Background: Adrenocortical hormones, particularly 11-oxygenated androgens, are pivotal in female reproductive health and fertility. Standardized detection kits and population-specific reference intervals are lacking in China, hindering related clinical applications. Methods: A HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) pipeline was developed, rigorously validated, and applied to simultaneously quantify corticosterone, cortisone, cortisol, 18-OH cortisol, androstenedione (A4), 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (11-OH A4), dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in serum samples from 455 reproductive-aged women (18–45 yrs) in Guangxi, China. Age-dependent concentration trends were analyzed, and reference intervals stratified by age (2.5th to 97.5th percentiles) were established. Correlations with body-composition metrics, ethnicity, and the menstrual cycle were investigated. Results: The HPLC-MS/MS method demonstrated high precision (intra- and inter-assay CVs < 15%), accuracy, and sensitivity. All eight hormones exhibited significant age-related declines (P < 0.001 for seven hormones; P = 0.001 for 11-OH A4). Notably, 11-OH A4 levels were significantly lower in the 35–45-yr (3.05 nmol/L) and 25–34-yr (3.09 nmol/L) age groups than in the 18–24-yr (3.57 nmol/L) age group, whereas no significant difference was observed between the 35–45-yr and 25–34-yr age groups. Weak negative correlations were observed between the body mass index and corticosterone and cortisone levels, whereas ethnicity and the menstrual cycle showed no significant associations with hormone levels. Conclusions We developed an HPLC-MS/MS-based method for simultaneously quantifying eight adrenocortical hormones, including 11-OH A4, and defined age-specific reference intervals for reproductive-aged Chinese women. These findings advance the clinical utility of adrenocortical hormones in diagnosing and managing reproductive disorders.

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a technique that uses an array of electrodes to deliver safe stimulating currents and measures the boundary voltages between adjacent electrode pairs in the array in sequence. Subsequently, it reconstructs the impedance distribution in all or part of the tissue using reconstruction algorithms to achieve structural and functional imaging. Lung EIT technology features continuity, being radiation-free and non-invasive, and it can be used for real-time dynamic monitoring of the lungs in critically ill patients. This paper introduces the basic principles of lung EIT, analyzes the research progress and existing problems of the technology from the perspectives of hardware systems, imaging algorithms, and clinical applications (such as lung ventilation, lung perfusion, and lung function assessment), and discusses the development direction to provide ideas for expanding the clinical application of lung EIT.
Electric Impedance ; Humans ; Tomography/methods* ; Lung Diseases/therapy* ; Algorithms

Objective:To analyze the key β-amyloid protein (Aβ) deposition in brain regions affecting the progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods:Based on the positron emission tomography data of Aβ in the Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative database, the penalized generalized estimating equation (PGEE) and the mixed effects regression forest algorithm (MERF) were used to conduct dimensionality reduction analysis on 164 brain regions with Aβ deposition. Additionally, a multivariate longitudinal data joint model was used to screen the key Aβ deposition brain regions that influence the progression from MCI to AD.Results:Five key brain regions were commonly screened out by the PGEE and MERF models, they were the right prefrontal orbital cortex, the left superior temporal sulcus shore cortex, the right medial orbitofrontal cortex, the left putamen, and the right transverse temporal cortex, respectively. The results of the multivariate longitudinal data joint model based on these 5 Aβ deposition brain regions showed that, except the left superior temporal sulcus shore cortex, the longitudinal change trajectories of the other 4 Aβ deposition brain regions all affected the progression from MCI to AD ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The Aβ deposition in the right prefrontal orbital cortex, right medial orbitofrontal cortex, left putamen and right transverse temporal cortex affect the progression from MCI to AD.

Given the increasing concern regarding antibacterial resistance, the antimicrobial properties of naphthoquinones have recently attracted significant attention. While 1,4-naphthoquinone and its derivatives have been extensively studied, the antibacterial properties of 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives remain relatively unexplored. This study presents a comprehensive in vitro and in vivo analysis of the antibacterial activity of 35 naturally sourced and chemically synthesized derivatives of 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. Kirby-Bauer antibiotic testing identified three compounds with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with one compound (PNP-02) demonstrating activity comparable to vancomycin in minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and time-kill assays. Microscopic and biochemical analyses revealed that PNP-02 adversely affects the cell wall and cell membrane of MRSA. Mechanistic investigations, including proteomic sequencing analyses, Western blotting, and RT-qPCR assays, indicated that PNP-02 compromises cell membrane integrity by inhibiting arginine biosynthesis and pyrimidine metabolism pathways, thereby increasing membrane permeability and inducing bacterial death. In an in vivo mouse model of skin wound healing, PNP-02 exhibited antibacterial efficacy similar to vancomycin. The compound demonstrated low toxicity to cultured human cells and in hemolysis assays and remained stable during serum incubation. These findings suggest that PNP-02 possesses promising bioactivity against MRSA and represents a potential novel antibacterial agent.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/genetics* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry* ; Naphthoquinones/administration & dosage* ; Animals ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mice ; Humans ; Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology* ; Molecular Structure

