Risk factors for acute complicated appendicitis in children aged three years and younger.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to identify risk factors associated with acute complicated appendicitis (CA) in children aged three years or younger, providing a theoretical foundation for the management and treatment of acute appendicitis (AA). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 135 pediatric patients with AA, admitted to the Department of General Surgery at Anhui Children's Hospital between December 2020 and December 2023, who underwent successful surgical treatment. Based on the intraoperative and postoperative pathological findings, patients were categorized into two groups: complicated appendicitis (CA) (n = 97 cases) and uncomplicated appendicitis (UA) (n = 38 cases). Clinical data including gender, age, weight, disease duration, preoperative white blood cell count (WCC), neutrophil granulocyte (NEUT) count, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, total bilirubin (TBil) levels, procalcitonin (PCT) levels, calprotectin (Cal) levels, preoperative ultrasound results indicating the presence or absence of fecaliths, maximum appendix diameter, and pediatric appendicitis sore (PAS) were collected and analyzed. Comparative analysis was performed to investigate the differences between the groups and identify risk factors of CA. RESULTS: The CA group exhibited significantly higher values in disease duration, CRP levels, PCT, Cal, presence of appendiceal fecaliths, maximum appendix diameter, and PAS compared to the UA group (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis identified CRP levels, maximum appendix diameter, and PAS as independent risk factors for CA. Specifically, differences in CRP level (OR = 1.045, 95% CI:1.024 ~ 1.067, P < 0.001), PAS (OR = 1.768, 95% CI:1.086 ~ 2.879, P = 0.022), and maximum appendix diameter (OR = 1.860, 95% CI:1.085 ~ 3.191, P = 0.024) were significant. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values were 0.6776 for the PAS, 0.7663 for CRP, and 0.5604 for the maximum appendix diameter. CONCLUSION: CRP levels, PAS, and maximum appendix diameter are independent risk factors for CA in children under three years of age. These parameters are valuable for the early diagnosis of CA.

Technology of plant factory for vegetable crop speed breeding.

Sustaining crop production and food security are threatened by a burgeoning world population and adverse environmental conditions. Traditional breeding methods for vegetable crops are time-consuming, laborious, and untargeted, often taking several years to develop new and improved varieties. The challenges faced by a long breeding cycle need to be overcome. The speed breeding (SB) approach is broadly employed in crop breeding, which greatly shortens breeding cycles and facilities plant growth to obtain new, better-adapted crop varieties as quickly as possible. Potential opportunities are offered by SB in plant factories, where optimal photoperiod, light quality, light intensity, temperature, CO2 concentration, and nutrients are precisely manipulated to enhance the growth of horticultural vegetable crops, holding promise to surmount the long-standing problem of lengthy crop breeding cycles. Additionally, integrated with other breeding technologies, such as genome editing, genomic selection, and high-throughput genotyping, SB in plant factories has emerged as a smart and promising platform to hasten generation turnover and enhance the efficiency of breeding in vegetable crops. This review considers the pivotal opportunities and challenges of SB in plant factories, aiming to accelerate plant generation turnover and improve vegetable crops with precision and efficiency.

Adenosine mediates the amelioration of social novelty deficits during rhythmic light treatment of 16p11.2 deletion female mice.

Non-invasive brain stimulation therapy for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has shown beneficial effects. Recently, we and others demonstrated that visual sensory stimulation using rhythmic 40 Hz light flicker effectively improved cognitive deficits in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease and stroke. However, whether rhythmic visual 40 Hz light flicker stimulation can ameliorate behavioral deficits in ASD remains unknown. Here, we show that 16p11.2 deletion female mice exhibit a strong social novelty deficit, which was ameliorated by treatment with a long-term 40 Hz light stimulation. The elevated power of local-field potential (LFP) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of 16p11.2 deletion female mice was also effectively reduced by 40 Hz light treatment. Importantly, the 40 Hz light flicker reversed the excessive excitatory neurotransmission of PFC pyramidal neurons without altering the firing rate and the number of resident PFC neurons. Mechanistically, 40 Hz light flicker evoked adenosine release in the PFC to modulate excessive excitatory neurotransmission of 16p11.2 deletion female mice. Elevated adenosine functioned through its cognate A1 receptor (A1R) to suppress excessive excitatory neurotransmission and to alleviate social novelty deficits. Indeed, either blocking the A1R using a specific antagonist DPCPX or knocking down the A1R in the PFC using a shRNA completely ablated the beneficial effects of 40 Hz light flicker. Thus, this study identified adenosine as a novel neurochemical mediator for ameliorating social novelty deficit by reducing excitatory neurotransmission during 40 Hz light flicker treatment. The 40 Hz light stimulation warrants further development as a non-invasive ASD therapeutics.

