Depression is a common psychiatric disorder characterized by persistent low mood or mental disorders. Current treatments primarily focus on regulating neurotransmitter levels， but their effectiveness is limited. The mechanisms underlying its onset are complex， and there is no unified consensus. Abnormal signaling pathway transmission plays a crucial role in the development of depression， involving multiple pathways， including Toll-like receptor 4/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 （TLR4/NLRP3）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription （JAK/STAT）， mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase （MAPK/ERK）， brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tyrosine kinase receptor B （BDNF/TrkB）， cyclic AMP/protein kinase A/cAMP response element-binding protein （cAMP/PKA/CREB）， and others. Traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） is based on a holistic approach and the principle of treatment based on the differentiation of syndromes， regulating the balance of multiple systems and organ functions from a macroscopic perspective. This approach has shown unique advantages in the treatment of depression. TCM attributes the onset of depression to dysfunction of the organ systems， involving liver Qi stagnation， heart spirit deficiency， kidney essence depletion， and spleen dysfunction. TCM compound treatments focus on soothing the liver， strengthening the spleen， calming the heart， and replenishing essence， with formulas such as Xiaoyaosan， Zishui Qinggan Yin， and Chahu Jia Guizhi Longgu Muli Tang. The active components of Chinese herbs mainly aim to tonify and regulate Qi， such as salidroside， ginsenoside Rb₁， astragaloside， and muscone. External TCM treatments， primarily acupuncture， aim to open the orifices and invigorate the spirit. Acupoints such as Baihui， Shenting， and Yintang are commonly used. Additionally， massage and moxibustion therapy can intervene in depression by regulating signaling pathways. This article reviews the core role of signaling pathways in the development of depression and the mechanism of TCM regulation of signaling pathways to intervene in depression， aiming to discover new therapeutic approaches that can improve the symptoms of depressed patients.

Objective:To investigate the application of endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy (EUS-LB) to liver transplant recipients.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 12 liver transplant recipients who underwent EUS-LB by the same endoscopist and specimens were diagnosed and reported by the same pathologist due to abnormal liver function or need to be evaluated for graft fibrosis in the Organ Transplantation Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were enrolled into the EUS-LB group from December 2021 to March 2022, meanwhile, a total of 23 patients whose PLB was completed by the same hepatologist and specimens were diagnosed by the same pathologist during the same period were enrolled in the PLB group. Acquisition of liver specimens and postoperative adverse events of the two groups were compared.Results:Patients in both groups were punctured 1-2 times on average, and the median total length of liver specimens in the EUS-LB group was significantly longer than that in the PLB group (61 mm VS 17 mm, Z=11.362, P=0.002). There was no significant difference in the length of the longest liver specimens between the two groups (17.6±6.9 mm VS 13.7±3.5 mm, t=2.382, P=0.086), while the number of liver specimens in the EUS-LB group was more than that in the PLB group (4.8±2.1 VS 2.3±1.2, t=9.271, P=0.001). The number of complete portal tracts was 11.3±4.6 in the EUS-LB group and 6.2±3.3 in the PLB group ( t=8.457, P=0.003). Abdominal pain was the only postoperative adverse event, and only 1 patient in the EUS-LB group had postoperative abdominal pain, which was fewer than that in the PLB group [8.3% (1/12) VS 43.5% (10/23), χ2=4.893, P=0.036]. Conclusion:Compared with PLB, EUS-LB delivers longer liver biopsy specimens with more complete portal tracts in liver transplant recipients, and fewer recipients complain about postoperative pain in EUS-LB group. Therefore, EUS-LB is a safer, more effective and more comfortable liver biopsy method.

