In different stages of schizophrenia (SZ), alterations in gray matter volume (GMV) of patients are normally regulated by various pathological mechanisms. Instead of analyzing stage-specific changes, this study employed a multivariate structural covariance model and sliding-window approach to investigate the illness duration-related developmental trajectory of GMV in SZ. The trajectory is defined as a sequence of brain regions activated by illness duration, represented as a sparsely directed matrix. By applying this approach to structural magnetic resonance imaging data from 145 patients with SZ, we observed a continuous developmental trajectory of GMV from cortical to subcortical regions, with an average change occurring every 0.208 years, covering a time window of 20.176 years. The starting points were widely distributed across all networks, except for the ventral attention network. These findings provide insights into the neuropathological mechanism of SZ with a neuroprogressive model and facilitate the development of process for aided diagnosis and intervention with the starting points.
Humans ; Schizophrenia/pathology* ; Gray Matter/pathology* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Disease Progression ; Male ; Female ; Brain/pathology* ; Cerebral Cortex/pathology* ; Adult

The intestine and liver are closely connected both physiologically and pathologically, forming a so-called gut-liver axis, with the gut microbiota serving as a pivotal link in their bidirectional communication. Gut microbiota dysbiosis and gut-liver axis disruption play a key role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM), though the underlying mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated. Certain gut microbiota, such as Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp., can breach the intestinal barrier and translocate to the liver, promoting the formation of pre-metastatic niche. Fusobacterium nucleatum and Enterococcus faecalis enhance tumor cell invasion/migration, while Parabacteroides spp. suppress anti-tumor immunity in the liver TME. Interventions like fecal microbiota transplantation, dietary modifications, and traditional Chinese medicine have shown potential in clinical and preclinical studies to improve patient outcomes by targeting the gut microbiota, but their long-term efficacy and safety require further investigation. Future research should focus on elucidating the effects of specific bacterial species, metabolites, viruses, and fungi on tumorigenesis. Exploring the potential of gut microbiota-based precision medicine and personalized therapies will improve risk stratification and enable more targeted interventions for CRLM patients.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of blood lipid profile and its correlation with clinical features and cytokines in patients with active systemic sclerosis (SSc).Methods:In this study, from January 2018 to March 2023, a total of 102 SSc patients visited the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University and the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were enrolled, among which 57 cases were localized skin type, 25 cases were diffuse skin type, 20 cases were overlap syndrome. At the same time, 89 gender and age-matched health check-up subjects in the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were selected as the healthy control group. The total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were compared between the two groups. According to the blood lipid level, they were grouped into normal blood lipid group and abnormal group, TG elevated group and normal group, HDL-C decreased group and normal group. The association between various lipid groups and organ involvement, modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS), laboratory examination and cytokines were analyzed. Continuous data were analyzed using t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, count data were tested with chi-square test, and Spearman correlation analysis was used for correlation analysis. Results:The level of TG [1.31 (1.04, 1.77) mmol/L vs. 1.05 (0.79, 1.35) mmol/L] and LDL-C [(2.33±0.69)mmol/L vs. (2.12±0.64) mmol/L] in active SSc patients were higher than that in HCs, and the level