Objective To analyze risk factors for sleep disorders in patients with chronic heart failure(CHF)and construct a nomogram prediction model.Methods Using simple random sampling,306 hospital-ized CHF patients meeting inclusion criteria were enrolled from four Grade A tertiary hospitals in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region(two in Nanning,one each in Yulin and Guilin)between March 2023 and March 2024.LASSO regression analysis was initially employed for variable screening,followed by logistic regression to identify predictive variables for constructing the nomogram model.Model validation and performance evalua-tion were conducted using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,calibration curves,and clinical decision curves,with internal validation performed through Bootstrap resampling(1 000 iterations).Results The incidence of sleep disorders among the 306 patients was 57.5%(176/306).Logistic regression analysis identified eight independent risk factors for sleep disorders in CHF patients(P＜0.05):age,education level,monthly house-hold income per capita,NYHA cardiac function classification,number of comorbidities,triglyceride levels,ano-rexia,and anxiety.The model demonstrated good discrimination for the AUC of 0.91(95%CI:0.77-0.88)and calibration consistency.Conclusion The prediction model established in this study shows good predictive performance,serving as a valuable reference for healthcare providers to early identify sleep disorders and im-plement preventive care strategies in patients with CHF.

Nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） is an important intracellular transcription factor widely involved in the processes such as immune response， inflammatory response， cell proliferation， and apoptosis. The abnormal activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in various liver diseases including chronic hepatitis， liver fibrosis， liver cirrhosis， and hepatocellular carcinoma. Extensive studies have shown that inhibiting NF-κB activity may effectively reduce inflammation and fibrosis and improve metabolic disorders. Several natural compounds， such as matrine and salvianolic acid B， have shown the potential in suppressing NF-κB activity， thereby exerting anti-inflammatory， anti-fibrotic， and anti-tumor effects. This article systematically reviews the critical role of the NF-κB signaling pathway in liver diseases and its potential as a therapeutic target， in order to highlight its potential as a therapeutic target for liver diseases and provide new directions for the treatment of liver diseases.

Objective To prepare a stable rat model of chronic liver failure to provide a tool for basic research.Methods Sixty-six SPF SD rats were divided into a normal group(n=18)and a modeling group(n=48).Rats in the modeling group received an intraperitoneal injection of 50％CCl4 olive oil solution(1.5 mL/kg,twice a week).Multidimensional assessment was performed at 8,16,and 24 weeks,respectively,including ultrasonic examination of liver morphology,hardness,portal vein diameter,and ascites,and collection of serum,plasma,and liver tissue to detect liver function,coagulation function,and blood ammonia levels.Liver tissue injury and fibrosis were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Masson staining.Cognitive function was assessed using the water maze test.Survival were recorded simultaneously.Results Rats in the model group showed decreased activity and appetite,yellow urine,and increased abdominal circumference compared with the normal group.Ultrasound showed enhanced liver parenchyma echo in the model group that thickened with time,secondary ascites formation,portal vein dilation,and portal hypertension.Water maze and blood ammonia tests confirmed cognitive decline(memory and orientation loss)and hepatic encephalopathy in the model group.Gross observation showed that the liver in the model group was atrophied and appeared rough and uneven.HE staining showed hepatocyte swelling,steatosis,and necrosis,and Masson staining confirmed fibrosis progression with pseudolobule formation.The liver function indexes AST,ALT,TBIL and blood ammonia continued to increase,and coagulation dysfunction(prolonged PT and increased INR)gradually increased with the modeling process.Conclusions Intraperitoneal injection of 50％CCl4 olive oil solution(1.5 mL/kg,every week)for 24 weeks can stably simulate persistent chronic liver injury in rats and lead to the typical pathological changes and complications of chronic liver failure,based on the decompensation stage of cirrhosis.This model replicates the pathological evolution of human hepatitis from liver fibrosis → liver cirrhosis compensation → decompensation → chronic liver failure,providing a reliable modeling reference for the study of the mechanism of chronic liver failure.

