Background In 2021, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) emerged as the forth leading cause of death in the world. However, the impact of air pollutants on COPD is still inconsistent across current studies. Objective To analyze the relationship between ambient sulfur dioxide (SO₂) exposure and hospital admissions for COPD in Lanzhou, and to examine the modified effects of SO₂ across different genders, age groups, and seasons. Methods A total of 20718 hospital admission records for COPD were collected from Lanzhou between 2016 and 2020, alongside synchronized data on SO₂ concentration and meteorological variables. A generalized additive model integrated with a distributed lag nonlinear model was used to assess the relationship and the lag effects between SO₂ exposure and COPD admissions. Potential confounders, including meteorological factors, day-of-the-week effect, and holidays, were controlled for, with a maximum lag period set at 7 d. Two-pollutant models and sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure robustness. Results are expressed as relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results During the study period, the average daily number of COPD admissions was 11.34±7.03. The average mass concentration of SO₂ was (23.72±12.35) μg·m⁻³. SO₂ exposure was positively correlated with COPD admissions; specifically, each 10 μg·m⁻³ increase in SO₂ concentration was associated with an RR of 1.440 (95%CI: 1.317, 1.573). Stratified analyses found that at a cumulative lag of 7 d, the RRs were higher among females, individuals aged ≥65 years, and during the cold season. Conversely, no significant increase in COPD admission risk related to SO₂ was observed during the warm season. For every 10 μg·m⁻³ increase in SO₂ concentration, the RR was 1.483 (95%CI: 1.311, 1.678) for females, 1.441 (95%CI: 1.311, 1.583) for those aged > 65 years， and 1.595 (95%CI: 1.313, 1.937) during the cold season. Conclusion Short-term exposure to ambient SO₂ exposure in Lanzhou is associated with an increased risk of COPD admission. The association is more pronounced among females, the elderly (aged> 65 years) and during the cold season.

Objective To establish and evaluate an integrated disease-syndrome rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.Methods Thirty male Wistar rats were allocated randomly into three groups(n=10 per group):sham operation(sham),2-vessel occlusion(2-VO)group,and sleep deprivation combined with 2-VO(SD+2-VO)group.We comprehensively assessed Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome manifestations in the rats using a dual evaluation approach,combining exhaustive swimming tests with quantitative tongue chroma analysis.Cognitive function was evaluated using the Barnes maze,and cerebral blood flow was compared using laser speckle contrast imaging.The histopathology of the hippocampal cytoarchitecture and white matter were examined using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Luxol fast blue(LFB)staining,respectively,and ultrastructural alterations of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region were observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM).Protein expression levels of NeuN,vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)and CD31 were detected by Western Blot and immunofluorescence.Results Cerebral blood flow was significantly reduced in rats in the 2-VO group compared with the sham group,but they failed to recapitulate the key clinical hallmarks of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.In contrast,rats in the SD+2-VO group exhibited significantly reduced locomotor activity,exacerbated cerebral hypoperfusion,shortened swimming duration,and darkened tongue color compared with 2-VO rats.Rats in the SD+2-VO group demonstrated significantly impaired learning and memory abilities in the Barnes maze test.Consistent with these observations,HE staining,TEM,and LFB staining revealed substantial neuronal and white matter damage in the SD+2-VO group.NeuN expression was decreased and VEGFA and CD31 expression levels were increased in the 2-VO and SD+2-VO groups,as shown by Western Blot.Taken together,these findings indicated that the SD+2-VO model effectively recapitulated the clinical features of chronic cerebral ischemia with Qi deficiency and blood stasis pattern.Conclusions The combination of sleep deprivation and bilateral carotid artery occlusion successfully established a rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.Compared with the 2-VO model,SD+2-VO model demonstrates more pronounced syndrome manifestations and better clinical relevance,thus providing a valuable animal model for traditional Chinese medicine research on chronic cerebral ischemia.

