Objective To explore the changes in symptom clusters and core symptoms at different stages in col-orectal cancer patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy,and to provide a reference for developing precise symptom management strategies in clinical practice.Methods 300 colorectal cancer patients who underwent post-operative chemotherapy at 2 tertiary hospitals in Tianjin from August 2023 to May 2024 were conveniently selected as the study subjects.General information questionnaires and the Chinese version of the MD Anderson Symptom In-ventory for Colorectal Cancer were used to survey patients during the first chemotherapy cycle(T1)and the third chemotherapy cycle(T2).Exploratory factor analysis was used to extract symptom clusters;R language was used to construct symptom networks.Results 300 questionnaires were distributed and collected at T1,and 264 question-naires were distributed and collected at T2,with a recovery rate of 88.00％.Colorectal cancer patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy had 5 symptom clusters at T1,and 4 symptom clusters at T2.In the symptom network,distress was the symptom with the highest strength(rs=1.188),closeness centrality(rc=0.004),and betweenness centrality(rb=36)at T1.Distress was the symptom with the highest strength(rs=1.397),while decreased appetite had the highest closeness centrality(rc=0.004)and betweenness centrality(rb=39)at T2.Conclusion The symptom clusters in colorectal cancer patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy remain stable over time.Distress is a stable core symptom during chemotherapy,while decreased appetite is a bridging symptom in the mid-chemotherapy phase.Healthcare providers should prioritize interventions for decreased appetite while addressing emotional symptoms to improve the efficiency of symptom management.

Strangles,caused by Streptococcus equi subsp.equi,remains one of the most prevalent and high-incidence infectious diseases in intensive donkey farms,posing a significant threat to the healthy development of the donkey industry.Vaccination serves as an effective measure for the pre-vention and control of the disease,however,there is currently no attenuated vaccine against this disease in China.To provide a candidate strain for the development of a live attenuated strangles vaccine,this study focused on a wild-type S.equi subsp.equi strain isolated from donkeys.Using homologous recombination gene knockout technology,the aroA gene(encoding 5-enolpyru-vylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase)and the sag A gene(encoding the precursor of streptolysin S toxin)were sequentially deleted to construct a double-gene-deletion strain(ΔsagA/aroA).The virulence and key biological characteristics of the mutant strain were systematically evaluated.TheΔsagA/aroA strain was successfully generated,exhibiting complete loss of hemolytic activity and maintaining stable genetic inheritance over 60 consecutive passages.Electron microscopy revealed that the mutant retained morphological characteristics compared to the wild-type strain,and its growth rate was significantly slower(P＜0.000 1).Virulence assessment using a challenge dose of 1× 105 CFU/0.2 mL(the minimum fully lethal dose of the wild-type strain)demonstrated markedly attenuated virulence in the mutant.Immunization trials with 1 ×104 CFU/0.2 mL of theΔsagA/aroA strain revealed a increase in ELISA antibody titers by day 7 post-vaccination,and higher levels at days 14 and 21.Notably,antibody levels in the experimental group were significant-ly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.000 1).These findings confirm that the double-gene-deletion strain S.equi subsp.equi ΔsagA/aroA exhibits reduced virulence while retaining im-munogenicity,which suggested it can be used as a promising candidate strain for further develop-ment of a live attenuated strangles vaccine.

Objective:To study on the relationship between serum levels of SC and SV and insulin resistance in elderly gestational diabetes mellitus.Methods:120 elderly patients with GDM were treated in Obstetrics Department of Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital from Jun. 2019 to Jun. 2021. The healthy women (58 cases) and normal pregnant women (58 cases) were selected as the control group at the same time, and the clinical data and serum samples of subjects were collected. The levels of serum SC, SV, FPG and HbAlc were measured, the HOMA-IR of the aged GDM was calculated, and the difference of serum index expression among the subjects in each group was analyzed. The relationship between serum SC, SV and insulin resistance was analyzed by Person correlation, and the risk factors of GDM were analyzed by Logistic regression.Results:: There was significant difference in HbAlc, HOMA-IR, FPG, SC, and SV among the three groups. The levels of each index in the elderly GDM group were significantly higher than those in the normal pregnancy group and the healthygroup ( P<0.05). Pearson analysis showed that SC ( P=0.558, 0.626, 0.672), SV ( P=0.576, 0.663, 0.696) was positively correlated with HbAlc, HOMA-IR, FPG in elderly patients with GDM ( P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that SC, SV was risk factors for GDM in elderly pregnant women. Conclusion:There is a positive correlation between serum SC, SV level and insulin resistance, which are risk factors for GDM in elderly pregnant women.

