Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of intense pulsed light (IPL) for facial early linear scars.Methods:The patients who underwent facial plastic surgery and cosmetic suturing at the Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from June to December 2023 were included. A randomized self-controlled study was conducted. Each post-operative wound was divided into the treatment and control sides by random number. The treatment side received 3 sessions of IPL treatment at 2-3 d after wound suturing, 6-7 d after suture removal and 6 weeks after surgery, respectively. The control side did not receive IPL treatment. After 3 months follow-up, the Vancouver scar scale (VSS), patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS) were used to evaluate the scars on both sides. Adverse reactions were recorded. VSS evaluated scar severity through four items: vascularity (0-3 points), pigmentation (0-3 points), thickness (0-4 points), and pliability (0-5 points), with a total score of 0-15 points. The higher the score, the more serious the scar was. POSAS consisted of observer scar assessment scale (OSAS) and patient scar assessment scale (PSAS), OSAS included vascularity, pigmentation, thickness, surface relief, pliability, surface area and overall opinion. While PSAS included pain, itching, color, thickness, stiffness, irregularity, and overall opinion. Each component was assessed on a scale ranging from 1 to 10, while maximum scores indicated the worst outcome. Statistical analysis was performed using the Graphpad Prism 8.0 software. Normal distributed measurement data were expressed as Mean±SD, and non-normally distributed measurement data were expressed as M( Q1, Q3). Comparisons of VSS, OSAS, PSAS scores between the treatment and control sides were performed using paired sample t-test or paired sample Wilcoxon rank sum test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 23 facial trauma patients with 27 scars formed after debridement and aesthetic suture were enrolled in this study, including 17 males and 6 females, aged (28.2±6.1) years old. The length of the scars were (5.9±1.8) cm. After three sessions of treatment and 3 months follow-up, with regard to VSS, the treatment sides scored vascularity [0(0, 1) vs. 1(1, 1)], thickness [0(0, 0) vs. 0(0, 1)], and total scores [0.5(0, 1) vs. 1(1, 2.75)], which were statistically lower than the control sides (all P<0.05). With regard to OSAS, the treatment sides scored vascularity(2.1±0.9 vs. 3.0±1.0), pigmentation(2.2±0.8 vs. 2.3±0.8), thickness(1.4±0.7 vs. 1.9±0.9), surface relief(1.7±0.6 vs. 2.2±1.1), pliability(1.8±0.8 vs. 2.1±1.1), overall opinion(1.9±0.8 vs. 2.8±1.1) and total scores(12.6±4.4 vs. 16.2±6.2), which were statistically lower than the control sides(all P<0.05).With regard to PSAS, the treatment sides scored scar color(2.9±1.3 vs. 3.9±1.7), thickness(1.8±1.4 vs. 2.4±1.5), overall opinion(2.2±1.0 vs. 3.1±1.3) and total scores(14.3±6.7 vs. 17.7±7.7), which were statistically lower than the control sides(all P<0.05). No adverse reactions such as wound infection, delayed wound healing and blister formation were observed in all patients. Conclusion:IPL is effective in the treatment of early facial scars, which can significantly improve the vascularity, thickness, pigmentation, surface relief and pliability of scars, and improve the scars appearance. This treatment method is safe with few adverse reactions.

The reliability and practicality of research findings in health economics are gradually becoming core issues of close concern for clinical and public health experts. As healthcare resources remain under increasing pressure, conducting efficient cost-effectiveness analyses and achieving rational resource allocation are becoming ever more critical. In recent years, medical laboratory health economics has transitioned from purely academic discussions to integration into clinical practice, becoming a key tool for improving the efficiency and quality of healthcare services. It has demonstrated remarkable results in optimizing patient management and medical decision-making processes. So we invited experts from the fields of medical laboratory science and health economics to share valuable experiences and unique insights on topics such as cost assessment methods, pricing strategies, quality regulation, and the role of medical laboratory health economics in enhancing clinical practice and patient benefits. These experts generally agree that, while research in medical laboratory health economics has shown significant advantages and effectively addressed urgent clinical needs in resource allocation and cost control, it still faces multiple challenges, including limitations in research methodology application, high operational costs, and insufficient standardization of management systems.

