Objective:To explore the correlation and predictive value of the blood urea nitrogen to serum albumin ratio (BAR) in the development of sepsis among patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).Methods:A total of 410 patients diagnosed with ACLF who were admitted to Wuxi Fifth People′s Hospital between January 1st, 2020 and December 31st, 2024 were enrolled in this study. Demographic information, laboratory test indicators, and other clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Participants were stratified into two groups using a 6∶4 allocation ratio, comprising a training set of 246 patients and a validation set of 164 patients, the clinical data of two groups were compared. Logistic regression was employed to evalute the influencing factors of sepsis during hospitalization in ACLF patients. Additionally, the predictive value of different factors for sepsis occurrence was evaluated using receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. DeLong test was used to compare the area under the curve.Results:The comparison of baseline data between the training set and the validation set revealed no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). A total of 197 sepsis cases were observed during the study period. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that both BAR and the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score were independent influencing factors for sepsis development in ACLF patients (odds ratio ( OR)=1.274, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.075 to 1.510, P=0.005; OR=1.142, 95% CI 1.038 to 1.256, P=0.006). In the training set, the area under the curve (AUC) of BAR for predicting sepsis in ACLF patients was 0.802, which was superior to that of the SOFA score (AUC=0.706) ( Z=2.16, P=0.031). The validation set showed the predictive ability of BAR with an AUC of 0.726, which was superior to the SOFA score′s performance (AUC=0.606) ( Z=2.28, P=0.023). Conclusions:BAR could independently predict sepsis development in ACLF patients with significant prognostic value. BAR could be used as a clinically useful biomarker for sepsis risk stratification.

OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the anti-aging effect of β-sitosterol (BS), an important component in the fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq., in C. elegans and its regulatory effect on ETS-5 gene to modulate ferroptosis. METHODS: C. elegans treated with 10 µg/mL BS were monitored for survival time and changes in body length, motility, and reproductive function. The effect of ETS-5 gene knockdown on survival time of C. elegans was observed, and the changes in fat accumulation and lipid redox homeostasis in the transfected C. elegans were assessed using Oil Red O staining and by detecting MDA levels and the GSH/GSSG ratio. The mRNA expression levels of ferroptosis-related genes (FTN-1, GPX-1 and AAT-9) were detected using qPCR. The effects of BS treatment and ETS-5 knockdown on AAT-9 enzyme activity in C. elegans were examined. The effect of BS on nuclear localization of FEV (the human homolog of ETS-5) was validated in cultured human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVECs). RESULTS: Both BS treatment and ETS-5 knockdown significantly prolonged the lifespan, promoted lipid accumulation and reduced lipid peroxidation in C. elegans. ETS-5 knockdown resulted in upregulated expressions of the ferroptosis repressors GPX-1, AAT-9 and FTN-1 and increased the GSH/GSSG ratio in C. elegans. CONCLUSIONS BS inhibits ferroptosis in C. elegans by suppressing the expression of ETS-5 transcription factor and hence the activity of AAT-9 enzyme, a key gene for ferroptosis, which in turn prolongs the lifespan of C. elegans.
Animals ; Caenorhabditis elegans/physiology* ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Alpinia/chemistry* ; Sitosterols/pharmacology* ; Longevity/drug effects* ; Fruit/chemistry* ; Humans

Objective To investigate the characteristics and patterns of electroacupuncture parameters in hypertension mechanism research using data mining technology.Methods Computerized searches were conducted in multiple databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database,VIP Chinese Sci-Tech Journal Database,China Biology Medicine disc(CBM),PubMed,and Web of Science.The search period spanned from the inception of each database to July 2024.Basic research studies on electroacupuncture treatment for hypertension were collected to establish an electroacupuncture parameter database for hypertension.Descriptive statistics and association analysis were performed on the extracted data.Results The initial search yielded 13 977 publications.After screening,112 articles were ultimately included for analysis.The analysis revealed that the top three most frequently used acupoints were Zusanli(ST36),Quchi(LI11),and Taichong(LR3).The most commonly employed stimulation parameters were:continuous wave,2 Hz frequency,1 mA or 2 mA intensity,once daily treatment,30 minutes per session,with a total treatment duration of 28 days or 14 days.Conclusion In hypertension mechanism research,electroacupuncture stimulation parameters are predominantly characterized by low-frequency and low-intensity stimulation,with a treatment duration typically of 28 days.However,these parameter characteristics are primarily applied in mechanistic studies,and their translation to clinical practice requires further investigation.

