OBJECTIVES: To report the development, validation, and findings of the Multi-dimensional Attention Rating Scale (MARS), a self-report tool crafted to evaluate six-dimension attention levels. METHODS: The MARS was developed based on Classical Test Theory (CTT). Totally 202 highly educated healthy adult participants were recruited for reliability and validity tests. Reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability. Structural validity was explored using principal component analysis. Criterion validity was analyzed by correlating MARS scores with the Toronto Hospital Alertness Test (THAT), the Attentional Control Scale (ACS), and the Attention Network Test (ANT). RESULTS: The MARS comprises 12 items spanning six distinct dimensions of attention: focused attention, sustained attention, shifting attention, selective attention, divided attention, and response inhibition.As assessed by six experts, the content validation index (CVI) was 0.95, the Cronbach's alpha for the MARS was 0.78, and the test-retest reliability was 0.81. Four factors were identified (cumulative variance contribution rate 68.79%). The total score of MARS was correlated positively with THAT (r = 0.60, P < 0.01) and ACS (r = 0.78, P < 0.01) and negatively with ANT's reaction time for alerting (r = -0.31, P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS The MARS can reliably and validly assess six-dimension attention levels in real-world settings and is expected to be a new tool for assessing multi-dimensional attention impairments in different mental disorders.
Humans ; Adult ; Male ; Attention/physiology* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Reproducibility of Results ; Young Adult ; Psychometrics

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

Objective To investigate the impact of total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation (tPTx+AT)on bone mineral density and serum soluble Klotho (sKlotho)level in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT).Methods A total of 86 patients undergoing tPTx+AT in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2019 to May 2022 were recruited in this study.Their demographic characteristics were collected before surgery,along with serum levels of corrected calcium,phosphorus,intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH),alkaline phosphatase (ALP),fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23),and sKlotho before and at 5 d,and 1,3,6,12 and 24 months after surgery.Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to determine the BMD values of the lumbar spine L1-L4 before surgery and at 3,6,12 and 24 months after surgery.The changes in BMD and serum FGF23 and sKlotho levels before and after tPTx+AT were observed.Results Surgical treatment was successfully completed in all 86 patients,with their clinical symptoms such as bone pain and skin itching significantly improved postoperatively,and markedly decreased serum calcium,phosphorus,iPTH,ALP and FGF23 levels.The sKlotho level was significantly lower at 5 d postoperatively than that preoperatively,with that at 1 month after surgery increased by approximately 24.5％ than the preoperative level,and then the level was in a stable trend.The BMD values at the lumbar spine L1-L4 were increased postoperatively,and reached the highest levels at 12 months postoperatively.Further analyses showed that dialysis vintage,duration of SHPT,and ALP,iPTH and FGF23 levels were negatively correlated with the Z-scores of the lumbar spine L1-L4,while sKlotho level was positively correlated with the Z-scores.Conclusion tPTx+Atcan significantly improve the clinical symptoms of SHPT patients,regulate the balance of calcium and phosphorus metabolism,increase sKlotho level and reduce FGF23 level.It is an effective method to improve BMD.

Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy of the Qianyang Fengsui Dan(combined with flying needle therapy)in the treatment of kidney-yang deficiency type of insomnia.Methods A retrospective study was conducted to select 82 patients with insomnia admitted to the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Dezhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2020 to November 2021,and they were divided into an observation group and a control group according to whether or not they were treated with Qianyang Fengsui Dan combined with flying needle therapy,with 41 cases in each group.The control group was treated with Estazolam,while the observation group was treated with Qianyang Fengsui Dan combined with flying needle therapy on the basis of the treatment of the control group,and the course of treatment was 1 month.The changes of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)scores and Epworth Sleepiness Scale(ESS)scores,as well as polysomnographic parameters were observed before and after treatment in the two groups.The changes of γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA),glutamate(GA),substance P(SP),and neuropeptide Y(NPY)levels were compared before and after treatment between the two groups.And followed up for 1 year to compare the incidence of relapce of the two groups of patients.Results(1)The total effective rate was 95.12%(39/41)in the observation group and 63.41%(26/41)in the control group,and the efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,PSQI scores and ESS scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving PSQI scores and ESS scores,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,sleep efficiency,awakening time,sleep latency,REM,and total sleep time were significantly improved in the two groups(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving sleep efficiency,awakening time,sleep latency,REM,and total sleep time,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the serum GABA,GA,SP,and NPY levels of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving the serum GABA,GA,SP,and NPY levels,and the differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05).(5)After treatment,follow-up for 1 year,the recurrence rate of the observation group was 0,and there were 7 cases of recurrence in the control group,and the recurrence rate of the control group was 17.07%(7/41),and the recurrence rate of the observation group was lower than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The combination of flying needle therapy and Qianyang Fengsui Dan can effectively relieve insomnia and fatigue in patients with insomnia,reduce daytime drowsiness,regulate the release of blood monoamine neurotransmitters,and reduce the relapse rate,and its efficacy is superior to that of simple western medicine treatment.

