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Ruxian Wei,* Huimei Lv,* Gaiying Jiang, Xueqing Wang, Nan Zhang, Songjia Guo Nephrology Department, Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ruxian Wei, Nephrology Department, Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, No. 29, Shuangtasi Street, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China, Email weiruxian_x@163.comObjective: The Chronic Kidney Disease Management Centre (CKDMC) primarily focuses on developing a new system for early screening, standardised diagnosis, treatment, and the long-term follow-up management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to enhance CKD prevention and management. Nurses play a pivotal role in the comprehensive management of CKD, contributing considerably to the improvement of patient survival. Consequently, this study constructs an evaluation index system for nursing positions in the CKDMC, delineating the required competencies of nurses and providing a foundation for their targeted training.Methods: A literature review and semi-structured interviews were used to develop the competency evaluation index system for nursing positions at the CKDMC. The Delphi method, involving expert correspondence, was employed over two rounds of inquiry with 16 experts, focusing on screening, modifying, and refining the indicators at all levels.Results: The response rates for the first and second rounds of the questionnaire were 100% and 93.8%, respectively, with expert authority coefficients of 0.73 for both rounds. The finalised competency evaluation index system includes 3 primary indicators (theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and professional attitude), 10 secondary indicators, and 44 tertiary indicators.Conclusion: The study successfully established a CKD specialist nurse competency evaluation index system comprising 3 primary, 10 secondary, and 44 tertiary indicators. The consensus among experts was high, rendering the results scientific, objective, and reliable. This system can serve as a basis for the training, selection, and competency evaluation of nursing professionals in CKDMCs.Keywords: chronic kidney disease, management centre, competency, index system

Tiantian Guo,1 Yao Wang,1 Dixuan Chen,2 Sifan Cui,2 Shuyue Guo,1 Yixing Feng,1 Jialin Zhu,1 Luchen Chang,1 Jiawei Zhang,2 Xiujun Gao,2 Xi Wei1 1Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Ultrasonography, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300060, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Xi Wei, Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Ultrasonography, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Huanhuxi Road, Tiyuanbei, Hexi District, Tianjin, 300060, People’s Republic of China, Email weixi@tmu.edu.cn Xiujun Gao, School of Biomedical, Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22, Meteorological Station Road, Tianjin, 300070, People’s Republic of China, Email gaoxiujun12242@tmu.edu.cnPurpose: Chemotherapy remains the primary therapeutic approach for advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). The therapeutic effect of chemotherapy is limited and the toxic side effects are serious. The aim of this study is to develop a nanobubble that is ultrasonically responsive to reduce the toxic side effects of direct chemotherapy.Methods: We developed curcumin/doxorubicin-cis-aconitic anhydride-polyethylene glycol nanobubble (C/DCNB) surface modified with acid-sensitive polyethylene glycol (PEG). And it is loaded with curcumin (CUR) and doxorubicin (DOX), as liposomes at the nanoscale for diagnosis and therapy of tumors.Results: In this study, the acid-sensitive PEG on the surface layer of nanobubbles serves to stabilize them in the blood circulatory system and in normal tissues, while peeling off in the acidic tumor microenvironment (pH 6.8). C/DCNB can identify tumor sites through contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). And ultrasound-mediated nanobubbles promote permeability of the tumor vascular, thus improving the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effects in the tumor, leading to the accumulation of nanobubbles in the tumor. After endocytosis of nanobubbles, drugs are released and curcumin generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) under ultrasound conditions. CUR can enhance the sensitivity of tumor cells to DOX by inhibiting the expression of P-glycoprotein. In vitro and vivo experiments demonstrate that C/DCNB can facilitate contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging while simultaneously delivering drugs, enabling both imaging and treatment.Conclusion: The combination of C/DCNB and ultrasound provides an effective strategy for improving the efficiency of HCC therapy and imaging. Keywords: combination of sonodynamic therapy and chemotherapy, the synergistic effect of two drugs, integration of diagnosis and treatment, ultrasound

