ObjectiveTo investigate the inhibitory effect of Biejia Decoction Pill on the proliferation， migration， and aerobic glycolysis of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） using cell experiments， as well as related mechanisms. MethodsHuman liver cancer cell line Huh7 was selected， and Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank serum group， inhibitor group， and high-， middle-， and low-dose Biejia Decoction Pill groups. Rat serum containing the drug was prepared for the incubation of Huh7 cells. CCK8 assay and scratch assay were used to explore the effect of Biejia Decoction Pill on the proliferation and migration of HCC cells； glycolytic rate-limiting enzymes and metabolites were measured to explore the effect of Biejia Decoction Pill on aerobic glycolysis of liver cancer cells； RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to explore the effect of Biejia Decoction Pill on the mRNA expression， related proteins， and phosphorylation of the protein kinase B （AKT）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test or the Dunnett’s T3 test were used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the blank serum group， the Biejia Decoction Pill groups had significant reductions in OD value， migration rate during different periods of time， glycolytic rate-limiting enzymes （hexokinase， phosphofructokinase， pyruvate kinase）， and glycolytic metabolites （pyruvate， lactic acid， ATP） （all P<0.05）. RT-qPCR results showed that compared with the blank serum group， the high-， middle-， and low-dose Biejia Decoction Pill groups had a significant reduction in the mRNA expression level of mTOR， and the high- and low-dose Biejia Decoction Pill groups had a significant reduction in the mRNA expression level of AKT （all P<0.05）. Western blot results showed that compared with the blank serum group， the high-， middle-， and low-dose Biejia Decoction Pill groups had significant reductions in the expression levels of mTOR-related proteins and phosphorylated proteins， and the high- and middle-dose Biejia Decoction Pill groups had significant reductions in the expression levels of AKT-related proteins and phosphorylated proteins （all P<0.05）. ConclusionThis study preliminarily verifies that the serum containing Bijia Decoction Pill can inhibit the aerobic glycolysis of human hepatoma Huh7 cells， thereby inhibiting their proliferation and migration， possibly by inhibiting the expression of the proteins related to the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate intraoperative pathological findings and the interventional effects of "deep cervical lymphaticovenous anastomosis+" (dcLVA+) on deep cervical lymphatic drainage as well as the blood flow of carotid artery and jugular vein in elderly patients with cognitive impairment, and to put forward the thoughts based on the findings from the surgery.Methods:Between May 2024 and December 2024, retrospective analysis of Microsurgery Hospital, Fengcheng Hospital, Xi'an Medical College performed dcLVA+ between the deep cervical lymphatics or lymph nodes and jugular veins in 50 elderly patients with cognitive impairment (19 males and 31 females, aged 55-88 years with 69.94 years in average). Nine patients were found with Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score at 1 (mild), 7 with CDR score at 2 (moderate) and 34 with CDR score at 3 (severe). Intraoperative observations based on literature reviews had identified anatomical relationships between the lymphatic sacs containing cervical lymphatic chain and the carotid sheath. The lymph node count, size, distribution, thickness of fat tissue and conditions of lymphatic vessels were documented. Ultrasound was used to compare the blood flow of carotid artery and jugular vein as well as the cross-sectional areas at the planes of hyoid and cricoid cartilage before and after the closure of incisions under anaesthesia in 39 patients. Correlation analyses for Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa), Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Agitation behavior score before and 1 week after surgery were performed using Spearman's correlation and Wilcoxon paired tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Postoperative follow-ups were conducted via the visit of outpatient clinic and WeChat and telephone interviews. Results:In surgery, the cervical lymphatic chain was found running within an almost enclosed sac surrounding the carotid sheath. There were enlarged lymph nodes, increased fat deposition, lymphatic dilation or fibrosis in the sac. The preoperative blood flow in the carotid artery at the planes of hyoid and cricoid cartilage in the 39 patients was recorded at 150.52 ml/min±40.33 ml/min and 358.29 ml/min±129.30 ml/min, while that in the jugular vein was at 172.50 ml/min±63.94 ml/min and 317.00 