ObjectiveTo establish a narrative nursing program for patients with advanced liver cancer based on the framework of Snyder’s hope theory， and verify its effectiveness. MethodsThe Johns Hopkins evidence-based nursing model and the Delphi method were employed to construct the narrative nursing program for patients with advanced liver cancer. Utilizing the convenience sampling method， 70 patients with advanced liver cancer hospitalized in the department of hepatobiliary surgery from May 2024 to May 2025 were selected and divided into the control group and the intervention group using the random number table method， with 35 patients in each group. The control group received routine nursing care， while the intervention group received the narrative nursing program based on Snyder’s hope theory for patients with advanced liver cancer. The Herth Hope Index， Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale （CD-RISC）， Self-Rating Anxiety Scale （SAS）， and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 （MMAS-8） were used to compare the hope level， psychological resilience， anxiety， and medication adherence between the two groups before and after the intervention. Furthermore， nursing satisfaction was also compared. ResultsThe Delphi expert consultation results demonstrated high consistency among expert opinions， with an expert positive coefficient of 100%. Meanwhile， the authority coefficients （0.902， 0.912） and Kendall’s concordance coefficients （0.260， 0.283） were all satisfactory. Ultimately， a narrative nursing program was established， consisting of 3 primary indicators， 10 secondary indicators， and 19 tertiary indicators. Compared with the control group， the intervention group exhibited significant improvements in scores of the three dimensions regarding the hope level， the total score of psychological resilience， medication adherence， and nursing satisfaction after the intervention， and the anxiety score was markedly reduced. All differences were statistically significant （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe narrative nursing program for patients with advanced liver cancer developed in this study is scientific and reliable. Its clinical application can effectively improve the psychological status and treatment behaviors of patients with advanced liver cancer， profoundly reflect the ethical care for the humanistic needs of patients， and provide an evidence-based basis for optimizing the psychological support for this population.

Background Air pollution exposure has a significant impact on maternal and child health. However, the research on the association between ambient ozone (O₃) exposure during pregnancy and the risk of premature birth in newborns is limited, and the conclusions are inconsistent. Objective To investigate the association of ambient O₃ exposure during pregnancy with the risk of preterm birth in Guangdong Province. Methods Data of pregnant women in Guangzhou from 2013 to 2019 and Foshan from 2018 to 2023 were collected, and O₃ concentrations during different trimesters were assessed according to maternal residential addresses. Bilinear interpolation was used to evaluate the concentrations of air pollution. A cohort study design was adopted in our study. Restricted cubic spline curves were used to evaluate the exposure-response relationship between O₃ exposure and preterm birth risk and explore potential exposure threshold of O₃. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association of O₃ exposure with preterm birth. Results A total of 702 924 pregnant women were included in this study, of whom 43 051 (6.12%) were preterm. The average O₃ exposure concentrations of pregnant women during the first, second, third, and whole trimesters were 95.51, 97.51, 100.60, and 97.87 μg·m⁻³, respectively. We observed J-shaped associations between O₃ exposure and preterm birth risk during the second, third, and whole trimesters of pregnancy using restricted cubic spline curves. This study found that there were threshold concentrations between O₃ exposure and preterm birth risk during different gestational periods, and the threshold concentrations in the first, second, third, and whole trimesters were 112.32, 99.83, 111.74, and 112.46 μg·m⁻³, respectively. During the second, third, and whole trimesters of pregnancy, after adjusting for maternal age, baby sex, pre-pregnancy body mass index, mode of delivery, baby birth weight, gestational diabetes, and gestational hypertension, the odds ratios (OR) of preterm birth were 1.02 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.04), 1.02 (95%CI: 1.00, 1.03), and 1.17 (95%CI: 1.13, 1.21) for each 10 μg·m⁻³ increase in O₃ concentration above the O₃ threshold. No significant association was found between O₃ exposure and the risk of preterm birth during the first trimester. Conclusion There is a nonlinear association between the risk of preterm birth and O₃ exposure during pregnancy, and higher concentrations of O₃ exposure during pregnancy are associated with the risk of preterm birth. Above the O₃ threshold concentration during pregnancy, especially during the second, third, and whole trimesters, the risk of preterm birth elevates with the increase of O₃ exposure concentrations.