[Effects of antenatal corticosteroid therapy in pregnant women on the brain development of preterm infants as assessed by amplitude-integrated electroencephalography]. / æŒ¯å¹ æ•´åˆè„‘ç”µå›¾è¯„ä¼°å­•å¦‡äº§å‰ç³–çš®è´¨æ¿€ç´ æ²»ç–—å¯¹æ—©äº§å„¿è„‘å‘è‚²çš„å½±å“.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) therapy in pregnant women on the brain development of preterm infants using amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 211 preterm infants with a gestational age of 28 to 34+6 weeks. The infants were divided into an ACS group (131 cases) and a control group (80 cases) based on whether antenatal dexamethasone was given for promoting fetal lung maturity. The first aEEG monitoring (referred to as aEEG1) was performed within 24 hours after birth, and the second aEEG monitoring (referred to as aEEG2) was performed between 5 to 7 days after birth. The aEEG results were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In preterm infants with a gestational age of 28 to 31+6 weeks, the ACS group showed a more mature periodic pattern and higher lower amplitude boundary in aEEG1 compared to the control group (P<0.05). In preterm infants with a gestational age of 32 to 33+6 weeks and 34 to 34+6 weeks, the ACS group showed a higher proportion of continuous patterns, more mature periodic patterns and higher Burdjalov scores in aEEG1 (P<0.05). And the ACS group exhibited a higher proportion of continuous patterns, more mature periodic patterns, higher lower amplitude boundaries, narrower bandwidths, and higher Burdjalov scores in aEEG2 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ACS-treated preterm infants have more mature aEEG patterns compared to those not treated with ACS, suggesting a beneficial effect of ACS on the brain development of preterm infants.

Smart salt-responsive thread for highly sensitive microfluidic glucose detection in sweat.

Thread-based microfluidic colorimetric sensors have been deemed a potential tool that may be incorporated into textiles for non-invasive sweat analysis. Nevertheless, their poor performance significantly limits their practical uses in sweat glucose detection down to 20 µM. Herein, a microfluidic glucose sensing device containing a salt-responsive thread is developed for the highly sensitive detection of glucose in human sweat. By grafting a zwitterionic polymer brush-which could react to ionic strength by changing the conformation of the polymer chains from the collapsing state to the stretching state-onto the cotton thread, the salt-responsive thread was created. Compared to the pristine cotton thread, the modified thread has better ion-capture capabilities, a more noticeable swelling effect, and a higher ability to absorb water. These enable a significant enrichment of glucose when the saline solution passes through it. The salt-responsive thread was employed to construct a thread/paper-based microfluidic sensing device for the monitoring of glucose in artificial sweat, exhibiting a sensitivity of -0.255 µM-1 and a detection limit of 14.7 µM. In comparison to the pristine cotton thread-based device, the performance is significantly superior. Using a hydrophobic fabric and salt-responsive threads, a glucose-sensing headband was prepared for on-body sweat glucose monitoring. With the use of a smartphone-based image analysis system, the headband can detect the concentration of glucose in a volunteer's perspiration. Using the thread-based salt-responsive zwitterionic polymer brush might offer a novel approach to creating wearable sweat sensors with extremely high sensitivity.

Application value of magnetic resonance hydrography of the inner ear in cochlear implantation

