[Curative effect of percutaneous microwave ablation therapy on hepatocellular carcinoma survival: a 15-year real-world study].

Objective: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: 2054 cases with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage 0~B at the Fifth Medical Center of the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2006 to September 2020 were retrospectively collected. All patients were followed up for at least 2 years. The primary endpoint of overall survival and secondary endpoints (tumor-related survival, disease-free survival, and postoperative complications) of patients treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous MWA were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used for stratified survival rate analysis. Fine-and-Gray competing risk model was used to analyze overall survival. Results: A total of 5 503 HCC nodules [mean tumor diameter (2.6±1.6) cm] underwent 3 908 MWAs between January 2006 and September 2020, with a median follow-up time of 45.6 (24.0 -79.2) months.The technical effectiveness rate of 5 375 tumor nodules was 97.5%. The overall survival rates at 5, 10, and 15-years were 61.6%, 38.8%, and 27.0%, respectively. The tumor-specific survival rates were 67.1%, 47.2%, and 37.7%, respectively. The free tumor survival rates were 25.8%, 15.7%, and 9.9%, respectively. The incidence rate of severe complications was 2.8% (108/3 908). Further analysis showed that the technical effectiveness and survival rate over the passing three time periods from January 2006-2010, 2011-2015, and 2016-September 2020 were significantly increased, with P < 0.001, especially for liver cancer 3.1~5.0 cm (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Microwave ablation therapy is a safe and effective method for BCLC stage 0-B, with significantly enhanced technical efficacy and survival rate over time.

[The clinicopathological features of adult thyroid tumors with DICER1 mutation].

A total of 37 cases of thyroid tumors with pathological features suggestive of DICER1 gene mutation were selected to detect the DICER1 gene and BRAF gene using Sanger sequencing. A total of 10 patients (27.0%) exhibited DICER1 gene mutation all of whom were female with an age of [M(Q1, Q3)] 38.0 (30.5, 47.5) years. All patients had wild-type BRAFV600E gene. The ultrasound examination showed high-low echogenic well-demarcated intra-thyroidal nodules with abundant peripheral and internal blood flow signals in the DICER1 mutated thyroid tumor. The tumor was confined within the thyroid gland, with a diameter of (3.68±1.31) cm. The pathological features are as follows: the majority of tumors are encapsulated, which mainly composed of large follicles rich in colloid and some are small and micro follicles. The nucleus is round and deeply stained or slightly light stained, small to medium-sized, with occasional nuclear grooves and a lack of nuclear pseudoinclusion bodies within the nucleus. Immunohistochemical staining shows that Ki67 proliferation index of approximately 2%-10%. All cases were followed up for 11 to 18 months, and there was no recurrences or distant metastase. This study confirmed that the DICER1 gene mutation is mutually exclusive with the BRAFV600E gene mutation. The thyroid tumor with DICER1 mutation are in big size and are more common in young females with a good prognosis. Cases with the wild-type DICER1 gene may exhibit similar morphological features, and molecular testing is recommended. If somatic DICER1 mutation is confirmed, patients should undergo germline mutation testing to rule out DICER1 syndrome in order to define whether genetic counseling is necessary.

[Epidemiological investigation of iron deficiency among preschool children in 10 provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities in China].