Objective To analyze the quality of medical record home pages for discharged patients in a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou in 2023 based on the dual dimensions of Diagnosis-Related Groups(DRG)and Disease Intervention Program(DIP),and to provide a basis for improving the refinement of medical record home page quality management.Methods Dis-charge medical records from a tertiary general hospital in 2023 were selected.All medical records were grouped using DRG,while medical records under Guangzhou medical insurance and cross-province medical insurance implemented under DIP were simulated for DIP grouping.The writing defects in the discharge medical records were analyzed,as well as the DRG grouping,RW,and DIP standard scores of medical records with home page filling defects.Results Among 172 230 discharge medical records,171 786 were grouped into DRG,91 768 were grouped into DIP,and 91 604 were grouped into both DRG and DIP.A significant positive correlation was found between RW and DIP standard scores(r2=0.681,P＜0.001).Among the 91 604 medical records grouped into both DRG and DIP,1 942(2.12％)had writing defects,including 837(0.91％)with home page defects.DRG groups with more home page defect records included NC15,HK2,EJ13,EB15,HJ13,and RE19.Conclusion Quality defects in medical record home pages impact the accuracy of DRG and DIP grouping.Systematic measures such as strengthening medical record writing training and establishing scientific reward and punishment mechanisms should be implemented to provide data sup-port for the further advancement of DRG/DIP payment reform.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder(PEG)combined with linaclotide(Lin)for bowel preparation in elderly constipated patients before colonoscopy.Methods In this prospective,randomized controlled trial,90 elderly patients with constipation undergoing colonoscopy were recruited at our hospital from June 2022 to December 2023.Participants were randomly assigned to three groups(n=30 each):PEG-3L alone,PEG-3L+Lin,and PEG-2L+Lin.Primary outcome was Boston Bowel Preparation Scale(BBPS)score and secondary outcomes included adverse event rates,colonoscopy completion rate,withdrawal time,and polyp detection rate.Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-tests and chi-square tests.Results The PEG-3L+Lin group achieved significantly higher BBPS scores than both PEG-3L alone and PEG-2L+Lin groups did(both P<0.001).The PEG-2L+Lin group also outperformed the PEG-3L alone group in cleansing efficacy(90.0%vs.76.7%,P=0.008).The PEG-2L+Lin group demonstrated the best tolerability and lowest adverse event rate,the PEG-3L group had the longest withdrawal time(P<0.05),but the three groups showed no significant difference in polyp detection rates.Conclusion PEG combined with linaclotide significantly improves bowel cleansing in elderly constipated patients.PEG-2L+Lin regimen provides optimal balance between efficacy,safety,and tolerability,making it a preferable choice for this population.

Objective To investigate the effects of aerobic exercise and different exercise habits on skeletal muscle function and the possible molecular mechanisms in colorectal cancer-loaded mice.Methods Thirty-five 5-week-old BABL/c male mice were acclimatized to feeding for 1 week and then divided randomly into the following groups:control(D),tumor(M),exercise preconditioning(QAM),lifetime exercise(AM),and exercise(HAM)groups(n=7 mice per group).Mice in the QAM and AM groups underwent aerobic exercise regimen 1 from weeks 2～6.At week 7,mice in the experimental groups received 0.2 mL of CT26 colon cancer cell suspension subcutaneously in the dorsal aspect of the left hind limb,while control mice received 0.2 mL of saline at the corresponding site.Mice in the AM and HAM groups were subjected to aerobic exercise regimen 2 for weeks 7～9.The general status and skeletal muscle mass and function were monitored in all mice throughout the experiments.After completion of the experiment,samples were collected and the cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius muscle fibers(CSA)was measured by hematoxylin and eosin staining and expression levels of proteins related to synthesis and catabolism of the gastrocnemius muscle were analyzed by Western Blot.Results(1)The weight ratio of the gastrocnemius muscle was significantly lower in mice in the M,QAM,and HAM groups compared with group D,and was significantly higher in AM mice compared with M,QAM,and HAM mice.