Objective: To explore the relative importance of different food attributes and levels in food decision making of school aged children, and to understand their meal preferences, so as to provide the evidence for formulating precise intervention strategies for dietary behaviours of school aged children. Methods: From May to June 2024, a total of 854 children aged 11 to 15 years old were selected from 2 middle schools (each school in urban and rural areas) in both Hubei Province and Anhui Province by stratified cluster random sampling method to conduct a D-optimal discrete choice experiment. The mixed Logit model was used to analyze children s preference for meal attributes and different levels, and to calculate the relative importance (RI) of attributes and willingness to pay (WTP) in meal choices. Results: The included five food attributes had statistical significance on meal choice of school aged children ( P <0.05). The relative importance of food attributes affecting the meal choices of school aged children in descending order were dining mode ( RI =31.26%), food varieties ( RI =30.56%), cooking method( RI =23.84%), taste( RI =8.06%) and price ( RI =6.27%). Among them, school aged children preferred home cooked meals ( β =0.74) (WTP=86.3 yuan),varied foods(grain/tubers+vegetables+fish, meat, eggs and beans) ( β =0.61) (WTP=71.9 yuan), fried/roasted cooking ( β =0.51) and spicy taste ( β =0.33).Price was negatively correlated with meal choices( β =-0.01) ( P <0.05). Based on residential area and body mass index (BMI), the stratified analysis showed that dining mode was highest in the relative importance for rural children with overweight and obese children ( RI =31.28%,34.17%), both of whom preferred home cooked meals ( β =0.76, 0.91), and meals containing fish, meat, eggs and beans with grain/tubers or grain/tubers and vegetables in terms of food choice (area: β =0.53, 0.53 ; BMI: β =0.55, 0.56) ( P <0.05). Conclusions School aged children have different preferences for different attributes of meals. The quality of school meals should be improved,the cost of buying healthy meals should be reduced,targeted family health education should be carried out,and healthy cooking methods should be advocated.

Objective To compare the long-term survival of elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with surgical versus non-surgical treatment. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of elderly patients aged ≥70 years with ESCC who underwent esophagectomy or radiotherapy/chemotherapy at Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January 2009 to September 2017. Patients were divided into a surgical group (S group) and a non-surgical group (NS group) according to the treatment method. The propensity score matching method was used to match the two groups of patients at a ratio of 1∶1, and the survival of the two groups before and after matching was analyzed. Results A total of 726 elderly patients with ESCC were included, including 552 males and 174 females, with 651 patients aged ≥70-80 years and 75 patients aged ≥80-90 years. There were 515 patients in the S group and 211 patients in the NS group. The median follow-up time was 60.8 months, and the median overall survival of the S group was 41.9 months [95%CI (35.2, 48.5)], while that of the NS group was only 24.0 months [95%CI (19.8, 28.3)]. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of the S group were 84%, 54%, and 40%, respectively, while those of the NS group were 72%, 40%, and 30%, respectively [HR=0.689, 95%CI (0.559, 0.849), P<0.001]. After matching, 138 patients were included in each group, and there was no statistical difference in the overall survival between the two groups [HR=0.871, 95%CI (0.649, 1.167), P=0.352]. Conclusion Compared with conservative treatment, there is no significant difference in the long-term survival of elderly patients aged ≥70 years who undergo esophagectomy for ESCC. Neoadjuvant therapy combined with surgery is still an important choice to potentially improve the survival of elderly patients with ESCC.

