Efficacy of intramedullary bridge fixation for midshaft clavicle fractures: a retrospective analysis of a novel technique.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of a novel intramedullary fixation technique using the ortho-bridge system (OBS) for midshaft clavicle fractures. METHODS: A total of 63 patients were included in this study: 35 underwent plate internal fixation (LP group) and 28 underwent OBS intramedullary fixation (OBS group). Surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, fracture healing time, removal of the internal fixation agent, visual analog scale (VAS) score for shoulder pain, Constant-Murley shoulder score and complication occurrence were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Preoperative general data, such as sex, age and fracture type, were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, the OBS group exhibited better outcomes than the LP group exhibited in terms of surgical time, intraoperative blood loss and total incision length (P < 0.05). Additionally, the OBS group exhibited a significantly shorter fracture healing time and internal-fixation removal time than the LP group exhibited (P < 0.05). The VAS scores on postoperative day 1, week 1, month 1 and month 3 were lower in the OBS group than in the LP group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the Constant-Murley shoulder scores at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively were higher in the OBS group than in the LP group (P < 0.05), with no significant difference at 1 year after surgery (P > 0.05). None of the patients in the OBS group experienced scarring of the surgical incision, and 6 patients in the LP group experienced scarring of the surgical incision. Finally, the complication incidence in the OBS group was lower than that in the LP group. CONCLUSION: For midshaft clavicle fractures, OBS intramedullary fixation is better than locking-plate internal fixation because it led to less trauma, a faster recovery, better efficacy, and better esthetic outcomes and comfort. Therefore, this technique may have potential as a novel treatment for midshaft clavicle fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, retrospective observational study.

Exploring shared decision-making needs in lung cancer screening among high-risk groups and health care providers in China: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The intricate balance between the advantages and risks of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) impedes the utilization of lung cancer screening (LCS). Guiding shared decision-making (SDM) for well-informed choices regarding LCS is pivotal. There has been a notable increase in research related to SDM. However, these studies possess limitations. For example, they may ignore the identification of decision support and needs from the perspective of health care providers and high-risk groups. Additionally, these studies have not adequately addressed the complete SDM process, including pre-decisional needs, the decision-making process, and post-decision experiences. Furthermore, the East-West divide of SDM has been largely ignored. This study aimed to explore the decisional needs and support for shared decision-making for LCS among health care providers and high-risk groups in China. METHODS: Informed by the Ottawa Decision-Support Framework, we conducted qualitative, face-to-face in-depth interviews to explore shared decision-making among 30 lung cancer high-risk individuals and 9 health care providers. Content analysis was used for data analysis. RESULTS: We identified 4 decisional needs that impair shared decision-making: (1) LCS knowledge deficit; (2) inadequate supportive resources; (3) shared decision-making conceptual bias; and (4) delicate doctor-patient bonds. We identified 3 decision supports: (1) providing information throughout the LCS process; (2) providing shared decision-making decision coaching; and (3) providing decision tools. CONCLUSIONS: This study offers valuable insights into the decisional needs and support required to undergo LCS among high-risk individuals and perspectives from health care providers. Future studies should aim to design interventions that enhance the quality of shared decision-making by offering LCS information, decision tools for LCS, and decision coaching for shared decision-making (e.g., through community nurses). Simultaneously, it is crucial to assess individuals' needs for effective deliberation to prevent conflicts and regrets after arriving at a decision.

