OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture at back-shu points on patients with post-stroke tracheotomy on the basis of extracorporeal diaphragmatic pacing (EDP) combined with conventional acupuncture. METHODS: A total of 64 patients with post-stroke tracheotomy were randomly divided into an experiment group (32 cases, 2 cases dropped out) and a control group (32 cases, 2 cases dropped out). The control group received EDP combined with conventional acupuncture, acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV20), Zhongwan (CV12) and bilateral Fengchi (GB20), Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6), Xuehai (SP10) , Yinlingquan (SP9), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Zusanli (ST36), 30 min each time. The experiment group was treated with acupuncture at bilateral Feishu (BL13), Pishu (BL20), Shenshu (BL23) on the basis of the treatment in the control group, 30 min each time. Acupuncture in both groups was given once a day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the pulmonary function (forced vital capacity [FVC], first second forced expiratory volume [FEV₁], peak expiratory flow [PEF], maximal inspiratory pressure [MIP], maximal expiratory pressure [MEP]), diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF), diaphragm excursion (DE), postural assessment scale for stroke patients (PASS) score and Berg balance scale (BBS) score were observed in the two groups. The extubation success rate was recorded in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the FVC, FEV₁, PEF, MIP and MEP in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.001), and above indexes in the experiment group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.001, P<0.01). After treatment, the DTF and DE in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.001), the DE in the experiment group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.001). After treatment, the PASS and BBS scores in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.001), and the BBS score in the experiment group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.001). The extubation success rate of the experiment group was 73.3% (22/30), which was higher than 46.7% (14/30) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION On the basis of EDP combined with conventional acupuncture, acupuncture at back-shu points can improve the pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, trunk control and balance abilities in patients with post-stroke tracheotomy, and increase the extubation success rate.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Stroke/complications* ; Acupuncture Points ; Tracheotomy ; Adult ; Airway Extubation ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that the occurrence and severity of respiratory diseases in children are related to the concentration of air pollutants. Nonetheless, evidence regarding the association between short-term exposure to air pollution and outpatient visits for respiratory diseases in children remains limited. Outpatients cover a wide range of disease severity, including both severe and mild cases, some of which may need to be transferred to inpatient treatment. This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate the impact of short-term ambient air pollution exposure on outpatient visits for respiratory conditions in children. METHODS: This study employed data of the Second People's Hospital of Yichang from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2023, to conduct a time series analysis. The DLNM approach was integrated with a generalized additive model to examine the daily outpatient visits of pediatric patients with respiratory illnesses in hospital, alongside air pollution data obtained from monitoring stations. Adjustments were made for long-term trends, meteorological variables, and other influencing factors. RESULTS: A nonlinear association was identified between PM_2.5, PM₁₀, O₃, NO₂, SO₂, CO levels and the daily outpatient visits for respiratory diseases among children. All six pollutants exhibit a hysteresis impact, with varying durations ranging from 4 to 6 days. The risks associated with air pollutants differ across various categories of children's respiratory diseases; notably, O₃ and CO do not show statistical significance concerning the risk of chronic respiratory conditions. Furthermore, the results of infectious respiratory diseases were similar with those of respiratory diseases. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that short-term exposure to air pollutants may contribute to an increased incidence of outpatient visits for respiratory illnesses among children, and controlling air pollution is important to protect children's health.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Respiratory Tract Diseases/chemically induced* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Air Pollution/analysis* ; Infant ; Male ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Female ; Ambulatory Care/statistics & numerical data* ; Outpatients/statistics & numerical data* ; Adolescent ; Infant, Newborn

