ObjectiveTo construct a standardized diagnostic scale for Qi-Yin deficiency with blood stasis syndrome in diabetic macrovascular disease. MethodsLiterature related to Qi-Yin deficiency with blood stasis syndrome in diabetic macrovascular disease was retrieved from CNKI， VIP， and Wanfang databases. Diagnostic information from four diagnostic methods was extracted and standardized， with items having a frequency of ≥15 included in the item pool. A three-round Delphi expert consultation was conducted， screening items using support degree， mean score， rank sum， and coefficient of variation. Item weights were determined using analytic hierarchy process （AHP）， gactor analysis （FA）， and combined weighting method （CWM）. The optimal weighting method was selected by comparing the area under the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve （AUC）. The Youden index was calculated to establish the diagnostic cutoff value， which was proportionally scaled. ResultsA total of 102 studies were included. Thirty-five items were incorporated into the item pool. The authority coefficients for the three Delphi rounds were 0.82， 0.85， and 0.86， with coordination coefficients of 0.648， 0.538， and 0.506， respectively. Fifteen items were retained after screening. ROC curve analysis showed the AUC ranking as FA > CWM > AHP. The maximum Youden index was 0.814， corresponding to a diagnostic cutoff of 8.361 （scaled to 40 points）. The final scale adopted a structured diagnostic framework： the symptom dimension requires at least 2 items， and the tongue or pulse dimension requires at least 1 category. ConclusionThis study developed a standardized diagnostic scale for Qi-Yin deficiency with blood stasis syndrome in diabetic macrovascular disease. Core items were screened via the Delphi method， with factor analysis identified as the optimal weighting method through AUC comparison. The diagnostic threshold （40 points） and structured diagnostic framework provide a quantitatively clear， clinically practical tool.

ObjectiveTo explore the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal （HPG） axis by modified Erxian decoction in rats with perimenopausal syndrome （PMS） and to further analyze the expression of proteins related to the silent information regulator 1 （SIRT1）/hypothalamic kisspeptin （Kisspeptin）/gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH） signaling pathway in the arcuate nucleus region （ARC） of the hypothalamus， so as to reveal the potential target of action and molecular biological mechanism of modified Erxian decoction for the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome. MethodsAn animal model was established via the incomplete castration method， with successful modeling confirmed by the exfoliated cervical cell smear method. The 48 rats were divided into six groups based on the randomization principle after successful modeling， including a sham operation group， a model group， an estradiol valerate group （0.09 mg∙kg^-1∙d^-1）， high-， medium-， and low-dose modified Erxian decoction groups （7.614， 3.807，1.903 5 g∙kg^-1∙d^-1）， with 8 rats in each group. The estradiol valerate group and the high-， medium- and low-dose modified Erxian decoction groups were continuously administered by gavage for 28 days， and the indicators were detected 24 hours after the last administration. Body weights and uterine indices were measured. The pathological changes of the uterus were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to measure the levels of estradiol （E₂）， follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， and gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH）. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were used to determine the expression levels of SIRT1， Kisspeptin， kisspeptin receptor （GPR54）， and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus and gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor （GnRH-R） in pituitary. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， rats in the model group had a significantly increased body weight （P0.01）， reduced wet weight and index of uterus （P0.01）， endometrial thinning or atrophy， glandular atrophy， and a decreasing number of glands. Additionally， serum levels of E₂ and the expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus significantly decreased （P0.01）. Serum levels of FSH， LH， and GnRH， the expression of Kisspeptin， GPR54， and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus， and GnRH-R in pituitary significantly increased （P0.01）. Compared with the model group， the estradiol valerate group and the high-， medium-dose modified Erxian decoction groups had significantly reduced body weight， serum levels of FSH， LH， and GnRH， and expression of Kisspeptin， GPR54， and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus and GnRH-R in pituitary （P0.05， P0.01） and significantly increased wet weight and index of uterus， serum level of E₂， and expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus （P0.05， P0.01）. In addition， they showed thickened endometrium， increased number of endometrial glands， and improved glandular atrophy. ConclusionModified Erxian decoction regulates the function of the HPG axis through multi-targets， and its mechanism of action may be related to the up-regulation of the expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus， the inhibition of the over-activation of the Kisspeptin/GnRH signaling pathway， the regulation of the expression of GnRH-R in the pituitary， the restoration of secretion balance of gonadotropins， and the elevation of the estrogen level. This study provides an experimental basis for the interpretation of the scientific connotation of modified Erxian decoction in the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome and a theoretical reference for the development of a novel therapeutic strategy based on the SIRT1/Kisspeptin/GnRH pathway.