Estrogen induces LCAT to maintain cholesterol homeostasis and suppress hepatocellular carcinoma development.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive disease that occurs predominantly in men. Estrogen elicits protective effects against HCC development. Elucidation of the estrogen-regulated biological processes that suppress HCC could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies. Here, we performed transcriptomic analyses on mouse and human liver cancer and identified LCAT as the most highly estrogen-upregulated gene and a biomarker of favorable prognosis. LCAT upregulation inhibited HCC in vitro and in vivo and mediated estrogen-induced suppression of HCC in an ESR1-dependent manner. LCAT facilitated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) production and uptake via the LDLR and SCARB1 pathways. Consistently, high HDL-C levels corresponded to a favorable prognosis in HCC patients. The enhanced HDL-C absorption induced by LCAT impaired SREBP2 maturation, which ultimately suppressed cholesterol biosynthesis and dampened HCC cell proliferation. HDL-C alone inhibited HCC growth comparably to the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin, and SREBF2 overexpression abolished the inhibitory activity of LCAT. Clinical observations and cross-analyses of multiple databases confirmed the correlation of elevated LCAT and HDL-C levels to reduced cholesterol synthesis and improved HCC patient prognosis. Furthermore, LCAT deficiency mimicked whereas LCAT overexpression abrogated the tumor growth promoting effects of ovariectomy in HCC-bearing female mice. Most importantly, HDL-C and LCAT delayed the development of subcutaneous tumors in nude mice, and HDL-C synergized with lenvatinib to eradicate orthotopic liver tumors. Collectively, this study reveals that estrogen upregulates LCAT to maintain cholesterol homeostasis and dampen hepatocarcinogenesis. LCAT and HDL-C represent potential prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers for targeting cholesterol homeostasis as a strategy for treating HCC.

Understanding the perceived benefits, barriers, and cues to action for lung cancer screening among Latinos: A qualitative study.

Introduction: Rates of lung cancer screening among Latinos remain low. The purpose of the study was to understand the perceived benefits, barriers, and cues to action for lung cancer screening among Latinos. Methods: Participants (N=20) were recruited using community-based recruitment strategies. Eligibility criteria included: 1) self-identified as Hispanic/Latino, 2) spoke English and/or Spanish, and 3) met the USA Preventive Services Task Force eligibility criteria for lung cancer screening. Interviews were conducted in Spanish and English, audio recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Using the health belief model, a qualitative theoretical analysis was used to analyze the interviews. Results: Participants' mean age was 58.3 years old (SD=5.8), half of the participants were female, 55% had completed high school or lower educational level, and 55% reported speaking more Spanish than English. All participants were currently smoking. Fourteen participants (70%) were unaware of lung cancer screening, and eighteen (90%) did not know they were eligible for lung cancer screening. Regarding lung cancer screening, participants reported multiple perceived benefits (e.g., smoking cessation, early detection of lung cancer, increased survivorship) and barriers (e.g., fear of outcomes, cost, lung cancer screening not being recommended by their clinician). Lastly, multiple cues to actions for lung cancer screening were identified (e.g., family as a cue to action for getting screened). Conclusions: Most Latinos who were eligible for lung cancer screening were unaware of it and, when informed, they reported multiple perceived benefits, barriers, and cues to action. These factors provide concrete operational strategies to address lung cancer screening among Latinos.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia in a Chinese patient with heterozygous NBAS mutations: Case report.

RATIONALE: Neuroblastoma amplified sequence (NBAS)-associated disease is an autosomal recessive disorder and a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms has been reported. However, autoimmune mediated hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is rarely reported in NBAS disease. PATIENT CONCERNS: A now 21-year-old male harbors heterozygous variants of c.6840G>A and c.335 + 1G>A and was found had retarded growth, hypogammaglobulinemia, B lymphopenia, optic atrophy, horizontal nystagmus, slight splenomegaly and hepatomegaly since childhood. This case had normal hemoglobin level and platelet count in his childhood. He developed AIHA first in his adulthood and then thrombocytopenia during the treatment of AIHA. The mechanism underlying a case with pronounced hypogammaglobulinemia and B lymphopenia is elusive. In addition to biallelic NBAS mutations, a germline mutation in the ANKRD26 (c.2356C>T) gene was also detected. So either autoimmune or ANKRD26 mutation-mediated thrombocytopenia is possible in this case. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: He was initially managed with steroid and intermittent intravenous immunoglobulin supplement. After treatment, he responded well with a normalization of hemoglobin and serum bilirubin. But the patient subsequently experienced severe thrombocytopenia in addition to AIHA. He was then given daily avatrombopag in addition to steroid escalation. He responded again to new treatment, with the hemoglobin levels and platelet counts went back to the normal ranges. Now he was on de-escalated weekly avatrombopag and low-dose steroids maintenance. CONCLUSION: The phenotype of this case indicates that c.335 + 1G>A NBAS variant is probably a pathogenic one and c.2356C>T ANKRD26 variant is improbably a pathogenic one. AIHA may respond well to steroid even when happened in patients with NBAS disease.

Promoting Lung Cancer Screen Decision-Making and Early Detection Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Promoting lung cancer screening (LCS) is complex. Previous studies have overlooked that LCS behaviors are stage based and thus did not identify the characteristics of LCS interventions at different screening stages. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to explore the characteristics and efficacy of interventions in promoting LCS decision making and behaviors and to evaluate these interventions. METHODS: We conducted a study search from the inception of each bibliographic database to April 8, 2023. The precaution adoption process model was used to synthesize and classify the evidence. The RE-AIM framework was used to evaluate the effectiveness of LCS programs. Heterogeneity tests and meta-analysis were performed using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS: We included 31 studies that covered 4 LCS topics: knowledge of lung cancer, knowledge of LCS, value clarification exercises, and LCS supportive resources. Patient decision aids outperformed educational materials in improving knowledge and decision outcomes with a significant reduction in decision conflict (standardized mean difference, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, -1.15 to -0.47; P < .001). Completion rates of LCS ranged from 3.6% to 98.8%. Interventions that included screening resources outperformed interventions that used patient decision aids alone in improving LCS completion. The proportions of reported RE-AIM indicators were highest for reach (69.59%), followed by adoption (43.87%), effectiveness (36.13%), implementation (33.33%), and maintenance (9.68%). CONCLUSION: Evidence from 31 studies identified intervention characteristics and effectiveness of LCS interventions based on different stages of decision making. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: It is crucial to develop targeted and systematic interventions based on the characteristics of each stage of LCS to maximize intervention effectiveness and reduce the burden of lung cancer.

Ill-fitting prosthesis is associated with an increased risk of elevated blood pressures.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies focused on the benefits of adequate prosthodontic treatment, while few studies have investigated the prosthodontic-related risks to health. As a modifiable oral health indicator, the association of ill-fitting prosthesis (IFP) with hypertension has not been fully explored. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 158,659 adults in Beijing (2009-2017) receiving intra-oral examinations and blood pressure measurements. Logistic regression models were applied to assess the association of IFP with the prevalence of hypertension, systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≧ 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≧ 90 mmHg, as well as subgroup analyses by different fixed IFP subgroups (according to involved teeth number) and removable IFP subgroup. We further investigated effect modifications among stratified populations. RESULTS: 158,659 individuals were included for analysis, 346 (26.86%) in IFP group and 27,380 (17.40%) in non-IFP group (p < 0.001) were hypertensive. After adjustment of sex, age, obesity, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, hsCRP, family history of CVD, self-reported smoking, self-reported drinking and WC, ORs of hypertension, SBP ≧ 140 mmHg and DBP ≧ 90 mmHg were 1.330 (95% CI: 1.162-1.522), 1.277 (95% CI: 1.098-1.486) and 1.376 (95% CI: 1.186-1.596), respectively (p < 0.05). Furthermore, after full adjustment, the number of involved teeth showed a significant incremental trend with hypertension risk in the population with and without IFP (p for trend <0.001). The IFP-blood pressure associations were more pronounced in females, 18-60 years, non-obese and diabetic participants. CONCLUSION: As a modifiable oral indicator, IFP was significantly associated with a higher risk of hypertension.

[Risk Factors and the Effect of Antiviral Prophylaxis for Herpes Zoster in Multiple Myeloma Patients].

