Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an increasingly widespread sleep-breathing disordered disease, and is an independent risk factor for many high-risk chronic diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, arrhythmias and diabetes, which is potentially fatal. The key to the prevention and treatment of OSA is early diagnosis and treatment, so the assessment and diagnostic technologies of OSA have become a research hotspot. This paper reviews the research progresses of severity assessment parameters and diagnostic technologies of OSA, and discusses their future development trends. In terms of severity assessment parameters of OSA, apnea hypopnea index (AHI), as the gold standard, together with the percentage of duration of apnea hypopnea (AH%), lowest oxygen saturation (LSpO₂), heart rate variability (HRV), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and the emerging biomarkers, constitute a multi-dimensional evaluation system. Specifically, the AHI, which measures the frequency of sleep respiratory events per hour, does not fully reflect the patients’ overall sleep quality or the extent of their daytime functional impairments. To address this limitation, the AH%, which measures the proportion of the entire sleep cycle affected by apneas and hypopneas, deepens our understanding of the impact on sleep quality. The LSpO₂ plays a critical role in highlighting the potential severe hypoxic episodes during sleep, while the HRV offers a different perspective by analyzing the fluctuations in heart rate thereby revealing the activity of the autonomic nervous system. The ODI provides a direct and objective measure of patients’ nocturnal oxygenation stability by calculating the number of desaturation events per hour, and the biomarkers offers novel insights into the diagnosis and management of OSA, and fosters the development of more precise and tailored OSA therapeutic strategies. In terms of diagnostic techniques of OSA, the standardized questionnaire and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) is a simple and effective method for preliminary screening of OSA, and the polysomnography (PSG) which is based on recording multiple physiological signals stands for gold standard, but it has limitations of complex operations, high costs and inconvenience. As a convenient alternative, the home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) allows patients to monitor their sleep with simplified equipment in the comfort of their own homes, and the cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC) offers a minimal version that simply analyzes the electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. As an emerging diagnostic technology of OSA, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) adeptly pinpoint respiratory incidents and expose delicate physiological changes, thus casting new light on the diagnostic approach to OSA. In addition, imaging examination utilizes detailed visual representations of the airway’s structure and assists in recognizing structural abnormalities that may result in obstructed airways, while sound monitoring technology records and analyzes snoring and breathing sounds to detect the condition subtly, and thus further expands our medical diagnostic toolkit. As for the future development directions, it can be predicted that interdisciplinary integrated researches, the construction of personalized diagnosis and treatment models, and the popularization of high-tech in clinical applications will become the development trends in the field of OSA evaluation and diagnosis.

Objective To compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion versus pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PA/VSD who underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: a pericardial tube group and a patch expansion group. Clinical data and imaging findings were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 51 patients were included in the study, comprising 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. The pericardial tube group included 19 patients with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, while the patch expansion group consisted of 32 patients with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter of pulmonary artery, McGoon index, and Nakata index significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group exhibited a longer extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001). The reoperation rate was notably high, with 74.51% of patients requiring further surgical intervention, including 26 (81.25%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.16%) patients in the pericardial tube group. No statistical differences were observed in long-term cure rates or mortality between the two groups (P＞0.005). Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, both patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection serve as effective initial palliative treatment strategies that promote pulmonary vessel development and provide a favorable foundation for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to the pericardial tube approach, the patch expansion technique is simpler to perform and preserves some intrinsic potential for pulmonary artery development, making it the preferred procedure.

Background Manganese is an essential trace element for the human body and maintains normal development of many organs including the brain. However, long-term exposure to a high manganese environment or excessive manganese intake will lead to manganese poisoning and result in neurological diseases, and currently no effective treatment plan is available. Objective To develop an animal model for subchronic manganese exposure and assess the impact of Dendrobium nobile Lindl. alkaloids (DNLA) on manganese associated behavioral and hippocampal effects in rats. Methods Fifty male SPF SD rats were randomly allocated into a control group (0.9% normal saline by intraperitoneal injection), two experimental groups [7.5 mg·kg⁻¹ (low) or 15 mg·kg⁻¹ (high) of MnCl₂·4H₂O by intraperitoneal injection], and two DNLA antagonistic groups [15 mg·kg⁻¹ MnCl₂·4H₂O by intraperitoneal injection then either 20 mg·kg⁻¹ (low) or 40 mg·kg⁻¹ (high) DNLA by oral administration]. All groups of rats were adminaistered 5 d per wek, once a day, for consecutive 13 weeks. Following modeling, neurobehavioral assessments were conducted using open field, Morris water maze, and Y maze. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was utilized to measure manganese levels in the blood and brain tissues of the rats, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was employed to examine neuronal morphological changes in the hippocampal tissues of the rats. Results The neurobehavioral tests revealed that the manganese-exposed rats exhibited decreased total movement distance, prolonged central zone dwelling time, and reduced motor activity in the open field test, indicating tendencies toward depression and anxiety (P<0.05). In the Y-maze test, the mean exploration distance in the novel arm, the number of entries into the novel arm, and the time spent in the novel arm of the managanses-exposed rats were all reduced, while the latency period increased, suggesting impaired spatial exploration and learning-memory functions (P<0.05). In the Morris water maze navigation test, the escape latency was significantly longer in the manganese-exposed rats compared to the control group, and the number of platform crossings decreased in the spatial probe test, indicating a significant decline in spatial learning and memory (P<0.05). The ICP-MS analysis showed elevated manganese concentrations in the blood and hippocampus of the exposed rats (P<0.05), and the histopathological observation revealed hippocampal damage. Following the DNLA intervention, the manganese-exposed rats showed increased total movement distance and reduced central zone dwelling time in the open field test (P<0.05). In the Y-maze test, the mean exploration distance in the novel arm, the number of entries into the novel arm, and the time spent in the novel arm increased, while the latency period decreased, suggesting alleviation of anxiety and improved exploratory behavior (P<0.05). In the Morris water maze test, the escape latency gradually shortened, and both the number of platform crossings and the percentage of time spent in the target quadrant increased, indicating improved spatial learning and memory (P<0.05). Additionally, the manganese levels in the blood and hippocampus decreased (P<0.05), and the hippocampal pathological changes were partially restored. Conclusion DNLA demonstrates the ability to counteract multiple neurotoxic effects following the elevation of manganese levels in the blood and hippocampal tissues of rats induced by subchronic manganese exposure. Specifically, DNLA is shown to ameliorate the behavioral alterations observed in rats after manganese exposure, and mitigate the hippocampal damage in manganese-exposed rats.

BackgroundPrevious studies have identified a close relationship among psychological neglect and abuse， negative affect， different stages of adolescence， and suicidal ideation. However， the mechanisms underlying the impact of psychological abuse and neglect on suicidal ideation among left-behind adolescents remain unclear， and this field of research is still in its relative infancy. ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between psychological neglect/abuse and suicidal ideation among left-behind adolescents， as well as the mediating role of negative affect and the moderating effect of different stages of adolescence， so as to provide insights for preventing and intervening suicidal ideation in this population. MethodsFrom November 2021 to May 2022， a cluster random sampling technique was utilized to select 2 309 left-behind adolescents in western China. Assessments were conducted using the Child Psychological Abuse and Neglect Scale （CPANS）， the Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation （PANSI） and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children （PANAS-C）. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated across all samples， and Process 4.1 was employed to test the mediating role of negative affect and the moderating role of different stages of adolescence in the pathway linking psychological abuse/neglect to suicidal ideation. ResultsA total of 2 119 left-behind adolescents （mean age： 14.94±1.20 years） completed the study， with males comprising 51.34% （1 088/2 119） and females 48.66% （1 031/2 119）.Among left-behind adolescents， scores on CPANS psychological neglect subscale showed positive correlations with both psychological abuse subscale scores and PANAS-C negative affect subscale scores （r=0.446， 0.496， P<0.01）. Additionally， CPANS psychological neglect and psychological abuse subscale scores were also positively correlated with PANSI scores （r=0.487， 0.508， P<0.01）. Furthermore， PANAS-C negative affect subscale scores demonstrated a positive correlation with PANSI scores （r=0.499， P<0.01）. Negative affect partially mediated the relationship between psychological abuse/psychological neglect and suicidal ideation， with effect sizes of 0.166 （95% CI： 0.141~0.191） and 0.131 （95% CI： 0.112~0.152）. Different stages of adolescence moderated the latter part （negative emotion → suicidal ideation） of the indirect mediation path from psychological neglect to suicidal ideation through negative affect （β=-0.066， P<0.01）. ConclusionBoth psychological neglect and psychological abuse may influence suicidal ideation among left-behind adolescents via negative affect. Moreover， different stages of adolescence may moderate the indirect path from psychological neglect to suicide ideation through negative affect.

