Objective To investigate the prevalence of thyroid nodules in the physical examination population in Mianyang region and analyze its association with metabolic syndrome. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 9 978 individuals who underwent health examinations at our hospital from January 2024 to May 2025. Thyroid examinations were performed using color Doppler ultrasound to analyze the prevalence of thyroid nodules in this population. Clinical data of all subjects were collected, and logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the association between metabolic syndrome and the risk of thyroid nodule development. Results The prevalence of thyroid nodules in the physical examination population of Mianyang region was 17.98% (1 794/9 978). The logistic regression results showed that after adjusting for gender, age, BMI, occupation, consumption of non-iodized salt, staying up late, daily sleep duration, anxiety, and depression, metabolic syndrome (OR=6.593, 95% CI: 3.961-10.975) was associated with thyroid nodules (P<0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of thyroid nodules among the physical examination population in the Mianyang area is 17.98%, and metabolic syndrome remains associated with the risk of thyroid nodules after effectively controlling for confounding factors.

Background Microparticles (MPs) are one of the main medium of inflammatory reaction with an important role in atherosclerotic progression. Studies on association of air pollution exposure and levels of peripheral blood MPs are limited among human. Objective To evaluate the effects of short-term exposure to air pollution on levels of peripheral blood MPs. Method A panel of 73 healthy adults was followed with 4 repeated follow-ups in Beijing, China, from November 2014 to January 2016. During each visit, we collected questionnaire information, fasting venous blood, urine, and exposures to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), black carbon, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone. We used linear mixed-effect models to analyze associations of air pollution exposure with levels of total MPs (TMPs) and MPs derived from various cells. Stratified analysis was conducted by levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Results The results showed significant associations between air pollution exposure and peripheral blood TMPs at 2 h-6 d prior to the follow-ups (P<0.05), while no statistical associations were found for MPs derived from different cell types. Significant increases in TMPs of 7.8% (95%CI: 0.7%, 15.3%) and 14.3% (95%CI: 2.8%, 27.2%) were observed with each interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM_2.5 (IQR=64.9 μg·m⁻³) at prior 18 h and NO (IQR=40.5 μg·m⁻³) at prior 48 h. Among participants with low levels of CRP and MDA, significantly positive associations were observed between air pollution exposure and levels of TMPs (P<0.05). Conclusion Short-term exposure to air pollution is significantly associated with increased levels of circulating MPs in healthy adults, and in people with lower systemic inflammation, peripheral blood MPs levels are more easily affected after exposure to air pollutants.

Objective:To evaluate the changes of right atrial volume and function in patients with atrial septal defect（ASD）by four-dimensional ultrasound automatic quantitative technology，and to explore the predictive value and clinical significance for ASD with pulmonary arterial hypertension（PAH）.Methods:Sixty-one patients with ASD and 32 healthy volunteers（control group）who attended Central China Fuwai Hospital of Zhengzhou University，Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from March 2023 to April 2024 were prospectively collected，and classified ASD patients into ASD without PAH group（non-PAH group， n=30）and ASD with PAH group（PAH group， n=31）according to whether or not they had PAH，and obtained right atrial reserve，ductal，systolic longitudinal and circumferential strains（RASr，RAScd，RASct，RASr-c，RAScd-c，RASct-c），right atrial minimal，maximal，and presystolic volumes（RAVmin，RAVmax，and RAVpreA），and calculated right atrial total，passive，and active ejection fraction（RAEF，RAPEF，RAAEF）. The ultrasound parameters and clinical data were compared between groups. Pearson's linear correlation was applied to analyse the correlation between the parameters（RASr，RAA，PASP，NT-proBNP）and mean pulmonary artery pressure（mPAP）. ROC curves were plotted and the area under the curve（AUC）was calculated to analyse the value of the four-dimensional strain parameters of the right atrium in independently and jointly predicting the combination of ASD with PAH. Results:①Compared with the control group，RAVmin，RAVmax，and RAVpreA were elevated in the non-PAH and PAH groups，and the absolute values of RAPEF and RAScd were decreased，whereas the absolute values of RAEF，RAAEF，RASr，RASct，RASr-c，and RASct-c were elevated in the non-PAH group，and decreased in the PAH group（all P<0.05）；compared with the non-PAH group，only RAVmin，RAVmax，and RAVpreA were elevated in the PAH group，and the rest of the above parameters were reduced，with statistically significant differences（all P<0.05）. ②The right atrial four-dimensional strain parameter RASr had the highest predictive value for ASD combined with PAH，with an AUC of 0.876，a specificity of 83.3%，and a sensitivity of 77.4%，respectively. ③RASr was negatively correlated with mPAP（ r=-0.591， P<0.001）and RAA，PASP and NT-proBNP were positively correlated with mPAP（ r=0.539，0.697，0.616；all P<0.001）. ④The predictive value of RASr combined with RAA，PASP，and NT-proBNP was superior for ASD combined with PAH（AUC=0.933）. Conclusions:Four-dimensional ultrasound automatic quantitative technology can effectively evaluate the changes of right atrial volume and function in patients with ASD. ASD patients without PAH have increased right atrial reserve and pump function，and decreased right atrial pipeline function. The right atrial function of ASD patients with PAH is significantly reduced，and the impairment is more severe. Among the right atrial four-dimensional strain parameters，RASr has the highest efficacy in predicting ASD combined with PAH. Moreover，the combination of RASr with RAA，PASP，and NT-proBNP has the best predictive efficacy for ASD combined with PAH，which holds significant clinical value.

