AIM: To investigate the expression of serum growth differentiation factor 11(GDF11)and thrombospondin 1(TSP1)in patients with diabetic retinopathy(DR), and discuss their relationship with microvascular injury.METHODS: Totally 102 DR patients were served as DR group and assigned into non proliferative DR group(NPDR group)and proliferative DR group(PDR group)based on the severity of DR lesions. Meantime, 100 patients with simple diabetes were served as control group. Serum indicators of microvascular injury including vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), endothelial cells(ECs), endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs), and levels of GDF11 and TSP1 were measured in each group. Pearson method was used to discuss the correlation between GDF11, TSP1 and microvascular injury indicators. Logistic regression was used to discuss the factors that affected the occurrence of DR. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the evaluation value of serum GDF11 and TSP1 for the DR conditions.RESULTS: For the control group, DR group had lower EPCs and GDF11, and higher VEGF, ECs, and TSP1 levels(all P<0.05). The PDR group had lower GDF11 and higher TSP1 than the NPDR group(all P<0.05). Serum GDF11 was negatively related to VEGF and ECs(r=-0.486, -0.511, all P<0.001), and positively related to EPCs(r=0.475, P<0.001). TSP1 was positively related to VEGF and ECs(r=0.579, 0.594, all P<0.001), and negatively related to EPCs(r=-0.505, P<0.001). Moreover, GDF11 and TSP1 were negatively correlated(r=-0.443, P<0.001). The course of T2DM, VEGF, and TSP1 were risk factors for DR, while GDF11 was a protective factor(all P<0.05). The AUC of GDF11, TSP1, and combined diagnosis for PDR conditions was 0.819, 0.822, and 0.915, respectively. The combined diagnosis was better than single diagnosis(Zcombination-GDF11=2.070, P=0.039, Zcombination-TSP1=2.274, P=0.023).CONCLUSION: GDF11 and TSP1 are closely associated with microvascular injury in DR patients and are related to the progression of DR disease, and the combined detection of their serum levels is of clinical value in the assessment of DR disease.

Objective: To explore the relationship of family function with sleep and externalizing problem behaviors of preschool children, so as to provide a guidance for externalizing problem prevention and intervention among preschool children. Methods: From October 2023 to January 2024, a convenience sampling method was used to select 5 138 preschool children from kindergartens in 8 districts of Wuhan City, Hubei Province. Parents completed the survey for Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale, children s sleep habits and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation of family function with scores of sleep quality and externalizing problem behaviors among preschool children. A mediation model analysis and bootstrap test were conducted to further investigate the mediating role of sleep quality between family function and externalizing problem behaviors. Mplus 8.7 software was used for latent profile analysis of family function. Results: The reported rates of poor sleep quality and externalizing problem behaviors among preschool children were 11.8% ( n =607), 20.0% ( n =1 026). The relevant analysis results showed that family function was negatively correlated with sleep quality and externalizing problem behaviors ( r = -0.20, -0.23), and sleep quality was positively correlated with externalizing problem behaviors ( r =0.27) ( P <0.01). The mediation effect test showed that family function negatively predicted externalizing problem behaviors ( β =-0.079) and sleep quality ( β = -0.075), while sleep quality positively predicted externalizing problem behaviors ( β =0.215) ( P <0.01). The latent profile analysis results showed that family function could be classified into 4 categories: high family function group (23.01%), upper middle family function group (44.65%), moderate family function group (26.24%) and low family function group (6.11%). Compared to high family function, the other three categories significantly positively predicted externalizing problem behaviors, and the mediating effects of sleep quality on different categories of family function were statistically significant [upper middle family function: mediation effect value was 0.022 (95% CI =0.004-0.041) and direct effect value was 0.329 (95% CI =0.263-0.396); middle family function: mediation effect value was 0.087 (95% CI =0.063-0.115) and direct effect value was 0.491 (95% CI =0.416-0.565); low family function: mediation effect value was 0.144 (95% CI =0.107-0.185) and direct effect 0.621 (95% CI =0.503-0.740)] ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion Family function negatively predicts the externalizing problem behaviors of preschool children, and sleep quality plays a partial mediating role.