ml/min±105.21 ml/min, respectively, both were far lower than the normal blood flow. There were statistically significant differences in the blood flow of carotid artery and jugular vein before and after surgery ( P<0.01). It was found that the preoperative blood flow of the internal carotid artery at the plane of hyoid was positively correlated with the preoperative scores of MMSE ( P<0.01), MoCa ( P<0.05) and ADL ( P<0.01). The blood flow of the common carotid artery at the plane of cricoid cartilage was found significantly and positively correlated with the preoperative scores of MMSE ( P<0.05). It was also noted that the blood flow of the internal carotid artery at the plane of hyoid was significantly and positively correlated with the postoperative ADL ( P<0.01) but negatively correlated with the Agitation behavior score ( P<0.05). The blood flow of the common carotid artery at the plane of cricoid cartilage was significantly and positively correlated with the postoperative scores of MMSE and MoCa ( P<0.05). The blood flow of the internal jugular vein at the plane of hyoid was negatively correlated with the Agitation behavior score ( P<0.01). The cross-sectional area of carotid artery at the plane of left hyoid was significantly and positively correlated with the MMSE score ( P<0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed in MMSE, MoCa, ADL and Agitation behavior score before and after surgery ( P<0.01). Conclusion:dcLVA+ shows a certain therapeutic benefit to the elderly patients with cognitive impairment. The intraoperatively observed pathological changes in cervical lymphatic sacs affect deep cervical lymphatic drainage and the blood flow of carotid artery and jugular vein. Further studies are necessary to find out whether the findings from this study would be the specific pathological changes and the morbidity mechanisms among the elderly patients with cognitive impairment.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the level of hand grip strength(HGS)-based cachexia index(H-CXI)and all-cause mortality in a population with abnormal liver function.Methods The study was based on the America National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES)data from 2011～2014,which included 2 752 cases of people with abnormal liver function and followed up until December 31,2019,using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and COX regression modeling to assess the relationship between H-CXI levels and all-cause mortality,and restricted cubic spline analysis to explore the nonlinear relationship.Results There were 244 all-cause deaths during a mean follow-up time of 82.70±3.86 months.H-CXI was ana-lyzed as a categorical variable(quartiles),and Cox regression analyses showed that in model 2,the risk of all-cause mortality was reduced in groups Q2,Q3 and Q4 compared with group Q1(HR=0.41,95%CI:0.21～0.82,P=0.012 1;HR=0.34,95%CI:0.16～0.69,P=0.003 1;HR=0.24,95%CI:0.09～0.67,P=0.006 3).Subgroup analyses revealed an interaction between stroke and all-cause mortality,and restricted cubic spline revealed a nonlinear relationship between H-CXI levels and all-cause mortality.Con-clusion H-CXI levels are negatively associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in people with abnormal liver function,and attention to H-CXI levels is needed in clinical practice to prevent adverse health outcomes.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the level of hand grip strength(HGS)-based cachexia index(H-CXI)and all-cause mortality in a population with abnormal liver function.Methods The study was based on the America National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES)data from 2011～2014,which included 2 752 cases of people with abnormal liver function and followed up until December 31,2019,using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and COX regression modeling to assess the relationship between H-CXI levels and all-cause mortality,and restricted cubic spline analysis to explore the nonlinear relationship.Results There were 244 all-cause deaths during a mean follow-up time of 82.70±3.86 months.H-CXI was ana-lyzed as a categorical variable(quartiles),and Cox regression analyses showed that in model 2,the risk of all-cause mortality was reduced in groups Q2,Q3 and Q4 compared with group Q1(HR=0.41,95%CI:0.21～0.82,P=0.012 1;HR=0.34,95%CI:0.16～0.69,P=0.003 1;HR=0.24,95%CI:0.09～0.67,P=0.006 3).Subgroup analyses revealed an interaction between stroke and all-cause mortality,and restricted cubic spline revealed a nonlinear relationship between H-CXI levels and all-cause mortality.Con-clusion H-CXI levels are negatively associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in people with abnormal liver function,and attention to H-CXI levels is needed in clinical practice to prevent adverse health outcomes.

