With the rapid acceleration of aging in China, there is a huge need for elderly patients to have improved quality of life in the terminal stage.Palliative sedation is an integral part of palliative care and can alleviate painful refractory symptoms, and its use in patients in various terminal illnesses is being explored across the world.Attention is focused on its indications and implementation.In China, palliative sedation in clinical practice is in an early exploratory stage and relevant criteria and guidelines have yet to be established.A review of the current practice and research progress concerning palliative sedation for patients' end-of-life care in China and the rest of the world will offer insight and strategic considerations in the initial pursuit and accelerated acceptance in the future in China.

Objective:To investigate the association between plasma anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH) levels and ischemic stroke.Methods:In this case-control study, 93 ischemic stroke patients were randomly selected as the case group from a study on the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome, which was conducted in 2018-2019 in Changshu, Jiangsu Province, while 372 nonischemic stroke patients were selected as the control group according to the principle of 1∶4 matching.An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure plasma AMH levels.The conditional logistic regression model and restricted cubic spline were used to analyze the relationship between AMH levels and ischemic stroke.Results:A total of 465 subjects with an average age of (68.7±7.4)years were included in this study, of whom 215(46.2%)were men and 250(53.8%)were women.According to our conditional Logistic regression analysis, the risk of ischemic stroke was reduced by 44% for every unit increase in the log-AMH level( OR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.37-0.85)in the overall population after multivariate adjustment.Compared with the tertile with the lowest AMH level, the risk of ischemic stroke in the tertile with the highest AMH level decreased significantly( OR=0.37, 95% CI: 0.19-0.69). When subgrouped by sex, the tertiles with the highest AMH levels were associated with a 66% lower risk of ischemic stroke in men( OR=0.34, 95% CI: 0.13-0.88)and a 64% lower risk of ischemic stroke in women( OR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.15-0.87), compared with the tertiles with the lowest AMH levels.The results of restricted cubic spline analysis showed that there was a linear dose-response relationship between plasma AMH levels and ischemic stroke both in the general population and in male or female population( Pvalues for linear trends were 0.0002, 0.008 and 0.007, respectively). Conclusions:Higher plasma AMH levels decrease the risk of ischemic stroke with a dose-response pattern.

Objective:To investigate and compare the clinical outcomes of the arterial pre-occlusion technique(APOT) and the traditional technique in the surgery of locally advanced pancreatic cancer with arterial involvement after conversion therapy.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of 145 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer with arterial involvement admitted to the Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery of the First Hospital Affiliated to Naval Medical University,from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients completed neoadjuvant therapy for tumors, and the feasibility of radical surgical treatment was determined by a multidisciplinary collaborative team evaluation before surgery. According to whether the intraoperative artery was pre-occluded, 145 patients were divided into two groups, including 28 cases in the APOT group(16 males, 12 females, aged (59.0±9.4) years), and 117 cases in the routine surgery group(76 males, 41 females, aged (55.1±8.2) years). To ensure comparability of baseline data between the APOT group and the routine surgery group, a 1∶2 match was performed using the propensity score matching method, and the caliper value was 0.006 45. The t-test,the Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test or Fisher′s exact test were used to compare the data between the two groups,respectively. Results:After matching the propensity score,there were 28 cases in the APOT group and 56 cases in the routine surgery group. There were no significant differences in gender,age,preoperative comorbidities,preoperative body mass index,surgical approaches,chemotherapy regimen,stereotactic body radiation therapy ratio,tumor markers,and type of invaded artery between the two groups (all P>0.05).The arterial occlusion time M(IQR) in the APOT group was 7.0(3.8)minutes(range:3 to 15 minutes),and no ischemic manifestations were observed in the distal target organs that blocked blood vessels after surgery. The operation time was (170.3±57.7)minutes in the APOT group and (235.0±80.2)minutes in the routine surgery group,and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-3.800, P<0.01). The APOT group also experienced less intraoperative blood loss(650(588)ml vs. 800(600)ml; U=1 026.500, P=0.021). No significant differences were found between the groups in combined vein resection and reconstruction,celiac trunk resection,early postoperative complications, readmission rates at 30 days,and postoperative length of stay(all P>0.05). Extra-arterial dissection was performed in all patients,with arterial resection and reconstruction in 3 cases: 2 cases in the APOT group(1 case involving the superior mesenteric artery and 1 case involving the common hepatic artery) and 1 case in the routine group(involving the common hepatic artery). Postoperative abdominal bleeding occurred in 4 cases,with 3 cases in the routine group,1 case in the routine group. The R0 resection rate was 85.7%(24/28) in the APOT group and 80.4%(45/56) in the routine group,without significant differences between the groups( P=0.763). The median overall survival time was 27.6 months for the APOT group and 22.5 months for the routine group,while the median disease-free survival was 11.7 months and 16.8 months,respectively,with no significant differences between the two groups( P=0.532, P=0.927). Conclusion:The arterial pre-occlusion technique can be used for extra-arterial dissection in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer involving the arteries,reducing surgery time and intraoperative blood loss.