OBJECTIVES: Recent evidence suggests that the gut may be a primary site of metformin action. However, studies on the effects of metformin on gut microbiota remain limited, and its impact on gut microbial metabolites such as short-/medium-chain fatty acids is unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of metformin on gut microbiota, short-/medium-chain fatty acids, and associated metabolic benefits in high-fat diet rats. METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: 1) Normal diet group (ND group), fed standard chow; 2) high-fat diet group (HFD group), fed a high-fat diet; 3) high-fat diet + metformin treatment group (HFD+Met group), fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks, followed by daily intragastric administration of metformin solution (150 mg/kg body weight) starting in week 9. At the end of the experiment, all rats were sacrificed, and serum, liver, and colonic contents were collected for assessment of glucose and lipid metabolism, liver pathology, gut microbiota composition, and the concentrations of short-/medium-chain fatty acids. RESULTS: Metformin significantly improved HFD-induced glucose and lipid metabolic disorders and liver injury. Compared with the HFD group, the HFD+Met group showed reduced abundance of Blautia, Romboutsia, Bilophila, and Bacteroides, while Lactobacillus abundance significantly increased (all P<0.05). Colonic contents of butyric acid, 2-methyl butyric acid, valeric acid, octanoic acid, and lauric acid were significantly elevated (all P<0.05), whereas acetic acid, isoheptanoic acid, and nonanoic acid levels were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that Lactobacillus abundance was negatively correlated with body weight gain and insulin resistance, while butyrate and valerate levels were negatively correlated with insulin resistance and liver injury (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Metformin significantly increases the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and promotes the production of short-/medium-chain fatty acids including butyric, valeric, and lauric acid in the colonic contents of HFD rats, suggesting that metformin may regulate host metabolism through modulation of the gut microbiota.
Animals ; Metformin/pharmacology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Rats ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Male ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism* ; Fatty Acids/metabolism*

Objective To observe the value of middle urethral motion and sphincter elasticity for diagnosing female stress urinary incontinence(SUI).Methods Totally 97 female patients,including 52 with SUI(SUI group)and 45 without SUI(control group)were prospectively enrolled.Pelvic floor ultrasound was performed under resting state and the maximum Valsalva maneuver,respectively,and bladder neck mobility(BND),upper-lower mobility of middle urethra(UMupper-lower),anterior-posterior mobility of middle urethra(UM anterior-posterior),elasticity parameter of the anterior wall of middle urethral sphincter(ΔEanterior wall),as well as elasticity parameter of the posterior wall of middle urethral sphincter(ΔEposterior wall)were measured.Patients'general data and the above ultrasound parameters were compared between groups,and the efficacy of them for diagnosing SUI was analyzed.Results Significant differences of BND,UM upper-lower,ΔEanterior wall and ΔEposterior wall,of also the proportion of lateral episiotomy history were found between groups(all P＜0.05).Among them,UMupper-lower,ΔEanterior wall and ΔEposterior wall were all correlated with female SUI(rs=0.231,-0.533,-0.428,all P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of UMupper-lower,ΔEanterior wall,ΔEposterior wall and their combination for diagnosing SUI was 0.634,0.820,0.748 and 0.867,respectively.The AUC of the combination was significantly higher than that of each parameter alone(all P＜0.001).Conclusion The combination of middle urethral motion and sphincter elasticity was helpful for diagnosing female SUI.

Spine fracture and dislocation are common traumatic spinal conditions that often require surgical intervention due to compromised spinal stability. Surgical approaches include anterior, posterior, and combined anterior-posterior spinal procedures. According to the specific surgical requirements, patients may be placed in the prone position or repositioned between prone and supine positions during surgery. Intraoperative repositioning has become an essential step in patient positioning. However, during repositioning, patients with spinal fracture and dislocation are at increased risk for complications such as hemodynamic instability, nerve injury, and pressure injuries to the skin and soft tissue. Notably, due to the instability of the spinal cord, even minor manipulations can further exacerbate the damage, potentially leading to severe outcomes like paraplegia. Although the current clinical guidelines provide instructive recommendations for standard position, there remains no specific protocols for intraoperative repositioning in patients with spine fracture and dislocation. With a concern for the lack of clinical studies on positioning techniques, risk prevention, and operational norms for special patients, no applicable guidelines or standards are available. A consensus was required to provide clinical reference, meet the requirements of surgical treatment, and minimize the safety risks of patients caused by improper placement of positions. Professional Committee of Operating Room Nursing of Shaanxi Nursing Association organized experts in nursing management and operating room nursing from major hospitals across China to formulate Expert consensus on intraoperative repositioning for patients with spinal fracture and dislocation ( version 2025). The consensus provides 11 recommendations covering pre-repositioning preparation, intraoperative maneuvers, and post-repositioning observation, aiming to provide references for clinical standardization of the intraoperative repositioning process and protection of patients′ safety.

