Objective To investigate the efficacy of Fumai Zhuyu Decoction combined with radial shock wave therapy(RSWT)in treating convalescent stroke patients with lower limb spasm,and to observe its effect on serum neuron-specific enolase(NSE)and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1).Methods From January 2022 to January 2024,a total of 111 convalescent stroke patients with lower limb spasm of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were selected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University.According to the treatment method,the patients were divided into two groups.The 55 patients in the western medicine(WM)group were treated with RSWT,and 56 patients in the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)group were treated with Fumai Zhuyu Decoction orally and RSWT.The course of treatment for the two groups covered 6 months.Before and after treatment,the two groups were observed in the changes of modified Ashworth Scale(MAS)score for the evaluation of muscle tone of hemiplegic limbs,Clinical Spasticity Index(CSI)score,Barthel Index(BI)score for the evaluation of activities of daily living,three-dimensional gait parameters(velocity,cadence,step length),serum levels of NSE and TGF-β1,and hemorheological indicators of plasma viscosity(PV),low-shear blood viscosity(LBV),high-shear blood viscosity(HBV)and platelet aggregation rate(PAR).After treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.Results(1)After 6 months of treatment,the total effective rate of the TCM group was 94.64%(53/56),and that of the WM group was 76.36%(42/55).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the TCM group was significantly superior to that of the WM group(P＜0.01).(2)After treatment,the MAS and CSI scores of the two groups were lowered(P＜0.05)and the BI scores were increased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05).The decrease of MAS and CSI scores and the increase of BI scores in the TCM group were significantly superior to those in the WM group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the three-dimensional gait parameters of velocity,cadence,and step length in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the increase of gait parameters in the TCM group was significantly superior to that in the WM group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the serum NSE level of the two groups was significantly decreased that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the serum TGF-β1 level was significantly increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05).The decrease of serum NSE level and the increase of serum TGF-β1 level in the TCM group were significantly superior to those in the WM group(P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,the hemorheological indexes such as PV,LBV,HBV and PAR in the two groups were significantly lowered compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease in the TCM group was significantly superior to that in the WM group(P＜0.01).Conclusion Fumai Zhuyu Decoction combined with RSWT can effectively improve the limb spasm degree and walking function,reduce serum NSE level,increase serum TGF-β1 level,and correct the abnormal blood hemorheology in convalescent stroke patients with lower limb spasm of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.The curative effect of the combined treatment is significantly superior to that of RSWT alone.

Objective To evaluate the effects of Qitan Decoction(QTD)combined with radial shockwave therapy(RSWT)on walking ability,balance function,and neural injury markers in stroke patients with lower limb spasticity during convalescence.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 100 stroke patients with lower limb spasticity of qi deficiency and blood stasis type treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from December 2021 to December 2023.Patients were divided into a conventional group(n=49,receiving RSWT alone)and an trial group(n=51,receiving RSWT plus QTD)based on treatment protocols.Both groups received standard stroke care(including cerebral metabolism improvement,neurotrophic support,and antiplatelet therapy).The intervention lasted 6 months.The changes in Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS)scores,Functional Gait Assessment(FGA)scores,Berg Balance Scale(BBS)scores,Stroke-Specific Quality of Life(SS-QOL)scores,serum neural injury markers[gama-aminobutyric acid(GABA),brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)],and kinematic parameters(peak knee flexion,peak hip flexion)were observed,and the clinical efficacy was compared between groups.Results(1)After 6 months of treatment,the total effective rate of the trial group was 94.12％(48/51),and that of the conventional group was 75.51％(37/49),and the intergroup(by chi-square test)comparison showed that the efficacy of the trial group was significantly superior to that of the conventional group(P＜0.01).(2)After treatment,the MAS scores of patients in the two groups were lower than before treatment(P＜0.05),and the FGA,BBS,and SS-QOL scores were higher than before treatment(P＜0.05),and the reduction of the MAS scores and the increase of the FGA,BBS,and SS-QOL scores of the trial group were significantly superior to those of the conventional group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the serum GABA and BDNF levels of patients in the two groups were higher than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the increase in serum GABA and BDNF levels in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the conventional group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the peak knee flexion and peak hip flexion of patients in the two groups were elevated compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the trial group's elevation of peak knee flexion and peak hip flexion was significantly superior to that of the conventional group(P＜0.01).Conclusion QTD combined with RSWT effectively alleviates spasticity,enhances walking/balance function,mitigates neural injury,and improves quality of life in stroke patients with lower limb spasticity of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome during convalescence.