Xiamin Pu,1 Houqiang Huang,2 Xiaolei Zhao,3 Feng Liu,1 Yebo Leng,4 Ya Deng,5 Lingyi Huang,5 Xingchen Zhou,5 Fen Xu,1 Yongli Huang,6 Shengmin Guo2 1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Nursing, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, People’s Republic of China; 5School of Nursing, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Outpatient, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Shengmin Guo, Department of Nursing, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-13980255653, Email 2930773281@qq.comBackground: A global public health problem, frailty is closely associated with poor prognosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in older patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Although exercise intervention is the most commonly used method to reverse and alleviate frailty, its application is restricted in patients with acute myocardial infarction following PCI due to cardiovascular instability and autonomic imbalance. Consequently, there is a need for a new practical intervention to address frailty syndrome in these patients.Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in frail older AMI patients post-PCI.Patients and Methods: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was carried out in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine from March to October 2023. A total of 100 eligible participants were randomly divided into two groups: experimental (n = 50) and control (n = 50) groups, respectively. Both groups received usual care. The experimental group underwent neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on bilateral quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles for 30 minutes daily from day 1 to day 7 after surgery. The primary outcomes measured included the frailty score, lower limb muscle strength, and lower limb muscle quality. Secondary outcomes included the activities of daily living score, inflammatory markers, and length of hospital stay. All participants were included in an intention-to-treat analysis after the study ended.Results: The frailty scores of the two groups exhibited a gradual decrease over time, and the scores of the experimental group were lower than those of the control group at 4 and 7 days after surgery (P< 0.001). Concurrently, the lower limb muscle strength showed an increasing trend over the time in the experimental group and a decreasing trend in the control group, and the scores of the experimental group surpassed those of the control group (p< 0.001). Moreover, a statistical difference was observed in the lower limb muscle mass across the groups after 7 days postoperatively compared with baseline on both sides (p< 0.05).Conclusion: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation has the potential to enhance lower limb function and alleviate frailty in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction after PCI. These findings introduce a novel intervention approach for frailty management in the elderly population.Keywords: acute myocardial infarction, older, frailty, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, PCI

Xiaoxing Wei,1,2,&ast; Shengteng Guo,1,&ast; Qinghua Wang1 1School of Nursing (School of Gerontology), Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 2Intensive Care Unit, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Qinghua Wang, Email pingxing05@126.comPurpose: To evaluate troponin I, creatine kinase isoenzyme, and the new Japanese Severity Score(JSS) for predicting Severe Acute Pancreatitis-Associated myocardial Injury(SACI).Patients and Methods: This retrospective study included 136 patients with Severe Acute Pancreatitis, hospitalized in grade-III hospital from June 1, 2015, to October 31, 2022; selected using convenience sampling method and divided into SACI occurrence (n =34) and SACI non-occurrence (n =102) groups. New JSS evaluated predictive value of each SACI index. Binary logistic regression model compared risk factors and constructed a prediction model. Area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness of fit test evaluated model’s prediction efficiency and calibration ability.Results: The incidence of SACI was 25%. Univariate analysis found that troponin I and creatine kinase isoenzyme were significantly different (P < 0.05) and independent risk factors for SACI. The new JSS, troponin I, and creatine kinase isoenzyme were included in the prediction model. The prediction model had a good calibration ability, and its predicted value and the actual observed value were not significantly different (Hosmer–Lemeshow χ 2 = 5.408, P = 0.368). AUC of the model was 0.803 (95% CI: 0.689– 0.918), and the optimal threshold of the prediction model was 0.318 with the maximum Youden index (0.488). The AUC for internal validation was 0.788 (95% CI: 0.657– 0.876), and external validation was 0.761 (95% CI: 0.622– 0.832).Conclusion: Troponin I and creatine kinase isoenzymes combined with the new JSS have a high predictive value for SACI, improving the early prediction and treatment of at-risk patients.Keywords: acute pancreatitis, new Japanese severity score, myocardial injury, prediction model, pancreatic heart syndrome

