ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which the ethanol extract of Epimedium brevicornu （EEBM） intervenes in mesenchymal adipose-derived stem cells （ADSCs） to delay aging in castrated rats. MethodsForty-five 3-month-old SPF female SD rats were ovariectomized and randomly divided into model group， ADSCs treatment group， and ADSCs groups treated with low， medium， and high concentrations of EEBM （1， 50， 100 μg·L^-1）， referred to as the AE low， medium， and high concentration groups， with 9 rats in each group. After tail vein injection of 200 μL of the corresponding stem cell suspension， aging-related indicators including cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor （p21）， tumor suppressor gene （p53）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-8 （IL-8）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， cysteine-aspartic acid protease-3 （Caspase-3）， and lipofuscin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group， the IL-6 content in the AE low， medium， and high concentration groups was significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Lipofuscin， MDA， and IL-8 levels in the ADSCs treatment group and AE low， medium， and high concentration groups were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， while SOD content was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the ADSCs treatment group， lipofuscin and IL-8 levels in the AE low， medium， and high concentration groups were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The MDA content was significantly decreased in the AE medium concentration group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， protein levels of p21， p53， Bax， and Caspase-3 in the ADSCs treatment group and AE low， medium， and high concentration groups were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the Bcl-2 protein level was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the ADSCs treatment group， protein levels of p21， p53， Bax， and Caspase-3 in the AE low， medium， and high concentration groups were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the Bcl-2 protein level in the AE low concentration group was significantly increased （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe results of this experiment show that EEBM-treated ADSCs or ADSCs may delay aging in castrated rats by inhibiting cell apoptosis， reducing cell cycle inhibitors and pro-inflammatory factors， enhancing antioxidant capacity， and reducing oxidative reactions. Moreover， EEBM-treated ADSCs demonstrate stronger anti-aging effects than ADSCs alone. This study provides experimental evidence supporting the clinical use of EEBM to intervene in ADSCs and delay aging.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth（SIBO）is a clinically common but poorly recognized disease with clinical symptoms that overlap with those of functional gastrointestinal disorders（FGID）. FGID is a common risk factor for the occurrence of SIBO，and its SIBO incidence rate is significantly higher than that of healthy people，and has a certain correlation. Intestinal microbiota dysbiosis（including SIBO）plays an important role in the pathophysiology of FGID. At present，the diagnosis and treatment of SIBO still face challenges，and the treatment plan of FGID is gradually introduced into the treatment of SIBO. SIBO and FGID are closely related in clinical manifestations，incidence rate，pathophysiology，treatment and other aspects，but there is little research on the relationship between them. Prospective and large-scale clinical research is still needed to improve understanding and diagnostic accuracy.This article reviews the research progress on the relationship between SIBO and FGID.

Objective To investigate the role of a novel human-specific long noncoding RNA(lncRNA),MEK6-AS1,and its potential molecular mechanism in improving the osteogenic differentiation of senescent mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs).Methods An in vitro human MSCs replicative senescence model was established by sequen-tial passaging,and then senescence was identified by β staining and senescence-related gene expression.RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of MEK6-AS1 during senescence and osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs(hMSCs);Lentiviral knockdown technology was used to regulate the expression of MEK6-AS1 in the MSCs replicative senescence model.Transcriptome sequencing technology was utilized to analyze the effects of MEK6-AS1 on the transcriptome of hMSCs especially on genes and pathways related to osteogenic differentiation.The effect of MEK6-AS1 as an intervention target at osteogenic differentiation of human senescent hMSCs was evaluated with alkaline phosphatase staining microscopy.PCR technology was used to detect osteogenic gene expression levels in cells.Results With aging process,the osteogenic differentiation ability of hMSCs decreased significantly while the expression level of MEK6-AS1 was enhanced(P＜0.000 1).Knockdown of MEK6-AS1 significantly enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs by the up-regulating expression of osteogenic markers and increasing minerali-zation capacity(P＜0.001).Conclusions Knockdown of human-specific lncRNA MEK6-AS1 improves osteogenic differentiation of senescent MSCs,providing a new target and theoretical basis for the treatment of senescence-asso-ciated osteoporosis.

Objective To explore the pathogenic roles of miR-21, estrogen (E2), and estrogen receptor (ER) in adenomyosis. Methods We examined the expression levels of miR-21 in specimens of adenomyotic tissue and benign cervical lesions using qRT-PCR. In primary cultures of cells isolated from the adenomyosis lesions, the effect of ICI82780 (an ER inhibitor) on miR-21 expression levels prior to E2 activation or after E2 deprivation were examined with qRT-PCR. We further assessed the effects of a miR-21 mimic or an inhibitor on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and autophagy of the cells. Results The expression level of miR-21 was significantly higher in adenomyosis tissues than in normal myometrium (P<0.05). In the cells isolated from adenomyosis lesions, miR-21 expression level was significantly higher in E2 activation group than in ER inhibition+E2 activation group and the control group (P<0.05);miR-21 expression level was significantly lower in cells in E2 deprivation+ER inhibition group than in E2 deprivation group and the control group (P<0.05). The adenomyosis cells transfected with miR-21 inhibitor showed inhibited proliferation and migration, expansion of mitochondrial endoplasmic reticulum, increased lysosomes, presence of autophagosomes, and increased cell apoptosis, while transfection of the cells with the miR-21 mimic produced the opposite effects. Conclusion MiR-21 plays an important role in promoting proliferation, migration, and anti-apoptosis in adenomyosis cells by altering the cell ultrastructure, which may contribute to early pathogenesis of the disease. In addition to binding with E2, ER can also regulate miR-21 through other pathways to participate in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis, thus having a stronger regulatory effect on miR-21 than E2.

