Subhealth Status of Nursing Staff and Its Influencing Factors in Shaanxi Province.

Background: The concept of subhealth, defined as a state between health and illness characterized by diminished vitality and adaptability, is emerging as a significant concern, particularly among nursing staff. In Shaanxi Province, there is a notable prevalence of subhealth conditions among nurses, influenced by various factors, including lifestyle, work environment, and psychological stress. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the level of subhealth status among nursing staff in Shaanxi hospitals, identify the primary causes and risk factors affecting their subhealth, and propose relevant countermeasures. The goal is to provide a scientific basis for developing strategies to enhance nursing staff's physical and mental well-being. Methods: A comprehensive questionnaire survey was conducted among 1068 nursing staff members from different hospitals in Shaanxi Province. The survey assessed various dimensions of subhealth, including physical, psychological, and social aspects. Data were analyzed to determine the relationships between subhealth status and factors like exercise frequency, dietary habits, smoking and alcohol consumption, occupational injuries, work situation, and stress levels. Results: Most respondents were female, aged between 21 and 40 years. The study found no significant gender-related differences in subhealth scores. Key factors affecting subhealth included physical exercise, dietary habits, occupational stress, and work conditions. The data revealed higher physical subhealth but lower psychological subhealth among nursing staff compared to regional norms. Notable relationships were observed between lifestyle choices, work-related factors, and the subhealth status of nursing staff. Conclusion: The subhealth status of nursing staff in Shaanxi hospitals is influenced by a combination of lifestyle, occupational, and psychological factors. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions focusing on lifestyle modifications, stress management, and improved work conditions to enhance the overall health status of nursing staff. This research provides valuable insights for healthcare policymakers and administrators to develop effective strategies for managing subhealth conditions among nursing professionals.

Distinguishment of different varieties of rhubarb based on UPLC fingerprints and chemometrics.

Rhubarb, a widely used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is primarily used for purging in practice. It is derived from the dried roots and rhizomes of R. tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf. (RT), Rheum officinale Baill. (RO) and R. palmatum L. (RP). To date, although the three varieties of rhubarb have been used as the same medicine in clinical, studies have found that they have different chemical compositions and pharmacological effects. To ensure the stability of rhubarb for clinical use, a simple and effective method should be built to compare and discriminate three varieties of rhubarb. Here, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (UPLC-DAD) fingerprints combined with chemometric methods were developed to evaluate and discriminate 29 batches of rhubarb. Similarity evaluation, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the chemical constituents of the three varieties of rhubarb were significantly different, and the three varieties could be effectively distinguished. Finally, all the 14 common peaks were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). In this research, the developed UPLC fingerprints offer a simple, reliable and specific approach for distinguishing different varieties of rhubarb. This research aims to promote the scientific and appropriate clinical application of rhubarb from three varieties.

Identification of the anti-inflammatory quality markers of Chrysanthemi Flos (Juhua) using spectrum-effect relationships combined with bioactivity re-evaluation.

Chrysanthemi Flos (Juhua), an edible herbal medicine that possesses efficacies of dispersing wind, clearing heat and detoxifying. Studies have demonstrated that the health benefits of Chrysanthemi Flos are largely attributable to its anti-inflammatory effects. However, the correlation between the compounds monitored by the current quality control methods and the anti-inflammatory effects of Chrysanthemi Flos is unclear. In order to better control the quality of Chrysanthemi Flos, the identification of anti-inflammatory quality markers (Q-markers) of Chrysanthemi Flos was performed. The chemical components of Chrysanthemi Flos were profiled by HPLC fingerprints combined with chemometrics methods. Simultaneously, the anti-inflammatory activities of 10 batches of water extracts of Chrysanthemi Flos were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages cells. Gray correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between the anti-inflammatory activity and chemical properties. The results showed that 13 common peaks were closely correlated with the anti-inflammatory effect, and further bioactivity re-evaluation confirmed that 10 known compounds exerted a strong anti-inflammatory effect. The quantitative analysis of the 10 Q-markers showed that the 25 batches of samples could be discriminated into different zones according to their producing areas. Conclusively, the present work identified 10 anti-inflammatory Q-markers of Chrysanthemi Flos using spectrum-effect relationships combined with bioactivity re-evaluation.