Fuyu Zhao,1– 3,&ast; Jianan Zhao,1– 3,&ast; Kai Wei,1– 3 Ping Jiang,1– 3 Yiming Shi,1– 3 Cen Chang,1– 3 Yixin Zheng,1– 3 Yu Shan,1– 3 Yunshen Li,1– 3 Bingheng He,4 Mi Zhou,1,3 Jia Liu,1,3 Li Li,1,3 Shicheng Guo,1 Dongyi He1– 3 1Department of Rheumatology, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 2Guanghua Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 3Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Rehabilitation, Tongren Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Dongyi He, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, Email dongyihe@medmail.com.cnAbstract: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by the excessive proliferation of keratinocytes and heightened immune activation. Targeting pathogenic genes through small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy represents a promising strategy for the treatment of psoriasis. This mini-review provides a comprehensive summary of siRNA research targeting the pathogenesis of psoriasis, covering aspects such as keratinocyte function, inflammatory cell roles, preclinical animal studies, and siRNA delivery mechanisms. It details recent advancements in RNA interference that modulate key factors including keratinocyte proliferation (Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2, FGFR2), apoptosis (Interferon Alpha Inducible Protein 6, G1P3), differentiation (Grainyhead Like Transcription Factor 2, GRHL2), and angiogenesis (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, VEGF); immune cell infiltration and inflammation (Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, TNF-α; Interleukin-17, IL-17); and signaling pathways (JAK-STAT, Nuclear Factor Kappa B, NF-κB) that govern immunopathology. Despite significant advances in siRNA-targeted treatments for psoriasis, several challenges persist. Continued scientific developments promise the creation of more effective and safer siRNA medications, potentially enhancing the quality of life for psoriasis patients and revolutionizing treatments for other diseases. This article focuses on the most recent research advancements in targeting the pathogenesis of psoriasis with siRNA and explores its future therapeutic prospects.Keywords: psoriasis, siRNA, keratinocytes, targeted delivery

Suyang Guo,1 Wenqi Bai,1 Fengjie Cui,1 Xin Chen,1 Xiaojing Fang,1 Honghong Shen,2 Xianhua Gu1 1Department of Gynecology Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Honghong Shen, Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research, Bengbu Medical University, 287 Changhuai Road, Bengbu, Anhui, 233004, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8613385681156, Email shenhonghong1984@163.com Xianhua Gu, Department of Oncology Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu Medical University, 287 Changhuai Road, Bengbu, Anhui, 233004, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8613385680722, Email guxianhua1986@163.comIntroduction: GRHL1 belongs to the family of Grainyhead-like (GRHL). Previous studies have shown that dysregulation of growth and survival pathways is associated with the GRHL family of gene cancers. Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has changed the treatment paradigm for many tumors, including endometrial cancer (EC). However, the effect of GRHL1 on immunotherapy in EC and its relationship with immune cell infiltration are poorly understood.Methods: Differential expression of GRHL1 between EC and normal EC tissues was analyzed by searching the TCGA database, and the results were verified utilizing immunohistochemistry analyses. Next, the relationship between GRHL1, CD8+ T cells and tumor microenvironment (TME) was also investigated, and the effect of GRHL1 expression on immunotherapy in EC was evaluated.Results: According to the findings, EC tissues had elevated expression levels of GRHL1 relative to normal tissues. Patients with EC who expressed GRHL1 at high levels experienced worse overall survival (OS) and Progression-free survival (PFS) than those whose expression was lower. In addition, GRHL1 expression was negatively correlated with CD8+ T cells, and patients with high GRHL1 expression were less effective in receiving immunotherapy.Conclusion: The expression of GRHL1 was high in EC patients, and high expression of GRHL1 inhibits the proliferation of CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment of EC and affect the efficacy of immunotherapy.Keywords: GRHL1, endometrial cancer, tumor microenvironment, CD8+ T cells, immunotherapy

