Objective To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in the management of chronic pain among military personnel stationed in plateau area of China. Methods Military personnel who had been stationed at an altitude ranging from 3 300 to 3 500 meters for over four months and suffered from chronic pain were selected as the study subjects by the judgment sampling method. A total of 51 individuals were assigned to the control group, and 53 individuals were assigned to the MBSR group using the random number table method. Individuals of the control group received conventional pain management, while the MBSR group received an additional eight-week MBSR training alongside conventional management. Pain, mindfulness levels, mood state, and psychological resilience of individuals were assessed before and 12 weeks after the intervention using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form, the Profile of Mood States, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Results After the intervention, the BPI scores, and the scores of the pain intensity and pain impact dimensions of individuals in the MBSR group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.01). The reductions in these three scores were greater in the MBSR group than those in the control group (all P<0.01). Meanwhile, individuals in the MBSR group showed superior improvements in the mindfulness level score, the total mood disturbance, and the psychological resilience score compared with the control group (all P<0.05). The multiple linear regression analysis results showed that the pre-intervention BPI score, post-intervention changes in mindfulness levels, headache and lower back pain were influencing factors for the improvement of the BPI score in the MBSR group individuals (all P<0.05). Conclusion Conducting MBSR in military units in plateau areas is an effective approach for alleviating chronic pain. The pain relief effect is more pronounced in individuals with higher initial pain scores, a greater increase in mindfulness scores after training, and those with headache and low back pain.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of Shexiang Baoxinwan in treating stable angina pectoris with Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome in patients with coronary artery disease （CAD） complicated with anxiety and depression and explore its underlying mechanisms. MethodsThis study employed a randomized， double-blind， and placebo-controlled clinical trial design. Patients admitted to the hospital were randomly assigned to the observation group and the control group， with 52 patients in each group. Patients in the observation and control groups received Shexiang Baoxinwan and placebo， respectively， both in combination with conventional Western medication. The dose was 45.0 mg， three times daily， for a total duration of eight weeks. The primary outcome was the Seattle Angina Questionnaire （SAQ） scores before and after treatment. Secondary outcomes included changes in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score， the patient health questionnaire-9 （PHQ-9）， generalized anxiety disorder-7 （GAD-7）， inflammatory markers ［interleukin-18 （IL-18）， interleukin-10 （IL-10）， tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）， CD40， etc.］， monoamine neurotransmitters ［e.g.， dopamine （DA）］， vascular endothelial function markers ［e.g.， endothelin-1（ET-1）］， adipokines， and ischemia-modified albumin （IMA）. Adverse reactions were also recorded. ResultsA total of 92 patients completed the study， with 44 in the observation group and 48 in the control group. Compared with baseline， both groups showed significant decreases in PHQ-9， GAD-7， and TCM syndrome scores following treatment （P<0.05）， along with a significant increase in SAQ scores （P<0.05）. In the observation group， DA levels were significantly increased （P<0.05）， while levels of IL-18， TNF-α， CD40， ET-1， and IMA were decreased （P<0.05）. In contrast， the control group exhibited significantly increased CD40 levels （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group after treatment， the observation group showed significant improvements in the SAQ dimensions of physical limitation， angina stability， treatment satisfaction， and disease perception， as well as in TCM syndrome score， PHQ-9 score， IL-18， CD40， ET-1， and IMA （P<0.05）. No adverse reactions were observed in either group during treatment. ConclusionShexiang Baoxinwan can improve anxiety and depression， alleviate angina symptoms， and reduce TCM symptoms of Qi stagnation and blood stasis in CAD patients. The mechanism may involve anti-inflammation， improvement of vascular endothelial function， reduction of IMA， and increase of monoamine neurotransmitter levels.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of Shexiang Baoxinwan in treating stable angina pectoris with Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome in patients with coronary artery disease （CAD） complicated with anxiety and depression and explore its underlying mechanisms. MethodsThis study employed a randomized， double-blind， and placebo-controlled clinical trial design. Patients admitted to the hospital were randomly assigned to the observation group and the control group， with 52 patients in each group. Patients in the observation and control groups received Shexiang Baoxinwan and placebo， respectively， both in combination with conventional Western medication. The dose was 45.0 mg， three times daily， for a total duration of eight weeks. The primary outcome was the Seattle Angina Questionnaire （SAQ） scores before and after treatment. Secondary outcomes included changes in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score， the patient health questionnaire-9 （PHQ-9）， generalized anxiety disorder-7 （GAD-7）， inflammatory markers ［interleukin-18 （IL-18）， interleukin-10 （IL-10）， tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）， CD40， etc.］， monoamine neurotransmitters ［e.g.， dopamine （DA）］， vascular endothelial function markers ［e.g.， endothelin-1（ET-1）］， adipokines， and ischemia-modified albumin （IMA）. Adverse reactions were also recorded. ResultsA total of 92 patients completed the study， with 44 in the observation group and 48 in the control group. Compared with baseline， both groups showed significant decreases in PHQ-9， GAD-7， and TCM syndrome scores following treatment （P<0.05）， along with a significant increase in SAQ scores （P<0.05）. In the observation group， DA levels were significantly increased （P<0.05）， while levels of IL-18， TNF-α， CD40， ET-1， and IMA were decreased （P<0.05）. In contrast， the control group exhibited significantly increased CD40 levels （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group after treatment， the observation group showed significant improvements in the SAQ dimensions of physical limitation， angina stability， treatment satisfaction， and disease perception， as well as in TCM syndrome score， PHQ-9 score， IL-18， CD40， ET-1， and IMA （P<0.05）. No adverse reactions were observed in either group during treatment. ConclusionShexiang Baoxinwan can improve anxiety and depression， alleviate angina symptoms， and reduce TCM symptoms of Qi stagnation and blood stasis in CAD patients. The mechanism may involve anti-inflammation， improvement of vascular endothelial function， reduction of IMA， and increase of monoamine neurotransmitter levels.

