ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Zuogui Wan （ZGW） in improving ovarian inflammatory microenvironment and stemness of ovarian germline stem cells （OSCs） for treating ovarian aging via the cyclic guanosine monophosphate/adenosine monophosphate synthase （cGAS）/stimulator of interferon genes （STING） signaling pathway. MethodsForty C57BL/6 female mice were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a low-dose ZGW group （2.7 g·kg^-1）， a high-dose ZGW group （5.4 g·kg^-1）， and an estradiol valerate group （0.15 mg·kg^-1）， with 8 mice in each group. Except the blank group， all other groups received a single intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide at 120 mg·kg^-1 to establish an ovarian aging mouse model. After successful modeling， each group was continuously administered for 4 weeks， once daily. The physiological status of the mice was observed， and the ovarian index was calculated. The estrus cycle of the mice was monitored. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe pathological changes in ovarian tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect serum sex hormone levels. Serum inflammatory factors interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and mouse interleukin-6 （IL-6） levels were detected using kits. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of ovarian cGAS， STING， p-STING， TANK-binding kinase 1 （TBK1）， p-TBK1， interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 （Fragilis）， and Vasa homolog protein （MVH）. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors in ovarian tissue. Immunofluorescence double labeling was performed to locate OSCs in ovarian tissues， and fluorescence intensities of OSCs markers MVH and octamer binding transcription factor 4 （Oct4） were calculated. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed reduced body weight， ovarian wet weight， and ovarian index （P<0.01） and a disordered estrus cycle （P<0.01）. In addition， the levels of serum follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β were increased （P<0.01）， while anti-Müllerian hormone （AMH） and estradiol （E₂） levels were decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expression of cGAS， p-STING/STING， and p-TBK1/TBK1 in ovarian tissue was increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while that of OSCs stemness factors MVH and Fragilis was reduced （P<0.01）. Immunofluorescence indicated a reduction in MVH and Oct4 expression in OSCs （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β in ovarian tissue was increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the treatment groups exhibited improved body weight， ovarian wet weight， and ovarian index （P<0.05） and a reduced rate of estrus cycle disorder （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of serum FSH， TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while AMH and E₂ levels were increased （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of cGAS， p-STING/STING， and p-TBK1/TBK1 in ovarian tissue were decreased （P<0.05）， while the protein expression of MVH and Fragilis was increased （P<0.05）， and the fluorescence intensities of MVH and Oct4 were increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of inflammatory factors in ovarian tissue was decreased （P<0.05）. ConclusionZGW alleviate ovarian inflammatory response， regulate ovarian microenvironment homeostasis， and maintain stemness of OSCs in ovarian aging mice probably by modulating the cGAS-STING signaling pathway， thereby improving ovarian function and delaying ovarian aging.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of a zero-profile three-dimensiaonal (3D)-printed microporous titanium alloy Cage and a conventional titanium plate combined with a polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK)-Cage in the treatment of single-segment cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). METHODS: The clinical data of 83 patients with single-segment CSM treated with ACDF between January 2022 and January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into 3D-ZP group (35 cases, using zero-profile 3D-printed microporous titanium alloy Cage) and CP group (48 cases, using titanium plate in combination with PEEK-Cage). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, surgical intervertebral space, and preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, neck disability index (NDI), vertebral height at the fusion segment, Cobb angle, and other baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, complications, interbody fusion, and prosthesis subsidence were recorded and compared between the two groups. VAS score, NDI, and JOA score were used to evaluate the improvement of pain and function before operation, at 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up, and the vertebral height at the fusion segment and Cobb angle were measured by imaging. The degree of dysphagia was assessed by the Bazaz dysphagia scale at 1 week and at last follow-up. RESULTS: The operation was successfully completed in all the 83 patients. There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay between the two groups (P>0.05), but the operation time in the 3D-ZP group was significantly shorter than that in the CP group (P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 24-35 months, with an average of 25.3 months, and there was no significant difference in the follow-up time between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence and grade of dysphagia in CP group were significantly higher than those in 3D-ZP group at 1 week after operation and at last follow-up (P<0.05). There was no dysphagia in 3D-ZP group at last follow-up. There was no complication such as implant breakage or displacement in both groups. The intervertebral fusion rates of 3D-ZP group and CP group were 65.71% (23/35) and 60.42% (29/48) respectively at 3 months after operation, and there was no significant difference between the two groups [OR (95%CI)=1.256 (0.507, 3.109), P=0.622]. The JOA score, VAS score, and NDI significantly improved in the 3D-ZP group at 3 months and at last follow-up when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the improvement rate of JOA between the two groups at last follow-up (P>0.05). At 3 months after operation and at last follow-up, the vertebral height at the fusion segment and Cobb angle significantly improved in both groups, and the two indexes in 3D-ZP group were significantly better than those in CP group (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the incidence of prosthesis subsidence in 3D-ZP group (8.57%) was significantly lower than that in CP group (29.16%) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The application of zero-profile 3D-printed Cage and titanium plate combined with PEEK-Cage in single-segment ACDF can both reconstruct the stability of cervical spine and achieve good effectiveness. Compared with the latter, the application of the former in ACDF can shorten the operation time, reduce the incidence of prosthesis subsidence, and reduce the incidence of dysphagia.
Humans ; Spinal Fusion/instrumentation* ; Titanium ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Diskectomy/instrumentation* ; Bone Plates ; Male ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Benzophenones ; Adult ; Spondylosis/surgery* ; Aged ; Polymers ; Ketones ; Polyethylene Glycols

ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic mechanism of Buchong Tiaojing prescription for rats with diminished ovarian reserve （DOR） from the perspectives of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain （NOD）-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome and ferroptosis. MethodsA total of 48 female SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group， a model group， low， medium， and high dose groups of Buchong Tiaojing prescription， and an MCC950 group， with eight rats in each group. Except the normal group， all the other groups were injected subcutaneously on the back of the neck with D-galactose to prepare the DOR rat model. From the 15th day of modeling， the rats in the low， medium， and high dose groups of Buchong Tiaojing prescription were subjected to gavage daily at doses of 14.4， 28.8， 57.6 g·kg^-1， respectively. Rats in the MCC950 group were injected intraperitoneally with MCC950 at a dose of 10 mg·kg^-1， once every other day. The interventions of all the groups lasted for 4 weeks. The estrous cycle of the rats was observed with vaginal exfoliated cell smear. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to observe the development of follicles and corpus luteum in the ovary. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to detect the levels of serum sex hormones and interleukin-1β （IL-1β）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot assay were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome， acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 （ACSL4）， transferrin receptor 1 （TFR1）， and glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， and oxidative stress kits were used to detect ovarian superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） levels. ResultsDuring the experiment， one rat died in the high dose group of Buchong Tiaojing prescription， and a total of 47 rats were finally included in the index tests and statistics. Compared with those in the normal group， rats in the model group had significantly disturbed estrous cycles， increased number of atretic follicles， and significant disorder of serum sex hormones. The mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome， ACSL4， and TFR1 in ovarian tissue was up-regulated （P<0.01）， while that of GPX4 was significantly down-regulated （P<0.01）. The SOD content in the ovary was decreased significantly， while the MDA level was increased （P<0.01）. After drug intervention， the estrous cycle of rats was basically resumed， and the follicles at all levels were more structurally intact and significantly increased in number. Additionally， the levels of serum sex hormones and IL-1β were significantly improved. The mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome， ACSL4， and TFR1 were down-regulated， while that of GPX4 was significantly up-regulated， and the ovarian oxidative stress was alleviated （P<0.05， P<0.01）， especially in the high dose group of Buchong Tiaojing prescription and the MCC950 group. ConclusionInflammatory injury and ferroptosis occur in the ovaries of DOR rats， and the Buchong Tiaojing prescription is able to inhibit ovarian NLRP3 inflammasome， alleviate the degree of ovarian ferroptosis， and improve ovarian reserve.

Objective To develop a quality of life(QoL)scale for Premature Ovarian Insufficiency(POI)with high reliability and validity in accordance with China's national conditions.Methods The theoretical framework of the scale was constructed under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine theory with reference to the development method of the QoL scale.Literature analysis method,medical record review method,patient interview method,Delphi expert consultation method and clinical investigation were used to establish,improve and screen the scale items to form the final scale,and the characteristics and differentiation in terms of reliability and validity and feasibility of the final scale were evaluated.Results After screening the entries by the Delphi method and clinical surveys,the Chinese Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Quality of Life Scale was formed,which included three domains of physiology,psychology,and society,and eleven aspects such as menstruation,fertility,and physical symptoms,with 30 entries and two overall evaluations.The Cronbach's coefficient of this scale was 0.910,the fold-half coefficient was 0.956,and the re-test correlation coefficient was 0.868,which showed good internal consistency,fold-half and re-test reliabilities;the scale extracted 9 factors with characteristic root>1,and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 71.063%,the comparative fit index was 0.959,and the goodness-of-fit index was 0.919,and the degree of correlation was tested has showed that the content validity,structural validity and calibration correlation validity were good;the difference in the total scores of the scale between patients with POI and the healthy population was statistically significant,and the scale had a good degree of differentiation.Conclusion As confirmed by this study,the Chinese Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Quality of Life Scale has good reliability,validity,differentiation and feasibility,and can be used as a tool for evaluating the quality of life of POI patients in China as well as enriching the efficacy evaluation system of TCM in treating POI,and it is suitable for clinical popularization and application.

