[Correlation of body composition indicators with exercise capacity and nutritional status in male patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Objective: To investigate the correlation of body composition indices with exercise capacity and nutritional status in male chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Methods: The clinical data of 90 male COPD patients admitted to the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January 2021 to September 2022 were retrospectively collected, and the patients were subjected to a pulmonary function test, body composition measurement, 6-minute walking test distance (6MWD) test, and dominant handgrip strength measurement (HGS). The patients were categorized into COPD Global Initiative for COPD (GOLD) grade 1, 2, 3 and 4 groups according to the severity of lung function. Based on the fat-free mass index (FFMI), patients were categorized into a low FFMI group (FFMI<17 kg/m2) and a normal FFMI group (FFMI≥17 kg/m2). Based on phase angle (PhA), patients were categorized into the low PhA group (PhA<5°) and the normal PhA group (PhA≥5°). Based on 6MWD, patients were divided into impaired endurance group (6MWD<350 m) and normal endurance group (6MWD≥350 m). Differences in body composition indexes, exercise capacity, and nutritional status of patients in different subgroups were compared. A trend test was used to analyze the trend of GOLD grading and body composition indexes. Correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation of FFMI, PhA, skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), basal metabolic rate (BMR), and visceral fat index (VFI) with 6MWD, HGS, post-diastolic exertional expiratory volume in the first second as a percentage of exertional lung capacity (FEV1%pred), and body mass index (BMI). Results: The age of 90 male COPD patients was 66 (59, 71) years. FFMI, PhA, SMI, BMR, VFI, HGS, and 6MWD tended to decrease with increasing GOLD levels (all P<0.05). In the low FFMI group (31 cases), PhA [5.0° (4.7°, 5.1°) vs 5.8° (5.6°, 6.3°)], SMI [6.3 (5.3, 6.9)vs 8.3 (7.7, 9.1) kg/m2], and BMR [(1 294.5±387.2) vs (1 538.7±207.5) kcal(1 kcal=4.184 kJ)], VFI [(10.0±4.2) grades vs (14.2±3.3) grades], 6MWD [(430.5±90.8) vs (537.2±85.5) m], FEV1%pred [(37.8±7.9)% vs (73.7±21.5)%], BMI [(20.2±3.8) vs (25.5±2.9) kg/m2] were lower than those in the normal FFMI group (59 cases, all P<0.05). In the low PhA group (23 cases), FFMI [(16.7±2.2) vs (19.5±1.5) kg/m2], SMI [6.6 (5.9, 7.0) vs 7.3 (7.7, 9.0) kg/m2], BMR [(1 251.8±246.2) vs (1 547.5±206.6) kcal], 6MWD [(451.0±47.1) vs (538.3±87.5) m], HGS [(29.6±4.0) vs (36.4±7.2) kg], FEV1%pred [(51.2±15.3)% vs (72.9±22.8)%], BMI [(20.9±3.7) vs (25.5±2.8) kg/m2] were lower than those of the normal PhA group (67 cases, all P<0.05). In the impaired endurance group (21 cases) PhA [5.2° (5.1°, 5.3°) vs 5.8° (5.6°, 6.3°)], FEV1%pred [(34.2±15.4)% vs (72.7±22.2)%] were lower than those in the normal endurance group (69 cases, all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that FFMI was positively correlated with HGS, FEV1%pred, and BMI (r values of 0.327, 0.235, and 0.782, all P<0.05); PhA was positively correlated with 6MWD, FEV1%pred, and BMI (r values of 0.341, 0.258, and 0.251, all P<0.05); SMI was positively correlated with HGS and BMI (r values of 0.411 and 0.710, all P<0.05); BMR was positively correlated with 6MWD, HGS, FEV1%pred, and BMI (r values of 0.338, 0.508, 0.285, and 0.676, all P<0.05); VFI was positively correlated with BMI (r value of 0.791, P<0.001). Conclusions: FFMI is positively correlated with HGS, FEV1%pred, and BMI; PhA is positively correlated with 6MWD, FEV1%pred, and BMI; SMI is positively correlated with HGS and BMI; BMR is positively correlated with 6MWD, HGS, FEV1%pred, and BMI; VFI is positively correlated with BMI. Body composition indexes may reflect the exercise capacity and nutritional status of male COPD patients.

