ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention effects of modified Linggui Zhugan Tang （LGZGT） on patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome （OSAHS） of the spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction with blood stasis type， reveal its possible mechanisms， and provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of OSAHS with traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. MethodsEighty OSAHS patients with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction with blood stasis were randomly assigned to a control group and an observation group （1∶1） using a random number table， with 40 patients in each group. The control group received standard basic treatment combined with oral Doxofylline tablets， while the observation group received standard basic treatment combined with modified LGZGT. Serum levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor （MIF）， microRNA-223 （miR-223）， and interleukin-18 （IL-18） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the mRNA expression levels of MIF， miR-223， and IL-18 were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. After two months of treatment， the total clinical efficacy， apnea-hypopnea index （AHI）， lowest nocturnal oxygen saturation （LSpO₂）， body mass index （BMI）， TCM syndrome scores， and expression levels of MIF， miR-223， and IL-18 before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. Correlations between MIF， miR-223， IL-18 and AHI and LSpO₂ were also analyzed. ResultsCompared with the control group， the observation group showed a significantly higher total clinical effective rate （P<0.01， Z=-3.49）. Within the control group， no significant changes were observed in AHI， LSpO₂， BMI， TCM syndrome scores， or MIF， miR-223， IL-18 levels and their mRNAs after treatment. In the observation group， AHI， BMI， TCM syndrome scores， and MIF and IL-18 levels and their mRNAs decreased significantly， while LSpO₂ increased significantly （P<0.01）. After treatment， compared with the control group， the observation group exhibited significantly lower AHI， BMI， TCM syndrome scores， and MIF and IL-18 levels and their mRNAs， and significantly higher LSpO₂ （P<0.01）. Correlation analysis showed that MIF and IL-18 were positively correlated with AHI （P<0.01） and negatively correlated with LSpO₂ （P<0.01）， whereas miR-223 was negatively correlated with AHI （P<0.01） and positively correlated with LSpO₂ （P<0.01）. ConclusionModified LGZGT may improve OSAHS of the spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction with blood stasis type by reducing airway inflammatory factors， alleviating airway inflammation， relieving airway edema and stenosis， and improving airway obstruction.

Objective To construct a patient decision aid(PtDA)for exercise training in pa-tients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)and explore its impacts on decision-making quality of patients' exercise regimens.Methods The development of the PtDA for exercise training in COPD patients was accomplished through literature analysis,the Delphi method,and user surveys,followed by an intervention study.A total of 59 inpatients with COPD were included as study sub-jects.The control group received routine care along with general exercise training guidance,while the intervention group received routine care combined with shared decision-making for exercise training based on the PtDA.The decision conflict and decision preparedness levels of patients in both groups were compared before the intervention and on the day of discharge.The exercise self-efficacy of pa-tients was measured before intervention,on the day of discharge,and 1 month and 3 months after dis-charge.Results The intervention group had significantly lower scores for decision conflict and signif-icantly higher scores for decision preparedness and exercise self-efficacy compared with the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The PtDA for exercise training can improve decision conflict and de-cision preparedness in COPD patients,enhance their exercise self-efficacy levels,and provide references for healthcare professionals in improving exercise adherence.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the steady-state mechanism of interconversion between the SMN1 and SMN2 genes in a normal population. METHODS: Fluorescence PCR capillary electrophoresis was employed to assess gene conversion and copy number variation of SMN1 and SMN2 in a cohort of 1,133 healthy individuals (including 256 males and 877 females) recruited between 2019 and 2023. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Henan Provincial People's Hospital (Ethics No.: 2019-134). RESULTS: No significant gender difference was observed in the single copy carrying rate of SMN1. The probability of conversion from SMN1 to SMN2 was determined to be 3.2% for females, 2.7% for males, and 3.1% for the overall population. The probability of conversion from SMN2 to SMN1 was found to be 5.5% for females, 6.3% for males, and 5.6% for the overall population. No statistically significant difference was found in the conversion probability between different genders (P > 0.05). Among the 99 cases of gene conversion, the SMN1 gene predominantly exhibited a copy number of 2 (97.0%), with the remainder having 3 copies (3%). The SMN2 gene primarily showed a copy number of 2 (72.7%), with the rest having 1 copy (27.3%). CONCLUSION Gene conversion tends to normalize the copy numbers of both SMN1 and SMN2 genes towards 2. However, SMN1 exhibited a higher priority over SMN2, causing the copy numbers approaching two.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Survival of Motor Neuron 2 Protein/genetics* ; Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein/genetics* ; Gene Conversion ; DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Gene Dosage

