Background::Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and diameter, stiffness, and wave reflections, are independent and important clinical biomarkers and risk predictors for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to establish nationwide reference values of carotid properties for healthy Chinese adults and to explore potential clinical determinants.Methods::A total of 3053 healthy Han Chinese adults (1922 women) aged 18-79 years were enrolled at 28 collaborating tertiary centers throughout China between April 2021 and July 2022. The real-time tracking of common carotid artery walls was achieved by the radio frequency (RF) ultrasound system. The IMT, diameter, compliance coefficient, β stiffness, local pulse wave velocity (PWV), local systolic blood pressure, augmented pressure (AP), and augmentation index (AIx) were then automatically measured and reported. Data were stratified by age groups and sex. The relationships between age and carotid property parameters were analyzed by Jonckheere-Terpstra test and simple linear regressions. The major clinical determinants of carotid properties were identified by Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression, and analyses of covariance.Results::All the parameters of carotid properties demonstrated significantly age-related trajectories. Women showed thinner IMT, smaller carotid diameter, larger AP, and AIx than men. The β stiffness and PWV were significantly higher in men than women before forties, but the differences reversed after that. The increase rate of carotid IMT (5.5 μm/year in women and 5.8 μm/year in men) and diameter (0.03 mm/year in both men and women) were similar between men and women. For the stiffness and wave reflections, women showed significantly larger age-related variations than men as demonstrated by steeper regression slopes (all P for age by sex interaction <0.05). The blood pressures, body mass index (BMI), and triglyceride levels were identified as major clinical determinants of carotid properties with adjustment of age and sex. Conclusions::The age- and sex-specific reference values of carotid properties measured by RF ultrasound for healthy Chinese adults were established. The blood pressures, BMI, and triglyceride levels should be considered for clinical application of corresponding reference values.

Objective:To investigate the impact of the birth of preterm infants on their family functioning, and to provide a reference for the formulation of targeted intervention programs.Methods:Based on the socio ecosystem theory, phenomenological research methods and objective sampling were used to conduct semi-structured interviews with 16 preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Children′s Hospital of Soochow University from September 2023 to January 2024, who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the Colaizzi 7-step analysis method was used to analyze the interview data.Results:All 16 caregivers of the NICU preterm infants who participated in the interviews were the infants′ mothers, aged from 26 to 34 years. A total of 3 themes and 10 sub-themes were summarized. The micro system: physical and mental exhaustion coexisted with role growth of caregivers (physical and mental health was affected, positive experience after psychological adjustment, and adaptation to role change). The intermediate system: family relationship mode change (family satisfaction decreased, family difficulties affected family harmony, family communication content changed, family harmony and conflict coexisted, and family conflict resolution was actively resolved). The outer system: social support system needed to be improved (benefited from social support and not yet perceived external support).Conclusions:Medical staff can improve the multiple support system and provide continuous and personalized family support, so as to improve the family adjustment ability and improve the family functioning of preterm infants in the NICU.

Purpose To explore the clinical value of quantitative assessment of renal perfusion using ultrasound contrast imaging for the auxiliary diagnosis of type 2 diabetic nephropathy.Materials and Methods This prospective study was conducted from May 2017 to December 2019 at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital.A total of 41 patients with type 2 diabetes and renal function abnormalities,who were scheduled for renal biopsy,underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound.Differences in contrast imaging parameters,including time to peak in the renal cortex,peak enhancement,mean transit time local,and area under the curve between diabetic nephropathy and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis were compared,and the correlation between imaging parameters and pathological results was analyzed.Results Among 41 patients,30 cases were diagnosed as diabetic nephropathy,and 11 cases were diagnosed as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.The peak enhancement and area under the curve in the diabetic nephropathy group were significantly lower than those in the focal segmental glomerulosclerosis group[peak enhancement:3 837.16(2 449.16,5 929.16)vs.8 508.00(4 334.88,21 201.00),Z=-2.766,P=0.006;area under the curve:0.14±0.05 vs.0.19±0.05,t=-3.135,P=0.003].In the diabetic nephropathy group,peak enhancement showed a negative correlation with the global glomerulosclerosis rate(r=-0.489,P=0.006).Conclusion Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can quantitatively evaluate renal perfusion and has certain clinical value in assisting the diagnosis of type 2 diabetic nephropathy.