(2)Grip strength,endurance,skeletal muscle circumference,and CSA were significantly lower in group D mice compared with the other groups,and was most enhanced in group HAM.Endurance and CSA were consistently enhanced in groups QAM,AM,and HAM.(3)Muscle RING-finger protein-1(MuRF1)expression levels were significantly lower in groups M,QAM,AM,and HAM than in group D,significantly lower in groups AM and HAM than in group M,and significantly lower in group HAM than in group QAM.(4)Fibronectin type Ⅲ domain-containing protein 5(FNDC5)expression levels were significantly lower in group M than in groups D and QAM.(5)Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha expression levels were significantly lower in the QAM and HAM groups compared with group M.(6)Expression levels of phospho(p)-AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/AMPK and p-AMPK were significantly higher in group QAM than in groups D and M,p-AMPK expression significantly lower in groups AM and HAM was than in group QAM,and AMPK expression was significantly lower in groups QAM,AM,and HAM than in group D.Conclusions Exercise preconditioning and continuous aerobic exercise can improve skeletal muscle mass and function in CT26 colon cancer-loaded mice by activating AMPK phosphorylation to stimulate skeletal muscle secretion of FNDC5,thereby regulating the expression of MuRF1 protein.

Objective To investigate correlations of the ratio of specific brain region volume to total brain volume(ratio％),standard uptake value(SUV)of specific brain region based on 18F-FDG PET/MR examination in Alzheimer disease(AD)patients,as well as the relationship between changes of these two.Methods Fifty AD patients were retrospectively collected.Based on FDG PET/MR,the ratio％and the mean SUV(SUVmean)of 40 specific brain regions were obtained,and the correlation between ratio％and SUVmean for each region were evaluated.According to a database of normal brains,Z-scores for ratio％and SUVmean were calculated to represent structural and functional changes in AD patients,and the correlation between these 2 Z-scores was assessed.Results Correlations were found between ratio％and SUVmean,also between Z-scores of these two parameters in 29 brain regions(r=0.288 to 0.778,all P＜0.05).Among them 7 brain regions,i.e.bilateral middle temporal gyrus,right fusiform gyrus,right hippocampus,right precuneus,left lingual gyrus and right parahippocampal gyrus exhibited correlation coefficients greater than 0.6.Conclusion There were some relationships between brain structural and metabolic functions and their changes in AD patients showed on FDG PET/MR.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of chronic hepatitis C(CHC)patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 3(HCV GT3)infection and the risk factors for disease progression.Methods A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted among 1 002 CHC patients from 11 clinical centers in Northwest China from December 2017 to November 2023,and according to their genotype,they were divided into GT1,GT2,GT3,and GT6 groups.Clinical features were compared between the patients with different genotypes.The one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups,and the Scheffe test was used for further comparison between two groups.The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of data with skewed distribution between groups;the chi-square test or Fisher test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors for the progression of CHC to liver cirrhosis.Results In terms of the genotype,there were 427 patients with GT1 infection,242 with GT2 infection,299 with GT3 infection(210 patients with GT3a infection,87 with GT3b infection,and 2 with unclassified genotype),and 34 with GT6 infection.The patients with GT3 infection had a significantly younger age than those with GT1 infection(51.3±0.5 years vs 53.2±0.6 years,P<0.05)or GT2 infection(51.3±0.5 years vs 53.7±0.8 years,P<0.05),and for the patients with liver cirrhosis,the patients with GT3 infection had a significantly younger age than those with GT1 infection(52.1±0.5 years vs 59.4±0.9 years,P<0.001)or GT2 infection(52.1±0.5 years vs 58.1±1.1 years,P<0.001).Among the patients with GT3 infection,male patients accounted for 77.9%and the patients with liver cirrhosis accounted for 46.2%,which were significantly higher than those among the patients with GT1,GT2 or GT6 infection(all P<0.001).At baseline,the patients with GT3 infection had significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)than