Objective:To investigate intraoperative pathological findings and the interventional effects of "deep cervical lymphaticovenous anastomosis+" (dcLVA+) on deep cervical lymphatic drainage as well as the blood flow of carotid artery and jugular vein in elderly patients with cognitive impairment, and to put forward the thoughts based on the findings from the surgery.Methods:Between May 2024 and December 2024, retrospective analysis of Microsurgery Hospital, Fengcheng Hospital, Xi'an Medical College performed dcLVA+ between the deep cervical lymphatics or lymph nodes and jugular veins in 50 elderly patients with cognitive impairment (19 males and 31 females, aged 55-88 years with 69.94 years in average). Nine patients were found with Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score at 1 (mild), 7 with CDR score at 2 (moderate) and 34 with CDR score at 3 (severe). Intraoperative observations based on literature reviews had identified anatomical relationships between the lymphatic sacs containing cervical lymphatic chain and the carotid sheath. The lymph node count, size, distribution, thickness of fat tissue and conditions of lymphatic vessels were documented. Ultrasound was used to compare the blood flow of carotid artery and jugular vein as well as the cross-sectional areas at the planes of hyoid and cricoid cartilage before and after the closure of incisions under anaesthesia in 39 patients. Correlation analyses for Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa), Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Agitation behavior score before and 1 week after surgery were performed using Spearman's correlation and Wilcoxon paired tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Postoperative follow-ups were conducted via the visit of outpatient clinic and WeChat and telephone interviews. Results:In surgery, the cervical lymphatic chain was found running within an almost enclosed sac surrounding the carotid sheath. There were enlarged lymph nodes, increased fat deposition, lymphatic dilation or fibrosis in the sac. The preoperative blood flow in the carotid artery at the planes of hyoid and cricoid cartilage in the 39 patients was recorded at 150.52 ml/min±40.33 ml/min and 358.29 ml/min±129.30 ml/min, while that in the jugular vein was at 172.50 ml/min±63.94 ml/min and 317.00 ml/min±105.21 ml/min, respectively, both were far lower than the normal blood flow. There were statistically significant differences in the blood flow of carotid artery and jugular vein before and after surgery ( P<0.01). It was found that the preoperative blood flow of the internal carotid artery at the plane of hyoid was positively correlated with the preoperative scores of MMSE ( P<0.01), MoCa ( P<0.05) and ADL ( P<0.01). The blood flow of the common carotid artery at the plane of cricoid cartilage was found significantly and positively correlated with the preoperative scores of MMSE ( P<0.05). It was also noted that the blood flow of the internal carotid artery at the plane of hyoid was significantly and positively correlated with the postoperative ADL ( P<0.01) but negatively correlated with the Agitation behavior score ( P<0.05). The blood flow of the common carotid artery at the plane of cricoid cartilage was significantly and positively correlated with the postoperative scores of MMSE and MoCa ( P<0.05). The blood flow of the internal jugular vein at the plane of hyoid was negatively correlated with the Agitation behavior score ( P<0.01). The cross-sectional area of carotid artery at the plane of left hyoid was significantly and positively correlated with the MMSE score ( P<0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed in MMSE, MoCa, ADL and Agitation behavior score before and after surgery ( P<0.01). Conclusion:dcLVA+ shows a certain therapeutic benefit to the elderly patients with cognitive impairment. The intraoperatively observed pathological changes in cervical lymphatic sacs affect deep cervical lymphatic drainage and the blood flow of carotid artery and jugular vein. Further studies are necessary to find out whether the findings from this study would be the specific pathological changes and the morbidity mechanisms among the elderly patients with cognitive impairment.