Malignant transformation and tumour recurrence in sacrococcygeal teratoma: a global, retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is a rare congenital tumour. The risk of malignancy and recurrence are not well defined. Previous studies are small and report differing conclusions about the timing of surgery and the duration of follow-up. We studied the risk of malignant transformation and SCT recurrence after surgery to address these gaps. METHODS: This was a global retrospective cohort study. Data of consecutive SCT patients was obtained from 145 institutes in 62 countries. Malignant transformation, defined as malignancy at initial resection, malignant recurrence or death due to malignancy, and its risk factors were analysed. RESULTS: Of the 3612 included patients, 3407 entered analysis. Risk of malignant transformation of the initial tumour, was 3.3%, 5.1%, 10.1%, and 32.9% at age three months, six months, one year, and two years, respectively. After six years, the censored risk of malignancy (64%) did not further increase. Recurrent SCT was diagnosed in 349 (10·2%) children with 126 (36·1%) malignant recurrences. Risk factors for recurrence were Altman type II (odds ratio (OR): 1·6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1·2-2·3), Altman type III (OR: 1·6, 95% CI: 1·2-2·3), initial immature histology (OR: 1·9, 95% CI: 1·4-2·6), and initial malignant histology (OR: 4·0, 95% CI: 2·9-5·4). CONCLUSION: The risk of malignancy at initial resection in SCT increases with age reaching a plateau at six years of age. Recurrence after resection occurred in 10% of patients and 36% of these were malignant at that time. Altman type II or type III, and immature or malignant histology were associated with recurrence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: level III.

Genome-wide association study for high-temperature tolerance in the Japanese flounder.

This study addresses the critical issue of high-temperature stress in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), a factor threatening both their survival and the growth of the aquaculture industry. The research aims to identify genetic markers associated with high-temperature tolerance, unravel the genetic regulatory mechanisms, and lay the foundation for breeding Japanese flounder with increased resistance to high temperatures. In this study, using a genome-wide association study was performed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genes associated with high-temperature tolerance for Japanese flounder using 280 individuals with 342 311 high-quality SNPs. The traits of high-temperature tolerance were defined as the survival time and survival status of Japanese flounder at high water temperature (31℃) for 15 days cultivate. A genome-wide association study identified six loci on six chromosomes significantly correlated with survival time under high-temperature stress. Six candidate genes were successfully annotated. Additionally, 34 loci associated with survival status were identified and mapped to 15 chromosomes, with 22 candidate genes annotated. Functional analysis highlighted the potential importance of genes like traf4 and ppm1l in regulating apoptosis, impacting high-temperature tolerance in Japanese flounder. These findings provide a valuable theoretical framework for integrating molecular markers into Japanese flounder breeding programmes, serving as a molecular tool to enhance genetic traits linked to high-temperature tolerance in cultured Japanese flounder.

Multiplexed Nanoscopy via Buffer Exchange.

Understanding cellular functions, particularly in their intricate complexity, can greatly benefit from the spatial mapping of diverse molecules through multitarget single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM). Existing methodologies, primarily restricting the encoding dimensions to color and lifetime or requiring cyclic staining, often involve broad chromatic detection, specialized optical configurations, or sophisticated labeling techniques. Here, we propose a simple approach called buffer-exchange stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (beSTORM), which introduces an additional dimension to differentiate between single molecules irrespective of their spectral properties. This method leverages the distinguishable photoblinking responses to distinct buffer conditions, offering a straightforward yet effective means of fluorophore discrimination. Through buffer exchanges, beSTORM achieves multitarget SMLM imaging with minimal crosstalk. Direct integration with expansion microscopy (ExM) demonstrates its capability to resolve up to six proteins at the molecular level within a single emission color without chromatic aberration. Overall, beSTORM presents a highly compatible imaging platform, promising significant advancements in highly multiplexed nanoscopy for exploring multiple targets in biological systems with nanoscale precision.