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence and risk factors of herpes zoster in patients with multiple myeloma and to evaluate the preventive effect of antiviral therapy. METHODS: The clinical features of multiple myeloma patients with herpes zoster were retrospectively analyzed, the risk factors of herpes zoster and the effect of antiviral prophylaxis were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 180 patients with multiple myeloma, 23 cases developed herpes zoster (12.8%). The incidence of herpes zoster was 19.1% in patients with renal dysfunction and 23.5% after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). The incidence of herpes zoster was higher in patients receiving bortezomib-containing regimens (21/137, 15.3%) than that in those without bortezomib (2/43, 4.7%), but there was no statistical difference (P =0.067). Antiviral prophylaxis was associated with fewer zoster infections, 8/111(7.2%) developed herpes zoster in patients who received antiviral prophylaxis, and 15/69 (21.7%) in those receiving no prophylaxis(P =0.005). 65.2% of patients with herpes zoster did not receive antiviral prophylaxis. Multivariate analysis showed that bortezomib treatment, AHSCT and renal dysfunction were independent risk factors for multiple myeloma with herpes zoster, while antiviral prophylaxis was independently associated with reducing the risk of herpes zoster. Herpes zoster had no effect on OS in patients with multiple myeloma. CONCLUSION: The risk of herpes zoster in multiple myeloma patients was increased. Antiviral prophylaxis can reduce the risk of herpes zoster in patients on bortezomib-based therapy.

Stakeholders' Voices of Lung Cancer Screening in Hong Kong: Study Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.

Introduction: This study aims to (1) explore physicians' perceptions and experiences of lung cancer screening in Hong Kong, (2) evaluate physicians' readiness of implementing lung cancer screening in Hong Kong, (3) explore high-risk smokers' health beliefs of lung cancer and screening, (4) identify barriers and facilitators for high-risk Hong Kong smokers to screening for lung cancer, and (5) validate the Chinese Lung Cancer Screening Health Belief Scale in relation to high-risk smokers in Hong Kong. Methods and analysis: A mixed methods design will be used in this study. Individual qualitative interviews will be conducted with physicians who have experience with high-risk smokers. Physicians' perceptions and experiences of lung cancer screening, and their readiness to accept lung cancer screening in Hong Kong, will be gathered through the qualitative interviews. A semi-structured interview guide will be used in the qualitative interviews. In addition, a quantitative survey with qualitative questions will be conducted on high-risk smokers to investigate their health beliefs of lung cancer and screening and barriers and facilitators for them to screening lung cancer. A lung cancer screening health belief scale, sociodemographic questionnaire, smoking and lung cancer screening history questionnaire, lung cancer and screening knowledge questionnaire, lung cancer stigma scale, generalized anxiety disorder scale, patient health questionnaire-9, patients' medical trust scale and preferred lung cancer screening intervention delivery questionnaire will be conducted in the quantitative survey. Constant comparison and content analysis will be used to analyze the qualitative data. Descriptive data analysis, validity and reliability analysis, one-way analysis of variance and post hoc analyses will be used to analyze quantitative data. Discussions: This study explores physicians' and high-risk smokers' perceptions and experiences toward lung cancer screening in Hong Kong. Findings from this study can help healthcare providers and policy makers become aware of the stakeholder's voices. In addition, these findings can help to inform the design of future interventional lung cancer screening programs and provide a tool to measure Chinese high-risk smokers' health beliefs toward lung cancer screening. A major limitation of this mixed methods study is the amount of time taken to complete the overall study. Also, its complexity requires more collaboration and networking among researchers. Ethics and dissemination: This study has minimal risk to the participants. It will be submitted to the university IRB for ethical approval. Findings related to physicians' perceptions and experiences of lung cancer screening in Hong Kong, physicians' readiness of implementing lung cancer screening, high-risk smokers' health beliefs of lung cancer and screening, barriers, and facilitators for high-risk Hong Kong smokers to screening lung cancer will be disseminated in journals and conferences. The reliability and validity of the Chinese lung cancer screening health belief scale will be reported in methodological research journals.

