BackgroundPatients with schizophrenia experience low quality of life， and internalized stigma is considered an important indicator for quality of life， while the mediating role of self-esteem and severity of negative symptoms in the relationship between internalized stigma and quality of life remains underexplored. ObjectiveTo examine the mediating role of self-esteem and severity of negative symptoms in the relationship between internalized stigma and quality of life， so as to provide references for improving their quality of life. MethodsA total of 342 patients with schizophrenia who were hospitalized in 6 hospitals in Xiangyang City， Siping City and Changchun City from April to September 2023 were included， and all of whom met the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia according to the International Classification of Diseases， tenth edition （ICD-10）. Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale （ISMI）， Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale （SQLS）， Self-Esteem Scale （SES） and negative symptom subscale of Positive and Negative Symptom Scale （PANSS） were administered to all patients. Spearman correlation analysis was adopted to determine correlations between the different scales. A structural equation modeling was constructed using Amos 28.0， and Bootstrap method was employed to verify the mediating effect of self-esteem and negative symptom severity in the association between internalized stigma and quality of life. ResultsA total of 309 patients （90.35%） completed questionnaires in this study. The ISMI score of schizophrenia patients was positively correlated with both SQLS score and the PANSS negative symptom subscale score （r=0.612， 0.492， P<0.01）， while was negatively correlated with SES score （r=-0.513， P<0.01）. The SQLS score was negatively associated with the SES score （r=-0.555， P<0.01） and positively associated with PANSS negative symptom subscale score （r=0.672， P<0.01）. The SES score was negatively correlated with PANSS negative symptom subscale score （r=-0.433， P<0.01）.The total effect value of internalized stigma on quality of life was 0.746 （95% CI： 0.680~0.806）. Self-esteem and severity of negative symptoms independently mediated the relationship between internalized stigma and quality of life， and the indirect effect values were 0.151 （95% CI： 0.062~0.254） and 0.126 （95% CI： 0.047~0.205）， accounting for 20.24% and 16.89% of the total effect， respectively. In addition， a chained mediation effect of self-esteem and quality of life was also demonstrated， the indirect effect value was 0.102 （95% CI： 0.049~0.165）， accounting for 13.67% of the total effect）. ConclusionInternalized stigma in patients with schizophrenia patients can not only directly affect the quality of life， but also indirectly affect the quality of life of patients through either separate or chained mediation of self-esteem and the severity of negative symptoms. ［Funded by Hubei Provincial Undergraduate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project （number， S202410519027）］

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Tongfu Xiefei Formula in treating patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)based on the theory of simultaneous treatment of lung and intestine,and to observe its effects on serum inflammatory cytokines.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 134 AECOPD patients treated at the Department of Pulmonary Diseases of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Tangshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from December 2020 to December 2022.The patients were divided into an observation group and a western medicine group based on the treatment plans,with 67 cases in each group.The western medicine group received conventional western medical treatment,while the observation group was given Tongfu Xiefei Formula orally in addition to the western medical treatment.The course of treatment covered 2 weeks.Before and after treatment,the two groups were observed in the changes of the modified Medical Research Council(mMRC)dyspnea scale scores,COPD Assessment Test(CAT)scores,lung function indicators,arterial blood gas analysis indicators,and serum inflammatory cytokine levels.The clinical efficacy,total incidence of adverse reactions,and hospitalization time were compared between the two groups.Results(1)After 2 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate in the observation group was 95.52%(64/67),compared to 79.10%(53/67)in the western medicine group.The intergroup comparison(tested by the chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the western medicine group(P＜0.01).(2)After treatment,the mMRC scores and CAT scores in both groups were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the western medicine group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,lung function indicators of the forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1),forced vital capacity(FVC),and their ratio(FEV1/FVC)in both groups were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the increase in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the western medicine group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the oxygen saturation(SaO2)and arterial oxygen partial pressure(PaO2)levels in both groups significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure(PaCO2)level was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The increase in SaO2 and PaO2 levels and the decrease in PaCO2 level in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the western medicine group(P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),C-reactive protein(CRP),and interleukin-6(IL-6)in both groups were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the western medicine group(P＜0.01).(6)The total incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 2.99%(2/67),compared to 5.97%(4/67)in the western medicine group,with no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).(7)The observation group had a significantly shorter hospitalization time than the western medicine group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Tongfu Xiefei Formula,formulated based on theory of simultaneous treatment of lung and intestine,is effective and safe on relieving symptoms such as dyspnea in AECOPD patients,improving lung function,correcting arterial blood gas disorders,inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors,shortening treatment time,while causing no serious adverse reactions.