[Utilization of outpatient service of pneumoconiosis patients in Chongqing and its influencing factors].

Objective: To understand the utilization and characteristics of outpatient services for pneumoconiosis patients within two weeks in Chongqing, and analyze the influencing factors, so as to provide reference for relevant policy making. Methods: From October 2020 to October 2022, 1771 pneumoconiosis patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected by multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling. A questionnaire survey was conducted on their basic situation, utilization of outpatient services within two weeks, treatment for pneumoconiosis-related symptoms, and selection of medical service institutions using χ(2)-test and logistic regression analysis. Results: All the 1771 pneumoconiosis patients were male, with the average age of (56.1±10.19) years old. In the pneumoconiosis patients were treated in outpatient department within 2 weeks.40.0% (204/510) of aged 41~50 years Rural patients accounted for 87.8% (448/510) ; 65.1% (332/510) of silicosis patients, 37.5% (191/510) of stage II patients, 75.1% (383/510) of patients did not continue to engage in dust work after diagnosis of pneumoconiosis, and 57.1% (291/510) of patients never had work-related injury insurance at work. The outpatient rate within two weeks of pneumoconiosis related assistance and subsistence allowance was 17.6% (90/510) and 12.5% (64/510), respectively. The average self-health score of the patients was (52.9±16.2). 28.2% of the patients had purchased work-related injury insurance; Among the 1204 patients who received the treatment within two weeks, 42.2% were in the outpatient department, 20.7% were in the inpatient department, and 36.9% were self-buyers. There was a significant difference between the different treatment methods of the patients (χ(2)=27.53, P<0.05). There was a significant difference in patients from different residence choosing to visit different medical institutions (χ(2)=13.97, P<0.05). The stage of pneumoconiosis, presence of complications, presence of work injury insurance, self-health score, and whether he/she has been hospitalized in the past year are the important factors affecting the outpatient treatment of pneumoconiosis patients. Conclusion: The utilization of outpatient service of pneumoconiosis patients is influenced by demographic sociology, social support and disease characteristics. The quality of occupational disease medical service in primary health institutions should be strengthened so that pneumoconiosis patients can get convenient and effective treatment. Establish a more perfect social security support system to reduce the disease burden of pneumoconiosis patients.

[Analysis of the relationship between intestinal segmented filamentous bacteria and rotavirus infection in children].

Objective: To investigate the association between intestinal colonization of segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) and the risk of rotavirus infection, and the possible mechanisms by which SFB resist rotavirus infection. Methods: This case-control study enrolled 50 children aged 0 to 5 years who present to the outpatient Department of Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine with diarrhea and positive stool tests for rotavirus. The children were divided into rotavirus enteritis group and control group consisting of 55 children with non-gastrointestinal and non-infectious surgical diseases.The age and sex composition of the two groups was matched. The DNA of the fecal flora was extracted and SFB was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR analysis. The children in the rotavirus enteritis group and the control group were subgrouped by age and sex to analyze the differences in SFB positivity rates between different groups, and further compare and analyze the differences in SFB positivity rates between these two groups of children in the ≤2 years old subgroup and the >2-5 years old subgroup. Neutralization test was performed with p3340 protein and rotavirus to determine the relationship between rotavirus infection rate and p3340 concentration in Vero cells. χ2 test or Fisher's exact probability method was used for comparison between the two groups. Results: There were 50 children in the rotavirus enteritis group with an age of (1.7±0.9) years, and 55 children in the control group with an age of (1.8±1.1) years. The positive rate of SFB in children with rotavirus enteritis showed a declining trend across ages groups, with the highest rate of 10/14 in the ≤1 year old group, followed by 67% (14/21) in the >1-2 years old group, 9/15 in the >2-5 years old group, and there was no statistically significant difference (P=0.867). The positive rate of SFB in the control group was 12/15 in the ≤1 year old group, 95% (19/20) in the >1-2 years old group, 50% (10/20) in the >2-5 years old group, with statistical significance (P=0.004). The positive rate of SFB in children with rotavirus enteritis was 74% (20/27) in males and 56% (13/23) in females (χ2=1.71, P=0.192). In the control group, it was 79% (22/28) in males and 70% (19/27) in females (χ2=0.49, P=0.485). The positive rate of SFB was 66% (33/50) in the rotavirus enteritis group and 75% (41/55) in the control group, with no statistically significant (χ2=0.56, P=0.454). In the children ≤2 years old, the SFB positivity rate was 69% (24/35) in the rotavirus enteritis group and 89% (31/35) in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (χ2=4.16, P=0.041). However, in the children >2-5 years old, no statistically significant difference was observed, with the positive rate of SFB being 9/15 in the rotavirus enteritis group and 50% (10/20) in the control group (P=0.734). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between rotavirus infection and SFB positivity (r=-0.87,P<0.001). As the concentration of the p3340 specific protein increased, the luminescence intensity of the luciferase in the Vero cells, which were suitable for cultivating rotavirus, exhibited a decreasing trend (F=4.17, P=0.001). Conclusions: SFB colonization in infants less than 2 years old is associated with a reduced risk of rotavirus infection. Cloning of specific SFB functional protein p3340 neutralizes rotavirus infection of Vero cells, and this mechanism of targeting rotavirus infection differs from the common antiviral mechanism.