Rho Kinase (ROCK) Inhibitors for the Treatment of Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. It is characterized by progressive optic nerve degeneration and loss of visual field. Pathological increased intraocular pressure is its main modifiable risk factor. Rho kinase inhibitors are developed as a new class of glaucoma medication that increases outflow facility from the conventional aqueous humor outflow pathway. Additionally, they also have neuroprotective and anti-scarring effects that can might increase the success rate of glaucoma filtration surgery. This review aims to summarize the current concept of Rho kinase inhibitors in the treatment of glaucoma from beach to bedside.

Case report: Deep molecular remissions post two separate CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies do not prevent disease from relapsing in Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) is an aggressive B-cell malignancy. The management of a relapsed Ph+ ALL patient is challenging. Currently, either allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) or CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T-cell) are usually employed as salvage modalities for a relapsed patient. However, there are few reports concerning cases that had both allo-SCT and multiple CAR T-cell therapies, and the optimal management of such patients is unclear. Here, we report a relapsed Ph+ ALL male who was first salvaged with autologous CAR T-cell therapy, followed by allo-SCT. Unfortunately, he had a second relapse even with complete molecular remission (CMR) response after the first CAR T and allo-SCT. This patient was then successfully salvaged by a second CAR T-cell product that is donor-derived. However, even with a CMR response once again following the second CAR T-cell therapy and prophylactic donor lymphocyte infusion, he experienced a molecular relapse; ponatinib was employed as the subsequent salvage treatment. He achieved a CMR response following ponatinib and was still in remission at the last follow-up. No ABL kinase mutation was detected during the whole course of the disease. This case indicated that a repeated CD19-targeted CAR T-cell treatment is feasible and may be effective in a relapsed Ph+ ALL patient that had previous CAR T-cell and allo-SCT, even though both CAR T-cell have the same construction. However, even with a deep response after each CAR T-cell therapy and allo-SCT, there is still a very small amount of undetectable leukemic cells. The optimal management of Ph+ ALL patients who have a deep response after a second CAR T-cell therapy deserves further exploration.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Lung Cancer Screening Health Belief Scale in Chinese Americans: A Methodological Study.

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study is to report the process of adapting the existing Lung Cancer Screening Health Belief Scale to be used in Chinese Americans. Methods: Guided by Flaherty et al.'s cross-cultural equivalency model, the methodology used in the adaptation process consists of four steps, including preliminary modification after a comprehensive literature review, forward and backward translation, expert review, and cognitive interviews among participants. Results: The modified culturally fitted Lung Cancer Screening Health Belief Scale included 57 items and 6 subscales, which proved highly reliable and valid through the expert review and participants' review. Conclusions: This study provided an example for a novice cross-cultural researcher to adapt an instrument to be used in another population with a different language. Further research is needed to work out a standard guideline for cross-cultural instrument adaptation.

Cancer Screening Rates Among Asian Americans: A Cross-Sectional Secondary Data Analysis Study.

PURPOSE: This study aims 1) to investigate recent cancer screening rates among Asian Americans and 2) to test the relationship between race/ethnicity and cancer screening rates. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional secondary data analysis study using data from the 2019 National Health Interview Survey. The screening rates of prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer among non-Hispanic (NH) Asian Americans, Hispanics, NH Whites, NH African Americans, and NH American Indian and Alaska Natives (AIAN) were analyzed in July 2022. The variables were recoded and analyzed using descriptive analysis and chi-square test. The SPSS version 27 software was used. RESULTS: Descriptive analysis showed a general low screening rate of cancers among Asian Americans, which ranged from 40.5% to 67.5%. The chi-square test suggested significant associations between race/ethnicity and the screening rates of colorectal cancer (P = .002), cervical cancer (P < .01), and breast cancer (P = .021), but not the prostate cancer (P = .472). CONCLUSION: Necessary intervention programs should be designed to increase the uptake rates of cancer screening among Asian Americans.

