Objective: To explore the protective effect of mild moxibustion on the ovary of mice with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and its mechanism. Methods: SPF female ICR mice with normal estrus cycle were divided into blank group, model group, moxibustion group and moxibustion + Compound C group according to the random number table method, with 20 mice in each group. The mice in the blank group were given normal saline daily. The mice in the other groups were gavaged with Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides[75 mg/(kg·d)] for 14 consecutive days for modeling. An hour later, the mice in the moxibustion group were treated with mild moxibustion every day, and bilateral "shenshu" and "guanyuan" "zhongwan" were alternately applied every other day, and each point was treated with mild moxibustion for 10 minutes each day. Thirty minutes after gavaging Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides, the mice in the moxibustion + Compound C group were given intraperitoneal injection of Compound C (10 mg/kg); an hour later, mild moxibustion was applied same as the moxibustion group. The mild moxibustion was applied once a day for 14 consecutive days. The protective effect of moxibustion on ovary was evaluated by ovarian index, rate of estrus cycle disorder, ovarian tissue morphology, the number of follicles at all levels and serum sex hormone levels. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) in ovarian tissue. Serum sex hormones oxidative stress markers, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in ovarian granulosa cells were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, luciferase method and chemifluorescence method, respectively. Results: Compared with the model group, the ovarian index of the moxibustion group increased (P<0.05), the rate of estrous cycle disorder decreased (P<0.05), the number of atretic follicles decreased (P<0.05), and the number of primordial follicles, primary follicles, secondary follicles and antral follicles all increased (P<0.05). The levels of serum anti-Müllerian hormone and estrogen increased (P<0.05), while the level of follicle-stimulating hormone decreased (P<0.05); the expressions of protein and mRNA of AMPK and PGC-1α were upregulated (P<0.05); the activity of serum superoxide dismutase increased, the content of malondialdehyde decreased, and the ATP level of granulosa cells increased, while the mean fluorescence intensity of ROS decreased (P<0.05). However, when Compound C was given before moxibustion intervention, the protective effect on the ovary was significantly reduced, as shown by the reduction of ovarian index (P<0.05), the rate of estrus cycle disorder increased (P <0.05), the number of atretic follicles increased (P<0.05), and the number of primordial follicles, primary follicles, secondary follicles and antral follicles decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion Moxibustion can protect ovarian function in mice by promoting the activation of AMPK and PGC-1α signaling, inhibiting oxidative stress response and regulating hormone levels.

Objective:To explore the relationship between the expression of peripheral blood interleukin-17 (IL)-17 and IL-8 and the short-term prognosis of sepsis patients.Methods:The data of 158 patients with sepsis admitted to Huzhou Central Hospital from January 2020 to January 2024 were retrospectively collected. The patient′s data were carefully reviewed, and the results of the study were recorded, including the severity of the patient′s condition (138 cases of sepsis, 20 cases of septic shock), baseline data, and short-term prognosis (28-day mortality). The levels of procalcitonin (PCT), peripheral blood IL-17, IL-8, and other laboratory indicators were compared between patients with different severity and different prognosis. COX regression model analysis and interaction test were used to verify the relationship between peripheral blood IL-17, IL-8 levels, and short-term prognosis in patients with sepsis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn and the decision curve was constructed to analyze the predictive value of peripheral blood IL-17 and IL-8 levels on the short-term prognosis of patients with sepsis.Results:The levels of IL-17 and IL-8 in the peripheral blood of patients with different severity of sepsis at admission were higher in the septic shock group than those in the sepsis group: (82.48 ± 13.54) μg/L vs. (62.84 ± 12.09) μg/L, (41.80 ± 5.46) ng/L vs. (34.22 ± 6.77) ng/L,( P<0.05). The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) Ⅱ score, PCT, IL-17, and IL-8 levels at admission in the death group were higher than those in the survival group, and the proportion of patients with septic shock was higher than that in the survival group: (12.09 ± 2.06) points vs. (10.81 ± 2.36) points, (2.23 ± 1.18) μg/L vs. (1.78 ± 0.69) μg/L, (79.24 ± 13.72) μg/L vs. (61.37 ± 11.15) μg/L, (42.43 ± 