ObjectiveTo investigate the association between noninvasive liver fibrosis markers and carotid plaque （CP） in patients with lean metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD）， and to provide a basis for screening high-risk populations. MethodsA total of 957 patients with lean MAFLD who underwent physical examination in Subei People’s Hospital from January 2021 to June 2023 was enrolled as the observation cohort， with the presence or absence of CP as the outcome， and fibrosis-4 （FIB-4） index and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score （NFS） were used to assess liver fibrosis degree. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The multivariate logistic regression analysis， the restricted cubic spline analysis， the receiver operating characteristic curve， and the mediation effect analysis were used to investigate the association between liver fibrosis degree and CP. ResultsThe prevalence rate of CP was 36.6% in the lean MAFLD population. Compared with the non-CP group（n=607）， the CP group （n=350） had a significantly higher proportion of male patients， a significantly higher proportion of patients with smoking/diabetes/hypertension， and significantly higher levels of age， creatinine， blood urea nitrogen， triglycerides， fasting blood glucose， aspartate aminotransferase， aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio， NFS， and FIB-4 index， as well as significantly lower levels of platelet count and albumin （all P<0.05）. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjustment for confounding factors， FIB-4 index （odds ratio［OR］=2.979， 95% confidence interval［CI］：2.141 — 4.219， P<0.001） and NFS （OR=1.747， 95%CI： 1.499 — 2.046， P<0.001） were positively correlated with CP. Both FIB-4 index and NFS had a good value in predicting CP. Hypertension had a significant indirect effect on the prevalence rate of CP through its impact on liver fibrosis markers， and its mediating effect accounted for 39.5% — 40.8% of the total effect （P<0.001）. ConclusionIn patients with lean MAFLD， NFS and FIB-4 index are significantly positively correlated with the prevalence rate of CP， and they can be used as potential epidemiological predictive indicators. Liver fibrosis markers may play a mediating role in the association between hypertension and CP. Interventions targeting hypertension and liver fibrosis markers may help to prevent and delay the progression of CP.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE), results, polysomnography (PSG) indicators, and clinical parameters in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and to establish and validate a predictive model for tongue base plane obstruction.Methods:This retrospective study analyzed 117 OSA patients diagnosed via PSG and treated at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, between October 2014 and March 2022. The cohort comprised of 114 males and 3 females, with an age range of 20 to 54 years (mean age 38.1±8.4 years). Data on DISE results, PSG results, and clinical indicators were collected for all 117 patients. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify relevant indicators, and a predictive model for tongue base plane obstruction was constructed and internally validated using the R programming language.Results:Univariate logistic regression analysis identified four independent risk factors for predicting tongue root plane obstruction: tonsil grading, N2, N3, and rapid eye movement sleep(REM) stage [ OR:0.412(0.260~0.652),1.045(1.012~1.079),0.943(0.903~0.984),0.961(0.925~0.998), P <0.05]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed tonsil grading and N3 sleep stage (12.48±12.22%) as significant predictors. A nomogram model incorporating these factors demonstrated good predictive performance, with an area under curve(AUC) of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.548-1.000), an optimal cutoff of 0.519, a specificity of 80.0%, and a sensitivity of 86.7%. Internal validation of the model in the validation cohort yielded an AUC of 0.751 (95% CI: 0.625-0.876). Conclusions:Tongue base plane obstruction observed during DISE in OSA patients is associated with tonsil grading and N3 sleep stage duration. The predictive model developed for tongue base plane obstruction based on DISE demonstrates good efficacy, as evidenced by its internal validation.