Objective To explore the regulatory mechanism of emodin on pain behavior in a mouse model of osteoarthritis based on mitochondrial key genes.Methods Thirty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the control group,the osteoarthritis(OA)model group and the emodin-treated(OA+emodin)group,10 mice per each group.The mice in the OA group and the OA+emodin group were intra-articular injection of complete Freund's adjuvant(20 μL)in knee to establish the OA model,and mice in the OA+emodin group were treated by intraperitoneal emodin(10 mg/kg)injection.After behavioral testing,knee tissue of mice was collected for hematoxylin-eosin staining.Western blot analysis was used to detect expression levels of proinflammatory factors interleukin-1β(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and mitochondria-related proteins NADH dehydrogenase(ubiquinone)flavoprotein 1(NDUFV1),cytochrome C oxidase subunit 5B(COX5B),cytochrome C oxidase assembly protein COX15 homolog(COX15),NADH dehydrogenase(ubiquinone)1 alpha subcomplex subunit 10(NDUFA10)in knee tissue.Results Compared with the control group,mice in the OA group showed decreased mechanical nociceptive threshold(PWT),reduced latency and distance in rotarod test(P＜0.05).Compared with the OA group,mice in the OA+emodin group showed increased PWT,latency,and distance(P＜0.05).In the control group,the structures of cartilage and subchondral bone were intact,while in the OA group,the cartilage was thinner and the subchondral trabeculae was deteriorated.The treatment with emodin alleviated cartilage degeneration.The expression levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,COX15 and NDUFA10 were increased while expression levels of NDUFV1 and COX5B were decreased in the OA group compared with the control group.The emodin treatment restored the above-mentioned protein expression levels(P＜0.05).Conclusion Emodin can alleviate pain behavior in OA mice by regulating the expressions of inflammatory factors and mitochondrial related proteins.

Objective To explore the diagnostic efficacy of serum 14-3-3β protein combined with fractional exhaled nitric oxide(FeNO)and conventional ventilatory lung function parameters in diagnosing bronchial asthma(referred to as"asthma")in children.Methods A prospective study included 136 children initially diagnosed with asthma during an acute episode as the asthma group,and 85 healthy children undergoing routine health checks as the control group.The study compared the differences in serum 14-3-3β protein concentrations between the two groups,analyzed the correlation of serum 14-3-3β protein with clinical indices,and evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of combining 14-3-3β protein,FeNO,and conventional ventilatory lung function parameters for asthma in children.Results The concentration of serum 14-3-3β protein was higher in the asthma group than in the control group(P<0.001).Serum 14-3-3β protein showed a positive correlation with the percentage of neutrophils and total serum immunoglobulin E,and a negative correlation with conventional ventilatory lung function parameters(P<0.05).Cross-validation of combined indices showed that the combination of 14-3-3β protein,FeNO,and the percentage of predicted value of forced expiratory flow at 75%of lung volume had an area under the curve of 0.948 for predicting asthma,with a sensitivity and specificity of 88.9%and 93.7%,respectively,demonstrating good diagnostic efficacy(P<0.001).The model had the best extrapolation.Conclusions The combination of serum 14-3-3β protein,FeNO,and the percentage of predicted value of forced expiratory flow at 75%of lung volume can significantly improve the diagnostic efficacy for asthma in children.