Aim To investigate the predictive value of the Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio(μQFR)after target vessel pretreatment for vascular-related adverse events in patients with de novo coronary lesions treated with drug-coated balloon.Methods This retrospective study included 223 lesions from 223 patients who underwent drug-coated balloon-only strategy and completed 2-year clinical follow-up.Coronary angiographic images of target vessels pre-procedure,post-balloon and post-procedure were collected,and analyzed using a novel Murray's law-based algorithm.The μQFR analysis of each target vessel included not only the μQFR value of the target vessel,but also the length of the target vessel,the degree of vessel diameter stenosis,the reference lumen diameter,the minimum lumen diameter and blood flow velocity.The primary endpoint was defined as the postoperative vessel-oriented composite endpoint(VOCE).Results During the2-year clinical follow-up period,a total of 25 patients(11.2%)experienced VOCE events.Com-pared with the control group,patients with VOCE events after pretreatment showed a decrease in μQFR(P<0.001).Multivariate Logistic analysis showed that a lower target vessel μQFR after pretreatment(OR=0.931,95%CI:0.894～0.969,P<0.001)was an independent predictor of VOCE events.ROC curve analysis showed that the cut-off value for predicting 2-year VOCE events using preprocessed μQFR was 0.83(95%CI:0.727～0.840),with a sensitivity of 72.7%and a specificity of 84.0%(AUC=0.773,95%CI:0.676～0.870,P<0.001).Survival analysis showed that compared with patients with μQFR>0.83,patients with μQFR≤0.83 had a significantly higher incidence of VOCE events at 1 and 2 years,increasing to 3.909 times(16.9%vs.4.6%,HR=3.909,95%CI:1.539～9.930,P=0.004)and 2.867 times(19.7%vs.7.2%,HR=2.867,95%CI:1.301～6.316,P=0.009).After adjusting for potential con-founds,patients with pretreated μQFR≤0.83 had a 2.567 times in 2-year incidence of VOCE events(HR=2.567,95%CI:1.151～5.727,P=0.021)and a 3.712 times in 1-year incidence of VOCE events(HR=3.712,95%CI:1.478～9.810,P=0.006)compared to patients with good pretreatment.Conclusions For patients with in situ coronary artery disease,a lower μQFR after pretreatment increases the risk of postoperative adverse clinical events.μQFR≤0.83 may be used to evaluate the effectiveness of lesion pretreatment.

Objective:To develop a vasectomy intention scale (VIS) and evaluate its reliability and validity for assessing men's intentions toward vasectomy.Methods:Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, the VIS was developed through a process that included literature review, panel discussions, expert consultations, and a pilot survey. A total of 264 men seeking vasectomy consultation at the Andrology Center, Department of Urology, the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between December 2023 and December 2024 were recruited to assess reliability and validity of the VIS.Results:The VIS comprises 11 items across three dimensions: "background" factors, "stance and behavior" factors and "information" factors. The scale demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.739). Correlations between each dimension and the total scale ("background" factors r=0.849, "stance and behavior" factors r=0.744, "information" factors r=0.440) exceeded inter-dimension correlations (ranging from 0.145 to 0.312), confirming robust construct validity. The vasectomy rates among men with different intention levels were 65.7% (92/140) in the high-intention group, 28.9% (33/114) in the moderate-intention group, and 0% (0/11) in the low-intention group, with a statistically significant difference (χ2=43.42, P<0.001). Conclusion:The VIS exhibits strong reliability and validity, serving as a validated instrument for measuring the strength of men's vasectomy intentions.

