Objective To explore the predictive value of combined detection of serum interleukin-35(IL-35),proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9(PCSK9),and microRNA-155(miR-155)for sepsis-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS).Methods A total of 170 patients with sepsis admitted in the hospital from June 2020 to June 2023 were selected.Patients were divided into MODS group and non-MODS group according to whether they developed secondary MODS within 28 days.Clinical data and serum levels ofIL-35,PCSK9,and miR-155 were compared between the two groups.Pearson method and partial correlation coefficient were used to analyze the correlation between serum IL-35,PCSK9,and miR-155 and the severity of sepsis and the risk of MODS,and receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the pre-dictive value of serum IL-35,PCSK9,and miR-155 alone and in combination for MODS.In addition,83 patients with sepsis in the hospital from July 2023 to July 2024 were selected as external validation data sets for exter-nal validation.Results Age,percentage of patients with diabetes mellitus,quick sequential organ function as-sessment scale(qSOFA)score,acute physiology and chronic health status evaluation scale Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)score,and serum IL-35,PCSK9,and miR-155 levels in the MODS group were higher than those in the non-MODS group(P＜0.05).Pearson method showed that serum IL-35,PCSK9,and miR-155 were positively cor-related with qSOFA score and APACHE Ⅱ score(P＜0.05).Partial correlation coefficient analysis showed that after excluding other factors,serum IL-35,PCSK9,and miR-155 were still significantly associated with the risk of MODS(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of the combi-nation of serum IL-35,PCSK9,and miR-155 for predicting MODS was 0.907,which was greater than the AUC of each indicator alone.External validation ROC analysis showed that the AUC of combined detection of the three was 0.914.Conclusion The expression of serum IL-35,PCSK9,and miR-155 is significantly associated with the risk of sepsis-induced MODS.Combined detection has certain predictive value for the secondary de-velopment of MODS,and could be used as auxiliary indicators for clinical prediction for MODS,thereby guid-ing clinical prevention and treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture (acupuncture for unblocking the obstruction in the governor vessel and regulating the spirit) on the depression-like behavior and the hippocampal neuronal ferroptosis mediated by solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway in depression rats, and explore the mechanism of this therapy for depression. METHODS: Of 30 male SD rats of SPF grade, 24 rats were selected. According to the random number table, they were divided into a normal group (n=8) and a modeling group (n=16). The rats in the modeling group were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 28 consecutive days to establish depression model. After modeling, 16 successfully-modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group and an acupuncture group, 8 rats in each one. In the acupuncture group, Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture was applied to "Dazhui"(GV14), "Shuigou" (GV26), "Baihui" (GV20) and "Shenting" (GV24). This intervention measure was deliveredonce a day, continuously for 6 days. The intervention discontinued on day 7, and was completed in 4 weeks. Before and after modeling, and after intervention completion, the behavioristics detection was performed using sucrose preference experiment and open field experiment. After intervention, using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Nissl staining, the morphology of hippocampal neurons was observed; with Western blot method, the protein expression of GPX4, SLC7A11, Ferritin and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family 4 (ACSL4) in hippocampal tissues was detected; with the real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR adopted, the mRNA expression of GPX4, SLC7A11, Ferritin and ACSL4 was detected; and using colorimetry, the hippocampal iron content was determined. RESULTS: After modeling, the sucrose preference rates, the total distance of movement, the standing times and the boxes of horizontal crossing in the model group and the acupuncture group were lower than those in the normal group (P<0.01). After the intervention, the sucrose preference rates, the total distance of movement, the standing times and the boxes of horizontal crossing in the acupuncture group were higher than those in the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the number of necrotic cells increased and the number of Nissl bodies decreased in the model group; and when compared with the model group, the neuronal pyknosis and necrosis were ameliorated, the cells were arranged more regularly, the neuronal structure was clear, the matrix was dense, the blood vessels were enriched and the number of Nissl bodies increased in the acupuncture group. In comparison with the normal group, the relative expression of protein and mRNA of hippocampal GPX4, SLC7A11 decreased (P<0.01), it increased in the expression of hippocampal Ferritin and ACSL4 (P<0.01) in the model group. When compared with the model group, in the acupuncture group, the relative expression of protein and mRNA of hippocampal GPX4, SLC7A11 was elevated (P<0.01, P<0.05), it was dropped for hippocampal Ferritin and ACSL4 (P<0.01). In the model group, the hippocampal iron content was elevated when compared with that in the normal group (P<0.01); and it was reduced in the acupuncture group when compared with that in the model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture attenuates depression-like behaviors in the depression rats, which may be related to regulating SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway and inhibiting neuronal ferroptosis in the hippocampus.
