ObjectiveTo explore the effect of serum containing Zhenwutang on myocardial mast cell apoptosis induced by angiotensin Ⅱ （AngⅡ） and the mechanism of the correlation between apoptosis and mitochondrial autophagy. MethodsIn this experiment， AngⅡ and serum containing Zhenwutang with different concentrations were used to interfere with H9C2 cardiomyocytes for 24 h， and the survival rate of H9C2 cardiomyocytes was detected by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） to screen the optimal concentration for the experiment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the content of B-type natriuretic peptide （BNP） in cell culture supernatant， and immunofluorescence was used to detect the cell surface area to verify the construction of the myocardial mast cell model. Subsequently， the experiment was divided into a blank group （20% blank serum）， a model group （20% blank serum + 5×10^-5 mol·L^-1 AngⅡ）， low-， medium-， and high-dose （5%， 10% and 20%） serum containing Zhenwutang groups， an autophagy inhibitor group （1×10^-4 mol·L^-1 3-MA）， and autophagy inducer group （1×10^-7 mol·L^-1 rapamycin）. The apoptosis level of H9C2 cells and the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by flow cytometry. The lysosomal probe （Lyso Tracker） and mitochondrial probe （Mito Tracker） co-localization was employed to detect autophagy. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect Caspase-3， Caspase-9， B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-related X protein （Bax）， and cytochrome C （Cyt C） in apoptosis-related pathways and the relative mRNA expression of ubiquitin ligase （Parkin）， phosphatase and tensin homolog （PTEN）-induced kinase 1 （PINK1）， and p62 protein in mitochondrial autophagy-related pathways. Western blot was used to detect cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-9， Bax， Bcl-2， and Cyt C in apoptosis-related pathways， phosphorylated ubiquitin ligase （p-Parkin）， phosphorylated PTEN-induced kinase 1 （p-PINK1）， p62， and Bcl-2 homology domain protein Beclin1 in mitochondrial autophagy-related pathways， and the change of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3） Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio. ResultsCCK-8 showed that when the concentration of AngⅡ was 5×10^-5 mol·L^-1， the cell activity was the lowest， and there was no cytotoxicity. At this concentration， the surface area of cardiomyocytes was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the content of BNP in the supernatant of culture medium was significantly increased （P<0.05）. Therefore， AngⅡ with a concentration of 5×10^-5 mol·L^-1 was selected for the subsequent modeling of myocardial mast cells. Compared with the blank group， the model group and the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA group had a significantly increased apoptosis rate （P<0.01） and significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential （P<0.01）. The results of immunofluorescence co-localization showed that compared with the blank group， the model group had a significantly decreased number of red and green fluorescence spots. The results of Real-time PCR showed that compared with that in the blank group， the relative mRNA expression of Bax， Caspase-3， Caspase-9， Cyt C， and p62 in the model group was significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）， while the relative mRNA expression of Bcl-2， Parkin， and PINK1 was significantly down-regulated （P<0.01）. In addition， the relative protein expression of Bax， cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-9， Cyt C， and p62 was significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）. The LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly decreased， and the relative protein expression of Bcl-2， p-Parkin， p-PINK1， and Beclin1 was significantly down-regulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the serum containing Zhenwutang groups and the autophagy inducer group had significantly decreased apoptosis rate （P<0.01）， and the decrease ratio of mitochondrial membrane potential is significantly lowered （P<0.01） in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally， both red and green fluorescence spots became more in these groups. In the 3-MA group， the number of red and green fluorescence spots decreased significantly. The relative mRNA expression of Bax， Caspase-3， Caspase-9， Cyt C， and p62 was significantly down-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while that of Bcl-2， Parkin， and PINK1 was significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）. In the serum containing Zhenwutang groups， the relative protein expression levels of Bax， cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-9， Cyt C， and p62 were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly increased， and the relative protein expression levels of Bcl-2， p-Parkin， p-PINK1， and Beclin1 were significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe serum containing Zhenwutang can reduce the apoptosis of myocardial mast cells and increase mitochondrial autophagy. This is related to the inhibition of intracellular Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase-3 apoptosis pathway and regulation of Parkin/PINK1 mitochondrial autophagy pathway.