Objective:To investigate the effect of triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) on the severity of depression in patients with depression.Methods:The clinical data of 653 patients with depression admitted to Hebei General Hospital from January to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were categorized into mild-moderate depression group ( n=324) and severe depression group ( n=329) according to the 17-item Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17) score. Patients' demographics and data on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein were extracted from the electronic medical records, and TyG was calculated. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS 25.0 software.The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences between the two groups. Spearman correlation analysis and binary Logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the relationship between TyG level and depression severity. Results:(1) In the severe depression group, FPG( 956.9 (118.9) mg/L vs 865.0 (1 44.2) mg/L), TG(1 275.8 (1 027.8) mg/L vs 983.5 (766.4) mg/L), total cholesterol (2 007.0 (477.6) mg/L vs 1 730.5 (547.2) mg/L), high-density lipoprotein (514.3 (168.2) mg/L vs 464.0 (138.2) mg/L), low-density lipoprotein (1 264.5 (326.8) mg/L vs 1 088.6 (412.8) mg/L), and TyG (8.72 (0.77) vs 8.37 (0.78)) were higher than those in the mild-moderate depression group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05).(2) Both TyG level and HAMA score were positively correlated with HAMD-17 score ( r=0.231, 0.586, both P<0.05); (3) The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that TyG ( B=1.116, OR=3.054, 95% CI=2.058-4.531, P<0.05) was a risk factor for the severity of depression in patients with depression. Conclusion:The higher the TyG, the more severe the severity of depression in patients. Insulin resistance may affect the severity of depression in patients with depression.

Lactic acid bacteria(LAB)were isolated and cultivated from the intestinal contents of rabbits by MRS-CaCO3 solid medium.Identification was achieved through morphological observa-tion,Gram staining,physiological and biochemical characterisation,16S rDNA sequence analysis,and ERIC-PCR analysis.Strains displaying typical Lactobacilli characteristics were exanimated for their biological characteristics,resistance properties,adherence capacity in vitro,colonization abili-ty in vivo,and safety profile.In this study,a total of four strains of Lactobacillus reuteri were iso-lated from rabbits,all of which exhibited typical biological characteristics of LAB.These strains demonstrated inhibitory effects on common pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract,with the primary inhibitory substance being bacteriocin.Furthermore,they showed sensitivity to chlor-amphenicol,rifampicin,and erythromycin,and displayed a degree of tolerance to gastrointestinal conditions and high temperature.These stains were capable of successful colonization in rabbits with a higher degree of safety.This study lays a foundation for the development of LAB prepara-tions for the prevention and treatment of rabbit intestinal diseases.

Objective To compare different therapeutic regimens for treatment of Helicobacter pylori(Hp)infection combined with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth(SIBO).Methods This study was a single-center,single-blind,16-week randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of different therapeutic regimens for patients with Hp infection combined with SIBO.Patients who were co-positive for Hp and SIBO attending the outpatient and inpatient departments of the Department of Gastroenterology of the Sixth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from April 2022 to July 2023 were enrolled.The enrolled patients were randomly divided into 3 groups,A,B,and C.Different treatment regimens were applied to the three groups.The 13C-urea breath test and methane hydrogen breath test were reviewed respectively after 4～6 weeks of drug discontinuation,to compare the rate of co-conversion of Hp and SIBO,the degree of improvement of abdominal symptom scores,and the incidence of adverse reactions,such as diarrhea,constipation,and nausea in the three groups.Results There was no statistically significant differ-ence in the Hp conversion rate among the three groups(P＞0.05),and the SIBO conversion rate and co-conversion rate of group B were higher than that of group A(P＜0.05),and the difference was not statistically significant compared with that of group C(P＞0.05).The degree of improvement in GSRS score after treatment was higher in group B than in groups A and C(P = 0.015,P = 0.014),and the overall adverse reactions in group B were lower than those in group A(P＜0.001).The difference in overall adverse reactions between groups B and C was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).The rate of SIBO conversion,the rate of co-conversion,and the degree of improvement in GSRS score after treatment were not statistically significant between group A and C(P＞0.05),and the adverse reaction incidence was higher than that of group C(P = 0.004).Conclusion Most patients with Hp infection combined with SIBO are accompanied by gastrointestinal discomforts such as acid reflux,heartburn,abdominal distension,consti-pation,and diarrhea,etc.HP treatment after removal of small intestinal bacteria can improve the rate of Hp and SIBO co-conversion,and effectively alleviate the abdominal symptoms and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions.

Objective:To investigate the effect of triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) on the severity of depression in patients with depression.Methods:The clinical data of 653 patients with depression admitted to Hebei General Hospital from January to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were categorized into mild-moderate depression group ( n=324) and severe depression group ( n=329) according to the 17-item Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17) score. Patients' demographics and data on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein were extracted from the electronic medical records, and TyG was calculated. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS 25.0 software.The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences between the two groups. Spearman correlation analysis and binary Logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the relationship between TyG level and depression severity. Results:(1) In the severe depression group, FPG( 956.9 (118.9) mg/L vs 865.0 (1 44.2) mg/L), TG(1 275.8 (1 027.8) mg/L vs 983.5 (766.4) mg/L), total cholesterol (2 007.0 (477.6) mg/L vs 1 730.5 (547.2) mg/L), high-density lipoprotein (514.3 (168.2) mg/L vs 464.0 (138.2) mg/L), low-density lipoprotein (1 264.5 (326.8) mg/L vs 1 088.6 (412.8) mg/L), and TyG (8.72 (0.77) vs 8.37 (0.78)) were higher than those in the mild-moderate depression group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05).(2) Both TyG level and HAMA score were positively correlated with HAMD-17 score ( r=0.231, 0.586, both P<0.05); (3) The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that TyG ( B=1.116, OR=3.054, 95% CI=2.058-4.531, P<0.05) was a risk factor for the severity of depression in patients with depression. Conclusion:The higher the TyG, the more severe the severity of depression in patients. Insulin resistance may affect the severity of depression in patients with depression.