Objective To elucidate the correlation between specific nucleocapsid(N)protein mutant of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant and clinical stratification in COVID-19 patients,revealing their impact on N protein liquid-liquid phase separation(LLPS)and host innate immune response.Methods Based on whole-genome sequencing data of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 lineage from the GISAID database,non-synonymous mutation sites significantly associated with mild/severe clinical phenotypes were screened.For high-frequency N protein mutant,IFN-β promoter transcriptional activity was quantitatively measured using a dual-luciferase reporter system.qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of interferon(IFN)-β,interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α.LLPS characteristics were observed by confocal microscopy.The ubiquitination status of host MAVS was detected by Western blot assay.Results A total of 17 640 non-synonymous mutation sites were identified,among which 65 were associated with mild cases and 20 were related to severe cases,with a mutation frequency>1%.The N protein mutation sites associated with severe cases were D3L,M234I and R203K-G204R-T205I.N protein and the mutants NM234I,NR203K-G204R-T205I inhibited the promoter activity of IFN-β(P＜0.05).Compared to the wild type N protein,NR203K-G204R-T205I mutation significantly reduced the mRNA levels of IFN-β,IL-6 and TNF-α(P＜0.05),and altered the phase separation state by dispersing the formation of LLPS condensates.However,N mutant did not affect the ubiquitination modification of host MAVS.Conclusion N protein mutants of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant can influence the clinical prognosis of COVID-19 patients by altering LLPS status and suppressing the innate immune responses.These finding provides a theoretical basis for the design of antiviral drugs targeting the N protein.

Objectives:To investigate the predictive value of Murray's law-based quantitative flow ratio(μQFR)in side branches for long-term clinical prognosis in patients with non-left main bifurcation lesions who underwent simple main branch stenting,and to provide a potential functional assessment standard for intervention decision-making on coronary bifurcation lesions.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted in 408 patients with non-left main bifurcation lesions who underwent simple main branch stenting at Lianyungang First People's Hospital and Nanjing First Hospital between July 2018 and January 2021.The study utilized third-generation QFR software to analyze pre-and post-procedure anatomical and functional parameters of the target lesion's main branch and key branches.The primary endpoint was target vessel failure(TVF)events during the 3-year follow-up.Patients were stratified into TVF and non-TVF groups.Baseline characteristics,procedural data,and pre-/post-procedural parameters of target vessels were compared between groups.Multivariable Cox regression was performed to identify predictors of TVF.Diagnostic efficacy of predictors was evaluated using area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC)with DeLong's method for comparison.Patients were dichotomized based on the optimal cutoffof post-procedural side branch μQFR,with TVF incidence rates compared via Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis.Results:During 3-year follow-up,54 patients(13.2%)experienced TVF(TVF group),data were compared with 354 patients(86.76%)without TVF(non-TVF group).The TVF group showed higher post-procedural side branch diameter stenosis([32.93±17.80]%vs.[22.62±11.96]%,P<0.001)and lower μQFR(0.80±0.10 vs.0.89±0.07,P<0.001).Multivariate Cox regression identified higher post-procedural side branch μQFR as an independent protective factor against 3-year TVF(per 0.01 increase:HR=0.903,95%CI:0.850-0.959,P<0.001).ROC curves indicated that post-procedural side branch μQFR had moderate diagnostic efficacy for predicting 3-year TVF(AUC=0.769,95%CI:0.678-0.861,P<0.001),with a significantly higher AUC value than post-operative side branch area stenosis and minimal lumen diameter(both P<0.001),the optimal cutoffvalue was 0.84.Multivariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed markedly higher 3-year TVF rates in patients with μQFR≤0.84 compared to patients with μQFR>0.84(HR=4.007,95%CI:2.342-6.855,P<0.001;28.3%vs.7.9%,log-rank P<0.001).Conclusions:For patients with bifurcation lesions not involving the left main,the immediate post-procedural side branch μQFR could better predict 3-year TVF than anatomical indices.Maintaining post-stenting side branch μQFR>0.84 may optimize clinical outcomes when using a single-stent strategy.

