OBJECTIVE: To investigate possible associations between physical function assessment scales, such as Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS), with all-cause mortality in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients. METHODS: A total of 108 ADHF patients were analyzed from October 2020 to October 2022, and followed up to May 2023. The association between baseline clinical characteristics and all-cause mortality was analyzed by univariate Cox regression analysis, while for SPPB and BBS, univariate Cox regression analysis was followed by receiver operating characteristic curves, in which the area under the curve represented their predictive accuracy for all-cause mortality. Incremental predictive values for both physical function assessments were measured by calculating net reclassification index and integrated discrimination improvement scores. Optimal cut-off value for BBS was then identified using restricted cubic spline plots, and survival differences below and above that cut-off were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test. The clinical utility of BBS was measured using decision curve analysis. RESULTS: For baseline characteristics, age, female, blood urea nitrogen, as well as statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, or angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, were predictive for all-cause mortality for ADHF patients. With respect to SPPB and BBS, higher scores were associated with lower all-cause mortality rates for both assessments; similar area under the curves were measured for both (0.774 for SPPB and 0.776 for BBS). Furthermore, BBS ≤ 36.5 was associated with significantly higher mortality, which was still applicable even adjusting for confounding factors; BBS was also found to have great clinical utility under decision curve analysis. CONCLUSIONS BBS or SPPB could be used as tools to assess physical function in ageing ADHF patients, as well as prognosticate on all-cause mortality. Moreover, prioritizing the improvement of balance capabilities of ADHF patients in cardiac rehabilitation regimens could aid in lowering mortality risk.

Gegen Qinlian Decoction(GQD) is a classic prescription for the clinical treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC). This study, based on the differences in efficacy observed in UC mice under different level of bile acids treated with GQD, aims to clarify the impact of bile acids on UC and its therapeutic effects. It further investigates the expression of bile acid receptors in the liver of UC mice, and preliminarily reveals the mechanism through which GQD affects bile acid synthesis in the treatment of UC. A UC mouse model was established using dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) induction. The efficacy of GQD was evaluated by assessing the general condition, disease activity index(DAI) score, colon length, and histopathological changes in colon tissue via hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining. ELISA and Western blot were used to evaluate the inflammatory response in colon tissue. The total bile acid(TBA) level and liver damage were quantified using an automatic biochemistry analyzer. The expression levels of bile acid receptors and bile acid synthetases in liver tissue were detected by Western blot and RT-qPCR. The results showed that compared with the model group, GQD treatment significantly improved the DAI score, colon shortening, and histopathological damage in UC mice. The levels of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 in the colon were significantly reduced. Serum TBA levels were significantly decreased, while alkaline phosphatase(ALP) levels significantly increased. After administration of cholic acid(CA), UC symptoms in the CA + GQD group were significantly aggravated compared with the GQD group. The DAI score, degree of weight loss, colon injury, serum TBA, and liver injury markers all increased significantly. However, compared with the CA group, the CA + GQD group showed a marked reduction in TBA levels and a significant improvement in UC-related symptoms, indicating that GQD can alleviate UC damage exacerbated by CA. Further investigation into the expression of bile acid receptors and synthetases in the liver showed that under GQD treatment, the expression of farnesoid X receptor(FXR) and small heterodimer partner(SHP) significantly increased, while the expression of G protein-coupled receptor 5(TGR5) and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase(Cyp7A1) significantly decreased. These findings suggest that GQD may affect bile acid receptors and synthetases, inhibiting bile acid synthesis through the FXR/SHP pathway to treat UC.
Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics* ; Bile Acids and Salts/biosynthesis* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Male ; Humans ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism* ; Colon/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Liver/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective:Based on the background of high-quality development,we analyze the operational efficiency of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)hospitals in China's Yangtze River Economic Belt in 2021 and explore the impact of external environmental factors on operational efficiency,so as to provide a reference for promoting the high-quality development of TCM hospitals in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.Methods:The three-stage DEA model was used to analyze the operational efficiency of TCM hospitals in 11 provinces and cities in the Yangtze River Economic Zone in China in 2021.Results:After three-stage DEA analysis,the values of comprehensive efficiency,pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency of TCM hospitals in China's Yangtze River Economic Belt are 0.976,0.986 and 0.990,respectively.5 provinces and cities,Shanghai,Jiangsu,Hunan,Chongqing and Guizhou,are efficient before and after the adjustment,and the comprehensive efficiency of Zhejiang,Anhui,Hubei,Jiangxi,Sichuan and Yunnan have increased compared with that before the adjustment.Ranking of the average value of the comprehensive efficiency of TCM hospitals operation in the three major city clusters of the Yangtze River Economic Belt after adjustment:Chengdu-Chongqing city cluster(0.998)>city cluster in the Yangtze River Delta(0.964)>city cluster in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River(0.962).Conclusion:The operational efficiency of TCM hospitals in the Yangtze River Economic Zone has been underestimated,and the comprehensive efficiency is mainly affected by scale efficiency;there are differences in the operational efficiency of TCM hospitals in the three major urban agglomerations,and balanced development is needed between regions;the operational efficiency of TCM hospitals is affected by the external environment,and it is necessary to improve the external environment;it is necessary to strengthen the construction of digital and informatization of TCM,and to pay attention to the role of talents in TCM,so as to promote the high-quality development of TCM hospitals.

Objective:To compare surgical-related indicators between non-inflated subclavian endoscopic surgery and axillary and traditional open surgery for the treatment of right lobe thyroid cancer,as well as their effects on postoperative anterior cervical function and cosmetic outcomes.Methods:This retrospective cohort study analyzed 151 cases of thyroid cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment at the Department of Thyroid Surgery,Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from June 2024 to October 2024. Based on the surgical approach,patients were divided into three groups:56 cases of traditional open surgery group, 44 cases of non-inflated axillary approach group,and 51 cases of non-inflated subclavian approach group. Comparative indicators included surgical time, parathyroid autotransplantation rate,complete exposure rate of central area, number of lymph node dissections, number of positive lymph nodes, anterior cervical function, and satisfaction with incision beauty. One-way analysis of variance,non-parametric test,Kruskal-Wallis test,Pearson χ2 test and Fisher′s exact probability method were used to compare the results of the three groups and subsequent pairwise comparisons,respectively. Results:All laparoscopic surgeries were successfully completed without conversion to open surgery. (1) Surgical time:the traditional open surgery group had the shortest operative time ( M(IQR))(71.5(16.0)minutes), significantly shorter than both endoscopic groups (both P<0.01); among the endoscopic approaches, the non-inflated subclavian approach group (97.0(10.0)minutes) had a significantly shorter operative time than the non-inflated axillary approach group (115.0(11.0)minutes)( P<0.01). (2) Parathyroid autotransplantation rate:the rates were 53.6%(30/56) in the traditional group, 70.5%(31/44) in the non-inflated axillary approach group, and 66.7%(34/51) in the non-inflated subclavian approach group, with no statistically significant differences ( P>0.05). (3) Complete exposure rate of the central area:the exposure rate was 100%(56/56) in the traditional open surgery group, 86.4%(38/44) in the non-inflated axillary approach group, and 96.1%(49/51) in the non-inflated subclavian approach group. A significant difference was observed between the traditional open surgery group and the non-inflated axillary approach group ( χ2=8.124, P<0.01), but not observed between other groups. (4) Number of lymph node dissection:no significant difference was found among the three groups (8(6)(range:2 to 17) in the traditional open surgery group,7(3)(range:2 to 16) in the non-inflated axillary approach group,7(4)(range:2 to 16) in the non-inflated subclavian approach group)( P=0.078).(5) Number of positive lymph nodes:no significant differences were observed among the three groups( P=0.923). (6) Postoperative anterior cervical function:① Visual analogue scale: there was no significant difference between the non-insufflation transaxillary approach group and the non-insufflation subclavian approach group at 3 days and 1 month postoperatively ( P>0.017). However, the two groups had significantly lower scores than the traditional open group (both P<0.01). ② Neck disability index:at 3 days post-surgery, there were significantly lower in the axillary and subclavian groups compared to the traditional open group ( P<0.01), with no significant difference between the two endoscopic groups( P>0.017); at 1 month postoperatively, the traditional open surgery group, gasless axillary approach group, and gasless subclavian approach group, with statistically significant differences between each group (both P<0.01). ③ Swallowing disorder index: no significant differences were observed at 3 days post-surgery( P>0.05); however, at 1 month post-surgery, the endoscopic groups showed significantly lower scores compared to the traditional open group(both P<0.01).(7) Satisfaction with incision beauty:significant differences were found among the three groups in terms of vancouver scar scores, patient scar assessment scores, and observer scar assessment scores(all P<0.01). Conclusions:Compared to the non-inflated axillary endoscopic thyroidectomy, the non-inflated subclavian approach offers a technically simpler procedure, better exposure of the central lymph node dissection area, and superior protection of anterior cervical function, although it results in less favorable cosmetic outcomes. Under strict preoperative evaluation and appropriate indications,both non-inflated subclavian and axillary approaches can achieve outcomes comparable to traditional open surgery for cN0 thyroid cancer,demonstrating good clinical application value.