Objective: To understand the current status of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron-deficiency anemia among preschool children in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a multi-stage stratified sampling method to select 150 streets or townships from 10 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities (East: Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, and Hainan; Central: Henan; West: Chongqing, Shaanxi, Guizhou, and Xinjiang; Northeast: Liaoning). From May 2022 to April 2023, a total of 21 470 children, including community-based children aged 0.5 to<3.0 years receiving child health care and kindergarten-based children aged 3.0 to<7.0 years, were surveyed. They were divided into 3 age groups: infants (0.5 to<1.0 year), toddlers (1.0 to<3.0 years), and preschoolers (3.0 to<7.0 years). Basic information such as sex and date of birth of the children was collected, and peripheral blood samples were obtained for routine blood tests and serum ferritin measurement. The prevalence rates of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron-deficiency anemia were analyzed, and the prevalence rate differences were compared among different ages, sex, urban and rural areas, and regions using the chi-square test. Results: A total of 21 460 valid responses were collected, including 10 780 boys (50.2%). The number of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers were 2 645 (12.3%), 6 244 (29.1%), and 12 571 (58.6%), respectively. The hemoglobin level was (126.7±14.8) g/L, and the serum ferritin level was 32.3 (18.5, 50.1) µg/L. The overall rates of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron-deficiency anemia were 10.4% (2 230/21 460), 28.3% (6 070/21 460), and 3.9% (845/21 460), respectively. The prevalence rate of anemia was higher for boys than for girls (10.9% (1 173/10 780) vs. 9.9% (1 057/10 680), χ2=5.58, P=0.018), with statistically significant differences in the rates for infants, toddlers and preschoolers (18.0% (475/2 645), 10.6% (662/6 244), and 8.7% (1 093/12 571), respectively, χ2=201.81, P<0.01), and the rate was significantly higher for children in rural than that in urban area (11.8% (1 516/12 883) vs. 8.3% (714/8 577), χ2=65.54, P<0.01), with statistically significant differences in the rates by region (χ2=126.60, P<0.01), with the highest rate of 15.8% (343/2 173) for children in Central region, and the lowest rate of 5.3% (108/2 053) in Northeastern region. The prevalence rates of iron deficiency were 33.8% (895/2 645), 32.2% (2 011/6 244), and 25.2% (3 164/12 571) in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, respectively, and 30.0% (3 229/10 780) in boys vs. 26.6% (2 841/10 680) in girls, 21.7% (1 913/8 821), 40.0% (870/2 173), 27.1% (2 283/8 413), 48.9% (1 004/2 053) in Eastern, Central, Western, and Northeastern regions, respectively, and each between-group showed a significant statistical difference (χ2=147.71, 29.73, 773.02, all P<0.01). The prevalence rate of iron-deficiency anemia showed a significant statistical difference between urban and rural areas, 2.9% (251/8 577) vs. 4.6% (594/12 883) (χ2=38.62, P<0.01), while the difference in iron deficiency prevalence was not significant (χ2=0.51, P=0.476). Conclusions: There has been a notable improvement in iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia among preschool children in China, but the situation remains concerning. Particular attention should be paid to the prevention and control of iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia, especially among infants and children in the Central, Western, and Northeastern regions of China.

Enterococcus faecalis Extracellular Vesicles Promote Apical Periodontitis.

Enterococcus faecalis is an important contributor to the persistence of chronic apical periodontitis. However, the mechanism by which E. faecalis infection in the root canals and dentinal tubules affects periapical tissue remains unclear. Bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) act as natural carriers of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) and have recently attracted considerable attention. In this study, we investigated the role of EVs derived from E. faecalis in the pathogenesis of apical periodontitis. We observed that E. faecalis EVs can induce inflammatory bone destruction in the periapical areas of mice. Double-labeling immunofluorescence indicated that M1 macrophage infiltration was increased by E. faecalis EVs in apical lesions. Moreover, in vitro experiments demonstrated the internalization of E. faecalis EVs into macrophages. Macrophages tended to polarize toward the M1 profile after treatment with E. faecalis EVs. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) can recognize MAMPs of bacterial EVs and, in turn, trigger inflammatory responses. Thus, we performed further mechanistic exploration, which showed that E. faecalis EVs considerably increased the expression of NOD2, a cytoplasmic PRR, and that inhibition of NOD2 markedly reduced macrophage M1 polarization induced by E. faecalis EVs. RIPK2 ubiquitination is a major downstream of NOD2. We also observed increased RIPK2 ubiquitination in macrophages treated with E. faecalis EVs, and E. faecalis EV-induced macrophage M1 polarization was notably alleviated by the RIPK2 ubiquitination inhibitor. Our study revealed the potential for EVs to be considered a virulence factor of E. faecalis and found that E. faecalis EVs can promote macrophage M1 polarization via NOD2/RIPK2 signaling. To our knowledge, this is the first report to investigate apical periodontitis development from the perspective of bacterial vesicles and demonstrate the role and mechanism of E. faecalis EVs in macrophage polarization. This study expands our understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of E. faecalis and provides novel insights into the pathogenesis of apical periodontitis.

Seedlings of Poncirus trifoliata exhibit tissue-specific detoxification in response to NH4 + toxicity.