Objective:To explore the source of students and the way to understand the policy of public and non-public undergraduate students majoring in preventive medicine.Methods:Using cluster random sampling, a total of 205 students from the first batch of public funded undergraduates and the same batch of non-public funded undergraduates of preventive medicine from Batch 2020 of two medical colleges in Shandong Province were selected as research objects. Questionnaires were issued on the platform of Sojump to investigate the source of students and the way to understand the policy. SPSS 22.0 statistical software was used to analyze the data, and the relative number and composition ratio were used to describe the counting data. Chi-square test was used to compare the characteristics of students and the understanding degree of the policy between government-funded undergraduates and non-government-funded undergraduates. Multiple responses were used to analyze students' understanding of the policy.Results:There were significant differences in the gender ( χ2=10.29, P<0.001), place of household registration ( χ2=5.61, P=0.018), father's educational level ( χ2=9.78, P=0.044) and the way to understand the policy ( χ2=17.19, P<0.001) of the public and non-public funded undergraduates majoring in preventive medicine. And 88.4% of the students knew about the policy of public medical students through their teachers, classmates and family members. Conclusion:There are more female government-funded undergraduates in preventive medicine than male students, and more rural students than urban students, with the spreading way of from mouth to mouth as the main approach to know this policy.

Background: Red blood cell distribution width/platelet count ratio (RPR) is a reliable prognostic assessment indicator for numerous diseases. However, no studies to date have examined the relationship between RPR and the prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between RPR and the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Methods: We retrospectively studied 143 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL and used the median value as the RPR threshold. We also investigated the correlation of pretreatment RPR level with clinical characteristics and its impact on DLBCL prognosis. Results: Using the median value as the cut-off, patients with DLBCL were divided into a low RPR group (＜0.0549) and a high RPR group (≥0.0549). Patients in the high RPR group were older, had a later Ann Arbor stage, were prone to bone marrow invasion, and had a higher National Comprehensive Cancer Network International Prognostic Index score (P ＜ 0.05). A survival analysis showed that progression-free survival (PFS) (P =0.003) and overall survival (OS) (P ＜0.0001) were significantly shorter in the high versus low RPR group. A multifactorial Cox analysis showed that bone marrow invasion and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were separate risk factors for PFS (P ＜0.05), while an RPR ≥0.0549 and elevated LDH were separate risk factors for OS (P ＜0.05). Conclusion A high RPR (≥0.0549) in patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL is an independent risk factor for a poor prognosis.

Objective To investigate the role of intestinal flora in the development of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea(IBS-D).Methods The mice treated with antibiotics were randomly assigned to experimental group or control group.IBS-D mouse feces and normal mouse feces were given to the experimental group and control group for fecal microbiota transplantation,respectively.The fecal water content,intestinal transit time,and intestinal sensitivity were observed.qRT-PCR was used to determine the mRNA expression of nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB),Toll like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88),interleukin-1β(IL-Iβ),interleukin-6(IL-6),and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)in colon tissue.Western blotting was used to determine the protein levels of the above-mentioned parameters.Results IBS-D related symptoms presented in the mice of the experimental group,such as increased fecal water content and intestinal sensitivity,and shortened intestinal transit time.The expression levels of inflammatory factors(IL-Iβ,IL-6,and TNF-α),NF-κB,TLR4,and MyD88 in the colon tissue of experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Intestinal flora inbalance is involved in the development and progression of IBS-D as an initiating important driver.Dysbiosis-induced hypo-inflammation of the intestinal mucosa and abnormal activation of NF-κB-related pathways may play key roles in this process.

Background::The global prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is multifaceted, and the underlying mechanisms are elusive. We conducted data mining analysis to gain a better insight into the disease and to identify the hub genes associated with the progression of NAFLD.Methods::The dataset GSE49541, containing the profile of 40 samples representing mild stages of NAFLD and 32 samples representing advanced stages of NAFLD, was acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the R programming language. The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) online tool and Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database were used to perform the enrichment analysis and construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, respectively. Subsequently, transcription factor networks and key modules were identified. The hub genes were validated in a mice model of high fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD and in cultured HepG2 cells by real-time quantitative PCR.Results::Based on the GSE49541 dataset, 57 DEGs were selected and enriched in chemokine activity and cellular component, including the extracellular region. Twelve transcription factors associated with DEGs were indicated from PPI analysis. Upregulated expression of five hub genes ( SOX9, CCL20, CXCL1, CD24, and CHST4), which were identified from the dataset, was also observed in the livers of HFD-induced NAFLD mice and in HepG2 cells exposed to palmitic acid or advanced glycation end products. Conclusion::The hub genes SOX9, CCL20, CXCL1, CD24, and CHST4 are involved in the aggravation of NAFLD. Our results offer new insights into the underlying mechanism of NAFLD progression.