Objective:To analyze the incidence and impact on the auditory prognosis of vertigo/dizziness in sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients with moderately severe hearing loss and above. Methods:Clinical data of patients with unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss hospitalized from January 2008 to December 2022, aged 18-60 years, PTA≥50 dB HL, and within 14 days of onset were selected. Based on the clinical records of sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients, we determined whether they were accompanied by vertigo/dizziness. The degree of hearing loss is referenced to the 2021 WHO grading criteria and divided into the moderately severe, severe, profound, and total deafness groups. The SPSS 22.0 software was applied to analyze the difference in the auditory prognosis between sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients with moderately severe hearing loss and above who have dizziness/vertigo and those who do not. Results:A total of 697 patients with moderately severe hearing loss and above were collected, including 382 males and 315 females, with an average age of（40.8±11.0） years. The proportions of sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients with dizziness/vertigo among those with moderately severe to total deafness hearing loss were 18.4%, 35.7%, 47.9%, and 76.4% respectively. Compared to the moderately severe, severe, profound, and total deafness groups, the difference was statistically significant（P<0.001）. The complete recovery rates of sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients with moderately severe to total deafness hearing loss were 28.2%, 25.2%, 18.2%, and 1.9% respectively, and the total effective rates were 72.8%, 83.5%, 86.7%, and 78.0% respectively. There were statistically significant differences in complete recovery rate（P<0.001）, significant efficiency rate（P<0.001）, effective rate（P=0.026）, and no recovery rate（P=0.022） among the moderately severe, severe, profound, and total deafness groups. The differences in complete recovery between sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients with and without vertigo/dizziness were statistically significant in the moderately severe, severe, profound, and total deafness groups（P<0.05）, while the total effective rates were only statistically significant in the profound group compared to those without vertigo/dizziness（P<0.05）. After inpatient treatment, sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients with dizziness/vertigo had statistically significant final hearing thresholds at 4 000 and 8 000 Hz for moderately severe hearing loss patients, 2 000-8 000 Hz for severe hearing loss patients, 500-8 000 Hz for profound hearing loss patients, and 2 000-8 000 Hz for total deafness patients compared to those without dizziness/vertigo（P<0.05）. Conclusion:The higher the degree of hearing loss in patients with moderately severe hearing loss and above, the higher the proportion of accompanied vertigo/dizziness. Patients with vertigo/dizziness have poorer recovery of high-frequency hearing, and the complete recovery rate is significantly lower than the patients without vertigo/dizziness.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sudden/complications* ; Adult ; Dizziness/complications* ; Prognosis ; Middle Aged ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/complications* ; Vertigo/complications* ; Young Adult ; Adolescent

Xiaoaiping (XAP) Injection demonstrates the anti-prostate cancer (PCa) effects, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of XAP on PCa and elucidate its mechanism of action. PCa cell proliferation was evaluated using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed through Hoechst staining and Western blotting assays. Proteomics technology was employed to identify key molecules and significant signaling pathways modulated by XAP in PCa cells. To further validate potential key genes and important pathways, a series of assays were conducted, including acridine orange (AO) staining, transmission electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence assays. The molecular mechanism of XAP against PCa in vivo was examined using a PC3 xenograft mouse model. Results demonstrated that XAP significantly inhibited cell proliferation in multiple PCa cell lines. In C4-2 and prostate cancer cell line-3 (PC3) cells, XAP induced cellular apoptosis, evidenced by reduced B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) levels and elevated Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) levels. Proteomic, immunofluorescence, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) investigations revealed a strong correlation between forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) autophagic degradation and the anti-PCa action of XAP. XAP hindered autophagy by reducing the expression levels of autophagy-related protein 5 (Atg5)/autophagy-related protein 12 (Atg12) and enhancing FoxO3a expression and nuclear translocation. Furthermore, XAP exhibited potent anti-PCa action in PC3 xenograft mice and triggered FoxO3a nuclear translocation in tumor tissue. These findings suggest that XAP induces PCa apoptosis via inhibition of FoxO3a autophagic degradation, potentially offering a novel perspective on XAP injection as an effective anticancer therapy for PCa.
Male ; Humans ; Prostatic Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Proteomics ; Mice ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Forkhead Box Protein O3/genetics* ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Mice, Nude ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Objective:To investigate the differential impact of ultra-high-resolution photon-counting detector CT (UHR PCD-CT) and energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT) on image quality and calcified plaque-induced luminal stenosis in coronary CT angiography (CCTA).Methods:This retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent both EID-CT and UHR PCD-CT CCTA at the Geriatric Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2021 and November 2024. A total of 141 patients were included in the study, within 46 patients having scans within a 12-month interval. Image quality of all coronary artery segments was subjectively evaluated. Patients with paired scans (interval≤12 months) were included for calcified plaque analysis. Subjective visualization of calcified plaques evaluated. The blooming artifact was calculated as an objective evaluation index for assessing the calcified plaques. Additionally, the degree of coronary artery lumen stenosis resulting from calcified plaques was assessed, along with the measurement of plaque volume and the Agatston score. Changes in lumen stenosis between the two scans were also evaluated. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the subjective scores of coronary artery image quality and calcified plaques between the two groups, and paired-sample t-tests were used to compare the blooming artifact and lumen stenosis degree. Results:The PCD-CT image quality score was significantly higher than that of EID-CT [PCD-CT : 5 (4,5), EID-CT: 4 (4,5); Z=-21.38, P<0.001]. Compared to EID-CT, PCD-CT reduced the blooming artifact (PCD-CT: 38.88%±9.09%, EID-CT: 50.11%±11.52%; t=-12.97, P<0.001), significantly improving the subjective score for visualization of calcified plaques [PCD-CT: 5 (4,5), EID-CT: 3 (2,3); Z=-9.68, P<0.001], and the measured lumen stenosis was notably lower in PCD-CT(PCD-CT:34.88%±18.20%, EID-CT:45.31%±23.42%; t=-9.93, P<0.001). Among 129 analyzed calcified plaques, luminal stenosis was reduced on PCD-CT in 110 plaques (85.3%) and increased in 19 (14.7%), including 4 plaques that had unclear boundaries with the adjacent lumen in EID-CT CCTA images, making the stenosis difficult to assess. Conclusion:Compared to EID-CT, UHR PCD-CT for CCTA significantly improves coronary artery image quality, provides clearer visualization of calcified plaques and adjacent lumen details, and it can reduce the overestimation of coronary artery caleified plaque stenosis.