Ammonium nitrogen (NH4 +-N) is essential for fruit tree growth, but the impact of excess NH4 +-N from fertilizer on evergreen citrus trees is unclear. In a climate chamber, 8-month-old citrus plants were exposed to five different hydroponic NH4 +-N concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mm) for 1 month to study effects of NH4 +-N on growth characteristics, N uptake, metabolism, antioxidant enzymes and osmotic regulatory substances. Application of 10 mm NH4 +-N adversely affected root plasma membrane integrity, root physiological functions, and plant biomass. MDA, CAT, POD, APX and SOD content were significantly correlated with leaf N metabolic enzyme activity (GOGAT, GDH, GS and NR). GDH was the primary enzyme involved in NH4 +-N assimilation in leaves, while the primary pathway involved in roots was GS-GOGAT. Under comparatively high NH4 + addition, roots were the main organs involved in NH4 + utilization in citrus seedlings. Our results demonstrated that variations in NH4 + concentration and enzyme activity in various organs are associated with more effective N metabolism in roots than in leaves to prevent NH4 + toxicity in evergreen woody citrus plants. These results provide insight into the N forms used by citrus plants that are important for N fertilizer management.

[Efficacy and prognostic factors of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of secondary acute myeloid leukemia].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and prognostic factors of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) . Methods: In this multicenter, retrospective clinical study, adult patients aged ≥18 years who underwent allo-HSCT for sAML at four centers of the Zhejiang Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Collaborative Group from January 2014 to November 2022 were included, and the efficacy and prognostic factors of allo-HSCT were analyzed. Results: A total of 95 patients were enrolled; 66 (69.5%) had myelodysplastic syndrome-acute myeloid leukemia (MDS-AML) , 4 (4.2%) had MDS/MPN-AML, and 25 (26.3%) had therapy-related AML (tAML) . The 3-year CIR, LFS, and overall survival (OS) rates were 18.6% (95% CI 10.2%-27.0%) , 70.6% (95% CI 60.8%-80.4%) , and 73.3% (95% CI 63.9%-82.7%) , respectively. The 3-year CIRs of the M-AML group (including MDS-AML and MDS/MPN-AML) and the tAML group were 20.0% and 16.4%, respectively (P=0.430) . The 3-year LFSs were 68.3% and 75.4%, respectively (P=0.176) . The 3-year OS rates were 69.7% and 75.4%, respectively (P=0.233) . The 3-year CIRs of the groups with and without TP53 mutations were 60.0% and 13.7%, respectively (P=0.003) ; the 3-year LFSs were 20.0% and 76.5%, respectively (P=0.002) ; and the 3-year OS rates were 40.0% and 77.6%, respectively (P=0.002) . According to European LeukmiaNet 2022 (ELN2022) risk stratification, the 3-year CIRs of patients in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups were 8.3%, 17.8%, and 22.6%, respectively (P=0.639) . The three-year LFSs were 91.7%, 69.5%, and 65.6%, respectively (P=0.268) . The 3-year OS rates were 91.7%, 71.4%, and 70.1%, respectively (P=0.314) . Multivariate analysis revealed that advanced disease at allo-HSCT and TP53 mutations were independent risk factors for CIR, LFS, and OS. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the prognosis of patients who underwent allo-HSCT among the MDS-AML, MDS/MPN-AML, and tAML groups. Advanced disease at transplantation and TP53 mutations were poor prognostic factors. ELN2022 risk stratification had limited value for predicting the prognosis of patients with sAML following allo-HSCT.

[Adeno-associated virus-mediated hepatocyte-specific NDUFA13 overexpression protects against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting hepatic NLRP3 activation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of NDUFA13 protein against acute liver injury and liver fibrosis in mice and explore the possible mechanisms. METHODS: BALB/C mice (7 to 8 weeks old) were divided into normal group, CCl4 group, CCl4+AAV-NC group and CCl4+AAV-NDU13 group (n=18). Mouse models of liver fibrosis were established by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 twice a week for 3, 5 or 7 weeks, and the recombinant virus AAV8-TBG-NC or AAV8-TBG-NDUFA13 was injected via the tail vein 7-10 days prior to CCl4 injection. After the treatments, pathological changes in the liver of the mice were observed using HE and Masson staining. Hepatic expression levels of NDUFA13 and α-SMA were detected with Western blotting, and the coexpression of NDUFA13 and NLRP3, TNF-α and IL-1ß, and α-SMA and collagen Ⅲ was analyzed with immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: HE and Masson staining showed deranged liver architecture, necrotic hepatocytes and obvious inflammatory infiltration and collagen fiber deposition in mice with CCl4 injection (P < 0.001). NDUFA13 expression markedly decreased in CCl4-treated mice (P < 0.001), while a significant reduction in inflammatory aggregation and fibrosis was observed in mice with AAV-mediated NDUFA13 overexpression (P < 0.001). In CCl4+AAV-NDU13 group, immunofluorescence assay revealed markedly weakened activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes (P < 0.001), significantly decreased TNF-α and IL-1ß secretion (P < 0.001), and inhibited hepatic stellate cell activation (P < 0.05) and collagen formation in the liver (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Mitochondrial NDUFA13 overexpression in hepatocytes protects against CCl4- induced liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting activation of NLRP3 signaling.