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of a low-fluence Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser combined with light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy in the treatment of melasma.Methods:A total of 46 female patients with melasma, with age ranging from 30 to 58 (41.4±5.8) years, were retrospectively collected from August 2022 to February 2024 at the Department of Plastic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University. The patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment method. The experimental group received low-fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment combined with LED phototherapy ( n=23), whereas the control group received low-fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment alone ( n=23). The treatment interval for both groups was 4 weeks, and a total of four treatments were conducted. Treatment efficacy was evaluated at the 12-week follow-up after completion of the entire treatment course. Pre-treatment and post-treatment melasma area and severity index (MASI) scores were compared between the two groups. The pain visual analog scale (VAS) score was obtained immediately after each treatment. The occurrence of adverse reactions after treatment, including blisters, persistent erythema, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and scarring, was recorded in both groups. Results:The efficacy rates in the experimental and control groups were 87% (20/23) and 82.61% (19/23), respectively, with no statistically significant difference between them ( P=1.000). The pre-treatment MASI scores of the experimental and control groups were (24.60±8.69) and (21.48±9.01) scores, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between them ( P=0.239). The post-treatment MASI scores of the experimental group was (7.70±4.36) scores, which was significantly lower than that of the control group [(16.34±7.29) scores, P<0.001). In both groups, the post-treatment MASI scores were significantly lower than the pre-treatment MASI scores (all P<0.001). Both groups experienced mild pain during the treatment. The VAS scores for pain during laser treatment in the experimental and control groups were (1.78±0.90) and (1.61±0.89) scores, respectively, with no statistically significant differences between them ( P=0.514). In the experimental group, the VAS score for pain was zero during LED phototherapy, indicating no increase in pain. No adverse reactions such as blisters, persistent erythema, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, or scarring were observed in either group. Conclusion:Low-fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG laser combined with LED phototherapy can effectively improve the efficacy of melasma treatment, without increasing pain or any other serious adverse effects during or after therapy.

Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effects of prophylactic administration of α-zearalanol(α-ZAL)on bone microarchitecture and bone resorption activity in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats,and to investigate its regulatory effects on the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs).Methods A total of 606-month-old unmated female Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats weighing(300±20)g were randomly divided into the sham surgery group(Sham group),ovariectomy group(OVX group),solvent group(Oil group),estradiol benzoate treatment group(Post-E2 group),α-ZAL prevention group(Pre-ZAL group),and α-ZAL treatment group(Post-ZAL group),with 10 rats in each group.An osteoporosis rat model was established using the ovariectomy method.Rats in the Sham group underwent the same surgical procedures except for ovarian removal.Seventy-two hours after ovarian removal,the Oil group received intramuscular injections of 0.5 mL of oil solvent,and the Pre-ZAL group received intramuscular injections of α-ZAL(1.5 mg·kg-1),administered every 3 days for 120 consecutive days.The Post-E2 group and Post-ZAL group began intramuscular injections of estradiol benzoate(1.5 mg·kg-1)and α-ZAL(1.5 mg·kg-1),respectively,90 days after ovariectomy,administered every 3 days for 120 consecutive days.After drug administration,bone density and bone tissue microstructure morphology were analyzed using a micro-CT small animal in vivo imaging system and staining methods.Osteoclasts were isolated and their activity was detected.Femoral