BACKGROUND:It is urgent to improve the study on the molecular mechanism of Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction improving oocyte quality in polycystic ovary syndrome.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction on oocyte quality in a mouse model of polycystic ovary syndrome and to explore the underlying mechanisms of its intervention in polycystic ovary syndrome.METHODS:Subcutaneous injection of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate was used to establish the polycystic ovary syndrome model in 21-day-old female Kunming mice,and the treatment was conducted for 21 consecutive days.The estrous cycle and pregnancy was recorded.ELISA was used to detect serum sex hormone levels.The rate of apoptosis in oocytes was detected using Annexin V staining.The level of reactive oxygen species in oocytes was detected using dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate.The condition of spindle bodies and chromosomes in oocytes were detected using the immunofluorescence method.Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to verify the binding properties of Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction core active components and oocyte maturation-related factors(growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15).Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15 in oocytes,respectively.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction core active components(quercetin,kaempferol,and β-sitosterol)showed good binding activities with growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15.(2)Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction ameliorated the estrous cycle,regulated serum hormone,increased the pregnancy,decreased the rate of apoptosis,declined the level of reactive oxygen species,diminished the rate of abnormal spindle assembly and chromosome loss(P<0.01,P<0.05);and promoted the mRNA and protein expression of growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15(P<0.05).Therefore,Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction may improve the oocyte quality and increase the fertility of polycystic ovary syndrome mice by regulating the gene expression of growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and clinical effect of arthroscopic limited excision of flexor hallucis longus(FHL) tendon sheath combined with open technique of posterior ankle joint capsule for hallucal ganglion cyst(HGC) deriving from the ankle joint.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. From September 2021 to September 2023, the clinical data of 18 patients (18 feet) with HGC deriving from ankle joint treated by arthroscopic limited excision of FHL tendon sheath combined with posterior ankle capsule opening technique at Department of Orthopedic, Xuzhou Central Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. There were 12 males and 6 females. The age was (49.5±10.7) years (range:32 to 66 years). There were 10 cases on the right side and 8 cases on the left side; 11 cases in fibular, 3 cases in plantar, 2 cases in tibial and 2 cases in tip. There were 8 cases of primary operation and 12 cases of recurrence after resection in other hospital. There were 10 cases with complete skin and soft tissue and 8 cases with ulcer.All patients underwent arthroscopic limited excision of FHL tendon sheath combined with open technique of posterior ankle joint capsule.Clinical evaluations included the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score(AOFAS-AH), visual analog scale (VAS). The data were compared by paired sample t test and Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results:All cases successfully completed the operation. The operation time was (46.3±8.1) minutes (range:35 to 65 minutes), and the intraoperative blood loss was (6.8±3.1)ml (range:2 to 15 ml). All patients primarily healing without any complications such as infection and skin necrosis. All 18 patients were followed up for (16.3±2.9) months (range:12 to 20 months),and no recurrence. One patient complained of numbness of tibial nerve innervation, and the symptoms disappeared after 3 months of symptomatic treatment with oral mecobalamin. At the last follow-up, the AOFAS-AH significantly improved from 78.9±7.1 (range:65 to 90) preoperatively to 95.8±3.3 (range:89 to 100) postoperatively ( t=9.62, P<0.01). The VAS ( M(IQR)) was reduced from 3(4) preoperatively to 0(1) postoperatively ( Z=-3.75, P<0.01). Conclusions:Arthroscopic limited excision of FHL tendon sheath combined with open technique of posterior ankle joint capsule is an effective and feasible surgery, which realizes accurate and minimally invasive treatment process and good short-term clinical effect.