Objective:To investigate the effect of changes in metabolic syndrome status and persistence on carotid plaque risk.Methods:This retrospective cohort study analyzed individuals who underwent routine health check-ups at the health management center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from 2014 to 2023. Participants with at least three carotid ultrasound records meeting the inclusion criteria were classified into 4 groups based on changes in metabolic status: persistently metabolic health, transitioning from metabolic health to unhealth, transitioning from metabolic unhealth to health, and persistently metabolic unhealth. The cumulative incidence of carotid plaque in these groups was compared. A Cox proportional risk model was used to evaluate the relationship between changes in metabolic syndrome status, the number of metabolic syndrome components, and the risk of carotid plaque development. Restricted cubic spline analysis was applied to explore the association between changes in individual metabolic syndrome components and carotid plaque risk.Results:Compared to the persistently metabolic health group, the persistent unhealth group had the highest risk of developing carotid plaque( HR=1.35, 95% CI 1.05-1.74, P=0.021), followed by those who transitioned from metabolic health to unhealth and those who improved from metabolic unhealth to health. Furthermore, the risk of carotid plaque increased progressively with the number of metabolic syndrome components. Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a nonlinear relationship between fasting blood glucose change and carotid plaque risk, while systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol showed a linear dose-response relationship with carotid plaque. Conclusions:The change of metabolic syndrome is associated with the risk of developing carotid plaque, and maintaining metabolic health, recovering from metabolic syndrome, or minimizing the number of metabolic syndrome components may be effective strategies to prevent carotid plaque formation.

Objective:To explore the relationship between thyroid hormone sensitivity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD) in a population with normal thyroid function, with a particular focus on sex-specific differences.Methods:This retrospective study included 41 355 euthyroid cases who underwent routine health examinations at the Health Management Centre of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from January 2014 to December 2023 were included. The free triiodothyronine(FT 3) to free thyroxine(FT 4) ratio(FT 3/FT 4) was calculated in order to reflect the peripheral sensitivity of the thyroid gland. Similarly, thyroid feedback quantile-based index(TFQI), thyrotrophic thyroxine resistance index(TT 4RI), and the FT 3-based TFQI-derived index(TFQI-FT 3) were calculated in order to reflect the central sensitivity of the thyroid gland. A Logistic regression was employed to analyse the effect of sex-specific thyroid hormone sensitivity indices on the prevalence of MASLD. The restricted cubic spline was used to analyse the non-linear relationship between the thyroid sensitivity hormone indices and MASLD. Furthermore, the correlation between the thyroid hormone sensitivity indices and MASLD in different subgroups was also analysed. Results:The prevalence of MASLD in the study population was 28.8%. After adjusting the model for confounders, the risk of MASLD increased by 7%, 3%, 10%, and 5% for each standard deviation increase in FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and TT 4RI in the total population, respectively. The risk of MASLD increased by 6% and 5% for each standard deviation increase in FT 3/FT 4 and TFQI-FT 3 in men, respectively. For each standard deviation increase in FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and TT 4RI in women, the risk of MASLD increased by 6%, 5%, 11%, and 5%, respectively. Higher FT 3/FT 4 and TFQI-FT 3 were positively associated with the risk of developing MASLD in men, and higher FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and TT 4RI were positively associated with the risk of developing MASLD in women. There was a non-linear, inverted U-shaped relationship between TFQI and risk of MASLD in women. Subgroup analyses showed positive associations between FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and MASLD. Conclusions:The thyroid hormone sensitivity indices may provide a basis for clinical prevention and management of MASLD in individuals with normal thyroid function. Additionally, FT 3/FT 4 and TFQI-FT 3 may indicate the risk of MASLD in the general population, while TFQI and TT 4RI are more suitable for assessing the risk of MASLD in women.

