Objective:To screen the characteristic genes of early-onset pre-eclampsia (EOSP) and to analyze their association with immune cell infiltration based on bioinformatics analysis and machine learning methods.Methods:In the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, the mRNA sequences of placental tissues from women with EOSP and normal pregnancy were retrieved using the term "early-onset pre-eclampsia". The R language was used for background correction, standardization, summarization, and probe quality control. Annotation packages were downloaded for ID conversion and the expression matrices were extracted. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the EOSP and the normal pregnancy in the metadata were analyzed after correcting for batch effects using the limma package. Characteristic genes were identified through the support vector machine (SVM) -recursive feature elimination (RFE) method and the LASSO regression model. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to judge the diagnostic efficiency of the characteristic genes. Placental tissues were retrospectively collected for verification from 15 patients with EOSP and 15 with normal pregnancy who were delivered at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023. The expression of characteristic genes was verified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, which were further validated in the validation dataset. Finally, the CIBERSORT algorithm was used to analyze the relative proportion of infiltrating immune cell in EOSP. A t-test was used for differential analysis. Results:Three gene datasets were downloaded, including GSE44711 (eight cases each for EOSP and normal pregnancy), GSE74341 (seven cases for EOSP and five cases for normal pregnancy), and GSE190639 (13 cases each for EOSP and normal pregnancy). A total of 29 DEGs were screened after combining the GSE44711 and GSE74341 datasets, including 27 upregulated and two downregulated genes. Gene ontology enrichment analysis showed that these genes are mainly involved in the secretion of gonadotropins, female pregnancy, regulation of endocrine processes, secretion of endocrine hormones, and negative regulation of hormone secretion. Eight characteristic genes ( EBI3, HTRA4, TREML2, TREM1, NTRK2, ANKRD37, CST6, and ARMS2) were screened using the LASSO regression algorithm combined with SVM-RFE algorithm and the expression differences of these characteristic genes were verified as statistically significant by qRT-PCR and Western blot (all P<0.05, except for CST6). Logistic regression algorithm showed that the AUC (95% CI) of TREML2, ANKRD37, NTRK2, TREM1, HTRA4, EBI3, and ARMS2 were 0.979 (0.918-1.000), 0.969 (0.897-1.000), 0.969 (0.892-1.000), 0.979 (0.918-1.000), 0.990 (0.954-1.000), 0.990 (0.954-1.000), and 0.903 (0.764-1.000). Immune cell infiltration analysis indicated that the infiltration ratio of M2 macrophages in the placental tissue from EOSP was significantly lower than that in the normal pregnancy (0.167±0.074 vs. 0.462±0.091, P=0.002), but the infiltration ratios of monocytes and eosinophils were significantly higher (0.201±0.004 vs. 0.085±0.006; 0.031±0.001 vs. 0.001±0.000, both P<0.05). The correlation analysis between characteristic genes and infiltrating immune cells found that the seven characteristic genes were closely related to the immune cells (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Seven characteristic genes that are critical for the prediction and early diagnosis of EOSP are screened using bioinformatics analysis and machine-learning algorithms in this study, which provides new research targets and a basis for the prevention and treatment of preeclampsia in the future.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the predictive value of prognostic nutritional index(PNI) and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio(LMR) in severe radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis(RIOM) during treatment of patients with head and neck cancer,and to construct a risk prediction model and test the prediction effect. METHODS A total of 502 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent radiotherapy were recruited from September 2021 to October 2023 in Xiangya Hospital Central South University. The participants were randomly divided into training group and validation group at a ratio of 7:3. According to whether severe RIOM occurred,they were divided into severe RIOM group and non-severe RIOM group. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to screen the risk factors of severe RIOM. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was used to evaluate its prediction effect and R4.3.2 software was used to draw nomograms and decision curve. RESULTS The risk prediction model for patients with head and neck cancer during treatment had five factors,including the number of comorbidities(OR=2.221,95％CI=1.185-4.165),surgical history(OR=2.938,95％CI=1.393-6.198),the degree of tumor differentiation(OR=1.511,95％CI=1.090-2.094),PNI(OR=0.892,95％CI=0.852-0.934),LMR(OR=0.512,95％CI=0.254-1.030). Model formula:Y=2.102+0.413×degree of differentiation+0.798×number of comorbidities+1.078×surgical history-0.114×PNI-0.669×LMR. The validation results of the prediction model showed that the area under the ROC curve of the training group was 0.847(P<0.001),the area under the curve of the validation group was 0.808(P<0.001),and the P values of the Hosmer-Lemeshow test of the modeling group and the validation group were both greater than 0.05. The decision curve was above the reference line within most of the high-risk thresholds. CONCLUSION The risk prediction model constructed in this study has good effect,which can predict the risk of severe RIOM during radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer,providing the reference for taking preventive intervention measures for high-risk patients.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and severity of symptoms and to construct symptom networks in head and neck cancer patients during treatment to identify core symptoms and symptom clusters.Methods 366 patients who were hospitalized in 3 tertiary hospitals in Changsha were selected using convenience sampling from March to October 2022 and asked to complete the M.D.Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head & Neck.Exploratory factors analysis was used to extract the symptom clusters,and R packages were used to construct the symptom severity network and symptom clusters network.The centrality indexes of the networks,including strength,closeness,and betweenness,were analyzed to identify core symptoms and core symptom cluster.Results The most common symptoms in head and neck cancer patients during treatment were dry mouth(93.44％),fatigue(89.07％),loss of appetite(86.34％),and difficulty swallowing or chewing(85.79％),and the most severe symptoms were dry mouth,loss of appetite,oral or pharyngeal mucus,and difficulty swallowing or chewing.4 symptom clusters were extracted,namely oral-pharyngeal,gastrointestinal,emotional-sleep,and sickness-sensing behavioral,which could explain 67.415％of the total variance.In the symptom severity network,oral or pharyngeal mucus(rs=9.60)was a symptom with the highest strength.In the symptom clusters network,oral or pharyngeal mucus(rs=1.20),nausea(rs=1.00),fatigue(rs=1.10),and drowsiness(rs=0.97)were the symptoms with the highest strength across 4 symptom clusters.Conclusion Oral or pharyngeal mucus,nausea,fatigue,and drowsiness are the core symptoms of symptom clusters in head and neck cancer patients during treatment.Oral-pharyngeal symptom cluster is the core symptom cluster.It is recommended that clinical staff should develop interventions based on the core symptoms and symptom cluster to implement precise symptom management and improve symptom management efficiency.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. It is urgent to develop new drugs to improve the prognosis of ESCC patients. Here, we found benzydamine, a locally acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, had potent cytotoxic effect on ESCC cells. Benzydamine could suppress ESCC proliferation in vivo and in vitro. In terms of mechanism, CDK2 was identified as a target of benzydamine by molecular docking, pull-down assay and in vitro kinase assay. Specifically, benzydamine inhibited the growth of ESCC cells by inhibiting CDK2 activity and affecting downstream phosphorylation of MCM2, c-Myc and Rb, resulting in cell cycle arrest. Our study illustrates that benzydamine inhibits the growth of ESCC cells by downregulating the CDK2 pathway.
Humans ; Benzydamine ; Esophageal Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/drug therapy* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Phosphorylation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Apoptosis ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2

