OBJECTIVES: To investigate the expression of apolipoprotein C1 (APOC1) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and its effects on proliferation and apoptosis of PTC cells. METHODS: The expression level of APOC1 in PTC and its impact on prognosis were analyzed using GEPIA 2 and Kaplan-Meier databases. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of APOC1 in PTC and adjacent tissues and in 3 PTC cell lines and normal thyroid Nthyori 3-1 cells. In TPC-1 and BCPAP cells, the effect of Lipofectamine 2000-mediated transfection with APOC1 siRNA or an APOC1-overexpressing plasmid on cell growth and colony formation ability were examined by observing the growth curves and using colony-forming assay. The changes in cell cycle and apoptosis of the transfected cells were analyzed with flow cytometry. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the changes in expressions of P21, P27, CDK4, cyclin D1, Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9 and the key proteins in the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. RESULTS: APOC1 expression was significantly higher in PTC tissues and the 3 PTC cell lines than in the adjacent tissues and Nthyori 3-1 cells, respectively. In TPC-1 and BCPAP cells, APOC1 knockdown obviously reduced cell proliferative activity, increased the percentage of G0/G1 phase cells, lowered the percentages of S and G2 phase cells, promoted cell apoptosis, and downregulated mRNA and protein expression levels of CDK4, cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 and the protein levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3. APOC1 overexpression in the cells produced the opposite effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle and the mRNA and protein expressions. The application of AG490, a JAK2 inhibitor, strongly attenuated APOC1 overexpression-induced activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in BCPAP cells. CONCLUSIONS APOC1 overexpression promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of PTC cells possibly by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and accelerating cell cycle progression.
Humans ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Janus Kinase 2/metabolism* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology* ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Carcinoma, Papillary

Objective:To develop a Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) Scale for Dietary Management During Hemodialysis and to test its reliability and validity.Methods:Based on the KAP theoretical framework, an initial version of the scale was developed through a literature review and expert consultations. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit hemodialysis patients from four hospitals in Suzhou in March 2024. Questionnaire item analysis and reliability and validity tests were conducted.Results:A total of 460 questionnaires were distributed and 438 valid responses were collected, with an effective response rate of 95.22%. The final scale included three dimensions (knowledge, attitude, and practice) with 34 items. Content validity at the scale level was 0.910, and the item level ranged from 0.800 to 1.000. Exploratory factor analysis extracted three common factors, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 74.520%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good model fit. The total Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.971, and the Cronbach's αcoefficients for the three dimensions were 0.963, 0.933, and 0.934, respectively. The test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.839.Conclusions:The Knowledge-Attitude-Practice Scale for Dietary Management During Hemodialysis demonstrates good reliability and validity, making it a valuable tool for assessing the KAP level of dietary management in hemodialysis patients.

Objective To evaluate the application value of nucleic acid mass spectrometry in detecting ERG11 gene mutations associated with azole resistance in Candida tropicalis(C.tropicalis),thereby providing a scientific basis for the rational clinical use of azole antifungal agents.Methods Clinical isolates of C.tropicalis were obtained from the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between July 2023 and November 2024.For each isolate,specific ERG11 mutations(A395T and C461T)were analyzed using Sanger sequencing and nucleic acid mass spectrometry.Sanger sequencing was used as the reference standard to evaluate the performance of mass spectrometry in mutation detection.Results The established nucleic acid mass spectrometry method effectively identified four genotypes of ERG11(A395T and C461T),with distinct spectral peaks for each mutation and no cross-interference observed.Among 88 clinical isolates,the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value(PPV),and negative predictive value(NPV)for the A395T mutation were 86.7%,100%,100%,and 97.3%,respectively.For the C461T mutation,the corresponding values were 81.3%,100%,100%,and 96.0%,respectively.Kappa statistics demonstrated a high level of agreement between mass spectrometry and sequencing results.Conclusions Nucleic acid mass spectrometry exhibits high sensitivity and specificity in the detection of ERG11 mutations,enabling rapid,accurate,and adaptable high-throughput analysis.This makes it a highly effective method for identifying mutations associated with fungal resistance.