Animals ; Ferroptosis ; Male ; Hippocampus/cytology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Depression/enzymology* ; Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase/genetics* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Amino Acid Transport System y+/genetics* ; Glutathione Peroxidase/genetics*

Objective:To explore the impact and underlying mechanisms of social support on illness uncertainty among parents of children with autism.Methods:A convenience sample of 312 parents of children with autism was recruited from the outpatient clinic of Peking University Sixth Hospital between September 2023 and January 2024. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Parent's Perception Uncertainty Scale (PPUS), the Social Support Scale for Families with Children with Autism, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the Questionnaire on Caregiving Issues and Service Needs of Parents of Children with Autism. Independent samples t-tests or one-way ANOVA were used to compare illness uncertainty scores across different characteristics. Pearson correlation analysis examined relationships among illness uncertainty, social support, caregiving issues and service needs, and anxiety. Chain mediation analysis was conducted using the SPSS macro PROCESS v4.1 to test the mediating roles of caregiving issues and service needs and anxiety. Results:The illness uncertainty score of the 307 valid respondents was (82.40±14.09). Mediation analysis indicated a direct effect of social support on illness uncertainty (effect value=-1.040), accounting for 72.27% of the total effect (-1.040/-1.439). A chain-mediated effect through caregiving issues and service needs and anxiety was also observed (effect value=-0.065), accounting for 4.50% of the total effect (-0.065/-1.439) .Conclusions:Parents of children with autism experience a relatively high level of illness uncertainty. Enhancing social support, addressing caregiving issues and service needs, alleviating parental anxiety may reduce their illness uncertainty.

Objective:To explore the impact and underlying mechanisms of social support on illness uncertainty among parents of children with autism.Methods:A convenience sample of 312 parents of children with autism was recruited from the outpatient clinic of Peking University Sixth Hospital between September 2023 and January 2024. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Parent's Perception Uncertainty Scale (PPUS), the Social Support Scale for Families with Children with Autism, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the Questionnaire on Caregiving Issues and Service Needs of Parents of Children with Autism. Independent samples t-tests or one-way ANOVA were used to compare illness uncertainty scores across different characteristics. Pearson correlation analysis examined relationships among illness uncertainty, social support, caregiving issues and service needs, and anxiety. Chain mediation analysis was conducted using the SPSS macro PROCESS v4.1 to test the mediating roles of caregiving issues and service needs and anxiety. Results:The illness uncertainty score of the 307 valid respondents was (82.40±14.09). Mediation analysis indicated a direct effect of social support on illness uncertainty (effect value=-1.040), accounting for 72.27% of the total effect (-1.040/-1.439). A chain-mediated effect through caregiving issues and service needs and anxiety was also observed (effect value=-0.065), accounting for 4.50% of the total effect (-0.065/-1.439) .Conclusions:Parents of children with autism experience a relatively high level of illness uncertainty. Enhancing social support, addressing caregiving issues and service needs, alleviating parental anxiety may reduce their illness uncertainty.

Objective To explore the role of the PPARα/HOXA10 signaling pathway in mediating the effect of adiponectin(APN)for improving endometrial receptivity in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods Forty female SD rat models with letrozole-induced PCOS were randomized,with 10 normal rats as the control,into 4 equal groups for treatment with APN alone,APN combined with GW6471(a specific PPARα inhibitor)or the vehicle for 20 days,or no further treatment(PCOS model group).GW6471 treatment(daily dose of 1 mg/kg)and vehicle treatment were initiated on the 11th day following the start of APN treatment,all administered via intraperitoneal injection.The rats were observed for changes in estrous cycle,body weight,ovarian index and morphology,uterine index and morphology,serum hormone levels and lipid metabolism parameters.Endometrial expressions of PPARα and HOXA10 were detected with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.The development of endometrial pinopodes was observed under electron microscope,and pregnancies of the rats were recorded.Results The rat models of PCOS exhibited obvious estrous cycle disorders with significantly prolonged estrous interval,increased body weight and ovarian index,decreased uterine index,disordered serum hormones and lipid metabolism(P<0.05),and polycystic ovarian changes,and these changes were significantly improved by APN treatment.Endometrial expressions of PPARα and HOXA10 were significantly lowered in PCOS rats and effectively up-regulated after APN treatment,but GW6471 treatment obviously blocked the effect of APN(P<0.05).APN showed strong protective effect against PCOS-induced impairment of endometrial pinopode development,and this effect was obviously attenuated by GW6471.APN also significantly increased the pregnancy rate and embryo number in PCOS rats,while GW6471 obviously reduced the embryo number and caused developmental retardation of the embryos.Conclusion APN can improve endometrial receptivity in PCOS rats by upregulating the PARα/HOXA10 pathway.

Objective To explore the role of the PPARα/HOXA10 signaling pathway in mediating the effect of adiponectin(APN)for improving endometrial receptivity in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods Forty female SD rat models with letrozole-induced PCOS were randomized,with 10 normal rats as the control,into 4 equal groups for treatment with APN alone,APN combined with GW6471(a specific PPARα inhibitor)or the vehicle for 20 days,or no further treatment(PCOS model group).GW6471 treatment(daily dose of 1 mg/kg)and vehicle treatment were initiated on the 11th day following the start of APN treatment,all administered via intraperitoneal injection.The rats were observed for changes in estrous cycle,body weight,ovarian index and morphology,uterine index and morphology,serum hormone levels and lipid metabolism parameters.Endometrial expressions of PPARα and HOXA10 were detected with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.The development of endometrial pinopodes was observed under electron microscope,and pregnancies of the rats were recorded.Results The rat models of PCOS exhibited obvious estrous cycle disorders with significantly prolonged estrous interval,increased body weight and ovarian index,decreased uterine index,disordered serum hormones and lipid metabolism(P<0.05),and polycystic ovarian changes,and these changes were significantly improved by APN treatment.Endometrial expressions of PPARα and HOXA10 were significantly lowered in PCOS rats and effectively up-regulated after APN treatment,but GW6471 treatment obviously blocked the effect of APN(P<0.05).APN showed strong protective effect against PCOS-induced impairment of endometrial pinopode development,and this effect was obviously attenuated by GW6471.APN also significantly increased the pregnancy rate and embryo number in PCOS rats,while GW6471 obviously reduced the embryo number and caused developmental retardation of the embryos.Conclusion APN can improve endometrial receptivity in PCOS rats by upregulating the PARα/HOXA10 pathway.