Effects of Preoperative Oral Carbohydrate Electrolyte Drinks on Preoperative Hypokalemia Incidence in Patients Scheduled for Laparoscopic Colorectal Resection: A Three-Arm Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: In our previous study, hypokalemia incidence was high in patients scheduled for laparoscopic colorectal resection. This trial was conducted to verify the effects of preoperative carbohydrate drinks containing potassium in these patients. DESIGN: A three-arm randomized controlled design was used. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to control, placebo, and treatment groups. In the control group, patients fasted from midnight. In the placebo group, patients fasted from midnight and received carbohydrate drinks 2 to 3 hours before surgery. In the treatment group, patients fasted from midnight and received carbohydrate drinks containing potassium supplementation 2 to 3 hours before surgery. The primary outcome was the incidence and severity of preoperative hypokalemia. Other outcomes included postoperative gastrointestinal function, including the time to postoperative first flatus (FFL) and first feces (FFE), and other complications. FINDINGS: The final analysis included 122 participants. The incidence of preoperative hypokalemia in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control and placebo groups (50% vs 88.1% vs 77.5%, P < .001). The severity of hypokalemia in the control and placebo groups was greater than that in the treatment group. No regurgitation or aspiration occurred in the three groups. No significant differences were observed among the three groups regarding time to FFL and FFE. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative carbohydrate drinks containing potassium significantly reduced the incidence of preoperative hypokalemia and improved preoperative thirst and hunger, but did not reduce the postoperative time to FFL and FFE or length of hospital stay. However, as part of the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol, preoperative carbohydrate drinks containing potassium should be considered, as early as first admittance to hospital.

[Pharmacodynamic material basis and anti-inflammatory mechanism of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Fubaiju based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS combined with network pharmacology].

The chemical components in rats after oral administration of the water extract of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Fubaiju(CMF) were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS technique. Forty-four compounds were identified from the water extract of CMF and 11 components were identified from the rat serum. A total of 264 potential anti-inflammatory targets were identified by network pharmacology based on serum components. The "component-target" network and protein-protein interaction(PPI) network were constructed, and GO function enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed. The molecular docking was carried out to validate the results of network pharmacology. The results showed that CMF might act on AKT1, TNF, TP53, IL6, INS, and other core targets through apigenin, luteolin, acacetin, diosmetin, 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and other active components, and exert anti-inflammatory effects by regulating PI3 K-AKT signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, cAMP signaling pathway, Ras signaling pathway, and other pathways. The pharmacodynamic materials basis of CMF was identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS technology, and the core anti-inflammatory targets and the underlying mechanism of action were analyzed by network pharmacology and molecular docking, which provided a reference for comprehensively clarifying the pharmacodynamic materials basis and quality control of CMF.

Effect of Psychological Intervention Combined with Family Cooperation on the Perioperative Quality of Life and Psychological States of Elderly Patients with Prostate Cancer Treated with Compound Kushen Injection.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the nursing effect of psychological intervention combined with family cooperation on elderly patients with prostate cancer treated with compound kushen injection and put forward effective suggestions. METHODS: 122 elderly patients with prostate cancer admitted to our hospital from June 2018 to June 2019 were selected and randomly divided into a control group (n = 61) and experimental group (n = 61). The patients in the control group received routine nursing intervention during the perioperative period, while the patients in the experimental group were treated with psychological intervention combined with family cooperation on the basis of routine nursing. The quality of life and psychological states of patients in the two groups were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The evaluation of psychological states at 24 hours before surgery and 24 hours before discharge in the experimental group was significantly better than that in the control group (P < 0.05), with statistical significance. On comparing the basic conditions between the two groups in the perioperative period, the length of hospitalization, length of catheter retention after surgery, and incidence of complications in the experimental group were all significantly better than those in the control group (P < 0.05), with statistical significance. The satisfaction of patients with the nursing process in both groups was recorded and statistically analyzed through questionnaires. The satisfaction with nursing process in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05), with statistical significance. The quality of life of the patients was followed up at three months after discharge. The quality of life of the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group (P < 0.05), with statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Psychological intervention combined with family cooperation for the elderly patients with prostate cancer treated with compound kushen injection is beneficial to improve their psychological states, encourage them to face the disease in a more positive manner, effectively improve the quality of life after intervention, ensure the therapeutic effect during perioperative period, increase happiness index, and enhance their satisfaction with the nursing process, which is worthy of clinical application and popularization.