Objective To explore the effect of ritodrine hydrochloride combined with magnesium sulfate in the treatment of threatened abortion in older patients with a second child and to analyze its possible mechanism of action.Methods From March 2020 to December 2021,100 older second-child patients with threatened abortion at Handan Maternal and Child Health Hospital were selected and divided into control and observation groups using a random number table method,with 50 cases in each group.The control group was treated with magnesium sulfate based on general intervention measures(bed rest,intermittent oxygen inhalation,nutrition intake,and psychological nursing),while the observation group was treated with ritodrine hydrochloride combined with magnesium sulfate based on general inter-vention measures.The treatment effects,immunoregulatory function indicators[serum blocking antibody(BA)and anticardiolipin antibody(ACA)],sex hormone levels[progesterone(P),estradiol(E2),β-human chorionic gonadotropin(β-hCG)]and related cytokines[pregnan-cy-associated plasma protein A(PAPP-A),human leukocyte antigen G(HLA-G),and interleukin-10(IL-10)]before and after treatment,as well as maternal and infant outcomes and adverse reactions were compared.Results The total efficacy rate was higher in the observa-tion group than in the control group(96％vs.80％,P＜0.05).Compared with before treatment,the serum BA-positivity rate significantly increased and the ACA-positivity rate significantly decreased in both groups after treatment(both P＜0.05).However,after treatment the serum BA-positivity rate was higher in the observation group than in the control group,and the ACA-positivity rate was lower than that in the control group(both P＜0.05).Compared with before treatment,the serum P,E2,β-hCG,PAPP-A,HLA-G,and IL-10 levels signifi-cantly increased at the end of treatment and 2 weeks after treatment in both groups.The levels of sex hormones and related cytokines in the observation group were higher than those in the control group at the end of treatment and two weeks after treatment(both P＜0.05).The success rates of pregnancy maintenance,full-term delivery,and natural labor were higher in the observation group than in the control group;however,the incidences of abortion,premature delivery,cesarean section,and adverse neonatal outcomes were lower than those in the control group(all P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion The combination of ritodrine hydrochloride and magnesium sulfate has significant therapeutic effects in the treatment of threatened abortion in older women with a second pregnancy.It can improve maternal immune regulation,regulate sex hormone levels and PAPP-A,HLA-G,and IL-10 levels,reduce adverse maternal and fetal outcomes,and does not increase adverse reactions.

OBJECTIVE AMPK activator,act as exer-cise mimetics,effective in preventing or ameliorating met-abolic diseases,including obesity and diabetes.Systemic activating of AMPK represents an important therapeutic strategy to treat metabolic diseases.However,whether far-infrared(FIR)hyperthermia therapy could be used as exercise mimetic to realize wide-ranging metabolic regu-lation,and its underling mechanisms remain unclear.METHODS The mice were subjected to hyperthermia in the FIR chamber(30±1)℃for 14 d.Exercise endurance was determined using a treadmill.Blood flow were mea-sured by the laser speckle contrast imaging.Combina-tion of microbiomic and metabolomic analysis,diversity of microbiota and metabolic profiling in muscle were detected.The microbiota disorder model via treatment with different cocktails of antibiotics(ABX).RESULTS The material characterization shows that the graphene synthesized by chemical vapour deposition(CVD)is dif-ferent from carbon fi ber,with single-layer structure and high electrothermal transform efficiency.The emission spectra generated by graphene-FIR device would maxi-mize matching those adsorbed by tissues(≈8.0 μm).Gra-phene-FIR improves core and epidermal temperature,and increases blood flow in femoral muscle and abdo-men.The diversity of gut microbiota was increased by graphene-FIR exposure.Graphene-FIR reduced the bac-teroidetes/firmicutes(B/F)ratio and increased the abun-dance of short-chain fatty acids(SCFA)-producing bac-teria,including Allobaculum,Blautia and Anaerostipes.Additionally,graphene-FIR stimulated the expression of SCFAs-sensing receptor(GPR 43),p-AMPK Thr172 and GLUT4,and increased the AMP/ATP ratio,thus enhanc-ing muscle glucose uptake.Metabolomic analyses revealed the significant changes in 25 metabolites,with twenty increased(eg.creatinine and phosphate)and five decreased(eg.lactic acid),and the marked impact of five metabolic pathways,including galactose metabo-lism,glycolysis,gluconeogenesis,fatty acid biosynthesis,butanoate metabolism,pyruvate metabolism.Further-more,a microbiota disorder model also demonstrates that the graphene-FIR effectively restore the exercise endurance with enhanced p-AMPK and GLUT4.CON-CLUSION Our results provide convincing evidence that graphene-based FIR therapy promoted exercise capacity and glucose metabolism via AMPK in gut-muscle axis.These novel insights into graphene-FIR therapy suggest a potential as an exercise mimetic for the treatment of metabolic disease in clinical.