Objective:To analyze the status and influencing factors of empathy fatigue in hospice nurses based on ABC-X model (A: stressor event; B:resources available to a family; C: family sperceptions of the stressor; X: likelihood of crisis), so as to provide a reliable basis for developing comprehensive intervention strategies.Methods:A total of 325 nurses engaged in hospice care in China from April 2022 to June 2022 were selected by convenient sampling method. The influencing factors of empathy fatigue of hospice care nurses were analyzed by ABC-X model (working environment, resilience and coping style). The hospice care nurses were investigated by self-made general questionnaire, Chinese version of Empathy Fatigue Scale, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, Coping Style Resilience Scale and Nursing Work Environment Scale. The statistical analysis was performed by SPSS.26.0 statistical software.Results:There were 316 females and 9 males with age of (33.0 ± 7.9) years old. The total score of empathy fatigue in 325 hospice nurses was (91.16 ± 9.60) points, the scores of empathy satisfaction, ocupational burnout and secondary traumatic stress were (31.35 ± 6.01), (28.43 ± 5.86), (31.38 ± 5.76) points respectively. The scores of positive coping style, negative coping style, psychological resilience and nursing working environment were (37.46 ± 5.69), (21.28 ± 6.90), (89.84 ± 16.46), (117.13 ± 19.95) points respectively. The negative predictive factor for empathy satisfaction among nurses with the professional title of palliative care ( t=-4.22, P<0.05), and the positive predictive factors for simple coping strategies, psychological resilience, and nursing work environment ( t=4.52, 3.05, 9.03, all P<0.05), could explain 56.7% of the total variation. Psychological resilience, simplified coping strategies, nursing work environment were negative predictive factors for occupational burnout among hospice nurses ( t=-6.93, -3.54, -2.51, all P<0.05), while work nature was a positive predictive factor ( t=2.36, P<0.05), which could explain 49.4% of the total variation. Simplified coping strategies, psychological resilience, and nursing work environment were all negative predictors of secondary traumatic stress in hospice nurses ( t=-5.40, -3.25, -5.95, all P<0.05), which could explain 48.8% of the total variation. Conclusions:Based on the ABC-X model, it is found that the empathic fatigue of hospice nurses is mainly affected by the nursing work environment, mental resilience and coping styles. It is necessary for nursing managers to actively take measures to improve the working environment and coping styles of nurses, enhance their mental resilience and reduce their empathic fatigue.

Objective To explore the predictive value of CXC chemokine receptor 2(CXCR2)and Zonula occluden-1(ZO-1)for postoperative cerebral vasospasm in subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH)patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysm.Methods A total of 215 SAH patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysm admitted to our hospital between May 2020 and October 2023 were recruited,and according to occurrence of postoperative cerebral vasospasm or not,they were separated into a spasm group(70 cases)and a non-spasm group(145 cases).The spasm group was further divided into mild,moderate and severe subgroups(14,38 and 18 cases,respectively).ELISA was applied to detect the serum levels of CXCR2 and ZO-1;Spearman and Pearson corre-lation analyses,multivariate logistic regression analysis,and ROC curve analysis were applied to test the correlation,influencing factors,and predictive value of indicators,and their AUC values were calculated.Results The spasm group had significantly higher CXCR2 and ZO-1 levels,inci-dence of intracranial hemorrhage,and larger proportions of Glasgow coma scale(GCS)score of 3-8 at admission,Hunt-Hess grade Ⅲ,and Fisher grades m and Ⅳ than the non-spasm group(P＜0.01).Intracranial hemorrhage volume,Hunt-Hess grade and Fisher grade were positively correlated with CXCR2 and ZO-1 levels,and the GCS score at admission was negatively correlated with the levels of the two indicators in the SAH patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysm(P＜0.01).CXCR2 and ZO-1 were independent risk factors for postoperative cerebral vasospasm in these patients(P＜0.01).The AUC value of CXCR2,ZO-1 and their combination in predicting postoperative cerebral vasospasm was 0.839(95％CI:0.780-0.898),0.813(95％CI:0.750-0.876),and 0.910(95％CI:0.869-0.951),with the combination showing better predictive per-formance(Z=2.391,Z=3.266,P＜0.05).The serum levels of CXCR2 and ZO-1 in the severe subgroup were significantly higher than those in the moderate subgroup and then followed by the mild subgroup in order,with statistical differences(P＜0.01).Conclusion Serum CXCR2 and ZO-1 levels are associated with postoperative cerebral vasospasm in SAH patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysm,and can be used as potential biomarkers for prognosis prediction.