[Application of computational fluid dynamics in the evaluation of left ventricular function in cardiomyopathies and coronary disease].

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is an emerging technology applied in the field of cardiovascular medicine, which can obtain hemodynamic data by simulating the blood flow in the patient's heart for cardiac function assessment and disease diagnosis. Left ventricular function plays a key role in the occurrence and development of cardiomyopathies and coronary disease. CFD can reconstruct the left ventricular anatomic structures of patients to clarify pathophysiologic mechanisms and analyze hemodynamic parameters to evaluate left ventricular function, verify surgical efficacy, and guide surgical strategy, which has a positive effect on achieving early diagnosis and reducing mortality from cardiomyopathies and coronary disease. At present, there are still technical limitations in the large-scale clinical application of CFD, and various solutions are being developed and tested, and further improvement and refinement are needed.

Risk of Corneal Graft Rejection and Vaccination: A Matched Case-Control Study From a United States Integrated Health Care System.

PURPOSE: Data on vaccine-associated corneal transplant rejections are limited. We examined the association between graft rejection and vaccination. DESIGN: Matched case-control METHODS: We used electronic health records to identify corneal transplant recipients between January 2008 and August 2022 at Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Cases were transplant recipients who experienced a graft rejection (outcome) during the study period. Randomly selected controls who did not experience a corneal graft rejection at their matched cases' index date (rejection date) were matched in a 3:1 ratio to cases. For controls, index date was determined by adding the number of days between transplant and graft rejection of their matched case to the control's transplant date. RESULTS: The study included 601 cases and 1803 matched controls (mean age 66 years [s.d. 17.0], 52% female, 47% non-Hispanic white). Twenty-three% of cases and 22% of controls received ≥1 vaccinations within 12 weeks prior to the index date. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for vaccination in the 12 weeks prior to index date, comparing cases to controls was 1.17 (95% CI: 0.91, 1.50]). The aOR was 1.09 (0.84, 1.43) for 1 vaccination, 1.53 (0.90, 2.61) for 2 vaccinations, and 1.79 (0.55, 5.57) for ≥3 vaccinations. The aOR was 1.60 (0.81, 3.14) for mRNA vaccines, and 1.19 (0.80, 1.78) for adjuvanted/high dose vaccines. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence to suggest an association between vaccination and graft rejection. Our findings provide support for the completion of recommended vaccinations for corneal transplant recipients, without significantly increasing the risk of graft rejection.

[Association of urinary cadmium level with body mass index and body circumferences among older adults over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China].

Objective: To investigate the association of urinary cadmium level with body mass index (BMI) and body circumferences among the older adults over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China. Methods: Subjects were older adults over 65 years old from the Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study (HABCS) between 2017 and 2018 conducted in 9 longevity areas in China. A total of 1 968 older adults were included in this study. Information including socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyles, diet intake, and health status was collected by using questionnaires and physical examinations. Urine samples were collected to detect urinary cadmium and creatinine levels. Body circumferences included waist circumference, hip circumference and calf circumference. Subjects were divided into three groups (low:<0.77 µg/g·creatinine, middle:0.77-1.69 µg/g·creatinine, high:≥1.69 µg/g·creatinine) by tertiles of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium concentration. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the association of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium level with BMI and body circumferences. The dose-response relationship of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium concentration with BMI and body circumferences was analyzed by using restrictive cubic splines fitting multiple linear regression model. Results: The mean age of subjects was (83.34±11.14) years old. The median (Q1, Q3) concentration of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium was 1.13 (0.63, 2.09) µg/g·creatinine, and the BMI was (22.70±3.82) kg/m2. The mean values of waist circumference, hip circumference, and calf circumference were (85.42±10.68) cm, (92.67±8.90) cm, and (31.08±4.76) cm, respectively. After controlling confounding factors, the results of the multiple linear regression model showed that for each increment of 1 µg/g·creatinine in creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium, the change of BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and calf circumference in the high-level group was -0.28 (-0.37, -0.19) kg/m2, -0.74 (-0.96, -0.52) cm, -0.78 (-0.96, -0.61) cm, and -0.20 (-0.30, -0.11) cm, respectively. The restrictive cubic splines curve showed a negative nonlinear association of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium with BMI (Pnonlinear<0.001) and negative linear associations of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium with waist circumference (Plinear<0.001), hip circumference (Plinear<0.001), and calf circumference (Plinear<0.001). Conclusion: Urinary cadmium level is significantly associated with decreased BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and calf circumference among older adults over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China.

