The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has recently been proposed as a key player in the representation of itch stimuli. However, to date, little is known about the contribution of specific ACC interneuron populations to itch processing. Using c-Fos immunolabeling and in vivo Ca²⁺ imaging, we reported that both histamine and chloroquine stimuli-induced acute itch caused a marked enhancement of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-expressing interneuron activity in the ACC. Behavioral data indicated that optogenetic and chemogenetic activation of these neurons reduced scratching responses related to histaminergic and non-histaminergic acute itch. Similar neural activity and modulatory role of these neurons were seen in mice with chronic itch induced by contact dermatitis. Together, this study highlights the importance of ACC VIP⁺ neurons in modulating itch-related affect and behavior, which may help us to develop novel mechanism-based strategies to treat refractory chronic itch in the clinic.
Animals ; Pruritus/physiopathology* ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide/metabolism* ; Interneurons/metabolism* ; Gyrus Cinguli/metabolism* ; Mice ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Histamine ; Chloroquine ; Optogenetics ; Mice, Transgenic

Objective:The Social Isolation Scale for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was developed and tested for reliability and validity, which provided an effective tool for measuring the social isolation level of patients with T2DM.Methods:The initial scale was developed through literature review, qualitative interviews, and expert consultation. Convenience sampling method was used to select T2DM patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria for questionnaire survey. The item analysis method was used to select the items of the scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to evaluate construct validity. The content validity of the scale was evaluated by the scale-level content validity index and the item-level content validity index. The criterion validity was verified by using the Lubben Social Network Scale-6 and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Reliability was tested through internal consistency and test-retest reliability.Results:Through literature review and qualitative interviews, 30 items of the scale were selected to form the first version scale. After two rounds of inquiries from 16 experts (expert authority coefficient = 0.897), the second version of the scale was formed. A total of 407 questionnaires were distributed in two stages using the second version scale. Among the 407 patients, there were 214 males and 193 females. Exploratory factor analysis extracted 4 common factors, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 61.338%. The final scale was determined to include 4 dimensions and 16 items, with the dimensions being "social support network", "frequency of social participation", "satisfaction with interpersonal relationships", and "diabetes-related sense of isolation".The average content validity index at the scale level was 0.929, the content validity index at the item level was 0.830 - 1.000, and the criterion validity was - 0.647 and 0.681. The Cronbach′s α coefficient of the total scale was 0.822, and the test-retest reliability was 0.858.Conclusions:The Social Isolation Scale for people with T2DM has good reliability and validity. It is a reliable and valid tool for assessing social isolation in T2DM patients.

Objective:The Social Isolation Scale for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was developed and tested for reliability and validity, which provided an effective tool for measuring the social isolation level of patients with T2DM.Methods:The initial scale was developed through literature review, qualitative interviews, and expert consultation. Convenience sampling method was used to select T2DM patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria for questionnaire survey. The item analysis method was used to select the items of the scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to evaluate construct validity. The content validity of the scale was evaluated by the scale-level content validity index and the item-level content validity index. The criterion validity was verified by using the Lubben Social Network Scale-6 and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Reliability was tested through internal consistency and test-retest reliability.Results:Through literature review and qualitative interviews, 30 items of the scale were selected to form the first version scale. After two rounds of inquiries from 16 experts (expert authority coefficient = 0.897), the second version of the scale was formed. A total of 407 questionnaires were distributed in two stages using the second version scale. Among the 407 patients, there were 214 males and 193 females. Exploratory factor analysis extracted 4 common factors, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 61.338%. The final scale was determined to include 4 dimensions and 16 items, with the dimensions being "social support network", "frequency of social participation", "satisfaction with interpersonal relationships", and "diabetes-related sense of isolation".The average content validity index at the scale level was 0.929, the content validity index at the item level was 0.830 - 1.000, and the criterion validity was - 0.647 and 0.681. The Cronbach′s α coefficient of the total scale was 0.822, and the test-retest reliability was 0.858.Conclusions:The Social Isolation Scale for people with T2DM has good reliability and validity. It is a reliable and valid tool for assessing social isolation in T2DM patients.

Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease characterized by repeated attacks and prolonged illness.Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the formation of Sugen is the core pathogenesis of repeated asthma attacks.By tracing the origin of Sug-en theory,summarizing the connotation of ancient asthma Sugen theory and the innovative understanding of modern medical scholars on asthma Sugen,this paper explores the potential connection between the traditional Chinese medicine Sugen theory and the pathogenesis of modern asthma,in order to provide new ideas and methods for the treatment and research of asthma.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of lumbar core muscle stability training combined with kinesiology taping technique in the rehabilitation treatment of lumbar disc herniation （LDH）. MethodsA total of 99 LDH patients treated in Ningbo Yinzhou No. 2 Hospital from January 2018 to January 2020 were selected and divided into control group （n=49） and observation group （n=50）. Kinesiology taping technique was applied to patients in the control group and patients in the observation group were treated with lumbar core muscle stability training combined with kinesiology taping technique， then we compared the therapeutic effect， lumbar function and pain degree， surface electromyography of lumbar extensor muscles， lumbar range of motion， LDH recurrence and skin allergies before and after the treatment between the two groups. ResultsAfter 4 weeks of treatment， compared with those in the control group， in the observation group， the visual analogue scale （VAS） and Oswestry disability index （ODI） scores were significantly lower （P<0.05）； the Japanese Orthopaedic Association （JOA） score， mean power frequency of lumbar extensor muscles， integral electromyography value and lumbar function score were significantly higher （P<0.05）. During the treatment， there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between two groups （P>0.05）. After 4 weeks of treatment， the observation group had a significantly lower LDH recurrence rate than the control group （P<0.05）. ConclusionLumbar core muscle stability training combined with kinesiology taping technique achieves a significantly better therapeutic effect than kinesiology taping technique in the rehabilitation treatment of LDH and can effectively relieve muscle fatigue， help alleviate lumbar spine pain and improve the function of lumbar spine.

Objective To compare the interaction efficiency of three human-machine interaction modes with hand-touch control,eye movement control and voice control,based on a multi-channel human-machine interaction system in flight mission scenarios.Methods 20 pilots took part in the study and completed the first level(relatively simple)and second level(relatively complex)interactive experimental tasks in three human-computer interaction modes based on specific flight mission scenarios.The interaction efficiency indicators included the system's interaction time,response time,fusion calculation time,and number of errors.After the experiment was completed,the pilots conducted a subjective evaluation,which included the suitability of the interaction mode to the task,consistency with expected usage,fault-tolerance,effective feedback,and the tendency of the interaction mode to be applied in future flight fields.Results There were generally significant differences in interaction efficiency between hand-touch control,voice control,and eye movement control in flight mission scenarios,but the differences differed in first-level and second-level interaction tasks.Based on the comprehensive interaction experimental tasks at all levels,the experimental results obtained included:(1)the interaction time of hand-touch control was the shortest,the interaction time of voice control was the longest,and the main effect of the interaction mode was significant(F=18.214,P<0.001,η2=0.565);(2)The response time of hand-touch control was the shortest,while the response time of eye movement control was the longest.The main effect of interaction mode was significant(F=153.085,P<0.001,η2=0.944);(3)The fusion calculation time for hand-touch control was the shortest,while the fusion calculation time for voice control was the longest.The main effect of the interaction mode was significant(F=41.702,P<0.001,η2=0.777);(4)The errors in voice control were the least,while those in eye movement control were the most.The main effect of interaction mode was significant(χ2=22.845,P<0.001,φ=1.097);(5)The subjective evaluation scores of pilots on voice control were higher than those on eye movement control,and all had statistical significance(P<0.001,P<0.01).Conclusions This study focuses on flight interaction tasks and compares the interaction efficiency of three interaction modes of hand-touch control,voice control,and eye movement control,through a combination of experiments and subjective evaluations.The differences in various interaction efficiency indicators among different interaction modes are found,and the interaction modes have a significant impact on interaction efficiency.Hand-touch control has a significant advantage in interaction time efficiency,voice control has an advantage in accuracy for simple tasks,while eye movement control has relatively weak time efficiency and accuracy;Compared to eye movement control,pilots exhibit higher evaluations and tendencies towards voice control.The research results can provide reference for the future design,evaluation,and application of multi-modal interaction systems.

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics and outcomes of corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19)in patients with adrenal insufficiency(AI),and analyze the risk factors of outcomes.Methods The clinical data of COVID-19 patients with AI in Peking Union Medical College Hospital in December 2022 were ana-lyzed retrospectively and the patients were followed up to collect outcomes of their diseases.Results Among 28 COVID-19 patients with AI,20 cases(71.4%)received basal corticosteroid replacement.Among the 18 patients with community-acquired COVID-19,11 cases(61.1%)increased the corticosteroid dosage proactively at home.The most common symptoms of COVID-19 were fever(96.4%),gastrointestinal symptoms(82.1%)and con-sciousness disturbance(78.6%).Occurrence of severe consciousness disturbance was associated with older age and lower basal corticosteroid replacement dose(P＜0.05). Adrenal crisis(AC)occurred in 20 patients(71.4%),which was associated with lower basal corticosteroid replacement dose,hypochloremia,lower eosinophil,lower platelet,and longer activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT)(P＜0.05). 2 patients died during hospitalization.26.3%(5/19)of surviving patient's recovered consciousness longer than 48 hours.Delayed recovery of conscious-ness was associated with lower systolic pressure,higher blood creatinine,and higher fibrinogen(P＜0.05).Long COVID-19 symptoms such as fatigue and poor appetite occurred in 48.0%(12/25)of patients.Among patients with increased corticosteroid dosage,50.0%(12/24)had their dose reduced to baseline within 3 weeks.Conclusions COVID-19 patients with AI have a high frequency of consciousness disturbance and AC.AI patients are lack of awareness of adjusting corticosteroid dosage proactively in case of infection stress,thus education of"sick day rules"for AI patients should be strengthened in clinical practice.