Effects of glutamic acid on the production of monacolin K in four high-yield monacolin K strains in Monascus.

Monascus purpureus is a traditional Chinese microbe that can be used as a medicinal herb and is edible. To improve the yield of monacolin K, we optimized the medium of M. purpureus with high-yield monacolin K strains. When high-yield strains C8, D8, E3, and I1 were grown in glutamic medium instead of the original medium, monacolin K production was increased. Among these strains, C8 exhibited the highest monacolin K production in glutamic acid medium, with levels increased 4.80-fold. RT-qPCR demonstrated that glutamic acid enhanced the expression of mokC and mokG. Observation of Monascus mycelium morphology using SEM showed that mycelia exhibited more folds, swelling, curves, and fractures. Thus, glutamic acid may promote the growth of the mycelium and appeared to increase the permeability of the cell membrane. This lays a foundation for research on the regulatory effect of glutamic acid and provides a theoretical basis for the industrialization and commercialization of Monascus.

Germline Genetic Variants in GATA3 and Breast Cancer Treatment Outcomes in SWOG S8897 Trial and the Pathways Study.

INTRODUCTION: GATA3 is a critical transcription factor in maintaining the differentiated state of luminal mammary epithelial cells. We sought to determine the prognostic and predictive roles of GATA3 genotypes for breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 2 breast cancer cohorts, including the SWOG S8897 trial where patients were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy (CAF [cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil] vs. CMF [cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil]) or untreated, and the observational Pathways Study. RESULTS: In the S8897 trial, rs3802604 and rs568727 were associated with disease-free survival and overall survival in the treated group, regardless of chemotherapy regimen. The GG genotype of rs3802604 conferred poorer overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.48-4.05) and disease-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.95; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-2.99) compared with the AA genotype. Similar associations were found for rs568727. In contrast, no association with either SNP was found in the untreated group. Subgroup analyses indicated that these 2 SNPs more strongly influenced outcomes in the patients who also received tamoxifen. However, the associations in the subgroup with tamoxifen treatment were not replicated in the Pathways Study, possibly owing to substantial differences between the 2 patient cohorts, such as chemotherapy regimen and length of follow-up. Results from joint analyses across these 2 cohorts were marginally significant, driven by the results in S8897. Bioinformatic analyses support potential functional disruption of the GATA3 SNPs in breast tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides some evidence for the predictive value of GATA3 genotypes for breast cancer adjuvant therapies. Future replication studies in appropriate patient populations are warranted.

Necroptotic cancer cells-mimicry nanovaccine boosts anti-tumor immunity with tailored immune-stimulatory modality.

Recent breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapy offer new paradigm-shifting therapeutic options for combating cancer. Personalized therapeutic anti-cancer vaccines training T cells to directly fight against tumor cells endogenously offer tremendous benefits in working synergistically with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Biomimetic nanotechnology offers a versatile platform to boost anticancer immunity by efficiently co-delivering optimized immunogenic antigen materials and adjuvants to antigen presenting cells (APC). Necroptotic tumor cells can release danger associated molecule patterns (DAMPs) like heat shock proteins, being more immunogenic than naïve tumor cells. Here, nano-size "artificial necroptotic cancer cell" (αHSP70p-CM-CaP) composing of phospholipid bilayer and a phosphate calcium core was designed as a flexible vaccine platform for co-delivering cancer membrane proteins (CM), DAMPs signal-augmenting element α-helix HSP70 functional peptide (αHSP70p) and CpG to both natural killer (NK) cells and APC. Mechanically, immunogenic B16OVA tumor cells membrane-associated antigens and αHSP70p were reconstituted in artificial outer phospholipid bilayer membrane via one-step hydration and CpG encapsulated in the phosphate calcium core. The resulted αHSP70p-CM-CaP exhibited 30 nm in diameter with the immunogenic membrane proteins reserved in the particles to produce synergistic effect on bone marrow derived dendritic cells maturation and antigen-presentation. Following αHSP70p-CM-CaP vaccination, efficient lymph node trafficking and multi-epitope-T cells response was observed in mice. Vitally, αHSP70p-CM-CaP was also able to induce expansion of IFN-γ-expressing CD8+ T cells and NKG2D+ NK cells subsets. Most promisingly, αHSP70p-CM-CaP vaccination led to the killing of target cells and tumor regression in vivo when combined with anti-PD-1 antibody treatment on mice B16OVA melanoma models. Altogether, we demonstrated proof-of-concept evidence for the feasibility, capability and safety of a nanovaccine platform towards efficient personalized anticancer application.