Objective:To investigate the perinatal risk factors and correlation between bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 173 preterm infants born at less than 32 weeks' gestation with BPD who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Women and Children's Hospital of Qingdao University from June 2017 to July 2022. According to the diagnostic criteria for ROP, these preterm infants were divided into the ROP group ( n=64) and the non-ROP group ( n=109). Chi-square test, two independent samples t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the general data, treatment, and the incidence of complications between the two groups. Multivariate logistic stepwise regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors of ROP in preterm infants with BPD and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the predictive value of independent risk factors on ROP. The correlation between the severity of BPD and the incidence of ROP was analyzed. Results:The gestational age at birth [(28.0±1.1) vs. (28.8±1.2) weeks, t=4.01], the birth weight [(1 075.9±141.4) vs. (1 143.2±168.6) g, t=2.68], the partial pressure of carbon dioxide [42.5 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) (34.0-51.0 mmHg) vs. 47.0 mmHg (39.0-54.0 mmHg), Z=－2.31], and the total fluid intake on the first day of birth [80.0 ml (72.3-88.7 ml) vs. 83.6 ml (76.6-92.8 ml), Z=－2.28] in the ROP group were all lower than those in the non-ROP group (all P<0.05). While the prothrombin time [15.7 s (14.1-17.7 s) vs. 14.6 s (13.1-16.7 s), Z=－2.17], activated partial thromboplastin time [64.7 s (52.9-77.9 s) vs. 55.8 s (48.4-68.9 s), Z=－2.12], the proportion of patients treated with pulmonary surfactant [71.9% (46/64) vs. 49.5% (54/109), χ 2=8.25], the total duration of oxygen supplementation [50.5 d (40.0-64.0 d) vs. 45.0 d (37.0-52.0 d), Z=－2.77], the duration of invasive ventilation [5.0 d (1.0-11.0 d) vs. 1.0 d (0.0-5.0 d), Z=－4.03], the duration of noninvasive ventilation or high-flow oxygen therapy [(31.7±12.7) vs. (26.4±13.1) d, t=－2.59], and the incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome [76.6% (49/64) vs. 57.8% (63/109), χ 2=6.22] were increased in the ROP group (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the proportion of BPD treated with corticosteroids between the ROP and non-ROP groups [60.3% (38/63) vs. 74.3% (81/109), χ 2=3.67, P=0.055]. Multivariate logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that smaller gestational age ( OR=1.599, 95% CI: 1.126-2.272, P=0.009), less fluid intake on the first day ( OR=1.033, 95% CI: 1.004-1.062, P=0.024), and longer duration of invasive ventilation ( OR=1.076, 95% CI:1.017-1.138, P=0.011) were independent risk factors for ROP in BPD infants, while glucocorticoid treatment was an independent protective factor ( OR=0.378, 95% CI:0.173-0.827, P=0.015). Most patients with mild or moderate BPD did not develop ROP [64.6% (73/113) and 66.7% (34/51)], while those with severe BPD were more likely to be complicated by ROP (7/9) ( χ 2=6.84, P=0.033). Conclusions:BPD infants with smaller gestational age, longer duration of invasive ventilation, and less fluid intake on the first day of birth are more likely to develop ROP, while glucocorticoid therapy can reduce the incidence of ROP in this population. Severe BPD may increase the risk of ROP in infants.

Background::The 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) blood pressure (BP) guideline lowered the threshold defining hypertension to 130/80 mmHg. However, how stage 1 hypertension defined using this guideline is associated with cardiovascular events in Chinese adults remains unclear. This study assessed the association between stage 1 hypertension defined by the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline and clinical outcomes in the Chinese population.Methods::Participants with stage 1 hypertension ( n = 69,509) or normal BP ( n = 34,142) were followed in this study from 2006/2007 to 2020. Stage 1 hypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure of 130–139 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure of 80–89 mmHg. None were taking antihypertensive medication or had a history of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or cancer at baseline. The primary outcome was a composite of MI, stroke, and all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes were individual components of the primary outcome. Cox proportional hazards models were used for the analysis. Results::During a median follow-up of 11.09 years, we observed 10,479 events (MI, n = 995; stroke, n = 3408; all-cause mortality, n = 7094). After multivariable adjustment, the hazard ratios for stage 1 hypertension vs. normal BP were 1.20 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–1.25) for primary outcome, 1.24 (95% CI, 1.05–1.46) for MI, 1.45 (95% CI, 1.33–1.59) for stroke, and 1.11 (95% CI, 1.04–1.17) for all-cause mortality. The hazard ratios for participants with stage 1 hypertension who were prescribed antihypertensive medications compared with those without antihypertensive treatment during the follow-up was 0.90 (95% CI, 0.85–0.96). Conclusions::Using the new definition, Chinese adults with untreated stage 1 hypertension are at higher risk for MI, stroke, and all-cause mortality. This finding may help to validate the new BP classification system in China.

