Objective To explore the mechanism of the gut-lung axis in paraquat-induced lung injury in mice, with a focus on analyzing the changes in intestinal gene expression and their potential roles. Methods Specific pathogen-free C57BL/6 wild-type mice were randomly divided into control, low-dose, and high-dose groups, with 10 mice in each group. Mice in the three groups received a single intragastric administration of paraquat solution at doses of 0, 25, or 50 mg/kg body weight. The mice were euthanized on day 21. Lung histopathological changes were assessed, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the intestinal tissues of mice in these two groups were analyzed through transcriptomics. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were conducted to explore potential mechanisms of the gut-lung axis in paraquat-induced lung injury and fibrosis. Results Paraquat exposure induced dose-dependent pulmonary injury and fibrosis in the mice. The Ashcroft score of lung tissue was higher in the mice of low-dose group than that in the control group (P<0.05). Both the lung organ coefficient and Ashcroft score of lung tissues in the mice of high-dose group were higher than those in the control group and the low-dose group (all P<0.05). The result of transcriptomic analysis showed 146 DEGs, including 91 upregulated and 55 downregulated genes, in intestinal tissues of mice in the low-dose group, and 57 DEGs, including 47 upregulated and 10 downregulated genes in the high-dose group, compared with the control group. Notably, 19 DEGs were commonly altered in both low- and high-dose groups. The result of GO enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were primarily involved in biological processes including "immune response", "oxidative stress" and "cell differentiation". The result of KEGG enrichment analyses showed that DEGs were primarily involved in key processes including "oxidative stress response path way", "immune response path way" and "digestion and absorption path way". Conclusion Paraquat exposure alters intestinal gene expression, particularly in genes in biological processes related to immune responses and oxidative stress. These changes may mediate inflammatory signaling via the gut-lung axis and contribute to the development of paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

The expert consensus on the clinical treatment of herpes zoster with fire needling was developed, and the commonly used fire needling treatment scheme verified by clinical research was selected to form a standardized diagnosis and treatment scheme for acute herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), so as to answer the core problems in clinical application. The consensus focuses on patients with herpes zoster, and forms recommendations for 9 key clinical issues, covering simple fire needling and TCM comprehensive therapy based on fire needling, including fire needling combined with cupping, fire needling combined with Chinese herb, fire needling combined with cupping and Chinese herb, fire needling combined with filiform needling, fire needling combined with moxibustion, and provides specific recommendations and operational guidelines for various therapies.
Humans ; Herpes Zoster/therapy* ; Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Consensus ; Clinical Protocols

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of Ag₂Se nanoparticles for eliminating intracellular Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) in esophageal cancer and examine the effect of P. gingivalis clearance on progression of esophageal cancer. METHODS: Ag₂Se nanoparticles were synthesized via a chemical synthesis method. The effects of Ag₂Se nanoparticles on P. gingivalis viability and colony-forming ability were assessed using fluorescence staining and colony formation assays. In a mouse model bearing subcutaneous murine esophageal cancer cell allograft with P. gingivalis infection, the effect of treatment with Ag₂Se nanoparticles on the abundance of P. gingivalis in the tumor tissues was quantified using RNAscope in situ hybridization and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the changes in tumor volume were monitored. The biosafety of Ag₂Se nanoparticles was assessed by examining liver and kidney functions and pathological changes in the major organs of the mice. RESULTS: Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the synthesized Ag₂Se nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed spherical particles with a diameter around 50 nm. In vitro experiments demonstrated that exposure to Ag₂Se nanoparticles significantly reduced the viability and clonal proliferation capacity of P. gingivalis in a dose-dependent manner. In the tumor-bearing mice, treatment with Ag₂Se nanoparticles significantly reduced the abundance of P. gingivalis in tumor tissues and suppressed tumor cell proliferation. No significant damages to the liver and kidney functions or the major organs were observed in Ag₂Se nanoparticle-treated mice, demonstrating good biocompatibility of Ag₂Se nanoparticles. CONCLUSIONS Ag₂Se nanoparticles exhibit significant bactericidal and inhibitory effects against P. gingivalis, and can effectively eliminate intracellular P. gingivalis to suppress the growth of esophageal cancer allograft in mice, suggesting the potential of Ag₂Se nanoparticles in the treatment of esophageal cancer.
Animals ; Porphyromonas gingivalis/drug effects* ; Mice ; Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Nanoparticles ; Metal Nanoparticles ; Bacteroidaceae Infections ; Cell Line, Tumor

