[Evaluation of disinfection effect of high-energy pulse ultraviolet disinfection equipment in medical institution settings].

Objective: To evaluate the disinfection effect of high-energy pulse ultraviolet disinfection equipment in medical institution settings. Methods: The disinfection effect was evaluated through field tests and laboratory tests. Among them, 135 high-frequency contact points were selected from nine departments in the field test. Samples were collected before and after disinfection, and the disinfection effects of 75% alcohol wipes wiping disinfection, high-energy pulse ultraviolet disinfection robot disinfection and high-energy pulse ultraviolet handheld disinfection instrument were compared. In the laboratory test, 30 infected areas of the simulated test table were exposed to vertical ultraviolet irradiation and the bacterial-killing rate before and after disinfection was calculated. Results: In the field test, the bacteria-killing rates of 75% alcohol wipes, high-energy pulse ultraviolet disinfection robot and high-energy pulse ultraviolet handheld disinfection instrument were 94.99%, 91.53% and 95.94%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant. The disinfection effect of the high-energy pulse ultraviolet handheld disinfection instrument was better than that of the high-energy pulse ultraviolet disinfection robot (P values <0.05). In the laboratory test, the killing log value of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli on the carrier were both greater than 3.00. In the simulated field test, the killing log value of Staphylococcus aureus on the surface samples were 4.99. Conclusion: Both the high-energy pulse ultraviolet handheld disinfection instrument and the high-energy pulse ultraviolet disinfection robot have good disinfection effects, which are similar to the disinfection effects of conventional 75% alcohol wipes.

[Clinical characteristics of children with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection in Kunming].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of hospitalized children infected with the Omicron variant in Kunming after the withdrawal of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) and analyze the risk factors of severe cases. Methods: Clinical data was retrospectively collected from 1 145 children with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection who were hospitalized in six tertiary grade A hospitals in Kunming from December 10th, 2022 to January 9th, 2023. According to clinical severity, these patients were divided into the general and severe SARS-CoV-2 groups, and their clinical and laboratory data were compared. Between-group comparison was performed using t-test, chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test. Spearman correlation test and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to determine the risk factors of severe illness. Results: A total of 1 145 hospitalized patients were included, of whom 677 were male and 468 female. The age of these patients at visit was 1.7 (0.5, 4.1) years. Specifically, there were 758 patients (66.2%) aged ≤3 years at visit and 387 patients (33.8%) aged >3 years. Of these children, 89 cases (7.8%) had underline diseases and the remaining 1 056 cases (92.2%) had no combined diseases. Additionally, of all the patients, 319 cases (27.9%) were vaccinated with one or two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, 748 cases (65.3%) had acute upper respiratory tract infection (AURTI), and six cases died (0.5%). A total of 1 051 cases (91.8%) were grouped into general SARS-CoV-2 group and 94 cases (8.2%) were grouped into severe SARS-CoV-2 group. Compared with the general cases, the severe cases showed a lower rate of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and younger median age, lower lymphocyte count, as well as proportions of CD8+T lymphocyte (36 cases (38.3%) vs. 283 cases (26.9%), 0.5 (2.6, 8.0) vs. 1.6 (0.5, 3.9) years, 1.3 (1.0, 2.7) ×109 vs. 2.7 (1.3,4.4)×109/L, 0.17 (0.12, 0.24) vs. 0.21 (0.15, 0.16), respectively, χ2=4.88, Z=-2.21,-5.03,-2.53, all P<0.05). On the other hand, the length of hospital stay, proportion of underline diseases, ALT, AST, creatine kinase isoenzyme, and troponin T were higher in the severe group compared to those in the general group ((11.6±5.9) vs. (5.3±1.8) d, 41 cases (43.6%) vs. 48 cases (4.6%), 67 (26,120) vs. 20 (15, 32) U/L, 51 (33, 123) vs. 44 (34, 58) U/L、56.9 (23.0, 219.3) vs. 3.6 (1.9, 17.9) U/L, 12.0 (4.9, 56.5) vs. 3.0 (3.0, 7.0) ×10-3 pg/L,respectively, t=-20.43, χ2=183.52, Z=-9.14,-3.12,-6.38,-3.81, all P<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that increased leukocyte count (OR=1.88, 95%CI 1.18-2.97, P<0.01), CRP (OR=1.18, 95%CI 1.06-1.31, P<0.01), ferritin (OR=1.01, 95%CI 1.00-1.00, P<0.01), interleukin (IL)-6 (OR=1.05, 95%CI 1.01-1.08, P=0.012), D-dimer (OR=2.56, 95%CI 1.44-4.56, P<0.01) and decreased CD4+T lymphocyte (OR=0.84, 95%CI 0.73-0.98, P=0.030) were independently associated with the risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 in hospitalized children with Omicron infection. Conclusions: After the withdrawal of NPI, the pediatric inpatients with Omicron infection in Kunming were predominantly children younger than 3 years of age, and mainly manifested as AURTI with relatively low rate of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality. Elevated leukocyte counts, CRP, ferritin, IL-6, D-dimer, and decreased CD4+T lymphocytes are significant risk factors for developing severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

