BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot is a complex condition with high incidence, recurrence, mortality, and disability rates. Current treatments for diabetic foot ulcers are often insufficient. This study was conducted to identify potential therapeutic targets for diabetic foot. METHODS: Datasets related to diabetic foot and diabetic skin were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using R software. Enrichment analysis was conducted to screen for critical gene functions and pathways. A protein interaction network was constructed to identify node genes corresponding to key proteins. The DEGs and node genes were overlapped to pinpoint target genes. Plasma and chronic ulcer samples from diabetic and non-diabetic individuals were collected. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to verify the S100 calcium binding protein A9 (S100A9), inflammatory cytokine, and related pathway protein levels. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to measure epidermal layer thickness. RESULTS: In total, 283 common DEGs and 42 node genes in diabetic foot ulcers were identified. Forty-three genes were differentially expressed in the skin of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. The overlapping of the most significant DEGs and node genes led to the identification of S100A9 as a target gene. The S100A9 level was significantly higher in diabetic than in non-diabetic plasma (178.40 ± 44.65 ng/mL vs. 40.84 ± 18.86 ng/mL) and in chronic ulcers, and the wound healing time correlated positively with the plasma S100A9 level. The levels of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin [IL]-1, and IL-6) and related pathway proteins (phospho-extracellular signal regulated kinase [ERK], phospho-p38, phospho-p65, and p-protein kinase B [Akt]) were also elevated. The epidermal layer was notably thinner in chronic diabetic ulcers than in non-diabetic skin (24.17 ± 25.60 μm vs. 412.00 ± 181.60 μm). CONCLUSIONS S100A9 was significantly upregulated in diabetic foot and was associated with prolonged wound healing. S100A9 may impair diabetic wound healing by disrupting local inflammatory responses and skin re-epithelialization.
Calgranulin B/therapeutic use* ; Diabetic Foot/metabolism* ; Humans ; Datasets as Topic ; Computational Biology ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Animals ; Mice ; Protein Interaction Maps ; Immunohistochemistry

OBJECTIVES: Stigma is common among community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia and has a profound negative impact on both psychiatric symptoms and quality of life. This study aims to explore the association between stigma and quality of life in this population and to examine the multiple mediating roles of anxiety and depression symptoms. METHODS: The multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select the community-dwelling patients with schizophrenics in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. The questionnaire included general demographic characteristics, stigma question, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). The SF-12 was used to measure quality of life, including physical health and mental health dimensions. A multiple mediation model was used to analyse the mediating effects of anxiety and depression symptoms together between stigma and quality of life. RESULTS: A total of 1 087 community patients with schizophrenia were included with a mean age of 50.68±12.73 years; 525 (48.30%) were male. Stigma was reported by 543 patients (49.95%). Anxiety symptoms were present in 292 patients (26.86%), and depression symptoms in 407 patients (37.44%). The physical health quality of life score was 72.01 ± 20.99, and the mental health quality of life score was 71.68 ± 19.38. Multiple mediation analysis showed that stigma directly affected quality of life, and also indirectly affected quality of life through anxiety and depression symptoms. Anxiety and depression jointly mediated 42.26% of the total effect of stigma on physical health quality of life and 47.51% on mental health quality of life. CONCLUSIONS Reducing stigma and preventing anxiety and depression symptoms in community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia can effectively improve their quality of life and support reintegration into society.
Humans ; Quality of Life ; Male ; Depression/psychology* ; Middle Aged ; Social Stigma ; Schizophrenia ; Female ; Anxiety/psychology* ; China ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Adult ; Schizophrenic Psychology ; Independent Living ; Aged