5.07) ng/L vs. (33.09 ± 6.14) ng/L, 51.43%(18/35) vs. 1.63%(2/123), P<0.05. COX regression analysis showed that the short-term prognosis of patients with sepsis was related to the abnormal expression of IL-17 and IL-8 in peripheral blood. The high expression of both may be a risk factor for the short-term prognosis of patients with sepsis ( P<0.05). The levels of IL-17 and IL-8 in peripheral blood had a positive interaction on the short-term prognosis of patients with sepsis. The risk of death when both were highly expressed was 97.500 times that when both were lowly expressed and the synergistic effect was 9.362 times higher than the sum of the effects produced by the two alone (synergy index = 9.362). ROC curve was drawn to obtain the area under the curve (AUC). The AUC of peripheral blood IL-17, IL-8 alone and combined to predict the short-term prognosis risk of sepsis patients were 0.839, 0.889 and 0.960, respectively, which had ideal predictive value, and the combined predictive value was higher than that of the two alone ( Z = 3.85, 2.66, P<0.05). The decision curve was drawn. When the threshold was 0.1-1.0, the net return rate of the combined prediction model of IL-17 and IL-8 in peripheral blood to predict the short-term prognosis risk of sepsis patients was better than that of IL-17 and IL-8 alone, and the maximum net return rate was 0.222. Conclusions:The more severe the condition of sepsis patients, the higher the expression of IL-17 and IL-8 in peripheral blood, which may suggest that patients have a high risk of short-term death. Early combined detection of IL-17 and IL-8 levels in the peripheral blood of sepsis patients can predict their short-term prognostic risk.

Objective To explore the characteristics and molecular mechanisms of dynamic changes in ovarian function during natural aging in mice.Methods Eighteen female ICR mice of 2,6,10 and 14 months of age(referred to as 2 M,6 M,10 M,and 14 M)were included.The estrous cycle,ovarian index,pregnancy rate and embryo number were detected.The number of follicles was observed using HE staining.Serum anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH)levels were measured using ELISA.Protein and mRNA expression of P16,P21,proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α),and mitochondrial transcription factor A(TFAM)were detected through IHC and qPCR,respectively,and the protein expression of PGC-1α and TFAM was detected by Western blot.Relationships between indicators were evaluated based on Spearman's rank correlation coefficients and logistic regression analyses.Results Compared with estimates in the 2 M group,the percentage of estrous cycle disorders(P＜0.05 in 10 M group,P＜0.01 in 14 M group),ovarian index(P＜0.05 in 10 M group,P＜0.01 in 14 M group),serum AMH level(P＜0.01 in 10 M group,P＜0.01 in 14 M group),number of embryos(P＜0.01 in the 10 M group,P＜0.01 in 14 M group),and pregnancy rate(P＜0.01 in 14 M group)were significantly lower;the number of follicles at all levels and total number of follicles were lower(all P＜0.01),and the number of atretic follicles(all P＜0.01)was higher.Furthermore,P16 and P21 mRNA(P16:P＜0.01 in 10 M and 14 M groups;P21:P＜0.05 in 10 M group,P＜0.01 in 14 M group)and protein levels(P16:P＜0.01 in each group;P21:P＜0.01 in 10 M and 14 M groups)were elevated.Spearman's correlation analyses showed that the age in months was negatively correlated with the ovarian index,serum AMH level,primordial follicle number,number of embryos,and expression of PGC-1αand TFAM and positively correlated with the expression of atretic follicle,P16 and P21(all P＜0.01).Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between the age in months and pregnancy rate(P＜0.01).PGC-1α mRNA was significantly decreased(all P＜0.01),and TFAM mRNA was significantly decreased in 10 M and 14 M groups(P＜0.01).PGC-1α levels were significantly decreased in the 10 M group(IHC:P＜0.05;Western blot:P＜0.01)and 14 M group(all P＜0.01);TFAM levels were significantly lower in 6 M,10 M,and 14 M groups than in the 2 M group(IHC:P＜0.01;Western blot:P＜0.01).Compared with the 2 M group,expression levels of PGC-1α and TFAM were positively correlated with the ovarian index and serum AMH level and negatively correlated with P16 and P21 expression(all P＜0.01).Conclusions Ovarian function in mice declines progressively with age in months,as reflected by reductions in follicles and fertility and the up-regulation of aging markers,which may be associated with the decreased expression of the mitochondrial biogenesis factors PGC-1α and TFAM.