OBJECTIVE To observe the intervention effect of puerarin on the rats with bacterial periodontitis by reg-ulating nucleotide-binding oligomeric domain-like receptor protein 3/Caspase-1(NLRP3/Caspase-1)signaling pathways.METHODS Totally 44 male SPF rats were chosen as subjects and were divided into the blank group,the model group,the puerarin group and the puerarin plus inhibitor group.The models of rats with bacterial periodon-titis were successfully established.The periodontal indexes and alveolar resorption were observed and compared a-mong the groups.RESULTS The sulcus bleeding index(SBI)and plaque index(PLI)scores of the model group and the puerarin plus inhibitor group were higher than those of the blank group;the NLRP3 level was 0.87±0.09 in the model group,0.85±0.08 in the puerarin plus inhibitor group,higher than 0.18±0.03 in the blank group;the Caspase-1 level was 1.15±0.11 in the model group,1.03±0.10 in the puerarin plus inhibitor group,higher than 0.35±0.04 in the blank group.The trabecular separation spacing(Tb.Sp),cemento-enamel junction-facial bone crest(CEJ-FBC),interleukin--1β(IL-1β)level,interleukin-6(IL-6)level,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)level and osteoclast counts of the model group and the puerarin plus inhibitor group were higher than those of the blank group;while the trabecular thickness(Tb.Th),bone volume/tissue volume(BV/TV)and bone mineral density(BMD)of the model group and the puerarin plus inhibitor group were lower than those of the blank group.The SBI and PLI scores of the puerarin group were lower than those of the model group;the NLRP3 level of the puerarin group was 0.20±0.04,lower than 0.87±0.09 of the model group;the Caspase-1 level of the puerarin group was 0.37±0.05,lower than 1.15±0.11 of the model group.The Tb.Sp,CEJ-FBC,IL-1βlevel,IL-6 lev-el,TNF-α level and osteoclast counts of the puerarin group were lower than those of the model group;while the Tb.Th,V/V and BMD of the puerarin group were higher than those of the model group.The SBI and PLI score of the puerarin plus inhibitor group were higher than those of the puerarin group;the NLRP3 level of the puerarin plus inhibitor group was 0.85±0.08,higher than 0.20±0.04 of the puerarin group;the Caspase-1 level of the pu-erarin plus inhibitor group was 1.03±0.10,higher than 0.37±0.05 of the puerarin group.The Tb.Sp,CEJ-FBC,IL-1β level,IL-6 level,TNF-α level and osteoclast counts of the puerarin plus inhibitor group were higher than those of the puerarin group,while the Tb.Th,V/V and BMD of the puerarin plus inhibitor group were low-er than those of the puerarin group,there were significant differences in the above comparisons(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS Puerarin can effectively reduce the periodontal plaque index and bleeding index of the rats with bacterial,reduce the levels of inflammatory factors and alleviate the damage of tissue.The action mechanisms may be associated with the NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathways.

OBJECTIVE To observe the intervention effect of puerarin on the rats with bacterial periodontitis by reg-ulating nucleotide-binding oligomeric domain-like receptor protein 3/Caspase-1(NLRP3/Caspase-1)signaling pathways.METHODS Totally 44 male SPF rats were chosen as subjects and were divided into the blank group,the model group,the puerarin group and the puerarin plus inhibitor group.The models of rats with bacterial periodon-titis were successfully established.The periodontal indexes and alveolar resorption were observed and compared a-mong the groups.RESULTS The sulcus bleeding index(SBI)and plaque index(PLI)scores of the model group and the puerarin plus inhibitor group were higher than those of the blank group;the NLRP3 level was 0.87±0.09 in the model group,0.85±0.08 in the puerarin plus inhibitor group,higher than 0.18±0.03 in the blank group;the Caspase-1 level was 1.15±0.11 in the model group,1.03±0.10 in the puerarin plus inhibitor group,higher than 0.35±0.04 in the blank group.The trabecular separation spacing(Tb.Sp),cemento-enamel junction-facial bone crest(CEJ-FBC),interleukin--1β(IL-1β)level,interleukin-6(IL-6)level,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)level and osteoclast counts of the model group and the puerarin plus inhibitor group were higher than those of the blank group;while the trabecular thickness(Tb.Th),bone volume/tissue volume(BV/TV)and bone mineral density(BMD)of the model group and the puerarin plus inhibitor group were lower than those of the blank group.The SBI and PLI scores of the puerarin group were lower than those of the model group;the NLRP3 level of the puerarin group was 0.20±0.04,lower than 0.87±0.09 of the model group;the Caspase-1 level of the puerarin group was 0.37±0.05,lower than 1.15±0.11 of the model group.The Tb.Sp,CEJ-FBC,IL-1βlevel,IL-6 lev-el,TNF-α level and osteoclast counts of the puerarin group were lower than those of the model group;while the Tb.Th,V/V and BMD of the puerarin group were higher than those of the model group.The SBI and PLI score of the puerarin plus inhibitor group were higher than those of the puerarin group;the NLRP3 level of the puerarin plus inhibitor group was 0.85±0.08,higher than 0.20±0.04 of the puerarin group;the Caspase-1 level of the pu-erarin plus inhibitor group was 1.03±0.10,higher than 0.37±0.05 of the puerarin group.The Tb.Sp,CEJ-FBC,IL-1β level,IL-6 level,TNF-α level and osteoclast counts of the puerarin plus inhibitor group were higher than those of the puerarin group,while the Tb.Th,V/V and BMD of the puerarin plus inhibitor group were low-er than those of the puerarin group,there were significant differences in the above comparisons(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS Puerarin can effectively reduce the periodontal plaque index and bleeding index of the rats with bacterial,reduce the levels of inflammatory factors and alleviate the damage of tissue.The action mechanisms may be associated with the NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathways.