Pogostemon cablin is a famous southern medicine.As the important raw material for modern medicine and industry,Pogostemon cablin becomes required with a large marketing demand.However,due to the serious continuous cropping obstacles in the growth process of Pogostemon cablin,the aggravation of diseases of Pogostemon cablin and the degradation of its quality arose.This paper outlined the ecological factors such as climate factors,soil factors and topographic factors suitable for the growth of Pogostemon cablin,analyzed the continuous cropping obstacles and diseases arising in the cultivation,reviewed the current ecological planting mode of Pogostemon cablin such as crop rotation,intercropping,relay-cropping and under-forest planting,and also made a comprehensive evaluation of the economic benefits,ecological benefits and social benefits of the ecological planting mode of Pogostemon cablin,aiming to provide a theoretical basis and a reference for the promotion of the ecological planting mode of Pogostemon cablin.

Objective To study the effect of curcumin on osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(hBMSCs)in high glucose condition and its mechanism.Methods The cultured hBMSCs were divided into the normal group,high glucose group,and high glucose+curcumin group.The early osteogenic differentiation level of the cells in each group was assessed by detecting alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity.Alizarin red staining was used to evaluate the formation of mineralized nodules in the late stage of osteo-genic differentiation.The expression of osteogenic-related genes,including Runt-related transcription factor 2(Runx2),osteocalcin(OCN),and type Ⅰ collagen(COL-1),was detected by RT-PCR after 21 days of osteogenic induction.Western blot was used to detect the expression of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)in each group.Furthermore,an HO-1 small interfering RNA(siRNA)model was constructed and its interference efficiency was assessed.The expression levels of osteogenesis-related proteins(Runx2,OCN,and COL-1)between the high glucose+curcumin group and high glucose+curcumin+siHO-1 group were compared.Results Compared with the normal group,the high glucose group showed decreased ALP activity,reduced formation of mineralized nodules,decreased expression of osteogenic-related genes(Runx2,OCN,and COL-1),and inhibited expression of HO-1(P＜0.05).Compared with the empty vector group,the siHO-1 group showed significantly reduced expression of HO-1 in cells,indicating successful siRNA interference(P＜0.01).Compared with the high glucose+curcumin group,the expression levels of osteogenesis-related proteins(OCN,COL-1,and Runx2)were all decreased in the high glucose+curcumin+siHO-1 group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Curcumin can promote osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs under high glucose environment,which is related to the expression of HO-1.

Objective To investigate the correlations of serum cell division cycle 42 (CDC-42), β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) and fibulin 1 (FBLN1) levels with abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Methods General information and biochemical indicators of 74 MHD patients were collected, and they were divided into no to mild AAC group (n=36) and moderate to severe AAC group (n=38) based on the Abdominal Aortic Calcification Score (AACs). Serum levels of CDC-42, β₂-MG and FBLN1 were compared between the two groups, and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the risk factors for AAC in MHD patients. Results The dialysis vintage, serum phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), CDC-42, β₂-MG and FBLN1 levels in the moderate to severe AAC group were significantly higher than those in the no to mild AAC group (P < 0.05). AAC in MHD patients was positively correlated with serum phosphorus, iPTH, CDC-42, β₂-MG, FBLN1, and dialysis vintage (P < 0.05). High levels of CDC-42, β₂-MG and FBLN1 as well as long dialysis vintage were independent risk factors for AAC in MHD patients (P < 0.05). Conclusion Serum CDC-42, β₂-MG and FBLN1 levels are positively correlated with AAC in MHD patients. High levels of CDC-42, β₂-MG and FBLN1 as well as long dialysis vintage are independent risk factors for AAC in MHD patients.