Ruichen Fang,1,2 Yihong Cheng,1,2 Fan Li,3 Yan Xu,1,2 Yuanhui Li,4 Xiang Liu,4 Simin Guo,4 Yuling Wang,1,2 Jinnong Jiang,1,2 Dan Zhou,1,2 Bin Zhang1,2 1Department of Psychiatry, Sleep Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, People’s Republic of China; 4Adai Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Bin Zhang, Department of Psychiatry, Sleep Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, No. 1838 North, Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, People’s Republic of China, Email zhang73bin@hotmail.comPurpose: In this study, we established the Chinese Clinical Sleep Database (CCSD), aiming to provide a safe, scalable, and user-friendly database that includes high-quality clinical data from Chinese population to facilitate sleep research.Material and Methods: We collect individual’s demographic data, scales, anthropometric measurements, clinical diagnosis, and polysomnography (PSG) recordings from the routine medical process of sleep medicine centers using standardized procedures. The distributed cluster storage technology are utilized to store these data. The structured data are stored in a high-performance MySQL database, while the unstructured data are stored in an object storage service. And we have developed an online data platform to share and manage our data.Results: The data collection has been conducted in three hospitals. In the preliminary stage of data collection (from October 18, 2022 to September 4, 2023), our database included a total of 1183 patients. Among them, 56.8% were male and their ages ranged from 3 to 88 years. These patients were diagnosed with various types of sleep disorders.Conclusion: Since the CCSD’s inception, it has demonstrated good stability, security, and scalability. As an public database, the CCSD also exhibits user-friendliness. The CCSD contains comprehensive clinical data, which can contribute to the advancement of the diagnosis and treatment strategies for sleep disorders, ultimately promoting sleep health.Keywords: sleep medicine, methodology, database, data collection, collaboration tool

Wenqing Ji,&ast; Tiantian Wan,&ast; Fang Zhang, Shubin Guo, Xue Mei Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Shubin Guo; Xue Mei, Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, 8 South Workers Stadium Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-10-85231000, Email shubin007@yeah.net; meixue91@yeah.netPurpose: Angiogenic factor with G patch and FHA domains 1 (AGGF1) is a crucial angiogenic factor that is involved in a variety of diseases and in the regulation of inflammatory responses. However, its role in sepsis is poorly understood. We have investigated the role of AGGF1 in the classification and prognostic evaluation of adult septic patients in a clinical context.Patients and Methods: A total of 126 septic patients who visited the Emergency Department of Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital and 76 non-sepsis patients visiting the Physical Examination Center of Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital were enrolled. AGGF1 levels in plasma were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine correlations between plasma AGGF1 and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, Acute Pathology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, procalcitonin and lactate. We evaluated the classification significance of AGGF1 in sepsis using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. We also assessed the predictive significance of AGGF1 for 28-day mortality in sepsis using ROC curves and Kaplan–Meier analyses.Results: Plasma AGGF1 levels were higher in sepsis patients than in non-sepsis patients (P < 0.001). Among sepsis patients, plasma AGGF1 levels were higher in non-survivors than in survivors (P < 0.001). Increased plasma AGGF1 levels were positively correlated with SOFA score, APACHE II score, procalcitonin and lactate. Plasma AGGF1 levels could distinguish sepsis patients from non-sepsis patients (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.777). AGGF1 had a higher predictive value than SOFA score, APACHE II score, lactate, procalcitonin, and white blood cell count for 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis (AUC = 0.876). Furthermore, Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated that lower plasma AGGF1 levels were associated with lower 28-day mortality compared with higher plasma AGGF1 levels (log rank P < 0.001).Conclusion: AGGF1 is useful for the classification and evaluating prognosis of adult septic patients.Keywords: AGGF1, sepsis, classification, predictor