Objective To explore the facilitators and barriers of palliative care volunteering,and to provide references for further advancement of palliative care volunteering.Methods Purposeful sampling was used to select 12 volunteers from a palliative care ward in Hangzhou,Zhejiang Province,between April and September 2024.Semi-structured interviews were conducted,and directed content analysis was applied to organize and analyze the data,followed by theme analysis.Results Facilitators and barriers for volunteers' participation in palliative care volunteering were extracted.The 5 sub-themes of facilitators include motivating factors and perceived benefits,support and collaboration among volunteers,professional training and healthcare recognition,increased social awareness and public acceptance,and government support and institutional safeguards.The 5 sub-themes of barriers include limitations in individual capacity,challenges in collaboration with patients,families and healthcare workers,inadequate management and service mechanisms,uneven development of palliative care and insufficient public attention to psychological problems,and inadequate relevant laws and incentives.Conclusion There are more factors affecting the development of palliative care volunteering,and healthcare professionals should adopt targeted strategies to promote the active participation of volunteers in order to promote the sustainable development of palliative care volunteering.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the unmet needs and challenges of caregivers of cancer patients at home and clarify their unmet needs.Methods:A computerized search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, Scopus, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP, and China Biology Medicine disc for qualitative studies on the unmet needs and challenges of caregivers of cancer patients in the home environment. The search time limit was from the establishment of the databases to April 30, 2024. The Joanna Briggs Institute Centre for Evidence-Based Healthcare's quality assessment criteria for qualitative research were used to evaluate the quality of the literatures, and the aggregative integration method was used to summarize and integrate the research results.Results:A total of 17 articles were finally included, which were summarized into eight new categories. Further synthesis yielded three integrated results: caregivers in the home environment face multi-dimensional unmet needs and challenges related to patients; caregivers in the home environment face challenges and unmet needs in self-care; caregivers in the home environment are hesitant to obtain external support, and continuity and sustainability are hindered.Conclusions:Medical staff should accurately assess the unmet needs of caregivers of cancer patients at home, pay attention to their negative experiences, promote positive coping, optimize the patient-and family-centered cancer care model, and strengthen social support.

Objective To explore the facilitators and barriers of palliative care volunteering,and to provide references for further advancement of palliative care volunteering.Methods Purposeful sampling was used to select 12 volunteers from a palliative care ward in Hangzhou,Zhejiang Province,between April and September 2024.Semi-structured interviews were conducted,and directed content analysis was applied to organize and analyze the data,followed by theme analysis.Results Facilitators and barriers for volunteers' participation in palliative care volunteering were extracted.The 5 sub-themes of facilitators include motivating factors and perceived benefits,support and collaboration among volunteers,professional training and healthcare recognition,increased social awareness and public acceptance,and government support and institutional safeguards.The 5 sub-themes of barriers include limitations in individual capacity,challenges in collaboration with patients,families and healthcare workers,inadequate management and service mechanisms,uneven development of palliative care and insufficient public attention to psychological problems,and inadequate relevant laws and incentives.Conclusion There are more factors affecting the development of palliative care volunteering,and healthcare professionals should adopt targeted strategies to promote the active participation of volunteers in order to promote the sustainable development of palliative care volunteering.

BACKGROUND:It is urgent to improve the study on the molecular mechanism of Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction improving oocyte quality in polycystic ovary syndrome.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction on oocyte quality in a mouse model of polycystic ovary syndrome and to explore the underlying mechanisms of its intervention in polycystic ovary syndrome.METHODS:Subcutaneous injection of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate was used to establish the polycystic ovary syndrome model in 21-day-old female Kunming mice,and the treatment was conducted for 21 consecutive days.The estrous cycle and pregnancy was recorded.ELISA was used to detect serum sex hormone levels.The rate of apoptosis in oocytes was detected using Annexin V staining.The level of reactive oxygen species in oocytes was detected using dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate.The condition of spindle bodies and chromosomes in oocytes were detected using the immunofluorescence method.Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to verify the binding properties of Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction core active components and oocyte maturation-related factors(growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15).Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15 in oocytes,respectively.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction core active components(quercetin,kaempferol,and β-sitosterol)showed good binding activities with growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15.