OBJECTIVE To explore the ameliorative effect of Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture on atherosclerosis and the potential role of long non-coding RNA(Linc RNA)in anti-atherosclerosis.METHODS A model of atherosclerosis was established in SD rats subjec-ted to a high-fat diet.At 4 weeks post-modeling,thoracic aortic tissues from atherosclerotic rats were collected for hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining to systematically evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic effects of Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture at different doses.Biochemical kits were utilized to assess relevant indices related to blood lipid levels as well as liver and kidney function,thereby evaluating the impact of Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture on these parameters.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to measure serum inflam-mation markers influenced by Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture.Additionally,TUNEL staining and Western blot analysis were conducted to ex-amine the apoptotic effects of Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture on thoracic aorta tissue.Finally,qPCR was used to detect the expression levels of Line-HC,MALAT1,etc.,in order to evaluate how Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture affecting these specific RNA molecules.RESULTS Following treatment with Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture,the blood lipid profiles indicated that total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were significantly down-regulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),while high-density lipopro-tein cholesterol(HDL-C)levels were up-regulated in the atherosclerotic rats.Moreover,serum levels of liver and kidney function markers such as aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),and creatinine(Cr)exhibited down-regulation(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Additionally,pro-inflammatory factors including interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-1 beta(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),and matrix metallopeptidase 9(MMP-9)were also reduced(P＜0.01),whereas the anti-inflammatory factor interleukin-10(IL-10)was found to be elevated(P＜0.01).Furthermore,after oral administration of Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture,expression levels of apoptosis-related factors NLRP3,ASC,Cleaved Caspase-1,Cleaved IL-1 β,Puma,Bax,Noxa,and MDM2 in thoracic aorta tissues from the atherosclerotic rats showed sig-nificant down-regulation(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Notably,following treatment with Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture,mRNA levels of Linc-HC decreased while mRNA expression of MALAT1 increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture may inhibit the expression of Linc-HC and up-regulate the expression of MALAT1 to reduce the formation of atherosclerotic plaque,improve ab-normal blood lipids and liver and kidney function,alleviate inflammation and inhibit apoptosis.

Objective:To investigate the incidence and disease spectrum characteristics of complications of vaginal delivery,and to provide a basis for protecting maternal and child safety and improving obstetric medical quality.Method:Retrospective analysis of obstetric case data from a tertiary hospital in Anhui Province from 2022 to 2024 was performed to identify cases of vaginal delivery complications using International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision codes.Results:A total of 2 644 vaginal deliveries were included,with a decreasing trend in complication rate from 40.9%in 2022 to 17.6%in 2024.Among them,obstetric laceration and postpartum hemorrhage were the main types of complications,with the incidence of obstetric laceration decreasing from 32.2%to 13.8%,and postpartum hemorrhage decreasing from 7.6%to 2.9%,and the changes in both were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Among obstetric lacerations,there were significant differences in the incidence of second-degree perineal lacerations and unspecified perineal lacerations across the years(P＜0.05).Conclusions:Although the incidence of complications in vaginal delivery has decreased,it still needs attention.This study proposes to strengthen the comprehensive prevention and control measures for obstetric lacerations,establish a full-chain management mechanism for postpartum hemorrhage,and implement a data-driven quality improvement strategy in obstetrics further to enhance the quality of obstetric medical care.