Objective:To study on the relationship between serum levels of SC and SV and insulin resistance in elderly gestational diabetes mellitus.Methods:120 elderly patients with GDM were treated in Obstetrics Department of Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital from Jun. 2019 to Jun. 2021. The healthy women (58 cases) and normal pregnant women (58 cases) were selected as the control group at the same time, and the clinical data and serum samples of subjects were collected. The levels of serum SC, SV, FPG and HbAlc were measured, the HOMA-IR of the aged GDM was calculated, and the difference of serum index expression among the subjects in each group was analyzed. The relationship between serum SC, SV and insulin resistance was analyzed by Person correlation, and the risk factors of GDM were analyzed by Logistic regression.Results:: There was significant difference in HbAlc, HOMA-IR, FPG, SC, and SV among the three groups. The levels of each index in the elderly GDM group were significantly higher than those in the normal pregnancy group and the healthygroup ( P<0.05). Pearson analysis showed that SC ( P=0.558, 0.626, 0.672), SV ( P=0.576, 0.663, 0.696) was positively correlated with HbAlc, HOMA-IR, FPG in elderly patients with GDM ( P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that SC, SV was risk factors for GDM in elderly pregnant women. Conclusion:There is a positive correlation between serum SC, SV level and insulin resistance, which are risk factors for GDM in elderly pregnant women.

Strangles,caused by Streptococcus equi subsp.equi,remains one of the most prevalent and high-incidence infectious diseases in intensive donkey farms,posing a significant threat to the healthy development of the donkey industry.Vaccination serves as an effective measure for the pre-vention and control of the disease,however,there is currently no attenuated vaccine against this disease in China.To provide a candidate strain for the development of a live attenuated strangles vaccine,this study focused on a wild-type S.equi subsp.equi strain isolated from donkeys.Using homologous recombination gene knockout technology,the aroA gene(encoding 5-enolpyru-vylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase)and the sag A gene(encoding the precursor of streptolysin S toxin)were sequentially deleted to construct a double-gene-deletion strain(ΔsagA/aroA).The virulence and key biological characteristics of the mutant strain were systematically evaluated.TheΔsagA/aroA strain was successfully generated,exhibiting complete loss of hemolytic activity and maintaining stable genetic inheritance over 60 consecutive passages.Electron microscopy revealed that the mutant retained morphological characteristics compared to the wild-type strain,and its growth rate was significantly slower(P＜0.000 1).Virulence assessment using a challenge dose of 1× 105 CFU/0.2 mL(the minimum fully lethal dose of the wild-type strain)demonstrated markedly attenuated virulence in the mutant.Immunization trials with 1 ×104 CFU/0.2 mL of theΔsagA/aroA strain revealed a increase in ELISA antibody titers by day 7 post-vaccination,and higher levels at days 14 and 21.Notably,antibody levels in the experimental group were significant-ly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.000 1).These findings confirm that the double-gene-deletion strain S.equi subsp.equi ΔsagA/aroA exhibits reduced virulence while retaining im-munogenicity,which suggested it can be used as a promising candidate strain for further develop-ment of a live attenuated strangles vaccine.

Objective To explore the changes in symptom clusters and core symptoms at different stages in col-orectal cancer patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy,and to provide a reference for developing precise symptom management strategies in clinical practice.Methods 300 colorectal cancer patients who underwent post-operative chemotherapy at 2 tertiary hospitals in Tianjin from August 2023 to May 2024 were conveniently selected as the study subjects.General information questionnaires and the Chinese version of the MD Anderson Symptom In-ventory for Colorectal Cancer were used to survey patients during the first chemotherapy cycle(T1)and the third chemotherapy cycle(T2).Exploratory factor analysis was used to extract symptom clusters;R language was used to construct symptom networks.Results 300 questionnaires were distributed and collected at T1,and 264 question-naires were distributed and collected at T2,with a recovery rate of 88.00％.Colorectal cancer patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy had 5 symptom clusters at T1,and 4 symptom clusters at T2.In the symptom network,distress was the symptom with the highest strength(rs=1.188),closeness centrality(rc=0.004),and betweenness centrality(rb=36)at T1.Distress was the symptom with the highest strength(rs=1.397),while decreased appetite had the highest closeness centrality(rc=0.004)and betweenness centrality(rb=39)at T2.Conclusion The symptom clusters in colorectal cancer patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy remain stable over time.Distress is a stable core symptom during chemotherapy,while decreased appetite is a bridging symptom in the mid-chemotherapy phase.Healthcare providers should prioritize interventions for decreased appetite while addressing emotional symptoms to improve the efficiency of symptom management.