BACKGROUND: The optimal antidepressant dosages remain controversial. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of antidepressants and characterize their dose-response relationships in the treatments of major depressive disorders (MDD). METHODS: We searched multiple databases, including the Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and Web of Science, for the studies that were conducted between January 8, 2016, and April 30, 2023. The studies are double-blinded, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving the adults (≥18 years) with MDD. The primary outcomes were efficacy of antidepressant and the dose-response relationships. A frequentist network meta-analysis was conducted, treating participants with various dosages of the same antidepressant as a single therapy. We also implemented the model-based meta-analysis (MBMA) using a Bayesian method to explore the dose-response relationships. RESULTS: The network meta-analysis comprised 135,180 participants from 602 studies. All the antidepressants were more effective than the placebo; toludesvenlafaxine had the highest odds ratio (OR) of 4.52 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.65-7.72), and reboxetine had the lowest OR of 1.34 (95%CI: 1.14-1.57). Moreover, amitriptyline, clomipramine, and reboxetine showed a linear increase in effect size from low to high doses. The effect size of toludesvenlafaxine increased significantly up to 80 mg/day and subsequently maintained the maximal dose up to 160 mg/day while the predictive curves of nefazodone were fairly flat in different dosages. CONCLUSIONS: Although most antidepressants were more efficacious than placebo in treating MDD, no consistent dose-response relationship between any antidepressants was observed. For most antidepressants, the maximum efficacy was achieved at lower or middle prescribed doses, rather than at the upper limit. REGISTRATION No. CRD42023427480; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?
Humans ; Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use* ; Depressive Disorder, Major/drug therapy* ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of ectopic thyroid gland in the parotid gland area, and to provide clinical ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of ectopic thyroid gland. Methods: A case of a normal thyroid gland with ectopic thyroid gland tissue in the parotid gland area in the neck was reported. The male patient was 20 years old. The chief complaint was the discovery of a painless mass gradually increasing under the left earlobe for one month. Clinical examination showed obvious bulging of the tissue under the left earlobe. A strip-shaped mass approximately 3.0 cm long could be palpated. It was soft in texture, with a clear boundary, and located under the skin. The skin was pale red and of normal temperature. The body position movement test was negative. Color Doppler ultrasound of the thyroid gland in the neck showed that the shape and size of the thyroid gland were normal. CT images of the head and neck showed a band-like soft tissue density shadow at the area of the parotid gland behind and below the left earlobe, with a clear boundary. The CT value was approximately 30 HU, and further enhancement yielded no additional findings. The admitting diagnosis was a mass in the left parotid gland area. The tumor was incised using a conventional surgical method for the parotid gland area. During the operation, it was found that the tumor was located under the skin, and the contents were bright-red granulomatous tissue without a capsule and adhesive to the skin tissue. The parotid gland capsule was not involved. After the tumor was completely scraped off, intermittent suturing was performed. The resected tumor was sent for pathological examination. A retrospective analysis of the diagnosis and treatment of this type of case was conducted in combination with a literature review. Results: The wound of the patient failed to heal in the first stage after the operation. By applying iodoform gauze for pressurized dressing changed weekly, the wound gradually healed about 2 months later. The postoperative pathological report showed an ectopic thyroid gland in the left parotid gland area. The results of the literature review indicate that ectopic thyroid glands can be partial or complete. In the former, normal thyroid gland tissue exists in the neck, and some thyroid gland tissue appears in other locations, mostly at the base of the tongue and mediastinum. In the latter, the thyroid gland in the neck is absent. Both can present with abnormal thyroid gland function and local compression symptoms, and the symptoms are more obvious in patients with a complete ectopic thyroid gland. Ectopic thyroid glands are mainly diagnosed and differentiated through physical examination and imaging examination. Ectopic thyroid glands occurring subcutaneously in the parotid gland area are extremely rare. Physicians should design personalized treatment plans based on clinical examinations and surgical indications. Conclusion A subcutaneous ectopic thyroid gland in the parotid gland area is rare. For ectopic thyroid gland surgery, a reasonable surgical plan should be designed considering the patient's aesthetic needs and prognosis. Puncture biopsy should be performed when necessary to formulate the surgical plan.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of DTX2 in regulating biological behaviors of oxaliplatin-resistant colorectal cancer cells (CRC/OXA cells). METHODS: CCK8 assay was used to determine the inhibition rate of oxaliplatin-treated CRC cells. A CRC/OXA cell line was constructed, in which DTX2 expression level was detected. The cells were transfected with a DTX2-shRNA plasmid or co-transfected with DTX2-shRNA and pcDNA-Notch2, and the changes in cell proliferation, migration and invasion ability were evaluated using plate cloning assay, scratch assay and Transwell invasion assay. The expression levels of Notch2, NICD and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) proteins of the transfected cells were detected with Western blotting. In a nude mouse model bearing SW620/OXA cell xenografts, the effects of DTX2 knockdown and Notch2 overexpression in the implanted cells on tumor growth and protein expressions were tested. RESULTS: The IC₅₀ of oxaliplatin was 6.00 μmol/L in SW620 cells and 8.00 μmol/L in LoVo cells. CRC/OXA cells showed a significantly increased expression of DTX2. DTX2 knockdown in CRC/OXA cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and these effects were reversed by co-transfection of the cells with pcDNA-Notch2. DTX2 knockdown significantly reduced the expression levels of Notch2, NICD and vimentin proteins and increased E-cadherin expression in CRC/OXA cells, and co-transfection with pcDNA-Notch2 potently attenuated the changes in these proteins. In the tumor-bearing mice, DTX2 overexpression obviously promoted the growth of SW620/OXA cell xenograft, enhanced the protein expressions of Notch2, NICD and vimentin, and lowered the expression of E-cadherin. CONCLUSIONS High expression of DTX2 promotes proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of CRC/OXA cells through the Notch2 signaling pathway, suggesting the potential of DTX2 as a target to improve the efficacy of oxaliplatin.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Cell Proliferation ; Oxaliplatin ; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Animals ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Receptor, Notch2/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice, Nude ; Cell Movement ; Organoplatinum Compounds/pharmacology* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Mice

OBJECTIVES: To explore the molecular mechanism of Jiangzhi Huaban Decoction (JZHBD) for improving atherosclerosis through the "qi meridian-blood channels" pathway. METHODS: ApoE^-/- mouse models of atherosclerosis were established by high-fat diet feeding for 8 weeks, with C57BL/6 mice on a normal diet as the controls. Forty ApoE^-/- mouse models were randomized into model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose JZHBD treatment groups, and atorvastatin treatment group (n=8) for their respective treatments for 8 weeks. The changes in body weight and overall condition of the mice were monitored weekly. After the treatments, serum levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, TBA, ALT, and AST of the mice were measured, pathological changes in the liver and aortic root plaques were examined with HE staining, and lipid accumulation in the liver and aortic wall was assessed using Oil Red O staining. The core molecular mechanism was studied through transcriptomics, and the expressions of the key pathway proteins were confirmed using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Treatment with JZHBD significantly reduced blood lipid and total bile acid levels, improved liver function and hepatic steatosis, and decreased aortic lipid deposition and plaque area in the mouse models of atherosclerosis. Transcriptomic analysis suggested that the therapeutic mechanism of JZHBD involved reverse cholesterol transport, PPAR signaling, and the inflammatory pathways. In atherosclerotic mice, JZHBD treatment obviously up-regulated hepatic expressions of PPARγ, LXRα, ABCA1, ABCG1, and CYP7A1, down-regulated hepatic expressions of p-p65/p65, IL-6, IL1β in the liver, increased ABCG5 and ABCG8 expressions in the intestines, and decreased ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expressions in the aortic plaques. CONCLUSIONS JZHBD improves atherosclerotic vascular damage and plaque formation possibly by regulating hepatic reverse cholesterol transport and inflammation via modulating the hepatic PPARγ/LXRα/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/metabolism* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Mice ; Atherosclerosis/metabolism* ; Cholesterol/metabolism* ; PPAR gamma/metabolism* ; Male ; Diet, High-Fat ; Biological Transport

Objective To understand the willingness to engage in the combine medical care with old-age care institutions of medical students in vocational colleges and analyze their influencing factors.Methods By convenient sampling method,1 266 medical students from 3 vocational colleges in Hunan Province were select-ed as the research objects,and their occupational cognition and occupational willingness were investigated and analyzed.Through objective sampling,20 medical students who were not willing to work in medical institu-tions were selected for semi-structured interviews.Results 62.1%of medical students intend to work in med-ical institutions after graduation;The results of multi-factor analysis showed that the experience of caring for the elderly,understanding of the nursing institution,participating in the volunteer service of the nursing insti-tution,and cognition score of the combination of medical care and nursing were the influencing factors of med-ical students'career intention(P＜0.05).The qualitative interview found that professional identity,job abili-ty,salary,social security and promotion were the main influencing factors.Conclusion Medical students in medical nursing institutions do not have strong willingness,so they should improve their professional cogni-tion of old-age service,enhance their professional identity and post competency,fully implement salary,social security and professional title promotion,attract more medical students to engage in the combined service in-dustry,and promote the combined development of medical care.