Objective:To translate the Treatment Burden Questionnaire (TBQ) into Chinese, and test its reliability and validity.Methods:The original questionnaire was translated, synthesized and back-translated according to the Brislin model. From March to July 2021, convenience sampling was used to select 240 elderly people from the 6 designated nursing homes for the aged of Qingdao Municipal Medical Insurance Bureau as the research object to conduct a questionnaire survey. The content validity index ( CVI) and construct validity were used to evaluate the validity of the scale, and the construct validity was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis. Cronbach's alpha coefficient and test-retest reliability were used to test the reliability of the scale. Results:A total of 240 questionnaires were distributed in this study, and 220 valid questionnaires were recovered. The Chinese version of TBQ included 15 items. A total of three common factors were extracted by exploratory factor analysis, and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 58.15%. The item-level CVI of the Chinese version of the TBQ was from 0.80 to 1.00, and the scale-level CVI was 0.91. The Cronbach's α of the total scale was 0.71, and the test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.77. Conclusions:The Chinese version of the TBQ has good reliability and validity, and can be used to assess the treatment burden in the elderly under the Chinese cultural background.

Objective:To explore the effect of the pharyngeal pressure feedback training on pharyngeal constriction in persons with swallowing disorders caused by brainstem lesions.Methods:Twenty patients with disordered swallowing caused by a brainstem lesion were randomly divided into a control group and an intervention group, each of 10. Both groups received routine swallowing training including oral sensorimotor training, neuromuscular stimulation and balloon catheter dilation, while the intervention group was additionally provided with two weeks of pharyngeal pressure feedback training. Before and after the treatment, both groups were evaluated in terms of the peak pressure of superior and inferior pharyngeal constriction, endoscopically and also using the functional oral intake scale.Results:There was no significant difference between the two groups in any measure before the intervention. Afterward, both groups had improved significantly by all of the measurements, but the average peak upper pharyngeal pressure, the average intake scale score and the endoscopy results of the intervention group were all significantly better than the control group′s averages.Conclusions:Pharyngeal pressure feedback training can significantly relieve swallowing disorders caused by brainstem lesions.