Objective To analyze the application value of cervical vascular color Doppler ultrasound com-bined with serum microRNA-222-3p(miR-222-3p)and microRNA-206(miR-206)in the diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis in patients with cerebral infarction.Methods A total of 90 patients with cerebral infarction ad-mitted to this hospital from July 2018 to July 2022 were selected as the study group,and were divided into mild stenosis group(29 cases),moderate stenosis group(35 cases),and severe stenosis group(26 cases)ac-cording to the degree of carotid artery stenosis.In addition,96 healthy people who underwent physical exami-nation in the hospital were selected as the control group.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the levels of serum miR-222-3p and miR-206 in each group.All patients with cerebral infarction under-went cervical vascular color Doppler ultrasound examination,and the clinical data of patients with different de-grees of stenosis were analyzed.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors affecting the degree of carotid artery stenosis in patients with cerebral infarction.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of carotid ultrasound indicators,serum miR-222-3p and miR-206 levels for the degree of carotid artery stenosis in patients with cerebral infarction.Results Compared with the control group,the study group had a significant increase in the serum level of miR-222-3p and a sig-nificant reduction in the serum level of miR-206(P＜0.05).Compared with the mild stenosis group,the peak systolic velocity(PSV),end diastolic volume(EDV)and serum miR-222-3p level were increased,and the ser-um miR-206 level was decreased in the moderate stenosis group and the severe stenosis group(P＜0.05).Compared with moderate stenosis group,EVD,PSV and serum miR-222-3p levels were significantly in-creased,and miR-206 level was decreased in severe stenosis group(P＜0.05).EVD,PSV,serum miR-222-3p level were risk factors for carotid artery stenosis in patients with cerebral infarction,and serum miR-206 level was a protective factor for carotid artery stenosis in patients with cerebral infarction(P＜0.05).The area un-der the curve of EVD,PSV combined with serum miR-222-3p and miR-206 in diagnosing the degree of carotid artery stenosis in patients with cerebral infarction was 0.991,and the sensitivity and specificity were 98.36％and 93.10％,respectively.It was better than that of EVD,PSV,serum miR-222-3p,and miR-206 alone(Zcombination-EVD=2.927,P=0.003,Z combination-PSV=2.834,P=0.005,Zcombination-miR-222-3p=3.300,P=0.001,Zcombination-miR-206=3.730,P＜0.001).Conclusion Cervical vascular color Doppler ultrasound combined with ser-um miR-222-3p and miR-206 has application value in the diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis in patients with cerebral infarction.

Objective To explore the pathogenic roles of miR-21, estrogen (E2), and estrogen receptor (ER) in adenomyosis. Methods We examined the expression levels of miR-21 in specimens of adenomyotic tissue and benign cervical lesions using qRT-PCR. In primary cultures of cells isolated from the adenomyosis lesions, the effect of ICI82780 (an ER inhibitor) on miR-21 expression levels prior to E2 activation or after E2 deprivation were examined with qRT-PCR. We further assessed the effects of a miR-21 mimic or an inhibitor on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and autophagy of the cells. Results The expression level of miR-21 was significantly higher in adenomyosis tissues than in normal myometrium (P<0.05). In the cells isolated from adenomyosis lesions, miR-21 expression level was significantly higher in E2 activation group than in ER inhibition+E2 activation group and the control group (P<0.05);miR-21 expression level was significantly lower in cells in E2 deprivation+ER inhibition group than in E2 deprivation group and the control group (P<0.05). The adenomyosis cells transfected with miR-21 inhibitor showed inhibited proliferation and migration, expansion of mitochondrial endoplasmic reticulum, increased lysosomes, presence of autophagosomes, and increased cell apoptosis, while transfection of the cells with the miR-21 mimic produced the opposite effects. Conclusion MiR-21 plays an important role in promoting proliferation, migration, and anti-apoptosis in adenomyosis cells by altering the cell ultrastructure, which may contribute to early pathogenesis of the disease. In addition to binding with E2, ER can also regulate miR-21 through other pathways to participate in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis, thus having a stronger regulatory effect on miR-21 than E2.