Objective　To analyze the clinical distribution of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae (CR-ECL) and changes in carbapenemase enzyme types in Ningbo and to provide a guide for the rational application of antibiotics in clinical practice. Methods　Clinical isolates of CR-ECL were selected in a hospital in Ningbo from 2012 to 2022. Bacterial identification and drug sensitivity testing were performed using the VITEK-2 COMPACT automated microbiology system. Strain confirmation was conducted using the VITEK MS mass spectrometry system. The presence of CR-ECL was confirmed using the E-Test method. Carbapenemase production in CR-ECL was determined using a rapid carbapenemase detection kit and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results　A total of 1 428 isolates of ECL were detected in a hospital in Ningbo from 2012 to 2022, of which 36 strains were CR-ECL, accounting for 2.52%. The top three sample sources of CR-ECL were sputum (52.78%), urine (19.44%), and bile (13.89%). The patients were mainly from neurosurgery wards (22.22%), general surgery (13.89%), and ICU wards (11.11%). The separation rate of CR-ECL showed no significant difference between different genders and age groups. The resistance rates of CR-ECL to ertapenem, imipenem, and meropenem were 94.44%, 58.33%, and 36.11% respectively. The resistance rates of CR-ECL to third/fourth generation cephalosporins, aztreonam, enzyme-inhibitor complexes, and quinolones were all above 69.50%, significantly higher than those of non-carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae (NCR-ECL) strains (P<0.05). For aminoglycosides, CR-ECL and NCR-ECL both maintained low resistance rates (0% and 0.22%, respectively). Among the 36 CR-ECL strains, 31 strains (86.11%) were carbapenemase producers, including three types: NDM (28 strains, 77.78%), KPC (4 strains, 11.11%), and IMP (2 strains, 5.56%). The other two carbapenemase types, OXA-48 and VIM, were not detected. The consistency rate between the rapid detection of carbapenem enzyme type and PCR detection was 100%. Conclusions　The detection rate of CR-ECL in a hospital in Ningbo showed a trend of fluctuation. CR-ECL strains are distributed across different departments and various samples of hospitals, with no differences in distribution observed between genders or age groups. Clinical isolated CR-ECL mainly produced NDM-type carbapenemases, but the enzyme types such as KPC and IMP have also emerged in recent years. The rapid identification of carbapenemase types can play an important guiding role in the clinical treatment of CR-ECL infection.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on the proliferation, apoptosis and colony-forming unit-megakaryocyte (CFU-MK) of Meg-01 cells and its possible mechanisms. METHODS: The uptake and metabolism of 5-HT in Meg-01 cells were analysed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with electrochemical detection. The expression of 5-HT2B receptor (5-HT2BR) in megakaryocytes was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The cell proliferation and viability were measured by MTT and Trypan blue staining after Meg-01 cells were single-cultured or co-cultured with different concentrations of 5-HT/5-HT2BR inhibitor Ketanserin for 48 h. Meg-01 cells were incubated with 5-HT/ Ketanserin for 72 h, then the flow cytometry was used to detect early apoptosis of the cells and the activity of caspase-3. Using CFU-MK assay to investigate the effect of 5-HT on the differentiation of megakaryocytes. RESULTS: 5-HT could be uptaken by Meg-01 cells, and metabolized into 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). The expression of 5-HT2BR on megakaryocytes could be detected after immunofluorescence staining. 5-HT could promote the proliferation of Meg-01 cells at a dose-dependent manner (r =0.82), with the most significant effect observed at a concentration of 200 nmol/L (P < 0.001). Trypan blue staining also indicated that 200 nmol/L 5-HT had the most significant effect on the viability of Meg-01 cells (P < 0.05). The proliferation of Meg-01 cells treated with 5-HT was increased compared with the untreated control (P < 0.001), while the combination of 5-HT with ketanserin downregulated this effect. 5-HT significantly reduced the early apoptosis rate (P < 0.001) and caspase-3 activity (P < 0.05) of Meg-01 cells, while addition of ketanserin significantly increased the early apoptosis rate of Meg-01 cells (P < 0.001) and caspase-3 activity also increased to some extent. 5-HT promoted the formation of CFU-MK in bone marrow cells in a dose-dependent manner (r =0.89). The addition of ketanserin reduced the promoting effect of 5-HT on CFU-MK formation (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION There may be monoamine oxidase present in megakaryocytes, which can metabolize and decompose 5-HT into 5-HIAA. 5-HT may promote the proliferation and differentiation of megakaryocytes through 5-HT2BR. Besides, 5-HT can also reduce the apoptosis of megakaryocytes, and its anti-apoptotic effect may be mediated by 5-HT2BR and caspase-3 pathways.
Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Megakaryocytes/metabolism* ; Serotonin/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2B/metabolism* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Cell Differentiation

Due to its synergistic effects and reduced side effects, combination therapy has become an important strategy for treating complex diseases. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the "monarch, minister, assistant, envoy" compatibilities theory provides a systematic framework for drug compatibility and has guided the formation of a large number of classic formulas. However, due to the complex compositions and diverse mechanisms of action of TCM, it is difficult to comprehensively reveal its potential synergistic patterns using traditional methods. Synergistic prediction based on molecular compatibility theory provides new ideas for identifying combinations of active compounds in TCM. Compared to resource-intensive traditional experimental methods, artificial intelligence possesses the ability to mine synergistic patterns from multi-omics and structural data, providing an efficient means for modeling and optimizing TCM combinations. This paper systematically reviews the application progress of AI in the synergistic prediction of TCM active compounds and explores the challenges and prospects of its application in modeling combination relationships, thereby contributing to the modernization of TCM theory and methodological innovation.
Artificial Intelligence ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Drug Synergism

Objective:To combine and improve two kinds of classical transvaginal cervical cerclage,and to provide a new reference for the clinical treatment of patients with cervical insufficiency(CIC).Methods:Retro-spective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 117 patients who underwent transvaginal cervical cerclage due to CIC from January 1,2018 to August 31,2023 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical Univer-sity.According to different surgical methods,the patients were divided into the modified cerclage group(40 ca-ses),the McDonald cerclage group(40 cases)and the Shirodkar cerclage group(37 cases).Intraoperative and postoperative conditions and pregnancy outcomes were compared.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the related factors of preterm birth after modified cervical cerclage and the oth-er two groups of classical cervical cerclage.Results:①Compared with the McDonald cerclage group,the modified cerclage group had longer effective cervical length,longer delivery and gestational weeks,higher term delivery rate,and shorter post-operative contraction inhibitor time,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).Compared with the Shirodkar cerclage group,the operation time of patients in the modified cerclage was significantly shortened,the amount of intraoperative blood loss was reduced,the use time of postoperative contraction inhibitors was shortened,and the rate of postoperative wire-cutting was decreased,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).②Multivariate Logistic regression analysis of preterm birth showed that the longer the length of the cervix and the later gestational age when the modified cervical cerclage was performed with reference to McDonald's cerclage,the longer the length of the cervix after surgery,the later the gestational age when the suture was removed.The risk of preterm birth was reduced(OR＜1,P＜0.05),while preoperative BMI≥24 kg/m2 was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth(OR＞1,P＜0.05).Using Shirodkar's cerclage as reference,the risk of preterm delivery was consistent between the two types of cervix(P＞0.05).Longer cervical length and later gestational age after suture removal reduced the risk of preterm delivery(OR＜1,P＜0.05).Conclusions:The modified transvaginal cervical cerclage is simple and safe in clinical application,it has certain advantages in improving ad-verse pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women,which provides a new reference for the treatment of pregnant women with CIC.Due to the small number of cases included in the study,comprehensive evaluation by clinicians is still needed for clinical application.

Objective:To combine and improve two kinds of classical transvaginal cervical cerclage,and to provide a new reference for the clinical treatment of patients with cervical insufficiency(CIC).Methods:Retro-spective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 117 patients who underwent transvaginal cervical cerclage due to CIC from January 1,2018 to August 31,2023 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical Univer-sity.According to different surgical methods,the patients were divided into the modified cerclage group(40 ca-ses),the McDonald cerclage group(40 cases)and the Shirodkar cerclage group(37 cases).Intraoperative and postoperative conditions and pregnancy outcomes were compared.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the related factors of preterm birth after modified cervical cerclage and the oth-er two groups of classical cervical cerclage.Results:①Compared with the McDonald cerclage group,the modified cerclage group had longer effective cervical length,longer delivery and gestational weeks,higher term delivery rate,and shorter post-operative contraction inhibitor time,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).Compared with the Shirodkar cerclage group,the operation time of patients in the modified cerclage was significantly shortened,the amount of intraoperative blood loss was reduced,the use time of postoperative contraction inhibitors was shortened,and the rate of postoperative wire-cutting was decreased,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).②Multivariate Logistic regression analysis of preterm birth showed that the longer the length of the cervix and the later gestational age when the modified cervical cerclage was performed with reference to McDonald's cerclage,the longer the length of the cervix after surgery,the later the gestational age when the suture was removed.The risk of preterm birth was reduced(OR＜1,P＜0.05),while preoperative BMI≥24 kg/m2 was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth(OR＞1,P＜0.05).Using Shirodkar's cerclage as reference,the risk of preterm delivery was consistent between the two types of cervix(P＞0.05).Longer cervical length and later gestational age after suture removal reduced the risk of preterm delivery(OR＜1,P＜0.05).Conclusions:The modified transvaginal cervical cerclage is simple and safe in clinical application,it has certain advantages in improving ad-verse pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women,which provides a new reference for the treatment of pregnant women with CIC.Due to the small number of cases included in the study,comprehensive evaluation by clinicians is still needed for clinical application.

Objective:To combine and improve two kinds of classical transvaginal cervical cerclage,and to provide a new reference for the clinical treatment of patients with cervical insufficiency(CIC).Methods:Retro-spective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 117 patients who underwent transvaginal cervical cerclage due to CIC from January 1,2018 to August 31,2023 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical Univer-sity.According to different surgical methods,the patients were divided into the modified cerclage group(40 ca-ses),the McDonald cerclage group(40 cases)and the Shirodkar cerclage group(37 cases).Intraoperative and postoperative conditions and pregnancy outcomes were compared.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the related factors of preterm birth after modified cervical cerclage and the oth-er two groups of classical cervical cerclage.Results:①Compared with the McDonald cerclage group,the modified cerclage group had longer effective cervical length,longer delivery and gestational weeks,higher term delivery rate,and shorter post-operative contraction inhibitor time,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).Compared with the Shirodkar cerclage group,the operation time of patients in the modified cerclage was significantly shortened,the amount of intraoperative blood loss was reduced,the use time of postoperative contraction inhibitors was shortened,and the rate of postoperative wire-cutting was decreased,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).②Multivariate Logistic regression analysis of preterm birth showed that the longer the length of the cervix and the later gestational age when the modified cervical cerclage was performed with reference to McDonald's cerclage,the longer the length of the cervix after surgery,the later the gestational age when the suture was removed.The risk of preterm birth was reduced(OR＜1,P＜0.05),while preoperative BMI≥24 kg/m2 was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth(OR＞1,P＜0.05).Using Shirodkar's cerclage as reference,the risk of preterm delivery was consistent between the two types of cervix(P＞0.05).Longer cervical length and later gestational age after suture removal reduced the risk of preterm delivery(OR＜1,P＜0.05).Conclusions:The modified transvaginal cervical cerclage is simple and safe in clinical application,it has certain advantages in improving ad-verse pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women,which provides a new reference for the treatment of pregnant women with CIC.Due to the small number of cases included in the study,comprehensive evaluation by clinicians is still needed for clinical application.