Objective:To develop a vasectomy intention scale (VIS) and evaluate its reliability and validity for assessing men's intentions toward vasectomy.Methods:Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, the VIS was developed through a process that included literature review, panel discussions, expert consultations, and a pilot survey. A total of 264 men seeking vasectomy consultation at the Andrology Center, Department of Urology, the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between December 2023 and December 2024 were recruited to assess reliability and validity of the VIS.Results:The VIS comprises 11 items across three dimensions: "background" factors, "stance and behavior" factors and "information" factors. The scale demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.739). Correlations between each dimension and the total scale ("background" factors r=0.849, "stance and behavior" factors r=0.744, "information" factors r=0.440) exceeded inter-dimension correlations (ranging from 0.145 to 0.312), confirming robust construct validity. The vasectomy rates among men with different intention levels were 65.7% (92/140) in the high-intention group, 28.9% (33/114) in the moderate-intention group, and 0% (0/11) in the low-intention group, with a statistically significant difference (χ2=43.42, P<0.001). Conclusion:The VIS exhibits strong reliability and validity, serving as a validated instrument for measuring the strength of men's vasectomy intentions.

Aim To investigate the predictive value of the Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio(μQFR)after target vessel pretreatment for vascular-related adverse events in patients with de novo coronary lesions treated with drug-coated balloon.Methods This retrospective study included 223 lesions from 223 patients who underwent drug-coated balloon-only strategy and completed 2-year clinical follow-up.Coronary angiographic images of target vessels pre-procedure,post-balloon and post-procedure were collected,and analyzed using a novel Murray's law-based algorithm.The μQFR analysis of each target vessel included not only the μQFR value of the target vessel,but also the length of the target vessel,the degree of vessel diameter stenosis,the reference lumen diameter,the minimum lumen diameter and blood flow velocity.The primary endpoint was defined as the postoperative vessel-oriented composite endpoint(VOCE).Results During the2-year clinical follow-up period,a total of 25 patients(11.2%)experienced VOCE events.Com-pared with the control group,patients with VOCE events after pretreatment showed a decrease in μQFR(P<0.001).Multivariate Logistic analysis showed that a lower target vessel μQFR after pretreatment(OR=0.931,95%CI:0.894～0.969,P<0.001)was an independent predictor of VOCE events.ROC curve analysis showed that the cut-off value for predicting 2-year VOCE events using preprocessed μQFR was 0.83(95%CI:0.727～0.840),with a sensitivity of 72.7%and a specificity of 84.0%(AUC=0.773,95%CI:0.676～0.870,P<0.001).Survival analysis showed that compared with patients with μQFR>0.83,patients with μQFR≤0.83 had a significantly higher incidence of VOCE events at 1 and 2 years,increasing to 3.909 times(16.9%vs.4.6%,HR=3.909,95%CI:1.539～9.930,P=0.004)and 2.867 times(19.7%vs.7.2%,HR=2.867,95%CI:1.301～6.316,P=0.009).After adjusting for potential con-founds,patients with pretreated μQFR≤0.83 had a 2.567 times in 2-year incidence of VOCE events(HR=2.567,95%CI:1.151～5.727,P=0.021)and a 3.712 times in 1-year incidence of VOCE events(HR=3.712,95%CI:1.478～9.810,P=0.006)compared to patients with good pretreatment.Conclusions For patients with in situ coronary artery disease,a lower μQFR after pretreatment increases the risk of postoperative adverse clinical events.μQFR≤0.83 may be used to evaluate the effectiveness of lesion pretreatment.