BMSCs were obtained to assess their osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation capabilities,and uterine tissue morphological changes were observed via histological sections.Results Compared with the OVX group,BMD in the Sham group,Post-E2 group,Pre-ZAL group,and Post-ZAL group increased by 133.12%,75.97%,69.64%,and 24.69%,respectively(all P<0.01).BMD in the Pre-ZAL group was 36.09%higher than in the Post-ZAL group(P<0.01),and there was no significant difference in BMD between the Post-E2 and Pre-ZAL groups(P>0.05).Tb.N in the Sham group,Post-E2 group,Pre-ZAL group,and Post-ZAL group increased by 160.08%,118.14%,94.76%,and 46.76%,respectively,compared with the OVX group(all P<0.01).Tb.Ar increased by 324.21%,203.83%,177.99%,and 82.71%,respectively(all P<0.01).Tb.N in the Pre-ZAL group increased by 32.71%compared to the Post-ZAL group(P<0.05),while Tb.Ar increased by 52.15%(P<0.01).Tb.Sp in the Sham,Post-E2,and Pre-ZAL groups decreased by 58.53%,42.18%,and 35.61%,respectively,compared with the OVX group(all P<0.01).The MAR of the upper tibial cancellous bone in the Sham,Post-E2,and Pre-ZAL groups increased by 257.81%,156.72%,and 142.63%,respectively,compared with the OVX group(all P<0.01),BFR increased by 192.19%,137.23%,and 88.13%,respectively(all P<0.01).MAR and BFR in the Pre-ZAL group increased by 58.10%and 43.63%,respectively,compared with the Post-ZAL group(both P<0.01).There were no significant differences in MAR and BFR between the Post-E2 group and the Pre-ZAL group(P>0.05).MMP-9,TRAP,and CK mRNA expression was significantly downregulated in both the Post-E2 group and the Pre-ZAL group(P<0.01).The osteoblast differentiation capacity of BMSCs in the Post-E2 group and all Post-ZAL groups was enhanced,with a significant increase in the number of mineralized nodules,and the expression levels of OCN,COL1,and OPN mRNA were significantly increased(P<0.01),while the ability to differentiate into adipocytes was weakened.The number of intracellular lipid droplets in BMSCs was significantly reduced,the lipid droplet volume was smaller,and the expression levels of PPAR-γ2 and aP2 mRNA were decreased(P<0.05).There were no significant differences between the Post-E2 group and the Pre-ZAL group(P>0.05).There was no significant increase in body weight in the Post-E2,Pre-ZAL,and Post-ZAL groups,but uterine weight significantly increased in the Post-E2 group(P<0.05),with marked uterine epithelial hyperplasia.Uterine weight in the Pre-ZAL and Post-ZAL groups showed no significant difference compared to the OVX group(P>0.05),and no significant changes were observed in uterine epithelium.Conclusion α-ZAL can effectively protect bone mass,improve bone microstructure,and reduce estrogen-related uterine adverse reactions by regulating the osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation balance of BMSCs,providing a potential new therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Objective To compare the laboratory indicators of bronchopneumoniaand lobar pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP)in children,and to explore the risk factors of lobar pneumonia in children.Methods A total of 424 children diagnosed with pneumonia caused by MP infection,admitted to the Second Hospital of Weihai,Qingdao University(Weihai Maternal and Child Health Hospital)from July to October 2023 were selected as subjects.Based on chest X-ray findings at admission,the childron were divided into bronchopneumonia group(n=178)and lobar pneumonia group(n=246).Age,hospitalization duration,laboratory parameters,and clinical characteristics were compared between two groups.Results The age and hospitalization duration of children with lobar pneumonia group were significantly higher than those in bronchopneumonia group(P＜0.05).The lactic acid dehydrogenase(LDH),adenosine deaminase(ADA),C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),and D-dimer levels in lobar pneumonia group were markedly elevated compared to bronchopneumonia group(P＜0.05).Rates of mixed infections,pleural effusion,concurrent organ damage,infection with multidrug-resistant MP,and bronchoscopy procedures were higher in lobar pneumonia group than those in bronchopneumonia group(P＜0.05).Elevated LDH,ADA,CRP,ESR,D-dimer levels and older children were identified as risk factors for developing lobar pneumonia following MP infection.LDH,ADA,CRP,ESR,D-dimer demonstrated predictive value for lobar pneumonia development,with their area under the curve(AUC)values were 0.612,0.704,0.659,0.645,and 0.679 respectively.When combined for prediction,the AUC was 0.793.Conclusion There are significant differences in various laboratory indicators between bronchopneumonia and lobar pneumonia caused by MP,and comprehensive analysis of multiple indicators is helpful for differential diagnosis of two types of pneumonia.

