ObjectiveThis paper aims to assess the effects of Wenfei Guyuan umbilical moxibustion on the quality of life and immune function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） in stable phase. MethodsA multi-center randomized controlled trial design was employed，and the 220 cases of patients with COPD in stable phase from three grade A class-Ⅲ hospitals were included as research objects. The patients were randomly divided into the test group and control group，with each group consisting of 110 cases. Both groups received standardized treatment of western medicine，and the test group received Wenfei Guyuan umbilical moxibustion twice weekly for 13 weeks，followed by a 26-week follow-up period. Quality of life was evaluated by using the COPD assessment test （CAT），the modified COPD patient-reported outcomes （mCOPD-PRO） measure，and the modified effectiveness satisfaction questionnaire for COPD （mESQ-COPD） before treatment，four weeks， eight weeks， and 13 weeks of the treatment period，as well as 13 weeks and 26 weeks of the follow-up period. The number of acute exacerbation cases of patients in both groups was recorded during study period to evaluate the effect of Wenfei Guyuan umbilical moxibustion on acute exacerbations. 30 cases were randomly selected in both observation group and control group. Peripheral blood samples were collected before treatment and at 13 weeks of treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the levels of immunoglobulin A （IgA），immunoglobulin G （IgG），immunoglobulin M （IgM），interleukin 10 （IL-10），interleukin 17A （IL-17A），transforming growth factor β1 （TGF-β1），and tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α）. Flow cytometry was used to detect cluster of differentiation 4 positive （CD4⁺），cluster of differentiation 8 positive （CD8⁺），T helper 17 （Th17），and Treg levels， thereby preliminarily exploring the effect of Wenfei Guyuan umbilical moxibustion on immune function. ResultsA total of 220 patients were included，with five cases dropping out. 215 cases were finally included in the per-protocol set，including 107 in the treatment group and 108 in the control group. Baseline characteristics of the first two groups before treatment were compared between the two groups. In terms of life quality evaluation， the main effect of group differences on the CAT scores was significant （F=15.108，P<0.01）. The main effects of group differences on the physical domain （F=38.807，P<0.01），psychological domain （F=38.996，P<0.01），environmental domain （F=17.436，P<0.01），and total score of mCOPD-PRO （F=41.972，P<0.01） were significant. The main effects of group difference on clinical symptoms domain of mESQ-COPD （F=81.516，P<0.01），work-life ability domain （F=36.549，P<0.001），environmental adaptation ability domain （F=22.677，P<0.01），therapeutic effect domain （F=74.055，P<0.01），and total score of mESQ-COPD （F=73.251，P<0.01） were significant. Regarding acute exacerbations，during the entire study period，as well as the treatment period and follow-up period，the observation group showed fewer patients experiencing acute exacerbations compared to the control group，but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. In terms of immune indicators，after 13 weeks of treatment，the levels of IgA，IgG，and IgM in the observation group were significantly better than those in the control group （P<0.05）. The level of IL-10 was significantly higher than that in the control group （P<0.05），and the levels of IL-17A，TGF-β1，and TNF-α were significantly lower than those in the control group （P<0.05）. Compared with those in the control group，the level of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ in the observation group was significantly increased （P<0.05），while the levels of CD4⁺ and Treg were slightly increased，but the difference was not statistically significant. The levels of CD8⁺，Th17，and Th17/Treg were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. ConclusionWenfei Guyuan umbilical moxibustion can improve the quality of life， and immune function in patients with COPD in stable phase. It is worth promoting in clinical practice.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological distribution characteristics and influencing factors of treat-ment outcome of pulmonary tuberculosis(PTB)patients complicated with diabetes mellitus(DM)in Bijie City from 2017 to 2022,and provide reference for formulating prevention and control measures of PTB-DM.Methods The registered management cases of PTB patients combined with DM from the tuberculosis surveillance report informa-tion management system in Bijie City in 2017-2022 were collected.Changing trends in annual registration rates and successful treatment rates were analyzed with Joint-point regression models.Different characteristics between pa-tients with PTB-DM and PTB alone were conducted comparative analysis;the influencing factors of treatment out-come were analyzed by x2 test and binary logistic regression analysis.Results A total of 679 PTB-DM patients were registered in Bijie City from 2017 to 2022,accounting for 1.53％of total PTB patients,the annual registration rate increased from 1.11/100 000 in 2017 to 3.08/100 000 in 2022,with an increasing trend in the annual percentage change(APC=26.67％,95％CI:5.36％-52.29％,t=3.564,P=0.024).In the analysis on characteristics,the proportion of PTB-DM male patients,age ≥45 years and farmers,the ratio of direct consultation to transfer treat-ment,the pathogenicity positive rate,the proportion re-treatment,and rate of delay in consultation were all higher than those of PTB alone;successful treatment rate and proportion of floating population were all lower than PTB alone,difference were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The successful treatment rate of PTB-DM patients in Bijie City from 2017 to 2022 was 87.80％.Age,occupation,pathogenicity diagnosis results were influencing fac-tors for treatment outcome in patients with PTB-DM,with farmers(OR=3.68,95％CI:1.22-11.09),with pathogenicity positivity(OR=2.84,95％CI:1.24-6.50),and without pathogenic detection result+tuberculous pleurisy(OR=11.35,95％CI:2.16-59.74)being risk factors for successful treatment.Conclusion Although the proportion of PTB-DM in the total PTB patients in Bijie City from 2017 to 2022 was not high,it showed an up-ward trend;it is necessary to attach great importance to male,re-treated,farmer,and pathogenicity positivity co-morbid patients in Bijie City,and strengthen the two-way screening of PTB-DM in high-risk populations.

