Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an increasingly widespread sleep-breathing disordered disease, and is an independent risk factor for many high-risk chronic diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, arrhythmias and diabetes, which is potentially fatal. The key to the prevention and treatment of OSA is early diagnosis and treatment, so the assessment and diagnostic technologies of OSA have become a research hotspot. This paper reviews the research progresses of severity assessment parameters and diagnostic technologies of OSA, and discusses their future development trends. In terms of severity assessment parameters of OSA, apnea hypopnea index (AHI), as the gold standard, together with the percentage of duration of apnea hypopnea (AH%), lowest oxygen saturation (LSpO₂), heart rate variability (HRV), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and the emerging biomarkers, constitute a multi-dimensional evaluation system. Specifically, the AHI, which measures the frequency of sleep respiratory events per hour, does not fully reflect the patients’ overall sleep quality or the extent of their daytime functional impairments. To address this limitation, the AH%, which measures the proportion of the entire sleep cycle affected by apneas and hypopneas, deepens our understanding of the impact on sleep quality. The LSpO₂ plays a critical role in highlighting the potential severe hypoxic episodes during sleep, while the HRV offers a different perspective by analyzing the fluctuations in heart rate thereby revealing the activity of the autonomic nervous system. The ODI provides a direct and objective measure of patients’ nocturnal oxygenation stability by calculating the number of desaturation events per hour, and the biomarkers offers novel insights into the diagnosis and management of OSA, and fosters the development of more precise and tailored OSA therapeutic strategies. In terms of diagnostic techniques of OSA, the standardized questionnaire and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) is a simple and effective method for preliminary screening of OSA, and the polysomnography (PSG) which is based on recording multiple physiological signals stands for gold standard, but it has limitations of complex operations, high costs and inconvenience. As a convenient alternative, the home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) allows patients to monitor their sleep with simplified equipment in the comfort of their own homes, and the cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC) offers a minimal version that simply analyzes the electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. As an emerging diagnostic technology of OSA, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) adeptly pinpoint respiratory incidents and expose delicate physiological changes, thus casting new light on the diagnostic approach to OSA. In addition, imaging examination utilizes detailed visual representations of the airway’s structure and assists in recognizing structural abnormalities that may result in obstructed airways, while sound monitoring technology records and analyzes snoring and breathing sounds to detect the condition subtly, and thus further expands our medical diagnostic toolkit. As for the future development directions, it can be predicted that interdisciplinary integrated researches, the construction of personalized diagnosis and treatment models, and the popularization of high-tech in clinical applications will become the development trends in the field of OSA evaluation and diagnosis.

ObjectiveTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the breast cancer subtype with the worst prognosis, and lacks effective therapeutic targets. Colony stimulating factors (CSFs) are cytokines that can regulate the production of blood cells and stimulate the growth and development of immune cells, playing an important role in the malignant progression of TNBC. This article aims to construct a novel prognostic model based on the expression of colony stimulating factors-related genes (CRGs), and analyze the sensitivity of TNBC patients to immunotherapy and drug therapy. MethodsWe downloaded CRGs from public databases and screened for differentially expressed CRGs between normal and TNBC tissues in the TCGA-BRCA database. Through LASSO Cox regression analysis, we constructed a prognostic model and stratified TNBC patients into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the colony stimulating factors-related genes risk score (CRRS). We further analyzed the correlation between CRRS and patient prognosis, clinical features, tumor microenvironment (TME) in both high-risk and low-risk groups, and evaluated the relationship between CRRS and sensitivity to immunotherapy and drug therapy. ResultsWe identified 842 differentially expressed CRGs in breast cancer tissues of TNBC patients and selected 13 CRGs for constructing the prognostic model. Kaplan-Meier survival curves, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves, and other analyses confirmed that TNBC patients with high CRRS had shorter overall survival, and the predictive ability of CRRS prognostic model was further validated using the GEO dataset. Nomogram combining clinical features confirmed that CRRS was an independent factor for the prognosis of TNBC patients. Moreover, patients in the high-risk group had lower levels of immune infiltration in the TME and were sensitive to chemotherapeutic drugs such as 5-fluorouracil, ipatasertib, and paclitaxel. ConclusionWe have developed a CRRS-based prognostic model composed of 13 differentially expressed CRGs, which may serve as a useful tool for predicting the prognosis of TNBC patients and guiding clinical treatment. Moreover, the key genes within this model may represent potential molecular targets for future therapies of TNBC.