Aim To investigate the correlation between the new version of the European System for Cardiac Op-erative Risk Evaluation Ⅱ(EuroSCORE Ⅱ)score,Gensini score and the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular e-vents(MACE)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD).Meth-ods A total of 203 CHD patients undergoing PCI treatment admitted to the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from January 2021 to March 2023 were selected as the study objects.Depending on whether MACE happened or not,they were divided into MACE group and non-MACE group.The clinical data of the two groups of patients was compared.Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the cor-relation between EuroSCOREⅡscore and Gensini score;Logistic regression model was used to evaluate the risk factors for the development of MACE after PCI in patients with CHD;and ROC curves was used to analyze the predictive value of pre-dictive indexes for the development of MACE after PCI in patients with CHD.Results In 203 cases of CHD patients who underwent PCI,65 of them experienced MACE during the 1-year postoperative follow-up(32.02%).The age,rate of history of diabetes mellitus,rate of Killip classification≥gradeⅡ,rate of≥2 diseased vessels,rate of≥2 stents,EuroSCOREⅡscore,and Gensini score of the MACE group were higher than those of the non-MACE group,and the differ-ences were all statistically significant(P<0.05).The results of the Pearson's correlation analysis indicated that there was a positive correlation between the EuroSCOREⅡscore and Gensini score(r=0.200,P=0.004).Logistic regression model analysis showed that age increase,Killip classification≥gradeⅡ,high EuroSCOREⅡscore,and high Gensini score were independent risk factors for the development of MACE after PCI in CHD patients(P<0.05).ROC curve anal-ysis showed that age increase,Killip classification≥gradeⅡ,EuroSCOREⅡscore,Gensini score,and combined predic-tion had statistical significance in determining the occurrence of MACE after PCI(P<0.05);The area under the curve(AUC)of combinedpredictionwas0.953,95%CI was 0.928～0.979,sensitivity was 0.892,specificity was 0.891,in-dicating high predictive value.Conclusion Age increase,Killip classification≥gradeⅡ,high EuroSCOREⅡscore,and high Gensini score are independent risk factors for the occurrence of MACE after PCI in patients with CHD,and all of them have a certain predictive value for MACE after PCI in patients with CHD,and the combined predictive value is higher.

This study aimed to comprehensively examine the association of gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to estimate the observational associations of gallstones and cholecystectomy with cancer risk, using data from a nationwide cohort involving 239 799 participants. General and gender-specific two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was further conducted to assess the causalities of the observed associations. Observationally, a history of gallstones without cholecystectomy was associated with a high risk of stomach cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-4.28), liver and bile duct cancer (aOR=2.46, 95% CI 1.17-5.16), kidney cancer (aOR=2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.94), and bladder cancer (aOR=2.23, 95% CI 1.01-5.13) in the general population, as well as cervical cancer (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.12-2.56) in women. Moreover, cholecystectomy was associated with high odds of stomach cancer (aOR=2.41, 95% CI 1.29-4.49), colorectal cancer (aOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.18-2.85), and cancer of liver and bile duct (aOR=2.58, 95% CI 1.11-6.02). MR analysis only supported the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer. This study added evidence to the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer, highlighting the importance of cancer screening in individuals with gallstones.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Gallstones/complications* ; Female ; Male ; Cholecystectomy/statistics & numerical data* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Adult ; Neoplasms/etiology* ; Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology*