OBJECTIVE To explore the prognostic significance of the prognostic nutrition index(PNI)in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer undergoing surgical treatment.METHODS Clinical and pathological data of 117 patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma who underwent surgical treatment at the center of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of Beijing Friendship Hospital,Capital Medical University from May 2014 to June 2022 were collected.The prognostic significance of hematological indicators such as PNI and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet to lymphocyte ratio(PLR),and systemic immune inflammation index(SⅡ)were investigated.The time-dependent receiver operating characteristic(tROC)curves were used to analyze the sensitivity and specificity of various hematological indicators and to determine their optimal cutoffvalues.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the postoperative survival curve,and the Cox regression model was used to analyze the correlation between PNI and overall survival(OS)and disease-free survival(DFS).RESULTS 117 patients were enrolled in this cohort,of which 109 were clinically classified as advanced stage(Ⅲ-Ⅳ).63 cases underwent surgery to preserve laryngeal function.The 5-year OS is 46.07％.According to the analysis of the tROC curve,the optimal cutoffvalue for PNI is 46.75.PNI is correlated with tumor T staging,NLR,PLR,and SⅡ.Kaplan Meier univariate analysis showed that PNI was significantly correlated with OS and DFS(P<0.05).In addition,tumor N-stage,postoperative complications,adverse pathological prognostic factors,NLR,PLR,and SⅡ were all significantly correlated with OS(P<0.05).Tumor N-stage,laryngeal preservation,postoperative complications,NLR,and SⅡ were significantly correlated with DFS(P<0.05).The Cox multivariate analysis results indicated that PNI,tumor N-stage,and postoperative complications were independent factors affecting OS and DFS.CONCLUSION Preoperative PNI,tumor N-stage,and postoperative complications are independent risk factors for OS and DFS in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma.PNI,as a prognostic indicator for predicting hypopharyngeal cancer patients,is superior to other hematological indicators.

Objective:To analyze the current situation of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and its influencing factors among community-dwelling elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) based on the health ecology model (HEM).Methods:From December 2023 to September 2024, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 997 community-dwelling elderly in Beijing, Shandong, Chongqing and other regions. The EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire 5 level (EQ-5D-5L), the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were used to assess the subjects.Descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Tobit regression analysis were performed using Stata 18.0 software. Results:A total of 324 valid samples were finally obtained, and the health utility value of MCI elderly was 0.842(0.815, 0.951). Tobit regression analysis showed that ≥80 years old( β=-0.121, 95% CI=-0.193--0.050) in individual traits level, don't exercise( β=-0.196, 95% CI=-0.255--0.137) and poor quality of sleep ( β=-0.064, 95% CI=-0.116--0.013) in behavior characteristics level, and poor subjective economic status( β=-0.153, 95% CI=-0.261--0.045) in living and working conditions level were risk factors for the health utility value of the elderly with MCI. Drinking( β=0.096, 95% CI=0.022-0.171) in behavior characteristics level and participating in social activities( β=0.126, 95% CI=0.062-0.190) in interpersonal network level were protective factors for the health utility value of the elderly with MCI. Conclusions:The HRQOL of the community-dwelling elderly with MCI in China is low, and its influencing factors are multi-level. HEM should be combined to strengthen the intervention and management of the elderly with MCI from personal constitution to policy environment to improve their HRQOL.