The reliability and practicality of research findings in health economics are gradually becoming core issues of close concern for clinical and public health experts. As healthcare resources remain under increasing pressure, conducting efficient cost-effectiveness analyses and achieving rational resource allocation are becoming ever more critical. In recent years, medical laboratory health economics has transitioned from purely academic discussions to integration into clinical practice, becoming a key tool for improving the efficiency and quality of healthcare services. It has demonstrated remarkable results in optimizing patient management and medical decision-making processes. So we invited experts from the fields of medical laboratory science and health economics to share valuable experiences and unique insights on topics such as cost assessment methods, pricing strategies, quality regulation, and the role of medical laboratory health economics in enhancing clinical practice and patient benefits. These experts generally agree that, while research in medical laboratory health economics has shown significant advantages and effectively addressed urgent clinical needs in resource allocation and cost control, it still faces multiple challenges, including limitations in research methodology application, high operational costs, and insufficient standardization of management systems.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of intense pulsed light (IPL) for facial early linear scars.Methods:The patients who underwent facial plastic surgery and cosmetic suturing at the Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from June to December 2023 were included. A randomized self-controlled study was conducted. Each post-operative wound was divided into the treatment and control sides by random number. The treatment side received 3 sessions of IPL treatment at 2-3 d after wound suturing, 6-7 d after suture removal and 6 weeks after surgery, respectively. The control side did not receive IPL treatment. After 3 months follow-up, the Vancouver scar scale (VSS), patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS) were used to evaluate the scars on both sides. Adverse reactions were recorded. VSS evaluated scar severity through four items: vascularity (0-3 points), pigmentation (0-3 points), thickness (0-4 points), and pliability (0-5 points), with a total score of 0-15 points. The higher the score, the more serious the scar was. POSAS consisted of observer scar assessment scale (OSAS) and patient scar assessment scale (PSAS), OSAS included vascularity, pigmentation, thickness, surface relief, pliability, surface area and overall opinion. While PSAS included pain, itching, color, thickness, stiffness, irregularity, and overall opinion. Each component was assessed on a scale ranging from 1 to 10, while maximum scores indicated the worst outcome. Statistical analysis was performed using the Graphpad Prism 8.0 software. Normal distributed measurement data were expressed as Mean±SD, and non-normally distributed measurement data were expressed as M( Q1, Q3). Comparisons of VSS, OSAS, PSAS scores between the treatment and control sides were performed using paired sample t-test or paired sample Wilcoxon rank sum test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 23 facial trauma patients with 27 scars formed after debridement and aesthetic suture were enrolled in this study, including 17 males and 6 females, aged (28.2±6.1) years old. The length of the scars were (5.9±1.8) cm. After three sessions of treatment and 3 months follow-up, with regard to VSS, the treatment sides scored vascularity [0(0, 1) vs. 1(1, 1)], thickness [0(0, 0) vs. 0(0, 1)], and total scores [0.5(0, 1) vs. 1(1, 2.75)], which were statistically lower than the control sides (all P<0.05). With regard to OSAS, the treatment sides scored vascularity(2.1±0.9 vs. 3.0±1.0), pigmentation(2.2±0.8 vs. 2.3±0.8), thickness(1.4±0.7 vs. 1.9±0.9), surface relief(1.7±0.6 vs. 2.2±1.1), pliability(1.8±0.8 vs. 2.1±1.1), overall opinion(1.9±0.8 vs. 2.8±1.1) and total scores(12.6±4.4 vs. 16.2±6.2), which were statistically lower than the control sides(all P<0.05).With regard to PSAS, the treatment sides scored scar color(2.9±1.3 vs. 3.9±1.7), thickness(1.8±1.4 vs. 2.4±1.5), overall opinion(2.2±1.0 vs. 3.1±1.3) and total scores(14.3±6.7 vs. 17.7±7.7), which were statistically lower than the control sides(all P<0.05). No adverse reactions such as wound infection, delayed wound healing and blister formation were observed in all patients. Conclusion:IPL is effective in the treatment of early facial scars, which can significantly improve the vascularity, thickness, pigmentation, surface relief and pliability of scars, and improve the scars appearance. This treatment method is safe with few adverse reactions.