Inflammatory response,immunosuppression,and drug sensitivity have been reported to have a significant correlation with the disulfidptosis levels in cancer patients.However,the value of disulfidpto-sis in colorectal cancer therapy remains unclear.Therefore,we classified the CRC cells into different cell types using single-cell sequencing data and cell-specific markers and analyzed their relationship with the cell disulfidptosis level.We found that the high disulfidptosis regions were concentrated in epithelial-like CRC cells.Further exploration using the disulfidptosis and programmed cell death 1 inhibitor therapy treated differential expression genes indicated that CRC patients with high disulfidptosis levels exhibited a lower risk profile and increased sensitivity to immunotherapy.By using the spatial transcriptomic analy-sis,we found that ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase core protein 1(UQCRC1),a disulfidptosis-related gene,is highly expressed in epithelial-like CRC cells and co-localized with immune-infiltrated tumor re-gions.Additional bioinformatic analyses and experimental validation further confirmed that UQCRC1 was downregulated in CRC tissues.Overexpression of UQCRC1 suppressed CRC cell proliferation and migra-tion.These findings indicate that UQCRC1 is a potential target for CRC diagnosis and treatment.

Inflammatory response,immunosuppression,and drug sensitivity have been reported to have a significant correlation with the disulfidptosis levels in cancer patients.However,the value of disulfidpto-sis in colorectal cancer therapy remains unclear.Therefore,we classified the CRC cells into different cell types using single-cell sequencing data and cell-specific markers and analyzed their relationship with the cell disulfidptosis level.We found that the high disulfidptosis regions were concentrated in epithelial-like CRC cells.Further exploration using the disulfidptosis and programmed cell death 1 inhibitor therapy treated differential expression genes indicated that CRC patients with high disulfidptosis levels exhibited a lower risk profile and increased sensitivity to immunotherapy.By using the spatial transcriptomic analy-sis,we found that ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase core protein 1(UQCRC1),a disulfidptosis-related gene,is highly expressed in epithelial-like CRC cells and co-localized with immune-infiltrated tumor re-gions.Additional bioinformatic analyses and experimental validation further confirmed that UQCRC1 was downregulated in CRC tissues.Overexpression of UQCRC1 suppressed CRC cell proliferation and migra-tion.These findings indicate that UQCRC1 is a potential target for CRC diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:Based on the background of high-quality development,we analyze the operational efficiency of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)hospitals in China's Yangtze River Economic Belt in 2021 and explore the impact of external environmental factors on operational efficiency,so as to provide a reference for promoting the high-quality development of TCM hospitals in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.Methods:The three-stage DEA model was used to analyze the operational efficiency of TCM hospitals in 11 provinces and cities in the Yangtze River Economic Zone in China in 2021.Results:After three-stage DEA analysis,the values of comprehensive efficiency,pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency of TCM hospitals in China's Yangtze River Economic Belt are 0.976,0.986 and 0.990,respectively.5 provinces and cities,Shanghai,Jiangsu,Hunan,Chongqing and Guizhou,are efficient before and after the adjustment,and the comprehensive efficiency of Zhejiang,Anhui,Hubei,Jiangxi,Sichuan and Yunnan have increased compared with that before the adjustment.Ranking of the average value of the comprehensive efficiency of TCM hospitals operation in the three major city clusters of the Yangtze River Economic Belt after adjustment:Chengdu-Chongqing city cluster(0.998)>city cluster in the Yangtze River Delta(0.964)>city cluster in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River(0.962).Conclusion:The operational efficiency of TCM hospitals in the Yangtze River Economic Zone has been underestimated,and the comprehensive efficiency is mainly affected by scale efficiency;there are differences in the operational efficiency of TCM hospitals in the three major urban agglomerations,and balanced development is needed between regions;the operational efficiency of TCM hospitals is affected by the external environment,and it is necessary to improve the external environment;it is necessary to strengthen the construction of digital and informatization of TCM,and to pay attention to the role of talents in TCM,so as to promote the high-quality development of TCM hospitals.