OBJECTIVE To explore the impact of placental polypeptide on the Runt-related transcription factor 3 （RUNX3）/ Notch signaling pathway in rats with cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian failure （POF）， and its effects on ovarian function and oxidative stress. METHODS A POF rat model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide. Sixty POF rats of the model were randomly assigned to model group， low-dose （1 mg/kg） and high-dose （2 mg/kg） placental polypeptide groups， placental polypeptide plus empty vector group [placental polypeptide （2 mg/kg）， empty vector （1 μg）]， and placental polypeptide plus RUNX3 silencing group [placental polypeptide （2 mg/kg）， RUNX3 small interfering RNA （1 μg）]， with 12 rats in each group. Additionally， 12 healthy rats were selected as a control group. The intervention lasted for 4 weeks for all groups. After the final administration， the levels of sex hormones [estradiol （E2）， anti-Müllerian hormone （AMH）， follicle- stimulating hormone （FSH）] in rat serum and oxidative stress indicators [malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， catalase （CAT）， reactive oxygen species （ROS）] in ovarian tissue were measured. The pathology of rat ovarian tissue and apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells were examined； the expression of apoptosis-related proteins [caspase-3， cleaved-caspase-3， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax）and RUNX3/Notch signaling pathway-related proteins in rat ovarian tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the low and high doses of placental polypeptide groups showed an increase in the number of normal follicles and a marked decrease in the number of atretic follicles， with significant increases in the serum levels of E2 and AMH， the ovarian tissue levels of SOD and CAT， as well as the expression levels of Bcl-2， RUNX3 and Notch1 proteins， and significant decreases in the serum FSH levels， the ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis rate， and the ovarian tissue levels of MDA and ROS， as well as the expression levels of cleaved-caspase-3， caspase-3 and Bax proteins （P＜0.05）； the changes in the high-dose group were significantly more pronounced （P＜0.05）. Compared with the high-dose placental polypeptide group and the placental polypeptide plus empty vector group， the placental polypeptide plus RUNX3 silencing group showed a decrease in the number of normal follicles and a significant reversal of the above indicators （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Placental polypeptide may alleviate the symptoms of rats with POF by upregulating the RUNX3/Notch signaling pathway， improving sex hormone secretion， oxidative stress， ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis and ovarian function.

Objective:To explore the clinical application and triage management value of using blood circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) (cysteine dioxygenase type 1 gene, CDO1, and Homeobox protein A9 gene, HOXA9) hypermethylation level to detect and diagnose ovarian cancer.Methods:A case-control study was conducted on patients who went for surgery at Chengdu Womens and Childrens Central Hospital from November 2022 to October 2023. Blood samples were collected before surgery for evaluation of cancer antigen 125 (CA125), human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) score, and DNA methylation testing. The basic clinical information, biomarkers, and transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) information were collected simultaneously. Information from a total of 151 patients was collected, including 122 cases with benign pathology and 29 ovarian cancer cases. The pathologic diagnosis of ovarian tissue was defined as the gold standard. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify high-risk factors for ovarian cancer. The clinical efficacy of DNA methylation detection for ovarian cancer was analyzed using the area under curve (AUC).Results:The results showed that the age, menopausal status, CA125 and HE4 detection, ROMA score, positivity rate of CDO1 gene and HOXA9 gene single or combined testing in ovarian cancer patients were higher than those in the benign group and showed significant differences ( P<0.05). Among these detection protocols, the AUC of CDO1 and HOXA9 dual gene methylation testing for ovarian cancer was the highest at 0.936 (95% CI, 0.878-0.994), with 89.7% (95% CI 73.6%-96.4%) sensitivity and 97.5% (95% CI 93.0%-99.2%) specificity, respectively. The positive detection rate of CDO1 and HOXA9 dual gene methylation in early ovarian cancer FOGO I-II stage is 12/14 higher than other tests. Conclusion:Blood cfDNA methylation detection, a simple, non-invasive, and highly sensitive detection method, is superior to the current ovarian cancer testing in the risk assessment and early detection.