[Research progress on the relationship between dietary patterns and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease].

Globally, metabolic-asssociated fatty liver disease has become a significant health burden due to its complex pathogenesis, and there are no specific and effective therapeutic drugs to date. The onset and progression of metabolic-asssociated fatty liver disease is closely associated with improper dietary habits. The cornerstone to treat metabolic-asssociated fatty liver disease is weight loss through a well-balanced diet. This article summarizes and discusses the research progress at home and abroad in relationship to metabolic-asssociated fatty liver disease and dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, an energy-restricted balanced diet, a low fat diet, a low carbohydrate diet, a western diet, an animal food diet, a traditional diet, and others. In addition, it categorizes the effects of various dietary patterns on the prevention, treatment, or induction of several issues that need further metabolic-asssociated fatty liver disease research for subsequent reference.

[Analysis of the short-term results of pre fenestration and external branched thoracic endovascular aortic repair for aortic lesions].

Objective: To evaluate the short-term effect of left subclavian artery (LSA) reconstruction with pre fenestration and external branch thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in the treatment of aortic arch descending lesions. Methods: The clinical data of 79 patients with aortic diseases who received LSA reconstruction in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from November 2015 to October 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. According to different LSA reconstruction methods, they were divided into the fenestrated group (group f) 50 cases and the external branched group (group b) 29 cases. The surgical success rate, intraoperative and postoperative complication rate, re-intervention rate, mortality rate, and the change of the true and false lumen area of the dissection were compared and analyzed. Results: There were no significant differences in the perioperative and recent total complication rate, secondary intervention rate and mortality between the two groups (χ²=0, 1.246, 0.156, all P>0.05). The operation time of group f [(123.0±40.7 min)] was significantly longer than that of group b ((84.2±16.3) min, t=2.173, P=0.034). The degree of false lumen thrombosis of the stent segment was better than that of the non-stent segment (χ²=7.213, 14.359, both P<0.05) in the two groups after surgery, but no significant difference between the two groups (χ²=1.510, 0.886, both P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the change rate of the true and false lumen on each plane of the dissection between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Both fenestrated and external branched TEVAR reconstruction LSA have good safety and effectiveness in treating aortic arch descending lesions. The external branched TEVAR takes less time, has higher effectiveness for lesions with shorter landing zone, and has better aortic remodeling effect in the stent segment soon; and the fenestrated TEVAR has better economy.

MicroRNA-140-5p suppresses invasion and proliferation of glioma cells by targeting glutamate-ammonia ligase (GLUL).