Objective:To investigate the effects of multidisciplinary small-class teaching on expertise and skill acquisition and learning experience in standardized residency training in general surgery.Methods:Sixty residents of grade 2021 rotating in general surgery from January to August 2023 were divided into multidisciplinary teaching group ( n=30) and traditional teaching group ( n=30, to receive tradition one-on-one teaching). All the residents underwent a theoretical examination and Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) skill assessment before admission, and the scores were compared between the two groups. At the end of training, the two groups were compared in terms of theoretical and Mini-CEX skill assessment scores and the degree of satisfaction with teaching. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0. Results:There were no significant differences in the theoretical assessment and Mini-CEX skill assessment scores before admission between the two groups ( P>0.05). At the end of training, the multidisciplinary teaching group had a significantly higher theoretical examination score [(88.15±3.45) vs. (72.25±4.36), P<0.05] and a significantly higher Mini-CEX score [(86.35±2.24) vs. (76.28±3.92), P<0.05] compared with the traditional teaching group. According to the survey, the residents in the multidisciplinary teaching group were more satisfied with teaching and more likely to recognize the teaching effects. Conclusions:Multidisciplinary small-class teaching can help improve the quality of standardized general surgery residency training on gastrointestinal tumor treatment, which is a highly accepted and effective attempt at standardized residency training.

Objective:To examine the structural network changes in participants with amnestic mild cognitive impairment(aMCI)and investigate the correlation between these changes and the onset of Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods:In this prospective study, a total of 100 individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment(aMCI)were enrolled as the research group.Additionally, 25 healthy individuals who were matched in terms of age and sex were enrolled as healthy controls.Upon enrollment, all participants underwent MRI scans, neuropsychological assessments, and clinical evaluations.The participants were then followed every 6 months for a period of 36 months or until they withdrew from the study.Based on the outcome of the follow-up(whether Alzheimer's disease occurred), the aMCI participants were divided into two groups: stable aMCI group and progressive aMCI group.The Chinese version of the Brief Mental State Examination(MMSE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA), the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale(CDR), and the Auditory Word Learning Test(AVLT)were utilized to evaluate the overall mental and cognitive status of the subjects.Pearson correlation analysis was employed to investigate the relationship between structural network changes and cognitive decline.Logistic regression was performed to analyze the predictive ability of structural network changes in determining the onset of AD.Results:Compared to the stable aMCI group, the progressive aMCI group exhibited lower levels of global efficiency( P=0.002), local efficiency( P=0.007), feeder connections( P=0.003), local connections( P=0.008), and right precuneus nodal efficiency( P=0.010).Correlation analysis revealed that global efficiency( r=0.604, P=0.002), feeder connections( r=0.513, P=0.012), and right precuneus nodal efficiency( r=0.504, P=0.014)were correlated with AVLT-delay scores(baseline)in the progressive aMCI group.A logistic regression model demonstrated that global efficiency, feeder connections, and right precuneus nodal efficiency could significantly predict the onset of AD(all P<0.05, AUCunited=0.797, 95% CI: 0.684-0.884, sensitivity=73.91, 95% CI: 51.6-89.8, specificity=76.60, 95% CI: 62.0-87.7). Conclusions:Among participants with aMCI, individuals who exhibit lower global efficiency, feeder connections, or right precuneus nodal efficiency are at a higher risk of developing AD.These indicators are anticipated to serve as new targets for clinical intervention.

Objective:To explore the association of maternal anxiety with congenital heart disease (CHD) in offspring.Methods:A case-control study design was used in this study. The data were collected in Shaanxi province from January 2014 to December 2016. Neonatal information is provided through specialized hospitals or institutions. Logistic regression model with adjustment for confounding factors was established to analyze the association between maternal perinatal anxiety and CHD in offspring. Meanwhile, subgroup analysis was carried out to explore its stability.Results:Our study included 2 429 subjects, consisting of 773 cases and 1 656 controls. Women with anxiety during pregnancy accounted for 10.3% in the case group, while 7.8% in the control group. After adjusting for confounding factors, the level of maternal anxiety during pregnancy was positively correlated with CHD in the offspring ( OR=1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07). The risk of CHD in the offspring of mothers with anxiety during pregnancy was 1.43 times higher than that in those whose mothers had no anxiety ( OR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.00-2.05). Conclusion:Maternal anxiety during pregnancy is probably a risk factor for congenital heart disease in offspring.