[The effect of Ba Duan Jin on the balance of community-dwelling older adults: a cluster randomized control trial].

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a 6-month Ba Duan Jin exercise program in improving the balance of community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A two arms, parallel-group, cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in 1 028 community residents aged 60-80 years in 40 communities in 5 provinces of China. Participants in the intervention group (20 communities, 523 people) received Ba Duan Jin exercise 5 days/week, 1 hour/day for 6 months, and three times of falls prevention health education, and the control group (20 communities, 505 people) received falls prevention health education same as the intervention group. The Berg balance scale (BBS) score was the leading outcome indicator, and the secondary outcome indicators included the length of time of standing on one foot (with eyes open and closed), standing in a tandem stance (with eyes open and closed), the closed circle test, and the timed up to test. Results: A total of 1 028 participants were included in the final analysis, including 731 women (71.11%) and 297 men (28.89%), and the age was (69.87±5.67) years. After the 3-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 3.05 (95%CI: 2.23-3.88) points (P<0.001). After the 6-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 4.70 (95%CI: 4.03-5.37) points (P<0.001). Ba Duan Jin showed significant improvement (P<0.05) in all secondary outcomes after 6 months of exercise in the intervention group compared with the control group. Conclusions: This study showed that Ba Duan Jin exercise can improve balance in community-dwelling older adults aged 60-80. The longer the exercise time, the better the improvement.

[Application effects of rehabilitation care decision-making scheme based on case management model in severe burn patients].

Objective: To explore the application effects of application of rehabilitation care decision-making scheme based on case management model in severe burn patients. Methods: The study was a non-randomized historical control study. Thirty patients who met the inclusion criteria and received routine rehabilitation nursing in the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University (the Third Military Medical University, hereinafter referred to as the hospital) from April 2021 to March 2022 were included in routine rehabilitation nursing group (26 males and 4 females, aged 48.50 (31.75, 56.25) years), and 30 patients who met the inclusion criteria and received case management rehabilitation nursing in the hospital from April 2022 to March 2023 were included in case management rehabilitation nursing group (22 males and 8 females, aged 46.00 (36.75, 55.25) years). The length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, total hospitalization day, and total hospitalization cost of the patients in two groups were recorded. At admission, convalescence, discharge, and 6 months after injury, the patients' life quality was evaluated by the concise burn specific health scale, the sleep quality was evaluated by the Pittsburgh sleep quality index, and the functional independence was evaluated by the functional independence rating scale. At convalescence, discharge, and 6 months after injury, the patients' scar status was evaluated by the Vancouver scar scale. At 6 months after injury, a third-party satisfaction questionnaire was used to investigate the efficacy satisfaction of patients. Results: The length of ICU stay and total hospitalization day of patients in case management rehabilitation nursing group were both significantly shorter than those in routine rehabilitation nursing group (with Z values of -1.97 and -1.99, respectively, P<0.05), and the total hospitalization cost was less than that in routine rehabilitation nursing group (Z=-1.99, P<0.05). At discharge and 6 months after injury, the life quality scores of patients in case management rehabilitation nursing group were significantly higher than those in routine rehabilitation nursing group (with t values of -3.19 and -4.43, respectively, P<0.05), while the sleep quality scores were significantly lower than those in routine rehabilitation nursing group (with Z values of -2.18 and -3.33, respectively, P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in cognitive function scores of functional independence of patients between the 2 groups at admission, convalescence, discharge, and 6 months after injury (P>0.05). The exercise function scores and total scores of functional independence of patients in case management rehabilitation nursing group at convalescence, discharge, and 6 months after injury were significantly higher than those in routine rehabilitation nursing group (with Z values of -4.37, -2.73, -4.10, -4.37, -2.64, and -4.06, respectively, P<0.05). The scar pigmentation scores of patients in case management rehabilitation nursing group at 6 months after injury were significantly lower than those in routine rehabilitation nursing group (Z=-2.05, P<0.05), and the scar vascularity scores of patients in case management rehabilitation nursing group at discharge and 6 months after injury in case management rehabilitation nursing group were significantly lower than those in routine rehabilitation nursing group (with Z values of -3.16 and -2.07, respectively, P<0.05). The scar pliability scores (with Z values of -3.16, -2.45, and -4.38, respectively, P<0.05), thickness scores (with Z values of -2.56, -2.35, and -4.70, respectively, P<0.05), and total scores (with Z values of -3.77, -3.04, and -3.13, respectively, P<0.05) of patients in case management rehabilitation nursing group at convalescence, discharge, and 6 months after injury were significantly lower than those in routine rehabilitation nursing group. At 6 months after injury, the efficacy satisfaction scores of patients in case management rehabilitation nursing group were 4.00 (3.00, 4.25), which were significantly higher than 3.00 (2.00, 4.00) in routine rehabilitation nursing group (Z=-2.72, P<0.05). Conclusions: The implementation of rehabilitation care decision-making scheme based on case management model can optimize the cost efficiency, improve the effectiveness of clinical treatment, and enhance the life quality and satisfaction of the curative effect of severe burn patients.