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of the nomogram model based on multiparametric MRI combined with clinical features for differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) 4 lesions.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. Clinical and imaging data of 56 patients (66 lesions) with pathologically confirmed BI-RADS 4 breast lesions from January 2020 to June 2022 at Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were all females aged 42 (17, 71) years old. All patients underwent the breast MRI, including T 1WI, T 2WI, diffusion-weighted imaging, diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), and dynamic-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), and the patient clinical characteristics, imaging characteristics as well as relevant MRI quantitative parameters were recorded. Comparisons of the indicators of benign and malignant BI-RADS 4 lesions were performed by sample t-test , Mann-Whitney U, or χ 2 test. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression was utilized to further select indicators with statistically significant differences in univariate analyses, and finally, nomogram models were constructed and reclassified all the lesions. Results:Of the 66 lesions in 56 patients, 24 lesions were found in 24 malignant patients and 42 lesions in 32 benign patients. The differences in age, body mass index, and menopausal status between benign and malignant patients were statistically significant (all P<0.05); the differences in tumor longest diameter, type of lesion enhancement, time-single intensity curve type, mean diffusivity and mean kurtosis (MK) between benign and malignant lesions were statistically significant (all P<0.05). After feature selection, MK ( OR=27.952, 95% CI 1.301-600.348, P=0.033), age ( OR=1.140, 95%CI 1.040-1.249, P=0.005), and the type of lesion enhancement ( OR=0.045, 95%CI 0.006-0.316, P=0.005) were the independent influences in predicting BI-RADS 4 malignant lesions. Using this to construct a nomogram model, its area under the curve for predicting BI-RADS 4 malignant lesions was 0.946, and the accuracy of reclassifying 66 BI-RADS 4 lesions as benign versus malignant was 86.36% (57/66). Conclusion:The nomogram model constructed with MK from DKI parameters, the type of lesion enhancement from DCE-MRI, and age is valuable in diagnosing the benign and malignant nature of BI-RADS 4 lesions.

Objective:To investigate the scope and changes in the outcome of Keshan disease in Jilin Province, and provide scientific basis for adjusting the focus of Keshan disease prevention and control.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the annual report data of Keshan disease reported by 38 Keshan disease endemic counties (cities, districts) in Jilin Province from 2017 to 2021. Descriptive analysis was conducted on the scope of Keshan disease endemic areas, population, general situation and outcomes of current patients.Results:As of the end of 2021, there was no overall change in the scope of Keshan disease endemic areas in Jilin Province. The number of permanent residents in counties, townships, and villages in the endemic areas had decreased by 11.77%, 26.77%, and 35.55%, respectively, compared to 2017. There were a total of 1 092 current patients with Keshan disease, including 926 cases of latent Keshan disease and 166 cases of chronic Keshan disease. The male to female ratio was 0.38∶1.00 (303∶789), and 79.76% (871/1 092) of the patients were over 60 years old. Some patients also had other chronic diseases such as hypertension and coronary heart disease. In 2021, the number of patients with Keshan disease decreased by 1 020 compared to 2017. Death, migration (in), loss of follow-up, and re-diagnosis accounted for 34.29% (500/1 458), 27.85% (406/1 458), 25.51% (372/1 458), and 12.35% (180/1 458) of the total number of outcomes, respectively; 57 middle-aged and young patients under 60 years old accounted for 11.40% (57/500) of the total deaths. Over the past 5 years, 24 new patients were discovered, including 4 cases of latent Keshan disease and 20 cases of chronic Keshan disease. Additionally, 6 patients with chronic Keshan disease died within 2 years of diagnosis.Conclusions:The overall scope of Keshan disease endemic areas in Jilin Province has not changed, with a significant decrease in the number of permanent residents, an aging population of current patients, and some patients coexisting with chronic diseases. Death, migration (in), and loss of follow-up are the main outcomes of current patients.