Objective To compare the laboratory indicators of bronchopneumoniaand lobar pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP)in children,and to explore the risk factors of lobar pneumonia in children.Methods A total of 424 children diagnosed with pneumonia caused by MP infection,admitted to the Second Hospital of Weihai,Qingdao University(Weihai Maternal and Child Health Hospital)from July to October 2023 were selected as subjects.Based on chest X-ray findings at admission,the childron were divided into bronchopneumonia group(n=178)and lobar pneumonia group(n=246).Age,hospitalization duration,laboratory parameters,and clinical characteristics were compared between two groups.Results The age and hospitalization duration of children with lobar pneumonia group were significantly higher than those in bronchopneumonia group(P＜0.05).The lactic acid dehydrogenase(LDH),adenosine deaminase(ADA),C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),and D-dimer levels in lobar pneumonia group were markedly elevated compared to bronchopneumonia group(P＜0.05).Rates of mixed infections,pleural effusion,concurrent organ damage,infection with multidrug-resistant MP,and bronchoscopy procedures were higher in lobar pneumonia group than those in bronchopneumonia group(P＜0.05).Elevated LDH,ADA,CRP,ESR,D-dimer levels and older children were identified as risk factors for developing lobar pneumonia following MP infection.LDH,ADA,CRP,ESR,D-dimer demonstrated predictive value for lobar pneumonia development,with their area under the curve(AUC)values were 0.612,0.704,0.659,0.645,and 0.679 respectively.When combined for prediction,the AUC was 0.793.Conclusion There are significant differences in various laboratory indicators between bronchopneumonia and lobar pneumonia caused by MP,and comprehensive analysis of multiple indicators is helpful for differential diagnosis of two types of pneumonia.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of a low-fluence Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser combined with light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy in the treatment of melasma.Methods:A total of 46 female patients with melasma, with age ranging from 30 to 58 (41.4±5.8) years, were retrospectively collected from August 2022 to February 2024 at the Department of Plastic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University. The patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment method. The experimental group received low-fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment combined with LED phototherapy ( n=23), whereas the control group received low-fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment alone ( n=23). The treatment interval for both groups was 4 weeks, and a total of four treatments were conducted. Treatment efficacy was evaluated at the 12-week follow-up after completion of the entire treatment course. Pre-treatment and post-treatment melasma area and severity index (MASI) scores were compared between the two groups. The pain visual analog scale (VAS) score was obtained immediately after each treatment. The occurrence of adverse reactions after treatment, including blisters, persistent erythema, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and scarring, was recorded in both groups. Results:The efficacy rates in the experimental and control groups were 87% (20/23) and 82.61% (19/23), respectively, with no statistically significant difference between them ( P=1.000). The pre-treatment MASI scores of the experimental and control groups were (24.60±8.69) and (21.48±9.01) scores, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between them ( P=0.239). The post-treatment MASI scores of the experimental group was (7.70±4.36) scores, which was significantly lower than that of the control group [(16.34±7.29) scores, P<0.001). In both groups, the post-treatment MASI scores were significantly lower than the pre-treatment MASI scores (all P<0.001). Both groups experienced mild pain during the treatment. The VAS scores for pain during laser treatment in the experimental and control groups were (1.78±0.90) and (1.61±0.89) scores, respectively, with no statistically significant differences between them ( P=0.514). In the experimental group, the VAS score for pain was zero during LED phototherapy, indicating no increase in pain. No adverse reactions such as blisters, persistent erythema, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, or scarring were observed in either group. Conclusion:Low-fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG laser combined with LED phototherapy can effectively improve the efficacy of melasma treatment, without increasing pain or any other serious adverse effects during or after therapy.

Objective:To explore the potential categories of return-to-work self-efficacy of postoperative patients with thyroid cancer and analyze the influencing factors, so as to provide theoretical basis for implementing precise interventions of occupational rehabilitation.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. A convenient sampling method was used to select 257 postoperative patients with thyroid cancer in Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University from May 2022 to July 2023. The General Information Questionnaire, Return-To-Work Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and Cancer Fatigue Scale were used for investigation. Latent profile analysis was used to explore the potential categories of return-to-work self-efficacy of postoperative patients with thyroid cancer. Logistic regression and decision tree were used to analyze the influencing factors of different potential categories.Results:Finally, 250 postoperative patients with thyroid cancer were included. There were 76 males and 174 females, aged (37.91 ± 8.04) years old. The return-to-work self-efficacy of postoperative patients with thyroid cancer was divided into 2 potential categories: low return-to-work self-efficacy group (72.0%, 180/250) and high return-to-work self-efficacy group (28.0%, 70/250). Logistic regression showed education, thyrotropin suppressive therapy, cancer-related fatigue and age were factors influencing the potential categories of return-to-work self-efficacy of postoperative patients with thyroid cancer ( OR values were 0.951 - 19.820, all P<0.05). Decision tree model showed education level and cancer-related fatigue were the most important factors ( χ2 = 31.40, 16.95, both P<0.05). Conclusions:There were two potential categories of return-to-work self-efficacy of postoperative patients with thyroid cancer. Most of them had low levels of return-to-work self-efficacy. Health care professionals should focus on patients who are less educated and having cancer-related fatigue, meanwhile, should not ignore patients who are substandard thyrotropin suppressive therapy, and older. Implement precise interventions of occupational rehabilitation to improve the return-to-work self-efficacy of postoperative patients with thyroid cancer so as to help them reintegrate into society.