Objective:To develop the "Internet +" Long-term Care Service Demand Questionnaire for the Disabled Elderly at Home and test its reliability and validity.Methods:A test version of the questionnaire was formed through the literature review, expert consultation and pre-survey. From June 2020 to January 2021, the multi-stage stratified sampling was adopted to select 251 elderly disabled persons at home in Qingdao for testing and test the reliability and validity of the questionnaire.Results:The final questionnaire had a total of 27 items. A total of 7 common factors were extracted by exploratory factor analysis, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 65.295%. The Cronbach's α coefficient of the total questionnaire was 0.891, and the half-reliability coefficient was 0.809, and the test-retest reliability was 0.859.Conclusions:The "Internet +" Long-term Care Service Demand Questionnaire for Home Disabled Elderly has good reliability and validity, and can be used to reflect the current status of the demand for "Internet +" long-term care services for the disabled at home.

Objective To investigate the effects and values of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (EC-MO) used in patients after cardiac arrest. Method During five years period from June 2002 to June 2007,fifteen cases taken for cardiopulmonary resuscitation were treated by using ECMO in the emergency department and ICU. All the measures for disgnosis and treatment were observed to the guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovasculat care set by the American Heart Association in 2005, and ECMO was applied in addition. The study was a self-comparison trial. The biomarkers including heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure( CVP) , arterial partial oxygen pressure (PaO2), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide ( PCQ2), oxygen saturation (SaO2), hydrogen power (PH), and concentration of lactic acid were taken and assayed before and 10 min, 1 h,6 h, 12 h, and 24 h after treatment. Differences between the results of measurements were analysed by t -test for matched pairs using SPSS version 10.0 software package. Neurological sequelae was also observed and described. Results Ten minutes after ECMO treatment, MAP rose dramatically (P < 0.01) and got to further higher level one hour later ( P < 0.05). On the other hand, CVP dropped off 10 minutes after ECMO treatment and further lowered one hour later, and PaO2 and SaO2 were improved apparently ( P < 0.01), and pH was increased significantly (P < 0.01), while a derease in concentration of arterial LA of significantly (P < 0.01). Of the 15 cases, 11 patients got well,including completely recovered without sequelae in 5,memory disorders in 2 and hemipleggia in 2 patients. Conclusions ECMO provides effective blood flow to hearts, and therefore, improves oxygenation and oxygen consumption greatly. Moreover, it provides stable oxygenated blood to brain and therefore, it is a good approach to cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation.

Objective:To observe the therapeutic efficacy of somatostatin combined with compound salvia miltiorrhiza injection(复方丹参注射液)on patients with acute pancreatitis(AP).Methods:By using randomized controlled trail,62 patients with AP were divided into control group(31 cases) and observation group(31 cases) in a period from June,2002 to December,2006.In the control group,routine measures,such as forbidding food,decompressing stomach and intestines,were taken,and in addition,intravenous injection of somatostatin 250 ?g with subsequent intravenous drip 3 000 ?g in normal saline 500 ml at a rate of 250 ?g/h once everyday was used for 7-14 days.On the above treatment of the control group,compound salvia miltiorrhiza injection 20 ml in normal saline 250 ml,intravenous drip every day for 7-14 days,was added in the observation group.The disappearance of symptoms and abdominal signs,amylase of urine and blood,the time of recovery of hepatic function,change of calcium concentration,incidences of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS) and case fatality were observed and compared.Results:Amylase of blood after treatment in observation group was lower than that in the control group,while serum calcium concentration was higher,especially on 3 and 5 days after treatment(all P

OBJECTIVETo identify valid measures for preventing outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) among protected healthcare workers in isolation units.

METHODSArchitectural factors, admitted SARS cases and infection of healthcare workers in different isolation wards between January 30 and March 30, 2003 were analyzed.

RESULTSFour types of isolation wards were analyzed, including the ward where the thirty-first bed was located on the twelfth floor, the laminar flow ward in the Intensive Care Unit where the tenth bed was located on the fifteenth floor, the ward where the twenty-seventh bed was located on the thirteenth floor of the Lingnan Building, and thirty wards on the fourteenth to eighteenth floors of the Zhongshan Building. The ratios (m(2)/m(3)) of the area of the ventilation windows to the volume of the rooms were 0, 0, 1:95 and 1:40, respectively. Numbers of SARS cases in the wards mentioned above were 1, 1, 1 and 96, respectively. Total times of hospitalization were 43, 168, 110 and 1272 hours, respectively. The infection rates of the healthcare workers in the areas mentioned above were 73.2%, 32.1%, 27.5% and 1.7%, respectively. The difference in the infection rates was of statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONSIsolating SARS cases in wards with good ventilation could reduce the viral load of the ward and might be the key to preventing outbreaks of SARS among healthcare workers along with strict personal protection measures in isolation units.

Adult ; Disease Outbreaks ; prevention & control ; Facility Design and Construction ; Female ; Hospital Units ; Humans ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional ; prevention & control ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Isolation ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; prevention & control ; Ventilation