Objective:To analyze the current situation of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and its influencing factors among community-dwelling elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) based on the health ecology model (HEM).Methods:From December 2023 to September 2024, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 997 community-dwelling elderly in Beijing, Shandong, Chongqing and other regions. The EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire 5 level (EQ-5D-5L), the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were used to assess the subjects.Descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Tobit regression analysis were performed using Stata 18.0 software. Results:A total of 324 valid samples were finally obtained, and the health utility value of MCI elderly was 0.842(0.815, 0.951). Tobit regression analysis showed that ≥80 years old( β=-0.121, 95% CI=-0.193--0.050) in individual traits level, don't exercise( β=-0.196, 95% CI=-0.255--0.137) and poor quality of sleep ( β=-0.064, 95% CI=-0.116--0.013) in behavior characteristics level, and poor subjective economic status( β=-0.153, 95% CI=-0.261--0.045) in living and working conditions level were risk factors for the health utility value of the elderly with MCI. Drinking( β=0.096, 95% CI=0.022-0.171) in behavior characteristics level and participating in social activities( β=0.126, 95% CI=0.062-0.190) in interpersonal network level were protective factors for the health utility value of the elderly with MCI. Conclusions:The HRQOL of the community-dwelling elderly with MCI in China is low, and its influencing factors are multi-level. HEM should be combined to strengthen the intervention and management of the elderly with MCI from personal constitution to policy environment to improve their HRQOL.

ObjectiveTo adapt to the dynamic multidimensional changes in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） constitution， the paths of improving the quality of life through TCM constitution intervention are proposed from a configuration perspective. MethodsFive hundred and nine subjects were included in the study， all of whom voluntarily participated in and completed TCM constitution interventions， and completed 60-item Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire （CCMQ） （including 9 subscales： neutral type， qi deficient type， yang deficient type， yin deficient type， phlegm-dampness type， damp-heat type， blood stasis type， qi stagnation type， and special constitution type） to evaluate the TCM constitution， and the Short Form Health Questionnaire （SF-36） in Chinese version （including overall， physical component scores （PCS）， and mental component scores （MCS）） before and 6 months after the intervention to evaluate the quality of life. The necessary condition analysis （NCA） and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis （fsQCA） were used to explore the necessary conditions and advantage configurations for improving the overall， physical and mental quality of life of TCM constitution dimension changes. ResultsThe results of NCA showed that the changes in the scores of neutral type and qi stagnation type can serve as necessary conditions for improving the SF-36 overall quality of life scores （P＜0.05）. The changes in the scores of neutral type and blood stasis type can serve as necessary conditions for improving PCS scores. The changes in scores of the other 7 types can serve as necessary conditions for improving MCS scores. The fsQCA results showed that the necessary consistency of a change in a particular physical subscale score alone did not reach to a necessary condition for a change in SF-36 total score， PCS score， and MCS score （consistency ＜ 0.9 for all）， so the results of NCA were considered. The results of configuration analysis found that 6 configurations were included in increasing the overall quality of life scores and PCS scores， and 7 in increasing the MCS scores， with overall consistency ＞ 0.7. Improving the overall quality of life scores required a focus on lowering the qi deficient type scores， or reducing the yang deficient type scores while increasing the neutral type scores； reducing the scores of phlegm-dampness type and qi stagnation type is beneficial for improving the PCS scores； increasing the neutral type scores and reducing the scores of deficient type， yang deficient type， phlegm-dampness type， and stagnation type is beneficial for increasing MCS scores. ConclusionTCM constitution interventions can improve physical， mental and overall quality of life， and its improvement in the mental domain of quality of life is closely related to the paths of overall quality of life. In order to improve the quality of life， in addition to increasing the tendency of the neutral type， more focused and targeted measures should also be taken to decrease the degrees of qi deficient type， yang deficient type， qi stagnation type， and phlegm-dampness type.