[Association of sleep duration and physical exercise with dyslipidemia in older adults aged 80 years and over in China].

Objective: To explore the impact of sleep duration, physical exercise, and their interactions on the risk of dyslipidemia in older adults aged ≥80 (the oldest old) in China. Methods: The study subjects were the oldest old from four rounds of Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study (2008-2009, 2011-2012, 2014 and 2017-2018). The information about their demographic characteristics, lifestyles, physical examination results and others were collected, and fasting venous blood samples were collected from them for blood lipid testing. Competing risk model was used to analyze the causal associations of sleep duration and physical exercise with the risk for dyslipidemia. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) function was used to explore the dose-response relationship between sleep duration and the risk for dyslipidemia. Additive and multiplicative interaction model were used to explore the interaction of sleep duration and physical exercise on the risk for dyslipidemia. Results: The average age of 1 809 subjects was (93.1±7.7) years, 65.1% of them were women. The average sleep duration of the subjects was (8.0±2.5) hours/day, 28.1% of them had sleep duration for less than 7 hours/day, and 27.2% had sleep for duration more than 9 hours/day at baseline survey. During the 9-year cumulative follow-up of 6 150.6 person years (follow-up of average 3.4 years for one person), there were 304 new cases of dyslipidemia, with an incidence density of 4 942.6/100 000 person years. The results of competitive risk model analysis showed that compared with those who slept for 7-9 hours/day, the risk for dyslipidemia in oldest old with sleep duration >9 hours/day increased by 22% (HR=1.22, 95%CI: 1.07-1.39). Compared with the oldest old having no physical exercise, the risk for dyslipidemia in the oldest old having physical exercise decreased by 33% (HR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.57-0.78). The RCS function showed a linear positive dose-response relationship between sleep duration and the risk for hyperlipidemia. The interaction analysis showed that physical exercise and sleep duration had an antagonistic effect on the risk for hyperlipidemia. Conclusion: Physical exercise could reduce the adverse effects of prolonged sleep on blood lipids in the oldest old.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study assessing the impact of probiotic supplementation on the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in females.

BACKGROUND: A previous exploratory study demonstrated the ability of the Lab4 probiotic to alleviate the symptoms of IBS, and post hoc data analysis indicated greatest improvements in the female subgroup. The aim of this study is to confirm the impact of this multistrain probiotic on IBS symptom severity in females. METHODS: An 8-week, single-center, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, superiority study in 70 females with Rome IV-diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) receiving the Lab4 probiotic (25 billion colony-forming units) daily or a matched placebo. Changes from baseline in the IBS-symptom severity score (IBS-SSS), daily bowel habits, anxiety, depression, IBS-related control, and avoidance behavior, executive function, and the fecal microbiota composition were assessed. The study was prospectively registered: ISRCTN 14866272 (registration date 20/07/22). KEY RESULTS: At the end of the study, there were significant between-group reductions in IBS-SSS (-85.0, p < 0.0001), anxiety and depression scores (-1.9, p = 0.0002 and -2.4, p < 0.0001, respectively), and the IBS-related control and avoidance behavior score (-7.5, p = 0.0002), all favoring the probiotic group. A higher proportion of the participants in the probiotic group had normal stool form (p = 0.0106) and/or fewer defecations with loose stool form (p = 0.0311). There was little impact on the overall diversity of the fecal microbiota but there were significant differences in Roseburia, Holdemanella, Blautia, Agathobacter, Ruminococcus, Prevotella, Bacteroides, and Anaerostipes between the probiotic and placebo groups at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Daily supplementation with this probiotic may represent an option to be considered in the management of IBS.