This study aims to investigate the effects of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on diabetic retinopathy through the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 pathway. The anti-type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) targets of APS were identified through comprehensive searches of drug and disease-related databases. A protein-protein interaction network was then constructed, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses.Molecular docking simulations were performed to evaluate the interactions of APS and metformin with Gli1 and AQP1. An in vivo T2DM rat model was established via streptozotocin (STZ) injection and treated with metformin and varying doses of APS for 12 weeks. Histological changes in retinal cells were assessed using H&E and PAS staining. The expression levels of AQP1, Gli1, and SHH in the retina were measured using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and ELISA. Additionally, mRNA expression of AQP1, Gli1, and SHH was quantified by RT-qPCR. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that Gli1 and AQP1, key components of the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway, may be associated with T2DM. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that the STZ-induced T2DM rats exhibited significant retinal damage, which was notably mitigated by both APS and metformin treatments. Furthermore, the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway was found to be overactivated in STZ-induced T2DM rats. Treatment with APS and metformin significantly reduced the elevated expression levels of SHH, Gli1, and AQP1. APS effectively inhibits retinal damage of STZinduced T2DM rats by restraining the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Growth factor is the key effect molecule that plays a role in platelet-rich plasma in clinical treatment.There are differences in the concentration of growth factor after different activators activate platelet-rich plasma,which is an important factor affecting clinical efficacy. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the influence of different activators on the mass concentration of growth factors in platelet-rich plasma. METHODS:Totally 12 healthy volunteers were recruited to collect EDTA-K2 anticoagulant venous blood.Secondary centrifugation was used to prepare platelet-rich plasma.The difference in mass concentrations of growth factors was compared between venous blood and platelet-rich plasma.The platelet-rich plasma was mixed with four activators(normal saline,thrombin,calcium gluconate,calcium gluconate+thrombin)according to the volume ratio of 10:1,and incubated in a constant temperature water bath at 37 °C for 30 minutes.After centrifugation,the supernatant was extracted and the mass concentration of growth factor was detected.The bacterial growth in supernatant was measured by blood agar plate.Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between different activators and the mass concentration of growth factor in platelet-rich plasma,and the correlation between the value of thrombocytometer and the mass concentration of growth factors in platelet-rich plasma. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The mass concentrations of platelet-derived growth factor-BB,platelet-derived growth factor-AB,vascular endothelial growth factor,and epidermal growth factor in platelet-rich plasma were 8.7,22.2,2.3,and 2.8 times of those in venous blood,respectively(P<0.05).(2)Compared with normal saline group,the mass concentrations of platelet-derived growth factor BB,platelet-derived growth factor AB,vascular endothelial growth factor,and epidermal growth factor were increased in the thrombin group,calcium gluconate group,and calcium gluconate+thrombin group(P<0.05).The mass concentration of platelet-derived growth factor BB in the thrombin group and calcium gluconate group was higher than that in the calcium gluconate+thrombin group(P<0.05),and the mass concentration of platelet-derived growth factor AB in the thrombin group was higher than that in the calcium gluconate group and calcium gluconate+thrombin group(P<0.05).Epidermal growth factor mass concentration in the thrombin group was lower than that in the calcium gluconate group and calcium gluconate+thrombin group(P<0.05).(3)The results of blood agar plate test showed no bacterial growth in the supernatant of the four groups.(4)Pearson correlation analysis showed that the mass concentration of platelet-derived growth factor BB in platelet-rich plasma was strongly positively correlated with thrombin(r=0.683,P<0.05),and the mass concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor was strongly positively correlated with thrombin,calcium gluconate,calcium gluconate+thrombin stimulant(r=0.730,0.789,0.686,P<0.05).There was no correlation between the value of thrombocytometer and the mass concentration of four kinds of growth factors(P>0.05).(5)The results suggest that different activators have an impact on the concentration of growth factors in platelet-rich plasma.It is suggested to choose different activators to improve clinical efficacy according to different growth factor mass concentrations and treatment needs.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-associated death globally. Liver transplantation (LT) has emerged as a key treatment for patients with HCC, and the Milan criteria have been adopted as the cornerstone of the selection policy. To allow more patients to benefit from LT, a number of expanded criteria have been proposed, many of which use radiologic morphological characteristics with larger and more tumors as surrogates to predict outcomes. Other groups developed indices incorporating biological variables and dynamic markers of response to locoregional treatment. These expanded selection criteria achieved satisfactory results with limited liver supplies. In addition, a number of prognostic models have been developed using clinicopathological characteristics, imaging radiomics features, genetic data, and advanced techniques such as artificial intelligence. These models could improve prognostic estimation, establish surveillance strategies, and bolster long-term outcomes in patients with HCC. In this study, we reviewed the latest findings and achievements regarding the selection criteria and post-transplant prognostic models for LT in patients with HCC.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-associated death globally. Liver transplantation (LT) has emerged as a key treatment for patients with HCC, and the Milan criteria have been adopted as the cornerstone of the selection policy. To allow more patients to benefit from LT, a number of expanded criteria have been proposed, many of which use radiologic morphological characteristics with larger and more tumors as surrogates to predict outcomes. Other groups developed indices incorporating biological variables and dynamic markers of response to locoregional treatment. These expanded selection criteria achieved satisfactory results with limited liver supplies. In addition, a number of prognostic models have been developed using clinicopathological characteristics, imaging radiomics features, genetic data, and advanced techniques such as artificial intelligence. These models could improve prognostic estimation, establish surveillance strategies, and bolster long-term outcomes in patients with HCC. In this study, we reviewed the latest findings and achievements regarding the selection criteria and post-transplant prognostic models for LT in patients with HCC.