Objective:To investigate the effect of intradialytic cerebral blood flow (CBF) fluctuation on cognitive decline in middle-aged and elderly maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.Methods:It was a prospective cohort study. MHD patients aged ≥50 years from Beijing Shijitan Hospital were enrolled from January 2023 to June 2023. Middle cerebral artery mean flow velocity (MFV) was serially monitored via transcranial Doppler (TCD) during dialysis sessions. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline and after 12-month follow-up using standardized neuropsychological tests: montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), auditory verbal learning test (AVLT 5), complex figure test (CFT), trail making test-B (TMT-B), Stroop color and word test (SCWT), and symbol digit modalities test (SDMT). ΔMFV was calculated as pre-to-post dialysis MFV difference. Multivariable linear regression was used to analyze the association of ΔMFV and cognition.Results:A total of 121 MHD patients were recruited with an age of (63.63±8.44) years. There were 97 males (80.2%), and the dialysis vintage was (55.08±54.73) months. Significant intradialytic MFV reductions were observed ( P<0.05). At 12 months, cognitive decline manifested in global cognition (MoCA), memory (CFT-memory), executive function (TMT-B, SCWT-C, SCWT-T), attention (SDMT), visuospatial ability (CFT-copy)(all P<0.05). Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed ΔMFV independently predicted declines in: MoCA ( B=0.066, 95% CI 0.018-0.113, P=0.007), AVLT5 ( B=0.050, 95% CI 0.004-0.097, P=0.035), TMT-B ( B=-1.955, 95% CI -3.453--0.457, P=0.011), SCWT-C ( B=0.298, 95% CI 0.112-0.484, P=0.002), SCWT-T ( B=-1.371, 95% CI -2.303--0.439, P=0.004). Conclusions:Hemodialysis induces acute CBF reductions detectable by TCD. Cumulative intradialytic CBF fluctuations may accelerate cognitive deterioration in middle-aged and elderly MHD populations, particularly affecting memory and executive domains.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of fuzuloparib for the treatment of ovarian epithelial cancer patients in the real world setting.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the baseline data of 4 620 ovarian cancer patients who had received fuzuloparib monotherapy or combination therapy. Another 224 ovarian cancer patients who were willing to receive fuzuloparib monotherapy or combination therapy were prospectively enrolled, and their baseline characteristics, drug effectiveness, and safety data were analyzed.Results:(1) Among the 4 620 patients in the retrospective cohort, the median age of patients was 60 years; tumor types: 89.8% (4 149/4 620) had ovarian cancer. Among patients with clearly documented information, the vast majority had a histological type of serous carcinoma (82.9%, 3 770/4 546) and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging of Ⅲ-Ⅳ (90.9%, 1 537/1 691). (2) Among the 224 patients in the prospective cohort, the median age of patients was 57 years; tumor types: 83.9% (188/224) had ovarian cancer. Among patients with clearly documented records, the predominant pathologic type was serous carcinoma (91.9%, 193/210), and FIGO stage was Ⅲ-Ⅳ in 79.9% (139/174). (3) Among the 224 prospective patients: 84 patients received first-line fluzoparib maintenance therapy, 92 patients received fluzoparib maintenance therapy after platinum-sensitive recurrence, 23 patients received direct fluzoparib treatment after platinum-sensitive recurrence, 19 patients received direct fluzoparib treatment after platinum-resistant recurrence. The median follow-up durations were 8.5, 8.7, 7.9, and 6.7 months, respectively. The median durations of fluzoparib treatment were 6.7, 4.8, 3.1, and 1.9 months, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) times were not reached during follow-up, 12.6 months, not reached during follow-up, and 4.8 months, respectively. The 1-year PFS rates were 84.1%, 55.0%, 69.8%, and 45.5%, respectively. The remaining 6 patients received other fluzoparib regimens. (4) Among the 224 patients in the prospective dataset, 205 had safety data recorded. Of these, 127 patients (62.0%, 127/205) experienced treatment-related adverse events, with common events including anemia (24.4%, 50/205), thrombocytopenia (21.0%, 43/205), and leukopenia (19.5%, 40/205). Among the 205 patients, 43 (21.0%, 43/205) experienced grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events, with common events including anemia (8.3%, 17/205) and thrombocytopenia (8.3%, 17/205).Conclusions:The effectiveness of fuzuloparib in clinical application is generally consistent with other drugs in the same class, with good safety. This study provids new clinical evidence for the treatment of ovarian cancer with fuzuloparib.