Glutamine addiction is a major feature of glioma cells and plays an important role in its growth and proliferation. GLUL (glutamate-ammonia ligase), which catalyzes glutamate and ammonia to synthesize glutamine, plays a crucial role in tumor growth and proliferation. We attempt to determine a pathway that limits the growth of glioma by targeting GLUL and explore effective strategies blocking glutamine metabolism. We note that miRNAs mediate regulation of genes participating directly or indirectly in cancer cell metabolism. The regulatory roles of miRNAs on metabolic enzymes are widely discussed, however miRNAs regulation of glutamine metabolism by targeting GLUL in glioma has not yet been reported. Here, we examined both the expression and functions of GLUL in glioma cells. Findings indicated that the expression of GLUL was upregulated in high-grade compared to low-grade glioma cells. Knockdown of GLUL effectively inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells in vitro. Bioinformatics analyses, as well as dual-luciferase reporter assays, revealed that miR-140-5p bound to GLUL mRNA at the 3'-UTR location. Furthermore, the proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells were also repressed by miR-140-5p. Overall, these results showed that miR-140-5p exerted its inhibitory effects on proliferation, migration and invasion in glioma cells through downregulating GLUL. Thus, the miR-140-5p/GLUL axis may function as a potential target for glioma treatment.

[Early results of fenestrated endovascular aortic repair for the treatment of patients with thoracoabdominal pathologies].

Objective: To evaluate the early results of fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR) using physician-modified stent grafts (PMSGs) for the treatment of patients with thoracoabdominal pathologies. Methods: Nineteen consecutive patients who underwent FEVAR using PMSGs between April 2012 and September 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The modality of FEVAR technique was assessed, perioperative clinical data was recorded and the early results were evaluated. Results: Indications were thoracoabdominal aortic pathologies, including juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (JAAA) (n=12), chronic thoracoabdominal aortic dissection with aneurysmal dilatation (n=3), thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) (n=1), infrarenal AAA with an accessory renal artery in the segment of the aneurysmal neck (n=2) and type Ⅰ endoleak after EVAR for AAA(n=1). Nineteen fenestrated stent grafts were deployed , including custom-made Cook Zenith fenestrated stent graft(n=1), home-made Cook Zenith TX2 fenestrated stent graft(n=6), home-made Cook Zenith TFFB fenestrated stent graft(n=9), home-made Cook Zenith Cuff fenestrated stent graft(n=2), home-made Gore C3 fenestrated stent graft(n=1). Mean duration for stent graft modification was 110 (90-140) min. Mean operative time was 268.0 (59.0-334.0) min, and fluoroscopy time was 66.0 (15.0-175.0) min. There were a total of 50 target vessels, of which 45 (95%) were stented. Bare metal stents were used in 28 vessels, and covered stents were used in 17 vessels. Technical success rate was 100%. No intraoperative target vessel loss was observed. Perioperative mortality was 5.3% (1/19). Endoleaks were persisted even after ballooning in five patients. A small type Ⅰ proximal endoleak and type Ⅲ endoleak were found in 2 and 1 patients, respectively. Type Ⅲ endoleak combined with type Ⅱ endoleak were observed in 2 patients. All the endoleaks were accepted and needed watching. In two patients, iliofemoral artery problems were resolved after local endarterectomy and stenting. Two patients presented renal deterioration postoperatively and recovered after the conservative therapy. Median length of stay was 6.6 (2.0-12.0)d. No early reintervention (<30 days) was performed. The mean duration of follow-up was 11.2 (2.0-41.0) months. One patient died 6 months after FEVAR due to advanced renal carcinoma. All target vessels remained patent except for one accessory artery occlusion. Conclusion: FEVAR using PMSGs may be a viable alternative for high-risk patients with thoracoabdominal pathologies.

[Preliminary study of endovascular aneurysm repair using fenestration on table for abdominal aortic aneurysm with short proximal neck].