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of silica dust on the apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) through in vitro and animal experiments. Methods i) In vitro experiment. A549 cells were stimulated with 100 mg/L silica suspension for 0, 12, 24 and 48 hours. The cell apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. ii) Animal experiment. Specific pathogen-free male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control, 14-day, 28-day, and 56-day groups, with five mice in each group. The mice in the control group were sacrificed at 56 days after being treated with 40.0 μL 0.9% sodium chloride solution, and the mice in the last three groups were sacrificed at 14, 28 and 56 days after being treated with 40.0 μL silica suspension with a mass concentration of 125 g/L via tracheal exposure method. The lung tissues of mice were collected to measure lung organ coefficients. Masson staining was used to detect the degree of pulmonary fibrosis, and Ashcroft scores were evaluated. The apoptosis of AEC in mice was observed by TUNEL immunofluorescence assay. iii) The mRNA relative expression of apoptosis-related genes in A549 cells and mouse lung tissue was detected using reverse transcription and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results i) In vitro experiment. The apoptosis rate of A549 cells increased with longer silica exposure (all P<0.05). The relative expression of B cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) mRNA in A549 cells in 24 h group and 48 h group decreased (both P<0.05), and the relative expression of BCL-2 associated X protein (BAX) mRNA increased (both P<0.05), compared with 0 h group. The mRNA relative expression of caspase (CASP) -3 and CASP-9 in A549 cells increased with longer silica exposure (all P<0.05). ii) Animal experiment. The lung organ coefficients and Ashcroft score in mice progressively increased (all P<0.05), the degree of pulmonary fibrosis was gradually aggravated, and TUNEL positive cells in lung tissue were gradually increased, while Bax, Casp-3 and Casp-9 mRNA relative expression increased with longer silica exposure (all P<0.05). Conclusion Silica dust may cause pulmonary fibrosis by inducing apoptosis of AEC, with a time-dependent effect. The mechanism may be related to the effect of silica dust on mitochondrial apoptosis through Bcl-2/Bax/Caspase-3 signaling pathway.

Objective: To explore the muscle mass index (MMI) among adolescents in Xinjiangs agricultural and pastoral areas and its association with cardiovascular risk factors, providing references and basis for the prevention and intervention of cardiovascular diseases among adolescents in these regions. Methods: From March to July 2023, a total of 1 842 students aged 13-18 years from four middle schools in Yili agricultural and pastoral areas of Xinjiang were selected using cluster random sampling. Measurements of muscle mass, physical indicators, questionnaires, and blood samples were conducted and analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using oneway analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis H test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Logistic regression analysis. Results: There were significant differences in weight，body mass index (BMI)，waist circumference，muscle mass，systolic blood pressure，diastolic blood pressure，total cholesterol，highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol and fasting blood glucose among adolescents with severe, insufficient, good, and sufficient MMI in Xinjiangs agricultural and pastoral areas(F=326.78，634.76，261.67，134.56，80.14，16.78，5.84，21.67，3.42，P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that, after adjusting age and BMI, the risk of cardiovascular risk factors aggregation in adolescents with good (OR=0.55-0.62) and adequate (OR=0.52-0.57) MMI were lower than that in adolescents with insufficient MMI (P<0.05). After gender stratification, the risk of cardiovascular risk factors aggregation in adolescents with good MMI for boys (OR=0.48-0.62) and with good MMI for girls (OR=0.61) were also lower than that in adolescents with insufficient MMI (P<0.05). Conclusions MMI in adolescents from agricultural and pastoral areas of Xinjiang are positively correlated with cardiovascular health. Future efforts should focus on muscle strength training for adolescents in these areas, as improving MMI can play a positive role in promoting cardiovascular health in adolescents.

Objective To study the distribution characteristics of TCM constitutions in the middle-aged and elderly Mongolian population undergoing physical examinations in Inner Mongolia;To analyze the correlation with related risk factors.Methods Health information and related risk factors(including BMI index,lifestyle habits,dietary habits and exercise status)of middle-aged and elderly Mongolian people who visited the physical examination departments of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital and Tongliao City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from March 2024 to April 2024 were collected.A total of 213 Mongolian people were surveyed,including 65 people who have lived in Hohhot for more than 2 years and 148 people who have lived in Tongliao for more than 2 years.Through investigation,research and analysis,the distribution characteristics of TCM constitutions in the population and its correlation with related risk factors were observed.Results Constitution distribution:101 people(47.41%)had a moderate constitution.Among the biased constitutions,the phlegm dampness constitution had the highest number of people(64 people,30.05%),with the blood deficiency constitution having the lowest number of people(2 people,0.94%).In the investigation of related risk factors,there was a significant correlation(P<0.01)between phlegm dampness and dietary habits and reduced exercise volume.Moreover,individuals with this constitution tend to have good sleep,reduced physical activity,faster eating and a diet primarily consisting of high-calorie foods(P<0.05).Conclusion The TCM constitution of the Mongolian population in Inner Mongolia is mostly composed of moderate constitution,while the biased constitution is mostly composed of phlegm dampness constitution,which is mainly related to dietary habits and reduced exercise volume.