OBJECTIVE To explore the ameliorative effect of Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture on atherosclerosis and the potential role of long non-coding RNA(Linc RNA)in anti-atherosclerosis.METHODS A model of atherosclerosis was established in SD rats subjec-ted to a high-fat diet.At 4 weeks post-modeling,thoracic aortic tissues from atherosclerotic rats were collected for hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining to systematically evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic effects of Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture at different doses.Biochemical kits were utilized to assess relevant indices related to blood lipid levels as well as liver and kidney function,thereby evaluating the impact of Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture on these parameters.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to measure serum inflam-mation markers influenced by Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture.Additionally,TUNEL staining and Western blot analysis were conducted to ex-amine the apoptotic effects of Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture on thoracic aorta tissue.Finally,qPCR was used to detect the expression levels of Line-HC,MALAT1,etc.,in order to evaluate how Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture affecting these specific RNA molecules.RESULTS Following treatment with Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture,the blood lipid profiles indicated that total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were significantly down-regulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),while high-density lipopro-tein cholesterol(HDL-C)levels were up-regulated in the atherosclerotic rats.Moreover,serum levels of liver and kidney function markers such as aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),and creatinine(Cr)exhibited down-regulation(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Additionally,pro-inflammatory factors including interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-1 beta(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),and matrix metallopeptidase 9(MMP-9)were also reduced(P＜0.01),whereas the anti-inflammatory factor interleukin-10(IL-10)was found to be elevated(P＜0.01).Furthermore,after oral administration of Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture,expression levels of apoptosis-related factors NLRP3,ASC,Cleaved Caspase-1,Cleaved IL-1 β,Puma,Bax,Noxa,and MDM2 in thoracic aorta tissues from the atherosclerotic rats showed sig-nificant down-regulation(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Notably,following treatment with Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture,mRNA levels of Linc-HC decreased while mRNA expression of MALAT1 increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Tiaozhi Xiaoban Mixture may inhibit the expression of Linc-HC and up-regulate the expression of MALAT1 to reduce the formation of atherosclerotic plaque,improve ab-normal blood lipids and liver and kidney function,alleviate inflammation and inhibit apoptosis.

Objective:To investigate the incidence and disease spectrum characteristics of complications of vaginal delivery,and to provide a basis for protecting maternal and child safety and improving obstetric medical quality.Method:Retrospective analysis of obstetric case data from a tertiary hospital in Anhui Province from 2022 to 2024 was performed to identify cases of vaginal delivery complications using International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision codes.Results:A total of 2 644 vaginal deliveries were included,with a decreasing trend in complication rate from 40.9%in 2022 to 17.6%in 2024.Among them,obstetric laceration and postpartum hemorrhage were the main types of complications,with the incidence of obstetric laceration decreasing from 32.2%to 13.8%,and postpartum hemorrhage decreasing from 7.6%to 2.9%,and the changes in both were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Among obstetric lacerations,there were significant differences in the incidence of second-degree perineal lacerations and unspecified perineal lacerations across the years(P＜0.05).Conclusions:Although the incidence of complications in vaginal delivery has decreased,it still needs attention.This study proposes to strengthen the comprehensive prevention and control measures for obstetric lacerations,establish a full-chain management mechanism for postpartum hemorrhage,and implement a data-driven quality improvement strategy in obstetrics further to enhance the quality of obstetric medical care.