Protective effects of the Terminalia bellirica tannin-induced Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in rats with high-altitude pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress and endothelial cell dysfunction induced by high-altitude hypoxia have important roles in the pathological process of high-altitude pulmonary hypertension (HAPH). Tannins present in Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. (TTR) have pharmacological activities that produce oxidation resistance and exert anti-inflammatory effects. Whether TTR exerts a protective effect on HAPH remains unknown. METHODS: A rat model of HAPH was established. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) of the animals was measured, the serum levels of SOD, MDA, and GSH-Px were measured using ELISA, and the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Nrf2, and HO-1 proteins in the lung tissue of each group of rats was measured using Western blotting. Pathological changes in the lung tissue were also observed. A model of damage to H2O2-induced pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) was generated, and cell proliferation was measured using CCK-8 assays. Flow cytometry was used to measure ROS levels in PAECs. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Nrf2, and HO-1 proteins in PAECs. RESULTS: The hemodynamic and pathologic findings showed that the mPAP of HAPH rats increased markedly, and the vascular wall thickness increased (P < 0.05). TTR reduced mPAP, alleviated or slowed pulmonary arterial remodeling, increased GSH-Px and SOD activity, lowered the level of MDA (P < 0.05), and downregulated the expression of Bax in the lung tissues of HAPH rats, while the expression of Bcl-2, Nrf2, and HO-1 was upregulated (P < 0.05). The results of the cell experiments showed that TTR inhibited H2O2-induced PAEC apoptosis and ROS production (P < 0.05), downregulated the expression of Bax in PAECs, and upregulated the expression of Bcl-2, Nrf2, and HO-1 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that TTR reduces pulmonary arterial pressure, decreases oxidative stress during HAPH, and exerts protective effects in rats with HAPH and that its mechanism of action is related to regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Association between one-year exposure to air pollution and the prevalence of pulmonary nodules in China.

PM2.5is a well-known airborne hazard to cause various diseases. Evidence suggests that air pollution exposure contributes to the occurrence of pulmonary nodules. Pulmonary nodules detected on the computed tomography scans can be malignant or progress to malignant during follow-up. But the evidence of the association between PM2.5exposure and pulmonary nodules was limited. To examine potential associations of exposures to PM2.5and its major chemical constituents with the prevalence of pulmonary nodules. A total of 16 865 participants were investigated from eight physical examination centers in China from 2014 to 2017. The daily concentrations of PM2.5and its five components were estimated by high-resolution and high-quality spatiotemporal datasets of ground-level air pollutants in China. The logistic regression and the quantile-based g-computation models were used to assess the single and mixture impact of air pollutant PM2.5and its components on the risk of pulmonary nodules, respectively. Each 1 mg m-3increase in PM2.5(OR 1.011 (95% CI: 1.007-1.014)) was positively associated with pulmonary nodules. Among five PM2.5components, in single-pollutant effect models, every 1µg m-3increase in organic matter (OM), black carbon (BC), and NO3-elevated the risk of pulmonary nodule prevalence by 1.040 (95% CI: 1.025-1.055), 1.314 (95% CI: 1.209-1.407) and 1.021 (95% CI: 1.007-1.035) fold, respectively. In mixture-pollutant effect models, the joint effect of every quintile increase in PM2.5components was 1.076 (95% CI: 1.023-1.133) fold. Notably, NO3-BC and OM contributed higher risks of pulmonary nodules than other PM2.5components. And the NO3-particles were identified to have the highest contribution. The impacts of PM2.5components on pulmonary nodules were consistent across gender and age.These findings provide important evidence for the positive correlation between exposure to PM2.5and pulmonary nodules in China and identify that NO3-particles have the highest contribution to the risk.