Objective To investigate the expression level and diagnostic value of serum cysteine protease inhibitor S(CST4)in patients with gastric cancer.Methods Clinical data of 115 patients with suspected gastric cancer who complained of gastric discomfort were retrospectively analyzed,and they were divided into benign disease group(n=50),precancerous disease group(n=26)and gas-tric cancer group(n=39).The levels of serum CST4,carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),carbohy-drate antigen 19-9(CA19-9)and carbohydrate antigen 72-4(CA72-4)were analyzed in the three groups.The positive rates of CST4 among the three groups were compared.Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to screen for independent risk factors for gastric cancer occurrence.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of CST4 in gastric cancer.Results The positive rate of CST4 was 6.00％(3/50)in the benign gastric disease group,30.77％(8/26)in the gastric precancerous lesion group,and 66.67％(26/39)in the gastric canc-er group.The positive rate of CST4 in the gastric cancer group was higher than that in the gastric pre-cancerous lesion group and the benign gastric disease group(P＜0.05).The results of binary Logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age,high levels of serum CST4 and high levels of CEA were independent risk factors for gastric cancer occurrence(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)for CST4 alone in diagnosing gastric cancer was 0.847(95％CI,0.760 to 0.934),with an optimal cut-off value of 94.6 U/mL,the Youden index of 0.638,sensitivity of 71.8％,and specificity of 92.0％.The AUC for the combined diagnosis of gastric cancer using CST4,age and CEA was 0.959(95％CI,0.919 to 0.992),with sensitivity of 94.9％and specificity of 86.0％.Conclusion As a novel se-rum marker,CST4 has high predictive value in the auxiliary diagnosis of gastric cancer.

Objective To observe the value of traditional pelvic floor ultrasound parameters combined with middle urethral sphincter elasticity parameters for diagnosing female stress urinary incontinence(SUI).Methods Fifty two female SUI patients(SUI group)and 45 healthy women(control group)were prospectively enrolled.Traditional pelvic floor ultrasound parameters and middle urethral sphincter elasticity parameters were compared between groups,and logistic regression analysis was performed,the efficacy of each parameter alone and their combination for diagnosing SUI was analyzed.Results Significant differences of bladder neck descent(BND),urethral rotation angle(URA),posterior urethrovesical angle(PUA),shear modulus of the middle urethral anterior wall sphincter at rest state(Q1),shear modulus of the middle urethral anterior wall sphincter under maximum Valsalva maneuver(Q2),and shear modulus of the middle urethral posterior wall sphincter at resting-state(H1)were found between groups(all P＜0.05).BND,PUA,Q1 and Q2 were all influencing factors of female SUI(all P＜0.05),with the area under the curve(AUC)for diagnosing SUI of 0.721,0.718,0.659 and 0.288,respectively.Then traditional ultrasound model,elasticity ultrasound model and combined model were constructed based on traditional pelvic floor ultrasound parameters(BND,PUA),middle urethral sphincter elasticity parameters(Q1,Q2)and their combination,respectively,with AUC for diagnosing SUI of 0.837,0.754 and 0.908,respectively.The AUC of combined model was higher than that of traditional ultrasound model,elasticity ultrasound model and each ultrasound parameter alone(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Traditional pelvic floor ultrasound parameters combined with middle urethral sphincter elasticity parameters had high value for diagnosing female SUI.

