Objective: To analyze the mediating effect of activities of daily living (ADL) among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on caregiver ability and caregiver burden, so as to provide a basis for improving the quality of care. Methods: From February 2024 to March 2025, COPD patients and their caregivers from the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine of a tertiary hospital in Haikou were selected using convenience sampling method. Data on the basic characteristics of both caregivers and patients were collected through questionnaire surveys. The Chinese version of the Family Caregiver Capacity Scale, the Chinese version of the Caregiver Burden Inventory, and the Barthel Index were used to assess caregiver ability, caregiver burden, and patients' ADL, respectively. The mediating effect of ADL among COPD patients on caregiver ability and caregiver burden was analyzed using the Process macro 4.0, with the significance tested via the Bootstrap method. Results: A total of 348 caregivers were surveyed, among whom 274 (78.74%) were females and 74 (21.26%) were males. The majority of caregivers were aged 40 years and above, with 291 individuals (83.62%). The relationship between caregivers and patients was primarily that of being their children, with 185 individuals (53.16%). Correspondingly, 348 COPD patients were surveyed, and the predominant type of medical insurance was the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme, with 172 cases (49.43%). The median scores of caregiver ability, caregiver burden, and patients' ADL were 19.00 (interquartile range, 5.00), 47.00 (interquartile range, 8.00) and 45.00 (interquartile range, 15.00) points, respectively. Mediating analysis showed that caregiver ability directly affected caregiver burden, with an effect value of 0.693 (95%CI: 0.553-0.832). It also indirectly affected caregiver burden through the patients' ADL, with an effect value of 0.104 (95%CI: 0.029-0.179). This mediating effect accounted for 13.05% of the total effect. Conclusion The ADL of COPD patients played a mediating role between caregiver ability and caregiver burden, with caregiver ability exerting a significant positive indirect effect on caregiver burden through patients' ADL.

Objective To investigate value and risk factors of pelvic floor three-dimensional ultrasound parameters in single spontaneous delivery primipara with bladder neck funnel formation at 6-8weeks after delivery.Methods A total of 108 cases of single spontaneous delivery primipara were selected as research objects according to three-dimensional ultrasound indexes of pelvic floor,they were assigned into two groups:Observation group(40 cases)with bladder neck funnel formation and control group(68 cases)without bladder neck funnel formation.Three-dimensional ultrasound indexes of pelvic floor and clinical symptoms were compared between two groups.Results The incidence of stress urinary incontinence(SUI),anterior vaginal wall prolapse,bladder neck distance(BND),posterior urethrovesical angle(PUA)in Valsalva state,levator hiatus area(LHA)in resting and Valsalva states,levator hiatus length(LHL),and changes in LHL(△ LHL)in observation group were all higher than those in control group(P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis revealed that SUI and anterior vaginal wall prolapse are independent risk factors for bladder neck funnel formation,adjusted OR were 11.255 and 3.643;Resting state and Valsalva state LHA,LHL,and △ LHL were also independent risk factors for bladder neck funnel formation(P＜0.05).Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis revealed that area under the curve(AUC)for diagnosing bladder neck funnel formation in SUI and anterior vaginal wall prolapse were 0.744 and 0.615,respectively;In ultrasound indicators,when the LHL of Valsalva state is＞63.5mm,the AUC is 0.706;The diagnostic sensitivity of the combination factor 1(resting state LHA+Valsalva state LHA)is 95.0％;The diagnostic specificity of the combination factor 2(Valsalva state LHL+△LHL)is 80.9％.Conclusion In patients of single spontaneous delivery primipara with bladder neck funnel formation,occurrence of SUI and vaginal anterior wall prolapse,increased LHA and LHL under two states and △LHL were independent risk factors.The diagnostic sensitivity of the combination factor 1 was higher than single index,the diagnostic specificity of the combination factor 2 was higher.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of copy number variation (CNV) within the Y chromosome azoospermia factor (AZF) region in patients with spermatogenesis disorders in the Shenzhen area. METHODS: A total of 123 patients with spermatogenesis disorders who had visited Shenzhen People's Hospital from January 2016 to October 2022 (including 73 patients with azoospermia and 50 patients with oligozoospermia) and 100 normal semen males were selected as the study subjects. The AZF region was detected with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), and the correlation between the CNV in the AZF region and spermatogenesis disorders was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: 19 CNV were detected among 53 patients from the 223 samples, including 20 cases (27.40%, 20/73) from the azoospermia group, 19 cases (38%, 19/50) from the oligozoospermia group, and 14 cases (14%, 14/100) from the normal control group. In the azoospermia, oligozoospermia, and normal control groups, the detection rates for CNV related to the AZFa region (including AZFab and AZFabc) were 5.48% (4/73), 2.00% (1/50), and 0 (0/100), respectively. The detection rates for the AZFb region (including the AZFbc region) were 6.85% (5/73), 0 (0/50), and 0 (0/100), respectively. The detection rates for gr/gr deletions in the AZFc region were 2.74% (2/73), 6.00% (3/50), and 9.00% (9/100), respectively, and those for b2/b4 deletions in the AZFc region were 2.74% (2/73), 10.00% (5/50), and 0 (0/100), respectively. The detection rates for complex rearrangements in the AZFc region were 6.85% (5/73), 18.00% (9/50), and 3.00% (3/100), respectively. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in the detection rate of gr/gr deletions between the three groups (Fisher's Exact Test value = 2.712, P = 0.249); the differences in the detection rate of b2/b4 deletions between the three groups were statistically significant (Fisher's Exact Test value = 9.489, P = 0.002); the differences in the detection rate of complex rearrangements in the AZFc region between the three groups were statistically significant (Fisher's Exact Test value = 9.493, P = 0.006). In this study, a rare AZFa region ARSLP1 gene deletion (involving SY86 deletion) was detected in a patient with oligozoospermia. CONCLUSION CNV in the AZFa and AZFb regions have a severe impact on spermatogenesis, but partial deletion in the AZFa region (ARSLP1 gene deletion) has a minor impact on spermatogenesis. The b2/b4 deletion and complex rearrangement in the AZFc region may be risk factors for male infertility. The gr/gr deletion may not serve as a risk factor for male infertility in the Shenzhen area.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/genetics* ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Oligospermia/genetics* ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Y Chromosome

OBJECTIVE: To carry out prenatal diagnosis and genetic analysis for a fetus with disorders of sex development (DSDs). METHODS: A fetus with DSDs who was identified at the Shenzhen People's Hospital in September 2021 was selected as the study subject. Combined molecular genetic techniques including quantitative fluorescence PCR (QF-PCR), multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), as well as cytogenetic techniques such as karyotyping analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were applied. Ultrasonography was used to observe the phenotype of sex development. RESULTS: Molecular genetic testing suggested that the fetus had mosaicism of Yq11.222qter deletion and X monosomy. Combined with the result of cytogenetic testing, its karyotype was determined as mos 45,X[34]/46,X,del(Y)(q11.222)[61]/47,X,del(Y)(q11.222),del(Y)(q11.222)[5]. Ultrasound examination suggested hypospadia, which was confirmed after elective abortion. Combined the results of genetic testing and phenotypic analysis, the fetus was ultimately diagnosed with DSDs. CONCLUSION This study has applied a variety of genetic techniques and ultrasonography to diagnose a fetus with DSDs with a complex karyotype.
Prenatal Diagnosis ; Mosaicism ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Humans ; Male

Objective:To evaluate the effect of metformin on ultraviolet A (UVA) -induced photoaging of an immortalized human keratinocytes cell line (HaCaT), and to explore its potential mechanisms.Methods:Cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) assay was performed to evaluate the effect of metformin at different concentrations (0 - 100 mmol/L) on the viability of HaCaT cells, and 10 mmol/L metformin was selected for subsequent experiments. Cultured HaCaT cells were divided into a blank control group (conventional culture), a metformin group (treated with culture medium containing 10 mmol/L metformin), a UVA irradiation group (conventional culture for 24 hours followed by 10 J/cm 2 UVA irradiation) and a metformin + UVA group (treated with culture medium containing 10 mmol/L metformin for 24 hours followed by 10 J/cm 2 UVA irradiation) ; UVA irradiation was performed at a dose of 10 J/cm 2 once a day for 3 consecutive days. After 4-day treatment, cells were collected, the β-galactosidase assay was performed to determine the proportion of senescent cells in each group, 2′, 7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay to detect levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the comet assay to detect DNA damage levels. Additionally, some HaCaT cells were divided into the blank control group, metformin group, 1.25 μmol/L dorsomorphin (an adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase [AMPK] inhibitor) + metformin group, and 2.5 μmol/L dorsomorphin + metformin group, and cells in the latter two groups were treated with 1.25 and 2.5 μmol/L dorsomorphin respectively for 2 hours, followed by the treatment with 10 mmol/L metformin for 24 hours. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the cellular localization and phosphorylation levels of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). By using the small-interfering RNA (siRNA) -mediated silencing method, siRNA-Nrf2 was transfected into HaCaT cells to knock down Nrf2 expression (siRNA-Nrf2 group) ; 2.5 μmol/L dorsomorphin-treated HaCaT cells or Nrf2-knockdown HaCaT cells were treated with metformin and UVA irradiation (dorsomorphin + metformin + UVA group, siRNA-Nrf2 + metformin + UVA group, respectively), and the proportions of senescent cells were further calculated in each group. Statistical analysis was carried out by using one-way analysis of variance and two-way analysis of variance, and least significant difference (LSD) - t test was used for multiple comparisons. Results:Treatment with different concentrations of metformin for 24 hours could affect the viability of HaCaT cells to varying degrees ( F = 5 206.31, P < 0.001) ; there were no significant differences in the relative survival rates of HaCaT cells between the 10 - 20 mmol/L metformin groups and the control group (0 mmol/L metformin group, all P > 0.05), while the relative cell survival rates were significantly lower in the 25 - 100 mmol/L metformin groups than in the control group (all P < 0.05). After UVA irradiation, HaCaT cells shrank significantly and became narrow and elongated, and the intercellular spaces increased; the relative cell survival rate was significantly lower in the UVA irradiation group (76.13% ± 1.03%) than in the blank control group (100.00% ± 1.24%, LSD- t = 14.86, P < 0.001), but significantly higher in the metformin + UVA group (106.69% ± 2.45%) than in the UVA irradiation group (LSD- t = 11.55, P < 0.001). Moreover, the UVA irradiation group showed significantly increased proportions of senescent cells (45.14% ± 4.98%), intracellular ROS levels (144.61% ± 4.91%), and percentages of DNA in the tail (75.33% ± 1.77%) compared with the blank control group (23.84% ± 1.89%, 55.49% ± 1.57%, 1.88% ± 0.29%, respectively, all P < 0.001), while the metformin + UVA group showed significantly decreased proportions of senescent cells (24.26% ± 1.34%), intracellular ROS levels (58.62% ± 2.17%), percentages of DNA in the tail (15.83% ± 1.23%) compared with the UVA irradiation group (all P < 0.001). Western blot analysis showed that the Nrf2 expression in the cytoplasm was lower in the 10 mmol/L metformin group than in the blank control group, while the phosphorylated Nrf2 expression in the nuclei was higher in the 10 mmol/L metformin group than in the blank control group, suggesting that metformin could effectively induce the phosphorylation of Nrf2 and its nuclear translocation; both the pretreatment with 1.25 and 2.5 μmol/L dorsomorphin could significantly reduce the phosphorylation levels of AMPKα and Nrf2 induced by 10 mmol/L metformin. The proportions of senescent cells in the dorsomorphin + metformin + UVA group and the siRNA-Nrf2 + metformin + UVA group were 67.84% ± 2.74% and 65.94% ± 1.33%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the metformin + UVA group (37.76% ± 1.64%, t = 14.45, 13.34, respectively, both P < 0.001) . Conclusion:Metformin may inhibit UVA-induced photoaging of HaCaT cells by activating the AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway, scavenging ROS and reducing DNA damage.

Objective: To explore the function of cluster needling at scalp points therapy on regulating differential protein's expression at different time points in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model rats. Methods: Fifty-four rats were divided into three groups randomly and 18 rats in each group. The groups respectively were the model group (group M, n = 18), cluster needling at scalp points group (group C, n = 18), false operation group (group F, n = 18). Each group was then assigned in three subgroups, including 24-h, 7-day, and 14-day subgroups. Six rats in each subgroup. Acupuncture at Baihui (GV20) and 2 points beside Baihui, which was 3-4 mm away from the midline. Longa score was used to eval-uated neurological effects. Proteomics methods were used to identify differentially expression proteins with a standard of fold change greater than 1.5 and P<.05 at different times. Results: 1. Nerve function scoring: The nerve function scores at 7 and 14 days decreased in group C, which showed better neural function than group M (P<.05). 2. Fold change in proteins:Group M showed 932 differentially expressed proteins compared with group F, and among them, 414 proteins showed significant changes in expression after acupuncture. The expression levels of Cdc42 and GFAP were increased, and Mag, Shank2, and MBP levels were decreased. In the Gene Ontology analysis, the cellular component consisted of the terms cytoplasm, cytoskeleton, lysosome, and plasma membrane. The main related biological processes were cell-cell signaling, protein transport, aging, and cell adhesion. Many synaptic and metabolic pathways were found by KEGG analysis. Conclusion: Cluster needling at scalp acupoints can improve the nerve function score and improve dyskinesia in MCAO model rats. Cluster needling at scalp acupoints can regulate the expression of 414 proteins, including Cdc42, GFAP, Mag, Shank2, and MBP, which are related to cerebral ischemia. The differential proteins are major concentration in cytoplasm, cytoskeleton, lysosomes, and plasma mem-brane, participate in cell-cell signaling, protein transport, aging, and cell adhesion, and act through multiple synaptic and metabolic pathways to exert their biological functions.