Objective:To investigate the consistency of Velum, Oropharygneal, Tongue base, Epiglottis (VOTE) scores between two surgeons with similar clinical experience in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients with different degree of disease, and to analyze the influencing factors leading to the difference in score.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. 64 preoperative drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) videos of OSAHS patients during December 2014 to July 2018, from Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University were analyzed. The VOTE score was assessed single-blind by two similar experienced surgeons, and the Kappa value between the two scorers was calculated by the third researcher. According to the characteristics of the case, Fisher's exact test or chi-square test method was used to further explore the factors that influenced the consistency.Results:Sixty-four patients were divided into four groups according to the severity of the disease, including mild (7 cases), moderate (30 cases), severe(18 cases), and extremely severe (9 cases). The scores evaluated between two researchers were analysed for consistency. For mild patients, the two scorers were completely consistent in the configuration and degree of obstruction in the velum and epiglottis (Kappa=1). There was no agreement on whether obstruction or not, obstructed configuration, obstructed degree of the oropharynx and tongue base, and presence of velum and epiglottis obstruction. For moderate patients, the two scorers had a good consistency in the configuration and degree of the velum (0.61≤Kappa≤0.80), and there was no consistency in the evaluation of the degree of tongue base and epiglottis ( P>0.05). The consistency of the remaining obstructed conditions in the four planes was generally or moderate (0.21≤Kappa≤0.60). For patients with severe OSAHS, the two raters were completely consistent in the evaluation of palatopharyngeal and epiglottic planes for the presence of obstruction, but there was no consistency in the degree of obstruction. Although the degree of obstruction in the oropharyngeal plane can be assessed with good consistency, the consistency of whether the plane was blocked or not was generally not high. In the assessment of other obstructive conditions in the four planes of severe patients, the agreement between the two scorers was moderate or generally. For extremely severe patients, the two scorers were completely consistent in the evaluation of the velum obstruction, but there was no consistency in the degree of obstruction of the oropharynx and tongue base, and the obstruction configuration and degree of the epiglottis. The evaluation of other obstructed conditions in the four planes is good or moderate. Among the patients with severe OSAHS, the difference in the assessment of obstruction of the oropharynx was associated with tonsil size ( P<0.05). Conclusion:When physicians with similar clinical experience scored VOTE, the consistency of whether the velum and oropharyngeal planes are obstructed is related to the severity of the disease. Better consistency is observed among more severe OSAHS patients. The reason for the poor consistency of the oropharyngeal plane in severe OSAHS patients OSAHS is due to the difference of the tonsils size. For severe OSAHS patients with small tonsils, the assessment of whether the oropharynx is obstructed should be more cautious.