Objective:To design a health state holographic perceptual intelligence operation and maintenance system,and to explore the application effect in medical equipment management of infectious disease department.Methods:The holographic perception intelligent operation and maintenance system of health status of medical equipment in the infectious disease department was built by the perception layer,transmission layer and application layer to realize the automatic alarm,active protection and real-time monitoring functions of equipment management.A total of 119 medical devices in clinical use in the Department of Infectious Diseases of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from 2021 to 2022 were selected,according to different management methods,during the equipment operation and maintenance period in 2021,the conventional medical equipment(referred to as the conventional management mode)management mode was adopted;during the equipment operation and maintenance period in 2022,the holographic perception intelligent operation and maintenance system of medical equipment health status(referred to as the intelligent operation and maintenance management mode)was adopted.The differences in the safety score,maintenance status,and ability score of equipment users between the two management modes were compared.Results:The average scores of electrical safety,biological safety,radiation safety,damage safety,diagnosis and treatment safety of medical equipment using the intelligent operation and maintenance management mode were(0.47±0.21),(0.63±0.15),(1.38±0.11),(0.83±0.34)and(0.94±0.27),respectively,which were lower than those of the conventional management mode,and the difference was statistically significant(Department of Infectious Diseases;Medical equipment;Health status;Holographic sensing;Intelligent operation and maintenance=20.609,24.003,27.127,25.135,30.762,P＜0.05).The equipment failure maintenance rate,maintenance processing time and arrival time of equipment accessories using the intelligent operation and maintenance management mode were(85.41±3.37)%,(0.77±0.14)h and(3.29±0.58)d,respectively,which were lower than those of the conventional management mode,while the average score of equipment maintenance service quality was(95.36±5.13)points,which was higher than that of the equipment score of the conventional management mode,and the differences were statistically significant(t=16.638,25.569,29.333,18.499,P＜0.05).The average scores of equipment users with respect to the sense of responsibility for using the equipment,the ability to correctly operate the equipment,the effect of responding to equipment,the ability to give an accurate and timely alarm and other operating abilities with the intelligent operation and maintenance management mode were(97.48±5.66),(91.53±4.28),(93.37±5.12)and(95.62±4.93),respectively,which were higher than the scores of conventional management mode,and the difference was statistically significant(t=10.948,17.171,6.058,7.276,P＜0.05).Conclusion:The holographic perception intelligent operation and maintenance system of medical equipment health status in the Department of Infectious Diseases can improve the quality of medical equipment management,prevent equipment failures,reduce equipment maintenance,and improve the quality of equipment services.

The timely use of screening tools to assess the palliative care needs of emergency patients can provide decision-making basis for patient referral and help patients receive palliative care in a timely manner.This paper reviews the palliative care needs screening tools for emergency patients at home and abroad,describes their development methods,scoring criteria and application status,compares and analyzes their characteristics and shortcomings.It aims to provide references for the localized development and application of palliative care needs screening tools in emergency patients.

Objective:To explore the value of 18F-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET/CT in the assessment of early-stage graft fibrosis (S1-S2) after liver transplantation (LT). Methods:From November 2021 to April 2022, 17 adult liver transplant recipients (12 males and 5 females; age (52.6±7.9) years) in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were enrolled retrospectively in this study. All 17 patients received laboratory examinations, FibroScan, 18F-FAPI PET/CT and liver biopsy. According to the Scheuer scoring system, hepatic tissue was divided into no fibrosis (S0) and early fibrosis (S1-S2). Independent-sample t test was used to compare SUV max between two groups, and Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare liver stiffness measurement (LSM). ROC curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of LSM and SUV max in the early fibrosis of liver grafts. Delong test was used to compare the difference of AUCs. Results:Among 17 adult LT recipients, 11 were in stage S0, 5 were in stage S1, and 1 was in stage S2. There were significant differences in LSM and SUV max between no fibrosis group and early fibrosis group (LSM: 5.4(4.7, 6.6) vs 12.9(5.6, 19.9) kPa, z=-2.01, P=0.044; SUV max: 1.7±0.8 vs 3.9±1.6, t=-3.14, P=0.019). The threshold value of LSM in predicting early-stage graft fibrosis was 8.2 kPa and the AUC was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.54-0.95), which was 2.0 and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.78-1.00) for SUV max respectively. There was no significant difference in AUC between the two tools ( z=0.80, P=0.421). Conclusion:18F-FAPI PET/CT can precisely evaluate the early fibrosis of allografts, with the similar diagnostic efficacy with FibroScan (LSM), which is expected to be a new non-invasive diagnostic tool for predicting the early-stage of graft liver fibrosis.