(2)Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction ameliorated the estrous cycle,regulated serum hormone,increased the pregnancy,decreased the rate of apoptosis,declined the level of reactive oxygen species,diminished the rate of abnormal spindle assembly and chromosome loss(P<0.01,P<0.05);and promoted the mRNA and protein expression of growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15(P<0.05).Therefore,Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction may improve the oocyte quality and increase the fertility of polycystic ovary syndrome mice by regulating the gene expression of growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the unmet needs and challenges of caregivers of cancer patients at home and clarify their unmet needs.Methods:A computerized search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, Scopus, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP, and China Biology Medicine disc for qualitative studies on the unmet needs and challenges of caregivers of cancer patients in the home environment. The search time limit was from the establishment of the databases to April 30, 2024. The Joanna Briggs Institute Centre for Evidence-Based Healthcare's quality assessment criteria for qualitative research were used to evaluate the quality of the literatures, and the aggregative integration method was used to summarize and integrate the research results.Results:A total of 17 articles were finally included, which were summarized into eight new categories. Further synthesis yielded three integrated results: caregivers in the home environment face multi-dimensional unmet needs and challenges related to patients; caregivers in the home environment face challenges and unmet needs in self-care; caregivers in the home environment are hesitant to obtain external support, and continuity and sustainability are hindered.Conclusions:Medical staff should accurately assess the unmet needs of caregivers of cancer patients at home, pay attention to their negative experiences, promote positive coping, optimize the patient-and family-centered cancer care model, and strengthen social support.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and clinical effect of arthroscopic limited excision of flexor hallucis longus(FHL) tendon sheath combined with open technique of posterior ankle joint capsule for hallucal ganglion cyst(HGC) deriving from the ankle joint.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. From September 2021 to September 2023, the clinical data of 18 patients (18 feet) with HGC deriving from ankle joint treated by arthroscopic limited excision of FHL tendon sheath combined with posterior ankle capsule opening technique at Department of Orthopedic, Xuzhou Central Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. There were 12 males and 6 females. The age was (49.5±10.7) years (range:32 to 66 years). There were 10 cases on the right side and 8 cases on the left side; 11 cases in fibular, 3 cases in plantar, 2 cases in tibial and 2 cases in tip. There were 8 cases of primary operation and 12 cases of recurrence after resection in other hospital. There were 10 cases with complete skin and soft tissue and 8 cases with ulcer.All patients underwent arthroscopic limited excision of FHL tendon sheath combined with open technique of posterior ankle joint capsule.Clinical evaluations included the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score(AOFAS-AH), visual analog scale (VAS). The data were compared by paired sample t test and Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results:All cases successfully completed the operation. The operation time was (46.3±8.1) minutes (range:35 to 65 minutes), and the intraoperative blood loss was (6.8±3.1)ml (range:2 to 15 ml). All patients primarily healing without any complications such as infection and skin necrosis. All 18 patients were followed up for (16.3±2.9) months (range:12 to 20 months),and no recurrence. One patient complained of numbness of tibial nerve innervation, and the symptoms disappeared after 3 months of symptomatic treatment with oral mecobalamin. At the last follow-up, the AOFAS-AH significantly improved from 78.9±7.1 (range:65 to 90) preoperatively to 95.8±3.3 (range:89 to 100) postoperatively ( t=9.62, P<0.01). The VAS ( M(IQR)) was reduced from 3(4) preoperatively to 0(1) postoperatively ( Z=-3.75, P<0.01). Conclusions:Arthroscopic limited excision of FHL tendon sheath combined with open technique of posterior ankle joint capsule is an effective and feasible surgery, which realizes accurate and minimally invasive treatment process and good short-term clinical effect.

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 explore the genetic basis of a child with mental retardation and developmental delay.Methods:A child who had attended the genetic clinic of Linyi People′s Hospital from October 2023 to April 2024 was selected as the study subject. Intelligence and development were assessed with simplified Peabody scale. Electroencephalogram and imaging data were collected. Peripheral blood samples of the child and her parents were collected for the screening of genetic metabolic diseases, chromosomal karyotyping, and trio-whole genome sequencing (trio-WGS) analysis. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing, and RNAseq was carried out to verify the alternative splicing due to the candidate variant. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Linyi People′s Hospital (No. YX200083).Results:The patient was an 8-year-and-11-month-old girl. Both of her parents had normal phenotypes. The child was assessed by the simplified Peabody scale as having intellectual disability and developmental delay. MRI showed no definite abnormal signals within the brain parenchyma, and electroencephalogram was normal. Screening of genetic metabolic diseases showed no obvious abnormality. Chromosomal karyotype was normal. Trio-WGS has detected a c. 697+ 1G>A variant in the intron 4 of the NFIX gene, along with 9 other variants within eight genes. The c. 697+ 1G>A variant may cause abnormal splicing of the NFIX gene transcript. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the c. 697+ 1G>A variant was predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+ PS2+ PM2_Supporting), while the evidence for pathogenicity of the other 9 variants was insufficient. Conclusion:The novel de novo c. 697+ 1G>A variant of the NFIX gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of the child, which may have caused the disease by leading to abnormal splicing.