Smoking Prevalence and Correlates among Chinese Immigrants: A Secondary Data Analysis Study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to (1) identify the smoking prevalence among Chinese immigrants and (2) explore associations between their current smoking behaviors and demographic factors, psychological distress, and health utilization factors. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were applied to extract data from the 2016 California Health Interview Survey; 650 eligible Chinese immigrant respondents were included in the sample. Independent variables were extracted based on the Integrated Model of Behavioral Prediction. Descriptive analyses and logistic regression were conducted using SAS 9.4 software. RESULTS: 4.23% of the surveyed Chinese immigrants were current smokers. Chinese immigrants who were 50-65 years old, male, had less than a bachelor's degree education level, and a lower income were more likely to be current smokers. Income was significantly associated with Chinese immigrants' current smoking status (p = 0.0471). CONCLUSIONS: Chinese immigrants' current smoking behaviors are significantly associated with their income. Interventions targeting low-income Chinese immigrants and tobacco price policies could potentially influence Chinese immigrants' smoking behaviors. Health education about smoking cessation should focus on male Chinese immigrant smokers who are 50-65 years old and have less than a bachelor's degree education and a lower income. More research needs to be carried out to encourage Chinese immigrants to quit smoking.

Smoking Cessation Interventions for Chinese American Smokers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Smoking cessation interventions are important for decreasing lung cancer mortality rate among Chinese Americans. This study aims to investigate and summarize the intervention methods focusing on smoking cessation among Chinese Americans and to compare the effects of intervention methods on the smoking cessation rates. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis design was used in this study. Keyword searching was conducted in August 2021 on PubMed, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, and CINAHL. The methodological quality of each study was assessed using the PEDro scale or The Methodological item for non-randomized studies (MINORS). The Review Manager Version 5.4 software was used to conduct the meta-analysis. Random effect model and subgroup analysis were applied in the analysis. RESULTS: Twenty and 11 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. Of the 20 studies, 8 were randomized control studies, 9 were pre-post single group intervention studies, 1 was retrospective analysis for an intervention study, 1 was a baseline data analysis from a cluster randomized trial, 1 was a feasibility intervention study. Results showed that compared to the control group, the group that received interventions on smoking cessation had a significantly increased smoking cessation rate (OR, 3.76; 95% CI, 1.72-8.21; P=0.0009). Subgroup analysis showed individual-based (OR, 5.88) NRT outreach interventions (OR, 3.80) conducted in person (OR, 2.53) with smokers (OR, 6.64) seemed to be more effective to increase smoking cessation rates among Chinese Americans compared with group-based, telephone counseling, indirect remote interventions conducted among Chinese American smokers and their non-smoke family members. CONCLUSIONS: Individual-based NRT outreach interventions conducted in person with smokers is an effective way to increase smoking cessation rates among Chinese Americans. More culturally sensitive and effective interventions are needed to help Chinese American smokers to quit smoking.

Non-pharmacological interventions on anxiety and depression in lung cancer patients' informal caregivers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is one of the common cancers and the leading cause of death. Tremendous caregiving burden of informal caregivers of lung cancer causes psychological disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Interventions for informal caregivers of patients with lung cancer to improve their psychological health, which ultimately leads to patients' positive health outcomes, are crucial. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to: 1) evaluate the effect of non-pharmacological interventions on the outcomes of depression and anxiety for lung cancer patients' informal caregivers; and 2) compare the effects of interventions with differing characteristics (i.e. intervention types, mode of contact, and group versus individual delivery). METHODS: Four databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Inclusion criteria for the articles were peer-reviewed non-pharmacological intervention studies on depression and anxiety in lung cancer patients' informal caregivers published between January 2010 and April 2022. Systematic review procedures were followed. Data analysis of related studies was conducted using the Review Manager Version 5.4 software. Intervention effect sizes and studies' heterogeneity were calculated. RESULTS: Eight studies from our search were eligible for inclusion. Regarding total effect for the caregivers' levels of anxiety and depression, results revealed evidence for significant moderate effects of intervention on anxiety (SMD -0.44; 95% CI, -0.67, -0.21; p = 0.0002) and depression (SMD -0.46; 95% CI, -0.74, -0.18; p = 0.001). Subgroup analyses for both anxiety and depression of informal caregivers revealed moderate to high significant effects for specific intervention types (cognitive behavioral and mindfulness combined with psycho-education interventions), mode of contact (telephone-based interventions), and group versus individual delivery. CONCLUSION: This review provides evidence that cognitive behavioral and mindfulness-based, telephone-based, individual or group-based interventions were effective for informal caregivers of lung cancer patients. Further research is needed to develop the most effective intervention contents and delivery methods across informal caregivers with larger sample size in randomized controlled trials.