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease(CJD)is a rapidly progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by prions,with certain infectivity and iatrogenic transmission risks.With the rapid progress and application of new dia-gnostic biomarkers and detection methods,as well as the construction and improvement of surveillance and reporting systems,the detection of CJD in patients domestically and internationally has shown an increasing trend year by year.Due to its long incubation period and heterogeneity of early symptoms,early identification and diagnosis of the disease is difficult,increasing the risk of transmission within medical institutions.Currently,there is a lack of con-sensus on the infection prevention and control of CJD.In order to timely identify and diagnose CJD as well as effec-tively block its transmission in medical institutions,this consensus summarizes 15 clinical concerns and formulates 24 specific recommendations based on the latest domestic and international research findings and clinical evidence,as well as combines with clinical practice,aiming to standardize healthcare-associated infection prevention and control measures for CJD and reduce its transmission risk in medical institutions.

Objective To explore the characteristics and molecular mechanisms of dynamic changes in ovarian function during natural aging in mice.Methods Eighteen female ICR mice of 2,6,10 and 14 months of age(referred to as 2 M,6 M,10 M,and 14 M)were included.The estrous cycle,ovarian index,pregnancy rate and embryo number were detected.The number of follicles was observed using HE staining.Serum anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH)levels were measured using ELISA.Protein and mRNA expression of P16,P21,proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α),and mitochondrial transcription factor A(TFAM)were detected through IHC and qPCR,respectively,and the protein expression of PGC-1α and TFAM was detected by Western blot.Relationships between indicators were evaluated based on Spearman's rank correlation coefficients and logistic regression analyses.Results Compared with estimates in the 2 M group,the percentage of estrous cycle disorders(P＜0.05 in 10 M group,P＜0.01 in 14 M group),ovarian index(P＜0.05 in 10 M group,P＜0.01 in 14 M group),serum AMH level(P＜0.01 in 10 M group,P＜0.01 in 14 M group),number of embryos(P＜0.01 in the 10 M group,P＜0.01 in 14 M group),and pregnancy rate(P＜0.01 in 14 M group)were significantly lower;the number of follicles at all levels and total number of follicles were lower(all P＜0.01),and the number of atretic follicles(all P＜0.01)was higher.Furthermore,P16 and P21 mRNA(P16:P＜0.01 in 10 M and 14 M groups;P21:P＜0.05 in 10 M group,P＜0.01 in 14 M group)and protein levels(P16:P＜0.01 in each group;P21:P＜0.01 in 10 M and 14 M groups)were elevated.Spearman's correlation analyses showed that the age in months was negatively correlated with the ovarian index,serum AMH level,primordial follicle number,number of embryos,and expression of PGC-1αand TFAM and positively correlated with the expression of atretic follicle,P16 and P21(all P＜0.01).Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between the age in months and pregnancy rate(P＜0.01).PGC-1α mRNA was significantly decreased(all P＜0.01),and TFAM mRNA was significantly decreased in 10 M and 14 M groups(P＜0.01).PGC-1α levels were significantly decreased in the 10 M group(IHC:P＜0.05;Western blot:P＜0.01)and 14 M group(all P＜0.01);TFAM levels were significantly lower in 6 M,10 M,and 14 M groups than in the 2 M group(IHC:P＜0.01;Western blot:P＜0.01).Compared with the 2 M group,expression levels of PGC-1α and TFAM were positively correlated with the ovarian index and serum AMH level and negatively correlated with P16 and P21 expression(all P＜0.01).Conclusions Ovarian function in mice declines progressively with age in months,as reflected by reductions in follicles and fertility and the up-regulation of aging markers,which may be associated with the decreased expression of the mitochondrial biogenesis factors PGC-1α and TFAM.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease(CJD)is a rapidly progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by prions,with certain infectivity and iatrogenic transmission risks.With the rapid progress and application of new dia-gnostic biomarkers and detection methods,as well as the construction and improvement of surveillance and reporting systems,the detection of CJD in patients domestically and internationally has shown an increasing trend year by year.Due to its long incubation period and heterogeneity of early symptoms,early identification and diagnosis of the disease is difficult,increasing the risk of transmission within medical institutions.Currently,there is a lack of con-sensus on the infection prevention and control of CJD.In order to timely identify and diagnose CJD as well as effec-tively block its transmission in medical institutions,this consensus summarizes 15 clinical concerns and formulates 24 specific recommendations based on the latest domestic and international research findings and clinical evidence,as well as combines with clinical practice,aiming to standardize healthcare-associated infection prevention and control measures for CJD and reduce its transmission risk in medical institutions.