Inhibition of hepatitis C virus replication in vitro by xanthohumol, a natural product present in hops.

Hepatitis C virus is a major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Xanthohumol, a prenylated flavonoid from hops, has various biological activities including an antiviral effect. It was previously characterized as a compound that inhibits bovine viral diarrhea virus, a surrogate model of hepatitis C virus. In the present work, xanthohumol was examined for its ability to inhibit hepatitis C virus replication in a cell culture system carrying replicating hepatitis C virus RNA replicon. 0.2 % DMSO and 500 units/mL interferon-alpha treatments were set as a negative and positive control, respectively. The inhibitory effect by xanthohumol was determined by the luciferase activity of the infected Huh7.5 cell lysates and the hepatitis C virus RNA levels in the culture. Xanthohumol at 3.53 µM significantly decreased the luciferase activity compared to the negative control (p < 0.01). Xanthohumol at 7.05 µM further decreased the luciferase activity compared to xanthohumol at 3.53 µM (p = 0.015). Xanthohumol at 7.05 µM or 14.11 µM achieved an inhibitory effect similar to that of interferon-alpha 2b (p > 0.05). Xanthohumol at 3.53 µM significantly reduced the hepatitis C virus RNA level compared to the negative control (p = 0.001). Although the results of xanthohumol at 7.05 µM had a higher variation, xanthohumol at the 7.05 µM and 14.11 µM decreased the hepatitis C virus RNA level to that achieved by interferon-alpha (p > 0.05). In conclusion, xanthohumol displays anti-hepatitis C virus activity in a cell culture system and may be potentially used as an alternative or complementary treatment against the hepatitis C virus.

[Simultaneous determination of five active components in resina draconis and its extract by HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an HPLC method for simultaneous determination of contents of loureirin A, loureirin B, 7,4'-dihydroxy flavone, pterostilbene and resveratrol in resina draconis and its extracts. METHOD: Kromasil 100-5C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) was used with the mobile phase of acetonitrile-1% glacial acetic acid at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the column temperature at 40 degrees C. The detective wave length of loureirin A and B was detected at 278 nm, and 7,4'-dihydroxy flavone, pterostilbene and resveratrol was at 319 nm. RESULT: All the five active components reached the resolved peaks within 40 min, indicating a good linearity (r > or = 0.999 7). The average recoveries of loureirin A, loureirin B, 7,4'-dihydroxy flavone, pterostilbene and resveratrol in resina draconis were 102.9%, 96.81%, 97.29%, 100.7% and 103.7%, with RSDs of 0.23%, 1.5%, 0.42%, 0.58% and 0.34%, respectively. The average recoveries of loureirin A, loureirin B, 7,4'-dihydroxy flavone, pterostilbene and resveratrol in extract of resina draconis were 102. 2% , 96. 93%, 97. 90% , 102.0% and 103.3%, with RSDs of 1.7%, 0.91%, 1.4%, 1.5% and 1.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The method is so easy, accurate, highly repeatable and stable that it provides good reference for the quality control of resina draconis and its extracts.

Field enhancement sample stacking for analysis of organic acids in traditional Chinese medicine by capillary electrophoresis.

A technique known as field enhancement sample stacking (FESS) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation has been developed to analyze and detect organic acids in the three traditional Chinese medicines (such as Portulaca oleracea L., Crataegus pinnatifida and Aloe vera L.). In FESS, a reverse electrode polarity-stacking mode (REPSM) was applied as on-line preconcentration strategy. Under the optimized condition, the baseline separation of eight organic acids (linolenic acid, lauric acid, p-coumaric acid, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, caffeic acid, succinic acid and fumaric acid) could be achieved within 20 min. Validation parameters of this method (such as detection limits, linearity and precision) were also evaluated. The detection limits ranged from 0.4 to 60 ng/mL. The results indicated that the proposed method was effective for the separation of mixtures of organic acids. Satisfactory recoveries were also obtained in the analysis of these organic acids in the above traditional Chinese medicine samples.