Objective To analyze the feasibility and advantage of indocyanine green(ICG)fluorescence imaging technique in the thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy.Methods Patients with small pulmonary nodules who underwent thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy in our department from January 2023 to June 2024 were selected and divided into the ICG fluorescence group(35 cases determining intersegmental plane through ICG fluorescence imaging method)and the modified inflation-deflation group(42 cases determining intersegmental plane through modified inflation-deflation method)according to different methods of determining intersegmental plane.The surgery-related indicators including time of intersegmental plane occurrence,operation time,number of lymph node dissection,postoperative duration of chest tube and postoperative hospital stay as well as the occurrence of complications in the two groups were counted.Patients over 60 years old in two groups were selected and the differences in surgery-related indicators were analyzed.Results The time of intersegmental plane occurrence and operation time in the ICG fluorescence group were shorter than those in the modified inflation-deflation group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the number of lymph node dissection,postoperative duration of chest tube or postoperative hospital stay between the two groups(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups(P>0.05).The time of intersegmental plane occurrence,operation time and postoperative hospital stay of patients over 60 years old in the ICG fluorescence group were shorter than those in the modified inflation-deflation group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion ICG fluorescence imaging method can display the intersegmental plane clearly and quickly,which can shorten the time of intersegmental plane occurrence and hospital stay in elderly patients with pulmonary nodules.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the levels of activated protein C(APC),thromboxane B2(TXB2),and soluble B7-H3(sB7-H3)in the peripheral blood of elderly patients with pneumonia and the severity as well as prognosis of the disease.Methods One hundred elderly pneumonia patients admitted to our hospital from March 2022 to June 2024 were enrolled as the study group,and 100 healthy volunteers during the same period were selected as the control group.The levels of APC,TXB2,and sB7-H3 in peripheral blood were com-pared between the two groups.Study group patients were further categorized into low-risk,medium-risk,and high-risk subgroups based on the CURB-65 score(Confusion,Uremia,Respiratory rate,Blood pressure,Age≥65 years).The levels of APC,TXB2,and sB7-H3 in peripheral blood were compared among patients with varying disease severities.Pearson correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between the levels of APC,TXB2,and sB7-H3 in peripheral blood and disease severity.The study group was followed up for 30 days and subsequently divided into good prognosis and poor prognosis subgroups according to their clinical outcomes.Clinical data and peripheral blood levels of APC,TXB2,and sB7-H3 were compared between patients with different prognoses.Partial correlation analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between peripheral blood levels of APC,TXB2,and sB7-H3 and prognosis.Finally,the predictive value of these biomarkers was evaluated using the Receiver Oper-ating Characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The level of APC in the peripheral blood of the study group was signifi-cantly lower than that of the control group,whereas the levels of TXB2 and sB7-H3 were significantly higher(P<0.05).The severity of the disease in the study group was assessed using the CURB-65 score,which categorized patients into 33 mild cases,39 moderate cases,and 28 severe cases.Severe patients exhibited a lower level of APC in peripheral blood compared to moderate and mild patients.Additionally,the levels of TXB2 and sB7-H3 in moderate patients were higher than those in mild patients,while severe patients demonstrated even higher levels of TXB2 and sB7-H3 compared to both moderate and mild patients(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis revealed that peripheral blood APC was negatively correlated with the CURB-65 score,whereas TXB2 and sB7-H3 were positively correlated with the CURB-65 score(P<0.05).During a 30-day follow-up period,the research team identified 79 patients with good prognoses and 21 patients with poor prognoses.Significant differences were observed in diabetes prevalence,disease severity,and APACHEⅡ scores between the poor prognosis subgroup and the good prognosis subgroup(P<0.05).The levels of APC in peripheral blood were significantly lower in the poor prognosis subgroup compared to the good prognosis subgroup,whereas the levels of TXB2 and sB7-H3 were significantly higher(P<0.05).Partial correlation analysis revealed that peripheral blood APC,TXB2,and sB7-H3 were significantly associ-ated with prognosis(P<0.05).The AUC values for predicting the prognosis of elderly pneumonia patients using peripheral blood APC,TXB2,and sB7-H3 were 0.752,0.738,and 0.761,respectively,with sensitivities of 66.67%,76.19%,and 66.67%,and specificities of 78.48%,67.09%,and 78.48%.When combining these three indicators for prognostic prediction,the AUC increased to 0.918,with a sensitivity of 85.71%and a specificity of 87.34%,demonstrating a significant improvement in predictive accuracy compared to each indicator used alone(Z=2.207,2.666,2.109,P=0.027,0.008,0.035).Conclusion The levels of APC,TXB2,and sB7-H3 in the peripheral blood of elderly patients with pneumonia are significantly associated with the severity and prognosis of the disease.Combined detection of these biomarkers can serve as a reliable predictor of clinical outcomes.

