Objective To investigate the role of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in order to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying BPH progression. Methods Firstly, we analyzed the correlation between the expression of ATF4 and the volume of prostate transition zone in BPH tissues using publicly available datasets. Subsequently, we explored the potential association among ATF4, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and BPH through single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Finally, we validated the findings by silencing ATF4 and treating BPH cells with ATF4 protein inhibitors, followed by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), CCK-8 assay, and Western blot. Results The expression of ATF4 in BPH tissues exhibited a significant positive correlation with the volume of prostate transition zone (r=0.64, P＜0.05). scRNA-seq analysis revealed that ATF4 was significantly upregulated in the prostate epithelial cells of BPH patients (P＜0.05), and its expression demonstrated a significant positive correlation with the Hallmark EMT singscore (r=0.14, P＜0.05). In vitro experiments further indicated that knockdown of ATF4 led to a significant reduction in the proliferative activity of BPH-1 cells (P＜0.05). Similarly, inhibition of ATF4 activity resulted in a marked decrease in the proliferative capacity and EMT of BPH-1 cells (P＜0.05). Conclusion ATF4 may exert a promoting effect on BPH by modulating the EMT signaling pathway;therefore, ATF4 may serve as a novel therapeutic target of BPH.

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of deep learning image reconstruction(DLIR)algorithms in reconstructing lumbar vertebrae images from abdominal CT scans,aiming to reduce radiation dose and eliminate the need for repeat lumbar CT examinations.Materials and Methods A retrospective collection was conducted from March to May 2024 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Thirty-two patients who underwent both abdominal and lumbar CT scans in a supine head-first position were enrolled.The abdominal CT(DLIR group)utilized a tube voltage of 120 kVp and a current of 200 mA with high-intensity DLIR for lumbar reconstruction.The standard lumbar CT(lumbar group)used the same voltage with a tube current of 260 mA and was reconstructed using 60%weighted adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction.Objective assessments was used to measure the CT values,noise(standard deviation,SD value),signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio(excluding adipose tissue)at the third lumbar vertebral pedicle level and the L2/L3 intervertebral disc level for muscle,adipose tissue,cancellous bone,intervertebral discs,dura mater and cortical bone.Subjective assessments employed a five-point scale to evaluate image contrast,noise and sharpness.Results The volume CT dose index in lumbar group and DLIR group were 15.25 mGy and 11.74 mGy,respectively.There was no statistical difference in CT values between the structures of both groups(all P>0.05).Compared with the lumbar group,the DLIR group showed significant reductions in SD values across the measured tissues by 31.09%,35.66%,13.48%,27.82%,24.93%and 15.09%(t=5.09-7.21,all P<0.05).The signal-to-noise ratio improved by 36.40%,52.31%,16.56%,34.13%,38.39%and 18.81%,and the contrast-to-noise ratio improved by 51.70%,51.32%,36.24%,34.47%and 53.56%(t=-9.58--4.23,all P<0.001).The DLIR group significantly outperformed the lumbar group in image contrast[4.45(4.00,5.00)points vs.4.75(4.00,5.00)points],image noise[4.06(4.00,4.00)points vs.4.39(4.00,5.00)points],and spatial resolution of fine structures[4.00(4.00,4.00)points vs.4.27(4.00,5.00)points](Z=-3.80,-4.38,-3.55,all P<0.001).Conclusion Using high-intensity DLIR for abdominal examinations can achieve high-quality lumbar CT images with a 25%reduction in radiation dose,enabling simultaneous abdominal and lumbar scanning in a single session.

Objective To explore the mechanism of primary care physicians' willingness to adopt smart healthcare in H City,Anhui Province,and to provide a basis for decision-making to promote their practice effectively.Methods It use the rooting theory to obtain the key elements and combine the UTAUT model and the information stem success model to construct a theory model of factors influencing primary care physicians' willingness to adopt smart health-care.Data were collected through questionnaires,and structural equation modeling and fuzzy sets were used to ana-lyze the influence pathways and antecedent constructs qualitatively and empirically.Results Performance quality,ef-fort expectation,social influence,convenience,system quality,and information quality had a significant positive ef-fect on willingness to use,and effort expectation positively influenced willingness to use through performance expec-tation(P＜0.05).The core conditions of information quality and system quality could constitute the five combined in-fluence pathways in both models.Conclusion Measures can be taken to enhance the adoption willingness of primary care doctors,such as strengthening the collaborative governance of multiple actors,strengthening the design of the top-level system,and exploring and cultivating"opinion leaders".

