In recent years, the rising prevalence of obesity and its associated metabolic syndromes has emerged as a critical global public health concern. Sustained weight loss exceeding 10% of total body weight has been shown to ameliorate obesity-related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hepatic steatosis. Recently, the potential of brown adipose tissue (BAT) to improve metabolism has garnered significant attention. However, evidence regarding weight loss therapies that promote BAT activation remains limited in preclinical models and is even scarcer in clinical studies, partly due to the paucity of appropriate BAT assessment techniques. This review aims to explore the potential impact of various weight loss therapies on BAT, with the goal of providing novel insights and strategies for the treatment of obesity.

Approximately 10% of the global adult population has diabetes, with accumulating evidence linking suboptimal vitamin D levels to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and its complications. Current clinical studies suggest that vitamin D supplementation may enhance insulin sensitivity and improve glycemic control, prompting significant interest in its potential as a therapeutic intervention. However, further high-quality, large-scale randomized controlled trials are required to validate its efficacy in glucose metabolism regulation and clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms. These investigations will provide critical evidence to inform precision medicine approaches for diabetes prevention and management.

Objective:To establish reference ranges of central nervous system-related fetal intracranial markers during the first trimester in a local population of Suzhou.Methods:Ultrasound images of fetuses with normal birth outcomes in singleton pregnancies who underwent nuchal translucency(NT) screening during the first trimester (11-13 + 6 gestational weeks) from January 2021 to July 2022 at the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively selected. The images including 3 planes: the midsagittal plane of the fetal head, also known as the plane for NT measurement, the trans-ventricular plane of the fetal head, and the axial plane of the fetal head at the posterior fossa level. The brainstem (BS) thickness, brainstem to occipital bone distance (BSOB), the ratio of BS to BSOB (BS/BSOB), intracranial translucency (IT) thickness, cisterna magna (CM) width, and the midbrain (MB) to falx (F) ratio MB/F were measured in the mid-sagittal plane of the fetal head. Choroid plexus length (CPL) to occipital frontal diameter (OFD) ratio CPL/OFD, and choroid plexus area (CPA) to head area (HA) ratio CPA/HA were measured in the trans-ventricular plane of the fetal head. Anteroposterior diameter of the fourth ventricle (4V) and CM were measured in the axial plane of the fetal head at the posterior fossa level.Statistical analysis was performed to obtain the corresponding normal reference range.Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to analyze intra-observer and inter-observer consistency. Pearson correlation analysis and linear correlation analysis were used to study the correlations between crown-lump length (CRL) and intracranial markers, and the regression equation was derived. Results:A total of 2 331 fetuses were enrolled, providing 1 023 images of the midsagittal plane, 817 images of the trans-ventricular plane, and 567 images of the axial plane of the fetal head at the posterior fossa level. The intra-observer and inter-observer ICCs of intracranial markers BS, BSOB, BS/BSOB, IT thickness, CM width, MB/F in the mid-sagittal plane, the intracranial markers CPL/OFD, CPA/HA on the trans-ventricular plane, and the intracranial markers 4V and CM width in the axial plane at the posterior fossa level were all >0.75. Fetal intracranial markers were linearly correlated with CRL. The midsagittal plane: BS, BSOB, BS/BSOB, IT thickness, CM width, MB/F were linearly correlated with CRL ( r=0.508, 0.626, -0.234, 0.105, 0.508, -0.493; all P<0.05); the trans-ventricular plane: CPL/OFD, CPA/HA were linearly correlated with CRL( r=-0.324, -0.268; all P<0.001); the axial plane of the fetal head at the posterior fossa level: 4V, CM width were linearly correlated with CRL ( r=0.246, 0.467; all P<0.001). Conclusions:Quantitative analysis of fetal intracranial markers in the first trimester is feasible. This study constructed a normal reference range of multiple intracranial markers related to central nervous system in the first trimester with a local population of Suzhou. And the construction of this normal range can provide an objective basis for the detection of fetal central nervous system malformations in the first trimester.