Effect of contact precautions on preventing meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus transmission in intensive care units: a review and modelling study of field trials.

BACKGROUND: Contact precautions (CPs) have been widely implemented in hospitals, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs), as the standard approach for managing meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However, the effectiveness of CPs in preventing MRSA transmission remains a subject of debate. AIM: To assess the effectiveness of CPs in reducing MRSA transmission within ICUs. METHODS: A comprehensive analysis was conducted using data from 16 sets of parameters collected from 13 field studies investigating the effectiveness of CPs in ICUs, and an epidemiologic model was developed to simulate the dynamics of MRSA incidence in the hospital setting. FINDINGS: The analysis demonstrated a mean reduction of 20.52% (95% confidence interval -30.52 to 71.60%) in the MRSA transmission rate associated with the implementation of CPs. Furthermore, reducing the time-delay of screening tests and increasing the percentage of patients identified with MRSA through screening at admission were found to contribute to the effectiveness of CPs. CONCLUSION: Proper implementation of CPs, with a particular emphasis on early identification of MRSA-colonized/infected patients, demonstrated a strong association with reduced MRSA transmission within the hospital setting. However, further research is necessary to investigate the effectiveness and safety of decolonization and other interventions used in conjunction with CPs to mitigate the risk of infection among colonized patients.

Value of micro-flow imaging and high-definition micro-flow imaging in differentiating malignant and benign breast lesions.

AIM: To evaluate the value of non-contrast micro-flow imaging (MFI) and high-definition micro-flow imaging (HD-MFI) in differentiating malignant and benign breast lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-three patients with 138 breast lesions (80 benign and 58 malignant lesions) were examined using colour Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), MFI, and HD-MFI before biopsy, with blood flow signals graded into four types (grade 0, 1, 2, and 3) and penetrating vessels evaluated. The micro-vascular patterns of MFI and HD-MFI were evaluated and classified into five patterns: avascular, line-like, tree-like, root hair-like, and crab claw-like pattern. The diagnostic efficiency of micro-vascular patterns was analysed. Moreover, ultrasound Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 4A lesions were also re-assessed according to the micro-vascular patterns of MFI or HD-MFI. RESULTS: The capability of detecting blood flow and penetrating vessels from high to low was HD-MFI, MFI, and CDFI, respectively (p<0.05). Rich blood flow signals, penetrating vessels, and root hair-like or crab claw-like pattern were more likely in malignant breast lesions, while few blood flow signals, tree-like pattern were mostly in benign lesions (p<0.05). The diagnostic efficiency of HD-MFI and MFI were higher than CDFI (p>0.05). MFI could reduce unnecessary biopsy of 52 US BI-RADS 4A lesions but with two malignancies missed, while 56 ultrasound BI-RADS 4A lesions could be downgraded by HD-MFI with none malignancies missed. CONCLUSIONS: MFI and HD-MFI can detect more blood flow in breast lesions than CDFI, and could help distinguish benign and malignant breast lesions. HD-MFI could reduce the unnecessary biopsy of US BI-RADS 4A lesions without missed malignancy.

[Clear lens exchange should be performed with caution].

Clear lens exchange (CLE) boasts a venerable lineage, its prominence in the field of ophthalmology having incrementally solidified over recent decades, concomitant with the evolution of surgical techniques and the innovation of intraocular lens materials. CLE has assumed a pivotal role in the therapeutic armamentarium for conditions such as glaucoma, high myopia, and presbyopia. Nevertheless, it remains that the sacrifice of accommodation, potentialities of intraoperative and postoperative complications, and less than optimal results in terms of spectacle independence resulting from CLE are not infrequent occurrences. The indiscriminate pursuit of this surgical intervention is inadvisable. It is only by means of a sagacious appreciation of the merits and demerits of CLE, the judicious circumscription of its indicatory ambit, and the bespoke selection of surgical modalities catering to the individual patient, that the superlative outcomes in the realms of surgical efficacy, safety, and patient contentment may be attained.

[Effects of advanced platelet-rich fibrin on deep partial-thickness burn wounds in nude mice].

