Objective To analyze the correlations between the thoracic electrical impedance tomography(EIT)-derived parameters global inhomogeneity(GI),center of ventilation(COV),regional ventilation delay(RVD),and atelectasis in hospitalized patients,and to explore their effectiveness in evaluating atelectasis.Methods The clinical data of 140 hospitalized patients monitored by thoracic EIT between Sep.2024 and Jan.2025 were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were assigned to 2 groups based on chest computed tomography confirmation of atelectasis within the preceding short-term period during EIT monitoring:non-atelectasis group or atelectasis group.The algorithm software designed with MATLAB was used to acquire GI and COV.RVD was obtained through analysis with the Dr?ger EIT Data Analysis Tool 6.3 software,and patients'general data were concurrently documented.Comparative analysis of EIT-derived parameters between groups was conducted.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the correlations of GI,COV,and RVD with atelectasis,while receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to assess the efficacy of EIT-derived parameters in evaluating atelectasis.Results A total of 140 patients were enrolled,with 19(13.6%)cases presenting atelectasis.Compared to the non-atelectasis group,the atelectasis group demonstrated significantly higher proportions of male patients and cardiovascular disease and thoracic surgery(non-pulmonary)histories,lower body mass index(BMI),and alongside elevated GI and RVD values with reduced COV(all P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that GI,COV,and RVD maintained independent associations with atelectasis after adjusting for age,gender,BMI,pleural effusion,and emphysema(odds ratio[OR]=1.39,95%confidence interval[CI]1.20-1.67;OR=0.85,95%CI 0.75-0.96;OR=1.22,95%CI 1.09-1.39;all P＜0.05).The area under curve(AUC)values of GI,COV,and RVD for evaluating atelectasis in hospitalized patients were 0.82,0.80,and 0.82,respectively(while RVD demonstrated a higher AUC,its clinical applicability was influenced by respiratory patterns).Conclusion Thoracic EIT-derived parameters GI and COV demonstrate significant correlations with atelectasis and may serve as valuable indicators for evaluating atelectasis in hospitalized patients.

With the rapid progress of industrialization and commercialization, the sales and population intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are constantly increasing globally. High UPFs intake is associated with various health issues. This article provided a brief overview of various health outcomes and explored the possible causes for the health impacts of UPFs consumption from the perspectives of processing and production. The review found that high UPFs intake increased the risks of adult overweight/ obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer mortality, and anxiety disorders; maternal preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and gestational diabetes; childhood and adolescent overweight/ obesity. High UPFs intake also affected embryonic development and offspring language development. The possible explanations for the negative health outcomes associated with UPFs were as follows. The convenience and increased accessibility of UPFs affect the dietary structure of the population. The combined exposure to refined carbohydrates and fats added to UPFs increases the desire and motivation for more energy intake. The complex processing process leads to the loss of dietary fibers and micronutrients, affecting human satiety, digestion rate, chewing duration, and producing toxic compounds such as furan, heterocyclic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and acrolein. The introduction of more types and higher doses of food additives and the migration of exogenous pollutants from packaging materials to food pose potential health and safety risks. At present, there is little research on the relationship between UPFs and human health in China. Based on the known health risks of UPFs, more in-depth research is needed in order to better understand the relationship between UPFs and human health.