Aim To investigate the relationship between serum 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine(8-OHdG),chemokine C-X3-C ligand 1(CX3CL1)and cognitive dysfunction in patients with cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD).Methods 128 patients with CSVD admitted to our hospital from May 2021 to May 2022 were selected and divided into cognitive impairment group and non-cognitive impairment group based on the Montreal cognitive assessment scale(MoCA)scores.The relationship between serum 8-OHdG,CX3CL1 levels and the MoCA scores of CSVD patients was investigated by Pearson correlation analysis,Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of cognitive impair-ment in patients with CSVD,and ROC curves were drawn to study the predictive efficacy of serum 8-OHdG and CX3CL1 on cognitive impairment in CSVD patients.Results The serum 8-OHdG and CX3CL1 levels of patients with cognitive impairment were higher than those of non-cognitive impairment group.However,their MoCA scores were lower than those of non-cognitive impairment group(P＜0.05).Serum 8-OHdG and CX3CL1 levels were negatively correlated with MoCA scores(r=-0.715 and-0.413,P＜0.05).Serum 8-OHdG level was higher in severe cognitive impairment group than that of moderate cognitive impairment group and mild cognitive impairment group(P＜0.05),and it was higher in moderate cognitive impairment group than that of mild cognitive impairment group(P＜0.05).Serum of CX3CLl level was higher in severe cognitive impairment group than that in moderate cognitive impairment group and mild cognitive impairment group(P＜0.05),and it was higher in moderate cognitive impairment group than that in mild cognitive impairment group(P＜0.05).The area under the ROC curve(AUC)of 8-OHdG for the diagnosis of cognitive impairment in CSVD patients was 0.866,with sensitivity and specificity of 76.53％and 80.00％,respectively(P＜0.05);The AUC of CX3CL1 for the diagnosis of cognitive impairment in CSVD patients was 0.868,with sensitivity and specificity of 86.73％and 80.00％,respectively(P＜0.05);The AUC of the combination of 8-OHdG and CX3CL1 for the diagnosis of cognitive impairment in CSVD patients was 0.922,with sensitivity and specificity of 88.78％and 86.67％,respectively(P＜0.05).Serum 8-OHdG＞2.69 μg/L and CX3CL1＞179.18 pg/L were both influencing factors for cognitive impairment in CSVD patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion The levels of serum 8-OHdG and CX3CL1 are positively correlated with cognitive impairment in CSVD patients,and both can serve as auxiliary indicators for predicting cognitive impairment in CSVD patients.

Objective:To analyze the value of serum related cytokines in predicting intestinal mucosal injury in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and its correlation with intestinal mucosal injury.Methods:A total of 92 patients with SAP admitted to the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao from January 2020 to December 2021 were included in the study. According to the presence or absence of intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction, the patients were divided into intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction group (33 cases) and non-intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction group (59 cases). Another 100 healthy subjects were selected as the control group. Clinical data of the subjects were collected. Serum levels of procalcitonin (PCT), D-lactic acid (D-L), endotoxin, diamine oxidase (DAO), citrulline and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) of the three groups were compared, and the correlation between the above indexes was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the value of each indicator in predicting intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction in SAP patients.Results:The levels of serum PCT, D-L, endotoxin, DAO and I-FABP in intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction group, non-intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction group and control group showed a downward trend, while the level of serum citrulline showed an upward trend, with statistically significant difference (all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum citrulline was negatively correlated with serum PCT, D-L, and endotoxin levels ( r=-0.740, -0.629, -0.310, all P<0.05); There was a positive correlation between serum DAO and serum PCT, D-L and endotoxin levels ( r=0.482, 0.779, 0.338, all P<0.05); There was a positive correlation between serum I-FABP and serum PCT, D-L and endotoxin levels ( r=0.613, 0.421, 0.341, all P<0.05). The ROC curve results showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of serum PCT, D-L, endotoxin, DAO, citrulline, and I-FABP predicting intestinal mucosal injury in SAP patients were 0.816, 0.789, 0.732, 0.801, 0.812, and 0.857, respectively. The AUC of the combination of the above indicators predicting intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction in SAP patients was 0.909, significantly higher than that predicted by each index alone (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The occurrence of intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction in SAP patients may be related to the increase of serum PCT, D-L, endotoxin, DAO, I-FABP levels and the decrease of citrulline levels. It may be considered to predict the risk of intestinal mucosal injury by detecting the levels of various indicators in patients′ serum.