Objective:To investigate atrial fibrillation patients′illness perception during the blanking period after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and to analyze its influencing factors, so as to provide a reference for improving patients′cognition of the disease and speeding up the rehabilitation process.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional survey. Convenience sampling method was adopted to select 320 patients with atrial fibrillation who were reexamined in the outpatient department during the blanking period after PVI from Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from Auguest 2022 to May 2023 as the research subjects. The General Information Questionnaire, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), and the Control Attitudes Scale-Revised (CAS-R) were used for on-site investigation.Results:Totally 320 patients were included in this study, including 177 males and 143 females, aged (61.64 ± 10.74) years old. The total score of BIPQ was (42.98 ± 10.49) points, the total score of CAS-R was (27.20 ± 5.65) points. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, resting heart rate, postoperative course, and perceived control were the influencing factors of illness perception ( F = 25.24, P<0.05). Conclusions:The illness perception of atrial fibrillation patients during the blanking period after PVI needs to be improved urgently. Medical staff should pay more attention to patients with old age, fast resting heart rate, short postoperative course, and low perceived control, and take effective measures to reduce negative illness perception and promote postoperative rehabilitation.

Sepsis is characterized by a severe and life-threatening host immune response to polymicrobial infection accompanied by organ dysfunction.Studies on the therapeutic effect and mechanism of immunomod-ulatory drugs on the sepsis-induced hyperinflammatory or immunosuppression states of various im-mune cells remain limited.This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanism of artesunate(ART)on the splenic microenvironment of cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis model mice using single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)and experimental validations.The scRNA-seq analysis revealed that ART inhibited the activation of pro-inflammatory macrophages recruited during sepsis.ART could restore neutrophils'chemotaxis and immune function in the septic spleen.It inhibited the activation of T regulatory cells but promoted the cytotoxic function of natural killer cells during sepsis.ART also promoted the differentiation and activity of splenic B cells in mice with sepsis.These results indicated that ART could alleviate the inflammatory and/or immunosuppressive states of various immune cells involved in sepsis to balance the immune homeostasis within the host.Overall,this study provided a comprehensive investigation of the regulatory effect of ART on the splenic microenvironment in sepsis,thus contributing to the application of ART as adjunctive therapy for the clinical treatment of sepsis.

Hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)are essential drivers of fibrogenesis.Inducing activated-HSC apoptosis is a promising strategy for treating hepatic fibrosis.18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid(18β-GA)is a natural com-pound that exists widely in herbal medicines,such as Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch,which is used for treating multiple liver diseases,especially in Asia.In the present study,we demonstrated that 18β-GA decreased hepatic fibrosis by inducing the apoptosis in activated HSCs.18β-GA inhibited the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen type Ⅰ alpha-1.Using a chemoproteomic approach derived from activity-based protein profiling,together with cellular thermal shift assay and surface plasmon reso-nance,we found that 18β-GA covalently targeted peroxiredoxin 1(PRDX1)and peroxiredoxin 2(PRDX2)proteins via binding to active cysteine residues and thereby inhibited their enzymatic activities.18β-GA induced the elevation of reactive oxygen species(ROS),resulting in the apoptosis of activated HSCs.PRDX1 knockdown also led to ROS-mediated apoptosis in activated HSCs.Collectively,our findings revealed the target proteins and molecular mechanisms of 18β-GA in ameliorating hepatic fibrosis,highlighting the future development of 18β-GA as a novel therapeutic drug for hepatic fibrosis.

