Background Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can influence gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); however, current studies on their association are limited and have yielded inconsistent findings. Objective To investigate the association between maternal exposure to PFAS, as measured by urinary concentrations in early pregnancy, and the risk of developing GDM. Methods Based on the Wuhu Birth Cohort in Anhui Province conducted between 2020 and 2023, this study included 1910 pregnant women. Urine samples were collected during the first trimester, and a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was completed at 24–28 gestational weeks. The concentrations of six PFAS in urine were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Participants were categorized into low, medium, and high exposure groups according to tertiles of individual PFAS concentrations. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the potential impact of early-pregnancy PFAS exposure levels on the risk of GDM, with stratified analyses by maternal age and fetal sex. A generalized weighted quantile sum regression (gWQS) model was applied to evaluate the relative weight distribution of the six PFAS in their mixture effect. Results The logistic regression results revealed that both medium exposure to perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) (OR=1.475, 95%CI: 1.040, 2.093) and high exposure to perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) (OR=1.430, 95%CI: 1.013, 2.018) were positively associated with diagnosed GDM. This association was more pronounced among women older than 28 years. Among pregnant women carrying male fetuses, high-level exposures to per fluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) (OR=1.708, 95%CI: 1.006, 2.899) and PFHxS (OR=2.116, 95%CI: 1.247, 3.584) showed positive associations with diagnosed GDM. In contrast, among those carrying female fetuses, moderate perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) exposure was associated with a lower risk of GDM (OR=0.542, 95%CI: 0.311, 0.946). The gWQS results demonstrated that PFOS (0.48) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) (0.34) contributed the most to the mixture effect. Conclusion Early-pregnancy exposure to PFAS (particularly PFHxS and PFNA) may be an etiological factor for GDM, with maternal age and fetal sex potentially acting as effect modifiers in this association.

ObjectiveTo establish an educational intervention framework of electronic picture books for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on Creative Problem Solving (CPS) model, and observe the effect on social function. MethodsElectronic picture books were designed using CPS model, including the program of reading, interactive animation design and associated artistic activities. From March to June, 2023, 24 children with mild to moderate ASD were recruited from Maanshan Institute of Special Education, and randomly assigned into experimental group 1 (CPS-based cognitive picture book interventions, n = 8), experimental group 2 (CPS-based social picture book interventions, n = 8) and control group (Bloom's Taxonomy-based picture book interventions, n = 8), and received the interventions for four weeks, with a total of twelve times. They were assessed with speech, social, perceptual and health behavior using Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) before and after treatment, and the differences were calculated. ResultsThere was a significant difference among the groups in the social and perceptual scores differences (F > 4.344, P < 0.05) and a near-significant difference in the health behaviour score difference (F = 2.921, P = 0.076). Post Hoc test showed that the differences in social scores were higher in both experimental groups than in the control group (P < 0.05); the difference in perceptual scores was significantly higher in experimental group 1 than in experimental group 2 (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference with the control group (P > 0.05); the difference in health behavior scores was higher in experimental group 2 than in the control (P < 0.05), and the difference in experimental group 1 was slightly higher than in the control group (P = 0.072). ConclusionElectronic picture book interventions based on the CPS model may be more effective in enhancing social, perceptual and health behavior in children with ASD, but there may be differences among models.