Study questionWhat outcomes should be reported in all studies investigating uterus-sparing interventions for treating uterine adenomyosis?Summary answerWe identified 24 specific and 26 generic core outcomes in nine domains.What is known alreadyResearch reporting adenomyosis treatment is not patient-centred and shows wide variation in outcome selection, definition, reporting and measurement of quality.Study design, size, durationAn international consensus development process was performed between March and December 2021. Participants in round one were 150 healthcare professionals, 17 researchers and 334 individuals or partners with lived experience of adenomyosis from 48 high-, middle- and low-income countries. There were 291 participants in the second round.Participants/materials, setting, methodsStakeholders included active researchers in the field, healthcare professionals involved in diagnosis and treatment, and people and their partners with lived experience of adenomyosis. The core component of the process was a 2-step modified Delphi electronic survey. The Steering Committee analysed the results and created the final core outcome set (COS) in a semi-structured meeting.Main results and the role of chanceA total of 241 outcomes was identified and distilled into a 'long list' of 71 potential outcomes. The final COS comprises 24 specific and 26 generic core outcomes across nine domains, including pain, uterine bleeding, reproductive outcomes, haematology, urinary system, life impact, delivery of care, adverse events and reporting items, all with definitions provided by the Steering Committee. Nineteen of these outcomes will apply only to certain study types. Although not included in the COS, the Steering Committee recommended that three health economic outcomes should be recorded.Limitations, reasons for cautionPatients from continents other than Europe were under-represented in this survey. A lack of translation of the survey might have limited the active participation of people in non-English speaking countries. Only 58% of participants returned to round two, but analysis did not indicate attrition bias. There is a significant lack of scientific evidence regarding which symptoms are caused by adenomyosis and when they are related to other co-existent disorders such as endometriosis. As future research provides more clarity, the appropriate review and revision of the COS will be necessary.Wider implications of the findingsImplementing this COS in future studies on the treatment of adenomyosis will improve the quality of reporting and aid evidence synthesis.Study funding/competing interest(s)No specific funding was received for this work. T.T. received a grant (grant number 2020083) from the South Eastern Norwegian Health Authority during the course of this work. T.T. receives personal fees from General Electrics and Medtronic for lectures on ultrasound. E.R.L. is the chairman of the Norwegian Endometriosis Association. M.G.M. is a consultant for Abbvie Inc and Myovant, receives research funding from AbbVie and is Chair of the Women's Health Research Collaborative. S.-W.G. is a board member of the Asian Society of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis, on the scientific advisory board of the endometriosis foundation of America, previous congress chair for the World Endometriosis Society, for none of which he received personal fees. E.S. received outside of this work grants for two multicentre trials on endometriosis from the National Institute for Health Research UK, the Rosetrees Trust, and the Barts and the London Charity, he is a member of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Medicines for Women's Health Expert Advisory Group, he is an ambassador for the World Endometriosis Society, and he received personal fees for lectures from Hologic, Olympus, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, Intuitive and Karl Storz. M.H. is member of the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy subcommittee. No other conflict of interest was declared.Trial registration numberN/A.

Qi Li,1 Yongli Wang,2,&ast; Huawen Liu,3 Hailang Peng,4 Jianglin Xiang,2,&ast; Shuliang Guo4,&ast; 1Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Infectious Disease, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing, 404000, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Oncology, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing, 404000, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Shuliang Guo, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-23-89012097, Email GUOSL_999@163.com Jianglin Xiang; Yongli Wang, Tel +86 13896328822; +86 15213571077, Email 1448026879@qq.com; wyl068@foxmail.comPurpose: To investigate the computed tomography (CT) findings of SARs-CoV-2 Omicron variant in relation to respiratory viral loads determined by cycle threshold values in reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Materials and Methods: From October 2022 to November 2022, 74 hospitalized patients with Omicron were included in this retrospective study. The radiological features, CT involvement scores in relation to the respiratory viral load, and factors associated with imaging progression (IP) after the RT-PCR results turned negative were analyzed.Results: The most common CT patterns of Omicron were multiple round-like or patchy ground-glass opacity (GGO) or mixed GGO in the peripheral or diffuse areas. The grading of CT involvement scores exhibited an inverse pattern compared to viral loads from day 1 to day 8 and from day 13 to day 20 after diagnosis. Among the 65 patients with complete imaging data, 45 (69.23%) showed IP with clinical warning indicators of disease exacerbation negative in 34 and positive in 11. Patients with IP were older than those with non-IP (NIP); the erythrocyte sedimentation rates, procalcitonin levels, and D-dimer levels on admission of patients with IP were significantly higher than those of patients with NIP, whereas the immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody level on admission and CT involvement score on initial CT of patients with IP were significantly lower than those of patients with NIP (all P < 0.05).Conclusion: For patients with Omicron, the IP of lung abnormalities is common when the viral load decreases. Under these circumstances, paying attention to clinical warming indicators of disease progression may contribute to better patient management and the mitigation of severe pneumonia.Keywords: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, Omicron, pneumonia, computed tomography, viral load