BACKGROUND:The clinical application of Mongolian Medicine Erdun-uril in the treatment of osteoarthritis is effective,but its therapeutic effect and related mechanism are still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the repairing process of osteoarthritis in rats by Mongolian Medicine Erdun-uril and analyze its mechanism. METHODS:Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats(8 weeks of age)were selected to establsih an osteoarthritis model using intraarticular injection of sodium iodoacetate solution into the unilateral knee joint.Two weeks after modeling,the model rats were randomly divided into three groups:control group(n=6)was given normal saline by gavage,and low and high dose groups(n=12 per group)were given Erdun-uril 1.4 and 2 g,respectively,3 times per day.After 2 and 4 weeks of continuous administration,blood samples,articular cartilage and periarticular bone tissue were taken from rats to detect changes in cartilage metabolic markers(cartilage oligomeric matrix protein,proteoglycan),bone metabolic markers(bone alkaline phosphatase,keratan sulfate),inflammatory markers(interleukin 6,tumor necrosis factor α),lipid metabolic markers(total cholesterol,triacylglycerol).Histopathological changes were also observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:qRT-PCR results showed that after 2 and 4 weeks of administration,the mRNA expression of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein,proteoglycan and bone alkaline phosphatase and keratan sulfate in knee cartilage of rats were significantly reduced in the low and high dose groups compared with the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001),with the reduction being more significant in the high dose group.After 2 and 4 weeks of administration,compared with the control group,serum tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 levels were decreased(P<0.01,P<0.001)and total cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels were increased(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001)in the low and high dose groups,with the improvement being more significant in the high dose group.Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that in the control group,there were large defective areas on the surface of the knee cartilage with unknown structure and severe inflammatory cell infiltration;in the low dose group,the surface of the knee cartilage was rough with disordered cell arrangement and the cartilage structure did not improve significantly after 2 weeks of administration,while the number of inflammatory cells in the knee cartilage was reduced and the cartilage structure was restored to some extent after 4 weeks of administration;in the high dose group,the structure of the knee cartilage become clear after 2 weeks of administration and even clearer after 4 weeks of administration,and the inflammation was significantly reduced after 2 weeks of administration.To conclude,Mongolian Medicine Erdun-uril with better anti-inflammatory properties can improve cartilage metabolism and obviously alleviate osteoarthritis in rats.

Objective:To explore the prevalence, clinical features, genetic characteristics and prognosis of Citrin deficiency in Henan province of China.Methods:A total of 986 565 neonates screened by tandem mass spectrometry at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2013 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Analysis of SLC25A13 gene variants and parental verification were carried out for neonates suspected for Citrin deficiency by next-generation sequencing. The clinical, biochemical and genetic characteristics of Citrin deficiency patients were integrated to guide the diet treatment and follow up the growth and development. Paired- t test was used to compare the amino acid levels in the peripheral blood samples before and after the treatment. Results:Nine cases of Citrin deficiency were diagnosed among the 986 565 neonates. Specific elevation of citrulline was observed in all of the 9 cases. Six variants were detected by genetic sequencing, among which c. 852_855delTATG, c. 615+ 5G>A, c. 550C>T and IVS16ins3kb were known pathogenic variants, whilst c. 1111_1112delAT and c. 837T>A were unreported previously. The detection rate for c. 852_855delTATG was the highest (61.6%, 11/18), followed by IVS16ins3kb (16.7%, 3/18). The clinical symptoms of all patients were relieved after the treatment, and the blood amino acid profile and biochemical parameters were significantly improved by gradually falling within the normal range. By June 2022, all patients had shown a good prognosis.Conclusion:The prevalence of Citrin deficiency among neonates from Henan Province by tandem mass spectrometry is 1/109 618, and the carrier rate for the pathogenic variants of the SLC25A13 gene was 1/166. The c. 852_855delTATG may be a hot spot variant among the patients. Discovery of the novel variants has enriched the mutational spectrum of the SLC25A13 gene. Above results have provided a basis for the early diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and genetic counseling for the affected families.