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanisms of Modified Shoutai Pill （寿胎丸加味方， MSP） in treating polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） with hyperandrogenism， insulin resistance， and miscarriage， focusing on inflammatory response and endometrial receptivity. MethodsThirty female SPF-grade SD rats with regular estrous cycles and in proestrus， and 15 male SPF-grade SD rats were housed together in a 2∶1 ratio at 18：00. At 8：00 next morning， rats showing abundant sperm and vaginal plugs were considered pregnant on the day 0.5. The 30 pregnant rats were randomly divided into three groups， normal group， model group， and MSP group， with 10 rats in each group. From day 0.5 to day 13.5 of pregnancy， the MSP group was given 26.6 g/（kg·d） of the MSP via gavage twice a day for 14 consecutive days. The normal group and the model group received 4 ml of normal saline daily. From day 7.5 to day 13.5 of pregnancy， the rats in the model group and MSP group were intraperitoneally injected with dihydrotestosterone （DHT） and insulin （INS） for 7 consecutive days to establish a PCOS model with hyperandrogenism， insulin resistance， and miscarriage. On day 13.5 of pregnancy， an oral glucose tolerance test （OGTT） was performed to measure blood glucose levels at 0， 30， 60， 90， and 120 minutes. On day 14.5， serum level of progesterone （P₄）， estradiol （E₂）， fasting insulin （FINS）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α） were measured by ELISA. The insulin resistance index （HOMA-IR） was calculated. Embryo implantation， miscarriage rate， and average number of live fetuses were observed. Uterine tissue pathology was examined by HE staining， and mRNA expression of Il-6， Tnf-α， leukemia inhibitory factor （Lif）， homeobox gene 10 （Hoxa10）， prolactin family 8 subfamily A member 2 （Prl8a2）， and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 （Igfbp1） in the uterine tissue was detected by qRT-PCR. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group had significantly higher blood glucose level at 0， 30， 60， 90， and 120 minutes， increased miscarriage rate， elevated HOMA-IR， decreased average number of live fetuses， lower level of P₄ and E₂， higher level of IL-6， TNF-α， and FINS， and higher mRNA expression of Il-6 and Tnf-α in the uterine tissue. The mRNA expression of Lif， Hoxa10， and Prl8a2 was reduced （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The uterus had a dark red color， visible areas of bleeding， fewer embryos with developmental abnormalities， and increased placental necrosis. Pathological examination revealed thrombus in the decidual layer， unclear decidual cell morphology， loose arrangement， scattered distribution， edema degeneration in the cytoplasm， and nuclear shrinkage or disappearance， with extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells. In contrast， compared with the model group， the MSP group showed significantly lower blood glucose level at 0， 30， 60， 90， and 120 min， reduced miscarriage rate， lower HOMA-IR， increased number of live fetuses， higher level of P₄ and E₂， and lower level of IL-6， TNF-α， and FINS. The mRNA expression of Il-6 and Tnf-α in the uterine tissue was lower， while the expression of Lif， Hoxa10， and Prl8a2 mRNA was higher （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. There was significant improvement in uterine and embryo conditions， as well as in uterine tissue pathology. ConclusionThe MSP can reduce the miscarriage rate in a PCOS model with hyperandrogenism， insulin resistance， and miscarriage. Its mechanism may involve inhibiting inflammation， improving endometrial receptivity， and restoring the defects in endometrial decidualization.

Aim To investigate the role and mechanism of KLHL21 gene in myocardial infarction(MI)of mice.Methods KLHL21 gene knockout(KO)mice were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology,and C57BL/6 wild-type mice were used as controls.Sixty KLHL21 KO mice and 60 wild-type mice were randomly divided into four groups:WT+Sham group(n=30),WT+MI group(n=30),KO+Sham group(n=30)and KO+MI group(n=30).Postoperative is-chemic and infarct areas were assessed using TTC and Evans Blue staining,myocardial injury markers were measured by ELISA,cardiac function was evaluated by ultrasound,and histological changes were examined using HE and Masson stai-ning.Western blot was used to detect proteins related to the nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway.Results KLHL21 protein expression in the myocardial tissue of KO mice was significantly lower than that in WT mice.The infarct area in KO+MI mice was significantly larger than that in WT+MI group.KO+MI mice showed reduced cardiac function compared with WT+MI mice.HE staining revealed myocardial cell loss,liquefactive necrosis,nuclear fragmentation,and significant neutrophil infiltration,while Masson staining showed aggravated fibrosis in KO+MI group.Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB),and cardiac troponin Ⅰ(cTnⅠ)lev-els were significantly increased in KO+MI mice compared with WT+MI mice.Western blot analysis showed increased lev-els of phosphorylated inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB alpha(p-IKBα),P65,and P50,and decreased nuclear factor-κB al-pha(IKBα)in KO+MI mice.Conclusion KLHL21 gene plays a preventive role in myocardial infarction in mice,possibly through inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway activation.