Objective:To explore the effect of virtual reality (VR) on sleep quality, sleep structure and neuropsychological characteristics of patients with chronic insomnia.Methods:Fifty one patients with chronic insomnia enrolled from Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from October 2021 to April 2022 were chosen; according to their wills, they were divided into VR combined drug treatment group ( n=26) and drug treatment group ( n=25). Patients in drug treatment group accepted non-benzodiazepine combined with melatonin receptor agonist and serotonin reuptake inhibitor; in patients of VR combined drug treatment group, VR was added 30 min/d for 5 d/week on basis of above drug therapy. Subjective sleep quality was assessed by Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Insomnia Severity Scale (ISI). Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) were used to assess anxiety and depression. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), Digital Span Test (DST), Trail Making Test (TMT), Stroop Color Word Test A/B/C, Judgment of Line Orientation Test (JLO), and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) were used to assess the overall and individual cognitive functions. Portable sleep monitor (PSM)-100A based on cardiopulmonary coupling technology was used to evaluate the sleep structure. Differences of subjective sleep quality, sleep structure, and neuropsychological characteristics were compared between the 2 groups before and after treatment and in VR combined drug treatment group before and after treatment. Results:(1) After 6 weeks of treatment, compared with the drug treatment group, the VR combined with drug treatment group had significantly decreased scores of PSQI, ISI, HAMD and HAMA, increased total scores of AVLT immediate memory, scores of AVLT short delay recall, long delay recall and recognition, higher SDMT scores, increased correct times of DST reciting in reverse order, shorter time in TMT-A and TMT-B, higher proportion of high frequency coupled sleep (HF, stable sleep), lower proportion of low frequency coupled sleep (LF, unstable sleep), and decreased LF/HF ( P<0.05). (2) The VR combined with drug treatment group after VR treatment had significantly decreased PSQI, ISI, HAMD and HAMA scores, higher total scores of AVLT immediate memory, higher scores of AVLT short delay recall, long delay recall and recognition, shorter time in TMT-A and TMT-B, increased correct times of DST reciting in order and reciting in reverse order, and higher scores of JLO, Stroop Color Word Test A/B/C and SDMT, higher proportion of HF sleep, lower LF sleep, decreased LF/HF, and decreased arousal frequency compared with that before VR treatment ( P<0.05). Conclusion:VR combined with drug treatment can effectively improve the subjective sleep quality and sleep structure, reduce depression and anxiety, and improve memory and attention of patients with chronic insomnia.

Objective:To explore the value of clinical data and MRI image features in predicting and analyzing the degree of differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The clinical and imaging data of 180 patients with surgical outcomes of HCC from March 2015 to June 2019 in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)、aspartate aminotransferase (AST)、D-dimer、clinical stage、tumor length、apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)、enhancement types and so on the clinical and imaging data of the poorly differentiated and non-differentiated HCC were compared and analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to predict independent risk factors for poorly differentiated HCC.Results:Of the 180 HCC patients, 121 were moderately and highly differentiated, and 59 were poorly differentiated. Univariate analysis showed that the patient’s age, gender, AFP, AST, D-dimer level, clinical stage, Child-Pugh score, tumor length, whether the capsule was complete, tumor apparent diffusion coefficient, the maximum level ADC value, enhancement type with HCC differentiation degree were correlated(all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the patients' gender ( OR=4.524, P<0.05), clinical stage ( OR=5.598, P<0.05), D-dimer ( OR=8.576, P<0.05), HCC diameter ( OR=0.498, P<0.05), enhancement types ( OR=2.988, P<0.05), tumour ADC value ( OR=0.059, P<0.05) were independent of poorly differentiated HCC risk factor. Conclusion:MRI image features can be used as an effective indicator to predict the degree of HCC differentiation before surgery. It is more valuable to accurately predict the degree of HCC combined with D-dimer and AFP value.