The composition of serum is extremely complex,which complicates the discovery of new pharmaco-dynamic biomarkers via serum proteome for disease prediction and diagnosis.Recently,nanoparticles have been reported to efficiently reduce the proportion of high-abundance proteins and enrich low-abundance proteins in serum.Here,we synthesized a silica-coated iron oxide nanoparticle and devel-oped a highly efficient and reproducible protein corona(PC)-based proteomic analysis strategy to improve the range of serum proteomic analysis.We identified 1,070 proteins with a median coefficient of variation of 12.56％using PC-based proteomic analysis,which was twice the number of proteins iden-tified by direct digestion.There were also more biological processes enriched with these proteins.We applied this strategy to identify more pharmacodynamic biomarkers on collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)rat model treated with methotrexate(MTX).The bioinformatic results indicated that 485 differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)were found in CIA rats,of which 323 DEPs recovered to near normal levels after treatment with MTX.This strategy can not only help enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of disease and drug action through serum proteomics studies,but also provide more pharmacodynamic biomarkers for disease prediction,diagnosis,and treatment.

Lianhuaqingwen (LHQW) capsule, a herb medicine product, has been clinically proved to be effective in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia treatment. However, human exposure to LHQW components and their pharmacological effects remain largely unknown. Hence, this study aimed to determine human exposure to LHQW components and their anti-COVID-19 pharmacological activities. Analysis of LHQW component profiles in human plasma and urine after repeated therapeutic dosing was conducted using a combination of HRMS and an untargeted data-mining approach, leading to detection of 132 LHQW prototype and metabolite components, which were absorbed

OBJECTVE:To investigate the clinical effect and safety of pregabalin combined with gabapentin in the treatment of central pain after cerebral infarction.METHODS:One hundred and fifty patients with central pain after cerebral infarction in our hospital from Jan.2010 to Dec.2015 in our department were randomly divided into group A,B,C,with 50 cases in each group.Group A was given Pregabalin capsule 75 mg,bid combined with Gabapentin capsule 0.1 g,tid;group B was given Pregabalin capsule 75 mg,bid;group C was given Gabapentin capsule 0.1 g,tid;3 groups were treated for 4 weeks.VAS score,NRS score,PSQI and SF-36 score were observed among 3 groups before and after treatment to evaluate clinical efficacies of 3 groups;the occurrence of ADR were recorded in 3 groups.RESULTS:The clinical total response rate of group A,B,C were separately 94.00％,74.00％,70.00％.The clinical total response rate of group A was significantly better than that of group B and C,with statistical significance (P＜0.05).After treatment,VAS score of group A,B,C were separately(3.87 ± 0.74),(5.10 ± 1.26),(5.03 ± 1.23);NRS score were separately (3.91 ± 0.88),(5.29 ± 1.25),(5.37 ± 1.30);VAS score and NRS score of group A were signifi cantly lower than group B,C and before treatment,with statistical significance (P＜0.05);PSQI score of group A,B,C were separately(4.03 ± 0.85),(5.92 ± 1.16),(5.83 ± 1.11);SF-36 score were separately (372.84 ± 73.25),(348.07 ± 60.54),(345.67 ± 59.72);PSQI score and SF-36 score of group A were significantly better than group B,C and before treatment,with statistical sig nificance (P＜0.05).There was no statistical significance in the incidence of ADR among 3 groups (P＞0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Compared with pregabalin and gabapentin alone,pregabalin combined with gabapentin in the treatment of central pain after cerebral infarction can efficiently relieve the perceived pain,improve sleep quality and daily life quality and not increase the risk of ADR;therefore,drug combination plan is recommended for patient with central pain after cerebral infarction,especially with poor effect of two single drug.