Traditional decoction pieces have low efficiency, poor batch-to-batch consistency, and irregular physical form, making it difficult to meet the demands of modern automated production and precise and rapid clinical blending. Therefore, this study aims to develop a new type of granular drinking tablet to meet the demand for high-quality development in the traditional Chinese medicine industry. In the current study, the differences and similarities between the new Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (LJF) granular drinking tablets and the traditional ones were evaluated based on the flowability, the paste rate of the standard soup, the characterization fingerprint, the degree of pasting, the content of active ingredients, the transfer rate, and its traditional antipyretic and anti-inflammatory efficacy, using the traditional LJF decoction piece as a reference. The flowability experiments showed that the flowability of medium-sized granules (10-24 mesh) was significantly better than that of traditional drinking tablets (P < 0.01); the results of the paste rate showed that there was no significant difference between the different particle sizes and the original decoction pieces (P > 0.05), but the small particle sizes (24-65 mesh) had poor decoction clarity and gelatinization; the transfer rate was calculated as chlorogenic acid and luteoloside, and there was no significant difference in the transfer rate between traditional slices and different particle sizes (P > 0.05); the pharmacological results showed that the contents of rat tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), rat interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and rat prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), xylene ear swelling inhibition rate and granuloma inhibition rate showed that there was no significant difference between the traditional and new granule decoction pieces (P > 0.05). In this study, by examining the fluidity, paste rate, paste degree, and antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects of the new granular decoction piece of LJF, it was initially revealed that the new granular drinking tablets of LJF were consistent with the basic properties and pharmacological effects of the commercially available traditional drinking tablets. Still, the new granular tablets were characterized by high utilization rate, homogeneous quality, and ease of clinical transfer, which had a good prospect for application. The animal experiment was approved by the Ethics Committee of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (approval number. 2022B214).

BACKGROUND:Filamin B(FLNB)can crosslink the actin cytoskeleton into a dynamic structure that is essential for the directional movement of cells.It can regulate the proliferation,differentiation and apoptosis of chondrocytes.However,the effect of FLNB on osteoblast proliferation,migration and apoptosis has not been reported. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of FLNB on the proliferation,migration and apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells. METHODS:The adenoviral vectors for knockdown of FLNB expression(sh-FLNB1,sh-FLNB2,sh-FLNB3)were constructed and infected with MC3T3-E1 cells.After screened by puromycin drug,the efficiency of FLNB knockdown was detected by western blot and RT-PCR.The MC3T3-E1 cell line with the best efficiency of FLNB knockdown was selected as the stable transient cell line of MC3T3-E1 for subsequent experiments.The cells were divided into blank group,mc3t3 group,sh-NC group(empty vector),and sh-FLNB group(sh-FLNB lentivirus).The blank group was cultured in cell-free α-MEM complete medium;the mc3t3 group was cultured in α-MEM complete medium alone;and the sh-NC and sh-FLNB groups were cultured with α-MEM medium containing 2.5 μg/mL puromycin.After 3 days of culture,cell counting kit-8 assay and cell scratch assay were used to detect the proliferation and migration ability of MC3T3-E1;flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis;and RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related genes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Western blot and RT-PCR results showed that the efficiency of FLNB knockdown was the best in the sh-FLNB3(P<0.000 1),which was used as a stable cell line for subsequent experiments.Cell counting kit-8 data showed that the proliferative ability of MC3T3 cells was significantly weakened after knockdown of FLNB(P<0.05).Cell scratch assay results showed that the migration ability of MC3T3 cells was significantly decreased after knockdown of FLNB.Flow cytometry and RT-PCR results showed that the apoptotic rate of MC3T3-E1 cells increased after knockdown of FLNB,the expression of pro-apoptotic factor Bax increased significantly,and the expression of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 decreased significantly(P<0.05).To conclude,knockdown of FLNB can reduce the proliferation ability of MC3T3-E1 cells,decrease the migration ability of the cells,and increase cell apoptosis.

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Xiaoying Sanjie Granules(derived from the modified Sini San and Banxia Houpo Decoction)in the treatment of patients with benign thyroid nodules of qi stagnation and phlegm obstruction type.Methods A retrospective study was conducted.According to the treatment methods,60 patients with benign thyroid nodules of qi stagnation and phlegm obstruction type were divided into observation group and control group,30 cases in each group.The control group was given health training alone,and the observation group was given oral use of Xiaoying Sanjie Granules on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment covered 12 weeks.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,maximum cross-section diameter of the thyroid nodule and thyroid function indexes of thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH),free triiodothyronine(FT3)and free thyroxine(FT4)in the two groups before and after treatment were observed.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results(1)After 12 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 73.33%(22/30),and that of the control group was 10.00%(3/30).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.01).(2)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of the observation group were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the maximum cross-section diameter of the thyroid nodule was significantly smaller than that before treatment(P＜0.01).However,no obvious improvement of TCM syndromes and the maximum cross-section diameter of the thyroid nodule was presented in the control group(P＞0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the decrease of TCM syndrome scores and the reduction of the maximum cross-section diameter of the thyroid nodule in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＞0.05).(4)During the treatment,no obvious adverse reactions occurred in the two groups,indicating high safety.Conclusion Xiaoying Sanjie Granules exerts certain effects on patients with benign thyroid nodules of qi stagnation and phlegm obstruction type.The granuels are effective on significantly reduce the maximum cross-section diameter of the thyroid nodule,improve the clinical symptoms of patients,and has fewer adverse reactions,with high safety.