Objective:To explore the relationship between the expression of peripheral blood interleukin-17 (IL)-17 and IL-8 and the short-term prognosis of sepsis patients.Methods:The data of 158 patients with sepsis admitted to Huzhou Central Hospital from January 2020 to January 2024 were retrospectively collected. The patient′s data were carefully reviewed, and the results of the study were recorded, including the severity of the patient′s condition (138 cases of sepsis, 20 cases of septic shock), baseline data, and short-term prognosis (28-day mortality). The levels of procalcitonin (PCT), peripheral blood IL-17, IL-8, and other laboratory indicators were compared between patients with different severity and different prognosis. COX regression model analysis and interaction test were used to verify the relationship between peripheral blood IL-17, IL-8 levels, and short-term prognosis in patients with sepsis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn and the decision curve was constructed to analyze the predictive value of peripheral blood IL-17 and IL-8 levels on the short-term prognosis of patients with sepsis.Results:The levels of IL-17 and IL-8 in the peripheral blood of patients with different severity of sepsis at admission were higher in the septic shock group than those in the sepsis group: (82.48 ± 13.54) μg/L vs. (62.84 ± 12.09) μg/L, (41.80 ± 5.46) ng/L vs. (34.22 ± 6.77) ng/L,( P<0.05). The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) Ⅱ score, PCT, IL-17, and IL-8 levels at admission in the death group were higher than those in the survival group, and the proportion of patients with septic shock was higher than that in the survival group: (12.09 ± 2.06) points vs. (10.81 ± 2.36) points, (2.23 ± 1.18) μg/L vs. (1.78 ± 0.69) μg/L, (79.24 ± 13.72) μg/L vs. (61.37 ± 11.15) μg/L, (42.43 ± 5.07) ng/L vs. (33.09 ± 6.14) ng/L, 51.43%(18/35) vs. 1.63%(2/123), P<0.05. COX regression analysis showed that the short-term prognosis of patients with sepsis was related to the abnormal expression of IL-17 and IL-8 in peripheral blood. The high expression of both may be a risk factor for the short-term prognosis of patients with sepsis ( P<0.05). The levels of IL-17 and IL-8 in peripheral blood had a positive interaction on the short-term prognosis of patients with sepsis. The risk of death when both were highly expressed was 97.500 times that when both were lowly expressed and the synergistic effect was 9.362 times higher than the sum of the effects produced by the two alone (synergy index = 9.362). ROC curve was drawn to obtain the area under the curve (AUC). The AUC of peripheral blood IL-17, IL-8 alone and combined to predict the short-term prognosis risk of sepsis patients were 0.839, 0.889 and 0.960, respectively, which had ideal predictive value, and the combined predictive value was higher than that of the two alone ( Z = 3.85, 2.66, P<0.05). The decision curve was drawn. When the threshold was 0.1-1.0, the net return rate of the combined prediction model of IL-17 and IL-8 in peripheral blood to predict the short-term prognosis risk of sepsis patients was better than that of IL-17 and IL-8 alone, and the maximum net return rate was 0.222. Conclusions:The more severe the condition of sepsis patients, the higher the expression of IL-17 and IL-8 in peripheral blood, which may suggest that patients have a high risk of short-term death. Early combined detection of IL-17 and IL-8 levels in the peripheral blood of sepsis patients can predict their short-term prognostic risk.

