The development of atherosclerosis （AS） is closely associated with endothelial dysfunction and mitochondrial metabolic abnormalities. These alterations are fundamentally characterized by metabolic reprogramming， in which the tricarboxylic acid （TCA） cycle serves as a central regulatory hub. Disruption of the homeostasis of TCA cycle intermediates， including succinate， α -ketoglutarate， and itaconate， contributes to AS progression through multiple mechanisms， such as the modulation of oxidative stress， inflammation， and glucose and lipid metabolic networks. Owing to their multi-target and multi-pathway regulatory properties， bioactive compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） have demonstrated unique advantages in correcting metabolic dysregulation. Flavonoids， glycosides， and other bioactive constituents of TCM can target key enzymes and metabolites involved in the TCA cycle， thereby restoring aberrant metabolic reprogramming， alleviating endothelial injury induced by oxidative stress， inflammation， and glucose and lipid metabolic disorders， ultimately improving metabolic homeostasis and attenuating the progression of AS.

The development of atherosclerosis （AS） is closely associated with endothelial dysfunction and mitochondrial metabolic abnormalities. These alterations are fundamentally characterized by metabolic reprogramming， in which the tricarboxylic acid （TCA） cycle serves as a central regulatory hub. Disruption of the homeostasis of TCA cycle intermediates， including succinate， α -ketoglutarate， and itaconate， contributes to AS progression through multiple mechanisms， such as the modulation of oxidative stress， inflammation， and glucose and lipid metabolic networks. Owing to their multi-target and multi-pathway regulatory properties， bioactive compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） have demonstrated unique advantages in correcting metabolic dysregulation. Flavonoids， glycosides， and other bioactive constituents of TCM can target key enzymes and metabolites involved in the TCA cycle， thereby restoring aberrant metabolic reprogramming， alleviating endothelial injury induced by oxidative stress， inflammation， and glucose and lipid metabolic disorders， ultimately improving metabolic homeostasis and attenuating the progression of AS.

Objective:To study the epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis in Ordos City and provide reference and theoretical guidance for prevention and control of the disease.Methods:The surveillance data of human brucellosis cases and the serological surveillance data of key occupational populations reported by the Ordos City Center for Disease Control and Prevention from 2013 to 2022 were collected and analyzed descriptively. ArcGIS 10.8 software was used to draw a spatial distribution map of human brucellosis in Ordos City, and SPSS 26.0 software was used to conduct Spearman correlation analysis to further explore the impact of economic factors on human brucellosis.Results:From 2013 to 2022, a total of 8 676 cases of human brucellosis were reported in Ordos City, with an average annual incidence rate of 40.93/100 000. In 2022, 2 570 cases were reported, with an incidence rate of 116.78/100 000, reaching the peak in the past 10 years. The cases were mainly distributed in Dalad Banner, Hangjin Banner, and Otog Front Banner, with a total of 6 415 cases, accounting for 73.94% of the total number of cases. The spatial distribution spread from north to south and from north to east. The majority of cases were in the age group of 40 to 65 years old (6 061 cases, accounting for 69.86%), male (6 089 cases, accounting for 70.18%), and farmers and herdsmen (7 367 cases, accounting for 84.91%). The median time interval between onset and diagnosis was 16 days. The positive rate of serological surveillance in key occupational groups was 5.38% (7 058/131 229). The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed that the number of agricultural legal entities, the number of animal husbandry legal entities, regional gross domestic product, per capita disposable income of rural and pastoral residents, total agricultural output value, the number of cattle and sheep at the end of the year, milk production, and mutton production were important factors affecting the incidence of brucellosis ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:The incidence of brucellosis in Ordos City is on the rise, and the epidemic situation is severe. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance and joint prevention and control of human brucellosis to prevent the spread and expansion of the epidemic.

Objective:To explore the relationship between general demographic characteristics,inflammatory indicators,nutritional indicators,pathological data and lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer(EC)pa-tients,and to construct and validate a model for preoperative prediction of lymph node status in endometrial canc-er patients.Methods:The preoperative clinical data of 473 patients with EC who underwent surgical treatment in the Zhu Jiang Hospital of Southern Medical University from January 2010 to April 2024 were retrospectively ana-lyzed.The independent risk factors of lymph node metastasis of endometrial cancer were screened by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses,and the nomogram prediction model was constructed by R soft-ware.The performance of the model was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,calibra-tion curve and clinical decision curve.Results:Menopausal status,high grade biopsy pathology,CA125 ≥24.47U/ml,systemic immune inflammatory index(SII)≥710.91,and prognostic nutritional index(PNI)＜52.90 were in-dependent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer(OR＞1,P＜0.05).The nomogram model constructed based on these five factors had an AUC of 0.853 in the training set and 0.871 in the test set.The cali-bration curve fitted well,and the clinical decision curve shows a positive benefit.Conclusions:The endometrial cancer lymph node metastasis prediction model constructed based on menopausal status,biopsy pathology,CA125,SII,and PNI has good accuracy and fit,with certain clinical application value.