Objective:To discuss the effects of different doses of ganoderic acid A(GAA)on the biological activities,glycolysis,and the expression of rate-limiting enzymes of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)PC9 cells,and to clarify the mechanism.Methods:The NSCLC PC9 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into blank control group,low dose(25 μmol·L-1)of GAA group,medium dose(50 μmol·L-1)of GAA group,and high dose(100 μmol·L-1)of GAA group.The methylthiazolydiphenyltetrazolium(MTT)assay was used to detect the survival rates of the PC9 cells in various groups;Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the number of migration cells of the PC9 cells in various groups;the glucose uptakes of the PC9 cells in various groups were detected by glucose assay kit;the levels of ATP in the PC9 cells in various groups were detected by ATP assay kit;the levels of lactic acid in the PC9 cells in various groups were detected by lactate assay kit;the expression levels of hexokinase 2(HK2)and pyruvate kinase M2(PKM2)mRNA in the PC9 cells in various groups were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method;the expression levels of HK2 and PKM2 proteins in the PC9 cells in various groups were detected by Western blotting method.Results:The MTT assay results showed that,at 24,48,and 72 h of culture,compared with blank control group,the survival rates of the cells in medium and high doses of GAA groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05).At 72 h of culture,compared with low dose of GAA group,the survival rate of the cells in high dose of GAA group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The Transwell chamber assay results showed that compared with blank control group,the numbers of migration cells in medium and high doses of GAA groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with low doses of GAA group,the number of migration cells in high dose of GAA group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with blank control group,the glucose uptakes and levels of lactic acid in the cells in medium and high dose of GAA groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the level of ATP in the cells in high dose of GAA group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with blank control group,the expression levels of HK2 and PKM2 mRNA in the cells in medium and high doses of GAA groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The Western blotting results showed that compared with blank control group,the expression levels of HK2 and PKM2 proteins in the cells in medium and high doses of GAA groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Medium and high doses of GAA can inhibit the biological activities of proliferation and migration of the PC9 cells,reduce the glycolysis,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the expressions of the key rate-limiting enzymes HK2 and PKM2.

Objective To explore the effects of biased constitutions on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and mechanisms of the role of sleep quality in the relationship between biased constitutions and HRQOL.Methods Data collected from the propulation of Beijing and Shijiazhuang,Hebei province for health check-up from March 2015 to December 2016. The biased constitutions were evaluated using the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ) score;CCMQ consists of gentleness type (A type),qi-deficiency type (B type),yang-deficiency type (C type),yin-deficiency type (D type),phlegm-wetness type (E type),wet-heat type (F type),blood-stasis type (G type),qi-depression type (H type),and special diathesis type (I type),the eight constitutions except A type are classified as biased constitution (BC),Sleep quality (SQ) was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). HRQOL was evaluated using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Pearson's correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation among the eight BCs,SQ,and HRQOL,and the structural equation model was further constructed to explore the effects of the eight BCs on HRQOL and the mediating effect of SQ.Results A total of 2,170 samples were included in the database. Finally,1,982 samples were included as study subjects after excluding 188 unqualified samples. The SF-36 and PSQI scores of the samples were 79.73±12.89 and 4.29±2.66,respectively,and the scores for the eight BCs were 27.46±14.84,25.12±19.17,23.55±14.99,21.57±15.20,23.67±15.49,21.68±14.49,22.00±16.14,and 16.13±14.19 for B,C,D,E,F,G,H,and I types,respectively. The result of Pearson's correlation analysis showed that all biased constitution scores were negatively correlated with the SF-36 score (r=-0.562 to-0.327,P<0.01),and were positively correlated with the PSQI score (r=0.272 to 0.431,P<0.01),and PSQI score was negatively correlated with the SF-36 score (r=-0.471,P<0.01). The result of the structural equation model showed that all biased constitutions had a negative effect on HRQOL and that the mediating role of SQ in the relationship between eight BCs and HRQOL was all statistically significant. The total effects of the eight BCs on HRQOL were-0.776,-0.528,-0.603,-0.684,-0.596,-0.678,-0.751,and-0.452 for the B,C,D,E,F,G,H,and I types,respectively. Moreover,the absolute effects of the B and H types were significantly higher than in other BCs;the mediation effect of SQ was-0.242,-0.272,-0.291,-0.261,-0.265,-0.395,-0.203,and-0.287 for the B,C,D,E,F,G,H,and I types,respectively,the absolute value of the mediation effect between G type and HRQOL was significantly higher than that of other BCs. Conclusion The eight BCs had negative effects on HRQOL,and SQ played a mediator role in the relationship between the eight BCs and HRQOL.