of TC [(4.27±1.11)mmol/L vs. (4.85±0.98)mmol/L] was lower than that in HCs ( Z=3.821, P<0.001; t=2.171, P=0.031; t=-3.791, P<0.001). Fifty-six (54.9%) SSc patients had dyslipidemia, the incidence of the TG increase and the HDL-C reduction was significantly higher. ESR, mRSS score and renal involvement in the dyslipidemia group were higher than that in normal blood lipid group. mRSS score and the incidence of cardiac and renal involvement were higher in the TG elevated group than that in normal group. TG was positively correlated with the mRSS scores ( r=0.321, P=0.001). The incidence of ESR increase and cardiac involvement was higher in HDL-C decreased group than that in normal group, while anti-Scl-70 positive rate was lower. HDL-C was negatively correlated with the ESR ( r=-0.411, P<0.001). In active SSc patients, levels of IL-2[2.78(2.04, 4.96)pg/ml], IL-6[14.71(7.74,28.38)pg/ml], IL-17[10.73(4.38, 26.62)pg/ml], and IFN-γ[5.40(3.11, 10.45)pg/ml] in the dyslipidemia group were higher than those in normal blood lipid group [IL-2:1.73(0.96, 3.75)pg/ml, Z=2.452, P=0.014; IL-6:6.78(4.38, 9.17)pg/ml, Z=3.726, P<0.001; IL-17:4.46(2.98, 12.53)pg/ml, Z=2.176, P=0.030;IFN-γ:3.76(2.20, 4.87)pg/ml, Z=2.960, P=0.003]. TG was positively associated with IL-2( r=0.358, P=0.002), IL-6( r=0.324, P=0.006), IL-10( r=0.270, P=0.024), IL-17( r=0.279, P=0.019), and IFN-γ( r=0.297, P=0.012)in patients with active SSc. HDL-C was negatively associated with levels of IL-2( r=-0.292, P=0.014), IL-6( r=-0.348, P=0.003), IL-10 ( r=-0.261, P=0.029)and TNF-α( r=-0.251, P=0.036). Conclusion:The incidence of dyslipidemia is higher in active SSc patients than that in HCs, the main manifestations are increased TG and LDL-C and decreased TC and HDL-C. Active SSc patients with dyslipidemia have higher levels of ESR and inflammatory cytokines, higher incidence of cardiac and renal involvement, and relatively severe skin fibrosis, which suggest that abnormal lipid metabolism plays an important role in the development of active SSc and organ involvement.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of omphalocele, and to assess the risk factors associated with adverse outcomes.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data of 224 patients diagnosed with omphalocele, who were hospitalized at Children′s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2013 to December 2022, were collected. Based on their discharge outcomes, the patients were classified into 2 groups: favorable outcomes and unfavorable outcomes. Chi-square test or continuity correction χ2 test or Fisher exact probability method, and Mann-Whitney U test were used for intergroup comparisons. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with adverse outcomes in omphalocele. Results:Among the 224 patients with omphalocele, 126 were male. A total of 208 patients (92.9%) had favorable outcomes, while 16 patients (7.1%) had unfavorable outcomes. In the unfavorable outcomes group, 14 patients had giant omphaloceles, while 100 patients had giant omphaloceles in the favorable outcomes group. The rates of herniation of more than two intra-abdominal organs in the hernial sac, congenital heart defects, patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary hypertension, sepsis and infection of the hernial sac, were all higher in the unfavorable outcomes group compared to the favorable outcomes group (all P<0.05). Patients with unfavorable outcomes had longer mechanical ventilation time, duration of oxygen use, duration of parenteral nutrition, hospital stays, and higher rates of parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis compared to those with favorable outcomes (all P<0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that pulmonary hypertension ( OR=9.39, 95% CI 1.20-73.32), sepsis ( OR=8.59, 95% CI 1.32-55.86), and congenital heart defects ( OR=6.55, 95% CI 1.11-38.73) were all independent risk factors for adverse outcomes in omphalocele (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Infants with omphalocele are prone to complications such as cardiovascular malformations, infections, and pulmonary hypertension. Adverse outcomes in omphalocele are associated with pulmonary hypertension, sepsis, and congenital heart defects.