Objective To explore the mechanism of primary care physicians' willingness to adopt smart healthcare in H City,Anhui Province,and to provide a basis for decision-making to promote their practice effectively.Methods It use the rooting theory to obtain the key elements and combine the UTAUT model and the information stem success model to construct a theory model of factors influencing primary care physicians' willingness to adopt smart health-care.Data were collected through questionnaires,and structural equation modeling and fuzzy sets were used to ana-lyze the influence pathways and antecedent constructs qualitatively and empirically.Results Performance quality,ef-fort expectation,social influence,convenience,system quality,and information quality had a significant positive ef-fect on willingness to use,and effort expectation positively influenced willingness to use through performance expec-tation(P＜0.05).The core conditions of information quality and system quality could constitute the five combined in-fluence pathways in both models.Conclusion Measures can be taken to enhance the adoption willingness of primary care doctors,such as strengthening the collaborative governance of multiple actors,strengthening the design of the top-level system,and exploring and cultivating"opinion leaders".

Cushing′s syndrome refers to a group of disorders caused by excessive secretion of adrenal glucocorticoid due to various underlying etiologies. Among these, ACTH-dependent Cushing′s syndrome, in which the source of ACTH-secretion remains unclear for extended periods, poses significant challenges in clinical management. This article presents a patient with ACTH-dependent Cushing′s syndrome where the ACTH-secreting source could not be definitively localized from our hospital. Additionally, the article reviews recent advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of such cases, both domestically and internationally, with the aim of enhancing clinicians′ understanding and improving the management of this condition.

Objective·To explore the causal relationship between air pollution and the risk of Alzheimer's disease(AD)by using two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR).Methods·Based on the data from the genome-wide association study(GWAS),a two-sample MR analysis was conducted to evaluate the causal relationship between air pollution and the risk of AD.Air pollution indicators,including particulate matter 2.5(PM2.5),particulate matter 2.5-10(PM2.5-10),particulate matter 10(PM10),nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxides,were used as exposure factors,and summarized data were aggregated from the UK Biobank database.The PM2.5 dataset included 423 796 cases,with correlation analysis conducted on 9 851 867 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs);the PM2.5-10 dataset included 423 796 cases,with correlation analysis conducted on 9 851 867 SNPs;the PM10 dataset included 455 314 cases,with correlation analysis conducted on 9 851 867 SNPs;the nitrogen dioxide dataset included 456 380 cases,with correlation analysis conducted on 9 851 867 SNPs;the nitrogen oxides dataset included 456 380 cases,with correlation analysis conducted on 9 851 867 SNPs.AD was used as the outcome factor,and data were obtained from the International Genomics of Alzheimer's Project(IGAP).The AD dataset included 25 580 cases and 48 466 controls,with correlation analysis of 7 067 513 SNPs.SNPs significantly associated with AD were used as instrumental variables.The main analysis was conducted by using the inverse variance weighted(IVW)method,and four methods including weighted median,MR-Egger regression,mode-based simple estimation and mode-based weighted estimation were used for quality control.Heterogeneity testing,gene pleiotropy testing and sensitivity analysis were conducted to assess the reliability of the study results.Results·Heterogeneity testing indicated no evidence of heterogeneity among SNPs associated with air pollution indicators and AD(both IVW and MR-Egger results,P＞0.05).Gene pleiotropy testing did not detect any pleiotropic effects(MR-Egger results,P＞0.05).Sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of the PM2.5 results.IVW analysis revealed a statistically significant association between PM2.5 and AD in European populations(P＜0.001),while no statistically significant associations were observed between PM2.5-10(P=0.664),PM10(P=0.664),nitrogen dioxide(P=0.284),nitrogen oxides(P=0.567)and AD.Conclusion·There is a significant causal relationship between PM2.5 exposure and the risk of AD,with PM2.5 exposure increasing the incidence of AD.However,no evidence has been found to suggest that PM2.5-10,PM10,nitrogen dioxide or nitrogen oxides cause an increased risk of AD.