Objective:To investigate auricular acupressure combined with massage-tapping exercises on body indicators, blood lipids, and liver function in patients with obesity-related fatty liver disease.Methods:This retrospective study included 78 patients with obesity-related fatty liver disease admitted to Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April to December 2023. The patients were divided into two groups based on different treatment methods: the conventional group (36 patients receiving conventional interventions) and the combined group (36 patients receiving auricular acupressure combined with massage-tapping exercises in addition to conventional interventions). The total response rates, physical indicators (body weight, body mass index), blood lipid levels (triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and liver function indicators (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase were recorded and compared between the two groups.Results:The total response rate in the combined group was 94.87% (37/39), which was significantly higher than the 76.92% (30/39) in the conventional group ( χ2 = 5.19, P < 0.05). After intervention, the combined group showed lower body weight [(70.42 ± 8.32) kg vs. (75.84 ± 8.46) kg], lower body mass index [(24.32 ± 1.26) kg/m2 vs. (25.48 ± 1.30) kg/m2], lower triglycerides [(1.62 ± 0.42) mmol/L vs. (2.94 ± 0.78) mmol/L], lower total cholesterol [(5.24 ± 0.54) mmol/L vs. (6.72 ± 0.66) mmol/L], lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [(2.14 ± 0.46) mmol/L vs. (2.78 ± 0.50) mmol/L], lower aspartate aminotransferase [(35.32 ± 4.38) U/L vs. (40.16 ± 5.14) U/L], lower alanine aminotransferase [(31.05 ± 4.20) U/L vs. (37.24 ± 4.56) U/L], and lower gamma-glutamyltransferase [(43.35 ± 8.74) U/L vs. (57.62 ± 9.04) U/L] levels compared with the conventional group. The combined group showed higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level compared with the conventional group [(1.85 ± 0.26) mmol/L vs. (1.26 ± 0.30) mmol/L]. All differences were statistically significant ( t = 2.85, 4.00, 9.31, 10.84, 5.88, 4.48, 6.24, 7.09, 9.28, all P < 0.05). Conclusions:The combination of auricular acupressure and massage-tapping exercises is effective in treating obesity-related fatty liver disease in patients. This approach can regulate physical indicators, improve lipid metabolism, and enhance liver function, making it a method worth promoting in clinical practice.

Objective:To study the epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis in Ordos City and provide reference and theoretical guidance for prevention and control of the disease.Methods:The surveillance data of human brucellosis cases and the serological surveillance data of key occupational populations reported by the Ordos City Center for Disease Control and Prevention from 2013 to 2022 were collected and analyzed descriptively. ArcGIS 10.8 software was used to draw a spatial distribution map of human brucellosis in Ordos City, and SPSS 26.0 software was used to conduct Spearman correlation analysis to further explore the impact of economic factors on human brucellosis.Results:From 2013 to 2022, a total of 8 676 cases of human brucellosis were reported in Ordos City, with an average annual incidence rate of 40.93/100 000. In 2022, 2 570 cases were reported, with an incidence rate of 116.78/100 000, reaching the peak in the past 10 years. The cases were mainly distributed in Dalad Banner, Hangjin Banner, and Otog Front Banner, with a total of 6 415 cases, accounting for 73.94% of the total number of cases. The spatial distribution spread from north to south and from north to east. The majority of cases were in the age group of 40 to 65 years old (6 061 cases, accounting for 69.86%), male (6 089 cases, accounting for 70.18%), and farmers and herdsmen (7 367 cases, accounting for 84.91%). The median time interval between onset and diagnosis was 16 days. The positive rate of serological surveillance in key occupational groups was 5.38% (7 058/131 229). The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed that the number of agricultural legal entities, the number of animal husbandry legal entities, regional gross domestic product, per capita disposable income of rural and pastoral residents, total agricultural output value, the number of cattle and sheep at the end of the year, milk production, and mutton production were important factors affecting the incidence of brucellosis ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:The incidence of brucellosis in Ordos City is on the rise, and the epidemic situation is severe. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance and joint prevention and control of human brucellosis to prevent the spread and expansion of the epidemic.