Objective:To explore the influence of management mode of Deming cycle(plan,do,check,action,PDCA)combined with 6S management method on management effect of medical equipment in orthopedic department,and to improve the management quality for medical equipment in orthopedic department.Methods:In accordance with the combination of four stages of PDCA management and the six links(organization,tidying,cleaning,cleanliness,literacy and safety)of 6S management method,the medical equipment of orthopedic department was managed as stage by stage and link by link.Twelve using medical equipment in the orthopedic department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University were selected between 2022 and 2023.The management level between conventional management and management mode after the management mode of PDCA combined with 6S management mothed was implemented was compared,and the equipment fault and adverse event between within 87361 h before the management mode was used and within 87054 h after the management mode was used also were compared.The scores of satisfaction ratings of 15 medical staffs who involved in using equipment were investigated by using self-made questionnaire.Results:The scores of training assessment,regular maintenance,daily inspection,regular quality control and standardized use,and the total scores after used management mode of PDCA combined with 6S management method were respectively(18.87±0.66),(18.25±0.73),(18.74±0.69),(18.36±0.64),(18.89±0.54)and(92.11±4.20),all of which were higher than those before the management mode was implemented,and the differences of them were statistically significant(t=5.047,3.301,3.396,3.191,3.107,6.170,P<0.05).The standby time due to equipment fault and fault rate within 87054 h of using equipment after the management mode was implemented were respectively 262h and 0.30%,all of which were lower than those before the management mode was implemented,and the differences of them were statistically significant(x2=52.876,P<0.05).The incidence of adverse events of 12 equipment was 0.00%after the management mode was implemented,which was lower than that before it was implemented,and the difference was statistically significant(x2=4.800,P<0.05).The scores of 15 medical staffs on the performance,cleanliness,maintenance,consuming and technical support of equipment,and the total scores were respectively(18.41±1.11),(18.35±1.05),(18.58±0.87),(18.26±1.00),(18.77±0.89)and(92.21±4.12)scores after the management mode was implemented,which were higher than those before it was implemented,and the differences were statistically significant(t=5.257,4.939,5.429,3.191,4.705,9.858,P<0.05).Conclusion:The application of the management mode of PDCA combined with 6S management method in medical equipment management of orthopedic department can improve the management level for equipment,and reduce the incidences of equipment fault and adverse events in using equipment,and improve the satisfaction of medical staffs in using equipment.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors and their predictive efficacy for early postoperative infection in elderly patients with intertrochanteric femur fracture.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 286 elderly patients with intertrochanteric femur fracture admitted to Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital between August 2021 and August 2024, including 154 males and 132 females, aged 60-80 years [(72.5±5.8)years]. Fracture involved the left side in 148 patients and the right side in 138 patients. Internal fixation was performed on 214 patients and joint replacement on 72. Based on the occurrence of infection within two weeks postoperatively, the patients were divided into infection group ( n=25) and non-infection group ( n=261). Data were collected from the two groups, including basic information [gender, age, body mass index (BMI), cause of injury, fracture side], admission data (fasting blood glucose, diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure), preoperative data [American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, AO classification, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), serum albumin (Alb), serum CRP/Alb ratio, time from injury to surgery], and treatment-related information (surgical type, duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, quality of intraoperative reduction, postoperative antibiotic use). Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic stepwise regression analysis were used to identify independent risk factors for early postoperative infection in elderly patients with intertrochanteric femur fracture. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to evaluate the predictive efficacy of each factor. Results:Univariate analysis showed significant differences between the two groups in fasting blood glucose on admission, preoperative serum CRP, preoperative serum Alb, preoperative serum CRP/Alb ratio, and duration of surgery ( P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the remaining variables ( P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic stepwise regression analysis indicated that fasting blood glucose on admission ( OR=2.65, 95% CI 1.32, 5.32, P<0.01), preoperative serum CRP ( OR=1.10, 95% CI 1.04, 1.18, P<0.01), preoperative serum Alb ( OR=0.79, 95% CI 0.70, 0.90, P<0.01), preoperative serum CRP/Alb ( OR=143.78, 95% CI 4.46, 46.77, P<0.01), and duration of surgery ( OR=1.07, 95% CI 1.02, 1.11, P<0.01) were significantly associated with early postoperative infection in elderly patients with intertrochanteric femur fracture. ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity of preoperative serum CRP/Alb in predicting early postoperative infection in elderly patients with intertrochanteric femur fracture were 88.00% and 88.10%, and that the AUC of preoperative serum CRP/Alb prediction was 0.92, significantly greater than the AUC predicted separately by fasting blood glucose at admission, preoperative serum CRP, preoperative serum Alb and duration of surgery (0.76, 0.75, 0.77, 0.76, respectively). The optimal cut-off value for the preoperative serum CRP/Alb ratio was 1.78. Conclusions:Fasting blood glucose on admission, preoperative serum CRP, Alb, CRP/Alb ratio, and duration of surgery are independent risk factors for early postoperative infection in elderly patients with intertrochanteric femur fracture. These factors all possess certain predictive value for early postoperative infection, but the preoperative serum CRP/Alb ratio demonstrates the best predictive efficacy.