Dong Zhang,1,2 Siwei Duan,3 Zhangyou He,4 Zeming Zhu,3 Zhiping Li,3 Qincheng Yi,4 Tiantian Cai,1,2 Juanjuan Li,1,2 Nan Chen,1,2 Shaoju Guo1,2 1Gastrointestinal Ward, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China; 2Gastrointestinal Ward, Shenzhen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China; 3Institute of Gastroenterology, Science and Technology Innovation Center of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 4Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Shaoju Guo, Gastrointestinal Ward, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-0755-82571384, Email gsj1080@163.comPurpose: This study was conducted to explore the mechanism of Sijunzi Decoction (SJZ) in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC).Methods: The study aimed to investigate the active components and targets of SJZ in the treatment of UC by screening databases such as TCMSP, GeneCards, OMIM, Distinct, TTD, and Drugbank. An online Venn tool, Cytoscape 3.7.2, and Autodock Tools were used to analyze the components and targets. The study also used a mouse model of UC to further investigate the effects of SJZ. HE staining, immunofluorescence, ELISA, qPCR, and Western blot were used to detect various indices.Results: Eighty-three active components and 112 action targets were identified from SJZ, including 67 targets for treating UC-related NETs. The five core targets identified were AKT1, JUN, IL1B, PTGS2, and TNF, and molecular docking studies indicated that the five targets were well-docked with ginsenoside Rh2, isoflavones, and formononetin. Animal experiments demonstrated that SJZ could alleviate various parameters such as weight, colon length, spleen index, disease activity index, and intestinal pathology of the UC mice. Immunofluorescence and Western blot showed that SJZ could reduce the expression of IL1B and TNF in intestinal neutrophils while increasing the expression of Occludin. Cellular immunofluorescence suggests that SJZ can reduce the expression of TNF and IL1B in NETs. The qPCR results also suggested that SJZ could inhibit TNF signal. Furthermore, ELISA results suggested that SJZ could inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) while promoting the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-37, TGF-β).Conclusion: SJZ treats UC by reducing the content of intestinal NETs, with primary targets on the NETs being IL1B and TNFand suppress TNF signal. The practical components of SJZ may be ginsenoside Rh2, isoflavones, and formononetin.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: ulcerative colitis, Sijunzi decoction, network pharmacology, IL1B, TNF

Zisu Wang,1 Kai Li,1 Shuangshuang Guo,2 Xili Wen,1 Ziyi He,1 Yujun Cai1 1School of Physical Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 2Physical education Group, High school Attached to Shanghai Normal University Minhang Campus, Shanghai, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yujun Cai, School of Physical Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, Email caiyujun@sus.edu.cnPurpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between academic engagement and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) and sedentary behavior (SB) among adolescents, so as to provide evidence from the perspective of exercising for students to learn efficiently, teachers to improve classroom teaching, and schools to improve educational quality.Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted in 12 junior high schools in Shanghai, China, which were selected by a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method. Then, with the valid data of 2078 students collected from the survey. A data analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics 26.0. Multiple linear regression models were adopted to analyze the factors affecting adolescent academic engagement and to determine whether MVPA, MSE, and SB play roles in it.Results: (1) The differences in academic engagement depended on the exercise adherence to the recommended amount of MVPA, MSE, and screen-based SB. (2) In terms of the three independent variables of total time, MSE (β = 0.206) and MVPA (β = 0.175) showed a significant positive correlation with academic engagement, while SB (β = − 0.155) was negatively correlated with academic engagement. (3) From the linear regression model of eight combination groups divided by the exercise adherence to the recommended amount of MVPA, MSE and SB, the group that met none of the recommendations (β = − 0.235) showed a significant negative effect on academic engagement, while the groups that met any two or all three of the recommendations demonstrated strong positive correlations with academic engagement (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Increasing adolescents’ muscle-strengthening exercise and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior can effectively promote academic engagement. Therefore, adolescents are suggested to reach the recommended amounts of physical activity, muscle-strengthening exercise, and sedentary behavior so as to improve academic engagement more effectively.Keywords: moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, muscle-strengthening exercise, academic engagement, sedentary behaviors