Objective To analyze the effect of a high salt diet on ovarian mitochondrial function.Methods Twenty female ICR mice were randomly divided into a normal salt diet(NSD)group and a high salt diet(HSD)group(n = 10 each).The NSD group was given a normal salt diet and the HSD group was given an 8%NaCl diet for 4 weeks.A high salt-treated cell model was established by inducing COV-434 cells cultured in vitro with NaCl.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and ComplexesⅠ-Ⅴ.The activity of SOD and succinate dehydrogenase(SDH)was detected kinetically.A chemiluminescence assay was used to detect adenosine triphosphate(ATP)levels.Results Compared with the NSD,the HSD significantly reduced the expression level of ComplexⅠin ovarian mitochondria(P＜0.01),significantly increased the expression level of ComplexⅤ(P＜0.05),and significantly reduced the activity of SDH and content of ATP(P＜0.01).The expression level of ComplexesⅠandⅡdecreased significantly(P＜0.05),expression level of ComplexⅤ increased significantly(P＜0.05),activity of SDH decreased significantly(P＜0.01),and content of ATP was insufficient(P＜0.01)in COV-434 cells cultured under high salt conditions.Conclusion High salt can lead to mitochondrial dys-function in the mouse ovary,such as imbalanced oxidative homeostasis,changed expression level of electron transport chain complexes,blocked tricarboxylic acid cycle,and insufficient ATP level.

Pain is a prevalent symptom in both cancer and non-cancer end-stage diseases, often being the most feared by patients and significantly impacting their quality of life.Hospice care aims to address physical, psychological, spiritual, and other needs of patients and their families during this stage, with a focus on alleviating pain and discomfort.Effective pain management is a crucial component of hospice care, particularly given the increasing prevalence of cancer and chronic diseases in China and the growing elderly population.To provide analgesic management for hospice patients, a thorough assessment of pain is essential to identify its type and characteristics.Treatment approaches may include etiological interventions, pharmacotherapy, interventional therapy, physiotherapy, psychotherapy, and comfort care, all aimed at achieving comprehensive pain management.The use of opioid should be carefully guided by scientific principles to minimize adverse effects and optimize pain relief, ultimately enhancing patients' end-of-life quality of life.

Objective To explore the value of dynamic MRI imaging in investigate the morphologic and dynamic factors of low anterior resection syndrome(LARS)after anal preservation surgery in patients with low rectal cancer.Methods Thirty-five patients who developed LARS after anal preservation surgery for low rectal cancer were prospectively collected.Subjects were underwent routine MRI and dynamic MRI of pelvis 1 week before and 3 months after surgery respectively.Routine MRI was used as the resting phase,and dynamic MRI was used to obtain the rapture phase and forceful phase.Parameters such as anal rectus angle(ARA),the length of the line connecting lower edge of pubic symphysis to the posterior wall attachment point of puborectal muscle(H-line),the vertical length from posterior wall attachment point of puborectal muscle to pubococcygeal line(M-line),thickness of puborectal muscle,and thickness of internal and external anal sphincter were measured at the three time phases.The differences between preoperative and postoperative,and moderate and severe LARS patients were compared by measuring relevant indicators.Results The preoperative and postoperative ARA,H-line length and M-line length of LARS patients were the smallest in the rapture phase,the largest in the forceful phase,and the middle in the resting phase.The postoperative thickness of puborectalis muscle and internal and external anal sphincter were the largest in the rapture phase,the smallest in the forceful phase,and the middle in the resting phase.There were significant differences between the three phases(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences between the three phases of postoperative puborectalis muscle thickness and internal and external sphincter thickness(P＞0.05).The postoperative ARA was greater than preoperative ARA in LARS patients,and the thickness of puborectalis muscle,the internal anal sphincter(resting phase and rapture phase),and the external anal sphincter were smaller than preoperative ARA,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The ARA in resting phase and rapture phase was greater in patients with severe LARS than that of patients with mild LARS,and the thickness of internal anal sphincter in resting phase was less in patients with severe LARS than that of patients with mild LARS(P＜0.05).However,the differences between the other indicators were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion Dynamic MRI examination technology combines dynamic images with quantitative indicators can be used as an important evaluation basis for LARS patients.