ObjectiveTo compare wild and cultivated Paeoniae Radix Rubra（PRR） in three aspects， including character， microscope， determination of primary and secondary metabolites. MethodSeventeen batches of wild and nine batches of cultivated PRR were collected，their character data were measured by vernier caliper and scales， and their paraffin sections were made by safranin-fixed green dyeing for the observation of microscopic features. The content of ethanol-soluble extracts and total tannin from wild and cultivated PRR was determined by the method of general principle 2201 and 2202 in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia， the content of polysaccharides was determined by phenol-sulfuric acid method. Anthrone colorimetry was used to determine the content of starch， and Van Soest method of washing fiber was used to determine the content of fiber. The contents of fructose， glucose and sucrose in wild and cultivated PRR were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography evaporative light scattering detection（UPLC-ELSD）， and the secondary metabolites（gallic acid， methyl gallate， catechin， oxypaeoniflorin， albiflorin， paeoniflorin， ellagic acid， 1，3，4，6-tetragalloylglucose， galloylpaeoniflorin， 1，2，3，4，6-O-pentagalloylglucose， naringenin， benzoylpaeoniflorin and benzoylalbiflorin） were determined by UPLC. Principal component analysis（PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） were used to analyze the data of wild and cultivated PRR， the contribution of different factors to the difference was determined according to the variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1 and P<0.05. ResultIn term of characters， wild PRR showed the traditional characteristic of Zaopi Fencha， its outer skin was loose and easy to fall off， its surface had longitudinal furrow and wrinkle， but the outer skin of cultivated PRR was not easy to fall off， and its surface was relatively smooth. The radial texture of xylem of wild PRR cross-section was more obvious， showing radial striations， vacuoles and more cracks， while the radial texture of xylem of cultivated PRR cross-section was not obvious， dense and some had cracks. Microscopically， the number of radial vessels arranged in the xylem of wild PRR was more than that of cultivated PRR， the number of calcium oxalate clusters in the phloem and xylem of wild PRR was more than that of cultivated PRR， while the number of starch grains was significantly higher in cultivated PRR. In terms of the content of primary chemical constituents， the contents of polysaccharides and starch of cultivated PRR were significantly higher than those of wild PRR（P<0.05）， while the contents of cellulose， lignin， fructose and glucose of wild PRR were significantly higher than those of cultivated PRR（P<0.05）. The results of determination of 13 secondary metabolites showed that the contents of paeoniflorin， methyl gallate， catechin and oxypaeoniflorin in wild PRR were significantly higher than those in cultivated PRR（P<0.05）， while the contents of albiflorin， gallic acid， ellagic acid， naringenin， benzoylpaeoniflorin and benzoylalbiflorin were significantly lower than those of cultivated PRR（P<0.05）. A total of 10 variables contributing to the differentiation between wild and cultivated PRR were screened， including albiflorin， cellulose， benzoylpaeoniflorin， oxypaeoniflorin， naringenin， ellagic acid， starch， lignin， paeoniflorin and total tannins. ConclusionThere are significant differences between wild and cultivated PRR in characters， microscopic characteristics， contents of primary and secondary metabolites. It is suggested that the content ratio of paeoniflorin and albiflorin， the contents of oxypaeoniflorin and cellulose can be used as indicators to characterize production methods of PRR so as to improve the quality standard of PRR. This study can provide reference for the improvement of quality standard of PRR and the guidance of high quality production of PRR.

  Objective  To promote the development of high-quality health standards in China and summarize the characteristics of global health standards management systems and development processes.  Methods  We conducted a systematic search of relevant databases and the websites of standardization institutions. A descriptive method was used to analyze the basic characteristics of the standard management systems and development processes.  Results  The majority of the investigated countries and organizations primarily implement voluntary standards, with the exception of Chinese and the European Committee for Standardization that enforce compulsory standards. All countries and organizations have health standards at the national, group, and enterprise levels. In China and Japan, standards authorities are subordinate to the government, while in other countries or organizations, they operate as independent civil societies. The development process for health standards generally involves five stages: "Project/Proposal → Draft → Enquiry → Review → Publication". However, the specific steps in the development of health standards vary across different countries and organizations. Furthermore, China ranks high in the number of both standards and health standards issued, but the proportion of health standards is only 2.06%.  Conclusions  There are significant differences between China and other countries in terms of the management system and development process of health standards. To promote the management and development of high-quality health standards in China, we recommend promoting the coordination mechanism for standard development, increasing efforts to publicize standards and evaluate the implementation effect, strengthening the construction of personnel for the development of health standards, optimizing the efficiency of standard development and improving the internationalization level of health standards.

Objective:To evaluate safety and efficacy of B-type suture method ileostomy.Methods:Clinical data from 204 patients undergoing laparoscopic low anterior resection combined with protective ileostomy was analysed. Patients were divided into B-type suture ileostomy group ( n=67) and traditional ileostomy group ( n=137). Results:compared with traditional ileostomy group, B-type suture ileostomy group showed statistically significant differences in total operation time [(164±26) min vs. (172±24) min, t=2.229, P=0.027], ileostomy time [(12.7±2.3) min vs. (14.8±2.2) min, t=-6.565, P<0.001], blood loss [(57±20) ml vs. (69±31) ml, t=-2.797, P=0.006], postoperative hospital stay [(10.2±1.9) d vs. (11.8±2.3) d, t=-4.851, P<0.001], specimen incision infection rate (0 vs. 5.1%, P=0.047), postoperative body pain [82 (79-84) vs. 78 (76-80), Z=-5.805, P<0.001], and ileostomy incorporation time [(46±11) min vs. (51±12) min, t=-2.540, P=0.012]. Conclusion:B-type suture ileostomy for prophylactic ileostomy in laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer is safe and feasible.