Background/Aims: Four-week treatment of linvencorvir (RO7049389) was generally safe and well tolerated, and showed anti-viral activity in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. This study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of 48-week treatment with linvencorvir plus standard of care (SoC) in CHB patients. Methods: This was a multicentre, non-randomized, non-controlled, open-label phase 2 study enrolling three cohorts: nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUC)-suppressed patients received linvencorvir plus NUC (Cohort A, n=32); treatment-naïve patients received linvencorvir plus NUC without (Cohort B, n=10) or with (Cohort C, n=30) pegylated interferon-α (Peg-IFN-α). Treatment duration was 48 weeks, followed by NUC alone for 24 weeks. Results: 68 patients completed the study. No patient achieved functional cure (sustained HBsAg loss and unquantifiable HBV DNA). By Week 48, 89% of treatment-naïve patients (10/10 Cohort B; 24/28 Cohort C) reached unquantifiable HBV DNA. Unquantifiable HBV RNA was achieved in 92% of patients with quantifiable baseline HBV RNA (14/15 Cohort A, 8/8 Cohort B, 22/25 Cohort C) at Week 48 along with partially sustained HBV RNA responses in treatment-naïve patients during follow-up period. Pronounced reductions in HBeAg and HBcrAg were observed in treatment-naïve patients, while HBsAg decline was only observed in Cohort C. Most adverse events were grade 1–2, and no linvencorvir-related serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions 48-week linvencorvir plus SoC was generally safe and well tolerated, and resulted in potent HBV DNA and RNA suppression. However, 48-week linvencorvir plus NUC with or without Peg-IFN did not result in the achievement of functional cure in any patient.

Purpose: The interval between neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and surgery for locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) remains controversial. At the same time, the prognostic effect of delayed surgery in patients with poor responses is currently unclear. Methods: Data was collected from patients who had poor responses to NAC and underwent modified radical surgery from January 2013 to December 2018. The interval from completion of NAC to surgery was divided into two groups: a longer (greater than four weeks) or shorter (four weeks or less) interval. The associations of these interval groups with overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were evaluated by multivariable Cox models adjusting for the existing prognostic factors. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize election bias. Results: A total of 1,229 patients (mean age, 47.2 ± 8.9 years; median follow-up duration, 32.67 [6.57–52.63] months) were included. The 5-year OS rates were 73.2% and 60.8% in the shorter (n = 171) and longer interval group (n = 1,058), respectively, while the 3-year RFS rates were 80.8% and 71.7%, respectively. In multivariate Cox analysis, the longer interval was associated with an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–2.02; p = 0.046) and recurrence (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.12–1.99; p = 0.006).There was an interaction between the molecular subtype and the surgery interval for OS (pinteraction = 0.014) and RFS (pinteraction = 0.027). After PSM, no significant difference in OS (p = 0.180) and RFS (p = 0.069) was observed between the two groups. Conclusion Among LABC patients with a poor response, those with a longer interval between NAC and surgery had worse OS and RFS. The results indicate that these patients should receive modified radical surgery timely, which may in turn improve their prognosis.

Objective To investigate the causal association between bronchial asthma and bone mineral density at different sites using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Methods Summary data for exposure factors and outcome were obtained from different genome-wide association studies.Single nucleotide polymorphisms strongly associated with bronchial asthma were selected as instrumental variables,and those in linkage disequilibrium were excluded.The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the primary method for MR analysis,complemented by weighted median,simple mode,weighted mode,and MR-Egger regression methods.Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the stability of the results. Results The random-effects model of IVW analysis showed that heel bone mineral density (OR=0.986;95% CI,0.974 to 0.998;P=0.023) as the outcome dataset had a reverse causal effect with bronchial asthma,while lumbar spine bone mineral density (OR=1.031;95% CI,0.984 to 1.081;P=0.195),femoral neck bone mineral density (OR=1.014;95% CI,0.973 to 1.057;P=0.505),and forearm bone mineral density (OR=1.011;95% CI,0.935 to 1.094;P=0.775) as outcome datasets showed no causal effect with bronchial asthma.The MR-Egger intercept test results indicated that the P-values for the intercepts of lumbar bone mineral density,femoral neck bone mineral density,forearm bone mineral density,and calcaneal bone mineral density were all over 0.05,suggesting no horizontal pleiotropy and relatively stable results. Conclusion MR analysis reveals a reverse causal effect between bronchial asthma and heel bone mineral density,suggesting that clinicians should strengthen the monitoring of heel bone mineral density in patients with bronchial asthma to timely detect and intervene osteoporosis.