Objective To investigate the workplace violence and empathy fatigue of nurses in tumor hospitals, and analyze the factors that affect the empathy fatigue of nurses in tumor hospitals, so as to provide references for nurses to prevent job burnout and quit their jobs. Methods Using the method of convenient sampling, 865 nursing staff in Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Medical University were selected as the research subjects. The general data questionnaire, the workplace violence measurement frequency scale and the empathy fatigue scale were used to investigate. Results Tumor hospital nurses workplace violence zero frequency in 261 cases, accounted for 30.17％, the frequency of 336 cases, accounted for 38.84％, 245 cases of intermediate frequency accounted for 28.32％, high frequency of 23 cases accounted for 2.66％; the feeling of fatigue and mild in 171 cases, accounted for 19.77％, 339 cases of moderate and severe in 355 cases, accounted for 39.19％, and 41.04％respectively;negative correlation workplace violence and empathy fatigue compassion satisfaction score (r=-0.164, P<0.01), and occupation burnout, secondary traumatic stress scores were positively correlated (r= 0.149, 0.196, P<0.01); nurse education and workplace violence is compassion satisfaction of the main influence factors(t = 8.284,-4.664, P<0.01); workplace violence, working age and age is the main influencing factors of occupation burnout(t=8.905, 4.114, 2.986, P<0.01);workplace violence (department of radiology), and education is the main influence factors of secondary traumatic stress(t=8.242,-5.822,-3.644,P<0.01). Conclusions The incidence of workplace violence is highamong nurses in tumor hospitals. The empathy fatigue of nurses in the tumor hospitals is more serious. It is necessary for nursing managers to give comprehensive intervention strategies, reduce the incidence of workplace violence and improve the empathy fatigue of nurses.

Objective To evaluate the protective effect of pterostilbene against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced acute damage in HaCaT cells,and to explore related mechanisms.Methods The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazo1ium (MTS) assay and flow cytometry were performed to estimate the proliferative activity and the apoptosis and necrosis rate of HaCaT cells treated with different concentrations of pterostilbene respectively,so as to screen the non-toxic concentration of pterostilbene.HaCaT cells were randomly divided into several groups:normal control group receiving no treatment,UVB group irradiated with 57 mJ/cm2 UVB,3 pterostilbene groups treated with 2.44,4.88 and 9.75 μmol/L pterostilbene respectively for 24 hours,3 pterostilbene + UVB groups treated with 2.44,4.88 and 9.75 μmol/L pterostilbene respectively for 24 hours followed by UVB radiation.Western blot analysis was conducted to detect changes of the transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression in cell nuclei and cytoplasm before and after the treatment with pterostilbene and UVB,quantitative PCR to determine the mRNA expression of catalase and superoxide dismutase in the HaCaT cells,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to evaluate the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase.Results MTS assay and flow cytometry showed that 2.44,4.88 and 9.75 μmol/L pterostilbene had non-toxic effect on HaCaT cells.The protein expression of Nrf2 in the nuclei and cytoplasm in the normal control group was 1.03 ± 0.08 and 1.04 ± 0.11 respectively.Compared with the normal control group,the protein expression of Nrf2 in the nuclei and cytoplasm experienced no significant changes in the 2.44-,4.88-and 9.75-μmol/L pterostilbene groups,and the UVB group showed similar protein expression of Nrf2 in the cytoplasm,but significantly increased protein expression of Nrf2 in the nuclei (1.77 ± 0.08,q =17.24,P ＜ 0.01).Compared with the normal control group and UVB group,the 2.44-,4.88-and 9.75-μmol/L pterostilbene + UVB groups all showed significantly lower protein expression of Nrf2 in the cytoplasm (0.86 ± 0.10,0.87 ± 0.11 and 0.46 ± 0.11 respectively,all P ＜ 0.05),but significantly higher protein expression of Nrf2 in the nuclei (2.38 ± 0.11,2.57 ± 0.11 and 2.07 ± 0.13,all P ＜ 0.01).As qPCR showed,UVB radiation could significantly inhibit the mRNA expression of CAT (P ＜ 0.05),but had no obvious effect on the mRNA expression of SOD (P ＞ 0.05).The mRNA expression of CAT and SOD experienced no significant changes in the 2.44-,4.88-and 9.75-μmol/L pterostilbene groups compared with the normal control group (P ＞ 0.05).However,2.44,4.88 and 9.75 μmol/L pterostilbene could significantly reduce the inhibitory effect of UVB radiation on the mRNA expression of CAT (P ＜ 0.05) and up-regulate the mRNA expression of SOD in the pterostilbene + UVB groups (P ＜ 0.05).ELISA revealed that UVB radiation could inhibit the activity of CAT and SOD in the HaCaT cells (both P ＜ 0.001),while 2.44,4.88 and 9.75 μmol/L pterostilbene could reduce the inhibitory effect of UVB radiation on the activity of CAT and SOD (all P ＜ 0.05).However,the activity of CAT and SOD were still lower in the 2.44-,4.88-and 9.75-μmol/L pterostilbene + UVB groups than in the normal control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Pterostilbene can prevent UVB-induced acute damage in HaCaT cells by activating the Nrf2 pathway and up-regulating the expression of the downstream antioxidant enzymes CAT and SOD.

Objective To investigate the effect of hypertriglyceridemic waist(HTWC)phenotype on cognitive function in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods According to the standard of plasma triglycerides concentration≥1.7 mmoL/L,waist circumference(WC)≥ 90 cm in men or ≥80 cm in women,304 patients with type 2 diabetes were divided into four groups:normal triglycerides and waist circumference group(group A,n =65),normal waist circumference and hypertriglyceridemia group (group B,n=53),abdominal obesity and normal triglycerides group(group C,n=114),and HTWC group(group D,n =72)for prospective studies.Patients in four groups were surveyed with Mini-mental state examination (MMSE)and Montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA).And changes of cognitive function among the four groups were compared.Results Total score for the MMSE was significantly lower in group D than in group A(27.1±1.9 vs.29.0±1.3,F=2.869,P=0.019).The subscales of attention and calculation(4.0± 1.4 vs.4.6±0.9,F=1.605,P=0.047)and recall(2.2± 0.9 vs.2.6±0.6,F=1.959,P=0.043) were significantly lower in group D than in group A.Total score for the MOCA was significantly lower in group D than in group A(23.4±3.9 vs.25.9±3.6,F =1.975,P=0.031).The subscales of visuospatial and executive(3.5 ± 1.4 vs.4.1 ± 0.9,F=1.537,P =0.048),attention(5.1±1.4 vs.5.7±0.9,F=1.660,P=0.048)and orientation(5.6±1.0 vs.6.0± 0.0,F=2.362,P=0.030)were significantly lower in group D than in group A.Conclusions There is a statistically more significant decline in cognitive function in patients with HTWC phenotype and the effective intervention and treatment are needed.

Objective To assess the value of magnetic resonance diffusion weighted imaging(DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficients(ADC) values of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis(HAE) in children.Methods 20 cases of children(≤14 years) with HAE were collected in this restrospective study.PNM staging was determined, the HAE peripheral area of DWI lesions with different P stages was observed, and the ADC value of the peripheral area was measured.The comparison of alveococcus lesions in different stages of DWI with continuous edge degree and ADC value difference was done to evaluate the growth activity.Results There were 5 cases of P1 lesions, 7 cases of P2 lesions, 2 cases of P3 lesions and 6 cases of P4 lesions.DWI features of peripheral area were as follows: High signal ring band between HAE lesion edge and adjacent normal hepatic parenchyma was observed.P1 lesions showed almost complete obviously high signal peripheral area, indicating the most active proliferation, P2 and P3 lesions of peripheral area were continuous and with high signal, and still had obvious growth activity.P4 lesions of peripheral area were not continuous, while the signal decreased, indicating the activity also decreased.The highest ADC value was detected in P1 lesions group of and the ADC value of P2 lesions group were lower than P1, and the ADC value of P4 lesions group were the lowest.P3 lesions samples were too small and thus no statistical analysis was done.Differences of ADC value between the three groups were statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion DWI image features could be used to assesse the growth activity of HAE in children with different stages to a certain extent.ADC values measurement provides important reference value for evaluating the growth activity at various stages of the lesions.