Objective To investigate the changes in distribution of Oncomelania hupensis snails in forestlands in Songjiang District, Shanghai Municipality from 2009 to 2023, so as to provide insights into formulation of O. hupensis snail surveillance programs. Methods The reports on O. hupensis snail surveillance in Songjiang District, Shanghai Municipality from 2009 to 2023 were collected, and the snail surveillance data in forestlands were extracted. The trends in the proportion of areas with snails in forestlands in total areas with snails, occurrence of frames with living snails and density of living snails were evaluated using a Joinpoint regression model in Songjiang District from 2009 to 2023, and the annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC). Results A total of 40 sites with snails were found in forestlands in 14 administrative villages of 4 townships, Songjiang District, Shanghai Municipality from 2009 to 2023. A total of 39 065 frames were surveyed for snails in settings covering an area of 609 600 m², and there were 6 084 frames with snails, covering 151 250 m² snail habitats. A total of 22 210 snails were captured, with the highest density of 260.00 snails/0.1 m², and 6 262 snails were dissected, with no Schistosoma japonicum infection identified in snails. The proportion of areas with snails in forestlands in total areas with snails appeared a tendency towards a rise in forestlands in Songjiang District, Shanghai Municipality from 2009 to 2023 (APC = AAPC = 24.9%, P > 0.05); however, there were no turning points in the trend curve, with the highest proportion seen in 2009 (53.81%), the lowest in 2011 and 2023 (both 0) and a mean proportion of 24.81%. The occurrence of frames with living snails appeared a tendency towards a rise from 2009 to 2023 (APC = AAPC = 41.5%, P > 0.05); however, there were no turning points in the trend curve, with the highest occurrence in 2009 (53.81%), the lowest in 2011 and 2013 (both 0), and the mean occurrence of 15.57%. In addition, the density of living snails appeared a tendency towards a rise from 2009 to 2023 (APC = AAPC = 55.0%, P > 0.05); however, there were no turning points in the trend curve, with the highest density in 2023 (0.96 snails/0.1 m²), the lowest in 2011 and 2013 (both 0), and a mean density of 0.57 snails/0.1 m². Conclusions The difficulty in O. hupensis snail control and risk of imported snails appeared a tendency towards a rise in forestlands in Songjiang District, Shanghai Municipality over years from 2009 to 2023. Supervision and assessment prior to seedling transplantation and intensified surveillance post-transplantation are recommended to reduce the risk of O. hupensis snail importation and spread.