Objective:To investigate the distribution patterns of TCM syndrome elements and syndrome types in cancer-related fatigue (CRF).Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted on tumor patients attending the outpatient clinic and wards of the Department of Oncology, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from January to December 2021. Descriptive analysis was used to compare the distribution difference of TCM syndrome elements, symptoms and tongue symptoms of CRF and non-CRF patients. The TCM symptoms of CRF were clustered to summarize the common TCM syndromes of CRF.Results:A total of 306 tumor patients were finally included, of which 229 (75%) were CRF and 77 (25%) were non-CRF. Qi deficiency, blood deficiency, and cold-dampness were the most common deficiency and excess syndrome elements in CRF, and liver deficiency, yin deficiency, and blood stasis syndrome elements occurred more frequently in non-CRF than in CRF. TCM symptoms with a frequency greater than 50% in CRF patients, from high to low, were: fatigue > shortness of breath > insomnia or dreaminess > mental fatigue > forgetfulness>lazy speech > impatience, irritability, depression with sighing. The most frequent tongue symptoms, tongue coating, and pulse symptoms were respectively pale tongue, white and greasy coating or smooth white, and pulse deficiency. The symptoms with greater than 30% frequency in 77 non-CRF patients were, from highest to lowest: impatience and irritability or depression with sighing > insomnia or dreaminess > shortness of breath > dry mouth and throat > lumbar spine pain (excluding traumatic) > numbness of limbs > forgetfulness. The highest-ranked tongue, tongue coating, and pulse symptoms were pale tongue, red tongue or less coating, no coating, and thin pulse, respectively. Through clustering analysis, six common syndromes of CRF were obtained, including qi and blood deficiency syndrome, heart and liver blood deficiency syndrome, kidney yang deficiency syndrome, qi and yin deficiency syndrome, spleen deficiency and qi stagnation syndrome, and cold dampness and spleen stagnation syndrome.Conclusions:CRF is a common symptom of different types of tumors. Generally, deficiency syndrome is the main symptom. Qi deficiency and blood deficiency are the common syndrome elements. Common symptoms of high frequency and tongue and pulse are fatigue, shortness of breath, mental fatigue, forgetfulness, pale tongue and thin pulse. The common TCM syndrome types can be preliminarily summarized into 6 types: qi and blood deficiency syndrome, heart and liver blood deficiency syndrome, kidney yang deficiency syndrome, qi and yin deficiency syndrome, spleen deficiency and qi stagnation syndrome, cold dampness and spleen stagnation syndrome.

Objective: To understand the current situation of mental health education in primary and secondary schools in Beijing, so as to provide the data support and policy suggestions for mental health work in Beijing. Methods: From April to May 2024, a multi stage random sampling method was used to select 399 primary and secondary schools in Beijing to conduct a questionnaire survey. Chi square test was used to compare the differences resource allocation of mental health education, current status of mental health education by regions and educational stages. Results: There were significant differences in reporting rates for the allocation of professional and part time psychological teachers in different regions and educational stages (professional: χ 2=17.86, 20.74 , part time: χ 2=13.56, 25.63, P <0.05). There was significant differences the implementation of mental health education courses for students in different educational stages ( χ 2=12.83, P <0.05). There was significant differences the implementation of mental health education training for staff in different regions ( χ 2=17.79, P <0.05). Professional psychology teachers were well equipped in urban schools (84.13%) and 9 year or 12 year schools (85.33%),and part time psychology teachers were well equipped in suburban schools (68.49%) and primary schools (71.35%). Schools in the outer suburbs (96.88%) had the best implementation of mental health education training for staff, and the 9 year or 12 year schools (100.00%) had the best implementation of mental health education courses for students. Totally 93.98% of schools carried out mental health education activities, 90.23% of schools established mental health consultation rooms, and 88.97% of schools integrated mental health education into other courses. Conclusions The development of mental health education in primary and secondary schools in Beijing is good. It is suggested that the quality of mental health education in primary and secondary schools in Beijing should be improved by implementing the requirements of psychological teacher allocation, the coordination among family, school and community, and paying attention to teachers mental health level.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Anaplasma infections in sheep and goats in Anhui Province in 2020, so as to provide insights into ovine anaplasmosis prevention and control. Methods A total of 355 fresh blood samples were collected from 7 sheep and goat farms in Linquan County of Fuyang City, Lixin County of Bozhou City, Yu'an District of Lu'an City, Wangjiang County of Anqing City, Nanling County of Wuhu City, and Tianchang City and Fengyang County of Chuzhou City in Anhui Province from June to December 2020. A. bovis and A. phagocytophilum 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene, A. ovis major surface protein 4 (MSP4) gene and A. capra citric acid synthase (gltA) gene were amplified using PCR assay in all blood samples, and the prevalence of A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. ovis and A. capra infections was calculated in sheep and goats. In addition, the positive amplification products were sequenced and subjected to genetic evolutionary analysis. Results The overall prevalence of Anaplasma infections was 17.5% (62/355) in sheep and goats in Anhui Province, and the prevalence of A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. ovis and A. capra infections was 2.8% (10/355), 2.5% (9/355), 2.5% (9/355), and 7.0% (25/355), while the prevalence of A. bovis and A. phagocytophilum, A. phagocytophilum and A. ovis, A. phagocytophilum and A. capra and A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum and A. ovis co-infections was 0.8% (3/355), 1.1% (4/355), 0.3% (1/355) and 0.3% (1/355), respectively. No Anaplasma was detected in the sheep and goat farms in Fengyang County, while at least three Anaplasma species were detected in other sheep and goat farms, with co-infections of multiple Anaplasma species identified. The prevalence of Anaplasma infections was 14.7% (24/163) in goats and 19.8% (38/192) in sheep, and the prevalence of Anaplasma infections was 31.0% (31/100) in goats and sheep under 6 months of age, and 12.2% (31/255) in goats and sheep at ages of 6 months and older, respectively. A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. ovis and A. capra were identified in sheep and goats of different breeds and ages. Conclusions Multiple Anaplasma species infections were commonly prevalent in goats and sheep in Anhui Province in 2020, notably A. phagocytophilum, A. ovis and A. capra, which have zoonotic risks. Improved surveillance and prevention and control of Anaplasma infections are required in sheep and goats in Anhui Province.