those with GT1 or GT2 infection,significantly higher aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI)and fibrosis-4(FIB4)than those with GT1,GT2 or GT6 infection,a significantly lower platelet count(PLT)than those with GT2 or GT6 infection,a significantly higher level of alpha-fetoprotein than those with GT2 or GT6 infection,and a significantly lower level of albumin(Alb)than those with GT6 infection(all P<0.05).There were no significant differences between the patients with GT3a infection and those with GT3b infection in age,sex,the proportion of patients with liver cirrhosis,comorbidities,HCV RNA quantification,PLT,ALT,AST,alkaline phosphatase,Alb,APRI,and FIB-4(all P>0.05).The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that PLT≤150×109/L(odds ratio[OR]=10.72,95%confidence interval[CI]:5.76-35.86,P<0.001)and Alb≤35 g/L(OR=3.74,95%CI:1.22-11.45,P=0.021)were risk factors for liver cirrhosis.Conclusion Most CHC patients with GT3 infection are male in Northwest China,and compared with the patients with other genotypes,such patients tend to have a younger age of onset and higher degrees of liver inflammation activity and fibrosis.Low PLT and a low level of Alb are risk factors for progression to liver cirrhosis in CHC patients with GT3 infection.

BACKGROUND:In the occurrence and development of demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system,neuroinflammation caused by microglia is the main pathological feature,so inhibiting the inflammatory response is very important to alleviate demyelination.Hydroxysafflor yellow A can protect the blood-brain barrier,inhibit neuronal apoptosis,and improve neurological function.OBJECTIVE:To explore the mechanism of hydroxysafflor yellow A inhibiting bicyclohexanone oxalyl dihydrazone-induced demyelination in mice.METHODS:(1)In vivo:Thirty healthy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups:normal group,cuprizone group,and hydroxysafflor yellow A group.The mice in the cuprizone group and the hydroxysafflor yellow A group were fed with 0.2％cuprizone diet for 6 weeks to establish mouse models of demyelination.The mice in the normal group were fed with normal diet.At the end of the 4th week,the mice in the hydroxysafflor yellow A group were intraperitoneally injected with hydroxysafflor yellow A 20 mg/kg per day.The mice in the normal and cuprizone groups were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline for 2 weeks.The behavioral changes of mice were evaluated by open field test and elevated plus maze test.The loss of myelin sheath in corpus callosum was detected by black gold staining,myelin basic protein and degraded myelin basic protein immunofluorescence staining.The activation of microglia and the expression of inflammatory factors were detected by I ba-1 immunofluorescence staining and ELISA,respectively.The protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4,myeloid differentiation factor 88,and nuclear factor κB p65 in the brain of mice in each group were detected by western blot assay.(2)In vitro experiment:The inflammation model of BV2 microglia was established by lipopolysaccharide induction.BV2 cells were divided into normal group,lipopolysaccharide group(1 μg/mL),and lipopolysaccharide(1 μg/mL)+hydroxysafflor yellow A(25 μmol/L)group.The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 in the supernatant were detected by ELISA.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the normal group,the mice in the cuprizone group had severe anxiety,abnormal autonomic movement ability,and a large amount of myelin sheath loss in the corpus callosum.The average fluorescence intensity of myelin basic protein was significantly reduced,and the average fluorescence intensity of degraded myelin basic protein was significantly increased.The number of lba1+microglia increased,the contents of interleukin 1β,tumor necrosis factor α,and interleukin 6 in the brain increased,and the protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4,myeloid differentiation factor 88,and nuclear factor κB p65 increased significantly.The above symptoms and indexes of mice were reversed after hydroxysafflor yellow A treatment.(2)Hydroxysafflor yellow A significantly inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor α,and interleukin 6 induced by lipopolysaccharide in BV2 microglia.