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of endovascular aneurysm repair(EVAR) using fenestration on table for abdominal aortic aneurysm(AAA) with short proximal neck. Methods: A retrospective analysis of four cases with short proximal neck AAA from Aug. 2015 to May. 2016 of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital treated by EVAR using fenestration on table. Fenestrated stent-grafts were designed according to the preoperative computer tomography angiography(CTA) data. All cases underwent EVAR with the fenestrated stent-grafts on table to revascularize visceral branches. Results: FEVAR was performed in all of the 4 cases successfully. Device deploying success rate was 100%. No type Ⅰ endoleak was found in all of the 4 cases. Transient renal dysfunction occurred in two cases during 7 post-operative days and improved with the medical treatment. Mean follow-up period was 4.7 months(range, 1-9 months). CTA (3 cases) and ultrasonic imaging(1 case) were performed postoperatively. No endoleak was found around fenestrated stent graft and patency of visceral stent grafts were maintained in all of the 4 cases. Conclusion: EVAR using fenestration on table for short proximal neck AAA is safe and feasible, which expand the indication of EVAR for AAA, and the long-term safety and outcomes of this technique need to be assessed in the future.

Inhibition of adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by erythropoietin via activating ERK and P38 MAPK.

We examined whether erythropoietin (EPO) can inhibit adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the mouse bone marrow and its underlying mechanism. We separated and extracted mouse bone marrow MSCs and induced adipogenic differen-tiation using 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, insulin, and dexamethasone. Different concentrations of EPO were added to the cells and observed by Oil Red O staining on the 20th day to quantitatively analyze the degree of cell differentiation. mRNA expression levels of peroxysome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT enhancer binding protein α, and adiponectin were analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the activity of PPARγ, extracellular sig-nal-regulated kinase (ERK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) were determined by western blotting. EPO significantly inhibited adipogenic differentiation of MSCs after 20 days and reduced absorbance values by Oil Red O staining without affecting proliferation activity. EPO downregulated the mRNA expression of PPARγ, CCAAT enhancer binding protein α, fatty acid binding protein 4, and adiponec-tin during adipogenesis and increased protein phosphorylation of ERK, p38 MAPK, and PPARγ during differentiation. EPO downregulated the mRNA expression of PPARγ, CCAAT enhancer binding protein α, fatty acid binding protein 4, and adiponectin by increasing protein phosphor-ylation of ERK, p38 MAPK, and PPARγ during differentiation, which inhibited adipogenic differentiation of MSCs.

Imaging of cardiac electrical excitation conduction.

We present a multiple time windows beamformer (MTWB) method of solving the inverse problem of magnetic field and non-invasively imaging the cardiac electrical excitation conduction using the magnetocardiac signals acquired by a 61-channel superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The MTWB constructs spatial filters for each location in source space, one for each component of the source moment based on the distributed source model, and estimates the cardiac equivalent current sources. The output of spatial filters is the source strength estimated in three-dimensional space and the weight matrix calculated with magnetocardiac signals in multiple time windows. A signal subspace projection technique is used to suppress noise. Then, the characteristics of cardiac electrical excitation conduction among two healthy subjects and two coronary vessel stenosis (CVS) patients are extracted from reconstructed current sources with maximum strength at each instant during QRS complex and ST-T segment, and a series of two-dimensional cardiac electrical excitation conduction maps (EECM) are obtained. It is demonstrated that two healthy subjects are of similar and the stronger electrical activities than those of two CVS patients. This technique can be used as an effective tool for the diagnosis of heart diseases.

Comparison of volatile components in Chinese traditional pickled peppers using HS-SPME-GC-MS, GC-O and multivariate analysis.