[The innovation and challenge of artificial intelligence in the whole process management of fundus disease].

Artificial intelligence (AI) has demonstrated revolutionary potential and wide-ranging applications in the comprehensive management of fundus diseases, yet it faces challenges in clinical translation, data quality, algorithm interpretability, and cross-cultural adaptability. AI has proven effective in the efficient screening, accurate diagnosis, personalized treatment recommendations, and prognosis prediction for conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and other fundus diseases. However, there is a significant gap between the need for large-scale, high-quality, and diverse datasets and the limitations of current research data. Additionally, the black-box nature of AI algorithms, the acceptance by clinicians and patients, and the generalizability of these algorithms pose barriers to their widespread clinical adoption. Researchers are addressing these challenges through approaches such as federated learning, standardized data collection, and prospective trials to enhance the robustness, interpretability, and practicality of AI systems. Despite these obstacles, the benefits of AI in fundus disease management are substantial. These include improved screening efficiency, support for personalized treatment, the discovery of novel disease characteristics, and the development of precise treatment strategies. Moreover, AI facilitates the advancement of telemedicine through 5G and the Internet of Things. Future research should continue to tackle existing issues, fully leverage the potential of AI in the prevention and treatment of fundus diseases, and advance intelligent, precise, and remote ophthalmic services to meet global eye health needs.

Critical Values of Daily Sedentary Time and Its Longitudinal Association with Mild Cognitive Impairment Considering APOE ε4: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Long sedentary time and physical inactivity are negatively related to cognition, but the cut-off value remains unclear, and apolipoprotein E polymorphism ε4 (APOE ε4) is a known genetic risk factor of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). OBJECTIVES: To explore longitudinal association of sedentary time and MCI, and to identify a cutoff value that increases the risk of developing MCI, taking into account APOE ε4 stratification and its interactions. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING: Population-based study. PARTICIPANTS: We included 4932 older adults from Tianjin Elderly Nutrition and Cognition (TENC) cohort study recruited from March 2018 to June 2021 with 3.11 years of median follow-up time. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was newly diagnosed MCI, which was diagnosed by a modified version of the Petersen's criteria. The information of sedentary time (hours/day) and physical activity (MET-h/week) were obtained by questionnaire. Cox proportional hazard regression models and restricted spline curve were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 4932 participants were included (mean [SD] age, 67.85 [4.96] years; 2627 female [53.3%] and 2305 male [46.7%]), 740 newly onset MCI patients were identified. Longer sedentary time was associated with higher risk of MCI for all participants (HR:1.069, 95%CI: 1.034, 1.105), especially in APOE ε4 non-carriers (HR:1.083, 95%CI: 1.045, 1.123) whether adjusted potential confounders. Sedentary time had synergistic interactions with APOE ε4 (ß:1.503, 95%CI: 1.163, 1.942) and physical activities (ß: 1.495, 95%CI: 1.210, 1.846). Restricted spline curve showed a cut-off value of 3.03 hours/day. CONCLUSIONS: Long sedentary time (≥3.03 hours/day) could increase MCI risk, especially in APOE ε4 non-carriers, people with higher PA, aged 65 and above.