Objective To evaluate the predictive value of patent ductus arteriosus(PDA)for the incidence and mortality of neonatal pulmonary hemorrhage(NPH)in infants with a gestational age(GA)of≤32 weeks.Methods Retrospective analysis of clinical data from premature infants with GA≤32 weeks consecutively admitted between January 2021 and June 2024.The analyzed clinical characteristics included GA,birth weight(WT),mode of delivery,diseases experienced by the infants,and maternal perinatal factors.Infants were categorized based on the presence or absence of NPH,and the clinical features of both groups were compared.Furthermore,infants with NPH and hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus(hsPDA)were subdivided according to in-hospital mortality for additional analysis.Results The study included a total of 511 pediatric patients,of whom 92 cases were diagnosed with NPH.NPH was strongly correlated with mechanical ventilation(MV),high-frequency oscil-lation(HFO),hsPDA,disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC),and intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH)(r=0.443,0.407,0.352,0.325,0.310,respectively;all P<0.001).Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(NRDS)(grades 3-4),IVH,MV,HFO,DIC,and hsPDA were identified as independent risk factors for NPH in infants≤32 weeks of GA(OR=2.641,2.097,1.065,2.298,5.550,3.820,respectively;all P<0.05).GA,WT,PDA diameter,PDA velocity,left ventricular output(LVO),velocity of the late diastolic a'wave in the left ventricle(LV a'),and neonatal asphyxia(NA)were significant factors influencing NPH combined with hsPDA(all P<0.05).The PDA severity score(PDAsc)was determined to be a risk factor for mortality in infants≤32 weeks of GA with NPH and hsPDA(OR=1.265,95%CI 1.031-1.553,P=0.024).A strong correlation was observed between the predicted probability of death in infants with NPH and PDA and PDAsc(r=0.901,P=0.001).The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that PDAsc served as an ideal predictor of mortality in infants with NPH and PDA(AUC=0.687,P=0.002).Conclusions hsPDA is an independent risk factor for the development of NPH in infants≤32 weeks of GA.Additionally,PDAsc serves as a significant risk factor for mortality in infants≤32 weeks of GA who have both NPH and PDA,indicating a strong correlation and potential predictive value.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological parameters and risk factors of the patients with connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease(CTD-ILD)complicated with Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)viraemia.Methods The CTD-ILD pa-tients admitted to Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine,Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2023 to April 2024 were collected.Based on the detection results of EBV DNA,the patients were divided into the EBV DNA(+)group and EBV DNA(-)group.The clinicopathological parameters of the two groups were analyzed.Results Out of 162 CTD-ILD patients who underwent EBV DNA testing,a total of 28 were found to have EBV viraemia.The levels of serum albumin([32.7±4.1]g/L vs[34.8±3.8]g/L,t=2.559,P＜0.05),oxygenation index([268.5±94.0]mmHg vs[323.2±120.9]mmHg,t=2.062,P＜0.05),and percentages of predicted diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide([30.9±15.3]% vs[44.9±18.8]%,t=2.127,P＜0.05])in the EBV DNA(+)group were significantly lower than those in the EBV DNA(-)group,while the levels of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH,[369.1±206.2]U/L vs[298.8±128.7]U/L,t=2.335,P＜0.05)were significantly higher than that in the EBV DNA(-)group.The acute exacerbation of ILD in the EBV DNA(+)group was more common than that in the EBV DNA(-)group(P＜0.05).Multivariate Lo-gistic analysis showed that honeycombing and low oxygenation index were independent risk factors of CTD-ILD patients complicated with EBV viraemia.Conclusion The CTD-ILD patients complicated with EBV viraemia have poorer oxygenation and are more prone to suf-fer from acute exacerbation of ILD.Honeycombing in chest HRCT and low oxygenation index are independent risk factors of CTD-ILD patients complicated with EBV viraemia.