Bioactive compounds derived from herbal medicinal plants modulate various therapeutic targets and signaling pathways associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the world's primary cause of death. Ginkgo biloba, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine with notable cardiovascular actions, has been used as a cardio- and cerebrovascular therapeutic drug and nutraceutical in Asian countries for centuries. Preclinical studies have shown that ginkgolide B, a bioactive component in Ginkgo biloba, can ameliorate atherosclerosis in cultured vascular cells and disease models. Of clinical relevance, several clinical trials are ongoing or being completed to examine the efficacy and safety of ginkgolide B-related drug preparations in the prevention of cerebrovascular diseases, such as ischemia stroke. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic characteristics, and mechanisms of action of ginkgolide B in atherosclerosis prevention and therapy. We highlight new molecular targets of ginkgolide B, including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (NADPH oxidase), lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), platelet-activating factor (PAF), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and others. Finally, we provide an overview and discussion of the therapeutic potential of ginkgolide B and highlight the future perspective of developing ginkgolide B as an effective therapeutic agent for treating atherosclerosis.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the duration of the second stage of labor and the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours in primiparas using epidural analgesia.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on the clinical data of pregnant women who delivered vaginally in the obstetrics department of the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020. The data included maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gravidity, gestational age at delivery, weight gain during pregnancy, common pregnancy complications (such as gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, hypothyroidism, and pregnancy-related anemia), types of uterotonics, duration of each stage of labor, delivery outcomes, perineal conditions, postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours, and neonatal birth length and weight. The exposure variable was the duration of the second stage of labor, and the outcome was the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours. Potential risk factors were analyzed using univariate analysis. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, a generalized additive model was used for linear regression analysis, smooth curve fitting, and threshold effect analysis to observe the relationship between the duration of the second stage of labor and postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours.Results:A total of 2 067 primiparas were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 26.5±3.6 years, the median duration of the second stage of labor was 54 min (range: 35-81 min), and the median amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours was 230 ml (range: 200-300 ml). After adjusting for factors such as maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational age at delivery, vaginal delivery, duration of the first and third stages of labor, perineal conditions, types of uterotonics used within 2 hours postpartum, and neonatal birth length and weight, a positive relationship was found between the duration of the second stage of labor and the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours ( ?=0.20, 95% CI: 0.00-0.30, P<0.05). The smooth curve fitting results showed a non-linear relationship between the duration of the second stage of labor and postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours. Threshold effect analysis indicated that the two-segment regression model (Model Ⅱ) was more suitable for fitting the correlation compared to the univariate linear regression model (Model Ⅰ), with a log-likelihood ratio test P-value of 0.001, and the inflection point was 115 min for the second stage of labor (95% CI: 99-125 min). Conclusions:In primiparas using epidural analgesia, there is a non-linear relationship and threshold effect between the duration of the second stage of labor and the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours. When the second stage of labor exceeds 115 min, the extension of the second stage may increase the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the duration of the second stage of labor and the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours in primiparas using epidural analgesia.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on the clinical data of pregnant women who delivered vaginally in the obstetrics department of the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020. The data included maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gravidity, gestational age at delivery, weight gain during pregnancy, common pregnancy complications (such as gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, hypothyroidism, and pregnancy-related anemia), types of uterotonics, duration of each stage of labor, delivery outcomes, perineal conditions, postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours, and neonatal birth length and weight. The exposure variable was the duration of the second stage of labor, and the outcome was the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours. Potential risk factors were analyzed using univariate analysis. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, a generalized additive model was used for linear regression analysis, smooth curve fitting, and threshold effect analysis to observe the relationship between the duration of the second stage of labor and postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours.Results:A total of 2 067 primiparas were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 26.5±3.6 years, the median duration of the second stage of labor was 54 min (range: 35-81 min), and the median amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours was 230 ml (range: 200-300 ml). After adjusting for factors such as maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational age at delivery, vaginal delivery, duration of the first and third stages of labor, perineal conditions, types of uterotonics used within 2 hours postpartum, and neonatal birth length and weight, a positive relationship was found between the duration of the second stage of labor and the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours ( ?=0.20, 95% CI: 0.00-0.30, P<0.05). The smooth curve fitting results showed a non-linear relationship between the duration of the second stage of labor and postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours. Threshold effect analysis indicated that the two-segment regression model (Model Ⅱ) was more suitable for fitting the correlation compared to the univariate linear regression model (Model Ⅰ), with a log-likelihood ratio test P-value of 0.001, and the inflection point was 115 min for the second stage of labor (95% CI: 99-125 min). Conclusions:In primiparas using epidural analgesia, there is a non-linear relationship and threshold effect between the duration of the second stage of labor and the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours. When the second stage of labor exceeds 115 min, the extension of the second stage may increase the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours.