Objective:To explore the application of virtual augmented reality (AR) technology combined with transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) in nursing teaching of cerebrovascular diseases.Methods:Eighty-six nursing students who interned in the Department of Neurology of The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from January 2021 to November 2022 were assigned into control group (students of grade 2021) and research group (students of grade 2022). The control group received traditional teaching with AR technology about the anatomy of the cerebral arterial circle, its composition, and adjacent structures. The research group was given AR-assisted teaching combined with TCD-based demonstration and interpretation. At the end of internship, the assessment scores, satisfaction with teaching, clinical decision-making ability, self-learning ability, and problem-solving ability were compared between the two groups. SPSS 23.0 was used to perform the non-parametric test, t test, and chi-square test. Results:The theoretical, practical, and comprehensive ability assessment scores of the research group [90 (89, 96), 95 (90, 96), and 93 (90, 96), respectively] were significantly higher than those of the control group [89 (87, 91), 90 (89, 92), and 91 (89, 94), respectively]. In terms of satisfaction with teaching effects, teaching methods, teaching content, and teaching style, the scores of the research group [16 (15, 18), (5.98±0.91), (3.38±0.52), and 13 (11, 14), respectively] were significantly higher than those of the control group [14 (13, 16), (4.23±0.65), (2.37±0.36), and 13 (10, 14 ), respectively]. The research group showed significantly better independent learning abilities than the control group in information seeking [(4.66±0.71) vs. (4.00±0.61)] and solution seeking [(4.43±0.68) vs. (4.41±0.67)], with no significant differences in the other dimensions between the two groups. The research group was significantly superior to the control group in all problem-solving dimensions: positive orientation [12 (10, 12) vs. 10 (9, 11)], rationality [26 (23, 28) vs. 21 (21, 24)], negative orientation [15 (13, 20) vs. 20 (17, 20)], avoidance style [17 (15, 18) vs. 19 (17, 20)], and impulsivity/neglect style [16 (15, 18) vs. 18 (16, 20)]. For rounds assessment, the research group showed significantly higher scores than the control group in all the items except " communication with patients" [(9.21±0.39) vs. (9.04±0.53)] and "patient satisfaction with nursing students" [(8.92±0.53) vs. (8.73±0.56)].Conclusions:The teaching method based on AR combined with TCD can improve nursing students' knowledge of cerebrovascular diseases, clinical nursing ability, and satisfaction with teaching.

Background::China is one of the countries with the largest burden of gastrointestinal and liver diseases (GILD) in the world. The GILD constitutes various causes of mortality and disability. The study aimed to investigate the trend of GILD in China using the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019 (GBD 2019) data resources from 1990 to 2019.Methods::The data on the age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for GILD in China from 1990 to 2019 were collected from the GBD 2019 data resources. Furthermore, the ranking of the main causes of deaths and DALYs, as well as the trends of ASMR, DALYs, years of life lost (YLLs), and years of life lost due to disability (YLDs) per 1,000,000 in GILD were reported.Results::The ASMR and DALYs for stomach cancer, liver cancer, and esophageal cancer, which ranked top three among the GILDs from 1990 to 2019, were gradually decreasing. Significant decreases in the ASMR and DALYs were found in diarrheal diseases and acute hepatitis (A, E, and C). However, noteworthy increases were found in those of colon and rectum cancer (CRC) and pancreatic cancer. Trend of DALYs, mortality, and YLLs rates for most of GILD were decreasing from 1990 to 2019, except the burden of CRC and pancreatic cancer with an increasing trend. The DALYs, mortality and YLLs of most GILD diseases showed decreasing trends from 1990 to 2019, except the burden of CRC and pancreatic cancer with an increasing trends.Conclusions::The result of the GBD 2019 showed that the rates of most GILDs decreased in China; however, gastrointestinal and liver cancer, such as stomach cancer still held the top ranking. Furthermore, the shift from infectious diseases to non-communicable causes among GILD burden is occurring.

Statins,known as hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase(HMG-CoA)inhibitors,are primarily used to lower blood lipids,preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases.Research indicates that statins exhibit multiple effects in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.They function by inhibiting the MVA pathway,suppressing inflammation,enhancing cellular immunity,and influencing the gut microbiota,positively impacting the onset and progression of colorectal cancer.Clinical studies have additionally uncovered that statin drugs can augment the effectiveness of chemotherapy,immunotherapy,and adjuvant therapies,acting as both pre-ventive and adjunctive measures for colorectal cancer.This article critically reviews the research progress on statins in colorectal cancer,aiming to establish a theoretical foundation for exploring innovative treatment options.