Objective To explore the construction of α-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) gene-knockout (GTKO) Diannan miniature pigs and the kidney xenotransplantation from pigs to rhesus macaques, and to assess the effectiveness of GTKO pigs. Methods The GTKO Diannan miniature pigs were constructed using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system and somatic cell cloning technology. The phenotype of GTKO pigs was verified through polymerase chain reaction, Sanger sequencing and immunofluorescence staining. Flow cytometry was used to detect antigen-antibody (IgM) binding and complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Kidney xenotransplantation was performed from GTKO pigs to rhesus macaques. The humoral immunity, cellular immunity, coagulation and physiological indicators of the recipient monkeys were monitored. The function and pathological changes of the transplanted kidneys were analyzed using ultrasonography, hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence staining. Results Single-guide RNA (sgRNA) targeting exon 4 of the GGTA1 gene in Diannan miniature pigs was designed. The pGL3-GGTA1-sgRNA1-GFP vector was transfected into fetal fibroblasts of Diannan miniature pigs. After puromycin selection, two cell clones, C59# and C89#, were identified as GGTA1 gene-knockout clones. These clones were expanded to form cell lines, which were used as donor cells for somatic cell nuclear transfer. The reconstructed embryos were transferred into the oviducts of trihybrid surrogate sows, resulting in 13 fetal pigs. Among them, fetuses F04 and F11 exhibited biallelic mutations in the GGTA1 gene, and F04 had a normal karyotype. Using this GTKO fetal pig for recloning and transferring the reconstructed embryos into the oviducts of trihybrid surrogate sows, seven surviving piglets were obtained, all of which did not express α-Gal epitope. The binding of IgM from the serum of rhesus monkey 20# to GTKO pig PBMC was reduced, and the survival rate of GTKO pig PBMC in the complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay was higher than that of wild-type pig. GTKO pig kidneys were harvested and perfused until completely white. After the left kidney of the recipient monkey was removed, the pig kidney was heterotopically transplanted. Following vascular anastomosis and blood flow restoration, the pig kidney rapidly turned pink without hyperacute rejection (HAR). Urine appeared in the ureter 6 minutes later, indicating successful kidney transplantation. The right kidney of the recipient was then removed. Seven days after transplantation, the transplanted kidney had good blood flow, the recipient monkey's serum creatinine level was stable, and serum potassium and cystatin C levels were effectively controlled, although they increased 10 days after transplantation. Seven days after transplantation, the levels of white blood cells, lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils in the recipient monkey increased, while platelet count and fibrinogen levels decreased. The activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time and prothrombin time remained relatively stable but later showed an upward trend. The recipient monkey survived for 10 days. At autopsy, the transplanted kidney was found to be congested, swollen and necrotic, with a small amount of IgG deposition in the renal tissue, and a large amount of IgM, complement C3c and C4d deposition, as well as CD68⁺ macrophage infiltration. Conclusions The kidneys of GTKO Diannan miniature pigs may maintain normal renal function for a certain period in rhesus macaques and effectively overcome HAR, confirming the effectiveness of GTKO pigs for xenotransplantation.

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors of the quality of inpatient medical record home page information in public hospitals under the background of the reform of diagnosis related groups(DRG)-based payment system and their mechanisms of action, so as to provide references for continuous improvement of the quality of medical record home page information.Methods:From July to August 2024, semi-structured interviews were conducted with clinical physicians and personnel engaged in the filling, quality control, review, and management of inpatient medical record home pages in public hospitals in Hangzhou, using purposeful sampling. The interview data were qualitatively analyzed based on the grounded theory to identify the influencing factors of the quality of medical record home page information and construct a theoretical model of the mechanisms of action of these factors.Results:Through open coding of the 17 interview materials, 53 initial concepts and 13 categories were identified. Further induction through axial coding led to the extraction of four main categories: external environment, organizational resources, person-job fit, and work ecology. The theoretical model of the mechanisms of action of the influencing factors on the quality of medical record home page information was as follows: external environmental factors such as policies and regulations played a macroscopic guiding role in the quality of medical record home pages; organizational resource factors such as the hospital′s information construction played a mesoscopic regulating role in the quality of medical record home pages; person-job fit factors such as the professional skills of clinical physicians and medical record-related staff played a direct driving role in the quality of medical record home pages; and work ecology factors such as the workload of clinical physicians and medical record-related staff played an external modulating role in the quality of medical record home pages.Conclusions:Under the background of DRG reform, the quality of inpatient medical record home page information was influenced by multiple factors. To systematically improve the quality of medical record home page information, it is necessary for multiple parties to work together. Relevant government departments should improve the top-level design and optimize the external environment, guide and assist medical institutions in building quality control systems, and strengthen resource allocation. Medical institutions should focus on enhancing the job competence and person-job fit of relevant personnel and also use intelligent means to optimize work processes to reduce workload.