Objective:To understand the infection status of mycobacterium tuberculosis among health workers in tuberculosis designated medical institutions and explore the risk factors of infection.Methods:From September 2021 to June 2022, a questionnaire survey was conducted among health workers in relevant departments of 4 tuberculosis designated medical institutions by cluster stratified sampling, including the implementation of hospital infection control measures in medical institutions and occupational exposure of medical staff to mycobacterium tuberculosis. Peripheral blood interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) and lung imaging examination were performed to determine the mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Factors with statistical significance in univariate analysis were included in multivariate logistic regression to analyze the risk factors of mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.Results:A total of 657 people completed the lung imaging examination and questionnaire, of which 654 people had peripheral blood IGRAs detection, and the latent infection rate of tuberculosis was 39.45% (258/654) . Univariate analysis showed that age, sex, marital status, economic income, occupational category, professional title, length of service, and other variables had statistical significances in tuberculosis latent infection ( P<0.05) . In terms of personal health status, there were statistically significant differences in the distribution of health workers in terms of their tuberculosis history, tuberculosis history of their immediate family members, previous tuberculin skin test (TST) ( P<0.05) . Multivariate analysis showed that there were four risk factors related to tuberculosis, including professional title ( X1) , years of tuberculosis related works ( X2) , tuberculosis history ( X3) and previous TST ( X4) . The regression equation of the probability of tuberculosis among health workers was y=-1.920+0.246 X1+0.046 X2+1.231 X3+0.478 X4. Conclusion:The latent infection rate of tuberculosis among health workers in tuberculosis designated medical institutions is high. It is necessary to strengthen the management of infection control, carry out regular screening, enhance the self-protection awareness of health workers, and reduce their exposure to mycobacterium tuberculosis and infection risk.

Objective To investigate the role of lncSIL in transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)-induced alveo-lar epithelial interstitial transformation(EMT)and its related signaling pathways.Methods Western blot was used to detect the effect of lncSIL silencing on the expression of E-cadherin(E-cad),alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and Collagen I(Col I)in the process of EMT induced by TGF-β1.LncSIL interacting proteins were ana-lyzed by RNA pulldown.Western blot was used to detect the effect of overexpression or silencing of lncSIL on the expression of its target gene enhancer of zeste homolog 2(EZH2)and its downstream factors P21 and cyclin-de-pendent kinase 6(CDK6).Flow cytometry was used to analyze the effect of lncSIL on cell cycle progression.Re-sults After lncSIL silencing,the expression of α-SMA and Col I increased,the expression of E-cad decreased.RNA pulldown assay showed that EZH2 was the target protein that interacted with lncSIL,and the expression of EZH2 increased after silencing lncSIL,the expression of EZH2 downstream gene P21 decreased,CDK6 increased.Flow cytometry showed that the number of cells in S phase significantly increased.When lncSIL was overexpressed,the expression of EZH2 and CDK6 was down-regulated,the expression of P21 was up-regulated,and the number of S phase cells significantly decreased.Conclusion LncSIL inhibits TGF-β1-induced alveolar epithelial cell mesen-chymal transition by negatively regulating EZH2/P21/CDK6 signaling pathway to inhibit cell cycle progression.

Objective:To understand the infection status of mycobacterium tuberculosis among health workers in tuberculosis designated medical institutions and explore the risk factors of infection.Methods:From September 2021 to June 2022, a questionnaire survey was conducted among health workers in relevant departments of 4 tuberculosis designated medical institutions by cluster stratified sampling, including the implementation of hospital infection control measures in medical institutions and occupational exposure of medical staff to mycobacterium tuberculosis. Peripheral blood interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) and lung imaging examination were performed to determine the mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Factors with statistical significance in univariate analysis were included in multivariate logistic regression to analyze the risk factors of mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.Results:A total of 657 people completed the lung imaging examination and questionnaire, of which 654 people had peripheral blood IGRAs detection, and the latent infection rate of tuberculosis was 39.45% (258/654) . Univariate analysis showed that age, sex, marital status, economic income, occupational category, professional title, length of service, and other variables had statistical significances in tuberculosis latent infection ( P<0.05) . In terms of personal health status, there were statistically significant differences in the distribution of health workers in terms of their tuberculosis history, tuberculosis history of their immediate family members, previous tuberculin skin test (TST) ( P<0.05) . Multivariate analysis showed that there were four risk factors related to tuberculosis, including professional title ( X1) , years of tuberculosis related works ( X2) , tuberculosis history ( X3) and previous TST ( X4) . The regression equation of the probability of tuberculosis among health workers was y=-1.920+0.246 X1+0.046 X2+1.231 X3+0.478 X4. Conclusion:The latent infection rate of tuberculosis among health workers in tuberculosis designated medical institutions is high. It is necessary to strengthen the management of infection control, carry out regular screening, enhance the self-protection awareness of health workers, and reduce their exposure to mycobacterium tuberculosis and infection risk.