Objective: To explore the effects of advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) on deep partial-thickness burn wounds in nude mice and its mechanism. Methods: The experimental study method was adopted. Forty healthy volunteers in Subei People's Hospital were recruited, including 32 females and 8 males, aged 60 to 72 years. Leukocyte platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) and A-PRF membranes were prepared after venous blood was extracted from them. The microstructure of two kinds of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membranes was observed by field emission scanning electron microscope. The number of samples was 3 in the following experiments. The L-PRF and A-PRF membranes were divided into L-PRF group and A-PRF group and cultured, and then the release concentrations of platelet-derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in culture supernatant were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on culture day 1, 3, 7, and 14. Mice L929 fibroblasts (Fbs) were divided into L-PRF group and A-PRF group, and cultured with L-PRF or A-PRF conditioned medium, respectively. On culture day 1, 3, and 7, the cell proliferation activity was detected by thiazole blue method. The cell migration rate was detected and calculated at 24 h after scratching by scratch test. Thirty-six male BALB/c nude mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected to make a deep partial-thickness burn wound on one hind leg, and then divided into normal saline group, L-PRF group, and A-PRF group, according to the random number table, with 12 mice in each group. The wounds of nude mice in normal saline group were only washed by normal saline, while the wounds of nude mice in L-PRF group and A-PRF group were covered with the corresponding membranes in addition. The wounds of nude mice in the 3 groups were all bandaged and fixed with dressings. On treatment day 4, 7, and 14, the wound healing was observed and the wound healing rate was calculated. Masson staining was used to observe the new collagen in wound tissue, and immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the percentage of CD31 positive cells in the wound. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, analysis of variance for factorial design, one-way analysis of variance, and least significant difference test. Results: L-PRF membrane's dense network structure was composed of coarse fibrin bundles, with scattered white blood cells and platelets with complete morphology. A-PRF membrane's loose network structure was composed of fine fibrin bundles, with scattered small amount of deformed white blood cells and platelets. On culture day 1, the release concentration of PDGF-AB in PRF culture supernatant in A-PRF group was significantly higher than that in L-PRF group (t=5.73, P<0.05), while the release concentrations of VEGF in PRF culture supernatant in the two groups were similar (P>0.05). On culture day 3, 7, and 14, the release concentrations of PDGF-AB and VEGF in PRF culture supernatant in A-PRF group were significantly higher than those in L-PRF group (with t values of 6.93, 7.45, 5.49, 6.97, 8.97, and 13.64, respectively, P<0.05). On culture day 3, 7, and 14, the release concentrations of PDGF-AB and VEGF in PRF culture supernatant in the two groups were all significantly higher than those in the previous time points within the group (P<0.05). On culture day 1, 3, and 7, the proliferation activity of mice Fbs in A-PRF group was 0.293±0.034, 0.582±0.054, and 0.775±0.040, respectively, which were significantly stronger than 0.117±0.013, 0.390±0.036, and 0.581±0.037 in L-PRF group (with t values of 8.38, 5.14, and 6.16, respectively, P<0.05). At 24 h after scratching, the migration rate of mice Fbs in A-PRF group was (60.9±2.2)%, which was significantly higher than (39.1±2.3)% in L-PRF group (t=11.74, P<0.05). On treatment day 4, the wound exudates of nude mice in L-PRF group and A-PRF group were less with no obvious signs of infection, while the wounds of nude mice in normal saline group showed more exudation. On treatment day 7, the wounds of nude mice in L-PRF group and A-PRF group were dry and crusted, while there was still a small amount of exudate in the wounds of nude mice in normal saline group. On treatment day 14, the wounds of nude mice in A-PRF group tended to heal; a small portion of wounds remained in nude mice in L-PRF group; the wound of nude mice was still covered with eschar in normal saline group. On treatment day 4, 7, and 14, the wound healing rate and percentage of CD31 positive cells of nude mice in L-PRF group were all significantly higher than those in normal saline group (P<0.05); compared with those in normal saline group and L-PRF group, the wound healing rate of nude mice in A-PRF group was significantly increased (P<0.05), the newborn collagen was orderly and evenly distributed, with no excessive deposition, and the percentage of CD31 positive cells was significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusions: The stable fibrin network structure of A-PRF can maintain the sustained release of growth factors, accelerate cell proliferation, and promote cell migration, so as to shorten the healing time and improve the healing quality of deep partial-thickness burn wounds in nude mice.