Objective This study aimed to adapt the data-driven Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration(PCOC)model to the local context and evaluate its feasibility and preliminary effectiveness in a palliative care unit in China,with the goal of informing its broader integration into national palliative care practice.Methods Based on international experience,a localized implementation protocol for the PCOC model was developed through expert con-sultations and a pilot study.The protocol incorporated key elements including organizational and managerial sup-port,team training and capacity building,information system integration,supervision and feedback mechanisms,pro-cess optimization,and data-driven decision-making.From June to December 2023,the protocol was piloted in the palliative care unit of a tertiary cancer hospital in Changsha,China.Implementation outcomes were assessed by comparing patients' urgent care response rates,symptom stability rates,and symptom improvement rates between the first 1～3 months and 4～6 months after implementation.Results During the study period,a total of 355 inpatients were enrolled,with the PCOC assessment achieving full coverage(100％)and a completion rate of 97.78％.There was no statistically significant difference in the urgent needs response rate between the first 1～3 months and the 4～6 months after the implementation of the PCOC model(P=0.533).However,compared to the first 1～3 months af-ter implementation,patients in the 4～6 months period showed significantly higher symptom stability rates for pain,psychological/spiritual issues,and family/caregiver problems,as well as a higher improvement rate for pain(P＜0.05).Conclusion The localized PCOC implementation protocol facilitates standardized assessment and symptom manage-ment,and its application can enhance the quality of palliative care.

Objective: To investigate whether TYRO protein tyrosine kinase-binding protein (TYROBP) affects the progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase ( ERK) pathway. Methods: Key genes in DKD were identified through bioinformatics analysis . Immunohistochemical staining and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) were used to validate the expression levels of TYROBP in a DKD mouse model and high glucose-stimulated NRK-52E cells . NRK-52E cell models with stable TYROBP overexpression/knockdown and their corresponding empty vector (ev) /scrambled sequence (ss) controls were established via lentiviral trans- fection . Cells were treated with 5 . 5 mmol/L or 30. 0 mmol/L glucose for 72 hours to mimic normal glucose (NG) and high glucose ( HG) conditions , respectively. High glucose medium containing 3 . 5 μmol/L FR180204 was used for ERK inhibitor intervention . The experiment included seven groups : ev + NG , ev + HG , oe-TYROBP + HG , ss + NG , ss + HG , sh-TYROBP + HG , and sh-TYROBP + HG + ERK inhibitor. Western blot was used to de- tect the expression levels of phosphorylated ERK/total ERK (p-ERK/ERK) , apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lym- phoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein ( Bax) , and epithelial-mesenchymal transition ( EMT)-related proteins E-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin ( α-SMA) . Tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE) staining and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide (Annexin V-FITC/PI) flow cytometry were performed to as- sess mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis levels . Results: Bioinformatics analysis identified TYROBP as a key gene in DKD . In vivo and in vitro validation showed increased TYROBP mRNA levels in DKD models . The results from the HG model indicated that , compared to the ev + NG/ss + NG group , the ev + HG/ss + HG group demonstrated increased p-ERK/ERK expression , reduced mitochondrial membrane potential , elevated apoptosis , and enhanced EMT. In TYROBP-perturbed NRK-52E cells , compared to the ev + HG group , the oe-TYROBP + HG group showed decreased p-ERK/ERK expression (P < 0. 01) , increased mitochondrial membrane potential (P < 0. 05) , reduced apoptosis (P < 0. 001) , and attenuated EMT; whereas compared to the ss + HG group , the sh- TYROBP + HG group exhibited increased p-ERK/ERK expression ( P < 0. 001) , decreased mitochondrial mem- brane potential (P < 0. 01) , elevated apoptosis (P < 0. 001) , and enhanced EMT. Furthermore , compared to the sh-TYROBP + HG group , the sh-TYROBP + HG + ERK inhibitor group displayed reduced p-ERK/ERK expression (P < 0. 01) , increased mitochondrial membrane potential ( P < 0. 001) , decreased apoptosis ( P < 0. 001) , and suppressed EMT. Compared with the scrambled sequence control + high glucose group , the TYROBP knockdown + high glucose group showed elevated p-ERK/ERK expression ( P < 0. 001) , reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (P < 0. 01) , increased apoptosis level (P < 0. 001) , and enhanced EMT. Compared with the TYROBP knockdown + high glucose group , the TYROBP knockdown + high glucose + ERK inhibitor group demonstrated decreased p-ERK/ERK expression (P < 0. 01) , restored mitochondrial membrane potential (P < 0. 001) , reduced apoptosis level (P < 0. 001) , and suppressed EMT. Conclusion TYROBP may regulate the ERK signaling path- way to modulate apoptosis- and EMT-related proteins , thereby influencing mitochondrial membrane potential , apop- tosis , and EMT in renal tubular epithelial cells and contributing to DKD progression .