Background China is the world's largest producer and consumer of cobalt. Skin exposure to excess cobalt can cause symptoms such as contact dermatitis. At present, there are few studies on skin contact of cobalt and its compounds. Objective To investigate the skin contact characteristics of cobalt and its compounds. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2024 involving 70 workers from a hard metal tool manufacturing company and the workers were divided into four groups according to their job positions: powder mixing, sintering, automatic pressing, and grinding processing. General demographic information was collected through questionnaires. Workplace air samples were collected using personal samplers, and cobalt concentrations in workplace air were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Skin samples were collected from the workers' foreheads using cotton swabs, and urine samples were collected within 30 min after the end of their shift. Urine specific gravity was measured immediately after collection, and disqualified samples were discarded. Cobalt concentrations in the swab extracts and urine were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis test for multiple group comparisons, Mann-WhitneyU test for pairwise comparisons, Chi-square test for categorical variables, and Spearman's rank correlation analysis to examine the correlations among air, dermal, and urinary cobalt levels. Results The 8 h time-weighted average (TWA) cobalt concentration was (2.30±2.15) μg·m⁻³ (\begin{document}$ \bar{x}\pm s $\end{document}). The median skin exposure level was 53.8 ng·cm⁻², with a range of 4.25 ng·cm⁻² to 1090.2 ng·cm⁻². The median urinary cobalt level was 3.74 µg·L⁻¹, with a range of 0.83 to 382.9 µg·L⁻¹. Statistically significant differences in TWA cobalt concentration, skin exposure levels, and urinary cobalt levels were found between different work positions (H=9.012, P=0.029; H=16.348, P＜0.001; H=11.078, P=0.011). A positive correlation was observed between skin exposure levels and urinary cobalt levels (r=0.537, P＜0.01). Conclusion Skin contact may be one of the main sources of cobalt levels in urine. Therefore, it is essential for workers to improve skin protection and hygiene practices.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of smoking on the sedative potency of remimazolam combined with alfentanil in patients undergoing painless gastroscopy.Methods:This was a prospecctive single-center study. American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ male patients, aged 30-75 yr, with a body mass index of 18-28 kg/m 2, undergoing elective painless gastroscopy at Baoding First Central Hospital from October to December 2023, were divided into non-smoking group, mild smoking group (smoking index≤200), moderate smoking group (200 1 after 3 min of remimazolam injection or development of bucking, swallowing, body movement and other responses that affected operations during insertion of the endoscope. Results:A total of 85 patients were finally included, with 21 in non-smoking group, 21 in mild smoking group, 20 in moderate smoking group and 23 in heavy smoking group. The ED 50 of remimazolam was significantly higher in smoking groups than in non-smoking group ( P<0.05). The ED 50 of remimazolam gradually increased in mild, moderate and heavy smoking groups ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Smoking can decrease the sedative potency of remimazolam when combined with alfentanil in patients undergoing painless gastroscopy.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of different volumes of ropivacaine for iliopsoas muscle plane block on quadriceps strength in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty.Methods:In this prospective study, 75 patients of either sex, aged 40-80 yr, with a body mass index of 18.5-30.0 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ-Ⅲ, undergoing elective hip arthroplasty from June to December 2023 at Baoding First Central Hospital, were randomized into 3 groups ( n=25 each) by using a computer-generated randomization sequence: ropivacaine 5 ml group (group Ⅰ), ropivacaine 10 ml group (group Ⅱ), and ropivacaine 15 ml group (group Ⅲ). Before induction of anesthesia, iliopsoas muscle plane block was performed with 0.5% ropivacaine 5, 10 and 15 ml in Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups, respectively. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block was carried out using 0.5% ropivacaine 5 ml in all the three groups. The quadriceps muscle strength and status of quadriceps motor block in the affected limb were assessed on admission to postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and at 2, 4, 6, 24 and 48 h after surgery. The consumption of dezocine, score for patient′s satisfaction with analgesia, and occurrence of complications were recorded. Results:Compared with group Ⅰ, the quadriceps muscle strength scores were significantly decreased on admission to PACU and at 2, 4 and 6 h postoperatively in group Ⅲ, the rate of quadriceps motor block was significantly increased on admission to PACU in group Ⅱ, and the rate of quadriceps motor block was significantly increased on admission to PACU and at 2 and 4 h postoperatively in group Ⅲ ( P<0.05), and the consumption of dezocine was significantly decreased in group Ⅱ and group Ⅲ ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The recommended volume of ropivacaine for iliopsoas plane block is 10 ml in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty.