OBJECTIVE： To prepare Paclitaxel（PTX）nanostructured lipid carriers （NLC） modified by small peptide alanine-glutamic acid-tyrosine-leucine-arginine （AEYLR）， and to evaluate its anti-tumor effect in vitro and in vivo. METHODS： NLC， PTX-NLC （P-NLC） and AEYLR modified P-NLC （A-P-NLC） were prepared by emulsion evaporation-low temperature solidification curing method. Its appearance， particle size， multi-dispersion index（PDI） and Zeta potential were characterized，encapsulation rate，drug loading and in vitro drug release were detected respectively. Using NCI-H1299 and S180 cells as objects， CCK-8 method was adopted to investigate inhibitory effects of free PTX， P-NLC and A-P-NLC （0.44-44.00 μg/mL， by PTX） to those cells. The half inhibition concentration （IC50） was calculated. Using S180 tumor-bearing mice as model animal， anti-tumor effects of free PTX， P-NLC and A-P-NLC （5 mg/kg， by PTX） were evaluated. RESULTS： P-NLC and A-P-NLC were round-like and dispersed evenly. The particle size， PDI and Zeta potential of A-P-NLC were （43.92±0.76） nm， 0.203±0.034 and （－19.77±1.16） mV， which were all increased to certain extent， compared with P-NLC. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading of A-P-NLC were （95.71±0.68）％ and（1.97±0.25）％， which were both decreased to certain extent， compared with P-NLC. The cumulative release rate of A-P-NLC was（35.17±2.08）％ within 48 h， showing significant sustained-release effect compared with free PTX； the release of A-P-NLC was slower than P-NLC. Compared with free PTX and P-NLC， inhibitory rates of same concentration of A-P-NLC to NCI-H1299 cells and S180 cells were almost increased significantly， while IC50 values were all decreased significantly. There was no death in S180 tumor-bearing mice treated with A-P-NLC and the general condition was good； the volume of tumors was significantly reduced， the mass of tumors was significantly reduced， and the inhibition rate of tumors was significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS： A-P-NLC has significantly sustained-release effects； its inhibitory rate to NCI-H1299 cells and S180 cells in vitro， and its inhibitory effects on S180 solid tumor in mice are all better than free PTX and P-NLC， while the toxicity is decreased to certain extent.

Objective To evaluate Aptima HPV E6 and E7 mRNA assay (Aptima HPV) combined with Aptima HPV 16 and 18 or 45 (18/45) genotype assay (Aptima HPV-GT) as a means of cervical cancer opportunistic screening. Methods From October 2016 to October 2017, a total of 23 258 women aged 25-65 years were enrolled in the physical examination center and gynecological clinic of Huzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital. All the women had Aptima HPV tested, further Aptima HPV-GT testing for positive women and liquid-based thin layer cytology Thinprep cytologic test (TCT). Women with Aptima HPV (+) or ≥low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) or obvious clinical symptoms (including vaginal bleeding after intercourse and watery, bloody vaginal discharge) were referred for colposcopy and further biopsy with or without endocervical curettage (ECC) if indicated. Expression of Aptima HPV, HPV 16 and HPV 18/45 with different cytological diagnostic groups and histological diagnosis groups were compared respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of Aptima HPV detection and TCT in identifying histological diagnosis of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) or worse (HSIL+) were compared. Results (1) The positive rates of Aptima HPV, HPV 16 and HPV 18/45 were 14.00% (3 257/23 258), 1.85% (430/23 258) and 0.86% (199/23 258) respectively.The positive rates of Aptima HPV, HPV 16 and HPV 18/45 increased with cytology grading in squamous epithelium [negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), LSIL, atypical squamous cell cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H), HSIL and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), all P=0.000)]. According to histology results, the positive rates of Aptima HPV, HPV 16 and HPV 18/45 increased with histology grading in squamous epithelium (normal cervical tissue, LSIL, HSIL and SCC, all P=0.000). The positive rate of Aptima HPV was significantly higher in HSIL+group than that in the LSIL or better (LSIL-) group [98.11% (311/317) vs 12.84% (2 946/22 941), P=0.000]. The positive rate of Aptima HPV-GT was significantly higher in HSIL+group than that in LSIL-group [58.36% (185/317) vs 1.91% (439/22 941), P=0.000]. (2) Compared with cytology, Aptima HPV resulted in significant higher sensitivity (98.11% vs 59.62%, P=0.000) and negative predictive value (99.97% vs 99.42%, P=0.000), significant lower specificity (87.16% vs 95.37%, P=0.000) and positive predictive value (9.55% vs 15.10%, P=0.000) when identified HSIL+. Conclusions Women with Aptima HPV positive, especially those with Aptima HPV-GT positive, are more likely to have histological diagnosis of HSIL+. Aptima HPV combined with Aptima HPV-GT is feasible as a means of cervical cancer opportunistic screening in tertiary hospitals.

