNS-CP, and NP-CP between T1 and T2 ( P=0.018, P=0.009, P=0.017), suggesting significant postoperative bone displacement. In contrast, the tenon-and-mortise-assisted absorbable plate fixation group and the titanium plate-screw fixation group showed no significant differences in displacement during surgery and postoperatively(all P>0.05), demonstrating higher stability. Conclusions:The tenon-and-mortise-assisted absorbable plate fixation provides comparable stability to titanium plate fixation in clinical results, and it is more stable than absorbable plate-only fixation. In the mechanical study, when force was applied on the anterior teeth, the stability of the tenon-and-mortise-assisted absorbable plate fixation was slightly less than that of titanium plate fixation, but when posterior teeth were used, its stability exceeded both titanium plate fixation and absorbable plate-only fixation. The tenon-and-mortise-assisted absorbable plate fixation serves as an effective alternative to titanium plate fixation after LeFort Ⅰ osteotomy.

Lemborexant is a new drug for the treatment of insomnia.It is a dual orexin receptor antagonist that competitively binds to two orexin receptors,OX1R and OX2R,inhibits orexin neuro-transmission,and regulates the sleep-wake rhythm.This article comprehensively reviews the discovery of the drug target,basic information,clin-ical studies,safety assessment,and limitation anal-ysis of lemborexant,aiming to provide a compre-hensive understanding of the current research sta-tus and achievements of this drug in clinical prac-tice.