Virtual avatar possesses unique advantages such as high degree of realism,immersion and visualization,and the research on applying it to the assessment and treatment of anorexia nervosa is increasing year by year.In terms of assessment,there are mainly avatar versions of the figure rating scales,yes-no tasks and its variations,method of adjustment,and the use of virtual cylinder technique.In terms of treatment,there are mainly intervention methods based on virtual avatar exposure therapy,body swapping illusions,perceptual/attention training and self-empowerment,as well as some new potential interventions.Overall,the current research around anorexia nervosa using virtual avatar techniques is still in its early stages and there is still a lot of room for further exploration.

Objective To analyze the feasibility and advantage of indocyanine green(ICG)fluorescence imaging technique in the thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy.Methods Patients with small pulmonary nodules who underwent thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy in our department from January 2023 to June 2024 were selected and divided into the ICG fluorescence group(35 cases determining intersegmental plane through ICG fluorescence imaging method)and the modified inflation-deflation group(42 cases determining intersegmental plane through modified inflation-deflation method)according to different methods of determining intersegmental plane.The surgery-related indicators including time of intersegmental plane occurrence,operation time,number of lymph node dissection,postoperative duration of chest tube and postoperative hospital stay as well as the occurrence of complications in the two groups were counted.Patients over 60 years old in two groups were selected and the differences in surgery-related indicators were analyzed.Results The time of intersegmental plane occurrence and operation time in the ICG fluorescence group were shorter than those in the modified inflation-deflation group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the number of lymph node dissection,postoperative duration of chest tube or postoperative hospital stay between the two groups(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups(P>0.05).The time of intersegmental plane occurrence,operation time and postoperative hospital stay of patients over 60 years old in the ICG fluorescence group were shorter than those in the modified inflation-deflation group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion ICG fluorescence imaging method can display the intersegmental plane clearly and quickly,which can shorten the time of intersegmental plane occurrence and hospital stay in elderly patients with pulmonary nodules.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the levels of activated protein C(APC),thromboxane B2(TXB2),and soluble B7-H3(sB7-H3)in the peripheral blood of elderly patients with pneumonia and the severity as well as prognosis of the disease.Methods One hundred elderly pneumonia patients admitted to our hospital from March 2022 to June 2024 were enrolled as the study group,and 100 healthy volunteers during the same period were selected as the control group.The levels of APC,TXB2,and sB7-H3 in peripheral blood were com-pared between the two groups.Study group patients were further categorized into low-risk,medium-risk,and high-risk subgroups based on the CURB-65 score(Confusion,Uremia,Respiratory rate,Blood pressure,Age≥65 years).The levels of APC,TXB2,and sB7-H3 in peripheral blood were compared among patients with varying disease severities.Pearson correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between the levels of APC,TXB2,and sB7-H3 in peripheral blood and disease severity.The study group was followed up for 30 days and subsequently divided into good prognosis and poor prognosis subgroups according to their clinical outcomes.Clinical data and peripheral blood levels of APC,TXB2,and sB7-H3 were compared between patients with different prognoses.Partial correlation analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between peripheral blood levels of APC,TXB2,and sB7-H3 and prognosis.Finally,the predictive value of these biomarkers was evaluated using the Receiver Oper-ating Characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The level of APC in the peripheral blood of the