Objective To evaluate the application value of nucleic acid mass spectrometry in detecting ERG11 gene mutations associated with azole resistance in Candida tropicalis(C.tropicalis),thereby providing a scientific basis for the rational clinical use of azole antifungal agents.Methods Clinical isolates of C.tropicalis were obtained from the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between July 2023 and November 2024.For each isolate,specific ERG11 mutations(A395T and C461T)were analyzed using Sanger sequencing and nucleic acid mass spectrometry.Sanger sequencing was used as the reference standard to evaluate the performance of mass spectrometry in mutation detection.Results The established nucleic acid mass spectrometry method effectively identified four genotypes of ERG11(A395T and C461T),with distinct spectral peaks for each mutation and no cross-interference observed.Among 88 clinical isolates,the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value(PPV),and negative predictive value(NPV)for the A395T mutation were 86.7%,100%,100%,and 97.3%,respectively.For the C461T mutation,the corresponding values were 81.3%,100%,100%,and 96.0%,respectively.Kappa statistics demonstrated a high level of agreement between mass spectrometry and sequencing results.Conclusions Nucleic acid mass spectrometry exhibits high sensitivity and specificity in the detection of ERG11 mutations,enabling rapid,accurate,and adaptable high-throughput analysis.This makes it a highly effective method for identifying mutations associated with fungal resistance.

Objective:To develop a Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) Scale for Dietary Management During Hemodialysis and to test its reliability and validity.Methods:Based on the KAP theoretical framework, an initial version of the scale was developed through a literature review and expert consultations. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit hemodialysis patients from four hospitals in Suzhou in March 2024. Questionnaire item analysis and reliability and validity tests were conducted.Results:A total of 460 questionnaires were distributed and 438 valid responses were collected, with an effective response rate of 95.22%. The final scale included three dimensions (knowledge, attitude, and practice) with 34 items. Content validity at the scale level was 0.910, and the item level ranged from 0.800 to 1.000. Exploratory factor analysis extracted three common factors, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 74.520%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good model fit. The total Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.971, and the Cronbach's αcoefficients for the three dimensions were 0.963, 0.933, and 0.934, respectively. The test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.839.Conclusions:The Knowledge-Attitude-Practice Scale for Dietary Management During Hemodialysis demonstrates good reliability and validity, making it a valuable tool for assessing the KAP level of dietary management in hemodialysis patients.

A 49-year-old female examinee, employed at a paper company in Guigang, Guangxi (engaged in the production of napkins), visited the Qintang District People′s Hospital in Guigang on June 11, 2023, to apply for a health certificate. Salmonella was isolated during a physical examination screening for enteric pathogens ( Salmonella, Shigella), and repeated use of empirical antibacterial drugs failed to eradicate the pathogen. A reference laboratory identified the two isolates as S. Kentucky ST198 by performing serotyping, drug resistance phenotyping, and whole genome sequencing. Based on the regional serotype database of Salmonella in China, a phylogenetic tree of S. Kentucky ST198 resistance genotypes was constructed, defining both isolated strains as high-level drug-resistant ST198.2-1 subclade clones. Following a multidisciplinary consultation and based on antimicrobial susceptibility test results, the treatment was adjusted to amoxicillin/clavulanate and azithromycin. On August 19, three consecutive negative test results confirmed the eradication of Salmonella Kentucky.