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and diagnostic process of ring chromosome syndrome.Methods:Clinical data of 9 children with ring chromosome syndrome who were treated at the Children′s Medical Center of Peking University First Hospital from September 2009 to May 2025, were summarized and analyzed in a case series study. The data included clinical manifestations, types of epileptic seizures, genetic testing, treatment outcomes, and follow-up results, et al.Results:Among the 9 children with ring chromosome syndrome, there were 6 girls and 3 boys, including 4 children with ring chromosome 20 syndrome, 3 children with ring chromosome 14 syndrome, and 1 child each with ring chromosome 13 and 17 syndrome. All 9 children had de novo chromosomal variations. Among them, 3 children of ring chromosome 20 syndrome were mosaic, and the remaining 6 children were non-mosaic. All 9 children exhibited diverse clinical features, especially those with ring chromosome 20 syndrome, which presented with specific manifestations. The 4 children with ring chromosome 20 syndrome all had acute epileptic seizures as the initial symptom, with onset ages of 67, 39, 17, and 96 months, and all had focal seizures. One child with ring chromosome 20 syndrome had non-convulsive status epilepticus. Development of all 4 children with ring chromosome 20 syndrome was normal before seizure onset, but 3 children showed regression after onset. No physical deformities were observed in 4 children with ring chromosome 20 syndrome, and 2 children were misdiagnosed, 3 children underwent whole exome sequencing and copy number variation analysis in their families, with no abnormalities detected. All 4 children with ring chromosome 20 syndrome were diagnosed through chromosomal karyotype analysis, the intervals between onset and diagnosis were 2, 81, 19 and 13 months, respectively. Follow-up showed that epileptic seizures were not controlled in all 4 children with ring chromosome 20 syndrome. The other 5 children were characterized by developmental delay as the initial symptom, followed by epileptic seizures between 3 and 24 months of age. Developmental regression of the other 5 children did not occur after onset, 2 of them had microcephaly, and 3 had wide-set eyes. No misdiagnoses were reported in these 5 children, and the intervals between onset and diagnosis were 7, 3, 55, 3, and 106 months, respectively. Follow-up showed that epileptic seizures were controlled in these 5 children. Conclusions:Ring chromosome 20 syndrome typically manifest with epilepsy as the initial symptom and are refractory to drug treatment, their early development is entirely normal. Ring chromosome 13, 14, and 17 syndrome are characterized by developmental delay from an early age, followed by the onset of epileptic seizures, which are easily controlled. Conventional whole exome sequencing and copy number variation analysis in families rarely detect ring chromosome abnormalities. Early chromosomal karyotype analysis is essential for the diagnosis of ring chromosome syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), a rare and recurrent autoinflammatory disease, imposes a substantial burden on patients and society. Awareness of GPP in China remains limited. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey, conducted between September 2021 and May 2023 across 14 hospitals in China, included GPP patients of all ages and disease phases. Data collected encompassed demographics, clinical characteristics, economic impact, disease severity, quality of life, and treatment-related complications. Risk factors for GPP recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 127 patients (female/male ratio = 1.35:1), the mean age of disease onset was 25 years (1st quartile [Q1]-3rd quartile [Q3]: 11-44 years); 29.2% had experienced GPP for more than 10 years. Recurrence occurred in 75.6% of patients, and nearly half reported no identifiable triggers. Younger age at disease onset ( P  = 0.021) and transitioning to plaque psoriasis ( P  = 0.022) were associated with higher recurrence rates. The median diagnostic delay was 8 months (Q1-Q3: 2-41 months), and 32.3% of patients reported misdiagnoses. Comorbidities were present in 53.5% of patients, whereas 51.1% experienced systemic complications during treatment. Depression and anxiety affected 84.5% and 95.6% of patients, respectively. During GPP flares, the median Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 19.0 (Q1-Q3: 13.0-23.5). This score showed significant differences between patients with and without systemic symptoms; it demonstrated correlations with both depression and anxiety scores. Treatment costs caused financial hardship in 55.9% of patients, underscoring the burden associated with GPP. CONCLUSIONS The substantial disease and economic burdens among Chinese GPP patients warrant increased attention. Patients with early onset disease and those transitioning to plaque psoriasis require targeted interventions to mitigate the high recurrence risk.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Psoriasis/pathology* ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adolescent ; Child ; Young Adult ; Quality of Life ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; East Asian People