AIM:This study explores how the combination of rapamycin(Rapa)and flagellin(FliC)affects the inhibition of 4T1 breast cancer cells.The approach involves using mRNA high-throughput sequencing to examine the underlying mechanisms of this combination therapy in vitro.METHODS:4T1 breast cancer cells were divided into four groups:control group,Rapa group,FliC group,and Rapa+FliC group.The changes in cell viability and apoptosis were detected by the CCK-8 method and flow cytometry.Concurrently,the KEGG pathway of differentially expressed genes(DEGs)was analyzed by high-throughput mRNA sequencing.Furthermore,the DEGs between the Rapa+FliC group and Rapa groups were analyzed using STRING.The PPI network of DEGs was then constructed,and the Hub genes were sub-sequently screened.The protein expression of the Hub gene was verified based on the HPA database.RESULTS:CCK-8 assays and flow cytometry analysis revealed that the combination of Rapa and FliC significantly increased both the inhibi-tion and apoptosis rates in 4T1 breast cancer cells compared to the rates observed with Rapa or FliC alone(P<0.05).Transcriptome sequencing indicated 579 DEGs between the Rapa group and the control group,predominantly in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.In contrast,DEGs between the FliC group and control were mainly concentrated in signaling path-ways like NOD-like receptor signaling.Additionally,150 DEGs were identified between the Rapa+FliC group and the Ra-pa group,focusing primarily on pathways such as mTOR.From the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network,ten hub genes,including Atm and Itga2,were identified.CONCLUSION:The combination of Rapa+FliC could inhibit the via-bility of 4T1 breast cancer cells in vitro and promote apoptosis,potentially through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling path-way.The genes Atm and Itga2 could be pivotal in mediating the joint effect of this combination therapy.

Objective To investigate the association between auditory processing and problem behaviors in preschool children,as well as the mediating role of executive function.Methods A total of 2 342 preschool children were selected from 7 kindergartens in Nanjing,China from June to August 2021.They were evaluated using Preschool Auditory Processing Assessment Scale,Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire,and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning-Preschool version.Children with different demographic features were compared in the scores and the abnormality rates of auditory processing,problem behaviors,and executive function.The influencing factors of the total scores of auditory processing,problem behaviors,and executive function were evaluated using multiple linear regression analysis.Whether executive function was a mediating factor between auditory processing and executive function was examined.Results Sex and grade were the main influencing factors for the total score of auditory processing(P<0.05),and sex,grade,parental education level,and family economic status were the main influencing factors for the total scores of problem behaviors and executive function(P<0.05).The auditory processing score(rs= 0.458,P<0.05)and problem behavior score(rs=0.185,P<0.05)were significantly positively correlated with the executive function score,and the auditory processing score was significantly positively correlated with the problem behavior score(rs=0.423,P<0.05).Executive function played a partial mediating role between auditory processing and problem behaviors,and the mediating effect accounted for 33.44% of the total effect.Conclusions Auditory processing can directly affect the problem behaviors of preschool children and indirectly affect problem behaviors through executive function.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):174-180]

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

The effect of porcine SIRT5 on replication of foot and mouth disease virus type O(FMDV-O)and the underlying regulatory mechanism were investigated.Western blot and RT-qPCR analyses were employed to monitor expression of endoge-nous SIRT5 in PK-15 cells infected with FMDV-O.Three pairs of SIRT5-specific siRNAs were synthesized.Changes to SIRT5 and FMDV-O protein and transcript levels,in addition to virus copy numbers,were measured by western blot and RT-qPCR analyses.PK-15 cells were transfected with a eukaryotic SIRT5 expression plasmid.Western blot and RT-qPCR analyses were used to explore the impact of SIRT5 overexpression on FMDV-O replication.Meanwhile,RT-qPCR analysis was used to detect the effect of SIRT5 overexpression on the mRNA expression levels of type I interferon-stimulated genes induced by SeV and FMDV-O.The results showed that expression of SIRT5 was up-regulated in PK-15 cells infected with FMDV-O and siRNA interfered with SIRT5 to inhibit FMDV-O replication.SIRT5 overexpression promoted FMDV-O replication.SIRT5 over-expression decreased mRNA expression levels of interferon-stimulated genes induced by SeV and FMDV-O.These results suggest that FMDV-O infection stimulated expression of SIRT5 in PK-15 cells,while SIRT5 promoted FMDV-O rep-lication by inhibiting production of type I interferon-stimula-ted genes.These findings provide a reference to further ex-plore the mechanism underlying the ability of porcine SIRT5 to promote FMDV-O replication.

Objective:This study utilizes a hybrid research design,integrating interviews with experimental surveys,to investigate the variances in patient trust models between tertiary hospitals and primary healthcare institutions.Methods:Thirty-eight residents participated in semi-structured interviews,which were then analyzed using content analysis.The experimental survey segment divided participants into two groups:"Tertiary Hospitals"and"Primary Healthcare Institutions,"resulting in 648 valid questionnaires.These questionnaires were subjected to variance analysis to assess differences.Results:Patients exhibit greater systemic trust in tertiary hospitals than in primary healthcare facilities,while interpersonal trust is stronger in primary healthcare settings.Suggestions:Therefore,strategies should be developed to bolster systemic trust at the primary level and emphasize the advantages of interpersonal trust.Moreover,specific measures are required to reshape patients'interpersonal trust in tertiary hospitals.