Application and prognostic relevance of CD34 detection in immunophenotyping of pediatric acute B lymphoblastic leukemia.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the application of CD34 detection in immunophenotypic discrimination and its prognostic relevance in children with acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical follow-up data of 105 children with newly diagnosed B-ALL treated at our hospital from January 2022 to December 2023. Based on the expression of CD34 in the bone marrow, patients were divided into a CD34 positive group (positive cells ≥10%) and a CD34 negative group (positive cells <10%). The study compared the positive rates of common leukemia cell antigens, clinical characteristics, initial treatment responses, and long-term follow-up outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: Among all 105 B-ALL cases, 87 children (82.9%) had bone marrow CD34 positive cells ≥10%, classified into the CD34 positive group, while the remaining 18 children (17.1%) had bone marrow CD34 positive cells <10%, classified into the CD34 negative group. The CD34 positive group exhibited significantly higher positive rates of CD13 expression, standard-risk B-ALL, and risk stratification than the CD34 negative group. In contrast, the proportions of early pre-B-ALL, E2A-PBX1 fusion gene, and MLL-AF4 fusion gene were significantly lower in the CD34 negative group, with statistically significant differences (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in the positive rates of leukemia cell antigens such as CD10, CD19, CD20, CD22, CD79a, CD13, CD33, and CD38 between the two groups (p>0.05). The occurrence rates of minimal residual disease (MRD) and relapse after induction chemotherapy in the CD34 positive group were significantly lower than those in the CD34 negative group (p<0.05). However, the sensitivity to the first prednisone treatment and bone marrow treatment efficacy on the 19th and 33rd days after chemotherapy showed no significant differences between the groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A higher positive rate of bone marrow CD34 expression in children with B-ALL is associated with a favorable prognosis. Children with negative CD34 expression are relatively more prone to MRD and tumor relapse after chemotherapy.

[Proactively embracing the challenges of multimorbidity].

With rapid socio-economic development and the acceleration of population aging, the average life span of human beings has increased significantly. Individuals suffering from the co-existence of multiple diseases (multimorbidity) have become a new normal in public health and posed severe challenge to human health. Multimorbidity significantly reduces the quality of life, increases disability and mortality risks, complicates disease treatment and care and increases burden of the healthcare system with higher costs. This commentary discusses the definition of multimorbidity and common public misconceptions, then assesses its profound impact on overall public health, socio-economic development and healthcare system. We also proposes the potential strategies to meet the challenges posed by multimorbidity. The main aim is to raise awareness of multimorbidity, advocate proactive responses to improve public health and build a healthy society through the development of prevention and treatment systems and promote precision prevention and treatment for multimorbidity.

Head-to-head comparison of prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: Our main goal of this meta-analytical analysis was to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) against multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in the context of identifying biochemical recurrence in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A thorough search covering articles published until March 2023 was carried out across major databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Studies examining the direct comparison of PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI in patients with PCa suffering biochemical recurrence were included in the inclusion criteria. Using the renowned Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Performance Studies-2 technique, each study's methodological rigor was assessed. RESULTS: We analyzed data from six eligible studies involving 290 patients in total. The combined data showed that for PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI, respectively, the pooled overall detection rates for recurrent PCa after definitive treatment were 0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45-0.89) and 0.70 (95% CI: 0.44-0.91). The detection rates for local recurrence were specifically 0.52 (95% CI: 0.39-0.65) and 0.62 (95% CI: 0.31-0.89), while they were 0.50 (95% CI: 0.26-0.74) and 0.32 (95% CI: 0.18-0.48) for lymph node metastasis. Notably, there was no discernible difference between the two imaging modalities in terms of the overall detection rate (P = 0.95). The detection rates for local recurrence and lymph node metastasis did not differ statistically significantly (P = 0.55, 0.23). CONCLUSION: The performance of PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI in identifying biochemical recurrence in PCa appears to be comparable. However, the meta-analysis' findings came from research with modest sample sizes. In this context, more extensive research should be conducted in the future.