Objective:To compare surgical-related indicators between non-inflated subclavian endoscopic surgery and axillary and traditional open surgery for the treatment of right lobe thyroid cancer,as well as their effects on postoperative anterior cervical function and cosmetic outcomes.Methods:This retrospective cohort study analyzed 151 cases of thyroid cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment at the Department of Thyroid Surgery,Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from June 2024 to October 2024. Based on the surgical approach,patients were divided into three groups:56 cases of traditional open surgery group, 44 cases of non-inflated axillary approach group,and 51 cases of non-inflated subclavian approach group. Comparative indicators included surgical time, parathyroid autotransplantation rate,complete exposure rate of central area, number of lymph node dissections, number of positive lymph nodes, anterior cervical function, and satisfaction with incision beauty. One-way analysis of variance,non-parametric test,Kruskal-Wallis test,Pearson χ2 test and Fisher′s exact probability method were used to compare the results of the three groups and subsequent pairwise comparisons,respectively. Results:All laparoscopic surgeries were successfully completed without conversion to open surgery. (1) Surgical time:the traditional open surgery group had the shortest operative time ( M(IQR))(71.5(16.0)minutes), significantly shorter than both endoscopic groups (both P<0.01); among the endoscopic approaches, the non-inflated subclavian approach group (97.0(10.0)minutes) had a significantly shorter operative time than the non-inflated axillary approach group (115.0(11.0)minutes)( P<0.01). (2) Parathyroid autotransplantation rate:the rates were 53.6%(30/56) in the traditional group, 70.5%(31/44) in the non-inflated axillary approach group, and 66.7%(34/51) in the non-inflated subclavian approach group, with no statistically significant differences ( P>0.05). (3) Complete exposure rate of the central area:the exposure rate was 100%(56/56) in the traditional open surgery group, 86.4%(38/44) in the non-inflated axillary approach group, and 96.1%(49/51) in the non-inflated subclavian approach group. A significant difference was observed between the traditional open surgery group and the non-inflated axillary approach group ( χ2=8.124, P<0.01), but not observed between other groups. (4) Number of lymph node dissection:no significant difference was found among the three groups (8(6)(range:2 to 17) in the traditional open surgery group,7(3)(range:2 to 16) in the non-inflated axillary approach group,7(4)(range:2 to 16) in the non-inflated subclavian approach group)( P=0.078).(5) Number of positive lymph nodes:no significant differences were observed among the three groups( P=0.923). (6) Postoperative anterior cervical function:① Visual analogue scale: there was no significant difference between the non-insufflation transaxillary approach group and the non-insufflation subclavian approach group at 3 days and 1 month postoperatively ( P>0.017). However, the two groups had significantly lower scores than the traditional open group (both P<0.01). ② Neck disability index:at 3 days post-surgery, there were significantly lower in the axillary and subclavian groups compared to the traditional open group ( P<0.01), with no significant difference between the two endoscopic groups( P>0.017); at 1 month postoperatively, the traditional open surgery group, gasless axillary approach group, and gasless subclavian approach group, with statistically significant differences between each group (both P<0.01). ③ Swallowing disorder index: no significant differences were observed at 3 days post-surgery( P>0.05); however, at 1 month post-surgery, the endoscopic groups showed significantly lower scores compared to the traditional open group(both P<0.01).(7) Satisfaction with incision beauty:significant differences were found among the three groups in terms of vancouver scar scores, patient scar assessment scores, and observer scar assessment scores(all P<0.01). Conclusions:Compared to the non-inflated axillary endoscopic thyroidectomy, the non-inflated subclavian approach offers a technically simpler procedure, better exposure of the central lymph node dissection area, and superior protection of anterior cervical function, although it results in less favorable cosmetic outcomes. Under strict preoperative evaluation and appropriate indications,both non-inflated subclavian and axillary approaches can achieve outcomes comparable to traditional open surgery for cN0 thyroid cancer,demonstrating good clinical application value.