Objective:To analyze the patterns of change of brain function among civil pilots in prospective memory tasks by using task-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a cue-based repetitive search task.Methods:A total of 85 subjects were enrolled, including 47 civil pilots (pilot group) and 38 ordinary workers (control group). The task-state fMRI data during the execution of the prospective memory task was analyzed using a general linear model to find out about the activation patterns of brain functions in the 2 groups in the 3 phases of encoding, maintenance, and retrieval of the prospective memory task. The differences in activation patterns between the 2 groups and correlations between regions of interest and the rate of accuracy, reaction time and flying hours were analyzed.Results:The repeated measurement analysis of variance showed that there were no interactions of reaction time or of the rate of accuracy between the task and grouping ( P>0.05), and that the difference in the main effect of grouping was significant ( F=5.67, 15.46, P=0.020, <0.001). The difference in the main effect of grouping on the rate of accuracy was significant ( F=5.42, P=0.022), and the rate of accuracy in the pilot group was higher than in the control group ( P=0.048). In the phase of encoding, the activation in the bilateral cerebellum, bilateral superior frontal gyrus, bilateral fusiform gyrus, and temporal lobe regions decreased in the pilot group compared with the control group ( t=2.68-4.13, all P<0.05), while the activation in the fusiform gyrus and the right parietal superior gyrus increased, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=3.28, 3.35, 3.02, P=0.038, 0.024, 0.042). During the phase of maintenance, the pilot group showed significantly reduced activation in the bilateral cerebellum, bilateral medial superior frontal gyrus, bilateral middle occipital gyri, and the right middle temporal gyrus compared with the control group ( t=2.24-3.36, P<0.05 or 0.01). In the retrieval phase, activation in the right peri-calcarine cortex, bilateral caudate nuclei, and bilateral precentral and postcentral gyri was enhanced in the pilot group compared with the control group ( t=2.57-3.35, all P<0.05), especially in the right middle frontal gyrus ( t=3.12, P=0.007). In the encoding phase, activation was increased in the left fusiform gyrus and right parietal superior gyrus of the pilot group, which was positively correlated with flying hours in the last 3 months ( r=0.347, 0.418, P=0.020, 0.005). Conclusions:Due to long-term flights, the way in which such regions as the frontal lobe, cerebellum, and default mode network are activated in civil pilots is likely to undergo some changes during prospective memory activities, which is why they have higher processing efficiency when performing prospective memory tasks.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of extended-field versus reduced-field radiotherapy in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients after radical operation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 210 UTUC patients who underwent full-length nephrectomy and received postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy in Peking University First Hospital from January 2013 to November 2023, and follow-up continued until June 2024. According to the target area of postoperative radiotherapy, patients were divided into the extended-field radiotherapy group (127 cases) and the reduced-field radiotherapy group (83 cases). The overall survival (OS), distant metastasis free survival (DMFS), local recurrence free survival (LRFS) and adverse reactions were compared. In the same period, 114 patients with recurrent abdominal and pelvic lymph nodes who did not receive adjuvant therapy after surgery for UTUC in our center were prospectively collected, and the coverage of the reduced-field target area was analyzed. Chi square test was used to compare the clinical characteristics, Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze survival outcomes, log-rank test was used to compare the survival rate, and Cox multivariate regression analysis was performed on the influencing factors of survival.Results:The median follow-up was 24.5 (range: 3-74) months. There were no significant differences between the extended-field and reduced-field radiotherapy groups in terms of 2-year LRFS (93.3% vs. 98.1%, P=0.156), 2-year DMFS (84.8% vs. 91.2%, P=0.176), and 2-year OS (90.4% vs. 90.7%, P=0.707). The most common toxicities of adjuvant radiotherapy were nausea and leukopenia, with