ObjectiveTo analyze the monitoring results and trends of Oncomelania in Songjiang District of Shanghai from 2007 to 2023， and to provide reference for future monitoring work. MethodsThe data of snail monitoring in Songjiang District from 2007 to 2023 were collected， including the location of snail spots， the number of survey frames， the area with snails， the number of frames with snails， the total number of snails， etc. The density of living snails and the occurrence rate of living snail frames were calculated. ResultsFrom 2007 to 2023， a total of 158 snail spots were found in 22 administrative villages in 4 towns in Songjiang District， including 131 emerging snail habitats （82.91%） and 27 reemerging snail habitats （17.09%）. The total snail area was 175 980 m²， the number of snail frames was 10 061， and 33 302 snails were captured. The highest density was 260/0.11 m²， and 15 662 snails were dissected. No positive snails were found. The average density of living snails was 0.60/0.11 m² and the average occurrence rate of living snail frames was 17.99%. The snail areas in different areas were Yexie Town 126 000 m² （71.60%）， Maogang Town 26 470 m² （15.04%）， Xinbang Town 17 040 m² （9.68%）， and Shihudang Town 6 470 m² （3.68%）. The average density of living snails in different areas was 0.89/0.11 m² in Yexie Town， 0.65/0.11 m² in Maogang Town， 0.26/0.11 m² in Shihudang Town and 0.24/0.11 m² in Xinbang Town. The snail areas of different snail habitats were as follows： woodland 151 250 m²（85.95%）， river 13 810 m²（7.85%）， ditch 6 910 m²（3.93%）， farmland 4 010 m²（2.28%）. The average density of living snails in different snail habitats： ditch 1.01/0.11 m²， beach 0.86/0.11 m²， woodland 0.57/0.11 m²， river 0.40/0.11 m². The occurrence rate of living snail frames in different regions and different snail environment types showed a downward trend and the difference was statistically significant. ConclusionAlthough the snail monitoring indicators such as snail area， average living snail density and average living snail frame occurrence rate in Songjiang District are still at its historically low level， the average living snail density and average living snail frame occurrence rate are still high compared with other regions or the national average. We should focus on the upper reaches and tributaries of the Huangpu River， especially the key areas of seedling transplantation， and strengthen monitoring and supervision to reduce the risk of snail input.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of long non-coding RNA RP11-79H23.3 in the development and progression of prostate cancer.Methods:The lnCAR database was used to analyze the RP11-79H23.3 content in prostate cancer tissues and adjacent tissues. RP11-79H23.3 content in prostate cancer cell lines C4-2B, LNCaP, DU-145, and 22Rv1 was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Taking 22Rv1 as the research target, colony formation experiments and scratch experiments were used to detect the effects of overexpression of RP11-79H23.3 on the proliferation and migration of 22Rv1 cells. The LncRNome and lncACTdb databases were used to predict the downstream gene and binding sequences of RP11-79H23.3. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to analyze the correlation between RP11-79H23.3 and miR-410 expression in prostate cancer tissues. The binding of RP11-79H23.3 and miR-410 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter gene experiment. The effect of RP11-79H23.3 on the expression of miR-410 was detected by RT-qPCR. Western blotting was used to detect the effect of RP11-79H23.3 on the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PTEN/AKT/mTOR) signaling pathway proteins in 22Rv1 cells. The measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation ( ± s), paired sample t-test was used for comparison between two groups, and one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups. Results:Compared with adjacent tissues, RP11-79H23.3 was lowly expressed in prostate cancer tissues ( P<0.01). Compared with normal prostate epithelial cells RWPE-1, RP11-79H23.3 was lowly expressed in prostate cancer cell lines C4-2B, LNCaP, DU-145, and 22Rv1 ( P<0.05). The expression of RP11-79H23.3 in 22Rv1 cells in the control group and RP11-79H23.3 group were 1.02 ± 0.30 and 8.94±1.95, respectively. 22Rv1 cells were successfully overexpressed RP11-79H23.3 compared with the control group ( t=4.04, P<0.01). The number of 22Rv1 cell clones in the control group and RP11-79H23.3 group were 166.10 ± 18.35 and 35.03±6.98, respectively. Overexpression of RP11-79H23.3 could inhibit the proliferation of 22Rv1 cells compared with the control group ( t=6.67, P<0.01). The migration rates of 22Rv1 cells in the control group and RP11-79H23.3 group were (67.40 ± 6.29)% and (26.42 ± 6.24)%, respectively. Overexpression of RP11-79H23.3 could inhibit the migration of 22Rv1 cells compared with the control group ( t=5.71, P<0.01) .Dual-luciferase reporter gene experiment showed that RP11-79H23.3 directly binds to miR-410 ( t=6.20, P<0.01). The expression of miR-410 in 22Rv1 cells in the control group and RP11-79H23.3 group were 6.22±1.39 and 1.05±0.23, respectively. RP11-79H23.3 could inhibit the expression of miR-410 in 22Rv1 cells compared with the control group ( t=3.68, P<0.01). At the same time, RP11-79H23.3 can inhibit the transduction of the PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in 22Rv1 cells. Conclusion:RP11-79H23.3 blocks the PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by inhibiting the expression of miR-410, thereby inhibiting the proliferation and migration of prostate cancer 22Rv1 cells.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of GSK484 on ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) and neutrophil extracelluar traps (NETs) in mice.Methods:Forty-eight SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 5-6 weeks, weighing 15-20 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) by a random number table method: spontaneous breathing group (group S), spontaneous breathing+ GSK484 intervention group (group SG), VILI group (group V), and VILI + GSK484 intervention group (group VG). The animals kept spontaneous breathing for 4 h after tracheal intubation in S and SG groups. The animals were mechanically ventilated for 4 h (tidal volume 30 ml/kg, respiratory rate 75 breaths/min, inspiratory/expiratory ratio 1∶2, positive end-expiratory pressure 0 mmHg, fraction of inspired oxygen 21%) in V and VG groups. At 3 days before developing the VILI model, GSK484 4 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected once a day in SG and VG groups, while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in S and V groups. Blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta for blood gas analysis at 4 h of spontaneous breathing or mechanical ventilation, and PaO 2 was recorded. The mice were then sacrificed and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected and lung tissues were obtained for microscopic examination of the pathological changes (with a light microscope after HE staining) which were scored and for determination of wet to dry weight ratio (W/D ratio), concentrations of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in BALF (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), expression of peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4), neutrophil elastase (NE), high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and citrullinated-histone 3 (Cit-H3) in lung tissues (by Western blot). Results:Compared with S and SG groups, the lung injury score and W/D ratio were significantly increased, PaO 2 was decreased, concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and MPO in BALF were increased, and the expression of PAD4, NE, HMGB1 and Cit-H3 in lung tissues was up-regulated in V and VG groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group V, the lung injury score and W/D ratio were significantly decreased, PaO 2 was increased, the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and MPO in BALF were decreased, and the expression of PAD4, NE, HMGB1 and Cit-H3 was down-regulated in group VG ( P<0.05). Conclusions:GSK484 can alleviate VILI in mice, and the mechanism is associated with inhibition of PAD4, reduction of the production of NETs and attenuation of inflammatory responses in lung tissues.