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the application value of magnetic resonance (MR) hydrography of the inner ear in cochlear implantation. METHODS 146 patients were enrolled. MR hydrography and spiral CT examinations for the intracranial auditory canal were performed before surgery, and all imaging results were statistically analyzed in order to explore the application value of MR hydrography of the inner ear in cochlear implantation. RESULTS 146 patients (292 ears) were examined. Among these patients, 13 were diagnosed with abnormal vestibular aqueducts (20 ears) by MR hydrography, while five were diagnosed with this disease by CT; 15 patients were diagnosed with inner ear malformation (19 ears) by MR hydrography, while 11 were diagnosed by CT (four were misdiagnosed); five patients were diagnosed with internal acoustic canal stenosis (eight ears) by MR hydrography, while two were diagnosed by CT (three were misdiagnosed); and four patients were diagnosed with cochlear fibrosis (five ears) by MR hydrography, while four were diagnosed by CT (four ears). The correct rate of diagnosis was 77.40% (113/146) based on CT, while the rate was 93.84% (137/146) based on MR hydrography. CONCLUSIONS MR hydrography imaging technique can be applied to the preoperative evaluation of cochlear implantation, providing accurate and reliable anatomic information on the inner membranous labyrinth and nerves in the internal acoustic canal and an accurate basis for the diagnosis of cochlear fibrosis and nerve development. This has a guiding significance for the selection of treatment schemes.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Este estudo visa investigar o valor da aplicação da hidrografia por ressonância magnética (RM) do ouvido interno no implante coclear. MÉTODOS Cento e quarenta e seis pacientes foram inscritos. Os exames da hidrografia por RM e do CT espiral para o canal auditivo intracraniano foram executados antes da cirurgia, e todos os resultados da imagem foram analisados estatisticamente, a fim de explorar o valor da aplicação da hidrografia por RM do ouvido interno no implante coclear. RESULTADOS Centro e quarenta e seis pacientes (292 ouvidos) foram examinados. Dentre esses pacientes, 13 foram diagnosticados com aquedutos vestibulares anormais (20 ouvidos) pela hidrografia por RM, enquanto cinco pacientes foram diagnosticados com esta doença pelo CT; 15 pacientes foram diagnosticados com malformação do ouvido interno (19 ouvidos) pela hidrografia por RM, enquanto 11 pacientes foram diagnosticados por CT (quatro foram diagnosticados erroneamente); cinco pacientes foram diagnosticados com estenose de canal acústico interno (oito ouvidos) pela hidrografia por RM, enquanto dois pacientes foram diagnosticados por CT (três foram diagnosticados erroneamente); e quatro pacientes foram diagnosticados com fibrose coclear (cinco ouvidos) pela hidrografia por RM, enquanto quatro foram diagnosticados por CT (quatro ouvidos). A taxa correta de diagnóstico foi de 77,40% (113/146) com base no CT, enquanto a taxa foi de 93,84% (137/146) com base na hidrografia por RM. CONCLUSÕES A técnica de imagem da hidrografia por RM pode ser aplicada à avaliação pré-operatória do implante coclear, que pode fornecer informações anatômicas precisas e confiáveis sobre o labirinto membranoso interno e os nervos no canal acústico interno, além de uma base exata para o diagnóstico da fibrose coclear e do desenvolvimento do nervo. Isso tem um significado orientador para a seleção de esquemas de tratamento.

Depression and APOEε4 Status in Individuals with Subjective Cognitive Decline: A Meta-Analysis

Objective@#To evaluate the associative role of depression and apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 allele (APOEε4) in subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and its progression to objective cognitive decline. @*Methods@#After literature search in electronic databases, studies were selected by following precise eligibility criteria. Meta-analyses were performed to examine the role of APOEε4 and depression in SCD or its progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. @*Results@#APOEε4 positivity was not different between SCD and normal individuals but was significantly higher in individuals with SCD plus than in normal individuals [odds ratio: 2.39 (95% CI: 1.87, 3.05); p<0.00001] and in SCD converters than in non-converters [odds ratio: 5.19 (95% CI: 2.36, 11.42); p<0.00001]. Depression was significantly higher in individuals with SCD [standardized mean difference: 0.63 (0.45, 0.82); p<0.00001] and SCD plus [standardized mean difference: 0.83 (0.43, 1.22); p<0.0001] than in normal individuals. However, depression was not different between SCD and MCI or between SCD converters and non-converters. Age of SCD converters was higher than non-converters [mean difference: 2.95 years (0.58, 5.31)]. @*Conclusion@#Whereas APOEε4 positivity was higher in SCD plus and SCD converters, depression was higher in SCD and SCD plus but was not different between SCD and MCI.