Objective To establish an enterovirus 71(EV71) infection model of tree shrew primary renal cells.Methods Tree shrew primary renal cells were obtained by trypsin digestion.After subculture and purification,EV71 virus was used to infect these primary cells.The culture supernatant of these EV71-infected cells was collected for virus titer detection at 1,2,4,6 and 8 days post-infection.The cells were collected for detection of EV71 VP1 protein by Western blot assay.Furthermore,the expression and location of VP1 protein in the infected cells were detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay.Vero cells were taken as positive control to evaluate the infectivity of EV71 virus to tree shrew primary renal cells.Results Morphologically,the cultured cells were proved to be majorly consisted of the primary renal cells after subculture and purification.The obtained primary cells were infected by EV71 virus.The virus titer was up to 1.3×106 TCID 50/mL during 48-96 h post-infection,proving that EV71 virus infected and proliferated in the tree shrew primary renal cells.Western blot showed that the viral VP1 protein was detected from infected primary cells at 2 to 8 d post infection.VP1 protein was also observed in the cytoplasm at 2 to 6 d post infection by indirect immunofluorescence.Compared with Vero cells,the infectivity of EV71 virus to tree shrew primary renal cells and its proliferation were confirmed.Conclusions Based on the successful establishment of cell culture of tree shrew primary renal cells,the infectivity to the obtained cells and proliferation of EV71 virus in the cells are confirmed.The model of EV71 virus-infected tree shrew primary renal cells is initially established.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of sequential psychotherapy combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRI) s on refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD). Methods 50 patients with refractory OCD were given to sequential psycho therapy in the original basis of the SSRIs drugs treatment. The patients were given psychoanalysis,cognitive behavioral therapy and reality therapy for 8 weeks at the end of in the first stage, second stage and the third stage. The efficacy was assessed by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale(Y-BOCS) before treatment,8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 24 weeks after treatment, respectively. Results The total score of the YBOCS before the treatment and at the 24th week after treatment was (21.10 ±4.69) and ( 10.18±6. 14). According to the score-reducing rate of the YBOCS , recovery rate was 34.0%, effective rate was 42.0%. Conclusion Sequential psychotherapy combined with SSRIs is an effective treatment for refractory OCD.

Objective To study the expression of CD27 and CD28 in antigen-specific CD4~+T cells in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and healthy people, and understand the role of differentiated stages of CD4~+T cells in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. Methods The expression of CD27 and CD28 was analyzed by CD4, CD154, CD27 and CD28 staining and flow cytometry. The distributions of CD27 and CD28 in antigen-specific CD4~+T cells were compared between patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and healthy controls. Results In patients of pulmonary tuberculosis, the frequencies of CD27 + CD28 + (early differentiated stage), CD27~- CD28~+ and CD27~+ CD28~- (intermediate differentiated stage), CD27~- CD28~-(fully differentiated stage) T cell subsets in antigen specific CD4~+T cells were (49. 55 ±6. 15)%, (26. 85 ±3. 87)% ,(7. 2 ± 1.37)% and ( 16. 35 ±3.97)%, respectively. In healthy controls, the frequencies of the four subsets in antigen-specific CD4~+T cells were ( 51.81 ± 4. 94 ) %, ( 29. 83 ± 5.33 ) %, ( 12. 65 ±4. 48)% and (5.7±2)%, respectively. The early differentiated CD4~+T cell was the major subset both in patients and healthy people, however, which had significant difference compared with the fully differentiated subset ( t = 2. 26, P < 0. 05 ). Conclusion The population frequency of the fully differentiated CD4~+T cells in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was significantly higher than that in healthy people. This suggested that the differentiation degree of the antigen-specific CD4~+T cell might be related with pulmonary tuberculosis.