In the field of healthcare service,it is crucial to optimize medical innovation services by combining the preferences of health service providers and demanders(i.e.,stakeholders).The best-worst scaling(BWS)method is a recently developed stated preference method for assessing preferences with distinctive advantages.Nevertheless,there is a lack of a comprehensive introduction to stakeholder preference assessment using BWS,thus constraining its applications and promotion.This paper introduces the process of using BWS to assess service providers'preferences for the Shared Medical Appointment for diabetes(SMART),an integrated healthcare service of medicine and health management,in the hope of providing reference for researchers for promoting the use of BWS in implementation research.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of first polar body transfer (PB1T) combined with preimplantation mitochondrial genetic testing for blocking the transmission of a pathogenic mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation. METHODS: A Chinese family affected with Leigh syndrome which had attended the Reproductive Medicine Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in September 2021 was selected as the study subject. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was carried out for the proband after completing the detection of the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load among the pedigree members. Mature MII oocytes were inseminated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), cultured in vitro for 5 to 6 days to the blastocyst stage, and trophoblastocytes were obtained by microbiopsy. Mitochondrial DNA testing (PGT-MT) and chromosomal aneuploidy (PGT-A) analyses were carried out after whole-genome amplification, and the embryos with zero mutation load were selected for transfer. Amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood samples were collected during middle pregnancy and after birth respectively for mitochondrial DNA testing to verify the reliability of embryo screening. As an attempt, PB1 with good morphology of MII oocytes was selected for transfer into the enucleated oocytoplasm from healthy donors, followed by ICSI fertilization, blastocyst culture and PGT of embryos using the same procedure. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (No. 2021zhyx-B12). RESULTS: An antagonist protocol was used for ovarian stimulation, and a total of 19 oocytes were obtained, of which 14 MII were fertilized by ICSI, and 2 had developed into blastocysts. PGT-MT was carried out on biopsied trophoblastocytes, in which the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load was not detected in one embryo, the other was 100% mutated, and the mutation loads of the remaining unfertilized eggs and developmentally arrested embryos ranged from 0% ~ 100%, presenting a clear biased distribution. With fully informed consent, one PGT-MT zero mutation load blastocyst was transferred and clinical pregnancy was achieved. Mitochondrial DNA and chromosomal testing of amniotic fluid cells during middle pregnancy had revealed no abnormalities. The proband had delivered a healthy boy through Caesarean section at 39⁺⁵ weeks of gestation, and no mutation was detected in the cord blood sample. Five well-formed PBs from 14 eggs were selected for PB1 transfer, followed by ICSI and culture, and two of the reconstituted embryos had formed blastocysts, with none of the above mutations detected in the biopsied samples. CONCLUSION The PGT-MT technology can help families affected with mitochondrial diseases to have healthy offspring. PB1 transfer in combination with ICSI and PGT-MT holds the promise of turning waste into treasure and providing an alternative means of fertility for such families.
Humans ; Preimplantation Diagnosis/methods* ; Female ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics* ; Genetic Testing/methods* ; Pregnancy ; Mitochondrial Diseases/genetics* ; Polar Bodies ; Adult ; Feasibility Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic/methods* ; Embryo Transfer/methods* ; Mutation ; Male ; Blastocyst/metabolism* ; Pedigree