This study aims to investigate the effects of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on diabetic retinopathy through the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 pathway. The anti-type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) targets of APS were identified through comprehensive searches of drug and disease-related databases. A protein-protein interaction network was then constructed, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses.Molecular docking simulations were performed to evaluate the interactions of APS and metformin with Gli1 and AQP1. An in vivo T2DM rat model was established via streptozotocin (STZ) injection and treated with metformin and varying doses of APS for 12 weeks. Histological changes in retinal cells were assessed using H&E and PAS staining. The expression levels of AQP1, Gli1, and SHH in the retina were measured using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and ELISA. Additionally, mRNA expression of AQP1, Gli1, and SHH was quantified by RT-qPCR. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that Gli1 and AQP1, key components of the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway, may be associated with T2DM. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that the STZ-induced T2DM rats exhibited significant retinal damage, which was notably mitigated by both APS and metformin treatments. Furthermore, the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway was found to be overactivated in STZ-induced T2DM rats. Treatment with APS and metformin significantly reduced the elevated expression levels of SHH, Gli1, and AQP1. APS effectively inhibits retinal damage of STZinduced T2DM rats by restraining the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway.

This study aims to investigate the effects of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on diabetic retinopathy through the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 pathway. The anti-type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) targets of APS were identified through comprehensive searches of drug and disease-related databases. A protein-protein interaction network was then constructed, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses.Molecular docking simulations were performed to evaluate the interactions of APS and metformin with Gli1 and AQP1. An in vivo T2DM rat model was established via streptozotocin (STZ) injection and treated with metformin and varying doses of APS for 12 weeks. Histological changes in retinal cells were assessed using H&E and PAS staining. The expression levels of AQP1, Gli1, and SHH in the retina were measured using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and ELISA. Additionally, mRNA expression of AQP1, Gli1, and SHH was quantified by RT-qPCR. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that Gli1 and AQP1, key components of the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway, may be associated with T2DM. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that the STZ-induced T2DM rats exhibited significant retinal damage, which was notably mitigated by both APS and metformin treatments. Furthermore, the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway was found to be overactivated in STZ-induced T2DM rats. Treatment with APS and metformin significantly reduced the elevated expression levels of SHH, Gli1, and AQP1. APS effectively inhibits retinal damage of STZinduced T2DM rats by restraining the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the effects of air pressure, humidity, wind, and sunshine on the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) in Guiyang, and to provide reference for the prevention of CVD. Methods Using CVD incidence data from September 2021 to August 2022 in Guiyang City and meteorological data including average air pressure, average humidity, wind, and sunshine during the same period, the effects of meteorological factors on CVD incidence were explored and the importance of each factor was analyzed. Results When air pressure was below 868 hPa, above 887 hPa, or between 877 and 883 hPa, and when air pressure dropped less than 5.3 hPa within 24 hours, there was a higher risk of CVD. When the humidity was above 81%, the wind speed was small (<1.2 m/s) or high (>4m/s), and there was less sunlight (less than 3 hours), the risk of CVD was higher. Low humidity (<60%) was not conducive to the onset of CVD. There were highest risks at lag 5~10 days and 4-25 days for high pressure and low sunlight, respectively. When the relative humidity was saturated, there was an immediate effect. When the wind speed was low and high, the immediate effect and hysteresis effects were significant. Among the above meteorological factors, the impact of 24-hour variation of pressure and high or low atmospheric pressure on the incidence of CVD was the most significant, while the impact of sunlight and humidity was the weakest. The impact of diurnal variations in wind and atmospheric pressure was not clear. Conclusion The impact of air pressure on the incidence of CVD does not exhibit a simple linear relationship. The risk of CVD is high in high humidity, low light, and moderate or strong winds. It is necessary to fully consider changes in meteorological factors for CVD prevention and control.