[Study on the image of fragrant plants in Wood section of Compendium of Materia Medica].

As a representative work of materia medica in the Ming Dynasty, the plant images attached to Compendium of Materia Medica retain the results of Li Shizhen's research on the original plants of medicinal materials in another form, which truly reflects the understanding and utilization of herbs in the Ming Dynasty.Taking the image of fragrant plants in Wood section in the book as an example, the original of the plants depicted in the images is examined to reveal the level of understanding of plant knowledge and medicinal properties in the Ming dynasty.Among the 25 images contained in the woody section, 20 images accurately depict the leaves, flowers and fruits of plants, and the description of the morphological details of the plant Cephalotaxus fortunei Hook. f. proves a high level of understanding of plant morphology and medicinal properties at the time. However, the errors of a total of 5 diagrams such as Wuyao and A wei also showed limitations. By comparing the results of the image with the medicinal properties contained in the text,it is clear that the level of understanding of medicinal properties is very high in the Ming dynasty, and the understanding of the medicinal properties of some plants is even higher than the understanding of their morphology.

Antibody level comparison after porcine epidemic diarrhea vaccination via different immunization routes.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a disease extremely harmful to pig health. Intramuscular and Houhai acupoint injections are the main immunization routes to prevent and control PED. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of these two routes in pregnant sows based on serum IgG, IgA, and neutralizing antibody levels. PED virus (PEDV) immunoprophylaxis with live-attenuated and inactivated vaccines was administered. The vaccinations for the intramuscular injections elevated IgG and neutralizing antibody levels more than Houhai acupoint injections at most timepoints after immunization. However, the anti-PEDV IgA antibodies induced by vaccination with the two immunization routes did not differ significantly. In conclusion, intramuscular injections are better than Houhai acupoint injections for PEDV vaccination of pregnant sows.

Treponema pallidum-induced prostaglandin E2 secretion in skin fibroblasts leads to neuronal hyperpolarization: A cause of painless ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Primary syphilis is characterized by painless ulcerative lesions in the genitalia, the aetiology of painless remains elusive. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of Treponema pallidum in painless ulcer of primary syphilis, and the mechanisms underlying painless ulcers caused by T. pallidum. METHODS: An experimental rabbit model of primary syphilis was established to investigate its effects on peripheral nerve tissues. Human skin fibroblasts were used to examine the role of T. pallidum in modulating neurotransmitters associated with pain and to explore the signalling pathways related to neurotransmitter secretion by T. pallidum in vitro. RESULTS: Treponema pallidum infection did not directly lead to neuronal damage or interfere with the neuronal resting potential. Instead, it facilitated the secretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) through endoplasmic reticulum stress in both rabbit and human skin fibroblasts, and upregulation of PGE2 induced the hyperpolarization of neurones. Moreover, the IRE1α/COX-2 signalling pathway was identified as the underlying mechanism by which T. pallidum induced the production of PGE2 in human skin fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: Treponema pallidum promotes PGE2 secretion in skin fibroblasts, leading to the excitation of neuronal hyperpolarization and potentially contributing to the pathogenesis of painless ulcers in syphilis.

Can sociocultural and contextual factors explain gender differences in sex drive? A response to Frankenbach et al. (2022).

Most theories predict, and most studies demonstrate, that men have a higher sex drive than women do. A spirited debate has emerged surrounding the origins of gender differences in sex drive; Frankenbach et al. (2022) commented on this controversy in the context of their impressive meta-analysis. We provide a different interpretation of these findings: Specifically, women get worse sex than men do. We argue that if the differences between the sex that women get and the sex that men get were accounted for, gender differences in sex drive would be reduced or eliminated completely. We focus more specifically on two factors that should be accounted for in future meta-analyses-narrow definitions of "sex" as penile-vaginal intercourse, and gender disparities in sexual violence-and additional factors that should be acknowledged when interpreting meta-analytic results-gendered cultural messages, respect from heterosexual partners, and sexual stigmatization. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

[A survey on the current situation of serum vitamin A and vitamin D levels among children aged 2-<7 years of 20 cities in China].