BACKGROUND:Pulsed electromagnetic fields,as an important physical therapy,are exactly effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis,but the mechanism has not been fully clarified. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of pulsed electromagnetic field on the degeneration of knee joint cartilage in aged rats. METHODS:Eight 6-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were selected as the young group and were subjected to normal diet with no treatment.Sixteen 22-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into old group(n=8)and pulsed electromagnetic field group(n=8).The rats in the pulsed electromagnetic field group were subjected to a pulsed electromagnetic field intervention,once a day,5 days per week for continuous 8 weeks.The rats in the old group were given no treatment.All rats were anesthetized and executed after 8 weeks for the detection of relevant indexes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the young group,serum type Ⅱ collagen C-terminal peptide level was increased in the old group(P<0.05);compared with the old group,serum type Ⅱ collagen C-terminal peptide level was decreased in the pulsed electromagnetic field group(P<0.05).Micro-CT showed that the bone volume fraction,bone mineral density,and number of bone trabeculae decreased(P<0.05)and the trabecular separation increased(P<0.05)in the tibia of rats in the aged group compared with the young group;and the bone volume fraction,bone density,and number of trabeculae increased(P<0.05)and the trabecular separation decreased(P<0.05)in the tibia of rats in the pulsed electromagnetic field group compared with the aged group.The tibial plateau Safranin O-fast green staining showed that the articular cartilage structure of rats in the aged group was disorganized,and the number of chondrocytes was obviously reduced,and the tidal line could not be distinguished.The above results were improved in the pulsed electromagnetic field group.RT-qPCR and western blot assay showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 1,matrix metalloproteinase 13,P53 and P21 in the articular cartilage and subchondral bone of rats were elevated in the aged group compared with the young group(P<0.05)and decreased in the pulsed electromagnetic field group compared with the old group(P<0.05).To conclude,pulsed electromagnetic fields may improve osteoarthritis in aged rats by inhibiting chondrocyte senescence,alleviating articular cartilage degradation and inhibiting subchondral bone osteoporosis through suppressing the expression of P53/P21.

Objective To analyze the effect of DRG payment reform on the average expenses of hospitalization in county public hospitals,and to provide evidence and policy recommendations for the promotion and implementation of this policy in the county.Methods Medical record home page of inpatients in all comprehensive public hospitals in Yuhuan County,Zhejiang Province,were collected from 2017 to 2022,and the changes in the structure of average hospitalization expenses before and after the reform were compared through the descriptive analysis,Degree of Structure Variation analysis and Interrupted Time Series analysis.Results The annual Value of Structure Variation (VSV) of medical service expense increased from 1.21％ to 1.49％,accounting for the increase in the positive change of the proportion;the deceleration of the drug expenses slowed down (P<0.05),with the annual VSV increasing from-2.96％ to-2.96％,accounting for a decrease in the magnitude of the negative change in the ratio;the trend of growth in the expenses of consumables ceased (P<0.05),and the annual VSV decreased from 1.98％to 1.30％,accounting for a decrease in the magnitude of the positive change in the ratio.Conclusion The DRG payment reform can enhance the structure of average inpatient expenses in county-level public hospitals,resulting in an increased proportion of medical service expenses.It is advisable to prioritize the valuation of technological labor services,control the growth of consumables expenses,and strengthen the establishment of DRG performance evaluation mechanisms,as well as quality supervision mechanisms for medical services.

Objective To analyze the effect of DRG payment reform on the average expenses of hospitalization in county public hospitals,and to provide evidence and policy recommendations for the promotion and implementation of this policy in the county.Methods Medical record home page of inpatients in all comprehensive public hospitals in Yuhuan County,Zhejiang Province,were collected from 2017 to 2022,and the changes in the structure of average hospitalization expenses before and after the reform were compared through the descriptive analysis,Degree of Structure Variation analysis and Interrupted Time Series analysis.Results The annual Value of Structure Variation (VSV) of medical service expense increased from 1.21％ to 1.49％,accounting for the increase in the positive change of the proportion;the deceleration of the drug expenses slowed down (P<0.05),with the annual VSV increasing from-2.96％ to-2.96％,accounting for a decrease in the magnitude of the negative change in the ratio;the trend of growth in the expenses of consumables ceased (P<0.05),and the annual VSV decreased from 1.98％to 1.30％,accounting for a decrease in the magnitude of the positive change in the ratio.Conclusion The DRG payment reform can enhance the structure of average inpatient expenses in county-level public hospitals,resulting in an increased proportion of medical service expenses.It is advisable to prioritize the valuation of technological labor services,control the growth of consumables expenses,and strengthen the establishment of DRG performance evaluation mechanisms,as well as quality supervision mechanisms for medical services.