Volatile compounds of Chinese traditional pickled peppers (CTPPs) were extracted by solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) to visually compare their volatile compositions by applying principal component analysis (PCA). A total of 67 volatile components were identified by GC-MS, including 7 acids, 6 alkanes, 14 alcohols, 9 esters, 11 terpenes, 3 aldehydes, 5 ketones, 7 phenols and 5 miscellaneous compounds, tentatively identified or identified by comparing with mass spectra and retention indices of the standards or from literature. Of 45 volatile compounds detected in the sniffing port of GC-O, the majority of odour-active components included acetic acid, 2-ethyl phenol, L-linalool, tridecane, butyl butanoate, δ-3-carene. The individual concentrations of the volatile compounds such as acetic acid, ethanol, 1-propanol, L-linalool, hexyl 2-methyl butyrate and hexyl pentanoate corresponded well to the intensities of related attributes in the correlation analysis. Due to their high concentration level and low threshold value, these compounds played an important role in the final aromatic profile of the pickled peppers. The differences in flavours were observed by applying PCA to GC-MS data sets. From the PCA results, samples were primarily separated along the first principal component.

Chinese nurses' experience in the Wenchuan earthquake relief.

AIM: The purpose of this qualitative study is to provide an understanding of how Chinese nurses acted in response to the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. BACKGROUND: The literature has reported that Chinese nurses played a key role in the Wenchuan earthquake. Although these nurses' intentions were well meaning, and they made enormous efforts to save lives, they considered that disaster relief practice was beyond the scope of normal daily nursing practice and found the challenges they confronted overwhelming. China is a country prone to both natural and man-made disasters that demand a good deal of preparedness for those involved in disaster nursing. However, few studies have been conducted to investigate the knowledge, skill, experience and attitudes required for nurses responding to disasters. METHODS: Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics was used as a framework to underpin and interpret the qualitative accounts of the practice of the ten registered nurses in this study. FINDINGS: Three themes were identified from semi-structured interviews with the participants. These are described as (1) feeling under-prepared; (2) perceived challenges and coping strategies; and (3) the rediscovery of the helping and caring role. By analysing these nurses' experiences in the Wenchuan earthquake relief operation, this study has identified the numerous roles and attributes required of nurses in response to disasters. CONCLUSION: Without education and training in disaster nursing, nurses may not be prepared to function in disaster relief, especially in a manner that is productive, efficient, collaborative and less stressful. Findings suggest that a systematic, educational approach to develop the skills required in disaster nursing is essential.

In vivo study on biocompatibility and bonding strength of hydroxyapatite-20vol%Ti composite with bone tissues in the rabbit.

Biocompatibility and bonding strength of hydroxyapatite-20vol%Ti composite fabricated by hot-pressing technique with bone tissues in the rabbit were investigated by in vivo studies in comparison with those of Ti metal and dense HA ceramic. Although fibrous tissues formed at the interface between the composite and bone tissues at 3 weeks in vivo, bonding strength of the composite increases faster than that of dense HA after 4 weeks. At 3 months in vivo, bonding strength of the composite is higher than that of dense HA and exceeds 6.5 MPa. Moreover, as compared with the visible bonding interfaces between dense HA and new bones, the bonding interfaces for the composite cannot already be distinguished and the composite was osseointegrated fully with bone tissues into one bony body. The shear fracture of bonding strength test for the composite occurred in new bone zones near the interface, which indicates that bonding strength of the composite could even exceed the shear strength of new bones after 3 months in vivo. In conclusion, HA-Ti composite has better osteoconduction and osseointegration abilities than Ti metal and dense HA ceramic after 3 months in vivo and is a promising biomaterial for hard tissue replacement.

Effects of androgen supplementation therapy on partial androgen deficiency in the aging male: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the responses of a symptom complex related to partial androgen deficiency in the aging male (PADAM) to androgen supplementation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighty-six men from five hospitals in Beijing aged 50-70 years with symptoms related to PADAM received oral testosterone undecanoate for 2 months, and the effects of the therapy were evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the symptom scores were significantly improved (all p < 0.001). Serum levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone were suppressed, and free testosterone and albumin-bound testosterone levels were elevated. However, they were not significantly different from the pretreatment values. Waist/hip ratio and blood pressure were markedly decreased, but no changes were found in serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, albumin and prostate specific antigen. CONCLUSIONS: Two months of treatment with oral testosterone undecanoate clearly improved the symptoms related to PADAM. No statistical relationship was found between symptom improvement and androgen levels. Androgen therapy for 2 months was beneficial to the waist/hip ratio and blood pressure, and no harm was done to the prostate gland or lipid metabolism.