Objective To analyze the short- and long-term therapeutic effects of heart transplantation in children. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on recipients and donors who underwent heart transplantation at the 7th People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou from May 2018 to August 2023, analyzing their clinical characteristics, surgical data, postoperative complications, and survival rates. Results A total of 22 children underwent heart transplantation, including 14 males and 8 females, with a median age of 13.5 (10.0, 15.0) years and a median weight of 41.9 (30.5, 55.4) kg. The primary diseases included: dilated cardiomyopathy in 16 patients, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 1 patient, myocardial dysplasia in 3 patients, right ventricular dysplasia in 1 patient, and congenital heart disease with abnormal coronary artery origin in 1 patient. The median age of the donors was 21.0 (13.0, 29.0) years, and the median weight was 50.5 (47.3, 75.0) kg. The blood types of the donors and recipients were the same, with type A in 10 patients, type B in 5 patients, type O in 5 patients, and type AB in 2 patients. Before transplantation, all children had a New York Heart Association cardiac function grade Ⅳ, with 1 patient assisted by intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), 3 patients assisted by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), 2 patients assisted by continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and 2 patients on mechanical ventilation. Nine patients met the criteria for emergency child status allocation, and the panel reactive antibody level in the patients was<10%. The median cold ischemic time of the donor heart was 355.0 (262.0, 395.5) min, the median aortic cross-clamping time was 45.0 (38.3, 51.3) min, the median mechanical ventilation time was 22.5 (16.8, 52.5) h, the median postoperative hospital stay was 29.5 (20.0, 43.0) d, and the median intensive care unit stay was 6.0 (5.0, 8.3) d. After surgery, 4 patients were assisted by ECMO, 2 patients by CRRT, and 7 patients developed complications, including lung fungal infection in 6 patients, liver and kidney dysfunction in 1 patient, local wound non-union and mediastinal infection in 1 patient, and multiple organ failure in 1 patient. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that the survival rates of children after surgery were 91.3% at 1 year and 3 years; the survival rates of adult heart transplant recipients at our center were 86.7% and 73.8% at 1 year and 3 years, respectively, indicating that the survival rate of children with heart transplantation was higher than that of adult patients. Conclusion Heart transplantation is an effective treatment for end-stage heart failure in children, and the short- and long-term survival rates of children with heart transplantation are superior to those of adults. There are still many difficulties to be solved in pediatric heart transplantation, requiring joint efforts from society and the medical community.

Objective:To construct the quality evaluation scale of specification of management for humanistic caring in outpatients and test its reliability and validity.Methods:Referring to the group standards in Specification of Management for Humanistic Caring in Outpatients released by the China Association for Life Care,as well as relevant guidelines and literature,a pool of items for the quality evaluation scale of specification of management for humanistic caring in outpatients was formed.After expert consultation and expert argumentation,a quality evaluation scale of specification of management for humanistic caring in outpatients was constructed.From January to February 2024,243 hospital managers from 5 hospitals in Zhengzhou were selected as survey subjects to conduct item analysis,and reliability and validity testing on the scale.Results:Two rounds of expert inquiry and two rounds of expert argumentation were conducted,with questionnaire response rates of 92.00%and 100.00%,respectively,and expert authority coefficients of 0.952.In the second round of the expert inquiry scale,the mean importance score of the first-level indicators was 4.80 to 5.00,the full score ratio was 88.00%to 100.00%,the coefficient of variation was 0.04 to 0.17,and Kendall's coefficient of concordance was 0.857(P＜0.001);the mean importance score of the second-level indicators was 4.60 to 5.00,the full score ratio was 80.00%to 100.00%,the coefficient of variation was 0.00 to 0.21,and Kendall's coefficient of concordance was 0.775(P＜0.001);the mean importance score of the third-level indicators was 4.60 to 5.00,the full score ratio was 76.00%to 100.00%,the coefficient of variation was 0.00 to 0.21,and Kendall's coefficient of concordance was 0.830(P＜0.001).Finally,a quality evaluation scale of specification of management for humanistic caring in outpatients was formed,including 5 first-level indicators,25 second-level indicators,and 58 third-level indicators.Exploratory factor analysis produced 5 common factors with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 74.628%.The Pearson correlation coefficients between the five-factor scores ranged from 0.648 to 0.798,and the correlation coefficients between the factor scores and the total score of the scale ranged from 0.784 to 0.938.The scale-level content validity index(S-CVI)of the scale was 0.945,the item-content validity index(I-CVI)was 0.725 to 1.000,the Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the total scale was 0.973,and the retest reliability coefficient was 0.934.Conclusion:The constructed quality evaluation scale of specification of management for humanistic caring in outpatients has good scientific validity and reliability,and can be used as an evaluation tool for specification of management for humanistic caring in outpatients.

The clinical research in the field of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in 2023 has focused on the efficacy of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with infarct-related cardiogenic shock. Additionally, the research also explored the efficacy of prone positioning during veno-venous ECMO, transfusion strategies, and the impact of obesity on outcomes. Awake veno-venous ECMO has shown novel therapeutic potential, but its optimal practice methods and management strategies remain to be determined. In in-hospital cardiac arrest patients, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation has demonstrated higher survival rates and better neurological recovery compared to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The effectiveness of extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal varies among patients with different types of respiratory failure. Future research should focus on optimizing the application strategies and process management of ECLS technologies, investigating personalized therapy, and studying how to improve long-term rehabilitation and quality of life for survivors.