Objective:To analyze the current status, influencing factors and action pathways of quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease.Methods:From July 2023 to June 2024, a convenience sampling method was used to obtain 2 702 patients with cardiovascular disease from 9 hospitals in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.The general information questionnaires, item short form health survey, self-rating depression scale, self-rating anxiety scale, type D personality scale-14, and type A behavior pattern scale were used for investigation.SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 24.0 softwares were used for data statistical analysis.The current status of quality of life were analyzed through descriptive statistics, the influencing factors of quality of life were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis models, and the relationship between statistical variables was analyzed through paths.Results:The overall quality of life score of patients with cardiovascular disease was (59.29±17.59).Compared with the domestic normal population norm, the 8 factors had statistically significant differences ( t=16.50-44.16, all P<0.001).The results of multiple regression analysis showed that age, marital status, low per capita monthly income, lack of exercise, irregular daily life, poor appetite, unhealthy diet, poor sleep quality, hypertension, coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure, heart valve disease, multiple types of medication taken daily, anxiety level, depression level, type D personality, and type A personality all had negative predictive effects on quality of life ( B=-0.862--0.205, all P<0.05).Demographic and life factors affected the quality of life through 4 paths, and their direct effect and indirect effect were -0.183, 0.224 respectively (there was a masking effect).Disease-related factors affected life through 2 paths, and its direct effect and indirect effect were -0.341, 0.255 respectively (there was a masking effect).Psychological factors directly and negatively affected the quality of life through one path, and its effect value was -0.651. Conclusion:The quality of life of patients with cardiovascular disease is generally at a moderate to low level.The factors that affect the quality of life of patients with cardiovascular disease produce effects through multiple pathways in a multi-combined state.

Objective To evaluate the sensitivity,repeatability,anti-degradation ability,in vivo temporal stability,and tissue specificity of the DNA methylation sequencing panel constructed in our previous study for height inference,so as to provide a reference for forensic application.Methods Sensitivity:different initial template quantities(50 ng,40 ng,30 ng,20 ng)were set for sequencing.Repeatability:DNA from the same sample was sequenced three times.Anti-degradation ability:whole blood was used to make blood stains,and DNA was extracted and sequenced at 0,3,6 and 9 months,respectively.In vivo temporal stability:the blood was collected at 0,3,6,and 9 months for sequencing.Tissue specificities:published data and findings were used to analyze the tissue specificities of CpGs in the panel.Results The sensitivity test showed that the initial template quantities of 20 ng detected all the CpG sites and still obtained accurate prediction results.The results of the three repeated predictions of the same sample are stable,and the differences are mainly due to the randomness of the DNN model,indicating good detection repeatability.A complete methylation profile was obtained for the blood stains left at room temperature for 9 months,and the predicted results showed a small range of fluctuations.The three samples were predicted to fluctuate within a range of 1.5 cm or less over nine months.Tissue-specific analyses showed a high correlation between blood and saliva,but can not apply to other tissues.Conclusion The DNA methylation detection system we developed in our previous study has good sensitivity,repeatability,anti degradation ability,in vivo time stability,as well as strong tissue specificity,making it suitable for height inference of blood samples.This supports the feasibility of using targeted DNA methylation analysis on whole blood samples to infer height in the field of forensic science.