Objective To elucidate the correlation between specific nucleocapsid(N)protein mutant of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant and clinical stratification in COVID-19 patients,revealing their impact on N protein liquid-liquid phase separation(LLPS)and host innate immune response.Methods Based on whole-genome sequencing data of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 lineage from the GISAID database,non-synonymous mutation sites significantly associated with mild/severe clinical phenotypes were screened.For high-frequency N protein mutant,IFN-β promoter transcriptional activity was quantitatively measured using a dual-luciferase reporter system.qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of interferon(IFN)-β,interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α.LLPS characteristics were observed by confocal microscopy.The ubiquitination status of host MAVS was detected by Western blot assay.Results A total of 17 640 non-synonymous mutation sites were identified,among which 65 were associated with mild cases and 20 were related to severe cases,with a mutation frequency>1%.The N protein mutation sites associated with severe cases were D3L,M234I and R203K-G204R-T205I.N protein and the mutants NM234I,NR203K-G204R-T205I inhibited the promoter activity of IFN-β(P＜0.05).Compared to the wild type N protein,NR203K-G204R-T205I mutation significantly reduced the mRNA levels of IFN-β,IL-6 and TNF-α(P＜0.05),and altered the phase separation state by dispersing the formation of LLPS condensates.However,N mutant did not affect the ubiquitination modification of host MAVS.Conclusion N protein mutants of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant can influence the clinical prognosis of COVID-19 patients by altering LLPS status and suppressing the innate immune responses.These finding provides a theoretical basis for the design of antiviral drugs targeting the N protein.

Objectives:To investigate the predictive value of Murray's law-based quantitative flow ratio(μQFR)in side branches for long-term clinical prognosis in patients with non-left main bifurcation lesions who underwent simple main branch stenting,and to provide a potential functional assessment standard for intervention decision-making on coronary bifurcation lesions.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted in 408 patients with non-left main bifurcation lesions who underwent simple main branch stenting at Lianyungang First People's Hospital and Nanjing First Hospital between July 2018 and January 2021.The study utilized third-generation QFR software to analyze pre-and post-procedure anatomical and functional parameters of the target lesion's main branch and key branches.The primary endpoint was target vessel failure(TVF)events during the 3-year follow-up.Patients were stratified into TVF and non-TVF groups.Baseline characteristics,procedural data,and pre-/post-procedural parameters of target vessels were compared between groups.Multivariable Cox regression was performed to identify predictors of TVF.Diagnostic efficacy of predictors was evaluated using area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC)with DeLong's method for comparison.Patients were dichotomized based on the optimal cutoffof post-procedural side branch μQFR,with TVF incidence rates compared via Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis.Results:During 3-year follow-up,54 patients(13.2%)experienced TVF(TVF group),data were compared with 354 patients(86.76%)without TVF(non-TVF group).The TVF group showed higher post-procedural side branch diameter stenosis([32.93±17.80]%vs.[22.62±11.96]%,P<0.001)and lower μQFR(0.80±0.10 vs.0.89±0.07,P<0.001).Multivariate Cox regression identified higher post-procedural side branch μQFR as an independent protective factor against 3-year TVF(per 0.01 increase:HR=0.903,95%CI:0.850-0.959,P<0.001).ROC curves indicated that post-procedural side branch μQFR had moderate diagnostic efficacy for predicting 3-year TVF(AUC=0.769,95%CI:0.678-0.861,P<0.001),with a significantly higher AUC value than post-operative side branch area stenosis and minimal lumen diameter(both P<0.001),the optimal cutoffvalue was 0.84.Multivariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed markedly higher 3-year TVF rates in patients with μQFR≤0.84 compared to patients with μQFR>0.84(HR=4.007,95%CI:2.342-6.855,P<0.001;28.3%vs.7.9%,log-rank P<0.001).Conclusions:For patients with bifurcation lesions not involving the left main,the immediate post-procedural side branch μQFR could better predict 3-year TVF than anatomical indices.Maintaining post-stenting side branch μQFR>0.84 may optimize clinical outcomes when using a single-stent strategy.