Pseudoexfoliative glaucoma(PEXG)is an eye disease that seriously endangers vision. It is more invasive than primary open-angle glaucoma(POAG), with more serious damage to the optic nerve, worse prognosis and higher resistance to treatment. Early diagnosis of PEXG can help to treat the disease in time and delay the progress of the disease, so it is important to determine appropriate biomarkers. In recent years, more and more people have begun to study the biomarkers of PEXG, hoping to understand the pathogenesis of the disease, find out the potential early diagnosis and treatment targets of PEXG, and provide some help to the disease through the research of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and lipomics markers. This article will review the progress of biomarkers of PEXG in recent years, some biomarkers may provide new ideas for early diagnosis of PEXG in the future.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of multiple serological methods in the identification of complex antibodies. METHODS: The blood group antigens were detected by saline and microcolumn agglutination methods. The saline method was used to screen and identify IgM-type antibodies in the patient's serum, while the polybrene, anti-globulin, microcolumn agglutination, enzymic and absorption-elution methods were used to screen and identify IgG-type antibodies. RESULTS: The patient was B/CCDee/Jk(a-b+)/Fy(a-b+) blood type. The serum reacted with panel cells, and the reaction presented anti-E pattern in the saline medium. It was fully positive in the microcolumn agglutination card, except 2 negative ones after using papain to treat the panel cells. Referring to the pattern table, it was concluded that there existed anti-c, anti-E, and anti-Jk^a antibodies, and one antibody corresponding to an antigen that was easily destroyed by papain. The red blood cells with specific phenotype were selected for absorption-elution to identify IgG-type anti-c, anti-E, anti-Jk^a and anti-Fy^a antibodies. CONCLUSION It is confirmed that IgM-type anti-E, and IgG-type anti-c, anti-E, anti-Jk^a and anti-Fy^a antibodies exist in the patient's serum by multiple serological methods.
Humans ; Papain ; Blood Group Antigens ; Erythrocytes ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the associations of lipid indicators and mortality in Beijing Elderly Comprehensive Health Cohort Study. METHODS: A prospective cohort was conducted based on Beijing Elderly Comprehensive Health Cohort Study with 4499 community older adults. After the baseline survey, the last follow-up was March 31, 2021 with an average 8.13 years of follow-up. Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) with 95% CI for cardiovascular disease (CVD) death and all-cause death in associations with baseline lipid indicators. RESULTS: A total of 4499 participants were recruited, and the mean levels of uric acid, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) showed an upward trend with the increasing remnant cholesterol (RC) quarters (P_trend < 0.05), while the downward trend was found in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). During the total 36,596 person-years follow-up, the CVD mortality and all-cause mortality during an average 8.13 years of follow-up was 3.87% (95% CI: 3.30%-4.43%) and 14.83% (95% CI: 13.79%-15.86%) with 174 CVD death participants and 667 all-cause death participants. After adjusting for confounders, the higher level of TC (HR = 0.854, 95% CI: 0.730-0.997), LDL-C (HR = 0.817, 95% CI: 0.680-0.982) and HDL-C (HR = 0.443, 95% CI: 0.271-0.724) were associated with lower risk of CVD death, and the higher level of HDL-C (HR = 0.637, 95% CI: 0.501-0.810) were associated with lower risk of all-cause death. The higher level of RC (HR = 1.276, 95% CI: 1.010-1.613) increase the risk of CVD death. Compared with the normal lipid group, TC ≥ 6.20 mmol/L group and LDL-C ≥ 4.10 mmol/L group were no longer associated with lower risk of CVD death, while RC ≥ 0.80 mmol/L group was still associated with higher risk of CVD death. In normal lipid group, the higher levels of TC, LDL-C and HDL-C were related with lower CVD death. CONCLUSIONS In community older adults, higher levels of TC and HDL-C were associated with lower CVD mortality in normal lipid reference range. Higher RC was associated with higher CVD mortality, which may be a better lipid indicator for estimating the CVD death risk in older adults.