study group was signifi-cantly lower than that of the control group,whereas the levels of TXB2 and sB7-H3 were significantly higher(P<0.05).The severity of the disease in the study group was assessed using the CURB-65 score,which categorized patients into 33 mild cases,39 moderate cases,and 28 severe cases.Severe patients exhibited a lower level of APC in peripheral blood compared to moderate and mild patients.Additionally,the levels of TXB2 and sB7-H3 in moderate patients were higher than those in mild patients,while severe patients demonstrated even higher levels of TXB2 and sB7-H3 compared to both moderate and mild patients(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis revealed that peripheral blood APC was negatively correlated with the CURB-65 score,whereas TXB2 and sB7-H3 were positively correlated with the CURB-65 score(P<0.05).During a 30-day follow-up period,the research team identified 79 patients with good prognoses and 21 patients with poor prognoses.Significant differences were observed in diabetes prevalence,disease severity,and APACHEⅡ scores between the poor prognosis subgroup and the good prognosis subgroup(P<0.05).The levels of APC in peripheral blood were significantly lower in the poor prognosis subgroup compared to the good prognosis subgroup,whereas the levels of TXB2 and sB7-H3 were significantly higher(P<0.05).Partial correlation analysis revealed that peripheral blood APC,TXB2,and sB7-H3 were significantly associ-ated with prognosis(P<0.05).The AUC values for predicting the prognosis of elderly pneumonia patients using peripheral blood APC,TXB2,and sB7-H3 were 0.752,0.738,and 0.761,respectively,with sensitivities of 66.67%,76.19%,and 66.67%,and specificities of 78.48%,67.09%,and 78.48%.When combining these three indicators for prognostic prediction,the AUC increased to 0.918,with a sensitivity of 85.71%and a specificity of 87.34%,demonstrating a significant improvement in predictive accuracy compared to each indicator used alone(Z=2.207,2.666,2.109,P=0.027,0.008,0.035).Conclusion The levels of APC,TXB2,and sB7-H3 in the peripheral blood of elderly patients with pneumonia are significantly associated with the severity and prognosis of the disease.Combined detection of these biomarkers can serve as a reliable predictor of clinical outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the application of the conjugate gradient (CG) algorithm to treatment plan optimization for intensity-modulated brachytherapy (IMBT).Methods:The general Monte Carlo software TOPAS was utilized to simulate the 192Ir source of IMBT, and the unit dose contribution matrix was calculated. An objective function was established using the weighted least squares method and was solved using the CG algorithm to achieve optimized IMBT treatment plans. The optimization was validated using five clinical cervical cancer cases under modulation width 60°. The dose distributions of IMBT treatment plans under 45°, 60°, 90°, 120°, and 180° modulation widths were compared using the Wilcoxon test to determine the optimal IMBT treatment plan for cervical cancer treatment. Results:The CG algorithm successfully optimized IMBT treatment plans under modulation width 60° for five cases within 22.2 s on average. On the premise of sufficient target dose coverage, the average D2 cm 3 values of the bladder and rectum in IMBT treatment plans were 3.66 and 1.97 Gy, respectively, representing reductions of 0.54 and 0.69 Gy compared to traditional brachytherapy plans. For the five modulation widths, the D90% values of all IMBT treatment plans reached 6 Gy, without statistically significant differences ( P > 0.05). The average D2 cm 3 values of the bladder in IMBT treatment plans were significantly lower than those in the traditional brachytherapy plans( P<0.05), with modulation width 60° associated with the greatest reduction of 0.61 Gy. In contrast, the average D2 cm 3 values of the rectum under 45°, 60°, and 90° modulation widths decreased by 0.63, 0.54, and 0.45 Gy, respectively, compared to traditional plans, with statistically significant differences( P<0.05). Conclusions:The CG method enables rapid achievement of optimized IMBT treatment plans that meet clinical requirements, and modulation width 60° contributes to valid dosimetric optimization. This study can serve as a guide for the clinical implementation of IMBT.