Background Coal workers' pneumoconiosis is a serious occupational disease in China. Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can serve as the "breath fingerprint" of internal pathological processes, which provides a theoretical basis for exhaled VOCs to be used as potential non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Objective To screen out the characteristic VOCs and important characteristic VOCs of exhaled air in patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and to explore the potential of these VOCs as biomarkers for early non-invasive diagnosis of the disease. Methods In this study, 27 VOCs in the exhaled breath of 22 patients with stage I coal workers' pneumoconiosis, 77 workers exposed to dust, and 92 healthy controls were quantitatively detected by thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). Substances with P<0.05 in univariate analysis and variable importance projection (VIP) >1 in supervised orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model were selected as the characteristic VOCs for early diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Age was included in the LASSO regression model as a covariate to screen out important characteristic VOCs, and the diagnostic performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Spearman correlation was further used to explore the correlation between important characteristic VOCs and clinical lung function indicators. Results Through univariate analysis and OPLS-DA modeling, 8 VOCs were selected, including 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, n-hexane, methylcyclopentane, n-heptane, methylcyclohexane, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and 2-hexanone, in exhaled breath of patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis. The concentrations of 4 VOCs, including 3-methylpentane, n-hexane, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and 2-hexanone, showed a decreasing trend with the increase of dust exposure years. By LASSO regression, the important characteristic VOCs of the coal workers' pneumoconiosis group and the dust exposure group were n-hexane, methylcyclohexane and 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and the important characteristic VOCs of the coal workers' pneumoconiosis group and the healthy group were 2-methyl-pentane and 4-methyl-2-pentanone. The ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of n-hexane, methylcyclohexane, and 4-methyl-2-pentanone were 0.969, 0.909, and 0.956, respectively, and the AUC of combined diagnosis was 0.988 and its Youden index was 0.961, suggesting that these results can serve as a valuable reference for further research on early diagnosis. The Correlation analysis found that there was a positive correlation between n-hexane and lung function indicators in the important characteristic VOCs, indicating that it could indirectly reflect the obstruction of lung function ventilation, further proving that important characteristic VOCs have the potential to monitor lung function decline. Conclusion Three important characteristic VOCs selected in this study have the potential to be used as non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease monitoring of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and are worthy of further study and verification.

Objective:To evaluate a transhiatal tunnel flap designed to reconstruct the cardiac functional structure in proximal gastric cancer patients in our center.Methods:A descriptive case study method was used to select the data of 11 patients undergoing surgery for upper gastric cancer from Jan to Jul 2024. After laparoscopic dissection is completed, the esophagus is transected 2 cm from the upper edge of the tumor and the specimen is removed. The distance from the lower edge of the tumor is 5 cm. The cutting width is 4 cm, and the length of sleeve distal stump stomach is 20 cm. A seromuscular flap tunnel was made with a length of 2 cm and a width of 2 cm, 2 cm away from the top of the remnant stomach. The digestive tract was reconstructed using the Overlap hybridization method.Results:The median operation time was 175 (139-285) minutes. The median muscle flap production time and reconstruction time was 10.5 (5.5-21.0) minutes and 15.0 (11.8-33.6) minutes, respectively. The median blood loss is 50 (20-100) ml. The median postoperative hospitalization was 8 (6-25) days. The median tumor size was 2.5 (1.0-4.0) cm, and 31 (15-52) lymph nodes were dissected. The median follow-up after surgery was 3.5 (0.7-6.0) months, and no tumor recurrence or metastasis was found. Postoperative anastomotic leakage (Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅱ) occurred in one case, and there was no perioperative death. The Visick score of the whole group was 1 point in 8 cases and 2 points in 3 cases, and there was no anastomotic stenosis. Reflux esophagitis (Los Angeles classification grade B) was found in 1 case after gastroscopy, and the symptoms were relieved by conservative treatment.Conclusion:The transhiatal tunnel flap arthroplasty method has high surgical safety, low reconstruction difficulty, and an reliable anti-reflux effect.