Objective:To explore the association between maternal passive smoking during perinatal period and congenital heart disease (CHD) in their offspring.Methods:A case-control study was designed. Data being used was based on a case-control study of congenital heart disease collected in Shaanxi province from January 2014 to December 2016. Cases under this study were perinatal infants diagnosed as CHD from 28 weeks of gestation to 7 days after birth, and fetus less than 28 weeks of gestation but diagnosed as CHD by ultrasonography. The controls would include newborn infants without any birth defects, born at the same period of the cases. Logistic regression model with confounding factors adjusted was established to analyze the association between maternal passive smoking status during perinatal period and CHD in their offspring. Subgroup analysis was carried out to explore its stability.Results:A total of 2 259 subjects, consisting 695 cases and 1 564 controls were included in this study. Passive smokers accounted for 26.76 % in the case group while only 6.01 % in the control group. After adjusting for related confounding factors, the risk of CHD in the offspring of passive smokers was 3.32 times higher than that of the non-passive smokers ( OR=3.32, 95 %CI: 2.41-4.56), during the perinatal period. Results also showed that related risk accumulated with the increase of exposure frequency to passive smoking. For mothers who smoked passively for 1-3 days per week, the risk of CHD in their offspring was 2.75 times higher than that of those non-passive smokers ( OR=2.75, 95 %CI: 1.62-4.66). For mothers who smoked passively for more than 3 days per week, the risk was 3.62 times higher than the non-passive smokers ( OR=3.62, 95 %CI: 2.48-5.29). Data from the subgroup analysis showed that the association between maternal passive smoking during perinatal period and CHD in their offspring appeared stable. Conclusions:Maternal passive smoking during perinatal period seemed a risk factor for congenital heart disease related to their offspring. Pregnant women should avoid exposure to second-hand smoke as much as possible, so as to prevent the harm from passive smoking.

Objectives:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and levels of vitamin B 12 and folate as well as their relationship in women awaiting delivery, in Shaanxi province. Methods:Data were collected from healthy pregnant women who gave birth at six top hospitals in Shaanxi, from January 2014 to December 2016. Blood samples were taken prenatally to determine the levels of vitamin B 12 and folate. Quantile regression model was used to analyze the relationship between the levels of vitamin B 12 and folates in women awaiting delivery. Results:A total of 1 277 women awaiting delivery were included in this study. Among them, the median level of serum vitamin B 12 was 164.7 pg/ml, in women at late pregnancy, with the deficiency rate as 69.6%, while the median level of serum folate was 7.6 ng/ml, with the deficiency rate as 12.1%. 58.4% of these women presented simple vitamin B 12 deficiency and 0.9% with simple folate deficiency. Women living in rural areas showed lower levels of both vitamin B 12 and folate than the women from the urban areas. Both the levels of vitamin B 12 and folate increased with age but were significantly lower in women under the age of 25. Among those with or without folate deficiency, the average difference in the levels of vitamin B 12 was 37.62 pg/ml. Quantile regression models showed that the vitamin B 12 levels in women with folate deficiency were significantly lower than those without, despite the different levels of vitamin B 12. This difference appeared increasing along with the increase of the vitamin B 12 levels. Conclusions:Our data showed that both vitamin B 12 and folate were deficient in women awaiting delivery, in Shaanxi. We suggest that vitamin B 12 should also be added into the folic acid supplementation program, together with the reinforcement on health education program to improve the awareness of nutrient supplementation in rural and young women. Hopefully, these strategies could increase the levels of both vitamin B 12 and folate, in the province.