In recent years, the detection rate and incidence of thyroid diseases are on the rise. Thyroid nodule (TN) is a common thyroid disease that can be divided into benign nodules and malignant nodules. Genetic factors, physiqu, inflammation, and other factors can all lead to TN. In this article, the factors affecting the occurrence and development of TN were analyzed and summarized to provide a basis for scientific prevention and treatment of TN, clinical research, and patient health guidance.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of Tanzhuo Decoction in the treatment of early diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its effect on cystatin C (Cys-C), C-reactive protein (CRP), urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER), and creatinine clearance rate (CCr). Methods:Eighty patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by early diabetic nephropathy who received treatment at Maanshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from 2019 to 2021 were included in this randomized controlled study. They were divided into a control group ( n = 40) and a treatment group ( n = 40) using the random number table method. Patients in the control group received conventional therapy including blood glucose and blood pressure control, while those in the treatment group received Tangzhuo Decoction in addition to the same treatment as that given to the control group. Both groups of patients were treated for 30 days. The clinical efficacy as well as pre- and post-treatment Cys-C, CRP, UAER, and CCr were compared between the two groups. Results:The total response rate in the treatment group was 92.5% (37/40), which was significantly higher than 75.0% (30/40) in the control group ( χ2 = 4.50, P < 0.05). After treatment, Cys-C, CRP, and UAER in the treatment group were (2.04 ± 0.08) mg/L, (3.97 ± 1.71) mg/L, and (91.18 ± 18.68) μg/min, respectively, which were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment ( t = 12.14, 5.59, 4.73, all P < 0.05). After treatment, CCr in the treatment group was (56.3 ± 5.01) mL/min, which was significantly increased compared with that before treatment ( t = -8.56, P < 0.05). After treatment, Cys-C, CRP, and UAER in the control group were (2.17 ± 0.04) mg/L, (4.66 ± 1.47) mg/L, and (103.93 ± 22.62) μg/min, respectively, which were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment ( t = 4.05, 5.00, 2.24, all P < 0.05). After treatment, CCr in the control group was (45.9 ± 4.9) mL/min, which was significantly increased compared with that before treatment ( t = -3.98, P < 0.05). There were significant differences in Cys-C, UAER, and CCr between the treatment and control groups ( t = -7.42, -2.29, 7.82, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Tanzhuo Decoction for the treatment of early diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus has a definite effect. It can effectively reduce levels of Cys-C and UAER, reduce inflammatory reactions, improve kidney function, and delay the progression of kidney injury.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of adductor 3(ADD3)and matrix metalloprotein-ase 14(MMP14)in peripheral blood of patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction(STE-MI)for acute heart failure(AHF).Methods A total of 98 STEMI patients admitted to the inpatient depart-ment of the Department of Cardiology of the hospital from November 2019 to October 2022 were selected as the STEMI group.STEMI patients were divided into AHF group(30 cases)and non AHF group(68 cases)according to whether AHF occurred within 48 hours of onset,and 63 healthy volunteers who urderwent the physical examination in the hospital were selected as control group.The levels of ADD3 and MMP14 in pe-ripheral blood was detected,and their relationship with AHF in STEMI patients and the value in predicting AHF were analyzed.Results The level of ADD3 in peripheral blood in STEMI group was lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05),and MMP14 level was higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).The level of ADD3 in peripheral blood in AHF group was lower than that in non AHF group(P＜0.05),and the level of MMP14 was higher than that in non AHF group(P＜0.05).The level of ADD3 in peripheral blood of STEMI patients was negatively correlated with cardiac troponin Ⅰ(cTnI),creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB),brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),and Killip grading(P＜0.05),and the level of MMP14 was positively correlated with cTnI,CK-MB,BNP,and Killip grading(P＜0.05).Killip grade Ⅳ,high BNP level and high MMP14 level were risk factors for complications of AHF in STEMI patients(P＜0.05),and high ADD3 level was a protective factor(P＜0.05).The area under the curve of the combination of ADD3,MMP14 and BNP for predicting AHF in STEMI patients was 0.890,which was greater than 0.704,0.702,0.750 of individual indicators alone(P＜0.05).Conclusion ADD3 level in peripheral blood of STEMI patients is decreased and MMP14 level is increased,which is associated with complication of AHF.ADD3 and MMP14 are expected to be biological indicators of AHF in STEMI patients.

Objective:To develop a perinatal depression screening scale for Chinese urban version and test its reliability and validity.Methods:Naturally conceived women who were≥12 weeks of gestation and had regular prenatal examinations or delivered within four weeks in Xi'an and Foshan were recruited using convenience sampling. Initial entries were created through clinical interviews and expert validation of 50 of these pregnancies. Further item screening and testing for reliability and validity using correlation analysis, critical ratio method, homogeneity test, and factor analysis were performed. The final questionnaire was formed and then used to test the subjects. Fifty women who had completed the questionnaire effectively were selected for retesting 10 to 15 days after the initial evaluation. A structural equation model was constructed using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) as the reference criterion to conduct the scale's exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The receiver operating characters curve was used to determine the cut-off point of the scale.Results:(1) 1 300 questionnaires were issued, and 1 049 valid questionnaires were received with a recovery rate of 80.7%. Among them, 601 were used for exploratory and correlation analysis, and 448 were used for confirmatory factor analysis. (2) The initial entries of the scale totaled 63. After eliminating indicators that did not meet the requirements for item analysis, the final scale consisted of 22 entries in total. The final scale consisted of six dimensions, including "abnormal mood", "loss of interest and pleasure," "sleep disorder," "self-blame and guilt," "decline in conscious thought ability," and "lack of energy". (3) The correlation coefficients between the above six dimensions and EPDS were 0.609, 0.322, 0.423, 0.522, 0.545, and 0.516, respectively. The one between the total scale and EPDS was 0.715 (all P<0.01). (4) The confirmatory factor analysis of each model and the scale showed an acceptable fit and a stable factor structure with indices Chi-square/degrees of freedom =2.504, square root of approximation error=0.058, standardized root mean square residual=0.048, comparative fit index=0.925, Tueker-Lewis index=0.911. After retaining 22 items, the Cronbach's coefficients of the six dimensions ranged from 0.708 to 0.870. (5) The test-retest reliability of the total scale, six dimensions, and 22 items were 0.936, 0.786-0.846, and 0.720-0.886, respectively. (6) The receiver operating characteristic curve of the scale was drawn with EPDS≥13 as the cut-off value, and the area under the curve (AUC) of EPDS was 0.808 (95% CI: 0.744-0.872). When the original cut-off point was 21, the Youden index was the max (0.561), with sensitivity and specificity of 0.952 and 0.609, respectively. The Kappa value was 0.691, indicating that the scale was consistent with EPDS. Conclusion:This study preliminarily established a Chinese urban version of the perinatal depression screening scale with a stable factor structure and good reliability and validity.