Qian Zhang,1,2,&ast; Jia Liu,1,&ast; Dan Yao,1,2 Jian-Xin Shi,1 Yuan-Jie Liu,2– 4 Yue-Gang Wei,1 Shun Guo1,2 1Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, People’s Republic of China; 2No. 1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, People’s Republic of China; 4Key Laboratory of Tumor System Biology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Shun Guo, Email retinoid@163.comBackground: Psoriasis is a complex autoimmune disease. Frequent interactions between epidermal and immune cells are likely to be responsible for the strong heterogeneity of psoriasis. Therefore, our work aims to build on current knowledge and further search for new molecular mechanisms related to psoriasis pathogenesis in order to develop new targeted drugs.Methods: Data from psoriasis samples were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and batch effects were corrected using the “Combat” algorithm in the “SVA” package. Functional annotation of differential genes in psoriasis was performed by Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Core functional modules were identified using the Multiscale Embedded Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (MEGENA) algorithm for selection from the differential gene interaction network. The expression and potential function of Rh Family C Glycoprotein (RHCG) was predicted in single cell data by the “Seurat” package and validated in psoriasis samples by multiplex immunofluorescence. In addition, the regulatory function of HOP Homeobox (HOPX) on RHCG in keratinocytes was confirmed using RNA interference. Using immune infiltration analysis, RHCG and DC cells were analyzed for their association. Finally, the molecular mechanisms of treatment of psoriasis using Tripterygii Radix (TR) and Cinnamomi Ramulus (CR) were explored through network pharmacology and experimental validation.Results: Immune response (represented by C1_2) and collagen matrix formation (represented by C1_3) were identified as two important pathogenic factors in psoriasis and helped to define new biological subtypes of psoriasis. One important psoriasis hub gene, RHCG, was obtained and found to be closely associated with keratinocyte differentiation as well as DC cell maturation. And RHCG was regulated by HOPX in keratinocytes. In addition, the mechanism of action of CR and TR in the treatment of psoriasis was tentatively confirmed to be related to TRPV3, NFKB2, and YAP1.Conclusions: Our study identifies a new causal disease gene (RHCG) and offers potential alternatives for the treatment of psoriasis.Keywords: psoriasis, Rh family C glycoprotein, RHCG, DC cells, keratinocyte, traditional Chinese medicine

Xin Zhao,1,&ast; Pingyuan Ge,1,&ast; Shaohua Lei,1 Siqi Guo,1 Peng Zhou,1 Li Zhao,1 Yiyu Qi,1 Xiaotong Wei,2 Weizhen Wu,2 Ningjing Wang,2 Rui Guo,3 Nianyun Yang,1 Qingqing Xiao,1 Qichun Zhang,1,2 Huaxu Zhu1 1Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Processing and Preparation, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 2Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Qichun Zhang; Huaxu Zhu, Email zhangqichun@njucm.edu.cn; zhuhx@njucm.edu.cnIntroduction: Neuroinflammation is one of the major pathogeneses in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mainly involves abnormal inflammatory activation of microglia by multiple pathological stimuli. The treatment of AD remains a major challenge due to the multifactorial characterization of AD and the inefficient ability of therapeutic drugs to permeate through the blood‒brain barrier (BBB). Accordingly, drug combination treatment and drug carrier delivery have become important therapeutic tools for the treatment of multifactorial diseases, especially AD.Methods: Inflammatory cytokine levels in microglia, including NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-10, were detected. The Morris water maze and object location task were used to investigate the learning and memory functions of APP/PS1 mice in different treatment groups. The number of neurons and plasticity of synapses were evaluated by immunofluorescence double labelling. Additionally, the ratio of β-amyloid plaques and the number of activated microglia were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. The concentrations of β-amyloid plaques and inflammatory factors in the hippocampus were determined by ELISA. Microglia-derived exosomes (Exos) were extracted and purified by size exclusion chromatography. The distribution of exosomes and drugs was investigated in vitro and in vivo.Results: Compared to single drug interventions, the combination of Ber and Pal (Ber/Pal) modulated microglial inflammatory cytokine levels. Ber/Pal promoted the recovery of learning and memory impairment in APP/PS1 mice. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that Ber/Pal restored neurons, inhibited Aβ plaque formation and microglial activation, and regulated the secretion of inflammatory factors. Exos promoted the accumulation of drugs in cells and tissues and improved the targeting of drugs across the BBB.Conclusion: Ber/Pal could offer a synergistic and more comprehensive therapeutic effect in AD. Additionally, the microglia-derived Exos-Ber/Pal delivery system promoted the targeting and permeation of drugs into the brain, suggesting a creative strategy for targeting AD therapy by regulating neuroinflammation in microglial cells.Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, neuroinflammation, phytoconstituents, drug combination, BBB permeability, exosomes