Iron carbon particle dosing for odor control in sewers: Laboratory tests.

Treatment of malodor in the sewer system is a priority in many municipalities for human health concerns, sewer pipe corrosion prevention. In this study, the removal effects of iron-carbon (Fe-C) particles on the inhibition of sulfide in the liquid phase, as well as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and methyl mercaptan (MeSH) in the headspace were investigated using laboratory-scale reactors simulating gravity-flow sewer system. The results indicated that the sulfide in the liquid phase can be reduced from 15.1 to 16.5 mg S/L to 0.05 and 0.14 mg S/L after 70 g/L and 50 g/L Fe-C particles dosing. The flux of H2S and MeSH in the headspace was also inhibited, and its flux decreased by up to 99%. Meanwhile, the microbial community structures of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) in the sediment surface and water were also analyzed, and the results revealed that the relative abundance of SRB in the water and sediment surface was inhibited greatly after adding Fe-C particles, especially for Sulfurospirillum, Clostridium, and Desulfovibrio, while Fe-C particles promoted the growth of SOB. Moreover, the surface deposition was collected and analyzed through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the results indicated that sulfide can be removed by co-precipitation with ferrous ions formed through micro-electrolysis of Fe-C. This study provides a new approach to control the in-situ odor pollution for sewage systems.

[Analysis of Related Factors of Autologous Peripheral Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization in Patients with Lymphoma and Myeloma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the related factors affecting of autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cell mobilization in patients with single center lymphoma and multiple myeloma. METHODS: The clinical total of 30 patients with lymphoma or multiple myeloma who underwent autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cell mobilization and transplantation in the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from March 2012 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including the patients' age, gender, disease type, chemotherapy course, mobilization scheme, collection times, CD34+ cell count, adverse events, days of neutrophil and platelet implantation after transplantation. The related factors affecting to the mobilization efficiency of peripheral blood stem cells was analyzed. RESULTS: The mobilization scheme had a significant effect on the mobilization success rate of CD34+ cells. The mobilization success rate and optimal mobilization rate of intermediate-dose VP-16+G-CSF were higher than that of high-dose VP-16+G-CSF (P<0.05); the mobilization success rate of patients with previous chemotherapy courses ≤4 was higher than that of patients with chemotherapy courses >4 (100% vs 72.22%, P<0.05); the mobilization success rate of lymphoma patients was lower than that of myeloma patients (66.67% vs 94.44%, P<0.05); the mobilization success rate of lymphoma patients who received intermediate-dose VP-16+G-CSF was higher than that received high-dose VP-16+G-CSF patients (100% vs 42.86%, P<0.05). Patients' gender, age, time from diagnosis to mobilization and disease status had no significant effect on the efficiency of stem cell mobilization. Fifteen patients (50%) had febrile neutropenia during stem cell mobilization. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of febrile neutropenia between the two mobilization schemes (P>0.05); the incidence of severe thrombocytopenia in intermediate-dose VP-16+G-CSF group was higher than that in high-dose VP-16+G-CSF group (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the time of granulocyte implantation and platelet implantation after stem cell transplantation in patients with different mobilization schemes (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Mobilization regime, the number of previous chemotherapy course and disease type affect the mobilization efficiency of stem cells. Intermediate dose VP-16+G-CSF can improve the mobilization efficiency of stem cell in lymphoma patients, but should pay attention to the risk of bleeding.