Objective To explore the application efficacy of refined management on antimicrobial agents in a chest specialty hospital.Methods Multiple measures were implemented through perfecting management systems and processes,as well as conducting knowledge training,such as multi-dimensional specialized prescription reviewing,optimizing information systems,and implementing grid-based management of clinical pharmacist.A refined manage-ment mode for antimicrobial agents in a chest specialty hospital has been established.Antimicrobial management in-dicators for the whole hospital and each clinical specialty in 2023(before management)and 2024(after manage-ment)were analyzed.Results Compared with 2023,antimicrobial use rate among hospitalized patients in 2024 de-creased from 47.48％to 45.92％,and antimicrobial use density(AUD)decreased from 46.28 defined daily doses(DDDs)/(100 person·day)to 39.73 DDDs/(100 person·day).The ratio of antimicrobial cost to total drug cost decreased from 12.71％to 9.51％,and the per capita cost of antimicrobial use decreased from 1 344.18 Yuan to 975.52 Yuan.The use rate of prophylactic antimicrobial agents for class Ⅰ incision surgery increased from 84.48％to 89.52％,and the rationality rate increased from 69.25％to 94.53％.The management indicators of each clinical specialty improved significantly.Conclusion Through adopting a series of refined management measures,antimi-crobial management modes that are suitable for the actual situation of the hospital has been constructed,and obvious efficacy was achieved.Clinical application of antimicrobial agents is more standardized and rational.

Objective To develop a quality of life(QoL)scale for Premature Ovarian Insufficiency(POI)with high reliability and validity in accordance with China's national conditions.Methods The theoretical framework of the scale was constructed under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine theory with reference to the development method of the QoL scale.Literature analysis method,medical record review method,patient interview method,Delphi expert consultation method and clinical investigation were used to establish,improve and screen the scale items to form the final scale,and the characteristics and differentiation in terms of reliability and validity and feasibility of the final scale were evaluated.Results After screening the entries by the Delphi method and clinical surveys,the Chinese Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Quality of Life Scale was formed,which included three domains of physiology,psychology,and society,and eleven aspects such as menstruation,fertility,and physical symptoms,with 30 entries and two overall evaluations.The Cronbach's coefficient of this scale was 0.910,the fold-half coefficient was 0.956,and the re-test correlation coefficient was 0.868,which showed good internal consistency,fold-half and re-test reliabilities;the scale extracted 9 factors with characteristic root>1,and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 71.063%,the comparative fit index was 0.959,and the goodness-of-fit index was 0.919,and the degree of correlation was tested has showed that the content validity,structural validity and calibration correlation validity were good;the difference in the total scores of the scale between patients with POI and the healthy population was statistically significant,and the scale had a good degree of differentiation.Conclusion As confirmed by this study,the Chinese Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Quality of Life Scale has good reliability,validity,differentiation and feasibility,and can be used as a tool for evaluating the quality of life of POI patients in China as well as enriching the efficacy evaluation system of TCM in treating POI,and it is suitable for clinical popularization and application.

Objective To explore the application efficacy of refined management on antimicrobial agents in a chest specialty hospital.Methods Multiple measures were implemented through perfecting management systems and processes,as well as conducting knowledge training,such as multi-dimensional specialized prescription reviewing,optimizing information systems,and implementing grid-based management of clinical pharmacist.A refined manage-ment mode for antimicrobial agents in a chest specialty hospital has been established.Antimicrobial management in-dicators for the whole hospital and each clinical specialty in 2023(before management)and 2024(after manage-ment)were analyzed.Results Compared with 2023,antimicrobial use rate among hospitalized patients in 2024 de-creased from 47.48％to 45.92％,and antimicrobial use density(AUD)decreased from 46.28 defined daily doses(DDDs)/(100 person·day)to 39.73 DDDs/(100 person·day).The ratio of antimicrobial cost to total drug cost decreased from 12.71％to 9.51％,and the per capita cost of antimicrobial use decreased from 1 344.18 Yuan to 975.52 Yuan.The use rate of prophylactic antimicrobial agents for class Ⅰ incision surgery increased from 84.48％to 89.52％,and the rationality rate increased from 69.25％to 94.53％.The management indicators of each clinical specialty improved significantly.Conclusion Through adopting a series of refined management measures,antimi-crobial management modes that are suitable for the actual situation of the hospital has been constructed,and obvious efficacy was achieved.Clinical application of antimicrobial agents is more standardized and rational.