significantly higher grade 1-2 incidence in the extended-field group compared to the reduced-field group ( P<0.05). According to the analysis of patients with retroperitoneal lymph node recurrence after surgery, the reduced-field target designed according to the location of the primary tumor can cover more than 90% of the postoperative metastatic lymph node area Multivariate analysis revealed that variant histology ( HR=2.180,95% CI: 1.021-4.658, P=0.044) was an independent predictor of worse DMFS, while variant histology ( HR=3.825,95% CI: 1.514-9.662, P=0.005) and T 3-4 stage ( HR=4.452,95% CI: 1.025-19.339, P=0.046) were independent predictors of poorer OS. Conclusions:Compared with extended-field radiotherapy, reduced-field radiotherapy designed based on primary tumor location significantly reduced treatment-related toxicities without compromising postoperative therapeutic efficacy, and the reduced-field can cover more than 90% of local recurrent lesions.

Objective To explore the work experiences and needs of nutrition specialist nurses,so as to provide a basis in career development and management practices among the nutrition specialist nurses.Methods A method of descriptive phenomenological research was adopted in this study.Purposive sampling was used to select 12 nutrition specialist nurses who came from different regions across the country with over one year of clinical working experiences as well as had completed the specialist training and been qualified by the Nutrition Committee of Guangdong Nursing Association between January and February 2024.Semi-structured on-line interviews were conducted among the participants and the data acquired from the interviews were analysed and summarised.Themes were extracted using NVivo12 and Colaizzi's seven-step analysis from the data from interview.Results Three main themes and eight sub-themes were identified regarding the work experience of nutrition specialist nurses:growth and gains(continuously learning in nutrition therapy-related knowledge to enhance professional skills;actively practice in nutrition therapy to achieve the self-worth);sense of responsibility and mission(increased awareness of responsibility and proactive services;sense of mission to cultivate talents and promotion of the development of nutrition nursing discipline);challenges(lack of an established role in nutrition nursing,conflict in responsibilities;insufficient communication in a medical team regarding nutrition therapy;limited resource to support the development of nutrition nursing;and the professional knowledge and skills unable to fully meet the job demands).Conclusion Hospitals managers should strengthen the support and training for nutrition specialist nurses,clarify their roles,leverage their professional value and promote the career development.

Objective To explore the effect of Baofei Yiqi pill on immune function of patients with lung cancer.Methods A total of 100 patients with lung cancer diagnosed and treated in Leping Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2020 to September 2023 were selected and divided into experimental group and control group according to random number table method,with 50 cases in each group.The control group was treated with docetaxel combined with cisplatin,and the experimental group was treated with Baofei Yiqi pill on the basis of control group.Both groups were treated with 3 cycles of chemotherapy.The clinical efficacy,quality of life,changes in weight,immune function and adverse reactions were compared between two groups.Results The total response rate of experimental group was significantly higher than that of control group(x2=14.620,P＜0.001).After treatment,the Karnofsky performance status score and weight of experimental group were significantly higher than those of control group(P＜0.05),and the levels of CD3+,CD4+and CD4+/CD8+in experimental group were significantly higher than those in control group,and the levels of CD8+was significantly lower than than in control group(P＜0.05).The incidence of gastrointestinal reactions in experimental group was significantly lower than that in control group(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of abnormal renal function and liver function between two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Baofei Yiqi pill can effectively improve the immune function of patients with lung cancer,improve the quality of life of patients,reduce the adverse reactions of chemotherapy,and alleviate the disease of patients to a certain extent,which is worthy of promotion and application.