Sarah Guo,1 Mark S Borchert,2,3 Melinda Chang,2,3 Sudha Nallasamy,1– 3 Mark W Reid,2,3 Sandy Zhang-Nunes,1,3 Jessica R Chang,1,3 Angeline M Nguyen1– 3 1Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; 2The Vision Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; 3Roski Eye Institute at the University of Southern California, Department of Ophthalmology, Los Angeles, CA, USACorrespondence: Angeline M Nguyen, Tel +1 323-361-2347, Fax +1 323-361-9812, Email angnguyen@chla.usc.eduPurpose: To evaluate the effectiveness, tolerability, and safety of the Nictavi Tarsus Patch™ (NTP) in inducing temporary eyelid closure for the management of lagophthalmos in the pediatric and young adult population.Methods: We prospectively enrolled 20 patients < 21 years of age who had previously been managed for lagophthalmos to trial the NTP in clinic. Inter-palpebral fissure distance (IPFD) was compared before and after the placement of the NTP in the eyes-closed position using paired t-tests. Subjects then underwent a 3-night home trial with the NTP, and parent and subject perceptions of effectiveness, comfort, and complications with the patch were analyzed using Likert scale survey questions.Results: Twenty subjects ages 2– 20 years with paralytic (65%) and non-paralytic (35%) lagophthalmos were enrolled. The NTP improved lagophthalmos from a mean pre-placement IPFD of 3.3 mm to post-placement IPFD of 0.4 mm (p < 0.01). Overall, 80% of subjects achieved successful eyelid closure defined as ≤ 1 mm of post-placement IPFD. When stratified by subtype, 100% of subjects with paralytic lagophthalmos achieved successful eyelid closure compared to 71% of subjects with non-paralytic lagophthalmos. On a scale of 1 (worst) to 5 (best), parents rated the NTP at 4.3± 0.7 for comfort while wearing, 4.3± 1.0 for comfort in removing, 4.6± 0.7 for ease of use, and 4.3± 0.9 for effectiveness. Ninety-three percent of parents reported preferring NTP to other eyelid closure methods previously tried and indicated that they would use it again.Conclusion: The NTP is an effective, tolerable, and safe method of eyelid closure for children and young adults.Keywords: lagophthalmos, eyelid closure, Nictavi Tarsus Patch, pediatric

Yiqing He,1 Darong Liu,2 Ruitong Guo,3 Siping Guo1 1School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 3School of Education, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Ruitong Guo, Email ruitongguo@foxmail.comBackground: As the elderly increasingly engage with new media, particularly short video platforms, concerns are arising about the formation of “information cocoons” that limit exposure to diverse perspectives. While the impact of these cocoons on society has been investigated, their effects on the mental well-being of the elderly remain understudied. Given the prevalence of depression among the elderly, it is crucial to understand the potential link between information cocoons and depression among older adults.Methods: The study examined the relationships between information cocoons and depression, loneliness, and family emotional support among 400 Chinese elderly people. The statistical software package SPSS was used to establish a moderated mediation model between information cocoons and depression.Results: Information cocoons directly predicted depression among the elderly participants. Family emotional support moderated the first half and the second half of the mediation process, whereby information cocoons affected the depression of the elderly through loneliness. Specifically, in the first half of the mediation process, when the level of information cocoons was lower, the role of family emotional support was more prominent. In the second half of the process, when the level of family emotional support was higher, such support played a more protective role in the impact of loneliness on depression.Discussion: The findings of this study have practical implications for addressing depression among the elderly population. Understanding the influence of information cocoons on depression can inform interventions aimed at promoting diverse information access and reducing social isolation. These results will contribute to the development of targeted strategies to improve the mental well-being of older adults in the context of evolving media landscapes.Keywords: personalized recommendations, information cocoons, depression, loneliness, family emotional support