Objective:To explore the risk factors of recurrent contralateral hip fracture within 2 years after operation in elderly patients with hip fracture, construct a nomogram prediction model and validate the model.Methods:A total of 601 elderly patients with hip fracture who underwent surgical treatment in Department of Orthopedics in First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from June 2018 to June 2020 were selected as research objects by the convenient sampling method. They were divided into the modeling set ( n=421) and the verification set ( n=180). According to the incidence of recurrent contralateral hip fracture within 2 years of follow-up, the modeling set was divided into the recurrent fracture group and the normal group, and the clinical data of the two groups were compared. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for recurrent contralateral hip fracture in elderly patients within 2 years after surgery. R 3.6 software was used to build a risk factor nomogram model for recurrent contralateral hip fracture. Receiver operating characteristic ( ROC) curve and calibration curve were used to evaluate the differentiation and consistency of the model. Results:In 601 elderly patients with hip fracture, the incidence of recurrent contralateral hip fracture within 2 years after surgery was 8.49% (51/601), among which the incidence of modeling set was 8.31% (35/421) and the incidence of verification set was 8.89% (16/180). In the modeling set, the age, female proportion, osteoporosis proportion, combined internal medical disease proportion and malnutrition proportion of patients in the recurrent fracture group were higher than those in the normal group ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that gender, age, osteoporosis and combined internal medical diseases were the factors affecting the recurrence of contralateral hip fracture within 2 years after operation in elderly patients with hip fracture ( P<0.05). The equation for constructing a nomogram prediction model was Logit ( P) = -8.521+0.335×age+ 0.116×female +0.341× osteoporosis +0.280 ×combined internal medical diseases. The modeling set predicted the probability of recurrent contralaterial hip fracture according to the nomogram model, and plotted the ROC curve with sensitivity of 0.826, specificity of 0.804, and area under ROC curve ( AUC) of 0.876. The sensitivity of ROC curve of the validation set was 0.788, the specificity was 0.781, and the AUC was 0.830. After internal verification by Bootstrap method, the prediction model of the modeling set and the verification set were well distinguished, and the prediction probability and the actual incidence were well consistent (Hosmer-Lemeshow χ 2=0.462, P=0.674) . Conclusions:Advanced age, female, osteoporosis and combined internal medical diseases are independent risk factors for recurrent contralateral hip fractures in elderly patients with hip fractures within 2 years after surgery. The nomogram model constructed based on this has high predictive efficacy for recurrent hip fractures, which can be used to assess the risk of recurrent fractures and improve the prognosis of patients.

Aim To investigate the effects of Cartham-us tinctorius L.extract(CTLE)on oxidative stress,lipid metabolism,and apoptosis levels of mice with al-cohol-induced liver injury and its mechanism of action.Methods The mouse model of alcohol-associated liver disease was established by chronic alcohol feeding and acute alcohol gavage.Mice were randomly divided into four groups.During the modeling period,the state changes of mice were observed every day,and their weight was recorded.At the end of modeling,blood and liver tissues were collected from each group of mice.The blood of mice was analyzed biochemically,and HE staining and Oil Red O staining were used to evaluate further the degree of pathological damage in the liver of mice.Quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR)and Western blot were applied to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of p-PI3K,PI3K,p-Akt,Akt,p-mTOR,mTOR,p-FoxO1,FoxO1,p-FoxO3a,FoxO3a,p-FoxO4,FoxO4,BCL and BAX factors.Results Compared to the model group,the CTLE administration group showed improved hepatic patho-logical injury and reduced lipid deposition.The bio-chemical indexes in serum and liver,such as ALT,AST,TG,TC,and MDA levels were reduced,while GSH and SOD levels increased.Regulating the PI3K/Akt/FoxO pathway resulted in increased production of SOD,which reduced damage and apoptosis caused by reactive oxygen species(ROS).Conclusions CTLE can exert anti-oxidative stress and anti-apoptotic effects through the PI3K/Akt/FoxO pathway and attenuates alcoholic liver injury in mice,providing new ideas for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease and the develop-ment of related drugs.