Effect evaluation of compreherive intervention model for HIV/AIDS among college students in Yantai / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To study the effect of AIDS intervention programs among college students, and to provide fundamental support for the formulating of AIDS prevention strategies. Methods A cluster sampling methods was used to conduct a longitudinal follow-up survey among 2 000 freshmen from four colleges in Yantai in 2016, The knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to AIDS were analyzed by generalized estimating equation analysis method. We also conducted in-depth personal interviews among university leaders. Results The awareness rate of AIDS among young students in Yantai was 70.4%, 85.9%, and 95.8%, respectively. The generalized estimating equation showed that the total awareness rate of AIDS knowledge increased year by year (Z=-23.42, P<0.001). The occurrence of different types of sexual behaviors maintained at a low level, and no obvious trend changes were observed. Multivariate Logistic regression showed that a high occurrence of sexual behaviors among young college students was found related to male, poor knowledge of AIDS prevention, having not received public services related to AIDS prevention, and having not participated in public services related to AIDS prevention (all P<0.05). Interview results showed that, three of the four colleges have included AIDS health education into their teaching plans, and the AIDS epidemic notification system has been fully implemented. Conclusions The awareness rate of AIDS knowledge among college freshmen in Yantai is relatively low. Implementing comprehensive intervention measures and establishing a multi-sectoral cooperation mechanism are the most effective measures to improve the knowledge of AIDS prevention, and promote safe sexual behaviors among young college students.

Effects of Ganlu Xiaodu Pills and Its Residues on PSGL-1 and Proinflammatory Cytokines in CoxA16 Mouse Model / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of Ganlu Xiaodu Pills and its residues on PSGL-1 and proinflammatory cytokines in Coxsackie virus A16 (CoxA16) mouse model; To discuss its antiviral mechanism of action. Methods Totally 150 ICR mice at age of 7 days were randomly divided into normal group, model group, all-side group, aromatic residual group, clearing residual group and removing residual group, with 25 mice in each group. Except for normal group, other groups were injected intraperitoneally with 20 μL of 107TCID50 CoxA16 standard stock solution to establish models. Except for normal group and model group, other groups were given relevant medicine for intervention. The expressions of PSGL-1, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-4 and histopathological observation were detected after 10 days of medication. Results Except for the normal group, the existence of a large number of CoxA16 in other groups of mouse muscle tissues proved successful modeling. HE staining showed that Ganlu Xiaodu Pills and residual could reduce damage to the muscle by CoxA16 virus. Compared with the normal group, the expression of PSGL-1 protein in the model group increased (P<0.01); compared with the model group, all-side group, aromatic residue group, clearing residual group, removing residual group inhibited the expression of PSGL-1 protein, reduced the inflammatory factors of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-4 (P<0.01). Conclusion Ganlu Xiaodu Pills and its residues have anti-inflammatory effects, and the all-side group shows the best efficacy.

Complete remission of philadelphia chromosome-positive acute myeloid leukemia with imatinib mesylate / 대한내과학회지

Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute myeloid leukemia (Ph+AML) is a rare disease characterized by a poor prognosis with resistance to standard chemotherapy. We report a patient with Ph+AML with a minor BCR-ABL-positive mRNA transcript who achieved a hematologic, cytogenetic, and major molecular complete response after cytarabine-based chemotherapy followed by imatinib. After more than 6 months of continuous imatinib therapy, the patient is in continuous complete remission. Our results show that imatinib mesylate is effective in treating Ph+AML.

A Case of Parathyroid Adenoma Presenting as Acute Pancreatitis Accompanied with Empty Sella / 영남의대학술지

The incidence of coexisting hyperparathyroidism and empty sella syndrome is rare and the etiology and incidence of their coexistence is not known. The association of hyperparathyroidism and the empty sella syndrome may be related to multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndrome due to a genetic disorder. We experienced a rare case of hyperparathyroidism presenting as acute pancreatitis combined with empty sella. We report here a 37-year old female who manifested epigastric pain because of acute pancreatitis. She had hypercalcemia due to parathyroid adenoma. A pituitary gland was not visible in the sella turcica on MRI scans. On genetic analysis, she did not show a mutation of the MENIN gene. Empty sella is thought to be a coincidental finding with hyperparathyroidism.

A Case of Pseudomembranous Necrotizing Bronchial Aspergillosis in An Old Age Host / 결핵및호흡기질환

Invasive aspergillus tracheobronchitis is uncommon manifestation of infection due to Aspergillus species, occurring in severely immunocompromised patients who are generally neutropenic with haematological diseases, AIDS, or after heart and lung transplantation. The pseudomembranous form is the most severe condition and is usually fatal despite treatment with antifungal agents. However, there are a few cases reported with no apparent severe compromise in the host defences. We encountered a pseudomembranous necrotizing bronchial aspergillosis in a 73-year old male patient, who was treated successfully with antifungal agents.