Objective:The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value and clinical significance of cochlear microphonics (CM) combined with otoacoustic emission (OAE) in patients with auditory neuropathy (AN).Methods:The study included patients who were diagnosed with bilateral AN and had CM originating from both sides. The CM amplitude, latency, duration and intensity-amplitude (I/O) function curve were recorded by CM test. According to whether the distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) passed through, the patients were divided into three groups: bilateral OAE passed group (OAE PP Group), bilateral OAE failed group (OAE RR Group), and unilateral OAE passed through one side failed group (OAE PR Group). OAE was elicited by four or more frequencies of 750-8 000 Hz. The characteristics of CM and its related influencing factors were analyzed, and data were processed and analyzed by SPSS 26.0 software. Results:(1) A total of 256 patients (512 ears) with AN were enrolled, including 161 patients (322 ears) in OAE PP group, 32 patients (64 ears) in OAE PR group and 63 patients (126 ears) in OAE RR group. OAE failed in 30.9% of patients with AN. (2) When the stimulation intensity was 100 dB nHL, the CM amplitude of OAE passing ear (OAE P+CM P group) in AN patients aged 3 years was 0.43±0.17μV, which was significantly higher than that of OAE not passing ear (OAE R+CM P group) (0.29±0.15) μV ( t=4.876， P<0.001). The CM duration of the OAE P+CM P group was (5.18±1.04) ms, which was longer than that of the OAE R+CM P group at 4.60±1.12 ms ( P=0.005). The I/O function curve of OAE P+CM P group showed a nonlinear trend, while, that of OAE R+CM P group showed a linear trend. (3) In the OAE P+CM P group of AN patients, the amplitude of CM was negatively correlated with the onset age, test age, disease course, PTA, and ASSR threshold ( P<0.001), with correlation coefficients of r=-0.475, r=-0.519, r=-0.367, r=-0.374, and r=-0.494, respectively. In the OAE R+CM P group of AN patients, the amplitude of CM was negatively correlated with the onset age, test age, and ASSR threshold ( P<0.05), with correlation coefficients of r=-0.271, r=-0.240, and r=-0.287, respectively. Conclusions:Excluding patients with high-frequency steeply sloping hearing loss, when ABR is absent or abnormal and OAE is absent, CM detection can reduce the rate of missed diagnosis of AN. The analysis of CM amplitude and I/O function curve is helpful to determine the lesion site of AN patients, which is convenient for early diagnosis and effective intervention.