Studies on plasma endothelin changes in varicocele patients.

AIM: To investigate the possible role endothelin may play in the pathogenesis of varicocele and varicocele-induced infertility. METHODS: In varicocele patients, radioimmunoassay is used to determine the blood endothelin concentration in the spermatic vein and the antecubital vein separately. RESULTS: The blood endothelin concentration of the spermatic vein (66.8 +/- 23.5 pg/mL) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of the antecubital vein (55.3 +/- 25.3 pg/mL). The endothelin concentration in the spermatic vein in Grade II varicocele patients was not significantly different from that in Grade III patients (P = 0.87). CONCLUSION: The higher blood endothelin level in the spermatic vein may indicate the involvement of endothelin in the pathophysiology of varicocele and varicocele-induced infertility.

[Application of polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of gonococcal urethritis].

84 suspected patients with gonococcal urethritis were diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It was demonstrated that 28 patients (33.3%) were positive, and 56 (66.7%) negative. Of the PCR-positive patients, 18 showed secretions from the urethral tract, on which the bacterial stain and culture were carried out. The results indicate that 12 patients were positive, and 6 negative. There was no patient with positive stain and culture with PCR-negative. We conclude that PCR is more specific and sensitive than other routine methods in the diagnosis of gonococcal urethritis, especially of chronic infection.

[Observation on metacercariae of Paragonimus westermani by transmission electron microscopy].

The ultrastructure of metacercariae of Paragonimus westermani was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The worm is composed of integument, parenchyma, gut and excretory sac. The integument consists of tegument, muscular layer and tegumental cell. The tegument, a syncytium, includes tegumental membrane, tegumental cytoplasm, and basal plasma membrane. On the surface of the tegument, many finger-like processes with branches and spines can be readily identified. The spines projecting beyond the surface of the tegument are completely enclosed within the outer tegument membrane and the basal plasma membrane; in the transverse section, the spine shows a crystalline lattice structure. The tegumental cytoplasm consists of an electron dense granular matrix, in which two types of inclusion bodies, spherical and rod-like bodies may be recognised, both of them comprise a unit membrane and dense granular contents, the rod-like bodies are arranged along the edge of the spines. The tegument nuclei are located not within the surface syncytium but within sunken tegumental cells situated beneath the muscle layer, the tegumental cells contain a few cell organelles, and the two types of characteristic tegument inclusion bodies. The cells are joined to the tegument by one or more long, tortuous cytoplasmic tubules, responsible for the synthesis of the tegumental inclusion bodies, and that these inclusion bodies are translocated into the tegument by the cytoplasmic tubules. It suggests that the tegument of metacercaria is the main absorptive site of nutrients.

Energy transfer kinetics in C-phycocyanin from cyanobacterium Westiellopsis prolifica studied by pump-probe techniques.

The relaxation processes of C-phycocyanin at different aggregates have been investigated by pump-probe techniques. The lifetimes of ground state recovery measured at various wavelengths are analyzed by computer fitting of the kinetic data to a sum of three and four exponentials for monomers and trimers according to the nonlinear least-square principle, respectively. The shortest lifetime (about 56ps) is due to beta s----beta f transfer in one monomer, that decreases to 31ps in trimer due to the opening of new transfer channels. The second fastest component (about 151ps) in monomer is attributed tentatively to distribution of excitation energy between alpha and beta f chromophores, that decreases to about 117ps in trimer caused by redistribution of excitation energy between them. The two long-lived components (about 690ps and 1385ps for monomer, 620ps and 1320ps for trimer) from some kinds of heterogeneity in some chromophores, such as alpha and beta 1 chromophores which are emitting, show an equal amplitude ratio of 1:2 in both monomer and trimer.