Objective:To investigate and compare the clinical outcomes of the arterial pre-occlusion technique(APOT) and the traditional technique in the surgery of locally advanced pancreatic cancer with arterial involvement after conversion therapy.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of 145 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer with arterial involvement admitted to the Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery of the First Hospital Affiliated to Naval Medical University,from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients completed neoadjuvant therapy for tumors, and the feasibility of radical surgical treatment was determined by a multidisciplinary collaborative team evaluation before surgery. According to whether the intraoperative artery was pre-occluded, 145 patients were divided into two groups, including 28 cases in the APOT group(16 males, 12 females, aged (59.0±9.4) years), and 117 cases in the routine surgery group(76 males, 41 females, aged (55.1±8.2) years). To ensure comparability of baseline data between the APOT group and the routine surgery group, a 1∶2 match was performed using the propensity score matching method, and the caliper value was 0.006 45. The t-test,the Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test or Fisher′s exact test were used to compare the data between the two groups,respectively. Results:After matching the propensity score,there were 28 cases in the APOT group and 56 cases in the routine surgery group. There were no significant differences in gender,age,preoperative comorbidities,preoperative body mass index,surgical approaches,chemotherapy regimen,stereotactic body radiation therapy ratio,tumor markers,and type of invaded artery between the two groups (all P>0.05).The arterial occlusion time M(IQR) in the APOT group was 7.0(3.8)minutes(range:3 to 15 minutes),and no ischemic manifestations were observed in the distal target organs that blocked blood vessels after surgery. The operation time was (170.3±57.7)minutes in the APOT group and (235.0±80.2)minutes in the routine surgery group,and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-3.800, P<0.01). The APOT group also experienced less intraoperative blood loss(650(588)ml vs. 800(600)ml; U=1 026.500, P=0.021). No significant differences were found between the groups in combined vein resection and reconstruction,celiac trunk resection,early postoperative complications, readmission rates at 30 days,and postoperative length of stay(all P>0.05). Extra-arterial dissection was performed in all patients,with arterial resection and reconstruction in 3 cases: 2 cases in the APOT group(1 case involving the superior mesenteric artery and 1 case involving the common hepatic artery) and 1 case in the routine group(involving the common hepatic artery). Postoperative abdominal bleeding occurred in 4 cases,with 3 cases in the routine group,1 case in the routine group. The R0 resection rate was 85.7%(24/28) in the APOT group and 80.4%(45/56) in the routine group,without significant differences between the groups( P=0.763). The median overall survival time was 27.6 months for the APOT group and 22.5 months for the routine group,while the median disease-free survival was 11.7 months and 16.8 months,respectively,with no significant differences between the two groups( P=0.532, P=0.927). Conclusion:The arterial pre-occlusion technique can be used for extra-arterial dissection in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer involving the arteries,reducing surgery time and intraoperative blood loss.