Objective To investigate the effect of probiotics in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and its impact on intestinal microecology. Methods A total of 112 patients with CHF were selected as research subjects and randomly divided into study group and control group, with 56 patients in each group. The control group received angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) combined with angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB) for treatment, while the study group received bifidobacterium viable capsules on the basis of treatment in the control group. The levels of myocardial fibrosis markers[type Ⅰ collagen precursor C-propeptide (PⅠCP), type Ⅲ collagen precursor N-propeptide (PⅢNP), PⅠCP/PⅢNP, type Ⅰ collagen carboxyl-terminal peptide (ⅠCTP)], cardiac function indicators[leftventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV)], intestinal flora abundance, plasma trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) levels, and serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) levels were measured in both groups. The therapeutic effects, drug safety, re-hospitalization rate, and mortality rate within 3 months after discharge were observed in both groups. Results The total effective rate in the study group was 71.43 %, which was higher than 51.79 % in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the LVEF in the study group was higher than that in the control group, while LVEDD, LVESD, and LVESV were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the PⅠCP/PⅢNP in the study group was higher than that in the control group, while the ⅠCTP level was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the abundances of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Fusobacteria in the study group were lower than those in the control group, while the abundance of Bacteroidetes was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of TMAO, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the study group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). No serious adverse reactions occurred in either group after treatment. Within 3 months after discharge, the re-hospitalization rate in the study group was 12.50 %, which was lower than 30.36 %in the control group (P < 0.05). The mortality rates in the study group and the control group were 1.79 % and 7.14 %, respectively, but no statistically significant difference was observed(P>0.05). Conclusion The combination of probiotics with ACEI and ARB can effectively reduce myocardial fibrosis in patients with CHF and improve intestinal microecology and prognosis.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility,reliability and validity of the symptom identification scale for kidney yang deficiency syndrome.Methods The symptom identification scale for kidney yang deficiency syndrome developed in previous research was administered to 200 vascular cognitive impairment patients from September 2020 to September 2022 to assess feasibility through recall rate,completion rate,and completion time;reliability was measured using retest reliability,split-half reliability,homogeneity reliability,and inter-rater reliability;and validity was evaluated based on discriminant and structural validity.Results A total of 200 scales were sent out,and all of them cooperated and were completed and retrieved within 20 min.The results of reliability analysis showed that the retest reliability of the scale was 0.828 for the dimension of yang deficiency and 0.718 for the dimension of kidney qi deficiency;the Spearman-Brown coefficient of split-half reliability was 0.784;the Cronbach coefficient of the dimension of yang deficiency was 0.799,and the Cronbach coefficient of the dimension of kidney qi deficiency in the homogeneity reliability was 0.670.The results of the analysis showed that the differences between the kidney yang deficiency syndrome group and the non-kidney yang deficiency syndrome group in the yang deficiency dimension,kidney qi deficiency dimension scores and total scale scores in the discriminant validity were statistically significant(P<0.001);the KMO value in the structural validity was 0.842,and a total of two factors with eigenvalues greater than 1 were extracted,with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 58.227%.Conclusion The symptom identification scale for kidney yang deficiency syndrome demonstrates adequate reliability and validity,potentially enhancing the prediction of kidney yang deficiency in vascular cognitive impairment.However,the validity of the scale is somewhat limited and requires further refinement for clinical application.

Objective:To construct a fall risk prediction model for patients with hematologic malignancies and to provide a reference for the risk assessment and accurate management of falls.Methods:The prospective study design was adopted to facilitate the selection of 510 patients with hematologic malignant in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University for investigation, and relevant data such as patient demographic characteristics, disease treatment and drugs were collected. The LASSO-Logistic regression was used to screen the risk factors of falls in patients with hematologic malignancies, to construct a nomogram risk prediction model. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and calibration curve were used to evaluate the predictive performance of the model. Bootstrap resampling were used to validate internal validation of the model.Results:Among 510 patients with hematological malignancies, there were 273 males and 237 females, aged 53.0 (41.0, 63.0) years old. A total of 6 risk factors were included in the fall risk prediction model for patients with hematological malignancies, which were disease type ( OR = 0.185, 95% CI 0.061 - 0.562), body temperature ≥38 ℃ ( OR = 2.239, 95% CI 1.128 - 4.445), pain ( OR = 15.581, 95% CI 6.592 - 36.829), anemia ( OR = 4.097, 95% CI 1.536 - 10.927), days of bone marrow suppression ( OR = 3.341, 95% CI 1.619 - 6.893), and assessment of daily self-care ability ( OR = 3.160, 95% CI 1.051 - 9.506)(all P<0.05). The ROC curve of the fall risk prediction model was 0.884 (95% CI 0.841-0.927). The optimal threshold, sensitivity, and specificity of the risk prediction model were 0.248, 87.4% and 75.6%. The internal validation C statistic was 0.873. The Calibration curve was almost coincides with the ideal curve, and the model Brier score was 0.080. Conclusions:The constructed fall risk prediction model has good predictive performance, which can efficiently and objectively quantify the risk of falls, and provide a reference for the early assessment and effective prevention of falls in patients with hematological malignancies.