Objective:To explore the chain mediating role of general self-efficacy and humanistic care competence between oncology nurses' empathy and medical narrative competence, with a view to informing the development of targeted medical narrative competence enhancement strategies.Methods:Convenience sampling was used to select 1 104 oncology nurses from 17 ClassⅢ Grade A hospitals in Yunnan Province from May to August 2023 for the study. The General Information Questionnaire, Narrative Competence Scale, Chinese version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy, Caring Ability Inventory, and General Self-Efficacy Scale were used to survey oncology nurses. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation among oncology nurses' general self-efficacy, empathy, humanistic care competence, and medical narrative competence. Mediating effects were analyzed using Model 6 in the SPSS macro program PROCESS 4.0 plug-in. Bootstrap method was used to repeat the sampling 5 000 times for the chained mediating effect test.Results:A total of 1 104 questionnaires were distributed and the number of valid questionnaires recovered was 931, with a valid recovery rate of 84.33% (931/1 104). Among 931 oncology nurses, the scores of Narrative Competence Scale, Caring Ability Inventory, Chinese version of Jefferson Scale of Empathy, and General Self-Efficacy Scale were (151.52±17.61), (191.68±18.80), (95.31±13.96), and (27.59±6.02), respectively. There was a positive two-by-two correlation among oncology nurses' medical narrative competence, empathy, humanistic care competence, and general self-efficacy ( P<0.01). General self-efficacy and humanistic care competence acted as chain mediators between oncology nurses' empathy and medical narrative competence, with the mediating effect accounting for 43.13% of the total effect. Conclusions:General self-efficacy and humanistic care are mediating variables between oncology nurses' empathy and medical narrative competence. Nursing managers should focus on the cultivation of nurses' empathy, stimulate nurses' self-efficacy, and promote the practice of nursing humanistic care, which in turn improves oncology nurses' medical narrative competence and the quality of nursing services.

ObjectiveRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing neurocognitive performance in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the neurobiological mechanisms linking synaptic pathology, neural oscillatory dynamics, and brain network reorganization remain unclear. This investigation seeks to systematically evaluate the therapeutic potential of rTMS as a non-invasive neuromodulatory intervention through a multimodal framework integrating clinical assessments, molecular profiling, and neurophysiological monitoring. MethodsIn this prospective double-blind trial, 12 AD patients underwent a 14-day protocol of 20 Hz rTMS, with comprehensive multimodal assessments performed pre- and post-intervention. Cognitive functioning was quantified using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA), while daily living capacities and neuropsychiatric profiles were respectively evaluated through the activities of daily living (ADL) scale and combined neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI)-Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD). Peripheral blood biomarkers, specifically Aβ1-40 and phosphorylated tau (p-tau181), were analyzed to investigate the effects of rTMS on molecular metabolism. Spectral power analysis was employed to investigate rTMS-induced modulations of neural rhythms in AD patients, while brain network analyses incorporating topological properties were conducted to examine stimulus-driven network reorganization. Furthermore, systematic assessment of correlations between cognitive scale scores, blood biomarkers, and network characteristics was performed to elucidate cross-modal therapeutic associations. ResultsClinically, MMSE and MOCA scores improved significantly (P<0.05). Biomarker showed that Aβ1-40 level increased (P<0.05), contrasting with p-tau181 reduction. Moreover, the levels of Aβ1-40 were positively correlated with MMSE and MOCA scores. Post-intervention analyses revealed significant modulations in oscillatory power, characterized by pronounced reductions in delta (P<0.05) and theta bands (P<0.05), while concurrent enhancements were observed in alpha, beta, and gamma band activities (all P<0.05). Network analysis revealed frequency-specific reorganization: clustering coefficients were significantly decreased in delta, theta, and alpha bands (P<0.05), while global efficiency improvement was exclusively detected in the delta band (P<0.05). The alpha band demonstrated concurrent increases in average nodal degree (P<0.05) and characteristic path length reduction (P<0.05). Further research findings indicate that the changes in the clinical scale HAMD scores before and after rTMS stimulation are negatively correlated with the changes in the blood biomarkers Aβ1-40 and p-tau181. Additionally, the changes in the clinical scales MMSE and MoCA scores were negatively correlated with the changes in the node degree of the alpha frequency band and negatively correlated with the clustering coefficient of the delta frequency band. However, the changes in MMSE scores are positively correlated with the changes in global efficiency of both the delta and alpha frequency bands. Conclusion20 Hz rTMS targeting dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) significantly improves cognitive function and enhances the metabolic clearance of β-amyloid and tau proteins in AD patients. This neurotherapeutic effect is mechanistically associated with rTMS-mediated frequency-selective neuromodulation, which enhances the connectivity of oscillatory networks through improved neuronal synchronization and optimized topological organization of functional brain networks. These findings not only support the efficacy of rTMS as an adjunctive therapy for AD but also underscore the importance of employing multiple assessment methods—including clinical scales, blood biomarkers, and EEG——in understanding and monitoring the progression of AD. This research provides a significant theoretical foundation and empirical evidence for further exploration of rTMS applications in AD treatment.