Objective:To study preoperative MRI imaging and its enhanced mode on tumor features in predicting microvascular invasion (MVI) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The clinical data of patients with a solitary HCC who underwent MRI examination followed by surgical resection at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from January 2017 to June 2019 were studied. The patients were divided into the MVI (+ ) and MVI (-) groups according to the findings on postoperative pathological diagnosis. The relationship between the rates of MVI and MRI tumor features including diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) signal, enhancement mode, enhancement type and other imaging characteristics were analysed.Results:Of 84 patients with HCC enrolled into this study, there were 65 males and 19 females. Their age (Mean±SD) was (54.94±11.51) years. MVI (+ ) was found in 46 patients and MVI (-) in 38 patients. The maximum tumor diameters (Mean±SD) of the two groups were (7.08±3.45) cm and (4.28±2.47) cm ( P<0.01). Single-factor analysis and comparison of imaging characteristics of the two groups of patients showed tumor DWI signal, tumor encapsulation, enhancement mode, tumor edge smoothness, abnormal enhancement around tumors, and intratumoral arteries were significantly different ( P<0.05); There were no significant differences in T 1WI signals, T 2WI signals, tumor periphery, and enhancement types between groups. After inputting MVI(+ ) as a risk factor into the logistic regression model, tumor maximum diameters >6.33 cm, type 3/4 enhancement mode, and unsmoothness of tumor edge were independent risk factors (all P<0.05). Through combined diagnosis using ROC curve analysis with a cut-off value of 0.53, the area under the curve was 0.881, the sensitivity 0.870, specificity 0.789, and the Youden index 0.659. Conclusion:The multivariate logistic regression model and combined diagnosis using ROC curve analysis improved the diagnostic efficacy of MVI in its prediction of HCC on imaging studies. The risk predictors were easy to use and to promote in clinical practice.

Objective: To explore the optimization of CT urography imaging parameters and the control measures of radiation dose to patients with different body mass index. Methods: A total of 133 patients who were required to undergo CT urography were prospectively selected in terms of three different types of CT urography scan; firstly, conventional parameter scan (120 kV, CARE Dose4D); secondly, low kV scan (BMI ≤ 22.9∶80 kV, 22.9 < BMI < 30∶100 kV, BMI ≥ 30∶120 kV, CARE Dose4D) and thirdly, low mAs scan (120 kV, 40% reduction in mAs on CARE Dose4D). Noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of all images were measured as objective evaluation indicators of image quality. The subjective evaluation of the images was performed by two radiologists who had been working for more than five years using a double-blind method and a 5-score system evaluation. The effective dose values (CTDI_vol, DLP, E) in each group were measured. Results: Patients′ effective dose was decreased by 77.7% in 80 kV group and 38.3% in 100 kV group, with a statistical difference between the two groups (Z=-3.330, -5.559, P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in renal cortex noise, SNR, CNR and ureteral noise between the 80 kV scan and the routine scan (Z=-3.705-2.392, P<0.05), but no significant difference in ureteral SNR, CNR and renal pelvis noise, SNR, CNR (P>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in renal cortex noise and SNR between the 100 kV scan group and the routine scan group (Z=-5.096, -3.566, P<0.05), but no statistical difference in renal cortex CNR, renal pelvis and ureteral noise, SNR, CNR(Z=-5.086, -5.912, -2.842, P>0.05). The effective dose from low mAs scan in the three types of patients was decreased by 38.3%, 32.0%, and 34.7%, respectively, with a statistical difference between them (P <0.05). There was no significant difference in noise, SNR, and CNR between renal cortex, renal pelvis and ureter (P>0.05) besides ureteral CNR in the 22.9 < BMI < 30 group (Z=-2.587, P<0.05). The subjective evaluation scores of all images were greater than 3 points. Conclusions In this study, the scan method for low kV and low mAs used for patients with different body mass index can effectively reduce the radiation dose to patients and meet the requirements of clinical diagnosis.