Objective To explore the relationship between the head injury criterion(HIC)values in anterior-posterior(AP)collisions and lateral-medial(LM)collisions.Methods A total of 102 male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group of 0 m(6 rats),4 AP groups(12 rats/group)and 4 LM groups(12 rats/group).After adaptive training,the classical Marmarou model was used to execute the brain AP and LM collisions under a series of different height impacts,and the HIC values were calculated.The experimental group data of the walk-pole test and grip strength test were collected at 24 hours before and after injury,and the data of the proportion of hemorrhage in the corpus callosum and pyramidal tracts were collected at 24 hours after injury.Results As the collision heights increased in both AP and LM groups,there were positive correlations with changes in WP test time and peak GS,and corresponding increases in the proportion of hemorrhage in the cc and py.According to the mathematical relationships between the comprehensive injury degrees and HIC values,it was found that at the same injury degree,LM-HIC value was less than AP-HIC value.A mathematical relationship between AP-HIC and LM-HIC was fitted based on the comprehensive injury degrees.At the same HIC,LM group experienced more severe injuries,and AP group was more tolerant to head collision.Conclusion The injury severity in LM group is greater than that of AP group at the same HIC.Preliminary results show there is a linear mathematical relationship between AP-HIC and LM-HIC.These results can be expected to expand the application scope of HIC and achieve an accurate assessment of the LM collision severity.

Objective:To summarize medication safety assessment tools for clinical nurses both domestically and internationally.Methods:Guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology, a systematic search was conducted across CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, SinoMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang Data. The search period was from the establishment of database to January 1, 2025. Medication safety assessment tools for clinical nurses were extracted, relevant content was systematically analyzed, and the retrieval results were reported in a standardized manner.Results:A total of 28 studies were included, involving 15 medication safety assessment tools for clinical nurses. Assessment methods employed multidimensional and graded self-assessment formats. Based on evaluation perspectives, these tools were categorized into six types, including operational standardization monitoring, cognitive bias calibration, environmental stress testing, capability threshold identification, reporting barrier analysis, and medication information systems. The assessment tools had high reliability and validity, multiple types, and diverse evaluation perspectives.Conclusions:Researchers should carefully select and use assessment tools based on research characteristics. It is necessary to enhance the autonomy of nursing research on medication safety, develop comprehensive and accurate clinical nurse medication safety assessment tools that are adapted to China's clinical context, and promote the improvement of nurse medication safety.

Objective To explore the effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)combined with unilateral upper limb mirror training on contralateral limb strength in patients with hemiplegia after ischemic stroke.Methods A total of 196 patients with hemiplegia after ischemic stroke were selected.All patients were divided into study group and control group via a random number table method,with 98 patients in each group.The control group received mirror training,while the study group received low-frequency rTMS treatment in addition to the control group.The neuroelectrophysiology,neurological function,limb motor function,and clinical efficacy of all patients were observed before and after treatment,and all patients were performed the resting-state functional MRI examination.A generalized estimating equation(GEE)model were used to analyze the improvement of contralateral limb strength.Results After treatment,the seed points in the study group showed a significant enhancement in connectivity with the whole brain function.The overall efficiency of the study group was significantly better than that of the control group.After treatment,the central motor conduction time(CMCT),neuron specific enolase(NSE),cortical latency(CL),and S100β of the two groups of patients were significantly reduced compared with before treatment,while the neurotrophin-3(NT-3),nerve growth factor(NGF),Fugl-Meyer assessment upper extremities(FMA-UE),Wolf motor function test(WMFT),modified Barthel index(MBI),and Berg balance scale(BBS)scores were significantly increased.Moreover,the study group showed a more significant improvement compared to the control group(P＜0.05).The GEE model analysis results showed that the improvement of contralateral limb strength in the study group was significantly better than that in the control group.Conclusion Low-frequency rTMS combined with unilateral upper limb mirror training can improve cortical excitability and upper limb motor function in hemiplegic patients after ischemic stroke,with good therapeutic effects.

Objective:To summarize medication safety assessment tools for clinical nurses both domestically and internationally.Methods:Guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology, a systematic search was conducted across CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, SinoMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang Data. The search period was from the establishment of database to January 1, 2025. Medication safety assessment tools for clinical nurses were extracted, relevant content was systematically analyzed, and the retrieval results were reported in a standardized manner.Results:A total of 28 studies were included, involving 15 medication safety assessment tools for clinical nurses. Assessment methods employed multidimensional and graded self-assessment formats. Based on evaluation perspectives, these tools were categorized into six types, including operational standardization monitoring, cognitive bias calibration, environmental stress testing, capability threshold identification, reporting barrier analysis, and medication information systems. The assessment tools had high reliability and validity, multiple types, and diverse evaluation perspectives.Conclusions:Researchers should carefully select and use assessment tools based on research characteristics. It is necessary to enhance the autonomy of nursing research on medication safety, develop comprehensive and accurate clinical nurse medication safety assessment tools that are adapted to China's clinical context, and promote the improvement of nurse medication safety.