Objective To evaluate the effect of manual massage on complications after endoscopic foam sclerotherapy injection for the treatment of internal hemorrhoids.Methods Consecutive 113 patients with grade Ⅰinternal hemorrhoids were prospectively enrolled and completed endoscopic foam sclerotherapy.The patients were randomly divided into a massage group(n=65)and a control group(n=68).Massage group performed manual perianal massage,Visual analogue scale(VAS)was used to evaluate perianal pain.The postoperative bleeding,short-term and long-term efficacy were also compared.Results The median VAS of 24 h postoperation was 1.0(0.0,3.0)in massage group,which was significantly lower than 2.0(1.0,4.0)in control group,the difference was statistically significant(P=0.014).The no bleeding rate of one week postoperation was 84.6％in massage group,which was significantly higher than 64.7％in control group,the difference was statistically significant(P=0.009).After 12 weeks,6 months and 12 months of follow-up,there were no significant differences in cure rate and remission rate between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Manual massage after endoscopic sclerosing agent injection is beneficial to relieve postoperative pain of grade Ⅰ internal hemorrhoids and reduce bleeding.

Objective:To observe the effect of observing good swallowing on the swallowing action of stroke survivors with dysphagia.Methods:Eighteen stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomly divided into a treatment group ( n=9) and a control group ( n=9). In addition to routine swallowing rehabilitation therapy, the treatment group was asked to simulate swallowing after watching a video of normal people′s swallowing action. They did so 5 times a week for 10 minutes, while the control group just watched landscape videos at the same time. The treatment lasted 8 weeks. Before and after the treatment, both groups were assessed using the eating assessment tool (EAT-10), the functional oral intake scale (FOIS) and the penetration and aspiration scale (PAS). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was also used to observe their swallowing action. Results:There was no significant difference between the two groups in any of the measurements before the treatment. After the 8 weeks of treatment the average EAT-10, FOIS and PAS scores of the treatment group were all significantly better than before the treatment and better than the control group′s averages at the time. fMRI showed significantly more areas activated in the precuneus, parietal lobe, posterior central gyrus, BA7, BA5, frontal lobe and paracentral lobule in the treatment group compared with before the intervention and also more than in the control group.Conclusions:Observing proper swallowing action can improve dysphagia and activation of the swallowing-related brain areas of stroke survivors.

Objective:To observe any effect of repeated unilateral high frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the swallowing function and functional magnetic resonance images of dysphagic stroke survivors.Methods:Twenty stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomly divided into a treatment group ( n=10) and a control group ( n=10). Both groups received traditional swallowing rehabilitation training, while the treatment group was additionally provided with high frequency rTMS over the cortical area of the suprahyoid muscle group of the healthy contralateral cerebral hemisphere. The stimulation frequency was 5Hz and the stimulation intensity was 80% of the resting movement threshold. During the 20-minute treatment, there was a 20-second interval between each 2-second dose of stimulation. Before and after the treatment, both groups were evaluated using the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10), a swallowing functional communication measurement (FCM) and the modified Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MMASA). In addition, functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to observe any changes in the relevant brain regions. Results:After the treatment the average EAT-10, FCM and MMASA scores of both groups were significantly better than those before the treatment, with the treatment group′s averages significantly superior to those of the control group. After the treatment, the activation range of the parietal lobe, the superior parietal lobule, the BA7 region and the BA40 area in the treatment group was significantly larger than before the treatment and larger than the control group′s ranges.Conclusions:Repeated high-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation of the cortical area of the suprahyoid muscles in the contralateral cerebral hemisphere can improve dysphagia and promote the activation of brain areas related to swallowing after a stroke.