Objective:To understand the current state of financial toxicity and suicide risk in head and neck cancer patients, to investigate the correlation between the level of financial toxicity and suicide risk in head and neck cancer patients, and to provide a basis for reducing the level of financial toxicity and the risk of suicide in head and neck cancer patients.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted, from March 1 to July 31, 2022, 150 head and neck cancer patients were selected from Oncology Department of East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Universityby by convenient sampling method. The survey was carried out by means of the general questionnaire, Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity based on the Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (COST-PROM), Cancer Suicide Risk Scale (CSRS), and then analysis the datum.Results:The score of COST-PROM of 150 head and neck cancer patients was (18.00 ± 6.12) points, and the score of CSRS of head and neck cancer patients was (36.31 ± 8.51) points. The total score of economic toxicity was significantly negatively correlated with the total score of suicide risk and its dimensions ( r values were -0.446 to 0.235, all P<0.05). The total score of suicide risk was negatively correlated with the total score of economic toxicity and the scores of each dimension ( r values were -0.446 to -0.251, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Patients with head and neck cancer were at higher risk of suicide, and financial toxicity was a significant contributing factor to suicide risk, with higher levels of financial toxicity associated with a higher risk of suicide. Reducing the level of financial toxicity in patients with head and neck cancer has important implications for reducing their risk of suicide.

Objective To investigate the value of international standardized ratio-to-platelet ratio (INPR) versus aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in patients with primary cholangitis (PBC). Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the patients who underwent liver biopsy and were diagnosed with PBC in The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2013 to March 2021. Scheuer score was used to systematically evaluate the degree of liver fibrosis (S0-S4 stage). According to the results of liver biopsy, the degree of liver fibrosis was classified as significant liver fibrosis (≥S2), progressive liver fibrosis (≥S3), and liver cirrhosis (S4). Related data including general information, liver function, routine blood test results, and blood coagulation were collected, and related formulas were used to calculate the values of the noninvasive serological models INPR, APRI, and FIB-4. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between multiple groups. A Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between noninvasive models and liver fibrosis stage. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the efficacy of the noninvasive serological models in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis degree, and the DeLong method was used for comparison of the area under the ROC curve (AUC). Results A total of 143 patients with PBC were enrolled in the study, among whom 4 had stage S0 liver fibrosis, 50 had stage S1 liver fibrosis, 46 had stage S2 liver fibrosis, 26 had stage S3 liver fibrosis, and 17 had stage S4 liver fibrosis. There was a significant difference in INPR value between the PBC patients with different liver fibrosis degrees ( χ 2 =27.347, P < 0.001). INPR value gradually increased with the aggravation of liver fibrosis degree, and INPR was positively correlated with liver fibrosis degree ( r =0.419, P < 0.01). The ROC curve analysis showed that INPR, APRI, and FIB-4 had an AUC of 0.691, 0.706, and 0.742, respectively, in the diagnosis of significant liver fibrosis (≥S2) in PBC patients, at the corresponding cut-off values of 0.63, 0.59, and 2.68, respectively. INPR, APRI, and FIB-4 had an AUC of 0.731, 0.675, and 0.756, respectively, in the diagnosis of progressive hepatic fibrosis (≥S3) in PBC patients, at the corresponding cut-off values of 0.64, 1.23, and 4.63, respectively. INPR, APRI, and FIB-4 had an AUC of 0.820, 0.786, and 0.818, respectively, in the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis (S4) in PBC patients, at the corresponding cut-off values of 0.95, 1.26, and 4.63, respectively. In the evaluation of significant liver fibrosis, progressive liver fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis, there was no significant difference in AUC between INPR and APRI/FIB-4 (all P > 0.05). Conclusion INPR is a simple and accurate noninvasive model for the evaluation of liver fibrosis and has a certain value in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in PBC.

Objective:To investigate the effect of peer support-based narrative therapy on postoperative self-image and stigma of patients with head and neck cancer, to provide reference for clinical nursing.Methods:A total of 78 head and neck cancer patients from August 2018 to August 2020 in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were divided into experimental group and control group by random digits table method, each group were 39 cases. The control group was given conventional nursing, while the experimental group implemented support-based narrative therapy on the basis of routine nursing. The intervention time was 4 weeks. The self-image and stigma of the two groups before and after intervention were assessed by Body Image Scale (BIS) and Social Impact Scale (SIS), respectively.Results:Finally, 37 cases were included in the experimental group and 38 cases in the control group. There was no significant difference in BIS, SIS dimension scores and total scores between the two groups before intervention ( P>0.05). After intervention, the emotional demension scores, behavior dimension scores, cognitive dimension scores and total scores in BIS were 4.41 ± 1.04, 1.95 ± 0.51, 3.81 ± 0.63 and 10.16 ± 2.05 in the experimental group, significantly lower than in the control group 5.08 ± 1.08, 2.82 ± 0.60, 5.42 ± 0.76 and 13.32 ± 1.93, the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 2.76-6.86, all P<0.01); the social exclusion scores, internal shame scores, social isolation scores and total stigma scores in SIS were 17.57 ± 2.67, 9.08 ± 1.55, 12.14 ± 3.73 and 46.14 ± 4.95 in the experimental group, significantly lower than in the control group 19.18 ± 3.70, 10.68 ± 1.61, 14.18 ± 3.83 and 51.68 ± 6.09, the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 2.16-4.38, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Peer support-based narrative therapy can effectively alleviate the postoperative self-image problems and stigma of patients with head and neck cancer, which is worthy of clinical application.

Objective:To study the effects of cold spray on pain after non-coring needle insertion.Methods:This was a randomized controlled study. Patients with totally implantable access port (TIAP) were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group were given cold spray, while the control group were given eutectic mixture of local anesthetics cream (EMLA). The severity of pain, comfort and satisfaction, right-first-time insertion rate and skin reaction incidence were compared between groups.Results:29 patients were included in each of the two groups. The pain assessed with numeric rating scale in the experimental group was less severe than the control group ([1.52±1.02] vs [2.24±1.62]). However, there was no significant difference (d=-0.02 [95% CI:-0.55~0.51], P=0.109). The right-first-time insertion rate was 100% for both groups. The incidence of skin reactions in experimental group was lower (ARR=27.6% [95% CI: 11.32%~43.86%], P=0.008), and comfort scores ( d=-0.97 [95% CI: -0.42~-1.52], P<0.01) and satisfaction scores(ARR=13.8% [95% CI: 1.24%~26.34%], P=0.013) were significantly higher compared with control group. Conclusions:There was no statistically significant difference in the analgesic effect of cold spray and EMLA on pain from non-coring needle insertion. Cold spray acted quickly, comfortably and safely, resulting in better patient satisfaction.

Metformin is currently a strong candidate anti-tumor agent in multiple cancers. However, its anti-tumor effectiveness varies among different cancers or subpopulations, potentially due to tumor heterogeneity. It thus remains unclear which hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient subpopulation(s) can benefit from metformin treatment. Here, through a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9-based knockout screen, we find that DOCK1 levels determine the anti-tumor effects of metformin and that DOCK1 is a synthetic lethal target of metformin in HCC. Mechanistically, metformin promotes DOCK1 phosphorylation, which activates RAC1 to facilitate cell survival, leading to metformin resistance. The DOCK1-selective inhibitor, TBOPP, potentiates anti-tumor activity by metformin in vitro in liver cancer cell lines and patient-derived HCC organoids, and in vivo in xenografted liver cancer cells and immunocompetent mouse liver cancer models. Notably, metformin improves overall survival of HCC patients with low DOCK1 levels but not among patients with high DOCK1 expression. This study shows that metformin effectiveness depends on DOCK1 levels and that combining metformin with DOCK1 inhibition may provide a promising personalized therapeutic strategy for metformin-resistant HCC patients.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats ; Genome ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Metformin/therapeutic use* ; Mice ; Phosphorylation ; Synthetic Lethal Mutations ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; rac GTP-Binding Proteins/metabolism*