Objective:To prepare a nano-barium titanate@gold Schottky junction (nano-BaTiO 3@Au) coating and investigate its effects on the adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs), aiming to explore a titanium surface modification strategy with superior osteogenic activity. Methods:Pure titanium specimens served as the control group (Ti group). Titanium dioxide coatings were prepared on their surfaces via anodic oxidation. Nano-barium titanate (nBTO group) was further synthesized using the hydrothermal method. Gold nanoparticles were grown in situ on the nano-BaTiO 3 via high-temperature reduction of chloroauric acid using sodium citrate, yielding the nano-barium titanate@gold Schottky junction coating (nBTO@Au group). Surface morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Elemental composition was analyzed using X-ray energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Crystal structure was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Hydrophilicity was assessed via water contact angle measurement. Specimens were co-cultured with BMSCs to evaluate biocompatibility and osteogenic properties. Cell proliferation on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cytotoxicity towards BMSCs was assessed using live/dead cell staining. Cell morphology and adhesion were observed using cytoskeleton staining. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression in BMSCs after 7 days was quantified using an ALP activity assay and ALP staining. Extracellular matrix mineralization after 7 days was evaluated using alizarin red staining and quantification assay. Each experiment was performed using three specimens per group. Results:Scanning electron microscopy revealed that gold nanoparticles with the diameter of(14.838±0.718) nm, uniform in size and homogeneously distributed, were successfully grown in situ on the surface of the nBTO coating. EDS and XPS confirmed the presence of Ba, Ti, O, and Au elements in the nBTO@Au composite coating. XRD and Raman spectroscopy analysis indicated that the nanostructured barium titanate (nBTO) coating was synthesized via a hydrothermal method.Water contact angle measurements showed that the contact angle was 66.8°± 0.45° for the control group, 22.55°±0.42° for the nBTO group, and 26.78°±1.15° for the nBTO@Au group, indicating good hydrophilicity of both nBTO and nBTO@Au coatings. On day 1 and day 3 of culture, the cell proliferation in the nBTO group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05). In contrast, no significant differences were observed between the nBTO@Au group and either the control group or the nBTO group (all P>0.05). By day 5, the cell proliferation of nBTO@Au groups was significantly lower than that of the control group ( P<0.05), and the cell proliferation of nBTO group was significantly lower than that of the control group and that of the nBTO@Au group ( P<0.05). By day 7, there were no statistically significant differences in cell proliferation among all experimental groups ( F=1.62, P>0.05).Live/dead cell staining demonstrated that the cell survival rate exceeded 90% in all groups, with normal morphology and few dead cells, indicating good biocompatibility of the nBTO@Au coating. Compared to the control group, both nBTO and nBTO@Au groups promoted cell adhesion and spreading, although no significant difference in cell morphology was noted between the two modified groups. ALP staining revealed a larger stained area and deeper coloration in the nBTO@Au group. Quantitative results showed that ALP activity in the nBTO@Au group was significantly higher than that in both the nBTO and control groups ( P<0.05), and the nBTO group also exhibited significantly higher activity than the control group( P<0.05). Alizarin red staining indicated the deepest coloration in the nBTO@Au group, followed by the nBTO group, and the lightest in the control group. Quantitative analysis further confirmed that the amount of calcium nodule deposition in the nBTO@Au group was significantly greater than that in the other two groups ( P<0.05), and the nBTO group also showed significantly more deposition than the control group( P<0.05). Conclusions:This study successfully prepared an nBTO@Au coating possessing good biocompatibility and enhanced osteogenic properties.

Ferroptosis has received great attention as an iron-dependent programmed cell death for efficient cancer therapy. However, with the accumulation of iron in tumor cells, the antioxidant system is activated by reducing glutathione (GSH) with glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), which critically limits the ferroptosis therapeutic effect. Herein, an iron and GPX4 silencing siRNA (siGPX4) co-encapsulated ferritin nanocage (HFn@Fe/siGPX4) was developed to enhance ferroptosis by disruption of redox homeostasis and inhibition of antioxidant enzyme synergistically. The siGPX4 were loaded into the nanocages by pre-incubated with iron, which could significantly improve the loading efficiency of the gene drugs when compared with the reported gene drug loading strategy by ferritin nanocages. And more iron was overloaded into the ferritin through the diffusion method. When HFn@Fe/siGPX4 was taken up by human breast cancer cell MCF-7 in a TfR1-mediated pathway, the excess iron ions in the drug delivery system could for one thing induce ferroptosis by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), for another promote siGPX4 escaping from the lysosome to exert gene silencing effect more effectively. Both the in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that HFn@Fe/siGPX4 could significantly inhibit tumor growth by synergistical ferroptosis. Thus, the developed HFn@Fe/siGPX4 afforded a combined ferroptosis strategy for ferroptosis-based antitumor as well as a novel and efficient gene drug delivery system.