Objective To investigate the factors influencing the severity of cerebral white matter hyperintensity in hypertensive patients with acute cerebral infarction,and focus on the independ-ent roles of treatment adherence,advanced age,and multidimensional risk factors.Methods A single-center cross-sectional study was conducted on 262 hypertensive patients with acute cerebral infarction admitted to our department from January 2020 to June 2023.According to their score of Morisky Medication Adherence Scale(MMAS-8),they were divided into an adherence group(116 cases)and a non-adherence group(146 cases).Their demographic data,medical history,and blood pressure data were collected through electronic medical records.Fazekas score was assessed blind-ly to quantify the severity of white matter hyperintensity.MMAS-8 and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA)were used to assess the behavioral indicators,and modified Rankin Scale(mRS)was employed to evaluate the neurological function.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to screen the risk factors.Results There were statis-tical differences in marital status,mRS score and Fazekas score between the adherence group and the non-adherence group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The non-adherence group had significantly higher diastolic blood pressure than the adherence group[(87.29±7.51)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)vs(83.98±8.11)mm Hg,P=0.001].Univariate logistic regression analysis showed age of≥80 years,duration of hypertension≥5 years,systolic blood pressure,and MoCA score＜10 were no-tably correlated with severity of white matter hyperintensity(P＜0.01).Multivariate logistic re-gression analysis indicted that age of≥80 years(OR=3.305,95％CI:1.560-7.001,P=0.002),systolic blood pressure(OR=1.026,95％CI:1.008-1.044,P=0.003),MoCA score＜10(OR=5.210,95％CI:2.060-13.176,P=0.000),and treatment non-adherence(OR=2.380,95％CI:1.346-4.209,P=0.003)were independent risk factors for white matter hyperintensity severity,and duration of hypertension showed no significance in the multivariate model(P＞0.05).Conclusion Poor treatment adherence and advanced age are core factors for white matter hyper-intensity progression in hypertensive patients with acute cerebral infarction.

The incidence of sarcopenia after hip fracture is gradually increasing, and it is expected that the global number of sarcopenia patients will reach 500 million by 2050. Its insidious onset will impose a heavy burden on China's medical system and society, and the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia is urgent. The mechanism of sarcopenia is currently unclear. Existing research shows that elevated levels of homocysteine (Hcy) in the blood can lead to oxidative stress, promote protein aggregation and dysfunction, stimulate cell apoptosis, induce inflammation, and to some extent affect the occurrence and development of sarcopenia. As a new research direction in sarcopenia, there is an increasing amount of research on Hcy. At present, it has been found that hyperhomocysteinemia is closely related to the occurrence of sarcopenia, but the specific mechanism has not been elucidated yet. This article reviews the research progress on the role of Hcy in sarcopenia after hip fracture by searching domestic and foreign literature.

Spine fracture and dislocation are common traumatic spinal conditions that often require surgical intervention due to compromised spinal stability. Surgical approaches include anterior, posterior, and combined anterior-posterior spinal procedures. According to the specific surgical requirements, patients may be placed in the prone position or repositioned between prone and supine positions during surgery. Intraoperative repositioning has become an essential step in patient positioning. However, during repositioning, patients with spinal fracture and dislocation are at increased risk for complications such as hemodynamic instability, nerve injury, and pressure injuries to the skin and soft tissue. Notably, due to the instability of the spinal cord, even minor manipulations can further exacerbate the damage, potentially leading to severe outcomes like paraplegia. Although the current clinical guidelines provide instructive recommendations for standard position, there remains no specific protocols for intraoperative repositioning in patients with spine fracture and dislocation. With a concern for the lack of clinical studies on positioning techniques, risk prevention, and operational norms for special patients, no applicable guidelines or standards are available. A consensus was required to provide clinical reference, meet the requirements of surgical treatment, and minimize the safety risks of patients caused by improper placement of positions. Professional Committee of Operating Room Nursing of Shaanxi Nursing Association organized experts in nursing management and operating room nursing from major hospitals across China to formulate Expert consensus on intraoperative repositioning for patients with spinal fracture and dislocation ( version 2025). The consensus provides 11 recommendations covering pre-repositioning preparation, intraoperative maneuvers, and post-repositioning observation, aiming to provide references for clinical standardization of the intraoperative repositioning process and protection of patients′ safety.

Genomic imprinting refers to the phenomenon of differential expression of two alleles due to their different parental origins. Genes that produce genomic imprinting are usually called imprinted genes. The genetic effect caused by the presence of imprinted genes is called parent-of-origin effect. Parent-of-origin effect and genomic imprinting play important roles in the pathophysiological mechanism and occurrence and development of cardio-metabolic diseases. In-depth exploration of the law and potential roles of imprinted genes and parent-of-origin effects will help to better understand the mechanism of cardio-metabolic diseases, and also provide important theoretical basis for the precise treatment of diseases related to imprinted genes.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore the current status and risk factors of oral health-related quality of life OHRQoL in patients with mental disorders and provide evidence for effective intervention measures. METHODS: A total of 397 patients diagnosed with mental illness were selected by convenience sampling, and investigation was carried out using general data questionnaire, health literacy in dentistry-14 (HeLD-14), oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-14), and oral health status checklist. RESULTS: The total score of OHIP-14 in patients with mental disorders was 8(2, 14). The score of HeLD-14 was negatively correlated with the score of OHIP-14 (r=-0.142, P<0.01). The results of multiple linear regression showed that six variables including annual family income, schizophrenia, sweets, frequency of visits to the dentist, dental caries, and missing teeth affected OHRQoL of patients with mental disorders (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The poor OHRQoL of psychiatric patients is associated with many factors. Medical personnel should pay attention to their oral health problems and develop targeted oral care programs throughout the course of disease to improve oral health and related quality of life of patients.
Humans ; Quality of Life ; Oral Health ; Mental Disorders ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Male ; Female ; Dental Caries ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Schizophrenia