Objective To elucidate the anti-aging effect of β-sitosterol(BS),an important component in the fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq.,in C.elegans and its regulatory effect on ETS-5 gene to modulate ferroptosis.Methods C.elegans treated with 10 μg/mL BS were monitored for survival time and changes in body length,motility,and reproductive function.The effect of ETS-5 gene knockdown on survival time of C.elegans was observed,and the changes in fat accumulation and lipid redox homeostasis in the transfected C.elegans were assessed using Oil Red O staining and by detecting MDA levels and the GSH/GSSG ratio.The mRNA expression levels of ferroptosis-related genes(FTN-1,GPX-1 and AAT-9)were detected using qPCR.The effects of BS treatment and ETS-5 knockdown on AAT-9 enzyme activity in C.elegans were examined.The effect of BS on nuclear localization of FEV(the human homolog of ETS-5)was validated in cultured human umbilical venous endothelial cells(HUVECs).Results Both BS treatment and ETS-5 knockdown significantly prolonged the lifespan,promoted lipid accumulation and reduced lipid peroxidation in C.elegans.ETS-5 knockdown resulted in upregulated expressions of the ferroptosis repressors GPX-1,AAT-9 and FTN-1 and increased the GSH/GSSG ratio in C.elegans.Conclusion BS inhibits ferroptosis in C.elegans by suppressing the expression of ETS-5 transcription factor and hence the activity of AAT-9 enzyme,a key gene for ferroptosis,which in turn prolongs the lifespan of C.elegans.

Objective:To explore the correlation and predictive value of the blood urea nitrogen to serum albumin ratio (BAR) in the development of sepsis among patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).Methods:A total of 410 patients diagnosed with ACLF who were admitted to Wuxi Fifth People′s Hospital between January 1st, 2020 and December 31st, 2024 were enrolled in this study. Demographic information, laboratory test indicators, and other clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Participants were stratified into two groups using a 6∶4 allocation ratio, comprising a training set of 246 patients and a validation set of 164 patients, the clinical data of two groups were compared. Logistic regression was employed to evalute the influencing factors of sepsis during hospitalization in ACLF patients. Additionally, the predictive value of different factors for sepsis occurrence was evaluated using receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. DeLong test was used to compare the area under the curve.Results:The comparison of baseline data between the training set and the validation set revealed no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). A total of 197 sepsis cases were observed during the study period. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that both BAR and the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score were independent influencing factors for sepsis development in ACLF patients (odds ratio ( OR)=1.274, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.075 to 1.510, P=0.005; OR=1.142, 95% CI 1.038 to 1.256, P=0.006). In the training set, the area under the curve (AUC) of BAR for predicting sepsis in ACLF patients was 0.802, which was superior to that of the SOFA score (AUC=0.706) ( Z=2.16, P=0.031). The validation set showed the predictive ability of BAR with an AUC of 0.726, which was superior to the SOFA score′s performance (AUC=0.606) ( Z=2.28, P=0.023). Conclusions:BAR could independently predict sepsis development in ACLF patients with significant prognostic value. BAR could be used as a clinically useful biomarker for sepsis risk stratification.

Objective:To understand the negative experiences of male master of nursing students during their studies.Methods:In this qualitative study, totally 11 male master of nursing students from China Medical University and Wuhan University were selected by purposive sampling in March 2023 for semi-structured interviews, and the data were analyzed using the KJ method.Results:Four themes were extracted: research pressure, pressure of time and finances, confusion about the future and development, and lack of identification with the nursing profession.Conclusions:Male master of nursing students experience negative emotions during their studies. Nursing educators and administrators should pay attention to the emotional management of male master of nursing students and gradually improve the training methods for nursing graduate students.

Spinal cord injury is a catastrophic injury causing lifelong severe disabilities, and poses a great burden to the individuals, families and society. In order to promote the standardization in treatment of traumatic spinal cord injury, the consensus on the evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of traumatic spinal cord injury was suggested by experts, who came from authoritative multicenter in China. The expert consensus, which formed a standardization process from the first aid clinical treatment to rehabilitation of spinal cord injury, shall give a better practical guide for clinic and rehabilitation physicians.