Objective:To explore the pathological characteristics and outcomes of elderly patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) accompanied by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods:The diagnosis and treatment process of one elderly patient with CAP accompanied by COVID-19 who was admitted to COVID-19 Treatment Center of Liaoning Province on February 7, 2020 were reviewed. The experience of treatment by analyzing the characteristics of such type of patients during diagnosis and treatment were summarized.Results:A female patient, aged 79 years ald, was admitted to the Center with following features: fever, dry cough, fatigue with dyspnea, scattered moist rales in both lungs, oxygenation index (PaCO 2/FiO 2) of 95 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa), and diffuse interstitial pneumonia in both lungs indicated by chest CT, of which the majority were ground glass-like and fibrous lesions. It was confirmed to be consistent with the feature of severe COVID-19 cases. The patient was successfully cured one month later following anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and high-flow oxygen therapies, homeostasis maintenance of the body, psychological counseling, etc. Accordingly, the treatment experience in CAP combined with COVID-19 in the elderly patients was summarized as follows. In respiratory system, the timing of high-flow oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation should be seized. As for anti-inflammatory and antiviral therapy, attention should be paid to the treatment of CAP as well as antiviral therapy and symptomatic and supportive therapy. With the progression of the disease, the production of drug-resistant bacteria and the possibility of fungal infection should be paid attention to. For the circulatory system, we should pay attention to the stability of fluid volume and internal environment, and strengthen hemodynamic monitoring and bedside ultrasound to evaluate the cardiovascular capacity-load. In the aspect of the immune system, the selection of the application time of immune-enhancers and glucocorticoids should be paid attention to. In terms of enteral nutrition, early low-fat and high-protein diet is conducive to the recovery of intestinal function and the prevention of bacterial translocation. In addition to the protection of the function of important organs, therapies such as reasonable sedation and psychological intervention should also be used. Conclusions:Elderly patients with CAP accompanied by COVID-19 have complicated conditions and high degree of difficulty in treatment. Comprehensive evaluation of the disease as well as synthetic and effective intervention are the key factors of successful treatment of such patients.

Objective To investigate the effect of ulinastatin on myocardial injury in rats with sepsis.Methods Thirty male SD rats were randomly (random number) divided into 3 groups:sham operation group (Sham group,n=10),sepsis group (sepsis group,n=10) and ulinastatin group (UTI group,n=10).The sepsis model of the rats was subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).Rats of UTI group were given 200 000 U/kg ulinastatin at 6 hour after modeling,and dosing was repeated every 12 h.Blood samples were collected from inferior vena cava at 6,12,24,36 h after modeling for determination of cardiac troponin-Ⅰ (cTnI) and the inflammatory factor by ELISA,then the rats were sacrificed and hearts were removed for myocardial tissue stained with hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining,the expression of Bax/Bcl-2 protein level and myocardial cell apoptosis were detected by TUNEL.The level of caspase-3 protein in myocardial tissue was detected by Western-blot.Results The level of cTnI (ng/mL) in serum in UTI group at 6,12,24 and 36 h after modeling were significantly lower compared with sepsis group(P＜0.05).The protein expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 (ng/mL) in group UTI were higher than those in Sham group,but was significantly lower than those in Sepsis group (P＜0.05).HE staining showed that inflammatory cell infiltration present in myocardial cells,edema and vacuole formation were observed in sepsis group,while those were significantly attenuated in UTI group compared with sepsis group.UTI increased the level of myocardial Bcl-2 protein in the rats (P＜0.05),and reduced the level of myocardial Bax protein (P＜0.05).TUNEL and HE staining showed apoptosis cells in UTI group was significantly reduced compared with sepsis group [(32.2±4.8)％ vs.(58.4±5.6)％,P＜0.05];Western-blot method showed the level of Caspase-3 protein in UTI group was higher than that in group sham (0.32±0.048) vs.(0.12±0.03),P＜0.05],but significantly lower than that of Sepsis group [(0.32±0.048) vs.(0.55±0.052),P＜0.05].Conclusions Ulinastatin can reduce proinflammatory mediators release in the blood of sepsis rats,and inhibit the apoptosis of myocardial cells protecting myocardial cells through the regulation of the Caspase-3 pathway during sepsis.