Objective To analyze the correlation between preoperative oxidative stress levels and reperfusion arrhythmia(RA)in post-PCI patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods A total of 120 AMI patients undergoing PCI in our hospital from May 2022 to May 2024 were recruited,and according to the occurrence of RA,they were divided into a RA group(46 cases)and a non-RA group(74 cases).The general clinical data were collected in all patients.Multivariate logistic regression was used to screen the influencing factors for the occurrence of RA after PCI in AMI patients.ROC curve analysis was applied to determine the predictive value of the preoperative oxidative stress levels for the occurrence of RA after PCI.Results The RA group had significantly larger proportions of onset-to-PCI time＜6 h,inferior wall infarction,and culprit vessel at thrombolysis in myocardial infarction(TIMI)grade 0 than the non-RA group(P＜0.01).The preoperative level of malondialdehyde(MDA)was obviously higher,while that of superoxide dismutase(SOD)was notably lower in the RA group than the non-RA group(P＜0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that culprit vessel at TIMI grade 0(OR=3.484,95％CI:1.043-11.633,P=0.042),onset-to-PCI time＜6 h(OR=4.143,95％CI:1.227-13.989,P=0.022),inferior wall infarction(OR=54.265,95％CJ:2.027-1450.950,P=0.017),and preoperative MDA(OR=2.495,95％CI:1.570-3.966,P=0.001)were risk factors for RA after PCI in AMI patients;preoperative SOD(OR=0.823,95％CI:0.749-0.905,P=0.001)was a protective factor.ROC curve analysis indicated that the AUC value of preoperative MDA and pre-operative SOD in predicting RA after PCI in AMI patients was 0.809 and 0.849,respectively(P＜0.001).Conclusion Culprit vessel at TIMI grade 0,onset-to-PCI time＜6 h,inferior wall infarc-tion,and preoperative MDA and SOD are all influencing factors for RA in post-PCI AMI patients.Moreover,preoperative MDA and SOD levels can effectively predict the risk of RA after PCI in the patients.