Objective To prepare a stable rat model of chronic liver failure to provide a tool for basic research.Methods Sixty-six SPF SD rats were divided into a normal group(n=18)and a modeling group(n=48).Rats in the modeling group received an intraperitoneal injection of 50％CCl4 olive oil solution(1.5 mL/kg,twice a week).Multidimensional assessment was performed at 8,16,and 24 weeks,respectively,including ultrasonic examination of liver morphology,hardness,portal vein diameter,and ascites,and collection of serum,plasma,and liver tissue to detect liver function,coagulation function,and blood ammonia levels.Liver tissue injury and fibrosis were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Masson staining.Cognitive function was assessed using the water maze test.Survival were recorded simultaneously.Results Rats in the model group showed decreased activity and appetite,yellow urine,and increased abdominal circumference compared with the normal group.Ultrasound showed enhanced liver parenchyma echo in the model group that thickened with time,secondary ascites formation,portal vein dilation,and portal hypertension.Water maze and blood ammonia tests confirmed cognitive decline(memory and orientation loss)and hepatic encephalopathy in the model group.Gross observation showed that the liver in the model group was atrophied and appeared rough and uneven.HE staining showed hepatocyte swelling,steatosis,and necrosis,and Masson staining confirmed fibrosis progression with pseudolobule formation.The liver function indexes AST,ALT,TBIL and blood ammonia continued to increase,and coagulation dysfunction(prolonged PT and increased INR)gradually increased with the modeling process.Conclusions Intraperitoneal injection of 50％CCl4 olive oil solution(1.5 mL/kg,every week)for 24 weeks can stably simulate persistent chronic liver injury in rats and lead to the typical pathological changes and complications of chronic liver failure,based on the decompensation stage of cirrhosis.This model replicates the pathological evolution of human hepatitis from liver fibrosis → liver cirrhosis compensation → decompensation → chronic liver failure,providing a reliable modeling reference for the study of the mechanism of chronic liver failure.

Objectives To explore the expression, biological function, and mechanism of MKI67 in pancreatic cancer and its clinical significance. Methods The expression level, diagnosis, and prognostic value of MKI67 in pancreatic cancer were analyzed using public databases. We also investigated the association between the MKI67 with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint molecules. We analyzed the functional pathway enrichment to uncover the possible molecular mechanisms. qRT-PCR and Western blot assay were used to verify the expression of MKI67 mRNA and protein. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect the expression of MKI67 in tissue protein. Results The high expression of MKI67 was significantly associated with high histological grades and poor outcomes in pancreatic cancer. High MKI67 expression was correlated with poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients (P=0.009). MKI67 was an independent risk factor for the patient outcome (95%CI: 1.084-1.743, P<0.05). The MKI67 expression was positively correlated with the helper T cell 2 levels but negatively correlated with plasmacytoid DC, NK cells, mast cells, the T follicular helper, immune DC, and CD8 T cells. Conclusion MKI67 may serve as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic cancer and the mechanism might be associated with immune escape or immunosuppression.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic variceal embolization （PTVE） alone or in combination with partial splenic embolization （PSE） in the treatment of portal hypertensive hemorrhage in liver cirrhosis through a meta-analysis. MethodsThis study was conducted according to PRISMA guideline， with a PROSPERO registration number of CRD42023396690. Wanfang Med Online， CNKI， CBM， VIP Databases， PubMed， Embase， the Cochrane Library， and Web of Science databases were searched for articles on PTVE alone or in combination with PSE in the treatment of portal hypertensive hemorrhage in liver cirrhosis published up to December 23， 2022. The articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria， and related data were extracted. The RevMan 5.4.1 statistical analysis software was used to perform the meta-analysis. ResultsEight articles were finally included， with a total sample size of 592 cases， among which there were 316 cases in the PTVE+PSE group and 276 cases in the PTVE group. The meta-analysis showed that compared with the PTVE group， the PTVE+PSE group had significantly lower postoperative portal vein pressure （standardized mean difference ［SMD］=-1.75， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： -2.33 to -1.16， P<0.05）， postoperative diameter of the portal vein （SMD=-0.87， 95%CI： -1.64 to -0.10， P<0.05）， postoperative rebleeding rate （odds ratio ［OR］=0.17， 95%CI： 0.11 — 0.28， P<0.05）， mortality rate （OR=0.13， 95%CI： 0.04 — 0.37， P<0.05）， and incidence rate of postoperative portal hypertensive gastrointestinal disease （OR=0.17， 95%CI： 0.07 — 0.45， P<0.05］， as well as a significantly higher postoperative platelet level （SMD=0.79， 95%CI： 0.52 — 1.06， P<0.05）， while there were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence rates of postoperative ascites. ConclusionCompared with PTVE alone， PTVE combined with PSE can effectively reduce the rebleeding rate and mortality rate of portal hypertensive hemorrhage in liver cirrhosis， the incidence rate of portal hypertensive gastrointestinal disease， and portal vein pressure， and it can also shorten the diameter of the portal vein and increase platelet level. Therefore， it is an effective interventional method for the treatment of portal hypertension hemorrhage in liver cirrhosis.