Objective:To analyze the current status, influencing factors and action pathways of quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease.Methods:From July 2023 to June 2024, a convenience sampling method was used to obtain 2 702 patients with cardiovascular disease from 9 hospitals in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.The general information questionnaires, item short form health survey, self-rating depression scale, self-rating anxiety scale, type D personality scale-14, and type A behavior pattern scale were used for investigation.SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 24.0 softwares were used for data statistical analysis.The current status of quality of life were analyzed through descriptive statistics, the influencing factors of quality of life were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis models, and the relationship between statistical variables was analyzed through paths.Results:The overall quality of life score of patients with cardiovascular disease was (59.29±17.59).Compared with the domestic normal population norm, the 8 factors had statistically significant differences ( t=16.50-44.16, all P<0.001).The results of multiple regression analysis showed that age, marital status, low per capita monthly income, lack of exercise, irregular daily life, poor appetite, unhealthy diet, poor sleep quality, hypertension, coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure, heart valve disease, multiple types of medication taken daily, anxiety level, depression level, type D personality, and type A personality all had negative predictive effects on quality of life ( B=-0.862--0.205, all P<0.05).Demographic and life factors affected the quality of life through 4 paths, and their direct effect and indirect effect were -0.183, 0.224 respectively (there was a masking effect).Disease-related factors affected life through 2 paths, and its direct effect and indirect effect were -0.341, 0.255 respectively (there was a masking effect).Psychological factors directly and negatively affected the quality of life through one path, and its effect value was -0.651. Conclusion:The quality of life of patients with cardiovascular disease is generally at a moderate to low level.The factors that affect the quality of life of patients with cardiovascular disease produce effects through multiple pathways in a multi-combined state.

Objective:To verify the validity of the atopic dermatitis control tool (ADCT) in assessing disease control in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) .Methods:Based on a cross - sectional study, demographic data, comorbidities and information on disease assessment - related scales such as the ADCT, the pruritus numerical rating scale (NRS), the patient-oriented eczema measure (POEM), and the dermatological life quality index (DLQI) were collected from patients with AD at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from June 2021 to March 2023. The reliability and validity of the ADCT were assessed using these data. The discrimination power of the ADCT total score was evaluated by comparing the differences in the mean ADCT total scores among adjacent POEM/DLQI subgroups based on POEM/DLQI response classifications (POEM: clear or almost absent, mild, moderate, severe, very severe; DLQI: no effect, mild effect, moderate effect, serious effect, very serious effect). According to the ADCT scores, the AD patients were divided into an uncontrolled AD group (ADCT scores ≥ 7 points) and a controlled AD group (ADCT scores < 7 points). Differences between the above two groups were analyzed in terms of ADCT item scores, mean pruritus NRS scores, POEM total scores, DLQI total scores, and DLQI dimension scores to evaluate the validity of the ADCT in assessing AD disease control.Results:A total of 338 patients with AD were included, comprising 170 (50.30%) males and 168 (49.70%) females, and they were aged 17 to 89 (41.36 ± 17.63) years. Reliability analysis showed that the Cronbach′s α coefficient and split-half reliability coefficient of the ADCT were 0.886 and 0.878 respectively (both > 0.70), and the test- retest reliability coefficient was 0.977 (> 0.70, P < 0.001). Content validity analysis showed that the Pearson correlation coefficients between the ADCT item scores and the ADCT total score ranged from 0.753 to 0.852 (all P < 0.001) ; confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the Chi-square to degree of freedom ratio ( χ2/df) was 2.896 (< 5), the Tucker-Lewis index was 0.976 (> 0.9), the comparative fit index was 0.991 (> 0.9), the standardized root mean square residual was 0.026 (< 0.08), and the root-mean-square error of approximation was 0.075 (< 0.08) ; convergent validity analysis showed that the standardized factor loadings of all observed variables ranged from 0.689 to 0.905 (all > 0.500), combined reliability coefficient was 0.896 (> 0.700), and the average extracted variance value was 0.591 (> 0.500) ; criterion validity analysis showed that the correlation coefficients of the ADCT total score with other patient - reported outcome measures (the mean pruritus NRS scores, peak pruritus NRS scores, POEM total scores, and DLQI total scores) and DLQI dimension scores ranged from 0.649 to 0.730 and from 0.303 to 0.647, respectively (all P < 0.001). Analysis of the discrimination power of the ADCT total score showed significant differences in the mean ADCT total scores among adjacent POEM/DLQI subgroups (all P ≤ 0.001). The uncontrolled AD group (287 cases) showed significantly increased ADCT item scores, mean pruritus NRS score, POEM total score, DLQI total score, and DLQI dimension scores compared with the controlled AD group (51 cases, all P<0.001) . Conclusion:The ADCT exhibited good reliability, validity and discriminability based on the cross-sectional study, and can efficiently and reliably assess disease control in AD patients.