Objective: To investigate serum vitamin A and vitamin D status in children aged 2-<7 years in 20 cities in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 2 924 healthy children aged 2-<7 years were recruited from September 2018 to September 2019 from 20 cities in China, categorized by age groups of 2-<3 years, 3-<5 years, and 5-<7 years. The demographic and economic characteristics and health-related information of the enrolled children were investigated. Body weight and height were measured by professional staff members. The serum vitamin A and vitamin D levels were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Chi-square test and Logistic regression were applied to analyze the association between vitamin A and vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency as well as their underlying impact factors. Results: The age of the 2 924 enrolled children was 4.33 (3.42, 5.17) years. There were 1 726 males (59.03%) and 1 198 females (40.97%). The prevalences of vitamin A and vitamin D deficiency in enrolled children were 2.19% (64/2 924) and 3.52% (103/2 924), respectively, and the insufficiency rates were 29.27% (856/2 924) and 22.20% (649/2 924), respectively. Children with both vitamin A and vitamin D deficiencies or insufficiencies were found in 10.50% (307/2 924) of cases. Both vitamin A (χ2=7.91 and 8.06, both P=0.005) and vitamin D (χ2=71.35 and 115.10, both P<0.001) insufficiency rates were higher in children aged 3-<5 and 5-<7 years than those in children aged 2-<3 years. Vitamin A and vitamin D supplementation in the last 3 months was a protective factor for vitamin A and D deficiency and insufficiency, respectively (OR=0.68 and 0.22, 95%CI 0.49-0.95 and 0.13-0.40, both P<0.05). The rates of vitamin A and D insufficiency was higher in children with annual household incomes <60 000 RMB than in those with annual household incomes ≥60 000 RMB (χ2=34.11 and 10.43, both P<0.01). Northwest and Southwest had the highest rates of vitamin A and vitamin D insufficiency in children aged 2-<7 yeas, respectively (χ2=93.22 and 202.54, both P<0.001). Conclusions: Among 20 cities in China, children aged 2-<7 years experience high rates of vitamin A and vitamin D insufficiency, which are affected by age, family economic level, vitamin A and vitamin D supplementation, and regional economic level. The current results suggest that high level of attention should be paid to vitamin A and vitamin D nutritional status of preschool children.

Radiation Therapy for Colorectal Liver Metastasis: The Effect of Radiation Therapy Dose and Chemotherapy on Local Control and Survival.

Purpose: Colorectal liver metastases (CLMs) represent a radioresistant histology. We aimed to investigate CLM radiation therapy (RT) outcomes and explore the association with treatment parameters. Methods and Materials: This retrospective analysis of CLM treated with RT at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center used Kaplan-Meier analysis to estimate freedom from local progression (FFLP), hepatic progression-free, progression-free, and overall survival (OS). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate association with clinical factors. Dose-response relationship was further evaluated using a mechanistic tumor control probability (TCP) model. Results: Ninety patients with 122 evaluable CLMs treated 2006 to 2019 with a variety of RT fractionation schemes with a median biologically effective dose (α/ß = 10; BED10) of 97.9 Gy (range, 43.2-187.5 Gy) were included. Median lesion size was 3.5 cm (0.7-11.8 cm). Eighty-seven patients (97%) received prior systemic therapy, and 73 patients (81%) received prior liver-directed therapy. At a median follow-up of 26.4 months, rates of FFLP and OS were 62% (95% CI, 53%-72%) and 75% (66%-84%) at 1 year and 42% (95% CI, 32%-55%) and 44% (95% CI, 34%-57%) at 2 years, respectively. BED10 below 96 Gy and receipt of ≥3 lines of chemotherapy were associated with worse FFLP (hazard ratio [HR], 2.69; 95% CI, 1.54-4.68; P < .001 and HR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.50-4.74; P < .001, respectively) and OS (HR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.35-4.09; P = .002 and HR, 4.70; 95% CI, 2.37-9.31; P < .001) on univariate analyses, which remained significant or marginally significant on multivariate analyses. A mechanistic Tumor Control Probability (TCP) model showed a higher 2-Gy equivalent dose needed for local control in patients who had been exposed to ≥ 3 lines of chemotherapy versus 0 to 2 (250 ± 29 vs 185 ± 77 Gy for 70% TCP). Conclusions: In a large single-institution series of heavily pretreated patients with CLM undergoing liver RT, low BED10 and multiple prior lines of systemic therapy were associated with lower local control and OS. These results support continued dose escalation efforts for patients with CLM.