Background Individuals may experience significant alterations in sleep hygiene during the major public health emergencies,consequently impacting their sleep quality.Objective To explore the relationship between sleep quality and sleep hygiene among adult residents during the major public health emergencies,so as to provide references for improving the sleep quality of residents during such a period.Methods A sample of 1 364 adult residents were enrolled as the research subjects from February 20 to 29,2020.All participants were asked to complete self-administered questionnaire to obtain basic-demographic information and sleep hygiene.Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)was applied to assess sleep quality.Residents were classified into poor sleepers with PSQI score≥8 and good sleepers defined as PSQI score<8.Binary Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with sleep quality.Radar chart was used to visualize and compare the sleep hygiene between poor sleepers and good sleepers.Results According to PSQI score,891(65.32%)residents were good sleepers,while 473(34.68%)residents were poor sleepers.Comparison revealed that age(χ2=3.887),past medical history(χ2=27.938),awareness rate of importance of sleeping before major public health emergencies(χ2=4.337),impact of sleep quality on quality of life during the major public health emergencies(χ2=178.138),frequency of staying up late during the major public health emergencies(χ2=139.390),compensatory sleep behaviors(χ2=39.257),impact of sleep problems on daytime functioning(χ2=285.879),change of bedtime(χ2=63.031),sleep latency(χ2=168.672),wake-up time(χ2=59.221),changes in sleep duration(χ2=172.332),time spent in the bedroom(χ2=23.071),and sum of money spent on improving sleep environment(χ2=58.584)yielded statistical difference between poor sleepers and good sleepers(P<0.05 or 0.01).Logistic regression analysis denoted that past medical history(OR=1.680,95%CI:1.185～2.382),negative impact of sleep quality on quality life(OR=4.181,95%CI:2.722～6.422),staying up late 3 to 4 times per week(OR=3.145,95%CI:1.497～6.605),staying up late almost every day(OR=4.271,95%CI:1.970～9.260),negative impact of sleep problems on daytime functioning(OR=7.169,95%CI:5.188～9.907),prolonged sleep latency(OR=2.836,95%CI:2.019～3.982)and shortened sleep duration(OR=3.518,95%CI:2.144～5.772)were risk factors of poor sleep quality.The sum of money spent on improving sleep environment following the major public health emergencies≤500 RMB(OR=0.334,95%CI:0.134～0.830)was related to the incidence rate of poor sleep quality.Radar chart showed that poor sleepers were characterized by extravagant concerns,excessive cleanliness and poor sleep hygiene practices during the major public health emergencies,and poor sleepers were more likely to stay up late due to stress and emotional issues.Conclusion Some residents are facing poor sleep quality during the major public health emergencies,and poor sleep hygiene practice also contributes to poor sleep quality.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory disease that often coexists with atopic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergies. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that AD is associated with various diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, and mental disorders, which exacerbate the disease burden on patients with AD and severely affect their quality of life. This review summarizes AD-associated comorbidities reported in previous literature, analyzes their possible common pathogenesis, and explores potential treatments.