Objective:The development and application of end-of-life patient decision aids for elderly were systematically reviewed and analyzed in order to supply guidance for the design of localized patient decision aids in China.Methods:Using the Scoping Review Guidelines as a methodological framework, a systematic search was conducted across databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, China Biology Medicine, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and BIOSIS. The search period covered from the inception of these databases to October 31, 2023. Two professionally trained researchers were responsible for screening, extracting, and organizing the retrieved literature.Results:A total of 5 studies on decision aids were included. These primarily employed paper graphics, interactive web pages, or multimedia slides as formats. The content encompassed various aspects such as palliative care options along with their pros and cons, assisting patients in clarifying their personal values, encouraging patients to document their decision-making preferences, and initiating end-of-life conversations with family members. Age-friendly design strategies were adopted in 4 studies; efficacy was validated in 3 studies, and in two of these studies, significant improvements were observed in engagement of patients (or substitute decision-makers) in ACP and the consistency of decision preferences (both P< 0.05). Conclusions:End-of-life decision aids for elderly patients can improve decision-making outcomes to some extent, however, the form and quality standards of them need to be improved, and their long-term effect needs further research and verification. It is recommended that in the future, the needs for end-of-life decision-making should be properly assessed based on the health literacy level, and high-quality localized end-of-life decision aids should be developed and popularized.

Objective To evaluate the predictive value of patent ductus arteriosus(PDA)for the incidence and mortality of neonatal pulmonary hemorrhage(NPH)in infants with a gestational age(GA)of≤32 weeks.Methods Retrospective analysis of clinical data from premature infants with GA≤32 weeks consecutively admitted between January 2021 and June 2024.The analyzed clinical characteristics included GA,birth weight(WT),mode of delivery,diseases experienced by the infants,and maternal perinatal factors.Infants were categorized based on the presence or absence of NPH,and the clinical features of both groups were compared.Furthermore,infants with NPH and hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus(hsPDA)were subdivided according to in-hospital mortality for additional analysis.Results The study included a total of 511 pediatric patients,of whom 92 cases were diagnosed with NPH.NPH was strongly correlated with mechanical ventilation(MV),high-frequency oscil-lation(HFO),hsPDA,disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC),and intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH)(r=0.443,0.407,0.352,0.325,0.310,respectively;all P<0.001).Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(NRDS)(grades 3-4),IVH,MV,HFO,DIC,and hsPDA were identified as independent risk factors for NPH in infants≤32 weeks of GA(OR=2.641,2.097,1.065,2.298,5.550,3.820,respectively;all P<0.05).GA,WT,PDA diameter,PDA velocity,left ventricular output(LVO),velocity of the late diastolic a'wave in the left ventricle(LV a'),and neonatal asphyxia(NA)were significant factors influencing NPH combined with hsPDA(all P<0.05).The PDA severity score(PDAsc)was determined to be a risk factor for mortality in infants≤32 weeks of GA with NPH and hsPDA(OR=1.265,95%CI 1.031-1.553,P=0.024).A strong correlation was observed between the predicted probability of death in infants with NPH and PDA and PDAsc(r=0.901,P=0.001).The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that PDAsc served as an ideal predictor of mortality in infants with NPH and PDA(AUC=0.687,P=0.002).Conclusions hsPDA is an independent risk factor for the development of NPH in infants≤32 weeks of GA.Additionally,PDAsc serves as a significant risk factor for mortality in infants≤32 weeks of GA who have both NPH and PDA,indicating a strong correlation and potential predictive value.

Objective:To investigate the current status and influencing factors of decision anxiety in guardians of children with acute appendicitis under Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) background, and to provide reference for the development of targeted intervention programs for decision anxiety.Methods:Convenient sampling method was used to select 254 guardians of children with acute appendicitis treated in the Department of Pediatrics, Second Affiliated Hospital of PLA Air Force Medical University from February 2023 to April 2024. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the General Data Questionnaire, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y-State anxiety subscale and the Preparation for Decision Making Scale. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the influencing factors in guardians of children with acute appendicitis.Results:Among the guardians of 254 children with acute appendicitis, 156 were males and 98 were females, aged (37.44 ± 3.63) years old. The decision anxiety score of guardians of children with acute appendicitis was (52.49 ± 6.54). The results of multiple linear regression showed that age of children, gender of guardian, education level of guardian, per capita monthly income of family, decision making tendency and decision preparation were the main influencing factors of decision anxiety in guardians of children with acute appendicitis ( t values were -7.07-3.58, all P<0.05), which could explain 64.4% of the total variation. Conclusions:The decision anxiety in guardians of children with acute appendicitis is at a high level. Medical staff should provide targeted decision guidance, improve decision assistance programs and provide more effective decision support for guardians of children with acute appendicitis.