(3)The above results demonstrate that hydroxysafflor yellow A can significantly improve cuprizone-induced demyelination in mice.The mechanism of action is related to the inhibition of microglial activation-mediated inflammatory response through the Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor 88/nuclear factor κB p65 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effects of sampling methods on pathological assessment of resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimen with tumor maximum diameter >3 cm after neoadjuvant therapy.Methods:NSCLC patients with a large tumor (diameter >3 cm) that were resected after neoadjuvant therapy from June 2020 to July 2023 were retrospectively collected in the Department of Pathology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China. Sampling methods of the tumor bed were performed in accordance with the international and Chinese experts recommendations for resection specimens following neoadjuvant therapy (recommended sampling method, RSM), and all remaining tumor bed lesions were completely sampled after recommended sampling (complete sampling method, CSM). The difference of pathological response assessment of residual viable tumor (RVT) between RSM and CSM was examined.Results:A total of 90 cases were identified and analyzed, including 39 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 51 cases of adenocarcinoma, treated with neoadjuvant therapy including chemotherapy in 22 cases (24.4%), targeted therapy in 14 cases (15.6%), and chemoimmunotherapy in 54 cases (60.0%). There were 62 males and 28 females with an average age of (62.7±17.9) years. The average tumor maximum diameter was 4.3 cm (range, 3.1-8.0 cm). The average number of sampled blocks was 8 blocks (range, 5 to 16) and 15 blocks (range, 8 to 36) per case by RSM and CSM, respectively. According to the definition of major pathological response (MPR) in which RVT is ≤10%, the numbers of patients with MPR were 34 cases by RSM and 30 cases by CSM, respectively. Four cases showed inconsistent RVT between the two methods, including one case of squamous cell carcinoma and three cases of adenocarcinoma. The RVT of the four inconsistent cases was 7%, 7%, 5% and 9% (MPR by RSM), and 15%, 15%, 15% and 20% (non-MPR by CSM), respectively. The kappa values of MPR consistency evaluated by the two sampling methods were 0.893 for all cases, 0.906 for squamous cell carcinoma cases and 0.751 for adenocarcinoma cases. According to MPR cut-off of 65% for invasive primary adenocarcinoma, 24 cases and 20 cases achieved MPR by RSM and CSM, respectively. Of the four inconsistent cases, the RVT by RSM was 60% in three cases and 65% in one case (MPR), whereas the RVT by CSM was 70% in three cases and 75% in one case (non-MPR). The kappa value of the two sampling methods was 0.741.Conclusions:There is high consistency between RSM and CSM in the pathological assessment of post-treatment responses in resected NSCLC specimens with tumor maximum diameter larger than 3 cm. When the percentage of RVT cells is close to MPR, re-evaluation of the specimen is required and CSM may be necessary to accurately evaluate the degree of pathological remission, assist in clinical postoperative treatment, and predict patient prognosis.

Objective To investigate the influence of oxygen supply flow rate in high-flow nasal cannula(HFNC)oxygen therapy on pressure distributions in the upper airway.Methods A three-dimensional(3D)model of the upper airway was reconstructed using CT images from an adult male,and then coupled with a high-flow nasal cannula model to establish a coupled model of the nasal cannula and the upper airway.Subsequently,a physical model of this upper airway,which was combined with a head model,artificial lungs,and a monitoring system was created by 3D printing technology to form a physical simulation platform in vitro.Computational and physical simulations were carried out respectively to determine the air pressure at typical locations in the upper airway under different oxygen supply flow rates.Results Pressures at typical upper airway locations obtained by computational and physical simulations turned out to be in good agreement;both peak inspirational pressure(PIP)and positive end-expiratory pressure(PEEP)increased quadratically with the increase of oxygen supply flow rate;and the air pressure distribution was more uniform in the laryngeal cross-section as compared to the nasal part of the upper airway.Conclusions This study may provide a theoretical support for optimization of the setting of oxygen suppy flow rate and the selection of PEEP effect assessment position in the clinical application of HFNC oxygen therapy.