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of smoking on the sedative potency of remimazolam combined with alfentanil in patients undergoing painless gastroscopy.Methods:This was a prospecctive single-center study. American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ male patients, aged 30-75 yr, with a body mass index of 18-28 kg/m 2, undergoing elective painless gastroscopy at Baoding First Central Hospital from October to December 2023, were divided into non-smoking group, mild smoking group (smoking index≤200), moderate smoking group (200 1 after 3 min of remimazolam injection or development of bucking, swallowing, body movement and other responses that affected operations during insertion of the endoscope. Results:A total of 85 patients were finally included, with 21 in non-smoking group, 21 in mild smoking group, 20 in moderate smoking group and 23 in heavy smoking group. The ED 50 of remimazolam was significantly higher in smoking groups than in non-smoking group ( P<0.05). The ED 50 of remimazolam gradually increased in mild, moderate and heavy smoking groups ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Smoking can decrease the sedative potency of remimazolam when combined with alfentanil in patients undergoing painless gastroscopy.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of different volumes of ropivacaine for iliopsoas muscle plane block on quadriceps strength in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty.Methods:In this prospective study, 75 patients of either sex, aged 40-80 yr, with a body mass index of 18.5-30.0 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ-Ⅲ, undergoing elective hip arthroplasty from June to December 2023 at Baoding First Central Hospital, were randomized into 3 groups ( n=25 each) by using a computer-generated randomization sequence: ropivacaine 5 ml group (group Ⅰ), ropivacaine 10 ml group (group Ⅱ), and ropivacaine 15 ml group (group Ⅲ). Before induction of anesthesia, iliopsoas muscle plane block was performed with 0.5% ropivacaine 5, 10 and 15 ml in Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups, respectively. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block was carried out using 0.5% ropivacaine 5 ml in all the three groups. The quadriceps muscle strength and status of quadriceps motor block in the affected limb were assessed on admission to postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and at 2, 4, 6, 24 and 48 h after surgery. The consumption of dezocine, score for patient′s satisfaction with analgesia, and occurrence of complications were recorded. Results:Compared with group Ⅰ, the quadriceps muscle strength scores were significantly decreased on admission to PACU and at 2, 4 and 6 h postoperatively in group Ⅲ, the rate of quadriceps motor block was significantly increased on admission to PACU in group Ⅱ, and the rate of quadriceps motor block was significantly increased on admission to PACU and at 2 and 4 h postoperatively in group Ⅲ ( P<0.05), and the consumption of dezocine was significantly decreased in group Ⅱ and group Ⅲ ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The recommended volume of ropivacaine for iliopsoas plane block is 10 ml in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty.

Objective:To evaluate a transhiatal tunnel flap designed to reconstruct the cardiac functional structure in proximal gastric cancer patients in our center.Methods:A descriptive case study method was used to select the data of 11 patients undergoing surgery for upper gastric cancer from Jan to Jul 2024. After laparoscopic dissection is completed, the esophagus is transected 2 cm from the upper edge of the tumor and the specimen is removed. The distance from the lower edge of the tumor is 5 cm. The cutting width is 4 cm, and the length of sleeve distal stump stomach is 20 cm. A seromuscular flap tunnel was made with a length of 2 cm and a width of 2 cm, 2 cm away from the top of the remnant stomach. The digestive tract was reconstructed using the Overlap hybridization method.Results:The median operation time was 175 (139-285) minutes. The median muscle flap production time and reconstruction time was 10.5 (5.5-21.0) minutes and 15.0 (11.8-33.6) minutes, respectively. The median blood loss is 50 (20-100) ml. The median postoperative hospitalization was 8 (6-25) days. The median tumor size was 2.5 (1.0-4.0) cm, and 31 (15-52) lymph nodes were dissected. The median follow-up after surgery was 3.5 (0.7-6.0) months, and no tumor recurrence or metastasis was found. Postoperative anastomotic leakage (Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅱ) occurred in one case, and there was no perioperative death. The Visick score of the whole group was 1 point in 8 cases and 2 points in 3 cases, and there was no anastomotic stenosis. Reflux esophagitis (Los Angeles classification grade B) was found in 1 case after gastroscopy, and the symptoms were relieved by conservative treatment.Conclusion:The transhiatal tunnel flap arthroplasty method has high surgical safety, low reconstruction difficulty, and an reliable anti-reflux effect.