Multi-campus operation is an important and effective means for high-quality development of public hospitals and balanced layout of high-quality medical resources. By way of literature review, the study identified problems encountered in the construction of multi-campus hospitals in China, with a tertiary general hospital cited as a case example. The authors introduced its multi-campus development practice from such aspects as campus discipline layout, homogeneous operation, performance assessment, management mode and cultural construction, along with suggestions for such practice in China.

Objective:To investigate the joint associations of smoking and insufficient physical activity with hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia in male adults.Methods:Based on the data from the 2017 Nanjing Chronic Diseases Risk Factors Surveillance Program, 61 098 Nanjing residents aged 18 and older was randomly recruited from 12 districts, using the multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method. Information about smoking behaviors, physical activity and chronic disease-related indicators within the first 12 months before the survey was obtained through questionnaires.Results:Among the 29 848 valid male samples, the proportions of non-smokers, current smokers and ex-smokers were 59.6%, 37.2% and 3.2%, and the proportions of those who had physically active<600 MET-min/w (insufficient physically active) and ≥600 MET-min/w (adequate physically active) were 18.8% and 82.2%, respectively. In non-smokers, current smokers and ex-smokers, the prevalence of hypertension was 24.7%, 34.0% and 43.8%, and the prevalence of diabetes was 8.8%, 12.3% and 16.5%, and the prevalence of dyslipidemia was 26.8%, 36.1% and 41.9%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that current smokers had a higher risk of hypertension ( OR=1.164, 95% CI: 1.086-1.248), diabetes ( OR=1.324, 95% CI: 1.207-1.452), and dyslipidemia ( OR=1.291, 95% CI: 1.216-1.371) than non-smokers in male adults. Compared with people who had adequate physical activity, someone with insufficient physical activity had higher hypertension ( OR=1.452, 95% CI: 1.331-1.583), diabetes ( OR=1.170, 95% CI: 1.041-1.315) and dyslipidemia ( OR=1.245, 95% CI: 1.158-1.338). And current smokers with insufficient physical activity had the highest risk of hypertension ( OR=1.749, 95% CI: 1.550-1.974), diabetes ( OR=1.363, 95% CI: 1.165-1.595), and dyslipidemia ( OR=1.614, 95% CI: 1.461-1.782) in male adults. Conclusions:Smoking and insufficient physical activity are risk factors for hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. People who is characterized by smoking together with insufficient physical activity presents with increased risk on developing hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.

Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of the transforming growth factor-β receptor I (TGF-βRⅠ) expression in na?ve CD4 + T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods:Na?ve CD4 + T cells were purified using magnetic microbeads from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of SLE patients and healthy controls. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect TGF-βRⅠ mRNA level, and flow cytometry was used to detect the percentage of CD69 +CD4 + T cells. Data were analyzed by t test and Pearson correlation analysis. Results:The level of TGF-βR Ⅰ mRNA in na?ve CD4 + T cells from SLE patients was significantly lower than that in healthy controls [(0.674±0.873) vs (1.445±1.112), t=2.301, P<0.05]. The TGF-βR Ⅰ mRNA level was negatively correlated with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) ( r=-0.376, P<0.05), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ( r=-0.376, P<0.05), serum creatinine ( r=-0.323, P<0.05) and 24 h urine protein ( r=-0.331, P<0.05), and positively correlated with serum com-plement C3 ( r=0.528, P<0.01). The level of TGF-βRⅠ mRNA level in na?ve CD4 + T cells in SLE patients with renal involvement was lower than that in SLE patients without renal involvement [(0.525±0.536) vs (1.071±1.007), t=2.198, P<0.05]. The TGF-βR Ⅰ mRNA level in the na?ve CD4 + T cells in anti-dsDNA antibody positive group was lower than that in the anti-dsDNA antibody negative group [(0.344±0.315) vs (0.958±1.076), t=2.277, P<0.05]. The expression of TGF-βRⅠ mRNA in na?ve CD4 + T cells from SLE patients was reduced after 24 h stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28 beads [(0.047±0.013) vs (1.008±0.129), t=14.38, P<0.01], which was partially reversed by dexamethasone treatment [(0.240±0.042) vs (0.047±0.013), t=7.845, P<0.01]. Meanwhile, dexamethasone significantly decreased the expression of CD69 in CD4 + T cells [(15.0±2.1)% vs(34.9±2.0)%, t=32.57, P<0.01]. Conclusion:The abnormally low expression of TGF-βRⅠ in na?ve CD4 + T cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. Glucocorticoid treatment can upregulate the expression of TGF-βRI and inhibit the activation of T cells, This suggests suggesting that TGF-βRⅠ may be a potential target for SLE treatment.