Objective:To evaluate the changes of right atrial volume and function in patients with atrial septal defect（ASD）by four-dimensional ultrasound automatic quantitative technology，and to explore the predictive value and clinical significance for ASD with pulmonary arterial hypertension（PAH）.Methods:Sixty-one patients with ASD and 32 healthy volunteers（control group）who attended Central China Fuwai Hospital of Zhengzhou University，Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from March 2023 to April 2024 were prospectively collected，and classified ASD patients into ASD without PAH group（non-PAH group， n=30）and ASD with PAH group（PAH group， n=31）according to whether or not they had PAH，and obtained right atrial reserve，ductal，systolic longitudinal and circumferential strains（RASr，RAScd，RASct，RASr-c，RAScd-c，RASct-c），right atrial minimal，maximal，and presystolic volumes（RAVmin，RAVmax，and RAVpreA），and calculated right atrial total，passive，and active ejection fraction（RAEF，RAPEF，RAAEF）. The ultrasound parameters and clinical data were compared between groups. Pearson's linear correlation was applied to analyse the correlation between the parameters（RASr，RAA，PASP，NT-proBNP）and mean pulmonary artery pressure（mPAP）. ROC curves were plotted and the area under the curve（AUC）was calculated to analyse the value of the four-dimensional strain parameters of the right atrium in independently and jointly predicting the combination of ASD with PAH. Results:①Compared with the control group，RAVmin，RAVmax，and RAVpreA were elevated in the non-PAH and PAH groups，and the absolute values of RAPEF and RAScd were decreased，whereas the absolute values of RAEF，RAAEF，RASr，RASct，RASr-c，and RASct-c were elevated in the non-PAH group，and decreased in the PAH group（all P<0.05）；compared with the non-PAH group，only RAVmin，RAVmax，and RAVpreA were elevated in the PAH group，and the rest of the above parameters were reduced，with statistically significant differences（all P<0.05）. ②The right atrial four-dimensional strain parameter RASr had the highest predictive value for ASD combined with PAH，with an AUC of 0.876，a specificity of 83.3%，and a sensitivity of 77.4%，respectively. ③RASr was negatively correlated with mPAP（ r=-0.591， P<0.001）and RAA，PASP and NT-proBNP were positively correlated with mPAP（ r=0.539，0.697，0.616；all P<0.001）. ④The predictive value of RASr combined with RAA，PASP，and NT-proBNP was superior for ASD combined with PAH（AUC=0.933）. Conclusions:Four-dimensional ultrasound automatic quantitative technology can effectively evaluate the changes of right atrial volume and function in patients with ASD. ASD patients without PAH have increased right atrial reserve and pump function，and decreased right atrial pipeline function. The right atrial function of ASD patients with PAH is significantly reduced，and the impairment is more severe. Among the right atrial four-dimensional strain parameters，RASr has the highest efficacy in predicting ASD combined with PAH. Moreover，the combination of RASr with RAA，PASP，and NT-proBNP has the best predictive efficacy for ASD combined with PAH，which holds significant clinical value.

Objective To analyze the correlation between preoperative oxidative stress levels and reperfusion arrhythmia(RA)in post-PCI patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods A total of 120 AMI patients undergoing PCI in our hospital from May 2022 to May 2024 were recruited,and according to the occurrence of RA,they were divided into a RA group(46 cases)and a non-RA group(74 cases).The general clinical data were collected in all patients.Multivariate logistic regression was used to screen the influencing factors for the occurrence of RA after PCI in AMI patients.ROC curve analysis was applied to determine the predictive value of the preoperative oxidative stress levels for the occurrence of RA after PCI.Results The RA group had significantly larger proportions of onset-to-PCI time＜6 h,inferior wall infarction,and culprit vessel at thrombolysis in myocardial infarction(TIMI)grade 0 than the non-RA group(P＜0.01).The preoperative level of malondialdehyde(MDA)was obviously higher,while that of superoxide dismutase(SOD)was notably lower in the RA group than the non-RA group(P＜0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that culprit vessel at TIMI grade 0(OR=3.484,95％CI:1.043-11.633,P=0.042),onset-to-PCI time＜6 h(OR=4.143,95％CI:1.227-13.989,P=0.022),inferior wall infarction(OR=54.265,95％CJ:2.027-1450.950,P=0.017),and preoperative MDA(OR=2.495,95％CI:1.570-3.966,P=0.001)were risk factors for RA after PCI in AMI patients;preoperative SOD(OR=0.823,95％CI:0.749-0.905,P=0.001)was a protective factor.ROC curve analysis indicated that the AUC value of preoperative MDA and pre-operative SOD in predicting RA after PCI in AMI patients was 0.809 and 0.849,respectively(P＜0.001).Conclusion Culprit vessel at TIMI grade 0,onset-to-PCI time＜6 h,inferior wall infarc-tion,and preoperative MDA and SOD are all influencing factors for RA in post-PCI AMI patients.Moreover,preoperative MDA and SOD levels can effectively predict the risk of RA after PCI in the patients.