Objective To observe the morphological changes of levator hiatus in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)after spontaneous delivery with ultrasonography.Methods A total of 302 pregnant women in the first trimester(6-8 weeks)were prospectively observed,and the parameters of pelvic floor muscle hiatus were measured with ultrasound during the first trimester,also 12 weeks,6 months and 1 year after delivery at resting-state(resting period),anal contraction state(systole period)and Valsalva maneuver(tension period),respectively.Blood glucose was measured at 28 weeks of gestation,GDM was diagnosed,and the pregnant women enrolled were divided into GDM group and non-GDM group.The ultrasonic parameters and postpartum pelvic floor muscle tension were compared between groups.Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlations of pelvic floor muscle tension grade and anal levator hiatus parameters in GDM group.Results Totally 153 pregnant women were enrolled and assigned into GDM group(n=51)and non-GDM group(n=102).Transversal diameter of levator hiatus(LH-TD),anteroposterior diameter of levator hiatus(LH-APD)and levator hiatus area(LHA)in different periods 12 weeks postpartum in both groups were higher than those in early pregnancy(all P＜0.05).Six months and 1 year postpartum,in GDM group,LH-APD and LHA in systole period,also LH-TD,LH-APD and LHA in tension period were higher than those in early pregnancy(all P＜0.05),while in non-GDM group,LH-APD and LHA in tension period were higher than those of early pregnancy(all P＜0.05).One year after delivery,LH-APD and LHA in systolic period,as well as LH-TD and LHA in tension period in GDM group were all higher than those in non-GDM group(all P＜0.05),whereas the proportion of pelvic floor muscle tension of grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ was higher,of grade Ⅳ-Ⅴ was lower in GDM group than those in non-GDM group(P＜0.05).One year after delivery,pelvic floor muscle tone grade in GDM group was negatively correlated with LH-TD,LH-APD and LHA in resting,systole and tension period(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The morphology of levator hiatus changed greatly in GDM patients after spontaneous delivery,and rehabilitation training should be carried out early.

Objective: To explore the longitudinal correlation between smartphone multitasking and depressive symptoms, so as to provide an evidence based basis for promoting the mental health of college students. Methods: A total of 967 college students were recruited from one university in Taiyuan, Chongqing, and Shenzhen cities, China, by using multi stage randomized cluster sampling from October to December 2021 at baseline, and a follow up survey was conducted in May 2022. Smartphone multitasking behaviors were assessed by means of the Assessment of Smartphone Multitasking for Adolescents (ASMA), and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) among college students. Chi square tests were performed to compare the differences in depressive symptoms between different groups of demographic characteristics, and binary Logistic regression models were employed to analyze the associations between smartphone multitasking and depressive symptoms among college students. Results: The rates of depressive symptoms among college students at baseline and follow up were 35.2% and 42.3%, respectively. Compared to the low level smartphone multitasking index group at baseline, the moderate and high level groups were more likely to experience depressive symptoms at baseline (moderate level group: OR=1.74, 95%CI =1.22-2.50, high level group: OR=2.77, 95%CI =1.94-3.95) and followup (moderate level group: OR=1.41, 95%CI =1.01-1.95, high level group: OR=1.64, 95%CI =1.17-2.29) ( P <0.05). In addition, compared to the persistently low smartphone multitasking index, increased risk of depressive symptoms was associated with maintaining a moderate to high ( OR=2.94, 95%CI =1.83-4.71), and a higher ( OR=2.07, 95%CI =1.31-3.27) or lower smartphone multitasking index ( OR=2.02, 95%CI =1.27-3.19) ( P <0.05). Moreover, higher smartphone multitasking index scores were positively associated with the risk of new-onset depressive symptoms at follow up ( OR=1.87, 95%CI=1.07-3.27, P <0.05). Conclusions Smartphone multitasking behaviors are find to be associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms in college students. There is a need to reduce smartphone multitasking in order to decrease depressive symptoms and promote students mental health.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the clinical effect of long-snake moxibustion combined with modified Duhuo Jisheng Decoction in the treatment of the liver-kidney deficiency pattern of lumbar disc herniation. Methods All patients with liver-kidney deficiency pattern of lumbar disc herniation admitted to Nanchang Hongdu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2021 to April 2023 were assigned the control group and the experimental group by random number table method,with 68 cases in each group. The control group was treated with conventional Western medicine,and the experimental group was treated with long-snake moxibustion combined with modified Duhuo Jisheng Decoction based on the control group for four consecutive weeks. Observe the clinical efficacy,the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score,and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score of two groups of patients. Detect the serum levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2),transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β1),interleukin-1β (IL-1β),matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2),and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in two groups of patients. Results Compared with the control group (79.41％),the clinical efficaly of experimental group (94.12％) was increased (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment,TCM syndrome score of 2 groups was decreased,JOA score was increased,serum PGE2,TGF-β1,MMP-2,HIF-1α,and IL-1β were decreased after treatment (P<0.05). After treatment,compared with control group,TCM syndrome score of experimental group was decreased,JOA score was increased,serum PGE2,TGF-β1,MMP-2,HIF-1α,and IL-1β were decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion Long-snake moxibustion combined with modified Duhuo Jisheng Decoction can significantly reduce the inflammatory response of patients with liver-kidney deficiency pattern of lumbar disc herniation,inhibit the secretion of pain mediators,improve lumbar function,and thus improve clinical efficacy.