Study on the mixed testing of serum samples in seroepidemiological survey of parasitic diseases / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to accumulate experiences for improving the efficiency in serological tests, the present study on mixed testing of serum samples was performed by taking the serological test of trichinellosis and toxoplasmosis as the examples, and had proved the effects on cost-effectiveness of seroepidemiological survey of parasitic disease with method of mixed-samples test.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to the binomial distribution principle, to develop an approach to the feasibility of mixed testing of serum samples, and to work on a cost-effectiveness analysis of one-by-one testing and mixed testing using hygienic economic analysis method was performed. For serological test of trichinellosis and toxoplasmosis, 3 kinds of mixed testing methods, namely 3 serum sample mixture, 5 serum sample mixture and 10 serum sample mixture, were performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results showed that all the 3 kinds of mixed tests of trichinellosis and toxoplasmosis showing positive result if only 1 weak positive serum sample were mixed with. When the serum samples being mixed were all negative ones, then among the 24 groups tested with each kind of negative serum sample mixture of trichinellosis (3 serum samples, 5 serum samples and 10 serum samples), they all showed negative. However, among the 12 groups tested with 2 kinds of negative serum mixture of toxoplasmosis (3 serum samples and 5 serum samples), all showed negative while among the 18 groups tested with the 10 serum sample mixture, 16 groups showed negative and 2 were positive. The mixed testing of trichinellosis and toxoplasmosis showed that the efficiency of mixed testing was related to the serological positive rate of the parasitic diseases to be examined. When serological positive rate was 10%, the efficiency of mixed testing was higher in 4 serum sample group. When serological positive rate was 1%, the efficiency of mixed testing was higher in 10 serum sample group and when serological positive rate was 0.1%, the in crease of the size of mixed serum samples could decrease the number of testing, but the prerequisite was that there must be one positive sample, so that the positivity for all the mixed tests could be detected. If mixed testing were performed on all negative samples, no positivity could be detected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The result of cost-effectiveness analysis demonstrated that for seroepidemiological survey of parasitic diseases, the cost for mixed testing was low, especially when the serological positive rate was expected low (< or = 1%, thus the mixed testing could save a large amount of the cost.</p>

Efficacy and Tolerability of Mirtazapine and Sertraline in Treatment of Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Depression: A Randomized Open Label Trial / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of mirtazapine in Korean veterans diagnosed with PTSD, by comparing it with sertraline, a drug approved for use in PTSD in the USA. METHODS: Efficacy was eveluated by Clinician Adninistered PTSD Scale (CAPS-2), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depressin (HAMD-17) and the Clinical Global lmpresaion Scale (CGI), at baseline and week 1, 2, 6. Response was defined as a > or =30% decrease in CAPS-2 total score, a > or =50% decrease in total HAMD-17 score, and s CGI-I score<3. RESULTS: 51 patients on mirtazapine (measn age/duration of illness:59.1/33.5 yrs) and 49 on sertratine (mean age/duration of illness:60.6/35.6 years) completed the study. Mean daily dosage was 34.1 mg for mirtazapine and 101.5 mg for sertraline. On CAPS-2 total score more patients responded in the mirtazapine group at weak 1 (13 vs. 2%) and week 2 (51vs. 31%). At week 6 this difference was statistically significant (88 vs. 69%, p=0.039), CAPS-2 total score. HAMD-17 total score and CGI-I score decreased significantly in both groups, with no significant differences between groups on all time points. Main side effects for the rnirtazapine group:dry mouth (19.8%) and constipation (19.6%), somnolence (15.7%), weight gain (1.96%). For the sertraline group:indigestion (14.3%), palpitation (6.1%) agitation (2.0%), epigastric soreness (2.0%), insomnia (2.0%), sexual dysfunction (2.0%). CONCLUSION: Mirtazapine appeared to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for PTSD in Korean veterans.

A Case of Ossifying Fibroma Arising in the Right Ethmoid Sinus and Nasal Cavity / 대한이비인후과학회지

Ossifying fibroma, a rare tumor entity, is a well-demarcated benign fibrous-osseous tumor composed of bone, fibrous tissue, and cementum. It is commonly found in the mandible, but also found in the maxilla and paranasal sinuses. Simple curettage is enough when the fibrous lesions are located in the mandible; however, complete en bloc excision is required in the maxilla and paransal sinuses to relieve symptoms and to prevent recurrence. With the advent of sinonasal endoscopy in the mid-1980s and subsequent advances in surgical techniques, endoscopic management of the fibrous-osseous lesions has become feasible. We experienced a successful removal of the huge ossifying fibroma which occupied right ethmoid sinus and nasal cavity by endoscopic approach.

A case of ulcerative colitis

No abstract available.