Objective To observe the correlations of pontine biological indicators on fetal brain median sagittal MRI with gestational week.Methods Data of head MRI of 226 normal fetuses without obvious abnormalities of central nervous system(normal group)and 17 fetuses with abnormalities(abnormal group)at gestational age of 23 to 38 weeks were retrospectively analyzed.Pontine biological indicators based on median sagittal MRI were obtained,including pons anteroposterior diameter(PAD),total pons area(TPA),pontine basal anteroposterior length(AP),pontine basal cranio-caudal length(CC),basis pontis area(BPA)and pontine angle of midbrain(MAP).According to the gestational week,the fetuses of normal group were divided into 8 subgroups.The distributing ranges of pontine biological indicators at different gestational weeks were analyzed,and the correlations of pontine biological indicators with gestational week in normal group were explored,and the developmental status of fetal pons in abnormal group were assessed.Results In normal group,PAD,TPA,AP,CC and BPA all showed linear positive correlation(r=0.887,0.914,0.787,0.866,0.865,all P＜0.001),while MAP was not significantly correlated with gestational week(P＞0.05).Among 17 fetuses in abnormal group,abnormal PAD or TPA was found each in 8 fetuses,abnormal AP was observed in 14,abnormal CC was noticed in 3 and abnormal BPA was found in 11 fetuses.Conclusion Fetal pontine biological indicators such as PAD,TPA,AP,CC and BPA on median sagittal MRI were positively correlated with gestational week,hence being able to be used for evaluating fetal pontine development.

Objective:To explore the value of the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney generalized dominance ratio (T max-weighted ratio) based on residual tissue time to peak (T max) delayed severity weighting in predicting the moderate to severe edema after acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke. Methods:The clinical and imaging features of patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke from January 2019 to April 2022 in Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 85 patients were enrolled, including 60 males and 25 females, with the age from 34 to 93 (67±11) years old. Patients underwent non-contrast CT, CT angiography of the head and neck, and CT perfusion imaging of the head, and ischemic core volume and the ratio of T max 4-6 s volume, T max 6-8 s volume, T max 8-10 s volume, and T max >10 s volume relative to the entire hypo-perfused area (T max>4 s volume) was measured, and the T max-weighted ratio was calculated, the collateral circulation were assessed. Patients were divided into mild edema group and moderate to severe edema group according to whether local swelling exceeded 1/3 of the unilateral cerebral hemisphere on non-contrast CT at 24-48 h. The indicators were compared between the two groups by independant t test, Mann-Whitney U and χ 2 test. The performance to predict moderate to severe edema was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for the moderate to severe edema. Differences in baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and infarct core volume were equalized by 1∶1 propensity score matching (PSM) and the differences of T max-weighted ratio between the two groups were further compared. Results:There were 52 cases in the mild edema group and 33 cases in the moderate to severe edema group. Baseline NIHSS score, T max>10 s volume, ischemic core volume, T max-weighted ratio and proportion of poor collateral circulation were higher in the moderate-severe edema group than those in the mild edema group ( P<0.001), T max 4-6 s volume was lower than in the mild edema group ( P<0.001). ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of T max-weighted ratio for predicting the incidence of moderate to severe edema was 0.885 (95%CI 0.798-0.944), with an optimal cut-off value of 1.17, sensitivity of 84.85% and specificity of 82.69% before PSM. The predictive ability based on T max-weighted ratio was similar to ischemic core volume( Z=0.64, P=0.520), T max 4-6 s volume ( Z=1.48, P=0.140) and superior to T max 6-8 s volume( Z=5.65, P<0.001), T max 8-10 s volume( Z=4.46, P<0.001), T max >10 s volume ( Z=2.91, P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that T max-weighted ratio>1.17 was an independent predictor of the development of moderate to severe edema (OR=10.40,95%CI 2.65-40.83, P=0.001) through adjusted for baseline NIHSS score and ischemic core volume. After PSM, 14 patients in each group were included; the T max-weighted ratio was higher in the moderate-to-severe edema group than that in the mild edema group ( P<0.001), and the differences in other factors were not statistically significant (all P>0.05); ROC analysis showed that the AUC of T max-weighted ratio to predict the occurrence of moderate-to-severe edema was 0.852 (95%CI 0.667-0.957). Conclusion:The T max-weighted ratio can predict the occurrence of moderate-to-severe edema in brain tissue after acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke.