Objective:To construct a questionnaire to measure parents′ behavioral and social drivers (BeSD) in administering rotavirus vaccine to their children, and to test the reliability and validity of the questionnaire.Methods:A questionnaire was constructed to investigate the BeSD of rotavirus vaccination among parents based on the WHO BeSD questionnaire. A survey was conducted among parents of children aged 0-3 years old in vaccination clinics from 15 community health service centers in Nanjing City of Jiangsu Province, Yuhuan and Kaihua Counties of Zhejiang Province, Anqing City of Anhui Province, and Yangpu District of Shanghai City from April to May in 2024. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to analyze the reliability (internal consistency reliability, combination reliability and split half reliability) and validity (structural validity, convergence validity and discriminative validity) of the questionnaire.Results:A total of 850 questionnaires were collected, of which 614 were valid, with an effective response rate of 72.20%. The EFA resulted in the refinement of the rotavirus vaccine BeSD questionnaire from 37 to 35 items (including 24 core items), and suggested a five-factor structure including the perceptions of vaccine, confidence in vaccine, social process of vaccination, motivation for vaccination, and practical problems of vaccination. The cumulative variance contribution rate reached 56.27%. The CFA confirmed an ideal five-factor model fit (GFI=0.82,CFI=0.86,PNFI=0.67,RMSEA=0.07). The AVE of each dimension was greater than 0.50. The AVE square root of each dimension of the questionnaire was greater than its correlation coefficient. The Cronbach′s α coefficient of the total questionnaire was 0.79.Conclusion:The developed BeSD questionnaire of rotavirus vaccine has good reliability and validity, and can be used to measure parents′ behavioral and social factors in administering rotavirus vaccine to their children.

Objective:To investigate the effect of mild moxibustion on transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1(TRPV1)channel expression in primary dysmenorrhea(PD)rats and explore its mechanism in alleviating central pain sensitization.Methods:Thirty-two female non-pregnant Wistar rats were randomized into a blank group,a model group,a mild moxibustion group,and a capsazepine group,with 8 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,the other three groups used estradiol benzoate,ice-water bath,and oxytocin to establish the rat PD model of cold-dampness stagnation pattern.The interventions began on day 1 of modeling,once a day,and lasted 10 d.The mild moxibustion group received mild moxibustion at Shenque(CV8)and Guanyuan(CV4),20 min/time;in the capsazepine group,capsazepine was injected at a dose of 2 mg/(kg·bw).The abdominal pain threshold was measured 10-30 min after oxytocin injection on day 11;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum prostaglandin F2α(PGF2α)level;the expression of TRPV1,cluster of differentiation 11B(CD11B),and proto-oncogene c-Fos in the spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blotting.Results:Compared to the blank group,the model group showed a decreased pain threshold(P<0.05)and an increased serum PGF2α level with elevated TRPV1,CD11B,and c-Fos protein expression in the spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus(P<0.05).Compared to the model group,both the mild moxibustion group and capsazepine group showed significantly increased pain thresholds(P<0.05),along with decreased serum PGF2α levels and reduced protein expression levels of TRPV1,CD11B,and c-Fos in the spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus(P<0.05).Rat pain threshold in the capsazepine group was higher than that in the mild moxibustion group(P<0.05).Serum PGF2α level,the expression levels of CD11B and c-Fos proteins in the spinal dorsal horn,as well as TRPV1,CD11B,and c-Fos proteins in the hypothalamus of the capsazepine group were lower than those in the mild moxibustion group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Mild moxibustion at Shenque(CV8)and Guanyuan(CV4)may alleviate the central pain sensitization in PD rats by down-regulating TRPV1 channel expression in the spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus,thus playing an analgesic effect.

Objective:To assess the feasibility of first polar body transfer (PB1T) combined with preimplantation mitochondrial genetic testing for blocking the transmission of a pathogenic mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation.Methods:A Chinese family affected with Leigh syndrome which had attended the Reproductive Medicine Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in September 2021 was selected as the study subject. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was carried out for the proband after completing the detection of the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load among the pedigree members. Mature MII oocytes were inseminated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), cultured in vitro for 5 to 6 days to the blastocyst stage, and trophoblastocytes were obtained by microbiopsy. Mitochondrial DNA testing (PGT-MT) and chromosomal aneuploidy (PGT-A) analyses were carried out after whole-genome amplification, and the embryos with zero mutation load were selected for transfer. Amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood samples were collected during middle pregnancy and after birth respectively for mitochondrial DNA testing to verify the reliability of embryo screening. As an attempt, PB1 with good morphology of MⅡ oocytes was selected for transfer into the enucleated oocytoplasm from healthy donors, followed by ICSI fertilization, blastocyst culture and PGT of embryos using the same procedure. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (No. 2021zhyx-B12). Results:An antagonist protocol was used for ovarian stimulation, and a total of 19 oocytes were obtained, of which 14 MⅡ were fertilized by ICSI, and 2 had developed into blastocysts. PGT-MT was carried out on biopsied trophoblastocytes, in which the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load was not detected in one embryo, the other was 100% mutated, and the mutation loads of the remaining unfertilized eggs and developmentally arrested embryos ranged from 0% ~ 100%, presenting a clear biased distribution. With fully informed consent, one PGT-MT zero mutation load blastocyst was transferred and clinical pregnancy was achieved. Mitochondrial DNA and chromosomal testing of amniotic fluid cells during middle pregnancy had revealed no abnormalities. The proband had delivered a healthy boy through Caesarean section at 39+ 5 weeks of gestation, and no mutation was detected in the cord blood sample. Five well-formed PBs from 14 eggs were selected for PB1 transfer, followed by ICSI and culture, and two of the reconstituted embryos had formed blastocysts, with none of the above mutations detected in the biopsied samples.Conclusion:The PGT-MT technology can help families affected with mitochondrial diseases to have healthy offspring. PB1 transfer in combination with ICSI and PGT-MT holds the promise of turning waste into treasure and providing an alternative means of fertility for such families.