Objective:To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Measure in the Mandarin speaking population.Methods:From March to June 2018, patient interviews and expert consultations were conducted to explore problems of CARE in Mandarin context and preliminary revisions were made to the measure, then the final adapted tool was developed. A questionnaire survey on the validity of the measure was conducted from July to August 2018, among 373 patients from three community health service centers in Beijing Chaoyang District, selected by convenience sampling. The questionnaire included general information of participants and the revised CARE measure. The results of the survey were analyzed for the reliability and validity of Chinese version of CARE measure.Results:In the culture adaptation stage, 30 word-changes and 13 phrase-changes were made to improve the cultural adaptation of CARE. A total of 373 valid questionnaires were were collected with a valid recovery rate of 100.0%. The participants had a mean age of (60.8±13.12) years, with females of 68.6% (256/373), junior high school or high school education of 58.7% (219/373), and retirees of 71.3% (266/373). The results showed that there was a significant difference in scores of each item between the high group (top 27%) and the low group (bottom 27%) ( P<0.001). There was a positive correlation between each item and the total score, with a correlation coefficient between 0.817 and 0.868 ( P<0.001). The reliability analysis results show that the Cronbach′s α of the revised CARE was 0.960. In the content validity analysis, among the 10 items, the proportion of patients who considered the item "not applicable" was between 1.1% and 4.8%, and the proportion who considered the item "important" was between 92.8% and 96.2%. In exploratory factor analysis, KMO=0.944 and Bartlett′s sphericity test P<0.001. One common factor with an eigenvalue>1 was extracted, and the cumulative variance explained by which was 73.85%, with the load value of each item of 0.815-0.909. Conclusion:The revised Chinese version of CARE measure shows good reliability and validity and it can be applied in primary care settings for Mandarin speaking population.

Objective:To analyze the mediating effects of psychological resilience on the relationship between perceived social support and health behavior capacity in patients with ischemic stroke.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 500 patients with ischemic stroke were consecutively recruited using purposive sampling in the First People′s Hospital of Lianyungang between July and September in 2023. The sociodemographic characteristics, perceived social support scale, psychological resilience questionnaire and self-rated abilities for health practices scale in the patients were collected. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed and 493 questionnaires were collected, of which 473 (95.9%) were valid. The structural equation model was constructed to explore the mediating effects of psychological resilience on the relationship between perceived social support and health behavior capacity in patients with ischemic stroke.Results:Among the 473 patients included in the analysis, there were 254 males and 219 females, with an average age of (66.8±11.4) years. The duration of stroke was less than 3 months for 329 patients (69.6%); the scores for perceived social support, psychological resilience and health behavior capacity was (59.68±11.15), (23.68±6.52), and (60.54±23.52), respectively. Perceived social support exerted significant direct effect ( β=0.334, bias-corrected 95% CI: 0.232-0.438) on health behavior capacity in patients with ischemic stroke, accounting for 63.62% of the total effect. Psychological resilience played a mediating role in the relationship between perceived social support and health behavior capacity ( β=0.191, bias-corrected 95% CI: 0.142-0.248), accounting for 36.38% of the total effect (all P<0.05). Conclusion:The health behavior capacity of patients with ischemic stroke is at a moderately low level, perceived social support may positively affect health behavior capacity through the positive mediating effect of psychological resilience.