Objective: To analyze the association between eye use behavior and self reported myopia in middle and high school students, and provide the scientific basis for the prevention and control of myopia. Methods: A total of 14 872 middle and high school students was selected from four provinces and cities from December 2015 to March 2016, including Jiangxi(Nanchang,Yintan,Dexing), Liaoning(Shenyang), Guangdong(Shenzhen), Henan(Zhengzhou) provinces. A self administrated questionnaire was used to collect the basic information, self reported myopia and eye use behaviors among middle and high school students. The Chi square tests were applied to compare the differences in self reported myopia among middle and high school students with different characteristics. Multivariate binary Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between eye use behavior and self reported myopia in middle and high school students. Results: The self reported myopia rate of middle and high school students was 68.5%, with 59.7% and 78.6% for junior high school students and senior high school students, respectively. After adjusting for the potential confounders, the Logistic regression models showed that middle and high school students who read and write with their heads down ( OR =1.94, 2.32),middle and high school students who lie down or lie on stomach when using their eyes ( OR =1.27, 1.28) had a higher risk of self reported myopia ( P <0.01). There was a negative correlation between eye use distance (reading and writing distance, distance from eyes to TV, mobile phone, or tablet) and self reported myopia ( OR =0.73, 0.70, 0.81; 0.61, 0.66 , 0.76) in middle and high school students ( P <0.01). In addition, the risk of self reported myopia was lower in middle school students with longer eye to computer distance ( OR=0.77, P <0.01). Conclusion There is a significant association between eye use postures, eye use distance and self reported myopia in middle and high school students. Health education for the risk and behavior factors of myopia should be actively promoted to ensure the visual health of children and adolescents.

Objective: To develop the Assessment of Smartphone Multitasking for Adolescents (ASMA) and evaluate its reliability and construct validity, so that to provide an evaluation tool for relevant epidemiological studies. Methods: Based on literature review, expert based judgement, and group discussion, the self administered ASMA identified 3 dimensions named smartphone activities and non-media activities multitasking, smartphone activities and other media activities multitasking, and smartphone functional use multitasking, which initially included 27 items. From October to December 2021, 5 566 college students were selected from 7 regions, including Liaoning, Shanxi, Henan, Shanghai, Chongqing, Shenzhen, and Yunnan by multi stage cluster sampling method, and item analysis, factor analysis, and reliability evaluation were used to screen items and evaluate reliability and validity. Results: The final version of AMSA contained 3 dimensions covering 26 items. The variance cumulative contribution rate was 59.63 %. The internal consistency test showed that Cronbach s alpha coefficient for the questionnaire was 0.944, and ranged from 0.838 to 0.928 for each dimension. The split half coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.849 and ranging from 0.781 to 0.874 for each dimension. The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed that the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), comparative fit index (CFI), and Tucker Lewis index (TLI) of the questionnaire were 0.068, 0.901, and 0.891, respectively, which had which had a good fitting degree. The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that the criterion validity of the questionnaire was good ( r=0.206-0.351, P <0.01). Conclusion The ASMA is consistent with the evaluation standard of psychometrics and can be used as an assessment tool to evaluate smartphone multitasking behaviors in adolescents.