Objective This study aimed to adapt the data-driven Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration(PCOC)model to the local context and evaluate its feasibility and preliminary effectiveness in a palliative care unit in China,with the goal of informing its broader integration into national palliative care practice.Methods Based on international experience,a localized implementation protocol for the PCOC model was developed through expert con-sultations and a pilot study.The protocol incorporated key elements including organizational and managerial sup-port,team training and capacity building,information system integration,supervision and feedback mechanisms,pro-cess optimization,and data-driven decision-making.From June to December 2023,the protocol was piloted in the palliative care unit of a tertiary cancer hospital in Changsha,China.Implementation outcomes were assessed by comparing patients' urgent care response rates,symptom stability rates,and symptom improvement rates between the first 1～3 months and 4～6 months after implementation.Results During the study period,a total of 355 inpatients were enrolled,with the PCOC assessment achieving full coverage(100％)and a completion rate of 97.78％.There was no statistically significant difference in the urgent needs response rate between the first 1～3 months and the 4～6 months after the implementation of the PCOC model(P=0.533).However,compared to the first 1～3 months af-ter implementation,patients in the 4～6 months period showed significantly higher symptom stability rates for pain,psychological/spiritual issues,and family/caregiver problems,as well as a higher improvement rate for pain(P＜0.05).Conclusion The localized PCOC implementation protocol facilitates standardized assessment and symptom manage-ment,and its application can enhance the quality of palliative care.

Objective:To investigate the effect of mild moxibustion on transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1(TRPV1)channel expression in primary dysmenorrhea(PD)rats and explore its mechanism in alleviating central pain sensitization.Methods:Thirty-two female non-pregnant Wistar rats were randomized into a blank group,a model group,a mild moxibustion group,and a capsazepine group,with 8 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,the other three groups used estradiol benzoate,ice-water bath,and oxytocin to establish the rat PD model of cold-dampness stagnation pattern.The interventions began on day 1 of modeling,once a day,and lasted 10 d.The mild moxibustion group received mild moxibustion at Shenque(CV8)and Guanyuan(CV4),20 min/time;in the capsazepine group,capsazepine was injected at a dose of 2 mg/(kg·bw).The abdominal pain threshold was measured 10-30 min after oxytocin injection on day 11;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum prostaglandin F2α(PGF2α)level;the expression of TRPV1,cluster of differentiation 11B(CD11B),and proto-oncogene c-Fos in the spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blotting.Results:Compared to the blank group,the model group showed a decreased pain threshold(P<0.05)and an increased serum PGF2α level with elevated TRPV1,CD11B,and c-Fos protein expression in the spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus(P<0.05).Compared to the model group,both the mild moxibustion group and capsazepine group showed significantly increased pain thresholds(P<0.05),along with decreased serum PGF2α levels and reduced protein expression levels of TRPV1,CD11B,and c-Fos in the spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus(P<0.05).Rat pain threshold in the capsazepine group was higher than that in the mild moxibustion group(P<0.05).Serum PGF2α level,the expression levels of CD11B and c-Fos proteins in the spinal dorsal horn,as well as TRPV1,CD11B,and c-Fos proteins in the hypothalamus of the capsazepine group were lower than those in the mild moxibustion group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Mild moxibustion at Shenque(CV8)and Guanyuan(CV4)may alleviate the central pain sensitization in PD rats by down-regulating TRPV1 channel expression in the spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus,thus playing an analgesic effect.