Objective:To investigate the effect of miRNA (miR) -193b-5p on melanogenesis and its possible mechanisms.Methods:Human primary melanocytes were isolated from discarded normal foreskin tissues of healthy males after circumcision, and cultured in vitro. miR-NC mimics (miR-NC mimic group) and miR-193b-5p mimics (miR-193b-5p mimic group) were transfected into human primary melanocytes and human MNT1 melanoma cells, separately. After transfection, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to determine the overexpression efficiency of miR-193b-5p at 48 hours, Western blot analysis to determine the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins tyrosinase (TYR) and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) in human primary melanocytes and human MNT1 melanoma cells at 72 hours, and the melanin content in the above cells was determined by a sodium hydroxide solubilization method at 1 week. The target gene of miR-193b-5p was predicted by using Targetscan algorithms and verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay, and RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were performed to analyze changes in mRNA and protein expression of the target gene respectively after the overexpression of miR-193b-5p. Two-independent-samples t test was used for comparisons between two groups. Results:In human primary melanocytes and human MNT1 melanoma cells, the miR-193b-5p expression levels were significantly higher in the miR-193b-5p mimic groups than in the miR-NC mimic groups ( t = 65.57, 22.49, respectively, both P < 0.001) , and the melanin content was significantly lower in the miR-193b-5p mimic groups (0.091 ± 0.007, 0.130 ± 0.004, respectively) than in the miR-NC mimic groups (0.117 ± 0.002, 0.188 ± 0.032, t = 5.98, 3.24, P < 0.01, < 0.05, respectively) . Western blot analysis showed that the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins TYR and MITF in both human primary melanocytes and human MNT1 melanoma cells was significantly lower in the miR-193b-5p mimic groups than in the miR-NC mimic groups (all P < 0.01) . TargetScan analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed a binding site for miR-193b-5p in the 3′ untranslated region of the transcriptional regulator CITED2. After up-regulation of miR-193b-5p expression in human primary melanocytes and human MNT1 melanoma cells, the CITED2 mRNA and protein expression levels significantly decreased compared with the miR-NC mimic groups (all P < 0.05) . Conclusion:miR-193b-5p overexpression can down-regulate the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins TYR and MITF, and then inhibit melanogenesis, which may be related to the targeted inhibition of CITED2 expression.

Objective:To investigate the current status of women′s level of birth experience and lactation initiation time and explore the effect of level of birth experience on lactation initiation time.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. A convenience sampling method was used to select 622 maternal cases attending the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College from November, 2020 to January, 2021, and the distribution of their labor experience level and lactation initiation time was investigated by questionnaire and follow-up assessment.Results:There were 622 women with transvaginal deliveries who had lactation initiation times of more than 72 h in 241 cases (38.75%). The scores for each dimension of the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) were (49.63 ± 8.58)points, and the scores for each dimension of CEQ were perceived safety, professional support, involvement and self-efficacy in descending order. The results of the correlation analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between the scores on each dimension of CEQ and the total score and lactation initiation time ( r values were -0.436 to -0.146, all P<0.01). Stratified regression analysis showed that after controlling for age, number of births, gestational weeks of labour, illness during pregnancy and labour analgesia as the underlying variables affecting lactation initiation time, the scores for self-efficacy, involvement, perceived safety and professional support in the CEQ all affected lactation initiation time after delivery ( t values were -6.76 to -2.02, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The birth experience and lactation of women who deliver via vaginal birth need to be taken into account. The more negative the birth experience, the longer the lactation initiation time. The women′s involvement in the birth process, their own competence, perceived safety and level of professional support are all valid influencing indicators of lactation initiation time.