Objective:To investigate the outcomes of natural cycle (NC) and modified natural cycle (MNC) assisted reproductive technology (ART) in patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), and to provide a scientific basis for individualized treatment strategies for DOR patients.Methods:A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on the clinical data of DOR patients who underwent ART at the Center for Reproductive Medicine of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2023. Patients were divided into the NC group ( n=801) and the MNC group ( n=385) based on their treatment protocol. The primary outcomes were cycle cancellation rate and oocyte retrieval rate. Secondary outcomes included clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate per fresh embryo transfer cycle and frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle, cumulative pregnancy rate and cumulative live birth rate per started cycle and per transfer cycle, as well as laboratory parameters such as the number of retrieved oocytes, the number of two pronuclei (2PN) fertilized oocytes, the number of transferable embryos, and transferable embryo formation rate. Further, multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of the treatment protocol on pregnancy and live birth outcomes. Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the NC and MNC groups in terms of general characteristics such as age, body mass index, and baseline hormone levels (all P>0.05). The cycle cancellation rate was significantly higher in the NC group [19.10% (153/801)] than in the MNC group [10.65% (41/385), P<0.001], and the oocyte retrieval rate was significantly lower in the NC group [66.31% (431/650)] than in the MNC group [74.86% (259/346), P=0.005]. The number of retrieved oocytes [1 (0,1)], the number of 2PN fertilized oocytes [1 (0,1)], and the number of transferable embryos [0 (0, 1)] were also significantly lower in the NC group than in the MNC group [1 (1, 2), P<0.001; 1 (1, 1), P<0.001; 0 (0, 1), P<0.001]. However, there were no statistically significant differences in 2PN fertilization rate and transferable embryo formation rate between the NC and MNC groups (all P>0.05). In both fresh embryo transfer cycles and frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles, there were no statistically significant differences in clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate between the NC and MNC groups (all P>0.05). The cumulative pregnancy rate per started cycle and transfer cycle, the cumulative live birth rate per started cycle and per transfer cycle were also not significantly different between the NC and MNC groups (all P>0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed no significant association between NC and clinical pregnancy or live birth compared with MNC. Conclusion:While MNC to some extent reduced the cycle cancellation rate and improved oocyte retrieval rates compared with NC, it did not ultimately improve pregnancy outcomes in DOR patients.

Objective:To explore the relationship between life events, anxiety, depression, and behavior problems in adolescents.Methods:From September to October 2022, the cluster sampling method was used to select 5 341 adolescents from 4 middle schools in Xinxiang urban area.The subjects and their parents were investigated by the adolescent self-rating life events check list (ASLEC), generalized anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7), patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), and child behavior checklist (CBCL). SPSS 27.0 software was used for Spearman correlation analysis, and AMOS 28.0 software was used to construct the structural equation model.Results:The scores of anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems were 1 (0, 4), 1 (0, 4), and 3 (0, 10). The total score of life events was 5 (1, 13), and the dimensions scored as follows: interpersonal conflict 1 (0, 4), academic pressure 2 (0, 5), punishment 0 (0, 2), loss 0 (0, 0), health and adaptation problem 0 (0, 1), and others 0 (0, 2). There were positive correlations between life events and its dimensions, depression, anxiety and behavioral problems ( r=0.28-0.69, all P<0.01). In the overall population, anxiety and depression played parallel mediating roles in the impact of life events on behavior problems. Life events could positively predict anxiety ( β=0.68, P<0.01), and anxiety could positively predict behavior problems ( β=0.04, P=0.02). Life events could positively predict depression ( β=0.77, P<0.01), and depression could positively predict behavior problems ( β=0.18, P<0.01). The standardized total effect size of the impact of life events on behavioral problems was 0.622 (95% CI=0.564-0.675). The standardized direct effect size and indirect effect size were 0.460 (95% CI=0.374-0.539) and 0.162 (95% CI=0.108-0.218), accounting for 74.0% and 26.0%of the total effect, respectively. After stratification by gender, the results for male adolescents were consistent with the overall population, while the mediating effect of anxiety was not significant in the female adolescents. Conclusion:Life events can lead to anxiety and depression in adolescents, thereby increasing the risk of behavior problems.

Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide(PSP)is a polysaccharide with multiple pharma-cological activities that has been widely studied and used in the human body.However,there is cur-rently a lack of research investigating the potential advantages of PSP in poultry farming.This study investigated the effects of adding PSP to drinking water on the growth performance,antioxi-dant status,serum biochemical indicators,ileal tissue morphology,immune organs,and intestinal function of chicks.88 Hailan brown laying hens were randomly divided into 4 groups,with 22 hens in each group,namely the blank control group(CON),and fed with basic feed;The low-dose PSP group(250 mg/L),the medium dose PSP group(500 mg/L),and the high-dose PSP group(1 000 mg/L)were fed with corresponding doses of PSP through drinking water on the basis of basic feed,and the experimental period was 21 d.The initial and final body weight and immune or-gan relative quality of chicks,serum biochemical indicators,the activities of SOD,CAT,and GSH-Px,as well as the contents of T-AOC and MDA in the serum of chicks were measured;HE stai-ning method was used to observe the pathological changes of intestinal tissue slices in the ileum;Real time fluorescence quantitative PCR technology was used to detect the mRNA expression lev-els of cytokines ZO-1,Claudin-1,Occludin,Mucin-2,IL-1β,TNF-a,IFN-γ,IL-4,IL-8,and IL-10 in the ileum.The results showed that compared with the blank control group,the addition of medium dose PSP significantly increased the final relative quality(P＜0.01),the final body weight and ADG of PSP500 group chicks significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the F/G of PSP250 and PSP500 groups significantly decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The villus height of the jejunum in the 200,500,and 1 000 mg/L PSP groups of chicks significantly increased(P＜0.05).The SOD ac-tivity significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the CAT activity in the PSP1000 group significantly increased(P＜0.01).The PSP500 and PSP1000 groups significantly reduced the mRNA expression of cytokines IL-1β,IL-4,and IFN-γ in the ileum(P＞0.05);PSP did not show significant changes in serum total protein(TP),albumin(ALB),glucose(GLU),cholesterol(T-CHO)content,and immune organ index(P＜0.05).In summary,PSP can improve growth performance,enhance an-tioxidant capacity,improve ileal morphology and epithelial barrier function,and regulate mucosal immune status.Considering the overall economic benefits,the recommended level of PSP addition is 500 mg/L.

Objective·To explore the value of combined diaphragm and intercostal muscle ultrasound assessment compared with conventional diaphragm ultrasound in predicting the weaning outcome in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis.Methods·Mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis,consecutively admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine of Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from October 2022 to December 2023,were selected.During the peri-weaning period,after the patient's sepsis condition improved and the patient passed the spontaneous breathing trial(SBT),ultrasound evaluation of respiratory muscles was performed by ultrasound qualified personnel with ultrasound qualification and experience in bedside ultrasound examination.Diaphragm excursion(DE),thickening fraction of diaphragm(TFD),and thickening fraction of intercostal muscle(TFic)were measured,respectively.The patients were divided into a successful weaning group(n=114)and a failed weaning group(n=24)according to the weaning results.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to analyze the value of diaphragm ultrasound and intercostal muscle ultrasound,alone and in combination,in predicting ventilator weaning outcome.Results·TFic and TFic/TFD were significantly higher in the failed weaning group during SBT than in the successful weaning group(all P<0.05).The areas under the ROC curve(AUROC)of DE,TFD,and TFic to predict weaning failure in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis during the period of SBT were 0.689(0.591?0.776),0.657(0.557?0.747),and 0.769(0.676?0.846),respectively,whereas the combined indexes TFic/TFD and TFic&TFD_mix had AUROCs of 0.867(0.786?0.925)and 0.860(0.778?0.920),respectively.TFic/TFD with a cutoff value of>0.95 had a sensitivity of 86.7%and a specificity of 75.3%in predicting weaning failure,and TFic&TFD_mix with a cutoff value of>0.13 had a sensitivity of 86.6%and a specificity of 80.9%in predicting weaning failure.Moreover,the intercostal muscle ultrasonography method had an intra-observer intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)of 0.890 and an extra-observer ICC of 0.876 for measurement reliability,which were both rated as good(P<0.001).Conclusion·Combined diaphragm and intercostal muscle ultrasonography provides a more comprehensive picture of the patient's overall respiratory muscles,and has a higher guiding value in predicting the weaning outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis than diaphragm ultrasound alone.