Objective To observe the value of traditional pelvic floor ultrasound parameters combined with middle urethral sphincter elasticity parameters for diagnosing female stress urinary incontinence(SUI).Methods Fifty two female SUI patients(SUI group)and 45 healthy women(control group)were prospectively enrolled.Traditional pelvic floor ultrasound parameters and middle urethral sphincter elasticity parameters were compared between groups,and logistic regression analysis was performed,the efficacy of each parameter alone and their combination for diagnosing SUI was analyzed.Results Significant differences of bladder neck descent(BND),urethral rotation angle(URA),posterior urethrovesical angle(PUA),shear modulus of the middle urethral anterior wall sphincter at rest state(Q1),shear modulus of the middle urethral anterior wall sphincter under maximum Valsalva maneuver(Q2),and shear modulus of the middle urethral posterior wall sphincter at resting-state(H1)were found between groups(all P＜0.05).BND,PUA,Q1 and Q2 were all influencing factors of female SUI(all P＜0.05),with the area under the curve(AUC)for diagnosing SUI of 0.721,0.718,0.659 and 0.288,respectively.Then traditional ultrasound model,elasticity ultrasound model and combined model were constructed based on traditional pelvic floor ultrasound parameters(BND,PUA),middle urethral sphincter elasticity parameters(Q1,Q2)and their combination,respectively,with AUC for diagnosing SUI of 0.837,0.754 and 0.908,respectively.The AUC of combined model was higher than that of traditional ultrasound model,elasticity ultrasound model and each ultrasound parameter alone(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Traditional pelvic floor ultrasound parameters combined with middle urethral sphincter elasticity parameters had high value for diagnosing female SUI.

Objective To observe the value of middle urethral motion and sphincter elasticity for diagnosing female stress urinary incontinence(SUI).Methods Totally 97 female patients,including 52 with SUI(SUI group)and 45 without SUI(control group)were prospectively enrolled.Pelvic floor ultrasound was performed under resting state and the maximum Valsalva maneuver,respectively,and bladder neck mobility(BND),upper-lower mobility of middle urethra(UMupper-lower),anterior-posterior mobility of middle urethra(UM anterior-posterior),elasticity parameter of the anterior wall of middle urethral sphincter(ΔEanterior wall),as well as elasticity parameter of the posterior wall of middle urethral sphincter(ΔEposterior wall)were measured.Patients'general data and the above ultrasound parameters were compared between groups,and the efficacy of them for diagnosing SUI was analyzed.Results Significant differences of BND,UM upper-lower,ΔEanterior wall and ΔEposterior wall,of also the proportion of lateral episiotomy history were found between groups(all P＜0.05).Among them,UMupper-lower,ΔEanterior wall and ΔEposterior wall were all correlated with female SUI(rs=0.231,-0.533,-0.428,all P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of UMupper-lower,ΔEanterior wall,ΔEposterior wall and their combination for diagnosing SUI was 0.634,0.820,0.748 and 0.867,respectively.The AUC of the combination was significantly higher than that of each parameter alone(all P＜0.001).Conclusion The combination of middle urethral motion and sphincter elasticity was helpful for diagnosing female SUI.

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, pathological features, treatment methods and prognosis of primary renal synovial sarcoma (PRSS) in order to improve the clinical understanding and treatment level of the disease.Methods:The clinical data, pathological features, immunohistochemical indexes, SYT gene detection, treatment and follow-up results of 21 patients with PRSS reported in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from 2018 to 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the relationship between age and cumulative survival rate. Results:The male to female ratio of PRSS patients was 16∶5, the ratio of left and right kidneys was 7∶14, the median age was 50 years old, the mean age was 44.5 years old, the median tumor length diameter was 9.7 cm, and the mean tumor length diameter was 6.7 cm. 57%(12/21) reported low back pain and 48%(10/21) reported gross hematuria. Immunohistochemical examination showed 100% positive for Vimentin(16/16), BCL-2(18/18) and TLE-1(10/10), 69%(9/13) and 85%(6/7) positive for CD99 and CD56, respectively. Genetic testing found SYT translocation signal in 92% of cases (12/13). Next generation sequencing (NGS) detected SS18- SSX1 fusion in 2 cases and SS18- SSX2 fusion in 1 case. SS18- SSX1+ S18- SSX2 fusion was found in 1 case, and one case of SS18- NEDD4 fusion occurred. Preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy was performed in 2 cases, postoperative chemotherapy in 11 cases, postoperative chemoradiotherapy in 2 cases, and surgery only in 5 cases. All patients were followed up for 3 to 42 months, and 4 cases were lost to follow-up. Patients with younger onset had a longer cumulative survival time. Patients had a median survival time of 13 months and a mean survival time of 15.4 months. Conclusions:PRSS is more common in middle-aged men, the right kidney is easy to occur, the length of the mass is usually >7 cm, most cases can be initially diagnosed by pathologic morphology, immunophenotype, fluorescence in situ hybridization or NGS STY gene detection can provide accurate diagnosis. The prognosis of PRSS is very poor, and the cumulative survival rate is negatively correlated with the age of onset. Surgical resection combined with chemotherapy is the main treatment for PRSS.