Treponema pallidum protein Tp47 induced prostaglandin E2 to inhibit the phagocytosis in human macrophages.

BACKGROUND: During Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum) infection, the host's immune system actively engages in pursuit and elimination of T. pallidum, while T. pallidum skillfully employs various mechanisms to evade immune recognition. Macrophages exhibit incomplete clearance of T. pallidum in vitro and the underlying mechanism of how T. pallidum resists the attack of macrophage remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of T. pallidum membrane protein Tp47 on the phagocytosis of macrophages. METHODS: THP-1-derived macrophages were used to investigate the role of Tp47 in the secretion of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in macrophages and the mechanism by which Tp47 induced the production of PGE2, as well as the impact of PGE2 on the macrophage's phagocytosis. RESULTS: Tp47 (1-10 µg/mL) significantly inhibited the phagocytosis of latex beads and T. pallidum in macrophages (p ≤ 0.05). PGE2 production by macrophages could be induced by Tp47, and the phagocytic function of macrophages could be restored using PGE2 antibody. Tp47 produced PGE2 by activating the PERK/NF-κB/COX-2 pathway in macrophages. Inhibitors targeting PERK, NF-κB and COX-2, respectively, reduced the level of PGE2 and restored the phagocytic function of macrophages. CONCLUSION: Tp47-induced PGE2 production via the PERK/NF-κB/COX-2 pathway contributed to macrophage phagocytosis inhibition, which potentially contributes to immune evasion during the T. pallidum infection.

[Reconsideration of the indications for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty].

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), a procedure that has gradually emerged in recent years, is considered an effective treatment for resolving knee pain and restoring good function due to its significant clinical advantages. In the 1980s, Kozinn and Scott proposed the classic indications as selection criteria to identify ideal candidates for UKA. However, as treatment concepts, surgical instruments, surgical techniques, and prosthesis designs for this disease have improved, these indications proposed more than 30 years ago appear too limited, leading to some limitations in the widespread use of UKA. Specifically, surgeons have offered new perspectives on issues related to obesity, age, patellofemoral arthritis, severe varus deformity of the knee, anterior cruciate ligament deficiency, flexion contracture, failed high tibial osteotomy and post-traumatic arthritis. For this reason, this article will briefly discuss modern perspectives involving the indications for UKA based on current evidence with the aim of providing a reference for the reader.

Association of blood heavy metal concentrations with hearing loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the associations between blood heavy metal concentrations and hearing loss. STUDY DESIGN: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed using Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature, Wanfang and Weipu databases. Ten studies were included, and a random or fixed-effects model was used for the meta-analysis. Review Manager 5.4 software was used for data synthesis, and Stata 15.1 software was used for the publication bias and sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Blood lead concentrations were significantly and substantially associated with hearing loss (mean difference (MD) = 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.03, 2.26; P = 0.04; I2 = 81%), and iron deficiency was significantly related to hearing loss (MD = -0.42; 95% CI = -0.66, -0.18; P = 0.12; I2 = 60%). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest an association between blood heavy metal concentrations and hearing loss. However, there were limitations: confounding factors, lack of description for the specific methods of blinding and independent verification of case definition, limited sample size, Chinese publications comprising half of the primary data and the lack of assessment of the relationship between different blood heavy metal concentrations and the severity of hearing loss. Therefore, larger and well-designed prospective cohort studies are required for further exploration.