Objective: To development teacher health literacy on students visual protection questionnaire for kindergarten, primary and middle schools, and to provide a basis for quantitative assessment of visual protection health literacy of school teachers. Methods: Based on official documents related to prevention and control of myopia as well as the integrated definition of health literacy of WHO Europe, the framework for technical evaluation was established. Totally 24 multi disciplinary experts in related fields conducted two round Delphi expert consultation. Evaluation items, questions and corresponding weights were determined based on experts opinions and scores. Results: In two rounds of Delphi consultation, the response rates were 83.3% and 79.2% respectively, and the authority coefficient was 0.91. The final questionnaire was composed by dimensions of core knowledge of myopia, daily instruction, guidance for myopic behaviors, promotion of outdoor activities, and creation of teaching light environment, including 30 and 23 items for middle and primary school teachers and kindergarten teachers respectively. The coefficient of variation ( CV ) of the five dimensions ranged from 0.07 to 0.15, and that of each question ranged from 0.08 to 0.29. Expert opinions were accordant and credible. Conclusion A reliable questionnaire of teacher health literacy on students visual protection health literacy for school teachers is established, which can be used as the entry point and effectiveness evaluation basis for the school based intervention of myopia.

Objective: The current situation and associated factors of primary and middle school students screen time and related eye hygiene in different periods before and after COVID-19 were investigated, so as to provide a scientific basis for taking targeted measures of preventing and controlling myopia among those students. Methods: A total of 11 402 students were selected from 24 primary schools, 18 junior high schools and 16 high schools by multi stage stratified cluster sampling method. And a questionnaire survey was conducted among students and their parents to understand students screen time and screen hygiene behaviors and related factors in different periods before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. Results: The rate of screen overuse was 7.26%, 9.12% and 35.30% during school days, weekends and home study, respectively. The overuse rate of mobile phones and tablets at home increases with the increase of school stage. Totally 16.30% of students use mobile phones for online learning. The screen overuse rate of those who have not been diagnosed with myopia was lower than that of those who have been diagnosed during home study( OR=0.77, P <0.05). The higher the parents educational level was, the lower the screen overuse rate of children during the weekends became( P <0.05). In any period, the high proportion of screens used in homework and poor home screen eye environment increased the risk of screen overuse and poor eye hygiene ( P <0.05). Parental good behavior was conducive to reducing the risk( OR= 0.65-0.97, P <0.05). When the family had regulation on the screen use time, the implementation of laxity would increase the risk of screen overuse ( OR=1.18-2.48, P <0.05). Conclusion The screen overuse rate of urban primary and middle school students during home study is high, and a certain proportion of students still use mobile phones for online learning. The proportion of screens used in homework, home screen eye environment and screen use management are related to screens overuse. More attention should be paid to those with myopia and low educational level of parents.

Objective: To determine the influencing factors of electronic screen time of urban preschoolers before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, so as to provide a scientific basis for the control of digital screen use and early prevention of myopia among preschoolers. Methods: Using multi stage cluster random sampling method, a cross sectional survey of 8 244 kindergarten students in a district of Shanghai was implemented, through parent questionnaire collecting the time child spent on various electronic screens before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, estimated the weighting screen time, and emphatically analyzed the relationship between family electronic screen supervision behavior and preschoolers weighting screen time. Results: The proportion of daily over use time on average of mobile phones, computers and TV/projection screens among the surveyed preschool children during COVID-19 was 30.52%, 51.40% and 56.82%, respectively. On school days before the epidemic, the proportion was 21.94%, 41.80% and 47.51% respectively. After controlling for primary covariates, parents frequent control of children s electronic screen use, parents guidance for electronic screen use were significantly associated with lower weighted screen refractive time ( OR =0.60-0.77, P < 0.05 ). The use of electronic screen when parents accompanied their children, the use of electronic screen time by parents but not strictly implemented were significantly associated with higher weighted screen refractive time and increased screen refractive time ( OR =1.18-1.80, P <0.05). Conclusion Urban preschoolers electronic screen time was high during and before COVID-19. In the control measures of preschool children s electronic screen time, attention should be paid to the management of electronic screen use within the family and parents role model.

Objective:To observe any effect of magnetic stimulation of the primary motor cortex and sacral nerve roots on urinary retention after spinal cord injury.Methods:Forty patients experiencing urine retention after a spinal cord injury were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, each of 20. Both groups received conventional treatment and repeated magnetic stimulation of the roots of the sacral nerve. The experimental group also received repeated magnetic stimulation of the bilateral primary motor cortices (M1 region). Bladder capacity and pressure indices, residual urine volume and life quality were evaluated in both groups before and after 8 weeks of treatment.Results:After the treatment, the average maximum bladder pressure, first sensation capacity, residual urine volume and life quality score of both groups had improved significantly, but the improvements in average first sensation capacity, residual urine volume and life quality score of the experimental group were significantly greater than those of the control group. There was, however, no significant difference in the groups′ average maximum bladder pressure after the treatment.Conclusion:Magnetic stimulation of the primary motor cortex and sacral nerve roots can significantly improve the sensory function of the bladder, reduce residual urine volume and improve the life quality of persons experiencing urinary retention after a spinal cord injury.