Purpose: This study aims to elucidate the longitudinal alterations in frailty and health-related quality of life experienced by elderly patients undergoing surgical treatment for esophageal cancer. Additionally, it seeks to ascertain the impact of preoperative frailty on postoperative health-related quality of life over time. Methods: 131 patients were included in the prospective study. Patients' frailty and health-related quality-of-life were assessed utilizing the Tilburg and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 at preoperative, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months, postoperatively. Statistical analyses were performed using generalized estimating equations, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and linear mixed models (LMMs). Results: Out of 131 patients, 28.2% had frailty before surgery, and the prevalence of frailty consistently higher after surgery compared with baseline (67.9%, 51.9%, and 39.7%). There was no significant change in frailty scores in preoperative frail patients within 3 months following surgery (p = .496, p < .999, p < .999); whereas in preoperative non-frail patients, the frailty scores increased at 1 week (p < .001) and then decreased at 1 month (p = .014), followed by no change at 3 months. In addition, preoperative frail patients had significantly worse global quality-of-life (β = −4.24 (−8.31; −.18), p = .041), physical functioning (β = −9.87 (−14.59; −5.16), p < .001), role functioning (β = −10.04 (−15.76; −4.33), p = .001), and social functioning (β = −8.58 (−15.49; −1.68), p = .015), compared with non-frail patients. Conclusions A significant proportion of participants exhibited a high prevalence of preoperative frailty. These patients, who were preoperatively frail, exhibited a marked reduction in health-related quality-of-life, a more gradual recovery across various functional domains, and an increased symptom burden during the follow-up period. Therefore, it is crucial to meticulously identify and closely monitor patients with preoperative frailty for any changes in their postoperative physiology, role, and social functioning.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of 12 weeks of Tai Chi combined with transcranial direct current stimula-tion(tDCS)on cognitive functioning in patients with mild cognitive impairment(MCI)using event-related po-tential(ERP)-P300.Method:Seventy-nine patients with MCI were randomly divided into 4 groups:Tai Chi+tDCS group(n=20)received Tai Chi training combined with anodic tDCS;Tai Chi+sham tDCS group(n=20)received Tai Chi training combined with sham tDCS;walking+tDCS group(n=19)received walking training combined with tDCS;walking+sham tDCS group(n=20)received walking combined with sham tDCS group.The dura-tion of the intervention was 3 times per week,1 hour/session,for 12 weeks.All participants were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks for global cognitive function,memory,ERP-P300 wave amplitude and latency.Result:After 12 weeks of intervention,the MoCA score of Tai Chi+tDCS group were significantly higher than walking+sham tDCS group(P=0.009);the MQ score of Tai Chi+tDCS group were significantly high-er than Tai Chi+sham tDCS group(P=0.010),walking+tDCS group(P=0.004)and walking+sham tDCS group(P=0.008).P300 amplitudes at the Pz amplitude and Cz amplitude of Tai Chi+tDCS group were significantly higher than walking+sham tDCS group(P＜0.00l,P=0.001),the Fz amplitude of Tai Chi+tDCS group were significantly higher than walking+tDCS group(P=0.011)and walking+sham tDCS group(P=0.002).Partial correlation analysis showed that the change of MoCA score was correlated with the change of Fz amplitude(r=0.261,P=0.034).Conclusion:A 12-week intervention of Tai Chi combined with tDCS can improve the cognitive function and increase Pz amplitude,Fz amplitude,Cz amplitude in MCI patients,and the change of overall cognitive func-tion may be related to the change of Fz amplitude.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of 12 weeks of Tai Chi combined with transcranial direct current stimula-tion(tDCS)on cognitive functioning in patients with mild cognitive impairment(MCI)using event-related po-tential(ERP)-P300.Method:Seventy-nine patients with MCI were randomly divided into 4 groups:Tai Chi+tDCS group(n=20)received Tai Chi training combined with anodic tDCS;Tai Chi+sham tDCS group(n=20)received Tai Chi training combined with sham tDCS;walking+tDCS group(n=19)received walking training combined with tDCS;walking+sham tDCS group(n=20)received walking combined with sham tDCS group.The dura-tion of the intervention was 3 times per week,1 hour/session,for 12 weeks.All participants were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks for global cognitive function,memory,ERP-P300 wave amplitude and latency.Result:After 12 weeks of intervention,the MoCA score of Tai Chi+tDCS group were significantly higher than walking+sham tDCS group(P=0.009);the MQ score of Tai Chi+tDCS group were significantly high-er than Tai Chi+sham tDCS group(P=0.010),walking+tDCS group(P=0.004)and walking+sham tDCS group(P=0.008).P300 amplitudes at the Pz amplitude and Cz amplitude of Tai Chi+tDCS group were significantly higher than walking+sham tDCS group(P＜0.00l,P=0.001),the Fz amplitude of Tai Chi+tDCS group were significantly higher than walking+tDCS group(P=0.011)and walking+sham tDCS group(P=0.002).Partial correlation analysis showed that the change of MoCA score was correlated with the change of Fz amplitude(r=0.261,P=0.034).Conclusion:A 12-week intervention of Tai Chi combined with tDCS can improve the cognitive function and increase Pz amplitude,Fz amplitude,Cz amplitude in MCI patients,and the change of overall cognitive func-tion may be related to the change of Fz amplitude.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors of stress perception in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) , and construct and validate a risk prediction model for health risk stress perception in SLE patients.Methods:This study is a cross-sectional study. From October 2020 to March 2021, totals of 310 SLE inpatients and outpatients in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology from 4 general hospitals in Anhui Province were selected as the modeling object. According to the patients' stress perception score, they were divided into the group with health risk stress ( n=132) and the group without health risk stress ( n=178) . The general data, SLE disease activity, general self-efficacy, emotional intelligence, resilience, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression were compared between the two groups, and independent risk factors were screened out and Logistic regression was used to construct a risk prediction model. Hosmer-Lemeshow and receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) area were used to test the fit and prediction effect of the model, respectively, and 206 patients were included for model validation. Results:Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that SLE disease activity, resilience, anxiety, payment type, and family monthly income were the influencing factors of stress perception in SLE patients, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Hosmer-Lemeshow fit test showed χ 2=6.123, P=0.633. Besides, the area under the ROC, maximum Youden index, predictive critical value, sensitivity and specificity were 0.903, 0.660, 0.497, 0.795 and 0.865 respectively. Conclusions:This study is based on five independent risk factors of SLE patients' stress perception, namely SLE disease activity, resilience, anxiety, payment type, and family monthly income. The risk prediction model has good sensitivity and specificity, which can provide a reference for clinical assessment of health risk stress perception in SLE patients.