Objective:To develop a perinatal depression screening scale for Chinese urban version and test its reliability and validity.Methods:Naturally conceived women who were≥12 weeks of gestation and had regular prenatal examinations or delivered within four weeks in Xi'an and Foshan were recruited using convenience sampling. Initial entries were created through clinical interviews and expert validation of 50 of these pregnancies. Further item screening and testing for reliability and validity using correlation analysis, critical ratio method, homogeneity test, and factor analysis were performed. The final questionnaire was formed and then used to test the subjects. Fifty women who had completed the questionnaire effectively were selected for retesting 10 to 15 days after the initial evaluation. A structural equation model was constructed using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) as the reference criterion to conduct the scale's exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The receiver operating characters curve was used to determine the cut-off point of the scale.Results:(1) 1 300 questionnaires were issued, and 1 049 valid questionnaires were received with a recovery rate of 80.7%. Among them, 601 were used for exploratory and correlation analysis, and 448 were used for confirmatory factor analysis. (2) The initial entries of the scale totaled 63. After eliminating indicators that did not meet the requirements for item analysis, the final scale consisted of 22 entries in total. The final scale consisted of six dimensions, including "abnormal mood", "loss of interest and pleasure," "sleep disorder," "self-blame and guilt," "decline in conscious thought ability," and "lack of energy". (3) The correlation coefficients between the above six dimensions and EPDS were 0.609, 0.322, 0.423, 0.522, 0.545, and 0.516, respectively. The one between the total scale and EPDS was 0.715 (all P<0.01). (4) The confirmatory factor analysis of each model and the scale showed an acceptable fit and a stable factor structure with indices Chi-square/degrees of freedom =2.504, square root of approximation error=0.058, standardized root mean square residual=0.048, comparative fit index=0.925, Tueker-Lewis index=0.911. After retaining 22 items, the Cronbach's coefficients of the six dimensions ranged from 0.708 to 0.870. (5) The test-retest reliability of the total scale, six dimensions, and 22 items were 0.936, 0.786-0.846, and 0.720-0.886, respectively. (6) The receiver operating characteristic curve of the scale was drawn with EPDS≥13 as the cut-off value, and the area under the curve (AUC) of EPDS was 0.808 (95% CI: 0.744-0.872). When the original cut-off point was 21, the Youden index was the max (0.561), with sensitivity and specificity of 0.952 and 0.609, respectively. The Kappa value was 0.691, indicating that the scale was consistent with EPDS. Conclusion:This study preliminarily established a Chinese urban version of the perinatal depression screening scale with a stable factor structure and good reliability and validity.

Objective:To investigate surgical treatment of carotid artery diseases in neck tumor surgery. Methods:A retrospective analysis of the clinical data on carotid artery treatment was conducted in the five cases of neck tumor surgeries treated at Department of Surgical Oncology, the First Peoples Hospital of Lanzhou from March 2010 to May 2020. Surgical methods, including carotid artery resection and ligation, tumor-involved artery resection and vascular reconstruction, and tumor peeling and carotid rupture repairing were used, respectively. Results:Five cases were successfully operated on. One case of carotid artery ligation was followed by intermittent dizziness and decreased contra-lateral limb strength after the surgery. The remaining patients exhibited no neurological complications. A patient with cervical low-grade myofibroblastoma developed into lung metastases 8 months after the surgery. Another patient with cervical lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid cancer developed into lung metastases 24 months after the surgery. Conclusion:Currently, surgical methods for clinical treatment of diseased carotid arteries include carotid artery resection and ligation, simple tumor peeling, tumor invasion artery resection and vascular reconstruction, and interventional therapy. Each surgical method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the choice of treatment depends on the patient's specific conditions, physician's clinical experience, and the equipment available.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Carotid Arteries/pathology* ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology*